Ollo Vae

Chapter 3

A low humming comes from Bilbo's living room. I close my eyes and sit there, listening to the harmonious voices.

"Far over, the Misty Mountains cold. To dungeons deep, and caverns old. We must away, ere break of day. To find our long forgotten gold. The pines were roaring on the heights. The winds were moaning in the night. The fire was red, it flaming spread. The trees like torches, blazed with light."

As I listen to them sing, I can't help but hum along quietly. Their voices blend perfectly with the sound of the crackling fire that fills the house with a sort of warmth I have never felt before; it was almost unreal. Their song is beautiful, and the story it tells is tragic. I feel myself begin to pity them in a way, before I remind myself that just because bad things happened to them doesn't mean they need nor want my pity.

I can pick out Kili's voice in the group- his voice just a tiny bit higher- harmonizing with the other dwarves, and as soon as I realize that I have, I instantly shut it out. I am NOT going to fall for anyone, ESPECIALLY not someone who I met just tonight. The song soon finishes, and I decide to take a walk outside. You know what they say, the cold night air relaxes the mind! As I cross the hall to the door, I do my best to keep as quiet as possible, to avoid disturbing the others. On my way out, I grab my knives and bow from the coat hanger where I'd stowed them.

As I step out the door and make my way down the cobblestone stairs, I decide to go right; I haven't walked down that path yet. I follow the worn dirt path, which eventually doubles back and goes up the hill, above Bilbo's house. After I've followed the path for a fair amount of time, though it feels like nothing, I come up to a beautiful oak tree. It's leaves are a dark green, and they remind me a little of the conifers back at Beorn's. I heave a small sigh, and sit down beneath the low-hanging branches. I hear the chirps of a bird, and look to see where the noise had come from.

It's a brightly colored bluejay, sitting on the roots of the tree right beside me. I smile at it, and hold out my hand. The bluejay gives it an experimental peck, before hopping up onto it. I lift it up off the ground, so that it's about at the height of my shoulders.

"Care to introduce me to your little friend?" I hear a voice coming from the trail, and look up to see Kili. Apparently he decided to follow me. I chuckle slightly at his comment.

"I would, but he still has yet to introduce himself," I say, stroking the bird's beautiful blue feathers. I think for a moment.

"I'll call him Vae!" I declare. Vae twitters an elegant tune, almost seeming satisfied with my choice of name. Kili meanwhile, gives me a curious look.

"Why'd you choose Vae?" he asks, likely not aware of it's translation. I smile at him.

"It comes from the elvish phrase Ollo vae, which means sweet dreams," I say, returning my attention to the bright azure bird, who's started preening himself. Kili holds out a finger for Vae, and after a minute or two of thinking about it, Vae reluctantly hops onto his finger and chirps.

"Hey, he likes me!" Kili exclaims, reaching out with his other hand to stroke Vae's feathers. Vae gives his hand a dubious look, before promptly biting him, and flying up to land on my head. Kili shakes off his hand, and gives Vae an offended look.

"Hey!" he shouts. Vae resumes his preening, and Kili gives the bird a glare. "Kierra, what's the elvish word for 'Rotisserie Chicken?'" he asks, not breaking eye contact with the Blue Jay.

"I'm pretty sure there isn't one..." I say, placing one hand on Vae protectively, who nuzzles my finger.

"That's just too bad," sighs Kili, mocking sadness. I laugh and Vae goes to go eat a worm poking out of the ground.