Soulmates

Fire stories

Thorin p/o/v:

Bofur hands around bowels of food and I thank him eating slowly surveying the dwarves around me "Ely?" I turn towards the hobbit and watch Elysian turn her head towards him "What's your tattoo?" All the others fall silent watching and she pulls up her right sleeve "Well this shows my rank and family." I tilt my head slightly so I can see better. On her wrist there is a circle of runes with a crown and two swords crossed behind it with what looks like a crystal between the hilts in the middle.

Bofur looks confused "Do you serve the royal family?" She smiles "In a way. The tattoo on my back is flames with the story of my first battle written in it." She pulls up her shirt slightly revealing her stomach "These are just protection runes." The others are all staring in wonder and I move over to Balin "How do you know her?"

He smiles "When the dragon attacked a few days later we were camped out in the woods. She appeared out of nowhere a shadow. She said she could help the wounded and there were so many and I knew most wouldn't make it unless they got help from a healer. So I took her to them they were lined up by the river in the shade. It was incredible. The water rose from the banks and she started drawing runes of sorts on each of the wounds. The water then sort of coated them before falling back in the river."

He pauses and glances over at Elysian "They were all healed, clean and completely dry. She disappeared back into the forest shortly after. I followed and she removed her hood and introduced herself. I offered her payment but she declined and disappeared back into the trees a shadow."

I nod slightly "I don't understand why she is helping us but does not want anything." Balin shrugs slightly "We all have our reasons and when she is ready I'm sure she will share hers." I nod and the two of us fall silent watching the company. Dori and Ori are whispering between each other and Elysian smiles at them "I know many stories, what would you like to here?" Kili grins "One with lots of fighting." Ori nods "But with a happy ending."

She nods and moves closer to the fire "Alright." She starts waving her hands and the fire turns into little pictures all dancing around up into the air before disappearing. I watch quietly from afar as she weaves a tale of a brave warrior and his quest to find a magical herb to save his Queen. I only half listen to the words but watch the fire transfixed. It's mesmerizing how the fire becomes tiny detailed images of people and strange creatures.

Gandalf walks over and sits on a rock next to Balin and I. "What do you think of miss Theron?" I shrug slightly moving my eyes away from Elysian's fire "She seems alright but I do not trust her." he raises an eyebrow "Why is that?" I scowl "No one does anything for free." Gandalf smiles slightly "Clearly you've never met anyone like Elysian." Balin smiles slightly "I like the lass and seeing as we are going to be spending a lot of time with the lass I think it would be a good idea to make an effort to get to know her." he gives me a knowing look and I scowl at him "Why are you looking at me?" 

He smiles "Your not exactly very approachable." I frown and Gandalf chuckles slightly "He has a point you know." I scowl and turn my attention back to Elysian's story and the fire. She stops talking and the others grin. Ori smiles "That was an excellent story." the others nod in agreement and Elysian smiles slightly "You should all get some sleep its a long way to the mountain. She stands and climbs up a nearby tree perching on one of the branches at the top. The others start lying down. I grip my sword in one hand and lay back staring up at the stars wondering weather I should trust Elysian. I scowl to myself, I shouldn't trust her not before I know why she is helping us.