A/N: Thank you to those that have read the start of my little tale. It is appreciated. I hope I can continue to create something interesting for you; I do enjoy writing. I have read so many wonderful stories that I feel rather inadequate. There is some on Stryker's background here and a fun argument. This one is longer than the first chapter but still shorter than I would've liked. However I felt I had it at a decent stopping point.
Thank you to Dawn's Darkness for being my first review! :)
Again, anything you recognize belongs to Tolkien (or Peter Jackson!). Anything you don't recognize is mine.
Middle Earth was full of varying terrains, some tranquil and some treacherous. In some spots one could travel for days without the scenery changing. Sometimes one could travel between two very different landscapes within the space of only one day. Such was the case along the Great East Road leading out of Bree. The travel was cautious as they left the village, the road sloping away gradually from the rolling hills and open grasslands towards the bog land but staying just south of the Midgewater Marshes. Gandalf convinced Thorin to allow the Ranger to lead them through as the land around the road was damp and could be treacherous even to those familiar with the way. He reluctantly agreed, eyeing Stryker as the Ranger silently brought his horse to the front of the procession. Many in the company grumbled as they were swarmed by the flies and midges that lived in the Marshes, their thick layers of hair and beards not much of a deterrent.
"Is there not another way east?"
"I'm afraid not, Master Dori," Stryker said, throwing a quick look back at the fussy dwarf with the fancy braids who was swatting at the pests, glad that at least one of their names was easy to recall. "There is a hidden path much further north that only the Rangers really know about but it goes straight through the marsh. As it is quite risky it is not a preferred route."
"I have heard that there are foul creatures hidden in the dark pools of the Marsh," Bilbo said in a nervous voice, glancing off to his left as if he expected to see something rise up out of the bogs before his eyes.
"That is the story, Mister Baggins, but in all my years I have yet to see any such creature." He seemed to relax slightly and the Ranger continued with a slight, though unseen, smirk. "Though I have encountered many unsavory men and a few goblins there." A few of the dwarves chuckled at the squeak the hobbit emitted at those words. That was all the conversation anyone got out of the Ranger and once they were past the more treacherous terrain Thorin once again took his place at the head of the line. After that Stryker remained, by choice, slightly isolated from the group as they traveled East, taking watch the first few nights and keeping near Gandalf.
A couple evenings into their trek Stryker reclined on a tree branch having volunteered again for the first watch. Staring up at the stars, the Ranger recalled that meeting a little over a month ago.
The sound of a scuffle had drawn Stryker's attention from the small campfire, the unmistakable grunts of orcs reaching the Ranger's ears. Grabbing the bow off the ground, they quickly mounted the black horse standing quietly nearby and galloped towards the road. It only took a moment to come upon where a small group of orcs was attacking a tall figure in a very familiar grey hat. After studying the scene Stryker smirked, pulling an arrow from the quiver and nocking it in the bow, though they waited to fire. A bright flash from the staff in the man's hands hurled two or three of the creatures to the ground in a broken heap. It didn't take long before there was only one orc left alive, its crude sword raised to strike but that strike never came. An arrow pierced its chest quickly followed by a second that imbedded itself in the orc's head. The traveler looked up with a satisfied expression on his face as the black horse trotted out of the trees.
"You should be more careful in your travels, Mithrandir," a low voice said, amusement in the words.
"Perhaps one day I shall," the wizard answered. The black hooded figure merely shook its head with a slight chuckle then lead their horse closer, peering down at the pile of bodies.
"Since when do orcs travel this far west?"
"The movements of orcs is usually a mystery to most."
The figure on the horse contemplated these words while the wizard climbed back on his own mount, not speaking until they had moved on down the road. "What are you doing down here, Mithrandir?"
"Looking for you actually. Halbarad mentioned you were escorting a group of merchants to Rohan."
"And why were you speaking with Halbarad?"
"To find you. You are rather elusive."
Another chuckle from under the hood. "It keeps me alive." They rode in silence for a while longer. The concealed figure almost didn't want to know why the wizard had sought them out but finally gave in to curiosity. "So what did you need me for?"
"I was hoping for your company on a journey I shall most likely be taking very soon. As you said, I should be more careful when I travel."
"Somehow I doubt this journey is a mere frolic to Rivendell or Lorien."
"Perceptive as usual. I will hopefully be traveling to Erebor."
"Erebor? What business could you have there? In case you've forgotten there's supposedly a fire breathing dragon laying within that mountain."
The wizard was careful with his next words, knowing his companion's feelings on the subject. "I will be assisting Thorin Oakenshield and some of his kin on a mission."
A low hiss from under the hood was the bitter response.
"I know your feelings in this matter but I can think of no one else that I would prefer to accompany me on this task. You are quite lethal."
"Why would you think I would be willing to help Thorin Oakenshield?"
"It would get you out of the Shire for a while, give you an opportunity to travel more than these random escorts to Rohan. You will probably even get to kill some orcs along the way."
"This is not something I can agree on without some careful consideration. You know my feelings about Oakenshield."
The wizard nodded. "Of course. I do think you will be most helpful on this journey. I will be meeting him and his companions at the home of a hobbit in Bag-End in a month's time."
"A hobbit is going with you?"
"He will be useful as well."
"If you can get him to leave his hobbit hole that is." The Rangers hadn't guarded the Shire for over a decade without learning its inhabitants' disdain for anything that would cause them to miss second breakfast.
"I believe this one will. If you choose to come with us, meet us at the Prancing Pony in a month."
The figure bowed its head slightly as an answer. "May the rest of your travels be safe, Mithrandir." With those words they turned their horse abruptly to the northeast and thundered off.
And Stryker, after thinking it over and speaking with Halbarad, had made the decision to take the wizard up on his offer. However there were still things that puzzled them and so after making sure all the company was asleep, the Ranger dropped to the ground from a tree and sat next to Gandalf who was still awake. The wizard lifted an eyebrow but didn't stop the gentle puffing on the pipe in his hand.
"Why are you still up, Gandalf? Don't you need sleep?"
"My dear Stryker, are you really that concerned with my sleeping habits? Like you, I can go some time without sleep if necessary." The Ranger chuckled softly.
"Why am I here, Gandalf? Why did you ask me to come? And don't say because of my tracking skills and my knowledge of the wild. I'm perfectly sure Thorin Oakenshield would be capable of getting the company to Erebor without me. I know what is awaiting us at the end of this quest if we even make it to the Lonely Mountain. The presence of one Ranger isn't going to mean the difference between them being able to defeat the dragon or not."
"Perceptive as usual. I'm glad to see that you haven't lost that," Gandalf replied with a smile. Stryker sat in silence and waited, knowing the wizard would reveal something, though not everything, when he was ready. "You are partially correct. Yes, Thorin would be able to get them through to Erebor but your presence will make that easier and possibly keep them out of some unnecessary trouble and no, I'm not only speaking of your abilities in the wild. You are quite skilled in politics and diplomacy and I feel that skill is going to be called upon several times during the course of this journey."
"You don't trust Thorin to not offend any we may encounter along the way." It was not a question. Stryker was well aware of the hot-headedness and stubbornness of the dwarf king.
"I do not need to answer that, I'm sure."
"No but that still doesn't answer my question about what is waiting for us in that mountain and how I can help. I have no magical dragon slaying abilities."
"I am more concerned with what will come after the dragon is killed and for that, I believe, you will prove invaluable. You don't see it now but you will be quite influential in this quest. Remember, not all is revealed at once."
"I don't know why you can't just say what you mean," Stryker said with a smile and a shake of the head.
"Sometimes it is better to not know what the future holds," Gandalf replied. The Ranger just looked at him for a moment and then scurried back up the tree to watch over the company until morning. Not everyone had been asleep, though. Unbeknownst to Stryker, the dwarf king had still been awake on the far side of the fire and had watched the conversation with Gandalf though he hadn't been able to hear anything that was said. Thorin was becoming more irritated as to this point he had managed to have only a few words with the Ranger and had yet to determine his worth. He couldn't complain about him as Stryker had volunteered for watch each night, even refusing to wake the others to relieve him, caught fresh meat for their meals, and kept to himself. Still, the dwarf lord felt Gandalf was up to something as the wizard was the only one of the company to actually converse one on one with Stryker. They were hiding something, he was sure of it, and he did not like being kept in the dark. He'd heard that Rangers were an odd lot and so far he hadn't seen anything to contradict that assumption. Finally, the day after he had observed the late night conversation, he slowed his pony, allowing the dwarves to pass him by until he came even with the Ranger.
"Since you will not wake anyone else to take over for you, you need not take watch this evening. Rest and recoup your energy."
"I am a Ranger, Master Oakenshield, and am very capable of going many nights without rest if necessary. I thank you for your concern but I am happy to remain taking watch at night." Thorin pressed his lips together in irritation though he was pleased to have gotten some response besides a simple yes or no. Still, even if he was certain the Ranger and the wizard were hiding something, he was not a cruel leader and did not want the Ranger to become sick from exhaustion, thus being of no use.
"Then at least allow others to relieve you during the night."
"As you wish." He waited to see if Stryker would say anything else then nudged his pony forward to return to the head of the line.
"Wait." He was surprised when the Ranger put a tense hand on his arm. "Something is following us."
"Orcs?" The word carried and the entire group halted, weapons in hand almost immediately.
"No." A yell stopped whatever Stryker was going to say next and Thorin snapped around to see at least a dozen ruffians spring from their hiding places in the rocks and trees. He roared in Khuzdul and the dwarves turned on their attackers. Stryker leapt from the horse, sword almost magically in hand, and slashed at the bandit that was closest, never stopping their forward motion, leaving the wastrel in a crumpled heap on the ground. Grabbing a dagger from its place concealed on their belt, Stryker spun and stabbed deep into the chest of the man rushing in from the left. Seeing another man rushing at the Halfling, who was towards the back of the line and too far to get to in time, Stryker threw the dagger, making sure it hit its target in the man's chest before yanking another dagger off their belt and turning to face the next attacker. Thorin caught sight of the Ranger at one point, a black blur in constant motion, sword in one hand, dagger in the other, and he was impressed with the fluidity of his movements. The fight was quick but vicious. The men were determined to find gold but they were no match for the dwarves and gained nothing for their stupidity except a quick exit from the world. When all was quiet the company began picking up weapons and anything else they felt they could use off the bodies while the hobbit stood in shock as he looked at the carnage spread around on the ground. He had never been in such a situation or seen a fight, let alone bloodshed and death, and Bilbo had to struggle to keep from getting sick.
"Did they follow us from Bree?" Dwalin asked, prodding one body disdainfully with the toe of his boot.
"Possibly but it seems -" Thorin began but was interrupted when he heard the Ranger yell out his name. Before he or his friend could react there was a thud as a body crashed at their feet and they saw a man who had obviously been part of the group that had attacked them lying in the dirt, an arrow sticking out of his back. Looking up, Thorin saw what he first thought was the Ranger standing on a large boulder by the roadside, bow still in hand, and sucked in a breath in shock not believing his eyes.
"A woman!" he bellowed.
The group froze and all turned to stare at where the Ranger was standing. Stryker's hood had come off during the fight and while the scarf was still in place there was no mistaking the figure, eyes, and long brown braid of a female. As the silence continued Stryker pushed the scarf from the lower part of her face, concealing a small sigh, and jumped from the rock, her boots making almost no sound as she landed. She faced the dwarf king, locking eyes with him while waiting for him to speak. Stryker knew enough about dwarves and their culture to understand the turmoil that was most likely spinning in Thorin's mind and fully expected to feel the brunt of his anger. She had hoped to keep her secret a while longer.
Thorin stood motionless, his emotions tilting from shock and disbelief to anger. He could not fathom that a female - and a female of Men! - had willingly joined their company, taken watch every evening without any signs of exhaustion, and had just fought off several attackers singlehandedly with skill that could rival many warriors. He had seen some of what Stryker had done during the fight and had been mildly impressed. But she was a - a she! The Ranger was a female. Women had no place in the Wild. The fact that she was there went against everything he'd been taught and believed. His eyes roved over her quickly, noticing skin that was lightly kissed by the sun, slightly almond shaped eyes, high cheek bones. There was a very faded scar running down her left cheek by her ear and for some reason he wondered how it got there. She stood before him, cloak billowing slightly around her now obviously petite form, staring at him with brown eyes that had a slight hint of challenge in them. He didn't know what to think but it was that hint of challenge in Stryker's eyes that he responded to.
"Do not think I agree with this, woman, but we will discuss it later," he growled, shooting a glance at Gandalf that could make dwarves nervous but the wizard merely raised an eyebrow and hid the smirk that threatened at the corners of his mouth. Thorin growled again in his throat, fighting to control the anger that wanted to burst forth, and remounted his pony. "I want to reach Weathertop before we stop for the evening." He would have plenty to say to Gandalf and the woman when they stopped for the evening.
Stryker returned to her horse, stopping to pull her first dagger from the man near the hobbit's pony and taking the arrows from his quiver. Having no desire to ride by the dwarves who now no doubt resented her presence she chose to again ride beside poor Bilbo, who was still stuttering in shock. She saw him sneaking glances at her from the corner of his eye and had to repress a chuckle.
"What is it, Mister Baggins?" she asked softly. "I promise I don't bite." He started slightly and his cheeks turned red.
"Oh, no, of course not. I didn't think you did. I'm just - surprised that's all."
"You and everyone else."
"Except Gandalf," he responded quickly.
"Yes, except Gandalf. I don't think anyone will ever know everything when he is involved." Bilbo chuckled and seemed to relax at her words.
"I suppose he asked you to join us?"
"He thought I would be useful."
"He seems to think the same about me though I don't know how I could possibly be of any help. I know Thorin doubts me. I doubt me. I'm not one for adventures."
"Yet you came willingly?" She looked over at him and he nodded. "I think that says a lot about you, Mister Baggins. Don't let the doubts and prejudices of others cloud your opinion of yourself. You might have more in you than you know." The Ranger's words gave him pause.
"Gandalf said something similar. Perhaps there's more Took in me than I thought," he replied with a shy smile. Further conversation was halted when Thorin's nephews brought their ponies along side Stryker and Bilbo, both of them with cheeky grins on their faces.
"You're female?" the brunette said and it took Stryker a moment to recall his name from the thirteen that had been tossed at her the first day.
"As you see," she said with a small smile.
"And you're a Ranger?"
"Right again."
"I hope you don't think we've been rude for staring but we've only encountered a few Rangers in our travels over the years and we've never seen a female among them," the blonde brother explained.
"Please don't worry, Master Fili, I haven't thought you rude. I'm sure it was a surprising discovery to say the least. And to be honest, there are not many female Rangers so I'm not surprised you've never seen one."
"I've never seen our Uncle speechless," Kili said with a snicker. Stryker could well imagine it; that was a dwarf that surely had plenty to say about everything.
"How long have you been a Ranger? You seem very young," Fili asked.
"Aren't you charming?" she replied with a chuckle. "I'm not that young. I've been protecting the Shire for a decade at least and I was in the North for many years before that."
"That long? How old are you?"
Fili elbowed Kili in the side, "You don't ask a lady her age."
"Sorry," the younger brother muttered.
Stryker had to laugh, "Do not worry, Master Kili, it would take quite a bit to offend me. I'm not that ladylike anyway." She heard Gandalf try to stifle a chuckle and she flashed a brilliant but saucy smile at the two Durin princes, causing an unexpected flutter in both their bellies. "I am seventy-seven."
"My age!" Kili cried in surprise. "But how? I didn't think men lived that long." Fili didn't stop his brother this time as he was just as curious to hear the Ranger's answer to this question.
"It is true those from the race of Men do not have long lives but I am a Dunedain and our life spans can be three times that of an ordinary man."
"So you've been a Ranger all your life?" One of the dwarves riding just in front of them joined the conversation.
"It feels like that, Master Bofur. I grew up in the camps and my father began training me when I was a small girl. My real training, though, truly began after his death. I was still a child then and it took me many years until I completed the training and passed my tests. I believe I was around fifty or so when I was given my first assignment."
They began pelting her with questions about her training, interjecting particulars of their own and they passed the time rather pleasantly. Even Ori began asking questions and she saw him making what appeared to be notes as she talked.
He smiled shyly when she asked him about it. "I'm recording our quest, Lady Stryker. I want all other dwarves to know what we went through to reclaim Erebor."
"That is an honorable task to undertake and one that I'm sure will be read with wonder in the future. And please, its just Stryker. I am no lady." She was grateful for their open conversation; these four dwarves, at least, were accepting her. It would remain to be seen what the response from the other, older dwarves would be; she doubted it would be welcoming her with open arms. She hoped she would be able to keep her temper from running away with her when the unavoidable talk with the dwarf king finally happened. Her mouth had gotten her into trouble many times in the past and she knew Thorin would not appreciate her sarcasm.
Camp was made in the edges of the trees at the base of Weathertop and Stryker, feeling it wise to stay out of Thorin's way for the moment, chose to find something for Bombur to cook for dinner. She returned within half an hour with several rabbits and the rotund dwarf accepted them gladly. Retreating to Gandalf's side she sat on the ground beside him and took out her whetstone to sharpen her blades. It wasn't long before a pair of boots appeared in front of her and she looked up into the dark face of Thorin Oakenshield. So the time of confrontation had come, she thought to herself.
"Why are you here, woman?"
"Stryker," she snapped.
"Excuse me?"
"My name is Stryker. If you wish to talk with me please use it."
"I know your name and it is of no importance. Answer -" His eyes narrowed as she interrupted him.
"In fact it is quite important, Master Oakenshield. By avoiding using my name you are trying to avoid admitting that I am a being such as you. If you can delude yourself into thinking I am some mere object then you feel that I can be ordered around without thought. You have had no problem using my name up to this point."
"I didn't know you were a woman!" he hissed.
"And my name has changed because my hood and scarf have come off? What I have done over the past few days suddenly no longer matters? My abilities have suddenly diminished? I am sure you have plenty of questions and I do not mind answering them so long as you actually ask them instead of barking them at me." Gandalf covered a chuckle with a cough and took another puff on his pipe, enjoying the show before him and fully expecting the entertainment to continue. He well knew Stryker's sarcasm and knew there would be plenty butting of heads with the stubborn dwarf king.
"Why are you here?" Thorin clinched his fists by his side in an effort to control the tone of his voice. He wanted answers.
"Because Gandalf asked me."
"That is all?"
"He felt my skills and experience would be useful on your journey."
"And just what skills are those exactly? You're a soft female and do not belong in the wild; what skills could you have?" he sneered and the hold she'd kept on her temper finally slipped at the dwarf's insinuation. She came to her feet and stood almost nose to nose with him. He was momentarily taken aback at the fire in the brown eyes that were, indeed, on eye level with him. There was something about her eyes that was almost ... familiar.
"I will pretend that I did not hear what you were just implying," she snarled. Her raised voice finally caught the attention of the rest of the company and they all turned to see what was transpiring between their king and the Ranger. "I am a Ranger and have been fighting in the wild for over twenty years. I am not some silly female that doesn't know which end of a sword goes in an orc or would cower behind fortified walls. I assure you I can take care of myself."
"Why would you accept such an offer, even from Gandalf? You have no idea what lurks in the wild. You should be home, tending your family."
"Your concern is really touching," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I know better than many in this company what is out there, hiding in the darkness. I've been from one end of Middle Earth to the other. I've killed more orcs and goblins than I care to remember. Have you already forgotten that scuffle this afternoon? Was I cowering behind one of you hoping you would keep me safe? No. I also, you might remember, put an arrow in the back of one that you had not seen coming at you. Your only issue now is the fact that I am female; I heard no complaints about my presence before that fact became known. I may not be a dwarf and I know how little you think of anyone that is not of your kind, Master Oakenshield, but do not assume that I am not a warrior because I am lacking a certain appendage between my legs!" There were a few snickers from the group around the fire. Stryker had her hand on her sword hilt and it took a lot of self control for it to remain in its scabbard. She wanted to hit the dwarf for his ridiculousness. She had dealt with enough prejudice during her training and she wasn't about to take it from the dwarf king.
"I believe this has gone as far as it needs to go," Gandalf finally said, rising from where he'd been sitting the entire time. "What are your objections to Stryker's presence, Thorin?"
"She's a woman."
"Yes, we've established that fact. Do you have any real objections to the ranger?" The dwarf looked at him in surprise. Wasn't his objection the only one that mattered? "Has she been a burden? Has she not done as was asked?" Thorin had no response to that as he had had no qualms with the ranger up until then except not being able to figure him - or her - out. She had shown herself to be rather useful but his pride kept him from admitting it. He refused to look at her though he could feel her angry gaze on him. After several moments of silence Gandalf finally nodded. Stryker relaxed slightly, glared again at Thorin, and then stomped over to the fire. She was hungry and he wasn't going to keep her from Bombur's stew.
"Well, I think that settles that. If you want to reclaim Erebor, Thorin, you're going to have to accept help from those that willingly give it."
"But she's a woman! How can we keep her protected?"
"You really are quite stubborn, aren't you? Stryker doesn't need any special protection. She has lived and survived in the wild for many, many years. She's seen - and killed - more orcs than your nephews yet you have no issue with their presence. She is not some delicate little flower. You will need her assistance before this quest is over." With those words the wizard left the dwarf lord to his own thoughts and went to get his own bowl of stew.
It was quiet around the fire for a bit while Stryker and the rest of the company ate their dinner. She could feel their eyes on her and she was just waiting for the questions to begin. Knowing that at least four - well, five if you counted the Halfling - were on her side was comforting. Not that any of them could tell her to leave but they could certainly make everything more difficult than it needed to be. Finally Balin came to sit next to her.
"Try not to be too angry with Thorin. He does not object to your presence simply because you are a female but because of how females are viewed in our society." Stryker looked at the elderly dwarf with curiosity. "To dwarves females and children are rare and thus very precious. Only one in three babes born are female and there are not many dwarf babes born to begin with. We are extremely protective of them because of this. Not that there aren't dwarrowdams who can wield an axe or sword but it is not something they choose to do willingly and usually only if their family is threatened. This idea of protecting what is most precious to our culture has been ingrained in all of us; it is not something that Thorin will be able to discard lightly."
"I understand what you are saying, Master Balin, and it speaks well to the honor of your race that you do so; would that the race of Men were so considerate. However I am not a dwarrowdam. I am a trained warrior, a Ranger, and I have lived the majority of my life in the wild. I was asked to come so I could help you reclaim your home and help you I am determined to do."
"And I'm sure you will but it will take some time for many to adjust to the idea of a female fighting and putting herself in harm's way," the kindly dwarf assured her.
"Woman's place is at home taking care of her children," Glóin muttered under his breath and Stryker shot him a dark glance.
"But what of your family, lass? Wouldn't it be better to be at home taking care of them? Your husband must be worried," Bofur asked. Thorin had approached the group, hearing the last question and, despite himself, he wanted to hear her answer. He stood in the shadows behind Dwalin where he could watch the ranger as she spoke. He truly didn't know what to think of her and that made him very uncomfortable.
"I have no husband," she told them with a snort. "I have no family. My mother and baby sister died in childbirth when I was five. My older brother was killed during an orc raid on our village when I was only eight and my father died when I was ten. I have been on my own much longer than I ever had a family to worry about me." This quieted the few muttering about her place being at home. A few of those around the fire even felt a bit of sympathy for the woman. Family was very important to dwarves and to hear that she'd been without that comfort for so many years was a bit disturbing to some of them.
"Well if you don't have a husband surely there is some lad back in one of those ranger camps you were telling us about courting you. You're rather pretty," Kíli teased with a grin. She had to smile at him. If her brother had lived it was easy to imagine him teasing in such a manner.
"That you think so is rather flattering but I'm afraid no. My lifestyle isn't really conducive to forming intimate relationships. Perhaps one day but right now the very thought of being chained to one spot is quite unappealing." Kíli was going to say something else but his uncle stepped forward then.
"Get some rest, all of you. I want to get an early start in the morning." He glanced at Stryker, recalling their conversation earlier in the day. "Dwalin you have first watch, Nori you will relieve him." The Ranger fumed but remained silent. As everyone laid out their bedrolls and prepared for sleep, Stryker looked around questioningly, not sure where she should put her stuff. She had avoided this situation since leaving Bree by taking watch each night but now there was no avoiding it.
"You can come over here, lass, between me and Bilbo," Bofur said and she smiled at him gratefully. After finally curling up under a blanket she had to admit she was a bit tired. It would be good to get a few hours of sleep after all. Thorin watched as his company drifted off to sleep, noticing that his nephews had moved their bedrolls so they were closer to where the Ranger lay between Bofur and the Halfling and he frowned. That was something he'd have to keep an eye on.
As he settled back against a tree the revelation of the Ranger's identity swirled in his head. He was not comfortable with a female in the group. It could put everyone in danger as they would all feel that they had to protect her despite her assurances that she did not need protecting. However he had seen her fighting that afternoon and recalled being rather impressed; she obviously knew her way around a blade and bow. The wizard had put him in a very aggravating position as he knew Gandalf wanted her to be there and might leave if she did. Thorin did not want to face Smaug, if he still lived within the Lonely Mountain, without the wizard. Then there was the question of her effect on the younger members of his company. From what he had seen of her face today she was rather pretty - for a female of Men. It was obvious that his nephews already liked her and he had seen Ori and Bofur talking with her as well. That was a distraction they certainly did not need. At the moment he could see no way around it - she would have to stay. Despite the fact that she said she could take care of herself and had lived in the wild most of her life he couldn't abandon her there. It went against everything he'd had ingrained in him by his grandfather and father. The company also wouldn't stand for leaving her alone despite how much some of them felt she had no place amongst them. He finally lay down on his side with a sigh and cursed the meddling of wizards.
Updated/revised January 2016