Bloodstained (Thorin x OC)

Farewell

It was not noon quite yet, but Agarwaen headed toward the gate anyway after having equipped her weapons and stuffed some extra clothes and food into a bag to take with. She'd visited the market, the treasure horde, the forge, and the home where the company had lived before the battle previously, saying goodbye to the mountain one last time.

"We will miss you greatly." Thorin's voice came from behind her as she walked through an empty hallway. "I will miss you greatly." He added as she turned to face him.

"I...I never thought it would be so hard to leave." She said sadly.

"It doesn't have to be permanent." He told her as he walked toward her.

"Thorin... you know why it has to be."

"Explain it to me again so that I may debate each of your reasons." Agarwaen shook her head with a small smile.

"By the time my job is done, the mountain will be filled with your people again." She started.

"And that is a problem because..."

"Because dwarves hate elves." She said slowly and clearly like he was missing the point.

"We grew to like you. So can they. My sister will love you."

"And what about...whatever we have between us? Would we be able to ignore it?"

"Why should we ignore it?" He took both her hands in his.

"Because you could be dethroned if we don't. You've spent your whole life preparing for this, and I...I can't let you ruin it."

"Agarwaen. As long as you are by my side, whether it be as a friend or something more, nothing could be ruined."

"Yes it can." She pulled her hands away and looked away from him. "I don't want you to lose everything just because of me." Thorin was silent, not sure if he should push the subject further. "It's the right thing, or the easy thing." She murmured. "I can't stay here."

"Then let me give you one more thing. To keep as a promise." He pulled yet another object from his pocket, causing her to sigh.

"Thorin, I have nothing to give you in return. Please stop giving me things." He laughed quietly to himself.

"This is the last one. I promise." He held out his silver ring that dangled from a silver chain. "It was my fathers and my grandfathers before him."

"I can't take that." She shook her head, backing up. That was an heirloom of the line of Durin. Fili should have it.

"I want you to keep it as a promise." He insisted.

"What promise?" She asked as he grabbed her hand once more, and placed the large ring and chain in her palm. It was heavy, but the design was beautiful, and whoever made it must have spent hours perfecting it.

"That you will not forget me, or any of us. Even long after we have been set in our graves. May it bring you luck whenever you need it."

"I could never forget you, ring or not." She said. "I love all of you dearly, and will remember this quest fondly for the rest of my days."

"And my ring will be a physical reminder of that. Please, take it with you." She sighed before putting her head through the chain and tucking the ring safely beneath her shirt.

"Why are dwarves so stubborn?" She asked.

"That is a question that has gone unanswered since the dwarves first awoke on Arda." She laughed lightly, before silence filled the air again.