Mending the Broken Pieces

Author’s Note – I know it’s been a bit since I’ve posted; there’s been a lot of worries on my shoulders right now. Some things are easing up and others aren’t. I’m just taking it a day at a time and hope that things will get better.

Disclaimer – I do not own “the Hobbit” nor do I make any money from this story.

Chapter Forty-eight - Departure

Oin had allowed Thorin to use the crutches Bifur had made for him so he could see Hawthorn and her company off. The king was doing his best to keep his calm, not liking the idea of sending his One so far away and into such a dangerous area while not being able to go with her. His heart ached at the knowledge of what she was going to face, and Fili gently squeezed his uncle’s shoulder as they watched the newly formed company climb onto the backs of the massive eagles who had helped them so much in the past. The blond knew of his uncle’s fears and was afraid for those he loved as well.

“Kili and Dwalin will keep an eye on her and give her the courage needed for this task,” his eldest sister-son promised in a low voice, hoping to reassure his uncle. “Helka will ensure she’s protected as well, and you know she’s incredibly talented with those blades of hers. The elf and Gandalf are fond of her and will see to it she’s safe.”

“I do trust them to see to her safety, but I know this will not be an easy journey for her,” Thorin admitted to the other dwarf. “I want to be there to provide strength when she needs it, and my heart knows this journey will be more difficult than the one that brought us home.”

“You and I both know that Kili will share what he can with her in your stead,” Fili reminded him, staying close to his uncle as the eagles took off. “You also have the bond to keep track of how she is and offer what strength you can that way. You will be important in keeping her strong, uncle, so don’t think you won’t be.”

“I wish the bond was at full strength,” he murmured.

“I know,” the younger dwarf told him, squeezing the other’s shoulder once again. “For now, use it as best as you can to support her through this. In the meantime, we’ll do everything we can to make sure she is surprised by the changes in her new home when she returns.”

That was something that helped pull Thorin away from his pain and fears. He looked at Fili, determination starting to show in his expression as he answered his sister-son.

“You’re right; there’s a lot to be done. If possible, I’d like the royal chambers renovated to make them more comfortable for her. I will use the time to plan out what to do for my Acts of Devotion as well as starting wedding preparations.”

“Don’t do too much or Mother will shave us both bald from head to toe,” Fili said, a small smile playing on his lips. “She’ll blame me for not stopping you and letting you steal her fun. I have no desire to be her target when she realizes she’s missed your Acts of Devotion as well as taking away her chance to plan your wedding.”

“I don’t doubt she would,” the king said, shaking his head. “I can order fabrics and other items Hawthorn will need. I also want the queen’s jewels found and inspected by the best jeweler we have here. Fortunately, hobbits aren’t that much smaller than dwarrow so they should fit her without having to adjust them a great deal.”

“I’ll talk to the company and make sure that the people who organize the treasure so it can be divided know to pull the queen’s jewels out to be cleaned, repaired, and sent to you. I’m sure you’ll want to make some beads for her as well,” he suggested, walking slowly back into the mountain after the eagles were no longer able to be seen.

“I do, and I need to craft the bead for Helka to show her new position as Hawthorn’s shield-maiden. There’s a lot to do,” Thorin admitted. “She deserves a wedding and coronation that will be spoken of for generations.”

“Remember, as a hobbit she may not want something too big,” Fili reminded him. “I’m not sure what Oin, Gloin, or Balin might have told her regarding what is expected for the royal wedding and coronation of the queen.”

“I’ll find out,” he said, glad to have other things to focus on beside the aching void in his heart now that his One was gone from his side. “Keeping busy is what I need right now so I won’t spend my time worrying. She will need me to be strong and clear minded so she won’t fret over me.”

“I’ll let Balin know that you’ll need work to keep busy, but we’ll have to make sure you don’t overdo it. The last thing Hawthorn needs to come home to is an exhausted betrothed,” the blond commented. “There’s a lot to do, and we’ll get it taken care of.”

Fili escorted Thorin back to the King’s Halls, settling him in the room chosen for the company to hold meetings and ensured he had something to prop his foot up on. The company soon drifted in, and the king could see the worried looks on their faces as well as Dain’s when he came in behind Balin.

“Before we get started, how are you, Thorin,” Balin asked, looking worried for his cousin now that Hawthorn had left.

“To be honest, I hate that she’s gone and it makes me feel helpless having to stay behind while she risks her life to destroy that damned thing,” the monarch told his adviser. “I feel hollow and a cross between furious and sad right now.”

“It’s to be expected since the bond is still forming,” Gloin told him. “It won’t be easy, but you’ve got us to help you whenever you feel like you can’t handle what you’re feeling. Don’t try to hide it from us, cousin; there’s no shame in asking family for help.”

“I will,” he told the red-head. “I don’t like any of this, but I want Hawthorn to come home and find me healthy. She won’t be happy if I’m a mess emotionally or physically, and I have a feeling she’s going to need all of us at full health in order to help her through the aftereffects of the quest she is now undertaking.”

“No, she wouldn’t be and I imagine she’d be upset with us for allowing you to reach that point,” the other answered, making the rest of the dwarrow in the room nod. “So this means you need things to focus on until she returns, but you can’t exhaust yourself.”

“Ori, will you take notes please,” Thorin said, watching as the scribe dragged out paper and writing utensils. “Dain, not that I am eager for you to leave but I need to know so I can plan accordingly. How long do you plan on remaining?”

“My son is leading a team of crafters here, bringing supplies for food, fuel, and repairs, and I’ll be returning with him after that. He told me that people have been asking to return home; he told them to wait until after winter so there will be a safe place for them to live and have plenty of food,” he answered with a small smile. “I’d like to leave some troops to help you keep your home safe until the rest of your people arrive from Ered Luin.”

“He made the right decision in refusing them,” the king said, glad his namesake had thought that far ahead. “As it is, Bard’s people will be wintering here and there’s barely room for them. I’d like to bring them home but only when I have room and supplies to spare. Restoring Erebor will take time, and I need to ensure that those living here have enough to live comfortably on.”

“Fortunately, most of the damage is due to being empty and untended for so long,” Bifur said, sharing what he and Bofur had discovered so far. “Gandalf did see to the treasury so we can send someone in to inspect the floor and pillars in there.”

“The treasury needs to be compared to the inventory I know Grandfather had and the items that aren’t ours will be given to the ones it belongs to,” Thorin said. “I don’t want to devote a large team to that since there’s a lot to be done, but we can’t let it sit and draw another dragon either. I will be a lot more comfortable once that mess is gone through and used properly.”

“I found Thror’s ledger,” Balin told him, noticing the pleased expression that crossed Thorin’s face at the news. “So the sorting can begin once the area is deemed safe for the team to begin work; we can have some of our dwarrow clean and repair what isn’t ours so the owners will not be able to complain about the damage. It was in his old chambers.”

“Speaking of which, I’d like a small team assigned to those rooms,” the dark haired dwarf said. “I want all of the heavy ornamentation that wasn’t a part of the rooms’ original design to be removed. If time works out, I’d like them to be ready for when Hawthorn and I wed. I want them to be comfortable for both of us.”

“Originally, you were going to hold off on that,” Oin stated.

“That was until I heard that her father built a home for her mother before they married,” Thorin said, blushing just a tad. “I’d like to have a home for her as part of her bridal gift if it’s possible.”

The company nodded, smiling at each other, and Bombur broke the silence.

“We’ll get it done,” he promised. “It’s a lovely idea, and she’ll be happy you remembered the story and made it a bit of a tradition.”

Thorin smiled at that, relieved, and the meeting continued. Discussions were had about inventories for food and supplies, what needed to be repaired and cleaned next, as well as security issues. Plans were put into place, and everyone was pleased with what had been decided on by the time the group went to their own rooms to rest for the night.

The king lay in his rooms once he’d changed and gotten into bed, foot propped up on several pillows. His heart ached, and he closed his eyes to reach out to Hawthorn. He could tell she was feeling the same, and the aching eased a little when she reached out to greet him as best as she could with the way the bond was.

Thorin sent his love to her as well as his belief in her strength, feeling her worries lighten a bit, and he smiled to himself. If this was what she needed to get through this journey, then he would lend every ounce of support the bond allowed him to send to her. It would certainly help ease some of his own worries if he could do just a little bit to help her on this quest.

Eventually, he fell asleep and dreamed of her with him. It was a dream that cheered him, and he remained cheerful after he woke. Thorin knew what he had to do and as he worked on ensuring his betrothed would return home to a much brighter Erebor, he focused himself on ensuring to send what confidence, comfort, and love through the bond to her to sustain her.

Author’s End Note – I know it’s a bit short, but I had to try to get things moving in the right direction once more. I think this did just that. Please let me know what you guys thought of it. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see everyone next chapter! ~Laran