Emerge the Dragonborn | The Hobbit

Chapter 6 - Braids and Bows

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast the Brown."

Anaynah smiled at the mention of the fifth Wizard. Though she had not had the chance of meeting him yet, she had heard many a tale from Gandalf of his love for nature.

"Is he a great Wizard? Or is he more like you?"

Anaynah snorted loudly at this remark from the Hobbit. Though she was sure he meant no offence, he surely could have thought of a better way to phrase that as Gandalf appeared slightly offended at the comment and the Ranger's reaction to it.

"I think he's a very great Wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others." Gandalf replied, moving past the fact Bilbo accidentally insulted him "he keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the east, and a good thing too for always evil will find a foothold in this world."

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The day quickly neared its end and it was time to settle again for the night.
The company finally approach what appeared to be an abandoned farmhouse. Thorin briefly scanned the area before he turned his pony around to the group.

"We'll camp here for the night!" Thorin instructed "Fili, Kili, Anaynah! Look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them!"

The trio all shared a glance before giving a solid nod.

        The company began to discount their steeds. Anaynah noticed Gandalf was reluctant to make camp here, however, her interest was in the location he mentioned.

          The Hidden Valley.

Was it Gandalf's desire to seek out the Elves? Thorin in however was adamant that he would not venture near the place, which bought slight comfort to her.

It didn't take much longer before Gandalf was fed up with Thorin's stubbornness and stomped off towards the forest.

"Gandalf, where are you going?" Bilbo's worried voice sounded.

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense." The Wizard replied with frustration.

"And who's that?"

        "Myself, mister Baggins!" He exploded, Anaynah slightly taken back at his outburst, sharing a wide-eyed look with Kili.

He stomped off into the woods as he muttered to himself about the stubbornness of Dwarves.

"Gandalf!" Anaynah called out nervously as she broke into a jog down the hill to catch up with the Wizard. Gandalf's demeanour softened as he saw the Ranger approach him, stopping when they were a few ways away from the Dwarves.

"You must be on high alert, Anaynah. These Dwarves will end up getting us all in deep trouble." He sighed as he looked down at Anaynah, her brows coming together in desperation.

"Which is exactly why you can't just leave us!"
She pleaded trying to reason with the Wizard. He smiled gently as he gripped her shoulder in comfort.

"Do not fear, young Anaynah. I shant go too far from you." With a final squeeze of her shoulder, he turned around and walked back into the woods, leaving a very anxious Anaynah to her thoughts.

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Fili leant his head further back into Anaynahs thigh as her slender fingers wove through his blonde locks. He was thoughroly peaceful as he drew breath in her scent, her hands threading through his hair as she braided it with ease.
Anaynah too found it soothing, she had always braided his hair when in the Blue Mountains, and Fili never once complained as he loved to have the intricate braids running through his locks. He also loved the feeling of being so close in her presence.
He stifled a wince as he tugged a bit too hard for his comfort. He did not complain as he did not want her to stop. Watching the ponies was boring enough, might as well find the odd thing or two to do.