Nathaniela's Destiny

Chapter Two: The Truth is Out

It had been a month since Nattie had started working for the Royal Family, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. And she thanked Mahal, that nobody had figured out that she was mixed breed. Everyone (including Thorin) had assumed that she is a full dwarf whom had just moved here, and desperated needed of work and home. Nattie decided to keep her true heritage a secret, because everyone where to find out about it, she would be sent away, as she done before in Ered Luin. And Nattie became very good friends with Thorin, Frerin and Dis, and as a nanny, Nattie became best friends with the youngest royal, Princess Dis. Two more months went by, as she already had gotten to know the family, her friendship with Thorin had blossomed, and soon it became something more than just friendship, as the two of them had been spending a lot of time together. During Thorin's most stressful times, Thorin would always come to her, and they would talk for hours endlessly, about numerous topics.

One night, Nattie sat in Thorin's chambers with the Dwarf Prince, as she was working on mending his clothes. "Do you like music, Nattie?" asked the Dwarf Prince, standing up. "Yes, I love music. I play the flute, but very little. It's been a long time since I lay hands on a flute." Nattie replied. "I play harp, and I'm about to play for you, if you don't mind!" said Thorin, smiling at Nattie. "You play the harp?!" exclaimed Nattie--she didn't expect this. She always thought only elves would play harps--she didn't expect that this dwarf prince had taken an interest in playing such a beautiful, delicate instrument. Thorin reached for the wooden case where he had kept the harp, and took out the harp, as he sat down upon a stool nearby, as he placed the harp upon his lap. Thorin soon started to play, plucking and strumming the strings gently, as Nattie watched in awe and amazement.

Suddenly, Thorin presently started to sing in Khuzudul, his deep rich baritone rose above the floating melodies of the harp, and it was his voice and playing that captivated Nattie. Nattie could feel her heart racing, a million beats a minute, as she looked upon this handsome dwarf. And she noticed as he played and sang, he looked at her, with loving eyes. Once the song ended, Nattie clapped her hands. "Wow, I'm quite impressed! You are a dwarf of many talents, Your Highness!" said Nattie. "Thank you! Now tell me more about yourself, Nattie. Were you born and raised here?" Thorin asked her. "No, I was born and raised in Ered Luin, September 19, 2697." said Nattie. "Wow, you're much older than I am! So why aren't you still living in Ered Luin?" said Thorin. Nattie frowned. She really didn't want to talk about why she left Ered Luin, and it was something that she really want to keep to herself.

"What's wrong?" said Thorin, as he noticed Nattie, not responding to his questions. "Thorin, I just can't talk about it okay? I don't mean to sound rude, but it something I really wish not to talk about." said Nattie. "Alright, if you wish not talk about it, it's okay! I won't push you to go any further." said Thorin. But still, Thorin wondered what had happened to her, that she had refused to talk about why she had departed Ered Luin. One way or the other, she will tell me! I'll give her time! But there is something about her though that is quite off! thought Thorin, as he watched Nattie continued working on her mending. Once she finished her work, Thorin had dismissed her for the day. "You can go and relax if you wish, I have pressing matters to attend to with My Grandfather." said Thorin. Nattie nodded, and she left, as Thorin watched her leave his chambers.

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"Now, lad, this very night I'm holding a private dinner with several noble families whom are bringing their daughters for you to meet---the reason for this dinner is to help you decide whom you will take up for a bride!" said King Thror. "Grandfather, we've went through this before! I am not going to marry someone I don't even know!" said the Dwarf Prince, stiffly. "Thorin, it's part of your birthright, and the laws of our people! You are moving close to twenty years old, and I wish for you to marry and produce an heir by the age of 33!" said the Dwarf King. "Nonsense! Why must I have to do things to make others happy? Don't people understand about my happiness anymore?!" snapped Thorin, angrily. "Lad, you know well as I do about the ancient laws.." continued the Dwarf King. "Fry the stupid laws! It's stupid, downright plain stupid!!" shouted Thorin. "Don't you raise your voice at me, boy! You are to marry as soon as possible, and you WILL not back out of it! You will be attending this dinner tonight!" said the Dwarf King, gruffily. "FINE!" bellowed Thorin, as he stormed out of the King's study.

No soon as Thorin had left, a dwarf guard entered the study. "Your Majesty, Forn Firebeard from Ered Luin is here to speak with you!" said the guard. "He may come in!" said the Dwarf King. Forn entered the King's study. "Well greetings, Master Forn! Long time no see! What brings you here to Erebor?" asked the Dwarf King. "This is strictly a business visit, as well as I wish to speak to you on another matter. I am seeking my daughter, Nathaniela Firebeard. Have you seen her?" asked Forn. "Are you speaking of our friend, Nattie? She's YOUR daughter? I didn't know this! Yes, Master Forn, she is here! Do you wish to see her?" said King Thror. "Yes, I very much like to speak with her!" snarled Forn. Meanwhile, Nattie was in her room, reading a book when she heard a knock on the door of her room. Nattie approached the door and answered it. Standing outside was a guard. "Yes?" said Nattie. "You have a visitor, Miss Firebeard. Follow me!" said the guard. A visitor? Now who would want to visit me? thought Nattie, as she followed the guard down the long corridors of the Kingdom.

Soon, they approached the King's study. Once, they entered, Nattie yelped in horror when she saw her father in the room, standing next to the Dwarf King. "F-Father! What are you doing here?!" exclaimed Nattie, as her face turned completely pale. "That's the same question I was going to ask you, HALF BREED!" snapped Forn angrily. "What?" exclaimed King Thror. "Father, no! Don't do this--this really isn't a good time!" pleaded Nattie, in fear. "Have I told you that you're not wanted anywhere? Have I told you that YOU ARE MY SLAVE, and you're not permitted to leave your home?! And what did you do? You left!! You filthy little wretch!!" shouted Forn. "Now there will be none of that! Stop this at once! I demand to know what is going on here!!" barked King Thror, angrily. Shortly, Prince Thorin entered as he heard yelling from the study, and he entered to see what is going on, and watched the scene. "Let me inform you, Your Majesty, this woman is not a full blooded dwarf! Her mother was an elf, and her biological father was a human! When my late wife lost her first husband, whom was a human, she had met me years later, and we married, and we gave birth to this no good worthless living creature whom is under MY employment!!" snapped Forn. "Half Breed?! We have a half breed among us?!!" bellowed King Thror angrily.

"Your Majesty I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry, for with holding the truth!! Please I'm so sorry!" cried out Nattie, now in tears. "How can I forgive someone who has lied to me this entire time! I will not have a Half Breed in my kingdom! She's all yours, Forn! Take her away this once, I don't want to see her around here again!" bellowed the Dwarf King in anger. "Grandfather NO!!" shouted Thorin, as he entered the study. "What are you doing lad?! Have you gone mad?!" shouted King Thror. "You are not going to let her go, and stay with this scum! This dwarf has some issues, and I don't trust him as far as I can spit on him!" growled Thorin. "Thorin, watch that tongue of yours, or it will be cut off! Leave at once! You're supposed to be getting ready for the dinner tonight!" snapped King Thror. "No!" said Thorin, defiantly. "I SAID LEAVE!" bellowed the Dwarf King. And suddenly, Thorin left slamming the door behind her. "Come with me woman, you're not wanted here!" growled Forn, as he dragged her out of the study. "No! I can't go with you! LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Nattie screamed as they left the study. "You're going with me if you like it or not, woman!" Forn barked at Nattie.

After they left the mountain, they stopped in the city of Dale where Forn is now residing. "You will no longer leave this place! You understand me! You work for me now! And you will do as I say!!" bellowed Forn. "I will never listen to you! YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!" Nattie screamed back, when suddenly Forn punched her, as Nattie screamed. Then Forn began to endlessly beat on his daughter with a whip. After a while, he demanded her to get up. "Go to your room and stay there!!" shouted Forn. "Yes, ass hole!" Nattie grumbled, as she went to the nearest bedroom, and she closed the door and locked it.