Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"I still think the green one looks better," Kili said, hours later as they walked into the room. Most of the Company was downstairs in the pub but Thorin and Dwalin had stayed in the room.

"Yeah, well, she liked the blue one, so we got the blue one," Fili said and marched in triumphantly.

"Honestly, boys. You act more like girls than I do," Maranda said. She walked in wearing a blue dress that reached her ankles and sloped low in the back, letting her wings loose. She had a matching cloak over her arm and a small brown package in her hand. "I didn't even want a dress," she snapped and Kili rolled his eyes.

"You're a lady you needed a dress," he grinned and Maranda shook her head. Thorin and Dwalin stared in shock. She noticed and her wings buzzed nervously, beating at the air so quickly they created a small wind. She didn't hover or fly, but she looked nervous all the same.

"I don't like dresses. I feel all...girly." She shuddered and dropped the brown package on the ground. "And you didn't have to get me the guitar," she added as Kili handed her the instrument. It was small, Hobbit sized, but still obviously a guitar.

"Consider it a gift," Kili smirked and she rolled her eyes.

"If this was a gift, what was the rest of this?" She gestured at herself.

"Make-up shopping," Fili said and walked out to get dinner. Kili trailed after him and Maranda rolled her eyes, sitting by the fire and tuning the guitar. Thorin watched her, the fire making her look so beautiful, the strange backdrop of green and blue shifting now and then as she worked the knobs expertly. She started strumming it gently, the notes rolling and sweet and Thorin felt a chill shoot up his spine. It was a different instrument, but definitely the song. Then she started singing and Thorin dropped his dagger. It clattered loudly on the floor, and her head shot up, the wings flaring in surprise.

He cleared his throat and picked the blade off the ground. Dwalin snorted and Maranda put aside the instrument. An awkward silence followed and Thorin tried not to stare at the Fairy that was his One. She just kept getting more and more confusing. A Fairy? Really. She had removed her boots and her ankle wings were fluttering slightly as she stared into the fire. It was getting really, truly, intensely awkward when Dwalin finally spoke up.

"Those scars," he gestured at one on her ankle and she yanked her dress over her feet, her wings fluttering nervously. "Where did you get them?" She looked at him, assessing him.

"I am constantly at war," she said and he raised his eyebrows in awe.

"Truly? When you said you were a poor fighter I thought you were being honest, not humble," he chuckled and left. Maranda glared after him and Thorin frowned. She was hiding something. A cryptic answer like that was bound to hold a few secrets. He walked over and sat on the hearth with her. She looked at him and her wings beat wildly as her ears tinged pink. He smiled slightly, unable to stop it and she blushed even brighter, and then he was looking up at her.

For a moment he thought she had stood to leave but she seemed as confused as him. Then her head hit the ceiling. She squeaked and looked up in surprise. Or rather, turned as best as she could. She was flying. She gasped and span in the air. Her feet swung out and the wings fluttered madly, trying to stabilize her. She finally managed to hover, a few inches off the ground and arms out to the side in shock. She looked up at Thorin, how he was still taller than her, she would never know, and smiled. His eyes were wide and mouth open slightly but a small grin was spreading across his face as well.

"Holy crap," she said and he looked at her, his blue eyes searching her face. She dropped down and her heart calmed down from the wild thumping from a few moments ago. "Wow," she breathed and Thorin nodded numbly. He reached out a hand and brushed a stray hair out of her face. She smiled slightly and her wings started buzzing again as she floated a bit. He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her level with his eye. Her wings were beating wildly and her heart was keeping time, thumping so fast she thought it might burst, the hum of her heart filling the room. Thorin raised one eyebrow and now she was well and truly pink. He released her and she hovered back and up, her feet slightly in front of her, propelling her backwards.