Just before midday they set out once more, this time on foot as the ponies had fled in the night. Gandalf took the lead with Thorin hot on his heels.
Percia stayed towards the back, moving slower due to her ribs. Strangely Kili fell back as well earning several concerned glances from his brother and snickers from a few of the others. If he offered to carry her she would punch him in the nose.
The others all seemed more jovial after the events of the night before. Apparently the post battle survival had negated their capture, as several retold the story with far more elaboration. Percia just chuckled quietly thoughts going back to the celebrations at Camp for a quest fulfilled. Some of them had been just as bad with their retelling.
"Something's coming!" Thorin's shout grabbed their attention.
Percia pulled out Riptide just as Gandalf ordered them to stay together and arm themselves. The sound of something large approaching grew louder, causing them all to tense in anticipation. Just as it got to the breaking point a large sled pulled by rabbits of all things crashed into the clearing. A man nearly as tall as Gandalf with a scraggly beard and brown robes was driving the sleigh, eyes wild as he screamed.
"Thieves! Fire! Murder!"
The only one able to gather their wits was Gandalf, as he clearly knew the other.
"Radagast! Radagast the Brown," he greeted still shocked by the other's arrival. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you Gandalf," the other man stated breathlessly. "Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong."
"Yes," Gandalf prompted.
The other went to speak only nothing came out. Percia wondered if maybe he hadn't indulged in this world's version of weed. It certainly explained his look. Was that a bird's nest in his hair?
"It was just on the tip of my tongue…" When he curled his tongue out there was a large stick like bug on it. Percia gagged slightly, having an aversion to bugs in general. Looking away from the two wizards she noted the bunnies still hooked up to the sleigh. One of them was licking a front paw where she could see a deep scratch.
Deciding to keep her mind off of the strange wizard she approached the rabbit slowly, kneeling next to it. Pulling out her water bag she poured a small amount into one hand. The rabbit paused, watching her closely. Calmly she brought the hand down towards the injured paw, allowing her fingers to touch its fur. The animal was frozen, undecided on what to do, but it watched in amazement as the water flowed from her hand into the cut healing the injury. The rabbit inspected it for a moment, before nuzzling her hand in thanks, even allowing her to pick him up to cuddle him.
"That was amazing." She glanced up to see Bilbo and Kili watching her. "Can you heal anything with water?"
"No. Most injuries but not all," she corrected gently, scratching the rabbit between his ears which it seemed to enjoy.
"What about the injuries you have now," Kili pushed, eyes narrowed in thought and frustration.
"I can, but I have to be submerged in water. Once we come across a river or pond I'll be able to heal myself," she informed him, unsure of why he seemed so upset about her getting injured. "Are there injuries I don't know of?" Her eyes swept to the other Dwarves, whom all looked fine.
"No, no everyone is fine. You were the only one really hurt," Bilbo assured her. "But that is an amazing talent. Have you always had it?"
"Yes. Though it's grown over the years," she stated absently, paying more attention to the rabbit in her hands and the ones nudging at her knees.
"I believe my uncle would take this time to tell you that you cannot keep the bunny," Kili suddenly advised in a wry tone.
She peeked up at him, lifting the one rabbit higher and adding her own pleading face to his natural cuteness. "But how can you say no to a face like this?"
Bilbo burst out laughing when Kili started to sputter unsure of how to respond. Their fun was brought to an end when a howl sang through the air.
"Was that a wolf," Bilbo asked in fright. "Are there wolves around here?"
"Wolves? No, that was no wolf," Bofur responded warily.
Almost as if summoned one creature attacked only to have Thorin cut it down. A second tried its luck falling first to Kili's arrow then to Dwalin's axe. Percia released the rabbit standing with Riptide firmly in her hand.
"Warg scouts," Thorin yelled out. "Which means an orc pack is not far behind."
The wargs looked a bit like hellhounds to her, though a bit furrier in comparison. It seemed she would soon be seeing these orc creatures the others had mentioned on occasion. From what she understood of this world they were like the monsters in hers, only they did not turn to dust when slain.
"I'll draw them off," Radagast stated surely as he took position at his sleigh.
"These are Gundabad Wargs," Gandalf countered. "They will out run you."
"These are Rhosobel Rabbits," the other shot back. "I'd like to see them try."
Since his mind was clearly made up Gandalf said no more. With a loud whoop the brown wizard was off, racing across the plains. It took next to no time for several more wargs, some carrying strange creatures, to fall into pursuit.
Gandalf huffed a bit but led them on. "Come on! This way!"
The group ran across the open field, barely making it to one of the larger boulder groups to hide from the wargs. Radagast had chosen a random flee pattern, which actually did not aid them much.
Percia kept close to Bilbo noting he had the most trouble with their escape. Clearly the Hobbit did not often have to run for long periods of time. They moved from outcrop to outcrop, only to get caught at the last one by a single warg and its rider. Kili managed to bring the rider down, but the warg took longer, its death cries echoing through the valley.
All too soon they were surrounded by their foes. Thorin ordered Kili to shoot and the others to stand firm as the creatures circled closer. Percia pushed Bilbo behind her, Riptide ready for the two inching closer to their position. From the corner of her eye she saw Bifur positioning his wicked looking spear to do the same.
"This way you fools!" Gandalf's sudden reappearance had the others running in that direction. Percia worked with Bifur to keep the closest wargs from hindering their escape. The each managed to take one out before the old Dwarf was pushing her towards the hidden cave.
Sliding down into the cavern was not the most fun Percia had had, but they were alive. Finally Kili and Thorin joined them completing the group. They watched the entrance warily only to frown as a loud horn sounded. She could hear the sound of hoof beats, indicating riders coming. Sounds of renewed battled reached them, until one orc body crashed into the cave.
Thorin knelt next to it pulling out an arrow. "Elves," he spat.
Elves? Really? Like Keebler? Or something else? Though Percia really could use some cookies.
"I cannot see where the path leads," Dwalin called out from further inside the cave. "Do we follow or no?"
"Follow it of course," Bofur stated happily, not one to let much get him down.
So follow it they did. At times the path became so narrow they had to go in single file. Once a group of them had to use their weight to push Bombur through one section.
It seemed like hours had passed before the cavern finally opened to a cliff overlooking a large valley, which held a city far more beautiful than any Percia had seen. She most definitely included Olympus in that statement.
"The Valley of Imladris," Gandalf announced for them. "In the Common tongue it is known by another name."
"Rivendell," Bilbo whispered from beside her, his eyes just as fixated on the city.
"Here lies the last Homely House east of the seas." With that Gandalf started directing them down the path, though Thorin, who no doubt did not want to be here, held him up.
For a moment Percia wondered why, but decided not to ask. With any luck these Elves would have a pond or spring she could borrow, as her ribs were starting to bother her again.
Kili must have seen her slight flinches during the walk because he came up behind her, one hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright? Do you need to rest?"
"I'm okay." She shot him a smile. "And I don't want to stop, if I do I'll likely never make it."
"Do you want to lean on me," he asked so sincerely that she didn't have the heart to snap at him like she would have usually done.
"Thank you, but no. I'm afraid standing straight it the best thing I can do right now." Taking in his defeated features she made a compromise. "Why don't you tell me a story to keep my mind off the pain?"
He brightened instantly before launching into a tale of him and Fili as children and their great adventure to liberate pies from a mean old baker. Fili, having heard his name, had to join in, not allowing his brother to lessen his own part in their exploits. Percia got a good laugh out of it, enjoying the way the brothers bantered.
She almost didn't notice the bridge or the two giant statues they passed, until the group pulled up to a stop on a raised platform. A set of stairs led to into the city and from them descended a tall regal male in robes. The closer he got the clearer Percia could see his features, which looked young and timeless. Having been in the presence of gods in her world, she knew this man, or elf she supposed, was immortal.
"Mithrandir," the elf greeted.
"Ah, Lindir," the wizard stated in return greeting the other happily.
The Dwarves appeared more wary than before, while Bilbo craned his neck every which way. Percia chose to just wait and see what would occur. Hopefully nothing that ended in bloodshed.
The sound of a familiar horn had the Dwarves starting, as they turned to find a group of horsemen approaching fast. Thorin called out something and Percia found herself pushed to the center of the group along with their Hobbit. Soon the riders circle the group forcing them into a tighter formation. When they finally came to a stop, one of the few without a helmet swung off his mount and greeted Gandalf.
The two spoke in a strangely beautiful language she had not heard before. However, what really had her attention were the whispers growing louder around them.
'Yes, yes, welcome the grey trouble maker back…'
'I hope I get an apple tonight…'
'They better have cleaned out my stall or I'm going to…'
And more comments similar to those came from the various mounts the Elves rode. Her eyes grew wide at the realization. She had not heard this from the ponies or even Gandalf's horse, so she thought that particular skill had not translated over. But what if she had simply needed more time? The maneuver she used to summon the water from the stew had taken more concentration than normal, but she expected that given Janus' warnings. Yet when she healed the rabbit, the pull had not been nearly so much. Maybe she was finally getting used to this world. Was that a good thing?
She was brought back from her thoughts by Gloin's loud bellowing.
"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?"
Gandalf sighed in exasperation. "No master Gloin, he's offering you food."
Percia almost lost it when the Dwarves had to actually discuss the offer before finally accepting. Food and males, the universal constant.