A Matter of Time and Patience

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

                “OH HELL NO!” Ash shouted, glaring at Thorin. They were in the kitchen with the door locked and orders to Kili and Fili to remain out in the hall. The older Durin had just offered to council her about her suicidal thoughts but Ash obviously had no desire to talk to her best friend’s uncle about herself, let alone her thoughts.

                Thorin looked at her with a concerned expression. “Ash,” he said calmly, “it’ll help you. Sometimes it just helps to get those thoughts off your chest.” He explained, taking a step toward the younger of the two sisters.

                Ash glowered and took a step back. “Yes, maybe so,” she said in a low, dangerously calm tone. “But those thoughts are personal and not meant to be spoken. I would rather keep them to myself.”

                Ash could feel Thorin and Rowan’s stunned gaze on her and it fed her temper all the more;  she hated being stared at.

                Thorin took another step toward her a stern look on his face. “I’m just trying to help you, Ash.”

                “I don’t want your help,” Ash hissed through gritted teeth. Spinning on her heels, she marched outside, slamming the door behind her. She was both upset and embarrassed by her actions, knowing her temper was horrible but too proud to go and apologize. It had become short when she had received the news about Fili, Kili, and Thorin’s deaths, then got even shorter when Cedar died. Yes, Ash knew this and she was horrified with herself, knowing that she got angry for no reason. But she still wouldn’t apologize; not first at least.

                Rowan winced when the door slammed shut. Her gaze lingered on the door her sister had just stormed out of before turning back to Thorin. He sighed and ran a hand through his long, greying hair and opened the door letting the brothers’ in. They tumbled in having been pressed against the door listening through the wood. Quickly Fili rushed over to the trembling woman but was intercepted by Thorin. “Wait a moment, lad.”

“I’m so sorry about her…” Rowan apologized, her voice cracking a little. It was a shock for her to know that she might’ve been left alone in this world; that she would’ve had to sit through another sibling’s funeral had Ash not thrown up those pills. Rowan felt a couple hot tears run down her cheeks and soon, strong arms had wrapped around her and she was being embraced by Fili who had pushed passed his uncle to get to her.

                He kissed the top of her head and held her. “I’m sorry.”

                She shook her head. “No, it isn’t your fault…”

                Kili rushed to the door and looked back at Rowan. “Is she really leaving?”

                “Not a chance. She wouldn’t leave without me.”

                He sighed in relief, but bolted out the door, calling to Ash. Rounding the corner of the safe house he found Ash at the base of a tree, just sitting there leaning against the tall oak. He walked over and sat next to her. Her eyes were closed and as far as he could tell, she didn’t hear him. After a minute or two of silence he leaned back against the tree and sighed.

                “It’s so good to see you again.” Kili said, looking at her.

                Ash nodded and smiled softly, not opening her eyes. “Glad to know you’re alive, Kee.”

                Kili chuckled a little and dug in the dirt. “Hmm. So you and Ro had quite the adventure?”

                She grimaced. “Yeah, I’d rather not talk about it.”

                “Right… sorry… I kinda… yeah…” He just ducked his head and continued scribbling in the dirt, his cheeks burning with shame.

                Ash opened one eye and looked at the brunette sitting by her. She hadn’t seen that face in months nor spoken to him in what felt like eons. After a moments silence, she simply spun and tackled Kili.

                “Hey!” he laughed as they wrestled. They rolled about the backyard, trying oh so hard to pin each other down. At one point, Ash had the boy straddled to the ground, a smug grin on her face. What the red head had forgotten that Kili had been in the army and was all beefed up and much more muscular than the last time they wrestled. So it didn’t take long for Kili to roll over and pin Ash down, straddling her down like she had done to him. Her grin was gone, but Kili was a grinning idiot. Soon, Ash was smiling up at him, laughing.

                “It’s so good to have you back!” she laughed, her eyes glistening with tears.

                Kili smirked, got off of her, and helped her up, then wrapped her in a long awaited and lengthy hug.

                Meanwhile, while Kili and Ash were having quality time, Rowan and Fili were having some of their own. The two sat together on the couch, Rowan snuggled up to him and Fili wrapped his arm around her, kissing her forehead.

                “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you,” he mused, playing with her short, spikey hair. “Though, it hasn’t been so long that I forget how long your hair was. And it wasn’t colored…”

                Rowan smiled grimly. “When one wants to drop off the grid, one must take desperate measures. I cut my hair short and highlighted the tips. Ash grew hers out and dyed the underside blonde. We hopped from state to state, job to job, never staying in one place for too long. We didn’t like it but –hey- we all have to step out of our comfort zone, right?”

                Fili smiled a little and tightened his hold around her, hugging her close. “You did what you thought was best. And it led you to us, so in my opinion, you made the best decision ever.”

                Rowan smiled and winced ever so slightly. Not again, not now. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, standing. “I’m super tired and it’s been a long day and I’ve got a headache.” Not a total lie… “Which room can I use?”

                Fili’s brow furrowed with concern and stood, leading her to an empty room. Flipping the lights on as they entered, he led her to the bed and kissed her forehead. “Night. We’ll have a lot of catching up to do tomorrow.”

                Rowan nodded and closed her eyes. When Fili left, turning out the lights and closing the door, she hissed in pain as her migraine came in a massive wave, full swing. While dealing with the intense pain, a small part of her applauded herself for hiding it well. She pulled the blankets up and covered her head, curling into a tight ball.

                Rowan had no idea how much time had passed before Ash crawled into bed with her, but it was late.

                “Migraine?” the younger asked, concerned.

                “Hmmm-mmm,” Rowan mumbled into the pillow. After a moment of silence, Rowan faced Ash. “Next time, tell me. Please.” She begged, knowing Ash would understand what she was talking about.

                Ash glared and rolled over. “Whatever. Night sis.”

I wrote this one. My sister edited it. Well, there you go. FLUFF!!!

~♠Ember♠