Inside of elfish quarters Thorin felt uneasy. He felt like their manners, music, walls, everything scratched him. His dwarves eased up that feeling because they kept behaving like themselves, loud, happy, and uncivilized. They threw food around, sung with their raw voices, ignored elfish looks of disdain and that warmed his heart. That's why he tried to look just at them but there was need for talking to their host. Thorin had manners although he fought them.
Even that little Hobbit got quiet as they walked in. It was hard to look at him in awe of this place. Thorin expected of him to stay here, to fulfil that need that overcome most, to stay and bathe in the beauty. Thorin knew that beauty was treacherous.
He had a strange desire to warn little Hobbit of that, but he fought it. It wasn't his place to protect that little fool.
"But what if he stays" argued Balin with him in low voice, he had noticed Hobbit's behaviour too "he signed a contract we can call upon it. He has a duty towards us, when we get to the mountain we'll need him."
"You saw it yourself" Thorin said irritated "little lad didn't prove himself in anyway so far, only clumsiness and trouble follows him. Let him stay, the path ahead is dangerous one, we'll step into the wild, there he will be only a burden, he has no place upon us."
Balin looked at him with doubt but compliant, he himself wasn't very sure Hobbit is the person for the job.
"When we get to our mountain and open that door we'll manage from there" Thorin placed his hand on Balin's shoulder.
"If we're lucky that dragon died in its sleep" sighed Balin.
"We're rarely that lucky" smiled Thorin "but it could be so."
"Come on Balin" Dwalin patted him in passing "let's go to the water."
"We don't want to stink to these fine elves" added Bofur mockingly.
"Or our refined burglar, for that is" said Ori.
"To his fine nose" mocked Nori.
"I didn't mean nothing by it" Bilbo raised his voice after some time of gentle talking "that was just for Trolls to buy time."
"Say no more, we'll go to the water" shouted Gloin.
"There is a fine big bath down there" explained Dori with his gentle voice "will you join us Thorin?"
"No" Thorin shook his head "you go, enjoy yourselves, you sure deserve some cleaning."
"There'll be some splashing around" said Fili "I'll push every one of you below water, no matter how old you are."
"Come on Bilbo" yelled Kili "promise we will not drown you."
"No, thank you" Hobbit raised his hands defending himself from rolling dwarves "we Hobbits value privacy in such matters, not big fans of water under the open sky."
Soon as they came along dwarfish noise went away behind a corner and for a brief moment Thorin and the Hobbit stood alone. Mister Baggins clapped his hands behind his back and nodded turning his gaze away.
"There's some path ways that way" he murmured and withdrew.
Thorin was left alone. Noise of his companions could be heard as they descended down. He could have followed them, but he knew they would have much more fun without him. They'll behave like children, like they always do when Fili and Kili lead them. Rather than that Thorin turned towards the river. Cold stream will clear his head. They did need cleaning, the road had battered them.
On the river bank Thorin took his clothes off and just stood there for awhile in the cool breeze and late sun. He was clothed for so long that clothes became his second skin. He felt exposed and vulnerable. Like anyone could penetrate his skin with axe, sword or arrow. It was foolish to stand like that with his eyes closed but he trained himself against his fear. Come what may he will not yield in fear. When he finally felt his fear wither away and make place for simple sensation on his skin that sun made. He got used to that sun, open space, clear wind, they had their advantages, but he'll be glad to be back at his caves.
With that he opened up his eyes and with determination walked into the stream of cold water.
Thnx for the reviews. Don't know really why the lack of reviews, maybe i just write too often to be missed :) I think we'll be moving on swiftly, there's some more road to travel through.