C7: You build it up and then you break it down
"Hello, Bilbo."
Bilbo turned towards whoever was greeting him and smiled at the sight of Dru, sitting casually against a pillar, munching away on a nearly vanished apple. She had both feet spread out in front of her as she stretched languidly along the side, her back supported by the pillar and her face bathed in the last few hours of sunshine.
Bilbo couldn't help but admire her for a second. Even with her scars, her content and happy face were enough to make him wistful that he'd never got married.
"I was just going for a wander to find the other's," He clasped both hands behind his back and bounced on the spot, try to seem nonchalant, "would you, care to walk with me?"
Druili contemplated for a second and, quickly looking around, threw away the now slim carcass of her fruit. Bilbo laughed as it left her hand, over her shoulder and disappeared into a small garden feature to the side. She swung her legs down and hopped down.
"Certainly Master Baggins," She walked up to him and stuck out her arm so the crook of her elbow was pointed at him, "I shall escort you anywhere you wish."
Bilbo, bemused at the offered appendage, took it into his own arm, feeling peculiar that he was the one being escorted.
"I have never, ever met any female like you," Bilbo stammered out and picked his words carefully, "You're...very unique. Completely different from any of the females where I'm from and from any of the elves that I've encountered here."
They began a slow walk through Rivendell, Bilbo occasionally admiring the landscape, the structures and her.
"Bilbo, that was one of the best compliments I've ever gotten." She grinned at him and reached into her pouch, grabbing two apples. She tossed one expertly into the air and he caught it in its downward descent. She then began to munch away on a brand new one and Bilbo was just surprised she hadn't gotten sick of such sour apples on her journey.
"Come on," Druili steered Bilbo by his arm, down a set of long, winding stairs "Let's go and find those troublemakers."
"How many apples do you have in there?" Bilbo asked conversationally, thinking she'd only have a couple left.
Druili smirked devilishly and pulled the pouch closer to him, exposing the large bulge in the bottom.
"There's about 8 left. I ate the other 3."
"How did you find these apples? I went looking for some more food and couldn't find anybody." Bilbo looked slightly scandalised as she showed off the entire pouch of juicy, green apples.
"I have a really, REALLY helpful maid." Druili neglected to mention the name as she wasn't entirely sure that having Eilonwy sneak her a bag of apples (mostly for herself) was very...elf-like. Let alone ladylike.
For a while, they just enjoyed the walk in silence, eating their apples like old friends going on a Sunday evening walk.
"So...what made you come on this adventure?" Bilbo had been meaning to ask her for some time and as they were both so relaxed, he thought why not now, when there was no chance she'd get offended and get into a fight with him.
"Other than the travel? The company? The food?" She tossed her apple in the air and caught it again in one hand, green skin side down, "I wanted to protect my family."
"Fili and Kili?" Bilbo munched away at his apple, wishing more than anything he could turn it into a pie. Just like mother used to make.
"And Thorin. And Balin, Dwalin...technically, everyone," he turned to watch her, amused at her far off gaze, "I'd call them all my family. They've acted as such and it's only right I pay them back by protecting them if they need me."
"Braver than most. I mean, we've only encountered Orcs and Trolls thus far, I wonder what else awaits us," Bilbo thought for a second before laughing at his forgetfulness, "obviously, with the fire-breathing dragon being exempt."
"I don't think this is the last we'll see of Orcs."
She'd said that with such certainty and casualness, Bilbo actually had to stop.
"Really? What-what makes you say that?"
"Oh Bilbo," Druili sighed but maintained her smile, "this feud...this...hatred the Orcs have for us is just as strong for our group. I have a feeling, getting to the mountain and going up against a dragon will be the least of our troubles. But I'm ready. I'm prepared for a fight."
She'd walked a couple of paces ahead of him, down the last set of steps and turned back to him.
"I'll be there. If a battle occurs between Dwarves and Orcs for the mountain or the Arkenstone, I'll be at the front, making sure the other's are safe for as long as I can."
Bilbo looked at her, confused at her statement. He walked down the last few steps to join her, standing in front of her and looking directly into her eyes. They were the same height, so he never felt intimidated, nor that he should feel anyway 'bigger' - Figuratively speaking, he thought - than her.
"You can't surely save everyone."
"You can die trying." Druili smiled at Bilbo, giving him a wink when he looked at her, confused.
"But...you'd then die? If you die and everyone else dies, doesn't that mean it wasn't worth it?"
Druili shook her head and stopped.
"Yes...and our mother would hate me for saying it, but...if I have to give my life to at least give them a chance at survival, I'll do it," she turned to him quickly and held up her hands, " and I'm NOT saying this because I think so little of myself or because I see their lives are more important than my own. No, it's just...it's complicated. And not just because they're the last of the royal bloodline."
"I...do you hear that?" Bilbo turned away and squinted as he tried to make out something he heard. Druili followed suit and immediately picked up the sound of male voices, cheering and shouting at one another.
"This way, I think we found our company."
Druili grabbed his hand this time, pulling him along. He happily obliged, enjoying the warmth of her fingers wrapped around his own and laughing as she broke into a jog.
Turning in one direction, then the next suddenly, she strained her ears.
"This way!"
The sounds grew as they neared a corner. Druili was blocking his view, but just as they rounded it, he hadn't gone a couple of steps before she stopped and he fell ungraciously into her back.
"Sorry," he breathed out quickly, more from excitement than exercise, "why did you stop-"
"COME ON LADS!"
He turned towards the shout and took in the image before him. All of their friends had obviously gotten together and done a little exploring of their own. They'd found a large, beautiful Fountain in the middle of Rivendell and decided THIS was the perfect place for a bath for the lot of them.
And so, there they all were. Splashing one another, swimming, fooling around and just having a great time in general.
Completely. Naked.
Bilbo quickly turned to Druili, gauging her reaction, expecting one of embarrassment or horror. Instead, her lips were quivering and her entire torso was shaking from restrained laughter.
"Dru, you really shouldn't be-" He was cut off as she suddenly broke and let out a loud bark of laughter. She dropped his hand and immediately clasped her cheeks with both hands as she gave in to the laughter.
This immediately drew the attention to one of the bathers, who hurriedly alerted the others.
"Druili!" Nori had been the first to notice her and Bilbo and hastily covered himself, then a few of the other' following suit. Dwalin, Fili, Kili and Bofur were the only ones who didn't, but they were all too busy doing their own thing. Dwalin, with his waist deep in one of the fountains, had his arms folded and was glaring at her. She did, however, note a nice red tint to his cheeks and...other parts as well. Bofur, who was leaning back against the edge of the pool, actually waved at her, completely unperturbed by her appearance. Possibly, due to the large amount of wine he'd consumed at the meal.
Fili and Kili were both shouting at her, both wearing large grins on their faces.
"Bugger off, sis!"
"You wait until I tell mam! She'll have your hide!"
Druili was too busy laughing to take any heed of any of the other shouts. She glanced between the scene before her and Bilbo, who was trying to restrain his own laughter.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING HERE?!" Druili spun around and actually choked on her laughter.
"Uncle." She placed one hand on her chest to steady her fast heartbeat as she took him in.
He'd obviously declined the invitation for a quick dip and he was ever imposing as he marched straight up to her.
"Do you think Dis brought you up to behave like an undignified Dwarf?!" He barked at her, his gaze penetrating hers. She actually had to take a step back.
She was aware of the sudden silence behind her also, the shouts being replaced by the mere trickle and fall of the water. She shuffled about awkwardly, finding it hard to look away from him.
"I didn't know they'd be here, I just thought-"
"I don't want to hear what you just thought. You shouldn't be HERE," he shook his head, seeming to despair with her, "if your mother could see you know, she'd have some things to say to you."
'She'd be too busy admiring Dwalin to scold me.' She wouldn't voice that particular thought, knowing it wouldn't help his temper.
"Just...go find some of the elf maidens and see if they'll let you into their music circle or," Thorin walked past her and waved her off with his hand, "whatever they do here for fun."
Druili' lips thinned and she felt that familiar tug at her heart, telling her to turn heel and run back to safety, but she'd had enough.
"Why?"
Thorin turned back to her, wide-eyed that she was still standing there and defying him.
"Why?" He pointed at the fountain and then her, "Because they were here bathing in peace first and you walked down." It was a childish argument and she saw right through it.
"Yes, I know that, but we're a company. We eat together, we sleep together and we may have to bathe together in the future," she tried to sound aloof as if that possibility would ever arise, "A group of people who are going to travel together and see things. I've seen these lot in their underclothes-"
"AND NOW YOU'RE SEEING THEM WITH MUCH LESS." He roared at her and made to yell something else, but she held up her hand to him.
"Uncle!" She raised her voice back.
The first time she'd ever raised her voice to him, let alone around him.
"Please, just...stop shouting." She looked around, embarrassed by how their conversation could be heard, but everyone had now begun a slow murmur of talk in the background, seemingly interested in every other direction that wasn't towards them. Bilbo had quietly joined the others by the Fountain, his back to Druili and Thorin, but she knew he heard her too. She cast her eyes back to Thorin and he seemed to be gritting his teeth as if controlling himself from more yelling.
"You...you should return to your rooms and find some more suitable clothes to wear," his temper was under control and his voice was calm when he turned from her yet again, "Can't one of the elves find you a decent dress for the duration of our stay?"
Druili' jaw actually dropped open and shut just as abruptly.
That was a low blow. She knew that Dis had talked to him about the dress situation and whilst she did wear SOME dresses over time, she felt he understood her and her reasoning for not wearing such garments.
He looked back at her, his brow arching in confusion as he noticed how she glared at him and began to shake with pure, rage.
"You...You are such a-a," she stumbled on her words, unable to control her anger bubbling and growing beneath.
"I'm what?" Thorin was genuinely curious, having never heard his niece utter a swear in his presence, nor a bad word directed at him.
She glared at him and stamped one foot as if that was the key to unleashing the anger full force.
"STUBBORN. ARROGANT. FORGETFUL...DUNDERHEAD!"
Thorin had the decency to look shocked at her outburst. She was still shaking when her feet seemed to finally be able to move and she ran off, back the way she came. She'd be damned if he saw her cry.
She was nearing the top of the staircase when she stopped suddenly, turned around and screamed down.
"I DON'T. WEAR. DRESSES!"
She turned back again and carried on running on the steps and towards the direction of her rooms. She hadn't seen Dwalin calmly get out of the fountain, dress and march up to Thorin.
Nor did she hear their conversation. And when she made it into her rooms, she didn't lock the door, not feeling the need to as she thought no one but her maid would see her.
She threw herself down onto the warm, inviting bed and let her screams of anger and frustrated sobs take hold, not caring if anyone did hear her.
A short while later...
Druili had calmed herself down enough. It'd been a little under an hour and she shook herself out of her stupor. She rolled off the bed quickly and landed on her feet, quickly finding her weapons, still on the floor where she'd left them. But as she moved to pick up the hammer, she spotted the long garment that Eilonwy had brought to her after the meal, hanging up by the long mirror by the tub.
She approached it cautiously as if it might spring to life and attempt to put itself upon her piece. It was shorter in length than the original and higher in the collar. She approved of the Royal blue colouring and of the matching shoal that clung around the shoulders. Eilonwy had obviously taken great consideration into Dru' physical characteristics. She also admired the lacing along the sides. At least she wouldn't have to fiddle with the lacing at the back, as she had done so many times in the past.
"It's just a dress after all." She clicked her tongue and unhooked it from the side.
"Oh...it won't bloody kill you." Druili scolded herself and quickly got to work, undressing, not knowing, she had a guest on the way.
Dwalin stopped at the door to Druili' chambers and listened. He'd come straight from the fountain earlier to talk with her about her mood and how they usually solved her anger by having a fighting contest. But he'd heard her anguished sobs and left her to it. He'd walked around for a bit, before venturing back, cautiously.
No screams, shouts or cries could be heard from within. He didn't even hear her loud snoring, which most of the company had grown accustomed to. Whilst he was great at dealing with anger, he wasn't so good at dealing with crying.
Dwalin knocked on the door twice, gently. He had a feeling, if she thought it was Thorin, she'd pretend to be asleep or not in.
"Come in!" Her voice called from within and he opened the door quickly.
"Lass, I just thought-" he'd stepped into the room, but stopped abruptly at the sight before him.
Druili had spun around and was facing him, her arms half raised as if she had been about to spring on the door and stop him coming in. She looked horrified at being caught in her current accommodation in this manner and by Dwalin of all people.
"Mahal." Was the only thing Dwalin could say as he drank in the sight before him. The dress was a decent fit. Not too tight and not too long, Druili had even managed to make the lacing at the sides the same. The Shoal was draped across her shoulders and fell neatly down the front of her, ending at her waist. She was transformed.
"Dwalin." She managed to croak eventually, her arms slowly falling down and her hands bunching in the fabric of her skirt, desperate for something solid to hold onto.
"You look...urm-" Dwalin gulped down his response when she suddenly pointed behind him.
"SHUT THE DOOR." She hadn't meant to yell, but she needn't of bothered, Dwalin instantly realising he was still standing in the open doorway. Quickly obeying her, he shut the door and turned back around.
"Did you want me to leave or-"
"What are you doing here?!" Her surprise was replaced with frustration and the unbelievable heat spreading over her body was awful. She just knew she was as red as her currently tied back hair.
"Me, I just," Dwalin cleared his throat and seemed to remember exactly who he was, his back straightening, "I was going to see how you were after Thorin. I know you like to destroy things when you're angry and thought we could go find a room with some priceless, Elvin artefacts...Why did you let me in-
"I thought you were Eilonwy, Dunderhead!" Druili scowled and knew she really shouldn't take it out on Dwalin, she had after all mistakened the soft knock for that of Eilonwy. She hadn't minded if the Elf saw her like this, after all the trouble she'd been through, but she was damned if she let the other' see her in it.
"Don't you DARE tell the other' I was in a dress." She was both pleading and commanding and for the briefest moment, Dwalin could see a little bit of Dis had rubbed off on the girl.
"I thought you didn't wear dresses, lass?" He wasn't complaining, merely curious. His arms folded in his familiar and comfortable pose, not realising what an intimidating sight he struck.
Druili turned away, pretending to fiddle with the back of her dress as she desperately looked around and scanned the room for a good diversion.
All her clothes lay on her bed, her boots on the floor next to her forgotten hammer and she turned back to him, trying to sound aloof.
"I don't, I just-I was training."
"Training?" Dwalin' heavy brow came down, his confusion evident
"Aye...encase I ever DO get caught in a dress in the future! What if I'm wearing it and an orc army comes bursting through the doors? I got to learn to urm...work with the fabric...or...whatever."
The silence stretched between them and Druili frowned as Dwalin just stared at her, his face blank so she couldn't tell what he was thinking.
'He's probably thinking that we just fed him a load of Horse Dung and told him it was chocolate.'
Dwalin knew that she was making it up as she went along, but it inspired him and decided to go along with it.
He turned away and opening the door again, he made to go, but not before calling back.
"...Be right back...don't change and get your hammer ready."
As the door shut behind him, Druili stood in stunned silence.
What was he going to do with her?
She had a horrible feeling that he would go and get the other' to see her, but at the same time, why would she need her hammer for that?
It was only a few minutes later, he knocked again and this time, Druili was prepared with her hammer.
"Dwalin...if that's you, come in."
He entered, carrying his own hammer and swords and shut the door a lot quicker behind him than he had the last time. He approached her and stood a few feet in front of her as he grasped his weapon in both hands.
"All right then. Show me."
"P-Pardon?" One of Druili' brows shot up at his request. What exactly did he want her to show him?
"Show me," he frowned in annoyance and lowered his hammer slightly, "your stance. Your fighting, lass, come on!"
"Oh!" Druili immediately dropped into a battle stance, surprised with how well she could move her legs under the light skirts. She had another thought as she glanced around at the surroundings.
"Is there space in here?"
Dwalin scowled at her.
"You have to be ready for ANY sort of combat. You could be alone, in a cave, with hundreds of Orcs coming at you and you'd have to fight your way out. Utilise the space around you. Can't swing your hammer? Use the walls. And if there's no exit-"
"You make one." Druili flashed him a smile and finished for him, remembering this lesson very well. Without warning, their eyes locked and Druili dove for him, her hammer low and ready for the first strike. But he was prepared.
"Left side open." He stated, stepping out of her way and tapping her lightly on the left side. She came at him again and he repeated this process on the right side.
They went around the room, Druili pivoting and swinging her hammer as she continuously attempted to land one hit on him. He dodged easily, each time landing small hits on her, from his hammer, hands and even being able to unsheathe his sword to tap her on the back of the leg, before putting it away again... she'd not even seen him do it.
"You need to make sure you keep yourself closed off to exits from ALL sides." He stated, sounding very much like the tutor.
She was surprised at how well she could move in the dress, without having to hitch her skirts or her sleeves up to help with mobility.
She jumped on her bed and using the mattresses bounce, jumped clean over him, rolling through the air as she did so. She landed on her knees and turned around, expecting him to still be facing the other way, but she was met by the flat of his hand, extended out and connecting with her forehead. He pushed hard enough that she lost balance and lay sprawled on the floor, her legs inelegantly sprawling out as she went. She'd kept her head from connecting with the floor, but had to shake herself from the surprise.
Dwalin quickly raised his hammer up, preparing to strike by the side of her head, signalling the 'Killing blow', when he felt a slight pressure on his stomach.
As she lay on her back, her bare foot was raised, but only the tip of her toe touched his belt. Prodding and poking it. Dwalin glanced down and she smirked.
"You left yourself exposed to me." She wiggled her brows, knowing the double meaning behind the words from the earlier show at the bath.
"Always aim for the weakness." Dwalin nodded at her, satisfied that she would still be able to get the upper hand. He lowered his hammer slowly and extended his arm to her. She let her own hammer fall from one hand and held on tight to him. He hoisted her up with ease and she always found it fun to be pulled up by him. It made her feel like a little girl again, so light on her feet.
Just like the first time they'd fought together...
Dwalin left the makeshift arena, satisfied with the day's work. Fili was coming along nicely with his sword work and Kili had found his own strength with a bow and arrow. Thorin watched them both, interjecting now and again to either deliver pointers or duel suddenly with either one of them. Dwalin had seen enough for them that day to know they were naturally born warriors. And that was great, but it wasn't really a challenge to teach people how to fight when they already knew the basics.
He made his way around the side of his own cottage, intending on gathering some more water for them when he heard a noise. A series of low grunts, followed by some light beats, as if a tree branch was tapping against a window during a storm. He carefully approached the corner and peered around. He was surprised to see the girl, Druili, with her back to him, swinging something about. Her legs were spread in a wide, balanced stance and both her arms held a large, broom-like stick. She was striking a makeshift scarecrow, her hits landing on its 'vital' body points. She'd obviously been observing the lesson earlier.
Druili had hitched either side of her long skirt up and tucked and knotted it around her waist. Her trousers underneath were stained and filthy, possibly from the number of times she was hitting herself accidentally with the dirty stick. With each grunt, she seemed to be giving it her all.
Dwalin stepped fully round, not intending to spy on her and purposefully stepped down noisily against the dirt. Druili spun round, the stick still poised in her hand and her eyes wide with panic, until she saw who it was.
"Dwalin! Urm," she hurriedly hid the stick behind her back, "it's not what it looks like!... What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be teaching Fili and Kili?" She tried to smile and seem calm and rational, but Dwalin folded his arms and just gave her the, 'don't lie to me look.'
The silence stretched out around them as he stared at her.
She sighed.
"Look, just...don't tell Thorin," she let the stick fall round to her side and she pouted, "he caught me once and told me not to do it again. I just...I wanted to practice in peace."
Dwalin' brow drew down.
"You're weak and unbalanced."
Druili looked taken aback and rightfully so.
"P-pardon?"
"You're stance," he glanced at her feet, "is wrong, therefore you are unbalanced and vulnerable to fall. Your hits are shoddy and your grasping that weapon all wrong."
Druili was taking this all in, shifting herself slightly as he gave her pointers.
"And the reason I'm telling you all this, lass, is so you'll give up."
She glowered at him.
"Leave the fighting to the men." He turned away from her, ignoring the cold look she gave him, but turned when he heard her throw the stick aside. She suddenly darted towards him and Dwalin watched, amused and wondered if she was going to run into him. He was surprised when she skilfully bounded the last distance between them, bringing her feet up and delivering quite a powerful kick to his gut. He was actually so stunned by the pressure, he took a step back.
'Well, that's a surprise,' he thought to himself as he watched her inelegantly land in a heap at his feet. She groaned and splayed out, the kick obviously hurting her more than it hurt him. She grimaced as he looked down on her with the same, hard expression.
"Bully." She muttered and shifted around in the dirt, trying to dislodge a knot of fabric from her backside.
"You're weak," he repeated at her but caught her off guard when he continued, "But you kick very well. And you've got a stubborn streak that could rival Thorin."
Druili beamed up at him.
"Really?!"
He actually gave her a small smile and bent low to offer his hand.
"Ay," her small hands grasped either side of his wrist and he gripped her arm gently, "Don't tell him I said that though." He pulled her up, with only half his strength, but Druili actually hopped back up and giggled with glee she got unsteadily back to her feet.
He dusted off her back and looked her over once.
"Your mother will have a fit when she sees how dirty you got," He gave her a pointed look, but she was just looking at him, biting her bottom lip as if wanting to ask him something, "...what?"
"Thorin won't let me fight and train with Fe and Ke...he won't even let me watch," she opened her eyes wide as if a realisation miraculously dawned on her, "But YOU can. Would you help me?"
Dwalin scoffed at her.
"What makes you think I'd want to train a little mouse like you?"
Druili' teeth showed when she grinned at him, but it was more predatory than sweet.
"Please, Uncle Dwalin."
He sniffed and grimaced at her, even though he REALLY liked the sound of that.
"Don't try your wee wiles on me, lass," he sighed and just shook his head at her, "Your uncle is right to worry about you. Someday...the plans he has for the future and the places he wants to go, it's no place for you."
Druili pouted at him and put her hands on her hips.
"But I can get stronger!"
Dwalin grunted and felt like he had had enough of the game.
"My answer is no. Go back to..whatever it was you were trying to do." He turned to go, but she quickly stepped out in front of him, blocking his path and staring defiantly at him.
"Is it because you're afraid of him?"
Dwalin puffed out his chest and glowered down at her.
"I wouldn't go around with a tongue like that, lass. Or you'll meet some...men who won't take kindly to it."
Druili' eyes lit up momentarily and she darted back to where she'd been practising. Picking up her abandoned stick, she got back into the previous battle stance she'd been working on and smiled back at him.
"So...it's best to protect me from that right? Teach me then. So that any male, be it dwarf, or human, or elf or other creature that I offend with my tongue, I can keep him off of myself for long enough to run away."
Dwalin would never say it, but he was impressed. Not only by her determination but by her impassioned speech. He observed this strange and unusual girl.
He did like a challenge after all.
Removing his hammer from the sling on his back, he planted it in front of him, leaning on it for good measure as he accessed her.
"But would you run?"
Druili just smiled back at him, genuinely happy that she seemed to be getting ready for some basic fighting.
"It depends on who I'm offending."
"I remember when you could barely lift that hammer your mother got you." Dwalin' voice pulled her back out of her thoughts and she looked up at him.
"You told me a hammer was better than a sword anyway," she tested her own hammer, the weight a great comfort in her hands, "and you were right. I like the swords, archery and fighting, but a hammer...a hammer just drives the message across."
Dwalin smiled as she stepped back and began to swing the hammer in a circle as if preparing it for a great throw. He watched the folds of her skirt flowed out from beneath her and how she didn't have much trouble manoeuvring in the dress. He'd also noticed the corner of her shoal slip down, revealing that she was still wearing his leather holder in place. All the company knew what it was for, but none of them would ever discuss it. They didn't feel the need to. For Dwalin, it was another battle wound, just like the scars he himself held. Like Bifur' axe. Like Thorin' experiences on the battlefield against Azog.
Druili stopped twirling and turned back to him.
"Remember when Thorin finally caught us fighting?" Her brows raised at him, hoping he'd remember that moment.
"Aye," Dwalin grimaced at the memory of him and Thorin having a full out shouting match, "he expresses his worry the same way we all do."
"Worry," Druili scoffed at him and laughed and he threw her a confused look, "you use that word to describe him, but it's not worry you mean. It's more...hindrance."
"What are you talking about, lass?"
Druili threw him a sad smile.
"Oh Dwalin, you don't have to pretend. I'm not a child anymore," she swung her hammer about again, more as a distraction, "he's always seen me as a problem. Getting in the way and doing whatever I want. But, I'm ok with that."
Dwalin looked concerned.
"Lass, come on now," he frowned at her and took a step towards her, "that's just not true. He-"
"Dwalin," she let out a brief, humourless laugh, "it's ok. I've come to terms with it. He won't ever accept me. And that's fine. But...he might just start respecting me. If this journey...if it doesn't go to plan, I can still prove myself to him. Even if it costs me my life."
"It won't come to that," Dwalin put his foot down and glowered at her, "nothing will happen to you. I don't need to make any promises for you to know that there's at least half of the group who'd have their right hand cut off just to make sure you're not in any danger." Druili' sad smile remained, but her eyes were warm. She crossed the short distance and stood before Dwalin, gazing up at him.
"And I'd give all my limbs to make sure you all got out alive and unharmed."
Dwalin sighed. He'd lost the fight or at least, the urge to draw this out into an argument. Thorin he could handle. But woman, particularly the one in front of him, had tested his patience before and he knew he wouldn't end up the victor.
"Come on lass," he signalled to the door, "the other' will be wondering where we are."
Druili actually managed a real smile and moved about two steps towards the exit before she gasped.
"WAIT," she looked down at herself with acute disapproval, "you go on ahead. I'm going to have a bath and put on my normal clothes. There's no way the other lot are going to see me in this."
Dwalin nodded and walked over to the door. As he opened it and stepped out, he called back to her.
"Lass."
Druili turned back to him, from dumping her hammer on the bed. Dwalin threw her a smirk over his shoulder.
"You don't look too bad in that."
Druili' felt her bad eye twitch in annoyance.
"Oh, Dwalin," she said in her sweetest tone, "if you tell Fili and Kili I was wearing a dress, I'll break your kneecaps."
She scowled as he burst into a roar of laughter, which she could clearly hear as he departed, even all the way down the corridor.
As the night marched on, the company, minus a few, had gathered in one of the courtyards. Their weapons lay against the stone walls, nearby but almost completely forgotten about. Bofur and Bifur had set up their own makeshift campfire, made from what appeared to be bits of a harp. A stewing pot sat atop and Bofur was roasting sausages, eager with hunger. Bifur was attempting to roast or toast the green vegetables he'd been given earlier, trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Druili wandered in and immediately joined her brother's on a bench, both nodding a greeting to her.
Before she could say anything however, she observed the way Bofur looked at his brother, sitting alone on a table, with a plate of food in his grasp.
"Bombur!" Bofur called to him and quickly tossed the sausage he'd been cooking.
'Uh oh.'
Too late, Bombur had realised his error and Druili could hear the creek a moment before the entire table he was seated on, collapsed beneath him. The entire company roared with laughter, including Druili, who quickly tried to cover it with a cough. She pulled off the slippers she'd been given and tossed it at the back of Bofur' head.
"Go help him!" She chided him, but still had trouble restraining her own laughter. Bofur winked at her and stood up.
"Anything for a beautiful maiden."
Druili rolled her eyes, whilst Fili and Kili snorted.
"He's only saying that because you washed. AGAIN." Kili toyed with his pipe and shook his head playfully.
"I'm just surprised she's still not in it," Fili pulled at her hair, fingering the loose curls, "and...did you WASH your hair?"
Druili suddenly remembered.
"I did! And," she stood up again and reached into the pocket of her trousers, before pulling out her treasures, "look at the stuff I found."
Well, technically, it was the Eilonwy had found. After returning to see how she was faring, Druili had happily accepted the help with her hair, knowing it would have taken her hours to brush and dry herself. Luckily, Eilonwy had been blessed with a gentle and patient hand, carefully removing braids, beads and items Druili didn't even know she had in her own hair.
Fili and Kili leaned in as she sat back down and observed the stuff in her hand.
"Is that my button?!" Fili poked around and pulled out a wooden button, painted with gold leaves, "I thought I'd lost that."
"You did, my hair found it." Druili shuffled the items around on her hand, before tucking them back into her pocket, awkwardly leaning back to fit them all in.
"Honestly, you need to check your hair more often," Fili carried on poking at it, actively searching for stuff now, "I'm surprised there's no animals nesting in there."
"Steady, she's probably got them trained to attack any that dare go near!" Kili warned him in a mock horrified tone and Druili stuck her tongue out at him.
"Well, my bath was wonderful. Didn't have to share it with ANYONE!" Druili stated childishly, swatting away their toes and fingers as they prodded her sides.
"Hey lass," Bofur returned from having helped his brother back up and squatted down in front of her, "fancy a song? I saw how you wanted to join in earlier at the meal."
Druili smiled and recalled how Bofur had gotten up and sung about the man on the moon, one of her favourite's from childhood. She had indeed wanted to sing and dance along with him, but considering she'd nearly choked to death on a piece of vegetable, she thought she'd give herself a rest.
"Certainly, I-" She stopped abruptly and held one hand on her stomach and the other over her heart, going dreadfully quiet.
The company who had been listening in to this conversation looked at her with growing concern. Her eyes widened.
She took a deep breath in.
And let out the loudest belch that echoed around the courtyard for a good five seconds.
The silence fell as she shook herself physically.
"Sorry about that...I think that was all the apples."
The company roared with laughter, more so than when Bombur had fallen over. Fili and Kili, who had seen this coming, just shook their heads and carried on tinkering with their pipes and knives. Bofur sat back down and picked up his flute, a teasing glint in his eye.
"You're definitely one of a kind."
Druili pushed herself farther into the bench as Bofur quickly tested his flute.
"Shove over," She drew her back close to Fili' front and leaned against him as her feet sung up and planted firmly on Kili's lap, "and don't even think about tickling me, or I'll kick you where it counts."
Kili looked at her with a mixture of amusement and horror. He knew she meant it.
Bofur began the first few notes of a familiar tune and Druili couldn't help but smile at his choice. He had good taste. Observing the waiting eyes of everyone, who, for the first time, was in eager silence, she shut her eyes and allowed herself to relax as she began to sing.
'How sorrowful I am
When I rise early in the morningÒ hì, I would go with you
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with youIf the sand be your pillow
If the seaweed be your bed
Ò hì, I would go with you
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with you
If the fish are your candles bright
If the seals are your watchmen
Ò hì, I would go with you
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with you
I would drink, though all would abhor
Of your heart's blood after you were drowned
Ò hì, I would go with you
Hì ri bhò hò ru bhì
Hì ri bhò hò rinn o ho
Brown-haired Alan, ò hì, I would go with you.'
For a moment, there was no noise in the air, except for the crackle and spit of the fire. Druili slowly opened her eyes and observed the company gazing at her, some with a mix of admiration and relaxation, and other' with sadness.
"Bofur," Fili' voice was rough with emotion, "did you have to choose such a sad song?"
Druili let out a rumbling laugh and it undulated around the group. She caught movement to the side and was surprised to see Thorin standing there, watching her intently.
Had he been there for the whole song?
Their eyes met and Druili smiled sadly at him. His gaze was not cold or hard, but instead, warm and almost tender. He nodded at her and turned away, returning from whence he came.
She sighed and snuggled down closer to her brothers, who had not noticed the interaction. She'd forego her bed for the night and just use them as pillows. As her eyes shut, relaxing in pleasant company, her mind drifted back to the way Thorin had looked at her.
He would never apologise for the way he had talked to her or how he had treated her, but the smallest actions and gestures, such as that, were simple enough for her. They had to be. She'd treasured each nod, each warm glance and like the earlier meal, that rare, warm sound of his laughter. She vowed to make him smile more.
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The song that is sung is a Celtic song called Ailein Duinn and I recommend going to listen to the Karliene version.
