Hello readers! I would like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I really appreciate all of your wonderful words and support of me and this story! As well as a big thank you to everyone adding Shadows of the Past to their alerts/favorite lists, and to all those who have added me to their author alert and favorite lists. You are fantastic! I hope you all enjoy chapter seven!
Chapter Seven
Hunted
Kili breathed in and out slowly, letting the many voices of the dwarven company surrounding him muffle. The young dark-haired dwarf was sitting on the ground with his back leaning against a think rough tree, his head resting back on the bark, and his bow held loosely on his lap. Kili's eyes were closed and his face pointed towards the newly risen sun. Any onlookers would be easily fooled into thinking the young heir was asleep at the almost peaceful expression Kili displayed.
Fili stood at the edge of the camp and scanned the gathered company and the area surrounding them. The dwarves had settled in a small ravine just outside the tolls' cave and Fili did not like their position at all. They were at a disadvantage if attacked being so low and surrounded on almost all sides with higher and better positions. It made the young warrior tense and on edge. Slowly the fair-haired heir walked carefully around Dori as he tried to reassure and calm his youngest brother Ori after the incident with the trolls and continued on past Bombur's sleeping form, looking around at his friends. The blond heir to the Erebor throne paused outside the trolls' cave entrance and contemplated entering, wanting to find something to do. Fili was never good at sitting idle; always feeling as if he needed to be helpful; always trying to prove to himself he is a good leader.
With his mind made up Fili took a step towards the cave, but was halted by a hesitant voice. "Oh Fili, there you are. Could I…talk to you for a moment?" Bilbo asked softly.
Fili smiled warmly at the hobbit, "Of course Bilbo. What is it you would like to talk about?"
Bilbo started to shift from foot to foot with his hands clasped tightly behind his back. "Well, I just wanted to say thank you…you know…for not leaving me to be eaten by the trolls. I wanted to also thank your brother, but he seems to be asleep and I didn't want to wake him."
"Kili's asleep?" Fili asked quietly, his head quickly scanning the area for his absent brother.
Bilbo looked a bit confused that Kili's sleep is all that Fili responded to but kindly answered back. "Oh yes he was resting against a tree just over there." The Hobbit finished by pointing toward a large tree somewhat away from the group.
Fili nodded his head before returning his smile and attention back to Bilbo. "We would never leave you to be eaten, Master Baggins. You are one of the company and we do not leave any member of the company behind. I mean what would we do without our burglar? You are essential to the success we wish to accomplish. Do not underestimate your worth, Bilbo."
The curly-haired hobbit stood astonished at the dwarf's kind words. Bilbo only thought of himself as more of a liability to the company than anything else. Ever since the hobbit left Hobbiton he has thought about turning back almost every day, letting doubt seep into his thoughts often.
Without realizing Bilbo's lips stretched into a brilliant smile at Fili's words and the importance he had placed on him. "Thank you Fili. I didn't think you thought that way about me."
"Of course, Bilbo! Not only do I believe you are an important part of the company, but I consider you a friend and I know Kili does as well." The fair-haired dwarf said genuinely as he placed a firm hand on Bilbo's shoulder, dipping his head down slightly to affirm his words.
Bilbo swallowed thickly and cleared his throat of emotion. "I will try my very best not to let you down then; either of you."
"I know you will, Bilbo. We should be heading out soon; you might want to start getting ready." The young dwarf prince said sensibly to the hobbit.
"You're right! I'll just go make sure everything is set to go the moment Thorin gives the order." Bilbo said in a rush as he swiftly moved away.
Fili watched Bilbo go with a small chuckle and after the hobbit was no longer in sight looked off to where Bilbo said Kili was and slowly made his way to the tree. As Fili rounded the large tree the sight that greeted the young heir bought a fond smile to his face, making his pale eyes shine. The older brother paused for a moment to watch Kili sitting in peace and wished to never have to shatter this moment. Fili wished that when Kili opened his eyes he would not again see the haunted look that is almost always present now. Sighing quietly Fili walked to Kili's side and lowered myself next to the dark-haired dwarf.
"Ah Fili your stealth skills have finally improved." Kili suddenly spoke after Fili had settled next to him.
"I think we both know you knew I was standing there already, Kili."
"I did, but the entire forest was not disturbed so that is definitely an improvement." Kili said with a slight grin peeking at Fili through one eye.
Fili looked back at Kili unimpressed. "I have never been that bad. Besides, both of us also know you were not asleep, which means I wasn't even trying to be quiet."
"Of course I wasn't sleeping; just enjoying the sun on my face. Who said I was asleep?" Kili said quickly his tone of voice slightly offended at the idea of him sleeping.
"Bilbo. He wanted to thank both of us for not leaving him to be eaten by trolls, but did not want to disturb your sleep." Fili told Kili with a smile which only grew when the statement brought a loud surprised laugh from Kili.
"Ha, I certainly hope Bilbo did not think we could ever leave him to be eaten!" The dark-haired archer said with a laugh.
Fili's own chuckle joined his brother's laughter. "It would seem so, little brother."
"Well obviously we haven't done a good enough job at showing Bilbo that he is an essential part of the group."
"I should say so. We must rectify this mistake." Fili's voice was serious but his eyes filled with mirth.
Kili turned to face his brother, placing his bow on the ground next to him with mischief in his brown eyes. "I think I know what we need to do."
"Oh yes?" Fili played along easily.
"Oh yes, my dear brother. And I think you also know what we must do."
"Do I?"
"Absolutely." Kili answered back effortlessly with a sly smile.
Both brothers sat facing each other about to burst with laughter and said together: "More pranks!" ending in a fit of laughter like a couple of small children.
After the two heirs settled Kili asked still chuckling faintly. "Honestly though, how could Bilbo believe we would leave him behind?"
"Given Thorin's treatment of Bilbo I'm not surprised." Fili answered his brother's question; his words spoken in a somber tone.
Kili looked at Fili sadly before turning to look back out at the sun disappointed that Fili called their uncle by his first name again. "True enough, but you and I both know Uncle Thorin does not trust easily. I believe he will come around."
Fili smiled faintly at the sureness in Kili's voice and answered back quietly, "I certainly hope so, Kili."
Both young heirs turned to look as Thorin called the group to him. Fili rose first and reached out his hand for Kili who was gathering his bow. After Kili's bow was held in a steady grasp he looked up at the offered hand and after a moment's pause gripped strongly to Fili as his older brother help him up. Once Kili was standing Fili lightly squeezed his shoulder and gave him a knowing look, both happy the other was unharmed by the trolls.
The brothers started to make their way towards the gathered company together, but before they made it to the group of dwarves someone shouted loudly in alarm that something was coming. The trees all around them began to rustle as a distant and frantic yelling came closer. Fili stepped forward positioning himself slightly in front of Kili and pulled his weapon free, readying himself for a fight. Dwalin and Gloin each pulled out their weapons and held them at the ready as the company waited tensely, even Bilbo held fast to his new sword, but what suddenly burst through the trees confused the company more than anything.
A tall wiry haired man on a sled pulled by rabbits came to a stop in the middle of the dwarven company and quickly addressed Gandalf urgently. Gandalf moved swiftly closer to the new arrival, who he addressed as Radagast, just a quiet chuckling began and quickly increased.
Fili looked back at Kili, who was trying very hard to stifle his laughter, astounded. The blond raised an eyebrow at his brother's antic, which only made Kili lose his fight to contain himself, giving up the young dwarf just laughed uncontrollably. Fili began to huff a laugh as well, asking: "Kili, what are you laughing at?!"
Kili, still chuckling replied. "Oh come on, Fili! It's a sled being pulled by rabbits!" As Kili finished he started to laugh again and this time Fili, Ori and Bofur joined in, prompting an eye roll from Dwalin as the warrior tried to hide his growing smile, leaning on his tall battle axe.
Unnoticed by the group, Bombur slowly walked closer to the rabbits as sneakily as he could but was quickly spotted by Bofur. "No Bombur! Don't even think about!" The joyous dwarf scolded suddenly, surprising Bombur and stilling his pursuit.
Bombur's eyes flickered between the rabbits attached to the sled and his brother's disapproving gaze rapidly. The large round dwarf took one more step closer to the group of rabbits, licking his lips, but was again halted by Bofur. "Bombur!" Bofur scolded, widening his eyes and pursing his lips sternly. After the two brothers stood staring at each other for a moment Bombur obediently moved away from the defenseless rabbits; disappointed.
Fili watched the interaction with interest smiling and turned to tell his little brother a joke, but stopped, smile dropping from his face when he noticed Kili scanning the tree line above the company with a small flicker of alarm in his brown eyes. Fili also viewed the area around them and carefully moved closer to his brother looking for whatever Kili was searching for, ignoring the rest of the group who continued to talk in jest.
"Kili, what is it?" Fili asked quietly, leaning closer to his younger brother so one else could hear him.
Kili swallowed thickly, "I thought I heard something in the distance." The dark-haired dwarf answered absently; his eyes never pausing in their anxious search.
Fili had to strain his ears to hear his brother's near silent voice, but after Kili's words the fair-haired dwarf swiftly scanned the trees located on the hillside above them again, silently pulling his hidden knife free from its scabbard. "What do you think it is? What did you hear, brother?"
Kili finally blinked his burning eyes and breathed out a sigh, shaking his head he then looked back at Fili insecurely "I'm not sure I heard anything. The noise... may just be in my head."
The brothers locked eyes; Kili waiting for his brother's response to his claim and Fili completely unsure of what to say. But before Fili could comment on his brother's thought their attention was snapped away at the sudden and unexpected howl that rang out very close to the company's camp.
The howling sound startled the dwarven company, making the rest of the group grip their weapons tighter.
"Was…was that a wolf?" Bilbo slowly asked, looking around nervously at the swift change in each warriors' posture around him. It unnerved the hobbit to see how quickly the dwarves went from laughing and relaxed to tense and prepared for attack.
"A wolf? No that is not a wolf." Bofur said in fear.
Kili held his bow tightly, listening closely for any movement. A slight snapping noise just behind Thorin pulled Kili's attention to the monstrous beast trying to sneak up on his uncle. Without hesitation the dark-haired archer aimed his arrow and released within the span of a breath.
Before anyone else noticed the presence of the warg Kili's arrow sliced through the beast's neck just above its left shoulder. The weight held by the warg's shoulder gave out making the creature tumble to the ground, coming to a stop just in front of Thorin and before the creature could recover the dwarf king ended the beast's life with his newly acquired blade. Without warning another warg dived from the trees toward the distracted dwarf king, Kili notched another arrow and aimed for the beast's heart, tracking its progress through the air with the sharp tip of his arrow, but before he could release Dwalin's large battle axe struck the warg mid-leap killing it instantly.
Releasing a breath Kili lowered his bow and turned to his uncle as Thorin yanked his sword from the warg's carcass. "Warg scouts, which means an orc pack is not far behind." The dwarf king said through heavy breath.
"Orc pack?!" Bilbo repeated in a rush; fear evident in his voice.
Gandalf strode to Thorin's side angry. "Who all have you told about this quest?!"
"No one!" Thorin answered back, already planning the company's next move in his mind.
"Who did you tell?!" The wise wizard repeated not believing Thorin's words.
Thorin looked at Gandalf with blazing blue eyes, "No one!" The king repeated back forcefully taking a step closer to the wizard and lowering his voice, "What in Durin's name is going on?"
The grey wizard sighed and straightened his back, answering Thorin's question with certainty in his voice. "We are being hunted."
"Hunted? Why…why would we be hunted?" Bilbo asked but nobody answered.
"Thorin we need to get out of here now." Dwalin's deep voice sounded; an edge of worry laced through.
Quick rustling of the leave in the trees above could be heard just before Ori's small and desperate voice added to the conversation below. "We can't; we have no ponies! They were startled and ran off!"
Dwalin swiftly moved closer to Thorin, Fili and Kili just as the rest of the company began to panic. "Thorin, what do ya want to do? We can't stay here or we'll be overrun." Dwalin implored gruffly.
Thorin looked at his longtime friend and then to his sister's sons, thinking of their next move. After a few quiet moments of deliberation Thorin ordered firmly. "Gloin, Nori, Dwalin, and I will make our way to the riverside and try to lead the orc pack in the wrong direction. The rest of you will continue on and we will meet up again in a few days' time. Fili you will be in charge with Balin advising."
"You can't try to lead them off! They will surely overrun you!" Kili argued and was quickly joined by Fili, Bilbo, and Gandalf.
"Kili's right Uncle. If you do this you will all be killed and our mission will fail." Fili added to his brother's argument.
Thorin placed a hand of both of his nephew's shoulders looking at them both in turn. "We cannot out run them with the entire company. If we go now we might be able to get far enough away and then slip around them. I know you can lead the mission, Fili…if it comes to that."
Gandalf stepped forward, "Thorin this is recklessness."
"Do you have a better plan, Wizard?!" Thorin growled in frustration.
Suddenly an unfamiliar voice sounded. "I'll draw them off." Radagast said with confidence.
Gandalf rolled his eyes and turned to his companion. "These are Gundabad wargs. They will outrun you!"
"These are Rhosgobel rabbits…I'd like to see them try."
Gandalf looked sadly at Radagast and softly said: "Radagast, I cannot let you do this."
"Worrying for me? Oh Gandalf you always worry, worry, worry." Radagast said warmly as he stepped onto his sled. "Just make sure you investigate Dol Guldur." And with the brown wizard's words he launched his sled forward and broke through the trees.
Only moments after the wizard was out of sight a great many howls sounded followed by shouts and orders in the black tongue.
Thorin made eye contact with Gandalf, "We must go now or his sacrifice will be in vain."
Gandalf looked torn but after only a moment of hesitation gave Thorin a curt nod.
Thorin turned his attention to the company and ordered: "All of you on me! Stay close and low; leave your weapons at the ready…we may still have use for them."
The small company of dwarves made their way as quickly and quietly as possibly across the mostly empty plain. Whenever the orcs and Radagast came near the dwarves would flatten against large boulders, trying to keep out of sight. The company of Thorin Oakenshield were almost across the plain, a thick dense forest in sight, when without warning Radagast's rabbits pulled the sled abruptly and veered towards the boulder the company was hiding behind. The group held their weapons close and prepared to be discovered, but breathed a sigh of relief when the brown clad wizard was able to steer the following orc pack the opposite direction.
However, the dwarfs' relief was short-lived as an orc astride a warg leapt unexpectedly to the top of the boulder the company was hiding behind, casting its horrid eyes over the area in search of its dwarf prey. Thorin tilted his head slightly, making eye contact with Kili next to him, and signaled for him to take out the enemy.
Kili felt his heart as it began to pound hard against his rib cage and a feeling of adrenaline coursing through his body made his fingertips tingle. Take a steadying breath Kili silently notched an arrow and counted to three in his head.
One; breath in.
Two; breath out.
Three; "You will miss, Little Kili." Carrek's voice suddenly seeped into his thoughts just as the dark-haired archer stepped out from cover and aimed.
Kili released his arrow, slightly shaken by Carrek's voice in his mind again, and watched as the sharpened tip dug deeply into its target. The warg staggered after the weapon pierced its chest, alerting the orc on its back of dwarves' presence. The warg rider turned to glare at the dark-haired dwarf who shot his warg and swiftly brought his dirt covered horn towards his mouth to signal for backup. Kili easily saw the orc's intentions and pulled back another arrow without pause, but before the young dwarf could aim his shot completely Carrek's taunting voice continued. "You're good for nothing, but being my pet."
Kili let go of his bowstring just a moment too early and instead of shooting the orc's head as the young heir intended his arrow caught the orc's hand, causing it to drop the horn. The warg finally collapsed from its wound, bringing both it and its rider tumbling to the ground. In a rush the orc jumped to its feet and charged at Kili blindly, wielding a grimy dagger to attack. Kili's breath hitched in his throat as the image of the orc charging towards him, with every intention to kill, morphed into Carrek with a wild look in his eyes. The dwarf archer took a miniscule step back in fear, and loosened his grip on his weapon without realizing.
Dwalin noticed Kili slight step and could tell something was off with the young archer so he quickly swung his war hammer, striking the orc's body. The creature squealed in pain loudly and trying to end the creature's life before it alerted the orc pack of the dwarves' position Gloin and Bifur came over to help Dwalin kill the orc. But it was too late and just as the warg rider drew its last breath the dwarven company heard the shouts and howls of the orc pack changing direction towards them.
Gandalf shouted for the company to run and lead the way. Dwalin, seeing that Kili was still standing in the same place staring at the dead orc, quickly gripped the young prince's arm and yanked him along with the group. Kili was jarred out of his thoughts when Dwalin pulled him by the arm, and swiftly began to run with the company, moving himself closer to his brother and uncle just in front of Dwalin.
The dwarves of Erebor were outrun in moments and surrounded by the large snarling orc pack. Each of the dwarves stood in a loose circle, holding their weapons close, and began to defend themselves against the enemy. Fili took out a warg that had come close with his twin blades and stepped back ready for the next enemy and Kili started to pick off orcs one by one with his bow, whiile Ori only managed to anger his targets with his slingshot.
"Where is Gandalf?!" Dori shouted in desperation.
Dwalin swiftly scanned their surroundings and noticed that the tall wizard was missing from the group and felt his blood boil in anger. "He's abandoned us!" The large warrior snarled.
Bilbo stood in the middle of the circle the dwarves created, terror gripping his heart, and wishing again that he had just stayed home instead of foolishly running out his door. Closing his eyes against what was sure to be a horribly painful death Bilbo waited for the end, but his eye snapped open when Gandalf's voice boomed through the chaos. "Quickly, you fools!"
The group of dwarves ran for Gandalf and without hesitation dropped down a rock tunnel the wizard had found. Thorin fought at the entrance of the tunnel to make sure everyone got through, but after he sliced a warg away the dwarf king noticed Kili still standing farther out shooting his bow at the enemy. "KILI!" Thorin shouted to his nephew, causing Fili to look back out over the plain and see Kili shoot down an orc archer in the distance.
Without thinking Fili sprinted towards his reckless little brother, ignoring Thorin's frantic voice yelling at him to stay put. Fili stretched his strides as far as his legs could and reached Kili's side quickly. As the fair-haired heir neared Kili he saw an orc coming up on his brother's right side, and before the orc could come nearer Fili pulled out a throwing knife from his glove and hurled it into the threatening orc's throat. Fili pulled Kili backwards as soon as he was close enough to reach his brother's coat, and tried to drag him back to the tunnel entrance.
"No, Fili, there are still archers in the trees!" Kili cried.
"Kili, we need to go now!" Fili countered.
Kili looked around hastily and saw that they were close to being overrun by orcs and wargs, then saw that of the company all but Thorin, Dwalin, and Fili were out of sight. Without another comment Kili turned with Fili and the two Durin heirs raced to their uncle and the tunnel.
A few yards away from their destination the dwarf brothers saw Thorin get attacked by a warg and rider from the top of the rocky tunnel entrance. The warg knocked the dwarf king to the ground and used its massive paws to hold him there as its orc rider slid slowly from the beast's back, and pulled a thick black club covered in spikes from its belt. Kili and Fili pushed their legs faster shouting their uncle's name in unison, a feeling of dread coursing through their bodies.
Suddenly the sound of an arrow slicing through flesh followed by a pain-filled scream sounded and both Fili and Kili crashed to the ground in a tangled heap as one brother knocked into the other. Grunting in discomfort the dwarf prince looked down at a searing pain radiating from his leg and saw a black arrow embedded in the side of his thigh. Agonized eyes slipped from the sight of the wound to his brother's equally panicked eyes, as the many footsteps of orcs could be heard closing in around the young heirs.
Cliffhanger! I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter. Reviews help me write faster, so if you want to see what happens next quicker you must review. What did you think of the chapter? What will happen to Thorin? Who was shot with the arrow? Until next time…
Coming Soon,
Chapter Eight: Just a Scratch
