The star shined bright that night. The brisk air and sound of a crackling fire. The fresh air, mixed with damp dirt and trees; and for a moment, since my first night in Bag End, I began to wonder if this was a dream. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and counted to three. Slowly opening my eyes, I frown slightly. Nothing. I wonder if anyone even came looking for me. My dad would have loved to have seen this. Mom would have enjoyed this too. Imagining my parents reaction brought a smile to my lips. But just as quick as it came, it disappeared. I missed my parents. I missed my home. My home that I wasn't even sure if I was every going to see again.
Pushing aside my pain, I watched Bofur making the stew. The Dwarves slowly stood and made a line. Each thanking Bofur before returning to their seats. Bilbo didn't bother as he stared out into the distance.
"He's been a long time." Bilbo marched over to Bofur's side.
"Who?" I smiled as I watched Bomber eagerly wait for seconds.
"Gandalf!" Bilbo exclaimed putting his hands on his hips as he stared out to the distance.
"He's a wizard. He does as he chooses. Here! Do us a favor?" Handing over the two dishes to Bilbo he nods his head in the direction of Fili and Kili. "Take this to the lads." I bite my lip to hold in a laugh as I watch Bomber make a beeline for the spoon to fill his bowl again. He isn't quick enough the and his hands are batted away by Bofur. "Stop it! You've had plenty."
I laugh again catching Bofur's attention.
"Well it's true." I smile at Bofur and slowly get up bringing my empty bowl with me. "You know that you didn't have to wait so long." His voice turning from humor to concern.
"I know. I just…" The sound of my stomach grumbling made me pause. I winced looking away as I handed over my bowl.
"Eeh!? That's too much!" I protested upon seeing the bowl filled to the rim.
"The way I see it lass, you're the skinniest person here and need some fattening up. So eat up."
I need fattening up? The comment confused me, but at the growling of my stomach, I ignored it for now. I gave a small bow and returned to my seat.
Hesitant at first I scooped up some broth and held it up to my nose to sniff. It didn't smell bad. It smelled…meat, I suppose would be the correct word. I looked up to see Dwalin, Dori and Bomber watching me. Please stop looking at me. I tensed up and found myself looking around for another place to sit. Sadly, the only place to go where I wouldn't be watched would be too far from the camp site.
Resorting to closing my eyes, I slowly brought the spoon up to my lips and took a sip. I opened my eyes and licked my lips. Huh. It wasn't like anything I had before, but it was good. So with a shrug, I grabbed another spoonful. As soon as I began to eat, I realized just how hungry I had actually been. The warmth of the food making me smile with glee and the feeling of something in my stomach was comforting.
It didn't take long before the stew was gone. Feeling full, I put my bowl down with a sigh as I sat up straight to stretch. The sound of laughter caught my attention. Opening my eyes and looking across from me, I saw Dwalin and Nori smiling. I wiped my mouth subconsciously thinking I had food on my mouth.
"Take it you like the food miss." Dori said laughing.
"Yea. I was kind of hungry." I said trying to hide my blush.
Dwalin was about to speak when his smile faded as he turned his attention to the hill. Fili and Kili were making their way back to camp and fast.
"Some trolls took the ponies and Bilbo has gone to get them back." Fili said to Thorin.
Thorin growled before walking over to his gear and grabbing his sword. The others follow suit and hurried down the hill. For a moment, I hesitated, unsure whether I should stay or help out. With a deep breath, I began to follow when Kili stepped in my path.
"No. You stay here."
"I'm not going to just stay here Ki-" The dwarf cut me off and pushed me back to the fire.
"Stay here and don't move!" I glare at Kili as he turns to walk away.
"Why can't I come? I can help!" I stated. Kili spun around. His eyes like daggers causing me to take a small step back.
"You will only get in the way. Just stay here and watch the camp." My mouth dropped open. Several times, I tried saying something but I was to shocked and angry.
"Just stay." Rolling his eyes, the dwarf turned and walked away.
Logic side of me told me Kili was right. I had no weapons, no way to really help the dwarves or Bilbo and if I were caught, I would put them in more danger. But the other part of me told me that unlike the others, I knew where this was headed. I knew what was going to happen, what was happening now. Sadly logic didn't win this argument.
"I'm going with you and you can't stop me!"
Kili stopped and quickly made his way back to me.
"You will listen to me or so help me I will-"
"Or you'll what?!" His jaw tensed but I continued. "Continue to treat me like a hopeless child or tell your brother I'm just in the way? Fuck you Kili! I'm sorry I beat you! I'm sorry I can actually defend myself!"
"Like you defended yourself last night, right?" He spat back.
For a moment, I said nothing. Anger shifting to embarrassment, shame. Pain. The scowl on Kili's face fell as he realized what he said. The young dwarf opened his mouth but I quickly shoved past him trying desperately to forget about my moment of weakness.
"I'm going and you can't stop me." I muttered.
I didn't get more than three feet before, I felt a pair of hands turn me around and I was thrown over Kili's shoulder. I had never felt so ridiculous as I did at that moment. I kicked, and squirmed and screamed. It was definitely a sight I was very happy no one else was able to witness. But what else could I do? The dwarf gave me no options as he wouldn't put me down and I was too upset to care if I hurt him or not.
"Put me down!" I cried.
Feeling Kili's hands at my waits, I was set down abruptly. It was darker over here, away from the fire. I glared at Kili before trying to make a run for the others. Kili quickly stopped me with a grunt and held me in place. I tried pulling away, but his grip tightened. Shifting his stance, his grip around me remained strong. Feeling him move, I noticed that he was kicking the remains of the wooden fence from the house. The fence didn't budge surprisingly. For a moment, I stopped fighting, too confused by his actions.
"Kili! Let me go! Please!" My voice soft and pleas weak.
He didn't look at me nor did he say anything. Just did as I said and let go. His attention dropped to his trousers and he began undoing his belt. My eyes widened, fearing the worst. I staggered back but a hand shot out, latching onto my wrist.
"This is for your own good." He said quietly.
"Kili, please! I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please don't do this!" My lower lip trembled as I shook my head. is
Before I knew what was going on, Kili pushed me on to my knees facing the post. It was then that I noticed his belt looped around the wooden bar. I finally understood his intentions and tried to once again get away but it was to no avail. With a matter of moment, the belt looped around my wrists like make shift cuffs. I pulled and squirmed around trying to loosen them but they wouldn't budge. Turning back to Kili, I saw him run off without another word.
"Kili! Come back!" My cries went unanswered.
I'm going to kill him when I get out of these.
I quickly maneuver my seating position so I am no longer sitting on my knees but on my butt. Lifting my legs up, I place them against the bar and push, hoping to break the bar with my legs and the pull of the belt. It was no use. The only thing it did was strain my shoulders. I sat for what seemed like half an hour. I knew soon it would be sun rise light blue beyond the horizon was any indication. Soon they would be tied up only to be saved by Bilbo and Gandalf. They find the troll cave and then the orcs would come. I would be too far behind to catch up.
My breath hitched at the thought
Surely they would notice though…That I wasn't with them…
Frantically I pulled at my bindings before I shifted my position and gave the knot a quick once-over before I attempted to pick at it with me teeth. It wasn't doing much as far as untying the knott, but I could feel the belt shift. Quickly I began pulling at different angles, all the while wiggling my wrist back and forth to escape. I wasn't sure how long I had been working. Looking up towards the horizon, I see a glimmer of light.
It's almost sunrise.
My arms and jaw were sore from the pulling and tugging. But by then I had the loop of the belt now confined right below the knuckle of my thumb. I quickly shifted my feet, placing them on the flat surface of the wooden fence. With what strength I had left, I pushed back. I cried out in pain as the leather ran against my slightly bloody and raw skin. Falling onto my back, I held my arms against me as I breathed against the pain.
Cries echoed through the valley. It was my cue to move. Slowly I sat up careful not to have the sleeves of Bilbo's shirt touch my raw skin. I let out a hiss as I staggered to my feet. My body sore and fatigued. Taking a few staggered steps, I paused to take a deep breath. With a long sigh, I pushed on.
By the time I got down to the others, they were already untying each other and getting dressed. Finding the nearest tree, finding myself too exhausted to go any further. Taking advantage of their ignorance of my presence, I mentally checked off each dwarf.
Bofur, Bomber, Oin, Gloin, Bifur, Fili, Gloin…
I stopped counting as I lay eyes on Kili and Fili. While Fili had his back to me, Kili is not. I knew that in the movie, all the actors aside from Ian McKellen, wore fat suits. But these dwarves wore no fat suits. My eyes wandered across Fili's back. The muscles moving beneath the thin cloth. Slowly I shifted my gave to Kili as he stretched. My mouth dropped and eyes wide like saucers when I realized just how revealing and tight the long johns were. Heat crept up my cheeks and immediately ducked behind the tree pulling my hand up to my mouth.
Oh god oh god. I saw nothing. Nothing at all.
The loud knock of stone snapped me out of it. Pushing the image of Kili's body out of my mind, I peak around the other side of the tree to find Gandalf look up at the now stone troll with a bemused smile.
"Where did you go if I may ask?" Thorin walked up to Gandalf, still angry that he left to begin with.
"To look ahead."
"What brought you back?"
"Looking behind." He responded with a smile. The brunette responded with a smirk as the wizard continued. "Nasty business. Still there all in one piece." His matter of fact tone made me smile. I watched as Thorin's gaze darkened.
"No thanks to your burglar."
Trying to get closer, I lost my balance and fell forward. Without thought I swiftly put my right hand back to catch my fall. A shot pain ran up my arm and I couldn't help but yelp. Rolling onto my back, I let out a hiss as I clutched my wrist.
"Who's there?" The baritone voice made me wince.
Silently I cursed as I stood up. Everyone stared as I walked around the tree to Thorin.
"Where were you?" The accusation was not hidden in his voice.
"I…" A quick glance at Kili informed me he was just as shocked to see me as our leader. "I was watching the camp…But I heard the screaming." I said quietly. Taking a chance, I looked over at the brothers to find Fili look at his brother questioningly.
"What's wrong with you hand?" I snap my head back to Thorin who now stood just inches away from me. A quick look down I realized I was subconsciously cradling my right wrist.
"I-It's nothing." I stammered.
"If it is nothing, why are you holding it?" He said suspiciously. Thorin's hand reached for my arm but I shied away.
"I tripped. I jarred my wrist trying to catch my fall…That's why you heard me cry out." He dropped his hand and nodded as he walked past me. It was obvious he knew it wasn't true…Well not the whole truth. But for whatever reason he wasn't going to push me and for that I let out a sigh of relief. Why I protected Kili, I hadn't the foggiest idea.
"Are you sure you are alright child?"
Looking up at the very tall Wizard I gave a meek smile.
"Yea. I'll be fine. It's not the first time I've injured my wrist and it probably won't be the last."
With a nod, the wizard walked away slowly taking one last look at one of the frozen trolls with a grim look. Closing my eyes, I could still feel the lingering pain. I knew that these would be difficult to hide, but I needed to deal with it. I couldn't let these hinder me from helping the dwarves of the impending dangers that awaited them. Opening my eyes, I found myself face to face with Kili.
"How did you get out?" He asked. The shock evident on his face.
"Yea, next time you tie someone up. Make sure they aren't good with their mouth.."
Kili's face faltered. His eyes darken and I quickly repeat my sentence in my head. Oh! That was so wrong in so many ways.
Mentally shaking myself, I push past him and rush after the others leaving a very stunned Kili behind.
Oh no! Kili's in trouble with May. What will happen next!? Duh duh DUH! Lol Hope you all enjoyed the newest chapter. Comments and likes appreciated. ^_^ Ta!