If this is to End in Fire: Hobbit Fan Fiction Skin-changer

Chapter 4- Elves

A howl echoed on the wind and Lupine’s spine shivered. At first, a wild fear flooded her, so that she would be pulled under to surely drown. But then she realised this could be her chance. Wargs and orcs might kill the company and she would have fulfilled her task. She narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth and the dwarves turned to look at her. 

 “Was that a wolf? Are there wolves out there?” asked Bilbo, his voice quivering as he watched Lupine.

“That is no wolf.” she whispered darkly, hurt that he had mistaken the calls, “They are warg scouts! Which means an orc pack is not far behind.”

As if on cue, a huge and foul beast rose from a crag to the side of them. With a bold and unwavering leap, it pounced into the midst of the company. Lupine transformed immediately and raised her shackles. Thorin, drawing the Orcrist, struck and killed the creature and it hissed as it writhed on the ground.

“I’ll draw them off.” suggested Radagast, turning to give Lupine a farewell nod of luck.

“These are Gundobad Wargs; they will outrun you.” said Gandalf, his voice fast and concerned.

Lupine almost smiled to herself, for she knew what Radagast would say.

“These are Rhosgobel Rabbits,” he assured his friend, “I’d like to see them try.”

Another howl resonated and echoed from the trees as the company dashed after Gandalf. As the trees ended, an open land greeted them. Huge rocks were scattered about the plain and Radagast could be seen flying across the jutted grass, a pack of frenzied orcs on his trail.

Thirteen dwarves, a wizard, a burglar and a skin-changer dashed across the tufted, scraggy land. Radagast shifted left and right, often driving in circles in order to escape his pursuers. One time, the wizard and the wargs appeared directly before the company and if Gandalf had not pulled her back, Lupine could easily have betrayed their position to the hunters.

They were led faster and faster along the raggedy terrain, Thorin dashing to the front then waiting and guiding the dwarves each time they slowed. Balin’s job appeared to be counting the heads of group and one time they had to double back, for Dori had tripped and Gandalf had ordered them to stay together.

Lupine reached the head of the group with ease and, turning human once more spoke.

“Here!” she cried, leading them behind a boulder, where they paused to grasp for breath. She had smelt an orc nearby and it was just her chance. He prowled above them on the rock and her acute senses allowed her to hear even the disrupted grunts in the warg’s stomach.

It was not long before Thorin heard it too and he nodded to Kili who, reaching to his belt, drew an arrow to its shaft and pierced the throat of the warg in a single shot. The creature fell to the floor, crushing its rider beneath its convulsing body. Dwalin flew upon them with his axe but the cries of the beasts were loud.

“Are you trying to get us kill?!” shouted Gloin in Lupine’s ear and her face burned with guilt. She drew herself further into the wall and was thankful that the dwarves’ observational skills were limited.

With a final push, Gandalf led them across a region of land where the boulders gave way to trees and small hillocks shielded their position. Orcs could be heard all around them now and soon the company was entirely encircled. Lupine doubted herself quickly. If the dwarves were to be slaughtered by the dim-witted killers, she could not be sure of her own safety and that too meant her brother’s life was risked.

“This way you fools!” came the thankful voice of Gandalf, his pointed hat visible behind a small rock. Thorin ran towards him, then ordered the dwarves down into the hole that the wizard had found. They slid speedily in, landing on a heap on the dusty floor of the cave (all except Gandalf and Lupine, who flicked themselves to their feet agiley). Fili, Kili and Thorin guarded the entrance, weapons drawn and shielding their companions from arrows and blows.