A new chapter! Huzzah! This was perhaps one of my favorite chapters to write thus far. It was hard and yet fun at most parts. I know you've been waiting for it for so long. Also I'm sad to say that it may be a long while before I update again, I'm at another fork in my writing and not sure where i want to go exactly. I could keep it like it is or add this whole new twist that recently came up. Honestly, I need help, lots of it, and I'm asking you my readers for it. I need to bounce some ideas and hear from you. If you're interested, please PM me and I'll give more details about my dilemma. It also a matter of sticking with the story or going A.U. again. 0_o
I would like to say thank you to my reviewers xXxBadssAngelxXx for your patience and reminders to update soon. *_*
Thank you Lalaithiel for being such a loyal fan.
Thank you Missreadstoomuch for your vivid and amazing reviews. I really appreciate how specific you were and in sharing your thoughts of how you view everyone in my story thus far. I utilize those comments when writing my next chapters. (Please get a profile so that we can talk more if you'd like)
And to reader's questions:
You're right. I based the witch's town off of Sodom and Gomorah, the talk with Alicia and Gandalf was like Abraham's plea. I thought a mutant bunny would just be funny, but I think you have a very good point too. Also the names i used for the people are biblical names or names from biblical root words for instance 'Naor' means 'to learn', which I thought was fitting for her. The bible verses I put at the beginning of each chapter, I do try to match them up with the general theme of the chapter cuz it's fun and super cool.
"Whoever says o the wicked, "You are in the right,", will be cursed by peoples, abhored by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them." Proverbs 24: 24-25
There was just not enough hours in the night it seemed, as the woman was woken up by the sounds of people filtering in and taking seats, baby wargs barking, monsters, orcs and people. Howls and battle cries and all kinds of sounds of medieval warfare resonated down the halls. A lively crowd echoed around the entire stadium shouting for the show to begin.
Alicia's cell was right there to begin with though she was not able to see the whole arena due to some of the obstacles that were now obscuring most of her view. The monsters too, were released also joining the fray.
Any second now the guards would rise up her gate to her cell, and if she stood in the cell too long those younger smaller wargs would trap her and it'd be game over. But, if she could reach the 'safe house' before any of them got to her then she won. No doubt the witch did her little spell dance and got the beasts riled up again. Somewhere a bottle had crashed and shattered on the ground. The sound reminded her of a song from her world, Glory and Gore by Lorde. In the next second she was quietly singing the song to herself. A sense of grim bravery blossomed inside of her as she formulated some kind of plan to evade and maneuver.
"In all chaos there is calculation..."
Her gate rose up.
"Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood." She sang as she gingerly exited.
Quickly and quietly as she could, staying as hidden as possible she made her way closer to the cage that represented the safe house at the top of this fake mountain. However, at the base of the mountain was also where most of the fighting was.
"Uuuuh, no." she mumbled as she ducked right back behind the wall she was hiding.
A roar came from above her, making her flinch and duck as a flaming gargoyle came gliding by. Her eyes were saucers as she froze in place hoping the thing didn't notice her as he moved on. She had to find a way to make it around the fighting and to the finish line, or finish cage. Who knows what they did to those who didn't make it in time.
On high alert she still crept around, looking for the best place to sneak around unnoticed as battle happened all around her. The last thing she needed was to get caught in a giant brawl.
A small growl came from near behind her. She whirled around to meet the baby warg, about the size of a golden retriever come charging at her to jump on her. Dogs were an average enemy for her. The thing jumped her and she made quick work on the warg's jaw, neck, and eyes. Of course she took a few scratches here and there, but thankfully not enough to hinder her. The woman snorted at the thing and moved on. Turning a corner though, brought her right in view of a humanoid hyena like monster with three snakes on his head. It barked at her as it moved towards her.
"Chumps!" she guffawed and flailed about to turn around. The monster stomped after her, reaching out to grab her as it licked it's jaws. Talk about live action first person video games. She sure wished there was ways she could earn some extra lives in this.
The creature barreled after her as she tried to outrun it or lose it behind some walls and obstacles. The survivor put on an extra burst of speed just to make sure she lost him. A screech caught her attention above her, a black hawk like creature came swooping towards her. Her body acted of its own accord. Down he came, talons stretched out towards her, wings spread out and beaks open. As he came in close enough, Alicia sidestepped just a bit while reaching out to grab the hawk's nearest ankle. She pivoted with his movements till she yanked him plummeting to the hyena creature that had finally caught up with her. The two monsters fell in a heap of arms and legs. Again she wasted no time in running away to find another place to hide. She wasn't out of breath yet but conservation of energy was key right now.
She ducked out of view before some large orc saw her as she climbed up a second level, but a big eared, koala looking monster found her and tried to grab her from behind. The survivor bucked and sent him rolling down, hitting his head again against a wooden wall. The creature groaned a bit and shook his head, now looking around at her as if he was lost. The girl had no time for feeling sympathy for him right now. A zombie fox monster was attacking an orc viciously not far from her, tearing into its flesh with its sharp teeth, the koala was climbing up swiftly to his aid against the orc Alicia felt exposed up on top like that, and quickly scrambled to find another hiding place.
Up, from the side came an angry cawing chicken like monster trying to keep his balance as well as groping for her. His hazel eyes were shrunken pupils as he scrambled and clawed. " Shoo! Get outta here K.F.C. "Alicia said and kicked him. The chicken monster squawked at her, not much affected by her one kick. It actually grabbed her leg even.
"What the- BEEEAAAT IIIIIIIIIT!" She hollered at it and began an onslaught of kicks and jabs until she de-stabilized his grip and he fell back down. She scrambled to get to a second platform.
From her new spot, a wolf man was fighting against a human and an orc that tag teamed against him. Despite this two against one, he was holding his own quite well. If, she could make it around them, and somehow to the next obstacle before being caught, she might have a chance at getting to the safe house.
Right, here goes nothing. Steeling herself and taking a deep breath, she jumped to move. Just as she got the first step going, she was grabbed suddenly red-copper colored clawed hands grabbed her just as she took two steps and roughly pulled her back.
"Dongit." She cursed as she tried to fight off her new captor, which wouldn't ya know, is the zombie fox.
The bony creature grunted and growled as Alicia swiveled in his grip to where she could elbow him in his chest. He let out a long low growl as he changed tactics to grab her arms and pin them to her torso.
"Get off get off get off! Undead Monster Cooties!" she ranted at it as she was kicking to get free. Another pair of hands wrapped around her left side, trapping her in a bear hug between the fox monster and now the koala like monster.
"What the-" She balked as the creatures lowered down to their knees with her in the middle in an effort to hold her. One growled lowly as if fighting some inner battle, the other whimpered as it buried his face in her shoulder. So stunned by their unusual behavior she just sat there staring at them, no longer fighting.
Alicia stared at them. "Alright what's going on?" she said awkwardly. Their heads rose to look at her with expressions of….desperation? Plead? Whatever it was, it wasn't any type of violence, and so what exactly are they doing?
They gave quiet mumbling growls to each other as if talking, big wet noses on either side of her face. The Koala then reached up a clawed hand towards the wall and with his claws made taps with one finger and drummed with the rest in a pattern.
Tap tap tap, drum drum drum drum drum, tap tap tap.
Her face scrunched in confusion and she shook her head at it. A roar from an orc that came up caught her attention. She tried to get up, but the two pushed her right back down. The zombie fox snarled as he detached himself and engaged the orc in a battle. Alicia watched him go, really wanting to get away or help finish off that orc.
The koala gently grabbed her face to turn it back to him and began the tapping again. She was frustrated at what this guy was trying to do, why was he trying to show her his tapping claws? Then it hit her.
Tap tap tap, drum drum drum drum drum, tap tap tap.
The pattern of the tapping and drumming was S.O.S.
Who knew what Morse code was in Middle Earth?...wait... "Ori?" Alicia said in disbelief.
The Koala smiled and nodded. Just then the fox monster came sauntering back up to her then having finished off the orc. She looked owl eyed at him as he returned. "Nori?"
The fox gave an, oh so familiar smirk and wink as he too nodded.
Really?! I've been fighting and buying and passing them by this whole time?! She screamed in her head. Her eyes fell back on Ori with a much more softened gaze. " Ori.." He drove his face in her shoulder again for another hug that she eagerly obliged. "Oh Ori." His grip tightened in response, nodding his head against her shoulder. SERIOUSLY?! ARE WE EFFING KIDDDING ME RIGHT NOW?! HOW THE HECK WAS I SUPPOSED TO FIGURE THAT OUT?! MOST OF THE TIME I'VE BEEN WINGIN' IT ALREADY!
Well, she finally found the company, but now she had to fight them. What a mess.
Nori came by, gently tugging her to her feet with Ori. He led her to the end of the wall, pointing to the safe cage and to her.
"How? I don't think I've got the means to just fight my way through everyone." She asked. Nori shook his head and made a running gesture with two fingers.
"Run all the way there, while you two..." Nori grinned and patted her back twice. They had her back. She smiled at her friends, despite the situation she couldn't help but feel happy to have them back. With a nod from her she turned back to pick out the safest route to go.
Nori and Ori stayed behind her the whole time, watching her back like they'd agreed. She moved with much more confidence now that she was on a team of her own. Up on a second obstacle she climbed with them. There were two decks she had to jump across so quickly she leaped the first. Right up in front of her jumped a bug monster, hopping huge leaps like a grasshopper to land on the platform she was on. It clicked and twitched with large mandibles at her.
"Giant mutant beetle." She grumbled as she dodged it. "I've eaten bugs before you know!" She ducked under his arms, flailing and squirming away. "Come and hit me, I'mma eatchu' in front of everybody!" She grumped as she pointed at him threateningly. Needless to say the creature paid no mind as he lumbered after her. Nori was on him in a second, he fought him back while Ori rejoined her.
Bug Man did his best to chase after her as she jumped down back down to ground level and skittered around corners.
The bug monster jumped around like Sabortooth from X-Men along walls to keep up with her, so she trolled him by running in circles twice and taking off between another two walls. Ori and Nori were fast too and held him back long enough for Bug Monster to lose her. One final stretch and she'd be at the cage. Another large red orc was safe guarding it though. Chumps...
Ori caught up to her, giving her a determined nod. Taking a deep breath, she started at a jog with Ori. It was easy to run past the gargoyle as he was distracted by another opponent. For a brief moment, she wondered which of the other dwarves was which monster. Ori blocked the lion man from getting to her. The nori jumped from another deck to land on an orc that brandished his crooked short sword towards her. The red orc that was safeguarding the cage was had just finished off an opponent before her and sidestepped quickly to block her from advancing. She stopped herself before she got more than ten feet to the gruesome monster that was two heads taller than her. His blackened teeth were bared as he brandished he gripped his club, slowly stalking to her.
Movement behind him caught her attention. It was up on the bleachers of the arena, something small hopped over some railing and snuck its way to the ringleader who was too engrossed by the show to notice it. The long ears were unmistakable, Lucky Charm. This was it.
No longer caring about the stupid orc, She bolted for the gate to get out of the arena.
The red orc gave chase only for a short time as suddenly there was a loud scream coming from the balcony that the witch stood. All eyes were turned to her as the entire platform was aflame. She stood up against the gate as Ori and his middle brother caught up to her.
There was a yelp on the other side where Lucky stood holding up the keys to the gate he had stolen. She smiled at him, watching him unlock the gates. Was this smaller monster Bilbo?
Sudryl came right up behind Lucky with his face covered like an Easterling. "There you are." He said and had to jump back as Nori growled and blocked him. She laid a hand on his shoulder to stop him too. The elf gave him a small frown, waving his hand. "I cannot help but get the feeling I am being replaced with all these new friends you're making."
"These monsters are the dwarves." Alicia said quickly. "The whole time it was them. But never mind how right now." She glanced at the flaming platform where an outraged witch had doused some of the flames and left in a hurry. "Gandalf's begun his attack, the whole place is gonna blow. Where's Geddyn's and Naor's family?"
"They are hidden safely in their homes." Sudryl replied. "Galileo and I saw to it after allowing Mithrandir access."
"We need to evacuate them out of this town A.S.A.P." she responded and turned to the monsters. "You three get the others out of here to through the nearest exit which is that way. Outside on your right."
The monsters grunted in agreement. Screams came from all over the place as what looked like panicked people and orcs began to run from the brawling pit that was becoming engulfed in flames. To avoid the crowd they quickly separated.
"Sudryl, you're faster than me, Get Naor, I'll get Geddyn." She said behind him. The elf's head bobbed and he took off as if flying more than running.
Outside, she caught a glimpse of the wizard and the witch staring each other down and trash talking. The billowing wind blew about their clothes in an ominous other worldly appeal. She pounded on Geddyn's door.
"Geddyn! It's Illiad! Grab your son, it's time to get out of here!" Alicia yelled through the door.
The door was actually already cracked and she didn't notice till it swung open easily and out popped this mutant bearded lizard looking monster with it's mouth open.
"AAAAAAAH! You're not who I thought you were!" She rambled and slammed the door shut. The creature roared behind the door charging at it. Of course she didn't stand there and wait for it.
"Oh Lord have mercy. I'm just one girl. Just one puny weakling little girl who knows even less than Jon Snow!" she rambled as she swerved down the alley to try to lose the monster tailing her. Bursting through some back gate she scrambled to get away from him. The creature tore through the gate and eyed her, saliva dripping from his mouth. " EEEEEEEK!" she screamed as she pulled out some metal pipe to wave it like a baseball bat.
A crossbow bolt implanted itself just behind the monster's left eye, causing it to halt and screech. Another hit it at the side of it's neck. She gawked at it opened mouthed as it hissed and slumped to the side. " Who's jon Snow?" Another voice asked from behind some crates.
Gybyn and his father peered around the crates, both with crossbows in their hands.
"I'll tell ya later, time to go!" Alicia waved her hands about as she hopped over the rubble. " We're gonna' be like hippies and blow this joint."
"What?" Geddyn said behind her as he re adjusted his bag strap. "What's a hippie joint?"
"Not important. Just keep running with me." The woman replied as she led them through the back way to get to the same exit she directed Lucky to go.
"You sound like a little girl." The son said.
"Shut up an' run." She replied in a mock man's voice. They easily kept up with her through it all. They weaved through alleys, avoiding as many monsters as possible.
"What is happening?" The man asked.
"The wizard is fighting the witch. And this place is about to blow." She answered.
"What? On his own with so many followers? Everyone here bears her insignia proudly. They will defend her. One wizard against roughly four hundred?" The man tried to argue.
"He came prepared." Alicia replied.
A roar from her left introduced a badger like monster adorned with thorns lunging out at her. He clipped her hard enough to throw her off balance onto the next wall. Geddyn and Gybryn scrambled backwards in time to avoid him.
The monster was wild and rough. One wild fist rose up to give her an award winning shiner, staggering her backwards on her rear end as her vision blurred and tears ran free down that one eye.
It gave a vicious snarl at her as he strode forth to try and grab her again. Muscle movement seemed to fail her a moment as all she could do was crab walk backwards.
Just before the badger monster pounced on her, white and scarlet colored arms came wrapping around the badger's neck in a head lock from behind. There was a brief struggle where suddenly the badger was roughly yanked aside, revealing a snarling Galileo positioning himself between the badger and the humans. Geddyn looped his hands under her arms and pulled her up.
Galileo squared his shoulders, preparing to engage the Badger monster again as they roared at each other.
"Come on, he'll cover us." Alicia croaked, forcing herself to grab the others' hands and pull them along to the exit.
The badger monster barked as he went for them again, only to be tackled aside by Galileo. The poor white furred monster though looked to be struggling with him, all he could do in such close combat was to try and hold him back. Luckily that was enough. They found the exit and she ushered them through it.
They gave her grateful looks before passing through.
Blasts resonated throughout the square of the town as Gandalf took on the witch, magic to magic. There was no sign of Sudryl yet, but great googaly moogaly her left face was on fire with pain. Swallowing it down, she forced herself to climb a ladder that led to the roofs and one of the catwalks her and the elf used to sneak around. She scanned the crowd for any signs as she traveled via roof top and catwalks. Finally her eyes fell on four figures just as she made it nearly on the other side of the town. Sudryl was giving Naor's son a piggy back as they ran while Naor held her daughter. They tried their best to weave away from the cheering crowd that grew angry when Gandalf scored a hit.
U'Damia screamed and sent another sneak attack blast of dark energy at him, then two more till Gandalf's defenses were knocked aside and he too went flying back. He struggled to get up before she gathered enough energy to hit him again. Alicia was too far to be able to intervene, but a hobbling guy in brown, waving about his own staff and counteracting her last attack was.
Up he put some kind of force field that blocked the witch's wild and impulsive blasts until Gandalf got back on his own feet. Once there, he mustered up his own energy and came back at her just as hard. At this point, Alicia's left eye had swollen half shut, oh but she still knew what was going on.
U'Damia screeched curses at the two wizards as she ducked out of the way, raising her hands as she murmured something else. The two wizards pushed their advance, running on either side to flank her as the Witch finished her spell.
Suddenly, it was every single person now beginning to groan or cringe and scream.
Alicia didn't know where to look first. She watched in both horror and fascination, as all visible insignias of the witch began to glow, and those who were wearing it, began to change into various types of monsters themselves. Howls, growls, roars, screeches cut through the air as the townspeople of orcs and humans were now mix-matched monsters.
All eyes were turned to Gandalf's team. The witch gave some order, and then all the monsters moved in to attack. Gandalf ignored the beasts as best he could and made a Bee line for the witch, still engaged in warfare with her. There was no avoiding it now. Standing still and watching the spectacle allowed for her to recover enough energy to carry out this last resort.
The survivor grabbed two torches, running down as she lit the trails of black powder on fire. Section after section that she was last in started with a trail of flames then blew up in flying pieces of building and monster. U'Damia glanced at everything in disappointment, but most of her attention now was to flee the wizards. Gandalf would not let her go easily though.
Panting heavily now, she leaned against a wall as she forced herself to still walk. The heat had grown quite intense as well, making her sweat even more.
In her flee, the witch blasted the chunk of building towards Gandalf, who had to go on the defense to defend himself from the rubble.
Alicia ducked and darted between other buildings for shelter as she tried to weave her way to the exit.
U'Damia must have spotted her at one time, because now she aimed a few blasts at her, spurring Alicia into an all-out sprint. Her legs began to burn and protest, the woman had to stop at times and hide.
Panic set in her head as she tried to think of something, while praying for help.
She knew then though, that the only thing left for her to do now was run. Her legs burned so much and felt wobbly under her she couldn't make herself run any more than a few yards at a time before she had to slow. Luckily, the exit was in sight and not far.
There was an ear piercing scream. Gandalf pushed his attack, and finally, the witch has disintegrated like ash blown in the wind. The grey wizard caught his own breath, then high tailed it out of there as a building came crashing down.
The woman's body was crying out in protest to stop moving, but she knew now was the worst time to stop. She felt as if she wasn't moving any faster in her jog.
There were loud thumping sounds behind her, making her turn around to see the brown wizard and Gandalf.
"Oh dear! Oh my!" Radaghast came running up, looking quite frantic. "Didn't I tell you? Thieves, fire, and murder!" He said as he hobbled up to her, scooping her up in his arms in mid run as he kept going. Gandalf was right behind, blood staining his face.
Through the doorway they ran where Gandalf's horse and Radaghast's sleigh waited. Though, the rabbits had already started running. Alicia was all but thrown onto the front of the sleigh as Radaghast hopped on.
It was all happening so fast she went on auto pilot and just sat there quietly, glancing at the side to see Gandalf riding hard on his horse.
If Alicia was completely honest, she'd say that the sleigh ride was totally fun. It felt heavenly having a cool breeze cooling her hot skin. Trees wiped by as they rode on through the woods, putting a great deal of distance between them and the fiery town before sliding to a stop. At the end of this stop were the ponies geared and ready to go along with Rainlight and two other horses. They cantered about as Radaghast and Gandalf approached.
Sudryl stepped out from his hiding place, watching them with pensively.
Slowly Alicia stood up on wobbly legs, smiling at him.
"Oh thank goodness that's over!" Radaghast exhaled as the four regrouped. "Such nasty business that was. Is it over? Is the witch really gone? What if some of her followers escape and-"
His sentence as abruptly interrupted as a loud explosion resonated from where the town once was. Whatever was left of it and its residents was now blown up completely. Gandalf and Sudryl turned to look at Alicia suspiciously, who in turn just gave a very slow spreading smile.
"We don't have to worry about followers." Alicia commented and stretched her back.
The three stared at her a moment before Radaghast pointed at her. "You've got a huge knot, on the side of your face."
From various hidden places came Geddyn and Gybyn next to Naor and her children who eyed the various monsters as they emerged from their places.
"She's gone then. We are really free." Naor said in disbelief.
Gandalf gave her a kind smile. "Yes my dear, you are free to live a better life now. However the day is drawing to a close, and I say we camp here for the night and rest up."
Behind him Alicia was trying not to bat away Radaghast's hand as he went rubbing some weird salve on her face and telling her to be still.
Sudryl had quickly started on taking out provisions enough to feed everyone as the gargoyle made a fire. The kids found the hawk and lion man fun to play with while Geddyn and Naor had a warm conversation as they helped Sudryl with the cooking.
Once Radaghast was done with his hovering, Alicia thanked him in kind.
"Wasn't expecting you to be here Radaghast."
The funny wizard chuckled a bit. "Nor was I expecting to come here, but I couldn't leave Gandalf to that horrid place by himself. Now you just soak that handkerchief in hot water to bring down the swelling, keep putting on that salve on your wounds and all should be right as rain."
"Thank you Radaghast." She said again. The funny man gave a comical sweeping bow before excusing himself to settle down for the night as well.
Once that was all taken care of, Alicia went to Rainlight, stroking her neck with a smile. She got out some spare clothes, traveler clothes that were given to her by Meira, and went to change. Gingerly she peeled off the raggedy smelly clothes she wore in disguise, feeling cleaner just having removed them. A small creek, barely ten feet wide and perhaps no deeper than two feet in some spots, was what served as a small rinse off. The water was freezing as she ran a wet handkerchief, lathered with minimal soap, down her torso first. Just as predicted, she did have a few bruises on her torso and arms, but surprisingly, no cracked bones.
'I must be getting better at this, I'm not sustaining as much injuries this time.' She joked in her head as she went to her arms and legs. Quickly as her body allowed her to dress, she moved to rejoin the camp.
"You are a woman!" Naor pointed out as she returned looking up from her chopping.
"Oh….yeah. That happened." Alicia responded she gave a sheepish smile.
"A- a lady? Your elven husband allowed you to join such danger?" Geddyn glanced at Sudryl.
The elf cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away.
"We are not married." The survivor responded with a smile. "And yes. He volunteered to come and I'm very grateful for it."
Naor and Geddyn shared a look before dropping the subject with simple nods.
Gybynn stared at her a moment longer. " You been a woman? All this time?"
Alicia tried not to laugh at him for such a weird question. " Yep. All my life." She said simply with a smile.
Naor cracked a smile then, a genuine bright and beautiful smile that was probably sorely missed by her children.
Some of the monsters had glanced at her with unreadable expressions, some had smiles.
Once discarding her dirty clothes, Alicia eased herself to the ground close to the fire. A tired groan escaped her throat. Radaghast tsked three times at her swollen eye, putting some weird paste on it and binding it up, he tied the bind tight enough to make her groan. " Oooow.."
"How old are you anyway?" Geddyn asked.
"Twenty six."
"I'm three times your age." Geddyn replied.
"I'm three times YOUR AGE! Laddie." Alicia snapped back comically. Naor, Sudryl, and Gybyn giggled from the side.
Gybyn had gone to grab a few more sticks for fire wood and came back rubbing his back, smiling as he tried to act like an older person "Uuuugh, I must be getting old."
"Shut the heck up, whatchu' know about life?" Alicia chuckled at the young teen. Light hearted banter went on for a while longer before they were too tired to even laugh anymore. They large party found places to rest. Alicia was never so happy to fall down on the ground.
Thank God, it was over with that town. The stars winked about as the sky darkened from indigo blue to black. Her eyes were heavy as she sat there in what felt like the most peace she's had these past five days since leaving Rivendell.
Bug man was floating about, looking at everyone with his huge bug like eyes. Naor's little girl was afraid of him and cried a bit if he got too close. Alicia knew, thanks to Ori and Nori, that these were in fact the company members. And judging by the way the bag man clicked and chirped and examined everyone, that was Oin. She really had trouble hiding her smile when Oin went to his flaming gargoyle brother, and suddenly they were slapping at each other like minions. It reminded her of the old kayak commercial with the two dudes slapping at each other's hands, and thanks to that memory she couldn't hold back her laughter anymore.
Oin had finally had enough of him and he lumbered on to the next which was her.
He knelt down with a click of his mandibles, holding up a roll of bandages. She smiled knowingly at him. " Just a few bumps and bruises." She said to him. "Nothing broken."
Oin gave a short nod and held up the jar of some salve, gesturing to her face.
Naor's daughter watched with wide eyes at her and Oin. " You not scared of the bug monster?" she asked.
Alicia smiled broadly at her. "He's no one to be afraid of see?" she raised her hand and squeezed his shoulder which moved a bit to her silent amusement. "He's even kinda squishy." Oin looked at her curiously.
"You not scared of anything." The girl commented with a look of awe.
Alicia pursed her lips. " Theeere's some things I'm afraid of." She mumbled.
The girl had turned her attention back to the rhosgobel rabbits now.
Once Oin was finished applying the salve, Alicia found a place to lie down and fall asleep.
Some hand was shaking her shoulders, receiving a quiet groan from her in response. The owner of that hand shook her even harder till she finally cracked open her eyes to see the lion man looking down at her. He gave a nod before standing up and walking away.
The woman's eyes followed him until they shut again.
There was a growl and suddenly two more hands found her and shook her till she rolled over, but that was her mistake, as a finger grazed a ticklish spot. Sharp clawed strong fingers wiggled and dug in various places where she was ticklish, mostly her ribs. Try as she might though, she couldn't bat the hands away for long, couldn't scooch away. With a growl of her own she sat up grabbing at one of the hands. "I'm awake now. I'm up."
The hawk man was beside her, an ear to ear grin on his face, or as close to a smile as a beak would allow. She couldn't help but look at him with sleepy amusement as she let go of his hand. "Good morning."
The hawk made some weird noise in response before gesturing to her other side where breakfast had already been made and everyone else was up. He stood up then to leave her.
The survivor rubbed at her eyes, yawning and stretching. Her legs had developed sore muscles. She'll have to stretch them out from here on.
Laughter from the other humans reached her ears as she shook her scarf/bed roll as clean as possible and folded it back to a scarf form.
Naor and Geddyn laughed as if they were old neighbors, swapping stories about parenting and family backgrounds. The kids had started playing with each other or with some monster that was admiringly patient with the kids, allowing them to play or jump all over them. It made her smile too. Radaghast had taken to curling up under a tree to sleep though now he was talking to his rabbits and Gandalf.
Gybbyn offered her a serving. " Good morning Miss Illiad." He greeted.
"Good morning Gybbyn. Thank you." She took the bowl gratefully before sitting down with them. The most rotund monster with a mouth on his stomach, no doubt it's Bombur, tended to the rest of the food that was being cooked and distributed to the other monsters.
So many growls, grunts, hisses, and weird calls came from them she had trouble pinpointing who made what sound. Naor called back her kids to let them eat in peace.
Sudryl and Lucky Charm were perhaps the ones who had the most manners.
Alicia moved to sit by Naor and her kids as she offered to re apply more salve on her face.
"It feels like such a weight off my shoulders, to be out of that city. I've almost forgotten what the rest of the world is like." Naor said.
"What will you do now?" Alicia asked.
"The brown wizard Radaghast, has offered to take us to Rivendell where we could stay for as long as we need, should we ever decide to leave." The lady answered.
Geddyn nodded beside her. "It will be a most welcome change." He looked at the dwindled pile of wood. "I'll get some water boiling for drinking, but we'll need more wood."
Alicia stood up then. " I'll get some." She volunteered and left.
Stepping deeper in the woods she hummed a couple notes before she sensed someone following her.
Sure enough, it was the wolf man. He gave a slow nod to her as he caught up with her. She watched him pass by curiously as he picked up a few branches too. Immediately she joined him.
"How are you doing?" she broke the silence.
The wolf man nodded again as he picked up another small stick. His eyes were a bright blue, making her guess that this was Thorin.
As she helped, she tried to think of something else to say, but conversation was failing her right now. She could try to reassure him that the spell should go away, but she didn't even know that for sure or how long it would be till then. The peace was nice too. He stayed at her side while they gathered a few more dead wood pieces. Whenever she found a bigger piece, Thorin was quick to take it and only let her carry the bare minimum. The forest had a lot of wet moss about it, causing her to slip here and there depending on where she stood. Thorin would reach out an arm to her if they came to a particularly slick spot like the one they walked in now. She muttered a thanks to him when he moved to grip her arm as they walked up a small incline, mindful of his claws.
They reached the top, finding more dead branches they could use.
"This looks like it'll be enough do you think?" she asked him. Thorin tilted his head and grunted in satisfaction. He looked back down the incline and dropped his shoulders at the mossy trail.
"Heh, we'll go slow." Alicia said to him. Her smile faded though when she saw his face. He stilled as if hearing something, then placed a hand on his stomach. He groaned even and Alicia looked worried at him.
"What's wrong? Your stomach?" she asked as she dropped her pile.
Thorin dropped his own pile and his growl even began to sound different, in fact his entire body began to waver and shift.
Alicia stepped back suddenly, too suddenly that she sent herself tumbling to the ground. Instinctively Thorin had reached for her, and now they both went tumbling down on the moss and sliding all the way back down the hill's foot. His body seemed to spas or writhe, and when the world had stopped spinning, Alicia looked up to see Thorin. Not a wolf man Thorin, but Thorin Oakensheild the dwarf. His long black and grey hair splayed over his and her face. Her eyes ventured down to his bared neck, strong collarbones, built deltoids and pecs, very defined abs. She returned gaze up at his dizzy face as he groaned. "Thorin.." She breathed out.
He looked down at her, blinking rapidly. "What?..." He mumbled as he looked at her.
"Are you naked?" she asked, but she knew the answer to that. Yes. There was in fact a naked dwarf on top her.
Thorin had the same calculations, as his eyes widened and he scrambled off her quickly. Alicia kept her eyes averted as much as possible while she got back on her feet and handed him her cloak. Khuzdal hissed from his mouth as he wrapped himself up toga style. His jaw was tensed as he grappled the cloak around him glowering at some random tree.
"Well." She started. "On the bright side, the spell has worn off." The survivor said as she started back to camp. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder, and it was enough to catch red tinted cheeks and flaring nostrils.
Thorin snorted behind her and said nothing else, probably still a little embarrassed no doubt.
They returned to the clearing in time to hear Geddyn and Sudryl talking.
"Will you continue to search for your friends? I hope you find them soon." Geddyn said.
Sudryl took a long pull from his water. "Yes. It shall be a relief to us all to see them safe and in one peace at last." He gave a smile.
Alicia had a small smile on her face when she returned to camp, which suddenly froze as if a camera flashed in her face. Well, not a camera's flash exactly, but she was getting flashed as the rest underwent the same shift Thorin had done.
"AGH!"
"MAHAL'S BEARD!"
"I'M NAKED!"
"MY EYES!"
"MY FEET!"
"MAKE YOURSELF DECENT!"
"WHAT? ARE YE JEALOUS?"
Naor gasped, scooped up her daughter and pulled Alicia along with her as they darted for the thickest part of the woods, her son on her heels.
The spell had worn off completely, and now thirteen dwarves and a hobbit stood in the camp, completely naked. Naor, her children and Alicia were still quote owl eyed even as they hid from everyone else. The ponies were bombarded as people scramble for the packs. The four stopped and stood quietly as they still heard shouts of 'That's mine' or ' Where's my other shirt?', ' Stop smiling at me!', 'Master Gandalf!' 'What are you laughing at Brown Wizard?!"
Naor and Alicia exchanged looks, and broke into gales of laughter between their hands. Angry naked dwarves….and their leader falling his naked butt on her….That's how this day was going to start.
"Well, we found my friends after all." Alicia grinned.
"Do your friends always run around nakey?" the little girl asked. Alicia had a new wave of quiet giggles after that.
"No." Alicia answered. "I'm pretty sure that was an accident. They're acting way too embarrassed for it not to be."
Her children giggled like kindergarteners and moved to play with sticks a few feet away.
The mother shook her head. "Dwarves." She muttered, though there was no malice behind it. Instead her eyes found Alicia's and held a mischievous glint to it. "I'd perhaps have killed a witch too if I had so many."
Alicia nodded. " Yeah, heh. They are my friends."
Naor's eyes widened. "Oh my. Truly I had no idea."
"What?" Alicia blinked dumbly.
"The common rumor is that virility is very strong amongst the males of the dwarves." Naor's grin widened even more. " Is it true?" Alicia stared. "Are they your pleasers then?"
"That is NOT why I went after them." Alicia quipped. How dare this block headed lady jump to that conclusion?! If all Alicia wanted was the D she wouldn't go through such trouble just to get it! Bet she wouldn't be smiling if a group of thirteen men took advantage of her in front of her kids! Her temper really flared suddenly and Alicia turned her face away to hide it. "I wouldn't know or care about that, because I'm not a…" Alicia caught herself before she said the word, knowing that Naor was in fact a prostitute in the town. She tried to think of something else before her mind pictured them in various men's version of harem outfits.
The mother showed grace for her with a teasing smile as she went on. "I only jest. Tis your own business anyway, how you choose to reward yourself."
"It's not like that." Alicia said evenly.
The mother nodded her slender head. "You travel with them? Now that you've found your friends what shall you do?"
"I was traveling with the wizard Gandalf actually. I came with him when we heard danger fell on the others. And, I may go back home now that they're alright." Alicia answered vaguely.
There was the sound of leaves crunching under footsteps behind them and the sound of Fili's ever confident voice. "My ladies? We are all decent now, I was sent to fetch you." He called a few feet from them.
At the sound of a new voice, her temper had cooled down by now to smoking embers. She mentally scolded herself for even allowing herself to get mad in the first place.
Up the four went to return to the camp. It was a lot better now to see the dwarves back to their normal selves, dressed and either chuckling or grumbling under their breaths. It was even better to see that each one of them had a reddish tint to their hairy cheeks and avoided altogether making eye contact with the ladies. Sudryl had returned to camp the same time, his face in its stoic expression again. Guess he didn't stick around to see naked folk either.
Poor Bilbo was red to the tips of his ears while the wizards acted like nothing ever happened.
"Well, now that that's all settled," Gandalf cleared his throat. "I believe we should keep going."
Clothes and supplies were scattered all about in their haste to dress themselves, so the company had busied themselves to cleaning up.
Sudryl came to stand by Alicia, mocking glaring at her smile. "I could have gone the rest of my life perfectly fine not having to witness that." He muttered to her.
Alicia snickered jovially at his comment. Seemed true enough anyway. She did her best to keep her face neutral and not start laughing every time she looked at a dwarf. That would certainly not make the awkwardness pass by any quicker.
"Well that was unexpected." Gandalf mused, stating the obvious. " Good to have the right company back and well."
Thorin was not sharing his optimism though and gave him a dead panned look before stomping to a pony. "Let's just get ready to leave."
Geddyn had begun to get a spare horse ready with Naor as the kids played a little longer. Alicia grinned at Radaghast when he hobbled by to tend to his rabbits. " Thank you for coming to help us by the way. It was good seeing you again."
The peculiar brown wizard stiffened suddenly before turning his brown eyes at her in surprise. "What? Oh, oh yes yes yes of course I'd come. Such awful business I dare say, quite glad it's over."
"What will you do now?" She asked him.
The wizard took of his floppy hat, and a bird flew out of his nest of hair, literally a nest. "Hmm, even with the witch gone, I fear there is still much evil afoot, all gathering under one main leader. One who left the world of the living long ago."
"What would you have to do to combat against him?" Alicia asked. "Stay away from him!" The wizard shot out quickly and shook his head. "Stay as far away from him and his minions and take care of yourselves and your neighbors. Yes, that sounds smart."
The survivor raised an eyebrow at him and gave a small smile. " Yes. That is smart. Well, I hope you and yours stay safe." She greeted.
The funky wizard gave a lopsided smile and silly bow to her. "Thank you my dear and I do hope the same for you, where ever your road takes you."
From him she went to Sudryl who stood talking to Gandalf and Thorin.
"I suppose I owe you thanks elfling. Your aid did prove useful in our plight." Thorin said as he eyed Sudryl up and down.
Gandalf rolled his eyes at the dwarf.
Sudryl dipped his head politely. "I knew it was the right thing to do, as did my lord who granted me permission to come."
"You asked permission to come? You were not sent?" Thorin asked.
"Indeed I did. My friends needed aid and I believed I was able to give it." Sudryl explained.
The dwarrow was silent a second before giving a small nod to him. He turned away to go back to his men. Gandalf smiled at Sudryl and Alicia as he turned to ready his own horse.
Sudryl glanced at Alicia and walked with her to their own horses. " What shall you do now?" He asked her.
That was a really good question. " Well, since I'm out here, and all packed up, and no one needs rescuing, I think I'll go investigate that road I've been studying."
Sudryl made a side glance at her. " Are you certain that road is the right choice?"
Alicia snorted humorlessly. "I'm not real sure about anything anymore except that, what with how unpredictable everything tends to be."
"If you have doubts, why take unnecessary risks?" The elf asked her. " You could come back to Rivendell, stay as long as you need there, and venture back to the Shire where you first ventured to Arda yes? Perhaps the way is clear again."
"Or perhaps not. It's a ton of dirt they have to excavate, and maybe more if dirt keeps piling in. If I truly can't find another way then yes I'll go back."
" Why not just go back now and wait where you are safe for the tunnels to re-open?" Sudryl pressed.
"Because this road, which is going the same direction as the tunnels led, could be a closer way home." Alicia said not really wanting to argue it, especially when it seemed he had a point. He didn't get this far by being stupid after all.
"It is still so very risky. I merely express my concern is all." The scout said as he looked back to her. " But if these past few days are any proof, you are capable of taking care of yourself, for the most part. Perhaps the dwarves can go with you to explore it."
"I'm not holding my breath for that one." Alicia muttered faithlessly. She saw the disapproving frown that puled at Sudryl's thin lips. " If the road turns out to be a fail, and I can't find another way home, I'll come back to Rivendell."
The scout gave a small nod at this. "You will have no other choice will you not? Either you go home, you go with the company or you come back. Those are what your roads really are."
The words sank in, the truth ringing in her ears. It didn't make her worry, as she was not a person that worried easily, stubbornness though was arguing back the choice that she truly wanted to have happen. But, deep in her heart, she knew that no matter how much she wished it in her past, her favorite choices and wants hardly ever happened. She could only try not to put her hopes up too much, but the more she thought about it, the more she saw that each choice would make her sad about something.
"Despite that most of the time it was dangerous, I am still glad we got to see each other again. Thank you again for coming with me, and thanks for the blades." She smiled at him. "I'll miss you."
The elf smirked back at her till his lips spread to a complete smile. "You are not easy company to keep up with, though I enjoy it just as well. Until we meet again Lady Alicia." He said as he held out his hand to shake hers. Alicia barely glanced at it and chose instead to throw her arms around him in a tight embrace. He was caught off guard, but not enough to get knocked down at least. After recovering from his surprise, the elf hugged back. It was a warm and long embrace, one shared between close friends. It seemed like such a small thing that didn't happen often enough.
After that he helped her tend to Rainlight like a gentleman before saddling up himself. Alicia gave the same happy farewells to Naor and her kids as well as Geddyn and his son. As planned, Radaghast and Sudryl gave rides to the five humans and turned for Rivendell. Alicia watched them from atop her horse as much as she could before they became too small to really make out.
Her head swiveled back around to see the dwarves and everyone saddled up and falling in line. "We have lost precious time in that fowl town, but at least we are not off course." Gloin said.
Dwalin and Kili were sent ahead to scout and hunt for game so that they could use their stores as little as possible, Bifur and Fili were sent left and right.
Thorin wanted to cover as much ground as possible, and that meant driving everyone as hard as can be without overly tiring them. The equestrian beasts trotted at first, even galloped or loped when the terrain allowed. Thorin did not slow the beasts until they had just begun to sweat and then allowed them to walk. Lunch was eaten on the go too. Not much was spoken during the hard riding of course, even as they had slowed to a steady walk to eat, conversation was minimal. At the end of the day, everyone had all but fallen off their saddles, rubbing lower backs, shoulders, and legs. A ghost of a smile came to her lips as she greeted Bilbo.
"I read once in a book in Rivendell, that although dwarves are a hardier species than most, they are also the quickest to complain about their discomforts." She whispered to him amusedly as she gestured to Dori and Bombur who seemed to be comparing problems.
Bilbo's eyes were drooped with obvious exhaustion. His shoulders were slouched and back was bent, she felt sorry for her friend. "Would you like me to do anything?" she offered.
"Unless you have a way of finding us a nice inn, I don't think there's much." The hobbit said tiredly.
"Come and collect some fire wood with me, it'll help loosen the stiff muscles." Alicia smiled.
Wordlessly he followed her, picking up any pieces he might find.
"Are you not tired?" Bilbo said as they searched.
"My eyes are threatening to shut of their own accord." She stated. "But the sooner we finish, the sooner we can eat and rest right?"
The hobbit nodded. "Quite true." He said simply, too tired to make much more conversation.
They made a pile of the wood, which Gloin went right to work with starting a fire for Bombur while Oin did his check-ups on every one.
The dwarf hobbled over to Bilbo, squatting down to extend a mitten covered hand at him.
Oin slowly, awkwardly switched over to Alicia after he was done with Bilbo. "And what of you lassie? How is, everything?"
"I'm alright, nothing but bumps and bruises, and sore muscles is all." She responded kindly to him, half wondering why he seemed to act a bit awkward suddenly. "Are you alright?" she asked him.
"Fine. I'm fine." He said quickly as he examined her face. The grizzled dwarf pulled a very small jar with some kind of balm in it, gently rubbing some of it on her facial wounds. Alicia watched his eyes and movements as he worked. She expected any moment for him to make eye contact with her and tell her what to do, and she'd smile and nod. He did not give much conversation though, no doubt just as beat as everyone else.
Even the evening meal and watches were quick. Thorin assigned four shifts instead of the usual three in an effort to get people more rest. Alicia stood up and volunteered for first watch, wanting the company to get better rest.
Thorin watched her from his spot kneeling by Kili to examine his shoulder. After two seconds he gave a slow nod. "Wake Fili when your shift is over. You do not need to you know. Surely you must be just as weary."
She gave a small shrug. " I'm fine. I got good rest before."
Thorin did not argue anymore, he stood up after helping kili, giving a short nod again as he went to lend aid to others before it was time to bed down.
Alicia watched with a hidden fondness at how the company had sat so close to each other, or with their respective families, redoing hair, tending to any wounds, talking in hushed conversations. Dwalin seemed to be in a good mood this eve, as he stood next to his brother in conversation, a smile on his face. He had suddenly reached up and ruffled both Balin's beard and his hair, completely tousling it.
The elder brother's face was a priceless twist of horror. He swatted at dalin's hands and even tried to reach up to the hair around his head. The poor elder dwarf's reach was just not long enough, his fingers waggling above Dwalin's brow. The younger dwarf simply smiled down at him, blocking him from practically climbing up. With a huff Blain gave up and turned away, grumbling something in khuzdal before finding a place to sleep.
Nori was having his own fun with his brothers, strutting like a woman as he teased Dori who was really reeeaaally good at ignoring things. It was nice to see everyone in much better moods than before. She found herself a nice place to keep watch once the fire was down to embers. Soon the all too familiar snores had started up. She didn't really have many thoughts going on, at least nothing too major to ponder about this time. Crickets sang, owls if any around hooted. It was nice though that the company seemed to trust her enough to keep watch without a second person. Actually, she purposefully went another hour over her time just to give them a little more sleep. Once her eyes began to get heavy she went to wake the eldest prince.
Fili shuffled until his eyed flitted open. He gave a polite smile to her and sat up to stretch. Fili watched her as she yawned and turned away for her own bedroll. " I owe you."
" huh?" Alicia slowly turned back to him.
" I owe you an apology." Fili repeated as he slowly climbed to his feet. "Both myself and my brother. Our teasing you before, it was hurtful. Not very princely." His eyes were averted while he spoke, and looked back up to her once he was done, a beseeching look in them.
She couldn't help but smile and dip her own head. She wasn't even sure if Fili and Kili even knew what an apology was at first. " Thank you for saying that. And it's alright now."
Fili's face lit up just a little as he started to smile. " Are you certain?"
" I am indeed." She grinned back at him.
"Thank you." Fili replied. His eyes shifted from her face to the others. " I still cannot believe how easy it was to fall for the witch's trap. Will you be journeying with us after all?"
" I'm not sure. Most likely no though." She vaguely, really not having a better answer than that.
Fili looked back at her. "I personally do not like a lady on her own, even if she is capable of blowing up towns. Do you not get lonely, being on your own?"
" I've always been kind of a loner. Of course having company is nice, but having time by myself is no less enjoyable." She admitted. "What about you? You don't like to be alone?"
Fili shrugged. " I have never really been alone since I was twelve years of age and Kili was born. Then came Ori and Gloin's son Gimli, the wee fur ball. As Uncle Thorin's heir, I was brought up to take his place one day. It was just as important for Kili to learn too of course." Fili let out a quite chuckle. " Balin was our teacher most of the time, and he started to come with what resembled a giant fly swatter once we had trouble staying awake in during his lessons."
The girl grinned as she imagined that. "Does he still use it?"
"Once in a while. Perhaps actual flies and not our heads." Fili smirked.
Her lips were still curved in a smile at imagining Balin swinging around a giant flyswatter like the angry chef off The little mermaid. The two shared a smile in the peaceful night.
"My turn to take watch now." Fili whispered.
The lady's head tilted once before she turned for her bedroll. "Good night."
"Good night."
You like? yes? No? I'd again love to hear your thoughts. So I tried to add more comedy into this because the first time I wrote this there was a lot of dark style action and gore and I kinda wanted to stay out of that for a while longer. I hope the humor wasn't too cheesy, if it was, I'm open for suggestions on humorous material too. I can't wait to hear from you to tell me what you like to see happen.
Sincerely,
Adeleidhis (^_^)