[IC] Hobbit-LOTR: Quests, Curses, And Guardians { Angel & Polarize }

[kiiblade]

“So, this is the Hobbit." It was now that Thorin paid Bilbo the smallest acknowledgement. "Tell me, Mr. Baggins, have you done much fighting?” Bilbo's mannerisms already spoke against this; Thorin was quite sure he'd never picked up a sword, let alone fought with one.

All was confirmed when Bilbo stammered out a small "pardon me?"

Thorin glanced up as Dwalin and the other dwarves gathered in the foyer upon his meeting. “Axe or sword? What’s your weapon of choice?” Again, he was calm, though his gaze was critical at best.

“Well, I have some skill at Conkers, if you must know, but I fail to see why that’s relevant.” Bilbo wasn't quite on the same page, and he moved aside some so to make room for the crowd of dwarves.

“Thought as much." Thorin glanced to the others now, his tone somewhat mocking. "He looks more like a grocer than a burglar.” This earned a few laughs and hearty chuckles from the rest of the group. Bilbo was definitely not a warrior.

"But you're our godmother." To some extent, Kili understood Thorin's hatred for elves. They had denied their people help, after all. Saeril was not one of the ones who had denied help, though. Surely his uncle would not object to her -- would he? This was upsetting. "You shouldn't have to do that," he didn't feel it right that she should have to conceal her own race. "I could speak with him, if you'd like." A one on one conversation with his uncle was a touch intimidating, but Kili was willing.

[AngelBites15]

Saeril gave a sad sigh again, almost sounding guilty, as she was heard Kili's reassurance and offer to help her situation. Really, he didn't need to, nor would she want him too. Thorin Oakenshield was a dwarf she didn't want to cross paths with; she was the one who murdered his and Dis' father Thrain during the battle of Moria! Whether or not Thorin knew her to be the killer, Saeril has bad memories coming back to haunt her; memories she was counseled to forget. Otherwise, the same darkness she had before will begin to boil, and if it does, she didn't want to think about what it could do towards her newly-found family. No, she never would let that happen; not to Kili.

"Okay", she suddenly found herself saying, looking towards the innocent dwarf before her. "You may speak to him. But rest assured, I promise no consequence", Saeril began to remove the headdress, and let her hair flow free, revealing once again her pointed Elven ears. Her creamy-white hand was right near his own...

[kiiblade]

"You can trust me; we're closest of kin." Kili was insistent, he truly believed that Thorin would listen to reason if he handled this properly. "Everything will be alright, I promise." The youngest Durin took her hand in his, and he gave her hand a small, reassuring squeeze. "I'll be right back." Kili smiled to her, then turned to leave, confident that he could speak some sense into his uncle.

As Thorin overlooked the group of dwarves, he took notice that only one nephew was present. "Fili, where is your brother?" If anyone would know, Fili would. The elder of the two was often keeping an eye on him, and for a good cause. Kili was known as the reckless one, after all.

Right then Kili entered the hall, and he tried to get an idea of Thorin's current temperament. "Well, you took your time," he attempted to joke a bit in hopes of reading him better.

"I became lost...on two occasions." Thorin sensed his nephew had more to say, but he did not bother to question him. There were more pressing matters at hand. "We have plenty to discuss, Gandalf." The king started to lead the way into the next room, and Kili lost his courage. Just momentarily.

"Fili," Kili grabbed hold of his sleeve before his brother might join the rest of them. "I need to speak with you -- about Delva," he explained in a rush, as he did not wish to keep their godmother waiting.

[AngelBites15]

As soon as Saeril watched her youngest godson leave the living room, she quickly looked herself in a mirror nearby, and gazed upon her reflection. Ever since Thorin Oakenshield stepped a foot into her sights, the she-elf felt a wave of nostalgia start crashing back to her as she looked upon her own reflection: the battle of Moria...Azog...Smaug...the screams...Gandalf...Fili....Kili. The warping sounds were all coming so fast, out of nowhere, she suddenly punched the glass. Even after she did, Saeril gasped at the damage of such action, looking at the shattered remnants in horror. It was eating at her; the past darkness inside of her.

Fili honestly figured that Kili was still with their godmother, even when his uncle asked him. He didn't immediately answer, and a little bit of hesitation did bite him. He knew Thorin's disgust for elves, and entirely reserved and devoted he was, he didn't want Delva to face such humiliation. She was to be welcomed warmly acceptable. Before he even could follow his uncle, he felt the hand of his brother stop him from moving. "What about Delva? What's wrong?", he asked him, clearly worried for her.

[kiiblade]

"Nothing's wrong. Not exactly." Kili released Fili's sleeve, and he cast a glance towards the hall as the others left to discuss Thorin's meeting with the other dwarves. "As soon as she saw Thorin, she seemed a bit panicked." The prince could recall this perfectly; he'd seen how anxious their Delva had become. "She started to put on a crown of sorts...a headdress, I believe." The prince wasn't quite certain how to describe it, and he nearly jumped out of his boots when he overheard footsteps coming their way.

Once he was certain no one was approaching, Kili continued, barely pausing for breath. "She was trying to hide her ears, Fili. She's an elf -- and, well...it is no secret how Uncle feels about elves...but it isn't right. She should be treated with respect; Mother trusted her enough to be our guardian, didn't she?"

Kili chewed his bottom lip, a nervous habit. "I promised to speak with Thorin. Do you think he will listen to reason? I was going to speak my mind earlier, but the others were there...and I couldn't tell if he was in good spirits."

[AngelBites15]

Fili listened to his brother's reason and case about their godmother, and she nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard glass shattering in the room next to them. He looked back at the company in the dining hall, and he was surprised that they didn't hear it.

"Of course she did, Kili. Mum always did, ever since we were born", he agreed with her mother's decision to choose, but to feel Delva's distress through Kili, it was enough to try and resolve the conflict. However, he wasn't sure on what his uncle thought on the matter. "Alright. Um...", he paused, looking at Thorin in the dining hall, before looking back his baby brother.

"Go back to her. I'll go talk to him", Fili walked off as soon as he said this. He had a lot of respect for Thorin Oakenshield, plus he was closer to him than Kili was. He hoped he would understand. Approaching his role model, he quickly composed himself. "Uncle. I know how much the mountain means to you, but there is a certain someone that Gandalf seems to want to assist us on this journey", he began to explain to Thorin, hoping he would understand.

[kiiblade]

"Are you certain?" Kili hadn't meant to foist this off on his big brother. Truth be told, he had hoped that Fili might offer to help, but he did not wish for him to take this on by himself.

It was here that Kili overheard the breaking glass. The sound was enough for his heart to skip a beat, and he looked towards the blond with some alarm. What could have happened? Finally, he gave in and rethought his offer. "Well. Alright...if you do not mind. Thank you, Fili," he thanked his brother earnestly, and he found himself wondering what could have broken. Had one of the company broken the door to one of Bilbo's fine cabinets? He hoped not. Bilbo was upset enough as it was.

Brows furrowed with concern, Kili headed back to the sitting room to report back to Saeril. Upon entering, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw the broken glass fragments all over the floor, with only his godmother present.

Thorin had been telling the others of his failed quest to gather dwarves to assist with their journey. Needless to say, Fili's timing was not the best. The king was not in the highest of spirits, and neither were the rest. "What is it, Fili?" There was a touch of impatience within his tone, though he did give him his attention. "If you are referring to Mr. Baggins...he has already made it quite clear that he does not wish to join us."

[AngelBites15]

Saeril was still staring down the shattered remnants of glass all over the floor, while sinking herself down on one of the lounges, replaying the action within her mind as she stared at the hearth of the fire with an Elven stare in her eyes. Hearing Kili enter, she almost forgot about the mess, and she quickly stood up, looking between him and the glass, not sure on how to explain.

Fili shifted a little in footing as he stood in Uncle Thorin's prescence. He cleared his throat before once again speaking. "Actually, uncle. This is someone else, and we hope to gain your approval for her to join us", he really hated to say this, but had to anyway. "She's a elf, and Gandalf insists on this", he was almost stuttering in his words at the end, but he really hoped his uncle would see the reason.

[kiiblade]

Kili was unsure what could have happened; he didn't believe Saeril capable of an accident such as this. She was much too graceful; this was something he may have done, not an elf. "What happened?" The prince had no choice but to ask, and he moved to see the damage. "Delva?...Are you alright?"

"She?" Thorin's eyes narrowed, his jaw set in a grim line as Fili continued on. The king looked less than pleased, and Bilbo found himself wondering what female would care to travel with such an uncouth group such as this. Dwalin listened intently, his brows furrowed, and even Bombur paused from his plate of food to listen. Just what was going on here?

"Gandalf made no mention of this," Dwalin objected even before Saeril's race was revealed. The last thing he wanted was for a female to accompany them on their quest. This was no place for a dwarven maiden; they were to stay in the mountains where it was safe. "Don't be tellin' me that you're speaking on her behalf, lad."

"Let him speak, Dwalin." Thorin was already on edge, but when Fili mentioned her being an elf, things went dangerously quiet. "An elf wishes to join us?" The words were incredulous, and he gave a scoff as he glared to their wizard. "What amount of gold was she promised, Gandalf?" Sarcasm dripped from the words, and he was angered to find this out only now. "Dwalin is right, you made no mention of this, and for good reason...no elf will come with us to OUR homeland."

[AngelBites15]

Saeril looked at Kili, and back to the mess, before looking at her own hands, shocked even, when such an action became so sudden for her. This wasn't what she wanted to happen, and worse, it could turn against Kili. Already, her well-manicured hands were shaking as she tried to register on the events from before, even after when Kili returned and asked. Quickly, she composed herself and bent down to gather the glass on the floor. "I'm fine", the she-elf was still shaken up, and even as she was picking up glass, it was that same traumatizing fear one gets after waking up from a nightmare. "I have wings, Kili. They tend to move on their own", she quickly said, in response to his question and concern.

"Uncle, please!", Fili was quick to back-up Gandalf. The wizard was not to be blamed. "She won't turn her back our homeland, nor will she steal from us!", he countered, just as desperate. He bit his bottom lip, already regretting on speaking such a tone towards his uncle. "Me and Kili, we know her. Mum knew her", he was putting on a brave face, determination rising in his voice. He couldn't let these news crush his baby brother; not after he just got to know her for the first time.

[kiiblade]

Kili's concern was quite evident, though he did his best to mask it. The youngest knelt to help her gather up the larger portions of glass, and he had a terrible feeling that Thorin's arrival was to blame for her drastic change in mood. "I've broken quite a few windows." Dis had scolded her sons for rough housing when they were young, but accidents were unpreventable. The worst years were when Kili had taken up training with a bow. "Not to mention the door to Mum's favorite cabinet -- and I do not even have wings," he joked as he often did, his way of trying to lessen her guilt. "Mr. Baggins will understand; Bofur may even find a way to fix this. He's very handy, you know."

Fili rarely spoke out like this, and so Thorin was a bit surprised that he did not back down. Fili was very often reserved, and respectful, so for him to say this must have taken quite a bit of courage. Still. Elves. The very idea was insulting, and Thorin could feel his blood boil from the memory of Thranduil and his army denying them help.

Thankfully, Fili had thought to mention Dis. Thorin observed his eldest nephew, his steely gaze enough to make Bilbo feel nervous on Fili's behalf. "Then I do not know her?" The king wanted answers; did his sister know of this? "Who is she?"

[AngelBites15]

Saeril felt terrible; first breaking her host's objects, and even cower in fright from Thorin Oakenshield. A dwarf! She really didn't want Kili and Fili to speak on her behalf, and they didn't need to, but she honestly felt and figured that they were the only ones who can truly reason with such a proud, respected dwarf. She could only hope that their uncle would accept a creature he longly hated on his nephews' behalf. The she-elf continued to pick up the last portions of the glass, even while her godson was speaking. She understood him, and Saeril expressed that with a small amusing smirk coming forth, before giving a heartful chuckle at his joking albeit charming mannerism. She happily sighed before looking at down at him, scanning his face. "Your mother did say you were uncontrollable; the wild-child of your kin", Saeril fondly recalled those memories: in the forest, they ran and tumbled and laughed -- with her in the shadow of the tree, watching. "It's just fortunate enough for you, young Durin", she added, before giving herself time to stand.

Fili immediately regretted what he was gonna say next, and he couldn't exactly describe her for him, since 'time' was never really Thorin's top priority when it came to this quest. "Come see her yourself", he said calmly with determination, not backing down before turning around to slowly walk back to the living room, slightly anxious on what he just dragged over.

[kiiblade]

The frown never seemed to cease from his features, but Thorin did follow his eldest nephew from the room. "I will be back momentarily," he told the company pointedly, his way of instructing them to stay put until he resolved this matter. Bilbo gripped his cup of tea a bit tighter, his nerves completely shot.

Thorin was doing his best to remain levelheaded, but the mere mention of elves brought back less than pleasant memories for him. It did not help that his journey to obtain help in their quest had proved useless; he was on edge, and now was not the best time to confront him. Had it been any of the others, he would not have been reconciled with. Saeril was lucky that Fili had spoken on her behalf.

"She was right." Kili grinned lightly when he saw that he'd succeeded in cheering his godmother up. This was what he had hoped to do. Once he'd collected the remains of the mirror, he rose as well, but then he saw Thorin in the doorway. Kili hadn't heard him, and so this caught him off guard. The youngest paled a bit, then cleared his throat nervously. "Thorin, this is--"

"I know who this is." Thorin interrupted him briskly, irregardless if this was the case or not. The king's eyes were penetrating, and he observed the she-elf icily from where he stood. The broken glass did not go unmissed by him, though he did not question it now. "I have been informed that you wish to accompany us to the Lonely Mountain."

[AngelBites15]

Saeril took the remaining pieces of glass from Kili's hands, and proceeded to place them in a nearby steel bucket. As she turned around to face him again with a light-hearted smile, her yellow-green eyes gazed upon the Dwarven Prince behind him. Her smile faltering into an expression of slight fear, the she-elf backed away a little.

Hearing Thorin say that he knew who she was, Saeril stiffened, silently praying that he didn't know what she wanted him to know. She stayed quiet, and slowly composed herself, standing tall. "I am", she responded, with confidence slowly embracing her Elven features. "I'm going to guess that Gandalf never told you about me?", she said next, out of curiousity. "There's no need to warrant your trust in me. I am Saeril, the last of the Elves of Fangorn, and the godmother to the heirs of Durin, and a friend of your family", Saeril kept herself somewhat proud. "I pose no threat to you, Thorin Oakenshield"

[kiiblade]

"Gandalf has told me nothing." The bitterness in Thorin's tone of voice was enough to make Kili cringe. Why was he being so unreasonable? Saeril was their godmother, and the title had been given to her by Dis, no less. Couldn't he show a bit of respect?

As the she-elf introduced herself to be his nephew's godmother, Thorin nearly cursed in Khuzdul. "I would not consider you a threat." Their difference in height forced him to look upwards, and despite being the shorter or the two, Thorin carried himself with stubbornness and pride. "Our journey will be a long one...for what reason would you have to accompany us to the Mountain? What did Gandalf promise you?" The king did not bother to hide his suspicion, he seemed to believe that her only reason to come was for a portion of the treasure hoard.

"She's coming because she wishes to help us!" Finally, Kili spoke up on her behalf, his frown very akin to Thorin's. "You have no right to speak to our godmother in this way -- she's only shown us kindness." The words were rushed, but he challenged him all the same.

[AngelBites15]

Saeril kept her ground, as soon as she heard the bitterness coming from the Dwarven Prince. She sighed sadly at his demand for her reason to join them. She did indeed figure that he was just trying to protect his family's wealth, and she understood his reason. However, she didn't take it much for granted.

Sighing, the she-elf bowed down her head to look down at the floor to the side. "What have I done to make you hate me so?", her accented voice was heavily apparent within the sadness of her voice. "I'll tell you one thing, and one thing only, Thorin Oakenshield: gold means nothing to me", she confessed. It wasn't wealth that she wanted nor did it attract her. Not to mention that the greed to gold was disgusting. "Gandalf wanted me to redeem my past mistakes by doing something for someone else. Starting for me to help take you and your kin to the Lonely Mountain", she explained to his question.

Fili silently stood beside his baby brother, taking his side for the arguement of Saeril's case. He just hoped everything before him would resolve.

[kiiblade]

To see Kili so defiant was maddening; Thorin did not like to be at odds with his nephews, but he was stubborn and incredibly thickheaded when elves were discussed. It was of no surprise to him that Fili was on his brother's side; he was fiercely loyal to Kili. Rather than argue, Thorin listened as Saeril spoke.

"If accompanying us will ease your conscious, then so be it." Thorin remained cold, though he did relent, which was a great surprise to Kili. "We leave at dawn. I suggest you be ready." With that, he turned and left without further word to she she-elf, or his nephews.

Kili remained in place, his heart pounding in his ears. That could have gone worse. A lot worse. "I'm sorry. He shouldn't have spoken to you like that," he apologized for his uncle, for the sadness in his godmother's tone of voice hadn't gone unmissed.

[AngelBites15]

Saeril watched and listened as Thorin told her about the aspects of the journey, and she did feel herself relax when he didn't make the arguement go further. She managed to release a breath of air that she didn't realize she was holding when she saw him leave, though.

Hearing her youngest godson apologize, Saeril wasn't at all surprised nor was she dissapointed. It was an expression that she understood Thorin, and she pitied him. It wasn't his fault for showing a distrusting relationship with the Elven race, and she didn't blame him for their betrayal against him and his kin. With that solved, the she-elf turned to look at them.

"Whatever the case may be, he'll always be Thorin Oakenshild", she reassured him, showing that she wasn't at all offended. That was when she let her cloak be turned back to her wings, but kept them tucked in behind her back. Saeril slowly sat herself down on the lounge, and looked into the fire. "It's going to be a long journey", she finally spoke after a moment of silence.

Fili looked to his brother and gestured him to approach her, right on cue when she opened one of her wings, giving Kili and spot to sit with her. With that said, he lightly squeezed his shoulder before giving him a reassuring smile, and moved off to where Thorin was with the others.

[kiiblade]

Kili was appreciative of his brother's help; had Fili not been present, he feared Thorin would not have backed down. Then again, he wouldn't have backed down either; perhaps their uncle knew this. The lack of respect shown towards Saeril was indeed troubling, but he had hope that in time, Thorin would learn to accept her irregardless of race.

With a small, thankful smile towards Fili, Kili watched as his brother left the room. Hopefully Thorin would calm down enough to be civil by tomorrow. Though his brother had gestured towards Saeril, Kili felt hesitant. He didn't want to overstay his welcome, but he didn't want to leave her alone, either.

Finally, he made up his mind. Kili approached the lounge with some caution, and when he saw Saeril's wing shift slightly in order to grant him somewhere to sit, he did. Something was different in the air though; he felt troubled and nervous. Thorin had succeeded in making things awkward; he felt the need to apologize again, but he wasn't sure how.

Fidgeting with his sleeve, Kili glanced sideways to her. "That isn't the case, is it? What you said about Gandalf...and your past mistakes...is that the reason you've come?"

[AngelBites15]

Saeril heard Kili speak to her, and she did appreciate his concern. This made her show a small smile while allowing her yellow-green eyes to lightly reflect from the flames of the fire. "He'll warm up, Kili. In time", she slowly recited to him before narrowing her eyes when she gazed at the hearth.

The she-elf exhaled the breath she was holding through her nose, and gave herself a moment of thought to what she said before. "Yes. I had a need to reform, heir of Durin", she admitted and confirmed to his curiousity. That was when one of her huge feathered wings moved, wrapping itself around him, as if to keep him warm.

Sometime later, everyone was near the fire, and to Saeril's ears, she could hear them humming. It was something she believed that she heard during her time in the Lonely Mountain itself. She kept her place with Kili, while the fire danced in front of her. Fili was standing nearing the fire, smoking his pipe, and was, funny enough, standing near Thorin, staring into the hearth.