I do not own anything with the Hobbit and hope that anyone who reads this will enjoy it. Any feed back would be great but try to keep it civil. Will try to post every week but work and friends may keep me from posting that often. Thank you and I hope that you enjoy my story.
Darkness is man's worst enemy, however it is darkness who man tells his secrets to and shows his darkest desires to. It is from darkness they are brought into this world and back into it they go at death. It is from darkness that life is brought into this world and no life escapes this fact. How even when life embraces the darkness, not as a love or weapon, but as the womb they came from the courage and strength they process will be matched by none. It is with this in mind that my story began. I always knew I was different, I never fit in with the people back home, but to find out how different shook me to the core. I started my journey as no one with slightly notable archery skills and the ability to wave a sword around in flashy ways. By the end of my journey I was known as Savouria the Slayer of Smaug. In my own mind I am still Samantha the meek and loyal however. Still I am getting ahead of myself, to help you understand I need to start at the beginning.
The beginning, as it always is, was warm and sunlit and beautiful. I was visiting my friends at their cottage and decided to take a stroll down to a hidden waterfall they had told me about the night before. My friends were still sleeping off the beer from the night before and I should have been myself having consumed a similar amount but when the sun's rays hit my face, I woke and could not will myself back to sleep. So I dressed in my bikini, pulled my waist long auburn hair into a ponytail and packed my bag with a change of clothes, some snacks and a couple bottles of water. As a last thought I threw a couple bottles of water. As a last thought I threw my flashlight and a hoodie in just in case I got lost or took longer than anticipated along with the other things I had left in there from trip up the day before.
I wrote a quick note and left it by the coffee pot before slipping a pair of shorts on and my running shoes and setting off. The forest was lush and green and I could hear birds all around. The lake was calm and beautiful with the sun reflecting off it taking my breath away. After a quick glance back at the cottage for movement I started the hour long hike to the waterfall. I kept to the path I had been told about but my forest green eyes watched the forest around me taking in all the beauty around me.
Sooner than I expected I heard water crashing and knew my destination was close, I had been walking longer than I thought the beauty of the area had distracted me. I smiled and picked up my pace. In minutes i had reached the waterfall, it was so sudden I actually gasped. One moment I was deep in the woods the next I stood at the bottom of a breath taking waterfall that stood nearly twenty five feet and only ten feet across. No wonder I had heard it from so far away the noise was nearly deafening this close. I dropped my bag on a nearby rock and slipped my shoes and shorts off before stepping into the water.
It was warm and so soothing I did a quick check for submerged rocks and dove right in. I swam for a few minutes before going to a rock near the base of the waterfall. My friends has said they jumped from this waterfall and found it exerliating. I looked it over now and had to doubt their words, the pressure from the water could down a decent swimmer and I knew they were barely that. I however took pride in my skills in the water and figured if I jumped out for enough I would be fine. A quick swim of the area under the fall showed me no danger of rocks underneath so I got out of the water and started the climb up.
Foot and hand holds were easy enough to find and quickly enough I reached the top. I was a little tired from the climb so I sat down in a patch of sun and looked around me. I saw the lake in the distance and even the chimney of the cottage my friends were still sleeping I bet. Again the beauty of it all astounded me. Coming from the city I didn't get to see the wild as often as I would have liked. I heard a hawk cry out above me and I watched it circle before heading to the lake. I sighed at his freedom, I had always wanted to fly like a bird. Soar in the clouds and be free to go where I wanted.
That was enough moping about. I stood and went to the edge of the waterfall and looked down. The twenty five feet seemed much higher from up here but I never let my fear stop me from doing something; even if the fear was right. I took a step or two back then with then with a small running start I threw myself off and into the hands of fate. I screamed in joy at the freedom of my fall and watched as the water rushed towards me. I pointed my feet down and waited for the waters warm embrace. As soon as I hit the water I knew something was different though.
What has been warm water before was not too warm. I let out a strangles gasp while under and had to rush to the surface to get air again. When I broke the surface I gulped air and wiped my face. I swam to my pack and quickly got out of the water. I splayed myself out on the rock and tried to let the breeze cool me and take away the pink tone from my skin. How in the hell did the water get so warm so face i wondered. I sat up and looked around but saw nothing different at the base of the waterfall. Water flowed down so I went to climb the cliff again. If the problem wasn't here it was up there.
When I got to the top I saw nothing out of place. I went to the river and slowly put a foot in. The water was as cool as before. I went to the edge and looked out. I saw the lake but the chimney was gone. Not thinking much of it I decided the water temperature change had been a figment of my imagination. Rather than climb down and loving the freedom of jumping I leapt for a second time. Screaming in delight again. This time the water was perfect and I let myself float beneath the surface staring at the sun threw the water for as long as I could. When my lungs could take no more I swam to the surface and took in a deep breath of air. However my breathing was not the only sound I heard.
"Over there! I see someone!" I heard a male voice shout. I quickly sunk lower and scanned the shore line. I didn't have to look long as I saw a group of thirteen small men and one normal heighted man who looked anything but normal. All of them were looking at me and I paddled backwards as slowly as possible reaching for the side of the waterfall.
"What is it Thorin? Gandalf?" the smallest one asked pointed at me.
"I think it is a girl." The tallest one said. He wore a grey robe with a tall pointed grey hat and had a staff and a long grey beard. He stepped close and must have noticed my bag because he went to it and knelt down trying to get inside.
"Get your hands off my things old man before I rip your throat out." I growled as I rose slighty, my bare shoulders showing now.
"By the gods she is naked!" one shouted and nearly raced into the water. He was held back by a man with coal black hair and another with dirty blond hair. I reached a ledge and felt around for a rock and found one the size of a baseball. I held it under the water and slowly went closer to the waterfall. Each man looked heavy and unable to swim so I was safest where the water was most dangerous.
The man in grey had left my bag and was studying my actions closely now. I saw a short man with dark hair touched with grey go to the tall man and say something quietly while glancing at me.
"Good heavens no Thorin we cannot leave an unarmed woman in the woods. Espically one with such a pretty face and so far from her home." He looked at me thoughtfully now. I felt a shiver of fear run up my spine at his look but I saw him smile and deep down I knew if I wanted to trust him I could.
"I'll be fine once you leave. My friends are at a cottage just south of here." I spoke up.
The grey robed man looked at me strangely for a moment. "I'm sorry child but there is only forest to the south, not to mention every other direction for three days walk at least."
"Sure thing old man. I was just there no more than two hours ago. Hell I slept there last night." I took a moment to recount the group and noticed two were missing. I pushed myself a little higher up in the water to see better and heard movement behind me and beside the waterfall. I turned rapidly and in the same motion threw my rock. I heard a satisfying crack and grown as it connected and I smirked.
However my smirk was short lived as in my haste I had pushed myself too close to the waterfall and in a flash I was pulled under. I was slammed into the rocks at the bottom and the impact forced what little air I had out of my lungs. I felt a searing pain in my left shoulder and knew it had been torn open. I turned and rather than swim out I used the rocks as foot and hand holds as I slowly made my way out from under the waterfalls pressing weight. I slowly made my way out but my vision was blurring faster than I was moving. At this rate I would drown before I made it out of the falls reach. With a final burst of energy I crouched and threw myself parallel to the bottom and found myself out of the clutches of the falls and gently floating to the surface. I tried to swim upwards but my vision failed me and I blacked out.
I came to suddenly coughing up water and rolling myself to my right side. I hissed at the pain in my left side and gently reached over to touch my shoulder. I could tell it was shallow and not that larger of a wound. A quick wash and a bandage would be good enough until I got to a doctor for stitches. I suddenly remembered why I was hurt and my eyes snapped open to see fourteen sets of eyes staring at me.
"Who pulled me out?" I managed to croak out.
"Kili did Miss." The old man said as he looked me over. I realised they were all staring at me strangly and looked down at my bikini and back at them.
"What are you all staring at? Haven't you ever seen a bikini before?" I moved to sit up and winced again. A gentle hand reached out and helped me up. I looked at the dark haird man holing me. He was the only one witout any facial hair and his brown eyes were thoughtfull and concerned. He was drenched and I realised he must be the one who pulled me out. "Thank you for saving me Mr. Kili. It seems I have much to thank you for Mr. Kili as I believe you are the one I was aiming for when I threw my rock. However I need to know what you all want with me first." I stood slowly and grit my teeth to keep the nausea and dizziness at bay. I looked around for my bag and started to head for it. Not one man tried to stop me and it was then I realised how short they are were.
"You did nearly get me but your rock hit my brother instead Miss. From his yelp I believe I was lucky not to get the brunt of that throw. You managed to give him a fair amount of pain." Kili said, his voice light and playful.
When I crouched at my bag and started to pull things out I commented on this. "So is there a dwarf convention going on or are you all part of a travelling circus?"
"Convention?" one said clearly confused.
"Circus?" another mumbled clearly upset.
I pulled out my change of clothing and turned back to them. "I am not used to seeing so many short men in the same place and my curiosity is worse than a cat I've been told. I'm going to change over there," I pointed to a thatch of bushes. "Do not follow me or I'll hurt you."
"Miss could we ask your name before you go?" Kili asked quietly.
I smiled at him gently, "Of course Mr. Kili. My name is Samantha, Samantha Drakk." I heard some grumbling from the rest of the group but brushed it off. I slipped out of view and quickly changed before heading back to the men, finger brushing my hair on the way. I had changed into my shorts and a light t-shirt and had no foot ware yet.
They were huddled around the old and and the one I figured to be the leader of the short man group and it seems there were arguing, I figured it was safe to assume they were arguing over me and what to do about me. While they were distracted I slunk to my bag and threw my sit into it and picked up my shoes before quickly and quietly leaving the waterfall, and the men, behind.
I felt bad leaving them with no word but I had no idea who they were or what they wanted from me. I had thanked Me. Kili for saving me and that was all I owed them. I walked for a few minutes before I my running shoes on. When I stood I heard them calling my name in the distance. I knew they would find me if I stayed still so I ran as fast as I could towards where I was certain the cottage and my friends were waiting.
I got to the place where I knew the cottage would or should be but it was just an empty clearing full of flowers and waist high grass. I saw the lake just like before, the path entrance was there. But the cottage and my friends were gone.
In the distance I heard something crashing very quicly threw the forrest and while I expected it from behind me this noise came from infront of me. I was too shocked to care however. At least until I heard a very large wolf cry out. I blinked and suddenly the forest in front of me burst open and two massive dog like things came out heading straight for me.
With out thought I turned and ran for the forest. I knew I couldn't out run them but I could out climb them. Useing the stump as a launching pad I leapt into the trees and just barly managed to cramble into a tree before one of the dogs nipped at me. I felt my shoulder scream in agony at the over use and felt blood trickle down my back. I climed a couple branches and learned heavily against the truck.
I saw now about five more massive dogs but these all had riders on them. Foul looing creatures that made my heart pound in fear. I saw bows and swords and for a moment I thought it was silly for them to use such antiquated weapons. When they saw me in the tree however I realised no matter how outdated they were they could still hurt me.
When they got to the bottom of the tree I was in one spoke in a fowl voice that sent even more fear up my spine. "Where are the dwarfs human? Tell us and we will kill you quickly. Don't tell us and we will make you wish you were never born."
Dwarfs? He must mean the men who tried to help me. For the first time I wondered where the hell I was. "I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about." I tried to stay brave and was shocked by the strength in my voice.
"We smell them on you woman so tell us or we will make you beg for death." The leader spoke.
"How about we do this instead." I said standing slowly and keeping my face calm even though I was in pain and scared out of my wits. "I tell you to go jump in a lake and you go that and never come up for air."
One of the creatures show an arrow at me and my quick duck made it miss me by inches. I felt the air move the arrow was so close to me. "Nice shot ugly but I'm over here. Now before you kill me why don't you tell me something. Why is a raven like a writing desk?"
They all looked confused by this until suddenly one of them was screaming in pain. There was an arrow sticking out of his eye. I turned to look into the forest and saw Kili standing tall on a rock with another arrow in him bow. I saw the others hidden between him and myself and knew it was a well laid trap. I watched as another arrow hit the injured creature and he fell from his mount. The rest of his party went for Kili and left me alone thinking he was an easy target, oh how wrong there were.
Without a seconds hesitation I leapt from the tree and rolled to my feet. I thanked god for the three hours a day training I put myself threw and ran for the fallen creature. As I approached i slowed and made sure it was dead before I took it's sword and bow and arrows. I carefully placed each on my person before turning to see one of the massive dog running straight as me.
I put an arrow to my new bow and drew it back. I took a calming breath and let the arrow loose. It impaled the dog in the head and killed it instantly. As the body crumpled and slid to my feet I drew another arrow back in case another was coming at me. By this time the others had dispatched all but one but it was headed right at me; it's rider still intact. I loosed my arrow again and smirked when the beast fell tossing his rider forward. The rider stood and drew his sword before letting out a guttural cry and charging me. I dropped my bow and drew the sword I stole preparing myself for his attack.
I thanked god again for the fencing lesions I made my mother let me take. I paried his first blow and went to counter strike. My strike took his head clean off. Not expecting this I screamed and dropped the sword before falling on my butt and crawling backwards a little. I struck something hard and yelped before looking up into the worried eyes of Kili.
"Are you hurt Miss. Drakk?" he asked me as he knelt beside me. The tall grass shielding us from the rest of the world. He did not wait for an answer before searching me for injury. When he saw my back he gasped.
"Really Mr. Kili it is nothing. Just the injury from the waterfall opened again. I'll be fine. The only reason I screamed is his head." I stumbled here not believing what I had done myself. "It just flew off. I didn't mean to do that. I meant to kill him but not like that. Oh god I killed someone. What have I done?"
Kili moved to stand in front of me and forced me to look him in the eye. "You did what you had to. If you hadn't done that you would be dead. You did the right thing. Besides you looked amaxing staring him down as he came at you. Like a warrior of legend. Now lets get you back to Balin so he can see to that would." Kili helped me stand better and I realised that he wasn't that short really. I stood at five feet four inches and he was just under five feet himself.
"I can walk thank you for your help though." I gave him a smile and looked around. My eyes fell on the spot where the cottage should have been and I went in that direction ignoring Kili's protests. "It's gone; like it was never there. But my friends, where are my friends?"
I did not expect an answer and did not receive one. I felt cold even in the warm sunlight and wrapped my arms around myself. I felt a hand on my cheek and threw my blurry eyes I saw Kili looking at me with concern in his every feature. I realised my vision was blurry because I was crying. I took a step back and wiped my tears from my face. Where ever my friends were they were safer than I was so I could not worry about them.
I turned to see the old man and the leader of the short men standing behind me with an old looking short man beside them.
"Balin please tend to her wound." The leader said and the old short man stepped forward.
"If you could sit down lassie and lift you shirt." He said with a kindly smile. I did as he asked and did my best not to wince as he cleaned and bandaged me up. "There you are lassie. Now do not do too much with it or you will never heal. So no more fighting. Ye should have stayed in the tree."
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long ran than outright exposure." I stated mater of factly as I tested my arm out. "You did a good job but it will need stitches if I want to avoid a scar. Thank you Mr. Balin." I smiled at him before turning to the other three.
"So are you lot the ones they were after?" I asked eyeing each man slowly. I saw shock on each face than confusion and on the leader anger after.
"I am Thorin, son of Thror, King Under the Mountain and we were the ones they were after." The leader said glaring at me. "What sort of fool are you to ask a riddle to an orc? They are stupid and hate riddles. However I must than you for being so willing to die rather than give us away."
"Your welcome you majesty. But I'll be honest. They asked for dwarfs, like dwarfs from fairy tales and legends and you are living and breather people." I shrugged carelessly. A look of rage crossed Thorin's face and I wondered for his sanity.
"Thorin don't react. I may be able to explain this if you let me talk to Miss. Drakk, alone." The old man stated calmly. When Thorin huffed and stomped away, Kili and Balin close behind him the old man turned to me and smiled calmly. Even though I was concerned for Thorin I smiled back. "follow me miss, we will talk in private."
We moved to the lake shore and I slipped my shoes off before stepping into the water and removing the blood from my person.
"So Miss. Drakk where do you come from?" the old man asked.
"I come from far away from here it seems." I sighed as I rinsed off my legs.
"Tell me about you day up until we met you."
"Alright but first, your name please sir?"
"Forgive me Miss. My name is Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey." And with that I told him everything. By the end Gandalf's eyes were lit with concern and his eye brows lost under his hat from surprise.
"So in short I have no idea where I am, how I got here, or how to get home. Or even if I can get home or if there is a home to get to. Am I insane Gandalf?" I had come to sit beside him during my story and now rested my head on my knees which were pulled up to my chest tightly. I felt like a porciln doll and like I would break with the slightest touch.
"I can not say that everything you have told me makes sence but the important thing is I belive you and I also believe there is a reason you were brought here. I will speak to Thorin but I believe you are supposed to join us on our quest. And knowing your story I cannot in good conscience leave you here. Stay here, I'll have Kili and his brother join you while I speak with Thorin."
I stayed where I was looking out over the water until I heard footsteps approaching me. I turned my head to see Kili and his brother, a blond haired man very similar to his darker brother, and the one I hit with the rock. I nodded in their direction before turning my attention back to the water.
"So is it true you thought there was a cottage and people here woman?" the blond joked. When I didn't reply he stood in front of me blocking me view.
"You make a better door than a window Shorty." I growled. When he only looked at me confused I growled again. "Move you idiot."
"Fili move." Kili spoke. The blond cast a curious glance at his brother before moving slowly out of my view. "Leave her be Fili. She has had a rough day and I don't even know how it started. Let her have her space."
I felt a hand on my shoulder and glanced back to see Kili. "If you need anything my brother and I will help you I swear it on the line of Durin." I could only nod my thanks before I buried my face in my arms again to cry silently.
My tears had stopped and my eyes had dried by the time Gandalf and Thorin came to the shore line to see me. "Uncle." I heard Kili say as he stood. So Thorin was Kili' and Fili's uncle. I would file that tid bit of information away for latter. I looked up and saw the same smile on Gandalf's face and same scowl on Thorins.
"You know a good wind is going to pick up and your face will forever be a scowl like that. Then no woman will ever want you." I said off handedly. I regretted it when his scowl deepened but Kili and Fili stated to laugh so hard they fell over and into each other. "I'm sorry sir." I said to Thorin trying to look meek. "I'm under allot of stress and let it get to me. Even with a scowl you are a handsome man."
"Now let's get something straight woman." Thorin said storing at me. "I am not a human. I am a dwarf. So are my compainions other than Mr. Baggins who is a hobbit and Gandalf here who is a wizard. Do you understand?"
I looked at the group and slowly nodded my bewildered confermation. "I feel like Dorthy and like this is Oz, a very dangerous and fightening Oz."
"Now I have no idea what you are talking about but with the way you fought the wargs and that Orc I don't see a reason for you to fear anything." One of the dwarfs spoke eyeing me up cautiously. "Who is she Gandalf?"
"That is for Miss. Drakk to tell you if she pleases Master Dwalin." Gandalf said giving the balding dwarf a look of caution.
"I have a question for you Miss. Drakk," Thorin said stepping forward. "Where did you learn to fight?"
"I asked my mother and she saw to it I was trained, that was for a short time. The rest I learned from observation and exercise. I work out every day for three hours before I go home." I swathe dwarfs look suspious, awed, and bored. I then saw a smaller man, a child almost really and he looked scared almost and wistful. I wondered what he was doing there and pegged him to be the Mr. Baggins that Thorin had mentioned before.
"With the skills you have shown me and the information Gandalf has given me I feel it would be best if you come with us." Thorin said standing tall and offering me his hand. I slowly reached out and took it trying to not wince at the tight grip he game me and return it with my own. For a brief moment I saw a smile then it and his hand disappeared.
We spent the rest of the day at the lakeside with the dwarfs question me on what I was wearing. When the sun set they started to build a fire. I watched as they went about with a flint and tinder for a minute before I stood up and went to my bag grabbing my emergency lighter. "Stand aside please." I said calmly to the dwarf lighting the fire, Bifur I believe. He looked to Thorin who nodded while watching me closely. "This will run out so I wont do this all the time."
Within moments I had a fire gong and fourteen sets of eyes staring at me. "I come from a place where magic doesn't exist but science offers us other wonders. This is an everyday item in my world."
"What other wonders are there?" Fili asked with a smirk. "The outfit you wore when my brother pulled you out was a wonder for certin."
I sent him a glare of my own before sitting beside my bad a little away from the others. 'That was a bathing suit and it covers more than my other one. But I left it in my other bag with..." I trailed off remembering my friends and how I was so far from home. I stood quickly then and grabbed my bag. "I'm going for a swim."
"You better take someone with you lassie." Balin said poking the fire. "This area may not be clear of orcs."
"I'll go with you Miss. Drakk." Kili said standing and grabbing his bow.
"Thank you Mr. Kili and please call me Samantha or Sam. It is what my friends call me." I smiled gently at him but knowing it did not reach my eyes. I was not surprised to see his look of concern but couldn't be bothered to care about what he thought.
We walked in silence to the waters edge where I turned to Kili. "Please turn your back so I can change Mr. Kili, oh, and if you peek I'll make you wish you were never born."
"I understand and please call me Kili." He said turning around and facing the campsite. I quickly changed and while doing so eyed the dwarf in front of me. Only once did he look to the side but he brought a hand up to block his view of me and it was due to a noise. When I was finished I turned and started for the water.
"Thank you Kili I do really need the relaxisation of a swim right now." I was just to the waters edge and for some reason I looked back and saw Kili facing me with a dumbfound look in his eyes. "Kili?" I asked wondering what was wrong.
"Do you know how beautiful you look with the moon and water behind you?" he was whispered just loudly enough for me to hear him. "Like an nymph come to steal me to my watery grave."
"I promise you Kili I am not a nymph, they are far more beautiful. So you don't need to worry about a watery grave with me. After all it was you who saved me from my own watery grave." I went into the water slowly and sighed when it reached my hips. I swam for a little and then floated on my back staring at the strange new constliations. When I decided to head in I saw Kili waiting for me.
I had to admit he was handsome looking. Dark, mysterious and strong had always been my kind of man. But there was the kicker, he was not a man but a dwarf and I was not meant to be here. If I grew attached leaving here would hurt and I did not want that. I threw on my hoodie and shorts without changing or looking at Kili and he seemed to sense my change in mood as he did not say anything either.
When we got to the fire I sat closely to it but looked at no one. Because of that I missed the look Thorin and Gandalf shared and the short conversations Kili and Fili had. It was shortly after that Balin came over and gave me a plate with food on it. I thanked him and ate without looking away from the fire.
When I was finished Balin was there to take my plate and I was left to watch the fire. I heard a couple dwarfs wish they had instruments to play. I thought about my song from back home. My friends has me sing it every chance they got. Thinking I could be close to them if I sand it I started.
Some nights I stay up cashing in my bad luck
Some nights I call it a draw
Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castly
Some nights I wish they'd just fall off.
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh, Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh.
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights I don't know anymore.
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
This is it boys, this is war – what are we waiting for?
Why don't we break the rules already?
I was never one to believe the hype
Save that for the black and white
I try twice as hard and I'm half as liked
But here they come again to jack my style.
That's alright.
I found a myarter in my bed tonight
He stops my bones from wondering who I am, who I am, who I am,
Oh who am I? Mmm... mmm...
Well some nights I wish this all would end
'cause I could use some friends for a change.
And some nights I'm scared you'll forget me again
Some nights I always win, I always win.
But I still wake up, I still see your ghost
Oh, Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for oh.
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights I don't know
So this is it. I sold my soul for this?
Washed my hands of God for this?
Miss my mom and dad for this?
No. When I see stars, when I see, when I see starts that's all they are.
When I hear songs, they sound like a swan, so comeone.
Oh, come on, oh, come on, oh come on!
Well this is it guys, that is all – five minutes in and I'm bored again
Ten years of this, I'm not sure if anybody understand
This is one not for the folks at home;
Sorry to leave mom but I have to go.
Who the fuck wants to die alone all dried up in the desert sun?
My heart is breaking for my sister and the con that she called "love"
When I look into my nephews eyes...
Man, you wouldn't believe the most amazing things that can come from...
Some terrible nights... ah...
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh
The other night you wouldn't believe the dram I just had about you and me
I called you up but we'd both agree.
It's for the best you don't listen
It's for the best we get our distance... oh...
It's for the best you don't listen
It's for the best we get our distance... oh...
As my voice died down I noticed how quiet it had gotten and I glanced up. I was greeted by concerned looks from Balin, Bilbo, Gandalf and Thorin; awed expressions from Bifur, and a couple dwarfs. When I looked to Kili and Fili though I saw tears in Kili's eyes and anger in Fili's eyes.
"I'm sorry I just thought a song would be nice and I've been told I have a nice voice. I didn't mean to offend anyone." I stuttered as I huddled myself into a smaller ball.
"No lass it was beautiful song and your voice is heavenly." Balin spoke first. "We were not expecting you to sing, you seemed lost in thought."
"I was but I was thinking about home and my friends. They loved when I sang that song; that and a couple others."
"What are the others?" Gandalf asked, a curious glint in his eyes.
"It's silly really." I blushed thinking about the one song and shooting Kili and thinking about one of the songs.
"Some how I bout that." Balin said smiling kindly.
"The one is called Somebody to Love. I may sing it for you another night. For now one song is enough." I looked into the fire again.
"The lass is right." Thorin stood looking us over. "Ori you have first watch. The rest of you sleep. We have allot of ground to cover tomorrow." As his eyes settled on me I saw a strange look cross his eyes before he pulled out a blanket and settled down.
I turned to my bag and made sure the sword, bow and arrows were with in easy reach before I settled down with my bag as a pillow. I had just closed my eyes when I felt a blanket being draped over my body. I opened my eyes to see Kili kneeling down beside me. "I don't want you to catch your cold out here. Besides I saved your life so it is my duty to protect you until that debt is paid."
"Then I will have to earn my life back soon." I said pulling the blanket closer. "I don't want you distracted and getting yourself killed over me. Your uncle does not like me already."
"I don't care what he says." Kili scoffed shooting a glance to his uncle who seemed to be fast asleep. "Someone as beautiful and talented as yourself is meant to be protected and cherished."
I tried to fight the blush on my cheeks but knew I would loose the battle so I looked to the darkness. "How far are we from civilization?" I asked the question that had been plaguing my mind most of the afternoon.
"Depends on what your idea of civilization is." Kili settle down an arms length from me. "We are a days ride from the elves of Rivendale but its another week to anything else and knowing my uncle we will not go to Rivendale."
"Does your uncle have an issue with elves?" I asked curious as to the goings on of this world.
"They abandoned us in our time of need." Was all Kili said and the icy tone of his voice left no room for argument.
"I am sorry they did that." I said cautiously. "I cannot understand how anyone could abandon anyone else for any reason. Good night Kili and sweet dreams."
I never heard a reply as sleep claimed me. My dreams were turbulent and frightening. I saw orcs and wargs attacking my companions while I was tied to a post and wiped over and over. The last of the wip making my cry out and bringing laughter from my abuser. Suddenly the lashing stopped and my hair was pulled back so I had to watch the new scean in front of me. I saw Kili, beaten and battered, on his knees with an orc on either side holding him. "Watch as your lover dies dragon and then I will take your heart and all the power it holds." A voice said from just behind me.
I could not speak but when I saw one of the orcs pull out his blade I cried out Kili's name. The orcs smiled and in a flash severed Kili's head from his shoulders. I cried out and struggled to break free but a hand on my shoulder turned me away and into the eyes of a pale orc. I shuddered at the evil in his eyes and suddenly felt searing pain in my chest. I looked down to see a metal contraption attached to the pale orcs arm embedded into my chest. I screamed and suddenly was ripped away. I thrashed around screaming, shouting profanities and how I would kill them all and watch them burn.
"Sam!" I head a familiar voice shout into my ear. "Wake up it's just a dream. Wake up Samantha."
My eyes shot open and the first thing I saw was Kili's worried brown eyes gazing into my own. I shoved away from him and leaped into a crouched position, my hand had somehow managed to grip my orc blade and I held it up in front of me. My eyes darted around seeing concerned dwarfs, a worried wizard, and a frightened hobbit looking at me. After a moment I dropped my blade to the grass and fell to my knees.
"You were all dead." I whispered. "I saw orcs tear you all apart. They took off your head Kili. They, they wiped me and made me watch as they killed you all. It was awful. The leader shoved his weird metal arm into my chest, he called me a dragon and said he wanted my heart. I hate his kind. If I ever see that pale orc I'll rip his arm off and use it as a pike for his head."
I had a killer head ach and just wanted it to go way. I groaned and put a hand to my head feeling a fire under it almost. My hand was quickly replaced with another and I saw Balin looking me over. "Life your shirt Samantha."
I slowly lifted my shirt at the back and Balin removed his bandage. I heard a hiss then felt something dig into my wound. "Gandalf come see this." Balin said, I noted a bit of concern in his voice. I heard some whispering and the word infection.
"She needs a healer Thorin." Gandalf said mater of factly.
"No I do not." I said standing shackely. "I need stitches and my bag. Now." I growled as no one moved. They leapt to action at this and Kili took my arm as I started to walk to the lake. "Bring some fire down here. I'll need to sanitize my needle. And Ori please get me a bowl and wash it well before you put water into it. Kili are there any plants that fight infection or fever?"
"There are." Kili replied quickly.
"When I'm at the lake side go get some." He nodded and when I was seated he ran off into the woods, his brother right behind him. "Gandalf I need the water Ori brings boiled if possible and as clean a rag as we can get. I have a shirt in my bag we can tear up for that purpose."
Gandalf got to work and soon Kili and Fili were back with a plant with purple flowers. "It's called athelus, a ranger from the north taught me about it."
I nodded and started to grind the plant into a paste with some of the warmed water. The rest of the water I had Balin dip a piece of my t-shirt in and wipe my wound clean. "Dig in and make sure it is clean of anything, even the smallest bit of dirt needs to be removed. Don't worry about causing my pain just get it clean." I said when he tried to be gentle.
I grimaced as he started to clean my wound in earnest. When he finished I had him take the paste I made and smother my wound with it. "now for the hardest part. I need to get into my bag." I fished threw it and found what I needed, my swing kit. I pulled out a needle and thread and sent a prayer of thanks it was pre-threaded and looked around me. "Who here can sew the best?"
After a moment hesitation Gandalf stepped forward and reached for the needle. "No. Go wash your hands now. Then without toughing anything come back and get started." When he returned I had him put the needle in the fire for a short period of time. Then he went to work.
"Pull the open wound closed, even if I pass out make each side touch so that the wound is closed." I felt Gandalf nod and the needle pierce my skin. The pain was nearly unbearable as Gandalf sewed my shoulder shut. I felt each pierce and pull and by the eighth one I was just wanted to pass out. At one point Thorin asked if this was really necessary.
"Of course it is you idiot." I snapped not moving my gaze from the ground in front of me. "Do you think I'd sit threw this for fun? The elves could help me but you don't like them so I wont go near them."
I nearly passed out on the tenth stitch and Kili had to catch me before I fell on m face. "Sam you don't need to do this." He begged me. "I'm sure Uncle wont mind you go to the elves this one time."
"No Kili." I said shackely. "Gandalf is almost done. Just a few more I believe, I'll be fine."
"She is right Master Kili." Gandalf said. "I see only two more being needed."
"Then hold onto my hand and look at me so you don't pass out again." Kili said and rather than fight, which I had no energy to do, I did as he said.
I felt Gandalf tie off the end and snap the thread when he was done. "Remove the thread and rinse the needle. Put the needle in the pack I got it from and place it in my bag, Balin, take the shirt and use strips to bin the wound after you put more paste on it. Then I will sleep till dawn and we will set off as you wished Thorin."
All eyes turned to Thorin for his say on the matter. "We shall see human." Was his only reply before returning to our camp and going back to sleep.
My shoulders dropped at his lack of enthusiasm but Kili was quick to reassure me. "He was impresses with you tonight Sam. You proved you can take pain, give orders, and are a capable healer. Well we will see in the morning how capable. Now lets get you to bed. I'll watch over you so no more bad dreams will come to you."
"Thank you Kili." I smiled as he helped me to my feet. I leaned heavily on him exusted from the nights activities. "I don't think I'll dream anymore tonight, I'm far too tired." I quickly fell asleep when Kili tucked me in and it was as I though, dreamless and renewing.