The Ranger ➵ Kili Durin

PART I : CHAPTER 3

The company packed quickly that morning, for there were large dark clouds rolling towards them from the east that they wished to not get caught in. But of course, luck was not on their side.

They rode in the pouring rain, trying to shield their weapons from rusting and their food and supplies from soaking, but the rain poured consistently.

"Mr. Gandalf," Dori yelled above the rain, "Can't you do something about this deluge?" He asked the wizard, and the wizard replied.

"It is raining, master Dori, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done." The wizard continued, "if you wish to change the weather of the world, I suggest you find yourself another wizard."

Bilbo's voice rang through the thunder as he said, "are there any? Any other wizards?"

"Why yes, there are five of us. The greatest of our order is Sauruman, the White. Then there are the two blues, oh you know, I've quite forgotten their names," he ranted. Bilbo asked, "and the fifth?"

"Well that would be Radagast the Brown."

"And is he a great wizard or is he... more like you?" Bilbo asked, and Elvira had to dip her head into her chest to stop from laughing out loud. Kili and Fili, who were riding on either side of her, began to laugh as well, glancing at each other through the pouring rain.

Gandalf, who glared for a moment at Bilbo's comment, feeling slightly offended, stated, "I think he is a very great wizard, in his own way. He is a gentle soul, who prefers the company of animals to people." Elvira had her share of time spent with the quirky wizard, and knew all about his strange antics, smiling slightly at the thought of him once again.

The rain began to clear throughout the remainder of the day, as each member tried to dry their clothes as best they could. The company, now being led by a sunny sky instead of the previous rainy day, found an old, broken, and abandoned house on the side of path they were riding on. Immediately, Elvira knew something was off about this place, but Thorin demanded they stop and rest there for the night. As they all got off their ponies, Gandalf and Elvira shared a look that said they both thought of the worst. They both began to approach Thorin, Gandalf muttering under his breath, "a farmer and his family used to live here."

As Thorin barked orders to the rest of the company, the pair confronted him.

"I think it would be wiser to move on," Gandalf exclaimed, and Thorin glared. "We could make for the hidden valley."

Although Elvira was highly against this proposal, she sided with Gandalf. There were more risks staying here than there would be in the Hidden Valley, despite the elves there.

"Thorin, we should not stay here," Elvira muttered to the king, but the king was stubborn, and ultimately stated, "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," Gandalf listed. Elvira had to fight to keep her mouth shut, for she knew that Rivendell was not a good idea either, but she feared for their safety if they stayed where they were.

"I do not need their advice," Thorin growled, obviously displeased with the idea of gaining help from elves.

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us," Gandalf tried to reason. Elvira grimaced at the mention of her uncle, hoping it had passed unseen, but both men in her presence noticed it and said nothing.

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves? 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," Thorin became adamant on making sure they stayed away from the Elven realms.