The orc bodies were disposed of by mid day. The dwarves diligently took them far from their settlement and burned them, not wanting their stench to attract unwanted company.
By now, Asphodel had regained her ability to walk and she and Brenna were sitting on a log in front of her cabin, enjoying the rare sunny day.
Asphodel was busy kneading a bowl of bread dough while Brenna was busy sorting out a pile of tunics.
"Sloppy dwarves," Brenna complained as she sorted through the tunics, "They don't take good care of their garments. And these tunics are mostly made for men."
"Well they have had to get their tunics from Bard," Asphodel pointed out, "I suppose Dwarves don't make the best of clothiers. It's fortunate that we all have you."
Brenna smiled. Asphodel had grown fond of her friend who was living with her like a sister. She was afraid Brenna would leave after her mother died, since there was nothing keeping her here, but Asphodel and Bilbo were both pleasantly surprised when she chose to stay.
"Gnomes know textiles well," Brenna said, "The Forodwaiths are very harsh and the winters are the coldest in all the world. We had to rely on thick wool and leather hide in order to survive. Eventually, we honed our skill in such textiles and traded our work with other races."
"We have never heard of your race," Asphodel said, "But then, in the shire, we try not to involve ourselves in the news of other lands."
"My people have always been few," Brenna admitted sadly, "We don't have mighty kingdoms or grand halls. We are a scattered people, living in small villages. Often times, we live in villages of other races. I do not expect to see another gnome in this land."
Asphodel felt a pang of sadness for her new sister. Asphodel may have been orphaned recently, but she had Bilbo and she knew she had a home with him or in the shire. Brenna was truly alone, she had no parents and no way to return to her home.
Just then, Fili and Kili wandered over to them. Kili's leg was still bound in a splint and he was leaning heavily on his brother.
"Mind if we join you?" Fili asked, lowering Kili to the ground in front of them, "We could use a short break."
They were quickly joined by Ori and Gimli, "Well we got the last of that filth out of here," Gimli said before settling down with his cousins, "But I'm willing to bet there will be more before long."
"I hope not," Asphodel said with a shutter. She was really beginning to fear orcs. She had not had the best time in Orc captivity and just the idea of them filled her with fear, "They are frightening."
"I don't fear them," Brenna said with a shrug, "But I don't see how we can defend ourselves against them when we are so few in number. We were lucky that we were up against a small group this time."
"We will be ready for them when they return," Fili said, bitterness in his voice, "After what they did to our people…"
"Vengeance will not keep you alive," Brenna said brashly. Fili glanced up at her angrily, "What would you have us do, Milady?" he said, "Sit here and wait for them to come kill us all?"
"No," Brenna said. The two looked at one another for a few moments, each searching the other's expression for some kind of understanding. Asphodel watched with interest.
"Pardon us," The staring match was broken when the six of them were joined by the two elves. Legolas and Tauriel stood before them, glancing at them.
"Is there something we can do for you, Master Elf?" Asphodel asked politely.
"Where is Thorin?" Legolas asked.
"He's helping repair the cabins after the orc attack," Fili explained, pointing towards his left.
"We heard about the orcs," Tauriel said, "And we ambushed another pack of them yesterday. I take it there were no deaths?"
"Only them…" Gimli put in, bitterly. Legolas and Tauriel did a double take at Gimli.
"He's Gloin's son," Kili explained, "He's joined us from the blue mountains."
"Very well," Legolas said, "We've come to offer help in fortifying defenses around this land. We know a few elvish magic charms and strategies that have managed to keep our kingdom clear of orcs."
Fili quickly got to his feet to address the elves. Though he still had to look up from his meager height, "I… just wanted to thank you," he said. Legolas and Tauriel glanced at one another before looking back at Fili.
"Uncle always told us to be weary of elves," Kili put in, "But if it hadn't been for all your help and Bard's help, Fili and I wouldn't be here."
"You are quite welcome," Tauriel said with a smile, "And I hope we can continue to work together so long as you are living here. We will be neighbors, after all."
Fili bowed his head politely and the two elves continued on.
Asphodel smiled and continued to go about her work, feeling comfortable in the company of her dear friends. The six of them spend much of the day together, chatting, bonding. They were the youths in this group and that brought them together more than anything, but there was a sense of trust and camaraderie growing between them as well. The 13 original dwarves of the company had already developed that bond, as many of them were family to begin with. The new additions were beginning to become important and valued members of the company, as if they had there from the beginning.
In the following months, the settlement of dwarves carried on through the harsh winter. They were subject to further attacks, and they suffered through the bitter cold and the desperate poverty. Bard and the two elves continued to be frequent visitors, aiding where they could. Together, somehow, they all made it through the winter.
Well that was it for this installment. The saga continue in "Choices."