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Chapter 5

Trolls and Elves

Enda was thankful that the next day of riding was warmer. The slight drizzle rain reminded Enda of how her brother had always loved the rain and the few times they would go out in the rain and sing and play. But then her memories went even further back. One problem of being a Seer is when recalling events in the past, they sometimes will take one into a vision. One is rarely able to get out of a vision until it's done showing the past memory.

Enda was sitting in the armchair by the fire. She was a child and the chair was huge. She rested her chin upon the velvet arm. Her father was with her mother as she was having a baby. Enda wasn't sure what to think though. She was forty-two years old (roughly 12 years old in human reckoning) and now her parents decided to have a child. Enda was sure she would be replaced by the baby. All the attention would be the on the baby. If it was a boy her father would stop with training her to be a huntress and warrior and teach the boy. Enda would then be trained to be a lady. Her nose wrinkled at the thought of it.

She was then called into the bedroom. When she first held the baby she put all jealousy aside. The baby was tiny. He also had something wrong with his leg for it would not move. But Enda suddenly felt protective over the little boy. She knew he would never be able to run nor fight nor be able to run the house once their father died. It was still her responsibility and she would be responsible for him. Her brother would always be loved by her.

Enda often would sit in front of the fire with her brother and she would play whatever games he wanted to. She doted upon him and she felt very important since he always tried to imitate her.

His warm smiles, his tendency to worry over her, childish hopes and joys always brightened Enda' spirits. She remembered all the times he'd sing to her to help her feel better. Whenever she quarreled with her parents or they were angry with her, Dín was always there ready to be the loving, fatherly figure. She sometimes would wonder how her little brother had learned to be a parental figure but she was glad he was.

"Enda? Enda?" She was snapped out of the memories by Kíli's questioning voice. "Are you alright?"

"Yes… I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You were just staring out into nothing and you weren't responding for a little bit."

"I was deep in thought…"

Kíli opened his mouth to question her but he closed it again. "What were you thinking about?"

Enda then smiled wistfully. "My brother. You both remind me of him. You're youthfulness and curiosity but you're kindness most of all. Most people think that the older sibling always looks out for the younger but I found that he looked out for my wellbeing too."

"We will always be here for you… You know that right? You can always feel free to talk to us. I want you to open up. You're a mystery but I can see underlying sadness. I also see the life loving girl under that though," Kíli said. "Do you trust us?"

"Yes, and if ever I do need to talk you two will be the first ones I'll turn to…" Enda then looked over to them. "But I'm not ready to open up yet. I'm still processioning everything. Everything has happened so fast but one day I will figure it out..." Enda then gave them a warm, genuine smile.

Kíli felt as if his heart had completely melted. Since they had met her she had never smiled a genuine smile until that moment. It was a beautiful smile and it also meant that she was softening herself to. She wasn't hard and cold but she needed time for her wounds to heal until her heart would thaw.

"Race you to the clearing," Enda said throwing Kíli out of his thoughts.

She was looking ahead and saw a grassy field up ahead and decided that it would be fun to use all of her horse riding skills. She urged her pony into a gallop without waiting for response. She smiled as she leaned forward and felt June's mane whipping in her face. She felt almost as if she were flying.

"Hey wait up!" Fíli and Kíli shouted as they tried to catch up with her.

Of course Enda didn't slow down. She was the first one in the small meadow and she looked back at Fíli and Kíli who entered a few seconds later. A triumphant smile crossed her face. She slowed into a walk and finally stopped. They were ahead of the others and they didn't want to get too far away. She quickly hopped down from her pony but she failed at landing. She never was great with the landing and she fell onto her stomach.

"Are you alright?" Fíli asked.

"Yep." Enda's face turned bright red with embarrassment. "Nothing like winning a race just to fall and look like an idiot… I need to work on getting off a pony without landing on my face." Enda smiled as she propped herself up on her elbows and then looked at a flower that was in front of her. She then got up and led June to a small stream and allowed the pony to drink and graze.

"Look over there!" Kíli said suddenly.

"It's a farmhouse. Or what's left of one," Fíli said. They led their ponies to the stream as well.

"We'll camp here for the night." Thorin said. "Fíli, Kíli, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them."

"Yes Uncle," Fíli said.

"A farmer and his family used to live here…" Gandalf said as Thorin continued ordering the Dwarves to different tasks. "I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley."

Thorin's disgust was obvious. "I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

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

"I do not need their advice."

Enda walked away not wanting to hear more of the argument. She then went to help take care of the ponies. She watched as Gandalf stormed off but didn't go after him. She was busy tying the ponies to a large fallen tree. They had walked into the forest so the ponies would have good grass to eat. The sun soon set and they supposed they would be watching the ponies all night since no one came to them. They all sat down on the ground, bored.

"I wonder if they'll send us any food. I'm hungry…" Fíli added.

"I'll pick some apples or berries," Enda said standing up. "It's better than sitting here all night. I will be back soon."

When Enda left, Fíli took the opportunity to talk with his brother.

"I'm glad she's opening up." He looked over to his brother casually.

"Yeah..." Kíli looked away from Fíli. "What is love like?"

"Well..." Fíli hid a smirk. "There's a feeling as if wings were fluttering in your stomach. Uncertainty is pretty common early on."

"How did you know Bryn was your love?" Kíli asked.

"Because I want to be with her forever. I will feel lightened in spirit whenever I'm with her and being apart is difficult. I want to do what is best for her and always make her happy. I will always stand up for her. She is the one I am committed to..." Fíli smiled softly, thinking of his Bryn back in the Blue Mountains. Her long golden hair and sparkling brown eyes. Her gentle touch and sweet voice.

"Hm..."

"Why do you want to know?" Fíli asked.

"No reason..." Kíli said.

"Enda? She's in your thoughts..." Fíli said.

"Yeah..." Kíli sighed exasperatedly. "Ever since we met I just... My head spins, I blush... I feel so different. I've never felt this way before."

"It is a strange thing. You feel impulsive but you don't want to ruin your friendship. You wish that she'd tell you what was bothering her and lift her high and let nothing ever hurt her. You feel sparks anytime you touch and as if your heart is ripping when she is upset."

"Exactly! I just wish I could know if she felt the same way. I want to hug her, make her feel loved. At the same time I feel like an idiot. I stutter and blush and get giddy. My heart hammers harder when she smiles at me and I feel happy enough to sing and dance..."

"One day you'll understand. If it's love it's worth it, don't lose her," Fíli said. "I hear her coming. We will talk later, alright?" Kíli nodded.

When Enda returned she tossed each of the brothers an apple. They all munched contentedly for a few minutes.

Enda then leaned back on a log and looked into the night sky.

"Do the stars sign the life that is to be mine?" Enda asked.

"No, but they tell stories," Fíli said.

"Enda, do you know the constellations?"

"No, I've never really had time to study the stars. Can you show me?" Enda asked.

"Sure." Kíli then sat down by Enda and pointed to the star filled sky. "See that really bright one? It's the North Star. We call her Inger, after Durin's love. Legend has it that Durin's first love was such a brave woman that when she died her soul flew to the heavens and became a star to guide in the darkest of nights."

Fíli and Kíli continued to point out stars and constellations and Enda looked at each constellation her eyes were wide with wonder.

"Do Dwarves' souls become stars after they die?" Enda asked, her head rested on Kíli's shoulder as she looked up into the night sky.

"No, it's only a legend…"

"Oh." Enda then continued to ask questions about the other constellations.

Eventually they all remembered the task they had and went back to the ponies. They all did a double take. They counted over and over again. Two of them were missing.

"This is not good," Enda said. They all stood in shock for a moment until they heard Bilbo.

"What's the matter?" the Hobbit asked as he carried three bowls of soup.

"We're supposed to be watching the ponies…" Enda said as she looked into the darkness.

"Only we've encountered a slight problem," Fíli said.

"We had seventeen ponies… But now there's fifteen," Kíli said. "Daisy and Bungo are missing."

"Well that's not good, not good at all. Shouldn't we tell Thorin?"

The three Dwarves looked at Bilbo a bit frightened looking.

"Uh, no. Let's not worry him," Fíli said. "As our official burglar why don't you look into it?"

Bilbo then walked a few steps forward and looked at a toppled over tree. "Well, uh something big must have uprooted this tree…" Bilbo paused. "Something very big and possibly quite dangerous..."

"Look! There's a light over there!" Fíli said. Then the four companions ran quietly through the woods towards the light. Then they all ducked behind a log.

"Firelight…" Enda whispered. They then heard some harsh, loud laughter.

"What is it?" Bilbo asked.

"Trolls," Kíli said. The three Dwarves then risk getting a little closer. They all stop and hide behind trees as they see a huge troll walking towards the fire with a pony under each arm.

"He's got Myrtle and Minty. He's going to eat them isn't he? We've got to do something."

"Yes you should." Kíli looked at Bilbo. "Mountain trolls are slow and stupid, and you're so small."

"N-n-n-no! I-"

"They'll never see you!" Kíli said. "It's perfectly safe. We'll all be right behind you."

"If you run into trouble, hoot twice like a barn owl and once like a brown owl." Fíli and Kíli then shove Bilbo towards the fire.

They then grab Enda by the arms and lead her away.

"What about Bilbo?" she protested.

"I'm going to get Thorin, you two keep your eyes on Bilbo, and I'll get help." With that Fíli ran back to camp.

"So let's help Mister Baggins," Enda said. She and Kíli quietly crept close to where the trolls were at. They hid in some bushes until they saw Bilbo being held upside down by a troll. They then jumped from the bushes and sliced at the trolls' legs and then they stand in front of the trolls with their swords up, ready to attack.

"Drop him!" Kíli said.

"You what?" a troll, named Tom asked.

"I said, drop him!" The troll then threw Bilbo at Kíli. Enda stood in front of them, protectively. Then the rest of the Dwarves came crashing from the bushes and attacked the trolls. Bilbo then freed the ponies.

It was a short battle. It ended when all the trolls caught Bilbo and held him by his arms and legs.

"Bilbo!" Kíli yelled ready to charge in and save him but Thorin stopped him.

"We have to save him!" Enda said but she was held back by Dwalin.

"Lay down your arms, or we'll rip his off." The trolls all snickered.

Nobody moved for a moment and for a horrid second Enda thought that Thorin would allow Bilbo to die. She saw the glare that Thorin sent Bilbo but he stabbed his sword into the ground and all the other Dwarves followed suit and dropped their weapons.

Within minutes some of them were in sacks and some of them were tied to a spit and being slowly turned. The trolls are all arguing about the way they should eat the Dwarves. Enda turns her head to look at Fíli and Kíli.

"Well this is not good," Enda said with a grim smile. "This is not a noble ending befit a warrior."

"Don't worry, maybe Gandalf will save us," Kíli said.

"It's been an honor knowing both of you."

Fíli and Kíli weren't heard over the trolls who said something about the sun coming up but Enda didn't pay attention to the trolls. She suddenly heard Bilbo's voice.

"Wait! You're making a terrible mistake."

"You can't reason with them, they're halfwits," one Dwarf yelled.

"What does that make us?" Bofur asked.

Bilbo then got to his feet but didn't escape the bag.

"I meant with the, uh, seasoning." Enda looked at Bilbo confused.

"What about the seasoning?" a troll asked Bilbo.

"Well, have you smelt them? You are going to need something stronger than sage to plate this lot up."

All of the Dwarves start cursing Bilbo, save Thorin who just glares. Enda's confusion was over ridden by anger. He was betraying them.

"Keep talking!" a troll said, ignoring the Dwarves and listening to Bilbo.

"Uh, the secret to cooking Dwarf is, um…" Bilbo paused.

"Come on! Tell us the secret!"

"Ye-yes I'm telling you, the secret is… to skin them first!"

"You little rat!" Enda yelled and many other Dwarves yelled at Bilbo.

"That's a load of rubbish! I've had plenty with their skins on. I say we eat them whole, boots and all!"

"E's right! Nothing wrong with a bit of raw Dwarf!" a troll picked up Bombur from the pile of the Dwarves in sacks and held him above his mouth. "Nice and crunchy."

"Not that one! He's infected!" Bilbo yelled frantically. The troll paused.

"You what?"

"Yeah, he has worms in his… tubes," Bilbo said and then the troll tossed Bombur back to the other Dwarves. He landed directly on top of Enda and Kíli.

"Ow! Dear Mahal!" Enda grunted. Bombur was a large Dwarf and him landing on her drove the air from her lungs.

"Get off us!" Kíli yelled and Bombur the rolled off of them.

"In fact they all have, they're in- infested with parasites. It's a terrible business, I wouldn't risk it, I really wouldn't."

"Parasites? Did he say parasites?" Óin asked.

"We don't have parasites!" Kíli yelled. "You have parasites!"

"You mangy little rat!" Enda said. "We don't have parasites!"

Thorin then kicked the group of Dwarves on the ground stopping all of the protests. We looked at him and he gave a look to just play along with Bilbo's story.

"I've got parasites as big as my arm," Óin said. Then all the Dwarves started to rant on their parasites.

"Mine are the biggest parasites! I've got huge parasites!" Kíli yelled.

"Mine are even bigger than his!" Enda then half nodded at Kíli. "One of my parasites is so large I call her Big Bertha! She's positively huge!" Enda argued. Kíli chuckled softly and Enda smiled just for Kíli to see.

"This little ferret is taking us for fools!" a troll said.

"Ferret?" Bilbo asked indignantly.

Then Gandalf appeared on a rock towards the east and yelled, "And dawn will take you all!" He then brought his staff down on the rock and with a large crack it split in two. Sunlight then flooded the clearing and the trolls turned into stone.

"Get us out of these bags!" Glóin yelled.

After a few minutes all the Dwarves were being freed from the spit and from the bags. Fíli and Kíli both helped Enda to her feet and bought her into a hug.

"We're alive!" Enda said with a large grin. She felt her heart stop as Kíli held her in his arms a moment longer than normal. She felt safe in his strong arms and she wished they could always be like this.

"The trolls must have a cave," Thorin said aloud as he talked to Gandalf. They then started searching.

"Which means treasure?" Enda asked her eyes lit up.

"Yep. Come on." Kíli then grabbed Enda by the hand and led her to the cave. Enda couldn't stop her blush from showing as Kíli held her hand, even though he was just leading her like an excited child. Enda bowed her head so no one else could see her pink face.

"Be careful on what you touch," Gandalf warned as they went into the cave.

Enda, Fíli and Kíli all took interest in some gold coins that was shining about in the open. They all then divided the coins amongst themselves. Enda quickly added the coins to the pouch where she had the five silver coins.

"Let's get out of this foul place," Thorin said. Enda noticed that Thorin got a new sword as did Gandalf, Elvish ones at that. Enda then walked out of the cave, pleased with her treasure she got.

"Enda, come here," Thorin said. She saw his scowl and didn't want to go but she feared the consequences if she didn't. She slowly walked over to the leader of their company. Whatever he was going to say was cut off.

"Something's coming!" Bofur shouted.

"We will discuss this later," Thorin hissed to her. Enda was confused, why was he mad at her? "Arm yourselves!" Thorin shouted. Everyone drew their weapons and stood ready. Then suddenly a man on sled burst from the bushes. The rabbits that were pulling him all stopped.

"Radagast? Radagast the Brown! What are you doing here?" Gandalf asked.

Enda looked at this Wizard. Not terribly impressive looking. Gandalf said that he was a great Wizard but he looked like a madman.

"I came looking for you! Something's terribly wrong!" Radagast opened his mouth to continue but he closed it again. "Oh, I had a thought but I lost it. It was right there, on the tip of my tongue." He then stuck his tongue out and looked surprised. "It's not a thought at all! It's a silly old-" Gandalf then pulled a bug from his mouth. "-stick insect," Radagast finished.

"Uh… That's a bit… odd," Enda whispered to Kíli, unable to keep the look of disgust from her face. All of the Dwarves looked a bit disgusted but no one looked as flustered as Bilbo. Gandalf then led Radagast away to speak privately with him.

Fíli and Kíli then sat down on a log and Enda joined. She shook her head and rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes.

"This is a strange way to start an adventure…" Enda said.

"I never thought that we'd run into trolls," Fíli added. "Thank goodness Master Baggins had the brains to play for time."

"Yeah…" Kíli looked away embarrassed.

"My parasites are the best…" Enda said with mock seriousness. Kíli and Fíli then laughed and she joined them. They soon smiled and forgot all of their worries. Bilbo sat with them for a few minutes and they all thanked him for being smart enough to save their lives.

Then they heard a howl. Everyone is instantly alert and scrambling to their feet.

"Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out there?" Bilbo asked.

"That is not a wolf…" Enda said. She knew wolves they didn't sound that evil.

Suddenly a Warg burst into the clearing but Thorin stabbed it with his Elf sword. Then a second one leapt down into the group and before Enda could draw her sword she was flat on her back with the Warg about to make her its dinner. She then saw it stagger back as someone shot it. Kíli had saved her. The Warg didn't fall dead though so she quickly grabbed a knife from her jerkin and tossed it into the Warg's eye. Dwalin then finished it off.

Enda quickly scrambled up to her feet and looked ready to pass out. She tried to catch her breath but she breathed shakily. Kíli steadied her. Enda then retrieved her knife. Kíli held her protectively held her in one of his arms.

"Warg-scouts! That means an Orc pack is not far behind."

"Orc pack?" Bilbo asked, worry made his voice go up an octave.

"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf asked Thorin.

"No one."

"Who did you tell?"

"No one I swear!" Thorin said. "What in Durin's name is going on?"

"You're being hunted."

"Then let's get out of here!" Dwalin said.

"We can't!" Ori said looking flustered. "The ponies have bolted."

"Wonderful," Enda said sarcastically. "When it rains it pours."

"I'll draw them off," Radagast said and everyone looked at him.

"These are Gundabad Wargs; they will outrun you," Gandalf said.

"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try." Radagast smiled. Radagast then hopped onto his sled and then he raced off. All the Dwarves heard the Wargs pursue the Wizard. Then Gandalf took the lead. They ran into the rocky plains and hid behind the rocks whenever they saw the Wargs and Orcs.

"Stay together," Gandalf said. Once it was clear they all started to run again. Gandalf continued to lead and Thorin looked at him a bit confused.

"Where are you leading us?"

Gandalf didn't answer but continued to run to the next rock. Then a Warg got on top of the rock and stood their sniffing. Enda and Kíli readied their bows and then stepped into view and both of them fired at the Warg. The Warg crashed down dead but they made a mistake in shooting the same target. The Orc screamed until Dwalin killed it.

"We just alerted the rest of them. Run!" Gandalf then continued leading them through the plains. Wargs were appearing everywhere and they all stopped in a clearing.

"We're surrounded!" Fíli said.

"Kíli, shoot them!" Thorin yelled.

Enda and Kíli then fired at the Wargs and Orcs. They made sure that they were not aiming at the same target and they picked off a few of their enemies.

"Where's Gandalf?"

"He's abandoned us!" Dwalin said.

"Hold your ground!" Thorin ordered. The Wargs continued to advance and some of the company members had to kill them. Enda felt a sinking feeling. There were too many of them. She continued shooting though. Her hatred made her bold. She continued to fire even when she heard Gandalf and Thorin order something. She stayed by Kíli's side and didn't stop shooting until she heard Kíli's yell for her to fall back.

Both of them then turned and ran to where Thorin was waiting by a crack in the ground and they quickly slid down. Thorin followed a second later and then they heard a horn blare. A dead Orc tumbled down the crack and Enda turned away, ready to retch. She was exhausted and the dead body that landed near her feet was enough to turn her stomach sour. Kíli placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You're a good shot," he said encouragingly.

They then followed the others down the path. They eventually got out of the enclosed path and saw a beautiful valley.

"Rivendell…" Bilbo sighed.

"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea," Gandalf said.

"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy," Thorin said, annoyed.

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself."

"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try and stop us."

Enda looked at both the Wizard and the Dwarf. Enda then turned to look at the Elven city. This might end up bad. She looked to Kíli and Fíli who seemed a bit uncomfortable with the predicament. They didn't want to turn down the chance to visit the city but they didn't want to anger their uncle.

"... Leave the talking to me." Gandalf then led them down towards Rivendell.

They all felt uneasy, except for Bilbo and Gandalf. Bilbo was looking around in wonder while Gandalf was confident in that the Elves would help them.

Enda didn't trust Elves. In Mirkwood Elves were more likely to shoot you than help and she assumed that it was the same way with all Elves. She had her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw within a second's notice.

Gandalf talked to an Elf in Elvish and all the Dwarves stood close together. Then an Elvish horn blared in the distance. All the Dwarves drew their weapons and formed a circle, Enda found herself in the center by Bilbo.

The Elves ride in on horses and circle the Dwarves and the leader of them dismounts and goes to Gandalf. They speak in Elvish for a while. Enda was about to quip on the rudeness of not talking in a language they understood when Elrond suddenly turned to the group.

"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."

"I do not believe we have met."

"No, but you have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."

"He made no mention of you," Thorin said.

Elrond then speaks in Elvish again and the Dwarves grow angry.

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin asked angrily.

"No he is offering you food," Gandalf said.

"Then why didn't he say so?" Enda asked. Elrond then looked at her.

"A woman?" he asked.

"What's it matter?" Enda crossed her arms defiantly.

"Just lead us to the food!" Dwalin said.

"I will talk to you later," Elrond said to Enda.

Enda sighed. Two people wanted to talk to her. Thorin, who was probably blaming her for losing the ponies, and Elrond, who probably going to question her. She want to talk to the Elf. She didn't want to tell him anything, not her past nor anything else. She was not a child and he didn't need to treat her like she was a weak woman either. She was not looking forward to Thorin's wrath nor any questions from an Elf.

Hey, thanks for reading.

Please review!

~ Maethorni