Note: Italics=thoughts, Bold =Faye language.
As the day went on the rain stopped for a time. Lirielle cloak hood was around her shoulders. They climbed up the hills. Until they came to an old farm. Lirielle stopped when saw the old farmhouse in disrepair. Gandalf got off his pony first. She slid off her pony. There was an off feeling that Lirielle was very much in tune to. The house was in disrepair. Lirielle eyes traveled all around them. She did not like this place at all.
"We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." Thorin ordered.
Lirielle and Gandalf went farther into the destroyed farmhouse. Lirielle looked around the destroyed farmhouse. Her eyes were lingering everywhere and nowhere for long.
"A farmer and his family use to live here," Gandalf stated.
"What happened to them?" Lirielle asked him gravely. Gandalf looked at her with a sigh. He was sure that Lirielle could sense something he could not. Her eyes never stayed in one place since they came into the farmhouse. "This place doesn't seem right Gandalf. Death haunts this place," Lirielle said. The last part was muttered Faye language realizing what she was feeling.
"I do not know Lirielle," Gandalf said placing his hand on her shoulder.
Lirielle looked from wall to wall taking everything in. He had not heard her speak in the faye language other than curses. And he in all reality was not fluent in the language. Her eyes traveled to the group.
"It would be smarter to head to valley to Imladris," Gandalf told her looking at her.
Lirielle followed his gaze who was looking at Thorin. She looked back at him in shock at the suggestion. She knew Thorin would never accept the help of the elves regardless of what she said.
"I would not suggest that," Lirielle said quietly.
"You know Lord Elrond could help us," Gandalf argued.
"He distrusts all elves regardless. Yes, I know Lord Elrond could help. I am not dumb Gandalf. But it is his decision, not mine," Lirielle argued with fire in her eyes.
Gandalf looked at her in shock. She looked around the room almost trembling with the sense of death she felt. The haunted look returned to her eyes.
"Oin, Gloin, get a fire going," Thorin continued.
"Aye," Oin said
"Lirielle perhaps you could help them with the fire," Thorin asked catching her eyes.
Lirielle looked lost as she looked around the room one last time. Her eyes locked with Thorin's eyes. He could see something was haunting her eyes. He heard her mutter something in a language that he did not know. Before, she shook her head and made her way over to Oin and Gloin. She helped them as much as she could with this place still haunting her.
Oin and Gloin smiled at her. She placed her hands on the wood. As Gloin was trying to stoke the fire on damp wood. A warm glow came from her hands as the wood sparked to life. The flames still danced around her hands. The flames grew stronger she removed her hands from the flames. The flames danced around her hands even as pulled her hands out of the fire. Oin and Gloin looked at her in awe as she shut her hands the flames disappeared from her hands. Her eyes went back to the forest looking everywhere. Thorin had made his way over to Gandalf. He looked back when he heard Oin and Gloin cry. He saw Lirielle's hands with flames dancing around them. Gandalf was not shocked to see Lirielle's powers. He looked at Thorin as Oin and Gloin hugged Lirielle shoulders.
"I think it would be wiser to move on we could make for the hidden valley," Gandalf suggested.
"I have told you already I will not go near that place," Thorin stated as he walked farther into the remains of the house.
"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice," Gandalf continued to suggest.
"I do not need their advice," Thorin growled.
"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us," Gandalf stated.
"Help?" Thorin scuffed. Before, he turned to stare at Gandalf and the fireplace behind him. "A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came for the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria… Desecrated our scared halls the elves looked on and did nothing. And you ask me to see out the very people who betrayed my grandfather. Who betrayed my father," Thorin finished.
"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past," Gandalf stated.
"I did not know that they were yours to keep," Thorin countered.
Gandalf went to walk away. Lirielle rose to her feet. Her eyes landed on his as if trying to tell him that she tried to tell him not to suggest that place. Gandalf gave her a look that said he thought she had more sense than what she was showing now. Bilbo and Balin stood near an all-white pony.
"Everything all right?" Bilbo asked
Gandalf walked past them.
"Gandalf, where are you going?" Bilbo asked.
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense," Gandalf answered.
"And who's that?" Bilbo asked.
"Myself, Mr. Baggins. I had enough of dwarves for one day," Gandalf stated as he headed off.
"Come on Bombur we're hungry," Thorin stated.
"Is he coming back?" Bilbo asked.
Balin looked lost as to an answer to that question. Lirielle placed her hand on Bilbo's shoulder.
"I feel he will in time. Come on Bilbo, let's help them find some food." Lirielle said softly taking him under her wing.
Lirielle led Bilbo into the wood around them. Dwalin came with her as Thorin nodded to him. She told him to look for fruits and vegetables. She looked around the wood looking for any sign of game. They all split off Dwalin was not far from them also looking for food. Dwalin had come with them; ever since the dwarves found out she was lass they never left her alone. She moved farther from the path quickly capturing and killing two rabbits. A scrap of material caught her eyes. She walked closer to it picking it up it was what little remained of a tunic when she moved it, she noticed some large man-like footprints. She placed her hand on the tracks they were fresh maybe a day old. Images of what the earth remembered flashed in her mind. She gasped as she saw what happen to the farmer and his family. Trolls, her eyes snapped open as she saw a vision of what happened to the family.
"Bilbo," Lirielle cried out as she stormed through the brush.
Dwalin came out of the woods when she called carrying three rabbits also. She handed him her two rabbits. He nodded his head at her before heading back to camp. Bilbo came out a moment later with some greens and vegetables. She pulled him close into a hug knowing he was alright. She looked even more haunted before she entered the forest.
"What is it Liri? Are you alright?" Bilbo asked taking in her paling features as she let him go.
"Yes, I'm fine. I think that will be enough greens for us,"
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure," Lirielle answered her eyes never leaving the forest.
Thorin came over to her when he noticed how close to fainting, she was. Her eyes were ever watchful on the forest. He placed his arm around guiding her closer to the remains of the house.
"Lirielle are you alright," Thorin asked softly.
"I just don't like this place. Death haunts this place Thorin," Lirielle whispered the last part looking up at him.
Thorin looked down at her with a hard look. He met her eyes he could tell she did not like his decision.
"You are going to tell me to make for the hidden valley too?" Thorin growled.
"No! You are their King, and this is your company I will not question your decision; regardless of if I agree with it or not. Gandalf thinks I have sway over you, but I know I don't so why try," Lirielle told him.
Lirielle and Thorin looked at each other with a look of respect. He noted that the braids that his nephews had placed in her hair were starting to fall out. Balin looked at Thorin as she spoke to him like a queen. She sat down near the fire warming her hands on it. Her hand went to the Heart of Fire praying to the Valar that she would not have to use it. The flashes of what happen still played in her mind. She prayed to Valar that the trolls had moved on. She was debating on telling him about the possibility of trolls but she did not want to seem like she was forcing his hand.
That night Lirielle stood nearby Bilbo as he looked out for Gandalf. This place still did not sit right with her. She could feel Thorin's eyes on her. He noted that her eyes never left the forest even as she ate. There was something in her posture that made him think she knew something was out there. Yet, she did not voice it. The rest of the dwarves were chattering and eating. Bilbo was leaning against the falling-down frame of the house.
"He's been a long time," Bilbo stated as he started moving away from the post.
Bofur was by the stew pot ladling out two portions of the stew for Fili and Kili. Lirielle eyes left the forest for a moment but keep her ears opened listen for any sound of the trolls moving about. Bombur was near Bofur.
"Who," Bofur asked.
"Gandalf"
"He's a wizard." Bofur started. Lirielle eyes went back to the forest. At least one of them had some sense she thought to herself. "He does as he chooses. Here, do us a favor. Take this to the lads." Bofur finished handing Bilbo two bowls and spoons.
Bilbo sighed walking away. He neared Lirielle as Bofur scolded Bombur. She turned to look at the company. Thorin's eyes met her eyes. She looked away once more and fell in step with Bilbo heading out to Fili and Kili.
They looked a little worried when they approached. Bilbo came up the middle of them. Lirielle stood back her hand on her sword.
"What's the matter?" Bilbo asked.
"We're supposed to be looking after the ponies." Kili started.
"Only we've encountered a slight problem." Fili continued.
"We had 17" Kili stated.
"Now there are 15," Fili said.
"That's not good. Which ones are missing," Lirielle asked.
Fili and Kili look at her for a moment. Then start looking at the ponies. Lirielle moved closer to Bilbo. The bad feeling, she had about this place just got worst.
"Daisy and Bungo are missing" Kili stated.
"Well, that's not good…ha ha," Bilbo started. They all came to a tree that had been uprooted. Lirielle looked at the tree her feeling about this night just got worst. Fili and Kili stood next to it. Bilbo was standing back with bowls of food still. "And that is not good at all. Shouldn't we tell Thorin?" Bilbo finished.
Lirielle could hear that conversation now. But she knew it had to happen. She nodded her head as Fili and Kili shared looks with her. They both shook their head no. She gave them a look that looked like one of Thorin's displeased looks.
"Uh, no… Let's not worry him. As our official burglar, we thought, you might like to look into it" Fili started.
"Well, um… looks like something big uprooted these threes," Bilbo started.
"Hey there's a light over here," Fili said pointing out. Bilbo, Kili, and Liri made their way over. "Stay down," Fili finished pushing Bibo and Liri down.
"What is it?" Bilbo said.
"Trolls," Kili and Liri said in unison.
Fili and Kili looked at her in shock. She made up her mind at that moment. She was not waiting to hear what their plan was. She was going to tell Thorin what she should of hours ago. She ducked under a fallen tree limb heading back to alert Thorin. Fili and Kili looked at her concerned.
"Liri," Fili called.
She turned back fixing him with a look. There were flames in her eyes. She held herself like a queen. Fili stared at her in shock for a moment before she stocked away.
Lirielle stormed back to the camp. Balin and Dwalin noticed that she was now alone. She stocked up to Thorin. Thorin looked at her with a "what" look.
"We have a problem," Lirielle started. Thorin crossed his arms and glared down at her now of all the times she decided to voice her opinion. She glared back at him she squared her shoulders and straighten her posture. Balin looked at the pair of them. It was clear as day to him that she was of royal blood. She held herself like she was queen. "Don't give me that look Thorin Oakenshield. You don't scare me or intimated me. You will listen to me or so help me," Lirielle growled.
The Heart of Fire started to glow as her temper rose. Thorin's glare soften as he regards her, she had a fire in her that he had not seen in many females in his lifetime. Dis came the closest. Dwalin and Balin move to stop the pair from going at each other. Thorin knew there was more to Lirielle past and story it was clear in the way she carried herself. Thorin remembered Gandalf calming Lirielle temper something about a forest fire.
"What have my nephews done now," Thorin sighed thinking it was something that Fili or Kili had done.
"I can handle your nephews. We have a bigger problem," Lirielle told him.
"What," Thorin asked with annoyance in his voice.
"Trolls," Fili called out.
Lirielle gave him a look that said it all. Thorin and the rest of the company went to grab their weapons. Thorin took one look at Lirielle as she prepared to face the Trolls. She was taking stock of her weapons. Her hand went to her necklace. It would be a last resort, but it would stop them. Thorin places his hand on her shoulder stopping her. She looked up at him. He looked down at her.
"Stay here," Thorin ordered as turned to leave.
"I am not a dog," Lirielle snapped back at him.
Thorin let out a sigh. He nodded to the rest of the company to head out. He followed behind them. She stocked after him. He turned back capturing her arms. He leaned down to kiss her with fire-like passion halting the argument and shutting her up. He pulled away from her as her hand went to her lips.
"You are a woman let us deal with these trolls," Thorin told her as he walked off.
Sometime later they had not returned. She silently made the decision to help them whether they wanted her help or not. She was not a dog or damsel in distress. Her hand went to her sword as she silently made her way into the forest. Her eyes landed on the three trolls with Nori, Oin, Dwalin, and Bofur on a spit roasting them over an open flame. She noted that the rest of them were tied up in sacks. Thorin was near a rock by the weapons.
"Oh, that's hot, that's hot, that's hot!" Nori cried out as the troll turned them on the spit.
"Don't bother cooking them. Let's just sit on them and squash them into jelly," One of the trolls suggested.
"They should be sautéed and grill with a sprinkle of sage," Another one suggested the one that was turning the spit.
"Is this really necessary," Balin cried.
"That does sound quite nice," The first troll said.
Lirielle made her way over behind Thorin. Her hand went to her boot pulling out an elvish dagger that was very sharp. It was the same dagger she was teaching Bilbo to fight with. She brought to the top of Thorin's sack near his neck where the sack was tied shut. She brought her lips near his ear.
"Don't move," Lirielle muttered in Khuzdul.
Thorin's eyes went wide hearing his language from Lirielle's lips. He stilled for a moment when he felt a blade at the base of his neck. She cut the tie that held the sack in place. Thorin's eyes went to the rest of the group. He did not want to draw attention to Lirielle's presence.
"Untie me Mister," Bombur tied.
"Eat someone your own size," Gloin cried.
"Never mind the seasoning we ain't got all night. Dawn ain't far away. Let's get a move on. I don't fancy being turned to stone," The last Troll said.
Bilbo at that moment got an idea. Thorin motioned that his hands needed to be untied. Lirielle put the blade between his skin and the rope, making quick work of the rope. He moved his hand in front of him rubbing them as he motioned for a weapon. She handed her dagger to him. She smiled at Bilbo as he looked to the side and saw her. She brought her finger to her lips and motioned for him to continue.
"Wait you are making a terrible mistake," Bilbo cried.
The trolls turned and looked at him. Bilbo hopped up so he was now standing up in the sack.
"You can't reason with them. They are half-wits," Oin cried out from the spit.
"Halfwits? What does that makes us," Bofur questioned.
"I mean with the seasoning," Bilbo continued.
"What about the seasoning?" One of the trolls asked.
"Well, have you smelt them? You're gonna need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up," Bilbo told them.
Most of the dwarves started to cry out traitor and other things at him. Lirielle moved away from Thorin to the other side of the rocks towards where one of the trolls was at.
"What do you know about cooking dwarves?" One of the trolls asked.
"Shut up" another cried. He looked back at the group of trolls. He turned his gaze to Bilbo expecting. Lirielle knew he was trying to stall them. It would be dawn soon. Her hand went to the heart of fire. If she willed it could produce light equal to the sun. It's just not sure if it would kill them or not or how much damage it would the company if she did.. "Let the flurgaburburhobbit talk," the troll continued.
"The secret to cooking dwarf is" Bilbo started.
"Yes, come on tell us the secret," one of the trolls urged him.
"it is uh…yes, I'm telling you the secret is to skin them first" Bilbo told them.
Lirielle put the palm of her hand down her face. He was trying but failing to buy time. She noticed it was getting lighter dawn was nearly upon them. She inched closer to the trolls. Bilbo and her noticed Gandalf approaching. Gandalf nodded his head to her. She gave him a smile.
"Tom, get me filleting knife" The one troll called out.
"what a load of rubbish. I've eaten plenty with their skins on. Scarf them, I say boots and all," The troll turning the spit said.
"He's right nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf," the last troll said picking up Bombur. He dangled Bombur over his mouth. "Nice and crunchy," the last troll said.
"Not that one he infected," Bilbo said.
"What?" they all troll cried.
"Eww," The one that holding Bombur dropped him onto the group.
"Ah," Bombur cried.
"In fact, they all have. they're infested with parasites. It's a terrible business I wouldn't risk it. I really wouldn't" Bilbo said.
"Parasites did he say parasites" The dwarves all cried.
Thorin thought about it for a moment before he kicked Kili. Kili grunted and looked at Thorin. Then they called that they had parasites. The troll that was turning the spit came over to Bilbo.
"What would have us do then? Let them all go?" He asked.
At that moment Lirielle cut one of their legs with her sword. It cried out while the others try to catch her. Tom the troll got a hold of her by the left ankle. His other hand grabbed her around her neck. His hand touched the heart of fire and dropped her in shock as it burned his hand like touching a flaming hot stone would. She let out a cry as he landed on the ground. She landed on some of the weapons cut open both sides of her left ankle deeply and she was certain she bruised a couple of ribs. She roll over on her side ready to get to her feet to fight again coughing as she did so.
"The dawn will take you all," Gandalf called bringing down his staff and cracking the large stone revealing the sun.
The light of the sun turned all the trolls to stone. The dwarves all started to laugh and cheer. Bilbo made his way over to Liri. She motioned for him to turn around she took another knife out from her back.
"Are you alright," Bilbo asked concerned noticing how slowly she was moving.
"Yes," Lirielle said not convincingly.
Thorin got out of his sack first. Gandalf looked at him shocked as to how he got out so fast. He noticed the rope was cut. His eyes went to Lirielle who cut Bilbo out of the sack. Once Bilbo was out of the sack and his hands freed. She handed him the knife motioning for him to help the others. Bilbo went to help the other with the knife she handed him. Lirielle sighed looking down at the blood coming from her ankle. She took off her boot and rolled up her pant leg while the others were not paying attention to her. They were focused on getting out of their sacks and getting the one on spit down. She could hear Lord Elrond scolding her even now but what was her choice did she have? They were being hunted she was sure of it. And the last thing they needed was a blood trail. She placed her hands on both sides of her ankle willing a flame to come from her hands burning herself. It was fire healing. Much like using a red-hot knife to cauterize the wound. Gandalf made his way over to her in shock to see her healing herself that way.
"You could have," Gandalf started.
"And burn them all," Lirielle countered in pain as her skin started to turn black a good way up her leg.
Gandalf looked at her leg as she raised her eyes to meet his. He knew that it would not be long before the pain in her leg would be terrible. What she just did was dangerous, to say the least. She pulled down her pants leg and put back on her boot. She rose to her feet. She touched the skull of trolls.
"You knew about them before even I did," Gandalf said.
"I tried to tell you. Death haunted that place," Lirielle said.
Dwalin came over to her and pat her on the back. She smiled and walked over to help the rest of the dwarves. Dwalin handed her back her dagger. Gandalf followed her with his eyes. Bilbo handed her back the blade. She tucked it back into her boot and in the back of her pants when all they were freed.
"Where did you go to if I may ask?" Thorin asked coming out of the forest.
"To look ahead," Gandalf answered.
"What brought you back," Thorin asked.
"Looking behind," Gandalf replied. He looked at Thorin. He smiled as he noted how taken with the dwarves Liri had become. This was the most open that he saw her ever. "Nasty business, still they're all in one piece," Gandalf said.
"No thanks to your burglar. Lirielle is better in wild than him," Thorin said.
"Yes, Liri is quite good in wilds. But he had the nous to play for time. None of the rest of you thought that" Gandalf said.
Gandalf and Thorin regarded each other for a moment. Lirielle slowly made her way back toward Gandalf and Thorin. She moved through the trolls' stone statutes with graceful ease.
"They must have come from Ettenmoors," Gandalf said.
"Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south?" Thorin questioned.
"Oh, not for an age," Gandalf started. Lirielle stood by Thorin as they heard what Gandalf had to say. He looked to Thorin than to Lirielle. Thorin looked over seeing Lirielle near him. He placed his arm around her middle. She looked up at him. "Not since a darker power ruled these lands," Gandalf finished.
"They could not have moved in daylight," Liri muttered as the thought of the dark power filled her mind.
"There must be a cave nearby," Thorin stated turning to look for the cave.
Gandalf and the rest of the company headed into the troll hoard. The smell was horrid. Lirielle stood near Dwalin. As they examine the cave.
"Oh, what's that stench," Nori asked.
"It's a troll hoard be careful what you touch," Gandalf started.
Some of the dwarves noticed the gold and started to bury it. Fili and Kili noticed a tiara and ran over placing it on Liri's head. Dwalin laughed as she hit both on the back of their heads. Gandalf looked behind him to where she stood near Dwalin with the crown on her head. He bowed his head slightly to her. She reached up and took off the crown throwing it to the ground. It would be a long time before she willingly would wear a crown. Dwalin's eyes followed Lirielle as she looked around the troll hoard. Thorin noticed swords. He picked up two of them.
"These swords were not made by any troll," Thorin said.
Gandalf looked over at him. Lirielle moved forward too she almost recognized those blades. It came from her life in Imladris or Lothlórien. Thorin handed him one of the blades.
"Nor were they made by smith among men. These were forged in Gondolin by the high elves of the first age," Gandalf told him examining the blade.
Thorin went to put the blade back. Gandalf look like he was about to say something; when Lirielle voice cut him off before he could speak. Thorin looked at her.
"You could not wish for a finer blade," Lirielle told him.
Lirielle and Thorin exchanged looks before she moved out of the cave. Her eyes never looked at the treasure. Dwalin looked at her with a wondering look of how she knew what the blade was. Thorin moved the exit of the cave.
"Let's get out this foul place. Come on let's go, Bofur, Gloin, Nori," Thorin yelled.
Thorin came to stand near Lirielle as her eyes locked on the tree line. Her ears were also open. Dwalin was not far from her with his brother Balin. She did not look at him.
"All I am going to say is not all elves are bad," Lirielle said. Thorin growled at her. She looked at him. Thorin looked down at her pulling her close to him. They respected each other. The fire that lay between burned hot. She was stubborn same as he was stubborn. There was an attraction on both parties. Thorin made a vow to not have any distractions while on this quest. But Lirielle was a tempting party. She was the only woman besides his sister that ever have the nerve to stand up to him. Lirielle's peridot-like eyes stared up at him meeting his storm-blue eyes. What she muttered next shook him to his core. It gave him a piece of the puzzle that was Lirielle. "They saved me," Lirielle admitted after a time.
"Lirielle how…" Thorin questioned as Lirielle caught noise.
Lirielle put her finger to his lips, as she turned toward the source of the sound she heard. She moved away from him her hand reaching for her bow. Thorin noticed the way she was reacting.
"Lirielle what do you hear," Thorin asked.
"Something coming," Lirielle said turning to look at him.
"Are you certain," Dwalin asked not hearing anything.
"My ears just don't look like elven ones for no reason," Lirielle snapped.
The pain in her leg and ribs was causing her temper to be close to the surface. Thorin turned his head toward the sound was coming from. He heard it too.
"Something coming," Thorin yelled.
The company came toward them with their weapons in hand. Lirielle stood near Thorin and Dwalin as a voice that she recognized came into hearing range. She relaxed her bow before the rest company did.
"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" Radagast yelled as he came into the center of the company.
"Radagast," Lirielle said with a sigh of relief.
"It's Radagast the brown well…what on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf asked walking over to him.
Gandalf went off to talk with Radagast. Everyone was on edge. Lirielle ears picked up on their entire conversation. She was trying to tune it out when her ears picked up on another noise one much more dangerous. She fed the rabbits some carrots. Suddenly, she paled slightly her hand going to her sword as she moved. Why did she feel like her gut was not wrong about the pale orc? She moved away from Thorin and Dwalin toward Gandalf and Radagast. Thorin noticed that her face paled and her hand went to her sword. Something was up. He turned trying to pick up what Lirielle could hear that he could not. Radagast looked at her as she approached.
"Now a necromancer. Are you sure? Gandalf asked.
"That is not from the world of the living" Radagast produced a sword. Lirielle eyes went wide at the talk of a necromancer. Radagast looked at her when she was standing near them. He paused looking her up and down. He could sense the pain radiating from her. "Lirielle you should not…" Radagast started.
"Gandalf, we have a problem," Lirielle said cutting him off.
"What is it?" Gandalf asked.
A warg howl reaches Bilbo's ear. Gandalf instantly knew what the problem was. She gave him a look that told him that she feared she was right. He placed a hand on her shoulder praying that she was wrong as they moved towards the rest of the company and the rabbits.
"Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out here?" Bilbo asked.
"Wolves no, that's not a wolf," Bifur answered
Lirielle in an instant reacted as warg scout nearly attacked Gloin. Her sword cut its jugular vein. She looked behind her towards the rest of the group. She noticed two more wargs down one by Thorin and the other by Dwalin and Kili.
"Warg Scots which means an orc pack is not far behind," Thorin growled.
"Orc Pack," Bilbo said in shock.
"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf questioned.
"No one," Thorin answered.
Gandalf moved closer to him. Lirielle moved closer to the company keeping her eyes and ears open. She looked over at Thorin she could tell he was telling the truth. This did not bode well for her gut feeling.
"Who did you tell?" Gandalf pressed.
"No one I swear," Thorin started. He looked around his eyes fell on Lirielle who had blood now covering her hands. She moved closer. She stood near Gandalf. "What in Durin's name is going on?" Thorin spat out.
"You are being hunted," Gandalf answered finally.
"We have to get out of here," Dwalin said.
"We can't we have no ponies they bolted," Ori cried.
"I'll draw them off," Radagast said.
"They are Gundabad wargs," Lirielle started looking at the dead wargs.
"They will outrun you," Gandalf finished turning to look at Radagast.
"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits. I'd like to see them try," Radagast said with confidence.
Soon Gandalf was leading the company by the large stones on the plains. Lirielle had sinking feeling she knew where he was leading them. By a large stone Ori nearly ran out as Radagast was drawing them away from them. Thorin grabbed him pulling him back. Once the pack was passed, they started to move again.
"Hurry come on," Gandalf ushered them.
"Where are you leading us?" Thorin asked.
Lirielle was one of the last to go she looked up at Gandalf and Thorin in a huff. Gandalf nodded his head to her. She knew in an instant where he was leading them.
Soon they were cornered Gandalf disappear down the hiding pass. Lirielle leg and ribs were now thumping in pain. Her temper was very near the fever pitch.
"There more coming" Kili cried.
"Kili shoot them," Thorin ordered.
"We are surrounded," Fili cried
"Where's Gandalf" Dori yelled.
"He's abandon us," Dwalin said.
"Hold your ground," Thorin ordered.
Ori tried to use a slingshot on one of them but the warg was not phased at all. The orc just laughed. Lirielle acting on instinct pulled out her bow and shot him right between the eyes. Ori looked at her in shock. She was a good shot like Kili was.
"This way you fools," Gandalf cried.
Thorin turned around to see Gandalf behind a large stone. Thorin moved towards the hole.
"Come on move," Thorin ordered.
One by one all the company sided down the rock to hidden pass toward Imladris. Lirielle landed and rolled she was third to last to go down. She nearly screamed as she landed. She stumbled to her feet as an elvish horn sounded. That caused all of them to look towards the opening. An orc flew into the hole with an elvish arrow sticking out of his neck. Lirielle rested her back against the stone wall panting and trying to breathe through the pain that now was consuming her body.
"Elves," Thorin spat out removing the arrow.
Thorin looked to Gandalf with a look of distrust. His eyes moved over the group. His eyes landed on Lirielle. He moved over toward her. She pushed herself off the wall like nothing was wrong waving him off. Dwalin made the move to look down the pass.
"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?" Dwalin asked.
"Follow it of course" Bofur answered.
Updates after the next chapter may come slower. It's getting to point that my older version of this story was written to. I do have plans to continue on and ideas for it. But it just might take more time.