Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

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.

Chapter List
- 39
- 40
- 41
Author’s Note - Good news is that the earaches are fading; I’m in the final days of my antibiotic treatment. Bad news is that “Shadows of the Past” will be delayed. My mother is our beta, and she’s been dealing with health issues. I went to a friend’s house this last weekend and came home Sunday to find her on the floor. She’d fallen Saturday and had been stuck from Saturday until late Sunday night. She’s getting stronger, but she’s not had time to learn her new computer (one of the chores I had to take care of was buying a used bare bones for my brother to rebuild so she could catch up on the beta work). I’m hoping she’ll have it done tonight or tomorrow. So thank you so much for your patience and any good thoughts/prayers you send our way!

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

Chapter Forty - A Future Queen’s Wisdom

The next few days passed swiftly, and the company moved into the King’s Halls. Thorin reclaimed his old rooms, stating he would move into the set of rooms his grandfather had lived in only after it had been gutted and redone later. The rooms had been overly decorated with too much gold, and Thorin didn’t feel comfortable there. He knew it would take more work to get it ready for his future bride, and it was time that needed to be spent on renovations elsewhere. It would give him time to make plans for the renovations so that the rooms would be comfortable for his hobbit.

Hawthorn lived in the suite where Oin and Gloin had been born; she would live with her heart family until she and Thorin married. Those who had family living here in this particular hall before Smaug’s attack reclaimed the rooms that had housed their family. Dori, Nori, and Ori chose a set of rooms for themselves as did Bofur, Bombur, and Bifur.

Everything had been going smoothly, although she did catch Thorin’s attention drifting at times, and she could feel something odd through the bond when that happened. It worried her more and more when it occurred, and she finally sat Oin and Gloin down after the day had finished and explained what she was sensing and observing from her cariad.

The pair listened to what she had to say, frowning before the healer spoke.

"It might be a hint of the gold sickness," Oin mused. "I think it's not settling because of the growing bond between you two; his love for you is pushing it out, but it's trying to set in. He's holding it off so far; his actions and decisions speak volumes to that."

Hawthorn frowned, leaning back in her seat. She was glad it wasn't taking full hold, but she wasn't sure how to help him. The hobbit mentioned this, hoping her family would have some advice for her.

"Keep spending time with him, lass, and remind him what's important. I'll talk to the lads and make sure they do the same," Gloin told his niece. "That should help keep it at bay until you two are married and bond sealed. Once the bond is complete, there's no room for the sickness to try to take him because your mind will balance his. It took hold of Thror after his One died since he had nothing to take her place in his heart."

"It's a good thing you noticed the problem and told us," the healer stated. "I'll warn Balin, just in case, so he'll know to send for you and the lads if Thorin shows any sign of the distraction you're noticing. We'll keep him as grounded as we can until your wedding."

That bit of advice helped her through the morning but when midday arrived, everything went beyond pear-shaped and she was ready to throw something in a fit of ill-temper.

Bard had arrived, which wouldn't have been so bad, but Thranduil had arrived with a rather large contingent of armed elves. His presence didn't just upset the company, but it had also angered her and her mind raced with thoughts as she observed the growing situation.

Hawthorn stood in the shadows as the pair spoke to Thorin; she could sense her cariad's impatience and fury, but it was tinged with that odd feeling she'd been picking up from him since the dragon's death. She sighed, fingers of her free hand tapping against her thigh as she listened to the conversation.

Bard had gotten everyone who wanted to evacuate ready, but word of their imminent departure had reached the master of Laketown. The vile man had argued with the descendent of Girion, stating there was no danger, and the others who had agreed to go with Bard had told the master they didn't believe him.

The master had retaliated by banishing everyone who had believed Bard and had been willing to leave with him; the group had not been allowed boats and had walked from the bridge to the other side of the lake to approach Erebor.

The hobbit was sympathetic for the people's plight, and she could tell her cariad was as well. However, Thranduil kept intervening when Thorin attempted to treat with Bard, acting as if the dwarf would cheat the humans and that the elves were here to get what everyone deserved due to the actions of the former king of Erebor. The elf was doing everything he could to make Thorin look bad, and she was growing very sick of it.

It was becoming a diplomatic nightmare, and Hawthorn had a solution which hung on soothing the king's temper and hopefully helping him fully out of the pull of the gold madness until their bond was complete.

When Thorin stormed off the battlements, the lass pulled her uncle, father, and Balin to one side. She quietly told them of her plan, and the trio agreed that her idea had a great deal of merit. The adviser went to pull the dwarrow aside who would be needed to help with the plan, and Hawthorn went back to the rooms she shared with her family.

Gloin came in with a tea tray, found and prepared by Dori, and he answered the door when the expected knock came.

"Cousin, your betrothed wishes to speak privately with you," the red haired dwarf told the king. "Her father and I are agreeing to this meeting but to keep to the protocols around the betrothal, I will be in another room to act as chaperone."

"I agree, cousin, and thank you for your dedication to ensuring our betrothal goes smoothly," Thorin replied.

"Be welcome to our home," Gloin said to him, guiding him into the sitting room of the suite before heading to the kitchen where he could monitor things unobtrusively.

Hawthorn rose, kissing him sweetly before gesturing him to take a seat. She poured tea for them, doctoring it in a way she remembered he enjoyed, and then handed it to him. He took a sip of it, and she could see him slowly relaxing as the heat of the beverage calmed him.

"Thank you, ukradel. I truly needed this," he said to her, making her smile.

"You're welcome, fy brenin; I'm glad it's helping to calm you," she answered, taking a sip of her tea. "Thank you for coming, Thorin. I know you said that if I needed to discuss something with you that may be taken as being contrary to you, then I should arrange to talk to you privately."

"Thank you for remembering that," he answered, sipping his tea. "I take it you wish to discuss the situation with Bard and the damned elf?"

"I do," she told him, taking another sip of her tea before addressing her concerns. "I feel the only solution to handle the situation in a way that makes you and your people out to be more compassionate than that arrogant buffoon portrays you to be is to address this issue without giving the elf a target. I know the story of what he did, felt the hurt and anger, but I must ask you this. Thorin, what was the one thing that ran through your mind when you saw his people approaching and then leave?"

The dwarf frowned, opening memories he had tried so hard to keep buried over the years. His anger had simmered for a long time, and he had no wish for that to taint his future here in Erebor with Hawthorn.

"When I saw him, I felt hope because I had seen the injuries my people had taken. My mother was injured badly when she pulled a child out of the way of dragon fire, and I knew the elves had the means of treating serious burns of that nature. We're prepared for forge accidents but nothing like what happened that day. When I realized he was there, I had hoped he would help treat the injured as I had no desire to loose anymore of my people that day.

"The death toll when Smaug attacked was catastrophic, and the deaths following our exile from home plunged our numbers so low that it will take several generations to rebuild – if Mahal and His Lady bless us. Complications from injuries, limited food and water, and no shelter were the leading causes of death for Durin's Folk as we wandered to find a home."

"His refusal to show compassion was the leading cause for your hatred of him and his people," Hawthorn said. "I cannot blame you for that, but you must find a way to aid Bard and his fellow exiles."

Thorin set his cup down, running fingers through his hair and tugging on it for a moment in frustration.

"How? Every word I say, that damned elf twists to make me sound as if I have no heart for their plight! I understand their needs better than they think!"

Hawthorn set her cup down and took his hands in hers, meeting his eyes.

"I know you do so we must do this intelligently," she told him.

"You have a scheme in mind, don't you," he asked, eyes showing curiosity.

"I do, my king, and I humbly ask you hear me out?"

"I will listen," the king told her, holding her hands as she began to explain the idea she had thought of earlier.

"They will think you are gold mad since the arrogant king out there has been manipulating the situation," Hawthorn began. "While there has been some occasional concern with you forgetting to eat and getting distracted, the company knows better because our bond is keeping you focused on what's important. The first step is to prove to Bard that you are more than willing to keep your promise in aiding him and his people and in showing compassion, you will be proving yourself to be the better king.

"If you approve of my idea, then this is what should happen. Send a raven to Bard and request a meeting between him and your chosen ambassador to discuss terms regarding shelter, food, and assistance to his people."

"You don't think I should do this," he asked, frowning a bit.

"No, I don't and for several reasons. One, I have no wish for the elf king to sit there and try to twist every word you speak to make you seem greedy and opportunistic. Second, I know you would start visualizing strangling him after two minutes into the meeting and while I wouldn't blame you for it, it would distract you from what is important. Three, you'll lose your temper and I certainly wouldn't hold you at fault for that either. Finally, if you're not there, Thranduil has to stop being a horse's arse and actually do the right thing," she said, noticing he was relaxing as she explained her reasons.

"So my chosen ambassador would address the needs of the exiled people who followed Bard," Thorin said. "Which means I should sit with the company to present my ideas and get their opinions on it since they are to be my council once my people return."

"They may be rough around the edges, but there is a lot of wisdom in them. I believe it's a good idea to have them on that council of yours. Going out there with a list of offers is a wise idea but Thranduil will need to be addressed while out there as well."

"I dislike having to negotiate with that elf," he groaned.

"Again, this is why you're sending an ambassador. I would suggest having the company find the chest of the gems and jewelry Thror should have given Thranduil. One gem should be removed as a sign of faith that we will work with the elves of Mirkwood under a fully witnessed treaty. However, before said treaty can happen, he needs to return the items taken from the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. The chest will be given once all of the belongings are returned. I suggest we have a list of everything taken so they can't forget anything and try to make Erebor look as if we're at fault.

"There's also something I learned in Imladris that can be used to pull the elf king's fangs so he'll have to stop with his childish behavior and actually act as a king should. Erebor needs the treaty as does Dale and Mirkwood, and it can be done but only if certain steps are taken to prevent another broken agreement."

Thorin nodded, seeing a lot of wisdom in her words, and he knew that he had to follow her plan. The determination to see to it that Bard's people did not suffer as his had pushed the tendrils of gold sickness away; Hawthorn's comment about what she had observed had alterted him to the problem, and he would do everything he could to ensure that he did not fall as his grandfather had.

"We will do as you suggested, ukradel; would you be willing to be the ambassador for Erebor?"

"I'll be truthful and admit I was hoping you would ask," the hobbit answered with a smile. "While I have no desire to do it all the time, I am honored to act as ambassador for you here and speak with the authority you have given me."

"Let me summon the company, send the raven to Bard to request the meeting, and we will come up with ideas for you to present to him. When did you want to meet with them?"

"This afternoon," Hawthorn said. "Sooner we get them into some form of shelter, the better. It also gives Thranduil less time to try to harden Bard's heart against us."

"I wish for you to take Dwalin and Kili with you for protection," Thorin told her. "With the ribbon and bead, I have no doubt Thranduil will know who you are to me."

"I was hoping you'd suggest escorts for protection," she answered. "I would also like to borrow Ori for note taking and writing of the contracts as well as Balin to ensure that a member of the Line of Durin is there. He's got enough political experience to help without stepping on my toes; Kili has the training but not the experience."

"You will have them at your side," he replied, going to fetch a raven and summon the company to the suite where Hawthorn was staying.

Once he was gone, the hobbit drew in a deep breath of relief. She had hoped that he would listen to her since she had done the right thing and addressed the problem with him in private. Now, all that was left was to work on the offer from Thorin and handle a certain arrogant elf.

Author's End Note - I hope this helps soothe some worries regarding Thorin and the call of the gold. We're going to see a hobbit in action soon when this meeting happens. It's one of the chapters I'm proud of, and I'm anxious to get it out so you guys can enjoy it too. Please let me know what you thought of the chapter! Also, I'm on tumblr so look me up! ~ Laran
- 39
- 40
- 41
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Mending the Broken Pieces