Note: Italics is thoughts, unless specified otherwise i.e flashbacks or visions. / is timeskip
THIRD POV
Alexa stood with Bilbo; the pair stared back at the Elven city with looks of longing. It would be a long time before they would see such a sight again, the thought saddened them both.
"Master Baggins, Miss Alexa, I suggest you keep up," Thorin shouted from the front of the company, his hard gaze lingering on the Hobbit before briefly flicking over to Alexa. A soft look crossed his face, before turning his back once more to continue the hike up the rocky terrain.
/
"STONE WHAT?!"
"STONE GIANTS LASS!"
"I CAN FUCKING SEE THAT BOFUR!"
"Take cover! You'll fall!" Thorin yelled. As if I would willingly stand out in the open, Alexa thought bitterly, wedging herself as far into the mountainside as was humanly possible.
"Kili! Grab my hand! Ki-" Fili shouted desperately to his brother, his voice cracking. The brothers reach for one another, to no avail, the rock splitting down between the two of them – Fili could only watch as his brother's face disappeared into the storm.
ALEXA'S POV
Alexa's body visibly stiffened as the stone giant she was on descended towards the side of the mountain. One hand grasped the wet stone while the other buried itself into Nori's tunic, holding on for dear life. She watched as the rocky mountain face came closer and closer towards them.I can't die! Not now! What about Ben?
With Ben on her mind, Alexa force pushed herself, Nori and the few others that were trapped with her on the giant's knee cap towards an opening on the side of the mountain. Nori closed his eyes, along with the rest of those on the knee, waiting for impact, for Mahal's Halls – but it never came.
Alexa kneeled, crouched over a familiar form as the storm whipped over their heads. "Nori! Nori!" Alexa shouted over the rain, shaking the poor Dwarf.
"Alexa?" Nori asked, peering through the rain at the woman in front of him.
"Are we dead?"
Alexa laughed breathless, falling back to rest on the back of her legs; the sound promoted a raised eyebrow from the dazed Dwarf. "Not quite yet,"
"Alexa, ya alright lass?" Bofur asked, pulling her up by the arm and into his chest.
Alexa nodded, a massive grin forming on her face, making Bofur grin in return. She tipped her head, gesturing to a slightly out-of-it Nori, who was finally coming to his senses.
That would be the second time the two witnessed Nori on his hands and knees, kissing the very ground beneath them. That was until the realization hit him. Alexa saved us. Scrambling to his feet, he ran the short distance across the wet surface, slamming his body against Alexa, thanking her. The poor woman barely got a word out before another three or so bodies were wrapped around her form; though she didn't mind, they were proving to be a nice blanket in the cold weather.
"We're all right! We're alive!" Gloin shouts as if trying to assure not only the others but himself.
The warm blanket of Dwarfs slowly released Alexa from their grasp, their bodies turning to face a desperate-looking Thorin. A relieved sigh leaving the normally brooding Dwarf's lips as his eyes scanned the scene of uninjured Dwarves. He rushed towards Fili, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug. Alexa smiled slightly at the scene, watching as her companions went to reunite with their Kin, her eyes downcast.
—
Thorin's head turned so swiftly; anyone would be surprised if he didn't get whiplash. He raised one thick brow, his muscular arms dropping from his nephews' shoulders, confusion clearly written on his face.
"She saved us, uncle. Used her force powers," Fili mumbled over the pouring rain; a grin plastered on his face as he spoke of her.
After sparing a quick glance at his companions who were nodding in confirmation, Thorin strode his way through the storm to Alexa. His face was blank, emotionless as he approached the now apprehensive woman. His arms engulfed her wet frame, pulling her in for an equally bone-crushing and heart-warming hug.
Alexa saw nought but black, as her face was pressed firmly into the Dwarf's neck and his long locks. She smiled softly, carefully linking her arms under his and grasping his back, just as tightly. I could get used to this, she thought, relishing the rare and unexpected contact of the Dwarf before her. Pulling back slightly, Thorin's deep blue orbs searched her green-grey ones, a smile on his lips.
"Thank you, Alexa," he said softly, gratitude clear in his voice and eyes.
"Don't mention it," Alexa breathed, returning his smile. The woman exhaled slowly, captivated by the Dwarf before her. Thorin is smiling! Holy shit this is some breakthrough work right here! She thought gleefully, though that did not last long.
"Where's Bilbo?" Bofur pops up, breaking the moment between the two warriors.
"Where's the Hobbit?" Bofur repeats, frantically looking over the rocky surface. His words naturally sending the company into a frenzy.
"There!" Ori shouts, pointing a finger towards the edge of the cliff.
Squinting through the rain, Alexa could just make out a pair of hands grasping tightly to the wet cliffside. Quickly she released Thorin from their embrace, pushing her way through the Dwarves and towards the Hobbit. Just as she was no more than a step away, she was stopped as something wrapped itself around her wrist and pulled her back into something solid. Peering down at the obstruction, she could faintly see a brawny hand holding onto her wrist through the rain.
"Get him," A deep voice orders next to her ear, causing her to snap her head towards the sound. Dwalin?
She turned her head back to Bilbo, who was still hanging from the cliffside. Worried for her friends' life, she struggled against the Dwarf's grip, which only caused him to tighten his hold.
"Stop squirming lass," Glaring up at him through the rain, she was about to give Dwalin the rebuke of his life when Thorin strutted towards the struggling Hobbit with purpose. Well, he's in safe hands now… I guess?
Recognizing that Bilbo was in good hands, she stopped her struggling against Dwalin's grasp. Causing him to release his tight grip, but remained holding her wrist.
He towered above her, which confused her for a moment; before realizing he was just standing on a higher rocky platform of sorts. Her frame was pressed firmly against his body, the heat emitting from his burly chest made her want to cry in delight. Alexa looked down at his hand around her wrist, a soft sigh falling from her lips. The heat only made her crave his touch even more, slowly she slid her wrist through his grip and grasped his massive hand in hers.
The response was instant, she didn't even have to turn to look up at his face to know he was shocked; his body gave it all away. He was as stiff as a board, muscles tense, his chest rose and fell as he breathed heavily on her neck. She smiled softly to herself, squeezing his hand slightly, surprised but delighted when he returned the action.
Turning her head to the side, she glanced up at his face. He had somewhat regained his tough persona, his face hard, jaw clamped, and blue eyes set on the scene before them. So serious, she mused. He's like a big ol ' teddy bear! So soft then so hard… Damn, Dwalin the bear! Dwalin aha ha In-in a wee bear costume aha he'd be a wee baby bear GRRRRR!
The sudden thought of Dwalin dressed as a bear caused Alexa to laugh. She bathed in the mental image she had conjured. Her outburst caused the stoic warrior to flick his eyes over her, watching as the mirth convulsed through her. He briefly wondered what caused such a laugh, he had opened his mouth to ask when out of the corner of his eye he saw Thorin lose his grip on the ledge – promoting him into action. Releasing his hold on Alexa, he pulled his old friend to safety, quickly looking over any injuries the slip could have caused.
The Hobbit lay, breathing heavily on the wet rocks, not daring to look near the cliff where he was previously hanging from – realizing just how close he had come to death. Alexa peered down at Bilbo, relieved that he was alive and well, a weight having been released from her chest. Pulling the Hobbit up by his forearm and into her chest, she embraced him momentarily. The loud boom of Thorin's voice caused her to release the Hobbit. Alexa smiled reassuringly at him, a soft look on her face.
"He has been lost ever since he left home. He should never have come. He has no place amongst us," Thorin growled angrily, storming past the Hobbit and the woman with a look of fury etched on his face.
Flicking her damp auburn hair to the side, her eyes followed the brooding wet form of Thorin as he marched towards an opening in the mountain, a cave. A pat on the shoulder from Nori brought her out of her thoughts, she could barely see the ground in front of her - how she hadn't noticed how dark it had become she did not know. Her cold fingers reached out, grasping Nori's tunic firmly she followed him blindly through the storm and towards the cave.
/
"Search to the back; caves in mountains are seldom unoccupied," Thorin grunted. Probably from experience, Alexa pondered, as she set out to unpack her belongings for bed.
Well, at least I still have my lightsaber, Alexa thought, grasping the cool metal in her hand, a small smile graced her lips. Ha! I can hear him ranting already. 'Your weapon is your life,'. The thought of him made her expression soften, before becoming masked once more. Not here, not now . Shaking her head, she set to work on finding a secluded crook in the cave, before peeling off her wet clothes in exchange for her dry ones.
"Right then! Let's get a fire started," Gloin announced, hands smacking together in delight after dropping a pile of wood in the centre of the cave.
"No, no fires. Not in this place. Get some sleep, we start at first light," Thorin commanded,
"We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan," Balin interjected, confusion in his eyes.
"Plans change. Bofur, take first watch," Thorin says, his blue eyes set hard.
Walking back to her spot, Alexa noticed three bedrolls flanking her at all sides. "Ah, there she is," Nori called, settling himself into the bedroll right beside hers.
Bofur and Bilbo unpacking their packs next to hers; Bofur at her head, Bilbo at her feet. Sending Nori a sly wink, she sauntered the rest of the way to her bedroll, walking past him before collapsing into the heap of furs acting as her bed.
"Ah that's the stuff," she muttered, curling further into the furs until all that remained to be seen were her piercing eyes.
The green-grey orbs flashed at the Dwarf as if egging him on to comment on her sleeping getup. After receiving nothing but a raised eyebrow in return, her fingers danced over her necklace before resuming their position under her head. Closing her eyes, she let the patter of rain outside lull her to sleep.
THIRD POV:
"Wake up! Wake up!" a force shook the unconscious woman awake.
"Huh, what?" Alexa muttered; voice groggy from sleep. Peering up she saw a frantic Nori hovering over her gesturing fiercely at the ground beneath them. Now wide awake, she scrambled about under the furs, somehow managing to grab a hold of her pack before falling.
Darkness.
ALEXA'S POV
The ground had collapsed beneath their feet, sending the company down a rocky slide of sorts. Screams of surprise and terror echoed across the walls of the cavern.
The company lay in a heap on a sturdy platform, everyone was groaning, all except one. Nori was rather content as he was nestled quite comfortably – in his opinion – on top of Alexa,
"What in the blazes," Alexa muttered, pissed beyond belief. The one time I have a decent fucking sle -
Something slimy wrapped itself around Alexa's arm, wrenching her from the pile of Dwarfs. Glancing from under her cloak, she saw it. A Goblin.
"Release me scum before I make you!" she growled; the little shit grinned before a bunch of other Goblins grabbed her other arm and flanked her on all sides.
Their clawed, slimy hands dragged over her form pissing her off further. Yanking her right arm back towards her body, the momentum sent the Goblin propelling right towards her. Acting quickly, she swung her head forward, a crack sounding through the air as her head made contact, before repeating the action with her other arm. Punching the Goblin with her now freed hand under its ribs before lobbing the convulsing body off the dingy bridge - his fading screams promoted a smirk to rise on her lips.
Soon more took the two Goblins places, Alexa reeled back ready to fight, fingers brushing her lightsaber. Well, at least I still have you. Before she could act, a meaty hand grasped hers, blue eyes met green-grey.
"Stay low. Your taller than we are," Thorin murmured, his words caused Alexa to adjust her hood on her cloak to cover more of her face.
Without letting go of her hand, Thorin as subtlety as he could, pulled Alexa towards him while the Goblins were busying admiring their King's song. Pushing her behind him, Dwalin, Bofur, and Gloin flanked her sides, protecting her from sight. They came to a stop, confused, Alexa snuck a peek from under her hood. Woah!
Awful singing continued to flow from the big Goblin's mouth, making her scrunch her face in disgust before looking down at her feet.MAKE IT STOP! MY EARS ARE BLEEDING! OH FORCE!
"Down, down, down to Goblin Town," the massive Goblin sang,
The floorboards creaked in protest as the Goblin King walked towards the company with his mace in hand. Alexa shrunk back further into the Dwarf behind her, head low. A loud squeal sounded, as the King squashed his subjects beneath his monstrous feet.
"Catchy, isn't it? It's one of my own… Compositions," Alexa scoffed at his words, earning herself a nudge from the Dwarf behind her, warning her to keep her mouth shut.
"That's not a song… It's an abomination!" Balin yelled out. Preach Balin. Preach! The Goblins, however, seemed to disagree strongly if the screeching was anything to go by.
"Abominations, mutations that all you are going to find down here," the Goblin King replied nonchalantly before a snarl took place.
"Take their weapons," he commanded, well shit!
It didn't take long before the Goblins were once more upon them, her three protectors were unable to do anything as they swarmed over them, though this time in greater numbers. This, however, only made her fight even harder, all the while clinging to her hood. They had managed to take her pack and snatched her lightsaber off her belt, causing a growl to come forth from deep within. The Goblin King leaned towards the company.
"Who were to be bold and armed to come into my Kingdom? Spies? Thieves? Assassins?" he demanded,
"Dwarves, you're maleficent," one of his mutts answered,
"Dwarves?! Search every crevice! What are you doing in these parts?" the Goblin King boomed,
"SPEAK!" he yelled when no one replied,
"Well then, if they will not talk, we'll make them squawk! Bring out the mangler! Bring up the bone breaker! Start with the youngest!" the King roared, jesting his mace in the direction of Ori.
Alexa was overwhelmed, clawed hands roamed her body. Uncurling her fists, she shot out her hands towards the group of squabbling Goblins. Green energy shot from her fingertips burning the flesh from their wretched bodies, their squealing catching unwanted attention. Panting heavily, Alexa looked around the now quiet scene, she had managed to fry most of the goblins - though they were still great in number.
The Goblins looked on at her shocked and afraid? The company took full advantage of this, overpowering the remaining Goblins for a while, before being swarmed once more. Her eyes roamed over the melted bodies of the Goblins before making eye contact with the Goblin King. It was then she realized her hood had fallen, revealing her face.
"A female? Bring her forth!" he commanded, a malicious glint in his eye.
The place was in an uproar, the Dwarves fought harder. Alexa watched, stunned, as two Goblins went flying past her – courtesy of Dwalin. Before being dragged to the King, her eyes barely staying open, all fight gone. It had taken a lot of her energy to complete that stunt, that and the fall had greatly affected her.
"Hold him down!" the Goblin King ordered. Instantly a dozen-odd Goblins jumped down from the swinging structures above them, grabbing any part of Dwalin to hold down.
The two Goblins dragging Alexa forced her to her knees, not that she cared to notice, she was busy gathering what energy she had left. She knew one way or the other that they would end up fighting their way out of this place.
"A human woman. A human witch! What are you doing travelling with a band of Dwarves?" Alexa said nought but looked down at the dirty floor before her, grinding her teeth at the witch comment.For the love of force, I'm not a fucking witch nerf herder! Her lack of reaction caused the King to jump down from his throne, stomping towards her, he got right in her face.
"Not a talker hmm? Oh, I know just what to do with you," he grinned, a sadist smile on his revolting face.
"Take her to my chambers," he commanded, his voice booming, before adding "I'll get her to scream in no time," Her face snapped up at that, there was no way they were taking her, she'd rather die! Before she could spit anything back at him, a deep voice sounded from the ruckus behind her.
"Leave her be," Thorin no. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Thorin standing in front of the company, his posture strong, unforgiving. The Goblin King's grin faltered slightly before a cocky smirk replaced it.
"Well, well, well... Look who it is! Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King Under the Mountain!" he bowed, mocking the Dwarf King before him.
"Oh, but I'm forgetting, you don't have a mountain, and you're not a King. Which makes you nobody, really," he finished,
Alexa scoffed loudly at that; a dangerous look flashed in her eyes. "He's more of a King than you will ever be," she growled, spitting at his blistered feet.
She felt it before she saw it, the bastard had hit her with his mace. The nerve! She screamed; the momentum of the hit sending her tumbling into Bifur's arms. He didn't even bat an eye at her screams. Bastard .
"Send a message to the pale Orc; tell him, I have found his prize,"
/
"Bones will be shattered, necks will be wrung,
You'll be beaten and battered,
From racks, you'll be hung,
You will lie down here and never be found
Down in the deep of Goblin Town,"
On and on the disgusting Goblin King mutt sung, she didn't know what was worse their impending doom or his singing. She had never wished more to be like Oin, deaf. Lucky bugger. Cradled in Bifur's arms, she slowly regained her strength. Force knew she needed it!
She didn't know if she was lucky or not, the Goblin King had managed to miss the top of her ribs, hitting her on her left shoulder more than anything else, and man did it throb like a bitch in heat. For most of it, she wasn't paying attention to what was happening around her, focusing solely on healing herself through the force. That was until a loud bang sounded from what she assumed was the weapon pile, followed by gasping and screaming.
"I know that sword!" the King exclaimed.
"It is the Goblin-Cleaver, the Biter, the blade that sliced a thousand necks!" Well, we're fucked for sure now, Alexa thought, having previously been set down as gently as possible by Bifur so he could fight.
"Slash them! Beat them! Kill them!" he screeched, throwing his arms about wildly.
"CUT OFF HIS HEAD!" the King yelled,
Alexa's eyes widened; forced to watch Thorin struggle against the Goblin's hold on his arms. One brave or incredibly stupid Goblin held a rather wicked looking dagger above his disfigured head - getting ready to decapitate the Dwarf King.
With fury in her eyes, from her position on the floor, surrounded by the remaining company. She held her hand out towards the offending Goblin, fingers curling into her palm. She watched as the dagger clattered to the ground, forgotten, as the Goblin clawed at the invisible force surrounding his neck. With a quick jerk of her hand, his neck snapped. His gangly body landing next to Thorin's confused face. A bright light exploded in her vision. Gandalf
"Take up arms, fight. FIGHT!" he yelled, his voice bouncing around the cavern.
Blinking rapidly, a pair of hands grabbed her forearms, pulling her up. A groan slipped from her lips; she grasped the tunic of the Dwarf tightly. Finally, she looked up.
"Dwalin?" she croaked, still clutching his tunic in her hands.
"Come on lass, let's get out'r 'ere," she merely nodded, wincing as a Goblin bumped into her shoulder, intent to hurt, only to be killed seconds later by Dwalin's axe.
"Alexa, lass!" Bofur called, her eyes snapped up, just in time to see her lightsaber flying towards her. Quickly releasing her hold on Dwalin, she caught the hilt of her treasured weapon.
Drawing in a sharp breath, the familiar hum of her weapon filled the air. Without a moment's thought, Alexa began slicing through the bodies of the squealing Goblins. Been a long time since I've done this, she reflected for a second, before belittling herself for getting distracted. We're supposed to be escaping FOCUS! Sadly, that was always a problem with Alexa, dating back to her Padawan days, always distracted, always daydreaming.
The fight was more of a dance for Alexa, her body flowing, twisting and leaping. Forms long left unused flowed through her, blood roared in her veins. The years of training coming back to her in a dance. Her blade slashed through the bodies of Goblins like butter, killing every Goblin that came into her path.
THIRD POV
"Thorin!" Nori yelled; eyes wide. Thorin turned just in time to thrust Orcist out, colliding with the Goblin Kings' mace. The strength of his blow sending the Goblin King off the edge of the makeshift throne room.
"Follow me," Gandalf called out, rushing off towards an unoccupied bridge.
"Quickly!" he shouted; Alexa would have snorted if it was a different situation.Cheeky bugger, we've got shorter legs than you! They ran along the wooden floorboards of the seemingly endless bridge, Goblins rushed towards them on both sides, like ants.
Dwalin ran his axes, Grasper and Keeper through countless Goblin bodies, before chopping off a rope supporting a bannister railing with his axe. Letting out a war cry, Dwalin, Nori, Ori, and Oin picked up the wooden rail, carrying it like one massive lance. Using it to shove the incoming Goblins off the edge of the bridge to their deaths.
Alexa and Thorin stood back-to-back fighting back the Goblin forces. They fought in sync, slicing through the slimy bodies with ease; as if dancing together, a powerful, fearless dance.
"Cut the ropes!" Thorin yelled, his eyes following the line of dangling Goblins soaring towards them. Hacking through the ropes, the Goblins screeched, their ropes wrapping around the fallen bridge.
Swarms of Goblins came from all flanks, surrounding the company. Well, this can't get any worse, Alexa thought, stupidly. Not a moment later, the Goblin King burst through the floorboards, having survived his fall. Pity .
"You thought you could escape me?" he jests, swinging his mace towards Gandalf's form. Avoiding all the blows, Gandalf fell back onto the Dwarves, who together stopped him from toppling over.
"What are you going to do now Wizard?" he mocked, the irritating cocky smirk back on his blistered face.
Gandalf didn't bother replying, thrusting his staff into the Goblin King's eye, making the King clutch at his eye, groaning. Gandalf then proceeded to cut through his large belly with his sword. "Ow," the Goblin King yelled, falling to his knees, a contemplated look on his face.
"That'll do it," he muttered, just before the Wizard sliced his neck, cutting through the arteries and killing him on the spot. His grotesque fat body smashed into the wooden bridge below, causing the bridge to creak before breaking under his weight.
The company fell, yelling as they attempted to hold onto something for safety as they collided with the sides of the rocky crevice. The walls closed in on them, becoming narrower the further they fell. This, however, caused the bridge to wedge itself into the sides of the cave, the action taking most of the force of impact away as the structure eventually came to a stop, touching the ground softly.
"Well, tha' could've been worse," Bofur piped, cheerful as always.
"OH!" Alexa and the Dwarves groaned, crushed under the weight of the dead Goblin King.
"Haver! Yer've got ta be joking," Dwalin grunted, pushing the wooden boards off his chest.
"You had to fucking jinx it didn't ya Bofur!?" Alexa muttered angrily, glaring at the Dwarf from her spot next to him.
Bofur smiled slightly, tired from their escapades. "Come on then lass. We ain't safe yet," he says, lifting her up and out of the rubble.
"GANDALF!" Kili yelled, eyes open in fear as he stared at the legions of pissed-off Goblins hurdling towards them.
"There's too many. We can't fight em," Dwalin says to Gandalf his jaw set, carrying Nori under his arm.
"There's only one thing that will save us. Daylight!" Gandalf announced, rushing off down an unusually bright cave near the crash site, the company following close behind. Twisting and turning through the path, they soon came to an opening filled with light, daylight.
/
"Bifur, Bofur that makes ten. Fili, Kili… Twelve. Alexa, thirteen. And Bombur that makes fourteen," Gandalf listed, fretting about worried.
"Where is Bilbo? Where is our Hobbit?"
"WHERE IS OUR HOBBIT?" Alexa's face fell, eyes wide as she frantically searched the area for Bilbo.
"Curse tha' Halfling! Now he's lost?" Dwalin grumbled, not wanting to go back into the Goblin lair after barely escaping with their lives.
"I thought he was with Dori!" Oin piped up,
"Don't blame me," Dori defended; arms crossed,
"Well, where did you last see him?" Gandalf resorted, striding towards the white-haired Dwarf.
"I think I saw him slip away when they first collared us," Nori voiced, uncertainty in his voice.
"What happened exactly? Tell me!" Gandalf commanded, hope in his grey eyes.
"I'll tell you exactly what happened," Thorin's baritone voice sounded. His words made Alexa snap her head towards him; her eyes narrowed.
"Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it! He's thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door! We will not be seeing our Hobbit again. He is long gone," He finished, posture rigid, hands clenched. Alexa clutched her shoulder, a harsh glare pointed at Thorin's back.
"No, he isn't," A voice called behind them,
"BILBO!" Alexa yelled, forgetting all about her sore shoulder, she bounded up to the Hobbit, spinning him in her arms gleefully.
"Bilbo Baggins! I've never been so glad to see anyone in my life!" Gandalf spoke, laughter in his eyes as he watched Alexa swing the poor Hobbit around like a child.
"Bilbo, we'd given you up!" Kili shouted, a happy smile on his face.
"How on earth did you get past the Goblins?" Fili asked, his face more serious than his brothers.
"How indeed," Dwalin muttered under his breath, his eyes wandering over the Hobbit, suspicious.
Alexa pulled back from Bilbo, releasing her hold around him and stepping back a few places to hear his story. "Err aha," Bilbo laughed nervously, his hands slipping into his pockets.
"Well, why does it matter? He's back!" Gandalf calls out, causing Alexa to look back at him with a raised eyebrow. What's he playing at?
"It matters. I want to know - why did you come back?" Thorin asked, his voice growing softer the longer he spoke. Bilbo stood there for a moment, pausing briefly to think of words to say to the Dwarf.
"Look, I know you doubt me. I know you always have," he begins no longer nervous, his eyes locked on Thorins.
"And you're right. I often think of Bag End. I miss my books. And my armchair. And my garden. See, that's where I belong. That's home. That's why I came back, 'cause you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can," He finished, a soft smile on his face, he looked around the company of teary Dwarves, each taking his words to heart – even grumpy Dwalin.
A howl echoed down the mountainside, breaking the bittersweet moment. "Out of the frying pan," Thorin breathed,
"And into the fire. Run! RUN!" Gandalf shouted, turning away from the mountain and taking off into the woods with the company running behind him.
