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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 - Things got delayed thanks to Hurricane Harvey. While my apartment managed to stay solid, my storage unit flooded. I’m going to have to wait until my brother comes back down to help me go through it to pull out what’s ruined. My heart hurts because I had a few pieces of furniture that belonged to my great grandmother, and I have very little that belonged to her. She and I were close when I was a child. So while I am grateful my family is safe, I am also hurting inside because treasured items may be lost – things that belonged to my mother, great grandmother, or crafted by my grandmother.

Thank you everyone who has been waiting so patiently. I’m afraid the pain levels have been incredibly high due to the weather, and I just hope that Harvey will be the only storm this year that hits my area. We received over 40 inches of rain, and I know Houston got hit harder.

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

Chapter Forty-five – Preparations and Observations

The tour to get everything ready didn’t take long, and the two women spoke quietly to each other as they walked from location to location. Helka occasionally asked questions about what Hawthorn thought of Erebor, and the hobbit answered them freely while they made their way to each location.

“The memories Thorin and the others shared made everything a bit intimidating,” the younger female said softly to one of the dam’s questions. “We don’t have such grand places back in the Shire and now that I’m able to see where he grew up, I can understand why he wanted to come home so badly. I just hope I can help with the restoration so that Erebor can be a home once again instead of this quiet shell.”

“Most people call our mountains mines,” Helka commented, watching the future queen as the smaller lass blinked at her words.

“How can anyone look at what’s been achieved here in the past and call it a mine? In my mind, mines are utilitarian and not beautiful. Erebor is a thing of beauty; she just needs a bit of work and polish to shine again.”

The dwarrowdam went silent, touched by the others words. It seemed that Thorin had found a gem, and she just hoped that Hawthorn was what she appeared to be. She kept asking questions as they made their way through the mountain, observing the hobbit as she performed the tasks needed to get everything ready for the upcoming battle.

Ori stayed a few feet behind the pair, somehow understanding that the two needed a chance to get to know each other without his interference. He knew the dwarrowdam was important to Thorin’s family, and this was a chance for the two to interact without the influence of others and would see to it they were not interrupted.

Helka got to see the hobbit at work, noticing the gentle manner she used to handle the frightened women and children. She also spotted the little girl who adored the future queen, laughing softly at how the child addressed the lass and quietly agreed to herself that the girl would make an amazing handmaiden once she was trained. The little one was certainly loyal and devoted to Erebor’s future queen, which was important for anyone who worked with the queen.

When Hawthorn stepped forward to ask questions of the healers to ensure they were ready for the battle to come, the dwarrowdam moved to stand beside the scribe.

“Is she always like this?”

“Always like what exactly,” Ori asked, not quite understanding the question.

“Kind and gentle,” Helka answered, keeping her voice soft as she did not want the hobbit to hear this conversation. “The questions she’s answered about the mountain; she’s full of hope and determination. She’s almost too good to be true.”

“She’s got a temper and has learned to control it so it won’t come back to haunt her,” the scribe shared. “She sent us out during the first negotiations with the elves and humans so I don’t know what she did, but it was enough for Thranduil to have his son work with her. He won’t go near her and seemed rather uneasy in her presence during the final part of negotiations. Otherwise, she’s exactly as you see. Lady Yavanna grew a perfect match for our king.”

“So not perfect but a good person,” she asked, smiling when the other nodded. “Thank Mahal, I was hoping he’d find a good person to love. He deserves it.”

“That he does, and Miss Hawthorn does too,” Ori replied. “Our people will flourish under their rule. I think, after Thror, we need someone like Miss Hawthorn to help Thorin. A gentle queen with a firm hand will help everyone heal from the losses we’ve taken since the dragon.”

“Durin’s Folk has lost too much over the years,” Helka agreed. “Dis and I worried that Thorin would become too hard and bitter because of it, but it seems his One has helped to keep that from happening.”

“I know he didn’t want to take a hobbit with us,” the dwarf said softly. “He didn’t think a stranger would be sympathetic to our plight nor take this quest with the seriousness it deserved. From what Kili said, it seemed Thorin was bound and determined to not like whoever it was Gandalf chose to join the company.”

“What changed his mind?”

“Miss Hawthorn did,” Ori answered. “When we arrived, she used an ancient hobbit welcoming with food and drink prepared by her own hands and opened her home and hearth to all of us under the blessings of Lady Yavanna. Balin said that no one has greeted any dwarf of the Longbeard clan with a traditional welcome in a very long time. It startled Thorin, but he answered with the ritual our own people use.

“The ritual softened him towards her, and he softened further when he realized she didn’t have much money but gave us a fine meal despite her limited resources. She signed onto the quest without demanding anything, and then we saw just how poorly she was treated by the other hobbits. She was underpaid for her craft; she’s an amazing scribe, and we watched as her client tried to cheat her from the agreed upon wages. Balin interfered with that and got her what she deserved.”

Ori went quiet for a moment before continuing explaining the hobbit to her as they watched Hawthorn go through the duties she’d been asked to take care of.

“She pulled a few pranks to retaliate in my honor whenever Fili and Kili went too far; then she hurt herself saving Oin when an accident happened during training. On top of that, she found a clever way to handle a trio of mountain trolls and then helped us with Lord Elrond so we wouldn’t be stopped from continuing with our quest.”

“Judging from all this, I can see why Thorin softened towards her,” the dwarrowdam said.

“She did more than all that,” Ori told her. “She’s done so much, it would take more time than we have right now to recount everything she’s done from the moment we met her. The entire line of Durin owes her several debts for her actions, and I plan on having it written out so when our people return, they can hear of her deeds and know that Thorin has found the perfect queen for our home.”

“I can’t wait to get to know her better,” Helka responded, seeing just how loyal the other was to the hobbit. “Dis said that Azog is gone?”

As they waited on Hawthorn, Ori recounted the story for her and the dwarrowdam shook her head in amazement. She paused when she heard what dagger had been used to kill the orc and gave a soft smile.

“Frerin would be pleased to know that a weapon he crafted slew the one who shed the blood of those of the line of Durin. Thorin did the right thing in gifting that dagger to her,” the dwarrowdam said with a sad note to her voice as she spoke of her One.

“She’s used it well and taken good care of it,” he assured her. “I know she treasures it because it was a gift and that it holds so much meaning to Thorin.”

“I’m glad,” she murmured, smiling when Hawthorn returned to them. Her thoughts were full of what she’d seen and heard, and she spent the time observing as well as coming to a decision about something important.

They went to a few more areas before returning to the meeting room to find all of the rulers, the company, and a few trusted companions were discussing a few things. Before Thorin could greet them, Helka drew her sword and knelt in front of her king.

Hawthorn didn’t understand what was happening since the dwarrowdam was speaking in Khuzdul, but Ori stepped up and translated for her. His voice was low so that they would not interrupt what was going on.

“Your Majesty, I offer my blade and skill and ask that I may be the one to stand between your queen and all who would seek to harm her.”

Thorin was startled for a moment, looking over at Dain and Dwalin before focusing on the one he called sister in his heart.

“You are offering yourself as shield-maiden to my One?”

“I am, my liege; I would swear myself into her service,” she replied, knowing she had taken him by surprise.

“I would hear your vow, Helka Swiftblade,” Thorin said, straightening as he looked to his cousin.

“I will witness this vow,” Dain said, bowing to his king.

As all eyes focused on her, the brown eyed dwarrowdam began to speak her oath. She could hear Ori translating for the future queen and was glad that Hawthorn could be here to hear this.

“Before my liege and my Maker, I swear my sword and life in the defense of my queen. I will be her shield to protect her from all who seek to harm her. I will be her sword to use to ensure all who rise up against her find themselves facing our Maker in His halls. Her life before mine, ever shall I be watchful for those who would attempt to harm her. This I do swear.”

“I hear and accept your vow,” Thorin told her. “You are her shield-maiden, her constant protector, and I place her safety in your hands.”

“I accept the task, my liege, and I will not fail either of you,” Helka swore.

“If I had time, I would present the bead to mark you as her shield-maiden but I do not have the time or resources to do so. After this mess is over, I’ll make one for you and ensure you have the right armor for your new position,” he promised, turning slightly to see the look of confusion on his betrothed’s face. “Hawthorn?”

“I understand what happened,” the hobbit said. “I don’t understand the why. You do not know me but have sworn to put your life at risk to save mine. Why would you do this?”

Helka rose, tucking a few strands of blond hair out of her face as she sheathed her blade. Her voice was gentle, soothing tension Hawthorn didn’t realize she’d been feeling.

“The dwarrow around Thorin are devoted to you,” she said. “I have known some of them for a very long time, and I know them to be good people with an uncanny ability to read others. They love you very much, and it’s obvious that the humans in the mountain trust you as well. The little girl, your handmaiden, adores you. These things as well as what I have heard since coming here has told me that my heart is right; I will do all I can to protect you as you rule alongside the one I call brother.”

“I had hoped to be friends,” the hobbit said softly, making the dwarrow in the room smile.

“We still can be,” Helka told her. “Dwalin is one of Thorin’s dearest friends, and he is his shield and protector. Their friendship enables them to trust each other so that Dwalin can do his task of protecting his king. In time, you and I will have the same level of trust.”

“I would like that,” she answered. “Though I’m afraid I’m still a bit at a loss as to why you would take this position when you don’t even know me but I will trust you know what you’re doing. The idea of someone sacrificing their life for me does not sit well with me.”

“Which is another reason I am pleased to do this for you,” Helka told her, moving to stand beside her. “You value the lives around you; there are some rulers who do not and those who must lay down their lives for them are not given the honor and regard they deserve.”

“Not here,” Hawthorn said with determination “You and Dwalin...what you do is beyond what others would do, and you deserve every honor that can be granted as well as my respect.”

“Thank you, my lady,” the dwarrowdam said, turning her attention to the messenger that arrived.

“The orcs have been sighted,” the young dwarf said. “We have two hours before they’re within attack range.”

Thorin nodded, sobering as he dismissed everyone to their positions. They would have to move swiftly but given how they had been able to plan for this, he knew the groups would get into their designated locations within a reasonable amount of time.

He headed to his betrothed, kissing her gently before resting his forehead against hers.

“Be safe, ukradel,” he told her. “I have faith you can take care of everything here.”

Hawthorn kissed him back, then pulled one of the hair ties she’d been given out of a pocket. She turned him around, braiding his hair out of his face while leaving the braids of his rank loose. The hobbit made sure the braid was tight and secured well before turning him back around to face her.

“This should keep your hair out of your eyes,” she said to him. “Thorin, promise me you will not do anything foolish and put yourself at unnecessary risk.”

“I promise, laslel,” the king swore to his betrothed. “There is too much to lose, and I will not put everything at risk.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” Dwalin said from his position beside Helka. “No chasing after orcs without someone with him to watch over his back.”

“I’m holding you both to that,” the hobbit told them, looking worried. “I expect the entire company to come back to me in one piece.”

“I’ll make sure they know that,” Thorin promised, kissing her once more before going with Dwalin to don their armor so they could join the ranks of soldiers outside.

Once they were out of the room, Ori and Helka watched as the future queen of Erebor murmured something in a language they didn’t recognize. The stance she was in spoke of prayer, and they added their own pleas for the safety of their loved ones.

“Let’s make sure Erebor is ready to receive her victorious king and soldiers,” Hawthorn said, straightening up and heading out to ensure everything was in readiness.

While she was worried for her loved ones, the hobbit knew she had a task to do and she would make sure that it was done to the best of her abilities. She would put her trust in the skills of the company as well as the protection of the Valar.

Author’s Note – I decided to add another endearment – laslel means rose of all roses. Perfect for a hobbit, I think! Thanks to poplitealqueen for providing a list of khuzdul endearments for those of us who like being sappy! I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Thanks so much for reading and please let me know what you think of it! See you all next time. ~ Laran
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Mending the Broken Pieces