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
Cirashala slept deeply for a few hours, until a terrifying nightmare about what happened to her family jolted her awake with a low, strangled cry. She lay on her bedroll, shivering under her cloak as tears streamed down her face. She muffled her sobs with the blanket so the company wouldn't hear her cry.
The fire crackled behind her, each of the dwarves adding more on their watches as the orange flames began to wane. Kili was on watch, having the third watch of the night, and he turned as he heard the sudden shuffle. His hand stilled from where it had been sharpening his sword. He could see the shivers emanating from the grey cloak, and his eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
Why is she so far away from the fire? He thought to himself. She would be much warmer if she were near it.
He looked up as he heard familiar footsteps approaching, and saw his brother returning from a late night visit to the bushes. He sat down beside his dark haired brother with a sigh. They were often put on watch together, for it was widely known by over half the company that if one was awake, the other could not sleep. As such, they decided that it would be better to put them both on watch together rather than have them both tired and cranky the next day, which boded well for no one.
Fili looked toward the restless girl, and back toward Kili.
"How long has she been shivering?" he whispered, and Kili shrugged.
"I don't know," he whispered back. "I only heard her rustling a few minutes ago." The two looked at her curiously, noting that her blanket was folded under her, not over her. Fili looked at his younger brother as Kili began to sharpen his sword again, and held his hands out toward the fire, rubbing them a bit.
"It's no wonder she's cold," he replied. "She's laying on her blanket, not under it. 'Tis barely past Midyear's day, and the nights are still very cool."
Kili nodded, his gaze returning to her as his hand moved the small whetstone in circles along his blade. His gaze seemed lost in thought as he replayed the events of the past day, and he turned to his brother.
"Fee, d-do you really think Uncle was going to kill her?" he asked, his whispering voice sounding very small. "W-when he thought she hurt me?" Fili stared into the fire in silence, and Kili's hand stilled as he lowered his head to gaze at his lap. There was a pause, before the elder sighed.
"I don't know," he replied honestly. "Uncle Thorin has never been one to pay much attention to women, but he has always seemed to treat them respectfully. I have never seen him grab one before, nor have I ever heard of him striking one. I thought he would never go so far as to harm a woman, but, after today…" his voice trailed off, uncertain.
"I-I don't understand it," Kili replied. "She has done nothing wrong. S-she saved me, and she helped me when I hurt my arm. She answered to Lord Elrond and Gandalf, and helped keep me from admitting that I was clumsy again, and she—she was willing to go without food so that we could leave Rivendell. She even pledged loyalty to him! Why did uncle treat her that way? Why did he pull a sword on her, for Durin' sake?!" The dark eyes locked with his brother's blue, and confusion and anger swirled in them.
"I think the sword might have been an accident," Fili replied. "It was hard to see without a torch, and there were strange shadows everywhere. Uncle may have seen the sword and thought she was an orc. Didn't you see his face when he realized it? I don't think I have ever seen him freeze like that before."
"That still doesn't explain why he grabbed her when he saw my cut," Kili said quietly. "He was gripping her arm so hard his knuckles were white." Fili let his breath out slowly.
"I think he genuinely thought she hurt you," he said after a moment. "And, if she had, it would have taken every bit of control I had to keep from hurting her myself," he admitted, eyes downcast. Kili's gaze shot toward his brother.
"But, Fili! She is a girl!" he whispered loudly, his face aghast. Fili held up his hand, looking at his brother with the expression on his face deadly serious.
"I know she looks very young, and I don't know how old she actually is, but she is old enough to have married and had two children," he corrected. "She is old enough to understand right from wrong, and had she harmed you, she would have known what she was doing. I may not have harmed her or killed her had she dared to harm you, but she certainly would have been put in a dungeon for the rest of her life, even if I had to build one myself." Kili looked at him for a moment, seeing the truth and protectiveness in his brother's eyes, before sighing and looking back at her.
"But she didn't hurt me. She helped me, and she shouldn't have been frightened so badly because of it," he said quietly. "Now, she is so terrified of us that she would risk the cold rather than be near the fire—and us." Fili's eyes followed his gaze, and he frowned.
"She would still be warmer if she would even just get under her blanket," he replied. Kili nodded. He glanced at the moon, just visible above the treetops.
"Our watch is over," he said quietly, sheathing his sword. The two stood up, and Fili headed over to Ori, who was next on watch. Kili watched him go, before returning his gaze to the still shivering girl.
Young woman, he reminded himself. He hesitated for a minute, before making up his mind. He walked toward her slowly and quietly. Perhaps he could at least maneuver her blanket out from under her without waking her.
XXX
As Kili approached the bedroll, he heard a strange, muffled sound. He paused, and listened. After a moment, he shook his head, convinced he was hearing things. He continued on until he crouched down behind the sleeping form of Cirashala, who had her back to the fire. He reached to turn her over, when he heard a slight sniffle, and froze. He saw her shoulders shaking, and his eyes widened as he realized she was crying. He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder at Ori, who didn't pay him any mind. Unsure of what to do, he lightly touched her shoulder. He heard a small gasp, and felt her body go rigid.
"Cirashala?" he said softly, pulling his hand back. "A-are you all right?"
"'m fine, my lord" her muffled voice replied, and Kili could hear the slight choke in it. He heard another sniffle, and stood up and moved to the front of her, crouching down. She burrowed her face in the bundled blanket, hiding it from view.
"You would be warmer if you used your blanket," he said gently. She slowly raised her face from the blanket, and he could see the fear and wariness in her gaze. He could also see that she had been crying. She noticed him searching her face, and flinched, hurriedly wiping her eyes.
"Forgive me, my lord," she whispered quickly, flushing slightly. "I did not mean to wake you with my weakness. I will not disturb your sleep again." Kili's eyes widened as she scrambled up quickly and scooped her pack and blanket into her arms. She made to hurry past him, and he stood quickly in front of her, holding up his hands.
"Wait!" he whispered, and she froze. He could see her trembling, and noticed how her eyes refused to meet his.
"You didn't wake me," he said softly. "I was on watch." She swallowed nervously.
"Then I will leave you to it, my lord," she whispered, before attempting to pass him again. Kili stepped into her path again, and she looked up at him in confusion, before turning and looking back at the camp. Kili saw Ori looking at them from across the fire with a bewildered look on his face, and inwardly groaned.
"If you wish to move, move nearer to the fire," he said, speaking loud enough that Ori could hear him, but quietly enough that no one else woke up. "The night is still cool, and you are obviously cold." He looked at her pointedly, and she lowered her eyes and nodded.
"As you wish, my lord," she repeated, bowing her head slightly before turning quickly. Kili sighed in frustration, looking despondently at the girl as she laid her bedroll slightly closer to the fire, but still well outside the circle of heat it gave off. At least she put the blanket above her this time.
He walked over and laid down on his bedroll next to his now sleeping brother, and put his face in the crook of his elbow. He was fairly certain he knew why she had been crying. He had had enough nightmares about nearly getting killed himself, and he easily recognized the look on her face for what it was. He was sure the day's events had been very harrowing for her.
However, he didn't know how she seemed to know his royal status. Perhaps Gandalf or Lord Elrond had mentioned it? She had called Bombur Lord too, and he almost chuckled at the thought of the kind, ginger haired dwarf being a lord. Perhaps she was just so frightened of them that she didn't dare to call them less for fear of insulting them? Her puzzling words ran through his head. My lord? As you wish? Forgive me for disturbing you?
If this was what it was going to be like once the mountain was reclaimed and he was formally crowned a Prince of Erebor, he wasn't quite sure he wanted it.
XXX
The early morning sun began to peek through the trees. Cirashala had finally fallen back into a deep and dreamless sleep only a half hour after she had laid back down, finally having gotten warm.
The dwarves began to awaken, and Bombur set to breakfast as soon as he was up. Several glances were cast in the motionless girl's direction, but she kept sleeping on, oblivious to the stirrings around camp. Her now cold bowl of supper from the night before still sat where Bilbo had set it the night before, untouched.
Balin moved towards her bedroll, before kneeling down and shaking her shoulder lightly.
"Lassie?" he asked gently. When she didn't respond, he shook her shoulder a bit harder and repeated himself. A small whimper escaped her, and she cracked one sleepy eye open at him.
"Is it time for my watch?" she murmered, and Balin shook his head.
"No, lass. It's morning. It is time to wake up," he replied gently, and she immediately sat up quickly, wincing as the movement pulled on her still healing wound. She turned toward Balin, some tendrils that had escaped her braids hanging wildly about her head as she vigorously rubbed the sleep out of her wide eyes.
"Lord Balin, forgive me! N-no one woke me for my watch, and—" He held up his hand, and she went silent, yawning heavily.
"You did not have watch last night, lass," he said gently but firmly. "And no need to call me Lord. Mister Balin is just fine." She looked at him with sleepy blue eyes, and nodded. She glanced at Thorin, who was heading out of camp, before turning toward Balin, who had just begun to stand.
"Er, um, Mister Balin?" she asked hesitantly, shuffling uncomfortably. The old dwarf paused and looked down at her. "I-I know the king said I shouldn't leave camp alone, but…. Can't I leave alone for, well…you know?"she trailed off, face reddening as she bit her lip. Balin looked at her, realization dawning on his face as he watched her awkward shuffle, and chuckled.
"Of course, lassie," he assured her. "Just be sure to take your weapons with you, be careful, and stay within shouting distance." She nodded gratefully, and grabbed her quiver, slinging it across her shoulders.
She silently thanked the old dwarf as she watched him move across camp, for if she had to take one of them with her, she wasn't sure who would be more mortified-her or the unfortunate watchman.
XXX
Kili was still sound asleep as well, having been unable to sleep for a good while after the conversation he had with her last night. Fili glanced toward him, a mischievous glint in his eye. He motioned Bilbo over.
"Bilbo, my dear hobbit, would you care to assist me with something?" he asked in mock innocence. Bilbo gave him a sideways glance, one eyebrow raised.
"Oh, no you don't," he replied warily. "I remember that tone of voice, and the last time one of you used it, you sent me up against three trolls all by myself!" Fili smirked.
"Ah, but you see, master hobbit," here he gestured over his shoulder at Kili, "That little hobgoblin is still asleep, and someone needs to wake him." Bilbo crossed his arms in front of him.
"No," he said simply, and Fili's eyebrows raised up at the blatant refusal.
"Why not?" he asked, and the hobbit looked at him indignantly.
"Because whatever you're planning, I will have no part in it," the hobbit said flatly. Fili sighed, looking around, but the rest of the dwarves were busy with their morning routines. Fili's eyes landed on Kili's boots, and he quietly picked them up, before casually making his way to the pond from the night before. Filling Kili's boot with the dank water, he crept back to camp.
Glancing around camp to make sure Thorin hadn't returned from his morning "activity" yet, he drew his arm back to launch the water filled boot at Kili, before swinging it forward—and smacking Cirashala right in the face as she came around the corner of the tree he was hiding behind.
She shrieked loudly as the boot smacked her in the face, sputtering and spitting out the foul tasting water.
"OW!" she cried, stepping back and holding her throbbing nose. The loud cry roused the sleeping dwarf, who sat up with dark hair sticking all directions and eyes wide, looking around frantically as he grabbed his bow. He caught sight of the now soaking wet Cirashala and Fili behind her, who looked really sheepish.
"Cirashala, I am so sorry!" Fili cried, rushing forward to wipe the muck and slime off her face. She stepped back rapidly away from him, rubbing the boot's contents off her face herself. She cast a hurt look at him as most of the company roared with laughter. The slime and muck dripped slowly down her body and on the ground.
Only three members of the company who were still in the clearing at the time didn't laugh. Kili was still half asleep and confused, looking from her to his boot on the ground, to Fili, and back to the boot. Balin and Bilbo glared at the young dwarf, and both moved toward the pair, Bilbo stopping at his pack briefly.
As Balin approached the young dwarf and began to scold him, Bilbo came up to Cirashala and offered her a handkerchief that he had managed to acquire in Rivendell.
"Thank you, Mr. Baggins," she replied, wiping her face as she walked past Fili and into the trees to take care of her business.
She could hear Fili behind her still apologizing, and glanced over her shoulder to see Balin put his hand on the blond dwarf's arm, keeping him from following her. She didn't know whether the prank was meant for her or not, and guessed it wasn't from Fili's genuinely shocked and apologetic expression.
As she finished her business, and began to head back to camp, she could see Kili giving his brother a dirty look as he scooped up the rest of the sludge out of his boot. Fili stood off to the side, a sour look on his face that was a cross between annoyance and sheepish.
She kicked a pinecone at her feet, and suddenly got an idea. The forest was full of pinecones, and she could easily gather them as she walked. She continued on to camp, her idea formulating in her mind as she drew closer. She glanced sideways at the young blonde dwarf as she returned, busy donning his pack.
The prank may not have been meant for me, she thought. But if he thinks that he can get away with pranking me and making me walk through Middle-earth stinking like this then he doesn't know who he is dealing with. I will show him that he would be wise to not prank a prankster.
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Hehe. So the slow healing finally begins, and Cirashala begins to regain a spark of life. Fili shouldn't have pranked someone who had done plenty of pranks in her lifetime!
A response to the guest reviewer for last chapter (who didn't provide their name)-thanks for the info regarding arrows and logistics! I only have blunt practice tips on my arrows, and don't have real (and sharp) tips around because of my children, so I wasn't completely sure how to work it out. I figure that she hit the edge of the tree not the center, so most of the arrow was just in the soft wood between the bark and the trunk, with exception to the end, which had held long enough for her to cross. I don't plan on having her repair the arrow (she doesn't know how to fletch but she does understand warped arrows not working well). Any inconsistencies regarding strength of the arrow in relation to the tree and methods used to pull it out might be able to be resolved by the fact that it was an elvish arrow fashioned in Rivendell. IMO, if a sword can have enough magic in it to glow blue when orcs appear, and if Orcrist "sings" as it looks forward to gracing battle once again, and if Elvish rope can tie and untie at the wielder's will, then I would suppose that elvish arrows are stronger, sharper, and able to do feats that regular arrows cannot do, including not breaking where normal arrows would. And I also decided that, though she does not realize it, Lord Elrond had the bow made with a 35 pound draw weight instead of 25, knowing the tasks that it must handle, but still allowing her to be able to draw it. And, to satisfy your curiosity, it is a longbow, not a recurve, though it is adjusted to four feet in strung length to match her height of 5 foot 1 inch tall.
Thanks to all who reviewed, favorited, and followed! I appreciate them! J