Chapter 7
The road we travel is a well-used one, if only by farmers. We pass countless fields of all sorts of natural and home-grown foods; it's a health nut's wet dream. I personally prefer heart-stopping cheeseburgers lathered with everything but I'm not in a complaining mood. Nope. Not me. I'm having a wonderful time watching the dwarves stiffly bear witness to the popularity of one Bilbo Baggins.
He's a right celebrity in these parts, it would seem. The lady Hobbits swoon and bat their lashes at him before giggling into a fit of intense blushes when his gaze swivels in their direction. The males incline their heads in reverence, acknowledging their respect as he passes through. An influential, rich, bachelor: If Thorin wanted to get on the road without drawing too much attention, he made a big mistake by having his company look like glorified guards for the hobbit Prince.
"I don't suppose it'll be much further to Frogmorton... We are moving much faster than I anticipated we would." Pulling at his collar nervously, The Hobbit clears his throat when no one answers "We'll arrive at our destination in no time at all if we keep this pace."
"That's true." But this pace won't be kept for very long. Not that I can say so. Not that I really want to. "It'll still be a little while and I use the term 'little' loosely."
"Yes... Yes I am sure that you are correct, Miss-"
The Hobbit stiffens at my front as the pony decides that at this moment it would like to walk beside the Wizard's mount. All the reign pulling in the world doesn't stop the creature from cutting in line, with an elegant raised of its head, to meander its way to the sorcerer's aside. Gandalf for his part, simply smiles at the occurrence, probably having caused it in some way, shape, or form.
"Ah, hello again, Gandalf."
"Good of you to come see how an old friend is fairing." The two share a warm laugh which is clearly built on a deep relationship that all the books and movies could not capture completely. It's nice... I wish they'd stop "And you have brought a new friend. I think it is high time that we learned your name, dear."
"... I'd rather not say. You can call me 'Hey you' if you really need to address me. I won't mind."
"I couldn't possibly! Such a dismissive reference is just... Just... Unacceptable!"
"..."
"Truly!" not at all cowed by my silence, Bilbo continues with his rant "A name is just as important as a face: It's gives us the beginning of who we are and wish to be known by. Surely you have one."
"Yes but it makes no difference. I'm still me whether or not you know my name. Roses and all that, you know."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind... I just-"
"Please, Miss..."
"... Its... I'm... Maybe some other time. Maybe."
I'm not sure what it is but I feel protective of my name. As if providing my personal information will somehow send me further into this mad Quest. It's completely untrue, as I doubt anyone here cares about dragging around some nameless girl. They are collectively doing it right now... Gandalf frowns beneath the brim of his gray hat but Bilbo thankfully nods his understanding. Or at least his acceptance.
"Some other time then, but... Must I truly refer to you as 'hey you' until then?"
"Let me think on that for a while. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something else."
He nods again before entering into a light-hearted conversation with his friend. I listen with half an ear but give up after barely a minute, rather than die from mundane boredom.
The hours drag by like snails and it takes all my self control not to scream. Kicking my legs lightly, I'm aware that my feet nearly drag the ground. I'm not tall, 5'5 to be exact, but I'm no dwarf either so I'm not built to ride this beast. The hanging didn't bother me at first but now it's early afternoon and what was once a sleepy tingle is currently a raging ache in my thighs. I could honestly just slide right off the back of the saddle but that would no doubt caused a huge commotion that I don't feel like hearing. I just want to make it to Rivendell in one piece. Is that too much to ask?
"Come on, Nori! Pay up!"
"Oh, is it that time already?"
"Excuse me?"
I do not answer my riding partner, as bags of Queens begin flying through the air before I can do so. It's like Thorin's sleigh with a guest appearance from Gandalf the nosey Wizard, with all the jingling going around. I half expect to get smacked in the back of my head by rogue bag but the dwarves are careful with their money. Considering that they are dwarves, this isn't surprising.
"What is- goodness, please be careful! What is this all about?" Bilbo looks between Gandalf and myself in worry. Poor guy probably thinks someone sold his good sense while he wasn't looking "First my mother's westfarthing pottery, quite old you know, and now money?"
"They did not break anything and cleaned each piece afterwards."
"That is hardly the point, Gandalf. They could have-"
"They took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Just a spot of fun, both then and now." Offering a warm shake of his head, as if he hadn't just cut me off, the gray clad man shrugs his shoulders lightly. "Most of them bet that you would not."
"Oh... well... what did you think?"
"Well..." a short shout from up ahead draws our attention to the flying sack of coins. Gandalf catches it easily enough and shoves it into his messenger pouch "My dear fellow, I never doubted you for a second."
"And you, miss? Did you- Achoo!" Ah, the dreaded sneeze. It's an intense thing. It shakes the poor guy thoroughly in his seat, causing the pony to huff its displeasure "M-my apologies! I just seem to- a-achoo!"
"Allergic?"
"Not usually but there's so much- A-choo! H-horsehair. I seem to be having a reaction." The Hobbit shifts in front of me, searching his pockets desperately for his handkerchief. First the left, then the right, and then the left again but to no avail "Uh... um... wha... WA-"
"Don't do that."
"P-pardon?"
"You'll look silly if you try to turn this caravan around for a handkerchief. They won't do it, and Thorin will only think less of you for it." clearing my throat upon finding those around us nodding in agreement, though not looking at us, I focus on the road ahead "Just buy one in Bree if you really need it."
"But what shall I do until then? My nose-"
"Here! Use this!"
Bofur tears off a piece of his shirt and tosses the cloth at Bilbo. It hits the would-be burglar in the chest before falling limply into his lap. The brown scrap looks like it has been scrubbing urinal floors for years even if I know it's probably not that bad. Still... I wouldn't wipe my behind with it if I had a choice, let alone my face. Bilbo isn't given that choice, unless he wants to use his sleeve and something tells me he won't. Offering a small smile of forced appreciation he nods before taking a quantum leap of faith. Bringing the rag to his face, the hobbit quickly wipes his snot box, and tucks the item away. He doesn't die from it, so there is hope.
"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs, and a good many other things, Bilbo Baggins, before we reach our journey's end." Like indoor plumbing. We'll be pooping in holes; leaving little brown bread crumbs all over Middle Earth. God help me now if I wipe with poison ivy "You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. the world is ahead."
Our little group falls into silence as we both accept the words of wisdom. All that we were comfortable with, has been left behind. Situations we excelled in have been exchanged for expectations we have no means or idea how to achieve. We are lost in this big wide world where everything wants us dead and it's frightening to say the least.
The farms around us grow sparse and the unknown creeps upon us even as we still remain within the boundaries of 'safety'. Grinning for a moment, I secretly laugh at the stupidity of it all. No one is safe, it's just an illusion we need to get us through the day. Nope... no one is safe and they never will be.
"A tight single file now! We won't be able to cross the Brandywine any other way."
I pay as little attention as needed as we go on. The Flatlands grow into hills on our left as another forest crops up again on our right. As the sun lowers, I believe we will have just enough time to make it to Bree for the night if-
"We make camp here!"
"Here?! Why here? We could easily make it to-"
"Your opinions are unheeded, unnecessary, and unwanted. Keep them to yourself." Climbing off his pony, the dwarf King glares at me from his place "Dismount and sit against that tree."
"Why? So you can tie me to it?"
"Yes."
"N-now just wait a moment. You said that if I rode with her-"
"Your ride is through. Girl. Remove yourself from the pony or be removed. I assure you, you will not enjoy the latter."
"I won't enjoy the former either and I am not letting you tie me to a tree." Bilbo fumbles for his words but climbs down anyway. So focused on Thorin, I do not notice Dwalin creeping up on my left like the slithery snake that he is until I am being yanked out of the saddle and none too gently either "Let go of me!"
"Gently, Master dwarf!" Gandalf's words are neither acknowledged or ignored but all hear them. Dwalin pins my arms to my sides as Kili, stupid nutball that he is, darts forward to subdue my legs. Naturally I thrash wildly, screaming obscenities as we go "We do not wish to harm the woman. Young Miss, please-"
"My nose!"
I pause in my anger at the feeling of bone giving under my foot. Still holding one of my ankles, the dwarrow uses his now free hand to hold his gushing nose. Though it hadn't been my intention to hurt him, it does serve the kid right. Sighing heavily, I purse my lips as the entire group watches the show.
"She broke my bloody nose!" As he drops my foot and raises his hand, I flinch hard and shut my eyes tightly. I'm sure that I'm going to get the holy hell knocked out of me but the blow doesn't come. Cracking my lids slowly, I don't even realize that I'm shaking until Dwalin drops his hold off me "I'm... I'm not going to hit you."
Wrapping my arms around myself I squeeze until I feel my ribs creak. The discomfort pricks at my spine and I use it as an attempt to stop my trembling. I feel weak in front of them now and bite my tongue as everyone's face flickers with that awful emotion. Even Thorin looks uncomfortable and I just. Can't. Stand it. Steeling my spine, I stomped over to the tree that started this all and plop myself down in the dry grass in front of it.
"I'll sit here but you are not, I repeat NOT, going to tie me to it. Not without one hell of a fight."
The internal debate is clear but the group leader decides to let it be. Whether from my embarrassing reaction, my overall stubbornness, or his need to simply ignore me, I can't be sure. Whichever it is, I'm grateful for it as I turn my thoughts in on myself. My hands continue to tremble as I stare at them so I shove them into the dirt at my sides. The small sharp stones embedded in the earth sting the sensitive skin under my nails but I don't mind. I remind myself over and over that there is nothing to be afraid of. Though I've plenty, my biggest demon can't hurt me anymore. I know... because I killed him myself.