Chapter 6 – Titles
Eryn followed behind Thorin as they descended the stairs, as soon as they neared the foot of the stairs, she noticed that it was far quieter than it had been before. The fire still flickered, and as they grew closer to the foot of the stairs, she heard whispers.
"He's coming back down!" Someone hissed, and a commotion began. There was clanking and shuffling.
"Move!" someone exclaimed.
"Ouch!" whined another.
As they turned the corner to the patio, Eryn noticed everyone looked suspiciously occupied. The two young dwarves were sitting on the ottoman, passing a sock back and forth bickering. Bofer was dusting his hat, the Star haired one was looking at something on the floor very intently. Bomber was tearing a loaf of bread in half, Dwalin was leaning on a pillar looking clearly not amused and his brother Ballin was still seated near the fire with the Axe head dwarf, discussing something in a language Eryn couldn't discern.
Thorin stood stationary, arms crossed once again, looking at the party of obviously "innocent" dwarves. "Pack your things, quickly." He moved to his nephews, handing the dark haired one a pack.
"What's happened?" Ballin asked, concern written deep into the lines on his face.
"They will try to stop us." He said brusquely. "Gandalf says we must leave before dawn, wake those who are sleeping."
Eryn watched as the entire patio became a dance of absolute chaos. Dwarves sprung up, cloths were tossed back and forth, pots and pans clattered, food packed and the fire smothered. The group in the back room gathered all bedrolls and a couple dwarves gathered the remaining furniture and piled it in a corner. It was while Eryn watched this choreography that she realized she didn't have anything to pack herself; panic rose in her stomach as she turned to find her way back to her room to gather her things as Thorin instructed. It wasn't much, only her side bag that had general daily necessities, nothing that could help her survive in the wilderness, what was she going to do?
She didn't get very far down the hallway before she saw a familiar face walking briskly towards her. It was Merodyn, she was carrying Eryn's bag in her arms, like the angel she was.
"Merodyn!" Eryn exclaimed. "You beautiful angel! You're a lifesaver!"
Merodyn blushed, she placed an arm on Eryn's shoulder and drew her back to the patio she came from. "Miss Fey, I'm so glad I caught you before you left!" Eryn froze, caught?
"Wait!" Eryn paused at the patio entryway, stopping Merodyn from entering, "You're not here to stop us, are you?" She asked urgently, looking up at the woman, discouraged and disappointed.
Her outburst was noticed, and a few Dwarves were beginning to gather by the door to offer a solution to the interference.
"Miss Fay, I must admit, I do not think it is wise and Lord Elrond will be most displeased." She sighed and looked at Eryn through her thick eyelashes. "However, I was informed by Gandalf that you will need assistance and it is my duty to do so. He said you would be leaving soon, and you needed your things brought to you as soon as possible." She bowed her head humbly and Eryn felt gratitude surge through her. "I also was instructed to make a small pack for you, as you did not have anything to make the journey with." She produced a travel pack like what the dwarves had, but it was a beautiful light leather with gold embroidery, fashioned to the bottom was a thick bed roll.
"Thank you so much!" Eryn flung her arms around the Elf woman. "Oh! My clothes!" She realized, hiking in a dress sounded awful.
"I have them here for you." Merodyn announced, and sure enough, she produced another bag with a drawstring and inside was Eryn's jeans, loose t-shirt, and hoodie. "I'll help you undress, and you can be on your way." At that comment all the Dwarves who had gathered around, quickly turned on their heels and scampered off.
Merodyn quickly led Eryn to an adjacent room and drew a thick curtain, giving them some privacy from the group. It was really a window curtain, but thankfully Elves were lavish with their décor. They perfectly curved, giving them a tight changing room. There was little room for movement, but Merodyn made do, as she did.
"My lady, why don't you wait and be accompanied by my people? You would be given safe travel to Mirkwood, plenty of food and supplies." She pressed, removing the sashes and pins.
"Well," Eryn paused, contemplating her words carefully. "We have the same goal, to get home, and it's not just about that. If I can help, even a little bit, that would be incredible." Eryn explained. "I've dreamed about doing this my whole life, it was only in my imagination as a child, but it would be a great honor to help with one of the greatest quests in Middle Earth history!" Eryn exclaimed with a triumphant nod, but then her voice dropped to a whisper. "And if I could save just one person…I'd walk further than Mirkwood, if I must." Merodyn stopped and stared at her with concern and sorrow in her eyes.
"What knowledge you know, my lady." She replied, and her hands continued working swiftly.
Within moments, Eryn was undressed and in her own clothes. She put her shoes back on and gave Merodyn a parting hug before she slung her backpack over her shoulder, returning to the company awaiting her. They looked at her expectantly and Eryn nodded, telling them that she was ready; so off they went.
They filed out quickly and surprisingly quiet for the bulls in a china closet that they were. Before Eryn knew it, they were crossing the threshold of Lord Elrond's home and onto the smooth road that many had walked before. No more buildings, stairs or comforts, this was Eryn's first steps into Middle Earth; she silently wished she got one more night's sleep in that enchanted bed.
They were ascending the mountain pass and Eryn turned to take one last look at Rivendell, she hoped that she would make it back here one day. The sun was just coming up over the mountains that surrounded this heavenly place, causing the sun to dance off the distant waterfalls, making it glisten warmly.
"Be on your guard," Thorin called, "We're about to step over the edge of the wild. Balin, you know these parts, lead on."
"Aye." Balin replied, stepping past Thorin to take lead of the party.
Eryn noticed that she wasn't the only one who had stopped to take in the view one last time before the wild consumed them. Bilbo sighed and Eryn understood the sentiment. He looked woeful and the temptation to stay played on his brow.
"Master Bagins, I suggest you keep up." Thorin commanded, he too was watching Bilbo stare longingly at the beautiful scene behind them. Bilbo merely nodded, took one more look and walked onward.
Up the mountain trail leading quickly out of Rivendell, it was surrounded by brush and thick spikey plants that made Eryn itch. Soon the mountainside trail turned into deep woods and they snaked through tall trees and stone. It was a truly beautiful sight, the snowy mountains on the horizon made Eryn shiver, realizing she also did not have a coat, she groaned. How ever was she going to do this
They seemed to have walked for many hours, but one look at Eryn's watch told her it had only been a little over 3 hours of walking.
The rocks we're more unsteady than she thought, as she stumbled and tripped more times than she would like to admit. The shoes she was wearing we're not for hiking purposes, and it showed in the lack of traction on the bottom of her shoes.
She wobbled and cursed when she slipped again for the hundredth time, only this time she was caught by a strong arm. She turned and saw one of the young Dwarves, this one was blonde with peculiar braids in his mustache. The darker haired one was standing beside him, a look of concern in his face.
"Careful there, don't want you to slip." He informed with a smile playing on the corners of his mouth.
"A bit too late for that." Eryn remarked.
"Fili," The blonde introduced, bowing. "At your service."
"Kili, at your service." The darker one followed suit and bowed as well.
"Eryn Fey." She replied, bowing her head, mimicking the two dwarves in front of her.
"Miss Fey," Kili began as Eryn turned to continue walking, "Is it true?" He asked, matching pace with her stride.
"Is what true?" She questioned; eyes narrowed.
"Are you a witch?" He whispered.
Eryn threw her head back and laughed. "Oh yes!" She choked through laughter. "I'm the scariest kind of witch there is." She tried to sober herself up, but still shook with humor, a smile wide spread across her face. The two dwarves walking with her looked deeply concerned for her well-being, but curious as to her proclamation.
"What kind of witch is that?" Kili inquired, eyes wide with wonder.
"The sarcastic kind." Eryn wiped tears from her eyes, remnants of the belly aching laugh she just had.
"What?" Fili asked, his eyebrows knit together closely. "What is sarcasm?"
"It's the use of irony, to mock someone." Eryn informed matter-of-fact.
"Irony?" Kili looked at his brother perplexed. "Uncle uses iron all the time in his work, are you a blacksmith witch? I've never heard of such a thing, but I'm sure Uncle would be quite pleased to know this." They both nodded in unison.
"No," Eryn laughed "Though I'm not sure what would be harder to explain, what pleases you Uncle or Sarcasm," Eryn wiped another tear from her eye. "When I say something sarcastic next time, I'll let you know." She smiled at them and they both looked even more confused.
"Uncle can be very agreeable, given the circumstances." Fili defended, and Eryn didn't challenge.
"I'm sure he can as well, I just don't know what those circumstances would be. We haven't exactly got off on the right foot, though that was mostly my fault." She felt the sour tang of embarrassment when she recalled her attitude last night, storming out, trying to be mysterious and threatening all in one. That just wasn't her.
"I'm sure you'll get to know everyone soon enough; we'll be spending a lot of time together and very closely." Kili encouraged, giving her a nod before Thorin called for him and he walked away quickly to catch up.
"So, where do you come from Miss Fey?" A small voice called to her from behind her, she turned and noticed Bilbo was walking behind her, she hadn't noticed him there, Hobbits really were quiet.
"I'm from Michigan," Eryn slowed her pace to walk in time with him, she was glad she wasn't the only one lagging behind.
"I've never heard of that place," Bilbo pursed his lips, something Eryn noticed he did often, he was very expressive. "What does it look like?"
"Its very green, a lot of forests and lakes," she looked around and noticed some similarities, only the trees looked a bit different. "It actually looks a lot like this, I've hiked many trails that look similar."
Bilbo nodded, then fell silent, he looked as though he had more that he wanted to ask, but thought better of it; thankfully Eryn had a lot of questions herself.
"What title do you prefer to be called?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" he eyes wide with surprise.
"What is your respected title? You are Master of Bag End, correct? Do you prefer to be called Master Baggins or Mister?" She inquired.
"Well…" Bilbo started, quite flattered, she had picked a good topic. "I would never expect my friends to call me by any such title. But for proprieties sake, I am called Master Baggins." He latched his thumbs into his suspenders and nodded. "You, however, may call me Bilbo." He warmly smiled at her and Eryn returned the favor.
"How about you?" Eryn asked, turning to the dwarf still walking with them, he looked up and shrugged.
"His excellence, or High Lord of the Dwarf Realms," He stood taller and pressed his mouth into a firm line, trying to look kingly. Someone ahead of them laughed and he looked at them with narrowed eyes.
"Wow, all of that hu? Good thing I know better." Eryn said with a wink and he gave a sly grin.
"For a lady such as yourself, just Fili would do." He nodded his head diagonally as Eryn noticed Thorin did as well.
"Do dwarves have surnames?" Eryn inquired.
"Surnames?" Fili replied. "No dwarf I've ever know has had one."
"I used to think that Oakenshield was your uncles last name, until I realized it was a name given by his feats in battle. Which reminds me, what does your Uncle prefer to be called?"
Fili had a lot of questions in mind for Eryn, but he figured he would save them for dinnertime. "I'm not really sure," He admitted, "We've only called him Uncle. I guess you'd better go ask him." He shrugged and smiled mischievously as Eryn nodded, quickening her pace to catch up with Thorin, who wasn't too far ahead. She passed a long chain of dwarves before almost catching up with him.
"Excuse me?" Eryn called, trying to get Thorin's attention. "Excuse me, er…" She paused, trying to remember what his title was… master? Lord? He was a king, but she never recalled anyone referring to him as 'highness'.
"Commander, sir, comrade, compatriot?" She spoke the first few that came to mind, earning her a few concerned and puzzled looks, she simply shrugged in response.
"What are you doing lass?" Dwalin asked scowling, but also slightly amused.
"I'm trying to get Thorin's attention, but I don't know what to call him." She admitted.
Dwalin narrowed his eyes at her and then called ahead. "Thorin, the Lass would like a word with you." He winked at her, without a trace of humor found on his face.
"What is it?" He asked turning, planting the heel of his axe handle firmly into the ground, making a satisfying thud.
"I just, wanted to ask you, what do I call you?" She asked, squinting in the sun high above.
Thorin looked at her, perplexed. "How do you mean?"
"What do I call you? King, Master? Mister? Master Oakenshield?" Eryn fumbled. "I just don't want to seem disrespectful of your position by referring to you inappropriately in front of your people." She tried to make out the expression on his face, but the sun was too bright behind him, so it surprised her when she heard a thoughtful hum escape him.
"I appreciate your desire to be respectful, but you are not my kin, there are is no title you owe me." Eryn understood what he was saying, but she felt the stab of disappointment in her stomach. She knew she wasn't a dwarf, or his kin, but she still wanted to feel a little included. She sighed and pushed her emotion to the back of her mind; this wasn't the time to get unreasonably offended.
"I understand, but I want to show you respect in front of your people, so they don't… disrespect me." Eryn admitted, though she wondered if she should have, Thorin tilted his head slightly, his head finally blocking the sun, she could see the concern on his face. "Not that they have! You were also kind enough to bring me along as well, I just want to show you the proper respect." Eryn said quickly, looking down at her shoes.
"They wouldn't disrespect you Miss Fey, you need not worry about that. You are a woman; they will show you the utmost respect." He nodded and then turned to walk.
"Wait! I have a question about that!" Eryn followed behind him quickly, though he was much more accustom to trekking over rocky terrain and smooth stone, she stumbled multiple times on loose stones. "Are there dwarf women? Are Dwarves born the natural way? Or do you pop out of holes in the ground?" She was smiling, remembering the joke Gimli spoke to Eowyn in the Two Towers. She was unsure if her joke would be acknowledged as such or if it would be highly offensive; she decided to take the risk. Thorin turned and looked at her once again with confusion and concern, Eryn also noticed a small rosy color playing on his cheeks. A few laughs came roaring from the company trailing past and she smiled sheepishly.
"We do not pop out of holes," He replied, short. "There are indeed dwarf women, though they are few, and they do indeed bear them, 'the natural way'. Now I assume you are familiar with childbirth, so I do not have to explain that further." His face flushed and he spun quickly to retreat from the awkward conversation.
"Don't mind him lass, he just wished he had someone to do things 'the natural way' with." Bofur blurted and Eryn's eyes grew wide as she stifled a chuckle. Thorin however, did not find this funny and said something sharp to Bofur in the unknown language. Eryn retreated from the inferno of rage that was about to be poured out on Bofur, shrugging apologetically as he looked back at her betrayed.
"You really have a way with words, don't you Miss Fey?" Fili said once she rejoined him and Bilbo at the back of the line.
"I don't think those were agreeable circumstances" Eryn admitted, Fili laughed.
"I'd say not, but we'll try again next time. I'm sure you'll be friends in no time." He patted her on the shoulder, and she was thankful for the encouragement.
"You can call me Eryn by the way." She offered. "I'd much rather work on being friends with people I haven't insulted or embarrassed. For now, at least."
"All in good time, Eryn. All in good time," He nodded to her. "Don't worry, my brother and I would very much like to be friends with you."
Eryn smiled and looked down at her shoes, grateful. She had made another friend, maybe this wouldn't be as hard as she thought.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who have favorite and followed my story, as well as reviewed. It truly lights a fire in my writer soul that is inexpressible, thanks a million 3
-B