The Split Horizons: The Love Of Two Dwarves

6

Finally, it was the morning of Durin's Day. Shadelia woke up early to get dressed and fix her hair. She was surprised to hear a knock on her door before the sun was up.

She opened the door just to reveal Dwalin standing there.

"Oh! You're up early!" She exclaimed.

"The festivities have already begun, you're late!" he joked.

"Have they? I'm so sorry," she apologized, visibly flustered.

"Don't worry, we have the whole day ahead of us. You look wonderful, by the way."

"Thank you." The dress fit her slim hourglass figure quite well, and the colored lace had a... mystical effect.

They then joined the festivities and met up with Thorin and Avantika. Shadelia noticed their linked arms and how they acted and realized that Ava had fallen for the dwarven king, and he returned her affections.

The thought occured to Shadelia that this could cause complications in Graitica. Ava was a princess and in line for the throne. Thorin was already a king. The politics of it were... difficult. If Ava had siblings, it would be simple, but Shadelia didn't know much about the other girl's family.

That's when she noticed Dwalin offering his arm to her.

"Shall we see what all the vendors have?" he asked, a smile on his face.

And so they did. Thorin told her to have the vendors send her bill to his treasury, but Dwalin bought her most of the things she wanted.

They stopped at one of the many vendor booths that had metal working crafts for sale, and that is where Shadelia saw a solid silver flute she immediately fell in love with.

"Dwalin, it's far too expensive for you to buy it, I'll just have Thorin-"

"Nonsense. Besides, I already paid for it." The dwarf was stubborn, but she was very thankful for the gift and made sure he knew.

She tasted so many foods she had never heard of but they were all amazing. Occassionally, she would join in with the bands they passed and use her new flute. The sound was crystal clear and she loved how it played. They didn't have anything close to this quality in Powerna.

They continued their adventuring into the night, and Dwalin found them a good place to sit outside of the mountain for the fireworks he knew were to come.

"I-it's ch-chilly out-t here," Shadelia told him.

"Welcome to winter," he told her as he draped his cloak around her. After a split second of thought, he kept his arm around her.

When the fireworks began, she was awestruck. In Powerna, fireworks were considered to be for the commoners, as the royal family had their powers. Because of this, her parents made her focus on her studies and she was never allowed to actually go see them.

She watched the fireworks in wonder, and Dwalin slid to where he was sitting closer to her.

Once the fireworks ended, Dwalin helped her up and offered his arm to walk her to her room. As they walked, she came to the conclusion she couldn't keep up her lie of who she was. But she didn't know how to tell Dwalin.

Once they got to her room, he took his cloak back and kissed her forehead before telling her good night.

She changed and then decided to go see Ava. She had said she wanted the war to stop, so perhaps she would receive the news well.

She didn't even get to knock before the door popped open. Ava seemed like she was heading somewhere, despite the late hour.

"Oh! Teresa? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I kinda wanted to talk but if you have somewhere to be that's okay too." She didn't want to be a bother.

"I was just heading to see Thorin. He can wait a few minutes."

They went back in Ava's room and as Ava sat on the bed, Shadelia sat on the floor.

"So, what's up? You seem like something is bothering you."

"My... my name isn't actually Teresa. It's... Shadelia."

The shock on Ava's face was obvious.

"That... that means you're..."

"Princess of Powerna."

"Why didn't  you just... wait. The war. And we were in my country. You must've  thought..."

"That you would take me to your parents and I would be killed or tortured."

"I wouldn't. I don't even want this war. Neither do my parents. It's  dumb. We just need a way to reassure the people now that they fear the magic."

"Like I told you, no one but the royal family has any powers."

"That means... you do." There was respect in her voice, not fear, and it helped Shadelia to relax. "What can you do?"

"Well, I can control Shadows, Fire, and Sound."

"That's so cool! I didn't realize you could have more than one power."

"It's... not common. In fact I'm the first one in five generations to have more than one ability."

"But now it's even better to take you to my parents, as princess, you're involved in the politics."

"Not... not exactly."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... in my father's opinion, only a man is fit to rule. While yes, I am in line for the throne, he requires me to be married before being crowned, and if I am not before he passes, the crown will go to my younger brother instead. Since he will not allow me to rule alone, he also does not let me know the politics of the country. He has me learn sewing, and music, and etiquette instead."

"Well, either way, my parents should believe you. Especially since I trust you."

"Even though I lied about who I really am?" Ava could tell that Shadelia was very bothered by that.

"Yeah, you had every reason to be afraid. Besides, you can control fire, are technically an enemy of my kingdom, and yet you didn't kill me or my people. I have no reason not to trust you."

"I will do anything I can to end this stupid war. There is too much bloodshed for no good reason."

"Does Dwalin know?"

"What?"

"About who you really are?"

"Oh... no. I... I'm kind of afraid to tell him."

"Why?"

"I don't want him to be angry with me for keeping up the lie for so long."

"He won't be. He doesn't care about your position or name. It's you he likes."