The Royal Thief (Thorin/OC)

The Assignment

Nyssa found a perch in a tree at the edge of the forest. It was a beautiful and warm night to rest before her journey took her into unfamiliar lands. It was not a journey she had planned to take, but unforeseen circumstances had forced her to change her route.

She sighed and leaned back against the base of the tree to glance at the stars. The sky was clear of any clouds with a light breeze blowing from the north. As the breeze passed through the trees, it rustled the leaves and blew light kisses across her skin and hair. The full moon gave off a silver glow that illuminated most of the forest floor. It would be hard for an orc or goblin to approach her unnoticed.

Nyssa made a final sweep of the forest with her eyes. There was nothing visible and nothing stirring outside of the usual crickets and nocturnal creatures of the forest. She could not see or hear them, but she knew the elves were out there watching her. The elves had better eyesight than she and could move around unseen.

Thranduil's guards will be keeping an eye on me, she thought. At least until I pass the boundaries of his kingdom.

Nyssa closed her eyes and prayed for sleep to come quickly. She knew she had a lot of traveling to do before she reached the city, and she needed the rest.

Several weeks ago Nyssa was traveling through the forest of Mirkwood. She had heard that the wood elves were very strict and protective of their lands. Villagers would tell stories about how travelers would enter Mirkwood only to disappear and never be seen again.

Nyssa did not discount the warnings. She believed that they were true; however, she was a ranger from the north, a fierce warrior. She had no fear, and she was traveling alone. Plus, her experience as a professional thief enabled her to slip into and out of places unnoticed.

She had been traveling for three days when she was captured. The elves came from above and attacked. Nyssa managed to hold her own in a fight, but there were too many of them. One of them hit her over the head knocking her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she found herself in an elven dungeon.

She was lying on a stone bed with a single wool blanket. One of the guards noticed she was awake and sent word to his superior. It was not long before she had an armed escort visit her cell.

"My Lord Thranduil wishes to see you. Come with us now," ordered the guard as he unlocked the door.

Nyssa shrugged her shoulders and tossed the blanket aside. As she stood up, a wave of nausea along with a massive headache suddenly hit her. She took a large breath and blinked a couple of times before moving forward. The last thing she felt like doing was walking, but she was not about to let these elves see her in pain. She fought the nausea and followed the guards up a series of stone steps toward the throne room.

Nyssa stood before a tall platform with stone steps leading to a chair made from an oak tree. Seated on the throne was a tall, slender elf with long, straight blond hair wearing a crown made from twigs and flowers. He had cold, piercing blue eyes and regal features that commanded both authority and respect.

Nyssa had been around enough people to recognize intimidation merely by reading body language. She was impressed by some and annoyed by others. This king had a little of both. She could tell by his body language that he was used to getting his way. No one said no to him.

"I understand that you were found trespassing on my lands. It is against our laws to enter this kingdom without my permission," said the elf king.

"I was unaware of your laws as I am human and not governed by elvish law, my lord," answered Nyssa.

"You are a ranger, one of the Dunedain, I believe. I recognized you, my dear," said Thranduil.

"Formally....., my lord. I left the rangers of the north to follow my own path."

"The path of a thief. I know you very well. Nyssa, I believe is your name? Or, do you prefer the Princess of Thieves?"

"I am not a common thief, my lord. Although I am called many names, that last one is my least favorite. I detest any such titles that make me more than I am."

"A skilled thief such as yourself, is not proud. My, my, you are quite the enigma, my dear. It brings me to my next question. Why are you here? Are you hoping to lift some of our treasure for yourself?" he asked.

"I assure you, my lord. I was merely looking for a quicker route through your forest to reach my destination. I had no intention of stealing from such a grand kingdom as yours. Nor, would I steal from a humble and just leader as the one I see before me," Nyssa answered as she bowed toward the king.

Nyssa intrigued Thranduil. She was a very intelligent woman with a witty personality. To any average person, she could charm the clothes off his back, but Thranduil was not fooled. He lived a thousand lifetimes to know a confidence artist when he saw one. Yet, she did succeed in amusing him. That was an accomplishment in itself.

An idea suddenly came to the king. An idea that had been occupying the king's thoughts lately suddenly came to mind. Nyssa may prove to be the weapon he would need to strike back at his one adversary and retrieve the treasure he had sought for many decades.

"You are very gifted with speech, my dear. You amuse me. I have half a mind to keep you here for my entertainment."

Thranduil caught a quick flash of anger in Nyssa's eyes before she composed herself. He smiled before continuing with his plan.

"But, I have a more pressing need for you other skills. There is a kingdom several leagues away that has grown to be one of the most prosperous kingdoms of Middle Earth. It is the dwarf kingdom of Erebor. Do you know of it?"

"I was a young child when I heard of the dragon, Smaug, attacking Erebor. Only recently did I learn that the dwarves reclaimed the mountain."

"Yes," said Thranduil as he rose from his throne and ascended the stairs. "That was only a few years ago. King Thorin has made much progress in rebuilding his kingdom."

"I fail to see my part in all this, my lord."

"If you wish to continue to pass through my kingdom, my dear, you must pay a toll. The price for a safe passage is very specific."

Nyssa was surprised at how tall the king was. He towered over her as he spoke. Nyssa was small for a human, not quite five feet.

"And, what is the price that you had in mind?" she asked.

"Two things....there are gems in that mountain. Gems as white as the stars in the heavens, the white gems of Lasgalen. Bring them to me as part of your payment for your freedom. You have until the dwarves new year...Durin's Day."

"That's three months away, my lord. Surely, you can't expect me to accomplish such a task in such a short time."

"Nevertheless, that is your task. If you do not complete it in the time that I say, you will remain here as my servant indefinitely."

Nyssa had already detested the Elven King, but she could not let her emotions show on her face. She had to play along. It was the only way to gain her freedom.

"You spoke of two things, my lord. What is the second task?" she asked hoping the second chore would not be impossible.

"I want you to steal a very precious jewel from an old enemy of mine. I want you to steal the Arkenstone."