The Middle Earth Wonderers (The Hobbit/LOTR)

Chapter 1.

We've been trudging through this damn forest for hours, the sun's already sinking, and my legs are killing me. I glance over at Mike, who's leading the way, looking as calm as ever, while I'm just about ready to collapse.

"Mike, when the hell are we making camp?" I ask, groaning and rubbing my sore neck. My patience is wearing thin.

Mike stops, takes a deep breath, and turns around. "Soon. We've been at it all day, and I think this spot'll do. We've got time to eat before it gets dark." He gestures to a small clearing ahead, already looking around like he's planning every move.

"Finally," I mutter under my breath as we come to a stop. Mike starts giving orders, like always. "Ryan, grab some firewood."

Ryan grumbles under his breath but heads toward the trees. I turn to Mike. "You think we'll make it to Erebor? I heard it's overflowing with gold and gems, like some kind of treasure hoard."

Mike chuckles, but there's a sharp edge to it. "We'll get there, but don't get your hopes up. These lands are crawling with Orcs and Goblins. They'll skin us alive if we're not careful. And yeah, Erebor's full of gold, but that means everyone wants a piece of it."

Ryan, clearly taking his sweet time, is still standing there. Mike's patience snaps. "Ryan, stop running your mouth and get the damn firewood!"

Ryan throws his hands up. "Alright, alright, I'm going!" He disappears into the trees, muttering something I can't quite catch. I watch him go, worry twisting in my gut.

"Be careful!" I shout after him. I don't know why, but the idea of him going off alone makes me uneasy.

Ryan waves me off. "I'll be fine." Yeah, sure. That's what they all say until something goes wrong.

Ava stands next to me, arms crossed, and shakes her head. "He always takes his sweet time."

I nod. "You on watch tonight or is it Mike?"

Mike, already laying out his bedroll, pipes up. "I'll take first watch. You two can sort out the rest."

Ava grumbles something about taking second watch, finding a spot to sit. I drop down onto a rock, crossing my arms. "Think we'll run into Thorin and his gang of dwarves on the way to Erebor?"

Mike shrugs, checking his sword. "Maybe. We're on the same trail they would've taken. But keep your guard up. Dwarves... they're unpredictable."

I furrow my brows, confused. "Unpredictable how?"

Ava glances over, her eyes scanning the woods like she's expecting trouble at any second. "Stubborn. Proud. Quick to anger, and when they get pissed, good luck reasoning with them."

I chuckle, mostly to myself. "Still, some of 'em are kinda cute."

Ava snorts, unimpressed. "Cute? More like grumpy, with all that beard and attitude."

Mia, who's been quiet until now, chimes in, smirking. "Yeah, don't think 'cute' is their thing."

Hunter nods in agreement, sitting by the soon-to-be fire pit. "Definitely not. They're more... rough around the edges."

I roll my eyes and sit up straighter. "Come on, am I really the only one who thinks that?"

Before anyone can answer, Ryan finally strolls back into camp, arms full of firewood. "Got the logs," he says, dropping them into the pit with a heavy thud.

"About damn time," I mutter, shaking my head, but glad to see him in one piece.

"Hey, better late than never," Ryan shoots back, already setting up the fire. "This should keep us warm tonight."