That night we came to an old broken down farm house. Gandalf dismounted and I watched him as he looked over the farm house. I barely heard Thorin tell Fili and Kili to look after the ponies and to make sure they looked after them. This place gave me the creeps. Thorin then order Oin and Gloin to get the fire going and I knew it would be no use getting firewood this time.
Gandalf called, looking a tad nervous, "I think it would be wiser to move on." Thorin went up to him as he said, "We could make for the Hidden Valley."
Thorin said something in a bitter voice, but I knew an argument when I saw one and figured Gandalf meant to ask the elves for help. I had learned early on that Thorin hated elves and the rest dislike them strongly, calling them high and mighty tree-shaggers was the nicest insult. Taking a deep breath, I suddenly felt tired again. The past few days and my long night was beginning to take it's toll on me. I wondered if I was making progress with the Dwarves and rested my forehead against Laddybuck's neck. I jumped when Balin asked next to Laddybucks head, "You alright lass?"
I grabbed Laddybuck's halter when he started eying Balin, but I was eying him too in surprise because I hadn't heard him approach, "Um, yes. Thank you. I'm fine."
Then Gandalf, face clearly saying that he was very much peeved at Thorin, stormed by and I asked, "Everything alright?"
He merely grunted and I asked hesitantly, "Um, where are you going?"
He growled, "To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense."
Bofur had the nerve to ask, "And who's that?"
Gandalf snapped, "Myself Master Dwarf! I've had enough of Dwarves for one day."
I looked at Thorin, who was oddly enough looking at me and he called, "Come on Bombur we're hungry."
I rolled my eyes, knowing Thorin was too stubborn to care that he had made Gandalf angry. Shaking my head I started grooming Laddybuck and said quietly to Balin, "I hope he'll be back." Balin could only nod in agreement.
Then suddenly one of the ponies bolted, screaming in fear and Fili and Kili rushed after it. I hurried after them just in case they needed help because the pony was racing for the river. Kili was able to grab hold of the ponies halter just as it entered the river, but then suddenly it slipped, pulling Kili with it! Heart in my throat, I bolted and saw Fili holler and dive after his brother.
When I hit the water at a run, the pony was trotting a few feet down the river bank without the supplies it had been carrying. I barely registered this as I dove. The water was bitter cold, being snow run off water and I gasped at the surface. Ignoring the cold I swam forward with brisk strokes, and saw Fili unable to reach Kili but was close. Fili was just able to grab Kili's coat by the time I got there, but the weight of the two young Dwarves and an undercurrent made them sink suddenly!
Diving, I was lucky that I was nearly on top of them and was able to grab the back of Fili's jacket. Kicking up furiously, we popped to the surface and I murmured reassuringly, "Grab hold of each other, there you go. Hang on tight."
Paddling back, hanging onto Fili tightly with one hand while he clung to Kili and I towed them to shore. Helping them onto land, Thorin hurried up, and much like a mother hen he clucked over them in his growling voice. Watching them for a second, worried Thorin might hit them, but I smiled softly when Thorin grabbed them in a hug. I moved back a few paces and then promptly shook my head like a dog. Grabbing my ponytail I wrung it out and then any bit of cloth I could. Tilting to get some water out of my ear I called, "You two alright?"
Walking up to them Fili and Kili murmured a thank you, both holding onto the other, shivering slightly. I looked at Thorin and couldn't help myself as I teased, "The water is quite lovely. Care for a swim?" He snorted, shaking his head at me in amusement or disdain I couldn't tell and ordered his nephews to get by the fire and change. He looked at me warily for a second and I rolled my eyes, "Yes your Stubborn-ness, I'll change elsewhere."
Shaking my head for good measure, and to get Thorin sprinkled, I went over to my pack. Gathering dry clothes I whistled Laddybuck over and he followed me to some bushes. Hiding behind him and the bush, he stood guard as I changed. Sighing in relief at warm and dry clothes I braided my hair back and took my wet clothes and tossed them on the bush to dry. Patting Laddybuck, I sent him off to eat and went to make a nuisance of myself in trying to help with dinner as Fili and Kili went to watch the horses. To my surprise Bombur welcomed my help because his brother Bofur was being useless, too busy doing something with Bifir.
As night fell I felt it bring something with it. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Shaking my head I went up to Bombur, "I'll take some food to Fili and Kili." He looked surprised but shrugged and handed me two bowls before helping himself to another helping. I took the food into the woods and found Fili and Kili staring into the dark. Curious I asked, "What's wrong?"
They jumped, not expecting me and I handed them the food. Fili said softly, "We're supposed to be looking after the ponies." Kili glanced at me, "But we've encountered a slight problem."
Fili: "We had 16."
Kili: "Now there's 14."
I glanced around quickly and didn't see Laddybuck. Moving forward warily I heard Kili said, "Daisy and Laddybuck are missing." as I looked around and saw some trees had been knocked over. "Something big knocked these trees over." Fili said with hope in his voice, "As our official burglar we thought you could look into it." when I looked at him he looked a bit sheepish, "Best not to tell Thorin."
Shaking my head at him, not sure if he didn't want to anger his uncle or get them in trouble, or both, I continued my survey, "Something big came through here."
Kili and Fili had followed, "That was our thinking."
I saw something and whispered, crouching on instinct, "There's a light." Moving forward as they followed I quickly grabbed them and made them duck behind a log as a huge form moved out of the darkness, carrying two more ponies, Myrtle and Mindy. I stared at the huge ugly form, "What is that?"
I heard grunting and laughter coming from the light as Fili said with disgust, "Trolls."
I looked at Kili and Fili, seeing neither of them in much of a hurry to save the horses. I murmured, "Go tell Thorin."
I made to get up but Kili grabbed my arm, nearly yanking me into the dirt, "What are you doing?"
I shook my arm loose, getting up to jump over the log, "Getting our horses."
Fili grabbed my arm this time and I kissed the dirt as he said in surprise, "But your a girl!"
I spat out a leaf wondering if he forgot I saved their hides more than once already, hushed him quickly and whispered sarcastically, "Yes I'm a girl. And I'm not sitting back while they eat Laddybuck!"
They both made a grab to stop me but I was quicker and smooshed their faces down into the dirt and jumped over the log. Slipping behind trees and bushes I made my way closer and closer to the light. Finally I got to it, hiding behind a rock and saw three of the ugly creatures sitting around the fire, one cooking something in big pot. They argued with themselves and I saw the horses pinned near a cliff face. I wrinkled my nose in disgust when one sneezed into the soup and the cook was impressed that the booger floated.
Sneaking over to the horses I quickly hushed them as they neighed when they saw me and then I saw Kili. He was heading over to me, trying to be sneaky, failing and I grabbed him just as one of the Trolls turned and we ducked behind a boulder. Keeping a good grip on his sleeve I hissed, "What are you doing? Go get the others!"
He grinned at me, eyes sparkling in excitement, "Fili is getting the others. We gotta get the horses loose."
He shrugged out of my hold and like the young reckless Dwarf he was, he made a dash for the horses. I nearly face planted the boulder when he was seen instantly. I bit my lip as he tried to dodge a grab, managing to slice into one but he was snatched up by his feet and held up in the air. Leaping out of my hiding place I pulled my sword free as I did and cut the horses loose before lunging to Kili's rescue. He was cursing at the trolls in Dwarvish and I barked, "OI! UGLY!"
All three turned to look at me, Kili staring at me in surprise, which looked odd since he was upside down. I snarled, twirling my blade, "Drop him!"
Thick and stupid, they just stared and one asked, "Do what?"
I grinned at him, "I said drop him, you dumb ugly ass troll!"
I didn't really expect them to actually do what I said, but they did. By throwing him at me! Quickly, so that I wouldn't skewer him I held my sword out and caught him on my other side. The weight made us tumble back and I blinked as roars surrounded us and the rest of the Dwarves ran out of the bush and attacked the Trolls. Yanking Kili to his feet, I clapped him on the shoulder before we joined in the fray.
The Troll on the right, the cook, lunged first with a roar but I was already in motion. Moving between his legs I cut him on his thighs and he spun with a squeal, wielding a large metal spoon. It was swinging down right onto Nori's head! Swinging my blade up I felt my whole body jar as I caught the spoon and held it off. But not for long as the Troll leaned down and to my horror the sword began to bend.
Rolling out of the way, I swung my arm back and then threw my sword like a boomerang, hitting another troll in the head so that Dwalin could smash it's toes with his hammer. Drawing my daggers I tried to hack but it wasn't much good when the daggers shattered at the hilts from clashing with the spoon again. Then suddenly the Troll moved towards Fili, whose back was to him and he didn't see the Troll. Without hesitation I lunged, knocking him out of the way. Before I could dodge the Troll was on top of me, pushing me down into the dirt with both it's hands.
The air was being squished from my lungs and I felt my vision darken. It was too big to throw off so I whipped out one of my throwing knives and thrust it into a thumb the size of a log. He screeched and let go, right before my arms and legs were grabbed. I was yanked into the air as I heard it yell, "Drop your arms, or we rip hers off!"
Catching my breath I paled, looked down at Thorin and shook my head. But to my disbelief, he had already dropped his sword, followed by the others. It was touching, but I couldn't help but feel like I had betrayed him.
