Book 2: Hanging On [Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter 5

Chapter Inspiration:  Middle of Nowhere by Planet Love Sound

Warning: Brief female chest nudity in music video; you don't have to watch it, it's just the music that inspired this chapter so feel free to just listen

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The darkness grew thicker the further the company went. Even the air grew heavy around them and many struggled to breathe. Gandalf spoke the truth. This place was enchanted, but not in a good way. Even their vision began to waver the more time went on.

"Air," Bofur groaned. "I need air."

"My head, it's swimming," Óin complained.

Poppy coughed trying to gain a proper breath. Her footing stumbled, clutching Fíli's arm for balance. He gave a small smile in encouragement, but he looked just as bad as she did.

"We found the bridge," Kíli called from ahead.

Quickly, they shuffled along the path in excitement that they finally found the place the Wizard spoke of. Only their spirits dampened at the sight of the stone broken and lying in pieces in the water.

"We could try and swim it," Balin suggested.

"Did you not hear what Gandalf said?" Thorin snapped. The longer they spent in this forest it worsened his mood. "A dark magic lies upon this forest. The waters of this stream are enchanted."

"Doesn't look very enchanting to me," Bofur shrugged.

"We must find another way across," the prince said.

"These vines look strong enough," Kíli spoke from the right. He tugged on the thick vines and prepared himself to test it out.

"Kíli!" The Dwarf instantly paused at his uncle's shout. "We send the lightest first."

Blinking from her daze, Poppy lazily glanced over at the company from where she stood, seeing them staring at Bilbo expectantly. The Hobbit's mouth opened to protest only to realize he stood out numbered. He didn't bother to form a sentence, sighing heavily. Pulling himself into the plant he swung through the vines as best he could, struggling to not touch the enchanted waters. Lazily moving forward the blacksmith gripped a vine, only for a hand to grasp an arm tightly. Turning Poppy realized it was Thorin.

"What are you doing?" her words slurred.

"Wait," he stated.

She pulled from the grip. "I'm not letting him go alone."

Before the prince could say anything further the blacksmith swung up over the dark water and followed quickly behind Bilbo. Dwalin chuckled at the Half-breed's response to their leader. Quite the stubborn lass she was.

Reaching the other side wasn't easy work to avoid touching the water. And a few times her foot nearly skimmed the surface. But she caught up to her cousin due to her growing anxiety to be on solid ground as quickly as possible. Since being suspended over the river Poppy felt even more disoriented than before, vision fighting to focus. Finally the end was within reach.The Half-breed literally collapsed to the hard ground beside Bilbo, who pushed himself up in exhaustion. The blacksmith made a rough landing and expected the area to bruise later. But none of that mattered with the hurdle finally crossed. Away from the dark water already helped clear her head a bit.

"Something's not right," Bilbo muttered. Turning, the Hobbit shouted, "Stay where you are! Oh..."

Too late. At some point the company began climbing through the vines. However, not in a small group like the cousins crossed, which was a more reasonable approach than the one the Dwarves took. The two only hoped the vines didn't break from the weight of them all.