Book 2: Hanging On [Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter 17

The land lay completely barren when reaching the shore and the deafening silence eerie. Not a blade of grass grew on this part of the land around the mountain, nor tree, only the charred remains of what once had been. And staring out when reaching the overlook to find the long forgotten city of Dale was like staring at a ghost. The company did not have time to gaze for long, making their way down to start their search.

"What about Gandalf?" Bilbo questioned.

The Wizard was nowhere to be seen, even though he promised to meet them at this exact spot. However, with time against them none could wait, even though they were instructed not to enter Erebor without him and Thorin continued to lead them on. The cousins shared a look.

"I hope nothing has happened," Poppy spoke.

Bilbo tried to give her an encouraging smile, "I'm sure he's only late and will join us soon."

The answer didn't settle their worry, following after the Dwarves.

All split up in search of the stairs and the prince removed the map from his clothing to examine it and repeat the words. Climbing over the rocks that littered the mountainside the Half-breed examined with squinted eyes against the sun for what they desired. The farther they went the harder the company searched and it was only then Poppy realized she started traveling alongside Balin, the oldest Dwarf taking up the rear.

"Though my eyes are not what they once were, I will be sure to spot something if missed," he declared. The blacksmith smiled, in no hurry to join the others as they scurried about ahead.

Glancing towards the blacksmith he suddenly noticed the metal secured in her hair, as well as the way the strands were braided. The old Dwarf's mouth parted in surprise. He then looked to their leader searching about the rocks and then back at her. Then the Dwarf chuckled,

"I take it you and Thorin are now an item."

Instantly her cheeks flushed, head whipping around in Balin's direction with wide eyes. Her reaction only confirmed the theory as she sighed knowing it was useless to lie to him.

"Was it that obvious?" Poppy questioned.

His head shook. "Your hair is dark, so it is hard to see if you are not looking. But you cannot fool these eyes when spotting the marking of the Line of Durin."

Her hand reached up to the hair feeling at the bead. "Is that what it is?"

Balin nodded. "Beads received at various points in their lives show the significance of their age and lineage. To offer up one of their own beads is usually given to those who will take up the family name. When it is Fíli's time to rule, Thorin will give him one that has been passed down from king to king to show their standing. For a Dwarf to give a bead to someone not of their line, well," he chuckled, "it is usually in the form of a courting bead."

Poppy's cheeks flushed even darker, opening her mouth to say something, but no noise came out. Balin chuckled at the reaction.

"Something tells me you are not against the idea, just surprised," he said.

"You could say that," she squeaked out. Her attention shifted towards Thorin, who shouted something in Dwarvish to another member of the company, disappearing over the rocks above them.

"But why me, Balin?"

"It's obvious that he cares for you," the older Dwarf said. "I did wonder where the two of you went during the feast."

Poppy could only groan in embarrassment. This Dwarf was too smart for his own good, struggling to make eye contact with him as Balin smiled in a cheek manner.

"He gave it to me when I was sleeping..."

"Probably because he was unsure if you felt the same. He has a lot on his mind, but once Erebor is reclaimed I'm sure he will go searching for a proper courting bead and actually speak with you directly on the matter."

They went silent for a moment when a memory suddenly came to her. "I have another question for you, Balin... Though it may be embarrassing on my part..."

He chuckled. "What is it, lass?"

Poppy repeated the words Thorin spoke to her last night. Or at least to the best of her ability having never learned the language or heard it before traveling with the company. If anything she knew the difference between a curse and a normal conversation. As the silence ticked on between them and Balin actually paused causing her to stop as well. Her cheeks heated once more at the perplexed look on his face. Maybe she shouldn't have asked in the first place?

"Are you certain that's what he said?" he breathed.

"Yes... Why... is it bad?"

"On the contrary, quite the opposite. In your tongue it is more or less a statement of affection. That Thorin wants you by his side because he is falling in love with you."

Poppy was thankful that the others were far ahead and unable to see her expression as they pulled themselves above the rock that blocked them from the company. They would ask questions and if Fíli and Kíli were here they would be relentless until given an answer. The blacksmith would be sure to die of embarrassment if that happened. Yet there was another part of her where this information made her heart race for a completely different manner. He wanted her, a Half-breed from the Shire. And a blacksmith on top of that. She wasn't royalty. She wasn't a Dwarf. And the fact that Thorin wished to court her made the young woman stare across the landscape towards his retreating figure in wonder.

Balin saw the look in her eyes, feeling very pleased about the whole matter. "I promise, lass, I won't speak a word of this to anyone," he said.

She gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Balin."

"Anything?" came Thorin's shout. The two then set back to the task at hand, the older Dwarf looking to the sky.

"It's nearly past midday," he muttered.

"Nothing!" Dwalin answered back.

The prince's eyes scanned over the map once more to be sure they missed nothing. "If the stories are true, then it lies directly above us."

But where–?

"Over here!" Bilbo's shout caused their heads to snap in his direction. They scurried across the field to where he stood, Thorin the first to reach him in his haste. And there it was, carved into the mountainside a set of stairs reaching high up into the rocks out of sight among two of the king statues that lined the cliffs.

"You have keen eyes, Master Baggins," the prince praised. The compliment made the Hobbit grin.

The steps were not ordinary, having to pull themselves up one at a time, and helping each other when it grew difficult to reach the too high platforms. Poppy made sure Balin moved ahead of her should he fall, struggling every so often for she stood a few inches shorter than the Dwarves. Halfway up a section of a recent stone step, a section gave way, causing her to yelp in alarm. She scrambled to reach out for something to grab hold of. A hand shot out before she fell too far, steadying her and the blacksmith glanced up at the worried Thorin.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Fine, thank you," she breathed.

The two held on tighter to one another as he pulled her to safety. The others hadn't noticed the stumble, except Bilbo, who poked his head over the edge on the platform above. Upon seeing Thorin in her presence he no longer worried for his cousin's safety and pressed on. With no wandering eyes the Dwarf pressed a kiss against Poppy's lips. The action was unexpected, causing her grip to tighten for a moment in surprise and returned the gesture before parting.

"I'm almost wondering if you knew that was going to happen and stuck behind to catch me," Poppy said.

True. During the entire journey up Thorin remained at the front with Dwalin, only having paused on this step to be sure everyone remained together. He chuckled, "I don't know what you're talking about."

She rolled her eyes at him as the two quickly tried to catch up to the others. When all she wanted to do was pause for another moment and hold him closer.