Authors Note: Thorin is a main antagonist, so that worked out well with this chapter and the next. I never liked in the book how Gandalf just disappeared before the troll scene. I liked it better how Jackson did it for the movie, at least there was a reason; so I followed that more closely. Thank you for all of the reviews! You guys rock! Keep 'em coming, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for reading!
-O-
Chapter 8 – It is not safe to linger
Bilbo
What a difference a couple of days made! Bilbo had rode behind them most of the day, it warmed his heart to see Eli so happy. He speculated that when Gandalf ordered Fili to take care of Eli that he knew they would grow closer rather quickly. Bilbo had seen the old wizard smile at the young couple when he thought no one else was looking. Perhaps Gandalf felt as he did, that Eli deserved to be loved and happy and Fili was the right man to make that happen. Bilbo was awake last night listening when Kili asked his brother if he was in love with Eli. He lay there in the dark on his bedroll waiting for the young dwarf prince to respond… and when he nodded Bilbo had to stop himself from cheering.
Eli was so different around the young dwarf… her cheeks were a constant shade of pink. She truly seemed helpless to Fili's charm, the prince merely had to look at her and she turned into a bashful girl… so different from the confident somewhat sarcastic elf maiden that arrived in the Shire ten years ago. The blossoming love between the two had made this adventure more tolerable and almost enjoyable. Which helped when keeping company with dwarves. Bilbo found that he was getting use to all of the dwarves, he even had all their names memorized now. He had a few favorites, the princes were at the top of his list followed by Bofur and Balin. He had gotten use to Bofur's sarcastic wit… the dwarf was really quite helpful and friendly after you get past his teasing. Balin had a grandfatherly appeal to him, he was the wisest of the dwarves and the most compassionate. Their brothers were completely different in personalities… Balin's brother Dwalin always seemed to be angry about something or just grouchy in general, Bilbo learned quickly to stay away from him. Bofur's brother Bombur never actually said anything that Bilbo was aware of… all he's seen him do was eat. Bifur their cousin was just plain crazy… but an ax to the head will do that.
Out of the brothers Oin and Gloin he liked Oin the best… he was less crass than Gloin but maybe that was because he only heard bits and pieces of what others said. Between Dori, Nori and Ori he would have to pick Ori as his favorite. He was the youngest in the company and probably the most naive individual Bilbo had ever met. Dori was always yelling at him or whacking him upside the head over something he said. Bilbo felt sorry for the poor boy sometimes and wished Nori would help his little brother more before Dori made him as crazy as Bifur with all the slaps to the head.
The dwarf Bilbo liked least of all was Thorin the leader of their company. While he might be a good warrior on the battlefield… Bilbo had heard enough stories of Azanulbizar since joining the dwarves to believe that as true, personality wise… Thorin was nothing more than a bully. He didn't lead by inspiring, he led by intimidation, it was easy to see the fear in the dwarves when Thorin was displeased with something. Bilbo always thought royalty was supposed to be different… he always imagined a good king or queen that worried about their subjects and worked for a greater good. It was a fairytale he realized… it appears there are more bad or indifferent monarchs out there than good ones. Too many like Thorin… someone more concerned about the riches of Erebor than the people that had lived there. It was Eli that had seen to their care when Thorin and his grandfather were trying to reclaim Moria from the orcs… why Moria? Mithril… they wanted to reclaim the vast mines there, not to reclaim it for the thousands of displaced Erebor refugees. Those refugees would be called on to work the mines but they were not the reason for going there by any stretch of the imagination.
The way Thorin treated Eli was what made Bilbo dislike him the most. He couldn't understand why the dwarf king had hated Eli so much until he overheard that comment Gandalf had made and then it became clear. Bilbo was no Sackville-Baggins, his wits were not dim; he knew exactly what Gandalf had meant after he thought about it... Thorin had at one point had feelings for Eli that were not returned and it bothered him that she could possibly return the feelings of his nephew. His ego couldn't handle it… bullies always had fragile egos, that's why they acted the way they did. Bilbo hoped that whatever was starting between Fili and Eli would not be stopped by his jealous uncle. If Thorin did anything to them well… he would have to find himself another burglar! Contract or no contract, Bilbo would take his pack and walk right back to the Shire! It made him mad just thinking about it.
The sun hung low in the western sky, they would be stopping to set up camp. He noticed that Eli was awake and seemed anxious about something. He pulled Myrtle a little closer so he could hear what she was saying.
"… We shouldn't stop anywhere near here. There is something unfamiliar in these woods, I do not know what it is but I just know that we should not linger…" she told Fili in a hushed tone.
"We'll talk to my uncle or Gandalf as soon as we stop, see if we can press on until you feel it is safe. Perhaps they will listen… all we can do is try," he said softly. Eli nodded and rested her head back down on his shoulder. Bilbo frowned… if Eli was worried about something it had to be bad. Elves were very sensitive to the forests and the land, Thorin had best listen to her! A sinking feeling arose in his stomach… he knew that the dwarf king would pay her no heed. The man did not like her and would not listen.
Thorin called a halt next to the ruin of a house, it didn't look like old damage. Bilbo dismounted to get a better look, the wood had not bleached from the sun and it looked like the fire damage was recent. That sinking feeling just got a whole lot worse. He noticed Eli talking to Gandalf and saw the look of alarm the wizard gave his friend.
"Thorin! We should not stop here… we should press on to that ridge," Gandalf gesture to a ridge that was maybe a mile or two away. It would be dark well before they reached the area but it would be worth the extra time and caution to get there… especially if Eli thought it was a safer spot.
"Why? This place is as good as any… we will camp here for the night," ordered Thorin. Gandalf looked around the ruins, his eyes seemed distant.
"A farmer and his family lived here…" he gave Thorin a sharp look. "This place is not safe… we need to press on at least to that ridge. In the morning we can take the path down into the Hidden Valley…" Bilbo watched as Thorin narrowed his eyes and sneered.
"And what? Beg the elves to help us? I told you I will not go near that place nor will I ask help from those that abandoned us to be burned alive!" Thorin yelled, his face turning red.
"There are three elven kingdoms Thorin…are you so blinded by your hate that you forget that? The elves of Lorien and Rivendell had nothing to do with Thranduil's betrayal. They will help us… provide us with food and lodgings."
"I would rather starve," Thorin hissed. "The elves will not help us without a price." Gandalf shook his head and sighed.
"There may be more to that map than our eyes can see, we need someone like Lord Elrond to look at it… he may be able to tell us exactly where the door is," Gandalf said, Bilbo could tell that he was getting annoyed.
"There has to be others that can read that map," stated Thorin. Gandalf shook his head.
"Saruman the White may be able to but he is at Isengard, it is too far away… the elves are but a day away. Stop with this stubbornness! You will add months on to this quest and put the company in more danger than needed by choosing that route," Gandalf said exasperatedly.
"Then so be it, we'll travel south in the morning…" Thorin said angrily.
"You would be wise Thorin Oakenshield to listen to counsel when it is given to you," said Gandalf, his voice was harsh.
"The only counsel that has ever been sound is my own," Thorin spat.
"Only fools keep their own counsel and you Thorin Oakenshield are a fool!" growled the wizard as he abruptly turned and started to walk away in a huff.
"Where are you going?" yelled Thorin after him.
"I've had my fill of stubborn foolish dwarves for the day…" he said briskly as he walked out of camp. Bilbo looked to Eli who was cautiously walking around the ruins on the far side of the clearing, checking for anything that may tell them happened. She seemed unaware that Gandalf had left as she searched a ruined structure that looked like a barn of sorts. She would not be happy that Gandalf just left like he did. Bilbo expected Gandalf to just take a short walk but over an hour had passed and wizard did not reappear. He started to get really worried… what if the wizard didn't come back? What did that mean for the quest? What if something happened tonight? Bilbo felt sick with worry and unanswered questions. Even the smell of dinner cooking did nothing to calm his nerves.
"Is Gandalf coming back," Bilbo asked Balin who was standing near the ruins of what appeared to be a small shed. The old dwarf was looking at Thorin with a disappointed expression as their leader barked orders at the brothers Dori and Nori. Bilbo watched warily as the two princes approached their uncle… Bilbo wished there was a way to get closer without being obvious. The two brothers looked upset as they started talking to their uncle.
"I don't know laddie… One can only hope that it will be soon," the old dwarf said as he looked at the dark forest around them. The sun had long set since the wizard left and without him here the shadows seemed more ominous. Eli approached them from the darkness, her face marred with concern.
"The rains washed away any tracks, I do not know what happened here…" her eyes drifted to where Fili was and she frowned. "There is tension in the air… what happened?"
"Gandalf and Thorin argued, the wizard just left," said Bilbo unable to keep the worry out of his voice. Eli rested her hand on his shoulder, it helped calm him a little.
"We need to keep everyone close tonight including the ponies… no one goes near the woods. There is a foulness in that forest that I cannot name, we need to take precautions," she said firmly. Balin nodded and looked to the other dwarves.
"Understood, I'll get my brother to help," he said and quickly walked to Dwalin who was unpacking supplies from one of the ponies.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" asked Bilbo, he wanted to help to take his mind of the helplessness he felt. Eli smiled at him and gestured to the ponies.
"I'd like you to help keep an eye on them, make sure they are tied and none wander ok?" Bilbo nodded happily, glad to have a job to do. The sound of raised voices carried through the air from where Thorin and his nephews were. Bilbo could see the tension in Eli's face as she watched them. Thorin pushed past his nephews and headed straight towards them. He was obviously mad and Thorin was very intimidating when angry.
"Go find the wizard and bring him back here," he growled at Eli as he came to a stop in front of them. "I thought we were free of him until my nephew informed me that he has the map! I'll not have him abandon us and take the one thing that will get us into Erebor." Fili and Kili had followed him, both were upset, Fili especially so. Eli regarded him with a cold expression.
"I am not leaving the camp undefended for a map," she said, her jaw was set. "I will track him in the morning if he has not returned by then."
"The camp is defended… what do you think we are? Helpless babes? Either you go fetch him or I send someone else to do it," Thorin hissed, his anger barely contained. At that moment Bilbo hated the dwarf king, he knew Eli would not let anyone else go. He had used a cruel manipulation on her and Bilbo could see the pain in her eyes a she looked past Thorin to Fili. Without a word Eli turned and went back to the pony she shared with Fili to get the rest of her weapons. Fili gave his uncle a hateful glare and raced after her.
"She can track him in the morning uncle… I don't understand why you are doing this," Kili asked desperately.
"We need that map… if she brings the wizard or the map back then the problem is solved," Thorin said as he watched his nephew embrace Eli.
"And if something happens to her?" asked Kili quietly. Thorin gave his nephew a cold look.
"If she does not return then one less elf… be prepared to track the wizard in the morning…" he said emotionlessly as he turned and walked away leaving Bilbo and Kili stunned. Bilbo wanted to run after him and hit him, kick him, bite him… whatever he could do to cause that man pain. Kili gripped his shoulder and shook his head as if he read his mind. Eli and Fili joined them a few minutes later, she had all of her weapons and for a moment seeing her like that… some of Bilbo's worry trickled away. Out of everyone, Eli could take care of herself… she will probably be safer out there than those of us left behind.
"Lady Eliana I must tell you that my uncle would be pleased if you did not return… he said as much," Kili said angrily. Eli smiled at him as she swung her bow over her shoulder.
"Then I shall endeavor to make him miserable by returning intact," she said lightly. "I have known Thorin has hated me for years, this comes as no surprise. I am more worry about leaving you here alone than for my own safety… remember I can take to the trees if there is a need," she said reassuringly. She turned to Bilbo and patted his cheek. "Remember what I said, keep everyone close."
"Let me come with you…" Fili said quickly, he gave her a desperate look. Bilbo watched as Eli pulled the prince to the side. Her gloved hand caressed his cheek as she spoke.
"You cannot come Fili… you need to stay here and help guard the camp. I promise that I will return to you…" Eli leaned forward and placed a gentle lingering kiss on the stunned prince's cheek before brushing past him as she walked into the darkness. Fili just stood there frozen as he stared into the dark forest, Bilbo could tell that he was at war with himself, torn between staying and following Eli. Bilbo felt terrible for the young dwarf, he knew Fili loved his friend and to see her go off into unknown dangers in the dark of night must be killing him.
"She'll be alright… Eli knows how to take care of herself," Bilbo said, hoping to reassure the prince. Kili gave him a sad smile and wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulders.
"Come on Fili… let's get some food. It will be morning before you know it." The brothers started to walk towards where Bofur had dinner cooking, Bilbo followed along behind them. He turned and looked into the darkness where Eli had left.
"Please be alright Eli…" he whispered before turning to join the brothers at the camp fire.
ooOoo
Eliana
Gandalf's trail was not hard to find but it was hard to follow. The wizard roamed with no purpose, often backtracking on his own trail circling several times before heading west again. It may have been an attempt to throw a less experience tracker off his trail but an elf could easily follow the chaotic pattern. She was quickly losing her patience, the longer she followed the wizards trail the longer the company was unprotected… the longer Fili was unprotected. She knew Fili was a skilled sword fighter but there were some things in this world where just a sword would do you no good.
Even with her task of finding the wizard at hand she could not stop thinking about Fili or the look he gave her before she left. She hoped he wouldn't think she was too bold when she kissed his cheek but it just felt like the right thing to do. Things seemed to be progressing quickly between the two of them since she made the decision to allow it to happen. It filled her with joy to be around him, everything about him was intoxicating to her. When he touched her it made her feel shivers down her spine. His hot breath on her neck when they road together drove her distraction. The closeness she felt with this man was something she had never experienced before. Eli felt like she could tell him anything, they had talked for hours as they rode, just the sound of his voice excited and comforted her at the same time. Nestled into his chest with her head on his shoulder was her favorite place to be, she felt cherished and safe there… it felt like she final found where she belonged.
The more she thought about Fili the more fear and worry she felt... she hated Thorin for sending her after the wizard. She knew he was hoping that she would not return… she had seen the angry and disgusted looks when she was with Fili. He never liked her and did not want her anywhere near his nephew. If anything happened when she was gone… she couldn't bring herself to finish that thought. Eli couldn't imagine herself parted from Fili at this point, she couldn't do it again. She had survived Naertho's death… she was sure grief would take her if anything happened to Fili.
The waxing moon was high in the sky before the wizards trail looked fresh. Eli felt herself picking up speed as she followed the tail further to the west. The faint scent of Shire pipe weed could be smelt lingering in the air… she was close. She ran over a small hill and could see the yellow glow of a fire in the trees ahead. Quietly she moved over the uneven ground until she was close enough to see Gandalf sitting on a log next to the fire. Eli made her presence known as she stepped from behind one of the trees.
"Gandalf! We need to go back… now," her tone was brisk. She was in no mood for arguments from the wizard. Gandalf jumped up obviously startled. He gave her a look full of shock and disbelief.
"Eliana! What are you doing here? Who is guarding the camp?" he demanded. Eliana sighed and shook her head.
"The dwarves, I am not here by choice… come, we must get back," she said as she beckoned him to follow. "We must make haste… I will explain as we go," she said, giving him an expectant look. Gandalf gathered his hat and put out his small campfire and followed her into the forest heading east back to camp. Eli explained how Thorin demanded she get him because he still had the map and when she refused he threatened to send one of the dwarves. Gandalf cursed under his breath as they quickly walked through the forest, the faint moonlight and the glow of Gandalf's staff guiding them in the dark.
"I knew Thorin was a foolish man but I had no idea he was a petty vengeful one," Gandalf said angrily. "I must apologize to you Eliana… if my patience was stronger you would not have been put in that situation."
"Were you going to come back?" she asked as she navigated a patch of twisted tree roots that had grown above ground.
"Yes of course… I just needed some time to school my thoughts," Gandalf said in a huff, he seemed offended that she asked the question. They were getting closer to camp, Eli noted several landmarks… they would be back in under an hour. They had made good time, it was much faster going back than when she had to track the wizard's irregular path. The trail they had traveled with the ponies came into to view, Eli let out a small breath of relief, almost there she thought. The eastern sky was beginning to lose its deep shroud of night and the sky was starting to brighten some. Dawn was not long away… they should be reaching camp shortly before the sun's rays peered over the horizon. Then she would be back in his arms… just the thought made her lips curl into a small smile. Her pace picked up without her realizing it, somehow Gandalf managed to keep up.
Finally, the faint glow of a camp fire beckoned them from the distance. At first glance Eli was elated… they were almost back, but then her elven eyes started to focus on the details. A small cry escaped her lips as she broke into a full run down the path towards the camp, her hands drawing her bow from her shoulder and reading an arrow as she charged forward.
"Eliana!" Gandalf hissed but she paid him no heed. She had her bow drawn before she stepped foot in the camp… it was empty. The dwarves, the ponies and the hobbit were not there… signs of a large struggle were everywhere. Bedrolls were scattered, saddles were thrown about the camp, weapons were discarded and there was blood… Eliana felt her stomach twist and despair fill her. Her eyes quickly scanned the parameter of the camp, they focused on the broken limbs and snapped saplings to the north. She didn't wait for the wizard, she darted into the forest unseen and unheard. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she followed the massive trail left by whatever had invaded the camp. Eli could hear Gandalf behind her in the distance… she did not wait. The only thing on her mind was she had to find him… she had to find Fili.
ooOoo
