AN/ hello my lovelies. Here is the new chapter. Hope you enjoy it! And please leave a review! I love reading them and they really do make my day and give me a confidence in my writing so I greatly appreciate them. As always I own nothing. Have fun.
Icy cold water splashed over the barrel dousing Fraylin, chilling her body and causing a hurried exhale to escape her through the gaps in her gritted teeth. 'Although it could be worse' she reflected upon hearing the high-pitched squeal from Gloin as freezing temperatures attacking his groin. Needless to say that was probably more painful. 'Ah well, he's sired an heir anyway.' She noted listening to his breathing which bore a remarkable resemblance to a woman in labour. He always was a tad overdramatic.
A loud "Oomph" groan was pulled from Bifur at the rear, who sounded like the unfortunate victim of gravity plus Bombur. Not a combination any of the company were eager to solve or feel. 'Whose idea was it to put him at the back so he'd land top of the pile. It happened in Goblintown too. Not the main focus here' she reminded herself firmly. In the back of her mind Fraylin could only pray the barrel impeded the momentum from such an equation though she held little faith.
Ignoring Bifur extensive employment of curse words in Khuzdul Fraylin glanced to her side as her Adad sprouted extracts of the river from his mouth similar to a fountain. Granted the overall effect was not as tranquil as the stone statues but what he lacked in looks he made up for in aim. As demonstrated in his current watering of Balin. The wise advisor looked less than pleased while he glared at his khâzash, tears of water dripping from his long nose.
"Fay! You okay?" Fili inquired the moment his head cleared the barrel, interrupting her inspection of the company. His body leaning forward over to reach her own form of transport, his gaze examining her. Due to the fact he floated behind her Fraylin had to twist herself carefully to see him without toppling into the river. That was a mortification she could live without thank you very much.
"Honestly Fee, all I did was dive into a river whilst encased in sturdy wooden barrels. Where was the danger" she teased back with a smile meeting his even expression.
"We fell through a pitch black cave…surrounded by sharp rocks…into water chilly enough to cause hypothermia…all the while not securely strapped to our 'sturdy barrels' providing ample opportunity to fall out and get lost in the current" he retorted validly, rising to her unintentional challenge. Fay's mouth hung open a second or two until she conceded defeat,
"Yeah touché. That's a pretty good point" she acknowledged to the smug devil who bore a grin to rival that of the pregnant lady who got the last of the ice-cream. Before he boast however, or ask for a certificate to hang up marking this occasion where for once he was right when she was wrong, Kili's cheeky tone cut in,
"Please can you stop the lovey-dovey-flirty thing? I get sea-sick enough as it is" he moaned mockingly from the north-east of Fay's position. Quick as a flash Fraylin countered wearing a giant smirk,
"Oh sorry, I meant to ask you about that earlier but you were too busy being wrapped up around Tauriel's pinkie for me to get the chance" her sarcasm rolling over the resonating walls as fast as the deep blush spread up the youngest Durin's face. Neither continued the witty battle as both were startled by the girly "Ooooo" from Fili.
It was the most disconcerting sight to be seen.
There was the heir to Erebor, the crowned prince, the heartthrob of the dwarven race, the masculine warrior who effortlessly lifted weights near twice his size, body of a deity…squealing like a gossipy dwarrowdam over teacakes.
At their frightened expressions the blonde regained his senses and manly pride, offering a deep grunt and in a voice much lower than his natural pitch uttered,
"Hem, gr, what I meant was yeah Kili, you and Tauriel are one to talk". Kili's cheeks were at full capacity while he desperately bit his lips to contain his barking laugh. Fraylin was not much better as she pinched the insides of her cheeks, her eyes watering from the effort. Seeing his failure Fili growled, "Shut up".
'That really isn't helping!' Fay thought as she frantically attempted to hold herself together. Fortunately activity at the front of the group garnered her focus, instantly distracting her from her mirth.
At the lead hovered Thorin who grasped one of the stone walls holding his barrel in place and by extension the others'. They could not go anywhere until he released his anchor to the ground. About him were some spare barrels, vacant without a body to fill them. They technically did not require them but Thorin could not let them pass without also slipping into the current and away without their beloved hobbit. Catching onto his plan several of the dwarves copied his motion. Dwalin clung to the right side and Kili to the left wall allowing Thorin to shift his hands to each of their barrels so he acted like a barrier, catching any loose containers.
"Where is Bilbo?" Bofur queried urgently upon concluding he was not with them in another barrel. Fraylin spun her head round quickly scrutinising each barrel. 'Did he not come with us down the slide? How is he to escape? Did he mean to set us free and stay behind? Oh because if that was his stupid plan I will climb up this cave myself and haul his idiotic ass down here…and try not to drown him for coming up with such a foolish notion. What a dumb escape.' Before Fraylin could carry on ruing the halfling's name the man himself appeared…
…then disappeared very quickly into the water. 'Is it just me, or does he have a tendency of just appearing out of nowhere when summoned? Apparently they have been from out of the sky too. First the tree with all the spiders and now from a secret compartment above. That poor boy is gonna have concussion by the end of the month if this continues.' She predicted while the Baggins scrambled to the surface, filling his lungs with a large gasp of air. Luckily Nori was close enough to get a firm hold of Bilbo's jacket to pull him up a bit. Evidently grateful for the support Bilbo wrapped an arm over the edge of the Ri brother's drum and used it to remain above the water. This river was far too deep to stand in if you were the height of man, never mind a small hobbit from the Shire. Once he finally got his footing…or well 'floating', Thorin greeted proudly,
"Well done Master Baggins"
In response to such praise from their mighty leader Bilbo offered a meek wave and breathless moan. Fraylin sympathised with the poor fellow, he had other things to worry about such as not becoming a fish than to properly reply to Thorin. Her king appeared to have reached a similar conclusion as he accepted this and rotated himself to face forward.
Fraylin could help but think that the words themselves were unusual. Ever since the Azog incident back in the Misty Mountains the two had developed a great amount of respect and fondness. Thorin referred to their hobbit as Bilbo rather than 'Master Baggins', ' the halfling' or 'burglar', all of which were terms he had used previously in a derogatively manner. True there was no malice in his employment of this address however it was still peculiar. 'Stop overanalysing things. There are more vital things to be concerned with' she scolded. As if reading her mind her Adad uttered hurriedly,
"Go, come on. Let's go." The old warrior clearly was not impressed with the speed at which Thorin had turned himself about. 'He never did have much patience.' Fraylin thought as she obeyed her father's command by paddling the surrounding liquid with her hands. Suddenly Thorin roared,
"Hold on!"
'What?! I'm in a bucket! Hold onto WHAT?!' Fraylin whined, 'why would I need to ARGHHHGHHH!'
The answer to the beginning of her question was answered by the abrupt drop rapidly approaching them. Or rather that they were determinedly being dragged towards by the strong current.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" she cried moments before the drop. The lady's eyes were squeezed shut tightly not allowing a single band of light to peek through. If she was going to fall several feet through the air with possibility of grievous injury she was not going to watch it happen on top of feeling the pain. As her container tilted over the rock ready to swan-dive over Fay dug her nails sharply into the wood praying that was enough to keep her in whatever protection it offered, no matter how minor. Her scream/ squeal marked her location during her freefall but it was cut off the moment her drum plunged forcefully through the surface, submerging her underwater. The loud splash was mixed amongst several others as the rest of the company followed suit. Opening her eyes they immediately nipped with the sting of river-water meeting her hazel orbs. Fortunately this did not last and a piercing gasp announced her re-emergence above water, catching the attention of Kili, Thorin and her father who were the sole members upright once more.
Kili stretched over to assist her gain her balance, for that really was all they could. They were drifting swiftly down unpredictable twists, bends and rapids with no form of control or management. All in all it was a pretty sucky situation. Identifying their panicked expressions she strived to alleviate their stress a tad,
"Did anybody see that? Because I will NOT be doing it again!" she declared resolutely earning a smile from her kin and a chuckle from the Durin sons. "Seriously the next time we get out of anywhere I expect a friggin carriage and horses. Or a pleasant walk out the gate. I could even accept an underground tunnel! But I ain't doing none of this jumping off walls, hiding barrels and floating shit-tacki mushrooms nonsense" she vowed, substituting her primary word for a more appropriate term her Adad would not scold her for. 'Really shiitake mushrooms? Oh yeah he won't work out what you were gonna say originally. Good going genius.' She thought, 'it worked didn't it' another side countered petulantly, 'and you're arguing with yourself again. Not a good sign. Very bad sign. Should stop. Now'.
Throughout her tirade Kili beamed. He always admired her spirit. It was a trait she shared with Fili. They could find the best or always looked on the positive side in a horrible scenario. They were a light in the dark. The scarier and more terrifying the scene the brighter they shone. Together they were blinding. The relationship between Fraylin and his khâzash reminded him of something his Amad had told him all those years ago about finding Ones and how she knew Vili, his father, was hers. She had informed him that "some of us get dipped in flat. Some in satin. Some in gloss. But every once in a while, you find someone who is…iridescent. And when you do, nothing will ever compare. That is how you know. That they are the only one for you." He hadn't really understood what she meant at the time or why his mother was so interested in paint. Fili had later told him it was what their Adad used to say. However he still failed to appreciate its worth. That was until Fay and Fili. And perhaps Tauriel. Fay's ranting was quite adorable though it was sadly cut short as Fili popped up, saw what was happening and instructed,
"Honey, not the time. You can plan a perfect get-out plan later. But right now sweetie, we need to keep moving" flashing a grin that made her heart stutter.
The strength of the river was more intense here. The force of the waterfall combined with the pull of the current sent the company hurtling down the rapids. Fay's heart went out to poor Bilbo. The little hobbit was drenched and hanging desperately onto Nori's barrel for dear life. He looked like a drowned cat. His bouncy curls were glued to his head and his fancy jacket stuck to his body providing no comfort or warmth. The rapids caused water to attack him soaking the Shireling further, as if it was possible.
The ride itself was no walk in the park. The flow of the river constantly twirl and twisted the barrels. Fraylin had not spent five minutes in this accursed raft and decided if she ever saw another barrel in her life it would be too soon. One didn't need to be prone to motion sickness to feel its affects. Additionally everyone regularly collided with one another or worse, a rocky bank before being bashed away in the rebound. Bilbo frequently had to scramble around one barrel or jump to another to avoid being pressed harshly between them. Fraylin would have advised him to climb into one of the free containers but they were all situated at the front therefore there was no way for Bilbo to access them. As if that was not enough fun to be found streams of water poured into the barrels at every turn. Fay caught a glimpse of Oin in passing, the healer sure had gained some momentum. His beard looked as though it was carrying a good gallon of liquid but still manged to cling to his face. That was quite a feat. The next to overtake her was Bombur who charged forward, Fay hazarded to guess at the same haste he could sprint at. 'Seriously what is it with that man? You know what I don't care anymore. I give up. If he wants to break physics then fine' she decided.
Their good fortune ended at the resounding boom of a horn echoed through the air alerting the guards and letting the dwarves know their time was up. They need to get out of here immediately. Thorin's eyes went wide as he tried to estimate the distance between them and the gate. If they could just get past that obstacle then the elves could not halt them. He could tell that in their current predicament they were not going to make it. Frantically paddling his hands and leaning towards the gate in hopes of increasing their speed the king bellowed,
"HURRY!"
From behind at the palace several wood-elves charged out, bows in hand ready to attack should one of the company retaliate violently. Fraylin couldn't withhold her eye-roll, 'Could every race besides our try NOT TO KILL . !' she raged channelling her anger into her arm movements, 'Please don't let me be shot by a drunk elf. That would be so embarrassing. I'd never live it down' she implored.
Fraylin flickered her gaze between the gate and the sprinting elf that was dashing towards the lever. That man had some skills... that and he was freakishly tall. How he was not suffering from altitude sickness from way up there was beyond Fraylin. He was covering at least 3 paces of Fay's in one step. The company were going to be stuck on the wrong side of the metal. They couldn't fail, not now. Not when they were so close! The elf oblivious to the dwarrowdam's pleas continued to hop up the set of stair which ended inches from the handle.
"NOOO!" their leader exclaimed sensing their imminent failure while his body disappeared under the shadow of the gate. The Erebor king was scarcely 4 feet from freedom.
Alas fate had chosen to ignore Fraylin's prayers and Thorin's outburst as the guard tugged determinedly on the wooden lever and the iron gates met in the middle. Thorin crashed into the bars. There was no weakness to exploit. They were impenetrable. The dwarven king vented his rage by shaking the metal rods angrily. With that the company were sealed into the woodland realm. 'There's no escape. That was our final shot. The elves will no doubt locked us up tighter than they had been before. Furthermore Bilbo will also be incarcerated leaving no loophole to exploit. We really will be stuck here until Thorin accepts Thranduil's deal which would be….hrmm let me think…never.' Peeking over to the burglar she could feel guilt swarm through her. Poor Bilbo never really signed up for this, he doesn't deserve it. He has a life back in Bag-End. He has outrageous relatives he has to deal with. He has dramas to gossip about. He has so much left to do rather than rot in a cell without any hope of leaving. He has a home. Something the dwarves didn't have to miss in the first place.
Barrels were piling up against one another. Thorin, Bombur, Balin and Dwalin were stuck at the point. Each could touch the object preventing them from getting out of this awful forest and leading to Esgaroth, also known as Lake-town. Every rider bore an expression of defeat. Obviously they all had drawn the same conclusion as Fraylin. Even their optimist hobbit looked desolate. Fraylin was sandwiched in the middle of Fili and Kili just outside the tunnel, meaning she could see the triumphant smirks of the wood-elves as they unsheathed their blades with the accompanying hiss of the metal.
Suddenly one of the elvish guards crumbled with an unknown force and toppled to the ground. Once he had landed harshly against the stone Fraylin could see the source of his downfall. Firmly embedded and protruding from his back was a black arrow with dirty tuffs acting as fletching.
Orcs.
Confirming their presence the offending creature appeared over the wall, a sick satisfaction of what he's done evident. Fear gripped the members who could see the new threat. Thorin could only watch as the young faces before him adopted a petrified expression. He could deduce it was a new threat through not the elves. This was something more dangerous. The tightening of Kili's jaw and the quick shuffle from Fili as he tried to get closer or in front of Fraylin. The boys only acted such a way when the enemy had no morals. They had done this in Goblintown and they had performed the same gesture with the wargs just outside Rivendell.
Fay's eyes met her kins' baffled ones. With a raised brow Dwalin inquired about the sudden change in her demeanour. Her mouth formed the words 'orcs' at precisely the same second a horrifying roar ripped through the air striking terror into the company. Another cry of pain was torn from one of the remaining gates-man. His lifeless form toppling over the edge and into the water surrounding the floating company. The very elf Fraylin had silently praised for his running skills was no longer breathing.
"WATCH OUT! THERES ORCS!" Bofur cried as the elf shoved barrels aside in its quest to hit the floor.
This was not good. Orcs in general were 'not good' but their current predicament it really was 'not good'. First off, they were pinned in tiny barrels that provided little defence. Secondly they were unarmed. Thirdly the elves were too far away for immediate assistance. The river lead out the back way of the palace meaning they had to run around from the front and across the extensive land between them and the palace. There were only a few guards standing on the gate, nowhere near a match for the group of orcs descending upon them, heck they had practically been dispatched already. Fourthly it meant the company were still being hunted, any advance they had gained from Beorn's efforts was gone. Finally Fraylin was exposed. Dwarrowdams were protected and every race knew this, especially the orcs who utilized this fact whenever they could. They needed to get out here now, or at least arm themselves so they had a fighting chance.
Fraylin steeled herself and straightened her spine. She didn't let the trolls, wargs, goblins or Azog frighten her and she'd be damned if she let this twisted sadist scare her. Hence her walls went up and her sarcasm came raring to the surface. 'Oh why don't you come on in and join the party. Mahal we have Dwarves, Hobbits, Elves and now Orcs. Did someone call the Goblins and Trolls? We wouldn't want them to feel left out! Ah well at the next get-together we'll be sure to send an invitation' she complained, mockery dripping from each word. Clenching her hands into a firm weapon she prepared herself for the orcs assault. 'We'll see how well he's smiling once my fist has kissed it. I'll go all out on your donkey ass, restructure your face' she vowed her knuckles turning white, pepping herself up. The others went through a similar process readying themselves.
More orcs clambered over the high wall fighting with the startled elves. Despite their training and talents they were no equal to the sheer numbers of those foul beasts constantly scaling over the gate. They used their strength to shove the guards off the edge either into the water or onto the bank where several orcs awaited. The disgusting creatures grunted with each attack. None of them had reached the company yet but it was only a matter of time, each second that passed there was one less guard impeding their fight to the dwarves.
Fraylin performed a quick sweep of the area all the company were reared and set to go. She located Bilbo hidden a few barrels behind her, staring aghast at the slaughter above him. His arms desperately clung to Nori's barrel. Fortunately Fili, Kili and Fraylin floated in front of him and could offer a line of defence for the inexperienced hobbit. Nothing was going to touch him and Fraylin was determined to make sure of it.
Finally the first orc managed to slip passed the last of the guards and dived towards the gathered company. His legs cycled rapidly as if running through the fall to get there faster, his arms waved manically, his filthy sword slashing dangerously, cutting through the surroundings trying to hit any and everything. One well-aimed blow by Kili to the gut winded the orc causing him to tuck in on himself stopping him from get too close to catch anyone. He bombed into the water sinking beneath the surface. Oin quickly snatched his weapon and stabbed him ending the threat.
"Looks like you aren't so useless after all" Fili quipped to his brother earning a snort from the brunette.
"Seriously? You are going-" Fraylin began before dispatching of another orc by twisting his blade in on himself and stealing the weapon, "to do this now?" Both Durin sons grinned at her but remained silent. "That's a yes then" she concluded aloud. After years of dealing with them she could read certain things. Turning around to Fili she aided him kill another piece of vermin by hurtling her blade passed her love and burring it in the orc's chest, when a nauseating grumble boomed through the land. Automatically translating the black-speech out of habit and practice Fraylin heard,
"Slay them all!" the lady gulp and met Thorin's questioning face. Instead of translating as he clearly requested she shook her head despondently. This was not something to say in the middle of an uneven battle. She would not squash the courage of the company, not when they needed it more than ever. Accepting her logic Thorin returned his focus to his immediate surroundings and tried as best he could from that angle to support Dwalin's endeavour to drown one of their attacks and bellowed,
"GET UNDER THE BRIDGE" where it was evidently safer from skyward assaults. The leader knew it was a futile piece of advice for there simply was no room for more of the company, empty barrels and a few members already occupied the limited space. But he could not sit aside and do nothing while his people were under attack.
To Fay's amazement Bilbo, the peaceful little hobbit from Bag-End stabbed an orc determinedly saving her. She had noticed the beast's approach and had been about to strike when a blue metal beat her to it and lodged itself in her attack. Fay couldn't help but smile, despite the inappropriateness of the situation, 'he saved someone', thinking back to her conversation all those nights ago at Rivendell, 'he saved me'. With a grateful nod both parties got back to their own tasks.
In the background she could hear Oin and Gloin comparing 'scores'. The red-haired dwarf was winning with "three" until Ori squeaked an impressive "five!" considering the fight had barely begun. Both warriors had stared wide-eyed at the youngest member. 'Well who'd have thought it' Fay smiled, pride seeping in. She remembered when the wee lad would get lost for hours in the library, too scared to climb to the top of that ladders to retrieve the books he wanted meaning the lady would do it instead.
Having disposed of her most recent attacker Fay stretched slightly to try and find their leader who had commanded the vile order. Up on the rocks a short distance from the river stood the largest orc Fraylin had ever seen. This was Bolg. Fearsome Gundabad orc commander. There were rumours of his horrors but that was what Fraylin had believed them to be…stories. After all who would have thought some creature on middle-earth bore Azog, of all people, a son! Yet here before her stood the proof. He had a striking resemblance to Azog in his pale white skin, his revolting features, his broad and muscular build and his dominating stance. He evidently was bred for this role. He was the one calling the shots. If he was down the orcs' campaign here would crumble. If she could just get to him somehow. Distract him or take his focus away from the company it would make the orcs retreat to him to help protect him in a 'noble sacrifice'.
Bringing her from her thoughts was a hard shake of her barrel from the falling body of an orc her Adad had violently elbowed in the neck sending the body careening away from the warrior. He offered an apologetic look then moved to the next target. Fraylin did not envy that mysterious victim, her father was really into his workout right now and he was pissed at having his plans spoiled. Put it this way, he had a lot of anger to vent and a preference for concaving faces. Fili was on Fraylin's side vigorously planting his knuckles into the orc that had an abundance of idiocy for get close enough for the prince to establish a strong grip of him.
Fraylin was about to return to her previous occupation when Kili's idleness caught her gaze. It was a lazy idleness, or a lost one. It was a plotting one. She had known the trouble-maker long enough to know when he was planning a prank or scheming stunt against someone. He was wearing the same expression now and as there was no one to prank nor was it the appropriate time for such an activity it could only mean one thing. He was going to do something stupid. His eyes were settled on the wooden lever that was hoisted high in the air from the deceased elf's last command.
"Kili" she warned, a single brow arching in caution, "Don't you dare do what I think you are thinki-" her threats were for naught as the prince gave her an apologetic yet rebellious smile then leapt up out of his barrel. How he accomplished such an expression was baffling but not unheard of for the devious little devil. He hopped from left to right, zig-zagging across the barrels like stepping stones, while the others were too distracted in battle, until he leapt onto the lower gate. Immediately he was met with an enthusiastic orc, clearly excited at the prospect of a kill. Ducking down he dodged the revolting orc's swing and entered into a series of evasive manoeuvres.
'Mahal. I am going to kill him myself' Fay sworn hoisting herself up to the entrance of her barrel. "Bilbo!" she called snapping the hobbit's attention to her, "Your sword" she requested. Instantly answering her appeal he tossed the small weapon to her, somehow keeping afloat in the effort. Catching it she directly set about following that moron she called Kili. 'What an idiot' she fumed, jumping to the next step, 'oh yes I am so smart I will just run directly towards the threat with no weapons and look all heroic while I get myself murdered. Honestly! And Fili is the blonde heir, really?!' Landing beside the brunette she beheaded his attacker, removing the distraction so the blithering numpty whom she charged to rescue could fully appreciate her "what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-you" glare. She had worked on hard on it and no orc was going to make Kili miss it. The dwarf sheepishly met her furious hazel eyes,
"Fay, look" he was interrupted however when Fraylin cut in and by the arrival of another enemy.
"Don't you 'Fay' me" she began, casually disarming her opponent with hardly a glance in that direction. In fact most of her energy was planted on Kili. Goes to show how well-trained she was that she could actually fight expertly, and with exceptional talent with her eyes closed. Throwing the newly acquire spear to the weapon-less company she continued her tone admonishing, "Kili, son of Vili. Pray, what precisely went through your mind when you concocted this reckless plan? If any thoughts occurred at all!" Kicking the deceased foe aside with minimal effort Fay then stabbed an orc who had been creeping up behind the prince unnoticed, making him release a dying moan of pain, then he too joined his companions at the bottom of the river bed. Deciding blunt honesty was his best chance at survival and for her to agree to his plot Kili revealed,
"If I can get to the lever" he started as Dwalin bellowed "Kili" passing up a long sword to fight with, allowing the Durin son to defeat an oncoming enemy, "I can open the gates so we can get out of here." Her withering glare pulled a further confession of, "and the weapon part…may have slipped my mind" he mumbled his eyes looking anywhere but her own.
"Fine. But you are still an idiot" she declared causing a shit-eating smirk to grow rapidly across the younger dwarf's face. 'It is a plan, and the only one we've got. But the smug grin'. "You head on up and pull the lever. I'll cover you".
Fraylin and Kili moved alongside each other fighting any adversary who jumped in their path. Fraylin acquired an additional two swords to use herself meaning she could return Bilbo's trust weapon which he clearly craved fro as shown by his relief once it was back in his hand. The pair had trained several times in the past that the creatures stood no chance. Each knew their partner's strike and compensated accordingly. Wherever Fraylin faltered or missed, Kili was there to pick up the slack and visa-versa. The duo were advancing up the stairs when out of her peripheral vision Fraylin spotted movement, reacting out of instinct she drew her blade up to Kili's side making the travelling blur rebound off the metal. Upon further inspection the dwarves realised Fraylin had prevented an arrow hitting the prince with her blade. It was a move Kili had employed in their fleeing of Goblintown. Evidently the brunette realised the same thing staring triumphantly at his saviour.
"Not a word" she growled before he could say 'I told you so'. Despite this his cat-that-got-the-canary smirk was in full force. Narrowing her eyes she ordered, "Oh spit out the damn canary" pulling a laugh from the amused heir. He always found humour in the strangest of times. There was no time to scold him further when another arrow flew past them and into a nearby brick. 'Oh now he's done it. That monster is dead' she agreed mentally signing his death certificate. A quick nod of understanding from Kili and she sprinted away towards the soon-to-be-beheaded archer who was fumbling to nock another projectile.
The speed at which she leapt over the boulder meant Fraylin may as well have been flying. She remained airborne as she delivered her blade to the orc's skull. The momentum of her landing creating a firm thud of her dwarvish boots meeting the unrelenting earth. Arriving at the archers' row she hurriedly ceased their assaults with her acquired sharp instruments. Once all were disposed of she was preparing to return to Kili's side so that she would be there to hop into a barrel when her weapon instinctively blocked a side attack. Twisting violently, fuelling her movements into her swing Fraylin met the face of her latest rival. Greeting her with a repulsive smile, highlighting his yellow rotting teeth, each one sharp angular triangles…was Bolg.
His towering stature hovered above her, dwarfing her smaller frame. His primary weapon dripped with the blood of fallen elves. The callous glint in his chilling eyes was more prevalent at the sight of new prey. Witnessing Fraylin's gulp of trepidation the commander's grin deepened, revealing more of his carnivorous fangs, his pasty pale skin wrinkling further obviously delighted with the feelings his presence invoked. Fay's veins were ice. This could not be happening. Of course fate had the best timing and chose this moment to verify it as fact and not some distressing nightmare when her powerful strike clashed with the metal slices sticking out of his impressive torso. She could see where skin had re-grown around the intruding material over the years. The dwarrowdam had to confess it was an effective armour even though it was barbaric, painful and twisted to inflict on a warrior. 'Seriously?! Metal shards embedded in his chest for armour?! Doesn't that hurt?!' The clang of metal meeting metal vibrated back to the company.
"FRAYLIN RUN!" Fili thundered, fear detectable in his cry when he found out who she was facing.
The failed attack must have amused Bolg for he started to chuckle. It was not a merry chuckle like Bofur's. Or a secretly pleased and delighted chuckle like her uncle Balin's. Mahal it wasn't even a polite chuckle she had seen Thorin employ at tedious royal parties where he is forced to be charming and civil to the vampire-ish gold-diggers (of the unmarried dwarrowdam variety not actual miners). This chuckle was a deep unsettling sound contributing greatly to the warrior's persona. The rumble of his chest visible as the flakes or steel shook too. Swishing his covered sword back at her he hissed in black speech. Taunting her, cruelty and disdain dripping from each syllable,
"Fraylin is it? Never had a female dwarf before? Perhaps I should cut off your head and mount it on my wall?" It was obviously a scare-tactic the leader utilised. So few races understood black-speech that the unknowingness of it all increases the terror tenfold. Apparently he had not expected a lady like Fraylin. Blocking his blow shifted into a stronger stance, stealing the momentum of his attack and utilising it in her own incursion. His surprise was evident when she spat,
"That would require you being better than me. To assume such falsehoods is your mistake. To underestimate me however would be to your misfortune." Sparks flashed as their weapons moulded together, her steely hazel eyes determined she said, "I am not afraid of you…you are nothing but scraps of an orc glued together." His face took on a fury Fraylin had scarce seen in her life, the angry contours of his face creating dark shadows which only added to his fearsome appearance.
Fraylin scarcely dodged his blade which travelled at ferocious speed to the sound of his enraged roar. The heavy clang of their swords meeting sent shockwaves tearing through the trees. Her arms maintaining the firm cross of her weapons to block Bolg's downward smash were in agony. The weight he was burdening his blade with was incredible. Fraylin needed to get out of this hold now, she could not support it much longer. Sliding one sword free she swiped his at his legs and twirled out of the way of his attack. Bolg, expecting such an ambush jumped back escaping her slash.
"GET OUT OF THERE!" she heard Fili call desperately to her. Amongst the voices she could hear her father trying to calm him, and stop him getting out of his own barrel. It would not do to have all the company out, for when Kili pulled the lever some would be left behind. It had to be just Kili and Fraylin.
Bolg and Fraylin prowled in a small circle each one sizing the other up. Out of the corner of her eye Fraylin could see the elves sprinting and firing arrows at the orcs near them. They were getting within the vicinity but not yet close enough to help her. Kili was on the steps tackling a particularly stubborn orc. Behind him lay the bodies he had slain, due to the considerable pile up those foes had not been too difficult. To Fraylin's right she could see an eager orc charging towards her, his spear aimed and ready to hit her. Fraylin was about to duck down, hold her sword steady and perform a quick circle chopping him at the knees when an axe spiralled passed landing squarely in the adversary's torso, extracting a pained squeak then making the orc drop to the ground. Tracing the throw back Fay found her uncle, he offered a brief nod, grin and a swift wink then focused on the newest arrival.
"You brainless wench!" Bolg spluttered the usual chokes and rough phonetics of the Dark Tongue of Mordor marking his speech. "You truly believe that you, a skill-less broad could defeat me, greatest commander of Gundabad, Son and heir of Azog the Defiler? Just how moronic are you?" he jibed making Fay's blood boil.
Leaping into attack she thundered "Perhaps I should show you instead!" The lady realised too late that this had been Bolg plan. Tackling his upper body to the ground she only remained on top for a few seconds until Bolg crushed her unarmoured body against the jagged fragments. Both her weapons pinned between two of the shards. A hurt cry was torn from her throat while Bolg sneered above her, his left forearm pressing down on her windpipe cutting off her natural call for help, the blade in his other hand blade rising preparing to dive down. She could distantly hear Fili and Dwalin yelling out, rage and upset tones evident in their voice.
'You will not die here. Not today. You are going to get to that mountain, slay Smaug and find Amad's room. You will not be killed by this monster.' Gathering all her dwindling strength Fraylin embedded her knee in Bolg groin gaining a groan from him causing his hold to weaken momentarily. Seizing the opportunity she elbowed the left side of his skull shoving the heavy weight off of her. Bolg's sword came crashing down to her, with barely a second to spare the dwarrowdam's blades intercepted it. Keeping the swords locked together Bolg started to lowered himself again, that disgusting smirk present again. Before he could get too within a distance for her to smell his revolting odour, though having said that his stench could probably cover a mile, Fraylin pulled her knees to her chest and bucked his oppressive mass of her with a harsh shove of her feet.
Quick as she possibly could Fraylin arose to her feet, she and her blade ready to cut through the air and destroy the foul beast when a sound Fraylin never wished to hear again broke through the atmosphere.
Sometimes there are moments. Moments people can't explain. Moments where the world stop spinning, where all noise is blanked out, movement is dulled down to a halt, where something suddenly becomes clear and people instantly know some disaster has occurred despite not seeing it. Mothers with children can sense when one is injured. Brothers know when the others need them. Sisters can sense when the other needs to talk or unload their feelings. An instinctual sibling bond. There are studies that suggest people are connected. That there is this bond people tap into occasionally when urgently needed.
That was what Fraylin felt like, milliseconds prior to,
"KILI!"
Fili's voice held such fear and dread. Something bad had happened, really bad. Forgetting all else Fay breathed, "No" her head whipped round to find that brunette trouble-maker.
He stood in shock, one foot off the ground obviously pausing mid-sprint. His customary cheeky smirk was nowhere to be located. The characteristic tug of his mouth was missing and the cheerful twinkle in his eyes that would have the sternest of people grinning was gone. Protruding from his right thigh a long pitch black arrow was situated. His left hand clutched at the lever, the agony and effort in his face clearly displaying his struggles in tugging it down and opening the gate. His muscles gave out and he collapsed unceremoniously to the floor, the force of gravity pushing upon him combined with the momentum making him bounce marginally from the stone. His body cruelly smashed against the hard rock, unsympathetic to Kili's pain. The most heart-breaking part was his high scream of agony. Fraylin hadn't heard him make that noise since he was little and those older bullies beat him up when he lacked proper training. It was a gut-wrenching sound she had never desired to hear and certainly not now.
The present came crashing back to her when a deep rumble beside her and a reflective glint of light against metal stabbed her eye. She had forgotten about Bolg. Acting on adrenaline Fay shifted to her right hurriedly to dodge his swipe. Her body was clear by a few milliseconds when the blade chopped where she had been previously. She had almost made it without loss. Despite her evasive manoeuvres Bolg managed to catch the ends of her hair with his sharp weapon, shedding the last couple inches from her and sending them slowly to the earth. The trimmings of her chestnut locks breezed leisurely through the air and decorated the stone beneath. Her eyes were ablaze with a barely contained wrath as they flicked between her beloved curls and the beast that had separated them.
Bolg bore the worst smirk to date. He knew exactly what hair meant to dwarves and that his actions were considered a sinful violation. The pride in his face made Fraylin sick. He rested his arm slightly, admiring his handiwork.
'This is too much. First Kili is down, and now this bastard chops my hair! "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Well whoever said that never met a scorned woman who received an unwanted and hideous trim. It's time to end this'. She promised resolutely.
A blood-curdling scream pierce everyone's ears, echoing and rolling beyond the hills and trees of Mirkwood. Most of the orcs instinctively covered their ears to filter out the shrill pitch. The company froze as they knew who that voice belonged to and there were few reasons Fraylin ever employed it. All eyes were drawn to the commander and dwarrowdam.
Dwalin noted the ghastly satisfaction of Bolg and his reason for being so. But he also noted that this moron wasn't going to know what hit him. That boy needed shields, at least three body-guards, his weapons raised and most importantly he needed to have starting fleeing five minutes ago.
In retaliation Fraylin pounced. Bolg had no clue what had happened until it was too late. Her blade sliced through the air faster than ever before. The cool metal broke his skin on the right side of his face leaving a deep, thick cut which was destined to leave an ugly and mutilating scar. Blood was already pouring out of the wound at an alarming rate. He had no time to focus on that however when a solid elbow to his left side of his skull knocked him stumbling backwards. Fraylin had diverted the momentum from her swing to her backwards blow, using the same arm she had slashed him with to push him away.
Bolg was not free for long when a roundhouse kick ploughed him to the ground, burying his rotting teeth into the dirt, causing several cracks to snap out of the near-invincible leader. Fraylin advanced on her fallen enemy. All his had taken less that twenty seconds. She had scarcely seen her moves never mind outsiders. Bolg was rolling onto his back with an agonising groan, blood trickling out his cut and through the gaps of his teeth and passed his chin. Meanwhile the dwarrowdam flicked her wrist, angling the sword to point downwards, ready to pin this creature to the floor and finish his breathing permanently.
The sharp whistle of an arrow flying past her ear and into an orc charging toward the fallen Kili halted her movements.
The elves are here. Fraylin didn't have time to kill him and escape, she needed to get moving now lest the wood-elves get a hold of her. Besides Kili needed her and that was enough to push her body past the crumbled commander. Sprinting pass the piles of dead elves and orcs Fraylin made for the gate.
Her hand gripped the coarse rock as she hoisted her body up and hopped over it with a mere flick of her wrist. Arrows continued to shoot past her form, all of them hitting their targeted orcs directly in a fatal area. At least Fraylin hoped they were targeting the orcs. She didn't fancy being a form of target practice right now. She had dealt with enough this last ten minutes and it still isn't over.
"Kill her! Kill the She-Elf!" Bolg instructed evidently back on his feet following his encounter with Fraylin.
'Tauriel' her mind breathed, 'I could kiss that woman!' she praised, relief flooding her body. Another point occurred to her though when she realised Bolg had singled her out. She must be ahead of her division. She's alone. Fraylin refused to let any harm come the elf she dared to deem an ally and friend.
"Hoy fat-arse!" she called looking back over her shoulder to the furious commander, "gonna send your minions after an elf?! Are you too chicken to finish what you started?" she goaded further jumping round a fallen tree, dodging still bodies. "Bolg, mighty Gundabad commander defeated by a dwarrowdam".
Her final mocking sneer had done it. Bolg marched furiously in her direction. His stampede violently shoving aside any in his path, be they friend or foe. A deep growl dominating his tone he claimed,
"The brunette wench is mine". Bringing his bow out he took aim and fired repeatedly.
'Crap,crap,crap,crap,crap' Fraylin cursed as she dived and ran to avoid his projectiles. Fortunately he was a terrible shot with a moving target. The nearest one had missed her by a good few feet.
The dwarrowdam could see Kili much better now as she got closer and closer. She could identify his admiring gaze on a form behind her. 'Well that's where Tauriel is then. But really now? Hardly the time Kee!' she though alighting on the gate with a loud thud, the opposite side of the lever to him. Using his upper-body strength he hauled himself up with the steps, scrambling towards the lever. With a sudden lunge forward he landed on the wooden beam making the iron gates open and release the floating company below.
The effort obviously using everything in him, the prince fell solidly to the ground, another moan of anguish breaking from him. Fraylin was by his side in an instant. Tapping his face repeatedly she tried to get him to open his pinched eyes,
"Kee come on! Wake up. We have to go! Come on!" hoisting his arm above her shoulder and lifting him to his feet Fraylin carried most of the heir's weight. In her panic her brain-mouth filter took a brief respite, "Mahal what have you been eating? People lose weight on a quest you numpty not gain it". Her unintended outburst garnered a small snort and chuckle which made her humiliation worth-while. She took a step towards the edge dragging him with her, "Come on tubsy".
When she arrived she found a problem.
Quite a large problem.
Or a problematic problem, though that is generally what all problems are but this was extremely problematic.
There was only one empty barrel.
In the chaos surrounding their escape and unlocking the gate Fili had only managed to save one container. Dwalin and the others had been pushed past the fall by the current before they could do anything. It really was amazing Fili had the presence of mind to do this. Fay quickly made some deductions and plotted several schemes in her mind all in the couple seconds they had been loitering there. The elves were coming and more orcs were fleeing/chasing this direction. Something had to be done this second. Kili, seeing her thought processing protested,
"No Fay. Go! Get out of here, I'll be fine" he declared whole-heartedly trying to push her off the ledge but his depleted energy and weakening state meant his endeavours had no effect.
Gulping and taking a deep breath Fay met Kili's worried expression.
"I'm sorry" was all she said before shoving him off her and over the bridge into the awaiting barrel. The black body of the arrow embedded in Kili's thigh snapped making the heir cry out. The sudden force of Kili's landing liberated the barrel from Fili's hold and by extension loosened Fili's grasp of the side causing both Durin sons to go hurtling off down the river.
Their exclamations of "FAY" and "NO!" were unheard as Fraylin looked up to the oncoming circus of wood-elves and bloodthirsty orcs.
'Well this will be fun.' Her sarcasm coming out to play, 'Tag anyone?'
AN/ there how was that? They are out of Mirkwood…well sort off. I apologise for ending it on a semi-cliff-hanger. I had intended to do the whole scene including the river bit and getting to the beach but the chapter is extraordinarily long for my usual count. Plus I haven't done a good cliff-hanger in a while. That and I have no time but wanted to update this week. I confess I was so looking forward to this scene. I always loved it and the film adaptation is marvellous. Hopefully this meets everyone's aspirations. I was thinking at the start of the next chapter or the one after I may cover Dwalin and Fili's thoughts during the gate scene in a similar way to what I did back in Goblintown? If no one agrees I'll just leave it be, but it's an idea. Also I know Bolg is the one who get Kili in the leg but I wanted him and Fay to have a confrontation which meant I had to switch that up a bit, forgive me for it please. Please leave a review! Thank you and see you at the next update :) Good job if you spotted the quotes from 'Flipped' and 'POTC'. I always loved them :) Sorry if there are any mistakes, I was in a rush and wanted to get it done so haven't edited it fully. Will do better next time I swear!
Live4dancing- Thanks again for another fabulous review! I was never much of a writer when I was younger so this praise really gives me confidence and reassurance. :)
MyrenBritanika- Cheers! I worked hard on it. I was worried it'd be boring as they never really moved anywhere while trapped in their cells. I didn't want it to be boring. Now at least there was some action in this chapter. What are your thoughts? :)
Nanshi33- you are thanking me? I should be thanking you for the lovely review. I constantly worry when I post them, in case they are dull or terrible. I love reviews so thank you for posting one! Please feel free to carry on doing so :) I am so glad I managed to make you feel a bit better, nothing worse than being bored with the flu. Hopefully it has passed now? If not I hope this chapter makes you laugh.
readergirl4985- Thanks for another unbelievable review. I really love to hear people's thoughts. I confess my pal said something like that when I met up with her so she'll have to take the credit for the Aunt Mary line. I loved it so much I had to share it :) I was hoping to create that image, my sugar-dazed mind found the idea hilarious!
animexchick- Thanks for the review! I always like getting one from you as you leave such wonderful comments and nice long paragraphs for me to enjoy :) evidently this chapter answers your Kili or Fay gets shot question. Thoughts? I did consider having Fay take the arrow but then the consequences would affect the vague plotline I have going on. :)
electrogirl88-Thanks for the review! Hopefully this chapter was as good as expected? Let me know your thoughts I am kinda worried I rambled on a bit.
Dare queen- thanks for the review and I am so happy you approve of the last chapter. Here's to hoping this one is as good?