Chapter Twenty-Three

On Dangerous Grounds

We were now walking back in the wild and everyone was strangely quiet. It was not like the dwarves to act like this. Thorin was now at the front of the group, even Loki seemed to be in deep thought.

"Are you alright Loki?" I asked, I really hated the silence within the group.

"I'm fine Elaina," Loki graced me with a smile "It's just a relief to be away from the elves."

"You really don't think much of them do you?"

"I hate elves Elaina, they-," Loki trailed of and I was most concerned for him.

"I'm sorry Loki, I did not mean to upset you."

"Elaina, tonight, I would like to tell you more about my past," whispered Loki "Then you can decide on what you think of elves and of myself."

I was shocked. I grabbed hold of his arm, stopping him.

"Now listen here Loki Laufeyson, I said it before and I'll say it again. Whatever you did in the past is just that, the past. Everyone makes mistakes but we all learn from them."

"I've made many mistakes Elaina!" lamented Loki.

"Who doesn't?

"You don't understand, I was-,"

"Keep up back there!" I heard Thorin shout.

We both start walking again but a little futher away from the others.

"Loki, I kind of guessed you did some terrible things in your past, but that is not going to stop me from being your friend."

"Elaina, you don't really know me."

I study Loki and noticed he always tried to joke around but underneath it all was a man who wanted to fit in. I felt that way too. Ever since I found out I was related to a god on a cloud, I had felt lost.

"I'm trying to, if you'll let me."

We watch one enough and slowly Loki grinned at me.

"Well, it is better to be friends with a goddess than be an enemy. Friends it is then, though I shall still tell you my past Elaina, the good and the bad!"

"Tell me in your own time, I will never pressure you, Loki."

"Why are you two trailing at a slower pace?" We heard Thorin shout again "Keep up. Elaina, Loki!"

"That told us!" I remarked.

I caught Loki's bemused expression and we both act like children and laugh. I somehow knew then, that Loki and I would become very good friends for years to come.

o0o

It was now getting dark so we had decided to make up camp for the night. I was feeling a little unwell, my head was pounding so I went in a dark corner and set up my bedroll before laying down and I shielded my eyes, away from the glare of the campfire.

I knew a migraine was coming and only hoped I would not vomit, I was feeling a little sick. While everyone was doing their own thing, I closed my eyes, willing my headache to go away.

~~Hetti's POV~~

It was a shock to leave Rivendell the way we did. Why did we have to leave that way? It made no sense. I sat down besides Bilbo who was eating an apple. I had a feeling I was being watched and looked to the source and caught Kili watching me. When he realised I had caught him, he quickly looked away. Just what was his problem?

I noticed we needed more logs so I volunteered to get some. Bilbo stood up and said he would accompany me and surprisingly Kili insisted on coming too. I smiled at Bilbo's sweet gesture but was confused as to why Kili would want to grab broken twigs with Bilbo and I,

I just smile at Kili then we went in search for logs. We walked in silence before I asked,

"I read in a book that there are trees out there, that can move around."

"Trees would do that," mused Kili, picking up several logs "It's called a breeze. It makes the leafs on them feel like they are alive."

I laugh at his sarcastic nature.

"No," I reply, trying to stop the giggles "these trees are different."

I walk ahead picking my own logs before turning around, walking backwards, facing Bilbo and Kili.

"These trees which are called Ents can talk and walk. Apparently they were created by Eru Iluvatar, the creater of many other things. Can you imagine the conversations we could have with an Ent!" I smiled, thinking about that.

Bilbo started laughing.

"I've never really thought about talking to a tree before Hetti," said Bilbo "I would not know what to say!"

"Hmm," smirked Kili "I'd imagine talking to a tree would be very limited. Being in a wood, their only conversation topic would be about random rodents climbing up them and the droppings they leave behind."

I smirk at the thought of droppings on the Ents.

"I'd like to think the Ents are intelligent," I frown realising something "Oh and I climbed up on many trees back at home. What if one of the Ents were there and I accidently kicked it."

While I was horrified at that thought, both Bilbo and Kili roared wih laughter.

"Hetti, I do believe you are clutching at straws!" smiled Bilbo.

Bilbo had noticed my somber look and sighed.

"Naw, Hetti is clutching at twigs right this second." grinned Kili.

Kili's smile made my own mouth twitch into a smile and we watch one other. I watch his own smile slowly disapper and as he watches me with such intensity, it felt he was reaching out for my soul.

"Well," I heard Bilbo say, breaking the very strange atmosphere between Kili and I "we seem to have a lot of logs between us, shall we return?"

"Yes," I reply rather to quickly "let's return."

I had no idea what just happened there and for the first time in a long while, I was very confused.

o0o

~~Thorin's POV~~

I had just finished my meal and I was wondering where Elaina was. I searched for her and finally saw her lying down. She was shielding her eyes from the campfire and I knew something was wrong.

I walk up to her and lay down besides her and gently placed my arm around her middle. Elaina instantly edged closer to me and burrowed her head on my waist.

"Are you alright my love?" I whispered to her.

"Not really," she whispered back "I feel a little sick and my head is pounding."

'Well that explains why she is hiding her face!' I thought to myself.

I shifted a little bit, making sure I was shielding my love from the light of the fire.

"Is Elaina alright, Thorin?" asked Dwalin, sitting opposite Elaina and I, as was Loki and Ori.

"Elaina has informed me she has a headache." I admitted to my old friend.

"Where's Oin, perhaps he could help her!" said Dwalin, looking for Oin.

"May I?" asked Loki, standing up.

"May you what?" I asked him suspiciously.

"Relieve her aching head!"

Glancing at my angel, she did look very pale. I looked up at Loki and nodded my head. Loki then bent down then gently placed his hands on Elaina's forehead. I was very surprised she never made a sound as he slowly stroked her forehead. This went on for several minutes.

When Loki had finished, I felt Elaina snuggle against my chest looking much better then when she did a little while ago.

"Thank you!" I say to Loki, who nodded his head and sat back down opposite us.

I place my arm around Elaina, gently stroking her chestnut hair. I hoped she was alright.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I woke up in the arms of Thorin. I gently stretch my limbs unaware that I had accidently nudged Thorin awake. He held on to me tightly.

"How are you this morning. my angel?" whispered Thorin.

"I actually feel much better than I did." I admitted to him, gazing at him.

"That's good to hear, you were quite pale!" replied Thorin "Did you eat anything last night Elaina?"

I shook my head, seeing him frown.

"I felt really sick last night Thorin, food was the furthest thing from my mind."

I saw the concern in his eyes and I gently stroke his beard, seeing him lean into my touch before crashing his lips on mine.

"I didn't mean to worry you," I whispered to him. "Everyone has an off day."

Thorin gently ran his hand through my hair, smiling lovingly at me.

"I will always worry about you Elaina!"

"Oh! And why is that?"

"Because you are mine and I am yours!" Thorin stated "If anything should happen to you or I, I don't know wha-,"

"Hey, nothing will happen to either of us," I butted in "Think positive, you might surprise yourself."

Thorin never uttered a word, he only threaded his fingers through my hair, his forehead resting on mine. Finally Thorin whispered,

"What were you and Loki talking about?"

I look at Thorin, then glance around the camp. Everyone was still asleep.

"We need to start on the breakfast soon." I said, knowing full well I was changing the subject.

"I'll wake Bombur in a few minutes," replied Thorin "Stop changing the subject Elaina. What were you and Loki discussing yesterday?"

"We were discussing the weather!" I began and saw Thorin roll his eyes.

"Very unlikely. The way I saw it, you and Loki were having a serious conversation about something. Should I be worried about this?"

"No of course not. We were just talking about...different kind of horses in the world!" I hastily replied to him.

"Horses?" queried Thorin, watching me intently.

"Uh huh, I was explaining that there are many types of horses out there. Unicorns, Pegasus that can fly in the air. That sort of thing!"

I watch Thorin closely and see that he is watching me weirdly.

"Your not buying this, are you?" I reply, grinning at him.

"No I'm not! What was you really talking about?"

"Please Thorin, I can't say," I saw him scowl at me "Loki is a friend and I will never betray his trust."

"Has this got anything to do with us and this quest?"

"No Thorin, it has nothing to do with your quest, or you, me etc, etc."

"I don't like secrets Elaina!" remarked Thorin.

"And I don't break confidentiality," I reasoned with him "It is up to Loki himself to tell you himself."

Thorin sighed then nodded his head.

"You will tell me when your allowed to, I take it?"

I smiled.

"I promise." I breathed, brushing my lips over his.

It was not my place to explain to Thorin about Loki's past. Loki had told me some of his story and I will never tell a soul, unless Loki himself says it is alright to fill Thorin in on this matter. I mean it was really Loki's business not mine, though I was touched that Loki had shared some of his past to me.

~~Loki's POV~~

Unbeknownst to Elaina, I had heard Thorin and her talking about me and I smiled to myself. It was good to finally have a friend that would not pass my story to someone else. I find it very hard to trust anyone, yet I found myself trusting Elaina. So far she has not judged me and I only hope it stays that way.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I was not expecting to cross a mountain, that looked ominous. For a start, it looked like there was about to be a storm. The trail we were all walking on was narrow and looked very dangerous.

I jumped when I heard lighting hit the air and of course it was now raining heavy on each of us.

"Hold on!" shouted Thorin.

We edge back on the wall and I watch in horror as Bilbo walks on, the rocks beneath him gives way and he falls into the chasm. I run towards him and search everywhere for him. I finally spotted him, holding onto a stuck out rock and I kneel down and lean over to where he is and try and grab him.

He misses my hand twice but third time lucky, I manage to grab onto his arm and pull him back up. Once I knew he was safe, I flung my arms around him in relief.

"We must find shelter!" shouted Thorin.

'Yes, good idea!' I thought clinging onto Bilbo.

"Watch out!" shouted Dwalin.

We all glance upwards and saw a gigantic boulder flying in the air. It hits the mountainside above us, causing smaller rocks to fall all over us, as we huddle together against the mountain wall.

"This is no thunderstorm it's a thunder battle! Look!" exclaimed Balin.

"A what?" asked Hetti, clearly feeling what I was feeling, very confused and a little scared.

Seeing Bilbo fall over, nearly stopped my heart.

I watch transfixed as a massive rock starts moving from a nearby mountain. It rips of a massive boulder from the top of the mountain.

"Well bless me, the legends are true. Giants, Stone Giants!" said Bofur, clearly in awe at this new turn of events.

"I'm sorry, a what?" I ask him.

"Take cover, you'll fall!" warned Thorin.

"What's happening?" asked Kili.

'Very good question!' I thought bitterly 'We should not be here!'

One of these stone giants decided to throw his boulder high in the air while another giant that came from behind us, gets hit on the head by the very same boulder. Nearly everyone was yelling at each other and I felt movement from beneath my feet.

The ground was moving on its own accord. We all try and hold on to anything that would not move but the vibrations and the incoming rocks was making it very hard to stay still. Suddenly, the ground betweem us splits in half and part of the company are on the other side.

"Kili! Grab my hand! Ki-," I heard Fili shout.

I try and reach Kili but the stupid giants were now fighting with their fists, Bilbo, me and many dwarves on my end, try and hold on to dear life as we are flung around like a rag doll.

Dwalin somehow manages to jump to another spot. Yet another stone giant appears and throws a boulder at the other two.

~~Thorin's POV~~

One of the stone giants falls over, but I am watching where Elaina, Fili and Kili were only moments ago standing on the other side of the split mountain. All I saw now was smashed rocks where they used to be. I saw one of the stone giants fall over and falls into the chasm, below us.

""No! No! Kili!" I shout "Elaina, Fili!"

Thanks to the boulders, there was now a walkway to get where the other party used to be. We quickly rush other and everything is in a mess. I heard coughing and I turn around and saw Kili, stumbling out, clearly looking shocked. He was closely followed by Dwalin Balin, then Fili and I was really relieved to see Elaina crawl out.

"We're all right! We're alive!" smiled Balin, breathing in the air once more.

"Where's Bilbo? Where's the Hobbit?" asked Bofur, looking for our burglar.

"What do you mean where is Bilbo?" questioned Elaina "He was right by my side a few moments ago, he can't have just vanished into thin air!"

~~Elaina's POV~~

"There!" replied Oin pointing his finger to the edge. "There he is!"

I quickly go where Ori is and watch in horror as Bilbo is hanging onto a ledge again.

"Get him!" said Dwalin.

Bilbo holds onto the ledge. Without really thinking it through, I again spring into action. I manage to go on the ledge that was above Bilbo and I tried grabbing onto Bilbo once more, but he kept slipping from my grasp. I was horrified when Bilbo falls another few feet below me. He manages to catch himself and hold onto another handhold.

I try once more to pull him up which was now proving unsucessful. Thorin then took over by swinging down on the cliff next to Bilbo and pull him up, where Loki and Dwalin grabs onto Bilbo and shifts him up.

Dwalin then goes to grab hold of Thorin but Thorin loses his grip and begins falling. Arching my body forward, I manage to grab his forearm and with Loki's help we pull him back up to safety.

"I thought we'd lost our burglar." said Dwalin after everyone had got their bearings back.

"He's been lost ever since he left Rivendell. He should never have come. He has no place amongst us. Dwalin!" spat Thorin catching my gaze.

I was completely vexed.

"I nearly lost you Elaina and it is his fault...Sorry but that is the truth!"

I look at Bilbo who is standing next to Loki and Hetti and saw him look sad and lost.

"Bilbo!" I whispered.

"I'm fine Elaina, really I am." replied Bilbo, giving me a smile.

I knew he was lying though and again I glared at Thorin before moving on.

We begin walking again, I was by Bilbo's side, keeping an eye on him. I nealy lost him twice now, I would not let that happen again. I knew something was amiss here. This whole mountain felt wrong somehow. I only hoped this feeling I had, would disappear soon.

As we walk for a little while, we stop when we all spot a cave and that feeling I had was telling me to stay out!

"It looks safe enough." said Dwalin.

'I don't think that's the case at all!' I thought to myself, taking no notice of Loki's shocked expression 'Alarm bells are ringing in my head saying 'Danger, Danger!' Would Thorin listen though? Probably not!'

"Search to the back, caves in mountains are seldom unoccupied." replied Thorin.

Dwalin searches the cave with a now lit lantern.

"There's nothing here." said Dwalin walking back towards us.

Gloin had a lot of wood in his arms and drops them on the ground, then he rubs his hands together.

"Right then! Let's get a fire started!" said Gloin.

"No, No fires, not in this place. Get some sleep. We start at first light." replied Thorin walking towards me.

Loki also walks towards me.

"What did you mean by 'Alarm bells are ringing in your head?' Did you see something?" asked Loki, softly.

I look back at him in shock and I quickly connect the dots together that he can read minds.

"It's this mountain," I whispered back, glancing around then continue "I have a very bad feeling about this place. Something is going to happen here."

"You are certain?"

"Yes, this cave in particular is giving me a bad vibe. I can't place why that is but, it's definitely there!"

"I'll keep a look out." smiled Loki.

"Thank you Loki." I reply, smiling back that him.

"We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan." remarked Bofur.

"Plans change. Bofur, take the first watch." replied Thorin who then gently took my arm and lead me away from the others.

"It was not Bilbo's fault he slipped and fell," I hissed at him "It was those stupid giants playing with their rocks, fault!"

"Elaina," he whispered holding me close "When I saw you go down to reach for Bilbo and you missed, my heart nearly gave out!"

"Thorin, Bilbo, Hetti and I have a strong bond between us. I promised him that I would always be there for him. I want him to find courage for himself!"

"You are the love of my life Elaina and I admire your will to help others, but you could have died!"

"No one died Thorin. I won't let that happen. I will always be there for you, Bilbo and the others."

"Elaina!" Thorin whispered again.

Seeing as we were in the dark, Thorin hungrily kissed me.

"I love you." he mumbled between kisses.

Thorin and I slide down onto the floor and leaned against the wall, holding onto each other.

"I know it appears that I was mean Elaina," began Thorin, softly "It's just that I thought I lost you and my nephews and my mind was going all over the place."

I cup his cheek and I felt Thorin kiss my palm.

"I'm sorry!" I breathed, wrapping my free arm around Thorin's middle "It's been one of those days,"

Thorin chuckled.

"You can say that again."

"I would, but I have no energy!" I murmur.

"Then sleep my angel!"

I shifted on Thorin's chest, feeling his arm wrap around my waist.

"Men lananubukhs menu." I heard Thorin say.

"I love you too." I yawned before falling asleep in Thorin's arms.

o0o

~~Thorin's POV~~

My kin are now resting in the cave and I hold my angel protectively. I can not get to sleep and I hear some movement and watch at the corner of my eyes that the hobbit is getting up. He appears to look around and then slowly rolls up his bedroll and packs everything together. Master Baggins grabs hold of his walking stick and attempts to leave the cave, by tiptoeing over my kin and Hetti. My eyes are now following his every move.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked Bofur who also noticed Master Baggins attempting to leave.

"Back to Rivendell!" replied the hobbit, holding onto his walking stick very tightly.

"No, no, you can't turn back now, you're part of the Company. You're one of us." exclaimed Bofur.

"I'm not though, am I? Thorin said I should never have come, and he was right. I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins, I don't know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door." he said, sadly.

I was listening in to what Master Baggins and Bofur were saying. I glance down at Elaina and knew she would not like that he was leaving us. I gently hold her close to me, kissing her forehead as I listen on.

"You're homesick, I understand." said Bofur, gently.

"No, you don't, you don't understand! None of you do - you're dwarves. You used to, to this life, to living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere. Elaina had said that I would find courage, Ha..Where is this courage?" he spat.

I watch both Bofur and Master Baggins and saw Bofur look back at him with shock. Even I am a little taken aback by what he has just said. After what Elaina has done for him, I frown. Maybe I was right about Master Baggins after all!

"I am sorry, I didn't-," he began once more.

I listen on, curious to see how he can get out of this one. My eyes drifted to the sleeping figure of Elaina next to me. My eyes narrow, sadly thinking that tomorrow she would realise her adopted father was a coward.

"No, you're right. We don't belong anywhere. I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do. As for Elaina telling you about courage, I think she means it will come to you when you least expect it too." replied Bofur.

Bofur smiles and places his hand on Bilbo's shoulder who turns around and glances at both Elaina and Hetti before he turns once more and begins to walk out of the cave.

"What's that?" asked Bofur, seeing something blue on Bilbo.

Something is glowing on Bilbo, he pulls his sword part way out of its sheath and sees that it is growing bright blue, meaning Orcs are nearby. I raise my head as I hear strange noises and sees cracks form in the sand on the floor of the cave. Something is coming and heading straight for us.

"Wake up. Wake up!" I yell out to everyone.

Before we could react, the floor beneath us collapsed downwards and I realise it is a giant door, that will lead us to wherever. I quickly grab Elaina and hold her close as we all fall down a chute, sliding through a tunnel and we all land in a massive wooden cage.

~~Elaina's POV~~

Still holding onto Thorin, I curse out loud to our sudden run of bad luck. It stank down here. I thought the trolls were bad, but the smell here was 100% worse. I curse again, when I saw ugly creatures swarming around us. There were a lot of these ugly things and they were now running towards us.

I felt Thorin hold me tighter but several of these creatures had grabbed a hold of me and were pulling me away from from friends and loved ones. I could see that everyone was trying to fight their way back. I managed to wack several with my foot and fist trying to get back to the others.

"Thorin!" I cried, trying to get to him.

"Elaina!"

I was near Dwalin now but I heard a strange noise and saw Bilbo being targeted by one of these creatures. I grabbed my sword and ran towards Bilbo and saw that this creature was trying to really hurt Bilbo.

'Oh no you don't!' I thought.

Using my sword on any of these smelly creatures that got in my way, I finally reach to Bilbo's destination and while Bilbo was trying to distract this thing, I struck my sword in its back and tried pulling it back out, but it seemed to be wedged. Glancing at Bilbo, he was really pale but he gave me a smile and was about to come towards me but something happened.

The creature was now slumping forward which had caught Bilbo. Now Bilbo and our enemy were over the edge. I was fantically trying to get to Bilbo. With one hand on the sword, my free hand tried to pull up Bilbo. The creature shifted and pulled me over the edge now as well. It all happened quite suddenly, I was losing my grip of my sword and I watch in horror as Bilbo, the creature and I all fall into the chasm below us.