Chapter 12

Aleiki frowned unhappily, "I'm only trying to save you from yourselves." She was so hot and a soak would have been lovely, "If you stay in there too long you'll get all wrinkly and who knows what might shrink". Aleiki gave them one last smirk and twisted around trying not to feel upset for being left out.She took two steps forward before she crashed into a tall elf who had come up behind her.She crashed backwards painfully onto her tailbone.

The elf reached for her and started to try and help her up, "Are the dwarves bothering you my lady?" At this point two things happened at once.

Lord Elrond, who had been watching the little nymph teasing the dwarrow, started forward in alarm, "Elladan, don't touch her"

Unfortunately Aleiki reacted without thinking and without getting up as the elf reached for her. She pulled her leg back and very deliberately kicked the elf very hard right in the groin and then spoke angrily, "I warned you Elrohir, don't touch me".

Elladan dropped to the floor with a strangled groan and before he had a chance to speak he had a knife at his throat.

Then once again Dwalin was there pulling her back and swinging her around away from the elves. He was naked and was now using her as a shield to keep his modesty intact. Aleiki didn't struggle against her brother. Lindir rushed to help Elladan on the ground after throwing a look of hatred her way. When Aleiki realized what she'd caused she was embarrassed and studied her feet, "I'm sorry my Lord Elrond - he surprised me". Her voice was contrite.

The other dwarrow now came up to join them after pulling on their trousers. Dwalin passed Aleiki to her Prince and strode off to get his own clothes. How had such a pleasant moment been ruined so quickly?

Thorin looked at Aleiki and could see she was embarrassed and upset over what she had done. She could feel the blood rushing to her face and felt unbearably hot as Thorin spoke, "I apologize too for not taking better care of Aleiki. She is easily startled. In her defence she warned your son not to touch her".

Lindir glared nastily at them both and hissed, "She warned Elrohir! This is Elladan, Lord Elrond's other son. He's never met her before and has only just got back from the North. You should make her leave now. She is clearly healed enough to go". He turned to Elrond expectantly.

Aleiki blanched at what she had just heard and gently nudged Elladan's leg with her foot, "Sorry my Lord. It was a mistake. You look too much like your brother. Have I damaged you permanently?" She looked up to Lord Elrond, "Sorry my Lord. It was a mistake". Then thinking quickly, "I could kiss it better for him. It would not be a hardship for me". She tried to smile convincingly at him.

Glorfindel laughed at the offer, knowing it was actually true. Nymphs had healing kisses. However, realizing that the dwarrow may not know this and would probably find the idea of Aleiki kissing Elladan's private parts deeply offensive, turned his laugh into a cough.

Elladan had finally stopped groaning and was looking at the nymph in open-mouthed shock at the suggestion he'd just heard. The dwarrow looked equally shocked.

His father looked down at him, "My son, may I present Lady Aleiki a nymph from Anlashocc".

Elladan stood carefully, wincing, before giving a small bow with a big grin on his face, "I will be fine my lady. Have no fear for me and please do not leave Rivendell on my account". He watched the faces of the dwarves. He loved riling dwarves, "Kissing me better would be very ...generous...very generous of you. I have been away fighting orcs and have other injuries which could require kisses too if you would be agreeable", Elladan put on his most charming manner but spoiled it by leering slightly at Aleiki, "Maybe we could discuss it over dinner?"

Frerin moved Aleiki behind him and growled threateningly, "Are you being deliberately offensive elf?" Dwalin, Thorin and Balin moved up to join him all glaring at Elladan now.

Glorfindel smacked the back of Elladan's head. Aleiki eyes narrowed in suspicion at Elladan's tone and the reaction of her dwarrow and realized she'd probably broken some taboo again and tried to control the damage she'd done. With as neutral tone a she could manage with what felt like fire flowing through her veins she spoke to Elladan, "Of course kissing you would involve touching you and I'd sooner kiss a troll but if my King wishes me to heal you I would certainly make the sacrifice".

All eyes turned to Thorin but before he could comment Lord Elrond spoke sarcastically to his son, "My son requires no kissing and if the damage is permanent it might be better for the rest of us. Besides I have another son who is less offensive to me". Elladan had the grace to look guilty.

Aleiki commented at this, "I hear you have a daughter too. She must be such a comfort". She smiled brightly peering at him through the line of dwarrow in front of her.

"Why don't you finish up your baths and I'll take my Lord's son away and educate him on how to act appropriately with guests", Glorfindel intervened as well not wanting events to deteriorate again. The elves left quickly.

The dwarrow collected their things and all but dragged the nymph back to their rooms and away from the elves.

Aleiki watched the dwarrow carefully as they marched her back to their rooms. Frerin looked furious - really angry - probably even angrier than he had been after the troll incident. Her brothers and the King didn't look happy either. She sighed sadly. It had been such a good day too and she had ruined things again. An enormous wave of homesickness hit her then. The desire to go home where she knew how to behave and what would make the queens angry. Instead she was stuck here with a load of males who however hard she tried she couldn't seem to please. Currently, she didn't even want to try. She was tired of trying so hard. She was tired of elves and dwarrow. Her blood felt like it was boiling in veins. She was just tired and then she finally realised what was happening to her! It was not a good realization.

Bilbo was in their rooms when Aleiki and the other dwarrow arrived. He could see the thunderous anger on most of their faces. Frerin was practically dragging Aleiki with him and just one look at her face told Bilbo something was very wrong. She looked heartbroken.

Aleiki pulled her arm from Prince Frerin's grip as soon as they arrived. She didn't look at any of them before walking over and into the room she was sharing with her brothers and slamming the door behind her. The prince made to follow her but was stopped by Dwalin, "Balin will handle this. She's our sister".

Frerin tried to get passed him but was pulled back by Thorin, "Calm down! Talk to her later. You'll say something you'll regret if you see her now". Frerin sighed, closed his eyes, and sighed again. Once he reopened his eyes he patted his brother on the back and went to sit down with his nephews.

Balin went to their bedroom door and knocked before entering. He could see the nymph laying on her bed facing away from him. He knew she was upset but they needed to talk about what had happened. He spoke softly, "Aleiki...We need to talk"

Aleiki made no response but she let out a soft sigh.

"Aleiki...talk to me," Balin tried again, "I'm not going anywhere".

"We can talk tomorrow during our lesson", Aleiki's voice quivered slightly, "I might as well get all of my lectures at once". Her tone was bitter.

"Aleiki, please look at me", Balin was trying to get the nymph to open up, "You promised to listen to me". He instantly knew he'd said the wrong thing.

Aleiki's whole body went rigid and tense "I'll listen to you tomorrow. You need to listen to me now. You need to go away. I need to be alone. Please listen to me and go".

Balin stood there staring at her back for a few moments. He shook his head sadly. Aleiki hadn't even turned around to look at him.

"Please go away" Aleiki almost begged him.

Balin made for the door and left shutting it quietly behind him. In seconds Aleiki was off the bed and out the window running away. Her emotions were going to explode and she couldn't afford for that to happen with any one near by. She was tired and hadn't observed the rituals. It was a long time since she'd made such a basic mistake and if she didn't resolve it quickly then life would get worse. Only elves observed her departure and followed her.

Aleiki ran until she was in the clearing she had used to train Bilbo. She could hear the hives concern for her and their support. How could she have forgotten the rituals? Every day at home the warrior born observed them, usually at sunrise or sunset. First she needed to meditate to remove herself from her emotions. It would be the only way to stop a mindless rampage and she hastily sat down cross-legged in the centre of the clearing. She closed her eyes to help with her focus and held both of her hands out to the side with her index fingers pointed up. She struggled to clear her mind and ignore her surroundings. She began the first in a series of sacred chants designed to help silence her overwhelming emotions.

Finally, by chant number four she felt her blood calm slightly from the heated temperature it had been earlier. It was then she heard noises in the clearing and muttering in Sindarin. She opened her eyes in surprise to see Lord Glorfindel sitting cross-legged in front of her with Lord Elrond's sons on either side of him in the same positions.

"Close your eyes daughter of the hives of the sun and continue your meditations", Glorfindel ordered softly, "Then we will discuss your feelings".

Aleiki stared at him in shock as for a moment he sounded like one of her trainers in the warrior born. She smiled softly and closed her eyes again. Glorfindel knew of the meditations and some how that lessoned her homesickness. She began the fifth chant and none of the elves moved or made any sound.

It had been a very very long time, well over an age, since he'd helped a nymph through the rituals and he struggled to remember the words, knowing the likely unpleasant outcome if he couldn't help. Aleiki was young, more likely to lose control than the much older warrior born nymphs he'd helped in Gondolin. He hoped the rituals hadn't changed in that time. He didn't know what he'd been expecting when he saw her slip away from the dwarrow - some sort of mischief if he was honest. He hadn't expected to find a nymph about to go into a blood rage but he had acted fast.

"Tell me daughter of the hives of the sun of your feelings today so that they may be fully soothed", Glorfindel prompted her calmly. He watched Aleiki carefully hoping she'd respond even with the bad blood between their peoples.

Aleiki smiled up at him and brought her hands to her face framing it with her index fingers still raised and her eyes still closed. This was another move he remembered but he still spoke again, "Speak child so we can find peace together".

Finally, she opened her eyes and focused unblinkingly on his eyes, "I feel ... anger ...hurt ...fear ...sadness...frustration ... grief...but most of all I feel tired".

"Close your eyes again and begin the final chant and then you will express why you feel so much daughter of the hives of the sun" Glorfindel instructed in a voice much calmer than he was actually feeling. Elladan and Elrohir were seated quietly too but he could see the desire to ask questions and demand to know what was happening. Their curiosity knew no bounds concerning the little nymph. Luckily they had the sense not to interrupt. However, as Aleiki closed her eyes again he saw four dwarrow enter the clearing behind her. They'd obviously realised Aleiki had run off. He brought his finger to his lips desperately hoping they'd keep quiet and not interrupt.

He recognized all four - the King, the Prince and the Fundin brothers but he returned his attention to the little nymph as she finished the final chant, "Open your eyes daughter of the hives of the sun and tell me of yourself so you can be strong and protect your kin and hives again".

"I am Aleiki. I am a daughter of the sun hives but I'm so very tired", Aleiki opened her eyes and now they were white and completely unfocused on her surroundings and she raised her hands above her head and splayed her fingers widely, "I'm tired of being responsible for my kin's future. I'm tired of being allies with dwarrow who could remove the responsibility but refuse aid and hold me hostage to their whims", and now her feelings came thick and fast, "I'm tired of being used as a pawn by all. I'm tired of not understanding. I'm tired of not being good enough for anyone. I'm tired of not being allowed to be me. I'm tired of being looked at like I'm no better than vermin. Most of all I'm tired of courting and the sadness and grief it brings me. I'm ...just...very tired".

"And what does this tiredness bring you little one?" Glorfindel continued to prompt her.

"It brings the desire for vengeance and death but there are no demon spawn to bring my vengeance upon safely and it burns so very badly. The need to kill is strong in this warrior-born and it needs soothing" Aleiki hissed at him.

Glorfindel considered this statement. Why would she mention demon spawn? "Where are there demon spawn to take vengeance on and is there anyone here who could soothe you?" Glorfindel asked in dismay.

"The demon spawn are on Anlashocc!" Aleiki snapped at him now, "There is no one here to help me. I'm alone. My kin and my sisters are not with me". She started to keen and wail, "I'm not allowed home and I'm alone".

"Hush, little one" Glorfindel chided her a little as well as deciding to not focus on the the revelation about demon spawn. He knew he needed to get the situation under control again before the it was irredeemable and he struggled to remember how this would have been handled in Gondolin, "You are not alone. Daughters of the sun hive are never alone. The goddess walks with you. Allow her to soothe you as she sets in the west and is reborn in the east. Perform your devotions and you will have peace again". He watched her carefully ready to intervene again if he'd failed to help her.

Thankfully Aleiki's eyes remained unfocused and she lowered her hands bringing the palms together in front of her with her elbows at right angles. She began to sing in a language he recognised as the nymph's own language but he couldn't understand the words. After she had been singing for a few minutes without acknowledging him in any way he got up and signalled the two other elves to join him.

He approached the dwarrow quietly, "If you value your lives do not interrupt her or question her now. When the sun sets she will sleep and you can return her to your rooms". He looked at Prince Frerin who was looking devastated by what he'd heard on Aleiki's feelings about her courtship, "She cares for you Prince of the house of Durin or she wouldn't have mentioned having conflicted feelings. She's probably struggling with those feelings and also her kins opinions of males. The hives would consider it a sin to their goddess to give up one of their daughters to a male whatever her opinion on the subject".

"What was all that elf and what is she doing now?" Thorin demanded in a whisper.

"Her emotions were too much for her to handle and her blood began to heat. She couldn't have been carrying out the meditations and rituals properly" Glorfindel explained carefully and quietly, "If she had become too overwrought her blood would have boiled and she would have gone into a blood rage and probably tried to slaughter the lot of us for causing her such grief in the first place."

"And what exactly is she doing now?" Frerin asked in concern, "Will she be ok?"

"She is singing to the sun goddess who is beloved of her kin. Hopefully that and a few other devotions will be enough to stop it. I've done all I can" Glorfindel finished with a sigh, "She is too young to be out of the hives. You need to make sure she does this regularly so she doesn't feel overwhelmed again. You heard what she said and how she feels. Do everything you can to make her feel better". Glorfindel gave them a challenging glare before walking off taking the other two elves with him.

"How long until sunset?" Dwalin asked quietly.

The dwarrow sat in a line on the edge of the clearing with Frerin on the end of that line, watched as the nymph sang and as she started to dance along with the singing. However, very quickly Thorin, Balin and Dwalin felt the need to turn around and watch the woods instead as the dancing became uncomfortable to watch. Frerin couldn't keep his eyes of his one. She was so beautiful and she was very upset.

They had all put to much pressure on her and the only one to realize this was an elf. In fact, Glorfindel had also been the only one who knew how to help her too. Frerin was feeling ashamed that he had failed his one but he knew he needed to fix things, "What are we going to do to fix this?" He spoke quietly to ensure he didn't interrupt his nymph.

Thorin had already started to consider this, "She's right about her being an ally. I should have sent word to Dis to arrange for volunteers for the seeding straightaway. I will send a raven in the morning".

Balin hung his head, "I've been trying to turn her into a dam and that wasn't fair on her. We would never have acted so if she'd been male". He realized now how much pressure he'd put on Aleiki to change to dwarrow ways and it wasn't fair.

Frerin turned his head to look at his brother, "I'll try to keep my temper under control when she does something I don't like. You'll need to help me with that brother". Thorin didn't respond straightaway and pulled a face at him in the silence that followed. The realization suddenly came to Frerin that there shouldn't be any silence.

He couldn't hear singing anymore and his head snapped back to the clearing but he was too late. He was suddenly knocked to the ground with a body on top of him from head to toe and a knife to his throat. Aleiki's white eyes stared into his, "You dishonour the goddess with your jabbering male. Why can't you keep quiet?"

Frerin saw absolutely no sign of recognition in those eyes and for once he was struck dumb. He saw Dwalin start to move to grab her. Aleiki's head snapped to Dwalin, "Move and this one will surrender his life for the goddess's pleasure", Aleiki sneered at Dwalin and Dwalin froze. Aleiki returned her gaze to the dwarrow she held below her, "Why are you watching me? Do you wish to honor the goddess with me?" She looked him slowly up and down and smirked, "I'm sure the goddess would appreciate the gesture ".

"Honor the goddess?" Balin enquired carefully, "How would he do that?"

Aleiki slowly turned to look at Balin and smiled lustfully "I would scent him. We would have sex until he screams with pleasure and all his energy is gone," She looked at Frerin below her not once moving the knife from his throat but leaning down to sniff at his hair and sprinkle light kisses across his face, "Then we would consume him". She seemed to consider this for a moment before speaking again, "Well maybe just his heart as there is only me here". She looked up to face Balin again and smiled.

Balin cringed at that explanation and asked placatingly, "Is there any way to honor your goddess which doesn't involve you eating him?"

The nymph appeared to consider this, "I could tie him to a tree, set light to it and let him sing his screams to the goddess". She looked down at Frerin again and nuzzled his face with hers before shrugging, "It would not be as as pleasant for you". Aleiki pouted before sniffing his hair again, "We normally would only do that with our enemies. You do not smell like an enemy".

Balin and the others went pale at that suggestion, "Is there any way to honor the goddess without being eaten or having to die?" At no point in the trip so far had he ever considered how dangerous Aleiki could be and when he considered all of the old stories about nymphs he should have known better. However, she always gave the impression of beauty, youth and innocence. It was hard to comprehend how lethal and deadly she was. He had ignored the obvious evidence he'd been supplied and seen.

Aleiki stared at him in apparent confusion before coming to a conclusion, "Is this one precious to you that you would not sacrifice him?" She started sniffing Frerin's neck before raising her head to hear their answer. She appeared calmer now.

This time Thorin answered, "Yes! He is very precious to us...to me".

She stared at Thorin, "Have no fear my King - there is another way he can honour the goddess without giving his life". This time there seemed to be some small hint of recognition in her tone and her eyes had started to lose their milky appearance, "However, you will need to leave unless you wish to join in and share the pleasure to be had?"

"He will be safe?" Thorin demanded. Thorin looked at his brother who nodded carefully at him and then indicated with his eyes for the others to leave.

The nymph nodded her head at Thorin's question and pulled the knife from Frerin's throat before sheathing it, "You should all go now" Aleiki spoke before returning all of her attention to Frerin, "Do you wish to serve the goddess?"

Frerin smiled up at her slightest dazed by this new aspect of his one, "I wish to serve you"

"Then breathe deeply my Prince and you will have the honor of being the first to trigger my spawning cycle. The goddess will be pleased with you" Aleiki whispered in his ear before allowing a small release of pheromone scents. She watched happily as his eyes dilated and she could feel his body hardening beneath her, "But first we need you to scream your pleasure for the goddess and I'm going to help you with that". Her fingers moved to his clothes.

Frerin moved around the clearing gathering their clothes. He redressed but decided it would be easier to just wrap the sleeping nymph in his cloak. He was beyond tired and was tempted to just sleep on the forest floor with Aleiki tucked into his chest but he knew he'd regret it in the morning. It was probably an hour or two since the sun went down. He knew for a fact that his brother would be worried if he failed to return. Similarly the Fundin brothers would worry over Aleiki.

Aleiki was something he needed to consider carefully and he suspected it would take him awhile to know his own thoughts. She had been completely different to her normal self and he wondered how much of what he had seen was her true self. She had mentioned she was tired of not being allowed to be herself. Had she only been showing them what they expected to see so as to not alarm the dwarrow? They had tried very hard to teach her how to behave like a dam and hadn't considered how insulting this was to her own culture. They had now got an unmissable view on how alien her culture truly was to them. The nymphs weren't just a load of dwarrow-dams trying to live on their own.

He gently lifted Aleiki into his arms and headed for their rooms. He took care to avoid the elves and slowly climbed the steps with tiny burden his arms. Apparently Fili and Kili had been watching for him and ran down the steps. He wondered what Thorin had told the lads about his absence? Frerin stumbled half way up and Fili stopped him from falling. He gently took Aleiki from Frerin's arms and Frerin didn't have the energy to argue.

Fili rushed Aleiki in through the door and passed her to Dwalin who took her back to their room and placed her in her bed. Fili ran back to help Kili drag their uncle up the final steps. Thorin was at the top of the stairs and gently bumped foreheads with him before asking "Are you ok brother?"

"I'm tired Thorin. She really knows how to ruin me", Frerin mumbled, "I need to sleep"

Thorin threw his arms around his brother's shoulders and helped him in the door, "You're getting old!" He laughed and then dragged his brother to their own room.