Chapter 4

The Journey Begins

The next morning Enda was the first one up. She slept better than she had in days but she couldn't get herself to sleep anymore. Her mind was racing. Today was the beginning. They would start the journey to reclaim Erebor and she was excited. She felt as if adrenaline had been pumping through her veins. She sat up and stretched.

She realized that the night before she never took off her long coat, jerkin or boots so she was pretty much ready to go. She ran her fingers through her hair and redid her ponytail. She then stuffed her cloak in her sack and gathered all of her gear so she could get it once they were leaving. She didn't feel like hauling her sword around until then.

She then stepped outside to watch the sunrise. She sat on the bench with her hands folded under her chin and watched the sky. She looked at the last star in the sky that was starting to fade.

"Dín, I don't know if you can hear me… Surely you entered the Halls of Aulë for all children belong to him. I just wanted to apologize. It kills me, knowing I failed you… I hope that you know that I love you…" Enda sniffled. "I don't know what fate awaits me, but I hope that I will meet you in the Halls when my time in this world ends. I hope to bring honor to our family. If you are watching me, I hope to make you proud. You were my hero… You still are. You're brave, loving, loyal, noble… I love you, baby brother."

Enda watched as the sun came up. The sky became a masterpiece of many colors. Never in her life had she seen such a splendid sunrise. She sighed and a small smile came over her face.

She then heard someone clear their throat behind her. Enda quickly turned around and saw Thorin. Her face instantly hardened although her eyes were watery with unshed tears. Enda couldn't let herself appear weak. Enda waited for him to speak but he stood there awkwardly as if he truly was interrupting a conversation. Enda then felt the need to explain herself to Thorin.

"I was… talking to my brother. I never got to say goodbye…" Enda stood up and shoved her hands in her coat pockets, waiting for Thorin to laugh at her or kick her out of the company for being insane. She was not prepared for what he said.

"I understand." Enda's face twisted in confusion. "Come, breakfast is ready. We have to get started on the journey earlier than later."

"Just a minute… There's just one more thing I want to do…" Enda then made the final farewell symbol with her hands that Dwarves did at funerals. "Be at peace, Dín."

Enda then walked inside. They ate breakfast in a hurry and placed all the dishes by the sink and made sure not to leave too much of a mess for Bilbo. They then gathered all their gear and walked from the house down to the Green Dragon and collected their ponies.

"I bet he will turn up…" Enda said suddenly as she climbed onto June's back.

"Why?" Fíli asked.

"It's always the quiet ones who do something the most unexpected…"

"Well I bet he won't show up. I'd bet five pieces of silver!" Fíli said.

"I don't have money but if I lose the bet I will do dishes for the entire journey," Enda said.

"Deal." Then more side bets were being made. Enda didn't pay attention to them although most of the others thought that Bilbo wouldn't come.

The rode down the road at a slower pace but they would increase once they got out of the Shire. Many of the Dwarves were moaning about how it was a waste of time and why even bother with Hobbits. Enda didn't though. She rode near the back of the line with Fíli and Kíli and she hummed to herself to block out the complaints.

"Wait!" Enda turned her head and then saw the small Hobbit running after them. "WAIT!"

Everyone stopped their ponies. "I've signed it…" Bilbo said breathlessly, handing the contract to Balin.

Balin looked at it then smiled. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Most of the Dwarves cheered.

"Give him a pony," Thorin said, sounding unimpressed. Enda rolled her eyes. Thorin was just always to be grim.

Bilbo started to protest but Fíli and Kíli lifted him up from the ground and put him on a pack pony. Bilbo looks quite uncomfortable on top of the pony who tosses her head a few times making Bilbo even less at ease.

"Pay up Fíli!" Enda said with a satisfied smirk to Fíli.

"Erg… I never thought I'd lose that bet…" Fíli grumbled but he tossed Enda a sack of money. Then more moneybags flew through the air. Enda laughed when Kíli caught one in his hands and then one hit him in the face.

"Who did you bet with?" she asked.

"Bifur and Dwalin…" He then received two glares from the Dwarves in question but he smiled in return. "I never doubted Mister Boggins."

"Mister Baggins…" Fíli said.

"What?" Kíli asked.

"It's pronounced Baggins."

"Is it?"

"I'll bet you five silver pieces that it's Baggins, not Boggins," Fíli said with a prideful tone.

"Deal!" Kíli said. He then shouted. "Master Bilbo, how do you pronounce your last name?"

Bilbo turned around with a confused look.

"Baggins! Why?"

"Ha! I won, pay up dear brother," Fíli said. Enda laughed at the brothers as Kíli tossed one of the money bags at his brother. Kíli pouted at his brother but Fíli merely smirked.

"We all won something, good day so far," Enda said. They then laughed for a few moments. It was easily seen by the others that they were excited to get the chance to go on an adventure and a quest.

"Stop! We have to turn around!" Bilbo suddenly shouted. Everyone halted and looked to the Hobbit.

"What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked.

"I forgot my handkerchief," Bilbo said. Bofur then tore some cloth from his shirt and tossed to Bilbo.

"Use this!" Bilbo looked a bit disgusted.

"Move on," Thorin ordered so they all continued on.

Enda then rode by Fíli and Kíli again. They all snickered at the Hobbit. He was a silly creature yet by standards he'd be older than all of them. It would be interesting to see how a Hobbit who had never been out of the Shire would fare in the world beyond.

Fíli and Kíli continued to teach Enda techniques on pony riding and also with swordplay. They soon got Enda confident in her skills. She wouldn't die for certain when she faced only a few enemies in close quarters. Enda was encouraged when she was finally able to thwack Fíli with the flat of her blade but Kíli was just in time to smack her with his own. He thought that she would manage to block it though and was mortified.

"I'm sorry!" Kíli said.

"I'm alright," Enda said. All of them were exhausted after that. Enda saw Thorin shoot a look of annoyance. She merely ignored it and sat down with Fíli and Kíli and quickly drank some water.

"We should teach you to fight why riding. It would give you practice so if ever we were to be ambushed you'd be alright," Kíli said.

"What if I accidentally hurt June?" Enda asked.

"You won't," Fíli said. "You're skilled enough not to."

They practiced that skill for a while until they were satisfied with Enda's skill. She felt like her sword arm was going to fall off but kept quiet but was relieved when they finished.

The next few days of riding was fairly uneventful. They passed through some beautiful scenery but nothing really stood out. Fíli and Kíli were always with Enda practicing some skill or other and when they set up camp Ori would continue to teach her to read and write. Those three Dwarves were the ones she considered as friends.

Enda pretty much was an outsider among the other Dwarves. They didn't think much about her except when assigning watches and tasks. Some of them didn't seem to like her at all, like Thorin and Dwalin and a few of the older ones who had know her father's betrayal. They always gave looks that said they didn't trust her, as if she would betray them as well. Enda avoided those Dwarves for the most part.

One night they camped by some cliffs on a small. It was Fíli, Kíli and Enda's watch and most everyone had already fallen asleep. The three of them were comfortable, they didn't sense any danger and so they set about to managing their weapons, which was a time consuming task after all the wear they had seen over the past few days of their practice.

Enda noticed Bilbo walking towards his pony. She finished checking over her weapons and then stood up to go towards the Hobbit. She hadn't really spoken to the Hobbit much and she decided that she should try and be a friend to him. After all, he was an outsider like herself.

"Hello, Master Baggins," Enda said with a grin. Bilbo turned around startled. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you."

"No, I just didn't hear you coming," Bilbo said. "It's just most of the others are louder..."

"Huntress…" Enda said with a shrug. "You seem to be growing fond of your pony."

"Myrtle is a sweet one…" Bilbo said. "I'm glad that I have her." Bilbo patted his pony's neck with fondness.

"I never thought you would say that. You looked quite frightened when you first met her."

"Yes but I suppose you can't judge a book by its cover or a pony by its looks nor a child by their father-" Then they heard a scream. "What was that?"

"Orcs…" Enda hissed. She pushed the Hobbit behind her and drew her sword looking into the night. Hatred was easily seen in her eyes and posture. She would have her revenge. She was determined to brutally kill every Orc she could to bring vengeance upon the foul creatures.

Another scream was heard. Enda took a deep breath she could tell they were a ways off but she didn't relax. She was too filled with fear and hate. She would have revenge. Her face snarled into the darkness, daring any Orc to show itself. She stepped beyond the light of the fire so she could see clearly into the darkness for any sign of danger.

"Orcs?" Bilbo asked. Enda heard Bilbo's voice further back near to where she left Fíli and Kíli.

"Throat-cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them," Fíli said.

"They strike in the small hours, when everyone's asleep. Quick and quiet. No screams, just lots of blood," Kíli continued. She heard Bilbo's slight squeak of fright and then ill suppressed laughter.

Enda was glad that she wasn't standing with them when she heard that. She probably would have bruised Fíli and Kíli with the flat of the blade. Orcs were not something to laugh at. They were dangerous and villains.

"You think that's funny? You think that a night raid by Orcs is a joke?" Thorin asked, disgusted.

"We didn't mean anything by it…" Kíli said. Enda turned her head and saw him looking down, ashamed.

"No, you didn't. You know nothing of the world." She then heard Thorin walking towards her. She noticed but didn't acknowledge him. She continued watching the surrounding area. Her eyes scanned for any Orcs. She felt a slight tremble in her hands as she held her sword tightly.

"Come out you filth…" she hissed. "I'm waiting… Come and be filled with the pain you have brought upon me." She didn't realize that she had said it until Thorin placed his hand on her shoulder and spoke to her.

"They are cowards… They wouldn't dare approach the camp when there are only a few of them. They would go back and summon a larger hoard before showing themselves."

"Cowards… May they all rot!" Enda spat. "I will never be rid of the hatred, will I? They took everything from me and now all I want to do is make them suffer. No easy death... I want them to feel pain, and suffer until they are begging to die. That's what I want to do to them."

"They are not like us… They never have been and nor will they ever be. They will never beg for death. They will always fight until they fall over dead." Enda looked down, feeling foolish for ranting her hatred. "I understand the feeling of hatred." Thorin said as if he read that thought. "I lost my grandfather, my father, brother, my sister, and her husband all to the Orcs."

"Everyone I've ever known have all passed from this life. At least you have your nephews… You didn't lose everyone…"

"I'm afraid I will lose them though. I shouldn't have brought them… They are young and have never seen the world before this. This quest could easily be the death of them ad if I lose them I will never forgive myself."

"They have you... and they have me." Enda then looked into Thorin's cold blue eyes. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that they will live through this quest." Enda paused a moment. "I know you doubt me, I know you judge me but I swear that you will not regret having me on this quest. I will prove myself worthy. I only hope that you will give me a chance. Maybe my father was as wicked as you say; I just ask that you will not place me in his shadow."

Enda then walked away. She had nothing else to say. She then climbed into a tree that was by the cliff's edge so she could watch the surrounding area. She knew she could not sleep that night, not with Orcs so close. She kept a constant watch and held her bow, ready to shoot within short notice.

The next day she paid for the lack of sleep. When she climbed down from the tree and went for breakfast she was energized enough but once they started riding she kept nodding off in the saddle.

"Enda? Where were you last night? You didn't come back after you heard the Orcs."

"I was keeping watch from a tree near the edge of the cliffs. It's amazing really, no one ever thinks to look up."

"Dwarves do not belong in trees!" Fíli said with a glance at his brother who smiled sheepishly. "I don't understand how anyone can like being up high. It would only make me think that I'd fall."

"It's the feeling of importance…" Kíli said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Also hunters use height as an advantage. They can see better from a height."

Enda and Kíli knocked the back of their hands together. Both of them smiled at Fíli who rolled his eyes.

"Dwarflings…" Fíli said exasperated. "The higher you are the farther the fall and the more hurt you'll get."

"You're such a mother hen," Enda said with a sigh.

"Well someone has to be the responsible one." Fíli tossed his head and when a braid smacked him in the face Enda and Kíli burst out laughing. Then they were all quiet for a bit. Enda began to nod off again so Kíli and Fíli poked her sides. She sat straight up.

"I wasn't sleeping!" Enda said quickly.

"Then what were you doing?"

"I was… studying. Intently… studying…" Fíli and Kíli raised an eyebrow disbelievingly. "The back of my eyelids…" Enda said with all seriousness. Then the three of them burst out laughing again.

"Why didn't you come back to camp?" Fíli then asked after the laughter died away. "Did you not get any sleep?"

"I couldn't go back to camp… And I couldn't sleep. Not knowing that Orcs were so near."

"You heard us last night…" Kíli said and Enda nodded. "I'm sorry. We shouldn't have teased about Orc attacks… We weren't thinking. I'm so sorry."

"Apology accepted," Enda said and she grinned. "It's easy to act and speak without thinking. I was always scolded for it. If I haven't proved it I'm sure I will at some point during the quest. I apologize in advance for any foolish things I'll say."

They all rode on in a comfortable silence for a little while. Enda then fell asleep, hunched over in the saddle. Fíli and Kíli didn't want to wake her so they took her pony's reins and led on. After maybe half an hour Enda woke up. Her eyes widened when she realized that she was moving.

"What?" Then Enda looked around her. "How long was I asleep?"

"About thirty minutes…" Fíli said.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Enda asked as she stretched. "I would rather it be you two than the ground."

"You just looked so tired we didn't want to wake you," Kíli said.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, surprisingly so." Enda looked up into the trees. No birds sang and no creatures stirred. It was just the sixteen ponies trudging through the forest. "Why is it so quiet?"

"A storm's coming…" And as if on cue a loud thunderclap sounded. It startled Enda and she sat straight up, wide eyed.

"Enda, it is just thunder. It can't hurt you…" Kíli said.

"I-I know. It just startled me…" Enda grinned.

A few seconds later it started to rain. The rain fell in cold heavy sheets. Everyone shivered from the chill and they were all soaked within a few seconds. Enda considered pulling her cloak from her bag but decided that it wouldn't be worth it getting soaked. If it stayed dry she would wrap herself in it when the rain stopped.

"Gandalf, can't you do something about this?" Dori asked.

"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 yourselves another Wizard."

"I don't think the rain would be so bad if there was no wind," Fíli said. "You're going to catch a chill, Enda. Put you're cloak on!"

"I don't want it to be soaked, it'll be nice to have something dry for when the rain does stop. You don't need to worry for me… I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

"Well you don't have anyone else to worry for you and I think of you as a little sister that I never had," Fíli said with a smile. "Don't be foolish."

"Here at least have my cloak! You're so pale with the cold an you're shivering," Kíli said.

"I'm fine… Really I am."

"I insist… Enda you aren't used to the cold like we are…" Kíli looked her in the eyes. "Please don't be stubborn."

"It's part of being a Dwarf…" Kíli then rode closer to her and pulled his cloak from his bag and wrapped it around her shoulders. Butterflies seemed to flutter in her stomach as he wrapped it around her and she felt a blush heating her face. She rolled her eyes but didn't reject it.

"Thank you…"

"Oh, it's nothing…" Kíli looked down and a light pink covered his face. Fíli couldn't contain a smirk.

"Not just for the cloak. You two are my friends. You've accepted me…"

They then continued to ride in silence for a while. Enda kept thinking. Why did she feel so nervous around Kíli, it wasn't a bad nervous but it was still slightly unsettling. Why did she feel as if butterflies were fluttering in her every time he smiled or was kind to her? She never felt that way with Fíli. She never felt that way before period. Was Kíli blushing? And why would he be blushing? Why did she blush? Why did Fíli smirk? Nothing made sense. She didn't understand anything that she was feeling.

The rain continued for a while until it came time to camp. No one wanted to sleep on the muddy ground so Enda pulled leaves from the trees to make a floor. They couldn't make a fire because there was no dry wood so everyone spent a miserable, cold night, huddled in their bedrolls.

Sometime during the night after their watch, Kíli woke up when he heard a small whimper. He propped himself on his elbow for a moment and then saw Enda who was asleep but obviously caught in a nightmare. Her eyes were moving quickly under her eyelids and whimpered softly.

"It's only a dream... Or is it? Sh... You're safe here. You will always be safe with Fíli and I here," Kíli said softly as he swept a loose strand of hair away from her face. He didn't wish to wake her but if she kept suffering her nightmare he would.

Unconsciously, Enda had snuggled next to him and her quiet whimpers stopped. He felt a blush rise to his cheeks. His heart jumped and he felt as if butterflies were in his stomach. He wrapped his arm around her. She snuggled even closer to him. He smiled and lightly kissed the top of her head and spoke a blessing for sound sleep. He did like her, possibly even loved her. He knew that he would die to protect her. He then fell asleep, breathing in the scent of her hair, which faintly reminded him of pine.

When Enda awoke she saw how close she had gotten to Kíli in her sleep. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks. She then noticed that she was stuck under Kíli's arm. She smiled softly. She felt safe in his arms. She then looked up at his face. A small smile was on his face and he looked so peaceful. She then heard the others stirring.

"Kíli?"

"Hm…" he moaned and then opened his eyes. His eyes then went wide and he sat up and scooted away uncomfortably. "I'm sorry."

"Why?" Enda asked as she also sat up. Her head cocked to the side and her face showed innocent curiosity.

"Um… well… It's just kind of awkward and I just- uh…" Kíli stammered and his face was bright red.

"I'm sorry if I made things awkward." Enda still looked slightly confused but she didn't press the matter. She then took her hair from the messy ponytail it was in and ran her fingers through her hair. She then felt Kíli's fingers brushing away a loose strand of her hair from her face. She felt her face heat up with a blush, she quickly looked away. She quickly put the silver clasp back so her hair was in it's usual low ponytail. She then started packing her things.

Kíli smiled softly to himself. He thought her blush was adorable. He quickly recomposed himself. "Come on, let's hunt down some breakfast."

Enda nodded in agreement and the grabbed her bow. After hunting down some squirrels they went to camp and waited while Bombur prepared the food. Fíli was up and he had a smirk on his face when he saw the look of tenderness in his brother's eyes. Enda remained oblivious to it as she laughed at Kíli's last joke. Fíli shook his head. If only she could see how much Kíli liked her.

He wasn't the only one who noticed Kíli's different behavior around Enda. Thorin scowled as he watched the three of the Dwarves laughing as they joked but he especially saw his youngest nephew's poorly hidden admiration towards Enda. He didn't like it at all. A Dwarf from the line of Durin should not ever fall in love with a traitor's child. Did he not see the danger? She could very well turn out to be an enemy, who knows what her father could have taught her and what all she could hide from them. Thorin continued to scowl at them but none of them noticed him.

Oh dear, if Thorin's not happy it won't be good, huh?

Thank you for reading! And thank you all of my followers and reviewers! I love you all! :)

I've worked on this chapter for a looonnnnggg time, three hours of complete revision tonight and this seems to just be a filler chapter although I added a lot of cute Kíli and Enda build up. I hope you like it!

Please review with any thoughts and questions or concerns. I love your reviews and they motivate me!

~Maethorni