I spent time with Balin and Dwalin when Dis was busy with her duties. Dwalin introduced me to Selena, a beautiful desert flower with Dwarf and Human blood in her veins. I learned Selena was a circus performer Dwalin rescued from a very cruel Circus Master two weeks ago. When I wasn't spending time with Balin and Dwalin, I spent time with Fili and Kili, Dis' two sons who I met later after suffering through Thorin's harsh manners.
When I spent time with Dis, I helped her tend to our people. When she didn't have duties to fulfill, she and I would stroll through the village and talk about everything that crossed our minds. I learned that her husband and brother didn't survive the battle when Thror tried reclaiming the ancient Dwarf kingdom of Moria. She also lost her grandfather and Thrain went missing. That's when I told her that Thrain had escorted my parents to The Shire the day they gave me up for adoption to a Hobbit couple. The news warmed Dis' heart and in turn, she asked me what life in The Shire is like.
"The Shire is peaceful," I admitted. "The Shire is known as small but beautiful, idyllic and fruitful land that's so beloved by the Hobbits. There is agriculture and The Shire is mostly inland. Densely populated. But as you travel to the border, you pass over very lush green rolling hills and forest." I smiled while talking about my homeland.
"That sounds lovely. What is the atmosphere like?" Dis had a hunger in her eyes to learn more about where I grew up.
"The atmosphere is vibrant from all of the boisterous laughter and chipper conversation and attitudes. The Shire is known as a place of innocence, because it's the one place that hasn't seen the sort of situations Dwarves and Men have seen. The Shire is practically tucked back into the countryside. If you travel west from Hobbiton to Ered Luin, it would take you 250 miles to reach the mountains." I watched awe and wonder fill Dis' beautiful facial features as she drank in my words.
"On June 23 we celebrate what is called Midsummer's Eve because it's the shortest night of the year. There's dancing, bonfires, food and a huge merry gathering."
"That sounds very lovely." Dis agreed.
When I wasn't spending time with Dis, Fili and Kili always dragged me along to spend time with them on their adventures: hunting, fishing, archery practice, swimming in the sea; just being boys. At one point, Kili challenged me to a shooting competition. "I want to see just how well you can shoot an arrow," he had said. "And if you can beat me." I of course, agreed, as I was one who couldn't resist a challenge. We spent that entire afternoon trying to outshoot one another. At one point, when Kili had hit the center, he had said, "see if you can top that." I had laughed and after drawing my arrow back and steadying my aim, I let the arrow fly. I turned to Kili after I caught sight of my arrow slicing his in half before hitting the center. "Not bad." The young prince commented approvingly.
Thorin kept close watch on me turns out. That was fine. Whenever I spent time with Fili and Kili he kept closer watch on me, as they were his nephews. He kept his close watch on me during my stay in Ered Luin but also kept his distance. That was fine too. When Thorin and I did happen to see one another in passing, I was usually tagging along with Dis during her duties. The only acknowledgment Thorin and I gave one another were hard looks of challengingly staring each other down. Our hearts always yanked and pulled at a bond with either end linking us together.
At first, Thorin and I only acknowledged each other with brief glances and glares. As the time passed during my stay, though, the more we saw one another in passing and at dinner, the stronger the pull became, thanks be to Dis, who convinced Thorin to allow me to stay longer.
Whenever Thorin did or said something I didn't like, I would deliver a smart remark or give him grief that always ended with roars of laughter erupting from the Dwarves around us, Thorin and I getting into a "polite" lover's spat or exchanging challengingly glares. At one point, Thorin and I ended up getting into a wrestling match, which amused me because I had spent time wrestling all of the Hobbit boys in The Shire. I even wrestled Elves whenever I visited Rivendell during the past years. Two years ago, when I visited Mirkwood, I had beat Legolas in a couple wrestling matches. So wrestling Thorin was cake!
"Thus spanked the king." I quipped when I beat Thorin in the wrestling match. But what I didn't expect, was for the Dwarf to knock me off my feet before I could even get to my feet. He pinned me to the ground by straddling my hips, his legs squeezed my hips like a vice. I struck my fist out, but Thorin caught my wrists and used only one hand to pin them above my head. "Silly Dwarf." I smirked. "Do you think you're strong enough to handle me?" I did not give Thorin the chance to answer. My body began to shift and I soon turned into a serpent; slithering out from underneath the Dwarf to circle behind him.
I raised myself up behind Thorin and sank my fangs in his butt cheek. Thorin let out a yell and laughter filled the air. I shifted back and stood up. Thorin stood and turned to give me a deadly glare.
