Author's note:
This is my first Hobbit Fanfiction, please tell me what you think. No need to mollycoddle me, feedback is appreciated either way :)
This story is rated M. In the beginning just to be safe, later because of lemons ;)
If there is something you notice, it probably belongs to Professor Tolkien, Peter Jackson or J.K. Rowling
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Chapter 1
The road is winding through the forest, ferns and bushes and trees forming a dome of innumerable shades of green and brown around them. No clouds or blueish sky are visible through the thick leaves over their heads, only the odd scattered rays of sunshine flickering over the moss-covered path.
The wagon is swaying gently, the wheels rattling softly and Rebekkah is trying her best not to succumb to sleep. Any moment now they will get their first glance at Dale, they have been on the road for a week and she will not miss this moment.
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Master Senius, the renowned potioneer of Brilthen, had informed her in his usual sober voice, that he was leaving for Dale and as his apprentice she was free to accompany him, should her father allow it. On her question
''why Dale of all places?'' Her only answer had been:
''I'm leaving at sunrise and I would appreciate some help packing tools, potions and herbs, even if you're not coming.''
And that had been all she had gotten from him the entire day. They had worked in silence, producing large quantities of burn-healing-salve, wound-cleansing-concoction, milk-of-the-poppy-elixir and a pain-relieving-balm. After a month of working with Master Senius, she was adapting to their routine, carefully chopping herbs, measuring precise amounts and stirring patiently in a cauldron until all the ingredients had been distributed evenly, blended into a smooth solution and a distinct smell was surrounding her. Not to mention the heat from the open fire, which made her hair frizzed and drops of sweat collecting on her brow, running down a her nose. Her robe was sticking to her back between the shoulder blades and by the time she was done for the day, she felt like she had been run over by a horse. The soles of her feet ached from hours of standing, as well as her back and neck from bending over the workbench and when she made to grab her cloak on her way out with the hand, she had used for stirring the cauldron, her arm protested decidedly.
When she had dropped on the bench beside the kitchen table and emitted a loud groan, her siblings Aron and Katla had apparently caught unto her mood and wisely ignored her until their mother Finna had placed the steaming pot of stew on the table and everybody had gotten their share.
The momentary silence, while everybody was busy eating, was interrupted by her brother Aron. "You won't believe what the surgeon's daughter told me today. The dragon of Erebor had been woken by the dwarves, who tried to reclaim their kingdom, and then he was killed by the bowmaster, but not before he destroyed most of Laketown. So the people sought refuge in the ruins of Dale, but then an army of orcs attacked and elves of Mirkwood fought as well…"
Here her father and Rebekkah simultaneously interrupted him.
"Breathe, Aron."
"You're not making sense, boy."
She was surprised, he had even managed to remain silent until dinner had been served. It all exploded out of him in such a rush. He continued a lot slower, recounting the events of Smaug's death and the battle, which they coined 'the battle of the five armies'.
"They are trying to build up a new life in Dale and under the mountain. They have set up an improvised infirmary in Dale to treat all the injured." He ends his tale.
"How long has she known about this?" Her mother sounds a little irritated, perhaps because she hadn't been the first to hear about this.
"Her father received the news only today. According to her, her father is in close contact with the chief healer of Laketown, who sent a pigeon, asking for his help. Obviously without any chance of success, the surgeon is such a lazy sod, I'm surprised he even gets out of bed in the morning."
"Aron!", Finna is scandalized. Her father Andor shoots him a dark look. It's true though, Rebekkah has to admit. The surgeon has never moved a finger if it wasn't absolutely necessary or promised to earn him many golden coins. But in her family there is no talk of the shortcomings of those, who are better off. Her parents firmly believe that success should inspire them with the utmost respect. It would be ungrateful, her father claims, to gossip about him, when Brilthen had been lucky enough to have such a respectable surgeon settle here.
"It is understandable if he does not go." Andor comes to the surgeon's defense. "He does have a family to think of. How this healer from Dale can just expect him to pack up and leave on such a short notice… Preposterous!" He grumbles.
"Master Senius is leaving for Dale tomorrow", Rebekkah blurts out. Every head turns towards her. "We spent the entire day brewing potions for the infirmary", she has realized this sometime during Aron's story. "And we will be packing his supplies tonight, he leaves at dawn. They must be desperate for medical help." She swallows. Her father is looking wary, he knows what is coming, but she can't think of a delicate way to bring the news across. "He asked me to accompany him, if you should allow it." She is always direct, not one with a silver tongue, but right now she wished, she could make it sound less drastic. More like an educational trip and less like a sudden, week long journey to a battle site in a destroyed city close to a former dragon's lair. She is about to tell him, how much she will profit from working in such a big infirmary, how much she will learn of potions, that are never needed in a town like Brilthen. But one look at her father tells her, it is too late. His jaw is firmly set, he looks perfectly calm.
"No."
"But father, I…"
"No! You will not travel alone to a battle site, who knows how many orcs still roam the lands. An unprotected girl… it is utter madness. I would have expected more sense from the Potioneer", he thunders. His face is reddening and his eyebrows nearly touch.
"But I am not alone. I would be travelling with Master Senius."
"And what is he going to do", interjects Aron. "Throw potions at them?" He guffaws. She could strangle him right now. She breathes through clenched teeth.
"Father" His eyes narrow. Maiar give her patience. "Do you remember how grateful we were, when Master Senius came to Brilthen that one winter, when Katla was running this terrible fever? He gave her some potions and she recovered within days." She throws a beseeching look at her mother. Finna has never forgotten, how much they are indebted to the Potioneer. "It is not only warriors that need our help. When the dragon attacked Laketown, so many people must have suffered. And now they have to withstand the cold in the ruins of Dale. Women and children will suffer just as fiercely as the injured warriors."
She turns to her father once more. "You have said already, that Master Senius is a rational man. I'm sure he wouldn't rush into this journey without taking the due preparations. I understand how this must all seem to you, but why don't you ask him about the measures he has taken to ensure our safety? He never tells me more than absolutely necessary, but he will understand that as the head of a family it is up to you, to insure our safety and wellbeing." She is doing her best to be mature and calm. By the Valar, she really wants to go to Dale.
Andor turns toward her mother. "It can't hurt to talk to Master Senius", Finna gives her opinion. "And if you are still convinced that this trip is too dangerous, your decision will be more substantial." Her father grunts, then pulls his soup bowl towards him and resumes eating. Rebekkah tries to hide her smile. The matter is settled.
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She can hear footsteps approaching her and barely has time to jump away from the door, where she has been eavesdropping for the last minutes. The door is thrown open and on the doorstep stands her father, red faced, an artery pulsing on his temple. It's quite obvious that she has been listening, even though pressing her ear to the wooden door wouldn't have been necessary to hear her father's voice. Andor tends to get loud, when the argument gets emotional. They make eye contact, she is waiting for an order, most likely along the lines of ''come, we're leaving'', but he doesn't speak. He leaves the door open and walks around her and out of Master Senius' study. She had expected him to slam the door, instead she peeks through the open door at Master Senius, who is leaning against a table, pinching the bridge of his nose.
A huge smile is quickly spreading on Rebekkah's face. She is going to Dale!
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The road makes a turn and suddenly they have left the forest behind them and are now crossing a meadow. Ahead of them she can make out a city, built upon rocks, every stone used in the houses a coral red and behind it, greenish-blue, partially covered in mist rises majestically the Lonely Mountain.
