I Run To You

A/N- Alright then, time to introduce my ladies to the head man himself.

Disclaimer- I do not own this world, the main characters and such, but the family of Ludeth and Dinodas are all mine. Lurol and Poppy are my babies. =^..^=

'Thoughts'

Dwarven Words

On we go.

=^..^=

Chapter 3:

Lurol watched as the great Thorin Oakenshield, the one she'd heard so much about, entered Bilbo's home. Her sister was in the crowd of dwarves, standing close to Kili. She smiled a bit at how friendly the two of them were being towards each other; they had definitely become fast friends.

Seeing the so called 'king in exile' didn't change her opinion of him. She found him to be aloof and rather proud. It was clear he'd only grown bitterer as time had gone on. Hearing him address Bilbo about his choice of weapon had her pushing off the wall and making her way over.

Thorin had been circling Bilbo and ran straight into her; Lurol held her ground and raised a brow at him as he looked down at her in slight surprise. Before he could say anything she drew her sword and held it out to him, a challenge in her eyes. "Sword, bow, axe. Doesn't matter, all are at hand."

She found great pleasure in the complete shock she saw for a split second in Thorin's eyes as he took the sword. He quickly turned his eyes to the sword he held, examining the blade and inscriptions upon it. Narrowing his eyes he looked Lurol in the eye, "who are you and how did you come by such a blade?"

Crossing her arms Lurol pointed to the pommel of the sword, where her rune, her makers mark lay. "First of all, I made it. Second, I am shocked to see your manners have grown lax in your exile Thorin Oakenshield. Third, I am Lurol, daughter of Ludeth Groundcarver and Dinodas Took. At your service."

A long silence filled the room as Thorin looked from the sword to her and back. A lot of thoughts seemed to by flying through his head as he narrowed his eyes at her before he finally seemed to settle on one. "You have fine work, Lurol." He then handed the sword back to her, seeing this Poppy perked up and moved over to stand at her sisters' side, surprising Thorin once more.

"Hi there. I am Poppy, Lurol's elder sister. It is a pleasure Mr. Oakenshield, are you hungry? We saved some food for you in the kitchen. If you would follow me?" He looked indecisive for a moment before he gave a nod of his head and followed Poppy as she lead the way to the kitchen. Everyone followed closely behind. Food it seemed was his priority.

Lurol shared an amused look with Gandalf as they watched her sister dancing about the king in exile. He looked more than a little confused and from the tick she was seeing from the corner of his eye, perhaps a bit annoyed as well. "Poppy, enough. Let the man eat."

Her sister stopped, nodded her head, placed a pitcher of ale upon the table and moved to join Lurol at the entrance way. Bilbo had come to stand at their side as well; all the dwarves had reseated themselves at the table. They all seemed rather nervous as they watched Thorin eat his meal.

When he'd finally started finishing up Dwalin broke the silence. "Well then, what of the meeting? Will anyone come to our aid?" Thorin sighed and shook his head, "We are alone in this, they called it folly, a fool's errand. No they will not come."

Everyone in the room seemed to deflate a little at Thorin's words, but Lurol understood. The risk was high and chances were that not all of this company would survive the encounter with the dragon Smaug. "So are you going on a quest then?" All eyes turned to regard Bilbo from where he stood, looking a little out of place.

"In a manner of speaking, please...more light." Bilbo and Poppy ran to get more candles, while Lurol moved into the room more, to get a better seat for the coming conversation. When they returned she motioned her sister over and they both proceeded to watch and listen as the tale of Erebor's fall was recounted. Their mother, having been there had told them of this countless times.

The night wore slowly on.

When the men started arguing about Gandalf's abilities, Lurol spied Thorin looking her way and met his gaze. For a good long moment their eyes remained locked, battling each other to see whom would look away first. Then she heard Bilbo's name mentioned and decided to concede defeat, she bowed her head to the king in exile and looked to her cousin where he stood, looking confused and more than a little worried.

"Give him the contract." Came Thorin's deep regal voice and she watched as Balin handed over the paper. Bilbo took it with a shaking hand and began to read. Lurol was surprised when Balin touched her arm and handed her a contract as well. Her eyes immediately turned towards Oakenshield, whom was watching her with a measuring look to his eyes.

She watched her sister deflate when Balin didn't hand her a contract as well and so Lurol pulled Poppy over and opened the contract. "Read with me, we'll both sign this one, alright?" Poppy smiled happily and nodded her head as she sidled up even closer to Lurol. Their mother had taught them a great many things and one of those things was to read quickly, a skill they both put to use as they read the contract.

Bilbo had barely reached the part with funeral arrangements when Lurol and Poppy signed their contract. Both understood the risks of this venture and both were more than prepared for it. Besides, if Lurol was correct and the look her sister kept sending towards the youngest Durin was what she thought it was. Then she was more than willing to face a dragon to see her sister happy.

"Incineration?" Bilbo's voice caught her attention and she turned to look at her cousin, whom had gone completely pale in the face. "Aye, he'll melt the skin off your bones if yah ain't careful." Seeing Bilbo sway at Bofur's words, Lurol reached out and gripped his shoulder firmly. He seemed bolstered by her touch and began reading once more, his hands shaking all the while.

"Think a furnace with wings." And that was Bilbo's breaking point. He looked up into Lurol's eyes before fainting dead away. She caught him before he reached the floor and turned a glare upon Bofur, whom had the decency to blush guiltily. Shaking her head she picked her cousin up and carried him from the room. Gandalf close on her heels, Poppy stayed behind in case the dwarves needed anything.

Once she had set him upon his favorite chair, Lurol and Gandalf waited until Bilbo finally came round, which didn't take long. He took one look at Lurol and gave her a sad smile, "you're going with them aren't you?" Lurol nodded her head, "Poppy is going with me. We both need to do something different. We aren't going to find our futures just sitting around here. As much as I love the shire, I am part dwarf, I must go and Poppy agrees with me."

He looked pained for a moment before nodding his head, "do what your heart tells you. That is all any of us can do." Lurol smiled at that, it was a line his grandmother and mother had spoken often to Lurol's mother, then herself and her siblings. Almost a family motto of sorts.

"Exactly. Do what you feel is right Bilbo, as for Poppy and I, we are going with the company." She then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she pulled away and left the room. Leaving Bilbo and Gandalf alone.

When she entered the sitting room she smiled at where her sister had ended up, sandwiched between the Durin princes. She walked into the room and leaned against the doorframe, it seemed that something was about to happen. Thorin was standing before the fire, leaning against it as his voice began to resonate throughout the room.

The tune was one she knew, one that her mother sang on occasion. She let her voice join the others in the room as she let her mind conjure the image of Erebor on fire. Of their people being driven out by the dragon, of the loss of their home. She knew without a shadow of a doubt now that she'd see this quest through to the end, no matter what.

As the song ended everyone milled about until they each found a place to sleep for the night. Poppy motioned Lurol over and pulled her into a strong embrace. Understanding the emotion behind it, Lurol returned the hug as best she could. "Come let's go to bed. Tomorrow begins the quest and we must be ready." Smiling at that, Poppy nodded her head wished everyone a loud "Good Night!" and then they left, moving down the hall to one of the guest rooms.

Morning came early, Poppy and Lurol were up well before anyone else in the house. Poppy made her way to the kitchen to prepare a meal for the morning, while Lurol went outside to groom and saddle their ponies. She began to hum a song her mother had sung, a song her grandmother, her mother's mother had sung as well.

It was a song that had been passed down their family line and Lurol always hummed it when thinking deeply, as she was now. She wondered on the coming days, wondered on what they would find on the way. Mostly though, she wondered if there was a smile somewhere underneath that entire gruff and stern exterior on one Thorin Oakenshield.

Shaking her head at her own thoughts, she stopped humming only to blink in surprise when it was taken up by a distinctly male voice behind her. Turning she raised a brow in surprise upon seeing Balin. He was looking at her with a soft twinkle in his eyes, all the while humming the same song.

Patting her pony one more time she walked over to stand next to Balin, unable to help the small smile that crossed her lips. "I see you know the Lhune Izril." Balin gave a nod of his head at this, "a song my own Amadused to sing to me and my brother. A song I believe only those of Royal lineage know."

Lurol shrugged, "That you would have to discuss with my mother. She told me that her mother had taught it to her." Balin seemed to think this over before he asked, "and her name was? Before she married your father, if I may ask." Lurol smiled fully at this, "of course you may, 'tis no great secret. Her name was Ludeth Groundcarver."

"Thank you lass, I will think that over, I believe I may have known your grandmother. Even quite possibly your mother. I will let you know if I remember anything." Balin winked at her at that point and Lurol rolled her eyes before she elbowed him, "you are a charmer aren't you?" Balin smiled deeply at this, "If I were only a hundred years younger, I would take you up on that offer lass."

Surprised by this, Lurol felt her cheeks heat even as she narrowed her eyes at the elder dwarf. Before she could say anything though the other dwarrow of the company began to file out of Bilbo's house. "Ah, ready to venture forth already are you?" Lurol looked over to Fili, the young dwarf giving her a mischievous smile.

Lurol fought down the desire to roll her eyes before she pointed to her pony, "much more than you I see. I take it you lot left your ponies somewhere else? I'd say...the Green Dragon? Hmm?" His eyes widened in surprise before he flushed embarrassedly. Lurol snorted at that, Fili was still a little immature if he thought he could impress her so easily. The wrestling match they'd had the night before notwithstanding.

"Aye, that would be where we left them for the night." Lurol looked over at Dwalin who it seemed shared her amusement at Fili's antics. He then motioned with his head over his shoulder, turning her eyes that way Lurol raised her eyebrows upon seeing her sister and Kili. Their heads were bent close to one another; both seemed to be as thick as thieves at the moment.

They both walked over to her, Poppy had a light blush upon her cheeks and Lurol could tell that her sister really liked the youngest Durin. "Sister." Poppy smiled at her, "Sister." Kili looked between the two of them, one of those impish smiles on his lips. Lurol found herself wanting to return the smile, it was that infectious. She steeled herself instead, "are we ready to depart then?"

"Yes, let us be off. Day is about to break." The deep tones of Thorin had everyone turning to look up at him; he was still standing at the top of the stairs. Lurol met his eyes before she turned away, she moved to her pony and took up the reigns. Gandalf strode past her pulling on his hat, "it shant take us long to retrieve the ponies that Fili and Kili acquired. We shall be well out of the shire by midmorning."

It was with those words they left the steps and path outside of bag end and began the long journey ahead.

A good hour later Poppy looked back towards the shire and sighed. Something she had done more than once in the last hour. Riding at her side, Lurol understood her sister's thoughts. "He'll be along, stop worrying."

"You'd better hope so Lassie if you'll be wanting to keep your money." The voice came from Dori up the line. Shaking her head Lurol narrowed her eyes at him, "you mean if I want to get yours, Dori." Laughter shot up from most of the company.

Suddenly loud shouting could be heard from behind. "Wait! Please Wait!"

Smiling Poppy turned her mount, stopping to watch her cousin running pell mell straight at them. She was so happy to see him she laughed as he came to a stop before her. "Wait, I signed it. I signed the contract." He held it up and Balin rode over to take it from him, after a quick look through he smiled and announced. "Welcome to the company of Thorin Oakenshield Laddie."

Bilbo looked proud of himself as he stood there with his hands in his pockets. Poppy just continued to smile. "Give him a pony." Thorin's voice had her turning her head; he looked annoyed more than anything. Poppy was disappointed by this; she had thought Thorin would at least be pleased to see that Bilbo had decided to join them.

Bilbo spouted some nonsense about walking the whole way and Poppy rolled her eyes at such a thought. She turned back just in time to see Fili and Kili lift him up and onto a pony. Bilbo looked much abused and Poppy quickly sidled her pony closer to his, she patted his knee with a smile. "Not to worry, Myrtle is a gentle pony. She won't buck you off, treat the lady nice Bilbo and she'll return the favor."

Poppy winked at the end when he flashed her a small smile. She then urged her pony to where she was next to her sister once more, Gandalf had given her a look and she knew he wanted Bilbo alone. Then the bags of gold began to fly, Lurol caught her's easily enough but when one came flying at her she knew she wouldn't be able to catch it before it hit her.

Then a hand appeared out of nowhere, caught the bag and held it out to her. Blinking she took it and smiled when she saw it had been Kili, she was quickly growing very fond of this particular dwarf. She felt her cheeks heat a bit at her thoughts and looked away shyly. He then rode on to where his brother had gotten, she watched him go and flinched when her sister chuckled at her knowingly.

"You like him don't you?" Trying to appear like she was clueless, Poppy widened her eyes and looked about, "what? Who?" Lurol just leveled a stare at her that had Poppy withering in moments under it. "You may be older than I sister, but I am not that stupid. I know you."

Sighing Poppy deflated, giving in to the inevitable. "Is it that obvious? I don't want to cause him any trouble...with you know who." Lurol clasped her shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze. "I think I can see it better than most because I am your sister. But, I wouldn't put it past a couple of them to notice. Especially his brother, they being so close and all. Do you think he likes you back?"

Poppy shrugged as she looked ahead at the back of the now laughing Kili. She was struck once more by how handsome he was when he had a smile on his lips. His lack of facial hair drew her as well, she could see more of his...well...charm she supposed was the best word for it. He attracted her more than any male she'd ever met no matter the race.

She'd remembered all the lessons her mother had taught her and her siblings about their kind. She knew that dwarves only loved once. Something that had proven true with her mother and other married siblings. That if one didn't find love they became 'married' to their craft instead. Something that her sister Lurol had proven many times over.

This made her think on her feelings concerning the young Durin prince and she kept coming back to how much it would pain her if she didn't get to know him more on this journey. That if anything happened to him, how it would make her feel.

"It's like that then? Alright, anything you need let me know. I will do whatever I can to help you. Tie him up, hold him down. Whatever, just ask." Poppy couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled up in her throat at her sister's words. "Sometimes I feel like I am the younger of the two of us." She shook her head before she reached out and pulled her sister closer by her neck. Their foreheads touched for a moment before they heard Bilbo crying out behind them for a forgotten handkerchief.

Both turned to watch as Bofur threw him a torn piece of his tunic and couldn't stop the full on laughter from breaking free. This journey would be anything but boring.

A/N- Alright then, this is as good a place as any to end this chapter.

I have good plans for the next one. I do hope you all remain with me. Also, one more note.

I plan on adding in more Khuzdul words as time goes on. Considering that the ladies are dwarrow, even if only half, they would know the language and consider Bilbo family. So they would have no short comings about speaking it in his presence.

Here are the ones I placed in this chapter-

Amad- Mother

Lhune Izril- Crescent Jewel

May the Fluff Be With You!

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