When I arrive in Middle-earth [Part 2]
Warning: Hi ! It’s just to warn that English is not my mother tongue. I apologize if you encounter errors in your reading. Part three is being written. In any case, I hope you enjoy :) Enjoy reading !
We continued our journey for several days, leaving behind less and less cities and pushing us further into the uninhabited and wild areas of Middle-earth.
To be honest, sleeping under the stars was a first for me. I had already been camping with my family, but we were still staying in bungalows or caravans.
I managed to sympathize with some other members of the company, although the others were always distant (and when I say others, I speak mostly of Thorin and Dwalin).
I encouraged Bilbo to do the same but he always seemed shy about the dwarves. I think it would be worse if he was alone during the trip.
At least with my presence, I think he felt he felt less lonely and felt more comfortable, reassured.
Right now, the camp was up. Bombur and Bifur were preparing dinner, Dwalin and Nori had gone to get some extra wood for the night, and the rest went about their business talking or smoking in their pipes.
-Miss Isabelle, this book you lent me is fascinating ! Do you have any more ? Ori asked, coming towards me.
I smiled at the young dwarf.
-It's true, did you like ? I asked, taking the book he handed me, then rummaging in my travel bag.
-Love ? He devoured it in a few hours ! Exclaims Nori with Dwalin, walking past us, firewood in each arm.
-I'm glad you like it ! If you want, I have a story divided into seven volumes to propose to you. Of course, these books are in French, but I can teach you by reading together.
-Do you do that ?! It would be an honor to learn an unknown language!
Happy, I wave to the young scribe to sit next to me while I take the first volume.
-This is my favorite story in the whole universe, I added with an excited smile.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Bilbo getting closer to us. He had heard this story countless times before, but he liked it too, and I had already taught him to speak French. He sat on my other side to listen.
Without realizing it, the company had become silent around us so as to listen too, although they did not understand a word of what Ori and I were saying.
Ori asked me a lot of questions because this book was full of non-existent objects or technology in Middle-earth.
Subsequently, I told him about how France was, the food, the capital, the history of my country and the different regions that had it.
-Most foreigners think that Paris sums up France, and they quickly forget that this is not the only place you can visit, I said with a chuckle. The things I heard most often in my language was "Paris Baguette ! Oui, oui ! Merci beaucoup !".
When I started talking about the tragic end of our royal family, Ori became pale like death !
-You... you really...?
-Yeah... They... They lost their heads, literally... I said, a little embarrassed. But it was a long time ago! I was far from being born at that time! Now we are a republic. But ... Things have not changed much since the better off are always and always priority. You want us to change the subject. I can see that it upset you...
-Yes please. I would like to know ... Are there other cultures and countries in your country that you visited?
I'm trying to remember...
-I have already been to some places... I went to the Azores, for example ! I only visited Terceira because that was where my grandmother and paternal grandfather lived when they were young. There, we speak Portuguese. But I never learned to speak it... My father spoke only French at home.
-It's unfortunate that you have not had the opportunity to learn this language, Ori said sadly.
-It's true ... But at least I learned a thing or two. When my grandmother speaks Portuguese to my father, it's because she has trouble finding the same word in French, or shouting at her ! Generally, this is the second case and it's hilarious to watch !
The atmosphere is very tense...
Thorin and Gandalf argue and we camp near a barn in ruins...
I'm afraid the time has come to face the trolls...
The tone goes up in decibels !
And then suddenly, Gandalf goes furiously to his horse!
-Gandalf ! I tried to stop him. Are you really going to sulk like a five year old ?!
The magician looks at me with a glare. But I will not stop !
-I warn you, Gandalf. I warn you, if something happens to us during your absence, I will hold you accountable and I will not forgive you soon !
-I take the risk, miss Isabelle ! Writes the gray wizard as he leaves.
-Merlin save me from the obstinacy of this wizard of misfortune! I thought.
Silence falls when Gandalf leaves and I will help to prepare the dinner, anxious for the hours to come.
-Bilbo, give their dinners to Fili and Kili.
The Hobbit follows me and events follow one another quickly.
Our ponies are kidnapped by the trolls and Fili and Kili send Bilbo delivered while the dwarves are hidden in the vegetation.
-I am going to look for Thorin! I announce to the two brothers.
-I am sure we can solve this problem ourselves!
And I'm convinced otherwise and I know how to end this story! I turn to the Crown Prince angrily.
-Listen to me very carefully, blondie, I hissed with a threatening look. If anything happens to my most precious friend, I will never forgive you! It was you and Kili who were supposed to keep the ponies, so act smarter to remedy the situation!
The two brothers seem intimidated although I am much smaller than both!
-I repeat myself. I'm going to get Thorin.
This time, they do not protest and their uncle is quickly informed of the situation.
I was going to come with them, but...
-Stay here ! Thorin commands me severely.
-But I could help!
-Do not take it badly, my daughter, Gloin assures me, his big hand on my shoulder. But you do not have a weapon to defend yourself and someone has to watch the camp in our absence. We will not be long, promised!
Frustrated, I stay there, watching the camp for what looks like an eternity.
- I'm stupid, I should have thought to take at least something sharp, even a kitchen knife... It must believe that I did not think of everything.
Suddenly, I hear heavy, slow footsteps approaching. And that certainly can not come from one of my fellow travelers!
I will hide a little further while keeping a perspective on the camp.
One of the trolls comes in and digs in our stuff. He checks the number of the berth and obviously seems to realize that he is missing a snack. Me.
I swallow with difficulty saliva trying to remain discreet until he returns to find others. And after a few extra minutes, he does it.
I try to follow him under cover of shadows and vegetation.
We arrive near the troll camp, where my companions are tied up like sausages, in jute sacks or on a spit on a log of wood over a fire!
I try to get close to one of the dwarves while Bilbo is a diversion. Thorin, Bombur and Balin are the first to see me. I wave to them to remain silent.
I fight with the impossible rope and irritate me from second to second!
One of the trolls suddenly looks in Thorin's direction! I try to hide as much as possible behind the broad shoulders of the future king under the mountain, not to move or even to breathe!
The troll scratches his buttocks and then lays his gaze on the dwarf skewer with appetite.
-Aïe ! Grumeth Thorin.
-Sorry... I whispered.
I had pulled her hair without doing it on purpose. It's still not my fault that these trolls managed to trap the dwarf's hair in the ropes !
I was so focused on my task that I did not pay attention and one of the trolls exclaimed:
I quickly look up at the three creatures, slightly irritated by my difficulty detaching Thorin!
-Your mother, little genius! I responded with annoyance.
Surprised by myself, I put my hand against my mouth before saying something else that I would regret!
Fortunately for me, they were too stupid to understand that I had insulted them.
-We can eat it? Asked the troll who seemed to be the youngest.
-This would not be a very good idea...
-And why this?
Without any shame, I lift the sides of my dress and show my leek body.
Yeah, I went from asparagus to leek! I have grown since I lived with Bilbo (the fact that the meals in the day succeed you prevented you from knowing how many calories you stack on top of each other).
-You see ! I showed myself tapping on my belly flattens with nonexistent abs. I'm skinny as a nail. The only thing you will have to eat here are my bones! And I'm full of hormones, I would not taste good. It's not for lack of being force-fed like a goose for a year.
They seemed disappointed.
-What do we do with the little insect ? Asked another troll.
-I beg your pardon ? What did you just treat me ?!
-Hum ... Small insect.
So there ... it's too much!
I head for the pile of clothes and weapons that the creatures left behind when they stripped the dwarves into the sacks and seized a sword.
-I've been insulting a lot of things in my life because of my size, I say, heading darkly toward the three monsters. Grumpy...
I hit one in the leg without him seeing it happen.
I dodge the fists of one of them and push the blade in its sides. He collapses while trying to breathe and trying to stop the bleeding.
I manage to unbalance one and climb on his belly.
I pierce his belly by opening it in two and he screams in pain.
-But call me insect, it's the drop of water that overflows the pool!
The last row manages to take me in his big hand! I drop my weapon and my companions scream to order the creature to release me!
-That's enough ! You will pay for what you did to my brothers, little rat without hair!
I am furious. He will regret it!
I plant my teeth in his pulpit! It tastes abominable but at least it relaxes me and I fall to the ground.
I have trouble landing but put it aside and catch the sword I dropped!
I cut my thigh and he fell back, unbalanced! I climb on his stomach to peel, but one of his big hands trying to grab me!
-Do not even think about it !
I slice his hand and new howls roar in the silence of the woods.
I'm about to put the sword into his skull, but Gandalf comes in and turns them into stone.
Everyone is released. But I had momentarily forgotten that they were almost all naked below...
-Merlin! I cried, closing my eyes as Bofur burst out laughing. Promised, I did not see anything!
-Is the first time you see the buttocks of a man, my girl? He asks as I become red peony.
-Yes and see yours was enough for me, Bofur! Thank you !
Everyone laughs and I move away to return to the camp.
The pain I felt when the troll knocked me out was not just a shock. I have the wrist left wrist.
-A bath would not be a luxury...
I'm covered with troll blood, not to mention the smell that comes from it... I need a mouthwash too.
I still can not believe that I bit into the flesh of this creature as clean as public toilets!
I have a thrill of disgust rising!
We are now going to the creature cave to try and find some useful things. Having my own weapon would not hurt.
While I stay in the back to chase the disgusting taste that I have in my mouth, Fili and Kili approach me.
-Yes guys? I then ask them to serve one arm on each of my shoulders.
-Tell us, Miss Isabelle. How did you learn to fight like that?
I growl because I have acid reflux in my throat.
-I trained myself. By triggering fights in Bree's bars. Of course, I did not kill anyone, I just hurt one or two and they gave it back to me.
-Aaaah, we knew it was not with Mr. Baggins that you had learned to make such a decision, Kili burst out laughing.
-Do not be so sure of yourself. As you've probably heard from Bilbo, he's not at all clumsy with darts. You replace these claws with little daggers and you have a Hobbit ready to blow your eyes at once.
The two dwarf princes all laugh less at the same time. They even cast an uncertain look on Bilbo, who talks to Bofur, wagging his adorable nose.
They look at me and I smile at them with a dark smile.
-Mr. Baggins! They exclaim running to the Hobbit.
-Where is Gandalf?
-He abandoned us!
-Do not say nonsense bigger than you! I gasped trying to protect Ori and Bilbo as best I could. Gandalf, I know I said I would not forgive you if something happened, like a Trolls attack, but it's time to be forgiven!
-By the poor here!
We turn around and one by one, we fall into the hidden passage and Thorin is the last.
A few minutes later, we hear the sound of a hunting core and the sound of hooves. The body of an orc falls at our feet and Dwalin puts me behind him in a protective posture.
We hear a cavalcade then silence falls.
-Good... Well, just follow the path at the end of this tunnel! Said Oin shrugging his shoulders.
And that's the end of part two, I hope you enjoyed it :) thank you for reading!