Chapter 20

Meanwhile the Compeny were hiking through the wilderness of Middle-earth, over ranges, mountains, and plains. They crossed the Misty Mountains; the trail is narrow and dangerous, with a cliff on one side and a sheer drop on the other. There is a fierce storm in the air, with lightning and rain all around. Thorin yelled, "Hold on!" As Bilbo walks, the stone beneath his feet gives away, and he starts falling into the chasm; Dwalin manages to pull him back in time. Thorin yelled, "We must find shelter!"

Dwalin yelled, "Watch out!"

The Dwarves look up and see a massive boulder hurtling through the air; it hits the mountainside above them, causing rocks to fall all around them as they press themselves against the mountain. St. Anel yelled, "This is no thunderstorm; it's a thunder battle! Look!"

A stone giant rears up from a nearby mountain; it rips off a massive boulder from the top of the mountain. Bofur said, "Well bless me, the legends are true. Giants; Stone Giants!"

Thorin yelled, "Take cover: you'll fall!"

Kili asked, "What's happening?"

Giant #1 throws the boulder far in the air; another stone giant, #2, appears from behind the Company, and it is hit in the head. The dwarves yell at each other to brace and hold on, and the rocks beneath their feet begin to give way from all the vibrations and from the impact of the falling rocks. The ground between some of the Company members splits; part of the group is on one side, and part on the other. Fili yelled, "Kili! Grab my hand! Ki..."

As the two stone giants fight with their fists, the dwarves hold on tight as they are flung around. One of the groups manages to jump to a different spot. A third stone giant appears, and it throws a boulder at the head of one of the first two. That one falls over; as the first group watches, it appears to them that the other group of the Company has been smashed to bits. The hurt stone giant loses it's footing and falls down the chasm. Thorin yelled, "No! No! Kili!"

The group rushes to the spot where the others appeared to have been crushed, but they are safe. Balin yelled, "We're all right! We're alive!"

Bofur asked, "Where's Bilbo? Where's the Hobbit?"

Ori yelled, "There!"

Dwalin yelled, "Get him!"

Bilbo is seen hanging onto the edge of the cliff with just his fingertips. Ori dives onto the ground and tries to grab Bilbo's arm, but Bilbo slips and falls another few feet before he catches another handhold. As the dwarves try to pull him up unsuccessfully, Thorin swings down on the cliff next to Bilbo and boost him up, where the others pull him to safety. Dwalin tries to lift Thorin back up too, but Thorin loses his grip and begins falling too; however, Dwalin, with much effort, is able to pull him back up. St. Anel held him close to her so if he slips, she can catch. Dwalin said, "I thought we'd lost our burglar."

Thorin said, "He's been lost ever since he left home. He should never have come. He has no place amongst us."

St. Anel yelled, "Thorin! If you are a true king you would not say such things or treat things that you think are lower than you."

Thorin looked at her and said, "I take it back. You shouldn't have left home. Be a burden on Gandalf then us. Dwalin!"

They go off and find a cave. Dwalin said, "It looks safe enough."

Thorin said, "Search to the back; caves in mountains are seldom unoccupied."

Dwalin searches the cave with a lantern. "There's nothing here."

Gloin drops a bundle of wood on the floor and rubs his hands. "Right then! Let's get a fire started."

Thorin said, "No, No fires, not in this place. Get some sleep. We start at first light."

Balin said, "We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan."

Thorin said, "Plans change. Bofur, take the first watch."

Meanwhile in the valleys before the Misty Mountains, the White Warg sniffs the ground; Azog is on its back. He speaks in the Black Speech, "The scent is fresh! They have taken the mountain pass." He and the rest of the Warg Scouts race off after the dwarves.