Italicized words will mostly be thoughts. But of course some are for emphasizing. Long lines of italic words in quotes will be singing/reading from a book.
I do not own any of the characters except for Christianna, my OC. Everything else belongs to Tolkien!
Tonight the company found themselves on the edge of a cliff, surrounded by large boulders, giving them perfect cover. Some of the dwarves were already asleep, but a few still sat scattered around camp.
Christianna plopped to the ground with a 'thud' followed by a groan. She lay her head back, the night breeze toying with her hair. "Muscles I didn't know I had ache."
Dwalin was across the fire sharpening his axes. "So it was as good for you as it was for me. Was wonderin'." He laughed when she shot him a glare. "You should be proud. You have perfect instincts. Don't really need my trainin'. Just to build strength and stamina."
"I know the best way to build up stamina." Nori snickered as he approached them.
"Don't even think about it." Dwalin gave an intimidating look but it didn't faze the other dwarf at all.
"Oh don't get a knot in your beard." He leaned up against the rock next to her. "I know I stand no chance with her. But don't mean I can't dream of it." He winked at her.
"Don't talk of a lady like that!" Dori scolded his brother. He came forward holding a tray equipped with all his tea fixings.
For the first time that Dori discovered Christianna enjoyed a cup of tea as much as himself, he made it his duty to learn exactly how she liked it. Then, proceeded to bring her some every night.
"Was just havin' a bit of fun, right Chrissy?" Nori nudged her side.
She rolled her eyes as Dori handed a cup to her. "He's nothing I can't handle Dori, thank you."
"Well you just let me know if he does anything you don't approve of." He smiled brightly at Dwalin, and smacked his brother on the back of the head before shuffling off.
The air was still after that. Their silence broken only by the crackling of the fire and Dwalin with his axes. She was lost in thought, watching the flames dance. But was soon distracted by glances coming from the warrior. She lifted her eyes to meet his. They were intense but full of warmth. Though the glow from the fire showed that he was not looking at her. She followed his line of sight and landed on the thief next to her. She snapped her head away and blushed, fiddling with her hands, a huge grin spreading across her face.
"Dwalin?" She called out softly.
He grunted.
"Tomorrow do you think that Nori could join us for practice? If he'd like to that is." She asked as casually as possible.
He stared at the two of them suspiciously before coughing and returning his concentration to his weapons. "And why would he want to do that?" His voice was unsteady.
"Why so she can have some real trainin' of course!" Nori boasted, making a flamboyant gesture with his arm. "You've gone soft. And well, well I'm so much more qualified-"
Dwalin was in Nori's face instantly. "I, am not soft."
Christianna would have been lying if she said she wasn't nervous. But the red-head seemed perfectly fine. He was even smirking.
Nori reached out and poked the guardsman in the chest. "I dunno, seem pretty soft to me."
"You're askin' for a fight with them words boy." Dwalin gritted his teeth, grabbing the smaller dwarf by his shirt.
She cleared her throat and took a sip of her tea. "Hmm. Well it's not Lemon Zinger, but it's still delicious." She sighed.
Nori raised an eyebrow. "What on Earth is a Lemon Zinger?"
"It's my favorite flavor of tea." She took another sip and her face fell suddenly. "I guess I might never have it again. It's quite possible I will never go back. All the things I-" A few tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them with the back of her hand. "Sorry."
Dwalin pushed away from Nori. "Alright now, he can join. Do him some good, a good beatin'. But you can't start cryin' or Bofur will be upon us." He said hastily. "Ain't enough trainin' in the world to prepare for a dwarrow protectin' his treasure."
She giggled at the thought of Bofur chasing Dwalin with his mattock. "I'm not a treasure Dwalin. Especially not Bofur's."
"Shows how much you know." He mumbled so quietly that nobody else heard.
Actually the thought alone of Dwalin running from someone had sent her into a fit of laughter. She stopped abruptly when she heard screeches in the distance. Her breath caught in her throat.
Bilbo, who had been near the ponies, turned and looked worriedly to Fili and Kili. "What was that?"
Kili looked alarmed. "Orcs."
The Hobbit pranced towards them. "Orcs?"
Thorin, who was dozing, jerked awake at the word.
"Throat-cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them." Fili said nonchalantly.
Christianna tuned out the brothers teasing of Bilbo. Another Orc sound sent a chill up her spine, making the hair on the back of her neck stand up. As soon as Balin started the story she knew so well, the story of the Battle of Moria, she was instantly on her feet. Not realizing where she was going until she was already there. Luckily, Bofur had seen her coming.
He was sitting with his cousin Bifur towards the back of camp. He hopped up and opened his arms just in time for her to collide with him. "Whoa, sunshine! Somethin' bad gonna happen?"
She wrapped her arms tight around his neck. "What? Oh, no, I'm sorry. I just can't believe how horrifying they sound in person."
"You're safe with us." Bofur assured her.
Their attention was drawn as the rest of the company had gathered round for the end of Balin's tale.
"Our forces rallied and drove the orcs back. Our enemy had been defeated." The old dwarf paused. "But there was no feast, nor song, that night, for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived." He smiled proudly and turned to Thorin. "And I thought to myself then, there is one who I could follow. There is one I could call King."
Thorin turned away from the view over the cliff. He walked between the other dwarves who were staring in awe at him.
"But the pale orc? What happened to him?" Bilbo asked.
"He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago." Thorin responded bluntly.
Christianna exchanged a knowing look with Balin and Gandalf. The others dispersed with hushed conversations.
She jumped when she felt a twitch on her waist and she realized that Bofur had placed an arm around her, and that hers were still around him. Realization hit her then, and she turned to him. "Did you call me sunshine?"
"Oh aye!" His face dropped when he saw the look on hers. "You don't like it?"
"No it's not that. Just me... sunshine? I don't understand." She shook her head.
"A dwarves' life is spent most underground. Not but darkness am I use to." He reached up and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "But since you came, me world is full of light."
She blushed for a moment before coming to her senses. She playfully slapped his arm. "Bofur!"
"I knew you wouldn't believe it. But that makes it no less true." There was no fault in his words as he looked directly into her eyes. She felt her heart skip a beat and could swear that he was leaning into her.
Bifur angrily starting shouting and Bofur froze. He pulled away, responding to his cousin in their native tongue. She narrowed her eyes and huffed, wishing she could understand what they were saying.
"Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori shouted irritably.
"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done." Gandalf said exasperated. "If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."
It was raining, a steady downpour to be exact, upon the company as they trekked through the woods on their ponies. They were all cold, wet, and miserable. Thankfully there had been a couple of extra hooded cloaks about for her and Bilbo to have. But she was still plastered against Bofur's back, trying to keep as warm as possible. She felt him shaking and peeked up to see him staring hopelessly at his pipe.
She tilted her head and mused over the idea of changing the weather. Then closed her eyes and brought her hands up in front of her.
She hoped that one day soon she would understand how her magic worked, and what exactly she could do with it. For she felt childish as she wished for something to happen. But it had worked so far, and this time was no exception. She felt a different kind of warmth than Bofur's body heat, and light shone from behind her eyelids. She opened them and saw that it was no longer raining. At least on her and Bofur.
The sky itself had broken apart in a small area, the sun shining straight down upon them. It followed as they trotted along. She beamed at her success. Most of the others looked up as well.
Bofur looked over his shoulder at her and pointed. "I told you, sunshine."
"Oh come on! Now you have to share her!" Kili shouted.
"I ain't sharin' nothin'. Get your own sunshine." Bofur furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at the other dwarf.
Christianna was surprised at Bofur's seriousness. She leaned away from him and his face softened when he saw that he scared her.
"Oh, Chrissy, forgive me." He held a look of shame.
"There's nothing to forgive Bofur." She placed her arms around his waist and fell back against him.
"It would seem you are more in control each day, my Lady." Gandalf exclaimed proudly.
"It feels that way." She nodded her agreement. "Though I'm afraid I shouldn't hold it long. You never know if I may need some magic later. I don't want to waste it on this." She nuzzled into his neck. "I'm sorry."
He shivered at her breath on his skin. "Oh-h n-no we can't h-have that. C-can we?" He blushed furiously.
She giggled, lifting her hands to his chest. "Good thing you're even more attractive when you're soaked." She whispered.
His eyes went wide but he wasn't even sure he heard her correctly, for the moment she spoke it was pouring upon them once more.
Christianna swiftly pulled her swords from her belt and spun them in her hands. She held them in front of her and paused as she noticed Bofur in her peripheral vision. She breathed deep, keeping her concentration. Then she swung them in one fluid motion, slicing through the air with precision. Her movements continued as she danced with her blades, never missing a beat as she conquered her illusory enemies. Stopping once she notice Dwalin coming towards her.
"Chrissy." He sounded desperate. "Help me."
She lowered her weapons. "What's wrong Dwalin?"
"Nori. What do I do?" He turned around and she looked over his shoulder.
Nori was not far from them, beckoning for the return of his playmate. Playmate, meaning Dwalin, of course. For as soon as their lesson started, Nori began pushing the warriors buttons. Only provoked by Christianna, who let slip that Dwalin was eying him up as he demonstrated tricks with her swords. Nori's response: turn up the charm. Needless to say, practice quickly turned into an all out brawl. She took this as her sign to step aside and let things fall into place.
"What do you mean?" She turned back to the fierce dwarf. "It's only been a few days. I'm not that good! I'm not going up against him!"
"That's not what I meant!" He snapped. She raised her eyebrows in warning at him. "Sorry. I mean- It's just that- With him-" He stuttered. "Well, you know."
She smirked. "No. 'Fraid not."
He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "How Bofur puts up with you is a mystery."
"What? I thought you liked me." She sheathed her swords.
"You're every bit as stubborn as a dwarf." He grumbled as he crossed his arms.
"You never were good with women." Thorin laughed as he approached them. "Which explains that I suppose." He motioned to Nori. "Then again..."
Dwalin's eyes met his King's. "Thorin."
Christianna found that she had stopped breathing while she watched their interaction. The atmosphere between them so thick she felt as though it was weighing her down. The intense look on their faces sent chills up her spine. Thorin was the first to give.
He outstretched both his arms and placed them on Dwalin's shoulders. He smiled. "You'll have enough fun explaining it to Dori and Balin, without me giving you a hard time."
Dwalin repeated the gesture and thanked Thorin with a simple nod.
"Don't worry. If they have a problem, they'll have to go through me." Chistianna chimed in.
Dwalin's laugh was a deep rumble that started in his chest. "I'll screw it up before it comes to that. Don't even know he-"
"I know much more than you!" She shouted, interrupting him. "Now get over there. You are Dwalin, son of Fundin, right hand to the King Under the Mountain." She slapped his back to straighten him out. Then began fixing his clothes. "Brave, kind, caring, and handsome. With the biggest heart. Anyone would be lucky to have your affections."
She shoved him hard and he stumbled. He looked back at Thorin who was trying not to laugh. Then muttered under his breath before walking away. She smiled smugly and huffed proudly. Then they sat silently watching the pair return to their cat and mouse play.
"I am sure you know. But there are not many dwarf women." Thorin said suddenly. "It is not uncommon for two males to couple together. Or for one to find a partner from another race."
"I am aware. Of that much." She stated. "Even in my world, with all the stories and references, dwarven culture was a secret. Not much at all was known."
He turned to her and crossed his arms. "What else do you know of dwarf partnerships?"
His voice was stern but she could tell he meant well.
She cleared her throat. "That many dwarves choose not to marry at all, they are in love with their crafts. I've heard that some women have taken more than one husband as well."
"This is true." He looked back to Dwalin and Nori.
Nori was toying with the larger dwarf, teasing him and dodging at the last second. Dwalin was clearly frustrated. And yet, both were laughing.
"He's never shown interest in having a relationship before."
Christianna could hear the smile in his voice. "I guess you never know where you're going to find love." She snuck a glance at Bofur. He was whittling while laughing heartily with Bombur and Bifur. "Thorin. You have allowed me to join you on this journey, and for your kin to use their time and energy to teach me." She turned to him. "I have no right. But may I ask something of you?"
He raised an eyebrow and nodded his head.
"I know it's against dwarvish customs. But." She paused and took a deep breath. "I would like to learn Khuzdul."
His eyes went wide. "You... what?"
"I'm sorry, that was too bold, I shouldn't have imposed." She bowed and rotated on her feet, moving away from him.
"Christianna?" He called and she stopped in her tracks. "Why?"
Her voice was soft, sad. "I just, I can't understand Bifur."
His boots hit the ground hard as he stepped up to her. "You would learn an entire language. To talk to one individual."
She inclined her head.
His mouth stood agape as he was at a loss for words. But before long he spoke. "There is something else you should know, about dwarves, and love."
"Thorin-"
He raised his hand to silence her. "Some dwarves do not fall in love in the conventional way. They have, a one. They have only one person they can love in such a way." He saw her confused expression and continued. "It is an overwhelming feeling. As if they have found something precious that they have been searching for. It is a fierce need." He chuckled. "I am sorry. I have never tried to explain this before."
"I suppose it's rather impossible." She laughed at his sheepishness. "Please, continue."
"Whether they have ever thought of, or wanted to fall in love and marry. They know the moment they meet this other person. " He spoke adoringly. "Regardless if they even so much as know their name."
"But, what if the other person isn't a dwarf?" She asked, taking the opportunity to learn whilst the King was being so generous.
"It is still the same." He paused, staring off behind her. His eyes locked on something and his face lit up. "The instant they lay eyes upon them, touch them. They are consumed by their love." He paused. "Though with one of a different race, a dwarf must restrain these feelings, let them out slowly; for fear of overwhelming them with such profound emotions. Along with the understanding that this other may never love them in return, for many reasons."
"You speak as if you know." She pried.
An unmanly sound escaped him and he froze. Then he coughed and stood tall. "I am Thorin Oakenshield. On a quest to reclaim my homeland. I do not have time for such things." He said matter-of-factly. "I have simply, witnessed it."
She laughed. "Why are you telling me this?"
He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "I am quite positive you know why. Surely you see how taken with you he is."
She gasped softly. "No, Thorin, I don't think-"
"I am certain that Ori would be most honored to educate you in the language of our people." He interrupted her with a smile.
"Thorin." Her voice was shaky. "The same people you would see happy in love, would wish the same for you."
His gaze lowered to the ground and for a moment she couldn't quite read his expression. Though he returned to his cold look soon enough, a simple bow of his head and he walked off. Naturally, her eyes fell to the dwarf in question.
Bofur noticed and flashed her one of his signature goofy grins, waving for her to come over. But she tore her eyes from him, turning and heading farther from the company to be alone with her conflicting emotions.