Thorin Oakenshield was livid. The vicious howls of wargs rent the air, following the company's panicked flight down the mountain. He could see the unmasked fear in the eyes of the younger members of the group, he watched as Frerin and Bilbo were both being bodily dragged along, unable to keep up with their injuries. Bilbo, so newly returned to them, and already they were in even worse danger than a simple storm. He felt the fear in his own chest at the thought of what would happen should they be caught, and it only fueled his anger. He detested the unpleasantness of fear, and the shame it still brought him, as silly as it was.
The group was going on pure adrenaline now. After a sleepless night and little food for the past day it was the only thing to keep their flagging limbs moving. When Gandalf yelled for them to get into the trees, it was only terror that forced their heavy arms to grasp the branches that would shelter them. They ended up with seconds to spare before the hunters were at their feet, the wargs working themselves into a frenzy as they attempted to drag down their prey. The dark sound of black speech joined in their disjointed howling, a further group of mounted enemies following their servants.
A short burst of the horrid language roared over the cacophony, bringing with it an eerie silence and the wargs temporary retreat. Orcs directed their mounts to the sides, leaving a sort of aisle through which a creature from nightmares arrived. Thorin could feel his heart drop at the sight. The pale orc, very much alive, riding a massive white warg and sporting a satisfied sneer.
"Azog," he whispered. "It cannot be..." He found himself unable to look away, or even blink, wondering if perhaps he was just trapped in a bad dream. Maybe if he pinched himself he would awaken. His nemesis cackled, rumbling out a series of taunts from the sound of it, and Thorin caught his own name among the mess, along with his father's. His eyes narrowed in instant fury that the disgusting creature before him dared to utter that name. Only the restraining hand of whoever was next to him stopped him from losing it completely and launching himself out of the tree to kill Azog right then and there.
The pale orc delighted in his assumed victory for another moment before issuing a command that had the wargs attacking once more. No more breath was wasted on howls or taunts. The orcs sat back and watched as the wargs proceeded to throw themselves up the side of the trees, gripping the branches with strong jaws and ripping them off. They snapped at the heels of the company, unable to reach them and becoming increasingly frustrated.
Suddenly they changed tactics, and the trees began to shudder violently as the large beasts hurled their full weight against them. Creaks and groans ripped from the base of the dwarves sanctuary as it began swaying dangerously, and they were soon forced to jump for another perch. One by one natures monoliths tumbled to the ground, giving way before the assault and leaving only the last of the trees, right at the edge of the cliff. The group tried not to look down, several of them failing to do just that and blanching at the steep drop below.
"Fili! Kili!" Gandalf called down from his position at the very top of the tree. The two looked up, catching the burning cones he tossed down to them and immediately catching on to his plan when he flung his own out at the enemy. They quickly made more, passing the projectiles around and creating a veritable fire storm before them. Wargs fled, snarling in pain and fear of the flames, and Azog now looked outraged at having been thwarted, however temporarily it might be. As long as the fire burned the group was safe, for the orcs would not pass the heat of the flames.
They were just beginning to cheer victoriously when the last sound they had wanted to hear rang out over the crackling of the fire. Moaning in defeat, their tree was beginning to tip precariously towards the gorge, sending the group into an unbalanced tumble as they fought to secure their grip. Due to chance, or luck, their two injured members ended up on top of the tree, and Frerin let out an audible gasp when his hands came in contact with the bark. He felt as if a spark was connecting him to the tree, a surge of energy leaving him as the fall came to an abrupt halt. The roots were holding, and his hands almost seemed to glow faintly, a green luminescence flowing from his fingertips.
"I don't know what is happening!" he cried out.
"Whatever it is, keep doing it laddie!" Balin chuckled, brushing aside his worry and curiosity for a later time. Under his enthusiastic prompting Frerin slammed both hands onto the trunk, creating as much contact as he was able, and trying to ignore the rush of dizziness that accompanied this new phenomenon.
At his back Thorin was fuming, angry that Azog's good mood had returned at their predicament. Taking a deep breath, he deliberately straightened to his feet, balancing on the trunk as he stalked towards firmer ground. His sword was out, the shield that was his namesake clutched protectively in the other hand. He was going to end this, and he was going to end it now. Azog's delight seemed to increase with his proximity, and both charged simultaneously. Thorin wasn't really sure how it happened, but he was on the ground in seconds, at a clear disadvantage. His fury peaking, he felt as if he were seeing red when he lurched to his feet, facing off against the orc once more.
Again he was felled, the mace that Azog held in one clawed fist driving him into the dirt. He could dimly hear screaming past the ringing in his ears, and he tried to get up, but he couldn't seem to make his body work. All he knew was pain, the sudden flaring agony of warg fangs encasing his chest, and the whirling sensation of being airborne. Swinging out, he felt his sword connect with flesh, the shock ringing up his arm, followed by a brief moment of flying before he was jarringly reunited with the ground. His weapon had left his hand, his vision was swimming, and he fought off the fear of inevitability as he grasped at the dirt, trying to find anything to use in his defense against the orc sword that now rested on his neck. The last thing he saw was a small figure knocking the enemy to the ground before his world faded to black...
Bilbo swallowed heavily past the lump in his throat, trying to settle his racing heart as he got shakily to his feet. He could see that he was the only one with a chance of saving Thorin. Frerin was the only other one on the top of the tree, but he was busy holding off their imminent demise by falling, so he drew his sword and muttered a prayer. He broke into a stumbling run, his leg screeching in protest at every step, but the pain was worth it when he got to the orc just in time to shove it out of the way. Bilbo had no time to even think, letting out years of rage and pain on the unfortunate creature for what had been done to his family, both old and new. He smiled grimly at that thought. His new family, for that they were, at least to him. He would not fail to protect them again.
With a yell, several of the other company members joined the fight, finally managing to get free. They dodged fire and orc blades, battling with the single goal of defending their wounded king. Bilbo had shrunk back, lowering himself to the ground as his leg gave way, but still keeping his body between the helpless Thorin and the enemy.
Over on the tree Frerin was losing his own battle, his face going pale as his energy depleted at an alarming rate. "Gandalf, I can't hold it!" he cried in a strained whisper, falling forward as his eyes shut against his will. His face smashed against the trunk, and his last thought was of pain as his tongue got trapped between his teeth. The tree let go, roots tearing free of the earth and spinning towards the ground as its occupants were plucked from the death trap by monstrous eagles. Gandalf sighed in relief, his plan had come to fruition just in time, and the company was borne away, leaving behind a furiously roaring Azog and his scattered forces.
Author's note: So, something strange is happening to Frerin. I haven't yet decided whether I'm going to do anything with this ability, but I will at the very least explain it some time later in the story.