Chapter 2 has arrived! You excited?

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue

Arriah was silent, listening to the idle chatter of the dwarves. Many spoke of Erebor. Other's just participated in friendly chatter, laughing every once in a while.

She'd been staying relatively close to Gandalf and Bilbo. Enjoying the company of both the wizard and the hobbit. The dwarves made no move to engage her in conversation, to which she was slightly grateful. And it would seem that some of them had grown used to her presence, or were just simply good at ignoring her.

"Lady Arriah."

The huntress jumped slightly and stiffened. "Master...Dwarf?"

A chuckle. "Aye, lass. Balin, at you service."

Arriah gave a small smile and a nod, relaxing her shoulders.

"It was you who spoke out earlier."

"Aye, I did."

Arriah was quiet, using all her senses and sorting things into her memory. He smelled of wet pine, parchment, and leather with a hint of sword oil. His voice was kind but hoarse, just like before.

"Why?"

"Well, lass, you certainly look able. And if Gandalf trusts you... By the way, are you familiar with the weapons you carry?"

Arriah nodded. "I hunt with my bow mostly, but am no stranger to using it in battle, though I find it a bit of a disadvantage against hammer's and swords. Generally I fight with my twin blades. But I also carry an array of hunting and throwing knives."

Balin chuckled. "I'm sure our resident archer, young Kili, would disagree about the bow being a disadvantage."

Arriah smiled and remained quiet.

"Tis true though, you are in fact very knowledgeable with the wild's, then?"

Arriah nodded. "I was not born blind. I used to travel a lot. I know every rock and stone of Middle Earth."

This seemed to please the dwarf as he remained silent for the rest of the ride.

"We camp here!"

Arriah stopped her pony and let her senses loose. They were within the forest still, probably a large clearing. She could hear a stream, not too far off. A pair of robins nested in a tree above her. Wind blew towards her, carrying a boggy scent. They must be close to the Midgewater Marshes. They'd probably happen upon them in a day or two. Not if I have anything to say about it though, I have to prove myself.

Slowly she slid off her pony and began to pet her neck. "Chena."

The pony gave an winnie and a snort. Arriah smiled and then sighed.

"Ah, don't ya' worry, lass, I'll help ya', if ya' need."

Arriah turned and took in the new dwarven scent. Wood. Scented and not. Tobacco and salt. And interesting mix, it wasn't unpleasant, at least.

"Bofur, at yer' service."

Arriah smiled. "Thank you, Master Bofur."

The dwarf approached her slowly and she could hear straps and ropes being fiddled with. "Ahh, and don't be afraid to ask of the service of my brother or cousin either, lass. I'll introduce you to them in a moment."

Arriah nodded. "Your kind, Master Bofur, thank you."

She assumed the dwarf had nodded because he stammered out a 'not a problem' after a moment.

"Here, lass, your pack."

She reached up until she felt the soft leather of her pack and slowly pulled it from the dwarf's grasp. "Thank you."

The dwarf in front of her moved behind her and placed a hand gently on her back and pushed her forward. "Here, a log to yer' right, ya' can sit there."

Arriah nodded and kicked the log with her foot before turning and slowly sitting. "Thank you, Master Dwarf."

His footsteps signaled his departure and she sighed, slumping her shoulders and leaning forward slightly. A moment later she became aware of Gandalf sitting down beside her.

"Tired?"

"No. Just..."

"Hungry?"

She looked up and became aware of three dwarves in front of her. Bofur, and two others.

"...Yes."

A calloused hand was placed on her and raised to feel a wooden bowl. She raised her other hand and took the bowl, lowering it to her lap slowly.

"Thank you."

"Bombur, at yer' service."

She took in this dwarves scent slowly. Sausage, root, herb, burnt cloth, cooking oil, and rust.

She gave a small smile and nodded slightly. A grunt form the right.

"Oh, yes. And Bifur, he only speaks Khuzdal."

Arriah nodded again. Sword oil. Dirt, ginger, and pine. "A pleasure. And thank you again."

Bifur, she assumed, left first and was followed by Bombur and the Bofur.

"Well, it seems as though you'll be well taken care of."

Arriah nodded and ran her finger along the edge of the bowl until it was interrupted by the spoon. She grabbed the handle and slowly stirred the stew.

"I hate eating in front of people."

Gandalf gave a chuckle."My dear, now is hardly the time to become self conscious. Besides, these are dwarves, right now manners are the last thing o their minds."

Arriah nodded and smiled. She raised the spoon slightly. "What's in it?"

"Ah, rabbit I believe, and some rutabaga, carrots and beans. A hardy stew."

Arriah sighed and raised the spoon to her lips, sipping the broth. "It's good."

Gandalf chuckled. "Indeed."

Arriah ate her stew slowly and found that the bowl and spoon were gently taken from her the moment she was done. Bombur had taken it, she thought. She had recognized the calloused hands before his scent.

"Gandalf. Smaug..." She spoke in a hushed tone.

The wizard huffed and replied quietly as well. "Yes, I know. You'll be fine. Dwarves can be fiercely loyal. Once the rest get used to you it is my belief that they will fight with you and defend you with out hesitation. Give it some time."

Arriah nodded and stayed silent, un-moving for quite some time.

"Lady Arriah, will you not sleep?"

Ah, Bilbo, he'd seemed to develop some sort of need to mother her. Made sense, she was blind after all.

"No, Master Baggins. My thaught's will not allow me to sleep tonight."

"Oh, well, uhm...yes, goodnight."

The huntress gave a small smile. "Goodnight, Bilbo."

So, that's it for now. Until next time! R&R!