Many thanks to...
Barrentine, lullabydono, The better twin, Piper and Snippy, Me And Not You 1001, wolfimus prime, Guest186, LilactheDryad, SleepiPanda
"Have you ever stood watch before?"
I stared dumbly at Thorin for a moment before giving my head a good shake and replying.
"Uh... no?" I cringed at the squeak in my voice.
His only response was a gruff nod, then silence.
"You do not speak to many of the dwarves in the company.', he noted as he filled the bowl of his pipe, sending me a questioning glance. "Nor are you at ease with anyone. Not even Fili and Kili... not completely at least."
"What—" I shifted nervously. "—makes you think that?"
Something akin to a snort rumbled from his broad chest.
"I am not daft, girl."
"I have a name you know.', I scowled.
"As do I.', he challenged. "But you do not seem to remember it."
"I do too know your name!', I protested.
"Oh?', he asked, his lip curling in amusement. "Then why do you not make use of it?"
I pulled a face, hoping that the darkness would conceal my sour expression. His quiet chuckle only proved that the black of night was not a reliable ally.
"Do I scare you, Collie?', he rumbled as he leaned forward from his position in front of a mossy oak. I bit my lip as I watched his eyes flash dangerously in the dark.
"Kinda...?', I admitted nervously.
"I thought so.', he said as he let his expression go blank again, leaning back against the tree.
That's it?! That's all he's going to say?
"What is it that frightens you?"
"Huh?', I blinked.
"What do you find so frightening about me? About dwarves...?" Thorin quirked an eyebrow at me as he blew smoke into the air.
"You're new...', I answered thoughtfully. "And I don't know any of you."
"Does it not comfort you in the slightest that we are kin?"
"Not to offend you or anything, but I think that's the scariest part.', I said, trying not to fidget underneath his heavy gaze. "I mean, you carry a bloody axe for heaven's sake!"
"Aye. But it is not bloody all of the time."
"Did you just crack a joke?', I gawked.
He chuckled.
"Oh my gosh you did!"
"Is that so unbelievable?', he said. "I am not a cold and heartless being— no matter what appearances suggest."
"Right.', I automatically agreed.
He chuckled again.
"You need not be skittish around us, Collie. Dwarves are a blunt folk, yes, but the line of Durin is an honorable people."
"What does that mean?', I inquired softly. "I keep hearing of 'Durin' and his 'folk' but I have no idea who he is..."
"Do you truly know so little of your own people?"
I ducked my head, kicking at the dirt as I frowned.
"I suppose it is only another thing we will have to teach you.', Thorin muttered.
"Really?', I blurted, jerking my head up to meet his eyes. "You would do that, Thorin?"
"So you do remember my name.', he smirked. "Though I would be honored if you would simply call me Uncle."
"Okay... Uncle."
Awkward silence ensued and I twiddled my thumbs for several moments as he puffed on his pipe.
"Durin.', he finally said, making me start as his deep timbre rolled through the night. "Was the first of the seven Dwarf Lords created by Mahal..."
"Collie!"
I snuggled further underneath the blankets, relishing their warmth, as I slowly realized that I had not fallen asleep under blankets last night... I didn't even remember falling asleep!
"COLLIE!"
I bolted awake with a snort, making Fili and Kili laugh.
"What?!', I moaned, fixing a grumpy glare in their direction.
"You fell asleep during your watch last night.', Fili informed me with a grin. "Thorin carried you back."
"Darn it guys! Is that all?', I grumbled as I rubbed my eyes.
"Such language for a lady.', Kili tutted playfully, giving my knotted blonde hair a tug. As his hands caught in the tangles he frowned thoughtfully.
"You know, Collie, your hair might be more manageable if it were braided."
"Then braid it yourself.', I mumbled sleepily.
"MAHAL NO!', he cried, drawing the attention of everyone in camp. A bright blush colored his cheeks as he stared at me in horror.
"What? What did I say?', I whined as Fili began to laugh at the other dwarves expressions, all of who looked as disturbed as Kili.
"Now, Kili.', Balin admonished. "You know Collie would not have asked had she known of our customs."
"What customs?', I asked slowly, a sinking feeling filling my lower stomach.
"Well...', Balin began, stroking his beard nervously.
"You er... 'proposed' to your cousin, lass. If a dwarf braids a woman's hair then it means that there is an understanding of... well... 'marriage' between them.', Bofur chuckled as he recovered from his initial shock, obviously enjoying the stricken look that came to haunt my eyes.
"Don't you dare get near me, Kili!', I howled, scrambling away from Kili and pulling the tangled locks behind my neck and out of sight.
"As if I would!', he shot back.
"You're both overreacting.', Fili grinned as he rolled his eyes.
His brother and I eyed each other distrustfully, only to be interrupted by Bilbo.
"How does a braid signify a proposal?', the hobbit inquired, wrinkling his nose as he tried to puzzle it out in his head.
"Dwarves—', Fili began to explain.
"Guard their culture closely.', Thorin finished with a scowl in Fili's direction. "We do not lightly share it with outsiders.', he added with a glower at the hobbit.
Bilbo nervously laughed as he bounced on the balls of his feet and twitched his nose. "Of course. I beg your pardon if I offended anyone."
I gave him a sympathetic look as he began to fidget under the deep scrutiny of the dwarves.
"We are wasting daylight', Thorin barked. "We must move on or we will never reach the mountain at this rate."
The dwarves hurried to obey, breaking camp and mounting their ponies.
I had eventually learned how to properly mount my pony, and although it took me longer to do so than the others, I still managed to accomplish it. I had even learned how to steer Itchy somewhat... though Fili would still snatch the reins when the occasion called for it. I climbed atop of the cream colored pony, smiling as my mind flashed back to the first day I had ridden in the company of dwarves.
"Hullo.', someone had greeted hesitantly, their voice sounding higher than the dwarves around me.
I turned in surprise to see that the hobbit had ridden up beside me.
"Hi.', I mumbled.
"May I ask you something?"
I nodded.
"Where's your beard?"
I choked back a laugh, trying to answer through the hysterical giggles that were threatening to bubble over.
"I don't... have one?" I could have winced at how high my voice had gotten.
"Are you not a dwarf?', Bilbo asked.
"Uh... no?', I grinned.
"But you called Fili and Kili 'cousins'...', he pressed, clearly wanting me to explain further.
"My grandfather was a dwarf... and he was their uncle.', I supplied.
"Oh. My grandfather was a hobbit.', Bilbo said lamely, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence. It seemed that at the moment we were the only ones speaking, and I noticed that several dwarves seemed to be observing us disdainfully from the corners of their eyes.
"Why are you on this adventure?', Bilbo questioned. "Are you a burglar too?"
"No.', I sighed. "I suppose the easiest way to explain things would be that... I met a wizard."
"That would explain many things.', he nodded sagely. "I believe we may have something in common besides being the only ones in the group without beards. Wizards are very persistent whenever they set their mind on something."
I laughed at Bilbo's humorous observation.
"Do all women ride like you?', he said as he shifted uncomfortably atop Myrtle.
"Ride how?"
"Astride.', Bilbo huffed, looking a bit ruffled.
"Is there another way to ride?', I frowned.
"I think most ladies ride sidesaddle, or so I have been told.', he mused. "And they normally wear dresses too, if you don't mind me saying so."
"Nah.', I shrugged. "I'm just... not used to the normal customs, I guess. I'm from a land that's far, far away from here."
The hobbit twitched his nose.
"I don't suppose—', he began before stopping and giving me a good look. "Have you ever seen an oliphant?', he finally blurted.
"A what?!"
"Well... you said you were from a strange land... I thought that maybe you had seen one before."
"No, I haven't. But I have seen elephants. Oh, and I've also seen lions and tigers and bears.', I smiled.
"Oh my.', Bilbo breathed faintly.
"Have you ever read the Wizard of Oz?', I exclaimed, surprised that he had had finished the well-known phrase.
"What's that?"
I explained the story, much to the dwarves amusement and much to Gandalf's chagrin.
"Preposterous!', the wizard growled. "What a ridiculous tale!"
"Agreed. Though a pair of magical ruby slippers would do wonders for me right now.', I grumbled.
"What about dwarves?', Kili inquired from my left. "Do you have any stories about them?"
"No!', I yelped.
"Nice try, squirt.', Kili winked, laughing as I scowled in his direction. "We all know you should have at least one story about dwarves."
"Ugh.', I moaned before beginning the beloved tale of Snow White, which I continued for several minutes before Bilbo interrupted me.
"You're telling the story wrong.', he grimaced. "You cannot keep calling them dwarf one, dwarf two, and so forth. They simply must have names!"
"No! No they do not!', I argued, miffed that he had brought that up.
"You do not want to tell us their names.', Kili noted with a smirk. "Surely the portrayals of our race cannot be so bad as that?"
I pressed my lips into a thin line.
"Come on, Collie!', Fili wheedled as the dwarves began to look genuinely interested: even Thorin was regarding me curiously from up ahead. "Tell us!"
"Doc, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy, Bashful, Grumpy, and Dopey.', I rattled off quickly, hoping that they wouldn't catch the names and wincing when they did.
"What?!', Fili gawped, looking like someone had just kicked his puppy. "Why?!"
"It's just a story.', I grumbled.
"And how are the other races portrayed? The goblins, the dragons, and the elves?', Kili grouched. "Are they painted as something they are not?"
"Goblins are bad, dragons are usually bad, and elves are normally plain ugly... at least Dobby is.', I said, ticking the different species off on my fingers.
"Oh? Is that how you see elves?', Gandalf called over his shoulder.
"I guess.', I mumbled. "Most of them are old and short. Though that Legolas dude doesn't look so bad half of the time."
Gandalf snorted.
"And what did you think of the Woodland Prince?', he asked.
"It looked like he wore eyeliner in the trailers that I've seen.', I snickered. "But other than that he was kinda cute."
My uncle shot me an unimpressed look.
"Elves are not to be trusted.', he spat viciously before he face forward again.
"Taboo?', I guessed in a whisper.
"Bless you.', Bilbo said seriously. "Had I remembered my handkerchief I would offer it to you, but sadly I am ill-equipped."
"I said taboo, not achoo.', I muttered underneath my breath, rolling my eyes.
"Collie!', Thorin called, drawing me out of the memory. "You will ride alongside me today. Come along."
Doesn't he ever say please?
I glanced helplessly at Gandalf, who only gave me an encouraging look and nudged me in my uncle's direction.
"Why am I riding with him?', I whispered.
"It is my guess that he wishes to know you better. You are his only link to his brother— a brother who has long been thought dead. Go on, my dear."
"Collie, this is Dwalin. Dwalin, this is Collie, my great-niece.', Thorin introduced. "I suggest you get to know one another; we have a long day's ride ahead of us."
The bald— not to mention scary —dwarf gave me a grunt of acknowledgement as he fell into place behind the leader of our company, obviously not impressed with my presence.
What the heck is wrong with my uncle today? We barely spoke at all until last night, and now I'm his traveling buddy?
"Nothing is *wrong* with me, Collie. I am merely concerned that you have not spoken with many of the dwarves in our company; you will not have the opportunity to meet them if you are always riding with Fili and Kili, therefore you will alternate between which dwarves you ride with."
I gawked at my uncle's back while Dwalin gave a poorly concealed snort of laughter.
I rode in uncomfortable silence behind Thorin and Dwalin for several hours before my uncle dropped behind a few paces to ride beside me.
"Would you like to learn some of our customs, Collie?"
I crinkled my nose in thought for a few seconds before I nodded.
"I believe it would be wise to start with braids then.', he chuckled. "It may prevent another... incident."
My cheeks became rosy as the mortification from earlier came back with a vengeance.
"Braids hold much importance in our culture and there are many, many types of them.', he began slowly. "They can signify whether you are male or female, your heritage, your trade, your status, whether or not you are married, engaged, or courting, and your skill in battle. Though it is not only the weave of the braids that hold significance: there are also many clasps and beads that decorate the plaits."
"Whoa.', I blinked. "So a braid can signify almost anything?!"
"Yes.', he chuckled. "Almost anything."