A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

8-Our First Argument

By nightfall, we had made camp by the cliff side, most of the company were asleep besides my nephews, Gandalf & Anya. As for me I was just sitting by the rock with my eyes slightly closed. Secretly I was observing the girl, she was polishing & cleaning her weapons. It rather surprised me, even though Gandalf told me that she was a ranger. Seeing her twin medium-small size swords, two sets of both daggers & knives in two black pouches. She had them tied along her black boots to hide them, very clever. They were of different varieties & shapes. My nephews were not sitting far from her for they asked her about her weapons.
Kili: "I have to admit, Anya, that I was skeptic once Gandalf mentioned to us that you are a skilled fighter. I can understand your swords but these daggers? Fili has plenty as well, which I told you earlier, ow! Fili, what was that for?"
I smiled slightly just as I heard Anya laugh lightly, peeking at the boys, Fili had smacked his brother at the back of his head. He simply glared some kind of a warning at Kili, who was rubbing his head. I frowned at the behavior of my older nephew.
Anya:(Chuckling)"Relax, Fili, no harm done. To answer your question, Kili, I'm sure Gandalf also mentioned that I have been trained by a very good teacher. I have been since I was 12, of course there were those tried to discourage me. Besides Gandalf & my teacher who also knew my parents well. These twin swords were given to me as a gift from my teacher. As for the rest well, if I told you wouldn't believe me."
Fili: "And why not? Wait, you mean that someone you know had made these for you? Someone close?"
I could feel my heart thumping as I also waited for the answer.
Anya: "Uh huh, actually my cousin had forged them for me while I was staying at lake-town for a few days. She had made them with such passion & hard work so I could not refuse her."
Kili: "Wha...? Wait did you say she forged them as in a girl? Your cousin?"
I heard Gandalf chuckling at Kili's reaction & frankly even I was amazed too. There certainly aren't many women who could forge weapons. None that I knew of.
Anya: "Thats right, Kili, a girl had made them, she is about my age but she is about a month older than me. And she never lets me forget it, her name is Trixie."
I smiled at that for I had that with my cousin Dain at times. Not far from me I saw the hobbit wake up. Guess Bombur's snoring has been keeping him awake. He stood up, stretching & walked towards where our ponies & the horses were tied. He went to his pony, then my gaze shifted to Anya who was placing her weapons back after cleaning them. It would interesting to see how she handles herself in a fight. Then a scream was heard in the distance, the hobbit flinched & Anya looked a little alarmed. That made me sit upright to listen.
Bilbo: "What was that?"
Kili: "Orcs."
Bilbo: "Orcs? What are they?"
Slowly he walked towards the campfire, as if to keep himself safe. As for Anya she seemed calm though & alert.
Fili: "Throat cutters! There will be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them."
Kili: "They strike in the wee small hours of the night, when everyone's asleep. Quick & quiet, no screams, just lots of blood."
I saw Anya glaring at them for they began to snicker, after what they said about those filth & the hobbit looked really upset. How dare they speak so lightly about them, to my annoyance. I stood up & walked over to them.
Thorin: "You think this is funny? An orc raid in the night seems like a joke to you?"
I was disappointed at them, its one thing to try to alarm our two new members but also make fun about it. Kili looked ashamed about it he should be, both of them.
Kili: "We didn't mean anything by it."
Thorin:(Scoffed)"Of course you didn't, you know nothing about this world."
I turned my back on them & walked near the edge of the cliff. To calm myself that is, inwardly I was still fuming. Then I heard light footsteps coming near me, for some odd reason I knew it was Anya. I closed my eyes silently thinking that I don't need this right now. My feelings at this moment for her is pretty much in a turmoil as it is. Also this quest is the turning point in my life I don't want to jeopardize it for anyone. She cleared her throat as she came closer.
Anya: "You do know that was unnecessary, they meant no harm by it."
Thorin: "What would you know about it? Just because you are part of the company does not make you one of us. So just mind your own business."
I wish I ought to cut my tongue off for the way I snapped at her. She was completely taken aback at the way I spoke to her, curse it. She almost stumbled but she held herself up & she looked really upset as she stared straight into my eyes.
Anya: "So you seem to assume that I'm ignorant is that it. Now you listen to me, Thorin Oakenshield, you know nothing about my past, trust me, I know what its like to be in an orc attack. I was only a child when I witnessed my whole family slaughtered at once, with their heads cut off from their bodies & I have seen much worse. Besides you are not the only one who lost everything that day."
Now it was my turn to stare at her in shock after what she just said. She turned back before I could open my mouth to speak. Mentally I kicked myself, What have I done? She did not deserve that, I let my temper get the worst of me. I clearly saw the hurt in her eyes, she came to me for defending my nephews. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I looked up at the clear sky, thinking of some way to make amends with her.
Balin: "Never mind him, laddie, Miss Anya. Thorin has more than one cause to hate orcs. After the dragon took Erebor, King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient Dwarf Kingdom of Moria. But our enemy had got there first. Moria was taken by the legions of orcs lead by the most vile of all their race: Azog the Defiler. The giant Gundabad orc had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the King."
I could hear Balin clearly about what had happened on that accursed battle. I can easily replay that event in my mind, I remember everything.
Balin: "Thrain, Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief. He went missing, taken prisoner or killed, we do not know. We were leaderless, defeat & death were upon us. That is when I saw him, a young dwarf Prince facing down the pale orc. He stood alone against this terrible foe, his armor rent...wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog the Defiler, learned that day, the line of Durin would not be easily broken."
I smiled grimly as I recalled about how I was able to cut off that Pale monster's left arm. Thus earned the name Oakenshield.
Balin: "Our forces rallied & drove the orcs back. Our enemy had been defeated, but there was no feast, no song that night. For our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived & I thought to myself then. There is one who I could follow, one who I could call a King."
Releasing my breath slowly I turned around, there I saw that they were all staring at me with respect & awe. Slightly nodding my head as I headed towards them. Even the hobbit had the similar look on his features, my gaze shifted to Anya, her eyes were on me for a moment then she turned her head away. She was still upset after our first argument, if that is the right word for it.
Bilbo: "And the pale orc? What happened to him?"
Thorin: "He slunk back to the hole from whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago."
In the corner of my eye I saw Anya exchange glances with Gandalf. Then she stood up & gestured the wizard to follow her. I just stood there watching them leave, wondering what are those two upto. Then Balin came up to me, he looked concerned.
Balin: "Thorin, would you mind telling me about what just happened?"
Thorin: "About what, Balin? There is nothing to discuss."
He gripped my arm before I could turn, facing him I knew exactly what he wanted to know. But I held up my hand to prevent him from saying anything, about how I behaved towards Anya Hadin.
Thorin: "Balin, please I do not wish to talk about it. We should get some sleep. For we have to move out early."
The older dwarf huffed in frustration, turned to leave. I sighed quietly as I laid down on my bedroll, staring at the stars. I heard a slight rustle turning my head, the wizard came back with Anya trailing behind him. She was shaking her head slightly & glaring at the wizard's back. Did they have an argument as well? I watched her head near the campfire & she laid down on her spot. I laid there for a while, it seems sleep had eluded me. Sighing, I stood up to stretch my legs, I looked around me & everyone had fallen asleep. I kept wondering about that scream we had heard earlier. Hopefully those orcs aren't nearby, we could take them out but I kept wondering about the hobbit. I stood over him still skeptic about whether Gandalf was sure about him or not. Then I looked to my left at the girl, she was asleep but she was clutching her brown jacket around her body. Frowning, I noticed that she had no blanket, I remembered that I had an extra one, my sister Dis packed it for me. I went to retrieve it & quickly went to the girl. Placing it over her body, she soon stopped shivering. Relieved to see her smiling in her sleep, it made me smile just watching her. On impulse, I gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, grazing her cheek, so soft. The girl softly mumbled something in her sleep, cautiously I stepped back. She turned her back to me clutching my blanket. Chuckling softly, I headed back to my bed to sleep. Within seconds as I shut my eyes sleep took over.

1825 words!