From Other Worlds

The Frying Pan

Further along the mountain path they moved as the rains and wind swept around them. The path was getting narrow by Hobbit standards, and Rayna found even she was having a hard time.

"Having trouble?" Fili glanced behind him where Rayna was trying to take careful steps.

"Only the normal amount. You know. I don't plan on falling to my death today."

"LOOK OUT!" Dwalin shouted. A rock hit the mountain above them, causing debris to begin falling with the rain. The company pressed themselves as close to the mountain wall as they could, each slowly looking up.

"Fili! You alright?" Kili waited for a nod from his brother, "Rayna?"

"I'm fine!" she called to him over the winds.

"What's going on?" Fili looked between the two of them, hearing shouting but not being able to understand with the loud rain.

"Stone giants!" Rayna shouted back not a split second before the earth began to move.

"Fili! Rayna!"

"Kili take my hand!" Fili reached for his brother. Rayna gripping his arm to stop him.

"He's not on a giant! We are!" Rayna responded to the look Fili gave her. It became evident to Fili as they moved further and further away.

Holding on as the giants fought each other was difficult, but thankfully it was not a long fight. As they got close enough to jump Rayna tried to roll out of the way and still found herself in the pile of dwarves. Dwalins leg on her chest, and Ori across her legs.

"Everyone alright?" Fili's voice was first heard. Followed by the confirmation from every dwarf that they were alright.

"Excuse me." Dwalin said getting his leg off of Rayna.

"How kind." she matched his sarcastic tone. She hauled herself up and it took only a moment of looking around before Bofur beat her to it.

"Where's Bilbo?" he asked. Everyone began looking.

"THE LEDGE! THE LEDGE!" Rayna was screaming as she tried to maneuver through all the dwarves to get there. Bofur and Dwalin had dove to reach Bilbo, yet he was still just too far. Thorin climbed down to get him and Rayna still pushed her way to get closer as the company thought she was trying to get to Bilbo. She had dove for the ledge just in time to catch Thorin. Gripping his forearm tight, as he gripped hers with one hand.

"Hold on Thorin. Hold on!" she urged, "HELP ME!"

Rayna felt herself being pulled up, as Dwalin got to the ledge and helped pull Thorin up. Once everyone was up and safe she sat herself against a rock. The words of Thorin about Bilbo going in one ear and out the other as she stared at the ledge. Thorin wasn't supposed to lose his grip, not completely.

"You alright?" Kilis voice broke her out of her trance. He watched as she blinked, looking up at him at first confused, and then calm.

"Yeah. Yeah I am." she confirmed, her brows pulling together, releasing when they felt Kili's hand cradle the back of her head.

"Thank you." He simply said with a small smile before meeting with his brother.

Rayna picked herself up and followed the other dwarves into the cave for the night, finally having the shelter they needed hours ago.

Rayna lay awake, her eyes staring at the roofing of the cave as she thought over and over again how Thorin wasn't supposed to lose his grip. How she was supposed to be there and maybe her task was over. She was sure she wouldn't have been magically sent home by now, unless she needed to sleep and wake up at home. Her head turned to the side of the cave where Kili slept. She would feel the guilt for a long time if she left without saying goodbye, but maybe she wouldn't have the choice.