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theblogofdurin · 2 years

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Cloaked in Green || P. 2 || Chp.16: Wilderness

word count:2.4k

warning(s): mentions of parent death, crying children, sleep exhaustion, hunting, with a slight rape mention

summary: Bonding, Rivalry, and Sibling banter

a/n: I hope you all enjoy!! and make sure to comment your thoughts below! and while your at it why not give this a like as well!!

Did Not proof read

Thorin Oakenshield x fem!oc

Read more: series masterlist, chp. 15

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You know, dwarves are not very observant.

As I walked onto them chatting and distracted with each other, not a single one noticed my presence rejoining them. I smiled over to Gandalf, as I sat down with my two bundles. Holding a finger to my lips, as I bent to start cleaning the rabbits. Let’s see how long it takes them, I thought teasingly.

Bombur and Gloin had already started the fire and had it roaring, now they sat with their backs to it as they talked about the upending clouds in the sky. I hung the first rabbit over the heat as I went to finish cleaning the others. I had gestured at my cloak for Gandalf to open, as he unfolded it and joyously smiled as he took a small handful of mulberries and began munching on them.

It wasn’t till I had all the rabbits on the fire and sat next to Gandalf that Bifur’s nose alerted the others. “sanzigil-kaiku!" he exclaimed, causing the others to look

“By the Valor!”

“I thought I was imagining the smell!"

"Where did you get all that?!"

Rolling my eyes, I point at the woods behind me. “Seriously Dwalin, it is not that hard to comprehend."

Boisterous loud laughs broke throughout the company as Dwalin twitched one eye at me before shaking a finger. "Watch your back lassie, that's the last unanswered blow."

Pretending to cower in fear, I shivered against the wizard, causing everyone to chuckle. "Apparently you are the ones that need to be watching your backs, I've been back for at least 40 minutes or so."

"It must be the sleep exhaustion." Balin sighed as he moved from his position next to Thorin to sat a spot next to the fire. Other members nodded in agreement and began moving closer. "I say we call camp as early as possible so we can be rested tomorrow."

More "Aye's" sounded off as everyone moved closer to the fire. I was all for that…when was the last time I actually tried to get some sleep…the night of the Trolls??

Bombur, moving to take over the cooking for me, nodded to what Balin said before adding. "Yes, but first we eat!"

"Here!, Here!" `

My cloak was passed around, everyone taking handfuls and mouthfuls as Bombur started dividing up the meat evenly, me having filled up on mostly as the mushrooms and berries and having barely any appetite after all my dry heaving today; gave Bombur my plate once he moved to sit down next to Bofur and Bifur.

He curled a funny brow at me but still took my plate nonetheless, as I smiled "A Lady's appetite, I am more than full." I explained

"Are you sure? You emptied your stomach seven times over today." Dwalin chuckled, from behind me, Ticking my tongue, I turned around and raised a brow at him. "You try swinging on a rotty rope and tell me how you fair Oh mighty warrior.” I snapped back, plopping back into my spot, causing mild chuckles throughout the company.

“How dim-witted are you!?” Dis shouted at her brother. “The Princess of the Blue-Mountain wishes to court you and you say what!” She tossed one of her throw pillows at him.

Thorin only rolled his eyes, as the fluffy weapon hit him in the chest. “Dis, you and I both know why I refused to marry. I have yet-”

“Thorin-” she tried to interrupt but he continued talking as he sat on one of her wooden chairs by the mantle. The fire crackled as he looked over it.

“-to find the one that truly makes me happy. And Princess Galya is not the one…My one.” he added.

“My Brother.” Dis was no longer yelling, she had walked over to him while he was speaking, placing a calming hand on his back. “I wasn’t angry that you said no to her proposal. I was expecting it, I merely wished you handled the situation more kingly-”

“But I’m not a King am I?” Thorin snorted “You kind of have to have a Throne to be a King and I barely have my own bed.” he gestured at the rickety bed in the corner of her living space.

“You are still the leader of our people.” She defended him “Throne or no Throne. Bed or no bed. You have proven yourself. You have created a life for all of us here…A good, decent life.” She added “I only wish you could see yourself the way the rest of us sees you.”

“I appreciate you, Sister.” Thorin sighed heavily, patting Dis’s hand. “I truly, truly do.”

Thorin was staring and hard.

Because by Mahal's hairy beard Aranea was almost unbearably gorgeous with a brown leather vest and cream colored tunic. How in the world did he ever think she was a man? There was nothing masculine about her, her strong femine shape had a chokehold on him. Sp much so that he truly wasn't ashamed to continued to stare at the unknowing figure across the fire from him.

Seated now in-between Balin and Fili. Thorin tried desperately to tear his eyes away to look at the food in the wooden plate that Bombur managed to save. But then he saw that glint in her eye as she turned to snip at his old friend, and couldn’t help the squeeze in his heart as he mentally fell to his knees. Ready to give it all for this mysterious lady.

As the last of the mushrooms and berries were eaten, Nori handed the cloak back to Aranea. Smiling, she quickly shook it out before wrapping it back around her shoulders, Thorin was watching as she reattached the ends of her clasp together as Balin began.

“So Aranea may I ask you another question. You are free to decline.” He added the ending after a beat.

“Of course” she replied, Thorin glanced up momentarily to see as a tiny twinkle of the firelight get caught in her grey eyes. Grey…such a unique color for eyes, he thought.

“Where did you learn to fight? I can’t imagine any young lass like you getting into your area of work easily.”

Thorin had wondered about this as well and he made a mental note to thank Balin later for asking. Some of the other members of the company voiced their curiosity.

“Aye, you have quite the upswing there.” pointed Gloin.

“I agree, I never thought I would see the day a Lady decapitated a Goblin.” Bofur chuckled against his pipe.

Aranea took the question and the compliments gracefully as she picked at her answer.

“It wasn’t easy, I’ll give you that.” she chuckled. “But it's a necessity where I come from. If you want to live you need to fight.” she concluded.

“Ah so violence is prevalent in your societies.” Dori asked, even more curious.

“Not in the way you're suggesting. Orc attacks and raids are very common in our few settlements.” Thorin connected the dots in his head. Remembering the time they had spoken in private. She had mentioned something about Orc attacks already. When he had asked about her father... Moving his gaze to study her face, Thorin could make out the twinge of mourning-or was it guilt?-in her eyes.

"Ah I'm sorry, dear." Balin tried to comfort. "Did you lose someone close?" Thorin shoved a prominent elbow in his side. Before sending the dwarf a glare.

"It's quite alright." Aranea quickly reassured. Missing the knowing smiles that flickered through the others. Smiling herself as she tried to swallow her emotions.

"I can understand the curiosity I must bring to you all. Yes, I did lose someone to one of these attacks…many some ones but I was young, there was very little I could do."

"Mama! Mama!" The screams and yells of her children frightened Gilrean as she bolted out of the garden gate. Turning and searching as she ran towards their sounds.

"Aranea! Aragorn!" She screamed back. As she ran deep into the woods on the far side of their cabin. Running past several, who looked on in confusion.

"Mama!" The twins were now in unison. Something they both already hated doing and tried desperately not to do. Racing faster, Gilraen continued yelling her responses. "Aragorn! Aranea!"

Thump! Thump!

Tiny bodies slammed into their mama, sobbing and balling as Gilraen came to and began frantically running her hands over their trembling bodies searching for any marks and bleeding.

Aranea's thick braid had been unraveled and the tiny knitted coat over her dress had been ripped in several places . Aragorn's hair had been cut on one end, and a small bruise was already forming on the small of his cheek. Both of them had dirt and grass in or on their clothes and hair. About to ask what happened Gilraen paused as she had momentarily glanced down to see something gleam in Aranea's small hand.

The silver dagger had thick dark red blood smeared from the tip almost to its hilt. Gently taking it out of her daughter's hand. She immediately recognized its make and design. Why did their daughter have his weapon?

"My Babies." She whispered, choking silently before engulfing them into her chest. A few beats passed before she was pulling away silently to show them the dagger. "Where’s your father and the others?"

Yet again before either of the children could stop crying long enough to answer. A horn sounded in the air…

“Why are they so prevalent?” Fili’s voice broke the silence. “What are they after?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” with his brows crunched, Balin answered the lad. “It’s bound that the descendants of Isildur, the man that killed their dark lord will be targeted for many centuries after the fact.”

Aranea nodded, while Gandalf answered through the puffs on his pipe.

"The line of Durin isn't the only target for the servants of Gundabad and Mordor, Master Fili. For why do you believe the Rangers of the North are so secretive." He gestured over to Aranea to prove his point.

"So that's why you haven't reclaimed Gondor?!" Kili exclaimed like he just solved the greatest riddle of the age. Causing chuckles and heads shakes through the company. Aranea smiled warmly at the dwarf prince.

Stretching, softly as others started in on their teasing of the poor lad. She let out a soft yawn into her hand.

She wasn't sure exactly but ever since Thorin had told her of his and Fili’s father passing. She has developed a bit of kinship and sympathy with the brothers.

"Time for bed." Thorin suddenly ordered "We should leave before dawn."

"I'll take the first watch," Gandalf answered. Nodding, Thorin gave out the instructions for Dori, Balin and Bifur to take the rest of the shifts.

While doing so, Aranea quietly moved to her customary spot on the outside of the camp. Leaning against a rock facing the edge of the woods.

She knew he was staring.

It was more than obvious.

Aranea has lived in close quarters with male species to know what being staring at felt like. However due to her status- perhaps even her fighting ability she thought smugly- there was no ill attempt from these watchers; but that didn’t mean she enjoyed their stares, quite the opposite actually.

Yet, Aranea couldn't help the new feeling at being stared at by Thorin. It didn't bring the uneasy disgust that she normally felt. Like she was a meat leg ready to be devoured. This time it felt different. Like instead of meat she felt like a gem. Something admirable, something femine.

Such a silly thought. Aranea shook her head at herself as she adjusted against the rock. If only her mother could see her now. Blushing and swooning over the actions of a man- a dwarf man nonetheless, She would die of shock.

Yawning loudly, Aranea sat back against the rock. It seems the last few days without any sleep were starting to take a toll on the poor lass. For Aranea had barely enough awareness to pull out her dagger from her belt and grip it securely in her fist beneath her cloak before she started drifting off.

“She’s dead asleep.”

I heard a hushed voice murmur quite loudly in my ear.

“Well Uncle told us to wake everyone.”

Another voice whispered in my other ear.

“We can’t leave her for last. She might need a minute-KAKHUF INBARATHRAG!!” Kili screamed, falling backwards when I opened my eyes. From my other side Fili was rolling in laughter.

Amused, I sat up, Kili gripping at his chest, panting slightly.

“Do I even want to know what you said?” I chuckled lightly at the sight. Fili wiped at his eyes before shaking his head, “A rather grotesque part of a Billy Goat anatomy, too delicate I’m afraid to utter in front of a Lady.” he spoke in between short breaths.

“I was not expecting that.” Kili laughed at himself as he stood up brushing the dirt of his pants.

“Clearly” I smirked as I followed his actions. Looking around, I noticed that the sun had yet to make a mark on the sky. I was also surprised to see that everyone was still asleep with only Gandalf and Thorin’s spots empty.

“Apparently I am not the only one who slept hard.” I stretched, a yawn escaping as I did.

"No, you weren't." Chuckled Fili as he and Kili both moved to start waking the others.

Thorin was trying really hard to think about the journey with little to no success. No matter what route he took with his thoughts they lead to the same thing. Aranea and how or when she would ultimately part from the company. When they failed to take back Erebor or whenever she came to a not far stretched conclusion that the mission of this quest was too far out of reach to continue on.

Maybe Balin was right?

He sighed to himself as he paced around the woods. He know the ridiculous of his last thought. Of course Balin was right.

Balin was always right…though...maybe, just maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get someone opinion on the matter.

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