Chapter Seven: Trolls, Cave Discoveries & Warg Chase
Amara's POV
It was three days later when the company came upon a familiar sight, the ruins of a farmer's hut that laid near where the trolls that the company were to face. I recalled the scene in the movie, I knew that I had to ensure that things go as it did or close to as it did in the movie/books.
I looked up at the front of the group as Thorin turned around and called out.
"We'll camp here for the night." He then began to give out orders to the other members, I looked over at Gandalf as he explored the ruins of the cabin. I walked over to him, even when knowing the answer I asked.
"Gandalf? What is it?"
"A farmer and his family used to live here." Gandalf said as he was looking around at the remnants of the destroyed house. 'No need to ask what happened to them.' I thought as I looked around before Thorin then made his way over to both Gandalf and I.
"I think it be wiser to move on." Gandalf advised as he turned to meet Thorin. "We could make for the Hidden Valley."
"I have told you already, I will not go near that place." Thorin said as he walked past Gandalf and I, I knew that it would happen eventually but according to the storyline we needed to defeat the trolls and find their cave in order for Thorin and Gandalf to find their elvish swords and for Gandalf to find Sting in the cave and give it to Bilbo.
"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice." Gandalf argued, turning to the moody dwarf King.
"I do not need their advice." Thorin insisted in a slowly enraged tone.
"We have a map that we cannot read, Lord Elrond can help us." Gandalf said as he pointed over his shoulder.
"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the elves?" Thorin asked before continued on. "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."
Gandalf then said firmly. "You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past."
"Gandalf!" I said in a scolding tone before Thorin then spoke.
"I did not know they were yours to keep." He said in an accusing tone, looking up at the elderly wizard before Gandalf then turned and walked off towards his horse. I turned to Thorin who looked at me.
"You feel the same as the wizard?" He asked, as if expecting me to side with Gandalf without a second thought.
"No." I said with a sigh, looking him in the eye with a slight smile. "This is your company, your quest. You make the decisions." Thorin looked at me with a slight shocked look before turning to watch as Gandalf rode off on his horse, away from our group.
"Come on, Bombur. We're hungry." He said moodily, I smiled before placing a hand on his shoulder and said:
"Just so you know, you shouldn't blame an entire race for the actions of a few members. Not all elves are as selfish as Thranduil is." I said as I then walked past the dwarf king, leaving him behind as I made my way over to Dwalin. I pulled out two wooden swords from my item box as soon as I reached him.
"Hey Dwalin, you up for a sparring match before we eat?" I asked the tall dwarf, he looked up and then grinned like an evil villain as he got up and grabbed one of the wooden swords from my hand. We made our way away from the group at a safe distance but still within line of sight, once both of us were ready we began our match.
Hours Later...
As it turned to night, most of the dwarves were gathered around the fire eating a bowl of stew, I turned to see Bilbo looking out to the horizon before turning around.
"He's been a long time." Bilbo said worried.
"Who?" Bofur asked while preparing two extra bowls of stew that I knew were for Fili and Kili.
"Gandalf." Bilbo clarified.
"He's a wizard. He does as he chooses." Bofur said before he then tur ed to Bilbo and asked. "Here, do us a favour. Take this to the lads." Then he turned and slapped his brother who was trying to help himself to more.
Bilbo took the two bowls and walked off, I smiled as I knew what he was walking into before I turned back to continue read the book I had in my hand: Twilight. However, it wasn't the original story setting as I had to adjust many things to make it fit a time era that wouldn't seem strange to anyone from Middle-Earth if they ready them.
In fact, I did the same with many of the book series that I had from my world. I changed them a little to make them seem more relatable to people in this world, but there were some fandoms where I didn't really like the full story line but all the fanfiction, I read were great and, in a series, so I published the fanfic into hard cover books instead.
These books helped pass time until I heard the sound of two familiar voices call out.
"Uncle!" "Thorin!"
Everyone turned to see both Kili and Fili running towards us in a panic.
"Fili? Kili? What is it?" Thorin asked as the two brothers reached us and explained everything, when I heard about how they sent Bilbo ahead first and came back to inform us. I turned to reach for my sword in my item box and before I could follow the other Dwarves, Thorin stopped me by grabbing my arm and pulled me back.
"No, you stay here." He said as he turned to grab his weapons.
"What are you talking about? I'm going with you, Bilbo needs me." I protested, I wasn't some damsel in distress, and I didn't need any man or dwarf to save me.
"No, stay here. You'll just be in our way." Thorin said sternly before racing off with the others, I was a little miffed but I knew that I had to let them get caught just long enough to stay true to the storyline.
After an hour, I decided that it was time that I go save Bilbo and the dwarves. I used all the stealth skills that had learnt from my father's Marine training as a child to sneak close to the trolls campfire where I stayed in the shadows of the trees and bushes. 'I think I've let them get themselves into a jam long enough.' I thought as the exact same scene from the movie played out. I smiled as I knew that Bilbo was distracting the trolls for time, I quickly made my way through the bushes and around to behind the rocks while Bilbo continued to distract the trolls.
Soon enough the dwarves finally caught on to what Bilbo was doing and began to join in, saying that they were all infested with parasites. I couldn't help but giggle a little as this part of the movies always seemed funny to me.
As I reached the point of the rock where I walked to the top and called out Gandalf's line:
"The dawn will take you all." I stood on the rock as Bilbo, the dwarves and the three trolls looked up at me.
"Who is that?"
"No idea."
"Can we eat her too?"
As soon as the trolls said those words, I held out my hand and cast my most powerful sunlight spell, which started to turn them all into stone in seconds. Once the three trolls were completely turned to stone, the dwarves began to cheer and laugh as I looked over at Thorin and could faintly see his handsome smile before Dwalin's voice called out:
"Oh, get your foot out of my back." He said as I then snapped out of my fangirl moment.
"Hold on guys, I'll get you all down." I said as I used my magic to jump down from the rock and walked over the spit, using a levitation spell I got them all off the spit before putting out the fire and then turned to Dwalin while holding out a knife to him. "Dwalin, help me free the others." I turned to the others in sacks and made my way to Bilbo while Dwalin tended to Fili, one by one we got the rest of the company out of the sacks until everyone was freed.
Soon enough, I heard the sounds of rustling in the bushes and knew exactly who it was. "Over here, Gandalf!" I called out before the elderly wizard emerged out from the bushes, looking over the sight of the three trolls.
He then asked. "What on earth happened here?"
"Oh, just a little run in with three large and smelly mountain trolls now turned to stone." I said with a shrug as if it was just a regular day on the job, turning away from the elderly wizard I saw a large scratch on Balin's arm and called out to him.
"Master Balin, wait." He turned around and looked at me, "You're injured." I said as I took hold of his arm and showed him the wound.
"It's nothing to worry about, lass." Balin said in a kind and polite tone.
"Still, let me heal it for you." I said as I then began to channel my magic through my arms and to the centre of my palm causing it to glow a warm golden light, focusing the light over Balin's wound I channelled my magic carefully as the wound began to slowly close on its own. Within a few minutes, the wound was completely sealed and no scar was left behind.
"There, good as new." I smiled as Balin examined his newly healed arm.
"Thank you so much, lass." He said as he smiled at me in a kind fatherly way that I haven't felt since my father and grandfather were alive, I then went around to the other members healing any injuries.
Then all of a sudden, Thorin called out saying that we were to retrieve our packs and ponies before going to look for the trolls cave, and once we retrieved our packs and ponies we found the trolls cave right where it was in the movies.
I decided to go with Gandalf, Thorin and a few of the other dwarves into the cave to see if I could find anything useful for myself. The smell of the cave hit harder than anything else. 'And here I thought public restrooms smelt bad.' I thought to myself as I covered my nose as I followed behind.
"What's that stench?" Nori asked.
"It's a troll hoard." Gandalf answered. "Be careful what you touch." All the dwarves began coughing as we descended into the cave, looking around not only did I but also the others noticed the gold coins under their feet.
"Seems a shame to leave it lying around. Anyone could take it." Bofur said.
"Agreed. Nori," Gloin said as Nori then turned to face Gloin, "get a shovel." I turned away and looked through the hoard, after a few minutes I came across a chest filled with large gemstones. They shone brightly in the dull light of the fire torch, I used my appraisal skill on them and the information was as I had thought.
'These are high quality gemstones here.' I thought as I then packed them into my item box. 'I'll just put them all in my item box for later use.' Then Thorin's voice spoke out through the cave.
"Let's get out of this foul place. Come on, let's go." He said as he then turned and called the others as they all left the cave, I followed behind with Gandalf lagging behind as I knew he was about to find Sting.
Exiting the cave made me realize, that I had been taking fresh clean air for granted and I silently vowed to always be grateful for it in the future. But I soon felt dizzy and was about to faint before Bilbo caught me in his arms.
"Amara. Are you alright?" He asked me in concern.
"Yeah, just dizzy from the smell of trolls in the cave." I said as I sat on a rock to regain my balance.
"Bilbo?" Gandalf called out as he exited the cave, Bilbo turned and stepped closer to Gandalf as Gandalf held out Sting to him. "Here. This is about your size."
"Thank you." Bilbo said as he took the blade from Gandalf and held it out.
"Let me use my appraisal skill." I said as I stared at it and once the information "Elvish-made, during the first age in Gondolin. And the blade has a special magic that will make it glow blue when orcs or goblins are nearby, however the brightness of the blade's glow is dependent on the distance between the blade wielder and the orcs /goblins."
I remembered the writing engraved on the blade from the movies, I had always wondered what it said so I learnt all dialects of Elvish until I learnt what it said:
Maegnas aen estar nin dagnir in yngyl im.
Which in the common tongue translate to:
Maegnas is my name, I am the spider's bane.
I turned to Gandalf and Bilbo before smiling. "That's an amazing find."
"I never used a real sword in real battle." Bilbo said in a hushed tone, trying to avoid the dwarves from hearing. 'That's true, every time he fought it was only training and sparring matched with wooden weapons and not real ones.' I thought to myself before Gandalf's voice caught both our attention.
"And I hope you never have to." Gandalf said before continuing with a wisdom in his voice. "But if you do, remember this: True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one."
I looked to Bilbo as I knew that what Gandalf said was slowly seeping in but then Thorin called out.
"Something's coming!"
Everyone gathers before Gandalf said. "Stay together. Hurry now!" And lead them towards the direction in which Thorin said the sound was coming from, I too grabbed a simple long knife from my item box and followed the company. Though I knew who it was.
Suddenly, a sleigh pulled by rabbits burst out of the bushes and a voice called out. "Thieves! Fire! Murder!" As the sleigh came to a stop the man riding it turned to see Gandalf, who sighed in relief.
"Radagast. It's Radagast the Brown." Gandalf said as he then sheathed his sword and walked up to Radagast and asked. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong." Radagast said out of breath.
"Yes?"
As Radagast tried to explain it he froze a few times. "Just give me a minute." He said as he tried to remember what he was going to tell his old friend. "Oh. I had a thought and now I've lost it. It was right there on the tip of my tongue." He stopped for a moment as if to realize something. "Oh, it's not a thought at all. It's just a little old stick insect." Opening his mouth, Gandalf gently removed the insect from the brown wizard's tongue and placed it in Radagast's open hand.
All the dwarves and Bilbo looked at the brown wizard as if they were confused, which I couldn't blame them because who in their right mind other than Radagast would walk around with bird poop in their hair.
000
While Gandalf and Radagast went to talk privately as the rest of us remained near the cave entrance, I watched them in curiosity as I believed that Radagast had come to tell Gandalf about the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. I turned to all the rabbits attached to Radagast sleigh and began feeding them each a carrot that I grew filled with health and speed enhancement magic, making them faster and healthier than before, which they seemed to loved wholeheartedly.
"What do you suppose they are talking about?" Kili asked me as he and his brother Fili stood by me, over the last few days travelling together I had come to enjoy their company but I also kept them from going too far with their jokes.
"I don't know." I lied, I knew what they were talking about, but I couldn't tell them. "But if Radagast's arrive is any indication, then it can't be anything good."
"And what of the brown wizard? What do you make of him?" Fili asked as if curious to hear my answer.
"He's certainly nothing like Gandalf, but if he's a member of Gandalf's order then he must be a powerful wizard. Plus, I sense no ill will or malice towards us in him, so he must be a trust-worthy ally." I explained to them, I knew full well that Radagast was indeed a trust-worthy person. However, it was Saruman that I had to watch out for as I recall he started turning dark around this time.
"Are you sure?" Kili asked as he looked at me intently.
"Yes. I can guarantee it with my life." I assured him before the sound of a howl filled the air and caused everyone to be more alert.
"Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out there?" Bilbo asked frightened as I remember he told me about the Fell Winter in the shire years ago, when the wolves got so hungry that they crossed the frozen river into the Shire and hunted shire-folks.
"Wolves? No that is not a wolf." Bofur said before the sound of twigs snapping two and growls made everyone turned to see a giant warg attacking from atop the cliff, but as it attacked Thorin swung his sword hard down on its neck while Kili shot another warg approaching his uncle from behind. The shot made the warg stumble but it was a swing from Dwalin that rendered the Warg down for the count permanently.
Everyone gather around, I used my telepathic bond with Wildfire to send him a message: 'Wildfire, run now! Head towards Rivendell, I'll meet you there.'
Soon enough he responded. 'Yes, master.' And after that, I turned back to the rest of the group as Thorin pulled his sword out of the warg's neck.
"Warg scouts. Which means an orc pack is not far behind."
"Orc pack?" Bilbo repeated.
"Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?" Gandalf asked the confused Dwarf king.
"No one."
"Who did you tell?"
"No one, I swear." Thorin insisted before asking. "What in Durin's name is going on?"
"You're being hunted." Gandalf clarified, I turned to Bilbo who looked a little uneasy. Dwalin stated the need to leave but then Ori returned stating that all the ponies bolted, leaving us with very little way to get out without tipping off the orc pack.
Radagast then volunteered. "I'll draw them off."
"These are Gundabad Wargs. They will outrun you." Gandalf said as he turned to his old friend.
"These are Rhosgobel rabbits." Radagast said causing Gandalf turn to him again before he stated. "I like to see them try."
After a few minutes we all were ready to run, as the sound of the warg's howls filled the air Radagast took off on his sleigh leading the orcs away from our group.
"Come on." Gandalf said as he then lead us all across the rock terrain, everyone kept up but I used a bit of magic on everyone, myself included, to boost their speed and stamina as I knew we were in for a long chase.
Swiftly evade being seen by the orc pack that at every turn, the company followed Gandalf and Thorin before Thorin then grabbed Ori by the back of his collar.
"Ori, no! Get back!" He said as he pulled Ori back behind that rock before Gandalf led us out again. "Where are you leading us?" Thorin asked as he turned to the wizard but got no reply as they had to keep moving.
We continued to run and hide whenever we saw the orcs and managed to make good distance before we had to hide against a rock which soon a warg and its orc rider where on top of, sniffing the air and walking around in a circle. I looked to Thorin as he turned his head to Kili and nodded his head to Kili's bow.
Kili slowly drew an arrow from his quiver before racing out and aimed his bow at the warg and orc who then spotted Kili and snarled before Kili let loose an arrow that hit the warg in the front leg and then another which caused both warg and orc to fall. As the warg screeched in pain, the orc attacked but the dwarves overpowered him and soon killed both warg and orc, but not before the sounds of the quick battle had alerted the rest of the orc pack of our location.
"Move! Run!" Gandalf yelled as we all then followed him once again, across more and more of the terrain until we reached a familiar spot. Other members of the company began spotting the orc pack at one point or another before we were eventually surrounded.
I summoned my magic as everyone drew their weapons ready to fight, I turned to Bilbo as he held Sting in his hand and posed readied for combat as I had taught him, but the look of fear was still on his face. I stood by Bilbo as I saw Kili let loose and arrow that hit an orc rider causing him to fall to the ground.
The other members noticed that Gandalf had disappeared, accusing him of abandoning us in time of need. But I knew where he was if I remembered this scene as well as I hoped I did.
"Hold your ground!" Thorin bellowed as he drew his sword and ready himself for battle, not able to stop myself from staring I couldn't help but admire how majestic and powerful he seemed to be when ready for battle. But I quickly snapped myself out of my daydream and focused before the sound of Gandalf's voice called out from the rocks behind us.
"This way, you fools!"
Everyone turned to see Gandalf disappear into the rock before Thorin made his way over and saw what the wizard was up to and then turned to the others.
"Quickly, all of you!" He called out as everyone made their way towards the Hidden Passage, I stayed behind and helped Kili with keeping the Orc pack at bay.
I used several attack spells before I felt a sudden stab in my shin. "Argh!" I cried as I looked down and saw the shaft of an arrow in my leg, I looked up and saw an orc archer aiming another arrow at me, but I then used levitation and threw him up in the air and over towards the rocky terrain far away from here.
"Kili! Amara! Come on!" Thorin called out, I pulled the orc arrow out of my leg and raced towards the entrance as fast as I could before sliding down into the cave with the others after Kili and Thorin followed suit.
Bilbo then probably saw my leg bleeding and raced over to me with a worried look. "Amara! Are you alright?!" He asked as I sat on a rock and pulled up my leg.
"I'm fine, I just got shot." I said as I then pulled out a potion from my item box and drank the full content before the sound of a horn filled the air from outside the cave, soon enough the sounds of arrows flying, horses and fighting filled the cave from outside before an orc fell into the cave. Causing everyone to aim their weapons at it but saw that it was good and dead with an arrow shaft in its neck, Thorin pulled out the arrow and examined it before saying.
"Elves." He then threw the arrow down to the ground and looked to Gandalf before Dwalin walked to a passageway at the back of the cave. I quickly wrapped my wounded leg and stood on my feet, ignoring the pain that filled my leg.
"I cannot see where the pathway leads, do we follow it or no?" He asked, looking to Thorin for an answer.
"Follow it, of course." Bofur said as everyone then made their way towards the passage, I turned to look at Gandalf as he muttered to himself.
"I think that would be wise."
I then followed Bilbo and Gandalf towards the passage, I knew where it led and I also knew that the dwarves were not going to like it.