Chapter 5 in which Sarah and the Villainous Chaps are, for the first time, separated..
. . . . . . .
"akkkjsjsklksq.."
. . . . .
"wqoidowooisii"
....??
"sksioioios She dkwdoiiuduyd"
...?!
"..LDJKJKDJKWJKK I jsjkskjwkwu her lkjsjsjskjk"
?!?!
"--we jdjshj jhsahhsjahjhsa"
"I don't skjskjskjlll"
......pain....
",kewkjew!!!"
....ow....
"Don't ksjwjswj her slkk you!!!"
SURPRISE!
Not dead!
Well maybe.
"iish heynsjk stop!ksjksjjkjka"
Well........the question of life or death was a strong one, it was just the answer that was fuzzy....
I couldn't quite put together what happened after I passed out.
I just remember waking up to an agonizing pain all throughout the top half of my body.
The bottom half, I felt nothing. It was numb, I suppose.
Or gone. Whatever suits you.
My arms, in the meantime, were stinging.
My ears rang, my throat in pain; so much, it was hard to swallow.
Let's not even start on my head.
I was laying flat on my face. My legs I tried to shift, but they didn't want to work. . same with my arms.
I tried to breathe normally, but I couldn't. And that made it justifiable to say I couldn't breathe, period.
Where I was was yet another question. . . . I felt under me . . . it felt a little rough and dirty on my first half.
My legs, with the little feeling I regained, felt very wet.
I heard water in the background, so my only guess was, I landed in some kinda stream... or something.
Could be a shoreline, but I was in a forest, you don't typically get those.
Or was I? hmm...
I didn't even bother to try and open my eyes the five minutes I'd been awake.
How'd I even...I mean...I drowned-- didn't I?
I was underwater and passed out..
Honestly, everything was complicated and spooky things kept happening-- and it made my head hurt even more just thinking about it.
But anyway... surprise again!
Alive and well. At least, I thought I was.
The explanation still needed to be provided on why my arms and legs weren't working.
And why couldn't I open my eyes?
well....I probably could. I just didn't want to.
I was a mess, I had reason to be lazy.
Oh yes. Those mysterious speech bubbles I put earlier?
Yeah, well....someone was there.
But my hearing still sucked.
Not too much, I suppose. In fact, it was starting to clear up more and more by the minute.
Then, the bubbles started back up again.
"What if she's dangerous?!"
"Is it even a she?!"
"Check!"
"I'm not checking, YOU check!"
"I don't want to get close to it to see!"
"Just take a peek!"
*brief awkward silence*
"...yep! It's a she!"
"Or maybe not! Maybe it's a witch!"
"A witch?!"
..sigh..
"How old does she look?!"
*another brief awkward silence*
"Young..very young!"
"It could be a trick!"
"A trick from this cursed dark forest!"
"By my beard!"
"Maybe we should go tell the others!"
And click. My mind started working again.
My eyes immediately flung wide open.
Dwarves.
My head was laying sideways to where the only thing I could see was trees and grass and dirt.
It was ugly.
Still in the forest, still alive, and still sick to bloody death of my situation.
Annnndddd just when I was hating current life, a sharp poke disturbed my scalp and the pain traveled all about my skull, bouncing like a slinky. I winced.
"Don't poke her! She'll wake up!"
By Joe, if it isn't....
"We need to find out who she is!"
"Do you think she's alive?!"
BY JOE, IT IS.
ow. They poked me again, the diddlywads. Violence had been called upon.
I tried to move my legs to put an end to this, which dem suckers were actually starting to work a little.
But then I was poked again.
RAGE.
I had enough.
I sprung up faster than I could process a thought - - it hurt like heck and I was uber drowsy and confused and ow. I tried to regain my focus....my head became a little clearer and I looked around.
I could see.. and I could hear. My senses were making a comeback.
But I realized that me being fast was faulty; my body was actually moving quite slowly and I was severely groggy. I sluggishly stumbled about and looked around me with alot of confusion.
Then I fixed my focus on the dwarves.....
if only my brain would start to work again...
ah yes. Bofur, Oin and Ori.
Bofur Ori Oin
But they looked, um....confused....no, actually, they looked terrified and stunned and I felt horrible, like some freakish freak, and they started screaming, and I screamed and confusion and ow.
Then they started running and I gasped and my body became limp and fell back into the water.
*random gibberish*
I struggled, wiggling like a fish. Then my brain finally grasped what just happened, and I hurried up.
"Hey..." I started, huffing and puffing from all the energy it took for me to do all this.
"...W---Wait!!"
They got further. I shook my head. "Please!! Wait!!!"
And further.
I now thrashed my head around.
I needed to get a hold of myself.
So I ran.
My legs stun like absolute crazy heck, I wanted to die.
This caused me to collapse right into a tree, and I collided with it, hit my face, and was immediately holding my nose. Son of a freaking teletubby, WHY?!! KJSIUIWUWDOUW
I sniffed and sniffed and checked for blood and lifted my head back and sniffed and checked for blood again and sniffed, then ran.
"WAIT!!"
They wouldn't listen. They never listen.
"PLEASE, STOP!! COME BACK!! WAITTTT!!!"
nope.
I continued to run after them and ran and ran, good lord, what was the sense.
It felt like I was running forever; until I realized they had disappeared.
I came to a halt. Rotating in the same spot, I was out of breath, in pain, and ow.
Then....something spoke to me. A gentle, quiet voice that was almost wind-like.
It told me to go right.
Well, I wasn't helping myself any. So right I went.
And I kept running--- and ow--- and whoa, son, pointy thing in my face!
I skid to such a hard stop, I stumbled, but I quickly stopped myself from even doing that...
for several small swords popped up out of no where and were pointed at my face.
I was surrounded; my hands instinctively went up.
"Okaaayyyyy, not what I asked for."
I looked at the sword-wielding peoples..and lo and behold, it was the Dwarves!! ♥
I wanted to fangirl once more...but oh, guess what? I was being HOSTIFIED again!
yap yap yap
I would like to meet ONE person from this world who DOESN'T treat me with hostility for five bloody minutes so I could have a PROPER bloody geeky moment!
Ugh!
And ow.
*flurry of random gibberish*
But, thankfully, this time, I couldn't be taken prisoner.
"OK, wow, guys, wait-a-minute, now, look--"
"Is this the one, Bofur?"
Bofur reluctantly nodded his head.
In front of me, and the one who had just spoken, was none other than Thorin.
I was in awe of his kingly-ness....and how incredibly tiny he was.
I looked around at the others. My god in heaven, they all were so short.
Thorin
I know all their names, too! ^_^
Thorin, Kili, Fili, Balin, Dwalin, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur and then, of course, was little Bilbo. Wait...where was the child??
Oh, there he was. Peeking from behind the group.
I waved my fingers at him, smiling. "Hey Bilbo!"
He looked surprised, obviously. "I'm sorry?..Y--y--you know...w-who I am..??"
"That I do." I gave the group a glare that was a little bit more creepier than I intended.
"I know who all of you are."
Well if THAT doesn't spell out suspicion, I don't know what can.
Thorin was displeased. "How is that possible?!"
He thrusted Orcrist closer to my face. "Speak quickly!"
My shoulders jumped- - yeah, that's right.
"LISTEN, you guys-- you guys got me all wrong! I---"
..I stopped.
"......Ya know what?....I'm sick of this! Enough of this, I'm done with this, I've already been through this, I'm taller than you!"
I smacked his sword away and shoved my arms down, obstinately.
"I'm tired of everyone being rude, of being weird, of treating me like a common criminal (cuz nothing about me is common), when I didn't even DO anything, and I'm tired of just everything about this bloody trip so far cuz it's been a bloody nightmare and all the hatred and non-gentleman nature of literally everyone, so y'know what? NO. How about, I, just, y'know, do what I like!"
I waved for the others to put down their swords, but they did not listen.
"Starting now, whoever again treats me with any sort of hostility, I will also treat them with such, but in much much more worse volumes. And believe me, I will do everything in my possible power to make them suffer the greatest suffering."
Thorin still seemed unimpressed, despite me standing there, hands at my hips, feeling quite pleased with myself. He tilted his head to the side a little.
"..Who are you?"
I rolled my eyes. "Ugh, you dwarves are so nosy."
"I will not ask again."
"What's it gonna take to avoid the question?"
"If you do not answer, I will be forced to slay you."
"......Well........let's just....try to avoid that, shall we?"
"What is your name?"
"...."
"Your NAME, girl!"
"Would you believe it is Montgomery?"
"That's a lie."
"You're right, it is. Just testing."
"My patience has run out."
"...You don't scare me."
"Are you threatening me?"
"How is that even---dude, you know what, you're bipolar!"
"I will not ask again."
"Lovely, since you already asked twice."
".....Who ARE you?"
"See?"
"That is not your name."
"Ay Dios Mio!"
"Is that it?"
"Son of a- NO, THAT IS NOT IT!"
"Then what?!"
I held my head back and moaned.
Most stubborn. dwarf. EVER.
"Look, dude, I don't WANNA say my name!"
"Why is that? Unless you're HIDING something!"
"You suspicious little swine!"
"Curb your tongue!" Dwalin chirped. "He is a KING!"
"Not mine, bozo!"
"Your NAME!"
"This is an intERROGATION!!!"
We were all fed up with one another, until one dwarf stepped up.
"Uncle!" I glared; it was Thorin's nephew..Kili.
He leaned in close to his uncle as if to whisper, but he wound up speaking rather loudly.
"Perhaps she has been forbidden to reveal herself by whoever owns her for safety precautions...after all, she looks rather harmless. I doubt she is of any threat."
Ope dope, he winked at me and smiled his little boy smile.
Kili, don't you start! I had enough of that from Jim.
Kili
Thorin glanced at his nephew, as if to consider. Then he looked back.
"Is that true?" He tilted his head again. "Is that the reason why you wish to remain unknown?"
I felt uncomfortable and shifted. "...Yes."
He then seemed a little satisfied. "...Well....you may proceed on your way, then."
He sheathed his sword and began to turn, causing the rest of the party to follow in his footsteps.
I was about to protest against this- I wished to remain anonymous, not alone- then Kili approached me, unexpectedly. I tensed up as he got closer and closer to me, despite only previously being a couple yards away. He might've been small, but gosh golly, he WAS a cutie.
He smirked. "Hello."
I quickly turned my head away and refused to stare.
"Hi."
He pushed. "I am Kili...nephew of Thorin Oakenshield. At your service.."
He did the bow. He actually did the bow.
I wanted to squeal, but that is not acceptable coming from me.
He instantly beamed, apparently happy to get that out've the way.
"What brings you to a forest like this? Are you lost?"
"Uh...in a manner of speaking, yes."
"Oh...are you separated from your company, if you have one?"
"Um...yes."
He lifted his chin up, heroically.
"I see...well, I'll help you find them! Eh, well, WE will...I apologize about my uncle and fellow dwarf brethren. The forest's magic has made us a bit..."
"Edgy?"
He nodded, shrugging his shoulders. "I suppose, yes."
I finally worked up the courage to look straight at him.
"....So...I guess I'll be on my way."
"You're not coming with us?"
I crinkled my eyebrows, feeling guilty. I made him sad.
"Um...I....don't wanna get in the way."
Truth be told, I NEEDED to get out of the way.
They were supposed to get uber disoriented from the forest magic and then taken by the spiders and
Bilbo needed to save them and they needed to be taken prisoner and go to Lake Town and LDKHSHDJHHDSHJJHSJHS, STUPID ME.
"I have to go, g'bye."
I was rushing away from him so fast, my legs were starting to fumble. He hurried after me.
"Wait!"
"Don't talk to me, don't talk to me." I murmured.
"Please, my lady, wait!!"
How irritating. All these attractive men hitting on me was getting tiresome.
But at least this one had some manners.
"Please, back off, or I'll hit you."
"I insist, m'lady, come with us!"
"You just won't give up, will ya, Pluto?!"
Anndddd bonk!
I ran into a tree.
skskjsj confounded.
I rubbed my nose and shook my head, squeezing my eyes shut.
There's that long belated ow you guys were waiting for.
He rushed to my side as I grumbled from the pain.
"Are you alright?!" He exclaimed, inspecting me like he knew me.
I brushed his hand away. "I'm fine, I'm fine!"
I looked back at the weapon of nature and kicked it.
That's a stupid place to put a tree!
"Who put that tree there!" "The creator, I'm sure." Kili joked.
ha-ha-ha.
Well the creator and I needed to have some words if this was gonna be my life from then on.
I eyed Kili, who was being such a sweetheart, bless his soul.
But I couldn't remain in the area another minute. I needed to find the others and FAST.
"Look, Kili, I really like you and all. You're a total nice word and everything, it's just...."
I felt so, so guilty.
I closed my eyes and forced the words out.
"PLEASE stop following me!"
He was quiet. Seemed like he was a little hurt.
"But I can't....you're a lady in trouble. I can not just turn my head away and pretend not to notice."
He stroked my arm.
My eyes popped open and I shivered my limbs, backing away quickly, pointing.
"STOP that!! No, no, no!"
pumph
I tripped. I fell.
I was judged.
"I hate my life."
Kili again rushed to my aid, as I laid flat on the grass, staring at the treetops.
He helped my defenseless body up and I quickly recovered.
As soon as this happened, I kicked the stump--more like a log that was sat upright--
and waved my fist at it, bitterly. "Stupid log."
"I'm beginning to see a knack of lacking respect for nature and your surroundings."
"I'm so done, with everything."
"Even done with me?"
He and I glared at eachother as he helped me to another log, one that served as a seat.
I sat.
"..I haven't decided."
He seated next to me and I held my head.
He pat my back, gently. "At least tell me where you come from."
He gestured at my clothing. "I suspect from somewhere...quite far away....judging by your garbs."
I looked at my garbs--I mean clothes.
Yes, yes indeed. I did seem to have quite the get-up in such a timeline.
"What are you getting at? They're customary where I come from."
"Mm..I see."
I smirked.
"Nah..not really. I mean, most girls dress like this, but alot of 'em wear actual dresses and skirts and junk. But that ain't my style."
I nodded as I glared at him, smiling. "-You can tell by the way I talk, too. I'm not like other dames."
He slowly smirked at me, appearing to be in a daze. "No, you are not."
He seemed impressed. That makes ONE of the Durin line.
We both sat in silence.
It got awkward.
"So...what are you? Are you of man...possibly dwarf...an elf?"
"Dwarf?"
"They CAN be beardless."
"That's scary."
"Hm.."
"No, I'm not a dwarf...or elf. I--" I pondered on my answer.
"..I'm half man, half...Leprechaun."
He eyed me. "L..Le..Leprechaun...??"
"....Yes."
Not a lie. I had Irish in me and I was short.
He seemed confused. "I have never heard of them..."
"Yeah, we're a bit--hermit...ish..y'know, like to keep to ourselves...so we really don't socialize."
He nodded, slowly.
"What happened to you?" "Reasons." "What?" "I dunno."
......
......this was getting weird.
"Look, I really should be going." "What ever is the rush?" "I just---" I sighed.
"...I--truth be told, I shouldn't even be here..I never should have even left home."
His face crumbled in sadness. "Is there a reason why you left?"
I looked down, depressingly.
"...I just...wanted to escape...real life, that is...to get a taste of--forgive the corniness---adventure.
I wanted adventure."
His expression changed here and he seemed to be a bit delighted to hear the thing.
"..I know what that's like." He patted his lap.
"That's why I'm on this quest! To help my uncle, to reclaim my homeland!"
"Heh...sounds fun."
"Oh no, it's an absolute nightmare, but you're right, it is fun."
Couldn't help but laugh. His joking amused me.
".......But no....if you hadn't have left....we would have never met."
Gllaaaaarrreeeee.
what was he getting at.
I slowly arose, continuing to eye him, suspiciously.
"...Like I said....I gotta go."
"At least stay for supper!" I paused.
"If you stay right here, I can have Dori serve me another portion and I'll give it to you..if that's alright."
"Sounds tasty since I haven't eaten in...awhile. But...I can't stay, I really can't. If I do, I'll..."
I winced. pain.
My head got a massive ache right then that came from absolute no where.
I clutched on to my skull, which caused Kili to spring up. "Are you alright?!"
I tensed and gritted my teeth at the pain....it subsided a bit, causing me to relax some.
"....yeah...that tree collision is kicking in again."
He had a look of unsatisfaction about him. "See, you're in pain. You're injured. You need to stay."
"No, I--"
"Kili!" We jolted and swung our heads behind us.
In came Fili, Ori and Bofur.
Fili approached his brother, giving me a look of suspicion.
"What are you doing, talking to her?"
Kili sniffed and looked my way. "Just--having a conversation...being a gentleman, as she put it."
I looked away and he looked to his brother.
"Why do you ask?" Fili glared at him, then me, then started to back away.
"Supper's almost ready..."
Fili
Bofur came up to Kili, holding his arms up infront of him, looking like a squirrel.
Actually, I don't care what anyone says, he is a squirrel.
"In your conversation, did you by chance find out who she is?"
Kili looked at me again and my heart sank.
".....Yes...."
hm?
"....She's a friend."
...aww. :)
Bofur gave him a look, Ori too.
Fili stopped in his tracks and seemed to pause for a minute, but once again kept walking away.
Bofur and Ori, on the other hand, sent out abrupt cheers.
"Hurrrraayyy!!" Bofur sung.
I jolted as he sprung his arms up in the air in delighted fashion and came running my way.
What the---?!?!
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, miss whoever you are!" He shook my hand like a wild animal.
Dratted squirrel.
"Where do you hail from? Northland? Southland? In between?"
I blinked. "...In between?"
"Haha! That's more like it!"
He patted me on the back so roughly, you would think he was handling a guy.
That's right! Neither a city girl, nor a country girl. I was in between!
"Ahhhhh, are you hungry, love? Dori's cooking up some supper, and there's plenty for all!"
I sighed on the inside.
".....yes."
He laughed and celebrated and jumped around, as if we were long lost cousins.
And he roughly pat me on the back again.
Ahh, all this happiness..couldn't help but love it.
Ori clapped a little, in excitement, and hurried to me.
"Ori, at your service, ma'am!" He bowed.
These dwarves were so cute with their curtsies.
I was already smiling, so I bowed my head.
"Pleasure to meet you both..Ori..Bofur.."
Bofur looked at me for a second. I quickly fixed this.
"Uhh, I remember..your name...from when Thorin addressed you."
Like I said, it was fixed. He nodded, buying the story.
The part about supper, though, concerned me.
"Uhhh, what are you guys cooking, anyway?"
"Stew! If we can find some proper meat, it would be beef---but alas, we've been searching for about an hour and nothing has turned up."
"Oh dear, how depressing..."
Bofur suddenly gave me a look of concern. "You are a meat eater...yes?"
I perked. "Absolutely! I'm like a wild wolf."
He cheered again. "Ha-HA! Good woman! You're quite the lively lass!"
"Oh gosh, please, don't call me a woman--"
They all three were intrigued.
"Ummmmmm.." Ori looked a little concerned.
FIX AGAIN, FIX AGAIN.
"NO, NO, I am a girl!"
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
I grinned, nervously.
"I just..don't...like...to be called a woman. I prefer girl. I'm not..*really* a woman. I mean, I'm a girl. I don't like being called..woman..you know..cuz I just..think..it makes me sound...I dunno. I just don't like it."
I shrugged.
"I'm a bit--similar to a tomboy, you would say. But I don't like being called a tomboy, either! I'm perfectly fine with being a girl.."
I shook my head at the scrambling.
"Basically, just call me a tough girl."
They all nodded, as if they even understood.
"Well then.." Kili spoke up, who in the mean time had been standing back, frequently smiling my way at the acceptance the dwarfs showed to me.
"We need something to call you...just a name. Can't go off calling you 'girl' all the time, can we?"
Why not? Folks who learn names STILL wind up calling youngsters by their gender.
Even by their maturity level! E.G. "kid".
"Yes, please! We need a name." "Any name will do, love. Just spit it out."
Tartar sauce.
They needed a name.
And I refused to turn to a life of crime and lie.
siggghhhhh
If you were wondering before, this is what it's like to be me.
"....Sarah....my name's Sarah." I gestured with my hand.
"My REAL name, by the way...I just...don't think it's right, you knowing me by any other title..so..Sarah."
I nodded. It was done.
Their response was one of dazzlement. Almost like they were in the presence of a movie star.
They were smiling, Bofur's mouth hanging open with wonder.
What in the world had I said?
"Sarah..quite lovely."
"What a beautiful name." Ori grinned like a little boy. "It suits you. ♥"
Kili smirked so cutely at the reveal. "It is a beautiful name." He said, as-a-matter-of-fact-ly.
I smiled myself and looked down.
These dwarves were the sweetest things, how could anyone be hating on them?
Oh yes. Thorin. Thorin was that reason.
"So I have YOU guys liking and appreciating me, but what of your king? Still need to win over Stubborn McStubbornson." "Oh no-- his father is actually Thrain!"
I mentally slapped my forehead. Sigghhh...the elder days.
It took a minute of awkward silence.
"You don't worry about my uncle," I looked to Kili, who was starting to approach me.
"I'll take care of him.." He laid a hand on my shoulder and I tensed.
"Come. Join us for supper. Get your rest. Travel as our companion, we don't mind!"
He gestured at the other two and they nodded, splendidly.
I tensed even more. "I appreciate that offer, but no, no, I can't! I have my own..companions."
I looked behind me. "...they're actually probably looking for me..."
Kili frowned, from what I could see when I looked back. And it made me sad again.
"Your...companions? Then..why did the others find you washed up in the stream?
Have they not abandoned you?"
I thrashed my head around.
"No, no, that's not what happened! See-- we were crossing the river..the big one, leading towards Lake Town..and...well, the river was acting crazy, we're talking waterflow at ballistic high speeds. The only way across was a fallen tree." I sighed.
"I thought it was sturdy enough...I went first..just when I was almost across, it snapped from under me and I fell in. The water suddenly changed course and it carried me off, pulling me under. I pretty much drowned and thought I had actually died, until..." I crinkled my eyebrows, and looked back at the shorties.
"I'd much rather stay put..where I am..so thank you..but no thank you. If I go any farther, I'll officially be lost, and the others will never find me." I nodded in the direction Fili exited to.
"Go back with your companions, I'll stay here. They'll find me eventually."
It was a good plan, one I'm sure they would protest to, but inevitably go with...
until I crumbled. Right there. Infront of the dwarves. To my knees.
Like someone slammed the back of them with a sledgehammer.
The company of tiny men caught me a little as I fell, as a searing pain suddenly overtook me.
The very same pain I had been feeling ever since I set foot in Middle-Earth.
WHAT on Middle-Earth was HAPPENING TO ME????
"----ow."
Satisfied?
In truth, my head was banging out of my skull--I could no longer feel my legs, my arms were now sore-
my lungs hurt, as well, so yes, I was attempting to avoid breathing, but that's kinda tricky when breathing indicates life and is sort've required, I think.
My face hurt from my klutz act earlier. And I'm pretty sure I was bleeding...
I was wet and chilly, my body temp dropping by the minute..and it was beginning to get hard to hear.
I think one can agree I was an official hot mess.
Kili was the first one to catch me and he held my shoulders tight as he and I looked at one another.
"Are dskjdkjkxjjlsd alright lklsjsjw ?"
I blinked, probably giving him a face of utter confusion.
"Are you jkjdjdej Sarwsjwj?"
guuuhhhhhhh
He shook my shoulders. "SARAH!"
That part I heard.
I reluctantly shook my head yes. "Y--yeah."
"You kssj alright?""I guess so."
"How about we xjwkdwsjlkjw sit skjjskjw and dkjdkwjd is that skjwdjwjjj??"
"No, I don't like monkeys."
The trio looked to one another, confused, and I don't care.
They continued to talk in distorted noises which I assume were meant to be words, as they quickly led me (more like drag my dying body) to that one nearby log, where they helped me sit up.
Bofur and Ori placed their arms behind me to hold me up, as Kili took a water pouch out and brought it up to my lips. I was so exhausted, I continuously kept trying to close my eyes and just sleep, but the young dwarf gently shook me every time and I breathed awake, my eyes popping back open like jelly beans, ignore me and my statements.
When my alert mind realized what he was trying to do, I snatched the pouch and began to chug.
He and the others shared uneasy glances, but had nothing to say.
Once my yet again alert mind realized how rude I was being, I stopped.
"...sorry." I wiped my mouth.
The water helped a little, so I was a bit refreshed, at least.
That's when I remembered; the elixir! The very same concoction given to me by Tauriel.
I reached into my pocket, abruptly, to pull it out, when-- scrap.
it wasn't there.
I stopped breathing for a second, gaining swift goosebumps.
This was just NOT my day. "Oh no.." "What is it?"
Well, my hearing was a little better.
"..My.....my medicine...it's...it's gone."
Kili looked to the others. "Did she lose it somewhere?" "Perhaps in the water.."
I glanced at each of them. "Eh?"
Ori shrugged his shoulders. "Don't you remember, ma'am?....where we found you? In the stream..."
I blinked. ".....You mean.....I probably lost it in the water???"
I looked down, deflated, and sighed, as I held my head in my hands. Just my luck.
Bofur dabbed a small cloth on my exposed forehead to remove it of my steady-coming sweat.
Yes, I was hot. So unlady-like, though. Good thing I'm not a lady.
"How old are you even, miss? You look young! Like a child."
"You're very beautiful. ♥"
I lowered my eyebrows at their questions. Nosy little trolls.
"..huh..well..I'm 19...I think..officially...I mean, today IS my birthday, I just don't necessarily know for sure, due to the...recent time change."
I rubbed my temple. "To be honest, I've lost track of all time."
"Happy birthday."
We all turned our heads to the side to see Bilbo standing near the log. He tensed his little body up as he sheepishly approached us. "Sorry...I...couldn't help but...come watch."
He nodded his head and half-way smiled at me, doing his little Bilbo gestures.
"..But yes...happy birthday.."
I smirked at him and his adorable hobbit self. "Thank you."
I jerked my head at Bofur and Ori and they removed their arms from my back since I had regained control.
I sat upright and took a deep breath, swallowing my pain away.
Bilbo
The hobbit nodded at us, gradually.
"I just came to report that, supper's..about ready...if you...all are hungry."
I shrugged in my stupidity and hypocrisy. "I'm game."
This seemed to please my dwarven friends. Oh boy.
~
The dwarves and hobbit led me back to their camp, where the rest of the gang resided on stumps, logs, vine swings or the actual ground.
My presence disturbed the force and all looked to me as soon as I entered with their brethren..and Bilbo.
"What is she doing here?"
Guh, Dwalin.
"She's a friend," Kili announced.
"And she's here to have supper with us. She's very ill. And weak. She needs medical attention as soon as she is filled with food." He nodded at Oin. "And rest."
Oin nodded back at him, then me, seeming completely comfortable with whatever that was going on.
I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
I was feeling so sick, unwelcome and nervous, I wanted to scream.
How could I sit there and eat, feeling such a thing?
I stood in place. Completely still. Kili realized this and he rushed to Thorin, no doubt to fix things.
I remained in the same position, staring around me, with all the various dwarf eyes fixed on me like the outsider I was.
Bilbo and the others took their seats and watched and waited like everyone else, for Thorin's decision.
The dwarf king stared straight at me as Kili whispered to him.
The conversation went on and on, as I stood there for at least five minutes.
Then..Kili stopped. And Thorin shifted, unable to remove his gaze from me.
"..Well....quite an interesting ordeal you have faced...Lady Sarah."
I shot my eyes at Kili, but he looked pleased.
Unexpectedly, Thorin cracked. He nodded his ok at me and gestured for me to sit.
"Come..please..join us."
HNNNNN, I'd been accepted into the dwarven clan!!
Was this like a gang initiation or something??
Cuz if so, I felt hip.
I seated next to the others and Dori came in, as if on cue, with a big smile on his face, wielding a bowl of stew. "Here you go, miss. I know it's not much, but it's all we have!"
"It's perfect."
Marvelous! A meal! Food was among my top obsessions.
"Thanks boys." I managed to get out, before they all quickly forgot about me and dug into their nice hot bowls of stew.
Dori
"So..." Thorin began, eating all properly, hunching over his meal. I eyed him.
"Kili tells me you tried to cross the river and you fell...how did you manage to survive such turbulence?"
I swallowed. The stew...it was....wow. Let's just say, it tasted like the pot it was boiled in.
but it was food. I coughed a little.
"Um...I--I don't know..to be honest, I thought I died. When I woke up...I didn't expect to survive that."
"But here you are."
I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. "Here I am."
He nodded his head, slowly, no doubt trying to take as much information as he could to weed me out as a fiend. "And...he also tells me you had companions...out in the forest...will they be looking for you?"
"No doubt...I mean, there is a LITTLE doubt..but there's not too much doubt..."
hmm...
"Are they armed? Are they trained? What are they? I sincerely hope they do not find us to be a threat when they come for you and have hostile intentions." "Oh no--well, maybe..I just--um...this stew is so hardy."
I stuffed my mouth with the spoon, turning my eyes away, ignoring the question.
Thorin looked suspecting. I wasn't helping myself. STOP BEING SUSPICIOUS, GIRL.
YOU HONESTLY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.
"How many are there?" I cracked my neck. "Six." "Try again." "Four." "Much better."
He got up and poured another serving into his bowl.
"I see you still have a problem with lying." "Not lying, just testing."
"Well put. We don't fully trust one another yet, do we, Lady Sarah?"
He went to take another bite to eat. "What land do you come from?"
I played with my food, poking my spoon at it. "Afar..."
"You have no valuable connections, I assume?"
I glared at him. "Come again?"
"A title..wealth..fame..glory..I take it you are not of royal blood?"
I sat there for a second, laughing on the inside at how ironic that question really was.
Figuring out the answer, I turned my head away. "No. No royalty, I'm just...me."
He chuckled and sat back down. "You truly are a mystery, my lady...I only hope we remain on good terms long enough for me to discover at least a part of that mystery."
He did a cheers-gesture with his bowl and I did the same, between bites.
"So, miss Sarah...tell us what you can."
I glared at Balin, pecking at my cold food.
Seated next to Thorin and his brother, he leaned over, cupping his hands together.
"Tell us your story."
- - - to be continued - - -
"wqoidowooisii"
....??
"sksioioios She dkwdoiiuduyd"
...?!
"..LDJKJKDJKWJKK I jsjkskjwkwu her lkjsjsjskjk"
?!?!
"--we jdjshj jhsahhsjahjhsa"
"I don't skjskjskjlll"
......pain....
",kewkjew!!!"
....ow....
"Don't ksjwjswj her slkk you!!!"
SURPRISE!
Not dead!
Well maybe.
"iish heynsjk stop!ksjksjjkjka"
Well........the question of life or death was a strong one, it was just the answer that was fuzzy....
I couldn't quite put together what happened after I passed out.
I just remember waking up to an agonizing pain all throughout the top half of my body.
The bottom half, I felt nothing. It was numb, I suppose.
Or gone. Whatever suits you.
My arms, in the meantime, were stinging.
My ears rang, my throat in pain; so much, it was hard to swallow.
Let's not even start on my head.
I was laying flat on my face. My legs I tried to shift, but they didn't want to work. . same with my arms.
I tried to breathe normally, but I couldn't. And that made it justifiable to say I couldn't breathe, period.
Where I was was yet another question. . . . I felt under me . . . it felt a little rough and dirty on my first half.
My legs, with the little feeling I regained, felt very wet.
I heard water in the background, so my only guess was, I landed in some kinda stream... or something.
Could be a shoreline, but I was in a forest, you don't typically get those.
Or was I? hmm...
I didn't even bother to try and open my eyes the five minutes I'd been awake.
How'd I even...I mean...I drowned-- didn't I?
I was underwater and passed out..
Honestly, everything was complicated and spooky things kept happening-- and it made my head hurt even more just thinking about it.
But anyway... surprise again!
Alive and well. At least, I thought I was.
The explanation still needed to be provided on why my arms and legs weren't working.
And why couldn't I open my eyes?
well....I probably could. I just didn't want to.
I was a mess, I had reason to be lazy.
Oh yes. Those mysterious speech bubbles I put earlier?
Yeah, well....someone was there.
But my hearing still sucked.
Not too much, I suppose. In fact, it was starting to clear up more and more by the minute.
Then, the bubbles started back up again.
"What if she's dangerous?!"
"Is it even a she?!"
"Check!"
"I'm not checking, YOU check!"
"I don't want to get close to it to see!"
"Just take a peek!"
*brief awkward silence*
"...yep! It's a she!"
"Or maybe not! Maybe it's a witch!"
"A witch?!"
..sigh..
"How old does she look?!"
*another brief awkward silence*
"Young..very young!"
"It could be a trick!"
"A trick from this cursed dark forest!"
"By my beard!"
"Maybe we should go tell the others!"
And click. My mind started working again.
My eyes immediately flung wide open.
Dwarves.
It was ugly.
Still in the forest, still alive, and still sick to bloody death of my situation.
Annnndddd just when I was hating current life, a sharp poke disturbed my scalp and the pain traveled all about my skull, bouncing like a slinky. I winced.
"Don't poke her! She'll wake up!"
By Joe, if it isn't....
"We need to find out who she is!"
"Do you think she's alive?!"
BY JOE, IT IS.
ow. They poked me again, the diddlywads. Violence had been called upon.
I tried to move my legs to put an end to this, which dem suckers were actually starting to work a little.
But then I was poked again.
RAGE.
I had enough.
I sprung up faster than I could process a thought - - it hurt like heck and I was uber drowsy and confused and ow. I tried to regain my focus....my head became a little clearer and I looked around.
I could see.. and I could hear. My senses were making a comeback.
But I realized that me being fast was faulty; my body was actually moving quite slowly and I was severely groggy. I sluggishly stumbled about and looked around me with alot of confusion.
Then I fixed my focus on the dwarves.....
if only my brain would start to work again...
ah yes. Bofur, Oin and Ori.
Bofur Ori Oin
But they looked, um....confused....no, actually, they looked terrified and stunned and I felt horrible, like some freakish freak, and they started screaming, and I screamed and confusion and ow.
Then they started running and I gasped and my body became limp and fell back into the water.
*random gibberish*
I struggled, wiggling like a fish. Then my brain finally grasped what just happened, and I hurried up.
"Hey..." I started, huffing and puffing from all the energy it took for me to do all this.
"...W---Wait!!"
They got further. I shook my head. "Please!! Wait!!!"
And further.
I now thrashed my head around.
I needed to get a hold of myself.
So I ran.
My legs stun like absolute crazy heck, I wanted to die.
This caused me to collapse right into a tree, and I collided with it, hit my face, and was immediately holding my nose. Son of a freaking teletubby, WHY?!! KJSIUIWUWDOUW
I sniffed and sniffed and checked for blood and lifted my head back and sniffed and checked for blood again and sniffed, then ran.
"WAIT!!"
They wouldn't listen. They never listen.
"PLEASE, STOP!! COME BACK!! WAITTTT!!!"
nope.
I continued to run after them and ran and ran, good lord, what was the sense.
It felt like I was running forever; until I realized they had disappeared.
I came to a halt. Rotating in the same spot, I was out of breath, in pain, and ow.
Then....something spoke to me. A gentle, quiet voice that was almost wind-like.
It told me to go right.
Well, I wasn't helping myself any. So right I went.
And I kept running--- and ow--- and whoa, son, pointy thing in my face!
I skid to such a hard stop, I stumbled, but I quickly stopped myself from even doing that...
for several small swords popped up out of no where and were pointed at my face.
I was surrounded; my hands instinctively went up.
"Okaaayyyyy, not what I asked for."
I looked at the sword-wielding peoples..and lo and behold, it was the Dwarves!! ♥
I wanted to fangirl once more...but oh, guess what? I was being HOSTIFIED again!
yap yap yap
I would like to meet ONE person from this world who DOESN'T treat me with hostility for five bloody minutes so I could have a PROPER bloody geeky moment!
Ugh!
And ow.
*flurry of random gibberish*
But, thankfully, this time, I couldn't be taken prisoner.
"OK, wow, guys, wait-a-minute, now, look--"
"Is this the one, Bofur?"
Bofur reluctantly nodded his head.
In front of me, and the one who had just spoken, was none other than Thorin.
I was in awe of his kingly-ness....and how incredibly tiny he was.
I looked around at the others. My god in heaven, they all were so short.
Thorin
I know all their names, too! ^_^
Thorin, Kili, Fili, Balin, Dwalin, Oin, Gloin, Ori, Dori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur and then, of course, was little Bilbo. Wait...where was the child??
Oh, there he was. Peeking from behind the group.
I waved my fingers at him, smiling. "Hey Bilbo!"
He looked surprised, obviously. "I'm sorry?..Y--y--you know...w-who I am..??"
"That I do." I gave the group a glare that was a little bit more creepier than I intended.
"I know who all of you are."
Well if THAT doesn't spell out suspicion, I don't know what can.
Thorin was displeased. "How is that possible?!"
He thrusted Orcrist closer to my face. "Speak quickly!"
My shoulders jumped- - yeah, that's right.
"LISTEN, you guys-- you guys got me all wrong! I---"
..I stopped.
"......Ya know what?....I'm sick of this! Enough of this, I'm done with this, I've already been through this, I'm taller than you!"
I smacked his sword away and shoved my arms down, obstinately.
"I'm tired of everyone being rude, of being weird, of treating me like a common criminal (cuz nothing about me is common), when I didn't even DO anything, and I'm tired of just everything about this bloody trip so far cuz it's been a bloody nightmare and all the hatred and non-gentleman nature of literally everyone, so y'know what? NO. How about, I, just, y'know, do what I like!"
I waved for the others to put down their swords, but they did not listen.
"Starting now, whoever again treats me with any sort of hostility, I will also treat them with such, but in much much more worse volumes. And believe me, I will do everything in my possible power to make them suffer the greatest suffering."
Thorin still seemed unimpressed, despite me standing there, hands at my hips, feeling quite pleased with myself. He tilted his head to the side a little.
"..Who are you?"
I rolled my eyes. "Ugh, you dwarves are so nosy."
"I will not ask again."
"What's it gonna take to avoid the question?"
"If you do not answer, I will be forced to slay you."
"......Well........let's just....try to avoid that, shall we?"
"What is your name?"
"...."
"Your NAME, girl!"
"Would you believe it is Montgomery?"
"That's a lie."
"You're right, it is. Just testing."
"My patience has run out."
"...You don't scare me."
"Are you threatening me?"
"How is that even---dude, you know what, you're bipolar!"
"I will not ask again."
"Lovely, since you already asked twice."
".....Who ARE you?"
"See?"
"That is not your name."
"Ay Dios Mio!"
"Is that it?"
"Son of a- NO, THAT IS NOT IT!"
"Then what?!"
I held my head back and moaned.
Most stubborn. dwarf. EVER.
"Look, dude, I don't WANNA say my name!"
"Why is that? Unless you're HIDING something!"
"You suspicious little swine!"
"Curb your tongue!" Dwalin chirped. "He is a KING!"
"Not mine, bozo!"
"Your NAME!"
"This is an intERROGATION!!!"
We were all fed up with one another, until one dwarf stepped up.
"Uncle!" I glared; it was Thorin's nephew..Kili.
He leaned in close to his uncle as if to whisper, but he wound up speaking rather loudly.
"Perhaps she has been forbidden to reveal herself by whoever owns her for safety precautions...after all, she looks rather harmless. I doubt she is of any threat."
Ope dope, he winked at me and smiled his little boy smile.
Kili
Thorin glanced at his nephew, as if to consider. Then he looked back.
"Is that true?" He tilted his head again. "Is that the reason why you wish to remain unknown?"
I felt uncomfortable and shifted. "...Yes."
He then seemed a little satisfied. "...Well....you may proceed on your way, then."
He sheathed his sword and began to turn, causing the rest of the party to follow in his footsteps.
I was about to protest against this- I wished to remain anonymous, not alone- then Kili approached me, unexpectedly. I tensed up as he got closer and closer to me, despite only previously being a couple yards away. He might've been small, but gosh golly, he WAS a cutie.
He smirked. "Hello."
I quickly turned my head away and refused to stare.
"Hi."
He pushed. "I am Kili...nephew of Thorin Oakenshield. At your service.."
He did the bow. He actually did the bow.
I wanted to squeal, but that is not acceptable coming from me.
He instantly beamed, apparently happy to get that out've the way.
"What brings you to a forest like this? Are you lost?"
"Uh...in a manner of speaking, yes."
"Oh...are you separated from your company, if you have one?"
"Um...yes."
He lifted his chin up, heroically.
"I see...well, I'll help you find them! Eh, well, WE will...I apologize about my uncle and fellow dwarf brethren. The forest's magic has made us a bit..."
"Edgy?"
He nodded, shrugging his shoulders. "I suppose, yes."
I finally worked up the courage to look straight at him.
"....So...I guess I'll be on my way."
"You're not coming with us?"
I crinkled my eyebrows, feeling guilty. I made him sad.
"Um...I....don't wanna get in the way."
Truth be told, I NEEDED to get out of the way.
They were supposed to get uber disoriented from the forest magic and then taken by the spiders and
Bilbo needed to save them and they needed to be taken prisoner and go to Lake Town and LDKHSHDJHHDSHJJHSJHS, STUPID ME.
"I have to go, g'bye."
I was rushing away from him so fast, my legs were starting to fumble. He hurried after me.
"Wait!"
"Don't talk to me, don't talk to me." I murmured.
"Please, my lady, wait!!"
How irritating. All these attractive men hitting on me was getting tiresome.
But at least this one had some manners.
"Please, back off, or I'll hit you."
"I insist, m'lady, come with us!"
"You just won't give up, will ya, Pluto?!"
Anndddd bonk!
I ran into a tree.
skskjsj confounded.
I rubbed my nose and shook my head, squeezing my eyes shut.
There's that long belated ow you guys were waiting for.
He rushed to my side as I grumbled from the pain.
"Are you alright?!" He exclaimed, inspecting me like he knew me.
I brushed his hand away. "I'm fine, I'm fine!"
I looked back at the weapon of nature and kicked it.
That's a stupid place to put a tree!
"Who put that tree there!" "The creator, I'm sure." Kili joked.
ha-ha-ha.
Well the creator and I needed to have some words if this was gonna be my life from then on.
I eyed Kili, who was being such a sweetheart, bless his soul.
But I couldn't remain in the area another minute. I needed to find the others and FAST.
"Look, Kili, I really like you and all. You're a total nice word and everything, it's just...."
I felt so, so guilty.
I closed my eyes and forced the words out.
"PLEASE stop following me!"
He was quiet. Seemed like he was a little hurt.
"But I can't....you're a lady in trouble. I can not just turn my head away and pretend not to notice."
He stroked my arm.
My eyes popped open and I shivered my limbs, backing away quickly, pointing.
"STOP that!! No, no, no!"
pumph
I tripped. I fell.
I was judged.
"I hate my life."
Kili again rushed to my aid, as I laid flat on the grass, staring at the treetops.
He helped my defenseless body up and I quickly recovered.
As soon as this happened, I kicked the stump--more like a log that was sat upright--
and waved my fist at it, bitterly. "Stupid log."
"I'm beginning to see a knack of lacking respect for nature and your surroundings."
"I'm so done, with everything."
"Even done with me?"
He and I glared at eachother as he helped me to another log, one that served as a seat.
I sat.
"..I haven't decided."
He seated next to me and I held my head.
He pat my back, gently. "At least tell me where you come from."
He gestured at my clothing. "I suspect from somewhere...quite far away....judging by your garbs."
I looked at my garbs--I mean clothes.
Yes, yes indeed. I did seem to have quite the get-up in such a timeline.
"What are you getting at? They're customary where I come from."
"Mm..I see."
I smirked.
"Nah..not really. I mean, most girls dress like this, but alot of 'em wear actual dresses and skirts and junk. But that ain't my style."
I nodded as I glared at him, smiling. "-You can tell by the way I talk, too. I'm not like other dames."
He slowly smirked at me, appearing to be in a daze. "No, you are not."
He seemed impressed. That makes ONE of the Durin line.
We both sat in silence.
It got awkward.
"So...what are you? Are you of man...possibly dwarf...an elf?"
"Dwarf?"
"They CAN be beardless."
"That's scary."
"Hm.."
"No, I'm not a dwarf...or elf. I--" I pondered on my answer.
"..I'm half man, half...Leprechaun."
He eyed me. "L..Le..Leprechaun...??"
"....Yes."
Not a lie. I had Irish in me and I was short.
He seemed confused. "I have never heard of them..."
"Yeah, we're a bit--hermit...ish..y'know, like to keep to ourselves...so we really don't socialize."
He nodded, slowly.
"What happened to you?" "Reasons." "What?" "I dunno."
......
......this was getting weird.
"Look, I really should be going." "What ever is the rush?" "I just---" I sighed.
"...I--truth be told, I shouldn't even be here..I never should have even left home."
His face crumbled in sadness. "Is there a reason why you left?"
I looked down, depressingly.
"...I just...wanted to escape...real life, that is...to get a taste of--forgive the corniness---adventure.
I wanted adventure."
His expression changed here and he seemed to be a bit delighted to hear the thing.
"..I know what that's like." He patted his lap.
"That's why I'm on this quest! To help my uncle, to reclaim my homeland!"
"Heh...sounds fun."
"Oh no, it's an absolute nightmare, but you're right, it is fun."
Couldn't help but laugh. His joking amused me.
".......But no....if you hadn't have left....we would have never met."
Gllaaaaarrreeeee.
what was he getting at.
I slowly arose, continuing to eye him, suspiciously.
"...Like I said....I gotta go."
"At least stay for supper!" I paused.
"If you stay right here, I can have Dori serve me another portion and I'll give it to you..if that's alright."
"Sounds tasty since I haven't eaten in...awhile. But...I can't stay, I really can't. If I do, I'll..."
I winced. pain.
My head got a massive ache right then that came from absolute no where.
I clutched on to my skull, which caused Kili to spring up. "Are you alright?!"
I tensed and gritted my teeth at the pain....it subsided a bit, causing me to relax some.
"....yeah...that tree collision is kicking in again."
He had a look of unsatisfaction about him. "See, you're in pain. You're injured. You need to stay."
"No, I--"
"Kili!" We jolted and swung our heads behind us.
In came Fili, Ori and Bofur.
Fili approached his brother, giving me a look of suspicion.
"What are you doing, talking to her?"
Kili sniffed and looked my way. "Just--having a conversation...being a gentleman, as she put it."
I looked away and he looked to his brother.
"Why do you ask?" Fili glared at him, then me, then started to back away.
"Supper's almost ready..."
Fili
Bofur came up to Kili, holding his arms up infront of him, looking like a squirrel.
Actually, I don't care what anyone says, he is a squirrel.
"In your conversation, did you by chance find out who she is?"
Kili looked at me again and my heart sank.
".....Yes...."
hm?
"....She's a friend."
...aww. :)
Bofur gave him a look, Ori too.
Fili stopped in his tracks and seemed to pause for a minute, but once again kept walking away.
Bofur and Ori, on the other hand, sent out abrupt cheers.
"Hurrrraayyy!!" Bofur sung.
I jolted as he sprung his arms up in the air in delighted fashion and came running my way.
What the---?!?!
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, miss whoever you are!" He shook my hand like a wild animal.
Dratted squirrel.
"Where do you hail from? Northland? Southland? In between?"
I blinked. "...In between?"
"Haha! That's more like it!"
He patted me on the back so roughly, you would think he was handling a guy.
That's right! Neither a city girl, nor a country girl. I was in between!
"Ahhhhh, are you hungry, love? Dori's cooking up some supper, and there's plenty for all!"
I sighed on the inside.
".....yes."
He laughed and celebrated and jumped around, as if we were long lost cousins.
And he roughly pat me on the back again.
Ahh, all this happiness..couldn't help but love it.
Ori clapped a little, in excitement, and hurried to me.
"Ori, at your service, ma'am!" He bowed.
These dwarves were so cute with their curtsies.
I was already smiling, so I bowed my head.
"Pleasure to meet you both..Ori..Bofur.."
Bofur looked at me for a second. I quickly fixed this.
"Uhh, I remember..your name...from when Thorin addressed you."
Like I said, it was fixed. He nodded, buying the story.
The part about supper, though, concerned me.
"Uhhh, what are you guys cooking, anyway?"
"Stew! If we can find some proper meat, it would be beef---but alas, we've been searching for about an hour and nothing has turned up."
"Oh dear, how depressing..."
Bofur suddenly gave me a look of concern. "You are a meat eater...yes?"
I perked. "Absolutely! I'm like a wild wolf."
He cheered again. "Ha-HA! Good woman! You're quite the lively lass!"
"Oh gosh, please, don't call me a woman--"
They all three were intrigued.
"Ummmmmm.." Ori looked a little concerned.
FIX AGAIN, FIX AGAIN.
"NO, NO, I am a girl!"
They all breathed a sigh of relief.
I grinned, nervously.
"I just..don't...like...to be called a woman. I prefer girl. I'm not..*really* a woman. I mean, I'm a girl. I don't like being called..woman..you know..cuz I just..think..it makes me sound...I dunno. I just don't like it."
I shrugged.
"I'm a bit--similar to a tomboy, you would say. But I don't like being called a tomboy, either! I'm perfectly fine with being a girl.."
I shook my head at the scrambling.
"Basically, just call me a tough girl."
They all nodded, as if they even understood.
"Well then.." Kili spoke up, who in the mean time had been standing back, frequently smiling my way at the acceptance the dwarfs showed to me.
"We need something to call you...just a name. Can't go off calling you 'girl' all the time, can we?"
Why not? Folks who learn names STILL wind up calling youngsters by their gender.
Even by their maturity level! E.G. "kid".
"Yes, please! We need a name." "Any name will do, love. Just spit it out."
Tartar sauce.
They needed a name.
And I refused to turn to a life of crime and lie.
siggghhhhh
If you were wondering before, this is what it's like to be me.
"....Sarah....my name's Sarah." I gestured with my hand.
"My REAL name, by the way...I just...don't think it's right, you knowing me by any other title..so..Sarah."
I nodded. It was done.
Their response was one of dazzlement. Almost like they were in the presence of a movie star.
They were smiling, Bofur's mouth hanging open with wonder.
What in the world had I said?
"Sarah..quite lovely."
"What a beautiful name." Ori grinned like a little boy. "It suits you. ♥"
Kili smirked so cutely at the reveal. "It is a beautiful name." He said, as-a-matter-of-fact-ly.
I smiled myself and looked down.
These dwarves were the sweetest things, how could anyone be hating on them?
Oh yes. Thorin. Thorin was that reason.
"So I have YOU guys liking and appreciating me, but what of your king? Still need to win over Stubborn McStubbornson." "Oh no-- his father is actually Thrain!"
I mentally slapped my forehead. Sigghhh...the elder days.
It took a minute of awkward silence.
"You don't worry about my uncle," I looked to Kili, who was starting to approach me.
"I'll take care of him.." He laid a hand on my shoulder and I tensed.
"Come. Join us for supper. Get your rest. Travel as our companion, we don't mind!"
He gestured at the other two and they nodded, splendidly.
I tensed even more. "I appreciate that offer, but no, no, I can't! I have my own..companions."
I looked behind me. "...they're actually probably looking for me..."
Kili frowned, from what I could see when I looked back. And it made me sad again.
"Your...companions? Then..why did the others find you washed up in the stream?
Have they not abandoned you?"
I thrashed my head around.
"No, no, that's not what happened! See-- we were crossing the river..the big one, leading towards Lake Town..and...well, the river was acting crazy, we're talking waterflow at ballistic high speeds. The only way across was a fallen tree." I sighed.
"I thought it was sturdy enough...I went first..just when I was almost across, it snapped from under me and I fell in. The water suddenly changed course and it carried me off, pulling me under. I pretty much drowned and thought I had actually died, until..." I crinkled my eyebrows, and looked back at the shorties.
"I'd much rather stay put..where I am..so thank you..but no thank you. If I go any farther, I'll officially be lost, and the others will never find me." I nodded in the direction Fili exited to.
"Go back with your companions, I'll stay here. They'll find me eventually."
It was a good plan, one I'm sure they would protest to, but inevitably go with...
until I crumbled. Right there. Infront of the dwarves. To my knees.
The company of tiny men caught me a little as I fell, as a searing pain suddenly overtook me.
The very same pain I had been feeling ever since I set foot in Middle-Earth.
WHAT on Middle-Earth was HAPPENING TO ME????
"----ow."
Satisfied?
In truth, my head was banging out of my skull--I could no longer feel my legs, my arms were now sore-
my lungs hurt, as well, so yes, I was attempting to avoid breathing, but that's kinda tricky when breathing indicates life and is sort've required, I think.
My face hurt from my klutz act earlier. And I'm pretty sure I was bleeding...
I was wet and chilly, my body temp dropping by the minute..and it was beginning to get hard to hear.
I think one can agree I was an official hot mess.
Kili was the first one to catch me and he held my shoulders tight as he and I looked at one another.
"Are dskjdkjkxjjlsd alright lklsjsjw ?"
I blinked, probably giving him a face of utter confusion.
"Are you jkjdjdej Sarwsjwj?"
guuuhhhhhhh
He shook my shoulders. "SARAH!"
That part I heard.
I reluctantly shook my head yes. "Y--yeah."
"You kssj alright?""I guess so."
"How about we xjwkdwsjlkjw sit skjjskjw and dkjdkwjd is that skjwdjwjjj??"
"No, I don't like monkeys."
The trio looked to one another, confused, and I don't care.
They continued to talk in distorted noises which I assume were meant to be words, as they quickly led me (more like drag my dying body) to that one nearby log, where they helped me sit up.
Bofur and Ori placed their arms behind me to hold me up, as Kili took a water pouch out and brought it up to my lips. I was so exhausted, I continuously kept trying to close my eyes and just sleep, but the young dwarf gently shook me every time and I breathed awake, my eyes popping back open like jelly beans, ignore me and my statements.
When my alert mind realized what he was trying to do, I snatched the pouch and began to chug.
He and the others shared uneasy glances, but had nothing to say.
Once my yet again alert mind realized how rude I was being, I stopped.
"...sorry." I wiped my mouth.
The water helped a little, so I was a bit refreshed, at least.
That's when I remembered; the elixir! The very same concoction given to me by Tauriel.
I reached into my pocket, abruptly, to pull it out, when-- scrap.
it wasn't there.
I stopped breathing for a second, gaining swift goosebumps.
This was just NOT my day. "Oh no.." "What is it?"
Well, my hearing was a little better.
"..My.....my medicine...it's...it's gone."
Kili looked to the others. "Did she lose it somewhere?" "Perhaps in the water.."
I glanced at each of them. "Eh?"
Ori shrugged his shoulders. "Don't you remember, ma'am?....where we found you? In the stream..."
I blinked. ".....You mean.....I probably lost it in the water???"
I looked down, deflated, and sighed, as I held my head in my hands. Just my luck.
Bofur dabbed a small cloth on my exposed forehead to remove it of my steady-coming sweat.
Yes, I was hot. So unlady-like, though. Good thing I'm not a lady.
"How old are you even, miss? You look young! Like a child."
"You're very beautiful. ♥"
I lowered my eyebrows at their questions. Nosy little trolls.
"..huh..well..I'm 19...I think..officially...I mean, today IS my birthday, I just don't necessarily know for sure, due to the...recent time change."
I rubbed my temple. "To be honest, I've lost track of all time."
"Happy birthday."
We all turned our heads to the side to see Bilbo standing near the log. He tensed his little body up as he sheepishly approached us. "Sorry...I...couldn't help but...come watch."
He nodded his head and half-way smiled at me, doing his little Bilbo gestures.
"..But yes...happy birthday.."
I smirked at him and his adorable hobbit self. "Thank you."
I jerked my head at Bofur and Ori and they removed their arms from my back since I had regained control.
I sat upright and took a deep breath, swallowing my pain away.
Bilbo
The hobbit nodded at us, gradually.
"I just came to report that, supper's..about ready...if you...all are hungry."
I shrugged in my stupidity and hypocrisy. "I'm game."
This seemed to please my dwarven friends. Oh boy.
~
The dwarves and hobbit led me back to their camp, where the rest of the gang resided on stumps, logs, vine swings or the actual ground.
My presence disturbed the force and all looked to me as soon as I entered with their brethren..and Bilbo.
"What is she doing here?"
Guh, Dwalin.
"She's a friend," Kili announced.
"And she's here to have supper with us. She's very ill. And weak. She needs medical attention as soon as she is filled with food." He nodded at Oin. "And rest."
Oin nodded back at him, then me, seeming completely comfortable with whatever that was going on.
I, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
I was feeling so sick, unwelcome and nervous, I wanted to scream.
How could I sit there and eat, feeling such a thing?
I stood in place. Completely still. Kili realized this and he rushed to Thorin, no doubt to fix things.
I remained in the same position, staring around me, with all the various dwarf eyes fixed on me like the outsider I was.
Bilbo and the others took their seats and watched and waited like everyone else, for Thorin's decision.
The dwarf king stared straight at me as Kili whispered to him.
The conversation went on and on, as I stood there for at least five minutes.
Then..Kili stopped. And Thorin shifted, unable to remove his gaze from me.
"..Well....quite an interesting ordeal you have faced...Lady Sarah."
I shot my eyes at Kili, but he looked pleased.
Unexpectedly, Thorin cracked. He nodded his ok at me and gestured for me to sit.
"Come..please..join us."
HNNNNN, I'd been accepted into the dwarven clan!!
Was this like a gang initiation or something??
Cuz if so, I felt hip.
I seated next to the others and Dori came in, as if on cue, with a big smile on his face, wielding a bowl of stew. "Here you go, miss. I know it's not much, but it's all we have!"
"It's perfect."
Marvelous! A meal! Food was among my top obsessions.
"Thanks boys." I managed to get out, before they all quickly forgot about me and dug into their nice hot bowls of stew.
Dori
"So..." Thorin began, eating all properly, hunching over his meal. I eyed him.
"Kili tells me you tried to cross the river and you fell...how did you manage to survive such turbulence?"
I swallowed. The stew...it was....wow. Let's just say, it tasted like the pot it was boiled in.
but it was food. I coughed a little.
"Um...I--I don't know..to be honest, I thought I died. When I woke up...I didn't expect to survive that."
"But here you are."
I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. "Here I am."
He nodded his head, slowly, no doubt trying to take as much information as he could to weed me out as a fiend. "And...he also tells me you had companions...out in the forest...will they be looking for you?"
"No doubt...I mean, there is a LITTLE doubt..but there's not too much doubt..."
hmm...
"Are they armed? Are they trained? What are they? I sincerely hope they do not find us to be a threat when they come for you and have hostile intentions." "Oh no--well, maybe..I just--um...this stew is so hardy."
I stuffed my mouth with the spoon, turning my eyes away, ignoring the question.
Thorin looked suspecting. I wasn't helping myself. STOP BEING SUSPICIOUS, GIRL.
YOU HONESTLY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.
"How many are there?" I cracked my neck. "Six." "Try again." "Four." "Much better."
He got up and poured another serving into his bowl.
"I see you still have a problem with lying." "Not lying, just testing."
"Well put. We don't fully trust one another yet, do we, Lady Sarah?"
He went to take another bite to eat. "What land do you come from?"
I played with my food, poking my spoon at it. "Afar..."
"You have no valuable connections, I assume?"
I glared at him. "Come again?"
"A title..wealth..fame..glory..I take it you are not of royal blood?"
I sat there for a second, laughing on the inside at how ironic that question really was.
Figuring out the answer, I turned my head away. "No. No royalty, I'm just...me."
He chuckled and sat back down. "You truly are a mystery, my lady...I only hope we remain on good terms long enough for me to discover at least a part of that mystery."
He did a cheers-gesture with his bowl and I did the same, between bites.
"So, miss Sarah...tell us what you can."
I glared at Balin, pecking at my cold food.
Seated next to Thorin and his brother, he leaned over, cupping his hands together.
"Tell us your story."
- - - to be continued - - -
Haha, the dwarves are a fun lot. The amount of laughs I've had throughout this story is a high tally. Good work, as is typical. :D
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