Hey guys,
so here is a new chapter for my story. Sorry, that it is not very long but I hope that the chapters get better with every one you read. Thank you to the followers, that lightens up my day greatly. :D
Under Attack!
Chapter 2:
They walked until they reached a clearing in the forest. Thorin was scanning the trees at all times. He could not feel the eyes upon him now but there was something definitely wrong with this forest.
"Let's set up camp here. We cannot go further today. Bofur, Bombur you are in charge of food tonight. Fili, Kili look for some firewood, the rest sets up camp." Thorin handed out the tasks for each dwarf. Fili and Kili marched away as quickly as possible but they could not escape.
"I will help you."
The two brothers shared a glance.
"Thorin, Uncle, we are really sorry for what happened earlier. It won't happen again."
"I hope it won't. It doesn't matter now, what's done is done. We can't change it."
Was that defeat in Thorin's voice?
"Uncle, what is wrong? Tell us."
"It is nothing."
His nephews glanced at him and they noticed that he had never looked more tired than in this moment.
After that they collected the firewood in silence and soon returned to the camp.
When the fire was going the whole company sat around it, eating their stew for the night and sharing stories about past adventures. Bofur was telling a rather funny one about his brother mistaking sugar with salt to sweeten some strawberries what earned him laughter from the whole company when Balin realized Thorin was not with them around the fire. He was sitting on a large rock at the edge of the camp, brooding and absently stroking the oaken shield attached to his forearm.
"Laddie, what is bothering you so much?"
"Something is not right here. I can't describe or explain it"
"You scouted ahead and you found nothing. Dwalin made a round as well. There is nothing that could escape both of you."
Thorin smirked slightly at Balin's compliment. However, the deep frown on his forehead would not leave.
"Come on, join us, I haven't seen you smile in ages and Bofur's stories are rather amusing. I might share the one about you and Frerin playing pranks on your grandfather's council members", Balin said with a wide smile on his face.
"Dare you tell that story. It is not meant for the ears of Fili and Kili otherwise they start disrespecting their uncle and get on the wrong track." Although the words held a small threat in them Balin knew they were not meant seriously.
After that Thorin got up and walked to the fire with Balin.
The company silenced when they saw their leader approach but soon realized he would not say anything and they started talking again.
When the fire started dying they noticed how dark it already was. The stars were out and no moon could be seen this night. They put some more logs on the fire and everyone settled in for the night. Thorin stayed to take the first watch but then Dwalin came to sit beside him and said: "You should get some rest. It was a long day and you did not rest when everyone else did."
"I am not tired."
"Oh, the hell you are. I can see it in your eyes. Now, go to your bedroll or I will drag you to it and knock you out."
"As if you could knock me out, I'm sorry old friend but I doubt it", Thorin answered.
However, he made his way over to where his bedroll was, near his nephews.
Although it was true, he was tired, he could not sleep. He could not forget the feeling of being watched. He thought about all the battles he had fought and it was not often that he felt so at unease.
Dwalin keeps watch, he will recognize anything. With this thought Thorin closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep.
If you have any advice or criticism for me, please write a review so I can improve my story. Thank you very much. :)