Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Nine: Dilemma

Oin was at the young woman's side instantly when the leader yelled for him. She had lost a lot of blood and continued too. " She's lost a lot of blood." Oin muttered as he began pulling supplies out of his bag; hoping to stop this before it was too late. The medic glanced at Bella, her breathing was unsteady but she managed to open her eyes. " Stay with us lass." Oin encouraged as he grabbed some cloth to bind her leg. "Someone put some pressure on her wound." The dwarf noticed no one had stepped forward to help and Thorin rolled his eyes stepping up to the task and placed a fair amount of pressure on the woman's wound, causing her to let out another grunt of pain. Oin made quick work to bind the cloth around the half-breeds leg and her eyes had closed once again. "Bella, keep your eyes open." The dwarf shouted firmly at her but she didn't respond.

"We need to get her to Lord Elrond, immediately." Gandalf pressed.

"What are the elves going to do? She's lost too much blood. She isn't going to last much longer." Thorin growled. He didn't particularly trust the young woman, but he would never wish this on her. 

"The elves have medicine that can save her! Unless you have a better suggestion I suggest you take my advice for once and trust me!" The wizard bellowed at the leader. The two of them glared at each other for what seemed like the longest minute.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads! Do we follow it or no?!" Dwalin interrupted as he stood at the mouth of the pathway that appeared to be their only way out; unless they wanted to go back the way they came from. 

"Follow it of course!" Bofur shouted. The others all agreed. Thorin shot the wizard one more disgusted look and walked over to the passed out woman on the ground. He picked her up in his arms; her head rested against his chest as he followed behind the others. The hobbit had been completely shaken by how much blood his friend lost and he prayed she would make it through this. He couldn't bare the thought of losing the only person in the company that actually accepted him and believed in him. 

"I think that would be wise." The wizard muttered in agreement and he followed behind the grumbling dwarves. They followed the winding path but with ever bend the path seemed to become smaller and smaller making it difficult for some of the dwarves to squeeze through. As the dwarf prince carried Bella he could hear her faint breathing against his chest. They continued down the rest of the path until it came to an opening. The dwarves all stopped, starring at the sight before them. The valley was absolutely stunning. Waterfalls surrounded the home of the elves, making it even more beautiful. " The Valley of Imladris! In the common tongue, it's known by another name." The wizard spoke from behind the hobbit.

"Rivendell." Bilbo whispered with a smile on his face. He had always dreamed of coming to see the elves, but he wished it was under better circumstances. 

"This was your plan all along." Thorin spat as he turned around to face the wizard still holding the young woman in his arms. "To seek refuge with our enemy." 

"You have no enemies here Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill will to be found in this Valley, is that which you bring yourself. And if you would have listened to me earlier in coming here, young Bella here wouldn't be in your arms right now, hanging on by a thread!" The wizard barked at the dwarf. 

"You think the elves will give this quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin hissed at the wizard, he already blamed himself for the fact that the woman was seriously injured he didn't need the wizard making him feel worse. 

"Of course they will. But we have questions that need to be answered and they are the only ones that can help Bella." The wizard pressed. Thorin finally let out a sigh of defeat. He wanted nothing to do with the elves, but he couldn't allow this young woman to die either. He was amazed she had hung on this long. "If we are to be successful, this will have to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you will leave all the talking to me." Thorin huffed at the wizard and the continued down the path into the city of elves. The dwarf prince looked to see if anyone was near him before he spoke. 

"Hang in their Bella" He whispered. The dwarves crossed over the bridge, noticing some elves had come out of hiding to see their new arrivals. An elf with long dark hair was coming down the steps. 

"Mithrandir!" The elf exclaimed. 

"Ah, Lindir." Gandalf greeted back. The company began murmuring amongst themselves, most of them making fun of the elf. The elf's eyes then went to the young woman that was in the dwarf's arms. 

"What's wrong with her?" Lindir questioned. 

"She needs help, which is why I must speak with Lord Elrond, immediately." Gandalf pressed. 

"My Lord Elrond, is not here." Lindir sadly replied. 

"Not here? Where is he?" The wizard asked. 

"Typical. Your kind is never here when your needed. Elves haven't changed at all. You're all still the backstabbing, traitors you've always been!" Thorin sneered.

"Thorin! That is enough!" Gandalf roared at the dwarf. Thorin placed Bella and Dwalin's arm and stepped forward, as if he wasn't even close to being done with what he wanted to say but he didn't get more then two steps when he and the others heard something and all turned around to see a group of armed elves approaching them at a rapid rate. The dwarves bunched up in a group; pulling the hobbit right into the center of them. 

"Hold ranks!" Thorin shouted in Dwarvish. The company immediately held their weapons up in front of them. Ready to fight; if it was necessary. The elves on the horses were circling around them.

"Gandalf." An elf with long brown hair called out to the wizard.

"Lord Elrond." Gandalf replied with a sigh of relief. The two of them started speaking in elvish to each other. Thorin and the others were growing incredible impatient. The elf greeted Thorin with open arms, the wizard gave him a stern look to not say anything rude or insulting. The dwarf held his tongue and that's when Lord Elrond glanced at the unconscious woman in the scary looking dwarf's arms. 

"What has happened to her?" The elf Lord questioned, looking at the wizard. 

"She was attack by a warg." The wizard explained. " She needs medicine now, or I'm afraid she will not last much longer. The elf walked towards the dwarf, holding the woman and took her out of his arms. 

" What are you doing? Where are you taking her?" Thorin barked at the elf. 

"Lindir, send for Lady Galadriel immediately. Tell her we are in need of her." Elrond pressed to the younger elf, ignoring the protesting dwarves. And he disappeared up the stairs with their female companion. 

"If they hurt her. We'll do worse to ya!" Gloin threatened. 

"Don't be a fool. Their going to save her." Gandalf hissed at the red bearded dwarf. Another elf showed up moments later asking the dwarves if they would like to join them for dinner. Although most of them seemed suspicious of this offer and worried about Bella. The company has had a very tiring day of trolls, orcs and wargs and couldn't deny that they were starving and agreed and followed the elf up the stairs. 

Dinner had turned into a complete disaster. Thorin had discovered more about the sword he had found in the troll cave, but the dwarves were not to impress with what they had been served for supper. It was nothing but green food and no meat. After they had finished their horrendous song; they all insisted on throwing their food everywhere to finish it off. 

Hours had gone by and it wasn't until after Lord Elrond finish explain the inscription on the map that could only be read on a certain day and moon, that they finally learned the fate of the young woman. 

"Where's Bella?" Balin questioned.

"She's resting. She'll be back on her feet in a couple of weeks." The elf; Lindir explained. 

"A couple of weeks?" Thorin repeated in utter shock." We don't have that kind of time. Durin's day will soon be upon us." 

"Their is no use in arguing about it now. Get some sleep. We'll discuss this tomorrow." The wizard demanded. Balin and Thorin left to join the others.