Chapter 21- The Mountain Pass
Philicia turned white as a ghost when she looked down from the very small ledge they were crossing. Suddenly she stopped, backed up against the rock and stared into nothing her big purple eye's full of fright. Oin turned around and seeing the state Philicia was in hollered. "Thorin somthing is wrong she won't move."Thorin very slowly watching his footing came up next to her. Opon hearing his voice her teeth chattering she wimpered. "I can't do this, O God I can't I'm so scared I hate heights. Philicia stammered. " Maybe now would be the time to get out the ropes and spikes. Thorin shouted over the howl of the wind. " Yes, now would be a good time." She sat down for a moment willing her head to stop spinning. "Did you not say you used to mountain climb with your father?" Thorin questioned her. "Yes I did but we never went this high up we only went yo maybe 800 feet." "Alright listen everyone." Thorin's booming voice getting everyone's attention. "In your bags you will find rope, small hammers and metal hand holds every 2 feet hammer one into the rock and the last one to pass pull them out. Tie these ropes through the handholds and use in case of slips." So the dwarves did as Thorin instructed and by the time the sun peeked her head over the horizon they were through the narrow passage. "Did they get all the hand hold's?" Philicia asked Thorin." Yes I believe all was recovered for we will need them again am I to assume you are correct? After a while the passage opend up to a meadow with an abundance of trees to the left and dirt and rocks on the right. "I'm hungry", Bombar finally said. "Aye, I believe a quick break is in order" Balin added. Philicia hearing the complaint's spoke up. "In your packs you will find , water and pastries, dried meat and hard boiled eggs. I know it's not what your used to but it will fill you up and give you energy." After everyone had broke their fast Thorin gave the order and all were ready to go . They travelled a long distance over moors, and vast expances of land the terrain ever trecherous. They passed over giant boulders and came to a waterfall cascading down from the river above them. "Everyone refill your water containers. We do not know when fresh water will be found again." Thorin ordered. So after that was done they continued on. The sun was setting as the dwarves rested their weary leg's on a large rock wall. "We will make camp here for the night . Master Baggins go with KIli and Fili to collect fire wood." Thorin was very edgy and for the life of her Philicia could not figure out why. Bombar started preparing the vegetables as Philicia went with Oin and Nori to collect what edible herbs could be found. They brought back some wild sage and salt that had been swiped from the elves. A little later the company sat around the fire telling stories and playing their instruments Fili got out his Flute and the others followed with theirs. Philicia took a glance at Thorin who was over standing next to a ledge his eye's scanning the darkness. "Is he alway's like this?"She asked. "Thorin carries a heavy weight upon his shoulders lass ,he has for many a year now." I know ,but I don't know what to do when he get's like this." Balin turned a warm smile on her. "Lady Philicia, Thorin may be a hard one to get close to he does not let many in." I know." She shifted lookin over at the Dwarven King again. "The best advice I can give ye lass is just love him he needs that more than anything." Philicia thanked Balin and made her way to where Thorin was now sitting on a rock. "Hey, you ok?" She asked coming to stand in front of him. "I am fine "he grunted. "Do you want me to leave you alone?" She asked. Thorin gave no responce so Philicia turned to walk away when suddenly he grabbed her hand. "Do not leave." Thorin pulled her up to him so her back pressed against his broad chest. "You seem so distant." She said turning to look at his face. Her hand came up of it's own accord to slide over his cheek not caring of anyone saw or not. Philicia felt her head being pulled closer as his wind chapped lips came down on hers. Philicia wimpered as his mouth sought hers to open she was drowning in his kiss so intoxicating was the emotions this person brought out in her. With one hand on her back and the other holding her face Thorin deepend the kiss a half groan half moan escaping his mouth. Suddenly he pulled his lips from hers and held her close. Through the many layers of clothing she could still feel the impact the kiss had on his body. "Come, we should take our rest." Thorin led her back to camp, as they passed by no one noticed the smile that had spread upon the white haired dwarf's face. Little by little all fell into deep slumber save for Thorin and Philicia. "What was that about earlier you seemed lost in deep thought?" "I was, you have to understand this is very dangerous if we are set upon another orc pack I fear for your safety." Thorin was shaking as he wrapped his arms around her placing Philicias head in his chest. "If anything were to happen to you .."I trust you." She said kissing him again this time tenderly her lips barely brushing across his. After a while they let sleep take them also. The next morning everything had been packed up and ready to go by the time Thorin had awoke Philicia. "Why did you let me sleep I am supposed to pull my share of the work i'm not helplesss you know". Philicia was a bit irritated with Thorin so she went to see where she could help at. Since there was nothing left to do Thorin made the call "Move out" he motioned his hand forward and in single file they followed him. They walked for most of the day only stopping for quick breaks to eat and catch their breath. By the time mid day came the Misty Mountains were directly in front they would reach them no doubt by sundown . The path became two long drops on both sides Philicia made the mistake of glancing down and was taken by a bout of dizziness. "Oooohoo", she moaned her hands flat on her head. "Thorin" she callled before collapsing to the ground. Bilbo and Bombar had been behind Philicia as she fell directly in front of them. "Thorin" Bilbo hollered". Suddenly everyone stopped ." What is it now Master Baggins we do not stop till night fall". Thorin said from the front of the line." Thorin, It is Lady Philicia ,she has fallen." Bombar hollered up to Thorin. Everyone stepped aside as the color drained from their kings face. He ran to Philicias side and checked her over for injuries. "Oin I do not know what is wrong." He looked at the healer clearly scared. "You both have been behind her how has she been acting?" Oin directed the question at Bilbo and Bombar." Well she a, she's been kind of sluggish if you ask me." Bilbo told Oin. "And the lass was havin a hard time she was out of breath looked a might tired." Bombar added. "Philicia, Philicia" Thorin patted her cheek gently. "Th-Thorin, what happend?" She opend her eyes and then shut them again. "Come we must go can you get up." He helped Philicia to her feet but her legs gave out and she went down again. "Thorin, Balin came over to his side."The lass is clearly exausted, you must remember she is not a dwarf and not as hardey If you make her go anymore you will kill her." Thorin looked at his old advisor and friend. "There is a old lookout tower up ahead some of the walls still stand we should rest there for the night." So Thorin scooped Philicia up and carried her till the hidden shelter was spotted . They all gathered in and unpacked the camp. "No fires we are too exposed up here . Thorin told everyone . After a few grumbles and aye's all was set up for the night. They sat huddled close together shivering in their bedrolls ,their bellies full and their bodies tired, sleep came easy. Thorin kept Philicia close to him she was cold and exausted . He prayed to Mahal she would not take ill and wished she would have stayed in The Shire at least there she wuld have been safe and warm not shivering on the cold hard ground. Thorin was the first one up this morning eager to get going he nudged a sleeping Kili and Fili with the tip of his boot. "Wake up we must be on our way". "Oh uncle It's not even sun up yet."Kili mumbled and turned over to shake Bifer, Bombar and Bomfar. Ori, Dori and Nori hearing the stirring sat up stretching and yawning. Oin and Gloin were rolling their bedrolls up not wanting to keep their impaitent king waiting. "How did she sleep last night? I hope the lass is well rested for these paths will not be easy on her Thorin." Balin informed his king. "You must stay with her she will need all of us to help her through it." Thorin put a hand on the old dwarfs shoulder. "Take no worry I will not leave her side." So after a quick breakfast they were on their way. They went around the winging steep path ever getting closer to the mountain pass. The climb was quite steep in places with slippery rocks and crumbling earth under their feet. " Ouch" Philicia cried out cutting her hand on a sharp rock. "Are you alright?" Thorin asked checking her hand. "It's not bad just stings a little." She said showing the cut to Thorin. " Oin, she is injured." He came over and applied a sticky paste to her hand and wrapped it in a clean cloth. "That should do it lass just let me know if it starts hurting." "Thank you", she said and they were on the move again. The afternoon became early evening a full moon shining down offering her light over the dangerous passage. "Thorin,when we get around this turn there will be only the small ledges to cross the path is very narrow in places and mind you it looks like rain." Balin callled to Thorin . Just then Philicia pulled Thorin to a stop coming to stand in front of him. "Thorin we need to get the hand holds out and ready also the ropes and pullys. Have everyone put their thermals on and the rubber boots and gloves." So obeying their king's command everyone changed where they could .Philicia kept her back to them the whole time giving them privacy. "What are these things?"Dwalin asked slipping on the rubber boots. "You just slip them over the boots you have on now. Trust me Dwalin everyone will need them." So after an hour everyone including Bilbo was bundled up and ready. "Now tie this rope around your waist and then hand the long piece to the person behind you." Thorin with Philicias help instructed them how to tighten the harnesses. "And what is this for Lady Philicia?" Balin asked. "All this will save your butts in case anyone slips." "Aye right you are lass." Sooner than expected the sky let loose . Rain pelted down on them and if not for the plastic cloakes she had brought everyone would be soaking wet. The wind wipped their hair into their faces as the rain came harder. "Now Thorin hammer these into the stone and tell everyone to hold on and to pull them out as we go." So they did as Philicia and Thorin said and having the steel bars to grab on to made the cross much easier. All the sudden thunder cracked in the sky." Well bless my beard the legends are true, giants stone giants!" Bofar exclaimed aloud. "Thorin."Philicia caught the look on his face. Thorin gasped at the mountain on the oppisite side with horror as it moved and a humanly form came ripping out of the stone. "Oh no, Philicia do not let go of my hand." Thorin screamed over the wind and rain as the rock beneath their feet began to shake. "Everyone stay together and get them hand grips hammered in quickly ,now!" He bellowed. "Hold on to the side of the mountain and keep moving forward do not stop we must keep moving". The company slowly crept along the narrow slippery path grabbing the hand holds in front and yanking them out as they passed. Suddenly a lightening bolt struck the ledge causing it to start to crumble. The stone giant lunged forward. The dwarves all yelped in surprise as the ledge moved. Dwalin and Bofar grabbed Bilbo just in time preventing him from slipping off the slick sloap. Slowly the path split seperating the company into two "Kili, take my hand!" Fili yelled reaching for his brother. KIli couldn't reach and nearly fell when he was grabbed from behind. Kili looked at Fili his eyes watering from fear. Thorin heard them and horror struck his face as he saw what was happening They were standing on a knee that belonged to a stone giant "Hold on" Thorin shouted at Fili unheard by the wind and rain. "Thorin oh God I am scared." Philicia was soaking wet she had pulled her cloak down and the rain pelted her smalll frame endlessly. Suddenly Philicia looked to the walll on the other side and Thorin following her movement saw as a the giants knee headed for the wall where the rest of the dwarves were. "Nooo" Thorin screamed as the giants knee smashed into the wall."Noo!" Fili he for sure thought they were gone. Thorin buried his face in Philicias shoulder. "Thorin they willl be ok just wait a minute'. He trusted her and again looked over at his friends and nephew. Thorin exaled in relief as he saw they were fine, all of them. Philicia waved to them and they waved back she smiled at Thorin embracing him. "Where's the Hobbit, where's Bilbo"? "Down there" Philicia pointed "Grab my hand Bilbo" Bofar said reaching for him. "Someone get a grapppeling hook." They threw the rope to Bilbo and he latched it around his waist Bofar and Dwalin hoisted him up. "Thought we had lost you laddie." One of the dwarves said patting Bilbo on the back. "He's been lost from the moment he left home." Thorin said bitterness in his tone. "Thorin ,what in the heck was that for it's not his fault he slipped." Philicia said turning the Dwarf King around to face her." No it is not but that could have been you. "Thorin spat at her angerly. "Ok I get it." She took a deep breath. "Thorin we need to really take a moment I have to tell you now please." "What is it ?" He placed his hands on her waist pulling her closer. "Remember what I told you about the goblins , well this is it we go into the cave and the bottom falls out and then we fall into a cage and there are goblins every where." Thorin thought for a moment." You must not be seen I fear what they will do to you ". So it was agreed she would curl up as tight into Thorin as possible and when they were standing the rest of the dwarves would keep her hidden amoung them. "Look." Balin said they are moving off It is finally over" "We must find shelter" Thorin said . They came upon a cave and Thorin looked at Philicia apprehensivly" Dwlin see if it is clear." He came back out giving the all clear and everyone piled in." Let's get a fire going. "Announced Gloin trying to get warm rubbing his hands together. " No , not tonight no fire we must remain unnoticed." Thorins voice shook with trepidation ."Everyone try to get some sleep we leave at first light. Bofur take first watch." Thorin ordered. So while everyone settled down Thorin laid down next to Philicia holding her trembeling body next to his. Thorin in the darkness reached for Philicia kissing her softly when Bofur's wispers caught their attention "Where are you going?"He wispered. "Home." Bilbo replied sadly. "You can't leave now you're part of the company. " Bofur said coming to stand in front of the Hobbit."But i'm not tho Thorin said so and he's right I don't belong here." "Your homesick." Bofur tried to reason with Bilbo. "No,no you don't understand none of you do! You are used to this .Living in these sorts of places, always wandering never belonging anywhere. Oh no no ...I'm sorry I didn't mean that ."Bilbo stumbled over his words. "No, your right " Bofurs words were laced with sadness. " We don't belong anywhere." "Thorin ." Philicia calleed in the darkness reaching for his hand. "I 'm scared cause get ready Bilbo's sword is going to glow blue and then the bottom drops. I have to fall last if everyone falls on me I will be crushed." "Hold onto me my heart and do not let go no matter what." Thorin wrapped her within his great coat and his outer cloak around that shielding her as best he could from what was to come. "Don't worry I am glued to your side." "What's that" Bofur pointed to Bilbo's sword. "Get up , everybody up!" Thorin shouted. Suddenly the cave bottom started breaking apart and then they were falling down a dark tunnel. "Thorin." Philicia screamed. "What's happening?" Came Kili's shout and then everyone was hollering and screaming as they all fell one on top of the other, Thorin and Philicia last. "Goblins" The king warned.
