The mood on the road after that improved exponentially, with the chatter and laughter returning as you moved among dwarves happily. While you chatted with Bilbo as you did the others, after the events of the other night you made sure to sleep a good distance away from him. It wasn’t that you didn’t enjoy it, you did, it was that you needed to keep your focus on things other than your growing feelings for your hobbit friend. Gandalf had told you to keep an eye on the company in its entirety, not just Bilbo, and you were going to do so.
When you reached the cusp of the Misty Mountains, you pleaded with Thorin to wait for Gandalf, the mountain pass was treacherous and you had an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, but he insisted they continue. You exchanged wary looks with Balin, following the others forward as Thorin lead on. You were as alert as you could be, scanning the narrow path and your companions’ movements as well as allowing your ears to pick up even the slightest of noises. If someone slipped or the rock gave way you would be ready.
When it started to drizzle, your heart skipped a few beats and, when it started to pour and thunder rumbled through the sky, your stomach dropped to the floor. This was the worst possible scenario for your trek through the mountains as the likelihood of losing men shot up and every footfall could be your last. Your heart leapt to your throat when you saw Bilbo careen forward ahead of you but thankfully Dawlin and Bofur managed to tug him back.
You let out a slightly relieved huff, preparing to move on forward… until you saw the massive boulder headed in the company’s direction, your eyes going impossibly wide as Nori shoved you tightly against the mountain behind you with an outstretched arm. You looked up at the massive rock titian in awe before setting your jaw and yelling, “We need to keep moving! We’re right in their line of battle.”
Your cry fell on deaf ears as the ground beneath you shifted and, from the stone behind you, a third stone giant emerged, trapping you and your friends on its knees as it moved forward to join the rock throwing battle. All you could do was hang on and pray to all that is good and fair that they would either stop or that you all could get off before you fell or collided with some form of solid stone.
As if some sprite of mischief had heard your plea and let his lips turn to a wicked smirk, the side of the mountain came rushing towards you when your giant’s balance faltered. You crammed your eyes shut for the impact, sending apologies to Gandalf out into the air in front of you, but soon found yourself in a pile on top of Bofur, having been safely deposited on a fortunately placed ledge.
You let out a relieved laugh, rolling off of the dwarf to recoup on the wet stone next to him. It wasn’t until you heard someone cry for Bilbo that you shot up, your smile at being alive falling to a worried frown which turned panicked when he was found hanging off the nearby ledge. The dwarves quickly tried to heave him up but you could see they were going to need help. Hoping the tread on your boots would hold, you swung yourself down to a foothold in the cliff face so you could grab the back of his shirt. Aided by Thorin on the other side, who had had much the same thought as you, you tugged him up to safety.
When Bilbo was safely up, you thought it was over but Thorin's footing and balance were not as sound as yours and within seconds he was in the same situation as Bilbo had been. Dwalin was quick to grab him as you dangerously shifted over to catch his other arm and yank him up towards you, feeling the strain on your injured shoulder but focusing on not letting your grip on him slip. You let go when Dwalin put all his weight into it and together you managed to get him far up enough that the others could help in tugging him on to the ledge. Thorin quickly turned to extend a hand to you and you took it gratefully, letting him heft you up to the ledge easily as you were fairly lightweight.
Feeling the shock of the moment hit you head on, you just sort of sat on the ground, heaving air into your lungs, with Balin already pressing at your shoulder. You were positive it hurt but you were too numb from the adrenaline and the cold to feel anything.
Dwalin huffed, “I thought we’d lost our burglar,” and Thorin growled, “He’s been lost ever since he left home. He should never have come. He has no place amongst us.”
You didn’t catch Thorin’s harsh words towards Bilbo as Fili pulled you up and ushered you towards the nearby cave, an arm wrapped tightly around your waist as your steps proved to be shaky and unsure. You plopped down on a rock as the dwarves searched the cave, pressing a hand to the wall nearby while you calmed your breathing.
Something about this cave didn’t feel right but you were getting nothing from the walls or anything else you touched. Pulling your pack around and into your lap, you began to mull over if you should pull off one of your rune covered wrist cuffs to try again at full force. Oin interrupted your thoughts as he dipped down to be eye level with you, “Balin says I should take a look at that shoulder, lass. Thorin’s weight will have set back its progress.”
You nodded, pulling off your cloak, and then realized you were going to have to take off your shirt as well, turning to Oin, “If you’d give me just a minute, I’d rather not be indecent in a cave full of men.”
He quickly turned away as you unfurled your blanket, wrapping it around yourself before pulling your shirt over your head and letting the blanket slide down so it covered your torso but your shoulders were bare.
“All right, Oin, you can look now,” you murmured and he moved to remove the bandage from your shoulder and fix the damage that had been done by the stunt on the cliff face. You were fortunate it seemed as it had been nearly healed and the change wasn’t that bad, so you chatted with Oin as he worked. Being the promiscuous dwarf that he was, Kili smirked as his eyes trailed over the skin of your exposed shoulders, nudging Fili, “It is so easy to forget she is a fair maid but at times like this it is never more obvious.”
His brother chuckled softly, looking you over as well before giving a nod in another direction so that Kili would look there, “It would seem you are not the only one who’s noticed.”
It was true, some of the other dwarves were stealing glances, but the most noticeable was Bilbo, who was openly staring. Kili exchanged a glance with his brother and the two of them swept up behind the hobbit, “Like what you see, Bilbo?”
He startled, “W-what? N-no. I mean yes but no- no but-“
The pair burst into muffled laughter, so as not to draw your attention and subsequent wrath, and Kili hummed, “Tsk tsk tsk. You two seemed so cozy the other night and now you deny your interest. It would seem Master Baggins is a changeable man. She will be disappointed.”
Bilbo floundered, opening and closing his mouth a few times before deciding there was no good way to answer them and just setting his face in a peeved frown as his cheeks went red. Your voice cut through the cave sharply, “Fili. Kili. Do we have to have another ‘talk’ about how much I dislike it when you tease?”
The two ducked their heads, not having anticipated being caught, and shook their heads, “No, (F/n), we were just having a harmless chat. Right, Bilbo?”
The hobbit just nodded and you responded, “Good. Keep it as such.”
Once you were clothed again, you went back to examining the cave, absentmindedly tugging at one of your cuffs as your subconscious tried to warn you away from it. You considered removing the sturdy leather again but, since you hardly ever did so, you dismissed the idea that you should- if the cave wouldn't speak to you now it probably won't give you anything then either. You did, however, voice your concerns to Thorin in hushed whispers, “Thorin, I know this cave seems good shelter from the cutting storm outside but I cannot help but feel uneasy. It’s odd that it is empty and that is troubling enough without my skin crawling. We shouldn’t camp here.”
Stubborn as always, he shook his head, “The company needs rest and you are well aware the path ahead is treacherous enough without the rain. We stay.”
You hung your head and moved to walk away before he added, “But I will keep sharp in light of your unease. Now rest.”
Nodding, you went to flop down in-between Fili and Kili for the night with a heavy sigh, fingering your cuff again as you drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
The deathwatch are still progressing slowly, here's the first 5 of a 10 strong vanguard squad without jump packs. Added a couple of lesser known chapters in there as usual
