Thorin's Forgotten Past

Chapter 11: Thorin's Return

-Eva's POV-

When Theda died my life came to a standstill. I nearly gave up on everything. I felt as though I was living in a bad dream. She may have not been my real mother but she certainly felt like it. I did not know my real mother but I imagine that she was a lot like Theda, kind and loving but having a tough exterior.

Alardus was out of town training horses when he somehow heard the news and returned immediately. I could not have gotten through that dark time without his support. He gave up his dream to help me with the inn. He became more than a friend to me, he became my brother. I thought seriously about selling the inn but I knew how much it meant to Theda and how she trusted me to carry it on. I did not want to disappoint her so with Alardus' help I pulled myself together and kept the inn running.

Theda has been gone almost a year. There have been ups and downs but with the support of Alardus, the Rangers, and my faithful customers, I have been able to grow and learn. The inn is not only surviving but is flourishing. I have settled in quite nicely into my new life.

It had been eight years since Thorin left. Although I tried to hold on to hope that he would return in my heart I knew he wasn't returning. I still wore the necklace as a reminder of the first person who besides my father cared about my wellbeing. He will always hold a special place in my heart.

I was tending bar last week. It was a typical night at the inn, the same drunkards and the same frequent travelers. The Rangers were also there. They continued to use the inn as a safe meeting place. They had recently returned from hunting orcs that had been spotted a little too close to our border. I asked them if they had heard any news from Thorin but the answer was always the same, no news. Arathorn was now their leader. His father was killed a few years ago by a group of vile orcs. The cowards shot him with a poisoned arrow. It took him a few agonizing hours to finally succumb to the deadly poison.

It had become my habit to spend my time conversing with the customers rather than cooking. I left that up to Alardus. I knew many of them well. Many saw me grow up in the inn and thought it was their duty to look out for me. One such customer was a farmer from the surrounding fields. He came to town each week during the growing season to sell his crops and to have a few drinks with his friends. A few adventurous Tooks from the Shire also stopped by frequently. They were good natured little men. I especially enjoyed their songs which they sang with much enthusiasm. There were men who frequently traveled between the towns scattered in Breeland on business, but mostly there were local men who came just to have a good time and forget their cares.

I spotted Sandarr, a local who always had a kind word for me but who also could not hold his ale. He was a totally different man when he was drunk. More than once Alardus had to ask him to leave but he would always return the next day and act as if nothing had happened. I only let him in because he promised that he would not cause any more trouble. As I walked past him, he grabbed my arm. "Massy, get me another drink of ale like a good lill gurl", he slurred.

"I think you've had quite enough for tonight sir." I answered calmly.

He pulled me onto his lap, "Then perhaps your company."

Before he could comprehend what was going on my knife was out and to his neck, "Let go of me," I hissed," or you will feel my blade cut through your throat."

He immediately let me go, "Alright, I meant no harm."

"I doubt it," I scowled walking back to the kitchen. Thanks to Theda I learned how to handle men like him.

Alardus was finishing up the food for the Rangers, "Eva, you look angry, what's wrong?"

"Sandarr was trying to cause trouble again. We have to keep an eye on him. If he tries anything again you will have to throw him out and next time he will not be welcomed back."

"You're too nice Eva. He should've been thrown out of here a long time ago. Maybe you should cook and I should serve the customers."

I ignored his comment, he was too protective over me. Besides, cooking was not at all enjoyable to me. The thought of being stuck in the kitchen all day was definitely not appealing. He handed me a tray of food, "Here, bring this to the Rangers please."

I grabbed the tray and did what he asked.

"My lady, you grow more beautiful every time I see you." Arathorn complimented as I placed his plate of food in front of him.

"And you say that every time you come, but thank you." I said serving the Ranger next to him.

"But it's true," another Ranger joined in, "You're beauty grows every day."

"Alright, enough nonsense" I said trying to look serious. I smiled, "It's never hard to see why Theda adored all of you so much."

The Rangers always offered words of praise whenever they came. Even when I was young it didn't take me long to see why Theda enjoyed having them here. Most people feared the Rangers thinking they were dangerous. It was quite the contrary, they protected the people who feared them.

As I walked out of their little meeting room into the dining area I caught a quick glance at the far corner of the room. I dropped the tray I was holding and ran back into the meeting room. I had to lean against the wall to catch my balance. I was afraid that I would sink to the floor if it were not for the cold wall pressed against my back. It felt as if the breath had been sucked out of my body. Breathing became nearly impossible.

"Eva, you look like you've just seen a dead man." Arathorn said laughing.

"I did." I answered grabbing my necklace.

Arathorn got up and hurriedly left the room. He had guessed what was wrong with me. I peeked out to watch him but my view was blocked when Alardus walked up to the door to ask me what had happened. Apparently he heard the crash of the tray and thinking Sandarr was bothering me again, he rushed out of the kitchen to see if I was okay.

I wasn't good at hiding my shock because Alardus noticed as soon as he saw me, "Eva, is everything alright? You are as white as a ghost."

"Thorin's returned," I answered pointing my shaking finger in his direction.

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-JFDragonFire