Chapter 1: Warrior Boot Camp - Dwalin
"Rest, all of you. Tomorrow will be an intense day for everyone. If we expect to succeed in our quest, we have to be in shape" said Thorin Oakenshield, whose word is law and no one dares question his authority. He nodded to Dwalin, who returned the nod, as he chose his corner to sleep, always apart from the rest. I began to whisper to Bilbo, who was just as clueless as myself,
"What exactly does he mean by being in shape?" I asked.
"I have no idea" replied Bilbo equally whispering. "but if all this long walk is not enough of an exercise, then I do not know what it is."
"Indeed, I feel my legs are swelling" I said to Bilbo.
"Lads, it is best if you save your energies by sleeping, instead of talking. Leave your worries aside." said Balin, who overheard the two of us whispering.
I blushed and then asked shyly, "I do not know what a dwarf training is like, should I worry?"
"Not really, you will be fine I promise. Now rest, lass." replied Balin to ease me down.
With that explanation, which did not convince me at all (but what choice did I have?), I began to unfold my sleep mat to put it in place and lie on it. My dark brown eyes scanned the entire company, who seemed to be very normal and calm about it. So I thought maybe I was over worrying and maybe Balin was right. Or perhaps they were used to this and more, and therefore it's not that big of a concern for the dwarves. Or perhaps their pride would not let them project weakness? I shook my head, deciding to shoo away all reasoning and thoughts that were troubling my mind. I turned around and faced Bilbo, who was also unable to sleep. Right when I was about to start a conversation of sorts, I felt intensely observed. I turned my head and there was Dwalin, glaring as usual from his sleeping spot. I gulped and decided to do as I was told.
The long walk had me completely exhausted, so it was not hard at all for me to doze off into slumber land shortly after...
The chirping of birds and the rays of sunlight hitting my face announced the night was over. I turned away from the sunlight in hopes to prolong my slumber a bit more. That's when I remembered in my subconscious the training. I opened my eyes abruptly to realize there was nobody around me, other than Bilbo soundly asleep with his hand in a tight grip against his chest. I wondered where did the rest of the company go and why the two of us were not told. I began to fold my sleep mat hurriedly and pack it. I was going to wake Bilbo, when Thorin appeared on scene, walking in and sitting on a boulder with his blue eyes fixed on the distance, engaged in deep thought and smoking his pipe. I hesitated for a moment, but curiosity was killing me. So I approached Thorin with questions,
"Thorin?" I asked in a shy way.
"Yes, Wyenne?" he replied, his blue eyes fixed on mine.
"Where did the rest of the company go?" I wondered.
"They are training. They started early at dawn. Should not be long for them to return." answered Thorin extremely relaxed.
I was confused as to why Bilbo and I were left out. Perhaps we were considered weaklings? The sole thought of it offended me, but I said nothing. Instead, I returned to my corner, watching Bilbo waking up and stretching.
In fact, it wasn't long before the coughing noise of more than one dwarf was heard nearby. Some of them were taking deep breaths with difficulty. Others were coughing violently. And all of them were drenched from head to toe. Kili dropped near me, coughing louder and exaggerating his deep breathing while his brown eyes looked at me, maybe hoping that my female instincts would make me want to comfort him and make it better. I knew exactly what he was up to and it amused me, I was rolling my eyes at him. Fili approached shortly after, equally coughing, but not as dramatized as his brother. Water drops were all over the floor from their soaking wet hairs.
"Whatever happened to all of you?" was my expression of clueless doubt.
Fili gestured with his hand as in asking for a break to breath before he could answer my question. All of them were like that. All but Dwalin, who walked in, completely dry and glaring at them all like they were meaningless. He then approached Thorin, pronouncing a certain cold set of words...
"They failed the water test, Thorin. All of them!" said Dwalin.
"What a shame, I expected better from some of them." responded Thorin, while staring at his nephews.
Kili then stopped dramatizing his breathing difficulty and composed in hopes to impress his uncle a little.
"Water test?" I asked, looking at Bilbo, who shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in a gesture of 'I have no idea'.
"You.. don't.. want.. to know.. " responded Fili, still struggling to breathe.
I grew annoyed because no one would answer my question. So I went straight to the source and asked him directly,
"Dwalin? What is this water test you speak of?"
He smirked while keeping a stern gaze and did not respond. It irritated me deeply. First, I was left out. And then none of them would clarify my doubt. I felt like I was not part of the company at all. Or even worse, that I was not worthy of being told of the dwarf affairs.
"Come on, tell me. Am I not part of the company?" I protested.
Thorin smirked at me, "Wyenne, be glad you were not in the training. Perhaps I am underestimating you. Who knows if you would have passed better than my nephews".
Both Fili and Kili felt humiliated that their uncle would think a girl could be stronger than them. Although his words amused me, they did not change the fact that my question remained unanswered. So I brought it back, insisting. This time, i was visibly irritated. Dwalin softened his gaze towards me, amused at my reaction.
"You really want to know what the water test is? Follow me then, Wyenne" said Dwalin, leading the way.
I looked back at Balin, who nodded silently at me. Bofur rose his thick eyebrows, worried that I would be made to go through the water test, while Kili hung his head in shame. The sole thought that I would do better than him was hurting his ego.
"Can I go too?" asked Bilbo.
"No, you stay. I need someone to assist this shameful lot of weaklings" said Thorin.
With that said, I followed Dwalin away from the company and into the woods; We had a long walk through grassy plains, mossy boulders, fir trees... and then the sound of a waterfall was heard nearby. A cold breeze caressed my face, making me smile. The scent of fresh flora invaded my nostrils, but Dwalin kept walking.
"Are we there yet?" I asked.
"Almost" he said. All of a sudden, he stopped. He grabbed his axe and assumed the defense position.
"what is it?" I asked.
"Shhh.. I heard something." he whispered.
I tried to be in tune with my hearing sense in order to find out what Dwalin was hearing. But all I could hear was running water and birds chirping. It made me feel lesser for not being able to hear what he heard. Dwalin turned his head left and right, then gestured me with his hand to follow him. He leaded me into a cave,
"Stay here, I'll be back" whispered Dwalin, leaving the cave.
By then, I was totally confused. I thought maybe it was orcs, but their foul smell would give them away. That's when I thought maybe the 'water test' has begun. Curiosity was messing up my mind, so I sneaked outside carefully to know what was going on. All of a sudden, I was dragged into the cave, it made me gasp loudly. I was pinned against one of the walls and kissed gently, this was an outrageous violation of my personal space and free will. When I was released, I realized it was Dwalin who kissed me. Very annoyed, I asked with anger, "What was that about? What does this have to do with the water test?"
Dwalin laughed, "Nothing. I just wanted to know what it felt like to kiss you." He left my side laughing as he headed back to join the rest of the company. I was dumbfounded. "Come on, you don't want to stay here all by yourself!" said Dwalin laughing still.
At that moment, I learned my question would never be answered.
