Chapter Three – And I've Left Behind the Empty Streets That Once Inspired My Life
When Thorin said they had just stepped over the Edge of the Wild…he wasn't kidding. Jasmine had never seen such a stark, yet stunning landscape. It was magnificent in its untouched beauty.
While the Company walked many miles that first day, she was fairly certain this would be a normal occurrence. Thorin continued to remind everyone that they needed to reach the Lonely Mountain before Durin's Day.
As they walked, Jasmine somehow ended up between Bifur and Fili. She asked Fili if he could explain more about their quest. He was only too happy to oblige. So she would understand better, he explained what had led up to their quest.
"Erebor, our home was invaded by Smaug – a fire drake from the north. He decimated the city of Dale that lay before the Lonely Mountain before attacking and driving everyone out. King Thror, our great grandfather and everyone living there had to flee or die."
"That's horrible!" Jasmine stated as she trudged alongside Fili. How long ago did this happen?"
"Oh it was some time past. Kili and I hadn't even been born. Our mother Dis is Thorin's sister, which makes him our uncle."
Jasmine smiled, "So this entire quest is quite the family affair I see."
Fili laughed a bit. "Yes, in a way it is. Most of the lads in the Company are related to us…cousins, some close, some distant, except Bofur, Bombur and Bifur. No relation - they just wanted to help."
"I see. So if Thorin is now king, or will be, that would make you the crown prince…next in line. Am I right?"
Fili sighed a bit. "Yes that is correct. Of course if uncle takes a wife, any children born of their union would jump ahead of me. Truth be told…" Fili leaned closer to Jasmine, "I sometimes wish that would happen. I don't think it ever will though." he said with a shrug.
Jasmine gave him a curious look, "Why is that? Don't you want to be king someday?"
"I'm not sure." Fili replied. "Since I'm the next in line behind Thorin, it is my duty to take over once it is my time, but sometimes…" He trailed off gazing into the distance.
Jasmine touched his shoulder, "But sometimes you wish you didn't have that responsibility to look forward to."
Fili nodded. "Maybe it's because I'm young and would rather not have that hanging over my head. Perhaps as I get older, I will have a change of heart."
She smiled at him, "Anything is possible. So if I'm not being rude, how old are you?"
"Well, I am 86 years old and Kili recently turned 77. So as I said we are still young."
Jasmine's mouth fell open and she uttered a slight gasp. "86? 86 years old? I…I find that hard to believe! You look just a little older than me and I am only 24 years old. Someone of that age would be old and winkled in my world. How is that possible?"
For some reason, Fili found her astonishment amusing. Chuckling, he said, "Darrow folk age slower than Men…so we live longer. Kili and I are considered young by our standards."
Jasmine tried to process what he had just told her. "So that means your uncle and the rest of the Company are much older than you, including…" she turned without finishing her sentence and glanced back at Bifur.
Fili nodded. He had noticed how much attention she had been paying to him. "Yes. I don't know for certain, but I would imagine about 155 years old."
Jasmine felt like she had been smacked hard in the head and had to stop walking. She leaned over and took several deep breaths.
"Are you alright?" Fili said with some concern.
"Yes…I'm just trying to wrap my mind around what you've just told me. I'll be alright."
He scratched his chin, "Don't know if this will help with your understanding, but even though we Dwarves age slower and live longer, mentally we would act closer in age to someone from the world of Men…for instance since I am 86, I would act more like someone around your age…if that makes sense."
Jasmine considered what he had just said, then replied, "Actually I think it does. Thank you."
He smiled back. "My pleasure. I also wanted to thank you for listening to me. I have wanted to unburden myself to someone for some time now. I couldn't speak to Thorin obviously and Kili would tell me I'm just being silly. So thank you for hearing me out."
"I'm always available if you need a friend to talk to. We are gonna to be traveling companions for a while…right?"
He laughed. "I suppose we are. I will remember if I do."
She pushed her shoulder out a little as she walked. "My shoulder is always here if you need one."
Fili gave her a large smile.
Bifur was curious as to what Fili and Jasmine were discussing. He admitted to himself he was frustrated that he couldn't talk to her so easily because he desperately wanted to. Bofur had offered his services as a translator. Hopefully when they stopped for the night, they would have a chance to sit and talk as he truly wanted to know more about her.
Jasmine pulled out her MP3 player and put just one of the earphones in, keeping the other ear clear. As much as she wanted to listen to her music, she realized she needed to stay sharp, and that meant being able to hear anything approaching or said to her.
Fili gave her a curious look. "What is that?
"Oh this…it's my MP3 player. I can carry around music in it. Whenever I want to listen, I just turn it on and put in my earphones."
Fili eyes showed he didn't understand.
Jasmine asked, "Would you like to listen to it?"
Tilting his head, he thought about it for a moment. "Yes."
"Cool! Let me choose a song and then I'll let you listen." Scrolling through her music she chose a song by the Beatles. "I'll start you off with something easy…don't want to freak you out with some Rock-n-Roll." Putting one of the earphones in his ear, she also made sure the volume wasn't too high. "This song is called "Yesterday. I think you'll like it."
Fili touched the earphone and the cord as Jasmine pushed play. His eyes went wide as the music began. He hadn't listened long before snatching the earphone from his ear. He stopped walking and stared first at the player, then her.
"How is this possible?" He seemed stunned. "Is this magic?"
Jasmine smiled, "Well I suppose it might seem like it. Where I'm from these players are kinda old school. There's newer ways to listen to music. I just prefer this."
Fili turned the small player around in his hand and looked at the earphones again. "It is amazing." He handed the player back to her. "Where you come from must be astonishing."
"In some ways I suppose it is..." she sighed before adding, "but in others…it was a very lonely place. There were so many people in my world, but so many lost souls. There were too many people like me with no family, close friends or even someplace to call home. That's why I believe in your quest. I need to help you get your home back."
Fili nodded. "I think I understand…at least in a small way. Perhaps after we have stopped for the night, we can talk more about where you come from."
Jasmine grinned, "I think I'd like that."
Bifur couldn't help grumbling to himself as Jasmine and Fili continued to talk. Was it possible he might be interested in her?
Bofur could hear his cousin talking quietly to himself, so he walked a little quicker to catch up with him. "What troubles you cousin?"
Bifur sighed, "Goth tho beth han ol greahjertr rir hane?"
Bofur put his hand on his shoulder, "I honestly don't think so. I think they are just friends…nothing more. I have seen the way the lass looks at you cousin. If she has feelings for anyone it is for you."
"Jeg wun zva." Bifur pursed his lips, "Jeg trela vrathi ilv betag ilv hane."
"When we camp for the night, talk to her. Get to know her. I will tell her whatever you want."
"Anket tho."
O – O – O – O – O – O
The Company found a good place to camp for the night. There was a good water source with a beautiful waterfall nearby. Gloin and 'Oin started a roaring fire. Once it was ready Bombur, with the help of Bofur, began to cook supper.
Jasmine found a good spot for her sleeping bag and spread it out. Not too close and not too far from the fire. The comparison made her giggle quietly thinking of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, except in this case she had thirteen Dwarves.
Bifur and Bofur set up on one side of her while Fili and Kili – the dudes – as she liked to call them, on the other. She smiled feeling very safe for the night.
It didn't take long before Bombur had dinner ready. Everyone began to get in line for the stew he had prepared. Jasmine stood and began stretching ready to eat, when she saw Bifur bringing the food to her.
Smiling, he handed her the wooden bowl. "Thank you so much. That was very sweet." She kissed his cheek as she took the stew and sat back down.
Touching his face as he took his place on the other side of her, Bifur could still feel her soft lips. Closing his eyes, he sighed quietly to himself.
Bofur plopped down on his blanket with his food and immediately noticed Bifur's coloring. "Why are you blushing cousin? What happened?"
"Hanja smaekgor mot cheek."
Bofur cocked his head, "Did she really? What for?"
He held up his bowl of stew and pointed toward her.
Bofur gave a sly smile, "Well you should do that more often."
Bifur lowered his eyes, "Jeg tlaga trela vrathi ilv thlaga ilv hane."
Bofur leaned closer. "Well then just talk to her cousin. Talk to her like you would anyone else. You said you wanted to know more about her…so ask questions."
Bifur nodded. Turning toward Jasmine, he said, "Wizja aav joth dleoff?"
"What did he say?" Jasmine asked.
Bofur finished chewing then said, "He wants to know if you are enjoying your food?"
"Yes I am. It is very good. Bombur is a very good cook."
Bofur grinned, "That he is. He loves to cook."
Jasmine nodded as she took another bite.
Bifur asked, "Wizja ur tho ynstaz?"
Bofur said, "He wants to know how you are feeling."
Even though Bofur was asking the questions, he was simply speaking for his cousin. So when she spoke, she kept her eyes on Bifur, "I'm a bit tired from the walk, but otherwise I feel great. Whatever that Elf doctor did back in Rivendell, he fixed me completely."
"Han vrathir ilv bekna ar hjandlom tho. Goth tho hef knor?"
Bofur nodded then asked, "He wants to know more about you. Do you have family?
Jasmine shook her head, "No…I have no family. I'm an orphan…been on my own since I was 18."
"Jeg'm bezorgan .
"He said he's sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry for." She replied.
Bifur paused for a moment before asking. "Wizja malth ur tho mju?"
Bofur asked, "He wants to know how old are you now?"
Trying to lighten the mood, she simply couldn't help herself from faking outrage at being asked her age. "Never ask a lady her age…it's rude!"
Bifur sputtered trying to apologize.
Unable to keep a straight face, she laughed loudly, "I'm just kidding Bifur. I'm 24 years old."
Bifur let out his breath when he realized she wasn't mad. "Hini vartolst thjara?"
Bofur replied, "Only 24?"
Jasmine smiled, "Yup…only 24." She took another bite of her stew then said, "So since we are asking personal questions…how old are you?"
Bifur was silent for a moment then said, "Jeg uz 150 gerarr malth."
"He said he is 150 years old."
Jasmine looked down at her stew trying to put her thoughts together. So Fili had been about right when he guessed his age. She then gazed deeply into his eyes and said, "You are very handsome for someone of that age."
Bifur's face turned a bright red.
Bofur looked at his cousin then to Jasmine. "I did not think it possible that someone could make him blush."
Jasmine leaned closer to Bifur, never breaking eye contact and whispered, "I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true." With that she got to her feet and took her empty bowl over to Bombur.
Bifur turned to his cousin and took a deep breath, "Jeg beth jeg'm falling rir hane."
'I'd say you have already done so. I also think the lass might have similar feelings."
"Tho beth zva?"
Bofur pulled out his pipe and nodded as he prepared to have a smoke. "I do indeed." He took a couple of puffs and thought, 'This quest is turning out to be much more interesting than he had anticipated.'
O – O – O – O – O – O
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Jasmine's eyes slowly opened. Yawning quietly, she sat up and took a look around realizing she was the only person awake with the exception of Gloin. It was his time to be on watch and he was quietly puffing on his pipe.
Getting to her feet, she stretched her back, extended her arms above her head, and twisted her waist back and forth working out the kinks. Her sleep had been restful even with all the loud snoring that went on. They certainly were a noisy bunch.
Jasmine retrieved some items from her backpack and walked in the direction of the river. She wanted to clean up and wash a few things before the Company got on their way. Whatever she washed could be attached to her pack, letting the wind and sun dry them. She knew Thorin would be pushing them to move as he had done yesterday so she hurried to accomplish her task.
As she passed Gloin, he said, "Where ya headin lass?"
"Down to the river to clean up and wash some clothes," she replied.
Nodding, he said, "Just be careful. The woods are still very dark, but if you need us, just call out."
Smiling as she stepped in the woods, she said, "I will. I won't be gone long."
He nodded again and continued puffing on his pipe as she disappeared into the brush.
Stepping into the woods, she pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight app. She hadn't used it in front of the Dwarves as she didn't want to freak them out. After seeing Fili's reaction to her MP3 player, she felt it wasn't yet time to show it to them…if she ever would. Since landing in this reality, the flashlight and the camera on the phone were the only things it was good for. Since there wasn't a network to connect with, the other programs didn't really work, nor could it give her the correct time. She issued an ironic laugh…all that remained now of that previous existence was empty streets that once inspired her life. This was her new reality and truthfully maybe a better one.
It didn't take her long to find the river and she quickly set about washing her face then her hair. The water was cold and it took care of any lingering drowsiness she might have had. After finishing her hair, she did the few items of clothing she had brought. The morning sun began to brighten her surroundings and she took a deep breath. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.
When she arrived back at the camp, Bombur was up and already fixing breakfast for everyone. She sat down on her sleeping bag and started alternating between towel drying her hair, then combing it.
Bifur slowly opened his eyes to the sound of quiet humming. He soon realized Jasmine was already awake and fussing with her long blonde hair. She had her head tilted to one side and was combing it.
Propping himself up, he watched her with some fascination. Her humming was sweet and melodious. Her back was to him so she was unaware she had an audience.
Her humming soon attracted Bofur's attention, who was also awake. He smiled and winked at Bifur. Leaning over he whispered, "Imagine waking up to that sweet sound every morn. Puts a soul in the right frame of mind, eh cousin?"
Bifur nodded. It did indeed. Some of his recent dreams had already explored that possibility. He thought about what it would be like waking up with her enclosed in his arms, her body nestled against his. He closed his eyes and sighed, thinking about it.
His sigh must have been louder than he intended because when he opened them again, Jasmine was smiling at him.
"Good Morning Bifur! Beautiful day isn't it? Hope you slept well."
He simply nodded unable to get any sound out.
Noticing Bofur grinning at her, she said, Good Morning to you too, Bofur."
"Mornin lass! That was some sweet sounding melody ya were humming…does it have a name?"
"It does," she answered. "It's a song called, 'In Your Wildest Dreams' she started humming again, then began to sing softly…
Once beneath the stars
The universe was ours
Love was all we knew
And all I knew was you
I wonder if you know
I wonder if you think about it
Once upon a time
In your wildest dreams
Bofur nodded then said, "That's a right beautiful song."
"It is. It's about loving someone once and then losing them. Wondering if the lost love ever thinks about the way it was…sweet, but sad."
As Bofur and Jasmine continued talking, Bifur thought about the song title. He gazed at Jasmine thinking how it was that someone like her came into his life…it truly was in his wildest dreams.
It wasn't long before Bombur announced that breakfast was ready.
After eating, the Company began to break camp and as expected Thorin pushed everyone to pack up quickly. They were to join up with Gandalf in the Misty Mountains so they had many miles to cover.
Jasmine wondered what lay ahead for them and for her. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined this place, these people…what lay ahead? Whatever it was, she was certain it would be nothing short of magical.
O - O - O - O - O - O
KHUZDUL O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O ENGLISH
Goth tho beth han ol greahjertr rir hane?...Do you think he has feelings for her?
Jeg wun zva...I hope so.
jeg tlaga trela vrathi ilv thlaga ilv hane...I just really want to talk to her
Anket tho...Thank you
Hanja smaekgor mot cheek...She kissed my cheek
Jeg gotek bekna vaem ilv thurv ilv hane...I don't know what to say to her.
Wizja aav joth dleof ...How was your food
Wizja ur tho ynstaz...How are you feeling?
Han vrathir ilv bekna ar hjandlom tho...He wants to know more about you.
Goth tho hef knor...Do you have family
Jeg'm bezorgan...I'm sorry
Wizja malth ur tho mju...How old are you now?
Hini vartolst thjara...Only 24
Jeg uz 150 gerarr malth...I am 150 years old
Jeg beth jeg'm falling rir hane...I think I'm falling for her cousin
Tho beth zva...You think so?
Partial song lyrics - In Your Wildest Dreams by The Moody Blues