Darkness and LIght(Revised)

Chapter Three

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Ered Luin,

Fall, 2800.  

    Years had went by, as Lydia took up residence in Ered Luin--and luckily she made a friend, an older dwarf named Milo Bluestone, whom owned and operated his own forge, selling weapons, jewelry and what not, and he hired Lydia as his apprentice, and Lydia enjoyed it working in the forge,  and it was her long life dream of working in one. Lydia had chosen to forget about what happened years ago between her and the Royal Family of Erebor, and she told herself once she moved here, she would move on with her life.  But it was up until one day, while Milo had to leave town to visit family, Lydia had took charge over the forge while Milo was gone, and she had been busy  making, repairing weapons for the Dwarves of Ered Luin.   That same morning, she heard the door of the Forge open.  Oh good, more customers! thought Lydia, just as she was thinking things were going slow that day. 

  To her shock and surprise, she saw three dwarves entering the forge, and she instantly recognized them.  At first, she wanted to tell them she is closed and take off running, but she couldn't. She had to face these dwarves--Thorin, Balin and Dwalin.   Suddenly, it was Balin whom began to speak. "Is my eyes deceiving me, or is that really you, Lydia?!" exclaimed Balin.  "Well, I see the witch has landed herself a job!" grumbled Thorin.  "Thorin, that isn't very nice--it's been years since you last saw her! You could be at least nice to her.  I thought Milo was running this forge, Lydia?" said Balin, now turning his attention to Lydia.  "Milo has left to visit his family.  He'll return in a few days. He's leaving me in charge of the forge. Is there anything I can do for you three?" asked Lydia, trying to keep as professional as possible. 

 "We're here to get our weapons cleaned and repaired, if that isn't much trouble to you,my dear lass!" said Balin.  "No, its no bother at all! I wouldn't mind helping you!" said Lydia.  "I expect these to be finished in a few days.  We will return in two days for them!" said Thorin, casually.  Lydia nodded, as she took their weapons.  She tried not too look at Thorin, she didn't want Thorin to see her still hurt from their ordeal years ago.  "Thank you so much lassie!  Oh, there's a bonfire this evening! Are you going?" asked Balin.  "I am not going, Balin--I rather just stay home and be alone! Thanks for the offer!" said Lydia, as she watched the dwarves leave the forge.  No soon as they left, Lydia collapsed to her knees and wept heavily.  Balin stopped while he watched Thorin and Dwalin walk away, as he could hear crying coming from inside the forge.  "Are you coming, Balin?" called out Thorin.  "I'll catch up with you lads in a minute!" Balin called out.   "We'll just wait then!" said Thorin, his tone in annoyance. 

  Balin walked over to the house and knocked on the door.  "Who is it?" called out Lydia.  "It's me, Balin! May I come in?" called out the dwarf.  Suddenly Lydia came to the door and opened it.  "You've been crying! Are you alright?" asked Balin gently, as he entered.  "No, I am not alright, Balin.  Here I am trying to move on with my life after the way I got treated in Ereb---!" began Lydia furiously.  She wanted to tell Balin how she felt, and how hurt she felt she was sent away. "You don't have to say it, lass--I know.  What Thorin had done to you is wrong--he made a mistake of sending you away like he did, and I've tried telling him that, and his Grandfather that as well, and they refuse to listen." said Balin.  "Will they ever like me again, Balin?" asked Lydia quietly.  "I will try and have a talk to Thorin tonight,and I will tell him everything you told me." said Balin gently.  "Actually, don't leave just yet, Balin." said Lydia.   "Oh?" said Balin.  "I'm going to write a letter to Thorin, and you can give this letter to him!" said Lydia. 

 "Okay, that sounds like a good plan!" said Balin.   And so Lydia took her a pen and parchment, and she began writing her letter to Thorin:

Dear Thorin,

 It's been years since we last spoken, and I just wanted to let you know, I may have magic powers, but it doesn't necessary change who I am.  I am still the Lydia you loved years ago, before all of this happened---just because I have magical powers, doesn't make me a bad or evil person, Thorin, and I wish you and your Grandfather will understand that--I still feel hurt that you sent me away, and my heart is sore--leaving everything empty in my heart--now that I moved here to Ered Luin, thinking I would move on, and I couldn't--with your presence here, it's difficult---things have changed between us Thorin, and I wish we could bring our friendship back again. 

Sincerely,

 Lydia Silverbeard. 

   After Lydia wrote the letter, she sealed it, and handed the parchment over to Balin.  "I'll see he'll get this letter tonight!" said Balin.  "Thank you so very much, Balin! That means a whole lot!" said Lydia, as she hugged the dwarf.  Balin hugged Lydia back, and he left, taking Lydia's letter to Thorin with him.  Lydia prayed this letter would bring some sense back into Thorin.