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

22-Bilbo & Azog

Groaning, I began removing the debris off me. A hand reached out helping me, startled I looked up, it was Anya. I felt my heart thumping lightly as I watched her. She wasn't looking at me just went on with her task. Once I made it out I began helping her free young Ori out. Suddenly I heard Kili shouting Gandalf's name, what now? Glancing above me, my jaw dropped in dismay as I saw a horde of goblins racing down the wall. There were hundreds of them, curse it. Beside me, as Dwalin pulled Nori out, looking at the wizard. I quickly helped the others.
Dwalin: "There are too many of them. We can't fight them all."
I agreed with him, the noise above us becoming louder as the creatures came closer.
Gandalf: "Only one thing can save us, daylight. Come on, quickly. Move!"
Of course, the goblins hate daylight, quickly everyone scrambled on their feet. I pushed the girl forward who seemed rooted on the spot. We followed the wizard, soon we found the way out of that horrid place. Out in fresh air at last, we rushed down the slopes of the mountain, making as much distance as possible. The sun was about to set, behind me Anya was running besides my nephews. Once safe, Gandalf began to count us off including the girl. I glanced at her as she was leaning against a tree, trying to catch her breath. Neither of us weren't that wrung out though, her being a human, well. Then I saw her hand reach her chest, probably her locket. I turned my face aside to cough lightly to hide my amusement. Her locket was safe. Then I flinched as did the others as we heard Gandalf's alarmed tone.
Gandalf: "Where is Bilbo?"(Completely flustered)"Where is our hobbit?"
Everyone looked about, no sign of the Hobbit. But how & when? Is he still back there, in the goblin's cave?
Gloin: "Curse the halfling, now he is lost? I thought he was with Dori."
Dori:(Irritated tone)"Don't blame me!"
Curse it, during this whole venture even I had failed to notice the hobbit's absence. Looking at Anya, her face looked pale. I remembered that she had taken it upon herself to look out for him & now he is missing. Curse that Hobbit, I knew he cannot be trusted, I began to fume inwardly.
Gandalf:(Turning to the girl)"Where did you last see him? Anya?"
Nori: "I saw him slip away back there when they first collared us."
I stared at Nori just as Gandalf turned towards him. That is true, Bilbo did fall down that tunnel like the rest of us...!
Gandalf: "What happened exactly? Tell me!"
Thorin:(Gruff tone)"I'll tell you what happened, Master Baggins, saw his chance & he took it. He has thought of nothing but his soft bed & warm hearth since he first stepped out of his door. We shall not be seeing our hobbit again. He is long gone."
Everyone became quiet, pondering on what I just said. The wizard looked really flustered & as for Anya she had her arms crossed over her chest. She was glaring at me, I smirked at her despite knowing that the trust she had for him. I was startled out of my thought when I heard a familiar voice near me, Bilbo Baggins? How & what!?!
Bilbo: "No, he hasn't left!"
Beside myself & Dwalin, the others were relieved to see him here.
Gandalf: "Bilbo Baggins, I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life!"
Bilbo smiled at Gandalf as he patted Balin's shoulder, then slightly winked at Anya Hadin. That made her smile, curse him.
Kili:(Smiling)"Bilbo, we had given up on you!"
Fili:(Frowning)"But how did you get past the goblins?"
Dwalin:(Murmuring)"How Indeed?!"
I had the same thought as well, its true as I scrutinized the hobbit. The rest of us had few bruises & little scratches, meanwhile the hobbit had none besides a few missing buttons on his waistcoat. He was about to explain but Gandalf interfered.
Gandalf: "What does it matter? He is back!"
I threw Gandalf a look, then stared at the Hobbit.
Thorin: "It does matter, tell me. Why did you come back?"
He looked at me & had a slight grimace on his face.
Bilbo: "I know! I know you doubt me, you always have. And you are right, I often think of Bag-End. I miss my books, my armchair & my garden. You see that is where I belong, that is home. So the reason I came back is because you don't have one, a home. It was taken from you & I'm going to try my best to help you get it back, if I can."
For a moment I was speechless just staring at him. I began to feel a little remorse as to what I had said earlier. 'So much for assuming that he had left, you vain fool! Perhaps the girl was correct, Gandalf had chosen him for a reason, not only to be our burglar.', contradicts my inner voice. Next to him Balin had a soft smile on his face. The others became silent, pondering on what he just said. Both Anya & the wizard looked so content. We just stood there as the sun began to set in. Suddenly the serenity was shattered by the eerie howling of wargs. Flinching, we stared at each other.
Thorin: "Out of the frying pan."
Gandalf: "And into the fire. Run. RUN!"
We all dashed down the slopes between the trees. Looking behind me, I saw the warg pack bounding towards us. Curse it, too many of them. Beside me I noticed the Hobbit, plunging his sword through a warg's head. I killed one of them as it tried to pounce on Balin, a few others did the same as did Anya. We kept on going until we neared a cliff, now what? There was no way out & I'm sure that the orcs are not far behind. The wargs were getting closer, we were cornered, I gritted my teeth. Then I heard the wizard shout.
Gandalf: "Quickly, climb the trees, all of you! Bilbo, Anya, climb!"
Climb the trees, good idea. The others quickly climbed the trees, behind me I saw Dwalin help his brother climb a tree. To my right I saw Anya, who seemed flustered a bit. Touching her arm to get her attention, I gestured her to join Balin. She nodded her head, I bent down, cupping my hands. She placed her foot there & the other on my shoulder, I hoisted her up the tree easily. Surprisingly, she wasn't heavy, I heard the warg's heavy footsteps getting closer.
Thorin: "They're coming!"
Anya: "Thorin, quick. Climb the tree."
I swiftly jumped up to the same tree, with Anya & Balin. I looked about me, I was relieved to see the company safely up the trees, including the Hobbit. The wargs by then were hovering beneath us. I was having this dreaded feeling at the pit of my stomach. Something bad was about to happen, but what? I saw the beasts turn their heads in one direction, as if looking at their leader. Before I would do the same I felt someone else's cold eyes on me, only me. I turned slowly but I received the biggest shock of my life, as I gasped at the figure in front of me.
Thorin: "Azog!?! It can't be."
It was him, my arch nemesis, the pale orc astride his white warg. Still alive, after all these years? Just like that Goblin King told me. By Durin, he put that price on my head. Azog the Defiler!? I was really having a hard time to accept this. But I saw his left arm, which I had severed during the battle of Moria. I could feel another pair of eyes on me, I looked up. My gaze collided with Anya Hadin. Her beautiful eyes were filled with compassion & concern for me. I tore my gaze away from her, by Mahal, I do not know what I would say to her now. I could hear what Azog was saying about me being afraid, I could understand a little of the black speech. He pointed his weapon at me & he ordered my friends to be slaughtered. WHAT, NO!?! The wargs attacked us by tearing at the branches of the trees. Causing us to jolt yet we hung on. Suddenly the trees began to collapse like dominoes. We all jumped from one tree to another until we reached the last tree standing by the edge of the cliff. Gandalf was already there, at the top, we were stuck in a predicament.

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