Chapter 8

Days passed without any sign of trouble as they rode through the beautiful Shire countryside. On the fifth day, they led their ponies into a small valley and decided to make camp as they neared the borders of the Shire. A cool breeze wafted the delicious smell of stew throughout the camp. The setting sun cast a warm glow that glistened off the red highlights in Ember's hair. She sat around a rather large campfire, pleasantly chatting with Bofur. He had been taken with the young girl the moment he met her. Once he had seen how kind she was to his cousin Bifur, and his brother Bombur, any thought of her not coming on the quest had left his mind. Ember liked him immensely, he seemed to always be smiling and laughing. She still hadn't forgiven him for teasing Bilbo about the dragon back in Bag End, and she playfully let him know that she vowed revenge. Kili watched from a distance, seated on a hollow log, his eyes focused on the small figure at the fire, though he tried not to stare outrtight. Every time she laughed, or smiled, his eyes would soften at the radiance of her. As Bofur lit his pipe, Ember took a brief look around the campsite with a smile playing softly on her lips as she spotted Bilbo sneaking over to his pony Myrtle, with what looked suspiciously like an apple in his hand. Although still uncomfortable riding, Bilbo had obviously gotten attached to the gentle pony. She rose to her feet as Bombur announced that supper was ready. Ember gently handed out the warm bowls of delicious stew to the dwarves around her, coming at last to Gandalf, who sat by the fire puffing his pipe. He kindly shook his head at her, and though she frowned slightly (she hated when he didn't eat), she didn't press the matter. She could tell that he was deep in thought. She met his eyes, and he felt a calmness wash over him, and his mind felt a little more at ease. As she sat with her own bowl, he flicked his eyes towards her. His thoughts roamed over the last five days. He was now certain that Ember was aware, at least on some small unconscious level, the impact she had on people when she focused her eyes on them. He firmly believed that she was the reason Bilbo had finally agreed to join the company. He decided that he needed to tell her the truth this very evening, so they could get started on her training. If the power was truly awakening, it would need to be controlled. He wondered how he could manage to sneak her away without anyone noticing, when he saw her gather the water-skeins and head in the direction of a small creek through the trees. After a moment, he rose silently. The dwarves were laughing merrily, though Kili's eyes were fixed in the direction that Ember had gone. The Wizard waited a few moments, until Fili nudged his brother. Seeing the young dwarf was distracted, Gandalf slipped quietly into the forest.

Ember sat by the stream, splashing water onto her face, reveling in the icy freshness. She had noticed that she had been feeling unusually warm all day. Figuring it had to do with not being used to wearing so many clothes, she shrugged out of her warm cloak and laid it beside her. She took a long drink of the cool water, and felt herself begin to cool a bit. She sighed contentedly, and began to fill the water-skeins beside her. After a moment, she sensed a presence approaching her. "Hello, Istarnin," she said without looking. He smiled fondly at her affectionate term of endearment, as he came out of the forest.

"I haven't been able to sneak up on you in years, Yuula," he chuckled fondly. He sat down beside her, eyeing her flushed cheeks. "How are you feeling?" he frowned. She thought for a split second about being dishonest, not wanting to worry her friend, but she knew he could tell she wasn't herself.

"A little warm," she admitted, flicking her eyes towards him. She wondered what this was all about. Here he had warned her not to speak Elvish, yet he had not reprimanded her for her cheeky greeting. He touched her hand, searching for the core of her soul. The power surged and he winced as her hand became hot, pulling his own away. She looked down at his hand, startled at his reaction. "What's wrong, Istarnin?" she asked. "It's a hand, not a sword!"

"Ember, did you…notice anything happen just now?" She shook her head in confusion. "Let me ask you another question…why did you want Bilbo to focus on your eyes that night at Bag-End?" She sighed. She had been asking herself that very question since that night. It had been almost in panic that she had climbed onto the table to reach Bilbo. She wasn't sure why, but it was as if a part of her knew that she could help him, calm him, if only he would LOOK at her. The same thing had happened when Bifur had caught her speaking Khuzdul. Once he had looked in her eyes, she knew she could distract him, make him forget their conversation. But she didn't know why. "Yuula," he said gently, "it is time I tell you something, that I maybe should have told you a long time ago. It may be difficult to believe, but I promise I will do everything in my power to help you." She felt a small pang of fear at his words. What secret had he been keeping from her? Was something wrong with her? Gandalf could feel the confusion and worry in her, and saw the tight way she held herself, and he took her hand in his own. She sat silently as he proceeded to tell her about the power he felt in her soul, how Elrond and he had decided it must be kept secret until it was awakening. "If it is not controlled…I fear it may consume you, " he finished. She sat quietly, staring out at the burbling water of the creek. "Yuula?" he asked, unnerved by her silence. She turned and looked at him calmly…then burst out laughing.

"Istarnin, I am not sure what kind of pipe-weed you have been smoking this evening, but I need to get back with the water!" He was surprised by her reaction.

"Yuula..." he began, but she cut him off.

"I have no power! I admit that I may have a…a calming influence at times, but I am pretty sure that comes from being raised by Elves!" She rose to her feet, gathering the water-skeins and he again felt the fear rising in her. He took her gently by the shoulders, turning her towards him, and he saw tears glistening in her eyes.

"My dear, it will be alright. But Yuula, you cannot hide from this. It-" She jerked herself from his arms.

"Gandalf, I have been a freak ever since I can remember! I have been treated mercilessly over the fact that I was not an elf, not a human and not a dwarf, but some sort of half-breed orphan! I will not let you make me believe I am even more unnatural! Just leave me alone!" Her eyes flashed nearly black in anger as she stormed away, gathering the water-skeins as she fled. Gandalf stepped back in astonished shock. Ember had never raised her voice to him; indeed he could barely recall her ever being truly angry. He wondered if the power had already started to take over her mind, and he determined that he would need to speak with her again in the morning, though he worried what her reaction would be.

Ember stormed back into the camp, tossing the water-skeins towards Bombur, the rotund cook. He looked at her a little hurt, and she faltered, her anger fading. What was she so angry about? She had been at the river, and then Gandalf came…but she couldn't remember the rest. Smiling in apology at Bombur, she patted his shoulder and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Bombur gave a small chuckle as he blushed as red as his hair. She settled herself beside Kili, who had just pulled out his pipe. Bifur watched her intently, as she listened to the stories and laughter around her. Bifur had watched the Wizard follow the girl into the forest. When she had returned, he had seen that she was upset, and he wished he could speak to her. He found her to be thoroughly enchanting but most of all kind. She had not shied away from him as many other newcomers tended to do once they saw the axe embedded in his skull. He disliked the thought that the Wizard had done something to upset her, but since she couldn't speak Khuzdul, there was no way he could know for sure. He settled for patting her on shoulder, and she offered him a small smile. Gandalf soon rejoined the company, but for some reason, Ember found that she couldn't bear to look at him. Sensing an opportunity, she quickly grabbed Bofur's hat, tossing it over the fire. The dwarf squawked in consternation as they all began a game of keep away with the hat. Finally, Kili vowed to retrieve the hat and tackled Ember to the ground as she caught it. Laughing, she stared up into his beautiful eyes, before they realized the position they were in. Blushing, Kili quickly rose to his feet and offered her a hand to stand. She took it quickly and stood, offering him a smile. He waved Bofur's hat at her cheekily, and she giggled. She realized that the others were all watching them, some with bemused expressions on their faces. Only Gandalf seemed to be studying her in a different manner. She felt the heat rising in her cheeks at being the center of attention and she tossed Bofur his hat. The dwarf bowed with good grace, and sat back down around the fire. Her eyes met Kili's, who was staring at her intently, with a teasing grin on his lips. Smiling softly, Ember quickly said goodnight to her companions and went to lay down on her bedroll. She felt Gandalf's eyes following her and she turned her back to the fire. She was so warm now, she felt certain that sleep wouldn't come easily. She closed her eyes and fell asleep to the comforting murmurings of the dwarves.

Fire. Blazes, consumes, devours all. The scorching heat, the searing flames roar with destruction, engulfing anything that stands in its way. Through smoke and ash, fire blackens the skin of the dead lying around her. Ember turns and sees a charred little hobbit body, the dead of her Company lying around her. A gust of wind scatters the ashes, which fly around her like black leaves. She frantically seeks to find him, the one person who her heart would freeze for. As she spots his scorched tunic, she screams in despair, hot tears leaking from her red eyes. The fire now reaches for her, consuming her...NO! It is coming FROM her! SHE SCREAMS IN HORROR!

"EMBER!" Kili cried, shaking her frantically. Her eyes flew open in terror. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. She sobbed into his tunic, still in the grips of her nightmare. He murmured softly into her hair, stroking her back as she trembled violently. He turned his eyes to Fili who was on second watch with him, looking worried. Thankfully, the others seemed not to have been disturbed. Kili felt the heat radiating from her, and was certain that she must be running a fever. "Fili," he called softly, "bring me some water." He held her tightly, easing her onto his lap. She curled up into his chest, inhaling the warm cedar scent. Fili brought a skein to him, and he gently coaxed Ember to take a sip. She began to drink greedily. The cool liquid eased the heat inside her, and she sighed. Part of her was very aware that Kili's strong arms were wrapped around her, and she felt a sense of security envelop her. She slowly turned her eyes up to his, the hazel-green full of concern. The blue ice of her gaze calmed them both, as he tenderly wiped the tears from her face. She rested her head on his chest and felt herself slipping back to sleep. Kili held her, gently running his fingers through her hair until her breathing became deep and regular, then gently laid her back on her bedroll. He stroked her brow, noticing that her skin was now cool. He furrowed his brow in confusion, covered her with a blanket, and went to sit with Fili.

"What kind of nightmare was that?" Fili asked. His younger brother shook his head. They stared into the fire, waiting for dawn.

Istarnin - My Wizard