Torn In Two | Thorin Oakenshield |

13. Accidental Truths

What even is this outfit?! I growl in irritation as I adjust the metal pieces for the fourth time, hating how they all clink against each other. Some of the materials are too small while others are large and my tiny body wasn't made for unfinished Elven armor. I say that as if I'd fit the real thing.

"There seriously wasn't anything else?" I grumble under my breath and move the shoulder pads around, hearing Tauriel chuckle next to me.

"Would you have preferred your previous metals?" She grins at her own question and I roll my eyes at the obvious.

"No but I'd rather not have my torso be open for stabs." Not to mention my pointless tattoo is now exposed for all of Middle Earth to see.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips as Tauriel, Legolas and I descend the rocky terrain, too close to the massive water source nearby. I shiver upon catching a glimpse of the cloudy water and mumble a few more curses under my breath.

"Quit your whining, Half Breed." Legolas glares from ahead, definitely in a bad mood since Thranduil ordered him to escort me to Erebor.

Plus, his dearly beloved Tauriel (with whom he has no chance with) ran away in search for the dwarves in Lake-Town. Which I'm still wondering why she even cares about them. She was pretty insistent on getting there when Legolas practically begged her to return. 

"Name calling are we, princess?" I taunt with a smirk, my attitude much bolder now that I've been saved from death.

I see Legolas stop mid step, his fingers twitching and I bet he's tempted to reach for his sword. Thorin's actually. Which I'm intending to take back.

"Word of advice," I say after a few minutes of his hard stare, which I'm not at all intimidated by. "You should be nicer to those you may see are beneath you." His brow arches skeptically as I walk by but my gaze diverts to plant itself on the town ahead. 

"Because they might just be the ones that kill you one day."

"Enough." Tauriel hisses at the both of us, stomping our way in order to calm our bickering. "We need to stop the orcs and get Arina to Erebor." She snaps with a sharp tone and pushes to stand between us, looking down at me then up to her superior with harsh eyes.

I can't help but scoff when Legolas softens his features a tiny bit, which is disturbing, and I trudge ahead, "I can get to Erebor just fine on my own."

"Oh really?" The princess speaks again and I huff out in irritation, why won't he just shut up? "Because you seem to be afraid of the water."

His teasing tone worsens my already foul mood and I kick a pebble in anger. That's none of your business I'm tempted to reply but this arguing really is childish. I bite my lip and glance at the murky substance nearby, my stomach churning instantly.

"Orcs move faster in the night." I change the topic, seeing as the moon is quickly rising the longer we're here. "Kili doesn't have much time." My gaze shifts over to Tauriel, worry evident in my eyes and she takes in a sharp breath.

"I'm ready to slay a few orcs." Legolas speaks to catch my attention and his eyes narrow. "Are you?"

My stare goes down to the ground for a moment, realizing the battle to come and I take in a deep breath. "It's about time I've had a bit of revenge."

—

I'm not quite sure how I managed to cross those forsaken waters. When we found a boatman, all I remember is placing myself in the center and firmly shutting my eyes. Of course, Legolas's annoying voice continued to tease me along the journey and I'm glad Tauriel shut him up.