Into That Good Night

The Quest Full of Naked Males

Dearest Readers,

Welcome back! Yes, I am alive. Yes, I am so sorry that I keep being so slow with updates. But at least I have not forgotten this story! If anything, it's only continuing to be more interesting to write... when I have time, that is.

Alas, tis life. 

Enjoy!

XOXO Ally Layne

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They all died-

That's what I dreamed about.

Thorin, Fili, Kili... even Varis.

When I shot up from the hay, a gasp escaped my lips as I tried to take in my surroundings. Riptide was in my hand and in sword form, and I realized I must've uncapped the pen when I was sleeping.

The oddest thing about the nightmare was I wasn't able to move, like I was paralyzed and unable to try and help them.

It was like sleep paralysis, but I was actually asleep and not watching events take place around me.

I ran a hand through my hair after capping riptide and making it travel-size once more. I grimaced when pulling out pieces of hay and some stray oats, but I figured that things could be worse.

I mean, I could've just woken up and found out that my dream had actually happened... even though that's usually the case.

Letting out a sigh, I looked around at the others that surrounded me, and noticed that Thorin was the only one awake out of them. He was smoking his pipe and looking out of the barn, to where the sun was rising through the trees.

I got up from where I had fallen asleep and made my way out of the barn and into the grassy area where already a few different animals were up and about. The horses, even though I'm used to listening in on their conversations, were extremely aware and present to their surroundings.

So were the dogs.

And the cats, and the chickens, and anything else that I seemed to come across.

Even the bees were larger than normal, and seemed to produce more than enough honey for whoever lived there- that skin-changer or whatever he was. All I know is that he can turn into a bear which is pretty cool. I would just rather he didn't try to kill me, but alas, what can one do?

A small smile crossed my lips as a dog rubbed up against my leg, twirling to let it's wagging tail start smacking my knee as it practically begged for butt scratches.

I let out a small laugh at the way it's tongue stuck out when I scratched where he was nudging me. He was letting out a low grunting noise and I did my best to keep my mind from going into the gutter but I guess I wasn't as mature as I thought I was.

"You're a good boy," I told him.

I had to keep myself from letting out a louder laugh and waking up the others when he turned around to look up at me with wide eyes as if to ask, "Really?"

"Don't look at me like that," I fondly scolded him. "You're a good boy and you know it."

If a dog could shrug, I'm pretty sure that's what this dog just did.

Acceptance of the knowledge of good boys. What a concept.

"The animals seem to enjoy your presence here," a low, thundering voice spoke from the tree line.

I nearly jumped at the sound of it, and felt my hand grab for riptide at the unfamiliar voice. "Who are you?"

A bout of low laughter was my only reply.