Bejeweled
A/N: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. I apologize for taking so very long to update but I have been dealing with illness, my own and my family's, and a lot of other stuff you don't really need to know about. I am back now though and having just watched the third Hobbit movie I am ready to get back to my story.
Chapter 9: Ponies, and Bees, and Bears…Oh My
Come morning Belinda was sitting on the edge of the Carrock, trying to figure out how they were all supposed to get down. She smiled softly as a warm presence sat next to her.
"Good morning Thorin. Are you feeling better?"
"I am little one, though I am more concerned about you."
"Me? I'm not the one who was used as a Warg chew toy."
A round of amused snorts behind them let her know that the rest of the company was also awake now. She carefully stood up, barely hiding a wince as her ribs protested the movement, and faced the dwarves she was starting to see as her family.
"So, do any of you have an idea as to how we're going to get down from here?"
"Can't we just use the steps?"
She gave Kili a rather unamused look.
"Even Gandalf will have difficulty with those steps, they're enormous."
The dwarves all looked around at each other, looking lost and confused, until Thorin stepped forward and silently commanded all attention.
"We will help each other, work as a team. We can lower a few down and then they can help the rest. Gandalf…you will have to lower yourself but we will help make sure you do not fall. Belinda, I will be below you every time to make sure you do not fall."
Gandalf looked rather amused but remained silent as he watched Belinda's face go through a number of expressions.
"Thorin, relax. I trust you and the other not to let me fall to my death."
The pained look that crossed Thorin's face was mirrored by the rest of the company. Belinda shook her head and made her way to the edge of the rock. It took most of the day for the whole company to make their way down to the bottom of the Carrock, and by the time they did Belinda was feeling a bit worse for wear. Thorin noticed how pale she had become and decided that they would rest for a bit before trying to move on.
Eventually Belinda told Thorin that they needed to keep moving so they did. Belinda climbed up into some hills to check if any of the orcs had caught up to them yet. Thankfully she didn't see any but what she did see terrified her just as much. When she reported back Gandalf seemed concerned and had them start off again even though it was night. They spotted a house in the distance and Gandalf told them to run for it when a loud roar sounded behind them. Belinda started to fall behind until Thorin doubled back to pick her up and carry her into the home. All of the dwarves pushed against the door and barely managed to close and secure the thing to keep out the gigantic bear that was trying to get in. Gandalf had them all settle down onto the floor to get some sleep, promising to watch over them until morning.
Belinda woke slowly to the smell of food and the sound of quiet conversation. A smile crossed her lips at the low rumbling voice of her favorite dwarf. She carefully got up and followed the voices to find all of her dwarves sitting at an enormous table that made even them seem small in her eyes. Thorin was the first to notice her and the smile that spread over his features made her feel warm.
"Are you feeling any better Little One?"
"A bit, yes. You?"
"Much better. Come, I saved you a plate of food before they could eat all of it."
Belinda's light laughter made the entire company smile as she sat next to Thorin and began to eat her share of breakfast. The sight of the very large, hairy man made her freeze in fright until Thorin placed a reassuring hand on her thigh.
"That is Beorn, our host thanks to Gandalf and his gift for storytelling."
She managed to make herself relax a bit and give the large man a small smile.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"You are welcome tiny one."
After breakfast the majority of the dwarves ended up on the porch to smoke pipes with Gandalf. Belinda ended up in the flowered fields surrounded by all manner of animals clamoring for her attention. Giant Bees, ponies, dogs, rabbits, and many others were either in her lap or crowding around to nuzzle her for affection. Thorin was watching with a smile that made his closest friends happy to see. Thorin felt breathless as the sun came out in full and shone upon his little Hobbit, turning her hair to spun gold and making her look like a glowing goddess in his eyes. Balin and Dwalin shared a fond chuckle at their friend and leader's expense.
"He truly has found his One brother, and I couldn't be happier for him."
"Aye, it is truly a blessed thing."
Later that night found the company gathered around the large fireplace telling stories and laughing happily as their leader and friend healed from their injuries. Belinda looked up and noticed the man just staring at her and she felt uncomfortable, until he spoke and made her very unhappy.
"Little Bunny is getting fat on milk and honey."
Her affronted and angry look made her dwarves gather her close and glare at the large man. Belinda was never one to keep her opinion to herself, however, and made sure to share her thoughts on the insult.
"That was quite rude. One should never tell a Lady she is getting fat, whether it is true or not. As it is I could stand to gain a few more pounds after the journey we've had so far."
The man gave her an apologetic look.
"No offence was meant tiny Lady. I may have miss-worded what I wished to say."
Belinda looked mollified and nodded to him before forgiving him and returning to tuck herself against Thorin's side. She seemed to be relaxed again, until a certain pair of mischeivous brothers decided to tease her.
"So...she's a little bunny now Fili?"
"It would seem so Kili."
The glare the fiery little Hobbit leveled at the two made the rest of the company cringe. They all sighed in relief when she calmly got up and walked away, all except Thorin who had an amused smirk on his face that made his nephews rather nervous. Two loud thumps were shortly followed by a pair of girlish shrieks of pain after Belinda had grabbed the gigantic wooden spoon Beorn used for stirring stews and soundly smacked both brothers at the same time. She huffed at them and put the spoon back before curling back into Thorin's side. Thorin's rich, dark laughter flowed over her like a warm blanket and she gave his nephews a smug grin.
"Never anger a Hobbit lass boys. We may be small but we hit hard. By the way...I am NOT a bunny. Got it?"
The boys nodded quickly, as did most of the other dwarves, eager to avoid making her angry again. She nodded sharply, satisfied that everyone would behave for the rest of that night at least. Gandalf and Beorn began speaking with Thorin about the perils of Mirkwood which made Belinda nervous and edgy, much to Thorin's displeasure. Even the older dwarves seemed a bit put-off by the thought of cursed water. Beorn promised them food rations and water containers to help them make it through the forest if they were careful. He also said he would allow them to use his ponies to get from his home to the edge of Mirkwood, but they would have to let them go there and not try to take them inside that dark wood. They reluctantly agreed and settled in to sleep for the night, nervous about what the next leg of their journey might bring.
