Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 6

In the morning it began to rain. The dwarves seem unpleased by this.

"Here, Mr Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge."

"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."

As we continued on. I heard Bilbo ask Gandalf if there were any other wizards

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order in Saruman, the White. Then there are the two blue wizards; you know, I've quite forgotten their names.

"And who is the fifth?"

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

"Is he a great wizard or is he... more like you?"

I giggled with Kili and Fili as Gandalf turned to Bilbo looking slightly offended.

"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."

After a few hours, we arrived in 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."

Gandalf walked up to the ruin of the farmhouse.

"A farmer and his family used to live here."

I walked up to Gandalf

"You think we should move on don't you."

"Yes, We could make for the Hidden Valley."

Thorin overheard and walked to us.

"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."

"I do not need their advice."

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

"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. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past."

"I did not know that they were yours to keep."

Gandalf stomped off as I brought my head to my eyes and sighed. Bilbo noticed that Gandalf was leaving. Thorin called for Bombur to start cooking.

"Is he coming back?

I looked unsure to Bilbo as I sat down resting my feet.

Night had fallen and Bombur prepared some soup for dinner.

"He's been a long time."

"Who?"

"Gandalf."

"He's a wizard. He does as he chooses. Here do us a favour: take this to the lads."

Bofur handed Bilbo two bowl of soup to take to Fili and Kili; Bilbo left and Bombur tried to take more soup. I gently slapped his wrist.

"Stop it. You've had plenty."

As Bilbo walked off I walked over to Thorin and handed him a bowl and sat down with him.

"Here, something to keep you warm."