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Disclaimer: Do not own "No Cars Go" by Arcade Fire. I love this song. Thanks Oninha for introducing me to an incredible song :D
Chapter Twenty-Five: No Cars Go
Rue blinked once. Thorin was dead.
No.
Her body clenched, painful sobs ripping her body apart: tearing out her lungs so she couldn't breathe, her brain so she could not think, and her heart so she couldn't feel. Because if she felt, she had to feel like this. Dead.
And then―
She was on the ground, lying on her back, chest rising and falling. Above her towered a stretch of dark forest, branches intermingling. There was a collection of familiar faces and heads hovering above her. The first person she recognized was…Bilbo. In the faint pulses of light from the breaks between branches, Rue made out his cute button nose, remembering how she always had compared him to a bunny rabbit. Everything hit her like a thunderbolt.
Rue shot up, panting loud gasps of air. Bilbo. It was Bilbo, which meant―
"Where am I?" Rue said breathlessly. More blurred faces came into view as the weariness slipped away. Faces. Hairy faces. Lots of beards.
"The Greenwood," Bilbo said, eyebrows furrowing in concern as he blinked. "How do you feel?" Awkwardly, he cleared his throat, rewording his question. "How do you all feel?"
How do you all feel? The words sunk in her head like teeth. Rue turned quick, neck arching painfully. Behind her sprawled out on the grass, stirring: Kili, Fili, Dwalin, Nori, Gimli, and―
Thorin.
He was here in the flesh.
Thorin's eyes were open as he blinked lazily, slowly sitting up.
Snatches of Bilbo's words became lost, but strangely enough, Rue heard Balin's words loud and clear.
"All of you have been asleep for hours."
Rue made her way to Thorin, crawling, nails plundering the forest floor.
"Perhaps it was a shorter time," Ori suggested, eyes nearly bugging out his head while his gaze shot to the branches. "This place―it is making fools of us."
"Aye," Gloin grunted, falling to his knees and snatching Gimli for a bear hug. Desperately, Gimli clawed at his father affectionately, needing the hug more than anything.
"After you ran for the light, you collapsed," Bofur explained, making falling sound affects in the form of poof and thump.
Balin grinned, bending down to give Thorin a pat on the back. "I was afraid you had passed on."
But he had passed on, Rue wanted to scream. Thorin had been shot. The last flicker of images she had seen of Thorin was of him falling down―dead. Had there been blood? Rue couldn't remember. Distraughtly, she reached him, sitting up on her knees, hands searching Thorin's chest. He sat stark still, tiny spasms beneath Rue's fingertips beating against her flesh. Her touches were frantic, borderline crazy.
Rue searched his back and abdomen. The insane thing was that Thorin didn't flinch from her touch. He met her eyes in the briefest of seconds, and just from one single look, Rue knew he remembered what had happened, which meant her and Thorin had the same vivid, detailed dream or…returning to earth had truly happened. How had it happened? Nothing made sense…
It felt like the weight of the world was on her shoulders or―
Rue sucked in a sharp breath. Her backpack. She had her backpack on. It had been left behind in her apartment, inside her bedroom. Long forgotten while she had taken a pointless romp in the park that ended in Thorin's death…
Her heart shrieked in protest. Thorin was here, uninjured. These were telltale signs that―that―Rue gulped―that maybe everything had been a dream. No earth. No old life. No Natalie. Hallucinations must have brought on the intense dreaming and stunning details―like the sound of Dwalin's laughter, Kili's awful singing, the feel of being enveloped in Thorin's strong embrace. Each of those things had been alarmingly real. Maybe The Beatles had been right in their crazy lyrics, referencing the brilliance of LSD. Not that Rue thought drugs were brilliant, but she was guessing from watching millions of Mom's drug-induced binges that life was prettier on the wild side.
Setting one trembling hand on Thorin's upper back, Rue threw off her backpack. With one hand, she managed to unzip her backpack. Rue felt like if she let go of Thorin, everything would be over. She wasn't sure what exactly counted as everything: Middle-earth or earth.
A stone-cold truth became disturbingly apparent. Rue's fingers skimmed across the items in her backpack about ten times, possibly more before accepting the fringes of reality: her diary wasn't here. Was not here, which meant―
Rue struggled against freaking out, dealing with puzzled stares from the rest of the company the best way she could by remaining silent.
"What is―" Balin began― "Miss Rue, do you feel ill?"
She scanned familiar faces. Dwalin, Kili, Nori, Fili, Gimli, and Thorin's faces set on hers, seized on each other's. Rue took in the tense silence as sanction of the impossible: they all remembered earth. Insane. This was beyond insane.
In a flash, words pierced Rue's mind like a glass arrowhead.
"Rue, we were gone from the world!" Kili cried. He rose to his feet hastily, stumbling a little before straightening his posture and continuing, "We were gone or were we not? For days we were not here, but―" Kili's words were drowned out as he vaguely gestured at their surroundings.
How could six people have shared the same dream? How could six people be crazy or experience the same hallucination―whatever this was?
"You were never gone," Bilbo spoke up, eyes pointedly flying from the "sane" Dwarves to them. "All of you were asleep for hours."
If that were true, how in the hell was Rue's diary gone?
Rue's hand flew to her mouth, inches above her cracked lips. Wait. In Middle-earth, her lips had been chapped so bad, they'd been bleeding, but once she'd returned to earth, her cracked lips had healed.
Her stomach turned upside down. Slowly, Rue's eyes fell to herself. What she saw made her eyes pop out. She wore the same clothes. The same trousers and flannel jacket beneath the familiar softness of her cloak.
No. This wasn't happening.
Balin met Thorin's eyes, leaning closer to whisper words Rue barely made out, "Laddie, are you well enough to continue or do we make camp?"
Thorin was stunned, jaw slack as he blinked, stupefied.
Out of the corner of her mouth, Rue murmured, "Are you shot?"
Waiting. Waiting. Silence. Silence. Mouth opening to answer discreetly―
Thorin only shook his head.
His Adam's apple quivered in the slightest. Suddenly, Thorin climbed to his feet. Rue had expected him to brush her touch away, but he didn't. He grasped her hand, pulling her gently to her feet.
In a strangled voice, he commanded his Starfleet, "Move on."
Moving on had been a mistake. The Dwarves who'd returned to earth―or who were suffering from serious hallucinations―were a mess. Even Thorin was a mess. Not that Rue would tell him anytime soon. They were stumbling, having a hard time keeping up with the rest of the company. Nori stopped a few times to catch his breath while Kili bumped into Bofur by accident. They seemed…more out of shape than before. But to be out of shape indicated a passage of time…which only led Rue back to square one.
She observed the branches high above acutely, on the lookout for real life Aragogs. The pages of The Hobbit came to life in her head, the words as bright as light bulbs. In the book when the company had entered Mirkwood, they had to cross a magical river―all right, Rue really didn't know if it was magical, but the side effects on Bombur made her think so. And during the entire course of Mirkwood, they had been starving, until the giant spiders interfered and attempted to eat them that is. After that…Thorin was caught by the Elves. Then eventually, everyone else was captured and imprisoned.
Sounded depressing in Rue's head, especially the facing the gargantuan spiders part. Endless thoughts reeled in her mind like a roll of film. What if the spiders did not attack them? Everything in the book hadn't been the same as the quest Rue had experienced. First of all, Azog was a major difference. What if she made sure they avoided the river? Should she even be contemplating changing things or just let everything happen? Rue shook her head. She couldn't just stand by and let fate take its course…because the story ended in―
Rue choked.
The story ended in Thorin, Kili, and Fili's deaths.
Without warning, her head met bark. Rue blinked, stepping backwards, realizing she had just walked into a tree. Great. Freaking smart.
She took several tentative steps backwards, glimpsing over her shoulder and slowly turning.
Brown eyes blinked at her.
Rue stumbled back. What. The world was foggy for too many seconds. Rue counted slowly in her head: one, two, three, four―
The eyes belonged to Kili. Attempting to be subtle, he beckoned her to come closer. She met him by the shade of a thin tree, warily looking to the others still walking.
"Rue," he started, gulping. "We have not gone mad. I know we have not. Look what I have found in my―" Kili was silent as he searched his pocket for something. Peculiarly, he had woken up in his Middle-earth garb. Everyone had awakened in the same clothes they had been wearing before―
The TV remote was nestled inside Kili's palm.
Rue opened her mouth, closing it before too much suspicion arose. Wait. Why was she worried about coming off suspicious?
"Why―" Rue shook her head, searching for the right words― "Why would you leave the TV remote in your pocket? I told you if you were going to leave it anywhere, put it in the couch cushions." That didn't make much sense either, but Rue liked her organized messes.
Kili shrugged. "It was easier to find when it was always with me. If it was inside my―what are the strange pants called again?―the jeans pocket." Suddenly, he frowned at her. "That is beside the point. The point is that I have it."
Rue rolled her eyes. "I know that is the point."
Kili whisper-yelled, "Do not―do not turn all sassy on me?" When he said the all sassy part, the words sounded foreign on his tongue. Where had Kili learned that phrase?
Rue's eyes fell on the grass―the crunchy leaves. "I didn't mean to sound sassy. It's just―everyone thinks we're already crazy. And we keep finding proof that we're not."
"Because we are not."
"But that's the scary part, Kili," Rue said, her breath hitching. "They say we were sleeping, but…"
She didn't need to complete the sentence for Kili to understand the meaning.
He blinked, nodding solemnly.
Wordlessly, they started ambling, stepping over sticks. Traveling in Mirkwood left Rue with the impression something was lurking in the dark, waiting for the perfect moment to divide the company and butcher. Okay, was she dealing with Jason Voorhees or Aragog here? Get a grip. Aragog was reality.
Another reality she was procrastinating against: Thorin.
Kili joined Fili, both of them giving her furtive glances. The looks they gave her made Rue feel awkwardly lonely. She rubbed her forearms, marching faster, slowing her pace to match Bilbo's. He gave her an uncomfortable glimpse before hastily turning to peer at something else. Hmm. Bilbo had probably categorized her as an official Middle-earth loony.
She had to say something. Give Bilbo the heads-up in case his guard was down.
Rue leaned closer.
Bilbo jumped a little. "Oh, I did not see you there."
Liar.
"Whatever happens," she whispered, "stay calm and―uh, keep your sword ready." Rue gestured at the forest. "This place is crazy."
Bilbo dealt her a sassy look that spelled, "You're crazier."
Taking the silent accusation with a grin, Rue weaved through the Dwarves, giving Balin a friendly pat as she passed him. In response, Balin smiled briefly, nodding once. At least they were reunited so Bilbo could give her questionable stares and Balin could nod at her.
In the front, Thorin determinedly trudged ahead. Nervously, Rue bit her lip. She had to figure out a way to get him alone so they could talk about what possibly might happen. Think. Think―
OOMPH.
Rue fell face flat, nose meeting a mix of dirt and grass. Pieces of grass ended up in her mouth. Rue spat the pieces out, gagging. Gross. A faint throbbing plagued her knee.
She heard a ruckus of noise, then―
"Move, move," Thorin ordered.
Rue slowly turned, watching as Thorin pushed past Bofur. He knelt next to her, gently touching her forearm.
"Are you hurt?" he asked huskily, giving her body a lingering once over.
Rue slowly tucked her legs in, crawling until she sat on her butt. Down on the ground again for a second time today.
She shook her head. "Sorry, didn't mean to fall…" A blush crept up her cheek. Giving the company surreptitious glances, Rue leaned closer to Thorin and whispered, "Can we…talk?"
Thorin understood her indication, helping her to her feet as he rose to his full height.
Ori watched them suspiciously, eyes narrowing from Thorin, Rue, and then to Nori. If Rue wasn't mistaken―which she most likely was―Ori was staring at them vindictively like they had personally wronged him by wronging Nori. Eh?
"We will rest for several minutes," Thorin announced, a stir of pleasant moans and sighs his only response. "Kili, Fili, Dwalin. Scout for anything that might be edible." Bifur threw down his pack, sitting on it. Bombur leaned against a tree, steadying his labored breathing.
Balin's shoulders went slack.
Thorin led her away from the group, softly guiding her by the shoulder.
They didn't stop walking for several minutes, Rue vigilant of her surroundings more than ever. No way did she want to face plant again and utterly embarrass herself for the millionth time in front of Thorin. Besides, falling down all over the place only proved how useless she was on the quest. If she were useless, she could get left in Mirkwood or Lake-town. Rue did not feel like partying with Thranduil.
A cluster of tree roots snaked between her boots as they halted by one particularly gigantic tree. Really using her imagination here, Rue peered up at the towering tree, reminded of Hometree from Avatar, except this tree was more otherworldly and alien than any science fiction tree in a movie. Vines snaked up and down the bark, curled in unnatural crannies, the vines a green color Rue had only ever seen in Crayola boxes. Creatures with red eyes blinked up at her from the shadows of leaves.
Rue stepped closer to Thorin. He pulled her to his chest.
"Harm will notbefall you. I will not let anything touch you," he growled passionately.
Rue ignored the throbbing lump in her throat, sticking her hands in her cloak's pockets awkwardly.
"We really need to talk."
"Are you certain you are not injured?" He gave off the impression of peering down at her in spite of being the same height as her. "Your injured leg..."
"No, actually it's weird." Rue shook her head. "My leg feels like it's had one week of healing…"
Heavy silence ensued.
Rue stepped closer to him, somehow gaining the confidence to place her hands on his chest, palms meeting a mix of chainmail and pelts. She felt his heartbeat quicken.
"Are you sure you're not shot?" she squeaked, eyes honing in on his chest in search of bleeding bullet holes. If Rue had it her way, she would search every inch of his body, undressing him to make sure she hadn't missed a single bullet. Her cheeks burned. Okay, she really hadn't meant it in a dirty way.
"I am certain I suffer no injury," Thorin told her quietly. "Unless being shot does not hurt."
It was totally inappropriate to laugh, but Rue did. She threw her head back and giggled. "No, no, it's supposed to hurt from what I've heard."
A ghost of a playful smirk pulled at Thorin's lips before falling away, replaced by a serious scowl. For a moment, Rue thought he was mad at her, but realized quick it was the foreboding change of topic that grinded his nerves.
"What did you wish to speak of?"
Rue inhaled sharply. "Well…"
"Well?"
She inhaled again, attempting to steady her breathing, the feel of Thorin's chest comforting.
"This isn't easy to say," she admitted sheepishly, biting her lip.
Thorin's silence was reassurance as she met his gaze. He peered into her eyes longingly, like she was more important than she actually was.
"In the forest, we're supposed to…"
Rue broke off in a frantic re-telling of the book: the scenes in Mirkwood at least. First off, she explained the attack of the Aragogs.
"They're supposed to be Aragog size, Thorin! You remember the big spiders from Chamber of Secrets, right? You read that part, right?" Her voice had become shrilly as she pressed even closer to Thorin for support, tugging on his fur coat in her hysteria.
"I did." He nodded once, taking her words in stride.
"We're supposed to almost starve and get attacked. And go across a river where Bombur falls in. The river―" She panted― "Puts you to sleep. It's some weird magic. I don't know."
It was strange that she was laying all these burdens on Thorin, expecting to comfort him while enduring his scary wrath, but the opposite happened: Thorin was comforting her.
He held onto her shoulders, hands rubbing warmness into her arms, speaking the softest she'd ever heard him talk.
"Sorry," Rue sputtered. "I'm just freaked out. And that's not even the worst of it."
Her words seemed to put an end to Comforting Thorin, bringing the man she knew all too well: Big Bad King Under the Mountain. Thorin stood at alert.
Rue couldn't take back her words, heart skipping a beat.
"We're supposed to…supposed to get caught by the Elves," she professed, voice in pathetic trembles.
"What?"
This Thorin intimidated her. Rue coyly stepped back, but Thorin only stepped closer, heated gaze burning her.
"It's supposed to happen after the spiders attack," Rue explained gently, eyes falling to the weave of tree roots below.
Now it was time for her to comfort him instead of be so darn afraid. Rue brought a quivering hand to his face, sweeping strands of beautiful waves out his face. The motion soothed Rue, cooed the thundering of her heart―
It was fast―startling. And left Rue's palms sweaty. Thorin grabbed her hand fiercely, eyes unreadable suddenly. She blinked. He didn't blink, stare piercing right through her like a spearhead. Only one thing registered in her brain full of cotton: Thorin was mad. He didn't want her touching him, he had stopped her from touching his hair―
Rue stepped back, her shoulders colliding with the tree. Her eyes were owlish in fear, fingertips skimming the bark behind her.
Thorin still held her hand, the lividness in his eyes dissipating at once.
He shook his head. "Come here. I did not mean to―" Thorin closed the distance between them, pressing her against the tree as his arms clung around her waist in a crushing hug― "Frighten you."
Rue grinned, allowing her arms to hang from his neck. She buried her head in the crook of his shoulder, breathing in his hair that strangely smelled like her Pantene shampoo.
"It's okay," she said from his shoulder.
The feel of his arms tightened. "It is not. It is my duty to do anything but frighten you."
In a flash, she was bawling, squeezing him tighter. Shaky sobs plagued her body. Rue had almost lost him―had seen Thorin die with her very own eyes.
Thorin stiffened beneath her touch, pulling away to gaze into her eyes, resting his forehead on hers.
"I'm here," he said huskily, hot breath grazing her lips. "I am not going anywhere."
"I know." Sniffles. More sniffles.
"Shhhh," he cooed soothingly against her ear, arms so tense around her she could feel nothing but his body flush against hers. "I am here." Strong fingers started to gently knead her hair, touches light, cautious, yet full of affection. "I will never leave you."
"You promise?" Rue asked childishly.
His forehead was against her forehead, hot breaths mingling. Rue resisted gasping like an idiot. Intensity dripped off Thorin's every word.
"I swear it, Ruby. As long as we both live, I will not die," Thorin pledged fervently.
She smiled through tears. "You're amazing."
"So are you."
Rue felt the rumble of his chest as she pressed herself against him, felt the true meaning behind his words and had never felt so elated―so damn lucky to have Thorin by her side even when everything was about to go to hell.
Screw the world.
Between the moan of a tree and the spinning of her head, Rue could no longer tell the different between her left and right. Hours of hiking through Mirkwood had passed. Reading the book before she had ever fallen in Middle-earth in the first place would've been a lot more useful, right? Life sucked. The timing was always off. Always off.
Sunlight was fading fast. The Dwarves and Bilbo were growing tired as the hours went on. Poor Fili. Rue felt nothing but guilt when she saw Fili. His limp was a stumble now. Kili forced Fili to lean on him for support.
Rue saw the indecision tearing at Thorin, difficult decisions anchoring each stride he took. Nonstop, he kept stealing peeks at Fili, having the company take five-minute breaks more often than not. Never before had Rue pondered over the true implications of being a king―the pressures Thorin would have to face if everything did stay true to the book… If going on a quest was this hard, what would ruling a kingdom be like?
Guilt ate Rue's heart. She should've taken Fili and Thorin to the hospital before going to the stupid park. Why couldn't she handle anything emotionally? That was why she had gone to the park―to flee from the emotional turmoil. If only she had been stronger. She swallowed hard. If only…
The trees swayed as wind gently cooed. Coo. Caw. Rue blinked, peering up, keeping her promise to Thorin. Earlier, she had sworn, "I'll keep on the lookout for spider webs and uh―the big spiders of course." Thorin's first words to the company after they rejoined them had been for everyone to lookout for the webs.
Webs. Huh. It was funny sounding. The leaves moaned some more, making caw noises. Wait. No. Those weren't the trees. Rue spotted a tiny flock of crows balancing on the higher-up branches, beady red eyes glaring at her.
She moved on fast, breaths hardening. It was happening. Rue desperately rubbed her eyes, trying to fight the hysteria. After reading the book, she'd realized what exactly had been happening out here. The entire company had begun to experience hallucinations. Crazy ones. Was there any other type of hallucination?
Rue cleared her throat. "So…does anyone know any good jokes?"
Talking. Talking would keep the mind-demons at bay.
Of course, Nori answered first.
"I know one." He grinned impishly.
"Do share," Gloin encouraged, stealing a glimpse at the ganders of ever-darkening sky. "We need some cheer."
"Indeed," Oin concurred.
Nori started charismatically, "The tale starts out quite simple. There are fourteen Dwarves, one Hobbit, and one woman from the race of Men taking the Old Forest Road in the Greenwood. The king leads them through thick and thin―through every obstacle like a true king―by way of his dour attitude of course." There was a chorus of laughter and a scowl from Thorin before Nori continued. Rue awkwardly giggled.
"The Old Forest Road has vanished from right underneath their feet. It is quite peculiar, as if a magic trick has been played on the lads. Since they are Dwarves, their stubborn nature keeps them going. They have been walking for hours, that is―" Nori held up one hand, his voice capturing every ear and nearby creature's attention like one of President Obama's speeches from 2008― "Until five Dwarves, one Dwarf King, and the woman saw the light. The darkness drove them mad―led them to the light they once thought would lead them to better places. And it did. The light led them to a strange, strange world."
Rue's throat tightened, lungs fighting for air. Between trying to remember if Barack Obama was still president of the United States and conjuring ways to stop where Nori's speech was headed, her shoulder collided with a tree. Again. Ouch. Rue ambled even faster, awkwardly stumbling on the tips of her toes.
Why stop him? She was stunned. Why? It wasn't like the company would ever believe them, would they? Sure, they believed Rue was from another world since Gandalf and Thorin said so. She suspected if she ever wanted the company to believe they really had gone to earth and returned, then they would need Gandalf to help do the convincing. Not that Gandalf was here or anything. Nope.
"The strange world was unlike anything the Dwarves had ever known. There were countries of many riches, countries of little riches where the people starved. Honor was an unheard word in such a place. The race of Men had crafted peculiar ways to spend their time, such things to aide them in their ever-persistent quest to escape their wretched realities. They were a sad people. And the Dwarves―" Nori's eyes were suddenly fastened on a bush― "Were saddened by watching the race of Men. Never had they seen the living undervalue themselves in many different ways," he finished hypnotically.
Rue found Kili, Fili, Dwalin, Gimli, and Thorin's eyes in a matter of seconds. Her breath caught in her throat, heartbeat quickening. Stealthy, weighty silence passed between them. She was numb. They had a literal earth-shattering secret. Wow. Talk about pressure. What would happen once Thranduil got a hold of them? She didn't want to think about it.
A boisterous laugh interjected her thoughts.
Bofur chuckled awkwardly. "That was a joke I…well…I never heard that joke before. Quite funny." He laughed clumsily again. Forced laughter did not suite Bofur.
The silence was even more deafening, rushing against Rue's eardrums. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ori whisper to Nori, "What is wrong with you?"
Nori only shook his head.
The world was dizzying. The branches seemed to snake around her feet, the smears of dark blue sky beneath her feet. Rue tiptoed across the blue sky. Up was down and―she looked up―yep, her initial assumptions had been correct: down was up. There was grass above her, tangling―
Snap out of it. The world was back to normal again.
Rue stepped over a rock. "'Lucy in the sky with diamonds, kaleidoscope eyes.' Yeah, I think The Beatles were on to something when they were taking LS―"
A scream was torn from her throat.
Blue feathers whirred past her ear; Rue jumping back, mouth hung open like an idiot. Uh…
The bird flew into the distance. All eyes were on her, then―
"AHAHAHA!" Bofur guffawed, slapping his knee. "Now that was funny. Did you see her face?"
Bifur smirked.
Bombur chirped, "I saw it! She looked as though she had seen an Elf in the bare!"
More laughter rang out, along with proclamations of disgust.
Rue blushed, staring at her feet in humiliation. But she couldn't help the smile creeping up her lips. Her foolery had cheered them up. Maybe that was why God had made her this way or―Rue shrugged―who knew.
They continued hiking through the woods, the smell of leaves evaporating within minutes, replaced by a different kind of smell: river water.
The river.
"Stay together," Thorin called to everyone as he crept past a curve of a tree, balancing on the lip of a tree root that led to a plethora of bushes.
Soundlessly, he ventured around the bushes.
Brief moments passed before―
Thorin returned, a slight jog in his gait.
"There is a river." He met Rue's eyes, nodding once.
There was a murmur of chatter between them, the Dwarves asking each other the obvious question in about seven different ways. How do we get across?
Rue was tempted to raise her hand and proclaim with as much Hermione-enthusiasm she could muster, "There is a boat," but thought better of it.
Abruptly, Dwalin followed Thorin as he marched back to the riverbank. One by one, they joined Thorin on the riverbank. Very carefully, Rue watched her step, terrified she would fall and crack her head open. The tree roots were starting to resemble venomous king cobras. Rue swayed on the spot, stumbling her way to the river.
"Rue," Thorin softly called.
She joined him, Thorin shading his eyes as he gazed out at the river. Rue followed his eyes―
"Wait," Rue squeaked frantically, realizing the impossible, "there's no―no―no―"
"Boats," Thorin finished for her.
Nodding, she felt him softly grip her shoulder to stop her from falling as she teetered. There was only green-blue river and gentle moans from the roar of wind. No boats. On the other side of the river was a line of trees―endless.
"We cannot cross here," Dwalin muttered for only Thorin's ears. "Not with―"
"I know," Thorin growled, his fingers tensing on Rue. The obvious went unsaid: Fili's leg would make it impossible if they even dared to swim across the river. Not that swimming was a good idea since the water was laced by sleeping potion. Where was Snape when they needed him?
Thorin turned quick, facing the company. "We march down the shore in search of another way. Fili―" He met Fili as he sat on a rock― "Stay here and rest in our search."
Fili shook his head, going to stand―
"No."
"Uncle," Fili protested weakly, "you know I am the better scout―"
"Not in this condition."
Rue pretended she wasn't listening, peering out at the naked river. There was supposed to be a boat. What the hell, Mr. Tolkien?
With the last of sunlight blooming at the corners of the sky, they descended the riverbank in search of another way across the river.
The search had been in vain. They had found nothing.
All that they had found was what seemed like a never-ending stretch of river shore before the sun had completely set. So they had retreated back into the woods for camp and with a new plan: proceed to the east of the woods. Um. Rue wasn't even sure how Thorin could tell which way was east since the sun was impossible to see.
The next day staggered by, blurrier and more humid than ever. The Greenwood was seeping into Rue's skin. All the walking and waiting for the spiders had left her drained. She felt…poisoned or poisonous. At this point, Rue couldn't tell the difference. She grinned. It was freaking hilarious. No it wasn't. Yes, it was. Eh? What was happening to her?
Rue wiped dripping sweat from her brow, traipsing close behind Thorin and in front of Balin. Last night had been one of the coldest nights in her life. Rue had to sleep underneath the heavy weight of Thorin's pelts, pressed between him and Dwalin for body heat while the rest of the company lay squished, too. The Greenwood was reminding her of the desert. Mirages. The humid air. The bone-chilling coldness at night.
A shiver shot down her spine. Rue's pace picked up. She nearly collided with Thorin.
"The day still wears on unchanged," Thorin suddenly boomed. "Do not hesitate to keep your eyes open for webs of any sort."
There was a murmur of agreement. Rue ventured a glimpse over her shoulder, catching Gimli's eyes. His cheeks were red as Gloin fussed over him, asking Gims if he felt all right.
Instinctively, everybody's gazes shot up like fifty Aragogs were about to leap out the trees. Nope. No webs. Glittery greenery intermingled in the darkness, spurts of brown from the bark unusually bright. Everything looked unusually bright.
Rue blinked. The brightness waned. The leaves no longer appeared glittery.
Throbbing plagued her heels as they continued trekking to no avail. Nothing seemed to change but the air, the air growing heavier and humid the farther they went. Sweat filled every crease of her body. With a nervous giggle, Rue realized her butt cheeks were sweating. Sweaty butt cheeks. She laughed again.
In the distance, the lip of a rock pressed against parts of a bush reminded her of butt cheeks. Hmm. Like Rafiki from Lion King's butt―a baboon butt. "Lucy in the sky with diamonds…" The lyrics repeated in her head, on rewind.
Soft glitters of silver winked at her from the distance. Rue peered closer. Softly, she gasped, pointing up at a horde of mingling treetops. Silver diamonds glittered, hanging from the branches.
Faint voices hummed in the back of her head. Was anyone else seeing this?
"Mr. Baggins, what are you doing?" Thorin hissed grouchily.
There was a soft muffle of flesh meeting bark. Rue turned, realizing Bilbo was climbing the tree with diamonds. He was probably trying to get the diamonds. Figures. He was the burglar after all.
Nori winked teasingly. "There are some beautiful gems up there, aye?"
"Aye," Dori mumbled in agreement.
"There are no gems up there. I see nothing," Dwalin spat moodily.
"Of course you see nothing," Bofur murmured.
Rue slowly twirled, watching Bilbo climb higher and higher.
"I will be down fast, Thorin," Bilbo assured breathily. "I want to see if we are going in the right direction…"
His words were left unfinished as he ascended higher and higher. Rue saw peeks of his hairy feet disappear behind a canopy of leaves. He was gone.
She spun at snail pace, fascinated by the twinkle of diamonds. Rue gulped. Concern over Bilbo's safety left her feeling sick. Maybe they shouldn't have let Bilbo climb so willfully into a God-knows-how-tall tree?
"Rue, are you all right?"
She stared at the sea of faces in front of her, having trouble deciphering who's voice belonged to who.
"Rue, did you not hear me?"
Rue caught sight of familiar braids in a beard, grinning.
"I'm fine, Fili."
Fili blinked at her, leaning against a tree for support. "I did not say a word."
Fili gave Thorin a long sideways glance, his eyes pointedly shooting to Rue. She pretended not to notice, chest rising and falling hastily. Stopping was a bad idea. What about the―the―spiders?
Thorin neared Rue, gently grasping her forearm. "Do you feel ill?"
Ganders of white drifted from the treetops. Rue followed the strange thing as it fell, jaw going slack: it was a snowflake. She held out her free hand, catching the snowflake. Having expected cold to seep her fingertips, Rue was shocked when the snowflake was…sticky. Wait.
She met Thorin's eyes.
He was flabbergasted, reaching for the―
"Spider web," Rue panted, attempting to get the icky substance off her hands, wiping her hand on her trousers.
Gasps ripped the air.
Thorin opened his mouth to command the company―
CREAK.
Rue looked up, the muscles in her neck screaming in protest.
In a flash, all eyes flew up as―
Spiders. Too many legs clambered on branches. Endless pairs of red eyes winked at them. They came down with the force of Thor's hammer, zapping all feeling from Rue's limbs. Her hand wandered to her backpack―to where Severus lay nestled―
"RUE!"
Thorin's terrified yell disrupted everything. He leapt. Rue saw an outline of a shadow swelling on the forest floor before being knocked off her feet.
Thorin was on top of her. Above, she saw a spider spinning a web, coming for them―
And then blackness seeped her vision...the world was gone.
The feel of another body roused her from sleep. Rue blinked awake, elbows wedged in, knees shaky. Patches of white and black filled her blurry vision. How long had she been asleep? Her heart beat erratically, pounding in her ears like a war hammer. Where was she? Rue moved her head, trying to peer down, feeling like she was on a carnival ride or something. This feeling was…suspension. She was suspended in―
Web trapped her―trapped them. Rue could make out the familiar curve of his nose, feeling nothing but him against her. Thorin's eyes were shut. Was he―
She shrieked, biting her lip, shifting crazily, trying with all her might to get the hell out the damn web. What if Thorin was―
What if he was dead?
No.
Suddenly, he jolted, eyes flying open.
Rue trembled from head to toe, leaning closer, snuggling in the curve of his neck underneath his chin. Thorin was alive. They were alive in a spider's web.
She felt a dim rumble from his chest, the prod of his knees pressed against her thighs before he spoke.
Thorin's voice was raspy.
"Are you…hurt?"
"No," Rue said hoarsely. "You?"
Behind Thorin, she could see the opaqueness of the web cocooning them inside. Splashes of green from the trees above were the only color she could make out…
Faint throbbing pierced her head.
"I am unharmed," Thorin spoke quietly, intense blue eyes never leaving hers.
Unharmed. He was unharmed. Rue instinctively curled closer to him, breathing in his scent. Thank goodness. He was warm, strong arms suddenly grasping at her waist. Pulling her to his chest, Rue squeaked. If everything went to hell―if the spiders stung them and fed on their corpses―at least she was with her one…
Thorin rested his chin on her forehead, and then―
Two things happened at once: Rue planted a feather light kiss on his throat like an idiot, Thorin gently groaning―
In a flash, they were falling down fast. Gravity forced Thorin's body flush against hers, the experience dizzying…
There was nothing but a world of web as her back met earth.
SLAM. THUD.
A sharp pain shot up her spine. Rue sucked in the pain, biting her lip.
Thorin rolled quickly, so he was underneath, taking the brunt of the impact. He winced from the collision, lips pressed together to keep from crying out in pain.
At once, a sword-point sliced through the web. Rue jumped in alarm, screaming, forgetting for a few moments that this was supposed to happen. Bilbo was supposed to rescue them. Thorin tensed against her, protectively holding her closer.
The sword continued to cut through the web, Thorin using his elbow to create a bigger hole. Rue desperately used her feet to kick the pieces of web away from their bodies.
Moments later, she could see the forest once again, standing up, panting for air. Rue clumsily stumbled left and right, shrugging leftover web off.
She took in the sight with a shaky breath. Bilbo was hobbling from Dwarf to Dwarf, freeing them from webs, the freed Dwarves wielding their arms against―
Spiders. They crawled across the forest floor, chasing the Dwarves, meeting steel. They were impossibly large, black, red eyes the color of blood, and gangly legs hairier than any Dwarf she'd ever seen.
Rue was helpless for a few seconds, attempting to collect her frantic thoughts, spinning in a circle and trying not to fall―
There. Settled at the bottom of the tree was her backpack. Rue didn't think. She dove. She landed chin first on the grass, hands desperately reaching for her backpack and unzipping the pocket.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Dwarves and Bilbo fiercely battling against the gargantuan spiders. Fear ate her common sense. Clothes. Clothes. All she could feel in her backpack were clothes. Then―
Her fingertips met a hilt. Rue pulled Severus out, turning just as―
A spider ascended on her, legs jerking everywhere as pulsing venom poured from its stinger. The stinger was inches from her knees. Rue screamed, pulling her knees back as she crawled away…
Thorin leapt in front of her, swinging Orcrist. The blade met the spider's body, the creature squealing in agony as it died.
Rue climbed to her feet, feeling wobbly and―
Bilbo twirled awkwardly, teetering as Sting met one spider, two spiders―a third spider came from above, jumping high, Bilbo bringing Sting upwards. The tip of the blade punctured insect flesh, the creature hissing, falling hard on the ground with Sting still inside its belly. Bilbo gripped the sword, pulling it out and grinning, then poof―
He had vanished. Rue blinked in disbelief. He had used the ring.
Ori, Dwalin, Thorin, Nori, Fili, Dori, Bofur, and Bifur surrounded one spider, each of them seizing one leg.
CRACK.
The spider's legs were pulled out its sockets, leaving only a limbless, defenseless body.
Suddenly, there was a soft tickle on the back of Rue's neck. Goose bumps riddled her arms, heart ready to skyrocket out her chest. Rue reeled around, bringing Severus forward, stabbing the spider suspended centimeters above her head from a branch. Terror seeped through her bones.
Rue kept stabbing the creature, turning into freaking Lizzie Borden.
Blood pulsed against her ears. The spider fell beneath her, nothing but a rotting corpse.
More spiders burst from the trees―from above or from the ground.
Bilbo was suddenly there, the ring off as Sting pierced a spider seconds away from stinging Bofur.
Rue jumped back, bumping into―
"Kili!" she shouted in relief.
Their backs were pressed together as they watched an even bigger onslaught of spiders arrive. Shit. Crap.
"Stay down, Rue," Kili instructed, notching an arrow as he aimed for the closest spider. His aim was true, bringing the creature down. There was a moan of painful squeals as the spiders scrambled away from their dead brethren taking its final twitches on the forest floor…
Rue launched forward, bringing her dagger down and slicing one spider in warning.
She jumped back, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Kili gulped. "Rue, if we are going to―"
"Don't say it," she interrupted at once, shaking her head. If he said they were going to die, then they were giving up.
"I just want you to know―" Kili notched another arrow― "That you would have made a fine aunt."
Eh?
Kili let the arrow fly. The arrow triumphantly soared through the air, honing in on two spiders―
Blonde hair whirled by in the treetops. Rue did a double take before gasping and crying, "LEGGY!"
Legolas. It was freaking Legolas. He gracefully pranced down the branches, flying down, landing on another branch like some spider monkey.
The spiders saw Kili's arrow fast approaching, dodging the arrowhead by mere inches―
Legolas pulled out two blades, killing the spiders effortlessly as he decapitated them, heads rolling off. Leaping off the branch, he landed on ground, notching an arrow. Rue was trying to calm down her fangirling heart. Everyone knew who Leggy was.
She whirled fast, holding her hands up in surrender.
All of a sudden, they were all cornered by Elves: her, the Dwarves, and―
A spider was on top of Bilbo, stinger dripping wet in anticipation. Rue spotted a glint of gold beneath trifles of grass: the ring, a little ways from Bilbo's spot on the ground. Crap. The ring could not get lost no matter what.
Without warning, there was a triumphant battle cry as a redheaded woman came leaping out the brush, an arrow shooting from her bow, meeting the spider on top of Bilbo. It was dead quick, falling on top of Mr. Hobbitkins. No. Not Bilbo.
Foxy She-Elf was by Bilbo's side, shoving the spider off him.
It was stupid, but Rue moved. She made a start for the ring, bending down and reaching―
Out of nowhere, Bilbo stared her in the eye and hissed, "Mine." Bilbo scrambled for the ring as Foxy She-Elf pulled her arrow out the spider. He looked…legit insane.
"Mine."
Wait. Who had said that? It took Rue a few jarring seconds to realize she had said that.
"Do not move, human."
She froze, gaze lifting to meet Legolas's eyes. Rue held up her hands again, trembling this time. What was happening to her?
Thorin glared daggers at Legolas, not saying a word.
"Do not think I won't kill you, Dwarf," Legolas hissed, nostrils flaring as he kept his arrow trained on Thorin.
Rue worriedly searched the company, hoping they had all made it out all right. What she saw were Elves with their noses up in the air, surrounding them like they were the wrongdoers. But this was supposed to happen, right? This was―
Time froze.
Gloin was on his knees next to―
A comatose Gimli. His eyes were shut, an ugly red welt swelling on his forearm where parts of his tunic had been ripped off. One second. Tears trickled down Rue's cheeks. Two seconds. She shook her head, trying to deny what was right in front of her: Gimli had been stung.
Gloin was bawling. No. No. Rue's heart stopped, blood running cold.
"MY SON!" Gloin roared, sobbing wretchedly. Tremors shot up Rue's spine. No. She fell to her knees, not caring as some of the Elves hissed in warning.
"No," Rue breathed.
Bringing a hand forward, she rested her palm on Gimli's chest…
"MY GIMLI!" Gloin cried, burying his quivering head on Gimli's shoulder.
Nothing beat against Rue's palm. There was only silence.
Gimli was…dead.
Author's Note: Another awful cliffhanger :p Let me know what you think and click that button to review :D As soon as Lake-town comes, I'm afraid you guys will hate me. The plotline that inspired me to write this story in the first place is fast approaching. I'm nervous to see what you guys will think. Anyway, follow me on Tumblr at pearlprimrose :) And ask questions if you want.
Figrin: Awe, glad the snippet had gotten you so excited. *Just patted myself on the back* Thanks for the very awesome compliment. Never meant to make you guys so frustrated, but I'm hoping it means you guys dig Rue and Thorin. I downloaded "Ordinary World" already. Will listen to it right now :D
Didn't mean to commit a fanfiction murder ;) I'm staying true to Stockton, so I'm hoping people don't think I'm giving it a false image :p Kili was having a great time re-blogging everything Gaga related LOL.
Thanks for the review :)
Obsessed reader: I used alcohol to Thorin's advantage if that makes sense ;) Yep, that definitely has so much to do with it! Nat feels threatened by Thorin's presence in Rue's life. Who wouldn't be LOL? We've all seen how intimidating he is haha. Yes, she definitely would have noticed but wouldn't ask in fear of offending Rue since she knows she's sensitive about her weight. 'Sides in my head (which I should've described) Rue would wear baggy clothes a lot. Not sure why, but that's just how she dresses when I imagine her. Awe, I love your observations of Gimli and Kili LOL! Nori had to have the devilish exit line ;) Kili is officially a monster.
I think if a random reader clicked on the review page and saw "he even touched Eleanor," they would think dirty things LOL. Astrologically, I like to think Rue being the Cancer she is, soothes Thorin's Scorpio-self (In my canon, he is a Scorpio). I always love your analysis of their relationship. The chills and the feels? I think I just fainted :p "Bitchtastic offensive mode" has made me laugh really hard haha. I love the wording there. I didn't mean to make this your addiction…or did I? *Innocently winks*
Thanks for reviewing!
Guest: Yep, Rue is extremely sensitive and emotionally damaged, though I have attempted to lighten up the crying. At this point in the story, it feels like she wants to grow, so she is going to :) I love that you referred to Rue's mom as a "heinous beast of a character," since she technically hasn't even made one appearance. It makes me feel quite accomplished :D The direction the plot is going, Rue is going to have to step it up and give many people black eyes along the way (totally kidding about the black eye part). Rue's self-doubt is definitely crippling to the point that she would never believe Thorin wants her. Ahaha, I didn't mean to make you so frustrated. I promise when they kiss, I will make their kiss three pages of passion, intensity, love, and all those other things. Awe, thanks for calling my Thorin hot! In my head, the mugger pulled the trigger out of fear more than anything else. He saw Thorin coming―and boom―pulled the trigger. Sorry if I didn't portray what I was thinking better.
Thanks for the review!
Dearreader: I really enjoyed writing the "blue embers" part, so I'm glad you liked it. Awe, thanks for saying you're so invested in them. There's a shit-eating grin on my face :) Kill Rue's mom with an overdose? Those are some strong words!
Thanks for reviewing!
Guest: Thanks for the story love :D I think you got your answer from reading this chapter. That's what I do, peep, pull it off better than anyone else one day at a time! JK.
Thanks for the review :D
TheHobbitFanatic: So your neighbor thinks Gandalf is Voldemort's spirit animal? Haha :D Okay…so are you pushing your neighbor or Gandalf into Niagara Falls? Either way, it's funny.
Thanks for the review :D