Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Enola and any alterations from the original storyline her presence provides to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth Chapter 3
Once the Hobbit and Dwarves got over their shock of meeting a Unicorn in the flesh they got to work retrieving their weapons and attiring themselves back into their outer garments. Bolstered by their victory against the Stone Trolls even though technically Bilbo and Gandalf are the ones that did most, no, all of the work involved in the impromptu rescue.
Gandalf meanders over to the now-deceased Stone Trolls harmless hulking forms. He jabs one of them goading them with his staff, the knock solid and precise, pleased that it turned out so well.
Footsteps from behind indicate someone's approach.
It's Thorin. He's finished redressing ahead of the others and decided to confront Gandalf on his return arrival.
"Where did you go, if I may ask," said Thorin, gruffly.
"To look ahead," answered Gandalf, blankly.
"And what brought you back," persisted Thorin.
"Looking behind," said Gandalf, simply.
Thorin nods in gratitude and appreciation that Gandalf came back even after their heated argument earlier in the day.
"A nasty business. Still, they're all in one piece," said Gandalf, proud of the work he accomplished.
"No thanks to your burglar," commented Thorin, pointedly. rueful, attempting to place blame where he thought it belonged, stereotyping him for not being in fit for this journey as he's mentioned time and time and again repeatedly.
Not tolerating this, speaking in the Hobbit's defense, straightening his posture, Gandalf said "He had the nous to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that."
Point is taken in that regard. Thorin can't refute that point since none of his fellow Dwarves were able to use their intelligence to figure a way out of the Stone Trolls clutches when Bilbo, on the other hand, did.
Yet Thorin's general mistrust of people remains in play, partially clouding his judgment further as he turns his attention over to the other unexpected visitor.
Enola is, meanwhile, standing regally off to the side grazing on a few blooms that were sticking out of some nearby foliage that hadn't been tainted by the Stone Troll's reeking essence. Her gleaming, glistening, and radiant coat are prominent underneath the newly risen sun's light. She tosses her head with a flourish to dislodge an insect that dared to breach her personal space. Her magnificent horn is distinct and sparkling at the tip.
She certainly brings a more interesting aspect to the picture.
"You never mentioned you knew a Unicorn," said Thorin, brow raised.
"That's because the subject never came out. I doubted it ever would with you Dwarves. You barely have any interest in such magical creatures. Also, Enola is a very private person. Considering she is the last of her kind her caution and hesitance to interact with others are justified. Before his defeat, Sauron had hunted every single one of her brethren off the face of Middle Earth. Their light and purity is something he could not risk roaming over the land to push back his darkness," explained Gandalf, sullenly enlightening Thorin on how Enola came to be the single surviving member of her treasured and coveted species. He is avidity to get the stubborn Dwarf to reexamine Enola in a different light.
Already predicting the direction Gandalf is probably going to be taking this conversation, knowingly, finding the potential addition to be a little unconventional, Thorin said "You want her to come with us, don't you? What does she have to contribute? Other than her horn which is her only weapon."
"Enola would be an indispensable asset to the Company," said Gandalf, not bothering to hide or conceal his intentions, not exaggerating the dexterity, stamina, experience, and adequate skills she has to her name wandering alone by herself for hundreds of years. Believing it to be more than convenient for the group. "Not only does she know Middle Earth like the back of her hoof, but her horn alone is indispensable. It may not look like much but that horn is mighty. Not to be underestimated."
"Wouldn't she draw too much attention our way considering we're supposed to be moving relatively unseen with stealth," questioned Thorin.
"Trust me, Thorin," whispered Gandalf, mysteriously serious. "It would be more dangerous for us not to have her accompany us to the Mountain."
Rolling his eyes, Thorin said "Fine, but if she's as fickle as you say then it'll be your job to convince her to join us."
"Wouldn't expect anything less," said Gandalf, smiling poking through his massive beard.
Thorin grunts at Gandalf's chortle.
Gandalf then turns to the Stone Trolls.
Scrutinizing the Stone Trolls, Gandalf said "They must've come down from the Ettenmoors."
"Since when do Mountain Trolls venture this far south," said Thorin, recalling it not to be in their nature.
Shaking his head, Gandalf said "Not for an age. Not since a darker power ruled these lands." Both of them are aware of exactly who that was. The dark omens this implicates are not encouraging. "They could not have moved in daylight."
"There must be a cave nearby," surmised Thorin.
With everyone now assembled they now set out to discover this apparent Troll Horde.
On the way, Gandalf undergoes the job of convincing Enola to become a member of the Company.
Authors Note:
What do you think? Is Enola going to agree to join them from the get-go or are circumstances going to arise that make it convenient for her to follow?
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I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
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By the way whose been watching House of the Dragon? I am so in love with Prince Daemon. He is a dream. Matt Smith was the perfect person to play that character.
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