IT WAS A BIT OF AN ODD ENDING LAST TIME, I KNOW, I KNOW. BUT IT WAS EITHER THAT OR STRUGGLE ON UNTIL THEY WERE CAPTURED BY THE SPIDERS AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THE CHAPTER WOULD HAVE BEEN THEN, RIGHT? SO THERE THAT ENDING WAS. SORRY. I KNOW I MADE MY CHARACTERS THE ONLY SENSIBLE ONES, BUT I MEAN...EVERYONE ELSE PROTESTED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE THEY LEFT WITH THORIN, RIGHT? SO EVERYONE BUT THORIN WAS LIKE 'NAH, I'M GOOD.' AND MY CHARACTERS WERE MORE CONFUSED THAN RESISTANT TO THE MAGIC, RIGHT ALONGSIDE BILBO. SO...ENJOY AND ALL THAT.
GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!
~THE LUPINE SOJOURNER
(M)
Why is it that, whenever Gandalf leaves, everything goes wrong?!
Every. Single. Time. Hammer and stone are these Dwarves annoying! Can't follow the most important rule the Wizard left us with; do not ever leave the path! How hard is that rule to follow?!
"No, no, wait!" Bilbo calls. "Wait! Stop. We can't leave the pa- -we must stay on the path!"
"They're not listening." Aili mumbles worriedly. "What should we do?"
"Your uncle is going to get us all killed!" I growl, running an exasperated hand over my face. "No offense."
"No, I'm with you. Come on. Maybe if we catch them we can direct them back?"
"Doubt it will succeed. But we can try." I reply, frowning. So off we went. This isn't going to end well, is it?
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
Turns out, by the time we caught up to them, we'd forgotten why we wanted to and ended up falling in and walking along. Soon enough, we were hopelessly lost and confused. Any number of days could have passed and we'd have no idea, wondering around trying to find the path.
Oh. Right. The path. The one we weren't supposed to leave. Mahal, we're idiots. A time later, we were even more lost.
"I don't remember this bit. None of it's familiar." Balin calls unhelpfully. I frown.
"Knew I should have been marking the path." I mutter to myself.
"Too late to think of it now. I've lost my own markings." Mia replies, chewing her lip. "Got all turned around and forgot to keep it straight in my head." I groan.
"Right. Not your fault. You didn't make us leave the path." I tell her when she looks guilt-stricken. She swallows.
"I started trying to make a map. Lost track of where we were."
"We'll figure it out." I assure her without a drop of confidence.
"It can't have just disappeared!" Dori exclaims, searching desperately for it. I sigh.
"You won't find it that way. We all have to be calm and rational about this." I reply calmly, though inwardly, my heart was pounding. If we can't find the path...
"Exactly." Mia adds. "Now, let's see..." She then goes off and tries to retrace our steps. Naturally, she ends up back beside me, nearly colliding with me in the process.
"Mia." I call. She jolts up.
"Oh. Hello there. Did you follow me?" I sigh.
"No. You just circled around." She curses under her breath, stomping and sighing heavily, muttering in what I assume to be Elvish for a moment. "Come on, Mia. Let's catch up to the others." With that, we took off. Wandering was not an option. We had to keep moving forward. With a plan. We tried following Mia's map that was mainly notes. Eventually, we stop and I wonder why.
"A tobacco pouch." Dori mumbles. "There's dwarves in these woods." I frown.
"Wait...let me..."
"Dwarves from the Blue Mountains, no less." Bofur adds, taking the pouch.
"Maybe they'd be willing to join us." I wonder aloud. If there were Dwarves in here, why hadn't we met them yet?
"'S funny, though. It looks the same as mine." I then happen to look at Bofur's belt, where the pouch usually hangs and am surprised to find a vacant spot. Before I can comment, however, Bilbo is looking at it in exasperation.
"Because it is yours." He snaps. "Do you understand? We're going around in circles. We're lost."
"We're not lost." Thorin replies. "We keep heading east."
"Uncle...we can't."
"Agreed, Aili. We've lost the sun." Gloin moans. Then, everything becomes muddled as the Dwarves argue. I notice Bilbo looking up.
"Good look finding east, Bilbo. How'd you think we wound up in this situation?" I muse. He frowns.
"The sun. We have to find the sun." He replies. I hum in thought, glancing up, as well.
"I agree." He looks at me. I don't know why he's surprised. I remember that the sun is important...for something. So what?
"...The sun. Up there." I face-palm as Bilbo takes a moment to remember that the sun (or was it the moon?) was up in the sky. How he forgot, I have no idea. I boost him up to the branch and take out my tomahawks, using the blades to dig into the wood and boost myself up. When I get to the branch, I put them away and continue climbing. "How are you so good at this?" He asks. I smile, though the memory is flitting.
"...Fili, Kili and I were pretty good when we were little. We'd avoid people that way, staying up in the trees when we wanted a little alone time." I reply before it's gone. Bilbo nods.
"Let's keep going." I nod and we do just that. Reaching the top took longer than I had previously thought and under normal circumstances, I might have enjoyed it, but the entirety of our situation kept that far from my thoughts. This was serious...wasn't it? It was for...something, right? Why are we climbing the tree? Huh.
Once we broke above the surface, everything became clear again, and I could feel the breeze clearing the fog from my mind as I took the air in. Fresh, clean, clear air. It's been what feels like a long time. The sun bathes my face in a warm, welcoming embrace as stunning blue butterflies fly all around us. I remember now. We are getting our bearings and direction back for the stir-crazy Company below us. I feel bad that I suddenly left Bofur, and that he's probably wondering where I am, but the results were well worth it. The view alone is spectacular and I can't help getting lost in it as Bilbo calls down what he's seeing. I catch a glimpse of Erebor in the not-too-distant distance and just...take it in. It's even better looking up close.
"Hello?" Bilbo calls, loud enough to shake me from my stupor. I then hear rustling and twigs snapping. I frown.
"Squirrel, you think?" I ask. Bilbo shakes his head.
"Hello." He calls again. No reply. I swallow, suddenly uneasy as I slam Bilbo back under the leaves, just enough to stay hidden.
"What ever that thing is, I don't think we want to mess with it, so let's just..." I say, directing him up and towards the next branch down so we can give our report to the Company.
We were, at least, until our feet got caught in webbing.
"Oh, come on!" Bilbo and I mutter, even as we loose our balance and fall toward the other branches. I brace for impact and pray it won't be my ribs. Thank Mahal I was able to catch a hold of a branch, my hip colliding with Bilbo's painfully. I grimace and look up...
To find that I was staring at the biggest spider I have ever seen, snarling and drawing closer! And, to top it off, I was clutching it's leg!
I scream and release it, falling straight down and grabbing Bilbo, making sure he landed on webbing. I, however, bounced once off a branch, my back and ribs screaming under the abuse, before getting myself caught in webbing.
Guess this is how a fly feels. Is all I can think in this situation. We could only watch in horror as we were wrapped tightly in sticky, thick webbing and then, there's a pain in my lower back, and the world goes black.
=#=#=#=#=
(M)
As the world returns to me, I find my back being dragged across some hard thing, probably a branch, really, and that my head had definitely not liked the trip. I remember...standing there, listening to the Dwarves arguing, thinking of some plan (or trying to) before Thorin silences everyone.
"We're being watched." He cautions. I pale, fearing it was the Woodland Elves, but then I hear branches snapping and rustling, and I know it's not them. They'd never make a sound. Nevertheless, I'd heard bits of Gandalf and Radagast's conversation, so long ago now. I remember a bit about Spiders and Ungoliant. Wasn't that some huge monster of the ancient days? A large...spider...Valar preserve us! Radagast lives here, and he said his home (and the forest) had been overrun and sickened by...spiders...oh, we are in trouble.
Sure enough, I hear chittering and soon see spindly little legs through the branches. I pull my sword, ordering the Company to do so, as well.
"We don't understand Elvish, Mia!" Fili replies nervously. I frown. Had I spoken in Evlish? Weird.
"Pull steel! We are about to-AH!" I was suddenly pulled into the branches by a strand of spider web, crashing my head against a branch. That was the last thing I remember before now...ow, my head. That's why it hurts so much. Ugh, where...where are the others? I can't...can't see past this infernal webbing. I shake my head and hear some commotion, followed by my spider dropping my legs, with a dull crash sounding far below, presumably on the forest floor.
What in the Valar's name is going on?!
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
I hear the fall, but can't seem to open my eyes. I squirm, but the webbing has my tightly bound and it refuses to give. That, and I am still dizzy and disoriented. I hear little Bilbo panting (at least, I think it's Bilbo. It's not deep enough to be a Dwarf. Mia, maybe?) and then something is slicing haphazardly at my prison. Soon enough, I'm free. Bilbo supports my back as I get my bearings. Once I have, I nod and we prepare ourselves. There were a SWARM of spiders stalk closer. We hide behind a pair of trunks just as they come into view. They don't appear to notice us. I risk a peek and scan the area. I find several bundled figures that are undoubtedly the others hanging upside down a short distance away. I chew my lip and turn to make a plan with Bilbo.
Only to find an empty space. I pale, looking around, but finding nothing.
"I'm right here." A voice-Bilbo's-whispers from directly beside me. "Please don't worry." I turn and he's not there. "I found a magic ring in the tunnels. The Goblin tunnels. Please, just stay here and trust me." I frown, but nod. "I'll draw them off. Focus on getting the others freed. Okay?" I nod again and off he goes...I think. After a moment, I hear something clatter a fair distance off. Taking that as a cue, I wait a minute for the repulsive arachnids to leave before charging toward the company. However, there is another spider, preparing to eat one of the Dwarves. I pale, dodging behind a tree trunk again to figure out how best to kill it as quietly as possible.
In another moment, it gives off a horrible screech and I step out. The spider is searching for something, hissing and chittering furiously. Then, seemingly of it's own accord, three quarters of a leg simply fall off, blood splattering everywhere. I then knew that Bilbo was handling it. Remarkably, in fact. As soon as the spider's screeching reached a crescendo, Bilbo materialized out of thin air, holding a ring in his hand and his little sword in another.
"Here." He growls. I frown. What? Before I can react, though, the spider charges forward and suddenly, he's stabbing it in the face. It then slides off the branch, dead. I look at the Hobbit in a new respect. "Sting. It's a good name. Thanks." He notes, looking down at the dead spider and spinning the blade in his hands. I grin, despite not knowing what he talking about.
"Nice." He smiles back briefly.
"Come on. That will get them back here in a moment." He replies. I nod, drawing my sword and getting to work. As we sliced and more Dwarves fell, I prepared to free a figure I knew to be Mia (no one else is thin, to be honest), but she stalled me by wriggling and screaming for me to wait.
"Cut me loose just enough that I can get out. I...I...please." I frown, but do as she asks. Soon, she's standing on the branch and I'm starting to hear the spiders returning. We exchange a glance and help get the others down.
=#=#=#=#=
(M)
Hearing the exchange between Aili and Bilbo, I am confused but relieved that my head won't pound much longer as the pair work to get everyone down.
As Aili prepares to slice me (I hear Bilbo muttering under his breath further away), I realize what her freeing me means. Free fall.
"Valahalf, please! Don't! Not the well!"
"Better to rid Middle-Earth of beings like you than to let it continue to be so stained."
"NNNOOOO!"
SPLASH!
I shake myself and all but scream for Aili to wait.
"Cut me loose just enough that I can get out. I...I...please." I can't bring myself to explain, but luckily I don't need to as Aili heeds me and I am soon on the branch, with solid footing and no free-falling. We exchange a look and immediately, we pull out our weapons and help Bilbo rescue the company. Amazing how many bad situations Bilbo has saved, or had a part in saving, us from. Aili told me about his role in their adventures when I asked why she was training him. We begin to descend to where the others are getting up and out of the webs.
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
"Where's Aili?!" I hear Bofur call worriedly as we descend. "Has anyone seen Aili and Bilbo?!" I grin as my feet touch the ground.
"I'm right here but we need to move." I say, taking his hand and regrettably rushing him and the others along. He grins at me as we run and I grin back. Too late, as the spiders come from all sides. We all pull steel and fight them off, but there are always more. I don't know how long we'll last, but we'll go down fighting, that's for sure. Unfortunately, I can't spare a moment to hug or kiss Bofur, but just as well. This is not the time to reveal our relationship.
One spider lands on Bombur and we all drop fighting and run over, eight of us grabbing the legs and pulling. It ended up being Bofur, Oin, Gloin, Ori and others. It was too quick to really take in before we went back to fighting. It was all chaos and swinging. I went from one spider to another, saving Bofur from one at one point and pulling him up. He gave me a quick kiss before anything else happened. I deepen it for a moment before pulling away.
"For luck." We whisper at the same time. We then strike out at an approaching spider together and slice it neatly in half before sadly going to different spiders, me aiding Fili and Bofur helping Bombur and Bifur. I strike out and the spider collapses.
"Thanks." Fili notes, tossing a knife inches from my nose and I hear a spider screech.
"Same to you." I reply, swinging out at another spider. "These things just keep coming." I growl.
"Then we'll just keep killing them." He replies. I nod grimly and slide, swinging my sword up and into flesh, under a spider and throw a knife at another before stopping and getting my bow out. Firing at several spiders, I realize that I should probably not waste them. I put my bow back and get my tomahawks. Slicing through one's abdomen and into another's skull, I let myself kneel on the ground for a moment to let my ribs stop throbbing. Oin and Bofur notice and help me up.
"I...just need a...a moment. My ribs aren't liking the fighting, but it's not too bad. I need to keep fighting. I can keep fighting." I tell them. They nod reluctantly and cover me as I catch my breath. It takes a moment, but once it's back, I resume fighting. Once we clear a path, we take off and sprint for our lives.
"We're clear!" Someone cries over my pounding heart. We scan the area and find the spiders closing in. Just as we prepare to fight the spiders again, we hear an arrow being knocked and then we see a man-er, Elf-slide in and point the knocked arrow at Thorin. Just as we move to deal with him, we find ourselves surrounded by Elves, all of them aiming arrows at us. I gulp, waiting for uncle to make the first move.
"Do not think I won't kill you, Dwarf." The Elf growls, the arrow proving his point. "It would be my pleasure." Bofur subtly took my hand. I squeezed it and swallowed as the tense seconds rolled by. Then, from a point not too far away, I hear another spider and something else that freezes my blood.
"Help!" I blanch and spin. That was Kili's voice!
"Kili!" Fili and I scream. The Elves keep approaching, however, holding us back as we try to help. "You have to let us help our brother!" I plead, pressing against their strong arms. "Please!" They're unmoving, however, and despair sinks in. I take a step back. I hear the sounds of scuffling and slicing, praying that it was not the spiders eating my brother. I chew my lip as time flies away. Then, just as the noise stops, and I barely restrain a sob, Kili comes into sight, followed by a red-haired Elvish maiden with intricate braids in her hair not dissimilar to my own. As soon as he is in the circle of Elves, I throw myself at him, squeezing him tight. Fili hugs him from the other side. "We'd thought the worst." I whispered. "Glad to have you back." He smiles.
"Don't thank me. Thank the fiery-haired lady over there." He replies, nodding toward the Elf he'd arrived with. I nod in thanks when she looks our way.
"Search them." The lead Elf orders and Elvish orders are given. I hold my arms out to the sides and the red-haired one ends up being the Elf to search me. Her eyes widen a little at the amount of knives I have on me, but doesn't comment, adding my weapons to the pile.
=#=#=#=#=
(M)
From the moment I heard the bow being drawn up in the trees, I knew my secret was doomed. Sure enough, Legolas himself came swinging in with the guard right there, as well. He looks at me in recognition, but then continues menacing Thorin with a sword, even though we'd surrendered. Then, I heard Kili scream for help, I spin.
"Oh, Valar." I mutter under my breath and take a step to help. I am held back by a hand. Legolas is the culprit.
"You have not traveled with companions for some time, Mithra Earth-strider." He notes. I sigh.
"New thing I am trying. Now, please, let me save my friend." Inwardly, I recoil a little at my weakness, but know I have to save Kili. No one would be able to handle his loss. Least of all Fili. I don't want to see that.
"You know I can't." He replies. I huff.
"His blood is on your hands, then." Just then, silence takes over the noise of fighting and seconds later, Kili and Tauriel the captain come into view. I sigh heavily in relief, watching happily as he is hugged by his siblings.
"No, it is not." Legolas muses sarcastically. "Now, I have to search you." I sigh and spread my arms. In the immediate area, the Company is searched. Legolas relieves me of the armory I carry and with each knife, his exasperation builds. "You always were the over-prepared one." He muses, reaching into my boots and withdrawing the knives within. I sigh.
"No such thing in the Wild, believe me." He nods.
"Regardless, I am glad to see you again, mellon (friend)." I smile.
"Nice to see you, as well."
"You know these Elves?" Thorin growls. I pale, freezing. Legolas frowns.
"She has been my father's guest before. What is that to you?" Thorin narrows his eyes at me, but doesn't comment any further. Behind the king in exile, his niece looks at me with interest. I sigh. My secret was all but blown now. Things only got worse as Thorin's Elvish blade was presented to Legoas. His eyes betrayed his shock, disbelief, and confusion. "This is an ancient Elvish blade. Forged by my kin." He muses in Elvish, swinging the blade in his hands. He then points it at Thorin, who stands defiantly silent. "Where did you get this?" He growls.
"He found it in-"
"It was given to me." Thorin cuts in, interrupting me. Legolas frowns. The point is then inches from Thorin's face.
"Not just a thief, but a liar as well." Legolas growls. I swallow subtly, stepping forward.
"Legolas, please. It was in a Troll-hoard they discovered on the road before I joined them. I swear. Please. They do not lie."
"Bind them!" Legolas barks after a moment. I sigh. Typical Legolas.
=#=#=#=#=
(A)
Things are certainly getting interesting now. Mithra knows these Elves, huh? I guess if you are an Earth-strider, you meet a lot of people of all races, but...huh. Never would have thought that she would have come to the Woodland Elves if she hates the forest. I suppose if you are desperate enough for shelter, you'd brave just about anything, but still. This in intriguing.
She addressed the leader by name. Legolas. They seem to know each other. Interesting. However, we are being bound before I can ask her about it. She looks a little pale and nervous, though, so I add that to my list of questions.
"Thorin." Bofur whispers as we're led away. "Where's Bilbo?" I pale, scanning the area as much as possible. I'd lost track of him during our rescue of the Company. Oh, Mahal preserve him.
He may just need all the help he can get, if he's alone out there in the woods.