Different Sense

Different Sense: 33

She looked rather sorry for herself after her long speech. Reaching out Thorin put his hands on her shoulders and slowly ran them down her arms.

“What are you thinking?”

Lothiriel looked up at him quickly before looking back down at the jetty. “I am thinking that if you weren't such an arrogant dwarf, let alone a King, then I would have surely left long ago.”

Thorin's hands dropped to his sides. “No you wouldn't have.” He sounded unamused by her words.

Lothiriel gave a mischievous grin and winked. “No, I wouldn't have!” She laughed lightly. Lifting up a hand she wagged a finger at him. “I would, however, give you a nice long hard talking to.” She said mock seriously. Lowering her hand again she smiled. “Thorin, I believe in this quest as much as the next...dwarf,” she frowned, she couldn't very well say; 'as much as the next nymph,' for she was the only one. Her words caused Thorin to raise an eyebrow at her again too. Shaking her head she shrugged.

“We are a very odd group.” Lothiriel said off topic. When she pondered over the group, she couldn't help but smile at how much of an odd group they really were. They were quite the group of outcasts, obviously that was how Thorin saw it. His usual confidence seemed to dwindle slightly.

Lothiriel smiled and jumped to stand beside him. “We are strong, brave, brilliant, and lead by the most remarkable King I have had the pleasure to know. He is brave, strong, confident, quick tempered, and perhaps a little over his head than a dwarf would like, but none the less! I am proud to follow him, and will continue to follow him no matter the outcome in the end.”

“Will you stay, after the end?”

Lothiriel blinked, the question caught her off guard. She tilted her head to the side in thought. There was an end? She hadn't much thought of the end to this quest. What caused her to go more into thought was the fact that there was perhaps more 'after the end' of this quest. Clearly life did not come to a stop once Erebor had been reclaimed.

Thorin was still awaiting an answer, Lothiriel frowned. She had things she needed to do after this quest, looking at him she smiled slowly. “May I tell you a secret of sorts?” She said off topic. It was obvious that her answer to his question with another question of a different topic annoyed him. Yet Thorin gave a slow nod.

“Did you happen to overhear my brief conversation with Faelon?” Thorin looked thoughtful before the image of the nymph rider came to mind. He gave another sure nod which caused Lothiriel to sigh. “I once said, we are similar. Maybe I meant that in more than one way.” She paused to look up at the sky.

“You see,” she continued. “I have a whole race to reunite.” Thorin raised an eyebrow. “My uncle, when he killed my father he fractured us all. Times are tough with us anyway, let alone this betrayal happening. Most of us do not recognise him as our Lord.”

“But you?” Thorin pressed.

Lothiriel shuddered. “I am not prepared to reunite a whole race which my uncle split apart. My brother was to be Lord next. But he obviously can't,” she said bitterly. Shaking her head she looked up at him. “Thorin, to stay 'after the end', you need to realise that I may be missing for a little while so I can see if I can achieve this goal.”

“And I will aid you.” He said honestly.

Lothiriel double took and pointed at him. “W-what?” She whispered.

Thorin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Lothiriel, you are aiding me in this quest. It is only fair I repay the favour.” Lothiriel's eyes watered and she leapt up to throw her arms around his neck. Thorin took a step back from the impact but he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“You, Thorin Oakenshield, are an amazing being.” Lothiriel said while leaning away, his arms still kept her in place though.

 ----

When morning arose, Bilbo woke up without the aching feeling in his limbs. This must have been the first in a long time, where he'd awoken without any aches and pains. Sure, there was still a dull ache but not nearly as much of one as yesterday when he'd woken up.

He knew though, despite the comfort and lack of fear of his current surroundings that they were not to stay long. Ori had briefly told him before they retired to bed, that Thorin had planned for them to stay for another day or so. This was so they could all rest up, recover from their previous hardships, and be as prepared as possible for the next step in their adventure.

Bilbo was grateful, very much, for this gesture. Although he couldn't help but have a niggling feeling that Thorin had raised this suggestion because they were waiting for someone.

“Gandalf should be with us by tomorrow evening.” Thorin spoke sternly. Bilbo had shuffled out of his room in the search for some breakfast. He noticed Thorin and Balin talking in the large hall from the previous evening.

“But what if he isn't? This situation has appeared before, do you suggest we go on without him; again?”

“No, not this time.” Thorin gave the elder dwarf a smile. “We need him now.”

“Well,” Balin smiled with a small nod. “That may be up for debate.”

“Fair enough,” Thorin nodded and smiled back at his friend.

Clapping his hands lightly together he walked over and sat next to Bofur, Bilbo raised an eyebrow at the already stacked plate in front of him.

“Good morning.” Bilbo smiled cheerily.

“Well aren't you in a bright mood this mornin'?” Bofur grinned. “Top o' the mornin' to you, Mr Baggins.” He said while putting a finger to his hat and dipping it slightly.

“Indeed.” Bilbo answered while getting to gathering food together. He joined in with the odd topics which were thrown about. It was strange, the ease and comfort of the company seemed to envelope them in a bubble. Bilbo didn't realise how much he was enjoying himself until he realised this thought.

He smiled earnestly to himself and looked up at Bofur, who was rambling on about something or rather. Turning his gaze to Dwalin, who was sitting to his left, Bilbo looked at him. Beside him Bofur was still rambling away.

“Dwalin,” the big dwarf turned to him when hearing his name. “Where's Lothiriel?” Bilbo noticed that she was not present and was missing out on breakfast and out on the comfortable atmosphere.

Dwalin didn't answer straight away, waving his fork over to Thorin he gave a small grin. “Maybe in his bed?” Bilbo gave him the most shocked and embarrassed expression which he'd ever given someone. Bilbo still didn't understand how dwarves could be so blunt and to the point. Dwalin caught sight of his expression and grinned.

“Don't look so embarrassed, lad.” Dwalin said quietly. “I doubt that is where she is.” The dwarf gave a shrug and was going to raise his fork again, when suddenly he leant across the table. “Thorin!” Dwalin called, Bilbo jumped and shook his head. “Where's Lothiriel? Mr Baggins wants to know.” Dwalin said simply, Bilbo's head shook even more. He didn't want Thorin to take his thought the wrong way. Once he asked, he promptly returned to his meal.

Thorin looked at him blankly for a few seconds. Instead of flying off over the comment, a subtle smirk appeared on his face. “In my bed.” Dwalin burst out laughing from Thorin's comment whereas Bilbo's face went bright red from embarrassment, again.