Nathaniela's Destiny

Chapter Six: Getting Attacked, Holding a Trial

 Nattie screamed at the top of her lungs, as the dwarves attacked her.   Suddenly, Nattie could hear a familiar voice booming at her.  "GET OFF OF HER NOW!!" the deep male voice shouted. And of course, the women jumped off. "Oh, great heaven's above! Nattie! Nattie's hurt, Thorin!" cried out another voice, whom Nattie recognized as Balin's.  Thorin ran over to Nattie, as he knelt before her.  "She is injured! We must take her home.  Balin send for Oin.  Dwalin, take those women, and lock them up! I will deal with them later!" said Thorin.  Dwalin, alongside with several other dwarves rounded up Nattie's attackers, and took them away.   Meanwhile, Thorin  picked up Nattie, and carried her home, followed by Balin.  "Thorin!" whispered Nattie.   "Don't you worry, Nattie--we're getting you home now!" said Thorin, gently.    Once they arrived at home, Dis gasped as she saw Thorin carrying a very wounded Nattie into their home, as Thorin carried Nattie to her room and lay her down on the bed.   It didn't take long for Oin to arrive, as he carried in his medical supplies with him.  "What has happened to Nattie?" asked Dis.

 "She had been attacked by several dwarf women today, sister.   It appears that Nattie has told me the truth of her not being liked around here. Which I am going to fix that." said Thorin.  "How are you going to fix it, Thorin? These dwarves had stood by their beliefs of Nattie for years! You cannot change how they feel about her." said Dis.  "Dis, look at her!! We cannot keep this going! Yes, I WILL Fix this! I will outlaw anyone who places any harm on Nattie, I don't care if they are my own KIN!" shouted Thorin, angrily.  "How is she Oin?" asked Dis.  "Her left hip is fractured, and her foot is broken!  Luckily, everything else is minor scrapes and bruises, which I've taken care of already!" said Oin. "Good, good!" said Thorin.  Suddenly Dwalin entered the room, carrying the items that Nattie had purchased.  "Where do I put these?" asked Dwalin.  "Oh, Dwalin! I'm so glad you found those! Put them on the side of the bed if you please!" said Nattie.  Then she turned her attention to Thorin. "I also got something for you to, while I was out shopping!" said Lydia.  

   "So what did you get me?" asked Thorin.  "Look at the side of the bed, you'll see it under your nose!" said Nattie, smiling. Thorin looked at the side of the bed, and to his surprise, he saw a small, golden travel sized harp sitting on the floor. "Nattie--!" gasped Thorin, as he picked up the harp.   "You didn't have to buy me a new harp!" said Thorin.  "I figured you needed a new one since your other harps still remain in Erebor!" said Nattie.    Thorin smiled, as he gently caressed the carving work on the harp, and soon the strings.  "It's beautiful, Nattie! Thank you!" said Thorin.  "Well?" said Nattie after a brief silence.  "Well what?" said Thorin.  "Play me something! I like to hear how it sounds!" said Nattie, smiling at the Dwarf.  Thorin smiled back in return, as he placed the harp on his lap, and he placed his large fingers gently on the silver strings, as, he began to pluck and strum the strings.  After he gently played for a while, Thorin started to sing, in his language, his deep velvety voice rose above the music.   Nattie sighed as she watched her beloved sing and play his music.

  Nattie always loved Thorin's singing voice.    Once Thorin finished the song, he places the harp aside, and joined Nattie in the bed, as he pulled her into his arms, holding her close to his broad chest.   "Don't you worry, Nat! Everything is going to change around here. In four days time, I will be addressing the entire Ered Luin in the Great Hall, to discuss this matter, and I wish for you to be there." said Thorin.  "Thorin, you know I can't do that." said Nattie.  "Nattie, you have to be there.  And trust me, no harm is going to come to you as long as I'm there!" said Thorin, gently.  "I love you, Thorin!" said Nattie, softly as she drifted off into sleep.  "I love you too,imur!" Thorin whispered back as he kissed her on the cheek.  

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  One week later...

    A week had passed, as Nattie fully recovered from her injuries, but she had still never fully recovered mentally from her attacks.  Nattie had now feared of leaving the house without someone going with her.   And so pretty much every time she had to leave the house, she would either take Dwalin, Dis, Balin, or Thorin with her.   And one day, the day came for Thorin to address the people of Ered Luin.    Many arrived and gathered in the Great Hall, awaiting for the Dwarf Prince's address.  The majority of the dwarves whom knew about this, were not very happy about attending this address, but  they didn't want to go against Thorin either, and they went ahead and attended the meeting. "My good people of Ered Luin, it calls to my attention that some of you, or shoudl I say MOST of you have a strong distaste and hatred towards my beloved Nattie. And I will ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT tolerate such hatred towards her.  She has done any of you no wrong, and she doesn't deserve to be treated this way.   And as for those whom attacked her, you know who you are, you will deal with a severe punishment!" said Thorin.  

  Suddenly one of the dwarves stood up and glared angrily at Thorin.  "Are you trying to tell us that you're defending this disgrace for a dwarf?!" shouted the Dwarf.  "DISGRACE?!  Let me tell you who's a disgrace, Niland! You and the rest of you dwarves are a DISGRACE for treating Nattie the way you treated her!! She is a nice woman, and a caring woman who looks out for others needs! It seems that you cannot see past that! Here's a little friendly reminder for all of you! If you don't like Nattie, you are more than welcome to pack your belongings and leave Ered Luin at once!" said Thorin, darkly.  And the room went deathly quiet after that.  "Think about these words I have spoken to you, because if you don't take my advice, then I ban the whole lot of you from Ered Luin! This meetings adjourned!" said Thorin.  And the dwarves left the Great Hall.  Thorin turned to Nattie.  "See? Nobody had made threats to you!" said Thorin.

 "But still, Thorin! I would keep a close watch! And Nattie's right! If she wishes to leave the house, one of us should accompany her." said Dwalin.  Thorin nodded, as they went home.   Three weeks later,  Dis announced to everyone that Vili had returned from his hunting excursion, and she had planned on everyone to meet him.  "We'll meet at the village pub! In that way there, all of you can meet Vili!" said Dis. "I still don't trust a dwarf who works with thieves!" grumbled Thorin.  "THORIN!" snapped Dis, sharply. Thorin quickly fell silent.  "Thorin, you barely met the dwarf, how can you pass judgement on someone you barely know?" said Nattie.  "Thank you, Nattie!" exclaimed Dis, waving her arm. And so the weekend came, and everyone gathered at the village pub to meet Vili,  Dis's beloved.  When they met the blonde haired dwarf, everyone liked him on the spot, on the exception of Thorin, whom remained silent, and glared angrily at the dwarf most of the entire evening. 

 "Stop that, Thorin! You know it's rude to stare!" hissed Nattie.  "I can't help it.  There is something about that dwarf that isn't right." grumbled Thorin. "Why are you doing this, Thorin? Don't you care about your sister's happiness?" asked Nattie, sharply. "It's just this, Nattie--I don't want to see my sister hurt in anyway! That's why I am like this!" said Thorin.  "I understand your intentions, Thorin, and being the protective brother  you are! But Dis is a grown woman, and she has a right for her own decisions! Think back for a minute in Erebor when your Grandfather forced you to marry Tabitha." said Nattie.  "I am not my grandfather, Nattie." said Thorin.  "Ha!" exclaimed Nattie, sarcastically.   Thorin gave Nattiea sharp glare.   "Who wants to join me in a singing contest?" asked Vili.  "I wouldn't mind singin'! I love to sing!" beamed Dwalin.  "No offense Dwalin, your singing--is well not good! You sing like a very sick cow!" said Balin.   "I do not sing like  sick cow!" snapped Dwalin.  And the two brothers argued back and forth, much to the amusement of the others. 

 "Maybe we can settle this argument.  Dwalin! You and I are going to have a singin' contest!" said Vili grinning. "It's on, Master Vili! Balin, grab me fiddle!" Dwalin barked at his brother.  "I'll get my lute!" said Vili, as he picked up his lute.  Thorin shook his head, as they sat and watched the singing contest, now in full force.