Ch 2: Riding On Pins and Peedles
Balin rode alongside Shail briefing her on each company member.
"Now, you already know of Thorin Oakdensheild. Behind him we have his two nephews, Fili and Kili. They will be the next princes of Erbor once our home is reclaimed." Balin said with inspiration. The journey had just begun, hopes were high. "Before ourselves are my younger brother, Dwalin, and the fire-starter Gloin. Gloin also…" Balin was about to advise Shail that Gloin handles their finances, but then remembered she is still a stranger. She could rob them that very same night. Balin averted his eyes and continued. "...Gloin starts the fires." Balin cleared his throat and turned back to point to the elders of the company. "These gentle dwarves do an excellent job keeping our mission organized. The deaf, Oin, acts as our medic and map reader. The mute, Bifur, acts as unruly reinforcement when needed. Don't be fooled though, he has a kind heart and passion for toy making. Dori is the entire company's mending specialist. If any of your clothes, sashes, or sacks need a sturdy stitch, feel free to refer to him. Then there is Ori, our scribe. A bright young dwarf that one is. After them is their third brother, Nori." Balin gestured for Shail to lean towards him for a secret and she abided. He whispered "That lot don't look much alike, but they are of the same blood on their mother's side…and do be mindful of Nori's hands. He's got, uh, thieving tendencies'' He then continued at a conversational volume. "Besides him is Bofur, the tinker. He also is caretaker of Bifur along with his brother, the company's cook, Bombur. In the very back, our newest member and official burglar Master Bilbo Baggins. Accompanying him is the great wizard-"
"Gandalf the Gray" Shail finished. She then explained "I know of his legend from a close friend."
"Then you agree, he is a sorcerer of grand magnitude. Such a power wielder doesn't assist in just any cause. Our journey is one of great honor." Shail nodded in agreement. When Balin turned his focus to his reigns, she rolled her eyes at the gloating.
"I suppose… He doesn't seem so great." She muttered.
Ori rode two horse lengths behind the she-dwarf. Trying hard to catch just a glimpse of her face for his sketch. Hearing the mention of his name the two made eye contact. Ori's face turned a tint of pink. Shutting his journal abruptly it nearly toppled off his lap. Dori turned to the commotion and helped to stop the book from falling to the ground. "Careful Ori, what have I told you about writing and riding?"
"Sorry, I was starting on a new sketch." Ori answered, fiddling around with the quill. The young artist kept glancing over to Shail, hoping she didn't notice his fumbling nor the lecture he was receiving. Dori saw his looks and followed Ori's eyesight, it was to the she-dwarf.
"Oh no, don't you get yourself involved with that mischief-maker." Dori lectured, shaking his finger no. Ori blushed at being caught.
"I don't think it's mischievous behavior! She kind of reminds me of Nori." Ori tried to convince.
"That's my point. Look at her Ori. Her hair looks like a mouse built its nest in there, leaves and sticks just scattered around." He went on insulting her appearance. "What is with her acting like a feral animal sniffing about? I want you to stay clear unless you're told so. You understand me?" Dori asked, raising a brow. Ori rolled his eyes before giving him a huffed yes.
"I don't understand. Why'd uncle recruit a wild lander? Doesn't he know how unpredictable they can be?" Kili loudly whispered to his brother. The older brother looked with a deadpan stare.
"You are not whispering as low as you think you are." Fili sighed then shrugged. He turned back to stretch his back, but was distracted by the decloaking she-dwarf. Although ill-fitting, her mismatched clothes showed off a curvaceous body. Most dwarfish women he saw wore conservative attire, at least two or three layers. Fili was fascinated by the modest clothing clinging to her shape. Shail adjusted her sleeve then looked ahead. The two made eye contact. Embarrassed by being caught staring, the prince pulled on his reins and nearly steered into Kili's pony.
"Fili! Watch it!" Kili whined. He steadied his own pony then kicked his brother's leg.
"Sorry brother, I got distracted. No need to hit." Fili apologized then kicked Kili back. They began an intense game of footsies while avoiding hitting the ponies.
The brothers' kicking distracted Shail from her conversation with Balin. "And I think you and I both know we wouldn't want that, do we? Hehe…" Balin waited for a response but saw the lass' attention was elsewhere. He sighed, seeing the young brothers' antics. "You two alright?" Balin hoped to straighten out their misbehavior without getting Thorin involved.
"What? Oh, yes! Fili's having a bit of trouble with his reins." Kili lied while both wore innocent smiles. He landed a kick to the shin. Fili grunted, but held his facade. Balin nodded and the two turned back to face the path ahead. Fili dropped his smile and grumbled. Kili grinned in victory.
"A bit clumsy for one of yer best fighters." Shail commented to Bailn.
Fili heard the comment and scoffed. First Kili winning their fight now this? He turned back and questioned Shail. "Clumsy? Pfft, it was a little accident is all. What impression have I given you that I'm clumsy?" Fili asked, irritated by her statement.
Shail, smiling at the prince's amusing temper, elaborated. "Back at my campsite, you fell for my trap. Even woodland critters have the sense to be cautious. Witless, clumsy, easy kills will go for open bait. And you being witless, clumsy, and easy, were caught. No?" She asked, raising her brow.
Fili slowed down riding at her side to defend himself. "I wasn't the only dwarf to get snared."
"That's true, your highness…princes and kings with no kingdom. Not sure what you'd call that." Shail said lowly to Fili as she looked him in the eyes. Her smile dropped; this statement was no joke to her. Shail certainly rubbed salt into Fili's wounded pride. He stopped in his tracks in disbelief. Fili had never been so unapologetically disrespected before.
Balin called back as he stayed beside Shail, unaware of what the lass had said. "Keep up lad!"
The company rode until sunset. As the sky became darker, Thorin and his dwarves set up camp. Below the cliff side was the great east road. "Fili, you're on the first watch." Thorin said as he walked around to observe the cliff's view for dangers. Fili nodded but silently groaned once his uncle walked away. He was annoyed by being picked first but was not so bothered to get an earful from Thorin about it. Kili snickered at his brother, beginning to unravel his own sleeping sack. While walking past, Thorin snatched the younger prince's sleeping sack from his hands and added "I don't see what's so funny when you'll be accompanying him, Kili. I want you both to be awake and alert. No mucking around. Understood?" Thorin order.
"Understood sir." Fili answered with a satisfied smile, taking a seat by the fire. Behind Thorin's back, Kili gave his uncle a side eye before slumping onto the ground. The rest of the dwarves unpacked their belongings to last the night; bedrolls, worn-out pillows, blankets varying in size and comfort. Climbing to higher ground, Shail removed her boots and leather corset to relax after an eventful day. She rummaged through her pack to retrieve a makeshift pillow. It was made from a used potato sack and stuffed with sheeps' wool. Using it to support herself against a rock, she placed her pack to her side. Most of Shail's nights were spent sleeping outdoors. She had become accustomed to resting uncomfortably while being prepared to leave at a moment's notice. She sighed and closed her eyes; they were becoming heavy with tiredness.
"Excuse me. Are you really going to be sleeping up there?" A voice suddenly asked. The question alarmed Shail. She opened her eyes and crawled over with caution to look down and see. Once she saw who was speaking, the she-dwarf groaned. It was Ori. "Mister Dwalin says it's better to stay in a group" He informed out of concern for her.
"Maybe for you townies and your simple minds. Lower to the ground, faster the strike. Higher on the hill, the critters won't bite." She answered, trying to ignore the annoying pest. Looking down, Ori's face showed confusion at the rhyme. Shail groaned again. "I'll make it simpler to understand. Up here, it's harder for the night beast to reach. So I won't be part of their fifteen-course meal." Ori gulped then turned and yipped. He was spooked at the firewood cracking. Shail laughed at him as she retreated back to her rest area.
Pink in the face from embarrassment, Ori rejoined the group. He took a seat and opened his journal. Dori took the calm opportunity to fiddle with Ori's braids. "What a mess. This trip certainly is not for the weak. Not sure how we're going to survive if our hair can't even last, right Ori?" Dori joked. Ori gave a weak chuckle to appease his older brother's humor. The younger dwarf wore a frown of shame and hoped none of the company viewed him that way; weak, helpless, needing to be nurtured by his overbearing brother. Oin called for Dori, needing the mender to patch a tear in his medicine bag. Dori assured Ori he'll be back in a moment. Nori, along with Bofur, sat close by. Both dwarves were working on their wood carving skills. Nori was forging a design into his own smoking pipe. He looked up to make sure Dori was gone. The middle child then averted his attention back to the pipe and spoke aloud to his little brother.
"What was that about?" Nori asked, blowing away the wooden shavings.
Ori covered his mouth and coughed from inhaling the debris. Nori laughed then ceased when his little brother answered shortly "Nothing. Just wanted to ask a question." It was out of Ori's character to talk back. The scribe's journal pages were covered in his inconsiderate brother's shavings so he brushed them off and continued on his sketch. Peeking over, Nori saw a rough sketch of the lass. The thief grinned. With mischievous intent, Nori quickly snatched the book, "Nori!" Ori whined then lowered his voice to not alert Dori. He hissed. "Give that back!"
"Lookie here, nice drawing Ori. Didn't add much detail yet. You sure this ain't your first time drawing a lass, huh?" He asked. The scribe leaned over to grab his journal back, but failed as Nori held it over the middle braided point of his hair. Quickly, Nori took off Bofur's hat and shoved it in Ori's face. With this younger brother being stalled, Nori retreated away to examine the page. "What are these? Notes?" Nori trotted and recited from the text. "Let's see here. It says 'Her eyes tell a story. They sparkle like stones of amber in the sunlight'? Aw, how romantic!" He teased. Ori politely gave the hat back to its owner then began to chase Nori. Bofur shook his head with a smile as the brothers concealed their running to not cause a commotion. Ori quietly pleaded for the journal back after many failed attempts to get it. Nori would hold out the book then pull it back when Ori reached for it. The thief would evade his younger brother's every move with side steps and pivots. Ori tripped over his own feet. As he stood back up, Nori continued to read. "There's more! 'Her skin is the color of a chestnut, complemented by beautiful long raven hair'. Though it does hold a mess of twigs, stones, and leaves, don't it?" Nori proposed as he caressed his own locks. Bofur chuckled at his friend's vanity. "Where's the commentary about her body? Haven't gotten to that part yet?" He elbowed Ori playfully, winking over to Bofur. Ori pushed Nori's elbow which began a small slapping war. Ori still tried to grab his book back while avoiding his groin being hit by Nori's available hand. "Cute you have a crush. Wouldn't be the first."
"I do not!" Ori blushed and yelled with a voice crack. Both stopped in their tracks and turned to Dori's direction. The oldest brother was still occupied and didn't notice their conflict. "I'm just documenting what I see. That's my job." He said through gritted teeth and crossed his arms in defense. He looked to the ground, getting tired of being picked on.
"Right, didn't see anything written like this about the goats we saw earlier. Unless you've got a back section, you cheeky dwarf." He chuckled, walking behind Ori then past Bofur. "If it's just notes, then I guess showing her what you wrote-"
"Please don't, Nori please." Ori begged as he grabbed Nori's arm in desperation.
"Come on, it's only notes." He said sarcastically, holding it away. Dori finally came to end the game of keep-away.
"I can't leave you alone for a minute, can I Nori?" Dori said, handing the journal over to Ori. "Quit teasing your brother over who-knows-what and get to bed."
Nori shook his head with a smile of disbelief then huffed when Dori's expression stayed upset. "It was only a bit of fun." He said, taking a seat by Bofur. Dori shook his head then led Ori to bed. The middle child watched as his two brothers walked away. As it always turns out, there was separation between them and him. This journey was supposed to serve as an opportunity to strengthen their family bond. However, it seemed that Nori would always mess up no matter how hard he tried. Maybe there's no use, the two might be better off without him after all.
"Lay off the lad, will ya? Doesn't seem like he's experienced enough to be lady charming. Sure as hell doesn't run in the family". Bofur joked to ease the mood. Nori smiled, appreciating the change of tone. "Remember that hobbit lass ya tried sweet talkin back in the Shire? I thought she was about to fall over asleep with you yapping so much. And once ya started on your hair, it was over. By Durin, all of the Blue Mountain's finest stylists would get sick of your braid lecturing." Nori waved off the teasing to shut Bofur up. The two smoked and conversed a bit longer then both decided they needed to rest for the long day ahead of them. Nori and Bofur went to sleep sitting up, back-to-back.
Gandalf propped himself up against a tree watching over the company. The wizard knew of the many dangers that could lurk in the night. Goblins crawling out from their burrows to snatch sleeping prey, trolls barging through squishing them into mush, and wolves separating them to make the hunt easier. Now Gandalf had a new danger to worry about; Shail the wildlander. Unsure of what she is capable of, his mind began to wonder. What if she tied them up and ran off with their supplies? What if she snuck nightshade berries into their water canteens, poisoning them with a sip. As each scenario worsened and worsened, the wizard looked to see if the first watch was on their guard. To his disappointment they were not. Fili sat smoking his pipe as Kili worked on crafting new arrows.
Bombur's snoring startled Bilbo out of his slumber. Dusting the dirt from his coat, the hobbit walked over to his pony. He secretly pulled an apple from his pocket to feed her. "Hello, girl. That's a good girl." Bilbo smiled, rubbing her snout. "Shush. It's our little secret, Myrtle; you must tell no one." he said, feeding her the apple. Hearing a scream in the night Bilbo pranced to Fili and Kili. "What was that?"
"Orcs." Kili answered, looking around. Thorin and Balin, sleeping at a distance from each other, both jerked awake upon hearing the word 'Orcs'.
"Orcs?" Bilbo asked.
"Throat-cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them." Fili answered, emptying his pipe's ashes.
"They strike in the wee small hours, when everyone's asleep. Quick and quiet; no screams, just lots of blood." Kili added as he looked Bilbo in the eyes. The hobbit looked away in fright; Fili and Kili shared a glance at each other and began holding in laughter.
"You think that's funny? You think a night raid by orcs is a joke?" Thorin scolded the two youngins.
"We didn't mean anything by it." Kili answered shamefully.
"No, you didn't. You know nothing of the world." Thorin said. Before his nephews' ignorance could further anger him, The king walked to the edge of the cliff and looked out.
"Don't mind him, laddie. Thorin has more cause than most to hate orcs." Balin walked over to reassure Bilbo. The elder dwarf then told him the origin of Oakenshield. The company slowly woke up to listen to the hobbit looked at the dwarf king in admiration. With the position of King, Bilbo assumed Thorin's honor and bravery. In addition, the dwarf has proven, and continues to prove, himself worthy of such a title. The tale did leave for a remaining question.
"But the pale orc? What happened to him?" Bilbo asked, looking between Balin and Gandalf.
"He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago." Thorin answered as he returned. Ordered the dwarves to go back to sleep. Balin exchanged a look with Gandalf, knowing the Orc could have survived.