The Slave Caravan

A Runaway Dwarf

Twas the night time again, and we had found a nice resting place. I was exhausted and I needed some rest. I laid down on the cold floor without my sleeping mat and fell into a deep slumber.

I was woken up by a pair of hands. I opened my eyes to find Dwalin.

"Your on night duty," he whispered. I nodded my head and sat up. I grabbed my bow and quiver next to me. It took me a minute to clear the sleepiness from my eyes. It was in the middle of the night and it was getting somewhat cold out. It was the beginning of September which meant that fall was coming on in a few weeks. I stood up and looked around the camp, everyone was asleep. It was my chance to leave and go find Fili. I put my bow and quiver around my shoulder and walked over to my pony. I untied her reins from the tree branch and led her to the trail. We hadn't woken anyone up, so that was a good sign. I mounted her and looked down at the six dwarves who were in a deep slumber. I kicked her sides and we were off at a nice tender gallop.

    I knew Uncle would be really upset at me when he did wake up and notice I was gone. I had disobeyed him and I was disloyal to the rest of the group. I just knew that I needed to get to Fili. I felt that something was wrong. We had lost a day, but I would gain that in three hours of galloping. The moon was in the middle of the night and the night was young.

    It was sunrise. I had found smoke off in the distance. I was so tired, but I needed to keep going. I dismounted my pony and tied her to a nearby tree. I grabbed my bag which held my pills, some food, and water. I knew this mission was going to be difficult to carry out, but I just needed to know that Fili was alright. I began to head towards the smoke which wasn't that far away. I decided it was best that I move through trees instead of the trail.

    I had minutes before the caravan of enslavers packed up and headed out. I hid behind a tree which was very close to a wagon. I had my bow armed with an arrow and I was ready to fire at anyone who threatened me. I kept my breathing to a still quietness as I hid. The guards were high in numbers.

"Gather around." One yelled in the middle of the circle of the wagons. The guards moved about as they were called to the middle. I thought it was just pure luck. I made my way to the wagon nearest to me. I looked through the small hole that was cut out in the door. I saw no one familiar.

I moved to the next wagon as quickly as I could. I peeked through the small hole that was cut out in the door. I looked around, these were all women. One looked up at me and we made eye contact. I looked down. I felt guilty that I couldn't help any of the others. I knew my safety was at stake.

I moved to the next wagon and followed the same movements as I did before. THis time I saw Bofur right before me. I clenched my teeth. I knew that I would have to save him. I banged on the door.

"Bofur, it'th ma, Kili," I told Bofur in common dwarvish. Bofur looked up and gave a small smile. I couldn't help, but smile also. There was a group of shouts as to end the meeting. I began to move my feet as if the fire were on fire.

"Tha don't zal much kargol kozol's Fili?" I asked him quickly. Bofur opened his mouth and thought for a second. He pointed his fat finger to the left of him.

"Last I saw him, he was getting into the small wagon over there with the royal blue cover, master guard." Bofur answered. He could tell that I was in a hurry. I winked at him and then I quickly dived to the side of the wagon and moved to the edge to find the guards coming back to their regular posts. I then looked around. I then noticed the royal blue covered wagon. I looked down to see that it was the most guarded and was the first in the caravan line up. I gave a large sigh. No trees or wagons covered the wagon that Fili was in. I was at a complete loss. I could turn around and tell Thorin everything that I learned or I could risk this whole entire thing and go try to rescue Fili. I bit my lip in much decision.

    The wagons began to move. I jumped back into the protection of the forest. I kept my eyes on the royal blue wagon. My stomach told me to go back, but I decided to carry on. I was a reckless one. The guards stood behind each wagon and one in the front to help guide the donkeys. I had decided to stay behind till the last wagon came through. I loaded my bow with an arrow. The last guard walked behind the wagon. I had a perfect aim. I let my hand go and the arrow flew through the air. The arrow had shot perfect and the man fell dead. I ran out into the trail and dragged the body into the brush. I put the guard clothes on. I only left my boots right next to the dead man. The guards clothes consisted of brown pants with leather boots and a brown tunic with black fur to top the outfit off. I took his belt around my waist.The clothes were large since I was a dwarf and he was a man. I then put my bow and quiver around my shoulder along with my bag. I looked over at the caravan which wasn't that far ahead. I began to sprint to catch up to the wagons.

    I made it to the back of the wagon. I hoped no one noticed the absence. Of course my luck the guard did.

"Where the hell did you go, Saxon," the front guard asked me. I hesitated my answer. I had to think quickly. I kept out of view from the front guard.

"I had to take a piss. Mahal one can't piss in peace," I replied meanly. I heard the guard make a deep sigh.

"I know you're still new at this, but you can't go pee until we have stopped. Next time you do that, I'll have to report that to Master Evander," the guard threatened kindly. I just nodded my head. Now I knew two things, my temporary name was Saxon and I was new to the job. Which gave me lay way on asking questions.
"So, I had a question. What do we do when the slaves don't sell at Little Lune," I asked him. The guard didn't answer immediately. I licked my dry lips. I let out a small stressful sigh. I looked into the small window of the wagon.

"What we usually do is get on a large boat with the unsold property and sail down to the Grey Floods. If they don't get sold by that point then we sell them to the orcs for food," the guard told me. I no longer could look into the wagon window, I knew that they were all sick at the sound of this. If Thorin didn't come before Little Lune then Fili, Bofur, and Gimli may end up as slaves or food. My stomach felt sick. I looked down at the large boots I was wearing.

"So Master Evander is a good acquaintance of the orcs," I questioned him. I knew the answer, I was just scared.

"Of course, that one in the blue covered wagon is going straight to Azog tomorrow morning. He's that stupid blonde dwarf that got whipped a few day ago, remember," he replied to me. I felt my face begin to brighten at the thought of Fili being punished.

"Yeah, how stupid of him," was all that I could say with a really sad voice. I swallowed my saliva.

"Well, apparently he is royalty. The only reason we know that is because one of his dwarf friends told us," the guard continued on. I closed my eyes as  I thought of Fili. I wonder if Fili knew. I looked behind me at the bare trail. Thorin please hurry up.