Middle-Earth Meets Loki

They Didn't Keep Distance

When they finally managed to move on, something which Loki was grateful for (he may not like the wizard, but he disliked this cave more), Loki began to notice that they were most certainly not the only ones there in the cave. There was the Goblins, of course. It was something that Legolas had pointed out to him and Aragorn, as well as something that Loki had noted for himself upon entering the cave. There were several thousands of them, but they normally kept to themselves unless prompted otherwise. Besides, even if they had a whole army, Loki could easily wipe them out of it was necessary. It would not be easy, anything like that was incredibly difficult, and to think otherwise was simple folly, but Loki also knew that if it were necessary he could. He would just...prefer not to.

There was something else in this blasted cave with them. Something besides themselves, and those goblins. It was not something that really shocked Loki. There were many things that liked to creep around the dark and dampness of caves. He himself enjoyed the solitude brought in by the night (though he much preferred open spaces and dark nights not dark nights and enclosed walls wrapped about him but there was only so many times one could be picky). He was not shocked, though he was concerned. With what sources that they had now? They would most certainly not be able to fend off a creature, not if the strong surge of dark magic that Loki was feeling was anything even close to a fraction of its actual power. Loki could, if he needed, maybe throw the creature off, but he did not want to take such a risk. Not with his situation as of now. He doubted that the others managed to figure out that something was odd when he faced the monster at the front of the cage, and he most certainly did not want to draw any more attention. It was already dangerous.

For this creature though, Loki was not exactly happy about its revelation. It was hidden deep within the tunnels, but Loki could sense it slowly making its way up towards where they were located. He was not entirely sure that he was ready for this. This whole journey was filled with complications which just kept on piling up, one right after another and even more than that it was almost impossible to deal with the idiots that seemed to infect the whole group.

Loki glanced backwards towards Legolas, but the other seemed to make no indication that he had noticed anything amiss. Which was another complicated thing for Loki. How was he supposed to tell the elf without the other getting more suspicious on how he managed to sense such a being, especially from the distance that the dark monster was currently? He could not, it was that simple.

There was a heavy aura of darkness shrouding this creature. Whatever it was, and he was not entirely certain that he liked the thought of facing it. With how long they had so far spent within this trap of death he doubted that they would be capable of leaving without having to at least face the bloody creature. Which just added to his worries.

"Loki," Legolas gently grabbed at his shoulder, and Loki turned slightly, startled. The other rarely initiated contact with any other than Aragorn, or the Hobbits. Loki did not particularly enjoy physical contact either, so it was weird. He was not expecting the other to try and do such a thing. The Hobbits, sure, but the Elf? Definitely not. It was weird and Loki was not entirely certain what to think about it.

"Yes?" Loki asked gently, trying not to let his alarm show all that much. If there was one thing that Loki was good at it was pretending that he was fine when he was not. It may not be considered a good ability to others, but it had served Loki well more times than not. Schooling his expression to something moderately curious, Loki ensured that he was nearly unreadable.

"I worry about the hobbits. They are...restless. I fear that if they keep wandering like this something less than ideal will end up happening." Loki glanced towards where the Hobbits were gathered. 

They were sitting together in a circle and talking. He was curious what it was that they were talking about, but he also could not really get it within himself to care enough to actually go and ask. 

"I doubt there is much more damage than what has already been done that they could potentially do. They already alerted practically the entire cave of our existence. The Goblins, I fear, will come swarming soon. I am rather surprised that they have yet to actually do so." Loki sighed. Legolas was worried, he should not be so rude. "I understand your fear, however. There is not much we can do at this point. If the Hobbits are going to wander, at least keep an eye on them. That is the best that can be done." Legolas nodded, worry still marring his features. 

Loki sighed. He was not all that great at this comforting thing, and it did not help that the two of them were trying not to catch Gandalf's attention, who was busy reading some old tome which had been found by the grave. 

"Legolas, the Hobbits are decent at fighting, at least now. They are also small. The Goblins will not be focused too much on them if we must fight them anyways. At this point, the Goblins will be coming, how soon? That is a good question which I cannot answer, likely soon, but take heart in the fact that at least the four should be safe." Legolas nodded. Loki smiled a bit. 

He may not be all that great at comforting people (on Asgard there was not really people for him to comfort as he did not really hang out with others and people generally disliked him severely anyways) but he was good at pretending he knew what he was doing. This was just one of those things which Loki knew that Legolas needed some proper comfort. Loki could not give that, he did not really know how. So, the next best thing.

Which seemed to be in good time because Aragorn came up not a few moments later. He was breathing somewhat heavily, eyes slightly wild with a look of readiness. 

"It would seem, they did not decide to keep a distance, Legolas."