Tale of Shail
Ch 1: Will You Join Us?
Thorin Oakensheild and his twelve dwarves traveled to the Shire to recruit their fourteenth member, Master Baggins. An alleged burglar, spoken so highly of by Gandalf the Gray. The simple hobbit was plucked from his comfy and safe dwelling to embark on a journey and reclaim a lost kingdom. Traveling on horseback, the company took the eastern road. The wind blew across the treetops, making the leaves dance. Gandalf rode enjoying the peaceful pace. "Ah good old Toby, care for some my dear Bilbo?" offering his pipe to the hobbit. Bilbo graciously declined the offer as the group came to a sudden halt. Gandalf pulled on his reins, calling up to Thorin, "Why are we stopping now?"
Ignoring the wizard’s question, Thorin commanded “Dwalin, Fili, follow me. The rest of you stay here until we return!" Thorin turned back to the path ahead, eyeing a distant sign of trouble. The remaining company, although confused, obeyed their king’s order. Kili was not as easily swayed. While the others kept to themselves, Kili instead began to gallop towards the three.
“Thorin, what’s this all about then? Our travel has already been delayed by that buttoned up halfing. Now we’re wasting time; chasing squirrels and striking every brushing bush.” Dwalin grumbled.
Thorin answered while pointing to the sky “Best our travel be delayed than ambushed. Look.” His finger followed the trail down showing its origin. "Be on guard, nothing is safe out here." Thorin warned. Dismounting their ponies, the three walked the grounds seeing an open fire with a hen roasting on a spit. Kili secured his pony next to Fili’s. He hid behind shrubs. Fili heard the rustling, turning back all he saw were four horses, nothing unusual. Wait, four? Fili rubbed his eyes then held his growling stomach. He was starting to get hungry and the delicious smell of something roasting wasn’t helping. Concluding that he must be seeing things, Fili returned to his uncle.
Thorin found a full pack amongst the campground. Going through it, he pulled out a pouch with a boar symbol embroidered into the leather “This is from the Iron Hill…” He observed the surroundings. A single tent was pitched. Hanging from a line was a couple of wet tunics. Handing the pouch over to Dwalin, Thorin went to inspect the shelter. The tent's cloth consisted mostly of flimsy patchwork. Pulling back the flap, Thorin peeked in. Inside laid out a tattered sleeping bag, a pile of dirty dented tin dishes, and a pair of black disheveled boots flopped over in the corner.
Dwalin carefully searched through the sack. Flipping it upside down he violently shook out its contents. A sharpening kit, steel pegs, wooden hammer, glass bottles, and small miscellaneous items. Finding nothing of interest Dwalin dropped the sack. He went on exploring the campground.
Over the campfire was a small chicken roasting on a spit. Fili, smacking his lips, followed the scent of cooking meat. The juices dripped, sizzling on the flames. Fili went to pull off a drumstick when he noticed a large weapon leaning against the tree. He squinted to identify an emblem, a boar? Just then A hand grabbed his shoulder. “AHH!” The prince screamed in shock. Turning around Fili saw his younger brother.
Pieces of foliage were in Kili’s hair and clothes. Whipping them off his face dropped from a grin to flushed embarrassment and guilt. He shushed Fili, afraid of being reprimanded by Thorin. “Me shush? You shush!” Fili lowered his tone. Although he was irritated, he didn’t want to attract his uncle's attention or the unknown camper. “By Durin, I could have carved you up, sneaking up on me like that. I-...what are you doing here? Uncle told you to stay back.” He angrily whispered, even fearing Thorin’s wrath for Kili’s sake.
“My skills were no use back there; just tinkers and miners prepping for a snack. I would have cut the bread wrong. Besides, if the three of you found yourselves in trouble I would be here to save you.” Kili argued his case.
“Ha! YOU save ME? Tell me, who helped you up onto your pony this morning?” Fili laughed, tussling his brother’s hair. The two exchanged a few brotherly arm smacks and shoves. Fili wrestled Kili onto the ground. Too focused on the tussle, the brothers neglected their volume. Pinned to the ground Kili laughed, he then soon squealed as Fili snorted and hung a line of drool above his face. Kili closed his eyes and squirmed trying to break loose. When he opened his eyes, Kili saw a figure behind his brother darkened by the morning sun.
Grabbing the back of Fili's coat collar Dwalin yanked him off Kili. “What are you two idiots doing?!” Dwalin impatiently scolded the boys. “This is no place to be playing around.”
“It was only a bit of fun mister Dwalin.” Kili said, getting up.
Throin rejoins the now three dwarves.“Kili! You were to stay back with the others.” He scolded his nephew. Hearing a noise the hair on Thorin's neck stood up, “Let's get back, something isn't right.”
“Let's go." Dwalin said as the three walked back to the horses.
Fili took the opportunity to nab up a new weapon. His boot stepped on a pile of leaves triggering a hidden net trap.Fili was swept up hanging in a tree. "Fili! Quick cut him down!" Thorin yelled running over, Kili and Dwalin each pulled out a knife sawing at the ropes.
Demonting from their steads the company stretched. Their limbs hurt from riding so many hours straight. Bombur took the opportunity to prepare a small snack. Nobody opposed it. Bofur hopped off his pony, heading to the bushes. Bilbo panicked as Bofur trailed off from the group "Where are you going? Thorin said to stay here." The hobbit interrogated.
"Don't worry, just gonna release a stream before I burst. Been holding it in since that last hill peak." he said, pushing through the low branches of a bush. Bilbo, appalled by the lack of manners, walked away with a scowl. Bofur sighed in relief after relieving himself. Fixing himself Bofur was ready to join the others when something caught his attention. Walking deeper into the woods, he found a stump housing a pile of fresh picked berries placed on a leaf. "Well, well look at this. Someone left Bofur a lil treat." The hungry dwarf popped one in his mouth. "Delicious! Odd it being here, but who am I to argue on an empty stomach." Picking up the leaf, Bofur took the snack to go. Licking berry juice off his fingers Bofur went to head back. Turning the berries flew out of his hand from being startled. A hooded figure stood in front of him. “Where'd you come from? Sorry, were these yours?” He asked. Backing away slowly, Bofur bumped into the stump. Walking around it he received no reply from the stranger. “Listen, just an honest mistake. I can go pick you some more.” He offered. A subtle sound drew his attention down. His foot in a hidden rope loop. “Ugh oh.” He said before being snagged by a snare trap. Bofur got dragged across the ground up into a tree. His hat falling to the ground, Bofur hung upside down. "You made this trap? Mighty talented. Hard to catch dwarves, being that we are so hefty." He awkwardly chuckled. His nervous smile shifted into a worrisome frown as the stranger approached. They drew out a dwarven dagger from behind their lower back. "Coming to cut me some slack, yeah? BOMBUR! BIFUR! ANYBODY HELP!?"
Bofur’s cries for help reached the ears of the company. Without hesitation the group ran to the shouting. Out from the bushes Nori and Gloin came running. Seeing the stranger, Nori ran over and attacked. The sound of metal clanged as the two daggers met. The two struggled, using their body weight to shove the daggers closer. Breaking off, the stranger dodged Nori’s attack. Stumbling back they tripped on their cloak falling to the ground. Gloin went swinging his ax down, but the stranger rolled out of the way. Getting up they punched Nori and back kicked Gloin. Thrown off both men dropped their weapons. As the others joined in, the stranger nabbed Gloin’s weapon. Swinging it around they kept an open perimeter. "CUT ME LOOSE, FOR DURIN SAKE!" Bofur yelled. Balin went for it. Raising the ax the stranger chucked it at Balin, the blade just missed the back of Balin’s heel. Bifur and Dori each grabbed an arm trying to hold the stranger back. Reaching Bofur, Balin fussed at the knot. Throwing themselves onto the floor Dori and Bifur collided heads. Running over the stranger grabbed Balin’s shoulders, tossing him back. In the blink of an eye the stranger was ambushed by Dwalin.
"No one attacks my brother!" Dwalin yelled, pinning down the culprit. Their legs flailed under Dwalin. Yanking off the hood Dwalin revealed a female dwarf. "Durin's name, what’s this?"
"That dwarf there scared mah kill away!" She yelled.
“What is going on here?” Thorin asked, emerging from the brush. His nephews right behind.
"She was going to stab Bofur." Gloin answered, helping Balin up.
Thorin went cutting Bofur free. He dropped to the ground and let out a groan of pain. He caught his breath giving Thorin a thumbs up. “Get him up.” Throin ordered Fili and Kili. The two went, pulling Bofur to his feet. Walking over Thorin held his knife, getting down to her level he pressed the blade against her neck. "Is this true? You tried killing one of my men?"
"No, I was gonna cut 'em loose, and have a friendly talk." She answered him with a sarcastic tone. Thorin put some pressure. Feeling his patience running thin she composed herself, "I just need me rope back, I have no interest in you townies. Now can you let me up?" She asked, looking up at Dwalin. Drawing back the knife Thorin gave Dwalin the okay. Climbing off Dwalin offered a hand. Taking it she was pulled back onto her feet. "Took me hours ta set that trap; I was gonna catch a stag this time ‘round." She said, looking over the tarnished rope.
"You set all these traps yourself? What of the one back at the campsite?" Thorin asked.
"You set those off too?! Gilthok meIf! Haven't wasted enough of me supplies already!" She yelled out in aggravation. Salvaging what she could, the lass stormed off back toward the campsite.
Following not far behind the men went back to their horses. Balin stopped Thorin wishing to discuss more about the she-dwarf. "Balin, you're considering asking that wild lander to join my company?" Thorin asked defensively. "She fought my men, nearly killed one. We know nothing of her intentions being out here."
"All I am saying is the lass has a valuable set of skills, Thorin. Obviously she knows how to survive in the wild. An what do we have? Gloin, the fire maker?" He asked, looking over as she aggressively ate her foal. "You know, as do I. We need all the help we can find” Balin reasoned. Thorin crossed his arms, snubbing the idea. Balin chuckled, giving Thorin's shoulder a pat."You leave it to me." He assured the king walking over to the lass. "Tell me lass what can I call you?"
Looking at the white haired dwarf she tossed a bone at his feet. Taking a thumb she whipped a piece of meat from the corner of her mouth."I'm called Shail."
"Lovely name means radiant warrior, very befitting. A lass like yourself in these lands must be off on a journey. Any thought of where you are going? Maybe to the Blue Mountains, or the Iron Hills in the north?"
"Nowhere specific, the better question is where are you all off to? The Blue Mountains are back thada way. Thirteen of ya traveling to the hills without any merch is abit suspicious. Wouldn't ya agree?" She asked, tossing her scraps away.Dousing the flame she went packing up the site.
"Yes, I'd suppose. Though that is not were we are heading. No, you see we are off to the Lonely Mountain." Balin answered.
Stopping in her tracks, Shail looked in disbelief. "I know of only one dwarf who'd think of traveling back to that mountain." Looking at the stoick black haired dwarf, "Thorin Oakensheild son of Thrain? So the stories are true."
"Yes, they are." Thorin said walking up to her. The same stern look on his face as he toward over her. "Most of these dwarves have never spent a week in the wild, I worry they won't make the journey."
Looking over Thorin's right shoulder to see what characters were in her presents. Shail watched as Bilbo flinched at a horse fly. The strange soft creature blew air and waved the bug away "A week? I'd say before nightfall you lose half of them. Sorry, I don't like traveling with townies anyway."
"Townies?" Kili asked from the back. Thoirn looked over, giving his nephew the stink eye.
"Townies, the folks who live in large packs. All soft and fragile, afraid of messing up your locks." She said tieing off her supplies. "The lot of ya just don't fit in with the wild." Loading it onto her own pony she went examining the members. "Here let's take a look at ya. Come here!" She said tugging at a few of them. "How well can ya see in the dark?" She asked, looking into Fili's eyes. Turning briskly she yelled into Oin's trumpet,"What about yer HEARING!?" The old dwarf flinched and groaned at the verbal assault. "Know how ta handle a weapon? Do ya even have one?" She asked Ori. Tugging his bag she rummaged through it. She pulled out his slingshot, "Well this doesn't seem too handy." Tossing it back she went on. "What about hiding your musk? Let's have a smell." grabbing Dori's arm she took a whiff. "Ugh, you smell just like a townie! You need a good mud bath." She said before being shooed away. "I don't come for free either. So what can the great Thorin Oak-en-sheild offer me?" She asked in a mocking tone.
"A portion of Erebor's riches shall be yours." Balin answered. He went retrieving a contract from his satchel.
Grabbing the paper, Shail skimmed over it. "So I'd get a bunch of shiny bits?" She asked. Giving a nod Balin was thrown off by the sudden laughter. "I don't need that useless stuff. So I guess you can't offer me anything." Shail went, shoving the parchment onto Balin's chest. "Have fun getting eaten up by that dragon." Parting through the company, a scent caught her attention. Sniffing the air she turned to the large ginger dwarf "Is that a tasty smell?" Bombur held two iced pastry in each hand, nibbling them. "Well you can give it here." She went to snatch it, but Fili got to the sweet first. Tossing it over to his uncle.
Catching it Thorin changed the offer, "I can offer you three meals a day and these so-called tasties." Walking up to her Thorin waved the dessert cake in Shail's face. "Better to have a meal offered than to chase one down. So what do you say? Will you join us?" He asked.
Shail’s eyes followed the treat. "Double my servings on the meals and tasties. I also get first pick on a sleeping area. And you get me close enough to the Iron Hills, where we can depart from one another." She counter offered, holding out a hand. The two shook on it. She was officially a part of the company. Snatching her sweet, Shail went mounting her horse.
