Hey kids,
It would appear that I have acquired quite the little following… and I must say I do enjoy it.
Well who is ready for the second chapter? I sure am… haha ok let's get started shall we?
Chapter 2
The fresh air was a relief to Ares. It had been a long night, with very little sleep.
She sat on her pony looking out upon the world until her thoughts were interrupted by a shout in the distance.
"Wait!"
"Wait!"
The company slowed to a stop as Bilbo came running up to them, contract flailing in the wind behind me.
"I signed it, I signed the contract." He said in between breaths as he handed the contract to Balin.
Balin looked it over, then spoke to the whole company.
"Everything seems to be in order, welcome to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."
Ares smirked, she would never admit it, but she was glad he was coming. She had the feeling it would be good for him.
She caught Thorin's eyes for the second time in the last 24 hours. He looked less than satisfied that the hobbit was coming along.
"Give him a pony" Thorin said, his voice was commanding.
"Oh that's not necessary, I can keep pace-" The hobbit rambled on but with little luck, because he was quickly picked up from under his arms and places on a pony. With that, they were off.
Thorin was at the lead, next to him was Balin, and Gandalf. Behind Balin was Ares and Fili and Kili. And behind them was the rest of the company, with Bomber taking up the rear.
As they all began to mentally wake up, they became more talkative. Bofer even graced them with his singing.
Ares absent mindedly fiddled with a deep red gem that hung around her neck. Her mind couldn't help but dwindle on the strong dwarf lord at their lead. He was something else. She knew of his story, how his family lost the mountain due to greed, and how the line was being brutally cut off by an orc known as Azog. But he had something, something about him that made him… special, but Ares couldn't quite place her finger on it.
She soon found herself getting lost in one of Bofer's songs. She couldn't help but be reminded of her days she spent in Midloth, when her and her brother would go on wild adventures as children. It seemed so long ago…
In the merry month of June, from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted
Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' mother
Drank a pint of beer me grief and tears to smother
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born,
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghost and goblin
A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin o'er the bogs
And frightenin' all the dogs on the rock road to Dublin
One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next mornin' blithe and early
Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinkin'
That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinkin'
See the ladies smile, laughin' all the while,
At me curious style, would set your heart a bubblin'
Asked me was I hired, wages I required,
Till I was nearly tired on the rocky road to Dublin
One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!
She didn't even notice that the ponies in front of her had stopped. She quickly pulled her reigns, bringing Woodwig, her pony, to a halt.
The day light was fading, casting a cool glow upon the lush land… but surely they were not stopping for the night… not in a forest so thick. Ares's suspicions were quickly answered though.
"We are stopping for a quick rest, you have five minutes." Came Thorin's voice from in front of her.
The company dismounted their ponies and wondered into the woods a little ways, leaving Ares to assume that they were going to do their business.
She took herself down from Woodwig, wrapping his reigns around a low tree branch. Deciding it would be good for her legs if they got to go for a small stroll, she wandered into the lush trees. Ares let the tall grasses run along her arms. As she came across a small patch of beautiful red flowers, she picked one holding it in her palm.
For some reason it reminded her of her old Empire. The throne was made of black steel, so huge that it seemed to tower over any and all who stood next to it. The crown was a strong design, made with silver and black gems that dotted it along the edges. And of course the power that came along with these two items…
But it was all taken from her. Her throne, her crown… her power. She clamped her hands into fists, crushing the delicate flower. She tossed it aside angrily, not wanting to look at the smashed petals any longer.
Ares slowly made her way back to where the ponies were. As she walked she heard footsteps ahead of her, and stopped only to see Thorin break through the foliage.
He held her gaze for a few moments until he broke the silence.
"What are you doing way out here?" he demanded in a stern tone, as if he were speaking to a young child.
Ares raised an eyebrow, not showing any emotion beyond that. It had been a very long time since she had talked to another person who understood the daunting task of being a royal. It brought her back to the days when she would travel all around Middle Earth forming alliances for war and such…
But of course Thorin would not see it that way… he was the leader, and she was just another person in his company.
"I could ask the same of you…" She could tell that he was a little bit taken aback, but it hardly showed through.
His jaw clenched a little showing his frustration with her, so she only smirked showing him that she was not about to cower before him. He took a step towards her, but stopped when there was a rustle in the bushes.
He then whipped around drawing his sword and taking a defensive stance in front to shield her from the oncoming danger.
Ares only rolled her eyes.
"Don't get me wrong," She began, as she stepped around Thorin to face him. "I appreciate the gesture, but I don't need your protection."
What in Middle Earth was she doing? Thorin thought to himself. She was putting herself in danger by not only stepping in front of his sword but by turning her back to potential harm. He had had about enough of this.
With his free hand he grabbed her upper arm and pulled her towards him.
"What do you think you are doing?" He spat about a foot away from her.
She looked at him for a second then in a raised voices said, "Mars. Come."
Thorin's face scrunched up in confusion and frustration. Not only was she elegantly savage but she was cryptic like no other.
Within seconds though, his confusions was answered when a large black wolf jumped out and tackled Ares to the ground.
He would have attacked but he realized she was laughing and smiling as she stroked the dog's great head. She stood from the ground.
"I was wondering when you would come back." She scratched the wolf's back.
Thorin had not a clue of what to think. He was thankful there was no danger, this was true. But she was so… Ugh. She was… she… she was crazy.
She stood there with a wolf that held it's height half way up her waist. Her eyes were glued to the Dwarf before her. She had to admit that even without the elements of royalty he still had a majestic air about him, and she would be a liar to say it didn't attract her.
"We should get back to the ponies." She said in a quiet tone as she passed Thorin, with her wolf following obediently behind.
Thorin waited a few second and went around another way, as to not alarm the company into thinking he went out of term with her. Not that he ever would… of course…
It was nightfall when the company finally stopped again. They had been riding since dawn with only the one break, leaving them frayed out and tired.
As soon as they dismounted, Gloin and Bomber got to starting the fire as the rest of the dwarves began unpacking their belongings.
The campsite they had chosen was on a wide rocky ledge overlooking low rolling hills with trees that spotted here and there.
After unpacking her small amount of items, Ares situated herself a little ways above the company on a large boulder. She sat, with her legs crossed, staring out upon the dark night. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, remembering all that was… wondering where it went wrong.
It was not long though until she heard someone calling to her.
"Oy, Ares?" It was one of the young princes.
"Yes?" Without opening her eyes she answered a little annoyed her thought process was being interrupted.
"What are you doing?" By the voice she could tell it was Kili, the younger of the two.
"Thinking." She answered in monotone, her eyes still shut. There was a long period of silence, allowing her to assume the questions were done. She let herself relax back into thought.
"About what?" Her eyes opened dangerously slow, she could feel her jaw clench.
Deep breaths Ares, deep breaths.
She hopped down from her position on the rock and stood before the young dwarf.
"Nothing anymore."
He still didn't catch on that he had interrupted her, but his brother, Fili had. His brother let out a small chuckles, making Ares smirk.
"What?" Kili looked from Fili to Ares and back. "What's so funny?"
This only made the two laugh louder.
She crossed over to her spot around the fire, and sat back with Mars at her side. Most of the company didn't mind having the wolf around, for they figured it could be a very good warning of oncoming danger. But naturally there was the select few who were reasonably skeptical. Dwalin and Thorin didn't seem to hate the wolf, but they were not exactly thrilled he was coming along…
"Where did you find Mars?" Fili suddenly asked.
"Not too long after my empire was destroyed." She answered, the smile slowly fading from her face. Thorin couldn't help but notice that she referred to Midloth as her empire.
"Would you tell us about your home?" Kili asked innocently.
"Do you truly not know of my people's story?"
Kili only shook his head no.
"I am surprised your uncle has not told you the classic tale." She spoke, catching Thorin's eye. He shot her a glare from across the campsite, but didn't not say anything so she went on.
"Many hundreds of years ago," she began. Suddenly, it seemed as though the company had stopped all other side conversations, curious to hear her story.
This only intrigued Ares, she liked a good audience.
"there was a king." She continued.
"He was known as King Azar the Bold. He and His wife Sheela knew that someday their kingdom would have to be passed down to their children. The first child they had was a boy, named Vulcan. Vulcan was strong and brave, and the people loved him. Their second child, Athena, was very wise and intelligent, she was a gentle hearted soul. But the King and Queen were not yet satisfied. So they had one more child. She was powerful, and very good with words. They began to teach and train their three children in hopes that they would become great rulers for their empire. But a darkness came over their land. The once strong and mighty king became utterly mad with paranoia. He demanded that all the children in his city be burned for fear that they would grow stronger than him. He killed the queen believing her to be aspiring against him. By mistake he let the enemy enter the gates, thinking them friend, within an hour the whole kingdom had fallen."
Ares looked sadly into the fire, watching the flames dance.
"And so lives on the tragedy of Midloth."
Thorin looked at her, catching her gaze. Their stare lasted minutes maybe even hours. As the rest of the company busied themselves one way or another, they could only peer at each other. Neither of them was fully there, lost in their own train of thought until sleep came over them
Just so you know, her wolf…. Dog thing's name is Mars because that is the Roman god of war (Ares is the Greek god of war…. Catching on to the theme yet?)
And the song that Bofer sings is called Rocky Road to Dublin by the High kings, which is also this chapter's inspirational song.
No joke, go listen to it, you will fall in love instantly.
Anyways, read and review. I like to be consistent in posting, but reviews will make me want to write them faster.
