Rising as bright and early as the day previous the company followed the same path though it did take some time to find since they camped so far away from it. Most of the morning went splendidly no enemies to avoid though they were always ready for a fight, but they did have to speed up if they wanted to try and get to the Lonely Mountain before spring ended. Most of the company did share a few tales as they rode along the path as well as a couple of laughs to Hermione this seemed rather odd they were on a rather dangerous mission, and they way these perceived it was unique. It was dangerous yes though it didn't have to be a poor experience for them so sharing moments where on can have a laugh or a good conversation was luxury on such journeys.
The company then came upon a burnt down cabin that Thorin mentioned to them before leaving that they could set up at.
"A farmer used to live here...I wonder where he went?" Gandalf explained getting off his pony
Gandalf took a closer look at the scene blackened pieces of wood lay on the ground piles of ash spread across the once wooden floor with a few items scattered across as well. This fire didn't seem ordinary or even close to an accident as well this made Gandalf very uncomfortable.
"I advise against setting up here, we should take the hills where it's much more safer than out in the open" Gandalf suggested
"No, that would cost us too much time we stay here and when dawn arrives we can continue on our path" Thorin protested
"Thorin if we stay here I guarantee that trouble will no doubtfully find us" Gandalf again suggested
"And if we take your route I am sure that we will not make to Erebor by the end of Spring" Thorin growled
Gandalf gave the dwarf a furious look and stormed off with his staff tight in hand.
"Gandalf where are you going?" Bilbo asked
"To talk to the only person who has any sense around here mister Baggins" he grumbled
"Who is that?"
"Me" he shouted as he far gone
"Wait! Gandalf!!" Hermione shouted as she chased the rather suprisingly fast man
The company stared after the two with Thorin's gaze a few longer than the rest.
"Let's set up camp"
Gandalf had used the trail he had wanted the company to use coming to a great plain with large boulders spread across each hill.
"Gandalf!!"
Turning he saw it was the young witch finally catching up to him.
"Miss Granger? What are you doing here?" He asked suprised
"Trying my best to catch you!" She answered taking a deep breath
"Well it was ill sought out" he commented
She looked at him still trying to breath normal again, but he sighed eyeing her one more time.
"Maybe it's fortunate that you came"
"Why is that?"
"Cause I have a task that needs to be done"
"And what task might that be?"
"You see there is a secret path hidden in one of these rock formations I might need some assistance finding it" he said gesturing his staff to the horizon
Approaching one of many collection of rocks as she did as well searching for the secret passage he spoke of. It had gotten dark out with only a a makeshift torch to help them see, there was only one boulder left at the center of the field though it was far away from the forest they had came from. Looking behind the first stone she found a hollow center leading farther in.
"I found it!" She alerted
"Shhh!" He said
"Oh sorry"
He came to her seeing she indeed found the passage he mentioned.
"Good my girl, now let us return to our company" he ordered
The trek back to their camp was hard as well with it being too risky to have a light to show them the way.
"Wait" he whispered
"What?"
The sound of snapping twigs and the sound of their Dwarven companions in trouble. Sneaking to into a bush they saw a large fire with some the company being roasted over with rest nearby.
"Wait! You think that only sage can do the trick!? You're wrong!" Bilbo shouted
"Then how do you cook dwarf?" The massive creature asked
"What is that?" Hermione asked
"Trolls" he grumbled
"Trolls?" She asked shocked at the size of the three massive creatures
She had faced a troll before thought not one that could talk or that big nevertheless three!
"Don't worry dear the sun is about to come Bilbo is just buying us time" he reassured her
She nodded Gandalf rushed from the bush to the massive boulder that would block the sun when came. Hermione saw Bilbo spot Gandalf.
"I'm just gonna have a snack!" A troll commented as he picked up one of the company opening his jaw ready to eat him
"No! You don't want that one!"
"Why?"
"He's...infected!" He delayed
"Eww!!" He said dropping him
"Actually they all are infected I wouldn't risk it"
The Dwarves began to argue with Bilbo until Thorin realized what he was doing, kicking one of them in order for him to gesture for them to play along in which they did.
"Well you know! I think you're just full of rubbish! Let's just eat them!!"
"You foul creatures!"
Gandalf then appeared on the boulder standing over them.
"Go back to the darkness from once you came!" He commanded as he broke the boulder in half flooding them with the shine of the sun
The trolls slowly began to turn into stone hard statues that was when Hermione put the fire out releasing the Dwarves from their binding as did Gandalf who released the others from the bags they were confined in. Gandalf turned his attention to the trolls-turned-statues banging his staff one.
"What are mountain trolls doing this far south?" Thorin asked
"In times where great evil was once present they traveled this far" he explained
"It was good thing the sun came when it did" Gandalf said gesturing his staff to the broken stone
"No thanks to your burglar" Thorin added
"It was Bilbo's action and good thinking that kept you out of death's grasp" Gandalf reminded him which Thorin gave a sour look
Gandalf thought for moment wondering how quickly they got here.
"Wonder how they avoided the sun for so long?"
"...There must be a cave" Thorin answered
Searching the nearest mountain they found the home of trolls with large piles of coins and silver as well as jewelry, three of company began to dig putting a chest in.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked curious at the sight
"Aye what are you doing?" Dwalin asked using his axe to rest his arms on
"Making a long term deposit" one answered
Thorin found a rather usual blade as Gandalf held another of same origin in hands.
"They are of Elvish make" Gandalf said just before Thorin could unsheath it
"You'll find no finer blade!" Gandalf said just before Thorin could put it down
To test his claim Thorin unsheathed it with a fury, but was suprised to find a blade as elegant as the elfs could make. As they exited Gandalf found a small blade buried in leafs, as well as small dagger beside it.
"Bilbo, Hermione" Gandalf called out as soon as he exited the cave
The two walked over to the wizard careful of their step as to not fall.
"Here you two go, they seem like your size, they are of Elvish make so they'll glow blue if goblins or Orcs are present" he said handing them over
The two took them hesitantly looking at each other with doubt.
"I can't take it Gandalf" Bilbo said handing it back, though Hermione remained quiet
"Why not?" He asked
"I can't be like them...courageous" he answered
"Bilbo, having courage isn't knowing when to take a life...but knowing when to spare one" he said with his words full of wisdom
"There's something coming!" Dwalin shouted readying his axe to attack as did everyone else
Preparing for what came they all suprised as very large rabbits pulling a man ridding on a sled.
"Gandalf!" He shouted
"Radaghast?"