Different Sense

Different Sense: 36

“Well, you are all here and in one piece, and that is all what truly matters.” Gandalf smiled, he didn't want to pointlessly argue with Thorin anymore. “Now, I must have brief words with the Town Master. Once I have, Thorin you and I will have to talk about our next moves.”

Thorin nodded agreeing, Gandalf gave the group one last smile before turning and leaving. Bard was hanging around the door and got a hand waved at him by Gandalf to lead the way.

“I really do not like that man.” Lothiriel whispered to Bilbo, he gave a slow nod before putting his hands in his pockets.

“How much of our conversation do you think he heard?”

“With the way he lurks, or seemingly is prone to lurking, I’d bet to say all of it.” Lothiriel looked at her friend.

“I've been thinking,” Bilbo looked at her. He turned his gaze away from the doorway which Gandalf and Bard disappeared through. “If you...you know, try and redeem the right of your kin; wouldn't that mean you'd be leaving this quest?” He whispered to her.

Lothiriel looked troubled. “I have no intention of leaving.” She said stonily. “I intend to stay and see it through to the end.”

“I've also been thinking.” Bilbo smiled and rocked on his heels. “I may not be the best advisor, but I think you should talk to Thorin.”

“Eep,” Lothiriel pulled a face. “Yes, you are right, Bilbo. But,” she looked over at him. “I do not think now is the best time.”

“Well, as your temporary advisor for the time being I must say that I do not think any time is the best time.”

Lothiriel smiled, “You say you are not a good advisor? I call you a liar. Sometimes, people need to hear the blunt truth. You have told be the blunt truth, Bilbo, and I am going to listen to you.” She smiled and took a step forward. Stopping she looked at him. “Are you sure you won't become my full time advisor? Bilbo Baggins, Advisor to the Lady of the Boscage. It has a nice ring to it, no?”

Bilbo just smiled and watched her walk away. His smile slipped and turned to a sad one. Lothiriel had never really referred to herself as 'Lady of the Boscage' before, this was perhaps one of few times. Deep down he knew that she wished to go fulfil the task which was set out to her, maybe referring herself in this way was a subconscious admittance.

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Thorin's gaze drifted from Balin to Lothiriel as she appeared beside the elderly dwarf. “I hate to interrupt your conversation, but may I talk to you?” She asked while twiddling her fingers nervously, Thorin nodded slowly.

Placing a hand on Balin's shoulder he gave him a light smile before gesturing to Lothiriel. The others had heard her words and looked around sceptically.

Walking down the corridor, Lothiriel continued to twiddle her fingers. Thorin was confused, he didn't exactly know what to say so he waited for her to speak. It wasn't long before she clapped her hands together and stopped walking.

Sitting down she leant her chin in her hands. They had walked to the jetty, Thorin sat down beside her, his boots narrowly missed touching the surface of the water.

“Let me see,” Lothiriel started. “I keep getting word.” She said awkwardly she was struggling to think of the right words to use. “Some from Faelon, some from Eruheran.” She could see Thorin tense up from the corner of her eyes.

Getting enough courage she turned and looked up at the dwarf beside her. “Thorin, the time I was speaking of has come sooner than I dearly hoped. But,” she said quickly. He was about to say something, upon getting snapped at he frowned instead. “I need to ask something of you.”

“Permission to leave, by any chance?” He said lowly, Lothiriel looked at him sadly. He was injured, not psychically, but it was clear this moment was hurting him in some way.

Lothiriel reached out, putting a hand against his cheek she turned his face back to look at her. “Listen to me, Thorin Oakenshield.” His blue eyes glanced up and met her amber ones. “I am not asking for permission, nor am I just upping and going. That is not what I wanted to ask of you; I wanted to ask if you'd accept my kins help.” She smiled earnestly. Thorin just looked at her with wide eyes. Lothiriel pouted and shrugged, “Sure, we aren't strong; not like you dwarves. Nor are we quick like the elves. But we are a mixture of both. I am not sure how much help we would be, but I feel by getting their help, it may...I don't know...” she frowned. “Perhaps...” Lothiriel trailed off and smiled suddenly. “Perhaps it would be a wise first move for me as a new leader, to strike up an alliance. If you hadn't figured out; I’m rather new to this leadership thing.” She giggled and gave a wink.

“When will you meet them?”

“They've been following us,” Lothiriel said awkwardly. “Eruheran and the rest from Eryn Vorn, have been following us should I say. Faelon is awaiting their arrival and they are awaiting my word.”

“You will need to leave to meet them.”

“All right; so perhaps I lied a little. I do need permission to go, but you can equally say no. but in saying no, you must realise that you are rejecting possible help.”

“Well when put like that how can I not say yes?” Thorin said while quickly standing up and walking away heavily.

Lothiriel bolted after him, placing her hands against his chest she managed to persuade him to stop. She looked at the jetty and then up again. “My King, I would follow you into an oblivion, I would follow you to the ends of Middle-Earth, and more importantly; I would do anything in my power to find help if you needed it.” Lothiriel said quietly. “I am not using this as an excuse to abandon this quest, or more to the point you. I fear the Town Master will not support this quest, which means our numbers would automatically be down. I’m trying to think strategically here, I am not sure if it is working.”

Thorin put a finger under her chin and lifted her face up to look at him. “Where are they?”

“Last time I heard, venturing out of Fangorn, Faelon sent someone to go meet Eruheran.”

“Fangorn is at least a four day journey, if not a week!”

Lothiriel lowered her head again, letting out a slow sigh she looked up quickly. “Faelon is still in Mirkwood.”

“You are not to go back in there.” Thorin said while narrowing his eyes.

Lothiriel nodded, giving a whistle she held up a finger when a bird appeared. Smiling up at him she looked to the bird. “Are you accepting help?” He didn't answer, but he did let out a low 'hmph'. Lothiriel turned her attention back to the bird. Talking quickly in a language Thorin had never heard before he watched the bird fly away with such speed.

“What did you say?” He asked curiously.

“Well,” Lothiriel linked her arm with his and started walking back to where everyone else was. “I said that the stubborn, headstrong dwarf who leads the company accepts your help, through hearing a lecture. But he would like to know where your location is, and to keep in constant contact with updates. Once you are near, I will meet you; now don't look at me like that, Thorin! I may be going about this the wrong way, a new leader does not tend to lead their comrades straight into battle upon becoming one of power, but I think this may be an exception. So in saying that, I will meet them, and I hate to stand up to you but; I’m going to meet them whether you agree or not.” Lothiriel said surely, against his better judgement Thorin laughed. He hadn't realized that his and everyone else's dwarfish stubbornness had rubbed off on Lothiriel in such a way.