Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 7

Thorin looked at me seeing the elven blade glow blue and so did his.

"We have to get out of here."

"We can't We have no ponies; they bolted."

Radagast stood on on the rabbit-drawn sledge.

"I'll draw them off."

"These are Gunadabad Wargs; they will outrun you."

"These are Rhosgobel Rabbits; I'd like to see them try."

After a few moments, Radagast and his rabbits shot out of the forest, and the Wargs started chasing him.

"Come and get me! Ha Ha!"

Gandalf and I watched from behind a rock as Radagast and the Wargs disappeared in the distance.

"Come on!"

We rushed across the rocky plain. In the distance, I could see the wargs unable to catch Radagast. they were not far enough from us, Gandalf brought behind more rocks.

"Stay together."

"Move!"

The others moved away toward higher rocks. Ori started to run out of the cover.

"Ori, no! Come back!"

"Come on! Quick" Gandalf shouted.

"Where are you leading us?"

Gandalf didn't answer. I pushed them against the stone.

"A Warg has caught our scent."

Thorin looked out to see the warg on the hill right by the stone. Thorin looked at Kili and nodded; Kili readied an arrow, Kili quickly stepped out and shot the Warg. The Warg and the orc on it fell near the dwarves, without hesitation the dwarf killed them. I turned to the others and noticed the Wargs heard the commotion. The Warg scouts howled as they stop pursuing Radagast and started charging at us.

"Move. Run!"

We ran through the grassy plain: the wargs started to surround us on all sides. The others ran into a clearing. The dwarves started to panic, Gandalf had disappeared by the rock.

"Hold your ground!"

Gandalf suddenly popped from a crack in the rock. I turned to Kili and pulled out my bow and aimed at the oncoming Wargs. Thorin got the others into the hole below the rock. Kili and I were able to kill most of them. Thorin killed a Warg that got too close for comfort.

"Kili! Paephan! Run!"

"Kili. Go I'll cover you."

Kili ran to the hole. A warg out of the corner of my eye was charging toward Thorin. Quickly I turned my bow to shoot it, successfully killing it. Thorin turned to me in awe. Suddenly a sharp pain hit my shoulder. An Orc arrow. I stumbled back a bit. I pulled out the arrow and ran back to the hole. Thorin followed suit.

Just as the wargs were about to reach the hole, an Elven horn could be heard. Looking up I could see mounted elves rushing into the fight. We listened to the fight from the inside. One of the orcs was shot by an arrow and fell into the cave. Thorin pulled the arrow out and examined it.

"Elves"

Dwalin turned to the path at the end of the cave.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?"

"Follow it, of course!"

"I think that would be wise."

The others started to follow the path. Thorin stopped me.

"Your wound."

"It's alright Thorin, it stings but it hit my shoulder."

"Please."

I sighed as I moved my shoulder down for him to see.

"Please, don't do that ever again."

"What, save your life."

"No, far from it but don't scare me like that."

I smiled as Thorin finished examining the wound

"It's not poisoned, you were lucky."

Thorin walked down the path and turned to wait for me. The path was quite narrow. Some of the dwarves had difficulty going through. The pathway eventually opened out into an open area. Below was the city of Rivendell.

"The Valley of Imraldis, In the common tongue, It's known by another name."

"Rivendell"

"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea"

Thorin turned to Gandalf with a displeased look.

"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy."

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakensheild. the only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself.

I stepped in.

"Gandalf, do you think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us."

"Of course, they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which is why you, Thorin will leave the talking to Paephan and me."

Thorin looked unamused but he knew the wizard was not wrong. As the company walked across the bridge that entered Rivendell, A few elves are seen strolling about. Bilbo was gazing in awe at the beauty of the place. The dwarves looked uneasy. I looked to the stair to see Lindir walking down.

"Mithrander."

"Ah, Lindir"

Lindir greeted Gandalf and glanced at me.

"Paephan, it is an honour."

I simply bowed my head. Gandalf and LInir began to speak to each other in elven. Suddenly the elven horns from earlier were heard again. The company turned around and as they saw the group of the approaching armed horsemen, they grouped up together holding their weapons. Gandalf and I simply sighed. THe mounted elves stopped and Lord Elrond dismounted separating himself from the others.

Gandalf and I bowed gracefully.

Gandalf started to ask Elrond for news in the valley, they spoke of the Orc attack that happened mere moments ago. Elrond turned to me.

"Paephan."

Elrond embraced me and me in turn. Thorin had an annoyed expression.

"Elrond, It has been far too long since I last saw you, I am sorry to hear about Celebrian. I truly believed she would heal."

Elrond bowed his head.

"You will be glad to know my daughter has not forgotten you."

As I spoke with Lord Elrond he started to speak in elven toward Gandalf and then to Lindir. Gloin being unable to understand spoke out.

"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult."

"No. Master Gloin, he's offering you food."

I smiled as the dwarves seemed glad to hear that, they started to speak amongst themselves.

"Ah well, in that case, lead on."