Chapter 4
The Brother
I woke up early the next morning and woke up my brother.
"Come on hermano."
He got up and stretched. I looked over at Thorin and found him looking at me. I nodded and he nodded back. I stood up and walked over to him.
"If you would like, I can scout the road ahead. Just tell me which way we are going and I shall return with the news and a safe place to rest."
He looked surprised.
"I would not feel right sending a woman out all by herself."
I smiled. He was quite chivalrous.
"Trust me Thorin I move faster on my own. I will be perfectly fine."
He hesitated before nodding. I bowed and then left.
Thorin's POV
I watched her leave with a small smile. That is, until I found her brother looking at me. I nodded in his direction he did and said nothing. I walked outside with the rest of my men and we went to the ponies. I know not how, but Gandalf managed to find another horse for Alejandro. Bofur and some of the others took wagers on whether or not the hobbit would turn up. I took no part in it, but Alejandro was of a different mind.
"I think he'll come."
I looked back at him, he was staring directly at me. I wondered if I had upset him in some way. We kept riding and I wondered if Elena was alright. I knew the Shire was safe, but what if she had gone beyond the borders of the Shire.
"Wait! WAIT!"
I pulled back on the reins and turned. There was the hobbit. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.
"I signed it." he said.
Balin took the contract and looked it over.
"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." he said.
I was worried the hobbit would be nothing more than a burden.
"Give him a pony." I said.
"Oh no, no that will not be necessary. I have done my fair share of walking holidays. Even got as far as Frogmorton once….gaah!"
I looked back to find Fili and Kili had lifted him onto a pony. I shook my head and the boy rode up next to me.
"What are your intentions with my sister?" he asked.
He put it bluntly. I looked over at him a little surprised.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I've seen the way you look at her. A lot of men have looked at her like that."
"I was not aware I was giving any sort of look. I admire her, for her courage and her kindness. She seems to be a very loyal and good hearted woman. I admire that in any person, be they man or woman." I said.
He stared at me for a few more seconds before he nodded.
"Let's keep it that way." he said.
He fell back to ride with Gandalf and the hobbit. He did not trust me, that was now very clear.
Elena's POV
The road ahead was clear, and I found a safe spot to rest for the night. I made my way back to Thorin. I climbed up a tree and started to jump from branch to branch until there were no more. I decided to wait there for them. This land was truly beautiful, so different from the world I came from. When I heard horses approaching I looked down. There they were, Thorin at their head. I dropped down gracefully and waited. He rode up beside me.
"I am pleased to find you safe."
I smiled in amusement and nodded. I led them to where we could rest and the sun had already begun to set. Thorin seemed impressed and we unsaddled the horses and ponies. Alejandro was keeping close to me and eyeing Thorin. I was slightly confused.
What do men think about?
They made a fire and Thorin sat down on a rock. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. I looked at him curiously. He really was a handsome dwarf. He had a fine mane of black hair that looked incredibly soft. He had a very handsome and noble face with a well groomed beard. I was never really in to men with beards but this was different. His shoulders were always held with pride and he had very strong looking arms. I wondered what it would be like if he held me. His chest was strong looking as well and his hands, though larger than a human's seemed very gentle.
"Find something of interest have we?"
I looked over at Bofur. He was smiling and there was a twinkle in his eye. I smirked.
"I have just never seen a dwarf before. I always thought them a fairytale creature."
"Ah but here we all are. And it seems you have taken a shine to our leader there."
I chuckled but shook my head.
"No, no. Simply admiring. He is quite handsome." I admitted.
"Do my eyes deceive me lass? Or is there a blush on your pretty cheeks?"
I raised my brows.
"It is the heat of the fire Bofur."
He did not buy it and I knew it.
"If you say so Lady Delevaga."
I rolled my eyes and poked the fire.
Thorin's POV
I heard everything.
She thinks I am handsome?
It almost made me smile, but I did not wish to make her uncomfortable. She was very beautiful, I would never deny that.
But why would she ever choose to be with an exiled dwarf such as I?
Elena's POV
I walked around the area to scout. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I headed back to camp. On the way I heard strange noises. I dropped into the bushes and looked around carefully. I saw a group of hideous creatures looking at the camp. My little brother was in that camp! I snuck forward, careful so as not to let them see or hear me. I heard one of them say something in a foul language and I heard one of them leave. They were riding large wolf-like creatures, but I knew they were not wolves. I tried to find something that would give me a height advantage. I found a way to get up into a tree without being seen. I quietly and carefully walked along the branch. Pulling out my hidden blades I jumped down and killed two of them. I quickly did away with their mounts. I turned to face the others but they were riding away. I picked up one of the bodies and took it back to camp with me. As I approached Thorin seemed defeated in some way. I was surprised by how concerned I was. The others seemed to be preparing to fight. I shook my head and kept walking.
"Where were you!?" My brother asked.
"Killing these!"
I threw the body down and Thorin and the others looked surprised and a little concerned.
"Are you hurt lass?" Balin asked.
"No, thank you for asking Balin. I do not think they even had time to react."
Thorin was still looking me over. I raised my brow at him and Alejandro looked at him. I could not see the look on his face, but Thorin immediately looked down. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"What is it?" I asked.
"An orc. A foul creature that only thinks about killing or….other unspeakable things. We heard the cries and screams. We were all quite worried you were being attack. I can now see the screams came from the orcs." Thorin said.
I smiled triumphantly and nodded.
"They were watching the camp. Know you were here Alejandro….I had to do something."
He gave me a one armed hug and nodded.
"I get it. You do this a lot."
I smirked and shook my head.
"It is my job."
"What did you kill him with lass? You have nothing on you." Balin asked.
I smirked.
"That is what you are meant to believe."
I released my hidden blades and smiled.
"It is….part of my job and training."
Thorin was watching me curiously. I looked him in the eye. My brother narrowed his eyes.
"What're you looking at?" He snapped.
He did not take his eyes away from me.
"I would like to know, just what sort of training you went through." he said.
I would never tell anyone that.
"Police academy." I answered.
If he did not believe me, he did not show it.
