11. Offers

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"Arina! Sweetie!" The soft voice of mother stirs me out of slumber and a smile stretches out onto my lips, at the smell of her cooking. "Dinner is almost ready!"

My stomach growls hungrily at the very mention of food and mamas cooking is always the best. I quickly jump out of bed in excitement, forgetting to change out of my nightclothes and race down the long stairway. The steep steps nearly cause me to trip a few times but I reach the bottom in a few seconds.

The heavily aroma is even stronger now and I happily skip over to the table, lost in my own world. "Good evening mommy." I say with a smile when she comes into view and I jump up onto one of the wooden chairs.

"How was your nap?" She asks while setting a few things down and I mumble "good" in response.
 
She hums like usual and suddenly smacks my hand when I reach over for the food, causing me to pout. "Go wash your hands and change Arina. We're having guests."

My stomach growls loudly and I drop my shoulders in sadness, desperately wanting the fresh fruit and lamb.

"The faster you go the sooner you can eat." Mother scolds with an arched brow and I bounce right off the seat, almost falling, to race back up the stairs.

Guests? My mind questions as I close my door and search for the proper attire for such an occasion. Father did mention an old friend of his visiting but I don't see why I need to be involved.

Slipping on a dark tunic with matching trousers, I walk over to the wash bucket and apply some soap. I wonder if it's his friends from the guard!

It'll be exciting to meet other Elves for once. I love my small village full of Hobbits but fathers duties for the nearby Lord are always so interesting.

"Arina!" Mother yells out, more panicked than usual and I put down the items I was using. Our guests must be here if she sounds so eager to get me down.

"Arina!" My ears perk upon hearing fathers voice but the door to my room is suddenly slammed open.

I jump at the loud bang against the wall and sharply turn to the left, eyes now widening. A horrid creature stands in the doorway, reeking of something putrid and dark liquid drips from the side of its mouth.

All the training I've had becomes a forgotten memory at the sight of real danger and I scream when it suddenly charges. 

Being inside a dungeon was a lot like being back "home." Save for the lack of horrid smells and mannerless orcs, the stone barriers were somewhat similar.

The feeling of bile rises up into my throat and I hunch over with a hand placed over my mouth. Dizziness then takes over my vision and I hiss when the arrow that's still in my side, cuts through more flesh.

If the elves wanted to keep me a prisoner then they could've at least taken it out! The only good they've done was force me to drink that disgusting mixture. Which I admit did help me regain some strength but I'm already in the process of dying.

A cold shiver runs down my spine and I nearly fall over the wooden seat, my insides feeling similar to that of my outsides.

Torn In Two | Thorin Oakenshield |Where stories live. Discover now