OK, I lied. One more short, short story. Because I loves you all. And I loves Ori and am sorry for hurting him. And the muse hit again. And I found that I really like writing in 3rd person present tense because it makes the words and emotions just flow for me. I blame Angela Carter. (Read the Bloody Chamber by her; it's awesome.)

OK, I'm done.

Disclaimer: I own a paperback copy of the Hobbit. That's all of the franchise I own, not the characters or settings or nothing else.

…and Without a Word, Will Be Listened To

The wound has closed over and scarred, and although it is no longer painful to attempt to speak, he still cannot manage any more than a few unintelligible sounds that do not sound like they should come from any person: Dwarf or otherwise. Dori tries to console him by saying that he has only recently healed and, given time, he could still be able to speak again. Ori smiles and nods and is grateful for his brother's kind words of encouragement, even if he does not quite believe them anymore. He is merely happy to have his brother's care and support. Nori gives him a book on Iglishmek that he knows none of them had on the beginning of the journey and he is still not quite sure where he got it. He hopes that the book's former owner does not track them down. Still, he is extremely thankful and has memorized enough to communicate simple conversations with his brothers, who to his joy and gratitude are studying it as well to understand him. He's seen Fili and Kili nose through the book as well, although they never seem to remember many of the signs. Still, he is happy that his friends are trying for his sake. He even thinks that they are improving a little, as when he signs "Hello" or some other greeting, they smile and greet him in return.

It's something.

Thorin is less gruff than usual towards him, which was likely equivalent to coddling affection in Thorinish. He does not know Iglishmek and is too busy keeping the Company going to learn from the book, but he pays attention whenever Ori appears to be trying to say something and takes the time to try to understand. Ori is frankly flattered that the king thinks his opinions are worth listening to at all.

The others are kind to him and try to help the best they can. Gloin in particular is surprisingly protective of him and Ori guesses it's because he has a son at home about his age (Gimlek? Gimlar…something like that) whom he misses deeply.

The hobbit has taken to learning Iglishmek as well, presumably because his bookish mind revels at the chance to test itself. He needed not to have bothered, though. Usually when he was around, the two of them would simply sit side-by-side by the same tree and admire the landscape, Ori sketching and Bilbo smoking, occasionally offering his pipe. Even if Ori hadn't been rendered silent, he doubts they would have spoken much in moments like these, which were best enjoyed quietly. If Ori needs to say something, he simply writes it in his journal that is already on his lap for sketching and hands it to Bilbo. Bilbo responds in Iglishmek, likely to practice, and Ori is glad to have someone willing to put in such an effort to listen to him.

He still can hear and understand the speech of others, and at first was nervous that with his voice he had lost whatever microscopic input he had amongst his friends. He had never been a very outspoken Dwarf and mostly kept his ideas to himself, but he still has thoughts and ideas that he feels are worth others listening to. He still wants to be heard by his friends and does not want to simply have to take what they say and be unable to give anything back.

And apparently, they want to listen.