Chapter Three: Into Bree-land
The warmth of his palm emanated into her flesh, bringing forth an odd sense of comfort and she felt dejected when he released her, once they were no longer in ear shot of the others. She rose a brow at him in confusion, watching as he toyed with something in his coat, his eyes downcast and mouth pulled into a thin line. She often wondered what he would look like with a full smile on his face, perhaps more youthful and less serious, the thought made her smirk glad for the shadows to partly conceal her face. Thorin pulled out the ancient map, holding it tenderly in his hand and looked up at the dam, clearing his throat "Gandalf would like to travel to Rivendell, home of the elves and see that this map is translated there, but I believe that it has no place in the hands of an elf, it is mine to protect, my legacy" he said firmly, clutching the map just a fraction tighter and she caught the subtle movement, offering him an encouraging smile.
"Seems reasonable Thorin, what business is it for elven Lords, this quest is yours and yours alone" she said in agreeance.
He nodded glad that she understood his position, he unfolded the map and gently placed it in her hand "Please, can you read it" he said softly.
Narâ looked down at the old, withered piece of paper, she could see the depiction of Erebor and the drake flying over the mountain, she held it up to her face and squinted her eyes, it was ancient dwarvish of that she had no doubt, but it was slightly different that what she was accustomed to reading. Her eyes scanned the entire map a soft smile on her face as she read the small script outlining the surrounding areas, it was handwritten and not properly scribed perhaps, Thorin's grandfather was responsible for the added text. She focused on the dwarven ruins and read aloud "Five feet high the door, and three may walk abreast" she smiled looking up at Thorin "Ah so it is describing the hidden door, clever that the hand also points to the mountains western side, good indication of where it is" she chuckled good naturedly.
"What else it must say something else" Thorin urged, standing close to her to get a better look at the map, perhaps he could spot something she could not.
Narâ swallowed, not liking the urgency in his tone, she nodded having a closer look, holding the map up to the moon light to get a better view, she laughed "Of course, clever dwarf"
"What, what does it say" Thorin said impatiently.
She pointed to the small section of map that was baren without any marking "This contains hidden moon runes, genius and an easy thing to miss"
"Well read it" He grunted frowning as her smile faded as she handed him the map gently "Unfortunately I cannot, I don't have a moonstone required to read the map and these runes were written by the light of a crescent moon on mid summers eve, moon runes can only be read with the light of the moon of the same shape and season as the day they were written" she said forlornly giving his hand a gentle pat.
Thorin stared down at the map in frustration, his mind whirling in anger, he wanted to yell at something, to lay blame where it did not belong. His blue eyes met hers and he sighed releasing a tense breath "Thank you for trying Narâ" he said in a stressed tone.
She swallowed, watching as his mood turned somber, the weight of the journey pressing down on his shoulders, a feeling of inadequacy formed in her gut "Thorin, its not that I can't translate it later, I only need the right moon cycle, keep the map safe and I shall read it for you when the time comes, let us worry about what is to happen in the now before we worry about what is to come later" she suggested with a soft smile.
Thorin looked at the dam before him and nodded mutely, she of course was right, the map would have to wait there was nothing he could do to change that, he swept his eyes over the planes of her face taking in her beauty shadowed by the night. Her green eyes seemed to sparkle with life, as she watched him, she was a breath away from him, shoulder to shoulder "You are very wise, your amad would be proud" he said thickly in a quiet voice.
She sniffed, giving him a sad smile "Thank you Thorin, I hope one day I can be half the dam she was"
He watched as a lone tear fell from her jade-coloured eyes, and without thinking swiped it away with his thumb, the warmth of her flesh surging through him at the brief contact "I am sorry the lad brought it up earlier, Ori is most excitable by knowledge"
She nodded taking a step back, her mind clouding with Thorin so close to her, she needed to clear her head "Aye, I fear I shall have a shadow the entire journey pestering me with endless questions" she laughed dryly, rubbing a palm over her face to hide her flaming cheeks.
Thorin cleared his throat and nodded "Indeed, don't let the lad pester you, he means well but can be a little overbearing at times"
She nodded "I'm surprised you chose him to come along, he seems so young, in fact I'm surprised you brought many of the Dwarrow present it would seem not all are battle hardened like yourself or Dwalin and Balin"
Thorin sighed crossing his arms over his thick chest "Am I to deny any dwarf that wants to seek his homeland, I asked for aid, and they offered, I simply couldn't turn them away, they are my most loyal of friends"
She smiled brightly "Aye that much I knew to be true; they are a good lot; we shall see to it that they all make it to Erebor"
"We?" he jested raising a brow at her.
She smirked shrugging tossing a long plait over her shoulder "Aye, you'll need me before the end, who is going to keep them all in line, if not a dwarrowdam" she chuckled walking away from him toward the campsite.
He sighed shaking his head as he watched her leave, she was right for more than one reason, he needed her, and that thought scared him more than the drake ever did.
….
The company woke early in the morn, the first light of day casting its warm golden glow on the sleeping Dwarrow, Khimâ rose stretching his hind quarters before trotting across camp to his master, nudging her with his wet nose, he barked at her, tongue lolling out of his maw he swiped it across her face sitting on his haunches watching as she shrieked and sat up. Narâ swiped her hand across her face, removing the copious amounts of Warg drool with a flick of her wrist, leveling her beast with a withering glare as he sat beside her head cocked to the side panting heavily. She smiled at him and stood up holding out her hand "Okay boy, I'm awake" she groaned cracking her back, looking up at the sky. It was a beautiful sunrise, the sky a mixture of blues and deep golden red hues, the air was light and crisp a perfect day seemed to be starting and that meant the others needed to wake their lazy behinds up. She walked to Khimâ and scratched at his chin, smiling at his thumping tail "iglibî" she said quietly to him, smirking evilly as the Warg began to bark loudly, his sharp calls scaring the daylights out of the hobbit. Bilbo shot to his feet at a remarkable speed, his eyes wide, hands held out ready to strike.
Narâ chuckled and shushed her Warg, walking over to the little hobbit she pat him on the back "Sorry Master Baggins, I couldn't resist, you all sleep so soundly the only way to wake you is to get Khimâ howling"
Bilbo frowned, and sniffed rubbing down the front of his burgundy jacket smoothing out the fine wrinkles "Yes well perhaps next time you just wake me, save me the heart attack from your beast"
She smiled at him and placed her hand on his shoulder leading him toward the smoldering campfire "Would you fancy a tea lad, I know how they sooth you" she said good natured, sitting him down beside the small fire.
Narâ whistled a tune to herself as she grabbed a small pouch from her satchel, pinching off a few coloured leaves into a tin cup, she poured boiling water over them and let it steep, handing it to Bilbo. He rose a brow at her but took the cup with a small thank you, letting the steam waft up to his nose he inhaled, enjoying the robust smells coming from the tea. "This smells wonderful what is it?" he asked curiously as he watched the dam, preparing herself her own tea. Narâ busied herself with her own herbs for her tea, looking up briefly at the hobbit with a smile "Oh nothing as fancy as the stuff you had in your little hobbit hole im sure Master Baggins, but its not bad, it's a mixture of herbs I collected on the road"
Bilbo swallowed a mouthful surprised at the sweetness, and bold flavour, it warmed his bones to have a good cup of tea "Would you mind sharing the recipe with me, I do love a good tea in the mornings"
She chuckled "Surely lad, why don't you help me procure the ingredients while we travel, you find any rose hips, raspberries or flowers and you find me, ill tell you what Is needed"
Bilbo smiled and nodded looking at the odd white flower she pulled out next, carefully plucking the petals and small newly sprouted leaves dropping them into her own cup "What's that" he asked curious.
She held up the small bundle and smiled "Kingsfoil laddie, just need a pinch o this stuff every morning"
"Kingsfoil, does it taste good as well?" he asked hand reaching out for the plant.
She shrugged placing a few small leaves in his palm "Aye its rather sweet, but its very hard to find, so don't go wasting it" she chuckled taking the plant from him tucking it back inside her satchel.
"What you two talking about" Kili asked sitting himself down with a yawn, kicking his boots out toward the fire as he stretched.
Narâ rolled her eyes "Tea Kili, we are discussing tea"
Kili snorted "Sounds boring, how about we go hunting today Narâ"
She sighed sipping her hot beverage, enjoying the warmth it provided, a subtle bitter taste on her tongue, just enough to wake her up properly in the mornings. Once finished she cleaned up and placed her belongings in her pack, standing up she offered her hand to the hobbit and hauled him to his feet, looking over at Kili "Perhaps laddie, but I believe we are to make a brief stop in Bree before we venture further onto the East Road, to resupply"
Kili scratched his chin confused "I don't remember Thorin saying anything about stopping"
She smiled evilly at him "Oh that's because he doesn't know yet lad, I plan on telling him before we depart for the day"
"Tell me what Narâ" Thorin said stiffly walking up behind the dam and his sister-son.
Narâ spun on her heel and looked up at him sweetly batting her long lashes "Thorin, perhaps we should make a brief stop in Bree, to gather fresh supplies, there is no other town to stop at along the way if we are to cross the Misty Mountains"
"There is always Rivendell, Mistress Dwarf and Lord Elrond would be happy to receive you" Gandalf interjected stepping up beside the small dam.
Narâ felt the need to roll her eyes at the pestering wizard, her eyes finding Thorin's who seemed to like the idea of stopping in Rivendell far less than he enjoyed the idea of stopping in a town of men. He sighed "Very well you may stop in Bree, however you must bring another Dwarrow with you, ill not have my company venture into that filthy town without aid" he grunted.
She smiled victoriously "There we are Kili, how about you escort me into town and help me procure some supplies for the journey ahead" she said looking at him with enthusiasm.
Kili sighed "Fine, drag me along, I suppose its more entertaining than riding"
She smiled "Perfect, we shall take your pony, I can't ride Khimâ into town, without the menfolk trying to kill him" she said whistling for her mount, reaching up into the saddle strapped to his back she pulled down a small purse of coin, bouncing it up and down in her hand weighing its contents.
"You speak as if you have tried before" Thorin said amused and she shrugged with a laugh "Perhaps, not Bree of course but other men have tried to kill him, let's say it was not favorable for the men"
"I was looking forward to riding the Warg" Kili pouted, yelping out as the dam smacked him hard on the shoulder with a laugh "Oh lad, there is plenty of time for that, Khimâ is excellent with Dwarrow as long as you speak Khuzdul properly" she said teasingly.
"Hey now don't be hasty, I can speak it perfectly fine" he said in mock offence holding his hand to his heart.
"Well I couldn't be sure, the line of Durin seems lacking, why you cant even read ancient dwarvish" she giggled eyeing Thorin who snorted rolling his eyes at the dam.
"Come along Master Dwarf to the land of menfolk, where we can try to rob them blind of their wares before they even know what's happening" she laughed walking toward the ponies, whistling a tune.
"A dam after my own heart" Gloin chuckled watching Narâ walk away, bouncing a coin purse in her hand.
"You are married Gloin" Oin scolded smacking his brother on the shoulder.
Gloin laughed "Aye I know, but if I wasn't, there is no finer thing brother than a dam that likes to save money" Thorin frowned as the others laughed along with Gloin, shaking their heads in agreeance, typical of Dwarrow to be so cheap with their wives.
"Kili, come here a moment" Thorin called to the young black haired Dwarrow, waiting impatiently as he approached a wide smile on his face "Yes Thorin?" Kili asked cheekily.
Thorin rolled his eyes before fixing him with a hard stare "I'm trusting you to watch out for her, Bree is full of untrustworthy folk, make sure she isn't robbed" he said sternly but quietly causing Kili to smirk wickedly at his uncle "Of course uncle, I'll make sure no one touches what's yours" he cackled ducking as Thorin went to grab for him an annoyed look on his face. Kili spun on his heel and ran toward the dam laughing and calling out to her. He looked over his shoulder to watch the dwarrowdam approach the ponies, whispering to his sister-sons grey dappled mare, she gently swung herself into the saddle moving back to sit on the horse's haunch while Kili sat in the saddle. Narâ wrapped her hands around his middle and the pair was off, he watched them go from the corner of his eye, a bitter taste in his mouth, he didn't much like the idea of sending them off together, but he couldn't exactly go himself not after the comment his idiot nephew said. He sighed looking up at the clear blue sky whispering to Mahal to give him strength to deal with these idiots.
….
Narâ enjoyed her small talk with the young prince, he was jovial and loud, enjoyed making jokes and tended to keep her laughing until her sides burned. "So miss Narâ what exactly are we looking for in Bree hmm, something special perhaps" he said looking over his shoulder at the dam waggling his brow. She snorted and rolled her eyes "If you believe rations for Bombur are special than yes by all means Kili we are looking for something special"
Kili pouted "You are no fun"
She pat him on the back "Perhaps we can procure some wine while we are here as well, but don't tell Thorin he will have my head" she whispered with a chuckle.
Kili snorted "Why Narâ how old do you take me for, I'm old enough to drink lass" he said in mock offence.
She smiled at him "I know lad, its not your age I worry about, its your behaviour"
Kili laughed nodding his head "Probably best, my amad always tells me I am too reckless"
She grinned showing off her teeth "Aye lad, but that is what makes you interesting, I'm sure you had lots of dams back home following you around, hanging off your every word" she said dramatically hanging off his shoulder like a damsel.
He grunted and shrugged her off "Hey now I take offence, I have been nothing but gentlemanly around the Dwarrowdam's of Ered Luin, my amad would kill me otherwise" he howled out in laughter.
"Alright enough laddie, we are approaching the gate, keep yer head down and hopefully they let us pass unbothered" she whispered to him, eyeing the two tall men folk resting at the gates into Bree. They spoke in slurred words to each other and as the pony trotted by she could feel their prying eyes on her as she rode past, the stentch of ale reaching her nose. Kili stopped the pony in the small market square, tying it off he helped her down, both pulling up their hoods to conceal their faces.
"Uh this place stinks" Kili groaned waving a hand in front of his face, jumping back as a horse and wagon barrelled down the street, the driver cracking the whip hard into the animals flesh. Narâ sighed and nodded "Aye laddie, the towns of men are not always welcoming to dwarves so be on guard, we are headed to the mercantile to procure dried goods, then I must stop at the apothecary for some herbs"
"Apothecary, what could you possibly need there?" Kili asked in a hushed whisper as he walked beside her.
She gave him a deadpanned look and shook her head "Nothing that need concern you Kili, just follow along and make sure none of these men try to stab me in the back"
"As you wish my lady" Kili mock bowed sweeping his hands out with a chuckle causing her to snort and roll her eyes at him.
The pair made their way through the muddied crowded streets of Bree, gathering up rations that would not fester on the journey, Narâ ensuring that Khimâ and herself could provide all the fresh meat needed. She frowned picking at her coin purse, she had spent more coin that she was comfortable with, the men of Bree were hard fought on keeping their wares, not exactly keen on trading with a dwarf and his female. The crude comments started to get on her nerves, and she grabbed Kili by the cloak and pulled him out of the last shop.
"I think I need an ale, how about you lad" she huffed in annoyance, glaring at the market they just left, a mearge bag of vegetables and a few wheels of cheese to show for her coin.
Kili nodded excitedly "Of course if you are buying" he chuckled offering her his arm. She snorted and linked her arm through his "Of course, who would I be if not generous lad" she tutted.
They walked into the Prancing Pony Inn, where most patrons of Bree seemed to be crammed into. Bodies moving about, the stench of body odor and tobacco was strong in the air as Kili and Narâ made their way to the bar keep. Surprised to see a drunken hobbit on top of the bar singing to his hearts content, kicking his large hairy feet as he sang and slurred his words, his ale sloshing over the edges of his tankard.
Narâ cleared her throat getting the attention of the female at behind the bar, a large redheaded woman, who was busy spit shining the many silver tankards. "Madam two ale please" she shouted over the noise in the room, the barkeep looked down at the dwarves and rose a brow "Ah, dwarves, been seeing more and more you round these parts, what business you have In Bree little lady" she drawled leaning against her wooden countertop eyeing the smaller female with a sense of mistrust.
Narâ smiled warmly at the woman and withdrew her hood, "None other than a strong drink Mistress, please an ale if you would" she finished pulling herself onto a small stool provided for the many hobbits that frequented the establishment. She turned and looked at Kili with a raised brow, who only shrugged and hopped up beside her a smile on his face as a tankard was slid to him and one to his companion. Narâ sighed in satisfaction, enjoying the frothy beverage with her companion until someone lumbered up behind her "Ey what do we hav her" a loud voice cackled from behind her.
She frowned finishing her drink to look over her shoulder at a large balding male, he was clearly drunk already a feat that was deplorable at such an early hour of the day. He sniffed the air and leaned over toward her caging her body with his "My haven't seen meself a lady dwarf round these parts"
She ground her teeth in annoyance opening her mouth when Kili shot to his feet and puffed himself up "Take a step back, she's not interested" he growled out with surprising venom in his voice, gone was his jovial nature.
The man sneered at the small dwarf and pointed a large dirty finger in his face "Mind yer business dwarf, me and the lady was just talking" he grabbed for her long plaits and ran them between his dirty fingers, feeling the soft black strands on his skin. Narâ shuddered in rage and spun on her stool slamming her fist against the base of his nose, smirking in satisfaction as the audible crack echoed through the crowded inn "bintarg mabkhel" she hissed spitting on his face.
He groaned stepping back clutching his bloodied nose, his eyes bloodshot he leapt for the dwarf female but a knife in his belly stopped him short, as his eyes tracked downward to the pointed weapon a breath away from embedding itself in his gut. Kili smiled evilly at the man, holding up one of his brothers' favored daggers that he stole that morning, the dwarvish iron shining in the dim lighting of the inn. The man stepped back a scowl on his reddened face his fist clenched tightly as he walked away slinking into the shadows. Narâ sighed and jumped down turning to face Kili with a bow of thanks "Come Kili, lets be off before more of these filths try anything"
They walked out of the inn, toward the pony when Narâ stopped and snapped her fingers "The apothecary I can't forget, you go fetch the mare I'll be right back" she spun on her heel and disappeared in a sea of bodies before Kili had the chance to object. He grunted under his breath untying his mare he pulled himself into the saddle and waited patiently for her return.
Narâ rushed down the busy streets dodging as men and women walked without watching were they stepped, twice she was almost run over by horses but managed to make it to the small shop without getting crushed. She walked in and smiled at the older women minding the counter "Madam would you happen to have Kingsfoil and Shepperd's Purse"
The old woman smiled kindly down at the little female dwarf and nodded happily, moving slowly behind the counter she pulled out several small bundles of dried plants and set them on the counter "Mistress Dwarf, I have these available for purchase but know they are not cheap, and I hate to part with them" she said slowly.
Narâ almost rolled her eyes at the woman, "Aye madam I know of their rarity, and I want them just the same, ill take all that you have"
The old woman rose a brow at her before frowning "Mistress Dwarf, I hope you aren't using these for what I think you are, aint natural" she scolded.
Narâ gritted her teeth and shook her head "Certainly not madam, now the herbs if you please"
She left with her small bundle tucked away neatly a sad smile on her face now that most of her coin had been spent but it was of the most importance if she was to travel with the company for many months to come. She almost reached the market square when something or someone grabbed her from behind pulling her behind a large wooden building.
"Think ye could just leave like that did ya" the same man from earlier hissed at her, pinning her small frame against the wooden wall behind her. She growled out in rage kicking at his shins, but he only laughed and pinned her harder, leaning down to smell her hair he whispered in her ear "Aint never had a dwarf before, wonder what you look like" he slurred, and she went ridged.
He groped at her flesh, and she screamed out twisting to get away, earning a strong punch to the gut, causing her to wheeze out in pain. "Don't move lassie" he growled turning her around to slam her into the wall behind her smashing her head off the wooden wall her lip busting open at the action, she felt his hands on her hips and she panicked, smashing her booted foot into his toes he stepped back and wailed swinging for her she ducked smiling as his fist hit the wall above her head and shattered. He made the most astounding sound she had ever heard, and she would have laughed if the circumstances were different instead, she lunged to get away, rolling through the muddied streets as he cussed and cried behind her pushing patrons out of the way to reach the escaping dam.
"KILI" she shrieked rushing for her companion and the small, dappled pony, watching as his head shot up looking all around until his eyes settled on her. She looked frazzled with a busted lip and wide eyes, panting out a breath she reached a handout toward him, and he grabbed her slinging her onto the horse behind him "Ride now" she panted out of breath just as the man stumbled out behind her pointing at the pair he hollered "Stop that thief" he slurred getting everyone's attention.
"Yah, go go" Kili kicked his pony into a full sprint before anyone could grab for them, the small horse thundering down the streets until they broke away from the main gate, the two guards from earlier only staring at them as they went.
Narâ winced in pain as she grabbed her carved horn and brought it to her lips blowing out a long breath until the sound pierced the air and echoed across the flatlands of Buckland.
"Khimâ" she whispered miserably resting her head against Kili's back as he rode his pony hard to catch up with the others.