The Desolation of Smaug - Reader Insert

I Really Don't Like This Forest

(Name) (L/N) cautiously climbed down a large pile of rocks, to where the company of Thorin Oakenshield was waiting for her report.

"Well?" Dwalin demanded once she jumped to the ground, making her bruises ache. "How far is the pack?"

"Not very far," (Name) answered worriedly, pushing her (h/l) (h/c) hair out of her face. "Maybe a couple leagues, but there's more-"

"Have the Wargs picked up our scent?" the bald but heavily bearded dwarf interrupted.

"Not yet," the girl impatiently stated, "they probably will, but there's another problem-"

"Did they see you?" Gandalf tensely asked. "They saw you, didn't they-"

"They didn't see me!" (Name) sighed. The wizard turned to the company. "See? Excellent burglar material - quiet as a mouse." Everyone shot him sarcastic looks - he was one of the longest to get used to (Name)'s presence. The hobbit's expression turned to exasperation. "Will you listen to what I have to say?! There's something- something else out there!"

Finally, the worried attention of the dwarves rested on her. "What form did it take?" Gandalf inquired, a strange question. "Was it a bear?"

"Ye...yes," (Name) answered, casting the wizard a look. "It was, just much bigger than a normal one."

"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked Gandalf. He ignored the question, turning and taking a couple steps forwards.

"I say we double back," Bofur stated.

"And be run down by a pack of orcs," Thorin sarcastically added.

"There is a house, not far from here," Gandalf interrupted, turning back to the group. "We can take refuge there."

"Who's house?" Thorin demanded. "Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither," Gandalf answered simply. "He will either help us, or kill us."

All the dwarves exchanged looks.

"What choice do we have?" Thorin queried.

A thunderous roar split the night from behind them.

"None," Gandalf grimly replied.

~

(Name)'s legs pumped to keep up with the company. Her sword was in its sheath at her side, bouncing with every step, and her lungs strained to circulate any air. "Come on!" Gandalf yelled, somehow in the front of the group despite his long robes and staff. There was movement of the foliage around them, caused by orcs, or rabbits, or themselves - (Name) had no idea. She just followed as quickly as she could, nearly tripping on a large and gnarled tree root.

Another ear-splitting roar filled the darkened sky as they reached the edge of the forest, causing Bombur to stop a moment in fright. "Come on, Bombur!" Gandalf's cry stirred him back into motion, running now across an open field to a barnhouse. Somehow, the red-bearded dwarf had outran all of the others, and reached the door first. (Name) spotted him try the handle, but it seemed locked, so he threw himself against the wood. It held steady, however, and he fell over.

Once the others caught up, they also tried to break the door down. (Name), at the back of the crowd, eyed the woods timidly. Suddenly, the massive black bear she had spotted before burst out of the trees and pounded towards them. "Open the door, quickly!" Gandalf hollered. As he said that, the door burst open, and the dwarves slid inside just in time. (Name), being the last to get in, yelled in fear as she dived through the closing door, the bear right behind her. The company all pushed against the door, but its head had made it through, roaring and snarling wildly. "Come on, lads!" Dwalin shouted, and with one final effort, the door slammed shut and the bolt latched across it. (Name) let out a sigh of relief.