"Hurry" he said, ripping the webs down so that Frerin could untangle himself.
Thorin looked over at Dis. But she was not there. Dis had already started to climb down. The spiders were following her. Every so often, she would get far enough down to have a few seconds rest.
But she knew that she was truly safe when she reached level ground. But that was easier said then done. For there gap between the branch she was on and the next one was further then she had expected.
Origo had been sleeping for a good few hours. His little eyes opened. His Diamond had still not arrived home. But his hunger could not wait. Origo dug himself out of the duvet and down to the end of the bed.
A strange smell hit his little wet nose as he walked out of the room. It was not turkey, nor any other food for that matter. Origo slowly walked towards the kitchen. There, he heard something crash and bang. Origo's eyes widened.
Should he really go in there?
But this little puppy wanted his turkey. So, with a large wave of courage, Origo entered to see pippin laying on the floor. For a moment, Origo thought that pippin may have hurt himself.
But that was not the case. Pippin suddenly moved and looked over at him.
"Origo!" he said, louder then normal.
Fear suddenly rose in the pup and he backed away.
"Oh no, don't tell Diamond!" Pippin said.
Something was wrong with him as Origo watched him stagger to his feet.
"Hey, do you like chicken?" Pippin asked.
Origo did not have a chance to answer as Pippin turned around and staggered over to the cellar. As he got there, he stopped.
"Stay" he said, looking back at Origo.
"Stay, good boy"
Origo blinked twice as he watched Pippin open the cellar door. Origo stood there, his little mind was very confused indeed. Pippin staggered back out a few minutes later. In one hand, there was a packet of what chicken, in the other was a refilled goblet.
Small droplets of ale fell to the floor. Ori watched as Pippin placed his ale on the table and walked to the cupboard. A bowl was then taken out and, after a few attempts, the chicken was emptied into it.
"Here you are puppy!" Pippin said, placing the bowl down on the ground.
But, in his drunken state, Pippin accidently dropped it. The bowl impacted on the tiled floor and smashed.
"Oh you silly dog!" Pippin said.
Origo backed away.
"Look, look at what you have done!"
Origo did not like Pippin very much. Pippin took a deep breath and squatted down. Origo watched as Pippin tried to steady himself. But his balance was not very good. It took Peregrin longer to clean up. For he kept dropping the shards of bowl and pieces of chicken.
"Naughty puppy, no food for you"
Origo growled. He wanted his turkey.
"Ah, don't growl at me you naughty dog!"
Meanwhile, Diamond became very angry. She did not know why, but something told her that Pippin had a part to play in it.
A large meal had been set out by Pearl, with a little help from Pimpernel. Pervinca had arrived too, she had brought big, chocolaty muffins for pudding.
Diamond could not take it any more as she put her knife and fork down and rose from her seat.
"Where are you going?" asked Pearl, looking at her sister-in-law.
"I'm sorry, I have to go and check on Pippin, I mean, Origo" she said.
Abira poked her round fluffy head above the rim of the table. She watched Diamond get up and walk out of the kitchen.
Pimpernel looked down at saw her puppy sitting up. Her knife and fork were place down and her puppy was lifted up.
"You little cutie" she said, kissing the warm puppy on the head.
Abira gave a small whimper and rested her head on her paws. Down the hallway, Diamond's departure echoed down.
Minute past before Diamond got back to her home. She took a deep breath as she opened the door. But her mood did not improve as she smelt the tobacco smoke drift down from the kitchen.
Suddenly, like a small furry bullet, Origo appeared.
"Origo!" Diamond said, instantly scooping him up.
Diamond had never seen her puppy so scared, he wriggled, trying to get to the safest place.
"Calm down, puppy" she said, feeling little Origo's heart beating twice as fast as was normal.
Diamond scowled. There was only one person that could make her puppy that scared.
Pippin.
Pippin sat with his pipe in his mouth and his large feet on the table. He failed to notice Diamond towering behind him. But he would soon find out.
"Peregrin Took!" Diamond said, her voice raised.
Pippin almost fell off of his chair. In fact, something did fall. His large pint of ale. Diamond was not very happy with him.
"Diamond!" said Pippin, trying to sound sober.
But it was not working.
"I trusted you with my house and with my puppy, but you couldn't even do that"
Pippin took on a confused look.
"But, I've given him his turkey"
Diamond did not believe Pippin one bit.
"Where is his bowl?" she asked.
Pippin took a deep breath and slowly got up. Diamond knew that Pippin had drunk way too much. He staggered over to the bin and gave a small hiccup in the process.
"Look" he said, bending down and getting a shard of bowl out of the bin.
Diamond took a deep breath.
"He broke it so I had to throw it away!" Pippin told her.
Origo gave a little growl. Diamond shook her head.
"Why do you do this?" she asked.
Pippin felt a very sudden change in atmosphere.
"Do what?" he asked.
Diamond could not believe how self-centred he was being.
"This!" Diamond told him.
"Thinking of yourself all the time, it scares me"
Pippin knew that he needed to think about his Diamond and Faramir more. But, at the moment, he was took drunk to do anything. He swayed as he stood.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked.
The answer was one that Pippin did not expect. Diamond did not have to think hard about what she wanted.
"Your pipe" she answered.
Pippin opened his mouth to argue, but thought better of it. For there was no way in convincing her otherwise.
"When can I have it back?" he asked.
Diamond did not know, even if she did, she did not want to tell him.
"When you've grown up" she said.
Pippin could still see a small bit of silver smoke rising from it. Pippin gave a small sigh and handed his pipe over to Diamond.
"And your goblet" she said.
There was still a small bit ale left in it. Pippin was just about to drain the last of his precious liquid, but he was stopped.
"In the sink" Diamond told him.
Origo turned his head to watch Pippin. Ori watched as pippin slowly walked over to the sink. Diamond watched as Pippin stood there for a few seconds. The mug of ale was then tilted and the ale started to pour out of the mug.
After a few seconds, all of the ale was now trickling down the sink. Pippin took a deep breath as he turned around. Never once had he wasted so much perfectly drinkable ale. A small smile came over Diamond. She had Pippin right where she wanted him.
"Now, me and Origo are going to see Pearl, Pimpernel and Pervinca"
Pippin felt like Diamond was not telling him something.
"And I want you to clean the house for me, get the smell of smoke out of the kitchen" she told him.
Pippin thought this was an impossible task.
"How do I do that?" he asked.
Diamond took a deep breath. She knew that Pippin was never around when she started cleaning.
"Wash the curtains, clean the table, floor, worktops" she answered.
This was a mammoth task for Pippin. Nearly every room had the smell of smoke in it. it would take Pippin hours, maybe even days to get it all out.
"All of them?" he asked.
"All of them" Diamond answered.
Pippin took a deep breath as he watched Diamond walk out. He knew that, if he wanted to stay here, then he would have to do as he was told.
Diamond smiled as Origo rested his head on her shoulder and gave a small whimper.
"We can get a very large bowl of turkey when we're at Pearl's home" Diamond told him as she walked to her room.
A large, warm blanket was then taken out.
"Come on, lets go and see Abira, I think she misses you" Diamond told him.
Origo was placed on the bed as Diamond opened her wardrobe. Origo watched as she buttoned up her coat. She then picked up Origo and walked out of the room.
A few minutes later, after getting a large warm blanket for the pup, the two of them made their way down the corridor. Diamond smiled as she opened up the door to the cold, outside world again.
The sunlight was fading as Diamond walked out. Origo had been wrapped up in his large blanket. Diamond knew that Origo could not be carried home. But she hadn't told him yet. For Faramir had been left with his aunties while Diamond went back to get Origo.
Pimpernel, Pearl and Pervinca had all finished their lunch.
"Should we wait for Diamond?" Pervinca asked.
Pimpernel took a deep breath as her hand ran over a small sleeping puppy. Abira had eaten her bacon like the good little puppy she was.
Just as Pervinca was about to stab one of Diamond's sausages, a few knocks echoed down the corridor. Vinnie took a deep breath and took her fork away again, mumbling about how hungry she was.
Pearl smiled as she rushed down the corridor and opened the large front door.
"Oh, I see you've brought Origo, I'm sure Abira will be pleased" she said.
Origo was unwrapped and placed on the tiled floor. Diamond heard a small whimper and saw his little puppy eyes looking at her.
"It's not that cold, puppy" she answered, unbuttoning her large coat.
Origo gave a small yawn and looked around. He could smell his puppy friend, but did not know where she was.
"Come on" Diamond said, walking past him.
Origo trailed behind. Diamond was greeted by her other two sister-in-laws. Origo wondered in a few seconds later and instantly spotted Abira snoozing on her Pimpernel's lap.
Origo gave a small whimper and followed his Diamond to her seat. Pearl now had Origo to cater for. She had just the thing that Origo needed.
A few minutes later, after going into the cellar, Pearl placed a bowl full of turkey on the floor.
"Origo?" she asked, looking over at him.
Ori had settled down under the seat that his Diamond was sitting on. Origo looked over and saw Pearl standing there. It took him a few seconds before he realised that a bowl of turkey had been prepared for him. Pearl smiled as Origo started to chomp on the small chunks.
Diamond finished her meal. But there were still a few scraps left in the bowls. Pearl, who had made the fabulous meal, dished out the last scraps.
Abira still had no idea that her Origo was just feet away from her. Pimpernel smiled as her little precious puppy continued to snooze.
Sweat was running down Thorin's face as he descended the tree. There were just a few branches left to negotiate. Dis and Frerin had already made it down.
"Hurry!" Dis shouted.
Thorin stopped and looked up. He could see, against the darkness of the canopy that he had just come from, figures moving. The spiders were now trailing him.
Thorin took a deep breath and jumped down the last few. He landed on the moss covered ground.
"Come on, Thorin" said Frerin.
He had his axe out already. Thorin took a deep breath as he wiped his forehead.
"Thorin?" Frerin asked.
Thorin looked up. The two brothers looked at each other. No words were spoken, but they knew what was going to happen.
"Hurry" said Frerin as he started to walk quickly the wrong way.
Dis was confused.
"Where are we going?" Dis asked, trailing behind them.
Thorin knew that the rest of the group were now in danger. The three of them had to get back to the main group as quickly as they could.
Thrain and the rest of his people were resting, hunger and tiredness had got to them. A few remained standing, looking out into the wild.
Thrain took a deep breath as he sat with his back to one of the large trees. He had large boots on. His feet were throbbing in pain as he stretched his legs out. His pack stood beside him. Food was running low. The dwarves were hungry, but the food was scarce.
"Don't eat too much now, we are but half way through the forest" Thrain told a young female dwarf.
The female dwarf looked very tired. She had smaller boots then Thrain did, but they equally as durable. The female dwarf, who's beard had not been combed since Smaug had made his home in the mountain.
Her hair, which was dark red, like most of the dwarves that had survived, was messy. Twigs and leaves were imbedded in her hair.
Thror gingerly stood up. His knees were stiff, especially after walking for so long. But he had to see his people through to the other side.
Legolas stood in front of a large archway that lead into another room. The sun was high in the sky. Water rushed over all sides of the valley. Two dark haired elves walked towards him. Neither of them said a word.
Legolas stood to one side and let them pass. Inside the room lay a woman on a bed. A large basket of the richest fruit the elves had to offer. Bundles of purple grapes, some ripe bananas, the greenest apples and orange oranges.
Celebrian gave a small smile as she ate a grape.
"Good morning" she said to both of her boys.
Elladan and Elrohir stood either side of the bed.
"I would like you to meet your new little sister"
Elladan looked down and saw a small baby looking back up at him. Her tiny ears were pointed and her eyes were as blue as the sky above.
"Elladan, Elrohir" said Celebrian.
She looked down at her very small child.
"I'd like you to meet Arwen"
Arwen's eyes were big, they darted around the room. Her eyes fell on her older brother. Arwen's eyes were transfixed on Elladan. A small smile came over Elladan's face.
"She looks like you, mother" he told her.
Celebrian smiled.
"She has your father's looks too"
Just then, Elrond walked in.
"I trust she is doing well" he said.
Elrond, though ancient and wise, his looks had not changed. Elves normally stopped aging when they reached forty of fifty, like normal mortal men. But, but life would not leave them, like it did men.
Elves remained living, just like they always did. Old trees would fall and mountains would crumble, but the elves remained. The very landscape under their feet changed, be it slowly.
Buildings that had once stood were now all but a distance memory, they had been replaced with new buildings.
"We must leave, your mother needs rest and Arwen needs to feed"
Elladan and Elrohir nodded and walked out. Elrond had already made plans for Arwen's life. She would live safely, happily and out of danger in Rivendell. But her life had already been written in the stars.
Legolas lay on the cold ground. The only sound that could be heard was Gimli, snoring as usual. Night had fallen around them. Stars twinkled in the sky.
Legolas watched the sky. He saw small spot of light race over the night sky, weaving in and out of view. After a second, the spot of light was gone.
"Fourteen" he told himself as he started to look around again.
Soon, the moon came into view. Eight days had past since the new moon started to appear in the sky. Stars could be seen twinkling at nearly every point on the horizon.
But, to the east, a mountain range could be seen. It was hiding behind the eastern horizon, but its snowy caps stood out.
Hours past, Legolas had found more wood. Though the elf made as much noise as he could, the dwarf did not wake.
Legolas took his pack and looked inside. A few wafers of lembas bread still remained. Legolas longed for the rich food that eaten in both his Mirkwood home and his abode on Rivendell.
Fresh bread, the softest meat, the richest fruit and the clearest of Middle-earth's waters could be found there. Groups of travellers on important business were welcome in Rivendell, especially over the past one hundred years. A group of thirteen dwarves, a wizard and a homesick hobbit rolled into Rivendell. They stayed a grand total of two weeks before any of them thought about departing.
But depart they did. Their journey would take a turn for the worse. First, they were kidnapped by goblins and driven deep into the heart of the misty mountains.
But this did not end the of their troubles. Bilbo suddenly stood up. In the distance, he could hear the call of wolves.
But help was on the way in form on large eagles, much larger then any bird that roamed middle-earth. Their wings helped them fly in this warm night.
In the distance, flames could be seen glowing in the heart of the pine forest. As a few flew further towards the chaos, noises could be heard.
The wolves that had surrounded the trees were on fire. Their fur let out a horrible smelling smoke. Gandalf, unknown to the dwarves and unknown to Bilbo, had spoken with the eagles that were now soaring above them.
Bilbo was not concerned about the eagles above, but more with fire climbing the tree towards him. The tree that he and Dori were situated in was the last that the eagles checked.
Bilbo managed, only just, to grab onto Dori's feet. The eagle had no problem lifting the both of them. Bilbo felt the heat of the fire and the screams of the wolves slowly die down. It was replaced by the complaints of Dori and the wind rushing past his ears.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the party of dwarves had been put down. Bilbo landed with a thump.
"Now I know what a piece of bacon feels like when it is suddenly picked out of the pan on a fork and put back on the shelf!" he said.
He was surprised that Dori answered him, having sworn he had said it to himself.
"No you don't!" Dori answered, brushing himself off.
"Because the bacon knows that it will get back in the pan sooner or later"
After a few minutes of unease, another eagle flew into view.
"The lord on the eagles bids you to bring your prisoners to the Great Shelf" the eagle told them.
Bilbo, who could not talk to eagles, watched as Dori was picked up and taken away out of sight. Worry started to rise in little Bilbo.
It rose quicker as, out of the darkness of night, an eagle swooped in on him. Bilbo did not have time to react as the claws closed in around him. Once again, Bilbo was, once again, flying through the air. But he had a much comfier ride of it and a much short ride then last time.
Bilbo arrived at his new location a shivering wreck. The eagle did not fly out of sight, but to a large outcrop of rock. Bilbo listened in what Gandalf had to say.
"They would shoot us with their great bows of yew" the great eagle told the wizard.
"For they would think we were after their sheep. And at other times, they would be right"
Gandalf knew that this did not help matters much.
"No, we are glad to cheat the goblins of their sport and glad to repay out thanks to you. But we will not risk ourselves for dwarves in the southward plains"
Gandalf knew that eagles were very stubborn.
"Very well" he said, his hair still had some colour in, but was mostly turning grey.
"Take us where and as far as you will. We are already deeply obliged to you. But in the meantime, we are famished with hunger"
"I am nearly dead of it" Bilbo muttered, just loud enough for the wizard and eagle to hear.
The bird eyed Bilbo for a moment or two.
"That can be mended" he said.
An hour later and a fire had been set. Bilbo and Gandalf had been returned to their dwarves and a small feast was prepared. Rabbits, hares and sheep were ferried up to them. Bombur smiled as he skinned the rabbits, deboned them and chopped them up.
His large caldron had been lost in the depths of the goblin caverns. But Bombur did not need a caldron. There were enough dry sticks to create a good fire and to pierce the meat.
Bombur smiled as he turned the meat. The smell of it wafted towards Bilbo. He closed his eyes and listened to the small pops and crackles of the fire. A small part of Bilbo felt like he was back in Hobbiton.
All he needed now was his book and his pipe. But his pipe and book were a long ay away and, over the next few days, would become even further.
"There you are, Mr Baggins" said a large hobbit holding out a stick.
Bombur gave a small smile, but Bilbo could not see it. The fire had been blocked out by his largeness.
"Thank you" Bilbo said, looking at the piece of meat hanging from the end of the stick.
Bombur handed out a stick of meat to everyone, including Gandalf. Soon, Bilbo's hunger was starting to drain away. He gave a small smile as he finished up every little morsel that he could get. Bombur was not finished with handing out the food as he started to cook the large sheep that had been brought up as well.
Bilbo finished the small, to hobbits, bit of meat. To humans, the piece of meat would have fed a family of four for dinner. But Bilbo was still hungry. He smiled as his energy started to rise.
Soon, the sheep had been sheered, cut and cooked. Bilbo nodded as Bombur gave him a steaming piece of lamb. Bilbo had never tasted better lamb before in his life. His stomach was as grateful for the food as much as he was. Bilbo smiled as he finished his last bite.
Bombur had finished with his stick and threw it in the fire. Bilbo took a deep breath and looked at his stick. Soon, snores erupted from random bundles on the floor.
Bilbo knew that he had to get some sleep, but he secretly wished for more food. But he wished for sleep just the same. The hobbit slowly fell asleep. All of his problems had been forgotten, but only for a few hours.
Origo yawned as he curled up in front of the fire. But he was not alone. Little Abira had curled up near by. Origo still had not seen Abira all night. Abira did not know whether to wake him up or not. For she knew that he would be cranky.
Abira had waited too long for Origo to wake up. She had fallen asleep herself. But Origo would soon wake as the time wore on. Diamond smiled as she took her son.
"Well, I best be getting off" Diamond said, finally looking up at the clock.
Faramir's eyes had began to become really heavy. Diamond smiled as she felt sleepy too.
"I think little Faramir needs his sleep"
Faramir gave a small gabble in response. Diamond now had the problem of Origo now. She needed a way to keep her puppy warm on the way home.
Pimpernel smiled as she slowly and silently stood up. She did not go to pick up her puppy, but little Origo instead.
"Shh Shh" she said as Origo gave a small whimper.
Diamond smiled as Origo rested his head on Pimpernel.
"I think I can help carry Origo home for you" Pimpernel whispered.
Diamond smiled.
"It's only a short distance, I'm sure Origo will survive the walk home"
Origo slowly opened his eyes as he felt the warmth of the fire ebb away. Pimpernel smiled as she felt the little puppy raise his head.
A small whimper then met her.
"You're going home now puppy"
Origo instantly knew that this meant going outside in the coldness.
"Oh, puppy" Nelly said, her blue eyes looking down on him.
Origo tried as hard as he could to convince this blue eyed girl. Origo noticed that this girl had the same blue eyes as his Diamond had.
"I think your Diamond will give you a nice bowl of turkey when your home"
Origo wanted that bowl of turkey right now.
"Puppy, Pimpernel is going to carry you home, you should be thankful that you're getting that" Diamond told him.
Origo instantly seemed to calm down. Nelly smiled as she placed the puppy down.
Origo gave a small whimper as Pimpernel put her coat on. Pearl came walking down the hall way with a large blanket.
"I brought this for little Origo"
Abira's sleep slowly drained away from her as she heard voices. Abira opened her eyes and saw that Origo, Diamond, Pimpernel, Pearl and Pervinca had all left the room. Abira stood up and looked around, making sure that they were not hiding from her.
The door closed down the hall way. Abira scampered out of the room and down the hall way. Only Pearl was standing by the big front door.
"Oh, Origo's gone home puppy" she said.
Abira gave a small whimper.
"Pimpernel is making sure they get home safely, she'll be back in a few minutes" Pearl told her.
Abira did not move from the front door until it opened. Pimpernel came in from the coldness to see her adorable little puppy awake and waiting for her.
"Did you have a good snooze?" she asked as she placed her coat on the hook.
Pimpernel picked up her puppy and gave her a little kiss on top of her head.
"Come on, lets see if we can convince Pearl to make you some bacon and then we can go to bed"
So, the two of them entered the kitchen. Pearl gave a small yawn as she looked around.
"Does the puppy want some bacon?" Pearl asked.
Pimpernel knew that her sister could read like an open book. Pimpernel smiled as she tickled her puppy. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the smell of smoked bacon. Abira's little tail wagged as she was placed on the floor.
The smell of bacon was much stronger for her. Her eyes never left the top of stove. The fizzling bacon stopped for a moment before starting up again. Pearl smiled as she placed the bacon into the pan.
More minutes past. But they felt like an hour for the hungry little pup standing on the cold tilted floor. Soon, the sizzling sounds stopped altogether.
"There you are, sweetie" Pearl said.
Abira gave a small whimper and started to eat.
At the same time, a second little puppy had started to eat. Origo was a much faster eater. He had been equally as hungry as Abira, but that did not stop him from munching away.
Diamond had walked out of the kitchen, down the corridor, to her room. Faramir had been placed in his little nightgown and tucked in his cot.
Diamond stood over him for a few seconds before gliding silently out of the room. For her chores still left to do. She walked into kitchen to see her puppy sitting in front of the oven.
"Excuse me puppy" Diamond said as she picked up a small towel.
Origo backed away a bit and watched his Diamond opened up the oven. Origo's excitement rose as a warm wave of turkey smelling air washed over him.
Diamond picked up a juicy piece. A second later, she placed it back and turned around.
"Ready" she said.
Origo barely let Diamond's hand leave the bowl before eating. Diamond smiled and took a deep breath. The smell of tobacco smoke and the many empty plates meant that Pippin had been eating his fill.
Diamond wondered how much food he had eaten.
"By the looks of it, quite a lot"
There was a wicker basket in the corner. Diamond knew that more empty packets had been stuffed inside.
"No wonder he's already asleep" Diamond said.
Pippin had disobeyed Diamond while she had gone back to Pearl's home. His mug and pipe had been hidden by Diamond, but this did not bother Pippin.
For there were many more mugs that he could used.
"If I wash it up, she'll never know" he told himself.
This was a very good idea indeed. So, he scurried off to the kitchen again. Though Diamond was not there, he felt like she was watching him. But, as the mug filled with amber liquid, he smiled as he picked up the candle and walked out.
Pippin did this a few more times. By eight o'clock, Pippin had filled his mug up seven more times.
"Well" he thought, hiccupping.
"I best get some sleep"
Diamond had yet to return as Pippin clumsily made his way to his room. Peregrin did not even bother to get undressed as he fell onto his bed.
Snores filled the room soon after he accidently fell asleep.
Diamond smiled as she walked into her room. Origo had already snuggled within the duvet. He waited for his Diamond to come.
The night gown that had been put Diamond's rocking chair had been take off. Diamond felt much better as she went around blowing all but one of the candles out. The room darkened to a point that Diamond could hardly see.
She had done this routine many times before and was confident in finding her way back.
Origo felt his Diamond peal away the duvet.
"Good night, little pup" she said, kissing her puppy on the head.
Origo licked his Diamond and snuggled down. Diamond yawned and drew the duvet up. Her blue eyes remained open. She was thinking about Pippin.
Origo, who's stomach was full and fur warm, fell asleep quicker that night. But he could not help feeling that he had missed his chance to apologies to Abira.
Abira was feeling exactly like Origo. She regretted not staying up, but there was nothing she could do. The fire had been so warming and it had made her sleepy.
"Maybe tomorrow" she thought as she lay there.
Soon, Abira had fallen asleep too. Neither puppies would wake until morning.