Bloodstained (Thorin x OC)

History

So, two things: One, this chapter introduces a kind of headcanon that have based on the fact that dwarrowdams are scarce and not all of them do decide to marry. It just kinda makes sense that they revere their women like this.

Two, we finally get the full backstory behind why she can't go back to Mirkwood. Hope you find it interesting!

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"It's getting dark." Thorin said from behind Agarwaen. "We should set up camp now while we can still see."

"Alright. I assume no fire tonight either?" She nodded.

"No. It's pointless." Everyone then gathered around like usual, huddled to stay warm and safe in this Eru forsaken forest. Thorin sat to Agarwaen's left, and the brothers to her right. They then resumed their conversation about life back at home, and Agarwaen's time in Mirkwood.

"So, you already asked Fili, but what about you? Do you or did you have anyone special somewhere?" Agarwaen bit her lip. She had hoped they wouldn't ask about Belegurion.

"A long time ago, yes." She said sadly. The company tried to keep up the pretense that they hadn't been listening to her and the brothers all day, but they had. Elven culture was very different from their own and some things seemed rather strange, or was a completely new concept to them.

"What happened to him?"

"He chose his duties over me. He could've come with me. To travel, to be with me. But when Thranduil ordered my capture, he fell in line with the other soldiers and...and he turned on me. Set on bringing me in dead or alive." The party was as silent as the forest now.

"We were betrothed, you know. I thought...I thought he was my other half. I thought he loved me." She clenched her teeth, knowing she'd probably cry again if she went any further with the subject.

"That's...that's horrible. How could anyone do that? Especially to their betrothed." Fili exclaimed. She looked up to see the dwarves giving her looks of pity, some with anger written on their faces. Even Thorin looked to be having conflicted emotions.

"Dwarves are brought up to love and respect their women no matter what." Gloin said, upset at the knowledge that someone would hurt Agarwaen like that. "My wife is my greatest treasure, the other half of my soul, and if she chose to leave, I would follow." He crossed his arms. Gloin loved his family, and spoke of them whenever he got a chance. He was especially proud of his son, Gimli.

"Dwarven women are far and few between. The men must learn how to keep their wives, and treat them with the utmost respect and love." Kili said as if he was reciting something he'd been told a million times before.

"Aye, us dwarves have many beliefs about how a woman should be treated. And it would seem that we're the only race that think so." Added Bofur.

"It's just shameful." Ori spoke softly.

"Why don't women just leave the man when he treats her like some of those men do?" Nori said.

"Any woman who is disrespected by her husband should be able to cut off his jewels." Dwalin grumbled.

"Have men no sense of honor these days?" Dori asked. Everyone just went on about how to treat women, all at the same time. Agarwaen could catch snatches of everyone's words, but she mostly just sat there wide-eyed and in confusion.

"What they're trying to say," Thorin spoke up, louder than the group. Agarwaen looked over to him, but could barely see anything by now. "Is that only one out of three dwarves are born female. Therefore, finding one and most of all, keeping one is difficult. A woman should never feel pressured, never trapped or forced into love. A man is supposed to open his heart to her, and only then will she decide if she wishes to be with him. She should not have to ask for love, and should always be able to rely on her husband for anything, no matter the situation." He explained much better than the others could.