When in doubt, jump in head first

2. What's the big deal, anyway?

The dwarves started to get ready to move, and the girl went to the not-a-man on the sled, pausing to stroke the back of each Rabbit, murmuring their name and wishing them speed. "So," she started, once she got to him, "You'll be our distraction. You better not miss our talk," she said, stubbornly not looking at him.

He had a wistful smile on his face, "Of course, my dear, of course. Now, I think Gandalf wants to talk to you." I suppose that must be the other not-a-man, she thought, and nodded once at Radagast before going to talk to the figure in grey.

"Ah," he said, when she tapped his elbow, "Yes. Now you must accompany us. Not even the cruelest man would leave a child alone in the Wilds when an Orc Pack is on the move." The girl thought that was perfectly reasonable. Mr I-Don't-Like-Elvish-Blades did not, apparently.

"She will only slow us down," he spoke over her, to her annoyance.

"Now Thorin," he said (yes, one more name for the collection), "We cannot leave her behind." The dwarf still looked like he wanted to argue, but acquiesced with a grunted "Don't get us killed".

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"Come and get me! Ha ha!" Radagast could be heard in the distance, taunting the Orc Pack and leading away the Wargs as Gandalf lead the group of 15 across the stretch of rocky flatland. They darted from rock to rock, pressing themselves against the boulders when the not-a-man would whiz nearby on his sled.

"Ori no!" cried Thorin, and grabbed a dwarf she supposed was named Ori. He looked shocked as not two seconds later Radagast drove by on his sled, trailed closely by the Orc Pack.

Her lungs were starting to burn when they next stopped, but became ice cold as she heard the sound of snuffling behind her. An Orc and Warg had broken off from the main pack, and was now standing directly above their heads. She froze, not daring to even move as the sounds of shuffling got louder and louder. I don't want to die, she thought. She mentally slapped herself: you can be pessimistic later, brain.

Thorin made a sign of protest at the beardless dwarf (and how horrible that must be), but it was too late, he had turned and shot an arrow at them. Both fell in front of them, wounded, and were quickly killed by some other Dwarves. However, neither had died quietly.

There was silence on the plains.

"Run, run!" cried Gandalf, and the spell was broken. The yips and snarls of Wargs were behind them and in front of them and all around them. The haunting cries of their masters carried on the wind, their harsh words grating on her ears. The group had abandoned all pretences of stealth, and were fleeing after Gandalf as fast as their feet could carry them.

The girl was running as fast as she could, but still keeping an eye out for any danger to the Company. That is why, when Ori was cornered by a Warg and rider, she saw and leapt atop it's back. Knife already in hand, she slit it's throat and jumped in front of the dwarf to protect him from the riderless and very angry Warg.

"Run," she said, and without looking to see if he followed her instructions, dove for the Warg. She dipped and ducked it's snapping jaws, darting around the creature like she was dancing. Seeing her opportunity, she slid under it's belly, slicing open it's stomach with her knife, then rose from the ground as it dropped dead behind her.

Ori was watching her in awe. "Come on!" she snapped, and grabbed his arms, pulling him to the others. They had made it to a rock, and the Orc Pack was closing in on the group. Gandalf has disappeared, but the girl could Feel him beneath the rock ... hang on, beneath the rock?

"Where's Gandalf?" asked a dwarf. At least they had noticed too.

"He's abandoned us!" cried another. Ori pulled out a slingshot (a slingshot, really?) and started aiming at the Orcs. The beardless dwarf was shooting arrows, which were more effective than the slingshot.