Different Sense

Different Sense: 30

Fili gave a nod and commenced clambering into the barrel, Kili was next in line as he rolled his barrel down to the edge of the river. Thorin held the barrel after Kili had crawled into it. Bilbo put the lid on and banged it on to make sure it was properly closed.

It wasn't long before all of the dwarves were in their barrels, they were all rather unimpressed with the idea of being in such tight quarters for a journey. Be that a brief or long journey. Bilbo actually felt quite relieved that all of them did what he asked and no arguments ensued. All the barrels were sent off into the rushing water without much hassle, all it took was a simple roll down the last of the bank. Because of the current the barrels were promptly rushed off downstream.

Bilbo gave a satisfied nod and got a smile from Lothiriel. “Not bad, huh?” Bilbo asked while Lothiriel gave him another smile.

“Not bad at all, Bilbo! I have to admit, it took you long enough. But as I said previously; I am glad you are here.”

“Really?” Bilbo looked confused.

Lothiriel jumped down from a rock she was crouching on. She landed in front of him with her hands tucked in her pockets. She nodded sideward, Bilbo's eyes faltered from her and looked at Thorin. “I swear, I was close to killing him. I cannot spend any more time with an angered dwarf, I will go mad.” Bilbo raised an eyebrow, he wasn't sure whether she was being honest or not.

“Bilbo?” Thorin's voice sounded while eyeing up the last two barrels. “These are the only barrels remaining. I do presume you do have a spare plan to accommodate the person left out of a barrel ride?”

“Um,” Bilbo looked between Thorin and Lothiriel. She slapped a hand to her forehead, Bilbo hadn't thought up a 'spare plan'. “No...I have not. I just wanted to get everyone out first.”

“You are a brave hobbit indeed, Bilbo.” Lothiriel smiled and stepped beside him again.

“You didn't think to find another barrel for yourself?” Thorin asked, “Three days and you only found fourteen barrels?” Thorin said harshly, Bilbo's pride over Lothiriel's words slowly dissipated as the dwarf walked slowly over to them.

“It's not that I did not think about it. Of course I did! But it is not my fault if there weren't enough barrels for everyone. Please, can you not just get in the barrel and go without worrying about me for once?” Bilbo said honestly, although Thorin still gazed at him with a hardened look.

“He's right.” Lothiriel said. “You need to get out of here, Thorin.” Lothiriel said with a small nod. “On the ground scale of things, you are needed more. No offence, Bilbo.” She looked at him apologetically, he gave a small shrug.

“We can't leave Bilbo here.” Thorin said with a frown. “I will not leave the hobbit here.”

Lothiriel clapped her hands together. “It's fine. I’m here.”

“What?” Both the dwarf and hobbit said at the same time.

“No! I found fourteen barrels, all of which I had intended would be put to use!” Bilbo said quickly.

“Thorin get in the barrel.” Lothiriel seemingly ignored Bilbo's words and crossed her arms defiantly.

“I will not.”

“Fine!” She rolled her eyes. “Bilbo get in the barrel.”

“N-no.”

“Right, Thorin you get in one barrel. Bilbo you and I get in another.” Lothiriel said in such a matter-of-fact tone that both males double took her. “Look, a hobbit and a nymph make up one dwarf. No offence, we are equally both half the size of you.” Lothiriel said while Thorin's eyes narrowed a fraction, whereas Bilbo looked slightly flustered. Lothiriel walked forwards and reached down to hold onto Thorin's hands lightly. “Please get in the barrel, Thorin.” Bilbo seemed to give an agreeing nod from behind her.

Thorin relented with a heavy sigh and a groan, Lothiriel clapped her hands together and rushed over to Bilbo. “I have to commend you, dwarves in a barrel; utterly genius Mr Baggins. Innovative and a little hilarious.” She whispered so only he could hear, Lothiriel gave a cheeky grin before leaping into their barrel.

----

The barrel ride was incredibly uncomfortable. It was dark, rickety, and it would leak. If Thorin was suffering, he could not imagine what Bilbo and Lothiriel were like. Although true; they were much smaller than a dwarf. But even still, two to a barrel must have been a squeeze.

A frown slowly made its way on his face, he was cramped and still very uncomfortable. There was no way to battle against the strain and the cramps. He looked around alert though when his barrel was roughly dragged.

There were hushed tones, Thorin frowned. What if the hushed tones didn't belong to his comrades? There was a new worry now about getting set free. But regardless, the lid was pried off.

His eyes blinked rapidly against the sudden light. Looking over he could see Bilbo and Lothiriel both hanging over the edge of their barrel. Oddly enough it seemed their ride down wasn't as horrific as his own.

Wriggling out they stepped beside Fili, who had helped them out. “We have to move, quickly.” Someone voiced, and then they were off. They didn't get too far without the quiet sounds of footsteps and voices. The elves had cottoned on to their escape, and they were looking for them.

“How did they get here so soon?” Thorin questioned silently. He peered through a bush to find three large horses, their riders were perched straight backed looking around.

“There's only three?” Lothiriel mused.

“There are surely more,” Bombur said quietly. “We heard them moments ago, before you three got here.”

Lothiriel looked around. “Then...where are they now?”

“We don't know.”

“We should run.” Thorin said strongly.

“To where? We still have no idea where the path is.” Lothiriel shook her head slowly.

“What's the alternative? Wait? So yes, we'll wait until they find us and let's be honest, with the way things are going; it won't be long. Or, if they don't find us soon, we'll be waiting here for days.” 

Lothiriel pointed a finger at him and narrowed her eyes. “We need a distraction.” She said completely changing the topic.

“You have an idea?”

“Er...” Lothiriel said awkwardly while her eyes widened and blinked several times. Thorin was about to say something when a finger went to his lips, she placed one against hers too. Everyone slowly looked as a rustling was coming from behind them. There was the quiet crunch of hooves against leaves. It was dangerously close to them, all of them froze and didn't dare move.

The horse which was standing above them nickered and shook its head. It was seemingly uncomfortable about being here. The rider looked equally uncomfortable and restless. He shifted in his saddle to peer around, he looked bored after not being able to see anyone.

Leaning backwards, Lothiriel's shoulders got clasped onto by Ori. The horse had decided to lean down and it appeared between her and Thorin. He reached out and around its head and grabbed onto her hand tightly.

The elven rider called something out to his companions in his native tongue. For a moment everyone looked up terrified that they had been found out. But instead he pulled at the reins, and left his post.