Eeek so what did you think of last update? Was it okay, was it up to all your standards? Enjoy the next chapter!
This is a little more of a filler chapter but does hold some important bits!
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All the Dwarfs finally had risen to their feet and put their clothes back on, much to my happiness, Thorin sent Ori and Bifur off to collect all our packs and ponies while the rest of us went off to find this troll cave.
Walking with Bilbo, I hand him a few clean handkerchiefs soaked with water to help clean the snot and grime off his face and hands. "This is disgusting Bilbo," chucking I give the side of his face a harsh swipe with the handkerchief to get a dried bit off. Flinching he pulls away before I can grab him.
"Ayah, I think that's enough I can sort it". Smirking at my Cousin I go to reach out with the cloth once more before his hand swats mine away. I can't help but laugh as Bilbo's face as he screws it up in frustration as I keep trying to wipe it, "Ayah will you just behave!"
A booming laugh from behind us made Bilbo jump, whirling around Bofur and Nori were grinning away at the both of us. "Is that Ayah misbehavin' again? What are we gonna do with yeh lass?" Giggling at the two Dwarfs I shrug my shoulders, "would I ever misbehave my dear friends?" A snort from Bilbo made me narrow my eyes at him, "I am the picture of innocence, Cousin!"
He started walking quicker to get away from me, pouting I look at the two smirking Dwarfs, "he loves me really". Laughing as they link their arms through mine, I huff.
"Course yeh are lass, never a doubt in me mind".
"Sarcasm is not an attractive trait Bofur", nudging me in the ribs he chuckles.
"Neither is staring, but yeh did enough of that to our Princeling earlier". Choking on a bit of spit I can feel my cheeks starting to burn.
"I was not staring!" I protest attempting to hide my cheeks with my hair.
Nori then decided to join in: "oh, just observing the prince in his under clothes then? Much better". Spluttering at them both I try and find the words to go against their claims, even if they were true – they didn't need to know that. At my distress their grins turned wicked as they faced each other while we carried on walking towards the Troll hole. "She ain't saying no", Nori winked down at me as Bofur laughed. Bloody Dwarfs.
I turn my nose up in the air as we carry on, doing my best to ignore the two Dwarfs whose mission today was to rile me up it seems. They both carried on chatting, occasionally asking me things and making small jokes when, finally, Gandalf yelled out that they have found it. Slipping my arms from Bofur and Nori's I stroll towards a thick looking tree whose roots had formed a little area which I could sit.
"Oi lassie, where you think you're going?" Flicking my hair over my shoulder to grin at the Dwarf, "well Bofur, there is no more trolls for me to save you from. However, I am saving my nose from what is down there, you lads are bad enough". Winking at the disgruntled Dwarf I take my pack off and place it beside the roots as I sit down. Notching an arrow, I lean against the trunk, watching the tree's opposite as most of the Dwarfs go down into the hole.
Balin, instead, came to stand and lean against the trunk beside me. Glancing up at the elderly Dwarf he cheekily winks back, chuckling I go back to watching the forest.
"Nasty business, Trolls". Humming in agreement, I watch as a bird flies off a branch. "Good job you and Gandalf came when you did. How did you know when to come back? And where to find us?"
Peeking up at the Dwarf once more to see that his brow is furrowed, he doesn't think we knew about the trolls and didn't tell them, right? "Gandalf decided when it was time for us to return, he needed to think somethings through, you know how Wizards are. When we arrived back at the camp, I could just feel that something wasn't right. I followed some of your footprints into the forest, found Mia who was covered in what I now know is snot. Remind me to wash her when we camp next! Gandalf saw the firelight and we followed it until we saw all of you tied up". Shifting my weight more on to one of the thicker branches I look up into Balin's blue eyes. "Lucky that Gandalf was there, I was ready to rush in and try and take all three of them on", grinning at me as he shakes his head.
"Such a brave warrior at heart, are you sure you're a Hobbit?" He teases, hiding a flinch at those words I give him a smile though I feel it may have been for nought as his eyes narrow at me. "Ayah?" Swallowing the lump in my throat I look down, breaking eye contact. Grumbling, he kneels beside me and places one of his large hands on my own: "Ayah, you needn't say. I didn't mean anything by it Lassie".
I smile at his soft voice and squeeze his hand, "I know you didn't Balin. It's just a bit of a sore issue … I don't believe my Mother was a Hobbit" He frowns more and tilts his head, motioning for me to continue. Looking up I check to make sure Bilbo was not around or any eavesdropping Dwarfs before I begin: "You see I never knew who my mother was, she passed having me and father brought us back to the Shire. And my father … he, he wasn't a bad Hobbit he just didn't cope well with losing Mother. I usually spent a lot of time around Bilbo's with him and my Aunt, it's why we are so close. Father seemed to just keep losing his temper, it was better to stay out of the way. Then one day, when I was only a young lass my father just disappeared. No note, no one knew where he had gone. It's why I spent time in the wild lands around the Shire. Trying to find him and bring him home." Fiddling with the shaft of the arrow I have to place my bow and the arrow in my lap due to the shaking in my fingers.
Balin kept his hand on my knee, gathering all my courage I face him. I hold his gaze and carry on: "We never found him. The Elves said they saw him wandering the Great East Road, the Men said they saw him at the Sarn Ford, and the Hobbit's. Well, they had outcast him so knew nothing of his goings on. I travelled across Hobbiton: from the Bindbole Forest down to the Sarn Ford, to Woody End and then through the Old Forest. The Shire may seem homely and quiet, the forests are not." Pulling up the sleeves of my tunic I hear Balin's gasp as he sees the claw marks across my arms.
I run my fingers over the grooves, watching Balin's eyes turn sad as he looks over them. I could see he wanted to say something but held it back, pinching his lips. I sigh: "The reason I am telling you this Balin is no Hobbit just travels across these lands. Even for family. They are homey folk, loyal to a fault but at the heart of it they are a gentle beings and would not last a day alone in those forests." I take a deep breath, "I do not believe my Mother was a Hobbit. Neither does Gandalf. I do not have the feet of one and my ears are far too big and less pointy than theirs. And I definitely do not have their temperament, too firey for my own good. I am trying to discover who my mother was and if I have a family out there. As much as I love the Shire, it is not home. It never was." I finish my speech, sitting back on his haunches Balin watches me as I smile softly at him.
After a few tense seconds he pats my leg, smiles before reaching forward and placing his forehead against mine. A few tears start to well up so I close my eyes to stop them from escaping. "Thank you for telling me this lass, I will not tell any of the other laddies don't you worry about that. Once Erebor is claimed back I will do what I can to help you find your Mother's family". Pulling back in shock I stumble over my thank you, he smiles as he squeezes my shoulder. "And do not fret over those scars, we Dwarfs honour those with battle wounds, though the lads possibly will be more protective over you for it. I was right, warrior indeed". Rubbing my hand across my eyes I can feel my cheeks flush with a bit of embarrassment for telling and showing him my scars but a surge of relief of not having to hide them. Tugging my sleeves back down a big huff from my right scares me into looking up at an arm full of tattoo's and knuckle dusters. Dwalin.
A look passes between the two brothers before Dwalin reaches down and with a gentler touch than I thought him capable of – ran his fingers over the scars. Shock passes through me as those hard eyes turn tender, kneeling so he was at the same level as myself and his brother, he rests his forehead against mine like his brother did. My hand involuntarily clutches at his and Balin's arms.
"I heard the last few bits of what yeh said Lassie, I won't tell the others. Me and yeh will be practising with yer weapons when we have time, can't have yeh catching me up with warrior scars". Chuckling I loosen my grip on Dwalins forearm as we both lean back; his brown eyes gaze down at me I almost want to say fondly.
"Thank you Dwalin, and you Balin". They both rise to their feet, Dwalin slapping me on the shoulder and Balin brushing some hair out of eyes then walking away to speak to the other Dwarfs. A ruffle of movement catches my eye: I see Gandalf stood by a tree watching, seeing my looking at him his response was to smile and nod his head then walking away.
I shake my head, notching the arrow back in my bow and begin watching the forest around us all once more. If I was correct, we were in Trollshaw land. You could never be too careful; the previous incident is an example. But I couldn't help the little smile that was tugging at the corner of my lips because of those two Dwarfs, never have I ever been accepted by the Hobbits because of my Father and after the Old Forest incident that gained me these scars I was outcast even more. To have two strangers of a different race accept me, it was a strange feeling. One, I think, I could happily get used to.
A scattering of birds above the tree line pulled my gaze and mind. Whipping my backpack on while standing I pull the string back on the bow and call to Thorin, "Thorin, something is coming!"
Pointing with my arrow to the sky so he could see the disturbed birds, he turns and calls to everyone to come into the clearing. Jumping over the roots I go down into the little clearing with the rest of the Dwarfs, Gandalf and Bilbo who was holding a sword. Giving me a sheepish smile before holding it out in front of him I stand beside him and point my arrow in the direction of where I believe the birds had flown from. A burning feeling from my right, I quickly peek and see Fili standing there brandishing two swords. Giving me a quick nod we both go back to facing the forest, all of us in a large circle.
We all go silent waiting for whatever was about to appear when a group of massive rabbits appeared from the right of us, pushing my arm into Bilbos chest I push him back before we both get squished. What on Middle-Earth? Following the rabbits, which are pulling a sleigh behind them, is a raggedy old man that if I wasn't mistaken had bird poo down his face.
"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" I don't let my confusion deter my aim on his head with my arrow. As he comes to a stop I see a staff with a glowing blue stone at the top … he couldn't be another wizard could he?
"Radagast!" Looking to Gandalf for confirmation, this was the great Wizard who protected the Forests to the East from evil? My eyes keep going back to the bird poo down his face and beard, I suppose great things come in strange packages? "Radagast the Brown", lowering my bow and loosening the string I watch as Gandalf rushes up to him, "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong!" Stowing my arrow back in its quiver, I turn to my cousin who is holding his sword as if it might bite him. Hiding a chuckle, I place my hand on his and slowly push it down so he wasn't going to accidently stab any one. Best to leave the Wizards to their talking, if something was very wrong Gandalf would tell us, it does not do well to meddle in the affairs of a Wizard. I focus my attention on Bilbo.
"And where did you get such a nice blade dear Cousin?" He holds it out for me to look at as he fumbles with the scabbard. I place his sword on the floor as I help him fix the scabbard to his hip, making sure it wasn't going to fall off or feel too uncomfortable. Leaving him to fuss about with it I grab the blade off the floor, swinging it gently in my grip it has an easy weight for Bilbo, not too heavy or too light. The design catches my eye, I bring it closer to my face and touch the cold steel. This was no sword made among men, nor trolls or even dwarves.
"Bilbo…" His brown eyes flick up to meet mine. "This sword is elvish make", he puffs his chest up and nods. Trust him to be proud of that. Smiling at his smug face I hand him back the sword, "great swords need great names, I can't wait to hear what yours will be called at the end of this adventure, Cousin". His smug look disappeared to a worried one that I have come accustomed to during this quest.
"Ayah, you know I have never used a sword in my life". Those worried eyes pulled at my heart; did I not promise to protect him on this quest and yet I cannot promise he won't have to lift that sword. I place my hand on his, "I pray you will never have to Cousin, but if you do. Hit Hard. Hit Sure. The neck, underarms and back of the legs are the best places to slash and make a quick getaway". Feeling the hand beneath mine start to shake, I help him sheath the sword before taking his hand fully in mine.
"How do you do it? How can you cope with what has happened to you and carry on Ayah?" I grasp the hand tighter, feeling eyes on us from behind I know some of the Dwarfs are looking and listening.
"Bilbo, there is no amount of guilt that can change the past and no amount of anxiety can change the future. We must deal with the present and what it gives us; whether that be good or bad. We cannot change the road that is laid at our feet once we start walking. Do you remember what Mother used to say?" He shakes his head. Chuckling at the sheepish look crossing his face I squeeze his fingers.
"The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow it, if I can. It's a dangerous business, Bilbo, going out your front door. You step onto the road and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." At his melancholy smile I slip my hand from his with one last squeeze and adjust the straps on the backpack. "But lucky for you, you have one weapon that no one else has!"
"And what is that, Ayah?" Grinning, I slide a dagger out from my cloak and shine it between my fingers while keeping my eyes on his.
"Me." Stuttering out a laugh he shakes his head at me, joining in his short bout of laughter I slide the dagger back in my cloak. Bofur walks up to speak to Bilbo as I lean down and sort a buckle on one of my boots.
"Now what's this I hear off Gandalf that yeh Hobbit's make the best pipeweed?" Rolling my eyes at the Dwarf I stand back up as Bilbo once again puffs out his chest.
"Hobbit's are known for our Old Toby, best pipeweed in the whole of the Shire". I see the twinkle of mischief in the Dwarfs eyes before Bilbo and sign, here we go.
"Well, yeh know friend. Sharing's caring", he rubs two of his hands together with a wicked smirk.
Before Bilbo can open his mouth I cut him off, we aren't even past the Hidden Valley yet and if I know Bilbo, he will need that pipeweed to get him through some scuffles. "Aye, if you share your own that I know you have stashed away in that hat of yours, friend". Smiling at his playful glare I cross my arms as I wait for his answer.
A howl breaks out from the tree line, snagging an arrow from my quiver I notch it once more in my bow.
"Was that a wolf? Are there – are there wolves out there?" I step forwards in front of Bilbo, my eyes searching the trees. I know Wolf cries, that was no wolf.
"Wolves? No, that is not a wolf!" A snarl came from behind us, whipping round I see stood in the crag at the top of the hill was a beast like none other I have ever known. Drawing my arrow back I let it loose as the creature jumps towards the company. Notching another arrow, I aim it again as the first one strikes its forearm, the second one hits it directly in the chest. Another arrow is notched, but Thorin sliced into the creature's neck killing it but jamming his sword in the bone.
Turning in my spot I see another one breaching the top of the hill, calling Kili's attention we begin to shoot our arrows at it, none of them seeming to do much damage as it launches itself into the company. I grab Bilbo's jacket and yank him away from the snapping jaws as Dwalin swings his war hammer onto its head, killing it instantly. Blood pumping in my ears I turn this way and that checking the rest of trees.
A calloused hand grips my arm, the shocks from it is what makes me halt my movements and a gentle voice in my ear: "easy Ayah, they're gone". Fili's voice calms my thumping heart, rolling my shoulders I chance a look up into his blue eyes.
"Warg-Scouts! Which means an Orc pack is not far behind" Thorin's booming voice calls from behind us, Fili loosens his grip from my arm as we turn towards our leader.
"Orc Pack?" Bilbo's worried voice makes my grip on my bow tighten.
"Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?" Gandalf storms forwards, his eyes flashing like lightening. I move more into Fili's space as Gandalf stands before Thorin who answers him by saying no one. Gandalf booms out once more to who Thorin has told as the leader squares his shoulders: "No one, I swear! What in Durin's name is going on?"
"You are being hunted". A shiver goes up my spine making all the hairs on the back on my neck stand up, forcing back memories which would do nothing other than distract me I force my mind on the present.
Dwalin stands beside Thorin: "we have to get out of here!" Nodding in agreement we all go walk up the hill but Ori and Bifur run up, weren't they supposed to be guarding the ponies?
"We can't. We have no ponies; they bolted!" Closing my eyes I pray that Mia leads them all to safety. Rubbing my face before stowing my bow in my quiver, we are going to have to make a run for it. But the question is will Gandalf tell the Dwarfs we were running to the Hidden Pass?
The raggedy Wizard, Radagast, steps towards Gandalf and proclaims that he will draw the Orcs off. Gandalf rejects the idea until the other Wizard points to his rabbits: "These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try". Launching himself onto the sleigh, which was impressive of itself, he drove the rabbits up and out of the forest. We all turn to Gandalf and Thorin who looked grim.
"There's only one thing for it, we must run!" Buckling my backpack more firming on my shoulders and checking my sword was safe in its sheath I sigh. This was not going to be fun. Kili popping up between me and Fili makes me jump and worry as he has a small grin on his lips.
"Ten gold coins says I run faster than you both". Looking over his head into Fili's eyes I grin at the challenge in them.
"Ten gold coins? You are on boys". I follow behind Kili as we start up into the trees with Fili behind me and Bilbo after him. Sliding through the tree's we all keep stopping and starting, making sure there were no Orcs or Wargs lurking around us. Coming to the end of the forest, we are all pressed up against the trees. Fili and Kili manage to wedge me in between them, Kili telling me it was for my safety, of course. I check over Fili's shoulder to see where Bilbo was. Thankfully he was stood with Bofur.
Leaning against the tree facing Fili I can feel a flush start up my neck at being so close. Trying to ignore his blue eyes and mischievous smile which made the beads next to his lips swing I focus on the tree beside us.
"Ayah?" His soft whisper makes the hair that escaped my braid flutter around my face, peeking up into the blue eyes he holds my gaze. "Stay close to me and Kili, we won't let anything happen to you". Smiling at the confidence in his whisper I reach for his hand and give it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you, Fili. I would ask for you to watch Bilbo to, but I feel Bofur has taken over that job for me", we both look back over his shoulder to Bofur and Bilbo quietly talking.
Turning back to me he smiles as Thorin and Gandalf motion for us all to go. Taking a deep breath we all start to run. Pray to Mother we all stay safe!