The Sun, the Moon and the Stars part 2
It wasn't until Bluebell saved Thorin's life when she finally felt at ease. She spent many days with these dwarves, what would her mother say, and she was tired. She missed her little hobbit hole and her fire but Bluebell had to confess that the adventure was rather exciting.
All the dwarves treated Bluebell differently, Fili and Kili were rather sweet and it seemed that Dwalin had grown rather protective of her but it was Thorin Bluebell was still curious about.
Here's the thing about Thorin.
Thorin wasn't like every other dwarf you would meet. He was, in fact, the true king under the mountain. Bluebell found out from the other dwarves in the company. She knew that he was somewhat different to the others from the moment he fell into her hobbit hole. He was the leader, that much was clear. He had that sense of importance about him. Bluebell could smell it in the air.
She felt all tingly when he questioned her about weapons and burglary. Surely she wasn't the right choice for this particular quest? Gandalf seemed to think so and it seemed that the dwarves trusted his judgement.
It was nightfall when they eventually set up camp. Balin looked over Thorin and made sure his injuries weren't infected. Bluebell looked over to the fireplace and saw Nori, Dori and Dwalin preparing the food whilst Kili and Fili scouted to make sure they wouldn't be found. Bluebell tended to the ponies, making sure they were fed. She looked over to Thorin and saw a look of sadness in his eyes. It caused her to frown.
If she was being honest with herself, Bluebell couldn't stop thinking of how he held her in his arms when the eagles placed them on that cliff. His arms were so big and they buried her but she didn't feel claustrophobic. If anything, Bluebell felt much safer and at ease than she had done in days. Perhaps, this quest wouldn't be so bad after all.
It was when everyone was eating when Thorin looked over to her and gestured to the clearing in the woods. They met each other's eyes and Bluebell knew to follow him, discreetly so the others wouldn't notice.
Thorin was already there when Bluebell managed to sneak away. Bluebell saw that he wasn't wearing a cloak or his furs and he was just in his dark blue shirt. She was wearing her green dress, without her cloak also. It was unseasonably warm that night. His back was turned away from her as she lingered by a tree, her fingers against the hard bark.
Bluebell wasn't frightened. Her curiosity was getting the better of her.
"Are you alright?" She asked him. "You didn't eat much at dinner?"
Thorin turned towards her, she could see a smile underneath his dark beard. "I didn't properly thank you."
"...you did?" Bluebell furrowed her eyebrows, tilting her head in bewilderment. "You thanked me plenty on the cliff side."
Thorin shook his head. "You saved my life... even after I treated you poorly than I should have. I wasn't behaving adequately."
"You behave better than most, especially than those back home."
"Your home, yes. Tell me about it." Thorin sar himself down on the grass, holding his hand out for her. "We told you of ours yet I'm afraid I know nothing more than what we saw when we arrived at your hobbit hole."
Bluebell felt her heart warm up, his voice was smooth and soft, his hands had scars and calluses over them but they were gentle. She sat herself down, not too closely, beside him.
In the sky above, the moon shone brightly and the stars twinkled. Thorin looked into the hobbit's eyes and smiled as the stars reflected into those beautiful eyes.
Thorin watched with deep fascination as Bluebell listed all of her family members including the numerous cousins. His smile grew ever brighter as Bluebell laughed as she told him of the many parties Hobbiton held. Thorin almost felt guilty about bringing her along until Bluebell spoke of her loneliness.
"It's not easy living alone."
"I understand all too well." Thorin sympathised.
"Kili and Fili are your nephews, right?"
Thorin nodded, "my sister's sons."
"Are they your heirs?" Bluebell asked, hoping it wouldn't upset him in any way.
"Yes," Thorin answered. "Unless I have children of my own, sons obviously."
Bluebell sensed his sadness. "I've always wanted a son. Well, any child really."
Bluebell screwed up her face, "there are many I could have chosen, that Father chose for me but... they expect me to be a perfect wife. I'm not exactly perfect."
Thorin argued, "why not? You seem it."
He almost missed Bluebell blushing. It didn't go unnoticed. Bluebell sighed and stared up at the sky, the gentle breeze drifting through her curly locks.
"Thank you." Her voice was just above a whisper.
"You're welcome Bilbo, sorry, Bluebell."
Bluebell opened her eyes and turned to face him properly.
"Bilbo... hmm... I quite like it."
Thorin reached out to pull the hair out of the way of her eyes, Bluebell felt it pull on her heartstrings.
"I suppose we should head back." Bluebell looked ahead to the roaring fire.
"They'll be alright for a moment." Thorin dismissed the idea. "Please. Let us stay awhile."
Bluebell felt like it didn't seem right to argue with a prince and so sat herself back down. It wasn't long before she fell into a deep slumber, her head falling against his chest. Thorin's smile did not leave his face. He felt differently about the little hobbit than he did yesterday. Was it the act of courage she had shown that swayed his mind or had Thorin finally opened his eyes to see her for the kind hearted creature she was?
