The Navigator

Dance

Vistial looks around the ballroom, packed with dwarves celebrating for the return to their homeland. Thorin had invited her and Bilbo to stay as long as they wanted in Erebor. Bilbo had decided to head home, but still came to the celebration. Vistial had nowhere else to go, so she stayed, much to the Kili's delight. The young Durin and Vistial had grown closer as the Company worked on getting Erebor ready for the dwarves to come home.

Vistial smiles as she spots Duvira and young Gimli standing with Gloin. Duvira catches her eye and nods to her. Vistial returns the action, then continues her search. Where was he?

"Looking for me?" Vistial turns at the voice with a grin. Kili's jaw drops as he sees her.

"Do you like my dress?" She asks. Kili's mother Dis had actually helped her get dressed.

"It...you...You look amazing..." Kili smiles. Music erupts and Vistial smiles, grabbing Kili's hand.

"Let's dance!"

~~~

The feast was in full-swing. Vistial had seen the Company eat, but it was so much worse when the entire ballroom is filled with dwarves. Several times, Vistial had to dodge flying food. Vistial stands and lets out a loud whistle. All eyes turn to her.

"For those of you who don't know who I am, my name is Vistial. I was the navigator for the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. Thorin has asked me to retell our journey and I will the best way I know how." Vistial reaches under her dress and pulls off her shoes, flinging them to the side. She grabs the string in the back of her dress and pulls, the lower half of her skirt falling away. Vistial looks at Bofur, who nods and starts to play. Singing loudly, Vistial begins to dance as the rest of the instruments join in.

I'm setting out into the great unknown, I don't know where I'm going
But I'm ready
Ready to live out every single dream, I'm stronger than I seem
Yeah, I'm fearless
And nothing's gonna hold me back

I'm gonna ride, I'm riding free
So come along, let's go along
Come on let's journey with me
I'm gonna ride (I'm gonna ride)
I'm riding free (So far and free)
As long I am here with you, I feel the spirit within me
Yeah, yeah, yeah

As Vistial danced, Gandalf sends smoke into the air. The smoke displays scenes from the journey.

I'm breathin in all up this open space, tryin' to find my place
In this big ol' world
And I'm getting closer every single day, there's nothing in my way
Yeah, I'm fearless
And no one's gonna hold be back

I'm gonna ride, I'm riding free
So come along, let's go along
Come on let's journey with me
I'm gonna ride (I'm gonna ride)
I'm riding...

Vistial starts grabbing some of the Company to dance with. Dwalin was her first pick, then she grabs other dwarves as she dances by. Soon, most of the Company was dancing with her.

I'm gonna ride, I'm riding free
So come along, let's go along
Come on let's journey with me
I'm gonna ride (I'm gonna ride)
I'm riding free (So far and free)
As long I am here with you, I feel the spirit within me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Bilbo's eyes widen as Vistial grabs him by the arm and starts to dance with him. She lets go and makes her way to Thorin. Thorin smiles as she curtsies to him, and takes her hand.

I can see myself standing taller now
And I can feel myself reaching for the now
But I know who I am and I'm gonna show
I feel it now, yeah I feel it now

Vistial grabs Fili and Kili by the arms and the whole Company links arms. She starts the dance that she had shown them on the journey.

I can see myself standing taller now
And I can feel myself reaching for the now
And I know who I am and I'm gonna show
I feel it now, yeah I feel it now

I'm gonna ride, I'm riding free
So come along, let's go along
Come on let's journey with me
I'm gonna ride (I'm gonna ride)
I'm riding free (So far and free)
As long I am here with you, I feel the spirit within me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Vistial finds herself in Kili's arm as the song stops. The entire hall erupts in applause. Vistial stands up, smiling widely. Kili suddenly grabs Vistial's hands, turning her toward him.

"Vistial, before anything else happens, I want to ask you something." Kili pulls something out of his pocket. "I've explained to you some of dwarvish culture over the last couple days. One of them is that if a dwarf wishes to court, he asks his One if she'll allow him to braid a bead into her hair." Kili opens his hand, showing a bead. "I've never met a girl like you and I can't imagine a life without you by my side. Vistial, may I court you?" Vistial gasps, tears filling her eyes.

"Kili, you can't court me..." She says. Kili's face drops. Vistial touches his cheek, making him look up at her. She smiles softly.

"Because you've already won my heart."