Chapter Text
There came a soft knock of the door, followed by a soft voice calling, “Lord Thorin, sir? May I enter?”
Thorin and his company, along with Bilbo and Gandalf, had been in Rivendell for only a day or so. They were led there by Gandalf, as he sought Lord Elrond's help in reading the map of Erebor that Thorin carried. Elrond had given them all quarters and Thorin was finally settling in and unpacking.
He was uneasy and untrusting of the Elvenkind, having been betrayed in the past by the Elves of Mirkwood. But the elves here in Rivendell seemed different from those of Mirkwood, friendlier and more gracious hosts.
Opening the door, he was taken aback by the sight that greeted him. An elfmaid stood outside - one who bowed deeply to him when he opened the door.
“What do you want?” he asked gruffly, blocking her entrance into his quarters.
“My Lord Elrond sent me to attend to your needs while you stay here in Rivendell.” she answered shyly, keeping her head down, not daring to look at the dwarf prince. “He thought perhaps I might not be as...displeasing to you as the others.”
“Oh?” He hated to admit it to himself, but he was intrigued by her appearance, so he stood back and motioned for her to enter. “Elrond sent you, hmm? Then come in.”
She quietly glided into the room and stood, trying not to fidget under his gaze as he walked completely around her.
“So, do you have a name, elfmaid?” he asked, stopping in front of her and staring at her intensely.
“Yes, sir. My name is Aria.” She still wouldn't look at him.
“Aria, aren't you tiny, for an elfmaid?” He dared to put his hand on her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Well, yes, sir, I am. But it is because I am only half-elven. My father was an elf, my mother human. She abandoned me here when she was too old to take care of me. I have lived here in Rivendell for most of my life.” For the first time she dared to look the dwarf prince in the eye.
Like most of the elves who resided in Rivendell, Aria had long dark hair and fine features, but with green eyes. But she was short, shorter than many humans even. Even Thorin, dwarf prince that he was, was only a couple of inches shorter than her. Because of her short stature, she was considered something of an outcast by most of the elves. She had learned to quietly stay out of the way and kept mainly to herself.
“I see. And Lord Elrond sent you to attend to me?” He regarded her warily.
“Yes, sir. Whatever you need or want, I am to bring it to you whenever you tell me. I am at your disposal, sir.” She bowed again.
“We shall see.” He cleared his throat. “Tell me, elfmaid, can you bring me food and drink?” He decided to test her.
“Of course, sir. What would you like?” She smiled at Thorin. This was one task she was fairly certain she could do for him.
He thought for a minute or two. “I'd like some bread and cheese and meat. And wine.” He nodded his head. “That will do for a start.”
Aria looked worried as she replied, “The bread and cheese won't be a problem, sir. Nor will the wine. But we don't normally eat meat. Perhaps we can go hunting in the morning, sir?”
He huffed. “Fine. Bring what you can. And perhaps we shall indeed hunt tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir. I'll be back soon, sir, if I may go?” Aria bowed and nodded towards the door.
“Yes. Go!” Thorin turned back to where he had put his gear as she left. She was the first elf he'd ever met that seemed almost afraid of him. Most were rather haughty and arrogant, looking down their noses at his people.
He finished unpacking and sat on the foot of his bed, sharpening his sword, thinking about his quest to take back Erebor, when he heard her knock on his door and call to him again.
“Come!” He called to her. He was amused to see her balance a tray on one arm while opening the door with the other.
She entered his quarters, pleased to not have dropped the laden tray, and pushed the door closed with one slippered foot. Walking over to the table by the open window, she placed the tray and turned to bow again at him.
“As I feared, there is no meat. However, there is bread and cheese aplenty. And I have brought a decanter of wine and some fruit as well. I did not bring vegetables -- I hope you don't mind, but I noticed that most of the members of your company don't seem to like them very much and figured you would not as well.” As she spoke, she turned and poured wine into a goblet. Picking up the goblet, she brought it over to where Thorin sat and offered it to him.
As he took it from her, their fingers accidentally brushed and she looked at him wide-eyed.
'Did he feel the same electric shock that I just felt?' Aria thought to herself. The look on his face - the one eyebrow arching up in question - said he had.
He didn't say anything, only brought the goblet to his lips and sipped the wine, watching her intently as he did.
She stood there breathless, watching him, until she realized she was staring and hastily dropped her gaze. To cover her sudden nervousness, she turned back to the table began to cut the bread into slices. It didn't take long before she was finished.
Heaving a sigh, she spoke up. “I just realized - I didn't bring any butter or honey for the bread. I'll be back in a bit.”