Hey guys! Thanks for all the feedback on the last chapter!
Onwards with the next chapter!
It's late and I've just finished writing this. I am not the least bit sorry for the crappiness.
*edited May 2017
Chapter Eleven: Potato Princess
I'm fluttering in dream like state, between being half awake and being half asleep; I feel oddly warmer than I normally would be and I try to drag my arms up but they feel like lead, caught in the realm of dreaming and not ready to be dragged back to reality. After all the running from those stupid Orcs and their horrible little mutated werewolves, the chance to actually rest and sleep has made my body feel too heavy to carry. My mind is halved; I'm lost in the darkness of my eyes, briefly if I'm awake or asleep, dreaming or in reality, and my lungs manage to drink in the warm, fresh air, catching on the smell of rain and smoke.
I try to shift over onto my back due to the feeling my breathing is restricted but I'm caught in something, something warm and heavy - but soft, making me want to just fall face forward and wrap myself up in it. My mind slowly rises, shaking the blanket of sleep as my world starts to become an orange hue, light softly spilling itself onto the world; I can't find myself tumbling back into sleep, can't find the rope to grab that would let me drift away if only for just five more minutes. I let out a gurgle of annoyance as my body refuses to fall back into much needed sleep. I catch a sound that appears to be people speaking; if I strain my ears I can hear what the voices, that are not too far away, are speaking about in hushed tones.
". . . Should wake them up," once voice says - Bofur I believe - in a slightly worried yet amused tone. That cannot be good in any way. That little shit was always, and I mean always, up to something.
"Why would we do that?" I hear the other - Fili - ask, his voice light and bright though there's a tension in his voice but a tone of happiness, as if he's pained yet happy about something. Try not to imagine what Libby, you know what'll happen if you try and think of what's making him happy. And the dirty mind strikes again.
"Well I don' think that they'll be happy if the others see them like that," Bofur continues, a yawn breaking through his words as I hear the crackling of embers in a dying fire. Having spent so long without electricity (well, long enough for me) I've grown used to the sound of the fire crackling, the logs spitting embers while waggling its orange tongue or the sound of hearing the others pee.
Reminder: never sleep near the edge of the woods ever again.
Ever.
"I'm sure they'll be fine," Fili reassures - not that greatly though, as if he's trying to convince himself of something. But I've honestly taken an interest in what they're talking about. I try to catch more of the conversation as I regain feeling in my arms and legs though they're as stiff as a board. It hurts to move my sore muscles and I go limp as I curse my body for not being as fit as it used to be; says the person who practically ate, drank and smoked away all her physical health.
But the one time, the one time, I exercise willingly not being forced like I used to be when I was in school and it's because we're being chased by man eating creatures; this is why exercise is bad for you kids.
Libby Fernwright: a role model for kids aspiring to achieve obesity by early adolescence.
There's a slight pause as I hear some shuffling. Shaking my head, I try to ignore the voices and snuggle closer into a ball, clutching the blankets closer around me as I try to force myself to sleep. Surprisingly, my back isn't aching from the hard surface I'm sleeping on. A loud snore suddenly rips through the air and I let out a breathy, sleepy laugh that is slightly smothered.
The smell of rain, tobacco, mountain air and sweat infiltrates my nostrils and I furrow my eyebrows; I sure as Hell haven't been smoking and I know for sure that I don't smell like man sweat. As I'm acting very Sherlock like, Bofur speaks again. "'Ere, Fili."
"Yes?" Fili hums, almost distant and distracted.
There's a pause long pause of silence. I'm practically on the edge of my seat as I wait for Bofur to finish his damn sentence.
Bofur speaks. "Do you think that . . . that they could be. . . that they are - "
"Oh! No, I don't think so. . . no, not... yet." Fili interrupts. His voice is heavy, a feathery sigh full of something I can't quite tell.
Another pause.
Far away, a bird awakens and sings.
"Maybe."
A stressed word forced out into the open.
Oh, this is getting interesting!
However only silence follows after the realisation that this is probably the most interesting conversation I ever heard the Dwarves speak. I wait for any signs that they may continue but no one speaks. I almost pout at the sudden lack of conversation. Taking this as a cue to let myself go back to sleep, I squeeze my eyes shut even tighter, trying to make the orange glow disappear so the darkness can return. I found it nearly impossible when trying to go back to sleep if I woke up too early. Though, that doesn't mean I don't try. I wait, letting the birds awaken and sing their song as the sun stretches its golden body up in the sky, chasing away the stars and moon. My ears sharpen and suddenly any noise is too loud for me to ignore.
Well, fuck this; I'm hot, hungry and I am way too warm.
Feeling that I've spent too much time "eavesdropping" (if you can call it that - which you can't!) and my body is getting way to warm for my liking, I start to shift around in the thick woollen blanket, hoping to rid myself of the feeling like I'm in an oven. I manage to gather enough energy to kick the blankets off of my legs and I briefly welcome the cold air before I go to whip the other blanket off of my torso.
Now just hold on a gosh diddly darn moment.
Feeling like something is restricting me and my movement, I peek one eye open, hissing at the sudden burst of light befre adjusting, and meet a wall of brown leather, dark blue cotton and moss green wool. I feel my lips purse and my eyebrows come together in confusion; I try to wriggle an arm free but I'm trapped. Feeling the worse of my suspicions I slowly raise my head to meet the sleeping face of Kili.
For a brief, quiet still moment I stare at him with my chin resting on his chest as it slowly rises and falls; all emotions are wiped clean from him, leaving him looking tranquil and peaceful. All worry lines and laugh lines are gone and his mouth lies slightly open with his breath fanning my face (which, if I'm going to be honest, wasn't exactly all flowers and rainbows). He looks so much younger and sweeter, I much admit. I feel my heart skip a beat as I realise his arms are wrapped around me; his left slung over my waist and the other one under me, acting almost as a pillow with my bag knocked away so his arm falls down around my shoulders and his hand rests just a bit between my shoulder blades.
In that quiet second, I realise just how handsome he is. But, alas, that moment ends as I shuffle around and I can feel something, ehem, poking me (wink wink) and I hope, with utter horror, that that is a dagger or anything really. I wouldn't care if it was a cat, just as long it isn't what I'm hoping.
Please don't be a boner, please don't be a boner, please don't be a boner . . .
And so, the silent and serene (excuse me as I snort) moment ends with me screaming quite loudly and quite in a lady like manner, "WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?!"
I push him away with every ounce of strength I have (which isn't much - but hey, my body is still weak from running, like, a billion miles! No exaggeration whatsoever) having finally regaining control of my arms. Kili's eyes snap open, bright with alarm as they land on me. I quickly grab the strap of my bag as I glare furiously at him.
"What - ?"
I bring my bag down to meet him, hearing the pathetic hit make its mark. I hear his shout of exclaim as I bring my bag up again to hit him again. The shame and embarrassment of it all is too much for me to bear; being as innocent as I am (which is a lot), the even thought of it... My mind practically dodges the thought and my bag hits him again. It technically is my fault, but good Lord, I'm not thinking clearly enough to remember the birds and the bees talk.
"What - is - your - problem?!" I shriek as I thump him again before I sit back, my chest heaving with anger and embarrassment. I would like, just once, to not wake up to Kili's (however handsome and cute) face! Okay, yes, I was the one who held his hand before I went to sleep but he could have pulled away! Like seriously, hand holding does not equal to some very questioning spooning that ends with his little friend poking me in the back.
I am just hoping that there is anything shoved down there by this point and it isn't what I think it is. Isn't it funny that I can't even say the word "penis" without blushing madly like a young school girl whose pink underwear could be seen from underneath her skirt?
If that makes any sense.
"What is wrong with you?!" Kili repeats, very angry and red faced as he slowly gets to his feet, holding his bicep and wincing. Oh come on, I didn't hit him that hard! I don't think I'm that strong even on my best days! I get to my feet as well, fuming.
"I asked you first!" I snap back, crossing my arms over my chest as I jut out my chin. Libby: 100000, Kili: -100000.
"I asked you second!" Kili sneers back as he goes to nurse his head instead of his arm. Damn, he's got me there. If he continues to go about like I actually did any damage I will do so soon enough.
"Well, I - "
"What in Durin's name is going on?! I can hear you without my trumpet!" Oin curses, sounding very pissed off. Whoops. My bad.
I glance back to see all of the Dwarves sitting up from their sleeping positions, bleary eyed and not too pleased at my and Kili's performance. I puff my cheeks out as I try to think of an excuse for the Dwarves who look like they want to throttle me. I know for sure they can see my scarlet face and Kili's one of anger as he glares at me, arms over his chest.
"Um, I saw a spider!" I offer, glancing to Kili as I all but gnaw on my lip. "On Kili's head!"
"On my - ?" He's too late to react.
I raise my bag and smack it across the back of Kili's head, earning a loud thump from the bag. I smirk as Kili lets out a short but sharp cry of shock as I let the strap of my bag swing from my hand. I turn back to the Dwarves who - though angry - look bemused by my action. "There; all gone!"
They all give me suspicious looks but, deciding that it's too early to deal with my antics, they all settle down into their blankets to catch on whatever sleep they can. I let out a puff of air as I turn to face Kili who looks like he's got steam blowing out from his ears. Uh-oh, he's mad. No shit, Libby, you did just attack him out of nowhere. I did feel the guilt creeping up on me, since I know I instigated the hand holding the night before. It was starting to eat my insides, nibbling on my stomach as Kili's stare became sharp and acute as I tried to keep a calm facade.
"Will you please explain to me what that was all about?!" Kili stresses through gritted teeth and a clenched jaw. I give him a shrug and suck in air through my teeth. Kili being mad was something that I would not recommend. Mostly because, at that moment, he looked far too much like Thorin.
"I don't know," I start calmly, "maybe it's to do with the fact that Kili Junior – wink wink – had decided to rise up along with the sun."
Kili looks at me like I've gone mad and I let out something between a groan and an exasperated sigh. How can I explain this without him being offended?
"Morning wood, man!" I declare.
No verbal response, only a confused look as the anger melted away.
"A boner," I blank as I pray and hope to whatever God they have here that at least he'll understand that.
No reply.
This is it, this is how I die.
"Oh my God," I growl as I try to whisper this as calmly and evenly as I can. "Your penis has been turned onto 'horny' mode."
Well, the cat's out of the bag.
Or is it the cat's out of the pants?
Ha ha, terrible puns are the best puns.
Anyway.
Kili lets out a shocked and slightly disgusted gasp as he stumbles away from me, both of us red in the face with cheeks flamed.
"By Mahal, Libby!" he exclaims as his face turns steadily red. What? It isn't my fault that they understand next to nothing of what I say so it definitely isn't my mistake that I had to break it down for him.
"Don't be getting all prudish, pretty boy," I tut in a disapproving manner (ha, says me), waggling my index finger at him as I rest the other on my hip, acting very much like a mother. I really hope I never say that ever again. "Maybe you'll remember this next time when you want to get all cuddle – y with my body. Wait, that didn't make any sense. What I mean to say is: stop trying to spoon me! Now, please, for the sake of everyone, take a cold bath!"
Turning on my heel I pick up the spare bag and place it on my shoulders, swinging my own around my shoulders. I can feel Kili's probably traumatised and appalled eyes on my back as I saunter away in hopes to leave the horrible ordeal behind us and to leave him to pick up his shattered ego and his bedding. Bofur and Fili sit next to the dying fire (which, last night, they used Elven furniture for kindle. I think that's their own way of saying 'We don't like you'. Civil, really) hiding their smirks as I plop down next to them.
" 'Take a cold bath'?" Bofur inquires sounding too happy. Just wait until I come over there and throw your stupid hat away, buster! I glare at him as I let out a huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Yes," I sniff as I swing the bag I found in the caves off of my shoulder, finally deciding that, after all this nonsense waiting and delaying, to actually look in it. I swear if there is food in here (most importantly Kit Kats) I will curl into a little mushy ball of tears. "It's what you usually do in the morning when, if you're a guy, you . . . you know, 'spoon' someone." I feel the curious eyes on me as I take the freezing tag of the zipper. It burns my skin and catches the sun's rays, winking back at me.
" 'Spoon'? What's that?" Bofur asks as he leans his head back a bit, squinting at me. Looking up, deciding to have a little suspense in opening the bag I snigger at his total innocence. Honestly, I feel like I'm the oldest one here!
"Oh, Bofur; poor, innocent Bofur," I tut sadly, shaking my head. I can hear him pipe 'Innocent?!' in an offended manner but I ignore him. As the French say c'est la vie! Or something like that. I open the bag and the first thing that hits me is the smell; it's like rotten eggs wrapped in a used diaper and dipped in sweet chilli sauce!
I hear Fili and Bofur let out groans as I slap my hand over my mouth, holding the bag away from me. "Ew, gross!" I whine as I feel my eyes tear up due to the stinging. I make a decision to turn the bag upside down; a horrible decision really. I hear the clatter of many things on the stone before I hear a very over whelming squelch.
"Oh my God!" I exclaim, quite loudly as I shuffle away from the sight. "Is that a fucking decomposed finger? Why is there a fucking finger in the bag?!"
To be frank, it doesn't even look like a finger; there's some kind of weird goo oozing from it and the skin has turned a murky green colour and I swear to God that I can see it twitching. Don't get sick, don't get sick, don't get sick! I watch as Fili takes a dagger from up his sleeve (I swear he has knives hidden everywhere on him. I casually look down at his pants before directing my gaze back at the finger. Oops.) And jabs the tip of the blade into it.
"Ew, Fili!" I blanch, my nose scrunching up as I lean forward and grab his arm, my own wrapping around his bicep before almost retching as I find myself closer to the thing despite Fili holding it far away from his body "Don't touch it! You never know it could be a sacrifice thing; like what that guy from Harry Potter did when he cut off his hand to bring back the Dark Lord Voldemort! Point is: don't mess with severed limbs!"
"What's a 'Voldemort'?" Bofur leans in to whisper into Fili's ear, obviously not as disturbed by the severed finger not two feet in front of him. Fili doesn't answer Bofur nor I as he tugs his arm free of my grip and carefully slips the blade under the finger, rolls it back onto the knife before throwing it high over the balcony and where ever it may land. I wait for a moment to see if anyone would scream at the sight but it remains silent and Fili looks a bit too smug at his actions.
"It's the Elves problem now," he states with slight venom and distaste. Wow, these guys do not like each other . . .
With a shrug (and breathing in through my mouth) I sift through the items that spilled out of the ground; a green water canteen bottle with something splashing in it; empty wrappers of Nutri Grain bars (insert deep sigh here); a first aid kit with not much aid in it (bad pun, sorry); two pairs of guys boxers (I'll take those, thank you. Just let me wash them in bleach first); men's razors (Praise the Lord! I'll make sure to sterilise them later); more food wrappers; a flare (okay . . . ?); a compass; a very crushed plastic water bottle and, finally, a note pad that looks very torn and ripped.
"What such odd instruments . . ." I hear Fili mutter as he scratches his chin. I quickly grab everything (save the food wrappers and the plastic water bottle) and shove them into my own bag that's beginning to bulge slightly) and let out a puff of air. The last thing I want is for him to inspect any of the strange objects. "Wait, what are you doing?" Fili snaps as I scrunch up the boxers into a ball and nestle them into the bottom of my bag.
"Hey, these actually might come in handy," I scoff, pausing as I add, "well for me."
"Do you even know what these are?" Fili demands, suspicious as I take the torn note pad in my hands and ignore his question. I flip it open, flicking through the pages with the musky smell fanning my face. With a moment's hesitation, I decide to place it into my bag. I hear the sharp footsteps of someone and I look up to see then (dun, dun, DUN!) none other than Thorn - In - The - Ass Oakenshield! Who is looking, might I add, very grouchy (that's a change).
"Quick! Get up!" He booms in his loud voice as he goes to kick the others awake. If I had still been asleep and he'd kicked me with his boot, I swear Thorin Oakenshield would have had to sleep with one eye open for the rest of his life. "We must go."
Jeeze, who pissed in his morning tea?
"Go? Go where?" Bofur asks a bit startled. I nod enthusiastically as Thorin spares an agitated glance to the Dwarf.
"We must leave Rivendell and continue our journey," Thorin responds. He turns on his heels and starts to walk away. I highly doubt that the leader of our merry band of misfits slept a wink "We leave in five minutes!"
Well, that was some good morning's greeting! No hello, how was your day, sorry for wandering off and being a general ass. I get to my own feet, watching as the Dwarves roll up their blankets as they stifle yawns and mumble grouchily under their breaths. "Oh, Miss Libby!" A rather tired and bleary eyed Ori stumbles slightly towards me, holding a bundle of clothes that look to be the exact ones I had been wearing yesterday. That's because they are, idiot. "An Elf left these by sometime after you fell asleep; she told me to give them to you."
I get to my feet, taking the fresh smelling and very soft clothes in my hand. I am going to miss this place. "Thanks mate," I mutter as I smother a yawn. "Sorry, that I stole your clothes," I add sheepishly, adverting my eyes.
"It's okay, Miss Libby," Ori insists, smiling shyly at me, "I always love to help."
I stare up at Ori as I feel a grin of my own sneak up, my hand reaching out to place itself on his arm. "You're really sweet, you know that?" I tell him, watching gleefully as his face steadily turns red at my compliment. "Well, I better go; don't wanna leave in this old thing." I turn on my heel, hoping to find a nice, secluded place to change. Having no idea where the baths are (or even if they're empty) I decide it best to just change behind a bush.
Quickly walking past the others I turn a corner and find myself in a new part of Rivendell that is bathed in morning sunlight, pooling on the marble uncracked ground as wave after wave of light washes over the flora and fauna. The idea of staying here is becoming more tempting and I bite my lip as I shake my head. Staying here, if I was even invited to, would not be healthy for what was left of my self esteem. Besides, the thought of running into Lady Galadriel was enough to make me speed up my steps. My eyes feel heavy, struggling to stay open an alert, the bags hanging from my eyes a splatter of blue and purple. My cheeks still retain their healthy red and, should I push up my sleeve, there was an obvious line of pale skin meeting new sun kissed skin. I was grateful I was one to tan easily; I didn't quite fancy the Dwarves seeing me red and peeling. I walk a fair bit, taking in the peace and beauty of the place, until the clock inside my brain goes off, reminding me that Thorin would have no problem at all leaving me behind. In fact, he'd probably just make them speed up leaving if it meant I would be left behind. Grumbling, I try to find any form of shelter to duck into in order to change but all I see is trees and columns, probably leaving off into rooms. I wouldn't want to walk into one of those rooms and mentally scar an Elf with my bare behind, now would I? I continue to search until I find a thick shrubbery, picking it as my make shift dressing room. I briefly lament on the thought if it's crawling with bugs but then snort; this place looks like the last place I'd find a beetle crawling across the ground.
Glancing back, I make sure no one is looking as I practically dive into the bush and drop the clothes at my feet. I place my bag down on the ground beside my feet as I pull the dress over my head, cussing as my arms briefly get caught. The cold air hits my bare thighs, making me shiver and goosebumps to roll across the canvas. Maybe growing out my body hair would be a better way to ensure I stay warm. The dress did very little in fighting the cold and if it hadn't been for Kili -
Oh, dang, there I go again.
Ignoring the memories of how I - once again - woke up in Kili's arm, I continue to undress myself, feeling very naked and very vulnerable.
"Wear a dress, she said; you'll look pretty, she said. You'll finally be a Lady, she said. I'm a Lady; I have all the right parts!" I growl as I bend down to undo the laces of my shoes quickly. "When have I ever given the indication that I am not a girl?" I toe the sneakers off in order to slip on the pants far easier and not end up caught in the cuffs. "Honestly, when I get back home I am so going to - "
"Libby?" The voice, however impatient and annoyed it was, was one I instantly knew - and hated for being here.
I let out a slight scream as I stumble back onto my arse. Through the leaves, I can just about make out Kili's form. "Libby!" He shouts more urgently, all impatience and irritation from before disappearing due to him being alarmed by my scream. Oh, God, really? Really?! Please, don't let him see me in my undies (AGAIN), please!
Why is it always me? Why is it that I constantly find myself in these types of situations? What on earth did I do in a past life that resulted in all these atrocities happening to me? Getting on my knees I push my hand out through the bushes wiggling my fingers to show where I am. I wonder if I'll be able to set the shrub on fire from my burning cheeks. One of these days, my face is just going to remain red, I can just tell.
"Uh, hullo!" I squawk as I see him look at me - well, the magic bush with the hand. "Hi, yes, I'm here! I'm here!"
"What happened? Are you okay?" Kili pushes as he starts to walk towards me, seemingly having forgotten our previous encounter that included me all but whacking him over the head with my not too light bag. "I heard you scream; are you hurt!"
"No, no," I laugh shakily as I make a movement with my hand by flicking it downwards. "Don't be so worried; I'm perfectly - No! Stop! Don't come any closer!"
Kili stops mid - step about two feet in front of me. Shit, shit, shit, if he sees me like this all hell is going to break loose - I mean the first time was bad enough! Oh my God, the fact I have to say 'the first time' just proves to show how much of a whirl wind this past week has been. Yeah, because Kili seeing you in your bright pink underwear is the worst possible thing to ever happen in the past seven days . . . Kili remains still, placing his foot back on the ground as I can see a frown settling itself onto the corner of his lips.
"What, what is it?" Kili inquires as his eyes narrow suspiciously at me.
"Um, nothing," I chime in a very high pitched voice as I wave my wrist around. If anyone saw this they'd just see a Dwarf talking to a magical bush with a hand. Hey, this is kind of like that Moses guy when he spoke to the burning bush. Except Kili is not Moses and I'm most definitely not God. Or maybe I am and I just don't know it yet.
"Well, if it is nothing then I don't see the trouble in - "
"Okay fine!" I hiss as I fight the blush creeping up on me as I spit the words out through clenched teeth. "I'm naked." Not naked per say more so just wearing the minimum amount of clothing possible. "I don't want you to see me like this." What I actually meant to say was: I don't want you to see me in this type of underwear; if I was wearing lingerie then that would be a whole different story. Plus, he's already see me in my underwear so I don't see what I'm fussing about. Oh, right, yes I do. Because if he were to see me in my underwear I'm worried he might actually die from shock and shame, keeling over in an instant and just imagine having to write on his tombstone: Here Lies Kili: Died Because He Saw A Woman's Knees.
There's a long pause before I hear him say, "Oh."
"Ha ha, yeah," I titter awkwardly, "but I would really appreciate it if you would stay and watch." Rephrase, rephrase! "In case someone else is coming, I mean!" Nice save.
"I don't know," I hear Kili reply and I can just imagine him scratching the back of his neck in doubt. "It is unsuitable for me to - "
"Pfft, fuck that! Would you rather for you to stay watch and have no one else see me like this or would you rather walk off and for, oh I don't know, Thorin to see me like this?" The actual thought of Thorin, of all people, to see me like this was just about enough to make my skin crawl. Not in disgust, oh no, mostly in shame and embarrassment. Okay, maybe some disgust. If Kili was seventy seven years of age then I really did not want to know how old Thorin was. Maybe he was, like, a thousand years old and I wouldn't know.
Kili lets out a forced and deep sigh as I peek through the leaves to see him turn his back away from me. "Alright but be quick, we only have mere moments before we leave."
"Aye, aye, Captain!" Pulling my arm from the bush and giving a mock salute to his back despite knowing he can't see. I shove my legs (freshly shaved might I add) into the pants, hopping slightly as I tug them up. Resisting the urge to grunt and groan at the hard work, I bite my tongue as I finally pull the pants up to my waist.
"So," Kili drawls casually though his voice is a bit . . . iffy. As if he's having a debate with himself on whether or not to keep silent or speak. I admit, the silence was a tad weird since I was nearly naked in a bush and he was keeping watch so no other person from our group would manage to stumble in on me (wouldn't know how that worked) and die of a heart attack from seeing me in my current state. Finally, it appears, he's reached a conclusion and continues to speak. "What was it you and Ori were talking about?"
I pause in pulling the jumper said Dwarf had given me (quite comical; one arm was through the sleeve and the other, along with the rest of my torso was bare and part of the neckline covered my mouth) as I answered, causing it to be only slightly muffled. "Wha'?"
"Before, I mean, as he handed you the clothes," I detect an unknown emotion in his voice. Thinking nothing of it, I pull the rest of the jumper over me with the smell of lilies fresh in the air. Oh my, is this what Heaven smells like?
"Oh, I just told him he was sweet is all," I reply as I squat on the ground and tug my shoes onto my feet, double knotting the laces extra tight so they don't come undone. The amount of tripping I did so far during the quest due to my laces not being tied proper is probably in the hundreds. I hear Kili grunt and, at the sound, I look up to see that his back has turned rigid and stiff. I take the knitted scarf and wrap it firmly around my neck, tucking my still non brushed hair into it. The scarf cover my nose and mouth and I push it under my chin, getting the wool out of my mouth. It scratches my cheeks and neck but keeps the warmth, that I know I will sorely need, trapped in my body.
"Do you . . . " there's a long pause as I hear the scuffle of shoes. I grab the over cloak and swing it around my shoulders, clasping the pin at my neck. I smell fresh and the scent of flowers is over whelming but not over powering, almost as if there's too much but not enough to make my head spin and hurt. I want to bury my face into the materials and another part wants me to track down Lord Elfie and demand what detergent they use. "Do you fancy him?"
I freeze instantly as I try to process his words.
"Uh . . . "
Pause.
Words, words, words need to be coming from my mouth.
"Uh . . . "
Wow, well done, you're as smart as a potato, Libby! All hail Potato Princess!
"What?"
"It's just," Kili says his voice sharp and cold. It catches me by surprise, my eyes blinking at the sudden shift in tone. My eyebrows knit together as I process this new Kili, one that isn't laughing or playful. Of course, memories of last night of how he remained devoid of emotion sprang to mind. The words Kili and serious were like the North sides of two magnets being forced together - they just didn't stick. Whenever Kili did become less like his mischievous and playful self and slipped into a more serious mode, the resemblance between him and Thorin became too much. Maybe it was the childish side of me, but I didn't like it when people became serious. "I've seen you two at times acting like one would if they were... courting - " he practically spat the word out as if it were dirt on his tongue. Is he... jealous? " - I know that it is none of my business but as your friend - "
laugh.
And when I say I laugh, I mean full out, tears streaming down my face, bent over double and holding my sides laughing. Maybe an over reaction, but the mere thought that Kili being jealous was too funny - though, I was unsure if it was the thought of him being jealous of Ori or being jealous over Ori and I being friends was more absurd.
"Y - You t - think that me a - and Ori are courting?!" I all but yell in laughter as I keel over, still holding my sides. "Oh, God, I can't breathe! Man down! Man down!"
I know, I know, I might be acting a tad over dramatic but the very idea of me and Ori dating - wait, no, courting, as Kili said, had just made me break down. I know it's mean to laugh at Kili and his assumptions, but by God, they were just too funny and ridiculous.
"What is it that amuses you so?" I hear Kili growl in irritation at me. Wiping away a tear, I let out a few giggles as I carefully fold the white dress neatly.
"Just even the thought of me and Ori courting," I giggle, "honestly, what on Earth makes you think that we are?"
I hear a cough and I stand up, brushing the dirt of my freshly washed pants and picking up my bag. "It's just . . . I mean . . . I . . . well . . . "
Carefully, and quietly, I sneak out from the bush. 'Sneak' being a key translation to my foot getting snagged on a root and I fall forward, stumbling briefly before tripping over my own two left feet onto Kili who crumples under the sudden appearance of my weight. Smooth. I squeak as Kili meets the ground, my cheek pressed up against his back, yelling out a rather muffled: "I'm okay!" I can almost imagine an umpire shouting safe!
I hear Kili groan painfully underneath me and I'm torn from my thoughts, squeaking as I roll off of him, landing on my back so that I'm facing the fire kissed sky, bruised from the night while blushing like mad in embarrassment. I wouldn't mind if I just lay here for the rest of my life and never got up ever again. Instead, I get to my feet, breathy, placing my hands over my mouth in shock. "Oh, shit, I'm so sorry! That root just popped out of nowhere!" Kili rolls onto his back, his deep brown eyes studying me as I become all flustered. Great, he probably thinks I'm bat shit crazy now. "Here let me help you up!"
I grab his arm and yank him to his feet, hearing him go "Whoa!" at the sudden force. Not accounting for his weight or my own strength, I stumble back over my feet,nearly dragging Kili down with me all over again, but Kili tugs me forward and I find myself against his chest, hands reaching up so that they rested just a bit below his shoulders. I'm surrounded by him, looking into his eyes that are staring down at me and I can feel the tightness in my chest, a lump constricting my breathing. "Thanks," I breathe, the air slightly knocked out of me. Kili stares down at me with wide eyes as I see his lips quirk slightly.
"No problem," he answers; I can see his Adam's apple (I wonder what they call that here) bop slightly. My hands twitch, falling from their position on his arms and I guide them so that they are pressed flat against his chest with my fingers splayed across his dark blue tunic, feeling it expand and fall beneath my touch. My mind is blank and I remember to speak.
"Me and Ori aren't courting," I blurt out, remembering our previous situation, "just so you know. I see him more as a friend, even a brother. Just... in case you were wondering."
"Oh." A release of breath, a sigh of... maybe relief? Ha, as if. It must be something else. "So... you hold no feelings towards him... in that kind of way?" Kili asks, his voice dropping slightly and turning huskier, but I can hear a detection of hesitation, as if he's unsure that he wants to skirt into that kind of territory - you know, romantic territory. Oh Mamma Mia, I'm just putty in his hands by now. I gulp as my eyes do a quick sweep of his face. Keep your shit together, bitch; just because he's really hot and kind and cute and funny and dorky and he actually smells nice and his eyes are just so dreamy. . .
Sorry, what was I saying?
Oh, yeah!
"Not towards him," I gulp as I try it ignore the fluttering of my hear. Curse the bastard and his good looks! And curse me for acting so girlish around him!
"O - Oh," Kili stutters slightly as I begin to realise just how close we really are; my hands are flush against his (masculine) chest, his arms place around me and rest just below my shoulder blades. Breathe, Libby, control your raging hormones. Slowly, but surely, we start to untangle our loose limbs from each other, as I try not to get entangled up in the mere presence of him. All I ever seem to do is gravitate towards him, his eyes tugging me and wrapping me around his finger with a quirk of his lips. The sun held no brightness compared to him and it hurt to look at him with my mere mortal eyes.
"I'm... sorry," I admit, fingers ghosting away from their intimate touch on his chest and I look away, turning to the sight of my hands retreating from his chest as his hand begins to fall from my back, to my elbows and further away. My gaze turns back to his face, a sheepish grin on my face. "About hitting you earlier. It was... not a nice thing to do. I shouldn't have done that." The apology sparks the memory in his mind and his eyebrows dart up his forehead. I wonder if he knows he has fourteen freckles beneath his left eye, melting across the bridge of his nose and merging with the nine beneath his right eye.
"Yes, I was... shocked," he admitted. Our retracting touches are replaced by our shared words. "And confused. And... annoyed." A pause before a chuckle leaves him. "Very annoyed, in fact."
Guilt begins to rear its ugly head again as I duck my head, finger tips lingering on his chest as his own remain on my wrist. "I'm so sorry, really. I was just... embarrassed and shocked because..." I let my words drift off at the memory and I push it away, letting the horror at being woken up earlier by a certain something be pushed to the back of my mind, locking it away in a box. I shake my head and gaze up at him through my eyelashes, trying to get my sincerity across. "I am sorry, Kili. It was wrong for me to hit you like that and I shouldn't have done it."
He doesn't reply, only staring down at me and I worry that he's not going to accept my crappy apology. "I forgive you."
A smile breaks across my face instantly, skin dipping on my cheek to show a small shallow dimple embedded there. I'm too caught up in him forgiving me that I don't hear the hitch in his breath or the flutter beneath my fingertips. I barely push out a thank you! past my smile before I lunge forward to wrap my arms around his neck, rolling onto the balls of my feet to gain enough sufficient height in order to place my shin on his shoulder. He's shocked, I can tell, at my sudden intimacy but it takes only a heart beat before I feel his own arms begin to hesitantly wrap around me, unsure where to be put or how much pressure should be applied into the hug. It last for a total of ten seconds before the moment ends.
"Kili? Libby?" I catch Fili shouting. With a screech, I push as much distance as possible between Kili and I as his brother rounds the corner, looking relieved but that soon turns to suspicion. His hair looks as impeccable as ever and the braids from his moustache are still bad ass. I wonder if I could ever convince him to curl his moustache up all evil villain style.
"What are you two doing?" Fili queried as his eyes narrow into slits at the both of us, darting and forth between his brother and I, noticing our red faces and the distance between us. I let out a raucous guffaw as I scratch the back of my head.
"What are we doing? What do you mean? I mean, what would we be doing? We're doing nothing! Right?" I deny, turning to Kili to get him to agree which he instantly does.
"Right!" He nods as I send a very crooked smile towards Fili.
"Ha ha, can't two friends spend some quality time together in each other's company?"
"We were doing nothing, brother!" Kili rebuffs as he sounds just as tongue – tied as I do. Fili, however, looks far from convinced or pleased.
"See? Just two friends, hanging out, doing nothing," I insist sharply. "Isn't that right, old buddy old pal?" I punch Kili's arm with as much strength as I can, being satisfied when I when his breathing falter and his other hand flies to nurse the injury.
"Ow," he objects, glaring at me from the corner of my eye before a snarky grin appears in on his face. "Of course, pal." His own hand reaches up to clap me on the shoulder though I can tell he's holding back on his strength. My foot flies forward to correct my balance, as the sting from impact runs along my arm but I'm too preoccupied by smiling at Fili, hoping to make the older brother uncomfortable by my grin. Fili lets out a hum as his eyes dart back and forth between us and I begin to grow uncomfortable in the thickness of the tension.
"Oh, golly gosh!" I gasp, looking at my wrist. "Is that the time? Oh, we must be off! Good chatting, old chap, but I must go!" Tip toeing my way past Kili and keeping my head down, as I bury my nose into the scarf to help hide the redness of my cheeks. As I walk past a very smug and happy looking Fili, I meet his eyes. I can catch the hidden meaning behind the look on his face which translates into we're going to talk later.
I speed up my walking and practically jump behind the corner to see the other Dwarves wipe the last remains of sleep from their eyes as they swing their weapons around. None of them seem to have noticed my disappearance and I thank the Lord.
"Ah, lass! There you are!" I hear Bofur's voice above the others as he walks forward to swing an arm around my shoulders and tucks me close to his side. "I was beginning to worry you left us!"
I let out a snort as I roll my eyes. "Pfft, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried!" I smirk. "Just think of me of a really horrible disease. Wait, no." Scrunching my nose up at my play of words, Bofur lets out one of his usual, happy giggles.
"Always the odd one. Though oddness is just another form of uniqueness," He chortles. "I can see why he likes you."
My head snaps towards Bofur in alarm. "I'm sorry, what was that?"
Before Bofur answers me, Fili and Kili re-join us, both of them casting a look and Kili giving me a smile. I smile back before burying my nose into the scarf. I can catch Bofur's amused glance from peripheral vision and I push him away, saying "Shut up."
"Come on, let's go!" Thorin bellows from the top of the group, looking majestic as ever. "We have to leave through the passage; we can't be caught leaving."
I really am going to miss this place.
"Is it a canteen?"
"Nope."
"Is it clouds?"
"Níl."
"Is it cloak?"
"Nein."
"I don't like this game."
"Tough; you have to play it."
"Why?"
"Because I'm bored and you don't like me when I get bored." Good work on getting a The Hulk reference into a conversation, Libby.
"Fine. Is it . . . coat?"
"Nope."
"There isn't any other word that begins with 'C'!"
"Crap. Ugh, fine, it is!"
"Ha! I'm finally understanding this game!"
"That was, like, your twelfth guess."
"I said I was understanding it, I didn't saw I was a master at it."
"Pfft, whatever. In the end, I'm still ahead by four points."
"You were cheating!"
"I was not!"
"You were too!"
"Was not! No takesies backsies!"
"No . . . what?"
"Never mind; I win!"
After many, many hours of hiking, I decided what better way to to pass the time than a game of I spy. However, none of the Dwarves had ever heard of it I spent about an hour (yes, an hour) explaining the rules. They really couldn't grasp the concept that you see an object or thing or colour, say the first letter and leave for someone to guess the word.
I walk along side Bofur, trying to ignore the sharp pains in my thighs and calves as we begin to scale across a mountain; the sight of anything green long gone since we left Rivendell. We left in the early morning (apparently, I had no idea it was that early!) And we left the grey wizard in our tracks. I never thought I would say this but I miss the old git; even if he is as confusing as a Chinese proverb. Yes, I find those confusing, sue me.
Grey clouds have gathered above us, threatening to let loose its rain any moment. I spend most of my time glancing up to the sky every so often but being forced to return my eyes to the rocky ground in case I slip and die.
You may think I'm over reacting but not this time. I am literally on a mountain's edge, scaling a very thin foot path. From what I've learned from Bofur, we have many, many more to climb through after this one and even just the thought makes me want to curl up into a ball, rock back and forth and just cry. Thankfully, the others don't care much for our little game as they are too focused on not tripping and falling to their doom.
"Say, Bofur," I begin slowly in a low tone so that only he can hear. Bofur looks back as I stare at the ground watching my feet. "What did you mean before when you said 'I can see why he likes you'?"
I see Bofur stiffen for a moment, stopping in his tracks. He shakes his head before continuing on but instead looks anywhere but me. "Nothing really, just as it is."
"Bofur," I sigh, shaking my head, "you are literally the worst liar. Does someone like me? As in that way?" The plot thickens! Oh dear God, what if it's Bombur? Don't get me wrong, he's a cool dude but, uh, no thanks.
"Look, lass," Bofur stresses, "I promised I wouldn't tell; Fili is very peculiar about all this."
"Wait, Fili?!" I splutter, staring wide eyed at him. "Fili said that?" Does Fili like me? As in like like me? Oh, dear God! As the words leave my mouth, Bofur instantly whirls around, catching me by the arm as he continues in a low breath in the most serious manner I have ever seen him.
"Yes, and you mustn't breathe a word of it to him," Bofur adds exasperatedly as he lets go of his grip on my arm and faces the front again. I'm stunned for a brief moment before I bumble up to walk along side him, legs matching the same distance and speed. One thing I was very grateful for was that the Dwarves seemed to take the same sized strides as me, meaning I didn't have to jog to keep up, resulting in fatigue. I tug on Bofur's coat sleeve, gaining his attention.
"Bofur, you have to tell me!" I hiss in his ear. "What does this have to do with Fili? I mean, who is it?" I think we all know who I want him to say alas, said person was far from me, walking alongside his brother. I can't see him over the heads of the Dwarves but I still try, though I'm only able to see a mass of blonde I know to be Fili. Bofur sighs and shakes his head, the flaps of his head wobbling.
"That boy is martyr in the making, always thinking family comes first," I hear him mutter, as if forgetting I'm beside him. I grab his attention again by flicking the hem of his hat up on his forehead, watching it move half a centimetre up. His eyes turn to me, blinking and remembering I can hear him.
"Come on, Bofur," I whine, conscious of the extra ears around us before I try to keep my voice a whisper. Finally, some gossip in this group! "Please? Who's to say if I don't like him back?" Wrong move. I can see a grin on Bofur's face, and the mini me inside my mind is screaming abort! Abort! while running in circles.
"Oh?" An eyebrow quirks up. "Do you have feelings for someone, Miss Libby?" I gulp loudly and turn away, sticking my nose up in the air and crossing my arms across my chest though my scarlet cheeks show how I'm truly feeling.
"Me? Have feelings? Ugh, as if!" To quickly dive out from this spiralling conversation, I speed up my walking so I'm ahead of Bofur but I can still hear his giggling. I hear a crack of thunder from above and I let out a shocked gasp as a drop of rain lands on my cheek. Then another. And another. And another.
Soon, I'm soaked to the bone and wisps of my hair that have fallen free from its place in my scarf are plastered to my cheeks. Great; just fucking great. I swear, the Gods of this place hate me.
We walk through the rain for what seems like hours but was probably only one; The rain gets heavier and soon the path has turned a dark grey from the rain and, if you don't watch your feet, you can easily slip. Hm, that would be a shame if I just slipped but I bet I won't!
Wrong.
I step forward trying to see through the rain but, due to the rain drops that fall onto my eyelashes that make it hard to see, my foot slips on a loose piece of rock. I let out a brief scream as my back falls down the jagged edge of the mountain. My ass hits the ground and I nearly fall over the edge, listening to the shocked yells of the Dwarves. I feel my the palm of my hand being slit open as I grapple on for anything to hold.
"Libby!" I hear the Dwarves chorus at different times as I'm about to slip over the side of the mountain and fall to my death I'm caught just in time by Bofur.
Pulling me by the arm with one hand and his other grabbing a fistful of my cloak and jumper, he hauls me up onto the track again. I fall into his side and my arms wrap around him instantly, squeezing my eyes shut. Oh, God, oh, God, I nearly died! I've had two near death experiences before (the trolls and the Wargs) but this was . . . It just seemed a lot more real; the trolls and the Wargs could have been killed so there was no worry there but this inevitable: one slip and immediate death. I let out a shiver as I feel my throat become thick with tears; Bofur quickly wraps his arms around me, his hands making soothing up and down movements on my back. For the briefest of moments, I almost imagine that it's my dad holding me.
"We must get off the track!" I hear Dwalin yell. "The path is too slippery! We would fall to our deaths before we would even make it to the other side! We should a place to rest until the storm blows over!"
My heart beats in my chest as I practically cling to Bofur like a leech, opening my eyes as my breathing turns ragged and tears prickling my eyes. Even through the mist of the rain that is pelting my skin and the height of the mountain, I can see the jagged rocks that lay at the base of the mountain. If Bofur hadn't caught me -
I choke out a dry sob as I clench onto Bofur tighter, the cut in my palm stinging in protest. "It's alrigh' lass, don't worry, I got you," Bofur reassures me but the drop in my stomach refuses to let me believe it. There is silence, as I can just imagine Thorin glancing down at me and I look up. Through the storm and wisps of Bofur's hair, I meet his agitated and annoyed bright blue eyes.
"If the rain does not clear by the morrow we continue on! No excuses!"
I can help but feel that that was more directed at me but I'm in no mood to be yelled at by Mister Grumpy Pants. "There is a cave up ahead!" I hear Balin announce.
Great, a night in a cold cave on a mountain in wet clothes with hardly any food and we all are expected to go to sleep during a thunder storm.
I think I just went full Bear Grylls on this shit.
Hey guys! So, it's three in the morning and I just finished writing this. And, no, this isn't the part where they get captured in goblin town. It's just an uneventful night's rest. I hope this chapter is okay enough.
from what I know from the books and the internet the braids that the Dwarves have in their hair an beards are just a creation of Peter Jackson and that many of the stories behind the braids are purely fictional.
In the books, as far as J.R.R Tolkien describes, is that the Dwarves all have long beards. There's no mention of them being braided. But from what I've read in The Hobbit fan fiction stories is that many authors like to have a story behind the braids, but as far as I know none of it is canon.
Thanks for reading!