Chapter 5 has arrived!

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue

Arriah held Briar's reins tightly as they began to climb up a slight incline. It was dangerous because she could not see, but she trusted Briar.

"We camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stick with them. Oin, Gloin."

Arriah slid off of Briars saddle and took the reins in her hand. Leading Briar to where she scented Bofur.

"Aye?"

"Get a fire going."

"Right you are."

Arriah stood silently before the reins were taken from her and her pack handed to her.

"There you go, lass."

"Thank you, Bofur."

Arriah turned and headed in the direction that she'd scented Gandalf in.

"A farmer and his family used to live here..."

Arriah raised an eyebrow. "This is a house then? Smells of burnt wood and flesh."

Gandalf grumbled. "What else."

Arriah glanced suspiciously in Gandalfs direction.

"Troll."

"I thought as much."

Arriah kicked at the ground with her feet.

"I think it would be wiser to move on."

Thorin was approaching.

"We could make for the Hidden Valley."

"I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

"Why not? The Elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."

Arriah became aware of how close Throin was to her now.

"I do not need their advice."

"We have a map that we can not read, Lord Elrond could help us."

Arriah gave a slight nod. I know Elrond, his help on this quest would be invaluable. But his royal stick-up-his-ass highness is too prideful to go to him. What does he have against Elves anyway?

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves? Orc's plunder Moria. Desecrate our sacred halls. The Elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather, betrayed my father."

"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key so you could hold onto the past."

"I did not know that they were yours to keep."

Arriah let out a breath and snuck around the arguing wizard and dwarf, stubbing her toe on a rock in the process.

"Everything all right? Gandalf, where are you going?!"

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense, besides Arriah."

"And who's that?"

"Myself, Master Baggins."

Arriah listened to the wizard storm off.

"Come on Bombur, we're hungry."

Arriah couldn't agree more. Moving towards the heat of the small fire Oin and Gloin had cooked up she breathed in deeply. Troll, troll everywhere. It's disgusting. Need to be alert.

Night came quickly, and Arriah found herself sitting on a log sipping at a rather brothy stew.

"Been gone a long time."

"Who?"

"Gandalf."

"He's a wizard, he does as he chooses. Here, do us a favour, take this to the lads."

Arriah sipped at the broth.

"Stop it, you've had plenty."

She smiled at the sound of Bombur's protests. Suddenly the fresh scent of troll was blown towards her by the wind and she frowned.

"Here, Bombur, have my share. Not hungry tonight."

"Oh, thank you lass."

And the bowl was taken from her. She stood and turned to her right, were Ori was sitting.

"Ori, do me a favor and watch my pack, will you?"

Silence.

"Oh-oh, yes."

Arriah smiled and nodded. Moving forwards she carefully navigated the camp and pushed into the trees. After the ponies, maybe.

She could feel the vibrations of the troll walking, and could almost smell it's breath. It was coming closer, where were Fili and Kili? Backing up against a tree she lowered herself to the ground and brought her knees to her chest.

Everything was quiet and still. No birds chirped, no bushes rustled. Then something large slammed into the ground beside her. Moving her hand to cover her mouth she held her breath. She listened quietly as two ponies cried in protest, as the were likely being taken by the troll. She could smell it breath. Hot and acidic. She gagged.

Slowly the footsteps faded and she lowered her hand. Suddenly she became aware of three people approaching. She sniffed.Bilbo, Kili, and Fili.

"Arriah?"

"Shh...and go away, this is my hiding spot."

"...No."

"What?"

"He's got Mertyl and Minty. I think they're going to eat them, we have to do something."

Silence.

"Yes, you should. Mountain trolls are slow and stupid and you're so small they'll never see you. It's perfectly safe, we'll be right behind you."

Arriah narrowed her eyes.

"If you run into trouble hoot twice like a barn owl and once like a brown owl."

Suddenly she hand was grabbed and she was dragged up. She was being led quickly through the forest.

"You've sent him to die."

It was Fili who had grabbed her. Kili's hands felt different than these ones.

"Maybe...no, now we just get the company, and we'll all go to back him up."

Arriah sighed in annoyance.

"What were you two doing anyway? How could you not have noticed a large troll terrorizing the ponies and kicking over trees?"

"Uhm, best not talk about it."

Arriah huffed and stumbled out of the trees. Her hand still held tightly by Fili's.

"Trolls. They've gotten four of the ponies."

A collective shout was heard from the company.

"What about Bilbo? I sent him to ya' two with some soup? Where is he?"

Arriah cleared his throat. "Digging his own grave. He went after the ponies. He wouldn't stop, something about bonding with his pony Mertyl."

What am I saying? Why am I covering for these two...eh, they'll owe me one.

"This true?"

"Yes, uncle."

"We have to hurry."

"To arms!"

The camp was suddenly in a tizzy. There was a clanging and scraping of metal and cloth. Boots thudded the ground. The sound was a little overwhelming and she squeezed the hand that was holding hers.

Ahh, oops.

Slowly she took her hand from Fili's grasp and followed Ori's scent.

"Ori, my pack-"

"No."

Arriah turned sharply. It seemed as though the whole company had frozen.

"What?"

"I said no. You're blind. What help will you be?"

Arriah narrowed her gaze.

"Plenty. You think I carry around my swords for show?"

"No, you stay, if you really wish to prove your battle skills you may do so later, but not in the heat of battle. Not all here are experienced or seasoned fighters, they will be distracted by you."

Arriah didn't budge.

"Fine." She spat out. "But when you're all hanging over the trolls fire, who do you think will come and save you?"

She turned on her heel and walked. No particular destination in mind, but she inwardly smiled as she was nudged slightly to one side or the other, she guessed it was the dwarves keeping her from tripping and getting a mouth full of dirt.

She sighed and sat down on the ground. I'll go and save them in a bit.

So, it's troll time! See you next chapter! R&R!