Today we set out. Everything is in order, and we took our hurried leave of Thorin and everyone else, and departed at first light. It was a beautiful day, and perfect for travel. The mountains were laid out before us of the truest greens and browns, the sky shone blue and the birds swooped and swifted over head, calling to each other and to us, it seemed. I couldn't help but be happy, it was such a lovely day. I took off my cloak and threaded it through one of the straps of my satchel long before midday.
Fili and Kili are both armed in every way imaginable, and for that I am glad, though I doubt we will meet with opposition. We have no need of pack animals, everything we need we are carrying with us. Balin gave me a sturdy walking stick before we left, and though I never would have thought it, it is so much easier to walk with it. I carry a satchel on my back that contains way-food (we did not need to bring a great kettle or anything, since we will can do quite well for a week or so on dry bread and such), several empty flasks which we filled at the stream, and my bedroll. It is not heavy, and it is deliciously adventuresome to think that everything I need in the world is strapped to my back.
Fili carries a similar satchel, filled with other necessary things, like coinage, flint and steel, and such, and it clanks when he walks. Also, his swords and throwing knives add to the illusion of a walking armory. Kili's bow is strung, but hung over his back, along with a full quiver, and his own satchel (though his is not worn on the back, but over the shoulder, bouncing against his legs as he walks). He packed all manner of needless things, but look at me, I have a journal, and I also brought a few small gifts for my family from Erebor.
I find myself a short of breath at regular intervals, and we can scarcely travel a league before Fili stops and asks me if we should rest. I took him upon his offer several times, and it was nice to cool off and catch my breath on a large rock or beneath a tree. My feet are tired, but not unreasonably, considering we have been walking all day. I do not know the actual distance we covered, but it seems to not have been much. I hope that I do not slow them down, for I never anticipated the speed at which dwarves are capable of traveling.
We are sitting around the fire now, having eaten our supper, and I was talking to Kili a bit. Fili teases him most mercilessly about his lovelornity, but I must say he does not think it all foolishness. He knows of those things, after all, and I am quite sorry for him. Though the excess with which he often goes on and on about her is really astounding and can sometimes make me blush and Fili tell him to kindly shut it before a lady.
"Do you think it possible that she has forgotten me?" Kili asked, worry filling his eyes. "I think I should die, if that were the case."
"How could she forget you? She saved your life on no less than three occasions."
"Two," Kili corrected. "From the orc pack and in Laketown."
"And from the spiders," Fili added.
Kili scowled. "Oh, that wasn't necessary. That's what you call a dramatic entrance, nothing more. I was perfectly capable of defending myself."
"-Aye, disarmed, on your back being drug into the underbrush by a gigantic spider. Perfectly capable, brother."
Kili rolled his eyes. "I don't recall you coming to my aid, either."
"I was hard pressed myself! Capture was a welcome alternative at the moment."
I was interested. I had no idea what they were talking about, but apparently this was how they came to Mirkwood before reaching the Long Lake.
"She is so beautiful..." Kili repeated for perhaps the third time in this particular conversation. "So beautiful."
"Mahal," Fili growled. "You can stop saying that. We know you think her beautiful."
"Who doesn't?"
I nodded. "She is beautiful."
"See? And you can't pull out the smooth-skin, long-limbed, small-chested jibes you used to, seeing as you married a human girl yourself!" Kili cast a hasty glance my way. "Sorry."
I laughed. "No, it's true."
"Her ears are pointy..." Fili said with disgust, as if searching for a final objection. "Don't you find that strange and disconcerting?"
"No..." Kili sighed. "I think it is wonderful."
Laughing quietly, I poked Fili, and whispered, loud enough for him to hear, "I think he's in love, don't you?"
"Really?" Fili raised his eyebrows. "This is the first time I would have guessed it, but now that you mention –"
With an animal-like growl, Kili leapt toward his brother, and I jumped out of the way as they rolled over and over on the scrubby grass.
"You two," I scolded, smiling nonetheless. When they had stopped, I addressed Fili. "Feeling better, then?"
"Aye." He got to his feet and rubbed a hand over the back of his head, through his thick blond hair. "I don't feel badly at all, not even in the heat of the day." He sobered. "You?"
"Me?" I pulled an innocent face.
"Be honest."
"I am... tired," I admitted. "But not more than should be expected."
"We should sleep," Fili said, unrolling his blanket upon the ground, and flopping down atop it with a gusty sigh. "Come, then."
"I'm not looking," Kili sang, putting his back to us, and Fili flung a pebble in his direction. Blushing, I unfurled by own bedroll, and slid it over to be side by side with my husband. Easing myself into it, I winced at the contact of the hard ground against my sore muscles.
"Alright?" Fili asked, reaching over and stroking a hand down my cheek.
"Mm," I replied, squirming a bit until I got comfortable. "The child is awake, now." I could feel it shifting within me, and it gave me a thrill as always. My belly is growing more and more swollen each passing week, and I try not to feel self-conscious. But it is something to get used to.
Bringing his hand between my blankets, Fili rubbed a gentle palm against me.
"How long, now?"
I thought for a moment. "It has been six cycles of the moon. Normally it would be three more, but Oin said he thinks a bit longer."
"So soon..." Fili said, rolling over and wrapping me in his arms, tugging me toward him.
"Kili..." I murmured.
"Leave him be," Fili whispered. "We are married."
"I know..." I said, smiling, and feeling my face heat up at the same time. "Valar, I know."
