Concerning the Hobbits

Dwarves do not like Rain.

P.O.V Firiel
I had always loved the rain. As a child I would dance in it. Granted, I was never a good dancer but it definitely  was fun. The company did not share my sentiments. They had been grumbling about the weather for most of the journey, since the rain had started. The last couple weeks of the journey had begun to make me wish for Rivendell. I longed for my comfortable bed, and for Arwen's wisdom.

I had lost my riding companion. Bilbo had been avoiding me for the last couple weeks; my attempts of conversation would end as quickly as they were started. It made me sad. So while I had fixed things with Kili, things with Bilbo were far from okay.
"Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori asked Gandalf, I knew, though, that Gandalf would never change the weather for any one. He felt that it was upsetting the balance of nature.
"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard." Gandalf snapped, obviously annoyed with the dwarves complaining.

"Are there any?" Bilbo inquired, surprising me and Gandalf.
"What?" Gandalf turned his head to look at the hobbit.
"Other wizards?" Bilbo pressed. Gandalf turned to face the road ahead.
"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White." I cringed at the mention of Sarumans name, I didn't trust that wizard, he made me uneasy, "Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I've quite forgotten their names." I hadn't.
"Pallando and Alatar, Father." I was quite disappointed that Gandalf had forgotten their names. Pallando and Alatar were very dear to me; they had found me alongside Gandalf. They had promised me that one day they would return, I awaited that day, praying that it would be sooner rather than later. Gandalf turned to me and nodded.
"And who is the fifth?" Bilbo continued, ignoring me. 'Thanks Bilbo...' I thought sarcastically but nonetheless sadly.
"Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown." I smiled fondly. Radagast was very much an uncle to me. He was crazy, but he was my kind of crazy.
"Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?" I giggled. Gandalf looked slightly offended, but Bilbo was funny. Who knew that he had a sense of humour under that serious exterior?
"I think he's a very great wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in this world." Gandalf, as always, took this all in his stride.
"Ay, Lass," Bofur smiled as rode next to me. While I had lost my previous riding companion I had gained another. Bofur and I had become close over the last couple weeks and I considered him one of my dearest friends.
"Hello Bofur. " I waved, almost falling off my pony. I was not very graceful. Bofur chuckled.
"I thought you were raised among the elves? Aren't they meant to be...graceful?" he said through laughs.
"I'm far more graceful than you, my dear Bofur." I smiled. Bofur snorted. I looked up at the sky and the sun shone out through the clouds. The rain had stopped.

"Ah, look, lass," Bofur smiled looking up at the sky, "The sun is out, finally."
"Yes, finally." I half smiled, I quite enjoyed the rain. I looked over at poor drenched Bilbo. I missed speaking to him.
"What's wrong, Firiel?" Bofur asked.
"Nothing is wrong..." I lied; I tried covering up the sadness I felt with a smile. Apparently dwarves were just as stubborn as the stories said.
"I do not believe that for a second, girl. " Bofur frowned, "I saw you watching the Halfling... what's wrong? You don't fancy him do you?" Bofur smirked. I felt like I'd been slapped in the face.
"No!" I exclaimed. The company looked at us. I turned a couple shades of red. They all turned back around however when neither Bofur nor I spoke. "No... I don't fancy him... I don't fancy anyone." I whispered.
"Then why were you looking at him?" Bofur pushed. These dwarves were so damn stubborn. I shrugged but it didn't seem like he would give up.

Sighing I looked at my hands that were holding onto Daisy's reigns, "I... I think that he is angry with me. He's been avoiding me, Bofur... I don't know why..." Bofur watched me for a moment, and then he watched Bilbo.
"Speak to him then." He rolled his eyes at me.
"I tried Bof--"
Bofur cut me off, "Try again." And with that he rode off, stopping near Ori. Bofur turned around and winked at me. I smiled softly.
'Here goes nothing...' I thought as I sped off towards Bilbo.

Alas fate was not with me, "We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." Thorin ordered, I watched Kili and Fili lead the horses away from our campsite. Kili noticed me watching and smiled. I blushed looking away quickly. Maybe I did fancy someone..? I didn't have time to dwell on that thought however... I walked over to Gandalf who was standing near the ruins of a cottage.

"A farmer and his family used to live here." Gandalf told me. 'died here...' That's what he meant. I brought a hand up to my mouth, I felt sick. My father, ever the optimist.

"How do you know?" I asked. Gandalf stood still and was quiet for a moment.

"I observed." I rolled my eyes. Obviously.

I turned around and watched as Gloin started a fire.

"I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley." Gandalf said, addressing Thorin.

Being the stubborn fool he is, Thorin disagreed, "I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice." Gandalf urged, but I knew that no matter how much Gandalf tried, Thorin would not see reason. I decided that I did need rest and so I left the two to bicker. I laid down on the bedroll I had brought and cuddled into my cloak, 'boy, this is going to be a long journey." I thought, watching the two bicker from a distance, my thoughts then turned to my home in Rivendell. I missed Arwen, Lord Elrond, the beautiful courtyards and most importantly... I missed my bed!