The Wind Fell Silent

24. Beyond Sorrow and Grief

Third Person

"Gold beyond measure.  Beyond sorrow and grief"

Thorin's words echoed in Arenna's mind as the rest of the company happily embraced the four that they thought were lost.  It was not only the words themselves that pricked her spine with unease, but the sound of Thorin's voice, the glint in his eyes.  The horde had been more than Arenna had ever imagined.  Hills of gold and jewels, spreading out before her.    

Fili, Bofur and Kili laughed along in merriment, hugging their companions tightly and clapping each other on the back.  But Arenna was slow to follow, she made eye contact with Bilbo as she rigidly hugged Balin.  She now understood why he had greeted them such, she could see it in Thorin.

The relief that the company showed at their return warmed her as much as Thorin's lack of it worried her.

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Fili, Kili Bofur and Arenna all took their leave to quickly bathe in the hot water that Bilbo had warmed for them, Arenna's tub being in a different bathing hall altogether of course.  She tried to clear her thoughts as she washed the ash and soot from her person and then from the fine clothes the elves had given her.  She combed her hands through her hair nervously as she waited for her clothes to dry near the fire before dressing, and rejoining the others.                                     

  The Company was eager to hear what had befallen them since their separation, and even more eager to hear how Renn had escaped the elves.  She told them that she had threatened Thranduil with her brother, but she said naught of Dishna.  The group was satisfied, supposing that she had been bluffing Thranduil. 

Arenna, Fili, Kili and Bofur listened with rapt attention at the Company's recount of their fight with Smaug.

But when they had all finished telling their tales, they were left in silence.

All felt the heavy burden of guilt at what had befallen the people of Laketown.  All, though none would voice their concerns, were troubled by Thorin's behavior.   

Before long, Nori stood up.

"I found the wine cellars earlier today" he announced, "I think we all have earned a decent drink."

There was a roar of agreement.  The dwarves had decided on oblivion that night.  They wanted to forget.  To let go, if only for the a few hours. 

Before long, they were all drinking and talking loudly, enjoying each other's company and fighting to think of only that.

Arenna saw Bilbo slink away from the loud party, and she followed. 

She found him in the hallway looking down at his large feet. 

"Thorin..." she began, but trailed off.

"I know," he said, shaking his head, "it's been like this since he came to the mountain." 

Arenna knew how much the little hobbit cared for Thorin.  She had watched their friendship bud and bloom since the Carrock, she could feel Bilbo's angst.

"He didn't act as I thought he would when Fili and Kili returned" Bilbo whispered. 

Arenna nodded her head, she too had noted Thorin's lack of relief.  She knew that he was not the most expressive with his emotions, but she knew how much he loved his nephews.  She had seen how he had embraced Fili after the stone giant incident, she had seen the panic in his eyes when Kili had been hit with the arrow.  She remembered the tenderness that he had when he spoke about them that night in Mirkwood.