A Thorn In My Side

Burglar Napped

The danger had turned out to be Radigast the Brown. A wizard Gandalf had once told me about. As it were, while they conversed I sat on a bolder trying to relax. My chest ached painfully. With all the dwarves around, I couldn't adjust my wrappings, so they continued to hurt.

"You alright laddie?" I looked up to see Dwalin.

"Oh um, yes quite alright, thank you." I didn't know what to say to him. He continued to watch me for a moment, before grunting, and turning away.

A howl joined the birds and bugs of the early morning. I jumped up. "Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out there?"

"Wolves?" Bofur clarified. "No, that is not a wolf."

Growling and a twig snapping, made the lot of us whirl around in time to see a monster pounce onto my chest. A scream tore its way out of my throat. All I knew, could feel, was hot ribbons of pain in my sides and chest.

My vision was blurred with tears as the beast fell dead onto me. "Kili!" Thorin yelled as he dragged me from beneath the creature. "Get your bow!"

My body shook as I was passed off to Dwalin, I think. Once the initial fear faded, and I had gathered my wits, I looked down, and found myself thankful I was wearing my fathers coat. It was shredded, but my secret was safe.

"I'll be ok, just set me down." Dwalin did as I asked.

Oin took a step forward. "Lift your shirt laddie, I need to check those, your bleeding."

Panic set in. "No! I'll be fine, it's not so bad. Anyway, what was that thing."

"No need to be a hero laddie." Balin cut in.

I shook my head and and tried to remain calm. "We don't have time, what was that?"

"He's right." Dwalin said. "Those we're warg scouts. Which means an Orc pack is not far behind."

"Who did you tell about your quest beyond your kin?" Gandalf spoke from behind me.

"No one." Thorin said.

"Who did you tell!" The wizard demanded.

"No one, I swear." Thorin paused. "What in Durin's name is going on?"

"You are being hunted."Gandalf looked grave.

This just got better and better.

"We have to get out of here." Dwalin stated.

A panicked Ori ran towards us. "We can't. We have no ponies, they bolted!"

More howls cut through the air. "I can drawl them off." The brown wizard proclaimed.

Gandalf turned to him. "These are Gundabad Wargs. They will out run you."

"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits. I'd like to see them try." He challenged.

It was settled. Radigast would distract them, as we got to safety. I was called over to the two wizards. I assumed it had been so Gandalf could use magic to heal me, but it turned out it was so Radigast could kidnap me. A startled yell alerted the others. And we were off!

"Fear not my Lady." Radigast said to me as we left the others behind. "It's just a precotion."

As I was settled at his feet, I opened the shredded jacket. My tunic was slick with blood and sticking to my chest. A whimper escaped my lips. The sled burst past the tree line, and at least twenty orc on their rabid beasts began a pursuit. Radigast laughed madly as he tossed insults over his shoulder.

'Great,' I thought. 'If I don't bleed to death, a bunch of wargs will feast on my bones.'