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 11

I have been avoiding Thorin for days now. Correction: Thorin has been ignoring me for days now. Granted, I haven't gone out of my way to initiate a heart felt chit chat either but that's beside the point. The two of us need to talk, its true, but it seems that neither of us can grow the golf balls to make the first move. Gandalf is no help; all he does is snicker behind his pipe. 'Okay, maybe not snicker, but he is hardly broken up about our inability to communicate.' Massaging my thighs, I thank the Lord above for finally allowing my body to finally start to get used to pony riding. It hurts my back my than anything but that's only because it's coupled with sleeping on the floor. 'Sigh' Thus I spend my days waiting for a rancorous or dilapidated house 'la...' to appear. I'm sure it'll be soon enough. '... ssie' I make a futile attempt to find Thorin and end up face to face with Kili's '...ass...' Well yes, but I don't curse. Not even in my head.

"Lassie!"

I'm finally brought out of my musing by a very loud, very insistent, very close voice in my ear and a fingerless gloved hand waving in my face. Bofur sits next to me with a grin the size of a car but with more teeth, trying to get my attention. I gently push his hand out of my face before scooting over a couple of inches and giving him my attention.

"What is it you want Bofur? Is the sky falling?"

"The sky?" He looks up in a worried search before answering in relief "No, I can't say that it is."

"... What do you need my attention for?" I say shaking my head.

"Nothin much. We'll be leavin soon, so ye'd best be packin yer gear. And less lookin at dwarven rear."

He chuckles at his own joke before laughing full out at my horrified face. He slaps me good naturedly on the back as I glance around quickly to see what damage has occured. What I find is the Durin brothers blowing me kisses, fanning their faces, and batting their eyes in a mock attempt of being coy. 'Great. I had just gotten them to stop doing that.' With a groan, I pick up my things and shove them into my bag before hurriedly making my way to Balin and his pony.

"Good morning to you, lassie." He greets, clearly in higher spirits than I

Before I can respond a throat is cleared behind us. I turn to find Thorin a top of his pony looking very much like Napoleon in that painting. Oh... what was it called? Something... about... the Incredibles... Violet... Dash... Jac- Jack! It was Jacques-Louis David's painting 'Napolean crossing the alps.' I remember learning it in art. 'Thanks brain!' Another throat clearing has me raising my brow at the king. I sure hope he's not expecting me to speak first...

"You will be riding with me today." he finally says, or more like orders, in a smooth voice "There are many things we need to discuss."

I knew this day was coming. I knew it, I knew it, I knew but I'm STILL not ready. For one, I didn't think he'd make me ride with him. Balin is one thing but how embarrassing would it be for my butt to go numb while riding behind a king? Not to mention that internal fight I'll have NOT to smell him. I smell people, ok? But only those who smell good. Problem being, I'm sure Thorin smells like bottled sex with a generous splash of danger. While a few of the others can be described along the same lines, I can honestly say it's Thorin who I'm most wary of. 'Not a road I want to go on.' So, I do the only stalling technique I know: Act totally clueless. I face Balin with a resigned look and say my wonderfully thought out response.

"You heard him, Mister B." patting the snowy dwarf on the shoulder, I shrug "You're riding with Thorin today. Fear not, I'm sure I can handle the pony on my own."

Which is a bold faced lie. I still can't ride a pony to save my life and believe you me, I've tried. Every lesson Balin compelled me into taking always led to my steed blatantly ignoring my commands and veering off course. Even so, I hope upon hope that he will just let me climb on the beast and be done with it. 'It could happen, right?' A hand on my shoulder, keeping me grounded, has other ideas. I hang my head and look up through my lashes, giving my partner my best puppy dog eyes.

"I believe" he starts, putting heavy emphasis on the word "he meant you, lassie."

"I guess." Flicking my gaze to Thorin, his annoyed glare in return says more than words ever could "You... you might be right."

With a defeated sigh I turn back to the glaring Thorpolian and slowly make my way over. I look up and he looks down; neither of us saying anything as I begin to clumsily mount. Tentatively, I rest my hands on his back to grip the fabric of his coat as an anchor. Seeing fit to ignore each other, as much as you can without an inch in between, we wait for the rest of the company to saddle up before we ride. 'Wish I had a pair of sunglasses.' I settle for adjusting my regular spectacles.

"Move out!"

His bellowed command startles me as much as the pony's motion, nearly knocking me off the animal. I'm quick, though still hesitant, to wrap my arms around the dwarf. I grumble self consciously at the stone pecs beneath my hands, imagining what he must think of the soft, all but useless, possible witch attached to his back. Clip by agonizing clop, we ride in silence. There is only one thing we actually have to talk about but avoidance is key. 'I hate to say I told you so but I did tell him so.' Still, I don't think he'd appreciate hearing it from me... or anyone for that matter. Finally an hour into our tearfully silent trip, Bifur surprisingly saves the day... with singing. And despite the fact that I know he isn't speaking westron, I understand the words. I did not see that one coming. 'Note to self, talk to Gandalf ASAP.' It starts as a hum, much like 'misty mountains' at Bilbo's house. 'I'm so angry I missed that one.' However, it was a happier tune and before long he was singing full voice.

'Oh, the summer time is ending,

But the trees are blooming

And the wild mountain thyme

grows around the blooming Heather

Will you go, lassie, will you go?

and we'll all go together

To pull wild mountain thyme

All around the blooming Heather

Will you go, lassie, will you go?'

Being the only lassie around, I pay extra attention to the words. Little by little the company joins in and I sway in excitement. The beating of hours is a natural yet perfect base line that I highly appreciate. The song continues to the next verse and a few dwarves pull out their instruments from... well... I don't know where... and I'm not inclinded to guess... but they pull them out to play. Despite my earlier resignation, I'm stoked to be present.

'I build my love a bower

By yon clear and crystal fountain

and all around the bower

I'll call flowers Mountain

If my true love, she won't have me

I will surely find another

To pull wild mountain thyme

around the blooming Heather'

I don't know what half the words mean in an actual sense but by this time I'm really into it, so it doesn't really matter to me all that much. I love a good folk song. If I were alone, I'd jump up and dance like nobody was watching but I settle for beating Thorin's abdominals like a bongo. He hums along as the final verse rolls around, so I don't think he minds too much.

'Oh the summertime is ending

But the trees are blooming

and the wild mountain thyme

grows around the blooming Heather.'

The song comes to an end and I'm tingling as I clap my hands with joy. Feeling bold, I decide 'to heck with all this lollygagging.' Before I can back out, I place my hands on his thighs and lift myself up so I'm all but hanging over his shoulder. It's the only way I can get close enough. Locating his ear, I whisper as firmly as I can without sounding commanding or like I'm yelling.

"Tonight we should talk."

"Indeed." Is his stiff reply before repeating his earlier statement "We have a lot to discuss."

Oh, it's on.

~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~

Yoooohoooo, oh dear sweet reviewers! Thank you , Katherine Sparrow, Amy, Just4me for being so kind as to review. Loved each one! ~ Shishi