Ahh, it's good to be back. No, I'm not in the Army anymore (long story, not going to discuss it).
But, any-ho, since the second movie isn't out yet, I'm going to make a few filter chapters, to keep y'all's attention. FYI: I'm going to the midnight premiere for The Desolation of Smaug :P
Okay so enjoy and thanks for being understanding and patience!
Heather felt Thorin's thumb ceased stroking the top of her hand and she saw from the corner of her eye that his face went pale; well, more pale than before when it was just his injuries changing his complexion. She saw him swallow hard and looked away from her. That was when she looked back at him, no longer embarrassed that they had just kissed. Thorin took a moment before saying anything which scared Heather. She wasn't sure why he suddenly changed his atmosphere and why. And she was afraid to figure out why; she didn't feel this uncertain of him being near her since when she opened the door to him back at Bag End. Again, she felt that he had become a ticking time bomb.
"No; it's just an expression," he said, not convincing Heather. She was afraid to push the issue, so she just leaned onto the rock they were near and gently lowered her chin onto his shoulder, careful to not irritate his injuries.
After a few suspenseful moments, Heather felt Thorin ease up a little and begin to relax a bit. She was relieved and thankful that he didn't start acting as though she didn't exist again; like at the beginning of the journey. They sat together for a while, secretly admiring and appreciating each other's company, but not mentioning it. Birds began to chirping and a small breeze blew through the branches and danced with the leaves. Heather was thankful for such a calm morning, considering all she went though in the past two days; climbing mountains, running through goblin caves, riding a bridge down a cliff, being chased by orcs and wargs the night before, gaining the courage to actually attack one to save Thorin, and being whisked away by giant eagles from a massive forest fire. She definitely deserved to sit for a while.
In fact, she somehow lowered her guard enough to slip into a peaceful sleep. About half the day was wasted by Heather sleeping on top of Thorin's shoulder. Well, that's not entirely accurate. Sieyara had came back for her sister and found her sleeping on the ground by the rock.
"Hey, wake up," she shook her older sister on the shoulder. "Heather, c'mon. Gandalf is looking for us,"
"What? Mhmm," Heather carefully stretched her limbs and noticed that Thorin was gone. She decided that he must have gone back for a reason and so there was no need to talk about what had happen. She adjusted her belt and sword and popped her neck. "That felt great."
"I'm sure it was, Miss Lazy-Pants," Sieyara mocked her. Heather snapped her head to her with an expression closely resembling to say "don't-start-with-me." "I was kidding, damn where did your sense of humor go?"
"I don't know" Heather smiled and began to watch her footing as they started walking to the rest if the company, "Maybe it's with your clothes."
"Ha ha ha, you're so funny," Sieyara rolled her eyes and followed Heather.
They chatted about little things as they made their way back to the pillar they had left in the morning. Heather explained everything she found to be important about this world in contrast to their own. She clearly stated how things are old fashioned about women's right and how they dwarves usually acted around her to maintain a gentleman etiquette. Heather made it very clear that if they are stuck here, they she is to stay with her until they can fully convert into the ways of Middle-Earth. Sieyara seemed reluctant about being dominated by men but she understood that there was nothing she could really do to stop these facts.
By the time Heather had made it painfully obvious about these key elements, they had reached their destination at the foot of the pillar. Everyone was waiting for them. Most of the younger dwarves had gotten used to Heather's blouse-less figure and Sieyara's pantlessness. However, the older dwarves still gave the females the respect to not look at them directly for the sake of modesty. Gandalf had always simply looked passed their half-nakedness and speak to them as regular people.
"We're in luck," Gandalf said as the two females finally arrived, "I am familiar with these parts on this side of The Misty Mountains, and I know of a nice fellow who lives fairly close." Everyone nodded in a silent agreement. "He is a tricky man, but I am confident that he will help us."
And they were off again, walking for the rest of the day. No one was very talkative, and Heather didn't blame them. They were beaten, broken, and starved. Yet their will carried them onward, into the unknown thicket that gently littered the plains wit trees with spacious gaps in between each one. The entire company fell silent as they followed the dwarf prince and grey wizard. Sieyara had given the backpack to Heather to carry and she didn't mind slugging it over her unhindered shoulder; she felt as though she could keep a better eye on their worldly possessions so none of the dwarves would see anything.
They slowed their walk to a determined pace, but also one to ease the injured. The females stuck to the back because Heather wanted to have an excuse for being further away from Thorin. She had greatly enjoyed their kiss, but the small exchange afterward had made her believe that he regretted ever doing it. Why else would he leave her when she fell asleep on him? The best thing was to give him his space and come to a conclusion all on his own; she just hoped that he would pick a conclusion that meant more kissing.
Birds were chirping constantly and little forest critters were buzzing or running around. Heather was relieved that there was at least one part of this world that would could be mistaken for their own. However, Balin was still curious about the two females. How can they be sisters when they had so many differences. Sure Kili and Fili had differences, but their face structure alone would tell you that they were blood brothers. Everything that was "allowed" to be different with them was, but with Heather and Sieyara nearly every-little-thing was changed. And Balin saw it all. He knew there was something the girls were hiding. He was determined to find out what before the journey was over. Maybe when the company reaches this Beorn fellow's house he will confront Heather, she was always easier to talk to than her rough little "sister."
It seemed to take extra long as the dwarves hadn't had a substantial meal and were bruised from the talons from the eagles. The day dragged on as each and every one of them slowly stepped in line to Gandalf and Thorin in the lead. Heather and Sieyara found themselves near the middle, behind the leaders and Gloin, Oin, Kili, and Fili. Everyone stayed silent, as though speaking would drain their remaining strength to walk. Heather preoccupied her mind with thoughts of Thorin, constantly wondering what he was thinking and if their kiss meant anything more than a "thank you." Sieyara quizzed herself on the dwarves' names and faces, trying to memorize the extraordinary beard with a name.
Just as the sun started to change the color of the sun in its decent, Gandalf and Thorin stopped and rounded the remaining company to a circle around them. Of course, Sieyara was glued to her older sister. As the dwarves found an easy place to see their prince and wizard guide, Gandalf began to speak.
"Over this hedge lies the house of Beorn. He is very much a nature man and loves his animals. You are to not insult them nor touch them unless he gives you permission to do so. Understand?" A hushed murmur of agreement came from he exhausted dwarves and girls. "Now, since there is sixteen of us all together, we need to pair up in groups of two- no no, I shall pick the groups." He had to stop the dwarves from picking their own pairs. It seemed like he purposely put Heather as the second pair with Fili and Sieyara as the second to last pair with Bofur. She didn't know why he did that, but was far to tired to put forth the effort to argue. "Master Oakenshield and myself shall go first; then Fili and Lady Heather shall wait five minutes before coming around the hedge and walk through the arch of vines. Then the next pair shall wait five more minutes before they follow them. Be sure to wait the five minutes before walking under the arch, you all understand?" Again, the dwarves nodded in silence along with Heather and Sieyara.
Gandalf pulled Heather aside for a silent word with her before he led Thorin around the hedge. "I hope you have brilliant story-telling skills, as we will need them to share with my friend."
"Well, why do you need good story-telling skills?"
"You shall see," he gave her a warm smile and turned away. "Come Master Oakenshield, we shall leave." And the two began to walk away from the company that was separated in pairs.
Once the two leaders were gone, the pairs at the end fell to the floor and sat, quietly waiting for their turn in 20 minutes or greater. Heather paced around in a small circle, getting anxious about the thought of food and maybe a bed. Fili leaned on the hedge and took a quick nap while Heather kept the time for when they were expected to enter.
Five minutes past, Heather shook Fili awake and the two walked away from the remaining dwarves. The hedge was longer than she had noticed and felt vaguely worried about what Gandalf had said to her. In fact, nearly everything he has said to her has freaked her out. She remembered back at the first forest, when he said that he was in her world and that he didn't mean to drag her along with her sister. And what he had told her at that large rock when the eagles had dropped them off; that they were going to discuss what's going to happen at the end of the journey. How could he already know? Damn wizards and their magic, she thought.
At the edge, the pair turned right and saw the archway of vines that Gandalf had said. They walked under the wire arch with vines growing through it and entered Beorn's lawn. A large fire pit, built into the ground, was surrounded by green grass and a few benches and chairs around it. Further passed the fire pit was a barn-like area with many of animals freely roaming among a large section of grass. To the left was a magnificent wooden house that seemed fit for a wood imp king; if imps existed in this world. By the small fire roaring in the in-ground pit, was Gandalf, Thorin, and a strange bearded man. It must be Beorn, Heather reasoned. Only, she expected him to not have a beard for a change. Besides elves and little Bilbo, every other guy she has met has had some sort of facial hair. Maybe it's a respect thing? Heather didn't understand, and being surrounded by bearded guys wasn't exactly her greatest vision for herself. When she was younger, when her mother was raped and became pregnant with Sieyara, her biggest fear was bearded men; considering the man had one who've done that unforgivable act to her mother.
"Ah, you see. There is the Lady Heather I spoke so highly of right now. Come, join us, both of you." Gandalf waved them over. Fili was anxious to sit on something other than dirt and twigs so he practically ran over to them and sat next to his uncle. Heather casually walked over and before she could sit down, Fili had moved away from his uncle to make move for her next to him; she had not seen it but Thorin had given his nephew a dirty look and lightly shoved him down to silently indicate him to move.
"Yes yes, she is here now, and you have promised another story from her later. Right now continue with this one, old wizard."
Oh, that took a bit to get done. Well enjoy and review my filter chapter!
