Note: Italics is thoughts, unless specified otherwise i.e flashbacks or visions. / is timeskip
THIRD POV
Seated further away from the company there sat Gandalf and Lord Elrond, who were recently up until now, accompanied by the future Dwarven King, Thorin. As Lord Elrond was previously examining the swords Thorin had found in the Troll hoard. Now with Thorin gone back to the company, the two friends watched on, examining the unlikely group.
"Thirteen Dwarves, Alexa, and a Halfling? Strange travelling companions Gandalf," Elrond jest at the Wizard.
"These are the descendants of the house of Durin! The noble, decent folk," As Gandalf was finishing his sentence, the Dwarf Nori was peering around for onlookers before sneakily shoving a salt shaker into his tunic. Unknown to this, Gandalf continued defending the Dwarves.
"And they are surprisingly cultured. They've got a deep love of the arts,"
Nori swiftly turned to the female Elf behind him playing the harp with a look of distaste upon his face. "Change the tune why don't you? I feel like I'm at a funeral," he rubbed at his ear as if he was in pain.
At that, Oin, the groups medic piped up. "Did somebody die?" he asked, searching the room.
Bofur looked around the company, evidently coming to a conclusion. Standing from his seat, he smiled down at Ben with a playful glint in his eye.
"Alright lads there's only one thing for it," Climbing onto the table, Bofur outstretched an arm towards Gandalf and Lord Elrond and began to sing softly.
"There's annnnn," Turning back to the company, he crept along the table, all the while making a jig to go along with the song with a big ol' grin plastered on his face.
"Inn, a merry old inn
beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown
That the Man in the Moon himself came down
One night to drink his fill,"
The Dwarves surrounding him joined in on his merry song, singing, clapping and pounding the table and floors with rhythm.
"Oooooh the ostler has a tipsy cat
that plays a five-stringed fiddle;
And up and down he runs his bow,
Now squeaking high, now purring low,
Now sawing in the middle,"
Feeling a tug at her sleeve, Alexa looked down at the cause. Ben. He had the biggest smile on his face, which in turn caused her lips to turn up into a smile. Following his pointing finger, Alexa caught sight of the disgusted looks on the surrounding Elves, especially the one who was previously playing the harp.
Alexa laughed at the sight - which usually got her into trouble, however, since the Dwarves were making such a ruckus, her laughter was drowned out. Alexa smiled down at Ben who was now pounding his fists on the table with the rest of the Dwarves.
"So, the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle,
a jig that would wake the dead:
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune,
While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon:
'It's after three!' he said,"
Alexa grinned widely at the scene before her, Kili had consciously started a food fight which caused the entire company to, in a fit of passion and ecstasy throw the green food enthusiastically at Bofur as he drew the song to an end. Kili, however, didn't, opting to throw his across the room. Which to the amusement of Alexa hit the statue right next to a queasy looking Lindir.
/
"Alexa, Lass. Where are ya an' Benny boy going?"
"Well Bofur, me and Benny boy are going to do some meditation," she quipped back with a smile.
"Ah, ya go do tha' lass," Bofur called, quickly turning his attention to Ben "Good luck ol' boy," he said, winking at him with a smile.
/
"Now Ben," Alexa spoke quietly "Time to meditate," the young boy looked at her as if she had grown a second head.
"I'm sorry Master, what? Meditate? I thought you were joking when you said that to Mr Bofur!" he moaned.
"Yes Padawan, meditate," Alexa quipped back, laughing slightly at the look on his face.
"But I can't! I've been trying ever since you've left, I-I just can't think of nothing! I don't know how you do it," Ben whined, looking at the ground in defeat, he tried to hold in his tears.
Opening her eyes, she looked at Ben in understanding "Come then, try. Copy my movements now,"
Peering from under his lashes he does as she says. Ben sat down on the cropped grass and straightened his back, crossing his legs and placing his hands on his lap - he sighed. "Now what?"
Alexa smiled wistfully at her young Padawan, "Now close your eyes,"
Alexa looked on as he closed his eyes. She watched as his hands curled into fists and his face turned in frustration. "Feel the earth around you, Ben. Feel the dirt in the ground, the worms wiggling about. Smell the air around you, the flowers, the dew and picture it, in your mind and reach out,"
A smile broke out on the boy's face "I-I can see it! I'm doing it!"
"Great work Ben! Now, focus. Some Jedi have the ability to see into the future, to predict what could come to pass,"
"Like you?" Ben asked,
"Yes Ben, like me," Alexa replied, she peered down at the ground, exhaling softly. She watched as Ben seemed to go into a state of calmness as he got absorbed in the meditation. Alexa watched on, proud of her Padawan, then she too closed her eyes and begun to meditate.
— Flashback Begins —
"Alexa, wake up, Alexa… Alexa," he shook her lightly, smiling at the sleeping girl.
"Hmmm?" Alexa yawned, rubbing at her eyes with her tiny fists.
"Time to get up Alexa," he whispered, patting her arm gently. He watched as the young girl began to open her eyes. As she did, he waved his hand, the curtains opening with his action.
"Come now young one," he murmured, strolling around the room to pick up her discarded robes.
"Where are we going Master?" she asked groggily, flicking her auburn strands out of her vision.
"We are going to the archives. I spoke with Master Yoda and he agrees that you are ready for your first mission," he whispered back. Lips twitching upwards into a grin as he saw the girls face light up
"A mission? Really? I-I can't believe it! Oh, thank you so much Master!" she gushed, wrapping her small arms around her Master's neck in excitement.
"Yes, now come my Padawan, you must get changed,"
"Yes, Master,"
Alexa stared at her friend, who was attempting to stifle his laughter "Oh, shut up," she snarled.
"I didn't say anything," he fired back, a smirk on his lips.
"You didn't have to you little-"
"Ahem!" Jumping, Alexa whipped her head towards the noise.
"Master!" she shrieked. Quickly she covered her face with her robes, rubbing at it harshly.
"Alexa, what is that?"
"What is what Master?" she asked with an innocent tint in her voice, still rubbing at her face.
"That," he said pointing at her covered face "On your face,"
"Oh, that? That's uh - that's, nothing,"
He sighed. Lightly grasping her cloak, his hand pulled the fabric away, her face came into view. Looking at the black marks adorning her face he turned his attention to the grinning man standing next to her. "What have you done now Kenobi?"
Said man, raised his hands in defence "I haven't done anything Master Mundi, I swear! She-she oh my," at that the man burst into laughter promoting Alexa to playfully swat him.
"Master," Ki-Adi-Mundi turned his attention back to Alexa "I was attempting to show Obi-Wan that trick you always did when I was a child. It uh-it backfired," she looked down at her feet, humiliated.
Her Master grinned, staring at her knowingly "Ha! I can see that my young Padawan, I suppose we should get you cleaned up – and get Knight Kenobi back later," he said, whispering the last part to her so said Knight wouldn't hear.
"I look forward to it Master," she said, grinning mischievously at Obi-Wan as they walked away. He gulped audibly.
"Oh, that one's going to be the death of me,"
"Are you sure about this?" the young man asked.
"Yes! I've done this plenty of times," she assured, looking down at the ropes in her grasp.
"Though most of them didn't turn out so good," she whispered.
"WHAT?! NO! I WANT OFF!" he yelled at her, making fast movements to unravel the ropes wrapped around him.
"Too late now Anakin!" she shouted back.
And they were off. Speeding along, rapidly turning sharp corners all the while jostling fellow Jedi out of the way.
"Look out!"
"' Scuse us" they called.
Alexa and Anakin were racing downstairs and across corridors, using the force to carry them and their makeshift sledge.
-Elsewhere-
Two cloaked figures were walking around the familiar corridors of the Jedi Temple.
"So, Master Mundi, I hear you are thinking about putting Alexa through the trials?" one asked.
"Yes, Master Kenobi, I do believe she is ready for the trials," Mundi replied, lips curving slightly at the thought.
"I think she-"
Distant shouting interrupted their talk.
"What in the blazes," Obi-Wan muttered,
The two looked at each other confused, both hearing the unknown ruckus coming closer towards them.
"Woo- hoo ! Didn't I tell you this would be fun Ani?" Alexa cheered, peering over at the grinning man next to her.
"Yeah! definitely, Lexi, this is-oh force,"
"What?" Alexa asked, staring at Anakin confused. He merely looked straight ahead, his face turning whiter by the second.
"ALEXA!" "ANAKIN!"
Well shit
— End of Flashback —
"Master?"
"Huh? What?"
Soft hands roamed her cheeks, brushing her tears away. "Are you okay?"
Alexa opened her eyes, coming face to face with Ben. "Yes Ben, I'm fine. I just-" she peered into his baby blue eyes, the eyes that reminded her so much of Obi-Wan.
"Meditating just brought up a few old memories that's all," She grasped his little hands and held them in her much larger ones.
"Now," she said, a smile returning to her face.
"I think that's enough for today, how about you go and play with Estel ay?" Ben's face lit up, a grin of his own on his face, Alexa watched as Ben ran off back towards the city to find his friend.
/
ALEXA'S POV
As she was walking back to the city, Alexa thought back to her meditation session with Ben. It had been ages since she had mediated last, as she had been afraid of what she might see. Thankfully all the memories were of happier times, before the dark times, before the purge. Alexa scowled slightly at the thought, all of her happiness gone. All because of-
"OI! Watch it, Nori!" Kili yelled.
"Or what aye? What are you going to do about it?" Nori hollered back, a sly smirk on his face.
The sounds of loud splashing followed by shouting came from one of the openings near Alexa, which unintentionally broke her from her current thought. Brisk-fully she walked down the corridor to find out what was going on. As the shouting soon erupted into laughter, Alexa felt her curiosity peak, quickly dashing around the corner Alexa came face to face with a company of naked Dwarves.
Ooo Elrond's gonna be pissed! She thought, laughing under her breath as she watched her companion's roughhouse in the Elvish fountain. As if Elrond had read her mind, he along with Lindir walked around the corner, also getting an eyeful of the Dwarves.
Turning towards the two Elves, Alexa raised both of her hands in innocence. "I swear, I had no part in this," Elrond nodded slightly, while Lindir just stood there, cheeks red with a horrified look on his face.
Stifling a laugh, Alexa managed to get out a quick "I'll talk to them," before fast walking off in the directions of said Dwarves.
Unable to hold it in any longer she succumbed, her laughter joyful as it was received her two heated glares at the back of her head, uncaring she paid it no mind and continued laughing. Oh, the look on Lindir's face was priceless!
Coming to the edge of the fountain, it seemed none of the Dwarves had noticed her presence. Quickly sneaking one last quick peek because why not? she glanced around the Dwarves, she realized that their group was missing three members of the company.
Coughing lightly, she managed to catch Ori's attention. Said Dwarf instantly covered his groin and made a rather high pitched squeak, therefore catching a nearby Bofur's attention. Unlike Ori, Bofur strutted over to Alexa with confidence, flexing where he could. This, in turn, caused Alexa to laugh, promoting a dimpled grin from Bofur.
"Would you care to join us lass? The waters cool,"
Upon addressing her, the rest of the Dwarves realized they had an audience. Loud shouts and grunts of protest and embarrassment rang out, the ruckus only further encouraged Alexa to continue looking.
Giggling quietly to herself, she looked around the fountain of shocked Dwarves, many now coming to their senses. She caught the eye of red-faced Dwalin standing tall in all his glory, smirking she not at all subtly gazed over his very muscular body. Damn, he is shredded! It wasn't the tunics that made his body that big.
At seeing her wandering gaze, said Dwarf blushed even redder, starting from the tips of his ears and moving quickly to his neck and cheeks. Finally coming to his senses, Dwalin covered his groin with his tattooed hands.
Smirking slightly at the said Dwarf, Alexa winked subtly at him making his face redder than any apple she had ever seen. Still keeping eye contact with Dwalin, she replied to Bofur's last query.
"Oh no need, I'm already wet," At that, the Dwarves burst out laughing, the awkwardness of the previous moment forgotten. Now full of confidence; Fili, Kili, Bofur, and Nori began acting like peacocks, flexing their bodies and strutting their way towards her with large grins on their faces.
"So, lass… We light your forge aye?" Nori quipped, noises of agreement sounded from the three beside him. Keeping up the act, she sauntered towards them and opened her mouth.
"Whatcha gonna do about, aye?" she egged on with a grin of her own. The Dwarves grin only grew wider at hearing her response,
"Well lass," Bofur begins "I can help you with that," he flirts, holding a hand out for her.
Before she could respond with a flirtatious comment of her own, Nori piped up "What do you mean you?" he accused, eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Bofur.
"Yeah! What do you mean just you?" Kili and Fili interjected. Scratching his neck with his hand softly, Bofur grimaced slightly "Well er-"
Alexa watched with a small smile on her face as a fight broke out between the four Dwarves. It seemed the four were proving to be a good show for the rest of the company, glancing around she could already see a few of them betting over who was going to come out the victor.
Seeing as there was no clear winner as of yet, Alexa decided to also enjoy the water of the fountain. Moving further along the rim of the fountain she found just the spot to sit and watch the 'fight' - which was now looking more like a typical catfight, with Kili and Fili finally turning on each other and swatting the other with their hands, necks outstretched away to avoid getting hit.
Sitting firmly on the rim of the fountain, she unstrapped her boots and rolled up her pant legs just over the knee, dipping her feet into the cool water, she let out a sigh of content. Leaning back, she squinted slightly at the water, wiggling her feet around she thought about what she saw. And to think, I've been travelling all this time with a load of eye candy!
Turning her attention back over to the lads, she watched as the fight soon diminished, the four Dwarves now sat on the base of the fountain, turning their heads back and forth in confusion, wondering where Alexa had gone to. A deep chuckle sounded next to her, effectively taking her attention from the frantic looking Dwarves. Turning her head towards the noise she saw none other than Thorin Oaken-shield.
"Thorin," She addressed, taking her eyes back to the water. He hummed in reply, sitting down heavily next to her.
"I hear you are causing quite a ruckus," he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. Damn these Dwarves! I'm going to need WAY more pants if they keep this up
"In my defence, I was just going along with it!" she defended, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides, attempting to calm down ;). At hearing her response, a laugh burst from Thorin's lips, rocking his whole body.
"I'm not accusing you, Alexa, aha. I-I- ahh the company needed this," he managed to get out, chuckling along the way.
"The-the company needed this?" she asked softly, peering over at the chuckling Dwarf.
"Yes, they needed a good laugh," he replied, patting her on the back with a large meaty hand.
"However," he continued, now sober from laughing "We must talk about what you saw," Alexa looked at him flabbergasted.
"What I saw?" she asked, a confused look on her face.
Thorin sighed deeply, running his hand down his face "About-" he started softly "About your nightmares," He watched as her face fell in understanding, he took that as a sign to continue.
"A month ago you told me that you had lost people. Your family, your friends-" Alexa looked down at her hands, the memories of the past bubbling up,
"I have been told you wake up multiple times in the night, sweating and panting as if you had run from an entire army of Wargs!" he sighed deeply,
"I see it too, on your face when we are riding, you're tired. You don't need to tell me now, but this cannot go on, I need you at full strength every day, ready to fight if and when we are attacked but you can't do that if you don't sleep," he finished, breathing deeply.
Alexa was still staring at her lap, he was right she couldn't defend the company if she was sleep-deprived, speaking of who told him? She hadn't noticed anyone awake when she woke, well other than the one on watch but they were always looking in the opposite direction. Question for later, she thought.
Finally, she lifted her head, making eye contact with Thorin she attempted to hold her tears back, she could not look weak, not in front of him. Thorin watched Alexa with a sad look of on his face, grasping her arm lightly he stood, pulling her up with him.
Wrapping his arms around her, he felt her tears begin to soak through his tunic, though he did not mind. Pulling back slightly, he looked into her green-grey eyes now red from crying.
Alexa shuffled back, releasing Thorin from her hold and begun rubbing at her eyes with her sleeves. Exhaling softly, Thorin nodded once at Alexa in farewell, then went off to tell Balin about Gandalf's plan to show the map to the Elven lord, Elrond.
— Back in Time a Few Minutes —
DWALIN'S POV
"OI! Watch it, Nori!" Kili yelled. This'll be interestin ', he thought to himself, watching the scene unfold.
"Or what aye? What are you going to do about it?" Nori hollered back, a sly smirk on his face.
Shifting slightly in the water, Dwalin turned to get a good seat for the upcoming fight. Enough of teh niceties, fight! And the fight commenced if you could call it that.
Dwalin huffed in annoyance. Lads do naut even know wha ' a fight is! He thought as he watched the two splash each other, both laughing more than anything. A cough interrupted his thought, peering over at the noise he froze. Wha ' is she doing 'ere?
He watched as Bofur strutted towards her, he grunted lowly, glaring at the back of the Dwarf's head. Oh, no yer don't. He observed as Bofur started to flirt with the young woman, his brawny fists clenched together in anger. How dare he? He found himself thinking. Wait wha'?
Looking down at his tightly clenched fists, he looked back at Alexa in confusion. Why am I actin' like tis ? I ain't nah young Dwarfling! Releasing his clenched fists, he stood. Bad timing on his part – though he realized too late.
Feeling eyes on him he looked up, instantly making eye contact with Alexa. He stood there frozen in place, as the tips of his ears begun reddening. Do something ye idiot! He watched as her eyes, travelled across his body and finally down to his groin. His groin!
"Oh, Durin,"
Both hands reacted quick, covering his groin. Peering back up he noticed the impressed look on her face, he felt himself going red. Out of all teh bloody people in tis damn - he paused as he saw her wink, his mind went numb. Did she jus'?
He felt his blush deepen in his cheeks making him look down slightly in embarrassment, though he continued to keep eye-contact. What he heard next only made it worse.
"Oh no need, I'm already wet,"
Laughter erupted around the company, Dwalin however just stood there shocked.Oh, tha ' one's goin ' ta be teh death of me . Dwalin continued to stand in the fountain watching as some of the lads advanced jokingly on Alexa, not wanting to watch any longer he got out of the fountain and got dressed, deciding to go looking for Thorin, he had to tell him something anyway.
