This chap is about 4,300words. I'm posting this now in celebration that I got my driver-license yesterday ;)

R&R! Enjoy!

Chapter 3:

She rode ahead first. The earlier conversation with Fíli and Kíli clear in her mind. They had wondered why she had no saddle and no bridle. They did not seem to get that she did not need it, especially with the connection she had with the animals. Starlight understood what she wanted. Her backpack from her own world had also followed her, though empty at the time, and carrying that on her back was the only thing she needed. She kept feeling the dwarves' gazes on her back as they stared at the strange fabric of her bag. Fíli and Kíli seemed the most curious and would much more speak to her than any of the others, though she knew it did not sit all too well with the other dwarves. They did not know her. Eventually, she rode between the two brothers who kept joking between them, including her a little, and a small smile kept her from looking down.

"Wait!" The call from Bilbo made her stop and Starlight stood still. Sparkles sat down beside them and turned his head Bilbo's way. "Wait!" he called again. He came up to the group. "I signed it," he said, holding up the contract. "Here."

She rode up to Gandalf's side.

Balin took the contract and looked it over. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Calithilel smiled softly. "Gandalf," she whispered. "I'll ride a little ahead."

The wizard nodded as she made Starlight hurry up in gallop, Sparkles staying with the wizard. Eventually as no threat seemed to be near, she had to turn around again and meet the company.

"Did you see anything?" Gandalf asked her.

"No, it seems to be clear for now," she answered.

He nodded.

"I found a place we can camp for the night." It seemed to lift Sparkles' spirit as he barked happily. She laughed, her tone sounding like music, even to the dwarves. "Yes Sparkles, you've deserved a well-made dinner," she whispered to the dog and he seemed satisfied with that.

The night seemed to come fast and as fast as the dwarves were set, several sleeping, she was not able to get rest.

"You have not unpacked, Calithilel," Gandalf said and looked at her.

"Sleep will not come to me this night, I rather keep watch."

The wizard nodded as the female elf arose, took hold of the nearest tree branch, and flung herself up. She sat watching and listening.

Eventually Bilbo arose and went over to the ponies. She saw Starlight trot away and she smiled. She would be back again soon. The sound of the orcs were not so welcome, and she listened carefully while Thorin scolded his nephews. Balin stood and told the tale of Moria and Azog. The familiar story from her world rang in her head and she blinked surprised at remembering in so much detail from the book and the movie. But if anything, this is more like the movie, she thought.

"…there is one who I could follow. There is one… I could call king." Balin's words made Calithilel look towards Thorin. He turned to face his company. She noticed first then that the other dwarves had awoken as well.

It's not good, I was too drawn to the story to listen to my surroundings, she scolded herself.

"And the pale orc?" Bilbo asked. "What happened to him?"

"He slunk back into the hole whence he came," Thorin said as he walked. "That filth died of his wounds long ago."

If it only was true, Calithilel thought, not missing the look Gandalf and Balin shared.

It started to rain the next day and rain it seemed it would for a while. I almost wish I could do something with water, she thought sourly as she tried to tighten the cloak more around her.

"Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?"

The question made Calithilel fall back so she was close to the wizard and the hobbit. She grimaced when the hood fell down and she felt the rain fall down her neck and then down her back.

"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."

"Are there any?" Bilbo asked.

"What?" Gandalf almost seemed startled by the question.

"Other wizards."

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White. Then there are the two blue wizards… Do you know, I've quite forgotten their names."

"Alatar and Pallando," Calithilel said and Gandalf nodded towards her, but his eyes told her that they would talk later.

"Yes, that is right."

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast the Brown."

"Is he a great wizard? Or is he more like you?"

Calithilel giggled.

"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 this world."

A little later Calithilel and Gandalf was a little ahead and the wizard thought it best to speak while they had the chance. "You knew Alatar and Pallando?" he asked.

"No," she answered and her lips pulled up in half a smile. "But I read about them in my world, just like you… and many other things."

"You seem to hold back a lot." He was careful with his words as he did not know how the elleth would respond.

She chuckled. "Not at all. The Vala restricted my knowledge of what I have read so I cannot damage the future. Am I useless? Not entirely. I do have a mission and I stand to fulfill it, even if it concerns dwarves, for you see, I have no ill will towards them. I do not even know them. I cannot hate someone I do not know."

Gandalf seemed satisfied with her answer. She stopped Starlight and let the dwarves and Bilbo pass, and then she rode in the back. She chatted with Bilbo, hoping he would feel better, but the poor hobbit did not know how to properly talk to her. She called him out on his worries and then she said, "If it helps dear Bilbo, just remember I was human once." And it did seem to help on the hobbit and she quickly understood that she had gained a new friend.

"What is it Gandalf?" Calithilel asked after they had stopped. The surroundings made her uneasy and the nature around her seemed to warn her.

"I do not think it is wise to camp here."

"This place fills me with unease."

"A farmer and his family used to live here." Gandalf looked worried and addressed Thorin. "I think it would be wiser to move on! We could make for the Hidden Valley," he said while Thorin moved towards him.

Calithilel tilted her head as she listened to their conversation. Thanking her excellent hearing once more.

"I have told you already… I will not go near that place."

"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."

"I do not need their advice." The anger in Thorin's voice was no mistake and the female elf took a step in their direction, but then she reconsidered and stopped.

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us."

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls. The elves looked on and did nothing. And you ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather. Who betrayed my father."

"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past."

"I did not know that they were yours to keep," Thorin spat.

Gandalf turned and walked.

"Everything all right?" Bilbo asked, concern clear in his tone. "Gandalf, where are you going?"

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense."

"And who's that?"

"Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day."

When Gandalf was gone Calithilel approached Thorin. "I think you should listen to Gandalf. The earth is warning me about this place."

"I did not ask for your opinion," he grit out.

"I cannot ignore what the earth tells me."

"And I do not need an elf to tell me what to do or how to lead!"

With a hissing sound Calithilel turned on her heels. "Go Starlight, run away for now. Sparkles, go after Gandalf," she told her two friends. Then with a sigh she sat down as the dwarves bustled around. Eventually food was ready, but she denied with a smile on her face. It felt like her stomach was twisting and she could simply not eat.

"Are you alright, lass?" Balin asked and sat down beside her.

She smiled gratefully at him. "I could've been better. I do not take lightly having to ignore my gifts. After all, they were given to me for a reason." She stood. "Dwalin?" she called. "Do you want to spar?"

The male dwarf had not refused her when she asked, but sparring for a while it was clear that Calithilel was the winner. She was smiling brightly when Fíli and Kíli came running and yelling, "Trolls!" And her smile dropped.

"Where's Bilbo?" Calithilel asked worriedly.

"He tried to free the ponies when we came to tell you," Kíli said, making the female elf run away from them.

"Where is she going?" Thorin barked.

"Towards the trolls," Fíli answered.

Calithilel came to an abrupt stop when she saw the three trolls. They got Bilbo! she thought worriedly and made her way around in silence with the cover of the trees.

"What are you, then?" she heard one of the trolls ask. "An oversized squirrel?"

"I'm a burglar… Uh, hobbit," Bilbo answered.

"A burglar hobbit?" another troll asked.

"Can we cook him?"

"We can try."

Because that's not creepy at all, she thought and rolled her eyes, crawling forward to try to get a better look behind some bushes.

Bilbo tried to run but suddenly the third troll was in his way. "He wouldn't make more than a mouthful. Not when he's skinned and boned."

"Perhaps there's more burglar hobbits around these parts. Might be enough for a pie."

If I remember right, he'll be fine, she thought, but it did not calm her worries.

"Grab him!"

"He's too quick."

"Right. Come here, you little… Gotcha. Are there any more of you little fellas hiding where you shouldn't?"

"No." Bilbo shook his head while the troll held him upside-down.

"He's lying."

"No, I'm not!" he said quickly.

"Hold his toes over the fire. Make him squeal!"

The dwarves rushed in and started to fight the trolls. Calithilel face palmed, how could she had forgotten this part? It did not help that the dwarves did this, if only they made it worse. She pulled off her bow that had been resting against her and then she started to fire her arrows from the bushes. The trolls seemed confused from where they came from, and eventually one struck in one trolls eye. Good, she thought, just to lose her smile again as she felt herself being lifted up.

"A she-elf!"

"Calithilel!" Bilbo yelled worriedly, once again held captive.

She lifted her legs towards her and from her boots she grabbed two smaller daggers and slashed after the trolls' hand. He let her go as it stung and she landed gracefully on the ground.

"Lay down your arms… or we'll rip his off."

Calithilel let go of her daggers immediately, but it took a little more for the dwarves to do so as well.

The troll who had been hit by her arrow dragged it out of his eye and fed it to the fire, though it did not help his sight. They were all mostly stripped and she found herself in her underwear, standing by the fire in front of the dwarves. Never have I been more humiliated, she thought angrily.

"Oh! That's hot, that's hot, that's hot!" Nori yelled. He was one of the dwarves being grilled over the fire.

"She'll make a good dessert."

She grimaced and she felt another pull at the ropes around her wrists. This must be a sick joke, she thought and glared at the trolls.

"Don't bother cooking them. Let's just sit on them and squash them into jelly."

"They should be sautéed and grilled with a sprinkle of sage."

"Is this really necessary?" Balin yelled.

"That does sound quite nice."

Calithilel snorted.

"Untie me, mister," Bombur tried.

"Eat someone your own size!" Glóin yelled.

"Never mind the seasoning. We ain't got all night. Dawn ain't far away. Let's get a move on. I don't fancy being turned into stone."

"Wait!" Bilbo yelled, making the trolls look at him. "You are making a terrible mistake."

It's your time to shine, Bilbo, Calithilel thought happily.

Bilbo managed to stand while the dwarves being grilled opened their mouths, making the female elf sit down with a sigh. It seemed to hurt her a bit, but Bilbo had to do something. "I meant with the seasoning," he then said.

"What about the seasoning?" The troll crouched down some to look at Bilbo.

"Well, have you smelt them? You're gonna need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up."

Yeah, even I smell. She grinned.

"Traitor!" Bombur yelled.

"What do you know about cooking dwarf?"

"Shut up! Let the flurgaburburhobbit talk."

"The secret to cooking dwarf is…"

"Yes? Come on. Tell us the secret."

"It's, uh… Yes, I'm telling you. The secret is… to skin them first."

"What? Skin us?" Nori yelled and the other dwarves protested as well.

"Tom, get me the filleting knife."

"I won't forget that. I won't forget it," Dwalin shouted.

"What a load of rubbish. I've eaten plenty with their skins on. Scarf them, I say, boots and all."

"He's right. Nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf." He picked up Bombur.

Come on Bilbo! she thought and briefly met Thorin's gaze who tried to understand why she was so calm.

"Nice and crunchy."

"Oh, not that one. He's infected."

"Huh?" The troll almost seemed panicked.

"You what?"

"Yeah, he's got worms in his tubes."

"Eww!" the troll exclaimed and threw Bombur away again while he yelled.

"In fact, they all have. They're 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 protested. "You have parasites!"

Finally realization seemed to dawn on Thorin.

"What are you talking about, laddie?" Óin asked.

Thorin gave a kick.

"I've got parasites as big as my arm," Óin said.

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

Calithilel rolled her eyes for what Kíli said. It was a good thing trolls were stupid.

"What about her?"

"Uhm…" Bilbo had not thought about that.

"Me?" she asked and smiled. "No, I do not have parasites, but I do have something else." Her eyes widened and it startled the trolls.

"What would you have us do, then? Let them all go?"

"I vote we keep the she-elf as part of our treasure, just look at her eyes!"

"Well…"

"You think I don't know what you're up to? This little ferret is taking us for fools."

"Ferret?!"

"Fools?"

"The dawn will take you all!" Gandalf's voice was a relief to Calithilel's ears.

"Who's that?

"No idea."

"Can we eat him too?"

Gandalf split the stone he stood on in two and the sun shone brightly from the early dawn. The trolls turned to stone and then the dwarves started to laugh cheerfully.

"Calithilel, are you alright my dear?" Gandalf asked worried as he saw the state of dress on the female elf. Sparkles ran from behind her and up to his owner. Whining.

"Never have I been so humiliated," she answered sourly. Her bra from her world had suddenly showed up, no doubt doings from the Valar, and they were the only thing covering her upper body. A pair of pants matching the bra covered her as well, but from that she was bare.

"Then I hope you are glad I brought you your backpack," Gandalf said with a smile.

Calithilel grabbed it hurriedly and got dressed in a blue tunic and brown breeches. She found her extra pair of boots and tied them tightly, before looking for her weapons. She secured the smaller daggers in her boots. Took out a new belt where she could hang her sword. Against her back rested her longer daggers and the bow. She was out of arrows and the quiver had been crushed underneath one of the trolls' feet.

The dwarves were free and dressed again and the female elf listened in when Thorin approached Gandalf. "Where did you go to, if I may ask?"

"To look ahead."

"What brought you back?"

"Looking behind, and a certain dog with the name Sparkles. Nasty business. Still, they're all in one piece."

"No thanks to your burglar." It did not go unnoticed that he did not mention her at all.

"He had the nous to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that. They must have come down from the Ettenmoors."

"Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south?"

"Ooh. Not for an age. Not since a darker power ruled these lands." Gandalf paused. "They could not have moved in daylight."

"There must be a cave nearby."

And indeed they found the cave, although Calithilel kept her distance from the foul smell of it while the dwarves went through it. She waited until Gandalf came out with a quiver, full of arrows. "I do believe this will do for now," he said and handed her the quiver.

"Thank you," she said with a slight bow. She turned her back towards him and then looked into the forest. Eventually she heard the dwarves come out of the cave and then she noticed the sound. Startled she turned to look at the dwarves.

"Something's coming!" Thorin yelled.

"Stay together!" Gandalf said with a firm tone. "Hurry now! Arm yourselves!"

Calithilel held her bow, the arrow ready to be shot as she stared between the trees.

"Thieves! Fire! Murder!" They all heard. Calithilel tilted her head as the souls of many rabbits came closer. This must be Radagast, she thought and looked at the wizard. A sudden memory from her world confirmed it and she put the arrow back into the quiver.

"Radagast," Gandalf said. "It's Radagast the Brown." He walked down towards the other wizard. "Well… What on earth are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you, Gandalf," he answered. "Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong." His voice was almost a whisper.

"Yes?"

He was about to say something when he stopped up. "Oh." He paused again. "Just give me a minute." Another pause. "Oh. I had a thought and now I've lost it. It was right there on the tip of my tongue." He pointed towards his mouth and Calithilel held herself from laughing. "Oh. It's not a thought at all," he said with his tongue sticking a little out. "It's a silly old…" Gandalf dragged it out. "…stick insect." Calithilel giggled and some of the dwarves looked at her. Also drawing attention from the second wizard. "Who's this?" he asked towards Gandalf.

"Ah. Calithilel is blessed by the Valar, and she's helping us on our journey."

"Such rare gifts," the other wizard mused.

She smiled and nodded.

Gandalf and Radagast went to talk by themselves, however, she did listen in while she watched the uneasy dwarves.

"The Greenwood is sick, Gandalf," she heard Radagast say. "A darkness has fallen over it. Nothing grows anymore. At least, nothing good. The air is foul with decay. But worse are the webs."

Oh, how I hate spiders! she thought and grimaced.

"Webs?" she heard Gandalf say, almost yelling it. "What do you mean?"

"Spiders, Gandalf. Giant ones. Some kind of spawn of Ungoliant, or I am not a wizard. I followed their trail. They came from Dol Guldur."

"Huh? Dol Guldur? But the old fortress is abandoned."

"No, Gandalf. `Tis not," Radagast whispered. "A dark power dwells in there, such as I have never felt before. It is the shadow of an ancient horror. One that can summon the spirits of the dead." He paused. "I saw him, Gandalf. From out of the darkness, a Necromancer has come."

Calithilel shook her head and stopped prying. She smiled towards Bilbo who looked as uneasy as the rest. "Are you alright?" she asked and he nodded once, she gave a push to Sparkles who were close to her and he went over to Bilbo. She noticed someone staring at her and she turned her head to meet Thorin's eyes. "What?" she asked. He did not answer her.

Howl from an animal made her stiffen. She remembered now. The wargs. The orcs chasing the company in the story.

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

Calithilel shook her head while Bofur said, "Wolves? No, that is not a wolf."

A sudden growl made her turn with the others and a warg had come close. Hurriedly she readied her bow and aimed quickly. She hit the warg in its head, but he still managed to pounce towards the dwarves, who in turn attacked.

"Kíli! Get your bow!" Thorin yelled. He briefly met her eyes and she rolled them.

"I'm not invisible, am I?" she asked, sarcasm dripping. Then she shot another warg, and it fell over, dead.

"Warg scouts," Thorin said angrily. "Which means an orc pack is not far behind."

"Orc pack?" Bilbo asked.

"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf asked, but his tone demanding an answer.

"No one."

"Who did you tell?!"

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

"You are being hunted," Gandalf answered.

"We have to get out of here," Dwalin said.

"We can't. We have no ponies, and only Starlight stayed," Ori yelled. "They bolted!"

Calithilel looked at the horse close to them. "Go girl, go! We'll meet again!" Starlight briefly nodded with her head and then she turned in full gallop, disappearing through the trees. Sparkles barked and growled, looking between the trees.

"I'll draw them off," Radagast said determined.

"These are Gundabad wargs. They will outrun you," Gandalf said.

"These are Rhosgobel rabbits… I'd like to see them try."

Calithilel smiled at the wizard. However, she did not have much time to think before they had to start running. Her bow ever present in her hand, and Sparkles running close to her.

"Come on," Gandalf said as he led the company out into a more bare terrain. They could easily be spotted if they were not careful. The rocks around was not enough. When they almost ran into the wargs Gandalf said, "Stay together."

"Move!" Thorin yelled.

In an ungraceful moment, that she never would forget, her right foot stuck in a rock and she fell forward. She caught herself with her hands, but her bow shattered. "Damn it," she swore and glared at the broken bow.

"Calithilel!" Thorin yelled, seeing her getting up from the ground.

"I'm alright, just go!" she yelled back.

The running did not exhaust her and she liked the thrill of it. But being so close to the wargs were not calming her down as she looked worriedly at Sparkles. They hid again, but she could hear the close growling of a warg and soon the company did too. When Kíli shot the warg and its rider, they made so much sound that it was only a matter of time before the others would find them. And it went fast.

"Sparkles!" Calithilel yelled. "Stay back and safe!" The dog nodded and shielded himself behind the dwarves and her. She drew her daggers and fought with worry. She knew she was good, but she did not want the dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf hurt.

"Move! Run!" Gandalf yelled.

"Come Sparkles!" Calithilel yelled as she kept close to Bilbo.

"This way! Quickly!"

Then they were surrounded and Calithilel grit her teeth.

"Kíli! Shoot them!" Thorin yelled.

"We're surrounded!" Fíli yelled.

"You don't say!" Calithilel yelled back, anger filling her tone.

"Where's Gandalf?" Dori wondered.

"He's abandoned us," Dwalin shouted.

"Hold your ground!" Thorin yelled and drew his sword.

Calithilel made her way to the nearest warg and its rider quickly and then slayed them.

"This way, you fools!" she heard Gandalf yell and she turned to see him halfway behind a large rock.

"Come on, move!" Thorin yelled. "Calithilel! Move!"

"I'm on my way!" she growled and started to run towards the entrance.

"Quickly! All of you!"

"Thorin! Go down!" Calithilel yelled while slaying another orc. "I'll be right after you! But you need to go down!" You need to stay safe.

"Kíli! Run!" Thorin then yelled.

"Thorin, you need to go!"

And he jumped, followed by Kíli. Calithilel breathed out and sent Sparkles down. With one last look behind her, she followed and a horn sounded not long after. Then an orc fell down to them. "Elves," Thorin said as if the word itself was a curse when he dragged the arrow out of the orc.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?" Dwalin yelled from further in in the cave.

"Follow it, of course," Bofur said.

"I think that would be wise," Gandalf agreed.

Calithilel ended up walking as last and she looked down at her dog. "Are you alright, Sparkles?" she asked him and looked him in the eyes. Yes, he was fine, but worried about her. "I'm fine, thank you," she said softly.

Tell me what you think ;)

- Moonlight Starlove