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theblogofdurin · 2 years

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Cloaked in Green || Pt.2 || Chp. 25: Bolg & Bard

word count: 1.3ishk

summary: more intel on the story of Arathorn and Gilraen, while Aranea reveals what has been going on to her most trusted company man.

a/n: sorry for the unexpected hiatus and short chapter. I promise to do better. College has been rough and I have midterms coming up so it might be a bit before I post again. So Please Like, Reblog and comment down below and I'll talk to you guys next time.

Thorin Oakenshield x Fem!Oc

links-> series masterlist, chp.24, reader guide.

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“Bye Mama!!” the little voices yelled in unison in the back of the wagon, as they leaned over the railing on the bed.

“Behave for your father!” Gilraen waved a finger sternly at the tiny heads “Or I won’t hesitate to lop off your rear ends when you get back”.

Despite her tough exterior with her warning, Gilraen is panicking on the inside. This would be the first time the twins were leaving the camp, and it was the first time she would be separated from them for more than a night. She was nervous, to say the least.

Arathron had another meeting in Imladris and per tradition, on the Eve of the next Heir's-(or in this case, Heir(s)'s-) 6th birthday, the family would travel to the Hidden Valley for the elven blessing and earning of their Sindarin names. However, the twins' birthday falls in line with the Harvest, and with the amount of work there is; Arathron and Gilraen decided it was best for one of them to stay behind. Gilraen being the obvious choice.

“We promise, Mama!” Little Aragorn grinned over at her, causing a small laugh to escape her. ‘Exactly like his father,’ she thought, ‘ ever the charmer.’

“We’ll be good” Little Aranea grinned the same grin as her brother, causing another laugh from their mother. There was no denying that despite Aranea's longer mid-back hair, and Aragorn's shoulder-length hair, they were practically identical despite being fraternal.

“We’ll be okay, Gil-.” stated Arathron as he threw in the last prevision bags in the bed of the wagon, a bigger version of the same grin rested on his face. “-We’ll only be gone for a week or so.” He came around the wagon to place a comforting grip on her shoulder, kissing the top of her head.

“Just be safe,” she spoke softly up at him.

“The safest.” he grinned before pressing a soft kiss onto her lips. Gilraen smiled happily into the kiss, resting her hands comfortably on her husband's chest as his hands went to rest lower, nicely and smoothly on her hips.

“EWW” the twins sounded off. Rolling his eyes, Arathron pulled away with a soft goodbye to his wife before turning around to the giggling kids.

“Alright, you heathens." he chuckled at them teasingly. "-let’s get on the road.”

“YAY!” tiny cheers erupted from the bed as he climbed up to the driver's seat, reaching for the reins of the two beautiful draft horses at the front.

“Bye, love,” Arathron smiled as he flicked the reins, Gilraen blew a kiss.

“BYE MAMA!!” the twins yelled as the wagon began to move, Gilraen smiled as she waved her hand.

“Be safe!" She blew more kisses, "-And Listen to your father!”

Floating down the river in a barrel was all part of the plan.

However! Floating down the river in a barrel with Bilbo was NOT part of the plan.

Aranea groaned mentally as she adjusted slightly in the barrel. Bilbo squeaked as his back pressed into her chest like a small child.

“Anything behind us!”

“I think we’ve outrun them!” Balin yelled, wiping the water off his face. “I can’t see any movement in the treelines!”

“It won't be for long!” Bofur yelled back. “We lost the current!”

“And poor Bifur is already half drowned!” Bombur's loud baritone voice yelled after his brother. Looking behind her, Aranea almost rolled her eyes, at the sight of a pair of boots sticking up out of the said dwarf’s barrel.

“Make for the shore!” Thorin’s voice answered. “Let’s go!”

Paddling farther up the river, Aranea spoke softly to the hobbit in front of her, "Hold on to the edge," before sliding out of the barrel.

"Aran-" Bilbo started as he watched with wide eyes before stopping when he realized…she was standing.

Up to her waist in the river, Aranea pushed slightly on Bilbo's barrel to usher him closer to shore, before moving downstream to pull the others closer.

“Come on!” she yells over to Nori and Ori, waving a hand to encourage them to move faster.

Behind her, Kili falls to his knees in pain from the arrow wound in his thigh. Fili immediately rushes to him.

“Ki?” he gasped as he saw the blood. Oin immediately rushes over. They began quickly bandaging the wound, as they whispered among themselves.

Aranea got up to the shore following Balin, pulling her hair behind her, in a ponytail fashion, as she spoke quietly up to the dwarf in front of her “Balin..” she gestured, “I need to talk to you.”

“Not now lass; but I am glad that you are back with us.” he added as he dragged himself up the rocks.

“Balin, this is serious,” she stressed as she rushed up next to him.

Not that far away, only hearing the tail end of their conversation, Thorin spoke loudly, “Agreed, There’s an orc pack on our tail; we need to keep moving."

“To where?” Balin threw his hands up as he gestured around them. "And how?"

“To the mountain; " Bilbo pointed up to the western sky, "we’re so close."

Moving the hobbit's hand to point North-East, Balin sighed exasperated “A lake lies between us and that mountain. We have no way to cross it.”

“So then we go around.” Bilbo threw up his hands

Dwalin growled softly, “The orcs will run us down! As sure as daylight." Pointing over at Aranea who was slightly surprised as the dwarf continued. "Besides Aranea, the rest of us don't have any weapons to defend ourselves."

“Bind his leg quickly." Thorin ordered Oin, who looked up from his position in front of Kili, "You have 4 minutes.” the older dwarf nodded sharply. Quickly moving over the Prince's leg, he got too worked up.

While they bind Kili’s leg, some of the dwarves sit down around the rocky shoreline and Ori kneels by the river to empty his boot of water. Still, behind Balin, Aranea tapped the kind dwarf on the shoulder. “Balin, please."

Balin was surprised by her persistence "Alright," he agreed, turning to look up at her. "-what is it?"

Aranea gestured over to the rock that dripped over to the far side of the shore. Nodding, Balin followed Aranea as she led him over to the edge, where none of the others could see them.

"Yes?" He asked quietly as they both turned to each other.

"I know that this is strange, but you are the one I trust the most." she started, causing the dwarfs' eyebrows to raise. "And there are just some things that I am not sure the others need to know right now." She whispered, "But one of you should know, and as Thorin's advisor you will know when the time is right to tell the others." Balin nodded, chewing on his lip lightly as he did. He heaved a sigh before speaking

"No one can blame you lass from being hesitant about Thorin after-"

"He's different." Aranea interrupted. Causing Balin to look startled. "I'm not sure how but.." she shook her head lightly. "...I can tell-"

Balin was surprised, and again sighed heavily before nodding. Finally, seeming to accept the sense of foreboding in his heart.

"That wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about." Aranea added after Balin didn't say anything. At his eyebrow raise, she continued. "There is something that is happening, that's been happening that you all have been made unaware of."

"What are you saying, Aranea." He spoke her name. The protective dwarf qualities that he was born and raised to listen to were running full speed as he eyed her.

"There was a reason why Radagast needed to find Gandalf so urgently that morning after the trolls. Somehow it was connected to the reason why a messenger was waiting for me at Rivendell." She swallowed as Balin visibly swallowed with her. She was making him uneasy with her wording.

Resting a gentle hand up on her shoulder to try and help calm the poor lady, and in turn himself, Balin spoke quietly and now urgently.

"What is it, lass." He punctuated the ending.

Aranea closed her eyes as she spoke slowly, “The Nine kings have risen out of the High Fells.'' She opened her eyes as she felt the dwarf's hand fall from her shoulder.

"The Watchful Peace is over." She added after a beat. "The enemy has risen again."

Unbeknownst to the rest of the company. A few minutes passed, talking amongst themselves as Oin made as quick of work on Kili’s leg as he could.

A tall figure was walking up slowly behind Ori, the gentle scribe was picking pieces of wood and river grass out of his hair as the unknown man aimed.

Dwalin, out of nowhere, holding a branch, leaps in between the figure and Ori. He raises the branch and begins to charge the man, but the man shoots his arrow and it embeds itself right in the middle of the branch between Dwalin’s hands. Kili raises a rock to throw, but the man shoots the rock out of his hand too.

“Do it again, and you’re dead.” the man ordered as he drew back on his bow to aim over the others.

Quite smoothly, a cold blade was placed on the man's neck from behind. The stench of orc blood not going amiss by him as a female voice growled sharply.

"I can speak the same for you, lakesman."

The man smiled before he spun his head, ducking under Aranea’s blade. But before he could strick, her foot landed a swift kick into his knee, bringing him down on the other. Bringing her sword to the front of his neck; resting it in the junction between the sharpness of her blade and the dull metal of her cross-guard.

"Now, do you wish to try that again or do you plan on actually listening?"

The man nodded, grunting slightly.

"Good. Now I'm going to empty your quiver and sheath my sword." The tone of her voice was still harsh and unforgiving, “-Then we are all going to have a civil conversation before parting ways. Deal?"

The man choked slightly, causing Aranea to loosen her hold slightly. Internally the man was quite confused by this very strange woman. Before he finally nodded, grunting

“Deal.”

=//=//=//=

taglist still open! @lokigirlszendaya @caelum-the-part-time-nihilist @emrfangirl @lathalea @hr-nm-grnd-zr @markosgirl @demigoddesofchimichangagod @imaginesfire @kaysteahouse @tamnight @mithrandirssidehoe @panhoeofmanyfandoms @petrelrose @irisv-x @fandoms4everyone @Leabeiersdorf07 @nunyobuisness @fallinloveinoctober @mysterypotatoink @whore-of-many-hot-men @generalgoldfishldrm @thevanillahorizon @cloudcatchingstark @wolfers-stuff @depressedemo-152 @triffidgurl @nessarosefiction

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theblogofdurin · 2 years

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Cloaked in Green || P. 2 || Chp.16: Wilderness

word count:2.4k

warning(s): mentions of parent death, crying children, sleep exhaustion, hunting, with a slight rape mention

summary: Bonding, Rivalry, and Sibling banter

a/n: I hope you all enjoy!! and make sure to comment your thoughts below! and while your at it why not give this a like as well!!

Did Not proof read

Thorin Oakenshield x fem!oc

Read more: series masterlist, chp. 15

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You know, dwarves are not very observant.

As I walked onto them chatting and distracted with each other, not a single one noticed my presence rejoining them. I smiled over to Gandalf, as I sat down with my two bundles. Holding a finger to my lips, as I bent to start cleaning the rabbits. Let’s see how long it takes them, I thought teasingly.

Bombur and Gloin had already started the fire and had it roaring, now they sat with their backs to it as they talked about the upending clouds in the sky. I hung the first rabbit over the heat as I went to finish cleaning the others. I had gestured at my cloak for Gandalf to open, as he unfolded it and joyously smiled as he took a small handful of mulberries and began munching on them.

It wasn’t till I had all the rabbits on the fire and sat next to Gandalf that Bifur’s nose alerted the others. “sanzigil-kaiku!" he exclaimed, causing the others to look

“By the Valor!”

“I thought I was imagining the smell!"

"Where did you get all that?!"

Rolling my eyes, I point at the woods behind me. “Seriously Dwalin, it is not that hard to comprehend."

Boisterous loud laughs broke throughout the company as Dwalin twitched one eye at me before shaking a finger. "Watch your back lassie, that's the last unanswered blow."

Pretending to cower in fear, I shivered against the wizard, causing everyone to chuckle. "Apparently you are the ones that need to be watching your backs, I've been back for at least 40 minutes or so."

"It must be the sleep exhaustion." Balin sighed as he moved from his position next to Thorin to sat a spot next to the fire. Other members nodded in agreement and began moving closer. "I say we call camp as early as possible so we can be rested tomorrow."

More "Aye's" sounded off as everyone moved closer to the fire. I was all for that…when was the last time I actually tried to get some sleep…the night of the Trolls??

Bombur, moving to take over the cooking for me, nodded to what Balin said before adding. "Yes, but first we eat!"

"Here!, Here!" `

My cloak was passed around, everyone taking handfuls and mouthfuls as Bombur started dividing up the meat evenly, me having filled up on mostly as the mushrooms and berries and having barely any appetite after all my dry heaving today; gave Bombur my plate once he moved to sit down next to Bofur and Bifur.

He curled a funny brow at me but still took my plate nonetheless, as I smiled "A Lady's appetite, I am more than full." I explained

"Are you sure? You emptied your stomach seven times over today." Dwalin chuckled, from behind me, Ticking my tongue, I turned around and raised a brow at him. "You try swinging on a rotty rope and tell me how you fair Oh mighty warrior.” I snapped back, plopping back into my spot, causing mild chuckles throughout the company.

“How dim-witted are you!?” Dis shouted at her brother. “The Princess of the Blue-Mountain wishes to court you and you say what!” She tossed one of her throw pillows at him.

Thorin only rolled his eyes, as the fluffy weapon hit him in the chest. “Dis, you and I both know why I refused to marry. I have yet-”

“Thorin-” she tried to interrupt but he continued talking as he sat on one of her wooden chairs by the mantle. The fire crackled as he looked over it.

“-to find the one that truly makes me happy. And Princess Galya is not the one…My one.” he added.

“My Brother.” Dis was no longer yelling, she had walked over to him while he was speaking, placing a calming hand on his back. “I wasn’t angry that you said no to her proposal. I was expecting it, I merely wished you handled the situation more kingly-”

“But I’m not a King am I?” Thorin snorted “You kind of have to have a Throne to be a King and I barely have my own bed.” he gestured at the rickety bed in the corner of her living space.

“You are still the leader of our people.” She defended him “Throne or no Throne. Bed or no bed. You have proven yourself. You have created a life for all of us here…A good, decent life.” She added “I only wish you could see yourself the way the rest of us sees you.”

“I appreciate you, Sister.” Thorin sighed heavily, patting Dis’s hand. “I truly, truly do.”

Thorin was staring and hard.

Because by Mahal's hairy beard Aranea was almost unbearably gorgeous with a brown leather vest and cream colored tunic. How in the world did he ever think she was a man? There was nothing masculine about her, her strong femine shape had a chokehold on him. Sp much so that he truly wasn't ashamed to continued to stare at the unknowing figure across the fire from him.

Seated now in-between Balin and Fili. Thorin tried desperately to tear his eyes away to look at the food in the wooden plate that Bombur managed to save. But then he saw that glint in her eye as she turned to snip at his old friend, and couldn’t help the squeeze in his heart as he mentally fell to his knees. Ready to give it all for this mysterious lady.

As the last of the mushrooms and berries were eaten, Nori handed the cloak back to Aranea. Smiling, she quickly shook it out before wrapping it back around her shoulders, Thorin was watching as she reattached the ends of her clasp together as Balin began.

“So Aranea may I ask you another question. You are free to decline.” He added the ending after a beat.

“Of course” she replied, Thorin glanced up momentarily to see as a tiny twinkle of the firelight get caught in her grey eyes. Grey…such a unique color for eyes, he thought.

“Where did you learn to fight? I can’t imagine any young lass like you getting into your area of work easily.”

Thorin had wondered about this as well and he made a mental note to thank Balin later for asking. Some of the other members of the company voiced their curiosity.

“Aye, you have quite the upswing there.” pointed Gloin.

“I agree, I never thought I would see the day a Lady decapitated a Goblin.” Bofur chuckled against his pipe.

Aranea took the question and the compliments gracefully as she picked at her answer.

“It wasn’t easy, I’ll give you that.” she chuckled. “But it's a necessity where I come from. If you want to live you need to fight.” she concluded.

“Ah so violence is prevalent in your societies.” Dori asked, even more curious.

“Not in the way you're suggesting. Orc attacks and raids are very common in our few settlements.” Thorin connected the dots in his head. Remembering the time they had spoken in private. She had mentioned something about Orc attacks already. When he had asked about her father... Moving his gaze to study her face, Thorin could make out the twinge of mourning-or was it guilt?-in her eyes.

"Ah I'm sorry, dear." Balin tried to comfort. "Did you lose someone close?" Thorin shoved a prominent elbow in his side. Before sending the dwarf a glare.

"It's quite alright." Aranea quickly reassured. Missing the knowing smiles that flickered through the others. Smiling herself as she tried to swallow her emotions.

"I can understand the curiosity I must bring to you all. Yes, I did lose someone to one of these attacks…many some ones but I was young, there was very little I could do."

"Mama! Mama!" The screams and yells of her children frightened Gilrean as she bolted out of the garden gate. Turning and searching as she ran towards their sounds.

"Aranea! Aragorn!" She screamed back. As she ran deep into the woods on the far side of their cabin. Running past several, who looked on in confusion.

"Mama!" The twins were now in unison. Something they both already hated doing and tried desperately not to do. Racing faster, Gilraen continued yelling her responses. "Aragorn! Aranea!"

Thump! Thump!

Tiny bodies slammed into their mama, sobbing and balling as Gilraen came to and began frantically running her hands over their trembling bodies searching for any marks and bleeding.

Aranea's thick braid had been unraveled and the tiny knitted coat over her dress had been ripped in several places . Aragorn's hair had been cut on one end, and a small bruise was already forming on the small of his cheek. Both of them had dirt and grass in or on their clothes and hair. About to ask what happened Gilraen paused as she had momentarily glanced down to see something gleam in Aranea's small hand.

The silver dagger had thick dark red blood smeared from the tip almost to its hilt. Gently taking it out of her daughter's hand. She immediately recognized its make and design. Why did their daughter have his weapon?

"My Babies." She whispered, choking silently before engulfing them into her chest. A few beats passed before she was pulling away silently to show them the dagger. "Where’s your father and the others?"

Yet again before either of the children could stop crying long enough to answer. A horn sounded in the air…

“Why are they so prevalent?” Fili’s voice broke the silence. “What are they after?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” with his brows crunched, Balin answered the lad. “It’s bound that the descendants of Isildur, the man that killed their dark lord will be targeted for many centuries after the fact.”

Aranea nodded, while Gandalf answered through the puffs on his pipe.

"The line of Durin isn't the only target for the servants of Gundabad and Mordor, Master Fili. For why do you believe the Rangers of the North are so secretive." He gestured over to Aranea to prove his point.

"So that's why you haven't reclaimed Gondor?!" Kili exclaimed like he just solved the greatest riddle of the age. Causing chuckles and heads shakes through the company. Aranea smiled warmly at the dwarf prince.

Stretching, softly as others started in on their teasing of the poor lad. She let out a soft yawn into her hand.

She wasn't sure exactly but ever since Thorin had told her of his and Fili’s father passing. She has developed a bit of kinship and sympathy with the brothers.

"Time for bed." Thorin suddenly ordered "We should leave before dawn."

"I'll take the first watch," Gandalf answered. Nodding, Thorin gave out the instructions for Dori, Balin and Bifur to take the rest of the shifts.

While doing so, Aranea quietly moved to her customary spot on the outside of the camp. Leaning against a rock facing the edge of the woods.

She knew he was staring.

It was more than obvious.

Aranea has lived in close quarters with male species to know what being staring at felt like. However due to her status- perhaps even her fighting ability she thought smugly- there was no ill attempt from these watchers; but that didn’t mean she enjoyed their stares, quite the opposite actually.

Yet, Aranea couldn't help the new feeling at being stared at by Thorin. It didn't bring the uneasy disgust that she normally felt. Like she was a meat leg ready to be devoured. This time it felt different. Like instead of meat she felt like a gem. Something admirable, something femine.

Such a silly thought. Aranea shook her head at herself as she adjusted against the rock. If only her mother could see her now. Blushing and swooning over the actions of a man- a dwarf man nonetheless, She would die of shock.

Yawning loudly, Aranea sat back against the rock. It seems the last few days without any sleep were starting to take a toll on the poor lass. For Aranea had barely enough awareness to pull out her dagger from her belt and grip it securely in her fist beneath her cloak before she started drifting off.

“She’s dead asleep.”

I heard a hushed voice murmur quite loudly in my ear.

“Well Uncle told us to wake everyone.”

Another voice whispered in my other ear.

“We can’t leave her for last. She might need a minute-KAKHUF INBARATHRAG!!” Kili screamed, falling backwards when I opened my eyes. From my other side Fili was rolling in laughter.

Amused, I sat up, Kili gripping at his chest, panting slightly.

“Do I even want to know what you said?” I chuckled lightly at the sight. Fili wiped at his eyes before shaking his head, “A rather grotesque part of a Billy Goat anatomy, too delicate I’m afraid to utter in front of a Lady.” he spoke in between short breaths.

“I was not expecting that.” Kili laughed at himself as he stood up brushing the dirt of his pants.

“Clearly” I smirked as I followed his actions. Looking around, I noticed that the sun had yet to make a mark on the sky. I was also surprised to see that everyone was still asleep with only Gandalf and Thorin’s spots empty.

“Apparently I am not the only one who slept hard.” I stretched, a yawn escaping as I did.

"No, you weren't." Chuckled Fili as he and Kili both moved to start waking the others.

Thorin was trying really hard to think about the journey with little to no success. No matter what route he took with his thoughts they lead to the same thing. Aranea and how or when she would ultimately part from the company. When they failed to take back Erebor or whenever she came to a not far stretched conclusion that the mission of this quest was too far out of reach to continue on.

Maybe Balin was right?

He sighed to himself as he paced around the woods. He know the ridiculous of his last thought. Of course Balin was right.

Balin was always right…though...maybe, just maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get someone opinion on the matter.