HI GUYSSSS GUESS WHOSE BACK! Sorry my darlings it has been so bloody long! Been promoted and Uni and I basically have had no free time or holidays for the last year I have been worked to death :( BUT IM BACK! So please forgive me and please enjoy and send me all your gorgeous reviews I will warn you my writing is a little rusty :/ if anyone would like to be my BETA that would be fab lol! Please stick with me as I try get back into my writing pace
Smiling up at Gandalf as we face I the trolls I can't help but scrunch my face up at their features now I can see them more closely. The sunlight does not suit them at all.
"Where did you go to, if I may ask?" Jumping at Thorin's sudden appearance to my right I look back up to the wizard who was prodding the trolls with his staff.
"To look ahead," he replies while turning to face Thorin and myself, sarcastic bugger.
"What brought you back?"
"Looking behind," giggling at his cheeky reply I turn to walk away before catching the rest of his sentence, "nasty business. Still, they are all in one peace".
Seeing Bilbo near all the coats and swords pile that the trolls had made I join him searching for my own, he hands me my sword. Thanking him I attach it back at my hip; is it weird that I felt a bit naked without it? Who knew I'd feel weird without a weapon?
Reaching out to grab my coat a hand snatches it before I can, looking up to see Kili's mischievous eyes, holding out my coat for me to slip into it I giggle, "Why thank you my gracious Bag-buddy".
Shrugging on the coat as he laughs, his hands slide down my arms as his breath hits my ear making the hair on the back on my neck stand up. "Oh is it 'bag-buddy' now instead of 'prince'?" Grinning as I nod, I turn to face him. "Hmm, I don't which I prefer…" His smirk makes the pulling sensation return tenfold. How on earth does he have this effect on me?
"Kili, Mercy lets move!" Thorin's shout shakes me out of the daze I was in, blushing I pull away from Kili's arms with a bashful smile directed at him as we follow the other Dwarves up the hill.
Seeing Bofur's grin I roll my eyes good-naturedly at him while trying to push down the blush from my cheeks.
"From the look of your cheeks lass I'd say it was you roasting above the fire," seeing my glare he cackles, grabbing my shoulder to stabilize himself I groan. Bloody dwarves!
"I'm glad my embarrassment amuses you!" I grumble, pouting I see Balin and Dwalin smother their chuckles. Attempting to hold my head high while trying not to trip over the roots and branches on the ground I do my best to ignore the Dwarves. Plus, falling over would so not help my situation right now.
"Aww Lass don't take it to heart," Bofur wraps his arm around my shoulder while smirking. Leaning closer he quickly whispers in my ear, "looks like you already have suitor number one". Raising my eyebrows at him I snort, yeah right! "Don't believe me?" Shaking my head at him, he looks over my shoulder and grins. Confused I follow his eyes and see the brown-haired prince giving Bofur's arm a glare that could burn. Huh? Facing back to look where we were going I bite my lip, why would Kili glare at Bofur? Seeing my confused look Bofur squeezes me softly, "it'll all make sense eventually lass, just follow what feels right!"
"Since when does everyone speak in riddles like Gandalf?!" Dwalin and Balin burst into chuckles after my outburst, giving them my best glare Bofur pats me on the shoulder before letting me go. Following them all down the hill I huff as we come to a big cave.
The putrid smell alone made my stomach gurgle, swallowing the bile I take a step back, straight into someone's warm chest. The pulling sensation suddenly increased making me easily guess who it is. Spinning I come face to … well chest … Two brown eyes pull me in, smiling up at Kili I try to ignore the tingling sensation from his fingers grasping my hips.
"We have to stop meeting like this," I joke expecting his care-free laugh, instead I receive a half smile before he walked away to join his brother going into the cave. Well, that was weird and rude!
Bilbo appeared to my right, looking between me and the brown-haired prince, he gives me a concerned look while clutching my hand. "Come on Marc, Ori and Dori are back with our packs". I spare the entrance of the cave a look where the pulling was trying to take me before following the Hobbit. What have I done to upset Kili? Bofur couldn't honestly be right. Right? All Bofur did was wrap his arm around my shoulder … but then why would Kili be angry about that?
Not looking where I was going I managed to bump into Bilbo, Dori grabbed my arm steadying me. Blushing I mumble an apology to Bilbo and a thank you to Dori. Finding my pack, I slip it over my shoulder before finding somewhere to sit. Throwing my pack down next to a tree, resting my back against the trunk I slump down in an ungraceful heap, attractive I know.
Why was Kili's ignoring me upsetting me so much? The dwarves start coming out of the cave, but I advert my eyes to the trees around us. The tree branches sway as if they were arms and fingers, meandering in the gentle breeze. A thump next to me startled me, glancing to my left I see Fili. Looking back up into the tree branches I watch as a squirrel scurries across them with an acorn in its mouth.
"He's a jealous one, that brother of mine" Fili explains as I feel his gaze on my face. Bemused I frown at the blonde prince, "and do tell me why would he be jealous?"
"Who knows what goes on in his head Miss Merc, plus it's not my place to say but don't let him upset you." He pats my hand softly. Squeezing his hand, I can't help but remember and go back to when I was sixteen; I came back from a date where I felt like the whole world was ending because a boy I was dating ended the relationship to date someone else. My Mom simply held my hand, rubbed my tears away and stated: "you aren't like other girls, that's where he first made a mistake by treating you like one. You are a rare breed of woman, now go and show them what you are made of little warrior".
Tears stung behind my eyes, closing them I sigh. God, I miss her. She'd know why Kili was being an idiot and why everyone was giving me these cryptic messages and more she would bloody tell me.
"Mercy?" Knowing I was probably worrying poor Fili I open my eyes to see his concerned blue ones. Smiling at him I look back out to the trees. "He's not upset you that much has he?"
"No Fili, you were just reminding me of a memory of my mother, we had a chat just like this many years ago," he leans back with a soft smile.
"So you think of me as a mother figure, that's not at all effecting my ego right now Miss Marcy," he teases making me choke out a laugh.
"Well, I could start calling you Mother Hen?" Laughing he hugs me before standing up, reaching down he pulls me up as well. I was quite happy with sitting down thank you very much!
"If I am to be your Mother Hen then Miss Marcy I shall start acting like one, no more moping around after silly boys!" He places my pack in my hands, smiling at him I nod.
"Yes Madam". Grinning he curtsy's before storming over to his brother. Walking over to where Balin and Dori were stood I join them. Chatting away while ignoring the Durin brothers we are pulled out of our calm state by Thorin shouting "Something's coming!"
"Come on Miss Marcy!" Dori ushers me forwards as we all run further into the forest till we find a clearing. Finding Bilbo amongst the dwarves I grab him, pulling him beside me. Seeing the blade in his hand I can't help but smile. At least he' got something to defend himself with, pulling out my own I look between the trees scanning for anything dangerous.
Dwalin steps in front of me with both axes out as Bofur stands next with his mallet ready. Breathing in deeply I hold my stance ready to charge when a dozen huge brown rabbits leap into the clearing drawing a wooden sleigh with a very bedraggled looking man a top of it. Huh … Not exactly what I was expecting …
"Thieves! Fire! Murder!"
"Radagast! Radagast the Brown. Ah. What on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf brushes by the dwarves greeting the other wizard, putting my sword away I rub my face; too much has happened, and we've not even slept yet.
Turning away from the wizard's conversation I walk over to another tree and lean against it, this time Bilbo follows me. Smiling at the Hobbit I take a sip out of my canteen, offering it him he refuses. As I place it away Bilbo pipes up: "Mercy, I don't think I will be able to take a life with this sword. I'm not like these dwarves or Gandalf, I'm not brave".
Looking at Bilbo my heart clenches, was Gandalf right in making him come on this adventure? He is such a gentle soul. Biting my lip I lean down till I am at eye view with the young Hobbit and give him a gentle smile.
Taking a deep breath, I try to help him: "courage isn't about being able to take a life, for some people it is but not for you and me Bilbo. Our courage is not like the dwarf's roar or Gandalf's blinding light. Ours is a gentle and soft heart in a cruel world and that is not weakness but courage Bilbo". Wetting my lips, I see some of the dwarves listening in to our conversation, ignoring the brown eyes focused on my face I instead keep my attention on the scared little Hobbit in front of me.
"Do you know what the greatest show of courage is?" Shaking his head his eyes burn into my own, "that courage does not mean that you don't get afraid. But that courage means that you don't let fear stop you from doing what needs to be done. And if in the end you cannot take a life then that is the way of fate. I believe you will do what needs to be done in the time it needs doing, but no help came from worrying about a situation we do not know will come to pass. So try and relax and enjoy the adventure Bilbo, for living the same year for fifty years can hardly be called one, can it?" Smiling I squeeze his hand and leave him to his musings.
"When did you become such a scholar lass?" Balin leaned on his sword watching me with curious eyes.
"I'm no scholar, just a girl whose lived in a mans world being told she can and can't do things," I reply with a shrug.
Just as Thorin was about to speak a howl sounded out around the clearing, looking up I pull out my sword again.
"Was that a wolf? Are there – are there wolves out there?" Bilbo rushes over to stand beside me with his sword out.
"Wolves? No, that is no wolf." Glancing to Bofur I feel another person next to me, Kili with his bow and arrow pulled stringed ready. He gives me a soft smile before his eyes dart around the surrounding trees.
Hearing a snarl and a sharp bark we turn to see what I can only call a humongous wolf hybrid thing hit Nori over before Thorin kills it with his new blade. Gasping, another leaps at us from our side, looking up I see it's red eyes focused on Bilbo. Baring my own teeth, I stand in front of the hobbit, blood pumping in my ears I face the huge creature before an arrow hits it in the side bringing it to a skidding halt in front of me. Bringing my sword high I stab it through the forehead, pushing all my strength into the tiny blade, ignoring the blood spurting out of the wound and the creatures whining I dig the blade in deeper until I see Dwalin sever its spine with his own axes.
Stumbling back I blink in shock. Did I just willingly kill a creature?
"Warg-Scouts! Which means an Orc pack is not far behind!" Thorin's voice cuts through the fog in my brain, looking up I see Dwalin's proud grin directed at me. Looking down at the blade stuck in the supposed Warg's head I grasp the handle and yank with all my might. Kili's hand slides over my own and helps pull the blade out.
"Mercy… are you okay?" His soft whisper brings me back again from my daze of staring at the blood pouring from the Warg's wound.
Looking up into his brown eyes I try to nod, he grabs the sword and places it in my scabbard before grabbing my hand.
"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try!" What on earth did I miss?
"We are going to try and out run them Damsel, come on don't make me carry you!" Looking back to Kili I frown, I don't need no man to carry me. Seeing my frown he smirks and quickly drags me along running to the edge of the forest where we are all going to attempt to make a daring escape.
Would we actually make it?
So … what do you think? I know I know my writing is really rusty but I am going to attempt to get it back up to scratch! I hope you enjoyed this and please leave a review and I will attempt to write another chapter tomorrow if I can MUCH LOVE :*