Loyalty, Honor, and a Willing Heart

Chapter 34 - Back Home

Thorin knew his own folk uses well enough to find a fire making kit close to a torch at the temple’s entrance. He lit it and they made their way back to the main corridor that led to the treasure halls one way and to their dwellings in the opposite way. He didn’t even take a look to the treasure way, holding his head upright, bold, self-possessed, hand in hand with his fiancée, who rescued him out of the darkness of dragon madness and to whom he swore never to hurt again. They headed for the Company’s headquarters, as Thror’s house was turned into, and he used that time to question her what he could about his clouded minded days.

“When you spoke about the Company members, I don’t recall you mentioning Bifur. How is he faring?”

“Depressed. He says he came to fight, not to stay besieged, and that he would rather die in battlefield than to grow mushrooms in his ears while waiting.”

He smiled, proud of her.

“You have improved your Iglishmêk, I see.”

“Why do you say this?”

“You used your free hand to accompany your words while you were talking about Bifur.” She smiled back. “And your family? Iris must be mad at me if I made Bilbo go away. I must mend this, the sooner the better.”

“Iris is angrier at Aunt and me than at you. She cannot see her relationship with Bilbo has no bedrock, they are in love but it is more an infatuation than anything, at least it is so that me and Aunt, who know Iris since she was born, perceive it.”

“And your aunt, how is she faring?”

“She is working together with her brothers and your nephews to keep the Company united and focused, albeit your sickness. I deem the Fundinul children are everything a king could want to support him, but I’m Ellen’s niece, so my opinion is suspect.”

They were getting close to the headquarters when he took her by surprise, pulled her to a wall and kissed her fiercely, rubbing his hands on her arms, breasts and hips, much to her delight. He took a deep breath in and spoke quietly to her.

“No one has to fancy you are less than completely honorable to be at my side; your reputation must be as untouchable as mine, if we are to be respected by my people, and I’m not speaking about the Company, but about everyone who will be coming from Ered Luin and other places.”

Lily looked up at him, agreeing with a nod, and then he said something that startled her.

“I know I’m not your First, as you are not my First; but none else has to know it.”

She looked at her feet, a bit ashamed, but what else could she do? They were risen worlds apart. Thorin uplifted her chin with a finger, making her look up at him.

“And I don’t care if I am not your First, because I know I am your Last. Understood?”

“Yes.”

***

Ellen was beginning to worry about Lily when the sun was about to set; she had gone to the Hoard, to try to talk some sense into Thorin’s skull, hours ago, and asked for no one to go after her. She was stretchingthe pizza dough to show Bombur how to make it when they heard a buzz in the living room, and shouts of joy. Kili run into the kitchen to call them, panting, wide eyed.

“Uncle is back! Aunty brought him back!”

“Great Mahal and Varda be thanked!”

The elf clasped her hands, closing her eyes. As her memory changed in after the transposing of worlds, the name of Holiness that she was used to spell changed to the different faces that it assumed in that world. A smiling Kili put a hand around her waist and led her to the living room where the others were already.