Oh hi guys. I am terribly sorry that you had to wait so long for me to post another chapter. I had those finals and I hadn't had enough time to take care of you and I want you to know how bad I'm feeling about it. I hope you'll forgive me, though.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Tolkien's characters or places, only Taraeil is mine.
Tára's POV.
Someone woke me by shaking my arm, so my eyes slowly opened. I yawned and let the power flow in my veins. Besides the door stood a dwarf, who tried to wake me a second ago, but he looked a bit scared, so chuckling I sat on a bed and looked at him with my black eyes. His, wide open were terrified. "Don't worry" I spoke softly. "It's easier for me to wake up, when I use my power, but I assure you, it is safe. I can control myself and my powers in the mornings. Obviously, as you saw yesterday, it's harder when I am scared or mad... Gandalf's helping me a lot with it. Although sometimes he can make it all worse." Power left my body and colour of my eyes changed back to dark green.
"The breakfast is ready and wizard asked me to come and get you" Bofur said, grinning, so I just responded with a small smile.
"Thank you, but please, just give me few minutes and I'll be there" turning my head, I looked outside the window. The dwarf must felt how bad my mood is, because he nodded and left me alone as I hid face in hands. Few tears appeared in my eyes.
I was really scared. This journey... it's too much. My powers are not in my full control, so it's possible that they would not help, but maybe even harm someone. And there is my friend, who would leave someday and I'd be alone. Sobbing quietly, I wiped tears and dress myself in my most comfortable clothes.
Dining room was nigh my bedroom so it took me only two maybe three seconds to get there. As I entered, few dwarves bowed and a wizard patted chair next to him, so I fell onto it. Glancing at our companions, I noticed that everyone was quiet and it didn't take me too long to realize that they didn't want to wake the hobbit.
"How was your morning? Were you trying to use it today?" he asked in elvish, so I nodded. Gandalf wanted me to use my powers as often as I can to gain control and I tried it every time after waking up.
My head lied on his shoulder and eyes closed. "Are you sure I should go with them?" question left my lips, but wizard hadn't answered for a few long seconds. He wasn't. "So why did you find me? Why did you let me to sign this?"
He sighed loudly and his arm lied on my shoulders, pulling me to him even closer and tighter. "I am completely sure, sweetheart. It's just... terrifying sending you there, but you should travel with them and soon you will see why" he replied and sneered. "It is going to be fine, you have my word."
"What are you two talking about?" Fili's voice inquired, interrupting our chat as he sat next to me and handed me plate full of bread and vegetables. I looked at him with gratefulness. He smiled back and repeated his question.
My friend frowned and chocked his food as he heard dwarf's question. He couldn't resist to tell him off. "Master dwarf, if we are talking in language you and your comrades don't know then it's quite obvious that we don't want you to understand our conversation. It's personal" he hissed and blonde lifted his palms in gesture of defence. Sneering he mounted an apology and started eating.
When quiet voices of Thorin and Kili got into my ears and they talked about me, I looked at Gandalf, nodding and when he answered me the same, I raised from chair, patting my friend's hand. "Need some air, so I will come back in few minutes" murmuring, my legs started to walk to the corridor. They carried me to the living room, where I hid myself behind the wall, listening carefully.
"Where have you been all night?" Oakenshield growled as I frowned. "Have you lost your mind, nephew? You are a prince so start acting like a prince. You shouldn't slept with her... she isn't right for you."
"Wait, you think we slept together?" Kili chuckled, but his king hissed. "We didn't."
"Doesn't matter. She isn't right for you. We don't even know who she is. Maybe her powers are dangerous, maybe Gandalf was wrong about her. Just don't trust her and don't get close with her. I don't want to see you near that woman" I felt faintly while they had this conversation. Actually, I heard enough and it was a bit painful, because he didn't know me and he was trying to judge me.
Running to the door, I was pondering about this quest. There was a thought that I can jump on Ineár and just leave them, but... we couldn't.
Hearing my whistle, horse came closer to me, so I hugged him tight and gave apple from my breakfast. "Hello, In. How was your night?" he looked at me with his cherry eyes, telling me that it was good, but he would prefer if I stayed with him, then he punched me softly in arm with his nose. "I need to tell you about something" and quietly I whispered to his ear everything I just heard. He looked at me with understanding and touched my forehead with his own. "You are right. He will see that he evaluated me wrong". Ineár hit the large rock with his hoof to show me that he approves what I wanted to do. I nodded, giggling loudly and went back into the Bilbo's house, going straight to the dining room.
King stood in the corridor, greeting me, so I smiled widely while going past him. As my body fell onto chair next to Fili, he sneered to me and asked if I'd like to drink something and I nodded so man gave me his ale's mug and quiet chuckle left my lips. Taking a sip, I looked at the other end of the table. Kili peered at me so my hand lifted itself and waved. He smiled gently and spoke to Bombur. On the other hand, Fili chuckled near my ear. "You need to eat quickly and take all your stuff. We are leaving in fifteen minutes." Dwarf winked at me and I goggled.
Half of an hour later, I left Bilbo's hobbit-hole. Thorin and company headed to Bywater, where they left their ponies and I decided to stay a little bit longer, because my horse was in Baggins' garden. Ineár let me put the saddle on his back very quickly, so we were ready to go in couple of minutes.
When we caught up with rest of the team, they just left the Green Dragon Inn. I smiled to my friend when In trod next to him. "Did you wake up Bilbo?" Gandalf asked quietly and I shook my head.
"Didn't know that you want me to." My hands were patting horse's neck.
"I didn't. Don't worry, sweetheart." Nodding I rode faster to caught up with Fili. He was in bad mood or something like that, because he hadn't said a word since I joined. "Is everything good?" I asked quietly, but dwarf just shrugged his shoulders and peered at me. "What's wrong, Fili?" Question left my lips as I looked into his eyes.
It takes few second until he replied, "Nothing is wrong, Tára. I am just worried about my brother" He glanced at Kili, who was on the beginning of the group with Thorin. "I believe they argued, but I don't want to ask him about it. It's good between them now, but earlier he was upset."
Nodding, I thought for a second that maybe I should tell him about this conversation I heard earlier, but decided not. It felt better to change the topic, "Do you think that Bilbo will join us?"
He looked at me, rakish smile on his face. "You want to make a bet?" After a while I nodded. "I think he'll come."
"And I don't. Bofur scared him too much in my opinion. So, I want a sack of gold if I win." I responded cheerfully.
Cheeky smile appeared on him. "So be it. If I win, and I do, I want you to kiss my brother, but..." he lowered his head and whispered "you can't tell him why."
We both chuckled loudly and my hand shook his. "Anyone want to make a bet?" I yelled to everyone, explaining them everything. Few dwarves decided to join our wager.
***
"Wait, wait!" Bilbo's voice has been heard for few seconds until he stopped near us. I sighed and growled quietly as I looked at sneering Fili. Then I turned to see the king, who was as surprised as myself. "I signed it" hobbit added, panting. He handed his contract to Balin who carefully checked his signature.
"Everything appears to be in order" Dwarf acknowledged. "Welcome, Master Baggins to the company of Thorin Oakenshield," he spoke and comrades laughed. I saw Balin's wink and gently smile to the Halfling.
"Give him a pony" leader ordered with frustration in his voice, but no one seemed to notice that.
Bilbo however, was pretty scared when he heard that and he groaned. "No, no, no! That won't- That won't be necessary" Halfling assured. "I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I've- I've done my share of walking holidays, you know?"
And when he said that, I saw that he was walking between brothers, so they caught him by his clothes and pulled him up, seating him on ginger pony. I giggled when he started to whine. No one saw someone as terrified as Baggins, when he was sitting in saddle and cautiously holding reins in his hands.
Suddenly, Fili rode beside me, giggling and staring at me. "Good luck, sweety. You will need it," he beamed. I wanted to punch him in his face, but I couldn't. He was right; I lost so I had to kiss his younger brother, but that thought didn't help. I knew that it isn't going to end well. "You have one day, Táraëil. Use it wisely."
I flinched as Kili and his pony approached In and me few seconds later. "C'mon, Nori, pay up!" Oin shouted and younger dwarf tossed him a sack of gold.
Few other sacks started to fly from dwarf to dwarf as their wager. Bilbo surprised rode to my friend and asked, "What's that about?"
Mithrandir smirked and responded with his deep voice, "Oh, they took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up." Me and younger Durin's heir started to laugh as we saw Baggins' face. "Most of them bet that you wouldn't" he added and in the twinling of an eye hobbit asked what Gandalf thought. I grinned, because I knew the answer. "Well..." and then I saw that Dori tossed sack and wizard deftly caught it. "My dear fella, I never doubted you for a second."
I wondered about why I hadn't believed him and hadn't trusted the Halfling. I should have and... 'I wouldn't have to kiss Kili now.'
Bilbo sneezed loudly. "Horsehair" he groaned as he wiped his nose with fingers. "Having a reaction" he added and started to search something in his pockets, but obviously, he couldn't found it. "Wait, wait! Stop!" he yelled, raising his hand to stop everyone. "Stop! We have to turn around."
"What on Earth is the matter?" Gandalf interjected.
Hobbit moaned, "I forgot my handkerchief."
I started to laugh loudly. Kili looked at me with grin on his face, chuckling. His horse rode to mine as I waved to him to come closer. I turned around as I heard sound of tearing fabric, following by Bofur's voice, "Here, use this" and he threw to him piece of cloth.
Thorin shook his head and commanded us to move on and we did so. I couldn't stop myself from laughing and my comrade had the same problem. „We need to calm down, otherwise Bilbo won't speak to us again" I stammered, trying to overcome my giggling. He nodded and we both made a serious faces, but when we looked at each other we started laughing even more and even louder.
Finally, we ceased, but that gave us reason to joy. We hadn't said anything, but we knew that the other one was in a great mood and even sneering king couldn't take that from us. Then the silent was broken by Kili's voice, "Do you mind if I ask you few questions?" I smiled, nodding. "So- so where have you got those powers?" He managed to ask after a while.
"I sacrificed three young rabbits and then sang elven incantation" I jested.
However, it seemed he not get it. "Wait- what? You sacrificed rabbits? I mean- I killed rabbits for food, but sacrificed them?" He shrugged his shoulders.
"It was a joke, silly dwarf" simply reply left my mouth. Grinning, I chuckled quietly and softly punched man's arm, making him smile. "I was born with them... it's just who I am" I replied smirking and my gaze met his. He had beautiful deep brown eyes full of joy and something else; something like sadness. "Is everything alright?"
He nodded quickly, turning his head. For a few minutes we both were quiet, but then he spoke again, "Did you ever think, that you don't want them?"
Dwarf surprised me with his question. I didn't know what to answer. Of course I thought about it and not once. They were dangerous and not only for me. Gandalf helped me a lot and when I joined Thorin's company I was much more powerful and had more control, so it wasn't that bad, but I can't trust them completely. "Yes," I whispered "even now... sometimes I wish I had no power."
He didn't expect that answer; I saw that on this face. I was looking ahead, my gaze landed on Oakenshield talking with Dwalin, but I felt Kili's eyes on me. He frowned and we said no more.
Balin rescued me from this awkward silence, when he called the youngest dwarf. Durin sighed, "excuse me" and rode to his friend. After dwarf left me, I hurried In and we caught up with Gandalf and Bilbo, but soon Bofur joined us too.
"How are you, lass?" he smiled brightly with pipe in his lips. I replied with a grin and didn't answer. "Lassie, I want to apologise one more time."
I laughed loudly and smile to him. I looked into his dark brown eyes, full of joy, respect and kindness. "Don't worry, Bofur. I am not mad. And I wanted to say it yesterday, but apparently I forgot, your hat is wonderful, laddie."
He chuckled with me and gently bowed his head. "It was a gift from my lady," he spoke quietly. "She gave me it when I turned seventy."
My eyes landed on thing he was holding in his hand. It was ring, hanging on a silver chain around his neck. It surprised me, because I didn't see dwarf having something like that before, although I decided not to ask about it now, when I saw sorrow in his eyes.
Bofur hid this necklace under his shirt and turned his head in my direction. He giggled and patted my shoulder. "It was a great gift" he added and I laughed.
"I can agree. You look really handsome in it, master dwarf" we chuckled as I ended the sentence and I was happy that sadness disappeared from his face replaced by gladness.
"Táraëil, could you ride a bit faster to check our path? Search for a place, where we can stay for a night and wait for us," wizard interrupted our conversation, but I nodded and before my horse and I left them, he put his hand on my shoulder. "Be safe," he added with a small grin.
Ineár increased his speed and we soon caught up with Thorin, who rode as first from the company and before he could ask any question, In galloped ahead and next time I looked behind, I saw no one.
After a half an hour riding with that speed, I slowed the horse and when he stood and started eating grass, I hopped off him and told him to stay. I entered the nearby forest, holding my bow and one arrow in my hands and second one in my mouth. My legs stopped as soon as some voices could be heard. My eyes carefully observe everything. It didn't take me more than two or three seconds to localize the source of the sound. I giggled, when my eyes spotted few stags and I quietly started creep to them.
I reach out my hand to the closest and the biggest deer. His eyes peered at me calmly and trustfully. Their colour was unparalleled; I never saw as light blue eyes as his. Animal lowered his head, letting me pat his neck. My palm stroked his skin and soon it lost in stag's long fur. Then I whistled quietly and when In found me, I explained, "go and find the others. Gandalf will understand that you want them to follow you." Horse whinnied and disappeared in the wood.
Sitting on a ground, I leant back on a tree and closed my eyes. I felt that deer is lying next to me, with his head on my knees. My fingers scratched his nose gently and I fall asleep.
It was evening when I was awakened by the Durin's brothers who were titling above me. "We were scared when we saw your horse without you," Fili murmured and younger one nodded.
"Why? Gandalf didn't tell you Ineár would lead you to me?" I stammered, yawning and frowning. I stood up and looked around. I didn't wait for their answer and leaving brothers I ran to Bofur and Bombur who started to prepare our dinner, sitting on big rocks and I asked, "Do you need some help?"
I smiled to Bofur brightly, because he was the dwarf I liked the most beside the youngest and he replied the same. "You can prepare the soup, if you want to help," he explained and I nodded quickly. I sat next to them and started to chop the vegetables they gave me.
After my hands were got used to the activity they were doing, my eyes gazed at dwarf in hat and his ring on a chain. He was holding it in hand when he was sure nobody is looking, but he didn't think about me, because I pretended to be very busy with the making food. Every time he looked or hold it, in his eyes there was too much sadness.
Bombur tossed the chopped vegetables to the saucepan full of water and hanged it above the fire. They thanked me, though I wasn't really helpful, so I just patted Bofur's shoulder and we giggled. It was too hard not to like him and I think no one would be surprised, if we'd be friends.
I went back to the place where I fall asleep earlier and sat in the same spot as before and soon Fili joined me. "So how is your task? Did you prepare yourself?" he inquired quietly and chuckled.
"Don't you worry, I still have more than few hours left to do it, but you didn't say how I am supposed to do it, so it won't be hard." I responded. I knew I should kiss his brother properly, but the need of seeing blonde's face when I was teasing him was too powerful.
And as I expected, surprise was all over his face. "But- but- kiss is a kiss... You have to kiss him on his lips, Tára! If you do it... sack of gold for you!"
He punched me gently in arm when I started chuckling so loudly that everyone looked at me for a few seconds. When he realized that I was just joking, he was giggling too, but it was too late, because he offered me even more for something I'd do anyway.