Chapter Ten: Fountain Fun

The stay at Rivendell had proven to be long and uneventful, the elves were far too quiet and peaceful for her liking, she preferred the loud boisterous group of Dwarrow, and her little hobbit companion. Narâ sighed leaning against one of the several balconies that decorated the outside of Rivendell, she could see far below her, see the elves as they floated through the corridors. She found her gaze moving towards the mountains that stood in the distance, calling to her more and more each day, she was growing restless sitting around doing nothing. Thorin and Oin had both insisted she refrain from training with Khimâ until she was fully healed, a demand she thought ridiculous she was barely injured and Khimâ had been treated by the elves, he was fine the first day they arrived. She turned her head to spot her beloved beast, he was as usual trailing behind her, his coat shone beautifully in the morning sunlight, his red eyes wide and alert, ears twitching at all the unfamiliar sounds. He heard the sound of footsteps before her, body ridged as a pair rounded the corner shocked expressions on their faces as they spotted the Warg and herself.

She smiled and pat Khimâ on the flank, the wolf relaxing at her touch, his tail wagging as he stared down at the little creature from his pack. Narâ smiled warmly at Bilbo who was holding his chest in freight, Lord Elrond beside him who also seemed to be looking down at the hobbit with a warm smile on his face.

"Narâ good heavens you scared me" Bilbo stuttered, taking a deep breath he brushed down his fine coat and stood taller, swallowing he nodded a farewell to Lord Elrond and joined the dwarrowdam.

"Enjoying yourself Master Baggins?" Narâ teased playfully as Bilbo stopped at her side.

Bilbo only blinked back at the dwarrowdam In confusion, the teasing hilt to her tone going unnoticed, of course he was enjoying himself, Rivendell was lovely and warm and safe, it reminded him of home. "Yes I am actually, its peaceful here" he said looking at her from the corner of his eye as they began to walk.

Narâ nodded in thought, she supposed that he was right, and any normal folk would enjoy the tranquility found here but she was a dam of action and all the sitting around made her jittery. She continued to walk, with no mind to where she actually wanted to go, she hadn't learned all of the different areas of Rivendell yet, but her subconscious seemed to know where she wanted to go when she didn't. Together they walked in relative silence, only the panting of her wolf broke the silence until they reached the wide-open areas meant for training. She had discovered the location only days after arriving, much to Thorin's displeasure as she was found without an escort deep in what he would consider enemy territory.

"Narâ, I don't think we should be here" Bilbo said quietly, his eyes flickering to the open grassy area that several elves were currently sparring in.

She smiled at him and shook her head "Nonsense Bilbo, I am perfectly fine, besides I am not alone this time I have you with me" she shrugged stepping onto the soft grass ushering him forward with the flick of her chin.

Bilbo felt uncomfortable being here, Thorin specifically said that they were not to come down here, that dwarves and elves had no business training together and yet it seemed his message went in one ear and out the other of the dwarrowdam. He sighed and stalked after her stomping his feet in irritation "You cant possibly think of training you aren't even wearing the proper attire" he said exasperated jesturing to her current state of dress. She was wearing a gown of the palest silver color, fine embellishments decorated the bodice, and embroidery that looked like vines traveled down her arms and the skirts of her gown. She looked like an elven maid squished down into a stout little body.

Narâ rose a brow and looked down at herself, while technically her hobbit companion was correct her skirts would make it hindersome to fight an actual battle, what she had in mind was hardly fighting. "In that respect you are correct Bilbo, however I won't be fighting in this here getup, I only mean to teach you a thing or two, and perhaps give these elves a demonstration on Warg riding" she chuckled whistling for Khimâ. The large Warg trotted happily over to his master, his long pink tongue lolled out as he panted in the hot sun, it was far to warm in this environment for him, so he tended to laze about instead of running which was his typical behavior. She ran her hands over his snout behind his ear and gave him a scratch, chuckling as he groaned and dropped to the ground.

"Me..What..What could you possibly teach me" Bilbo stuttered uncomfortably looking over at the dam and her wolf with wide eyes.

Narâ gave Khimâ one last pat before turning around with a wide smile "Why Bilbo there is much I could teach you" she motioned for him to approach her watching with a smirk as he did slowly "Now Bilbo I know you haven't skill with a sword" he went to defend himself when she raised a hand "Aye don't deny it laddie, there is no shame in it, you are going to learn the basics, how to stand, how to parry, and best of all how not to die" she grinned slapping him on the back.

Narâ spent the better half of the morning trying to teach Bilbo how to use a sword, he wasn't a very good student, his movements were too choppy, his footing terrible, and he swung like he was cutting up a ham rather than trying to defeat an opponent. She sighed holding up a hand to halt his movements "Bilbo the sword wont bite you, hold it firm like this" she said correcting his hold on the hilt, "There now swing like its an extension of yourself, don't hold it infront of you and expect the enemy to impale themselves on it" she teased, grabbing his wrist she moved his arm in the proper arch standing just behind him "There now that's better" she said stepping back watching him practice. "Footwork Master Baggins Footwork" she called wincing as he tripped over his large feet once again.

Bilbo sighed and threw down his sword, practicing against thin air was ridiculous, how was he supposed to learn anything when he didn't have an opponent. He groaned and turned to face the dam who only rose a brow at his frustration "Face it Narâ I am not meant for fighting, I have never killed anything in my life, I don't even want to fight"

She smiled at him gently and approached him placing a hand on his shoulder "Aye I know Bilbo, and I hope you shall never have to lift the sword in your life, killing isn't something I wish upon you lad, but I do want to ensure that if the need arises that you are prepared"

He grunted kicking at the grassy ground in irritation "I'm not like you I cant use a sword, I cant even defend myself, I don't know why I even came on this journey" he said melancholy.

Narâ shook her head "Listen to me lad, just because you can't use a sword doesn't mean you don't have value, look you saved us when the trolls were going to eat us alive, you are a valuable part of the company, one I'm glad to have my back"

Bilbo looked up at her and gave her a sad smile "I wish the others felt the same way Narâ"

She only chuckled "Relax laddie, male dwarves tend to be stubborn assholes, believe me I know, they'll come round, this journey would be for naught if we didn't have our burglar" she pat him on the shoulder and pulled him forward knocking her forehead gently against his not to knock him out this time "Come lad lets go find the others before they destroy Elrond's house"

Bilbo smiled and nodded following the dam as she and her wolf waltzed away from the training grounds as if they owned them.

….

"Thorin I urge you to listen to reason" Gandalf huffed down at the stubborn dwarf beside him as they walked. "Lord Elrond can be trusted to read the map, surely you can understand why it is of importance that he does, since neither you nor I can do so" he ground out between clenched teeth. He was beginning to wonder why he even intrusted the map to Thorin if he was not even going to listen to his council when it came to interpreting it.

Thorin kept quiet, his head starting to ache as the wizard prattled on and on about the map, as if it was his to use as he pleased. He already had someone who could read it for him, he just needed to find the proper time and place for her to do so. He looked at the frustrated wizard from the corner of his eye, since there arrival in Rivendell Gandalf had done nothing much encourage him to speak to the elves, to trust them with his secrets. He understood that the wizard and the elf lord knew each other well and had for many years but the deep seated hatred of elves was one that was hard to shake, he didn't trust lightly it had ruined him before and he wasn't about to let it again. "How can you be sure he can even read ancient dwarvish?" he grunted repeating the same question he had been asking all morning, only to get an unsatisfactory answer in reply.

Gandalf sighed "Thorin don't be a fool, I have known Lord Elrond for ages, I know he can read ancient dwarvish, now let him see the map so he can help you"

Thorin sighed tired of the same conversation "Can he read moon runes?" he said trying to sound nonchalant.

Gandalf snapped his mouth shut and stared down at the dwarf in confusion, why would he ask such a thing "Why" he said slowly stopping looking down his long nose at him.

Thorin chewed his lip in irritation "I know these runes can only be read using a moon stone, do you know if Rivendell has one?" he said avoiding the question.

Gandalf lowered himself down to stare into Thorin's eye "How do you know this?" he said his voice tight.

Thorin went to answer when splashing and shrieking sounded just ahead, both he and Gandalf turned to look in the direction, choosing to stall the current conversation to investigate.

Gandalf walked beside Thorin "This conversation isn't over" he grunted.

Thorin ignored him walking briskly through the coridoor that led outside only to stop stunned at the sight before him, his companions were currently using a huge elven fountain as a makeshift bathing chamber. Laughter bubbled up in his throat before he could stop himself, he could see the appalled looks on the elven faces that quickly passed by, shielding their eyes as they ran from the sight of naked dwarves in their fountain.

Gandalf cleared his throat in embarrassment and gave Thorin a scolding look "This is ridiculous behavior" he grunted turning on his heel to retreat as Thorin sighed and approached his comrades to get them to dress and get out of the fountain.

Narâ round the corner with Bilbo chatting happily when the little hobbit leapt in front of her and attempted to cover her eyes. She laughed swatting at his hands "What are you doing Bilbo?" she chuckled easily moving him away, the sounds of water splashing and the joyous laughter of her companions reaching her ears.

"No Narâ don't look please" Bilbo shrieked his cheeks tinted bright red as he attempted to cover the maidens' eyes from the horrendous sight before him. He had never in his life wanted to see such a thing as several naked dwarves playfighting in the water fountain. The sight of Bombur's ass would forever scar him and he didn't want that for his lady friend.

She huffed and pushed him gently away, "Come now Bilbo what is it?" she said looking over the top of his curly head to see her companions. She burst out laughing at the sight, pale white buttocks stared her in the face, and she almost fell over from laughing so hard.

"Its not funny" Bilbo complained grabbing her forearm to usher her away, but she only swatted at his hand and rushed forward grabbing her skirts in one hand. She stopped just on the outskirts of the platform that held the fountain and wolf whistled as loud as she could. Several sets of eyes zoned in on her location the laughter ceasing as she caught them red handed "My, my laddies you really put on quite the show" she called between fits of laughter.

"NARÂ" Thorin bellowed in horror, seeing the dam gazing at them with amusement and unabashed eyes sent his stomach in knots, she was laughing so hard he wasn't entirely sure what she had seen but it was likely to much. He stomped over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders spinning her around, so her back was facing the fountain. His eyes glaring daggers at everyone demanding they dress and leave at once.

Narâ laughed at the expression on Thorin's face, he looked horrified and angry, and she sighed wiping away a stray tear "Awe damn and here I was hoping you were in there too, get meself a nice eyeful" she laughed again as his cheeks turned pink under his dark beard.

Thorin frowned and gripped her shoulders a little tighter "Be serious Narâ, this is hardly something a lady sound be seeing" he said his voice thick with anger.

She sighed and shook her head "Aright ya heard him lads go dress yourselves before you ruin my maiden eyes with your nakedness" she called over her shoulder, a smirk on her face at the sound of splashing water and quickly retreating footsteps.

Thorin frowned down at her, not enjoying the cheekiness that seemed to radiate from her, she should be scandalized not laughing, but she wasn't like other Dwarrowdam's he knew so he supposed it shouldn't come as a surprise to him. He let her go noticing for the first time the hobbit standing off to the side beside her Warg "Leave us" he grunted at Bilbo who only nodded quickly and skittered away to follow after the others.

Narâ frowned "Be nice to the lad, he was trying to protect me earlier I just didn't know what he was trying to protect me from" she giggled "I think it was the sight of Bombur's arse".

Thorin groaned and rolled his eyes "Well he didn't do a very good job" he muttered, and she laughed lightly "Don't fret, didn't see anything remotely worth looking after"

He sighed and offered her his arm, to which she rose a brow and shrugged slipping hers through his they began to walk. He looked over his shoulder and whistled at the wolf, who was lounging in the sun on his side. Khimâ lifted his head at the sound, ears twitching in the direction his master was walking in, the pitch was different but he understood the command, follow, he stood up and stretched out, claws clacking off the stone flooring before trotting behind the pair happily.

Narâ smirked "Seems he's taken a liking to you then".

Thorin nodded a small smirk playing at the corner of his mouth "Of course what's not to like"

Narâ pretended to fan herself "By Mahal is Thorin Oakenshield making a joke, I think I might faint"

He grunted and pulled her gently along "Come on, we have things to discuss"

She rose a brow and followed along, picking up the flowing skirts in one hand the other linked through his arm as they walked "Where are we going?" she asked curiously as they walked in silence.

Thorin looked at her from the corner of his eye, she looked happy today, her cheeks a healthy pink colour, the silver gown that hugged her figure contrasted beautifully with her dark raven locks. Her hair was down for once, only her family plaits weaved into her hair; the colorful emerald gems glittered in the sunlight. She looked at him and rose a brow, seemingly aware of his staring, he cleared his throat "Gandalf wishes for me to show Lord Elrond the map" he said plainly watching her reaction.

Narâ rolled her eyes "Of course he does, that is nothing new" she said looking straight ahead, it would seem they were walking to one of the balconies located at the upper levels, this one was more secluded than the rest, but gave a lovely view of the city below.

Thorin stopped and released her arm "Yes I'm aware this is nothing new, he has become more pestering of late, I wanted to ask you again about your ability to read the map" he said reaching into his coat pulling out the withered map.

She looked down at the aged parchment then up into Thorin's hopeful gaze and slowly took it from him "Rest assured I am most capable of reading it, that has not changed, in my exploration I have discovered something I think you shall find most interesting" she said coyly waiting for his reaction.

Thorin looked down at her and nodded in earnest "Yes what is it" he said a little impatiently. She walked to the balcony and looked down "Rivendell contains a moon stone, used to transcribe ancient moon runes, I found it earlier in the week, I think with the right moon light I can read the map"

Thorin grabbed her shoulder and spun her gently around a wide smile on his face "Truly, you can read it then?" he said.

She smiled and nodded "I believe so, and I think tonight shall be the perfect timing, you know the day yes?" she asked a impish grin on her face.

Thorin cocked his head confused before it dawned on him, he looked up into the sky with a smile on his face "Midsummer's eve, the moon" he said softly.

She smiled "Indeed"

Thorin smiled brightly at her knocking his forehead gently against hers "You are a blessing"

She chuckled and stepped back "I like to think so, now don't go telling the lads I don't need their loose lips reaching certain ears, I think Elrond wouldn't be to fond of us using his belongings without informing him"

Thorin smirked "Can't trust the elves" he said.

She nodded "Aye best stick with our own, bring Balin he has a level head, and I know he's one of your most trusted advisors".

Thorin sighed in relief it felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders "What of Gandalf, surely he will want to join us?"

Narâ nodded clicking her tongue in thought "Aye he likely will, but I think it best to just tell him our discoveries after we've discovered them"

"My thoughts exactly" Thorin grinned offering her his arm again "come let's go join the others, we have preparations to make if we are to leave Rivendell"

She sighed "Thank Mahal we've been here to long for my liking already" she laughed lightly "only so many leaves I can stomach before I waste away to nothing" she pat her stomach for emphasis catching his eye "and don't get me started on me ears, poor things nearly deaf with all that fancy stuff the elves like to play, what do they call it again?"

Thorin grinned "Elegant and tasteful they claim"

She snorted and shook her head "Hardly, sounds like someone always died, give me one o ours singing to his hearts content, with a tankard o ale and a fire in his belly" she chuckled.

"You are an unusual dam, I must say" he said softly and she grinned at him, her eyes sparkling with delight "Oh don't get me started Thorin Oakenshield, I am certainly one of a kind, thank me brothers for it"

Thorin smiled "I'm sure you were a terror as a dwarrowling"

She smiled sadly "Aye that I was, me father used to hire all sorts of ladies to teach me up right, but none of them stuck, I was too wild, always wanting to follow me oldest brother around" she looked down at the ground "He was the one to teach me to fight ya know"

Thorin frowned "You miss him"

She sighed "Everyday, but I'll see him again in the halls of waiting, he was a good dwarf you woulda liked him"

Thorin nodded, it wasn't often she was so open about talking about herself and he was curious "Your other brothers then, not close?" he asked.

She shook her head "Naw, not really, most of the time it was me and Khimâ after I found him, my brothers tended to follow my father around"

He watched her from the corner of his eye, her eyes didn't sparkle as brightly as they did before, she seemed unhappy thinking of home and he wanted desperately to put a smile back on her face "Come let's think of appropriate punishments for the others before we return"

She smirked at him her eyes sparkling with mischief "What did you have in mind".