DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and sometimes Peter Jackson's stuff might fall in too. I only own my OC. Please, feel free to leave any comments and questions. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known. Thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 7
Reaching Thorin I immediately take off my backpack to give myself a few extra seconds to prepare. Its not hard make it look necessary being that I have been carrying the bag all day and now my shoulders are hurting.
"Just uh... give me second."
I used to be able to carry my bag regardless of weight until hurricane Irene decided to pay us a visit. She knocked down a pretty old tree that I just happened to be walking under and of course I got hit. I didn't go to the hospital of anything but now one of my shoulders is a little lower than its supposed to be. This does bring up the question of why I was walking around during a hurricane. A story for another time.
"Miss Malcolmson." Thorin drawls out while watching me impatiently
He'll wait though. 'If he knows what's good for him.' ... Not that I have anything to back that threat up with. I proceed to reach into the bag and pull out the blanket and cup that Dori gave me earlier. They aren't anything special; a wool blanket and a tin cup but it's more then I had when arrived. I feel like a miner, which makes perfect sense given who I'm traveling with. I twirl the items in my hands absently. 'They might need the cup back for dinner.' Dori didn't say I could keep the blanket, so I will return it as well. After Thorin and I have this talk I'm avoiding. Not to be mixed up with THE talk. 'ugh.' Unzipping my coat I put the cup in my belly pocket, gotta love a sweatshirt, and wrap the blanket around my shoulders. Finally, I face Thorin with a bright smile.
"What is it that you wanted to speak with me about, Thorin?"
He inhales deeply before beginning.
"I do not think it would be appropiate to inform the company of your supposed origins. It would merely cause undue duress amongst my men."
"Supposed?" I raise an eyebrow
"You have no proof of your 'other worldly' origins." He says, visibly holding back a sneer
"I do so." I deny, though trying not to sound whiney in my denial "I just don't plan on showing them to you."
"Why is that?" He questions, seeming almost bored
"I'd like to keep our world's as separate as possible." Which is true. In getting back I don't need all the fangirls crossing over and blabbing about bagginshield. Thorin would probably have me shot "When this whole adventure is done, I'll find a way back to it."
"It is not yet decided whether or not you will even be traveling with us." He scoffs after a minute hesitation "Keep your distance from them."
This is not what I was expecting but it makes such total sense that I should have seen it coming. He's naturally defensive and understandably not sure what to do about this current situation since it's totally out of his control and comfort zone. 'I kinda know the feeling.' I will not hold it against him and I hope he doesn't hold my response against me.
"With all do respect Thorin, no."
I say this as politely as I can manage. If he thinks for one second that I am going to just quietly tag along until he can drop me off at some whacked out, middle earth looney bin, then he he has another think coming. I did not fall into this story/universe... thing... just to watch from the side lines. I can plainly see from his face that he is not pleased with my answer but I'm firm.
"No? Listen here little girl," I can see the vein on his temple pulse and almost reach out to poke it "you are not a member of this company nor is it any of your concern. As it's leader I demand that you limit your interactions with my company to only what is necessary. Is. That. Understood?"
This overgrown gnome just called me a girl. 'Deep breaths, Thia.' I nod because he seems a little aggravated but mostly so I don't punt kick him across the clearing. I hate riling him up but this now includes me. I doubt I will be allowed to go home until this adventure is over, not that I won't ask when I find someone to ask. I'll be sure to discuss it with Gandalf tomorrow. I nod again before answering verbally.
"I understand. You don't want the company to get attached to me or anything like that. Distractions can be a nasty business. I hope you understand when I once again say no."
I begin to pace, because walking always has a way of helping me think easier. I want to get my point across as clearly as possible. The dwarf growls at my defiance but does not toss me out into the woods on my behind. Probably something to do with honor.
"Number 1, if I don't talk to the company, I can't get to know them. It would make this whole journey very awkward to travel with strangers, don't you agree?"
"You have yet to even prove MINIMALLY useful. You are not-"
"Oh yes I am. I'm making the whole trip. We both know this, you just haven't accepted it yet. It's something I know for a fact."
Before he can contradict my statment, I continue. Silly dwarf thinks now is the time to give his opinion. Not before I give him a piece of my mind. 'You made a mistake calling me a little girl, buster.'
"Number 2, you said I am not part of the company. If that were true, then you would have no authority over me. Meaning, I don't have to listen to any of your demands and can follow you to the ends of the earth if it pleases me."
I am not going to tell him straight out that if I am not a part of the company, then his life would be a living hell. I'm not a loose cannon but as I said before, respect and authority mean a lot to me. The odds of me listening to someone without them are slim to none. Besides if not with them, who else would I hang out with? Lobelia?
"Lastly, number 3. I like you guys. You don't know me, but I know you well enough. I'd still like to get to know you all better though. There is no way that I am going to lose a chance to interact and build friendships with you all. So get over it, because this," I gesture to the space between us "is happening."
I finally stop pacing and cross my arms over my chest while I wait for his response. He peers at me through hooded eyes again, trying to discern the sincerity of my words. I know I've given him a lot to digest so I search my surroundings while waiting.
The forest we travel through is filled with oak-brown trees that look to have survived the dinosaurs; each sporting deep grooves and crevices. While they are thick I know that we would be leaving the primitive forest soon. I stand with my head pointed straight up, looking for the tops. I am suddenly overrun with the need to reach up and grab a branch to climb. 'I doubt the dwarves would like that very much. And with my luck when I fall, I'll land on Thorin… again.' The trees are becoming thinner in number despite their thickness and the grasses we step on are changing from a vibrant green to a dull clover. The low melody of the birdsong we can hear has gotten lower each hour we moved though the forest. I doubt we will be able to hear it by this time tomorrow. I enjoy the sight, committing it to memory. I never saw too much nature back in the city and any nature I did see when I left, was through a car window as we drove through the states.
The sun is beginning to set and I know that the first stars of the night will soon be peeping down at us like silver eyes, glinting and shimmering through the night. Once again I am reminded of my limited world view. The only stars in my home are satellites and the one time I went Ireland, I did not bother to look at the night sky. Too busy looking at the grass and surf board instructors. 'What? I was studying!' I can see wild basil growing freely from the clumpy, mossy mattress on certain parts of the ground. It's one of the plants Balin pointed out while were on the pony. The gentle breeze carried a fragrance with it; a forest's natural scent.
I see Bilbo watching us and offer him a small wave before turning my attention back to the King. I feel that I have given him long enough and seeing that he has my attention again, he responds.
"While I do not fully agree with your idea that you can run around my company as freely as you please" he holds up his hands when I start to interrupt "I can see your genuine curiosity bares no ill will towards them. So long as you offer no threat to my men AND you make yourself useful, I will not complain about you 'getting to know them' as you put it. For now."
With a large smile I nod repeatedly before skipping away from his once again amused face. 'Yes, skipping. I do that sometimes, sue me.' Walking over to Dori, who is of course once again fussing over Ori, I thank him for the blanket and cup of tea from earlier. Ori peaks up at time through his eyelashes and bangs but remains quiet. I attempt to hand the older brother back the items but he insists that I keep the blanket.
"Think nothing of it, lass. You'll be needing it to sleep under tonight anyway."
I thank him again and walk over to Bilbo. I haven't spoken to him all day and can honestly say that I am eager to talk with him. 'Who wouldn't be? This is the hobbit who unwittingly saves the world.' I dodge a flying ball of garlic that is being thrown from Gloin too Oin as the two glare start me silently. Ignoring them, I barely have time to sit down next to Bilbo, on a once again conveniently placed log, before two shadows fall over us. I look up to see twin grins on two equally handsome faces.
"We have never seen anyone skip after having a conversation with uncle, have we Fili?"
"No Kili, I can not say that we have."
I almost groan in their faces. It's the infamous pair, Fili and Kili. Major fun, but total double trouble magnets. Save me.
~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~
Boom, chapter done. ~Shishi