Runin's POV:
The journey to the place that I would soon consider to be my new home started down an unfamiliar dirt path. Thorin, Kili, Fili and I left Tharbad just as the sun was beginning to peak over the autumn leaves of my tall Oak friends. We were all atop ponies that were really easy to work with around the few obstacles there was. I was grateful they were so tame because I lacked the confidence in my skills as a rider. Since my accident I have had very little experience on horses, so the more independent my pony was the more comfortable I felt.
We started down the road as a group in no particular order, but as we left the safety of the only land I've ever known, we formed a procession line. Thorin of course was at the front leading with Fili just behind him, next was me and behind me was Kili. I was very glad for this arrangement because not only was I protected, I didn't have to stare at the back of Kili's head for the entire duration of our journey.
We traveled most of the day with few breaks that were only taken to let the ponies rest. It was only when the sun began to set beyond the hills of the distant mountains that Thorin decided we had traveled far enough. We easily found a small clearing to set up camp and after I was helped down from my horse I took to the activity of treating my saddle soars which were abundant enough that it kept me busy for some time.
As I was treating to my many small abrasions Kili and Fili untacked the horses and left to fetch water to boil over a fire that would be built once Thorin and I scavenged for wood to build it. The going was slow and silent before Thorin suddenly stopped, placed his wood near where we were going to build the fire and motioned for me to do the same. I nodded and followed his lead, I sat on a down log as Thorin took flint from his pocket and began building the fire, as he did this he spoke to me softly, "Ru I asked you to travel with us for a reason, not just to protect you. Do you know why?"
"Nay." I spoke somewhat distracted from my uncles words since I was focused on the small auburn leaf in my hands.
Thorin took a deep breath before he sat down next to me. I placed the leaf next to me suddenly concerned by his changed demeanor which was now much more serious. He waited a moment before he began to speak, choosing his words very carefully as he talked, "Firstly I need you to understand that you will always have a home with us." I nodded before he continued, "Balin, Dwalin, and I all believe it is time you got a few answers to decoding your mysterious past. know you don't remember anything from before the incident. No matter what we learn or do not learn you are always going to be a Dwarf to us. You have proved yourself more than worthy of that title."
I said nothing, only nodding my head at my Uncle's kind, heartfelt words. Thorin and I had been particularly close ever since I met him, since the day he saved me. Once I came to, we bonded quickly because of how similarly we carry ourselves. We are both very private people, constantly closing off our own emotions to put others ahead of ourselves for the sake of our kin. Therefore when he placed his hand on my back it came as a sort of shock to both of us I believe, "I need you to trust me and listen to me now more than ever. Tomorrow afternoon we will be passing through Rivendale, it is crucial to your safety that you to keep your face hidden."
I nodded once more, saying nothing in response and began to playwith the end of a piece of hair that was over my shoulder. He picked up on my discomfort immediately and enveloped me in a hug, "I know you are afraid, but you always us. We will never abandon you."
"Aye, I know. I will do what you ask of me Uncle, without question." I nuzzled my head into his slightly and sighed.
As he was pulling away from me I had the chance to witness him smile. This is very rare for Thorin, so immediately I felt better. So there we sat, until Fili and Kili returned with water and three rabbits Kili had shot on the way back.
We ate in a comfortable silence, until Uncle and Kili got up to scout around the camp one last time before we turned in for the night.
As soon as Kili and Thorin left, Fili walked over and sat down next to me. He seemed to be slightly on edge some reason, yet he smiled at me all the same. "How are you fairing Ru?"
I shrugged, guilt still racked my mind from the whole Kili situation even though I knew it wasn't my fault. Even still I smiled back at him, "Well enough, I suppose."
"You've been unusually quiet." He reached for my hand and held it gently in his, "I'm worried for you."
"Do not fret. I am fine." I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip was firm.
"Please Ru," he pleaded, "I only wish for you to talk to me."
"Sorry." I didn't feel like talking so to get him to stop I leaned against his chest and closed my eyes. Slowly I fell into a deep sleep, the rhythmic beating of Fili's heart was strangely calming.
*Line Break*
Elrohir sat on the balcony that was attached to his room watching the world from abelow him. His eyes traveled over the familiar land that was his home. After some time he rose and walked back to his bed and collapsed into it. Just as he was about to close his eyes the bedroom door flew open loudly. He jumped three feat in the air, and glared at his twin, "You wanna be any louder Dan? I don't quite think Legolas heard you in Mirkwood."
"Ugh!" His brother groaned before he laid on the floor, "First father now you! Geeze Ro what crawled into your hair and died?"
"Sorry," Elrohir spat. "What did father do, did he revoke your sweet-roll privileges?"
Elladan smiled at that, "No, he knows better then to mess with that. He won't allow Estel and I to go on our scheduled patrol tonight."
"Can you blame him Dan?!" He exclaimed, "You know what today is!"
"No, I don't." He stated plainly.
Elrohir took a deep breath to calm his anger, "It has been five years to the day that Lothoriel was taken."
Elladan's eyes went wide with shock before they faded into sadness and understanding, "Valar Ro, I'm sorry. It slipped my mind." He stood and walked over to his twin, "You miss her a lot don't you Gwador?"
"Aye, every day I think about her. We were so close Dan, how am I supposed to just forget." Elladan placed a hand on his brothers shoulder, but Elrohir stood and walked out of the room and into the hallway. He didn't particularly want to see his brother right now. He bumped into Arwen in the hallway, "Forgive me sister, I did not see you."
She smiled up at him, "it's ok Ro, don't worry about it."
"Have you seen Adar?" He asked, trying to hide the raw emotion that hid in his voice.
Arwen's eyes grew very sad but she smiled at her older brother none the less, "He is in his chamber."
Elrohir nodded in appreciation and pushed, politely, past his sister. He walked quickly and quietly, his demeanor was strong, but it was all an act. As he reached the door he knocked and called out quietly, "Ada, are you in there?"
The door opened a few seconds later and Elrond opened his arms to his son, which he gladly melted into. Yes, sometimes even children who aren't children anymore need comfort from their parent.
Runin's POV:
I woke up before the sun had began to rise. The embers of the fire had long since gone out, but the moon was shining bright enough for me to see that Kili had fallen asleep on his watch. I wrinkled my nose at him, he should be grateful it was I who woke up and not Thorin.
I looked down and was surprised to see that I had been placed in a bed roll, and my weapons had been removed. I smiled at Fili who lay no more than a few feet from me and silently thanked him.
I readjusted myself in my bed roll and closed my eyes for no more than a second when I heard a twig suddenly break. It couldn't have been any more than a few leagues away that was followed by hushed voices, "Hey Estel why don't you be any louder."
"Well sorry, that not all of us are as gifted as you in stealth." The voices started bickering at each other as I picked up a rock and threw it in Kili's direction. He jolted awake, and just before he was about to yell at me I put a finger up to my lips. Both of us quickly, and quietly, woke up Thorin and Fili. As I was about to grab my weapons that lay on the ground Thorin thrusted me up into a tree. He motioned for me to stay hidden at all costs, so I turned and climbed.
Suddenly two tall people emerged from the thicket, "Well look who it is." The tall man with long dark brown hair spoke, "Good evening Dwarves."
I stopped dead in my tracks, I know that voice.
