Another Update time! How have you been? thank you again for your patience and interest in this story, I especially appreciate your time in reviewing it. So I hope I didn't make Alicia to sound like some super hero, but I was kind of going for the quick thinking, almost Hitman creativity of dealing with situations ( because I've been watching too many Hitman style movies..) So again, here's the next one, please tell me what you think of it, else I only have my opinion to go by. (^_^)

Chapter 9- Race On

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain," Hebrews 6:19

Bilbo's hands fidgeted in worry as he tried to distract his thoughts with the company's silly antics. Most of them weren't very kind to the elves, despite their open hospitality. It galled the hobbit's mind, why blame someone for something some distant cousin did or did not do years ago? Bilbo shook his head mildly and shrugged it off, deciding not to pry about it. But he certainly couldn't shake the worry he had for his traveling friend.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't see until he tripped over the pile of clothes lying in the floor in a small guest hallway. His toe smacked against a hard boot that sent jolting little pain in his toes. " What on earth?" He grumbled as he scowled at the offensive dirty clothes. They dwarven clothes, belonging to the company he traveled with no doubt. If the raucous laughter was anything to go by.

" Master Baggins! Come and join us!" Kili called from atop some stone block.

The hobbit looked up but then quickly ducked his head back down. " W-what are you doing up there, and in the nude no less?!"

The archer only smiled at him. " It's bath time Master Baggins! Come and join us!" Kili smiled cheekily ashe continued climbing up another rock behind Fili. When the blonde haired dwarf made it to the top, he stepped forward happily, falling down the other side out of the hobbit's view. On the other side of the large sculpture, the rest of the company's voices could be heard along with a giant splash. Kili had made it to the top to follow his brother.

Bilbo was not entirely sure if he really wanted to walk around the sculpture at the moment and quietly scuttled away unnoticed. The peaceful scenery had a calming effect on the hobbit as he walked aimlessly about the city. Less voices could be heard and more sounds of nature replaced them as the hobbit walked and walked. He recognized a few birds calls as well as identified just about every flower and plant he passed by. Bilbo idly heaved another quite sigh as he willed his mind to just focus on one thought, nothing. He didn't particularly care where he was now or where he was going. Only that he could find a way to ease his troubled mind to nothing.

" Ghosts of your mind, they come and go. The world is at a race, while you move slow. Will you listen or run away? Will you decide who must vanish, who must stay?"

Th hobbit visibly jolted, not expecting another voice other than his own to be heard. Pivoting around like a scared squrriel, his sharp eyes finally fell upon a figure of a short male figure, his ace half hidden behind a light bronze colored beard that hung long, the other half obscured by a seemingly oversized wide brimmed hat. Had the man not spoken, Bilbo probably would have walked right past the man having not even glances at him once.

" Oh hello!" Bilbo recovered from his shock. " I'm terribly sorry I hadn't noticed you there. Were you speaking to me?"

Slowly the figure separated himself from the chair and foliage that hid him so well as he turned around fully to regard the hobbit. Bilbo swallowed as he realized his mistake, for this couldn't have been a man, but another dwarf. A dwarf that didn't dress like any Bilbo had ever seen in person or in books. This dwarf had no problem wearing forest designs and colors. He actually seemed to blend the two cultures together subtly in his attire.

The dwarf's face split with a mysterious smile as he pushed a chair out across from him with his foot. "Good afternoon master Hobbit. You seem a mite too lonely on such a fine day. Care to share in some tea with a vagabond?"

'Vagabond?' Bilbo thought as he gingerly approached the table. Bilbo gave a small bow and thanks to him as he introduced himself. The dwarf stood up and returned the gesture. "Nobi, at your service Master Baggins." The dwarf sat back down and poured Bilbo some tea.

Bilbo kindly accepted the tea, enjoying the warmth it sent as he swallowed it.

" What is troubling you?" Nobi asked.

Dwarves were always a straight forward people.

" A dear friend of mine was separated from us as we were being chased by those horrid orcs and their wargs." Bilbo started. Being careful not to say too much about their quest, he supposed he could use someone to talk to about a loss at least. The small dwarf barely nodded his head in acknowledgment, so Bilbo continued. " It's just that we've no idea if she's okay or, or worse, and it has me worried to the point of losing my hair." The hobbit wiggled his toes. Though whether Nobithought he was talking about his foot hair or head hair, he didn't know.

The dwarf simply sat quietly again. It discouraged Bilbo a bit and he looked away. " I'm terribly sorry. How inconsiderate of me to have shared my worries about."

Nobi raised a hand dismissively. " Do not be sorry. I asked what was bothering you and you answered. Has anyone sent search parties of any kind for your friend?"

" All I've heard is that Lord Elrond has sent some of his scouts out, but I do not know if they have returned with news or not." Bilbo answered.

" This friend of yours, have they fought orcs before?"

" No, not that she's told me, but she is capable there's no denying that. Still, how I wish I knew more." Bilbo continued.

The both of them sat in silence for a while, until Bilbo had completely finished his tea, before Nobi spoke again. " Worry looks around, regret looks behind, faith looks forward."

Bilbo looked back to him. " I beg your pardon?"

" My own people are no strangers to loss and uncertainty. There are only two options. You can have faith, or you can have despair." He said in a nonchalant tone as if stating the obvious, which he was.

Bilbo blinked. "Ah, hem, yes. That is true." He stumbled on his words. " I can't seem to help but feel both however."

The odd dwarf's peculiar eyes feel upon the hobbit again. " If you do not know then you can only hope now. There will be plenty of time for despair later."

Bilbo was not sure if that was meant for comfort or not. He had to think about that a moment. "I suppose, you are right." He replied. " Thank you for the tea and advice Master Nobi. Do have a pleasant day." Bilbo gave another bow before walking on his way again.

His wandering led him to a few more peaceful gazebos, bridges the road to the market square, and eventually back to Elrond's halls. His friends had finished their baths and were now enjoying a meal that was more to their liking.

They greeted him with smiles and food tossing and burps upon his return. He did not miss the subtle sympathetic smiles that were sent his way, or they fact that they seemed to be purposefully talking about anything except past events.

Kili snickered alongside his brother. " Didn't even notice it till it was too late, the elf sat down on the wet seat and soaked through her dress."

Fili elbowed Ori. " Oh and let's not forget the sand in their pastries before they ate them, or dye accidentally getting into their washing basins!"

Kili looked around at everyone. " aye. You should've seen the look on the she elves. The one with blonde hair looked horrified!"

"And the one with brunette hair and flower circlet looked near faint!" Fili finished.

The other dwarves laughed along, bolstering their raucous behavior should anyone happen to pass by.

Bilbo simply smiled and nodded politely at the rest of his company, trying his best to share in their merriment. He was given a drought by an elf, secretly requested of course else the dwarves should throw a hissy fit. The hobbit fell fast asleep in no time.

Nothing he really wanted more than to fall back into oblivious sleep again when the morning came.

The room was quiet, so he took his sweet time waking up. The sun shined brightly through the curtains of the room, indicating that it was actually quite late.

Bilbo lazily swung himself out of bed, slowly got dressed and slowly walked down the hall.

Peeking into the rooms the dwarves were given, he didn't see not one of his companions there. Shrugging it off, he idly took his time down the halls again, smiling and bowing to any elves that happen to pass by. The hobbit didn't find any of them in the kitchen either, so he ventured outside. Clashing of weapons and shouts indicated where they were and Bilbo followed the noise to the training grounds.

Bilbo finally found the others, dueling each other in different spots of the training grounds. He tilted his head as he observed them, for they seemed a little off. For instance, Dori didn't have his bolos, but twin daggers instead. Nori didn't have his mace, but a sword and shield. In fact they all had mix matched weapons. Poor Bofur struggled with Dori's bolos for a bit, while Nori and Dwalin looked about ready to murder each other.

Dwalin let out a furious groan that Nori only quirked his lips to. He called the session to a halt once it was over.

Oin sighed. " Glad I'm done with this." The healer rested Bofur's mattock on his shoulder as he walked to the center where the rest had gathered.

" Are we finished with the mix matched weapons now?" Kili asked as he returned Gloin's axe to him.

Dwalin snorted. " Aye, no trading weapons. In fact, no weapons at all! Hand to hand! Nori! You and me!"Dwalin pounded his fists together as he grinned at the dwarf he addressed.

Nori shot him a small glare. Dwalin separated everyone with different partners again and so they were now wrestling, punching, throwing and trying to immobilize each other.

Bilbo approached the table, watching with both awe and nervousness at the party. Dori had pushed Bombur back ten feet before Bombur redirected his strength. Across the way, no matter what Fili came at Bifur with, the odd looking dwarf had a very calm impassive look on his face, throwing Fili back every time the blonde dwarf would believe he got a hold.

Bilbo watched their rough play with wide eyes. " Oh dear."

" Ah Bilbo!"

And that had the hobbit flinch so drastically he ducked under the table.

" Bilbo Laddie, are you alright?" Balin came around the table to peer at him with concern.

" Uh, um, yes. Yes I'm quite alright thank you." Bilbor stammered as he stood back up. He hadn't noticed Balin not participating in the rough housing.

Balin gave a kind smile to the hobbit. " Care to help me a moment? They'll be right thirsty and famished after they're done."

Bilbo nodded his head and helped Balin set up the table while the others finished up their match.

" So, hem, how have you been?" Bilbo asked.

" I have been well, given the circumstances thank you. And what of you?" Balin replied casually

" The very same. Where did you find meat?" Bilbo eyed the dishes curiously.

The dwarf smiled again. " Bombur had a little talk with some of our hosts about a proper dwarven diet you see. And some of them went hunting for us."

" Oh, how kind of them." Bilbo gazed around the porch they were on. Giant palm leaves hovered over them providing extra shade. Elegantly designed furniture was placed about and a cool breeze blew the pungent smell of sweat away from him.

Balin motioned for Bilbo to step aside. " You may want to move laddie. I think they've finished recovering their breaths, which means lunch time."

Bilbo did so without a second word. Once again he stood amazed at how ferocious the group of dwarves were when they came to the table save for Balin and Thorin who sat down on another bench off to the side. Bilbo caught his eye and gave a weak smile to Thorin. The leader gave a curt nod in return.

The rest of the company chomped and tore away at the food and drink, reveling in the taste of the provided meat. The hobbit shook his head slightly, tilting it up as the breeze blew by. His eyes fell on the leaves again. They had seemed to change to a darker green color all of a sudden. He stared at the leaves dumbly trying to figure out why. The large leaves had also inverted like it had a weight in the middle. From one large leaf spilled a bit of water. " Um.." He glanced back down at the company that was directly under the leaves. Before he could give another word, the leaves tipped down, spilling a purple tinged water all over the company at the table.

" Where'd that come from? Who's throwing water?" Bombur asked as he looked up.

Oin frowned at the sudden wetness, but didn't let it distract him for too long as he dug in his food again.

Bifur didn't seem bothered by it in the slightest. Ori looked at his cup, unsure if he wanted to drink from it again as Gloin knitted his brows, sniffing his shoulder, looking at random water puddles on the table. Gloin looked as if he was deep in thought about something as he peered out. Then his brows flew up at the sight of a large swarm of different types of birds flying straight for them " Bird Attractant!"

The swarm of birds descended upon the company, pecking and snatching at everything. The dwarves were more concerned about saving their food than anything.

Bilbo gaped at the scene before him. Balin backed away, wide eyed as well. Thorin looked up from his spot, confusion clear on his features.

The hobbit looked around again, wondering how in the world that happened. Stepping back from the porch he peered up to see two smiling elf maids, a blonde one, and a brunette with a circlet on her head.

" Come on Rainlight! Let's go!" Alicia encouraged the horse to run. She risked a glance behind her to see that four wargs were on her tail, and gaining. Two of them had jeering riders, brandishing their mangled weapons at her. A sharpened bamboo stick was being held close to the horse's side in hopes of making it less noticeable. The first warg gaining on her left side stepped right into a punji trap she had set along the trails she led them through. It yelped in pain as the bamboo stabbed through its fore paw, maiming it unable to keep running. That was exactly her goal really, for what would these cruel creatures do with a warg that is unable to run?

Another came running up to her right side. The orc on top grinned a grotesque gap toothed smile as he tensed himself to strike. She had to time it right or miss her chance. If she missed, the warg could get close enough to bite the horse. Just as it came up, panting in excitement of the hunt Alicia twisted about in her saddle and stabbed at the warg's neck, just in front of the shoulder. The orc on top raised his mace the wrong direction, perhaps thinking that the spear was for him. Alicia was fortunate that the bamboo spears get sharp real fast. The sharpened tip easily pierced through its fur, mobile skin and some muscle. It yelped in surprise and stumbled back from the surprising pain. The orc on top let out some feral screech of outrage as she yanked the spear free to allow the blood to pump out unclogged.

The warg and rider had stopped chasing her for now.

A third one continues to close ground on her left side again. Her mind raced like the adrenalin through her veins, she didn't have a bow, couldn't use her guns. The thing must have seen the spear by now and will probably block it, but then it will have gotten too close for comfort and the horse will be at risk. Nothing other than that option came to mind, or she just wasn't thinking clearly due to lack of sleep.

The orc urged it's mount closer. The woman swung her spear around to make a stab at the orc.

The orc, however, saw that coming and blocked it easily with guttural laughs and grunts. She even tried stabbing at the warg again in desperation to get rid of it. The orc broke the spear with a hard swing of its weapon downwards. Alicia veered the horse right to put more space between them while she frees another makeshift spear. The monsters didn't take long at all to catch up with her again trying to come up beside Rainlight. To her surprise, and delight, Rainlight gave a sudden hard side kick at the warg's jaw that decided to get to close to her hind legs. It yelped in pain, shaking his head roughly and trying to regain the ground lost again.

Alicia grew more impulsive and made stab after stab at the orc until she finally landed a few blows to both creatures, ignoring the crude club it was trying to get close enough to use. Just as her spear was driven into it's leg, the monster's club came down and broke it too. The woman flipped the bamboo around for the other sharpened end and drove it into the side of the warg's neck.

They both staggered away, now one left. The survivor was down to one spear left. Got to make it count!

Veering the horse in a large circle, she went back through the same path they had just run. Dumbly the last warg and rider followed, lost in its bloodlust and rage.

The first trap it missed, but the second had the rider catapulted from its saddle as the warg went down from pierced paws. The orc howled as it was left far behind horse and rider.

She laughed out loud at her small victory. It worked! Her crazy plan actually worked! "Thank you God almighty!"

The draft horse was slowed to a trot. Rainlight snorted and whinnied, sniffing and eyeing around herself for anymore danger. Seeing that there was none it began to calm itself down.

Finally after lots of patience on Alicia's part, the horse's breathing was at normal pace again.

She combed her fingers through the horse's mane, cooing and comforting it as best she could. She had really grown fond of the loyal beast.

" Even with all the running around we did, still no sign of civilization anywhere. No signs of the company either. It's not like they just teleported out of here." She grumbled to the horse as they walked back to where the rest of the ponies were. Suddenly an old memory of her friend Lonnie singing that ' fuck this shit I'm out.' Song popped in her head, followed by the benny hill theme. It made her laugh to imagine the company running around to the pace of that song. As the horse was left alone to rest, Alicia rummaged through the packs still on the ponies. On bombur's she found a bag of crackers and peanut butter of some kind. 'A simple yet healthy snack.'

Her meals were so light, that if she didn't do the five small meals a day plan she'd be too hungry and spent to have done what she's done. Alicia collapsed to the ground under the shade of a small tree, setting up a pot to boil more drinking water. A key chain thermometer, whistle, compass and mini magnifying glass was connected to her belt. She used the magnifying glass to start the fire in a minute.

" What do I even do now? Should I go back to the shire? Should I keep searching for the group or just try to find that Rivendell on my own?" She continued to talk to herself. She walked idly around their resting spot for a bit before standing before a thick bush with chunks of rock around it. Out of curiosity, she dragged the rocks aside and looked under the foliage. She formed a triangle with the objects. Behind the foliage, a large oak tree grew, branches splitting here and there. So up she climbed the tree as high as she could manage, she view was pleasant, and the place was hidden enough that most travelers would not come looking in a random tree that's not even on a road. Perfect to hide some valuables.

The girl wasn't going to fool herself though, she knew the longer she stayed in one place, the more likely she was going to get found by too many of the wrong people. And without the use of her guns… well she was screwed.

She reached inside her vest and pulled out the steampunk style compass she once bought for a steampunk convention years ago, fully functional too. Of course without a map, she had no idea which direction to go.

Once the water was cooled down enough to drink, she guzzled it down like a hummer with gas, then repeated the process again. Once Alicia was thoroughly water logged, she put the utensils away and settled down to rest out the heat of the day. Before, Alicia was too paranoid to get any good sleep for fear of some orc or bandit or company member passing by without her knowing, but when the horses would start to stamp, snort and shuffle uncomfortably when something foreign would approach, she no longer needed to worry. Afternoon nap was calling her name!

That was probably the most restful shut eye she had gotten. The girl woke up with restored energy in the early evening and decided to try again at searching for some road. Slowly so as not to sweat too much, Alicia went about her usual routine when out on your own in survival situations. This involved filling all your available containers with drinking water; she had a total of four water skins from all the ponies. Packing up a good food supply; all of bombur's hidden snacks were moved to Rainlight, as well as a deep search through the other saddle bags. And lastly everything else she thought would be a necessity to keep closer to her. Alicia debated about the tinder box. She had no idea how to use flint and steal method. It was either the magnifying glass or her little lighter that she had given. With a shrug she threw it in her saddle bag as well, along with a few other things that wouldn't weigh down the horse from running if she had to again. Now, how to herd sixteen horses? Alicia had only ever dealt with two at a time. Alicia grabbed two of the ponies reins and mounted up, hoping that they'd all get the message to follow her.

" Alright, let's try to get out of here and find the others." She announced to the horses.

They looked back at her like he was the stupid one.

She sighed to herself as she rode around the group, then slowly set off again. The ponies that she had followed her easily enough, while the remaining stood staring a while longer before they began to follow behind a bit behind her.

Slowly they went again, she periodically twisted around to get a better view of the area around her. Was she even going in the right direction? Questioning herself did not put her mind at ease any better. And what if she wasn't? how long could she afford before her resources dwindled down and she had to turn back to the shire? That was her dead last hope is to make it back there alive.

As the hours went by, Alicia grew more disheartened at finding really nothing more but large stone and woods.

She called the horses to a stop which by herself wasn't all that easy, they ended up a bit scattered from each other, but at least they stopped. She took a bathroom break, then sat in the shade as the horses took a small break to graze.

There was another far off howl, making every animal's head raise and ears twitching this way and that.

Inwardly she groaned. They could not get a break could they? Quickly she mounted Rainlight again. Just in time too, as two wargs came running up. More than half the ponies bolted without her, even Rainlight danced about and neighed in alert. They moved so fast, it even frightened her that she may not be able to hit fast enough, or hard enough, to stop these things. Alicia made a few spears out of long bamboo poles, but she was no jouster. Not that the bamboo wouldn't pierce its hide, but would it be deep enough to cause mortal damage? And once protruding the hide, will hers and Rainlight's strength be enough to mow it aside or will it keep trying to attack? At least the horse could run, the wargs had to also run at top speed to keep up with them.

They came riding up, deciding whther to snap at the four ponies just ahead of them or Rainlight. One went for the ponies, the other for her. She yelled and swung wildly at the beast as it yipped and snapped at her and the horse. Eventually the creature decided it got enough of a headache after being hit so many times, and stabbed at, that it slowed and allowed them to escape.

The second orc was getting the same greeting with lots of hooves kicking at it. She tried riding up to it and fending it away from the ponies by stabbing at it's back legs. It yelped and lost it's balance, rolling off to the side, breaking her pole at the very tip. She almost lost balance herself, gripping the draft horse's flank with her legs as tight as she could. A nervous chuckle of relief came jovially from her as she rode forward. However, the ponies were scattered now, only four remained in her line of vision. Who knows where the others bolted to now. Not even when they came to another stop did she find the others, it made her sad, but she couldn't go search for them now, the horses with her were too tired. The survivor wasn't going t take any chances. While she rested. The horses were tied close together, only a few feet from her so if they grew restless, their noise would wake her up certainly.

He didn't too often judge people before getting to do a full diagnostics on them. Why do they act the way they do? How does someone think of a phrase so different than another? It would not due to cast judgement upon another without having fully understood their plight. It was part of being a healer after all. The dwarf secretly enjoyed his stay in Rivendell, having the opportunity to learn new ways of his line of work was not an opportunity to miss. If someone were around, he'd be sure to wear a grumpy looking mask so as not to arouse suspicion, then bury himself in the large books and scrolls of recovery in the library or healing wards. Truth be told, it was his brother that was the grumpy one. Hours had passed as he took notes in his own notebook. Only the ever familiar pain of hunger made him consider stopping. Ah, lunch time would be good. The old dwarf smiled to himself as he walked down out a happy bounce in his step.

He was about to turn a corner and stopped in his tracks when he heard voices that piqued his interest.

"I've not seen such primitive tools being used in a long time. I would guess this to be the work of an orc, but why would it lead its kin into its own traps?" One male elf asked.

Another voice answered him. "The ponies that the scouts found speak of a child of Man that was there."

Oin's brows flew up at the discussion. " Excuse me Laddies!" Or at least he thought they were all male.

"I'm sorry for the eavesdropping, but I believe you speak of a traveling companion of ours."

The two elves turned and dipped their heads in polite acknowledgement. One had a handful of deadly sharpened broken spears in one hand, and in the other were shorter pieces bound together in torn leather or cloth.

" Master Dwarf. We just arrived from scouting the fields around the city. We found a small group of ponies that told us there were more. They did mention of a female who was with them for a time before the wargs came after them again. Elrohir at your service." He gave a graceful bow.

" Yes. And as we followed their old trail, we came across these strange traps that had dead orc still in it still, or blood stained from maimed wargs, which we put out of their misery of course. Elladen, also at your service." The second finished.

Oin peered at the tools in their hands. " Oin, son of Groin, at your service. Nor have I ever seen this before. But I'd like to say that it was the doing of our lost companion. Alicia is her name, a human lass. Have you seen any sign of her?"

Elrohir gave a small grimace. " We have yet to find her, but we have found clues, and they are not old, so the search is still commencing with our second team. Do not fret Master Oin, we've not stopped yet."

Oin gave a slow nod of thanks. " That's good then. Thank you for your aid. Please excuse me." He gave a small bow and continued on his way.

Well, at least Bilbo would be a mite happier knowing that the elves were still searching. Oin had to admit though if those traps were hers, she was resourceful. Morbidly so, but effective, at the very least.

Oin's lips pursed as he debated whether to tell the others about it all or just let them know that Alicia may very well still be alive?

RUUUUUMBLE….

Oh yes. Lunch time!

You like it? You no like it? Either way, hope you enjoyed it. Thanks aain and I shall keep trying to update more often,

With Lots of Love, Adeleidhis (^_^)