And the last chapter to finish off this week!
"You were right, Bilbo, it is a rather beautiful place," Arinna said with a bright smile as she walked beside the hobbit.
She had regained enough strength to stand and walk again the past two days, carrying her arm bandaged at her side. She had rejoined the dwarves the day before, smiling at their well wishes and happy cheers when they saw her up and about. Now she was taking a leisurely stroll around Rivendell with Bilbo, who had explored the city during their time here by himself. She had been saddened to hear that none of the dwarves had wanted to join him, though she supposed that they were not all too happy to be staying here at all, given their general disliking of the Elves. Arinna thought they would all be glad to leave tomorrow, as tonight was going to be the night that Lord Elrond would be able to decipher the moon runes on Thorin's map.
She followed slowly as the hobbit led her along beautiful pathways, listening with interest while he explained what he had learned about the place so far. "Oh, and I found this most beautiful fountain," he said excitedly, leading her around a few corners toward his goal. "I've never seen anything like it. You just don't get such fancy craftsmanship in the Shire. The waterspouts are huge and carved like different sea creatures. You must see it."
Arinna smiled at Bilbo's enthusiastic description, looking forward to seeing the fountain as the hobbit led her around the last corner and excitedly pointed forward. However, they both stopped dead at the sight before them. Arinna's eyes were wide with shock, and though she had to admit that the fountain was indeed very beautiful, the group of dwarves bathing naked in it was a rather unwelcome surprise.
A small yelp escaped her as her eyes caught a glimpse of Nori jumping arse first off the highest point of the fountain into the water below and she unwillingly saw a bit more of him than she cared to. The druid's right hand flew to her face, shielding her eyes.
"I think we should go see something else, Bilbo," she stuttered and heard the hobbit make a choked noise beside her. But before they could turn, she heard the yells of her companions from the fountain.
"Oi! You two!" She heard Bofur's voice call to them. "Either of you care for a water fight? I could use someone capable on my team! Kili's rather useless."
"I am not!" The young dwarf exclaimed.
"You are, too, brother!" Came another familiar voice from somewhere in the water. Fili was leaning with his back against the fountain wall, his elbows resting on top of it as his hands trailed lazily through the water. He was looking over at the the hobbit and druid with an amused smile playing around his mouth. Bilbo's head had gone a dark shade of red, while Arinna was still standing awkwardly and stiffly beside him with her hand covering her eyes.
"What… No. No! That is… You are being very inappropriate!" Bilbo cried out desperately but the dwarves just laughed, keeping on jumping and splashing in the fountain. Bilbo barely restrained from stomping his feet on the ground in exasperation. Instead, he grabbed Arinna by her uninjured elbow, almost pulling her hand away from her eyes and causing her to let out a small squeak, before he pulled her away with a loud huff.
"Come back if you fancy a bath!" Kili called after them with a loud laugh. "The water's lovely!"
Later that day, the company was sat around a fire they had built themselves, enjoying the last few minutes of sunlight on a large open balcony. Thorin, Bilbo, Balin and Gandalf had already left for their meeting with Lord Elrond, which was going to take place later. It was a peaceful evening, filled with soft and cheerful music that Bofur was playing on his flute, sat in a corner with his brother Bombur and cousin Bifur.
Arinna was sat with Fili, Kili and Ori, playing a card game that they had taught her several days ago, before they had reached Rivendell. She was only really playing against the two brothers, while Ori was helping her. He was holding her deck for her, as she could not hold them and pick them out with only one hand, advising her on what to play. It was currently her turn and she had thought about it for a moment before she pointed at one of her cards, looking up at Ori for his opinion.
"I wouldn't play that one," he said quietly, nodding toward the younger of the two brothers. "Kili's been sitting on the goose for ages, he'll take that."
Arinna looked up at the brunet dwarf who only raised his eyebrows at her challengingly, a cheeky smile on his face. She bit her lip, returning her gaze to her cards, before she reached out and pointed to another one. Ori nodded approvingly.
"Just got to hope Fili doesn't have anything to counter," the dwarf pointed out thoughtfully and Arinna shot a look to the blond dwarf who was keeping his face entirely neutral. She slightly narrowed her eyes at him before she smiled mischievously.
"Oh, he's got nothing," she stated, causing Fili's brows to rise slightly at her confident remark, though he still said nothing and did not let his face betray anything. Arinna pulled her card out of the deck then, putting it down on the small pile between them.
"That was a cheap move, Arinna," grumbled Kili as his turn was skipped and Arinna grinned at him. Then Fili played his turn, and the round finished with Arinna and Ori as the winners.
"Well played," Fili smiled as he collected the cards and shuffled them quickly. He was about to give them out again for a new round, when someone cleared their throat politely beside them. They all looked up to find a tall blond Elf standing there, nodding his head in greeting, before his gaze found the druid.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Tuilinnor said softly. "I'm afraid it is time to change your bandage."
Arinna nodded and stood up slowly, ready to follow the healer, when he continued speaking. "I was wondering if you would like to take a bath before I redress your arm?"
The druid heard Kili snigger behind her. "Oh, yes, I know just the place."
She shot him a warning look over her shoulder, seeing the other two laugh quietly to themselves, as well. She turned back to the Elf, straightening her shoulders as his eyebrows rose at the dwarves' obvious amusement. "Never mind these three halfwits," she stated, hearing Kili protest halfheartedly at the term behind her. "I would love a bath. Please, Tuilinnor, lead the way."
The dwarves watched the druid retreat with the Elf, exchanging amused looks. They continued their game without her, playing until the sun had gone down and the company began roasting sausages over the still ongoing fire. The Elven food didn't really agree with any of them, too many greens and too little meat, so they had resorted to making their own supper. They were talking and joking merrily among themselves when the missing members of their company suddenly appeared in the doorframe.
"Thorin!" Called Dwalin when he saw their leader enter their midst, followed by Balin and Bilbo. The dwarf-lord nodded at his friend. "How did the meeting with the Elf go? Do we know more about the map?"
"Aye," Thorin announced, drawing everyone's attention to himself as he explained to them what Lord Elrond had said when he deciphered the moon runes. "There was a message hidden within the map. ‚Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole.'"
"Durin's Day?" Dwalin repeated thoughtfully. Thorin gave him a short nod. "Durin's Day will soon be upon us. Summer is passing."
Again, Thorin nodded. "Yes, but we still have time," he said. "We are leaving immediately. The Elves have summoned Gandalf to a council, whose purpose, I have no doubt, is to stop us from continuing on our quest."
"Won't they try and stop us leaving in that case?" Asked Fili, but Thorin merely sent his older nephew a pointed look.
"They don't have orders to do so yet," Thorin said, looking around his companions, noting that they were one short. "They will discuss and decide on it during their council, so no one will challenge us if we move quickly. Gather your things, take as many provisions as you can. Where is the druid?"
Ori piped up from where he had already begun packing his bag. "Probably in the bath chambers or the healing chambers. She was meant to have her dressings changed."
Thorin nodded, his gaze finding Bilbo standing a few feet away from him. "Master Baggins," he spoke. "I gather you've familiarised yourself with this place. Find her quickly and bring her here."
The hobbit just nodded quickly and turned on his heels, leaving the company to gather their belongings. Thorin watched him go, a small frown creasing his forehead. He wasn't sure it was such a wise decision to take the hobbit further on their journey at all, but he did not want to go against Gandalf's word. The druid had proven herself a capable fighter at least and her healing skills might one day come in handy; he could say no such thing about the Halfling. Indeed, he seemed to be more trouble than use so far.
The dwarves were ready to leave only a little while later and had even taken the time to pack up Bilbo's and Arinna's things respectively. It was just around that time when Bilbo returned, the druid following on his heels with a slightly confused expression.
"Master Baggins has informed you of our plans?" Thorin asked when she arrived in their midst and the druid gave him a short nod, quickly putting on her overcoat and cloak. The tips of her black hair were still slightly wet and the bandage around her arm had not yet been renewed. Thorin made a mental note to remind Oin about it later, when they were out of Rivendell. For now he just waited somewhat impatiently until the hobbit and druid were both ready and then led on as they left first the balcony and then the city streets behind them.
"Shouldn't we wait for Gandalf?" Arinna asked eventually, following along with the group as they made their way out of Rivendell in the dark.
"He'll join us in the mountains," answered Balin, who was walking beside her. "He told us to wait for him there."
The company made their way out of the valley within the next day, hiking up the path away from Rivendell. They only stopped for short breaks along the way, as Thorin was determined to put as much space between himself and the Elves as he could, and as fast as he could.
"Be on your guard," he called out when they finally reached the valley's edge. "We're about to step over the edge of the wild. Balin, you know these paths. Lead on."
The white-haired dwarf nodded quickly, moving from where he had been walking with the druid to the front of the company. Arinna saw Thorin's gaze drift past her, his eyes narrowing slightly at the person trailing along at the end of the line.
"Master Baggins," he called gruffly. "I suggest you keep up."
Arinna shot a glance over her shoulder, seeing that the hobbit had only stopped for a moment to look back toward Rivendell one last time before it would disappear from their sight. She shook her head slightly at Thorin's way of speaking with the hobbit and waited until Bilbo had caught up, deciding to walk with him. The hobbit sent her a small smile as he fell in step beside her.
"Don't mind him, Bilbo," she said quietly as they walked along at the end of the company. "I know from a reliable source that he's always been a rather grumpy fellow."
Bilbo couldn't help a small laugh, though he caught himself quickly, shooting a worried glance ahead. He looked over at Arinna, who was grinning lightly at him. No one seemed to be listening to them.
"I do believe he'd rather I'd have stayed in Rivendell," Bilbo admitted with a sigh. "And indeed, I'm not sure whether I should not have better stayed there. Most of them don't think I should be on this journey with them."
Arinna shook her head, giving the hobbit a pointed look. "Most of them underestimate you, Bilbo."
The hobbit's eyebrows rose doubtfully as he looked over at her. "That's very kind of you to say," he answered. "But I'm not sure that's the case. I think they might have chosen the wrong hobbit as their burglar. Thorin certainly thinks so."
The druid smiled softly at him, stepping carefully over an extruding root on the ground. "You can always decide to turn back, Bilbo, if that is what you feel is the right thing to do. But let your decision be guided by your heart, not by the ignorant words of a dwarf that has barely taken the time to know you. You know your worth and you will find your courage."
Bilbo let Arinna's words sink in, settling to walking with her in silence after that, though she did not seem to mind. She seemed to know that he needed to think, but also that he appreciated having her company while he did.
When they made camp that night, Thorin finally allowing them to properly rest, Arinna gave the hobbit's shoulder a friendly squeeze before she followed Oin, who was telling her that he needed to bandage her arm again, or else dirt would soon get into the still healing wound and cause infection. When the two of them came back, Bombur had already started on supper and the companions had set out their bedrolls.
Arinna made herself comfortable next to Kili, who smiled at her over the tip of his smoking pipe as she sat down. "How is your arm?"
"Getting better," the druid answered, rotating her shoulder slightly and making a small grimace. Kili raised his eyebrows at her. "It is, Kili. Oin says so, himself. Though without the healing skills of the Elves, I would be doing far worse still."
Kili nodded slowly as he continued to smoke. Meanwhile, Arinna pulled out the small dagger that she kept in her boot, the one that Fili had given her, and turned it over in her hand. She brought her other hand toward it, touching the tip of the blade lightly with the tip of her index finger. Kili watched her silently play with the dagger for a few moments before cleared his throat and spoke up.
"You're going to cut yourself."
"I doubt it," Arinna said, looking up at him with a small smile. "It's not that sharp."
Kili hummed quietly, looking at the knife in her hands. "Well, I suppose those trolls had other things on their minds than sharpening a tiny dagger," he said slowly. "You should ask Fili to sharpen it for you."
The druid shook her head but Kili insisted, nodding vigorously. "Yes, you should. I would offer to do it but Fili's really the expert with knives. He'll know how best to treat it. Really, you'll thank me - FILI!"
Arinna jumped at the volume of Kili's voice as he called for his brother, who was not sitting far enough away to warrant it. Fili turned his head, eyebrows raised in question. Kili grabbed the dagger from Arinna's hands - almost actually cutting her in the process - and waved Fili over with it.
"What is it?" The blond dwarf asked when he reached them. His brother just handed him the dagger wordlessly. Fili frowned questioningly, though his expression changed as he carefully ran his thumb along the blade. "Well, this is rather blunt."
"Ah, see, what did I tell you, Arinna. An expert," Kili grinned and the druid just rolled her eyes at his antics. "We're in need of your skill, brother. Arinna can hardly fight with a blunt blade."
Fili looked up, his gaze drifting from his little brother to the druid, who returned his gaze quietly. "Indeed, she can't," he muttered, nodding. "I'll take care of it, no problem. You do know how to use it though, don't you?"
Arinna's eyebrows drew together disapprovingly at his question. "Of course I know how to use it," she huffed. "In case you've missed it, I do wield a sword."
Fili's gaze remained calm as he smiled at her. "It's hardly the same thing," he answered. "You can use a dagger in ways that a sword would be much too big and heavy for."
"I'm inclined to agree with Fili," interjected Kili, puffing some smoke out of his mouth while the druid shot them both an annoyed look. "You should see him throw the things, bull's eye every bloody time."
Fili's smile turned into a grin as he took his brother's compliment. Arinna studied the blond dwarf silently for a moment. She had no doubt that he was a skilled fighter, she had already seen him use two swords at once, after all. And while Arinna was confident enough with her sword and bow, having trained their use for many years now, she could not say that she was as skilled with daggers. Indeed, she'd never actually tried fighting with them, never mind throwing one.
"Do you want me to teach you?"
The druid's eyes flicked back to Fili's at his words, as he ripped her out of her thoughts. His smug tone made her slightly unwilling to accept his offer, but she couldn't deny her interest. His pale blue eyes twinkled in the firelight when she finally gave him a curt nod, jumping over her shadow. Fili returned her nod, standing up and throwing her dagger up into the air, making it twirl, before he caught it again by the hilt. Then he winked and moved back to his previous spot.
"Smug bastard," grumbled Arinna quietly as she watched him retreat, causing Kili to erupt in a fit of laughter beside her.
