The sun had given into the west, casting ever darkening shadows throughout the forest. The shadows of the trees had cast about a darkness throughout the forest, shadowing nearly everything from sight, an ideal occurrence for an ambush. Through the darkening forest, Validhreniel and Dcor traveled quickly, keeping out of range of Azog's party, but not nearly far enough. For hours they had raced down the mountain, leading Azog from the company, enraging his wrath further. No matter the distance placed between them and the party, Azog's enraging orders echoed into her ears, spurring her on.
The paws of Dcor pounded against the earth, taking them further through the forest. But the great beasts endurance was nears its end. He panted breathlessly as he raced across the earth. Validhreniel feared that he would not survive the night if he were to continue. She slowed him to a stop, turning toward their attackers. If only for him to catch his breath, they could spare a moment. Vali reached onto her back, taking up her bow. She withdrew an arrow and took a seated stance. Dcor's heart thundered away beneath her. His tongue hung in the air while the beast panted for breath. Vali held the string firmly in her grasp ,watching her darkness for the slightest movement. Vali waited on bated breath. Her body was rigged, ready to strike. Time was precious and fleeing quickly, but Dcor was not yet fully rested. To flee now would certainly mean his doom, and that was not a event Vali would accept nor endure.
A snapping branch behind caught her attention. Before she could alter her direction toward the sound, a great force struck her. Validhreniel cried out as eight distinct talons pierced her shoulders with enough force to throw her from Dcor's back. She fell to her earth, rolling some distance from Dcor. She skid to a stop, quickly rising to her knees. Her eyes fell to her bow, which had been lost during the attack. It lay several yards from her position, well out of reach. A Warg stepped toward her, crushing her bow under its weight. It growled viciously at Vali and took another step toward her.
From behind the Warg, Vali heard a vicious, threatening howl from Dcor. She peeked over the Warg's shoulder, catching sight of her faithful protector near her. The Warg turned toward Dcor, howling with an equal force of viciousness and threat. It was while the Warg was turned from Vali, that she noticed her fallen arrow well within her reach. She quickly dove after the arrow, catching the Warg's attention. It snarled and attacked. Dcor's jaws snapped at the empty air. He crouched low to the ground, preparing to attack her mistress' attacker. He leapt at the warring Warg, prepared to tears his opponent to shreds, when another Warg intervened. It leapt into the air, throwing its weight into Dcor's side. Dcor stumbled to the earth mere yards from Valídhreníel.
"No!" she screamed fearfully. Her eyes remained upon her fallen Warg, forced to watch helplessly as her faithful friend lay breathless upon the earth. With the arrow clutched tightly in her hand, she turned on her attacking Warg. Its jaws snapped menacingly at her, threatening to tear her apart. Vali took a deep breath and sprinted toward the Warg. She dropped to her knees and slid across the earth, diving beneath the Warg's mouth. She raised the arrow and drove it into the Warg's leg.
A piercing, pain filled howl echoed above her as she slid out for beneath the beast. The injured Warg howled in pain, limping on its injured leg. It turned toward Valídhreníel, its cold eyes glaring at her. It bark and went after her. Vali easily rolled from its path, reaching for one of her knives. She drew back and drove her knife through the Warg's hind leg. The Warg howled louder yet, collapsing on its wounded legs. It breathed heavily and tried in vain to rise to its feet.
A warm, bitter breeze wafted from behind Validhreniel. She smelt the vial scent of blood and rotting flesh that lingered in the air. With a slight turn of her head, Validhreniel's eyes caught sight of the teeth of a Warg, just as its jaws clamped around the fabric of her billowing cloak. With a great jerk, the Warg tossed Vali from its fallen mate. Her cloak tore from the force, throwing her to the earth. Vali struck the hard, uneven earth, braced with her arms. She rolled twice before Dcor's great body stopped her further. Dcor nudged her leg, checking his masters health. Vali tossed her braids about her shoulder, clearing her vision of the Warg. It circled her and Dcor, cold eyes never leaving hers. Validhreniel drew herself up to her feet and reached into the sling on Dcor's back. She drew her battle ax, gripping the rod tightly.
The circling Warg snarled as its passed, taking much effort in striking fear into his prey, though it did not succeed. Validhreniel never let her gaze stir from the Warg, not even when the one Warg became two, nor three. The Warg's circled around them, biding their time to strike. Waiting for their master to arrive and give their final order. Vali tightened her grip around her rod. She would not have it end at this; not by the order of that foul creature. Should this be her end, then she would have it end as she was meant to; meeting death head on. Validhreniel burst from Dcor's side, charging the head Warg. She made little distance before the Warg pounced upon her once more. Vali had little time, but managed to place her weapon between herself and the beasts jaws. The Warg clamped down upon the rod, effectively preventing itself from reaching its prey. The force of the Warg and its great weight was heavy against Vali. Its claw tips pierced through her jerkin and tunic with ease, just above her leather armor. The beasts breath washed over Vali's face time and time again as it tried to reach her.
Through the snarling of the Warg's, a great roar pierced through the forest night. All ears of every Warg perked at the terrifying sound. The Warg upon Validhreniel released its hold of her ax and removed its paw from her body. The wounded Warg's whined, limping away. Even Dcor had a sense of fear about him. Another roar echoed, sending every Warg fleeing in all directions. Dcor managed to his feet and limped around his mistress. He seemed unsure of leaving her, yet fearful of this new threat that drew nearer. Validhreniel rolled onto her knees, biting back the groan of pain the movement caused her. A third roar pierced through the night, closer than before, much too close. Fear coursed through her body. She had little time.
Valí pushed against Dcor's snout, turning him from her. "Rima!"
Dcor whined, pushing against her. Faithful indeed, but his faithfulness would end his life, and Vali would not allow that. She pushed against him harder, all but screaming at her friend. "RIMA!"
With new found energy, the wounded Warg limped from his mistress. Vali stood rooted in her spot, watching her last defense leave at her command. The forest was silent around, but the danger was growing closer. With Dcor out of sight, he would be safe, and he would not try ti kill Dcor. In his current state there would be no hesitation in killing a Warg, no matter the master. No, sending Dcor would shift the attention. He would be focused upon her. A task that did not feign danger.
"Just you and I." she whispered to the night. "Come and find me."
Cautiously taking each step one at a time, Validhreniel slowly began to move through the forest. She cast a quick glance at her surroundings, finding the clearing of the tree line just meters away. Just beyond the tree line, she could make out the large hedge wall that surrounded her, potential, sanctuary. Her only risk was simply whether or not she could make that distance. Given the closeness of the beast, the odds were not on her side. Taking the risk, Vali turned abruptly and sprinted off through the forest again. Her footsteps were the only sound, accompanied by her own pants. She maintained a watchful eye of her surroundings the further she ventured toward the tree line, mindful that this was his domain. Validhreniel dropped from a high entanglement of roos onto solid earth. She gasped on the impact and continued on. The forest was beginning to thin out in front of her. She weaved around the tree, clutching her ax within her grasp.
Suddenly a great mass slammed into her body. The great force tossed Vali into the air, slamming her body upon the earth. the handle of her ax was throw from her body, and lay but a few yards from her hand. The breath from her lungs was forced from her body, leaving Vali gasping breathlessly for air. Vali pushed against the earth, raising her body from the ground. Her eyes stared ahead of her, falling instantly upon the great bear that loomed over her. In an instant, the fear of being killing by Azog and his pack was overcome with the fear of the beast that stood before her now. The bear was twice the size of a man, making it nearly four time larger tha a dwarf. Its weight was more than enough to crush Vali if it desired. Its eyes stared directly into hers.
With a swift motion of its massive paw, the bear drew nearer to Validhreniel. Whether out of fear or respect, Vali remain rooted where she was. If she ran, it could easily outrun her as it had once before. Should she remain, her death would be swift. The bear drew near her, coming mere inches from her face. Its muzzle touched her head as it inhaled her scent. It pushed against her head, turning her head in several directions. Validhrneiel felt her heart racing within her chest. The bear snorted, blowing several loose strands around her face. It turned from her nad thundered on its way through the forest.
Valí watched until the bear was out of sight, and then a moment longer, beofre she rose to her feet. She took up her ax in her trembling grasp and turned toward the tree line. Her steps were slow and shaky, as she had but little strength remaining. She pushed through the branches and emerged from the forest, entering the great field before her. The grass danced against her boots as she made her steady way through the field. Her ax clattered against the earth beside her, now more a walking stick than an intended weapon. Before her, the hedge line lay some yards away, and beyond that, the house.
"I recall a time where no Orc, nor Warg, could be found alive in your company." came a low voice. "Their stench lingers on you still."
Valídhreníel spun around quickly, drawing up her ax in defense. She found herself standing mere yards from the man in question. Beorn stood tall, wearing only a simple pair of trousers, nearly three times her size. Valí slowly lowered her ax.
"You are far from your traveling path." he spoke, taking a step toward her. "Nor do you engage in a Warg pack."
Valídhreníel nodded. "Indeed. May I find refuge in your house for the night?"
Beorn bowed his head in agreement. "Your presence in my home is always welcome, Valídhreníel."
okay, i'm sorry for the MASSIVE gap in updates. I swear I haven't forgotten this, just gotten busy. yes I will explain how Beorn knows Vali. it will be in the next chapter.