Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns all, save for the characters not in his works.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. "
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Rings
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
T.A. 2941
Troll Cave
Kili panted breathlessly, with dead leaves stuck to his hair, staring at them after he uttered those words. There was a paused where no one said or did anything, the kind of pause that happened when people couldn't believe their ears. Then slowly Thorin rose, drawing all eyes to his lone movement. Kili watched him regaining his composure and looking somewhat nervous and excited. His face was flushed from running. Nuil watched Thorin intently, still displeased with him, but not as angry as she had been before.
It was a bitter pill to swallow when she realized that he had only been trying to help her. He really meant well, yet it did not excuse him to let her brother kidnap her. Nuil's stubborn pride dictated that she was in the right, and she was tired of letting him off when he made a foolish and pigheaded decision. Thorin may be king, but she wasn't his subject. Not technically. She was loyal to him, yes, but it didn't mean she agreed blindly with everything he did.
Nuil blinked, surprised, when a tiny smile tugged at the corners of Thorin's lips. His smiles were so far and few between that she often forgot what they looked like. Sure, he smiled and smirked. But it was hardly the wide and happy ones she remembered from her childhood. This smile, was like those smiles. Nuil could feel her resolve to be angry with him softening.
"Lead the way, Kili," Thorin said with a proud glow in his deep azure eyes. His nephew brightened and straightened up as he nodded and led them back into the trees.
The rest of the company picked themselves up off from where they had been resting, most half asleep from the warming rays of the early morning sun. Nuil stayed close to Bilbo, keeping one hand on his shoulder as they trailed after the dwarrow.
Dead leaves and small sticks crackled beneath their feet as they pushed past fallen branches and rising greenery. The ground became uneven the closer they got to the rock face, big roots twisting through the dry brown dirt like blue veins in a wrist. The heat from the sun hit the tree leaves, illuminating their path with dull green light, broken by beams of clear sunlight when there was a gap in the trees. The air was quickly becoming muggy and thick with heat, promising a warm day.
The ground slowly took a downward slope and they entered the shadow of the small outcropping of rocks. Dirt slowly gave way to pebbles to rocks to great slabs cutting up through the ground like teeth.
They smelled it before they saw it. The smell of fruits and meat gone bad and left out in the hot sun to rot. It filled their noses and despite dwarven claims to having iron stomachs, several gagged and covered their noses. Flies assaulted them as the great gaping entrance rose from the ground. The path led them down, straight to the entrance where there was a drop off. The sun lighted the entrance, if one was to peer down the would see the white of bones lying in the dead foliage. Some were animal and others . . . were not.
There was even a faint flicker of something shining before the darkness completely swallowed whatever else was in the cave. Bilbo swayed under her hand, and it was only her firm grip on his shoulder that kept him upright. It wouldn't do to have him faint again, she thought with a mildly amused smile.
"Feeling alright there?" she asked just to be sure that he would be fine. The little hobbit gave a small humorless laugh, eying her with incredulity.
"Would you be 'alright' if you were smelling whatever is in that dark hole? I think not!"
Nuil gazed at him without saying anything, making the hobbit think he had upset her and began to offer a weak apology. She gave him a gentle smile and without a word she pressed her hand to his stuttering lips, patting his shoulder as she moved to greet Fili where he stood beside Dwalin.
Their lips were pressed into a thin line as if to dispel the foul odor. Fili's smile when he saw her looked more like a grimace of pain. It was no surprise to her that Kili appeared at his shoulder a moment later. Before she had the chance to speak the younger opened his mouth.
"What did you do to Uncle?" He gave her an impertinent smile as Fili fought to keep the corners of his mouth from lifting.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Mahal! You sound like our burglar!" Kili chuckled, sensing her growing ire. "I only mean to say, that he has been watching you very closely." This time Fili did smile, somehow managing to make it not look like a grimace.
He had? Well, of course he had, she mused. Nuil frowned at them, not liking the looks on their faces.
"We have been wondering, Aunnie," Fili went on, "when the two of you will just act on what's been going on for years." Kili waggled his brows in a suggestive manner. Dwalin let out a loud guffaw, looking off into the trees as Nuil finally understood their meaning.
Oh.
Oh.
She was going to give them a piece of her mind. Where had the sweet and innocent little dwarflings she knew gone? Replaced by these annoying hobgoblins intent on teasing her. She gave the two a glare before moving to cuff their ears. She paused as a familiar growl stopped their playfulness.
"If you intend on harassing the lady, I'll send the two of you into the cave first," Thorin said to them with a glare. Kili shrank behind Fili and both paled at their uncle's words.
Thorin's gaze turned to Nuil, but her own eyes were on the entrance of the troll hoard, a muscle in her jaw working. He could not tell if she was angered by his words, so he turned to Dwalin. The dwarf had a tight smirk on his lips which Thorin chose to ignore.
"Search the cave," he said. "Perhaps we may find a few treasures as compensation for our troubles." It was decided that Thorin, Dwalin and Gandalf would enter the cave first, braving the stench that only intensified once within the hoard. They slid down down the drop to the bottom and disappeared into the shadows. Gloin, Bofur and Nori followed after them with eagerness in their eyes, for trolls were known to hoard sometimes precious things.
Nuil followed, carefully dropping to the bottom and straightening to stand. She stared into the gloom, suddenly feeling quite alone even though she knew there were highly trained dwarrow beyond. It was an irrational fear that she knew shouldn't bother her. But it did. It was as if she was a young child again, afraid of what lay in the dark of the night, waking to her parents arguing. The feeling was so profound that she found her palms sweating and her heart pounding in her chest.
What was this? Was she, a seasoned wanderer, afraid of the dark? Nuil grit her teeth in annoyance. No, it wasn't a fear of the dark. It was the sudden and almost crippling realization that she could be totally alone. Not in the present sense, but the where she had absolutely no one. No brothers, family or even Thorin. And that is what scared her. The thought of having no one and nothing. She was frozen and desperately wanted the feeling to go away. Nuil knew it shouldn't bother her, but it did.
"You goin' to stand there lassie, or are ya goin' in to look?" Dwalin asked gruffly. He had approached her and stood in the lighter shadows. Nuil jerked her attention to him. How long had he been watching her? By his narrowed eyes, Nuil knew he had been watching long enough to see the terror sweep across her face.
"Of course," she murmured, brushing past him and deeper into the cave. She was swallowed by the stink and the dark. Blinking her eyes, she could slowly make out the shapes of the others as her eyes adjusted. Thorin and Gandalf were in a deeper area of the cave, where the smell- Mahal it was unbearable -was the worst.. Nuil's eyes stung, and she decided to stay by Gloin and Bofur. Both of whom were piling gold coins and little silver goblets into a tiny chest, while Nori dug a hole with his hands.
Nuil balled her hands into fists.
Th-Thump.
Th-Thump.
Her heart-beat seemed to fill the air, a sick feeling washing through her. Her hazel eyes never straying from the gold, glittering before her. If she just bent down, she could pick up the one by her foot, roll it in between her fingers, feel the cool metal.
Th-Thump, th-thump, th-thump th-thump th-thump.
There was a roaring in her ears, like wind, she saw nothing but the gold.
Th-thump th-thump th-thump th-thump th-thump th-thump th-thump th-thump.
A firm hand landed on her shoulder, jerking her to the side. A gasp tore from her lips, as she met the deep gray eyes of Gandalf. He looked her over, a frown tugging at the corners of his lips. Nuil only then realized that she was out of breath, and leaning against the far wall of the cave, away from the three dwarrow burying a chest.
She didn't even remember moving.
"Are you alright?" Gandalf finally asked, in a troubled voice. When she gave a weak nod he pressed his lips into a thin line and leaned on his staff. A thoughtful look entered his face. "I do believe some fresh air will do you good." Gandalf turned away from her. "Thorin!"
The dwarf turned, his gaze landing on her and his brows drew together. Thorin approached, in one hand holding a sword. He stopped beside Gandalf.
"I think Nuil needs some fresh air. I too, for this smell is horribly foul."
Thorin nodded, and slowly offered her hand for her to take. Casting aside her resentment at him for the moment, she took it, gripping it tightly as he pulled her towards the entrance. Thorin gave her an odd look, surprised by the firmness she had on his hand, and said nothing as he lifted her up. Fili appeared, pulling Nuil up the rest of the way.
Once Nuil was back out of the cave, the bright surroundings helped sooth the panic she had been feeling. Fili reached back to help Thorin up, and once both dwarves were standing, Thorin turned to her with a serious look on his face.
"Are you alright?"
Nuil spared a glance to Fili, who was watching from over his uncle's shoulder, a frown pulling at the corners of his lips. She rolled her shoulders back.
"I'm fine."
Lie.
Thorin knew it was a lie too. She watched as his eyes flashed, with both anger and hurt, before he drew closer. Nuil fought the urge to take a defensive step back. She knew he hated being lied to, but she didn't want any of the others to see her moment of weakness. She didn't want to give more fuel to the fire, when they were already not welcoming of her presence. Nuil wanted to be here, and she still had to prove to the others that she could hold her own, that they needed her.
He was standing right in front of her, barely a gap between them as he watched her face. Fili was completely blocked off from her view, but she didn't have to see him to know that he was watching carefully, leaning forward slightly on the balls of his feet. Nuil was so focused on what Fili might be doing that she didn't see Thorin lift his hand.
A sharp breath tore from her lips as Thorin's hand, calloused and weathered, grabbed her chin and forced her head up so that he could look into her eyes.
"Are you alright?" he asked her again, this time more slowly, and carefully enunciated. Nuil felt a surge of annoyance from his actions, not at all happy that he was basically forcing her to be truthful. But as she gazed up into his stern, deep blue eyes, she couldn't lie to him. She never had been able to lie to him, at least not in such close quarters.
"No."
She was far from 'alright'. Everything that had happened since the beginning was wearing on her. Being forcefully removed by her brother didn't help matters either. Fili and Kili had nearly drowned in the Brandywine. The company had been captured and almost eaten by three trolls. And they weren't even over the Misty Mountains yet. How was she supposed to keep an eye on four people? How was she supposed to help a company of fourteen? Everything was getting more complicated. It was overwhelming, and she couldn't forget her own struggles.
Her little episode in the troll cave only helped reiterate that to herself.
"No. I'm not."
Her voice was small, not at all how she usually spoke. It sounded weak. Thorin seemed to be battling with himself, looking almost at a loss, which was strange for him. The hand on her chin moved to gently hold the side of her neck, before moving up into her hair. Then in one strong motion he pulled her forward and held her close to him. Nuil stiffened, unprepared for it. His other arm wrapped around her waist still holding onto the sword, leaving her no room to pull away.
Her face was pressed into his shoulder, and she could smell the faint scent of freshly cut wood, sweat, and that earthy smell that came from the dirt. It was pleasant to her, even if he smelled slightly of troll. Her hands gripped his sides, balling into the fabric of his coat. He was warm, and if felt really good to be held. She didn't even care if anyone saw.
Thorin eyed the sled that had crashed into the small clearing where they had gathered with a look akin to distaste and annoyance. They didn't need this. Not some crazy, brown, animal loving wizard spouting nonsense about the Greenwood being sick, and a darkness invading it. What did he care for the Greenwood, or in the more recent and common name, Mirkwood.
Home of the elves.
Elves.
Dirty rotten, back-stabbing, tree loving elves. They couldn't even be bothered to lift their dainty fingers to help when Erebor was being taken, or when Azog had taken Khazad-dum. They were all a bunch of high and mighty snobs. He was done with the elves. What had they ever done for him? Why should he care about what happens to their home?
They didn't care about his.
His gaze turned from the two wizards to Nuil, sitting beside the hobbit, as she examined his new 'sword'. Looked more like a cheese knife than a sword. He wouldn't even call it a dagger. Not when in the use of a hobbit. But he wasn't looking at the hobbit, not much use he was, but at her.
She was pale, purple bags beneath her eyes, which were not as noticeable when the hobbit said something that made her smile. Her hair was falling out of the single braid she usually kept it in, falling into her face that she kept tucking behind her ears.
He never should have let Nurgon take her. No matter the risk. He had been miserable with her not there, more so than when he knew she was following. And holding her earlier, made everything feel better. Made everything that had gone wrong so far, seem a little less out of control and out of his hands.
Fili and Kili were still with them because of her. Still alive.
But her words, the weakness in them, had sent a spine tingling wave of concern through him. Nuil never sounded like that, unless she really was upset or hurt. He didn't like it, it wasn't her. She was strong, dignified and caring. Thorin had done the only thing he could think of, and he hoped it had helped.
Of course, she was still angry with him.
He wanted to roll his eyes, but didn't. He was past that time in his life where he rolled his eyes. So he settled for huffing and folding his arms. Fili came to stand beside him, nodding to Dwalin who was perched on a boulder a few feet from them. He mirrored Thorin and let his gaze follow his uncles.
"When do you think Aunnie will stop waiting?"
Thorin raised a brow, giving Fili a questioning glance.
"She's spent all these years taking care of us, fighting for us. Yet nothing is given in return. Even though she isn't part of the company, she should receive a share of the gold."
Thorin drew in a sharp breath. Nuil would want nothing to do with gold. She hated, feared, and coveted it. Gold was what she believed was the downfall of her father, and if Thorin was honest with himself, the downfall of his grandfather.
"It's gold-sickness, is it not?"
Her words, when she was so young.
"Have you spoken with her about this?" he finally managed to ask in a tight voice. He was a little angry that Fili had even brought it up. But Fili didn't know about it. But by Mahal, if he had asked her, he would be hard pressed to not give the lad a good thump to the head.
"No." Thorin let out a sigh through his nose. That was one small mercy, he supposed. "Should I?"
"No!"
Fili clenched his jaw, keeping his eyes firmly on his aunt and the burglar. He never liked it when Thorin got angry, let alone having it directed at him. "I won't then."
Thorin sighed. "It is a very valid point, Fili. But there are circumstances that make such a- it would be best not to bring it up. For now."
"I'm not a dwarfling anymore," Fili replied, a tone of annoyance entering his voice. "You don't have to protect me."
"But I can," Thorin growled. "This is a matter that would be best if she explained it."
"Why can't you?"
"It is not my place. Leave it be."
"Thor-"
Fili didn't finish as a howl rose into the air. The whole company stilled, rising to their feet if they weren't already standing. A particular white-faced hobbit spoke first.
"Is that a wolf?"
"That is no wolf," Bofur replied in a deadly serious voice. Weapons were drawn as a growl from above drew their attention. A warg clambered down the rocks into the small ravine they had settled in, snarling as it leaped over the hobbit, Bofur and Kili and down to where Thorin and Fili stood.
Using the elven sword he had acquired in the troll hoard, Thorin swung, slicing up through its chest as it hit the ground at his feet. The warg snapped its jaws at him until he plunged the blade into its side, Bifur joined him and slammed his hammer into its head. The warg gave out a brief cry of pain before falling silent and still. Thorin turned to pull the blade out of the dead warg when a cry of alarm made him look up.
Kili had his bow drawn, arm pulled back, but he was missing the arrow. A low gurgle came from his other side, and he turned to see Dwalin pulling his battle ax out of the warg on his other side. It had come out of nowhere, and he hadn't seen it. He nodded to Dwalin, glad that he had his back. Kili lowered his bow, looking to Nuil who had placed a hand on his shoulder.
She looked relieved.
Gandalf approached them, followed by Radagast.
"Warg scouts," Thorin growled, finally freeing his new blade from the dead warg with a squelching sound. Just what they needed.
"Which means there are more not far behind," Nuil murmured with a troubled frown.
Gandalf stepped closer, advancing on Thorin, with a look on his face that Thorin did not like at all. He eyed the wizard warily.
"Who did you tell?" he demanded.
"No one!"
"Who did you tell of this quest?!" Gandalf demanded once more. Thorin felt rage flare within his chest. He was not used to being treated so, questioned like he had done wrong.
"No one, I swear! What in Durin's name is going on?!"
Gandalf leveled a resigned and troubled gaze on him. "You are being hunted."
Radagast disappeared from view along with the last of the wargs, moving quickly over the lone land hills and scraggly terrain. The howls of the wargs echoed across the plain, lost in the sudden falls of the hills and down into the secret ravines and valleys. Gandalf urged them forward quickly, pushing some of the slower members of the company, namely Bombur and Bilbo, with the end of his staff. They ran out from beneath the shadows of the trees and onto open land.
Nuil could easily outrun the dwarrow, but this wasn't a race. She didn't know how long they would be running and decided to stay near the back to keep an eye on Bilbo. She had a clear view of Fili, Kili and Thorin. But she wasn't too worried about them, just the huffing and puffing hobbit behind her.
Thorin stopped suddenly, drawing the rest of the company to a halt behind an outcropping of rocks as Radagast flew by, wargs in tow. His arm shot out catching the youngest dwarrow by the scruff of his collar. Dori, his brother let out a cry of alarm.
"Ori!"
Thorin threw Ori back down the line of dwarrow to his brothers, roughly. He did not mean it to be unkind, but if Ori had given away their spot, the outcome would not be good. Dori wrapped his arms around his youngest brother, and Nori rested a hand on his shoulder.
Nuil reached down and squeezed Bilbo's shoulder, looking down at him to make sure he was alright. The hobbits face was flushed red from running and his breathing was heavy. Bilbo's wide blue eyes darted around frantically and he clutched the small 'sword' Gandalf had given him tightly in his hands. The blade was glowing blue from within its sheath. Nuil gave his shoulder a good shake and he turned his eyes to her.
"I should never have left . . ." he mumbled in a dazed voice.
They were moving again. This time she nudged him forward, keeping a hand on his shoulder as they ran. Worry shot through her for the little hobbit. Self doubt was the worst thing to dwell on in situations like this. She just prayed that he didn't decide to give up right then and there. They passed Thorin who was standing beside Gandalf, a sour look on the dwarf kings face.
She didn't catch what was said after they passed, but the huff of a disgruntled wizard reached her ears. The howls were all around them now, echoing off rocks and out of the little dips. It was impossible to tell if the warg pack was near or far away.
A gasp tore from her as the pack ran into view, still chasing Radagast. She and Bilbo were nowhere near the others and she forced the hobbit to the ground. With one arm over his quivering form, she raised her eyes. The company had taken cover up against another one of the many outcroppings of rock. Thorin was standing next to Kili, but his gaze was searching the rest of the company. For a moment a flash of panic flooded his face, before it froze, landing on her.
Nuil didn't get the chance to offer a reassuring smile, a look of horror swept across her face. Climbing up the rocks was a warg with an orc rider on its back. It sniffed the air, letting out a guttural growl. Bilbo saw it and was trembling violently, digging his fingers into the dry grass. She stiffened when it spotted them in the grass, a sick grin twisting across its mutilated face. She watched, heart pounding as the warg lowered itself onto its haunches, preparing to pounce. Slowly she drew her sword, preparing herself.
She had to protect Bilbo.
Then Kili was jumping out from the safety of the rock, sending an arrow right into the wargs chest. Caught off guard it went tumbling to the ground with a howl. Dwalin surged forward, sinking his ax into its skull as Gloin finished off the orc.
Nuil dragged herself to her feet, pulling Bilbo with her and running to the company. Thorin caught her by her shoulders, staring fiercely at her. She gave him a nod before Gandalf was yelling.
"Run!"
Nuil grabbed Bilbo by his collar, shoving him ahead of her and they were running once more. Only this time the howls of the wargs were nearer to them. She glanced over her shoulder to see the pack in pursuit, gaining on them.
"Faster!" she barked at Bilbo, as panic rose up in her chest. Nuil did not want to be torn to shreds by a pack of wargs. It didn't seem like the best way to go, nor the least painful. But if Bilbo would live if she ever needed to do such a thing, she would do it. Didn't mean she had to like it.
Bilbo stumbled, falling to the ground with a yelp.
"Up. Up!" she yelled. Bilbo scrambled, clumsily getting to his feet and stumbling after the rest of the company. When he stumbled again she had little time to drag him upright when the first of the pack came at them. It snarled as she swung, the shining blade slicing through the skin of the wargs jaw. It howled, stumbling to the side and sending it's rider from its back.
"Run Bilbo!"
The orc picked itself up, charging at her. It was a whole head taller than her, heavily muscled and armored. Nuil blocked its blow with her sword, but it pushed her, sending her to the ground. Her eyes passed briefly over Bilbo, standing frozen a few feet from her.
"I said RUN!"
Nuil turned, raising her blade to block another blow, only to suddenly see stars as the left side of her face made contact with a metal plated fist. She stumbled back, tasting iron in her mouth. The skin on her face felt warm, and something wet trickled down her neck. Blood. Nuil staggered, preparing herself for another blow when an arrow came out of nowhere, embedding itself into the orcs face. It toppled backwards with a screech, twitching once it hit the ground.
With little remorse, she brought her blade down on its neck. It moved no more. Nuil turned, nodding to Kili with a look of thanks. She purposefully ignored the look of alarm written across his face. Picking up her pack, which had been thrown off by the fight, she ran towards the others. Bilbo had finally listened to her, standing at the base of a pillar of rock, with his glowing blue sword in his hands. Bofur and Nori stood on either side of him.
Thank goodness.
"We're surrounded!" Kili yelled, notching an arrow and letting it fly.
"Where's Gandalf?" Dori asked frantically.
"Curse the wizard!" growled Dwalin raising his ax, "he's abandoned us!"
"Hold your ground!" Thorin shouted.
A warg reached Thorin, but he cut it down quickly, and Balin finished off the rider. The dwarf king turned just as Gandalf appeared from out of the pillar of rocks Bilbo stood before.
"This way you fools!"
Bilbo quickly followed the wizard, jumping down into some kind of hole. He was followed by Oin, Gloin, Bombur, Bifur, Nori, Ori, Bofur, Dori, Balin, Dwalin, and Fili. Thorin stood at the top, waiting for the last two members of the party to follow.
"KILI!"
The young dwarf turned and came bounding across the grass, jumping past Thorin and down the rocky drop to the bottom where the rest of the company waited. Nuil followed, climbing up the rock. Thorin cut down another warg that had drawn near. He turned gesturing for her to go. And she nearly did, had it not been for the orc racing towards them on a warg, bow drawn.
As the arrow was let loose, Nuil shoved the dwarf king sending him down the hole. She heard his roar of outrage and alarm before she felt the jolting of an arrow hitting her. It thudded and embedded itself into her chest, just above where her heart lay. The force of the hit sent her stumbling backwards and down into the hole.
Her body hit the ground, head smacking into the stone floor. Nuil's vision blurred, blackening around the edges as the sound of a horn filled the air. It was no orc horn. But she felt sluggish, and apart from the horn, could not discern where she was or what was happening beyond her immediate surroundings. Suddenly she was roughly jerked, pulled off the ground and into a pair of strong arms.
Nuil's eyes stared at the roof of the small cave they were in unseeingly. She knew where she was, but she just couldn't bring herself to actually acknowledge it. Her head hung limply backwards and she was vaguely aware of a hard thud. The next moment Thorin's voice filled the air.
"Elves," he spat distastefully.
"I cannot see where the pathway leads," Dwalin shouted, his voice slightly dim. "Should we follow it or no?"
"Follow it of course," Bofur replied.
"Uncle!" cried a voice, right beside her. It must be who was holding her . . . Fili or Kili. Nuil did not know. "Aunnie is hurt!"
There was a scuffing of boots and a pair of strong warm hands pressed to her face as her head was tilted down. Thorin's face swam in her vision, blurred. His hands moved to the arrow and he tentatively tugged on it.
A cry tore from her lips before she could stop it.
But her vision cleared and she suddenly felt more alert. The adrenaline in her veins was fading, and the pain in her chest growing, but she felt herself come back to reality. Thorin's faced hardened.
"It may be poisoned," he murmured, eying the black shaft. Gandalf came towards them, followed by Oin. "We should pull it out."
"And let the lass bleed to death?" Oin said peering over Thorin's shoulder. "It'd be safer to leave it be until we are somewhere better. Can ye walk lassie?"
Nuil managed to weakly nod her head, pushing against the dwarf that was holding her. Fili. His hands lingered around her arms as she got her bearings. A wave of dizziness washed through her and it took all her effort not to sway. Mahal, it really hurt!
She took one step before stumbling. Thorin quickly caught her, pulling her to her feet. In one swift motion he snapped the end of the arrow off, leaving only the shaft, and swept her off her feet. Literally. He held her firmly to him, both arms wrapped around her, one under her legs and the other across her back. Oin made a noise of disapproval.
"I can walk," Nuil moaned weakly.
"No you cannot," Thorin growled firmly. "That arrow was meant for me, and so you will do as I say."
Nuil snorted, a very inelegant sound, squeezing her eyes shut as Thorin began to walk and nausea bubbled up from her stomach. "As you wish, your majesty," she mumbled under her breath. The pain was building and it was making her especially cranky. There was no doubt in her mind that the arrow had been poisoned. "I'm still vexed with you."
Thorin's chest rumbled as a low laugh escaped his lips. "Of course you are."
Nuil let her head fall back, blackness closing in on her. Stupid, bloody stubborn dwarves.
Wow, finals week. Phew. Just two more for me and then I'm freeeeeeee! Hopefully I'll pass my pre-calc/trig final, but who knows, I suck at math. :( Hopefully everyone else in school has had good finals or you're already done. Good luck!
So I watched the movie and decided that some of my chapters I had written were, well, just awful. So I scrapped everything from this chapter and beyond. Chapter Thirty-two will be all original and brand spanking new when I finally write and post it. I scrapped those fifteen chapters because they followed the movie and the book and were not very original and I realized this as I was editing this chapter. I just want to make this story good, but not something that is predictable. So if I don't post in the next two weeks, it's because I am writing. Sadly I'm a perfectionist.
Thank you for all the lovely reviews! I hope I don't disappoint. And also to my followers. Just let me know if things don't make sense or you know . . whatever it is. :)
Up next Rivendell! :D
~filimeala