Not Forsaken

Chapter 23

The dwarves quickly rushed to where the trolls had captured Bilbo. Luliana gagged, as she watched a large, bulging troll blow snot all over the poor hobbit.

"We need a plan!" Whispered Bofur. All the dwarves turned to look at Thorin.

The dwarf king was beyond irritated. Not only had he brought this simple hobbit along on the quest, but now he was placed in a position of needing to endanger his kin to save said useless, pathetic hobbit. "We wait." Thorin finally grumbled.

Thorin peered through the underbrush. The hobbit was now running through the legs of the trolls, trying to avoid being snatched up by them.

"Thorin, will we do nothing?" Luliana hissed. "They will eat him!"

Thorin turned to the young woman. "If
They eat him, it is one less burden, one less mouth to feed."

Luliana gaped at the dwarf in front of her. Just then, Bilbo was hoisted up by his feet. The trolls were trying to decide if he had any friends hiding about in the woods.

'He will betray us for sure!' Thorin thought angrily. 'Such a coward!'

"No! There's not!" Bilbo squeaked suddenly. "It's just me!"

"He's lying!" one troll accused.

"Hold his toes over the fire! Make him squeal!" Another excitedly shouted.

Just then, Kili charged out from the underbrush, slashing at a troll's leg.

"Kili!" Thorin growled menacingly.

"You what?" Yelled a troll.

Luliana watches in horror as the troll holding Bilbo throws him directly at Kili, knocking them both to the ground. With another growl, Thorin finally yells, "Du BEKAR!"

At that, the dwarves and Luliana run out, attacking the trolls at every angle. The trolls, although stupid, are very large, and the dwarves many blades hardly do any damage. Bilbo, sensing he is only in the way, rushes over to free the ponies. He is busily sawing away and does not notice the huge troll coming at him.

"Bilbo!" Luliana shouts, but to no avail. She quickly darts behind a large rock, hoping for some way to rescue the Hobbit. Suddenly, however, she realizes she will be needed to rescue not only Bilbo, but the entire company.

"Lay down your arms, or we'll rip his off!" the largest troll commands.

Luliana is horrified for a brief moment, wondering if Thorin will allow poor Bilbo to be torn limb from limb. She peers around the giant rock, watching indecision and annoyance wash over Thorin's features. He suddenly stabs his dwarven sword into the ground, as the other dwarves reluctantly follow suit.

Luliana's relief at Bilbo's safety is suddenly replaced by fear, realizing that the trolls plan on having the dwarves for supper. She is shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of the dwarves being stripped down to their small clothes. Some are put in filthy sacks, while the rest are tied to a spit over the trolls' fire.

"What am I going to do?!" She whispered to herself. One by one, the dwarves in the sacks are tossed unceremoniously towards the rock Luliana happened to be behind. Thorin lands just out of reach of the young woman, who crawls quickly to his side.

"Thorin!" She whispers loudly. "What should I do?! I must free you all!"

Thorin quickly twists towards her, relief washing over him. "You are safe!" he whispers. "Go! Find the wizard. There is nothing you can do to help us now!"

"I. Am. Not. Leaving. You!" Luliana hisses. "I will figure out something!" She crawls a little closer to the king, trying to get a better look at the situation. She realizes a moment too late that her face is mere inches from the majestic dwarf. Without meaning to, she breathes in his scent, her face flushing immediately. He smelled wonderful, all things considered. Masculine, yes, but fresh like sandalwood and pine, leather and pipe smoke.

'Get control of yourself woman!! This is a CRISIS' she screamed at herself.

"Is there a problem, Miss Luliana?" Thorin hisses suddenly.

"No, no problem at all. I mean, uh.... well, there's the problem of the company being made dinner, but..."
She quickly stammered. Now was NOT the time to be fawning over the dwarf king.

Suddenly Bilbo shouts, "You are making a terrible mistake!"

The dwarves are shouting here and there, and Luliana quickly ducks out of sight.

"Uh, with the...seasonings! Yes, seasonings." Bilbo stammers, clearly playing for time. "Have you smelt them?! You are going to need a whole lot more than just sage to plate this lot up!"

Luliana has to hide her face in her arm to stifle her laughing as suddenly Thorin roars out, "TRAITOR!" He is clearly offended that the Hobbit would dare insinuate that the king smells anything less than majestic. This dwarf was going to drive her crazy.

She needed a plan.