Alyssae let herself down in the grass, sighing, when the dwarves started to dispute again. This time it was not about what they wanted to do with her, but they questioned the loyalty of a hobbit. The dwarves disagreed with each other, but again Thorin predominated and in the end, only a few dared to deny his harsh words. It was a relief to know Thorin did not only spoke suspiciously about her, for he distrusted their disappeared fellow as well.
While she secluded herself from the heated voices around her, she ran absently with her fingers through her tangled hair. She doubted if it could still be rescued or that she was forced to cut it off.
For a long time Alyssae was lost in thoughts, even though later she couldn't remember if these thoughts had been nice or disturbing. Anyway, she was startled when someone suddenly appeared in front of her – out of nothing. Frightened she crawled backwards and from many dwarf mouth upset shrieks rose as well.
Next to her the old wizard chuckled, where after he took his pipe from his mouth and announced they were complete again.
With curious eyes Alyssae looked at the hobbit. She only knew these creatures from stories and even there they didn't fulfill an important role. The hobbit was smaller than the dwarves and he was less broad. He also lacked the beard which characterized the dwarves.
Thorin didn't even look at him, but ordered his men to get on their feet again. They watched the hobbit with distrust and suddenly Alyssae felt less lonely. She clearly was not the only misfit.
'I am Alyssae,' she told the hobbit when the group started to walk again. They quickly found a tempo which was even fast for Alyssae – whose legs were twice as long as that of the dwarves.
The hobbit shook her hand and declared his name was Bilbo Baggins.
'I am pleased to meet you.'
Alyssae confirmed his words, but noticed he was not very surprised to see her amongst the dwarves – or was able to mask his curiosity very well.
She was eager to know where Bilbo had been, but rough barking prevented her from asking the question. She saw Bilbo pale from shock.
'Wargs,' he whispered.
It gave her the creeps. She hated the goblins, but she didn't expect them to revenge their leader without anyone being in charge. She was also overwhelmed by his words since she always believed wargs were the mounts of orcs instead of goblins.
'Are they not normal wolves?' Alyssae asked with an anxious face. She was too weak to fight; she didn't even have a weapon to defend herself!
Mithrandir pushed Bilbo in the back with his staff, so that he almost fell. 'Hurry!' he yelled and also in his eyes she saw a nerve-racking panic. If even a wizard feared for his live… in what evil did she bring herself?
She noticed Bilbo's eyes flashing nervously from left to right. He held a sword in his hand and his other hand was hidden from sight by his pocket.
'Run!' Mithrandir emphasized once more.