Chapter Twenty-Three

I stared in awe, I had read multiple stories and tomes, and lore about the Great Eagles. But to see them in person…it took your breath away. They were several times larger than my Harpy Eagle shift, which did impress them upon their meeting. I had been tasked to aid Radaghast and Beorn in find help in our quest to help the Army defeat the Orcs. This was the first time I had met Radaghast in person but I liked him immediately, I would definitely seek him out at a later time to speak with him as he was a little harebrained but similar to me and my kind of magic. Beorn was most impressed with me, having been the first Shifter in an Age, I was similar to his shifting ability and he was impressed at my rendition of his bear form. While we were there Radaghast sent me outside to greet our new guests and I was shocked that our guests were the Great Eagles. I was in awe of them. I shifted and circled around them a few times trying to get over the sheer size of them. When I had landed Radaghast laughed at my shocked expression when I shifted back into my human form.

The eagles were fascinated by me as well and asked that we speak at a later time and date, I was honored to do so and said as much to them. They stated they'd be happy to bear me to the battle field as they aided our friends and comrades. I climbed upon Gwailhir, he was young by the Great Eagle standards but he was still very large. I remained in my human form and wrapped myself in my cloak to stay relatively warm while we flew. Radaghast and Beorn were carried by the other two that we saw, apparel two more would be joining us on our way there for a total of five. After settling into my spot we took off, and it was exhilarating. I've flown on my own, but flying with a Great Eagle was something that very rarely happened. I enjoyed the sights and sounds as we flew off into battle, I tried to quiet myself but the animalistic part of me…was itching for a fight.

I was woken from my meditation by Gwailhir that we'd be arriving momentarily, from our spot in the air I could see the smoke and hear the fighting. Gwailhir warned me he was going to dive so I readied myself. The dive itself was better than any ride I had been on and I could hear the adrenaline and my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

On the Battlefield…

Fili and Kili looked up from their fight at the large keening that could only be coming from something very large and loud. The Great Eagles were here! Fili could have laughed at the luck. He then noticed riders atop three of them as they dived. One was a brown cloaked wizard, likely another member of Gandalf's order, the next was Beorn the Skin-Changer they had met outside the Mirkwood. The final was…

"Is that?"

Fili tried to look closer but as the Eagle dived it was confirmed, riding the large Great Eagle was the little human that had ventured into the prisons while in Mirkwood.

"Braelyn, she's nuts!" Kili called.

Fili grinned at his brother, crazy perhaps. But she was gutsy, he had a soft spot for the girl. She definitely would put more than a few hundred dwarves to shame. Suddenly the girl and Beorn seemed to falling far faster than their Eagle counterparts but their bodies were shifting and morphing. It was unlike anything Fili had seen, soon replacing the small human girl was a very large metal plated bear!

Braelyn POV…

Sky diving was something I had always wondered what it was like in my old world. To be honest I knew I would never do since I generally am afraid of heights. But since coming here…my confidence was so much more than it had been. I knew what I had to do, but the rational part of my mind was telling me that free falling off a diving Eagle wasn't the smartest idea. But the animalistic part of me was tell me…go for it. Taking a steadying breath I unraveled my fingers from the Eagles feathers and slowly let go and before I knew it was falling steadily with the eagle, it was a wonderful weightless feeling. I made myself more streamline and I fell at a quicker than the Eagle. As the ground was rushing up to great me I morphed my body, it was an animal I had seen in books but it would have my own twist to it. I felt the cloak shred away as I rolled easily onto the earth, my large furry body took the impact better than I thought it would. I managed to make a large crater sending many Orc's flying. I easily got up and began cutting through the Orc's like butter, I felt their blades and staves bouncing off my plated armor.

Unlike most dire bears, my own had its own twist. Instead of bone-like small plates. The Armor protected the most vial bits of me covering my head, neck, back, belly and joints. Yet I was fully mobile, so much unfortunate for the Orcs. They tried to stab and me or jump upon me, but a quick swipe of my paw, or kick of my rear legs sent them flying killing them nearly instantly. Soon my area was clear and any other orcs ran away when the saw me. I rammed through another group that were surrounding the two Dwarven brothers. I plowed through them! Soon they had a way back to their company and turned my attention back to others that needed my aide.

Finally I was alerted that Thorin and a group of his finest warriors were going after Azog, if they took out their leader they would have little trouble dispersing the army. I shifted into my Harpy Eagle form and kept them in my sights, it seemed that they were take the fight to some ruins. I landed in the ruins and no one would be getting past me I would be making certain of that. The room itself was empty but there was only one way in and one way out, and they would have to be getting past me. I shifted into my dire wolf form, it was armored just like my dire bear form. My hearing could still pick up the sounds of battle from down below in the valley, and I could hear the footsteps of the dwarves. A few moments later the stench of a orc entered my senses, I growled menacingly and I saw the orc come in my sense. How very unfortunate for it. My watch began.

I don't know how long I fought, or what had happened beyond the walls of my post. I lay back in the snow cover stone floor, the stone bit into my back. But I had no energy to move, between all the fighting and the multiple shifts my energy was very nearly depleted. The corpses of my enemies lay all in front of me, there were several dozens, a few wargs even, but none got past me. None were going to hurt my friends, nor my prince whom I scented earlier.

My prince.

I had come to terms with the fact that I had fallen in love with the elven prince. I knew I had absolutely no chance with him either. He was hopelessly in love with the Guard Captain, it was a love triangle. She didn't love him for nothing more than his status and power it would bring her. She had an ugly soul residing within her, she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted she had already proved that she would go through anyone she thought to be a threat to get what she wanted. Although we had become closer than I had thought possible, he was completely smitten with the red haired elf. Although he wouldn't want me like I wanted to, I would protect him with everything I had. It was another one of those unrequited love stories. I loved him, he loved her, and she didn't really want him but would settle for the title and riches it would bring her.

I heard footstep approaching, mentally I grumbled as I was finally somewhat relaxed, but I dug deep and pulled myself upwards clinging to a final throwing knife I had, it was all I had and I needed…as long as I didn't miss. I nearly flung it at the figure before I recognized the scent and tall statuette of King Thranduil. I noticed him before he noticed me, and barely caught me in time before face-planting on the stone. He looked around at the bodies, leaning me up against the stone wall. I must have looked horrendous. I certainly felt disgusting.

"Been busy, I see."

I mumbled incoherently as I pressed against the wound across my side, trying to staunch the bleeding there. I was beginning to shut down, my body was exhausted and even with my armor I still got injured pretty good. My adrenaline was wearing off so I was in pain everywhere. If Thranduil spoke to me…I didn't hear or focus much on it.

"Braelyn!"

Peeking an eye open I saw Legolas come up from behind where I stood, from behind where I protected. He paused slightly before coming over to our side. Part of me wanted to groan and push him away, I hated feeling weak and helpless and I really didn't need the Elven Prince seeing me like this.

"She needs healing," Thranduil said shortly.

"I'll take her,"

I opened my mouth to protest but I was scooped up rather easily into Legolas's arms. Legolas and Thranduil shared a conversation but I missed it, I was focusing on trying not to focus on the fact that the room was slightly spinning and we hadn't moved yet. Although now I was vaguely aware we were moving.

"You are by far the most maddening and crazy woman I have ever met,"

"You are safe though, that is what matters,"

I felt him pull me a little closer.

"Your life maters, do you not know that?"

I chuckled once without humor and immediately regretted it due to the pain.

"No one would care,"

and I really didn't need the Elven Prince seeing me like this.

"She needs healing," Thranduil said shortly.

"I'll take her,"

I opened my mouth to protest but I was scooped up rather easily into Legolas's arms. Legolas and Thranduil shared a conversation but I missed it, I was focusing on trying not to focus on the fact that the room was slightly spinning and we hadn't moved yet. Although now I was vaguely aware we were moving.

"You are by far the most maddening and crazy woman I have ever met,"

"You are safe though, that is what matters,"

I felt him pull me a little closer.

"Your life maters, do you not know that?"

I chuckled once without humor and immediately regretted it due to the pain.

"No one would care,"

I didn't hear his response. I don't remember being taken into the healing tent by the healers, I don't remember much after my conversation with Legolas.

I woke up later that evening, it was dark and I was in a healing tent with lights hanging from the tent pole. I realized I was covered head to toe in bandages. I attempted to move and regretted it.

"Oh good you are up,"

Looking over was Reiala, she was a nurse from Mirkwood, and she had seen me far more times that she cared to I imagine. She knew what I was and one of the few people that understood me and knew how to properly treat me. She was a no-nonsense kind of elf and wasn't afraid to tell it to me straight.

"How bad am I?"

She frowned at me.

"You are worse now than you were the last time you came to me…"

She didn't treat me when I was found in the hovel, so the last time she treated me was when I defended Legolas from the raid. It was a while ago, but not so long ago. I winced at the memory.

"Several broken ribs, a cracked ankle, a concussion, deep bruising covering 95% of your body, you are lucky that none of the wounds are poisoned or infected." She relayed to me

I beckoned her over and she aided me in sitting up.

"You will be sore for a while," She mentioned.

"How are our casualties?"

She looked grim.

"As any war, there are numerous, I do not envy Guard Captain Tauriel for relaying the deaths to the families."

I was silent.

"Our comrades? What of them?"

She looked sad.

"The younger of the two dwarves, Fili and Kili were killed…and Oakenshield fell as well."

I sat there in stunned silence. I rubbed my hands over my face.

"The line of Durin passes…" I mumbled.

"The dwarves came and collected the bodies, I suppose their culture is to bury the dead…" She said sadly.

I nodded numbly. Per any lore I had read it was Dwarven custom to bury the dead in tombs, since both Fili and Kili had passed with Thorin, they'd likely all be buried in the tomb together. With the amount of Dwarves we had here, they likely would not waste any time get the tombs erected. My heart felt heavy with the knowledge.

"Is King Thranduil still here?"

Reiala shook her head.

"His majesty and Mithrandir should be in Mirkwood by now."

I paused and I saw her frown.

"Don't even think about leaving, you're still injured."

I looked at her pleadingly.

"The Guard Captain and the prince are still in the camp, yes?" I asked.

Slowly she nodded.

"Please, let me go back…"

She looked at me, probably to determine if I was being stubborn or if there was reason behind me wanting to leave.

"I can patch you up best I can, but riding a horse will be sheer torture on your body."

I nodded, and she shook her head disapprovingly. She wrapped me up with what she could and handed me some crutches and a pouch of tea leaves for the journey. If I needed to stop to rest I should brew the tea and it would help with the pain. I had one stop I needed to make before I headed to Mirkwood. I snuck out through the back and to the stables, the horse I normally used, Thor, waited patiently as it took me several attempts to get on him. Wrapped in a dark warm cloak I took the short journey across the bridge and I knocked on the door. A few moments late Balin was the one inside, I could hear laughter inside.

"Braelyn, come inside its cold out here…" he offered.

I smiled softly and shook my head.

"I need to head back unfortunately otherwise I would." I said softly.

"Ah well, you'll be missed my dear. How are you holding up?"

I smiled painfully.

"I hurt, mentally and physically."

Balin nodded in understanding.

"You didn't know them as much as any of us, but the loss of friend and comrade is heavy on anyone's mind."

"They were all so young…" I murmured.

"Aye, young in their age, but mature in their years. They will be sorely missed."

I sighed.

"Would I be able to send a letter to Dis? She won't know me…but..."

He smiled softly.

"Hold a moment my dear, I will write down her address."

He left the door for a moment and returned with a small piece of parchment with an address/location on it.

"Send a Raven, they'll know where to find us, they always do." He suggested.

I nodded, I could feel tears in my eyes. I wasn't particularly close with any of the dwarves, but the end of so many of them…it hurt.

"You have a large heart milady. Keep in touch with us, Glorin won't admit it, but he's very fond of you," he stated winking slightly.

I nodded. We said our goodbyes and I headed in the direction of Mirkwood, I managed to catch Legolas and Tauriel huddled in a private corner of the woods, their foreheads touching and playing absently with each other's hands. Like there was nobody else in the world. A sweet and tender moment between the two elves. As well as a moment that tore my heart into a billion of tiny pieces. I knew that it was in the works, I knew it would happen. But my heart hadn't been able to steel itself properly for the break. Rather than travel back with the rest of the band, I would head back on my own.