Chapter 12: The Brown Wizard


Bella lay back and closed her eyes, blocking out the sounds around her as best as possible.

Later she would ask the old wizard what it was he had said to the dwarf that made him accept her secret and what it had been that gave her away to Bifur. Her voice, her face, the way she walked or sat? For now though, she found it could wait.


Noon came all too soon for Bella, but she was quick to pack her things and be back on her feet. She made sure to strap her bow and arrow case securely to her back, hoping they would bring some comfort to her now utterly destroyed nerves. She couldn't believe they had all gotten through the last night with only a few bruises and scrapes to show for it. They had been very lucky.

The company made their way through the wood in silence and with no small amount of haste. Thorin obviously wanted to make up for what he saw as wasted time and set a pace that had Bella tripping over tree roots to keep up.

They found the cave they were looking for easily.

"A troll hoard." Gandalf stopped at the entrance. "Let us see what it holds."

Bella almost fainted at the foul stench. She felt her head swim. 'Lets not.'

Most of the group filed in to take a look, going deep into the cave to see what they could find. Bella remained in the mouth, struggling not to take notice of Fili and Kili, who had stayed with her and were pretending to gag at the smell, making retching noises and clutching their throats. She wished the others would hurry up.

The first to return to the outside were Bombur, Ori and Balin, then Thorin sporting a shiny new sword. Elvish in make, unless her eyes deceived her. Bofur appeared next.

"They're making a long term deposit." He snorted with a glance back over his shoulder, as if the idea of gold and riches meant little to him. He made to move from the cave, away from the thick air.

Bella followed, but paused when she almost stood on something hard and silver. Curious, she kicked away the dead leaves and twigs before bending down to inspect her find. It was a sword. Straightening up she gasped when light hit the blade in her hand. It shone bright, and she could tell the edge was still sharp. It was short, but the perfect length for a hobbit, light yet solid in her grip, like it was made for her.

"The times we live in are growing harder." Bella jumped as Gandalf appeared behind her. "And those who do not carry swords can still die by them."

She turned the blade over in her hands.

"Orcs roam these lands, goblins hide in mountains we must pass through. I advise you keep it, and I pray you never have to use it." The old wizard's piercing eyes met hers. "But if you do, or your bow for that matter, remember this: true courage is knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."

Gandalf offered her a scabbard, plainly not the one belonging to her new weapon, as it was slightly too large. The sword fit though, and Bella tied the leather strap around her hips tightly as the rest of the company ran boisterously past, some holding numerous trinkets in their hands.

Bella joined Bombur and Bofur and watched as the group showed what they had discovered to each other. Dori was presenting some silver clasps to Ori, and Oin and Gloin sat sorting their treasure. Dwalin had acquired some rather nice gold rings, which he was polishing on his sleeve. Gandalf she noted had also picked up a sword for his own.

Nori rushed over, uncharacteristically excited, and trailed more sedately by Bifur. "Look! Look!"

Bella admired the shiny objects, the jewellery in particular, for she did have tastes for such things. Nori caught her gaze lingering. "Take anything you want Mr Baggins, you too Bofur."

Bofur chuckled and declined, but Bella hesitantly picked out a pretty golden pendant.

"You really do have no care for these things, do you?" Nori sighed at Bofur in exasperation. "You do not wish for riches, so why did you come on this journey?"

Bella looked up to hear the dwarf's answer.

"Me?" He laughed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'm here because they said the beer would be free."

Bella frowned. "But we have no beer."

"Aye, and how sad that makes me."

The company did not linger much longer, but did not get far from the cave, only just having made to leave when Thorin let out a shout.

"Something's coming! Draw arms!"

Bella's stomach dropped, and she quickly pulled out her new weapon. Her bow would be her weapon of choice, but she could tell the blade she now carried was elvish, the craftsmanship gave it away. She had always loved stories of elves best and she knew very well that elvish blades would glow blue when orcs and goblins were near. She dreaded what she would see.

But the blade was silver, and even after a few seconds of staring it remained so.

Bella opened her mouth to inform the others, but was cut off by a large brown blur streaking passed them at high speed.

"Radagast!" Gandalf cried. "Everyone, stand down!"


Bella in all honesty did not know what to make of the strange little wizard who stood conversing with Gandalf. He looked rather eccentric. And unwashed.

The dwarves could only hear snippets of their conversation, so waited in awkward silence, not wished to anger the wizards by interrupting. Bella edged slightly closer to the two, for while she thought eavesdropping was rude, it was something hobbits had a proficiency for and in such company as she shared currently it would hardly lower her respectability further.

"...almost lost him...such dark power...never before have I felt..."

"...cannot be...fortress...it is empty..."

"No! It is not! I went...a necromancer, Gandalf! ...what I saw!...summoned a..."

"...let us hope not...morgoth himself...this-"

"WARG!"

The two wizards startled at Dori's shout, and Bella spun around to the company to search for the danger. She heard the rushing of giant paws, the harsh panting, the breaking of branches. The creature fell not a meter away from her, Bofur's mattock buried in its side and both of Nori's knives deep in its neck for good measure. Bifur stood in front of her protectively, weapon still raised in defense. She had barely had time to put her hand to her sword. Bombur gave the animal a kick, it did not stir.

There was a crash as a second beast ripped through the trees, only to be taken down by Balin and Dwalin.

There was a moment of silence as everyone surveyed the damage.

"These are scouts." Gandalf hurried over, followed by the brown wizard.

Thorin's voice was grim. "Then there'll be an orc pack not too far behind."

'Orc pack?' Bella groaned. 'Why did they have to come in packs?'

The last thing she wanted to do was bear witness to another fight. She prayed the dwarves would not make a stand.

"They will be many and we are few...We must run."

'Oh, thank goodness...'

"I'll lead them off!" Everyone turned at Radagast's proclamation.

"Those are Gundabad Wargs." Gandalf argued. "They will catch and eat you!"

Radagast drew himself up in indignation.

"These are Rhosgobel rabbits." He gestured. "I'd like to see them try!"


Yeah, it's short, I know :( Should really be doing coursework, but I couldn't help myself...