The Hobbit: An Unexpected Discovery

Chapter Eight: Curse the stubbornness of Dwarves

 "Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori shouted to the aging wizard as the rain continued to poor down.

"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard." Gandalf answered grumpily.

"Are there any?" Bilbo questioned.

"What?"

"Other wizards?"

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I've quite forgotten their names." Replied Gandalf scratching his head. He looked at Fae for help, who just shrugged.

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well, that would be Radagast, the Brown." Fae answered

"Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?" Bilbo asked Gandalf, who, upon hearing this looked slightly offended. Fae laughed loudly and turned to Bilbo.

"I think he's a very great wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East, and a good thing too, for always Evil will look to find a foothold in this world." She said, before turning back to the front. "Come we still have far to travel, and we are losing the light."

Later that day, six hours later to be precise, the company arrived at an old, abandoned farmhouse that was in ruins.

"We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." Thorin shouted.

"A farmer and his family used to live here." Gandalf said to Fae, whose brows were furrowed in worry.

"Oin, Gloin." Thorin shouted, ignoring the wizard. "Get a fire going."

"I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley." Gandalf said to Thorin, and Fae nodded in agreement.

"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." Fae said.

"I do not need their advice."

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us." She tried again.

"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."

"You are neither of them." Gandalf shouted angrily at the dwarf prince.

"Gandalf's right. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past." She said. Thorin glared at her.

"I did not know that they were yours to keep." He spat and stomped past her angrily. Fae just sighed and put her head in her hands, "Save me from the stubbornness of dwarves." She groaned as Gandalf started to mount his horse.

"Everything alright?" Bilbo said to Fae, resting a hand on her arm, "Gandalf, where are you going?"

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense." Gandalf shouted, offering a hand to Fae. She shook her head. "I will remain here, stop them from getting into trouble." The wizard nodded and started to ride off.

"Who's that?" Bilbo asked

"Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day." He shouted over his shoulder.

"You're not alone in that one." Fae muttered quietly, earning a glare from Thorin, who, in turn, pushed past her and started barking orders to the dwarves.

"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry."

The sun had now properly set, and darkness encased the camp. The only light to be seen was that of the fire. Bombur had prepared soup for the company and was handing out bowls to the dwarves. Thorin and Fae were still not talking, causing the atmosphere to be thick with tension.

"He's been a long time." Bilbo said quietly.

"He's a wizard! He does as he chooses. Here, do us a favour: take this to the lads." Bofur said thrusting two bowls of soup into the hands of the hobbit. Whilst his back was turned, Bombur reached forward to grab another bowl.

"Stop it you've had plenty." Bofur said, smacking his hand away from the cauldron that was in the middle of the fire. Fae laughed softly and the expression of disappointment on his face and slipped him her unfinished bowl.

"You should eat." Came a voice.

"I'm not hungry." Fae said coldly, getting up

"Fae..." Thorin tried again.

"Leave it ok." She said stomping off towards where Fili and Kili were, if anyone could cheer her up it was them. However, when she arrived at the clearing not only were Fili, Kili and Bilbo not there, but some of the ponies were missing as well. She sighed and turned back towards the camp. Before she could take a step in that direction, she was knocked to the ground by an object, or two objects barrelling into her.

"Fae?"

"Kili? Fili? WHAT IN DURIN'S NAME ARE YOU DOING?!" she shouted angrily. Kili shushed her and placed a hand over her mouth.

"Hush. There are trolls." He said

"Trolls?!" she whisper-shouted. "where's Bilbo?"

"We sent him to deal with it." Fili said. Fae groaned in frustration and pushed the two dwarves off her. When standing she turned and smacked them hard on the back of their heads.

"Fools!" she shouted. "Now I have to go save his ass. Go get your uncle, we are going to need back up on this one."

"What do you mean? He will be fine." Kili said hopefully

"Oh yes of course. Because what could go wrong sending a hobbit into a group of trolls. A hobbit who has never properly left his home before and has no knowledge of sword fighting or anything of the like. Yes, well done boys you will make great kings one day. Curse the line of Durin." She said sarcastically hitting them over the head once more. Suddenly a scream was heard from deep in the woods.

"Bilbo." She said and bolted into the trees.