Chapter 21: Laundry and Starlight

The Master spares no luxury for the company (even if it is just for public appearance and the promise of profit). They are given an empty house to stay in, near the town hall. It is two stories as most are. It is more luxurious than Bard's but not any larger in scale. There are many seats on the lower floor, making up the common area and upstairs are several cots. It is obvious that they do not originally belong in the rooms as they are cramped together, spread through three bedrooms, but cots are better than the floor.

Their clothes are replaced with much finer ones. Though Gailien keeps her own pants (after a good wash), she welcomes the new, fresh and nonbattle worn shirt. She still has her weapons holster around her waist, feeling empty without her blades in them but the Master has also promised them weapons.

Though the town seems to be struggling, there is no food storage in their guest house. Their pile is stocked high with a promise to be refilled if it ever gets low. And with the eyes that Bombur gave it, she doesn't doubt that they will need to.

The first day is spent with the entire group lazing around the house, eating and sleeping to their hearts' contents. Though Thorin had originally wanted them to leave for the mountain so they had plenty of time, Gailien's points had proven to be right. They did need rest before they set out again. Even Thorin finds himself sleeping for a good portion of the day, waking to a hot bowl of meaty soup next to his cot.

The second day Gailien spends the morning taking all the clothes that Bard had lent them and takes them to a washing bay, spending a good two hours alone, scrubbing the material. Fili and Kili offered to come but Gailien politely refused, wanting some time alone to her thoughts.

With a heavy woven basket resting against her hip, Gailien wanders through the town. People give her looks, and she is still surprised to see the delight on their faces as they recognise her. It is something that has never happened to her before – not from strangers and it makes her feel a little giddy.

Gailien arrives at Bard's house and knocks on the door. Within a few moments, Sigrid opens the door. Her expression morphs from shock to unsettled, looking over her shoulder to her brother. Their father mustn't be there.

"I've only come to return your belongings," Gailien says as softly as she can. "They're clean but still a little damp I'm afraid."

"Oh, umm, thank you," Sigrid says, taking the basket from her hands.

"I also wish to apologise on behalf of the Dwarves," she adds. "We didn't mean to cause any disruption for you or your town, least of all your father. He may disagree with our quest, but I will certainly never forget that he definitely saved our hides."

"Are you going to try and kill the dragon then?" Bard questions over his sister's shoulder. "Da says it's a suicide quest."

Gailien hesitates in answering, swapping the weight of her feet. "I'm not…entirely sure what is going to happen. But I will do all I can to make sure that your family stays safe." A promise she is not sure she can keep, but they are children. "We are being showered with too many things. If there is anything you need that we have, just ask for me and I'll see what I can do. Food, clothes, sheets."

"Thank you," Sigrid says with true appreciation. Tilda, the youngest of the three joins the older two siblings by the front door. She looks at Gailien with unfiltered fascination.

"You have pointed ears," she exclaims. "But Dwarves don't have pointed ears, do they?" She looks up at Sigrid for confirmation. The older sister partially opens her mouth but doesn't know the answer herself. They've never met Dwarves before.

"No, young one, I'm not a Dwarf," Gailien answers with a soft smile. "Neither is Bilbo, the one with the big feet. He is a Hobbit and I am an Elf."

"Why are you both travelling with the Dwarves then?" Bain asks, tilting his head. Gailien laughs to herself, amused at all their questions. She has no problem answering since their quest is no longer a secret.

"I have a special gift that has been able to help us get through some of the dangers on our path. Bilbo is here for another reason."

"What type of dangers?" Tilda pesters with wide eyes. "Like wild animals?"

Sigrid places her hand on her sister's head. "Tilda, it is rude to ask so many questions like this."

"Oh, truly, I don't mind," Gailien assures, giving the family a bright smile. Sigrid looks at Bain, appearing to have a silent conversation and Bain nods his head. Sigrid looks back to Gailien.

"We have just finished making lunch, if you would like to come in and join us. You would have to leave before late afternoon before our father returns but…I think Tilda will burst if she does not know the answers to her questions."

"I would love to, as long as I'm not a hassle. I don't want you to get in trouble with your father."

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

Xx

Gailien spends the early afternoon, eating a warm stew with the three siblings as she recounts the tale of the quest. Tilda gasps loudly as Gailien describes the trolls – tall, ugly, and mean. Even the older two seem enthralled as Gailien describes them being cooked over the campfire, only saved by their burglars' wits. She leaves out the part with Gandalf, not sure what Bard would think of that if the children let it slip.

Tilda quite visibly is restraining herself from asking questions and when Gailien can tell she is about to burst; she pauses her stories and gives Tilda a knowing smile. She wants to know everything – the Dwarves names, where they come from, if they are going to stay in the mountain. She asks about the Woodland Realm and King Thranduil (which Gailien keeps civil for her sake, since the Woodland Realm is their main source of income and it would do no good for them to have bad thoughts).

To thank them for their hospitality, Gailien takes over the cleaning duties; clearing the table and kitchen as well as cleaning the plates. She promises to not say a word to their father about today if the situation occurs and makes them promise to ask her if they need anything.

"Do you have any chips?" Tilda asks. "We haven't had chips in forever."

Gailien tilts her head, thinking back to their food pile. "I believe we do. We have a cook in our company so I can have them made if they are not already prepared. I'll come around tomorrow around lunchtime and drop them off if you would like."

Tilda gleams, clasping her hands and Sigrid smiles in adoration of her sister. "Thank you," she says. "It will be a nice treat."

Gailien gives them a warm farewell, double-checking for any sign of Bard before she leaves the children to go back to their chores. Tomorrow night Lake-town is throwing a feast in their honour. She isn't quite sure if they should be celebrating so, not when their quest isn't complete but if anybody knows the benefits of having high spirits it is her. No doubt Bofur is looking for any excuse to drink. And Fili has not had a good tankard in a while.

She has tried to mediate the previous night but nothing except a couple of flashes of them nearing the mountain were revealed to her. They weren't even worth mentioning to Thorin, but she did nonetheless, so he didn't think she was slacking in her duties.

Gailien pushes the front door to their temporary home open, greeted by the sight of the Dwarves still lazing around, a fire already going. There is the faint smell of lunch still in the air, but it looks like it is long gone from the empty bowls lying about.

"I see we've all had a productive day," Gailien muses cheerfully as she pulls off her heavier cloak.

Bofur raises his hand from where he lies across a long chair meant for three. "That…we have lass." Gailien rolls her eyes but the smile doesn't drop. Kili and Fili are over in a corner together with two drinks. Her feet make move to go join them but someone else stands in her way.

Gailien nearly bumps into Thorin who faces her, his shoulders set back. "Where were you?" he asks gruffly.

"I told you earlier, I washed the clothes we borrowed and returned them," Gailien answers with a slight frown.

"That was hours ago," Thorin counters. "I doubt it takes that long."

Gailien shifts the weight on her feet, raising an eyebrow challengingly. She doesn't quite know why Thorin is suddenly overly interested in her whereabouts – they certainly don't have anywhere else to be currently. "I decided to stay out for longer."

"Doing what?"

"Whatever I felt like," she quips with a slightly snarky tone. "Why is it such an issue?"

Her arms cross over her chest defensively almost daring Thorin to question her further. Why on earth is he questioning her so much? It isn't like she has a habit of disappearing or lying about her whereabouts. In fact, she would have told him the exact truth if he hadn't come across so stark.

Thorin's shoulders drop and he glances around the room – no doubt there are a few eyes on them. "I just didn't know where you were. I was worried."

Gailien defences drop slightly, though his reaction is still not warranted. She notes a few Dwarves are not here either. "Gossip spreads fast in this town. If something happened to me, you'd probably hear about it before I do," she jests, letting her arms loosen in their fold.

Thorin nods, managing a small smile. He walks away, sauntering back to wherever he was brooding before. Gailien shares a look with Bofur who has been watching them from his seat. Gailien continues on in her original path, wandering over the two brothers. She pulls up her own seat from the larger table, resting her elbows on the smaller on between them.

"Whatever you had for lunch smells good," she says, resting her head against her palm.

"Bombur had the time of his life cooking it," Fili says, smirking. "You would have liked it but Bombur ate all the leftovers."

"I'm sure," Gailien agrees.

"So, where did you go off to?" Kili asks, giving her a pointed look. "Somewhere that Thorin wouldn't approve of?"

"Hardly," Gailien snorts but then thinks again. "Actually, he probably would have advised against it. Bard's kids asked me to stay for lunch. The little one had some questions and by some, I mean I honestly have no idea how her brain even thought of them all." The brothers chuckle, the sound quietened under the loud conversation Gloin, Dwalin, and Oin are having about something trivial. "What's in Thorin's socks anyway? Is he just antsy because we're so close?"

Fili looks over his shoulder to his uncle who is brooding by himself. "He's actually been more relaxed than anything. The mountain is so close, and we've got supplies and a safe place. I think he just doesn't want anything to go wrong so you not returning probably did set him on edge."

Gailien nods slowly. "I'll take note of that. It wasn't like I was gone all day though." Kili shifts in his seat and Gailien doesn't miss the slight wince of pain in his eye as he does so. Gailien breathes out heavily, leaning forward. "This is ridiculous, Kili. Just let us tend to the damn thing."

Kili clenches his jaw, stretching his knuckles out. "I've already checked it. It's fine."

"Kil-"

"No."

His tone is hard and Gailien knows there is no use arguing any further, but it doesn't make her any less infuriated. She pushes against the table, the legs of her chair grating against the wooden floor. "I've had enough of Dwarvish stubbornness for today," she grunts, sliding out of her seat. A few Dwarves look over at the obnoxious sound, watching silently as Gailien storms back out of the house she only entered minutes ago.

Kili looks to his brother. "She's mad at me, isn't she?"

Fili wants to roll his eyes and knock his brother over his head, but he understands his brother's reasoning. "I think she's just frustrated. And she's right."

"I don't want her to be. I just…"

"Go talk to her," Fili instructs. "You'll regret being annoyed at each other if you don't."

Gailien stands outside on their front porch area, leaning against the railing. The sun is low in the sky, but clearly visible now that the fog has cleared away. Still no less cold, but at least the weather is pleasing aesthetically. There are still the remnants of the light snowfall they had from the first night that went through until yesterday morning. It dusts the ground, creating a speckled path of dark stone and white snow.

She hears the door opening and she can recognise his foot pattern anywhere – especially now since it sounds more like her own. Kili walks up next to her, leaning against the railing to match her pose.

He sucks his lips, looking out into the rather bleak town of Lake-town where the people's festivities continue in anticipation of the feast. "This quest…" He takes another moment to clarify his thoughts and Gailien slowly tilts her head to look at him. "This quest is my chance to prove to Thorin that I'm not a child. That I'm capable and ready."

"Even warriors get wounded, dilthen er," Gailien murmurs softly. "It doesn't mean that you're weak."

"No but it means I'm a hindrance," he snaps with no bite – more to himself than her. "If they think that I can't handle a small arrow wound then I won't be proving anything."

Gailien half-turns, letting her side press against the railing instead. "Then let me help you. No - let Oin help you. Nobody here is going to judge you for needing help against a wound. You have no idea how much it hurts me to see you in pain."

The corner of his lips turn up slightly. "Had no idea you cared so much."

Gailien scoffs, rolling her eyes and nudges his arm gently. "That's a lie and you know it." Her smile drops slowly as the entire reason for her frustration stays at the front of her mind. "You remember the brother that I had?" Kili nods. "My brother…he was exactly like you." A soft smile of memory pulls at her cheeks. "Reckless, cheeky, but one of the most loving people you could ever meet." She laughs, turning fully around so her back presses against the railing, her head tilting to the left as she talks to Kili. "It was the need to prove himself that got him killed."

Kili's face drops, his eyebrows twitching beneath his subtle fringe.

"I'm not upset or…or frustrated that you want to do these things," she continues. "I'll even cheer you on." That does get a small chortle from the young prince. "But my brother acted just like you are now. We were playing out by the river, the same one we escaped through and he got himself caught in the rapids. I ran ahead and climbed onto one of the fallen tree branches. He was right under me. I held my hand out but he… he purposely ignored it and tried to grab the tree himself. He ignored help when he needed it the most and his fingers barely touched the tree before he was swept underwater."

Kili blinks, his throat feeling sick as his stomach begins to feel like he has eaten rotten food. He never knew that her reasons were so personal and from experience. "And…you think I'm doing the same thing?" Kili finishes.

Gailien nods silently, her eyes watering but she refuses to let the tears drop. She has already wept enough for the life of her family. "I can't watch the same thing happen twice. I refuse to. So you better take you ass to Oin or I will knock you out and drag you myself."

"I will," he promises. Gailien smiles, truly in relief. She notes that he cocks his right foot, taking the pressure off his leg. She doesn't want to go back inside just yet, enjoying the breeze of the outside.

"Let's sit for a while," she mutters, gesturing to the ground with her head. She walks over to the other side of the porch, plopping herself on the ground, her back up against the wall of the house. Kili readily joins her, taking the space between the wall and fence corner. "I thought that maybe you were blaming me for the arrow – and I wouldn't blame you!-"

"What?" Kili's mouth hangs open and he shakes his head quickly. "No, of course not. I really should have listened to you." He lets out a small chuckle, shaking his head at his own actions. He wraps his arm around her shoulder, squeezing it softly. "But I don't regret it, it got us out of there."

"Stupid bravery," she declares. "But bravery, nonetheless. And maybe a bit of stubbornness. I want to talk about something else. Tell me about what you and Fili were doing before all of this."

"Well, we just got back from…"

Xx

Kili and Gailien talk amiably into the darkness of the night. Both feel the coldness biting at their skin, but they are enjoying their conversations too much to ruin it by going back inside. Kili entertains her with impressions of particular people they have met along the way and Gailien nearly snorts like a pig at his Elrond impression.

Gailien confidently states that she could do most of the Dwarves well. Kili eggs her on and Gailien sits upright, pulling a long strand of hair over her top lip. "I'm Fili and I carry too many knives to even remember where they all are," she speaks in a pathetic deep voice. Kili snorts, shaking his head in disbelief.

"That was terrible," he chuckles.

Gailien stays in character. "What do you mean? I'm Fili, trying to learn the art of being majestic from my uncle."

"I'm trying to do what now?"

Gailien shrieks, dropping the hair from under her nose and Kili barely holds in his cackles. Gailien sheepishly turns her head, finding Fili standing in the doorway, peeking his head out with raised eyebrows.

Her open mouth slowly forms into an innocent grin, teeth on full display. "Did I at least sound like you?"

"Not even close," Kili answers for him. Gailien shrugs in resignation.

"What are you guys even still doing out here?" Fili questions.

Gailien tilts her head back, looking up to the dark blue sky filled with silver lights. "It's nice to be under the stars again after Mirkwood. Even before we were caught, we couldn't see them under the trees."

Fili looks up as well, silently agreeing with her words. Without another word, he enters backs into the house. Kili and Gailien share a confused look. After a minute or so, Fili returns with a bundle of large blankets. He tosses one onto Gailien then sits down against the railing adjacent to them, minding Kili's injured outstretched leg and he unravels the other blanket, covering him and his brother. Fili looks up to the silent pair.

"If you don't mind of course," he states. Gailien and Kili break from their short moment of being stunted and smile, shaking their heads.

"The more the merrier," Gailien muses. "But you can only stay if you pay the price." Her lips play with mirth, leaning forward slightly. Fili leans forward to meet her challenge.

"And what price would this be?"

"You must entertain us. You have to imitate anyone we've met."

Fili chooses to do Gandalf and does such a hilarious performance that Gailien smacks her head against the wall of the house from throwing her head back to hard and fast. "Ow," she cries through her laughter, her hand cupping the back of her skull. Fili and Kili look concerned for a moment as Gailien holds her head close to her lap but as she pulls it back up, they see the tears of laughter down her cheeks as her shoulders continue to move with the silent sound. "That was so stupid."

"And loud," Kili adds. "Sounded like a hammer."

Once again, the front door opens, and another Durin Dwarf sticks their head out. "What's going on out here?"

"Gailien's just smashing her head against the wall," Fili answers simple. Thorin frowns, utterly perplexed at his nephew's explanation.

"Why would you ever do that?"

"Not on purpose you troll-head," she exclaims, still cupping her skull. With her free hand, she gestures to herself. "Feel free to join us. We have blankets." She holds up her own with a kind smile. Thorin hesitates for a moment but lets the tension of his shoulders drop. He saunters over to the trio, planting himself next to Gailien and she billows out the blanket, letting it settle over the both of them.

He opens his mouth to speak but another voice comes from inside. "What in the world is goin' on out there?!" Bofur cries. "All four of them have just gone out and not come back." There is the sound of heavy footsteps and the four outside wait in anticipation as Bofur marches towards the front door. He leans out, looking around before finding them curled up on blankets on the porch. He leans back inside. "Oi! Grab some blankets you lot! We're cuddling under the stars apparently!"

He marches back inside and Kili is the first to start laughing as none of them even got to explain anything to the toymaker. "I suppose the rest are going to be joining soon then," Gailien muses in amusement.

The heat begins to accumulate under their blanket from their shared body heat and Gailien is very aware of their touching arms. The rest of the Dwarves and Bilbo begin piling onto the porch, wrapped in blankets and Balin brings out a lit candlestick, lighting the two permanent torches. It coats them in the warm orange glow, providing both light and warmth.

Bofur has brought out his flute and plays a merry tune for them, the Dwarves clapping and singing along as Gailien and Bilbo try to pick up the chorus. Gailien watches Thorin with her mouth open, anticipating the chorus beginning and she tries to join in as it does, watching for Thorin's confirmation of her using the right words.

By the end of the song she gets most of the lines right and all but screams the last one. She laughs loudly, resting her back against the wall.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," she says, watching them with adoration.

"Yes, they are."

Gailien instinctively looks to the person who agrees but finds them not looking at the stars, but at her with a small, but mirthful smirk. Gailien scoffs, shaking her head as she cackles loudly. "That was well done, Fili," she laughs. "You should remember that one."

Fili laughs, leaning back with a proud smile. Kili shakes his head to himself. "Why didn't I think of that?" he mutters, earing fond laughs from Fili and Gailien. Thorin shifts next to her, his leg bending so his knee presses up against hers. Her cheeks flush red so she keeps her gaze down.

"I wish I could see the future sometimes," Bofur announces, gaining the attention of most of the company. "I just want to see a glimpse, just to know it's worth fighting for."

"You know," Gailien begins, "they say that everybody is given a way to see the future."

"How's that?" Ori pipes up. "We don't get visions like you."

"No," Gailien agrees. "But I've heard that some people see the future in their dreams. Only on the peaceful nights when their mind is most at rest. Others have incredible instincts that help them choose the right path. Then some believe that the lines on your hands are the map of your life."

Bilbo looks down at his hands, along with a few other members. "How can the lines on our hands tell us our future?"

"I don't know the specifics, but some believe that whatever god created you already has your path written into the universe, and they give each creation the ability to peek into their creator's plan. Some, like me, are given quite an easy gift but others have to seek out this information in other ways."

"I think mine come through dreams," Balin confesses. "Sometimes I see things that just don't quite add up until something while I'm awake happens."

"Well, how do we know which one we are?" Dori questions, still looking at his hands.

"I think that's for you to find out."

After a little more pestering, the Dwarves convince her to share the knowledge she was taught about the lines on their hands. Gailien isn't really sure if she believes it or not, but considering she can quite literally see the future, anything is possible. The describes the different lines and what they mean.

The Dwarves begin chatting with the people next to them, comparing palms. Thorin, who has been mostly listening suddenly pulls his hands out from under the blanket and lays it on the material between them.

"What does mine say?" he asks. Gailien gives him an exasperated expression.

"Thorin, I really don't know anything about it," she says.

"Entertain me."

They stare at each other for a few moments, seeing who will give up first. Gailien forfeits. She pulls her own hands out from the blanket and shuffles even closer to him, their forearms brushing up against each other. With her left hand, she picks his up, holding it up to her bent knee, palm up. With her right, she begins tracing the lines on his hand, explaining (with a lot of guesswork) what each one meant to him. Thorin listens intently, asking questions as her fingertip traces over his palm.

"This is supposedly the line of fortune," she says, tracing along a curved indent. "And from what I can tell, you're going to have a prosperous life." Thorin chuckles deeply, the sound resonating from his chest.

"That is what I am hoping for," he says. "Although, I think I trust your visions more than your line reading skill."

Gailien joins in with his soft laughter, nodding in agreement. "I did tell you I am no good at it."

"Let me read yours."

Gailien raises an eyebrow, tilting her head up at Thorin with a questioning expression. However, the chance to have him so focused on her is an unpassable opportunity. So silently, she drops his hand, turning her right over and holds her palm out for him. Thorin takes it, mimicking her previous position.

"So this is the line of your soul?" he asks, tracing along the longest that goes from one side to the other. Gailien hums in affirmative. "And…. I don't know what it says." Thorin trails off sheepishly. Gailien laughs good-heartedly, letting her head fall back against the wall behind them. "Don't laugh," Thorin grumbles. "It's just too faint."

"My life line says I'm going to die!" Bofur cries out, tearing his hand from Bifur to hold it closer to the torchlight. "Right here!"

Gailien shakes her head, letting herself lean more towards Thorin as she looks to Bofur. "Don't you worry, Bofur. I'm keeping an eye on your future. Besides, the future can change, no matter what may be planned for you."

The rest of the night is peaceful, reminding her of the nights they spent in their early travels, before even the trolls. Only now she is more a part of their company than ever and there is less restraint over her words and actions. She even consciously leaves the back of her hand resting in Thorin's palm between their bent knees, his fingertip slowly tracing over the 'faint' lines in her palm.