Chapter 4
Eirian woke to find herself curled up next to Fili. After a moment of confusion, she sat up, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. Kili was already awake and was bringing breakfast over to them. She took the bowl thankfully and the two began eating, with Kili leaving his brother's bowl next to him.
"How did I end up down here? The last thing I remember was being on watch."
Kili grinned at her and for some reason, it made Eirian blush. He swallowed his mouthful of food before answering, glancing back at his older brother.
"Fili went to relieve you and you had fallen asleep. He carried you down here and when he came back from his shift, he fell asleep next to you."
Eirian said nothing but a blush stayed in her cheeks. She barely knew the Dwarf and already she was curling up to him in her sleep? Silence ensued as the two ate their breakfast. Eventually, Kili went to wake his brother and Eirian took that chance to slip away. Her thoughts were swirling as she readied Cade to move and she didn't look at the brothers as they saw to their own mounts. How could she have fallen asleep? She had never done that before; she had always been in control of her body. Eirian made small talk with Bilbo as they waited to move on, and when Thorin gave the order, she mounted Cade, ready to continue on and get rid of the weird butterflies in her stomach.
(*)
"Here, Mr Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?"
Eirian looked over at Dori as he spoke, biting her lip. He looked like a drowned rat, his formerly proud braids now straggling and ratty. In fact, all the Dwarves looked like that. The rain was pounding down, giving the company no respite. The ground had turned in to a mud bath, and all that could be heard was the squelching of the ponies' hooves.
"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."
Eirian chuckled to herself at Dori's expression. She slowed Cade and drew level with him.
"It is only a little water. Besides, I think it looks quite beautiful. The trees and grass will be a wonderful green once this is over."
Dori looked sideways at her, but couldn't help smiling a little at her cheerful tone. Eirian stayed beside the Dwarf as Bilbo talked with Gandalf, content to ride in silence. She watched the raindrops as they splashed down, running in rivulets down her saturated cloak.
"Excuse me? Miss Eirian? What is your pony doing?"
Ori's timid voice brought Eirian out of her relaxed state and she realised Cade was dancing all over the place. His head was held high, and he skittered sideways. He tried breaking in to canter but Eirian held him back. He stopped, and reared up a little, bouncing on the spot. Much to everyone's surprise, the woman burst in to laughter, even as Cade backed up, almost colliding with Ori's pony.
"It is nothing. In this weather, I usually take Cade for a gallop and he is getting frustrated that I have not done so yet."
Eirian looked back at Ori and smiled to reassure him. The young Dwarf smiled back, but it wobbled as Cade reared up a little again. Eirian looked down at her mount and shortened her reins, holding him tightly. Her pony stopped for a moment, but continued to snort and paw the ground. Sighing, she turned in her seat, eyes searching for Thorin. She found him looking less than impressed as he took in her fidgeting pony.
"Cade will continue to do this unless I let him go. Do I have your permission to ride ahead? I will not go too far and will wait for you to catch up."
Thorin looked at her for a moment and Eirian could see him weighing things in his mind. She waited patiently, paying no heed to Cade, who, at this point, was practically bubbling over with energy.
"You may go, but take Fili and Kili as your escorts."
Eirian grinned and turned her attention to his nephews who were on either side of him. They rode up to her, and together, they made their way to the front of the group. They reached the front and Cade began cantering on the spot, knowing what his rider intended. Before she let him go, she turned to the boys, who were waiting just behind her. Her eyes shone with excitement and her grin was infectious.
"Keep up."
With those two words said, she let Cade go. The piebald mountain pony took off, mud flying out behind him. Fili and Kili hurriedly spurred their own ponies on, trying to stay with her. Eirian glanced behind and saw the two were just about staying with her. A joyous laugh escaped her as she bent low over Cade. The rain splattered against her face but it didn't hurt. It turned warm as it hit her, and seemed to glow a little. Eirian looked up at the sky, the grey in her irises lightening until they were almost white. It was in this moment that Eirian felt at peace with everything; that the war that always raged inside her had finally been settled.
She looked back down at Cade and knew she had to stop. She pulled him up, and the pony reluctantly slowed in to a canter, then a trot, and finally, in to a walk. She allowed him to get his breath back before making him halt. As she waited for Fili and Kili to catch up, she looked around. The rain had lightened, and was now a gentle patter. The air smelt of damp grass and mud, but Eirian breathed it in deeply, allowing it fill her up.
A sudden rustle made her head snap to the side. She scanned the trees, looking for the source of the noise. When she couldn't find it, she looked back, urging the two Dwarf brothers to make an appearance. As she listened, faint hoof beats could be heard and Eirian allowed herself to relax. Another rustle was heard, and Eirian reached for her sword. The hoof beats got louder and she strained her eyes, trying to find the source of the disturbance. As she watched, a shape formed in the shadows between the trees. Eyes watched her, but the shape made no move to attack. Slowly, Eirian let her hand drop from the sword. She knew exactly what it was, but she felt no less uneasy. She was dimly aware of two forms appearing behind her and riding up, but she didn't take her eyes from the shape. Even when Fili and Kili stopped on either side, the shape did not move. Finally, as if sensing Eirian would not speak with it, it raised a dainty hand and melted in to the shadows, disappearing entirely.
"For such a small pony, he moves fast! It was like Wargs were chasing you!"
Eirian pulled her eyes from the trees to smile at Kili's breathless exclamation. She turned to Fili, who was in slightly better shape, but still struggling for breath. Their ponies were heaving, foam dripping from their mouths.
"Cade is fitter than his appearance suggests. He has to be; he carries me everywhere I go."
She patted his neck affectionately, stroking his nose when he turned his head back. The trio sat in silence for a moment, Eirian allowing them to get their breath back.
"Why do you ride in the rain? It seems rather silly to me."
Fili broke the silence, curiosity colouring her tone.
"I have always loved the rain. It makes me feel peaceful. I feel connected to things I don't normally, and connected to those I thought lost."
As she spoke, her eyes turned to the place where the shadowy figure had appeared. Seeing her look, Fili followed her line of sight and frowned when he found nothing. He looked around, searching for any danger.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Kili's confused voice broke the older two out of their trance. Eirian just shook her head and Fili snorted slightly, reaching round Eirian to smack Kili lightly on the arm. The brunette scowled at his brother, but made no move to get him back.
"So, what do we do in the mean time? We travelled quite a ways and it will take the others a little while to catch up."
Fili's smooth voice pierced the quiet that had fallen over them. Eirian said nothing, but Kili looked sideways at her, a grin spreading across his face.
"Sing for us, Eirian."
Two pairs of eyes turned to the youngest, and he looked back innocently.
"I beg your pardon?"
The redhead's exclamation made Kili's smile grow. At his brother's look, Fili felt an answering smile of his own. Both of them had wanted to know whether Eirian deserved her nickname; she had told them of it when they had been travelling yesterday. The woman looked down, toying with Cade's mane.
"What would you like me to sing?"
The two thought for a moment, slightly surprised she had agreed to readily; they had been expecting refusals. After a moment, Fili spoke up, his voice kind.
"Anything you like; we don't mind, really."
Eirian nodded slightly, and closed her eyes for a few beats. When she opened them, she had a far off look in her eyes. A small smiled curved her lips up and then she began to sing.
"Huna blentyn ar fy mynwes
Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat,
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun,
Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn,
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.
Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno,
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?
Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y môr;
Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw."
The notes soared in the still air, and seemed to reverberate. Eirian's voice rose and fell, rich and powerful. The last note seemed to hang, and as she stopped singing, she noticed the two Dwarves staring at her with wide eyes. She looked away towards the trees, not wanting them to see the tears in her eyes. She had not sung that particular song for a while, and it brought back tender memories of her childhood.
"That was amazing!"
Kili's soft outburst made Eirian chuckle lightly. She felt eyes burning in to her and she turned to find Fili's eyes watching her. They stared at each other for a moment, and Eirian felt a jolt in her stomach. His gaze was so intense that she felt as though he could see everything within her mind. It reminded her uncomfortably of Thorin.
"What song was that? I have never heard it before, nor the language in which you sung it."
Eirian took a moment before answering, dropping her gaze.
"My mother used to sing it to me when I was a child. Whenever I had nightmares, she would hold me and sing the lullaby until I fell back to sleep."
Her voice took on a loving note, and Fili felt a little ache in his heart. His thoughts turned to his own mother, who was probably worrying herself silly over himself and Kili. The three looked up as the sound of voices reached them. A few seconds later, the rest of the Company rounded the corner. As soon as Thorin, (who was at the front of the group) saw them, he rode up, an impossibly stern expression on his face.
"You rode further than I thought you would. And the singing? Anyone could have heard that! What if you have alerted enemies to our position?"
Eirian felt an irrational surge of indignation. Well, really! Singing? As if that would alert any one at all.
"I doubt if anyone other than you heard that, Thorin. There is nothing in these woods apart from us and woodland animals. You are being paranoid."
Her words came out sharper than she meant, but Eirian held his hard gaze. She heard Fili and Kili sniggering at her words, but a sharp look from Thorin made them stop.
"Regardless, you will ride with Dwalin the rest of the way. You have distracted my nephews enough already. Fili, Kili, with me."
Eirian wanted to object, but Fili caught her eye and shook his head. She quieted down, and gave a little wave in return to Kili's. She watched as Fili fell in to step alongside Thorin. He turned back, his blue eyes catching her grey ones. He smiled faintly, and then turned back, his shoulders drooping. Eirian felt a little cold without the two beside her. She had grown so used to them being with her all the time, even in the little time they had known each other. She kept pace with Dwalin, neither of them speaking. The tattooed Dwarf knew that the small woman was feeling glum without her friends and felt no need to make small talk; he knew when to keep silent.
Eirian was too busy feeling sorry for herself in having been separated from the boys that she didn't notice Fili turn back to look at her once again. His eyes were soft as he noticed the downcast look on her face and he considered pleading with his Uncle to let her ride next to him, but one look at Thorin's face let Fili knew it would be useless. He sighed, and turned back round. He couldn't explain it but since she had joined the Company, Fili had felt drawn to her. Her small smiles and quiet words made him feel comfortable, and the way she talked with him made him feel important; she had never once talked down to him. He knew she must be older than him – at least as old as his Uncle but he never thought about her age. Fili wanted to be near her for reasons he could not explain. The mystery that was Eirian made her all the more interesting and the time he spent apart from her meant that he was further from finding out about her: where she came from, what race she was, who she was.
As he followed that particular train of thought, he came to the sudden realisation that she hadn't told him what language she had been singing in. It wasn't the fact that he didn't know the language that didn't sit right with him – it was the fact she hadn't told him what it was. That fact didn't sit well with him at all, and as they trudged onwards, Fili wondered exactly why she hadn't told him. What could Eirian possibly be hiding?
(*)
An update! Yeah buddy!
I want to make something clear. This will move quite slow in terms of romance and the story. I want to make my OC and Fili build a relationship before all the fluffiness and cuteness. The story will move slow because if I rush in to it, I will feel like I am not doing it justice. Also, with the Dwarf encounters, I won't be making each individual Dwarf have an appearance. I know, that's lazy, but my OC cannot become besties with all of them! There will be a few she won't get along with, and, as such, will not be mentioned as much. So, sorry for that. This chapter was sort of a filler, but don't worry my beautiful readers, the troll encounter is coming up real soon! And please tell me if you're getting bored or if you want something in particular (within reason) to happen in the story.
The song Eirian sings is called "Suo Gan" and it's a traditional Welsh lullaby. It's name literally means "lullaby" (suo = lull; can = song). The translation to the lyrics can be found by typing "Suo Gan" in to Google :)
I do not own the song, nor do I own the Hobbit or any of the characters in it, or the story. I only own my OC, Eirian, her people and her pony, Cade.