Valin's Pov...
I woke to the sounds of shouting and movement, Thorin was not beside me, but across the tent, getting dressed. "What time is it?" I questioned groggily and he turned to look at me. "It is time for us to leave" he said, somberly before tossing me a pair of boots and a coat of soft fur. "Put them on and be quick about it. We need to be gone before sunrise" he ordered, his voice cold and distant. "Thor-" I began but was cut off, "Silence yourself and hurry. I will be outside" he said before leaving me in the semi dark tent alone.
I slipped the boots on and tightened them before donning the thick fur coat and standing up. Three men from Thorin's company came in -looking as somber as their Jarl- to pack the rest of the things and take apart the tent. Ducking out the entry-way, I was met with a flurry of activity among Thorin's men. "What is happening?" I asked Aden, who had suddenly appeared beside me. "Mela" was all he said and I knew she had done something terrible if Thorin was leaving to be rid of the situation.
"What did she do?" I asked, my voice low and dripping with venom. "She staged a rape, making it look as if Thorin tried to force himself upon her" Aden spoke just as lowly as I did and my eyes widened at his words. "When did this happen?" I asked, shocked that I had slept through all of that. "Last night" Aden replied grimly. "Where are your siblings? We will take them with us" I told him and he nodded; "They have already been concealed among the items in the cart, Bain lent it to us to travel with" he informed me and I nodded. "Good, I must find something to busy myself with. Thorin is in a foul mood, so I do not wish to bother him" I told him and he nodded before we went our separate ways.
Aden's Pov...
I wandered over to the packed cart and climbed aboard, two horses were already tied to it and its drivers already in place. Everyone was tense and awaiting Thorin's command to leave this place. "Psst" my brows furrowed as I looked around confused for a second then I remembered that I was not alone in the cart. "What is the matter?" I whispered to my covered siblings. "When do we leave?" I heard Kida's voice and I smiled, "Soon, now hush up before someone hears you" I practically ordered him and I heard Gillie giggle at him.
"Alright men. Move out!" Thorin shouted, his voice deep and commanding. With a jolt the cart started moving and in seconds, we were out of the camp and racing off into the darkness. "Hold on to that lantern there for me, boy" the driver of the cart order and I immediately moved to do as he said. "What do you think will happen?" I asked the man, lowly. "More than likely, Floki is going to start something bigger out of this situation. He would see that whole situation as an insult to his person and like the ass that he is, he will want to start a war over a woman" he muttered, flicking the reins and driving the horses faster. I sat back, and the ride continued on in silence.
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Valin's Pov...
We had gotten back to the village safely, and Aden's siblings introduced to all of Thorin's siblings. We were all in the main hall, and Thorin had just finished explaining what had actually happened the previous night. "Floki is going to take great offence to the situation, Thorin. I have no doubt in my mind that he will make a bigger problem out of this" Terni said, sitting beside Nikhil.
"I do not doubt it either, sister. But what worries me further is that he will have that bitch, Mela, whispering lies in his ear. Poisoning him, coaxing him to do something worse than what he would have already planned" Thorin said, lowly. I swallowed thickly, and looked at the children that were still present in the talks of war.
"Thistle, you and Aden should show Kida and Gillie around the house. Be careful" I said, and Thistle nodded before taking Aden's hand and pulling him to his feet. "Come along" she chirped before the four of them left the room.
"We need to be ready" Thrain said, a glint of something in his eyes. "Thrain, I know you want a good fight, but war is not something we need" Terni scolded lightly and Thrain chuckled. Always count on him to take serious situations lightly in some way. "I know Terni, but we should prepare. Keep an eye open at all times" he said, standing up and looking around the room.
"And what do you propose we do?" Thror asked. "Well-".
Mela's Pov...
I sat in my bedchambers, sipping a goblet of wine, slowly. I was waiting for my 'dear husband' to come back home. My plan was in motion, and nothing was going to stop me from getting what I want. Little did they know, Aden's 'rescue' of his siblings was also part of my play.
"He's here" Raygor said lowly, as he peeked his head into the room. "Good" I mumbled before he pulled his head back and closed the door securely behind him. I swallowed deeply before willing tears to pool into my eyes. Several seconds passed before the tears fell down my cheeks and I sniffled. I roughly wiped them away before repeating the process. I had to make my grief look believable.
When the door to our chambers opened, Floki came in to see me in tears. "What is it my love?" he asked, concern laced his tone. "He stole them, he took my children" I sobbed, throwing myself into his arms. "Who took the children?" Floki asked, anger replacing the concern quickly. "Thorin. He had his men kidnap them. They never came to the wagon with me. Oh, Floki. What will we do" I 'cried' and he tightened his hold on me.
"Thorin will regret the day he decided to cross me. First, he tries to force himself upon my wife, lies to my face and then he kidnaps my children. He is begging for a war and so, he shall have one" he said, his tone final and broached no argument. I hid my smirk in his chest.
"You will go to war for my children and I?" I asked and he nodded immediately. "You are my wife, and I love you" he said, kissing my lips softly. "Come, we must announce it to the men. You will rule over the village and all its people in my absence" he told me and I nodded, allowing him to take my arm and lead me out to the main dining hall.
All of Floki's fighting men and women were already crowded around the room, waiting for orders. Floki guided me to the thrones and I took my seat beside him. "I am sure that you all know why you have been summoned here" Floki began and there was a murmur of 'yeses throughout the room. "That fool, Thorin has disrespected me and my kin and I will not stand for it. Furthermore, he has kidnapped my children, Kida and Gillie" he announced and a few grumbles of protests were heard.
"Thorin is begging for a war, and if it a war he wants. Then it is a war he will get" Floki ended and they all raised their weapons and cheered. He then took my hand in his, kissing my knuckles softly. "Do not worry, my love. I will kill Thorin for everything he has done" he promised and I gave him a small smile. "Yes, my love" I whispered as I kissed his lips softly. When he pulled away, a slave boy came over with a coal pencil and a sheet of parchment. "Are you ready boy?" he asked the slave and the boy nodded, "Yes my Jarl" the boy responded, preparing to write.
"Thorin, you have disrespected me and I will not stand for it. You tried to rape my wife, you lied to my face then you kidnap my children. That is more than enough disrespect from you. You want a war, and so you will have one. I will have my children back, and I will take your head as payment for your crimes. Jarl Floki" he spoke and the boy quickly wrote it all down. when he was finished, Floki read it over before handing it back to him. "Good, have a messenger deliver this to Thorin" he ordered and I took it from him, nodding.
"Raygor, take the fastest horse in the stables and take this message to Jarl Thorin" I ordered him and with a brief nod, he took the now folded piece of parchment from my hands and left the main hall. I watched as the door closed behind him and I fought a grin, my plan was in action and there was nothing stopping me now. I will have everything I desired shortly.
Thorin, you will be mine.
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Valin's Pov...
I was out in the yard, training with Aden. His siblings and Thistle were standing to the side watching us. "Very good Aden, you have improved" Thror praised, causing the boy to smile, kindly. It has been but a day since we had gotten back to the village, and there was no word from Jarl Floki yet. Thror wanted everyone ready for anything, Aden and I were to always carry our weapons, in case there is an attack.
"Again!" Thror ordered and I swung my sword at Aden, who easily countered the blow. Before I could attack again there was a loud blare of a horn, signaling someone approaching the village. Looking towards the gates, I could see a single man on horseback riding hard towards the closed gates. "Who do you think it is?" Thistle said as she joined us. "We will have to wait and see now would we not" I told her, as I sheathed my sword and made for the main hall.
When I got there, Thorin was already waiting, Thrain and Nikhil was at his side and Terni sitting on a bench beside Nikhil. "Who is it?" Thror asked; "A messenger from Floki" Thrain answered. Moments later, the doors were pushed open and two of Thorin's men came in, escorting the messenger between them.
"Jarl Thorin" the man nodded, and Thorin nodded curtly at him. "What is your business here?" Thorin asked, his voice, loud and authoritative. It caused a shiver to travel down my spine. "I am here to deliver a message from Jarl Floki" the man answered, slipping his hand into his pouch and producing a folded piece of parchment. One of the guard took it from him and handed it to Thorin. He opening it and read it silently before passing it to Thrain. "He truly wishes to start a war with me" Thorin asked and the man nodded. "He does, and he wants your head" the man smirked.
"I know, I read it. Leave, tell your Jarl that if he wishes to have my head, he will have to come and get it" Thorin told him. Before waving his hand and the guards took the man back out. "It looks like you were right Thrain, there will be a war after all" Thorin said and I walked over to him. "We will get through this, your men and women are trained, everyone knows what to do when the time comes. We will win this" I told him, my hand softly caressing his bearded jaw.
He gave me a small smile before leaning down and capturing my lips with his own. "I know, but are you ready for this war?" he asked me and I nodded.
"I am ready for anything if you are by my side" I told him honestly, causing him to smile down at me. "As am I"
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Well hello there.
I apologize for the ridiculously long wait. But I have my reasons.
1. I had writer's block.
2. This is my last year of secondary school, I had my last exams to get done. It's not done yet but I owe all of you loyal readers.
So I am sorry for the wait.
Thank you all for all the reads, votes and comments.
And thank to you for continuing to read this book.
XxNikkyxX