A/N: Thank you to all that have viewed this story so far, and to those that favorited/followed. It makes me happy! :) I will work on getting more chapters out as quick as I can (with work, etc. going on). Again, I will be sticking mostly to movie/book-verse, and try not to stray. ;)
I hope you continue to enjoy!
Chapter Two: You Know Nothing
"So you were hanging upside down? Really? How does one even get caught in their own trap, I wonder." It was question after question from Bilbo since they'd started out from Hobbiton. He was simply curious about Rhu, even if she hardly spoke to him.
Rhunia had been nodding her head to most of the questions the hobbit asked her, she spoke up occasionally but not often. It wasn't that she was trying to be rude, the woman just didn't have anything to say.
In fact, Rhu was keeping true to her word. Thorin had practically forgotten she was with them, until he heard the sounds of her soft laughter from time to time. The other dwarves didn't seem to mind her. They would often sing, and she would laugh again.
"You wouldn't be laughing as much if you'd seen the way they emptied my pantry, and tossed my dishes about," Bilbo grumbled under his breath, glancing over at Rhu.
At that, Rhu had to break her silence. "Beg your pardon?" The halflings sudden moodiness confused her.
"Ah, it seems our burglar is still sore with us for eating all of his food!" Gloin, who rode beside Bilbo, was smirking. Bilbo found no joy in it, and went on to tell Rhu the story of how so many dwarves crowded into his home, eat his food, and found joy in throwing his dishes all about the house.
Rhu failed at trying to stifle a giggle. She pictured what his face looked like, and it only made her giggle more.
"It seems Mr. Baggins does not enjoy the merrymaking of dwarves," Rhu heard Gandalf say from behind. She was foced to guide their horse about while he enjoyed his pipe. Gandalf loved his smoke rings, but it only made Rhu nervous that he might burn her hair!
She was relieved when he put his pipe away and took the reins back. They had covered a considerable amount of ground through the day, and decided to stop for a rest. Rhu dismounted and stretched her limbs. Gandalf took the time and pulled Thorin away from the group. No one could hear much of their conversation, but took note of Thorin's angry tone.
"What was that about?" Rhu raised an eyebrow after Gandalf left Thorin. The old wizard had a smile on his face. "Our leader will allow you to have one of the ponies," Gandalf pointed before he continued, "and you will remain with us for a while longer, though he is unhappy about that."
"And how did you manage that, my friend?"
"It was my decision, he doesn't have to like it. They will all come to realize what an asset you are, my dear. Do not worry." Gandalf's words calmed her nerves for the moment.
It was only a short rest, and they were all back on their ponies and moving again too soon. Rhu pulled herself on to their last pony. She squirmed in the saddle, not having much room due to the supplies on the animals back as well. But she decided against saying anything for the moment.
As they rode alongside a small stream, Rhu watched a frog or two jump into the water. She listened to the sounds of birds, and admired her surroundings. She was so distracted by the beauty that followed them, that she hadn't even noticed Fili and Kili riding on each side now.
"What?" she asked, looking at the brothers. It somewhat irked her as they would stare and grin without saying a word. The younger of the two, Kili, finally asked, "Where is it you come from, miss?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," replied Rhu, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Are you any good with a blade?" Fili spoke softly, wondering if the woman would be of any use in a fight should they encounter trouble.
Rhu thought herself to be fair with a bow, but she wasn't ready to share that. Instead, she answered, "Yes, I know how to use one."
It brought a smirk to Fili's face. "We shall have to test that some time, won't we?" Kili laughted heartily at his brothers idea, nodding in agreement. "Yes, but knowing how to use a sword and being good at it are two completely different things."
Fili and Kili then began to playfully poke at Rhunia's sides, causing her to squirm more than she had before. "Stop that!" She tried swatting their hands away, and ended up having to speed up just to escape the two young dwarves.
When night came, they found a suitable place to stop and make camp until morning. It couldn't have come a minute sooner. Rhu was quite tired, and would enjoy a few hours sleep. She sat by the fire, watching the flames dance.
Bilbo was finding it difficult to sleep, she noticed. The halfling flopped from side to side, and eventually sat up to see which of the dwarves was snoring so loud. It was Bombur, of course, who had little moths fluttering above his head. The larger dwarf sucked in a breath, and the moths disappeared. It nearly caused Rhu to laugh.
She sat up straighter after hearing Bilbo ask, "What was that?"
"Orcs," said Kili, sending Bilbo into a panic. "Orcs?!" Thorin jerked awake at that mention, a hand drifting down to rest on the hilt of his sword.
Fili caught on to his brothers ruse, and decided to play along. " Throat cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there." Rhu turned her attention to them as well, locking eyes with Fili for a moment before looking away. She watched the displeasure forming on Thorin's face.
"They strike when everyone's asleep, quick and quiet, no screams." Kili spoke again, and the mention of blood made it worse. Thorin's nephews exchanged glances and snickered.
"You think a night raid by orcs is a joke?" Thorin was now standing, looking down at Fili and Kili. "You know nothing of the world." He stalked off, nearly tripping over Rhu in the process.
She stood, and saw that Fili was watching her. She offered him a sympathetic half smile, knowing that he and his brother only meant it as a joke. Even if their uncle didn't see it that way, she did.
Rhu made little noise as she stepped around the dwarves on the ground. She could barely hear Balin's voice, telling some a story of how Thorin, son of Thrain, became Thorin Oakenshield.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping." His voice was gruff, and filled with irritation. Thorin spun around slowly, his blue eyes meeting with hers. It was the first time he'd even looked directly at her face since they began their journey.
"Was that really necessary?" Rhu knew she was it was none of her business, and she frankly didn't know why she was asking.
"It is nothing that concerns you!"
"I never said it was. They didn't mean…"
Thorin wouldn't give her time to finish. In his mind, she had no right to say anything. "They are my kin, not yours. They know nothing of orcs or battle … I don't expect that you do either, though."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Women know nothing when it comes to war."
Rhu clenched her fists tightly and took in a deep breath. "You have no idea what I know, master dwarf." She practically spit the words out angrily and strode back to the group, leaving Thorin standing alone.
None of the dwarves made a move to speak with Rhu when she returned, nor did Gandalf or Bilbo. And she made no effort to look at any of them, taking up her spot by the fire and lying down on the ground. Rhunia pushed all thoughts from her mind, and drifted to sleep, thinking no more on the ignorance that dwarves sometimes possessed.
As everyone settled down on their sleeping mats, Fili pulled off his cloak and lightly drapped it over Rhu, covering her body. She was the only one without a mat, and her thin clothing probably did very little to keep her warm. He returned to his seat and slumped back against the boulder to keep watch for the night.
Not the most thrilling chapter, but I promise, the next will be better. Please comment or review (or feel free to sent a PM my way) and let me know what you think! Suggestions are always welcomed too. Thank you all again for reading.
