Just as Thorin said the night before, we left at first light. I was surprisingly well-rested, unlike some of the dwarves who woke cranky and hungry. Riding our ponies through more woodland, the weather took a drastic turn. Water fell upon us in the form of torrential rain. I did not mind, as I liked being out in any element, but the dwarves did not like the rain, nor did the hobbit.
I was riding further up the pack today, strolling beside the younger of the dwarves who had accepted me more easily than others. The brothers, Kili and Fili had their charm. The younger one, Kili, was interested in all things 'elf'; I entertained his chat as I listened in on a conversation from further down the line.
"Here, Mr. Gandalf? Can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori asked as he winced as the rain poured on top of him.
The rain was causing Gandalf's hat to bend at the edges, collecting water on the rim as he tilted his head back to answer the dwarf's question.
"It is raining, master dwarf. And it will continue to rain until the rain is done! If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."
"Are there any?" Bilbo intervened, curiosity peaking the hobbit's interest.
"What?" Gandalf asked in confusion.
"I believe he's asking if there are any other wizards." I looked back over my shoulder to see Gandalf smirking towards me as he now knew I was listening in.
"Ahh, yes. There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, The White. Then there are the two blue wizards." He paused for a few seconds, "Do you know, I've quite forgotten their names."
"And who is the fifth?"
"Well, that would be Radagast, The Brown." Gandalf concluded.
"Is he a great wizard of is he… more like you?" Bilbo asked.
"I think he's a very great wizard," he shrugged, "In his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forestlands to the East, and a good thing too, for evil will always look to find a foothold in this world."
Continuing along or path, the rain let up a little and turned to a slight drizzle. As the dark began to fall, the ponies came to a steady halt in the middle of old ruins.
"We'll camp here for the night. "FÂli, KÂli, look after the ponies; make sure you stay with them." Thorin commanded.
I hopped off my pony and walked it over to Kili, handing the reins over to him. I retrieved my bow and quiver from the side of it and placed it on my back. Kili thanked me and then walked the pony with the others with his brother.
"A farmer and his family use to live here." Gandalf said as I approached from behind and Thorin from the front.
"Oin, Gloin."
"Aye?" Oin asked Thorin.
"Get the fire going." He replied.
"Right you are." Without hesitation, they got to work on the fire.
I rounded the side of Gandalf as he spoke to Thorin, "I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the hidden valley." He said.
I looked up to him, "You never said that we would be passing though the valley." I said worriedly.
What possible reason could we have for passing there?
"We are not," Thorin spat, "I told you already. I will not go near that place."
"Why not?" Gandalf pressed, "The Elves could help us, and we could get food, rest, advice."
"I do not need their advice."
"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us." Gandalf almost pleaded with the dwarf king.
"Help?" Thorin gasped, "A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the Elves?" He looked at me directly before he continued on, "Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, the Elves looked on and did nothing! You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather, who betrayed my father."
"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past. And may I remind you, Gaylia, as you know, if one of those Elves. You have accepted her into your company."
Thorin raised his hand to silence the wizard, "She is here on your will, not mine! I told you, I do not need and elf in this company, and for the map and key, I did not know they were yours to keep."
Shaking his head in anger, Gandalf turned on his feet and headed for across the field where we stood. Bilbo, who watched on as we were in heated stance, called out after Gandalf.
"Everything alright? Gandalf, where are you going?"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense." He called over his shoulder.
"And who's that?"
"Myself, mister Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day."
I turned back to face Thorin as Gandalf walked down the hill, his eyes were already on me, almost waiting for me to speak, which I done.
"I think it best I keep my distance." I fixed the bow on my back, "I think you've made your feelings for Elves very clear."
"I think that's best." He replied gruffly, and without a word more, I walked away heading for the treeline, not glancing back for even a second.
I wandered in the trees for hours, thinking over the conversation that took place earlier. I was annoyed, but mostly hurt by his words. He does not know me personally, yet he judges me based on others. I knew tales of him and his kin, yet I do not hold that against him, nor was it even a thought in my mind to do so.
The dense woodland was becoming colder, and my stomach began to rumble due to hunger. So I made my way back to the temporary camp and stopped just on the edge of the lit fire in the center, a pot of stew hung above, lightly swaying in the wind.
"Hello?" I called out.
The camp was empty, but the belongings were still here. I strolled around, seeing if they had perhaps fallen asleep after their meal, but I was wrong. They were gone, but where?
"Where gar- cin lelya- then?" (Where have you gone then?)
As I walked a little further, past the fire and to the other side of the camp. I noticed that some of the weapons had been taken, and then I heard it.
A voice called out from within the trees. I grabbed the bow from my back and an arrow from the quiver, readying my weapon as I ran towards the forest. Climbing over rocks and falling trees, I heard the voices of the dwarves and Mr. Baggins from ahead. I scaled a nearby tree, gaining an advantage and better view point from above.
I was shocked to see Trolls, three to be exact. They don't venture here, not in this part of Middle-Earth.
"What is going on?" I whispered to myself.
I looked down from above, high in the trees; the dwarves were all gathered into sacks, stacked on top of one another and some were being spit-roasted above a fire. I looked for an opportunity to take aim.
I readied by bow armed with an arrow, steadying my arm as I drew the string back preparing to take my shot between one of the Trolls' eyes. I cast my gaze among the dwarves on the ground, watching as Bilbo bartered for their release to no avail. Then I caught the gaze of Thorin, he shook his head. I looked at him, narrowing my eyes and tilting my head, confused as to what he was trying to tell me.
He shook his head once more and I lowered my bow to my side. Hoping it was the correct decision that he was making. From the corner of my eye, a grey body moved quickly within the trees as if it were a blur. I continued to perch in the trees above, waiting, watching and most importantly, listening.
The dwarves continued to wriggle within the sacks, like worms in the grass, one on top of the other. None of the others had noticed that I was in the trees, none bar Thorin that is, as I waited with bated breath for the next move to be made.
Bilbo was down below, distracting the dim Trolls with his words, biding time for what was to come. As I was high up, I could just about see the sun beginning to split among the trees ahead. Then a pointed hat appeared on top of a large boulder and spoke.
"The dawn will take you all!" Gandalf yelled. Gaining the attention of the Trolls, he struck his staff off of the boulder where he stood, splitting it effortlessly in half. As one half fell, the sun came splitting through the gap, blinding all in its path. I winced as the light reached my eyes, causing me to shield them with my free hand. I looked down as the Trolls yelled and began to turn to stone immediately.
All the dwarves broke out into cheers at the Trolls' demise under the sun's light. I climbed down the tree from where I perched and landed on the ground silently as Gandalf joined the rest of us. I made my way over to the bound dwarves and gave them a hand to unravel themselves. Now all were free, I walked over to Gandalf who was stood next to one of the Trolls… and Thorin.
"Where did you go to if I may ask?" He queried to the wizard.
"To look ahead." He replied.
"What brought you back?"
"Looking behind." He tapped one of the Trolls with his staff, "Nasty business. Still they are all in one piece." He said as he looked over the Dwarves.
Thorin snorted arrogantly, "No thanks to your burglar."
"That so called burglar bought you and your kin time. I didn't see the rest of you doing anything." I intervened. "Must you always speak so little of him?"
He didn't answer, instead he looked to Gandalf, ignoring my words completely.
"They must have come down from the Ettenmoors." Gandalf said as he looked over the Trolls.
I agreed with a nod of the head. "Mountain Trolls have not come this far south in many, many years, Gandalf."
"Not for an age, Gaylia. Not since a darker power ruled these lands." Gandalf confirmed. He looked deep in thought for a few moments. "They could not have moved in daylight."
"There must be a cave nearby." Thorin exclaimed and alerted the others.
All in agreement, we set off in search of this hidden cave through the woodlands.