Okay, time for chapter 4!
Disclaimer: hawtphoenix no own, you no sue
Arriah rode silently along side Gandalf, near the middle of the group, she thought. Bofur and Bombur were somewhere behind her and she's sure that the two directly in front of her and Gandalf are Fili and Kili.
She raised her head towards the sky and breathed in deeply.
"It'll rain today. Soon, I'd wager."
Arriah smiled at the wizards quiet grumble and lowered her head again. Some rain will be nice.
"Lady Arriah?"
Said red-head tugged gently on Briar's reins and turned to glance behind her.
"Master Baggins. What can I do for you?"
"Ah, I just wanted to ask, did you say that it was to rain?"
Arriah nodded.
"But there are no clouds. It is quite sunny, and quiet warm out."
Arriah shrugged. Urging Briar to keep pace with Bilbo's own pony. Or at least, the pony beside her.
"Well, I think it'll rain. What about you, Master Bofur? Do you doubt me so, like this hobbit here?"
The was a chuckle from behind her. Ah, it was Bofur...I'm getting pretty good at this.
"Aye, lass. I must agree with our burglar. It is too sunny a day to rain!"
Arriah smirked. "Then how about a wager?"
Silence.
"I'll take that."
Arriah blinked. From ahead. Fili, I think.
"Yes, then if you think it shall not rain, brother, then I wager it will."
Arriah gave a small smile. "Ah, well, Master Kili, you wont be disappointed when your pocket becomes heavier."
There was a bark of laughter from in front of her. "Then it's settled. My brother and Master Bofur do not believe it will rain, and you and I do. What will we bet? Ten coins?"
Arriah gave a nod and words of agreement rose from Bofur and Fili. "Oin! Handle the coins for us, will you?"
"Aye, laddie, toss 'em over."
Two bag's of coins flew past her head and registered a third being thrown from behind her. She let the reins fall to her lap and untied her pack of coins from the belt loop of her pants and tossed the bag of coins up into the air once before catching it.
"Uhhm..."
"Oh!"
The was a quick jerk of reins and then she registered Kili's scent beside her.
"Here."
She switched the bag of coins to her other hand and it was gently taken from her. The rustling of coins told her that Kili had thrown the sack to Oin.
"There we go."
She felt the young dwarf lean closer to her.
"You're sure it'll rain? I couldn't stand to loose to my brother."
Arriah smiled. "I'm certain. We won't loose."
She wasn't sure if the dwarf beside her was smiling or not, but she liked to think that he was.
"We haven't spoken before."
Arriah shrugged, finding Briar's reins again.
"Perhaps we've just had noting to speak about."
There was a hum in reply from her right.
"We'll reach the river tomorrow."
Arriah nodded. "Do you think Thorin'll have me stay?"
"I do."
Arriah huffed. "Thanks for the confidence boost."
"Anytime."
Brown. She bet his eyes were brown.
"Oh, really?"
"Well, when ever I can."
Arriah smiled.
"So how does a dwarf such as yourself get wrapped up in such a quest as this?"
"Eavesdropping."
Arriah let out a quiet giggle. "Ah, so your a bit of a trouble maker then?"
"Oh, you have no idea."
Arriah had greatly enjoyed her time talking with Kili. He certainly had a way with his words. He had spoken of his home in the mountains, telling her of his mother and some about his -blonde she'd learned- brother. He was quite the trouble maker.
'Reckless' is what he'd said his mother had called him.
Arriah inhaled the scent of rain. It was thicker than before, and the dwarves must be smelling it too. Dark clouds had snaked their way across the sky, blocking out the sun.
Bofur rode beside her now, and she couldn't help but smile everytime he sighed.
"Should'a listened to ya lass. It's going to start coming down any moment now."
As soon as the dwarf had said that the rain started. First in a small drizzle, then a steady downpour.
"Oin! Come on, pay up!"
"Alright laddie, hold on."
Four bags of coins flew past her. There was a clinking of coins before her hand was pulled form Briar's reins and her leather sack placed in it.
"Twenty coins, just for you."
"Thank you Kili."
He'd insisted earlier that she drop the 'Master' when speaking to him. She could only oblige.
"Heh. Well brother, it's raining."
"Yes, Kili, I see that."
"That means that you lost our bet as well."
And Kili was gone and Arriah was left with Bofur.
"Here, Mister Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?"
Wouldn't mind that. Rain's nice, but not when you're getting soaked.
"It is raining Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done."
Heh, put in you place by an old man in a pointy hat.
"If you wish to change the weather of the world you should find yourself another wizard."
Oh, that's right. There are four others besdies Gandalf. Uhh, the two blue's, the white, and the brown, I think. Yeah, Radagast, always smells of mushrooms.
"Are there any?"
"What?"
"Other wizards?"
Arriah smiled. Ah, Bilbo, ever inquisitive.
"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White. Then there are the two Blue's...you know I've quite forgotten their names."
Arriah smirked. "Yet there are only five Gandalf. Perhaps your greyness is finally catching up to you."
A few chuckles erupted around her and she was sure Gandalf was giving her a look.
"And who is the fifth?"
"That would be Radagast the Brown."
"Is he a great wizard, or is he more like you?"
Oh, Bilbo and I are on a roll.
"I think he is a very great wizard. In his own way. He's a gentle soul, who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the east. And a good thing too, for evil will always look to find a foothold in this world."
Arriah inwardly nodded at the wizards words. She knew all about evil.
So, chapter 4, and already working on 5! R&R!