As first light broke over the hills of Hobbiton, the dwarves, Gandalf and I all gathered our belongings and left the cozy, little hobbit-hole in the hill and set off on the destined path. We walked for a few miles on foot and then acquired some horses, one for each of us to ride and then a few spares to carry the baggage.
The deep brown horse I rode was beautiful, a mane as dark as night and eyes that twinkled with the sun. I rode at a steady speed beside Gandalf as we partook in light talk.
"So, how are you finding the merry company?" He wondered.
I sighed, thinking over my answer a little before giving my verdict. "I can't really give much on that as of yet. I do not know them well enough, however, the do seem genuine."
"They are as genuine as they come, Gaylia."
"Indeed, but Thorin-"before I could continue, he cut me off.
"Yes, I heard your conversation last night."
I smirked, "You wouldn't happen to have been eavesdropping, would you, Mithrandir?"
"Merely keeping a watchful eye over the company."
"If you say so." I looked down as I held the reigns of my horse loosely, "He knows who I am. He will never trust me enough to be a part of this quest. Even if he says he does, I know he won't in his heart."
"May that be, you are here and you will stay here." He looked over to me and I nodded. I was here for Gandalf after all.
As we continued on our way, over a field of green, I slowed my horse down to a measly stroll as I listened intently. Quickened footsteps, heartbeat racing inside of a chest as it approached closer.
"Wait!" I called out to the others. They all halted and Thorin circled his horse on the spot, looking me dead in the eye.
"What is it?" he asked. His tone was cold, his face unnerving as he stilled his beast.
"Someone's coming." I announced. All the dwarves and Gandalf turned on their ponies to look over the hill. Nothing was there.
"There is nothing there, elf." One of them moaned with a roll of their eye.
Thorin looked on as a voice called out from over the hill. I smiled as Gandalf looked at me impressed. I looked back at Thorin, who without noticing me doing so, smiled vary faintly before returning back to his stern, unimpressed face.
Perhaps I could prove myself here after all
"Wait! Wait!" the familiar voice bellowed over the hill as he got closer.
All looking back, I included, we saw Mr. Baggins running towards us, waving his contract high in the air.
"I signed it." He panted. Had he ran all the way from the Shire? He walked over to Balin and handed over the contract to him. He inspected it closely before smiling.
"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
Bilbo looked to Thorin, "Give him a pony." He said before turning on the spot and guiding his horse forward. Everyone followed in suit, but not without protest form the hobbit.
"No, no, no, no. That… that won't be necessary. Thank you. I'm sure I can keep up on foot. Yeah, I… I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know? Even got as far as Frog Morton once."
I smirked at his babbling before two of the dwarves grasped his arms from beside him and hoisted him up onto one of the ponies, gaining an immediate squeal to come from him.
Riding through the woods, Bilbo was riding between Gandalf and I as the dwarves all chatted between themselves.
I was taken off guard as one called out, "Come on, Nori! Pay up!" Seconds later, bags began to fly through the air above our heads as Bilbo turned to Gandalf.
"What's that about?" he asked confused.
"Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet you wouldn't." he answered.
"And what did you think?" he asked, a little uncertainty in his voice.
"Well…" As Gandalf spoke, a bag had come flying over towards him and he caught it swiftly before smiling, "My dear fellow, I never doubted you for one second." He spoke to Bilbo but looked at me. He knew that Mr. Baggins would show, just like he knew I would.
We pondered on through the woodlands, Bilbo and I partook in some small talk, getting to know each other. As the designated outcasts of the group, I thought it best that we learned about one another.
Falling silent for a brief moment, Bilbo tilted his head forward and sneezed.
"Bless you, master Baggins." I smiled as he sniffed.
"Oh, it's the horse hair. Having a reaction." He said as he felt inside of his pockets. Rummaging faster and deeper, he suddenly stopped his pony. "Uh… wait, wait. Stop! Stop! We have to turn around." He yelled.
All the horses came to a stop, "What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked.
Thorin once again turned his pony around and watched on from the front. Getting more annoyed as each moment passed.
"I forgot my handkerchief." Bilbo exclaimed.
I laughed lightly and rested my hand over my mouth to stifle the sound. Bilbo looked at me, almost shocked that I was laughing at his inconvenience.
"Here! Use this." Bofur called out from in front of us. Ripping a piece of cloth from his robe, he tossed it backwards to Bilbo, who caught it and look at it with disgust as he pinched it between his fingertips.
"Move on!" The dominating voice called out once more and everyone began to move.
We travelled at a steady pace for hours, only stopping a handful of times along the way before stopping for the night and setting up camp near high-up rocks, overlooking the dark, green woodlands below. Many of the dwarves were sleeping; and some were gathered round the fire talking. The only light coming from the amber flames of the logs burning within the fire pit.
I sat atop a rock near the overhang keeping watch on the land below. Listening intently for anything that may be lurking in the shadows, but so far there was nothing to be heard or seen, other than the odd owl in the sky and snoring from the dwarves. Creaking and a subtle voice from my side caught my attention, as I turned around and let my legs dangle freely from the rock; I smiled as I saw Bilbo whispering and feeding a red apple to one of the ponies.
"I think he likes it." I smiled and caught his attention.
He looked up to me and grinned, "I didn't see you up there." He admitted merrily as the pony crunched into the apple.
"Just keeping a look out." I said. He dipped his head and began to pet the pony once again. His hand fell quickly from the pony and back to his side as a wild shriek bellowed from below in the trees. I got to my feet quickly and looked out into the open; I couldn't see anything, not a single thing.
"What was that?" Bilbo asked shocked.
"Orcs." I replied.
"Orcs?" Bilbo reiterated and took a few steps backwards. I could hear the beating from his heart getting louder.
I looked to the right as I seen that Thorin was now awake because of the noise.
"Throat cutters. There'd be dozens of them out there." Fili began to speak, a playful spark in his eye. "The low lands are crawling with them.
"They strike, in the wee small hours, when everyone's asleep. Quick and quiet, no screams. Just lots of blood." His brother, Kili added.
The brothers both began to laugh as Bilbo stood below, worryingly looking up to me. I quickly broke the eye contact we shared when Thorin walked by the fire and spoke to his kin.
"You think that's funny?" he said. Both of the brothers fell silent, the smirks on their faces were wiped by their kings words. "You think a night raid by Orcs is a joke?"
Their heads fell in shame, "We didn't mean anything by it." Kili shakily replied.
"No you didn't. You know nothing of the world." Thorin spat. He proceeded to walk away from the dwarves to be alone; however, he was only a few feet from where I stood. I watched him as he looked over the edge of the cliff, the gentle breeze blowing his hair ever so slightly.
I broke my gaze as I turned my attention to Balin who began to speak to the others. "Don't mind him, laddie. Thorin has more cause than most to hate Orcs."
Another shriek came from the dark but I kept my sights firmly on Balin as he told a tale from many years ago.
"After the dragon took the Lonely Mountain, King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient dwarf kingdom of Moria. But our enemy had got' there first." The dwarves were now listening intently as Balin spoke the tail, as did I. "Moria had been taken by legions of Orcs, led by the vilest of their entire race, Azog the Defiler. The giant Gundabad orc had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the king."
I swallowed the lump in my throat, I had heard many tales but none told quite like this. Balin continued, "Thrain, Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief, he went missing, taken prisoner or killed, we did not know. We were leaderless. Defeated and death were upon us. That is when I saw him." Balin turned to face Thorin, who stood with his back to the group still looking into the darkness. "A young dwarf prince facing down the Pale Orc."
"He stood alone against this terrible foe. His armour rent, wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog the Defiler learned that day, that the line of Durin would not be so easily broken. Our forces rallied, and drove the Orcs back. Our enemy had been defeated, but there was no feast, nor song that night for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few, has survived."
The rest of the Dwarves gathered round the fire, all turning to face their king in awe.
"And I thought to myself then, there is one who I could follow, there is one I could call king."
My gaze fell upon Thorin as he slowly began to turn around, looking up to meet my eye briefly before looking towards his kin who were all now looking back at him, the hobbit included.
"And the Pale Orc? What happened to him?" Bilbo asked, and I too wanted to know.
"He slunk back into the hole whence he came." Thorin spoke, "That filth died of his wounds long ago."
My eyes shifted to witness a stare between the wizard and Balin; it was a worrying stare which unsettled me deeply but I decided to keep my opinions to myself for the time being. The Dwarves dispersed after the tale was told, all bedding down for the night, all except one.
I silently jumped off the rock where I once sat and walked over to Thorin. He gazed upon the ponies as they grazed on the grass at their feet; he was still and silent as I approached.
I stood beside him, neither one of us spoke for a few moments until I decided to be the first.
"I…I would like to offer my sincerest of apologies regarding your father." I said lowly, "I did not know that is what had become of him."
He turned to me, only slightly looking up through his lashes, "I do not know what has become of him." His words were heavy and filled with remorse. He took a few steps past me, "You should rest," he said and I turned to face him, "We leave at first light."
"I thought I'd keep watch for a while longer."
"No need, I'll take over." Before I could reply, he walked off out of my sight into the dark. I could only imagine the pain that he must be going through. To lose your father in any way would be devastating, but to not know would be worse. I understand more why this quest means so much to him and his kin.
I climbed back up onto the rock, but this time I lay down, facing the starless sky above. As I was alone with my thoughts, I took the time to think of the past, of my kin and the many years it had been since I had seen them. Then I thought to Thorin, and how he has lost so much. I drifted off to sleep not long after my thoughts cooled off, ready for the journey ahead.