The Hobbit - What You Wish For
Chapter 4
Had a struggle doing this chapter. Sometimes I try so hard with a story that it stunts the words, and nothing will do. I do hope it is still a quality chapter however.
Watched North and South starring Richard Armitage - I adored him as guy of Gisborne when I was younger, and of course his performance as Thorin - so I wanted to check out some of his other work. Watched the entire series in one sitting. Period romances are so good.
Again, thank you to all who have favourited, followed and a special thanks to JessFairy88 for her continued reviews.
LoverxOfxNight: I shall indeed try to keep up the good work.
The sun was dimming for the day, and Evrion couldn't say she wasn't glad of it. Her legs had begun to ache terribly, a steadily growing resonated pain that echoed through her calves up to her hip bones. The group had taken rests, only a few minutes at a time, throughout the day but it had done little to elevate the pain once it had set in.
Surprisingly, it was Dori who approached her about her clear discomfort when they had taken a break on the side of the road. Evrion had settled herself onto a raised rock, and all but moaned at the effort it took not to drop onto it.
"It'll take some getting used to," he had said, passing her place on the rock. "It won't be easy, but it will get better." He was almost reluctant to talk to her, and soon moved on afterwards to fuss over Ori. Evrion took in his words, knowing Dori would take some more persuading to open up to her. He was very suspicious, and protective of his brothers.
For good reason. After all, she were a stranger - friend of Gandalf or not. The same went for Bilbo, who had been quiet for most of the day. He admired their surroundings, as much as she did when not listening to the conversations of the dwarves - though she could tell he was uncomfortable, and unsure of how to integrate himself into the group. Evrion had been the same when she'd first met Eruyale, Gwendolin and Esca.
Though she tried not to think of them long, knowing a panic like no other would take over if she actually thought about what was happening in her own world. They would think her missing- or worse. Had she disappeared before their very eyes?
"The edge of the Shire."
Evrion had glanced over at the hobbit when he'd spoken, breaking his silence. She had looked around to the crops and realised it was where Frodo and Sam would meet Merry and Pippin when the troublesome hobbits had once again stolen from the farmer.
Evrion had made an agreement noise in her throat, as she wasn't quite sure what to say. He would be homesick, no doubt in the days to come. She didn't wish to ask if he would miss it, as of course he would.
Then she remembered the pack and sleeping roll he'd leant her. "Bilbo." She turned to him.
"What is it, miss Evrion?" He glanced at her, taking his eyes from the land as it subtly changed from the soft rolling hills, to more rough terrain.
"Thank you for lending me the pack, and the sleeping roll. I forgot to say it earlier."
"Oh, don't worry about it. I was glad to help." He smiled, and she returned it.
They had settled into a friendly silence then, herself, Gandalf and Bilbo. The day had moved on steadily from there, and Evrion took refuge in the knowledge that they would have at least some easy nights before reaching the Trolls.
The ponies had assented a jagged stone path till they came to an out cropped cliff. There was room enough to tie the mounts up and allow them to feed on the grass while there was a more rockier area where the group could sleep.
Evrion had gotten off the back of Gandalf's horse with almost no help at all. Though the wizard had stayed close as if she might fall. Bilbo also stayed near, as if he didn't know what to do with himself.
"Are you alright, my dear?"
Evrion nodded. "I will be." Truth be told, the pain was quite bad and she wished for some medication. She also wanted to sink down to the floor and curl up in a ball. But she wouldn't complain.
Gandalf bowed his head, then shuffled off to sit and light his pipe. Bilbo pulled out a red apple from somewhere on his person and moved over to his pony, who he seemed to have taken a liking too - even after the head tossing incident.
"Hello girl. That's a good girl. It's our little secret, Myrtle; you must tell no one. Sh, sh."
The dwarves set about their assigned jobs - some tending to the ponies while others began to set their beds up for the night. Instead of sitting down, she again sheepishly approached Bofur.
"Can I help? I don't want to step on anyone's toes." She rubbed her head nervously.
Bofur looked only a little surprised. "Aye. Of course you can Lass." He beamed, "You can help me with firewood."
Evrion followed the cheerful dwarf as he moved into the trees towards the side of the ponies. As he set about looking through the underbrush, picking at twigs and fallen branches - Evrion realised she had no idea what would make for flame worthy kindle.
"Uh, Bofur. What should I be looking for?"
The dwarf looked to her, and she found she liked the good hearted dwarf even more when he decided not to pry as to why on earth someone from middle-earth didn't know how to start a fire.
"Pick up anything dry enough to burn," he instructed, gesturing her over to show some pale twigs and browning leaves.
"I see," she frowned, and started to look for her own pile. When she collected a bundle that lay on one arm, Bofur came over to her.
"That'll do Lass," he smiled. "Not a bad batch of kindling." He himself had some larger branches that would accompany the stacks of wood Dwalin carried in his spare pack.
She followed him back to camp, where the others had already laid out their bedrolls and placed some wood in the centre for the fire. Bofur led her over to the centre, and they set about piling the branches and kindle before Dwalin came forward with an axe and stone to catch aflame.
Evrion stepped out of his way, watching as the flames caught and Bofur blew on them till they simmered, eating into the dry leaves and twigs before setting the wood ablaze.
"You should lay your bedroll out, deary," Balin suggested, as she stood unsure of what to do next.
"Okay," she nodded, and turned to catch Thorin watching her with a stern look. When her eyes caught his, he looked away and began speaking to his nephews who had returned from tending to the ponies.
"Get the meal started, will you Bombur?" Bofur asked of his brother, who seemed eager to start though didn't like to be told what to do.
Evrion returned to Gandalf's horse, where she took a few minutes to undo the ties to the saddle. Then she looked back to the camp, completely unsure of where she should lay out her bedding. She didn't want to presume she was welcome to nestle down with any of the others, and so decided to keep to the outer edge, near where Gandalf sat.
Bringing the bag and sleeping roll over, she laid it out fully as it was meant for a hobbit, and settled with using her cloak for a cover and the leather bag as a pillow. From there she discreetly asked Gandalf if she could clean up in the small stream she'd seen when searching in the trees with Bofur.
He agreed, but only if she didn't dawdle. Evrion took off, leaving her cloak at the camp as she moved out to the trees. It took her a few moments to remember where it was in the moonlight, but she soon heard and followed the sound of water.
From there she took care of going to the loo behind a tree, then went to the water to wash her hands and face. It was disconcerting not to be able to see into the water, but she pushed that away and hurried. Evrion was just drying her self as best she could by shaking out her hands when a branch snapped behind her and she shot up. A sound escaped her throat, and her eyes widened painfully as she looked out into the darkness.
"It's only us, Miss," Kili raised his hands, approaching her.
Fili followed close behind. "We saw you leave the camp and followed, you aren't far from camp but it still isn't safe."
Evrion bowed her head, unsure of what to say. She settled on simply nodding.
"Apologies for scaring you," Fili smiled, his blue eyes shone in the moonlight and she could see the slight resembles to his Uncle. She imagined he got his colouring from either his father, or his uncle Frerin - she wondered if Dis had brown eyes or blue like her brother.
"It wasn't like we were quiet though! I made as much noise as a stumbling drunk," Kili laughed. Fili swotted his brother on the arm, to which Kili lost his smile and smacked back.
"Uh, thanks for checking on me." Evrion wanted to avoid them fighting. It was rather cold without her cloak and her legs still ached deeply.
"Of course we did," Kili came over to throw an arm over her shoulder. "We're good friends like that."
"Come on," Fili suggested. "Let's head back. Bombur should be done cooking soon, and you won't get your share if I take it brother."
"You wouldn't," Kili let go of her shoulder to half ran after his brother who laughed and started walking back towards the camp. Kili paused and turned back to her. "Come on Evrion, or we'll eat your share!"
"I don't think so," she forced a smile onto her tired face, but followed after them gladly. It had gotten rather dark, and she probably would have managed to get lost somehow had they not come to find her.
Though she doubted her navigation skills could be quite so bad as Thorin's...he did spend an awful amount of time with his face in a map, and of course he had gotten lost twice in the search for Bilbo's house.
When they broke through the trees, she saw Gandalf and Bilbo raise their heads. She left the brothers bickering to go over and sit on her bedding.
"It's good the brothers went to find you," Bilbo said, looking concerned.
"Huh?" Evrion frowned.
"You were gone quite awhile, my dear," Gandalf pointed out, sharing Bilbo's look. "I should not have let you go alone."
"Oh, sorry. I didn't know it had been that long." She shook her shoulders. "I'm fine though."
"Hm," Gandalf answered, puffing on his pipe.
Evrion felt eyes on her face, and glanced to see Thorin staring at her again. Then he looked to his nephews, thought she wasn't sure he meant to - his thinking was clear however, he probably wondered why they had gone off to find her had he not known she'd gone to clean up.
Her jaw clenched tightly. If he wanted to think the worst of her, she would allow it - until he spoke out against her. If falsely accused, she wouldn't sit down and take it.
The customs of Middle-Earth were quite old fashioned, and he no doubt wondered what she was doing away from home alone to help them on their quest - what type of woman she must to be away from where she came from. Dwarves especially were protective of their females, being so rare as they were. Evrion was obviously not a trained ranger, not part of that order, so what was she doing? Gandalf said she had knowledge, but she had yet to share it openly.
Evrion signed and rubbed her temples. She had first thought the tasks ahead of them would be difficult, but she hadn't counted on there being problems within - revolving around her. While she was not exactly lying, she was not entirely truthful with them and though she said she would bear it, gaining their trust - it seemed she would have to face their already cultivated ideas of who she was and what she was like.
"Are you alright, dear?" Gandalf asked, knowingly.
Evrion sighed again. "Just thinking," she returned, another tired smile plastered on her face.
He nodded. "I have the upmost faith in you."
"I wish I could say the same for myself," she smiled, sadly.
"Here you go, you two," Bombur interrupted her thoughts by handing out two wooden bowls to both her and Bilbo.
"Ah, thank you, Bombur," Bilbo said, taking his share. Evrion also returned the thanks.
Bombur nodded. "Best you eat now before the other take their shares. Do you want some dinner, Gandalf?"
"Oh no, I'm quite fine with my pipe. My thanks, Bombur."
Bombur bowed his head again, before heading off to start serving the others. The brothers were already helping themselves before the large cook shoved them over, taking the ladle from their greedy hands.
"Now, now - save some for the rest, and me of course."
Evrion and Bilbo ate in companion silence. The broth was warm, and it worked to sooth some of the aches from the cold and the travel as she tried to stretch out her legs and wrap her cloak over her shoulders as she ate.
"Evrion," she looked up at her name. Kili and Fili had seemingly already scoffed their share, and were laid out beside a wall looking rather comfortable.
Fili smiled when he saw he'd gained her attention. "You said you had sisters?"
"Uh, I do," she returned, lowering her bowl to her lap.
"Well," Kili raised a brow and made a rolling movement with his wrist. "Tell us about them."
Her hand tightened on her bowl, and she stared out at the fire as a sharp ache echoed in her chest. She missed them, always did - had moved away from them to Scotland, though still rang and texted them everyday. It wasn't quite the same however, as being there in person, she knew. "I have two. They are younger. Mari, and Rhiannon are their names."
"Do they look like you?" Kili asked, and she looked to him. It seemed a strange question, but then he and his brother were defiantly different in appearance.
"In some ways. Mari has the same hair as me, while Rhiannon has darker hair and it's straight. I'm the only one with blue eyes. Mari has green, and Rhiannon has hazel."
"You must miss them," Balin said. "I can see the love you share for them in your eyes." His smile was kind, and she did not think he was trying to upset her. He no doubt still wondered why she'd agreed to come without any share in the gold.
"I do," she nodded, then shrugged. "But I have always...travelled. They are used to it. Me being absent, that is." Evrion had not always seen eye to eye with her family, and that meant she had not always been there for her sisters. Something she greatly regretted.
"Did you have to travel to work?" Bofur spoke up. "You are the eldest. Did you have to find work else where to pay for them?"
Evrion's brows furrowed. Her mother had a great deal of weight on her shoulders, bringing up her sisters alone - even when she had been away, living somewhere else, she'd always tried to help as best she could. Though sometimes it wasn't enough, and she knew it. "Something like that."
The group seemed to grow quiet in contemplation after that however, and Evrion wondered if they had warmed to her a little. They had also had to work in human villages, away from their families when Erabor had fallen pray to Smaug. Her life was nowhere near as terrible as theirs however, and she did not want to compare herself to them.
Evrion found herself speaking before she could deter herself. "What about yourselves?" She spoke to all. "Tell me about your families?"
There was silence a moment, where she cringed at her stupidity but then Bombur started to speak about his wife and their child on the way. Evrion found herself leaning forward, riveted to every word. She did not know about their families, aside from Gloin and found she honestly wanted to know. To understand who they cared for, and who in turn cared for them. Who they were fighting for.
She asked questions when needed, listening intently which if she was correct, encouraged Bombur to continue. Gloin was next, and he spoke so proudly of his beautiful wife and child Gimli, that she couldn't help but wear a wide smile.
"He sounds like he'll grow into quite a formidable dwarf," she smiled, and Gloin puffed out his chest.
"Of course he will. Gimli is my pride and joy."
"I've got all I need here," Bofur put his arm around his brother and cousins shoulders. Bifur seemed content to be included. "Though, I would fancy meeting a nice lass one day - maybe, if fate is kind and we don't all perish."
"Fate will have to be more than kind to get a lass to like that face," Nori quipped, smirking. And Bofur reached over to playfully smack at the other dwarf.
"Aye," Bofur bantered back. "And your misses would have to be careful where she left her valuables!"
Nori didn't let the comment get to him, he only kept his smirk and laughed. "My lass would know where to acquire some more."
"Now, that's enough of that talk," Dori eyed his brother, disliking his habit of stealing, and talking about it only wounded his pride. Ori seemed like he wanted to speak, but daren't pluck up the courage.
Kili and Fili went next. Talking about their mother Dis, Thorin's sister. Evrion nodded at their description of their mother - she honestly sounded quite scary. Then proceeded to tell her a few tales from when they were young and had pulled off some pranks-
"I think that is enough of that." Thorin interrupted them. Having been sat off to the side, she had tried not to take notice in him. Even when his presence alone had her eyes travelling over to him on a will of their own. "Your mother would not appreciate those tales, I think."
"Oh, come now Uncle," Kili tried his winning smile, though still looked sheepish. "You know mother thinks we're genius-"
"Does she now," was the kings return, and Evrion could have sworn there was a slight smile on his lips. Hidden beneath the close trimmed dark beard.
There was another silence then, and many of the dwarves pulled out their pipes to smoke before settling down. Thorin included. She looked to him, though he did not catch her eyes as he had before.
As Evrion returned her bowl to the middle, and went to settle down, Kili spoke up again. "Thanks for sharing." She looked to him. "About your sisters, I mean."
She frowned. Why wouldn't she? "Thanks for listening," and he shared the same look she'd just worn. Why wouldn't he listen?
Evrion settled in after that. It was freezing on the side that didn't face the fire, and her body really did pain her. She laid down, and tried to make sure there were no gaps in her cloak to allow the cold in. She pulled it up almost to cover her head completely.
Bilbo settled near her, which made her feel a little better about sleeping in the wild with dangers all about.
"Goodnight, Miss Evrion."
"I really wish you would call me just Evrion," she said, them added. "Goodnight, Bilbo."
"I am glad you are here...Evrion," he said, so quietly she almost missed it. Her eyes opened and she shifted her head to look at the hobbit who had his back to her.
Her throat suddenly felt clogged. She understood him, however. They were both outsiders in the dwarf group. "I'm glad you're here too, Bilbo."
He seemed to relax at her words, his shoulders lowered and she laid her head back down and tried to focus on the warm feeling in her chest over everything else.
Not too long after her eyes sealed, a howl split the air.
And pause. Sorry, this chapter was cut shorter than I expected but it was taking too long to do and that just means I start to procrastinate. I wanted to keep the story flowing so it's not as long as the others but I still hope you enjoy!
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