Another chapter here don't forget to review please. Hope you all enjoy.
Warning: Nudity (Hardy, but just a heads up)
Another week of traveling had gone by and it was going smoothly, however the weather had other ideas. The heavy dark clouds were rolling in with thunder rumbled in the distance. The strong smell of sweet rain filled Lia's nostrils and cannot help but inhaled the scent.
When it did finally start raining a lot of the dwarves were complaining about the heavy rain tht made everything sloppy and soaking wet. They wished for the miserable weather to pass soon and hope to have a dry spot to rest tonight. The ponies hoofs slopped through the muddy ground as they moved on ahead through the shrubs of the forest surrounding them. Bofur was annoyed he wasn't able to smoke his pipe weed, everything was soaked, nothing could be done to fix that.
Lia had her hooded leather coat over her and held out a skin bottle to gather as much water as she could. You never know what to expect to happen and had to be prepared for anything if they were to run low of water. The rain didn't bother her so much it did the others. She gasped when a thick clump of mud landed on her cheek from the ponies hoof and wiped it off with a huff.
"Mister Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori asked looking the most less pleased.
"It is raining, Master Dori, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done." Gandalf answered making her giggled at his response. "If you wish to change the weather of the world you should find yourself another wizard." Bilbo wondered on this.
"How many other wizards are there?"
"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the white. Then there are the two of blue wizards, I don't quite remember their names, it's been so long." Lia smiled at remembering one.
"Don't forget Radagast the Brown, the gentle soul who loves the company of animals."
"Oh indeed, I would never forget about him, Lia. I would say he's a pretty good wizard." He explained to Bilbo who listened in. "He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the east. And a good thing too. Evil will always look to find a foothold in this world."
She was a little confused with his words said. Did he mean it by something? Whatever it was, there was something he knew that no one else did.
After a while the rain finally died down and the sun managed to peak it's way from behind a cloud.
"Finally!" Dori was most pleased with the change of weather.
They rode on for a bit longer, letting the sun dry out their clothes but this also allowed the mud to dry up on them as well, leaving them looking rather filthy and caked in mud. Kili looked over at her and let out a goofy chuckle.
"What's so funny?" She asked with a forming grin.
"It looks like you've been rolling in mud. You're completely covered."
Looking down at herself she saw he was right. The pony she rode was not so creamy anymore, her upper half was covered in clumps of mud and her face and hair had splashes of dried dirt as well. She laughed gently at the state as she in before looking over at Kili again. "Well, look at yourself mister! Least I'm not as bad as you look. That goes for everyone else!"
One looked worst then the next and laughed among themselves. It didn't take long for them to start complaining about the weight of the mud they were carrying. Thorin too wouldn't mind getting the weight off himself. Gandalf suggested they take a small break to get cleaned and even added he knew of a watering holes not too far from them. Thorin announced they'll stop for an hour before continuing on and finding somewhere to camp for the night.
Lia mouthed a yes. Just the thought of getting clean brought a weight off her shoulder. Than the thought came to mind of her bathing with everyone else. This should be interesting, she thinks and remains silent. She expected something like this to happen of course. For years growing up she and her brothers went skinny dipping all the time, so it wasn't anything new to her.
The came up a rocky hill and passed a couple of trees before entering another forest part in a clear area with large water holes. Lia hopped off her pony and looked around to see some of the others already undressing. She sucked the inside of her cheek in thought and thought maybe this wasn't going to be a good idea. She spotted Fili and his bare toned chest which made her look away with flushed cheeks, than her eyes caught Dwalin removing his trousers and this completely forced her to hide behind her pony.
Gandalf came over followed with a chuckle. "Love, there's another one not far. Just around those shrubs and boulder, if you still wish to get yourself clean." She smiled at his offer.
"Thank you, Gandalf. Just so you know I knew something like this was to happen sooner or later. I was prepared if I had to bath with everyone."
"I'm sure you were," he chuckled, "but that won't be necessary. Now off you go before time runs out."
Smiling she hurried off and passed everyone with averted eyes. No one questioned where she was going other than Thorin, and Gandalf simply answered she was a woman, it was quite obvious. Thorin understood and watched as she disappeared behind the shrubs to the next water hole. The others all got into the water and got themselves clean and mucked around a bit.
Lia spotted the clear water hole not far from the others but enough to have her own privacy. She did feel a little uncomfortable to be by herself, she would had rather bath with the others honestly, least she wouldn't be by herself. The thought doesn't linger and started to undress herself. Once bare from clothing she dipped her toe into the lukewater, testing the temperature before sliding herself in. The water was perfect. Dunking her head she surfaced again before she started to scrub the mud off her skin. She was so fixated she never heard the approaching footsteps coming up behind her.
Kili felt the desire to have some privacy and a water hole to himself. It was rather packed already so he sneaked away to the next water hole he had seen before not too far away from everyone hidden behind the rocks and shrubs. He had wondered where Lia was and figured she was in another water hole, but he never expected it to be the one he was approaching that moment.
He came around and stopped in his tracks as he got sight of Lia, bare naked and standing waist up from the water. How could he had been so stupid? Of course she would be here, why would he think she was elsewhere? He cannot move or speak anything, instead he stood there frozen with wide eyes and mouth gaped a little.
She didn't notice him either with her eyes closed and busy cleaning herself.
Kili cannot help but let his desire take over and gaze at her exposed breasts floating above the water. He's seen his fair share of women's breasts before, most from taverns, and had to admit to himself that her's were the most perfect he'd ever laid his eyes on. Something so young and beautiful laid before his eyes, her body was dipped in sweet nectar, a sight he ever wanted to forget. He had been staring so long he'd lost track of time and this gave Lia the chance to notice his presents.
Once her eyes opened she right away noticed Kili standing not far from her, staring at her not moving and in silent. In fright she dunked herself in the water, hiding most of herself and eyed Kili in utter shock. Kili! She hissed lowly at him. "What are you doing?!"
He came back to reality and knew he was in trouble. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't know...I-I mean..." She waited for him to explain himself and after a short moment longer Kili turned his back to her, looking away and preventing himself from seeing anymore of her. "Forgive me, Lia. I wasn't aware you were here. I'm sorry, please don't hate me, but I understand if you do, I-I mean I'll stay if you want, but-"
"Kili," she stopped him before he could continue, "Don't panic, I'm not mad at you."
"You're not?" He didn't understand why she wasn't mad at him, she had every right to be.
"Why didn't you say something instead of standing there like an idiot?" With his back still turned he answered her.
"I didn't know what to say, it shocked me to see you. Again, I'm sorry. I'll leave you be." He went to leave but her voice stopped him.
"Kili, turn around," he didn't at first, "I'm not going to continue talking to you back. Turn around and face me." It was like a given order to a child in trouble. Carefully he did as he was told and turned to face her. His eyes still averted away from her which she didn't like really. "Come on, Kili, look at me."
Hesitant, he did was told again. He stared at her figure in the clear water, hands waving around herself in gentle movements with a glittering small smile given from her. She wasn't shy, and she felt comfortable with him, strangely.
She tilted her head and looked at him. "If you like you can join me, I'm not bothered."
"What?" He didn't know if he heard her right or not.
"I bathed with my brothers before in my life, it's nothing new I haven't seen before." He still wasn't sure.
"I-I don't know, I mean it would be out of respect and-"
"I don't care about that. Please, keep me company." She didn't want to sound desperate but neither be left alone. The loneliness she had to deal with over the years was like a haunted memory and doesn't want to feel like that again, even if it was for ten minutes. She walked into the deeper end of the water and swam out into the middle. "Come on, hop in."
He gave her a smirk before staring to undress himself. She watched him remove his boots than unbutton his sleeved shirt and she cannot prevent the warm blush forming at her rosy cheeks as she continued watching. She got a good view of his dark hairy toned chest, curls running down his front and towards his navel, disappearing below his trousers which were now being removed. Her eyes averted this time as he unlaced and stepped out of them. Lia heard him walking in with the sounds of the water swishing around his body, and strangely she heard him snicker. "What is it?" She asked curiously.
"Nothing, I just didn't expect something like this to happen." She turned to face him knowing he was in the water and watched him dunk under and surfacing again.
"Well I did," she answered him, "because I knew I was going to be bathing with everyone. It just turns out there was this one available and Gandalf offered it to me. But I took it but regretted it, because I felt very alone."He showed her a bit of sympathy.
"I understand you don't like being alone, but we all respect you in this company. We'll want to make sure you have the privacy since your a woman, I still respect you, but I also care about you." He felt like kicking himself for saying such things to her out of the blue. Lucky she doesn't seem to take it the wrong way. "If Thorin found out I was here right now I would be getting the biggest lecture from him." She couldn't help but roll her eyes a little.
"I admire their respect but I won't stop bathing during this journey just because they don't feel comfortable, it sounds ridicules. We're all friends, ain't we?" He responded a oddly.
"Aye..." She seemed to guess his comfort about this.
"Kili, if this is too uncomfortable for you than I understand-"
"No, no. It's not that, It's just..." He couldn't seem to find words for himself and went silent. She narrowed her eyes and swan closer to him with gentle arm strokes until they were close enough.
"What's going on in that strange head of yours?" She wondered what crazy thoughts he might have right now. He seemed so nervous around her, like a skittish dog almost.
Kili gave a wide grin before he splashed water directly at her. She gasped slightly at the sudden movement before she threw one back at him and he threw another back. The two giggled like children, keeping it down so none of the others could hear them as they splashed each other repeatedly for a moment longer before it finally eased. But Kili being who he was did more. He sucked up water in his mouth and sprayed it at her. She did the same and blew out water like a whale would making them laugh together. He went underwater, disappearing and she looked around to see the whereabouts of him. She almost screamed when she was pulled underwater by her leg and surfaced again to be faced with the cheeky dwarf.
"You're such a cheeky bastard," she snickered at his ridicules but adorable smug look.
"Who said I wasn't?" She shook her head at him and came into shallower water and standing up, surfacing half herself and turned her back to him for a mere moment.
She doesn't think of it, she just did it, and she felt Kili's eyes staring at her back as she faced away from him. His silence continued and she turned around with a smile only for it to vanish when she saw his confused look in his eyes.
"Kili, what's wrong?" She didn't know why he was staring at her like that, it worried her.
Slowly, he came closer, stepping through the water and stopping in front of her inches away. She wanted to ask what was wrong, why was he staring at her in such a way, but no words were found as they both stare at one another. His hand than slowly came up until his hand touched her shoulder. Sudden realization came flooding down at her, knowing what he was looking at and what he witnessed on her back. How could have she been so stupid? She had forgotten about her scars, which was a good thing, but now Kili had witnessed them she didn't know what to think right that moment. His fingers graze over her shoulder, along the deep scars printed on her skin as a consent reminder of what had happened. He doesn't know what to say when he saw the scars. The ones along her back were the first, a dozen sharp lines along her back that brought questions to mind. But the one that got his attention was the one on her shoulder. He doesn't think as he touched the scar, unaware of how Lia was feeling that moment.
Finally, he broke the long silence and gently asked, "Did something bite you?" Looking at her he noticed how upset she was with her red rim eyes and right away felt regret swell within him.
She moved out of his reach and covered herself best she could. "Look away, I want to get out."
He did as told and turned his back to her, listening her stepping out of the water and putting her clean but wet clothes back on hastily. Her footsteps were heard walking away and he watched her walk past him. "Lia, I'm sorry I didn't mean-"
"Don't!" She turned to face him, keeping her voice low for the others not to hear. "Don't you dare say anything to anyone! Stay away from me!" Her tried her best to not cry and almost succeeds. She stormed off leaving him by himself. He regretted every coming here, he felt ashamed of himself.
No one had noticed much to Kili's surprise, and he was glad no one did, not even Fili, who was too busy messing around with Dwalin as they wrestled. When he did return he just pretended he was here all along. He looked up to see Lia already saddling up her pony, clearly ignoring everyone and him too, he didn't blame her.
Thorin gave the order to continue on and the company rode out. Lia was riding in front of Kili as she completely ignored him. He'd hoped she'd at least look in his direction but got nothing. He felt horrible the way thing's happened. But he couldn't help but remember the scars he'd seen on her. How did she get them? His curiosity perked but quickly disappeared knowing it was none of his business.
Lia didn't want to talk or see him, though she did feel bad after the way she spoke to him, he didn't deserve it and it wasn't his fault either. But she knew he wanted to ask about it and there was no possible way she could speak of it now, so she ignored him, and hoped this'll pass when they make camp. Right now she wanted to be left alone.
Fili was no idiot to not notice the two. Normally they'd be chit chatting and riding besides each other and now he saw they were silent and not together. Something wasn't right. He rode up besides his brother and leaned closer in a whispered tone. "Is Lia ok?" Kili licked his lips trying to find the right words to say.
"I-I don't know, she just wants to be alone I think." Fili furrowed his brows.
"Don't you think you should ask her what's wrong?" Kili sighed heavily at him.
"No, don't bother her. I'm just giving her space."
"Why?" Fili now pushed. "What'd you do? What happened?"
Lia wasn't deaf and could easily hear the brothers whispering behind her. She turned in her saddle and spoke lowly to them. "Just leave it, Fili. It's not your business." Kili caught her sight and almost glowed with life. "Lia, I'm sorry I didn-" She cut him off with a snarl and death glare.
"Not. A Word." With that said she turned back around in her saddle and trotted up ahead to the front of the group.
Fili glanced at his brother and her and let out a huffed sigh. Whatever happened, Kili had something to do with it. He didn't know what but he was determined to find out. What in durin's beard did you do, Kili?
Lia trotted up to Gandalf and rode up beside the wizard. "Oh, Lia my dear, board of the brothers company now?" He tried to make it sound funny but right away noticed her strange silence after saying this and grew concerned. "What is troubling you?"
"It's alright. I-I'm just...not myself."
"What have they done to upset you?" It sounded like he was going to cast a curse on them if he found out they stupidly did something. The two had a little more privacy together and she softly explained the situation.
"Back at the water holes, I used the one you offered, and Kili." Gandalf looked almost fuming.
"Oh, wait until I get my hands on that dwarf!" She tried not the smile too much at his threat.
"I-it's ok. I asked him to join me, I felt unsafe and didn't want to be left alone. It was fine at first, we mucked around and it was fun, until he saw them." Gandalf knew exactly what she was referring to, she didn't need to explain.
"Oh dear, and I suppose he questioned about them?"
"Aye," she sighed, "and I got angry at him. Him knowing what I have gets to me, because I don't want him to ask about it. That is why I'm not talking to him."
"I understand, but you cannot blame him for knowing by accident. As disrespectful as it was for him to join you, the two of you need to have a talk. Tonight when we make camp you'll need to sort this. You don't even have to go into detail, just tell him you cannot speak of it and I'm sure he'll understand." She hated he was right, it needed to be sorted and she couldn't ignore him forever.
"I agree. I'll speak with him when I'm ready. I think I need some time to myself right now anyway." He understand.
"Lia, what happened to you is dark and no one should have to go through that. But the more you run from it the sooner it'll catch up. I know it's difficult to speak of such events and you'll know when your ready when the time comes to speak of it. You've done so well so far and I'm proud of you." She weakly smiled at the wizard.
"Thank you, Gandalf."
"We'll camp here for the night." Thorin ordered and looked around, "Fili, Kili, Lia. What the ponies." She figured this'll be a good time to speak with him. Looking around herself at their surroundings she cannot help but feel a cold chill run through her at the sight of the abandoned home. Something didn't feel right, but no words are said by here.
She went to try and locate Kili but she then noticed him walking away into the woods and approached Fili. "Where's he going?"
"I asked him to gather some wood for us so we can have our own fire," he finished unsaddling his pony and faced her with a firm stare and crossed arms, "also an excuse to get him away so we can talk." She felt her stomach twist and feared Kili had said something to him.
"W-what did he tell you?"
"Nothing," his answered made her relax and he continued, "but I know he's done something to upset you. Did he do anything...inappropriate?" It was the way he said the word made her skin crawl and knew what he was suggesting. Why would he even think of that?
"No, he hasn't done anything wrong." She calmly answered but really wanted to scream at him for thinking of such things. "Fili please, I know you're only concerned but this is between me and Kili."
"I know it's just-"
"Don't," both her hands are held up to silence him, "please, don't push it. Just keep quiet about this from everyone. I'm asking as a friend, please?" All he wanted to do was help and understand what had happened, but he wasn't going to get that, not now at least. He sighed heavily and nodded in acknowledgment with a small smile.
"I'll keep quiet."
"Thank you, Fili"
There was a commotion not far from them and the two overheard Bilbo. "Everything alright? Gandalf, where are you going?"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense" Biblo didn't quite understand what was going on.
"Who's that?"
"Myself, mister Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day." Lia then realised the wizard was leaving them and hastily tried catching up with him.
"Your leaving? Why?" She almost sounded panicked as she feared of never seeing him again. Gandalf spotted and faced her with weak smile.
"Stay with the company, you'll be alright."
"You're coming back, right?" Gandalf held a sympathy smile before walking away without giving her a response. Bilbo hurried up beside her and asked.
"Is he coming back?" She honestly didn't know the answer. She didn't want him to leave, but then again he was a wizard and he did as he pleased.
"I don't know..."
That night the company are resting up and waiting impatiently for Bombur to have their supper ready. As ordered by Throin the youngest three watched the ponies with their own little fire going. Lia sat a small distance away from the brothers, staring blankly at her bag and trying to make herself do something by going through her belongings, pretending she was busy and avoiding everything else. She wanted to speak with him but had no idea what to say.
Kili was the same as he forced his eyes at the lit fire in front of him. He desperately wanted to talk with her, but he didn't want to invade her space. Fili kept his eyes moving from him and her back and forth, wondering what they were doing and when they were going to talk to get this mess sorted. He figured maybe if he wasn't here then they might do so, and this is what he did.
"Well, I might check on the ponies." He stood up and left, leaving Kili and Lia alone. She watched him leave, listening to the sounds of leaves beneath his boots before they faded away. Now was the time, it had to be. She stood up and slowly walked over to Kili and sat down on the same log he was seated on. Her mouth opened and closed, trying to find words to say to him and felt stupid allowing this to linger further on.
"Kili-"
"I'm sorry." She didn't expect him to say anything, but allowed him to do so, it looked like he wanted to anyway. "I never meant to hurt you," his dark eyes met with hers. "That's the last thing I ever wanted to do. I'm sorry, I really am. I-I don't know what to do..." If she didn't feel bad before she defiantly did now. He blamed himself for what happened and she couldn't allow him to think like that.
"Kili," she started with his name as she slowly placed her hand over his own, startling him a little at the contact given as she continued, "you haven't done anything wrong, there is nothing for you to be sorry about. I'm the one who should be apologizing for lashing out at you like that, it was wrong of me."
"I feel like it's my fault..."
"No, 'tis not." She leaned forward placing her elbows on her knees and hand still remaining on his own. "I enjoyed us together, it was fun." He was baffled to hear this.
"Really?"
"Aye, it made me forget about everything. I hadn't had that much fun in a long time, so thank you." She leaned towards him and kissed his stubble cheek softly. "As for what you saw, I would appreciate it if you didn't speak of it, to me or anyone. It's just something I cannot talk about, not now that is. I will one day when I'm ready."
"I won't breathe a word of it, I promise" She was grateful to hear this from him, and she trusted him not to say anything more about this.
Their face were very close and she softly inhaled the scent he carried, which was strangely comforting. He stared into her own dark eyes. All he wanted to do was lean forward and capture her lips with his, share a moment he's wanted to do from the start. She thought she was being stubborn getting this close to him, thinking it was inappropriate for them in the position they were in right that moment. This odd feeling she had towards him was scary, fearing for what she desired. The very first time he touched her was back at Bilbo's home, when they were both alone together in the living area. That moment he touched her, it sparked something. His thick fingers gently lift her chin up so he could get a better lighting of her face and making her eyes sparkled in the flames. He now fully cupped her warm cheek, fingers rubbing in small motions against her, showing tenderness and comfort.
"Mahal, you're so beautiful." His voice voiced to her, his heated breath brushing against her skin and breathing in his scent, it was almost intoxicating. Her voice failed to give him a response and can only stare dumbfounded at him. All she could do was watch him as he leaned closer to her lightly parted lips. Her heart beat heavily against her chest as she knew what he was about to do.
His moist lips made contact, earning a soft gasp from her as she tightly shut her eyes, feeling her lungs twist and hands grip at the log she sat on under her. It was warm, tender, something she's never expected it to be. His stubble beard tickled against her lips and chin, giving her an odd warmth through her ivory skin. The hairs on her arms stood at the electric feeling that rushed through her blood and her inexperience lips soon relaxed into his own. Her fingers stopped gripping at the log her nails dug into and laid flat over it, feeling calmness washing over her as the kiss continued.
Kili was lost in the passionate kiss he had wanted to do the moment he saw her. He felt a light of sparks explode when their lips touched, a feeling he's never felt before in his life. It was new, and by Alue, he wanted more. He ignored the warnings, his uncle and the company. not caring what they all thought. He pressed in a little closer but not to much to frighten her, slightly deepening the kiss they held earning a soft gasp from her and didn't pull away.
Everything around them was shut out during their moment and didn't hear the approaching steps.
"Hope you two have sorted out-Oh!" Fili covered his mouth to prevent himself from shouting.
Kili and Lia moved apart quickly, flushed and burning red on both their faces knowing they were just caught.
The three were silent. Lia was flushed with embarrassment while Kili felt his heart beat rapidly and stared blankly at his brother. Fili was confused and doesn't know what to say or do in that awkward moment. "I-I'll umm...check the ponies." This of course he just came from but couldn't bare to stick around in the silence. He kept to himself as he hurried away.
When he was out of sight again, Kili sighed heavily and glanced at her. "Sorry." Lia rolled her eyes at his none stop apologies.
"If you say sorry one more time, I swear I'm going to beat you thick skull around." She meant it as a joke, which he took and both laughed softly over it.
It went silent between them again with only the sounds of the crackling fire in front of them. Kili couldn't stand it, but he thought of something that might be helpful for her. "If you like, you can get some sleep. Fili and I will watch the ponies."
"Nay, Thorin said for the three of us to watch the ponies. Tis' not fair if I get shut eye and neither of you do."
"We don't mind at all. Please, you look a little tired, some shut eye will help." She was feeling buggered but still felt guilty that she would get to sleep.
"Are you sure?"
"I insist." He lifted her hand to his lips giving her a kiss against her knuckles and smiled. "We'll wake you if you're needed." She greedily accepted his offer.
"I appreciate it, Kili, thanks."
They spoke as if nothing happened. Neither could bring themselves to talk about it, at least not right now. It still felt strange as she stood up from the log and over to her bed roll. She was quick to get herself settled and pulled the covering over her body up to her chin and stared with wide eyes into the dark forest with her back facing him.
He kissed her. It frighted her thinking about it, but also wondered why it happened. She had no control over herself and she guessed neither did Kili. It was something she never expected to happened. They wee just friends, right?
They were getting closer by the day. If felt as if she knew him all her life, which was odd, but also felt amazing. What she was feeling was new and honestly didn't really want to linger about with that thought. She tried ignoring it and closed her eyes in hopes of getting some rest. The darkness took over her world and was soon asleep beside the warm fire, letting the dreams flow in.
Kili watched her for a moment longer, wondering if she was asleep yet or not, and soon quietly sneaked away from the area and to he ponies where he found Fili pacing back and forth almost lost beyond wonder.
When Fili caught sight of him, he approached with a firm stare and tone. "What in Mahal's name were you thinking?!"
"F-fili I know how it looks but-"
"No," he didn't want to hear his excuses and instead went into parent mode to lecture him, "you're going to keep quiet and listen to me. I trust you with my life and I would do anything for you, but that isn't something you should be doing, especially to her. You may have had your fair share of women in bed but I'll not stand by as you woo her into your bedroll."
"I'm not exploiting her!" Kili was disgusted his own brother thought of him so low to do something like that, but he didn't blame him, after knowing to way he carried on back in The Blue Mountains. "It's not like that, it was just a kiss. I...I really..." Fili isn't sure what he's trying to tell him.
"I...I care about her." He let that sink in.
"How do you mean?"
"I cannot stop thinking about her. I don't know what I'm feeling, it's so weird and it's driving me crazy. I...I don't know how else to say it." Fili's face seems to relax and shows a bit of curiosity.
"I...I knew you liked her, but I didn't think in that kind of way. I thought you were..." Fili doesn't finish and instead seems to ponder before stepping closer to him. "Is she your one?"
Kili doesn't know what t say. Was she his one? How could he answer that when he doesn't know himself. He tries to respond but only gaps at him. When he thought something might come out they both hear something big coming from the ponies not far from them.
"That doesn't sound good." Fili says and they both hurry to investigate.
The gentle breeze of the wind blew over the olive green grass through the large woodland, covering the pasture for miles, surrounded by mythical things and isolated from so much of the world. One family though lived at the edge of the forest. The small farm lodge was nothing fancy, but it was a beauty. Nothing could make it better.
A light tan skinned dwarf jumped over a fallen log as he ran through the thicket with a grin. His shoulder length cherry red hair flying in the wind with the speed he gave and bounced as his knees kicked up. He had a thin stubble beard that gave him a young and pride look with still with a lot of growing to go due to his age. Morar was the eldest son and taller than his father standing at almost five foot. His amber eyes beamed with excitement as they focused on what was ahead of him.
Behind him another fair skinned dwarf hopped over the log with a little more effort and followed. He stumbled a little but managed to keep his legs upright, running as fast as his legs could move and try to catch up with his brother. His long thick coarse ash brown hair tied back in a braided ponytail with the tail loose and few tin braids jingled from side to side at his running pace. Two more single short braids hung from the side of his face over his still growing stubble beard that was hardly visible since he was at a young age still. Garn was the second oldest standing at four foot tall. Large hazel brown eyes fixed on his brother's back as he slowly started to run out of breathe.
"Hurry ye ars Garn we're gonna loose it!" Morar shouted behind him as he ran through the thick grass of the woodland.
"I'm hurrying! Never ran this much before!" Garn huffed as he tried to keep his breathe going. Morar rushed through a shrub and finally came to a stop, looking around him in thought. Garn never saw his brother stop and just run into his back, landing on his behind and laid there panting heavily.
"Where is that blasted deer?" Morar mostly spoke to himself.
Garn sat up straight still on the ground sighed heavily. "We tried Morar, tis' no good he's long gone. I'm sure adad won't care"
"Well I do!" Morar didn't want to give up so easily and faced his brother with a serious look. "We need to eat."
"Aye, I hear ya. But tis' starting to get late and adad will be more upset if were not back by nightfall." He had a point. Their father never liked them to stay out late, too risky. All he wanted was to bring home a large deer for his family, have a good amount of meat to last them.
He was about to agree than the snap of a twig caught in their ears. Both the brothers hushed and readied the swords they carried, slowly creeping to the location where it came from. Morar looked around a shrub and his eyes beamed brightly at the sight of the deer they had been chasing. The deer was in a small open plain grazing at the grass with his ears twitching hearing out anything unusual. Lucky for them the animal haven't picked up on the brothers. Morar grinned softly at the magnificent creature.
Carefully, Morar took out the hunting bow around his shoulder and aimed an arrow at the animal, steadying his arms and holding his breath to get a perfect kill shot. Garn stood back and let his older brother do the kill. He was no pro archer but good enough to shoot.
Morar was about to let go of the arrow at the deer, when suddenly another arrow came flying over their heads and pierced the deer's neck earning a howl of pain from the animal as it stumbled over it's legs to try and run away. But the arrow made it's mark and the deer fell to the ground with a grunt and bled out.
"W-what-" Morar was baffled and spun around with Garn to see where it had come from.
Not far from them was a small figure standing on top of a large boulder, looking proud and happy of her perfect shot. The small girl was only eight years old, her ivory skin glowed in the sunset and long rich red-brown hair tied back with strands along the side of her face. The child giggled sweetly seeing her brother's reactions.
"Farili!?" They were shocked to see their sister here and away from home.
The little girl grinned pleased with herself. "That was a perfect shot! Did you see that? An instant kill."
"W-what are ye doing here?" Garn stared at her still dumbfounded.
"I'm helping you hunt," she slid down from the boulder and skipped over to her brothers, "adad will be proud what we caught."
Her shoulders were grabbed suddenly by Morar and shook her. "What the bloody 'ell were yer thinking leaving 'ome!? Adad and amad are probably worried sick about yer!"
"I'm fine look nothing wrong with me!" She looked down at herself and back up at him. "I'm here now with you aren't I?"
Morar sighed heavily and pulled her into his arm, embracing her in tight and full of relief hug. "Never do that again," he pulled away and looked into her eyes "yer hear me?"
She knew she was forbidden from leaving the boarders of their property but she really wanted to hunt with her brother's. She sighed softly heavily feeling like her brother's were over reacting.
"Lucky yer not injured," Garn softly said stepping closer.
"Will you both stop worrying, I'm fine." She was annoyed she was still treated like a toddler.
"Yer our baby sister," Morar now smiled kindly, "we both love yer with all our 'earts, including adad and amad."
"I know," she exhaled, "I just wanted to see what I was missing out on. You two get to go out and have fun while I have to stay home, it's not fair."
Garn knelt down beside his brother in front of her. "We hear yer nan'ith, but yer just a wee little lass and very young still while were much older and have experience."
"Yer can come with us when yer older, promise." Morar confirmed with with a proud grin.
She remained silent at the brother's but fully understood what they were saying. She knew her family worried and now she just most likely sent her mother in panic. She just wanted to see the world, what she was missing out on and experience it.
Morar smirked and brushed his finger less gloved hand over her cheek softly. "Come on, let's get this deer back home."
Lia wakes with a gasp from the dream, more like a memory, and sits up quickly to look around herself. The first thing she notices is the sounds of thumbing vibrating coming from the forest ground. She doesn't miss the ponies all untied and running loose, away from their camp and back in the direction they came from.
"Wait come back!" She tries to run after them in hopes of catching them, but it's no use, and quickly comes to stop. Looking around her more the next thing she realises is there is no one else in the camp other then the low dimmed fires.
"K-kili? Fili?" She calls out their names and already is feeling sick from being alone in the dark without anyone around. "Thorin? Bilbo? Anyone?!" No answer.
Her breathing quickened by the second, spinning around trying to find any form of life as her anxiety slowly consumes her. Before it could get worse though she hears something coming through the forest. Yells and shouts with metal changing together, the sound of a battle going on. Hastily she runs towards her bow and daggers before through the thicket towards the source of the sounds. She only hopes she can get there in time. Her legs jump over logs and rocks, running like lighting full of desperation to get to them before something bad happens. When she finally gets closer enough she slows down and hides herself behind the shrubs as she looks through into the camp.
Her dwarf friends were all sacked up and tied, making it impossible for any escape for them, but what horrifies her most is the ones that are hog tied above the burning fire like pork for dinner. She wants to scream and run out to their aid, but controls herself, knowing she needs to help them in whatever way possible stealthy. She recognizes their hosts to be three dumb witted trolls.
"You messed with the wrong dwarves," she whispers and keeps herself low as she crawls closer into the camp site.
"Don't bother cooking them. Let's just sit on them and squash them into jelly" Tom suggests eagerly.
William disagrees. "They should be sautéed and grilled with a sprinkle of sage"
Tom likes the sound of that. "That does sound quite nice"
"Never mind the seasoning," Bert grunts, "we ain't got all night. Dawn ain't far away. Let's get a move on. I don't fancy being turned to stone."
The sunrise. She knows this will be the only way to put an end to this, but it'll be too late by the time the sun can be a threat to the trolls. She needs the stall them somehow. Looking around the camp she takes notice of the boiler right next to the fire and plan unfolds. It'll save her friends from being burned alive and it'll also expose her, which is what she plans to do. Quietly she sneaks her way towards the boiler, hiding herself behind different items lying about from the trolls sight. She pokes her head out and smiles noticing Bilbo, who stares right back at her in surprise and she gives him a wink. He returns the smile and gains an idea.
"Wait!" Bilbo cries out and forces himself to hop up within the sack. "You are making a terrible mistake." Of course the others all argued with the hobbit, yelling and cursing about not being able to talk their way out of this with trolls. Bilbo ignores them. "I meant with the seasoning."
William seems interested. "What about the seasoning?"
"Have you smelt them?" Bilbo questions, "You're gonna need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up."
Lia has to cover her mouth to stop herself from giggling at his words. Everyone else however haven't seen her yet as they were all too busy throwing continues yells at the hobbit after his insult.
"There's a secret to cooking dwarf. That secret is..." Bilbo continues to think hard over his unplanned idea.
"Yes?" William is growing impatient. "Come on, tell us the secret!"
"Y-yes! I'm telling you." Bilbo thinks hard on this. "The secret is...to skin them first!"
More curses are thrown at Bilbo, calling him a traitor and struggling wildly in their tied sacks. Lia pokes her head around to see Tom had stepped towards them, giving her a clear path towards the boiler. Once behind the heated boiler she presses her back up against it and starts pushing. She never realised how heavy it was and struggles to budge it.
"Tom, get me filleting knife." William is interested in trying to hobbit's idea.
"What a load of rubbish!" Bert doesn't buy it. "I've eaten plenty with their skins on. Scarf them, boots and all."
She curses and puts more effort into her strength.
Tom grins as he picks up Bombur. "He's right. Nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf. Nice and crunchy." He dangles Bombur over his mouth as the large dwarf cried otu in panic.
That is what did it. Lia lets out a cry of rage and finally pushes the boiler. She tips the water over the burning fire, putting it out instantly. She now comes into view with her bow ready and aims it right at Tom who still holds Bombur. "Drop him!"
The company are all in shock to see her and soon cheer over her arrival. Thorin looks on in disbelief as he watches her in action. She doesn't look like the the woman who first joined them, but looks more like a trained warrior. He is mesmerized by her performance. Kili cannot be any happier to see her again, but now fears for her safety as she now is exposed to the trolls.
"What!? Where'd she come from?" William cries out.
"Who cares? Grab her!" Bert growls and advances on her.
Lia shoots an arrow at Tom, piecing him in his left eye and causing him to drop Bombur with a howl of pain. She avoids Bert's hand as he tries to grab her. She rolls on the ground and whistling her arrows at the three trolls, running around the camp making them look like idiots.
The dwarves cheer her on, encouraging her to continue and show the troll what dwarves are made of. She jumps over the trolls camp, continuing to shoot at them and even slashed her daggers into their toes if they got too close. Spinning around she aims one more arrow at Tom who is running at her when she is suddenly grabbed by a large warty hand that tightly squeezes around her, crushing her lungs and feeling her rips crack in the tight grip. She grunts out as she is lifted and held at eye level by Bert, who grins back with his rotten teeth.
"Gotcha little pest!" He is very pleased with his capture.
"Lia!" Kili starts yelling out in panic. "Let her go!" The trolls ignored the shouting dwarves and taking no acknowledgment from their threats as Bert admires the woman.
"Looks like I have a little dessert on the menu." He licks his chomps eagerly. "I'll enjoy savoring this one."
"I hope you...chock on me!" She grunts out between breathes as she tries wiggling her hands free.
"We're wasting time now." William grunts. "Let's just scuff them."
Tom giggles and points at Lia. "Are you sharing her?"
"I caught her she's mine!" He yells at the dimwitted troll and looks back at her. "You caused us a lot of trouble. I should snap you in half!"
"NO!" Not only Kili but most of the other's yell out not wanting to watch their female companion being crushed or eaten.
She snarls and is able to free one of her hands and holds her dagger before slamming it into his hand wrapped around her. He snarls at the pain but doesn't let go of her, instead he does another.
"You little maggot!"
She never sees it coming and is thrown from his grip and at a tree. Her head slams painfully against the thick trunk and tumbled to the ground with a painful grunt. Everything blurred in her vision not able to see much, ringing was all her ears could hear and wasn't in the slightest able to move her body. She hears faint calls coming from the dwarves, calling out her name desperately for her to move or show any signs of life.
"The dawn will take you all!"
Lia opens her eyes slightly at the sound, not able to register who had said it. A bright light fills her vision and blinds her view on what is happening. Everything makes no sense, but again she can barely see or hear much. She lays on her front, face pressing against the leaves and fingers digging into the moist ground.
"Lia!" She hears her name being called repeatedly again but wasn't able to answer. Her eyes close, feeling her mind shut down and letting darkness consumes her.
She doesn't know how long she is out for and when she finally wakes a soft groan leaves her lips from the amount of pain swelling in her head.
"She's waking up!" She can hear Kili shouting out to everyone and opens her eyes in the morning light.
"K-kili?"
"I'm here," he takes her hand in his as a jester of letter her know he really was there, "how do you feel?"
"Like I've been thrown into a tree." She frowns feeling the pounding throb and tries sitting up.
"Maybe that's because you were." He says and helps her sit up on the ground. Everyone is gathered around her, full of concerned and sympathy for their female companion.
"You gave us quite the scare lass." Balin stands besides Kili with a smile. Oin pushes his way through the crowded group and throws his hands up at them.
"Give 'er some space lads!" He kneels down in front of her and offers a cup of warm scented tea. "Ye 'it yer head pretty hard lass. I've done what I could to bring the swelling down but ye should be alright. Drink this, it'll ease the pain." She accepts the tea and sips at the sweet texture.
"Thanks, Oin." She places it down and leans her back against the tree behind her. "What happened to the trolls?" This is when Gandalf makes himself present.
"Do not worry, I've sorted them out. They won't be a bother to anyone anymore."
"What do you mean?" She looks over behind the company to see the stoned trolls and cannot help the smirk she gives. "Serves them right."
"Come on, up you get." Both Fili and Kili help her stand. The second she is on her feet she is pulled into a tight bear hug from Dwalin and is lifted from the ground. She cannot help but giggle at the jester given from him.
"Easy Dwalin!" Oin tells him off. "The poor woman just woke!" Dwalin sets her down and grips over her shoulders firmly.
"I'm sorry I ever doubted you lass." She is then thanked by them all. Bofur brings her in for a hug and pets her back to congratulate her. Ori shly steps forward and bows his head a little at her.
"Y-you saved us. I am forever in your debt." She smiles at his words but shakes her head as she brings him in for a caring hug.
"I'm just glad you're all alright. No one is in my debt."
"Wise words." Gandalf smiles and then moves away while continuing. "Come along, we need to get our selves sorted and try to find where those trolls came from." They all did as he suggested and scattered about to camp to find anything of use.
Fili approaches Lia and leans his head against her's, a jester that confuses her. This action was for for family or close friends, yet here is Fili doing it with her. It shows how much she means to him. He smiles and brushes some of her locks over her shoulder. "Thank Mahal you're alright." She returns the smile and both move away from each other. He walks away, leaving only her and Kili together.
"So, where's my hug?" He questions with a smirk. She then remembers what had happened before the incident with the trolls and her expression turns neutral.
"Y-you were suppose to wake me if anything happened. Why didn't you?"
"I know, I'm sorry." He doesn't realise how upset she is. "I thought it could be handled, but we didn't expect..." He falls silent as he see's the tears streaming down her rosy cheeks.
"I...I was left alone." Her voice is broken, whimpering softly as she tries not to make a scene for everyone to notice. "Y-you were all gone. I thought...I didn't-" She cannot help herself anymore as she lets her emotions out. Kili pulls her in for a warm hug, comforting her gently as he hushes and strokes her hair.
"I'm sorry, I really am." He understands what she means and feels bad for ever leaving her by herself. "I didn't mean to scare you." He feels pain sting in his heart knowing he's now hurt her once again. He didn't deserve her forgiveness. He tries to think of a way to look on the bright side. "Look at it this way. If I had woken you you'd ended up in the sack as well. We would all probably be troll brunch if it wasn't for you."
"It wasn't just me though," she wipes her face from her tears and lets out a weak smile. "Bilbo and Gandalf helped too. But your right," she thinks of what he's just said, "If you had then yes, I would have been put in danger too. But please, don't ever do that again to me."
"You have my word." They stare at each other in silence, each wondering what the other is thinking that moment before Kili breaks the silence.
"Lia, about that kiss..." He is unsure what to say, but he wants to talk about it. She doesn't know either and blushes red remembering what had happened.
"Y-yeah, about that-"
"No, please," Kili sounds worried, "I mean...Did it mean anything?" The question is blurted out without thought. Did it mean something to her?
She doesn't know. He's the one who kissed her and she allowed it. There was something different about it and it scared her, fearing for what she is feeling towards the young brunette. He's just a friend, or at least that is what she keeps reminding herself of. He wants and answer and she has to give him one.
"I don't know..." Least it's honesty.
"You don't know how you feel?" He sounds confused just as much as she is.
"Kili, I don't know what you want me to say. I-It was a nice kiss but..."
"But what?"
Before she could answer him, he is pushed and falls forward into her, bodies pressing up together and she finds herself trapped between him and the tree behind her. Thier noses bump and lips almost touch but not entirely. Coming from behind them the loud laughter wooted out from the company, amused by the scene unfolded. Fili is backing up a little away from Kili and her, the one responsible for pushing his brother. He's holding a wide grin that is spread out across his face, obvusally amusedby his little trick. It doesn't take long for Kili to gain chase after him, Fili laughing out as he sprints around the tree and deeper into the forest to get away. Lia watches on in disbealif. What had just happened?
She watches as Kili runs after Fili and cannot help a giggle from leaving her. It was silly, but still finds it amusing. They were dwarves, of course they'd behave this way.
Thorin is watching everything not far off. He had meant to approach Lia and thank her but he cannot help but watch as she and his nephew spoke closely, too close. If it hadn't been for his brother he wasn't sure what might have happened. There is clearly something going on. Kili is behaving like his useful self but he doesn't want him acting like this towards their only female companion. But Lia doesn't seem bothered by him and she needs some friends for this journey and he strangely couldn't see his company with her, like it wouldn't be the same without her. Looking up he notices Gandalf and approaches him. "She's brave I'll give her that, but she could have been seriously injured. She should have waited for you." The wizard disagrees.
"She saved half your company, Thorin. You should be thanking her. Her skills proved she is capable of fighting." Thorin couldn't argue with that.
"She did show an impressive performance, though there could be some more improvement with them. She also needs to think about the outcome of the situation. She cannot throw herself at danger and expect it to work out." Gandalf huffs before looks over at Fili and Kili chasing each other.
"Your nephews have become close to Lia, don't you think?"
"Aye, they have. Though Kili is behaving odd towards her."
"And is that such a bad thing?" Gandalf smirks.
"He's carrying on like he does with women he likes. I don't want Lia to be involved with him when nothing serious will ever happen."
"And how would you know that?" Thorin doesn't want to answer that, so changes the subject.
"Where did you go off, if I may ask?"
"To look ahead."
"What bought you back?"
"Looking behind." Gandalf gazes up at the stoned trolls. "Nasty business. Still, they're all in one piece."
"No thanks to the burglar."
"He had the nous to play for time. He knew Lia was there and distracted those trolls so she could put out that fie. Both of them saved your company." Deep down, Throin knew it was true.
"Now, we need to find out how those trolls could have moved in daylight."
"Search around!" Thorin calls out to everyone, "There must be a cave nearby."
Thanks for reading, don't forget to review and ideas are always welcome.
Khuzdul Translations
Amad - Mother
Adad - Father
Nan'ith - Younger sister