I hope this chapter is better than the last, if only a little (Bombur's hard two write :( . In any case, enjoy.

Chapter 10: Lost

"You are sure this way leads east?" Dori's voice asked somewhat incredulously as Gloin led them on through the forest.

"I am sure we are not going around in circles if that is what you are implying," the redhead shot back, glaring up at the sky above him.

"Well, we have not come across anything that looks even remotely familiar, so no, we are not going around in circles," Dori informed Gloin.

"Then why are you complaining?"

"Because we are clearly lost!"

It was like watching a ball being passed back and forth between the pair and Bombur had to close his eyes several times after growing dizzy from watching the bickering pair. This time, however, Gloin seemed to give in.

"Fine, I admit it," he cried out to the trees around them, "We are lost! Happy now?"

"Forgive me when I say not particularly glad of the circumstances we find ourselves in," Dori answered. Bombur swallowed dryly at this, understandably not liking what he was hearing.

"If we're lost," he finally managed to say, "Then how are we meant to find the rest of the company again?"

"Maybe they can find us?" Gloin suggested.

"And how do you suppose they do that in a forest as thick as this?" Dori cried.

"Everyone just calm down," Bombur half shouted.

A short silence filled the air as the group of three took a moment to breath. Their great escape from the chaos of before was not going well and Bombur could feel the beginnings of a panic attack bubbling up inside of him. He was not equipped with the knowledge needed to deal with such situations as this and nor was he experienced in the field of picking one's way through a forest, familiar or otherwise, meaning that he could offer little, if no help in the matter. However, the round dwarf did understand enough to know that all three of them needed to keep their cool lest something worse should happen.

Such as being ambushed by those orcs we left behind, the heavy ginger thought blackly.

"What would you have us do?" Dori asked in a tight voice as he stared Bombur down. The fatter dwarf of the two bit the inside of his lip, thinking, before turning to where Gloin stood.

"You seem to be the most capable of getting us out of this mess, no offence," he said calmly, shooting a small nod in the direction of Dori at the last part.

"It is true I do have some experience in situations such as this," Gloin admitted, "Though maybe not enough as you would like."

"Can you at least try to find a way where we can head east?" Dori asked, twirling his hands around each other, "And soon, for I fear that staying in one place for too long may give the orcs we rid ourselves of before may get a chance to gain on and perhaps even come in contact of us for a second time."

"If I could just see an opening through these damn trees," Gloin muttered to himself, "Then the sun could give me a clue as to where we are and what direction we need to take."

Bombur, upon hearing the redhead, looked up, squinting as he tried to find a gap in the leafy canopy above him large enough to show blue sky and not just let in light. He walked around for a bit, ignoring the others before smiling as his eyes alighted on a patch of scenery that was blessedly not a hue of green. Calling Gloin over to him, Bombur pointed out the clear sky. Gloin sent a quick prayer of thanks to the powers above before motioning for both Bombur and Dori to follow him.

The group continued on for some time, Gloin following the sun which had now past its highest point at midday. Continuing on the same path, it was only when a familiar sight appeared before them that Gloin realised his mistake.

"Damn it," the red bearded dwarf swore as he glanced back the way they had come, "We needed to go away from the sun not towards it." Bombur and Dori who were by now stationary at his side did not look happy about their predicament.

"We are back at the same gorge we tricked the wargs and their mounts in going down," Dori cried in despair, "The only difference is that we are on the other side."

"Well, from the looks of it, the orcs are long since gone from down there," Gloin informed them, peering over the edge, "It, however, appears that we have come around in a circle." Bombur focused on inhaling deep breaths as anxiety threatened to overtake him once again.

"We are going to die," Dori muttered feverishly beside the two redheads, "We are going to die."

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