Much as Ellisaria dislikes the intimation of weakness, she dislikes being impaled on a mountainside even more. Her human form is simply more subtle, and thus better suited to evading the gronn.
Unfortunately, it is also conveniently sized to be eaten in one gulp by the mirror-faced snake (what) that comes out of literally nowhere.
At least she is alive to be indignant, even if she's no longer in Outland.
"He left before we went into Mirkwood - big forest over that way - but said he'd be back around the time we got to here. He hasn't shown up yet, though."
A few people seem to remember her from last time; still, the gossip about the new dragons is far more worried - and, apparently, someone dug up an old prophecy about the fall of the wyrm happening around the return of the 'mountain king,' or at least about prosperity returning to the land because of a mountain king, and people are disagreeing if the dwarves showing up means this prophecy is or is about to be fulfilled (or if the prophecy even mentions dragons, or if you can even trust some old prophet or bard or whoever; one person is maintaining that there's nothing saying the mountain king is even a dwarf, is there, you could declare any old fool a prophecy filler if they moseyed in with enough gold).
Russet leads her to the mayor's hall, where the Company is staying. There's a few dwarves in the main hall; one of them calls over to the Hobbit, to ask her who her companion is.
"Ellisaria. She wanted to talk to Thorin," Russet says.
"Aye. He's upstairs. Brooding, I think," the dwarf says with a shrug.
Russet smiles. "Thanks, Bofur." To Ellisaria: "In his room's a pretty good place for him to be for this. He doesn't really like people hanging around for serious talks."
She heads up the right hand stairs, into a nicely appointed hallway. Thorin seems to be at the end, in a corner room. Russet knocks and introduces herself as "Hey Thorin, it's Russet - I brought someone with me who you probably want to talk to"; and a gruff voice calls out for them to enter.
Thorin is a sturdy dwarf, a bit taller than the others downstairs, dressed more like a traveler and warrior than a would-be king. The curtains on the windows are all drawn tightly, and he's reading by lamplight.
"Hello," he says, standing. "I am Thorin Oakenshield. Who is this, Russet?"
The look he sends the hobbit is a fond one, at least, though most of his attention is firmly on Ellisaria.
"...So that's where you went." His fondness for Russet seems to have transformed into 'not this again,' gaining a level of exasperation.
Still, his attention to Ellisaria sharpens. "You've done this land a service, then, my lady. I thank you. What would you discuss with me?"
"Yes, I know. I am inclined to allow you to do this thing, under certain conditions."
"Exactly what the word implies, mortal. That I will permit the thing to happen, and it lies within my power to stop it. Understand this. I did not kill the last lord of the Lonely Mountain because I coveted his treasure. I killed him because his treatment of the land was offensive to me. His befoulment, his neglect, his fatuous disregard for the proper order of the earth. I offer this demesne for your reclamation because I have seen the works your race has wrought. You treat the stone with care and reverence, guarding and preserving its essence. I expect that legacy to continue."
He's quiet, for a long moment, regarding her.
"I do not need threats to get me to carry out my duty to my people and our ancient charge. I care nothing for your might, and were the greatest of Powers to say that I must turn aside, I would spit in their face - as my ancestors did, and as my descendants will."
"This land will be healed and the mountain cared for, but only because that is the course any true dwarf walks."
She smiles. There's more than a hint of predator in it.
"Strong hands, then. Good. Know that your claim has the blessing of Ellisaria the Black, Earthwarden, once of Azeroth. For so long as you hold true to your duty, you may call upon my aid."
He nods.
"The dwarves of Durin's line will remember the debt we owe you, too, for ridding this land of Smaug."
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