Chapter Eleven: I'm Glad You're Here
The company made its descent down the high rocky formation that Gandalf had identified as Carrock. It was only midday when they reached the bottom but after Thorin took a look at the weary company he announced that they were to make camp and rest. As soon as Thorin said this, Milla immediately began to look over Rylynn's injuries. She started by helping her take off her coat and surveyed the damage. It was awful. Bruises covered her body; mostly on her back and legs. Her hair was matted with blood and sweat and on the right side of her head near the temple was a gash. She would have to clean away the blood to see just how big the gash was. Milla looked over her arms and torso which seemed fine, just minor cuts and bruising. Then Milla got to Rylynn's legs.
"How did you even manage to walk let alone run and fight with this knee," Milla said examining Rylynn's knee which was swollen from bruising and had a huge gash that made Rylynn wince each time Milla touched it.
"Well it's not like I really had a choice," Rylynn said through gritted teeth as Miila dabbed at it with a wet piece of cloth.
"Honestly you lucked out after what you went through. These injuries should be worse but you are still going to need to take it easy for the next few days".
"In that case let's hope that Bilbo was right in saying that the worst was behind us," replied Rylynn.
It was at this moment that Fili and Kili joined them. Fili handed some rations to Milla then sat down next to Rylynn and handed her share of the rations. Kili stood in front of Rylynn looked her up and down then shook his head as he sat down on the other side of her to watched Milla wrap a bandage around Rylynn's knee.
"You look terrible," said Kili.
"Why thank you Kili," said Rylynn. "You sure know how to charm a woman," she added sarcastically.
"It is one of my great talents," he said trying to sound dignified.
Milla, Kili, and Rylynn all burst into laughter but Fili just sat there staring at the ground as he chewed his food. Rylynn noticed his sullenness but decided to ask about it later when no one else was around. Milla finished with wrapping Rylynn's knee and moved on to the side of her head. She cleaned away the blood and dirt to reveal only a small gash. It had looked a lot worse than it really was and she decided to just leave it alone since any bandage she put on it would just get in the way.
"Well like Kili said, you look terrible, but you will live." said Milla wiping the last of the blood away from Rylynn's face and moving away from her to eat her own food.
Bilbo walked up to the group of young dwarves and sat down joining the small circle. He looked over at Rylynn and her injuries and guilt washed over his face.
"Rylynn I am sorry for causing you to fall,"he said.
Rylynn stopped chewing and stared at him confused at first then shook her head.
"Bilbo, you should not be sorry. You did nothing that you should feel sorry about. We have all been in danger and we have all risked our lives for each other. I am alive and well, so are you. If I had stood there and done nothing I would not have been able to live with myself knowing that my friend died and I did nothing," she said sternly.
Bilbo nodded and smiled his face becoming more relaxed and relieved as some of the guilt left him.
"That reminds me," said Kili. I think the both of you each have a story to tell about how you ended up surviving and then turning up and at the last moment.
"Yes I have been wondering myself," said Thorin who was just a few feet away from the small group.
"In fact I think all of us would like to know what exactly happened," added Gandalf as the rest of the company nodded their agreements, all looking eager to hear Rylynn's and Bilbo's adventures in the mountain.
Bilbo and Rylynn looked at each other for a moment then walked over to join the rest of the company. Bilbo started his story about how he had slipped away from the goblins when they had first been captured. Then described a strange creature in which he had a gamble for his life while answering riddles. He had won the game and followed the creature out of the mountain and joined the rest of the company. When he finished Gandalf became curious about this strange creature but left it alone when Bilbo only gave him short unfinished answers. Then it was Rylynn's turn to tell her tale about waking up on the ledge, climbing up to the path, finding the cave and its secret door, then finished with her watching them from above and trying to catch up.
By the time she had finished the hour was late and most of the company went their separate ways to catch what little sleep they could before it was their turn for watch. Thorin had put Rylynn and Fili on first watch and they sat together in silence, listening to the rippling river as it flowed by. Rylynn looked over to the silent Fili. He had been unusually quiet and distant all night.
"So do you want to talk about what is bothering you?" she asked.
Fili broke away from the staring contest he was having with his hands and looked at her.
"What?" he said.
"You have been quiet all night and your mind has not been with the rest of those around you. I know I am not one for sharing but Milla always likes to remind me that sometimes it is good to talk about what is bothering you. So...do you want to talk about it?"
He took in a deep breath and released it slowly debating on whether or not to share what was really on his mind with Rylynn.
"It's nothing, I am just tired from that past few days," he said finally.
Rylyn nodded not convinced by his answer but accepting that he did not want to share. She understood the want to not share personal thoughts, especially if they did not concern the other person. Where Rylynn had been correct about knowing Fili's silence was not caused by weariness she was wrong about it not concerning her.
They remained in silence for a long time and it was not until Ori and Nori woke up to relieve them from watch that Fili broke the silence.
"Rylynn," he said, hesitating as he searched for the words he wanted to say. "I am glad your here and alive."
She gave him a small smile. "As am I Fili. Now get some rest."
He nodded and walked over to where Kili was sleeping. As usual he was sprawled out and partially on his own blanket partially of Fili's. Fili gave his brother a slight nudge to move him over and laid down. He closed his eyes but the image of Rylynn falling, sliding down the cliff, and into the mist made him snap his eyes back open. He turned to his side and looked over to where Rylynn was sleeping next to Milla. In the dim light the bruises that covered her face and arms we not as visible even though he knew they were there. She was laying on her side facing him her eyes closed and face relaxed as she slept. He watched her shoulders rise and fall with each breath telling him that she was alive a breathing. It was this image of her peaceful and safe that allowed him to close his eyes and fall asleep.
OK so I need an idea of how you guys fell about this story. Am I doing ok? do I need to add more details? What is working for you and what is not? Or should I just keep going with what I have been doing? Until next time!