**Scene addition - snippet from ~The Best of Intentions-
I am almost done with my rough draft of this piece and I am now going back through to add in scenes to fill out the storyline better.
The days bled into one another and soon over a week had passed. Her bruises had finally faded from her skin, although some tenderness with her jaw, shoulder and ribs remained as an irritating reminder. Luna was healing as well, albeit not as quickly with her injuries being more severe in nature.
She was still in her cell, and much to Mistlynn’s surprise she didn’t seem too upset about her detainment. She slept most of the day and through the night on the soft hay filled cushion that had been provided or her. It was a nice change from what they were used to, especially after she had fled her kingdom.
She now found herself restless. Seeing the little glimpses Dis had shared with her along with her time spent in the library, she was eager to learn and see more of this magnificent mountain kingdom. She ventured out to explore what lay above and below her in vast, carved chasms and walkways. It never ceased to amaze her, every day as she perused the ancient walkways and observed the everyday life of this kingdom she had been taught to fear and despise.
The dwarves regarded her with a thinly veiled curiosity as she walked amongst them, taking in everything with a wonder she couldn’t keep from her face. Although wary, they were all kind. She figured after the commotion she caused all would disregard her with suspicion, but if they King deemed her trustworthy enough to walk their halls, then that was fine and well with them. She was often seen walking with Dis or Balin, and that further solidified her place amidst their sacred halls.
The market was her favorite place to spend time in. The aroma of spices and perfumes excited her, while the vibrant colors and sounds of laughter and music enchanted her. The extent of artistry of every booth and shop made her question all that she knew, the beauty of such flourishing life had seized her by her soul, and the idea of ever leaving this place of wonder pained her more than she thought was possible.
The flower market was such a place she found herself lost in as she took in blooms of varying size and color with an eagerness that spoke of a hunger, she never realized she had. A particular bloom of voluptuous, silken petals in the most delicate shade of pink, much like the inside of the seashells she used to collect from the beach to make necklaces for her mother, captured her attention. She closed her eyes and breathed it in, and if happiness was a smell she had no doubts this would be the source of it.
She couldn’t help the sigh that escaped her lips as she felt her body and mind truly relax for the first time in years. A deep laugh from behind her broke her reverie. She froze instantly as the deep, sensual voice that haunted her dreams began to speak from behind her.
Her teeth ground together, her hands clenched tightly at her side as she quickly stepped forward, past the pink blooms, to hide behind the tall jugs and vases filled with water and more flowers.
She crouched, her hands braced against the cool, damp clay of the jars as she strained to hear what the voices were saying. It appeared as if they hadn’t seen her, otherwise his tone wouldn’t be so warm and welcoming. She scowled at that thought.
She peeked around the jars slowly, just in time to see Thorin crouch in front of a young girl with chocolate curls and rosy cheeks. The girl was holding a flower crown in her tiny hands, her smile radiant as she looked up into the face of the Dwarf King with a look akin to adoration.
Her eyes grew wide in surprise as she watched him lower his head, so that the young girl could place the flower crown upon his head.
He had a grin on his face, his dimples on full display as he chuckled warmly. “What do you think of my new crown Fili?”
She then noticed the golden-haired prince she had held at knifepoint before kicking him in the groin the day of her failed escape attempt. He was smiling as well, his posture relaxed. “Much improved from that old heavy behemoth up in your offices.” He smirked.
Thorin’s laugh rumbled freely from his chest. “I will not argue.” His eyes twinkled brightly as he pulled out a gold coin from his pocket and held it up to the young girl, who gasped in excitement as he held it out to her. “I shall wear it proudly, my lady.”
Mistlynn blinked wordlessly, struggling to comprehend that the Dwarf King before her was one in the same as before.
Her heart skipped a few beats as she held her breath. She watched the little girl giggle as she grinned up at him. “Thank you, my King.” She giggled as she took the coin from him.
Thorin’s smile grew even wider as he stood up to his full height, to look at the dwarrowdam that was running her fingers through the young girls hair fondly. “You have done an amazing job with your shop, Lady Raila. It’s been so long since I have seen such a variety. Your parents would be proud.”
“Thank you, your majesty. The new trade routes you negotiated have helped tremendously with my supply. It was my parents dream to reopen their shop here in Erebor and to raise Coryn in our ancestral home.”
“If you or your sister is ever in need of anything, please let us know.” Thorin’s voice became solemn as he looked at the florist earnestly. “Our mothers were the closest of friends. I would like to honor their memories by ensuring you and Coryn are successful and comfortable.”
Mistlynn bit her bottom lip as guilt set in for how she had treated Thorin. This new side to him was disconcerting, and her traitorous heart was doing her no favors. Memories of their fight echoed in her mind, making her swallow thickly as regret coiled in her stomach, a cold and bitter thing.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to hold any sort of disdain for King Thorin, not when she kept seeing glimpses of how attentive and caring he was to his family, his friends, and his people.
She had never seen her grandfather or father treat the people of her kingdom in such a way. They had been aloof, always leaving the dealings of everyday matters to their advisors that acted upon their orders. The stark difference between the inner workings of Erebor under Thorin’s rule, and that of her fathers in the White Kingdom spoke of an uncomfortable truth she was slowly starting to realize.
Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the presence of another coming up behind her silently. “That flower crown is rather dashing, don’t you think?”
An undignified, choking sound escaped her as she spun around in alarm, causing her to knock the jars with her back as she lurched away from her unexpected visitor.
She caught the wobbling jar with her hands before it knocked into the other jars. She shot a murderous glare up at the younger Durin prince. He was looking down at her with a mischievous grin, his honey brown eyes bright with mirth at her reaction.
“Aule’s beard. You scared me.” She seethed with a harsh whisper. “Who do you think you are, sneaking up on me like that?”
“Me? Sneaking up on you? I’m not the one hiding behind flower jars spying on my Irak’adad while making eyes.” Kili crossed his arms over his chest as he looked down at the flustered dam, his smirk daring her to argue with him.
She stood up fully, her eyes flashing with a ready retort before she remembered she was trying to keep her presence hidden. She crouched again. “I am not spying.” She hissed. “And I am not making eyes! How dare you even suggest such a fiendish notion.”
“Well, excuse me. I didn’t realize sneaking around a flower shop was a normal thing for you.”
“It’s not! I was here first, minding my own business, before you three…” Her hushed rant was interrupted by Fili.
“Kili? Who are you talking to over there?”
Mistlynn’s eyes grew large with a horrified look that made Kili bite his bottom lip to stop the laugh that was threatening to escape. Mistlynn dared to look around the jars, only to see that not only was Fili looking in their direction, so was the florist and Thorin.
“Makk an E ha’ak[KA1] !” she cursed, her voice shaking nervously. “If you will excuse me.” She went to brush past him, but he stepped in front of her.
“Where is the fire? My brother and I have heard so much about you from our Amad. Would you like to accompany us for the rest of our walk so that we may become better acquainted?” Kili grinned as he watched her try to get around him while still trying to slink away.
“Sar em Gabura[KA2] . Why are you Durin’s so bloody tall?!” She cursed before she stood back up to her full height. “I appreciate your offer, but I really must be going.”
“Kili?” She heard Thorin’s distinctive voice call out, and the nervous fluttering’s of her stomach became rock hard and plummeted. She fell quickly to her knees and began to crawl quickly through the maze of strategically placed water jars.
“Lady Mistlynn?! Kili’s confused laugh followed her as she maneuvered through the tall jars of flowers, towards the entry door of the shop. Her eyes zeroed in on the open door as she pushed herself towards her goal.
The very moment she left the jars a pair of black boots tipped with a finely detailed metal stepped directly in front of her, blocking her only escape.
She swallowed thickly as the world seemed to hone in and slow around her. She forced herself to look up, directly into the icy eyes of Thorin, the very dwarf she had been trying so hard to avoid. She gulped; her mouth suddenly dry as she watched him cock his head to the side as he studied her. “Lady Mistlynn. What a surprise.”
She slowly got to her feet as she rubbed the palms of her hands on the front of her trousers. “Your majesty, fancy seeing you here.” A forced smile stretched her lips. “I was just looking for ...” she chanced a look to her right before snatching the closest thing she could reach. She brought a stem of small yellow flowers in front of her. “These … delightful …flowers. I was looking everywhere.”
Her inner dialogue was scathing as she watched his eyes glance down towards the flowers before returning to her face. A smile threatened his lips as he raised a curious eyebrow at her. “You were looking everywhere for snapdragons?” She became wary of the teasing lilt that wrapped around his words.
“Yes. Snapdragons. My favorite.”
‘Curious choice. Especially since you were smelling that peony just as much spirit as you were that book in the library when we walked in. I was wondering why you were hiding back there.”
Mistlynn blanched as her grip on the defenseless stem of snapdragons tightened. She couldn’t force herself to look away from the teasing smile that was now on his face.
“I offered for her to join us on our stroll through the market.” She didn’t even notice that both Fili and Kili were now standing to the side of them, watching their interaction with a rapturous glee.
“I didn’t realize you were watching me.” She breathed as she continued to hold his gaze without blinking.
Thorin chuckled, thoroughly enjoying their stare off. “Don’t be mistaken M’eudail. Until I am certain of what your intentions are in my kingdom, I’ll always be keeping a close eye on you.”
Mistlynn swallowed thickly as she felt heat rush to her cheeks and flash across her neck and chest. She silently thanked the god’s she was wearing her white tunic that covered up the majority of her blush from his keen, soul devouring gaze.
“Well, it certainly is a pleasure to meet you under much calmer circumstances while unarmed.” Fili’s voice was jovial as he stepped beside his uncle, intentionally interrupting the intense moment that was unraveling before him, much to his and Kili’s amusement.
The tension was so deliciously thick he could feel it settle between Thorin and Mistlynn like a thick autumn fog. His Amad was going to be delighted when he regaled her of this encounter. The energy that crackled between the two of them was palatable, and if he had been doubtful of what she meant to his uncle, he certainly wasn’t doubting it now.
Mistlynn’s eyes darted to the eldest prince, thankful for the disruption of her and Thorin’s exchange.
“I do apologize for the manner of our first meeting, it wasn’t personal.” She smiled ruefully at the elder prince’s sunny disposition as she fought to stop her heart from beating out of her chest.
Fili gave her a wry smile as he laughed heartedly. “The skill you displayed with my borrowed daggers was impressive. I’ve never seen a fighting style quite like yours. It was … unexpected.”
“She jumped off the bloody balcony and rode them down those banners. Then proceeded to throw us around like rag dolls. That’s more than just skill with daggers.” Kili nudged his brother, not bothering to hide the admiration in his voice.
“It was reckless, is what it was.” Thorin interrupted Kili sternly, giving both princes a stern look before looking at Mistlynn pointedly.
Mistlynn found herself smiling at Fili and Kili, feeling an immediate comrade with the two princes. She raised her brow at the sternness of Thorin’s voice. “I don’t know why my recklessness should concern you. If I had fallen to my death, it would have been less of a hassle for you. You wouldn’t be sporting that cut on your chin.”
Thorin blinked in surprise at her retort before frustration and anger made his expression darken. He stepped forward, closer into her space so that she was forced to look up at him. “I don’t appreciate your cavalier attitude towards the fact that you could have killed yourself with your heedless actions. It is not something you should jest about.”
The intense candor mixed with that brand of irritation that seemed to be his trademark pinned her in place.
“I doubt the need for such reckless stunts is no longer needed. Am I right, Lady Mistlynn?” Fili pressed, sensing Thorin’s ire. “She knows no that she is amongst friends now, am I right?”
“Of course. You have my word I will refrain from such stunts. As it were.” She bit out, as she let her annoyance show in her returning glare.
Fili and Kili shot each other a look. It seemed like no matter what interference, they couldn’t make Thorin or Mistlynn focus fully on anything else but each other.
Mistlynn felt her resolve crumble under the intensity of his eyes. She managed to look away from him, in a rare display of compliance she returned her eyes to the stem of yellow snapdragon’s still clenched in her hands. She could still feel the heat of his gaze on her face, her skin prickling like it was about to be set ablaze.
“We still have engagements to meet. Let us leave Lady Mistlynn here to admire her …snapdragons.” His voice was low, deceptively calm. She let her eyes fall closed for a brief moment as his words washed over her.
“Thank you for your invitation, Prince Kili. But I am already late for my meeting with Master Balin. I would love to accompany you next time.”
Kili and Fili both smiled at her warmly. “We would be honored to have you with us. Until next time, Lady Mistlynn.” Fili inclined his head, while Kili answered in kind with a flourishing bow. She couldn’t help but smile at his antics.
Mistlynn gave them a forced smile as she inclined her heads towards them as she fiddled with the stem still in her hands. As she stepped towards the door, she finally realized that it was still in her hands, on the verge of being mangled in her nervous hands. She cleared her throat as she quickly put the stem back into its jar before rushing out of the door.
“Mahal, Uncle.” Fili whistled out as he gave Thorin an incredulous look.
Thorin looked over at him quizzically, finally tearing his gaze away from the door Mistlynn disappeared out of. “Don’t give me that tone.” He growled. “You were literally praising her antics as if they were something to be admired.”
“She is very easily one of the most admirable dams I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Kili hummed. “Present company included, of course.” He bowed towards Raila, who had been silently observing the entire exchange from behind her counter.
She shook her head, a knowing smile on her lips as she walked over to the jar of pink peonies. She pulled out a dozen of the biggest and brightest and began to arrange them. “What Prince Fili is trying to say, if I may be bold, is that a way to a dam’s heart, warrior or not, is through a bouquet of her favorite flowers.”
She quickly wrapped the fragrant blooms in a rich green paper before tying them with a silky white ribbon. She approached Thorin before he could respond and put the bouquet in his arms. “Lecturing a dam of her recklessness before putting a courting bead in her hair will make it only harder for you to win her affection.”
Thorin scoffed, his cheeks heating as he looked down at the flowers. “I am not trying to win her affection.”
Fili and Kili both laughed as Raila smiled teasingly. “Trust me. You will thank me later.”
[KA1]Make an E ha’ak - Son of a she dog - khuzudul
[KA2]May it melt - Khuzudul
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