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branching-paths · 3 years

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Of Warriors

We huddled in the cave, wishing for a fire. Fili and Kili were sitting next to each other, like they normally were, but this time Kili had a protective hand clutched on his brother's hand. I don't blame him, seeing as Fili was just about squished against the cliff face. I glanced at Thorin. He said some pretty mean things to the hobbit when he nearly fell over the cliff, and it wasn't Bilbo's fault. I glanced at our hobbit, he was talking quietly with Gandalf as they set up their bed rolls in the corners. I glared one more time at Thorin and curled into the blanket.

I woke up to yelling. Then I heard Fili and Kili, that's what sprang me into action. I jumped to my feet, only to be tackled by a small gangly creature, a goblin. My hands were pulled behind me, but I yanked them back. I rolled forward and landed on another goblin, not a very cushiony landing. I drew my sword and slashed at a few. A larger goblin tackled me and bound my hands with chains. A bright light flashed as we were taken through a gap in the cave wall that wasn't there before. It shut back up, leaving us in total darkness. I stomped on goblin toes, maybe even a hobbit's toes, I wasn't exactly sure. I yelled out all the curses I knew at the goblins, and I wasn't the only one. By the sound of everyone yelling, everyone but Gandalf and Bilbo were captured. Farther ahead was a bright orange light and that's when I saw fourteen little fuzzy heads bobbing along a passage, bald goblins were on each side, pulling at the company until all that was on us were our clothes and footwear. Well, I still had four of my knives, but I doubt I would still have them in a few minuets. We came to the end of the passage, and what I saw took my breath away, in a disgusted sort of way. It was a deep cavern, filled with hundreds upon thousands of goblins. Little boardwalks made up the limited pathways around the cavern, and they creaked as we stomped along. A loud horn bellowed through the cavern, Bifur yelled as it hit his ears. At the end of the board walk was a large throne made out of bones and dirt, maybe something a little worse then dirt somewhere in the mix. Sitting on the throne, however, was the most disgusting thing I ever saw. It was a large goblin, with a large belly, thick legs, even thicker arms, and a beard made out of his double chin that was covered in grease. He, I'm saying he because he was only wearing a loincloth and a crown, coughed and sprayed the side of his throne with junk from his mouth. He raised his fat and greasy head and lifted his feet. Goblins scrambled under his feet to be his foot rest, he stepped on them as he readjusted in his throne.

"I think I feel a song coming on," He shouted. We were shuffled closer to the disgusting creature as the music started to get louder.

"Snap, clap, the black crack," The goblin's shouted, making my ears pound. "Grip grab pinch and nab! And down down to goblin town! You go my lad! Clash crash! Crush and smash! Hammer and tongs, knocker and gongs! Pound pound far under ground! Ho Ho my lad! Swish smack, whip crack! Batter and beat, yammer and bleat! Work WORK nor dare to shirk! While goblins laugh and goblins laugh, round and round, far under ground, BELOW MY LAD!" The large goblin ended his song by spinning slowly around on his toes, nearly sending us all off the boardwalk with his large stick with a what looked like a cow skull on it. As we all rose to our feet again, the goblin looked at us with a humorous look in his eye as he backed into his throne.

"Catchy tune, isn't it," He asked, thumping his staff on the ground next to the throne. "It's one of my own compositions!"

"That's not a song," Balin shouted. "It's an abomination!" We all yelled our agreements with Balin, but the goblin didn't seem offended.

"Abominations, mutations, deviations," The goblin bellowed. He spread his arms wide and almost smiled. "That's all your gonna find down here!" The goblins shouted with glee and shoved us together into a tighter pack. Then the goblins brought our arms and threw them onto the ground. That enraged the greater goblin.

"Who would be so bold as to enter my kingdom armed," He shouted at us. "Spies, thieves, ASSASINS?!" A little goblin walked forward from the weapon heap and looked up at the Great Goblin, I think that's what I would call him.

"Dwarves, your malevolence," It said meekly. He sniffed as he threw his head back at us. "Found 'em on the front porch with this feisty one!" Another goblin grabbed my arms and lifted them, shoving me forward. As I was brought forward, the Great Goblin howled again.

"Well don't just stand there, search them! Every crack, every crevice!" I looked back towards the company as they were searched, fighting against the goblin that was unsuccessfully dragging me towards the Great Goblin. Oin's ear trumpet was taken from him and squashed, and all the hidden weapons and stolen goods Nori had were taken from him. Not much joined the pile of weapons after Nori was searched again. They dumped his sack over and poured out the candelabras, cutlery and shakers all stolen from Rivendell. Nori looked a little bashful to say the least. The little goblin picked up a candelabra and looked it over.

"It is my belief, your great betruverence, that they are in league with elves," He shouted, handing the Great Goblin the candle holder. He looked at it's base and squinted his eyes.

"Made... In....R-Rivendell," He muttered. Then he scoffed as he threw the holder into the pit below him. "Second age, couldn't give it away!" Everyone looked at Nori.

"Just a couple of keep sakes," He muttered, shrugging his shoulders. I started to move towards the throne again, so I braced myself up against a board that was sticking out a little. That stopped me dead in my tracks, but the goblin behind me kept shoving, stupid hairbrain!

"What are you doing in these parts," The Great Goblin asked, leaning over the weapons pile and scanning the company. Thorin looked towards the goblin and almost made his way forward to tell him a lie. I shoved Oin, who got the gist, and grabbed Thorin's shoulder.

"Don't worry lads," He said, shoving by Thorin. "I'll handle this!" The Great Goblin backed into his throne again, a murderous gaze on us.

"No tricks now, I want the truth," He shouted at Oin. "Warts and all!" Oin frowned at the creature.

"You are going to have to speak up," He shouted back. "Your boys flattened my trumpet," He added, holding up his flattened ear trumpet. The Great Goblin became enraged again.

"I'll flatten more then your trumpet," He shouted, breaking a torch holder made of glass, stomping towards the company. As they backed up, Bofur stepped in front of Oin, pointing at himself. Don't make a riddle, I silently pleaded to him. I doubt he could hear inside my head though....

"If it's more information you want, then I'm the one you should speak to," He shouted. The Goblin's rampage ended, and he lowered his raised fist with a nod to continue. Bofur went silent as he thought up a lie. DON'T MESS THIS UP BOFUR!

"We were on the road," He began. Oh crap.... "Well, it's not so much a road, a path... Actually, it's not even that come to think of it. It's more like a track." Bofur was rocking back and forth, and it appeared that the Great Goblin was buying the story. "Anyways, the point is we were on this road like a path like a track, and then we weren't!" Correction, the Goblin was getting irritated, shaking his head ever so slightly and thumping his cow staff. "Which is a problem-" The Great Goblin clutched his staff's head and growled at Bofur.

"Shut up," He said, almost silently, but Bofur didn't hear him.

"-Because we were supposed to be in Duneland, last Tuesday," Bofur added quickly, casting a glance back at Dori. Dori walked forward and grabbed Bofur's arm, using it to hold himself up as he leaned forward.

"Visiting distant relations," Dori added. Everyone mumbled their approval. Bofur looked back at the Great Goblin and started to talk again, but he wouldn't have any of it.

"SHUT UP," He bellowed. All the goblins ducked as it echoed through the massive tunnel, Bofur, who had his mouth opened, shut it and lowered his head to look at him through the fibers of his hat. "If they will not talk, we'll make them squawk! Bring up the langler, bring up the bone breaker!" The goblins started to cheer as he turned around to face us again. "Start with the youngest," The goblin added, pointing to who appeared to be the youngest, Ori. That's when the goblin that had been shoving on me, discovered my little secret, and well, Mordor kind of broke loose. I fell forwards, getting the attention of just about everyone in the cavern, Thorin shouted for them to wait in bringing up the... what ever they were, taking a step forward. The Great Goblin looked at me and Thorin, then smirked.

"Well if it isn' the great Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the mountain," He mocked. He bowed low, then snapped his head back up. "Oh but wait, you don't have a mountain, so what does that make you? Nobody, I would suppose..." The great Goblin turned towards me and shoved away the goblins that were pulling me to my feet. He picked me up and set me on my feet. "And his little friend, Myrin Flamebird. You aren't anything, so I won't bother with you." He backed up and looked at us both, an evil smirk on his face. "I know someone who will pay a great deal for your heads, just a head, no body attached!" He cackled and sat down in his throne again. "You might know him. He rides upon a white Warg." Everyone stiffened.

"You lie, Azog is long dead," I shouted. The Great Goblin turned to me and smiled cruelly.

"You think The Pale Orc's defiling days are over, do you?" He chuckled again as he turned to a little goblin handing on a zipline. "Send a message to Azog the Defiler, tell him that I have his prizes!" The little goblin pulled on a cord and the zipline went away. The goblins started to screech again, shoving and pulling at us again. "Until the devices are brought up, I'll treat you to another song!" The goblin's cheered again, one pulled me backwards by my chains. I landed on my back, jumped back to my feet and glared at the Great Goblin.

"No more songs," I yelled at him. "No more chanting, and no more shoving!"

"You don't give the orders," A goblin shouted at me, swinging his hand towards the back of my head. I ducked and rammed into his ribs. I sent him over the edge of the boardwalk, and the goblins went silent.

"Bring her here," The Great Goblin yelled through the silence. More goblin hands grabbed my arms and dragged me to his nasty feet. He leaned down until he was inches from my face. "If you think you can sing better then me, prove it! She can't sing properly when she's bound, so get those shackles off!"

"But, your great-"

"Are you questioing my judgement," He snarled at the goblin. "Think about it, will you?! She's unarmed, surrounded by hundreds of us, and we could use her friends as leverage! Un bind her so she may sing!" He turned back to me. I glared defiantly up at him as the shackles were taken from my wrists and ankles. He gestured for me to start, but I stayed silent. "If you won't sing willingly, then one of your comrades will be sent over the edge!" He waved his hand at the company and they brought Kili forth, holding his arms and shoulders so he couldn't use them. Kili and the goblins that were holding him shuffled towards the edge of the boardwalk. I held out my hand for them to stop, staring back up at the Great Goblin.

"Stop, I'll sing," I shouted at him. "Only if you let him go," I added.

"She's got a beautiful voice," Bilbo added, adding a nice smile towards me for effect. "Do you remember when you sang to that troll a few months ago, and he was so startled that he forgot to eat us?" Seeing where the hobbit was going, I nodded, sending back a sheepish smile back.

"It wasn't that good," I lied.

"What are you talking about, it was the greatest singing I've ever heard," Fili yelled, holding Dwalin's shoulder and lifting himself up just slightly to see over everything to see Kili.

"Anyways sir, you would be foolish not to listen to her," Bilbo said. That sparked the Great Goblin's interest, so he nodded towards Kili's captors and he was released. They shoved Kili back toward the company, he stumbled into Bofur. I turned back to the Great Goblin.

"What style would you like to hear," I asked. In my head, all I could hear was, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die etc.

"Funeral march, seeing as you all will be dead in a short while," The Great Goblin said with chuckle.

"I don't sing funeral marches," I told him. "What about a comedy? I really love to sing those." He grumbled, but waved his hand to show he approved. I took a deep breath and prepared to die.

"There once was a cat, his name was Jim," I began. I had no idea where I was going with this, but really hoped it went well. "This cat named Jim, he climbed the trees. That is until he found a nest of bees-"

"Oh great," The Great Goblin bellowed. "Not this one again! I just had a bunch of elves try to sing their way out, and this was all they would sing! Four hours of that echoing through my halls, it can drive you insane! Pick something else!” It was then that the contraptions were begining to arrive. “Finally! Now we can get to business!” Just then, a goblin shrieked and dropped Orcrist, sheath and all. All the goblins scrambled away from the sword, the Great Goblin pressed himself into the back of his throne.

“I know that sword, it is The Goblin Cleaver,” He howled with fright. Goblins started to pile on us, trying to harm us anyway possible. “It’s the blade that’s sliced a thousand necks! Slash them, beat them, kill them, KILL THEM ALL!” Goblins were being flung everywhere as they jumped at the company, but threw them off. Goblins piled high on Thorin, pulling at him and out numbering him. That’s where I made my mistake, keeping both eyes out for my comrades, I wasn’t paying attention to my own hide. Goblins grabbed my arms and shoved me down to the boardwalk, pulling so hard that I thought my arms would pop off. One of the goblins shoved something in my left shoulder, making my arm pulse with pain. It was all happening so fast, that I barely could make out everything. Searing pain, bright light- wait, DID THEY HAVE A DRAGON?! The contraptions were ruined as the light touched them, then it pulsed back to where it started, dazing every single goblin. All the light dimmed, and Gandalf stepped out of nowhere, staff in one hand, sword in the other, both glowing a blue light. As the company came too, Gandalf looked us over.

“Take up arms,” He said firmly. “Fight, FIGHT!” I shoved off the goblin that landed on me and rolled to my feet. The rest of the company was doing like wise, shoving goblins and getting weapons from the heap. The great Goblin came too also, and crept farther into his throne, squealing like a frightened animal.

“He wields the Foe Hammer, The Beater, bright as daylight,” He whimpered. Bombur crouched next to the weapons heap and threw weapons into the air, various members would catch them and start to slay the goblins. Bilbo drew his sword, which was hidden in his trousers, I noticed it as it looked like he was pulling off his own leg. The great Goblin stood up and stumbled towards Thorin, his staff raised to knock him off the boardwalk.

“Thorin,” I shouted. Thorin turned around, and blocked his blow with such force, it knocked the Great Goblin and who ever was behind him off the boardwalk.

“Follow me,” Gandalf said quickly and quietly to the company. “Quick, come on!” We raced down a path of boardwalk and into the tunnels. “RUN!�� I made the mistake of looking behind, what I saw chilled me to the bone. Hoards upon hoards of goblins were on our tail, sometimes crawling to head us, and even jumping onto the boardwalk, weapons drawn and a fierce look in their eyes. They were quickly cut down, or knocked off the boardwalk. Dwalin and those behind him cut a wooden railing off the boardwalk and used that to beat goblins off the walk way.

“CUT THE ROPES,” Thorin shouted as a bunch of goblins started to swing over from the other side. I cut the rope closest to me and the bridge fell towards the goblins coming across. They wound around the bridge, then both fell into the chasm, shrieks billowing up as they fell. We continued to run, Kili was nearly speared by a few arrows that he deflected with his sword, then he grabbed a ladder, locked some goblin heads into it and shoved them into a broken part of the path. Dwalin set his foot on the other side and we ran past, Dwalin kicked the ladder off, yanking Ori towards him as he did so. We ran for a while longer, Gandalf blasted a boulder down and we used that to make a path through a bunch of goblins. Ahead of us, I noticed that there was a boardwalk that crossed the chasm, and by the looks of it, we would have to cross it. Bilbo and I were at the back of the company with Kili, fighting off the goblins trying to pull our feet out from under us. Gandalf started to lead us across, then the Great Goblin came out form under the boardwalk, showering Gandalf with a bunch of splinters.

“You thought you could escape me,” He snarled at the aged wizard. He brought his staff down at Gandalf, who dodged then backed up as he swung it again. “What are you going to do now, wizard,” The Great Goblin snarled again. Gandalf rose up again, poked at his eye and brought Glamdring across his stomach. The Great Goblin’s howls silenced all other sounds. The creature looked up at Gandalf and nodded.

“That’ll do it,” He mumbled. Gandalf slit his throat and the goblin slumped forwards, and that’s when the boardwalk broke. We plunged down, the supports of the boardwalk slowly breaking away as they met the rough stone. The ride was rough on the way down and one particular bump sent me off the back end. Bilbo noticed me falling and tried to grab my foot. He grabbed it alright, but he fell off with me. Into the dark black pit we fell, and eventually, Bilbo let go of my foot. I passed out when I landed in what I thought was a mushroom.

I woke up with a splitting headache, and my shoulder was on fire. I reached over and pulled out the knife from my shoulder and stood up. It was a dark tunnel, that much I could tell. Behind me there was black nothing, in front of me the tunnel was endless. I stumbled forwards, one hand on the wall, the other gripping my drawn sword. That's when I heard Warg howls. I kicked myself into a sprint, taking my hand off the wall. The howling got louder, but I wasn't sure if it was the echoing, or them actually getting closer. I didn't want to find out. I ran for what seemed like endless hours, until I noticed a blueish glow from one of the other passages. I slowed down and waited, pressing myself against the wall. Then I made the mistake of taking a deep breath, preparing to possibly fight.

"Who's there," Bilbo asked. I let out my breath and showed myself. Bilbo looked a little ruffled, but other then that he looked okay.

"Hey Hobbit," I said, sheathing my sword. Bilbo sighed and lowered his. "Elvish made, huh," I asked, pointing to his sword. Bilbo looked at it and nodded, twisting it around.

"I think so," He mumbled. "That's what Gandalf said..... Have you seen everyone else?" I shook my head.

"All I've seen is black, and all I've heard is-" The Wargs started to howl again, and Bilbo tensed. "That... Have you come across any other tunnels?"

"No, this is the first intersection I've come to. But I do know we're getting deeper, all of these are getting deeper." More, louder howling stopped all conversation. I pulled Bilbo closer and got close to his ear.

"You take this path, I'll take this other one," I breathed. "Don't look back, no matter what you hear." I let go of the hobbit, who nodded with a gulp. I drew my sword again and took the path to my left. Bilbo took the one behind me and eventually, his footsteps faded into the distance. The Wargs got closer and closer, then they stopped, by the sound of it. Then teeth grabbed my leg and pulled me to the ground. I swung my sword down towards the snout of the Warg and it released my leg. I got back to my feet and drew my other sword. Another Warg jumped at me, I swung my blade at it. One pounced on my back and I fell forwards. It stuck it's snarling muzzle next to my ear. I shoved my sword backwards, hopefully into the monster's neck. It yelped and backed up, then something picked me up by my shoulders, my feet swung uselessly beneath me.

"Master wants to see you," It hissed in my ear, in Orcish. I thrashed about, trying to hit part of the Orc with my sword, but something else yanked them from my hands. Another something bound my hands with thick rope, my feet, when they were held so I couldn't kick their teeth out, bound with even thicker rope. Then I was thrown over the back of a Warg, then they rode through the tunnels, back to where we started, The Great Goblin's Throne. Someone was sitting on it, but I couldn't tell who it was. An Orc grabbed my injured leg and threw me over their shoulder, and onto the boardwalk, belly up. The thing on the throne got up and stalked over, I say stalked because it's boots were loud and it sounded like he walked with purpose. The only thing that I could see right now, because of walking in the dark for so long and being thrown about, were shiny things. I could see the big fire in the middle, the little torches higher up, and the armour on the Orcs. As my vision came back, it was blurry at first. What I barely saw though, let's just say that terror was an understatement. A tall white Orc with his left arm missing, replaced by a spindle with four points. Then the rest of my vision came in, Azog the Pale Orc was standing to my right, the scariest, most horrifying smile on his face.

"Here's one, where is the other," He snarled, making all the hairs on my neck raise, not a fun experience. Another Orc came forward and bowed in front of Azog.

"He escaped the tunnels, with the others and a tall one," He said, obviously terrified. Azog looked at the Orc and pulled his jaw in.

"Throw this one in with the Wargs, send them out to track Oakenshield." Azog looked back at me and crouched down. "He's abandoned you," He said quietly, his face very close to mine. "You don't think he's forgotten about you, left you for dead?" I snarled and spat into his face. Azog growled, stood up and kicked my side, drawing the breath out of me. An Orc picked me up and took me somewhere, everything was a little hazy after that. I was thrown into a cell like thing, it smelled awful, and the Orc left cackling. A sat there for what seemed like days, for all I know it could of been days. Then, when I had enough energy, I sat up and pulled a knife from my boot. Those idiots didn't take my daggers, and that would be their downfall. I cut the ropes and got to my feet. My shoulder felt numb, not a good sign, so did my legs. Maybe that was because I was laying down for a while. Using my scabbard to support myself, I walked out of the Warg pen. Surprisingly, it wasn't guarded. I walked around, until I came to the armory, or I thought it was the armory because of all the weapons stashed there. I walked in and grabbed my swords, then walked back out.

"Stop right there," An Orc shouted, startling me so much, I stopped and looked at the foul creature. He looked at me and snarled. "You are to be taken to Master..."

Welp. Here's the next one!

Have fun!

#Thorin Oakenshield #thorin x oc #hobbit #the hobbit #bilbo baggins #goblin town #glamdring #ocrist #azog #fanfiction #help me #16 year old me doesn't know who consistency is

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branching-paths · 3 years

Text

Of Riddles and Hair

A solid week of nice weather, and nice traveling since we left Rivendell has been a blessing. If only everyone wouldn't second guess the calm. Even Gandalf said it was going to break into a storm sooner then later. "Hey hobbit," Fili called from ahead. I looked up from where my hands were wringing my wrists, and looked at the blonde prince. He had the biggest smirk on his face, adn I knew that wouldn't amount to anything good. Never trust Fili or Kili when they have that smile, they keep eye contact with you, or say they're right behind you. He noticed that he had my attention and leaned back in his saddle, looking smug. "I have a riddle for you, and I know you won't be able to get it," He said smugly. I inclined my head and looked him square in the eye.

"How much do you bet," I asked, knowing that I had him hooked. Dwarves, I found out, when tempted with a challenge, they bet a lot on who they think will win, and I felt that I was ready to get in on the action. Kili looked up from his saddle and stared at me. I didn't have that much coinage, everyone knew that, but I was betting the richest in the company, second only to Gloin. There wasn't much I could loose. Fili stroked his mustache and looked at me. "Ten gold," He said, knowing how much I had, how though was a mystery. "Raise ten more," I said. Fili and Kili looked at me, confusion on their faces. "How do you plan to pay fer tha' hobbit," Gloin asked. I turned around adn inclined my head a little more. "I have my ways," I mumbled, turning back around. "Deal or not," I asked Fili. Fili smirked and removed his hand from his mustache. "A hobbit walks into a bar and asks for a glass of water," Fili riddled. "The bartender pulls out a cross bow and aims it at the hobbit. The hobbit thanks the tender and walks out, without his water. What happened?" I thought for a moment. Fili took that moment to set the rules. "Yes or no questions may be asked, but that's it." I looked up at Fili, opened my mouth and shut it. "How long do I have to answer," I asked. "Till we reach the mountains. The second we step onto stone, I'll reveal the answer." Myrin, who was riding next to Thorin, rode up next to Fili and whispered into his ear. He pulled his ehad away and looked at her, a look of bemused horror across his face. Myrin cackled and rode back up to Thorin, whispered to him and sent him cackling. Then something happened. Thorin choked on his laughter. A good wack on his back, thanks to Balin, and all was seeminly right again, so I went back to solving the riddle. What could a hobbit need with water, but suddenly not need when a crossbow was aimed at them? I tapped my chin as I thought and mumbled to myself. "You seem to be enjoying yoruself," Gandalf said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Enjoyment, no, pleasure, yes," I mumbled to him. "Now leave me be." I waved him away. "It's been forever since I had a good riddling match." Gandalf smiled from under his hat and rode over to Gloin adn Oin, where he stayed most all the time. HPHLUMP! I sat up and looked around. What was that? Fili and Kili were just as puzzled. Myrin adn Thorin were having a little stare down. Thorin's shoulders jumped, HPHLUMP! and Myrin's stare turned into a weird smirk stare. "What was that," Ori asked from behind. "Some sort of monster," Nori growled, getting out one of his crooked daggers. My hand flew to the sword Gandalf had given me, I hoped it wasn't another Orc pack. "Was it an Orc pack," Bofur growled, reading my thoughts and readying his pikestaff. Everyone was getting their weapons ready, looking around the fading dusk. Myrin and Thorin were still having that little stare down, Gandalf's gaze switching between the two. Dwalin growled as the sound came again, hefting one of his axes off his shoulder. Then Myrin started to loose it. Chuckling madly, she rocked back and forth on her saddle, trying to supress her laughter with her hand. "Come now, it's not that funny," Thorin said, shaking his head. Myrin's laughter doubled. Everyone relaxed and put away their weapons. HPHLUMP! "Hiccups," I shouted. Thorin had hiccups, and it was high pitched. Fili graoned adn looked at me, scowling half heartedly. "Yep, you got it," He growled, folding his arms at me. I frowned at him. Got what? OH, the riddle. "I meant Thorin had hiccups," I corrected. Kili snorted. "Is that what that was," He asked. Myrin nodded, still chortling on Lakita. Thorin's cheek was twitching with annoyence, glaring at Myrin. "But you still answered," Gloin yelled. "Hand it over Fili!" "But-" "It's fine, pay when you have it," I said, waving my hand. Fili growled and faced forward on his pony, Kili cast me a worried look. Apparently Fili didn't like to loose things by acceident. Thunder rumbled in the distance, Lakita trilled, growling at the end. Myrin rubbed the back of her neck, trilling back. Then the rain came, just like everyone thought it would. What's worse, it was a thunderstorm, so Lakita was screaming when lightning arced across the sky, bolting from tree to tree to rock, still screaming, all this with Myrin on her back. We stopped just after the first break in the storm, on the top of a litte rise. Myrin jumped off the griffon and kissed the ground, hugging the grass, dispite it being soaked. "Not once have I forgotten how terrified she gets," Myrin shouted. "Not once have I been on her while a thunderstorm, and never again!" She burried her face into the grass and sat there as we dismounted. I think Kili tripped over her.

Well, I really hoped this worked. Fili hadn't given me the coins after dinner, so I volenteered to take first watch. It hadn't stopped raining, so any sound I could make would be muffled, unless someone had elf hearing. Right now, I was leaned up against a tree, an aspen if you're interested, watching the company get ready for bed. Gandalf just leaned up against a tree, stuck his pipe in his mouth and went stock still, eyes open and normally his hat was off, but because of the rain it was on tonight. His sword was next to him, staff on the other side, bag wrapped around his staff. Gandalf got boring, so my eyes drifted to Bofur and his family. Bombur was snoring again, like he normally was. He was on his side so he wouldn't drown in his sleep. I was surprised that he didn't wake himself up with his snoring tonight, it was esspecially loud. Maybe he might, the night was young. Bofur leaned up agianst Bombur's belly and placed his hat over his face, his quieter snores joining his cousin's soon after, muffled by the floppy hat. Bifur laid on his stomach, held his forehead in his palms and went to snoring with his brother and cousin. How he didn't drive that axe farther into his head when he slept was beyond me! I glanced around the camp, not everyone was sleeping yet. Oin was finally asleep, snoring louder then Bombur, somehow. And he wouldn't wake himself up, because of his hearing. Gloin, who took forever to get to sleep, was leaning against a rock, smiling at a locket which held a portraite of his son and wife, mumbling in Khuzdul. Yeah, Kili finally told me what it was called. "Get to sleep Gloin," Thorin growled at him. Gloin looked up and looked at Thorin, frowning. He tucked the locket into his shirt and currled up in his roll and blankets, next to Oin. I noticed that the snoring didn't bother the dwarves, and Gandalf could sleep through everything. I wished that I could... "Get this off me," Nori mumbled. To the left of the Ur's lay the Ri's. Nori threw off the thick blanket that was covering him, shoving it on Ori, who was samwiched in between Dori and Nori. His notebook was under his arm adn he was sleeping. "Get it back on, do you want to catch cold," Dori hissed. The elder brother threw the blanket over Nori again, not without much grumbling though. Soon their were sleeping, Balin adn Dwalin went to sleep as well, but they went to sleep weird, to say the least. Dwalin took off his axes, set them side by side next to him, leaned up against a tree, folded his arms, shut his eyes and didn't move. Sure he breathed, but other then that, he could pass for a statue. Balin was pretty normal, but he slept with his sword right next to him, and I mean like almost used as a pillow, it was that close. But it was useful when someone called the alarm. "NORI, GIVE BACK MY DAGGER," Myrin shouted, stomping over to Nori, who was sitting up, looking around wildly. He met Myrin's purple scowl and tryed to meet it, but failed myserably. "What dagger," He asked. Myrin's scowl deepened and she threw a dagger, from somewhere I haven't a clue, right next to his hand. "It's just like that, about half an inch longer," She growled. "If you don't return it right now, the next one's going a little more to the left!" Nori freaked out, dug in hi spack and pulled out a dagger. It was entirely black, the blade was semi-transparent and deadly sharp. Myrin grabbed it from him and slid it into her boot. She picked up the one on the ground and slid it into her sleeve. She walked away, leaving Nori to get some sleep. I shook my head, flinging raindrops everywhere. Myrin went and sat next to Lakita, who was hunckered down under a large drooping pine, her tail trembling and puffed up. "If you two don't get to sleep, I'll make you sleep," Thorin shouted at Fili and Kili. They had been whispering about something, but now were silent. "Thank you!" Thorin turned over in his roll, covering his head with the blanket. Soon all three Durin's were snoring, the only one up now was me and Myrin. She took forever to get to sleep, but when she did, she was out! "Finally," I mumbled as I got to my feet. Everyone was asleep, and I could pickpocket Fili now. I took off my cloak, that way I wouldn't drip on anything. Sure I'ld get a little wet, but truthfully, getting at Fili was something I would do nearly anything for. Creeping over silently, I knetl down next to Fili's bag. Kili mumbled something in his sleep, making me freeze. Kili's face was scrumched up in a terrified scowl, mumbling in his sleep still. Fili mumbled something back and flung his arm around his younger brother, pulling him close. Kili smiled adn turned over on his side, snuggling close to Fili. It was cute, in a brotherly sort of way. I sighed and went digging into Fili's pack. I almost wished I had a sibling...almost. I twig snapped near Thorin, startling me. I scanned the trees, looking for anything. Two large beady eyes came out from behind a tree. I reconized the snout from an old childhood memory. "BEAR," I shouted, kicking over Fili's pack onto him, waking him up immeadiately. I drew my sword, unsure what else to do, and jumped over Fili and Kili, running towards Thorin. The rest of the creature came into view, it was a Warg. I stopped short, terror halting my movements. Thorin was up, sword drawn, staring down the Warg. It circled Thorin, a snarl deep in it's throat. An arrow sprouted from his chest, making it yelp. Myrin shot another arrow, another yelp, then Thorin finished it off with a blow to the chest. Thorin pulled his sword out of the carcass and turned around. "Behind you hobbit," He yelled. I turned around just in time to get pounced on by another Warg. This one had a rider. The rider got off and drew his sword, his bloodshot eyes scanning me like prey. Lakita screeched and bowled into the Warg, scarring the Orc. "Flamebird's here," He snarled, lowering his sword to my throat. I gulped, feeling the cold steel brush my skin. "Where she at, hum?" Dwalin bowled into the Orc, knocking his sword away from my throat. I got up and looked around. Everyone was fighting somesort of thing, most of them were Wargs. Two other Orcs were there, fighting Thorin. Kili loosed an arrow and sent another Warg down, Fili stabbed it for good measure. Just as suddenly as it started, the fight ended, leaving everyone breathless. "Oakenshield," An Orc hissed. Thorin scowled at the creature as it heaved it's last breath. "You won't surrvive the nigh', Master will find you. And he'll take you down-" "Who is your master," Myrin hissed back, sword point at his throat. The creature chuckled, sending chills down my spine. It turned it's head and stared right at her, the scarriest smile on it's face. "You know him, Flamebird," It wheezed at her. "After all-" He said something in another language and Myrin stiffened. It's voice trailed off, and it's breathing stopped. "Get the ponies ready to ride," THorin ordered. Nobody moved. "NOW!" 'We can't, they bolted again," Nori shouted from where we left them last. "Then pack up, leave all the food, get ready to move out," Dwalin shouted. I stared at the warrior. No food?! How did he expect us to manage?! "No take the food, they'll follow us even without it," Thorin snapped back. I snapped out of my trance and sprinted to my pack, shoving everything into it that I could. I cast a glance at Myrin. She was still at the dead Orc, sword still out and at it's throat. She seemed frozen. "Myrin, come on," Fili shouted. Myrin snapped out of her own trance and started to pakc her bags back up. Her hands trembled as she rolled up her bedroll, so I walked over and helped her pack up. "Thanks Bilbo," She said quietly. Something was up, she never called me Bilbo unless something wasn't right. I strapped her bedroll to the saddle on Lakita. "What did the Orc say," I asked her. "Nothing..."

"What did the Orc really say Myrin," I asked as we wound back down the path from the mountains. One solid week of running, then nothing. No Orcs waking us up in the middle of the night, no fighting for our lives again, not even a peep from the Orcs since my feet touched stone. That's when Thorin adn Gandalf actually agreed on something, send back a scouting party, just to make sure that we really were safe. Myrin quickley volenteered, needing a reason to, "Get away from Dwalin!" Que sticking tongue out. Dwalin and Myrin had a fight a few days ago, all in Khuzdul, so I don't know what it was about. Then Kili shoved me forward, so I was picked to head back with Myrin. Right now, we had our backs pressed against a rock, breathing heavily from the quick climb. Myrin looked at me from under her white hood. She gripped her bow a litte harder, turning her knuckles white. "He said I knew who was hunting us," She said quietly. She took a deep, steady breath, slid up the rock and peered over it. Myrin ducked back under. "Are they there," I mouthed. She nodded adn peered over again. I turned over and looked down. Twelve Orcs were at the edge of the stone, ten more on the Wargs, eleven Wargs in all. One with a large scar across his face stood up and howled something to the others. He got on his Warg and they rode off, leaving a plume of dust behind them. They disappeared from sight adn Myring sighed. "What did he say," I asked. "They're going to report to their leader," She said while standing up. I got to my feet and brushed myself off. "Any idea who's that," I asked. "Nope," She said quickley. A little too quick.... We trotted back to the camp, over the spires of rock and sparse foilage. Fili and Kili met us at the gap in the path where we were resting in a little grotto. If we weren't running for our lives, I would of thought it beautiful. Lichen covered the entrance, just inside was covered in soft moss. About ten feet in was a nice creek fed pond, the water cool and sweet. The grotto was walled on four sides, the only entrance through the lichen, about fourty feet by twenty of floor space, that wasn't counting the pond. If it wasn't for Kili actually, we wouldn't of found it. I walked over to the pond and cupped my hands, drinking handfulls. Myrin just stuck her face in and gulped. When she resurfaced, her face was red from the cold. It was rather comical. "Well," Thorin asked. He was leaned up on a wall, arms folded, glaring at Myrin. Well, glaring wasn't the right word, but it was what best discribed the look on his face. "They've turned back, something about someone's territory and the consiquences if they crossed the border," Myrin said, brushing the wet strands of ahir from her face. She frowned and brushed her tongue across her teeth, through her lips and repeated the process. She reminded me of a cat and a hairball. She gagged adn grabbed something off her tongue. With her mouth wide open, tongue out, she pulled out the longest strand of hair from her mouth. If I had something in my stomach, it would emptied it's self when Myrin finished. "Hairball done," Kili asked. He looked a little sick. Myrin looked at him and smirked. When he looked at her face, she started the process again, sending him reeling.

Well, that had to be the best night's sleep I had in a while... Then again, that was the first time in a week I had slept without getting attacked by Orcs and or Wargs. Someone moaned, so I knew we didn't get attacked in the night and I was in heaven. Still though, I peeked an eye open and met moss. Nope, not dead yet. "Can you get it undone," Someone whispered. I opened up both my eyes, wondering what someone was trying to get undone. Across the pond, where Thorin had hunkered down for the night next to Fili and Kili, I saw the princes working on some sort of red/black thing. I sat up and pulled my coat around my torso. I waddled over to Fili and Kili, yes waddled because my stomach was still full from the wonderful dinner we had last night. I touched Kili's shoulder and he jumped with a yelp. "What are you two doing," I asked. "Trying to undo their hair," Fili whispered, guesturing to the mess of red and black. That's when I remembered who had black and red ahri like that. "What did you two do," I shouted at them. "Nothing," Kili shouted, quieter then me but still pretty loud. "Okay, so we tried to braid their hair together again, and we did. It was fine when we went back to sleep, but when we woke up this morning...." Kili looked at the mess of tangles making up Myrin adn Thorin's hair. They were back to back, both snoring quietly, bundled in their own sperate blankets too. "Get out of the way," I shouted. I crouched next to Myrin and started to work on her hair, pulling at the knots and tangles. "What did you do, knot every other strand," I growled at the two idiots next to me and in front of me. I pulled a little to hard on part of Thorin's hair and he moaned, starting to wake up. "Take cover," I hissed at Fili and Kili. I got to my feet and sprinted back to my roll, threw the blankets over me and went still, but that didn't mean my brain didn't. Why did Myrin decide to sleep right there?! I mean, it was just asking Fili and Kili to do something! Another thing I had learned about dwarves was that they had a fire within them, and that menat that they were unnaturally warm. First time I found out, I thought that Bofur ahd gotten sick! I had noticed that Myrin was warmer then the rest, Kili said she had a fire brighter then most. That gets staying warm out of the way! Fili and Kili slept next to Thorin most of the time, and I knew that they and Myrin had something like a family like connection, maybe that's why..... Maybe, maybe not, but I had a feeling that wasn't it. Kili yelped half heartedly as something thumped. "Kili get up," Thorin hissed quietly. "Good morning Thorin," Kili mumbled through a yawn. I peeked over and almost laughed. Kili had this doppy smile on his face, looking at Thorin, who was frowning at him. "Get this undone," Thorin hissed again. "Get what undone?" Thorin growled and pointed to the back of his head. Myrin's entire hair had been braided all the way up his hair, all the way to his scalp, same with Thorin's to Myrin's. Kili's face fell. He elbowed Fili, who was right up, bleery eyed, eyes crossed. He reminded me of Radagast. Kili and Fili whispered quickly and quietly, then turned back to Thorin. "Neither of us can fix that," Kili whispered. Thorin growled again. That's when Bofur woke up. "Good morning," He mumbled as he sat up. His eyes flicked open as he reajused his hat. "Oh my...... Looks like you could use a tinker's hand...." Thorin growled again, but he motioned for Bofur to come over. As Bofur worked on the braid, for the next hours or so, everyone got up and put away camp. When they were finished with that, Bombur got cooking, and I decided to get up. Faking sleep that long can't be good for you. I sat up, rubbed my eyes and let them open. The sun was pouring into the grotto now, so it had to be around eleven in the morning. How I missed elevensies.... Bofur was still working at Thorin and Myrin's hair, and Myrin was still sleeping. Thorin was whispering orders to everyone, obviously very annoyed that he was stuck on the ground. Myrin moaned and all the people by her head, Thorin Bofur Fili and Kili, stiffened. All those who could hid out of her eyesight. In fact everyone, myself included, kept away from her vision. She mumbled something in Khuzdul and sat up. "We're right here," Kili made the mistake of saying. Myrin's eyes widened and she attempted to get up. "Why did you let me over sleep," She shouted while getting up. "Stop yanking," Thorin adn Bofur shouted, pulling on the hair to get her back down. "You stop yanking," Myrin shouted back. She fingered the begining of the braid, frowned and followed it down. As she did, her face turned sour, and when she touched Thorin's head, she turned around adn looked about ready to snap him. "I didn't do it," Thorin said, holding up his hands. Myrin's scowl turned even more cold, I didn't think it possible. "I know for a fact that I didn't, so who in Durin's name did!?" Few seconds of silence. "FILI AND KILI, GET YOUR SCRAWNY REAR ENDS OVER HERE AND HELP BOFUR UNTANGLE THIS MESS YOU TWO MADE!" Her loud voice rang through the mountains for a good while, left my ears ringing even longer then that. Fili and Kili ran towards the old tinker, who was shouting orders at the two shamed princes. Another good hour of hair care before Bofur came to a little problem. "I can't untangle this," He announced, sitting back on his heels. Silence fell over the company. All eyes, and ears turned towards Thorin. "We've wasted too much daylight already," Thorin growled. "Cut it..." Bofur clamped his teeth down on his bottom lip, but brought his pack over. He pulled out a pair of sciscors. "Hold on, let me see if I can untangle that," I shouted, scrambling over to Thorin adn Myrin. "We can't have a king shaved, can we," I added quickley. I crouched down between the two and looked the tangle over. There wasn't an end I could start at, so I started at Thorin's scalp. I wiggled my finger into the little gap I created when I pulled on the braid towards Thorin, then I pulled out Myrin's hair. Eventually, both their hair was untangled, sure it was a little wet, and we lost another two hours, but they hadn't lost a single lock. I dropped the last lock from Thorin's hair like a hot coal. "Done," I said, rubbing my face, which had been in a scowl the past two hours. Thorin jumped up, gathered his things together, and was ready within the next ten minuets. Myrin took a little longer, but she had to braid her hair again. We set out again, winding up the rocky terrain, slipping on the wet rocks, sometimes making more progress backwards then forwards. When we camped for th enight, however, we made substantual progress into the mountains. Everyone took a seat and pried their boots off their feet. Bofur promptly fainted at Dwalin's raw foot. Kili, who was sitting close to the seasoned warrior, snatched his boot and swished his hand in it, looking for something, I wasn't exactly sure what. "Ah-HA," Kili shouted, pulling out a little knife that had come loose off of a hidden sheath on the side of the boot. He twirled it in his hand as he set the boot back down, smirking smuggly at Dwalin. As Oin wrapped Dwlain's foot a few minuets later, Dwalin snatched his boot back, his little dagger too. "Stop yanking," Myrin shouted, drawing all the company's eyes. That's when I saw the most bazzar thing, Thorin was braiding Myrin's hair. "It would help if you hadn't lost my comb yesterday," Thorin countered. "It wasn't my fault you kept it in my bag, and it- Okay, it was my fault I forgot to tie the opening, but you should keep your things in your bag, not in mine! STOP YANKING!" Fili and Kili were trying not to explode via laughter, everyone else was trying to piece together what was going on. I knew exactly what was going on, I helped it happen actually. That was before I knew that Fili and Kili were braiding their hair together. I brought my sack over and pulled out my own comb, then threw it at Myrin. "Thanks hobbit," She said when she caught it. Thorin took it from her hand, and the night continued as normal as it could. I burrowed down in my roll after my watch. I found it weird that Thorin braided Myrin's hair. He just didn't seem like the type to do that.

#fili #kili #bilbo #bilbo baggins #the hobbit #the company #gandalf #hair braiding #thorin oakenshield #thorin/oc #thorin x oc #i didn't know any traditions #or courting stuff #when I wrote this #help me

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branching-paths · 4 years

Text

Of Darkness and Love

AN: I just edited this to add a read more! Gonna queue a whole lot more, get ready for more updates!!!

Okay, so my head hurt, something was caked on my clothes, and I was on something squishy soft. It felt like a bed. Anything but what I last remember, which was flying on the saddle. I heard people talking in something, it wasn't basic or Khuzdul. It sounded like- Oh crap.... I sat up and kicked whoever was near my legs. I threw a punch at whoever was at my left as my eyes flung open. Pitch black nothingness met me, but it didn't stop me. Someone was moaning on the floor behind what ever I was laying on, another was trying to block my next punch by his ruffling clothes. I kicked at him, bent my leg and hooked it against his knee. I pulled and he went down with a yelp. I brought my arms back up to block in case anyone else was in the room. The door creaked open and I ran towards it.

"Whoa, hey Myrin," Kili said as I grabbed his shirt collar and readied to punch him. I was expecting someone to be trying to exit, not come in. "Could you let me go," He asked nervously. "Where in Durin's name am I," I snarled as I let go. "Rivendell," Fili said behind Kili. "What was that- You knocked out Estel?!" Fili rushed past me and disappeared from sound. "How are you two walking around," I shouted. "It's pitch black in here! Is it midnight or something?!" "Nooo....... It's actually around one in the after noon," Fili said. I turned towards where his voice came from. "Then open the shutters or something," I shouted at him. Silence for a few minuets. I felt something in front of my face, blowing air into it. I caught someone's hand. "What are you doing," I asked whoever's hand I caught. "Can you see what my face is doing," Kili asked, pulling his hand out of my grip. I snorted. "I can't even see my own nose." Someone moaned behind me. "You never said she could punch like Elladan," Some guy moaned. I think he was Estel, because that was the last place Fili's voice had come from. More silence. Someone took my hand and pulled it towards the door, I think. "Maybe you should see Oin," Fili said, pulling me along. I almost made a smart-alek comment, but I ran into something, so I yelped. "Definitely see Oin," Fili said, pulling me towards nothingness. Someone came running towards Fili and I, then grabbed my hand. "Estel's waking up Elrohir, then they're going to Elrond," Kili said, patting my hand. I frowned, since when did Fili and Kili get along with Elves? I supposed they were elves, since we we're in Rivendell. A few more minuets of walking in nothingness, then I felt something about five inches in front of my face. The squeak of a doorknob and hinges, then Kili lead me inside the room. Fili followed inside and let go of my hand. Kili did too, and I felt a little helpless. "Glad you're up Myrin," Oin said. A chair moved across some sort of stone and Oin grunted. "So am I," I growled. "You normally keep eye contact, yet you aren't," Oin commented, from a different spot in the room. I turned towards him. Then someone touched my arm. I grabbed the arm and twisted it around. "Ouch," He growled. I let go. "Sorry," I mumbled. A few more silent seconds. "What number am I holding up," Kili asked. I sighed and lowered my arms. "Forty eight," I growled. "I don't know!" Someone grabbed my hand and shoulder, then shoved down, so I sat down in a chair. Someone covered my eyes with their hand, then removed it a few times, back and forth. "Everything looks okay," Oin said. I snorted. "Stay here, I have to go get E- erh...... Someone...." Oin opened the door and stomped out. Fili and Kili, if they were still in the room, were silent. Someone walked in on silent feet with I think Oin. I suspect it was an Elf, because of their silent footsteps. "Welcome back Myrin," He said kindly. I cocked my head, listening to him but not showing that I heard him. "Your healer told me that you can't see anything," He continued, getting closer and closer as he talked. He stopped in front of me, or behind me. His voice was right above my head, so I couldn't tell. Something touched the back of my head and pain shot through my head. I grunted and wrinkled my face. Man, that hurt! "Please tell me how you came by this," The elf said. "I was leading some Orcs away, and something hit my head," I said rudely. Thorin wasn't the only one with a grudge. "Was it a rock, or something else," He pushed. I raised my shoulders. "It. Was. Something. Hard! I don't know what it was! I know it bounced off my head. As if that helps...." "It actually does," The elf said standing up. I felt his eyes boring into me, and I didn't like it one bit. "Could you not do that," I growled at him, turning around. "Do what," He asked. "Whispering about me! So maybe I can't see, but I can still hear. What were you saying?" A few silent moments, during which Fili and Kili were hissing. "You've gone blind-" "Duh!" "-Because of a concussion. You might get it back, you might not." He paused and let it sink in. I growled and leaned back in my chair. Rubbing my face, I growled a little more. I shoved my thumbs under my arms and whistled. "Well, that's unexpected," Kili said. "What," I asked. "You're taking this well..." In truth, I wasn't. On the outside, yeah, but inside... was a different story. Have you ever seen someone go on a rampage, breaking everything in their way? Okay, now imagine someone huddled in a corner, rocking back and forth in the fetal position. I was something like that on the inside. "I think Oakenshield might want to know," The elf said, patting my shoulder. Crap.....

I stood in Elrond's study, touching a velvety armchair and biting my bottom lip. Elrond was sitting at what I think was his desk. What ever I ran into when he brought me in here. It was wood, and sturdy, covered with papers, so I assumed it was a desk. Thorin, Bilbo and Gandalf were in there also, scattered around the room. I could hear a fire, despite it being the middle of June, the twenty second to be exact. "Are you sure you can't help," Bilbo pressed Elrond. "She's blind unless-" "Yes, Bilbo," Elrond said, somehow showing nothing in his voice. Maybe a hint of compassion towards me, but it was emotionless. "I thought elven magic could do anything," Thorin sneered from over by the fire. I could almost see Elrond, what ever he looked like, turn his gaze at Thorin and almost frown at him. Elves didn't show emotions, ever. "No, not everything," Elrond nearly sneered back. Thorin snorted again, my turn to glare at him. I hoped it was him, at least. "To the left about two feet Myrin," Gandalf said. Okay, so I was glaring at Gandalf... Oops. "She is welcome to stay here-" "No," I said, interrupting Elrond. "I will not stay here." I fingered the hem of the chair, feeling the stiches in the velvet as the tension in the room rose. "We'll talk about it in the morning," Gandalf said, releasing the tension. Someone took my hand, I think it was Bilbo, and pulled gently at it. I shoved off the chair and followed the hobbit. Food met my nose, and my mouth watered. Wonderful, wonderful food! The smell left us as we turned to the left. "Where are we going," I asked. "To the dining pavilion," The hobbit said.

Four days past before anything more happened. I was getting acquainted with the elves Fili and Kili befriended. Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir were Lord Elrond's sons. He also had a daughter, but she made a point to stay away from her brothers. The boys were trying their hardest to keep me entertained, but I couldn't see anything... That put a huge damper on their entertaining, but it didn't damper their enthusiasm. All the company took turns leading me around, trying to explain what Rivendell looked like to me, but I didn't care. I would have been living here if a snake hadn't bitten me when I was little. On day five, Bofur brought me a staff thing he made to help me walk around. It was like a cane, but made of a piece of oak, sanded and polished until it was smoother then the best crafted marble. Day six I was getting my way around pretty well. I knew where my room was, the dining pavilion and Elrond's study. I only knew where that was because I had to pass it whenever I went out. Lakita stayed in the garden closest to my quarters, and woke me up every morning by sticking her head in the window and squeaking at me. It was rather adorable, hearing her squeak. My hearing was getting better, now that I had to rely on it more. That's actually what kept an apple from breaking my nose. I caught it as it whizzed towards me. "Nice," Thorin said from the door of the garden. I held the apple in my hands, rubbing it. "What are you doing here," I asked. Thorin walked towards me and grabbed my shoulder gently. "Just seeing how you're doing," He said quietly. I shrugged. "Okay, I guess...." Thorin kissed my cheek. "Hey, someone will see," I hissed at him. Thorin chuckled as he pulled his head away. "Nobody's-" "Hey, dinner's ready," Kili called. I heard him prance up the hall as Thorin backed away. I grabbed my pole from the crook of my arm and walked towards the steps leading out of the garden. The end of the pole hit the bottom step and I jumped up the rest. I could hear Thorin following, almost silently behind. We walked towards the dining pavilion that Elrond had graciously given us to eat in. Apparently, the first dinner he had with the company ended in a food fight. Bombur had found a stash of meat in the kitchen and used that in his cooking, it was better then the vegetarian diet the elves were trying to eat off of. I sat at my spot on the table and listened to the conversation at hand. Dori was reprimanding Ori for bringing his slingshot to the table again, and smacking every other elf with an acorn, while Nori was applauding him. Bombur was munching away at something, while Bifur was mumbling something to Bofur, who was laughing every other sentence. Gloin and Oin were just eating, Balin and Dwalin talking about a book or something of that sort. Fili and Kili were talking about a recent prank on Lindir with Bilbo. I dug into my stew and listened. "What do you think Myrin will do," Balin asked Dwalin quietly. I heard Dwalin grumble. "Depends how Thorin will go about it," he breathed. "If he says it bluntly, she might strangle him. If he goes around it, maybe-" Thorin cleared his throat and everything went silent. "We've discovered something in Thror's map," Thorin said at the head of the table. "We have to get to Erebor before Durin's Day if we are to enter the mountain, which means we have to leave before Friday, at the latest." Thorin paused for a while. "Because of this, and for everyone's safety, I have elected to leave Myrin behind." My stomach dropped and I choked on my stew. I pounded on my chest and something flew out. "I know a few of you might think-" "That's it's idiotic," Kili yelled. "How many times has Myrin saved our sorry hides so far?" "I understand Kili," Thorin assured. "But she's gone blind. We can't have her fall behind when an Orc pack raids the camp." "Haven't I got a say in this," I shouted. Silence met me. "I'll take that as a yes. Sure, I've gone blind! I also can hear better then the rest of you. Give me two other good reasons I can't go, Thorin." Thorin huffed. "Gladly," He growled. "We have to cross the mountains, and the path we have to take is narrower then your head at times. There are also Stone Giants up there." I snorted. "They're a myth," I shouted. "You could say the same about Lakita," Gloin said. As the conversation turned to a shouting match, Balin raised his voice above everything. "Take a vote," He shouted. "All in favor of leaving Myrin behind for her safety, say Aye!" A few seconds past before Bilbo, Fili, Kili, Thorin, Bofur, Dori, Nori, Ori, and Balin shouted "Aye." "Those in favor of me going," I shouted. Nobody raised their voice, much less breathe. I growled and stood up, snatching my pole from the table where it was leaned up. "Alrighty then," I said. "If anyone wants to say their goodbyes, I'll be in my room...." "We aren't going to be leaving until Thursday," Balin reminded. "Why wait," I asked. I grabbed my cup, which had a wonderful concoction of vegetables and fruits in it and sipped on it as I walked out. I stopped in the doorway, swirled my drink and turned around silently. I walked over to Thorin's chair, made sure he was in it still and dumped the contents of my cup down his shirt. Now, I was sipping something that had crushed ice in it, so imagine that down your back. And it didn't smell that good either. Thorin shouted and I couldn't help but smile. I trudged back to my room, only running into a pillar once.

I walked back into my room, a sappy smile on my face. Fili and Kili had thrown me a going away party, sort of, and I had the best time of my life. Bombur had broken the table he was sitting on, Thorin and Bilbo arrived fashionably late, and Gandalf even made an appearance, but he had to leave early on. The elves made it a point to stay away, as we made it a point to shout, and launch sticky rolls at someone who came near. And I mean sticky rolls. They clung to an elf maid's hair the other day, right next to the scalp, and she was wearing a head cap last I heard. It still didn't help that the company was leaving tomorrow, but the party did brighten my spirits. I leaned my pole up against the wall next to the door and shuffled over to my bed. I rubbed my head as I sat on the bed, glad that I was able to take a bath the other day. Someone knocked on my door. "Come in," I said. The door creaked open and shut softly. I 'watched' the door and waited for someone to speak, but nothing did. "Can I help you," I asked, wondering if someone had just pranked me. Probably Nori if anyone did. "There you are," Thorin said, walking over. "You want to take a stroll?" I cocked my head. "Why do you want to," I asked. "You should be in bed, getting ready for an early morning." I stood up and walked over to the door. "Like that's going to happen," He growled thoughtfully. He opened the door and wrapped his arm around mine. We walked out and down a hall, into a new part of Rivendell. The aroma of flowers in bloom flooded my nose, giving me a calm moment. "Where are we at," I asked. "Not entirely sure," Thorin admitted. "I found it when we arrived, figured you might want to see it for yourself. Or in this case, hear it." Thorin explained what the garden looked like, and what the flowers were. It seemed beautiful, and the way Thorin was describing it, and his enthusiasm about it, it must of been. That or he was stalling. Probably the latter. "Why did you elect to leave me behind Thorin," I asked suddenly. "Myrin, we've been over this-" "That was when there were others around. Now that they aren't listening, tell me the real reason." Thorin was silent for a while. "It was the right thing to do," He said at last. "What about leave no dwarrow behind," I growled back. "Leave no one behind only when they can continue," Thorin said gently. He touched my cheek, rubbing it gently with his thumb. I had half a mind to bite it. "I don't want to leave you behind Myrin." That's when I did bite it. I thought Thorin might growl at me, or stomp away, but he just chuckled. A few more moments past, then Thorin walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders. "Will you do something for me," He asked. I snorted. "I'm your confident, so I kinda have to do what you say," I reminded him. "Forget about that." "What?!" "Forget about your job for a minuet," Thorin said again. "I'm asking the day-off, part of you." I cocked my head. "Depends what that is," I said, absent minded. "May I take your hand?" I rolled my eyes and lifted up my hand, palm hopefully towards him. "You can't take it, but you can look at it- What are you doing," I asked as he messed with one of my fingers. He bent my finger down and slid something onto it, and it felt eerily familiar. "Just giving you something," He said softly. "Try not to loose it please," He added after a moment's hesitation. I felt my hand, wondering what he gave me. It was a ring..... I felt it and discovered what it looked like. Two little dragons wrapped around my finger some sort of stone inbetween the two where their heads met. It was on my left hand too, but I wasn't sure if that was better or worse. I cleared my throat and lowered my hand. "What's this for," I asked. I knew what it was, but I wanted him to say it, just to make sure. I heard him shuffle, and take a deep breath. "Myrin, you are my Amralime," Thorin began slowly. "I can't live without seeing your smile every day, or hearing your beautiful laughter. I ask that you would marry me, and become my queen." Khuzdul tradition was in play now. I could either take the ring off my finger, throw it at him and reject him completely, or compose my own little speech about why I should marry him. But seeing as I wasn't completely dwarf, I was going to go off the path a little. "Why should I marry you," I asked, sticking my chin out a little. I restrained the laughter bubbling in my throat as I waited for Thorin to respond. "In truth, you probably shouldn't marry me," He said at last. "I mean, if you go by class, we're opposite ends of the ladder, and I know I have quite a temper, I'm pigheaded and I don't listen to anyone-" I frowned. "Where are you going with this," I asked. "You just listed why I shouldn't..." "I don't know where I'm going with this, but Balin said to follow my heart when-" "YOU TOLD BALIN?!" "No, I didn't!" "Then how'd you get his advice?!" "I told him when this was all over, I might ask some lass, and I needed some help!" I growled and held my forehead in my hands. "You are an idiot, but I love you for that," I said with a chuckle. I pulled my head up and smiled. "What," Thorin said. I burst out laughing. Yep, definitely an idiot. "Of course I'll marry you," I shouted at him. Thorin breathed out, and laughed. He stood up, and embraced me in a death hug, kissing me on the way to my shoulder, where his head was resting. I wrapped my arms around his neck, happy tears falling down my face. I buried my face into his coat, the fur tickling my nose. Well, that little tickling made me sneeze. My head slammed down on his shoulder, and my nose broke with a loud snap. What a wonderful way to ruin a perfectly good moment! I pulled away from Thorin, my hands holding my nose, blood running into my mouth, as that was the only thing I could breath through.Thorin laughed and grabbed my face, turning it gently. "Kinda need you to move you hands so I can see the damage," He said. I swallowed, grimaced and removed me hands from my nose. Thorin chuckled again. "Bwaht," I asked. I opened my eyes. My breath caught in my throat, my mouth hung open. Even if I could breath through my nose, it would of hung open. Thorin looked at me, confusion written on his face. I grabbed his beard and pulled him to my lips. Sure it squished my nose, but I couldn't care at the moment. I could see again!!!!! Thorin pulled away and wiped his face/beard of blood. "Ey cadd thea eggane," I shouted. I looked around, a bright smile on my face, as much as you could smile with your mouth open. The garden was even better then what Thorin described it as. It was around ten in the night, but despite that the garden was in full bloom with nocturnal flora. Evening Primroses were scattered everywhere in the flower beds, with Moon Flowers planted near. Night bloom lilies were in the pond just beyond where I was standing, a little stream trickling into it. A full moon was flooding the entire garden, making everything shine. "Hold still," Thorin said, grabbing my face again. "It's almost like you want to break your nose again!" I rolled my eyes and held still so he could set my nose. Pain shot through my nose again as he set it, but it faded away. "What did you say," Thorin asked. I looked at him and realized how messy he looked. Hair ratted and tangled, and he honestly looked tired. "Yew sure are bessy," I said, rubbing his hair. Then it dawned on me. "Ey cadd go wif! EY CADD GO WIF!!!" I flung my arms around Thorin's neck again and squeezed, getting him to wheeze. He poked my arm. "AIR," He hacked. "Dobby," I mumbled, letting go. Thorin took a deep breath. "Bwut Ey cad thea eggane...." Thorin looked up at me and I smiled. "Did you just say you can see," Thorin asked, an even bigger smile on his face then mine. I nodded, flashing a bright toothy grin. He laughed and picked me up, spun me around, set me back down and embraced again. My turn to shout "AIR!"

"Should we tell them," I asked Thorin on the way back to my room. The past few hours we had been exploring Rivendell, avoiding the elves that patrolled and windows. It was beyond definition, and any you would try to give would fall very short. It was around midnight now, and both of us were yawning now. That's why we were going to our separate rooms. Thorin squeezed my hand and looked at me. "I don't think so," He said at last. "Dwalin would kill us for just dating each other, then Fili and Kili would kill us for not telling them-" "Okay, I get it," I said, running my shoulder into his. "Don't tell anyone." We rounded the corner and came to my door. Thorin let go of my hand and smiled at me. "Good night Myrin," He said with a wave of his arms and a deep bow. On his way back up he grabbed my hand and kissed it. He rose the rest of the way and I hugged him. "Night Thorin." I let go of Thorin and walked into my room. I had four walls, like most rooms, but these walls were different. One had railing halfway up, the rest was like a window. That lead right to a garden, where Lakita was sleeping soundly under an old aspen. Half of the wall to the right of the window was a closet, the other half was a mirror. The last wall, besides the one that I entered through was where the four poster bed was, and that took up the entire corner. I walked over to the mirror and looked in. My hair was still in the simple braid I had put it in a few days ago. I had a white shirt on with baggy sleeves, my half vest over that was open. I had black leggings on, and boots, my boots were covering my feet. I guess when you can't see anything you don't really care much about how you look. That was going to change. I pulled my braid in front of me and undid it, setting the chain I used to tie it together to the side and taking a ribbon from the dresser in front of the mirror. I re did my braid and tied it with the ribbon. I washed my face of blood, thanks to the wash bowl on the dresser. After I dried my face, I was so out of it, I didn't even remember getting to the bed.

Well, something woke me up, but I could figure out what it was. I peeled my sticky eyes open and squinted at the bright sunlight flooding my room. Lakita didn't have her head through the window, so it wasn't that. Someone knocked at my door again, that must of been what woke me up. "What do you want," I growled, really not meaning to. I got out of the bed and waddled over to the dresser and started to pull out of the satchel I had shoved in there a few days ago. "Ma'am, your companions are going to be leaving shortly," An elf said. "Would you like me to request that they wait?" "How soon," I asked. "Five minuets." "YES!" I shoved all the clothes into the satchel I could and grabbed my swords from next to the door. I grabbed my bow from under the bed and quiver. I shouldered them and burst out the door, past the elf that was slowly walking down the hall. I knew where they were going to meet before they left, and that's where I was heading. It was the pavilion/bridge/entry hall to Rivendell, where the company apparently got a scare of their lives. "Madame, please be careful, you might run into something," The elf called. Another was passing down the hall, coming towards me. "Myrin, what happened to your face," He yelled. He stepped in front of me, so I took a step left, but he blocked it. "Get out of my way," I shouted. I shoved through him and went back to running. That's when I ran, literally, into some tall dark haired elf with a silver circlet. We tumbled to the floor, elf and dwarf curses ringing through the halls. I scrambled off him and held my pounding head. First, my nose broke, then I run into this guy, and he just happened to smack my nose. "Thanks mister elf," I growled at him. "What are you doing running like that through the halls," Elrond ask. I think I liked it when I couldn't see him... I removed one of my hands and glared at him. "Catching up with my company," I growled at him as I stood up. Elrond stood up and brushed himself off. He held out his arm, I glared a little more at him. "I can walk!" "Ah, I see," He said. "Your vision has returned. Well... I can't say that I will miss your company, but I am sorry to see you go." I looked up at him, my glare gone. "Why's that?" Elrond pressed his already thin lips into a line line. "We shouldn't keep them waiting," He said, gesturing for me to take the lead. I rolled my eyes and lead the way into the pavilion thing. I had a feeling he knew something I didn't. The rest of the company was already there, and Lakita was apparently conversing with Thorin's pony. I sat on the rail of the stairs and slid down, bowling over Fili and Kili. "What are you doing here," Kili asked. I pulled myself to my feet and helped him up. "Going with, what else," I asked. "Miss Flamebird has regained her eye sight," Elrond said, coming down the stairs normally. Tackle Time! Once everyone was done hugging, we mounted our steeds and rode out of Rivendell. On our way out, I noticed that Bilbo was looking back. I rode up next to him. "Hey, everything okay," I asked. Bilbo shrugged. "Elrond said I could stay if I wanted to," He said with a sigh. "And you're having second thoughts?" Bilbo nodded. "Don't know if this helps, but I have been traveling like this all my life, most of the time without food or rain gear. Look at me, aren't I fine?" Bilbo looked at me and smirked. "You aren't fine, you're senile," The hobbit said. "Not to mention a little....odd at times!" "Hobbit, Myrin, will you quit lagging about," Thorin shouted from ahead of the path. Bilbo looked up at him, frowned and rode forward, casting a look at me the same second I stuck my tongue out at Thorin.

We had been travelling for a few hours, and it was blissful. Fili and Kili were making fools of themselves again, Ori was scribbling something in his notebook, probably what ever the boys were doing. Dori was giving him encouragement, while Nori munched on some bread from the elves. Bombur was talking with Bifur about cooking, while Bofur was talking with the hobbit. Dwalin and Balin were in hushed conversation, Oin and Gloin reading herbal charts. Gloin looked around, forgetting the chart and smiled at Fili and Kili, a wistful look on his face. I knew that look all too well, he was going to start bragging about Gimli again, and I wasn't the only one that noticed it. "I know Gloin has a wonderful family, but does anyone else," Bilbo shouted as Gloin took a deep breath to start his brag. All eyes shifted over to Bombur, who was getting red under the beard. "I've a wonderful wife named Jezel, and we've had oh say, twelve dwarflings so far," He said proudly. "Five beautiful wee lasses, and seven strapping lads!" Bilbo nodded and looked around, frowning. "Does anyone have a lady," Bilbo asked. "Or a man," He added quickly, looking at me. "Oh aye, I've got plenty on my heels," Bofur said with a smirk. "I do too," Fili said. "Me three," Kili added, and that's when everyone burst out laughing. "What's so funny," Kili asked, sounding offended. "There is no way that you've a lass under my watch," Thorin said, brushing a tear from his eye. "Either of you, even if you are the only ones out there for the picking!" More howls of laughter from the dwarrow. "Well what about you and his secret lass," Bofur asked. Thorin shut up and looked at Bofur. "Had she grown tired of you when you left?" "Oh no, she's anything but tired of me," Thorin chuckled. "I should think that she thinks more of me, since I've gone to reclaim Erebor." I lifted up an apple from my satchel and threw it at his head. It bounced into his lap. "Or maybe she think's it was a hair brained idea to go," I corrected. "YOU KNOW HER," Kili shrieked. I should think I would! I looked at Kili and smirked. "Yep, I know her actually, we met while you three were heading for the Shire," I lied. On the outside, I was calm, just a little red from laughing so hard just a while ago, but on the inside was I a laughing stock, and it was bubbling over into my face. "What's she like," Fili asked. I put my finger to my chin and tapped it, pretending to think. "Well, she's very pretty, very skilled and I said pretty right?" "Oh please," Thorin said. "She's not all that beautiful, but I rather like her character- STOP THROWING APPLES AT ME!" He picked up the second apple in his lap and threw it back at me. "That lady is very beautiful, and I would think she would agree with me!" That did it for Thorin, he burst out laughing and slumped forward in his saddle, his voice ringing through the fields, maybe even past the Edge Of The Wild. "Myrin, you seem to know all about Thorin's lady, but do you have a gentleman of your own," Gandalf asked, looking back. I pursed my lips and looked back towards the wizard. "I should think that I do," I shouted at him. Fili and Kili went ballistic. "AND YOU ALL KNOW HIM, or maybe the wizard and hobbit won't, BUT THE REST OF YOU DO!" Everyone shut up, and the only thing I could hear was the wind in the bushes and sparse trees. The rest of the day, I had this dopey look on my face, and I would blow kisses to any of the dwarves, who would shudder and avoid me, but that wouldn't stop my air kisses.

#thorin/oc #Thorin Oakenshield #the hobbit #rivendale #bilbo #bilbo baggins #fili #kili #the company #elrond #gandalf #throinxoc #imladris #eladan #elohir #oh nooo #this is so sappy #and embarrassing #but its mine

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branching-paths · 4 years

Text

Of Spittle, Spit, Hats and Birds

After Fili and Kili nearly drowned, Thorin and I kinda made up. He never said an apology, but I honestly forgot about him falling off Lakita. When I woke up the next day, the river had shrunk back down so we could get to the bridge. We crossed it, and continued to ride. Fili and Kili gave me an apology for rescuing them from the river, but who wouldn't of rescued them?! I was the one who rescued them because I was the first there. Not much else happened the rest of the day.... I mean, yeah Bilbo sniffed a bunch of daisies growing on the hill next to him and went into a fit of sneezing, but it's a hobbit sneezing. Now if it had been Dwalin, or Gandalf sneezing, that would of been funny.

We stopped for the night in an old farm house that had fallen down many years ago. The only things left were the beams, corners and stone fireplace. Thorin turned around on his pony. "We'll stop here for the night," He announced. We all rode past him and dismounted. I helped Bombur pull out the cooking things and set it up under what was left of the stable's roof. Gandalf came storming out of the house. "Gandalf, is everything alright," Bilbo asked. Gandalf stormed right past, didn't even glance at the hobbit. "I'm going to talk with the only sensible being around," He shouted. Bilbo looked up from the pony he was taking the bridal out of. "Who's that," He asked. Gandalf frowned further as he stormed to his horse. "Myself, Master Baggins," He growled. He mounted and rode out of sight. I turned to Thorin, who was standing in front of the fireplace, looking smug. Sure, it doesn't take much to make a lady mad at you, but angering a wizard?! That takes talent, and apparently my partner had that special talent. Wonderful.... I rolled my eyes and got out the deer that Lakita had been so kind to catch last night. She looked so funny dragging the deer between her legs, and she dropped it at Dwalin's feet, almost seeming to ask for him to say something negative. He had just looked between her and the deer, then called Bofur over and they dressed the deer. Lots of little packages were shoved into the food bags, all full of deer meat. I pulled out some and dumped it on Bombur's lap. Still in the packing, mind you! Fili and Kili went to watch the ponies, the last night of their punishment from making Thorin's water into tea. Yeah, I know.... He really likes his water. I sat on an upturned stone and watched the company. Ori was writing in his notebook again, like he normally was, Dori peeking over his shoulder every now and then. When he wasn't looking at Ori's work, he was talking with Gloin, who was counting his money from a recent bet he won. Nori was practicing his knife throwing, aiming at a tree not to far from the ruined house. He was missing nine times out of ten, but pumped his fist in the air when he embedded his knife in the bark. Bofur was helping Bombur cook, while Bifur was talking with the bushes, which probably held some sort of animal. He had this way with them, it was almost like he could talk to and understand them. Oin was sorting what he had left of his herb stash, not listening to anything, probably unable to hear anything. Balin was talking with Dwalin about something, but I don't think Dwalin was listening much. He would nod every now and then, but his eyes were shut, his head resting on his hand which was propped up on his knee. Then there was Thorin, but he was over brooding in the corner. The night would end up like it normally was. Me talking with Fili and Kili, Bilbo possibly joining our conversation, but the boys were watching the ponies until night fell. It wouldn't be long now, but I hated not doing anything. I sighed, stood up and pulled out a coin sack from my boot. "Ten gold to anyone who can beat me," I shouted into the air. Everything stopped, only Bombur's boiling water made sound. I threw the sack of coins onto the ground in front of me, willing and wishing someone would pick it up. "In what," Ori asked, eyeing the sack with interest. "Anything," I said. "Riddles, sword, words, you name it!" Dwalin eyed the sack with more interest now, then stalked over and picked it up. "Ax throwing," He said, tossing the bag to Ori, who was the official bet keeper. He grabbed one ax off his back and handed it to me, the other he shifted into his left hand. I grabbed the ax, and just about dropped it on the ground. Dwalin snorted. "Easy win," He mumbled. I hefted the ax over my shoulder, getting accustomed to it's weight. It wasn't too bad now that I thought about it. Eh, who was I kidding, this thing was heavy, and I would probably break something trying to throw it anywhere. But stubborn pride got in the way, reminding me that I had a secret way, yet another thing that the elves taught me. I frowned, I wouldn't do it, only if Dwalin would beat me, and knowing him he would. We lined up and Dwalin took a step forward. He took a deep breath, shifted his hand to the end of the shaft and bounced it a little. With a roar like a bear, Dwalin hurtled the ax, sending it flying up into the air. It returned to earth about forty paces away. Dwalin stood up again and looked at me, smirking. "Beat that, half-ling," He said as he past. I glared at him and focused. That involved shutting my eyes, and blocking out everything. A warm feeling spread through my body, giving me strength. I hefted the ax again and flung it, knocking me on my rear as I let go. Dwalin and Bofur burst out laughing, I promptly glared at them, but with a good heart. "Myrin wins," Gloin shouted, peering into the distance where the two weapons were embedded in the dirt. "WHAT," Dwalin and I shouted. Yeah, I didn't really think that elf magic would work that much. Apparently it did. I stood up and looked. The ax I had thrown was a good five feet farther then Dwalin's. "Huh," I mumbled. Dwalin snorted as he stalked off to get his weapons. "Food's ready," Bombur shouted from the house. I arrived first, bowl in hand and plumes of dust billowing behind me. Bombur grabbed my bowl and dumped the stew into it. I nodded my thanks and sat back down on my boulder. Everyone was dished, and finished when we remembered Fili and Kili. Bofur grabbed the ladle and scooped out two bowls. "Here, Bilbo, take these to the lads- Get yer hand outta there! You've had plenty," Bofur shouted, whacking Bombur's hand with the ladle in one hand, giving the hobbit the two bowls with the other. Bilbo ran off, two bowls of stew threatening to splash over and stain his coat, yet he managed to keep the stew in the bowls, keep it off his coat, and still run. "How did you do that," Dwalin asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. Dwalin was looking right at me, almost glaring. "What do you mean," I asked. Dwalin glared and threw his hand out. "That, how did you beat me," He growled. "You could barely lift it, then you threw it farther then me! How did you do it?!" I shrugged. I wouldn't give my secret up that easily. "Maybe I don't know my own strength," I bluffed. Dwalin looked at me through narrowed eyes. "Maybe," He growled quietly. The next few minuets, I tried to avoid Dwalin's gaze, but it wouldn't move from me. I stood up and went outside of the house, his gaze still following me. I walked out of his sight, half expecting him to follow me. He didn't. I leaned against the last wall of the house and watched the stars, that were slowly appearing. "HELP," Fili called from where he and Kili had lead the ponies. He burst through the wall of lichen, eyes wild and full of fear. Thorin ran up to him, grabbing his shoulders. "What," I shouted, running towards him. "Trolls have taken the ponies, the hobbit and Kili thought he could rescue them," Fili shouted, out of breath. Everyone followed Fili into the forest, we stopped just beyond the firelight, watching the confrontation. There were three trolls, all on the other side. The one in the middle was holding Bilbo in what looked like a snot rag. Kili was pacing, trying to look fierce. "I said drop him," Kili shouted. Oh, crap...Kili if the trolls don't kill you, I will. "You heard 'im," A troll shouted, giving me chills. I heard Bilbo shout as the middle troll threw the slime covered hobbit at Kili. We burst out of the forest as Kili and Bilbo collapsed, startling the trolls. The one that threw Bilbo stepped around the fire, almost onto me. I shoved my sword into his foot, making him scream. Another one hollered loudly as he fell to the ground. I kicked embers into another's face, I think it was the same one I stabbed. It kicked me, sending me over the fire and over the head of the one that was approaching Bilbo, who just loosed the ponies from the corral. I landed on the boulder and rolled over the top, hitting an old deer trail that went behind it. I could peer over the boulder if I wanted too, but it hurt everywhere, so I just didn't move. "Bilbo," I heard Kili shout. "Drop yer arms, or we'll rip 'is off," A troll shouted. I heard metal, then growling. "Tom, move their arms away-" More metal sounds. "-Get the sacks." That didn't sound good. Someone started to protest, and Bilbo yelped. "Don't you move," A different one shouted. "Tom get me a sack, NOW." Bilbo shouted. "Don't shove me in that nasty-AHHHH!" "We'll do what we want, burrahobbit! If ya whant ta keep yer arms, then don't complain!" More quiet grumbling, but nothing more then an, "Ouch," or a growl. When everything stopped hurting, I pulled myself over the boulder and peered at the company, all snug in their sacks and on a rotisserie spit over the fire. Thorin Fili and Kili had yet to be tied to the spit, so that settled my pounding heart. Where was that blasted wizard when you needed him?! I crept down the path, back to the clearing with the trolls. They smelt worse then I had ever thought, and looked horrible. They were arguing about how to cook them, and apparently the most popular was sitting on them and squashing them to jelly. I didn't favor that option. The smallest of the trolls, I think another called him Tom, was the same one that had Bilbo in his hand. "Stop cooking," I shouted, lowering my voice to the highest of the tenor range. The one that was rotating the spit slowed down, looking around. "Who's that talkin'," The third shouted. Crap.... I hadn't thought of that... "I'm aaaaaa WIZARD," I shouted. Mental note, thank Gandalf when this is over. I scrabbled in my satchel, why I had brought it with me I couldn't remember, but I was glad I did. I found it, the last firework, and I really hoped this batched up plan would work... "A wizard," The third yelled again. "Wha's tha'?" "Can we eat it," Tom asked, inching closer to me. I backed up and took out my flint. "No, you cannot eat a wizard," I yelled. "They give you indigestion." I heard Oin snicker. "We can handle a little bit'o gas," The one at the fire snarled. Hum, an intelligent troll, fancy that... Suddenly I was plucked from the ground by my feet. The third had found me, and was dangling me in front of his face. "Wha's tha Bert," Tom screeched, jumping to his feet. "I think it's a wizard," Bert yelled back, covering me with spit. I wiped it from my face, trying not to scream. Fun Fact, my worst fear were Trolls. He shook me, and I clammed up, terror making me freeze. My hand was still holding the firework in my satchel. "Yer gonna answer er not!" "I-I am the wizard," I stuttered. Bert snarled and brought me up to his face. "Prove it," He growled. I pulled out the firework, finding my hands shaking terribly. Holding the end of the firework in my mouth, I know stupid, I struck the flint, lighting the wick. I dropped the flint, took the firework out of my mouth, and threw it up into the air. It exploded with a loud bang, scaring Tom. "It's a wizard, IT'S A WIZARD," Tom howled. "Let it go before it does that again!" Bert snarled at Tom, and he quieted. "It was just a firework, like the ones in that caravan from last year," The one at the fire growled. He started to spin the spit again. "Shove it in a sack, we might use it for a tooth pick!" Bert, with his other hand, grabbed a sack and shoved me feet first into it. Then he threw me on top of Bombur. "Oh, right," Tom said, smiling brightly. His stomach roared, and he looked hungrily at Bombur. "Wha do you feel about sage," The one at the fire said, poking the dwarves on the spit. "Wait, you are making a terrible mistake," Bilbo shouted. Dori looked up from staring at the fire from his spot on the spit. "Don't reason with them, you can't," He shouted. "They're half-wits!" Bofur frowned and looked down past his feet at Dori. "What does that make us," He shouted. "Wha'tch ya mean about mistake," The one at the fire said, leaning closer to Bilbo. "I mean, have you smelt them," Bilbo asked, leaning over to keep his balance. "It's going to take a lot more the sage to keep that off your tongue! I know the best way to cook dwarf too!" Bert frowned, looking at Bilbo with disgust. "What a load of rubbish," He shouted. "Don't listen to 'im Bill-" "Shut up and let the fluggaburrahobbit speak," Bill shouted. He leaned in closer to Bilbo, who shrunk back in disgust. Bill didn't notice. "Now what do you suppose the best way to cook a dwarf is?" Bilbo looked around. "The best way issss toooooo-" "Get to the point," Bert shouted. "Yes, yes I'm getting to the point," Bilbo assured. "The best way is to......skin them first!" The company protested, all of them wiggling in their sacks, and against their bindings on the spit, shouting at the poor hobbit that was trying to save their skins. I think I was the only one who didn't, but I was still paralyzed with terror. "Tom, get me filletin' knife," Bill shouted. Bert glared at Bilbo again. "Rubbish," Bert yelled. "I've had plenty WiFi their skins on, boots and all!" I flinched. Tom stood up from the fire where he was warming his face. "He's right," He said slyly. "Let's eat them whole, nice and crunchy!" Bombur, who he had picked up was rocking back and forth, trying to get out of his grasp. "Wait, don't eat that one, he's infected," Bilbo shouted. Bombur and Tome looked at Bilbo, confusion written all over their faces. "He's got worm in his........tubes." Tom shrieked and flung Bombur on top of the company again. Bilbo's face lite up. "In-fact, they've all got parasites, I wouldn't risk it," Bilbo shouted, shaking his head. "Parasites," Oin asked. "Is that what he said?" "I don't have parasites," Kili shouted. Everyone started to shout at Bilbo, screaming about their lack of parasites. Thorin kicked Kili, jerked his head a little, and everyone quieted. "I've got parasites as big as my arm," Oin mumbled loudly. Then everyone started to shout something along those lines. Bert stood up and poked Bilbo in the chest. "Wha' do you suppose we do WiFi 'em then, let 'em all go," Bert snarled at the hobbit. "Well......." Bilbo bounced his head back and forth as he pretended to weigh the options. "You think I don't know what yer doin'," Bert snarled again, poking Bilbo a little harder. "This little ferret, he's taking us for fools!" Bert returned to the fire and started to spin the spit again. Bilbo looked at him. "Ferret?!" "The dawn will take you all," Gandalf shouted from atop the same boulder I had rolled over. Finally, just when you needed him! Will he ever show up on time! The trolls looked at Gandalf. "Who's that," Bert asked. "No idea," Bill mumbled. "Can we eat him, too," Tom asked. Gandalf brought his staff down on the boulder and it split in two, letting sunshine flood into the clearing. The trolls howled as the sun touched their skin, and turned to stone before us. The claw that was clutching my chest released and I took a deep breath. Cheering erupted from the company, both the relieved laughter that came from realizing you wouldn't die, and the cheering for the wizard.

Kili's POV

After we got out of our sacks, and got our things back, we went and visited the trolls' hoard. Thorin, Gloin, Bofur, Gandalf and Nori went in, leaving the rest of us to keep an eye out. Myrin stayed clear of the troll's stench, but she still looked a little queasy. "You okay," I asked when I approached. She jumped and looked at me. "Yeah," She mumbled, turning her gaze back to a line of bushes. I looked that way too, but didn't see much of interest. Just some scraps of lumber from a few hundred years ago, seeing as they were covered in weeds, and those blackened stalks were covered with more. Myrin stood up and walked into the bushes, towards the lumber. I shrugged and joined Fili at the mouth of the hoard. "Anything down there that you can see," I asked. Fili shook his Head, reminding me of Lakita when she landed this morning from hunting. Her head turned gold, and when she shook it to get the dew off, it turned back to brown. Only Fili's stayed gold. I snicked, Fili glanced at me. "What," He asked. "Just wondering what would of happened if we had Lakita last night," I snickered. Fili smirked. "That would of been quite different," Bilbo said, startling us both. "You're getting sneakier," I sneered jokingly. "You just might steal Thorin's boots off his feet!" Bilbo rolled his eyes. "I'll never get that good.... When do you think they'll come out," He asked, pointing to the hoard. "Let's get out of this stench," Thorin called from bellow. The dwarves came out first. Thorin was trying not to grin like an idiot, for some strange reason. He looked normal, but if you looked closely, you could see his cheeks twitching, trying to smile. He looked around and frowned at Fili and I. "Where's Myrin," He asked quietly. "Right here," She said behind us, startling me again. Was everyone going to scare me today?! She looked ashen, but normal, if that makes any sense. Before anything else could be said or done, something cracked in the undergrowth, silencing all thoughts and actions. "Something's coming," Thorin shouted, drawing his new sword, which looked pretty good on him. I drew my own sword as Gandalf came out of the hoard. "Draw your weapons, prepare for battle," Gandalf shouted, drawing his own sword. I drew my sword and waited, until this funny looking man with a rabbit drawn sled came bursting out of the undergrowth. Well, I feel stupid! This man doesn't even look like he could hold his own with the rabbits that draw his sled. Gandalf sheathed his sword and took a step forward, smiling. "Radagast," He shouted, turning the funny man's head towards him. He smiled, something I'm all too willing to forget. "Gandalf," He shouted. He got off his sled thing and stood in front of Gandalf. He opened his mouth, frowned and rubbed his fingers together. "Oh, I had something to tell you Gandalf," Radagast shouted, silently snapping his fingers. "It was very important, and right on the tip of my tongue!" His face lit up as his mouth morphed into a small opening. "Oh, it wasn't a thought at all," He shouted, his mouth still in that small thing. He stuck out his tongue and showed it to Gandalf. There was a stick bug on his tongue, still very alive too. I cringed and backed up from the supposed wizard. I wasn't sure that he was what Gandalf said he was, even if he could command rabbits. I glanced at Fili, who was equally as disgusted. Gandalf looked around, grabbed Radagast's shoulder and lead him away, out of our ear shot. That's when I got a good look at the left side of his face. There was something on it, and I couldn't tell what it was. I stepped out of their way and took a good gander at him. Shorter then Gandalf, yet taller then Thorin. Nice long beard, very knotted and covered in that stuff that started at his hat and ended at the bottom of his beard. He had a staff, like Gandalf, and he dressed in all brown. "That can't be a wizard," Fili said, stepping up next to me. I nodded. "What's that on his beard anyways," I asked. 'It looked like a type of fungus," Bombur said. I turned around and looked at our cook, who shrugged. "What, I saw what looked like a mushroom on his shoulder. It's a good snack-" I gagged, loudly, shutting Bombur up. "Can't they only grow in-" "They can grow in anything," Bilbo said. "Crap," Nori finished. "It just helps the plant grow when they are planted in fertilizer," Bilbo said, giving him a glare. "I bet he has some sort of dirt on his coat, and hasn't washed it in a while." "Hasn't washed anything in a while," Dori grumbled. I nodded and sat down on a rock, Fili taking the one next to me. Bofur cocked his head. "I've a hat like a wizard," He said, staring at Radagast. He reached up and stroked his hat. "Fancy that...." "I doubt that's a wizard," Myrin said. "Was that a bird that flew under his hat," She asked, pointing to Radagast. All heads swiveled and watched in horror as Radagast shifted his hat again, revealing the nest he had in his hair. Ori looked up, then looked at his note book, shutting it slowly. Something pierced the sound of the forest, sharp and rough. "Was that a wolf," Bilbo asked, looking around. I pulled my bow off my back and notched an arrow Gloin had been kind enough to get from the troll's hoard. "Wolf, no," Bofur said. A Warg crept in behind them, and sprang. I loosed my arrow and readied another as another Warg crept around the other side. Dwalin and Myrin took care of that one. "Get to the ponies," Thorin shouted. Ori appeared over the side of the rock mound where he went to grab the ponies. "We can't, they've bolted," He shouted as Gandalf came back into the clearing. "Who did you tell outside your kin Thorin," Gandalf shouted. "No one," Thorin yelled back, still staring at the Warg. "WHO DID YOU TELL," Gandalf yelled. "No one, I swear! What in Durin's name is going on?!" More Warg howls split the air. "It's a scout," Dwalin shouted from the other Warg. "That means an Orc Pack isn't far behind," Myrin added. Bilbo looked at her. "Pack?!" "I'll lead them off," Radigast shouted. Gandalf turned around. "They are Gundabad Wargs, they will out run you," He shouted at the other wizard. Radagast turned to Gandalf, a defiant smirk on his face. "These are Rascobel Rabbits," He shouted back. "I'd like to see them try!" He jumped onto his sled and rode off with a whistle to his rabbits. "He's going to need some help," Myrin said, walking towards Lakita. "You aren't going to follow are you," Fili and I shouted. She turned around and glared. "They might have archers," She quickly growled. "I can fly out of range, but he can't ride quick enough! I don't care if those are rascobel rabbits!" She jumped onto Lakita's saddle and flew into the air. "Fili, Kili, come on," Dwalin shouted, pulling us away from the rock mound. A head, Radagast burst out of the forest, and a huge Orc pack past the opening. Gandalf lead the way, through the bare field filled with yellowing grass and boulders. Okay, so it wasn't really empty, but it was more bare then the forest! Run, run, run, trip over Gloin as the company stops abruptly. As a scout broke off and ran up to the top onto the boulder we were hiding under. I looked to the sky, wondering where Myrin was. When she didn't show up, Thorin turned to me and nodded at my bow. I nodded and took a deep breath. I shoved off the boulder and shot the Warg. As it staggered, the Orc pulled out a horn. Another arrow and he dropped the horn. The Warg fell off the rock and rolled in front of me, yelping. Dwalin took care it it, but not quick enough. The pack stopped following Radagast and turned towards us. One yelled out something and we were pushed into a sprint again. We raced towards a high boulder, until they were right on our tail. "Turn and fight," Thorin yelled. I turned around and loosed arrow after arrow. "We're surrounded," Fili yelled. I looked around, to find our wizard missing. "Where's Gandalf," I shouted as I loosed another arrow. "He's abandoned us," Dwalin shouted. I backed up a little as a Warg crashed into the spot I was just standing. "This way you fools," Gandalf shouted, appearing behind a smaller rock in front of the bigger one. One by one the company ran towards Gandalf and disappeared from sight. "Kili come on," Thorin shouted. I loosed another arrow and jumped into the crack hidden behind the rock Thorin was standing on. I rolled down the steep slope, stopping at Fili's feet. He pulled me to mine as Thorin stopped rolling, getting to his own feet by himself. We who didn't have ours out already drew our swords, preparing to fight the Orcs that would undoubtedly find us. Another horn split the air, horses tramped just in front of the opening. Wargs howled as bow strings were released. An Orc rolled down the slope, dead. Thorin pulled the arrow out of his neck and examined it with a scowl deepening by the second. "Elves," He hissed, throwing the arrow to the ground. Dwalin called from the back of the cave. "I can't see where the path leads, do we follow it or no?" Bofur looked up from the Orc at his feet and grabbed Bifur's shoulder. "Follow it of course," He shouted. He ran towards Dwalin and brushed past him, Bifur following half a step behind. Bombur followed his cousins and everyone followed Bombur. I fell into step behind Bilbo. "You okay hobbit," I asked. Bilbo turned around and looked at me, his eyebrow twitching. "Just never really been running for my life before," He mumbled. He turned back around and we continued down the very narrow path. How Bombur managed to fit was beyond me. Just ahead of the hobbit, I noticed that Thorin kept looking towards the sky, but you couldn't see much. The path was just as narrow up there as it was down here. The path opened up, revealing a hidden valley with a large marble house to the left of a waterfall. All in all, the valley was beautiful. Gandalf emerged from the path and walked around Bilbo. "Welcome to the valley of Imladris, but you may know it by another name," He said. Bilbo looked at the marble house and almost smiled. "Rivendell," He said. I sighed and glanced at Thorin, who was simmering. This was going to be fun... I looked at Fili, who looked like he was thinking the same thing. He looked at me and grimaced. "The Last Homely House that lies east of the sea," The wizard added. Thorin turned around and glared at Gandalf. "This was your plan all along," Thorin growled at him. "To seek refuge with our enemy!?" Gandalf glared back at him. "You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill will to be found in this valley is what you bring here yourself." "You think that the Elves will give their blessing to this quest?" Thorin deepened his glare. "They will try to stop us." "Of course they will, but we have questions that need to be answered. If wee are to be successful this will need to be handled with tact, and respect, and no small degree of charm. That's why you will leave the talking to me." Thorin growled at Gandalf as he walked away. "Looks like we follow the wizard," Fili mumbled to me. I nodded and followed the wizard. We walked down the path, across a bridge, and into a nice circular courtyard, with stairs leading away in front of us, into the marble house. We set down our things and looked around. "Mithrandiar," Someone shouted from the stairs. It was an elf, with long black hair, wearing a robe. Gandalf turned around and smiled at the elf, striking up a conversation in elvish. "My lord Elrond isn't here," The elf said suddenly. Gandalf cocked his head. "Where is he," He asked. Another horn sounded from behind us, so we turned around. A troop of horses trotted towards us, with armored elves on top. So what did we do? Grouped up and readied our weapons, looking as intimidating as we could. The horses circled us, all eyes on us. They stopped prancing, and one with even longer black hair and a silver circlet over his eyebrows smiled at Gandalf. "Gandalf," He shouted happily. He turned the conversation to elvish again. He held up an Orc's sword and looked at Gandalf. He handed it to the first elf, who bowed deeply. He and two others with dark hair walked away, leading the rest of the elves away. "It's strange for Orcs to travel so close to our borders," He said in basic, looking at us. "Someone, or something must of drawn them near..." Gandalf smiled nervously. "That might of been us," He admitted. I scowled at Gandalf. The elf turned towards the company as Thorin stepped ahead of everyone. "Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain," The elf said, nodding respectfully. I looked at Thorin. He hated elves, yet this one knew him. Thorin raised his head a little and stuck his chin out. "I don't believe we've met," He said curtly. Okay, if I wasn't confused before, I was now. The elf cocked his head slightly. "You have your grandfather's bearing," He said. "I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain." Thorin sneered. "Indeed, he made no mention of you." I had half a mind to step on his foot. Elrond narrowed his eyes and glared at Thorin as he said something in elvish, matching Thorin's steely tone perfectly. Everyone tensed. "What's he sayin'," Gloin hissed. "Does he offer us insult?!" "He's offering you food, master Dwarf," Gandalf shouted over the rising voices. Everyone shut up, then started to talk to their neighbor in hushed tones. I already knew what they were going to say, even Thorin. We were out of food, supplies, and steeds, which we needed desperately. Gloin cleared his throat and gestured with his ax. "Well, erhm, lead on," he mumbled. The elf actually smiled and turned around. Gandalf flashed Thorin and Gloin an evil look, then followed the elf up the stairs. We picked our things up and trudged up the stairs. We past many elves, who were talking in hushed tones, pointing and sometimes snickering, all in elvish. "I've heard about Rivendell," Bilbo mused. "But the description my books gave is falling short." I snorted. Bilbo glared at me. I ignored him. "Why are they laughing at us," I asked Fili. Fili looked at me. "Don't know- That's why," He said, pointing to my head. I patted the top, and felt something. I picked it up and brought it in front of my face. In my hand was a huge spider, and my throat closed up. It wiggled it's legs, and I dropped it. It's legs closed up, then it rolled over on it's legs and turned towards me. It charged, and that's when I kicked it away. Bilbo stared at the spider as it climbed the wall and went down a passageway. "That was big," He mumbled. I nodded, shuddering. Fili patted my back. "That's got to be the best reaction to a spider I've seen you have," He mumbled. I punched him, even though he spoke truth. "Still doens't mean spiders aren't evil," I growled. We walked towards another pavilion, this one had seven hallways, a garden in the middle. The elf turned around. "This is where you'll be staying while you are here," He said. "There's a bathhouse down the middle passage, a garden to the left, and the rest are sleeping quarters. Supper will be in two hours." He walked away, leaving us alone in the little garden. Gandalf stared at us, the hand gripping his staff was white. "You are all idiotic," He growled as he walked out of the garden and into one of the rooms. He slammed the door behind him. Thorin turned around. "Get ready to eat," He growled, stalking into another room. Fili and I took the room next door to his and set the stuff on the bed. It was large, and homey, with a few armchairs, paintings of peaceful scenery and a hearth. There were two beds, both very soft. I ran towards the bed, jumped and flopped on the bed, face first. "Too soft," I mumbled as I sunk into the mattress. Fili sat on his bed, and sunk a foot. "Definitely too soft." I rolled off the bed and tackled Fili. We tumbled to the floor. "What was that," Someone asked, just outside the door. Fili and I looked up. "Don't know, just open it," Another said quietly. I scrambled off Fili and dove under the bed, Fili doing the same. The door opened quietly and two sets of feet walked in, wearing elven boots. "All clear, let's see what they've got," The first said. They bent down near our packs and started to riffle through them after they shut the door. "An archer," The second said, pulling out my bow. "This is a great bow! Look at how taut the string is!" I heard him twang it and I nearly rolled out from under the bed, but Fili put his hand on my arm, so I stayed put. "Duel swords too! Man, we're going to have to duel these guys," The first yelled again. They set our weapons on the ground gently. "Hey, Elladan, check this out," The second said, pulling something out of my pack. He pulled out my stone, and that was the last straw. I crawled out from under the bed on the other side and stood up, Fili coming out with me. That's when I got a good look at the elves digging through our things. Both had dark hair, and were about two feet tall hunched over on their knees. Both sported dark grey clothes and black pants with brown boots. "Hey, what are you doing with my stuff," I growled at them. The brothers, I suspected they were twins, turned around. "You aren't elves," I asked as I got a look at their faces. Elves had angled faces, with pointed chins and noses most of the time, but these two had more human faces with softer edges and round noses. The one on the left rolled his eyes and turned to his brother. "Why does everyone say that," Elladan growled half heartedly. The other one put his head in his hands, shaking them both. "I'm not saying we aren't! But why do they have to point that out!" "Whoa, I was just wondering," I said, holding up my hands. The one who had his face buried looked up and scanned my frame. "You aren't dwarrow," He mumbled. "I am too," I yelled at him. "Don't you dare disrespect my brother," Fili shouted at the same time. Both of them held up their hands. Elladan stood up. "Okay.... We don't mean any disrespect," He said looking at me. "It's just that when we meet someone, the first thing they say is 'You aren't elves,' and we've gotten very annoyed with it over the past few centuries... Okay, let's start over." He held out his hand. "I'm Elladan-" "And I'm Elrohir," The other said, standing up and taking Fili's hand. Elladan took mine and shook it vigorously. I pulled my hand out and wiped it on my trousers. What, he had sweaty palms! "We were just trying to find out more about our visitors," Elladan explained. Fili stuck his chin out at him. "Don't go through someone's packs if you want to know more about them," He growled, very Thorin like. "Some of our company won't take too kindly to some elf digging through their things," I added. "Now get out!" "What," Elladan shouted. "Why," Elrohir added. "Because we've got a few friends that will kill you on sight if they see you in here," Fili finished. Just that second, the door opened up. A young human stood in the doorway. He looked at the two half-elves, started to shout something at them, then saw Fili and I. "Who are you two," He asked. "Fili and Kili, now GET OUT OF OUR ROOM," FIli shouted. We shoved the two towards the door, succeeding in getting Elladan out. "Hey, I have a better idea," Elrohir shouted, bracing himself on the doorway. I shoved harder. "Supper's in a few, why don't you two see Rivendell with us!" I stopped shoving. "There's more," Fili asked. All three of them nodded. "Lots more," The third shouted. "We can show you, then send you to the dining pavilion," Elladan shouted. I backed up from Elrohir and he lowered his arms from the frame. "There's so many hiding holes, climbing areas-" "Not to mention the ancient tree," Elrohir added to the other's remarks. Fili and I shared a look. "What do you think," I asked. Fili thought for a while longer. Thorin's door started to creak open, and we ran out, making sure to shut the door after us. We dragged the trio behind us, more like they followed us. Thorin's door shut, and I risked a glance. Our moody uncle was nowhere to be seen, so I whacked Fili's shoulder. He noticed it too, and stopped running. The trio fell over us. "What happened," No-name yelled. Fili and I slapped a hand over his mouth. "Our uncle happened," Fili mumbled. "Estel, Elladan, Elrohir, where are you," Someone called from down the hall. All three looked up and horror crossed their faces. They scrambled off Fili and I, pulled us to our feet and dragged us down another hall, getting us hopelessly lost in Rivendell. When we finally stopped in another garden, I wrenched my arm from Estel's grip. "Why are we running," Fili shouted, demanding to be set down. Yeah, Elrohir had to pick up Fili, 'cause he couldn't keep up. Elrohir set Fili down and flopped onto the grass. "From Ada," Estel grumbled. Fili leaned up against a statue, I actually sat on the ledge. I looked Estel over because there wasn't anything else to do. He was around twenty, with black hair, a little stubble, and dark clothes like the twins. Only he had bare feet. Well, what else could I look at. I looked up at the statue I was sitting on, and screamed, falling off it. Fili pulled out one of his daggers and looked around. Estel, and the other two were on their feet in a second, each had a branch in their hand. I stared at the statue, unsure that was exactly who I saw. Fili followed my gaze, sheathing his dagger. "Whoa..." He mumbled. "You screamed because of a grave," Estel growled. Fili and I shared a look. "Wait, do you two know her?" "No, they couldn't have, she died way long ago," Elladan growled. I sighed. "That looks just like Myrin," I said, throwing a thumb towards the statue. Well, it was more like three statues, a mother, and two children. The mother looked just like Myirn when she had her hood up, and a dress on. The children weren't that different, a hood, robe/dress, smiling too. Four ringings from a bell somewhere interrupted our thoughts. "SUPPER," They shouted. Elladan and Elrohir ran out of the garden, Estel waved for us to follow. He ran out, Fili and I shared another look and followed.

We arrived at the pavilion, but the wrong one. The elf that talked with Gandalf, Estel said his name was Elrond, lead us to where the company was eating. Fili and I took our spots at the lower table, and the dead music started. An elf maid was at the lyre, a few more on a few flutes, and one more on another lyre. "Just try it," Dori said to Ori, who was eyeing a lettuce leaf with disgust. "I don't like green food," Ori said, setting the leaf down. Dori gave up and turned to his cup again. "Do they have any chips," Ori asked, looking down the table. Dwalin lifted up the greens in a bowl and threw it back down. "Where's the meat," He asked. I chuckled and looked at the maid at the lyre. Thorin, Gandalf, and Elrond walked into the pavilion and sat at the higher table. The elf at the lyre looked at me and I winked. Dwalin caught that, and looked at me. I looked at him and frowned. "Can't say I fancy elf maids myself," I said, shaking my head slightly. Bofur looked at me, I glanced back. "They're too thin... All high cheekbones, and creamy skin... None of that for me," I added quietly. The maid with the lyre walked behind me, and I wrinkled my nose. "Though that one isn't bad," I said, turning towards her. Dwalin snorted and leaned in towards me. "That's not an elf maid," He said quietly. Said 'elf maid' turned around, and I felt my face start to blush. Bofur, Dwalin, and Dori started to laugh, while Balin, Fili and Ori, bless their hearts, stared at me with a little smirk. I nodded and attempted to bury myself in my shirt. "Yeah, that's funny," I said, still nodding. Oin picked up his ear trumpet and looked around, abandoning the piece of vegetable he had speared with his knife. The flutist behind him decided to play a rather shrill note that second. Oin growled again as he shoved a napkin into the trumpet. He put it back to his ear and smiled. I tucked half heartedly into my greens, then remembered our dear brown clothed wizard. Were I had once been starving, I was suddenly not hungry. Bilbo looked at his sword as Elrond said something to Thorin and Gandalf, I wasn't listening. Balin and the hobbit spoke, something about a letter opener. Thorin frowned at the table, and excused himself quietly. I looked at Fili, who was busy talking with Nori, who wasn't paying attention to him, but to the pepper shaker made of pure brass. Thorin walked past me and frowned, then stood behind me after snatching a cup from the table. Nori shoved the shaker into his coat and continued to eat. He threw down his fork and looked at the musician behind him. "Change the tune, why don't you," He growled. He turned back around. "I feel like I'm at a funeral," He added quietly, digging into his ear. Oin looked up. "Did somebody die," He asked. Someone might if they don't get more lively music, by Nori's scowl. Bofur shook his head and leaned towards Nori. "Alright lads," He shouted. "There's only one thing for it!" Bofur climbed onto the table and walked over the food, jumping onto the podium. He turned towards Elrond and held out his hand. "Theeeerrrreee'sss aaaannnnnnn inn," He began. Everyone's polite, fake smiles turned to real ones as he continued. "There's an inn beneath an old grey hill! And there they brew a beer so brown that the man in the moon himself came down, one night to drink his fill!" The company stopped stomping to the rhythm and looked up at Bofur to see if he would continue. I threw a roll at him, urging him to continue. It landed on the other side of Elrond's chair. Bofur continued and we started to stomp and pound again. "The ostler has a tipsy cat, that plays a five string fiddle," He laughed. He leaned back, "Now squeaking hiiiiiiiiigh!" He leaned forward, missing all the rolls and green things we threw at him. "Now puuuurrrrrring looooooww!" He righted himself again, a smile bright on his face. "Now sawing in the middle!" We chucked more and more food at him as he continued. "Now the cat with the fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that'll wake the dead! Now he squeaked and he sawed and he quickened the tune, while the landlord shook the man in the moon, it's after three he said!" We erupted in laughter as the food flew up, towards Bofur, and at eachother. I threw a pie at Bofur's face and he ducked with a sweeping bow. It flew towards Elrond, and hit the statue next to him. The elf standing next to it turned towards the statue slowly, his face a look of pure terror. Thorin guffawed at the poor elf's face, nearly spilling his drink all over me. "HEEELLLLPPPP," Someone shouted from the hall, silencing all laughter. Elladan, Elrohir and Estel ran through, and hid behind Bofur. They shouted something in elvish. Gandalf and Elrond stood up. Elrond started to shout back, then something screeched in the hall. Something I soon realized was Lakita covered in mud ran into the hall, spotted the three and shrieked at them. Gandalf stood up and walked towards her, but she snapped at him. She turned back towards the three, and spotted me. The griffon jumped over Bofur and the three, landed on the table and looked at me expectantly. I reached up and rubbed her beak. She trilled happily then clacked at me. "What's she saying laddie," Balin asked. "Beats me," I said, still rubbing her beak. Lakita pulled her head away and trilled again, this time coldly. She flapped her wings, flinging mud everywhere. "Kili back up slowly," Thorin said. Lakita cawed at him, shaking her head at him, flinging even more mud. I scooted backwards and stood up, ever so slowly. She took a step towards me and stuck her beak in my face. She trilled slowly, looking at me through her green eye, which was narrowed like a cat's. Her eye widened and she looked right at Fili. She cawed once more at him and switched her gaze between us. She leaped into the air and pranced around like a dog might. She shook everything, spraying all the elves with mud. We dwarves saw it coming, Gandalf too, and dove under the tables. "What's that on her back," Estel shouted as I pulled myself out from under the table. "It's a sadd- MYRIN!" She was collapsed on the saddle, face first. Lakita rolled her head and blinked at me, eyes narrowed. "What's a saddmyrin," Elladan asked. I jumped onto the table and scrabbled at the legs straps, Fili working on the other side. Myrin moaned as she slid towards me. "I wasn't ready Fili," I shouted as she fell on me. Her leg was still in the strap on this side, and it would break if I tried to undo it. Fili rolled under Lakita and undid the strap. Myrin fell off the saddle completely and just about squished me. Fili and I lowered her to the table, and heard her snore. "Is she sleeping," Nori asked. "She doesn't sleep on the saddle," Thorin assured. "Oin, what's wrong?" Oin was grumbling from his spot next to the table. "Look at the goose egg on her head," He growled, pointing to a mud covered spot on her head. I thought it was just a clump of mud, but her hair was still in a braid. "Sit her up," Oin growled. Elrond walked over, mud everywhere on his front but his face where he wiped the mud off. "What do you need," He asked.

#rivendale #thorin oakenshield #thorin/oc #fili #kili #the hobbit #branching paths #elrond #established relationship #this is the start of the sap guys #be forewarned #at this point in my life i hadn't had my first kiss #and i can't change this #the sap is coming #i'm so sorry #bilbo baggins

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branching-paths · 4 years

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Of Strange Companions and Raging Rivers

(Thorin's POV)

The company was acting weird, that's for certain. When I had woken up this morning, I was the last one up, when normally I was the first. Everything was taken care of. Ponies saddled, breakfast made and being eaten, the route was planned, and everyone was up, their things on the ponies. All in all, I was slightly proud of them. The only thing that made me worry, was that Fili, Kili, Myrin volunteered. As in, they took charge, told everyone what to do, and wouldn't let me do anything when I woke up. I glanced back at them, where they were riding their steeds, talking quietly right behind me. Something was up, again, and the way everyone else was smiling, it wouldn't end well for who ever it was for. I had a feeling it was me. I took a sip of my water again, hoping beyond hope that they wouldn't try to dump me into another mud pit. The last one, you couldn't even tell it was there from the road. Myrin burst into a fit of suppressed giggles, so I turned around, staring intently at her.

"What's so funny," I inquired. "Bilbo dumped pepper in your hood," She asked, still trying to suppress her giggles. I rolled my eyes as I nodded. Full out laughter from Myrin. Fili and Kili shared that evil look, then started to imitate my sneezing from a few weeks ago. That sent everyone into giggles. I turned back around, growling silently. I loved those three dearly, but at times like this, I wanted nothing more then to hang them from their toes. Someone quietly counted down behind me. "Three, two one," Kili said, barely in a whisper. Two deep breaths, and a very off key song, sounded from my nephews. "For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow," They shouted. I must say that I jumped. "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLLLLOOOOOOOW! THAAAAT NOBODY CAN DENY!!!" Next thing I know, I have them both on either side of me, strangling my chest and neck in what I think they meant to be hugs. Barely able to keep a straight face, I gently wrapped an arm around them both, and gave them a little squeeze also prying them off. "What are you two trying to get away with," I asked when they sat back up. Kili gaped at me. "Can't we just give our Uncle a hug for no reason," He asked. I looked at him, and he gave me his puppy eyes. That confirmed it, something was up. "We're not doing anything Thorin," Fili promised. I turned my gaze to Fili. He shrugged and looked beyond me at Kili. Fili blinked at Kili, who gulped. "By the way, did you two send that letter," I asked, remembering that very important letter. Kili nodded eagerly, but Fili shook his head. "But we did get it to it's recipient," Fili said. I frowned at him. "How can you not deliver a letter, yet have the person it's meant for receive it?" I stared at Fili, who was slowly shrinking. If they had opened it and read it's contents, I was dead. I turned to Kili. "Did you send the letter or not," I asked him. "Wetriedtobutthepostmaster-" "Slow down, and speak properly!" Kili took another deep breath and started again, slowly. "Weeeee....Trrrriiiii-" "Talk normally! You sound like one of those tree people!" I could feel Fili's gaze on me, but I kept mine on Kili. He nodded and tried again. "We attempted to send the letter, but because it didn't have a name on it, the post master would not even look twice at it." Yep, I'm dead. "What did you do with it," I asked, trying to stay calm. "We weren't sure what to do with it," Fili said. "But figuring that Dwalin knew you best, we gave it to him," Kili finished. My mouth went dry, and my stomach churned as I stared in disbelief at the two idiots next to me. I hadn't't been lying when I said it was an important letter, but it was meant for Myrin! I poured my heart and soul into that letter, and they gave it to my best friend. I really, really hoped Dwalin hadn't't read it. Well, at least they didn't read it.... "No, I realized what that seal was, so I gave it to Myrin," Fili said. I wasn't sure which to believe, but I was going with Fili, because I entrusted him with the letter. My panic attack faded, only to return twice as hard when I realized that she had yet to read it. What's worse, she would probably read it when everyone was up still, and someone would read it over her shoulder. Then our relationship would be revealed and either Dwalin would kill us on the spot, or Fili and Kili would. The last thing I need is her getting hurt, not only would it break my heart, she was a pain in the neck when she couldn't do anything. "You know, I think I should read this letter now," Myrin said loudly behind me. I whirled around, hoping she didn't mean what I thought it meant. In her hand, which she was waving around like a banner, was an envelope, and from what I could tell when she waved the front of it towards me, that was my letter. She couldn't be daft enough to read it in front of everyone, could she?! I swallowed my fear, and yes, this was a cold fear, and tried not to look too interested in the letter. "Read what," I asked, sounding normal to my ears. Myrin smiled and tossed her head. "Just a letter I received," She said. Crap, crap, crap, Crap, CRAP, CRRRRAAAPPP! She peeled the seal off, slow as death. She took a deep breath as she pulled the letter out. "It reads, 'Dear Thorin,' " She began. "I thought you said you got it," I interrupted. She rolled her eyes and cocked her head to the side. "I got it, only if I promised to read to you," She yelled. She cleared her throat and began again. "Dear Thorin, we the company, would like to wish you a very happy birthday. Because of our lack of supplies, coinage, and other such necessities to throw you a proper birthday, we have decided to say something positive about you." "Hey, that isn't't what we agreed on," Gloin yelled. Myrin shrugged as she returned her gaze to the letter. "That's what's wrote," She said. "That's what I wrote," Ori said at the same time. All steely gazed turned from Myrin, to Ori. "You don't have to if you don't want to," I announced. All the company's gaze turned to me. "We can't throw you a good birthday on the road, and giving you a day off doesn't really count," Dwalin growled. "Everyone deserves a proper birthday laddie," Balin added. "The hobbit shall go first, then we will continue from youngest to eldest," Myrin finished. She folded up the letter, shoved it back in the envelope and shoved it into her satchel. I rubbed my face, glad for many reasons. Then one by one, and slowly, the company gave me compliments. Bilbo said that because he had known me for such a short time, he couldn't think of a proper compliment, but attempted to give one anyways. He said I was very lucky, and I have to agree with him. Then Kili said I was the best uncle ever. Fili argued that it was his compliment, and a brief brawl ensued. Myrin finished it when she said that it could be both of their's. Ori was next, then Nori, Dori, Bifur, Bombur, Bofur, Gloin, Oin, Dwalin, Balin, Gandalf and Myrin finished. "Your poetry was excellent," She said. I frowned at her, then it dawned on me that she in fact had read the letter. I flashed her the biggest grin I could muster. Mostly because I could feel my face turning shades and I needed a good excuse.

(Kili's POV)

Rain, rain, go away come again another day! Ever since June 2nd, it had been raining. Everything was soaked, the food that was dry was stale, and the constant sound of raindrops dropping onto the ground, the pony's hide, my hood, was making me insane. "Oh mister Gandalf, can't you do something to stop this deluge," Dori called from behind me. Gandalf turned around, irritably. "It is raining, master Dwarf," He announced. "And it will continue to rain until the rain is done! If you wish to change the weather in the world, find yourself another wizard!" Bilbo looked up as much as he could without getting rain in his eyes. "Are there any," Bilbo asked. Gandalf looked at the burglar. "What," The aged wizard asked. I stifled a snort, and turned it into a sneeze. Myrin, who was riding next to Thorin, looked back and frowned. "You will not, I repeat, NOT get a cold," She growled. I nodded and wiped my nose. She scowled a little more at me, then sat back in her saddle. "Other wizards," Bilbo continued. Gandalf looked ahead and leaned back in his saddle. "Yes there are five," He said. "There is Saruman the white, the head of our order. The blues.... You know I've quiet forgotten their names." His voice trailed off, so Bilbo got him back on track. "And the fifth," The hobbit asked. Gandalf seemed to smile. "That would be Radagast the brown." Bilbo frowned at his saddle horn, then looked back at Gandalf. "Is he a great wizard.....Or is he more like you," He asked. I frowned at him. Gandalf is a great wizard! How dare he say that he wasn't. Then again, he didn't pull me out of my home and send me on what could be the first/last adventure of my life. Gandalf looked sideways at Bilbo, still facing ahead. "Well I think he's a great wizard," Gandalf exclaimed, completely missing the insult, thankfully. We didn't need a roasted hobbit on our hands. "In his own way. He prefers the company of small animals over people. He watches the woods in the East, keeps an eye out for any rising danger..." Gandalf's voice trailed off again. Bilbo shook, flinging water droplets every which way. Then, all of the sudden, the rain stopped. Myrin looked up, her white waterproof hood fell off as she looked towards the sky. "I'm going to scout while there's a break in the storm," She said. She clacked at Lakita, who promptly shook, showering Thorin, Fili, Bilbo and I with water. They flew into the sky and disappeared into the clouds. I wiped the water off my face and pulled my hood off. "Put that back on Kili," Fili said, pulling my hood back up. I turned towards him, frowning, and pulled my hood back down. Dwalin rode behind me and pulled it back up. I glared at him as he rode up next to Thorin. I pulled it back down again. "I'm not going to catch a cold," I growled at him. Dwalin snorted and readjusted his own hood. "Yes you will," Fili said. "Listen to him Kili," Thorin growled. I reluctantly pulled my hood up. "It's wet anyways," I grumbled. Some of us didn't have waterproof cloaks like Thorin and Myrin. "Better to have at least some protection from the rain," Thorin grumbled back. "I would listen to him Kili," Bilbo added. "Having rain flow down your back isn't the most enjoyable thing." "I am listening to him, aren't I," I growled at him. "I put up my hood didn't I?" "Don't snap at the hobbit Kili," Fili growled at me. "He's just trying to save your hide from Thorin." I turned to face him, and found my sweet older brother glaring at me. I sighed noisily and turned back to the hobbit. "Sorry for snapping," I muttered. Bilbo shrugged. "I am surprised everyone else isn't snapping," Bilbo admitted.

A few hours later, Myrin landed right next to Thorin, frowning. "You should see this," She said. Everyone looked up and stared at her through the rain. Thorin pulled his pony to a stop next to Lakita. "Show me," Thorin said. Myrin shook her head. "You have to fly there, in order to see it." "You aren't doing that Thorin," Dwalin said. Myrin stared ice daggers at him. "He'll be perfectly fine on Lakita," Myrin said, patting the griffon's feathers. Lakita trilled as she looked around. "Just like riding a pony. And he must see this." Dwalin glared at her. "Is it something you find interesting," Dwalin asked. "If you call a danger in the path interesting, then yes, it is very interesting," Myrin snarled at him. She turned back to Thorin. "Just get on." Thorin grumbled something, got off his pony, got on Lakita, behind Myrin and they flew off, leaving Dwalin fuming. Bilbo leaned over. "What's with them," He asked, throwing his head towards Dwalin. "Old grudges I guess," I said. I glanced at Fili, who shrugged. We never really knew what made Dwalin and Myrin enemies, so it must of happened before they settled in Ered Luin. Bilbo frowned and squinted at Dwalin, who was leading Thorin's pony at the head of the line. "Must been something bad..." "Who knows," Fili said. He dug his heels into the pony and jolted forward. I followed suit and glanced at Bilbo, who was shaking his head, mumbling to himself. I leaned over. "What are you thinking," I asked. Bilbo looked up and shook his head. "Just wondering what was so interesting," Bilbo growled. We didn't have to wait too long to ask. Lakita, Myrin and Thorin were flying rapidly back towards us from the north east. Lakita landed and laid on her stomach, then Thorin was shoved off the saddle. Mryin started to shout at him loudly and in Khuzdul. You would think that I could understand it, but I couldn't. She was talking so fast, I could only pick up words. The ones that made sense, were Idiot, Balrog, Let Go, Told You, Never, and Stupid. Thorin sat in the mud staring at Myrin as she ranted at him. She gave him one more hard scowl, then she flew into the sky. Thorin pulled himself off the ground and brushed himself off. He walked over to his pony and got on. "Move on," He said. "What did you do Thorin," Gandalf shouted, spurring ahead to ride next to Thorin. Thorin snorted. "I didn't do anything," Thorin growled back as we started to move again. "You obviously did something," I yelled at him. "Why else would Myrin yell at you like that! She called you a Balrog, Thorin. She doesn't even call NORK one!" Thorin turned his steely gaze at me, his eyes narrowed. "Because her beast did it, and she won't admit it." I felt my jaw drop. Lakita wouldn't harm anyone, ever! I rode on her when I was three, and nothing happened. I shut my mouth and glared back at Thorin. Thorin bared his teeth at me and turned back around, growling still. "I think I agree with her," I shouted. I rode out of the line and rode ahead of everyone. "KILI, GET BACK HERE," Thorin shouted. "YOU TOO FILI!" I turned around, and found Fili following me. "Kili," Fili shouted after a while. "We should go back!" I snorted and slowed down. "Why," I asked. Fili rode up next to me. "Because we don't know what's out here," Fili said quietly. "Sure, Thorin might be a balrog, but we don't know what happened exactly. There might be a chance that something happened to make Lakita snap-" "No, Lakita won't even hunt near us," I yelled at him. I pointed back towards the line of ponies now in the distance. "He's been irrational, thinking that Lakita did something." Fili nodded. "I agree, Lakita is the safest griffon out there," Fili defended. "But we don't know what's out here, and I would like to stay alive. Can we please get back, we don't even have to acknowledge Thorin." I looked at Fili through one eye. Okay, so he agreed with me, and was willing to bare Thorin's anger with me. I sighed, and turned the pony back towards the company. "Fine," I said through my teeth. I dug my heels into the pony's sides and it lunged forward. "Don't pick sides yet," Fili warned. "Not until we get both sides of the story." I nodded. We got to the camp and removed the saddles from the ponies. Everyone else was by the fire, how they were able to make it in this rain was beyond me. Then again, Gloin was pretty handy with a flint. Someone must of found some dry wood too. Thorin was sitting under a tree, a bowl of stew in his hands. I glared at him and grabbed my bowl from my pack. Bombur dished me some stew and I sat by the hobbit. Bilbo looked up, the cloak he was borrowing from Dwalin was huge on him. I couldn't help but snicker at him as I sat next to him. "I know it's huge, but don't laugh," Bilbo grumbled. He was sitting in his own little tent, all made by the cloak, so how could I not? Fili joined me next to Bilbo, his own bowl of food in his hand. Bilbo turned to him and burrowed further into his tent. "Staying dry," Fili asked. Bilbo nodded. "Rather be sitting on the saddle then here though." "Why's that," I asked. The saddle was harder then tree roots, last I remembered. "It's dry," Bilbo said with a smirk. I nodded with my own smirk. "Or it was... So what did Myrin say to Thorin earlier?" "We don't know really," Fili said quietly, tossing Thorin a look. He was talking quietly with Dwalin. Fili turned back to Bilbo, who was frowning. "But she was speaking your language, right?" "Yeah, but she was talking fast. We could only pick up a few words. And they weren't too nice." Bilbo looked at us through one eye. "Define nice," I grumbled. Fili rolled his eyes as he looked towards the top of the tree. "Okay, so nice was exaggeration," Fili said very quietly. "She called him a few nasty names." Bilbo frowned at Fili. "But they weren't even out for half an hour," Bilbo reminded. "What could of happened in that time to make her so.... cross?" I looked around the camp and smiled. "We can find out now," I said, pointing to Myrin. She was walking to the stew pot, a scowl on her face, bowl in hand. Bombur gave her some food and she walked over to Thorin. He turned around a little and looked her in the eye. "Hope you're here to apologize," He mumbled. Fili and I flinched. Bad move Thorin.... Myrin's free hand clenched, and she threw her bowl of stew down. "You think I'M here to apologize," She screeched at him. "If anyone should, you are the first that comes to mind! I told you NOT to do something, and you DID IT!" "I didn't do anything," Thorin yelled back, standing up. "That's just it, YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!!" "If that beast didn't let go of me, then that wouldn't of happened!" Myrin bared her teeth at Thorin. "How could she of LET GO?! YOU WERE ON HER BACK!!!! AND IF ANYONE'S A BEAST HERE, YOU ARE!" Balin stood up and set his hand on Myrin's shoulder. "Lassie, calm down-" "NO, I AM NOT CALMING DOWN," Myrin growled/screeched at Balin. "Thorin nearly DIED because he didn't follow my instructions, all because he thought he knew better! Well, guess what?! You don't, and you almost died because you thought you did!" Thorin opened his mouth, shut it and glared at her. "That was uncalled though, calling me a Balrog," He growled at her. "YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT," Myrin snarled at him, twice as harsh this time around. She raised her hand, probably to slap him, but drew it back to her ear and morphed it into a pointer. She launched her pointer at Thorin's nose, and held it right in front of it. "Do you have any idea what would happen if you died," She asked, deathly quiet. "The journey would be forfeit, Erebor would never be reclaimed, Dis would have lost another brother, Fili and Kili their uncle, and the council in Ered Luin would over run everything. All in all, everything you care about would be destroyed. Don't do anything like that again..." Myrin lowered her finger, glared once more at Thorin and stalked off. The camp was silent, only everyone's shocked breathing could be heard.

A week later, and Myrin still wasn't talking to Thorin. Multiple times, Thorin had ridden up to talk with her, and she flew away, leaving Thorin fuming again. The rain hadn't stopped, so we were riding through mud, puddles, the food had gotten soaked, and what wasn't soaked was moldy. Fortunately, the deer had been out a lot in this weather, so Fili and I went hunting every night. Unfortunately, the wind had knocked many twigs down, so even if we would tread lightly, something would snap, alerting the deer and sending them away. Luckily, this time around, we hadn't stepped on anything, and had already brought down a few hawks. Too bad the arrows had broken when they landed though.... I loosed an arrow at the buck in front of me and it missed. The buck leaped away as I yelled into the flooded forest. That was my last arrow, and I had lost it into the brier bushes. I wouldn't borrow from Myrin, she needed those to scout, and I couldn't borrow from anyone else. Thorin was the only other archer, and I wouldn't borrow from him in his current mood. He wasn't snapping at everything, but he wasn't exactly agreeable either. Fili burst from the bushes, two hawks in each hand. "Didn't get it," He asked, already knowing the answer. I growled and shouldered my bow, not meeting his gaze. "That's okay Kee, I mean.... We have these pretties don't we?" Fili held up the hawks with a smile on his face. I shrugged and took one from him. "Hey, who do you think Thorin was writing," I asked. When we had left the company, Thorin had been writing something, and hadn't even noticed our leaving, as loud as it was. Fili shrugged as he threw the limp bird over the pony. "Probably Amad, maybe his girlfriend," He mumbled. I snorted and climbed up onto my pony, three hawks behind the saddle. We followed the trail out of the forest, then followed everyone's trail to the camp for tonight. It was right next to a river, and the bridge that crossed it was underwater, not to mention in the middle of the swollen river. The camp was nestled under a group of trees, and the ponies in a clearing just to the north. I rode over that way as Fili dropped his two hawks off at the camp. There wasn't a fire going, so I assumed that the dry wood Bofur had been hording in his pack had finally run out. Shame... I rode into the clearing for the ponies and slid off the slippery saddle. The hobbit was right, sitting on a dry saddle was nicer then sitting on the wet ground, or worse a wet saddle. I pulled at the straps keeping the saddle on the beast. Me being the stupid dwarfling I am, forgot to try up the pony before I started to mess with it's sensitive areas. That and combined with something hiding in the grass just in front of it's nose made it bolt. Not wanting to disappoint Thorin yet again in loosing the four hawks, I ran off after the pony. I passed Fili and his own pony as mine bolted for the river. I chased it into the river, staring in horror as the saddle, and the food fell off it. I lost my footing as Fili ran in after me. My head plunged under as someone shouted on the bank. I tumbled around the river, terror seizing my chest in an icy grip. Maybe it was the water soaking through my clothes, but it didn't feel like it stopped when it hit my skin. My head broke through the surface, only to be plunged back under by a nasty rapid. I'm not the best swimmer, can barely stay afloat in a peaceful lake. This, this was going to kill me. I bobbed back to the surface and managed to take a breath that I really needed. "KILI," Fili shouted from the middle of the river, his arms thrashing madly as he swam towards me. "STAY ABO-" Fili's commands were drowned out as I was shoved back under by another rapid. The water underneath was dark and murky, twigs, leaves and small rocks rushing past me. The water was freezing, how I hadn't noticed this before when I had first entered the water, I didn't know how. I swam back to the surface and burst through, just to get shoved back under as I hit my head on a large branch that had fallen half way into the river. I cartwheeled in the water, getting slammed against boulders lodged in the former stream. Everything was going fuzzy, and my lungs were screaming for air. My energy was fading, and my strokes were slowing, not that they had been doing much good. With was energy I had left, my hand went to my pocket, where I kept a stone that Amad had given me. It wasn't pretty, or large, but it was one of the most precious things I had. Home was etched into it's top, a promise I wouldn't be able to keep. I squeeze it and shut my eyes. It couldn't end like this! I refused to drown! I let go of the stone and my eyes flung open. I couldn't see much, between the black spots filling my vision and the murkiness of the water. Then I spotted it, a large boulder I would be passing in about ten seconds. I swam towards it and braced my feet against it. I could feel the water pushing against me, willing me to forget about trying not to die. I crouched down and gathered the new energy I had found within me. I sprang upwards, pushing through the water, yet moving with the current still. I burst through the surface and took a deep breath. I flailed at the water, staying afloat, just barely. I took many deep breaths, the burning feeling in my lungs easing. Someone grabbed my hand and drug me across the water, but I didn't have the energy to see who it was. I could hear shouting, but it seemed far off, and my vision was fading again. The person that had grabbed me flopped down on something hard, but it didn't hurt. Well, it hurt, but not as much as it could have, as it should have. More shouting, then someone picked me up, flipped me onto my stomach, and set me on something warm and soft. Then they started to beat my back. The burning sensation in my lungs started again as something came flowing out of my mouth. Only a little at first, but getting larger the more the person beating. I coughed, heat coming to my cheeks, pain shooting to my back, basically all my body. I couldn't take a breath though, not that I didn't want to. I took as much air as I could, and coughed again. Someone grabbed my feet and lifted them up, dumping me onto my face. More stuff came spewing out of my mouth, gurgling as I took a breath to cough again. Sounds came rushing back to me. "Is he okay," the hobbit asked, loudly, sending my head spinning, twice as fast. I coughed again, sending something out of my mouth. Someone started to rub my back, helping the rest of the junk out of my lungs. "Don't know yet," Oin said. "Now shut up," Thorin snapped. I took a deep breath, coughed one last time and took another, not coughing. "Set him down gently," Oin said, patting my back. "Bombur roll out of the way- NO THE OTHER WAY!" The warm thing pressing against my belly moved away as my legs were lowered. More stuff came flooding out of my nose and mouth as they lowered me, and I hated the feeling. I moaned when everything wasn't moving again. I opened my eyes and took a tentative swallow. My throat was raw, and felt like someone took a fish filleting to it. Fili's face filled my vision, he was so close that I had to cross my eyes to see him. "Hey, wake up Kee....Please," He said quietly. I blinked at him and he let out a shaky breath, ducking and shaking his head at the same time. "You little imp," He yelled, making my head pound. "Do you have any idea what-" "Stop please," I croaked. I heard my voice crack when I said please. Fili stared at me, fear and worry ebbing away from his eyes, being replaced by relief. He pressed his forehead against mine, I could feel him shaking as he clutched my head. "Don't do that again," He sobbed through my hair. I moaned again, reaching up and grabbing his forearm. I attempted to squeeze it, but I barely saw the fabric move. It felt warm and wet. I started to shiver, and that's when Oin pulled Fili away. "We have to get ye two warm, or ye'll get hypothermia," He said, looking Fili in the face. He looked at me and frowned. "Do ye think walkin's an option," He asked me. I shook my head, felling like an over used piece of leather. Limp and worn out. Oin growled as he stood up. He shouted orders, something about picking me up. Fili got to his feet and walked next to Thorin, who was carrying me back to camp. A roaring fire was waiting, along a billion blankets. Our wet clothing was removed, until we were down to just out under wear. Fili and I huddled in a huge blanket, Thorin's warm coat draped over our heads, reminding me of all the fortresses we had made when we were little. Oin handed us both a cup of steaming something, then walked away. Thorin was on us in a heartbeat. He stood in front of us, scowling into our blanket fortress, the fire behind him casting his shadow on us, adding to the effect. I ducked further into the blankets, hiding everything below my nose from the outside world. "Kili, do you know what you did wrong," Thorin began, his voice soft. I curled tighter into a ball, and wouldn't meet Thorin's gaze. "Kili..." I took a deep breath and looked up at my uncle. "I followed the pony into the river," I mumbled. Thorin crouched down and looked me in the eye. "Do you know why you shouldn't of done that," He asked. I nodded, felling more like a dwarfling then an old piece of leather now. "Explain." I felt my throat close up. "I could have drowned ," I mumbled through the blanket. I held my knees against my chest, wiggling my toes in anxiety. Thorin looked at me, the expression on his face unreadable. "And....." "And....I should of let the pony run into the river, then come back." I looked at Fili, tears welling in my eyes. He glanced over at me then returned to his cup of something. I burrowed into my blanket to hide my face. "I'm so sorry, Thorin," I sobbed. I felt Fili loop an arm around my shoulders and draw me close to him, then I felt Thorin wrap both of us in his firm but gently hug. I sat huddled in the middle of my brother and uncle, sobbing. I think I heard a sniffle from Fili, and I felt one of Thorin's tears drip onto my head. Once I was done sobbing, I sat back up and tackled Thorin's neck. Once more, I felt like a little dwarfling, but for a different reason. Thorin let go of Fili and hugged me back. He let go when I started to shiver again so I could burrow back into the blankets. I wiped my face with it and sighed. "Thanks Fee," I said. He stared at me, frowning. "For what," He asked. My turn to frown at him. "For dragging me out of the water," I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, 'cause it was. "That wasn't Fili, that was Myrin," Thorin said. "And I think you both owe her an apology." I felt my face twitch, almost raised an eye brow at him. Didn't he have one to her too? Wood being dumped startled me, so my head whirled around. Myrin dumped some wood onto a nice little stack that I hadn't noticed. Her face was white, lips turning blue at the edges, and she was rubbing her hands as if they couldn't get warm. Oin noticed this and shoved her towards the fire. Myrin didn't argue, verbally or physically, like she normally did. "What did I tell ye," Oin yelled at her, shoving on her back again. "I told ye to getta wood, come back and WARM UP! Notta go an' get more! Sit down this secon' before I make ye!" Myrin didn't argue, and sat next to the pile of blankets. I took off Thorin's coat and held it up to her as she took off her coat, cloak, half vest, weapons, boots, socks, and other things. When she was just in her white undershirt and leggings, she looked at me, smiled as much as she could with teeth chattering and took the coat. "Th-than-nn-kkksss, Kili," She chattered. I scooted closer to Fili and held open the blanket fort. She smiled again and sat down next to me, pulling the blanket against her back. Oin handed her a cup soon after, then she stopped chattering, and started trying to get up. Oin growled at her for a while, something healer-ey so she stayed put. The second she wasn't cold to the touch, Oin let her have her own blanket mound. Lakita walked up to Myrin's mound, sniffed it, then laid around Myrin, resting her head on her paws in front of Myrin. Bilbo walked over to Fili and I and sat down. "You both are idiots," He said as he rolled out our bedrolls. "Running into the river like that, what were you thinking?!" "He doesn't," Fili and I said at the same time. We stared at eachother, then burst out laughing.

I woke up in the middle of the night. I had fallen asleep sometime whilst talking to the hobbit, who was sprawled out on my bed roll, drooling. If only Ori was up, then he could draw a picture, then I could tease the hobbit endlessly! I lifted my head off of Fili's shoulder and looked around. The fire had almost died, and the rest of the company were in their respective family heaps. Thorin must of been taking watch, but I didn't see him anywhere. I turned my head to the right, the only spot in the camp that I couldn't see. The only things over there were Gandalf and Myrin's drying clothes. That's when I saw Thorin inching away from Myrin's half vest. "What are you doing," I asked him. Thorin turned towards me and smirked. "What are you doing up this late," He asked, using the same tone. "You tell me first," I said, sitting a little straighter and folding my arms. Thorin threw his up and looked to the stars, which were shining brightly, despite today's earlier down pour. "Giving Myrin an apology, but don't tell her," Thorin said at last as he threw his hands down. I shrugged and snuggled back against Fili, who was still snoring. Thorin walked over and rubbed his head, then rubbed mine. "G'nigh' Thorin," I said best I could with one cheek scrunched up. Thorin chuckled. "Good Night Kili," He mumbled softly.

#Angery!Thorin #Whump!Kili #Fam!Durins #tbh gotta see more of that #branching paths #Thorin Oakenshield #Thorin/oc #Writblr #the hobbit #everyone lives au!#bilbo baggins #the trolls

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branching-paths · 4 years

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Of Eggs, Fireworks and, Mud

AN; Ok, this is in the drafts/queue thing 1/6, It’s set to post next week at this time, I hope it works, if it does I’ll delete this AN, this is really just for me

Thorin wasn't kidding when he said first light. Someone kicked my leg, flinging my eyes open. I shot my hand out from under my torso and pulled who ever kicked me off their feet. Of course, this all happened at once, before the poor soul had even pulled away his toes, wait.... Toes? "Sorry Bilbo," I said as he hit the ground. I sat up and blinked sleep out of my eyes. It took a moment for the hobbit to respond. "How in the Shire did you do that," He asked. He sat up holding his head. I shrugged. "Reflexes, by Durin, is it even dawn yet?!" "Barely-" "Stop chatting you two," Thorin yelled from behind the fire, where he was destroying breakfast. That's when I sprang to my feet and stalked over to Thorin. "What are you doing," I asked. He frowned up at me, his mouth half open. "Making food, what else would I be doing, burning the hobbit's foot hair?!" Bilbo looked at his feet then back at Thorin, a hint of bemusement in his eyes. Thorin pointed a spatula at me, wagging it slightly. "You two are going to saddle the ponies." I laughed, and wiped a fake tear from my eye. "Wake someone else Hobbit, I must save the food," I said, getting ready to take the spatula from Thorin. Bilbo glanced around the camp, then walked towards Bofur. Thorin frowned at me and drew the spatula back towards the pan he held over the fire. "I can cook," He growled, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. I snorted and crouched next to him, my hand extended.

"No you can't, now give it here," I said, giving him a look. He ignored me, and that's when I pounced, quite literally. Thorin dropped the spatula and frying pan over the coals and grabbed my stomach, throwing me over him. I landed on my back and growled as Thorin gave a triumphant smirk, returning to the frying pan. I punched his arm and he dropped the frying pan back onto the coals. I shoved him over and grabbed the pan, flipping the eggs that Thorin had yet to burn. "Oi, give that back," Thorin said, grabbing for the pan with a smile on his face. I turned my back to him, holding the pan in front of me so he couldn't grab it. "No way, these will be too burned to do anything if I let you cook!" I elbowed him in the chest, shoving him away. Thorin chuckled and grabbed my shoulder, turning me around and grabbed the pan again. "NO I WON'T SUFFER ANOTHER BURNT EGG!" "I don't burn them, I make them brown on the edges!" I put my foot on his chest and shoved him away, holding the pan away from him again. He reached, a big, un-kingly grin on his face, a chuckle deep in his throat. Gandalf cleared his throat, and our head turned towards the company, who were looking at us with bemused looks. I lowered my foot as Thorin lowered his hands and moved back towards the coals. Fili looked at me, then at Thorin, blinking a few times as his eyes moved between us. "Who are you and what have you done with Thorin," He asked at last. I chuckled as I removed an egg from the pan. Thorin shook his head and stood up, brushing himself off. Thorin turned to me and gave me a half smirk half frown. "I do not burn anything," He said as he walked past. I snorted and dumped another egg into the frying pan. How Bombur had managed to keep over four dozen eggs from breaking for four days was beyond me. Kili sat down next to me, smirking. Crap... "Good morning," He said. He sighed and looked over a stick that was obviously bare. He poked the coals with it until it was charred, then he twirled it in his hands. "Is it always going to be like that," He asked as he twirled the stick. I looked sideways at him, then back to the pan where I was scrapping a piece of egg off. "Is what going to be like what," I asked. Kili grunted and looked at his stick again. "You and Thorin always fighting like that," He said. I turned to him and held the hot spatula not even an inch in front of his nose. Kili's fingers fumbled and he dropped the stick as he stared at the spatula. "First off, that will never happen, and even if it does, it won't be like that," I growled at him. I lowered the spatula and he slumped as he let out the breath he was holding. A few minuets later, I picked up the last egg and wondered if there were any other eggs in there. I peered into the bag and smiled. At the bottom were some fireworks, pretty big fireworks. I cracked the last egg and pulled out the fireworks, making sure nobody saw me switch them from one bag to the other. Everyone else was saddling their ponies, so nobody saw me. I shoved the fireworks into my sack and returned to the fire just as everyone came back from saddling their ponies. Fili, Kili and Bilbo were deep in conversation, laughing every so often. I knew instantly that nothing good could come out of it. Everyone grabbed an egg and slurped it down, Bombur taking the one that I just set on the plate, so he ate with much yelling, we ate with much choking. We set out the fire and mounted our steeds and rode east again. Around noon, when we were walking to give the ponies a break, Fili and Kili burst into song, one that they made when they were little. "We're off to ride the dragon, the great big dragon named Smag," They shouted. "Because, because, because, BEECAAAUSSSEE, we want to know what it's like to fly! DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DUM-DEE-DA! WE'RE OFF TO RIDE THE DRAGON, THE GREAT BIG DRAGON NAMED SMAG!" "I think you mean slay," Thorin yelled when they finished. Fili and Kili looked at each other, shrugged and started up again. "We're off to slay the dragon, the evil big dragon named Smag, because, because, because, because, BEECAAUSSEE! HE STOLE ALL OF UNCLE'S GOLD! DA-DEE-DA-DEE-DUM-DEE-DA! WE'RE OFF TO SLAY THE DRAGON, THE EVIL BIG DRAGON NAMED SMAG!" The laughter I had been holding back was out now, and I wasn't the only one. "A wonderful presentation boys," Gandalf said. "But I believe that you are mispronouncing the name-" "It's meant to be mispronounced, wizard," I shouted. "When they first found out about it, neither of them-" Fili and Kili had walked beside me and clamped their hands over my mouth. "Don't pay her any mind," Kili said. "Taking care of Thorin and Oin the past few days has made her brain a bit befuddled," Fili added. Thorin rolled his eyes and turned his head so he could look at the company. Fili's eyes widened and he let go of my mouth. He ran ahead to cover Thorin's but he said it first. "They couldn't pronounce anything when they were little, and it's another mockery towards him, so we didn't press." "We could pronounce things, couldn't we Fee," Kili yelled, removing his hands from my mouth. Fili bit his lips and looked sheepishly at his younger brother. Kili frowned and waited until Fili was next to him again. "We could, right?" "Not exactly," Fili said at last. I gave a big cheeky grin and took a deep breath. "Hey Thorin, do you remember when they mispronounced Nork's name, and he turned purple," I yelled. Everyone laughed, making Fili and Kili bury their reddening faces in their pony's manes. "No need to embarrass them further, Myrin," Thorin yelled back, a smirk on his face. My grin widened. "What about you, may I embarrass you," I asked, trying not to laugh. I saw Thorin stiffen, turn around, his teeth grinding. "No you may not," He growled. Of course you can, is what I heard. I clapped my hands together and rubbed them. "Alrighty then," I said. Thorin turned back around and settled back into marching next to his pony. "Once upon a time, deep in the heart of Erebor, there were four terrible dwarflings! Their names were Thorin, the crown prince, Frerin, his younger brother, Dis, the most lovely, and Myrin, the second worst, only to Thorin!" "Myrin, knock it off, or so help me," Thorin yelled. I paid him no mind. "Lets see now, what story should I tell..." "Amad was a trouble maker," Kili asked. "Must be where you get it from," Fili said. "I know," I shouted. "One little Myrin's sixth birthday, she had to sing a song. Now, I know a few of you think that the birthday person should be sung to, but she had to sing to everyone else. So she sang the one song she knew, the Man in the Moon." Everyone took a collective gasp. "You sang what," Bofur shouted. "That's not a song that a small lady dwarfling should ever sing," Gloin added. "What's Man in the Moon," Bilbo asked. Bofur and I took a deep breath and sang. "Theeerrrreeee'sss aaaann, inn. There's an inn, there's a merry old inn," Bofur shouted. "Beneath an old gray hill," I added. "And there they brew a beer so brown that the man in the moon HIMSELF came down, one night to drink his fill," We finished together. As we caught our breath to sing the second verse, everyone shouted threats. "If you sing another sentence, I'll skin you alive," Dori shouted, which was the most threatening thing I had ever heard him say. Ori looked at his older brother shocked. "The ostler has a tipsy cat," Bofur continued. "That plays a five-string-fiddle," I added again. "And up and down he saws his bow." "Now squeaking HIGH!" "Now purring low.... Now sawing in the middle! Now the cat with the fiddle played 'Hay diddle, diddle' a jig that will wake the dead! He squeaked and he sawed and he quickened the tune, while the land-lord shook the man in the moon." "IT'S AFTER THREE HE SAID!" I ducked as someone threw a pine-cone at me. Bofur took a deep breath to add a third verse, but Gandalf shouted. "Master Dwarf, if I hear another verse, so help me I'll turn you into a mouse!" That shut Bofur up with a very mouse like squeak. Kili frowned at me. "That wasn't very embarrassing, Myrin," He said, rubbing his stubble. I smiled again as I held up my hands. "Oh I haven't even gotten to the best part," I shouted. "Thorin taught me the song!" Another collective gasp, and all eyes moved to Thorin, who was trying to scowl at me, but it wasn't quite working with a smile taking over his face. "First off, I was only nine," He defended. "So don't go pinning this on me!" "Who taught it to you," Dori shouted. Thorin opened his mouth, then shut it back up. "Come one, give us a name!" Thorin shook his head. "Doesn't matter who taught it to me," He said with a snort. "But you taught it to me, and that's what matters," I shouted. Thorin attempted to glare at me again. His face was so funny, half scowl and half smirk, that I had to lean on Lakita to stay walking. The glare from his face disappeared, replaced by an evil smirk. "Better then the dress," He snarled. My laughter disappeared as my head snapped up. "What was that," I asked, wiping my eye. "My tenth birthday, the one you weren't supposed to go to, but we smuggled you in-" "DON'T TELL THEM!" Fili looked at me, Kili cocked his head to the left. Bilbo lifted his brow. "Tell us what," Bilbo asked. Thorin grinned at me, looking positively evil at this point. "Myrin hated dresses when she was little, so to sneak her into my birthday party, we shoved her into a huge, puffy, pink dress that she simply wanted to-ACK!" I bowled into Thorin, covering his mouth with my hand. "You. Will. Not. TELL THEM!" Thorin narrowed his eyes at me, and too late did I realize what he was doing. He launched his hands to my sides and started to tickle me. I shooed away his arms and backed up. "I believe that Lori drew a picture of you, actually," Thorin said. Ori perked up and walked around his pony. "So that's who that was," He shouted. He pulled out a notebook and flipped through the pages. I ran towards Ori, grabbing for the notebook, but Nori snatched it out of his brother's hand, and threw it towards Bofur, who was at the back of the line. I ran towards him, only to get there the same second he threw it at Fili, who threw it to Thorin. I'm not sure what my face looked like, but I think it was like a look of pure terrorized embarrassment. Thorin flipped through the pages and smiled softly. "I forgot how much of an adorable little imp you were," He cooed. He handed the notebook to Dwalin, who smirked at it, then smirked evilly at me. He handed it to Balin as I pulled my hood up. I was going to kill Thorin, embarrassing me like this. This wasn't nearly as bad as what I did to him, it was worse... The notebook went through the entire company, Fili and Kili sent out an "AWE!" in unison, then handed it to Bilbo. He smiled and handed it to the next member of the company, sending me a look of pity. Was it really that bad? At last, the notebook made it's way to me, and I peered at the portrait in horror. The picture was of me sleeping at a table, my head gently resting on it. I was in the horrid dress. Four tears with ruffles made up from my hips to the floor, or in this case just past my toes that almost reached the floor from my spot on the chair. From my hips to my shoulders was skin tight, that I remember. I had complained that I would die if I had to last another hour in it. It had sparkles all over it, and my arms were covered in a satin-like fabric, a band of ribbon in the middle of my upper arm, and the middle of my forearm. I had a little play tiara that had fallen off into my piece of cake, where my face was resting. My hair, that had been in a bun, had fallen out and was also in the cake.The boots that I had worn had fallen off, and were piled under my feet. But that wasn't it, oh no. In the back of the picture, all three Durins were looking at me, and a little caption above them said, "Should we let her sleep?" I smiled at it and shut it gently. The horrified expression that was on my face had faded into a smile. I tied the knot and gave it back to Ori, who smiled at me. "I still hate that dress," I said. Everyone laughed.

"I think I'll take a walk about," I said, standing up. We had stopped at dusk, and I had just finished another bowl of potato stew. I grabbed my satchel, where the fireworks were held, and sighed. "Would you like some company," Bilbo asked, setting down his bowl. I squinted at him as I shook my head. "I'ld like some.... uh.....girl time, please," I said. One second, all eyes were on me, the next they all were clearing their throats, and avoiding my gaze. The male spices, I have found, is weird. I shrugged and walked into the forest. The second I was out of eyesight, I opened up my satchel and peered at the explosives I had hidden. There were a few little ones, and one that was about as big around as my forearm. That, I decided, would be the grand finale. I climbed the tree that was closest to me and jumped back, from tree to tree, to the camp. I perched right above Dwalin's sitting spot and got ready with my flint. I pulled out the smallest and inched out along the branch, so I was right above Dwalin now. Hugging the branch with my legs, I set the firework in the fork of the branch and struck my flint. The wick caught and zoomed out into the middle of the camp, going off with a loud whistle. I pulled out the next one as everyone ducked for cover. "What in Durin's name was that," Dwalin bellowed. I set the firework in the fork again and struck the flint. It zoomed off again, sending a bright butterfly over the fire. "Are those fireworks," Bilbo hollered from behind his log with Fili and Kili. I pulled out the next one and shoved it into the fork. "Someone stole my fireworks," Gandalf shouted. I hesitated as I struck the flint. No wonder these were well hidden! "NORI," Everyone shouted. "I didn't steal nothin'," Nori shouted. He poked out from behind a tree. "Besides, how can I be down 'ere, when ther goin' off up ther'!" I struck the flint, and the firework caught, but it didn't zoom out, like it normally would. I lifted myself up and pushed the firework out of the tree. It exploded under me, a bright shower of blue, green and red sparkles, all over Dwalin's seat. I pulled out the last of the fireworks and set it in the smoldering fork of the tree. It teetered a little, so I had to set another branch on it. Ori crawled out from behind Bombur, who had a pot on his head. "Is it over," He asked quietly. "NOOOO!" I shouted, lowering my voice. I lit the last firework and scurried back to the tree trunk. It zoomed out, leaving a huge smoke plume in it's wake. The force of it knocked me back against the tree further. I didn't see how the firework exploded, but I saw what it was. A horse pranced out of the plume of showers and danced around before exploding in blue showers. I grabbed my satchel and jumped back to the tree I had climbed up. I climbed down and walked back into the camp, where everyone was emerging from their hiding places. Thorin sheathed his sword, and glared at me. I frowned at him as I cocked my head. "What," I asked. "You set those off," He growled. "Set what off?" I walked over to Lakita, who was cowering with her paws over her eyes. I set my sack down next to her and rubbed her head. "The fireworks," Dwalin growled. I turned around and frowned at him. "No I didn't," I growled back. "Then tell me, why are you covered in ash and soot," Gandalf asked. I looked myself over, and sure enough, I was covered in soot. I snorted, then laughed. I leaned on my knees, unable to stand I was laughing so hard. When I righted myself again, Thorin was frowning at me, his arms folded across his chest. He looked down right angry. "Did you like the fireworks display," I asked. "No, you scared us half to death," Dori shouted. Nori and Ori shared a look, then nodded their heads. Dori looked at them, completely shocked. Bombur, Bofur and Bifur were smiling, in fact, I believe everyone was smiling. Everyone but Dwalin, Dori, Thorin and Gandalf. Thorin and I had a little stare down, both of us had our arms across our chest, a defiant smirk across my face, an angry scowl across Thorin's. He shifted on his feet, then shook his head. "That was spectacular," He said at last. I smiled, a great big toothy grin that I was sure looked completely white against my soot covered skin, not that they weren't white or anything. "But don't do that again!" "I can't make any promises," I said, shrugging. Thorin looked at me, lowering his head slightly. "No more fireworks until......I say so, yes," Thorin asked. I stuck my chin out. "No more fireworks until I say so, yes." I plopped down next to Lakita, who had turned on her side and was peacefully snoozing. Thorin growled and ran a hand over his face. He stomped, yes stomped, back to his bed roll and sat down, bundling himself up in blankets. "You get first watch then," He shouted over his shoulder. "Dangitt." Fili and Kili walked over to me, and sat down, one on either side of me. "Is this your plan, blowing things up," Kili asked. I shook my head and lowered my voice a little more. "Blowing things up was just a phase," I said. "What phase was it," Fili asked. "Three I think," I said, counting fingers. Pancakes, tea, embarrassment, fireworks. "That was phase four, actually. Two more to go!" "Two more what," Bilbo asked. I flashed him a toothy grin as he sat down. "Two more attempts to get Thorin to smile," Kili said. Bilbo frowned and rubbed his chin. "But he has smiled," Bilbo argued. Fili, Kili and I shook our heads. "Not a real smile, not yet," Fili said, looking at Thorin. Kili looked up and smiled evilly at Bilbo, who inched away from him. "We need your help hobbit." "Help with what," The hobbit asked. I smiled like a Warg.

(Myrin's POV)

I really hoped that this would work, it all depended on if the hobbit didn't chicken out. And if Thorin didn't find out. I yawned as I fell into step with Thorin. We were giving the ponies another day without riders, thankfully that didn't interfere with my plan. Thorin glanced sideways at me. "Someone's a little tired," He said. I shrugged. "Did you go scouting early this morning or something?" I nodded with another yawn. Bilbo walked along behind me, just where he was meant to be. Kili and Fili were walked next to him, just in case something went wrong. I smiled and looked sideways at Thorin. "You okay," He asked. I nodded, still smiling. Thorin wasn't convinced. "Maybe I should rephrase that, what are you up to?" Thorin turned his Head to look directly at me, trying to glare but with me being a half inch shorter then him, it didn't really work. I smiled brighter and yawned again. "I'm not up to anything," I lied. I looked at the surroundings, looking for a particular one. "Did you loose something," He asked, taking a look around. I yawned again. "Nope." I sighed and drew my cloak around my shoulders tighter. I really wasn't going to like this, but it would be worth it. I finally spied the landmark a few minuets later. It looked like a tree, but it was made of stone. I grabbed Thorin's shoulder, leaned in close, until my head was right next to his head and pointed at the stone tree. "Isn't that weird," I asked. Thorin looked sideways at me again, rolled his eyes and gently shoved me away. "Yes, are you sure you're not up to anything?" I shrugged, still holding onto Thorin's shoulder, and tapped the toe of my boot behind me twice. Bilbo grumbled under his breath and gave a little shriek. He fell next to me, just barely touching my feet, but just enough to make my tripping seem real. I tightened my grip on Thorin's shoulder and fell, the great warrior landing next to me with an "Umph!" As I had fallen, I threw all my strength into my shoulder that would touch the ground first, and I felt the ground give a little. Before I could even release the breath I had taken, the ground fell out from under me, literally, and I fell into the mud pit I had found whilst flying late last afternoon. I hit the wet, cold, slimy mud, back first and plunged deep into it, deeper then I thought it was. I reached the bottom after what I thought was two minuets. I stood up and burst through the surface, but I didn't take a deep breath. I wiped the mud from my eyes and nose, then took a deep breath as I opened my eyes. The first thing that I saw was the dip in the side of the hill that I had hollowed out early this morning, my reason for yawning so much. Ten feet above, the entire company was gathered at the edge of the hill, including Thorin. The Great King was red faced, barely able to keep from laughing. Fili, and Kili were chuckling nervously, and Bilbo was crouched down on the edge, staring right at me. I frowned, stuck my chin out and folded my arms. "Dangitt," I yelled. That did it for Thorin. He buckled over, his deep laughter filling the surrounding valley. The ground he was standing on fell out, and he fell in, not before grabbing Kili's leg, Kili grabbing Fili, who kicked Bilbo into the mud. They all landed with a loud pop like sound, and I took the moment to buckle over laughing. Bilbo stood up first, taking a deep breath, only to cough and sputter as he spat mud out of his mouth. "I thought you said this would work," Kili yelled behind Bilbo. He wiped his hand across his mouth and eyes as Fili and Thorin resurfaced. Everyone was covered in tawny brown mud, swirled with white, deeper browns and the occasional leaf that strayed by in the breeze. Thorin wiped his mouth and eyes, then looked at me. "It did work Kili," I yelled back. "Myrin, think fast," Thorin bellowed. I turned just in time to get a mud ball to the face. I heard everyone take a collective gasp as I wiped the mud from my eyes again. I glared at Thorin, who was beaming like an idiot, trying to look Innocent. It didn't really help that everyone was staring at him. I bent down, picked up a handful of mud in each hand and threw it back at Thorin, who promptly ducked. The mud ball hit Kili, who landed back first in the mud again. I glanced up at the new cliff, and found everyone to be laughing their hearts out, even Gandalf and Dwalin. I ducked as Thorin threw another mud-ball at me, then launched one back at him. Square in the chest, and the force of it made him stagger. Something hit me in the back, forcing me to the ground. I looked behind me with a shake of my head. To my surprise, the hobbit had thrown the mud ball at me. I felt my mouth go agape as he leaned down to get another. "That's for getting me into this mess," He yelled, trying to sound mean but the humor in his face betrayed him. He threw the next one, hitting the back of my head. "That's for getting mud in my lasts pair of dry clothes!" "This is for getting mud in my HAIR," I yelled back. I picked up another mud ball, this one having a dirt clot in it, and threw it at the hobbit, laughing like a maniac as I did so. Bilbo rolled out of the way, just as Fili walked into the line of fire. It hit him in the ear, probably sending mud clear into his brain. I cringed as he teetered sideways, then looked at me. I planted my face in the mud, knowing fully well who was behind me, and that I was thankfully covered in mud, so he couldn't see me very well. Then again, this was Fili we're talking about. I left my ears above the surface so I could hear was was going on. "You shall pay for that Kili," Fili shouted. Oops, I thought it was Thorin behind me. I heard the mud ball wiz over me, so I sat up and rolled away from the mud covered princes. Thorin and Bilbo were having a mud slaughter, and they didn't even invite me! I picked up a mud ball and quietly tip toed over to Thorin, who had his back to me. I lifted up his collar and dumped the mud down the back of his shirt. I saw him stiffen, Bilbo's hand flew to his mouth, and the spots of skin I could see on his face turned a lovely shade of red. Thorin turned around and glared at me. "I'm gonna skin you Myrin," Thorin bellowed, squeezing the mud out of his back. That had to be the most funny thing I had seen in my life. Thorin Oakenshield, supposedly the fearless king under the mountain, with mud stuck in his beard, hair, and everywhere else, saying he was going to skin me while he was squeezing mud from his clothing. My hand covered my mouth, I pointed at my long time friend, and laughed harder then I had in what seemed like forever. "How can you skin me when you can't even reached the middle of your back," I coughed, once I could speak through my laughter. Thorin glared at me as he stood up. "I can too, how would you like mud in your boots," He growled. As he stood there, glaring at me, most likely thinking how he would skin me, I blinked at Bilbo, who was sneaking up behind Thorin, getting ready to shove him into the mud. He nodded and jumped forwards, shoving Thorin into the mud with all his small might. With a surprised yelp, Thorin fell face first into the mud. Everyone's laughter could be heard beyond Bree, I suspected. Something grabbed my foot and pulled me into the mud. Guess who? Thorin! We had the great mud wars for a while longer, until the sun was about a hand's width away from the horizon, around seven o'clock I should think. That's when Dwalin and Balin came and got us, both snickering at me. "I remember a little lass that wouldn't get out of any type of dirt," Balin recalled, rubbing his fork at the end of his beard. "What happened to her?" I laughed and stepped out of the pit. "She learned that some dwarrow wouldn't take 'no' for an answer," I shouted, nearly slapping Balin on the back. I remembered just in time that I had mud on me. I remembered that there was a lake nearby, so I started walking. Everyone walked towards the lake as well, whether it was them following me or walking to the camp, I couldn't tell. As I found out a few minuets later, the company had camped a few meters away from the edge of the lake. I jumped right into the lake, not bothering to take off my boots or anything. I would of had to wash them anyways before I could of worn them again. Those who were in the mud pit with me did likewise, so the mud war became a water war. Once every speck of mud was gone from hair, clothes, boots and beards, we returned to land, and were forced to sit right next to the fire. "You will not get sick again Thorin," Oin growled. He turned to Kili and I, wagging a finger at us. "And you two were bad enough when you were younger, I don't want to deal with you now when you're stronger!" Bilbo gave us a quizzical look, but I waved him off. The night was hot, just like it should be for almost being June. Wait a second........ I pulled Kili close and leaned in close to his ear. "What day is it," I growled. His eyebrow raised as he leaned away from me. "May 31st, why," He asked. Realization came to his eyes, and his mouth morphed into a silent 'oh'. We gave Thorin a glance, then frowned at each other. Bilbo noticed this and inched closer to Kili. "Do I want to know," He asked. I ringed my hair out a little more, letting the water sizzle on the rocks surrounding the fire. "We've got a problem Myrin," Fili said, sitting next to Bilbo, completing the little circle. I nodded and glanced over at Thorin again, who was looking at our little circle, a bemused look on his face. "I know, I'll think of something- Can I help you Mr Mud-King," I asked as Thorin walked over from the other side of the fire. "Last time you four got together I ended up with mud down my shirt," He said as he sat down. "This one's for our benefit, thank you very much," I said, nodding slightly. Thorin snorted. "Your benefit, hum? Does it involve sticking herbs in my things, drenching my cloak in pepper, or attempting to get me into a sticky situation?" We all frowned at him, then shook our heads. Thorin frowned, then he must have decided that we were telling the truth, not that we weren't, because he returned to his spot on the other side of the fire. I leaned in closer to Kili. "Any ideas," I asked, because I had just ran out. Kili stroked his stubble, staring at Thorin, who was staring back. I noticed all the company was staring at our little circle, all wearing bemused looks. "We could give him a day of peace," Fili said quietly, so quietly that I could barely hear it over the sound of the fire. "Tell him we have everything taken care of for him-" "Who are you talking about," Bilbo asked. I threw my thumb in Thorin's general direction, and Bilbo glanced at him. "That could work," I said, equally as quiet. "Let him sleep, but he never sleeps past dawn... I could give him a sleeping drought..." "Are you nuts," Kili asked. "The second he finds out, he'll get grumpy again." I growled. "Okay, then we four need to take the watch tonight." "Make that three, I need my sleep," Bilbo said. With that, he rolled out his bed roll and curled down in the blankets. I bounced my Head back and forth, weighing options. "I'll take first watch," Kili shouted. Everyone looked up, and got suspicious. "Why do you want to take first watch," Dwalin asked. " 'Cause I don't want to get my bed roll wet," Kili said, lifting up his hair, which was nearly dry, but Dwalin couldn't tell. I sighed and got out my own bed roll. "Make sure that you wake one of us up," I told Kili, pointing to Fili and myself. I sat down, burrowed underneath, and fell asleep instantly.

#branching paths #Thorin Oakenshield #bilbo baggins #thorin/oc #bilbo #the hobbit #writblr #fili #kili #definitely ooc #please forgive the 15/16 year-old me #this is better than my earlier stuff #see the an at the beginning...

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branching-paths · 4 years

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Of Beads and Bowls

AN; So this is really late. But here it is

Two days later, Thorin had gotten steadily worse, and unfortunately so had Oin. I glanced over at them, grinning to myself, despite the rain. Last night, when we had stopped to sleep, Thorin had looked like an over cooked, over stuffed cream puff. Oin looked like one too, but it wasn't quite as humorous. "Keep up hobbit," Myrin hissed. She was leading the company with Gandalf, through Bree. Everyone had their hoods up, keeping their heads dry. I was borrowing one from Dwalin right now. We all scurried underneath a roof, huddling close together. Gandalf looked around, leaning on his staff heavily.

"Where's our destination Myrin," He huffed. She lifted her arm and pointed to a rather shady inn across the street. The sign was blowing in the light wind, it was a brown horse pawing the air. The inn's name was underneath the horse, The Prancing Pony. Gandalf pursed his lips and looked down at Myrin, who was the only one who wasn't huffing and puffing. "Good choice for this many occupants, but are you sure-" Thorin coughed, interrupting Gandalf. Fili mumbled something to Thorin, ducked under his arm and Kili took his spot holding up Thorin. "I know it's not the best, but it's the cheapest and cleanest," Myrin growled. She ran ahead, opened up the door and motioned for us to hurry over. We scrambled over and walked inside. Gandalf counted heads and lead us over to a table. Myrin grabbed my shoulder and held me back. "I need help getting food and such." I nodded. Gandalf looked at me, frowned, then nodded for some reason. I pulled my hood down and looked around. To my left was the bar, in front of me was the hearth with a roaring fire in it, and there were about thirty tables everywhere else. The company took a corner table, sticking Thorin and Oin in the middle. " 'Ello, what might I do for ye," Someone asked. He seemed to be the barkeeper, but he was very old. Myrin looked up with her sweetest smile and pulled off her hood. "How many rooms do you have available," She asked, still playing on the sweet card. "Me and my husband are traveling with my brothers." She grabbed my arm and pulled me close, hanging on my arm. I tried not to look surprised, but I must have, because Myrin stomped on my foot. I clutched her arm and gave a bright smile. The barkeeper gave us a smile and looked around the tavern room. "How many brothers do ye have mum," He asked. "Well lets see," Myrin mumbled. She held up her fingers, mumbling to herself as she counted. "Thirteen, and then we have Gandalf the Grey traveling with us. His wizpopers are simply fantastic!" The man's smile disappeared as his mouth fell open. Before he could do anything, someone yelled at him. "Da, you're not supposed to be working," A young human boy said. He looked to be twenty, a spitting image of the other barkeeper if he was younger and had more hair. The first pouted and looked at the second. "But that tavern filled up, so I thought I could take care of these lovely folks," The father said. "No, you are supposed to be retired Da! If you want to do something, go help Bertha in the kitchen!" The father went into the door to the left behind the counter and the son turned back to Myrin. "Sorry about him, can't find a way to make him sit down and relax. What can I help you two with?" "Oh I know, that's his Mum," Myrin said, throwing a thumb at me. "We need enough rooms to house my brothers and Gandalf the Grey." "Oh, he's traveling with you," He asked. Myrin nodded like a little child. "Where are you off to, might I ask?" Myrin smirked and gave a little head twerk to the side. "Just to the Iron Hills to visit my Mum's family." "What's the exact count of your little company?" "Seventeen." He gawked as he handed over the keys. She smiled brightly again as she took them. "Thank You. Sweetheart, while I get everyone settled, can you order the food?" She pulled out a little piece of paper from her inside vest pocket and handed it to the barkeeper. She pecked my cheek and bounced over to the company, who were roaring with laughter. I waited as he got the food. A few minuets later, three girls came out with four platters on their arms, that alone was spectacular. The food on top smelt wonderful. The eldest of the three set down her platter and looked at me. "Da said that this was four gold coins, and the rooms were another four," She said. With a scowl on my face I dug into my pockets and pulled out eight gold coins. I handed them to her and she deposited them in her apron's pocket. She picked up the platters again as I lead them over to the table. They set them down and left us to our meal. Thorin, Myrin and Oin were missing, I noticed. "Where's Myrin and everyone," I asked. Bofur chuckled. "She took sickies up to the room," He said. He grabbed a baked potato and a slice of the bread, dumped them on to his plate and dug in. We ate in silence, or I ate in silence. The rest of the company talked in that language again, leaving me out. Gandalf wasn't very talkative either, so I turned in early. I trudged up the stairs located to the left of the hearth. I pulled out the key that Myrin handed Dwalin, who handed it to me, and shoved it into the keyhole. I walked in and dumped my things on the floor next to the door. Four beds lined the wall on my right, two beds on the left, one on one side of the fireplace, the other on the other side. To the left of the left bed was an open door. I peeked my head in and smirked. Thorin was bundled up in four blankets again, sitting in front of the roaring fire again. Oin was right next to him, sniffling on his own blankets. Myrin was at the fire, pulling a kettle off the fire. Thorin mumbled something, and Myrin yelled at him. He glared at her as she poured what looked to be peppermint tea into a cup. She dumped a few herbs into the cup and handed it to Oin, who gave her a nod of thanks. She poured another cup, dumped more herbs into that cup and glared at Thorin, holding out the cup. Thorin grumbled, but took the cup. "He really doesn't like tea, does he," I commented. Myrin turned her head, and nodded. Thorin pulled the cup away, sneezed, and sipped it again. "Thanks for the honey Myrin," Oin said, setting the cup down next to himself. Thorin frowned at him, then glared back at Myrin. "You gave him honey," he asked, rather annoyed. Myrin gave that head twitch thing again. "If you didn't cause me so much trouble, maybe you would have gotten some too," She said, leaning up against the table. Thorin grumbled again, followed by a sneeze. Laughter roared just outside the main room's door, so I backed out of the other. "Holler if any of you need anything," I said as I shut the door. The company burst through the door and deposited their bags on top of mine. Across the hall, Dwalin, Balin, Gloin, and the Ur's took that room, leaving me with the Ri's, and the Devilish Durins. Gandalf peeked into our door as the other slammed shut, and smirked. "I'll take the other room," He said. The old wizard walked to the right of the door and opened another door on the other side. It shut quietly as I walked over to shut our own doors. "It seems Myrin has a fancy for ye Hobbit," Nori said. I banged my head against the door. "It was just an act Nori," Myrin said from her doorway. I whirled around, how did she sneak up?! Myrin turned to me. "I need another set of hands, and everyone else is sniffling." I banged the back of my head against the door again, then followed Myrin into the other room. A very foul smell met my nose the second I passed the threshold. I gagged and pushed my hand up to my nose. "Erugh, what is that," I mumbled through my arm. "Bile, Oin can't hold anything down," Myrin said, picking up her pack. "I have to get more firewood, can you hold down the fort?" I looked around. Thorin and Oin were sleeping in two of the four beds, the largest fire I had ever seen in a fireplace was in the hearth, and everything else seemed peaceful, besides the sweltering temperature. "Sure," I said as I shrugged off my coat. She smiled as she turned towards the door. "I think I have an herbs chart in my pack by the window," She said as she walked over the rug. "If the men complain, follow the instructions on the chart. I should be back in a few hours." She opened the door and walked out, shutting it softly. I pulled my sleeves up past my elbows and sat down in the chair at the head of the table. Oin moaned in his bed and burrowed further into his blankets. "Who slammed what," Thorin mumbled from his bed. He rubbed his face and pulled the blankets from his face. "Myrin's going to get more wood," I said quietly. "Don't shout," Thorin grumbled. I frowned at him. "I didn't shout Thorin," I grumbled quietly. I walked over to the window and grabbed Myrin's pack. I flipped the top off and peered in. Vials, bags, pouches, rags, sticks, a few books and a chart were shoved in, and musty smells wafted out, combining with the foul smell from the room. I pulled out the chart and looked it over. I couldn't read it, even if I could, there were scribbles all over the pictures depicting the herbs. I frowned at it, looked up through the window then back to the chart. I set down the pack and put the chart into my back pocket. "Do you need anything," I asked, grabbing my coat. "Could you yell any louder hobbit," Thorin growled, louder then I asked. I refrained from snorting and quietly walked to the door. I walked out and frowned. Who would know what this gibberish was, and what the herbs might look like? Gandalf might, so I opened up his door. I slammed it back. He was sitting upright in his chair, his pipe was smoking, but his eyes were open, and I mean wide open. It freaked me out, and it didn't help that he yelled something at me, making his shadow grow again. Who else could help me out? Gloin, he could. I mean, he is Oin's brother, he should know at least a little about herbs, right? I let go of Gandalf's door and opened up the other door. I stepped in and stayed by the door as I searched the room for the healer's brother. He was at the far end, right next to the window. Two beds were shoved together, making Bombur's bed, and three others making the Ri brother's. I had learned that families liked to sleep in a mound, on top of each other. Bofur and Bifur were piled on top of each other, at the foot of Bombur's bed. Dwalin was sitting in the chair, sleeping, Balin taking the last bed. I took a step forward, only to halt as Bombur's eyes flung open. He looked around, eyes crossed, then shut them again, his snores once again joining the others. I took another step towards Gloin, had to hop over Bofur and Bifur, then I was at Gloin's bed. I poked at his rather large stomach. "Gloin, hey I need some-WHOA!" I ducked as Gloin swung his ax towards me. He yelled out loudly in some sort of gibberish, then everyone was up. I rolled under Gloin's bed, only to have my feet grabbed. Gloin pulled me out of my hiding place and held me in the air. "What are ye doing hobbit," He growled. "Trying to burgle me?!" I looked up at him, the blood rushing to my head giving me a head-ache. "Bad choice hobbit," Bombur said. "You tried to burgle the richest alright, but the most protective-" "No," I yelled. "I just needed some help with this chart Myrin gave me! She had to get more firewood, so she left me in charge of Oin and Thorin-" "You left them alone," Bofur growled. He adjusted his hat. "I thought I was only going to be gone for two seconds," I hollered at him. I pulled out the chart and held it out for Gloin to take. He took the chart and let go of my foot, dropping me on my head. My lower back hit the bed frame hard, my legs snapped back and landed on the down mattress. Gloin held the chart in both hands, frowning at it and mumbling. Bofur walked over and looked over Gloin's shoulder. "Ye said this was Myrin's chart," Gloin asked. I nodded as I righted myself. Gloin tossed the chart at me. "Then I can't help ye hobbit. Riddles, never can decipher them." I looked at the chart in my lap, then up at Bofur. "Can you translate," I asked. "I'm pretty good at riddles, if I do say so myself." I stood up and held out the chart to Bofur. "Better not keep Thorin and Oin waiting though," Gloin reminded. "His tantrum hasn't changed from when he was little," Balin mumbled. "Let us sleep," Dwalin grumbled from his chair. Bofur smirked and waved his hand at me, motioning for me to follow him outside of the room. I shut the door behind us and turned to Bofur. "Tantrum," I asked. Bofur shrugged. "Balrog if I know," He said as he opened up the door. A cold blast met us, turning our attention to the window. Someone had Thorin's throat in their grasp, choking him. Instinct took over, I ran at the person that had Thorin in his choke, made him release Thorin and knocked him out the window. The only problem was that the person grabbed me too, so I fell out of the window with him. He hit the ground first, breaking my fall. That didn't keep me from loosing my senses for a moment. The person took that moment to get up, and walk away. I caught my mind and stood up. "HOBBIT," Myrin yelled. She dropped her wood and stalked towards me. "What are you doing out here?!" "You alright Bilbo," Bofur called from above. Myrin looked up and frowned. "Did you catch that villain?" "No, but I landed on him," I called back. Bofur smiled. "Good hobbit, OH, 'ello Myrin! We were just trying to decipher your herbs chart." Someone yelled inside, so Bofur poked his head back in. He stuck it back out. "You had better get up here, Thorin's getting.......weird." Myrin growled and looked like she might strangle something. I wiped the mud off my shirt and pants, shook my feet and walked over to where Myrin had dumped the wood. As I picked it up, Myrin walked over and helped out, muttering something under her breath. We finished picking up the wood and walked up to the room. Myrin stalked, I didn't. Bofur opened up the door and practically pulled us inside. Thorin was laying on his back in front of the fire, moaning softly. Myrin walked over him and set the wood in the cradle, not paying Thorin any mind. Thorin's hand shot out and grabbed her foot. "Let go Thorin," Myrin said, turning around, lifting her foot up and shaking it. "Where did you goo," He asked. Myrin growled and tore Thorin's hand off her foot. "Went to get more wood, what did you take," She growled at him as she crouched down. "Not suuuure..." "How many leaves then?" "Ooooone-" Myrin yelled at him, making his head snap up. I couldn't understand what she was saying, but the way Bofur was flinching, it must of been reprimanding. Thorin stared at Myrin, this goofy weird, honestly scarry grin on his face, then it scrunched up. Myrin stood up, grabbed a pot and shoved it under Thorin right before he threw up. I shut my eyes and plugged my ears. I couldn't handle anyone barfing, or I would. When the muffled sound stopped, I peeked an eye open. Thorin was done, and Myrin was dumping the pot in the toilet. Bofur was helping Thorin to his wobbly feet. "You gonna spew too," Bofur asked. I shook my head as I dropped my hands. He chuckled as Thorin sat down, burrowing back into the covers. Myrin set the pot next to Thorin's bed and rubbed her hands over her face. "So what did he eat," I asked. Myrin took off her cloak and sat next to the fire, spurring it back to it's very flamboyant life. "A little bit of yarrow- Get back to bed you two," She said, waving her hand at the door. Fili and Kili were standing in it, eyes wide and curious. "Just wondering what that noise was," Kili said. "You don't want to know, now get out before you catch the flu!" They were out much quicker then what I would have thought. I looked at Myrin. "So do they really have the flu," I asked. Myrin shook her head and I let out a breath. "We had some Orc fever run through Ered Luin a few years ago, and Kili got it. It's like the flu, but you loose your mind for a week or so. They don't want to get it again." I raised my brow. "Are you sure Kili's cured," I asked. Myrin chuckled and stood up from the hearth. It was roaring twice as large, I could already feel the heat. "See y'all in the mornin' "Bofur called from the door. Myrin waved him out as he shut the door. "Go get to bed hobbit, I'm going to need your help tomorrow," She said, waving me away. I frowned at her, but didn't protest. I walked through the door and shut it softly. I sat down on the only free bed and fell asleep instantly.

Myrin wasn't kidding when she said that she needed my help the next day. Between shoving herbs down Oin and Thorin's throats, eating, getting wood, and picking up after them, I was bone tired when I fell asleep. The next day though, they were better. Today, we were leaving Bree. Myrin had scrubbed the room clean, until it actually started to fall apart. Guess who was elected to help clean, or who was the only one who didn't scamper when she asked for help. I ran the broom over the entire floor, and found a roughly shaped gold colored bead. It wasn't perfectly round, but you could tell that someone tried their hardest to make it round, and it didn't feel like real gold. I shoved it in my pocket and didn't think anything more of it. We left the inn around three in the after noon, and made our way to the stables. Thorin didn't look quiet right, but I couldn't put my finger on what was different about him. Maybe it was that he was still a little pale from his cold, maybe not... Myrin was frowning at the back of his head. Thorin didn't notice, until she lifted up up a braid. "Where's your end-bead," She asked. Thorin turned his head and frowned at her, grabbing the braid and running his hand down it. He fingered the end, his eyes becoming wide as he found nothing there. He looked on the ground, then started to stalk towards the inn again. "Hey, where are you off to," Myrin called. "Did you take out my braids when I got sick," Thorin asked. Myrin shook her head. Thorin growled and looked at the ground again, still walking towards the inn. "Thorin, might I remind you that we have to get going," Gandalf yelled. "We can wait just a few more minuets, can't we," Thorin snarled. He turned to Myrin and quickly said something in another language. Myrin turned her face to the ground and started to look too. Myrin looked back up and turned back to me. "Hobbit, did you find a bead on the floor when you were sweeping," She asked. My hand went to the pocket where I put the bead. I pulled it out and held it out. "What's so special about a-" Thorin snatched it out of my hand and scowled at me as he twisted his hair into the bead again. "Bead?" Fili frowned at the bead Thorin was putting in his hair. "Is that the bead I made you when I was little," He asked. Thorin looked at Fili and shrugged. Thorin shoved his way past Fili and continued to the stables. I smiled to myself, glad that I kept the seemingly useless bead.

A few days later, I couldn't sleep. Between Bombur eating moths when he breathed in, then blowing them out and them still being alive, I was sick to my stomach. I sigh/growled and got out of my bedroll. Fili, Kili and Myrin were leaned up against the small cave's back wall, talking quietly to themselves, laughing every now and then. Thorin, still very grump, and still blaming me for loosing his hair bead, was sitting on a rock just outside the cave, seeming to be sleeping. Balin, who was by far the best of the male dwarves, was sitting on the other side of the cave, whittling away at a rather nice looking piece of maple. Gandalf was blowing smoke rings into the night sky, thinking and mumbling quietly to himself. Lakita, Myrin's griffon friend, was next to Thorin, sleeping. I slowly walked over to the ponies and found Myrtle, the pony I rode the most. I looked back at the sleeping company and after seeing that they weren't looking at me, I gave Myrtle an apple. "Here you go now, you mustn't tell anyone, this'll be our little secret," I said quietly as she munched on the apple rather loudly. I rubbed her muzzle, wondering how I let myself get to this. Out in the middle of nowhere, in the company of rude dwarves, and talking to a pony like she could understand me. Lakita raised her head, her eyes narrowed not even two seconds before something loud and shrill pierced the night. It chilled my heart and made the ground drop out from under me. I quickly stepped back over to the company, who hadn't woken up. Fili, Kili and Myrin had stopped talking and were looking out at the valley, Myrin was actually standing up, her left hand resting on her hilt. "What was that," I asked, throwing a thumb back towards the valley. With another shriek echoing through the hills, Kili answered with a very un Kili like solemn face. "Orcs," He said. I gulped as Thorin sat up and looked around. "Orcs," I asked. Kili nodded. "Oh aye," Fili said. "Throat cutters...." I didn't pay any attention to them. Myrin and Thorin were sharing a rather curious look. Thorin nodded quickly and Myrin ran towards Lakita, waking her up. I frowned and shivered as Myrin and Lakita flew away. Thorin stood up as Kili smirked at Fili, who smiled back. Thorin frowned at them with a cold anger I had never seen in him before, even when they dumped a slimy fish down Dwalin's back two days ago. "You think this funny, a night raid by Orcs a joke," He asked with malice thick in his voice. Their smirks disappeared and they looked at the ground at the same time. "Sorry Thorin, we didn't mean anything by it," Kili said. Thorin almost growled at them. "No you didn't. You know nothing of the world." Thorin stalked over to the edge of the camp and looked out over the valley, watching Myrin as she and Lakita flew around the valley. I sat down next to the fire and drew my knees up so I could rest my head on them. Balin stopped whittling and leaned against the cave wall, looking at Fili and Kili. "Don't worry laddies," he said gently. With a glance at Thorin, he continued, "Thorin has more reason then most to hate Orcs. You see, after Erebor fell, Thror went to see if Moria was able to repopulate, but Orcs, Goblins and Wargs had occupied it. The most vile of the Orcs was Azog the Defiler, a white Gundabad Orc, also known as the Pale Orc. He killed Thror, and in an attempt to avenge his father, Thrain laid siege to the mines. Six long and hard years, we fought the Orcs with might and mind. They matched our steel and strength, and held us at bay. As a final attempt to drive them out, we attacked, but...it ended badly. Thrain was driven mad, leaving us leaderless, and most of us lost hope. The few who didn't, took charge, and lead us through the last battle." A tense silence fell as Balin paused to let that soak in. I glanced at Thorin, wondering just how much he had gone through. I looked back at my feet, then to Balin. "Who lead you through the battle," I asked. Balin smiled and blinked slowly. "That would be Thorin, Myrin, Dwalin and Dain, Thorin's cousin," He said quietly. He shook his head and chuckled. "I thought that Thorin might crack under that pressure, leading all the dwarrow through the battle, and then facing Azog, one on one." He shook his head again. "I see now that he was the only one that could lead us, and the only one that could keep the line of Durin safe." Fili looked up and frowned. "What do you mean keep it safe," He asked. "Azog had sworn to end the line of Durin, but he learned that day, that they wouldn't be so easily defeated." Balin looked at Thorin, who was staring back, stoic as ever, but I could almost see the tears at the corners of his eyes. Lakita flew over and landed, Myrin shook her head as she got off. "What happened to him, the Pale Orc," I asked. Thorin growled as he walked over to Myrin. "He slunk back to the pit whence he came," He growled. "That....Fiend, died from his wounds long ago." Thorin looked around, at everyone who was assembled. Everyone had woken up at one point or another when Balin was telling the story, so all eyes were on Thorin. "Everyone get some sleep, I want to travel at first light." Thorin grabbed his bed roll and set it up next to Fili and Kili, like he normally would. I got up and went back to my own bedroll. Myrin took Thorin's seat on the rock next to the wall, volunteering to take first watch.

#Fili #Kili #bilbo baggins #the hobbit #branching paths #everyone lives #hobbit au #thorin/oc #idk what i'm doing with this #i try to keep a schedule #it doesn't work #oh well #i need help with this #oc #writlbr #next one out sooner than later

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branching-paths · 4 years

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Of Thorin and Of Pancakes

Another chapter two days late, sorry y’all!

Should I add a tag list and a summary? I see a lot of stories doing that...

Also, should I announce the POV? Idk how much of this works, or what would make more sense to readers

Alright, well here we go!

"Hey get up," Someone called in the middle of the battle. I looked around, only seeing Orcs, and dwarrow. Something hit my side and my eyes flung open. It was early morning, before dawn, and I wasn't in the middle of a battle field. Bofur was standing next to me, gently rubbing my side with his boot. "I thought ye weren't going to get up," He said with a smirk. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "No, just took a while to find my way back," I mumbled as I dropped my hands.

"I know the feelin'," Bofur sighed. "You and Thorin have got watch 'til dawn." With a tip of his floppy hat, Bofur went to his roll next to Bifur and Bombur and curled up in the Ur heap. Thorin was standing near the field, watching it like it might reveal a pack of Orc on our tail. I pulled myself to my feet and went to thinking. Why did Bofur want me to watch with Thorin? Did Fili and Kili set it up, or was it just because Bofur thought it was my turn to watch, seeing as I was late to the party? I walked over to Thorin and hugged my shoulders from the cold, even though it was April. Thorin glanced over and smirked. I nodded and looked into the field with him. Seeing nothing there, I turned towards Thorin and looked at his face. "Yes," Thorin asked. I growled and shook my head. "What?" Thorin turned to face me. "Why didn't you tell me," I growled at him. "Tell you what, that the Orcs have a bounty on my head," He growled back. "They've had a bounty on my head since Azog died." "You could have told me," I growled again. I took a deep breath and looked out into the field again. "Fili and Kili said you weren't yourself on the way to the Shire." Thorin snorted softly. "Just a little tense after the Wargs," He mumbled. "WARGS?!" I yelled. Thorin clamped his hand on my mouth. We both took a look around camp, nobody had woken up from my outraged yell. "Yes, they were on the east end of the Shire," Thorin mumbled quietly. "Nobody was hurt. How's Dis?" I frowned at him and let the Wargs issue drop. "Fine, started to help out Jezel with her sewing shop last I heard." The rest of the pre dawn morning past by without much more happening. The only interesting thing that happened was that Gandalf screamed out in his sleep, "You shan't take my hobbit!" At first light, I went to my pack and pulled out a box. Inside were special things that I would need to get today off with a good start. I opened it up and smiled at the eggs that lay waiting in the box with butter and syrup. Thorin peered over my shoulder and frowned as he laced his arm around my middle. "What are you going to do with those," He asked in my ear. I smiled brightly and shut the box. "Making something to cheer everyone up," I said looking at him. I pecked his cheek and twirled out of his arms. I stopped next to Bombur's pots and pulled out a frying pan. I set it on the coals and pulled out things to make pancakes. They solve many things, I have found. I made a double batch and flopped the first pancake into the hot pan, making a sizzling sound. "Pancakes," Thorin asked, sitting down next to me. I nodded and set down the batter bowl on my other side. "Don't get any ideas," I said, poking him in the side. Thorin chuckled and grabbed the box, pulling out the butter and syrup. A few minuets later, the sweet smell of pancakes wafted through the camp, making Bombur sit up, arms raised. "Pancakes," He mumbled. His eyes flew open and he lowered his arms. "I must have been dreaming," He said sadly. "No you weren't," I called to him, startling the poor dwarrow. I lifted the pan, showing the nearly done breakfast food. Bombur got to his knees and crawled over his cousins. I flipped the pan with a chuckle and the pancake flew into the air. Bombur caught it with his hands and shoved it into his mouth, still steaming hot from the pan. He munched it down quickly and smiled. "That's a great recipe Myrin," He mumbled through the last of the pancake. "Where'd you get it?" "From some very rude dwarrow, Trial and Error," I said with a smirk. Bombur smiled and pulled out another pan from his pack. He set that on another part of the coals and cooked with me. Fili and Kili were the next ones up, tangled in each other even though their bed rolls were apart. Kili attempted to sit up, but Fili's arm held his neck. "Fee, get off," Kili mumbled. Fili turned over top of his younger brother, but Kili was free. He finally sat up and sniffed. "Is that pancakes," He asked, looking over at me. I nodded and flipped another pancake. Kili walked over and took one from Bombur. Fili soon got up and followed suit. Soon after, everyone was up and was fed, everyone but the hobbit. When dawn had come, and the sun was fully over the horizon, Bilbo was still sleeping. As I finished up the last four pancakes, Thorin got up and hovered over the hobbit, nudging him with his boot's toe. Bilbo moaned and rolled over. He curled around Thorin's foot as everyone suppressed giggles. "Pancakes, I smell pancakes," Bilbo moaned. He turned his face to the sky and opened his eyes. His face morphed into a panic as Thorin glared at him. Bilbo pulled away from Thorin and stood up, face red and obviously embarrassed. "T-terribly sorry Thorin, I-I don't know w-what to-" "You should have been up an hour ago," Thorin growled, interrupting Bilbo. I frowned as I flipped the pancake. "Hurry up and eat so we can get moving." Thorin went over to a stump and pulled out a map from his pack, along with a water skin. I smirked and leaned over to Kili. "Has he always been this tense on long road trips," Kili asked. I shook my head. "I have an idea to get him out of his rut though," I breathed. I whispered my plan to Kili who was giving me a lopsided grin. I pulled my pack over and pulled out some tea leaves, peppermint leaves. "Kili, come and help me out with the ponies," Fili called. "That's going to mess things up," Kili whispered. I shook my head. "No it won't, just call Thorin over," I mumbled. "Tell Fili, he should be in with it." Kili nodded as he stood up. Bilbo walked over and took Kili's spot. "What are you two doing," Bilbo asked, cocking an eyebrow. I pursed my lips and shook my head. "Don't know what you're talking about hobbit," I said as I shook my pack to settle the contents. Bilbo frowned as he grabbed a pancake, tore it up and put it on his plate. "Then why is Kili avoiding Thorin," Bilbo asked. I frowned and looked up at him. He pointed to Thorin, who was talking with Kili. Kili wasn't looking at him, but he had his grin. Kili darted away, and Thorin looked at me, confused. I shrugged and picked up my pack. I stood up and sighed. Bilbo frowned. "What are you going to ride," He asked. I shrugged. "I'll figure something out," I said. "THORIN," Kili bellowed. All head turned towards the field, where Fili and Kili were getting the ponies ready. My own head turned to Thorin, who was frowning at his map. "What Kili," Thorin asked. A few minuets past before either responded. "It's your pony," Fili yelled back. Thorin growled and looked up. "What about him," He yelled. A few more minuets. "It's....nose has got something..... weird," Kili yelled back. I raised my hand to slap my forehead, but went to itch my nose instead. Thorin folded up the map, got up and walked past everyone, grumbling under his breath. "It's a muzzle nit-wit," He growled. The second he was out of sight, I crept over to his water skin and shoved the leaves into it. Everyone was so busy watching what Thorin and the boys were doing, nobody saw me shove the leaves into his water skin. I crept back over and walked out to the field to help Fili and Kili with their uncle. Thorin was rubbing his pony's muzzle, glaring at Fili and Kili. "But there was something sticking out of his muzzle," Kili insisted. "It was black and slimy," Fili added. "What ever you thought you saw, you didn't," Thorin growled. He turned around and frowned at me. "What are you doing," He asked. I smiled at him and pulled Kili over, my arm around his shoulders. "Helping these angels with the ponies," I replied. Thorin frowned further and grabbed his pony's reins. "More like imps," He mumbled under his breath. I squinted at him as he walked away with his pony. Once he was out of ear shot, Kili burst into giggles. "We're going to get in so much trouble," Fili said, suppressing his own chuckles. I shrugged and grabbed the reins of two ponies and lead them towards the camp. Nori and Bofur took the ponies from me and mounted. "Wha' are you gonna ride Myrin," Nori asked. I glanced up at him and rolled my eyes. "Why is everyone so interested in what I'll ride," I yelled. "I'll run if I have to!" Everyone got on their steeds, everyone but Thorin. "Hey, we're ready Thorin," Dwalin called. Thorin got up, folded up his map and grabbed his water skin. He took a swig of it, and sprayed it out. He wiped his mouth and frowned at his skin. I glanced over at Fili and Kili. Both were red faced and giving toothy grins. I took four deep breaths and bit my tongue to keep from laughing. I glanced back at Thorin, and burst out. He looked up and frowned. "What did you do," He growled. I bit my lips and smirked. Thorin walked over to me and held up his water skin. "What did you do," He repeated. "I kind of shoved tea leaves into your skin while you went to see what was wrong with your pony," I said, barely controlling my laughter. "I just know how much you love tea." Fili and Kili burst out laughing. Thorin glanced at them, then back at me. "I see now, you three pranked me again," He growled. "You three have got pony watch for the next three weeks, Myrin, you've got scouting duty-" "But she hasn't a ride Thorin," Gandalf reminded. I glared at Gandalf. "Who says so," I asked. "Besides Thorin, that's a little harsh," Gandalf said. "It's was just a prank." Thorin glared at Gandalf and mounted his pony. "Prank or not, they are all acting like dwarflings," Thorin growled. He turned to me and frowned. "Hopefully being responsible will set them straight. Myrin call your ride and catch up." Thorin turned the pony around and trotted out of the clearing. Fili and Kili rode over to me and looked down. "You weren't kidding," I moaned. "A total knot in the beard." "We thought you would set him straight," Kili said. "Maybe he's just tense about everything." I nodded. "Maybe..." "FILI AND KILI," Thorin called from ahead. They sighed and spurred their ponies ahead. "Hurry please," Kili called back. I nodded and took a deep breath. I let out an eagle scream and smiled as I heard it echo around the valley. I waited a few minuets, but nothing happened. I frowned and looked in the sky. She never was late when I called. I looked around and spotted a nice tall aspen. I reached up and pulled myself into the tree. I climbed to the top and looked around the valley. To the west, Thorin had the company at a fast trot, to the north and south were massive storm clouds. I twirled around to the other side of the tree and looked to the east. Hobbiton lay silent on the horizon, bright, white fluffy clouds hovering over the peaceful village. I was suddenly picked up by my shoulders and plucked from the tree. I looked up and smiled. Lakita, my long time friend was carrying me. "Hey girl," I yelled. She looked down and if a griffon could smile she did. We angled upward and she threw me upwards. I straightened out and parted my legs. Lakita flew under me and I landed in the Warg saddle she wore. As she angled downward, I strapped my legs in and rubbed her white neck feathers. Lakita was white everywhere but her tail and head, and we had been friends ever since Erebor fell. I turned my torso around and made sure that everything that was in the saddle luggage was still there. Cooking supplies, two sets of clothes, medical supplies, my bow and a bunch of arrows. I nodded and turned back around. Lakita trilled and shook her brown head. "I know, I missed you too," I clacked, rubbing her neck again. I felt my swords hitting my legs on both sides as we flew, so I strapped them into the leg straps. I looked around the valley, deciding I could scout as flew towards the company. I didn't spot anything threatening, so I shut my eyes. Lakita trilled a few minuets later, so I opened my eyes. The company was right in front of us. I trilled at Lakita to land behind everyone. She back pedaled and landed next to Fili. He lifted his eyebrows and gave a quick nod. "That took a while," Kili said. "She was in the middle of eating," I said, rubbing her neck again. She cawed and Bilbo yelped. He looked around and his eyes landed on Lakita. His mouth flapped a few times before he could speak. When he did, he seemed angry. "That thing kidnapped me," He yelled. I frowned at him as Lakita trilled at him. "Correction," I said. "I asked her to find the company, and remove any suspicious characters. I thought she just picked up some random hobbit. You honestly look different upside down, wind tossed, and frightened." Bilbo frowned at me. "Who wouldn't," He growled. "So how did you come by a griffon?" I pursed my lips. "Yeah, you've never told us how you got Lakita," Kili added. Fili looked at me and gave me puppy eyes. Kili joined in and I melted. "Fine," I yelled. "Right before Erebor fell, Thorin and I went hunting and found these humans from Dale picking on Lakita-" "Wait, you're-" "Don't interrupt hobbit," Kili said. "Kicked their but, freed Lakita from the log of doom-" Lakita trilled, annoyance thick in her shriek. "-she flew off and Smaug came. Went back in, saved Dis-" "Who's Dis," Bilbo asked. "My Amad, now be quiet," Kili said again. '"-Came back out, Lakita picked me up, and friendship blossomed." I pursed my lips again. Bilbo frowned. "How did you get a saddle," Bilbo asked. I rubbed the worn leather, memories flooding my mind. "Up in her nest," I said, playing with a piece of leather that needed resewn. "Oh, so that's where you went," Thorin called from ahead. Bilbo looked up towards him, looked back at me and frowned at his saddle horn. "How long have you two um.....known eachother," He asked. I scrunched up an eye as I thought. "Since I was little," I mumbled. I smiled and looked up at the back of Thorin's head. "We've had some fun, Thorin and I. And some not so fun things happen." I cleared my throat and looked around. It had started to rain again, so I pulled up the hood of my white cloak. Bilbo didn't have a cloak, so his head was drenched. I chuckled as Lakita shook, spraying Fili, Kili and Bilbo with water. Poor Hobbit.......

We traveled for a while more, then the terrain became too muddy to travel. We all huddled under trees, or in Bilbo's case wings. Lakita laid down and looked around the puddle of a camp. Her eyes narrowed at Dwalin and I smiled. He glared back and she screeched at him. Bilbo got off his pony and stared at Lakita. "Do you want to catch a cold Hobbit," I asked as I walked along Lakita's flank. "No, it's just I'm curious about your friend," He said, taking a step towards her head. I chuckled as Lakita looked at Bilbo through her blue eye. "Is she blind in this one," Bilbo asked, pointing to her eye. Lakita thumped him softly on his head with the under side of her beak. She pulled Bilbo close and pulled him under one of her wings. "I'm going to walk around, see how bad the rain is," I said, rubbing Lakita on her wing joint. "I'll go with," Thorin said. In the corner of my eye, I saw Fili whisper something to Kili, who smirked. Thorin pulled his hood up again, resting his hand on his sword. We walked into the surrounding fields, the company had camped in the only trees in a few miles. Once we were out of ear shot, I looked at Thorin. "Why did you do that," I growled. "Now they'll suspect something." Thorin took a deep breath and coughed. "Because there's bandits out here," He said once he caught his breath. "Two's better then one." I snorted and took a step forward. Water soaked my entire leg, all because I stepped into a pothole. I hissed as I pulled my leg out again, shaking it once it was out. Thorin was chuckling at me, his arms folded tightly across his chest. As if he was cold. We walked for a while longer, surveying a new route, seeing just how bad the rain was. Two new rivers flowed through the road, one was two feet deep, the other only a few inches, but it was wide. We stood at the second river for a while, deciding if we should cross it or find another route, when I was tackled into the river. I caught myself and rolled over, someone jumped on top of me. I was pushed face first into the shallow river as knees dug into my back. I lifted my head and turned it to the side as my hands were bound. If I could shake this guy off... A knife dug into my back, making me gasp. I lifted my legs and kicked the thing that was on me, making the knife skim my back. I rolled to my left, away from the person and got to my feet. Three humans, young boys about seventeen or so, were attacking Thorin, who was holding his ground, barely. I grabbed a knife from my boot and freed myself. The boy that was on my back pulled himself out of the river and looked at me. "Yer gonna regret tha," He growled. I pulled my hands out from behind my back, still holding the knife. They boy's eyes widened with fear, and he got to his feet. "Scat," I growled at him. He sprinted east, screaming about a banshee or something. I drew my swords and wadded through the river towards Thorin. The others looked more like noble folk, mostly because they had swords and dressed with bright colors. Maybe they stole them, maybe not.... "You're terrible with the sword dwarf," One yelled at Thorin. "Give us a challenge!" "I'll give you a challenge," I yelled, jumping onto of him. He let out a very high pitched scream as he fell into the river. My right sword met with number two's weak thrust, so I disarmed him before he could hurt anyone else. Thorin was still at it with number three, until he broke down in a fit of coughing. Three knocked him over into the river as Thorin coughed. I tripped him and pointed my sword point at him as he landed on his back. "You dare try and hurt him," I growled. In the corner of my eye, I saw Two and One getting up, grabbing their swords and approaching me from behind. Keeping my left sword on the boy on the ground, I turned and pointed my other sword at the other two. They stopped dead in their tracks. Thorin stood up and went into another coughing fit. "Does he have the plague or something," Three asked. I turned to him and almost growled that he didn't. "Yes," I growled. They all went white and glanced at Thorin. "Are you infected too," Two asked. Once again, I almost said no. "Yes," I said, giving a feeble cough for good measure. "And you three are going to get it if you don't leave us alone." They scampered quicker then Fili and Kili when a bad prank went wrong. I helped Thorin up and slapped his back, launching him into yet another round of coughing. "You okay," I asked. Thorin nodded and smiled at me. "I do not have the plague," He snorted. I laughed and picked up Thorin's sword. He took it and we walked back to the puddle of a camp. We walked into the firelight, and Oin was on top of us in a heartbeat. "Why are you wet, do you want to catch Death," He screamed at us. He started to pull at our cloaks, coats, and vests. Soon I was just in my white under shirt, and black leggings. My boots, socks, half vest, coat, winter coat, and cloak were hanging on a tree, drying, even though my cloak was waterproof. I sat down at the fire to warm my toes, which were frozen solid. My hair was undone so it could dry, I thought it looked like molten gold. Something went thump behind me, drawing my attention from rubbing my toes, to wondering why Bofur fainted. His hat was still planted on his head, surprisingly. "Why did Bofur faint," Balin asked. "Like a hobbit," Kili added. Bifur stepped over his brother and crouched by his head. With a pull on Bofur's nose, he was up. That's when his hat fell off. "Wha' happen," He mumbled. "You fainted like a hobbit," Bilbo said, handing Bofur his hat. Bofur took it and looked around. "Why did I- Oh.....That's why... Myrin you're bleeding." All eyes flew to me as Bofur pointed at my back. I patted my back and looked at my hand. "Oh, must of been from that knife...... Oin, can I have a few bandages," I asked. "Sure," He said, reaching into his satchel and tossing me a few strips of cloth. I walked past the firelight and took care of my back. I walked back, happening to pass Thorin, who grabbed my hand and pressed it to his forehead. "You're hot," He mumbled. My mouth went dry. I knew what he meant to say, but it still left me uncomfortable, and apparently I wasn't the only one. The only ones who weren't the least bit uncomfortable, were Fili, Kili and Gandalf who I think was sleeping, but it was hard to tell when he sleeps with his eyes open. "Is he flirting with her, or is he saying she feels feverish," Fili asked quietly. I ignored them and turned my attention to Thorin, who was frowning. I pulled my hand out of his and, self consciously, wiped it on my leggings. "You're one to speak," I growled at him. His forehead was un naturally hot. Realizing what that could entail, I slapped my hand against his forehead again, almost knocking him over. I couldn't really get a good reading with my freezing hand, so I leaned in and put my cheek against his forehead. Still very hot. "Oin...." The tone in my voice made everyone tense, even Gandalf who must of woken up. Oin walked over and put his hand on Thorin's head, then nodded solemnly. "You've got a fever Thorin," He announced. Oin lowered himself to Thorin's eyes and glared into them. "You are going to have blankets, and coats on you for the next two days, and I don't want any complaints! Myrin, you know what to get..." I grimaced and went to Oin's medical pack. I pulled out a few cloves of garlic, a few licorice roots, and Oin's mix of elderberry juice. I pulled out the canteen and his mortar and pestle. I ground up the stuff and shoved it into the canteen, with the elderberry juice. I dumped some water in the canteen and shook it up. I glanced over at Thorin and laughed. He had seven blankets on him, and three hats. He looked absolutely miserable. I took a sip of the potion and gagged. I dumped some honey Oin had in a jar into the canteen and shook it up again. After a more palatable sip, I threw it at Thorin and watched him empty the canteen. He grimaced when he finished and handed me back the canteen.

#thoin/oc #bilbo baggins #fili #kili #the hobbit #established relationship #branching paths #hobbit au #story #writblr #this is so fun #i love writing

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branching-paths · 4 years

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Of Being Goosed And Peppered

I must have dozed off sometime in the night because Thorin was shaking me awake. "Come on Kili, get up," He hissed. I peeled my eyes open and looked up at Thorin. "You and Fili need to get some ponies. Breakfast will be waiting for you when you get back." I sat up and slid my feet into my boots. As I strapped my sword to my belt I walked out into the main part of the hobbit hole. Fili was up already and was hiding all his weapons again. Bombur was in the kitchen, making breakfast, and Thorin was at the table penning something. Dawn was creeping over the horizon, revealing how late we slept in. Fili finished and smirked at me. I opened the large round door and stepped out into the cold spring air. Dew was making everything we stepped on slick. Fili actually landed in one of Bilbo's flowerbeds, smashing all of his petunias. I pulled him out of the dirt and we ran out of his yard.

"Do you think the hobbit will come," Fili asked. "Maybe... He would need a good shove out the door though!" Fili smirked and looked sideways at me. "We could give him that shove..." "Nah, besides, Thorin wants to leave pretty soon. Any idea who we could get sixteen ponies from?" Fili shook his head. "Not a clue. Why don't you ask that lass over there," He said, pointing to a fairly good looking hobbit lass letting out her family's chickens for the day. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at her. "Why can't you," I asked, shoving Fili towards her gate. He turned around, grabbed my arm, and held me in a chicken wing. "Because you look less threatening." Fili shoved me through the gate and I thankfully didn't land in her flowers. She looked up from her task and smiled. "Terribly sorry mum," I said, getting up and brushing myself off. I glared a dagger or two at Fili, who was smirking at me behind the gate. "I'm new to the area and I was wondering if you could tell me where I might be able to acquire some ponies." The lass set down her pail and set her hands on her hips. "I might," She said. "Where might that be," I asked, taking a step forward. "Stop right there you rascal," Someone said from the hill- I mean hobbit hole. A rather large hobbit was staring at me, a shovel held in his hands offensively. "You take another step towards me daugh'er, and you'll get what's comin' towards ya!" I took a step towards him as I explained. "I was just asking where I might find-" "One more step and I'm calling Goosey," He yelled threateningly. I looked at him, confused. "Goosey," I asked. "Who's that?" The hobbit frowned and took a deep breath. "GOOSEY," He yelled. "COME HERE, I HAVES A TREAT FORS YA!!!" Something honked on top of the hill by the tree. A goose raised it's pure white head, a huge orange knob on it's head inbetween it's eyes bobbed in the pre dawn light. It stood up and looked right at me. "Run KILI," Fili yelled from by the gate. I tripped over the grass I was standing on and fell on my rear again, but that didn't keep me from scrabbling backwards still. The pure white goose was running down the hill, it's wings flapping like mad, honking like mad too. I rolled over and jumped to my feet. "Oh no ya don't," The hobbit yelled. He was in between myself and the gate. "Goosey's gonna have herself a snackie! That 'ill teach you to mess with me daugh'er! GET 'IM GOOSEY!" I rolled out of the way as the goose lunged towards me. It rolled into the hobbit's legs and righted it's self as I dashed over the hobbit's garden, making sure not to step on any plants. If there's one thing that a hobbit protects more then their daughter, it's their daisies. The goose was right behind me when I made the last effort to escape the garden of terror. I jumped over the fence and rolled to a stop on the path outside of the garden. The goose slid to a halt and honked one more time at me. The hobbit sniffed at me, turned to his daughter and lead her inside. "That went well," Fili said. I looked towards the sky and saw his bright face, trying in vain to hide a big grin. I elbowed his foot and got myself up as he held his 'injured' foot. "Quit being such a baby," I said as I brushed myself off. My stomach roared as I belched, Fili burst into a round of laughing. "Let's get back to the hobbit hole," Fili said, punching my shoulder as he ran past. He turned around and bounced backwards. "Maybe Thorin made a decent meal for once!" I chuckled and followed Fili back to Bilbo's abode. We went inside to find everyone else awake, everyone but Bilbo, who was on the couch sound asleep. "Did you find the ponies," Thorin asked as we sat down. I glanced at Fili and shoved some bread into my mouth. Neither of us had to answer. "I bought sixteen ponies yesterday Thorin," Gandalf said from his normal spot on the wall. Thorin came into view with two large platters of food and set them down in front of Fili and I. "You mean I had to get maimed by that goose for nothing," I hollered. Everyone cracked up, and even Thorin gave a little smirk. I tossed a thumb back at the hobbit snoring softly on the couch. "What are we going to do about him," I asked. "I will stay behind and urge him one last time," Gandalf said before Thorin could say what he was going to. He growled and sunk into a chair. What ever his idea was, it must have been good!

"Welcome aboard, Master Hobbit," Balin said. Bilbo shifted uncomfortably next to the pony Balin was riding. Thorin turned back around in his saddle. "Get him a pony," He shouted. Bilbo looked horrified at Thorin, then back at Balin. I looked over at Fili, who smirked back. We rode silently up near the hobbit as the company started to move again. "That won't be necessary," Bilbo stammered. "I've had many a walking holiday before and- AH!" Fili and I lifted the surprisingly light hobbit up and set him on the spare pony we had. He sat stiff on the saddle and clutched the leather like it was a branch in a raging river. I laughed, scaring the hobbit. "Don't worry, it won't eat the fuzz off your feet," I said, slapping him on the back. "Her name's Myrtle, by the way." I slowed my steed so Bilbo could ride ahead again and I could ride side by side with Fili. We hadn't even been moving for five minuets when the hobbit called out. "Wait, stop! We must head back!" "What's the matter now," Dwalin asked. "I have forgotten my handkerchief," Bilbo mused. Bofur and Gloin shared a look, ripped off part of Bofur's tunic and threw it at the disgusted hobbit. "Move on," Thorin called from ahead. As Bilbo looked at the cloth, he sneezed again. A few minuets later, Gandalf joined us on a horse, and had Bilbo's hankies.

When we camped for the night, just outside of Hobbiton, Bilbo was frantic. He fell off the pony he was riding when she stopped, tripped over a rock that everyone else was able to avoid, and ran into a tree. "The wild is out to get me," Bilbo yelled as he pulled the pine needles from his curly hair. "Then maybe you should have first watch," Thorin growled by where we tied the ponies up for the night. I glanced at Fili, we had watch tonight. Maybe the hobbit could take it? "You and the lads can get acquainted. Bombur, when's that stew going to be ready?" My face fell, as did Fili's. Still stuck with watch. "Any minuet now Thorin," Bombur called from the fire. He pulled a ladle up to his mouth and took a sip. "Correction, it's done now." Something rumbled by Thorin, I suspected it was his stomach. I chuckled as I pulled out my bowl from my sack. I walked over to the stew pot and dipped my bowl, scooping out a large portion. I sat on a large stone, the same that the hobbit tripped over, and tucked into my food. Fili walked over, saw me sitting on the stone, nudged me off with a kick and sat on the stone. I luckily didn't spill any of my food. Thorin looked over and frowned at us. "You two behave," He growled. "Yes Thorin," We mumbled. Bilbo looked over at us, confusion written in the furrowed brows and smirk on his face. He sat down in front of me and sighed. "So, you two are trouble makers," He asked. I snorted into my stew, spraying my face with hot liquid. "Not really," Fili said, playing with his mustache. "More like trouble finds us," I said, remembering something we told someone a few years ago. "Why do you ask hobbit?" Bilbo shrugged and ate some of his stew. "Just wanting to get to know who I will be traveling with," Bilbo said with another smirk on his face. "Remind me who everyone is please. Their names are avoiding me at the moment." Fili set down his empty bowl. "Okay," He said with a toss of his head. "I'm Fili, he's Kili," He tossed his thumb at me. I smiled and raised my hand in greeting. Fili pointed to Bofur, who was sitting on a log with Bifur. "The one with the floppy hat is Floppy," Fili continued. "That's his brother Shiny. Their cousin is the cook, Cracker." "Is he the one with the chin showing through his beard," Bilbo asked. Fili nodded and cast a glance at me. I couldn't believe that the hobbit actually thought that we were telling him everyone's names! Fili looked around the makeshift camp, looking for everyone else. He spotted Dwalin and Balin talking on another log near the tree line. "The one with the bald head is Baldi," Fili continued. I snorted, turned it into a cough, and the hobbit didn't know any wiser. "That's his brother with the long white beard that's forked at the end. His name's Balin." What, you thought that we would insult a dwarrow that we respect? Never! "The red head with the pointy hair, do you see him?" Bilbo looked around after putting down his food bowl, which was now empty. "You mean the one with the three points on his head," Bilbo asked. Fili nodded again. How he could keep a straight face through out this, I would never find out. I was doing everything I could to keep from laughing my guts out. "That's Pointy, his older brother with the braids all over his head, that's Henny. The other read head with the notebook and knitted gloves is...... What's his name again Kee?" "Wasn't it Knitty," I asked, trying even harder to keep from laughing. I had an idiotic grin stuck to my face, but that was it thankfully. Fili nodded again. "That's Knitty with the notebook. The last red head, over by the fire, that's Smithy, and his brother's the one with the ear trumpet. That's Eary. Are we missing anyone?" I looked up at Fili with a look that asked 'Aren't you forgetting something?' Fili snapped his fingers. "Okay hobbit, the last of our company is the one over there," He said, pointing to the fire. Thorin was reading a map again, plotting our course no doubt. "Right, he was a something Oakenshield," Bilbo said, waving his hand in a circle. "Grumpin Oakenshield," Fili said, but that was it for me. I fell over in a fit of giggles. Bilbo thankfully paid me no mind. He looked at Fili in disbelief. "Grumpin, who in their right mind would name someone Grumpin," Bilbo asked. Fili shrugged. "Beats me," He said, his skin under his beard turning red, not just from the firelight. Huh, so he was having trouble holding back his laughter! "Well, I'm going to get some more, if there's anything left," Bilbo said getting up. He turned around and walked towards Bombur, who was still at the stew pot. "Cracker, could you please let me have the ladle," Bilbo asked politely. Bombur paid him no mind. The hobbit shrugged and dipped his bowl into the pot, getting some more stew. As Bilbo walked past Thorin, he said a greeting. " Good Evening Grumpin," He said kindly. Thorin frowned and looked up at the hobbit, who was walking back towards us without a worry on his mind. "What did you call me," Thorin asked, getting up. Bilbo frowned and turned around. "I just said Good Evening, Mr Oakenshield," Bilbo said, a little more then befuddled. I slapped Fili's arm. "I think it's time to make ourselves scarce," I whispered. Fili nodded and we stood up. We were up the two pines quicker then a squirrel. "No you called me something, what was it," Thorin pressed, wagging a finger at the frightened hobbit. Bilbo stammered. "I-I c-called you by y-your name, Mr Oakenshield." Thorin frowned at Bilbo. "My name isn't Grumpin," He growled. "Who told you-" Thorin let out a very noisy sigh and flexed his hands as if he were ringing something, or someone's neck. "FILI AND KILI, MAKE YOUR SELVES SEEN BEFORE I MAKE YOU A PORCUPINE," He bellowed. I fell out of the tree laughing so hard, Fili was barely able to climb down he was laughing so hard. Bilbo was back on the rock, silently eating his stew, throwing a furious glance at us. Thorin was glaring ice at us. "Yes Uncle Grumpin," I asked, cracking at the end. Thorin's glare intensified so Fili and I stood erect, silenced our giggles and attempted to look Thorin in the eye. "Very funny," Thorin growled, ice and fury leaking out through his voice. Our giggles disappeared and all our attention was on Thorin. "If I didn't promise Dis that nothing would harm you, I would this second! You two have pony watch for the next week-" "Thorin!" We shouted. "Two weeks. Hop to it!" Thorin stalked back to the fire. "Come now Thorin," Gandalf said from his stump. "That's a little harsh is it not?" Thorin sat back down. "It's time they were Dwarrow, not dwarflings," Thorin growled. I growled and kicked a twig that was by my foot. It went flying through the air and stuck it's self in Thorin's hair. I sat down quicker then I though possible. Thorin didn't notice either, so I hoped I was safe. Nobody ratted on me, so I thankfully was. I crawled over to the pine tree that I had climbed up and leaned against it. It happened to be near Bilbo's rock. Bilbo set down his food and looked at me. "Yes hobbit," I asked. Fili sat down in between Bilbo and I, glancing at both of us. Bilbo opened his mouth, shut it again, took a deep breath, opened his mouth again, growled and pointed at me. "You had it coming," He growled at last. Fili and I chuckled. "Don't regret it though, not one second of it!" Bilbo chuckled.

please ignore the Point of View change

"Are you sure hobbit," Kili asked. "Thorin's going to want everyone well rested so we can move-" "I'm sure Kili," I said again. "I can't sleep, so I'll take watch with Floppy- I mean Bofur!" Fili and Kili smirked, but I guaranteed that they wouldn't be smirking for long. I actually needed Bofur's help to make that happen. They grabbed their bed rolls from their sacks and the blonde rolled them out. Kili walked over and kicked Bofur in the back, jostling him awake. They spoke a while in their stony language that sounded more like rocks on ice then anything, before Bofur sat up with a yawn and Kili went to his roll. Bofur got up and sat next to me. " 'Ello hobbit, Kili said you couldn't sleep," Bofur said cheerfully. I shrugged. "Tha's alrigh', first time out on the road, correct?" I nodded and flexed my toes. Bofur stuck his pipe in his mouth and slapped my back. "You'll get used to it soon enough!" I looked up at him. "Maybe," I said ruefully. "I need some help actually." Bofur looked at me, so I continued. "I need to get back at Fili and Kili, mostly Kili." Bofur smiled and shifted his pipe to one side of his mouth. "Why mostly Kili," He asked. I shrugged and grabbed a stick by my toe. "He made a fool of me and said he didn't regret one second of it," I growled. "Nobody makes a fool of a Baggins, or a Took for that matter. I want to get him back, but I don't know how." I wasn't sure why I felt I needed to get back at the poor dwarrow, maybe it was my Took coming out again. Bofur adjusted his hat and pursed his lips as he thought. Smoke poured out of his pipe and out of his mouth for a few minuets before Bofur spoke. Bofur scared the wits out of me as he chuckled. "Pepper," He said at last. I frowned at him as I drove my stick into the ground. "What good would that do," I asked, gripping the stick with my toes. Bofur chuckled again. "Kili's very allergic to pepper. One time I-" "Where does Cracker-BOMBUR! Where does Bombur keep his spices?" "Where else," Bofur asked. With a shake of his head, he pointed to Bombur. It took a good long stare, but I found where Bombur kept his spices. On his belt, which he never took off. "Ye know hobbit," Bofur started, but I held out a finger to him. "I am going to get that pepper, and give Kili what he deserves. Don't. Make. A sound." I got to my feet and stepped around my sack. I crouched down next to Bombur and assessed my plan. It was to take off his belt, use what I needed and put it back on, but seeing that the spice containers were removable, that plan was abandoned. Also, upon closer examination, I wouldn't of been able to remove, much less put on, the belt. "Hobbit," Bofur hissed, I paid him no mind. I heard him slap his pants as he gave up trying to get my attention. If it was important, he would have persisted. I searched his belt for the pepper, and found it almost underneath him. I just hoped he would roll over when I grabbed it. Then I realized something. "Will he wake," I hissed back. "What," Bofur hissed back. "Will Bombur wake up when I pull on his belt," I hissed louder. Bofur snorted. "He wouldn't wake up even if ye yelled in 'is ear!" I turned back to Bombur and reached for his belt again. "Ye really-" I glared at Bofur, who went silent. I snatched the pepper off Bombur's belt and tensed as he shifted. When he didn't' wake, I let out a sigh of relief. I slunk back over to Bofur, who was silently chuckling to himself. I chuckled and held up the pepper. Bofur's chuckles intensified as he held up his own pepper. My smirk disappeared and I stared blankly at Bofur. "I tried to tell ye, but ye were so intent on grabbing Bombur's..." Bofur shook his head again with another chuckle. I threw the pepper in my hand over my shoulder and grabbed Bofur's pepper. I stood back up and went over to Kili bed roll. surprisingly, he wasn't in it, more like to the side of it. It didn't' bother me too much, seeing as it made my job more easy. If only Thorin hadn't slept right next to Kili. I didn't know how heavy a sleeper he was, and I didn't want to find out. I stepped onto Kili's bed roll, scurried over to his bags and grabbed the coat that was sitting on top. It was a very startling blue, hemmed with silver. I grabbed the hood, flipped it inside out and dumped the pepper all over it. When I felt my own nose tickle, I figured that would be enough incentive for Kili. I laid it back on his sack and crawled back to Bofur. "Be sure not to keep anything on ye," Bofur reminded. I dropped the pepper container. "Right." I yawned. Bofur chuckled again. "Get some sleep. Ye might need to make a mad dash back to yer hole." I frowned at him. "Why?" "Durin's have a nasty temper. Kili as far as I know, doesn't have it, but he might." I blinked a few times with another yawn. "Okay," I mumbled. I pulled out a blanket from my sack and laid it next to Bofur's empty roll. It happened to be on a huge tree root, but there wasn't another empty spot. Getting as comfortable as I could with the root digging into my back, I shut my eyes.

I was the first one up, and the only reason that I woke up was because Fili prodded me awake. "Hobbit, please wake up," He urged. I opened my eyes and sat up. "Thank the stars. Thorin wants you to gather the ponies while Bombur makes some food." I rubbed my eyes and looked around. Bombur was up and at the stew pot again, Gandalf and Thorin talking quietly on the other side of the camp. Everyone else was snoring softly. Fili pulled me to my feet and slapped my shoulders. "Thorin said I had to help you, and I would rather not miss breakfast, so how about we get a move on, hum?" I yawned again as I rolled up my blanket. "Kili'll take care of that hobbit, we just need to take care of the ponies before- oh dear, here he comes." I looked up from rolling my blanket up to find Thorin stalking towards us, a glare on his face. He stopped three feet from Fili and looked at him, glancing every now and then at me. "Why did you wake the hobbit," He asked, thoroughly annoyed. Fili looked at his boots, which were scuffing the dirt underneath him. "I told you to have Kili help you." Fili looked up and attempted to match Thorin's stare. "He had another one last night, and it kept him up," Fili defended. "I figured that he could use the sleep more then anyone else. I rather like my limbs though, so I wouldn't dare wake anyone else." Thorin growled. "I don't mind that you woke up the hobbit to let Kili sleep," Thorin said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just next time, make sure that I know ahead of time." Thorin lowered his voice. "Do you know what it was about?" "The usual, I think. Kee sort of mumbled it." Thorin sighed and looked Fili in the eye. "Keep a close eye on him today." Thorin noticed that I was standing there, and scowled at me. "Don't you have something to do?" I dropped the blanket I had in my hand, the malice in his voice was terrifying. "Er, yes," I stammered. "It's just that I erhm, was waiting for Fili to finish talking with you G-Thorin." Thorin glared at me a little longer then I would have liked and trudged back to Gandalf. How I was going to survive the next week, I had no idea. I picked up my blanket and rolled it back up. "Had another what," I asked Fili as I put the blanket into my sack. "Humwhat," Fili asked. "Kili had another what," I asked again. Fili cracked his knuckles and walked up next to me. "Nightmare," He said in my ear, startling me. Have the dwarves ever heard of personal space?! He smirked at me and gestured to my sack. "Why are you packing if you don't even have somewhere to stow that?" I looked down to my pack and nudged it with my foot. "Well, we could have to go at a moments notice, and I don't want to be the reason for everyone being eaten alive because my things weren't packed." Someone growled behind me, it happened to be Dwalin. "You could learn a few things from the hobbit Fili," He grumbled as he sat up. With another yawn and a shake of his head, Dwalin was up and tugging on Balin's beard, attempting to get him up. Balin, who was snoring two seconds ago, grabbed his sword and swung it towards Dwalin, who aptly jumped over it. "Let go brother," Balin growled. Dwalin released the white beard and folded his arms. Balin sat up and frowned at Dwalin, but there was mirth in his eyes. Fili slapped my back again. "Do you want on Thorin's bad side again," Fili asked. I shook my head and gestured for Fili to lead the way to...where ever we were going. Turns out, it wasn't far, and it wasn't too hard. Fili lead me over a few sleeping dwarrow the Ri family I believe, and I found myself in a small clearing. All the sixteen ponies were accounted for, and Gandalf's horse too. All the saddles were stacked by a large willow tree, and a small creek ran on the other side of the clearing. Fili walked over to Gandalf's horse and clapped his hands at him, shouting something. The horse looked at Fili and got up. Fili moved over to his head and rubbed his neck, scratched behind his ear and so forth. "Hobbit, hand me the largest saddle, I think Kili put it on a branch," He said loudly over his shoulder. I walked over to the saddles and looked at them. They all looked the same... "Hurry hobbit," Fili hissed again. On a rather high branch sat a saddle, one that had a larger seating area then the rest. I reached up and pulled it off the branch. It happened to be heaver then I thought it would be, so I dropped it...on my toes... I inhaled loudly and hissed, pulling out my foot and swinging it as I did so. I leaned down and picked up the saddle, this time prepared for it's weight. I waddled, yes waddled, over to Fili, who picked up the saddle with ease and flung it onto the horse. "What took so long," Fili asked, looked sideways at me. I frowned at him. "I'm short. That's heavy, and my toes are unprotected-something just hit my head!" Fili snorted and looked up as he pulled on the strap for the saddle. "It's going to rain soon," He said absently. "I suggest that we hurry up." Thankfully, the rest of the saddles and ponies were much easier. We were done within the hour, I think. We lead the ponies and horse back to where we had slept and I found that everyone was up already. And they were eating without us. My stomach roared, and everyone looked at me. "Someone's hungry," Kili said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes and tied up the pony's to a tree. "You two can eat on the road," Thorin said, putting his bowl in his sack. He frowned and rifled through his sack a little more. "Where's my cloak," He asked, looking around the camp. "Oh," Kili said, getting up suddenly. "I knew I was forgetting something." He went over to his own pack and pulled out the blue cloak I had dumped pepper on. My eyes widened and I looked at Bofur. He was equally surprised. I prayed that it wouldn't rain. "I borrowed it last night, got a little cold." Kili handed the cloak to Thorin, who was frowning at Kili, but you could see that he wasn't really mad at him, more annoyed. Thorin clasped the cloak to his neck and went to his pony, as did most everyone else. Bombur and Gandalf stayed by the stew pot. "How do you get on," I asked. Everyone chuckled. "Watch me hobbit," Kili said. He turned towards the pony and put his right foot in the hangy down thing, I think Fili said it was a stirrup earlier. He grabbed the horn like thing on top of the saddle and pulled himself up. "Okay, don't watch me," Kili said. He had gotten up backwards. Everyone chuckled. Kili slid back down and put his left foot in the stirrup. This time he pulled himself up the right way. I looked at the pony I was going to ride. She seemed fairly gentle. I grabbed the horn, put my left foot in the stirrup and pulled myself up. I flung my other leg over the saddle and sat on it. "You did it," Fili shouted, almost in disbelief. "Very nice job Bilbo," Gandalf said, handing me a bowl of food. It was cool, but still very good. We got in two lines, side by side, I happened to be next to Ori, behind Fili and Kili. We left the forest and found ourselves in a field, covered in fog. We trotted down the path for a while, until it started to rain. Everyone pulled up their hoods, I watched in horror as Thorin pulled his hood over his face. He sneezed once, twice, thrice, stopped and looked back at Fili and Kili, who were right behind him. He sneezed again as he turned his pony towards them. "Kil*SNEEZE* Kili, what in *SNEEZE* Durin's name did yo*SNEEZE* you do to my *SNEEZE* cl*SNEEZE* cloak," He sneezed. Fili and Kili were laughing their heads off, I was surprised that they weren't falling off their ponies. I tried to hide in my coat, but I couldn't. "I didn't do anything Thorin," Kili managed to chortle out. Thorin sneezed again, launching Fili and Kili into another round of laughter. "Something *SNEEZE* is making me *SNEEZE* sneeze like this, *SNEEZE* if you don't *SNEEZE* find out what it *SNEEZE* is-" "I did it," I yelled. "I thought it was Kili's cloak and dumped pepper in the hood. Look, I'm really sorry-" One sharp glare from Thorin shut me up. Thorin took off his hood and let his hair get drenched in the rain. A few more hours past, with Kili and Bofur re-enacting Thorin's sneezing. Everyone got bored with that, so we tossed around a fairly large apple Kili found. "Hey hobbit," Bofur called. I turned around and got an apple to the face. It landed in my lap as everyone laughed. "Hobbit, I'm open," Ori called. "Over here hobbit," Nori called, farther back. "Mr Boggins," Kili called. I turned towards Kili and threw the apple at his head. He ducked and it hit Thorin's back. He happened to be passing over a small hobbit bridge without rails, and must of been shifting in his seat or something, because he fell off the saddle, and into the creek. I stared at where Thorin disappeared into the fog. I heard the splash, the gasp, and a bunch of yelling. Thorin's head appeared in the fog, his hair was sticking to his face from the water. He spat the water out of his mouth and looked up at the company, specifically at me. He started yelling at me in his stony language, Fili and Kili who were laughing moments ago, where now flinching at what Thorin was saying. "Hey, hobbit, you might want to start running," Fili said as Thorin's head disappeared in the fog again as he slipped in the water. I blinked at him. "What did he say," I dared to ask. "He's going to kill you with your own hair," Kili mumbled. "Something along the lines of that. Best to get going hobbit." I didn't even have to move a finger. Something grabbed my shoulders and lifted me out of my saddle. I watched as the ground dropped out from under me. Twenty feet, thirty feet, still climbing. I had climbed many trees in my youth, but never this high. I yelled out and kicked at the air, drawing eyes. Ori Kili and Fili looked up and gaped. They yelled out as they faded in the fog. My hands flew to whatever was holding my shoulders still, and I felt scales, like what I would find on a chicken's legs. I looked up and at first saw nothing. Then I saw feathers, white feathers. I yelled out again, and the beast that was carrying me looked down. The ceature's head was like an eagle's, only it was brown and huge. It's left eye was green, it's right blue. It had a beak, on it's chest was a leather strap that was starting to shred from age. "Put me down," I screamed. The ceature's eyes narrowed and it opened it's maw. A shrill and cold shriek bellowed from it's maw, right into my face. It's talons let go and I dropped a few feet, I couldn't tell how far I dropped because of the fog. I screamed as I fell, twirling top over bottom as I fell. The creature grabbed my left foot, stopping my fall abruptly, also sending pain up my leg. We continued to descend until I could reach down and touch the ground. The creature reared up, landed, and set me down under it's paw, though it didn't squish me. "What did you find there girl," Someone asked. It was a female someone, and her boots were right in front of my face. "Good grief, is it still alive?" "Yes I'm alive," I yelled into the dirt. "Get this thing off me!" The female leaned down until I could see her knee. She rubbed my head and pulled at one of the talons on my back. "Now now, there's no need to start calling names hobbit," The lady cooed. She stood up again, ruffling the creature's leg feathers on the way up. "Lakita, take him back where you found him. We don't catch hobbits, especially nicely dressed, soaking hobbits." The creature cooed at her. "Now I mean it girl, take the hobbit back where you found him, gently! We don't want another restraining order." I was picked up around my middle and lifted into the sky again. I curled into the fetal position, as much as I could with something holding my torso. I shut my eyes and held behind my knees, pulling them as close as I could. The creature let go of me and panic surged. I yelled out for a split second as I was dropped on the ground. "There you are hobbit, we were getting worried," Someone called above me. A warm hand touched my shoulder, pulling me out of my protective ball to see who it was. Oh joy, it was Kili. Fili hopped down from his pony and joined Kili in crouching down next to me. "What happened, we barely saw you get lifted," Fili said. I sat up and shook my self off as I got to my feet. "Not entirely sure," I mumbled. Kili patted me on the back and smirked. "Can't be too bad," He said with a cheeky grin. "Has um....Has Thorin cooled down," I asked shyly. "I like my life a lot and would like to keep it." Kili chuckled and pushed me towards his pony. "The thing is, Thorin doesn't cool down," Fili said, walking towards his pony. "He might simmer for a while but he doesn't forget things like that. Can't be too bad though..." I gulped as I climbed into Kili's saddle.

I poked at the fire with a charred stick. Thorin had given me another night of watch with Fili and Kili. They were watching a bird twitter in a tree, talking to them selves in their language, chuckling every now and then. The darkened sky was darker then ever with clouds, but when the cloud barrier did break, more stars then I could count filled the night sky, giving off a beautiful light. Slowly, everyone fell asleep, starting with Ori, ending with Gandalf, possibly Thorin. I picked up Bombur's frying pan and scrapped the burned on food into the fire again, then set it back by my foot. The forest behind me and fields in front were full of bird's twittering, and other animal noises. Suddenly, they all stopped. Fili and Kili looked up and frowned. "Did you hear that," Kili asked. I looked up from the fire and frowned at him. "Hear what," I asked. "Exactly," Fili said. They stood up and drew their swords. "If anything happens hobbit, sound the alarm." I stood up and looked at them. "What is the alarm," I asked. "Loudly yelling that something's up," Kili said as he rolled his eyes. They stocked into the fields, leaving me to guard the camp. I sat back down and waited for a few minuets. Something started to make my neck itch, so I lifted my hand up to it. I was yanked backwards off the log I was sitting on by my neck, thanks to a very strong arm. "ACK," I yelled. I pulled at the arm around my neck as a hand pushed on the top of my forehead. My foot kicked upwards, throwing the frying pan into the air. It landed in my arm's reach, so I grabbed for it. The owner of the arm turned me so I couldn't get to the frying pan with my arm, but my feet still could. I grabbed it with my toes, lifted it to my hand and pulled my head out of the person's grip. I turned around, grabbed the frying pan with both hands and took a step back from the attacker. Fili and Kili yelled out and tackled the person that attacked me, or Kili did. They fought on the ground, abandoning their weapons. I took a few deep breaths as I lowered the frying pan. "Are they wrestling," I asked. Twice now, Kili had a chance to knock out who ever that was, and he didn't. "More like an extreme wrestling," Thorin said behind me, startling me. He was up and looked at the two rolling on the ground, a miffed expression on his face. "GET OFF ME," Kili yelled, waking everyone else up. The figure was sitting on top of Kili, a smug smile on her face. "Not until you apologize for knocking me over," She yelled. Kili squirmed under her, until she rocked back and forth on him. "OKAY, I'M SORRY FOR KNOCKING YOU OVER," Kili yelled, waking up Oin and Bombur. The person got off Kili and helped him up, then embraced him with a huge hug. Kili wiggled out and the person looked around. "Well," She said. "That was rather unexpected." "What was unexpected was that you choked me," I yelled. "How is that a way to greet someone?!" Fili and Kili chuckled. "That's her special way of greeting," Fili said, throwing an arm around the lady. "What is she doing here," Dwalin growled, right behind me. Sensing that an argument was coming, I backed away and watched from over by Gandalf. The lady smirked and set her hands on her hips. "I'm here, the same reason as you Dwalin," She growled. Dwalin snorted. I leaned over to Gandalf. "Do you know who she is," I asked. Gandalf shook his head. "Not a clue, but they have some familiarity with her," He said, pointing to the Durins with his pipe. "Come now Dwalin, Myrin won't do any harm," Balin said standing next to Dwalin. Gandalf stiffened. "Besides, I would have come if I didn't have that accident," Myrin said. She turned to Thorin, her gaze turning steely. "You have some explaining to do," She growled at him. Thorin frowned at her. "What do I have to explain," He asked, matching her tone. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a letter with a Phoenix. She frowned and dug farther into her bag. She pulled out what looked like a wanted poster, but it didn't have a face on it. On it were words in some form of elvish, but I couldn't tell what they said. Dwalin, Balin, Gloin, Oin, Dori, Bofur, Bifur and Bombur hissed as she held it out for everyone to see. Dwalin muttered something in his stony language, supposedly directed at Thorin. Thorin shrugged and said something back. Myrin yelled at him, Fili and Kili watching the exchange with confusion. Everyone else was trying to stay out of it, Balin adding a few things now and then. Myrin walked over and poked Thorin in the chest, threateningly, saying something very slowly. She backed up, gave one more glare at him, and turned around. "There was a hobbit around here," She said. She spotted me and smiled brightly. "There he is! Come here so I can have a look see!" I glanced at Gandalf, hoping he would help me get out of this, but he nodded towards the person. I took a deep breath and walked towards her with my hand out. "Bilbo Baggins-" "Give it a twirl," She said, moving her finger in a circle. I stopped and frowned at her. "What," I asked. She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Give it a twirl hobbit, or do I need to circle you?" "Just do it hobbit, we all had to," Kili said. I glanced over at him, frowned back at Myrin, and gave a twirl. "Not that fast," Myrin yelled. "Try it slower!" I stopped, and started to spin slowly. "Okay, a little faster then that." I spun a little faster. She suddenly grabbed my chin and looked at my face, her purple eyes staring into the depths of mine. One eye squinted at me as she turned my head to the left, then to the right. She let go and backed up, her hand moving to her own chin. Fili and Kili were laughing, so I glared at them. "What's so funny," I asked. "You twirled," Fili said. "You did to," I countered. "No they didn't hobbit," Myrin said, still staring at me. "They did that to make you twirl. Thanks, by the way." Kili nodded and smirked at me. I frowned further at him, making future plans to get back at him. "Your, not quite pot belly, and your strong back suggests that you like to garden, but seeing as your fingers are unnaturally clean, you haven't done it in a while," Myrin began. I stared at her, wondering where she was going with this. "The paper cut on your left index finger indicates that you like to read, along with the other scars from paper cuts on your hands." I shoved my hands into my pockets. "You don't like to be laughed at because you were laughed at when in your youth, possibly an un hobbit young one?" I felt myself nodded, even though I didn't want to tell her anything more. "The dark circles indicates that you haven't slept in a while, or that you have been finding it hard to sleep the past few days, no more then a week without adequate sleep. The wrinkles on your face show that you haven't smiled in a while, so you don't have any young ones of your own, and you don't contact your parents, if they are still alive. Sorry to hear that. Your forearm strength is low, so you haven't held an axe before, unless it was to shop down your yearly wood supply, yet your belt loops are stretched out. Either you have many young hobbits in the Shire that like you, or you tug at them when nervous. The latter, as I see now. Seeing your coat, you are better off then some, but are content with your things. All in all, a fairly good, typical hobbit, though I doubt most would consider traveling with dwarves typical." Myrin smiled at me and held out her hand. "Myrin Flambard, at your service Master Hobbit." I looked up from studying my feet and looked at Myrin. The name couldn't be a coincidence. I took her hand. "You already know my name, but I'm curious at yours," I said. "I know a Flambard, and I'm wondering if he's-" "Named after me," Myrin finished. She let go of my hand and rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, I saved old Took when Flambard's Da was little, so when he grew up he named his first born after me, but he couldn't quite remember it correctly." "That's all fine and dandy Myrin," Fili said. "But does he have a chance for becoming a Burglar?" Myrin smiled at me, her eye squinting slightly. "That remains to be seen." "Miss Flambard," Gandalf said behind me, once again startling me. "Flamebird," Myrin corrected. "I must of mispronounced it again. It's Flamebird mister..." "Gandalf the Grey. I was simply curious as to where you got yoru first name." "My Amad, where else?" Gandalf's bushy eye brows furrowed as he nodded. "Well, Myrin, it's a beautiful name." "Not that I have a grudge against pleasantries," Bombur interrupted. "But it's almost moon high, and we have to be up at dawn again. I would LIKE to get some sleep!" Bombur curled over in his bed roll. Soon his snores joined the crickets and other wild life. "Well, some people don't change," Myrin said with a bright smile. "Indeed," Dwalin hissed. Myrin glared at Dwalin, Dwalin glared back. This journey just became a whole lot more interesting...

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branching-paths · 4 years

Text

Of Secret Letters

A/N: I’m so excited! Please read and review, all that jazz! You can also find this on Quotev.com, if that’s more along your route, and soon to be fanfiction.net! Thanks Y’all!

Two months we had been gone, and two months we had ridden over hills, through forests, haven't hit a river yet, but it was coming. I glanced to my left, where my older brother was riding atop his pony. His name was Fili, and he was a blonde, in many ways. Two mustache braids framed his mouth, and a mirthrial clasp held back the rest of his hair. One hand was holding the reins, the other resting on one of his swords. My own hand was resting on my sword's hilt, like I found it did often. Ahead of us was our Uncle, Thorin Oakenshield. His black hair was past his shoulders, and he never put any braids into it. The only decoration and/or braids that could be found were the two braids that were right behind his ears. He would have had a clasp similar to Fili's clasp, or like my own, but he had lost it a few weeks ago. Since them, he had been much more stoic, and less like the Uncle Fili and I had been raised by. I glanced around, looking at the forest that we were passing through.

"Who's coming again," I asked. Fili and Thorin stifled a sigh, again. I hated the silence that was steadily growing as we got closer to the Shire.

"The Lin's, Ri's, Ur's, and the In's," Fili said. "Then who ever this Burglar is."

"Wasn't it a Boggins," I asked.

"I thought there was an A somewhere in the name," Fili said. He frowned at me and reached for my head. "Hold still." I leaned back, away from his reach.

"No stinkin' way," I yelled. Fili still reached for my hair. He must of been jealous of my bark brown locks. Well he couldn't have any!

"Then you can keep that spider in your hair," He said, folding his arms. He knew I had a severe dislike of spiders, and was probably just doing that to get on my nerves. That's the thought I would have stayed with, if said spider didn't lower into my eyesight. I leaned forward and aloud Fili to do something with it. He frowned at me again, pursing his lips. "I think I'll let you keep it," He said at last. I cringed as it landed on my nose.

"Fee, please," I pleaded quietly. He shook his head. "PLEASE!" He rolled his eyes, grabbed a twig from his pony's mane and swiped the spider from my nose. I rubbed my hand all over my face to get rid of the webs.

"Evil spiders, EVIL SPIDER-"

"Shut up," Thorin yelled. "Do you hear that?" Fili and I stopped talking and listened. I pulled my bow off my back and notched an arrow. We didn't hear a thing, not even the wind was making a sound, no birds. Fili and I glanced at eachother and shuddered. Last time we went hunting with Thorin, we were attacked by a small pack of Orcs. We had woken up early and the forest that we were camped in was still, not even the birds chirped. It was the same eerie silence that we were feeling now. Thorin silently drew his sword and held it tightly. The ponies nickered with fear, Fili tried desperately to shush them, but in vain. Two Wargs jumped out of the trees on Fili's side, I loosed my arrow. It hit one of the Wargs in the head, killing it instantly, but the other was still very much alive. It jumped at Fili, who cut it's shoulder with his left sword. I loosed another arrow and the second one was dead. I looked around and found yet another Warg, but he was circling beyond the tree line. I grabbed another arrow and aimed. Before I could loose the arrow, another hit it's head and it fell dead. I turned around and saw Thorin had his bow out, and he was breathing hard. Four other Wargs were dead around him. And he was still on top of his pony. He turned his gaze on me and frowned.

"Do not hesitate Kili," He snarled quietly. He pulled on both ends of his bow and it pulled apart. He put it back on his saddle bag and looked back at me. "The second that you do, you're dead." He turned around, faced the road and trotted towards the Shire again. I looked at Fili, who shrugged and followed Thorin. I rode up next to him and tapped his shoulder.

"Thorin's being weird," I breathed. Fili nodded.

"Wonder why...."

"He's been weird since he lost the clasp-"

"No, before that," Fili interrupted. "Did you see how he looked at Myrin when we left. It was almost regretful." I frowned at him.

"What," I asked. "Why would he- Oo-oh, I get it!"

"Get what," Thorin asked. We clammed up, and he turned around. "What are you two doing?"

"Talking," Fili said. Thorin glared again, but didn't press.

That night when we stopped on the east side of the Shire, Fili and I had a plan. After we had the fire going, food cooking, and ponies free of their saddles, we put the plan into action. Each time we could, we would send letters back to Amad. We hadn't sent Myrin a letter yet, and that was our plan. Fili grabbed a piece of parchment, a charcoal stick and got writing. He was more poetic them me, better with words, so I let him write the letter. I noticed that Thorin was writing a letter also. Thorin finished writing his letter first. He sealed it, did something with the front and looked over at Fili, who was grinning.

"What's wrong with you," He asked. Fili looked up and shrugged.

"Nothing," He said. "What are you doing?" Thorin frowned and held out his letter.

"I'm entrusting you with something very important." He had both our attentions. "It must be delivered, and if you dare loose it-"

"You'll skin us," Fili asked. Thorin frowned. "We know Thorin. This is very important, and we can't loose it." I grabbed the letter and looked it over. Completely blank, all except for a picture on the front of what looked like an eagle, only flames were it's feathers. I couldn't tell what it was.

"Why can't you deliver it yourself," I asked. Thorin went over to his bed roll and sat down.

"I have to go to Bree," He said.

"Why?"

"Because I'm meeting with someone," Thorin snapped. "I have to leave early in the morning, so I'm hitting the sack. You will be quiet, or so help me!" He let us consider the hopefully empty threat as he pulled his cloak back over himself. My gaze went back to the letter and the picture on it. Fili looked up and frowned. He held out his hand, wiggling his fingers, silently asking me to hand him the letter so he could examine it. I threw it at him, over the fire.

"Careful with that," Fili hissed as he caught it. Thorin rolled over again, making us both tense. "Who do you think it's meant for," He asked quietly when he was done looking it over. I shrugged and grabbed a stick next to my foot. I poked at the fire, making the wood spark and hiss.

"What do you mean this can't be delivered," Fili yelled at the postmaster. We were in the Shire again, at the Green Dragon. Tomorrow we would meet our burglar, hopefully.

"There isn't a name laddie," The Hobbit said again. He handed back Thorin's letter. Fili slid it back across the bar table, a determined scowl across his face.

"You don't understand, this has to be delivered," Fili pressed.

"No, ye don't understand," The hobbit interrupted. "There is not a way to deliver this! If ye can get a name on it, I might be able to help ye, but in the state it's in now, I can't. Glad to do business with ye!" He turned around and avoided us.

"What are we going to do now," I asked Fili. The hobbit frowned at us. Fili frowned and grabbed the letter from the table. "You don't have a plan, do you," I asked. Fili shook his head as we got some weird looks from the hobbits. "We can say-"

"That the postmaster wouldn't take the letter," Fili said. "Thorin will understand." I snorted and walked towards the hall that lead outside. "Hey, don't you want some food," Fili asked, pulling out a chair by the huge hearth. My stomach answered for me. I sat down with Fili at the table and looked around. Hobbits were everywhere, smoking their pipes and drinking. Most of them were short, and paid us no mind. A few of the older hobbits were giving us sly looks though.

"Evening gent's," A small lass said. Her hands were in a bar towel, and her red curly hair pulled back with a blue ribbon. "What'll it be?"

"Two ciders, and some bread mum," Fili said, leaning back in his chair. The lass nodded and went behind the bar. "Basic's still weird," Fili said, rubbing his hands over his face.

"We had better get used to it," I growled. "Probably the only thing our burglar knows how to say." Fili groaned again. A few minuets later, the lass came back, handed us our food and went back to work.

"What do you think he's like," I asked Fili as we walked up the road. I looked again at the map Gandalf had given to Thorin. Didn't hobbit's have landmarks that they used?

"What do you mean," Fili asked, looking at me. I folded up the map and tucked it under my arm. I rolled my eyes as I did so, getting a punch from Fili.

"I mean exactly what I say, what do you think Mr Boggins is like," I repeated.

"I still think it's Baggins, and I still don't know what you're saying." I growled, getting another punch. We came to a fork in the path, with a four way sign. I pulled out the map and looked it over. "Are we lost," Fili asked, looking over my shoulder.

"No, I just don't know where we are," I said, staring at the map more. "Ah-HA!" I folded up the map, and slipped it into my coat. "We are taking the left," I said, striding forward confidently. "And you still haven't answered me," I added. Fili rolled his eyes and walked a little more humbled next to me.

"I don't know what he's going to be like," Fili said at last. "But I have an idea. We see how he acts, and his reaction is how we find out if we'll survive the next few months with him." I nodded, liking what Fili was thinking. Well, even if he wasn't the ideal fun type hobbit, like Flambard, we could still survive the next few months. If she would come.... A few more twists and turns later, we were at a gate, looking up at the round door with a blue mark on it. Burglar for Hire, it read in Khuzdul.

"Remember, forget all manners," Fili breathed into my ear. I nodded and opened the gate. Fili shut it behind me and jumped up the few steps to stand next to me at the door. I pulled on the bell rope and waited for the green door to open. I took a deep breath as it opened. The hobbit of the house was rather tall for one, and had red curly hair. Pointy ears too, but not like an elf's. A checkered robe covered his pajamas

"Fili,"

"And Kili,"

"At your service," We finished together with a bow. We straightened and I smiled. "You must be Mr Boggins!"

"No, you can't come in," The hobbit said suddenly, trying to shut the door. I shoved my boot into the doorway and shoved it back open.

"What, has it been canceled," I asked, mortified.

"Nobody told us," Fili said, glancing from the hobbit to me and back. The hobbit frowned, his brown eyes, similar to my own sparked with confusion.

"No, nothing's been canceled," He yelled, trying to shut the door again.

"That's a relief," I said, shoving the door open. A large hall was in front of me, to my right was room with a roaring hearth and a few sitting chairs, the front room I suspected. To my left was a room full of fine china. I turned around and smirked as Fili walked through the door like he owned the place. Spinning on the ball of my foot, I walked down the large hall to find another large hall branching out to my left. Farther down was a large door, one that I suspected was a bathroom. I went back to the entryway and looked around again.

"Nice place this," I said. "Did you do it yourself?" Fili was unloading all his weapons on the poor hobbit, who was already starting to buckle under the immense weight of it all. I spied a nice looking box and smirked again.

"Oh no," The hobbit said, trying to be polite. "It's been in the family for years- Could you not do that, that's my Mother's Glory box," The hobbit shouted at me as I wiped my feet on the ornate box.

"Kili, we could use a hand with the table," Someone said behind me. I turned around and spied Dwalin. His bald tattooed head was alight from the chandelier, his knuckle busters glowing too. I smiled and looped an arm around my former weapons trainer.

"Ah, Mr Dwalin," I said, grateful for another familiar face. Balin was looking at a table, obviously wondering how to move it into the china room. Fili raised a brow, and followed Dwalin and I into the room with Balin.

"Come on laddies," Balin said, stroking his beard with one hand, grabbing the corner of the hutch with the other hand. "We have to move this to the hall. We'll never have enough room in here." The hobbit leaned in from the front hall, curious as ever.

"Room," He asked. "How many are-" He was interrupted by the door ringing again. His nose turned up as his face morphed into a snarl. "No, There's nobody home," He yelled as he walked down the hall. A loud clang echoed through the house as he threw Fili's weapons on the floor. I chuckled as Fili glared towards the hall where the hobbit disappeared. "There are far to many dwarves in my kitchen as it is! If this is some clot head's idea of a joke-" I heard the creak of hinges, a few bodies fall on the floor, and surprised yelling. Dwalin, Balin, Fili and I chuckled at the now silent hobbit. We lifted the hutch up and walked it out into the other room. I spied Bombur on top of everyone else, and I almost dropped the cabinet again. We finished moving it and went to help up everyone. The hobbit was nowhere to be seen, either. I slapped Ori and Bofur on the back once they were up, just to see if they would fall over again. Ori did, but Bofur slapped me back, knocking me over.

"Glad to see you Kili," Bofur said from under his floppy hat. He reached down and helped me back to my feet as Fili and Dori helped Ori to his.

"Good to see you too Bofur," I said. I looked around. "You haven't seen the hobbit have you?" Bofur looked around too.

"No, I haven't. Where's the food, we're starved!" Everyone voiced their agreements as we followed Balin and Dwalin to the pantry. Fili tapped my shoulder and pointed to a large keg of cider.

"How do we get it off the stand," I asked, crouching down to better examine the barrel.

"Let me shimmy behind here and we'll carry it into the dining room," Fili said, shoving the keg towards me. It promptly knocked me on my rear. I pulled myself back to my feet and lifted up the barrel. It weighed a ton! We shuffled into the dining room and set it down near the kitchen. All the food was on the table now, and the hobbit, who was now in day clothes, was demanding everything to be put back by everyone who walked by. Bifur, Oin, Bombur, all the Dwarrow that couldn't pay him any mind.

"Have you ever heard of a cheese knife," The hobbit asked as he watched Bombur walk by with four large cheese rounds.

"Cheese knife, he eats it by the block," Bofur said, rubbing his pipe with a cloth. I edged to the end of the table, closest to Bombur and sat down. Fili sat across from me, but got right back up to do something. "HEY, BOMBUR, CATCH," Bofur called from the other end of the table. He threw an egg right down Bombur's mouth, who munched it up with a huge grin on his face. We cheered and laughed again as Dwalin poured ale down Oin's ear trumpet. Oin frowned and blew on the small bit, showering everyone to my left with sticky cider. Fili appeared again, holding four mugs of ale. He was handing them out to everyone. Dwalin grabbed one, Bofur grabbed another, Bifur grabbed one more and Balin took the last one.

"Drink," I shouted. The room went quiet as we drained our mugs of the liquid. We took a collective gasp and the belching started. Ori gave the loudest and longest, much to Dori's horror. We finished eating quickly and explored the hobbit hole. The bathroom, after dinner, was smelling from ten feet away, so I stayed away. Four other rooms with shut doors lined the hall, and I didn't dare open them. I pulled out my pipe, and held it in my hand. Amad had made me it last year, and it hadn't been used once. Between the horror stories Myrin told me when I was a Dwarfling, and my own observation through out the years, smoking scared me. Didn't mean that I couldn't chew on the stem like Thorin. I walked into the hall and turned to my left, just in time to catch a plate Fili tossed at me. I spun half way around and saw Bifur in the kitchen, so I loosed the plate at him, confident that he would catch it. The hobbit was standing next to Fili, who was catching more dishes and throwing them at me, and Ori, who was standing next to the table, holding the ever piling plate stack. The hobbit tensed and watched as everyone started up a rhythm with the forks, knives, mugs and plates.

"Could you not do that," The hobbit yelled. "You'll blunt them!" Bofur's face morphed into a mischievous grin/scowl and he thumped the knives a little harder.

"Oh, do you hear that lads," Bofur asked. "He says we'll blunt the knives." Remembering an old ditty that Fili and I made once, and had never put lyrics to, I started to sing.

"Blunt the knives bend the forks," I sung, bouncing slightly to the rhythm and the tossing of plates. Fili smirked as he caught on.

"Smash the bottles and burn the corks," He added, catching yet another plate and sending it my way. Everyone soon recognized the tune and joined in.

"Chip the glasses and break the plaaaates," They yelled. "That's what Bilbo Baggins HATES!" Ori had just returned from dropping off more plates, and was getting even more then last time.

"Cut the cloth, tread on the fat," We tuned. Bofur, Oin and Dori had gotten up and were looking through their packs, looking for something.

"Leave the bones on the bedroom mat." They had found what they were looking for. A special tea pot that made music, Bofur's flute, and Dori's flute.

"Poor the milk on the pantry flooooooor, SPLASH THE WINE ON EVERY DOOR!" Ori went waddling back into the kitchen with a stack of plates that made even me uneasy. I sent a knife flying towards Bifur, who caught it right before hit the back of his head. Smirking again, I caught more things and sent them to Bifur, still very confident he could catch them. The hobbit, or Bilbo as everyone else called him, was running around frantic, trying to catch every other dish, but drawing his hand back, worried that if he interrupted the rhythm, something would break.

"Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl, pound them up with a thumping pole, when you're finished, if any are whoooooole, SEND THEM DOWN THE HALL TO ROLL!" Bofur did a little solo on his flute with Dori and Oin. We all gathered around the table with the now washed dishes as we yelled the last of the song.

"THAT'S WHAT BILBO BAGGINS HATES!" We ended up laughing the last three words. Bilbo pushed through the wall of Dwarrow and looked at his clean dishes. Not one was chipped, if I do say so myself. Bilbo looked around at the dwarves crowding his house, a look of bewilderment or horror on his face, I couldn't tell. Three pounds on the door silenced everything in the hobbit hole. Unlike when everyone else arrived, the person at the door didn't use the doorbell. Fili and I smiled as Bilbo walked towards the door. Everyone massed in the large hall so they could see who had arrived. Pretty sure we all knew who it was. Bilbo opened the door and something fell in.

"That wasn't very majestic Thorin," A tall man said. He was completely dressed in gray, had a long gray beard, long gray hair, and a tall, you guessed it, pointy gray hat. The only thing in his wardrobe that wasn't gray was his staff, but it was a dusty brown. I suspected that this gray clad man was Gandalf, our wizard. Thorin was on his back, in front of the door. Fili and Dwalin couched to help him up, and he brushed them off rather rudely. Fili backed up next to me as Thorin brushed the sleeves of his coat off. He looked around and turned towards Gandalf. He took off his cloak and frowned, looking around. His eyes landed on me and he gave me a huge grin. Then he tossed his cloak at me.

"Gandalf," Bilbo snarled. Gandalf looked into the door and smiled at Bilbo.

"Bilbo, I would like to introduce you to the leader of our Company, Thorin Oakenshield," He said, gesturing to Thorin. "Pretty sure you know everyone else by now." Thorin frowned at Bilbo and folded his hand across his chest.

"So, this is the hobbit," He rumbled. He started to circle Bilbo. "Tell me hobbit, what is your weapon of choice?" Bilbo choked and looked Thorin in the eye.

"What," Bilbo asked. Thorin chuckled.

"Come on hobbit, axe or sword?" Bilbo was starting to get angry. He shifted from the ball of his foot to the heel and back.

"Well, if you must know, I'm particularly skilled at conkers! But what has that to do with anything?" Thorin chuckled again.

"Just as I thought. He looks more like a grocer them a burglar." Everyone chuckled.

"Thorin, please give Bilbo a chance," Gandalf pressed, stepping into the house. "He might not look like much, but-"

"He's a hobbit Gandalf," Thorin said, his voice strained.

"I would prefer it if you wouldn't talk about myself in a different language, even if that's not what you're talking about, don't do it!" Bilbo yelled. Thorin groaned and walked into the dining room. Bombur walked towards the pantry and grabbed Thorin a bowl of something. He sat down at the head of the table, Fili and I took the opposite corner. Gandalf sat down on the wall bench and waited.

"Were they all there," Dwalin asked after a while.

"Aye, envoys from all seven kingdoms," Thorin said, setting down his spoon.

"What about Dain, is he with us?" We waited for a while as Thorin gathered his words together. He moved his bowl away from himself and took a deep breath.

"Dain is not with us," Thorin said at last. "He said that this is our fight, and our fight alone." Everyone groaned.

"This is a fools quest anyways," Balin said. "Thirteen of us, and not thirteen of the brightest." It took a few minuets for that to sink in. Then everyone started to yell at everyone.

"But we're fighters," Fili yelled over the roar. "Everyone one of us, to the last man!"

"And you forget, we have a wizard on our side," I added. "Gandalf must have killed hundreds of dragons!" Gandalf smiled.

"Well I-"

"How many," Dori asked.

"Hum, what," Gandalf asked, not hearing Dori correctly.

"How many dragons have you killed?" Gandalf choked on the smoke from his pipe. Everyone started to argue again.

"Enough," Thorin yelled over the roar. "Do you not think others have seen the signs? Have not weighed the risks? The Dragon Smaug hasn't been seen for 60 years. Will we sit back and watch, or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor? We will fight, and win!"

"You forget, the front gate is sealed shut," Balin said over the sound of cheering. "There's no other way in!"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, my dear Balin," Gandalf said, twirling a key in his hand.

"How come you by this," Thorin asked, staring at the key.

"Your father entrusted me with it many years ago," Gandalf said. "I've been keeping it safe, until the time was right. I believe that time is now." Gandalf looked at Thorin and handed the key over.

"If there is a key, there must be a door," Fili said. I found myself nodding. Bilbo poked his head around the corner.

"Are you going on a quest," Bilbo asked. Gandalf looked at the hobbit and to the table.

"Bilbo, we could use a little more light in here," Gandalf said gently. Bilbo ran off to get some more light as Gandalf pulled out a map. He laid it on the table as Balin and Bofur moved a few things.

"Far to the east, lies a solitary peak," Gandalf said. Bilbo came back with a candle and looked over Thorin and Gandalf's shoulder.

"The Lonely Mountain," Bilbo read off the map.

"Aye," Gloin said. "Oin has read the portents-" Everyone groaned. Nobody believed in that mumbo jumbo anymore. "-And the portents say, it is time."

"When the ravens return to the mountain, the rein of the beast will end," Oin added, shifting his ear trumpet in his hand again.

"Beast," The hobbit asked again.

"That would be a reference to Smaug the terrible," Bofur said. He pulled his pipe out of his mouth so the hobbit could better understand him. "Razor sharp teeth, claws made of iron-"

"Uh, yes, I know what a dragon is," Bilbo interrupted. "Well, if you need to get past a dragon, you'll need a burglar, and an expert at that."

"Well are you," Dori asked.

"Am I what?" Oin cackled.

"He says he's an expert," He cheered. Everyone cheered with Oin, Fili and I looked at eachother.

"I am not," The hobbit yelled over the roar. "I haven't stolen a thing in my life!" The cheering turned to raging, until Gandalf stood up.

"Enough," He yelled. His shadow grew until it covered everywhere I could see. "If I say Master Baggins is a Burglar, then a burglar he is." Gandalf's shadow shrunk back as he sat down. "Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet, and can past by most unseen if they choose. He has much more courage then you know...." Gandalf looked at the stricken hobbit hovering behind Thorin. "Much more then he knows." Gandalf flashed Bilbo a smile of encouragement. Thorin frowned and looked at Balin.

"Give him a contract," He said. Dori and Nori started to protest, but Thorin held up his hand. Balin gave Thorin a contract to hand to Bilbo.

"Just a few things laddie," Balin said. "Expenses, requirements, funeral arrangements, so forth." Bilbo went wide eyed at Balin as Thorin shoved the contract into the hobbit's chest. As Bilbo read the terms and conditions, Thorin stood up and said something to Gandalf quietly.

"Funeral arrangements," I asked quietly. Nori nodded.

"You would be surprised how dangerous even the most used roads are," He said with a shake of his head.

"Incineration," Bilbo yelled/asked from the hall near the pantry.

"Oh aye," Bofur said. "Melt the flesh right off your bones in the blink of an eye!" Bilbo looked sick. "Flash of light, searing pain and PUFF! You're nothin' more then a pile of ash!" Bilbo leaned over and puffed his cheeks a few times, trying to calm himself down.

"You alright laddie," Balin asked, getting up.

"Yeah, I just need a moment." Bilbo straightened up, looked at everyone seated at the table, cried "Nope," spun on his heel and fainted.

"Ha, he can't even take a scare," I yelled. Gandalf turned a cold glare at me, but I paid him no mind. Fili and I got up and walked over towards the hobbit.

"Pick him up and carry him into the front room," Thorin growled.

"Already on it Thorin," Fili said politely. Fili went to the hobbit's head, leaving me with his fuzzy feet. We carried him one of the arm chairs and set him up. By that time, the hobbit was coming too again. I walked back into the dining room and sat down.

"Bilbo's nothing like I though he would be," I said as Fili sat down. He snorted.

"What did you think he'd be like," Fili asked. "Like you?"

"No," I retorted. "Less stuffy truthfully. He's acting like Nork."

"No," Ori said from his notebook. "Bilbo has manners, Nork fails to even show if he has any."

"Watch your tongue Ori," Dori said, sitting down next to Ori. "He's still higher ranking then us, so he must be treated with respect."

"Not if he doesn't deserve any," Nori said, sitting on Ori's other side. "Did you forget what his son did to Kili?" My hand flew to my stomach, where Dang, Nork's son had slashed me open a few years ago. It was all healed up now, but there was bad blood between us now. I could hear Fili's teeth grinding. I whupped him with the back of my hand. I pulled out my pipe again and looked it over a few times. As I rubbed my teeth over the stem of it, Bilbo walked into the make shift dining room.

"Hello hobbit," I said through my pipe. He jumped, looked at me and relaxed again.

"Good Evening," He said as he sat down. "Would you please get out of my house?" I barked with laughter with Fili.

"We'll leave in the morning," Fili said, slapping the hobbit on the back.

"You're going to have a blast with us," I added, giving him a big grin. Bilbo frowned.

"I'm not going," He said.

"What do you mean you're not going," I asked.

"You're our burglar aren't you," Fili asked.

"I'm NOT a burglar," Bilbo yelled. "Why your group and Gandalf think that I am is beyond me!" Fili and I looked at each other. He had to come!

"Okay, you might not be a burglar," I said. "You might not be able to pick anyone's pocket, or nab someone's boots, but you might be light on your feet still." Bilbo scowled at me.

"So you aren't the best burglar-"

"Because I'm not!"

"But you might become one," Fili finished. "We have a theif with us, and numskull over here-" Fili gestured to me with his thumb, "- was able to pickpocket him." I glared at Fili as I nudged his shoulder. I rubbed my fingers together, hoping to warm them. It didn't do me any good.

"I'm going to the fire," I said as I got up. I crossed the hall and found Thorin, Dwalin, Bofur, and Balin in there already. I sat on a stool and looked around. The room looked dark, despite the fire roaring in the hearth. Fili and the Ri family joined us in the room, somehow finding places to sit. A deep humming echoed through the room, setting an ancient tone. I glanced up at Thorin, who was standing by the fireplace. He looked far off, like he was reflecting something. Glancing around, I noticed that all the older dwarrow had that far off look. I joined in the humming as Thorin started to sing.

"Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep, and caverns old We must away ere break of day To seek the pale enchanted gold. The dwarves of yore made mighty spells, While hammers fell like ringing bells In places deep, where dark things sleep, In hollow halls beneath the fells. For ancient king and elvish lord, There many a gleaming golden hoard They shaped and wrought, and light they caught To hide in gems on hilt of sword. On silver necklaces they strung The flowering stars, on crowns they hung The dragon-fire, in twisted wire They meshed the light of moon and sun. Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away, ere break of day, To claim our long-forgotten gold. Goblets they carved there for themselves And harps of gold; where no man delves There lay they long, and many a song Was sung unheard by men or elves. The pines were roaring on the height, The winds were moaning in the night. The fire was red, it flaming spread; The trees like torches blazed with light. The bells were ringing in the dale And men looked up with faces pale; Then dragon's ire more fierce than fire Laid low their towers and houses frail. The mountain smoked beneath the moon; The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom. They fled their hall to dying fall Beneath his feet, beneath the moon. Far over the misty mountains grim To dungeons deep and caverns dim We must away, ere break of day, To win our harps and gold from him!"

Thorin looked around and his eyes landed on me, moved to Fili, then down to his boots.

"This quest might be for not," He said slowly as he looked back up. "But I believe it to be a just cause. I will not lie to you, this quest will be filled with danger unlike we have seen in hundreds of years. This is your last chance to back out, and if you do, I won't blame you." Everyone was silent as they thought over what Thorin said. I glanced around the room. Thorin was giving everyone one last chance to back out of the quest, and he wouldn't call them a cowardice for doing so. I furrowed my brows and stood up.

"I believe I'm saying what everyone's thinking," I started, looking Thorin in the eye. "I would never abandon you, even if it is a fool's quest." Everyone cheered loudly. Thorin smiled at me.

"Hobbit, I believe we need some accommodations," Thorin yelled, still grinning. Something fell over in the dining room and Bilbo rushed into the front room.

"I only have two guest rooms," He growled. "If you're-"

"Fili, Kili, take one room," Thorin said, interrupting the frazzled hobbit. "Oin, Gloin take the other. The rest of us will take the floor. For breakfast I would like ham and two fried eggs." Bilbo gaped at Thorin as he went to the large hall. "I would get a quill and parchment hobbit," Thorin said as he past by. Everyone got in a line and told the poor hobbit what they would like for breakfast, including myself. Fili and I grabbed our bags and went to one of the doors.

"Is this it," Fili asked. I shrugged and opened it up. It was a study. I shut the door and opened the next one. A second pantry. I opened up the third door and found bags on top of the bed. I opened up the last door and found the empty guest room. I set the bags at the foot of the bed and flopped.

"I don't think that's being very careful," Fili said, setting his bags next to mine.

"I didn't break anything did I," I asked, lifting my head up.

"No."

"Then I'm being careful." I let my head drop back onto the bed. "Do you think she's gotten the letter yet?"

"We only sent it yesterday, Kee," Fili said, sitting next to me. "It'll be at least three days, then a day to pack, and another two days to travel." I growled. My hand flew to my pocket, where my rune-stone was.

"Do you miss them," I asked. Fili looked at me and shrugged. I sat up and stared at him. "You don't?!"

"No, I do," Fili said, holding his hands up. "I really miss Amad and Myrin."

"Then why did you shrug," I asked.

"Because I thought it was obvious!" Fili jumped at me, his fingers scrambling at my sides.

"Fili, the hobbit sa-aid to-oo be CAREFUL," I yelled as he tickled me. My arms shot out to his sides and started to wiggle. Soon, Fili's shrieks of laughter were joining mine.

"If you two don't get some sleep right now, I'll strangle you," Dwalin shouted just outside the door. I snored a few times. "I mean it Kili, stop screaming and get ta bed!" I opened my mouth.

"How did he know it was me," I asked Fili as we heard him stomp away. Fili shrugged again and looked at the bed. There was a couch in there too, but both were small. "The bed's mine," I yelled. I jumped onto it and watched Fili roll his eyes. He stumbled over to the couch and flopped on it. His snores filled the room soon after, but I couldn't get any sleep.

#first chapter #thorin/oc #fili #kili #the hobbit #branching paths #adventure story #writlbr #story

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