"To fight evil; you must first understand the dark."
From the blood of Dragons, a child shall rise,
Born of fire and fear, her fate sealed with lies.
For she is the chosen, the one who will bring
A reign of darkness, a world with its dark king.
...
A breath of solace it was to be free from the sack. The Ranger felt ever so Closter-phobic. Though many near-death encounters she had come across, this would make for a rather entertaining story.
She tended to the aid of others making sure they all had made out of the sacks and tied down from the spit roast. Once she had made certain everyone was alright, she prodded her way over to the Wizard who proudly observed his work of the Trolls, whose arrival was much waited upon.
"Cutting it very close, do you not think Gandalf?" the Ranger taunted, causing a small chuckle to evade Gandalf's lips.
"I believe I arrived exactly when I was supposed to. A Wizard is never late." He replied with warmth in his eyes, "though I know I could have counted on you to have protected them had I not made it back."
He paid her a knowing look which she returned with a curt nod to him. He was right. She would have done anything she had to to keep them alive. The Ranger sensed another presence behind her, turning to see their leader making his way up to them. Anaynah turned back to face Gandalf,
"I will leave you both to talk."
As she walked away from them both, Thorin eyed her intently. He could not understand what he had witnessed in the combat. Did it even happen? Was it all just simply so fast that she moved before she could have even burnt? Gandalf too noticed this long stare he held, concerned about what he may have been thinking.
Down the hill, Anaynah approached her favourite pair of brothers.
"Anaynah! Are you hurt?" Fili rushed to her side, "I saw the Troll toss you into the flames!" her breath caught in her throat. Fili scanned her face, arms and her whole being for any sign of harm.
"Fili, my darling, I am alright. I am more worried about you being roasted alive! Were you burned at all?" her hand brushed his cheek to inspect for any sore red burns.
"I am fine." Fili smiled gently as he grasped her hand upon his cheek and lowered it gently. With a squeeze, he let go of her clasp as he turned to tend to the rest of his kin.
Anaynah looked a few ways past the Dwarves to spot their burglar gazing up in awe at the Trolls. She smirked and made her way over.
"Bilbo?"
The Hobbit, startled, whipped his head to see his fellow companion approach him.
"Bewildering isn't it?" she began as she knocked upon the knee of the Troll that had hoisted her up. Bilbo smiled softly.
"Yes, uh, make for a good story over an ale I suppose."
The Ranger beamed at the halfling, only then remembering the threats she had been serving him all night.
"I suppose I must apologize. You know, in saying I was planning to skin you myself." Bilbo gulped, though he knew Anaynah would never touch a hair upon his head, the thought of her attempting so was mortifying, "you could say I have a... hot temper." she laughed awkwardly as she ruffled his hair.
The pair were pulled out of their exchange when a commotion of a Troll hoard filled the air. And so they both followed along.
Not long after the Company found the cave. The stench was enough to deter any sane being away. However, not many of the Company were wholly sane. The buzzing of flies was constant and the floor was littered with bones from previous meals.
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