From Other Worlds

The East Road

Bilbo didn't come back from bringing the young dwarves dinner. When they returned with their empty bowls, Rayna was trying to think of why that was, and why things felt like they had happened before.

"Where is the halfling?" Thorin asked.

"Sneaking passed some trolls to get our ponies back." Kili answered.

"He's WHAT?!" Rayna stood, bowl dropping to the ground, hand on the hilt of her sword.

"There are trolls close by. They are slow and stupid, they'll never see him." Fili watched Rayna stalk over to them.

"And if they do?" the look she gave the young dwarves made them feel like she towered over them. It didn't last long as they heard a sword being drawn.

"You two should have come to me immediately instead of sending the halfling. Show me where the trolls are." Thorin ordered.

"This way." Kili answered, not turning away from the fierce look Rayna wore right away.

"You stay here." Thorin ordered Rayna, "If anything happens to the hobbit we will need at least one of you as a burglar.

From the distance she heard the fighting, and moved closer just so she could watch.

They surrendered when the trolls had Bilbo. Rayna watched the dwarves get scooped into sacks or put on a spit. She smiled as she watched Bilbo bide for time. It was when she hadn't seen Gandalf yet, and Bilbo sounded more desperate as they began to take him out of the bag and season him that she had to jump in.

She jumped up on the rock, not knowing what else to do but grab the trolls attention.

"Pump the brakes!" She shouted, "You got enough dwarves here to make a massive charcoots board and y'all are arguing like a peewee hockey team over the last timbit."

The trolls and the dwarves stared at her.

"What?" One of the trolls said.

"You heard me. Or are ya too busy pulling at each other's horns to really be concerned. Listen give yer balls a tug and let's get this show on the road. You're giving me the bedtime silly's."

"Huh?"

"Little five on one dutch rudder action."

"What?"

"Okay if ya can't figger that one out you best let it marinate."

"Bert! We got another one!"

"And you got enough skid marks in that jockstrap it looks like a coastal mountain highway after a runaway Mac truck. Are we done pointing out the obvious?"

"Where were you hiding?" Bert the troll swiped at her, Rayna jumped back to avoid the hand as it went for her, and jumped off the rock as another tried slamming down. Her name was called from several of the company before she reappeared around the rock.

"I was just out for a rip and come to see my good buddy's all sacked up. Now that's a terrible time if I ever saw one."

The trolls reached for her again, hands slamming and swiping everywhere.

"Jesus Christ buddy I've seen a digital clock throw better hands than you!"

"What do you think you're going to do?"

"Me? Not much. But him on the other hand." Rayna pointed to Gandalf atop the rock. The trolls turned, asking amongst themselves who it was.

"The dawn will take you all!" Gandalf bellowed, splitting the rock and turning the trolls to stone.