Chapter 13- Trolls

The dawn had not quite approached when Thorin awoke . Hearing movement in the camp he opened his eyes and looked around .The fire was burning embers but gave enough light to spot Kili and Fili on lookout. Thorin had told them they would take the early morning watch for playing the prank on Bilbo." How goes the night" ,he asked taking a seat next to his nephews. "All has been quiet uncle"Fili replied "no orcs around anywhere". "That we know of" Thorin added. "I will not risk the safety of Master Baggins and Lady Philicia, In a fight against an orc pack what chance would they have." Fili and Kili agreed with Thorin and they all said it would be a good time to start training them to defend themselves ."We will see which weapon she can handle best , sword or bow ,she must learn one. I could not bare it if anything were to happen to her", Thorin ordered them on watch for another hour then to get a little rest for they were leaving right after breakfast. He went back over to where Philicia was sleeping and laid down next to her drawing her warmth into his cold body. "Thorin" she softly said snuggling closer into the heat he gave off. She laid her head on his chest and went back to sleep. When they next awoke things were busy around the camp. Bombar and Gloin had already made breakfast and the other dwarves were a getting their things ready for the next leg of the journey "How long have you been awake"? she asked Thorin, letting her eyes fall on his handsome face." Since before sun up" he answered giving her a quick kiss. No one paid them any mind except Dwalin who was still sure Thorin was making a very big mistake however he knew his king loved the girl and he swore not to interfer. Philicia and Thorin thanked Gloin as he handed them both bowls of watered down porrage. "You know we have something like this where I come from also" She said taking a bite of the hot cereal."It's called oatmeal amd it makes great cookies."Oh", he said raising his eyebrows at her. "Yes and you put raisins and brown sugar in them and oh they are so good." Do not let Bombar know that for he will be be at you constantly till you give up the receipe." Thorin smiled then taking another bite of his breakfast. Suddenly his head tilted up to the sky" It looks like we might be in for some rain. You did get a cloak while in Bree for protection from the rain and wind. for no doubt we will encounmter bad weather sometime on this journey." Yes Thorin I did and you are right it's not only going to rain it 's going to be a downpour. "Philicia let him know all that was going to transpire. And she was right for not two hours later they got caught in the rain as it came down in sheets. Everyone was soaked within minutes. Gandalf can't you do something about this rain" one of the dwarves hollered from behind" Thorin and Philicia who were riding in the front turned around." It is raining Master dwarf and it will continue to rain until the rain stops" Came Gandalfs responce "If you wish me to control the weather you will have to find yourself another wizard."gandalf snapped clearly annoyed at the rain coming off his hat and soaking his robe ." ''Are there anymore, Wizards,that is",Bilbo asked his Tookish side showing itself." Yes,there are five of us the highest of our order is Sauramon The White, There are another three but I have forgotten their names."Gandalf huffed.'' And who would be the fifth"? Bilbo inquired further." That would be Ratagast The Brown.'' No more was said about the wizards as they continued on "Thorin, how come dwarves don't like rain?" Philicia asked turing to face him." Well to start it messes up our braids and hair not to mention most dwarves are not good swimmers." Well that makes sence.. I guess" she said shrugging her shoulders." And you I have heard no complaints so far" Suddenly she had Thorin stop the pony and she jumped off" Philicia what are you doing"? Thorin asked a puzzled look upon his face." Walk with me?" She said holding out her hand. The rest of the company watched as their king jumped off his horse and took Philicias hand and they led on Thorin with the reins in one hand leading the pony and Philicias in the walked like that the rain drenching them both they had removed their cloakes from their heads. Philicia was holding Thorins hand in hers as she turned around to face him walking backward She started singing.

"Ooooh I hear laughter in the rain, walking hand in hand, with the one I love

"Oooh how I love the rainy day and the way it makes me feel, inside"

''Thats a song from my world. I wish so bad I could show it to you, so many things you would be amazed at", she looked at Thorin admiring how the rain drippind off his hair it made him look even more beautiful to her. "Such as", He asked "Well Buildings a tall as mountains and airplanes and police cars and well I think you would like air force jets Oh Thorin there is so many things to see. The Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls " What is that" he interrupted." It's a waterfall in upstate New York ". She stopped and found a stick " This is the United States, thats where I am from. And here is California . Los Angeles, And Woodland Hills up in the mountains a little bit. She pointed to the diagram of the U.S. " And this would be New York and Niagra Falls would be here. It borders Canada". Remind me later to get some paper from Ori and I can draw it out for you. It's really beautiful You would love it I think"." And what else" Thorin continued." Disneyland"! She said her voice full of gittiness. "You would love Disneyland,It's the greatest place in the world. All the princesses are there and the rides are amazing, and the food I won't even go there. The hotels are awesome each room reflects a different story. She suddenly stopped her eyes sad as she thought about the last time they had been there as a family together. "Philicia" Thorin said turning her to face him" These things that you speak of they sound wonderful but not if it will cause you pain" It's just, Oh never mind" she brushed it off. Without warning she slipped in the mud . Fili and Kili roared with laughter almost falling of their ponies "Really! really, we'll see who's laughs next ." With that she scooped up a handful of mud and slung it at Kili hitting him square in the face. "Hey" he said wiping the mud from his mouth. Fili pointed to Kili and busted out laughing."That does it" Kili jumped from his pony scooped up some mud and slung it at Fili getting it all over his shirtfront. "Now you are gonna get it " the older Durin prince said. Kili ran past Philicia and Thorin as Fili went to throw the mud missing Kili catching Thorin on the face instead "Now you both are going to.. " Philicia looked at Thorin mud dripping from his face and busted out laughing Thorin didn't say a word but everyone thought he was mad when surprising the king roared with laughter scooping up some mud and chasing his nephews into the trees." Bombar, wheres the cooking pot" Philicia asked? " Bombar produced the big pot " What are you up too lass ?" Balin asked as she filled it with mud ."Watch and see ". Just then Kili and Fili tore out of the trees Thorin right on their tail."Help us Philicia" they said panting hard. "Really Ok " She picked up the pot of mud and proceeded to dump it over their heads. Thorin roared with laughter as did the rest of the company bearing wittness to the two Durin princes antics over the year's. "Well", Balin said "I do believe they have met their match. "Thorin I do think that with this one you will never be bored" Gandalf said chuckeling at the sight of the Dwarf King covered in mud. The rain started to fall again and they removed their cloakes to let the water wash off the drying mud. " Do not think that I will forget this" Thorin said giving his nephews that look. They rode on as the rain dried up and the sun came out drying everyone . All were quite hungry as they came to a clearing where a farm house had once stood. "We camp here for the night", Thorin said bringing his pony to a stop. "Fili ,Kili look after the ponies, make sure you stay with them." Thorin commanded. Philicia reconizing the scene from the movie and at first chance pulled Gandalf aside. "I know this place,"she began",this is where they get caught by trolls Gandalf. Should I tell Thorin?'' She said pleading with the wizard. "You will have to use your own judgement my dear I can not interfer. With that he walked off. "A farmer and his family used to live here ",Gandalf said walking into the burnt down house. " Oin, Gloin get a fire going " Thorin was barking orders at everyone the lack of sleep and the long hard day having taken it's toll on him also. Philicia debated telling him about the trolls and decided in the end to tell him washed up a bit and waited to catch Thorin alone before springing this on his already weighed down shoulders. Gandalf thinking about Philicias words said" I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley.'' Gandalf said approaching the leader." I told you already I will not go near that place" Thorin snapped."Why not" Gandalf retorted." The elves could help could get food, rest, advice.'' '' We do not need their advice" Thorin grumbled .'' We have a map we can not read, Lord Elrond could help us." The wizard argued With Thorin but the king would have none of it and made that plain to hear. "The dragon attacked Erebor,what help came from the elves Orcs plunder Moria desecrate our sacred halls the elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people that betrayed my grandfather, betrayed my father." Philicias heart broke as she listend to the disagreement between Thorin and Gandaf. "You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past" " I did not know they they were yours to keep." Thorin growled at Gandalf his temper rising. Gandalf too frustrated stormed off leaving Oakenshield to think on his advice."Is everything alright''? Bilbo asked "Gandalf, where you going". To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sence." "and who's that"? Bilbo asked as Gandalf swept past. "Myself Master Baggins'' he barked ''I've had enough of dwarves for one day" Gandalf grumbled as he walked away. Philicia watched Gandalf leave then she went to Thorin "Come on Bombar we're all hungry",Thorin bellowed as Philicia caught his angry look. " Everything alright"? she asked reaching for him" Fine" he mumbled turning his back to her. ''Thorin" She said touching his arm. "Do you know what Gandalf wanted us to do, where he suggested we go." Thorin turned to look at her his eyes blazing." He suggested that we go to Rivendell to seek help with our enemy" She looked at Thorin a look of worry crossed her face."And I know you are not happy about it." ''No I am not" he spat back. " Thorin I know the elves did you wrong but I also know that Gandalf is right" " Oh, not you too is everyone in this company going to turn on me. ", his anger and hurt surfacing. "Thorin, you say you love me " he met her eye's then" Have you ever seen apples in baskets" She reached for his hand" What does that have anything to do with this?" He said still flustered."Well when you find a bad apple do you toss out the whole basket." " No ,that would be foolish" "Ah, there you go" So please don't blame all the elves for the actions of one person. You need to know what that map says".Thorin thought for a moment" You know what it says do you not" he put his hands on Philicias shoulders. " Some of it,"She answered." Tell me Philicia please "Thorin asked his eyes softening. " I only remember bit's and pieces" She said" " Philicia please? " He pleaded pulling her into his arms. "Somthing about a door, a thrush and Durins day,that's all I remember. I'm sorry Thorin I can't remember more.. but I do remember i'm supposed to show you Niagra Falls." She went to Ori and asking for a piece of paper she grabbed a pin from her purse and sat in the grass. Thorin sat next to her as she began to sketch. "See thats Niagra Falls " She showed him the drawing of a waterfall cascading on two seperate angles ." It's really pretty up close. I went there when I was little ." "Sounds like a wonderous place " 'It is realy popular for honeymooners. " She smiled at Thorin kissing his cheek.

The sun was just setting as the dwarves all gathered in front of the blazing fire warming their hands from the cool night air. Philicia sat nervious about where to start . She had to talk to Thorin ,and now." Philicia moved closer to the dwarf king wispering in his ear." Thorin I need to talk to you, now" she hissed. They both got up and walked a distance away out of ear shot of everyone. Thorin was already in a sour mood and he snapped at Philicia" What is this about that it could not be said in front of the rest." She took a deep breath " There are three trolls out there , they are going to take some of the ponies." The color drained from the kings face."Fili, Kili " he said",they are watching the ponies!" Thorin took off at a full run shouting to the dwarves. "DU BEKAR, DU BEKAR" Suddenly they were grabbing their swords and axes and following Thorin into the trees."Stay here Philicia"she heard him shout as they disappeared into the foleage. Thorin entered the clearing and two of the three trolls had Bilbo." Lay down your arm's or we will rip his off"The biggest troll yells at him. Thorin jabbed his sword in the dirt and the rest of the dwarves drop their weapons not wanting to endanger The Hobbits life any further. Philicia ran in the direction that Gandalf had gone and after hollering for a while she found him sitting under a tree smoking his pipe. "Gandalf!" She shouted breathing hard, " Please..Thorin... there in trouble, trolls." She practically dragged him to his feet and they went running back twords the camp. "Which way my dear"He said as Philicia pointed in the direction they went. They came upon the clearing and Bilbo was stalling for time."Thats it just keep them amused," Philicia breathed quietly. Sudenly she noticed that all her companions were trussed up in burlap sacks and the others were turning on a spit being roasted. Philicia spotted Thorin and her heart sank she knew in the story they all came out alive and unharmed. But this wasn't a story anymore and with her presence here how much had she changed. Without warning She went charging into the trolls camp. "Philicia" Thorin cried out" What are you doing you are going to get yourself killed. "Shhh I have an idea,now play along. "Hey down here" She waved her hands getting their attention. "Well blimey William what do you make of that", The female troll named Billie said. "What is it, can we eat it?" The dwarves went silent at their remark as Thorin struggled to break loose. "Suddenly the one named Tom clasped his giant hand around her she showed no fear and thought to herself keep your head and think."What are you"? Tom asked her. ''Oh me I'm just a girl and what are you called?" She asked ''Who us,we are trolls" "Trolls ,WOW" I have always wanted to meet you three Oh my gosh this is is awesome" Thorin and the company were holding their breaths as Philicia talked to the creatures their mouths agape." Well my name is Philicia and could you please put me down "She asked politely." Oh" Tom squealed and placed her on the ground."Well thats better".She eyed the dwarves winking at Thorin. "Are these things bothering you?" She asked pointing to Thorin and Kili. Suddenly they started grumbling amoungst themselves Thorin kicked Kili in the leg silencing him. "Oh my gosh I am so sorry. Well now that they are all tied up what are you going to do with them?" Philicia stalled."We are going to eat them we're hungry" She knew it was now or never so she said "Are you a girl troll?" She asked pointing to the one called Billie." You must be, finally another female to talk to ,here come sit next to me". Philicia patted the downed log for encouragement . Billie plopped her bum upon the log and it made a crunch noise as she sat. "So what are you cooking besides them, what do you like to eat."? " "We like lots of things but lately all it's been is mutton," "Yep I hear ya is that why your cooking them?" ''Well let me tell you they taste aweful and besides I wouldn't eat them they have worms.'' "Worms "she yelled,"did you hear that Tom, William, these things have worms in their tubes".Philicia tried not to laugh as she saw Gandalf sneaking up behind a big boulder." What you all need is somthing to appeal to your rather interesting appetites. I am a reallly good cook and I would love to make you something. What do you have besides that?" She pointed to the dwarves. ''After all it will be dawn soon" Philicia looked up as the sun splayed across the sky."The dawn will take you all" Gandalf shouted ramming his staff down on the rock splitting it in half. The Trolls screamed in agony as their flesh slowly turned to stone "Philicia!" Thorin hollered. She ran over to where they were tied and freeing them the dwarves grabbed their clothes running for the bushes, all but Thorin he pulled her into his arms giving her a kiss before he joined his had already freeded the other ones and they also made a mad dash for cover. When they had got caught The trolls had stripped them of their clothes except their underwear and having a female with them well modesty was was the first back and he found Philicia patting the stone figure of Billie."She was nice,why did you have to turn them to stone, why"? she asked tears leaking out of her eyes. She turned her face to the wizard." I had to my dear." Gandalf patted her on the back "They would only be captured by orcs and would have been nothing but slaves" Thorin added. "So you showed them mercy." She now understood why Gandalf had turned them."Where did you go to if I may ask?" Thorin said coming up next to Gandalf to examine the stone statues."To look ahead" He replied tapping the troll with his staff to make sure it was solid. "What brought you back", Thorin pushed."Looking behind and the insistance of our dear Philicia here practically dragging me here insisting you were in trouble."Thorin looked at Philicia she was staring at the Troll named Billie rubbing her leg and mumbling something her head bowed."Nasty business,still you are all in one piece" Gandalf said." No thanks to your burgler and Lady Philicia."It was very clever what she did to stall for time" Gandalf added. "She is very intelligent I will give her that one." Thorin said as Philicia came and stood next to him. "Well none of the rest of you thought of that" Gandalf admonished."They must of come down from the Ettinmoores" He said to Thorin."Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south"?, The king asked Gandalf."Philicia looked at Thorin her eyes still misty from tears. He kissed the top of her head pulling her against his broad chest."Not For an age" Gandalf said keeping his face on Oakenshield."Not since a darker power ruled the lands" Philicia knew exactly what he was talking about. Having seen The Lord of The Rings films also."They could not have moved in daylight" Gandalf said the morning sun bright upon his face."There must be a cave nearby" Thorin started looking around clasping Philicia by the hand to follow walked for a while following the horrible odor getting stronger."This must be it", Thorin said covering his nose with his sleeve."What is this stench"Nori said following Thorin closer to the cave. "I am going to stay as far back as I can" Bilbo said trying not to gag. "Philicia you should remain here also, stay with Bilbo",he ordered following the others into the darkend cave. "Oh gawd,thats aweful" she held her breath fearing of she didn't the contents of her stomach would shurly spill onto the ground. Philicia already knew what they were going to find in there. The hands of the family that had lived in the house on stakes , body parts, troll shit, and the swords."Its a troll hord be careful what you touch" Gandalf warned them as they decented further into the cave. Everyone was holding their breath the odor overpowering making their stomachs queazy. Suddenly they came upon a little chest filled with gold cups and plates and coins. "Seems a shame to leave it lyin around " Nori said eying the gold in the deceide to bury it instead ''Ori Get a shovel" Nori said . While they were doing that Thorin had spotted some swords stacked on a crude shelf . He pulled them out slowly carefully inspecting each one. They had oviously been there a while for they were covered in spider webs. Two of the swords caught his attention ."These swords were not made by any troll." Thorin told Gandalf holding them up the light. He handed one off to Gandalf to get his opinion."Nor were they made by any smith amoung men." Gandalf agreed carefully examining the blades."These were forged in Gondorien by the high elves in the first age." Thorin started to throw the sword down not wanting to have a elvish blade in his hands."You could not wish for a finer blade"Gandalf told him sencing his discomfort. So Thorin took the sword and pulling it out of its scabbord seeing the elvish runes on the glinting metal a look of curiousity crossing his face The wizard keeping the other one. ''What do you think they will find in there, Lady Philicia?'' Bilbo asked her trying not to breathe too deep."It's a troll cave I don't want to think about what they are going to find in there." She softly replied. Having dug a deep hole Ori, Nori ,and Gloin began burying the chest full of trinkets. Dwalin stood over them watching shaking his head at the three. "We're leaving a long term deposit.," Dori said throwing dirt over it for concealment. Thorin after giving the blade one last inspection started making his way to the exit. "Let's get out of this foul place,come on, let's go. Ori,Dori, Gloin ".Gandalf was following Thorin when his staff caught on somthing buried in the dirt. He pulled it out and it was a small sword also elvish made. He immediatly thought of Bilbo. Gandalf was the first to breathe in the fresh air as he called to Bilbo. Philicia smiled cause she already knew what he was going to give The Hobbit, Sting."Bilbo ,here this is about your size", He said handing him the sword."I can't take this," Bilbo refused, handing him back the blade."It's of elvish make whitch means the blade will glow blue when orcs or goblins are near". Bilbo relented finally accepting the blade. "Was it really discusting in there?" Philicia asked Thorin as he emerged from the cave. A few of the dwarves were gagging and one lost his breakfast in the dirt. "You should be glad you stayed out here." Thorin told her reaching for her hand. "Wait a minute"She said reaching into her purse. She pulled out a bottle of hand sanatizer and began squirting a palmfull on each and every hand of the company "What is this?",Kili asked sniffing the alcoholic gel. "Don't ask just rub your hands and smear it everywhere till it's dried K"She said walking away. Suddenly there was a commotion in the trees." Someone was coming ." Fire ,Thives ,murders!'' "Ratagast" Gandalf breathed relieved it was not an orc pack.