A/N: My goodness! Thank you for all the lovely reviews and the follows and all the support! I'm so happy you are all enjoying this. I hope this chapter will make sense, though. I've been stewing over it and I'm hoping that you enjoy it. As always, I love to hear from you so please share your comments! And thank you again for being so wonderful.
"Home is behind, the world ahead,
and there are many paths to tread
through shadows to the edge of night,
until the stars are all alight."-J.R.R. Tolkien
Chapter 2:
"How are we to do it?" the soft, gravelly voice hummed in the darkness, "How are we to accomplish this task?"
"Distract him," the gruff dwarf remarked, the soft 'ting' of metal echoed in the silent room, "Tear his focus away."
"Isolate him."
There was a distinct, biting chill that nipped at Thorin's nose and ears, even this far within the mountain. It wasn't wholly unexpected, with winter at its peak and the snow falling unrelentingly throughout the night and renovations still underway to restore the mountain. And, though the draft certainly didn't bother HIM, Thorin's thoughts were focused on Lyla's lithe form. He noted the distinct need for some proper clothing for the hobbit. Her long green tunic (a gift from the elves) mended and tailored though it was (by Lyla's deft needlework no less) still hung rather loosely on the hobbit's frame. She'd rolled the sleeves up and belted the fabric at the waist so that it didn't hang quite so long, but without a proper coat, or shoes for that matter, Thorin wondered how the hobbit could ward off creeping winter winds.
He cursed Lyla's knack for finding trouble, even with something as simple as proper attire. He doubted that they'd find any suitable clothing for her with most of the mountain still in need of exploration and excavation.
A great majority of the apartments and corridors had acquired several feet of rubble thanks to Smaug. And with clothing and other supplies in short demand, it made it hard to locate something suitable for Lyla to wear.
Not that she was complaining of course. When Thorin had mentioned his concerns, the hobbit merely waved the dwarf king off with nary so much as a smirk.
And her wandering about the halls after he'd asked her not to, especially considering she's been approached by that…
Boy.
Thorin still seethed about that moment, when the tyrant's son had plucked up the courage to approach his hobbit. And when she was alone no less! In the dark of the early morning, wandering by herself.
If he had been anyone else…
But he'd not seen hide nor hair of the lad these last few weeks since he'd shooed the cowing pup away from Lyla, his glare brooking no argument from the bumbling youngster.
It made him more suspicious and wary.
But Lyla would not be swayed in her wanderings, much to Thorin's consternation. He'd discovered her, more than once, down in the kitchens alone baking.
'I am not a faunt to be coddled thank you,' she'd replied with a firm look, her lips pulled into a frown, eyes challenging, when he'd broached the subject.
And if Thorin had learned nothing it was that Lyla Baggins was a stubborn, foolhardy little creature.
He certainly had his work cut out for him. He'd resorted to having several members shadowing her footsteps though she was a sneaky little thing.
It didn't help, either, that he had yet to approach the subject as to WHY he preferred her to stay near one of the members of the company, particularly in regards to her encounter with the young dwarf. She'd asked about it a few times but had easily been appeased by Thorin's pleas for more time.
He could see, though, that her patience was wearing thin on that score. He noted her questioning gaze and the way she bit her lip while she studied him.
And as he watched her practice her footwork with Dwalin, who had insisted that the hobbit resume her sword training, Thorin couldn't help but smile at Lyla. If he were to be honest with himself, he would have to admit that he'd not want it any other way. Her wandering nature, her petulant attitude, the way she pursued an answer unrelentingly.
It was maddening.
But delightfully entertaining as well.
As was watching her practice wielding a sword, or well in this case, a wooden staff.
He watched the way Lyla's shoulders naturally dipped as she side-stepped Dwalin's advancements. He admired the way her curls captured the torchlight, making each strand of hair sparkle like the brightest of coins as they twisted around her ears and curled at the base of her neck. When she turned, trying to dodge Fili's attack, Thorin noted the way her lips were parted, her cheeks rosy from moving about, eyes sparkling with amusement.
Even from this distance, however, Thorin could see the exhaustion clouding the hobbit's features. He knew she wasn't sleeping well, if her late night scone baking was any indication. Thorin could see the dark circles beneath her long lashes and he could see the way her eyes drooped.
He saw her yawn and that made him frown.
Mahal she needed rest!
"Laddie."
Thorin quirked his head towards Balin, his brow raised at the white-haired dwarf's grin.
"Laddie," Balin said again, "You were starin' again. You were supposed to be in a meeting a good while ago."
Thorin's eyes widened slightly, "Was I?" he murmured genuinely surprised.
He was?
Staring?
The meeting?
Balin's smile widened slightly, "Aye Lad, Ye were, on both counts. The Council's getting a bit fired up over the matter. "
Thorin groaned inwardly, and rubbed a hand over his eyes.
It seemed as though the meetings never ended. The council was being particularly demanding lately. Not that he didn't understand, with the rebuilding of the mountain.
Thorin supposed that he'd forgotten how complicated life was when they were rebuilding. He'd done it many years ago with his grandfather in the blue mountains, organizing the people, beginning the excavations, housing the people, preparing homes for the displaced families.
But it wasn't just the rebuilding.
Balin hadn't been joking about the council's concern on BOTH scores.
Lyla Baggins was a rather large topic of conversation among the council members, dwarves of high rank within the legion of Dain's army. When they weren't discussing the demands for the rebuilding projects, their focus turned towards the hobbit, her affiliation with the elves (whom were still eyed with suspicion) and whether or not she was a threat.
And it was doing nothing but agitating Thorin's temper. Of course she wasn't a threat! Couldn't—
"Laddie," Balin's soft command brought Thorin back to the present. The dwarf king cast another glance towards Lyla before sighing in resignation.
He gave a quick nod to Dwalin, who had been eyeing the conversation, while keeping an eye on Lyla's progress against Kili. The warrior dwarf gave a nod in return, signaling that he understood what Thorin was silently requesting.
Keep her safe.
Thorin wanted to believe that it would be an easy task for Dwalin. He was rather fond of the hobbit after all.
And yet…
Knowing Lyla's uncanny ability to attract attention, Thorin was certain that something would befall the hobbit.
THAT bit of knowledge did nothing so soothe his ire.
Nor did the overly loud arguing that reached his ears as he got closer to the meeting hall where the council had been waiting for him.
"He's far too distracted!" Thorin could make out the voice of one of the eldest of the members speaking, "I tell you that creature has corrupted our king."
Thorin's eyes narrowed as he and Balin stopped just outside the doorway listening.
"Obviously he needs to be reminded that we are a private people!" Another dwarf crowed, "We are not fond of strangers in our midst."
"I don't see the harm in this hobbit," A third voice chimed in, this one softer and more contemplative than the others, "What has the hobbit done to harm any of us?"
"The arkenstone was stolen and given to the elves!" The first voice, "That-that creature orchestrated the whole thing. We can't trust the hobbit and we certainly cannot trust the elves."
Guilt swept through Thorin's veins at a rapid pace and he caught Balin's knowing frown.
The arkenstone.
Of course.
It was not so much Lyla's presence in the mountain that agitated these dwarven leaders.
It was HIS fault. When he had cast Lyla aside, while in the thralls of gold sickness, he had shown the dwarves that the hobbit was not to be trusted, HE had caused the suspicion to grow, the doubt to swirl. He had thrown the hobbit, cast her aside, accused her of the vilest things.
Had he ever recanted those statements?
Mahal help him.
He had to set this right.
Somehow.
Thorin didn't see the shadow creeping behind him.
"Lad!"
"Ouch!"
The pain of the connection was instantaneous. Bone and flesh colliding with the hard contours of the wooden staff, made Lyla hiss. Her own staff dropped from her grip and she clutched her wrist close to her body, the throbbing making her ears ring.
"Oh bebother it all!" She muttered eyeing her tender wrist carefully. She was certain no bones had been broken, though a bruise was already beginning to form.
Blasted dwarves and their warrior abilities!
"I'm sorry Mistress Boggins!" Kili remarked in an anxious voice as he reached for her wrist, "Truly I didn't mean to harm you. I thought you'd block the hit in time."
Lyla shied away from Kili's touch and clutched her wrist closer to her person.
She didn't want to show him her wrist. Eru knew that the poor lad felt guilty enough about it already.
And it ached something fierce.
No, indeed, she didn't want anyone to touch her wrist.
"It's nothing," she remarked, her voice betraying the pain she felt (though she hoped Kili wouldn't notice). "I am fine. It was an accident."
"Oh aye indeed yer fine!" Dwalin's voice cut in as he came to stand next to Kili, cuffing the young dwarf behind the ear.
"Ow!" Kili crowed rubbing his tender ear, sending a glare towards the tattooed warrior, "What was that for!"
"That," Dwalin growled, "Was for getting overly excited instead of the helpin' the lass learn her footing. I said easy movement, lad, not going about trying to lob off her hand!"
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Kili retorted, clearly affronted by Dwalin's accusation, "I'd never try to hurt her," he turned towards Lyla, "Mistress Boggins, I'm truly sorry. I thought you saw my staff coming. I didn't mean to—"
"No no it's alright," Lyla cut off the dwarf's pleadings, "And it's Baggins Kili. Baggins." Ignoring the way her wrist stung she sent a small smile at the dark haired dwarf, "It was an accident and I should have been paying more attention. If this had been a real battle I'd probably have lost a hand, eh?"
Her jest only made Kili look even more crestfallen, Dwalin even more infuriated.
Fili, however, chuckled in the background.
"Indeed you would have!" he admonished playfully, "Have to work on asking uncle NOT to spy on you when you're training. He's none too inconspicuous about it all and it does nothing but take your attention away," Fili winked at Lyla, "Much too handsome a dwarf for you, is he?"
Lyla could feel the heat ignite across her face, covering her ears, cheeks and neck.
Oh!
She frowned at Fili and Kili who were both covering their mouths as they sniggered at the growing blush covering Lyla's cheeks.
Those impertinent little…!
"Ow!" Kili cried again as Dwalin gave his ear another swift swat.
Fili backed away before Dwalin could reach for him as well, the smile still firmly spread across his face as he winked at Lyla.
"Come now, it's not as if it's completely unexpected!" He remarked cheekily, "I mean they did kiss when she woke up and I've caught Miss Lyla here staring at our dear uncle when he wasn't looking!"
Lyla's eyes slammed closed as her face burned.
"Fili," She groaned shaking her head, "This is hardly the time for such—"
She jerked backwards and tried to pull away as someone grabbed her tender wrist and pulled it towards them.
Lyla's eyes flew open and she stared at a grinning, albeit apologetic looking Fili.
"Sorry to have to do that," he held firm to her wrist, "But I needed to distract you."
Distract her!
Lyla glowered at Fili, trying to pull her wrist away, hissing as the pain radiated up her arm as the young dwarf prince held firm.
"I am not some child!" She retorted, "I said I was fine."
"Aye yer well and fine and lovely lass," Dwalin cut in placing his large hand on her shoulder gently, "but yer also the most stubborn creature I've ever met. I saw that hit. Just let the lad give it a look over, aye?"
Lyla glowered at Dwalin whose face was torn between a jovial smile and a worried glance as he stared back at her, searching her face carefully.
She wanted to argue, insist she was alright, but the look in Dwalin's eyes brooked no argument. She sighed in defeat and ceased her movements, giving Fili a chance to carefully attend to her smarting wrist.
It was a lost cause, arguing with these dwarves. They never listened anyway.
And they said that she was the stubborn one!
The blow came swiftly, sending stars dancing before Thorin's eyes.
But it wasn't enough to render the dwarf king unconscious, which seemed to be the intended plan.
Infuriated, the dwarf king spun on his heel, blocking another blow from a rather tall looking dwarf, face cloaked, yet clad in brilliant silver armor. He noted the way the dwarf's muscles rippled as he maneuvered, shifting away from Thorin's oncoming swing.
Thorin drew his sword as the hulking warrior made to strike him again, this time with a battleaxe. Metal clashed against metal.
Lyla rubbed her newly wrapped wrist gently as she slowly made her way to the library.
Fili had insisted that she visit Oin, who gave her a nice poultice to help with the bruising, demanding that her sprained wrist be wrapped tightly to prevent too much strain.
He also wanted her to wear a sling, but the hobbit drew the line there, adamantly refusing to agree.
"It's just a sprain," she remarked, "I'll be fine."
And she would be, despite Kili's insistence and pleadings, Fili's frown and Dwalin's glower trying to sway her and guilt her into agreeing with their resident healer.
Dwarves!
It wouldn't help her argument against Thorin if she were walking about in a sling. She'd clearly stated that she could take care of herself, that she was safe to explore the mountain, despite the king's misgivings. When he saw the bandaged wrist, Lyla was certain that Thorin would be none too pleased. But, if she had a sling? Aule she'd never be allowed from her room again, let alone even go near a sword. Not that she had a sword anymore to wield…
But, at this rate, she'd never have a moment alone to peruse the halls of the greatest kingdom in Middle Earth, by dwarven standards at least.
Not that she was every REALLY alone, though. If Thorin thought she was daft enough to believe that he didn't have some of the company members following her, then he clearly didn't know her at all.
She was Baggins! And, a Baggins could always be trusted to have their heads on their shoulders and their wits about them.
Well, most of the time anyway. When it came to understanding dwarves (one in particular) Lyla was a bit at a loss. She did and said and acted in ways that most Bagginses would never have dreamed. Which meant she was very, very Tookish or…
In love?
"Maybe both," she muttered, slowly ascending the stairs and turning towards a darker hallway, lit by a few torches.
It was a familiar sight, even if it was a bit somber. As she reached midway to the hall, however, she came to a brightly lit familiar doorway.
And a familiar dwarf sitting at a desk studying several manuscripts, pausing every few moments to take notes in his own rather large tome.
"Good evening Ori," Lyla remarked softly, stepping closer to the sweater-clad dwarf, leaning forward to peek at what the dwarf was writing down.
Foreign runes greeted her and she watch with rapt fascination as Ori carefully brushed his quill across the parchment. His movements were light, yet precise and each marking was clearly defined, not a smudge or smear visible to the hobbit's eye.
"You're very talented master Ori," she remarked, catching the dwarf's bashful smile as he looked between her and his work.
"I do my best," He remarked slowly, thoughtfully, "Not a remarkable warrior so I employed my attention to other things. My brothers," Ori rolled his eyes, "were very pleased to learn of my interest in scribing."
Lyla repressed a giggle, but grinned widely at Ori. Yes, indeed, she knew the protective nature of Ori's brothers. They were rather fond of looking after their youngest sibling with a ferocity that was unrivaled.
Dwarves were possessive in that way.
"I don't think you give yourself enough credit," Lyla remarked, "If I recall, correctly, you are a rather fierce warrior. You were the one who got me out of that cell."
She winked at the blushing dwarf and gave his shoulder a good squeeze.
"I don't think I ever thanked you for that."
"Oh, well, uh, it was nothing really." Ori ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as he adjusted the quill in his hand.
"But scribing must truly be a passion of yours," the hobbit continued, "Many talents you have, master dwarf. And I'm glad for it."
The two shared a comfortable silence as they gazed around the library, still covered in dust and bits of ash.
Lyla had been sincere. She was grateful that Ori was so attentive to protecting these records, these stories.
It was small step in rebuilding Erebor, one that many might overlook.
"I found more maps and records in Westron for you, Mistress Baggins," the dwarf remarked softly with a smile at the hobbit, "I placed them on the back shelf."
Lyla nodded her head in appreciation and abandoned the dwarf to his work, noting the way Ori's attention immediately drifted back towards printing each rune carefully in his copy.
The hobbit's own gaze, locked onto the stacks of dusty records waiting for her in the darker corner of the back wall.
However, it wasn't the records that she was eager to delve into, though they WERE certainly interesting and entertaining.
She'd get to those.
No, she preferred the darkened corner of the library for another reason.
With most of her dwarves leaving her in peace within the confines of the library walls, knowing the only other dwarf to be in there would be Ori, the other company members didn't realize that the library was a perfect place for Lyla to escape.
The library was a perfect place for Lyla to explore.
In this special darkened corner, along the furthest wall, hidden within the small gap between the furthermost shelf and the wall itself, there was a small alcove that widened outwards into a small, dark hallway. She'd discovered it purely by accident. Perusing some of the maps that Ori had allocated, she'd noted a strange marking written on the map that detailed the significant rooms of Erebor.
Of course she had to investigate. The opportunity was far to tantalizing to overlook.
And she'd discovered something wonderful. This passage led her towards another hall that turned sharply leading towards an outcropping just above the treasury. From here, high above the main floor, safely tucked out of sight, Lyla admired the way the green stone shone against the torchlight, casting eerie shadows across the walls. She observed the dwarves and elves and men milling about, their forms like black shadows moving through a sea of glittering gold. She could also see the many different levels of Erebor itself, the walkways, the halls that led into different portions of the mountain: apartments, mines, storerooms, most still unexplored, still too far upwards for the workers to have made progress to these areas.
It was the thought of seeing the unexplored, the undiscovered portions of the mountain, that drew Lyla to the area, piqued her interest.
Lyla also liked the alcove because it led to other walkways to these other rooms, untouched by the excavations, still bearing the markings of their previous occupants. There beneath the years of dust, Lyla could see the life that Erebor once bore. She could see the way things used to be, see pieces of the lives of the people.
All of it was beautiful even as it was a haunting reminder of the loss the dwarves had suffered. In one of her most recent perusals, Lyla had discovered a banner of rich blues and brilliant golds, detailing the line of Durin. She'd spied Thorin's name near the top along with Frerin and Dis as well as their father and grandfather. They were direct descendents, heirs to the throne. On the same family line, she'd also discovered Dain's name, woven carefully into the blue material.
THAT sent her on edge and brought back the nightmares with startling vividness. The darkened cell, the unheard pleas. The furious, unearthly glint in Dain's eye as he thrust her into the very cell he now sat in.
'Stop it Lyla.' She chastised herself as she tucked her knees to her chest, wrapping arms around them in a comforting way.
But, Lyla couldn't stop the images, couldn't stop the rush of emotions, the hammering of her heart. Here in the quiet solitude of the hall, away from the bustling activity, the curious glances, the protective shadows of her companions, Lyla could think, think about things she didn't find pleasant, but things that were necessary to understanding what had happened and helping to explain the warning that she felt in her heart.
She was tired of waking from nightmares, riddled with missing pieces and terrifying laughter.
She needed to understand. She needed to sort through things.
And she needed to sort through them on her own, without the prying (worried) glances of the rest of the company.
Especially Thorin.
This area provided her with solitude, something she had a hard time finding with the others constantly following her every step. Not that she didn't appreciate them, mind you. Sometimes, though, she just needed a moment to stew, contemplate and sort through her own mind without any haranguing. She didn't want to worry them. They had much more to contend with than the frightened thoughts of a hobbit far from home.
Here she could breathe a bit, stretch herself out and appreciate the time to simply think.
Even if the thoughts were unpleasant.
So, that is was Lyla did for a good while. She breathed deeply and gazed about. She glanced down upon the main halls.
She watched the scenes below her, relishing in a chance to escape for a moment. The cavern glowed brightly, gems glittering in the torchlight, the shimmering walls bouncing the light about, reflecting it off the smoothed surface of the polished walls, making the room appear larger and brighter. She could make out the small sliver of shadow that marked where the doorway towards the dungeons lay. Where Dain Ironfoot still sat in his cell.
She knew, somehow, that the dwarf was connected to what had happened during the battle, the bits and pieces she could remember anyway.
And yet…
She couldn't put her finger on WHY she believed he was also innocent. It didn't make sense to believe both things.
'You are a fool' the soft, dulcet hiss made Lyla cringe. She shut he eyes and shook her head momentarily to dispel the feeling of unease that was settling over her.
'You are a fool, Halfling,' the voice hissed again softly, "You had a chance to escape all of this. But now? Now you will burn. And all will come to ruin because of you.'
Flashes of a hooded figure, a hissing whisper and a massive orc sailed through her mind. Her arm burned just thinking of it all.
But there was something familiar about that hooded creature. Something she needed to remember…
'It could all end,' the voice had gone softer, more placating.
A chill ran down Lyla's spine as the voice tried to soothe her.
'You could leave them now, give me back what is mine. It would be so easy.'
Lyla started and her eyes flew open as she stared down in shock.
Her hand had been running over the smooth surface of the gold ring that hung from her neck.
She pulled back as though she'd been burned, scowling down at the offensive trinket.
There was something decidedly evil about the ring, something odd.
She loathed the thing.
And yet, she couldn't part from it. Something prevented her from ridding herself of the trinket. She hesitated to take the thing off her neck. She didn't dare.
In all her arguments with Thorin and the others declaring that she was perfectly fine around the mountain, Lyla still felt unease.
Suspicion.
'You are a fool…'
"Mistress Baggins!"
Lyla shook her head, certain that she was losing her mind.
Aule what was wrong with her?
Had someone…?
"Mistress Baggins!"
There it was again. Lyla gazed around confused. She couldn't quite make out who the speaker was, but she was certain this time that someone HAD indeed called her name.
Hadn't they?
Slowly rising to her feet, Lyla gazed around, looking down towards the shaped moving through the lower chambers.
"MISTRESS BAGGINS!"
That was Ori!
The echoes of shouts and crashing objects reached the hobbit's ears and she tore back towards the opening and the hidden hallway.
Back towards Ori.
Thick, black smoke started to billow in the hallway as she got closer to the library, and Lyla's heart jumped to her throat. She covered her nose and mouth and crouched below the smoke line and slowly inched towards the commotion.
"Burn them all," a gruff voice commanded. Lyla could hear Ori's struggles as more smoke started to billow overhead.
"Don't!" The sweatered dwarf cried, and Lyla's heart lurched at the pain that laced the word.
A blow was struck.
Lyla could hear something connecting with flesh and Ori let out a low groan.
"You shut yer trap, ye little leech," Another gruff voice spat and Ori let out another small groan as someone struck the dwarf again.
Lyla seethed.
How dare they!
"Oi let him go!" Lyla coughed as she stumbled from the shadows, startling the small group converged around the scribe.
She needed to distract them. Take their attention away from Ori. Do something.
Four dwarves, clad in thick breastplates and carrying large axes and swords stood between the hobbit and her friend who was being held back by a fifth. This one had a long silver braid pulled back and falling just past his shoulders, a long thin scar marred one cheek and large brown eyes were narrowed beneath large furry brows.
"Ah," the dwarf holding Ori sneered, "The Halfling. Just the creature I was hoping to find here. Tucked away in your own little haven was it?" He snorted, "What a fool you were to think you were safe."
"You won't touch her!" Ori growled, surprising even Lyla with the venom dripping from his words, "You will not harm her."
The dwarf turned his attention back to Ori pressing him firmly against the far shelf, "Oh won't I?" he muttered lowly, "I will burn every last book to the ground. I will tear this mountain apart to get to that filth. She is not one of us. She has betrayed our people and I will exact retribution for her crimes."
The dwarf turned back towards the hobbit and gave a sickening smile.
"Grab her."
Smoke continued to billow from the large maps and books that had been sitting on the table and Lyla's heart broke at the loss of such treasures, even as she stumbled backwards, grabbing a rather large tome thrusting it towards the oncoming guards, knocking one off balance as two others followed her back into the tunnel.
She caught sight of the burning manuscripts and maps and Ori's surprised and terrified face before the darkness of the tunnel consumed her. Thankfully, though, she'd grown accustomed to the tunnel's pathways and navigated through the blackness easily, forcing her coughs back as the smoke stung her eyes and made breathing difficult.
She had to be silent.
The sound of heavy boots behind her had the hobbit hastening her stride. She reached the same outcropping she'd been to only a few moments before and quickly sped down another pathway.
'So much for my secret retreat,' she though a little dourly as two lumbering shadows followed closely behind her.
Ducking down another hallway, Lyla stumbled over bits of rubble and debris, knocking into an old, dilapidated wooden table that had been pushed against one wall. Her hip collided with the corner making the hobbit hiss in pain.
"Down there," she heard one call as she scrambled beneath the table itself, willing her breathing to level out.
Aule she hated to do this…
But she couldn't outrun them.
Pulling the necklace from about her neck, Lyla quickly removed the golden ring from the chain and shoved the ring on her finger.
Instantly, her arm ignited in a furious spasm of pain and Lyla had to bite back a cry as she clutched her arm.
"We know you're here poppet." Through the haze and the growing whispers in her ears, Lyla could make out the faint echo of the dwarves' boots as they slowly passed by the table.
"You have something we want. Something we need," the second dwarf remarked low and guttural.
Another wave of pain shot through Lyla's arm and she shifted her legs to scoot backwards, praying that she'd not made too much noise.
An arm thrust under the table so suddenly that Lyla shrieked in surprise and scrambled to the side to avoid being dragged out.
" 'ello poppet!" the voice crooned peering beneath the table, his torchlight casting shadows across his face.
Lyla watched the pock-marked dwarf's expression shift from delight to confusion as he gazed beneath the table, searching for signs of a frightened hobbit.
But, he didn't know she had a ring on.
"Where are you!" He growled reaching back, trying to grab hold of something, anything that remotely resembled a hobbit-like shape.
Lyla shifted back further, away from the dwarf's searching grasp.
She held her breath and stilled her movements, though she was certain the dwarf could hear the thrumming of her heart.
The dwarf appeared completely flummoxed as he gazed beneath the table, waving his torch to cast more light in the darkened hall where Lyla sat huddled.
'You are only delaying the inevitable,' the voice (it must be the ring's voice she thought) hummed delightedly, 'they will find you. You will perish.'
"Ugh, come on then!" The other dwarf growled, "There's nothin' here! Let's get a move one before she gets further away."
Lyla nearly breathed a sigh of relief at het comment.
That is, until, the first dwarf, with a sound glare, thrust his arm forward again and connected his palm with the front of her tunic.
His eyes widened at the connection and he immediately tightened his grip as Lyla tried to scoot away.
With a small shriek, the hobbit (still invisible) was pulled from beneath the old table and dangled high in the air above the dwarf.
'Splendid,' she thought, kicking her legs, her hands clawing at the dwarf's exposed hands. Her foot connected with the hard metal breastplate, making her toes sting from the contact.
The dwarf, however, did not appreciate the attack on his hand and gave the hobbit a firm shake.
"Stop that!" He growled, as the force of his movements made Lyal's teeth chatter.
He glared, but appeared curious "How are ye doin' this then?" His beady brown eyes narrowed as he frowned at the invisible hobbit, "Come on then, come back so I can see ye."
"I don't see how that's going to happen," she retorted lowly, knowing that she was getting herself into further trouble. "You are rather stupid. Why would I listen to the likes of you? You'd not understand it all anyway."
'Tookish' her mind immediately remarked as the dwarf's face darkened, fury igniting in his eyes.
He raised the—still invisible—hobbit higher snarling.
"You little…!"
Lyla's foot connected with the dwarf's face (as she'd hoped), her strong leather sole ramming into the dwarf's nose with a sickening 'crunch'.
Immediately the grip on her tunic loosened and Lyla landed backwards with an awkward 'oomph' her bad wrist stinging from the sudden contact with the cold stone floor. Hastening to her feet, Lyla darted around the large dwarf clutching his nose and the smaller one who stood about looking rather dazed by the whole turn of events.
However, being concealed beneath the ring's power also placed a haze over Lyla's vision. Consequently, she missed the large rock in her path.
Her foot connected with the rough boulder and she went toppling over, her hands going out to steady her fall.
The ring slid awkwardly from her finger as she did so and the hobbit scrambled to keep hold of the small trinket as she clattered to the floor, her fingers encircling the small band before it could bounce away.
It was as if the ring was trying to escape from her!
"There!" Lyla cast a glance back towards the two dwarves who were—one more—pursuing the hobbit.
With a soft groan, she rolled to her feet and shoved the ring in her pocket, making sure the button sealed the pocket flap shut.
She darted for the entrance.
And collided with yet another creature.
Oh for Aule's sake! This was getting rather ridiculous.
Foreign arms encircled her waist and Lyla struggled to get away from her new captor. She brought her hand up to strike at the creature's face.
But, then she was shoved behind the dwarf (as she came to realize) as her two pursuers came into view, their snarls echoing in the hall.
"Leave her be," Lyla recognized that voice and gazed up, in wonder at the young dwarf Rin who stood between her and her attackers.
Said attackers only laughed at Lyla's would-be protector, "And you think that we'll be listenin' to you?" The dwarf with two long braids tied into his dark beard hissed with a glare, "You should not meddle in things that are beyond you boy."
"Nothing is beyond me," Rin's voice was hard, cold. (and very familiar). Lyla stood rooted to the spot. "I understand perfectly what is going on. It is you who is the fool."
The pock-marked dwarf let out a low snort, as blood dripped from his nose. He too smirked at Rin and then cast a murderous look towards Lyla. "You are a disappointment to your father, then, I imagine," he retorted lowly, "He would have never stood for this injustice."
"My father is not the man that sits in that cell!" Rin snarled drawing his sword, "And I will ensure that he receives justice. YOU are deluded in thinking this will solve your problems. I thought you were smarter than that Fror. My father always spoke highly of you."
"And you are a fool to side against me on this, boy. You stand to protect that creature from your own kin?"
"No," Rin hissed, "I stand to do what it right. Mistress Baggins will not be harmed."
Fror and the other dwarf advanced quickly towards Rin, their weapons drawn as Lyla shifted backwards away from the onslaught of weapons.
"Grab the Halfling Loni!" Fror thundered as he pressed his weight against Rin's thin sword, pushing the young dwarf backwards.
The other dwarf, Loni cast a wicked smile towards the hobbit and with powerful strides reached for Lyla.
With a loud cry, Rin swiveled his legs, throwing Fror's balance off and knocking the powerful swing of the dwarf's sword askew. Bringing the hilt of his own sword upward, Rin connected a blow to the dwarf's jaw sending the elder warrior stumbling backwards.
Rin turned his attention towards Loni, blue eyes blazing.
"You will not touch her."
Loni ignored Rin's command and lunged, instead, at Lyla.
But Lyla had been prepared. Taking the large rock that had laid at her feet a moment ago, the hobbit hurled the pointed object towards the oncoming dwarf.
The dwarf, however, had been expecting her attack and shifted to the side as the rock came towards him.
With a low snarl, he sped up his movements and pounced upon the hobbit.
Vice-like hands wrapped round her shoulders and pinched at her neck, making it a bit difficult to breathe. Then, the dwarf whirled the tow of the around so that Lyla was facing Rin, her back pressed into Loni's chest, as he shifted his hands, still keeping a firm grip on the hobbit's shoulders.
"She is mine," Loni snarled at Rin, "She will pay for her crimes."
He began to slowly limp towards the entry to the library dragging the struggling hobbit with him.
But Lyla wasn't going to give up so easily. Digging her heels into the ground as best she could, Lyla brought her mouth down upon the dwarf's arm, sinking her teeth into the Loni's exposed wrist.
When one was without a weapon, it did well to cheat a little.
Loni cried out and thrust Lyla from his person, shoving her to the ground, twisting Lyla's bandaged wrist awkwardly.
And then Rin was there, stepping past Lyla, sword drawn and pointing at the dwarf's neck.
"Make one more move," he hissed darkly, "And I'll cut your throat."
"Are you alright Master Baggins," Rin's voice was soft, "He didn't harm you?"
Lyla blinked a few times and made to answer, but then immediately clamped her mouth shut as she noted movement from behind Rin.
Sweet Eru, this day had turned for the worse.
Scrambling to her feet, as quickly as she could, Lyla dove forward.
"Move!" She cried, ramming into the young dwarf's chest, as the swing from an axe sailed over their heads. The dwarf Fror let out a low growl as Rin and Lyla toppled backwards, out of his range, rolling over one another across the floor.
Lyla's head connected with the cool stone walkway and spots danced before her eyes, her vision dimming.
Rin's face loomed above her as he shouted something at her, though she couldn't make out the words.
And then darkness consumed her.