The Hobbit: An Unexpected Reunion

Chapter 3

Back on the road through the forest of Ruh Daur, Thorin answered Bilbo's question. "I caught her on a scouting mission I was on a few weeks before the mountain fell. No one knew but I."

No one in the company dared to press why Thorin didn't report her. Bilbo knew little of the lives of the dwarves, but he got the impression that alongside being very protective of their wealth, they were equally so of their kin. The hobbit was immensely curious about the two she-dwarves and he could bet that the other members of the company were the same. But no one was bold enough to press their leader and perhaps once they made camp and Dwalin, Fili and Kili rejoined them, they could learn more.

It was near sunset when they conjoined company halted for the night. Thorin sent everyone to help Fróia and Mira's company set up camp, as a courteous leader would want to do. Bilbo ran off to find Fili and Kili and found them assisting the sisters in setting up small tents for the old and young. Now in the thick of the other party, Bilbo noticed how there were so few young dwarves among it. The two sisters, Tomli, and about a dozen other dwarves looked closer to Fili and Kili's age. However, Bilbo would later learn that night that Fróia was one-hundred-and-fifty-nine years old when Mira was just thirty years younger. One could fathom that the two she-dwarves did not look their age. Then again, Thorin did not look one-hundred-and-ninety-five!

But save for the baker's dozen of younger looking dwarves, the rest of the group was a collection of grizzled grey and white bearded dwarves that gave the sense that they had seen better and far brighter days. Also, there was a number of twenty very young dwarves, ranging from ages of five and forty. These dwarves had not reached maturity and could be seen by how sparse their beards were and how they were not attired in the same dress as the scouts and guards of their company. But where the aged of the group soured the atmosphere with weariness, the children brought the laughter and energy to the group.

Bilbo helped the four dwarves set up and found the two sisters quite polite and appreciative. They certainly had better manners than their male counterparts. But where they differed in their manners, the two sisters matched their kinsmen in strength, hardiness, and fitness for travel. Fróia ordered the cooking fires to be set up and Mira went to check on their food stores to help allot the rations for the night. Fili almost started walking to follow her, but Kili grabbed the hood of his cloak and yanked him back. The older brother swatted at his sibling, who beamed as he stifled a chuckle. Bilbo watched the two brothers erupt in a whispering banter, but soon drifted his gaze to observe Fróia. She was conversing with the younger dwarves, discussing the next day's march and whether the scouts had spotted danger.

Fróia Wolfguard conducted herself almost identically as Thorin. She was quick to make decisions and give out orders. Everyone appeared to listen and willingly obey them. But Bilbo could almost see her mind working as she listened closely to her companions. Thorin, despite his rather abrupt manner, had an incredible ability to listen and at least weigh their sense with his. In that, the hobbit had started to admire the dwarf. Thorin was curmudgeonly sure, but he trusted Gandalf's decision to bring him along; whether that proved to be wise remained to be seen. And the dwarf listened always to the words of Balin and his kinsmen.

Fróia carried herself as a leader just as her prince, only she had a cheerful character about her, and the hobbit found himself liking her already. She concluded her discussion with her lieutenants, noticed Bilbo and came over to him.

"How do you fare, Master Baggins?" she inquired, a warm smile upon her face.

"Well enough, Lady Wolfguard," he answered with a bow of his head.

Fróia laughed, "Please, call me Fróia. Everyone in my company calls me that and I prefer it over any title people give me."

"Very well, Fróia," Bilbo concurred.