Chapter 4
Rain and Trolls
I had the hood of my cloak up as we rode through the forest as it rained. I was riding in between Nori, who was in front and Bilbo who was behind me. I was soaked to the bone and shivered lightly, bringing my cloak closed as we rode in silence. No singing or talking came with this muggy weather.
"Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori asked.
"It is raining, Master Dwarf and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard." Gandalf said.
"Are there any?" Bilbo asked.
"What?" Gandalf asked.
"Other wizards?" Bilbo asked.
"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue wizards, you know, I've quite forgotten their names." Gandalf said. I listened into the conversation.
And who is the fifth?" Bilbo asked.
"Well that would be Radagast, the Brown." Gandalf said.
"Is he a great Wizard or is he more like you?" Bilbo asked. I heard Nori snort at that comment and I giggled. Nori looked over his shoulder and sent me a smirk with a wink. I blush and look down at the reins. Gandalf looked slightly offended.
"I think he's a very great wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in the world." Gandalf said. We continued to ride in silence. My mind wandered.
It stopped raining later on that day when we came to a farm-house that was in ruins. I pulled my horse to a stop, but she seemed to be nervous.
"Midnight. What's bothering you?" I ask in elvish. She stomped her foot. I got off her and came around to the front and gently stroked her nose.
"She alright?" Nori asked coming over and standing on the other side.
"I don't know. She seems nervous." I said, looking into Nori's eyes. Nori opened his mouth to say something, but Gandalf came storming by. Nori and I watched.
"Everything alright? Gandalf, where are you going?" Bilbo asked.
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense." Gandalf said.
"Who's that?" I ask.
"Myself, Miss Ella! I've had enough of dwarves for one day." Gandalf said. I shot Thorin a glare, knowing him and Gandalf got into an argument. I wasn't death. I could hear the conversation and I couldn't agree more with Gandalf that I didn't like this place.
"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry." Thorin said.
Later that night. I grabbed a bowl of stew from the cauldron and sat down near a tree to eat in peace. Nori comes over and joins me.
"You can't leave me alone? Can you?" I ask, not looking up as I ate.
"Who would want to leave a pretty girl alone." Nori said. I looked up fast and saw him wink at me. I look away, feeling my checks blush.
"I'm not that pretty." I whisper. Nori took my hand and I looked up into his gray eyes.
"You are. Ella..." Nori never got to finish what he was going to say as Fili and Kili came running over with looks of panic on their face.
"Your suppose to be with the ponies." Thorin said.
"We were. Trolls have taken the ponies and Bilbo is with them right now as we speak." Fili said, grabbing his weapons. I reach for mine when Nori stopped me.
"Please stay here." Nori said, squeezing my hand.
"But I can help." I said.
"Ella. Stay here." Thorin said. I glared as the dwarves disappear. How was I to prove myself if the dwarves, especially Nori didn't want me to fight. I finished my food and leaned back against the tree to wait for the dwarves.
I must have fallen asleep while waiting for the dwarves, because I was nudged awake by Gandalf.
"Ella. Where are the dwarves?" Gandalf asked.
"They went after trolls that took the ponies. They should have been back by now." I said.
"It's nearly dawn. Come." Gandalf said, pulling me to my feet and I follow him. Gandalf went through the trees and I stood near the tree close to the trolls camp.
"He'r right. Nothing wrong... Wait. I smell elf." William said, sniffing the air. I squeak as I get grabbed by the leg and held upside down.
"Ella!" Fili, Kili, and Nori yelled. I saw Fili and Kili laying in sacks while Nori was with his brothers on the stick over the fire. I smiled weakly. I could feel the blood rushing to my brain.
"She's a pretty thing." Bert said.
"Get your filthy hands off me." I said.
"Not that one, she's infected!" Bilbo yelled. I raised an eyebrow at Bilbo, but caught on.
"You what?" Tom asked.
"She's got worms in her tubes." Bilbo said. I was dropped. I landed hard on my back. I groan in agony as pain shot through my back.
"Ella." Nori called gently.
"I'm fine." I said.
"In fact they all have it, they're all infested with parasites. It's a terrible business, I wouldn't risk it, I really wouldn't." Bilbo said.
"Parasites, did he say parasites?" Oin asked.
"We don't have parasites! You have parasites!" Kili said. The other dwarves chime in their opinions. I sat up and rubbed my back. I caught Nori's eyes. He looked worried. I saw Thorin kick the other dwarves and they look at Thorin. They soon caught on.
"I've got parasites as big as my arm." Oin said.
"Mines are the biggest parasite, I've got huge parasites." Kili said. I rolled my eyes at Kili's comment as the others commented as well.
"What would you have us do, then, let 'em all go?" Tom asked.
"Well..." Bilbo said.
"You think I don't know what you're up to? This little ferret is taking us for fools!" Tom said.
"Ferret?" Bilbo asked.
"Fools?" Bert asked. I see Gandalf appear on top of a huge rock above us.
"The dawn will take you all!" Gandalf said. The trolls look at Gandalf.
"Who's that?" Bert asked.
"No idea." Tom said.
"Can we eat him too?" William asked. Gandalf brought down his staff and cracked the rock. The trolls screamed in pain as the sunlight hit them and turned them to stone. The dwarves cheered and I stood up, smiling.
"Oh, get your foot out of my back." Dwalin said.
AN: Sorry for the long wait. Had no access to a computer. I'll update soon. Yes. Nori almost admitted he liked her, but got interrupted. Next chapter will be interesting I think. I got the story planned out all the way to the end. Till next time.