The Royal Thief (Thorin/OC)

First Impressions

Nyssa froze for a brief moment after hearing Thorin's name escape Dwalin's lips. She quickly composed herself hoping that Dwalin did not notice.

A noise from the crowd at the market place suddenly caught Nyssa's attention. Dwalin followed her gaze to the scene with the guards and the merchant before turning back to her. He eyed the honey cake in her hand, then smirked.

"The trouble in the market over there, that wouldna' have anything ta do wit ya. Would it, lass?" he asked as he gestured to the crowd in the street.

Nyssa put on her best innocent look and shook her head. Norag slowly moved his hand to the hilt of his knife strapped to his belt. He waited for any quick movement from the human that justified pulling it. He did not trust her and wanted any excuse to bring her down.

"Well, lead the way to the healer's house, lass. They're waiting," Again, Dwalin gestured for her to move on. "Or, perhaps we call out ta those guards over there, maybe help sort out their troubles."

Nyssa smiled, gave a slight nod to the dwarves and turned down the alleyway heading back to the healer's house. The two dwarves followed behind her never taking their eyes off of her.

As they walked through the alley turning onto another street, Norag leaned toward Dwalin. Keeping his voice low, he expressed his dislike and distrust for the woman. Dwalin nodded in agreement but reminded his man that it was the king's orders that they bring her to him.

Nyssa pretended not to hear their conversation but smiled nonetheless. They were being cautious, which is what she would do in their shoes. It is good that they are weary. If they treated her any other way, it would be her that felt unease, like she was walking into a trap.

They reached the healer's house. Nyssa stopped at the steps and turned toward the two dwarves.

"Well, go on, lass," ordered Dwalin.

"You said, 'they're waiting.' Who else is in there with your king?" she asked.

"Lord Bard of Dale, my brother Balin, advisor to our king, and an elf from the Woodland Realm."

Again, Nyssa did not move. Hearing that an elf from Thranduil's kingdom wanted to see her was troublesome enough, ye, she recognized this as an opportunity to gain access to Erebor. If she could convince Thorin that she was useful to him in some way, he may open up the mountain to her.

There were a few obstacles in her way. Dwarves were not known for their trust in other races, nor were they as gullible as men. The elf might pose as a problem for as much as Thranduil wants those jewels, he would also like to see her fail. There was also a personal issue that she had with the dwarves of Erebor, particularly Thorin Oakenshield.

"I guess you leave me with very little choice, Master Dwarf. Shall we proceed?"

Nyssa gestured for Dwalin to lead the way, but the dwarf only smiled while standing rooted in his position like an immovable mountain. He motioned for her to go ahead of them.

Like I thought, untrusting.

Nyssa entered the dealer's house first and was directed into a large room where the Lords of the kingdoms had congregated. Lord Bard and a white haired dwarf dressed in red sat next to a long table to the left of the room. The elf stood by the table with the wine on the opposite side while a more majestic looking dwarf stood by the fireplace smoking his pipe. Judging by the way he presented himself, Nyssa could only guess that he was none other than Thorin, King Under the Mountain.

Nyssa entered the room just as all conversations stopped and focused their attentions on her. The white haired dwarf stood and immediately began his introductions.