Torn In Two | Thorin Oakenshield |

4. Trolls And Orcs

A/N: SO sorry for late update but I made this chapter long! Hope it makes up for it!

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"Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." Thorin commands as we stop at a small clearing after riding for a long while. He takes a few curious steps ahead and looks around before saying, "Oin, Gloin. Get a fire going."

The thought of flames sends my stomach churning and I lean against Sefera gently for support, mischievous plans now in my mind. Maybe I could accidentally trip with a cup of water in my hands and kill those little ember beasties. But I don't I'll even get close enough to pull that off without freezing. Damn.

To serve as a distraction from the sickness, I watch Thorin saunter over to Gandalf, and an argument seems to start almost immediately. Which isn't so surprising. Both men are equally as stubborn, Thorin even more so when it comes to certain things. Why do men always have to size up each other?

Sefera neighs quietly the moment I stand upright and nudges her nose into my chest. Her chocolate coat shines beautifully under the sun and I stroke my hand through her mane. The moment is peaceful until Gandalf stomps by, mumbling things under his breath.

Bilbo, who has also stopped next to me, watches the taller mans hurried movements. "Everything all right? Gandalf, where are you going?" The hobbit frowns and Balin gives me a side glance, also displaying worry.

Gandalf stops to stare at us for a moment before shaking his head to continue on his way. "To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense." He states and rushes by the rest of the dwarves, not seeming to care about bumping into them.

"And who might that be?" I call out, slightly offended by his choice of words.

"Myself, Ms. Lothdiel!" He barks and wanders into the forest, soon out of sight.

Good luck with that, I chuckle and remove my bags from Sefera's saddle. Kili then comes over to take the reins and nods nervously before leading her to the other ponies. I frown at her lack of company and swing the luggage over my shoulders to find a suitable spot.

The entire time I explore, the sensation of eyes following me never falters and I have a hunch on who it is. Why won't he just leave me be and pick on someone else? Maybe it's because I'm a woman who keeps to herself. Or he's just making sure I don't lash out at his followers again. Theory number two sounds more like him.

After what feels like forever of nonstop searching, I find a large tree that's suitable for my standards and set my things down slowly. It's also close enough to the ponies, so I'll be able to keep an eye on Sefera from here.

"Sleeping up there again I see?" Bofur pipes up, the flaps on his hat bouncing uncontrollably from his walking.

I keep my face blank at his observation and turn back around to ignore him. Way too tired and grumpy to put on a friendly facade at the moment.

My gaze follows the trunk up to its limbs and I start to debate on which one to rest on. So many choices in so little time. As the flames begin to produce more light, two particular branches catch my eye and I pick the lower one, seeing as it has a quick getaway route.

Forgetting about my previous wound, I reach up to grab one of the lower branches but hiss at the unexpected pain. It causes me to let go and stumble back onto the ground unexpectedly. Bofur, being closest to me, wraps his warms around my waist tightly to lighten my fall.

He grunts at the impact and nearly stumbles himself but recovers quickly. "Lose your grip there lass?" He jokes after releasing me and starts to laugh as if he's funny.