The 15th Member

5

"Wake up Maecel." Bilbo sounded as he shook me a little.

I awoke with a start and acted on instinct, I grabbed a knife from my shoulder and then grabbed his arm as I held the knife to his throat.

"Breakfast." He whispered in a fear filled voice.

"Bilbo I am so sorry." I said as I removed my blade from his throat and let go of his arm.

"No, no need to apologize." He said nervously as he held out some eggs and bread toward me.

He left and Thorin came in his place. "Good, you're up."

"Why didn't you wake me last night, we could have taken shifts."

"I got someone else to do it." He stated simply.

I didn't question him further, and as soon as we finished eating we all mounted our ponies and headed out.

. . . . .

"I was afraid we'd never stop riding." Bombur complained.

We had reached what Gandalf said was once a farmers home, but it was nothing but ruins now.

"We will have to stop here for the night." Thorin said.

Gandalf seemed to disagree insisting that we stay elsewhere, when the two couldn't see eye to eye Gandalf trudged away.

"He will come back won't he?" Bilbo asked.

"Kíli Fíli, keep an eye on the ponies." Thorin instructed.

I decided that I needed a bath so I went and found a stream.

I removed my cloak, vest and boots and then jumped into the stream so that I could clean the outfit as well. While still in the water I undressed fully and then chucked my wet clothes onto the shore.

I got out and quickly threw on the garments I had laid out.

As I twisted my damp hair into a knot on the top of my head I heard someone approaching.

"Darn, we've come too late." Kíli said with a smile.

I shook my head and sat on the ground to put my boots back on.

"Aren't you two suppose to be watching the ponies?" I asked a little humored. I stood up and dusted off the black leather bottoms I was now wearing and this time put on a fur vest with cotton lining over a black cotton tunic. I grabbed my knives and placed them into their slots before I tucked my shirt into my trousers.

"We won't tell if you don't." Kíli replied.

"Do you always let him speak for the both of you?" I asked Fíli.

"Only when he's right." Fíli replied.

"Get back to the horses" I insisted, "I'm going to hang my clothes out to dry near camp, and I don't think Thorin would be too happy to see you two joining me when he gave you specific orders."

They looked at each other before going back in the direction they came from.

I did as I said and once I reached camp I hung my clothes where I had left my satchel then went over to get some food. "Here, take these to the lads." Bofur said as he handed Bilbo two bowls.

"I'll help you." I volunteered and grabbed a bowl from him. we went down the path and found the two brothers standing next to an uprooted tree.

They explained how two of the ponies were missing and Bilbo pointed out that something large obviously must have taken them. After we identified a trio of trolls as the pony thieves, the two mischievous brothers managed to talk Bilbo into going and fetching the horses, and once again I volunteered to help him.