The water was warm and soothing after so many days on the road, and it was a good hour before Sara returned to camp. Dressed for comfort in her sweats and Hogwarts t-shirt she received her brush from her tent. Her wet hair fell in loose waves that dripped water on her shoulders as she brushed it. Bilbo sat nearby combing the curly hair atop his feet.
There was a lazy contentment in camp and as she watched the dwarves putting their hair and beards back in order she suspected that she was not the only one who enjoyed being clean once again. Dori and Nori sat working to get each other's elaborate braids back in order. Gandalf was missing, though he had left with the dwarves to bathe. She wondered, not for the first time, where the wizard disappeared to and why. Fili and Kili were whispering to each other by their bedrolls, but by the glances they stole at her, she suspected she was the subject of their conversation. She was running her fingers absentmindedly through her hair when the two princes approached on either side of her.
"Mistress Miller?" Sara sighed. No matter how many times she told him to call her Sara or at least Ms. Sara or even Ms. Miller, Kili continued to call her Mistress Miller. She suspected he did it just to be obnoxious, much as he never seemed to be able to remember Bilbo's name.
"What is it oh beautiful Mistress Kili?" she replied, deciding on a different tact. "How may I help you?"
Kili had just opened his mouth to reply when he frowned and Fili let out a belt of laughter. Kili scowled at his brother slugging his shoulder.
"That's not funny!"
"Oh aye, lad, it is," said Bofur grinning. "Ya have been asking for that one for quite a while now." Kili huffed and crossing his arms across his chest. Fili continued to chuckle.
"Don't dish if you can't deal," said Sara, setting down her brush. Kili only groused.
"Oh, come on," said Fili, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "Don't be sore. Bofur is right you've been begging to get some of your own back for quite a while now." Bobo nodded his head in agreement, packing his pipe.
"What do you want Kili?" asked Sara, taking pity on him. Kili sighed and unfolded his arms.
"I wanted to ask a question, but Fili and I are not sure if it's too personal."
"You never know big you don't ask. What's your question?"
Kili took a deep breath. "We wanted to know why your hair is blue. Do all humans from your world have such strange hair?" Sara's face was blank for a moment and then she let out a soft chuckle and the group seemed to hold its breath waiting for her answer.
"No Kili, it's not too personal a question. My hair is blue because I dyed it that color."
"You mean like dyeing wool?" asked Bilbo. A few of the other dwarves were still as they listened in. Even Thorin seemed to be unusually still as Bifur and Ori came to sit nearby.
"I guess so," said Sara, a bit surprised by their interest. "Me and my roommate got our hair dyed about a week before I came to Middle Earth."
"But why would you get your hair dyed?" asked Ori, looking troubled. "Do people in your world have to dye their hair for any particular reason? Is it a type of punishment like having to shave your beard?"
"Wait," said Sara, seeing the hesitant looks on their faces. "You think I have blue hair because of something I did, like a punishment for a crime?"
Fili, Kili, and Ori nodded. The camp was unusually quiet, and Sara was suddenly aware that all ears waited for her response. She shook her head.
"No hair dying is not a punishment. People dye their hair for fun, to try something new."
YOU ARE READING
The Undecided Title Of Sara Miller *Hobbit Fanfiction* (Thorin/OC)
Fanfiction"You need to know something," said Fili, taking her face in his large warm hands. "You will always have me. Even if the Valar take you away tomorrow, I will always be your brother. I want you. I'm going to fight Thorin for you, but even if I lose, y...
