Some Hearts

Chapter 1:

I followed them the next day to the Trollshaws. They were making camp for the night when I noticed that Gandalf had gone off somewhere. The wizard likes to come and go as he pleases, one thing that has not changed. It would do me no good without the wizard there to verify my identity. So I kept my distance and climbed into a sturdy tree to rest for the night. My introduction would just have to wait until morning.

I pulled out my bag of dried berries and slowly chewed on a few as I watched the dwarf camp below. I noted two were missing, two of the younger ones. I turned around to glance around the forest looking for the missing dwarves when I saw they were simply watching over their small flock of ponies.

I slowly settled down between two branches and pulled my cloak over me before closing my eyes in hope of just a little bit of sleep. They would not be traveling further this night.

I was shaken from my dreams as I was starting to fall from the tree that was currently being pushed down. My reflexes allowed me to hold on to avoid being falling completely to the ground. Before I had a chance to see what caused my sudden descent, I felt something wrap around me tight, pulling me up into the air. I struggled and fought against whatever held me. I turned my head and saw that it was a mountain troll that held me. Really, it had to be a troll, not an orc or even a warg...a troll? Valar, please, save me from their stupidity.

"Look Bert! Look what I found! S'a girl!" The brute waved me around like I was some sort of prize he was proud of. This is when I noted the troll wasn't alone; there were two other witless buffoons. One I could easily outsmart, but three may be slightly harder.

"Ah, nice and tender females is! Bring 'er along with the nags, we be feasting tonight!" The second one called out.

"Let go!" I shouted as I pushed against his hand. I punched and slapped, even tried to reach down and grab the dagger that was in my boot but with no success.

"Can't do that pretty." He said squeezing me tighter in his grip, causing me to lose my breath. Then they started to walk away from the dwarf camp. Where are those two that were keeping watch? Surely they'll notice three giant trolls making off with their ponies and uprooting trees as they go?

"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it doesn't look like mutton again tomorrow." The third troll whined today as he grabbed two of the dwarves' ponies.
"Quit your griping; these ain't sheep! These is fresh nags. Plus, we got 'er for somethin' sweet." The third one said.
"Oh! I don't like horse. I never 'ave. Not enough fat on them." He said grabbing some rope and tying my hands and feet up before sticking me in a pen with the horses.
"Well, it's better than leathery old farmer. All skin and bone, he was. I'm still picking bits of him out of me teeth." They started arguing amongst themselves. I wasn't even listening to be honest. I just kept trying to reach my dagger in my boot to no avail with my arms tied behind me. All that mattered was getting out of here before I ended up as troll food. I slowly gazed up and saw movement near the other side of the pen. It was the hobbit! Well, at least someone was here.

"Pst! Pst! Come here!" I said trying to get his attention. He saw me and put his finger to his lips for me to be quiet. I nodded my head backward to try to get him to come closer, if he could get my dagger we could cut the bonds and free the horses and the trolls would have no clue. But he kept trying at the knots.

"Please come here!" I said out of desperation. He shook his head no before walking towards the trolls and out of my line of sight. I rolled my eyes.

This was not going to end well.