the Stowaway (Hobbit fan-fic)

Chapter 4

"Here, Mr. Gandalf," Dori called. "Can't you do something about this deluge?"

Not long after we started off, it had started to rain. It wasn't a heavy rainfall, but it was steady. I could see that the dwarves, hobbit, and wizard were soaked, along with their ponies. I felt bad for Bilbo, who was not wearing a cloak. Honestly, I would give him mine if they knew I was there. I too, though, was also soaking wet. My clothes stuck to me as rain fell down my face. I had to be extra careful as I jumped from tree to tree because the branches were slippery. My hair stuck to my neck, my hood doing very little to keep it dry.

"It is raining, Master Dwarf," Gandalf replied in an annoyed tone, "and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard."

"Are there any?" Bilbo asked.

"What?"

"Other wizards?"

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I've quite forgotten their names."

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown."

"Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?"

I held back my laugh as Gandalf appeared slightly offended.

"I think he's a very great wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in this world."

I smiled, remembering my time with Radagast. He was kind and gentle to all creatures. He took me in for a period of time shortly after I met Gandalf. He taught me to care for all life, with the exception of orcs, of course.

The rain soon let up, lightening the mood of the company. We soon came to an abandoned farmhouse.

"We'll camp here for the night," Thorin ordered. I watched as Gandalf walked to the burned down home, though it looks like it was left recently. "Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them."

"A farmer and his family used to live here," I heard the wizard say.

"Oin, Gloin."

"Aye?"

"Get a fire going."

"Right you are."

"I think it would be wiser to move on," Gandalf said, turning to look at Thorin as he drew closer to the wizard. "We could make for the Hidden Valley."

"I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."

"I do not need their advice."

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us."

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves?" I sighed, remembering when I had learned that the Elven King had refused to help the dwarves of Erebor after Smaug attacked the mountain. "Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, the Elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather and betrayed my father."

"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past."

"I did not know that they were yours to keep."

Gandalf sighed and turned around. He walked away from Thorin.

"Everything alright?" Bilbo asked. When the wizard did not reply and walked past them, he asked, "Gandalf, where are you going?"