Hopeless Wanderer (Hobbit Fanfic Story)

Chapter 36: The Battle Of The Mountain Has Commenced

After saying goodnight to Thranduil, Bard, Gandalf, and I left his tent. Bard wandered off to find his children, while I stayed with Gandalf and Bilbo. 

"It's glad to see you in a better state, Mithrandir." I said. "When Galadriel told me you were in trouble, Nanor and I hurried to Dol Guldur."

"Which I appreciated. I'm glad you are well after battling the Nazgul." Gandalf said with a smile. "Did you take care of Sauron?"

I nodded. "We took care of him, we sent him back to Mordor. We were going to track him down and warn Gondor, however Saruman insisted that we left it to him."

"Very well. I hope he succeeds, Sauron is very powerful." Gandalf said before turning to Bilbo. "Rest up tonight. You must leave on the morrow."

Bilbo froze at his words. "What?"

"Get as far away from here as possible." Gandalf suggested.

"I-I'm not leaving." Bilbo replied.

"Oh?"

"You picked me as the fourteenth man. I'm not about to leave the company now."

"There is no company, not any more. And I don't like to think what Thorin would do when he finds out what you've done." Gandalf informed him. "Same with you, Líreth. Thorin's not going to be fond of you giving gems to Thranduil."

I slumped my shoulders. "Well, I'm already on his bad side."

"I'm not afraid of Thorin." Bilbo replied.

"Well, you should be. Don't underestimate the evil of gold. Gold over which a serpent had long brooded." Gandalf warned. "Dragon sickness seeps into the hearts of all who came to this mountain. Almost all."

Gandalf then glanced over, spotting Alfrid. "You there! Find this hobbit a bed and fill his belly with hot food. He's earned it."

"Goodnight." Bilbo said to us.

"Goodnight, Bilbo." Gandalf and I said.

As Bilbo began to walk off, Gandalf held Alfrid back. "Keep an eye on him. If he should try to leave, you tell me."

Alfrid then trailed behind Bilbo. "Move it, stupid hobbit."

I narrowed my eyes. I despised him. He was a complete git. Once Bilbo was out of sight, Gandalf and I grabbed some food and as we ate, I explained what happened to me when I returned to Erebor. I told him of how the sickness had taken over Thorin.

"He wouldn't believe me, and so he locked me in the dungeons." I finished. "Had it not been for Bilbo, I would've still been locked away."

"It's not your fault, Líreth. But you must understand that this sickness is powerful, especially within his family." He reminded me.

"Is there any hope for him, Mithrandir?"

"It's up to him, mellon. He has to fight this battle on his own." Gandalf informed me. "But he is strong, don't give up hope yet."

"Líreth!"

Tilda, Sigrid, and Bain rushed towards me with smiles. I hugged them upon seeing them.