The Half Breed Ranger

Chapter 13: Confusion

“Well, that could have been worse.” Bofur cried as they had fell down a channel on a bridge. Kili had Amanda laying on his chest as they groaned. Just after Bofur said his words, the corpse of the Goblin king fell on top of them. Crushing the ridge more. Everyone groaned in pain fro the new heavy dead weight.

“You’ve got to be joking!” Dwalin groaned.

" You spoke too soon Bofur." Amanda growled as she moved on top of Kili who was smirking at her.

" In different circumstance, this would be enjoyable." He whispered to her causing Amanda's cheeks to flare up red as she was pulled out by Gandalf. Amanda smiled to Gandalf in thanks as her hand moved to her neck in pain.

“Gandalf!” Kili yelled as everyone followed his eyes and looked up seeing Goblin in thousands crawling down the stone channel.

“There’s too many! We can’t fight them.” Dwalin yelled taking a batter grip of his axe and Amanda held her sword in her right hand. Her left hand held her neck which was still bleeding. Amanda rushed over and helped Kili to his feet. His eyes constantly looking at her wounded neck.

“Only one thing will save us: daylight! Come on! Here, on your feet!” Gandalf called as everyone helped anyone still needing to get to their feet. Once everyone was clear and standing they followed Gandalf rushing towards the exit. Kili pushed Amanda in front of him as they ran with the Goblins not far behind.

" Come on!" Gandalf yelled as they ran. Then the light of day could been seen not to far. Gandalf ushered them out the gap and they ran down into the sunlight. Amanda smiled as they rays hit her, giving her a sense of safety. They stopped at a clearing as Gandalf counted down the dwarves. Amanda sat down on a fallen tree and touched her neck; hissing in pain. Kili rushed over to her and pushed her neck to the side to see the wound.

" Its deep. Fili give me a clothe!" Kili told him handing him Amanda's bag. Fili opened it and pulled out a clean clothe.

" Find the bottle with the green paste." Kili said as Amanda groaned in slight pain. Fili pulled out the bottle and handed it to Kili who opened it and scooped out some green paste.

"Where’s Bilbo? Where is our Hobbit? Where is our hobbit?!” Gandalf asked as Kili rubbed the paste over her wound. Amanda hissed at the sudden contact of cold paste, Kili shot her an apologetic look before continuing.

“Curse the halfling! Now he’s lost?!” Dwalin yelled as everyone looked around. Amanda hissed again, grabbing Thorin's gaze as he flash with concern for her. Amanda smiled reassuring him she was alright; he nodded in return and began searching for the hobbit.

 “I thought he was with Dori!” Gloin commented his thoughts.

 “Don’t blame me!” Dori called back in his defense.

 “Well, where did you last see him?” Gandalf asked, you could hear his worry coating his words.

 “I think I saw him slip away, when they first collared us.” Nori mentioned to him.

 “What happened exactly? Tell me!” Gandalf said with his worry growing. Kili finished with the green paste and wrapped a piece of clothe around it. Amanda sighed and looked to Kili who kissed her lips gently.

“I’ll tell you what happened. Master Baggins saw his chance and he took it! He’s thought of nothing but his soft bed and his warm hearth since first he stepped out of his door! We will not be seeing our Hobbit again. He is long gone.” Thorin growled, he never really had faith in Gandalf decision on bring along a hobbit; a creature of comfort. Amanda sighed looking to the ground fearing the worst for Bilbo; who she promised she would protect. There was an eerie silence that drifted over the company.

“No, he isn’t.” An all to familiar voice spoke out breaking through the silence. Amanda's head snapped up to look at the familiar small body walking to them. Amanda whinced in pain as she smiled and stood up.

“Bilbo Baggins! I’ve never been so glad to see anyone in my life!” Gandalf smiled to him as everyone looked to him.

“Bilbo, we’d given you up!” Kili said stepping up next to Amanda and wrapping an arm around her waist. Amanda looked up to Kili with an smiled which he returned, her eyes once again finding Bilbo again.

 “How on earth did you get past the Goblins?!” Fili asked stepping up to Kili's other side.

 “How, indeed.” Dwalin asked everyone's ears open to his story.

 “Well, what does it matter? He’s back!” Gandalf said dismissing the thoughts that rushed through their heads.

 “It matters!  I want to know: why did you come back?” Thorin said not letting it slid this time. He wanted to know the reason behind his return. Bilbo seemed to hesitate at first.

 “Look, I know you doubt me, I know you always have. And you’re right, I often think of Bag End. I miss my books. And my armchair. And my garden. See, that’s where I belong. That’s home. And that’s why I came back, cause you don’t have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can.” He said looking around at the awestruck Dwarves. Tears brimmed Amanda's eyes as she looked to Thorin. Thorin saw Kili's arm around her waist and gave a disapproving glance. Amanda saw it and remembered her deal -once this quest was done she would disappear from their lives-. Her heart broke slightly and pulled herself out of his grasp, looking to the ground.

" Amanda?" Kili asked her hurt from her actions. Amanda could not bear to look him in the eye as she looked to Thorin. She could not read his eyes, if he was happy or hurt that she had hurt his youngest nephew.

" Why?" Kili asked her looking to her with worry. Amanda opened her mouth to speak but a howl tore through the air. They company looked back up the hill as if to try and find the source of the howl.

“Out of the frying pan...” Thorin growled.

“...and into the fire! Run! RUN!” Gandalf yelled to the company as they all turned and ran in the opposite direction. Kili pushed Amanda in front of him and went to take her hand but she moved hers away. Kili scrunched his face in confusion at her actions but pushed it aside as they had other pressing issues at the moment.