An old song, one he hadn't heard in many a year, the soft sweet melody carrying across the wind right to his listening ears. Her voice was surprisingly gentle and feminine, it made his stomach twist with unexpected nerves, he clenched his teeth and stalked toward the ponies, eager for a distraction. Something about her singing, the soothing sound of her voice made him want to finish the melody, but he knew if he did questions would begin to be asked and he didn't want to focus on anything other than the journey ahead, his goal to reclaim the mountain. He reached his sturdy mount, the stallion pony swishing his head in greeting at his masters return. He ran his hands over the thick mane, releasing a frustrated grunt, as he clenched his hands tight, causing the stallion to whinny in agitation. He looked back at the others lounging around in the sunlight, smiles on their relaxed faces as they listened to the song, his frown deepening in annoyance. He caught Balin smiling at him, a knowing look on his face and he snorted turning away, that old Dwarrow didn't know anything he was just sticking his nose where it didn't belong. He grabbed a rough bristle brush and began grooming his pony patiently waiting to leave.
Riswynn smiled leaning back in the soft grass, letting the sunlight warm her up, the thick grim of the mountain trolls scrubbed from her skin, she sighed glad to be rid of the awful smell. She chuckled now she only needed to convince the others to bath as well. She rolled onto her stomach groaning as a sharp pain burned up her sides, reminding her she was still currently injured. She got to her feet, and brushed her clothing off, it was still damp, but it would have to do until she had a chance to properly wash it again, perhaps they would get lucky and camp near a river or stream for the evening and she could sneak away during night watch and launder them. She walked back toward the others, her fingers brushing the tops of the long grass, the wind tickling her face as it blew through her long curls. She sighed happily taking a deep breath of the warm forest air. She stopped sort, just on the edge of camp out of sight of the others, her keen eyes landing on Thorin, standing near the ponies he was aggressively brushing his mount. She smirked it would seem the sunlight wasn't improving everyone's mood, she was about to walk away when a curious sound whispered through the space between them, almost too quiet to hear but thanks to her superior hearing she heard it all the same. A wonderful deep sound that settled deep into her bones and made her skin tingle, it was the second half of her song, she had never heard a Dwarrow answer her melody before having never had a suitor before, but she knew instinctively what it was. She chewed her tongue, eyes never leaving his broad back, ears entuned to every word that passed his lips.
"Ris there you are" Kili called waving to her, and she shook her head, giving one last glance at Thorin she turned and smiled brightly at the young Dwarrow.
"Sorry I took so long; I was enjoying the peace and quiet" she teased sitting beside the two princes.
"Didn't seem all that quiet to me" Dwalin grumbled under his breath as he sharpened his ax.
"Aye what lovely singing it was, you have a beautiful voice my dear" Balin said, shooting his brother and annoyed glare.
She smiled twisting a lock of her golden hair embarrassed, her cheeks a rosy hue "Thank you Balin"
"Ris you must let us show you the troll cave we found" Kili said excitedly nudging his brother who only rolled his eyes.
She snorted and rose a brow "You are excited to show me a troll cave, no wonder you aren't married Master Kili" she laughed.
Kili pouted as the others laughed and pushed her lightly on the shoulder "Come on now, it's a troll cave that means its likely to have treasure stored"
She sighed and stood up cracking her neck "Alright if its okay with Thorin we can go explore your troll cave" she turned and looked at the tall wizard smoking is pipe "Gandalf do you think it would be safe?"
Gandalf coughed sputtering out a break plume of smoke in the shape of a sailboat, it washed over the dam evaporating and breaking apart as it came into contact with her person. "Of course, as long as you don't go touching everything mountain trolls are notoriously filthy creatures"
She nodded, turning back to the princes "Well then that's settled" she patted them on the shoulders and approached Thorin her mouth suddenly dry and her voice high and scratchy "Thorin" she squeaked cursing herself she cleared her throat "Thorin, Kili and Fili have found the troll cave, we would like to go investigate"
Thorin turned and looked at the exquisite dam, golden hair billowing down her shoulders in long loose curls, it wasn't plaited which was surprising, it still held some dampness from the river, her cheeks were tinted a deep red and her eyes sparkled like the sun as she stared up at him waiting for an answer. He looked over the top of her head at his nephews and grunted "Alright, we will go investigate then be on our way"
She smiled in thanks rushing back to the young Dwarrow who happily linked arms with her, he watched her go a frown on his face. He sighed following behind whistling to get everyone's attention "Listen up we are going to explore the troll cave to see if there is anything of value then we are leaving, we have wasted enough time today" he shouted.
Riswynn rolled her eyes and laughed as Kili and Fili pulled her away from camp, stomping through the trees as they neared the cave. She twitched her nose as a pungent stench wafted through the air toward her, the smell of old blood, and troll dung was thick in the air. She shivered in disgust as she was pulled roughly into the entrance, almost stumbling as a thick dark substance lined the cave mouth. Gandalf came in behind her, lighting the end of his long, majestic staff it seemed to glow from within, he held it out in front of him washing the cave in warm light. She coughed and covered her nose and mouth with her hand as the others joined them torches in hand.
"Seems a shame to just leave it lying around" Bofur said toeing a large pile of dirty gold coins.
Riswynn grunted walking further into the cave, toward the back where the light of Gandalf's staff and the firy light of the torches couldn't not reach. Her eyes glowed a vibrant gold allowing her to see into the darkness, she walked past several piles of dirty chewed bones, blowing out a breath between clenched teeth. Something was shining in the back of the cave, covered with a thin film of dust and webs she approached several long swords. She brushed her fingers across the hilt grabbing it she pulled it from the rubble turning toward the others
"Look here lads" she said a smile on her face as she brandished a fine-looking silver blade.
"Ris your eyes are burning" Kili gaped.
She snorted and blinked "They are not burning Kili, I told you I can see In the dark, never mind that anyway Gandalf this blade looks to be your size" she said holding out the long elegant sword toward the wizard.
Gandalf gently took the weapon from the dam, blowing gently on the blade as he pulled it from the sheath. She held out another fine-looking weapon offering it to Thorin who took it and inspected the handle.
"These swords are not made by any troll" Thorin said turning it over and testing its weight in his hand.
"Nor are they made by any smith of men; these were forged by the high elves of the first age" Gandalf said admiring the craftsmanship frowning as Thorin tried trusting the sword toward him to get rid of it.
Gandalf sneered "Don't be a fool, you could not ask for a finer weapon"
Thorin grunted nodding his head he took the sword with him toward the cave mouth. The wizard turned toward the dwarrowdam and smiled in thanks "Have you found nothing for yourself" he asked and she shook her head "I don't fight with swords Gandalf"
"Very Well, let us be off and leave this dreadful place" he said gesturing to the others to follow Thorin outside.
She nodded in agreeance following the wizard, stopping to observe Dori, Nori, Gloin and Bofur desperately covering a large trunk of golden coins "we are making a long-term deposit" Gloin grunted shoving handfuls of dirt onto the wooden trunk. She chuckled nodding her head climbing up the cave mouth to step into the sunlight. She sighed in satisfaction glad to be out of the small confining space.
"A fine blade" she said crossing her arms leaning against the outside of the cave watching as Thorin rubbed a cloth down the sheath cleaning it of debris. He snapped his head up his eyes connecting with hers, and swallowed grunting in agreeance.
"You have keen eyesight Riswynn" he said straightening himself to his full height, attaching the blade to his belt.
She smiled "Thank you, I hope it serves us well reclaiming the mountain"
He nodded opening his mouth to reply when the others came out, smiles on their face's dirt coating their trousers and hands. "So, it would seem you've found some treasure then" he sighed shaking his head as Gloin nodded happily.
"Come on let's get out of this foul place" he said gesturing to the others with a flick of his head, he began walking back toward the ponies.
Riswynn waited for the curly head of her hobbit friend to emerge from the cave, watching as he stumbled out holding a small sword, he looked up embarrassed clutching it tightly to his chest "I found a sword" he mumbled.
She smiled and held out her hand to inspect the blade, it was of elvish make, small and slender a perfect length for Bilbos short arms and limited reach "A fine blade Bilbo, it looks something like a dagger"
"A blade of elvish make, which means it will glow blue if any goblins or orcs are nearby" Gandalf said looking over his shoulder at the pair inspecting the tiny dagger.
Bilbo swung it in a small arch causing Riswynn to laugh and jump back "I've never killed anything in my life" he said embarrassed.
She smiled and patted him on the shoulder "True courage is about knowing not when to take a life but when to spare one"
Gandalf looked closely at the dam, she was right of course he didn't like killing unnecessarily and he hoped that his hobbit companion would never have to lift that small sword in his life. He was glad the dam was there, she seemed to take a liking to young Bilbo, and he hoped that she would keep him safe in this long journey ahead.
"Somethings coming" Fili shouted from the front of the group and Gandalf stood tall looking over the heads of the dwarves drawing his blade.
"Stand together and arm yourselves hurry now" he shouted rushing forward.
Bilbo looked at Riswynn in alarm clutching his blade tightly she smiled at him and ushered him forward, "Its alright Bilbo we will protect you" she whispered loud enough for only him to hear her. He swallowed nervously and hoped she was right.
She rushed along with the hobbit as quick as his short legs would allow, her keen hearing picking up on the sound of running, the loud thuds echoing in her ears, the heaving panting, the shouting and her blood froze "Orc pack" she whispered.
"What" Bilbo squeaked turning his wide eyes toward her.
"Orc pack, Thorin I can hear them coming" she shouted her blood buzzing in her vein's eyes alight at the threat to the company.
"Ori get the ponies, quickly" Thorin shouted.
Ori shook his head "They've bolted"
"Run, everyone run stick together now" Gandalf said ushering them toward a hidden passage.
"Kili, Riswynn draw your bows, pick off any that stray to close" Thorin shouted stopping making sure everyone followed.
She could hear the howl on the wind, her nerves spiking palms sweating as she drew her bow across her body running as fast as she could to keep up with the company her and Kili trailing at the back as they burst through the cover of trees into the open flat plains.
"Warg" she shouted taking aiming and firing smashing through the beast's skull it toppled to the ground dead just a few yards from Ori and Thorin.
"Run go" she shouted, her eyes blazing a deep red as she turned firing at any orc rider that came to close.
"Riswynn come on" Kili shouted in panic, firing his bow as fast as he could to slow down the pack chasing them, worry in his voice as the dam stood her ground and fired arrow after arrow.
"Kili go, I'll cover you" she shouted back not breaking her focus
"I'm not leaving you here" he shouted back stubbornly
She whirled on him her eyes blazing teeth bared "Go now" she growled her voice distorting as her rage bubbled over.
He nodded and turned running after the others who were ducked behind a large boulder.
"Where is Riswynn" Thorin growled grabbing his nephew and pulling him into cover.
Kili pointed out toward the open field watching in horror as the dam rushed toward them following a large black Warg that had broken from the pack. Her eyes were red as blood her hair billowing in the wind as she sprinted, her bow was slung across her back, and she was wielding two crude daggers. The Warg was gaining on their position just about to open its mouth and howl when the dam slammed into it.
Riswynn bolted as fast as her legs would carry her, smelling a new scent behind her, she spun watching a black Warg run for her companions, she ran without though eager to reach it in time. Its heavy paws pounded the ground, its foul breath coming out in pangs as its thick red tongue lolled from its maw of sharp teeth. It slowed for a moment smelling the air and she sprung, slamming into its side, her daggers clutched tightly she forced them into its thick hide piercing its flesh. It turned its giant head and snapped its teeth at her, and the rolled together, long claws slashed at her legs, and she hissed in pain, pulling out her daggers, slick with blood she shoved one deep into its eye socket killing it instantly. She stood up on shaky legs heaving a breath, as blood trickled from her wounds, her eyes connecting with the others, her vision clouded with a red haze all she could see was fire before she fell forward, strong arms reaching out to grab her as the sound of trumpets echoed in the distance.