Chapter Six: Oh To Be A Burglar Hobbit
Mumbling profanities under her breath she approached the young Dwarrow, despite being some of the best scouts the company had, they didn't seem to notice her approach them. She grunted a greeting ignoring their coy smiles as they looked up at her as she passed. She busied herself with tending to the ponies, running a rough bristled brush through a little chestnut mare, she knew to be Bilbo's. The stout little beast tossed her head up and down as Narâ removed the tangles from her long mane. Narâ sighed patting the little horse on the rump "Shh easy girl" she cooed crouching low to inspect her hooves.
"What are you doing Blue" Kili shouted, causing the horse to kick out, knocking Narâ on her rump.
She looked up and glowered at the black haired Dwarrow, who was biting his lip to keep from burst out in laughter. She sighed standing up, brushing off her skirts of dirt and debris before looking up at Kili and frowning "Thorin instructed me to assist you with the ponies, I was clearly checking her hooves when you scared her"
"Checking her hooves why would you do that?" Fili asked shoving his brother out of the way, who was turning a deep red as the laughter spilled from his mouth.
Narâ sighed pinching the bridge of her nose, blowing out a tired breath "Do you want the ponies to become lame? You must check their hooves to make sure they haven't picked up a stone" she huffed crossing her arms over her chest, looking down her nose at them.
Fili rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged "Thorin never told us to do that before" he said sheepishly.
She rose a brow and snorted "He didn't, well I do recall him telling you to take care of the ponies, shoeing is part of that lads"
Kili sighed wiping away a stray tear, smiling at the dwarrowdam he shrugged "Don't be cross with us Blue" he said cheekily.
Narâ felt her brow twitch in annoyance, the youngster in front of her was seriously trying her patience "Kili" she snapped in frustration "You are to call me by my name from this moment onward, I will not tolerate your jokes at my expense any longer are we clear" she addressed him like a disobedient subject of the Grey Mountains, she had heard her father issuing enough commands and disciplines that she was certain she did a proper job of it.
Fili blinked in shock, gone was the sunny disposition that he was used to around Narâ, replaced by the formality shown in court, she was stern and firm in her commands, chin held high, back straight as an elven arrow, eyes sparkling dangerously. She reminded him of his mother when she would scold him and Kili as dwarrowlings, it was terrifying. He looked at his brother from the corner of his eye and chuckled. Kili was pale as snow, mouth hanging open staring at her in shock.
Narâ wanted to smile at the look on Kili's face, but she tried to remain impassive, her lips in a thin line, and approached him and pushed her finger against the bottom of his jaw snapping it shut. "There it seems we understand each other Master Kili, now if you please finish tending to the ponies" she said softly her voice resuming its normal cheeriness. She left them standing there watching her as she disappeared toward the fire.
"She sounded like mother" Kili muttered, shaking his head.
"Aye, sometimes I forget she is the Lady of the Grey Mountains" Fili said tossing his grooming tools at his brother. "C'mon lets finish this" he said turning toward the ponies.
….
Narâ returned to camp, deciding to help Bombur with dinner preparation, she enjoyed his company, he was cheery and thoughtful, offering her the tastiest portions of food before it was to be served. He tended to be a dwarf of few words, which suited her fine, she was irritated after her trying day. She had slept poorly and was pestered throughout the day, her head refused to ease, it felt as if someone was using her brain as an anvil. She finished chopping the vegetables for the stew throwing them in the pot, smiling to herself, as she inhaled the rich aroma. Bombur was a very good cook, he prepared the venison, so the meat was tender and sweet, and complimented the heartiness of the stew. She chuckled as Bombur came bowling over toward her, his arms loaded with empty bowls. She smiled and shook her head offering him aid, as the bowls balanced on his sizeable stomach. "Would you like me to call everyone to eat" she asked smirking as he bobbed his head up and down enthusiastically.
She whistled loudly standing beside the large cookpot "Lads, come eat" banging a large wooden spoon against the cast-iron for good measure.
"Oh, and what have you cooked for us tonight cousin?" Bofur said licking his lips grabbing an empty bowl from the pile stacked neatly on the ground.
Narâ snorted shaking her head in amusement, dwarves were so typical when it came to food, the very thought brought smiles to their faces. She looked over the Dwarrow's head to see Bilbo looming about, he was looking at the cooking pot with wide eyes, he also looked very excited to be eating. She grabbed a bowl and served herself a portion of the stew, getting another for the hobbit, before the others started shoving each other and fighting over the leftovers.
"Here you are Bilbo" she said handing him a steaming bowl, watching in amusement as his face turned a pink hue.
"Thank you, Mistress Dwarf," he said politely turning to look at the fire, a frown slipping onto his face as he watched Bofur wave him over.
"Be a good lad and give these to the lads" Bofur said handing the hobbit two more bowls, Bilbo attempted to protest but Bofur had already turned his back and started swatting away his cousin.
Bilbo sighed and balanced the two extra bowls in one arm, the heat from the stew seeping through his jacket and the smell making his stomach clench in hunger. Narâ approached him "Can I be of service lad?" she asked with humor sparkling in her jade-coloured eyes.
Bilbo shook his head "No its quite alright, don't trouble yourself, I am just going to bring these to Kili and Fili" he said gesturing to the bowls with a dip of his chin.
She rose a brow at him but nodded "Very well Master Baggins"
"Narâ come here a moment" Balin called for her and she turned looking over her shoulder at the old Dwarrow.
"Yes Balin?" she asked walking up to him spoon in hand as she ate.
Balin looked up from his sitting position on the ground his brother beside him, a serving of food sitting untouched on the grass. He looked at the lass and smiled brightly behind his long white beard "Be a dear and bring this to Thorin, he often forgets to feed himself and my old bones are sore from riding"
She blew out a breath and rolled her eyes "He's a big boy he can come fetch it himself" she huffed kicking at the ground, her eyes flickering up to meet Balin's. He gave her a knowing look "Oh come now lass, surely you aren't embarrassed about last night and refuse to speak to him"
Narâ felt the heat crawl to her face, and she shook her head vigorously chuckling weakly "Nay Balin, is not that, I have made myself a fool before of that I can assure you"
"What's the matter lassie" Dwalin said between mouthfuls, swiping his meaty hand across his mouth his dark eyes leveling with hers a smile on his face "You afraid of falling for blue eyes" he roared out a laugh and she gave him a withering glare kneeling to grab the bowl quickly "Hardly, fine I shall bring him his food like a mother chasing her youngling" she stomped away toward the small abandoned building that littered the corner of their camp. She could see his brooding figure speaking in hushed harsh tones with the wizard, taking a cautious step back as Gandalf charged past her staff in hand a scowl on his face. She approached Thorin quietly "Here Thorin, I brought you some before the lads ate it all"
Thorin turned and looked at the dam, she was holding out a bowl between them, her cheeks tinted pink, her dark eyes sparkling in the fading light. He let his gaze travel down her form to rest on the bowl of food, it looked surprisingly appetizing and he hardly had the stomach for food these days. He guessed by the strange look on her face and her posture that she was put up to this task, likely Balin scheming. He sighed and held out a hand taking it gently from her "Thank you Narâ" he said taking it from her, he sat down with a huff, and she stood watching him awkwardly.
"Gandalf did not seem pleased in his leaving" she said crossing her arms over her chest, looking down at him as he took a single bite of food. He scowled as he swallowed and looked up at her "The blasted wizard is insisting we visit the elves of Rivendell" he growled shoving another mouthful into his mouth to stop the slur of Khuzdul insults from coming.
Narâ snorted and sat down beside him offering him a sympathetic smile "I hardly think that is something worth arguing over, does he not already know we aren't to travel to the home of the elves"
Thorin sighed looking down at his food, poking at the chunks of meat "Aye we have spoken of it already, but still he will not relent, he believes that only the elf Lord can read the map" he grunted clutching his cutlery tight.
She twitched her nose and scratched at her chin "Hm and does Gandalf know of my talents with reading ancient dwarf runes"
Thorin frowned setting down his meal, his appetite gone as his anger simmered beneath the surface "Aye I have informed him, but he is not convinced, he means to undermine me every step of this quest" he growled slamming his fist into his open palm, blowing out a breath between clenched teeth.
Narâ leaned forward and pat his knee gently "Perhaps he is only trying to offer you his guidance Thorin, he is very old and very wise, far older than us"
Thorin chewed his lip looking at the small hand on his knee, her pale milky skin contrasting against the black trousers "You sound like Balin" he sighed in defeat his anger slowing subsiding as she gave him a bright smile.
"Well, I thank you for the compliment, Balin is a wise Dwarrow" she chuckled removing her hand. She leaned forward and ducked her head to get a better look at his brooding face "And what did the wizard say on this night to enrage you so and cause him to wander off"
Thorin grunted and looked away his pride got the better of him, the wizard knew of this location and advised moving on for the evening, but he was tired after the days ride and insisted it was fine. "We argued over camp, he insinuated I was a stubborn dwarf for not listening to his advice, again trying to convince me to follow the hidden path that leads to Rivendell, I might have said something insulting and he stormed off"
Narâ chuckled and gave him a cheeky smile "And what did you say to him"
Thorin looked at the dark sky above "It is not for the ears of ladies I'm afraid"
She laughed heartily and shook her dark plaits back and forth her face lit up with mirth "Mahal Thorin, don't go angering a Maiar, you are lucky he didn't singe your beard"
Thorin felt the corner of his mouth pull up into a small smile "He could try" he said quietly watching the dam laugh, her smile lighting up her face.
"I should go check on the lads then, I shall go scout with Khimâ if it would put your mind and perhaps Gandalf's at ease for the evening before I retire, wouldn't want an orc to come snatch you away in the middle of the night" she said with a cheeky grin standing up cracking her back.
He watched her go, it seemed she was always walking away from him, and he wondered what it might be like to have her stay.
…..
Narâ approached the Dwarrow a curious look on her face, they were leaning over a fallen log, eyes forward as if watching something. She joined them and stared out into the darkness of night "What are we looking at" she chuckled, her laugh freezing in her throat as Fili looked at her with a grim expression.
"We spotted a fire up ahead" he said slowly holding up a hand as she shot to her feet a fierce glare on her face "Easy now lass, we sent Bilbo to scout ahead"
She threw up her hands in exasperation "You sent the hobbit, the defenceless and untrained hobbit who likely has never seen whatever is making camp up the hill in his life"
Kili nodded "Aye we did"
She groaned and looked out into the forest, straining her eyes she waited for the flicker of the fire in the distance, anything that would indicate which way the hobbit went. "Anything else I should know lads" she huffed in annoyance.
Kili scratched his neck nervously "Well two of the ponies are missing as well"
"What" she hissed under her breath, glaring openly at the two incompetent fools. She reached behind her back and pulled down her heavy battle axe "Right then, I'm going to look for the hobbit and our nags before they are killed"
"What you can't go alone, Thorin will kill us" Fili grabbed for her wrist and she pulled away aggressively a frown on her face, a fierce glare in her eye.
"You sent Bilbo alone, I am going, you may tell Thorin I refused your wishes" she growled out between clenched teeth her hands wound tightly around the ax handle.
She turned without waiting for an answer and marched through the forest, her anger blazing brightly, she was worried for her friend, Bilbo was wholly under prepared for anything these woods might throw at him. As she walked, she became acutely aware of the surrounding forest and its changed appearance, trees were uprooted completely laying abandoned on the lonely forest floor. Tree tops smashed and rocks heaved from the soil, it looked like something very large rampaged through the area and destroyed anything in its path. She slowed her pace and stuck to the shadows trying to be as stealthy as her frame allowed. She could see something flickering up ahead, and she almost gagged as a foul stench wafted past her nose, it was putrid and most foul, and she bit her lip to stop the noise that threatened to spill from her mouth. She moved on, hiding behind trees as she got ever nearer, she could make out three large forms, grey skin stretched over hulking mountain trolls.
"Mountain trolls" she whispered to herself; her ax clutched tightly to her chest. she stopped and looked frantically for the hobbit, her eyes traveling over the trolls, to the large cooking pot sitting on a fire, the steaming billowing off it as it burped and spit as the contents boiled. She chewed her finger stopping the vomit from coming up, the smell was horrid. The trolls didn't seem to notice her, as they bickered about the meal the largest was cooking.
"I'm bloody starving" one grunted trying to get a mouthful of what appeared to be some kind of chunky soup concoction. She almost laughed as the largest one whom she learned was named William smacked the other over the head with a spoon, wielding it like a proper club. She moved again just out of sight around the edge of the camp, when she heard the whinnying of ponies. She found her hobbit companion crouched down low at the rope gate keeping the ponies at bay.
"Psst, laddie" she whisper yelled, waving her hand to get his attention.
Bilbo almost yelped in freight, holding his hand over his heart he looked behind him, surprised to see Narâ knelt in the long grass, holding a large battle ax she pointed to the horses in frustration, and he frowned. "I can cut the rope" he mouthed out hoping she could understand him. She gestured to her weapon as if to say well use a knife lad and he wanted to scream in frustration, he wasn't like the dwarves he didn't carry weapons, the only thing he had in his pockets were a couple spare buttons for his overcoat.
Narâ frowned and rubbed a palm over her face, she looked toward the mountain trolls and the large camp they had set up, surely there was something that could be sharp enough to cut through the old rope, it looked weather checked and would likely easily break. She looked at the smallest troll, he had a large crude looking knife strapped to the thin cloth on his hips. She pointed toward the troll and gestured to a knife on her hip "Knife Bilbo, get the knife" she would have moved herself, but she didn't want to risk being seen and she knew the hobbit was lighter on his feet than she was.
Bilbo watched the dam pointing at something and mouthing something and he nodded in understanding turning to his daunting task at hand he silently slipped through camp toward the lumbering troll, the odd-looking knife strapped just as his hip. It was long, far to long to comfortably wield with his short arms but he only needed it for a moment to cut the ponies free. He moved silently toward the troll and gingerly grabbed the handle of the blade, almost having pulled it free when a giant fist came round and clutched him by the torso swinging him around to face the beast he was promptly used as a handkerchief. He felt the oozing slimy concoction on his face and chest and gagged as the troll shrieked out "Look what came outta me hooter"
"Give me that, what is it some kind of squirrel" William hollered at his brother, grabbing at his forearm to move the tiny creature closer for inspection.
Bilbo stuttered in fright, these creatures were the largest he had ever seen, they glared at him with beady eyes, looking him over as if he were a mere morsel to eat. "I'm a burglar" he stuttered closing his eyes he tried again "A hobbit"
"A burglar hobbit, what's that?" the smallest one holding him grunted in confusion clutching him a bit tighter, causing him to wheeze out.
"Give it here Tom" William demanded trying to grab him and Bilbo yelped out in freight.
"Its mine I found it first" Tom yelled pulling Bilbo away from the prying hands of his brothers.
The last troll swung a fist at his brother "He's not more than a mouthful"
"Enough Bert, Tom give me the burglar hobbit I am the cook ill decide how he's eaten" William growled grabbing his brothers and pushing them down by the shoulders.
"No one is being eaten today filthy trolls" Narâ howled out wielding her battle ax she swung it at the meaty ankles of William, rolling out of the way as he screamed out In pain bringing his foot down to stomp on her.
She smiled with delight at the troll's delirium and slow movements bringing her horn to her lips she blew into it long and hard, the sound splitting the night air.
"What's that" Bert said confused looking at the small creature with the fancy weapon.
"Can we eat it" Tom said confused forgetting about the hobbit in his hand Bilbo crashed to the ground and scurried away on his hands and feet.
"Get it fools" William bellowed swinging his spoon towards the dam's head.
Narâ laughed in glee, her mind taken over with the thought of good fight she hollered out in Khuzdul and sprang forward on her short legs, battle ax held high above her head she swung down and smashed into the thick hide of Tom, splitting open his leg.
"Kill it" Tom wailed holding his leg as he hopped on one foot. Watching his brothers stumbled about camp trying to catch the fast little sneak.
Narâ smiled savagely her companions arrived weapons drawn, their battle cries music to her ears as she joined them, the clashing of metal on mountain troll hide and their cries echoing into the night. She waited with bated breath for her wolf to arrive, she was certain he would have heard the bellow of the horn, he would turn the tide of battle of that, she was sure.
"Drop em or we'll ripe the burglar hobbit apart" William roared holding onto Bilbos arm and leg while his brother Bert held his other.
Narâ looked panicked, her eyes flickering between her friend held in deaths clutches and Thorin who looked forlorn to let his weapon go. Thorin threw down his sword with a sigh and a scowl watching the hobbit with murderous intent. She dropped her battle ax and yelped as she was grabbed roughly and thrown into a large sack. She sneezed and wiggled about as a Dwarrow was tossed on top of her. She wheezed out a breath and managed to roll away to get a better look at what was happening. The trolls had forgone their soup and made a makeshift spit over the now blazing fire as her companions were stripped down to their linen underclothes and tied around the spit, to be slow roasted alive. She swallowed looking around for anything she could use to escape.
"Bilbo" she whispered in urgency getting his attention "Distract them"
"What why me?" he asked in confusion.
She gestured to the rising sun just peaking over the treetops knowing the sun was soon to rise and mountain trolls could not survive sunlight "Hurry lad, we don't have time, think of something anything"
Bilbo swallowed and rolled himself to a sitting position clearing his throat to get their attention, William noticed the hobbit first and began speaking to him about cooking methods. Narâ snorted of course Master Baggins would choose cooking as a subject of conversation when they were literally about to be eaten, but it seemed to be working the troll was so enthralled by the little hobbit he didn't seem to notice what she did. Khimâ slipped by unseen, his white coat shining like a beacon of hope in the darkness. She watched as her Warg crouched down low, his glowing red eyes alert as he watched his Master waiting for her commands.
"Khimâ fetch" she shouted gesturing to Bombur who was being roughly dangled by his fiery beard over Tom's open awaiting mouth.
The white Warg leapt forward with speed, clutching the mountain troll by the wrist, his long fangs puncturing the stony flesh, the fat Dwarrow dropping instantly, Khimâ spun about releasing the troll he grabbed Bombur in his maw, careful not to bite down, not that he was able to close his jaws with such a large Dwarrow in his mouth. He placed him down and licked his sloppy face for good measure, turning he raised his hackles high and pulled his lip back to reveal his long canines, he roared at the trolls.
"Get it" William shouted, but Tom and Bert only took a hesitant step backward as the Warg moved in tandem with their steps, the massive white wolf hovering close to the bodies of the Dwarrow, his maw dripping blood and saliva.
William went to swing his club at the wolf when a great boom sounded out and sunlight began to filter into the darkness in great golden waves "Sunlight take you" Gandalf shouted standing on top of a rock crop above them, his staff embedded in the rock as it cracked apart under his magic.
The trolls screamed in agony as their skin turned to stone and they withered and died. The Dwarrow cheering in happiness at their imminent rescue. Narâ laughed happily rolling toward her beloved Warg, who still stood hackles raised eyes glaring at the now stone trolls.
"dublâ" she whispered softly looking up at him from her sack on the ground.
Khimâ barked happily wagging his enormous tail he dragged his tongue across her face causing her to sputter and laugh as Bombur huffed and approached her helping her out of her bindings. She stood up and ran a hand lovingly down her wolfs snout, pressing her forehead against his massive one. Khimâ huffed out glad for the attention and sat on his haunches as she scratched under his chin.
"Lass come let us out" Bofur cried pitifully waggling around for good measure and she snorted removing her dagger she sliced through the bindings and released him.
Narâ helped free everyone and gather their discarded weapons her eyes trained on the stony statues "What are mountain trolls doing here" she said to herself surprised to find Gandalf standing beside her.
"They must have come down from the Ettenmoors" he said thoughtfully looking at them.
She rose a brow "The Ettenmoors, but that is leagues away they would have had to walk here"
Thorin approached a frown on his face "They wouldn't have been able to move in daylight, there must be a cave nearby"
She nodded "Perhaps we should look for it, Trolls are notorious for collecting things never know what we might find" she said playfully wiping the last remnants of troll blood from her battle ax, giving it a flourishing swing, she attached it to her back and whistled for her wolf.
"Come along lads, it must be near" she called grabbing Khimâ by the scruff pulling herself up.