Riswynn could feel something warm on her face, a gentle touch that left a tingling sensation in its wake, she was only partially aware of her surroundings, her head throbbing and her lungs protesting each forced breath. She groaned struggling to open her eyes, her lids felt as if they were made of iron, slowly she pulled them open, she was distressed and in pain and taken by surprise as cool blue eyes met hers, she lashed out in her confusion clutching something, her confusion fueling her anger as she tried to make sense of her situation.
"Riswynn" a voice called out, a deep baritone that stirred her memories, her blazing red eyes blinked focusing on the face in front of her. She gave a weak embarrassed smile as Thorin came into view, she released the hold she had on him and wheezed out a hello.
"Where is she, let me check on her" Oin complained pushing Thorin away by the shoulder, coming into her field of view. The old Dwarrow gave her a concern frown, his eyes slowly raking down her face, she felt uncomfortable, her sides burned with each breath and her head felt as if someone had split it with an ax.
"Hurts…breath" she coughed struggling to sit up.
Oin grunted and helped her to sit, his hand on her back he supported her weight "Aye lassie, that troll had you squeezed tight"
She sucked in a breath "That why it smells so bad" she coughed trying to laugh, she gave the old healer a toothy smile and sighed wincing in pain "I take it, its me then"
Oin rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers at Thorin "Help me stand her up, I want to check her ribs"
Thorin grunted not enjoying being bossed around but a hard glare from Oin made him bit back his retort. He grabbed Riswynn under the shoulders and hauled her to her feet, offering his aid he helped steady her as Oin rolled up some of her tunic.
She clenched her teeth as pain shot up and down her sides, each breath a forced labor of pain, Oin's fingers were cold to the touch, but it offered little relief from the pain as he began to poke and prod at her bruised flesh.
"Well lass, be glad that us dwarves have thick bones, nothing seems to be broken, just some nasty bruising is all" he said patting her on the shoulder.
She gave him a weak smile of thanks, turning her attention back to Thorin "Thank you"
"For what" he grunted, slowly letting go of her as she took a step away from him to allow Oin to wrap bandages around her ribs snuggly.
"For saving me, and for saving Bilbo" she said, grunting in pain, swatting the old Darrow's hand away, she didn't like being touched, and he was pestering, she had broken ribs before it was nothing new to her, she would heal she always did.
The others rushed to her side offering their sympathies, fawning over her like she was some small dwarrowling, she felt the annoyance surface, her eyes flashing red in warning "Aright enough lads, you are making It harder to breath with the smell of yas"
Kili crossed his arms and smirked "Look at you, covered in troll grog, can't say you are much better off"
She laughed wincing with a shrug "Suppose you are right, Mahal what I wouldn't give for a bath"
"There is a river a short day's ride from here" Gandalf interrupted, a smile on his aged face, as he looked down at the irritable dam.
She sighed rubbing her temples with her hands to relieve the soreness that lingered there, it was sensitive to the touch the trolls pulled her hair rather hard, the poor golden locks left to hold her entire weight. "Come on Ris, I believe its my turn to ride with you" Fili said offering her an arm, to help her walk to the ponies.
She smiled at him, slipping her arm through his, he slowly walked her towards the animals. She frowned, looking at his chestnut mare, never had a pony seemed so impossibly tall before, normally it was no issue pulling herself into the saddle, but she wasn't sure if she had the strength. Fili noticing her apprehension bowed low sweeping his arms out in humor "Allow me m'lady" he chuckled.
She smirked joining him allowing him to gently grab her waist and place her on the back of the mare. She chewed the inside of her cheek to stop herself from screaming out in pain, she didn't want him to feel poorly for helping her and she was too proud to admit she was in pain. He settled in the saddle in front of her, and she grimaced as the trot of the pony caused her to move about with each step. Her body swayed with the movements, causing her muscles to spasm as she tried to stay upright. She clenched her teeth and leaned forward resting her head in between his shoulder blades "Fili" she groaned
"What's the matter, do you need to stop" he said alarmed turning to look over his shoulder at her, he could see the top of her golden head, her forehead resting on his back.
She shook her head "No, no, I'm alright, would it be okay if I held onto you, I feel like I'm going to fall off"
He laughed and patted her hand that was resting lightly on his tunic "Go ahead, I won't refuse a pretty dam"
She rolled her eyes but obliged anyway slipping her arms around his waist, her weight shifted forward resting against his back, he sat up straight supporting her against him and she smiled, releasing a breath of relief as she could take in a proper breath.
"Ah how did you get so lucky" Kili whined trotting up beside his brother, looking at the relaxed face of Riswynn as she clung onto Fili.
Fili smirked at his brother, puffing out his chest "I always was the better looking out of the two of us, what can I say dams love me"
Kili rolled his eyes and went to shove his brother, when Thorin shouted at them to stop. Riswynn yawned, the lack of sleep was finally catching up with her, she hadn't slept in over three days, she was exhausted and the gentle trot of the pony and the warmth of Fili in front of her was lulling her into a deep sleep. She turned her face resting her cheek against the rough fabric of his tunic, closing her eyes, she could feel the warmth of the sun on her face, hear the calling of the birds, and the thudding of the ponies' hooves on the ground, each breath in and out from Fili's lungs. Her headache slowly waned away and soon she was fast asleep.
"Seems our lass has finally fell asleep lads, and on Fili's back of all places" Bofur chuckled looking at the dam, huddled up on the back of the pony, her face pressed into the prince, hair spilling down her back.
"Don't see him complaining" Gloin chuckled, waggling his eyebrows at the blonde Dwarrow.
Fili smiled "She was falling off, asked to hold on to me, and fell asleep"
"You are so boring brother" Kili laughed.
Fili rolled his eyes "And yet she choose to ride with me, face it brother she likes me better than you"
"I'll like you both a whole lot less if you keep talking" she mumbled half asleep, causing the others to laugh.
"We will stop here for a short rest" Thorin shouted from the front.
She yawned, releasing Fili squeaking with surprise as she was gently removed from the back of the pony. She was surprised to see Oin standing next to her a smile on his aging face "Now don't wander off lass, your ribs are still on the mend, the binding with help ease the pain but you are still fragile"
She smiled and nodded her head in thanks, turning to the wizard "Gandalf you said something about a river, are we close by I would like to wash the troll off me"
Gandalf was smoking his pipe, relaxing under a large tree, his eyes tracking the movements of the dwarves and one little hobbit, turning his intuitive gaze upon the dam, who was struggling to meet him "Ah yes, its not to far from here, just down that way" he said pointing with his long pipe.
She wiggled her nose, the smell making her want to sneeze, she forced a smile and bowed her head "Thank you"
"Riswynn, where are you going?" Thorin called, watching the dam walk away from the group in small, calculated steps.
"I'm going to bath; I swear to god if any of you follow me I'll shave your beards clean off in your sleep" she shouted.
"And those of us who don't have beards" Kili called cheekily.
The dam narrowed her eyes at the young Dwarrow before smiling sweetly at him, brandishing her crude dagger "I'll just have to chop something else off"
Kili paled and shook his head "We will stay here I promise"
She smirked and nodded her head "Excellent Master Dwarf"
She wandered from camp, enjoying the silence it brought the further she walked. It was a bright morning; a gentle breeze tickled her face and swayed the tall grass. She could hear the tinkling of water up ahead and she sighed in contentment the image of cool clear water made her want to run faster. She neared the riverbank, surprised to see a welcoming flat area of sand, she looked around making sure none of the others followed her before loosening her hair, freeing the tangled mass of the plaits and running her fingers through it, massaging her tender scalp. She made quick work of her tunic and trousers, kicking off her heavy boots, her dug her toes into the waters edge, the wet sand sucking her feet down. It was cool on her skin but felt refreshing, she waded in up to her shoulders, the icy water causing her to shiver. She scrubbed her skin singing softly to herself, she was relaxed and water a soothing balm on her sore muscles. Her hair was another matter entirely, it was so tangled and matted that she wasn't sure If she would be able to clean it properly. She held her breath and swam further out, kicking her legs to bring her to deeper waters, her hair floating out around her as she turned and laid on her back content to float. She looked up at the bright blue sky watching as birds flew by, singing their little songs to one another. She smiled the forest was always so peaceful she enjoyed the solitude It brought, she wasn't used to living with others and the last few weeks had been a major change for her. She closed her eyes and ducked her head, scrubbing her locks until the dirt released and it didn't smell of troll. She began to sing, her voice carrying across the forest and toward the others waiting patiently for her to return.
…
"Whats that?" Ori asked looking up from his journal, his inkwell spill its black contents over his lap.
Balin smiled at the young Dwarrow and looked out across the forest in the direction Riswynn had walked off too "That laddie, is a dam singing"
Ori looked in the same direction as Balin his eyes wide with wonder "She sounds beautiful"
Balin chuckled "Aye lad, that she does"
"Who's Is making all that racket" Dwalin grunted covering his ears with his meaty hands.
Balin shoved his younger brother a smirk on his face "Oh quit now brother you know she sounds lovely"
Dwalin frowned, refusing to uncover his ears and Balin shook his head looking at the young princes "This is why my brother never married"
"She has a rather angelic voice doesn't she, what is it she's singing I don't understand the words" Bilbo said, picking at the grass he sat upon.
Balin coughed into his hand hiding a smile "Oh laddie I'm not surprised you don't, its an old song sung in Khuzdul"
Bilbo rose a brow and twitched his nose "Well what is she saying"
Balin smiled at him patting him on the shoulder "Tis a song of love, a dam singing to her one"
…
Riswynn finished bathing, stepping out of the cool water the sun kissed her skin warming it up, she grabbed her clothing and pulled it on. Wringing out her hair she sat on the sunny banks beyond the river in the lush grass, a soft tune still pouring from her lips
NÎd duban, duban bazar -Down in the valley, valley so low
Akhfush zin bund uru, aklut bagd abgud -Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Aklut bagd abgud, nungbâha, aklut bagd abgud- Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow
Lasl amrâl Ibrizinlèkh, nagâg amrâl 'afh – Roses love sunshine, violets love dew
Mahal khulthu aktub naimrili astni – God in heaven knows I love you
Aktub naimrili astni, nungbâha, aktub naimrili astni -Know I love you, dear, know I love you
Ikmeth 'ala akmàth kamthur gem zàdakh -Singing this song containing three lines
Sabru efse asgul za astú amé - Answer my question will you be mine
Asgul za astú, nungbàha, asgul za astú - Will you be mine dear will you be mine