Not Forsaken

Chapter 12

Luliana had never fainted before, but she was sure that she would at any moment. Suddenly she felt as if there was no air in her lungs, her mouth was dry, and she began seeing dark spots before her eyes. DON'T YOU DARE FAINT, she silently commanded herself. She stood back in her shadowed corner as Gandalf opened the door.

"Gandalf," said Thorin as the door swung open. "I thought you said this place would be easy to find? I lost my way. Twice."

Luliana gulped. His voice was like enchanted, intoxicating music to her ears. She realized that her hair was standing on end, and thankfully no one could see her, because she was blushing furiously right down to her toes.

Gandalf introduced Thorin Oakenshield to Bilbo Baggins as the leader of the company. Not as a king, Luliana noticed quickly, but took no more thought of it. She heard Thorin questioning the poor hobbit about his weapons of choice, and the dwarf seem rather annoyed by the hobbit. He had only just met him, Luliana thought to herself, irritably, as she silently defended poor Bilbo. She was quite sure sure the poor hobbit had had enough of this company by now.

Without realizing it, Luliana had stepped from her little corner, and was standing nearly face to face with Thorin. "We meet again," he said with a barely perceptible smile and a nod, his eyes never leaving hers. "Hello again," she managed to choke out nervously. He brushed past her into the dining room, and she caught the scent of him, pipe smoke, leather and sandalwood. She decided it was better than anything she had ever smelled, and had a sudden urge to follow him, if just to catch another sniff. STOP IT. She immediately chided herself, even though it was done quietly, she still earned herself an odd glance from Fili, as he also walked into the dining room and sat down. The dwarves were much quieter, listening respectfully as Balin spoke to Thorin. He had been late because of a meeting in Ered Luin, she learned. Whatever this quest was, they would be on their own.

Luliana suddenly realized that she had no idea of this quest. She had agreed to it, but suddenly realized that Gandalf had surprised her as well. She knew that the dwarves were to travel to Erebor, but she was completely unaware until this very moment of the peril they all faced.

"A burglar?" She heard Bilbo saying. "I've never stolen a thing in my life!" Quite true, she was sure. He was clearly well to-do, and had never needed to. As loathe as she was to admit it, Luliana had stolen before. Out of necessity, but it was still shameful to her.

Suddenly the dwarves were arguing loudly, clearly unhappy with Gandalf's choice of burglars. I hope I am not the substitute, Luliana thought to herself in a panic.

Gandalf suddenly silenced the dwarves, telling them that he had chosen Mr. Baggins, and that Thorin must trust his decision. It was the same thing Gandalf had said to Thorin about herself, Luliana remembered.

"Give him the contract," Thorin ordered, practically throwing the thick bundle of parchment at Bilbo.

"Lass, I have one here for you as well," Balin said, holding one out to Luliana. She was not as well hidden as she thought she had been, all eyes turning suddenly to her. She glanced over at Thorin, who she realized had locked his piercing, blue eyes steadily upon her. He stood up and whispered something to Gandalf, shooting a quick glance over his shoulder at the poor hobbit. He was becoming quite flustered reading through the contract that had unfolded all the way down to his hideous feet.

"Incineration?!" She heard Bilbo question weakly.

"Oh, aye," agreed Bofur. "He'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye." He said it in such a matter of fact way, Luliana thought. Was this normal every day life for dwarves? Dragons? Lost in her thoughts for a moment, she was suddenly startled as Bilbo landed on the floor. He had fainted.

"Very helpful, Bofur," Gandalf sighed, as he want to assist the poor hobbit.

"Better him than me, I guess," she muttered, feeling quite sick herself by this point. Luliana quickly excused herself to an empty corner. She wondered if it would end up with this company facing a dragon. Her mother did not speak of it often, but once she had told Luliana about the day the dragon came. She shuddered, and felt herself grow cold. She was suddenly gripped with fear. What had she agreed to? But what else did she have? She had no real home, no family. She looked around her at these dwarves. They didn't seem to mind her being there, in fact they all seemed quite friendly. Almost like a family, she mused.

Suddenly she felt someone next to her. "Have you been well, Luliana?" It was Thorin. She looked up at him, and smiled. "Yes, I have. Thank you for asking." She considered for a moment, then continued. "Please give Mr. Baggins a chance. I'm afraid this has been rather unexpected for him."

Thorin looked in the direction of where Bilbo was now seated, clearly not pleased with with Gandalf's choice of burglar. "Aye. Clearly." He grumbled, clearly annoyed.

"You got lost coming here, did you?" Luliana said, quite without meaning to.
Thorin suddenly looked at her, sheepishly nodding in agreement. "I will make sure that you are not lost again." She gave Thorin a sly smile, and quickly turned and walked away. She could not believe she had been that bold, and suddenly wished she could melt into the floor. WHAT MUST HE THINK OF ME NOW? YOU FOOL! FOOL!! She silently rebuked herself.

Thorin watched her walk away, his eyes catching the glint of the mithril bead she now wore in her hair. His breath caught in his throat. The bead. She had not been wearing it in Bree, he was sure! Why now? Had Gandalf told her?

"Ah. She's a spitfire, that one is," Balin spoke, startling Thorin. "Gandalf speaks very highly of her, and I am told that her sense of direction is much better than your own, laddie." The old dwarf gave Thorin a wink and a cheeky grin.

"Did she sign the contract?" Thorin asked, trying to ignore Balin. The old dwarf knew him well. Too well, Thorin thought, trying to avoid eye contact.

"Aye, she did, laddie." Balin stood quietly for a moment, carefully considering his words before he spoke. "I am surprised at you, Thorin. I never would have thought that you would have allowed a woman on this quest. Especially this...this half breed, for lack of a better word."

Thorin glared icily at Balin. He respected this old dwarf, but he was treading on dangerous ground. Thorin quickly looked at the floor, feeling a twinge of guilt. He knew that Balin had always been a faithful friend and counsellor.

"You may speak freely, Balin. What is on your mind, old friend?" Thorin finally said, looking up at the dwarf in front of him.

Balin smiled gently at him. "You are under no obligation to this oath, Thorin. None. Your grandfather could not have known what was to come, and he himself would never hold you to this."

Thorin glanced at Balin, a pained look in his deep blue eyes. "Balin, she is completely alone. What would you have me to do? Leave her here? If this was not meant to be, fate would not have brought her to me."

Balin looked at him again, carefully reading his face, his young brow furrowed, a look of determination in his eye. "But Thorin, Maiken was to marry a dwarf. She was betrothed, you know this."

"Aye, and he was destroyed by Smaug. What of it?" Thorin snarled. He hated to even utter the name of the foul beast that had destroyed nearly everything he knew. Balin looked quietly at him, this dwarf that was his king. He was a stubborn dwarf, but maintained his honor, even now. Thorin glanced over at Luliana. Her back was to them. "She wears the bead Balin. She has a keen eye. She will notice my own soon. Of this I have no doubt. I will keep this oath. I must."