Hi everyone!
I'm really sorry that it has taken me so long to get this chapter out. It has definitely been a pain in my rear end for quite sometime but i think i like the outcome thus far. I'm trying to remember to not let my character get lost in her romance and occasionally to keep a positive outlook on the writing process. That whole writers block is so difficult to overcome some days. Anyway i hope you guys like it. I would love to hear your reviews; whether you liked it, hated it (in maybe nicer terms) or you've lost interest. You guys are part of the reason I keep going and why Idon't let these stories fall completely by the wayside as some other stories of mine have.
Enjoy!
Hazel eyes shot open as a jolt of pain radiated through Sparrow's spine caused a rather sharp whimper to escape her lips. It was actually more of a scream but she was quick to cover her mouth considering her location.
A mixture of blinding and nearly searing pain as well as a fresh wave of dizziness ran up the length of Sparrow's legs as she gazed blankly up above her into the darkness.
A fall of that magnitude did not bode well for her health.
Diagnostically speaking, Sparrow knew that it would be a miracle to even sit upright and not be paralyzed from the waist down or completely. Inhaling deeply she pressed her arms out beside her and slowly raised herself up to see if it paralysis had occurred.
An unintentionally loud "motherfucker" passed her lips as she landed back against the rock clutching at the aching arm. Apparently the fall broke at least one arm.
Reluctantly, Sparrow returned to the task at hand realizing that time was a rather important entity to keep in mind when assessing wounds. Much to her relief she was able to come to a seated position using simply the one good hand.
Nausea crept up her body as she then had the bad idea to asses her legs. They were utterly raw. There were huge gashes bleeding profusely from her thighs and calves from the fall she assumed.
Raising her healing hands, Sparrow focused her attention on her legs. Moments later as on cue, the light appeared from her hands and the pain disappeared as did the bleeding.
Triaging her other injuries and apparent concussion was next on Sparrow's list as she gazed about for something that would create an adequate splint for her broken arm.
Beside the pool of blood at her legs, a sword sheath, from the looks of it her own, lay a few feet from the goblin's body as did her sword. Reaching over, she took both possessions in her hands as worked on breaking the sheath in half.
Splinting her forearm between the pieces of broken up sword sheath, Sparrow tore at her coat and tied the wounded arm into a sling. Slowly pulling herself into a seated position, she took the chance to gaze around at the eerily silent cave.
Dripping of water in the distance was all that could be heard and in all honesty it was driving her nuts. Each plopping of the water droplets was magnified by the pounding in her head.
The concussion was only getting worse. Dizziness was fading in and out. Clutching her stomach, Sparrow barely turned her head with enough time as a wave of nausea hit.
The whole act of vomiting was really vile to her. Granted she understood the occasional benefits of expelling toxins from the body and the fact everyone hated it, but it drove her crazy. She managed to maintain a fifteen year streak until she had turned twenty-two.
Wincing softly, Sparrow leaned back against the rock taking a few deep breaths. She needed to get out of here. Slowly getting to her feet, Sparrow gazed relieved at her now healed leg supporting her weight with no trouble.
Taking her sword in her dominant hand, Sparrow slowly made her way down the rocky hall pass. Using it as her support and defense, she turned left down another passageway praying that it was the right direction.
With soft steps, she walked through what felt like an unyielding maze. The sound of the not so soothing droplets of water grew louder which meant that she was going deeper or out of the cave. Shit was that right?
A familiar clawed grasp on her arm and squeal caught her attention as on instinct she turned, elbow strong yet flexible as Dwalin taught her, and sliced the beast across the belly. It let out a horrid screech as she rotated her wrist and stabbed it.
Retracting the sword from its abdomen, Sparrow gazed a little in awe at the body then at the point of her weapon. Weeks ago or however long ago blood used to equate to saving lives but now it was a symbol solely of death.
Taking a deep breath, she snapped out of her daze and continued on. With each step, her mind wandered to the company. Where were they? Were they okay?
Sparrow hated the fact that she felt this unyielding need to have Kili back in her life. She was so tired of the tension between them. Even if he didn't want a relationship, she just missed having him as a friend.
Slowly, Sparrow focused back on the task at hand and continued on along the rocky path way desperate to get out the cave. Much to her relief the path seemed to gain a bit of an angle although the dripping of water seemed to grow louder which confused her.
That meant that she was getting further into the cave.
Sparrow's hazel eyes locked on, though it was quite difficult, to an opening in that appeared in the distance. As quietly as she could, the brunette tip toed her way to the opening with her sword in front of her.
It turned out to be a little rocking clearing of sorts with water in the near distance from the sounds of it. There were odd bushels of mushrooms around though it didn't surprise her considering the environment. However the sound of rasping that caught her attention as she saw a goblin strewn about the floor.
A rough pull to her uninjured arm sent her sprawling into the mushrooms as a small gasp left her lips. A hand covered her lips instantly as Sparrow gazed wildly about trying to find who had a hold on her.
Much to her shock, Bilbo appeared just above her and simply pointed out through the mushrooms. Turning her head, Sparrow watched and listened as a raspier voice and footsteps seemed to emerge from the shadows.
A gangly creature with large eyes emerged from the darkness muttering rather excitedly at the barely breathing carcass of the goblin. She could have sworn that she had seen that beast before.
"Yes….Yes…Gollum …Gollum." It rasped preparing to pull the goblin off in its direction with him.
Gollum! That's his name. Sparrow knew that horrendous and cat sounding beast looked familiar.
Both Bilbo and she watched with bated breath as the goblin gave one final struggle before Gollum dragged the goblin off into the darkness muttering about how it was a better meal than old bones.
Once he was far from there sight, the two company members got to their feet. Instinctively, Sparrow and Bilbo checked one another over for injuries.
"Are you okay?" Sparrow whispered as Bilbo nodded offering a tight lipped smile as the two gazed back at the rasping that carried through the cave walls.
After turning back around, Bilbo took note of the bandaged arm, bloodied sword, arm and head dressing with the aid of Sting's light. "Oh dear, are you well?"
Sparrow could not help but smile softly at the sweetness behind the hobbit's gesture. She was going to watch out for this little hobbit. Even if she was exhausted and the concussion was a pain in the ass, she would go the extra mile for him.
"I'm okay." Sparrow began offering the hobbit a small smile before gazing out. "So what are we going to do?"
The brave little hobbit peeked out around the corner after bending over for a moment and murmured, "Come on."
Wordlessly, the two walked out following a rather odd song taking place across a pool of water which was a little bit of a relief to Sparrow. At least it wasn't as if she was going crazy.
"Cold as death, they have no breath it's good to eat…." Gollum's song echoed through the caverns and stopped abruptly just as Bilbo returned to their hiding spot of the rock. The two of them gazed at Sting whose blue light slowly faded away.
"Go and try to find another exit from here." Bilbo whispered gently pushing her away although she initially resisted. "Bilbo," She began unsure as to whether or not she should go.
"Go on…I will find you." Bilbo replied as Sparrow nodded and slowly crept off to nearby rocks. Part of her wished that the company could see the hobbit's bravery in action. He really was something special.
The rocky path seemed to get worse seeing as though it was beginning to incline ever so slightly and she was feeling the dizziness again. Continuing on none the less, Sparrow felt relieved as the light in the tunnel seemed to brighten.
The animalistic growl of what she assumed to be Gollum sped up her stride even though she craved fresh air and rest. Her heart thumped in her throat as she gazed back hearing footsteps closing in.
A quiet "Oomph" escaped her lips as she ran into a surprisingly soft body. Turning back around her eyes widened in shock finding Gandalf gazing down at her with a surprised smile upon his face.
"Ah, there is our feisty bird come back to us safely. Come." He began ushering her in front of him as Sparrow could not help but feel relief at being back with her company and dare she say family.
A groan escaped Sparrow's lips as their treacherous trek down the mountainside came into view. There was a justifiable amount of rocks and trees but it was utterly disgusting nonetheless. Her body was so close to just giving up but she knew that wasn't an option; especially with some creepy crawly ugly goblins them.
It was difficult and quite tasking to just keep pace with Bombur but Sparrow managed to do so. There was a very precise equation that allowed for her to do such a thing. It consisted of not tripping, not falling on her arse and oh yes not falling on her arse.
Once the company was far enough from danger, Sparrow passed Bombur and apparent head count done by Gandalf as she plopped down upon a tree stump.
Oin was at her side in moments with a few of the members not far behind. She couldn't tell due to the head between her legs trying to catch her breath but Fili and Kili might have even been behind her?
"How are yer wounds lass?" Oin questioned gently attending to her bandaged arm while gazing her over from head to toe. Guiding her back to rest against a nearby tree, Oin took note of the delayed blinking and trouble focusing.
"The concussion has only gotten worse, I think." Sparrow murmured gently touching her head trying to think about her examination of her condition.
"I'm going to get some belladonna for the pain. Don't move a muscle." Oin ordered as Sparrow nodded and rested her head as the elderly dwarf disappeared from vision.
Gazing up at the colorful setting sky, Sparrow closed her eyes trying to relax and regulate her breathing. The fogginess seemed to be clearing from her mind, now if only the infernal ringing in her ears would lessen this moment of rest would be great.
Her eyes widened in shock as she shot up, immediately clutching her forehead as she recalled dear old Bilbo in the caves. Of course another lady like curse escaped her lips but at this point it was practically a necessity.
"Are you alright?" Kili questioned appearing at her side with a concerned look upon his face.
"Help me up, I've got to find Bilbo." Sparrow began mind so focused on finding Bilbo that her mind didn't wander and get lost in Kili's presence.
"He's gone Sparrow, Nori saw him disappear back when the goblins first got us. Did you not just hear him speak?" Fili murmured appearing at her other side giving her another worried look.
Sparrow sighed a little frazzled that she had not heard Nori but still pushed both aside as she got to a sitting position away from the tree.
"Either help me up or leave me be." She ordered gazing at the two who seemed shocked by the tone but still came to her aid. Fili pulled her up to her feet while Kili put her uninjured arm over his shoulder and his own around her waist.
Once she was comfortable with standing, Sparrow finally focused all of her attention on the chattering that was taking part in the company. The topic seemed to actually be on the hobbit in question as everyone attempted to pass the blame onto another with Gandalf questioning them all.
In short, it was a mess. 'Typical,' Sparrow thought to herself with a sigh.
Just as she was going to speak, Thorin's rich voice quieted the chattering and commanded the silence impressively.
"I'll tell you what happened. Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it." Thorin began distaste seeping from every word her uttered.
"He has thought of nothing but his soft bed and warm hearth since he stepped out of his door. We will not be seeing our hobbit again." Enthusiastic body movements accompanied his speech as it was almost his attempt at rallying them with that contempt.
"He is long gone." The final hoorah for him was to gaze almost triumphantly in his knowledge among the company. An unsettling feeling pooled in Sparrow's chest as his sharp eyes landed upon her precarious position draped upon Kili.
Though she wanted nothing more than to avoid his gaze, she held it unwaveringly. Sparrow knew that though he obviously disliked her, he had no right to make her feel uncomfortable. There was nothing wrong with depending upon a company member when in pain and considering the amount of beasts she killed and healing she had accomplished; she earned her "place" in the boys club.
His gaze continued on and Sparrow could not help but feel rather proud. Not to mention oddly supported because no more than a moment later, Dwalin stood ways before her seemingly trying to break their gaze as well.
Sparrow could not help but sneak a peek at Kili who seemed to be keeping his wits about him in regards to their proximity. Quite unlike earlier in the day, where both parties got rather lost in the quick embrace.
He seemed to be rather lost in thought and what she assumed to be a little disappointed by the thought of Bilbo simply abandoning the quest. Both brothers seemed to be of the same mind as they shared a similar look amongst themselves.
"No, no he isn't." A voice called garnering everyone's attention and causing Sparrow to gasp as there before them stood Bilbo without a scratch on him.
"Bilbo, we thought we'd given you up." Kili muttered in utter awe.
"How on earth did you get passed the goblins?" Fili questioned gazing curiously at Bilbo as did everyone else.
"How indeed?" Dwalin's raspy voice mumbled as Sparrow shot glares into the back of his head that he quite obviously ignored.
"He did just fine." Sparrow called out from her spot beside Kili earning her many questioning gazes and a warm smile from Bilbo.
"What does it matter? He's back." Gandalf replied hoping to try to bring a little joy back to the interaction knowing that the probability of an altercation between the hobbit and dwarf was possible.
"It matters." Thorin muttered definitively returning them to the subject at hand. "I want to know, why did you come back?"
"I know you doubt me. I know you always have…" Bilbo began gazing squarely at Thorin with a look of reassurance upon his face and relaxation. It seemed that Sparrow was not the only one who recaptured their bravery and wore it proudly like a badge of honor.
"And you're right. I often think of Bag End." He spoke with such honesty and genuine care that Sparrow could not help her grin. "I miss my books…my armchair… my garden. See that's where I belong, that's home. And that's why I came back. Cause you don't have one, a home. It was taken from you but I will help you take it back if I can."
Most dwarves seemed stupefied by the concept and the whole revisiting of what the mission of the company was. Oin was the only one not so far gone that he hadn't forgotten to hand over the disgusting vile that was the belladonna serum.
The mission of the company was not solely to go on an adventure, risk one's life and meet new people but it was to take back home. Home, the most sacred of places, where it was safe to let one's guard down and simply enjoy peace.
Having that security torn from you was not an easy wound to simply heal from. Sparrow gently fingered the almost forgotten scar upon her chest at the memory and what home meant to her. In all honesty, she had grown rather fond of the vagabond lifestyle they lived.
It was charming to actually sleep among the stars and feel the warmth of a fire. The daydreaming or appreciating of nature dissipated as a mixture of snarls and howls rang out into the now night sky.
"Out of the frying pan…"Thorin began as the company glanced in the direction of the sounds wearily and slight panic stricken.
"And into the fire," Gandalf began exchanging a glance with Thorin before ushering people to flee. "Run! Run!" He ordered as everyone began to take off down the mountain.
A sigh escaped Sparrow's lips as she took off running as quick as she could down the mountain although in all honesty she was ready to just tumble down. If it was possible to out run these creatures, it would be a quick tuck and go.
Kili and Fili seemed to rush past her even though she tried desperately to keep up. This was one of those moments of one for one's self and she couldn't blame them.
Sparrow didn't have much time to lament or consider tucking because her feet promptly left the ground and new stream of vision was a dwarf arse. Using core strength, Sparrow lifted her upper body to look over her shoulder and was surprised to find Dwalin as her rescuer.
Dwalin really had taken on this role of this role of protector and father with the greatest of ease. It was kind of nice to feel the ability to trust in someone like again.
She braced herself with a hand upon his shoulder careful of Grasper that was still strapped in. Her nails dug in ever so slightly to his leather tunic as she felt him go down a little too quick underneath a rocky portion of the mountainside.
The shadows of many wargs grew near as they gained ground in their chase. There came another abrupt stop as she saw Balin run past them with a one hot on his trail.
Taking Grasper out of its holster, Sparrow swung the axe into the back of the warg's front leg effectively knocking it to the ground. That therefore allowed Dwalin to finish the job with Keeper and Thorin with Orcrist.
The two made quite a damn good team and Sparrow could not help but be a little pleased seeing as how that was not her sword hand.
Dwalin was then on the move again and Sparrow's eyes widened in shock taking in the sheer size of those beasts in close ranged as a few company members killed some.
Bilbo even appeared to have killed one as well considering the shock painted upon his face as they went passed and the fact that his sword was impaled in its head.
Gandalf's voice could be heard clear among the chaos calling for them to climb up into the trees leaving Sparrow a little in dread. Her strength was almost shot and know was the time to be engage her upper body.
"Duck." A voice commanded as Sparrow did as she was told. A grunt escaped Dwalin's lips as Nori apparently used his head as a stepping stone to hop up to a tree branch.
"Lift yer arm up lass." Dwalin called as Sparrow reached her uninjured arm up to Nori who pulled her to the tree branch beside him.
A little winded and impressed by the dwarf's strength, the two exchanged a nod before continuing to climb up the tree. Sparrow managed that feat with his aid and could not hide her embarrassment.
At least he seemingly did not mind, 'fingers crossed.' Her subconscious offered not wanting to even think about it at the moment.
Wrapping her good arm tightly around a nearby branch, Sparrow watched in horror as the wargs caught up and eyed them eager for the opportunity of a snack.
The growls and anxious pacing ceased at the arrival of a pale figure upon a white warg. Horror and shock filled the company as an almost pleased catlike smirk pulled at the creature's lips.
Azog.