I Run To You

A/N- Going to be an interesting chapter, time to bring the trolls into the fray.

Sorry about the long wait between updates, I've been having...well...issues. Life waits for no one, not even us writers.

Disclaimer- I do not own this world, the main characters and such, but the family of Ludeth and Dinodas are all mine. Lurol and Poppy are my babies. =^..^=

'Thoughts'

Khuzdul

Please enjoy this chapter.

=^..^=

Chapter 6:

It had been a long day, Poppy sighed once more as she helped Bofur to make the stew. Her sister was off on patrol with Dwalin, while Kili was off with Fili to watch the ponies.

They had traveled long and hard. Thorin had been determined to make of for time lost, but Poppy was still glad he'd allowed the company to stop at all. Even if it was for his nephew's sake, Poppy knew that getting to Erebor on time was of the upmost importance.

She was exhausted though. She wasn't used to all this traveling and understood what her sister had meant when she'd said that she needed to be more prepared for the world. Poppy laughed at herself for not really listening to her sister. Now though she wished she had.

Bofur asked for an herb and quickly she dug through a pouch to sprinkle it into the mix, the smell was mouthwatering. Bofur was a great cook and she was happy she was able to help him. She just hoped there would be enough; she had noticed how each of the company seemed to be stretching their meals. This was probably because they only had so many supplies.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Bofur was waiting for another herb until he flicked her chin, "Lass? You in there?" Blinking back to reality at that, Poppy felt her cheeks go red in embarrassment. "Sorry Bofur, I was thinking."

He just patted her shoulder while chuckling, Poppy knew he was being gentle but still she jerked forward from the force behind his touch. She was more hobbit-like after all.

Feeling a little self-conscious about that she hurried to give Bofur the last of the herbs, thus finishing the stew. Bilbo and several of the others had stepped up to get their share of the stew. She took the bowl Bofur offered and sat nearby in case Bofur needed any more help. She nibbled on her stew, watching as Bilbo quickly finished his and was volunteered to take Fili and Kili their share.

She was tempted to go with him but thought better of it as she finished her meal. She took her bowl back to Bofur and offered to wash the dishes with some of the water they had. Bofur seemed surprised by her offer but smiled kindly at her as he held out the dirtied items. "That would be a great help lass."

Smiling Poppy took the dishes and then the water skin he offered her; she took them to a nearby pile of rocks and proceeded to scrub each dish as best she could. It took far longer than she'd thought, but Poppy had been grateful for the distraction. Her mind kept thinking of things she didn't wish to dwell on and it was making her feel inadequate.

She'd decided it was time to make herself a bit more worthy of being the future wife of a prince of Erebor. It was at least something she could change easily enough. So with this in mind she looked around the clearing to find her sister so she could ask her for help.

Instead she found Thorin. Dwalin and Lurol hadn't returned yet and Thorin was standing watch over the camp. He'd seen her wandering about and annoyed by it he had called to her, "Poppy." Blinking in surprise, Poppy looked over at Thorin and seeing the look he was giving her, she didn't need any more prompting. She quickly made her way over to stand before her King and future uncle.

"Were you looking for Kili?" Poppy shook her head, "no, I was looking for my sister. I...well...I was going to ask her to start teaching me more about fighting. I know the basics from my mother's teachings, but I feel like I could use more skills."

Thorin looked contemplative for all of a moment before his eyes softened as he realized her reasons for wishing to be stronger. He reached out and gripped her shoulder, "I am sure if you wished for a teacher, any one of the company would be honored to assist you. Myself included." Poppy smiled at this, "really? Thank you Thorin."

He nodded his head before jumping up at a sudden crashing noise nearby, his hand was on the hilt of his sword instantly. A flushed Fili stood before them, his eyes wild. "Tr...ahh...Trolls! They've taken some of the ponies. Bilbo is attempting to free them, Kee stayed back in case he needed any help." Poppy felt her heart clench at this, she knew there wasn't a moment to spare.

Running over to her bag, she pulled out one of the swords her sister had packed for her. Testing its weight she hurried back over to join the company as they gathered around Thorin. So far from what she could see though, Lurol and Dwalin still hadn't returned yet. This had her worried.

There wasn't any time to lose though as she looked to Thorin for orders. He looked rather fierce as he held his blade in his hand, "Gloin, see if you can find Lurol and Dwalin. The rest of us will go on ahead." He then moved through the crowd of dwarves and motioned for Fili to lead the way, which he did without a word. Gloin moved away to search out the others and Poppy watched him leave even as she began moving forward with the rest of the company.

It was time to fight some trolls.

Lurol paused and checked the nearby horizon, "something big has been traveling through here. From what I can tell it's the same thing that caused the damage to that farmhouse back near camp." Dwalin hummed in agreement as he looked at a crushed tree nearby, "I have sneaking suspicion of what cause such tracks."

Before Lurol could inquire about it loud crashing noises sounded nearby and both of them whirled to see Gloin huffing as he came upon them. "Trolls! Trolls are taking the ponies! Thorin is leading an attack against them, he wants us all there."

Dwalin growled as he twirled one of his axes, he then took off running. Lurol didn't even pause as she ran after him, Gloin turning to follow them. He was huffing and puffing all the way.

It took them far longer than Lurol had liked but they finally reached the clearing where the trolls had camped when their comrades threw down their weapons. Lurol narrowed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from crying out when she saw that they held her cousin Bilbo. Two Trolls were manhandling him, while the third was stirring a pot and tossing several bags at the company.

Dwalin, Gloin and herself crouched down low, keeping themselves hidden as they watched the others. They were forced to shed their extra clothes and get into the bags themselves, Lurol had to be held back when the Trolls realized that her sister was among the men. One of the Trolls took her and set her aside, saying something about how 'woman-flesh tasted sweeter.'

Poppy looked rather worse for wear as there was a cut above her forehead where she'd been wounded. Lurol watched and waited as finally it seemed someone had come up with a good way of distracting the Trolls. Bilbo was that someone.

As he spoke to the head Troll about some nonsense about seasonings, Lurol made her way around the encampment until she was behind her sister. Sneaking in she pulled a short dagger and quickly cut the bonds of the bag, freeing her. She then helped her sister slide from the bag and into the trees at her side.

She briefly pressed her forehead to her sisters, speaking softly, "còmhraig Namad." Lurol then darted away to the other side of the encampment, where she met up with Dwalin and Gloin once more. Dwalin nodded his head toward where Thorin was, leaning back against a rock. He then motioned towards where the Trolls sat and pointed at their ankles, Lurol smiled at that. It was a soft spot they could exploit with the element of surprise.

Lurol was about to move towards the Trolls when Dwalin stopped her and pointed her towards Thorin. She blinked before giving a nod of her head and moving silently towards their leader. She'd been given a mission and she was determined to see it through.

Thorin had been watching the hobbit with slight surprise as he continued to spout nonsense to distract the Trolls from killing or eating anyone. When he heard an almost inaudible 'crunch' behind him, he stiffened; readying himself for an attack but that isn't what he got. Instead he was pleasantly surprised when a scent of leather and sunflowers wafted over him; it was a scent he could easily recognize. 'Lurol.'

He felt as she cut the sack enough to reach inside and cut at the bonds tying his hands together she then slid her dagger into his hands before disappearing once more. He quickly used it to cut himself out of the bag completely before sliding back into the forest; this was when Dwalin sprang into the clearing to cut at the squatting Trolls.

All three cried out in pain as they fell foreword, this was when Lurol, Poppy, Gloin, and Thorin all leapt out of the trees to start attacking once more. They were being cheered on by the rest of the company and before long it looked as though they had gained the upper hand, which is when there was a loud crash like a thunder strike.

"May the Dawn take you all!" Gandalf's voice boomed through the clearing even as an even louder cracking noise sounded as the boulder on which Gandalf stood perched broke. The clearing was flooded with light and within moments the Trolls began to stiffen and turn into stone.

Poppy seemed rather pleased by this as she began laugh in pure and utter relief. As Gandalf made his way down to them, Lurol went around with Dwalin cutting everyone free from the sacks and finally from the log some of them had been lashed too.

All of them let out exclamations of gratefulness to the others as they were freed. Even Bilbo was joyous; he hugged first Poppy and then Lurol. Something that had Thorin and Kili clenching their fists, Kili quickly moved over to embrace Poppy. While Thorin remained where he stood, trying to understand his sudden rage at the hobbit for hugging Lurol.

Gandalf soon distracted him though when he began speaking aloud about the trolls and where they had ventured from. Then he said something that had Thorin immediately perking up at his side, "They wouldn't have been able to move very far in daylight." "That means they have a hidden spot, a cave. Dwalin!"

Hurrying over at the summons, Dwalin looked between Gandalf and Thorin in silent questioning. "Send out search parties, there must be a cave nearby." Dwalin bowed his head and began calling out to everyone. Soon they were all scouring the nearby hills for any hint or sign of a cave.

Lurol somehow ended up searching with Thorin and Dwalin, much to her surprise. While Poppy, Bilbo, and Ori were all together. Fili, Kili, and Gloin made up another group. Bifur, Oin, and Dori one more. Balin, Bofur, and Bombur were grouped as well. This left Gandalf and Nori as the final group.

As they moved through the trees Lurol noticed that their leader was acting somewhat strange. He was staying behind her no matter where they turned and every time Dwalin got close to her he would wave him off in another direction. Frankly it was unnerving her; it made her feel as though he was guarding her, which truly made no sense.

She decided to think it over later as she focused upon the task at hand, finding this 'Troll Hoard.' A task that didn't take as long as Lurol had thought it would, after a few minutes of almost wandering she smelled it before she saw it. Stopping she waited until Thorin came to a stop at her side before she pointed straight ahead, "I believe we've found it."

Thorin looked in the direction she'd pointed and nodded his head in agreement, "yes you have. Dwalin, gather the others and bring them here. We've found the hoard." Dwalin grunted in agreement before he turned away and stomped off into the woods.

They both moved into the clearing ahead of them, Lurol took a deep breath to keep herself from retching at the smell alone. Her Amad hadn't lied when she'd told her and her siblings about the smell trolls could create. It wasn't an exaggeration.

Lurol walked right up to the entrance to the cave and looked inside. It was dank, slimy, and littered with cobwebs. It was going down, deeper into the earth as well. She stared down into the hole for several long moments before she turned to see if the other's had arrived yet. She only found Thorin standing rather close to her which had her taking a slight step backwards.

He hadn't seemed to notice her reaction as he walked inside, going far enough to grab a few of the unlit torches that were conveniently placed near the entrance. Thorin then handed her one as he came back out, he then walked a few feet from the entrance and dropped the rest. They clattered as she pulled out her flint to light the torch and the noise also seemed to herald the arrival of the others.

Poppy came running up to the cave entrance and before Lurol could say anything, she had gotten a full whiff of the stench coming from inside. Her face went slightly green as she jerked back, her hands flying up to cover her nose. "That place reeks! Amad was right!"

Unable to stop the chuckle at how close her sisters' words had been to her own thoughts, Lurol shook her head and clapped her sister on the back. "I agree Namad; it does have a scent one would need a good scrubbing to remove."

Looking up at Lurol with wide watery eyes, Poppy pointed to the cave. "You're not going in there are you?" Lurol looked to where Thorin was standing, lighting a torch he'd picked up. "Yes I am." Shaking her head, Poppy turned away and walked a good ten feet away. She then planted her feet and waved a hand towards the cave, "Be my guest then."

Lurol just shrugged and lit her torch before she went to stand with the others. Gandalf seemed to be leading their foray inside. Fili and Kili had gone to stand with Poppy, as had a few of the others. This put to rest any worries she'd had that her sister would be alone outside, she took a deep breath and followed the wizard into the darkness.

A/N- I do hope you all liked the chapter. I am working on the next chapter, so I hope to have it out on time.

Please continue to bear with me here and thank you all for the support you've given me thus far. I really appreciate it.

Khuzdul-

Còmhraig Namad- Fight Sister

Namad- Sister

Amad- Mother

As always.

May the Fluff Be With You!

=^..^=