A Dwarvish Company (Currently Editing)

Chapter Six

Kili pov

I woke to the rustling of heavy boots on the floor. Opening my eyes I remembered what had happened last night and where I was. I looked down to see elven boots sprawled across me. Dessa was stretched out on the entire couch.

I gently tapped her back. "Des? You need to get up now."

She squinted her eyes and slowly woke up to reality. When she realized that she was on me she gave me a look of both horror and embarrassment in one. It was kinda cute. "S-sorry Kili... I'm used to my big open bed." I watched her get up and walked down the hall with her bag draped over her shoulders.

Fili walked over to me with a grin on his face. "Hiya brother," he said all too suspicious.

"Er... hello," I replied scooting over to let him sit down.

"So Dessa?"

"W-what about her?"

"You so like her!" He broke out of his princely manner and started pulling at my hair.

"So top it! I do not! I've know her for one day!" I lied.

"That hasn't stopped you before! Sometimes it's just a one day thing and she's off! Besides you can't deny she's attractive!" Fili elbowed me.

"I guess not. She is somewhat attra- Hey? You noticed she's attractive?" I questioned him.

"Well I guess so." Fili offered his brother an awkward shrug and quickly found a change in the subject.  "I'm gonna go find Bofur," Fili got up and left leaving me to ponder in what he said.

Dessa pov

I lingered down the halls of Bag End searching for the bathroom. When I found it I slipped inside and changed then I threw my hair in a messy braid and walked out with my quiver of arrows wrapped around my shoulders. I looked down the hall and saw all of the dwarves gathered around and I walked to meet them, but I was intervened by Fili. "Hey Dessa!"

"Hiya Fili! Did you sleep well?"

He nodded, "Yeah, but I'm excited to get moving. And I think the trip will be much more enjoyable with you on it." He grinned joining the others.

I felt my cheeks redden, but I followed him. "Is everyone here?" Thorin asked. He did a quick head count. "Good, let's get moving."

~

We walked through the Shire for a while. When we got to a field I stopped. "What's the matter Des?" Kili asked.

"This is as far as I've been from home... If I take one more step I'll never be able to come back. I don't know if I can let the Shire go." I felt that leaving the Shire literally meant leaving the Shire.

"It's okay, Des. You will be fine. You're al-"

"Hurry up, halfling. We need to meet Gandalf," Thorin snapped. I looked down and continued walking.

~

When we got to the stables where Gandalf was waiting just outside the Shire. "If Mr. Baggins shows up then you will need to find somebody to ride with." Said Gandalf.

I nodded and hopped on the pony. It was weird. It was my first time riding one and it was exhilarating. The Fili and Kili took wagers on whether or not Bilbo would show up and eventually everyone joined in, even Gandalf. I didn't, however, because I knew he would come and of course I've never made a bet in my life...

We rode a long for only a short while when we heard a call come from behind us. All of us stopped our ponies when we saw Bilbo. He ran up to Balin and handed him the contract. "All seems to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield."

"Give him a pony," Thorin said not caring about anything else.

I hoped off of Myrtle and stood awkwardly. "Des you can ride with me!" Kili called from the back. I jogged back and he helped me up onto Minty. "Have you ever ridden before?"

I shook my head. "Not until now."

"Oh, wanna help steer?" He asked.

I gave an excited nod and he gave me the reigns. He rapped his arms around me to grab below the part of the reigns that I was holding. I could feel a blush creeping up my face and I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning like a maniac.

For the rest of the night we talked about our childhoods and what we want to do as 'adults' and our hobbies. All of our talk was hidden by the rambling of the dwarves and the complaining of Bilbo.