I own nothing but my array of OCs such as Rayna. Everything else belongs to Tolkien. May contain spoilers and/or AU events.
"Iii" = speech
"Iii" = translated speech
Iii = thought
Chapter 9: Aftermath
Kili awoke hours later, feeling stiff and regretting he'd taken the chair instead of a bed nearby but had known someone would probably just toss him out for a patient. Soft voices across the tent drew his attention, finding that his uncle was speaking to Dwalin and Balin, all three keeping quiet. Looking to Rayna's sleeping form, Kili figured they were making sure not to wake her too early. Unlike last he recalled, the woman had rolled onto her back, her skin still marred by mud and dry blood both in stark contrast to her fair skin. As much as he wanted to wash the filth away, he didn't want to wake her either. Getting to his feet, Kili managed to hold back his groans as his body protested with aches, stretching to alleviate most of the pains. On the other side of the tent, the three older dwarves looked at him, waiting until he was moving towards them before Balin spoke. "How are you, my boy?"
"Better, considering we just survived one hellish day." Kili muttered, relaxing as his body finally worked out all the pains, glancing back at the still sleeping woman across the tent. "Has she woken at all?"
Dwalin's face was pinched, the old warrior shaking his bald head. "No, and we asked the lady Vera about it. Most of those who came to aid us in the fighting are just the same, all seem to be sleeping like the dead. She explained that their magic was to blame."
Thorin nodded from where he sat on his bed. Kili noticed his uncle was cleaner and had different clothes on as well as fresh bandages. "I remember. Any I saw fought with vigor yesterday. They can certainly hold their own."
"Aye, all the more reason to accept them as allies." Balin pointed out, nodding in turn.
Kili blinked, glancing between the older dwarves. "What? Since when?"
"Since I attended the meeting with the other leaders earlier today, where Greum revealed his intentions to help settle the land. He even spoke of how their people used to live in the forests by the mountain but left when my grandfather began to get his mind sickness." Thorin replied, his eyes flashing to warn Kili he'd kept what they'd both heard to himself. Kili swallowed but didn't react, as he feared the other two dwarves would react if he did.
Next to the bed, Balin was talking. "Surprises, those were. Thranduil and his people were certainly shocked. I think they knew little of where Greum and his people even came from and the Laketown people were in a right state of their own."
"What? They're not-!" Kili began in a state of panic, fearing a mob of them would come marching in.
Thankfully Balin cut him off, explaining calmly. "No, it was explained why the shifters left, even how some tried to remain behind to convince people not to linger. Word is those same shifters helped the city of Dale empty when Smaug appeared and tried the same with Erebor in turn. From what we've been told, only a few survived to tell of the dragon's coming."
Kili nodded, taking this information in, but he was still wary of what it could mean for Rayna and her friends. "Is anyone protesting to this? Not one race, but two, coming back?"
"As of yet, no. Any shifter still able is readily helping anyone they can but they're avoiding the elves and men like they're plagued. I believe the only race they're readily trying to interact with are Dain's people. From what I've heard, any attempts by the other two are met with glares or silence. The situation isn't dire but it's certainly tense. It might not be long until someone tries to attack someone else." Dwalin grumbled, frowning deeply at having to deal with another bad situation the probably couldn't prevent.
"Can we not do anything?" Kili asked, turning his attention to his uncle.
Thorin shook his head, regret marring his features. "Greum is trying to keep the peace, trying to talk them down but no one's budging. His people seem adamant about avoiding anyone but dwarves at the moment." The king sighed heavily, not wanting to have to fight so soon after defending his home from vermin like the Orcs. "Something must be done if we're to avoid more fighting."
"I have tried, even as we've already ensured the men and elves received their share of our treasure, the shifters will not budge." Balin retorted, the elderly dwarf's face furrowed worriedly.
"But why? Why do they act this way?" Thorin demanded, fed up.
"Have you asked Vera?" Kili piped in, knowing that of everyone, the kind woman would be more than willing to give them the answers.
At this, Dwalin sighed heavily. "We have but the reason is lost to her. Though a warrior, it's possible her time in Rivendell kept her from being in touch with the rest of her kind very often. The only person we can ask is still asleep."
"Then wake her!" Balin declared, looking to Kili as the younger dwarf would no doubt have a better chance of rousing the woman.
Kili didn't protest, returning to her bed and taking hold of her good shoulder, muttering just loud enough so not to startle her. "Rayna?"
Ice blue orbs slipped open to gaze up at him, momentarily confused until she tried to move, pain dominating her features. "Ugh, ow." She groaned, grimacing when her attempts to stay still only made the pain worse. "Ow."
Next to the bed, Kili was on guard. "What's wrong?"
"Everything." Rayna told him, finding that even breathing was causing the aches.
"Get Oin." Thorin commanded, Dwalin already running out of the tent to find the company healer. The bald warrior returned not two minutes later with Oin just behind him, the older dwarf's face creased as he headed right for Rayna's bed.
"Easy, lass. Tell me what you can." Oin told her softly, his eyes scanning her form in case of blood or something just as serious.
"Hurts everywhere. And before you ask, a lot." Rayna returned, allowing the two dwarves to turn her over with a hiss of pain.
Examining the skin of her back through the holes in her clothes, Oin was nodding as he frowned at seeing nothing amiss. "That's to be expected. I'm told you were shot."
"And bludgeoned. Azog was turned to ash for it, if you hadn't heard." She added dryly, earning a low chuckle from the elderly dwarf as he let her lie back down.
"I did. But you can speak of it later. Have you eaten?"
Already tired after being awake for just a few minutes, Rayna frowned. "No, but I did have water. I've been too tired for much else."
Oin nodded once more, accepting the information. "We can fix that. Otherwise I see nothing wrong with you, same as last you were wounded this much. I'll see to it food is brought for you."
Rayna smiled up at the dwarf. "Thanks Oin."
"Just rest as much as you can, lass. The fight is won." The healer declared in a soft voice.
"Spirits be praised for that. I'm in no mood for more Orcs." Rayna shot back wryly.
"Aye, none of us are." Oin said through a barking laugh. "I'll send that food in." Nodding curtly but respectfully to Thorin and the others, the grey-haired dwarf left to fulfill his promise.
Thorin took Oin's departure as leave to finally get the information they needed, making sure to sound more curious than demanding as he asked. "Rayna, none of your people are allowing elves or men near them. Why?"
With Kili's help, Rayna was sitting up, giving the king a puzzled stare. "What? Since when?"
"Since everything settled and the talks began. Your elder, Greum has tried to speak to them but none of them will relent." Balin told her, his normally jovial face twisted in wariness.
Rayna blinked, not appearing all that thrown by the news. "That's actually quite logical when you consider it. Shifters aren't the only race looked down upon in this world."
The room's occupants stared, Balin sounding shocked. "Even when they just helped win a major battle?"
Nodding, Rayna's expression was calm. "Maybe even then. We've been seen as demons or worse for ages, constantly moving about to avoid being hunted or killed. Our appearance may be that of men but once we use our abilities, we're exposed to all kinds of hatred. It's also possible they believe Thranduil and his kin will not keep their promises again, thinking both races will band together to drive them out after what they've done. Siding with dwarves is the only option they feel they have." She told them, watching as recognition dawned on their faces as she continued sadly. "We expect to be turned out and hated, to be treated like vermin and spat upon. I can only guess what it was like when my kind first appeared but now? We're treated worse than dwarves sometimes."
"And your people just let this happen?" Kili asked, angry and disgusted over the extent someone like Rayna had suffered. He'd known her life was hard but had wanted to believe it was better than he'd surmised.
Rayna shrugged. "How can we object? We have no homeland, our society calls for no kings of note and our history is lost to time. Even though I'm of age, my knowledge is still limited at best. Get the other two races to show they truly do not wish harm or revulsion to them, and it might just solve itself."
"I shall try. I know Bard by now, as it is thanks to him we got away from Laketown. Of Thranduil I'm not so sure." Thorin muttered, irritated he had to deal with the elf but didn't seem to have his old hatred for the other monarch anymore. "However, his men hunt the goblins and he has his precious jewels now so I imagine he'll be open to my advice now."
"You didn't wound your pride too badly did you?" Rayna asked cheekily, earning a scowl for her trouble.
"Be silent, wicked woman. And see to it you bathe. You stink worse than the Orcs you slew yesterday." He bit at her, making the woman chuckle impishly.
"Really? I thought that was just Dwalin's socks." The shifter woman shot back, making more than one person smirk when said dwarf started at the sound of his name.
"Hey!" the bald warrior shouted, his face caught in a dark scowl.
Rayna scoffed, amused by his reaction. "Oh shut it Dwalin. When was the last time you washed them anyway?"
"I wash 'em plenty!" he protested, obviously offended.
"With soap?" Rayna watched in growing amusement when the dwarf struggled to answer if to just remain silent, beaten. "That's what I thought." She said, confident over her victory.
The flap to the tent moved again to reveal Vera dressed in a small dress that came almost to her knees with leggings and boots to complete the look, her violet orbs taking in how crowded the space was. Looking to her left, she blinked at seeing her friend upright and awake. "Oh! I was coming to get Rayna but I see that's been done for me." she said, walking in with a stack of clothing under her arm. "Oin said he was getting you food. Did you want to bathe first?"
"Yes, it might help." Rayna muttered, managing to get her feet on the ground with Kili's help only to wince when the rest of her body refused to obey. "Ugh, frig."
Vera was there in a second, worry marring her pretty face. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, let's just…just go." Rayna murmured as she leaned on her friend heavily, looking to the dwarves occupying the tent. "Unless I'm still needed here?"
"Go get cleaned up. You look better without all that mud." Kili told her, wearing a smug look for maybe the first time in days, not that Rayna was aware anyway.
It didn't stop her from giving the dwarf a pointed look and a devious smile. "Digging your own grave, you are." She chuckled even as Vera led her out, amused to no end how Kili had blushed darkly at the implication.
As they walked out into the open air, Vera whispered. "Well chosen, sister."
Rayna felt her cheeks burn lightly, unable to get the broad grin off her lips. Glancing at her long-time friend, she admitted quietly. "I like to think so."
An hour and a nice hot bath later, Rayna was dressed in fresh clothes and feeling better than she had in weeks. If anything she was exalted to be free of the sling as her shoulder had stopped aching so much. Vera had retrieved the extra set of her attire from where she'd brought for her earlier. The woman even presented her jacket to Rayna, saying she'd mended it once she found it among her belongings. Rayna had laughed, glad to see the battered thing again and taking small delight in the familiar weight on her shoulders. Shrugging it on, Rayna bid her friend a small farewell so she could wander the camp and get an idea of what was going on. It felt odd not to have her sword and bow but there was no real need for them at the moment. Any she saw were pleased to see her, freely giving her all she needed in preparation for facing the command tent's occupants. Even more helpful was the arrival of a scout with the latest reports that she mostly skimmed, knowing her memory would soak up everything whether she readily recalled it or not. Thanking the scout and sending him on his way, Rayna marched right up to the much larger, high quality, well-made tent made of pure white cotton and with a deep breath stepped inside. Her entrance didn't go unnoticed as all within turned to look at her. Nearest was Greum, the large man having shrunk down enough to fit into the tent but just barely, his face giving her a fleeting glance of relief at seeing nothing was ailing her. To her right, Thorin was standing next to another dwarf who was older with brown hair with a braided mustache and flowing beard covering most of his front. All of it was streaked with grey and silver, his receding hairline further suggesting his age but there was no doubt he was Dain Ironfoot and lord of the Iron Hills.
At the other end of the table was a handsome man with almost raven-black hair paired with a complementing mustache and beard combo, his tired brown clothing suggesting he was Bard from Laketown and killer of Smaug. He looked vaguely familiar, making Rayna ponder just where she'd seen features like his before. Her brain soon provided the three children who'd helped her and the dwarves in the human town, making it easy for her to realize they'd been his offspring. And good stock at that. Rayna thought before moving on. Standing to her left, and the only others she'd yet to examine were the elves, the taller of the pair definitely Thranduil. Like all of his kind, the elf king's face was sculpted and pale, his eyes a dark brown that looked cold to her even though his hair was an almost pale gold. His robes were flowing velvet and a dark cream to match his skin, his crown was strange, crafted to look much like the pale wood of his forest. Next to him was the blonde elf Rayna had met three times now, his blue eyes a welcome contrast to his father's almost dead gaze. Legolas, Rayna reminded herself as she took him in and his green tunic and brown leggings. His name is Legolas, and hopefully he's not going to be arrogant this time.
Ever discreet, Rayna completed her sweep through the corners of her vision as she pretended to give all of her attention to Greum who she greeted in a practiced voice. "Greum-elder, the latest reports have come in from the field."
"Captain Windrunner, I was curious to know when you'd join us." Greum said in way of greeting, his eyes the only thing that gave away his growing relief she was talking to him again after their discussion yesterday. To the side, Legolas's blue eyes widened just enough to show awe at her title but like all else it was ignored. "Show us what is to be known." Greum said, indicating the map spread across the table, held down by rocks and inkwells.
Another quick glance at it got Rayna talking again, pointing at the different spots between Erebor's lone peak and the sea of trees representing Mirkwood. "The goblins are making their way to Mirkwood, possibly hoping to use the elf roads through the forest to escape the remaining allied forces all the faster. Scouts posted at either end of the woods have yet to see any enemies so they should be able to drive them in with a pincer formation. After that, they'll be easy pickings along with their warg pets. Of the bats, it would seem they've dispersed and are no threat."
Greum nodded, taking it all in prior to pressing on. "And the Lady Galadriel, to the far south? Has she sent word?"
"Not yet, but it's safe to assume her own work has yet to be completed. We won't know until someone returns with news." Rayna told him, feeling a pang of concern that no one had come in with just what the Lady of the Golden Wood was doing to help out.
Either way, only Greum and Thorin were unsurprised by the elf noble's involvement for Greum moved on. "Hm, that is understandable. What of the wounded?"
Rayna allowed her cool expression to contort into one of mild concern. They'd all known the cost would be high, but it was never something pleasant to talk about. "It's been confirmed the last casualties have been retrieved and parties have already been put together on clearing the valley of the fallen. Our supplies should last for at least another week or two but eventually more long-term measure must be taken for the worst of them. The rest merely need rest and constant attention."
At the far end of the table, Bard finally spoke up. "What of Laketown, or Dale? My people still have to care for their families now that their homes have been demolished."
"Our people are good at making temporary buildings that will aid this concern, though whether we have the numbers to do it is the question." Greum responded, looking to Rayna for further input.
The woman didn't take long to nod in agreement with her elder's words. "It will take a few days but it can be done. Doing so might take away how many can handle the wounded and go on scouting missions as most are still recovering. Sacrificing provisions still in storage is the most we can do."
"What of my men? They wish to do their part in this effort." Dain, the dwarf lord who'd yet to speak cut in, not about to sit by and let just one race do all the work.
Rayna's ice blue eyes fell on the aged dwarf, nodding slowly in appreciation. "Most gracious of you to offer, Dain-chieftain. The aid of your people can easily be factored into divvying out tasks. Expect a report enclosed with details for review at a later time." she said, speaking just quickly enough to keep Thranduil or his son from saying anything. "Is there anything else, Greum-elder?"
Out of the corner of her eye, the elf king's face had taken on a slightly colder edge and Legolas stiffened imperceptivity. At the other end of the table, Bard looked uncomfortable and the dwarf cousins wisely remained silent. Having someone blatantly ignore someone like Thranduil was shocking enough, but making things worse could only do damage. Keeping up his calm exterior, Greum somehow kept his voice level as well when he responded. "Nothing, thank you. You are dismissed, captain." Rayna nodded at him, moving to leave when an elf guard who'd been in the corner moved to stop her. Eyes flashing, her reaction was immediate as in less than a second, she had the elf by the throat and off the ground. To the side, Thranduil's face was unreadable while Legolas appeared shocked by the turn of events. His voice deep and imposing, Greum spoke firmly. "Captain, no."
Reining in her ire, the shifter woman dropped the elf guard like he'd been nothing, giving her fellow shifter a sharp nod. "Sir." Rayna said curtly, turning on the heel of her boot and walking out. Once outside, she wanted to fume over the elf king's audacity but refrained in case she drew attention to herself about it. Instead, she busied herself with getting the preparations for building houses for the Laketown citizens as it was still late autumn and winter would spare no one caught in its grip if they remained as they were. She got Balin to go with her to face Dain's men on the matter, pleased to see the bearded warriors consenting to their lord's words, even if it was through a stranger. It was close to evening before Legolas somehow caught up with her, looking very out of place in the shifter part of camp. As soon as he appeared, nearly all were staring him down but the elf stood his ground, though he shifted minutely over the intense gazes pressing down on him. Any thought of watching him squirm was short-lived as Rayna knew the elf probably wouldn't leave until he completed his business. So she called out to all within range with as much authority as possible. "Leave him be. He is the elf prince and no threat."
More than one person whipped around to gape at her, one already protesting. "But captain-!"
"I will deal with him. Should he be a danger, I'll handle it." Rayna said coolly, frowning when no one moved. "Go."
At that, they dispersed, leaving the pair relatively alone but still watching from afar in case the elf did anything. Relaxing slightly, Legolas closed the distance. "Thank you."
"Ever impatient, elf prince." She said curtly, ignoring his frown. "What do you want?"
"My father wishes to speak with you."
Rayna blinked. He can't be serious. "No."
"You have my word no harm will come to you." The elf said, his face grim for once.
Her answering chuckle was low and dark. "Your word isn't even worth the dirt on my boots. The elves of Mirkwood should've thought of keeping their word when Smaug attacked this region. They sure as hell can't be trusted to kill Orcs just outside their own borders."
Legolas seemed to flinch at the sting, but pressed on anyway. "Is there no way to convince you?"
"There is not. I've seen your father for the first time in my life and even I know that man's spirit is dead." Rayna growled, irritated at how the blonde elf just didn't seem to realize how doomed his task was. "So long as he ignores all else but himself, everything you say in his name or not is poison. Now leave."
"He merely wishes to talk. He will not repeat what he attempted at the meeting." He said in what had to be a sincere voice, though Rayna wasn't buying it.
"I only speak to those who have earned my trust and respect, which your people have done neither. You should feel honored I'm even bothering to even look at you." She snarled, once again making the blonde elf wince. "If your father's words are as sincere as you claim, start earning. But should your words turn out to be false as I believe they are, my people will do all they can to trap you and your kin in your precious wood until all of you are humbled or dead."
His blue eyes widened, horror filling them. "You would do such a thing?"
Rayna's laugh was bitter. "Elf prince, all my life I've been fighting just to survive. Often for a place to sleep, food to eat just to stay strong or the clothes on my back, especially in winter as we had no one but ourselves to depend on. Then it was for pay as well as those other things, killing others so those who ask me to defend them could live. We shifters don't want to just 'survive' anymore. We want to live, no differently than you or any other race. Having someone like your father as a neighbor is something none of us are looking forward to unless he decides to change. Then, and only then, will any of us even deign to even look at you." The shifter woman growled, letting her eyes flash with magic power to back up what she said next. "So run along like the quaint little messenger boy you are, and don't come back unless there's any truth to back up your claims."
Leaving him no chance at a reply, she left him standing there, using her remaining tasks for the day to calm down. Seeing the company again at dinner helped aid in raising her tired spirits, beaming when she saw they'd all gathered in the private tent where Thorin was still trapped after the meeting. It warmed her heart to see the dwarves in such good spirits after all they'd endured, walking in and gladly taking the spotlight for a moment by asking. "Starting without me?"
Multiple heads whipped around, their masculine faces breaking into open smiles even when Bofur jumped up and ran over like a child exclaiming. "You're okay!"
Rayna let the exuberant dwarf almost tackle her in a hug, chuckling. "Ever observant Bofur, you're getting there."
Bofur grinned even as he pulled away and let her move further into the tent to reclaim her bed where Kili had settled. Handing her a soup bowl, he gave her an appraising look. "How do you feel?"
"Tired. Overseeing preparations for new tasks and the clean-up for the old ones all at the same time can be exhausting if you let it." Rayna admitted as she sat down, accepting the bowl and frowning slightly at its contents. Never had she seen such a murky brown concoction with such a mix of meat chunks and small vegetables before.
Thorin's amused voice was a welcome distraction, his laugh coming in a low rumble of mirth. "I was telling them of what you did at the meeting. Dain kept saying he'd never seen anything like it."
"Did you really lift him off the ground?" Nori asked, his unusual hair and beard somehow as prim as ever.
Smirking deviously, Rayna used a free hand to reach over and lift the dwarf up by the back of his tunic, all whooping and laughing as he cried out. "Is that a good answer?"
"Yes, yes! Put me down!" the panicked dwarf said hurriedly, breathing easier when she obeyed his request.
"You did want to know." She muttered, sitting back down to once again focus on the odd food in her dish. "So, what's on the menu?"
"Venison, soup and biscuits. The elves can have all the greens they like." Gloin rumbled, seeming to take care not to let the goopy soup get into his beard.
That explains the color. She thought, smirking as she took a spoonful. "I think they'd prefer it." her pleased hum got Bombur smiling across the room, Rayna taking a few more bites prior to remembering. "Come to think of it, where are Gandalf and Bilbo? I haven't seen either of them since I got back."
Thorin shifted on his bed, looking uncomfortable. "Gandalf has been coming and going like mad and Bilbo…he prepares to leave for the Shire."
Rayna blinked at this. "Already? I imagine so given that his task is done."
"True, he found us the Arkenstone and my kingdom is restored. News has already been sent to the Blue Mountains for our people to return, and Dain is working to get his own people to aid in restoring Erebor. I never thought this day would ever come." The dwarf king muttered, the rest seeming unable to find anything to say on it. Rayna had to imagine the whole thing was quite surreal.
"That or you would've had to wait another year to find a hole in a solid stone wall." She muttered absently, jumping when everyone was staring at her again.
"You weren't there when Elrond read the moon letters!" Thorin said in a hushed tone, awe and bafflement in his eyes.
Rayna frowned. "Moon letters?" she asked, thinking back to when she'd seen the ancient drawing for the first time. Naturally the woman had heard of the ancient practice of writing secret things in the special ink but little else. "That explains the glowing thing."
"What're you-? Blast it, the map! Show her the map!" the king commanded, Dwalin quick to search his friend's belongings for the parchment and rush it over to the woman.
"You can see it, here in the corner?" the bald dwarf asked, his dark eyes hard as he held the map up for her.
Blinking, Rayna found it was strange seeing the map up close for the first time but helped make sense of things. Like before, the runes shimmering on the page a light neon blue like she'd noticed months ago. No differently than before, she could make out 'stone' and 'key hole' but little else. From the way most of the dwarves jolted in surprise, Rayna had to guess her eyes were glowing in turn as she frowned. "Yes, yet not. There is something there but I can't read it very well. It's in runes and they shimmer the more you look at them. Hurts my eyes just to look at them actually." She admitted, turning away so to rub at them, hoping the ache that'd started to build would fade.
Dwalin quickly folded the map up again, his face ever in a scowl. "Have you known this the whole time?"
"How was I to know the relevance of it? I didn't even know they were a clue to enter the mountain until Oin explained how you'd even gotten in!" Rayna told him, frowning. "And I can't read Dwarvish, a word or two but the rest is lost to me."
"All the more reason to learn, it would seem." Balin pointed out over his cup of mead, chortling when his brother grumbled all the way back to his spot on one of the beds.
"Clearly." Rayna deadpanned but smiled anyway. "But enough about that. Is Erebor as grand as you remember?" she asked, glancing at Thorin, the question having burned in her mind most of the day. In the chaos, she'd forgotten to ask him about it.
The dwarf king nodded, his expression wistful. "It is, despite all the shadows."
"Every reason to fill it with light." Rayna countered, both willing to let conversation drift to less painful things as the night wore on.
Hours went by before the dwarves finished their meals and bid each other good night, filing out and leaving Thorin, Kili and Rayna alone. By now, Thorin was dead asleep, allowing the remaining pair to speak in private. Rather than be in a chair, Kili had taken advantage of his smaller size to join Rayna in her bed like he had back inside Erebor. They settled against one another with matching low sighs, Kili speaking first. "I'm glad you're doing better. Seeing you in pain is far too common for you in my opinion."
Rayna shrugged in spite of her positioning. "As a warrior, I expect to get hurt. What happened a few days ago is by far not the worst I've endured in my many years."
"Seventy-six years old?" Kili asked, sounding rather cheeky.
Stiffening, Rayna turned her head to look at him. "How did-?"
"You can hear a lot when you pay attention." He returned, smug.
Instinctively, she let her face become a hard mask. "I…how much did you hear?" she asked, panicking on the inside.
"Enough to know you had no part in your people's desire to reclaim these lands. Thorin heard to but he understands that you didn't know." Kili soothed, hoping his reassurance would be enough to calm the woman. He knew she'd admitted long ago that she only spoke the truth, even if it hurt, though she was capable of deception.
Rayna still frowned, unnerved slightly. "Well frig. That's not awkward at all."
Kili laughed, relieved when her frown began to fade at the mirthful noise. "None of us think you had any part in it. They weren't pleased to know your people kept such a thing from everyone but they know you weren't in on it."
"Even if I had, I would've at least found a better way than you eavesdropping for you to learn of it." Rayna muttered, frowning again as she pondered over it. "At the very least it explains why my people are so far spread as they are."
"That it does. And it could be why the Orcs attacked you the way they did."
"Could be. We must've looked like easy pickings at the time."
Kili chuckled again, smirking impishly at her. "I highly doubt that."
"They figured it out quickly enough." Rayna said in turn, her own smirk fading upon giving the dwarf a more concentrated stare. "You look tired."
Unable to fight the yawn, Kili nodded. "Even with my family's home returned to us, there's still too much to be done. Thorin would join in if not for his arm."
Rayna nodded slowly. "I imagine so. He wants things to be the way they were before Smaug and his grandfather's mind madness."
"Even when there are so many other things to do?" Kili asked, fatigue making his words come out a little slurred.
Smirking lightly, Rayna used an arm to pull the dwarf close. "There will be plenty of time for that. One can only hope the worst is over."
Nearly a week later, Rayna wondered if she'd somehow jinxed things. Work on giving the people of Laketown somewhat decent homes to occupy until proper buildings could be made had begun but the humans were more than a little wary of their supernatural helpers. Overseeing the project on top of everything else, Rayna couldn't help but feel tense around the many eyes giving her and her people curious or fearful stares. Having the dwarves nearby, even they were strangers from the Iron Hills, eased her mind some but did nothing to alleviate the tension. At one point, Bard appeared to speak with her about their progress, frowning when he noted how on edge she was. "What's wrong?"
"I've never been around humans for this long before without them wanting to kill me or drive me away. As they've done neither, I'm not certain how to act." Rayna confessed to him after a moment, ice blue orbs dancing out of habit, in search of danger.
The dark-haired man blinked. "Can you not be yourself?"
Looking at him, Rayna chuckled. "Lord Bard, if you knew a thing about me, you'd know I'd just end up insulting more than half of your townspeople just by opening my mouth. Shifters like me are accustomed to going unnoticed unless things force us into revealing ourselves. As strong as we are, we're afraid you or even the elves will see us as vermin and try to kill us."
"But, you have powers they don't. Is that not enough?" the man asked, curious.
Voice of reason, this one. Rayna thought, shrugging. "We're not like the Maiar but we do have our magic, yes. But to use such abilities for anything other than battle or self-defense is seen as dishonorable. We'll strike back when hurt but little else. Having your people realize we're just as scared may get everyone to accept one another."
Bard frowned, his mind clearly seeking some kind of loophole. "Can you not speak to them?"
"I could but without anyone from your side showing these fears are unfounded won't help any. They will listen, but it will be for naught if there is nothing to back my words." She told him, pausing to speak to a messenger from another part of the town. When the man left, Bard was speaking again.
"Then I will try and talk to everyone, see that your people aren't a threat." He promised, his tone suggesting that he'd at least try. Silence reigned for a moment prior to Bard finding something new to talk about. "The elf king Thranduil has been in a foul mood of late. Your doing?"
Rayna didn't hold back the scoff, the noise low but derisive. "He wanted to 'speak to me' after what I did in the command tent. He didn't help Thorin all those years ago and he didn't aid me and mine when the Orcs attacked us a decade ago. I have nothing polite to say to that fool of a king."
Again, Bard frowned at her words. "Your leader Greum seems to be working hard to get on his good side though. Why not you?"
"I'm a captain and thus hold high rank in the tribe. I rose to my position through hard work and skill over long years of pain and triumph as well as tragedy. My travels also make me the needed source for all kinds of information about various parts of Middle-Earth west of the Misty Mountains. For that, I'm a conduit between my people's leaders and the people themselves. Greum and the other elders may lead, but I have the ears of the tribe. I can only imagine Greum convinced Thranduil that talking to me will get everyone to be kind to the elves." Rayna growled, scoffing again with a sneer. "Funny, when it works both ways."
"Why not just see him?"
"Have you seen that man's eyes?" she demanded, Bard's puzzled look but eventual nod all she needed to know he put too much stock into his alliance with the elf. "I don't know how it is for humans but to a shifter, the eyes reveal more than anything else. When I saw Thranduil's for the first time, there was no life in them. Just cold darkness of a broken heart. And possibly a broken mind as well."
Bard stared, taken aback. "You got all that just by looking at him? You didn't even acknowledge him!"
"It's not that hard when you become quite skilled at seeing without actually looking. He may be your ally but I'm telling you, that man is unwell." Rayna muttered, examining the skeleton of a small house carefully for flaws. So far, it was going well.
The human next to her made a thoughtful noise. "Well he acts well enough when I speak to him. I don't see how you can't do the same."
Nearly rolling her eyes, Rayna knew there was no helping the man's naivety. "Say what you like, Lord Bard, but for us shifters, words aren't enough."
At least three days went by, the tension around the lake's edge mounting as time went on at a slow crawl. The only real upside Rayna could think of was how the construction was going well, made faster by both dwarf and shifter hands working in relative tandem. Very little was seen of the elves save to bring forth more provisions like clothes and tools that had been lost when Smaug had attacked. What food and medicine was left over and could be spared the shifters gave without complaint. As of yet, no one thanked them for it. Not that Rayna expected them to. She was just glad no one had tried to hit her and others with rocks and other debris, even when she passed through on her way to check on certain areas and past more of the fearful staring she was beginning to hate. Can't they see we're here to help? Rayna thought as she got to her destination, a tall and complicated skeleton of a house that could hold at least ten people comfortably. Looking up at one of the builders, she called out. "How goes it brother?"
"Well, and on time. We have sent a messenger to the dwarves to bring more wood to make the walls." The man said, who was a rather pale being with dirty blonde hair that reminded her of Bilbo and his curly mess of a mop, differing only in his dark green eyes that fit him well.
"Good, we-." Rayna paused, her ears picking up something eerily familiar, her back stiff as a rod in silent horror. All around her, other shifters were doing the same even when she spoke aloud. "You hear that?"
The man above her nodded, his expression dark. "Yes. How can that be?"
"I don't know." She muttered, turning to another she knew to be a wind-user like herself to command. "You! Go to the mountain and warn the warriors there! We're going to need help."
"Who should I tell?" the man, a brunette with hazel eyes asked worriedly.
"Everyone." Rayna told him in a grim tone, turning to find that Bard was making his way over with a frown. Next to him was a dwarf she knew to be a general under Dain with the same dark look. As soon as they were close enough, she said. "The Orcs have returned."
Horrified, Bard gaped openly. "What? That cannot be! We drove them away!"
"Not all of them, it would seem. This group must've gotten away from our scouts and managed to get organized. Did any of you bring weapons?" Rayna asked, turning her attention to the dwarf.
The dwarf was a well-aged one, his beard only just starting to be peppered with silver and grey as he frowned deeply. "We did but we need time to get into our armor!"
"Then find time! I'll get some kind of defense in place while you do." The woman told him, turning around in order to call out to the various shifters watching, ready for her command which she gladly gave. "Archers, to the roofs and be ready!"
"What of the humans? There are many children and elderly here." the dwarf added, the way Bard paled considerably telling how he'd failed to think of it first.
"Shite." Rayna cursed under her breath, turning to a nearby shifter who wasn't already running about, another female who looked as concerned as Rayna felt. "Begin to take as many of the townspeople to the mountain as quickly as possible while the rest of us ward off this new wave of attackers. Bring back warriors if you can but get these humans out of here!"
"At once, captain!" the woman said hurriedly, dashing off to organize it herself.
Assured that at least something was getting done, Rayna led the way to the edge of town where the buildings ended and the open valley began. Using her keen vision, she tried not to curse more at what she saw. "Spirits preserve us."
"Where did they come from?!" she heard Bard exclaim, the man's voice sounding rather strained.
Not that Rayna blamed him, growling at how their luck had turned. "They must've hid away from the patrols and soldiers. Otherwise there wouldn't be so damn many of them." Ice blue eyes found that a number of the still half-built houses had archers on the beams, her call like a whip crack over the distant snarls and howling. "Fire at will! Take down as many of them as you can! Keep them away until help arrives!"
No one questioned the order, raising their bows and firing them high into the air like a rain of whistling steel. Quite a few Orcs were felled this way, along with even few wargs but it did nothing to slow them, the accursed beasts confident in their strength. The onslaught seemed to be enough to get the beasts and their Orc masters to turn away, regrouping again out of range of the bows. Rayna cursed and willed the dwarves to arrive faster. She knew a large number of her people were busy evacuating the town, still in the healer's care or were off on scouting missions. As she ticked off each one in her mind, Rayna didn't need to be a genius to say her resources were almost threadbare, even with the dwarves. Still, it was better than fighting such a horde of enemies alone. Putting on a strong face, Rayna marched to the very edge of the construction area with her fellow shifters in tow. They were all thinking the same thing. Like hell we're going to lose what we've gained.
Thorin had been in the command tent with his cousin Dain when a man burst in, his face pale and breath shallow. "My lords! Laketown is under attack!"
Both dwarves were shocked, Dain speaking up first. "What? By who?"
"Orcs from south and west. They come with wargs and great numbers." The shifter told them in-between gasped breaths, his dirty blonde hair messy, possibly from his haste to reach them to deliver the news.
"How can this be? It was believed the goblins were finished and headed back for their mountain dwellings." Thorin pointed out, hating more than ever that his arm was still broken.
The male shifter nodded shakily. "The captain believed so too but guessed these slipped past our men and the elves. We've been told to fetch anyone able to fight."
Both dwarves frowned deeply, Dain nodding as he abandoned his spot at the table. "I will go, as will my men. Lead the way, my good man."
"Yes, Dain-chieftain." The shifter said, relief bleeding from every pore.
Next to him, Thorin was already trying to follow. "I will go too."
"Not you, cousin. You are still wounded from facing Azog and it would not do well for Erebor to lose its king as soon as he returns." Dain countered, not relenting even as his dark-haired cousin looked ready to protest. "Work with those here to keep all in order, as I'm sure many will be fearful."
Irritated, Thorin found something new to focus on as he turned to the shifter still waiting by the flaps of the tent. "What of the people of Laketown?"
"The captain has ordered we bring back as many as possible in exchanged for warriors. I imagine all will descend into chaos soon enough." The man responded, glad to give what little information he did have.
"We will go to where my men sit in waiting and go from there. Is the same being done for the elves?" Dain inquired, moving so he was near the taller man.
The shifter nodded. "I believe so, sir. Of the messengers, it was agreed I fetch you. Time is short and there are not enough of us in the town to hold them off alone!"
"Then we make haste! We trust in you, cousin." Dain all but declared as he and the shifter marched out, leaving Thorin behind.
Thorin didn't bother to answer, only calling Dwalin and Balin to him so they could take charge, as shifters with the power of wind had already started to appear with panicking humans in tow. By the time any kind of plan was made the camp was filling with people, all shaken and chattering like mad with questions. As more and more appeared, Thorin knew it would only be a matter of time before things got out of hand.
At the lake of Esgaroth, things were already on edge of becoming a chaotic mess even when the dwarves within the town turned up as requested, fully armored and ready. Rayna had begun to give them instructions when her messengers reappeared with more dwarves and some of the Laketown's warriors. A few more materialized with elves bearing swords and bows, all looking faintly dazed from their short trip. Only Rayna wasn't going to give them time to be overcome by their experience, shouting. "Archers, to the rooftops and be sure to find cover when you do. If there is none, make it! I need the dwarves holding the frontline with men in back as support in case any get past. If anything gets past you, it'd best be a bloody corpse. Move!"
People scurried to obey, shaken by her strong voice to take action as she'd commanded them to. The elves had stared at her harsh tone but dared not go against her when it was clear how she'd taken charge. Among them, Dain seemed content to act as her second. "Have you a count of the enemy?"
Rayna nodded, silently glad to have a competent man like Dain to help things along. "At least several hundred strong, wargs and Orcs, and moving fast. Remnants no doubt but still a threat. They tried to charge up but we got them to retreat but they're regrouping. My men are busy getting the humans away but it's costly and time consuming. Naturally children and the old have priority but I fear what may happen to those who remain should the line fail."
Dain nodded grimly, understanding what she meant all too well. "You are a capable warrior and I've seen glimpses of your prowess on the battlefield. To doubt yourself now may be what cripples you."
"Only if you let it. Still, fear is healthy in small doses." Rayna commented. She hated to feel the dreaded emotion but knew it to be necessary.
"Aye, that it is." Dain returned, what he was going to say next cut off by a new group of warriors who'd arrived same as he had.
Like before, Rayna didn't waste a second to start barking. "Healers are to go to the back, far from the line, which is that way." She said, pointing as she went on. "Use anything within the town as cover so not to become victims yourselves. Any supplies you need are in storage sheds further within the town. Any man I can spare will be sent for what you may require." A shout distracted Rayna, forcing her to cry out when she spotted the dark projectiles falling down at them. "Dammit, shields!"
Eyes glowing, multiple shifters lifted their hands and willed the barriers to life, rendering the barbed arrows useless. Some bounced off while others broke upon impact, the attempt stopping when the Orcs started to curse. Assured the beasts wouldn't try again, they released the energy, Rayna having covered Dain and those around them. Next to her, the dwarf lord was soundly impressed. "A handy trick."
Rayna nodded, solemn. "Yes, one that won't last if that happens too often. My people can only do so much."
"Then mine will lighten the load. I shall depend on you, captain." Dain told her in a firm voice, his beard and mustache shifting to reveal the smile on his lips.
"And I on you, Dain-chieftain." She returned, getting herself back into gear when another group appeared a good two feet way. It was mostly men and elves but she didn't care as she started talking. "Good, more of you. We already have archers on the roofs so I need at least one of you every third man along the line. Anyone with a sword is one of every two all along the line. Let the dwarfs lead with humans in between while your fellow archers give cover. Anyone with healing skills goes to the back with the rest."
"What of our families? My children-!" one of the men began to protest but Rayna cut him off. Such distractions couldn't be afforded at the moment.
"Are being taken to the mountain, as many as my people can take, making our work even more important. If the line collapses, anyone still within the town will be killed."
"Is there nothing we can do?" another asked, fear looking strange on his gruff face.
Rayna scowled but knew better than to get angry. "You can take courage that you're doing something about this instead of cowering from it like a defenseless child. Along with others who're are willing to defend this place with you so that all who will live here can go about their lives in peace. Do nothing, and you will die, leaving others to suffer from your loss." She paused, taking in the awed faces, Dain looking rather impressed again. So she continued. "Fight, and protect your homes! Don't let the deaths of your brethren go unpunished if it means you will live in fear."
"How can you say that?" a man near the back inquired, sounding almost haughty with his demand.
"I didn't get these scars on my face to help me look pretty." Rayna bit out, effectively silencing the nameless protester. Any other time, she would've taken amusement from it but instead moved on. "Now a show of hands, which of you are swiftest?"
Nearly all of them started to mutter, eventually at least three raised their arms to respond to her request. "Us, captain."
"Good, you can help ferry messages and supplies. Head to the armory and fetch as much as you can carry back here to the line. Any healing items go the healers over there. Everyone else spread out as I said and be ready to fight." She said, pointing to each respective direction, not bothering to watch as they scurried to obey.
Rayna was talking to another scout when Legolas, who she'd noticed had been among the new arrival of elves, walked up with a hard expression. "Captain-."
"Not now, elf prince." She growled, in no mood for the blonde elf, dismissing the scout with a wave of her hand. "When you have something worth saying, I'll let you know when I care enough to hear it."
The elf winced but didn't back down, determined. "Please, just-."
The brunette shifter whipped around, certain her eyes were glowing in response to her fury as she bit out. "Get in position, or I toss you up there. Now."
Legolas didn't speak after that, his face guarded but from the way his throat moved, he was caught between anger and hurt. Rayna didn't care even when she stomped off to oversee a barrier the soldiers could possibly use against arrow volleys. She became so focused on what she was doing, she almost didn't react to the call of her own name by a familiar voice. "Rayna!"
Quickly turning, her puzzlement turning into surprise at seeing the two Durin siblings jogging over to her, both looking ready for action. As elated as she was to see them, Rayna couldn't help but feel unnerved by their presence. "Kili, Fili! What're you two doing here? You should be at Erebor, helping Thorin."
"We want to help, we all do." Fili told her, he and his brother coming to a stop before her with grim expressions. Given the two could never be very serious with anything, it was certain an adorable attempt.
Rayna couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her at that moment. "I appreciate that but you two are heirs of Durin. Were you to test your luck, now would not be the best time." both dwarves frowned, looking ready to protest when she cut them off. "But I know you're probably just going to argue with me and I could use all the help I can get."
Having just caught up, the rest of the company was soon all around her save Thorin, due to his broken arm. At the front, Dwalin was growling. "So? Get to it."
"Ever the eloquent one, Dwalin." She quipped, sobering as she pointed to each of them in turn. "You, Gloin, Dori, Nori and Fili can join the others at the front line. Balin, I need you here with me and Dain as your wisdom could be of use. Oin, I sent the healers deep into the town so you should get there and get ready. Kili, as you're our only archer aside from me, I need you on the rooftops. Nothing, and I mean nothing, that isn't any of us survives. Understand?"
"Yes captain!" they said in a chorus of voices, already moving to obey even as Rayna's face split with a grin.
"Spoken like true brothers of mine." She muttered, barely able to grab Kili by the shoulder before he was too far away. "Hey."
Her concern must've shown for the dwarf frowned but didn't protest. "Yes?"
"No recklessness. I mean it." Rayna told him in a stern voice. "Worry goes both ways."
"I can't promise anything." Kili responded quietly.
She had to fight not to demand that he promise, that he go be somewhere other than on the edge of another battlefield. But they were both warriors and they knew it. So, instead she muttered with soft urgency. "Then try."
Kili's dark brown eyes flashed, taking her meaning to heart. "I can do that."
"So can I." Rayna said in turn, having guessed he was bound to ask the same of her.
They parted ways, and hoped it wouldn't be for the last time.
