Too Far Gone

Chapter 8

Dawn had come once again. The great Dwarves of Erebor continued on the Great East Road towards the Blue Mountains
Strangely enough, lucky for us, we ran into no trouble while passing through the Trollshaws.
I pulled out the map Elrond had given me and studied it as we walked.

We headed a little bit off of the course of the Blue Mountains, no longer were we on the Great East Road, but more off towards the South-East.
Confusion wrapped around my mind.

I quickly walked towards Thorin at the front of the large group.
I had to push my way through hordes and groups of more Dwarves. Pain and sadness washed over their faces as they still attempted to take in what had happened.

A woman wept silently off to the side of the enormous group. Her child's hand intwined with hers. I could not pass by as my people suffered. I began to walk slower on the side, moving closer towards her. Her child was too young to comprehend it, what ever it was.
Tears filled her eyes and kept falling. Her brown eyes and dark hair blew in the breeze.
She did have a beard. She looked fairly old and wise.

It was my kin, I would not stand by and watch them suffer.
I walked up to her.

"Please, do not cry." I said.
She stopped walking and looked at me, directly in front of her.

"The Dragon may have taken our home, but he has not taken our faith."
I placed a hand on her shoulder as she shook.

"My love perished along with my faith in that fiery blaze!" She cried. Her chest fell hard with every breath.

"We will stay strong. Stay strong for our people. Menu sigim bundul." I looked down at her young son.

She placed a hand on my cheek and patted it lightly as another tear ran down her face.
"Same to you, young lady."

She began walking again and I have her a consoling pat on the back.

I remembered where I was originally headed. Only now, I was further back than when I started.
So I made my way up more towards the front, pushing past, around and through many Dwarves.

"Madeira! Is that you?" A manly voice called from my right.
He pushed his way through some Dwarves to get to me.
A white-haired, stalky, short Dwarf appeared from the crowd.

He walked up to me and have me a pat on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, but I do not believe I know who you are." I said, confused once again.

"It's I! Balin! Are you alright laddie?" He requested.

"I am." I retorted.

"This isn't a practical joke you're playing on an old Dwarf, is it young lady?" He chuckled.

"I don't believe it is, mr...?" I forgot his name in a snap.

"Balin! Are you sure you're alright, Madeira?" A twist of confusion implanted on his face.

Well, at least I knew for sure my name was Madeira.

"I assure you, I'm fine." I rejoined. "It was an honor meeting you Balin."

I smiled at him, but his facial expression had dropped down to the ground. I turned and began to walk again.

Everyone claimed they knew the name in which I belonged to. I knew none of them. This was starting to get onto my nerves, which were already worn down from the Elves.
The unwise, obnoxious Elves.
But Elrond and his group did not seem to be like that.
What a difference it was.

I got lost in the huge crowd once again. The countless amounts of Dwarves pushed in all around.

"Madeira! There you are! I've been looking all around." Ziraz slid beside me as I shuffled through the horde.
Her auburn hair flew back in the wind and her dark red, armored dress flew back with it.

"Yeah, I'm right here." I replied.

"So what is going on with you!" She implored. The sun hit her brown eyes powerfully, lighting them up as she spoke.

"I do not know what you speak of."

"I speak asking you of what happened!"

"Nothing, nothing happened Ziraz." I walked past her as she stopped dead in the middle of the horde.

~

I neared the front of the group once again. I caught a glimpse of Thorin through the many Dwarves still in my way. He walked powerfully with Balin.
I propelled through the rest of the Dwarves and caught up to them.

"Something is not right, Thorin!" Balin implored to Thorin as they walked. "It certainly could not be witchcraft!"

"Balin that is a dark magic!" Thorin replied sternly. "It is merely shock. Now return to the back to ensure they're safe!"

Balin looked back and caught a glimpse of me.
"You're right, farewell until later, Thorin."
Balin said, patting Thorin on the shoulder and beginning to walks again.

I walked past him.
"Good day, Balin." I gave him a slight nod as he walked past me.

"And to you!" He retorted.

I caught up to Thorin.

"Thorin! Where are we headed?"

"Bree."

"We're going a bit off track."

"There is work there, Madeira. Or shall I call you Arvendel?" He said, keeping his stare up ahead.

"No, you shan't. I do belong to that name. I've taken your word for it." I started. "Now back to the point, work?"

"I'm glad you've come to your senses. You couldn't have forgotten who you were."

"I didn't! I still don't fully! But that's not the point." I replied.

"Madeira, our home was taken, I will take all the work I can, where I can find it. And right now, there is work in Bree."

"What about our people!" I retorted.

"Balin and Dwalin know the way to the Blue Mountains, they will lead them the rest of the way. I will be taking work for a few days." He explained, still staring up ahead.

"I will contribute. I'll stay amongst your company and work. I will do what I can for our people." I proposed.

"That will not be necessary." He added sternly.

"It does not need to be necessary! I will work to do my part. I'm coming to Bree." I snapped.

"Very well." He agreed.

~

We reached the borders of Bree. The trees were green and filled with life against the midday sky. They were spread out from the path but the sun lit them up brightly.The grass even shone in the sunlight.

I continued to walk alongside Thorin. His powerful, hurt and angered footsteps stomped on the ground.
Balin and another tough-looking Dwarf appeared out of the crowd as they pushed through.

"Balin, Dwalin. Are you ready?" Thorin questioned, giving them a nod.

"Aye, laddie." Balin said giving him a pat on the back. "Take care in Bree, come back to us when you can."

"Will do, Balin." He retorted.

"Well, we've got this young lad on our side, we'll do just fine." Dwalin said patting my shoulder.

I nodded, but had a look of confusion on my face.

"Actually, Dwalin. She's taking up work with me." Thorin explained.

"Fair enough." Balin added.

"Are you ready, azbud?" Thorin asked as he walked closer to me.

The Dwarves kept on walking behind our discussion.

"I believe I am." I smiled slightly.

"Now, Balin, Dwalin, lead them to the Blue Mountains immediately." Thorin continued. "Tak natu yenet."

*Menu sigim bundul -> You are greater than words.*
*Azbud -> My lady*
*Tak natu yenet -> Until next we meet*