Fitting in ~

COLD

"Fuck this cold..." It was night, the crackling of the company's fire having gone down to embers. With the beginning of autumn upon the air, the nights grew longer and the warm days were lost. Frost crusted the grasses in the morning predawn. They were silver shards of death, fingers of cold man winter seeking to take root in the world. His grip wasn't strong yet - no. But it would be soon. You had seen the passing of summer to autumn in Middle earth now, several months having gone by since opening that book and finding yourself on Bilbos porch. Your sickness from the Orc poison was kept at bay by Gandalfs teas and herbal remedies. It was tough though- the dark poison that impregnated your thoughts with nightmares and dark words that sent you into fits of terror. To complain of the fire though- to complain of the evils effects on you- would cause more harm to the companies minds. You struggled onward with them all, eyes forever rimmed with black circles.

Homesickness weighed on your heart. Your family must be in a panic over you - how they must worry. And how they must be searching in vain to find you. It broke your heart, these thoughts that crept into you at the darkest and quietest times in the night. Theses hours of pure stillness, when the adventure with the dwarves and their constant gibbering or the close call with the orcs had all become dim, your worries came back to the surface, clawing at you. You shivered again in the cold air, your breath escaping in a puff of frosty smoke. "D-damn it's so cold. " you whispered to yourself. You curled inward, arms wrapped in your armpits. It hurt - this cold. But the cold didn't hurt as bad as the worry and homeless feeling that grew every night. Misery found you in the wee hours and kept close to you like an unwanted rash. You could scratch at it but that would only cause it to grow. You thrashed about again, envying the other dwarves and even the little hobbit their warm little bed rolls. Oh to be small as well! You would feel so comfortable- snug in a wrapping of fur.

Thorin and Balin were talking on the other side of the dying fire, planning their best route to the Mirkwood.
"Thorin I don't think we should take the mountain passes again here." Balin said, pointing to a spot on the map that Thorin had charged for their possible route. "Seeing as what happened the last time we did so- well, I'd rather not run into goblins again."
The great king side, the weight of the companies lives upon his shoulders. "Mahal ... If we take the forest path we will be run down. " he pointed out to the second option. "The orcs will be easily able to chase us and pick up our scent. "

"Well lad. It is your choice. I cannot choose for you." The elderly dwarf patted Thorins shoulder in compassion. Throin chewed at the stem of his pipe, eyes narrowed over the map.

"What if -" he broke off as he heard a ruckus from inside the camp. Thorin peered upward, eyes scanning the darkness for the orcs, hand straying to his blade. But nothing stirred in the shadows. Only a large and very out of place human. It seemed that y/n had become some sort of temper tantrum creature, thrashing about in her sleeping bag. Thorin shook his head. Y/n. The oddest thing to come across his path in all of his hundred years. A human - yet so unlike the others who lurked in middle earth that she was almost not human. She wore odd clothes(even though they had become threadbare) odd footwear, spoke in the strangest accent to land upon his ear drums, and spoke of such fantastical things. At first, Thorin had kept his distance, not wanting to be associated with lunacy. He already had enough of that within his family line. Gandalf talked to her the most in those beginning days, listening with all ears. The wizard never seemed to question the girls strange habits or talk of "machines and cars ". He seemed fascinated, eyes sometimes going far and distant when she jabbered on. Then his nephews had begun to show their interest with the girl, playing their pranks. Soon - so quickly that none knew just how and what order it went in, the human had wormed her way into the companies hearts.

Bombur would ask y/n about the foods she had in her world. Y/n would listen attentively to Bifurs ramblings, smiling and trying to discern the words. Bilbo and her would talk of pleasant books and wondrous teas and such garden talk that it would turn Thorin sour. Balin was the girls confidant it seemed. Gandalf the one she went to for guidance. Dwalin- gruff warrior - had become her arms teacher more then anyone else. Y/n, ever since the incident with the goblins and finding Nori a Theif, had taken to scowling and lecturing the poor dwarf. Then their was Gloin who had seemed to adopt the the stray human, teaching her the things a father dwarf would only teach his kids. Since Glion must be missing his son, Gimli, it was comical to see the bright eyed human hanging on every word the red bearded dwarf said. Then - then their was the troublesome trio. Thorin had problems with his nephews before but now - now it had become a trio of trouble makers. Frogs were continuously appearing in sleeping bags, swords would find their way into trees and wins kind would be filled with water. It gave him a headache to even think about it.

Even Thorin, though he would never say it aloud, found her presence comforting in the oddest way. Just the strangeness about her - how she seemed so much less timid then other Men- folk. She talked with abandon, smiled brightly, and tried to keep the peace between all of them. Y/n also had the filthiest mouth he had heard. It made him think of the women back in the blue mountains. It was enchanting to say the least.

"What is she doing ?" Thorin muttered. "Y/n making more noise then a bear in a trap."

"I would guess it's the cold - poor lass has had no time to get any human garments or clothes to fit her size since Bree - and that was ages ago." Balin said. Thorin frowned. He had not noticed till now that the air had gotten colder. The bite of winter could be felt - even now. It was a chill he had taken little heed of. He and the rest of the dwarves had been prepared for it. But he hadn't thought of bilbo - or of Y/n. Mahal - he didn't even know if y/n had any winter in her world ! Balin was rolling the map up, humming and grumbling. "we can discuss the paths tomorrow. Tonight we should all try and get some sleep."

"Sleep well Balin.." Thorin commented, puffing away on his pipe. He continued to stare at your back, noticing the shivering even from this distance. Fragile humans .... Why could they not handle the cold. Thorin sighed, standing up. Their was only one thing to do.

You fought your shaking, and your worry, trying to drift into that place of peace. You needed rest - craved it. Running from orcs and such things had left you more the weary. You felt drained. As you thrashed about agin for the fifteenth time that night, trying to seek a better position, you heard someone clear their throat above you. Oh no. You instinctively knew who it was going got be. rolling over, you blinked into the scowling face of Thorin.

"He-hello t-t-Thorin!" Shit. Shit shit shit. You were chattering, the shivers so bad that they shook your voice now. Play it off y/n- just play it off. If you show weakness now who know what -

"Why didn't you tell me you were cold ?" He grumbled. "I can't have you freezing on me now - what use would you be to yourself or anyone else if you became struck with sickness ?!" His growl was deep ant throaty, wolf like in all its silent anger.

"....w-WAHT ?" Did he- he just - he didn't try and - but - how could he - you were too confused. Thorin never worried about your welfare or well being. Never did he do this. He had engaged in a playful manner with you back in Rivendell but beside that time he had treated you with respect and distance. "I - I don't think I und-understand .."

"Don't understand ?!" Oh dear. That furrowed brow Meant trouble. "What do you mean by 'don't understand '? You do realize that you are larger then any of the other companions besides Gandalf himself ! To think of even allowing yourself to be EXPOSED to becoming a burden is pure negligence !" He yanked at your sleeping bag, roughly gesturing for you to follow. "COME." Thorin didn't wait for a reply- you didn't even get to stand up- he just began dragging you away.

"Wait - Thorin ! I can walk!" You hissed , not wanting anyone to wake up in the camp because you were screaming.

"No- if your that sensitive to the weather I cannot risk you getting sick." He growled. Well this was a little - well odd. Thorin never cared about you before this - at least not to your notice. Right beside the fire he dropped you, a place that only one other mat held. He knelt on this mat now and looked into your face.

You froze, heart In your throat, body coiling with unknown feelings. You felt your checks flame as he touched your forehead, testing your skin for fever or sickness.

"Good - no fever yet." He grumbled as he slung his coat off his shoulders. It was a great furry thing- a monstrous coat on the dwarf with beautiful black fur and blue cloth. He set the coat then not upon a stone but over your sleeping frame. You blushed even harder as the fabric fell on to you, heavy and soft. "That should help with the cold. Next time we pass a trader or a town we will go in and get you some proper winter attire instead of that - well silly otherworldly get up." He grumbled. The coat smelled of pine, a scent you were so similar with.

You were blushing to brightly red. And the blood flooded your face. Thorin set up several feet from you, his back turned to you. But you felt your face flame. How kind. How thoughtful.

"Thorin?" You whispered. He grunted. Good. You had his attention.

"Um.... I just wanted to say... Thank you." You sat up, leaned over to him and kissed his cheek in gratitude. The stubble on the side of his face scratched at your lips in a nice sort of way, a sensation that felt good. Then you rolled away chuckling as the night was filled with crackling logs and spluttering dwarf. Tonight, the darkness was kept at bay by the warm cloak and the presence of the angry dwarf at your back.