Fire and Water ThorinxMermaid!OC

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Loreth stayed still has stone as she secretly observed these trespassers. The day had quickly grown into night, turning the murky water black against the starry expanse above. The lake beautifully reflected the twinkling lights so perfectly, the water maiden seemed to swim in starlight.

Not only had she never seen so many at one time before, but in so many different shapes and sizes. They were exciting to watch as they went about using their equipment that Loreth didn't even have names for. She found herself wondering what every single thing they touched was. She had to admit to herself, this simple act sent a rush or thrill down her spine and to the tips of her tail. Glimpsing into a world she's only dreamed of, this was more than she could ever dream or hope for.

She spoke soft as quiet as a mouse to Blue, "I've never seen people so short. Or so tall. What is the tall one?"

"Wizard," said Blue with an almost foul taste in his mouth, "With their fancy robes and magic. They think they're so superior. Wizards are only out for personal gain you mark my words, Loreth." He whispered back his warning.

The mermaid nodded quickly in understanding. So they were not to be trusted? That was good to know.

"And the smaller people?" She wondered.

"No idea. Hey you're one to talk I should imagine that you would be as tall as them without the tail." Blue joked.

Loreth rolled her eyes. If only she was that lucky to lose her tail. Just when she was about to ask her twenty-third question, the voice of one of the men stopped her.

"Gandalf, do you hear that sound?" Asked a short man with a head of fuzzy red-brown curls.

"Not at all," responded the wizard supposedly named Gandalf, "what did you hear, dear Bilbo?"

The man named Bilbo ponder for a moment, "It...you know what...never mind. I think that's just one noisy heron."

Blue honked, "well that's just absurd! Did you hear that? I have half a mind to—Loreth?"- Blue searched the water around him"-Where have you gone?"  But Loreth had already dived down beneath the surface of the water. Blue's squawks were sure to reveal her location.

For reasons unknown to her, she swam closer to the land they were on. There was a feeling so deep within her that it could only be described as instinct to be closer to these men. Something about their happening upon her lake was meant to be.

She silently resurfaced, the water hardly moving in her wake. She popped crept up behind a rock that was closer. Listening to their chatter and watching their movements.

"Bilbo, have you ever seen orcs come up this far?" Asked a man with a long white beard.

"Not that I can recall. Then again, I've never really traveled this far east of Bree." Bilbo answered putting his hands on his hips, looking around.

The man with the white beard looked disappointed, "That's not as pleasant to hear as I'd hoped. Well we have luck on our side yet. I trust we'll be just fine."

Loreth did understand that word. Orcs. Blue talked about them; about how foul and crude they were. They like to take and destroy anything they can find. There had been one that wandered into her lake to drink water. But Loreth wasted no time in killing it when she had the chance.

Still invested in this group she continued to watch them as the daylight died and the moon had risen high in the sky. She never grew bored of hearing their chatter. They talked about the weather, the venture so far, and the prospect of home. So it would appear that they were on a journey.