Gloin looked at the small pack of belongings he had on his bed. His bag was packed with provisions enough for the short journey (he would walk to Eryn Lasgalen; he didn't like to use ponies if he could help it). He did't know how long he would stay for, yet he assumed he would be in good care in the elf-king's hall's anyway, as Lord Thranduil had promised it. Clothes he had enough of (and if Galion had his way, he would be wearing little of those...)
He had made his excuses to King Dain, saying he wished to spend time talking to Thranduil about relations between the Greenwood and the Mountain. He knew Dain had seen this wasn't the truth, yet despite this his lord had bade him good luck and had allowed him to go. Whether or not Dain knew he had an elven lover, Gloin was not sure, yet there had been a strange look in the king's eyes, and an expression on his friend's face he could not read. Anyway, he would discuss it if and when Dain brought it up; it was Gloin's private business at present after all. The only one he had told was his friend Dwalin and the young brothers Fili and Kili. He had their acceptance, and for the time being that was enough. He dared not think what his son would think of his father if he knew.
He threw on a dark green traveling cloak, and flicked up the hood over his greying hair. It would be a few hours ere he reached the borders of the forest. In spite of his worries Gloin chuckled. He felt alive and young again, doing something 'forbidden' almost. He thought back to his youth and when he had first met his wife. Her father hadn't approved of the union, and so they had to meet in secret- this is what it almost felt like again. He knew personally that there was nothing taboo about of meeting an elf for intimacy, yet he knew if a rumour spread around the king's court, there would be a small pandemonium.
As much as Gloin was proud to be a dwarf of great and high standing, second only to Dwalin in the power he held in Erebor, he wished that he could sometimes be back to being a nobody smith in the Blue Mountains. He got away with so much more back then!
Shouldering his pack, he left his home, and quickly walked through the Mountain to the Front Gate, hoping he didn't run into anyone. He was done explaining, and eager to get away. He felt his blood stir and heart quicken as he thought of the past few nights- the raunchy conversations he had had with Galion and the thoughts that had given him... how that blasted elf had built his tension up to breaking point. He quickened his pace, and hoped no one could see his face reddening significantly!
Bidding a hurried farewell to the guards at the Gate, he left the Mountain behind him. The sun was already beginning to set, bathing the mountainside in deep orange, the scents of the wild herbs and plants rushing up to fill his nose. In the distance and across the water, he saw the dark smudge across the landscape which heralded the edge of the great forest. He would be at it soon if he hurried, yet conscious of the guards watching him, he made sure his pace was not too quick.
