Gandalf's Apprentice

Chapter Nine: Trolls and Blades

***Leandra's POV***

Thorin seemed to ignore me more than brood the next day...is he sick or something?

A couple of weeks passed with the company and I had no visions, thankfully.

Steel was doing well, I let, more like allowed, Kili to ride with me sometimes. He wanted to ride in the front to feel tall...the horse was five times his size though, but still cute.

We made it to a crumbling farm house, the cave trolls had done it. I tuned out Thorin and Gandalf's fight. "Leandra! Stay with them! I'm off to think! Keep them from dying!" Gandalf shouted as he stormed away and I sighed, giving him a thumbs up as I unsheathed my sword.

"Where are you going?" Bilbo asked.

"To a troll hoard, I can smell it." I shrugged and got walking into the forest.

"What?! Where!?" Dwalin shouted.

"You enjoy your dinner, I've got this. I'll be back." I chuckled and followed my nose.

***

I found the hoard just after sun down, the trolls were already gone to cook...damn. I walked to their camp spot where they were making broth.

"Gentlemen! Listen up, please!?" I shouted and made them jump.

"Hey!!! Who's the she-elf!?" The stupid one asked.

"I am but a humble traveller, my friend...but unfortunately you are a danger, so I'll be killing you now." I chuckled and drew my sword.

"Hahah! Who do you think you are, girly!?!" The leader laughed.

"A damn good mage...nai uuvanimo turamin!" (charm monster) I said and focused, they stood at attention like soldiers then.

"How may we serve you?" They asked in monotonous, synchronized order.

I grinned. "First of all, you're going to tell me exactly why you've come down from the mountains, then you're going to wake up and I'll be gone. Then you'll kill each other." I commanded and they only nodded.

***

I returned to camp and retrieved the dwarves, we checked out the troll hoard at dawn. Gandalf still wasn't back yet. I walked down into the cave, a lit torch in hand.

I smiled warmly when I found Orchist and Glamdring. I saved Glamdring for Gandalf. "Thorin, come over here." I said with a smile.

He walked over cautiously. "Look what I found. It's called Orchist, the Goblin cleaver that sliced a thousand necks. You should take it, it suits your style better than mine, plus...my sword is still cooler." I smirked and he looked at it, opening it slightly.

"It was made by the High Elves of the First Age." I added, he instantly looked repulsed. "You couldn't wish for a better sword! Don't be picky just because it's an elvish thing!" I scolded and he sighed, cursing under his breath.

"I will take it...thank you." He said through gritted teeth.

"I knew you liked it. You're most welcome, Thorin." I said proudly as I walked by him.

I searched on the ground for Sting. I finally found it. "Oh! Bilbo! This one is just your size!" I jogged outside to him and he was surprised.

"No, no, I have never used a sword in my life." He said.

"Bilbo...this is an elvish blade, one that glows blue when orcs or goblins are near. I could not bear the thought of us losing our best burglar...and I hope you never need it." I said, kneeling down.

He was still cautious. "Please, Bilbo? If you don't carry it then you have no defense. And do not worry, I'll teach you a thing or two, we could spar." I asked and he caved.

"Very well, I'll take the silly pig sticker." He gave up and took the blade.

I nodded and turned to see Gandalf looking at me with surprise. "Young Lady...three cave trolls!? By yourself?! Why did you take no one with you!? You could have been killed!" He scolded.

"Then so be it, Gandalf! I would not endanger the lives of anyone in the Company! They were trying to steal the ponies, so I used a charm spell, found out why they're coming down from the mountains and then killed them to prevent any harm to the dwarves or Bilbo!" I explained and everyone stared.

"My Lady...you charmed all of them...?" Gandalf asked in shock.

Everyone stared. "You took on three trolls and didn't tell us?" Thorin asked as he came out of the cave.

"It was easy, I don't see what the problem is. I kept you guys safe, that should be all that matters. Also, I found this. It belonged to the old King of Gondolin." I said and handed Gandalf his blade.

He was shocked. "You risked your life for us?" Kili asked, walking over with his brother.

"Yes, I did. Now I'm about to do it again." I whistled for Steel.

"Tell Radagast that I'm already causing a distraction, all of you need to run. Gandalf...you know where to take them." I climbed on to Steel's back.

"And Bilbo?" I looked down at him. Everyone was confused.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Be brave, my friend...enough for both of us. Tell Strider I'm sorry if you see him." I smiled sadly.

"Leandra, wait!" Thorin shouted after me as I kicked Steel, sending him thundering through the trees.

I really hope I live...