Chapter 5: A reason to hate Orcs
Authors note: Thank you all so much! Almost 50 followers! I am so happy! And I haven't got to the good part yet. I am glad you all like this story and I promise it will get better within the next few chapters. Oh and you may have noticed the new cover photo. I made it myself! Anyway, here is chapter 5. Enjoy!
It was about dawn when they had set out from Hobbiton without their burglar. Thorin and company mounted their ponies and had finally set out on their epic quest to Erebor. There was no backing out now. Each Dwarf, now much more cheerful than the night before, had often teased Gandalf about the Hobbit he had chosen to be their burglar. They all mocked the Hobbit above all saying he would never step out of his front door without checking if it were safe to venture out or not. Yet Gandalf remained calm and still claimed, much to the Dwarves humour, that the Hobbit would still turn up to go with them. Many found that extremely unlikely but one or two Dwarves agreed with Gandalf. Gandalf kept proclaiming this throughout the morning and eventually, the Dwarves had just about enough of it so they did a wager. If Gandalf had proved them wrong they would give him money, but if not he would give them his money.
"What did I say?" Said Dori as he called out amongst the array of chit-chat going about the Dwarves "coming here was wasting our time."
"That's true enough," Dwalin called back as many agreed with Dori.
Gandalf rode in front with Thorin close behind and unlike the rest of the company, both chose to keep their mouths shut. Gandalf, because he was still optimistic, unlike the rest, that Bilbo would turn up, while Thorin just remained focused on the journey ahead and felt as if he had no time to even mention that silly excuse for a burglar ever again.
"Whose idea was it anyway?" Dori continued to groan not realizing a certain someone running frantically to catch up with them. That same someone they had all doubted since their encounter the night before.
"Wait! Wait!" A voice blurted from behind them. Gandalf was the first to turn his horse around to confirm his optimism soon followed by the Dwarves and their ponies.
Thorin was the last to turn his pony around. His gaze followed as the Hobbit sprinted up to them halting as he reached Balin's pony. Thorin wasn't too sure on how to take the situation. Would Bilbo be a blessing to the quest, or a curse? He did not know. He had strong doubts, stronger than the others, about how the Hobbit would feel about this quest and did not know where his loyalties would lie. Thorin had of course kept as quiet as possible about this. He did not want to inflict his negative thoughts on the others, but he had a feeling those thoughts were a mutual thing among all of the Dwarves. All except Gandalf did not believe Bilbo was a wise choice for a burglar, but now, now they would have to put up with him. Would Thorin or the others learn to cope with the Halfling? Gandalf sincerely hoped so.
"I signed it," Bilbo grinned finally catching his breath as he slowed down before Balin waving the contract around in front of the old Dwarf. He handed it to Balin who took out a small magnifying glass and carefully looked at the contract with a somewhat suspicious eye. Gandalf in the meanwhile smiled triumphantly at the Hobbit giving him the impression he knew he would show up, in which he actually did. Thorin noticed this look and decided that it was just sheer luck that Gandalf was right and nothing more. He did not believe that a Wizard knew everything, and he was right to do so.
"Everything appears to be in order," Balin announced finally folding up the document and placing it in his pocket "welcome Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
Bilbo smiled proudly as many of the Dwarves cheered at Balin's announcement. Balin himself smiled down at the Hobbit and gave a wink of encouragement towards him. Thorin, who sat quietly on his pony as the others around him congratulated the Hobbit, remained silent and inwardly groaned. He knew that Bilbo would not give any benefit to the quest at all, but he had promised to trust Gandalf and his judgement on this one thing. And no matter how much Thorin didn't like it, he knew that in the end he would have to deal with it.
"Give him a pony," Thorin ordered much to Bilbo's sudden shock and dismay. Bilbo, yet again middle of a protest, objected and began to claim he did not need one despite the fact no one was listening to him.
"No, no, no, no," Bilbo ushered out eyes widening as he began to ramble. The Dwarves then started to turn their ponies back around and continue as Bilbo went on his stuttering banter with no one but himself caring "that won't be necessary. I-I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I-I've done my fair share of walking holidays. Even as far as Frogmorton once-" Bilbo was cut short from his ramble when two Dwarves, riding their ponies, picked him up by his shoulders and placed him on the pony behind. Bilbo obviously did a little protest, as always, but in the end he got used to the fact he would have to ride the pony. He was still rather uneasy when the pony decided to make any sudden movements and he was often laughed at for his dislike for riding a pony. But this was only odd but pleasant teasing by the Dwarves, none of them meant to offend the young Halfling.
As the company carried on riding Bilbo had caught up with Gandalf and his large horse. The two rode side by side in a rather comfortable silence as the Dwarves began to bicker or tease about money being owed. Bilbo gazed in confusion as Oin in particular pestered Nori to pay him for some kind of deed.
"Come on Nori, pay up!" Oin continuously harassed the younger Dwarf to pay him. Nori grabbed out a bag of coins and tossed them over his shoulder to Oin with a rather glum look on his face. Oin cheered as he caught the bag of coins in his gloved hand only adding to Bilbo's confusion as several more bags of coins flew over his head to other Dwarves.
"What was all that about?" Bilbo questioned Gandalf who kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Oh they took wagers," Gandalf explained briefly glancing over to Bilbo "on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't."
"And what did you think?" Bilbo added now more aware of the situation going on before him.
"Oh," Gandalf let out a small grunt-like noise before also being tossed a bag of coins from a Dwarf in front. Gandalf grabbed the coins straight in his hand rather smoothly for an old Wizard "my dear fellow, I never doubted you for a second."
Gandalf placed the coins in the inside of his cloak pocket, and as he did this, Bilbo sneezed rather loudly afterwards chuckling to himself about it. "Oh it's horse hair," Bilbo then began to rummage around in his own pockets "I'm having a reaction." The Hobbit then began to frantically search his pockets in a panic as he couldn't find what he was looking for. It alarmed the rest of the company when he called out to them abruptly "wait, wait, stop! Stop! We have to turn around"
The company of Dwarves stopped their ponies wondering why the Hobbit had called them to a halt. Gandalf's eyes arched in confusion "what on Earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked.
"I've forgotten my handkerchief," Bilbo proclaimed a little too over the top. Thorin in front rolled his eyes at the whole affair. Why was the Hobbit making such a big deal over such a small thing? It made him think of Bilbo as a rather ridiculous Hobbit, and this did not go down too well with the others either.
Bofur then ripped a piece of his clothing and passed it to the frantic Hobbit "here! Use this," Bofur said throwing the ripped part of his clothing to Bilbo who looked in disgust at the piece of fabric.
The Dwarves began to laugh and giggle at the Hobbit's look of distaste for what Bofur had just passed him. Bilbo was made to look rather ridiculous as the others simply found humour at his embarrassment. Thorin, who had already had enough of Bilbo's antics just simply turned his pony around again and ordered to the rest of the company. "Move on."
The company continued on throughout the countryside and approaching forests. Bilbo decided it would be in his own and everyone else's best interest if he kept his mouth shut and just blended in with the Dwarves, that was if he could of course. Gandalf continued to bother him about the whole handkerchief affair by reminding him of the quest he was venturing on.
"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs, and a good many other things Bilbo Baggins, before we reach our journey's end. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire. But home is now behind you. The world is ahead."
Thorin Oakenshield kept to himself for the remaining journey that day. Bilbo kept to speaking to either Bilbo or Balin and many of the louder Dwarves like Nori, Bofur and Oin all joked and teased amongst themselves as a way of passing the time. But Thorin himself had no time for games. He was on a mission, and nothing would prevent him from losing his focus on that one thing he held onto. He had dreamed of this day for many decades as he laboured in the towns of Men as a pauper prince. He had also dwelled on it even more so after the battle of Azanulbizar which had claimed his grandfather's life and perhaps his father's. He had watched as many of his kin had perished in that blooded battle, and many who had wept over the loss of so many. He felt pain too just like any other Dwarf, but he tried his best to hide it from others. For he was the last surviving heir of Durin and many now looked to him to lead them in troubled times. He always kept a serious head, unlike most Dwarves, and often swallowed up humour with self pride. He still wasn't proud of what he had done for his people; he knew he could give them more. And more he would do. This quest, to many in the company, seemed like a great opportunity to get-rich-quick or for many to follow their king to what ever end. But this quest was more to Thorin Oakenshield. To him, this was a way of repaying and proving to his people that their king would sacrifice everything to restore peace to his people. This was why he took this quest extremely seriously and had no time for foolishness from Hobbits, Wizards or even his fellow Dwarves.
Finally after journeying a fair distance throughout the day, Thorin ordered the company to make camp. It was on a rocky based ground with a drop below. There was plenty of room for all thirteen Dwarves plus Gandalf and Bilbo to sleep for the night. Thorin had ordered his nephews Fili and Kili to go collect some firewood along with Ori, the youngest of the Dwarves. Bombur had set up various pans and some food from his sack to prepare the company's dinner, but his brother Bofur had to keep him under surveillance because he knew his brother would no doubt eat it all if left unsupervised. Bilbo helped Balin and Dori attend the ponies and the others sat down waiting to start a fire. Thorin kept watch over the rocky cliff edge and watched as the sun began to set in the sky leaving behind it pink clouds that floated peacefully in the calm evening. He surveyed the distance they had travelled today. They were making good progress, not but a day's travel and they were on the borders of the Shire. But from now on, things were only to get worse. They were now in Orc territory. Thorin did not fear Orcs, but he did have a deep hatred for them. And he had his reasons to hate them, especially after all of the bloodshed he had witnessed to those who he had loved.
After eating their dinner many of the Dwarves sat smoking their pipes or tried to sleep on the hard ground. Bilbo was one to try and sleep, but found it extremely difficult to get comfortable. It also didn't help with Bombur's repetitive snoring. Bilbo was rather stunned to see the large Dwarf inhale a small group of fluttering moths as he snored in and then exhaled them back out again a few seconds later. It made Bilbo wonder how he could not be aware of it. But hey, he was thinking of the same Dwarf who had, along with the others, ravaged his pantry and eaten him out of house and home.
Bilbo finally gave up on trying to sleep and struggled to stand upright as he stretched out before making his way over to the ponies to fuss them again. He had grown affection for the dear creatures. Once he had gotten to know how to ride them he had grown a deep attachment to them. Gandalf watched him, leaning up against the stony rock of the small cliff and smoked his pipe contentedly. He was still proud of his decision to make him the company's burglar. He had noticed many of the Dwarves already take a shine to him, but he knew others like Thorin would still need more persuading before they could trust him entirely.
Bilbo had snuck in an apple for one of the ponies and stroked her affectionately until a sudden sound broke in the atmosphere alerting many of the awake Dwarves to the threatening sound. Bilbo abruptly walked away from the ponies and went to enquire about the strange noise that had so rudely interrupted his bonding time with his favourite pony.
"What was that?" Bilbo pointed out as the noise continued in the distance.
"Orcs," Kili said calmly causing Bilbo to scurry away in a small panic.
"Orcs?" Bilbo literally leapt away trying to avoid the sleeping Dwarves in the way of his path. Thorin raised his head from a large rock he was leaning up against and his attentions were also raised as Bilbo still panicked over the noise that was now revealed to be a pack of Orc's not to far away from where their camp was.
"Throat cutters," Fili added more to the fear of the Hobbit "there'll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them."
"They strike in the wee small hours when everyone's asleep. Quick and quiet, no screams. Just lot's of blood." Kili continued after his brother had finished.
Bilbo turned his head away from the two Dwarves wearily keeping his wits about him. His face went rather pale in the shock from which he had just found out. Behind him, Fili and Kili sniggered to themselves quietly on how they had scared the poor Hobbit about the Orcs. Thorin had noticed their sniggers and was not amused at all by their sick, twisted, joke.
"You think that's funny?" Thorin spat rather bitterly. Bilbo turned his head back around towards Thorin and watched as he glared down at his two nephews "you think a night raid by Orcs is a joke?"
"We didn't mean anything by it," said Kili now looking down at the floor in shame.
"No you didn't," Thorin rushed past them storming away from the rest of the company while muttering to himself rather angrily "you know nothing of the world."
Bilbo was left rather confused while the two young brothers gazed at the ground rather shamefully. Balin then appeared from within the darkness and leaned himself against the stone wall as he encouraged Bilbo to not be concerned with Thorin's unexpected rant over the foul creatures of the dark.
"Don't mind him laddie," Balin encouraged to Bilbo's baffled yet unsure expression. Bilbo turned his gaze toward Balin as the elderly Dwarf continued "Thorin has more cause than most, to hate Orcs."
Fili, Kili and Bilbo gazed over from Balin to Thorin who had now wondered off silently keeping his head held low. Fili had noticed his uncle's change in behaviour and wasn't too keen by the look of it. He looked so… remorseful. He had never really known why his uncle had a deep grudge against Orcs before, well, until now anyways.
"After the Dragon took the Lonely Mountain," Balin continued his gaze now wondering off into a world of its own as he reminisced over the experience "king Thror tried to reclaim the ancient Dwarf kingdom of Moria. But our enemy had got there first. Moria had been taken, by legions of Orcs, led by the most vile of all their race. Azog, the defiler. A giant Gundabad Orc had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin."
Bilbo watched as Balin told the story. His face shifted from distant, back to reality, then to distant again. Bilbo had always heard of tales of wars or battles but never like this. He always focused on the good tales which did not involve death or despair, but now he was being told a tale from a Dwarf who had experienced more than he cared to admit. Balin's face shifted to that of sorrow he had as his mind flashed back to the battle he wanted to, but could never forget. Bilbo then shifted his gaze over to Thorin who stood, head down and arms crossed behind his back, also with a gloomy stance about him. Bilbo knew it must have affected him above all to take part in this battle; it must have been dreadful to enter such a thing. But as Balin continued, Bilbo would finally know why Thorin always seemed to be so serious and determined.
"He began," Balin paused a moment, eyes gazing down and a remorseful frown appeared on his aged face as he went to continue "by beheading the king."
Thorin stood gazing out at the distance glumly as he overheard Balin tell his story to Bilbo, Fili, Kili and anyone else who happened to be awake or overhearing the conversation. Thorin remembered it all. The screams, the cries, the bloodshed. It was as if it had happened yesterday, that was how fresh the battle was on his mind. He had fought many battles in his time but the battle for Azanulbizar was by far his worst. His worst because he had lost many of those dear to him. His Grandfather, his father, his friends and other distant relatives. And although he didn't show is true colours to everyone around him, he did still mourn over those whom he had loved and lost in his lifetime. Even if he was not one to show his true emotions.
"Thrain," Balin continued "Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief. He went missing. Taken prisoner or killed, we did not know. We were leaderless. Defeat, and death, were upon us." Balin then gazed up and smiled rather proudly for the first time. He gazed briefly toward Thorin before smiling at Bilbo "that is when, I saw him. A young Dwarf prince, facing down the Pale Orc. He stood alone, against this terrible foe. His armour rent, wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog the defiler learnt that day that the line of Durin would not be so easily broken."
Thorin raised his head in pride as his old friend spoke so highly of him and his thoughts lingered on that moment, when he had rallied the surviving Dwarves together and stormed on the remaining Orcs as Azog was dragged back into Moria by other Orcs, his arm decapitated by Thorin. It had changed the lives of so many, including himself but they were able to drive the Orcs to their defeat. And it was all thanks to Thorin and Azog's apparent defeat.
"Our forces rallied and drove the Orcs back," Balin said "our enemy had been defeated." His face then dropped yet again and gazed at the floor in a deeper sorrow than before "but there was no feast, nor song that night. For our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few, had survived. And I thought to myself then," he then gazed back over to Thorin proudly "there is one who I could follow. There is one, who I could call king."
Thorin slowly turned around as Balin finished his tale of woe. His gaze fell upon Balin and he bowed his head proudly after hearing every single word Balin had told the others. The other Dwarves had now awoken and all turned to face their king, gazing at him as they all overheard his heroic tale. Thorin began to walk back down from where he stood and fixed his head to the ground as he walked past his fellow Dwarves. Some, Ori and Dori being examples, bowed before him as a sign of respect as he walked calmly past them. Bilbo, who had sat in awe throughout Balin's story, finally decided to speak up.
"The Pale Orc," Bilbo began raising the attentions of Balin "what happened to him?"
Before Balin could answer Thorin quickly intervened "He slunk back into the halls whence he came." He then marched past Balin and Bilbo uttering the words with a bitter distaste at the mere mention of Azog "That filth died of his wounds long ago."
Gandalf, who had sat by smoking his pipe whilst witnessing the whole situation go about before him, took his pipe out of his mouth eyes adjusting to his facial features. His gaze soon fell upon Balin who had returned his look of uncertainty. Both were thinking exactly the same thing. What if Thorin was wrong? What if Azog had survived after his battle with Thorin? Neither of them were entirely sure, but both, considered wise, as they were, had gut feelings which bore as a bad sign that they knew deep down the Pale Orc still lived.
The rest of the night remained quiet and modest. There were the occasional sounds of Orcs in the distance. But with each time that foul sound had broken the silence in the air as it echoed throughout the night, Bilbo gradually became less and less alarmed by the sound. You could say he was starting to get used to it even though he was still weary. Eventually, after a lot of effort, he had managed to sleep. This would be the first of many nights he would be sleeping uncomfortably. Oh how he missed his warm Hobbit bed. But he knew Gandalf was right about home being behind him. He would now have to get used to the rough nights and the many miles he would travel each day. This would not stop him from missing home, but it was something he would have to put up with until he journeyed back home again. He had dwelled on this for a long time before finally getting into a deep but not so peaceful slumber. He was fortunate, not all of them had slept that night.
Thorin could not sleep. He was too busy thinking over the quest. He had spent so long dwelling over one thought with each passing night, it was as if he had nothing else to think of. Not until he had claimed Erebor back from Smaug anyway. He would let nothing sidetrack him from the quest. Or that is what he had thought anyway. Thorin lay down and tried to sleep, but with every time he went to shut his eyes, terrible visions of Azog and the battle of Azanulbizar came into his head. It was nothing but a distant memory, but it lingered forevermore in his head like a terrifying nightmare he could never wake up from. That horrifying moment when his grandfather's head was thrown on the ground before his feet by Azog the Defiler would stay with him for all eternity. He had never been so traumatized in his entire life. But unlike his father, who had disappeared shortly after king Thror's death, Thorin stood his ground even more determined than ever to avenge his grandfather the now dead king of Erebor. And it was this determination which had got him and the other Dwarves through that battle alive. The same determination flowed through his veins now. He would reclaim his kingdom and bring peace and order among his people. And nothing would prevent him from doing this, besides death of course. But that was a risk he would be willing to take. For sacrificing his own life for the safety of his people would be an honourable death. And he knew he did not fear death.
Not too far from where the Dwarvish Company had made camp stood another rocky ledge with a few trees dotted about it. The rocky edge was barely noticeable through the mists of the abyss below but the night was turning to that of a peaceful setting. But that peace was not to last. The sudden grumble of a Warg silently disturbed the tranquil setting of the night. An Orc pack had situated themselves on the rocky edge opposite where the Dwarves were camped. All that separated them was that long sheer drop of the cliff below. The Orc at the front of the pack grinned wickedly as his Warg continued to snarl at the glowing lights of the campfire across the cliff. The Orc finally spoke in his native Orcish tongue and smirked as he did so, clutching his Orcish weapon tightly with one hand and the back of his Warg with the other.
"Send word to the Master," He ushered to the other Orcs behind him "we have found the Dwarf-scum!"
Two of the Orcs on their Wargs diverted off from the rest of the pack and went to alert their superior. Other Orcs without Wargs also joined them as they ran off into the night to give their Master the news of their findings. The Orcs would make their way to where their Master was situated and then come back to join the pack again and continue to pursue the Dwarves until they were ready to strike. Well, that was the idea anyway. None had anticipated what would happen the next day. The Orcs would have a rather unexpected surprise waiting for them causing major or permanent delays on their journey. It would be something that would not only affect the Orcs, but the Dwarves also. And it could only end badly. But the question was, for which side?
Authors note: FINALLY! Ahem. Anyway that is it ladies and gentlemen. The last chapter where I do everything according to the movie. Now is where the changes start and the real drama begins. I will still go according to the movie but my own twists will be added. For example, the next few chapters are not based on the movie at all. They are of my own imagination. The next chapter is what you have all been waiting for. Thobera's rather dramatic entry will happen next and then her past will be elaborated on a lot more afterwards. I see many of you are eager to know more about our stubborn Dwarf woman so I have gone into a few details in what she get's up to after she escapes Erebor. In the meantime please review! I shall update soon!