the Stowaway (Hobbit fan-fic)

Chapter 9

I sighed. It's been almost a year since we ran into Azog at the cliff side and he hasn't stopped chasing us. We have been running non-stop for days, trying to outrun and lose the pack. The company was taking a rest while Bilbo went and scouted out how far the orcs were. I could hear their howls from my perch in a tree, but I could also hear a different kind of growl. I frowned in confusion, but did not say anything to Gandalf, who was below the tree I was in.

After a while, Bilbo returned, panting from breath.

"How close is the pack?" Dwalin asked him.

"Too close," Bilbo replied. "A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it."

"Have the Wargs picked up our scent?"

"Not yet, but they will; we have another problem."

"Did they see you?" Gandalf asked. "They saw you!"

"No, that's not it."

"What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material."

The dwarves chuckled and nodded in agreement, one of the things that has drastically changed since the quest started. I smiled, knowing the dwarves welcomed and accepted Bilbo.

"Will you listen- Will you just listen?" Bilbo said, getting their attention. "I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."

"What form did it take?" Gandalf inquired. "Like a bear?"

"Y- yes. But bigger, much bigger."

"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked.

Gandalf walked a feet few away.

"What ceri- cin think (what do you think)?" he muttered.

"Beorn's bar am ú- far. Im tur- tegi- cin ennas, then get hon awaui uin car (Beorn's home am not far. I can lead you there, then get him away from the house)," I whispered down to him. "An invisibility spell would be most useful, Gandalf. I will only need it until you are safe inside the home."

He nodded and muttered a few words.

"I say we double back," Bofur was suggesting as Gandalf turned back to the group.

"And be run down by a pack of Orcs," Thorin pointed out.

"There is a house, it's not far from here, where we might take refuge," Gandalf said.

"Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us."

"What choice do we have?"

A roar suddenly filled the air. I could see the panic in everyone's eyes.

"None," Gandalf said.

I jumped from my tree and ran in the direction of Beorn's house. Gandalf quickly took off after me, the dwarves and hobbit following close behind him. I led them out of the forest we were in and out over a field.

"Come on!" the wizard shouted, encouraging the others to pick up their pace.

Soon, we reached the second forest and I ran quickly, moving gracefully between the trees. A roar filled the air, causing us all to freeze in our tracks.

"This way, quickly!"

"Bombur, come on!" Thorin said, grabbing the dwarf's shirt and pulling him along.

We reached the edge of the forest and I could spot the house not far out of range. I glanced behind me and chuckled when I saw Bombur running faster than everyone.