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Mending the Broken Pieces	By : LadyLaran Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > Het - Male/Female Views: 13613 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own "the Hobbit" nor do I make money from this story. Tolkien and Jackson are the ones who own the characters and world.

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Author’s Note – It’s funny how many people have commented on how they want Hawthorn to handle Mirkwood, especially Thranduil. I’ll be honest; I decided to have a bit more personal growth for our favorite hobbit lass over a blow up. I didn’t want to follow “A Hobbit’s Rescue” since Adamanta had her blow up while IN Mirkwood with the king. Never fear, Hawthorn will have her chance to have her say in regards to Thranduil and the consequences of it will be a game changer. I’ve written past that part already, and I feel very pleased with it.

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make any money from this story.

Chapter Twenty-nine – Into Mirkwood

Two days after that wonderful night, the company of Thorin Oakenshield stood outside of the forest that had been once called the Green Wood. Hawthorn stood beside her pony, leaning on her staff as she stared at the thick forest.

“Hawthorn?”

Without turning, she answered Balin, sharing her thoughts on what was disturbing her.

“This forest is sick; I thought the woods outside of Buckland were bad, but this is darker and more ominous in how it feels. I don’t see how anyone could live here, much less elves since they have such a strong bond with nature.”

“I’ve no idea why Thranduil allowed it to get this bad,” the adviser commented. “It can’t be good for his people.”

“No, it can’t be,” she murmured. “I dread going into this place, Balin. Hobbits are tied to the earth; Yavanna created us to be the nurturers of the smaller things that Her ents could not watch over. I have no idea what to expect here.”

“Nor do I, but I will alert the others so we can keep an eye on you. You’re still stiff from your injury, and we don’t need you becoming ill,” Balin answered, heading to share his worries with the rest of the company.

She stood there, staring into the dark forest and not saying a word until Gloin stepped beside her.

“Balin told us you might have problems there,” he stated. “Your father and I want you to tell us the second you start feeling ill.”

“I will, uncle,” she replied quietly. “I don’t like the idea of going in there, but I know that we’d never make it to Erebor by the deadline if we tried to go around the forest.”

Gloin nodded, walking beside her as the company entered the miserable looking forest. All of them were quiet, not liking the darkness or the odd feelings of evil that seemed to permeate their surroundings.

“I hope we can get through this quickly,” Dori commented, shaking his head at the state of the woods. “I don’t like the idea of being in here too long.”

“Mahal willing, we’ll be through this as swiftly as possible,” Balin agreed. “I remember this forest as being healthy and lush; I cannot understand how it has come to such a state as it’s in now.”

“It could be why Gandalf had to leave,” Bombur commented. “Maybe he’s checking on the source of the problem?”

“Whatever it is that forced him from our company, I hope he succeeds in his mission swiftly so he can return to us,” Thorin replied from his position at the head of the group. “It was obvious that he wished to remain, but I remember well that he has to obey orders from the White Wizard and the council he serves.”

At the mention of Saruman, Hawthorn shuddered. She still felt unnerved whenever she thought of the Istar and the brief encounter she’d had with him. Something about him did not sit well with her, and she sincerely hoped that her path would not cross with his once again. Although, that did bring up a question in her mind.

“After Erebor is reclaimed, will we have much interactions with the White Council?”

“I doubt there will be any face to face interactions often,” the king-in-exile told his betrothed. “Even though he is here to carry out Mahal’s will, it was rare that we had dealings with Saruman. There might have been a few letters passed between Erebor and Lothlórien or Imladris during my grandfather’s time on the throne, but they sent representatives should a meeting need to take place. We mostly dealt with the men of Dale as well as the elves here.”

“Good,” she answered, making Balin stare at her for a moment.

“Good,” he asked. “Why is it a good thing?”

“I have heard a great deal about the White Wizard during my time in Lord Elrond’s home,” the hobbit replied, frowning in the darkness that filled the area despite being midday. “It’s known he has no patience or love for races that are not elvish or Istari, and he made me feel incredibly uncomfortable when I accidentally ran into him while we were in Imladris. I would feel safer and more comfortable knowing that he will not be entering Erebor.”

“That’s a bit odd, isn’t it? For a wizard that represents Mahal to have no liking for other races,” Kili asked. “You’d think he’d be the tolerant one considering what our Maker’s children have faced, you know?”

“You would think so, but we tend to keep away from others too,” Fili reminded his brother. “Maybe it’s why he is how he is?”

“Yes but you were accepting of me,” Hawthorn pointed out. “Despite the tension between dwarrow and elves, you were still somewhat polite around the elves of Imladris.”

“That’s because they’re nothing like the elves we’ve met before,” Nori informed her. “They actually offered to help and meant it. It’s easier to tolerate elves who are actually genuine in their actions. I’ve heard the elves of Lothlórien keep to themselves about as much as the ones here so it’s possible they share the same view of outsiders. Elrond is accepting of people in his home, which is why it’s known as a Homely House.”

“Mama only met the elves of Imladris,” she replied. “I only know what Glorfindel or the others think of the other elvish realms. They’re respectful of the elves of Lothlórien, but that could be because the lady holds one of the elvish rings of power and is incredibly powerful in the gifts she possesses. The lord and lady are also the parents of Lord Elrond’s wife, Celebrian, and that would be another reason as to why the elves of Imladris hold them in respect.”

“I had no idea the two realms were joined,” Dori commented, a bit interested in the conversation despite the topic.

“It’s not spoken of much. Lady Celebrian was attacked on her way to Lothlórien to visit her parents and was held captive by orcs for a time. Elrond and his sons were able to rescue her and although he was able to heal her physical wounds, the family could do nothing for the wounds to her soul. She went on to Valinor to heal while she waits for her family to join her there,” Hawthorn shared.

“If that had happened to Mum, I think I’d be trying to kill every orc I found,” Kili growled, sidestepping a root that had grown across the path.

“The twins do,” she told him. “Elrohir and Elladan spend quite a lot of time in hunting parties or with the Dúnedain to thin out the orc numbers. There’s always a form of natural animosity between elves and orcs, but the elves of Imladris have a deeper loathing for the foul creatures.”

“Understandable,” Dwalin grumbled. “Only good orc is a dead one.”

That caused the company to give a low cheer, agreeing with the warrior on that certain piece of philosophy. Hawthorn only shook her head, smiling just a bit as she carefully made her way down the path with the dwarrow.

The conversation died down for a while as the group continued to walk along the elven road, and she eventually found herself walking beside Thorin. She smiled up at him, glad to be able to spend some time with him even with the company around them.

“Tired of being up front for now,” she asked, feeling warm inside at the low chuckle he gave before answering.

“It occurred to me that I haven’t spent much time with you today,” he told her. “So I let Dwalin and Balin take over for a while so I could walk with you.”

“You will probably be teased by one or both of them for that later,” Hawthorn warned, knowing how close Thorin and the two brothers were.

“I have no doubt of that, but it’s worth it. How are you doing?”

“Truth is, I’ll be better once we’re out of these woods,” she admitted. “I don’t like it at all. Reminds me a bit of when I wore the ring; it’s all unnatural and unnerving. Nature is crying out against it; how the elves don’t hear it, I don’t know. It makes me ache inside.”

“I wish there was a way to keep you from feeling it,” he said softly, not liking that he couldn’t stop what she was sensing.

“A distraction wouldn’t go amiss,” Hawthorn told him.

“How can I help,” he asked.

“I only know of royalty from books,” the hobbit confessed. “I’ve no idea what kings or queens even do outside of sitting on what has to be an uncomfortable throne and look pretty.”

The king-in-exile laughed at that, surprised by her words and greatly amused by them. He knew hobbits didn’t have a king, though the thain came quite close to what Thorin had to do when he was in Ered Luin.

“The governing of the mountain is divided between the king and queen,” he began once his amusement died down. “The queen runs the King’s Hall as well as sees to the daily living of the mountain. The guilds that aid with this will fall under her purview as well. She also sees to it that the guests in the mountain are welcomed and organizes the social events she and her husband must attend. She is also one of the king’s advisers and attends council meetings.”

Running a household was something she somewhat understood since her mother had taught her how to run her own home, but Hawthorn wasn’t too sure she could handle the idea of running the day to day things that kept the mountain going. It seemed like a lot of responsibility, and Thorin reached out to take her hand.

“You won’t be handling things alone,” he promised. “The guilds that fall under your purview will have their own officials to handle things, and they report to the Guild Master. He or she will be the one to report to you if there’s something needed that requires your authorization.

“You also will be choosing ladies in waiting who will be aiding you as well,” he told her.

“I make the decision for that,” she asked, looking up at him. “I don’t know anyone outside of the company.”

“These ladies in waiting will be chosen from the dwarrowdams you feel comfortable with,” Thorin reassured her. “Some of the returning lords might want their daughters or wives to be a part of it because it is considered a high honor to be counted as one of the queen’s ladies in waiting, but you have the right to choose the number you want to attend you and who will fill that number. I can make a recommendation on three of them, provided you feel comfortable with them once you meet them.”

“Your sister,” Hawthorn guessed.

“Dis and Freyis, Gloin’s wife,” he answered. “Both are formidable dwarrowdams and will be loyal to you due to familial connections. Either one of them would be an excellent choice to be your lead lady in waiting and personal adviser. Though not of noble blood, Bombur’s wife has a sharp mind and is very detail oriented. She would also make a strong addition to your ladies in waiting.”

That was sound advice, and she would definitely try to get to know the three dwarrowdams as soon as they arrived to join their families in Erebor. The idea of having so many people vying for her attention was rather unnerving.

“So I get to be one of your advisers as well,” she asked, pulling her thoughts away from her worries about the choices she’d have to make.

“Yes, you will be. In public, we are expected to show solidarity but I will always listen to your opinions on the matters we must address,” he informed her.

“It makes sense; no one wants to see their queen arguing with the king in public,” Hawthorn said softly. “Will I have a chance to speak to you about things that come up in council meetings before a decision has to be made?”

“I will work with Balin to devise some form of signal that can be given so we’ll know that you and I need to speak on the topic before a decision is given,” Thorin promised. “You have keen insight to things, and I want this to be a partnership between us.”

“I want that too,” the hobbit answered earnestly. “I’ll be honest, this whole thing scares me because I’ve no formal training to do the things you need me to do. I don’t want to make mistakes and cause people to doubt me because that will reflect on you. There’s going to be enough pressure on both of us due to decisions made that others might not like as Erebor begins to live again.”

He pressed a kiss to her hand, hoping to reassure her.

“You won’t be doing this alone, Hawthorn. The family will help in anyway they can, and Dis will be teaching you what you’ll need to know,” he promised. “Balin will be instructing you too so I have no doubt you’ll be quite sick of lessons before too long.”

“I’ll be honest, this frightens me,” she admitted. “I know that people might not like having a hobbit as your wife, especially if and when it gets out that I cannot have children. I don’t like the idea of my issues being used against you when we need to focus on what’s important.”

“You are going to do wonderfully,” he assured her. “You are intelligent, a master in one of our guilds, and so very kind and loving. Courage, loyalty, and a willing heart – those are the important qualities I look for in those around me. You have those in spades, Hawthorn. Let those qualities shine, and I have no doubt you will have more allies than naysayers. If something is said about you being a hobbit or unable to have children, I will handle it because my One deserves respect.”

“I’ll give them a taste of dwarvish iron right up their jacksie,” Ori stated, making Hawthorn giggle and blush as the company approved of the scribe’s words and agreed to do the same.

“I have such loyal and ardent defenders,” she said, blushing all the while. “I hope I can show that I deserve such wonderful companions.”

“You already have, Miss Hawthorn,” Dori said with a smile. “You already have.”

Thorin chuckled as she ducked her head, glad to know that his dwarrow would ensure her safety due to loyalty. She really had integrated herself into the group, and all of them had bonded together into a very tight unit. He was hopeful for a solid resolution for the end of their quest.

Author’s End Note - And the journey into Mirkwood has begun! We also got a bit of a look into what’s expected of her after Erebor is reclaimed. I wanted a chance to bring a few details out into the open, including Hawthorn’s worries, and I think it worked. Thanks so much for reading; please let me know what you think of it. See you all next week! ~ Laran
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Mending the Broken Pieces