Lady Red Cloak

For Survival's Sake

A month later

So far we'd seen almost every terrain that was safe for us to get close to, but after a few weeks - the once glamorous sight grew tiresome, we all missed the mountains despite the harsh conditions...they were home. I had to keep remaining myself of how far we'd come, my father figure was closer now and all I had to do was tough it out long enough to close the distance - so why was it this hard?

The other dwarrowdams had convinced the cart driver to make a stop for herbs as we'd almost run out of supplies even though we were only halfway, it wasn't looking good. Despite our size in comparison to other races, we had a big appetite which would likely be the death of us before we even caught sight of the lonely mountain - the rest of the dwarves simply rested their feet or used time to catch up with friends from other carts

There was an older woman at the back of the cart who spoke no common, yet she proceeded to yell at all who dared to near her in aggressive khuzdûl. Those of us who'd been birthed in the mountains only rarely used the language, especially among our own kin - it was reserved for moments of intense emotion...Balin had also given me a book of my mother's tongue as she was never able to teach me herself

She was angry, and she had every right to be - we'd been trusted with these resources and due to our selfishness...they were scarce yet here we were frolicking in open fields?! The poor soul just wanted to reach the kingdom she once knew and loved before her time ran out - these times were scary enough as it was, without people struggling to understand her situation

I gently took her hand as I leaned over the side of the cart and reassured her that we'd be moving soon enough and I wouldn't let us leave her here. She tightened her grip for reassurance, tears rolling over the folds on her weathered skin - her appearance had forced our kin to neglect her emotionally, everyone was too excited about our new home to check in on others...perhaps I could mend that?

My body hopped up so I was seated next to her, she began to tell me of her tremendous memories in the old ages as I braided her hair finding the old courting braid amongst her silver locks. This type of action was only usually between close relations such as family or lovers, but she needed comfort right now and I didn't know how else...we both needed a familial hold

She was soon confused on my method as apparently it was apparently not the 'dwarrowdam way' and continued to ask how my mother had taught me to which I responded that my father had instead. She nodded in realisation before taking a piece of my hair at the front so I could see her hands work their magic - she was a lot quicker than I was and a so much smoother with her tightness

Soon enough, we both had the side of our head braided in a matching way...that's when she began to ask about my lack of courting braid and lack of maternal presence. Neither of which, I was comfortable discussing with a stranger nor someone who would likely beg Aulë for my undoing if she knew, the courting braid could be explained more easily as only a handful of women had them

In return, I asked about her's as it seemed very tattered and falling apart - it was a few moments before she spoke. Her husband had passed on from us a few decades ago and the memories were too painful to rid herself of the one thing she had left of him, it was a tragic tale of course...but it was also the one that drew all the maidens back to the wagon. Everyone loved a good old love story despite the ending

It had been the most I'd spoken of khuzdûl since I was a little girl whom spoke no common as well. I knew how it felt to be in a world where no one understood you, in more ways than one - but I'd had help...she had no one. The other women and some drivers taught her a few phrases as we set off once again, it would be a while before any words stuck in her memory...

But a little was better than none...