I do not own any of the characters or the Hobbit (just the AU storyline and my OC) those are the work of the esteemed and brilliant John Ronald Reull Tolkien, and without his genius, this and many other fan fics would not be in existence.
Please review! I love getting them-they keep me encouraged! J
They continued through the morning, and Cirashala knew she was definitely in for some blisters on her feet. She wished she had time to break her new boots in, but she would just have to make do. It's not like the dwarves' wide boots would fit her slender, tiny feet even if any of them had a spare pair to begin with. As for Bilbo, well, that went without even being said.
She tried not to show it as they walked, fearing if she were to limp the dwarves would see her as weak and unfit for the journey. But she would make it a point when they stopped to slip an extra pair of socks on and hope that could prolong it some.
She was very glad the taunting had stopped. She didn't like how she had to make enemies of two members of the company so quickly in order to do so, but at least Kili looked a bit better than he had before. He was up ahead of her, so she couldn't see his face, but his shoulders were no longer slumped and his head wasn't bowed.
Thorin came to a stop up ahead in a small clearing in the trees, and called a rest.
"Thank goodness!" she heard Bilbo mutter beside her, dropping his pack in the tall grass with a soft thump. She understood exactly how he felt as her feet ached. She had found a seemingly decent spot in the shade of a pine when Thorin's voice rang out.
"Fili! Kili! I want you to scout ahead a bit and see if the stream up ahead is low enough to cross," he ordered. The brothers nodded and continued on the path. Cirashala could hear the faint rushing sound of a river up ahead through the trees. She looked around at the other dwarves, who had pulled out what looked like dried meat and bread and were eating heartily.
Her stomach growled loudly, and she groaned. How could she have forgotten to pack food in that morning's rush? She had told Thorin she wouldn't eat much, but she certainly hadn't planned on eating nothing at all! She sighed, and glanced at her still empty water skin hanging from the bottom of her pack, remembering Lord Elrond's words.
You must drink a lot of water in the next few weeks to help replenish the blood you lost, or you will get very lightheaded and may become very ill.
She sighed again, and got up, wincing at her warg bite tugging a bit as the effects of the pain tea that morning had slowly worn off. Her aching feet and legs also protested the movement, but she would not risk hindering the company by becoming ill, and had thrown up enough in the past few days that she absolutely refused to risk becoming lightheaded again.
She grabbed her water skin and began to head down the path, when Thorin's voice stopped her.
"Girl, where do you think you're going?" he growled at her from his post leaning against a tree. She looked down at her empty skin, and back at the dwarf king.
"I need to fill my water skin. It is empty," she replied, blushing a bit when a few snickers erupted from the company.
"You out already, lass?" Bofur asked good naturedly. "It's surprising that you haven't had to visit the bushes all morning at that rate!" He winked at her with a grin. She bit her lower lip slightly.
"No, i-it's just…" she stammered a bit, before sighing and slumping her shoulders in defeat. "I left my room this morning in such a hurry that I….I forgot to fill it." The snickers turned into full on laughter, and Thorin put his head in his palm with a loud, frustrated sigh. He stayed that way for a few seconds, and Cirashala felt absolutely certain he must either be counting in his head or cursing heavily in his head, quite possibly both.
"Have you never been on an adventure before lass?" Dori asked her, raising his eyebrows.
"Aye, even a halfwit knows to pack water for a journey," Gloin responded, smirking at her. Her blue eyes sparked and her jaw clenched, but she refused to let her anger show again. She had known that full well, having gone hiking and camping quite a lot before she had gotten married. She had simply been too distracted this morning in her rush.
She turned in a huff, continuing down the path as the chuckles continued behind her. She heard a few choice comments about her apparent lack of intelligence, and raised one eyebrow.
I know far more than you idiots realize, she thought. And I am not stupid by any means. Slightly inexperienced yes, but not stupid.
"Who's not stupid?" she jumped, dropping her water skin, and barely refrained from screaming as Fili's question startled her. He and Kili were standing just ahead of her, and she could see the rushing water behind them. She hadn't realized she had been talking out loud, and seriously hoped that they had not heard the first part of her musings.
"Um, no one?" she replied, glaring at the two who glanced at each other, obviously trying not to laugh at startling her. She tried to pass between them, but they moved together and blocked the trail. She came to a stop, looking between the two of them.
"Where are you going?" Kili asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Is the rest over already?" Fili asked, sharing a confused glance with his brother. "How long were we gone, Kee?" Kili shrugged, indicating that he didn't know.
"No, it isn't over. You haven't been gone more than ten minutes, I would say," she replied, trying again to pass them. They didn't move, and she began to get annoyed.
"You shouldn't be wandering off by yourself, lass," Fili said, crossing his arms.
"Aye, the wilds can be dangerous," Kili added. "Especially for a woman." He looked at her pointedly, glancing at her abdomen where the warg bite was before back at her face, eyes serious. She followed his gaze, then looked him in the eye.
"Well, that's why I have a bow and sword, now, isn't it?" she retorted, and Kili raised his eyebrows.
"Aye, you do, and you don't even know how to tie your bow to your quiver properly," he said, crossing his arms as well as if to dare her to contradict him.
"Do you even know how to use your weapons?" Fili asked her, cocking his head to the side as he raised his eyebrows as well. She looked down.
"I do have some training, though as my lord," here she gestured toward Kili, "pointed out, I was never shown how to tie my bow to my quiver in such a manner as to draw it quickly."
"Who trained you?" Fili asked. "Why didn't they teach you that?" She sighed and looked out into the trees, before looking back at the two young dwarves.
"I just picked a bow up one day, got some arrows and a quiver, watched a few people from a distance to see how they held it, and just started shooting at targets on my own when I could spare the time. I basically taught myself," she replied. Kili looked at her with a bit of curiosity and gestured toward her sword.
"What about your sword? Who taught you that?" Kili asked. She looked down and swallowed, eyes misting a bit.
"My husband. He- he taught me a few basic stances, but he couldn't show me much. He wasn't a warrior," she answered, her voice wavering. Kili saw her grip tighten on her water skin, her knuckles turning white as she closed her eyes for a brief moment. He lowered his head.
"I am sorry," he replied softly. "I did not mean to upset you." She lifted her head, and blinked back the tears.
"It was a perfectly reasonable question, my lord," she replied quietly. "I told the king my grief would not hinder me, and it won't." She swallowed, looking at the lads.
"However, I do need to fill my water skin at the stream, so if it isn't too much trouble, would my lords please permit me to pass before the rest is over?" she asked them. Fili chuckled, and Kili smiled a bit. Their eyes locked for a moment, before they looked back at her. She could see the mischievous glint in them.
"Only if you let us come with you," Fili said, turning and making his way toward the stream. Kili followed, with Cirashala behind.
"Aye, wouldn't want you falling in," Kili added, his face seemingly innocent as he glanced back at her. She narrowed her eyes at the two, before raising her eyebrows.
"Speaking from experience?" she asked, and Fili barked a laugh, looking sidelong at Kili with a gleam in his eye. Kili sent him a warning stare, but Fili took no heed of it.
"I am not, but then again, I have always had sure footing, whereas Kili—" he gestured toward his brother, who's warning stare had turned into a glare. "Can be rather lacking in his ability to jump rocks, especially if there are people watching." Kili blushed, giving Fili a death glare as he shoved him in the shoulder. Fili snickered.
"That was only once, dear brother, and if I recall correctly, you were supposedly showing someone your new swords, and the sun glinted off them into my eyes," he retorted.
"You still continue on with that story, now do you?" Fili grinned, winking at Cirashala as they stopped in at the edge of the stream, but frowned when saw the lack of smile on her face. Kili saw the frown on Fili's face and turned toward Cirashala, eyebrows furrowing together.
"Are you all right?" Fili asked, eyeing her as she gripped her side with her eyes tightly closed, breathing slowly. Kili's eyes widened and he reached out to grasp her arm, his face full of concern. The blood suddenly drained from her face as she wavered.
"Cirashala?" he cried out as her knees suddenly gave out from under her. Eyes wide with fear, he caught her with his other arm as the unconscious girl crumpled to the ground.
XXX
Fili grabbed her left arm as she dropped to the ground, her head listing on Kili's chest. Kili looked over her head at Fili, and their eyes locked.
"Should we get Thorin?" he asked. Fili nodded and was about to get up when she stirred.
"No," she mumbled, "Don' get Thor'n." She lifted her head slightly, bumping Kili's chin above her. He shifted, loosening his hold on her so she could lift her head more easily.
" 'm fine," she said, looking at Fili. He didn't look convinced at all.
"You just passed out. You're not fine," Fili retorted. "You almost fell in the stream." He gestured in front of her, and she She looked at the ground, and noticed Kili's lower leg and boot were in the edge of the water. His right arm was still wrapped around her front, with his hand holding her opposite arm tightly.
"M-maybe you should go back to Rivendell," Kili said. Cirashala could feel his chest rumble as his deep voice reverberated through the cavity, and shook her head.
"No," she replied stubbornly. "I'm not going back." She took a deep breath, and winced as the movement put pressure on the bite. She could feel Kili tense.
"You're still hurt," he said softly. She could hear the slight twinge of guilt in his voice, and felt bad that he had to witness such an injury inflicted. She had a feeling that was likely the first time someone had been seriously hurt right in front of him.
"Aye," Fili replied. "You received a very severe wound and nearly died. No one will think less of you should you decide to return."
"I-I just need s-some water, that's all," she said. "Lord Elrond told me I had to drink l-lots of it because of losing so m-much blood, and I forgot to fill my w-water skin." She took as deep of a breath as she dared as Fili immediately grabbed her empty skin and placed it in the stream to fill.
"You are still in pain," Kili replied, looking down at her. She looked up at him, and saw the worry in his eyes. She nodded.
"L-Lord Elrond gave me s-some pain herbs," she said, "I-I have to make them in-in a tea, but I c-couldn't without water." Fili finished filling the skin and handed it to his brother. Kili let go of her arm and brought it up to her mouth. She leaned forward, bringing her arms up to hold it as well, before taking several small sips.
The two sighed in relief as color returned to her cheeks, and Kili let go of the skin.
"Should we go get the herbs?" Fili asked, looking at her for an answer. She shook her head and started to stand. Kili grasped her right arm and Fili grasped her left to support her as she stood. Once she was steady, she looked at Fili.
"They are in my pack," she explained, her cheeks reddening slightly. "I will get them when we get back." She looked at the concerned young dwarves, her blue eyes pleading.
"Please, don't tell the company about this. I-I don't want the company to know how weak I am. They already think me stupid for forgetting to fill my skin before we left. " she whispered, looking down at the ground. The two exchanged glances, nodding in agreement.
"We won't," Fili said, "But we best be getting back before they send out a search party for us." She nodded, and they moved back up the path, with Fili in front of her and Kili behind her.
"Cirashala?" he asked quietly.
"Hm?" she replied, glancing over her shoulder.
"Who called you stupid?" he asked, and she shrugged.
"I'm not sure. A few people said it as I left the clearing," she replied quietly. She turned to continue on, not seeing the young dwarf's jaw tighten as he clenched his hands.
XXX
The three reached the clearing just as the company had begun to head toward the tree line along the path with their weapons drawn. Thorin saw the three come up the path and glared as they reached the clearing, holding a hand up to halt the company behind him.
"Where in Durin's name have you three been?" he asked angrily, looking at the two young dwarves and the girl.
"I asked you two" he pointed to Fili and Kili, "to scout ahead half an hour ago! We were about to waste valuable time searching for you!" The two glanced at each other, not sure what to say about their delay.
Fili opened his mouth but before he could answer Thorin Kili spoke up.
"I'm sorry Thorin," he said, ducking his head a bit. "I got distracted, and accidentally slipped in the stream. I am sorry it delayed our return." He gestured toward his wet trouser leg, before looking back up at him. Fili and Cirashala looked at Kili, but decided that what he had said was true enough, even if he didn't give the entire story, and remained silent. Thorin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Kili, we will speak about this later. As for you, "he said, pointing to Cirashala. "How long does it take to fill a water skin?"
"I am sorry, my lord. I had some difficulty filling the skin when I reached the stream, but it was figured out," she replied, hoping Thorin would not ask for details. A few dwarves snickered again, but she didn't look at them as she made her way back to the pine where she had left her pack.
Thorin turned toward his nephews, and she heard him ask how their scouting trip went. She quickly pulled a small cup out of her pack and poured the water into it, before pinching a small amount of the herbs and placing them in the cup. She quickly drank it, before replacing the articles in her pack, and tied her now full water skin to the side of it where it could easily be reached as she walked.
She stood up just as the company began to go down the path, and quickly slung her pack over her shoulder, wincing as she did so, before she followed after the dwarves and hobbit.
XXX
When the company reached the stream, Thorin called a halt. He took one look at the stream, before calling for his nephews.
"I thought you said the stream was low enough to cross," he asked them sternly. They looked at each other, uncertain.
"Isn't it?" Kili asked. "It doesn't look that deep." Thorin pointed to where the water on the surface whirled around in circles as the water churned by.
"No, it is not too deep, probably only about two and a half feet or so. But those ripples indicate a strong current that will make it difficult to cross safely," he replied. The lads looked at each other before their shoulders slumped, sighing as they looked at the river. Thorin looked up and down either way.
"How deep does it get upriver and downriver?" he asked them. Fili shook his head.
"There are rapids upriver, and it just gets deeper further downriver," he said. Kili nodded in agreement.
Cirashala heard Thorin mutter something under his breath that sounded like, "Mahalu me-turg." It was Khuzdul for "By Aulë's beard" and she remembered it to be a curse. He drew Dwalin aside and they began to speak quietly. She looked at the swirling water, then at the trees along the other side.
"Um, excuse me, my lord?" she said to Bofur.
"Aye, lass?" he asked, smiling, "And no need to call me lord. I am nothing more than a simple toymaker." She nodded, then asked, "Do you happen to have some rope?"
"Aye, lass. But what would you be needing rope for?" he asked her, confusion on his face. She said nothing, but took the rope he offered.
Drawing an arrow from her quiver, she tied the end of the half inch thick rope as securely as she could just behind the head of it, keeping about five feet slack. Bofur looked at her, a puzzled expression on his face as she walked to the water's edge just behind Thorin. Dwalin looked up and his expression turned to one of confusion. Seeing his friend's face, Thorin turned around.
"What in Durin's name are you doi—" he stopped short as she drew her bow, aiming for a tree on the far side, before firing her arrow across the stream. The arrow thankfully landed in a pine on the other side, quivering for a moment before it stood still, the rope still tied to it hanging about a foot above the water.
The company, who had been muttering with various dwarves pointing up and downstream up until now, fell silent. Fourteen eyes watched her as she took the end of the rope still on their side and wrap it around a tree trunk, tying it. She tugged on it firmly to make sure it was tight before picking up her pack. She hefted it on top of her shoulder, wincing as she did so, before grabbing the rope with her free hand and setting foot in the stream.
Kili ran to the edge of the stream, reaching out to grasp her just as she moved out of reach.
"Kili, no!" Thorin said, grabbing the young dwarf around the torso before he could get in the water.
Fili was right behind him, and Dwalin reached over, grabbing him as well before he could follow his brother. Bilbo ran to the edge of the water and shouted.
"Miss! You cannot cross here! Didn't you hear what Thorin said? You'll drown! Miss—" he trailed off as she continued on, heedless of his pleas. She slipped a few times, causing a couple of shouts from Bilbo, Bofur, Fili and Kili, but the rope kept her from falling completely. Each time she slipped, she pulled herself up, hoping the arrow would remain fast in the tree.
Getting completely soaked despite her best efforts, she managed to get to the other side still hanging onto the rope. As she set foot on the other side, she all but collapsed on the shore, panting. She saw the arrow, still imbedded in the tree, before looking over her shoulder.
"Wait until I get the rope tied around this tree, then you can cross safely," she shouted over the river. She saw the hobbit sigh with relief as she spoke, and Fili, Kili, and a few others grinned widely. She stumbled up, and grabbed the end of the rope, rounding the tree before tying it off as she had the other one. She didn't even try to get the arrow out of the tree by herself- she knew that she would likely need help pulling it out.
She gave the rope one last tug, before turning and looking at the company across the stream.
"Don't let go of it!" she said, before flopping down against the tree that held the rope, beads of moisture not from the water forming on her brow. She felt flushed and breathless after her crossing, not knowing how she was going to manage to keep up this afternoon. She was determined to try, however, and would take advantage of the rest she could have as she waited for the company to cross the stream.
XXX
Thorin looked at her for a moment, before turning toward the company.
"I will go first," he said, "Then, if it is safe, the rest of you will follow." Dwalin put his hand on Thorin's forearm.
"No, I will go first. I am heavier than you," he said, looking Thorin in the eye. They stared down for a moment, before Thorin relented. Kili smirked a bit as he watched the silent exchange.
He knew that, while Dwalin was indeed heavier than Thorin, that was not the reason he offered to go first. The two had been best friends since they were young dwarflings, and Dwalin was fiercely loyal to Thorin. He offered to go, not because he was heavier, but because he was protecting Thorin should the rope not be strong enough. However, if anyone else dared to say anything, both of them would deny it.
He had to admit, he liked her idea. While it wasn't as ideal as the river not having as much of a current, or having a bridge over it, it just might work.
Stupid indeed, he thought with a smirk, glancing at his brother, who grinned back. A few of the dwarves placed bets on whether or not Dwalin would make it across behind him, and he threw in his bet for the affirmative.
Dwalin strode through the water, the warrior slipping a few times. He came up sputtering and cursing profoundly, but the rope held firm, and he reached the other side and stepped out of the water, wet and annoyed, but unharmed. He turned toward the opposite bank.
"It's safe!" he shouted. Several groans erupted behind Kili, as well as a few cheers. He laughed and turned to collect his winnings from a grumbling Gloin and Nori.
"I was sure that wouldn't work," he heard Nori mutter as he turned around, shaking his head.
"Aye, didn't think she was smart enough to pull that off," Gloin grumbled, and the hairs on the back of Kili's neck bristled. He remained calm however, and went to follow his brother in the water.
XXX
He was about to step in as he saw the hobbit, who was standing next to the water looking very uncertain.
"Bilbo?" Kili asked. "Aren't you going to cross?" Bilbo glanced at him, then back at the swirling water.
"You may cross if you like, Kili, but hobbits are not fond of water at all," Bilbo replied testily. Kili looked at Bilbo, then back at the water, before returning to the hobbit, realization dawning on his face.
"You can't swim, can you?" he asked, and Bilbo shook his head dejectedly.
"Most hobbits don't," he replied nervously. Kili smiled at him reassuringly, and offered his hand. Bilbo shook his head.
"No, no I don't think so," he replied, staring at the water dripping off the rope. Kili grinned, his eyes glinting, and Bilbo began to back away.
"Well, my dear hobbit, if you will not come willingly, I suppose I will have to carry you across," he said mischievously.
"You are NOT carrying me across that stream!" Bilbo squeaked, running away from Kili. The young dwarf laughed as he gave chase, finally catching the poor hobbit and slinging him over his shoulder. Bilbo started kicking and hitting the dwarf with his fists to no avail. Kili grabbed the rope, and stepped into the water.
Bilbo's eyes widened comically as the water grew closer to his face, and Bofur, who was behind the two, began to laugh. Bilbo glared at him, before turning his head toward Kili as much as he could in his current position.
"Kili, I swear if you duck my head in the water I will hide your pipe!" the hobbit squeaked, as water splashed on his face. Kili laughed, before setting the hobbit down in the water, keeping a firm grip on his arm until Bilbo grabbed the rope. The hobbit gasped as he was set down in the cold water, gripping the rope tightly with both hands before glaring at the widely grinning Kili.
"Oi, let's get moving! This water's cold!" Bofur shouted behind them, and Bilbo began to make his way across the second half of the stream, Kili right behind him should the hobbit fall. As Bilbo climbed out of the stream on the other side, he plopped down on the rocky shore sighing in relief- and still glaring at Kili as the latter pretended to be oblivious at the hobbit's discomfort.
The young dwarf walked up to Gloin and Nori, who were wringing out their beards. The two looked up at him, and he narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Stupid, is she?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced toward Cirashala. The two shifted uncomfortably, not making eye contact with the young prince.
"Perhaps we have been, er, a bit hasty with our remarks," Gloin muttered, paying careful attention to his wet beard.
"Aye, perhaps," Nori nodded, averting his eyes as he suddenly found the surrounding scenery very interesting.
At least they have the decency to look sheepish, the young dwarf thought with a smirk, before heading to join his brother.
XXX
Thorin had to admit, Cirashala's idea had been a good one. He probably would have thought of it eventually, and he was a bit annoyed that she had done so without asking him first. He was a bit surprised she had managed to keep up this far, but maybe her warg bite was healing faster than he thought.
As the last of his company stepped out of the stream, he turned toward Cirashala. The two pairs of eyes locked, before he sighed and nodded his head slightly. She nodded back, rising to her feet a bit shakily. She laid her hand on the trunk, using it to support her as she stood. He cleared his throat and gestured toward the arrow still imbedded in the tree.
"Get your arrow. We won't be reaching any towns for a long while, and you may have need of them before then," he commanded, before heading off to join Balin and Dwalin at the head of the group.