Chapter 6: An unexpected reunion
Authors note: Well here is the next chapter! Thanks for all the support guys! Now the story finally gets interesting! This chapter is not based on the movie at all and neither will the next one. I chose this particular time span because in the movie it gives us a bit of a time lapse, and I found it better to introduce Thobera back into the story in that time period. Anyway enjoy!
The next morning, the Dwarves had set out on their ponies again. Many of them remained silent as they journeyed through the narrow path on the outskirts of a forest. It reminded Bilbo of parts of the Shire, but they were now just a little beyond that realm so it didn't surprise him to still see lands like this.
Thorin rode his pony leading the company at the very front. He had kept to himself ever since the night before. But Balin's story had not just affected him, but also Bilbo and even Fili and Kili. The two nephews of Thorin felt rather guilty for making that remark on the Orcs after Balin had told the story of Thorin's encounter with the Pale Orc, Azog. This tale of woe had affected Bilbo the most, for he was still used to the merry old tales of heroes restoring peace to the lands. He hadn't realized how much death and despair was actually involved in those tales until now. Gandalf rode beside Bilbo knowing full well why the young Hobbit was being so quiet. He had not been travelling long with the company and already he knew that he had made a rather big mistake in joining the company of Dwarves. Balin's tale of the battle of Azanulbizar just proved to Bilbo that Thorin required fighters who could take down Orcs like a swig of ale, not a Hobbit who had no skills in combat. Bilbo had the urge to turn his pony back around and head back to his cozy Hobbit hole, but something was preventing him from doing such a thing. He had always dreamed of going on an adventure as a lad and now he was finally going on one! He wasn't about to give in to his Baggins side just yet.
A few Dwarves tried to break the uncomfortable silence beginning to hover over them. "At least the sun is out," Ori smiled trying to be enthusiastic. This caused many grumpy Dwarf faces to turn their heads in the direction of the youngest Dwarf and give him odd but twisted glares in his outburst of optimism. Ori just bowed his head glumly at the expressions he was receiving and kept his eyes focused on his pony's mane.
"You alright back there Oin?" Kili enquired turning his head to the back of the company where Oin seemed to be having trouble with his pony causing him to fall behind.
"Aye laddie," Oin blurted whilst trying to get his pony to stay on the path "just gotta get this pony to behave as all."
"Want another pony?"
"Oh no, no!" Oin protested "jus' give me a sec." Oin then placed his ear trumpet in his mouth and blew on it next to the pony's ear. Many of the Dwarves and of course Gandalf knew where this would lead, but many just held back in amusement as to what would happen to Oin after doing what he was about to do.
Thorin, deep in thought as always, was actually rather surprised to hear a sudden loud blow of a horn, soon followed by a loud yelp. He turned his head around to find Oin's pony jumping about erratically with a yelling Oin holding on for dear life. Many of the other Dwarves began to cry with laughter at this. Even some, Dwalin and Nori being examples, almost fell off of their own ponies because they were laughing so hard. Oin's face was full of panic and sheer fear as his hands grasped his pony's reins as tight as he could while trying to remain on the back of his bounding pony.
"IT'S NOT FUNNY LADS!" Oin shrieked "GET ME OFF!"
Before anyone else could help the poor old Dwarf, Oin's pony bolted past each pony and frantically ran down the path beyond the rest of the company. Oin screeched as his pony suddenly stopped, causing the unfortunate Dwarf to fly off of his pony and catapult down a ditch. The company watched in amusement as Oin managed to pick himself up, covered in dirt and leaves from head to toe, cursing in both Dwarvish and in the tongues of Men. Everyone stopped laughing and restrained their giggles as the Dwarf dragged himself back onto the path and stood before them.
"Now, don't you go sayin' a thing!" Oin pointed an accusing finger at the company. Many of the Dwarves stopped their ponies and passed glances toward each other before roaring in hysterics.
"Get him another pony," Thorin ordered not even thinking of laughing like the others "sort the other out and put him at the back."
Dori and Balin were the only two gracious enough to get off of their own ponies and help the embarrassed old Dwarf mount another pony as the others laughed at his dismay. Even Gandalf couldn't restrain his odd chuckles and Bilbo could not help but find it rather amusing, the most amusing thing since he had set out on the journey. Oin then mounted another pony and Balin did as Thorin requested and sent the fearful pony, which Oin had disturbed, to the back to calm down.
Once the hysterics had calmed down again, the company were once again greeted with silence. It went rather uncomfortable like beforehand and this time, no one tried to break it. The company continued their journey through the edges of the forest before a growing noise echoed throughout the area and gradually grew louder the further they progressed.
Thorin stopped his pony and raised his hand as a sign for the rest of the company to halt. The rest did as he signalled and muttered amongst themselves until Thorin ushered them to be quiet. That was when they all heard it. The sound of metal clanking soon followed by the loud yells and cries of some creatures. Everyone's eyes widened at the other sound they could hear. An all too familiar sound.
"Orcs!" Thorin exclaimed barely a whisper. The other Dwarves and Bilbo in particular began to panic. Thorin dismounted his pony and grabbed his sword from his belt. He then turned to the rest of the company.
"Wait here," Thorin commanded then pointing to his young nephews "Fili, Kili, come with me."
The two brothers did as they were instructed and also dismounted their ponies, grabbed their weapons and began to follow their uncle through the trees to where the noise was coming from. The three Dwarves were cautious holding their weapons close as they gradually got closer to the source of the uproar. Through the trees stood a small hill where below the echoes of battle ensued. Each of the Dwarves crouched themselves down out of sight between some bushes to get a closer look at what was going on. Each of them held their weapons wearily as they saw many Orcs attacking a figure just outside the forest on a flat but very dry field, one that looked as if it had seen many battles in the distant past.
Thorin was rather taken aback as he watched a small pack of about sixteen Orcs and two Wargs attacking a single figure about the size of a Dwarf. Actually, as Thorin got a close look it was in fact revealed to be a Dwarf! This Dwarf warrior wore no mark and barely had a beard to speak of, but the Dwarf did have hair, quite a bit. The warrior wore all Dwarvish armour including a helmet, a tunic, and a belt with what seemed to be three small axes. Two of them, the Dwarf were actually using to slay the Orcs every time they approached the warrior, and the other axe was left in the belt waiting to be used. Thorin watched in amazement at it, it had been a long time he had seen a Dwarf fight like this. He fought among many Dwarves but none of them fought alone, especially against this many Orcs.
The Dwarvish warrior swung the axes like giant maces and with each kill, the Dwarf simply picked up the axe out of the dead Orc and went on to slay the next. Letting out grunts of exertion with each killing the Dwarf's stamina was actually rather remarkable. As each Orc went to try and kill the lone Dwarf, they were only met with an axe to the stomach or neck.
Fili, Kili and Thorin did nothing but watch in awe as the Dwarvish warrior handled the Orcs like a normal routine. The two Wargs were kept back by their Orc riders until they knew they could get a clear shot at the Dwarf without harming any of their own kind. The first Warg rider swung his Warg towards the Dwarf and just after killing yet another Orc; the Dwarf warrior grabbed their axe from within the dead Orc carcass and threw it towards the Warg rider. The axe flew several meters in mid air until it embedded itself in the Warg rider's neck, the impact literally made the Orc fly off the back of his Warg, a burst of blood soon followed as the now dead rider had unintentionally abandoned his Warg. The Warg still went for the Dwarf despite his rider's downfall. The Dwarf backed off a bit before swinging their axe at the Warg embedding it into the side of the evil creature. The Warg went down with the first blow but it took many blows to actually kill the foul beast.
The other Warg rider took the Dwarf warrior by surprise and snuck up behind the pre-occupied Dwarf. The Warg literally jumped over the Dwarf causing the warrior to fall on their back. This left the Dwarf warrior vulnerable to any quick attack made by any Orc. Before the Dwarf could get up again, the Warg and its rider managed to pin the warrior down by the arms. The Warg snarled fiercely as the other Orcs began to circle the now defenceless Dwarf. One got out an Orcish blade and went to chop the Dwarf's head off but was held back by the others. The rider on the Warg ushered his creature to give the Dwarf a slow and painful death by eating the Dwarf alive. And as the Warg was about to do this something unexpected turned on the Orcs yet again.
Fili and Kili could bare it no longer. They had stood by and watched this Dwarf fight alone for far too long and did nothing to help. Both the younger Dwarves turned to face their uncle who had also surveyed the entire ugly affair take place.
"We have to help him," Kili said with a rather concerned and slightly panic-like tone.
Thorin did nothing. He witnessed as the Warg had pinned down the courageous Dwarf fighter and the Orcs had ordered the beast to kill the warrior who now had nowhere to go. He noticed the axes that the Dwarf had used, covered with Orc blood, now lay discarded on the grass next to where the Dwarf lay. A few odd struggles came from the Dwarf underneath the growling Warg as the warrior made many attempts to grab the axe that only lay a few metres away on the grass. But it was no good; the Dwarf was left without a weapon at hand. And with no weapon, against a pack of Orcs on monstrous Warg's, you were pretty much dead.
Thorin swiftly arose from behind the bush. He still kept himself out of the sight of the Orcs, but as he stood, so did Fili and Kili.
"Come on!" Thorin ordered grasping his sword tightly as he began to sprint away from the bush unnoticed. Fili and Kili did as instructed and also held their weapons at the ready. Kili grabbed his bow and had a single arrow in place ready to fire when necessary, while his brother grasped his newly sharpened sword also ready to strike.
Meanwhile the Dwarf squirmed in a frantic manner in an attempt to get free from the foul creature's vicious grip. The Dwarf watched, wide eyed, as the Orc on the Warg jumped off of the Warg and made his way over, crouching down and stroking the Dwarf's face provokingly as he turned to his Warg before speaking in his Orcish tongue.
"Eat the Dwarf-scum!" The Orc ordered causing the other Orcs to snarl and cheer in their vile ways. The Dwarf had known all too well what that Orc had said, and was not too thrilled when the Orc backed off and the Warg snarled even louder and more aggressively than beforehand. The Dwarf let out a cry of pain as the Warg lifted a paw and placed his full body weight on the Dwarf's leg. The Orcs around the Dwarf laughed and hissed in glee as the Warg was about to devour the Dwarf in front of their eyes. But they had not determined what would happen next.
The Warg was about to rip the Dwarf to shreds, but that was when something sudden prevented the creature from continuing the task. Each and every one of the surviving Orcs attentions were suddenly raised as the yells of Dwarves broke into the atmosphere. Three unexpected Dwarves charged, holding their weapons high and yelling loudly as they began to cut down the remaining Orcs that were still standing. This proved as a distraction for the Warg that had raised its head forgetting all about the Dwarf that still lay trapped beneath him. This gave the Dwarf enough time to react. Able to break free from the Warg's grasp, the Dwarf rolled across the grass to pick up the axe they had tried so hard to reach in their time of need. Grabbing the axe, the Dwarf leapt up, and as the warrior did so, an approaching Orc managed to get its head sliced off in the process by the Dwarf. The Warg that had been too easily distracted by the three Dwarves rapid appearance had been taken down by Thorin himself, shortly after the unknown Dwarf had recovered from the near-death experience.
Fili and Kili were fighting side by side with the remainder of the Orcs. Only five or six now remained as the unknown Dwarf warrior had killed the majority of them off before they had intervened. They felt rather glum that they had missed the majority of the action, but still marvelled at the ferocity and sheer determination that shone off of the warrior's battle skills. Thorin was the one to slay the most out of the three; he stood alone battling three Orcs at once. It was a messy experience; he had managed to get Orc blood all over his boots. But that was a normal thing for Thorin; he had handled enough Orcs in his lifetime to handle a bit of blood here and there.
Fili, Kili and Thorin had stopped fighting after finding that all of the Orcs had been slain. There was one left though, but the three Dwarves stopped and watched as the last Orc was kneed in the stomach by the Dwarf just before his head was decapitated from his body by an axe. The Dwarf warrior slammed the body to the ground recklessly and did not pay any attention to the three who stood there awaiting the mystery Dwarf to reveal their identity. Thorin, Fili and Kili's attentions then turned away from the Dwarf and focused on the approaching figures that were the rest of their company. Gandalf was at the front of the rapidly approaching figures. He sprinted up to Thorin, grasping his staff and sword tightly, before stopping to survey the many Orc and Warg carcases that lay lifeless on the ground before them.
"Thorin!" Gandalf exclaimed frantically as he finally stopped before the heir of Erebor "what in Middle-Earth happened here?"
Thorin made no reply. Just turned his attentions back toward the mysterious Dwarf warrior who was now scouting around for the remaining axes they had lost throughout the battle. Many of the Dwarves had followed his gaze and they all looked in confusion, awe and curiosity before the strange Dwarf. The Dwarf, now realising they were being watched, pulled the last remaining axe out of the body of the Warg they had slain. The Dwarf stood, one foot resting on top of the Warg's carcass with the other firmly on the ground, and gazed, eyes narrowed over at the company of fifteen people that stood there.
"Who are you and what is your business here?" The Dwarf announced, voice deep and obviously disguised. Thorin was about to speak but Gandalf abruptly intervened, much to his disapproval.
"We are merely just travelling through these lands," Gandalf explained stepping forward "we are a company of fifteen, thirteen Dwarves, myself and a Hobbit."
"I see," was the only reply from the Dwarf. Fili stepped forward eyes shifting curiously as he placed his sword back in his belt.
"Who are you?" He questioned standing beside Gandalf. He wore that look many of the other Dwarves, including Thorin, wore. Most of the Dwarves, and Bilbo, stood there mouths agape. They were rather shocked to see such a Dwarf on their journey, especially in these parts. Most Dwarves, if not all, often stayed in the mountains to work in the mines or nearby Dwarf towns, not fighting Orcs in the middle of nowhere. The only time Dwarves usually fought Orcs was in battle, but now this Dwarf was taking them on single handed, and did a pretty good job at it too. But all of these questions only peaked their curiosity. Who was the Dwarf behind the helmet and armour?
"That my young Dwarvish friend is for me to know and you to not know," the Dwarf replied still using that disguised tone as if to hide their true voice. "But as you did save my life, I guess you deserve the right to know of the person you so bravely helped fight along side."
The Dwarf then reached up for the Dwarvish battle helmet they wore. Taking off the helmet to reveal a face which took even Gandalf aback. From what seemed like a masculine face behind the helmet, along with the voice to match, was actually, surprisingly a Dwarf woman! Her long thick chestnut brown hair fell out of the helmet and floated about in the wind rather gently. One or two plats twisted in the wind along with the rest of her long thick locks. Her beard was also platted at two ends of her chin and the space between the plats was only very short. It was only until know that any of the Dwarves hadn't recognised that her body, under the armour, was not of a masculine build. It was a lot more curved and not as muscle-built as the average male Dwarf.
Bilbo in particular was astonished by who stood before him. He had never seen a Dwarf woman before in his entire life and it shocked him to see how feminine one could actually be. He had always imagined them to look exactly like a male Dwarf with long bushy beards and deep voices, but now that was not the case. And, beard aside, she actually looked like a proper female. She did not look as young as Ori, Fili or Kili but not as old as Dori, Oin or Balin. He noticed many of the other Dwarves around him mutter about seeing her before, but when he noticed Thorin step forward, he got the impression Thorin had definitely known this Dwarf woman before now.
The Dwarf woman's gaze searched each Dwarf. Her eyes narrowed slightly as if to be rather suspicious or sceptical of them. But when her eyes fell on a particular Dwarf, she felt her eyes widen to the largest they could go to.
Thorin stepped forward beyond the point of Gandalf and Fili. His eyes fixed upon the Dwarf woman and a rather astounded gaze about him. He was no longer aware of his surroundings, just focused all of his attentions on this one Dwarf. He had known her from somewhere! And unlike the other Dwarves, he knew exactly who she was. He couldn't believe his eyes for several moments when she had first revealed her identity to the company and figured it must've been an illusion. But here she was, still standing there, eyes now fixed upon him as his was on her. This was no illusion. She was still there! She was still alive after all of these years!
The Dwarf woman finally stepped off of the Warg's remains and made her way over to the approaching Dwarf. There they stood, about a metre apart staring into each others eyes in disbelief. It was then when the Dwarf woman bowed before Thorin when she spoke.
"Greetings, Thorin son of Thrain," she said her voice now no longer gruff and disguised "I do believe it has been many years since we last met."
"Indeed it has, Thobera, daughter of Dulin," Thorin replied down at the bowing Dwarf woman. She gazed up at him and smiled softly.
"So you do remember me?" She enquired now regaining full height smirking mischievously at Thorin.
"How could I forget?" Thorin continued "you left a lot to be remembered by."
"What can I say," she taunted "I'm that kind of woman."
The Dwarf woman's eyes sparkled with a small amount of delight as Thorin gazed wondrously at her. He had so many questions for her, but didn't want to seem as if he was prying, so he kept them back for now. He then noticed her attentions were no longer drawn to him, but to another.
Thobera turned her head to face a particular person, not a Dwarf and most certainly not Bilbo Baggins, the astounded Hobbit. It was Gandalf the Grey. She paced up to him bowing her head slightly and grinning in the process as the old Wizard did the same. This confused all but Gandalf himself. Even Thorin was left rather confused at the way the Dwarf woman acted around the old Wizard. It seemed as if… the two knew each other.
"Gandalf," Thobera began greeting the old Wizard "Gandalf the Grey. It has been many a year since we last met."
"Yes," Gandalf replied "I recall it being around twenty years to be precise."
"Glad to see you again old friend," Thobera patted the old Wizard's arm as the two grinned towards each other, much to everyone else's baffled yet intrigued faces.
The rest of the Dwarvish Company, the older ones that is, were convinced they had seen the Dwarf woman before now. Balin, unlike the others, knew exactly who she was, and even though he was still taken aback, he was relieved and in a way, glad to see her again. Others, Dwalin, Oin and Gloin, who had previously been Dwarf lords for their fair king Thror, had a growing suspicion on who this Dwarf woman was. And when they finally caught scent of the Dwarf woman's name, some reacted with shock and a bit of frustration, but one in particular acted upon a sudden urge of rage and aggression much to the surprise of many.
"I know you!" Dwalin blurted charging up to the Dwarf woman furiously "you're the Dwarf woman who stole, insulted and committed treason against king Thror and escaped!"
Thobera rolled her eyes turning away from Gandalf and overlooking the furious Dwarf. She crossed her arms, not so eager to start discussing that whole ugly affair again and decided to speak up finally to the angry Dwarf standing before her. "I see you still remember me as I still remember you, lord Dwalin," she said rather bitterly. Dwalin was a little stunned to know she still knew his name but soon got over that.
"Still a fiery one aren't ya?" He fumed matching her bitter tongue "rather surprising for one who has the nerve to attack the dignity of our fair king, but not to stand before him at her own execution. Jus' proves how much of a coward you are!"
Thobera turned away now getting rather infuriated by the Dwarf bringing up past affairs which did not concern him in the slightest. Balin tried to let his brother back off and leave her alone but it did not work. He continued to pester the Dwarf woman about the reason she disappeared all of those years ago.
"Dwalin, brother, stand down," Balin ushered him quietly but Dwalin shoved his older brother out of the way and continued to infuriate the Dwarf woman.
"I do not deny I did not steal or insult the king," Thobera finally retorted "for many of you here were witnesses to that entire affair. But to call me a coward after all of these years is low, even for a Dwarf lord. But now I see that you have no power here any more, nor do you have any justification over me. What happens in the past stays in the past. And to hold a grudge after so many years is just childish and petty. And as I recall hearing from the tales, king Thror under the mountain, the 'mighty' and 'divine' king, is no longer living."
This brought an extremely tense silence about the company. Her words had insulted many of them but none of them except Dwalin had the nerve to stand up to her. Thorin himself was rather offended but he knew how much she hated his grandfather. And he hardly blamed her after all he had done to her in the past. Thorin and Balin could understand her words, but the others did not accept them as lightly.
"How dare you!" Dwalin roared raising his hand in such a way that many thought he were about to slap her. Bilbo clenched his eyelids shut not wanting to watch the two fight it out any longer. But that was when someone stepped in between the pair and broke it off.
"Enough!" Thorin stood in front of Thobera causing Dwalin to reconsider his actions. Everyone remained silent as the Dwarf spoke his tone deadly serious yet defensive over Thobera. "Do any of you not realize what this Dwarf woman has done? She fought these Orcs single handed. And if it not for her courage, we would no doubt be fighting them ourselves. I know you may not be fond of her, thanks to her actions in the past and I do not ask you to forget them. All I ask of you now is to not bicker in such a time. For this is not the time, nor the place to fight amongst ourselves like this."
"I do believe Thorin is right," Gandalf broke in. "Who knows if anymore Orcs are headed in this direction. And if anyone should know these lands, Thobera is the one to know. So I suggest you keep your grudges to yourselves and focus on the situation at hand."
"Thank you Gandalf," Thobera stated then turning to the rest of the company, including Dwalin who had now backed off, and spoke. "I came into contact with this Orc pack this morning. They were headed East in that direction," she then pointed off into the distance beyond the grassy terrain "I do not know why they were out here, but I do know one thing. It is very strange for an Orc pack, with Wargs, to venture out here in the day."
"Very strange indeed," Gandalf muttered to himself.
"Gandalf," Thobera began with a rather stern gaze to break Gandalf's ponder. "Of all these years I have wondered the wilderness, I have never came upon such a thing. Something is happening, something terrible. Something that remains hidden and will not show itself."
Gandalf swiftly moved his hand and placed it on Thobera's shoulder surprisingly cheerful, much to Thobera's confusion. Gandalf focused his attentions on the growing concern on the others faces and tried to reassure them that nothing was wrong. "Oh I am sure everything is fine Thobera." He said already fooling many of the Dwarves. "I am certain that this Orc pack were just heading back to where they came from after the night before."
He may have fooled the likes of Bilbo, Ori and some other Dwarves, but he most certainly did not fool Thorin. Thorin watched as Gandalf turned Thobera away from the rest of the Dwarves and whispered something in her ear secretly. He could tell by the looks on their faces that something was wrong. He did not know what, but he knew it had something to do with the Orc pack they had just slain.
Gandalf crouched down to Thobera's height and began to whisper something in her ear as the other Dwarves were not looking. "We will discuss this matter later." Thobera got the message and nodded as Gandalf regained his full height and tried to get the others attentions. The Dwarves and Bilbo had turned their gazes to inspect the carnage beneath their feet. Dead Orcs lay, many without heads or limbs, scattered about the place. It brought a sickening stance about Bilbo, his face pale as he struggled to keep his eyes fixed on the floor. He was inches away from standing in a pool of Orc blood, and it made him feel seriously ill. This was the first time he had witnessed an after-battle zone, and it unnerved him. It gave him yet another reason to long for home.
"We should think of finding a place to make camp for the night," Gandalf announced then turning his gaze upon Bilbo who had covered his mouth with that pale look of sickness and disgust "I do not think it to be wise to carry on any further today."
"And what of the Dwarf woman?" Kili asked "is she coming too?"
Everyone's attentions yet again fell upon Thobera. She held her head high and watched as many faces turned to those of hopefulness, disapproval or in some cases rather eager. Gandalf exchanged glances with Thorin who decided to walk over to Thobera yet again. Thorin, slightly taller than the Dwarf woman, gazed down at her expectantly. She fixed her eyes of him and awaited him to say something.
"It is up to her," Thorin finally announced "she is permitted to come along of her own free will."
"Now jus' wait a minute!" Dori blurted "some of us don't know anything about this Dwarf woman! How do we know that we can trust her? By what Dwalin has said, I don't feel comfortable staying with a criminal."
"All shall be explained once we make camp Dori," Gandalf ensured trying to get the Dwarf to calm down. This raised questions among the others.
"I have a camp set up," Thobera explained "I have food, water, a fire and shelter. I don't mind having company tonight," she then turned her gaze upon Thorin again "for it would be a privilege to be in such company."
"It is settled then," Thorin decided fixing his attentions upon the others "we will follow Thobera to her camp. And tonight we shall all get some rest and the answers we are searching for."
The Dwarves did as they were told. They went back to grab their discarded ponies and supplies before following the Dwarf woman over the hills of the grassland to her camp. She remained at the front, talking with Gandalf about past times while Thorin remained behind them watching her with a curious eye. Balin remained close to Thorin and often drew their conversations on the Dwarf woman. Even Balin had questions as to what Thobera had got up to over the years. It was a shock to even the likes of him to still see her alive.
"I wonder," Balin broke the silence "how in the depths of Erebor did she come to know Gandalf the Grey?"
"I do not know," Thorin answered truthfully "nor do I know how she learned to fight like a true warrior."
"So many questions," Balin chuckled to himself "that Dwarf woman is peaking everyone's curiosity."
"And infuriating many," Thorin then turned his gaze upon a scowling Dwalin obviously cursing about Thobera to Oin and Gloin at the back of the company. Balin noticed Thorin's glance toward his younger brother.
"Don't worry about him, laddie," Balin encouraged "Dwalin was always a loyalist to your grandfather and your father back in the day as he is to you now. He can get rather worked up at times. I will settle him down."
"I understand his anger," Thorin replied "but I myself still cannot find anything with her to be angry about. All she does is continue to baffle me."
"Dwarf women have that effect on us Dwarf men."
"But why is she so different?" Thorin asked.
"She has obviously seen tough times, and like yourself, had to adapt to a new lifestyle. Her time in exile has changed her in such a way, she does not differ much from you at all," Balin explained keeping his eyes fixed upon the female.
Thorin did the same but found no way to reply to what Balin had just said. Were they more alike than he cared to admit? Thorin was not too sure. She had obviously changed drastically since their last encounter. The only thing he noticed that had not changed was her fiery attitude. But she had matured in some way. He too had been through those changes. After Smaug had taken Erebor he was forced to take charge and protect his people. Could it be possible that two Dwarves, both different in stature and gender could be so alike? Was their unexpected reunion by chance or destined to happen? But as fate would have it, here they were. Their wishes had come true. They did meet again under different circumstances since their previous encounter. But the question was now; would she join them on their quest to Erebor? Or would she simply go off into the wilderness and continue her life as a lone Dwarf ranger?
Tonight Thorin would discuss Thobera's part in the quest with the others. He had hoped that she would join him. For unlike Bilbo, he knew her loyalties stood with him. He did after all save her life all of those years ago. She had already proven herself to be a fierce fighter and her knowledge of the land may also prove as an advantage to them all. He knew that some would take some persuading, but if the Dwarves were now taking to the Hobbit, he would surely manage to persuade them to accept a Dwarf woman. Also, if Thobera would join him on their quest, it would get him to finally get those pressing questions off of his chest once and for all.
That night, much would be revealed. Friendships would start to form. And lastly, the decision would be made as to if Thobera would join their quest or not.
Authors note: Oh my gosh. I could not stop writing this chapter! I decided to post it early so it would benefit your curiosities. So what do you think? More will be revealed in the next chapter. And as for Dwalin's erratic behaviour, allow me to explain… we all know he is a tough fellow and he is extremely loyal to Thorin in the movie. I decided to give him and Thobera a bit of a bad relationship because of his lack of trust towards her. He holds a serious grudge against her for a while, after what happened in the first two chapters. Think of it being similar to Thorin's dislike towards Bilbo. So anyway, please review! Thank you!