Disclaimer: I own nothing other than my original characters.

Chapter Two

"I am Fili," a voice said at her left elbow. She turned to the sound and opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by a similar yet different voice from her right.

"And I am Kili. We are at your service, Lady Nuradrum."

The two Dwarf men stood on either side of her, smiling at her as she looked from one to the other. Their eyes twinkled merrily as she took in their features, and something shifted in her eyes as she came to the realisation.

"You are brothers?" she asked, looking between the two. The first, slightly taller than the second, was blonde, with a short plaited beard, whilst the other was dark-haired. They both shared the same determined features as Thorin, and Miluiel made a connection, "And related to Thorin?"

The elder brother laughed, "I believe, my lady, that you are correct."

"Please, I am a simple smith's daughter, definitely not a Lady. My name is Miluiel," she replied hastily, quickly becoming tired with the insinuation that she were someone more important than was the case. The two brothers seemed to accept her into their band of travellers rather quickly, and began pointing out the other Dwarves to her by name.

"That's Dori, Nori and Ori, and Oin and Gloin," Kili pointed as his lips formed the names, casting a glance at Miluiel to see if she were following his finger.

"And Bifur and Bofur, Bombur and Balin," Fili joined in, smirking as her head darted from Dwarf to Dwarf, grey eyes wide, "There is Dwalin, talking with our uncle. They are often together, so if you cannot find one, they are usually with the other. And of course, that is our uncle, Thorin Oakenshield."

"Ah, I see," she said, wondering how she would tell each Dwarf from another. They seemed to blend into one another, all a blur of beards, cloaks and weapons. Biting her lip, she turned back to the two brothers, "And what is your purpose, travelling in this company across the land?"

At this question, the two fell silent, and Kili shifted from foot to foot, before shrugging his shoulders. Fili made to open his mouth to form some sort of explanation, but was cut short by a violent rustling of the undergrowth. The sound grew louder, as did the thundering of what felt like hundreds of feet, and the occasional cry from a human voice. Miluiel subconsciously drew closer to the mouth of the cave, intent on diving inside if the need arose. In contrast, Fili and Kili stepped forward, weapons drawn, shielding her from view; their Dwarven valour causing them to automatically protect the perceived weakest member of their group.

Several things happened at once. A sleigh, pulled by tall brown rabbits, crashed into the clearing the group were standing in, with a small man perched on the back of the wooden platform; Thorin leapt forward, with his weapons raised, followed by several other Dwarves; and Gandalf exclaimed "Radagast the Brown!" with such warmth that Miluiel felt it safe to step forward, touching the brothers lightly on their shoulders.

"Gandalf!" Radagast, a small wizard with somewhat ragged clothing and an air of accidental forgetfulness, clambered off the sleigh with surprising speed and stood before Gandalf, clutching his chest.

"My dear old friend, what on Earth are you doing here?"

"Looking for you, Gandalf. Something is wrong, something is terribly wrong! The forest, the Greenwood! Gandalf, something is awfully, terribly wrong!"

"Yes?" the grey wizard coaxed gently, raising an eyebrow at his old friend. Radagast seemed puzzled for a moment, as if forgetting the reason he had arrived, and then a flash of certainty ignited his tongue.

"The Greenwood is sick, Gandalf. A darkness has fallen over it. Nothing grows any more. At least, nothing good. The air is foul with decay. But worst are the webs."

Miluiel whispered softly into Kili's ear, "Who is that? What does he want?"

Kili inclined his head so she could better hear his reply, "He is one of the five wizards Gandalf told us of. He seems a little, shall we say, strange?" He leaned forward again, trying to catch a part of the conversation between the wizards. Gandalf caught this gesture and turned the other wizard away sharply by the shoulder, before turning back to the other Dwarves.

"I trust that you will make our new companion feel welcome," he called, nodding at Miluiel and continuing with his conversation with Radagast.

The other Dwarves were now all completely aware of Miluiel's presence, which may previously have gone unnoticed by a few of them not wanting to engage with the strange woman. They started to move closer to her slowly, as Fili and Kili turned again to her and began to try and strike up conversation. She smiled gently at the brothers, and Bilbo drew closer to her, patting her arm affectionately.

"And, may we ask as to your connection to our wizard?" It was Balin who spoke, with his white beard caught between his thumb and forefinger, twirling it gently as he surveyed her with interest. It was evident that she was no Dwarf, but he did not wish to cause her offence by asking a question as to her race outright.

Clearing her throat, she looked about the assembled company. All the Dwarves stared back at her expectantly, except Dwalin and Thorin, who were talking quietly together. Occasionally they glanced over at the huddle of Dwarves and Thorin wore his furrowed brow as his gaze swept over Miluiel. She was a complete conundrum to him, and he did not like it.

"My mother has known him for a long time, and he knew my grandfather. I've known Gandalf all my life; he used to visit us many times when I was younger," she replied, brushing stray tendrils of hair behind her ear. "He stayed with us a while when my grandfather died, as he did not wish my mother to be alone with only me as company. He has always been a great friend to my family, and I will always come to his aid, should he need it." She looked at each Dwarf in turn and they digested this information. Balin inclined his head thoughtfully and seemed about to ask something, when a vicious snarl ripped through the air. The hideous sound was swiftly followed by a Warg appearing on a rock just above their heads.

Miluiel let out a soft scream and backed away from the creature as it landed in the clearing; its jaws were open and the slavering maw was all she could look at, not able to tear her eyes away. It growled again and was about to lunge forth, but it was struck down by Thorin and his axe, which was buried in it skull. It lay still and the company glanced about itself, realising too late that there was another, as it let out a piercing howl. This was quickly dispatched by an arrow from Kili, who lowered his bow and looked to Miluiel, who had drawn her short blade and held it in a grip so tight, her knuckles looked as if they would burst from the skin. He placed a gentle finger on her wrist and she turned to him, her eyes wide and full of fear. Thorin observed this exchange and glowered, his fists balling at his sides, before his attention was diverted by Gandalf and Radagast. It was then that the grey wizard rounded on Thorin himself.

"Who did you tell of your quest, beyond your kin?" he asked impatiently, his power seeming to radiate from him. Thorin looked at him in disgust.

"No one!"

"Who did you tell?" the wizard insisted, seeming to swell in the small clearing.

"No one! What in Durin's name is going on?"

Gandalf paused to look around the group, the air seeming to grow oppressive as they waited in a short silence. "You are being hunted," he replied softly.

Dwalin shook himself, "We need to leave here!" he exclaimed, taking a step away from the group.

"The ponies!" Oin cried in horror, "They've bolted! What do we do?" The clamour of Dwarven panic rose as they shouted their distress. It was only a small voice which brought them all up short.

"I can draw them off," Radagast was patting the head of one of his rabbits thoughtfully and looking to Gandalf for a response. The grey wizard turned sharply and snapped at his friend, "Those are Gundabad Wargs! You cannot outrun them, they will catch you!"

Radagast smiled grimly and climbed onto the wooden platform of his sleigh, "These are Rhosgobel rabbits. I would like to see them try!" And with that proclamation, he and his rabbits charged from the clearing and broke through the trees, his whoops and cries echoing around the forest.

Gandalf looked around the assembled group, who were stunned into silence. He began to move, pushing the Hobbit and Miluiel with him as he called over his shoulder to the Dwarves.

"Run!"