Hey all! Here's the next chapter for you all! I really hope you're all enjoying this story! I don't mean to be a pain, but could you leave me some reviews and keep letting me know your thoughts on this as I would love to know. Constructive criticism is accepted. Thank you xXx
Chapter 4
The next day, after we've had breakfast and have everything packed away, we ride on. I smile as I ride up front with Thorin, loving the feeling of travelling with him once again. Just riding along beside him brings me such peace I have not felt in a long time.
On the third day of riding, it begins to rain. Everyone but Shana and I are miserable, having lived all our lives under the trees, the cold and rain don't bother us.
"How can you and your mother be so cheery in this weather?" I hear Kili miserably ask Shana.
"Yeah, aren't you cold at all? You don't even have a cloak or anything." Fili says.
I hear Shana giggle. "No. The cold doesn't bother us. Our people live among the trees, and while our homes protects us from the elements, we still enjoy spending our time outside, in any weather. It's how I've lived all my life, and I prefer it that way."
I look back to her and we smile at each other before continuing on.
"Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori pipes up.
"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 replies.
"Are there any?" Bilbo asks.
"What?"
"Other wizards?"
"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."
I chuckle fondly at the wizard. He may be my old friend and a powerful and wise wizard, but he sure can be forgetful. It must be age catching up to him. . .but let's not let him know I thought that.
"And who is the fifth?"
"Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown."
"Is he a great Wizard or is he. . .more like you?"
I let out a snort of laughter, putting a hand over my mouth to muffle it as I feel Gandalf glaring a hole into the back of my head. Thorin chuckles from next to me.
"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."
I just smile. I had heard of Radagast before, but with him living close to Mirkwood, I had never met him. It's nice to have a wizard looking after the lands and animals of the forest. They deserve to be taken care off in these dark times.
About a week or so after we first set off together, we arrive at an old, abandoned farmhouse that is in ruins.
Thorin turns to the company. "We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them."
I dismount Snowflake, untack her and let her roam before going to the house. I am sure I've been through this way not too long ago, and it wasn't like this.
"A farmer and his family used to live here." Gandalf says as he joins me.
I nod. "Farmer Thomas. Shana and I came here a few months ago to rest. What could have happened in that time. . ."
"Oin, Gloin." I hear Thorin speak up.
"Aye?" Gloin answers.
"Get a fire going."
"Right you are."
Gandalf stands close to me to speak in elvish. "Do you think you can convince him to go to Rivendell?"
I look up at him. "You ask too much of me, my friend. You know as much as I that he will not step into those lands willingly. Even with my presence."
"We have to try. We cannot stay here. Surely you can feel something isn't right."
I nod as I look at the trees around us. "I do. I can feel it in the earth. . .it's sad and is hurting." I sigh before turning to him. "If you want him to go to Rivendell, you have to be the one to convince him. I will not be the one to cause him pain."
He nods. "So be it." He turns to speak to Thorin who has joined us. "I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley."
I watch Thorin rolls his eyes as he makes his way towards me. "I have told you already, I will not go near that place."
He takes my hands into his, pressing our foreheads together. I smile as I close my eyes, loving how affectionate he is. The smile falls as Gandalf continues talking.
"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."
Thorin pulls back from me, scowling as he turns to the wizard. "I do not need their advice."
"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. The only help we received were from the Arcani. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather and betrayed my father."
"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past."
"I did not know that they were yours to keep."
They just glare at each other for some time before Gandalf turns and stomps off.
Bilbo looks up. "Everything alright? Gandalf, where are you going?"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense."
"Who's that?"
"Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day."
"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry." Thorin says from the doorway.
Thorin looks to me when I take his hand. "What do you think? Is he right? Should we move on?"
I turn to him before looking at the trees. "I don't know what it is, but I do feel something isn't right. The trees are restless. But, whatever you decide to do, I will follow.
He smiles as he places a tender kiss on the side of my head. "Thank you."
I smile up at him. "I will follow you anywhere, Thorin. You should know that by now."
He just smiles and kisses me before we join the others. As night quickly comes, I thank Bofur as he hands me a bowl of stew and I happily eat it, as does Shana. I sit quietly as I listen to talk of the others around us and smile. It has taken a while for everyone to get used to the both of us, but they're slowly coming around to us. I've even managed to get into Gloin's good graces as we've talked about his family, who he talks about with such pride. I also learn about Bombur and his family, smiling as he talks about his young children, six in total, which I know is rare for a dwarf to have more than four, which I congratulate him on.
Even though I've not spoken much with him, I have also gotten to know Bifur more. He primarily speaks in Khuzdul, thanks to his head injury, and I'm thankful that our race can also speak the dwarven language, my ancestors having formed such a close bond with Thorin's, the dwarves had taught my people how to speak it, and vice versa. I also knew how to use Iglishmek, the dwarven hand language and Bifur and I often communicate that way, and from what I've been able to gather, I find him to be such a dear, despite his ailment. From what Bofur tells me, he's prone to erratic emotions and forgetfulness sometimes, but I like his calm demeanour, especially when I watch him whittle away on some wood.
Having finished my meal, I look up as I see Bilbo pacing from one side of the camp to the other behind Bofur.
"He's been a long time." Bilbo finally says.
"Who?" Bofur asks while dishing out two bowls of the stew.
"Gandalf."
"He's a wizard! He does as he chooses. Here, do us a favour: take this to the lads."
Bofur hands Bilbo two bowls of soup to take to Fili and Kili; I watch as Shana walks over and takes a bowl.
"I'll come with you, Bilbo."
He nods and thanks her before they both walk off to the trees.
"Stop it, you've had plenty." Bofur says as he slaps Bombur's hand as he went for another helping of stew.
I giggle at this as I sit back.
"Aye, it's not bad stew this Bombur." Gloin speaks up. "I've had worse."
"Dori could've cooked it!" Nori teases, causing the dwarves and I to laugh.
"Hilarious." Dori says sarcastically.
Smiling, I turn in the direction Shana and Bilbo went off in, a small smirk on my face. It hasn't slipt past my notice to see how much time she spends with Thorn's nephews, and I can understand being around others your own age, but I've seen the little looks she and Fili share when they think I'm not looking. Turning to Thorin, I notice him also looking in their direction before turning back, catching my eye and also smirking, him having the same thoughts as me.
Not even half an hour later, Fili and Kili suddenly rush over to us, both with a panic look on their faces, Thorin is right on his feet.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Trolls! They've taken some of our ponies! Bilbo has gone to try and get them back!" Fili answers.
"Where is Shana?" I ask as I stand, staff already in hand.
"She stayed behind to keep an eye on Bilbo." Kili answers.
While Thorin gets the others prepared, I immediately run off in the direction they came from, my steps silent as my feet barely touch the earth as I run. Reaching Shana, I kneel beside her, hand on her shoulder.
"How is he doing?" I ask as I study the area.
Three mountain trolls are gathered around a cauldron, one of them cooking their dinner.
"He's doing fine, keeping himself hid-no, no, no, Bilbo, what are you doing!?"
As her voice ending in a hiss, I look in the direction she's watching and pale as I see him slowly making his way to the trolls.
"Bilbo. . ."
The Dwarves soon arrive, Thorin kneeling besides me.
"How is it going?" Thorin asks.
"Not good."
Just as I finish talking, the troll Bilbo went behind, begins to sneeze and reaches behind him for a hanky and proceeds to sneeze right into it and into poor Bilbo who got caught in it and is now covered in troll snot. I'm not usually one for feeling queasy, but even I draw my limit at that. We all groan quietly as the troll jumps up in shock.
"Argh! Blimey! Bert! Bert! Look what's come out of me 'ooter! It's got arms and legs and everything."
The two other trolls gather around him and look down at Bilbo that's squirming in the trolls hand.
"What is it?" One of the others ask.
"I don't know, but I don't like the way it wriggles around!"
The troll drops Bilbo, causing me to wince at the hard fall. He quickly gets onto his feet, one of the trolls holds a knife at him.
"What are you then? An oversized squirrel?"
"I'm a burglar- uhh, Hobbit."
"A Burgla-Hobbit?" the sneazy troll asks.
"Can we cook im?
"We can try!"
As the trolls try to get Bilbo, I go to rise and help, but Thorin puts his hand on my shoulder, forcing me back down. I grit my teeth and watch as the third troll corners Bilbo's escape, pushing him back.
"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."
"Grab him!"
"It's too quick!"
We watch as Bilbo runs between their legs, dodging their attempts to grab him and just when I think he's about to escape, he's grabbed by the one wielding the knife. Thorin's grip on my shoulder tightens, knowing I would run out there other wise, as Bilbo is held upside down by his legs.
"Come here, you little... "Gotcha! Are there any more of you little fellas iding where you shouldn't?"
"Nope." Bilbo instantly says.
"He's lying." Sneazy says
"No I'm not!"
"Hold his toes over the fire. Make him squeal."
Having had enough, I exchange my staff for a dagger before rushing in, swiping the dagger at one of the trolls leg, making it squeal in pain, and then cutting it again, causing it to drop from loss of balance.
I glare up at the troll holding Bilbo. "Drop him!"
"You what?" the troll grunts at me.
"I said. Drop him!"
The troll growls before he tosses the hobbit to me. I grab him but fall back due to the sudden weight and that's when Thorin runs out, the others right behind. Helping Bilbo up, I check him over.
"Are you alright?"
He nods, still looking dazed. I slip my dagger into his hand.
"Free the ponies then get out of here."
Taking my staff from Shana, the both of us join in on the fray, the two of us staying close together as we swipe out at the trolls, trying to focus on one at a time, but with all the commotion, we eventually lose all rhythm and are instead just wildly swinging and fighting. I know there's no chance we can kill them, trolls skin being extremely tough for blades, I just hope this will be enough of a distraction so Bilbo can escape.
Shana and I rush over to the dwarves who are huddled together and seeing the horror and Thorin's face, I look up and gasp as I see two of the trolls holding Bilbo by his limbs.
"Bilbo, no!" I call out as I rush forward.
Thorin holds me back. "No!"
Out of the corner of my eye, I also see Shana being held back by Fili.
"Lay down your arms, or we'll rip his off."
I immediately drop my staff and seeing Thorin hesitate, I look at him, and watch the resignation spreading before he sticks his sword into the ground. The others soon follow.
Having been stuffed into sacks along with Shana, Thorin, Bilbo, Fili, Kili, Balin, Oin, Gloin and Balin, we have to watch as the others are hanging over the fire and are spun over the flames like a pig. Looking around the area, I try to think of any way we can get out of this. I know Gandalf is still out there, luckily, but if he'll find us in time. . .I don't know. I listen as the trolls begin talking about the best way to cook us, when I suddenly perk up as Knivey says something that has my attention.
"Never mind the seasoning; we ain't got all night! Dawn ain't far away, so let's get a move on. I don't fancy being turned to stone." The third troll says.
Dawn. . .of course! Mountain trolls can't go out in sunlight! Looking up at the sky, I see it starting to turn lighter and know that dawn will be here within the hour, but. . .how can we distract the trolls until then?
"Wait! You are making a terrible mistake." Bilbo suddenly yells out.
"You can't reason with them, they're half-wits!" Dori tries to reason with him.
"Half-wits? What does that make us?" Bofur questions.
I watch as Bilbo manages to stand up, hopping forward a little as he turns to the trolls.
"Uh, I meant with the, uh, with, uh, with the seasoning."
"What about the seasoning?" Cook asks.
"Well have you smelt them? You're going to need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up."
The dwarves yell at Bilbo, Thorin calling him a traitor. The ones in sacks kick out at him. I frown at him, wondering what on earth he's talking about.
"What do you know about cooking dwarf?" Knivey asks.
Cook turns to him."Shut up, and let the, uh, flurgaburburrahobbit talk."
"Uh, th-the secret to cooking dwarf is, um-"
From the way Bilbo is hesitating, I realise that he's trying to stall the dwarves and I have to smile as I now finally understand. Oh, that clever Hobbit! He's creating a diversion! Shana, also having realised this, smiles up at me and I just grin back at her.
"Yes? Come on."
"It's, uh-"
"Tell us the secret."
"Ye-yes, I'm telling you, the secret is ... to skin them first!"
"Tom, get me the filleting knife."
"If I get you, you little-"
"I won't forget that!" Gloin and Dwalin threaten him.
Knivey, or Tom now, scoffs. "What a load of rubbish! I've eaten plenty with their skins on. Scuff them, I say, boots and all."
Out of the corner of my eye, I smile in relief as I see Gandalf slipping behind some trees nearby. I look to Bilbo and see he's also seen him. He catches my eye and we slightly nod at each other in understanding.
"e's right! Nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf! Nice and crunchy."
One of the trolls suddenly grabs Bombur, who is in a sack, and dangles him upside down over his mouth, about to eat him.
"Not that one, he's infected!" I suddenly cry out.
"You what?" Tom asks me.
The trolls and dwarves are all looking at me now, I can feel the stare Thorin's giving me,.
"He's got worms in his tubes." Shana pipes up.
Luckily the troll that has Bombur believes that and drops him back in disgust, where he lands on Kili and Oin.
Bilbo nods, after sharing a quick glance at me. "In-in fact they all have, they're in-infested with parasites. It's even worse with the ladies. It's a terrible business; I wouldn't risk it, I really wouldn't."
"Parasites, did they say parasites?"
"We don't have parasites! You three have parasites!"
"What are you three talking about?"
The rest of the dwarves chime in about how they don't have parasites and how Bilbo, Shana and I are fools.
Bilbo rolls his eyes as the dwarves mess up our plan. I drop my head back onto Thorin in frustration, Shana onto my legs, before I lift my head up and give Thorin a pointed look. He stares at me for a moment and I finally see the recognition in his eyes before he kicks the others, mainly Kili. They look to Thorin then finally understand and go along with it. All the dwarves begin proclaiming about how they're "riddled" with parasites.
"I've got parasites as big as my arm."
"Mine are the biggest parasites, I've got huge parasites!"
"We're riddled."
"Yes, I'm riddled."
"Yes we are. Badly!
Tom turns to Bilbo. "What would you have us do, then, let 'em all go?"
Bilbo shrugs. "Well. . ."
He pokes Bilbo in hit gut with his huge finger. You think I don't know what you're up to? This little ferret is taking us for fools!"
"Ferret?" Bilbo squeaks in indignation.
I breath a sigh of relief as I see Gandalf appearing on top of a large rock above the clearing.
"The dawn will take you all!"
"Who's that?"
"No idea."
"Can we eat im too?" The trolls ask.
Gandalf strikes the rock with his staff, splitting it in half, allowing the sunlight behind it to pour into the clearing. When the sunlight touches the trolls' skin, they begin turning into stone amidst loud screams and howls of pain. Within seconds, there are three stone statues of trolls in the clearing. All the dwarves cheer for Gandalf. I rest my head back in relief. Thank Yavannah.
"Oh, get your foot out of my back!" I hear Dwalin yell out.
Well, there you have it. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please leave me your lovely reviews as I love hearing from you xXx