This is just a filler chapter for the finale! It is shorter than usual because I want to get to the last chapter as quickly as possible! Please review and tell me your thoughts on how the story should end! Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

Chapter 10

When I woke up the next day, the dwarves were nowhere to be seen.

"They have gone on to the Misty Mountains," Gandalf told me, "And we are expected to catch up to them today." He held a map out to me, showing the trail that the dwarves were taking. "Unfortunately, I cannot go with you. I have research to do with Master Elrond, we must find out more about the Otherworlders,"

I nodded, and took the map, tracing the paths with my index finger. They would be about halfway there by now, I thought.

"Your belongings have been packed," Gandalf told me, "And you have food provisions to last for up to a week. On rations, it could probably last for two. Your weapons are on top of your pack, and Shadowhawk is already here waiting for you. All you need to do now is be on your way." He turned around.

"That's it?" I asked, "You are not going to say goodbye? Or even good luck? Wow, you must be miserable!" I laughed nervously. This was so unlike Gandalf.

"I shall not say goodbye, for that word is final," He told me, "Nor shall I say good luck, as I am sure you do not need it. You must be going, Rhoewia, if you are to be there soon!"

I sighed, grabbed my pack and weapons and then walked out of the tall door, waving a hand behind me. As Gandalf had said, Shadowhawk was already waiting for me, and I stroked his nuzzle, speaking calming words to him.

"Hey, boy," I said, "Where have you been? I have missed you!" Shadowhawk snorted, and tossed his mane, and I mountain him quickly. The pack on my back was heavy, so I took out my horn and attached it to my belt.

We raced out of the gates, leaving a trail of hoof prints behind us, and entered the forest. It was darker than usual, and unnerving. I took out my horn, and blew into it once. A minute later, Hunter and Forrest came slinking out of the trees, and they loped along my side for a while.

As the blazing sun started to set in the darkening sky, I pulled Shadowhawk over. We had been riding non-stop for hours upon hours, and as the sky got blacker, I decided to make a fire and eat. I collected some wood, and lit a fire, and Shadowhawk lay down, with me nestled next to him for warmth. Forrest was lying on my feet, and Hunter's head was on my lap.

I had searched in my pack and found some venison, and a water-skin of water. It had only taken me a couple of minutes to cook the food, and I gobbled it down in seconds. Forrest and Hunter had gone off to find food, and Shadowhawk had been grazing on some nearby grass. Now we were all settled, my eyes started to close, and I drifted into a deep sleep, my breathing matching that of Shadowhawks.

I awoke with a start in the night. I listened carefully, and heard shouts and cries coming from not-so-far away. I could hear a sound like rocks upon rocks, crashing and thumping together, and I am sure the cries were cries of the dwarves'.

The fire had burnt down, so I kicked the ashes into the soil and packed up my stuff. I jumped up onto Shadowhawk's back, and only then did I notice that Forrest and Hunter were gone. It didn't worry me though, as they came and went as they pleased.

We raced through the forest, and came to a narrow, rocky path, winding up the side of a jagged cliff. The cries had died down by now, but I was still worried. I dismounted Shadowhawk, and he took off quickly back into the trees behind me. Something had spooked him.

I ran along the narrow path for about fifteen minutes until I heard talking coming from nearby. I walked closer, and came to a little cave in the rock face. Peering inside, I saw Bilbo, and I almost shouted in excitement. I had found them! Bofur was talking to him, and he turned to me, surprise on his face. I was about to run to him, when the a gigantic crack opened up in the stone floor, and thirteen surprised dwarves and a screaming hobbit fell into the gaping darkness.

"Thorin!" I screamed, and just saw the smile on his face before he slipped into the hole…

Please review! What do you think? I will update as soon as possible!