A few days later I realized that Ori didn't just dislike me. He feared me. Which made me feel terrible. So I tried to make it up to the lad, first by apologizing or helping him with some of his chores. I made little progress, mostly because he would hide behind Dori, the eldest brother of the Ri's, and Dori would politely direct me somewhere else while at the same time giving me this disapproving mother hen look as he fussed over Ori.
But I was determined and decided that if I wanted to make it up to Ori, I'd have to watch and wait for my chance.
That moment came the next morning.
A scratching noise caught my ears and I opened my eyes groggily and looked over, seeing Ori using the oncoming dawn to draw or write into his book that he always carries. Raising my head slightly I wondered what he was doing since he was facing away from the camp. Then I saw the herd of deer a few feet away grazing as the Dwarves slept. Except for Nori, who was on the morning watch. Nori was a Dwarf that had his hair and braids made up to look like a fluffy star, even his eyebrows were braided back to his head. He was sitting on the other side of the camp, smoking his pipe.
Then suddenly Gloin, who snored like a bear, gave a grunt and snort in his sleep and suddenly sat up. Startling the deer into flight and they raced back into the woods. Gloin got up with a groan and then tottered to the edge of the camp and behind the trees. Ori looked so disappointed as he gazed at his book I immediately knew what to do.
Getting up silently I saw Nori watching me curiously and I put my finger to my smiling lips and sneaked over to Ori. He nearly jumped out of his skin when I touched his shoulder but quickly covered his mouth and hushed him before he woke up Dori. His brown eyes were wide and frightened and I whispered calmly, "Come. They didn't get far."
Taking his hand gently I smiled reassuringly at him and he hesitated for a moment but it seemed his curiosity got the best of him and he followed me. I gave a little wave to Nori so that he wouldn't worry and lead Ori into the trees as I listened carefully. When we came to a small clearing I ushered him down as we saw the herd of deer. I gave a little hum to get the deer's attention and clucked my tongue. Somehow animals always knew when I wouldn't hurt them, and this was no different. The buck that Ori had been drawing came over to sniff my hands and I gently petted his neck, making his acquaintance.
Once the buck relaxed I went over to Ori, took his hand and lead him to the buck. He was smiling hugely and his hands were shaking with excitement as he gently and carefully pet the buck. The buck seemed to enjoy it and that made his does come over for some pets too. I quietly asked them what we wanted and they were interested and agreed to stay in the clearing for Ori to do his drawings.
He excitedly sat down and instantly forgot the world as he focused on his drawings. I sensed something and glanced over in time to see some red hair disappear behind a tree. It wasn't red enough to be Gloin and he couldn't sneak up on us if he tried so I guessed it was Nori.
Smiling softly I waited patiently as Ori drew and once I was sure he had enough drawings I tapped his shoulder and motioned that we had to go back to camp. He seemed a bit disappointed but the buck let him pet him again so he seemed happy as we headed back to camp. I said quietly as I lead him, "I am sorry for that morning. I really didn't mean to frighten you. I just...don't do well when strangers wake me up."
Ori gave me a shy little grin and clutched his book to his chest, "I accept your apology. The others asked me to do it and I plum forgot your warning before. And thank you, for this. It was amazing."
I grinned at him and we got back as the others were starting to wake and I packed up my blanket and cloak as Gloin came back from the woods, looking relieved. Ori and I exchanged a look and bit back giggles as Gloin started the fire again. Bombur fixed up breakfast and I took my plate of potatoes, sausage and bread from him, eying the two sausages, and small portions of bread and taters.
Sighing I sat down and was pleased when Ori sat next to me. He shyly smiled and his smile grew as Dori, of course, next to him. Dori was looking between us suspiciously and Ori excitedly told him about his deer drawings. Tho I was surprised when he left out us going into the woods to draw them. But I guessed it was because Dori wouldn't like him going off into the woods with me alone. Ah well.
I blinked as Nori sat on my others side, a huge plate of food I ignored and returned his smile shyly. He seemed to be happy for his brother. I ate my portions, sausages first and watched Fili and Kili poke each other before eating my potatoes. Then I had to do a double take. I had three sausages on my plate of half eaten potatoes and slice of bread. Cocking my head to the side I happened to look up when something was shouted and caught a movement in the corner of my eye. When I looked down, my piece of bread had doubled in size. And when I looked at Nori, he was stuffing his cheeks with a piece of bread that looked familiar.
Warmth bloomed in my chest and I smiled at him before eating, and sneaking his sausages back when he wasn't looking and getting more bread from his plate. He seemed amused by this and we switched items when the other wasn't looking and was choking down our laughter by the time our plates were empty. When the others looked at us, we just showed innocent faces.
0o0
The next day, I caught Nori near by, looking as innocent as you pleased. I eyed him curiously before I turned and threw Laddybucks saddle onto his back just as I saw a flicker as Nori passed my pack. Amused I turned and suddenly tripped, crashing into Nori with a yelp. He caught me, startled and I apologized quickly before going back to Laddybuck, flustered. Or so it seemed, Nori took three steps before he froze. He turned, wide eyed as I grinned, held up Bifir's carving of the porcupine and a small pouch of money. Nori had filched the carving from my pack and I filched it back along with his money. He laughed, coming over and clapping me on the shoulder, "Well played."
I snickered and handed back his money, "Not bad yourself." Dori looked over, suspicious but we just showed innocent faces before Nori went back to his pony and I tied my pack to my saddle. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Thorin growled behind me, "What was that about?" and saw Laddybuck turn his head.
I lunged and grabbed Laddybuck's halter just as he struck and I was mildly impressed when Thorin didn't so much as flinch when Laddybuck's teeth just missed his nose. I scolded the gelding gently as I pulled him back and didn't let go of his halter, "Be nice Laddybuck."
Laddybuck snorted and Thorin glared at the horse as if he was the cause of all his problems. I asked innocently, "Can I help you Thorin?" Wondering why he had to put a damper on things, like a rain cloud that wouldn't go away.
His glare whipped to me and he snarled, "Get mounted, your holding us up." I couldn't hide the snort as Thorin turned, and this only made him snap back to me and growl, "What was that?"
Holding back a heavy sigh I said as calmly as I could, "Right, sorry. Didn't mean to hold us up." I paused before swinging into the saddle and turned back to him, saying innocently as he glared, "Are we going or should we wait for you?"
He almost looked like he wanted to sputter but of course he was too important for such a thing. So he just stormed over to his pony and I saw Gandalf hide a grin and the others hiding surprised faces. Trying not to roll my eyes I swung up into the saddle, only for Laddybuck to buck with a cry of pain. Jolted I could only grab a handful of mane as Laddybuck exploded to a bucking frenzy.
Luckily we were on the outside of the group, because I would have hated that the others got hurt while I tried frantically to hold on. But luck was not on my side however as I heard a sickening snap and I was sent flying with the saddle still between my knees.
Knowing how to land without hurting myself, I tucked and rolled free of the leather and rolled to a stop a few feet away. Breath knocked out of me, I laid stunned for a moment. Shaking my head I thumped my chest to get air back into my lungs as I sat up, wheezing.
Thorin thundered up first on his pony, face like a thundercloud and I waved him off before he could dismount and panted as I slowly got to my feet, "I'm fine." It came out as a squeak.
Shaking myself off before running to Laddybuck who looked very shamefaced, head almost to the ground. Feeling him over as the others raced up I saw a small puncture wound on his back and grabbed the saddle where it lay, a nail had broken through the wood and pierced the horses hide.
I called to the others as they arrived, "I'm fine. This saddle is a piece of crap tho. A nail got Laddybuck."
Yanking my pack free of the saddle, I tossed the saddle to the side. Digging through my pack as I heard Balin say at Gandalf regrettably, "She can't ride one of the ponies, they have enough of a burden as it is without another rider."
I produced a small jar of horse salve as the others argued what to do. Laddybuck nuzzled my arm in apology and I rubbed his forehead, whispering that I forgave him and asking if he was alright. He nodded his head and I called calmly, "It's alright Master Balin. I can still ride Laddybuck. Just without a saddle." The wound was far enough back it wouldn't bother him and I slipped on my pack and then with ease swung myself onto Laddybuck's bare back.
Settling and making sure I wouldn't aggravate his wound I patted Laddybuck's neck encouragingly and gave Thorin a pointed look. He looked over me once more as if to make sure I was fine and I just pulled some leaves from my hair. Then Thorin called to move out.
I waved for some of the others to pass until Laddybuck was ready to move, he shivering as if he was waiting on a beating. I moved him to the back of the company and whispered soothing sounds and praises into his ear. He slowly calmed down and sighed heavily in relief. I patted his neck comfortably and looked around at our surroundings curiously as we rode through a more forestry area.
