Hello! I know this has taken ages and I am really, really sorry….but I made this chapter extra-long for you ^^
Thank you for sticking with me and coming back to read, it means so much!
Onwards….
An uneasy tension grew throughout the group of men. Mutters and hushed, frightened conversations grew to fever pitch before Addric put a hand up to silence them.
'I know none of you signed up for this, and I'm sorry this has happened- I will bear no one ill will if they leave now- go hunting, or into your tents for this. I am not an evil man; I will not begrudge you.' He said, looking to his men with fond eyes.
Another roar, spattered with orc shrieks. The men looked at each other- no one moved. 'We came with you because you are our leader…..we're staying with you because you are our friend.' One muttered, giving Addric a firm smile.
'Men, I….' Addric started, but he softened as all the men started standing firm and ready for the time ahead. 'I thank you all.' He finished, before looking to his nephew- Liddry had made his way by his side, but no smile was on his face.
'Uncle, please-'he started to say, but Addric had seemed to have guessed what he was about to say. He shook his head and walked away, back to his tent for his weapon, he presumed. The other men followed, either to pick up their own weapons or wait for the orders of their leader on what to do next.
Thorin looked down at his nephews, falling to his knees beside his youngest-he muttered mutely under his breath as his eyes fell on the wound in Kili's side. He gingerly moved his hand to cover it, heart plummeting as Kili winced and inched away. 'What have they done to you?' he whispered, before his eyes grew hard and he stood, facing the man still standing with them.
Liddry had the good sense to take a step back, putting his hands out to placate the very angry Dwarf- 'Let me explain….' He started, but Thorin barked over him.
'Explain? Explain? You think words can tide over these injuries?!' he reached into his belt for his blade, but found it had gone- he had probably dropped it on the grass somewhere.
'It's not what you think! Please let me explain,' Liddry cried, eyes roving over Fili.
'Wait!' the younger dwarf shouted, relief flowing through him as Thorin stopped looking for his weapon and looked at him instead. 'He's telling the truth! Let him explain what's going on.'
Thorin frowned, shaking his head. 'You expect me to believe…'
'You must! You must get him out of here!' Fili motioned his brother. 'Both of you must go!'
'Fili…..' Kili moaned, shaking his head. 'No….'
'No, no Thorin must stay here! We've got to finish this….' Conflict flared in the young man's eyes as Liddry shook his own head, pointing at Kili.
'Thorin?' the real Thorin muttered, looking from Kili to Liddry and frowning. 'What in Durin's name is going on here?' he growled, looking at all three of them for an explanation.
'There's no time to explain…we've got to-'Fili's words were cut off as an eerie silence befell the camp. 'Too late….he's coming….' whispered Liddry, and he stepped back, before looking at Thorin.
'We have no qualm with you, Dwarf. Leave now and you will be spared.' He said, voice resolute.
'Go!' Fili shouted, 'Please!' The eyes of Nephew and Uncle met- Thorin didn't know what was going on, what was happening here, but by the look in Fili's eyes, he knew he had to do as he was told. Slowly, he nodded, stooping to pick up his weapon before casting another look at Kili as he moved back into the shadows of the trees. 'I'll be right here…. I won't leave you two.' He muttered, before disappearing into the woodland, invisible.
The three of them were left in silence- 'You can go too, if you want….' Liddry said, looking at Fili.
'I'm staying right here.' came the reply, as Fili shifted to get a better look at his brother. Liddry nodded, but could say no more- Addric was coming, and he would need him by his side.
'I can't….look out for you anymore. I just can't.' he said, shaking his head as he stepped back.
Fili felt himself deflate as his brother sagged in his arms. 'Understood.' He managed to bark out, fingers carding through Kili's hair as he tensed up as footsteps approached.
A shadow fell on them, and hands suddenly darted under Kili's arms. 'Wait- leave him be!' Fili begged, but he was dragged backwards; Fili tried to find purchase on Kili's coat but his hands were ripped from the material as they were pulled apart.
'Fili!' came the cry of his brother under the arms and scrabbling hands of the two men. Fili supressed a desperate cry as he tried to fight his way from the grip of his own captors- he growled as his weakened body failed him; he fell, limp and tired, to the ground.
Seconds later, and they were being dragged, side by side, along the ground. Fili winced at his feet hit rocks- he could only imagine what Kili was going through. His brother had his eyes closed again, but for what reason he wasn't sure.
'Stay with me….' He muttered, not even knowing if he could hear him. 'Don't you leave me now…..'
Thorin sprinted through the edge of the forest, keeping as close an eye on the movement of his nephews as possible. He still had no idea what was happening, but he would be damned if he left Fili and Kili to their fate.
Stopping for breath he saw them being dragged into a circular area of the camp, before being dumped on the ground. Kili was dragged to his feet- with a jolt Thorin saw his head lolling to the side- before being tied to what looked like the stump of a tree…..like a sacrifice.
'No….' Thorin muttered, things clicking into place in his mind. The scared faces of the men as the words "He's here" flowed in the air. Why the men thought Kili was him. Only one beast that he knew of could illicit that much fear in a race known for savagery and cunning…but it couldn't be, could it?
'Azog.' The word tasted like bile in Thorin's throat. He tore forwards to get as close as possible to what was happening. As he stood by a tree shaded by shadows he felt something knock into him, sending him off kilter to the right. Thorin blinked in surprise, before Bilbo appeared as he opened them again. 'What the- Bilbo?! Where did you get to?' he muttered, before putting his hand on the top of the Hobbit's head and pushing him to crouch in the undergrowth.
'I'm sorry- I only just managed to get away-' Bilbo muttered, but Thorin cut across him.
'Never mind, at least I haven't lost you too…..we need to rescue my nephews, but I don't see a way….' Thorin sagged against the tree, shaking his head.
'We have to wait for the right time…. If we don't they might both die.' Bilbo said, voice low. He looked up at the Dwarf, face set. 'Trust me, I've got an idea.'
Thorin nodded slowly, out of options. 'I hope your plan works, Hobbit- for their sake….' He said, eyes back on his nephews, feeling helpless.
Fili looked up at his brother tethered to the tree stump, eyes wide and scared. Kili moved his head to face him, their eyes meeting- bloodied faces mirroring each other. Fili nodded slowly at his brother, not knowing what to do; he winked, smiling as Kili winked back.
A circle of men had begun to form, before Addric and Liddry stepped forwards, each taking their place next to Kili. Fili growled in the back of his throat as Liddry blocked his view of his brother- the young man noticed and moved forwards slowly to allow him to see his kin, heart plummeting. This shouldn't be happening…..but if it was the only way to save Uncle Daly…..
A hush followed as the strangled and mottled cries and screams of the Orcs punctuated the air- the younger men stepped backwards in fear, but the more experienced stayed firm, hands on their blades. The group of Orcs surged forwards, accompanied, Fili saw with a jolt of horror, by three huge Wargs. The third stayed back, and atop the pure white beast- Azog the Defiler.
Fili looked steadfastly ahead as the white Warg advanced- Azog was grotesque; the impending figure exuded malice and hatred. The Orcs around him chattered and threatened the men around them, but none broke free and attacked- Fili guessed that Azog had warned them against it. There was only one thing this beast wanted, and it was tied to a tree beside him.
Kili had tensed as soon as he saw the great Pale Orc, and started to struggle- Addric put out a hand, a warning look on his face. Kili's eyes opened wide in fear as the Orcs came closer, the wargs snapping their jaws, foaming at the mouth.
Soon enough, the parade of Orcs stopped, and the Warg slowed for its master, dropping down onto one haunch to let Azog climb off.
The Great Orc stepped forwards towards the two men, not even seeming to pay Kili any mind at all.
'Where's my brother?' Addric asked before Azog could even open his mouth. 'What have you done with him?'
The Orc laughed, a great, booming, sadistic laugh that made the hairs on the back of Kili's neck stand up. He motioned with one great hand to a group of Orcs to his side- the group parted, revealing a dirty, unkempt- but alive- man.
'Uncle Daly!' cried Liddry, and he tore to his side, supporting him as the Orcs dropped him to the floor.
'M'ok….m'alright…..' Daly muttered, but Liddry could see blood and healing scars over his arms and face.
'Daly?' Addric cried, eyes wide as the two brothers surveyed each other. Daly gave his younger brother a short nod, and started to stand up.
A grunt from Azog brought the attention back to him. 'I have kept my side of the bargain- now your turn!' he spat, looking around in front of him.
Fili felt nerves fly in a sickening speed around his stomach- now it was only a matter of time before Azog discovered he had been wronged.
'We have, sir…' Addric muttered, tripping over his words. He motioned Kili, eyes wide and hopeful, but all the time darting to his brother, who was now hobbling with Liddry's help to his side.
Azog looked, and the smile dropped from his face- replaced with an anger so fierce Fili was sure the sky had just darkened.
'You….dare…..to trick me?' he asked, spitting each word out with venom. He lashed out an arm, finger pointing at the dwarf tied to the tree. 'You dare to humiliate me, the great Defiler?!'
'W-what? I don't under-'Addric stammered, but Azog cut across him, face contorted in fury.
'THIS IS NOT THORIN OAKENSHIELD!' he roared, advancing with his blade. 'YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME AN IMPOSTER!'
'NO! I assure you this is Thorin, he even said so himself!' Addric shouted, shaking his head. Azog stopped at this, and Fili didn't like that one bit. 'He knows who he is, then?' he growled, more to himself that anyone else. Fili's stomach dropped; he didn't like the sound of that at all.
He stood up straighter, eyes casting around the group of men he was stood with- he spied a blade hanging out of a belt, and quietly-silently- he pulled it away, hiding it on his other side, out of sight.
Azog had moved, and with a jolt Fili saw he was advancing on his brother- Kili looked up, eyes wide…he had to get there.
Liddry and Addric were exchanging horrified glances, wondering how they could have got things so wrong. Out of the corner of his eye Liddry spotted Fili moving stealthily through the crowd towards them. He slowly, with only a minute movement, nodded. Fili gratefully nodded back, picking up speed.
Azog had stopped, face now so close to Kili that the young dwarf could smell his rancid breath- the smell clogged his nose and throat, and he tried not to gag.
'Who are you?' he growled, before barking off some orders in Orcish to the Orcs surrounding them. Kili tried to look away, but Azog growled deep in his throat and hit his face to make him face him.
'I said- who are you? Speak quickly and I will make your death a little quicker!' he spat, spraying Kili with spit.
Kili didn't know what to say, but he knew he had to say something. 'I….I….' he stammered, his whole body shaking with fear.
Azog roared, raising his fist to strike again- suddenly there was a bellow from behind him, and he turned to see Fili, blade raised. 'Leave my brother alone!' he yelled, before running at the great Orc.
Azog grinned sadistically and reached for his own blade- it was much bigger and –probably- sharper than Fili's, but now the dwarf didn't much care.
The crash of blades, coupled with the flashes of light drawn from the steel cast a ferocious picture- Fili roared a battle cry and pushed forwards, adrenaline fuelling his plight.
All around them, man and orc were coming to their senses- they drew their own weapons, striking each other with venom and renewed strength. Mottled screeches and human cries of pain soon punctuated the air.
Liddry led Daly to a safe place- his uncle was not in fighting form, and he didn't even struggle as he sat him down behind a tent- before wielding his own blade and walking back.
'Liddry…' his uncle called. Liddry stopped, frowning, he was anxious to join the battle and help in any way he could.
'Yes, uncle?' he asked.
'Do the right thing….' He said, wincing and putting a hand to his bruised ribs.
'What do you mean?' Liddry asked, before they both turned as a scream of pain met their ears.
'You know what I mean- do what you think is right.'
Liddry knew of what he was talking about, and gave his Uncle a smile. 'I will.' He promised, before taking off, blade raised.
'Make me proud, boy….' Daly groaned, eyes fluttering open and closed as he sat back against the canvas.
Fili growled in frustration as Azog kept up his attack, savagely slashing and beating their blades together in a storm-like fury.
The blade bit his shoulder and he cried out, falling to the side- he was soon up as Azog advanced again, but this time Fili was in front of his brother, face contorted in anger.
'I'm warning you!' he cried, breathing hard as they reached their stalemate. 'Leave now and no more blood need be spilt!'
Azog spat out a laugh. 'No- only yours!' he growled, before arcing his blade above his head.
Fili flinched, stomach flipping. Kili screamed out, head shaking as the blade was thrown from the Orc's hand, its trajectory straight ahead.
Time stopped.
A body fell to the floor.
All hell broke loose.
To be continued….
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Next- and last- chapter up soon, I promise!
Thank you for reading,
Xxx
