A/N: I do not own the Hobbit nor any of its creations. It belongs to great J.R.R. Tolkien and the wonderful visions of Peter Jackson made real by MGM and New Line Cinema. I own Fallon, her family, background and heritage. I make no profit from this story and only seek to bring entertainment to other like-minded individuals as myself. Thank you and please review.
Chapter Six
Fallon POV
I woke up early, the sun not even cresting the horizen yet. Thorin, his nephews, Balin and Dwalin had followed me back to the Green Dragon Inn to rent rooms for the night. The others opted to find a place in Bilbo's home so as to save money or those too tired from the revelry to move too far. Having slept in the leggings and camisole from the previous night, I went straight into my morning excercise. A combination of yoga, pilates and meditation so that my body and mind were prepared for the journey ahead. I felt it put me in the right place physically and mentally, in case something happened. My meditation involved going through several scenerios of what could happen and how to react to them. I knew when the time came I would rely on my instincts and lessons but it helped calm me to visualize it.
Two hours later, my excercises were done and I'd taken the last hot bath to be had for a time. I dressed in my traveling clothes which consisted of a few layers for hard and rough wear. On top was a white camisole under a long-sleeve grey shirt with brown leather armor corset that had layered flaps that protected my thighs at the sides. Black leather breeches were fitted to my legs with an inner layer of cotton so the leather wouldn't irritate my skin. Brown and soft leather, fingerless (all but the middle and ring finger of my right hand) gloves were pulled on over the grey shirt. Over everything was a long-sleeved, dark red tunic with a v-neck to show the top of the leather corset underneath. Its hemline ended a few inches above the knees and the sleeves were loose before becoming tight at the forearms so my brown, leather armguards could fit snuggly and comfortably. Brown leather boots came up to my knees and were insulated with fur. A grey cloak with a large hood trimmed with white mink fur was the last piece of clothing to aide against the cold nights but I didn't put it on.
My hair was the last thing I did. I pulled the platinum blonde tresses into seven french braids around my head before they were tied with a dark red tie to make a loose ponytail. Three small braids were put into the ponytail along with the loose locks clasped with silver beads. On either side of my head, two small braids ran down in front of my ears. The four of them ended in silver beads like the three in back. Even with my hair pulled up, the length reached between my shoulder blades in the back. It was better for it to be tied back so it wouldn't get in my face or tangled to badly.
I gathered my things and made my way downstairs to ready Apollo for the journey. After the saddle bags were packed and everything was attached to him, I left for breakfast in the main room at the Green Dragon. The Dwarves were meeting there before we would set out through the Shire and onto the Great East Road. I stepped into the room and ordered breakfast from a passing Hobbit woman- bacon, hash, a honey cake and orange juice. Looking down at my arm, I tucked in the strings so they wouldn't get caught on anything.
"Well...would you look at that, lads?" Bofur's voice came above the general murmurs.
I looked up as the noise died down and saw everyone staring at me. I cocked an eyebrow, not understanding what was so interesting.
"What?" I asked, brows furrowed in confusion now.
"Nothing, lass. You just look ready for our journey," Balin said, smiling encouragingly and perhaps, a bit mischieviously.
"What? Was I supposed to wear a dress? I don't know if any of you've ever done so, but it's quite difficult to move in skirts."
Some of them laughed as I slid into a chair next to Ori. The meal was delicious and soon we were all gathered around outside, preparing the ponies. I was stood next to Apollo, going through my weapons and securing them on my person. A set of three throwing knives (shaped like traditional kunai) were trapped to both thighs that we reachable between the spilts in the tunic sides. I slid daggers into each boot and thinner blades in holsters hidden within my armguards. I strapped my twin, Chinese Dao-style short swords to my back (the strap running from left shoulder to right side in my front, though the swords went vertical along my spine) so the hilts were behind my head for easy access. Lastly, my sword was belted around my waist to rest against my left hip.
At the present moment, my quiver of arrows was attached to the saddle near Apollo's right shoulder and the bow was tied to it. If I strapped it on my back with my blades, the strap would go from the right shoulder to the left side and create a criss-cross. All of the belts and straps were brown leather to match everything else. The hilt wrappings of my blades were all dark red while the metal itself was a dark grey steel. The sword had a round pummel that was hollow in which contained a spherical blue Tiger's Eye gemstone with four metal bars securing it. My arrows were made of medium colored wood with white, feathered shafts. The bow was my pride and joy; other than my sword, of course. It was made of black ebony wood with vine and flower engravings filled with silver while the flowers were filled with shards of moonstone. The shape was unique; thick in the middle before thinning towards the edges length-wise. The nock and hand-grip was together before the vertical sides for safety reasons. The silver along the edges were sharpened so it could quickly go from long-range to short-range attacks, used similarily like a staff.
"No one can accuse you of not being rightfully prepared for anything."
I looked over my shoulder at Thorin and smiled, tightening the strap holding my bedroll, blanket and cloak.
"I do try."
He smirked at my response.
"I came to tell you that you'll be called upon from time to time for scouting ahead of our locations. Fili or Kili will accompany you since they have the best eyesight in the group. A set rotation will be placed to help everyone have a task to do."
"Alright. I understand."
"Please be cautious. Kili can be a bit hotheaded and reckless at times."
I smiled gently at him, understanding his concern. Fili and Kili were the only close family he had left, other than his sister. Apparently, they were barely old enough for this quest by Dwarf standards.
"Don't worry, Thorin. I'll keep an eye on them."
"Just don't bring harm to yourself in the process."
"I cannot make such promises, I'm afraid."
He frowned before sighing, nodding his head at my proclamation.
"Very well."
I nodded at him. He returned the gesture before moving towards his own pony. Fili and Kili soon walked up, their grinning faces bright and cheery.
"Need some help mounting your pony?" Kili asked, his brown eyes glittering.
I cocked a brow in challenge at him before easily flinging myself onto Apollo's back. Noticing that I'd managed to wipe the grin from Kili's face while Fili looked to be choking back laughter, I couldn't help teasing the archer.
"Apollo is actually a horse, just smaller than others of his breed." I took his reins lightly, not needing them to lead the horse. "Thank you for the offer, Kili but I'm quite adept in everything that involves a horse. Including my preference of riding bareback."
With a smirk on my lips, I urged Apollo forward with nothing more than a click of my tongue. I rode passed Bofur and Bifur, both looking highly amused until stopping where Gandalf was stood with Thorin and Balin.
"Gandalf, are you leading us out of the Shire?"
The old man looked up, his grey-blue eyes twinkling in the way the often do.
"I am."
I nodded, my smirk widening as I passed a casual glance at the trio. I made sure my tone was light and only slightly teasing.
"Good. We wouldn't wish to lose our way. What an unproductive start to a quest that would be."
I pushed Apollo forward again to stand next to Ori on his own pony but not without throwing a wink at Thorin.
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It wasn't until twenty minutes on the road that a faint shouting was heard.
"I hear something," I stated to Thorin, who was slightly ahead of me.
Thorin pulled his pony to a halt which prompted the same from everyone else. Finally, the yelling became more audible.
"Wait! Wait!"
Bilbo came running through the trees and stopped near Balin, panting from the undoubtedly long run.
"I signed it," Bilbo said, handing the contract up to Balin.
Balin looked at him, taking an eyeglass from his pocket and looking at Bilbo's signature.
"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Mister Baggins, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield."
"Give him a pony."
Thorin's order was met with protests. Apparently Hobbits didn't ride ponies very often for Bilbo was adament about walking. His excuses were silenced when Fili and Kili hoisted him by the arms onto Myrtle's saddle. Not long after, Oin shouted to Nori about paying up. Many had placed bets on whether Bilbo would come or not. Gandalf, Oin, Kili, Ori and I did- Bofur joining in when I said I was positive he'd come- while everyone else wasn't convinced. Gloin grumbled in his beard, tossing a pouch to me in the front. I sent him a wide smile that only made him mumble more. I turned forward again and caught Thorin's eyes.
"How did you know he'd come?"
"I didn't," he seemed suprised at my reply. "...but we needed him to. Plus, he was curious. Curiosity can be a force to be reckoned with in the right situation."
He gave a nod before looking forward again. Not a minute later, Bilbo shouted out to everyone.
"Wait! Stop! We have to go back."
"What on the earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked him.
"I've forgotten my handkerchief."
"Here," Bofur called, ripping a piece from his shirt. "Use this!"
He tossed it to Bilbo, who looked at it with an expression of disbelief and disgust.
"Move on."
I caught Thorin's gaze again and could tell he was getting irritated. Hobbits were used to the comforts of the Shire and their close-knit community. Bilbo was going to have to get used to the outdoors and forget the convienences of home. Gandalf spoke up and told him as much.
"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good deal many other things, Bilbo Baggins...before we reach our journey's end. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire. Home is now behind you, the world is ahead."
We rode in silence for a good bit, the occasional conversation popping up between those that rode close together. Within the wooded forest, I pulled my bow from its place and strung it to wait for the right moment. I looked to Kili and once I caught his attention, I raised my bow for him to see. Nodding my head at his own, he nodded and pulled it. We both loaded our respective bows and I gave a sharp, loud but short whistle. It failed to bother the ponies too much but a flock of guinea fowl were startled from the underbrush about fifty yards away. Kili and I both fired- him managing to get two while I got four. His stunned and awed expression made me laugh as I dismounted to gather the birds for dinner when we made camp. Quite a few of the Dwarves saw fit to tease him for the next hour or so. I shook my head at their picking, though it failed to make my smile fade.
Only a few steps behind, I noticed Thorin's gazing. I turned my eyes to his, tilting my head.
"What?"
"I'm impressed, is all."
"By the end of this journey, you won't be."
It was his turn to tilt his head in question.
"You'll come to expect it."
He smiled, shaking his head.
"But don't put too much faith in my abilities."
He looked at me confused then, his brows furrowed.
"I don't believe I could handle disappointing you all."
His expression softened, his eyes darkened and he nodded his head.
"You could never disappoint."
I opened my mouth to ask him why he would think that but Gandalf's voice came from ahead of us.
"Thorin."
The King-in-Exile kicked his pony into a trot to speak to Gandalf. It seemed they spoke of finding a place to camp because a little time afterwards, Thorin called out.
"Kili, Fallon...scout ahead. We need somewhere to camp for the night."
Nodding, Kili and I rode along the path to find somewhere that would provide the space and shelter we needed. It would do to be left too exposed or with too little space for us and the ponies. After coming upon a clearing near a stream that was big and hidden enough from the road, we made our way back to the others. Thorin accepted our report and we led the way there. Everyone dismounted and unburdened their ponies of their things. The Dwarves went about their chores- Oin and Gloin getting a fire going after Bifur and Bofur collected wood; Dori and Nori refilling everyone's water skins and canteens; Fili and Kili leading the ponies to the stream so they could drink and eat the grass (Ori would also help them settle the ponies by brushing their coats and checking their hooves); Balin, Dwalin and Gandalf spoke with Thorin about our progress and whatever else. I helped Bombur prepare the fowl for roasting while Bilbo stood around cluelessly. I felt for him, so I gave him a job.
"Bilbo, would you mind helping with the vegetables?"
He nodded eagerly, glad to have something to do.
"Of course, Lady Fallon."
"Just Fallon is fine, Bilbo."
I smiled at him before getting back to the fowl. I made sure to save the feathers that were fit to make arrows. I would probably have to make more arrows as not all of them would be able to be regathered after shot. I would ask Kili if he wanted some later, since he was the only one to carry a bow like me.
The Dwarves didn't eat many vegetables, it seemed and only then they had to be prepared a certain way. Potatoes and carrots were roasted together with thyme, sage, salt and pepper. The fowls were roasted on three spits over the fire and divided amongst us when they were done. Bombur was an excellent cook and I was hopeful of not eating jerky and trailmix the whole way to Erebor.
That night, I lay out my bedroll out...only to find Fili and Kili doing the same on either side not a moment later. When I sent a questioning look at them, they only winked at me.
"We want to make sure you remain safe, Fallon."
I shook my head at Kili's reason.
"The way she shot those guinea fowl earlier I'd say she doesn't need our protection, Brother."
I sighed at the brothers' and just lay down, covering up with my blanket and cloak. Rolling onto my side to face Fili, who was sharpening his swords, I resolved to fall asleep. My mind settled and soon sleep took me.
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Another chapter. Please review. It makes me feel better to know what you all think.
UnwrittenJourney