A Hearts Home 35
Beorn's House Part 3
Chapter Notes:
elvish {English translation}
Khuzdul [English translation]
Iglishmêk /English translation\
telepathy ((…))
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This chapter contains a reference to two extended scenes I've written for some Bilba/Ori called Friendship Teaching Pleasure I and II. They are up on AO3 under the same pen name if anyone is interested. Not a big reference but you might be briefly confused during a conversation between Dwalin and Ori if you haven't read either. Not essential to the plot though.
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As soon as the word 'ash' left Gandalf's mouth Glorfindel was racing to the treeline. With one arm he reached up, grabbed a branch, and flipped up into the tree. The elf was off again from there leaping from tree to tree to tree until he stood on the very tip top of the tallest tree.
"Glorfindel, what do you see?" the wizard shouted up to the elf intently scanning the horizon. Instead of answering the elf turned slowly to gaze back at the Misty Mountains. "Glorfindel?" Gandalf asked again.
The blonde elf dropped down to the next branch and descended the trees the same way he went up.
"I saw nothing," Glorfindel said perplexed once he reach the ground. "I could see all the way to Laketown and to Erebor beyond. I saw no smoke, no recent devastation that could account for the ash."
"Nothing?!" Thorin exclaimed.
"Nothing," the elf shook his head. "Neither before nor behind us. Not to the north and not to the south."
"Could it be from the fire we started outside the Goblin Tunnels with the pine cones?" Bilba asked.
Beorn shook his head, "The ash is being carried on winds from the east."
"Then its source must be from east of here," stated Dwalin.
"And yet the elf's eyes saw nothing. How could this be?" said the skin-changer.
"Hmm…" Gandalf finally spoke, "If it isn't anything between us and Erebor then I think we will be alright. Our focus must be on Mirkwood for now."
This was a little assuring to most of the Company though the atmosphere of peace and rest the Company had found in Beorn's house was broken for a time. Most went to spar (or watch) once more, but this time the focus was on training, not entertainment. Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin met with Gandalf, Glorfindel, and Beorn to discuss what they would need to pass through Mirkwood.
"I am not so easily appeased, Gandalf," Thorin said after the supplies were settled on. "That ash still bothers you as it does me."
"It is possible for ash to travel very far distances on the wind. For it to come from farther than even the great range of elven eyes..." the wizard trails off in concern.
"I've heard that ash regularly reaches Minas Tirith from Mordor," Balin said.
Glorfindel nodded, "And when Beleriand was destroyed in the War of Wrath dirt and ash reached countless parts of Arda even reaching the Orocarni Mountains, though it took months to reach that far. And this ash here won't be from a simple campfire or even a burning house to travel such a distance."
"Yes," Gandalf said slowly still peering up at the sky. "The further the distance the more catastrophic the event."
"Does this affect our plans any?" Thorin asked.
"Worst case scenario?"
Thorin nodded.
"Well, the absolute worst would be so much ash in the sky it would block out the sun," Gandalf answered.
"Luckily that hasn't happened, though to my eyes the sky does look a little more grey," Glorfindel said. "Worst case scenario from what we've actually seen? I would suggest being prepared for the temperature to start dropping. The coming year or two may be colder than usual, possibly even an early onset of a long and hard winter."
"Will that change when Durin's Day falls?" Balin asked, concerned.
"That depends on if Durin's Day is determined by astronomical or meteorological means," said the elf.
"I can not say. We lost the knowledge on how to predict it when Khazad-dûm fell," said Thorin.
"The date we decided on in Rivendell is astronomical. Since we have don't have anything else to go on, we will just have to continue as planned," Gandalf concluded.
"So, we send Bilba into Erebor on Durin's Day to find the Arkenstone as quickly as she can, then we head to the Iron Hills and winter there," Thorin nodded.
"Yes, that should work. You can call on the other dwarf clans from there to prepare their armies to retake the mountain," said Gandalf.
The ash that had disturbed everyone's tranquility only fell from the sky for a few minutes. If Fili and Kili not walked by the door when they did, or if the doors had been closed, everyone would have missed it entirely.
oOoOoOo
As per the norm, most of those sparing were stripped down to their waists. Though Bilba had become more accustomed to the sight, she still found herself blushing and looking away.
It was Kili's playful nature that broke the tense mood that had been brought on by the ash. "So you never did answered me. Are we prettier than that human blacksmith?" he asked smirking at the flushed hobbit.
"Why are you so determined for me to look at you?!"
"Because we want to know!" said Fili.
"You are both very pretty. Is that good enough for your vanity?"
"No. You still haven't answered the question," Kili pointed out.
"Lads," Gloin chastised.
"No, it's alright," Bilba said. "If they want to know my opinion then I will tell them and they can deal with the consequences answers to such questions bring. Now, boys," she said turning to the nephews, "is it just your appearances you want me to critique, or the whole package as if you were potential suitors?"
They exchanged a look then smiled back at her. "Suitors," they said in unison.
Bilba stood and walked around the brothers, looking them up and down. When she was standing in front of them she began to speak.
"You are both very pretty as I said. Lovely muscles, nice skin, much more appropriately sized than that man."
Both brothers chests swelled at the praise.
"But, it is difficult to compare the two of you to him because he is a man. I don't mean one of the Big Folk. It's not stature I'm talking about, but maturity and temperament. The two of you remind me of some of my cousins. My younger cousins. You are young and jovial, you joke. The two of you are perfectly wonderful young dwarves and I have no doubt one day you'll meet someone that loves you for who you are, as you are. To me you are dear friends, but as suitors you would drive me insane because you don't stop!"
"Stop what?" Kili asked confused.
"Anything. Everything. Silence isn't necessarily a bad thing you know. Neither is sitting still occasionally! Now, I'm not saying that your active natures are, just that we differ in that respect. It's not a drawback but preferences and my preferences run towards the more mature. I have been responsible for the welfare of hundreds of hobbits since well before I was an adult. I need someone that not only understands that, but supports it and could even help with such responsibility."
"We could help!" the younger dwarf protested.
"Swear words and slacking off, Kili?" Bilba scolded, reminding him of what he said he would teach any young cousin they might gain.
The two brothers nodded a little chagrined.
The rest of the Company were all smiles though. The two youngest of Durin's line didn't fit in the hobbit's stated preferences, but Thorin did.
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Nori had not forgotten that Thorin had asked him back in Rivendell to give Bilba some pointers. Now was as good a time as any, so he pulled her aside for some less than respectable lessons.
The hobbit was already quite good at stealth. Nori taught her about deflection and misdirection. For his own entertainment he also started teaching her the fine art of pick-pocketing.
The thief grinned to himself. This was going to give him weeks of amusement. He wondered just how long he could drag it out. The Company had long since dropped their guard around the little hobbit lass.
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When the meeting broke up Beorn went to start the preparation of the supplies while the others joined the rest around the current combatants. Gloin faced off against Ori while Fili's opponent was Dori. On the sidelines Bifur had his woodcarving bag out and Bilba sat next to him on a log once again playing 'carry a conversation with yes/no questions.'
"Balin, who do you think would be the best to teach Bilba Iglishmêk?" Thorin whispered.
"I think you should," said Dwalin who was standing on his other side.
"Indeed," Balin agreed.
"Me?"
"It will give you a legitimate and practical reason to interact with her on a regular basis on which to build a friendship. A foundation for something more if the time ever comes for that," explained Balin.
"Certainly canna leave it fer the lads. They'd teach her the vulgar signs first," added Dwalin.
They were right of course. Thorin was well aware of his nephews' (particularly the younger's) sense of humor. He could well imagine Kili teaching her something like 'make me cum' or 'I want to make you cum' and send her off to Thorin without her knowing she'd been sent to proposition him. He'd certainly like to spare her (the both of them) that embarrassment.
When Bifur stood from the log to take his turn to spar against Kili Thorin took his place.
"I believe I have thought of a proper way to thank you for saving my life," Thorin started.
Bilba turned and blinked at him. "You've already said 'thank you.' Nothing more is necessary, I assure you!"
"Are you saying you do not wish to learn Iglishmêk?" Thorin asked.
"Iglishmêk? I- what? Oh, yes! Your sign language! Yes! Yes, I would love to! But, are you sure? I mean- you can't unteach me, you know?" Bilba babbled.
"I am sure. You have proven yourself worthy, though it is also practical. We may find ourselves in a situation that requires us to communicate silently."
"Oh, yes. That is true. Well, then. I'd like that very much!" Bilba smiled.
At that moment Balin stepped in front of them. "Would the two of you be willing to chaperon my brother and Ori? Beorn has prepared some baskets for a picnic lunch," he said holding out his arms. Each held a basket with a blanket draped over it. "Knock out two birds with one stone while you start Iglishmêk lessons?"
Thorin was not sure if he should be angry or grateful at his friends' matchmaking.
"Oh, that sounds like a lovely idea!" Bilba exclaimed.
Dwalin took one basket and held his free arm out to Ori who blushed but took it eagerly. Balin handed the other to Thorin giving him a pointed look from his arm to Bilba that was easy to interpret.
Steeling himself internally for rejection, Thorin offered his free arm to the hobbit. When she took it with no hesitation he figured he should most probably be grateful to his friend.
Dwalin and Ori placed their blanket in the shade under a tree. Trying to give the couple some privacy Thorin and Bilba chose another tree, one far enough for private conversation, but still in full view of each other.
Only a few minutes later Dori exited the house with a third basket and blanket. He took hold of Nori's arm on his way to follow the courting couple.
"Am I yer date then?" the thief sneered.
Dori tried to lay out their blanket right next to where their sister was sitting, but Nori was quick to pick it up and move it under different tree further away like Thorin and Bilba had. He lay down on it so Dori would have to sit in the dirt if he wanted to be so close. Reluctantly the silver haired dwarf joined his brother. He sat and glared at Dwalin all through the meal. Nori was ever vigilant in case he would be called upon to tackle his brother should Dori decide to bother them.
Dwalin and Ori did their best to ignore Dori's staring throughout their picnic. Not too difficult a task for the smitten couples' eyes rarely left one another as they talked.
"You and Bilba-! Together! Really?" Dwalin said softly.
Ori blushed and nodded. She'd not meant to tell him she and Bilba had been intimate.
"Mahal, I wish I could have seen that!" Dwalin exclaimed.
The dwarrowdam giggled, "Yes! Yes, you really should wish!"
"Might be best if we not tell Thorin that, aye?"
"Aye," Ori agreed.
"Are you goin' ta keep-?"
Ori shook her head. "Not now that we're courting. I rather agree with that tradition."
"Me too," said Dwalin. "No one but you."
"No one but you," Ori agreed. "I'll explain it to Bilba. She'll understand."
"Do I dare dream Dori will allow a short courtship?"
Ori laughed, "We can only hope!"
Thorin and Bilba enjoyed their picnic as well. Thorin keeping his promise to start teaching her Iglishmêk.
"Now, if you slightly raise both forefingers at the same time, like this, it means 'listen'. If you raise the right then the left, like this, it means 'I am listening'" Thorin said. He would demonstrate one gesture and she would copy until he was satisfied the hobbit could do the proper movement.
Bilba was ecstatic at finally having something that truly could show that she had been accepted by these kind, wonderful, and wonderfully mad group of dwarves especially their reserved leader. It meant more to her than she had words to say.
This first lesson lasted late into the afternoon. Thorin decided to start with the most commonly used signals and those he thought might be necessary on their quest. Bilba found him to be a patient teacher. The broad grin he gave her when she'd finally got one of the most intricate hand movements correct was breathtaking! It emphasized the resemblance between him and his nephews and it made Bilba's heart flutter in a most alarming manner.
Thorin rarely smiled and never before had Bilba seen one like this on the often cantankerous dwarf's face! And it was all for her! Heat spread across the hobbit's cheeks, and, if she was honest with herself, spread much further down as well.
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End Notes: So! Those are canonical Iglishmêk gestures! The only two I'm aware of.