[Novnarwen]

The dwarf was pleased that everyone had agreed upon not going back. How could they even give this a thought, when they were so close to Rhûn? It didn't make sense. He found himself frowning, and wondering what in Middle-earth they were thinking. All this way, and for nothing? How could they be satisfied by that, Dwalin wondered. Although he had difficulties understanding what was going on in the other dwarves' minds (and the travellers), he refused to let it delay him anymore. The treasures of Rhûn waited for them, but it had waited long enough. It was time to go and find it.

The clear day made Dwalin feel optimistic. All their delays; the orcs in the woods, the new travellers and the difficulties they had approached when finding a way into Rhûn, would not make him go back or be afraid. Now they would finally get rewarded for their patience, and no one could stop him. These thoughts were encouraging for Dwalin, and he hurried over to Bali's side, who walked in the front. The jungle didn't bother him too much in the start. The map would lead them to the treasure. This just couldn't go wrong. Besides, Dwalin was an excellent map reader and could probably guide himself and this group safely to the treasure. "Not a chance!" he answered promptly as Durin expressed his doubts about going in circles. They had already wandered around for several hours at that time, but Dwalin was absolutely confident on the group being on the right track.

"I've studied this map," Dwalin said smartly, winking at him. Durin shrugged and continued his conversation with Hænir, further back in the group.

*******

Later that day, when the dark started creeping up on them, Dwalin noticed the many flies buzzing around. They were constantly in his eyes, up his nose or in the corners of his mouth. Trying to avoid hysteria amongst the others, Dwalin tried to restrain himself for screaming and waving his hands. He wanted to smack them with his hands, make 'em drop dead to the sandy ground, but he didn't want to make the others feel uncomfortable as well. However, due to Dwalin problem, he suggested taking a short break, before continuing. When asking the others, he interrupted himself by letting out a short shriek. Just paces away from Nerin's foot, a slimy oblong thing was crawling. The other's looked questioningly at Dwalin, who held his hands to his mouth, being disgusted by the look of it.

"What is it?" one of the others asked curiously, not even noticing how close it was crawling towards Nerin's foot. Dwalin pointed desperately downwards, trying to make his comrade understand. The oblong creature seemed to notice Dwalin's fear and started at him instead. Towards the petty dwarf it came; and the closer it came, the more Dwalin screamed. Suddenly, he felt the urge to run, and he turned on his heal and ran, having the snake after him. To Dwalin's surprise it was much faster than expected, and the dwarf was, and had always been, out of condition. Sooner or later, the snake would catch up with him.

Dwalin ran on, round in circles. He didn't even notice the others, or rather; he couldn't care less about what they were doing. All what mattered was getting away, but how he would do that, he had no idea. He screamed for help, but it was impossible to catch or kill the snake. It was moving too fast, and the others, no matter what they tried, weren't able to catch it or kill it. Soon, Dwalin collapsed. His pains in his back, (which was a result of his tree-climbing,) and the fact that he was totally exhausted, made him fall to the ground. Before the rest of the company were able to pick him up and give him some water, the snake had already taken a nice bite of Dwalin's thick skin. It crawled hurriedly away, showing it's white fangs.

The Dwarf felt the others surround him, when lying on the ground. The flies were swirling around him, but they were not his biggest concern now...