The Fifteenth Member (Thorin Oakenshield/OFC)

Chapter 19

I woke up the next morning in Thorin's arms, we were on the move once more. I stretched and started to groan loudly when Thorin covered my mouth with his, effectively shushing me.

The orcs have caught up with us. They are not far off, we have Bilbo out scouting now.

Good morning to you too. What time is it?

Just after lunch, we were up later than we thought last night.

Ok, does anyone have water?

Have the rest of mine. He held his water skin to my lips so I could have what was left. It was not much, but it was better than nothing. For a moment, I felt like a baby. Just then, Bilbo came scurrying down the rocks.

"How close is the pack?"

"Too close, a couple of leagues, no more but that is not the worst of it."

"Have the wargs picked up our scent?"

"Not yet, but they will. We have another problem."

"Did they see you? They saw you!"

"No, that's not it."

"What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse, excellent burglar material!"

Thorin, Bilbo has something else to say and by the look on his face, it's nothing good.

"Quiet! Bilbo, what were you trying to tell us?"

"I'm saying that there is something else out there!"

"What form did it take? Like a bear?"

"Y-y-yes, but bigger, much bigger." I gulped and pressed myself into Thorin's broad chest, trying to make myself as small as possible.

"You knew about this beast?" The dwarves began to debate about what to do but at the moment, all of our options ended in death.

"There is a house..... it's not far from here where we might uh-take refuge."

"Who's house?" Thorin demanded, "Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither, he will help us or he will kill us."

"What choice do we have?" A roar sounded nearby, whatever it was sounded furious.

"None." Gandalf began to lead us somewhere, most likely to the house. The pace was a fast run and since Thorin was still recovering from wounds, he had trouble keeping up.

Put me down! Let me run!

I can't!

You must! If you don't there is a greater chance we will both perish!" Thorin sighed, knowing there was no winning this one.

Fine, but at the first sign that you're having trouble, I'm picking you back up.

Deal! Thorin stopped briefly and set me on my feet. He grasped my hand and we took off together, going at a much faster pace than before. We reached an open field and I could see a giant, circular fence in the middle of it. We could hear the bear getting close. I risked a glance back and saw a bear larger than the Great Goblin burst into the field. Terrified, I forgot to watch where I was going and slipped. I managed to get myself back on my feet in less than a second but not before my hand made contact with a puddle of water. Cursing, I doubled my pace but it was not enough. I was the last in the group so there was no one to catch me when I fell three quarters of the way across the yard.

Thorin! Help me! Thorin looked back and made to come for me but he froze. I turned back to see the muzzle of the giant bear inches from my face. This was it. There was no stopping it. I bravely looked the bear in the eye.