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

34-Spiders & The Elves.

We kept on going what it seems like in a circle. Bombur was still unconscious & I could hear Bofur's mumblings. Clearly he was concerned about his cousin. Behind me I heard Fili's alarmed voice.
Fili: "Anya, be careful, are you alright, love?"
Quickly I turn around & there I saw the girl had fallen on the ground. I swiftly reached her, gripping her shoulders to help her sit up, cupping her cheek.
Thorin:(My thumb brushing the dirt off her cheek)"What happened, are you alright? What made you fall?"
Slightly embarrassed, she slowly shook her head, pushing my hand away.
Anya: "I'm ok, must've tripped over a branch or something. How is Bombur, is he still asleep?"
Bofur:(Grunts slightly)"Aye, lassie, like a log!"
Anya: "Here, put him down. I may have something that might help."
They set the stretcher on the ground, gently. She kneels next to him like a healer would examine the patient. I saw her dip her hand in a satchel tied to her waist. She took out a small pouch, opening it & there were some dry leaves.
Anya: "I had taken them in a forbidden forest somewhere near an orc's camp. It was risky yet necessary, for these herbs could easily awake a comatose patients."
She explains to us while crushing these dry leaves between her fingers. We watch in a silent awe. She gathers a few dry leaves, placing them in a small bowl she had, a few centimetres from Bombur's face. Next she takes out 2 small granite stones & began to strike them to ignite fire. With the help of a few sparks it lit up, creating a slightly thick smoke. She swiftly ties a clean handkerchief over her nose & mouth. I frown at this as did the others.
Anya: "You boys, better step back a little & cover your face. Don't want either of you to have any allergic reaction."
We obliged & covered our faces, we watch her as she gently with her hand waves the smoke towards Bombur. He woke up with a start, sneezing a couple of times. Quickly she took out a flask to douse the smoke out with water. It's vapor made us cough slightly, surprisingly though it cleared our minds from the stupor. I peered a little closer to check on Bombur & he had recovered. Bifur & Bofur helped him up to his feet, Bofur was smiling at the girl, softly. I raised my eyebrows as I noticed that everyone had the similar expressions. My chest filled with love & pride for my One.
Bofur: "I must say, lassie, what you just did really worked."
Kili: "He is right, Anya, this really cleared our heads. I am impressed, we may get out of this accursed forest unharmed."
I saw her biting her lip, looking uncomfortable though, I looked at her, raising my eyebrows in question.
Anya:(Rubbing her neck)"Much as I hate to burst your bubble but that was the last batch. I already risked my neck twice for these herbs & I do not plan to go back there again. I suppose it may keep us sane for a while before we overcome the illusion again."
The company groaned in disappointment, she raised her hands apologetically. We trudged onwards, knowing the fact we had gotten off the elven path now. Behind me I heard someone sneeze, twice. Turning, it was Ori, his brother Dori came near him to check.
Dori: "Oh my, Anya, his nose has gone slightly pinkish in color. I hope it isn't serious for you had mentioned about allergies."
Anya:(Checking on Ori)"Hum, let me see there! Well, there is nothing to fret about, my friend. Here, drink some water, this shall make you feel better. He is OK, if the color was red that something to worry about."
Barely an hour went by, once again the illusion took over us. We tried to find the path again though, I told everyone to split up. I especially made sure that Anya to stick close to me while we searched. Once again the feeling of dread took over me, I couldn't put my finger on it. What seemed like hours & seems that either we were truly lost or walking in circles. I tried to find the sun for general direction but it covered by the tree's leaves & thick branches. The company were getting irritated & edgy.
Dori: "Look, a tobacco pouch. There are dwarfs from the Blue Mountains here."
Bofur: "Odd, this pouch looks exactly like mine."
Bilbo: "That is because it is yours. Can't you see? We are walking about in circles."
Thorin: "No, we are not. We just head towards the East!"
Dwalin: "But just exactly which way is the East. We cannot see the sun."
Soon the dwarfs began to push each other about. Counting backwards from 10 to 1, Anya once told me it keeps one's head calm in such crises. Glancing behind me, I saw Bilbo climbing a tree. My ears picked up a slight noise to my right, whipping my head in that direction & nothing.
Thorin: "What was that? ENOUGH! Quiet, all of you! We are being watched. Anya, stay close to me for we are not alone."
I held her hand in mine, once again I see her clutching her locket, I held my breath. I did not like this, not one bit. I flinch a bit as Anya grips my hand tighter & I look at her curiously. Her face turning slightly pale for a second.
Anya: "You are right, Thorin, we are not alone but I'm not sure what...Thorin, look out...!"
Before I could react I felt a slightly sharp sting at the back of my neck, then I passed out. Not sure how long I was out though, regaining to my senses I found myself wrapped around in something white yet a sticky substance. Examining it closely with my eyes for I could hardly move my arms & legs. Spider webs, but how? Curse our luck! This means that there must be some spiders nearby. Wait a minute, where are the others? What is going on? I looked about me, then I saw 13 more cocoons near by. What! 13 including me makes 14 but there were 15 of us. So who is missing? Then I heard an odd hissing sounds & breaking of branches. I looked about me there I saw them, the spiders but they were huge. Slithering down the trees. One of them began to poke at one near me, whoever it was gave it a swift kick. In the distance I heard some odd noises & next thing I found myself falling down. I landed on the ground along with the others, ow. Quickly I tried to removed the spider's web off me. Close by I saw Kili helping Anya free from her cocoon. Quickly I place my arms underneath hers to help her stand. Above us I saw the spiders come scurrying down the trees.
Thorin: "Anya, are you alright? Everyone run, quickly!"
We started running & the spiders came swarming down around us. The company took out their weapons, while Anya took out her bow & arrows. We started slaying these 8 legged freaks. Anya shot a couple above Dori & Ori. We kept fighting them, left to right, I glanced around me, a certain hobbit was missing. Suddenly, I saw one of those disgusting things pounce Anya, swiftly I killed it, removing it off her. She spotted one of them behind me as she took out her daggers & killed it. Impressed, I grab the girl's arm to pull her along, we kept on fighting. Behind me a couple of arrows came from my right side above me, killing another spider at my back. What the!?! I heard the breaking of some branches, I caught a glimpse of a male figure with long blonde hair. Soon more joined him, killing the spiders. Curse it, the Woodlands elves, just what we needed. Yet we kept on running & slaying the spiders as well.
Thorin: "We're clear!"
Next thing I knew we were surrounded by our so-called rescuers. One of them, the blonde elf, pointed his arrow directly at me. Seriously, I just stood there stunned. Yet as I stare at him, I was surprised to that he has a pretty good resemblance to a certain Elf King I remember.
Elf: "Do not think I won't kill you, dwarf. For it would be my pleasure."
Ookay! Part of me expected that from an Elf! Typical.
Anya:(Pointing hers at him)"Try it, Elf! And it won't take long for mine to mar your pretty face."
Shocked, I saw her face filled with disdain while the elf's light blue ones with amusement & surprise.

1455 words!