Hey everyone! Sorry about the late update, I've been a little busy. I'll have the next part up soon since I am almost done it. I felt like I should split this chapter up a bit so now its a tad shorter.

Anyway, keep reviewing and I would just like to thank everyone who has read my story! You guys actually make my day! Thank you! :)

Chapter 12

I hurried after the dwarves and glanced around me, trying to pinpoint the rustling noise.

"Arm yourselves!" Gandalf ordered, racing along behind me.

Axes, swords, daggers and hammers were all at the ready, my hand instinctively clenching into a fist. I had nothing else, and at the moment I didn't think grabbing a stick would do much. For a second, my thoughts drifted to 12th Century Weaponry and I silently congratulated myself on knowing most of the weapons. I did my homework...

Kris, what the hell are you doing…I realized, snapping back to attention, focus on what's about to kill you then daydream!

Thinking about museum exhibits wasn't really the best thing to do at the moment, and I tried to focused on the dense forest around me.

Oh god… I thought, my eyes scanning the green forest wildly, What else is trying to kill us! Why the hell does anyone live in this world! Tolkien, why couldn't you add fairies or unicorns? I could deal with those…

The rustling grew louder and I tensed, readying myself.

An object burst through the trees, branches and leaves snapping in its wake. The dwarves spun into action, weapons held high to fight off whatever threat it posed. I jumped back and held up my fists…I wasn't the toughest girl but I wouldn't go down without a fight.

Hopefully it's not another troll though, I don't think I could match that…or an orc for that matter…or a goblin…actually let's just hope it's like a rabbit…I can take on a rabbit… Oh, shut up Kris! You're making this worst!

I steeled myself despite my growing panic and turned to the thing, to only find my view quickly blocked by the backs of Fili and Kili. Kili's sword was raised and Fili had his two cleavers in hand, their faces set in grim determination.

"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" the figure shouted, its voice tinged with fear and anger. I stepped up on the tips of my toes and peered over Kili's shoulder.

Before me stood the strangest thing I have ever seen, this even including trolls, dwarves and hobbits combined…

A small wooden sled sat in the middle of the clearing, a team of rabbits tied to the front. I let out a small laugh and Kili looked back, a questioning look on his face. I shook my head and bite back a smile.

"They're rabbits!" I mouthed, grinning.

Kili gave me a bemused look but turned back to the visitor, still wary.

Rabbits! Of all things to come an attack us, it's actually a sleigh being pulled by rabbits! Haha, step back boys…I've got this covered! You guys take the trolls, orcs, goblins or whatever… I'll take the bunnies!

My grin grew a little wider at my dumb luck and I pushed my way through the two dwarves, spotting the figure in the sleigh.

"Ahh, Radagast!" Gandalf said with obvious relief, sheathing a large sword I had never seen before. "It's Radagast the Brown."

The other dwarves let out a collective groan and everyone slowly dropped their fighting stances. I took in the small man and squinted.

He's one of the other wizards… I remembered, thinking back to the day in the forest where Gandalf told stories about the different wizards.

Radagast was a small, stumpy wizard who was really no bigger than a dwarf. His brown hat sat at a strange angle and he was covered in mud and some other things that made me scrunch my nose.

He has bird poo on his face… I thought, eyeing him as one would a raving subway man, Geez…that's just wrong

The odd little wizard gazed at us all with a look of confusion before setting his bewildered gaze on Gandalf.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf finally asked, his grey eyebrows low in thought.

If I remembered correctly, Radagast never left his home for he preferred animal company to the company of others. I frowned as well. Whatever he wanted, it couldn't be good.

"I was looking for you Gandalf," the odd wizard began his eyes wide, "Something's wrong…something's terribly wrong…"

I let out a small sigh and ran a hand through my messy hair.

Oh course something is terribly wrong…Nothing can be going well for us…That would be too easy… Also, note to self, try to comb hair.

"Yes?" Gandalf prompted a few of the dwarves leaning in casually to hear. Fili was the closest and he stepped over, watching the wizard beside Bilbo and Gandalf.

"Ahhh….umm… Just give me a minute….uhh…" Radagast frowned and pounded his foot, his frustration clear. Kili beside me muttered something low and Fili nodded sarcastically.

"Ohh…I had the thought, and now I've lost it! It was right there, on the tip of my tongue!" The poor little wizard cried, opening his mouth.

He seemed to remember something and he opened his mouth, sticking out his tongue. I stepped closer to see then backpedaled, gagging.

Oh god…That is…Ewww…

"Oh…it's not a thought at all…it's a silly old stick insect…" The brown wizard declared happily, Gandalf easily taking out the bug and placing it in his palm.

I gagged again and spun around, shutting my eyes. "He had a bug in his mouth…a live, bug…" I moaned, holding my stomach. "Bird droppings on his face, and a bug in his mouth…I'm going to be sick…"

Kili looked back at me and grinned amused at my horror. "A stick insect, not a bug." clarified Kili, crouching down beside me.

He smiled wickedly. "A live, crawling, crunchy stick insect. You know, I wonder how it got in there in the first place. He must have…"

"Ahh!" I shouted, covering my ears. I felt like throwing up, and Kili's illustration wasn't helping. "I don't need to hear it!"

Kili laughed and sunk down on the ground, stretching out his legs in front of him. With a smooth motion, he pulled off his quiver and began to go through his arrows. The other dwarves began to spread out along the clearing and I decided to rest too.

Gandalf had taken Radagast further into the forest leaving the rest of us in the clearing. I glanced around the group and decided to settle next to Bofur, allowing Fili and Kili to argue about the best way to fletch an arrow.

I truthfully could care less, for I had no idea how to fletch an arrow at all so my opinion would be moot anyway. Why suffer through if I had no idea what they were talking about?

I stifled a groan as I sat down on the ground beside Bofur but he took no notice. My shoulder and ribs felt better with the lotion Oin had given me, but they still pained when I moved around too much.

"Hello Kris." He smiled his familiar sarcastic lit making me smile immediately.

"Hello Bofur, long time no see." I greeted back, getting his usual one eyebrow raise from my greeting.

He seemed to think about asking when I saw him stop, instead reaching back behind him.

"I almost forgot. I have something for you." He said, holding out a small cloth-bound object. I smiled and took the object, feeling the surprising weight.

"A gift? For me? Ahh Bofur you shouldn't have…" I teased gently, slowly opening the little package. I was curious for what sort of present could he have gotten for me?

The small brown clothe finally fell away and a soft glinting light emerged. I opened my mouth in amazement as in my hand lay a dagger.

It was no bigger than my forearm, a small green and blue hilt connected to the sharpest looking blade I have ever seen. Underneath the dagger, was a sheath, the exact same size and matching the hilt shade for shade.

I had never seen anything like its equal, and it took my breath away.

"Oh Bofur…I couldn't…" I began, unsure how to continue.

I didn't know how to use a dagger to begin with, but also it was too nice. It made more sense to give it to one of the dwarves who could actually use it instead of the girl who would most likely trip and impale herself later on. Seriously, I was more likely to hurt myself then others with this thing.

Bofur waved off my concern as bashfulness and smiled mischievously. "Oh, I didn't. Dwalin did."

I jerked up and looked at him confused, all thoughts at the moment gone from my mind. "Dwalin? Dwalin got me this?"

I stared at him hard, trying to see if he was joking. Dwalin was no doubt a great dwarf, as all the company was. He was just a little gruffer then most…alright a lot gruffer.

After our first meeting, which wasn't as smooth as I wish it had been Dwalin had stayed out of my way. We did not speak unless needed and neither of us really acknowledged the other by anything more of a curt nod or grunt, a grunt being on his end. Mostly, we were two people on the same company, but it didn't mean we had to talk. Company mate, not close friend. It didn't bother either of us, so the arrangement worked out fine.

Bofur grinned at my confusion and nodded. "Aye, came out of the troll cave and gave me this to give to you. Figured you needed something after the whole troll incident."

I cringed at the mention of the trolls but glanced back down at the dagger. It was beautiful, no doubt about it. But how was I supposed to take it?

I began to rewrap it and tried to hand it back to Bofur. "Bofur, it's too…"

Bofur shoved the dagger back at me and gave me weary look. "Kris, you need to defend yourself. You have nothing to protect yourself with and it's a gift. Just take it and go thank Dwalin."

I opened my mouth a few times but shut it, unable to find a good excuse on why not to take it. I had no idea how to use it, but that fact that Dwalin had given thought to my well-being was too flattering to refuse it.

With a small push from Bofur, I got up and approached Dwalin.

The large, tattooed dwarf eyed me but remained where he was, leaning against the rock wall.

"Dwalin, I just wanted to say thank you," I said, standing in front of him. I forced myself not to shuffle and looked the tough dwarf in the eye. I still couldn't believe he was the one to give me the dagger. Any of the other dwarves I could see, but Dwalin was never someone I would have thought to think about me.

"The dagger is beautiful. It's a very considerate gift."

Dwalin snorted and looked away, his lips lifting in an automatic sneer. "Well I couldn't use it, so I figured you'd be perfect. You can't keep being a target for our enemies. We can't always watch your back."

I stuffed down a retort and forced myself to remember that deep down, this dwarf cared. Deep, deep, down.

He had gone out of his way to take this dagger from the troll cave and wanted me to have it. He could have kept it for himself, but he didn't. That meant something.

"You're right." I agreed, startling him. He eyed me curiously and his brows furrowed, not expecting my agreement. I looked up and gave him a smile, confusing him even more.

I stepped forward and, surprising the big dwarf, wrapped my arms around him and gave him a quick hug. He tensed immediately and held his arms out on either side, not sure what to do with them. Then, as fast as I could I gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you. It was a kind gesture." I added, stepping back as quickly. I glanced up at the big dwarf and stifled a laugh.

His eyes were wide and his jaw was slack, a dumbstruck look on his face. He was not expecting my appreciation and watched me with a mix of confusion and horror.

"You're welcome…" he grunted gruffly, his face turning a funny shade of red.

I grinned at the baffled dwarf and strode back towards Bofur, the hatted dwarf grinning like an idiot at his compatriot's expression.

"Please do that again! I have never seen him look like that. He looks like he's about to faint!" cried Bofur gleefully, peering around me at the frazzled dwarf. A few of the other dwarf's laughed, and I even caught Thorin smirking despite himself.

I grinned but sat down, pulling out the dagger and sheath to better examine them. I easily slide the belted sheath around my waist and slide the dagger into place, feeling the additional weight on my side. It was strange, but not a bad strange.

"Hey!"

I turned my head and looked towards the voice. Kili and Fili were staring at me with an almost identical expression to the one of Dwalin's, though with a hint of mirth mingled in the bewilderment. I shrugged my shoulders innocently.

"What?"

Kili stared at me in amazement and waved his hand. "We've been asking you for a kiss for days and you decide to give Dwalin one?"

"If we knew you liked gifts," Fili chimed in, amused, "Then we would have gotten you some ages ago."

I smirked at their cheekiness and turned my nose up, trying to act imperious. "Well then why didn't you? You know how much we women love shiny baubles…Oh well…You're too late now…"

Fili feigned heartache and grimaced, making me smile. "You are breaking my heart, my Lady. I do not know how much longer I can bear it." I noticed that he used my nickname and I tried to glare, mostly getting to an awkward squint.

Kili rolled his eyes at his brother but good naturally, chuckling softly as he collected his arrows back into his quiver.

He got up and come over, his usual smile on his lips. "Let's see this beautiful gift then." He mocked, flicking his eyes down to the new sheath at my side.

I pulled out the dagger gingerly, fearing I would either cut myself or accidentally stab Kili. In the course of this adventure I had already injured the poor dwarf more than enough times. I seriously doubted our friendship would last much longer if I stabbed him in the leg with a dagger. Not many friendships would.

I held out the dagger and allowed Kili to take it.

He tested it in his hands and did a few sharp motions, swinging the small blade in a tiny figure eight.

"Hmm, elfish made…" He mused, stopping his motions.

I started and glanced at the blade. "It's made by elves?" I asked, curious. Kili nodded and held it out to his brother, who examined it.

"No doubt about it." Fili confirmed, testing the weight. "You can tell by the light weight and the inscription here…"

He pointed out a small cluster of symbols which I did not recognize as writing. "What does it say?" I asked, leaning in to try and see the text better. The letters swirled and joined one another in a short line, elegant, though I had no idea what it said.

Fili shrugged and handed dagger back quickly, as if it was piece of garbage. "I don't know, didn't really care to learn the language."

I frowned at Fili and looked up, noticing a note of resentment. He was not the sort to be cruel so the edge in his voice sounded almost foreign. I could see Kili saying something, his temper quicker and less controlled. But Fili?

"Do you not like the elves?"

Kili grimaced at the word, huffing a sort of sarcastic laugh. "When Erebor was attacked, the elves did nothing for our people. I prefer orcs to the elves…So no; we do not like them."

I looked down at the beautiful blade and balanced it on my palm. "They can't be all bad." I said diplomatically, admiring the weapon. "If they take such pride in their work, like this, then they can't be so evil."

Kili snorted and pointed a finger at the dagger. "That dagger is no better than any weapon made by a dwarf. Lighter, sure, but nothing more. We take pride in what we make, the elves do not."

He crossed his arms and glared at the dagger, threateningly.

"No wonder Mr. Dwalin didn't want it. I would never carry an elfish weapon."

Fili laughed at his brother and nodded, giving me almost a pitying look.

"You would never fight with an elfish blade? Just for the stupid fact that it was made by an elf?" I asked, slightly annoyed at their tone. Kili was insulting my dagger and I had just gotten it! They could at least pretend to like it!

Kili sniffed and pulled out his own blade, solid and strong with little adornments. "Never. I would rather die first."

He sat back down on the ground and focused on his sword, his brows low. Fili shrugged again and joined his brother, ending the conversation.

"Stubborn dwarves…" I muttered, putting my dagger back in its sheath. I liked the dagger, no matter who made it. I'd use it and if the dwarves didn't like it, then tough. I wasn't a dwarf (well technically anyway) so I didn't have to have their stupid prejudices.

I decided to ask about the whole story behind the dwarves distaste of the elves, but I never got to ask. The question died on my lips as a howl sounded above the trees.

The howl was long and loud, eerily close to us. Fili and Kili tensed immediately and I felt my heartbeat growing steadily erratic.

"What was that?" I asked, so quiet that I didn't think anyone could hear.

"Was that a wolf? Are their wolves out there?" Bilbo asked loudly, a frown evident on his face.

"Wolves? No, that's not a wolf…" Bofur said slowly, standing up. The look of fear on his face struck me to the spot, fear gripping me.

With a second to think, a wolf the size of a horse burst through the trees. It lunged and I realized too slow that I was its intended target, my dagger securely in its sheath.

Oh shit…

A force hit me from the side and I felt the air whoosh out of me, falling hard to the ground. I bit down a scream as pain laced through my side, the bruised ribs and shoulder not appreciating the impact.

I realized that there was something on top of me, or rather pinning me to the spot. I opened my eyes and looked into familiar blue ones, concern etched into them.

Fili got up fast and dragged me with him, pulling me behind him. I stumbled and held out my dagger, not wanting to be caught off guard again. I needed to be strong! Not a hassle!

The giant wolf reared on the dwarves, its eyes glowing, but was hit by a hammer dying instantly.

I let out a sigh of relief but froze, shouting for the dwarves.

Another wolf appeared from the rocks and charged down the cliff side, teeth flashing.

Kili appeared as if summoned and shot an arrow, tripping up the wolf. It fell the rest of the way down, a blur of fur and claws, snarling and snapping at the air.

The wolf growled menacingly as it tried to regain its footing, Kili's arrow still lodged in its neck, when Thorin pulled out his blade and sunk it into the beast's skull in one swift, brutal movement.

I searched the rock tops for another beast, but the forest had gone silent once again. Fili lowered his cleavers slowly, his eyes skimming over our surroundings. Kili turned his head and searched my face, his eyes quickly making sure I was in one piece.

I gulped and nodded, assuring him that I was fine. I had a close brush with the giant wolf, but I was lucky to escape without a scratch.

My eyes fell on Fili, his position in front of me unwavering. I felt a soft flutter in my chest as I realized that he had saved my life, risking his own to push me out of danger. I put a hand on his arm, Fili looking back in surprise.

"Thank you…" I murmured, not trusting my voice. Fili smiled weakly and patted my hand, covering it with his own. "I was nothing. I am just glad you are not injured."

I blushed and pulled my hand away, catching a glimpse of Kili's face before turning back to the dead creature.

Kili was emotionless, his gaze unwavering as he took in the scene before him. I thought I saw a flicker of emotion when he turned his attention to me but it was gone within an instant, focusing on the situation at hand.

"Warg scouts!" Thorin said with disgust, wrenching his blade from the warg with a sickening noise. I watched the leader, worried.

If these were the scouts…Then there was a group of them closer behind.

Gandalf had reappeared and he and Radagast stared down at the beast, Gandalf's face wrought with thought. I could tell he was thinking something over, but he didn't open his mouth.

"That means an orc pack is close by…" continued Thorin, echoing my unspoken thoughts.

"Orc pack!" Bilbo squeaked, his eyes no doubt as wide as my own. I had figured there was something coming, but putting it into words only increased my unsteady heartbeat.

It would seem Fili and Kili's tales were coming to life then, and not mere ghost stories that were told around a campfire. They were coming to life, and these monsters were coming to hunt us down…By any means necessary.