Look who has returned! It is she-who-has-not-updated-in-forever! Blame it on the video games. I regret nothing. I give you, my latest chapter. (makes a flourishing bow)

Upon the next morning, Alicia was assigned to being part of the wagon team this time. Which she did secretly enjoy because it had rained last night, and the ground was still mostly mud. In some places, giant puddles of water had accumulated and if they weren't gone, they would drown the crops that were there. Now was also the day to prune off all the dead leaves too.
Some plants were particularly hard to pull even when dead, and her back was aching, begging not to have to bend down again. "There's got to be an easier way than this." she groaned. Alicia resulted to just grabbing a board to kneel on. Of course that made it harder for others around her o notice sometimes, resulting in dirt flung right at her." What? hey.."
"Oh sorry." The other lady said before turning bak to her work. Alicia was able to shrug that off pretty well though. It was a farm. One did not simply leave farm work without a little dirt on them.
In some parts, the mud was too slippery to get very good foot holds. The overseers had a pretty good idea in using the empty barrels to fill with as much extra water as they could manage to save for the hotter months.
Yes this day was grueling for everyone.
Wagon duty meant latching on the horses, and taking the wagon out there for the workers who had bundles of wheat and the like ready to be picked up and hauled off. She brushed down the horses, which was a nice little relaxation to her too, before jumping up and driving them out o the fields. while the men loaded up the heavier bundles, she would replace any dull farming tools with the newer ones for the old ones.
Two boisterous workers, laughing at some silly joke shared between the two, or some unofficial contest, but one of them, getting a little too crazy with his comical arm flailing, got a little too close to the horse and lightly slapped its rump...while Alicia was still on the driver's bench. The horse jolted so quickly, whining as he took off, pitching the girl back in the far wagon nearly tumbling right out. She hit the old wood hard, bouncing about until she could stabilize herself. The horse was in full run by then, she vaguely heard peoples' distant cries behind.
She finally looked up, hoping the horse would just stop of his own accord. The horse did not stop however. It just kept running on, right off the fields and kept going. Alicia tried to scramble to the front. " Hey! Woooaaah! Cease! Easy there!" The woman went on rambling all kinds of commands. All of which were lost on the horse. The road had now stopped, so no more smooth path. Alicia was jostled all over the place. The reins now dragging on the ground, making it difficult to reach without risk of tumbling over. Luckily she didn't have to. Fortunately the horse ran over a large hump that had the wagon buck so badly that it slowed the horse down. Unfortunately the buck was so bad it pitched the wagon side ways too much that when the wheel met the ground again it shattered.
The horse neighed in protest at being halted suddenly. Alicia was pitched from the wagon and splatted into the mud. Let no one be fooled, mud is NOT that soft of a landing. The first couple of inches maybe but then you're sliding about until a hard stop. And of course, being covered in it was the next fun thing. It fell from her face and body in clumps.
Lopsided and heart pounding, horse and farmer stood there catching their breath. Guffawing was the only sound to be heard after that. Her comical spill and impersonation of mud monsters and a agitated horse was probably a funny picture. Then she realized it wasn't her laughter.
"Now that's a high flying spill if I ever saw one!"
Alicia looked over, head still spinning a little. "Who's that?"
There sauntered a dwarf, grinning ear to ear with a knife like smile. That three trident hairstyle, laid back demeanor and sharp nose.
He was still chuckling in short barking laughter as he stood right at the edge of the mud pool.
Alicia could only respond in a lopsided smile of her own. "You...heeey."
Nori.
Shifty, teasing, and sanguine, Nori the traveling merchant she had met. He looked down at her, grey eyes alight with mirth, his gloved hands on his knees and dressed in simple browns and greys with a dark green sash. " Ya alright?"
"Are you seriously asking me that question?" Alicia stared at him, stuck between mirth and irritation.
Nori guffawed even more. Even Alicia couldn't be too mad about it at the time. He finally, carefully, stepped closer and offer his hand. With an easy yank he pulled her up, not letting go until the two of them were safely on dry land and no more slipping hazards. "Dare I ask? You seem to have a difficult time working with horses."
"It wasn't my fault this time. Another farmer spooked him and he took off." Alicia tried to justify herself. "Fancy meeting you here anyway."
Nori hummed. "Aye. I went for a walk 'round the markets to get away from, rambunctious relatives. Missed a spot."
The islander wiped at the cheek indicated, but she also forgot that her hand had mud clumps on it and ended up adding more wet dirt to her face. Nori chuckled again at her soured frown. " You have jokes today huh?"
"I have jokes every day milady." Nori said, hand on his chest artistically. "Most are reserved for the less innocent of ears." He winked at her.
The islander snorted light-heartedly. That actually didn't surprise her.
"Aww mantis.." Alicia said at seeing the damage.
Nori made a squishing sound with his mouth. "It coulda' been worse."
For the most part the wagon was okay, the wheel was no more than fire wood now. Nori helped detach the horse from the broken beams that held on. He walked it over to her. " The bloke that spooked the horse ought to be the one to pay for the new wheel wouldn'tcha say?"
The islander had a thin smile. "Eh, someone will. But it won't be me."
She took the reins from Nori with a grateful smile. "Would you like to walk with me still?"
The dwarf dipped his head, falling in step with her. "I am beginning to think you make a habit of this, so you could be escorted by handsome dwarves again."
Alicia rolled her eyes, unsure if she should laugh and encourage that silliness or frown in disapproval. Instead she said, "Still waiting for them to show up."
"Oh the rejection!" Nori said in mock drama. "And here I thought I was doing rather well. What with the pecan pie and all."
"Oh you liked it?" Alicia did finally smile at him. "It's one of my favorite treats." She beamed happily.
"Aye it is." Nori who smiled. "It didn't last long. You must share the recipe."
"But, if everyone made it I wouldn't have a reward to lure those handsome dwarves, when I find them." she smirked.
Nori quietly chuckled. It was them she did notice that he was a rather quiet individual, as far as dwarves went of course. As far as anyone Alicia had ever met he was of the more quiet nature.
They made it back to the edge of the broken fence where a few were already working on repairing it.
"Oh I'm right sorry for that!" The man, not so happy now, came apologizing when she made it back. Alicia didn't care for the tears and drama right now, all beat up from bouncing around the wagon. She showed a small smile an waved it off. " The wheel broke on the cart."
some polite 'good day's' were thrown towards Nori, or subtly disapproving glances, both of which he gave the proper greeting to.
Another older farmer rubbed his fuzzy chin. " Mmm, we don't have anymore spares in the barn. We'll have to go get another in town. If we're quick about it we can have it done 'afore the Misses finds out and has something else to cluck about, on top her many other worries."
"Alright. I can get it." Alicia said without actually thinking about her words before it was too late.
The man pursed his lips. "Aye. My group will take a wheel off another wagon and go fetch the one out there. Then you can have the day off." He said to her.
Alicia nodded once, and headed back into town to go do so. She was given a little coin to pay for the new wheel before leaving.
She turned to regard Nori once again who was helping lift a beam upright and into it's intended hole in the ground. The dwarf dusted his hands, also looking at her with a knowing smile.
"If I'm not putting you out your way, care to show me where I can a new wheel?"
"Of course milady." Nori answered. With a spring in his step he led the way.
"So how's life been?" She asked him after a silent stretch.
Nori quirked a brow up at her, as if that was an odd question to ask. " It's alright."
"Making good sales as a traveling merchant?"
Nori chuckled again. " Sales could always be better, but yes. All is well. How's your farm life?"
"Never a dull moment, you might have noticed." She half smiled. " How do you get your hair to stay in that style so well?"
Nori's chest visibly puffed up with pride. "Braids, a few pins, beads and the like. It gets faster the more it's practiced."

Alicia so wanted to see for herself his 'fast reflexes'. She waited a ew beats to try to catch him off guard, by distracting him with conversation again. Then Finally she zipped a hand to catch his shoulder, but Nori still saw it coming. Easily he dodged it, carrying on his talk as if nothing ever happened. It made her laugh and she couldn't help the fun in it. She tried again and again he dodged airily. Even the third time when she tried to psych him out, he still remained untouchable.
"Hmm." Alicia bobbed her head. " Not bad at all."
Nori made his prideful smirk. "I don't know why you wouldn't believe me." He held open the door to the shop. The business was simple and quick, with Nori offering to carry the wheel back.
Man she wanted those fast reflexes. "How did you develop that so easily?" she inquired.
"It's simply learning to anticipate your opponent's move." Nori started. "Readying yourself now so you'll always be ready. Trusting your body to know how to react once you've learned how to dodge of course. If someone is shorter than yerself ya don't wanna lean forward when they're swinging."
"I want to learn more about that. How did you learn it?" She rubbed her chin. Sure she knew about it already rom her own general training back home, but maybe Nori could offer more lessons on it she hadn't heard before.
The dwarf hummed, stopping at a T in the town to set down the wheel upright. "Fast reflexes? Like with anything else it just takes practice and you'll get it in no time." Nori suddenly jabbed two fingers towards her arm, which she back stepped to avoid. " Ya see? You suspected I might do that, but did you think much about it? Nah, you trust yourself to know how to react, and that back pedal wasn't bad. It's really simple."
Alicia grinned." I see."
She tried again to touch him, but still feigned it and pulled back half way to see if he'd still flinch. Then follow up with her other hand. He did and it made her giggle at his little jig. She just barely missed him by a hair's breath. However, her grin was cut short when the mud under them gave way, making them both lose their balance. Nori gained his, but in his pin-wheeling arms, he hit the wheel, sending it rolling down the slippery slope.
"Uh oh!" Alicia wasn't thinking either when she started for it, and was now also sliding down the slick slope. Behind her Nori had barked something in another language. She didn't look back though, now trying just to stop herself or catch the wheel. The mud under her boots started to gather up, slowing her decent for only a few seconds. Then with a breathy 'Oof'! she was propelled back down the slope again, now with an extra weight behind her.
It would have been a fun ride, and she was enjoying it a little until at the end was a large wall of some other building. The cartwheel hit it and thankfully bounced off without busting to pieces. Alicia tried again to slow their decent. The guttural language behind her head made it obvious it was Nori trying to do the same but only made them spin. The ground leveled out and they slid through grass before finally smacking against the wall, both grunting heavily as they landed in a mud covered heap. Alicia hit her shoulder, knees and side pretty hard. Nori smacked the back of his head one shoulder against the wall too. She was sandwiched between the wall and Nori's groaning body.
"Uuugh." She winced, moving slowly to make sure nothing was broken. Oh but she'd be waking up to bruises no doubt about that. Actually what concerned her more was her friend's head. He could have a concussion from that. Alicia gently maneuvered enough to reach her hand behind his head, feeling for any kind of 'egg' on it. " Nori? You still with me buddy?"
"Mmmmgh." His eyes fluttered open then closed. his own grimace on his face. Gently she rubbed the back of his head. He had A LOT of hair. He once again groaned in that other language.
Unable to find words yet, she continued her soothing circles and made a cursory glance for any signs of blood. Luckily there was none.
Nori's eyes suddenly flew open. He let out a comically shrilly squawk as he pin-wheeled his arms and violently flinched from Alicia as if she was about to club him over the head. " Agh! Di-Did you just touch my hair?!"
Alicia stared at him awkwardly. "Yes?"
"No!" Nori yelped. " Nononono. That is very improper!"
"Improper? You like to crack flirty jokes what do you care about improper?"
"I wouldn't dare go so far as to, to toouuuch your hair!" Nori looked as if he had seen the scariest ghost ever.
"I'm sorry. You hit our head enough to get dazed and I just wanted to make sure your head was alright."
"It's fine. my head and everything about it is perfectly in tact and functioning with nothing in it to question about." Nori quickly popped up, dusting himself off, though it didn't do anything to hide the sudden bright red coloring of his face.
What on earth?.. "Okay...what about the rest of you?" she looked him up and down. "Seems alright."
Nori bristled, his cheeks almost glowing red. "Yes yes I'm fine. Let's just get this wheel back before you throw us into any more trouble."
"Don'tchu blame all this on me!" She quipped. "You coulda picked a better spot!"
Nori grumbled again as he swiped extra mud chunks off. the dwarf paused a second, his sharp angry features softening a little at seeing her wince and grimace. Nori held out a hand to her.
Wordlessly she took it to help her stand. the pain was still there but had now dulled to a small throbbing.
"Are you uninjured?" The dwarf asked.
"Yeah. I'm alright thank you. Round two will be without the wall." she joked.
Nori didn't laugh though, but shook his head, quenching any humor she tried to muster up too. When she walked her knees made her wobble before she regained stability.
"Here." Nori said rolling the wheel to her. " you hold onto this. I'll transform and give ya a ride back."
"No no it's alright. Not that bad." Alicia waved the offer off.
"It'll be fine. Easier on the both of us and quicker." Nori took a deep breath. Suddenly her hand had shot out to grab at hi shoulder.
"No I said! You've done enough for me already. You can call it a day and wash up." She had said in a more firm voice.
Nori froze in his stance, grey eyes shifting from her grip on his shoulder to her face, searching for something. "I'll see you back to the farm at least." he concluded, relaxing again.
At this, Alicia was also able to relax. In fact, she frowned to herself. Why was she so insistant on that? Was she scared? Worried?
Now didn't feel like the time to ponder on it yet. " Thanks." she mumbled.
"Round two yer on yer own by the way." The dwarf said after companionable silence.
"You didn't think that could have been fun?" She grinned again.
"If I was a dwarfling." Nori scoffed.
"Oh please. Never to old to have fun like that. Adults go sledding in the winter time. That's basically the same." The islander play argued.
Nori mutely smiled.
In the silence was also when she noticed more of where they were at. And how Nori rolled the wheel on his right side, walking a little closer to Alicia's left. " This side of town..."
"Is the slums." Nori finished. "Not all the folks here are bad. But they all got sticky hands. I'd stay away from this part if I were you." His eyes sharp once again as they rolled about their environment.
"Other than thievery, what else happens here? and how did it get like this when the other side seems, a little better?"
Nori shook his head again. "Anyone's guess what someone might be willing to go for money. Nah, This is the oldest part of the whole town. Over the years it became this way for one reason or another. Recently it's been due to underhanded activity. Supposedly illegal landlords trying to scare money from folks, smuggling goods in and out of the town...bed warming..."
"Is there no way to restore the place?" Alicia asked.
Nori shrugged one shoulder. "Depends really on the people if they want it restored or not. Best case is they have the money to hire good dwarven masons to build better homes. Worst case is they can't afford it because their money has been stolen and not yet returned, and so they cannot afford to renovate their living conditions. They could pack up and leave anytime though."
"Does King Thorin know about all this?"
"Aye he does. But this town ain't 'officially' owned by the dwarves. Humans built it and legally still own it. So it's the mayor's real choice in the matter." Nori explained as they left the place behind them.
"How sad. Is there nothing the mayor can do either to fix this?" She asked sadly.
Then the dwarf laughed humorlessly. "The mayor has done other things to improve his town. Farms are much bigger, businesses have grown which means more work, as you know. But I suspect he's paying a price he doesn't even realize for it."
"What price is that?" Alicia asked again. "How do you know?"
Nori was slow to answer. He rubbed his nose. "Simple dwarven intuition. Nothing's free in this world Miss so you keep an ear to the stone." He winked at her.
They strode up to the farm again where the both of them now had inquisitive looks thrown their way. The supervisor's brows were wrinkled in a look of an obvious 'what happened here?' question. He politely kept the questions to himself as he accepted the wheel to return to work with a nod.
"Alright. That means I'm done for the day." Alicia grinned. She shared her smile with her dwarven friend. "It was nice to see you again by the way."
"The pleasure was all mine my lady." Nori made a half bow. Alicia did the same gesture for the fun of it. " Until next time."
"Until next time." She waved bye to him, watching him stroll down the road before she went to the bathing room to wash up a little. Really she didn't even care that the water was not heated. the sun actually had warmed it up a little anyway. She filled up a couple of buckets, got all her cleaning supplies and sat on the wooden bench to rinse herself little by little, free of the grime. Alicia had bought a bar of soap for her own personal use that she takes in and out. It was a small thing that helped remind her of her home and being able to smell like something else besides earth or sea water. Her cot never looked so better once she returned home. Tomorrow she'd have to go buy an extra pair of work clothes, and wash the clothes she had. But that was all for tomorrow. Tonight, she sleeps like a baby.

I lavas Nori. Loves him to bits! I had to break this chapter in half because it was too long. And I wasn't entirely sure which way I wanted to go for a while. Hopefully that's cleared away. Yes Alicia is a curious lady, askin' all them questions. I do hope that this funny chapter has brightened your day a little bit too. Until next time!