Chapter Nine

Ember's eyes opened to the clear blue sky above her. She felt the same as the sky, cool and refreshed. The air was slightly chilly for the time of year, but it looked to be a beautiful day forming. She stretched her arms, then sat up slowly, finding that most of the company was already around the campfire eating a light breakfast. Kili noticed she was awake, and approached her quietly. She smiled shyly at him, and he grinned as he handed her a bowl. "Thank you," she smiled. He nodded and turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm. "Not just for the food, but for last night as well." He knelt down beside her, his eyes searching her own.

"Would you like to talk about it?" he asked quietly. She hesitated, but shook her head. She wasn't certain what had caused her nightmare, but she remembered the feeling of despair, and the sheer terror that had encircled her. She didn't want to relive it, and she couldn't imagine burdening Kili with it. After all, it was just a dream.

"I don't think so," she replied lamely. Kili frowned slightly as he had seen how desperate her fear had been in the night. However, he felt that when she was ready, she would talk to him. Rising, he offered her a hand, and helped her to her feet.

"When you feel you are ready, I will be here," he said quietly, searching her deep blue eyes. She offered him a soft smile and he squeezed her hand gently. Her fingers lingered in his for a moment before dropping to her side as they headed over to the campfire. Neither of them noticed the eyes that followed them. Indeed, Thorin and Gandalf had awoken in the night to her terrible screams. Each had watched silently as Kili had comforted the young girl. Each now had a different thought running through his mind. Thorin was uneasy about the close relationship she seemed to be developing with his nephew. As a prince of Erebor, Kili could not possibly be interested in a human. Gandalf was uneasy about how her power seemed to be getting stronger by the minute. He felt responsible for her nightmare, though he knew it couldn't be helped. She had to accept the truth of what was happening to her. Somehow, he needed to convince her.

The day passed quickly as they rode further on. They had passed through the borders of the Shire, and the terrain was becoming increasingly rough. The pace slowed at times, which allowed for more interaction between the Company. Ember spent the day riding beside each dwarf in turn. Both Fili and Kili kept up a constant stream of dialogue, and they laughed and teased each other incessantly. She had a fascinating conversation with Bofur about his toy-making abilities, a deep conversation about the different types of healing forest plants with Oin, and finally rode up alongside Thorin. Despite her deepest efforts, she could not seem to persuade the stubborn dwarf to engage in conversation. Finally, he politely nodded his head, and kicked his pony into a fast trot. Ember frowned and swore to herself that she would get Thorin to accept her in this Company if she had to hit him over the head with a pot. After making camp at supper, Dwalin approached her with a challenge. He was still smarting from the incident at Bag End, and he decided a dagger throwing contest would put this young lass in her place. The rules were simple; the person who could throw their dagger to the farthest tree would win. The sun had finally set when they both finally collapsed with muscle spasms in their throwing arms. They glared at each other for a moment, then slowly began to chuckle until they were both rolling with laughter. The other dwarves cheered as they agreed to a tie. Dwalin swung an arm around her shoulders as he led her back to the campfire, and they were fast friends from then on.

As the stars above lit the night with a soft glow, Ember sat in silence by the fire as Balin told them all about the death of the great dwarf king Thror, by the hand of Azog the Defiler, the Pale Orc. All around the fire, the dwarves shivered in the chilly night air as he finished his tale. Ember's eyes glistened in the firelight. "And I thought to myself then, there is one who I could follow. There is one I could call King." Balin smiled as Thorin turned to them all, seeing the awe on their faces. Thorin glanced at Ember, and was surprised to see her wipe away a tear from her cheek.

"Ember," he growled, "why are you crying?" The others turned to look at her as she rose silently and approached him.

"I too have lost my family, a long time ago," she said quietly. "To know that there is someone like you in the world, someone who will stand up to evil, no matter the cost…" She trailed off, the words failing her. Another tear slipped down her cheek and Thorin surprised himself by gently brushing it away with his thumb. She offered him a soft smile, and he returned it. Yes, they both knew what it was like to lose those you love, he understood that now. She bowed low in deep appreciation, and Thorin patted her shoulder gently. This girl may be a distraction, but she was certainly unlike any human he had ever met.

"What happened to the Pale Orc?" Bilbo asked suddenly, causing both Ember and Thorin to turn back to the Company.

"He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago." Thorin replied. "Get some rest, all of you." Ember stepped back towards the campfire as Thorin turned back to gaze out at the valley below them. Gandalf watched Ember as she headed back to the fire. She had avoided him for most of the day, though she wasn't quite sure why. He noticed no fire in her eyes that night, and was thankful. He rose to his feet as she neared, when she stopped.

"It's late," she murmured, addressing the Company, but her eyes guarded and focused on him, "I think I shall turn in." She laid down on her bedroll, which was nestled between Fili and Kili's, who had grown tired of her shivering in the nights. Gandalf sighed, knowing she needed some time to absorb what was happening, but in truth, her distance towards him had him worried. Perhaps he shouldn't have told her. Ember listened as Gandalf's steps slowly faded away to his own bed. She didn't know why she was so hesitant to be near him right now, they had never argued before. Feeling overwhelmed at the emotions of the night, she drifted off to into a light sleep.

It was still dark when she awoke, and she turned to see Kili by the fire, his watch nearing its end. She saw he had covered her with his own blanket and she smiled at his thoughtfulness. She wrapped the blanket around her and went to sit beside him. He smiled at her, a tight feeling crossing his chest at the sight of her wrapped up in his blanket. She returned his smile, then stared into the fire. "How did you lose your family?" he asked softly. She was silent, and he feared he had upset her, when her crystal voice spoke up.

"I was found in a basket inches from my mother's outstretched arms. Our caravan had been attacked by Orcs," she stated quietly. He felt the pain in her voice, and without thinking, he reached out for her hand.

"I am sorry, vol kaon," he whispered. She leaned her head on his shoulder, as he gently wrapped an arm around her. They were silent for a moment. "How is it that you lived?"

"It was by pure luck a man passed by, hearing my cries. He took me in his arms, and protected me. He became my Istari." She smiled fondly over at the still form of which she spoke, sleeping with his eyes open as was his wont. Kili followed her stare.

"What does Is…Istari mean?" he fumbled over the word. It sounded…well, elvish but since she was human, that didn't make any sense.

"It means Wizard," she replied. She raised her head from his shoulder and he looked at her in surprise, as understanding came into his eyes. He flicked his gaze to Gandalf, then back to her.

"Gandalf? He saved you?" She nodded. "Did he raise you as well?" She shook her head, realizing the conversation was headed in a dangerous direction. She had slipped up again by speaking in elvish, but thankfully, Kili hadn't said anything.

"It's late, Kili. Well…actually it's early, but I will finish the watch. Get some sleep." He frowned at her, uncertain as to why she had abruptly halted their conversation. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, her eyes trained on his own and he finally shrugged his shoulders. He could use some sleep. They both rose to their feet as she made to give him the back his blanket, but he wrapped it more firmly about her shoulders, and she smiled at him. He turned and headed to his bedroll. Ember sat back down and turned back to the fire, noting that it was dying. She applied a few wooden logs, and began to concentrate, her thoughts reliving the events of the day. She did not realize how hard she was staring, as her mind drifted off into her memories. Kili rolled over to get comfortable, and noticed her vacant stare. At that moment, just as he began to close his eyes, a spark burst from the dry wood, the fire erupting into the night. He sat up quickly, as Ember looked at him. Her eyes seemed to blaze in the now roaring firelight. It was almost as if SHE had started the …no, that was impossible. He quickly dismissed his thought, and settled down to sleep.

Far across the valley, neither Ember nor the rest of the company knew that they were being watched. A pair of yellow eyes glared into the darkness. He spoke in Black Speech to the pack of Orcs behind him. Finally, after failing for so long, he had found them. The so-called dwarven king...and the brat who had escaped him all those years ago. A sick smile gleamed in his eyes, and the Warg beneath him growled in anticipation. Soon, he thought, very soon.

The next day was awful. It rained….and rained and rained. Ember giggled at the rumblings of the dwarves, and poor Bilbo looked completely miserable. Ember loved the rain; she loved the cleansing sensation as the drops trickled down her cheeks, cooling her down. She had been feeling so warm lately, especially during the nights. She worried she was coming down with something, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Gandalf would surely worry needlessly, and cause delays which they could not afford. She could hear him telling Bilbo about the four other Wizards in his order. "The greatest of our order is Saruman the White." Ember frowned. She completely disagreed with Gandalf's belief that Saruman was the greatest. Truth be known, he frightened Ember. He was one of the few people that Ember avoided looking in the eye.

"Who is the fifth?" Bilbo asked, intrigued.

"That would be Radagast the Brown."

"Is he a great Wizard or is he…more like you?" Bilbo asked rather cheekily. Ember grinned, and pulled up alongside them, deciding to add her opinion to the conversation.

"He is a very great Wizard, Bilbo," Ember answered smiling, "much like Gandalf." Gandalf grinned at her. He knew that Ember had taken an immediate liking to Radagast when they had met, spending hours walking in the woods near Rivendell.

"He's a gentle soul, who prefers the company of animals to others," Gandalf added. "He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always evil will look to find a foothold in this world." Ember sighed, not wanting more gloomy thoughts. She reined her pony back into step with the dwarven siblings. The rain had stopped, giving them all a brief reprieve. As they pulled their hoods off, Fili shook his blond locks, spraying water everywhere. She laughed as Kili smiled fondly at his older brother.

"Fili, Kili…I wondered if you would help me with something," she asked.

"I have nothing with which to help dry your hair," teased Fili, "though my brother might be able to assist you. He can braid quite well." Kili punched his brother's arm. Luckily as a human, she would not understand the true meaning behind Fili's braiding suggestion. Or so he thought. Ember blushed, her eyes sweeping over him, before she continued.

"You look like a drowned rat, Fili," she quipped, and was rewarded with a flick of his wet hair in her direction, spraying drops of water. She giggled. Poor Fili didn't realize...her hair was much longer than his, but she continued. "I was wondering…could you teach me to speak Dwarvish?" she asked. The innocent request nearly knocked the brothers off of their ponies. No one but a dwarf was allowed to speak Khuzdul. They looked at each other, and Kili spoke up.

"Ember, no human has ever been taught to speak our language. It is a secret language, " he replied apologetically.

"I just…I wanted to be able to speak with Bifur," she admitted. They looked at her in surprise. "I have rather enjoyed talking with you, and all the others…well, except Thorin, he's a little temperamental." They all laughed at her honesty. Fili shook his head, but Kili made a decision.

"Well…maybe a few words wouldn't hurt. Besides, you are a part of the Company. We can make you an honorary dwarf!" Kili grinned. Fili frowned, but after turning to see that no one was listening, he nodded. She clapped her hands in delight.

"Tonight, then? After supper?" They grinned at her obvious happiness.

"But it must be kept quiet from the others!" Fili stressed sternly. Ember looked at Kili, before nodding solemnly.

"Oh, and Fili?" she said, as the dwarf made to move his pony forward.

"Yes?" He stopped, turning to face her. She whipped her long, wet, sopping hair into his face. Kili burst out laughing.

"Thank you for your help. My hair feels drier already."

Istari - Wizard

vol kaon - blue eyes