A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

12-The Brown Wizard

We had freed ourselves from our captivity, retrieving our clothes & weapons. I was helping Kili to free Anya from her sack, she placed her hand on his shoulder for support. I held her arm in my left hand while her hand was in my right. Her hand really did seem dainty & fragile in mine. Dwalin came over to us handing the girl her jacket along with her weapons. She smiled her thanks & Dwalin simply nodded his head then walked away.
Thorin: "Are you alright, Anya? You aren't injured, are you? Or hurt?"
She looked at me as if confused then she began to blush but she slightly shook her head. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself for smiling at the way she blushes like that. So endearing. I gently squeezed her hand before letting go. I walked towards the wizard, he was standing by the trolls statues. He hit one of them with his staff. Very intimidating, I'm sure!
Thorin: "Just exactly where you have been? Mind if I ask!"
Gandalf: "To look ahead!"
Thorin: "So what brought you back?"
Gandalf: "Looking behind, a nasty business no less. Still everyone is in one piece, alive."
Thorin: "No thanks to your burglar!"
Gandalf:(Giving me the look)"He had the nous to buy some time. Too bad none of you thought about it."
Annoyed by the fact that the wizard was correct, even Anya knew this also. I looked back at the trolls wondering how could they be travelling this far south away from their own territories, after many ages. Gandalf had the same thought in mind, I assumed that there maybe a cave nearby. I ordered everyone to split up to search around the area for the cave. The search went on for a while, then the wizard & I heard Anya's voice, not far from us.
Anya: "Thorin, Gandalf, come quick. I think we have found their cave. Over here."
Quickly we reached them, there I saw Anya & the hobbit standing a little further away from the troll's cave. The girl was holding her hand up to cover her nose & mouth. She began to stumble a bit but I caught her firmly by her shoulders. Her complexion had turned pale, even the hobbit looked just as pale. Guess not used to this foul smell coming out of the cave. Near me the hobbit nearly turned green yet he stepped away from us to recover.
Thorin: "Anya, are you both alright?"
Anya:(Coughing slightly)"Yeah, its just that I have never smelled anything this foul in my life. I knew the trolls were filthy but, ugh!"
I placed my arm around her shoulder to lead her further away for fresh air. By then Dwalin, Bofur, Nori & Gloin had joined us. They all looked at the girl with concern, even Dwalin, he looked at me with raised eyebrows & I just shook my head.
Nori: "Has anything happened? Why does she look pale, is she ill?"
Bofur: "She is fine, laddie, guess she is not used to the stench. Here, lassie, ye better sit down here."
Bofur took her arm to lead her to sit down by a rock, the hobbit was there as well. Fili & Kili walked near the girl while the rest of us along with the wizard, entered the cave. Surely enough, the stench was overwhelming, we could hardly breath, no wonder Anya & the hobbit seemed ill.
Nori: "What is this place?"
Gandalf: "This is a troll hoard!"
That much was true, holding the torch higher I began to survey the place, Dwalin was standing guard. There were gold coins & jewels lying on the ground, along with broken furniture & such. Gloin told Nori to fetch a shovel. I began to look at some shabby weapons then my gaze caught at something unique. Swords, interesting. I pulled out a couple of them, Gandalf came near as well, handing him one.
Thorin: "These were not forged by a troll!"
Gandalf: "Nor among any smiths among men. These were forged in Gondolin, forged by the high Elves of the West during the first age."
Elves! Disgusted, I was about to place it back without looking at it.
Gandalf:(Sternly)"You cannot wish for a finer blade!"
Reluctantly I pulled out the sword, it was lighter though, much different than our dwarfish made blades. I noticed that Bofur, Nori & Gloin had buried a chest full of the treasure underground, for a long term deposit. I did not comment on that.
Thorin: "Lets get out of this foul place. Bofur, Nori, Gloin."
I was relieved to be out in the sunlight & fresh air. I walked a little further away to examine the sword properly. I was just pondering on whether to use this Elvish sword for combat or not. I sensed a movement not far from me, it was Anya, she had recovered. She was walking in my direction but Bofur stopped her, I frowned at this. I could clearly hear him telling Anya about the troll's hoard, she was listening to him, patiently. She had a gentle smile on here face. It made me completely forget about the sword, my eyes were glued to her glowing face. Snap out of it, you fool! True, the girl has a gentle soul but that does not mean that she would prefer to be courted by a dwarf. Who knows she may have a suitor more to her liking back home. Just let her be, Thorin! I cringed at the way my inner voice spoke up. Part of me denied this fact but it could be true though. Looking back I saw Bofur handing some kind of a brooch to the girl, my hands clenched themselves tightly around the sword. I felt this odd rage at the pit of my stomach, jealousy? I did not like the way Bofur seems to be flirting with her. I visibly relaxed when Anya refused to take it but Bofur insisted to keep it as a token of friendship. Then Fili came over, he took the brooch from her hand & pinned it on the lapel of her brown leather jacket. It made me a little uneasy at the way Fili looked at her. Could it be? I shook my head to clear my head. Then I saw her heading towards me, I stood up straight. My eyes landed on her brooch, it was pretty. A brown stone in the middle surrounded by small diamonds, the stone did pretty much match the shades in her eyes.
Anya: "May I take a look at your sword, Thorin? For a minute, please."
I was reluctant at first but I had seen her handle herself in a fight. I gave it to her, like an expert she removed the sword from its sheath. Then she began to check its weight & began to swing it about as an experienced warrior would. I simply looked at her in admiration but she seemed oblivious. My heart was in this turmoil of different emotions. No female had ever come as to being my equal let alone a young human girl. The corner of my mouth began to curl into a smile, which doesn't happen much.
Anya: "Hmm, it is a fine sword. Elvish made, possibly by some high Elves of Gondolin. I know someone who can give you the exact details."
I was gazing at her as she handed back the sword. She averted her eyes & blushed again. God, she is so beautiful.
Anya: "Um, what seems to be the matter, Thorin?"
I was about pour my heart out but I tensed up & looked around me, I could sense something or someone approaching us. I grabbed the girl's arm to push her in front of me.
Thorin: "Someone is coming! Be on your guard."
Gandalf: "Arm yourselves. Quickly!"
Everyone gathered in the open as the assailment approached us. Next I saw 8 or 10 rather large rabbits burst through the bushes, dragging a sleigh with a bedraggled small man on board. We surrounded him, weapons drawn out.
Stranger: "THIEVES! FIRE! MURDER!"
Before either of us moved Gandalf intervened.
Gandalf: "It is Radagast. Radagast the Brown. What are you doing here?"
The brown wizard, really, an odd looking fellow.
Radagast the Brown: "I was looking for you, Gandalf. Something is wrong, terribly wrong!"
We waited for this odd wizard to continue, he opened his mouth twice but no words came out. Then he pulled his tongue out for Gandalf to remove a stick insect? He placed it in his hand. I simply shook my head, annoyed. Looking at Anya, I saw her wrinkle her cute little button nose. Guess she is not fond of bugs! Did I just describe her small nose cute? By Durin, get a grip, Thorin Oakenshield! Behave!

1464 words!