The next day we walked on firmer ground and I was moved back to the middle of the Comapny, between Dwalin and Bofur. We walked all day without a rest. For some reason we decided when night fell to keep going and a storm brewed. I shivered, my cloak practically useless in this rain and wind as it seemed we walked into a monsoon. Thunder boomed and lightning struck the air. I kept one hand on the wall, careful where I stepped on the slick rock as I kept to Bofur's heels We were on a narrow path now and had to be careful not to slip and fall. I tried to sense and listen for trouble through the pouring rain but it was hard with all the noise of the rain and wind. I could have sworn I saw big rocky figures moving in the distance but believed it was just my imagination made from the crap storm we were in.
I was trying to see better, when I nearly had a heart attack when my foot slipped and nearly went over the edge. Luckily Dwalin grabbed me before I went over, then Bofur grabbed me and helped me back. I grabbed their shoulders in thanks since they couldn't hear me. A roar suddenly filled my ears and I hollered as Dwalin yelled, "LOOK OUT!"
A massive boulder flew threw the air and smashed into the rock above us. We clung to the cliff face as rocks rained down upon us. I barely heard Balin cry, "This is no thunderstorm! This is a thunder battle!"
I stared in disbelief as the very rocks moved to form a giant and it was gathering more ammunition to throw as Bofur said, "Well, bless me." He moved toward the cliffs side get a better look, "The legends are true! Giants! Stone-Giants!" And the boulder came flying! And crashed into another Giant behind us!
Thorin screamed, "Take cover you fools!"
I grabbed Bofur and slung him back against the wall as the rocks crashing around us, whittling the path away. Then suddenly a huge crack formed between Fili and Kili and I gasped as the roaring in my ears grew. I jerked as we moved, standing on the leg of one of the Giants! I looked up in time to see another Giant come and smash it's rock head into this one, making ours falls back! I clung to the rock as it moved, hanging onto Bofur as well. We were still moving and I barely glimpsed the others on the other leg able to jump to real rock. But the leg were were on was still moving as the Giants fought! My heart pounded and I wondered if this would end badly.
Then as the leg moved, we swung in front of the others, right before I saw cliff face flying towards us! Yelling in fear we smashing into the rock! I closed my eyes as I felt hard surface but we weren't smashed, there was enough room that we were alright as the Giant fell back. Staggering to my feet, the rock under my feet gave suddenly! I cried out as I grabbed hold of a rock with my hurt hands but didn't think anyone heard me as I heard Thorin run up, hollering for Kili. I grit my teeth and tried to pull myself up as I heard Bofur ask, "Where's Ariana?" but the bandages made it slick and I shouted as my right hand gave!
Suddenly Bofur was there, trying to reach me and then Ori. But as I reached I began to slip! Thorin jumped down to a nearby small ledge, grabbed my shoulder and heaved me up to them. My heart leaped to my throat as the rock under his feet gave but Dwalin grabbed him.
Bofur got me up and I sighed in relief, thanking him as I tried to hide my shaking. Dwalin sighed heavily after he got Thorin up, "I had thought we lost our Burglar."
Thorin glared at me, his hate for me back in his eyes and he snarled, "She has been lost ever since she got here! She should never have come! She has no place amongst us!"
I stared at him in disbelief, my heart feeling like it had fallen and crashed upon the rocks, as he turned his back on me and called for Dwalin when he found a crack in the cliff face that lead to a cave. Looking down I straightened and ignore the looks of pity from some of the others. I motioned and let them pass to enter the cave first. I could no longer hear the roar or see the Giants. I looked up at the sky, letting the rain fall on my face as I wondered if I would ever gain Thorin's respect. If he would ever like me. It had been going so well, until this.
Sighing an earth shattering sigh, I went in to get out of the rain as I heard Thorin call, "Bofur, you have first watch." When I entered I paused. Underneath the slabs of stone we were standing on was nothing. It was as if we were standing on plates held up in the air. I looked at Thorin, even as he glared and said, "We shouldn't stay here. The ground..."
He snapped, "There is nothing wrong with it! You are of no use to us so keep quiet!" I glared at him, but he ignored me as he turned to the others, "Get some sleep."
Snorting I went over to the entrance and sat at the edge, just out of the rain. Cross legged, I watched the storm clouds and heard Bofur behind me, settling to take watch. I stayed there, trying to calm my temper and figure out what I was to do now, Thorin obviously hated me. "Why then should I stay?"
I sat there, thinking this over, even when the rain stopped and all I heard was snores behind me. I thought to myself with a heavy sigh, "I'm staying. I said I would help them and I will. Even if Thorin hates me," I ignored the twinge in my chest at that, "The others don't. I don't think. I'll just stay out of Thorin's way until Gandalf gets to us. Maybe Thorin will get over this by then."
Deciding that it would be warmer in the cave I got up, wincing as my legs protested and moved into the cave. Standing across from Bofur I just looked back out the cave. I glanced at him when he asked in a whisper, "Homesick lass?"
I gave a bitter smile, feeling the old hurt return, "No."
He cocked his head to the side, which made his hat flop. At his inquiring look I whispered, looking down at my hands, "I'm like you guys. I don't have a home."
His gasp was barely audible and I jumped when he suddenly placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, "I'm sorry lass, I forgot."
I smiled a real smile at him for his kindness, "Don't be. I'm fine with it since it's what I chose. But you guys didn't have a choice when yours was taken." I saw the sadness in his face and quickly tried to back track, "No, I mean. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make you sad."
He looked at me and asked softly, "What are you traveling with us for? You could go back to Rivendell, I know you liked it there."
I smiled softly at his kind thought and patted his shoulder, "Oh Bofur, I'm not leaving. I'm traveling with you all because I want to. I don't have a home to go back to. But you do. So I want to help you get it back. If I can."
I sighed sadly as I glanced at the Dwarves in the cave, "But it's hard when you all don't like me."
I hadn't meant to say it, it just came out. Bofur opened his mouth to say something when I felt a shift under our feet. I paled when I realized what it was and barked, "Wake up! Get up!"
Thorin popped up first, and I wondered if he was awake this whole time, but that was the least of my worries when I heard creaks and groans. The sand on the floor of the cave was falling into a crack that appeared down the middle and Thorin hollered for everyone to wake up. But it was too late. The floor gave in sections and we yelled as we fell into a chute of rock, slid down it and then landed in a heap in a sort of basket. I landed on Bombur, but Bofur landed on me and knocked the wind out of me.
I couldn't get to my feet fast enough as we were swarmed by pale ugly things with pointed ears,
Goblins!
I had never seen such disgusting creatures. It was impossible to imagine something so vile. They were oddly proportioned with bulbous sores growing all over their mutilated bodies. Their skin was papery and thin, and I could even see their organs shifting under its surface. They had tumors spread all over their body, odd growths protruding from their back and shoulders, and their hair, if they had any, was stringy and limp.
I tried to fight but couldn't get enough room to use my swords as I was yanked to my feet. My throwing knives were in my hands in an instant but even as I downed three of the Goblins, more still grabbed me and yanked me along. I tried to fight back, as did the others but we were vastly out numbered and forced along to a bridge, over it and deeper into the mountain. Fear gripped me tightly but I refused to show it.
