Here is the long awaited battle! As always guys rate and review!
Disclaimer: Not mine, if it was this would be the how the battle pans out.
"Do not lose hope my dear." Gandalf implored as he led them back toward the men and elves lined in ranks.
"Gandalf." Katarina said softly. Looking up into his eyes, she felt hers harden with resolve. "I've already come up with my plan, do not worry. I will not let the sons of Durin perish, but after that I want to go home. You told me it would take you a year and I accepted that because I also wished to help. But I cannot stay here any longer than the day, do not." She cut off as her voice caught in her throat. "Please do not ask me to."
Sighing heavily, Gandalf placed a trembling hand on her shoulder. "Forgive an old wizard." He paused his eyes glancing sadly at the two. "I had hoped—"
"I know." Katarina agreed looking up at him with a heartbreaking smile. "I did too."
"What are you talking about?" Bilbo questioned curiously, his head tilted to the side in confusion. "Why would it take a year to send you home Kitty?"
"It's nothing Bilbo." Katarina assured, her eyes darting over at the hobbit. "For now we shall focus on the upcoming battle, hm?"
"Battle!?" Bilbo squeaked. "Surely you don't think Thorin will truly go to war with this many, with only the company at his side—"
The hobbit was cut off as a rumbling sounded off in the distance. Sighing Katarina turned toward the hills that led to the IronHills. The three watched as a group of heavily armed soldiers marched over the hill, a lone figure in the front.
"Ugh!" Katarina exclaimed throwing her head back. "Ironfoot!"
"Ironfoot." Gandalf agreed gruffly.
Ignoring the others, Katarina began forward, knowing that they would follow behind. From her side she heard Thranduil send out a command. The golden army around her, moving as one from the gates instead toward the incoming army. Gandalf was quick to catch up to her, his pace agitated, his cloak billowing around him. Bilbo behind, was running to catch up.
"Who is that? He doesn't look very happy." Bilbo stuttered, his pace uneven. Katarina gave him a sideways glance, her mouth pulled into a grimace.
"It is Dain, lord of the Iron Hills." Gandalf began, his eyes trained on the man in front.
"Thorin's cousin." Katarina quickly elaborated, as if that explained everything. To her it did.
"Oh!" Bilbo squeaked. "Are they alike?"
"I always found Thorin the more reasonable of the two." Gandalf grumbled coming to a stop at the front. The elves somewhat behind him, the townspeople in a small pocket further back.
"Tell me about it." Katarina muttered sarcastically. Bilbo glanced uneasily at her. "I know scary thought, not much we can do now though."
Dain rode forward onto a rock slightly above the rest, his pig still as he spoke. "Good morning!"
Sighing Katarina rolled her eyes, glancing first at him then up at the dwarves. The red-haired lord had a slight Irish lit to his voice.
"How are we all? I have a wee proposition, if you wouldn't mind giving me a few moments of your time. Would you consider. . . just sodding off!" The Lord of the Iron Hills exclaimed, his voice taking on a rough note as he bellowed.
Crossing her arms annoyed, Katarina watched as the humans backed away in fear. They were not soldiers, merely townspeople with no town. The elves, on the other hand, stepped forward, their weapons raised- their metal humming for blood. They were getting closer to the fight, closing her eyes, Katarina pushed her feelings to the back. Now was not the time to be heartbroken, now was the time to fight, to kill, to protect and save.
"All of you- right now!" Dain continued.
"Stand fast!" Bard encouraged, his horse stomping its feet uneasily.
Katarina watched, already in front of the rest of the army, as Gandalf strode forward.
"Come now, lord Dain!" He cried out, his arms sweeping out in an almost welcoming manner.
"Gandalf the Grey." Dain acknowledged, Gandalf tipping his hat in greeting. "Tell this rabble to leave, or I'll water the ground with their blood!"
"There is no need for war between dwarves, men and elves!" the wizard exclaimed tiredly. "A legion of orcs march on the mountain. Stand your army down!"
"I will not stand down before any elf! Not least this faithless woodland sprite!" Dain shouted back, raising his hammer at the elf.
Thranduil pulled the reigns of his moose, smirking at the dwarf in front of him. The anger was already simmering in his eyes beneath thes surface.
"He wishes nothing but ill upon my people! If he chooses to stand between me and my kin – I'll split his pretty head open! See if he's still smirking then!" Ironfoot continued. Katarina groaned, her hands covering her face in her exasperation.
"He's clearly mad, like his cousin!" The fair-haired elven King replied, sneering down at the dwarf.
"Is that really helping?!" Katarina bit, glancing over her shoulder annoyed at the king.
"Dain, wait!?" Gandalf cried, the dwarves in the mountain cheering as Dain turned his pig toward his army. The creature surprisingly agile as it galloped back.
"Let them advance, see how far they get." Thranduil replied calmly.
"Think I give a dead dog for ya threats, ya pointy eared princess." Dain called over his shoulder.
Glancing uneasily at Thranduil, Katarina noticed his calm mask broken by unadulterated hate.
"You hear that, lads?!" The large dwarf cried. "We're on! Let's give these bastards a good hammering!"
The dwarves began to cheer, and beat at their shields. The field filled with the sounds of war cries and metal.
"Stand your men down, I'll deal with Ironfoot and his rebel." Thranduil commanded to Bard, already leading his elves forward. His eyes met Katarina's for a moment. Their golden depths glacial as they stared at one another. He did not question why she was here instead of beside her king, but one look at her told him all he needed to know. Her allegiances were still with the dwarves, and she would kill for them.
Turning back toward the dwarves, she watched frowning as hordes of goats, laden with armed dwarves trotted forward.
Thranduil rode in front of his army, giving out a quick command. The elves quickly strung their bows, pointing the arrows high toward the setting sun.
"Thranduil, this is madness!" Gandalf cried. The grey wizard was attempting to make his way through the elves ranks toward the king. Katarina sighed before turning and making her way to the edge of the battle.
As the goats ran forward, the elves released their arrows, a blanket covering the sky as they descended like death upon the dwarves. She heard Dain give a command, the whistling of another kind of weapon ringing through the air. She looked over to see large arrow like structures with a spinning wheel make their way toward the elves arrows. They met each other in the air, the dwarven weapon superior and quickly shredded the arrows before ramming into the elven ranks, killing more than necessary.
"Hey, how do like that? Ya old twiddly widdlies." Dain called out, his voice full of mocking.
Angrily, Thranduil raised his sword giving out another command, the elves quickly following. The two groups shot again into the air, and as last time the dwarven weapons sung through the air decimating the elven arrows. They plummeted to the ground, and the sounds of screaming elves met her ears. The elves moved into a quick formation as the dwarves and rams gained ground quickly.
Elves may have been known for superior speed and strength but that could not stand up to the weight of the dwarven army as the fell against them. Elves fell under the weight; others fell under the dwarven sword. They continued to launch arrows and spears, knocking some dwarves down, killing others. It was blood, and screams as Dain and the rest of the army ran down the hill, their weapons raised.
Katarina watched from the side, her body facing the mountains, as dwarf met elf, blade met blade, and all creatures met death. When the grumbling of the earth sounded, she was the closest, and she alone in front turned toward it. From behind her, she could hear the sound of battle quiet down. She did not need to be next to Gandalf to know what was coming, wereworms.
They exploded from the ground, large rocks in their mouth, crushing them against their teeth. They growled low and high as the flailed about in the air, throwing rock and dust around them.
"Oh! Come on!" Dain cried out amidst the silent armies.
As quick as they appeared they receded, the sound of orcs calling out. Katarina turned over her shoulder as she pulled her gloves out of her belt, "well ya gonna continue to fight amongst yourselves or is someone going to help me?"
For the first time, Dain gazed at the young woman, who he noted was dressed in dwarven armor.
"Kitty-Cat!?" Kili cried from the blockade.
"Get back! Behind the ranks!" Fili screamed, his gloved hands gripping the boulders.
Pulling on her gloves, she shot the dwarves on the top a look. Her eyes met Thorin's for a moment, and she wondered if he was worried.
Dain cried out in Khuzdul. "The horns of hell are upon us! To battle! To battle, sons of Durin!"
The dwarves ran past her, screaming. She knew now to interfere with their ranks, it would only complicate things, but before she could step forward she felt a hand on her collar lifting her from the ground. With a huff she found herself on the back of Dain's pig as it rode forward.
"Would you like to tell me lassie, why ye' are dressed like a dwarf?" Dain asked over his shoulder, his eyes trained on the approaching orc army. "Or why the dwarves up there are calling to ya? My family calling to ya?"
"Frankly, that is none of your business." Katarina informed, her arms wound around the dwarf's middle, less she fall.
"Is that so?" He replied sarcastically. "The way I see it you are on our side, yet you stand with the elves?"
Snorting Katarina refused to respond, instead she glanced at the upcoming army. "This is going to be bloody…"
"Would ya like to stay outta the fight?" Dain demanded, though he knew should she answer positive, he would not turn to hid her.
"No." Katarina replied shortly, feeling the adrenaline fill her veins. "I need to let out some anger, otherwise I think I'm going to hit your cousin when this is over."
"Is that so." Dain murmured, more to himself wondering who the female was.
She could hear, or she didn't hear the elves joining. Turning slightly, so that she could face the elves behind them, her eyes sought out Thranduil's. "I told you once, that I understood your actions but did not agree. If you refuse to fight now, that I cannot understand!"
The elf king, reared his mount back, his eyes flashing before nodding in a grim sort of way. Satisfied, Katarina turned back to the dwarves.
"My name is Katarina by the way." She informed, her voice soft and hardly heard over the sound of armies. Dain made a humming sound, as he watched the orcs near his army, they were almost set up. "You can call me Kat, call me Kitty-Cat like the princes and I'll rip your tongue out."
"Violent one, aren't we?" Dain questioned. Though he would not deny surprise at her nonchalant way of threatening him, he could even picture a smile on her face as she said it.
"I've found that I have run out of patience for the day." She answered simply, her fingers reflexively tightening around the dwarf's middle as the orcs approached.
"I see." Dain commented, though he didn't. He blinked in surprise as elves ran past him, their swords brandished, ready to defend.
"About damn time." Katarina grumbled looking over at Thranduil.
"Do not try me, little human." Thranduil commanded, glancing over at the duo on the pig.
Before anymore could speak, Dain kicked his pig forward, a battle cry ripping itself from his throat. Sighing, Katarina tightened the gloves on her hand. As they entered the battle, she leapt from the pig with a growl, tearing at the throats of several orcs as she fell. The ground compacted under her feet, the thud reverberating through her bones. She glanced up quickly, before swing her feet under those of the approaching orc, running over it, stomping on its throat. Its chocked cries filled the air, with those of others as she ran through the lines, her sword raised.
Everyone told her she needed more practice with a sword, she was getting it now. She wondered briefly as she slashed at the enemy, that though it was easier, if she would ever become accustom to it, taking lives. These were creatures of evil, who knew nothing other than cruelty and death, taking their lives meant very little to her. The thought alone chilled her slightly, she glanced to her left were an elf was on its knees, it's sword raised shakily as an orc stood above it. Pivoting on her heel she turned toward the orc, rushing it, her fingers digging into the back of its meaty neck, feeling the spine around her fingers as she gripped and pulled. The creature spasmed before falling between the two. Wide eyes looked at her before the elf nodded, regaining his balance, and running back into the fight.
Katarina gazed around her at the battle, almost numbly. Everything felt as if it was moving in slow motion, she wondered if it was the adrenaline. Her ears heard nothing, as her eyes searched through the crowds. The elves she noted were quickly leaving this front running toward the city of Dale. Dain's red hair stood out amongst the others, though held down by a helmet, she fought her way to him, as his war pig was killed.
"You buggars!" Dain cried out, killing any orc around him. "Where's Thorin?! We need him! Where is he?"
"Give him a moment!" Katarina supplied, her nails scratching down the face of an orc, as it fell to the ground screaming, its hands pulling at its face. "He is fighting a battle right now!"
"I don't see him here!" Dain yelled back, glancing warily at the now dead orc at the woman's feet before rearing his head back to head-butt an orc.
"He's fighting the same battle your grandfather's brother lost." She informed, picking up a fallen orc weapon, throwing it at an orc behind Dain. The creature fell, clasping the sword in its chest, black blood spurting forth.
Dain wiped his head toward the woman, his Durin eyes wide as they took in the woman. Dwarvish army, yes, human, yes, normal, no. "Who in Mahal's name are you?!"
"I already told you! Katarina, but call me Kat." She replied incensed as she struck down another orc. An orcish horn blew as large trolls infiltrated the battle, their large clubs raised. They aimed singularly for the dwarven carts, pulled by goats, as they swept through the orc ranks. One of the large creatures was close to them holding a spiked club, killing all in its way. She turned quickly to Dain, glancing at his shield than at the giant creature.
"Your mad lassie." Dain exclaimed but ran forward his shield braced. "I like it."
"Honestly, you listen worse than Thorin." Katarina grumbled when he called her lassie. Taking a deep breath, she shook out her hands, this was a horrible idea. Exhaling loudly, she ran forward her feet making contact with the shield. As she leapt off it, she felt Dain push against her, adding extra height to her jump. Landing on the troll's back, she wobbled for a moment, before digging her claws into it, the mithril shredding its skin.
The large creature cried out pitifully as it's back bled profusely. Blowing the hair from her face, she quickly climbed her way to the top standing shakily on its shoulders. She heard Dain call out a name, her eyes following his cry as she found a dwarf with brown eyes. The dwarf looked up at her surprised before nodding back at Dain and tossing an axe up to her. Reaching forward slightly, she caught the weapon, twirling it in her gloved hands before plunging it in the creature's skull with a grimace. The creature cried out in pain, before falling to the ground, Katarina balanced on its shoulders as it landed. Ripping the axe from its head, she walked calmly forward toward the dwarf with the brown eyes.
"Thanks." She commented lightly handing the axe back to him. The dwarf in question nodded his head shakily before turning back to the battle.
Dain's eyes widened as he noted an orc coming behind the woman, who had yet to notice. He grabbed the nearest weapon, throwing it at the creature. It fell to the ground, but not before imbedding its sword in her thigh.
Crying out, Katarina grabbed her leg, looking at the red blood oozing from the wound. Biting her lip, she pulled it out throwing it to the side as her lungs let out all the air in her body. "Damn that hurt!" She grunted, as her eyes closed the pain almost making her delirious. She wondered suddenly if this was what her brothers felt like in the war. Her eyes snapped open as she felt an arm go around her. Gold met blue and for a moment Katarina's breath caught. Until she noted the features around the Durin eyes, red hair not black. Dain slashed as any orc as he led her away, the woman limping by his side.
Katarina's eyes darted around them, bleary, a sense of hopelessness filling her. There were so many orcs, for every one that they killed it seemed like two appeared.
"FALL BACK! FALL BACK! TO THE BARRICADE! FALL BACK!" Dain screamed, his voice echoing over the noise. The dwarves around her began to retreat toward the gates. As they neared, the dwarves re-ranked forward, facing the upcoming orcs, trolls and other creatures with odd weapons stepping through their ranks. "Lassie, if you need to rest I suggest you stay back."
Breathing heavily, Katarina closed her eyes, before shaking her head. "Fat chance." She knew she must have looked a sight, her hair and face matted with blood and grime.
"Stubborn as a dwarf." Dain chuckled, his eyes dead set on the upcoming army.
"Don't worry, Thorin will be here soon." Katarina supplied. An orc horn blew through the air, signally their march forward. Feeling her muscles coil, Katarina prepared herself for the attack.
Through the orc horn and the stomping, a deeper horn blew. A dwarf horn. The orcs stopped short, gazing unsure around them. Katarina felt herself turn, as a large golden statue blew through the barricade like a bell. Twelve dwarves, all different shapes and sizes, unique and different in their own way ran over the makeshift bridge. Their weapons raised, their voices screaming. Thorin's eye caught hers, the Durin blue clear of sickness. Feeling her heart beat rapidly in her chest, she stretched her hand forward as they passed by. Thorin's gloved hand, clasped hers tightly, pulling her slightly behind him as they ran forward. She felt Dain's arm leave her shoulder were it had been supporting her and his stunned gaze on their backs.
"TO THE KING! TO THE KING!" He yelled out, the army ranking behind them
Thorin glanced back at Katarina for a moment, his mouth moving though no words left 'kitten'.
"Du Bekar." Katarina muttered her eyes serious. Thorin nodded his head, releasing her hand and turning back.
"Du Bekar!" He cried out his voice carrying over the noise of the army. She followed behind the King as they entered the orc ranks once again. Dain had handed her sword, how he had found it she had no idea, but she cared little. Swinging she felt the cool metal contact the meaty flesh of an orc, it's steel ripping through the body. She fought by his side, something that felt oddly right. Fili and Kili on her other sides, glints of light reflecting off of their weapons as they tore through the ranks. One glance with them assured her that they were fine, her eyes making their way back to Thorin. He spun and twirled, his sword an extension of his body.
When Balin and Haldir told her that she lacked only experience, she wondered if this was what they had meant. Would she have been able to fight so effortlessly, as if she was dancing instead of killing. As if sensing her gaze, Thorin turned toward Katarina, his eyes intense. She felt almost spellbound her body trapped where she stood, her sword lowered as he fought his way to her side, Fili and Kili keeping any orc from her as if noting her absent thoughts. His arm reached around her, his shield only slightly impairing the movement as he pulled her flush against him.
"Kitten." Thorin muttered his forehead weighing heavily on hers. She was still panting and Katarina wondered if she would ever catch her breath.
"I'm tired Thorin." Katarina whispered, her voice barely loud enough for him to hear. The Dwarven King gazed sadly at the woman, her face pale.
"I'm sorry Kitten, so sorry." Thorin murmured brokenly, before his eyes noted the wound on her thigh. "Kitten."
She could hear the worry in his tone, the fear in his voice. "Du Bekar." Nodding Thorin consented, he turned keeping her in his peripheral as he started fighting again. A shared glance with his nephews was all he needed to ensure that they understood to not leave Katarina's side. The four fought together, madly with no rhyme or reason for a direction.
"Dain!" Thorin called out, his eyes having caught the familiar red hair.
"Thorin!" Dain replied, his eyes meeting his cousins before quickly killing an orc. "Hold on! I'm coming!" The Lord jumped on the back of an orc with a cry, swinging his weapon around as the orc tried to free itself, only resulting in the death of other orcs.
Thorin grunted killing an orc quickly, making his way closer. Only stepping forward when he made sure that Katarina could follow. The three met each other, Dain landing after killing the orc who he had jumped on.
"Hey cousin, what took you so long?!" Dain called, dropping his hammer on an orc head the creature falling lifelessly. The two chuckled sharing a quick hug, Katarina raising a brow at the brief respite. Looking around, Dain noticed Katarina's presence. "Ah! Ya made it back to me I see!"
Thorin turned to Katarina curiously. Shrugging she responded as nonchalantly as possible in the middle of a battle. "Eh, I had to make sure your cousin didn't get himself killed. You sons of Durin are nothing but trouble."
Dain let out a billowing laugh. "Ah, lassie if I wasn't already married."
"You still wouldn't have a chance, Kedzel is mine." Thorin replied seriously, gazing at the two. Dain shot his cousin a surprised glance, looking between the two quickly.
"Ya finally found yer one?!" Dain asked incredulously.
"Aye." Thorin answered.
"On a battle field?! Well she is quite the fighter, a bit unexperienced if ya ask me but plenty of potential." He continued to question. "That don't matter right now. There's too many of these buggars, Thorin. I hope you've got a plan."
Katarina followed Thorin's gaze as he looked up to the hilltop where Azog was standing. "Aye- we're going to take out their leader!"
"Azog. . ." Dain growled, following his cousins gaze.
Thorin nodded grabbing one of the goats, Dain had brought. He mounted quickly pulling Katarina behind him, making sure she was secure before looking back at Dain. "I'm gonna kill that piece of filth!"
"Thorin you cannot do this!" Dain cried stepping forward. "You're our King!"
"That is why I must do it!" Thorin replied, his voice filled with conviction
"And how do ya plan to fight yer way single-handed to RavenHill?!" Dain demanded, gesturing to the small hill barely seen through the battle.
"Don't worry Dain." Katarina spoke up cheerfully. The Dwarf Lord turned to her surprised. "Thorin's company consisted of thirteen dwarves. You really think the others would let him do something stupid without them?"
"Oooooh!" Balin cried out. Katarina's smile widened as the ram pulled contraption came forward, Balin at the reigns. "Well it's been a while since I've done this!"
"Ahhhh!" Thorin cried spurring the goat forward. "To RavenHill!"
"Hold tight lads!" Balin commanded as he whipped the reigns.
"Bye Dain!" Katarina called back, waving her sword in the air.
"Your all mad bastards!" Dain cried back, stepping back at the cart nearly ran him over. "I like it!"
"Hold on tight Kitten." Thorin commanded. She turned forward to see a small legion walking forward, their shield like arms raised. Thorin ramped through them, slashing left and right, a small path of dead following him. She turned to see the others no longer behind them. As Thorin broke through the orcs, he quickly turned the ram toward a bridge. Eyes searching, Katarina breathed a sigh of relief when she noted three rams closing in on them. "Onwards!"
"Lead on!" Dwalin called back, racing up the hill to their side. As they entered the narrow pass, Katarina saw several orcs running toward them. Crying out the four dwarves quickly ran their swords through them, having learned, apparently, how to fight from the back of animals. The five dismounted at the top, having killed all the enemies.
"Where is he?" Thorin demanded, gazing at the ruins where Azog had last been seen.
"Looks empty. I think Azog has fled!" Kili exclaimed, looking around, his sword still raised slightly.
"I don't think so. . . Fili, take your brother. Scout out the towers. Keep low and out of sight. If you see something; report back, do not engage – do you understand?!" Thorin demanded.
The two looked at Thorin, nodding their heads seriously.
"We have company; Goblin mercenaries. No more than a hundred." Dwalin cried out. The burly dwarf was running back toward them from where he had been keeping watch.
"We'll take care of them. Take Kedzel with you. Go! Go!" Thorin commanded, pushing Katarina toward his nephews.
As the trio started across the ice they could hear Dwalin call out. Katarina could only hear the sounds of her own panting as the crossed the ice silently. The group skidded to a stop, jumping up onto the dry land. Fili and Kili helping Katarina, whose leg was giving her trouble.
"Kitty-Cat, maybe you should stay here. That looks bad." Fili commented, looking at her leg.
"No." Katarina assured, shaking her head. "I won't leave you, we're family remember?"
"Yeah." Kili agreed quickly. "Stay in-between us."
The three crept silently through the alcoves, Fili in front, Kili in back. They were slow, wary. Their young eyes skeptical of any and all noise.
"I think we should head back." Katarina murmured, wanting out from this place, her eyes darting around.
Fili glanced at Katarina before nodding. "I agree, something doesn't feel right. Let's head back."
Kili nodded his head, turning so that he led and Fili was in back. They knew now without a shadow of a doubt that Thorin loved them, they did not need to prove anything. He would always be proud of them.
The three ran through the alcove quickly making their way back, the sound of orcs loud behind their feet. As the light of day shone, they skidded along the frozen ground. This had not been the way they had come before.
"KILI!"
"TAURIEL!?" Kili cried out surprised glancing around madly, four orcs making their way menacingly toward the trio. Fili turned and finished them quickly, moving slightly around so that the three were in a protective formation.
"There!" Katarina yelled, pointing her sword to were a flash of red shone against the white and gray rock.
"Kili!" Tauriel called out, before Bolg jumped out. He was uglier than his father, Azog, if that was possible. The grey beast kicked at Tauriel smashing her against a rock.
Kili growled lowly, slashing at the opponents in front of him as they poured from the ruins, the three quickly making their way to Tauriel. Katarina watched as Tauriel fought against the larger orc, crying out in pain as she was twisted around. Her attention was caught by the enemy until she felt Kili's presence leave her side. Fili quickly slashed its throat the two turning to were Kili had jumped noting him on the back of the orc. Bolg swung around knocking Kili from his side, raising his slightly. Fili let out a predatorily growl as he lept forward his sword catching Bolg on the throat, cutting him as they passed. Kili fell to the ground with a thud, Tauriel crawling to his side. Fili panted his swords ready, as Bolg clutched his throat crying out in pain. He twirled around blindly before falling of an edge, grabbing Tauriel's foot as he did. The red-haired elf screamed as she was dragged down the cliff-side garnering the attention of a certain blonde elven prince who quickly made his way to Bolg, to finish what the blonde dwarven prince started.
"Tauriel!" Kili cried peering over the edge. Making his way down wildly, he reached her side, pulling her to him. The two made their way back, Fili and Katarina helping them up. Turning, Katarina began to run back toward the alcove.
She needed to get to Thorin and that was all that mattered at the moment. Dead orcs littered the ground, the sound of an elven blade singing in the air. Her eyes found Thranduil's. "Your son is fine, though confused. He will not be able to return home, he has changed."
Thranduil nodded his head, his eyes knowing and sad.
"You know where to send him, who can help him where you have failed." Katarina continued. The elven King sent her a wide-eyed glanced. Smiling suddenly the human woman continued. "Don't worry, he will return to you, if only for periods before leaving again. Perhaps one of those times you can tell him of his mother. That, I believe, is something he deserves. Besides you never know, it may help you to overcome the pain."
"Your King is that way." Thranduil responded calmly pointing toward a tunnel. The human woman continued to surprise him, though he was becoming more accustomed to it. He understood now, why she seemed like a Queen on the steps of his throne, why she had refused his offer to stay. She was a Queen, a dwarven Queen and that was who she needed to return to.
Nodding her thanks Katarina began her way through the tunnels towards Thorin. "We'll see each other again Thranduil, after all I do believe there will be some need for diplomacy between dwarves and elves when this is all over." As she ran through the tunnels, Katarina couldn't keep back the chuckle as Thranduil snorted indelicately at her proclamation.
The tunnels were quiet, the orcs and goblins having congregated by either Thranduil, the Durin Princes, or Dwalin and Thorin. Any foul creature Katarina did come across was dead. She glanced down at one as she ran by notice the fact that it was missing a leg. Remembering her own wound she looked down at her thigh, the pants stained with her blood, the wound taking on an unhealthy color from the cold. "Well that's not good." She muttered to herself. She wondered, briefly, is the adrenaline kept her from feeling the pain or if it was frostbite. The sound of Dwalin's voice gained her attention. Making a sharp left she found herself somehow out in the open.
"Thorin!" Dwalin cried out slashing at the enemy to get to his best friend. Katarina followed his gaze to where Thorin was, his head thrown back in pain as Azog stabbed his foot. "Thorin!"
"Dwalin!" Katarina called. The bald dwarf turned to her startled. "Launch me!"
Dwalin looked startled then nodded his head, his eyes determined. He quickly disposed of the nearest orcs, turning his body toward her. Katarina bit her lip, realizing this would be the second time today that she would be getting thrown. Sighing, she ran forward. She jumped high enough that Dwalin was able to grab her feet, Feeling the nausea set in she tried to focus as Dwalin spun her around a couple of time, Katarina having extended her sword out so that it caught any close orc, before releasing her with a grunt. The air whistled past her, her hair ruffling behind her. She would give him this, Dwalin had damn good aim. Flying through the air, Katarina found herself quickly overcoming the small group of orcs that were holding Dwalin back, she threw her sword at one that had gotten too close to Dwalin for her comfort. The orc fell, her sword in its back. Turning back toward Thorin she let loose a battle cry as she felt her body hit Azog, the two tumbling away from where he had stood over Thorin, stabbing him. She prayed with everything she had that she had gotten Azog before he had hit Thorin's organs.
When she gained her bearings and looked up she noted that Thorin wasn't moving and felt her heart constrict painfully. His chest was rising and falling with heavy heaves, Katarina hoping that only meant exhaustion. The sound of growling brought her attention back to Azog. The great white orc was panting, kneeling on one leg as he gazed hatefully at the woman.
Turning she put her back to Thorin, taking a protective stance in front of him. Azog smiled maliciously at her when he noted she carried no weapons. Snorting she tightened her gloves on her hands, the normally shiny mithril black with blood. The two gazed at each other, their bodies coiled for attack though neither moved. She knew to not take her eyes off of Azog's, his eyes would tell her all of his moves. Her foot twitched slightly, Azog following her movement. Growling Azog sprang forward, his sword/arm swinging forward. Ducking Katarina, pushed at it with her left hand, her glove scraping against his blade. Using the angles that Balin taught her she pushed to the left, her right hand coming forward, open fisted. Azog staggered back his arm swinging behind him, his other hand grasping his eye. His face was bleeding where she had scratched, his eye grasped tightly in her hand. Snarling she squeezed it throwing the remains at Azog.
"No one touches my family!" She growled launching forward. The great orc slashed out his arm, catching her arm and her leg as she was not quick enough to turn away. Falling to the ground, she moved to grab at her arm and reopened thigh wound before stopping, the gloves were dirty and would infect the wound. Looking up she panted slightly. She ran forward, Azog bracing himself for her attack when she let herself fall. Sliding along the ice, she kicked her feet and catching the white beast by surprise. It grunted as it fell on her, the two continuing to slide. Reaching her hands up, she gripped at its shoulders, then ripping them downward. The orc cried out painfully as it scrambled away from her. Digging her hand into the ice, she stopped herself turning back toward the orc. It was laying on the ice, a pool of blood around it screaming. Every attempt it made to get up failed, as its arms wouldn't cooperate properly, and the ice below was slick from its blood.
Taking a deep breath Katarina ran forward jumping on top of the creature, her left hand digging into its arm until she felt the mithril glove hit ice and burry deep into it, his arm was stuck. Looking into its cold eyes she noted the glazed look it held, as the blood loss began to weaken it. She panted heavily as she leaned forward, her own blood loss making her dizzy. Reaching her right hand out she dug her nails into its neck. Feeling its throat, she curled her fingers, the orc chocking on its blood.
"You listen to me and you listen well, if you or any of your kind ever come near my family again, not even the sweet relief of death will save you from the pain that I will wreak upon your senses. If an orc comes near anyone," Katarina continued venomously, "that I care about they will be begging for death, this I can promise you."
Katarina closed her eyes, twin eyes stared back at her, green and full of mischief, identical smiles on their faces. Using what was left of her strength she pulled her hand out, tearing skin and organ alike as his tongue and esophagus was ripped out. Katarina watched as the life quickly left Azog. She turned slightly, feeling her body begin to give. Her left hand broke free from her glove as she fell off of Azog onto her side, her right hand still clasping Azog's tongue.
Bleary eyes looked up at the sky as she felt the ground soak up her blood, the ice cool against her heated skin. Distantly, she could hear Dwalin and perhaps Balin as they made their way forward. She wondered, briefly, when Balin arrived but paid it little mind. Closing her eyes, she listened as they called out for Thorin. She waited with bated breath until she heard Thorin's deep voice reply. There was a slightly struggle before the sound of footsteps approached. Turning she watched as Thorin, held up by Dwalin and indeed Balin arrived, Fili and Kili right behind with the rest of the company close behind.
"You look like hell." Katarina commented when her eyes met Thorin's.
"Kitten." Thorin muttered falling beside her, his bloodied hands smoothing her hair away from her face.
"You killed Azog?!" Ori exclaimed surprised. She felt many eyes on her but didn't break her gaze from Thorin's. A booted foot tapped her right hand. Snapping her eyes away from Thorin, she met Dwalin's gaze.
"What's that?" Dwalin asked gruffly.
Feeling her fingers shakily open, she replied. "Azog's throat?"
"You! You ripped out his throat!?" Kili cried out, shock lacing his voice.
"That's our Kitty-Cat for you!" Fili attempted to joke.
"Bit violent wouldn't you say?" Nori commented lightly, chuckling at the woman.
Chuckling, Katarina began to cough, her body exhausted. "No one touches my family." She turned her eyes to Thorin noticed the blood on his chest. "Are you okay?"
"This?" Thorin asked glancing down. "It barely hit skin before you had knocked him."
"Thorin!?" Fili cried alarmed. "There is a lot of blood around Kitty-Cat!"
"She ripped out its throat." Dwalin commented dryly.
"But the bloods red." Kili whispered as a cold chill set over the company.
"Get back!" Gandalf cried running forward, his robes billowing in his haste. The dwarves leapt away as if they had been burned. She noticed he was cursing slightly as he glanced at her arm before looking down at her leg. "You foolish girl, do you—"
"Is she going to be okay?" Kili asked quietly from behind Gandalf.
The grey wizard did not reply, instead he continued to curse as he attempted to heal her wounds.
"Gandalf?" Katarina asked softly, her voice barely over a whisper. "What's that light behind you?"
"She's delusional." Dwalin muttered.
"No Kitty-Cat, don't go toward the light!" Kili cried. If she could Katarina would have laughed at Kili but instead rolled her eyes slightly.
"No, I'm serious turn around." Katarina muttered. The dwarves sent her one more uneasy glance before doing so.
"Gandalf?" Bofur called backing away from the light coming toward them. The grey wizard finally looked up, his eyes growing wide as they did. Quickly he stood, backing away from Katarina, his head bowed.
The light as it neared separated into two separate entities, floating by Katarina before kneeling beside her, one on each side. As the light faded, Katarina found her own eyes widening.
"Hiya, Kitty-cat!"
"Bet you missed us, huh?"
"I'd miss us to!"
"Of course!"
"Hektor? Troy?" Katarina asked, her eyes wide as they took in her twin brothers, her dead twin brothers. "But how, I-I don't understand!"
"I thought it was pretty obvious-"
"we never left you, you know."
"We saw how hard our deaths hit you."
"We had hoped that the others would help you through it."
"But they didn't" Hektor frowned lightly.
"Yeah not very well." Troy agreed his own brow furrowed.
"We get that everyone grieved differently but-"
"-Kitty-cat you were practically wilting."
"Sooooo, we thought how to make you happy…"
Troy nodded his head in agreement. "Yep, so we thought and thought and then we heard your wish and it was like-"
"BANG! Instant idea!" Hektor looked up at the small group smiling widely. They noticed that he smiled a lot like Katarina did. "Then we heard Gandalf here chanting-"
"-and we just knew that you were it! You were the one that would be able to save the sons of Durin. So we guided him to you."
"Yep, and looky we were right! Thorin, Fili, and Kili are all very much alive."
"And you fell in love, well Thorin fell in love."
"You just kinda resisted. . ."
"Which really, Kitty-cat, we put a lot of effort into this and you just kept denying it."
"It was pretty obvious you loved him too."
"We knew you would, we know you best."
"And Thorin's, he's the kind of guy that would be perfect for you."
"And ya know, it turned out better than we thought!" Troy exclaimed throwing his hands up.
"So, you two." Katarina murmured. "You are the ones that sent me here?"
"Of course!" They agreed together.
"After all were family, and we protect one another." Hektor continued.
"And because we are family we are going to heal you all up!" Troy commented happily.
"I'm glad." Katarina whispered. "That you two are happy and safe."
The two leaned forward, their foreheads resting on Katarina's. "Do you want to stay here?"
She didn't know which one asked, she didn't really care. All Katarina could think about was the fact that her baby brothers were here. She paused to answer, unsure.
"Don't you worry Kitty-Cat."
"We'll always watch over you."
"And we'll-"
"-make sure-"
"-Thorin never succumbs to the sickness again." The finished together, their voice harmonizing in a way that only theirs could.
"Even if you didn't promise that, I would have stayed." Katarina whispered. "I love him-Mahal save me but I do."
The two looked at Katarina happily before closing their eyes. She could feel her wounds healing, her blood replenishing but she paid it little mind. Instead she stared at her brothers, taking all of them in. The two opened their eyes quickly, a serious gaze in their emerald depths.
"There is one catch."
"It's simple of course."
"If you want to stay-"
"-which we support."
"You'll have to let us take away your future knowledge."
"I know it kinda sucks but-"
"-knowing you if we didn't."
"All you would want to do is go and save everyone."
"And you can't do that."
"Well. . . you can." Troy trailed off thoughtfully.
"But you shouldn't." Hektor quickly added. They gazed down at Katarina expectedly who could do nothing other than nod her head in agreement.
"We love you Kitty-Cat." They said together, smiles lighting their faces.
"I love you two too." Katarina responded immediately. The two closed their eyes again, their brows furrowed. After a while longer they opened their eyes again, chuckling as she winced with the headache. They smiled at their beloved sister before slowly fading away.
For a moment all was silent, no one moved forward, everyone staring at were the two had been. Groaning, Katarina began to sit up, her body protesting the whole way.
"Kitten!" Thorin exclaimed, leaping forward an arm around her back, noticing that her arm had stopped bleeding, as had her leg.
"Does someone want to explain, what just happened?!" Bilbo cried out.
Kadzûna-Golden Lady
Kedzêl- Gold of all Gold
zanshîth- Young Birds
uzdan-Ruler
Khimâ Usbad-Dashshat- Young Princes
Kadzuna Uzdan- Golden Queen
Uzdan miz mudtu –Ruler of my heart
Zanshith- Little bird
Amrul Atsu- I love you
Le 'channon- Thank you