[Novnarwen]

Suddenly, when Dwalin could feel his pulse rising to another level, something happened down on the ground. He tried to get a proper look, but realised that a person like him, who was scared of heights, would only fall down if he attemtped to look downwards. "What's happening?" Dwalin hissed at Durin apologetically. All of this was quite embarrassing. Here they were, stuck in two trees, Dwalin was scared of heights, there were Orcs on the ground, and who knew what was happening now. On top of all of this was Dwalin, who had claimed to be a true adventurer, but the truth however, was that he was scared to death of all of this and especially of the situation he found himself in now.

A roar could be heard from down below. Well actually, several roars and screams and the sound of steel against steel. It made a severe sound, which pierced through Dwalin's ears and caused pain in the left part of his brain. "Ouch," he muttered, still waiting for Durin to reply.

"I don't know. I can't see properly. But from what I hear, it must be some kind of a battle.." Durin answered at last, being uncertain by the tune in his voice. Dwalin sighed. This too, was bad news. Who were fighting the Orcs? Was it Bali and the rest of the group, or was it someone else who was after them? Dwalin shivered when thinking of more of these foul creatures. However, as long as they sat in the trees, no one would even give thought to them as there was a battle to attend to on the ground. Dwalin sniggered, leaning his back to the tree. "I don't think we need to be afraid. I mean, those Orcs are probably busy with that battle," Dwalin said, comforting himself as he heard more of those horrible noises from the steel. The left part of his brain was again in pain.

Durin seemed to be pleased by this argument, and said nothing more.

***

"Defend yourselves!"

Dwalin froze. He bumped his head in a branch, forcing himself to look downwards. It had sounded like something Bali would have said, or at least it sounded like his voice. A fire lit up in the Dwarf's eyes, as he gathered his thoughts. If it was Bali and his other companions who were down there, everything would be okay for certain. Dwalin and Durin could, by now, probably just slide down the tree trunks and join the battle and Bali would see them and be immensely happy and then they all together could just bring down those Orcs. It sounded like a good plan, but was probably more difficult to put into action. Dwalin shurgged. They could at least try.

"Did you hear that?" Dwalin started quite eager now and relieved that his brother had come to his rescue. Yes, it was Bali. Dwalin was sure of it. "Hear what?" Durin said sarcastically. "Do you mean the battle in itself, the screams of those who are being killed or the Orcs sniggering? Yes, of course, I can hear it!" Dwalin chose to ignore his annoyed tune, and leaned over and pulled himself to another branch, being a bit more visible to those on the ground. But this didn't matter, they were saved anyway. "No, I mean Bali. Did you hear it? Bali and the rest of our companions have come to get us! We're being saved!" With much enthusiasm he waved his hands in the air, letting go of the branch. He grinned ecstatically, catching Durin's eye in the other tree.

"Watch it!" Durin said alarmingly.

Nonetheless Durin's warning, Dwalin was already halfway down the tree. With a shriek he had lost his balance. By pure luck he had managed to cling himself to another branch on his way down, but the medium sized dwarf was too heavy for the thin branch. With a crack, it broke and again Dwalin was falling.

He landed on his back. Writhing in agony, his eyes were searching for light to hold on to, as he wandered into darkness.