I'm on a roll with this new story I really cannot wait to share it with you guys! Next chapter up (obviously), love Silver X
The devastation of Smaug had been terrible and Indilwen had made herself watch every moment of it. If she could not help those poor people then she would at least suffer with them, listening to their tormented cries. Indilwen's compassion proved too strong as she watched the gates of Erebor begin to crumble and collapse, trapping the inhabitants inside.
Turning her attention to the gates Indilwen lifted her hands and held up the stone statues as they trembled, keeping them from falling as desperate dwarves hurried outside. Indilwen watched as Thror, king under the mountain, struggled against his grandson before tearing away, giving up hope of returning. Indilwen began to feel the weight of these stone statues but she held on, knowing that Thorin was not yet out of danger and he was the key to the next chain of events. He needed to be safe.
She watched as he begged for the aid of the elves, seeing the armies situated upon the opposite cliff tops. It tore at Indilwen's heart to see the elves blatantly abandon the dwarves to death and ruin. Finally Indilwen let down her hands and the stones fell, crumbling behind the last of the dwarvern people.
It was nigh time before everything fell silent apart from the flickering flames of dragon fire that continued to burn hotter than any mortal made fire. Her bare feet never made a sound against the cold stones as she swept through the burnt homes and bodies.
Not a sound was made, not a whisper, except…the wailing of a child. Indilwen instantly swept towards the sound, gracefully ducking under the broken doorway into the house where the child lay alone. It screamed from pain, cold and hunger. "You poor child." Indilwen whispered as she picked the dwarf baby up, cuddling it close to her chest. "Let me save you." Tracing the baby's cheek Indilwen healed the burns until the warm glow soothed the baby into sleep. "There." She murmured then looked around the house, seeing the bodies of a woman and a man crushed beneath a burning beam.
"I shall help you to grow, little one." Indilwen told the baby softly, her soft voice sending the child to sleep. "I shall teach you how to fight, how to survive and you shall be my hand in this adventure. I will guide you through the quest to aid Thorin Oakenshield until the dragon is slain and the mountain is once again the stronghold of the dwarves.
Indilwen placed the baby back in the cot, tucking the slightly burnt blanket around her before stepping back outside. Indilwen found the forge and she selected only the best metal, mithril, which she gathered together then began to start a fire.
Indilwen rolled her hands over one another and the dragon fire around her moved, swaying with her hand movements before flying into the forge and lighting the coals. Indilwen worked all night, forging a sword of unequalled strength and beauty. The blade curved like the traditional design of the elves but the handle was made into the shape of a dragon, its tail snaking its way down part of the blade which Indilwen carved two inscriptions. One in elvish and the other in the tongue of the dwarves.
They both read: 'Forged in dragon fire I am the Duty of Protection to kings, I am the steel that sings'
"I name you Akh'Aegis, Duty of Protection." Indilwen murmured then placed it into the scabbard that she had also made for the sword with the golden dragonhead. The baby was still fast asleep when Indilwen returned so she strapped the sword to her side and gathered her up gently. "Come, let us find you someone who will feed you." Without another glance back to the poor couple who had been crushed to death Indilwen wrapped the child in her blanket then carried her back to where Celestial was patiently waiting for her.
The child grew very slowly compared to other children in the home that she had been left in. The orphan children would tease and bully the child as she was smaller than the others and variably weaker but every night before she would go to sleep, she would see the glowing lady who would kiss her goodnight and sing her to sleep, promising to take her away one day. Marima, being a dwarf, would rise up to every challenge the children of Men would offer as she was as stubborn and prideful as any other dwarf and no matter how many times she was knocked down, she would never cry.
One night, after a particularly bad beating, the glowing lady appeared with her usual soft smile. "Come with me." She whispered, taking Mirima's hand in hers. Obediently Mirima obeyed, reaching out to pick up her only doll as she went.
Indilwen picked Mirima up into her arms and silently walked through the house, passing the governesses as they snored in their own rooms. Mirima gasped as she saw the magnificent horse, glowing against the starry sky as it lifted her head.
Afraid to speak Mirima kept quiet as she did not want her voice to break the spell. Indilwen placed the child onto Celestial's back and together they rode away into the night. Mirima awoke in a strangers arms but she was instantly drawn to their warmth and comfort, snuggling deeper into them.
"Good morning my dear." Indilwen whispered to her. "You must wake up now." Mirirma nodded, sitting up as Indilwen rose from the blankets she had lay down to keep them dry from the morning dew.
"Who are you? Why have you chosen me?" Mirima asked in a timid voice, hugging her doll close to her chest as the woman turned to look at her. Indilwen drew back her hood to reveal her face, smiling as the child's jaw dropped open in awe.
"I chose you since you were a baby. I was the one who brought you to that orphanage when you were alone." Mirima stood and tilted her head, frowning slightly.
"But they beat me there."
"It would have been the same in every orphanage, no matter which one I took you to." Indilwen crouched down and held out some lembas for Mirima who took it and chewed on it slowly and curiously before her eyes widened and she gobbled up the rest, looking around hopefully for more. Indilwen handed her a few more slices then sat down on the blanket, gesturing for Mirima to do the same.
"I know that you have many questions so I will answer as many of them as I can." Indilwen told her as she folded her legs.
"I only have one really." She gulped, swallowing the lembas. "What is this stuff? It's amazing!" Indilwen blinked in surprised then chuckled.
"It is called Lembas, it is made by elves." She informed her as she picked up some of the bread and ate some herself.
"Can I touch your ears?" Indilwen leaned down and Mirima jumped up and felt Indilwen's pointed ears, giggling slightly. Indilwen answered as many questions as Mirima could come up with, which was a lot. Indilwen took Mirima up to her little cave which she had made her temporary home in, putting down a second bed for Marima to sleep in.
"Why do you glow?" Mirima asked. "Can you make it stop?"
"Yes if I wish to." Indilwen answered patiently. "But it is the blessing of the Valar and it is slightly insulting if I try to hide it all the time."
"Oh." Mirima nodded as if in understanding. "What's the Valar?"
Aw Mirima is so cute! Love her already. Please R+R for me, remember to smile because you are all beautiful!