The fourteen of the Company walked along through a large forest. Their journey had but barely begun. Gandalf rode upon his large horse, while the dwarves and small hobbit rode shaggy, sturdy mountain ponies. Kili and Fili rode near each other at all times. Thorin rode silently in the back, bringing up any slow ponies and ensuring everyone was safe. Bifur and Bofur laughed at their brother, Bombur, who seemed to have the worst time trying to stay on his horse. Naturally, the pony was not having the greatest time holding the large dwarf either.

Riding with high hands and a stiff back, Bilbo rode beside Bofur. The dwarf entertained his small friend with stories and songs. He was the only dwarf thus far to accept the young hobbit to their group.

As they rode, most of the beings in the group were lost in thought. Thorin was quiet and stoic, yet alert to what was going on around him. The older dwarves, Balin and Dori, spoke amongst themselves, mostly, of stories that few others understood. Old Bifur spoke nothing, as always, but seemed content to just be himself.

Kili was in the midst of some sort of daydream when he suddenly perked up. Sensing a difference, his pony did also. Fili, who had been trying to entertain his young brother with a tale of fictitious adventure, noticed also.

"Is something bothering you, Kili?" he questioned.

"I am not sure," the young dwarf replied. "There seems to be a bit of a disturbance nearby."

"Something foul?"

Kili shrugged. "I know not."

Clouds moved in and began to lay small pitters of weak raindrops on the Company. None of them, minus the small hobbit, cared too much. However, as they had been going forward since early dawn, Thorin soon called them to a stop.

"We will rest for a short time," he said simply, getting off his pony. "Bofur, set a fire." The equines were stripped of their packs and saddles, let to graze and rest.

The musical dwarf spared no time is starting a fire, shielded by the trees from the rain. Everybody gathered around and shared rations of lunch. Gandalf joined many of the dwarves in having a smoke, showing his expertise in blowing smoke shapes.

"How are you fairing, Bilbo?" Balin asked in the silence. Thorin's glare was cold to the hobbit, but the inviting eyes of some of the others urged him to speak.

"I am doing fine, thank you," Bilbo smiled awkwardly. In truth, of course, he was freezing. He was not nearly as bundled nor as "thick" as the dwarves. He was tired, cold and had a terrible case of saddle-sores. But, knowing how Thorin already thought him to be a burden, he refused to reveal any of that.

Fili noticed his brother, still seeming distracted. Ori seemed to notice also, sitting beside Kili.

"Is there something wrong, Kili?" the small dwarf asked. He and the young dwarf had a slight bond- though Ori was not nearly as young as Kili, he was the smallest of the dwarves and often a quieter one. He admittedly like Kili and Fili- their humor and energy drew him close.

" 'Not sure," Kili said vaguely. "Perhaps I am merely tired."

"What is it?" Thorin spoke. His stern voice offered no room to argue- Kili shrunk back slightly.

"I believed I saw something in the forest- I am sure it was nothing."

"Where?"

"Not a hundred feet from where we rode, only a few minutes back."

"Why did you say nothing?"

Kili did not seem to know himself. "Did not know if it was just my mind or the rain, nothing became of it. I heard nothing to accompany it."

Thorin seemed content, for the time, to accept that answer. The dwarves continued to eat in most silence- few spoke and it was quiet in the forest. Animals were in their homes, waiting out the storm.

Few minutes after they had eaten, Thorin ordered that they try to move on further. They did not make it far, though.

As they rode, the ponies had trouble keeping their footing in the slick conditions. An awkward hill combined with the mud and rain was one pony's downfall- the one that held Dori. The pony slipped and fell to it's side, struggling and squeeling as it flailed. Dori tried to jump away from the animal, but found his leg pinned beneath the animal. He reached to the pony's ears, rubbing it and hushing the the animal. The Company stopped, concerned. Thorin jumped from his pony, but stayed his distance so as not to spook the pony further.

With Dori patting the animal and speaking to it, the pony stilled. The dwarf managed to wriggle away from it, before pulling the pony's head up, trying to get it to it's feet. In the end, due to the muddy pit that the pony had fallen down into, it required Thorin, Dwalin, Gloin and Dori to steady the pony on it's feet. The animal was caked in mud, panting and heaving nervously. Dori continued to sooth the animal as the dwarves looked around.

"We can climb back out..." Thorin muttered. "But how to get the pony?"

By now, of course, everybody had stopped and dismounted their ponies. They all tied the animals on the other side of the trail, so as not to add another horse to the muddy disaster.

"Everybody stay up there, for now," Thorin ordered. "Does anybody have a few ropes?"

"I have one," Bombur offered. He took it from his pack.

"Only one?" Thorin questioned.

"Seems that way," Balin replied.

In the commotion, no one could hear their new visitor. They paid no mind to the sound of hooves trotting along the muddied trail. Of course, seeing a group on the trail, the rider stopped the old grey horse and waited. None of the dwarves, nor hobbit nor even the wise Gandalf noticed their audience of one. They were focused on trying to get the pony out of the ditch, already having to yell over the rain.

What they didn't realize was that they had left themselves vulnerable. They were about to regret it.

NYEH HE HE HEEEE i love endings like this :D

This will only be a 2 or 3 shot (unless people request more!). I have a bit more typed up, and I would really appreciate a little review-boost-happy-goodness!

Seriously, for those who fav/follow without reviewing, I will find you and force you to watch 24 hours of ASPCA commercials.

Seriously.

:)