Disclaimer: I make no claims of ownership to anything to may recognize from middle-earth, Bambi, or Miss congeniality. I only claim creative ownership of Devina.
Lament
Chapter VI
Trolls
The next morning they lingered. Thorin decided after his nephews ill-mannered joke,math at it really would be better if they took the morning to rest. Also to begin training the hobbit and Devina in some basic combat. Though she didn't tell him when, she had confessed they would indeed have to fight Orc. She had also been afraid. She said they weren't supposed to encounter them yet but she'd been terrified. This made him question the details about this book, and he was not about to leave the integrity of this quest to chance. Nor, if he was being honest, would he risk her life or the life of the hobbits.
So the morning went by slowly. He had them all rotating as sparring partners for the two. The Hobbit was surprisingly very light on his feet, though he was a nervous person. Which often was the reason for his clumsiness. If he would just focus and stop fidgeting he'd catch on rather quickly. Not that he would ever be a skilled fighter or particularly strong, but it could be the difference in life of death for him. Thorin felt slightly guilty that he had made no thought of Master Baggins when he'd purchased the two daggers for Devina. "Speaking of which" he thought as he brought his attention to the girl. She was attempting to spar with Ori at the moment, but her stance was always off and Fili kept coming behind her to correct her.
Thorin sat watching from the log they had shared last night. She was awful. She was small and slight, but she had no sense of coordination. He did notice her eyes did not stay focused on what she was doing but kept meeting his briefly. What was it about this girl that even made him try, she ran out his patience quicker than anyone he'd ever met. Though if he was being fair that had more to do with her secrets than her.
Sighing he stood from his seat and instructed Ori to take a break as he walked over and took his place. She would never get anywhere if she couldn't focus. Once again Fili showed her the correct defensive stance and moved back. Thorin was vaguely aware that they were placing bets on how many moves she'd last this time.
"when I step right, you step to the left, slowly, and never crossing your feet" he began drawing his sword, illustrating he point as he took a slow deliberate step to the right. Looking nervous she nodded and mimicked his movements. He kept moving, slowly bringing them in closer together. She was at a disadvantage with his longer reach due to his sword, but with her knives she could easily take that away by coming in close.
Every time he made a move he instructed her on how to counter move or perry. After about an hour she looked exhausted from the slow exaggerated movements. Thorin gave her no breaks and he told her they would follow those exact same movements but at a normal speed. She was to try blocking his moves and get behind him. If she did, they'd call it a day.
"This is insane! I haven't a chance of blocking even one move, let alone getting behind you," she complained. He couldn't help smirking at how she blushed.
"Begin!" He barked, and started moving quickly. She managed to follow properly, and even block one move, but getting flustered she made to pass him too soon. He was able to easily spin her around dizzily, bringing her back to slam flush against his chest, her own knife against her throat. The spar lasted all of fifteen seconds. "I do believe that makes me the winner," he said quietly, taking perhaps a bit more enjoyment out of it than was necessary.
"This isn't a fair fight," she complained as she held still, almost pressing further into him to avoid the blade.
"Nothing is fair in a real fight. You will have to use anything at your disposal against your enemies. For they will not fight fair, and they will try to kill you." He explained more seriously.
Devina was quiet for a moment before she asked "anything at my disposal you say?" He was more than a little confused, she no longer sounded upset or nervous. If he wasn't mistaken she sounded too much like his nephews.
"Yes, anything, it is life or death." he repeated.
"What if I sing?" She asked. He was about to get annoyed with her again and demand what nonsense she was talking about when without warning she elbowed him hard in the stomach "solar plexus" she said as the breathe was knocked out of him before she stomped on his foot "instep" and as soon and he was beginning to hunch over he knocked her head back and hit him hard on the nose, "nose" at that he let go of her completely and he was just aware of her spinning to face him and her leg swinging towards him enough to grab it by the ankle.
Yanking on her leg he watched her fall flat on her back with a startled cry. Before she could try anything else he pinned her down with his own body, holding her arms above her head.
"What in the name of Mahal are you doing?!" He shouted at her. She looked frightened.
"Using the only thing I had at my disposal..." She said meekly. This completely dumbfounded him.
"and what, were you about to do, kick me in the shin?" He ground out, "That is hardly going to stop your enemy!" She said something, but it was too quiet for him to hear. She had begun crying a little.
"You what?" He asked, cutting back the edge in his voice and moving off of her, offering his hand to help her up. The entire group had gone quiet and were watching.
Hesitating she took his hand and he lifted her to her feet, placing his hands on either of her shoulders. "I said, I was aiming a bit higher than that" she said a little clearer.
"The kneecap is hardly much better than my shin," he sighed, wiping dirt and tears form her cheeks. There was sniggering coming from Fili and Kili. But he didn't have a chance to even see what caused them to laugh. Devina had pulled away and crossed her arms, trying too look composed, though she was covered in dirt and her cheeks were tear stained.
"I'm not a complete moron. I know that. I was aiming for your balls" she snapped. Thorin was flabbergasted, and the whole came erupted in laughter. "She just what?!" His mind shouted. Bofur was beside him now, clapping him on the back laughing for all the world as if nothing funnier would ever happen.
"The lass has you there, Thorin! You did tell her to use anything she has and I'd reckon she nearly had you by yours!" He crowed, Thorin just grumbled, still perplexed that she took him by surprise and that she had seriously tried to kick him there...
"Let's break camp, we're finished for the day." He grumbled irritably. Everyone moved off, still laughing and joking. Dwalin, Fili, and Kili had clapped Devina on the back, all happy that she hadn't tried that on them. The girl, however, lingered. She no longer looked haughty, instead she looked unsure as she approached him.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just didn't.."she trailed off not meeting his eyes.
"Didn't want to loose?" He finished for her. Assuming she was just tired of loosing against them. But she shook her head and looked surprised.
"Not at all. I just didn't want to keep looking so weak and pathetic,"
Thorin considered her for a moment before he responded. "You are weak, and untrained," he began, and she instantly look defeated before he could add "but that will change, with our help. but you are not pathetic. You did exactly what I said you have to do. Even if I didn't mean against me." He finished bemusedly.
She smiled at that and a small laugh escaped when he returned it. They made their way back to their things and loaded up their pony and as they mounted up he found himself once more baffled by her when she said "Thank God for Miss Congeniality or I never would have stood a chance against you!"
"You think I'd let you best me a second time?" He asked, he'd never admit it, but he certainly wanted to spar with her again, no matter how poorly her fighting skills were. He was too curious if she'd surprise him again and almost hoped she would. Maybe this Congeniality person taught her something else,
"Not very likely, but you never know!" She laughed and soon he was laughing along with her.
They'd traveled for three more days in a similar manner. They camped at night and when morning would arrive, Thorin had her practicing for a few hours before they packed up and traveled all day. They would talk about how her training was improving, she would ask him questions about Erebor or what he'd done in the years that followed before now, and he'd ask her to recite poems from famous writers of her world. She stuck mostly to Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson. Anything she hoped didn't require much explanation from the cultural differences.
As each day had passed, he grew a little easier to talk to and he laughed more. Innocent touches would set her skin on fire and her stomach into such a tizzy she wouldn't have much appetite when they stopped for lunch.
it was on the fourth day that she began to avoid him. Thanks to a nagging word singing inside her head in the form of a ticked off cartoon owl. "TWITTERPATED" It would say every time she allowed her hand to linger too long when he helped her off Bongo, or if she let her attention drift across camp to wherever he was.
Fortunately Thorin seemed oblivious to her plight, or was kind enough not to point it out. She wasn't as fortunate where Bofur and his nephews were concerned. Bofur had taken it upon himself to sing a love song at least once a day, if half of them could even be called that. Fili and Kili simply teased her whenever she made an obvious attempt to avoid Thorin.
This went on until finally on the seventh day, and a week since the voice made itself know that he confronted her.
They were riding through the worst rain they'd encountered so far. Every one was miserable and grumpy. Even Fili and Kili found nothing to jest about. They trudged along through out most of the day, the rain seeping through their cloaks and into their clothes beneath. Bombur could be heard complaining that the food would be ruined if it didn't stop soon.
Thorin had given the reigns to Devina earlier on and she followed Gandalf. By this point she'd become confident in her riding ability and lost her fear of horses. At least ponies. She'd been debating on asking to ride the only extra pony just so she could put some space between herself and Thorin.
"You've been avoiding me," his deep baritone whispered in her ear, causing her to stiffen. His hands came up on either side and covered hers on the reigns preventing her from gripping too tightly and causing Bongo to spook. "But you wish that weren't the reason" her mind chirped. She loosened her grip on the reigns but when he did not release her she only nodded her head. Water trickled inside her hood at the movement and slipped into her shirt, causing her to shiver from the cold.
"Have I upset you in some way?" He asked when she gave no further explanation. She didn't have one. She was too scared to allow herself to examine anything that caused that voice to make itself known. She was there to alter the events at the end of this journey. Not to form a ludicrous crush of a man that didn't even exist and yet his hands covering hers, the chill that made the hair on her neck stand up when he'd whispered in her ear, even the occasional nudge from his hard legs behind her own due to the horses movements told her he was real and he did exist. Very much so.
"You refuse to say, so I can only assume I have done something wrong. Will you not tell me?" He asked again. His breath tickled her ear. She would give anything to get off this horse and put some space between them.
"You haven't. It's not you, it's me." She tried to explain, pitifully. "Did I seriously just feed him the it's not you its me line?"
"Then why?" He sounded frustrated, and his let took the reigns from her.
Devina didn't know how to respond, so she lied.
"I just thought I might be taking up too much of your time. So I wanted to give you space." "That is the most pathetic excuse ever!" She hoped he'd believe it.
"Too much of my time?" He asked disbelievingly.
Before she could come up with an adequate response Dori broke the silence by calling out.
"See here Mister Gandalf, is there nothing you can do about this deluge!?" He sounded so annoyed, a person could mistake Nori for blaming Gandalf for the miserable weather.
"It is raining Master Dwarf, and it will continue to do so until the rain is done!" He answered with a snap. "if you wish to change the weather of the world, then I suggest you get yourself another wizard."
"Are there any? Other wizards?" Bilbo asked from beside them. She tried to listen to Gandalf's answer but Thorin would not accept being ignored. All too soon his voice was back at her ear, his breath warm against her chilled skin.
"I know you are not telling the truth. I demand you tell me what the matter is," he was whispering but it did nothing to hide the agitation in his tone.
"I can't. Please don't make me," she whispered. There was silence for a long time. After a couple of hours the rain finally stopped.
"I am growing tired of you telling me you cannot tell me, that I cannot know. I am finished with secrets, Lady Devina. No more," he hissed in her ear. They were coming upon the ruins of an old farm and he called for them to storm.
"We will camp here, Fil, Kili look after the horses." He snaps, dropping down from their horse. He helped her down from Bongo and this time there were no lingering touches. The moment her feet were secure on the ground, he dropped her hands and stormed off. She stood there, stricken. "What have I done?"
The group went about their business, unaware of what had transpired between them. Almost. Bofur came up beside her with a small smile on his face. "Here love, let me help." He offered, undoing hers and Thorin's packs and helping her carry them to a clearing where they there's were doing the same. He made no comment about the sudden tension between her and his King. He set his bag next to her's and went to bring Thorin's to him. She sat down heavily and began to slowly set up her bedroll.
All her focus was on the dwarf going around and barking orders until she could not hear him anymore. Bofur had returned and was setting up his space as well. Once they finished they sat side by side and he hummed quietly while he went about preparing his pipe. Not knowing what to do with herself she pulled out her red book and a pencil and absent mindedly leaned her head on Bofur's shoulder and she began writing. She was only vaguely aware on his wrapping an arm around her.
A commotion on from the ruined farm house drew their attention. She watched as Gandalf was storming away from the main structure, away from Throin who looked stony faced. Their arguing had been the commotion, though what they argued about she couldn't guess. Someone must have asked the wizard something because he shouted, "To seek the company of the only one around here whose got any sense!"
"And whose that?" Bilbo asked, confused by the usually calm wizards harsh tone.
"Myself, Mister Baggins!" He raged, storming past them all and out of sight. While everyone else watched after the wizard, Devina was trying to catch Thorin's eye. "What on earth was that all about?" She wondered. When the dwarf finally met her gaze he only glared at her before turning his back and walking away in the opposite direction. He was ignoring her now.
Thorin was angry with her because she was too scared to admit to whatever feelings were developing. Feelings she wasn't willing or ready to experience for any man. Not after Eddie...Not that he would know that. There was so much she wouldn't tell him, and he knew it had to do with this quest and their lives, and he'd wrongly assumed it had to do with that. If only he knew how wrong he was. But then he'd think her foolish and that would stamp out whatever relationship it was that they had.
Devina stared blankly at her book, at a loss for what to write. Her thoughts and emotions a scrambled mess she could neither make heads or tails of.
"I won't pry, but if you want to talk to me about whatever it is that happened between the two of you, I'll listen you know." He said after a while, never taking his eyes off the fire now checking merrily in front of them.
"Thank you. But perhaps not yet." She said, happy that she could at least call him her friend. He knew exactly what she needed, when she needed it. She started to shiver as the sky grew dark and the wind picked up a little, "I think I'll get out of these wet clothes for now." She said as she stood up with her back.
"I'll be right here," he assured her as she wandered off for a secluded place she could change with some privacy. It had been hours since Gandalf had stormed off. She was starting to wonder when he'd come back, they were meant to encounter the trolls any day.
Finding nothing suitable she had wandered off into the trees near by. She took her time and changed into one of her heavier tunics for it was cold thanks to the rain. She changed her drenched pants and pulled on her mercifully still dry boots. Once she finished she sat down heavily.
"What am I going to do?" She asked no one in particular. Sighing she began rummaging I'm her bag for her brush when a loud crack came from behind her. She never saw what made the noise, for the moment she jumped up and turned to see, something heavy hit her across the head and all she knew was darkness.
When Devina came round, her head was throbbing. Her vision blurred and swam before her, but she could just make out the shapes of what looked like squirming potatoes sacks. There were voices coming from somewhere over and behind her, they were talking about cooking. None of them sounded like Bombur, or any of the other dwarves. Her senses coming back to her, she tried to roll over, only to discover her hands and feet were bound and she was inside what appeared to be a burlap sack. Confused she started to look around her only to instantly notice three monstrous trolls sitting around a fire beside her, turning a spit.
Dread filled her entire being, they'd found the trolls. Someone hissing her name caught her attention and she squirmed back to facing away from the trolls. The potato sacks she'd seen earlier were in fact her companions. They were piled onto of one another in much the same way she found herself. She was staring right at Kili who looked relieved to see her awake.
"We thought you might be dead!" He whispered to her. When she saw Thorin staring at her with the same look of relief on his face started to cry from guilt.
"I am so so sorry! I could hav-" she let out a scream as one of the trolls hoisted her suddenly into the air. The others shouting for the trolls to leave her be and to let her go.
"And I suppose you expect us to let them all go?" The one holding her tightly asked someone unseen.
"Well, not to frighten you or anything, but her yes, I most certainly would. You see she is a witch! She hails from a dark and dangerous forest far to the east!" Bilbo explained, she never felt so much relief. Perhaps this would all turn out just as it did in the book! She much have stumbled across the path of one of these things right before Fili and Kili discovered the missing ponies.
"Carful Bert, if he's wight, she'll turn you into a towd wif just a look at chyeah." One of the others cautioned the troll holding her.
"Not ifs I crush her first, then she'll be like any old female. Dead and delicious." Devina paled and nearly cried out when Bert began to slowly squeeze her.
"St-Stop, or a curse be upon you!" She gasped out. Startled Bert dropped her suddenly and the air was knocked out of her as she hit the ground. Coughing she rolled to her side. Bilbo hopped over to her and continued talking quietly.
"That's right! You see she cursed my friends there. They're all infected. They've got..." He hesitated.
"worms," she supplied, her voice barely above a whisper and she tried to pull air back into her lungs.
"Worms! In...in their tubes. Terrible business, I really wouldn't risk it. We were on out way to convince her to show mercy on us when you caught us!" He hurried. Trying to stall for time.
Unfortunately all the dwarves weren't so quick and were shouting in outrage at the lies about them being infected with worms. At least until someone kicked them and they all caught on and began proclaiming their worms were massive and beyond number.
Devina stood as best she could and glare up at the trolls, pretending she was a lot braver than she felt.
"A curse I have no intention of removing! And I curse you three as well! You shall forever be filled with these bugs and you shall never know the taste of a full stomach again for you shall eat and eat and eat but slowly starve!" She cried out. She felt like a fool but two of the trolls were backing away quickly raising their arms as though they could shield themselves from her words. The third, however, Bert, didn't see, convinced.
"I think your lying. You're having us for fools! If you'd were really a witch, you would have escaped already!" He said, swatting her across the clearing and against the paddock holding the now panicking ponies. She cried out in pain and was surprised she didn't break anything with the impact. They were advancing on her now and she couldn't even move.
Just before they could reach out and pick her up again there came a mighty bellow from their right.
"The dawn take you all!" and Gandalf appeared just in time to split a massive Boulder clean in two with his staff, allowing sunlight to spill through and cover the encampment. Within seconds the trolls turned into stone and everyone watched silently for a moment not entirely sure what happened.
As soon as realization hit the others they all began to cheering for the wizard. Gandalf had made his way over and had released Bilbo from his sack so he could go about releasing the others. It was Kili that rushed over, still in his long johns, to cut her free.
"My lady, are you hurt?" He asked sounding worried. Helping her stand and letting the bag fall.
"No, I'm alright, apart from a sore head and a few bruises." The truth was she hurt all over. She was positive she hadn't been injured since the trolls had knocked her out, but she was sure she'd be black and blue all over for days.
Kili didn't seem convince and insisted on helping her to a log and making her sit and rest while they gathered up their things. Kili only left her there at her promise she wouldn't get up without someone's help. "Seriously, I'm fine!"
After a few minutes the dwarves had gathered their clothes and weapons and were once again dressed and armed. Several of them had rushed over to check on her afterwards. The two that seemed most concerned had been Dwalin and Bofur, which left her grinning. "And I thought Kili was being overly concerned."
Fortunately after six verifications that she was not hurt past bruising and a nasty bump to the head, the rest relaxed and stopped acting like mother hens. Kili and Bofur were sitting on either side of her now while Gandalf was speaking with Thorin.
"We honestly thought you were dead." Kili explained after Devina joked about their over zealous concern. "Fili and I just discovered a couple of the ponies were missing. And we saw one of the trolls heading away with one under each arm, and you in one of his hands."
"You weren't moving or making a sound. We sent Bilbo after you and the ponies first while he rushed back to camp," Fili added coming over and sitting down in the dirt in front of her.
"Aye, we all feared we were too late. Thorin was furious." Bofur tacked on. Devina paled. Of course he would have been furious. She didn't warn them at all. He probably believed she knew this would happen today and she'd tried to sneak off. The truth was she didn't have a clue. On her book Gandalf was missing for a couple of days, trolls never stole their ponies. They were supposed to spot their fire through the trees after the rain because they couldn't start their own.
She assumed they were safe that night. "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault," she only got three confused stares. "I need to talk to him, he has to know I didn't mean for this to happen!"
"Oh my dear he doesn't blame you," Bofur corrected her at once, putting her arm over her shoulders "He was furious that he allowed you to be put into danger. He and Kili were the first to charge into that camp," She looked next to her at Kili who grinned with pride.
"Why on earth would you do something like that?" She asked him, he could have been hurt or worse by her mistake.
"I just can't resist myself a beautiful damsel in distress!" He said as if it were obvious.
Smiling she leaned over and hugged him tightly, "Thank you for coming after me," and as she pulled away she grew serious. "But don't ever risk your life like that again. You are all far too important for something to happen over me."
Kili just watched her, all the laughter gone from his face. "Devina, any one of us would have gone in after you. Alone or not. You're a member of this company, and that makes you just as important." Growing upset she stood up suddenly and walked away from them. She couldn't stand the thought of any one of them dying because of her. She needed to speak to Gandalf, she couldn't let something else unexpected happen again. It was time she discussed everything else about the book with him. Spotting the wizard still consulting Thorin she made her way over.
"They could not have traveled in daylight." He was saying as she came to a stop. Thorin looked her over once but said nothing as he turned back to Gandalf.
"There must be a cave near by" he concluded.
"There is," she said, speaking up. "There will be things we will need inside." Thorin and Gandalf watched her for a moment before the old man nodded his head and smiled at her. "Then let's see if we can't find it,"
In no time at all the dwarves had all their belonging gathered back from the camp and were on the search for any caves large enough to house three trolls. Fili had Ben managed to find her bag not far off from the camp.
As they searched Devina kept trying to catch Thorin alone but he always managed to be joined by someone else. It was nearly noon, judging by the sun and humidity in the little woods, when she finally caught him away from the others. Coming up behind him she reached out and grabbed his hand before he would move off again. Jut how they were all able to move so quickly under all that armor was beyond her. "Lord I am out of shape," her mind groaned at her.
A hand grabbing his made him stop his search. He knew without looking it would be Devina and he wished she had not come after him so soon. He had been fearful that she was killed, but after everything was over he was furious. Had she known what would happen? Why hadn't she warned them? Gandalf was convinced there had to be a reason why, and they he needed to trust her judgement for not telling them. This didn't make him any less angry with her. So he had made a point to never be alone with her until he could settle his thoughts.
"Thorin, I am so sorry. I didn't know," her soft voice said from behind him. He still hadn't turned to face her, but neither had she let go of his hand. Turning to face her he tried his best to reign in his earlier anger as if flared up again.
"You didn't know? Isn't that the point of you?" Well so much for remaining calm. Her hand released his as she took a step back.
"I didn't know it would happen then. It took me by surprise, I was going to warm you before, but..." She trailed off, looking so lost. For some reason seeing her standing there looking defeated and scared convinced him that she wasn't lying far more than any words could have. That she hadn't betrayed them.
Before he said anything else, before he could think about it, Thorin crossed the few steps separating them and wrapped his arms around her, wanting to convey...he didn't exactly know what he wanted to convey to her.
"You can tell me about it later. For now we are all alive," he said as he hugged her. He could feel her nodding as she hugged him back, her arms wrapping under his fur lined coat. Her hands had fisted into his shirt as thought she were afraid to let go. Thorin knew in that moment he did trust this bewildering girl that appeared out of thin air over a week ago. At least trusted her enough to believe that she wouldn't betray them, that she would genuinely do whatever she could to help them.
"I think I've found something!" It was Dori, he wasn't to far from where they stood. Pulling away he gave her a small smile.
"Shall we see what treasures are hidden?" He asked, when she smiled back he was relieved that the tension that had been mounting the past few days seemed to have dissipated with their troll encounter. He wouldn't admit it but he had missed her stories and practicing with her.
"You go on, there's nothing there for me." She said, beginning to head in the direction Dori had disappeared but the others were headed in. "You on the other hand should find something very fine" she spoke over her shoulder, grinning at him like she knew exactly what was down there. Maybe she did.
Once they reached the entrance he told a few of them to stay above ground with Devina and keep watch. He wasn't in the least but surprised that Fili and Kili volunteered. He was accompanied by Dwalin, Bofur, Nori, Gloin as they followed Gandalf into the stinking pit.
"Oh what's that stench!" Bofur cried before being over come by the smell and hacking. Thorin couldn't blame him, it was putrid down here.
"It's a troll hoard," a Gandalf explained matter of fact, "be careful of what you touch," he added in warning. Reaching the bottom they were surprised by the amount of gold littering the ground. There were several small chests filled with it.
"Seems a shame, to leave it lying here. Anyone could take it," Bofur feigning pity.
"You're right," Gloin chimed in,"Nori, get a shovel!"
Thorin smirked at their antics as they set about gathering as much as they could into the small chests. Coming to a corner filled with weapons He examined them closely. Most work rusted or broken. A few were vile goblin swords or those of men, until he came across one with an unique handle. The likes of which he was not accustomed to seeing. Pulling it out of the rack, he spied another similarly made sword as Gandalf came over to see what he'd found.
"These swords were not made by any troll," he said aloud, handing one to the wizard.
"Nor were they made by any smith among men.." The wizard said, bringing the hilt close for inspection. Thorin continued to marvel over the blade he held as Ganalf slowly drew the blade from its sheath. "There were forged in Gondolin, by the High Elves of the first age."
This last brought Thorin to a halt. Any wonder for the finely crafted weapon turning to disgust and he tossed in onto a pile of broken metal.
"You could not wish for a finer blade!" Gandalf snapped, perturbed by Thorin's actions. Hesitating, Thorin lifted it from the heap. Curiosity won out and he drew the blade from its scabbard and was filled with pleasure as the metal sang out. It was indeed a fine weapon, and he could not have created better. Returning the blade to its home he turned back for the entrance.
"Let's get out of this retched place" it would seem Devina had been right. He did find something fine deep in the hoard.
Devina sighed. She was ready to be on the road. The sooner they did that the sooner they'd reach Rivendell. What she wouldn't give to soak for hours in a hot bath.
Talking from behind her alerted her that they were returning from the cave. She grinned when she noticed Thorin and Gandalf carrying new swords. She also noticed Gandalf pulling Bilbo aside and giving him his own sword, perfect for his small size. They others rejoined the group and told them about the "long term deposit" as Gloin called it.
Getting up she walked over to Thorin who was surveying their surrounding closely. Stopping beside him she nudged him gently with her shoulder. "Find anything interesting down there?" She asked him mischievously. He glanced at her and smirked, before he could speak however a crashing in the woods drew his attention. Pulling his new sword free he pushed her behind himself.
"Something's coming!" He shouted, and soon the entire company was gathered close together. The crashing grew louder and shouting could be heard. "What the hell is happening?!" Her mind screamed at her.
"Thieves, fire, murder!" Came the shouting followed shortly but a large sleigh carrying a brown furry looking man! Even more peculiar were the giant rabbit pulling the sleigh. Then there was someone chuckling to her left. Gandalf.
"Radagast!" He said, sounding beyond pleased at the sight before him. "It's Radagast the Brown!" Gandalf explained happily as he approached his friend. Everyone visibly relaxed and put away their weapons. Devina, while confused, was more anxious to meet another wizard. He wasn't in the book at all, but he did play a part in later years.
"What on earth are you doing here?" The Grey wizard could be heard asking.
"I was looking for you Gandalf!" Radagast explained, and beg and rambling about something being terribly wrong.
"Yes?" He asked patiently, Radagast was mumbling something, and before she knew it he was pulling out a walking stick bug from his mouth.
"Oh that's just disgusting," she said quietly. Since she was still standing behind Thorin she noticed his shoulders shook a little. Gandalf was motioning for Radagast to follow him away from the group to speak in private. Everyone had begun to sit and relax while the two wizards spoke in council. Whatever was wrong, Devina had no idea what it could be. Thorin was sitting across from her resting his eyes while they waited.
Clearing her throat she ventured to bring up a topic he wouldn't be happy about. "Thorin?" She began. Her only indication that we was listening was a subtle lift of his brows.
"I know you dislike the elves," he snorted at her understatement but she pressed on. "But I promised you I'd tell you what I could. We're going to run out of food and water soon." She continued, by this point he had opened his eyes and was looking at her as she spoke. "In the book, we will be dangerously low, and getting weak and tired. The nearest refuge for us will be Rivendell." She paused to see what his response would be.
"We will simply go another way." He said shortly but he continued to listen when she she shook her head.
"We won't. We need Lord Elrond to read the map Gandalf gave to you. We need to rest, and we need supplies. We will get all of this from Rivendell." She didn't want to bring up the time constraint, but before either of them could say any more there was a deep howl from somewhere near by.
"Is that a wolf?" Bilbo could be heard asking. "Are there wolves out there?" Everyone was standing quickly and pulling out their weapons.
"Wolves? No, that is not a wolf." Bofur corrected. Sudden growling drew their attention to behind Bofur and Bilbo and a massive wolf came creeping forward between the he trees.
"Look out!" Devina screamed as it began to charge, but the moment it heard her it lunged for her and knocked her to the ground hard. It didn't get a chance to do more before Thorin's sword lodged itself into its skull.
"Uncle get down" Kili yelled, and Thorin threw himself down right as a second beast leapt for him from behind. It crashed into the first, dead, as Kili's arrow met its mark deep in its eye. dealings axe crushing it for good measure.
"Warg scouts!" Thorin yelled standing to his feet and pulling Devina up along with him. Gandalf and the others came in close. "Which means an Orc pack is not far behind." He added grimly, his eyes darting to hers. Questions and accusations went unsaid and Devina shook with terror. "This isn't right!"
"Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?" Gandalf asked loudly, advancing on Thorin.
"No one." He replied hotly.
"Who did you tell!" Gandalf asked again, sounding both concerned and angry.
"No one! I swear it!" Rounding in Devina, Thorin grabbed her arm.m
"What in Durin's name is going on?" He asked, there was app edge of fear in his voice.
"You are being hunted." Gandalf answered him.
Pulling on Thorin's sleeve she brought him closer, hoping the others weren't hear. "This isn't in my book. I don't have any idea what is happening. Thorin we have to get out of here." She was shaking uncontrollably now, and he pulled her against him, looking back at the wizards and his men.
"We have to get out of here," Dwalin said, stepping around the dead wargs, not knowing he was repeating exactly what she has said. Ori came running over.
"We can't. The ponies are gone, they've bolted!"
"I will draw them off" came a voice. It was Radagast. Gandalf looked torn. They needed to escape,mind the little wizard could provide a distraction, but Radagast was sure to be killed.
"These are Gundabad Wargs. They will run you down!"
"These are Rhosgobel rabbits!" Radagast argued pridefully. "I'd like to see them try" and before they knew what was happening he was on his sleigh tearing off into the woods, and they were quickly grabbing their bags and running in the opposite direction.
A/N: So sorry that didn't post yesterday! I planned on ending it after the troll cave but it just kept writing itself so there you are! Devina is starting to develop feelings for our King Under a The Mountain, and is mucking things up as usual. Thorin of course is as prickly as always, but may be warming up to her. ;) I wonder when that'll developed into more?
Too slow? Too quickly?
Stay tuned for the chase scene and Rivendell!
Land as always please review! Your thoughts, opinions, and encouragement keep me motivated!