Thorin took a deep breath. He had not slept for a day or two now.
"Maybe we should get some rest" said Thror.
Thror had seen what the spiders had done. He saw his people get taken captive by the spiders. Thror had been one of the few lucky ones that had not been captured.
Thror and the group of dwarves, now with some missing. Those were the ones that could not be saved. They remained cocooned high above the forest floor.
Thror and the rest of the dwarves found a safe enough place to settle down. Frerin and Dis found a nice sized tree to rests against.
Frerin used his last ounce of energy to take his large, muddy books off. His socks were worn and very dirty. But, due to the drop in temperature, he did not take them off.
Thorin was sat by himself, out of the circle of light. Thrain sat facing opposite his son. Thorin was lit up by the dullest of light. Only the pale skin and his eyes could be seen.
Thrain took a deep breath and slowly stood up. Thorin looked away as his father joined him.
"You need to eat" he said, holding out a lump of bread for his son.
Thorin looked over at it and slowly took it.
"There were so many of them" Thorin told him, his eyes seemed to stare into a very distant spot.
"They came from everywhere"
Thorin was replaying the events of the past few days in his head.
"Do not worry, you did you best, we are still a family" Thrain told him.
But they were not a family. Thorin, Frerin and Dis had lost their mother when Smaug had landed. Lots of dwarves had perished, but none more precious then their mother.
Thrain gave a small smile.
"Eat" he said.
Thrain's hair was thinning, but was yet to start losing its colour. His forehead had deep wrinkles etched into it. There were faded scars running along his face and bare arms.
Thrain took a deep breath and got back up. His knees creaked as he walked away. Dis had fallen asleep. Frerin smiled as saw his father walk past.
Thorin took a deep breath as he finished his piece of bread. His stomach was now full. Tiredness now waved over the dwarf. As much he wanted to sleep, he couldn't.
Snores echoed gently around the forest. Ever so often, Thorin would see a different source of light deep within the forest. But these were just passing foxes which meant no harm.
Thorin took a deep breath and made himself as comfortable as he could. Thorin lay on his back, looking up at the sky, for what seemed hours. Stars could be seen twinkling behind the leafless mass of branches.
Jorga yawned as she sat down at an empty table. Lunch come and it had gone. Jorge had leant that she would have a few hours of calm before the inn would get busy again.
Jorga smiled as she started on her lunch. It had been hours since she had anything to eat. Jorga smiled as she cut into one of the sausages.
But the Prancing Pony was not entirely quiet. There were a few lone figures around the bar.
These were the men that spent the most time in the drinking house. They had tatty hair and uncombed beards. Dirt was engraved into their very skin. They washed rarely or not at all.
Jorga took a deep breath as she picked up her large mug of cool water. She smiled and took a large gulp of water. A few seconds later, after placing the mug back down, Jorga continued with her meal.
Twenty minutes past before she was ready to work again. The young girl entered the kitchen.
"Is that for me, dear?" asked an old woman.
She was wearing a stained apron. Jorga did not like to think where those stains had come from and how long they had been there for.
Jorga smiled as she handed it over. The girl took a deep breath and turned around. She walked back into the lobby and looked around.
Barliman was not as busy as he usually was, he was having a conversation with one of the men sitting at the bar. Jorga knew that there was work to do upstairs. So, she headed for the stair well. They creaked as she walked up. There was a door at the top. Jorga opened it and walked onto the landing.
Jorga heard some strange noises coming from down the corridor. As she went to investigate, she saw one of the maids struggling with a large bag of laundry.
"Do you need help?" Jorga asked.
The maid took a break. She smiled.
"Yes, dear" she said.
"This needs to go downstairs" she told her.
Jorga nodded and took one of the handles. She and the maid heaved the large bag all the way down the stairs, into the kitchen. But they did not leave it there.
A few more doors stood there, guarding more rooms. These were rooms were rooms that only Jorga and the rest of the workers used.
Jorga opened the swinging door and dragged the large bag of laundry in.
"Thank you, love" said the old maid.
Jorga smiled and looked around. She took a deep breath and walked out into the kitchen again.
"Jorga?" a voice asked.
One of the cooks, a young lad with long hair, stood there.
"Yes?" she asked, not spotting the plate full of food on the work top.
"Could you take this plate of food out please?" he asked.
Jorga nodded and picked up the plate. It was hot to the touch as Jorga picked it up. She carefully walked towards the door and opened it by giving it a little kick.
The lobby was getting busier now. It always did when the sun began to sink. The coldness deepened as the sun fell. The fireplaces were working at full capacity, sending warmth into the lobby and the black smoke into the cold air.
The same could be said for the hobbits in Hobbiton. Hobbiton, like Bree, was spewing black smoke into the air. The snow on the ground was in patches few and far between. The soil that had been cloaked in snow had now turned very slippery and clung onto anything it could.
Under the hills lived a peaceful race. They had large feet and colourful clothes. They had many meals every day and it showed. Hobbits had whole days where they would eat, especially on specially occasions like Yule and birthdays.
Birthdays rolled around nearly every day in Hobbiton and the Shire. Everyone knew nearly everyone. Pimpernel Took, the daughter of Paladin, Thain of the Shire, was laying in her bed.
The large duvet had been drawn over her, yet she remained fully dressed. Tiredness slowly waved over her until she could not keep her eyes open any longer.
Her last thoughts were of a particular hobbit whop she had loved and lost. She would do anything to have him back, but she knew that he had to make that decision.
As Pimpernel thought of Hamson, she had no idea that Hamson was thinking of her. Hamson had gone to live with his uncle who lived just a days journey away. The coldness made it hard to walk long distances, for the coldness would sap out every ounce of energy that that being had.
Hamson shivered as he walked the short distance between the large, long building on one side of the road to a small home on the other.
He raised his fist and knocked three times. His unusual feet were starting to tingle as the air rushed around them. Hamson put his hand back in his pocket. A minute later, the door opened.
"Oh, you're back" said an old man.
This was his uncle, the one Hamson had travelled almost a day to see. Hamson had been given a job making ropes. It was one he excelled at. He had not missed a time line yet, though there had not been much work lately.
Hansom smiled as he walked over the threshold and closed the door behind him. The coldness was blocked out by the large door.
A delicious smell met Hamson as he walked down the home. Like Hobbiton, this house was all built on one level. Hamson felt very at home here, though he could not help thinking he was still back in hobbit.
Pimpernel's dreams reflected how she truly felt. In her dream, she was walking through her peaceful, wonderful town. In the distance stood the Green Dragon.
As Pimpernel headed towards the large building, standing on its own, something brushed past her legs. She looked down to see a little black speck run past her.
Pimpernel smiled as she saw the little puppy run past. A smile came over her face, but it was soon gone as she saw something on the horizon.
Nelly stopped and watched the horizon. But something else caught her. Birds, which had been perched in various trees, had took off. Pimpernel's little puppy started to bark, which was very unusual.
No words were said, but somehow, Pimpernel knew what was happening. She tried to called out to the unsuspecting hobbits, but her voice had fled.
She quickly picked up her puppy and started to run as fast as she could. But it was no good. As Pimpernel looked around, she saw what was really coming.
A large wave of water rolled over the green hills. It crashed down on Hobbiton, destroying everything that stood in its way. The party was knocked clean over, exposing its roots. The Green Dragon was instantly obliterated. Shards of wood and brick flew through the water like there was no weight to it.
The wave of water was only seconds away from arriving. Pimpernel could do nothing about it. She turned away from the wave and waited, her blue eyes closed.
But the wave never hit.
Pimpernel opened her eyes to a dark, cold room. She head was resting on the pillow and the duvet was still covering her.
It took a few seconds for the dream to sink back into her memory.
Pimpernel took a deep breath and looked into her duvet. She expected a sleeping puppy to be laying there, eyes closed, chest rising up and down.
But there was no puppy.
Nelly took a deep breath as her depression sank in again. Pimpernel took a deep breath and removed the duvet. She sat up and stayed there for a few seconds.
Her head began to swim, distorting her vision. But it soon past. Her mind was now on other things, such as food. The door to her room had remained shut, keeping out sounds and even smells.
As she opened the door, she was hit by a wave of smell. She gave a small smile, knowing that she had woken up just in time for dinner.
Pearl had been slaving away, making a very nice meal for them. She smiled as she heard the door creak open.
"How are you?" pearl asked as she took out the chicken.
Pimpernel took a deep breath and sat down at the table. Pimpernel sat with her back to the fire. She hated looking at the thing that destroyed so much of her life.
Secretly, Pearl, Pervinca, Paladin, Eglantine and Samwise Gamgee had been planning the rebuild of Pimpernel's home. But it would take many months before the weather was good enough to start.
For now, Pimpernel had to stay in Pearl's.
Origo gave a small yawn as curled up on Mya's lap. Her large, warm hand slowly ran down the puppies back. Mya smiled as she looked up.
Dinner was almost ready, the hosts were setting the table. Mya smiled as she looked back down at the puppy. Origo was just about to drift off to sleep when he was woken.
"Puppy, dinner is ready" Mya told him.
Origo gave a small whimper, but did not raise his head. Mya took a deep breath. She could not wake him up if he did not want to. But there was something coming that made the little puppy quickly raise his head.
Elladan came in holding a large bowl of turkey. Mya couldn't smell it the turkey, but Origo certainly could.
"Oh, careful puppy!" Mya said as Origo nearly jumped onto her leg.
Mya placed him on the floor and he scooted off. Elladan smiled as he placed the bowl near Mya. Origo's little tailed started to wag from right to left as he waited until the bowl was set down.
Mya smiled as she heard the chomping of the little puppy. Origo loved his turkey. Even with his memory lose, the puppy was destined to eat it.
Ivy smiled as she watched from above. She loved watching Origo eat. She could watch her little puppy friend eat a whole bowl of warm turkey and ask for more.
But Origo rarely got more turkey, which made him sad. Ivy loved it when she could comfort him, it gave her a chance to feel how soft he was.
Origo finished his dinner and gave a small whimper. Mya smiled as she looked down.
"In a minute, puppy" she said.
Origo could not be cuddled by the girl, for her lap was taken up by a tray. On that trey was a plate, on the plate was a mound of crisp rashers. Elladan and Elrohir had chosen to make Mya lots of bacon.
Ivy could have easily made just the same amount of rashers for her, but she was not needed at the moment.
"How is your leg?" Elrohir asked.
Mya smiled as she chewed the small bit of bacon that she had eaten.
"It feels better" Mya told him.
Elrohir gave a small smile.
"It seems that we could get the splint off sooner" he told her.
This rose Mya's spirits. A lot was resting on her getting better enough to get going again. Ivy fluttered in the air as Origo sat on the cold floor. As he did, he felt something touch the top of his fluffy head.
Ori gave a small whimper and looked up. But he could see nothing. He shook his head, but the annoyance was still there.
Ivy giggled as Origo tried to shake her off. After a few seconds of torment, Ivy took to the skies again. Origo saw her green glow above him. Ivy smiled as she fluttered there, her little legs dangling down.
Ori gave a small whimper as he looked. Mya had now finished her bacon and the trey had been taken away. Mya peered over the edge of the chair.
"Puppy, come here" she said.
Origo's little tail wagged and he scampered over. Mya smiled as she scooped up the pup. Origo have a happy whimper as he was placed on Mya's lap again. Mya watched as the little puppy settled down.
Origo curled up into a fluffy ball and gave a small yawn.
"Snuggled down, pup" Mya told him as she tickled his ear.
"It'll be bed time soon" she told him.
Thorin and the rest of the dwarves were just days away from emerging out of Mirkwood. Thorin took a deep breath as he stopped. The forest floor had been flat for most of their journey, but now, large rolling hills stood in their way.
Many of the dwarves that had started on this long and difficult journey had not survived. Many of them had been taken by a colony of spiders. Some had gone mad and simply wondered off into Mirkwood, never to be seen again. Thorin held out his hand as his younger sister struggled to climb up a very muddy hill.
She gave a small smile and took her brother's hand. The hill seemed to level out for a while as Dis continued to walk.
"Is that everyone?" Thorin asked his father as he came to the top of the hill.
Thrain took a deep breath and nodded.
"We'll be out of this forest by nightfall" Thorin said.
The small group of dwarves continued ever onwards. Thorin could see the sky much better now. The sun had set, but its light had yet to be replaced by the darkness rising from the East.
The group stopped for their last meal before the night fell. Thorin and Frerin lit some torches. The flames gave of just enough light to see what was to come.
Thorin took a deep breath, hunger was getting to him. Dis was feeling hungry as well.
"Thorin?" asked a voice behind him.
Dis walked a little quicker to catch up with him.
"How are you?" Thorin asked looking down at his sister.
Dis took a deep breath.
"I'm hungry" she answered.
Thorin knew that this was a good time to stop.
"What are you doing?" Thror asked.
Thorin took his pack off and put it on the floor.
"We're having something to eat, we need our strength" Thorin explained.
Thror gave a deep breath, thinking of reasons why they needed to keep going, but most of the dwarves had already made themselves comfortable.
"Just don't get too comfortable, we need to get out of the forest as soon as possible"
Thror walked away. Thorin and Dis sat down on the floor. Their large boots seemed to weigh them down. Dis took a large yawn as she opened up her pack. The remaining dwarves had a bit more food now that some of the dwarves had been killed or had gone missing.
There was now enough food to fill their packs and their empty stomachs. Dis smiled as she ripped off a bit of bread.
Thorin looked down at his piece of bread. He knew that there was not enough food to last. Dis bit down on the bread. A sizable chunk ripped off.
"Not too much, we still have to find a place to settle down" Thorin told her.
Dis did not like this part of the journey. She was used to large banquets where food was plenty. Dis was even allowed to drink ale and beer, as long as she did not have too much.
Even then, she could easily handle as much as the others. Sometimes, Thorin, Frerin and Dis would have drinking competitions.
Dis missed her old life, but she knew that Thorin, Frerin, Thrain and Thror would protect her and try to find a nice place to start living again.
Dis finished her food and placed the rest back in her pack. Just then, Frerin wondered over.
"How long do you think it'll take before we're out of this horrendous forest?" he asked.
Thorin smiled, the flickering torch lighting up his tired face.
"Soon" he answered.
Frerin sat down next to his sister and lent against the tree. Dis closed her pack and gave a big yawn.
"I think we should rest here tonight" Frerin said as Dis rested her head on his shoulder.
Thorin knew that Thror would disagree and force them to move on.
"It is up to Thror, he is in charge"
Dis gave a small groan. Her eyes were very heavy.
"I want to sleep" she whimpered, rubbing her eyes.
The group of dwarves had fallen silent. Two of them remained on look out. They had been standing, but they were too tired to stand any more.
As the hours wore on, more and more of the dwarves fell asleep. Even the watchers were asleep. Thorin gave a small snore as he head rolled on the hard wood of the tree he had chosen.
Thorin's eyes opened a small crack, but he didn't wake.
Diamond smiled as she lay her little child, who was crying, was tucked up in his little cot.
"I know, sweetie" Diamond said as Faramir screwed his face up.
Origo was waiting patiently on Diamond's large bed. His eyes were getting heavier by the minute. Diamond still had to get washed and into her night gown.
Origo watched as his Diamond walked out again. He gave a small whimper, but his Diamond did not hear him.
"Where has she gone?" he thought.
As Diamond reached the bathroom, the door opened. Diamond stopped as a taller hobbit almost knocked into her.
"Oh, sorry Diamond" Pippin said, giving a small smile.
Diamond smiled as well, but did not make eye contact.
"Excuse me" Diamond said, making Pippin suddenly move out of the way.
Without another word, Diamond walked in and closed the door. She clicked the lock shut and took a deep breath. Pippin stood on the other side of the door for a few seconds before walking down towards the kitchen.
The house was quiet, safe from Faramir's whimpers and the whistling of the wind that blew in the cold world outside.
Pippin smiled as he entered the kitchen.
"I think a small snack before bed" he said.
Pippin had the perfect food for going to bed. He walked into the cellar and picked out a small packet and a small vase. Pippin closed the door and placed the small flickering candle placed on its little shelf.
Pippin smiled as he placed the packet down and vase. Peregrin heard the door down the corridor. Diamond yawned as she walked into the kitchen.
She suddenly stopped as she saw Pippin standing at the worktop.
"What are you doing?" she asked, making Pippin jump.
Pippin looked around and gave a small smile.
"Just making myself something to eat and drink before bed" Pippin explained.
Diamond gave a small scowl, not believing him one bit. She walked over to him and saw a plate of cookies.
"What's in the mug?" Diamond asked, knowing that Pippin had a love of ale and beer.
Pippin looked over at her.
"Just milk" he answered.
Diamond saw the whiteness of the milk in the mug. She knew that something was up, but could not prove what it was. Pippin took a deep breath as he picked up the plate of cookies and the mug of cold milk.
"Well" said Diamond, seeing that everything was how she wanted it.
"I'm off to bed, don't make too much noise"
Pippin smiled and nodded. He placed the mug and plate on the table a few seconds later. Diamond wondered out of the room, down to the corridor.
Pippin took a deep breath. He wished that he could have just a little smoke, his head was feeling funny. The door down the hallway clicked shut.
It was a few seconds later, after he had taken the first bite of his first cookie, that he had and idea. He smiled as he continued on eating his cookies. Every so often, he would take a sip of milk to wash it down with.
Meanwhile, Diamond had finally settled down. The house was now quiet as a small puppy gave a little whimper.
"Shush shush" she said as a little puppy rested his head on her shoulder.
Origo was very warm and soft, perfect for cuddling up to in the coldness of winter. Diamond smiled as she felt a wave of sleepiness come over her.
She yawned and turned over, making sure Origo was still being cuddled. Soon, the little puppy finally fell asleep. Diamond's big blue eyes shut and she slowly slipped into the land of dreams.
Dreams came easily for the little puppy. But they were not the nicest of dreams. They were dark and full of danger.
Two figures were journeying through a truly desolate landscape. There were no trees to speak of, no other beings apart from the confused blood thirsty orc that had fallen down a large crack in the land.
"What is it?" Mya asked as she jumped over the smallest bit of the large rip in the earth.
Pilith gave a small look down. A strange, but terrifying noise echoed up. Pilith moved back a foot or two before realising that, what ever it was, could not get up.
Two eyes shone up from the darkness. Mya gave a quick peep over the edge as well.
"There's something moving down there" she said.
Pilith knew that, what ever it was, was not meant to be there. In fact, the two of them had just come across the creature that could change the course of the future.
Pilith caught Mya's attention. The two of them walked ever onwards, the black mountains in the distance grew as the two of them traversed over jagged rocks.
Mya took a deep breath as she got to the summit of a steep outcrop of rock. Pilith had already traversed one side of it and was now on the journey downwards.
"Pilith?" Mya asked, calling down to him.
Pilith, who had been backing down the jiggered rocks, looked up. He could see Mya standing at the top of the small mound that he had climbed over.
Mya needed water, her mouth was very dry. Pilith took a deep breath as he wiped his forehead. The heat was getting to both of them. The ash that floated in the thin air stuck to their skin in a fine layer.
Pilith looked around for any signs of water. But there was no sign of a silver glint on the blackness of Gorgoroth. Mya joined Pilith a few minutes later.
"There's nothing" he said, looking around.
"Not even a dying tree"
Pilith was right. There were no beings about, save for small black specks towards the mountains. Gassy vents littered the land, sending poisonous gas into the atmosphere.
Pilith held his hand over his nose. The smell of sulphur hit him as he past near a spitting vent. Mya followed Pilith as the two of them slowly made their way towards the dark mountains to the West.
Neither of them knew that they were being tracked. The creature that they had come across was now tracking them. He slithered over large boulders, watching their every movement.
A few times, he ducked out of sight. His heart was evil, yet there was some small part of him that wanted to help. But it could all so easily have been different.
"Give it, Deagol my love" Gollum said, looking at the small band of gold resting on his friends palm.
But Deagol refused and was later killed. He was the first victim of Sauron's fresh attempt in retaking Middle-earth. Smeagol loved the ring. In fact, he had a peaceful, gentle life before he had taken it.
Gollum had ventured to the Misty Mountains in an effort to evade the sun. he hated both the light of sun and the full moon.
Pilith heard a small rock behind him fall. Pilith looked around to see a creature meters above Mya. The next few seconds seemed to slow down.
Pilith watched as Smeagol jumped into the air. The next second, Mya fell under his weight. Pilith watched as the two of them tumbled down.
"Mya!" he shouted before running off.
Mya and Gollum rolled down until they came to rest on a small ledge. Pilith could see Mya struggling to get away from the grip of this creature.
Pilith arrived just in time. For the creature was dragging Mya away. Pilith grabbed the creature around the neck and, with a closed fist, struck the creature in the face.
Gollum, who was unknown to Mya and Pilith, screeched in face. It was exactly what Mya needed. For Gollum let go of her hair for a split second. Mya moved out of the way as quickly as she could.
Pilith swung again. But Gollum was ready for it. Pilith's arm was knocked away. Gollum did not miss a beat as he saw a chance to retaliate.
A few minutes of struggling later and Pilith was the one that came out stronger. Gollum struggled to get up, but Pilith's weight stopped him from doing so.
"You are no orc" Pilith said, looking down at the creature.
Gollum gave an angry hiss.
"You is no orcses either " he said.
Pilith took a deep breath and released Gollum. The creature had cuts on his arms and chest. Mya was still holding her head, she did not look at all happy.
Gollum looked around, he was very hungry.
"So hungry, needs food" Gollum said, looking around.
But there was none.
"We should get moving" Mya said, sorting out her head.
Pilith nodded.
"Movings?" Gollum asked, looking around at them.
Mya did not like Gollum very much, he looked untrustworthy and had an ill-favoured look about him.
"Where are they movings to a wonders, maybe they needs help"
Mya did not like the sound of that.
"Maybe"
Gollum suddenly broke into a bought of hideous coughing.
"Maybe they needs help"
Pilith took a deep breath, thinking that was the end of their ordeal.
"I can helps you find the way outs"
Mya did not like this idea one bit. But Pilith had a different idea.
"We could use some assistance, yes" Pilith said.
Gollum hopped down from his small ledge.
"We are goings in the same way, follow me"
Just then, the pictures stopped. Origo wondered why he was so cold. The little puppy opened his eyes and gave a small whimper. But his Diamond did not answer.
In fact, Diamond was in the kitchen. In her arms was a little baby. Faramir was quiet as he suckled on a large bottle of warm milk. Diamond had only been away from her bed for a few minutes when she heard a pitter-patter of tiny paws coming down the corridor.
A second later, a small thump echoed around the kitchen. Diamond knew exactly what happened. Her heart melted as she heard her little Origo whimper.
Diamond's blue eyes picked up the tiny shadowy figure trot up to her.
"Shouldn't your be asleep, puppy?" she asked.
Origo gave a small whimper, telling her that he needed her cuddles to sleep.
"I'll be back to bed in a few minutes, puppy" she whispered.
Pippin took a deep breath. His room was hot and his mouth was dry. The duvet was removed, baring his large hairy feet to the coldness. The hair, which was golden like that that grew from his head.
Pippin yawned as he opened the door. If he did so a few seconds earlier, he would have seen Diamond walk past. Even with the gentle clicking shut of the door did not catch Pippin's attention. Pippin failed to notice the empty milk bottle on the table as he got a mug out of the cupboard. A minute later, after going into the cellar, Pippin poured himself a nice glass of clear, cool water.
Diamond had placed Faramir back in his cot and was now sitting on the edge of the bed. Origo gave a small whimper to let his Diamond know he still needed a cuddle.
"Come on then" she said, hoisting the little warm puppy onto her.
The next second, the duvet was pulled over, hiding little Origo underneath. Diamond smiled as, a few seconds later, Origo poked his little head out of the duvet. Diamond smiled as Origo snuggled down.
"Go to sleep puppy" she said, kissing him on his fluffy face.
Origo gave a small lick and snuggled down again. It did not take long for either of them to fall back to sleep again.