As dawn spread over the site where three bloodied trolls laid in a puddle of their own blood, a company of dwarves are seen helping each other free from their sacks, heaving as they pushed and pulled from their ties.
In the corner of the site Gandalf and Haraldur are seen walking towards one of the dead trolls, thumping the dead troll with his sword the blue eyed dwarf looked up towards the wizard with an arrogant smirk making the wizard roll his eyes. Looking away from the dwarf he sees Thorin heading towards them.
"Where did you go, may I ask?" the king asked the wizard once stopping in front of the pair.
"To look ahead"
"What brought you back?" Thorin questioned
"Looking behind, nasty business, still, they're all in one piece" Gandalf replied looking around.
"No thanks to your burglar" The king sneered
"He played for time, none of you thought of that" Haraldur jumped in, looking the king in the eye, silently challenging him. The younger dwarf stood at least 5 cm shorter than the older dwarf, making him look up at the king to stare him down. Seeing this Thorin recuperated it, seeing the father and son having a stare off the company looked on silently.
Breaking the tense silence Gandalf spoke," They must off come down from the Ettenmoors"
Breaking the contact Thorin coughed, stepping away from the younger dwarf looking at Gandalf as he spoke, "Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south?"
"Oh, not for an age. Not since a darker power ruled these lands. In any case, they could not have moved in daylight"
A look of realization hit Haraldur, "There must be a cave near by," Thorin, Gandalf and Haraldur broke off as they started to scan the area.
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Gandalf began leading the company down a dark cave, as they entered, the dwarves began to cough and retch at the smell.
"What's that smell?" Kili exclaimed with a look of horror on his face.
"It's a troll hoard. Be careful what you touch" Gandalf answered with a look of disgust on his face.
Passing by Gandalf the mercenary mumbled to himself, "It smells better than Luciens' feet..." hearing his Gandalf chuckled shaking his head. Heading towards the back corner of the cave Haraldur began searching through the treasure.
The company find a pile of gold coins and other treasures in dark wooden caskets. Fili approached the coins scattered on the ground.
"Seems a shame to leave it lying around. Anyone could take it."
"Agreed... Oin, get a shovel" Gloin shouted at the elder dwarf as he had a greedy gleam in his eyes.
In another part of the cave, Thorin stood there inspecting two swords covered cobwebs. Handing one to Gandalf unsheathing them. He looked in wonder at the mighty steel.
"These were not made by steel"
"Nor were they made by any smith among men," Gandalf replied taking a closer look at the markings on the blade. "These were forged in Gondolin by the high elves of the first age."
Suddenly Thorins face changed from a look of wonder to disgust as he began to sheave the sword away, seeing this Gandalf glared at Thorin.
"You could not wish for a finer blade!"
Looking at the wizard hesitantly Thorin began to un-sheave the sword. In background Haraldur look upon the scene with great interest and annoyance. Why was he still holding a grouge upon a group of elves who had no involvement in the attack upon Erebor. Shaking the thoughts out of his head the soldier turn his attention back to the items in front of him. Rummaging through seeing old knives, jewels and even weird shaped horn. He came across a box, covered in weird designs.
It looked old, heavy in weight. Bringing up to his ear, listening, nothing. Strange, caressing the side of the box, hesitating on what to do Haraldur began to open it. When he finally had it fully open, what he saw inside the box not just shocked him but also broke his heart. Staring aimlessly at the contents inside the box, the lost prince began to become lost in his thoughts not seeing the young hobbit come up beside him.
"Mister Silver?" Bilbo hesitantly asked gently tapping him on the shoulder.
Surprised he dropped the box in his hands on the floor scattering the contents all over the floor rushing to pick it all up before anyone could see. Too late... "Mister Silver, what is this?" Turning to look on his right he saw the burglar holding what looked like to be a chain but at the end was a tag that was covered in old dried up blood. It looked like the rest of them. Six to be exact.
It broke his heart, he knew whose those tags belonged to. Those of his comrades, his brothers and sisters. His family. All dead. He could of helped them could of protected them yet something, someone, got to them first. Rage filled his mind its been a long time since he's lost his temper, and his temper it is worse than the devil himself. He will do anything it means necessary to bring justice to the lives that have been lost.
Finally looking the hobbit in the eyes Haraldur gave him a soft but fake smile trying to hide his pain, "Sorry Bilbo I seemed to be lost in thoughts and how many times do I have to tell you please call Haraldur" quickly collecting the tags together and the one from Bilbo's hand the dwarf stuffed them in his inside pocket.
"Right! Sorry Mist.. Haraldur," looking confused at what just happened, the hobbit was about to ask when Haraldur quickly rushed pass him heading out of the cave. Looking back at where the dwarf was the hobbit stood there in a daze, confused.
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Near the entrance of the cave the other dwarves filled one chest up full of gold coins, burying it deep into the ground. On the side Dwalin stood there shaking his head in disappointment as he watches them. Gloin seeing this stood up and pointed at the half balded dwarf, "We're making a long term deposit!"
Ignoring them Thorin walked past them with his new sword tied to his belt.
"Come! Let's get out of this foul place"
The dwarfs began to file behind Thorin, leaving the cave. Gandalf broke away some leaves. A small sword wrapped neatly in it's sheath lies in the dirt below.
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Near the mouth of the cave, the dwarves are tending to their horses. The wizard emerges from the troll hoard and approaches Bilbo. "Bilbo, here. This is about your size," handing it to the young hobbit, making the hobbit look at it hesitantly.
"I can't take this" Bilbo said unsure.
"The blade is of Elvish make, which means it will glow blue when orcs or goblins are nearby" Gandalf said trying to make the burglar take it.
"I have never used a sword in my life"
"Well I'm sure Haraldur will happily teach you" The wizard said smiling kindly at him.
"Haraldur?"
"Yes, the young dwarf is quite the swordsman and a remarkable teacher. He has taught many dwarfs, humans and even elves" Gandalf told the hobbit while looking at Haraldur with admiration in his eyes. In the distance you could see the said dwarf looking into the distance while fingering a some kind of ring.
"And I hope you'll never have to use a sword. But if you do, remember this; true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one"
Suddenly loud rustling comes from deep within the forest.
"Something's coming!" Thorin shouted to the company drawing his sword. Gandalf also draws his sword heading hos way towards the dwarfs.
"Stay together! Hurry now, arm yourselves!" The wizard orders the company.
Bilbo lingers behind. Slowly he draws out the sword looking at it with wonder at the weapon's power. He turns then runs to the others. Haraldur sees the hobbit in, waiting for the threat to come.
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Authors note 📝
Hi everyone 👋
Just like to say thank you for reading this far. But I'm not really that bothered if I don't get much readers because I like to put the stories and ideas I have on pages.
Again if you have any ideas, there is any sorting mistakes or incorrect stuff I. The story line. Please let me know.
Thank you again
Bye 👋
1355 words