Hi y'all! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

I'd like to give a shoutout to one of my friends and fellow fanfiction authors on here, StarBeloved. She's a great author and I highly recommend you check out her Hobbit fanfiction, These Lonely Trails. It's about an elf girl named Rîn who lives in Mirkwood and has a huge crush on Legolas. She's conflicted about Thranduil's decisions as ruler, but she wants to be loyal. Her life changes when she's pulled into the dwarves' adventure. Some of her characters may be making cameos in here, so keep your eyes peeled!

Since we'd shaken the orcs, Thorin decided to give us a break. I sat, relieved, although if I was being completely honest, I half-suspected a drooling warg to burst out of nowhere and set us running again.

"Bilbo, keep watch, please," said Gandalf. Bilbo nodded, scampering over some rocks and out of sight.

I flexed my arm to asses the damage, but the pain of moving it even a little gave me my answer. Maybe Oin's salve could help me. "Oin," I said, "can I use some of your healing salve?"

He frowned. "Sorry, missy. The goblins took it."

Of course they did. If they hadn't spared the elf serum, why would they spare any other medicine? I leaned back, fighting tears of frustration. I really wished I could take a nap, however short it might be. But if I fell asleep, I knew it would be harder to make a quick getaway if necessary.

Bilbo came running back. "How close is the pack?" Called Thorin.

"Too close. No more than a couple of leagues."

Thorin's eyes swept over Bilbo's face. "But that's not the worst of it."

"Did the wargs pick up our scent?" Asked Dwalin.

"Not yet. But we have another problem."

Thorin's eyebrows rose. "Did they see you?"

"No, no, that's not it."

"See?" Said Gandalf with a proud grin. "What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Bilbo's excellent burglar material."

"No! Would you listen to me? I'm trying to tell you, there's something else out there."

"What form did it take?" Asked Gandalf. "Like a bear?"

"Um...yes, but...but how did you know?"

Gandalf turned away. "Do you know this creature?" Asked Bofur. "We should double back."

"We'll be run down by an orc pack," said Thorin.

"There's a house nearby where we can take refuge," said Gandalf.

"Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"

Gandalf sighed. "Neither. He will either help us...or he will kill us."

"Those are some good options," grumbled Nedhar. I nudged him.

"What choice do we have?" I said. As soon as I'd finished speaking, a roar filled the air.

Gandalf sighed. "None." We started running again; would we ever stop?

We could hear the orcs chasing us as we raced across rocks and streams. The house appeared on the horizon and we burst through the gate, but when we got to the front door, it was locked! My heart seemed to cave in as we pounded on the door. "Open it!" said Thorin. By some miracle, we forced the door and ran inside. The bear rammed his head in, but I punched his nose. He roared and drew back, giving the dwarves the chance to bar the door.

"What was that?" Asked Ori.

"Our host," said Gandalf grimly.

We all stared at him. "We're doomed," I moaned.

Dori grabbed his little brother's arm and pulled him away from the door. "Come away from there! It's not natural; he's obviously under some curse."

"You fool," said Gandalf. "He's under no enchantment but his own." He took off his hat. "Everyone get some rest. We'll be safe enough."

Kili woke to see a shadow in the kitchen. He opened the door and saw Edolie in the kitchen. She dragged a stool over to a high window and climbing up, looked out. After a moment, she slumped, resting her chin on the windowsill. "Edolie?"

She squeaked, almost falling off her stool. "Kili!"

"What are you doing?" He dragged a stool over and climbed to sit next to her.

"I'm looking for Nedhar. I'm scared that the orcs might've gotten him." Kili dropped his gaze; he'd forgotten about Nedhar.

"I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"It's midnight! He's been gone for hours. What if...what if..." she swallowed hard. "What if his wounds gave him trouble and..."

Kili opened his mouth to say something reassuring, but a creak from the door cut him off. He yanked Edolie's arm and they tumbled to the floor. He clamped his hand over her mouth as he pressed his back against the wall.

The door opened and a tall man stepped in, followed by Nedhar. Edolie went stiff in Kili's arms as the man turned to them. "I know you're there," said the man, his voice akin to a growl. "Come out." Kili helped Edolie to her feet. "What are you doing?"

Edolie spoke before Kili could stop her. "It's my fault, sir. I was scared Nedhar had gotten lost or captured, and I came out to check if he was coming. I guess I woke Kili."

"Go back to bed." The man turned to Nedhar. "You too."

The three walked back into the room where everyone was sleeping, but no sooner had Kili shut the door than Edolie wrapped her arms around Nedhar. "I was so worried! What happened?"

Nedhar looked shocked for a moment, but then softened and returned her hug. Something in Kili twinged. "Yeah, what happened? We were worried sick." That was a stretch; only Edolie had been concerned for him.

Nedhar let go of Edolie. "I managed to draw the orcs off, but my wounds started giving me trouble."

Edolie gasped. "I knew it! If only we had some more supplies."

Nedhar waved, dismissing her concern. "I found Beorn transforming back into a human, and he brought me back here."

"I hope he decides to help us," said Kili.

"Well, he didn't kill us," said Edolie, "so that's a good sign."

Nedhar shrugged. "I hope so."