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Two days had passed since the incident with Thorin. Luckily for me it seemed to have faded into the past for most of the dwarves. There was a sort of quiet respect for what had transpired that evening. Thorin certainly didn't glare at me or get any vengeance by sending me to some trivial task when setting up camp...though I did have to cook with Bombur once. That was almost a disaster. Don't get me wrong, I can cook just fine...but when he pulled out three little rabbits and began to skin them right there in front of me, well let's just say he wont be asking for my help again. I lost my lunch, which had been very little, but was enough to deter him from seeking me for assistance.
The beginning of this day was quite beautiful. I had taken to riding with Kili during the morning. He was quite happy I had done so. The day before I begged Gandalf to let me ride with him because, well, I was quite tired of dealing with dwarves. I just needed a day to mentally relax. Not have to be witty and sweet in order to keep them at bay of their ridiculous questions about my past.
We had stopped for lunch, very briefly I might add, to stretch our legs and, as some of the dwarves proclaimed, to relieve ourselves. The moment we were told to stop, most of the dwarves had jumped off their ponies and ran for a nearby tree. Kili nearly knocked me off the pony, and would have, if Fili had not been there to grab my arm and hold me steady.
"Thank you, Fili." I wiped my brow and sighed with relief. When I began to fall there was a sudden rush of adrenaline and my stomach had dropped from fright. Thank goodness Fili had been there.
The blonde hair only smiled and gave me a curt nod before he carefully got off his pony. Unlike the others, he grabbed the reins of my pony, along with his own, and led them to a spot to be tied up. Like a gentlemen he walked around my pony and put his hands up to help me down.
At first I just looked at him. I was a bit surprised at how nice he was being. Not at all like the shy, stand offish dwarf I had known only a few days ago.
"Come now, lass. I wont bite...hard at least." He sent me a flashing grin and motioned with his hands for me to get down.
I blinked and blushed at his boldness, but shook my head to rid myself of the butterflies that had quite suddenly fluttered about my insides.
"Alright, but if you do bite, don't be surprised if you can't walk for a day or two." I carefully lifted my leg over the pony and pushed myself from the saddle.
Fili smirked as I fell into his arms. "Wouldn't presume anything less of ya, lass."
He set me down onto my feet and with a wink, he left me. Most likely to relieve himself as well because he disappeared behind a rather large tree.
Well that wasn't weird.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and walked over to Gandalf who was idly sitting against a tree trunk, of course with a pipe in his mouth. He saw me coming and smiled incandescently. I gave him a wry smile in return, until a soft breeze hit my face. I froze as it lifted my hair from my shoulders and pulled at it gently. It tickled it's way across my skin pale skin and when I inhaled I could smell the scent of what I could only describe as moist spring air. Rain. That's what it was.
"Emma, what is wrong my dear?" Gandalf's voice broke the spell and I opened my eyes, I didn't even realize I had closed them.
"Hm?" I looked at Gandalf who was probably wondering what my crazy self was doing.
"You looked as though something wonderful had crossed your mind." He said with a chuckle as he set his pipe back on his lips.
"Did I?" I shrugged and stepped over to him. I leaned my shoulder against his tree and looked to the sky. "I was just smelling the air."
This must have caught him off guard because he was looking up to me with the most peculiar look. "Smelling the air? And what exactly were you smelling it for?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Can you not smell it?"
"Smell what, if I may ask?" He sounded as though he knew what I was going to say, but was waiting to see if he was correct about it. It was that sort of tone. Was he testing me?
"Rain. It smells of rain." The answer made him smile brightly.
He put his pipe back into his mouth and took a puff of it. "It does, indeed. Not too far off, I might add."
I opened my mouth to ask him how exactly he knew, but Bombur came up to us with a small plate of cheese and bread. Forgetting my question when I saw the food, I took the plate with a silent 'thank you' and began eating. It was so very strange to not have as much food as I was used to back in my time. Junk food and gluttony was no longer an option here...unless you had a rather large castle and lots of gold, I suppose.
Then again...the sight I saw at Bilbo's hobbit hole proved that dwarves were used to large amounts of food. I retract my comment. Gluttony was an option when you were a dwarf.
The company sat around in a circle eating silently. They just wanted to eat and be on their way again. I was taking a bite of my bread when I felt a tug at my shirt. I looked over to Bilbo who was holding a cup of water.
"You must be parched." He said with a gentle smile.
I swallowed the bread and took the cup from him. "Thank you, Bilbo. You are very considerate."
Bilbo blushed and nervously laughed before he sat back down to finish his small lunch. I took a small sip of the water. It was cool and probably the freshest water I had ever drank. It was clean and...well natural. Though this time was so far behind in technology and other necessities I was used to, it made up for in it's vast unpolluted land. This was land that would not see such tragedy to earth's natural resources for a very long time.
It was a sad thing to think about, but it was short lived when the camp suddenly began to move and lunchtime was officially over. I grumbled as I gave back my plate. I had only got a few good bites in and my stomach was still growling.
The group began to saddle up their belongings once more and lift themselves onto their ponies. There were a few conversations here and there about the journey. I laughed when I passed Gloin and Bofur talking about all the gold they would find within the mountain. They had no idea how difficult their journey would be before they even saw Erebor.
I ventured my way over to Kili's pony, where he was pulling himself onto the saddle. He caught my eye when he had settled and smirked.
"Ready for another long day, Emma?" He reached out an arm to help me up.
"Not entirely. Just be sure not to wiggle around so much this time." I took his hand and he started to pull me up when Fili came into view.
"Well if he wiggles so much, it's probably because he has to share a saddle. It can be most uncomfortable for those who are not used to it." Fili was a top his horse with a smirk as he looked at his brother.
Kili and Fili shared a look that I am sure was some sort of code. It made me nervous. Kili let me back down to the ground and crossed his arms over his chest.
"If you think it's so easy, you take her!" Kili was frowning as though he was angry...they were just smirking at each other a moment ago. What happened?
"Very well. Miss Emma," Fili looked down at me with a kind smile and kick his pony forward to come to my side. "Would you like to ride with me the rest of the day?"
I blinked and looked up at Kili who was on one side, then to Fili who was on the other side waiting for a response.
I'm so lost.
Finally, I shrugged. I gave Fili my best smile. "Of course, Fili. It would be my pleasure."
Fili grinned with some sort of victory and helped me onto his pony. Once I was settled, I noticed that indeed there was a bit more room for me to sit, but not much.
"See isn't that better?" Fili said in a low voice. "Try to hold on in case we should run into trouble."
My eyes caught the side of his face as he glanced over his shoulder. His one eye that was in view had something within it I could not explain. I only nodded and wrapped my arms around his midsection. His lips formed a smile and he turned his head from me.
What ever had been going on between Kili and himself was still unknown to me. When I looked over to Kili he was grinning like a dolt. I narrowed my eyes at him, even though he wasn't looking at me. This was some game to them, wasn't it? Well, I could play games too! Okay well...maybe I couldn't. Eh, I did have a reputation of being shy. Just because I killed two men and knocked out another doesn't mean I was bold and forward. I didn't even want to deal with men...but it would seem that being surrounded by 15 of the opposite sex was a choice I'd have to live with.
Ugh, men. With a sigh I leaned my head against Fili's back in an attempt to rest my eyes. I was mentally exhausted and physically drained...and it had only been maybe two weeks. I'm not even sure what day it is.
I stayed that was for a couple hours before I felt a drop on my cheek. I had only been half asleep by that time, having got a decent hour in. I lifted my head to the sky and a few cool drops hit my face.
"It's raining..." I said softly. It was more to myself, but Fili answered.
"Aye, it started only moments ago. Luckily the trees are covering us. Hopefully we wont get much more than this...especially since you don't have a cloak."
I suppose he was right. Wait! I did have a cloak! "No, I have one. The nice dress shop lady gave me a hooded coat."
Fili glanced back at me surprised. "And where is it?"
"It's...in my bag." I had forgotten I shoved it into my bag this morning.
"And where is your bag?"
Sigh. "On Gandalf's horse." Damn it, sometimes I really didn't think. How inconvenient that was.
"Pity. Guess you'll just have to share a cloak with me then, lass." Fili pulled a cloak from his saddle bag and handed it back to me.
"Share?" I looked at him questionably. Why couldn't we just get me another?
"Aye. Share." Fili was glancing over his shoulder with a small smirk.
Eye contact. Sometimes it can be the most powerful thing in the world...but at the moment it made me the most confused. I have no idea why I was getting such an intense stare from him.
"You're uh..." I wasn't sure what I was trying to say. All I know is that the more he looked in my eyes, the closer he leaned back.
"I'm what, lass?" His voice was a low whisper. It sent a shiver up my spine that caused me to leaned back.
"Fili?" Hearing his name pulled him out of whatever strange spell he was in. Fili blinked and turned away from me.
"Just lean against me and get some rest. I'll put the cloak over us." he said curtly.
I nodded, not wanting to ask anything more. I was so confused. My head actually hurt from it. Once I leaned my head against his back and made myself comfortable, Fili pulled the cloak from my grip and threw it over his back, effectively covering me as well. He pulled the hood up and I was thrown into a semi-darkness.
Only a few seconds passed by before the light rain turned into a sudden down pour. I was sure Fili was getting soaked since his front was hardly covered, but I was more than happy he was sharing with me. I tried to pull myself as close as I could against Fili so he would have more of the cloak. He seemed to tense at the sudden change.
I tried not to make it so awkward, but he was the one who told me to ride with him. He was the one who asked me to share his cloak...and HE was the one who told me to 'hold on'. God, men were so infuriating sometimes.
"Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" I heard Dori call out through the pounding rain.
"It is raining, Master Dwarf and it will continue to rain until the rain is done." Gandalf retorted. "If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."
"Are there any?" I heard the soft voice of Bilbo ask.
"What?" Gandalf asked in return.
"Other wizards?"
I tried to stay awake to listen to the conversation, but having not slept much the night before, I was quite exhausted. I felt warm underneath the cloak. Warm and dry, thanks to Fili. The comfort made me sleepy and within moments of yawning, I found myself peacefully falling into a dream.
THIRD PERSON POV
The young Emma had fallen asleep against Fili in a state of peaceful bliss. The dwarf felt the even breaths against him back and smiled. Fili was glad she was finally getting some sleep.
Durin knows she needed it. Fili thought to himself.
He kept a good hold on her arms to keep her from sliding off his pony. His fingers felt the skin on her hand. It was a bit could, but with his help they would be warm in no time. Fili let out a sigh of content. There was nothing better than having a woman pressed against you, even if it was just to ride along on a rainy day.
"Enjoying yourself brother?" Kili finally spoke from beside him. As always there was a light smirk upon his face.
"How could you not in the company of a pretty lass." Fili returned a smirk, but neither looked at each other.
"How does she fair?" Kili asked.
"Sleeping like a babe. She deserves a bit of rest...best not to wake her." Fili warned.
"Aye. Last night was hard...I don't think I've seen so many nightmares plague one person." Kili finally glanced over to Fili to gaze upon the small lump under his cloak. "Poor girl.."
"We both know she is stronger than that brother. Don't take such pity on her. Honorable people don't enjoy pity." Fili was frowning lightly at the thought.
"I know, brother." Kili sighed and looked forward. They were silent for a few moments before Kili spoke once again. "You've been awfully protective of her..." There was that smirk again.
Fili snapped his head towards his brother with a small blush. "What? I-I am only doing what any honorable dwarf would do." That's how he tried to justify his actions in his head. "The lass needs to be looked after."
"Looked after by whom, brother?" Kili was leaning over with a grin and a waggle of his eyebrows.
Fili stared at his brother, unsure of what to say, but eventually shook his head and pushed Kili, who was leaning so far over he could have very well fell off his pony.
"Do not be so crude, little brother. We both know she is unfit for that sort of company." Fili turned back to watch where he was going...even though you didn't need to steer the ponies because they just followed each other.
"She may have been through some detrimental events, aye, but you do enjoy staring at her regardless of what has happened to her.." Kili was starting to cross over a thin line for Fili.
"I keep my distance!" Fili said in a loud whisper. "As should you! She is not ready for any companionship of the sort. You'd do well to remember that."
Kili slumped his shoulders and sighed heavily. An angry Fili was not one to trifle with...of course this is Kili and he was the master of annoying his brother.
"You don't seem to be keeping much of a distance with her held up against you..."
"Brother.." Fili warned.
"You lads are making such a loud fuss over nothing. Leave the lass be." Gloin spoke up behind them.
The two looked back to Gloin and Dwalin who were more than amused by the conversation the two were having.
"You misunderstand us, Mister Gloin. We have no interest in the girl." Fili replied as respectfully as he could.
"Our ears and eyes must be deceiving us. I could have sworn the two of you were fighting over the affection of the lovely young lass." Dwalin was smirking knowingly. "You should forget about such nonsense, lads. There is no time for romance on this journey."
"Aye, she is our seer. Nothing more." Gloin added firmly.
The two Durin brothers turned in their saddles to face forward. Neither looked at each other or said another word. Dwalin and Gloin were right. This journey would leave no room for any sort of romance and Emma was only to be their seer until this was over...and then she would leave.
EMMA POV
I awoke to the sound of hooves against dirt. We were still moving. It had been another few days since the downpour that had drenched everyone from head to toe. Not even I was safe from it. These past days had been very quiet. I had not rode with Fili or Kili since the day Fili asked me to. I had been riding with Ori. Only because the young brothers had convinced me that Ori would entertain me with stories.
Ori did. For the first day it was many stories of Dwarves and their heroic endeavors. The next he showed me his drawings and told me quiet stories of elves. It was safe to say that Ori had an interest in all things Middle Earth. Even elvish stories held interest with the scholar.
It was strange though, that neither Kili or Fili wanted me to ride with them. I figured it was just because they were tired of being squeezed in together with me. I'm sure if I had been prettier they would have wanted me to stay there...but I wasn't.
Sigh. Oliver had told me every day that I was beautiful. I almost believed it too...
Forget about Oliver...He deserved what he got. Leave it be. I had to tell myself that over and over again so I wouldn't start seeing his face in my dreams again. That was the worst part about losing your innocence to the world of violence. It gave you the worst sort of nightmares.
I leaned my head against Ori and sighed havily.
"What is it Miss Emma? Is something bothering you?" Ori, ever the sweetest gentlemen, asked with much concern.
"I'm just nervous is all...and tired." I leaned back up to give him a reassuring smile that I was indeed alright...even though I was driving myself mad with the visions running through my head.
"Are you nervous about the journey? You shouldn't be! You are surrounded by the most skilled warriors!" Ori tried to sound as manly as he could, but he was far too soft to be a warrior.
The little impression he tried to pull off brought laughter from my throat. It was the cutest thing I had ever seen.
"What is so funny?" Ori asked. "You're not laughing at me are you?"
I tried hard to stifle my laughter. "No, Ori, I-" A fit of giggles escaped my mouth involuntarily. "I promise I'm not!"
Ori smiled and kicked the pony to move a bit faster. "Well at any rate, if you are, please continue to do so. You are far more beautiful when you are laughing."
'You're beautiful when you laugh.' I immediately stopped laughing and spun my head around so quickly that Ori lost control of his pony and it began to veer in a different direction.
"Miss Emma what ever are you doing back there?" Ori pulled on the reins to stop and turned enough see me.
I was looking into the surrounding area. It was a voice I had never heard before. Who the hell had said that?
"You didn't hear that?" I still had my eyes about the area.
The others in the company stopped as well. Thorin had turned his pony around to see what was going on.
"Oi, why did we stop?" I heard Bofur call over the company.
"Miss Emma heard something!" Ori answered. The comment made the dwarves look at me strangely, but I was so busy looking around I didn't even notice when Gandalf had trotted his horse up next to us.
A hand rested on my shoulder and I turned to see Gandalf smiling at me. "What did you hear my dear?"
"...I..I don't know.." I was actually scared. It was such a strange thing to hear. It felt like someone had said it in my ear.
"You need rest, Emma." Gandalf said with concern in his eyes, but he kept a confident smile on his face.
Thorin shifted on his pony and looked around quickly. "We'll camp here for the night."
Gandalf turned his to look at Thorin. The look on his face made me think that it was a bad idea to stay here. That was when I remembered something. I could see the small ruined home in the short distance and recognized it almost immediately.
The rest of the company around us was getting off their ponies and getting prepared for camp. I wanted to say something to Gandalf, but he too had stepped down from his horse by now. Ori was able to carefully jump down from the pony and looked up at me with open arms.
I gave him a weak smile and let him help me down. "Thank you, Ori. You have been a wonderful riding companion."
The blush I received told me he was more than willing to ride with me again if I asked. I left him with a kiss on the cheek and walked my way towards Gandalf, who was heading towards the small destroyed farm house.
I happened to glance to my right and had to raise an eyebrow. Kili and Fili were both looking at me as they were pulling their bags off their ponies. Kili had a small frown on his face while Fili practically glared at me. Then his eyes traveled to Ori, which is what I assumed considering he was the only one behind me, and almost as quickly they found their way back to me.
Men. Seriously.
I did the only thing that came to mind. I flipped them the bird and continued walking. So what if they might not know what it means. They passed me off like an unwanted dog, barely speak to me during the last few days, and then get angry when I am nice to someone else? Fuck them. I'll stick with the gentle Ori.
"Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." Thorin called out orders as he walked about the dwarves. I passed him with little eye contact.
Ha!
I continue to make my way up to the small home when I heard Gandalf talking.
"A farmer and his family used to live here."
I knew what this was. I knew what had happened. With a sigh I quickly jogged over to Gandalf.
"We should no stay here."
He looked at me with a nod. "I agree. There is a foul stench that still lingers...something I would rather not run into."
"He wont listen you know..." I had turned to look over at Thorin within the company as camp was being set up.
"He must trust what I have to say. He would be a fool not to do so." Gandalf didn't really believe in what he was saying. It was the way he said it that made me think that. He was unsure.
Gandalf took a few steps away from me then turned to give me a hopeful look. I smiled. I knew the dwarf king would not listen.
"I think it would be wiser to move on." Gandalf said loudly as he turned back to Thorin, who was walking towards us. "We could make for the Hidden Valley."
Oh. Bad idea. I quickly ducked out of that argument and stepped to the ruined doorway of the farm home.
Thorin was pissed about the idea. Elves and him were a bad mixture. "I have told you already I will not go near that place."
"Why not? The Elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."
"I do not need their advice." Thorin turned angrily to the wizard.
"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us." Gandalf tried to plead to his senses...but it would take more than that to help convince Thorin.
"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate out scared halls. The Elves looked on and did nothing."
"He has a point.." I didn't want to get into the conversation, but it was hard to deny as to why it made sense he didn't want the help of elves.
Gandalf turned to glare. I looked away and leaned against the old wood. Alright, I'll say nothing more.
Thorin, with anger in his eyes, stepped toward Gandalf. "And you ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather. Who betrayed my father."
"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and kep for you to hold onto the past." Gandalf was starting to get fed up with Thorin's unreasonable nature.
"I did not know that they were yours to keep."
That was the end of that. I knew it was over. Gandalf turned from Thorin and made his way toward me. He stopped momentarily to put a hand on my shoulder. The wizard leaned down to my ear.
"Watch over them, Miss Emma." With that he took off passed the dwarves.
Bilbo saw how annoyed Gandalf looked. "Everything all right? Gandalf, where are you going?"
"To seem the company of the only one around here who's got any sense." The angry wizard answered as he stormed passed.
"And who's that?" Bilbo, seriously?
"Myself, Mr. Baggins!"
Then he was gone. Both myself and him had definitely had enough of dwarves for one day. Only he was able to leave...and I was stuck sitting with them for the rest of the evening.
I turned to look at Thorin, who wouldn't make eye contact with me. I'm sure he felt silly for running the wizard off with his denial for help.
"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry." Thorin bellowed as he stood there.
When everyone began to move again, he began to walk forward.
"You should listen to him, you know. He isn't a wizard for nothing." Thorin stopped just as he was about to pass me and finally looked me in the eyes.
He was a very intimidating man, but I kept my gaze locked with his. We had already squared off once before...hopefully we wouldn't be doing it again. He took a firm step forward, invading my space greatly, and leaned a hand against the wood by my head. It was like he was trapping me, trying to frighten me in some way.
I wont lie. It actually worked.
The intense glare he held made me push myself against the fame as much as I could. He was too close for comfort and he knew it.
"Tell me seer. You see so much...what is to happen next? What will be in store for us?" His voice was low and angry.
His gaze never wavered. His stance never failing. It was almost terrifying. Almost.
I wasn't sure exactly what came over me. Maybe it was all the testosterone in the air, or maybe I was just tired of being pushed around. I leaned forward , making the distance between us close in. The move startled him enough to take a step back, but he only got so far before his back bumped into the other side of the frame.
I took a daring step forward and did exactly what he did to me. I trapped him with a carefully placed arm and invaded what little space he had left.
"Your hold on the past and love of gold will cause you more grief than you know. Being King under the Mountain will mean little if you are dead because of it. Try to remember that we are here to help you, not to fight you." With those words I step back and walked down the path to the company.
I only glanced back for a second, but I could still see Thorin in the same position I left him. I smirked and turned back.
He needed to be put in his place. Hopefully the word of a seer will mean more to him than that of a wizard. At least for this moment.
As I passed Bilbo I grabbed a bag he was struggling with and threw it over my shoulder.
"Come on Bilbo, I'll help you." I smiled at him sweetly.
"Do you think he will come back?" Bilbo followed me with another bag as we made our way to where Gloin and Oin were setting up a fire.
"He will return with the morning light Bilbo. Try not to worry so much." There was no reassuring him. Bilbo was a worry-wart and there was no changing that.
I set the bag down and looked around. There must have been some adrenaline in my system from facing off with Thorin, because I felt amazing.
"I think I'll go for a walk." I announced proudly and turned to head toward a grassy hill.
I needed some time by myself. Some time to relax and enjoy nature around me. It sounded very elvish, but the thought brought a smile to my face. This world was so beautiful and this may be the only time I can enjoy.
No one stopped me, though I did hear a few disagreements to my announcment, but no one made the attempt to stop me physically. I padded up the hill and stopped at the very top. It had been a tough trek up. I scraped a leg against a protruding rock, but besides that I had made it. I turned to look out to the horizon. I didn't realize how far I had been climbing up it until I saw the sun was sliding further towards earth.
I looked down and saw the small forms of the company below. I could still see their face, which meant I wasn't too high up. Ori and Bilbo had watched me climb up and were waving up at me. I gave them a small wave back and turned my attention back to the world in front of me.
"Beautiful..." I whispered to myself.
'Beautiful. So beautiful.'
I spun around to look the other direction. Behind me was the forest that we bordered. My eyes swept the darkness within the trees. Why was I hearing these voices? What were they? Who were they?
"Emma!" I heard my name and turned to look down at the company. Thorin was standing there with his arms across his chest. "Come down and eat something!"
He seems to bounce back quickly. I was glad he wasn't angry for what I said. I waved at him and carefully began my decent down the grassy hill. By the time I made it down, the sun was half way covered by the earth. I stepped onto a boulder that stuck out from the hill and smiled at the company who had watched my awkward climb down.
"There, safe and sound. Happy?"
A few of the dwarves chuckled and went back to their meals. Bilbo only shook his head and waved me down.
"Come off there before you fall." Bilbo's concern for me was touching.
"Here, lass. Let me help you.." Nori got up from his place and came around the boulder with a hand outstretched.
I took his hand without a second thought and jumped onto solid ground. "My thanks, Nori."
Nori gave me a brilliant smile and bowed to me as though I was a queen. "Of course, My lady seer."
With a light giggle , I joined the company for an evening of merriment. It felt good to be part of it.
THIRD PERSON POV
"What's the matter, brother? Do you see something?" Kili asked as he peered at his older brother through the darkness.
Fili must not have heard him because he made no attempt to answer or even move. Kili raised an eyebrow and stepped over to Fili. He gazed in the direction he was staring and smirked when he noticed it was the camp in view. Fili had been staring at the rest of their company huddled around the fire...or more so, the lovely Emma who was laughing at the stories Bofur was currently telling her.
Bofur was known to be a lady's man. Having a rather nice singing voice and being able to play several instruments, he was perfect in the eyes of many female dwarves.
Kili slapped Fili on the shoulder. "What ails you? Do you think Bofur will snatch up Miss Emma and run away with her?" He was joking, but the look Fili gave him made him think that was exactly what the blonde brother had thought.
"Come now. You are acting like a fool. She is perfectly fine over there...Do you not remember what Gloin and Dwalin said? Leave her be." Kili tried to remind his brother, which was unusual because it was normally the other way around.
"I did not forget." Fili was more than a bit annoyed at how well Emma was able to flirt and not make it sound forward or untoward. He gripped the handle of his sword in frustration.
"Then relax. You're starting to turn into Thorin. Soon you'll be popping veins out of your head." Kili chuckled and sat on a large trunk that was sticking out of the ground.
Fili let out a sigh and relaxed his hand with a quick flew of his fingers. "I feel like I've been staring at her for hours..."
"That is because you have been. It's rather pathetic." Kili received a punched in the arm for that comment.
"It is not!" Fili then pushed his brother off the trunk and turned to head back towards the ponies.
"Hey wait up!" Kili scrambled to his feet and jogged after his brother.
"Come on, let's count the ponies and get something to eat." Fili began counting the ponies.
They sat there counting...then recounting...and counting once more.
"14. I counted 14." Fili then looked at Kili, who was almost in a shock-like state.
"I-..I also counted 14. Did we not have 16?"
"Aye, Kili...we did have 16."
"Now there are 14."
"Aye."
"...Damn."