I AM SORRY FOR THE LACK OF MITHRA SEGMENTS LATELY, IT'S JUST...MUCH OF THE SAME WITH HER RIGHT NOW. WITH AILI, THERE'S KILIEL INTERACTING AND GETTING CLOSER AND HER OWN THOUGHTS. SHE ALSO HAS THE COMPANY TO KEEP HER, AH...COMPANY. MITHRA HAS NOTHING AND NO ONE TO ENTERTAIN HER BUT HER THOUGHTS. SORRY AGAIN, BUT...NOT MUCH I CAN DO.
OH, AND SORRY IN ADVANCE FOR THE TIMING ON OCCASION. I WANT TO GIVE BOTH GIRLS' POINT OF VIEW ON THINGS LIKE THE ESCAPE AND SOMETIMES HAVE TO GO BACK A LITTLE TO DO THAT. SORRY.
OH, AND DOES ANYONE ELSE SMELL BUDDING ROMANCE? IF SO, YOU ARE RIGHT, FOR KILIEL AND FIA. I LOVE THOSE TWO COUPLES AND WISH WE GOT MORE KILIEL. *SIGH* ONE CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING, I SUPPOSE...
GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!
~THE LUPINE SOJOURNER
(M)
The following days were slow. Painstakingly slow, even with the Feast of Starlight going on. I did have a lot of time to contemplate my true reasons for staying with the Company, though. And...well...Legolas is probably right; I have, most likely, found a true home for myself. There's no other reason I would stay. Normally, I'd have run after the Goblins, slipping out in the dead of night. If not then, then sometime shortly after. Normally, I don't handle fighting and all the crazy adventures we've had this well. I normally flee and get as far away as possible before I get hurt or too invested in the people I traveled with, but with this Company, there was never an urge to get away. I just...liked it here. Fili's competitions and gambling was something that amused me and I was hardly ever irked by any of their actions or banter, unlike all other occasions in which I traveled with others.
It's...nice. I feel...at peace for the first time in years with these Dwarves. They call me friend, meaning it, and they watch out for each other and me. Though I initially joined out of curiosity and a little traveling itch, I can honestly say that I enjoy life with them. I want to join their quest. I want...to...well...I am not entirely sure, but I think...
I think I am starting to really like Fili. Wow. Can't say I saw that coming.
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
"I'll wager the sun is on the rise." Bofur mumbles. "Must be nearly dawn." I yawn, sitting up. He hasn't done that for a few (I assume) mornings. There have been a few, I think. Time is practically meaningless. The only way we know it's most likely night is when the lanterns outside our cells dims a little.
"Bofur, we're trying to sleep." I reply.
"You aren't." He retorts. I chuckle.
"Only cus you woke me."
"To hear your voice.' I blush and tuck my hair.
"Someone'll hear." I note.
"Can't care less. If we're stuck here forever, I don't want to keep this a secret any longer." I sigh.
"You're right, but-"
"Keep what a secret?" Balin asks sleepily. I gulp.
"Um...me and Bofur...ah..." I stumble for words. Balin chuckles softly.
"Lass, I knew before you two did. Just like with Fili and Mithra." I laugh. Finally, someone noticed it! Hopefully, they will, too.
"You see it, too?"
"If anyone doesn't see it, they're blind." Balin replies.
"I agree." Bofur adds. I sigh.
"Bit too late, unless Bilbo somehow gets us out of here." I muse.
"I believe he will." I hear Kili mumble as he wakes up. "What's too late?" I groan.
"Nothing."
"Aili~!" He whines.
"Believe me, it's nothing." I reply and refuse to say what we had been discussing. I found it tragic that my brothers, both of them, are separated from the ones they love. With Kili, it is a young yet strong love, but Fili and Mia have been developing their bond a little longer. Can't decide which situation is worse; being separated when you are coming to love someone or being separated after you discover you love them, such as me and Bofur. Both are hard to bear.
Tauriel arrives soon with today's rations, as usual, though we now hate the flaky, tasteless bread, but it's also the only thing they feed us, so we have to eat it.
"Mithra misses you." She notes as she hands Fili his portion. "She asked me to tell you." Her voice was lowered, but it echoed around the room slightly, just enough that we could hear. I smile.
"What?" He asks. Tauriel shrugs, smiles and moves along.
"Did she really say that?" Kili asks. She chuckles.
"Why would I say she said it if she did not?" She replies, moving along, but she's smiling when she reaches me.
"Thank you, Tauriel." I mumble, taking my portion of bread.
"You're welcome." She replies. We're left alone again to eat and be bored.
"What did that mean, 'Mithra misses you'?" Fili asks. I smile.
"Just that. She misses you."
"But...why would she say that, knowing Tauriel might not deliver the message?"
"It's...something she wanted you to know, lad." Balin muses patiently. Fili hums, but then continues eating. Neither of us have the heart to tell him we knew of their budding romance.
=#=#=#=#=
(M)
"Did you tell him?" I ask when Tauriel makes her rounds. She smiles.
"Yes, though I am not sure why you wanted me to deliver so simple a message." I sigh.
"I just...wanted him to know."
"Well, I think he misses you, as well, but...he was a little confused." I flop on the bed.
"I don't really know why I asked you to tell him that. I just..."
"Want him to know you still think about him?" I blink, swallowing.
"I guess." I muse, sitting up. " I have had a lot of time to think things through and have realized that I haven't communicated my feelings very well." She takes that as an end to our conversation and walks away. I frown before realizing that I took up her patrol time and made her go a little behind schedule. Oops. Sorry, Tauriel.
The rest of the day is spent trying to compose a small note, explaining things, but then I decide that a note would be a little much, and I give up.
"You should just tell him that you've visited only thrice before and have not stayed long each time?" Legolas suddenly muses. I jump and spin. He's holding a crumpled version of my note. I blush and swipe it back.
"Legolas, please! I was just...I know he's confused and lost right now. I just...want to ease his burden a little." I explain. Legolas nods, a brow cocked.
"I am certain. Good luck." With that, he's gone. I groan aloud and run my fingers through my hair. Why can't I just...say what I want him to know?!
Ergh!
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
"Do you think Tauriel would take a message to Mia?" Fili asks. I roll my eyes.
"Fili, honestly, maybe just ask her to say the same thing Mia said to you. Just tell her you miss her and work from there." I reply, my eyes closed and leaning against the wall and envisioning a nice campfire, with Bofur by my side, and the Company laughing as we celebrate arriving at Erebor on time and opening the door. If too much time has passed here...oh, boy. "But, on the other hand, if Bilbo can get us out, you'll have the ability to tell her yourself."
"I suppose."
"If we ever get out." Dori mumbles. "It's been days. For all we know, Bilbo was eaten out in the woods." I sigh.
"Have faith, Dori. He'll come through. He's...an up and coming burglar, remember?" I'd nearly told them about the ring. I don't think Bilbo would appreciate that.
"But...if he can't get us out...we're never going to reach the mountain, are we?" Ori asks. Just as I am about to either give up or get stern with Ori to get him to cheer up already (might not be the best plan, but I was not going to let him sulk in despair when there is hope)...the impossible happens.
Bilbo appears, holding a chain of keys, Mithra looking over his shoulder.
=#=#=#=#=
(M)
"Legolas?" I ask, fiddling with my fingers.
"Yes?"
"Is...Is Valahalf here?" I ask, trembling at the thought of him coming in here and beating me to a pulp again. Legolas takes my hand comfortingly.
"No. He is out, ensuring our borders' protections are intact. You are fortunate." I heave a sigh of relief.
"Thank you." I say, taking my hand from his (didn't feel the same as when Fili does it) and taking the bread from his other hand. "For the bread." I tease with a smirk. He smiles back.
"You are welcome." He says and departs, leaving me to again draw out the accursed pad of paper.
I was sitting on the bed, staring at the blank paper. Again. I had tried (many times) and failed to come up with a way to communicate my feelings to Fili without leading him to think I felt more than I actually did. I also debated with myself if I should even write the letter in the first place. The message from Tauriel was probably pushing it, but...I am trying to more communicative. Ergh! Why is this so hard?!
"Probably cus you aren't face to face." I whirl around and find Bilbo standing there, leaning around the door, holding the key ring in one hand. I gawk at him for a moment before realizing that he was rescuing me and that I had apparently spoken my thoughts aloud. "Won't tell a soul." He assures me, grinning. "Now, come on. We need to get the others and get out. The next patrol is coming." I blink.
"You...you came back for me?" I whisper, suddenly feeling like crying. No one had ever not let me leave before. I just...walk away and no one says or does a thing.
"Yes, and we need to go." He insists. I shake myself.
"Right. Lead the way." I instruct. He closes the door behind us and we take off down the halls, each as stealthy as the other, each scanning and straining to pick up signs of anyone around any corner.
"Lucky the feast lasts so long." I head Bilbo mumble. I smile.
"Yes. Sometimes, it's the only reason I stay and let them feed and water me for a few days before gathering supplies and going on my merry way." I reply in a whisper. "The cells are this way." I add automatically, leading Bilbo down a hall. I was a little surprised when Bilbo then got ahead of me and looked like he knew where he's going.
"I know. I've been exploring." Bilbo notes. I frown.
"How?"
"Tell you later." He replies hurriedly, just as we arrive.
"-going to reach the mountain, are we?" I hear dear little Ori moan. I let Bilbo take the lead.
"Not stuck in here, you're not." My feet run away with me and I find myself in front of Fili's cell. We smile at each other, seeing one another for the first time in days. It feels like an eternity and a moment all at once. Curse my mixed blood.
"Hello." I mumble.
"Got your message." He replies. I chuckle.
"I just...wanted you to know I haven't moved on from this company. That's all." A few Dwarves are released by now and I wait patiently for Bilbo to get to Fili. He's not long in coming. I am unprepared for the hug Fili gives me, tight and warm, but...accept it and find that...this is what I missed most about these Dwarves. The warmth and love each member feels for one another. It was altogether new to me and I want to learn to live like them. So I let Fili take my hand and lead me alongside the others, following Bilbo's confident lead. I pale when I realize we're heading into the cellars. What is Bilbo-oh. Oh. Of course. The trapdoor for the empty barrels! Genius, Bilbo. Genius.
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
I stand, but know not to make too much noise. But, apparently, no one else does, cus everyone starts clamoring and talking all at once, which only raises the volume. Both burglar and Earthstrider shush everyone, Mithra hovering by Fili's cell.
"There are guards nearby!" Bilbo cautions as he unlocks Thorin's cell. He then comes to mine, as I am right next to my uncle.
"Ring?" I whisper. He gives a tiny nod before releasing the others as fast as possible.
"Close the doors. It'll buy us more time." Thorin orders. I nod and close my cell. Everyone starts gathering once we're free. I notice that Mia and Fili are holding hands just before I am encased in strong arms. I grin from ear to ear and spin to find Bofur. I give him a quick kiss as everyone's too involved in escaping to notice. We then head toward the stairs heading up, thinking that was the easiest way out.
"Not that way." Bilbo calls softly. "Down here. Follow me." I frown, but decide to trust him. Bofur and I (I took a cue from Mia and held tightly to Bofur's hand) look around and realize that there is no way there's an escape route down here. I only see barrels and stored supplies like food and wine.
"Bilbo." I call. He merely waves away my concern. I reluctantly continue following him. I knew he had a plan, but...what could possibly be a means of escape in the cellar?
"This way." He calls as we all pause to gape at the two Elves passed on on a table, several empty wine bottles littering what little space remained. I smile.
"You knew Elves could get that drunk?" I whisper. Bofur chuckles softly and we follow Bilbo. Only Bofur has a little more hesitation than I do.
"I don't believe it. We're in the cellars!" He hisses. "You're supposed to be leading us out, not further in!"
"I know what I'm doing." Bilbo retorts, annoyed.
"Have faith in Bilbo." I add. That caves him, though I can still see a frown. I then frown, as well, when we're met with a load of empty barrels.
"Everyone, climb into the barrels, quickly!" Bilbo orders. I sigh.
"If you say so." I muse, climbing into one. Bofur protests, and I motion for him to take the one beside me. He stalls, looking at the barrels in distrust.
"Are you mad?!" Dwalin replies, but to which of us, I don't know. "They'll find us." He stalks toward Bilbo. Guess that answers that question.
"Dwalin, he's never led us wrong before." I note.
"They won't see us. I promise you." Bilbo adds. When no one moves, I see Bilbo look to Thorin pleadingly.
"Do as he says." He hisses. Bofur selects the one next to me in the rush to get into the barrels.
"What do we do now?" Bofur asks. Bilbo sighs, standing near...a lever. Oh, Mahal! Is this a trap door of some kind?!
"Hold your breath." Bilbo calls. Everyone's confused but me as we're sent careening over the edge of some swinging platform, rolling off in a jumble of barrels and shouting. Soon, we hit water and I am struck with how cold it is. Thorin ends up in front, holding us back until Bilbo joined us. He did moments later, giving a little shout of shock as he free-fell into the water.
"Well done, Master Baggins." Thorin notes when Nori grabs Bilbo and hoists him further up the outside of his barrel so the poor Hobbit can get a better grip on it. He waves us onward without a word, shivering. As the river current picks up speed, we hear Elves running along some path up and to my right. I curse and paddle faster. Then, as we get into into what feels like midday sun, we realize we're about to hit a waterfall of sorts into the larger river. I see Bilbo clinging for dear life to the barrel Nori's in, getting dunked repeatedly.
"Bilbo!" Fili calls, noticing as well. I hear a horn sound and Elves clambering just ahead. Cursing, I realize what's happening.
There's some gate that's about to be closed.
"Oh, come on!" Mia growls. I can only watch in horror as our only way out slips closed. Up ahead, Thorin hits the gate, followed by the next few Dwarves, cursing. Then, just as we're nearly all caught, an arrow thuds into the neck of one of the guards and he splashes into the water, right in of my barrel. In seconds, there are Orcs everywhere. I gulp.
Without weapons and in barrels...we're sitting ducks. Hammer and Stone, did these guys pick the wrong time to intervene. The unfortunate Elves don't stand a chance, overwhelmed and massacred in mere seconds. I was trying to help grapple with the Orc that had fallen in the water when Bilbo stabbed it with Sting. I remember him naming the sword back in the forest and I'd seen him use that ring before we were separated. I smile at him for paying attention to my lessons on where best to stab for various purposes. I then catch Kili's eye in the midst of the chaos and together we nod. We both know that the only way to survive it get that gate open and let the river carry us away from the carnage. I gulp and heave myself out of my barrel and hop over a few more just behind Kili and then as one we slam an Orc's head into the wall. Dazed, it tried to reorient itself and soon Dwalin managed to secure a pair of Orc swords, tossing them up.
"Kili! Aili!" I hear him scream and automatically catch the weapon. It's heavier than I think, but manageable. I watch my brother's back and soon enough we are within six feet of the lever but paying for every inch with an Orc death. However, the Orc pack is starting to thin out on approach, not many left to come charging us. We're then able to get closer to the lever. I face down the way we came to cover Kili as he-
"KILI!" I scream as an arrow suddenly sprouts from my brother's knee, right in the socket. He halts mid-stride, looking confused and pained. I gulp and rush forward to stabilize him as he stumbles. "I've got you." I mumble. However, he completely sags against me and, as I hadn't anticipated that, with the Orc blade weighing me down, as well, I collapsed, Kili and I sinking to the ground. I got back up as quickly as possible, catching an Orc's swing on the sword and grappling with it to get the upper hand. It spun me with it's superior strength, however, slamming me against the wall. I struggled against it, but with all the weight and the Orc's strength, I was no match. Thankfully, something thudded into the Orc's back and I felt the fight drain from my opponent. It sank to the floor, where I decapitated it, just to be sure, looking up to see Tauriel running toward us, firing at an Orc that was creeping up beside me to avenge the one I'd killed. Kili looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. I smile and help him up as the leader, an especially ugly and tall Orc commanded his troops in Black Speech, indicating Tauriel. Just as they did, however, Legolas and Elvin reinforcements arrived, quickly making work of the Orcs. In the chaos, I hauled Kili's arm over my shoulders and together we limped our way to the lever.
Together, we gripped it and hauled down. Kili then sagged against me again. Below, I saw our barrels slipping closer to us, held together by Fili and Bofur.
"Kili! Aili!" Fili screams when he sees us sagged against the ground, although I was getting Kili into position. His leg must really be bothering him if he can't do this himself, I muse worriedly. In sync, we drop into our barrels, Kili letting out a groan of pain as the arrow was ripped out in the fall against the side of the barrel. I give him a worried look, but he keeps his eyes closed. An arrow to the knee is nothing to mess with.
Hopefully, it isn't beyond Oin's abilities as a healer.