The Royal Thief (Thorin/OC)

Making Friends

Nyssa woke when the first rays of the sun began streaming through her window. At first, she wanted to pull the blanket over her head and fall back asleep, but then she remembered that the dwarves were going back to Erebor that morning. If she wanted to gain access to the mountain kingdom, she needed to be ready to go when they did.

Nyssa did not sleep well last night. The combination of the ale and dining with the dwarf king, whom she hated, had old nightmares revisit her throughout the night. The spirits of her family haunted her each time she closed her eyes until peace had finally come an hour before sunrise.

There was a knock on the door just as Nyssa rose from the bed and reached for her tunic. A woman's voice was on the other side asking for permission to enter.

"Yes, come in," shouted Nyssa while trying to put on her pants before the door opened.

The red-headed elf opened the door and stood in the doorway. She had a stern look as she briefly stared at Nyssa before she spoke.

"The dwarf king has requested that you join him and his company in the dining hall," she said.

"Thank you. I will be ready shortly," replied Nyssa.

Tauriel remained in the doorway and watched her like she was watching a lamb grazing in a field. Her behavior was making Nyssa uncomfortable.

What is she staring at?

"Is there anything else?" asked Nyssa with a little irritation in her voice.

"You were at the tavern with a dark-haired dwarf." She said.

"Yes, I went there for supper. I saw him there, nothing more. Why? Is he important to you?"

"You must hurry. You do not want to keep the dwarf king waiting." She emphasized the 'dwarf king' with what sounded like distain. "He has taken a liking to you, even though you are a known thief."

Tauriel turned on her heels and walked into the hallway leaving Nyssa in complete shock. Nyssa called out to Tauriel and hurried out the door to catch her.

"Why did you say that?" Nyssa's voice sounded breathless and anxious.

"I know who you are," Tauriel said in a hushed tone. "Your family's reputation is well known to the elves of the Woodland Realm. Fortunately for you, neither the men nor the dwarves know it."

"Why have you not said anything to anyone and have me arrested?" Nyssa asked trying to sound calm.

Nyssa's nerves were a mixture of fear and anxiety. She was so close to earning the dwarves' trust. Did this elf tell anyone about her? What will she find if she were to go to the dining hall? Would there be guards to escort her, not to the mountain, but to the dungeons?

"I have no love for the King Under the Mountain, so I care nothing if he were relieved of a few of his precious gold coins," Tauriel said with disdain. "Besides, it matters not. The king is not a fool. He would eventually discover your secrets. It would be wise for you to leave these lands now while you still can."

Tauriel turned to leave, but Nyssa called her name again. She stopped again and turned to face her.

Nyssa could not take the chance of the elf keeping her word. If she was like her woodland kin, Nyssa would expect the guards to be waiting for her in the dining hall anyway despite what she just said. Nyssa needed to play on her feelings for the dark-haired dwarf prince to get more information, maybe even a little sympathy.

"You say you have no love for the dwarf king. Is it because of your feelings for the dark-haired prince?" she asked.

Tauriel's expressions changed from defiant to surprised. She stood her ground and did not move. What was this human woman up to? She knew better than to trust a thief, and this person was not the first to be tempted by the riches of the mountain. Many had tried, but none were successful.