Chapter 4: Roast Mutton
The group of tall horses and their riders all looked up at the grey skies above their heads.
"[My lord, if I guess rightly then we must find shelter soon. I do not think the heavens will be so kind in their offerings for today]" a fair voice spoke in a smooth tongue of the elves from under a dark hooded cloak.
"[Yes indeed]" a deeper but still fair voice agreed as another figure nodded under his own black hood, which turned to a horse and his rider standing apart from the main group.
"Estel!" The second fair voice barked as he watched the rider quickly hop off his horse and make to quickly forage in the ground.
This figure was slightly shorter than the others and its male voice younger as he made to call back in elvish:
"[Yes my lord?]"
"[Mount your steed again quickly. We need to move before the rain increases]"
The younger male, Estel looked up toward the heavens, revealing the rugged face of a young man…with no pointed ears.
He smiled as he beheld the first raindrops but was stopped from appreciating them by his lord's next call.
"Estel"
"Coming!" the boy Estel quickly mounted his grey steed, pocketing something small and white in his pocket.
He'd just seen it blooming there in the grass. It hadn't been there when they'd first arrived at that spot to rest from their hunting.
He wasn't sure what it was. What he was sure of was that it was important somehow…
Though how it was important he had no idea.
But he was to learn.
"'Ey Mr Gandalf! Can't you do something about this deluge?"
It had been now two weeks since leaving Bag End and it was now currently raining over the edge of the wild.
"It is raining master dwarf" Gandalf replied gruffly to Dori's complaint, not all together happy about the dampness himself "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"
At this piece of information Bilbo looked up, still a little hunched over from trying to keep himself warm as possible.
"Are there any?"
"What?" Gandalf snorted but the Hobbit wasn't deterred
"Other Wizards"
"There are six of us, no wait actually…now there are seven. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White. There are the two Blue Wizards…you know I've quite forgotten their names? Then there's the Red Sorceress Nuldien, and of course our newest member Ariel the Green" Gandalf quickly glanced to his side as Ariel came trotting up beside him completely soaked straight through the bone and looking very irate.
"And who's the seventh?" Bilbo asked his curiosity taking over his own irritation at the weather.
"Well that would be Radagast the Brown"
"And is he a great Wizard? Or is he more like you?"
At this Ariel couldn't help but snort at the look of surprise on Gandalf's face, though he was quick to mask it as he replied.
"I think he's a very great Wizard, 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 forest lands to the east and a good thing too. For always evil will look to find a foothold in this world"
That's putting it mildly.
Ariel's jaw gritted tensely as a vision of a red eye burned into pale skin flashed over her eye.
"Ariel careful now." Gandalf's voice broke through her dark thoughts just in time for her to realise that her horse had stopped in its tracks.
"Fan-bloody-tastic" Ariel grumbled under her breath when Finn began to whinny with fright trying his best to tug at his feet which appeared to be stuck. She looked down fully expecting him to be caught in the deep brown mud they had just been trampling through all day. However, she was surprised to find that there were large vines curling and twisting about the horse's feet. She quickly grabbed her staff from a small holster on the saddle and pointed it towards the plant.
"Cut it out will you" she hissed using the staff to tap the vines which were now trying to creep up Finn's long leg.
At the touch of the green stone the vines instantly retreated into the mud though Ariel could have sworn that she heard the faintest of whispers escape it just before it sunk out of sight.
Talking plants? What's next a singing teapot? Dancing animals? Haunted woods-no wait a moment that's Mirkwood.
She rolled her eyes. Trust her life to end up being so weird.
Gandalf's eyes softened in patience and pity as he caught sight of the rather hard expression on her face. His new protégé was still finding it difficult to understand her new powers. Sometimes the plants obeyed her but there were other times, like now, where they seemed to have wills of their own. It was like her presence awoke them from sleep.
One of the many privileges of being gifted with nature powers I suppose
The Wizard could only hope she could find a way to control it before it got out of hand. If something were to go wrong when she was in danger then it wouldn't bode well for anyone.
It was almost sunset by the time the company decided to stop for the day. Thankfully the morning rain had stopped several hours ago and they had all dried out in the sunlight of the day.
Now they were on top of a grassy hill on which square stones had been set though they were weathered down immensely and scattered over the green slopes, just before a small burnt down wooden structure.
From the looks of it to Ariel's eyes it might once have been a tiny house with a fence, only now it was burnt and charred beyond recognition or repair. She vaguely wondered who had lived there.
Gandalf seemed to be thinking along the same lines for he got off his horse and quickly strode up to the house to look at it more closely.
Seeing the wizard's movements as a good sign Thorin spoke loudly
"We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili look after the ponies, make sure you stay with them. The rest of you make camp and stick close"
"Yes because we apparently have nothing better to do than wander off" Ariel muttered under her breath as Thorin gave her a dark pointed look.
No matter how long they travelled with one another, the dwarf prince did not seem to trust her at all. Heck he didn't even let her out of his sight for one instant unless she had to make a pit stop in the bushes, and even then, he kept his eyes following her every movement in every direction.
It was like he was expecting her to bolt off at every chance available.
Maybe I should run off just to see him squirm
She thought with a small smirk as she hopped off her horses back, stroking his mane down affectionately as she led him over to a nearby tree.
"Come on boy let's get you some food you've done good today"
Meanwhile at the remains of the small house Gandalf was looking about eyeing the blackened wood with a furrowed brow.
"A farmer and his family used to live here…" he murmured to himself just as he heard Thorin bark orders for Oin to get a fire going. The wizard cleared his throat and spoke loudly enough to be heard over most of the campers behind him.
"I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley"
But even as the last two words passed his lips Thorin strode up to him his face set in a grim determination.
"I have told you already, I will not go near that place"
"Why not? The Elves could help us, we could get food, rest, advice."
"I do not need their advice" Thorin growled low under his breath and Gandalf sighed.
"We have a map we cannot read; Lord Elrond could help us-"
"Help?" Thorin spat bitterly "A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls. The Elves looked on and did nothing! And you ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather…who betrayed my father?!"
"You are neither of them" Gandalf remarked sternly this beard bristling as his mouth set itself in a taut line. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past."
"I did not know they were yours to keep" Thorin snapped back venomously.
Dwarves!
Gandalf huffed softly as he turned right around and began to stride off, his grey robes billowing about him in his aggravation.
"Hey, everything alright?" Ariel asked as he passed her by but the wizard ignored his pupil. She exchanged a glance with Bilbo who himself looked very worried.
"Gandalf where are you going?"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense!"
"And who's that?"
"Myself mister Baggins!" Gandalf snapped irritably as he brushed past a couple of dwarves muttering darkly "I've had enough of Dwarves for one day. Ariel you stay here and keep an eye on things"
"O…kay…" Ariel frowned as she watched the wizard make his way over the crest of the hill and out of sight.
What was all that about?
But even as she looked about at the others she saw Thorin in the distance glaring over the group in a towering temper.
Oh, great King Grumpy-ass is pissed
She rolled her eyes as she made to stretch out her arms only for her shoulder to twinge painfully.
And I've got a muscle strain and phew I'm smelling like a pig! Could this day get any better?
"Oy Bifur could you go and collect water from that pond back in the forest?" Bombur called as he began to set up the fire along with Oin and Gloin.
Ariel blinked.
"Huh? Pond? What pond?"
Bilbo danced around on his fuzzy large feet nervously, his head twitching this way and that as he tried his best to not look so conspicuous in his observations.
he frowned before making to walk to the other side of the large fire over which a large pot had been placed to cook their night's dinner of rabbit meat stew.
"He's been a long time" he commented to Bofur who was filling up two food bowls.
"Who?"
"Gandalf."
Bofur only shrugged with a small smile.
"He's a wizard he does as he chooses. Here do us a favour and take this to the lads" he thrust two bowls of soup into the Hobbit's hands.
Bilbo looked around at all the dwarves all eleven of them had bowls…wait eleven?
Oh, that's right Fili and Kili are minding the ponies
He nodded before setting off down towards the clump of trees where the edge of the woods they had just been travelling in were standing tall and intimidating in the dark.
He looked up and gulped before taking the first step inside.
At first, he wandered through the undergrowth aimlessly in an attempt to see the two youngest dwarves but they it seemed had gone rather far in.
He turned a corner, pushing aside foliage with his elbow only to jump in surprise as a female voice squeaked loudly.
"ACK! BILBO!"
"AH! Ariel I'm so sorry…I um…uh…ahem…I'm sorry" Bilbo quickly shut his eyes and turned his very red face away. "I'll just…um…err…go then shall I…sorry"
He quickly backed away the way he came keeping his eyes fixed down to the two bowls of food in his hands.
Well that was an eye opener and no mistake- NO! no must bring these bowls to Fili and Kili
He shook his head out vigorously as he finally spotted a head of long dark hair in the distance.
Ariel groaned loudly as she face palmed.
She couldn't believe she just flashed poor Bilbo Baggins.
Just my rotten luck.
She groaned as mortified she sank back down into the watery pool she was bathing in.
She'd only just snuck into it barely ten minutes ago when she was certain none of the dwarves were looking.
Ten minutes too long it seems…
She noted taking note of her fingers which were starting to crinkle up like the skin of a dried prune.
She was quick to dry herself off with her cloak before getting dressed once more.
In the light of the moon above she could clearly see her reflection in the now calm pond.
The leaves rustled about her as she made to scrub out her hair with her hands.
After being bound so long in a practical braid the red-brown locks now fell in thick waves about her shoulders almost like a mane and her light green-brown eyes worn out from sleepless nights and continuous riding through the day.
Well you aren't the same girl that went into that library that's for sure…
What she didn't see was the huge shadow that had come looming up from behind her…
The young human Estel looked up to the sky. After a full days worth of rain the clouds had cleared in the late afternoon to reveal a glorious blue sky and golden sun.
Now it was night and the stars and moon lit up the deep blue black of the heavens much to his company's delight.
Though he himself was youthful and untouched by the frosts of age, all the men with him were all fair, with smooth long hair and slender pointed ears. Their perfect faces were both jolly and astute as they sang and chatted around their large campfire.
Despite being the only human amongst them, the youth felt very at ease. For these were the people he had lived amongst since boyhood. The men who had trained him.
And yet…
He looked out over the forest fingering the white flower that was still in his pocket.
Being human he knew he'd never have the gift of foresight, and yet he was certain he could feel something coming. Something that would change his life and the lives of others for years to come.
Little did he know that something was crashing through the trees kicking and screeching like a banshee as it was being carried off through that very same forest.
When Bilbo Baggins came up beside Fili and Kili the two brothers were simply standing still, staring at a point in the undergrowth of the wood where the remaining ponies were grazing for their evening meal.
The Hobbit blinked as he held out the two bowls in his hands for them to take.
"…what's the matter?"
"We're supposed to be looking after the ponies" Kili gulped nervously.
"Only we've encountered a slight problem" Fili continued with a nervous bite to his lips.
"We had sixteen."
"And now there's fourteen"
Bilbo's heart dropped into his gut like a heavy stone as the three of them quickly made to examine which ponies were still there.
"Daisy and Mungo are missing" Kili said sternly.
"Well that's not good." Bilbo nodded in nervous agreement only for his face to fall as he caught sight of a gigantic tree before them all laying on its side.
"And that's not good at all. Shouldn't we tell Thorin?"
"Uh…no…" Fili exchanged a terrified glance with his brother "Let's not worry him"
"As our official burglar, we thought you might like to look in on it" Kili added hopefully at the Hobbit who was still staring down at the broken tree before him. It's roots were completely torn straight up from the ground as if pushed.
"Well uh…Look something big uprooted these trees"
"That was our thinking"
"Yes, something very big and possibly…quite dangerous" Bilbo gulped as he heard a faint crash in the distance followed by tiny feminine squeaks.
They all exchanged glances.
"Did you hear that?"
"I think so" Kili looked slightly unnerved but Fili was crouching down and peering through a gap in the trees ahead.
"Look there's a light over here. Stay down" he whispered as he gestured to Bilbo and Kili to follow him through the trees, the hobbit still holding securely onto the bowls of food in his hands.
The light was a reddish yellow and was large and flickering against a stone wall some way away.
They ducked quickly out of sight as they heard a bark of loud, booming thuggish laughter and Bilbo's face paled as he caught sight of a humongous hulking shadow appear in the light of the fire or whatever light it was ahead.
"What is it?"
"Trolls" Kili's eyes turned hard before he and his brother quickly made to hop over the log they were hiding behind. Bilbo followed quickly, only just remembering to bring along the food with him even though he wasn't sure why he needed them anymore.
He'd only just caught up with the two young dwarves when something came crashing through the undergrowth to his left. He only just managed to duck behind a tree just in time before a hulking grey skinned figure strode past.
It was huge almost as big as the size of the tree they had found uprooted, though it looked more like a giant boulder than anything, what with its grey rock like skin and thick fat grimy body which was only covered in a ragged loincloth.
In one arms, it was carrying two of the ponies and in the other a familiar figure of a girl in a green dress.
"He's got Ariel, Myrtle and Minty!" Bilbo whispered in terror just as Ariel made to hit the hard skin of her kidnapper.
"Shut up you twig and just stay still. You won't taste good if I kill you now" the troll gruffly growled before giving her behind a small pat with a single finger.
"Let me go mother f-ing bastard! You-"
"Huh…who'd have thought the Lass had such a mouth on her?' Fili and Kili couldn't help but raise their eyebrows even though Bilbo was hissing in horror.
"He's going to eat them, we have to do something"
Both brothers quickly looked at their burglar as the same idea seemed to dawn on them.
"Yes, you should. Mountain trolls are slow and you're small, they'll never see you" Kili whispered excitedly over the top of Bilbo's refusals "It's perfectly safe. And we'll be right behind you"
"If you run into trouble, hoot twice like a barn owl and once like a brown owl" Fili added before shoving Bilbo on ahead, making sure to take the bowls of food from him.
"Twice like a barn owl. No twice like a brown-once like a" Bilbo muttered trying and failing in his terror to remember the words. He turned around "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
But Fili and Kili were not there.
"Mutton Yesterday, mutton today. And blimey if it don't look like mutton again tomorrow!"
Ariel gulped silently not sure if she should find it awesome or terrifying to hear the familiar line from the book she was so fond of being spoken aloud by creatures that could kill her in two seconds flat.
She clamped her mouth shut as the troll that was carrying her and the ponies spoke up gruffly to his two fellows, who were both sitting around a bubbling pot over a large fire.
"Quit yer griping! These ain't sheep. These is fresh nags. And lookey here" he quickly added lifting up Ariel around the middle so that she was high above the light of the fire. "Desert fresh from the pond"
One of the two other trolls, who was fatter than the other two and wearing a large brown apron over his skin and loincloth, chuckled appreciatively whilst his other fellow made to grumble.
"I don't like horse. Never 'ave. Not enough fat on 'em. The girls' not any better"
"well she's better than that leathery old farmer" the troll with the apron grunted "All skin and bone he was. I'm still picken' bits of 'im out of me teeth"
There were deep chuckles as the troll who was carrying Ariel quickly shoved her into a large sack, tying up the strings at the top so that only her head could be seen, before dumping her beside the ponies who were corralled in a tiny pen side by side.
Oh god this cannot be happening
She barely paid attention as the trolls squabbled over the large pot. Instead she tried her best to wriggle up to sit.
Just stay calm Ariel and think this through…they're just three big stupid trolls. You can easily get away from them if you're quiet.
As she thought this she felt around through the sack with her feet.
The ground beneath her was even enough. If she was quiet she could get to her feet and hop away in the sack before they could notice.
But what if they catch me? They're still three big trolls and I'm just one unarmed girl. Oh if only I had my staff-but it's back at the pond-
She felt something tiny tap at her shoulder and would have almost squeaked in surprise had it not been for the hand that quickly wrapped itself over her mouth.
"Shh! It's just me" a familiar voice hissed quietly.
"Bilbo thank goodness." Ariel sighed softly in relief as the Hobbit quickly made to fumble with the ties of the sack.
"Don't worry Fili and Kili have gone to get the others-"
But just before he could untie the knot completely Bilbo had to duck down behind her as one of the trolls looked in their direction towards the ponies.
"Well I hope you're gonna gut these nags. I don't like the stinky parts OW!" he shrieked as the troll who was cooking whacked him hard over the head with a gigantic wooden spoon.
"I said sit down!"
"I'm starving" the troll that had kidnapped Ariel groaned "now are we havin' horse tonight or not?"
"Right there, gotcha!" Bilbo whispered as he finally finished untying the sack from Ariel who quickly tore herself out of the bag before pulling him to duck behind the pony pen.
"Quick we have to get them out" Bilbo whispered and they quickly made to untie the large ropes holding the nervous equines in.
After a few moments of tugging at the complicated knots Ariel huffed.
"They're too thick and tight, we'll need something sharp to cut them"
"And I think I know where to look" Bilbo whispered looking to the hip of the troll seated close to him. There fastened on a belt was a thin but sharp sword.
"Be careful" Ariel hissed as the small hobbit quickly darted behind the back of the troll more quietly than any mouse.
She felt her heart lurch in her chest just as something long and hard to hit her from above.
She looked up to see a series of long thick vines slip away from above her quietly with small soft indiscernible whispers.
She winced rubbing the top of her head as she glanced down at the ground at her feet to where a long redwood staff with a green stone set at the top was lying, glowing brightly in the night.
What the hell? Where-How?
She picked it up quickly just as Bilbo reached out for the hilt of the blade on the trolls hip only for his bounty to escape his grasp as the dumb creature stood up.
He ducked quickly to avoid the troll's hand which had reached out to scratch its behind before sitting back down.
Bilbo gaged the distance for a moment and then took a small jump upwards but at that precise moment the trolls hand reached back and grabbed at him to reach a towel sized cloth that substituted for a handkerchief.
AHG! EWW! GROSS!
Ariel gagged as the stupid creature swiftly brought Bilbo and the cloth to his nose and sneezed into it, coating the poor and very shocked little hobbit in all his snot.
"Bert! Bert!" the troll cried out in alarm as he caught sight of the contents of his handkerchief "Look what's come out of me hooter! It's got arms and legs and everything."
"What is it?" the troll called Bert tilted his head in confusion.
"I don't know" the troll that sneezed whimpered in fear as he looked down into his hand "But I don't like the way it wriggles around"
And with a loud cry he dropped Bilbo onto the ground where he did his best to scramble to his feet, just as one of the trolls brandished a large knife at him.
"What are you then? An oversized squirrel?"
"I'm a burglar-uh a Hobbit" Bilbo squeaked trying his best to back away.
"A burglar Hobbit?" one of the trolls tilted his head whilst another one leered.
"Can we cook him?"
"We can try"
Bilbo did his best to run only to be cornered by the troll with the apron who looked down on him with a milky eye.
"He wouldn't make more than a mouthful. Not when he's skinned and boned"
"Perhaps there's more burglar-hobbits about these parts. Might be enough for a pie. Grab him!"
Bilbo's face paled as he caught a glimpse of a large arm in the corner of his eye. He ducked and dodged quickly as the trolls made slow heavy swipes.
"He's too quick" the sneezing troll screeched while the cooking troll made to smack his wooden spoon in the hobbit's direction.
"Bilbo over here" Ariel mouthed desperately from behind a troll.
Bilbo quickly dove between a pair of thick set grey legs.
Ariel reached out to grab him but before their fingers could even graze one another's one of the trolls had grabbed him about the middle.
"Right come 'ere you little-gotcha"
Ariel ducked to avoid getting seen or hit immediately regretting it as she saw Bilbo dangling upside down over the pot by the ankles. She gripped her staff tightly in her hand and the green gem glowed brighter still.
She shut her eyes as she felt a surge of energy pulse through her body, through every artery, vein and cell. All tiredness, all fear immediately began to vanish as her vision suddenly turned a strange greenish hue. But she was not afraid, for suddenly everything seemed all the clearer to her eyes, even though the darkness of night was so deep. She could see nearly every single plant that grew about her in sharp detail and she could feel their roots and leaves as if they were her own fingers and toes. She narrowed her eyes as she looked upon the three trolls and Bilbo who were all slightly more like blurs of dark shadows that weaved their way through the mass of green around a glowing hot mass that was the fire.
One of the trolls brandished his large knives and pointed it at his gut as he rumbled.
"Are there any more of you little fellas hiding where you shouldn't"
"No" Bilbo shook his head desperately.
"He's lying" a troll sneered.
"No, I'm not!"
"Hold his toes over the fire! Make him squeal!"
"NO!" Ariel yelled suddenly jumping out from her hiding spot and brandishing her staff before her. She smirked as through her green haze she saw the roots in the ground beneath her suddenly burst forth from the ground. Like snakes in a pit they slithered themselves around the legs of the troll with the apron who squealed in shock as he toppled to the ground with a heavy thud.
The other two trolls stared at her in astonishment as she gripped her staff tighter in her hands and hissed up at them.
"Drop him"
"You what?" a troll blinked stupidly at her and she rolled her eyes.
"I said drop him you-you cretins"
"Cretins?" the trolls growled and then suddenly before either could react Bilbo sailed high through the air and right into Ariel who fell to the ground backwards, the latter's sight returning to normal colour and focus.
Crap.
Ariel gasped as she caught sight of the tied-up troll tear apart the leafy bonds over his legs.
"Witch! It's a Witch!"
The Trolls roared loudly and rushed forwards as the hobbit and the girl began to scramble to their feet.
"RUN BILBO!"
But the creatures did not make it to them.
Loud war cries rent the air as thirteen dwarves all sprang forth from the trees about the campfire their weapons of swords, hammers and axes all brandished high to strike.
They all darted between the legs and bodies of the three massive trolls striking and hitting at any points they could reach. However even though their weapons were wielded with great strength and precision they only created tiny scratches upon the tough hides.
Amid all the confusion Ariel felt a hand quickly grab her by the arm and drag her up.
"Quick get out of here lass!" Dwalin's voice gruffly called as he threw her towards the edges of the clearing.
"Oh no you don't you little-" a troll rumbled as it flung out its arm in her direction.
Ariel dove for the dirt and rolled to her feet just in time to avoid the large arm that swung her way.
Without thinking she thrust up her staff into the brute's face. It glowed brightly in his eyes and he cringed away with an almighty screech.
The other two trolls and some of the dwarves turned around at the cry just in time to see a mass of green light burst forth from the tip of Ariel's staff. Ariel herself stared in wide eyed shock just as the green light flew and wrapped itself around the monster's eyes like long whips, which quickly changed to solidify into long thick vines.
"Agh! My eyes! I can't see!" the troll bleated as he stumbled about tearing at his face to rip the makeshift organic blindfold off him.
"Get her! Get the Witch!" The two remaining trolls roared as they lunged towards her.
The dwarves did their best to come in-between but they may have just been flies on the wall for all the trolls cared. Ariel dove out of the way once more only this time she was hit hard by the thrashing blindfolded troll and thrown hard into a tree.
There was a resounding crack as she felt her ribs collide painfully with the tough thick trunk. Stars blinking in front of her eyes, she clutched at her side as she rolled over, doing her best to ignore the stabbing like ache from the injury.
She was in such pain that she didn't even notice the large grey hand stretching out to grab her once more.
There was a small ringing sound as a blade of metal soared through the air in a graceful arc before slicing into the mass of grey flesh, followed by several others. The troll howled in agony and reeled back as Thorin Oakenshield and his company all stood around Ariel's body readying their swords once more, only to stop dead in their tracks.
"Bilbo!" Kili cried out trying to balk forwards a terrified Bilbo was held up high in the air by both his ankles and wrists by two of the trolls (the latter of whom still had his eyes covered by the vines) while the third one snarled down at his companions.
"Lay down your arms or we'll rip his off"
There was a very ominous silence in which the hobbit feared for one shining moment that Thorin would fight on and the trolls would tear his limbs out.
However, he was very much relieved to find that the dwarf prince, though grim and reluctant, swiftly pierced his blade down into the earth in surrender.
That stubborn dwarf! I have never seen such pride in all my life.
Gandalf the Grey snorted as he paced up and down. He was in a small clearing he'd found just a few hours ago. It was secluded but from what he could feel it was safe and private. Just the kind of spot he needed to recollect his thoughts.
He was sorely failing.
"Thorin Oakenshield you really are a handful." He muttered as he put his pipe to his lips and took another long drag. He knew he should've been sparing it for later, for Eru knew how long they would be on this road. But his temper was too sorely pushed today for him to care.
I can only hope Ariel is faring better than I…
He paused, guilt suddenly flooding him.
I probably shouldn't have left her alone with them. Should something happen…After all I am her teacher and I am responsible for her wellbeing no matter how resourceful she appears.
He sighed heavily. Being a mentor was certainly a new and odd experience.
Though he was certainly not the only one of his kind, none of his contemporaries had ever needed training. Oh, sure they all shared advice and tips, but all of them were already learned in great lore and the magical arts by the time they'd first arrived in Arda.
Why Nuldien thought it was a good idea to send someone who has no clue as to how to use her powers is beyond anyone's guess. But still…at least she's a fast learner…
He looked up into the night sky and cursed softly.
Good Gracious have I been here that long?
He should return quickly he supposed as he extinguished his pipe and snuck it back into his satchel.
But even as he turned back around to begin his journey back he paused to look again at the night sky.
Was it just him, or was there a huge bonfire in the distance close to where the company's camp was supposed to be?
"Oh dear…that's not good. Not good at all…" he murmured with a heavy sigh.
Today was just not the wizards day.
Ariel Brooks shut her eyes trying hard and failing to not wince or whimper in pain as her body was roughly shoved into a large sack once more before she was flung unceremoniously down into the large pile of dwarves in sacks on the ground.
She faintly heard the small oof beneath her as she landed with a soft thud, with her head in Thorin's lap, her body draped over Bombur's fat stomach and her legs right over Fili and Dori's shoulders.
"Ow" she cringed as her head collided with the back of Kili's who was laying down in the opposite direction.
"You alright lass?"
Oin called out from his spot next to Gloin. As the most medically experienced person in the company he had kept a close eye on all the dwarves and on Bilbo and Ariel for most of the journey, often patching them up if they needed to at the end of the day. His eyes were worried as he looked up and saw how pale the young girl's face had gone.
"Yeah…yeah…at least I'm alive…" Ariel shut her eyes tight and bit down hard on her lip as her entire left side throbbed with pain. "Though…I think I might have broken something"
"Where does it hurt?"
"Ribs…left side…"
"Ribs…" Oin gently muttered "Lass, feel at your side. Do you feel anything dented in or sticking out?"
Ariel shook her head as she rubbed her side.
"Good then it's probably only a fracture or a bruise"
There were several small sighs of relief at that, including Ariel's. At least with just a fracture it would heal faster and she wouldn't have to worry about damaging her internal organs.
Though it still hurts like hell!
The dwarves' faces all twinged with pity as they heard a tiny whimper escape her despite her attempts to keep her mouth tightly shut. Even Thorin's brow furrowed with concern, though he did his best to keep his face set in its usual calm but grim state.
He knew just as much as the rest of them how much damaged bones hurt, and whilst he had grown accustomed to it over the years he wouldn't deny that they were still not pleasant to experience.
Besides, he told himself, she was a human. Her bones were so much more fragile than that of him and his kin.
"Try to relax and take deep breaths." He said softly as he looked down on her head in his lap. "It'll help take your mind off the pain at least"
Ariel nodded, not even noticing that for the first time since the two of them had met the dwarf prince was not using any snide tones with her, nor was he glaring.
She only did her best to inhale deeply through her nose and out through her mouth, her cheek leaning into his chest as she braced herself against every throb of pain.
Despite himself, Thorin couldn't help but admire her stubbornness as she refused to let herself cry or make a sound. Most young ones facing such an injury would be a wreck by now. But she was just keeping her jaw clenched shut as she steadied herself against him, listening to his heartbeat. It was a robust soothing sound, and Ariel didn't care who it belonged to, for it helped distract her from the pain.
Faintly to the other side she could hear the trolls grumbling as they made to snatch up several of the dwarves and tie them around a long spit which they then positioned over their large camp fire.
"oh! That's hot! That's hot! That's hot!" Nori cried out as embers flew up from the flames beneath and sparked against his cheek as he was slowly rolled over the top of it.
"Don't bother cooking them" one of the trolls grumbled loudly "let's just sit on them one by one and squash them into jelly"
But the troll with the apron shook his head and spoke in a slightly more refined manner as he mimed cooking actions over the bulky dwarf spit.
"They should be sautéed and grilled with a sprinkle of sage"
"ooh that does sound quite nice" the troll from before licked his lips hungrily just as many cries of protest escaped the pile of dwarves on the ground.
Ariel grit her teeth, still trying to take deep breaths even as Bombur jiggled his fat belly under her side.
"Untie me mister"
"Eat someone your own size" Gloin added but the third troll only steamrolled over the top of his gruff voice.
"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"
In his spot beside Balin, Bilbo stiffened.
Dawn…dawn…oh wait that's right…trolls turn to stone in sunlight!
"Wait!" he cried out loudly and everyone fell silent at once. "you are making a terrible mistake"
"You can't reason with them they're half-wits!" Nori cried out desperately and Bofur sighed heavily from somewhere below him over the fire.
"Half-wits? Then what does that make us?"
"I meant with the uh…err… the seasoning"
Ariel frowned and despite her pain peered up to watch as Bilbo managed to heave himself onto his feet and hop out into the open space. Just what was the hobbit doing?
Even the trolls were confused as they looked down on their captive with tilted heads.
"What about the seasoning?"
"We'll have you smelled them" Bilbo jerked his head towards the pile of writhing bodies beside him.
"You're gonna need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up"
There were cries of outrage from the dwarves as one of the trolls leered down at Bilbo with a discerning eye.
"And what do you know about cooking dwarf?"
"Shut up" the troll with the apron approached Bilbo eagerly "Let the flurgaburburhobbit talk"
"The secret to cooking dwarf is…is…" Bilbo glanced quickly at his friends for help though they were just as in the dark as the trolls…except for Ariel whose eyes widened at once.
Bilbo, you sneaky son of a gun
"Yes? Come on. Tell us the secret" the troll pressed. "Come on tell us"
"Yes, alright I'm telling you! the secret is too…"
"Spices" the girl mouthed widely at the hobbit "think spices"
"To skin them first"
"BILBO!" Ariel groaned as the dwarves around her cried out angrily.
"What?! Skin us?"
"I'll skin you you little-"
"Tom get me filleting knife" the apron clad troll sneered widely only for his fellow to snort derisively.
"What a load of rubbish. I've eaten plenty with their skins on. Scarf 'em I say boots and all"
There was a small rustle in the trees and Bilbo quickly saw just atop the rocky wall behind the trolls a glimpse of a grey robe flicker out of sight.
Gandalf…
His heart raced with joy only to fall again as one of the trolls reached forwards with an inane grin and snagged Bombur's legs.
"Nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf"
Poor fat Bombur whimpered in fear as the large creature dangled him up before his wide hungry mouth by the ankles, a disgusting red tongue flicking out for a small taste.
"Oh no not that one. He's infected!" Bilbo cried out.
"He what?" a troll blinked stupidly.
"Yes…he-he's got worms…in his…tubes" Bilbo gulped nervously as the excuse spewed out of his mouth like word vomit.
Had Ariel not been in such agony she would have laughed at the horrified looks on the trolls faces as Bombur was hastily dropped to the ground, his body bouncing a little like a giant beach ball as Bilbo continued to lie through his teeth.
"In fact, they all have worms. The girl as well. They're infested with parasites. It's a terrible business. I wouldn't risk it I really wouldn't"
"Parasites?!" Oin cried out in anger "We don't have parasites"
"Yeah, we don't have parasites, you have parasites!" Kili retorted childishly to the irritation of Ariel who quickly jerked her elbow into Thorin's knee just as he opened his mouth to yell.
"Play along" she mouthed jerking her head sideways in Bilbo's general direction.
"What?" Thorin frowned. But even as he followed her gaze the lightbulb in his head went off. Quietly as he dared he delivered a swift kick to Kili's lower back which jostled the entire group into stillness for a moment before Oin grunted out.
"I've got parasites as big as my arm"
Idiots…
Had Ariel's hands not been inside her sack she would have face palmed at some of the ridiculous shouts she heard in her ears.
"Mine are the biggest parasites!"
"I've got huge parasites"
"We're riddled."
"Yes, I'm riddled"
"Yes, we are badly"
But one of the trolls was not convinced. He thudded up to Bilbo with narrowed eyes.
"What would you have us do then huh? Let them all go?"
"Well…" Bilbo shrugged only to be caught gruffly by a large hand and shaken lightly.
"You think I don't know what you're up to. This little ferret is taking us for fools"
"Ferret?" Bilbo spluttered indignantly just as a deep elderly voice called out loudly from above.
"The dawn will take you all!"
Everyone looked up and their eyes widened in astonishment to see Gandalf standing atop of the high stone wall, his staff raised high above his head.
The trolls all blinked in stupid confusion
"Who's that?"
"No idea"
"Can we eat him too?"
But they never even had the chance to move. With a strong strike, Gandalf brought the end of his staff hard down upon the rock splitting a large chunk off to his side away so that a blinding golden light streamed through onto the campsite, suddenly making everything bright once more.
All three trolls groaned and grunted in pain as the beams of hot light hit their tough skins which began to sizzle and crackle as slowly but surely, they turned from flesh to stone.
Ariel watched amazed as the last small fleck of dust hissed and fell gently to the ground as the smallest finger of the last of the trolls solidified before her very eyes.
Gandalf smiled down at his work and as he hopped down there were many a cheer from the dwarves, though Dwalin could be heard complaining loudly about having someone's foot in his back.
The old wizard was quick to dash over to the dwarves on the ground who he proceeded to swiftly untie. Once they were all on their feet they made to help undo the knots about their friends wrapped around the spit over the fire, which was hastily put out before it could burn through the ropes on the underside of the log.
As they worked the sun rose higher and higher above the horizon and Ariel soon found herself sitting on the ground beside a large tree log as Oin made to prod at her sides gingerly assessing the damage.
She winced once more just as Gandalf came around to check on them after helping untie Dwalin's bonds.
"Well, well, well Ariel. What is this I hear about fighting with some new magic at hand and breaking your bones?"
"Fracture actually" Oin corrected the wizard as he pulled away. "Though it was a close shave to being broken. There's nothing I can do further I'm afraid save say that she'll have to rest up and take it slow for the next few days at least."
"Yes, or perhaps…" Gandalf trailed off before reaching out with a hand and hovering it over the left side of her body.
Ariel strained her ears as she heard him mouth and mumble a few strange words under his breath. But even as she opened her mouth to ask him she felt the pain in her side subside into a tiny twinge.
The old wizard pulled his hand away and she gasped.
"Thank you"
"You're welcome. But what I've done is only a small temporary fix for the pain. You still need to take it easy or else it will worsen. Just don't go fighting trolls any time soon" Gandalf's eyes twinkled as Ariel rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes because I thoroughly enjoyed being battered around by giant brutes with the intelligence of five-year old's."
"Well whatever they did, I think it's safe to say you've had enough excitement for one night. Rest up. You've earned it."
Gandalf smiled, patting her on the head before walking away.
As he passed by the stone statues of the giant creatures he tapped them with his staff and smirked at how hard they'd become.
Well at least there's that trouble sorted out
But even so he frowned as he looked up towards the head of the most hunched up figure of them all.
Over the top of his face was a mass of thick green vines which twisted and writhed about wildly over the now smooth stone surface.
Gandalf gingerly hovered his hand over the plant life concentrating hard. They had a sense of great mystical energy about them.
Hmm...this kind of magic has not been seen for an age…not since Nuldien herself was here…
"Hmm…I wonder…" His eyes quickly turned back to where Ariel was now standing up and talking with a very much relieved Balin, leaning on her staff, the green gem within glimmering a faint green in the morning light.
Nuldien of all the people you could have sent…why was it this girl? True that her heart is in the right place…but you wouldn't have sent her here unless she possessed some secret? Just what are you up to?
"Where did you go to if I may ask?" Thorin's voice called quietly as he came around one of the trolls to face the thoughtful wizard.
"To look ahead."
"And what brought you back?"
"Looking behind" Gandalf's eyes twinkled with faint amusement "Nasty business. Still you're all in one piece"
"No thanks to your burglar" Thorin raised his eyebrows.
"He had the nerves to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that" Gandalf smirked.
"Nor did we ever think that a young witch would fight alongside us" the dwarf prince looked to the vines about the face of the stone troll warily.
Gandalf's eyes hardened darkly on Thorin's face.
"Ariel Brooks is no witch, nor should she be mistaken for one. A true witch is a dangerous being, one you would do well to not mock."
"Then what is she then?" Thorin hissed pointing up at the vines over the stone troll's eyes. "Because this looks an awful lot like witchcraft to me"
"To the untrained eye I suppose it does." Gandalf traced the green vines which glimmered under his touch "but this isn't the product of dark magic. No this…this is much older…purer even. A magic from a more ancient time. Magic in short that I have not seen in many an age"
"And yet it is harnessed by one so young?" Thorin scoffed
"I admit I am at a loss for how such a thing is possible" Gandalf murmured softly before coughing and straightening up importantly. "Yet, strength of mind nor body is not determined by age or gender."
"True…but still her blunders have proven to be quite troublesome. Had she been more attentive to her surroundings, none of us may not have had to go through all that fuss with these trolls. Not to mention she froze right in the middle in the fight-"
Gandalf's sigh was heavy at this.
"Yes, she is inexperienced, and as a result mistakes will be bound happen. But she's not the only one. Look at Fili and Kili, they still occasionally fall over their feet from time to time no matter how much you try to prepare them. And you forget too, that she has barely flown from the nest and travelling far from home amongst a group of strangers, discovering strong new powers and experiencing dangers that she could never have imagined. Can you really blame her for being frightened?"
There was a small pause in which the dwarf prince seemed to ponder the wizard's words before nodding quietly.
"I guess it could've been worse" He murmured. "She's lasted this far and she could've run off dozens of times when things got too tough-"
"But she stayed and did what she could even if she got hurt." Gandalf's beard bristled a little as he smirked knowingly "and not just her. Both Ariel and Bilbo Baggins are not warriors nor are they great heroes and yet when they were placed in difficult life-threatening situations they still managed to be brave and face their fears to help others."
And at this Gandalf looked over the trolls once more his brow furrowed in concern.
"They must've come down from the Etten moors"
"Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south?" Thorin frowned also.
"Oh, not for an age" Gandalf shook his head "Not since a darker power…ruled these lands…"
His voice fell away for a moment as a tense silence ensued between the two of them.
Finally, after looking in the direction of the morning sun he muttered.
"They could not have moved in daylight"
Thorin quickly looked about them.
"Then there must be a cave nearby"
Ariel was the slowest to reach the large mouth of the troll's cave as she was leaning heavily on her staff for support. It was like Gandalf had said. He had treated most of her injury with magic however it had not been completed and too much movement still made it hurt.
And so, it was with great relief that she sat herself down on a large rock outside the hoard and leant back against the rocky wall.
"Breath in and out" she muttered to herself just as she felt someone sit down beside her.
"You alright?"
"Yeah…I'm fine" Ariel opened her eyes to see Fili who had two large red apples in his hands.
"Here" He held one out for her to take.
"Thanks" she took it gratefully and took a bite.
After an entire night of no food the sweet juice on her tongue was almost like heaven and she was quick to start devouring the fruit at top speed.
"Whoa there! Hold up-hold up" Fili chuckled putting a hand on her arm to stop her from taking another bite "just take it slow will you or you'll get sick"
Ariel could not help the small almost painful catch in her chest as she looked down on his hand over her arm. Except she didn't see the dwarf's pale digits. Instead before her eyes it was a large dark-skinned hand as a voice echoed in her mind.
"Woah slow down Airy-fairy the food ain't goin' anywhere"
Fili quickly let go of her his brow furrowed in concern as he caught sight of the melancholic look over her face.
"Hey…what's wrong?"
"Wrong?" Ariel blinked looking up at him in surprise. Then she remembered herself and quickly smiled "Oh no It's just my ribs…and you're right I need to take it slow"
"Ah" Fili nodded in understanding before smiling up at her. "That was your first time, wasn't it?"
"My first time?"
"Your first time fighting."
"Oh!" Ariel blinked "Yeah it was. Though I'm not sure whether I was more a hindrance than a help"
"Hindrance? What do you mean hindrance?!" came Kili's voice as he came to stand in front of both his brother and Ariel munching on an apple and grinning down at her "You took down two trolls on your own. If anything, we probably hindered you from nabbing the last fellow"
"Oh, no-no I couldn't have possibly have-" Ariel blushed shyly only for both brothers to quickly speak over the top of her.
"No, you could've and you would've-"
"You've got to have more faith in yourself Miss Ariel-"
"-besides did you see the looks on their faces when you got that one in the eyes"
"Ha! Absolutely priceless"
Kili guffawed as she covered her face in her hands to stop them from seeing her face which was now almost redder than her hair which Fili then proceeded to ruffle.
"Agh hey! Hey! Watch it! My hair has enough tangles in it already" Ariel giggled trying to swat off the hand. All the dwarves around them chuckled as Ariel tried to comb it through the bird nest atop of her head with her fingers just as Thorin's voice called out loudly.
"Something's coming!"
"Stay together" Gandalf called over the confusion as the dwarves "Hurry now! Arm yourselves. Ariel get up!"
Ariel barely had time to grab onto her staff beside her before the Wizard passed her by, grabbing her arm and dragging her away at once along with the others just as the sounds of something large plundered through the undergrowth of the woods around them.
Ariel gulped only to sigh heavily as she and the company hit a dead end.
Oh, great. We're trapped. AGAIN!
She grit her teeth as she wheeled around ignoring the pain in her side as she held out her staff in front of her just as something burst through the bushes in front of them.
"Thieves! Fire! MURDER!"
All fifteen members of the company stared in shock. There in front of them all was a strange sled like contraption. However instead of horses or ponies being tethered before the sled, several oversized brown rabbits were bristling in bridles some twiddling their whiskers as they looked up at them with wide brown eyes.
Ariel would have almost cooed down at the adorable creatures had she not been so distracted by the man in tattered brown robes riding on the sled behind them. He was about her height with a long grey beared flecked with brown that framed his elderly face at the side of which seemed to have a smear of bird poo over the left side. His eyes, though a warm brown hazel were manic with panic as he panted through a mouth that had several missing and misshapen teeth.
For some reason, he reminded Ariel of an oversized squirrel.
"Radagast!" Gandalf sighed heavily with relief as he stepped forwards "Radagast the brown. What on Earth are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you Gandalf" he replied quickly. "Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong"
"Yes?" Gandalf eyed his contemporary warily as he opened his mouth to speak, only to pause.
At this Bilbo glanced around awkwardly to the other dwarves who all exchanged equally confused looks as the brown wizard fumbled over his words before groaning.
"Oh! I had a thought and now I've lost it. It was right there, it was on the tip of my tongue and-oh!"
Radagast's eyes suddenly widened in dawning comprehension as he opened his mouth.
"Oh, it's not a thought at all! It's a silly old…stick insect" he finished as Gandalf gingerly reached forwards and pulled off the tiny bug off his tongue.
Ariel drew back slightly as Radagast gave a tiny laugh, holding out his hand for the stick insect to jump into before hopping off onto the ground.
At the sight of it she gripped her staff tighter in her hands and the green gem in it glowed, a light humming sound filling the clearing.
Radagast and Gandalf quickly turned around, the formers face once again becoming shocked.
"By my word Gandalf…"
"Ah yes, Radagast, let me introduce the newest member of our order. Lady Ariel the Green. Ariel this is Radagast… the Brown…" Gandalf's voice faded as he watched Radagast hobble up to Ariel, his face alight with astonishment and awe.
"is this…can this be…Oh…but it is!" He cried out in delight as he caught sight of the green gem in her staff. "Gandalf! Gandalf! It's her! It's really her! I knew it! I knew she would come-"
Ariel backed away unnerved at the estatic, almost manic gleam in the older wizard's eyes. It did not help that he was slightly cross eyed.
"Uh…sorry sir but do I know you?"
"What? But surely you-"
Radagast paused as Ganalf put his hand on his shoulder.
"I'll think it'll be better to explain in private after you tell me what you have to say."
"Right…right of course. Well my dear I guess I will have to talk to you later" Radagast smiled warmly as he bowed and tipped his hat, from which a blue bird flew out of, and tittered away excitedly to talk to Gandalf.
A few minutes after they had moved off to a safe distance all the dwarves sighed in relief and confusion.
"What was all that about?" Bofur scratched his head.
"No idea." Nori turned a suspicious eye on Ariel who scowled.
"Hey, don't look at me, I only just met the guy-ooh!" she winced clutching at her side.
"I'm okay" she replied in answer to Bilbo's worried face as he rushed to help her sit on a nearby boulder.
"Well this has been a nice day" He muttered softly as one of the rabbits came up to sniff at the girl's boots. "I mean…apart from almost getting eaten alive by trolls and stumbling into another wizard"
"Yeah…" Ariel agreed quietly as she scratched the animal's ear "though something tells me that this is just the beginning of our strange adventures."
She quickly glanced to her left where she knew that just down the small hill Gandalf and Radagast were talking quietly in hushed voices. What was being said exactly was beyond her but she guessed in her gut that they were talking about something grim and dark.
Which is odd because Radagast was never meant to meet us nor appear in this story.
Ariel frowned as she did her best to track through her memories of Tolkien's works for more information.
Ok…we've left Bilbo's house in the shire. Travelled for a while and met the trolls…now we should be heading to Rivendell. Only Thorin has a grudge against the elves, so unless Gandalf has a plan we're not going to be able to decipher the runes on the map to the lonely mountain let alone continue with the quest through the Misty Mountains…wait the mountains…Bilbo…the ring!
Ariel's hand stilled over the rabbit's fur as a horrible chill swept over the back of her neck.
Oh god how could she have forgotten! The One Ring was still out there as was its master…its master who was currently in Mirkwood where Radagast dwelled!
"Ariel? What are you doing?"
"I need to talk to them" She quickly stood up ignoring the pain in her side and Bilbo's hesitant voice as she made to hobble over towards the two wizards only to stop mid step.
Something was howling far off in the distance.
There was absolute silence from everyone as they listened, all their faces paling at once.
"Was that a wolf?" Bilbo gulped "Are there wolves out there?"
"Wolves?" Bofur's voice trembled as he shook his head just as a snarling sound came from high up above them "No that's not a wolf"
They all turned just in time to see a giant canine like creature with sharp teeth and dark fur matted with blood and dirt roar as it charged down swiftly to all of them.
Ariel screamed as the beast leapt over her ducking head to pounce upon Dori who was standing behind her.
Thorin leapt in at once and swung his mighty sword down on the neck of the beast, cutting its head clean away from its body just as another snarl came up behind him.
"Kili get your bow" he yelled and at once his nephew whipped out his weapon and loosed an arrow into the shoulder of another dark canine that tumbled out of the way snarling as it stumbled onto its feet.
However, it did not get in a chance to retaliate as Dwalin's large hammer smote into its skull just as Gandalf and Radagast leapt up the slope towards them.
"Warg scouts" Thorin grunted as he heaved his blade from the neck of the first warg he'd slain. "Which means an Orc pack is not far behind"
"Orc pack?" Bilbo snapped his face going paler and paler by the minute.
"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf glowered down at Thorin who was looking a fair bit bewildered.
"No one"
"Who did you tell?!"
"No one I swear. What in Durin's name is going on?" he asked desperately.
"Your being hunted" Gandalf growled in aggravation which seemed to be shared by Dwalin.
"We've got to get out of here"
"We can't! We have no ponies or horses. They bolted" Ori cried out as both he and Bifur came scrambling down the hill from where the companies camp site had once been.
Ariel felt her heart sink into her gut. Orcs were riding on Wargs and they were on foot. This was just spelling out suicide!
"I'll draw them off" Radagast nodded determinedly as he made his way to his sled.
"But these are Gundabad Wargs" Gandalf rolled his eyes "They will out run you"
"And these are Rhosgobel rabbits" the brown wizard smirked "I'd like to see them try"
That's it… We're doomed.
Ariel facepalmed. Talk about a rough morning.
Little did she know it was only going to get rougher.
And here you go. A much longer chapter 4. Yeah i think i'm keeping my Word limit around 10,000. any more than that and it'll just be ridiculous.
So yeah, introducing some new *cough cough* characters into the plot. And finally, i'm getting down to the changes i wanted to make. (took me long enough)
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed and as always review if you liked or have feedback.
Cheers
Fuzzy Beta