Hey guys, no awkward stares or silences please. I know I've been MIA for a while and I deeply apologize. I've been going through a rough patch. Or patches I guess. I still am. And things just keep getting worse, so bear with me please?
Anyway, thanks RagdollPrincess for PMing me and giving me the little push I needed to get back to this.
I'll try to be more on top of things, I pinky promise.
Also BIG thank you to reviewers: emubunnyxxx, Marine76, Hanna, pat4pat, RagdollPrincess, BrokenAngel1753, thefifthmarauder47, Coreys Kitten, Hollydoor, Ariana, and OhWouldn'tItBeLovely. YOU guys are the reason I keep going :]
So my darlings, here is the next installment.
I laid on my stomach sleepily on the back of my Eagle as they flew us east, to safety.
"Do you remember me?" I asked the Eagle as he soared with the other Eagles. "I am a friend of Radagast's." The Eagle lifted his head to glance at me nodding.
"Yes, young Niya. I remember you."
I gasped, recognizing the voice. "Gwaihir!" I sat up. I was most familiar with Gwaihir. He turned his head to look at me again before facing forward again.
"You are not faring well." He commented. I agreed. I was not. I was becoming more feverish. I attributed my hysteria to my declining health.
"I have many wounds. They are becoming infected." I gasped, realizing I had supplies in my pack. I shook my head at myself for not thinking ahead of time. I pulled out a green bottle, sniffing it before taking a large gulp of it. That should head off my fever.
"Why are you in the company of these dwarves?" Gwahir asked me.
Before I could answer, Kili called down to me. "Niya! How are you faring?"
I threw my head back to look up at Kili. "I am just talking to Gwaihir!" I smiled up at him. He sent me a confused look.
"Uh-who?" Before I could answer, Gwaihir began his descent.
They were dropping us off at the Carrock. Gwaihir put Thorin down gently then let me hop off of him. Gandalf was next to be dropped off and was by Thorin's side in an instant.
"Thorin." Gandalf whispered. "Niya, your pack, quickly." He motioned for me. I gave him my pack without objection and he rummaged through it, finding a red bottle, opening it and pouring it in Thorin's mouth. Gandalf left my pack on the floor where I picked it up, observing Gandalf curiously. Bilbo was dropped off next and stood with me, watching Gandalf. We shared a grim look as Gandalf held his hand over Thorin's face, reciting something quietly in an unknown language.
Thorin's eyes fluttered open slowly. I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't even know I was holding my breath. Gandalf also sighed in relief, a smile donning his face. I watched as the rest of the dwarves were dropped off onto the Carrock and as the Eagles flew away. I felt sad that I didn't say farewell. Once Kili and Fili jumped off their Eagle they immediately helped Thorin stand.
Thorin searched around and found Bilbo. "You." He said menacingly. My shoulders dropped. Bilbo was the one who went out to him first and he was going to put his head on a stake.
"What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed." I shook my head disapprovingly at Thorin's unappreciative manner. Kili looked at the back of Thorin's head angrily as Fili looked at his uncle in shock. The rest of the dwarves watched on seriously.
Thorin slowly walked toward Bilbo who looked rather disappointed in himself that he still did not impress Thorin. "Did I not say you would be a burden." Bilbo looked down and away from Thorin. "That you would not survive in the wild, and you had no place amoungst us." Bilbo just stood there and took Thorin's hurtful words. My heart clenched for Bilbo.
Thorin was still slowly approaching Bilbo. "I have never been so wrong –" My eyebrows shot up as Thorin embraced Bilbo. " –In all my life." The dwarves cheered and I smiled from ear to ear.
I noticed Kili searching around and I caught his eye. He gave me a small smile and bustled through the company towards me. I crashed into him as he approached me. He gripped me tightly around my back with one arm and the other behind my head, fisted into my braid, most likely causing it to loosen even more.
"You're okay." He breathed a sigh of relief into my hair. I nodded into his neck as I squeezed him around his waist. I placed a chaste kiss on his neck before pulling away slightly to look at his face.
"Are you?" I searched his face for any mars.
He smiled and laughed a little. "You need not worry about me my Niya." He pushed the stray hairs that fell from my braid back and held my neck. I couldn't help myself as I pressed my lips to his. My breathing hitched as we kissed slowly. Kili sighed contently.
"Is that what I think it is?" Bilbo said slowly. Kili pulled away from me, smiling at my face then at my eyes. He released me from his arms and took my hand, leading me to the rest of the group where they stood at the edge of the Carrock. Kili smiled at me excitedly.
"Erebor." Gandalf proclaimed. "The Lonely Mountain. The last of the great Dwarf kingdoms of Middle Earth." My smile fell into an open mouth gasp. The Lonely Mountain, barely visible in the distance. It was in reach.
"Your home." I spoke aloud to the dwarves.
Thorin looked to me and blinked. I could not read his expression. He looked back to the mountain. "Our home." He smiled at it.
Kili's arms wrapped themselves around my waist from behind. He kissed behind my ear before whispering to me. "Our home." I bit my lip in a smile. Our home. My new home. With Kili.
The Eagles came soaring by, circling us then dropping things onto the Carrock.
"Rabbits. And hares." I laughed, observing the food that the Eagles had provided us with. One Eagle provided two small sheep. The dwarves were delighted and immediately started dinner plans. Gwaihir landed at one end of the Carrock and spoke with Gandalf. I approached him, followed by Kili.
"We do not fly near Men, they shoot at us because they think us sheep thieves." Gwaihir told Gandalf. I glanced toward the two sheep we received, wondering where they were from.
Gandalf nodded understandingly. "Ahh, no matter, thank you my friend." Gandalf bowed to him and Gwaihir returned the gesture. Gandalf walked away, leaving me and Kili. I smiled up at Gwaihir and held my hand up patiently. Gwaihir lowered his head and Kili instinctively put an arm around my waist. Gwaihir closed his eyes and touched his head to my palm. It was how I greeted the Eagles when they visited Radagast.
He picked up his head moments later. "Thank you for the food." I smiled up at him.
Gwaihir's eyes flickered to Kili briefly. "Now I see why I find you in this company." He said in understanding.
I looked to Kili with a small smile tugging at my lips then looked back to Gwaihir. "Can I ask a favour of you?"
He slightly bowed his head. "You need not return it. You have no debts with the Eagles."
"When you see Radagast, could you tell him I am well and I miss him? Also, that we will see each other again."
Gwaihir lowered his head in acceptance. "Farewell young Niya." He launched off the Carrock and I waved as the Eagles departed from our presence.
Kili and I walked toward the campfire that was cooking our dinner. "How do they know you?" He asked me.
Ori chimed in. "Yes, I did not know they spoke."
I sat next to Oin by the fire. "I have met some of the Eagles before when they would visit Radagast. They informed him of news of the lands." Kili sat next to me and felt my forehead.
"Your fever is gone." He held my face in his hands, pulling the skin beneath my eyes, and looking in them. I laughed and took his hands in mine, pulling them from my face.
"I drank medicine." I assured him. I felt someone touch my arm near where my gash was and flinched away in fear of any pain to come.
"Ahh but this still needs stitching up." Oin tsk'd. I grimaced at the thought of the needle weaving through my skin.
"And the bites you received from the goblins." Fili threw in.
I huffed. "Those just need some salve. That's it." I countered. I was the other healer in this company and I was the one in the most need of healing.
Kili placed a plate of food in front of my crossed legs. "Eat first." He ordered me. I didn't protest. I stuffed my mouth with rabbit meat and tried to ignore the pain as Oin went away with removing the lame bandage from my gash. The bleeding had stopped but it was still very inflamed and tender. Oin went through his pack and mine, rummaging around for the supplies he needed. He sprinkled a powder into the wound.
I winced away from Oin. "It BURNS!" I mumbled through clenched teeth. He splashed a liquid into my wound now.
I locked my jaw shut. "Gah, it STINGS!" I mumbled louder through my clenched teeth. My cheeks were bulging somewhat from all the food I had in my mouth. It wasn't proving to be a good distraction.
"Sorry. I would have put some honey in it, it is much gentler, but we seem to have lost all our food supplies." Oin said as he busied himself with working at my gash. I held my breath as he started dabbing an oily substance around the perforated edges of my gash.
"Hah." I breathed out in thanks. "What is that." The pain was slowly disappearing.
"Acmella Oleracea." Oin answered as he held the needle in the fire until it turned bright orange. "Better known as –"
"The Numbing Plant." I finished, and threw more rabbit into my mouth. I knew what it was. I have never personally used it, however Radagast showed me the plant itself and told me of its medicinal effects. Right before Oin began stitching me, I turned my head and leaned it on Kili's shoulder as he sat and ate. I felt the needle pierce my skin and slide through followed by the thread.
I groaned at the disgusting feeling and at the slight pain I still felt as Oin tugged at the thread. Kili's hand stroked the back of my head and I felt him kiss my hair.
"Can you believe the Ranger of the South, a fierce fighter, doesn't fancy something so simple as stitching a wound up?" Bofur joked.
The company chuckled.
Dwalin laughed gruffly "Just hours ago she was an animalistic fighter, snarling and slicing her enemies down!" I blushed at what I think was a compliment. "But now she cowers under a needle." He huffed indifferently.
I scoffed, never lifting my head from Kili's shoulder. "The thought of it makes my skin crawl. It is disgusting. Something is piercing my body, sliding in and out of me. Imagine that happening to you."
It was quiet, then I heard Fili snicker. "You are right Niya. I would not want to be pierced by…well anything. Sorry Kili left you feeling disgusted, I've never heard any complaints from any lass." Bofur snorted, catching on to Fili's joke. "Have you Bofur?"
"No I've never had that happen to me and I don't want to imagine that." He replied chuckling with food in his mouth.
"Kili she is the first to insult your abilities to please." Dwalin laughed. Kili's body tensed. It was amusing until then. I kept my head connected to Kili's shoulder as I turned it in time to see Dwalin getting knocked in the head by his older brother Balin.
"Oi!" Dwalin gave Balin an annoyed look and Balin gave a disapproving one back. I glared slightly at Dwalin as he looked back at me. "Hmm." He gruffly huffed. "My apologies Niya. I am not accustomed to the idea of you two." I did not reply. I just turned my head back down.
It was silent for some time in the company as everyone just sat and ate and relaxed. Thorin announced that we would be resting for some time before making our way down and off the Carrock. Gandalf suggested we make our way down before nightfall. Someone would either fall off, roll off or be blown off the Carrock. He mentioned a cave at the foot of the steps that scaled the Carrock and said it was seldom used by animals so we could sleep there for the night and be on our way in the morning. At hearing the news that today was going to consist of nothing but relaxing and traveling down to our campsite for the night, the company became livelier.
Pipes were broken out and laughs and chatter became louder. We unfortunately had to leave some of the rabbit and sheep left over for we did not know when we were going to eat next.
I busied myself with humming as I applied salve to the serious bite marks I brutishly received from the goblins. I only had 7 that had broken through my skin, and the rest were just marks and bruises, thankfully. After my wounds were taken care of, I tended to any other wounds the dwarves had that needed any attention, there weren't many. I had managed to claim the title as the most injured, and I was a woman. Way to prove myself.
The dwarves were spread out on the Carrock, laying down, relaxing, basking in the sunlight. Kili, Fili, Gandalf, Balin, and Bofur were smoking. Nori, Gloin, and Oin were merely laying, staring at the sky in thought. Dwalin, Bombur, and Bifur were sharpening and inspecting their weapons and some of the other dwarves' weapons if they wished. Oin was organizing my pack and his pack, and Ori was sitting down with his eyes glued to his parchment, most likely drawing something. Thorin was sitting at the very edge of the east side of the Carrock. His back was to us as he stared off at the very distant Lonely Mountain. No one bothered him.
I plopped myself down between Fili and Kili, who both offered me their pipes but I refused. It had been quiet amoungst the dwarves so I struck up conversation between Fili and Kili, which caused Balin to join in, then Dwalin with an opposing argument to some fight that happened about a decade ago, and from there, the company became their lively selves again. All but Thorin.
When the sun almost touched the ground, Gandalf announced that it was best to move down from the Carrock. It was a long way down and we would arrive at the base of the Carrock after nightfall.
We descended the stairs of the Carrock in a single file line. Gandalf led the way with Thorin right behind him. Next came Fili, then I, then Kili, then Bilbo, I wanted to keep him close to protect him. Bilbo was followed by Bofur, then Nori and Ori, then Bombur and Bifur, Dori, Oin and Gloin, then Balin and Dwalin.
Around and around the Carrock we went, descending the steep stairs as fast and safely as we could so as to not fall to our untimely deaths. I could not tell how much further we had, but it had gotten considerably dark. The moon was almost enough to light our way as we continued on in the dark, but only almost. The steps carved from the rock were uneven and I could not see them as well anymore, they were only very faint. My being only of Man rendered my eyes useless in this poor lighting. I gripped tightly to the back of Fili's coat to steady myself for when I lost my footing, which happened more than I like to admit. Kili's hands rested above my waist on either side, right beside my breasts, in fact his fingers rested right below them. I know he was doing it on purpose. Every now and then he would rub the side of them or squeeze them only slightly, teasing me.
Kili's grip on me suddenly tightened somewhat. "Niya." Kili's warning was a little too late as the step I stepped down on was a little lower than I expected. I startled when my foot didn't touch the step when I expected and I lost my footing and my face collided with Fili's sheathed swords. Fili's hand shot out behind him to shield me from falling off the side.
I cursed loudly and took one hand from Fili's coat to grip my nose. My eyes stung with hot tears as a reaction to hitting my nose so hard and suddenly.
Fili glanced back at me and chucked. "Are you alright?" He asked. He didn't even budge forward when I hit him. It was like hitting a rock.
I swore angrily again. Kili rubbed my arms as he chuckled at me. I glanced back to see him smiling at the corner of my eye. "You saw that coming didn't you." I accused Kili, my brow wrinkled in anger and pain.
He chuckled again. "I did, I realized too late that you were not going to be able to gauge the distance."
"You dwarves with your ridiculous eyesight." I grumbled. Kili pulled my shoulder back, causing me to let go of Fili's coat. My back became flushed with the wall.
"I shall carry you on my back. It will be faster and I won't have to deal with your constant near death foot errors." I rolled my eyes and huffed. I hated being a burden and a problem.
"Fine, since I'm such a burden." I retorted. Kili frowned at me, opening then closing his mouth, shaking his head as he looked away from me. He walked in front of me and gave Fili his bow and quiver. Kili hunched forward slightly allowing me to climb onto his back. I straddled his hips and threw my arms over his shoulders. Kili locked my ankles together so I was securely on him. He kept one hand along the wall and the other tucked under my leg.
"I'm sorry Bilbo, I'm sure you don't appreciate my bum in your space." I laughed.
Bilbo laughed nervously. "Oh- uh, it's quite alright…Niya, I am watching my footing."
"We are almost to the bottom." Gandalf announced. I blew air lazily through my lips, wondering how high up we must have been in the first place. I fiddled with Kili's tunic and coat, I felt bad for being snide. I traced my fingers around Kili's neck lightly, earning goosebumps from him. I smiled at myself and laid my head on his shoulder. I kissed his neck lightly as an apology. Kili turned his head slightly and looked down at me smiling softly before placing a loving kiss on my forehead. I closed my eyes, reveling in our closeness and his affectionate gesture. The rest of the way down I let one hand hang lifeless and raked my fingers of my other hand through Kili's hair, scratching his scalp. Occasionally I would kiss and suck on Kili's neck discreetly, causing him to dig his fingers into my leg and to lose focus on watching his step, which was dangerous, but I couldn't resist myself.
We finally touched earth and were led into a small, domed cave by Gandalf. Thorin set out orders immediately.
"Bombur, get a fire going."
"Dwalin, Bifur, scout the area to insure we are alone."
"Mr. Baggins…stay close."
"Every one else, inspect every inch of this cave. We cannot have a repeat of last night."
Gandalf got his two cents in. "Master Thorin, I assure you we are safe here. It is not goblin traps or orcs or wargs you have to worry about out here."
"What do we have to worry about Gandalf?" Bilbo asked, somewhat worried now.
"Well that would be nature Master Baggins!" Gandalf said obviously. I cracked a smile. There was nothing to concern ourselves with down here, mind the bears and other animals. Bombur started up a fire with the help of Fili and started to warm up food we saved from earlier in the day. The dwarves settled around the cave, not bothering to set up bed rolls and such. Exhaustion was on each and every one of our faces. I slouched against the wall of the cave as I nibbled on the piece of meat I received from Bombur. Kili soon joined me, followed by Fili.
I sighed, disgusted. "I am filthy." I said as I examined my clothes: there was a tear here and there, stains of blood, dirt and grime. There was a murmur of agreement from some of the other dwarves.
"There is a river not far from here." Gandalf responded to our woes of self-filth. "You can all clean yourselves, perhaps tomorrow."
I shook my head then stood. "I am going now Gandalf. I cannot stand the amount of blood on my body."
Kili tugged the material of my trousers as he examined them. "I believe most of the blood is not even your own." I flared my nostrils and inhaled, turning away from him, disgusted by the thought. Goblin blood.
"You cannot venture out alone in the wild Miss Niya." Balin called to me.
"Balin, I practically lived in the wild remember? And besides, Gandalf says we are safe." I said defiantly, looking to Gandalf expectantly.
"Ehh…still, you should not venture out alone at night." Gandalf responded.
I huffed putting my hands on my hips. "Well does anyone want to bathe tonight as well then and act as my escort?" All the dwarves grumbled tiredly about how cold the weather was. "Well I certainly cannot bathe with the lot of you tomorrow now can I?" I crossed my arms as I turned from the company, looking to Gandalf with a raised brow. "I will be fine on my own Gandalf." I went for my pack but before I can grab it, Kili swiped it.
"I will go with you." He smiled up at me before standing up.
"Well of course you'll escort Niya when she is going for a bath." Bofur laughed. I rolled my eyes, a little irritated by the suggestive statement.
"Ay." Fili chuckled tiredly in agreement.
Kili frowned at the both of them before answering. "I am escorting my lady to make sure she is safe. We are in a proper courtship so obnoxious thoughts and quips about it and us stops here." My shoulders relaxed with a happy sigh as I looked on at Kili with a soft smile. The serious look in his eye and tone in his voice attained silence from the whole company. No wisecrack came from Fili nor Bofur or any other dwarf, though I did see a proud, satisfied smirk don Thorin's features.
Kili made for me, asking Gandalf to point us in the right direction of the river, and as he did so, Bilbo kindly insisted that we take a torch made from a branch that he snatched from Bombur's fire. Kili led me away with his hand on the small of my back and the other pushing forward with the torch and my pack.
"Thank you Kili." I said softly when we were far from the cave. I grasped his hand that led me in my own and held it as we walked.
"Far too long have they had their fun at the expense of our courtship, and it was starting to become a little nasty. I apologize for it all." I laughed slightly before kissing his cheek.
"You handled it like a respectable dwarf would, my Prince Kili."
The river was just a brisk walk from the cave, though it required walking through moderately thick forest, which gave privacy, so I was not worried. Kili agreed to stand near the river, but with his back facing it, so he could watch the forest and so I had privacy. We carried light conversation as I first washed my clothes, hastily, for the water was chilly, then as I washed my body. I did this more slowly for I was bruised and had many wounds. With the torch shoved into the ground, Kili now faced me as he wrung the water from my clothes, though I did not mind, it was dark, as was the water.
"You are shivering." Kili noticed. I nodded, dipping my head under the water, surfacing quickly, gasping because of the temperature of the water. "Hurry and finish. You will become sick." Kili watched me as he stood by the edge of the river with the cloak gifted to me by the elves. As I approached, he held it up in front of his face so he could not see me, causing me to smile, exposing my chattering teeth. I pushed my naked body into the cloak and into Kili. He instantly wrapped me in the cloak, rubbing my arms, but being careful not to touch my stitched area.
My body convulsed with shivers. "Bad i-dea." I breathed. "To bathe right n-n-now." Kili laughed at me.
He started to rub my back to help warm me up. "I shall sit you by the fire so you can dry along with your clothes." I giggled overzealously due to the shivering. Kili squeezed me tighter, rubbing my back a little harder to put some warmth in me. I let out a shaky breath, chattering my teeth. Kili pressed his warm lips to my cold forehead and I closed my eyes, leaning more into him, humming in content.
"Let's get you to that fire." He whispered against my forehead. Kili held my clothes, pack and torch in one hand so that he could wrap his other arm around me as we walked back to the cave. Upon arrival, snores could be heard leaking from the cave and I noticed Fili sitting up. He had the first watch, though with the snoring loud enough to scare anything away, I wasn't sure we needed a watch. Kili did not even acknowledge Fili as we approached and went straight to the fire to set my clothes beside it to dry. I offered Fili a small smile as he looked sadly at Kili then to me.
"You can rest Fili, I will have next watch as I need to wait for my clothes to dry." He nodded at me and stood.
"Niya I apologize for the witticisms we have been making-"
"Fili." I looked at him obviously. "It is alright. Thank you for apologizing to me, but…" I looked passed him and to Kili. "You should go talk to Kili." I laughed. Fili called Kili to him and I took Kili's place at the fire next to my clothes, though I faced the entrance of the cave with my back to the fire, instantly warming up. I could only hear mumbles from the brothers but I knew Fili was apologizing and I knew Kili was forgiving him. They hugged, then smiled at each other, they could be so dramatic with each other sometimes. Fili claimed a spot on the floor and laid down, finding sleep instantly no doubt. Kili came and squatted to my side, slightly behind me so he could rub my back.
"Are you feeling better my lo- my lady." Kili stuttered. My heart jumped. He was about to say my "love".
I nodded, dropping my head slightly so that my partially dried hair could fall to shield my wide eyes. Kili leaned close to me and moved my hair from the back of my neck, replacing it with his lips. He kissed each of the five numbers, like he did before: 24020. Shivers ran up my spine. Kili moved so that he was squatting right in front of me.
He lifted my chin to look at him."Fili says Gloin has next watch, so wake him when you have your dried clothes on." I nodded to him. Kili stared at my face then my eyes. I looked at him curiously, tilting my head to the side somewhat and his lips just pulled into a small smile before kissing my forehead.
"I love when you kiss my forehead." I whispered when he pulled away. He smiled down at me. "And the back of my neck." He kissed my lips twice before laying right in front of me, facing his back to me.
"Goodnight." We whispered to each other. I ran my fingers through Kili's hair, relaxing him into slumber fairly quickly for his light snore was heard not a few minutes later.
As I continued to stroke Kili's hair, I thought about the past few days. They were only a horrible dream now. We all almost died again and again. On few occasions I wanted to tell Kili I loved him. Although it so happened to be right after a traumatic event where I thought our lives had ended. Was that the reason or did I really love him? I had to be sure before I let myself be vulnerable like that.
I looked around at the other dwarves to make sure no one else was awake.
"Look at the gold." I heard someone mumble in the cave. I almost laughed out loud. One of the dwarves was dreaming of their gold in the Lonely Mountain. Or perhaps they all were, but one dream was just good enough to make one speak in their sleep. I looked back to Kili as he turned in his sleep quickly, facing me. I could not help but smile at his sleeping face as I gently moved the hair from his face. Kili's eyes opened sleepily.
They searched momentarily before they found mine. His brow was wrinkled in confusion. He blinked once. "Rub my head." He whined sleepily like a child, putting his hand on his head. I laughed quietly and immediately started to stroke my fingers through Kili's hair. He removed his hand and closed his eyes, soon after, his face relaxed and he fell back to sleep. Rubbing the top of my nose lulled me to sleep, and running my fingers through Kili's hair lulled him to sleep.
"I love you." I whispered, but quickly gasped, my eyes wide with fear as I looked upon Kili's face. He did not hear me, his face did not twitch, nor did his body when I uttered the words. I wanted to try them on my lips, but silently, it was pure accident that they slipped out loudly like they did. Well, if it just came out, I suppose it is because they are true.
I hummed throughout my watch, the song Kili sang to me, I even conjured up my own words that seemed fit for our current predicament. When my clothes finally dried, I walked out of the cave to dress myself then woke Gloin for the change of shift.
He smiled sleepily at me as he sat up. "You sleep well Miss Niya." He nodded at me.
"Thank you Gloin." I whispered in response as I made my way toward the fire to lay next to Kili. I lightly pulled Kili's shoulder down so he could lay on his back. He unconsciously complied. When I laid down and put my head on his shoulder, cuddling into him, he pulled me closer with the arm I laid on and put his other hand on me, linking his hands together.
I felt him kiss the top of my head before he mutters almost too low, "My Niya."
I nuzzled his shoulder and put a leg over one of his before muttering, "My Kili."
Like I said, I'll try to stay on top of things :]