Unexpected Assistance (A Hobbit Fanfic)

Chapter 4 - Peaceful Evenings

Demetria's walk around the Shire had been a pleasant one as she took in the rolling green fields and the wonderful feeling of the various plants and trees around her swaying in the wind. However, the night soon grew cold and the woman eventually sighed and drew her cloak around her, gently brushing her hand over a particularly beautiful patch of blooming tulips with a smile before beginning to head back in the direction of Mr Baggins' hobbit hole.

Once Demi had finally reached the green door with the familiar rune on it, she pushed her way inside, closing the door behind her almost soundlessly. Strangely, it was quiet in the house and, after peaking into the dining room where she had last left her sister and her new companions and finding no one, she made her way onwards down the corridor.

"Where's Demetria?" Erion's voice floated to her from the direction of living room.

"She went to explore the Shire," Faenor responded, "says she likes the feel of the place; I've learnt not to question her."

Demi had almost reached the room where the company had apparently decided to retire when one of the younger dwarves, Kili, spoke, "You let her wader around at night? Alone?"

"She could beat your ass into next week, she doesn't need protecting," Destan laughed out, just as the women in question entered the room.

"Sister," Fae called out, "back from your wandering at last. Find anything interesting?"

Demi smiled as she walked over to where her siblings were stood in front of the fire, her sister sprawled out on a chair with her legs thrown over one of the arms.

"Well I did see a rather delightful Rhododendron bush if that counts," she said softly with a cheery smile.

"I'm glad," Fae smiled back, tapping the free arm of the chair invitingly. "You missed a lovely singsong. Something about mountains and dragons, these dwarves aren't half bad musicians."

Erion cleared his throat and motioned for Demetria to move towards him, his face solemn. "We've decided to accompany these dwarves on their quest to reclaim the mountain, Demetria. Gandalf is an old friend, one that has done us many favours in the past; we have time to spare to assist his associates on their journey."

Demi nodded understandingly before sitting on the chair arm offered to her, soon startled as the young dwarves once again appeared next to the two women.

"We hear you lovely ladies are officially joining our company," the blond one grinned.

"Yes, we'll make sure to protect you with our lives! Don't hesitate to ask us for anything you may require," finished the brown-haired dwarf.

Faenor chuckled and turned to the two dwarves, "Oh I wouldn't worry about us lovely ladies, boys. I'm sure when the time comes we'll be the ones saving your asses."

"Oh, of course," Fili smiled, "Balin's been telling us all about the wonderful heroics of your family. We look forward to fighting beside you."

"I always love a woman who can handle her weapons. What do you fight with?" Kili asked, leaning on the back of the chair now and attempting to ignore the holes Destan was currently boring into the back of his head.

Demetria remained silent, instead choosing to look at the various braids that Fili had adorning his beard, so it was Faenor who replied cockily, "A bow, my skill is unsurpassed. And you?"

"Well, how about that? My brother here is also rather proud of his bowmanship," Fili jumped in, thumping Kili on the back encouragingly.

"You know what? That's given me a wonderful idea," Faenor smirked wickedly, and Demetria quietly let out a pre-emptive groan. "How about an archery competition the morning before we leave; see if you can wow me, dwarf."

Kili grinned widely and held out his hand for a shake, which Faenor grasped rather too eagerly. "You're on."

"Kee," Fili interrupted, "we should be going; uncle Thorin has his brooding face on."

Kili nodded and stood, but a contemplative look crossed Fae's face as she queried, "Thorin Oakenshield is your uncle? That makes you..."

"Princes, at your service," the two said with a bow, and Fae made a small noise of approval.

Demi also let out a squeak when Kili gently grabbed her hand to leave a kiss on it, before looking up at her to say, "Goodnight, Demetria. I hope tomorrow I am lucky enough to hear if your voice is as beautiful as you are."

The dwarves would have escaped at that point but, when they began to cross the room to return to their companions, Destan all but materialised in front of them.

"It appears you've taken an interest in my sisters. I would advise against that if you wish to retain your ability to reproduce," he said with a smile, but his eyes screamed murder.

The princes gulped.

"Destan!" Fae chided from her chair, and her brother simply gave a menacing smile before turning and walking away.

"Apparently this is where we're sleeping tonight as well, Demi," Destan said, returning to his sisters' side and brushing his hand over Demetria's arm before settling down on the ground in front of Fae's chair, his back leaning against it, "so I'd claim something comfortable now if you don't want to end up on the floor."

Demi nodded and allowed herself to slide back from the chair arm so that her back was against Faenor's and her legs were thrown over the opposite arm. Erion was still staring thoughtfully into the fire as his siblings attempted to get comfortable and the dwarves could be heard murmuring amongst themselves and shuffling around the room.

"You should all try and get some sleep now," the older man said, turning and smiling at the close positions the three of them had managed to arrange themselves in, as they'd all somehow managed to keep an element of contact – the sisters with their backs together and their hands dangling off the front of the arm chair to rest softly on Destan's shoulders, "we have a long journey and an early morning's start ahead of us."

Destan let his head fall back against the chair as he muttered with drooping eyes, "As long as you take your own advice, brother."

The dwarves obviously had the same idea as, with a few last adjustments to sleeping arrangements, "Goodnights!" began to echo around the room.

Kili and Fili, obviously with a death wish, called over from the other side of the room, ignoring the glares that Destan was half-heartedly giving them, "Goodnight, ladies."

Faenor simply responded with a wink and a wicked smirk that she was lucky neither of her brothers saw, whilst Demetria nodded minutely before casting one final glance at her surroundings; dwarves were sprawled on the floor and on various pieces of furniture, some even sleeping in piles, limbs entangled and beards tickling noses as snores began to fill the room.

"Fae," Demi whispered after the noises of shuffling and grunting began to fade, wondering if her sister had yet managed to fall asleep, "do you think they'll all make it through this quest?"

Making a small noise of acknowledgement, Faenor lifted her hand from her brother's shoulder and instead linked it with Demetria's. "No, so don't go getting all attached like you usually do. We'll try and save as many as we can though, sister, like always."