Chapter 7

I don't own any of Tolkien's work.

After Balin welcomed me, I smiled and walked over to where Bilbo was standing. "Let's head back to camp, it's late." Bilbo said hesitantly. I simply nodded and followed him and the rest of the company back to camp.

As we walked to the sleeping bags, I avoided all eye contact by looking down. I quietly placed me blankets right next to Bilbo and settled under the covers. The only noise that I heard was the faint sound of murmuring from the dwarves. Unfortunately, I couldn't eavesdrop on the soft conversations.

I turned over to face Bilbo, who just got in his sleeping bag. "I'm sorry Thorin manhandled you in front of everyone. I did not know he would blow up at you." Bilbo apologized softly.

"It's okay. I guess I hoped for a better welcome." I whispered back. I did not tell him all my feelings though. Thorin frightened me so much that I don't think I can even face him again. The way he looked at me was the worst because no one ever glanced at me with so much hatred. Now I'm even too scared to tell Bilbo my feelings.

"I'm glad you're fine, Ilana. We should get some rest; I heard we are waking up at sunrise." Bilbo told me.

"Good night."

"Good night, Ilana." I slowly shut me eyes to fall asleep, but I heard a faraway sound somewhere in the woods.

Someone else must have heard it, too because everyone got up with their weapons at the ready. "Ilana, hide!" Bilbo exclaimed. I hurried over by the rock I was by earlier and crouched down. My heartbeat pounded hard against my chest while I saw the dwarves brace themselves for a fight. Bilbo stood in the back holding a weapon he probably borrowed.

Then a group of orcs jumped into view, but they weren't on the wolves. The dwarves and orcs clashed weapons and fought. I noticed Bilbo was backing out of the fight with a look of horror. Every dwarf was fighting together as they killed the orcs. Fili defended his brother while he used his bow and shot an orc right in the head. Thorin wielded a deadly axe and slaughtered the orcs near him with quick death blows. It was dreadfully awesome to see the dwarves killing orcs. The sight of blood made me feel sick, but I could not take my eyes off the battle.

After a couple more minutes of fighting, the orcs either died or fled once they knew they were outnumbered.

"Where's Bilbo?" Bofur asked frantically.

"I'm right here." Bilbo announced. He stepped out of a bush to reveal himself. There was a sigh of relief coming from most of the dwarves.

"What about Ilana?" Bofur questioned Bilbo. I stepped around the rock into view and everyone turned to face me. All of the dwarves were filthy with blood, sweat, and dirt. I suddenly realized that I was completely useless during the orc invasion. They risked all of their lives while I watched at a safe distance. I walked over by Bilbo while Thorin told us to go to bed.

Bilbo and I settled into our blankets. I whispered, "I fell so useless, Bilbo. I don't want to die because I can't fight. This adventure isn't turning out so well…"

"Tomorrow I will ask Thorin to teach you to fight, okay?"

"Okay, thanks." I answered hiding my fear of the thought of Thorin's reaction to Bilbo's question.

"Is something wrong, Ilana?" Bilbo asked with concern written on his face.

"No, I'm tired. That's all. Well, good night." I turned over and shut my eyes. I can't believe I lied to him. Tomorrow I will tell him how I feel.

Thank you for reading! Have a good Christmas! Sorry I have not been updating. I will try to write more and type faster. :)