I do not own any of the characters or direct quotes from Tolkien's brilliant mind, just my OC and AU storyline. Without his brilliant work, I would be unable to write Brianne's story.
Welcome first time readers and those who've returned after a very long hiatus. Life has gotten me all sorts of mixed up, but I've been itching to return to Middle Earth and finish sharing Brianne's story, but when I went back I realized that my writing has changed and in order to do this story justice I'll be going back through every chapter and totally revamping this story start to finish. I hope you'll stick with me through this process. I appreciate you dear readers!
Summary: Brianne, to find freedom and escape from her past, plunges into Middle Earth. Fili and Kili, curious about a blinding golden light, find Brianne unconscious. Soon swept up into the quest to claim Erebor, Brianne battles trolls, escapes from snippy elves, and faces down a great orc army. Not only does she find her freedom, but so much more.
Pines swayed in the light breeze that swept through the mountain valley. The mountains in the distance capped with snow contrasted against the bright greens of spring. Despite the beauty of the valley, it was as if something held its breath. No animals roamed, no birds chirped. In fact, the only noise was the creek that bubbled through the valley.
A woman's braided ash blonde hair swayed in the breeze as she hiked along the slowly rolling creek. She tucked a few stray hairs into the hood of her emerald cloak. Though the cloak covered most of her frame, a dagger clearly hung at her waist. She paused momentarily, listening to the silence of the valley.
SNAP. Her head whipped towards the sound. Much of the surrounding area was framed by tall trees and thick underbrush. Any animal could easily make that noise, but still her gloved hand clutched at the hilt of her dagger.
SNAP. She took a cautionary step closer, withdrawing the dagger. SNAP. Flinging her dagger towards the nearest brush, a grunt of pain assured her that her dagger had met its mark. Snarling she tore through the brush to see a haggard and scarred man clutching at the dagger impaling his thigh.
Before he had the opportunity to withdraw it, she pulled the sword from her left side and held the sharpened tip to his Adam's apple.
"Fucking bitch…" he spat, though he removed his hands from grasping the dagger's hilt.
"You know I don't appreciate name calling. Didn't he warn you what I can do when he sent you after me? That I've slain more of his men in cold blood than anyone else."
"He didn't send me to catch you…." His voice drifted off as blood continued to pulse from his thigh, "He sent me to follow you and even now his dogs follow me, so kill me…He'll just bring me back."
Without a moment's hesitation, she plunged her sword into his throat and withdrew it. She replaced her sword and dagger at her side thinking Good luck trying to bring him back like that.
Her heart started to race as she digested his words and picked up her pace. She had once kept company with his dogs in the kennels and she shuddered thinking of the sounds she heard. Although she knew they would still follow her beyond the creek, she crossed in hopes to throw them off the scent, wading down the stream rather than across to dry land.
Soon the warm spring sun dipped behind the mountains and the water turned ice cold. Knowing she wouldn't last at this rate, she exited the creek, searching for a secluded grove of trees.
Once ensconced in their relative safety, she stripped out of her soaked clothes, standing only in her knickers. In the spring moonlight, her unhealthily thin frame was littered with silvery scars. Over her right breast lay an intricate tattoo, dark against her pale skin.
Gently grasping the marble sized emerald pendant at her neck, she took a deep, centering breath and began to chant, "Aestus estus…Aestus estus…Aestus estus."
She was engulfed in a golden light as her chanting reached a fever pitch and warmth spread through her body. The moment of relief she felt was suddenly drowned by barking in the distance. She had wasted precious moments drying off and scrambled back into her clothes.
Using the faint moonlight to guide her way, she navigated the quiet valley, only spurred on by the barking growing closer. Exhaustion rested heavily on her shoulders as the sun began to rise over the valley. For just a moment her eyes drooped shut and she was suddenly frozen in place.
"Who knew you could be so easily trapped, Brianne?" A man chuckled as he exited a grove of trees, wielding a stave with a wickedly glowing ruby.
"Alec," she whispered, fear leaching into her voice. She knew if she could move, she would tremble at his imposing figure. With cropped dark hair and seductive eyes, she knew some would find him irresistible, but the mere image of him filled her both with rage and horror.
"Won't you bow for your king?" He asked, gently clutching her chin in her hand. As soon as he touch her, the spell released her upper half and her stomach rose in revolt. "Don't make me do it for you."
"You wouldn't fucking dare," she tried to pull her face from his hands, but he pressed harder, bruising her face.
"Oh darling, don't say I didn't warn you," Alec took the knife from one of his men with his free hand and sliced deeply into Brianne's hand. She buried the urge to scream as the knife cut into her sensitive palm.
Dark magic engulfed her senses as Alec released her chin and unbidden her torso began to lower into a bow. Her body screamed in protest and words rose in her throat, "I apologize, Your Majesty."
"Was that so hard my dear?" He asked, "You know how I loath using your own blood against you, so let's do this the easy way, yes?"
Brianne was released from the spell and immediately turned to flee, only to collide with a monster of a man. Glancing up into his rugged face, Brianne felt the desire to claw out his eyes.
"Damien," she shuddered, backing away from him. Alec had moved his men around the area, cornering her.
Alec grasped her arms, "You're coming back with me Bri."
"Do NOT call me that," she struggled in his grasp, "I will not go back alive, Alec. I'd rather die than be in that dungeon again."
She knew the slap was coming before he even raised his hand, but it hurt nonetheless.
"Don't you ever…" he demanded, "speak of your death. I will have you willingly or I will make you. Am I clear?"
"Crystal," she thrust her knee into his groin and threw her dagger at his nearest man. Taking the opening, she dashed away.
"SHOOT HER," Alec shouted behind her, "The man that brings her down may have their turn with her once she's caught ALIVE."
Dashing between the trees, Brianne heard the thud of arrows sinking into the trees around her. Pain lanced through her shoulder as an arrow hit its mark and another grazed her side. She could hear the water rushing in the distance and picked up her speed.
"I've got her!" Damien shouted, his hunting dog close on his heels. Brianne slid backwards to the edge of the cliff as he took long strides towards her.
"Damien, if you come once step closer, I'll go over the edge. Alec wants me alive and can you imagine what he'd do to you if he found out you had killed me?"
Damien's empty laugh was drowned out by the waterfall, "You didn't die when your family was murdered in their beds. You didn't die when he caught and tortured you or when he made you watch as he beheaded your precious king. So many empty promises Brianne. I promise though you'll wish for death after I'm through with you."
With every reminder of her loss and tragedy, her heart grew heavier and she knew in that moment that if she returned with Alec, she would live on for eternity at his side. Tortured, manipulated, and watching her kingdom fall to his darkness.
Damien was only a arm's width away and just as he reached for her cloak, Brianne closed her eyes and leaned back.
She had heard that when you die, your life flashes before your eyes, but as she plunged to her death Brianne didn't see her life. There was nothing but the roar of the waterfall and the snarl on Damien's face.
Slamming into the river below, Queen Brianne Enura of the Azure Kingdom welcomed her death. Her final thought as darkness clouded her vision was that after four long years under Alec's reign, she was finally free.