Chapter 4

It rained hard the next day.

"Can you not make this rain stop?!" Gloin asked.

"It is rain Master Dwarf! And it shall continue to rain until the rain is finished. If you would like to complain then I suggest you find yourself another wizard!" replied the wizard crossly.

"Are there others?"

Gandalf turned and looked to Mr. Baggins.

"Other wizards?"

"There are five of us. The greatest is Saruman the White, and of course there are the two blues, you know I have quite forgotten their names, and myself, and Radagast the Brown."

"Are they great wizards or are they more…..like you?"

I coughed to hide my laughter.

"I believe Radagast is a very good wizard. Though he is quite solitary. He dwells in the forest of Greenwood and prefers the company of animals." he added.

"I have met the Brown Wizard once or twice before. Often I have been sent to scout in many different places of Middle Earth. A kind fellow and with quite a liking for mushrooms." I said.

"That he does. And perhaps it is fortunate he dwells so far from the other wizards. For ever the help of the wizard is needed somewhere." Gandalf finished.

I nodded for his words were true. Apparently the rain did not wish to stop until that evening. By the time we stopped to rest for the night we were all soaked. Gandalf walked to an abandon and rather broken old house.

"A farmer and his family once dwelled here. I think it would be wise for us to move on." he said.

Thorin walked over to him.

"And where would you suggest we go?"

"We could make for the hidden valley of Imladris…."

"I told you I shall not go near that place." Thorin said bitterly.

I frowned but other then that said nothing.

"There we would find aid and safety….."

"I do not need the aid of the elves!" snapped the dwarf.

"I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past!" Gandalf hissed.

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

Gandalf stood where he was for a few moments before turning around and walking off angrily.

"Wait where are you going?" asked a panicked hobbit.

"To seek company elsewhere! I have had my fill of the stubbornness of dwarves for one day!"

I sighed and shook my head. I lay down upon the soft grass and closed my eyes. I had only been there for a few moments when heavy boots approached.

"Certainly lying out in the open away from the other is quite dangerous."

"I prefer my solitude." I said to Thorin.

"So I have learned. Though I would not deem it wise."

"Many have said as such, though nothing horrible has yet happened to me. Rest assured it is nearly impossible to surprise me." I whispered.

"You may almost pass for an elf." he muttered.

"I was raised by elves." I said.

I looked up to see the shock on his face. I laughed lightly.

"You believe this to be funny?" He asked.

"On the contrary, I find it quite painful."

"I do not understand."

I stood up and sighed.

"I would not expect you to. No one does and it matter not. I am no elf, I am one of the Dúnedain and this all you require to know."

I walked off before he could further the conversation. My past was of no one's concern. I did not dwell upon it so no else should either. I was never one to begin a conversation unless it was to obtain knowledge. Although there was something different about Thorin. He was different from others I had met. I felt a sort of bond between us. Though as to how and why I was in the dark for I had never met Thorin before a few days ago. I stopped and slowly turned and looked at him. He looked up at that moment and his eyes bored into mine. I started to wonder if Gandalf had only called upon my aid for the quest, I wondered if he had thought of something more.