Knights of Erebor: Blade of Durin

Past Times Pt. 2

The small gathering of dwarves and Trócha sat laughing and feasting; but unbeknowst to them, a hidden presence was watching from the shadows. Therina glanced across the table, and her gaze found Kit who was seated with Cinnamon. The two naumad were chatting quite happily as Kit told her sister all sorts of tales. Her lips twitched as her gaze moved to the right where the dwarf king, Thorin Oakenshield, who was sitting at the table's head; talking quietly with his nephews: Fili and Kili. After them, came Balin, Dwalin and then Thorin's company and finally Therina looked to her right, down the large table at Flaire, who was having a lively conversation with the Ur brothers.

"So, what is your purpose here, my lady?" A deep rumbling voice questioned. Therina looked back at Thorin and found him studying her with mild interest. She cleared her throat nervously at being called 'lady.'

"I'm in search of one of my kin. And you need not call me lady, Thorin...my lord." Therina replied, her voice trailing off subtly to hide the formal title. She had, out of instinct upon hearing his name, called him, 'my lord'.
But Thorin had insisted no such formalities, yet he too used them out of habit. He nodded and turned his attention to the small group of women. He took his time, studying every single one, memorizing everything about them...even how they ate and carried themselves. The maidens held something in their posture, and Thorin suprised himself by calling it unwavering loyalty and respect; not to mention a bit of pride. He crawled out of his thoughts and gazed back at Therina to study her once more. She, and the eleven others she traveled with, intrigued him the most. The way she walked with an air of confidence and determination. The look in her eyes told him that like him, her past not pretty. A deep heartfelt sadness radiated around her when she looked at his fellow dwarves. Her posture; it defined honor and respect.  Furrowing his brows, and a small frown on his face, he opened his mouth once more.

"May I ask your names and who exactly you seek?" He inquired firmly, but still politely. 
Therina glanced up at him and suddenly felt slightly guilty for not introducing herself and her companions. However she stiffened about having to mention who she was looking for. Straightening up, she pointed to each maiden as she said their name.

"I...I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. This here is Darcy; her sister Deanta, Sashe, Freya, Gale, and Monika. Darla and her sister Vixen, then Flaire and you know Kit already. She paused and reached for her glass of water. Also I seek my long lost sister."

"Ah. Aye, now I know who they are but you didn't answer my entire question. Who are you lass? " Thorin asked, albeit softer than normal; suprising Therina and himself. Therina internally sighed in defeat. 'Would he recognize her? It's not that she really cared but at the same time...she wasn't sure if she wanted him to know either. ' She looked into his eyes and took a deep breath.

"My name is Therina...Therina Atgeir. " She sais confidently. At those words, all conversations stopped. Every dwarven eye was on Therina, except the young derfrauli who looked down awkwardly at their laps. Cinnamon, Fili and Kili though looked confused and glanced between Thorin and Therina, who had yet to drop their staring at each other. Tense seconds seemed like minutes, but suddenly, Thorin's deep voice grunted;

"Everyone but Balin, Dwalin and the maidens leave!"

Therina was suddenly nervous; this had been something that she slightly dreaded since the battle of Azanulbizar...or since the fall of Erebor. Finally coming face to face with the dwarf prince, now dwarf king. The intense stare down between Therina and Thorin was then interrupted by the king standing, ever so slowly. Therina followed suit as Kit and the others stood as well. After the excused dwarves left, Thorin turned around and started walking over to another table. He stood by a chair and gestured to the seat across from him. Therina silently padded over and slid into the wooden chair as Balin and Dwalin sat down on either side of Thorin. The young nithuls sat down in a row with Kit and Darcy on either side of Therina.

"First off, who were your parents?" Thorin almost growled. Therina couldn't fathom this!  He didn't believe that she was, in fact, Therina Atgeir;  descendant of one of the first shifters to ever travel to Middle Earth and now the Lady of Ravenhill! She struggled to withhold a low growl and narrowed her eyes. 'Calm down Therina! ' the soft voice of her mother filled her head. Sighing deeply, she swallowed her anger and looked over at Darcy, then back to the dwarrow.

"Thailon and Theila Atgeir. " she replied, trying not to say it through clenched teeth. Thorin shook his head and stood up abruptly. 'This girl could not be! She died in battle along with her whole family! The race of derfruli'va'ari were gone. Cinnamon was the last of her kind.' As Thorin's mind continued to whirl, he turned away from them. However, Balin was studying Therina very closely. She had the same fierce dark brown eyes of Thailon, along with his deep chocolate brown hair and yet the steady bearing of Theila. His eyes widened in realization;  this really was Therina! One of the derfruli'vaari band who fought alongside the dwarves for Moria. 'They survived after all.' He mused to himself, then turned to Thorin.

"She's telling the truth Thorin. " he stated. Thorin slowly stepped away.

"If so, let her prove it."

"What?!" Therina exclaimed, just barely managing her tone. Thorin whipped around and Dwalin, who had been silently observing, stood up.

"If you are who you said you are, including you're parents. Prove it and SHIFT!" Thorin gruffed loudly, his voice dripping with laces of anger, but also disbelief and slight pain. At this Therina stood up so fast her chair scrapped the floor loudly. She glowered at Thorin, hurt clearly in her eyes.

"And why should I shift? How and why should I trust you?!" She spat. The three dwarf lords stepped back slightly as Therina's hair began to shade black and her eyes a dull red. It was clear, that Therina was indeed a derfruli'va'ari. Thorin paused and realized what she meant. How could she trust him? He wasn't making that very easy. His anger faded away and he looked down at his steel-tipped boots.

"Forgive me. You must understand, we thought those few died. But I know now without a doubt that you are who you say you are." He said softly.

Hearing the sincerity in his tone and the apologetic looks from the other dwarrows, she took a deep breath and glanced at the women. They hadn't said anything, much less look up from their hands since the beginning of the discussion. Therina brought her gaze back to Thorin, but found him staring in shock and awe at something behind her. It was only when the clip-clopping of hooves sounded, did she know what happened. Turning around slowly, she too stared at the sight.

"Kit..." she gasped.

Hey everybody! Yes, I promise I didn't die. Here's a super late and very deserved update. Also a quick thing, while you wait for updates, check out ValinorsTwilight Loki fanfic. It's pretty awesome! It's called The Sweetest Rose. Anyway, thanks to those who bugged me enough that I updated. Love all of ya!❤ Bye for now!👋

Translations:

Naumad: sisters; dwarvish

Derfrauli: horses; dwarvish

Derfruli'va'ari: horseshifters; dwarvish

Nithuls: females; dwarvish