Imagines - The Hobbit

Cultural Misunderstanding: An Awkward Situation

Imagine: the Company of Thorin Oakenshield learn that human women bleed for a week once a month. Quite the awkward conversation.

Kili's P.O.V

Why was Alex acting so strange?? Ever since this morning, the young woman had suddenly changed in a way that caught everyone's attention. She had insisted she needed to clean up down by the nearby river - even though she had only done that the night before. In the end, uncle Thorin had reluctantly agreed; she had grabbed her bag and hurried away - why did she need her entire bag?? Normally, whenever Alex left to wash up, she would only take her towal and soup - as well as the clothes she was wearing. After that, she returned seeming rather content; we gathered out things and left their camp site. Her strangeness didn't end there, however, as whilst we were walking - just like any other day - she began to show signs of stomach pains; she would press a hand against her lower stomach and sometimes let out a quiet groan. Of course, Ori had instantly noticed and immediately asked the human what was wrong; Alex had attempted to play it off, reassuring the young dwarf that she was fine. This was when I had turned from my brother and spoke up "it's clear you're in some sort of pain Alex" this caught the others attention as they agreed with my statement - it appeared everyone had noticed the woman's pained looks; she only shrugged and placed the blame on a small stomach ache before hurrying to reassure that she would be fine. "Indeed, but you'll be better with some pain meds" Nori stated as his brother rummaged through his bag before pulling out a small bottle of pills; he handed two of the small pills to the human who smiled and thanked him - she swallowed the meds with some water. Hoping that was all, I believed her strangeness would leave at the same time as her stomach ache....turns out I was wrong. All through the day, Alex remained extremely silent and seemed to make sure to journey on her own - she would even move away if one of us attempted to join her. Additionally, whenever we stop for toilet breaks, she would take her bag with her which she normally wouldn't do - she'd ask one of us to watch over her bag whilst she left to relieve herself. Not today apparently. And again, it seemed I wasn't the only one to notice.

All of this brings us to now. Thorin had called for us to stop for the night and gave out orders to everyone over an hour ago; Alex, after setting up her bedroll and helping Bombur ready some food to cook over the roaring fire, had grabbed her bag and left to go clean up...yet again. However, what Alex didn't notice was that her spare trousers had dropped out of her bag as she picked it up. Thinking nothing of it, I made my way over and picked up the item of clothing, only to realise it was partly covered in a red liquid....blood!! With wide eyes, I called out to the others who were instantly concerned by my alarmed voice "what is it laddie??" Balin asked; I showed them the human's trousers which earned the same reaction "these...these are Alex's!!" I stated. Instantly, ourn shared worry and anxiety began to build up "she's injuried?!" Ori exclaimed "but how?!" Fili voiced his own thoughts as he wondered why Alex wouldn't tell us that she was wounded!? Thorin silenced all of the concerned voiced with his own "we'll talk and check on Alex once she returns" he stated "whatever injury she has can't be that bad if she's still walking around and refuses to tell us about it". My uncle took the trousers from my hand - he was probably going to use them against Alex if and when she denies any injuries. Sighing, I sat down on my bedroll with my head resting on my folded arms; my older brother joined me as he patted me on the back, asking me what was wrong "nothing". Fili raised a brow at my clear lie, earning yet another sigh "I just....I thought Alex trusted us" this confused my brother "she does" he stated; I looked him dead in the eye "yeah?? Then why hasn't she told us that she's injured?? Why has she kept it to herself??" I asked. Earning no reply, I resumed my previous position as we all waited for Alex to return so that we could confront and check on her. My head was filled with thoughts: what was her injury?? How was she injuried?? Why wouldn't she tell us that she's injuried?? What it an embarrassing injury??