Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit, or the Characters, I do not own rights to the book or movies or the original plot lines of either. I own only my OC's.
Many thanks for the reviews Axle Beau, zZhell-butterflyZz, ro781727, and RagdollPrincess. I do love reviews, so please let me know what you think.
So this chapter was supposed to be part of the previous one, but the chapter grew to such lengths (15,500 words) that I had to split it. Then I had to tweak it to make it happen on a different day. So I pulled out my timeline calendar and chose a day that would work nicely. Then it grew some more. After all the angst, I figured it was time for some levity.
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Love you all so much!
Chapter 13
Naughty or Nice
May 20
"I still feel nothing out here, Mikhaul," Rylee said in confusion, as they rode away from the company to go find a place to burn and do another fire cleanse. Her nightmares were still the same, she was still fighting, but the dreams remained the same, looping over and over again, keeping her in their grip. So she went to burn each day, to try to find clarity and to cleanse her spirit. Every night she was told that it was easier and easier to wake her.
"I know, it has been oddly peaceful since you and Kili destroyed Esgaud." Mikhaul whispered into her mind. "It really does not make any sense."
"Regardless, we will keep our senses open. There is no point in being ambushed." Rylee sighed, they found a nice pool of fresh water in the middle of a dense forested area, they were well ahead of the Company, but still in the general direction of the Great East Road.
Rylee set up camp quickly, setting a fire pit, starting her fire, pulling out her metal working kit. The token was almost complete. She just had to set the scales within the metal and it would be done. She got to work, heating and working the metal and finally inlaying each one of the tiny pieces of scale that she painstakingly carved by hand. It took the majority of the afternoon for the work to be completed and she tempered the metal, allowing it to cool and harden. Finally complete, she set it aside and stood stretching her arms wide and arching her back. She undressed and dropped her clothes in a pile beside the river, so she could wash them later.
Mikhaul was watching her intently as Rylee stepped into the center of her fire. "Eru, creator of all, please hear my prayer. Help me to clean the darkness from my heart and soul, help me burn away the shadows in my heart. Help me find my path, please help me find my place in the world once again."
The flame crawled up and over her body, filling her, fueling her, caressing her. Soon she was nothing but the deep red flame that her title was named for. Rúnyatári was Quenya for Queen of Red Flame. The crown that graced her brow had it written in the runes. She wondered what her role would be in this new time, should she survive her quest. The possibility of surviving was so minimal, the odds were low. She already died three, possibly four, times. How was she to live fully if she didn't know if she would even survive?
She thought about that for a moment as the flames washed through her, there was no mortal who knew when their end might come. Not Man, not Dwarf, nor even Elf, knew when their end might come. Life was not a guarantee, of all people she knew this, so why was she allowing the darkness to fill even a portion of her heart and soul? Since when was she so jaded?
She began to sing, allowing the emotions that filled her to pour out. No thought, no reflection, just emoting every raw and powerful feeling. Allowing the release of tension to flow from her, reveling in the sensation of each as it flickered through her. Pain, hate, rage, betrayal, sorrow, regret, worry, fear, they tore her apart from the inside and she allowed the feral animal inside of her to immerse itself within the dark energy. The darkness built and built to the point where angry tears bit her cheeks as they fell from her eyes. She let the song build with the gloom and pull her into obscurity, threatening to pull her into the night forevermore.
She closed her eyes and let herself fade, but as she did one image filled her mind. Kili, as he watched her hungrily, kissing her, one hand pulling her hard against him, and the other gliding up to cup her breasts. Her song changed as she relished in the feel of him against her, the way she responded to his touch, the way the languid warmth filled her from fingers to toes. The now familiar heat of desire that filled her belly whenever he was near her, made her burn with an intensity that she would never reach by standing within a flame. She gasped as she imagined standing before him naked, his eyes lighting across her body, him pulling her into his arms. Smoldering embers burned deep inside of her as she flared with a new fire. Her song was ripe with passion and desire and need and love. Suddenly the song ended and she collapsed into the coals of the fire that was now spent.
"What was that?" Mikhaul asked as Rylee crawled weakly out of the fire pit.
"I don't know," Rylee whispered hoarsely, "I have never felt anything so intense."
"Your flame turned white," Mikhaul told her softly with a concerned snuffle, "just for a second, right at the end."
"That's never happened before, the emotions were so much different, I nearly gave into the darkness, and then -," She stopped and stood on shaky legs and realized that she was covered in soot and ash and thick drawn lines of the charcoal that she fell into. "Then I saw Kili and everything changed. The emotions were so pure, and well, needy. I have never felt so warm Mikhaul."
"He is your One, Rylee, stop fighting it," Mikhaul huffed low in her throat. It was a sound that meant Mikhaul was thinking deeply about something.
Rylee stumbled to the pool, the cold water waking her up just enough to keep her from passing out in the water. Once she finished bathing she climbed back out to dress in her clean clothes. She barely put on her outer tunic before she passed out on top of her towel, completely exhausted.
It was hours later when Mikhaul nudged her awake and they cleaned up the camp. Rylee's mind was filled with questions, why did the darkness try to consume her so fiercely? She nearly succumbed to the sway of the dark fire that burned inside of her, and right when she was on the cusp, it changed. Her only thought was that her One had the power to lift her out of the darkness she was in, and she was continually pushing him away. She bit her lip as she thought about this, picking up the completed token, she examined it for flaws and found none. It was complete. The one question she had been asking herself for days rose once again in her mind. Did she give it to him?
She sighed and packed it away, they needed to get back to the others. Once they were finally making their way back to the company, Rylee let her thoughts wander over the contents of her nightmare. From the fight against the twined dragons of silver and gold, did she fail a quest? Was she actually here earlier in the Third Age? Why did she not remember it? Why did she only see flashes of this gold dragon? Not even a full picture of the beast, just a flicker of golden scale and green underbelly. The silver beast she knew was Esgaud. She recognized him.
Sauron scared her, his seduction was so pure, so taunting. He was so powerful, and she felt so small against that power. The beasts stopped coming after her after Esgaud was destroyed. The beasts stopped right after she started having these vile dreams. Was it because he no longer needed the beasts to be his eyes and ears? Was it because Sauron could see her? A shiver ran down her spine as she thought about the power that Sauron would have over her if he could see into her mind.
She needed to ask Gandalf about this. "Mikhaul, I need to talk to Gandalf."
"We are just about there, Rylee, only a few more miles." The great black mare told her as she began to sprint full out, towards the company.
Mikhaul was true to her word. They broke out of the forest like a silent black shadow and came upon them from the rear. They didn't stop to say hello to anyone as they raced up to Gandalf on his sable mare, but their sudden approach nearly felled Ori, Bilbo and Oin from their saddles as they startled them. Rylee and Mikhaul ignored their cries of protest as they went by.
"Gandalf can Sauron see into a person's dreams?" Rylee asked him as they slowed to a walk beside him.
"Oh, you are back, Rylee," Gandalf said looking up at her with twinkling eyes. He did not seem surprised at all to see them. "No, I do not believe he has that power. Why do you ask?"
"I wonder if I should be worried that he can see me through these dreams, as I see him," Rylee kept her voice low, "If he can, then I worry about the Company, they are not safe with me."
"Rest assured Rylee, he cannot see you as you see him," Gandalf smirked at her and she quirked an eyebrow in response. "You see him as you last remember him. You told me that was your hunt when you were proven Battle Ready at thirty, if I am not mistaken."
"Uh, Aye, when I was permitted to hunt again, it was a hunt against Thuringwethil," Rylee nodded quietly. She did not tell him that she was proven battle ready long before her thirtieth winter. "While I killed Thuringwethil, Lúthien and Huan were able to infiltrate Angband using the vampire's form as a disguise. They were able to subdue Sauron. I saw him change from his fair face, to a werewolf, then to a vampire."
"Is that the face you see in your dreams?" Gandalf asked knowingly.
"The fair face? Yes, why?" Rylee nodded, looking at her long time guide and friend.
"He has not been able to take a Fair Face since the fall of Númenor." Gandalf informed her with a small smile. "That tells me that it must be a trick in your mind, like the fall of the Valar."
"That part of the dream, I know is fallacy," Rylee said with a small snort. "They are much too powerful to be taken down by either Morgoth or Sauron. I know that Beleriand fell. It was in my dreams long before I helped kill Ancalagon. It was the only path that would help the Valar to imprison Morgoth. Every other path led to the destruction of the world. The dragons and the loss of the company in the dream does not bother me so much either, they are part of this quest. I am to find what I am missing and I am to change their fates. It is plain to me that I am to prevent those deaths from happening. No, it is the call of the darkness that haunts me most."
"So regardless of what I told you, you still worry that he can see into your dreams?" Gandalf shook his head. She always was stubborn and set in her ways.
"I know it is irrational, Gandalf, and likely foolish to think so, but Aye, I still worry." Rylee sighed in frustration at herself and her own doubts. They fell into silence once again, but Rylee was troubled. Ever since the dragon, not one beast came near them, everything seemed quiet, too quiet. To keep her mind off of it, she changed the subject, "Tell me what happened since the fall of Beleriand. Ori knows the tales from a Dwarf perspective, and that is great, but he knows nothing of my friends from the First Age."
"What would you like to know, a great deal has happened since the end of the First Age." Gandalf said thoughtfully. "I am not even certain that I can tell you everything you would like to know."
Ori spent a small portion of the morning telling her some of the Dwarven history of the Second Age, which helped her deal with the feelings of loss and grief. Learning about the history of Arda, after the War of Wrath, was a balm to her soul. It helped to assure her that good things came from her actions, not just the destruction of Beleriand. Yes, she played a part in it, but so did every other Elf, Dwarf and Man that was present at the time. The Second Age and the battles within it were fascinating, but it was all from a Dwarf perspective and that meant that the fates of her friends were left in question.
"Who survived, who did not, who yet lives. I know nothing of this and I would like to know." Rylee sighed thinking of all the things that she didn't know. "You said that Sauron has not worn a Fair Face since the fall of Númenor, what or who is Númenor?"
"Númenor was an island to the west built for the Great Human Warriors, at the end of the First Age. Their first King was Elros, he and Elrond were given the choice to live as either men, or elves. Elrond chose to live his life as Elven Kind and Elros chose the path of Man Kind." Gandalf told her the brief version of the history, "Elros was around Five Hundred years old when he passed. His kingdom was passed down through his descendants. Unfortunately Sauron's taint corrupted the kingdom and it fell near the end of the Second Age. The few survivors faithful to the Valar fled to Middle-Earth after the fall, led by Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion. They founded the realms of Arnor and Gondor. Their successors are now the warriors called the Dúnedain. Many of their number serve Middle-Earth as Rangers, keeping the peace and rooting out evil in the world."
"Elendil is the one who helped Gil-galad destroy Sauron, and Isildur took the ring, yes?" Rylee asked as she tried to wrap her head around this information. It was a blessing and a curse that Elros lived and yet was gone from the world. While she was glad that he had the choice to live as man or Elf, she still would miss him. It sounded to her that her friend fathered a long line of great men and women, who still fought for the good in the world, he would be proud of that accomplishment.
"Yes, though I must tell you that Gil-galad died in that encounter, Sauron burned him, and he fell on the battlefield. Elendil, too, passed in that battle, they were lucky to destroy Sauron as they did." Gandalf told her, he quieted for a long moment then he said, "Isildur died some years later."
Rylee sat in sad recollection of her memories of the great warrior Gil-galad. He was a great king. She made him a lance, many years ago as a gift. It was very unfortunate that the world lost such a great and just King. He was younger than she was when he ascended to the throne, older than she when she returned for her third life. Her advisors tried to push her into marrying him, and both she and Gil-galad said no. They were friends, but nothing more.
"Aeglos," Rylee whispered to herself in remembrance. She sighed softly. He was a master with that weapon. None could stand before him. Even she sparred with him and found him to be her equal in battle, which was a rare occurrence. "Gil-galad wields a well-made spear, The Orc will fear my point of ice, When he sees me, in fear of death, He will know my name: Aeglos"
"How do you know what is written on his lance?" Gandalf asked in surprise.
"I made that lance for him, in Elorin's forge. Elorin spent hours trying to find some fault with it, so he could find reason to bar me from his forge." Rylee chuckled at the fond memory. "I also made two swords, several long Orc daggers, and some iron throwing knives. When I made the weapons I didn't even know who they were for, until I met them. The knives were for me, I still wear them."
"Which quest was that? I know it was not the third one, Elorin let you come and go as you pleased, if I do recall," Gandalf smiled thinking about the five years he spent with Rylee in the First Age.
"The first quest, I was in need of clarity and Elorin's forge was the best forge in the city of Gondolin. It was in that forge that I learned that I was to seek out Turgon and a young warrior named Gil-galad. Elorin was not happy when I took over his forge for a week, but he came around," Rylee smirked at Gandalf as her eyes lit, and then dimmed, "The second time I took over his forge, I learned that it was Turin I needed to find to go after the dragon. Elorin, is he -?"
"I have not seen Elorin since I arrived in Middle-Earth, if he lives, I have not come across him," Gandalf said quietly. Rylee sighed sadly and went quiet. Gandalf didn't want her to lose hope, "Your friends may yet live Rylee, just because I have not seen them, does not mean that they did not survive. You know that most half breeds are not well accepted in common society."
"This I know too well," Rylee hummed in agreement. No, Elorin and Elihara were shunned by both Elves and Dwarves. Few people of Middle-Earth accepted them, only Rylee and a few of her closest friends. "But, what of Elrond? You said that he chose to live as an Elf. Does he survive?"
"Aye, he was there at the Battle of the Last Alliance," Gandalf nodded happy to move on to happier topics. Or so he thought, "After Sauron fell, and Isildur took the ring, Elrond returned to Imladris."
"The ring," Rylee said as a prickly sensation of darkness climbed her spine, "If Isildur died, what happened to it?"
"It was lost," Gandalf confessed uneasily, looking across at her. Rylee turned and looked right back at him, giving him a hard look.
"So this great and terrible ring could be out there anywhere, corrupting the world? And darkness is growing?" Rylee whispered looking back at the others, "It needs to be found and destroyed!"
"We know this, Rylee, we are looking for it," Gandalf said quietly, feeling a little more relaxed at her response. "Believe me, we are doing our utmost effort to find, and destroy, all of Sauron's devices."
It was then that Thorin called to make camp and their conversation was cut short. Rylee nearly swore in frustration, she had so many more questions. She would have to ask another day, she had chores to attend to, and original Khuzdul to teach. She unrolled her bedroll and set up her place by Mikhaul, taking off her axes and putting them under her pillow as she usually did. She removed her whip and oiled the rings, cleaned them and made sure that the blades were still in good repair.
Kili watched as she removed her weapons, cleaning and sharpening the blades, even the long dagger she hid under her axes came off and ended up on her bedroll. Her movements were thoughtful and precise, as though she was lost in the movement of her work. A small frown marred her face. Rylee seemed to be in yet another low mood. Since the night of her break down, her smiles were still few and far between. Though she was still fighting the hold that her dreams had on her, she was not free yet. They still had to wake her for watch. Kili was concerned about her. She promised that she would come to him if she needed his shoulder, but she was once again keeping her distance. Just like he thought would happen. What would it take for her to trust him?
As Rylee grabbed her journal and joined Ori for his lesson in First Age Khuzdul, Kili grabbed his sword and turned to his brother, "Spar with me?"
"Sure, what's on your mind?" Fili asked as they struck at each other, taking their time to go through the motions of a mock battle.
"What do you think?" Kili rolled his eyes. She was always on his mind. He could think of little else. He looked over at her, working away with Ori, going over the runes in her journal. They were discussing back and forth several of the differences in word usage and etymology.
"You know there are no customs out here on the road, you could claim her, throw caution to the wind and just ask her to be yours," Fili suggested softly.
"No I cannot," Kili shook his head, meeting his brother's eye as he parried a thrust of Fili's left hand sword. "Mikhaul has been telling me about First Age customs, the Dwarf would show his suitability and basically hunt his intended, if the couple seemed to be compatible, he would make a token, a substantial token which would hold great meaning to the couple. If the Dwarrowdam accepted the suit, it would be her move to ask for courting braids."
"So what's the problem? Give Rylee a token," Fili thrust against Kili with both swords but was soundly blocked and pushed back.
"That's the problem," Kili said glumly, "I have nothing to give her that shows her that I am worthy of her affection. All of our wealth lies back in Ered Luin, I have no access to a forge, and no way to make something that would hold meaning between us."
"So, now what?" Fili asked as he defended himself against a frustrated Kili. "Rylee could follow our customs and ask you to court her."
"She won't, though Mikhaul told me that in this case it would fall on Rylee to make a move, and if she does it will be in the standards of First Age customs," Kili attacked again only to be pushed back by Fili and his sword knocked from his hands.
"I don't think I understand what you mean," Fili waited for Kili to retrieve his sword so they could go again.
"Rylee has been making a token," Kili whispered quietly as he stood by his brother, "but she is undecided about giving it to me. I just don't know how to convince her."
Hours later, when the light was low, Rylee decided that she was done for the evening. She sat back as Ori continued to work on ciphering her dragon history, looked over the camp and thought about the journey that the Company was on. Where they had been and where they were yet to go. A tune brushed into her head, one that could be sung to the tread of venturing feet. She started tapping out the tune on her knees and started to hum.
Ori noticed that Rylee's attention was no longer on the Runes and stopped what he was doing. He watched her for a long moment as she seemed to lose herself in the beat and music that she was humming. When she finally finished he closed the journal, and handed it to her. "It is a catchy tune, Rylee."
"It is," Rylee agreed, feeling a bit sheepish, "Ori, I am sorry for being so distracted tonight,"
"That's all right. You obviously have a lot on your mind," Ori smiled softly and moved off to join his brothers.
She started humming softly to herself again and rose from her seat to put away her journal and quill. Bombur and Bofur were still working on getting dinner cooked. Everyone seemed to be in groups of two or three in deep conversation. Rylee was lost in the tune when she began to sing;
"Rise up the road beneath my feet,
A journey forth to the world I greet,
My feet will drum as my heart shall beat,
Seeking friends that I may meet,
Upon this path I tread so fleet,
For adventures create a life so sweet,
Upon this road beneath eager feet."
On the other side of camp Bilbo was sitting off on his own with a pile of pebbles knocking pinecones off of a fallen tree. In his youth he was a champion rock thrower, he had an exceptional arm. From the looks of his aim, he was suffering from lack of practice. He stopped and turned to listen to the song Rylee was singing, his eyes went wide. It was a song that was passed down from generation to generation of Took's. Her voice was soft and sweet, the entire camp stopped to listen, even Fili and Kili who were sparring. Rylee didn't even seem to notice. When her song ended Bilbo turned back to his rocks and tossed another stone at a hanging pine cone. Bilbo could not help but wonder how Rylee knew such an ancient walking song, a Hobbit walking song, no less.
Rylee scanned the camp and her eyes fell on Bilbo throwing his rocks. The image of the black haired hobbit passed through her mind once again. She could see the resemblance in their height, and their eyes, and the shape of their ears, and the fact that Bilbo was quite an adventurer. She remembered that the Fallohide Hobbits were the most likely to go on adventures where the Stoors and Harfoots were less likely to be seen far from their homes. How did she know these things? She watched Bilbo with open curiosity for a long moment before joining him. She rarely seemed to get the chance to talk to the Hobbit.
"Lovely evening, is it not, Bilbo?" Rylee said standing beside him.
He looked up at her in surprise and smiled, "It most undoubtedly is, Rylee, would you care to join me?"
"I would love to," Rylee said taking a seat beside him.
"The song you sang before," Bilbo looked at her curiously, "Where did you learn it?"
"I have no idea. It just came into my mind. It is meant to be sung while walking is it not?" Rylee said thoughtfully. She had a feeling that of all people in the Company, he would be the one to know of its origin.
"Well, yes, it is an ancient Hobbit walking song," Bilbo said as he picked up another rock to throw. He looked at the stone in his hand before he looked up at her, with a sad smile of happy remembrance, "My mother taught it to me when I was a child. She said it was a song of the Took's."
Bilbo turned back to look at his target. Rylee thought about what Bilbo said, 'Took', she knew that name somehow. The black haired hobbit with bright blue eyes, filtered back into her mind and she remembered him teaching her a game. A game of Rocks. She watched Bilbo for several minutes as he tossed rocks with a fair amount of accuracy at the pinecones on the fallen tree. His aim was shaky, like it would be after years of not practicing. "When was the last time you played a game of Rocks, Bilbo?"
"It has been years since I played Rocks," Bilbo sighed in dissatisfaction as he missed another pinecone. "It is a young Hobbit's game. I am surprised you know about it."
"I know many things about Hobbits, I am not certain how I know these things, but I do remember playing Rocks, with a black haired hobbit," Rylee confessed quietly. Bilbo met her eyes with a concerned look and she just shrugged in response. She was quiet for a long moment as Bilbo threw another rock and narrowly missed another pinecone. "Would you play a game against me?"
"I don't know, Rylee, I have seen your aim. You have a perfect shot." Bilbo shook his head slowly. Rylee could see the barely concealed desire in his eyes and on his face.
"Will you play me if I play backwards?" Rylee asked, trying to convince him. "I will help you with your throw, I can already tell you that you need to loosen your wrist, and your arms are too tight."
Bilbo relaxed his arms and shook out his wrist and threw again, the rock sailed steadily to its target, sending the pinecone flying. "All right, let's play. Help me make the rings?"
They worked together to set up a target on the ground that consisted of three overlapping rings, clearing the ground of rocks and debris so they could keep track of the falls of the stones they would throw. Rylee set up five posts in a half circle around the rings to bounce the rocks off of. "I think we are ready Master Baggins. You go first."
"I call post two, four, to center," Bilbo said confidently and threw his rock, it hit the second post, bounced to the fourth and landed in the middle ring. He grinned with pride and Rylee chuckled.
"I think I am about to be bamboozled. It's a good thing I didn't bet anything on this game, Bilbo." Rylee shook her head. She stood with her back to the target range, "I call post one, five, front."
She had to throw the stone with her arm wrapped around her body, and her head craned over her shoulder. She released the stone and it hit the first post, bounced, and hit the fifth before landing on the ground just outside the front ring. "Awe, Crumb Bubbly! I am out of practice."
"Crumb Bubbly?" Bilbo asked his brow arched.
"What? I am keeping it clean for innocent Hobbit ears," Rylee teased him, and Bilbo had the decency to blush at her banter. "I do not want to defile your brilliant mind with my foul mouth."
"I have heard you can swear like a wayfarer," Bilbo chuckled softly, "Where did you pick up such a habit?"
"From Durin the Deathless, or so Ori calls him," Rylee grinned thinking of the Dwarf. Her eyes flicked to Fili who was sparring on the other side of camp with Kili. "It is uncanny, the likeness between Fili and Durin. It is like he is still here, and yet Fili is entirely his own person."
"How do you mean?" Bilbo asked her with his usual genuine curiosity.
"Well, Durin was this larger than life warrior, overbearing, over proud, often overwhelming. He exaggerated every story he ever told. While Fili is much calmer, he is more relaxed and yet he is so noble and deeply intelligent. They both share the same sense of humor though, both are loyal to the end, and they look a lot alike," Rylee said with a smirk. "Though, I think Durin had a longer nose."
"That's amusing, considering that Fili has the longest nose in the company," Bilbo quipped wittily making Rylee laugh. They continued to play several rounds, Bilbo beating her five times to her four. Each shot getting progressively harder until their stones were bouncing to each of the five posts before hitting the target. Rylee finally tied the game five to five, and the next round would determine the winner. The dwarves gathered around to watch the odd game of skill.
"What are you doing, Rylee? You look like some odd crane!" Bofur asked standing beside her as she took aim at her called targets.
"If she was a crane, she would be on one foot," Bilbo retorted, he had a happy glint in his eye as he watched Rylee prepare to throw, "You should try it Rylee. I dare you!"
"Did you just dare me, Master Baggins?" Rylee said with shock, she looked at Bilbo, her eyes wide. That was a rather bold move for the usually quiet Hobbit.
"I did! I dare you to hit your targets backwards and on one foot." Bilbo said with a grin, obviously getting excited. "And, and, and – You cannot step down until you hit the bull's-eye! Or you forfeit."
"What! You are mad!" Rylee said incredulously, looking at the targets, it was hard enough hitting the posts behind her back.
"I thought you said you never backed down from a challenge," Dwalin teased her gently. From that very first day, she was always surprising them. This was the first time they ever saw her try to back down from any contest.
"Oh, I did say that, didn't I?" Rylee said as she rolled her eyes, she looked at the targets over her shoulder and back at the rock in her hand. "Fine, you are on, Bilbo, but if I am successful you have to do the same thing."
She stood with her back to the target, her rock in her hand, arm wrapped around her body preparing to throw. She slowly lifted her right leg, trying to find her balance as she put her right foot on her inner thigh. She felt shaky at best. She bit her lip and focused her concentration on her balance and her target. Taking a deep breath she let the rock fly. The rock hit the first two posts in the sequence she called and it was on its way to the third, when something nudged the back of her knee. She toppled in a heap, rolled and bounced back up and brushed herself off, just like nothing happened. Dwalin snorted and she shot him a glare.
"Bob!" Ori yelled, from the far side of the fire with his hands waving in the air, making a goof of himself. Rylee started to chuckle at the randomness of his action. The rest of the company looked on in confusion over the inside joke and Rylee only laughed harder at their expressions.
"You stepped down! I win!" Bilbo crowed happily, giving her a huge grin.
"Hey! I call obstruction on the play!" Rylee protested with a wry grin. "You, Master Baggins, owe me a rematch!"
"Thanks, Kili, she would have won, if you hadn't stepped in," Bilbo grinned at him, his eyes sparkling. Rylee stopped laughing and turned to where the Hobbit was pointing. They looked back at the targets and sure enough Rylee's stone was sitting smack dab in the bull's-eye. "It was going straight for the bulls-eye when you lost your footing."
Rylee had no point but to concede the win to Bilbo, if she had been paying attention she would have noticed someone was behind her, she should have heard them. She swung around to see Kili behind her a small smirk on his face and that sparkling troublesome glint in his eyes. Her eyes widened in shock, as she took in his cocky stance, and the crossed arms. He cost her the game! The bloody trickster! She narrowed her eyes for a moment as a plan began to form, if he wanted to play that game, she was willing to join.
"So that was your doing, was it?" Rylee grinned mischievously, catching his eye. She spied the nearly full bucket of clean cooking water. It would still be plenty cold. It was less than a foot away. She spun, grabbed it, and tossed the contents of the bucket at Kili and Fili who stood just beside him. They blinked at her, dripping water from their hair, and faces, and their clothes were completely soaked. Rylee's chuckle caught in her throat as their eyes narrowed and she knew immediately that she was in trouble. With a leap they were after her and Rylee jumped into a full out run.
She shrieked and weaved through the camp, running like a mad hare being chased by wolves. Her small frame easily ducked under the arm of Dwalin and then Thorin, as she dashed away through camp, with both Kili and Fili hot on her heels. She ran around Bombur once as she made her way through camp, making the rotund dwarf laugh as he got a look at the feral grin that graced Rylee's face.
They were trying to corner her and came close. Kili grabbed a hold of the shoulder of her thick tunic, hauling her back. She shrugged her arms up and let the tunic be pulled off of her frame and was immediately caught the same way by Fili. Again she shrugged off the Mithril Corselet that was being used to hold her back, now she was wearing only her thin tunic over her breaches and her leather boots. Seeing an escape route, she took it. There was only one way to go and that was over the cooking fire, Bombur pulled the spit away just in time. Rylee ran and jumped, launching herself up and over the fire. The flames reached up licking against her as she soared over top. Diving forward she landed on her hands, rolled, and bounced back to her feet, before running towards the safety of an open field.
It was a spectacular maneuver, but the company stepped back out of the way to clear a path for Fili and Kili. Rylee didn't go far before she was tackled unceremoniously into the ground by the soggy princes of Durin. Kili grabbed her by the waist and hauled her down with him. He rolled with her to make sure she didn't get hurt by the sudden fall. Fili landed on top of them both, dog piling them. They didn't let her up, Kili wrapped his arms around her writhing form and Fili pinned her legs.
"Now that we've caught her, what should we do with her, brother?" Fili asked with a mischievous grin. Rylee recognized that cheeky Durin grin, knowing that she was in for trouble she tried to slip their hold on her but it was little use, she knew she was well caught.
"We will do what Mother and Uncle used to do with us," Kili said with a matching look. "We tickle her to tears."
"Oh, No!" Rylee struggled harder, but they held fast, grinning down at her. Their hair and beards still shimmered with the damp, and their wet clothes clung to their skin. "No tickling!"
"We don't even know if she is ticklish," Fili scoffed his eyebrow quirking.
"She must be or she would not be making such a fuss," Kili said as he held Rylee against his chest. He could not help but think that it was where she belonged. She felt her shiver against him as he whispered in her ear, "Right, Rylee?"
"She is," Thorin said from the edge of camp, where the entire company was watching their antics. Rylee's eyes opened comically wide and she started shaking her head. Pleading for Thorin not to give up her secret, but she saw the same glint in his eyes that Mahal would get when he played this game. She knew she was doomed the moment he teased, "But only in two places."
"How do you – Oh! Mahal told you! That's not fair!" Rylee cried as she tried to wiggle out of Kili's strong arms. "No, no, no, please don't tell them!"
"Those two won't need any help, Rylee," Thorin grinned at her and her eyes widened in horror. Fili grabbed her legs to get a better grip and as he did his fingers dipped into the sensitive skin at the back of her knees. She yelped and jerked in reaction, making both brothers laugh.
"Found one!" Fili called lightly brushing his fingers over the same spot and Rylee could not stop the laugh that erupted. It was by chance that Kili found the spot on her sides, just below her ribs that sent her into gales of laughter. Fili chuckled as he announced, "Kili found the other!"
"No!" Rylee gasped between bursts of uneven laughter, "Stop!" she tried again but it ended in a shriek of uncontrolled giggles. The entire company started to laugh as Rylee lost herself to the throes of mirth.
"You think we should rescue her?" Bofur asked from beside Thorin.
"No, leave them be. Rylee needs to laugh." Thorin said with a grin, as he watched her struggle weakly against Kili as she laughed herself silly. "Besides, if she was against this, they would be in a brawl."
"Ah!" She was laughing so hard that her ribs hurt and her eyes were clenched shut. She could barely breathe with the intensity of it. Her ribs felt so tight, and she just could not seem to get any air. She pulled in a loud snort of air, and chortled even harder at the sound of it.
"Make her do it again!" Fili grinned at Kili. Twice more she snorted, making Fili and Kili laugh at her expense. They nearly let her go as they did, and Rylee tried to crawl away, but they caught her again and within seconds she was helpless once again.
They continued to tickle her until her uncontrolled giggles seemed to stop. They couldn't hear anything from her. Fili looked up at her and fell backwards laughing, his legs still tangled with hers. Rylee was laughing so hard, she lost her voice. She was in fits, and seemed to be convulsing, but she was trying to take breaths between laughter and it wasn't working. Finally she took a gulp of air and it burst back out as a cackle as she laughed, tears streaming down her face. She raised her hands in the air and signed 'surrender' in Iglishmek and finally Kili stopped tickling her and just held her in his arms. She went limp and leaned against him, struggling to catch her breath.
Rylee looked up at Kili and grinned at him, her head leaned heavily on his chest. He could not help but return her smile. She was sitting between his legs, her back to his front, and her arms resting on his thighs. His hands still lingered at her waist, just holding her against him. Sitting with her in his embrace felt like the most natural thing in all the world and Kili didn't want it to end. He lowered his face to hers and kissed her gently on the forehead. She sighed softly and leaned into him, as though she was craving his closeness as much as he needed hers. They were both oblivious of Fili, who was sitting at their feet, Rylee's legs still loosely pinned under his.
Fili watched them, a small smile spreading across his face. The two were made for each other. Why didn't they just court already? Sure there were rituals back in society, but Fili figured that they didn't quite apply with Rylee and Kili. Not out here in the wild, and not with both of them from being from different Ages. Tokens or no tokens, they should just be together now.
Rylee fell into Kili's dark eyes for a long moment, and she felt a deep longing fill her. She wanted him. Everywhere she touched him she could feel his searing touch. His warmth filled her and coiled in her belly. She could feel the blush rising in her face and she broke eye contact before she gave away all of her emotions. She looked past him and into the dark night sky beyond him, her breath caught once again. The stars were shining so brightly in the darkened sky that she could count every star and pick out each of the constellations. Happy tears filled her eyes and she whispered a prayer to Varda;
"Blessed be, Elentári, blessed be, may the starlight shine ever brightly and serve you faithfully. Blessed be, Elentári, blessed be, let the starlight mark my path and your blessings light my way."
"What was that?" Kili asked quietly, he looked down at Rylee and saw a happy contented smile on her face as she looked up at the stars. The sparks in her eyes rivaled the gems in the night sky.
"A prayer to Varda," Rylee whispered softly, "I am blessed to see the stars tonight, to see them in the heavens. They are so very beautiful."
"Do you know all the constellations Rylee?" Fili asked from beyond her feet. He was sitting up and looking up at the stars.
"Of course, Fili," Rylee sighed softly, "Varda taught me. She tried to teach me how to read them, but I am not very good at it. Jovina Malagnûna was able to read them really well. The main stars and constellations are constant and never changing. The smaller stars are the ones you must watch. When they move amongst the greater constellations they have special meanings. Most of their movements are unknown to me. They are so intricate and ever changing. I have never had the time to study them, always training and going to battle."
"What is that one?" Fili asked pointing up. He moved to his brother's side so Rylee could better see the stars he was pointing at. "The one shaped like a 'W'."
"That one there is Wilwarin, the butterfly." Rylee said looking up to where Fili was pointing. Rylee moved his hand a little to the left and continued, "That one there is Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar. Jovina called it The Seven Stars."
There was a faint growling sound nearby and both Fili and Kili sat up, in concern. Rylee was forced to sit up straighter against Kili, as his hands dropped protectively around her belly. Fire stirred inside her at the somewhat possessive contact. She could feel the blush as it spread across her cheeks. The growl came again and Rylee's blush deepened. She made a small whimpering sound in her throat as she tried to decide what to do. She was starving and wanted food, yet she didn't want to leave Kili's arms. She looked at the concerned expression on Fili's face and a small smile curved her lips as she made up her mind. She looked up at Kili and got lost in his dark fathomless eyes.
Kili's eyes met hers as he looked down at her, leaning snuggly against his frame. Her fiery hair spilled around them and her dark grey eyes were wide and innocent as they met his. A soft pink blush filled her cheeks and a small smile lifted the corners of her lips. His heart stopped as he realized exactly how intimate they were acting at the moment. He spread his fingers, letting them brush the underside of her breasts as he pulled her against him. She released a soft "Oh" at the contact and his eyes fell to her lips, he wanted to kiss her. She was wearing so few layers that he could feel the slight curve of bone and muscle at her ribs, as well as the swell of her breasts against his fingertips. The growl came again and he felt the slight tremor under his hands.
"Did you hear that?" Fili asked looking past them towards the forest.
"Hear what?" Rylee said as she moved wide innocent eyes towards Fili.
Kili looked at Rylee, his eyebrow arching and watched as her smile widened. Fili looked back and Rylee's expression was back to being innocent and watchful. Her stomach growled again, slightly louder and more intensely, Kili had to force himself not to react when Fili said, "There it is again. Did you not hear it?"
"It's likely just a wolf, Fili," Rylee said softly looking over at the forest on the other side of them, the same direction that Fili was looking, "Nothing to be worried about."
"But the ponies," Fili's eyes grew wide as he thought about the potential danger to the ponies. Intense concern washed over his features as the growl came again. Kili could not believe his brother was falling for this trick, since it was so obvious where the noise was coming from.
"If you are so worried, Fili, go check it out," Rylee said softly. She was still leaning against Kili, his hands still brushed against her ribs and belly. Her nipples were starting to tighten and pucker as his fingertips glided against the underside of her breasts. These were sensations she never felt before, and she was stunned by the intensity and the heat and the want that came with them. Desire consumed her and the only thing she knew was that Kili was the only one who could fulfill that need. She forced herself not to move, not to react to the intimate caresses that made her ache so sweetly. Really, she should not be allowing this closeness, but being around Kili just felt so right. It was hard to remind herself to stay away from him. Hard to remind herself of Thorin's warning.
Kili tried not to laugh as the growling started again and the tremors thrummed under his fingers. Fili stood and took off toward the bushes, pulling two of his hunting knives. As soon as he was out of earshot, Rylee suddenly sat up, as she whispered, "Well that's my cue, I wonder if dinner is ready."
"That was not very nice, Rylee," Kili whispered in her ear. He was still holding her waist, this was the closest she allowed him to be to her in days, he didn't want to break the connection yet, "It was very, very naughty."
Rylee turned to face him, forcing him to let her go before kneeling between his legs. She put her hands on each of his thighs, and met his eyes. Kili swallowed, she was being oddly forward this evening and he was growing warm and aroused by her antics. He wanted to haul her against him then and there. She was being coy, and sultry and oh, so sexy. Her next words made his mouth go dry as she winked at him and whispered huskily, "Of course it was naughty, Kili, I have never claimed to be nice."
She had no idea what made her say that, and the raw dark response in his eyes thrilled her and scared her at the same time. Rylee jumped to her feet and pulled Kili with her, she held her finger to her lips telling him to be silent and they fled to the safety of the campfire. She turned back at the edge of camp, so she could watch Fili's reaction and called loudly, "Bombur! Is dinner ready yet? The beast in my belly is growling something fierce!"
Fili stopped dead in his tracks at the edge of the forest, shock flashed across his face, followed by annoyance and frustration as Rylee started to laugh. Fili shouted in frustration, "Rylee! You are a little terror!"
"So I have been told. Who do you think gave Thorin his silver hair?" Rylee teased, making the whole Company behind her laugh.
Kili could not help but laugh as Fili stowed his knives and ran back to camp. With an annoyed growl Fili grabbed Rylee around the waist and spun her around. She shrieked in outrage and hit the back of Fili's knee, forcing him to release her and they fell together in a heap. Fili met Kili's eyes with a grin, but all he said was, "Was it truly her stomach making that noise?"
"I cannot believe you fell for that," Kili said with a smirk, he offered them each a hand to help them up. Without even a glance at each other, Rylee and Fili pulled Kili to the ground between them. The company was laughing at their childish antics, as they kept pulling each other back to the ground, in their efforts to get back up. Finally, Rylee scrambled away and headed over to Bombur and the smell of food.
"Bombur, you really should feed her. Her stomach is as loud as a wolf." Fili grinned from his place beside Kili on the ground. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she did something new, and it was always when she was around Kili. It was absolutely fascinating. Fili rose and whispered softly to Kili, "Well, brother, I am certain that she still favors you. You might earn that token yet."
Kili sat for a moment watching Rylee talk to Bombur, as he relived having her in his arms, relaxed and happy. Her hair splayed out around them, looking up at him with her wide grey eyes. Or that playful, lusty look she gave him before she got up. He didn't care what kind of token she gave him. He just wanted something that would indicate that she liked him in return. He resigned himself to waiting Rylee out, so far he was doing all the chasing.
Rylee received a bowl of stew from Bombur, nearly full to the brim, where the others were filled to just above half. She looked at Bombur and shook her head, "You still give me too much, my friend."
"You keep giving it away," Bombur grinned at her and Rylee shook her head. It was the same argument at every meal. Then he winked at her and whispered, "Why do you think I give Kili so little?"
"Oh!" Rylee gasped in surprise and Bombur laughed at her. She blushed and turned to take her usual seat with Thorin.
"Feeling better, Lukhdel? Your mood has been rather low these last few days," Thorin whispered softly, bumping her shoulder gently.
"Aye, Ugshar, apparently I needed to release my inner woman, and have a mood swing," Rylee replied softly, leaning against him as she ate her food. Thorin snorted in mirth and grinned at her. Rylee was amusing. When she was an adolescent and her moods swung violently, she was absolutely beside herself, and thought for certain she was defective. It took all of the Ainu to convince her that she was in no way defective, and her moods were perfectly normal.
"So is it true Uncle?" Kili asked sitting next to Rylee as he ate his very small portion of stew. Rylee smirked and met Bombur's eyes, blushing fiercely. He winked at her with a large open smile. Apparently the round red headed cook was playing matchmaker.
"Who gave you more silver hair?" Fili clarified the question when Thorin only arched a brow at his nephews. "Us or Rylee?"
"Definitely Rylee," Thorin smirked. He nudged Rylee, who chuckled softly at their surprised responses.
She looked up at Fili and Kili, with innocent wide grey eyes. She quirked a brow and smirked, her innocent face instantly changed to one that was devilish and cunning. A wry smile lifted her lips as she asked, "You didn't honestly think it was the pair of you?"