Whoohoo, 2 chapters at once (go back 1 for the first posted chapter)

I'm only going to be posting about once a week or so after this, the chapters are completed up to 16, 17 is getting a complete re-write & 18 & 19 are driving me crazy (Rivendell) 20, 21, 22 23 are complete. With the Christmas season going on and working in retail, I don't have a whole lot of time to write right now.

Chapter Thirteen

Then the rain started. She was so glad she had a proper cloak, but after a week of rain, nothing was dry. Her only consolation was the fact that the rest of them looked about as frustrated as she was. She wasn't used to this kind of weather, even poor weather days back home never lasted quite so long. Iris was starting to feel like she'd never be dry again.

Many of the dwarves around her were trying to wring out water from their hair and beards. Even the most cheerful of the company was starting to droop. The last few nights, they hadn't even had anything to dry to sleep on. The small caves that they'd spent the last few nights in, had mostly been used for trying to dry out their clothing. Which of course meant she was more sequestered from the company than ever, as she had no desire to see any of them in their smalls.

Thankfully, she wasn't the only one who felt like the rain would never end, "Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" She couldn't help but give a bit of a smirk at Master Dori's back.

"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."

Well, that sounded like a challenge, "Are there any?" she couldn't help herself.

"What?"

"Other wizards?"

She grinned at him when he turned to look back at her, "You are much like your mother Mistress Baggins."

"Why thank you." Yes, she was proud of that fact.

"As to your question, there are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know; I've quite forgotten their names."

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown."

"Are any of those wizards proficient with the weather, or were you just trying to dodge the question again?"

He seemed to think about it for a moment, "The twin Blues were quite a team when it came to weather, just as Radagast, the earth and Saruman, living creatures. Yet, we haven't seen either of them since sometime between the Invasion of Eriador and the Last Alliance. There are times we have feared they were gone, yet the Valar have not deemed fit to advise us of that fact."

She guided her pony up the line, and laid a hand on Gandalf's arm, "I am sorry that your brothers are missing Master Gandalf. Perhaps someday, they will choose to come back from where ever they have gone."

"It is always a hope Mistress; it is always a hope." He smiled down at her, water running down his pointed hat. "My gifts lay in much different areas than weather I'm afraid."

"What is it that you do Gandalf?" Ori piped up, it looked as if his fingers were itching to reach for his book.

"I work towards the good of the world Master Ori, I am afraid I can tell no more."

With that the company fell back into silence, moving forward in the rain. She never the odd glaces she was getting from one behatted dwarf.

Next Chapter: Weren't you supposed to watch the ponies?