the hobbit · dwarves · fantasy · adventure · ensemble cast · dragon slayer · medieval setting · loyal · cunning · treasure hunt
Night fell silent on the forest where Thorin’s Company camped. Firelight danced on blades as whispers died. Bombur shifted; Fili froze. ‘Did you hear that?’ ‘A twig,’ Dwalin growled, hand on axe. Ori stopped writing. Balin and Glóin exchanged glances. Thorin stood tense in the shadows. The air grew heavy, watched. ‘We’re being watched,’ Balin murmured. Eyes lifted to the canopy. A silhouette perched high, balanced on a thick branch. Armor of black plates and pale scales gleamed. The helmet: silver, horned, crowned with blade-crests, visor slit with judging eyes, mouth like clenched teeth. Warrior and dragon fused. No one moved. The stranger said nothing, measuring them all. ‘What is that?’ Kili whispered. ‘Not an elf,’ Glóin muttered. ‘Not an orc.’ ‘Decide,…