"You need a leg up there Bilbo?" Benna asked, watching the hobbit struggle to mount his pony "I imagine you're even more sore than I am!"
Bilbo nodded, thanking her as she helped boost him onto the pony. She stifled a groan as she tried to swing her leg over her own saddle.
"Looks like you could use a boost yourself there." Dwalin said walking over.
Benna huffed. "Maybe just a bit. I think I preferred when we were just walking everywhere." She grumbled as he helped her lift up into the saddle.
"You say that now but once we get into the mountains you'll be glad for this here pony." He gave her a wink as he mounted his own pony, nudging it forward to fall in step next to Thorin.
The morning passed same as the last, the company soon falling into idle conversation to pass the time.
"Miss. Benna?" Ori spoke up turning in his saddle to look at her "I was wondering if I could ask you a question?"
She smiled "Of course Ori! What would you like to know?"
The young dwarf shifted uncomfortably for a moment "Well I was wondering about your hair…."
"Ori!" Dwalin growled, leveling him with a hard stare.
"Leave the lass alone Ori." Dori said sternly.
Benna frowned at them, "Don't listen to them Ori you can ask me whatever you want!"
Ori looked at his brother then down at his pony shaking his head.
"Really Ori its fine, I don't mind!" She encouraged, wondering what he could possibly want to know about her hair.
"Well I was…. I was wondering why it is so short?"
Benna's eyebrows raised as she ran a hand through the dark brown waves, which stopped just above her collar bone. "Oh it's not generally this short. It got cut just before I came here."
The air around the company suddenly became very tense as all other conversations quickly died off.
"So it is true then," She looked over in surprise as Thorin spoke up "Your hair was cut by someone?"
"Yes?" Benna answered uncertainly, feeling as though that was the wrong answer, hearing the angry mutterings from the company around her.
The only ones who didn't look upset were Bilbo and Gandalf, the former of which stared in confusion at the company's dark expressions then back at a bewildered Benna.
"Who did it to you?" Fili's unusually dark tone caught her by surprise.
"Wha...?" The question died on her lips as she turned to see the furious look on his face.
"I do believe I can shed some light here!" Gandalf's cheery voice broke through the tension. "You see my dear dwarves take great pride in their hair and beards. To cut it is considered an act of shame. And to cut someone's hair is considered a great act of violence against them, it is to humiliate someone deeply."
Benna frowned, looking over at the company. "Wait so this whole time you guys have thought someone forcibly cut off my hair to humiliate me? Why didn't you say anything?"
"We did not wish to bring up such a traumatic topic." Balin said.
She shook her head "I chose to cut my hair. In my world people use their hair to express themselves. People grow it long, cut it off, and even dye it different colors. No shaming involved whatsoever!"
"So you chose to cut it?" Gloin asked tentatively.
Benna nodded.
"Why did you cut it if you do not mind us asking?" Ori probed timidly, scribbling in his book.
"Oh well I generally cut it with the seasons. Where I lived the summers were hot so I cut my hair short to keep cool, then let it grow back out in the winter."
''Fascinating." Ori said, continuing to write.
"Like I said I don't have anything to hide, you can ask me whatever you'd like," She said with a shrug "Any other burning questions?"
Her eyebrows shot up as she was met with a furious barrage of questions, each talking over the other. "I should have just suggested I spy instead."
...
With a grunt Benna laid the heavy saddlebags down at the edge of camp. She pulled out the large pan and carried it over to Bombour.
"Thanks lass" He said, taking it from her, turning his attention back to the fire.
She was just about to sit down when she heard someone call her name.
"Benna come here." Dwalin called again. She jogged over to where he stood flanked by Kili, Fili, and Gloin.
"Whats up?" She asked, eyeing the group.
"It is time you start learning how to properly defend yourself." Dwalin said crossing his arms over his chest. "You have had some lucky breaks but that will not last forever. I want you to try out a few things so we can see where your strengths are." He pointed to where her bow lay in the grass along with a large ax and sword.
"Ok.." She nodded hesitantly "What first?"
"Ax!" The two brothers said almost in unison grinning at her. Benna frowned but followed them over to the ax.
"Alright lass just pull it out from the ground and swing it back down as hard as ya can." Gloin instructed.
"Four gold says she can't lift it!" Kili laughed.
She glared at him and tightened her grip on the ax, hauling it from the ground with all her strength. Just as she managed to life it all the way up, the ax slipped from her grasp sinking into the ground barely an inch from Kili's boot. The young dwarf stared at her wide eyed before taking a large step away from her.
Dwalin rubbed the back of his neck "Ah, maybe not the ax then."
Fili handed her one of the swords in his hands. She watched as he gave it a few swings.
"Now you try." He said adjusting her grip on the sword
Benna felt a little less disheartened as she managed to get a few swings in before her arms began to burn, the sword too slipping from her hands clattering to the ground.
"Alright last one." Dwalin said, handing her the bow as Kili led her to a broad tree.
"Ok now line up your shot," He coached, now from a much safer distance "Shoulders back and release!". Much to her surprise the arrow found its mark in the side of the tree. "Excellent!"
Dwalin pulled the arrow from the tree "Alright that settles it then, every night when we stop you'll work with the lads on the sword and bow."
Kili grinned patting Fili on the back "I think You're going to need some thicker boots there dear brother."
...
Benna frowned up at the sky. They had been riding for over a week now with nothing but sunny weather, but the clouds starting to drift overhead told her that their luck was about to end. She was pulled from her thoughts when Bifur rode up next to her.
"Whats up?" He signed.
"I think we are in for some poor weather soon." She replied looking back up at the clouds.
"Yes," He agreed with a flick of his fist. "Alfan." Bifur said pointing at the sky.
"Alfan?" Benna repeated "Alfan…. Does that mean rain?"
"Yes." He signed again enthusiastically.
Soon after the skies opened up drenching the company in an unrelenting rain that continued into the next day.
"Here now can you do something about this deluge?" Dori called over the rain.
"It is raining Master dwarf and it will continue to rain until it is done. If you want to change the weather of the world, find yourself another wizard!"
"Are there any?" Bilbo asked.
"There are five of us- myself, Saurman, then the two blueses- you know I can't quite recall their names, and then Radagast the brown."
Bilbo frowned "Is he a great wizard or is he more like you?". Benna nearly fell out of her saddle at the hobbits snide remark.
"I think he is a very great wizard." Gandalf huffed.
Benna listened with half hearted interest as Gandalf went into a long winded tale about the other wizards who inhabited the land. The rain beginning to drip through her cloak and down the back of her shirt drawing her attention away from the story. By the time she tuned back in to the conversation Gandalf had moved onto the subject of pipe weed, which was a topic that seemed to interest all of the company save for her. By the time the had reached then end of a heated debate between Bilbo and Gloin on the subject of if pipe weed from the shire could truly be better than that of the Blue Mountains, the rain had stopped allowing the company to dry out in the late afternoon sun.
"Well camp here for the night." Thorin called bringing them to a halt in a clearing next to the forest road.
As she dismounted Benna caught sight of a strange pile of bricks. She walked to the other side of the pony seeing that up close it looked to be the remnants of a house. Gandalf walked past, clearly also interested in the dilapidated structure. After a moments inspection, the wizard approached Thorin, gesturing back to the rubble.
Kili paused by her side, following her gaze to where Gandalf and Thorin stood, snippets of their raised voices carrying on the wind.
"What do you suppose they're arguing about?" Benna asked, watching the exchange as she unloaded the ponies.
"With those two it could be the color of the sky."
Benna stifled a laugh as Gandalf stalked past them.
"Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves!" He exclaimed, walking right out of camp and into the woods.
The two starred at trees where the wizard had disappeared into for a moment before Thorin's voice caught their attention.
"Kili go with Fili and look after the ponies! Miss. McCallium make yourself useful and find some kindling."
Kili shot her an apologetic look before jogging over to his brother.
With a sigh Benna stalked off into the woods, shooting a glair at Thorin's back as she went.
...
Benna laid out her cloak against a rock by the fire, attempting to dry the drenched garment.
"Before you get comfortable could you do a poor old man a favor?" Bofur asked motioning her over
Benna looked at him skeptically "I am not sure I would call you a poor old man just yet, but I will still do you a favor. What's up?'
He handed her two mugs "Can you bring these to the lads? Bilbo forgot to take it with him."
She nodded, walking off into the forest to where the ponies were kept.
She frowned as she approached the makeshift paddock seeing no trace of Bilbo or the brothers.
"Hello?" Benna called out "Bilbo?"
Hearing no reply she pressed deeper into the woods, an uneasy feeling settling over her. "Anyone out here...Fili? Kil..Umph!"
She yelped as a rough hand clamped down over her mouth, an arm wrapping firmly around her waist, dragging her back.
The figure shifted in front of her, forcing her back against a tree. In the dim light she was able to make out Fili's face as he looked intently at her.
Benna frowned about to push the hand away, when suddenly the ground began to vibrate beneath them. She let out a startled cry as the trees around them began to crack and fall.
Fili pressed his hand tighter over her mouth, pushing her back further as a hulking shape moved past them.
Finally the sounds faded. He looked down at her, putting a finger to his lips.
Benna nodded.
Slowly he pulled his hand from her mouth.
"What are you doing out here?" He whispered.
She gestured to the mugs scattered on the ground. "I…..Bofur sent me, Bilbo forgot your drinks...What was that?" She whispered as he pulled her away from the tree leading her further into the woods.
He shook his head "I'm not sure."
As they rounded the corner Benna could see Kili and Bilbo examining some uprooted trees.
"Looks like something big uprooted these trees." Bilbo said looking warily around him.
"Benna what are you doing out here?" Kili asked, catching sight of them. She started to answer, only to be cut off by Fili.
"There is a light over there!" He called creeping through the trees.
Kili, Bilbo, and Benna followed after him, stopping as they neared the light. Suddenly something big moved above them forcing them to duck down behind a fallen tree. Benna looked over as Bilbo clutched her arm, his hand pointing to the ponies in the things grasp, their frantic whinnying echoing through the forest.
"Trolls!" Kili whispered peering over the tree.
"Someone should do something, I think they're going to eat the ponies!" Bilbo said nervously as they emerged from their hiding spot. The brothers turned to look at him.
"Yes," Kili agreed, pushing him forward. "Yes you should. You are so much smaller and lighter, they will never see you coming!" He said talking over the hobbit's protests.
"If you run into trouble hoot one like a barn owl twice like a brown owl" Fili nodded, giving him one final push towards the light.
"You cant be serious." Benna hissed angrily "They'll kill him!"
"We will go and get the others," Fili said pulling her back towards the camp with him "Kili keep an eye on him."
...
"Fili, Benna What's wrong?" Thorin asked as the pair burst into the camp.
"Trolls," Fili panted "They took some of the ponies. Bilbo is trying to steal them back as we speak!"
The company were on their feet in a flash, strapping on weapons as they rose. Benna moved to grab her bow only to be stopped by Dwalin.
"You are staying right here." He said, pulling the bow from her grasp.
She scowled at him "You know I'll just count to twenty and follow after you right? Bow or no bow."
He watched her carefully for a moment before growling, shoving the bow into her hands. "Fine, but if things turn south you run. Do you hear me? Stay close!"
She gave him a thumbs up as they set off with the others.
"How's Bilbo doing?" She asked as they caught up with Kili.
"So far so good." He whispered.
Benna tensed as raised voices echoed from the clearing ahead of them.
"Bilbo!" Kili gasped, taking off before Thorin could stop him. "Drop him!" she heard him shout "I said Drop him! Oof!"
"Move!" Thorin called out, and with a great cry the company rushed out into the clearing. Benna moved to rush out with them, only to be held back as someone grabbed her by the collar.
Dwalin frowned "You stay with me."
Benna followed after him, running into the most chaotic sight she had ever laid eyes on. Three huge leathery skinned creatures stood in the clearing fighting off the swarm of dwarves. She ran after Dwalin, firing an arrow at one of the troll's as she went, rolling out of the way as a massive leg kicked out at her.
"Benna!" She heard someone shout as she was shoved into the underbrush just as a troll swiped down at her, knocking the bow from her hand. Just as she made to sit up she froze. The clearing had gone quiet.
"Bilbo!" She heard Kili shout, peering through the bushes to see the trolls holding Bilbo in front of the company.
"Lay down your arms or we'll rip his off!"
Benna sat still in the bushes trying to formulate a plan. She had watched as the company were stripped of their weapons and tied into sacks and onto a split.
"Ok Benna you can do this." She muttered willing herself to move.
Slowly she crept around the bushes, pausing every few steps to make sure the trolls could not see her. Finally she reached the other side of the clearing. Dropping onto her stomach she crawled over to the closest sack, pulling out the small utility knife from her pocket.
"Psssst." She whispered.
Thorin's head whipped around, his eyes narrowing as he saw her. He quickly looked back at the trolls before turning again slightly to look at her.
"What are you doing?" He hissed
Benna simply waved the little knife at him in response. He nodded straightening up slightly to block her from the troll's view. Carefully She began to saw through his sack. It was almost painfully slow with the little knife, but eventually she broke through the tie at the top of the sack.
"Move your arms up a bit." She whispered trying to reach the ropes at his wrists.
"Ere' now what's this?"
Benna looked up to see one of the trolls staring at her. "Oh shit!" She yelled scrambling to her feet trying to escape back into the woods. She could hear the company behind her shouting, as the troll chased after. She had only made it a few yards before she felt a hand close around her, crushing her in a vice like grip.
"What are you then?" The troll asked, giving her a shake. Benna felt as though she might be sick between the shaking and the lack of oxygen as the world spun around her.
"I think it's a lady!" another troll chimed in.
"Oh a lady," The third said excitedly "That's good eating that!"
"Wait!" Both the trolls and Benna turned to look at the hobbit who was now awkwardly standing up in his sack "You are making a terrible mistake!"
The troll holding Benna leaned in closer to him "What?"
The hobbit looked up at the trolls "I uh meant about the seasoning."
They looked at him skeptically "What about the seasoning?"
Bilbo nodded his head toward the company "You are going to need something stronger than sage to plate this lot up!". The company's angry cries echoed around the clearing as they threw threats and insults at the hobbit. Benna stared dumbfounded at him as he stood there talking to the trolls. Discussing the best way to cook the company, even suggesting to skin them all first. As she stared, he caught her eye for just a moment giving her an almost imperceptible wink. Finally it dawned on her what he was doing.
"What a load of rubbish, nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf!" one of the trolls said gleefully dangling Bombour over his mouth.
"Not that one!" Benna shouted "He…. He's not safe to eat!"
The trolls now turned their attention to her. "You what?" The troll holding her asked, bringing her up to his face.
"He's... infected, He has got worms in his …. Tubes" Bilbo shouted, causing the troll to fling Bombour back into the pile.
"Its terrible stuff believe me!" Benna chimed in.
"Yes yes it is!" Bilbo agreed.
The Troll holding Benna narrowed his eyes at them "What would you have us do then? Let them all go?"
"Well….." Bilbo began.
"I know what you two are doing!" The troll said, shaking her "You are playing us for fools!". The world began to go black around the edges of her vision as the troll continued to shake her.
Through the pounding in her ears she heard Gandalf's booming voice cut through the clearing "The dawn will take you all!". The trolls screamed as the morning sun streamed into the clearing. Benna felt herself drop to the ground as the troll threw up his arms.
Benna looked up at the morning sky, pushing herself up, dusting off her back as she stood. She quickly retrieved her knife helping Gandalf free the others, deciding to take a great interest in looking at the now stone trolls as the company redressed. "Nasty business, still all in one piece." Gandalf said, coming up beside her.
She gave him a sidelong look "I feel like that could sum up the last few weeks of my life very well."
The old wizard grinned at her "Nothing wrong with a bit of excitement in life my dear, does the blood good!". Benna hummed in response, watching as he walked over to Thorin.
"You alright lassie?" She turned to see Balin walking over.
"A little nauseous." Benna admitted putting a hand on her stomach.
"Why don't you sit down for a moment?" He said, easing her to the ground.
Just as she sat down, her stomach began to turn and she bolted to her feet, running into the bushes just in time as her stomach emptied its contents. After a while Benna could hear someone approaching, but gave them no mind as she retched one last time. A water skin appeared in front of her. She grabbed it, taking a short sip attempting to rinse her mouth of the taste.
Dwalin crouched down beside her. "How do you feel?" He asked "Do you need Oin?". She shook her head, using his arm to pull herself back to her feet. "The others are packing up camp, we'll be moving out soon to look for the troll hoard."
Benna's eyebrows shot into her hairline "Troll hoard? What is a troll hoard?"