Trolls!
It was raining the next morning. The Hobbit had been meaning to talk to her, but they were both walking silently next to each other on their horses and ponies. The rain came down hard, drenching the others, but the Witch had a weird mesh around her that seemed to deflect the rain. Her hat and the mesh, see-through fabric were completely dry. Underneath the curtain she had around her head, she was smoking her pipe, blowing it through the fabric that was loosely draped around her. Favonius was asleep behind her, completely dry, and her guitar peeked out from under the fabric every so often, causing the head of it to get a little wet.
“Tawny?” Bilbo choked out, not sure what to even say to her.
She snapped out of the trance she was in and looked at the man, humming in wonder.
“How come you’re all dry?” He looked in awe, an eyebrow quirked as he looked around her.
The witch let out a little chuckle, “Magic.” She joked bluntly.
Bilbo huffed quietly, cold at the freezing water that was hitting his face and poor Myrtle. Not to mention, the bag behind him full of his things was soaked. “You think you could spare me one of those, please?” He asked as politely as he could.
“No.” She smirked. “Aren’t you already drenched? Why not just wait it out?” She shot back, exhaling smoke through her lips.
Bilbo glared, nodding his head sarcastically. “Yes, well, could you please reconsider, I have a very poor immune system, thank you.”
She sighed, “Oh, well, with that attitude, I think I will reconsider, Your Majesty.” Pulling out her wand, she paused for a moment, staring at him. “What’re you waiting for?” She spoke as if she was taunting him.
“What?” Bilbo stuttered.
“Come on, pull out something to drape over you, let’s go.” Tawny rushed him, causing Bilbo to fumble around until he grabbed his blanket.
Quickly, she pulled out her wand from under the mesh curtain and pointed it at the blanket. “Impervius.” She spoke slowly, letting it get just a little wet to spite him.
He muttered a small “thank you” until he quickly wrapped it around him, shivering quietly. She had yet to return her wand underneath her sleeve.
“What was that?” She grinned. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Thank you.” Bilbo leaned forward to pronounce every syllable.
She chuckled, “So snappy.” Tawny shook her head and leaned back.
The two went back to looking forward, silence taking over them calmly. The Witch shot her gaze back at the halfling, clenching her jaw for a moment. She looked the other way, casually pointing her wand at him without him noticing. Without incantation, she used a hot-air charm. Warm air streamed out of her wand and kissed Bilbo’s skin. His clothes seemed lighter, the air around him became warm, and his clothes were almost dry. The Hobbit snapped his head her way when he realized this, but her wand was already tucked away, and she pretended to be petting Favonius sweetly. Bilbo blinked, shrugging his shoulders, and decided that that was just a part of the spell. Her sleeve was soaked in the rain, but she pretended that it was dry as she slipped her wand away.
“Here, Mr. Gandalf?” Dori yelled out. “Can’t you do something about this deluge?”
“It is raining, Master Dwarf,” Gandalf yelled back at him. “And it will continue to rain until the rain is done.”
Bilbo and the Witch looked at each other with the smallest of grins. Tawny smoked her pipe, the mesh curtain now getting filled with smoke. She coughed a little and opened it to blow some smoke out.
“If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard.” He said truthfully, but Tawny couldn’t help but sense a tone of annoyance.
“Are there any?” Bilbo asked.
“What?”
“Other wizards?” He added, curiously watching the Wizard’s back.
“There are five of us.” The old man answered. “The greatest of our order is Saruman the White.”
Tawny nodded along, letting out another long exhale of smoke. She remembered asking the Wizard about it a few times, and his answers were always short. This was like every other time.
“Then there are the two blue wizards,” He paused. “Do know, that I’ve quite forgotten their names.
“Alatar and Pallando.” Tawny reminded him.
“Oh, yes,” Gandalf nodded, “And finally, there is Radagast the Brown.”
“Oh, I’ve heard about him a few times,” She whispered to the Hobbit.
“Is he a Great Wizard or is he– more like you?” He misspoke and he suddenly felt a punch on his arm. “Ow.” He winced, raising a hand to rub the spot Tawny had just punched. He shot her a glare but nodded along.
“I think he’s a very Great Wizard.” The Wizard completely ignored Bilbo’s casual insult, knowing he didn’t mean to offend him. “In his own way. He’s a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the east.”
“Think he’s just saying that he’s one of them hermits,” Tawny whispered to Bilbo, earning an eye-roll in response.
“And a good thing too,” The Wizard didn’t hear Tawny, but he kept going. “For always evil will look to find a foothold in this world.”
“What happened to your robe?”
The girl looked down at her robes. She lifted it up, wondering if she left a stain on it from breakfast this morning. “What about it?”
“Well, yesterday you were wearing those trousers and that red robe,” Bilbo explained. “And now, you’re wearing a blue one and a dress.”
The two conversed while on the trip east. It’d been peaceful as the company walked, despite the occasional Bilbo-Tawny-Bickering that happened every so often. Something about showing the slightest of vulnerability to the Hobbit made the Witch’s skin crawl. After Balin expressed that it was going to be a “long journey” if they kept to it, they tried their best to quiet down. The horses and ponies that they were on stomped on the grass as they walked through, making a muffled patter under them. She made a face and looked around at what she wore, perhaps there was a hole, a rip, or a mark.
“Is there something wrong?” She looked down at him, confused. Her usual hat was resting on the back of her horse, and Favonius was asleep behind her. “Does it look bad?” She blinked in worry.
“No, no,” Bilbo’s pitch raised an octave as he spoke. “It’s just,” He was stuttering again, and he paused for a moment to decide what he should say. “Why?”
Her hands dropped to her saddle, scoffing as she looked at him in disbelief. She shook her head at the question, relieved that there was nothing wrong with it. Why. The word rang in her mind. Should she be offended?
“Why did I change?” She said out loud. “Because I wore them for a bit, and they need to be washed? Do you not have extra clothes?” Was that the answer Bilbo was searching for? She frowned at that.
“Well, of course, it’s just– why do you wear trousers and such?” He wasn’t trying to sound offensive, but he was genuine. “I mean, how come you wear them?”
Tawny thought for a moment, confused about what he was trying to say, then hesitated when she spoke; “I don’t know,” She shrugged. “They’re comfortable? Easier to ride horses with? Why, do Hobbit women not wear pants?”
Bilbo nodded, taking in what she said. “No, not usually,” His head tilted side-to-side. “Do human women usually wear pants?”
She hummed, squinting a little. “Some do.” Her tone was uncertain, but she didn’t elaborate. “What do you think looks better?”
He opened his mouth to say something but he closed it when no words came out. He sputtered, “Well, I’ve not seen many Hobbit– women… wear pants, really.”
Tawny swayed her head from side to side for a moment in thought before turning her head to look down at him. “What about your little lady love?” The corners of her lips quirked up slightly. “What would you rather see her in?”
He hummed, eyes crinkling at its corners. “When I have a ‘lady love,’ as you call it, I’ll be sure to tell you.” He shot back a friendly smile.
She formed an ‘o’ with her mouth, “Oh, do you not have a Missus Baggins?” Tawny questioned, not meaning anything by it, but that didn’t help Fili and Kili share a snicker.
He shook his head, making an odd ‘Bilbo-Noise,’ as per usual. “Nope.” He ignored Fili and Kili’s attempts at getting his attention.
“Alright then, what about me?” She asked instead. “What do you think looks nicer?”
Bilbo uncomfortably shifted on his saddle. What should he say? She was okay-ish looking, and he could only admit to himself that he had stared in confusion at her trousers a few times– especially when they first met. He fiddled with his hands as he thought, trying to figure out what to say.
“You look,” He gulped, looking around at the dwarves who pretended not to pay any attention to his conversation. “Okay. In both. Both are okay.” He squeaked.
Her smile dropped and she raised a brow at him. “Okay,” She repeated. “But which do you like more– on me?”
“Uhh,” Bilbo could just hear the Dwarves behind him grin in amusement. “Well, I don’t really know, I haven’t really been paying attention to what you wore.” He said in an attempt to casually brush it off.
“Aye,” He heard Fili interrupt. “Did you not just describe her robes, Master Boggins?”
His lips twitched, staring forward in annoyance about his interruption. “Well.” He drawled. “I don’t know, maybe your dress, I’m not sure.” He trailed off, the tips of his ears turning a light shade of pink for being put on the spot. “You’d look nice in anything, I think.”
Her smile returned to her face, kindly gazing at the Hobbit in contentment. Now that he had answered, conversation amongst Thorin’s company broke out into individual chuckles and conversations. Bilbo muttered something under his breath, he was just trying to be nice.
Soon, they came to what looked like a run-down cabin and barn, looking empty as if it were abandoned. Thorin turned his pony to look at his company.
“We’ll camp here for the night.” He announced to them all. “Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them.”
The Witch blinked, shrugging. At least she could get off and rest for a while. “Finally.” She muttered to Bilbo, earning a small smile. She hopped off, waking Favonius in the process, and grabbed her bag and guitar to hoist around her. Tawny reached out to grab the horse's reins and pulled it along to let it relax.
“A farmer and his family used to live here.” She heard Gandalf say as he looked around the shotty house.
She flinched her head back at that, wondering how he knew. “Do you ever get tired of carrying those?” She heard Bilbo squeak from behind her, causing her to jump.
“You and your questions,” Tawny huffed. “You know what, here,” She turned to him and dropped her bag that looked comically big compared to him. “Nope, I don’t think I do.” She grinned.
“Oin, Gloin. Get a fire going.” They heard Thorin's order, and gave him an “aye,” in response.
“I think it would be wiser to move on.” Gandalf echoed as he scanned the area. “We could make for the Hidden Valley.”
The two paused as they carried their things inside to listen to Gandalf intently.
“I have told you already,” The Dwarf King seethed. “I will not go near that place.”
Tawny shook her head and gestured for Bilbo to help her bring things inside. “Pay them no mind, Bilbo.” She set Favonius inside, letting him fall back asleep. He hummed in response, following suit. He dropped his bag next to hers and turned to look at her as he dusted off his hands. However, she was already peering outside, completely ignoring her own words. Bilbo hummed, almost chuckling.
For some reason, Gandalf was upset about something Thorin had said. Bilbo was now leaning outside the door behind the girl, staring at them.
“Help?” Thorin scoffed. “A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the elves?”
“Tawny, I don’t think we should stare,” Bilbo said in a quiet voice as they talked. She simply shushed at him, making his face drop in annoyance.
“Orcs plunder Morir… Desecrate our sacred halls. The Elves looked on and did nothing.”
The girl chewed on her bottom lip as they spoke, trying to form a timeline in her head. From the stories Gandalf told her when she was young, she had no idea that they were real. Wonder filled her eyes, and she wanted to know more about these Elves.
“And you ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather?” Thorin stepped closer to the wizard as if he was challenging him. “Who betrayed my father?”
“You are neither of them.” Gandalf sighed. “I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past.”
Both the Hobbit and the Witch were now staring at them quietly, not daring to move in case they saw that they were eavesdropping on their conversation.
“I did not know they were yours to keep,” Thorin spat.
Gandalf huffed turning around. Quickly, Tawny and Bilbo rushed inside, clearing their throats as if they had been occupied with something else the entire time as casually as they could.
“Gandalf?” Someone had noticed the Wizard begin to storm away. “Where are you going?”
“To seek the company of the only one around here who’s got any sense!” Gandalf boomed.
Tawny walked outside, arms crossed as she looked up at the Wizard who was walking away. Bilbo followed behind her, speaking up.
“And who’s that?” He asked.
“Myself, Master Baggins!” Gandalf yelled, turning on his heel to look at them. His eyes landed on the girl, and he cleared his throat at his outburst. He huffed again, gesturing for her to follow him. “Oh, you– come along, Girl.” He muttered angrily.
Her hands dropped to her sides, she stood up straighter, then looked at Bilbo with a nervous look painted on her face. Bilbo’s lips turned to a thin line and the Witch walked after him, boots clicking as she did. Gandalf mumbled in annoyance, not waiting for her to catch up. Tawny looked back at the Hobbit, guitar still strapped around her, putting her hands behind her back as she walked behind the wizard before they disappeared into the forest.
Thorin stepped out after they had left with his hands on his hips. “Come on, Bombur, we’re hungry.”
Bilbo rushed to Balin’s side, which was only a few feet away. “Are they coming back? They are, right?” He asked in a low voice. The Dwarf shrugged in response, unsure himself.
Bilbo was getting impatient. Nighttime had fallen, and they hadn’t come back from the forest since. His knee was bouncing as he stared out into the dark. No familiar wizard with a pointy hat and no annoying witch with no manners were anywhere in eyesight. Well, He thought. Maybe the latter isn’t that bad.
“They’ve been gone a long time,” He turned to them to voice their concerns. He walked around, beginning to pace.
“Who?” Bofur asked, not really paying attention as he poured a bowl of dark slop.
“Gandalf and Tawny,” Bilbo answered, eyebrows furrowed. How could he forget about them so easily?
“He’s a wizard. He does as he chooses.” Bofur tried to soothe his nerves. “Here, do us a favor. Take this to the lads.”
Bilbo snapped toward Bofur and took the two bowls. “And Tawny?” He stuttered.
“Oh, your sweetheart can handle herself.” Bofur raised a hand and waved him away with a smirk.
Bilbo’s face scrunched in disgust. He groaned, disgusted by the thought of it. “She is not,” He started to turn to the door. “She is not my anything.” His shoulders tensed. “We’re barely even friends at that.”
Bombur chuckled as he watched him and Bofur nodded his head sarcastically. “Yeah, that was convincing.” Bofur slapped Bombur’s arm softly with his backhand, seeing how he was trying to get more soup. “Go on, now– Aye, stop it, you’ve had enough.”
Grumbling as he turned away, he walked toward Fili and Kili who were supposed to be watching the ponies. Just imagine– the thought of being the mate of that vile, mean, and annoying witch! He imagined his face turning green at the thought. He would never say any of this to her face, no, he was too respectable for that. “She’d likely smother me in my sleep!” He laughed out loud to himself, then shook his head.
The Dwarves by the fire were laughing and talking loudly, Bilbo could hear it even as he walked away. His bare feet crunched the leaves underneath him, he walked toward the ponies– at least to where the ponies should be and saw the two staring out. When he stood beside them, he held out the two bowls and waited for them to grab them. When they only stared out, his eyes furrowed in confusion.
“What’s the matter?” He blinked.
“We’re supposed to be looking after the ponies,” Kili explained.
“Only, we’ve encountered a slight problem,” Fili spoke up.
They all looked back if you had not studied and counted them all, they may have missed it.
“We had sixteen.” Kili started.
“Now there’s fourteen.” Fili finished.
The trio walked around the ponies, trying to figure out who had been missing. After Kili realized that Daisy and Bungo were gone, he announced it to the other two. Bilbo was still carrying the two bowls of soup, even though it’d likely be cold by now.
“That’s not good.” He chuckled nervously. “And that is not good at all. Shouldn’t we tell Thorin?”
Fili made a noise. “Uh, no. Let’s not worry him.” He didn’t want to bring his uncle into this and upset him. “As our official burglar, we thought you might like to look into it.”
“Well, uh–” Bilbo’s nerves started rising, “Look, something big uprooted these trees.” He pointed out anxiously.
“That’s what I was thinking.” Fili agreed, looking around.
“It’s something very big and possibly quite dangerous.” The Hobbit added, uncomfortable with the thought of them making him go after it.
“There’s a light!” Fili crouched once he saw it. “Over here.” He motioned for them to follow, but Bilbo couldn’t be more against the idea. Nevertheless, he crouched down and quietly followed, not knowing what to do with the bowls of mush in his hands.
He could hear some loud booming voice coming from a campfire a little ways ahead. “What is it?” Bilno asked in a hushed voice.
“Trolls.” Kili glared.
The two Dwarves jumped over the log they hid behind and got closer to the noise. Bilbo reluctantly followed, leaving the two bowls behind as he did. He paused for a moment and turned around, then grabbed the two bowls anyway, just in case. They quietly rushed through the forest, but the Hobbit caught sight of a large Troll carrying two more ponies in his arms. Quickly, he hid behind a large tree stump, peeking over the side to see what had happened.
“He’s got Myrtle and Minty!” He whisper-yelled to the two young Dwarves. He sighed in exasperation. “I think they’re gonna eat them. We have to do something.”
The two brothers snapped their heads to the Hobbit. “Yes. You should.” Kili stood up and pushed Bilbo forward. “Mountain Trolls are slow and stupid, and you’re so small, they’ll never see you!” He reasoned, even as Bilbo voiced disagreement. “It’ll be perfectly safe. We’ll be right behind you.”
Fili got up to quietly push him toward the Trolls. “If you run into trouble, hoot twice like a barn owl and once like a brown owl.”
Bilbo furrowed his eyebrows. “Twice like a barn owl,” He tried to repeat. “No, twice like a brown… Once like a…” Was that right? He wasn’t sure. “Like a…Are you sure this is a good idea?” He turned around to ask the two, but they had already gone.
“Mutton yesterday, mutton today…” A voice boomed around the campfire, “And blimey, if it don’t look like mutton again tomorrow.”
It echoed through the woods, it was hard not to hear it. The voice was loud and nearly gravelly as it complained. Bilbo took a deep breath, readying himself as he crept forward.
“Quit your griping!” One rasped. “These ain’t sheep. These is fresh nags!” He dropped the ponies into a pen where they kept the other ponies.
“Oh, I don’t like horse,” The one in the middle complained. “I never have. Not enough fat on them.”
Bilbo crouched down into the plants, gazing upon them with a determined look.
“Well, it’s better than that leathery old farmer.” He tried to make light of it. “All skin and bone, he was. I’m still picking bits of him out of me teeth.”
The Hobbit forced himself up, circling around the Trolls to make way for the pen that the ponies were stuck in. He heard the one in the middle into their stew, and he could feel himself nearly gag at the thought. He hid behind another tree momentarily before he began again.
“Wel, that’s lovely, that is. A floater.” The one on the right pointed into the stew.
“Oi, might improve the flavor!” The one on the left added.
“Ah! There’s more where that came from!” The squeaky one said, sniffing up some mucus in the back of his throat.
The one with the spoon grabbed the other’s nose roughly, not caring if it hurt or not. “Oh, no you don’t!” The whiny one groaned in pain until the one in the apron shoved him back down onto a rock. “Sit down!” He screeched.
Bilbo had made his way to the pen and tried his best to loosen the rope that held it together. The sick Troll blew into a handkerchief that he pulled out from behind him. Bilbo rushed nervously, his hands were shaking from the fear of getting caught, but he just couldn’t get the ropes open.
“Well, I hope you’re gonna gut these nags.” The middle one spoke up again. Bilbo turned, spinning on his heel to hide behind the ponies casually as the middle Troll stomped over. “I don’t like the stinky parts.” Bilbo shot a glance back to see if it was still staring at them and snapped his head back when he saw its disgusting face. A sudden clang and a yell made Bilbo nearly jump, but then he saw something in the woods that really made his heart drop.
A familiar face was crouching down, leaning against a tree. Tawny’s face was scrunched up, her hands splayed out, and shaking her head. ‘What are you doing?’ He saw her mouth to him. He squinted at her and pointed behind him, trying to nonverbally explain it. The Witch stood up, wand in hand, and Bilbo tried shooing her away. Her guitar was still strapped around her back, and she was still wearing that Goddamn dress. Her shoe crunched a twig, and she dropped down quietly. Bilbo wanted to just walk over and swat her away, but he stayed put to reach over to attempt untying the rope again.
“Now, I’m starving!” A Troll groaned. “Are we having horse tonight or what?”
“Shut your cakehole,” The one with the apron quipped. “You’ll eat what I give you.”
The Hobbit looked at the one in the middle and saw that it had something sharp that he could likely grab. Something that could easily cut the rope. He gulped, looking back at the rope, then looked back at the Witch who was quietly closer now. She was shaking her head at him, but he began tip-toeing his way over to the sharp object anyway.
“How come he’s the cook? Everything tastes the same. Everything tastes like chicken!”
“Except the chicken.”
“What tastes like fish!”
Bilbo turned and quietly returned back to the safe spot to wait for the right moment to move. The Witch had made her way over and was sitting quietly next to him. The girl reached around her, taking off her guitar to set it behind her.
“What are you doing here?” She whispered.
He put his finger to his lips to quiet her down, he did not want to get caught by these ginormous, unhygienic Trolls! The cook paused, silently listening for a moment before returning back to the conversation.
Tawny leaned in to whisper in Bilbo’s ear instead, making his skin shiver at the feeling. “Did Fili and Kili put you up to this?”
He gulped, nodding his head for a moment, not daring to make a noise.
“Alright, you go, and I’ll try the ropes again.” Her lips being so close to his ear and whispering made his frown deepen.
The Hobbit nodded and began crawling past the ponies. He shook his head at the encounter, trying to shake it off, shivering almost. The girl stood up, and pulled at the thick ropes, but had no luck. Bilbo’s hand landed on a bone as he hushed the ponies, and he dropped it in disgust, jolting back in response. When he looked up, the middle troll was reaching over him. The two froze, ducking down as it did. When it grabbed a mug, they sighed in relief and went back at it. Bilbo had stood up, still trying to hush the ponies, and then he hid behind the middle one’s back. The cook hit the squeaky one in the face, causing it to fall back. Tawny dropped down, not wanting to be seen so easily.
“Oh, that is beautifully balanced, that is.” The cook reached the spoon to the middle one’s mouth to let it sip the stew. “Good, innit?” It chuckled.
Bilbo hesitated as he reached for the sharp knife. He pointed at it, unsure how to grab it without it being noticed by the Troll. He attempted to lift it, but the Troll got up, causing the Hobbit to crouch back down. It reached down, scratching its ass, and Bilbo had to do a double take. His face scrunched up and he looked to the Witch who was covering her mouth at the sight. She was biting back a laugh, no doubt there. He mumbled to himself silently then stood back up when the Troll sat down again.
“Oh, my guts are grumbling,” A Troll grumbled. “I got to snaffle something. Flesh! I need flesh!”
The one in the middle was starting to sneeze. He reached back and grabbed Bilbo, Tawny jumped up and reached her arms up in response before slinking back down. She watched as Bilbo wiggled in the troll's hand, reaching down to grab her wand. Tawny gagged quietly when she saw how gross Bilbo looked.
The Troll yelled in shock. “Blimey! Bert! Bert! Look what’s come out of my hooter!” Bilbo stared in shock at the Troll. Tawny stood in front of them, still hidden. “It’s got arms and legs and everything.”
“What is it?” Bert murmured.
“I don’t know! But I don’t like the way it wriggles around.” The Troll threw the Hobbit onto the ground.
The Witch gulped, about to stand up, but she felt a hand grip her arm. She turned, seeing Kili had silently been beside her for a moment. Her jaw clenched, frowning at the scene.
Bilbo forced himself up, barely flinching when the Trolls stomped around him.
“What are you, then? An oversized squirrel?” The other Troll pointed his knife at the man.
“I’m a burglar…Uh! Hobbit!” Bilbo squeaked. Tawny hit her forehead with her palm at his answer.
“A Burglarobbit?” The one in the middle jeered.
“Can we cook him?” The other looked to Bert.
“We can try!” The middle one stomped over, reaching over to grab Bilbo.
Tawny yanked her arm out of Kili’s grip before he reached out and wrapped an arm around her. “Fili is getting the others, just wait.” He explained quietly. The Witch pushed him away, gripping her wand tightly.
“Let’s go!” She huffed to him, but Kili grabbed her hand again.
“Just give him a moment,” The Dwarf Prince whispered. “Please.” She swallowed her pride and slunk back down for a moment.
“He won’t make more than a mouthful,” Bert pointed his spoon at Bilbo. “Not when he’s skinned and boned!”
Bilbo had weaved through them as fast as he could, but they grabbed him quickly.
“Perhaps there’s more Burglarobbits around these parts? Might be enough for a pie.” The troll shoved the Hobbit back.
Her heart was racing, nervously fiddling with her wand. She felt warm, too hot in her skin as she watched the poor Hobbit. The Witch shoved Kili’s arm, gesturing to the scene in front of them. “We can’t just let him be, Kili, we’ve gotta do something!” She whisper-yelled to him. His jaw clenched slightly, not looking at her, but analyzing the scene. One of them managed to actually pick him up!
“I’ll go right, just wait for one second.” He whispered before running off into the trees.
“Are there any more of you lil’ fellas hiding where you shouldn’t?” It grinned.
Bilbo’s breath quickened, “No!” He gasped.
“He’s lying!” The whiny one seethed.
He started shaking his head, wiggling around in the Troll’s grasp. “No, I’m not!” Bilbo squeaked.
“Hold his toes over the fire!” The whiny one ordered. “Make him squeal!”
“Stupefy!” The Witch stood up, stunning the Troll while Kili landed a slice on its leg. The troll let out a squeal, similar to a pig, and hopped on one foot. “Drop him!” She yelled, pointing another curse at the Troll holding Bilbo at knifepoint.
The disgusting thing threw the Hobbit at the Witch in shock at the sharp sensation the hex gave him.
“Bilbo!” She gasped, dropping her wand without thinking, and opened her arms up to catch him.
From the impact, she fell back on her back and gasped for air. Bilbo’s face was buried in her stomach, not moving for a moment. The breath was knocked out of her, but she lifted her head up and patted his back. She opened her mouth, but only a wheeze escaped her lips. The Hobbit felt his ribs hurt from the throw, but he barely thought about it, lifting himself up for a moment.
“Your dress, I’m–” He stuttered again, looking around to realize that the Dwarves were attacking the three Trolls. “Tawny, I’m sorry.”
Only, he wasn't sorry. Thank God that dress was ruined so he wouldn't have to see her in it again. It wasn't that the dress was ugly, no, no. In fact, the dress made Tawney seem particularly 'less terrible' than he would like to acknowledge.
Tawny squinted, frowning at the man. “What?” She managed to squawk out. She looked down, seeing the white material was now a sticky green from the snot, and her robe was muddied. The green substance was warm and goopy, even with it mostly on Bilbo’s jacket. “It’s fine,” She gagged. “It’s fine, just–” Gods, hear me, and please don’t let me puke. She thought. “Get up!” She almost puked, shoving him off her in the process.
Bilbo landed on his back for a second and rushed up the moment he saw Tawny grab her wand and join the fight. The ponies! He realized, weaving in between the many Dwarves and the trolls. Looking around, he saw flying colors, sparkling in the air– it was magic, no doubt about it. It was beautiful, even though he could hear the receiving ends of screams and yelps and squeals the trolls let out. Bilbo jumped behind a barrel, avoiding the fight as much as he could. His eyes landed on the ponies that were still making a fuss in the pen.
The Witch’s mind raced, quickly letting out a few different offense spells at the three Trolls. “Kili, move!” She yelled, pointing her wand at an unsuspecting Troll. The Dwarf snapped his gaze to her, waiting for her to do something– anything. “Locomotor Mortis!” Tawny yelped.
The Troll that she had pointed to froze, legs locking in place, binding together. It let out a yelp as if fell, nearly landing on Kili. His eyes lip up brightly, somewhat amazed at the spell she’d just managed. Bilbo watched in confusion, but nevertheless, he went to pick up the sharp object that the Troll dropped on the ground while he wiggled around.
Tawny let out a choked laugh, “I did it! Did you see that?” She cried and looked around to see Kili’s reaction. Her smile dropped slightly, not seeing the Dwarf from where he was a second ago.
Suddenly, a warm and sticky hand wrapped around her entire body, and a yelp escaped her. Her hand was immovable, trapped by the binding from the Troll’s hand. Tawny was lifted off her feet and she yelled as she was yanked through the air, dropping her wand in the process.
The other Troll that was throwing Dwarves off of him went to grab the Witch as she squirmed. Quickly, she tried biting down on the Trolls finger that held her, but he simply squeaked and threw her into the air, dangling her by her hands.
“Holy shit, holy shit!” She wheezed, seeing ponies run off in one direction, and the other Troll grab her other half. “Fuck!”
Everyone froze in place, even though half of them were already thrown in a pile– the Hobbit included. Kili’s face hardened, his grip tightening around his sword as he tried leaping forward. Bilbo swallowed hard, ready to jump forward as well with nothing but a spare dagger in hand.
“Tawny!” Kili yelled, but he and Bilbo were both pulled back by Thorin.
“Lay down your arms,” The Troll that held one side of her yelled. “Or we’ll rip her’s off!” He started to pull, and the Witch yelled out a cry of pain, not looking at the company in embarrassment.
Thorin who stared intensely, as always, glared at the girl who’d put them in a tough spot. Slowly, he slammed the point of his sword into the ground, looking up at the Trolls like he was challenging them. Kili angrily slammed his sword down, and the rest of the Dwarves followed suit. Bilbo, however, was the last one to drop his weapon, and an odd feeling of guilt pricked his chest.