Boggins, not Baggins. {A Kili love story}

Chapter 13: A what?

It was night.

The blackest of the hours in which dark things dwell and your mother tells you to be in bed for.

The howling kept the company awake all through the hours of the early morning.

Saraen leant against the cold stone face of the cliff upon which the company rested. Bilbo had been sent off to scout for the orcs; while Saraen had still told no one about how much pain her leg was in. Regardless, everyone was still recovering from injuries, and there were bigger issues at the moment.

A distant howl pierced the night air and snapped us all to attention.

"What was that?!" cried Ori beside Saraen.

She put her arm around the young dwarf and he relaxed into her comforting shoulder.

"'Tis naught but a wolf young master. You have defeated far worse," the ranger soothed.

Kili smiled to himself as he listened to her words. He knew in his heart that she would make the greatest mother in all of middle earth. 

"Bilbo will return soon with news, Ori, fear not," added Kili with a kind smile.

Ori shifted at her side, pressing down hard on her leg.  The ranger was still wounded, for it had been only a few hours since the attack from the Orcs and there had been no time for treatment.

She gasped slightly in pain, but covered it with a cough as he looked up at her.

Around her, the company stood tense and prepared to run the moment Bilbo returned.

Large feet padded softly through an opening in the mountain side and carried with it a ragged hobbit. 

Thorin rushed up to him and asked, "How close is the pack?"

"A couple of leagues- No more."

Bilbo shook his head and opened his mouth again.

"But that's not the worst of it-"

"The wargs picked up our scent?"

"No, not yet but they will. We have another problem."

While Bilbo was being pressed by Gandalf and Dwalin, Saraen slowly rose to her feet and leaned on the stone for support.

"Did they see you?"

"No-!"

Gandalf looked relieved and Saraen rolled her eyes. 'We're not getting anywhere with this anytime soon' she thought.

"What did I tell you, quiet as a mouse," chimed Gandalf, "-excellent burglar material."

"Will you. Just. Listen! I am trying to tell you there is something else out there," urged Bilbo, pointing past the rocks.

At the exact same time, Saraen and Gandalf dropped their pleasant demeanor and took a step forward. 

Gravely the wizard asked, "What form did it take, like a bear?"

"Y-Yes, but bigger, much bigger," said Bilbo looking shocked.

 "Ye knew aboot this beast?! I say we double-back."  

Bofur's eyes went as big as the moon. Saraen kept silent Gandalf where he stood on the edge of the cliff; leaving the dwarves to bicker about there next move.

"There is a house... It's not far from here- Where we might take refuge," spoke the wizard ominously.

"Who's house?! Are they friend or foe?" demanded Thorin.