Updating today! :) I felt the title was appropriate haha I simply cannot wait until The Hobbit comes out on DVD! Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this fic to their alerts and favorites! As always, if there are any grammar mistakes, let me know. I do not own The Hobbit! I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Thorin had decided that they stop near what used to be a farmhouse. Gandalf dismounted his horse to have a look around as Thorin delegated tasks. Vivian took notice of Gandalf and eyed him carefully as Thorin approached the wizard. Rowan was unpacking and led the horse over to where the ponies had been taken. Kili and Fili were in charge of looking after them. Vivian was in the same spot Rowan left her and she took notice that Gandalf and Thorin were discussing something. Gandalf, suddenly, began to walk away and Bilbo, who was tending to his pony, Myrtle, was confused.

"Gandalf, where are you going?" he wondered.

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense," Gandalf replied, not stopping.

"Who might that be?" Vivian called and Gandalf turned to look at her.

"Myself, Miss Vivian," he replied and continued walking. The company grew uneasy as Gandalf walked off into the distance.

"Will he come back?" Bilbo asked, unsure. Balin, beside him, was as unsure as he was.

"Wizards always return when they're needed," Rowan assured Bilbo and by nightfall, when Bombur had made dinner, Bilbo grew even more worried.

"Gandalf still isn't back," Bilbo muttered as he received dinner from Bofur.

"He's a wizard," Bofur pointed out and then handed Bilbo two bowls, "Here, take these to the lads."

Rowan and Vivian were sitting down after the questionable meal. It was a stew and the girls felt like Aragorn when Éowyn gave him stew she made. Vivian wanted to sleep, but she didn't want to just yet. Rowan, on the other hand, lay on her sleeping mat and gazed up at the stars. She welcomed sleep and it came quickly.

Suddenly, nearly half an hour later, she was roused from her sleep and Fili was standing by her. She gave him one look and then rolled over, not wanting to be disturbed.

"Rowan, there's something wrong," Vivian whispered violently and Rowan sat upright at hearing her best friend's voice.

"The only thing wrong is the fact that I'm not sleeping," Rowan retorted and got to her feet.

"The ponies were taken and Bilbo may be in trouble," Vivian explained and Rowan gathered her weapons.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Rowan inquired and Vivian smiled.

"There are trolls in the dungeon! I thought you ought to know," Vivian stated before faking a fainting spell. Rowan immediately burst into laughter and received harsh looks from the dwarves.

As soon as everyone was ready, they followed Fili to the clearing. Kili had stayed behind to keep an eye on Bilbo. As they looked through the trees, Bilbo had been thrown at Kili. Thorin led the charge and everyone joined in. Rowan stuck close to Vivian as the two navigated their way through the mess. Vivian cried out in alarm as she was grabbed, but Rowan slashed at the troll and it shrieked in pain as Vivian was dropped instantly. Pulling the bow from her back, she let loose an arrow and it hit one of the trolls in the eye. He grew angry and Rowan pulled a knife from her belt and threw it at the troll's other eye.

The troll the girls were beating up caught them and swung at Rowan. She didn't let out a sound as she was thrown into a nearby tree. Something cracked and she wasn't sure whether it was the tree or her ribs. Vivian was backing away, trying to shoot the trolls with arrows, but they were hard to kill. With a groan, Rowan got to her feet and moved toward the dwarves. The trolls held Bilbo in such a way that they could rip him apart in one sudden movement.

"Lay down your arms or we'll rip his off," one of the trolls warned and Thorin reluctantly did as he was bid.

Before they knew it, some were put in bags and others were tied to the spit. Rowan and Vivian were put off to the side, tied to a tree. The trolls didn't know what to do with the girls.

"I've never eaten female before," one of the trolls muttered, looking over at the girls. Rowan's eyes were getting heavy and she was blinking, trying to stay awake. The rope was tight on both girls and Vivian was trying to look for Rowan's knife.

"You have to reach for your sword," Vivian encouraged Rowan quietly, but frowned when she saw the look on her best friend's face. It was pain.

"I have a knife at my side," Rowan muttered and moved her hands around. The bark of the tree scratched her wrists, but it didn't make a difference. Bilbo had stood suddenly.

"You are making a terrible mistake," Bilbo interjected.

"You can't reason with them, they're half-wits," Dori stated in a strained voice.

"Half-wits? What does that make us?" Bofur demanded in reply.

"The secret to cooking dwarf is...uhm…It's a…" Bilbo mused.

"Yes? Come on," one of the trolls demanded, eager for the secret.

"Tell us the secret!" Another troll added.

"Yes, the secret is…to…skin them first!" Bilbo decided and suddenly the dwarves groaned.

"Tom, get me filleting knife," one of the trolls demanded, his eyes still trained on Bilbo.

"What a load of rubbish. I've eaten plenty with their skins on," another explained.

"He's right. Nothin' wrong with a bit of raw dwarf. Nice and crunchy," the nasally one added, picking up Bombur.

"No-not that one! He's infected," Bilbo sputtered.

"You what?" one at the spit inquired, not quite understanding.

"He's got worms…in his…tubes," Bilbo lied and the nasal troll dropped Bombur quickly, crying out. Vivian stifled a laugh, "in fact they all have-they're infested with parasites. It's a terrible business. I wouldn't risk it, I really wouldn't."

"Did he say parasites?" Oin confirmed.

"We don't have parasites! You have parasites!" Kili argued and then everyone was kicked by Thorin. He knew what Bilbo was doing.

"I've got parasites as big as my arm!" Oin yelled.

"Mine are the biggest parasites. I've got HUGE parasites!" Kili added and then the others joined in. Vivian hid back a giggle.

"What would you have us do, then? Let 'em all go?" the troll demanded and Bilbo pondered the request. Suddenly, Vivian noticed Gandalf atop the rock.

"The daylight will take you all," Gandalf announced.

"Who's that?" the trolls wondered.

"Can we eat him too?" the nasal one inquired and suddenly Gandalf broke a large boulder in half. The daylight shined through and the dwarves cheered as the trolls turned to stone.

Gandalf helped the dwarves on the ground out of their sacks and then moved to help Rowan and Vivian. The girls got up slowly and watched as the others tried to help those on the spit. Vivian watched Rowan stand carefully and then sighed.

"Sit down and let me look at your ribs. You hit the tree really hard," Vivian advised and Rowan took a seat again. She lifted up her tunic and Vivian felt the ribs.

"What's the consensus, doctor?" Rowan wondered and Vivian gave her a smile.

"They're bruised, but not broken. The tree was the item that cracked, it appears," Vivian deduced and Rowan pulled her tunic down. Ori and Kili had been watching from afar and turned when Rowan's eye wandered over to them.

"It's only a bit of skin, nothing to concern yourselves with," Rowan assured them, but Ori wouldn't stop blushing.

"That was quite some swordplay," Bofur noted and Rowan shrugged.

"I've been at it for a few years," Rowan replied and wrapped an arm around her ribs. Bofur noticed.

"What's wrong, lass?" Bofur wondered and Rowan shook her head. She didn't need them to think she was weak and unable to handle herself. This was her first time dealing with a troll.

"Just bruised is all," Rowan assured him and Bofur gazed at her suspiciously.

"Are you sure? You took quite a hit," Bofur claimed, but Rowan wouldn't let him worry about her.

"My ribs are merely bruised. The tree took the brunt of the damage," Rowan said and Bofur nodded as he helped the others. Wincing, Rowan sheathed her sword and looked for her knives. Fili stood on one and as she reached down to grab it, Fili beat her to it. He lifted it up and inspected it carefully.

"I've never seen craftsmanship like this before. Is it from Rohan?" Fili wondered and Rowan took it out of his hand.

"Yes, it's from Rohan," Rowan answered and Fili grinned.

The sun was shining brightly as the company had everything settled. They imagined the trolls had a place to stay during the day and they ventured forward, looking for a cave. Gandalf found it and motioned for the dwarves to follow him. Rowan and Vivian decided to stay outside while the dwarves investigated. The stench was unbearable and Rowan wanted to sit.

"Were you telling me the truth about my ribs?" Rowan asked her quietly.

"Yes, I was. Thandien fell from a tree and broke a rib. It healed quickly, but I knew what it looked like. Your ribs are bruised. They'll be fine in a few weeks," Vivian assured her.

Gandalf emerged from the cave and tossed a sword to Rowan.

"I suspect you will need another blade," Gandalf figured and Rowan unsheathed the blade. It was beautifully crafted.

"Thank you, Gandalf," Rowan said and he wandered over to Bilbo, giving him a sword of his own. Vivian was counting her arrows when one of the dwarves yelled out.

"Something's coming!" is all that the girls heard before they were on their feet and ready for whatever was approaching.

A sled came out of nowhere and the dwarves grumbled amongst each other.
"Gandalf!" the man on the sled exclaimed and Gandalf sighed.

"Radagast," he said with the slightest bit of relief. The two wizards discussed things while the company took a break. He made mention of the old castle at Dol Guldur. Rowan and Vivian took a seat and watched their surroundings.

"A dark power dwells in there, such as I have never felt before. It is the shadow of an ancient horror; one that can summon the spirits of the dead. I saw him Gandalf, from out of the darkness; the Necromancer has come," Radagast said and Rowan flinched. She could hear a faint whisper in her head. Gandalf calmed Radagast down and the voice disappeared in Rowan's mind. After a few moments, there came a howl in the distance. The girls stood immediately and readied their weapons.

"Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out there?" Bilbo wondered, asking no one in particular.

"Wolves? No, that is not a wolf," Bofur replied and a warg appeared behind them. Vivian readied an arrow as Rowan swung both her swords in anticipation. As it leapt into the air, Thorin cut it down with his new blade. One, then, came up from behind Thorin and both Kili and Vivian released an arrow. Dwalin had to finish the job with his hammer.

"Warg scouts. Which means an orc pack is not far behind," Thorin claimed and Vivian exhaled loudly.

"Orc pack?" Bilbo asked, aghast.

"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf inquired, walking toward Thorin.

"No one," he replied.

"Who did you tell?" Gandalf persisted.

"No one, I swear," Thorin said, raising his voice, "What in Durin's name is going on?"

"You are being hunted," Gandalf answered and Rowan sheathed her blades.

"We have to get out of here," Dwalin insisted.

"We can't. The ponies bolted," Ori said from atop the hill.

"I'll draw them off," Radagast suggested and Rowan rolled her eyes. How in the world would he draw a pack of orcs astride wargs off?

"These are Gundabad orcs. They will outrun you," Gandalf told him.

"These are Rhosgobel rabbits. I'd like to see them try," Radagast said with a toothy grin.

The strange wizard ran off on his sled while the group left the troll-hoard. Rowan and Vivian had longer legs than the dwarves, but Rowan's bruised ribs kept her from running too much. Radagast zoomed by and Thorin halted the group quickly. Vivian kept a close eye on Rowan as they ran and prayed to the Valar that the wargs wouldn't see them.

"Stay together," Gandalf muttered and off the company went.

"Move!" Thorin commanded and made sure everyone was together.

As they passed a large rock formation, Ori passed Thorin and he had to grab the young dwarf.

"Ori, no! Get back," Thorin yelled and Vivian placed a hand on Ori's shoulder.

"Just stay calm," she muttered to him and the group waited as Radagast continued to draw the orcs away. Gandalf, as soon as it was clear, motioned for them to go. Rowan and Vivian thought it best if they stay near the back and they noticed Thorin question Gandalf's direction.

"Where are you leading us?" Thorin inquired, but Vivian felt he already knew the answer to that.

Gandalf directed them to stay closely against another rock formation and suddenly, they heard the snarling of a warg. Rowan took a breath and the grip on her swords was tightened. Thorin looked to Kili and motioned for him to shoot the orc with an arrow. Vivian, hoping to take some of the pressure off, caught Kili's gaze and stepped out with him. Both archers released arrows and the orc atop his warg fell. Unfortunately, neither beasts were dead. It took Dwalin, Bifur, and Thorin to take them down. It was too late when Gandalf heard the orcs approach.

"It echoes," Rowan muttered and cursed under her breath.

"Move; run!" Gandalf ordered and led the dwarves. Rowan and Vivian took quick breaths before pressing on.

They came over a hill and Gloin saw the pack.

"There they are!" he pointed out.

"This way, quickly!" Gandalf stated and continued on. Vivian had an arrow at the ready in case one came upon them suddenly. The company wasn't very far before they were completely surrounded.

"There's more coming!" Kili announced and everyone stopped. Vivian readied her bow and Rowan sheathed one sword to exchange it for a throwing knife.

"Kili, shoot them!" Thorin commanded and Vivian took that as her queue to join in.

"We're surrounded!" Fili announced and Vivian let loose a few arrows, knocking orcs off wargs. Rowan was far from the company and threw a knife. It was embedded in one of the wargs, but it hadn't fallen. The beast charged her, but Rowan was ready.

"Rowan!" Vivian yelled as she watched a warg descend upon her best friend.

Oh cliff hangers haha I suppose you'll have to see what happens in the next chapter. I assume everyone knows where the title came from- and Vivian's line. Until next time!