Chapter 3: The Outsider

Susy stretched her aching legs after doing her exercise routine. She loves the belly dancing workout, because it tightens her torso. Well, she hopes it does. At her age, she doesn't want any flabby body parts, which would scare potential dates in her future. Being a widow, it was hard for her to start dating again. 'Why after fifty, the body parts wanted to point to the ground and flap around? 'she thought as her friend, Charla join her at the bench against the gym wall.

"That was a great workout, Susy. I'm glad I let you talk me into joining this gym. Now, let us go eat lunch, "said an eager Charla.

"Lunch?! After we burn off some of our calories? "exclaim the auburn-haired Susy, who was wiping off the sweat from her face, with a small towel.

"Yeah! All that exercise made me hungry for a burger and fries. "

Susy laughed at her blonde little friend, and replied, "Burger and fries? Let us eat a nice crispy salad. "

"Nah! I hate green food, "whined Charla, as she stood up. She waited for her friend of six years to do the same.

"Fine. I'll eat the green food, while you eat the brown ones, "teased Susy, as they headed for the showers.

While Susy showered, she remembered the funeral for her late husband, Larry. He was sick for a very long time, and for a while it look like he was going to get better. But he succumbed to pneumonia, and died unexpectedly. Susy cried and cried the day he died. Everything was a blur as she went through the motion of planning the funeral, greeting the family and friends at the showing, and the funeral itself. He was her best friend, and she still cry at any memory that pops into her head. She climbed out of the shower, and towel herself off. Susy wrapped the white towel around her plump body, and it barely covered her body. Cursing under her breath on the smallness of gym towels, she headed for the dressing rooms. How come when she eats acres of salads, she barely loses any weight, while Charla eat tons of fatty foods, and loses pound after pound. It just wasn't fair. Maybe it had something to do with their age, considering Susy is over 50, while Charla barely turned 30.

"Hey, Susy," said Charla, as she enter the changing room her friend was in. "I know this neat guy that you should date. He is so good-looking and fun to be with. He just turned forty. "

"No, more blind dates, Charla. The last guy you fix me up with was like a gorilla. He was hairy like one, he had grabby hands like one, and he looked like one. Ugly as a baboon's behind, if you ask me. No, thank you. Your ideas and my ideas of handsome are different. This new guy must be a friend of your husband, Stephen. "

"Well, Stephen did say that Bubba had trouble dating women, "explain Charla, who gave a cheesy smile. Susy frown at her friend.

"Great! What I need is a loser that women avoid, "stated Susy, who was lacing up her tennis shoes. "Don't mention Bubba any more, okay?"

"Okay, but I thought you were desperate to meet men?"

"Excuse me! "snapped Susy, as she glares at her friend. "I buried my husband, not my brain. I date who I want…when I want. I'm not desperate, I'm careful. Too many weirdoes around. "

"Okay okay. Are you buying my lunch, Susy?"

"Yeah, "said a sighing Susy, "Let us go eat some burgers and fries."

When Susy made it home to her little cabin by the river, she felt guilty about eating the cheese burger and onion rings. But it sure tasted good to her. She stopped to look at her figure at the full-length mirror, next to her front door. Now why did she put that thing there? Every time she would get dress for a date, feeling beautiful, she would walk pass the mirror and sees her every imperfections in the mirror as she was leaving. What a letdown to her self-esteem. "I am so dumb," she would tell herself. "I should move that mirror." But how many times had she told herself that and didn't do it. Maybe tomorrow she would do it, since she got nothing else to do. Her husband left her with a tidy sum of money that would keep her comfortable for fifteen years, by then she should be eligible for social security. 'Yikes! She is getting old so fast. Where did the time go?' Susy tossed her mail on the coffee table. She had picked up the letters at her mailbox at the entrance of her driveway. Her husband wanted to live near a river, so he could go fishing whenever he wanted to, during his retirement. So, they bought the little wooden cabin that was located outside of town. He never had a chance to retire, and Susy didn't have the heart to sell the place. Besides, she love fishing too, and every now and then she would go fishing for her supper. It was the only thing that gave her peace of mind, besides her puzzles, books, and music. Susy love living in the countryside of Texas, but she sure wish it didn't include the many wildlife that lived around the place. Being a native-born Texan, you would think that she could handle any critter that came her way. But she found out how much they scare the crap out her. Sighing, Susy sat on the sofa, and went through the mail, snorting that they were only bills and junk mail. 'Everybody was always asking for money. Whatever happens to beautiful letters from friends and family? Everything was a quick cell phone call, or texting.' Sometimes, she wished she had live during the olden days, when a handsome tall knight come charging to rescue her from the dragon. But the knight would probably drop her into the mud, and run off with a thinner and younger barmaid. Susy laughed at her imagination, and got up to change into some capris and tee-shirt, so she could do some fishing for her supper. "I miss, my Larry,' she told herself, as she headed for the bedroom.

Susy was sitting on the pier, hanging her bare feet over the river, behind her house. She loved this small private pier, because she doesn't have to leave her property to go fishing. Susy checked the stinky box of shrimp bait to make sure no ants were getting into it. The bucket of water nearby had no catch yet, but she knows she will catch something...maybe. Sighing, Susy listen to the running river, looking out at the beautiful scenery in front of her. She hopes she doesn't see a field rat. Rats scare her silly, and her husband wasn't there to chase them away.

Susy heard some rustling in the bushes nearby the pier. She stood up scared, holding the fishing pole in her hand, as a weapon. 'Why haven't she trimmed back those bushes, or cut them down?' She waited to see what came out from the bushes, and she hoped it wasn't a rat. The bushes parted, and out walked a small man. He looks like a midget…no wait a dwarf. Susy wasn't sure what to think of the creature. He was dressed in a leather jerkin, and trousers. Susy was slowly side-stepping toward her house. She made it to the end of the pier, next to the bank.

"Can I help you? "she asked, as the man stood there looking at her. He had a very ugly scar across his face, making him look sinister. The bearded man nodded his head, as he was approving what he was seeing. That made Susy angry, and she thought, 'what a jerk!' He gesture to someone behind Susy. She tried to turn around, but she was grabbed from behind by someone on the bank, who had very strong arms. Susy dropped her fishing pole, as she struggle to escape from the vise-like hands.

"She'll do. Come on, before the magical door disappears. We got to get back to Middle-Earth, "said the dwarf.

'Middle-Earth?! 'Susy thought. 'I thought that world was a make-believe place.' She had read a novel about Middle-Earth.

"Hey Ravenel! I thought it was outlawed to bring someone from another world to Middle-Earth. "

"It is, you fool! But can you imagine how much I'll get for a female Outsider? They are very rare in Middle-Earth. Plenty of silver for my pouch, my man. "

The dwarf led the way for the short stout man, who threw Susy over his shoulder. Susy was surprise he could do that, since she wasn't exactly light-weight. She tried kicking her feet, but the man spanked her rump.

"Hey! That is my bottom, not a drum, "she snapped.

"None of that, woman! Do not give me any problems or I will hurt you." Susy could tell that the man wasn't very smart like the dwarf was. They walked through the bushes, away from her home on the same side of the river.

Now, how does she get away before they take her from her world? Susy was thinking, when she heard a strange sound. She moved her head, so she could see where they were heading. Up ahead, in a clearing was a bluish glittery door, floating in front of them. 'Wow, a magic door! And I didn't even know there was a clearing near my home.'

"Do you think she'll survive the journey to Middle-Earth, Ravenel? "

"Who know, Ang.? If she doesn't, oh well. She will make a nice meal for the wargs, "answered the laughing dwarf. Ang laugh as well as they headed for the floating door.

"What?! "said Susy, as she enters the doorway to Middle-Earth, and left her world behind. Susy fainted as everything around her spun out of control.

After a couple of days of no answered phone calls, her family went to check on her at the cabin. All they found was her fishing pole, lying next to the pier, and a box of shrimp bait full of ants. They call the police, who assume that she was taken by an alligator. They comb the area, but never found any trace of Susy's body. At the memorial, a crying Charla told her husband, "If only she went on that date. She would still be here. "

Chapter 4: Middle-Earth

Susy's eyes popped open, as she realizes she wasn't dead. 'Whew, that takes a load off my mind.' She was lying next to a huge mud puddle near some bushes. Susy sat up on the ground, and felt a bit dizzy doing so. The Texan looked around, and saw she was at a campsite full of people. There was a group of six women, who were tied up, crying and sniffling. They all were wearing knee-length white dress shifts, and were bare footed. Susy looked at her clothing, and saw she was wearing the same thing. 'Crap! "she thought, as she looked around the camp again.

There were three men, who were also tied up, wearing white shirts and trousers. There were five other men, who looked mean and scary. They appear to be working for that kidnapping jerk of a dwarf. They were checking the prisoners, making sure that the bonds were secure.

Susy saw near her that nasty Ravenel and his servant, Ang stirring up a campfire. She could see some metal rods sticking out of the fire. 'I wonder what they are up to, 'she thought. They noticed that she was awake, and walked over to her.

"Open her mouth, Ang. So, I can put two drops of elixir into her mouth, "ordered the ugly Ravenel, who pulled out a vial from a pouch on his belt. The stout man grabbed Susy by the hair, which made her scream in pain. Ravenel managed to drop two drops of liquid onto her tongue, before she could close her mouth. Susy's tongue felt like it was on fire.

"Two? "asked Ang, who released her hair.

"Yes. More than that will kill the woman. It will make her twenty years younger, and her body very healthy. I even put a few drops of beauty potion into the elixir to help her natural beauty. "

'Me? Natural beauty?" thought Susy as she felt a sharp pain hit her body. Susy fell over, curled up into a ball, trying to suppress the pain.

"She won't talk for the first week, and she will be weak for the first three weeks. What is your name woman? "

"Susy", she barely whispered to the dwarf. He took a smoking burnt stick, and wrote her name in dwarfish on the back of her clothing.

"Give me a branding iron, Ang. So, I can mark the inside of her forearm, with the mark of a slave, "declared Ravenel, who smiled wickedly. This was his favorite part of the being a slaver, branding his victims. Susy saw red, and fought the pain she was feeling. She saw Ang give Ravenel a hot branding iron. The dwarf walks over to where she lay, and reaches for her right arm. Susy remember at that moment the lessons she took in self-defense class, with Charla. And kick with all her might into Ravenel's groin.

The dwarf screams, dropping the branding iron into the cold mud, and covered his privates with his hands. Ang suppress his laughter, not wanting Ravenel mad at him.

"WHORE! TROLLOP! I WILL GET YOU FOR THAT! "screamed the furious dwarf. He picked up the cold mud-covered branding iron, and started to beat Susy on her arms, legs, and back. The woman protected her head, and felt every one of the hits on her body.

"Throw her into the mud puddle, Ang. She will be feeling the pain of the drops soon, "said the grumpy Ravenel, who threw down the branding iron and rubbed his groin. Ang picked her up, and toss her into the mud, with a splash. They laughed at Susy, as she moans and rolled in the mud in pain. Susy roll so much that she was completely covered in mud, from head to toe, in a few moments. The pain was so intense that the laughter seems so far away. The laughter stops abruptly.

"Bandits, Ang! Quickly get our weapons! "Susy could tell that Ravenel was the one who spoke. She heard screams and fighting. Her instinct told her to crawl underneath the shrubbery nearby. As she did she could hear Ravenel screaming "NO!", but his scream was cut short. She kept crawling for a long time, until she couldn't hear the screams any more. Susy was scared, confused, and lost. 'Where should she go? Who could help her?' She didn't know the answer to either one of those questions. Fear won over the pain, as she continues to crawl away from the bloodbath.

Susy feel like days went by, but it's only been hours. For one moment, all her teeth fell out of her mouth, and she cried. But brand new ones grew back in their place, which made her gums itchy and achy. She use to have very bad teeth, and now they are strong and healthy.

The next moment, her eyes started burning immensely, but then the sensation went away, and now she could see clearly as when she was young. Susy had started to wear reading glasses, at her fiftieth birthday.

Now, her bones were hurting so much, that she did know if she could go on. But after a while, the aches faded away. She was starting to take arthritis medication lately, but now she don't need to any more.

Her eyelashes thicken, as well as the hairs on her head, which glisten with a reddish glow underneath the mud. She sweated so much, and felt very thirsty. She didn't realize that the weight was falling off her body, or her skin was tightening up all over that thinner body. This was a new Susy crawling underneath the bushes, and she never realized the change in herself. All she knew was she was very tire and scare. After a long while, the bushes ended at an open field and road.

'I need help 'she thought, as she looked at the land in front of her. She was looking at a dirt road and a very beautiful field, with wildflowers, bright green grass, and lovely big trees. She knew she was in a fantasy land, because everything looked untouched by man. She saw that the next group of bushes was a 100 yards away in front of her, and she didn't know if she can crawl that far. Susy lay under the bushes resting, when she thought she heard a voice in her head.

'I will help you, 'replied a whispery voice, follow by twinkling giggles.

Susy tried to talk, but couldn't. 'Crap! Who's there? 'Susy questioned in her mind, as she looked around but saw no one.

'I am the spirit of the Traveler's cave. Look near the big oak tree to your right.'

Susy looked toward the right and spotted the oak tree that the voice told her about. The tree had a huge trunk, and many branches reaching out. There was a big stone boulder next to the tree, with a cave opening showing, not 10 yards from where she was. She knew she must get there, before some one sees her. She noticed that there were two cave opening next to each other, and wasn't sure where the spirit's voice came from. One cave opening was larger than the other, and looked well-worn. Suddenly, a glowing light was seen in the bigger opening, and Susy knew to head there. Focusing straight at the cave opening, Susy crawled on the road as fast as she could on her hands and knees. After a long time, she made it to the foot of the opening which was five foot off the ground.

'That figures! ', thought Susy, as she look up at the opening. There was brickwork steps imbedded into the boulder, which lead into the opening. Slowly Susy crawled up the cold steps, and collapsed into the cave.

'Welcome to my cave, 'greeted the voice in her head. Susy looked around the cave, which had no one inside it. She was so exhausted. The cave had pinkish walls and a fire pit in the middle of the room. There was a doorway next to the entrance of the cave, but Susy wasn't in the mood to check it out.

'Where are you? 'wondered Susy. 'Why is your voice in my head?'

'You cannot see me, but I am here. And I don't know why you can hear me in your head? No one else could before.'

Susy looked around again in the cave, and saw a wide ledge on each side of the walls, which made a good place to sit and sleep. There was a pool on the far side of the cave, which had steps going into the water. The pool was a clear greenish blue, and beautiful to look at. There was also a waterfall, which could be a great shower to wash in. Susy looked down at herself, seeing the mud all over her body. She was tire, but cleaning off the mud would remove the cold feeling on her body. And she hates feeling cold and clammy. She dragged herself to the clear pool, and tested the water; it felt cold to the touch.

'Great! If I leave the mud on me, I am cold. But if I wash myself in the water, the water will make me cold, too.' Sighing, Susy thought to the spirit, 'what can I do?'

'Ask for the water to be warmer.'

'I can't talk. A nasty dwarf gave me some horrible tasting drops of liquid. He put two drops on my tongue.'

'The Lanetta elixir? It is suppose to make you younger and healthier. Two drops? You are twenty years younger.'

'I'm 32? Really? It seems so hard to believe, but I can see clearly that I have changed. My big fat gut looks flat to me.' Susy looked at her arms, legs, and stomach. The spirit giggles at the mention of the words, "big fat gut. "

'Just think real clear the words "warmer water" and that should warm the pool.'

'Thank you, spirit, 'thought Susy, as she scooted toward the pool. Twinkling giggles were heard in her mind again.

'Why do you thank me? No one ever thanks a spirit.'

'They should. I was brought up with manners by my parents. Warmer water.' Susy touched the pool's water again, and it was warmer…close to lukewarm.

'Warmer water.' Now, the pool felt nice and warm, so she slid into the pool.

'I like manners, 'stated the spirit.

'Do you have any soap? Shampoo? A wash cloth? 'thought Susy, as she looked around the side of the pool. She noticed a slight pain coming from her arms, legs, and back.

Two holes next to each other, opened up at the edge of the pool. A platform rose from within each hole, with a pretty bowl sitting on each platform. One bowl was blue, and the other one was red. Both bowls had liquid inside, and the liquids smell wonderful.

'What is a wash cloth?' asked the spirit.

'A small square cloth to put soap on, so I can scrub the mud off me. Which one is the soap? 'inquired Susy, as she looked into the lovely bowls of liquid. The pain was getting stronger.

'The blue one has liquid to wash your body with, while the red one is for your hair. Here are five wash cloths.'

'Five?!' Susy watched as another hole opened up, and five folded small cloths came up on another platform.

'Yes, you are very dirty.' Twinkling giggles was heard again.

'Ha ha…very funny.' Susy grabbed a cloth, put some soap on it, and started to scrub her right arm the best she can. 'What is your name, spirit?' She winced at the pain that she felt on her back and limbs.

'Spirits don't have any names.' The spirit sounded sad, which surprised Susy, because the spirit seems so playful before.

'Hmmm…I'll call you Rosetta for the pink stone walls of your cave.' The glowing light in the cave starts to flicker, as Susy watch quietly at the spirit's reaction.

'Rosetta. I like it, "answered the pleased spirit.

'Ouch, that hurts!' thought Susy, as she clambered out of the pool, and sat on the steps. 'Why am I feeling pain on my back, arms, and legs?'

'Did you hurt yourself?'

'I was beaten by the mean dwarf for kicking him in his privates' confessed Susy.

'What are privates?' asked the spirit.

'Never mind, 'said the smiling Susy. 'He deserved it.'

'If you are injured the pool has healing powers to heal any harms on yourself. But it will hurt, before it gets better.'

'Great! I'll have to wait to take a bath, because I am too tired to handle any more pain. Where is a towel to dry myself with?'

'Towel? Go to where those two racks are at the far wall. That is where the drying area is. Just imagine the words "warm dry air", and it will blow until you are dry.'

Susy slowly scooted on her bottom to the area the spirit told her about. She was still covered in mud, but not as bad as before. Susy still had mud on her face and hair, but she was getting more tired by the minute. She thought the words 'warm dry air', and felt the nice warm air blow across her body. It was making her drowsy, and she lay down on the floor. The last thing she heard before going to sleep was Rosetta saying, 'you forgot to seal the entrance to the cave.'

Chapter 5: Help Arrive

Balin and Dwalin were tire, and ready to rest at the nearest Traveler's cave. They had just finish visiting a small community of dwarves near a no-name mountain. The lady dwarf they went to see for Thorin, had already gotten married, and died at childbirth. Balin sighed at the thought of the lovely lady dwarf dying; she would have made a great wife for Thorin.

"Where is that cave the woodsman told us about, Balin? "asked a grumpy Dwalin. He was stomping his feet in anger, frustrated in not finding the cave quickly.

"He said to look for the big oak tree near a giant boulder. There are two caves there, and one is bigger than the other. We should wait for the others in the bigger cave, and get it ready for their arrival. Thorin said for us to meet him there, near Creach's field. And there is the field…" pointed Balin. "And there is the oak tree, and the two caves." Dwalin grunted in approval.

"I hope there isn't a fool inside the big cave, or I'm going to throw them out, "stated Dwalin, as he and his brother hurried to the cave.

"You can't do that. The spirit of the cave will punish anyone who does violence in their cave. Bah! Someone is there, because you can see that the opening is lit. " They had arrived at Rosetta's cave.

"Well, let me persuade them, "stated a cocky Dwalin. "Hello, in the cave!" Both dwarves listen, but there was no answer. Not knowing what to expect, they readied their weapons. The cave opening was not sealed, so they entered easily. They heard twinkling music, not knowing that they were hearing Rosetta trying to wake up Susy, who was still asleep.

'Wake up, woman! Wake up!'

Susy just moan softly on the floor of the drying area. Balin and Dwalin heard the moan, and slowly walked to the back of the cave. That was when they saw the mud-covered form on the drying area floor. The dwarves gasped, as they realized it was a woman, whose dress shift had ridden up her thighs showing her legs clearly.

"Well, I like what I see, "said a smiling Dwalin, putting his axes back in their place. Balin snapped, "Shame on you, brother! The poor woman is exposed, so cover your eyes."

"Ah, Balin. She has lovely legs, and she doesn't know they are showing. "

Balin shook his head, and took off his cloak. He went to where Susy slept, and gently covered her body and legs. Then, he carefully picked her up off the floor, carried her, and gently laid her on one of the ledges. Balin was too worried about dropping the woman to notice how much she weigh.

"You wouldn't have done that when you was younger, brother, "teased Dwalin, who looked down into the woman's face. " We need to get that mud off her face to see how pretty she is."

"Leave her be, Dwalin. She must be very tire to be sleeping, while covered in mud. "Balin put his pack on the ground next to the ledge with the woman, and sat next to her sleeping form.

"So, are you going to go get some wood for the fire pit, Balin?"

"No, you are."
"Why me? "asked Dwalin, who put down his pack next to his brother's.

"Because I don't trust you with the woman. " Dwalin rolled his eyes, and left the cave to get firewood.

"Seal entrance, "said Balin, who heard some twinkling in the cave. Rosetta was laughing.

Balin and Dwalin had a good fire going, as they waited in the cave for the others. They don't know when they will show up…today, next week, or next month. They know they still have to wait for them to show, or get word from the Peddler.

Petey the Peddler travel all over Middle-Earth, in his magical mule-drawn cart. He sells his wares to all that calls for him, for the right price. He tells everyone the latest news in the land, and can find anyone you are searching for. Petey also give rides for those who ask, if they have the silver coin to give him. There is a magical spell on him, where he has to tell the truth.

Dwalin made a faced as he chewed on the venison jerky in his hand. Balin was having trouble with his jerky too, and tried to wash it down with some water.

"Someone needs to go hunting for fresh meat. This jerky is a month old, and taste horrible. "

"I'm not stopping you, brother, "replied Balin.

"You go, and I'll watch after the woman, "said a grinning Dwalin.

"Ha ha…no."Balin gave Dwalin a stern look. Dwalin grunted in frustration, and continue to chew the jerky in silence. They heard twinkling again, Rosetta was laughing at the dwarves.

"What is that? "asked Balin, who looked around the cave.

"I don't know, "answered Dwalin, who looked around the cave, as well.

"Hello in the cave! "shouted a voice.

Balin got up, and said, "Who is there?"

"My name is Gloin. My brother Oin is with me. "

"Come on in, Gloin and Oin. It is I, Balin. "The small dwarf turns in time to catch his brother, Dwalin trying to steal a kiss from the sleeping woman. But he couldn't find a clean spot to kiss on her lips.

"Dwalin!"

"Oh! You would turn around, Balin." Dwalin sat down again to eat his jerky. Balin greeted their friends at the entrance to the cave, while watching his brother. Gloin and Oin walked into the cave with Balin, placing their packs on the floor.

"Did you find a bride for Thorin, Gloin? Oin? ", asked Balin.

"No one. All the lady dwarves were married, and had big brood of children, "stated Gloin, sighing.

"Balin? Who is that person with the big brown eyes watching us? "wondered Oin, as he looked straight at Susy. She had awakened, when Balin had yelled at his brother. Covering her face with the cloak, she peers out at the four dwarves.

"Don't be scared, little one. We are your friends, and we will not hurt you, "said Balin, who slowly approached the scared woman. She didn't know if she could trust them, since her last experience with a dwarf was Ravenel.

"We will just eat you alive, lassie ", smirked Dwalin. Susy covered her head, in fear. Balin made an exasperated sound, as he turns to look at his brother, who was chuckling to himself.

"What is wrong with you, Dwalin? ", asked Oin, who joined Balin's side. "The poor lassie is scared of us."

"That doesn't concern me, "stated the bald dwarf with a smile. Gloin came and cuff Dwalin on the back of the head.

"Aarg! Do not misplace my hair! ", snapped Dwalin, at Gloin.

Laughter came from the cloak, as Susy peeked out and laughed at the thought of Dwalin's hair getting mess up. The four dwarves smile at her beautiful laughter, carefully backing away from her. They sat at the other side of the cave, as they watch her with curiosity.

"What is your name, little one? "asked Balin, smiling to make her feel secure.

Susy tried to answer, but nothing came out of her mouth. She remembered what Ravenel said about her not being able to talk for a week. 'Charla would go crazy if she couldn't talk, 'thought Susy. They all heard Rosetta twinkling.

'Who is Charla? 'Rosetta asked Susy.

'My best friend 'replied Susy, in her mind.

'I wanted to be your best friend 'stated a sad Rosetta.

'You are…in Middle-Earth. '

The lights in the cave turned blue, and Susy looked surprise, and so did the dwarves. The group of males didn't know what was going on with the lights.

'The lights are blue, because you told the truth 'explained a happy Rosetta to Susy. Susy nodded, understanding Rosetta explanation. Signaling at Balin, she made her right hand into a duck bill, making it open and close. She shook her head, hoping he understood that she couldn't talk.

"Are you stating that you cannot speak, little one? "asked Balin. Susy nodded her head.

"Why do you keep calling her little one? ", inquired Dwalin, who was watching the woman in interest. Susy wondered that too.

"Under that mud on her face, she seems young, "pondered Balin. He wanted to be careful not to scare the woman.

"Could you speak before? " Susy nodded, again.

"But you cannot now?" Susy nodded.

"Do you want to tear your clothing off, and dance a jig for me, lassie? "asked a laughing Dwalin. Susy hid under the cloak again, scared of the bald smirking dwarf.

"DWALIN! "shouted Balin, Oin, and Gloin. Dwalin smiled at the other dwarves.

"But she is so adorable when she hides. " A clump of mud hit Dwalin on his forehead. Susy had scraped some mud off her face, and threw it at Dwalin with all her might. The three dwarves, who were her champions, started laughing. The bald dwarf made a scary face at her, and then started laughing, too.

"I like you, lassie. You have spirit! "declared Dwalin, who stood. "She would make a great wife for Thorin. "

'Wife? 'thought Susy. 'Who was Thorin?'

"No, Dwalin. Thorin said he didn't want to marry a man's woman, "stated Balin, who smiled at Susy.

"I think Dwalin is right for a change, "put in Gloin. "I think she would make a great wife as well. "

"For a change? "snapped Dwalin, who glared at the red-haired dwarf.

"Here here! "agreed Oin, who wanted to get into the discussion.

"Well, you three suggest it to Thorin, but don't be surprises if he refuses, "said Balin, as he turn back to the woman.

"Why haven't you washed the mud off yourself? Can you walk to the pool? " Susy shook her head.

"Do you want me to carry you there? " Susy shook her head, and then indicated her back. Balin slowly approach Susy, and said, "May I?" Susy nodded.

Balin pulled her dress shift away from her back, and saw the bruises that Ravenel had cause with his beating. Tears fill his eyes, as he gasped at what he saw.

"What is wrong, Balin? "asked Oin, who stood up next to Dwalin, Gloin joined them.

"She had been beaten. Who did this?" Susy pointed at each one of them, and flatten her hand for height. Then she ran a finger across her face, like Ravenel's scar.

"What she mean, Balin? ", asked a confused Gloin.

"She pointed at us, and then flattens her hand…height! Dwarves! But dwarves would not beat a defenseless woman. "

"But she also drawn her finger across her face, Balin, "stated Oin, who was scratching his chin in thought.

"Scar! ", shouted Dwalin, who had been thinking all this time.

"Ravenel! ", they all shouted in unison.

"That pig! I should have known that he had beaten the lass, when she signed dwarves, "snarled Gloin.

Balin noticed some writing in dwarf on her clothing, when he checked her back.

"Soot z? Is that your name? "Susy smiled, nodded and shook her head.

"I'm confused? "stated Balin. He thought a bit, and said, "It's your name? " Susy nodded. She pretended to write, and shook her head.

"Oh! It is written wrong, "proclaim an understanding Balin. She nodded.

"Who wrote it on your back?" Susy ran a finger across her face.

"Ravenel?" Susy nodded.

"That fool written it wrong, "stated Gloin, shaking his head.

"Why can't she talk? "wondered Oin, who had been thinking about her situation. Susy pointed to the pool, put two fingers up, and then pointed to her tongue.

"She stuck her tongue in the pool? "said Dwalin. Susy gave him a look that said that she think he is an idiot. The dwarves laughed at the expression on her face.

"Water? "exclaim Balin. Susy nodded.

"Water…hmmm, "mused Oin. "Aaaah! The Lanetta elixir!"

"What is that? "asked Gloin.

"It is a potion to make one younger and healthier. It is forbidden for someone to use it. The first week after taking the elixir, the person can't speak. Did Ravenel give you some of the elixir, lassie? " She nodded, and then Susy put two fingers up again. Then she pretended to put two drops on her tongue.

"She is saying two drops of elixir, "stated Balin, who sat next to the woman. Susy nodded.

"Twenty years, "explain Oin, as he joined Balin on the ledge.

"Twenty…hmmmm, "pondered Dwalin, playing with his mustache. Everyone including Susy glared at the bald dwarf, who put his hands up with an innocent look on his face.

"I didn't say anything, "a smiling Dwalin explained.

"Well, you better not, brother, "warned Balin, who reach over and picked up Susy. She put her arms around his neck, scared that he might drop her. "The poor child got no weight to her."

'Child? No weight?' Susy looked confuse, not remembering the pounds she had lost because of the elixir.

"Let me wash some of the mud off you, little one." Susy shook head, no. Balin placed her next to the pool, and saw the bowls and cloths.

"Did you try to bath before?" Susy nodded.

Oin joined them, and stated, "And your injuries started to pain you, lassie." Susy looked at the other dwarf, and nodded. Oin looked at the other dwarves, and explained, "The waters heal injuries, but the injuries hurt immensely before getting better. "

"That explain why the lass is still cover with mud, "added Gloin. "Poor wee little thing."

'Thing?! Men!' Susy thought, Rosetta twinkling giggles were heard by the mud covered woman, who sighed.

"What is that, Balin? "asked Oin, as all the dwarves looked around for the source of the twinkling music.

"I wish I knew, "said Balin. He turned back to Susy, grabbed a wash cloth, and soaked it in the warm pool. Dipping it in the blue bowl, he gently washed Susy's right forearm. Tears appeared on Susy's eyes, as she saw the difference that this dwarf treated the same arm that the cruel Ravenel wanted to brand.

"Did I hurt you? "asked Balin, who stopped when he saw her tears. Susy shook her head. Then he realized that she was crying because this was probably the first kind act someone had shown her since her encounter with Ravenel. Balin started cleaning her arm again, and being gentle when he saw the bruises on the back of her arms. He cupped some water in his hands, and gently pours it on her soap covered arm. Susy wince when the water touched her bruises, but then the pain faded away and so did the bruises. Slowly and carefully, Balin washed that right arm free of mud. He checked to make sure the right arm was clean, and then Balin started to do her left arm. Oin and Gloin smiled at the kindness Balin was showing, while Dwalin rolled his eyes.

"Would it not be faster, if we just throw her into the pool? "Dwalin stated. His companions glared at the laughing dwarf, while Susy sighs.

'I'm going to have problems, with this jerk, 'thought Susy, as she took a good look at Dwalin. He noticed her looking at him, and said, "Is there something you want to see, woman? In my trousers?" The other dwarves gasp at Dwalin insinuation, while he smiles at the mud-faced woman.

Susy glared at Dwalin, and then blew a raspberry at him. The dwarves laughed at the woman, who was already to defend herself from the naughty bald dwarf.

"Dwalin go get some more firewood, "asked Balin, who was washing Susy's left arm.

"Again?! I had already brought enough for the night. "

"So get more for the next day, "said a teasing Balin. Dwalin grumbled, as he left to get more wood. Susy sighed.

"I know, little one. My brother can be a handful at times, but he is a good dwarf." Susy and Balin smiled at each other, and the dwarf continue to clean her arm. By the end of the evening, Susy's arms and legs were cleaned. She was tired from the pains she felt when the water touched the bruises on the back of her arms and legs. Balin could see that she looked tire, so he stopped bathing her, and took her to the drying area. The dwarf said, "warm dry air", as he put the woman on the floor. She fell asleep again, when the warm air hit her. After she was dry, the small dwarf picked her up again, and carried her back to where she laid before. Oin had made a pillow from his cloak for her head, and Gloin place his cloak on the ledges so Susy would not rest on the bare stone. They had finished getting her settle, when Dwalin return with firewood in his arms.

"What?! I don't get to watch you wash her legs? "asked Dwalin, who place the new wood on top of the firewood, he had gotten earlier that day.

"Brother, please let the woman be. She had just survived Ravenel's clutches, and no telling if he will be hunting her down. The dress shift that she is wearing shows that she is one of his captives. She must have gotten away from him somehow."

"Well, she doesn't have to worry about him anymore, Balin, "added Gloin, who sat next to Susy. "Oin and I found his campsite. Ravenel, his men, and three male slaves were butchered by someone. There was a big battle fought there, Ravenel and his men lost. His head was lying on the ground near a mud puddle. There are signs that six persons were dragged away from the place."

All the dwarves frown about the death of Ravenel. Yes, he was the worst dwarf ever born. Making people think that all dwarves were child-snatching monsters, but he was one of them…a dwarf.

"Well, he will no longer dirty our race reputation in Middle-Earth, "proclaimed Balin. "At least, little one will have no more problems with him." They all looked at the sleeping Susy, who still have mud on her face.

"We didn't feed her! "exclaimed Gloin, who looked worried.

"Well, the first two weeks after receiving the elixir, a person can only consume fluids, "explained Oin to his brother. The dwarves sigh in relief, and looked at again at the sleeping woman. They sat and started to eat their jerky. And when they had finished their meal, they got ready to sleep.

"Seal cave. Privacy, "said Balin, as he lay on the ledge, near Susy. The other dwarves were lying down too, careful to keep Dwalin away from the woman.

"I hope Thorin come soon, "said Dwalin. "I want to see how he reacts to this woman." They all smile at the thought of the meeting between Thorin and the woman.