Not Forsaken

Chapter 15

They had not travelled far when Fili and Kili decided to get to know Luliana better. They never did anything without the other, Luliana mused to herself. Just from observing them, she could tell that Kili was the younger of the two. He was a loud, happy chap, always making jokes and poking fun of whatever and whoever he could. His beard was also not grown, which Luliana knew meant that he was young for a dwarf. She wondered how young, and still has hope for herself that she would grow some sort of a beard, like her mother had. Fili on the other hand, was quieter, more reserved, although no less quick-witted. She couldn't help but see the way he acted when Thorin was around, he seemed to straighten up taller, and become more serious, much to the chagrin of his brother Kili who seemed to earn extra elbow jabs whenever their leader looked in their direction.

"Hey there lass, a bit quiet today, aren't you?" Asked Fili, obviously spurned on by his little brother.

"Am I?" Luliana tried to sound nonchalant, sneaking a glance at Thorin, who she could see glancing over his shoulder at the three of them, riding abreast. Fili on the left, Luliana in the center and Kili to the right as the ponies trotted on. Kili quickly shot a glance back at big brother, obviously wanting to prolong the conversation. "Where are you from, lass?" Fili asked, trying to sound friendly. Clearly his brother had put him up to this, the annoyance clear on his face.

"I am from the area near Dunland, though I'm not sure exactly where I was born," she answered. "My parents were completely alone when I was born." She added.

"That is terrible!" Kili exclaimed, more dramatically than necessary. Luliana stifled a laugh into her arm, feigning a cough. Fili glared at his younger brother and rolled his eyes. "We're you frightened?" Kili asked, with a look on his face as if he had just heard something shocking, his eyes looking as if they may fall out of his head at any moment.

Luliana looked at him, as seriously as she could. "Well, I'm not sure." She said, with a pained look on her face. "I don't remember being born. But maybe I was." Kili gave her a confused look, and Luliana started to laugh. Fili realizing what had happened began laughing as well. Poor Kili, however, was still confused.

"Kili," said Fili, "I think the lass has had enough of your company for the day." He rode on ahead, signaling for his brother to follow him, giving Luliana a smile and a nod. Poor Kili still had such a look of bewilderment upon his face that Luliana began laughing again. How good it is to laugh, she thought to herself. It had been a long time.

They had stopped to rest the ponies after many hours of traveling. It was late afternoon, time to think about making camp for the night, Thorin thought. He was painfully aware that Luliana had been avoiding him, unsure if he had offended her, or if it was her way. He needed a way to communicate with her. He had noticed his nephews speaking with her, and had seen the way Kili had been acting towards her. It made Thorin want to throttle him, but he quickly thought better of it. He was not about to make a scene. He must retain the respect of his men. And his woman. She was his, after all, he thought. She had been promised to him, and he intended to keep her. As well as being stubborn, Thorin was fiercely possessive. He may have not known Luliana for long, but from the moment he learned who she was, he had thought of little else.

She was part of his destiny, he knew it. How else could he explain it? He had no intention of embarking on this quest, but then Gandalf the Grey had shown up in Bree, and had brought her! Thorin's head still spun, trying to make sense of it all.

She had not even been born yet, when King Thrain had made the promise to her mother. It was before the dragon came, when Maiken had saved the young prince's life. He had wandered too far off, and fallen into the Celduin near Erebor. She dove in after him, and nearly drowned herself. She had not known who the child was, only that there was a dwarfling in mortal danger. 

King Thrain had been so grateful for what she had done that he offered this dwarf woman any reward her heart desired. Her only request had been the hand of the prince, should she ever bear a daughter. Not wealth, not power. Only security for her child, yet unborn. Maiken had been betrothed to one in the king's court, so he agreed, not knowing what was to come. He had even given Maiken one of the mithril beads that he himself had worn, promising that the prince would have the other to match. Prince Thorin would have the other to wear in his own hair.

Looking over his shoulder, Thorin gazed at Luliana. She was stunningly beautiful, he thought to himself, even with no beard. Had her mother told her of the agreement, he suddenly wondered? Is that why she wore the braids? He couldn't be sure. His own father had not told him until he was almost 20. How old was she, he wondered? He knew that the race of men aged differently than dwarves, and he himself was 194 years old. He needed to talk to her. He wanted to know everything about her.

"Luliana, I require your assistance!" he finally called out. "Dwalin, stand watch. The lady and I shall scout ahead. We must find camp for tonight."

"Aye," grunted Dwalin.

"I would like better to scout ahead on foot," Luliana said, approaching Thorin who was still on his pony. "I would like my animal to rest, and it would afford me an opportunity to hunt."

"Very well," agreed Thorin, quickly dismounting. "Fili, Kili, look after the ponies."

"Aye, uncle," said Fili, wishing instead to be scouting ahead.

"You are their uncle?" Asked Luliana, curious.

"Yes, they are my sister's sons. Fili is heir to the throne after myself," Thorin answered quietly. "Come!" He commanded quickly, axe in hand.