Dwalin never took his eyes off the door. He is being a hopeless idiot waiting to see if his elf comes back. It's been a few days. Dwalin rubbed his beard then let out a frustrated grunt. Dwalin closed his eyes for a moment. The chains' movement vibrated to his shackles making his eyes shot open and hand shooting out to grab the source. He stopped himself when he saw the hobbit standing there big-eyed. Dwalin mumbled, "Sorry Bilbo."
Bilbo hesitated, "It... It's alright. I can see the elves didn't take care of you."
Dwalin huffed, "That's an understatement, lad."
A jingle caught Dwalin's attention. He asked, "Where'd ye get that?"
Bilbo glanced up from undoing his shackles, "Miriel. She got them for me."
Dwalin couldn't help but feel his shoulders slacken. Dwalin stayed silent. Bilbo continued what he was doing getting his left hand free. Bilbo started to work on his right before breaking the silence, "She cares for you. I can see it."
Dwalin didn't say anything so Bilbo tried again, "Miriel wanted me to make sure you make it out safely so she is doing her best to keep the prince occupied."
Dwalin felt anger rush through him and spoke slowly, "What. Did. Ye. Say?"
Bilbo hanged his head unlocking his shackle. He knelt down working on the ankle shackles. Dwalin growled, "Half-ling, what did ye say?"
Bilbo swallowed, "She's keeping the prince and his guard occupied."
Seeing Dwalin getting red faced, Bilbo quickly finished with the shackles. Dwalin pushed past the hobbit going through the door. Bilbo stumbled. The dwarf looked left then right before going down to his right. The hobbit hurriedly followed the dwarf, "Dwalin! Wait! That's not where we need to go."
Dwalin stopped making the hobbit bump into his back, "I need to find her."
Bilbo huffed thinking he could stop the stocky dwarf by grabbing his wrist, "Miriel told me to get you to where we need to go. The others are already down there waiting."
Dwalin looked the way he started to go then back where the others are at. Dwalin grit his teeth letting out a groan turning around to where the hobbit wanted to go in the first place. Dwalin swore to his friend he would help him get the mountain and that's what he did first. Dwalin mumbled, "I'm going to give her a piece of my mind later if I ever see her."
For his hearing, Bilbo paled. Dwalin obviously had the wrong idea.
I placed my blades on my shoulders, "Hey prince-ling!"
Legolas stopped talking with one of his guards to give me a glare. I smirked, "Yes you. You said my swords aren't properly made swords. I can assure you they are."
Legolas gave the report back to the guard while piping up, "What do you propose?"
I moved my blades in front of me, "I want to spar with you."
Legolas eyed my blades before speaking, "I don't have time for a silver-spooned elf to spar."
I glared at the prince hopping down from the second story. My hair glided forward from my back at impact. I twirled my blades at my sides, "Silver-spooned? That's rich coming from a prince."
I stood up walking towards him, "A prince who gets anything he wants as long daddy says so."
Legolas sneered at me when I got closer. He is disgusted to be near me. Legolas was the one who egged me on instead of me to him," A lord's daughter stooping so low to find her mate in a dwarf. An ugly dwarf who must be a miner from the mountain. You're a miner's mate. A lowly ugly fat miner's mate. Who knew you would steep so low?"
I grit my teeth and swung my blade forward. He didn't have time to react when my blade made contact with his cheek. A silver line across his cheek bone. Legolas mocked with a light upturn of his lip, "It seems I made you angry. The dwarf's temper is rubbing off of you."
I grabbed his tunic pulling him closer to me. I spoke low and quietly, "You are mistaken. I always had this temper."
Legolas never looked away from my eyes. Each of us glaring at one and the other. A guard came rushing, "Prince Legolas! The prisoners! They are escaping."
Legolas' eyes turned from a glare to eyeing my person, "You... you knew about this."
I lied, "I did not. I haven't seen the dwarves in days."
Like planned, I made sure no one saw I had any contact with the dwarves. Well made sure Tauriel knew I had no contact with the dwarves. She became Dwalin's guard keeper since the incident till today. Today she was busy with some drunk elves. I made sure of that. I felt a cold sensation wash over my person.
Kili is above the barreled dwarves. Thorin and Fili watch on worried. Fili watches on with worry. No one could of seen it. The arrow dipped with black poison fly towards Kili. Seconds before it strikes the target of his leg, a light blue cloaked figure pushes him to the ground taking the arrow. It lands in her side and a cry emits from her lips. The woman looked down at the younger dwarf who looked up big-eyed. Kili breathed out, "Miriel..."
I cracked a smile, "Join your family. I got this."
Kili scrambled standing up, "No! I'll protect you!"
I shook my head, "No. Go to your family."
Kili without weapons turned around to at least do hand-to-hand combat. I groaned with a roll of my neck. I grabbed the young dwarf and pushed.
My chest was going up and down from breathing heavily. I instantly let go of the prince sheathing my blades. I ran from the elves. It's going to take them a second to register what I just went through and what just happened. It always happened. Whenever I have a vision, no one knows what to do or how to act around me. It can be towards my advantage just like this for an instance. I ran through the corridors and I could hear Legolas yell to his guards, "Capture her and the dwarves!"
Well distracting him didn't go as planned. I mentally cursed at the random guard who notified the prince of the missing prisoners. I thought I was able to get them all drunk or at least the ones who deal with the dwarves and Dwalin. The word of my capture didn't reach the gate guards as they were opening the gates to capture the dwarves. I smirked as they thought I was one of them. My eyes instantly saw the young dwarf over the other dwarves. I swallowed pumping my long legs faster. My hands made contact with a dark blue tunic and pushed the dwarf down. I winced once the arrow made contact. I don't know which to put my hand over: my shoulder or my side. The younger dwarf looked up and breathed out, "Miriel."
I cracked a smile despite the events, "Join your family. I got this. I'll help you escape."
Kili scrambled standing up, "No! I'll protect you!"
I shook my head, "No. Go your family, young dwarf."
What surprised me was Kili not backing down from me, "You are family! You are Dwalin's One."
I swallowed. I heard an arrow whiz past me and a thump falling down. I noticed Kili is distracted and took this as advantage. I grabbed his tunic wincing from the strain I'm putting into my side, "Learn not to put your guard down, young dwarf."
Kili's eyes went wide when he realized too late that I threw him into the water. I hope he landed in a barrel. I looked up meeting eye to eye with an Orc. His beady eyes looked down at the lever and I followed his eyesight. I grabbed one of my swords. I didn't hear the conversations happening underneath. My main focus is saving them and getting the orcs off of them. I pulled out the arrow from my side letting out a gasp. The orc rushed towards me putting all of his weight onto me. My back landed on the bridge, startling the dwarves underneath. A call came out from underneath, "MIRIEL!"
I held my blade against the Orc's blade and it is a battle of strength. I could smell the awful stench of the Orc's breath. The Orc spoke in black speech, "You won't be saving your dwarf friends now. Their heads will be staked at the fortress and you will be saved for Azog."
I spat in his face kicking the lever and it creaked. I spoke low, "Not today and not ever, you foul creature."
I felt the orc slacken. I grunted as it became more dead weight. A patter of feet came towards my way and instantly I felt the weight get pushed. I looked up into the eyes of Tauriel. She looked towards the river, "You better hurry. The dwarves and hobbit are getting further. I'll have your back."
I gave a nod grabbing my blade. I stepped onto the edge of the bridge. I looked down at the running river. I closed my eyes jumping in. Instantly, cold water washed over my body. The wound started to sting and I gasped at the feeling. I moved my arms like a frog pushing myself to the surface. I gasped in air as the water dragged me towards the dwarves. Fili and Kili's voices called out, "Miriel!"
Dwalin swirled his head behind him seeing a silver bobbing head behind them. Thorin called to Dwalin, "Dwalin!"
Dwalin instantly brought his attention to the problem at hand. My side rammed into a barrel creating a cry from me. A hand grabbed onto my arm. A voice ringed through my ears, "Lass! Are ye okay?"
My free hand is pressed against my wound. I breathed out, "Okay as can be, Master dwarf."
The surrounding dwarves looked worriedly. The owner of the hand looked worried gripping my arm tightly, "Let's pull ye in."
I shook my head speaking quietly, "I can't. It hurts."
Bofur is holding onto my bad shoulder which is creating a great deal of pain along with my wound. A wave washed over my head. Water sputtered out of my mouth. I looked up, "I can't hold any longer, Bofur. My arm. It's hurting."
My fingers started to let go of his arm which made it harder for him to grip onto my arm. Another wave washed over me adding water between our skin. Bofur called out, "MIRIEL!"
Water surrounded me as my natural body reaction is to curl up from the pain. My shoulder is hurting more than ever. If tears are leaking out, I wouldn't know. The water washes away any evidence. Red and black leaked between my fingers from my wound. An underwater current pushed me towards a sandy barrier. I winced at the impact but my eyes stayed shut.
Kili, Fili, and Bofur started to look around the area. Each one of them called out, "Miriel! She's hurt!"
Dwalin crawled out of the water hearing the three dwarves call out his One's name. Dwalin instantly looked around. His eyes caught Thorin's and Thorin gave a nod. Dwalin looked around for any evidence of his silver haired elf. Balin watched his brother looking around trying to act casually but could see the panic rise. Dwalin's thick feet walked around the beach sinking into the sand. Dwalin ducked under branches on the right side. His breath got caught in his throat. The branches and brush moved back to where they were hiding him. Only Thorin and Balin had seen where he disappeared to. Dwalin quickly went to the elf's curled side breathing out, "Miriel."
I groaned lightly, "Dwalin?"
I felt his hands uncurl my body before they grabbed my shoulders pulling me towards him. My face met his beard hair while his hands repositioned themselves to cradle my body. His warm breath tickled the top of my head. Dwalin whispered, "Ye scared me."
A light twitch of my lips, "I scared you? That's impossible."
Dwalin pulled me back staring back, "I saw ye hangin' to Bofur. The 2nd wave got ye."
I adjusted myself in his lap. I never once let go of my wound. I am sure he would notice by now. I winced once I finally got comfortable. Dwalin's hand met with my right hand adding his own pressure to my side. Dwalin whispered while putting his forehead on mine, "I thought I lost ye. This... whole thing is new to me. I still might lose ye..."
I stared at his facial features. I can heal myself with elvish healing. I just need to find some kingsfoil. I raised a hand to his face and touched his cheek. My fingers lightly traced his bone structure through his beard which he closed his eyes at the feeling. I whispered, "I'm sorry,Meleth."
Dwalin's jaw clenched. I could feel the muscles underneath tense up. I continued, "Meleth you will never lose me. I... I can heal myself."
Dwalin could feel the sticky substance leak through his elf's and his fingers. Dwalin growled, "Ye're losin' too much blood."
A twitch of my lip went upward, "I will be fine. I just need something to stop it. I promise you, Dwalin."
Dwalin's blue eyes scanned his elf's face. His shoulders slackened. Dwalin mumbled, "Ye're goin' to kill me."
I reached up and lightly kissed his cheek, "That's what Ones do. We kill each other."
Dwalin's eyes looked up in a are ye kiddin' me look. I shifted again placing my hand gently against his cheek. My fingers traced down his bone once more tangling themselves in his beard. I yanked on it gently, "You know it's true."
Dwalin was about to retort but his eyes widened. My lips touch his surprisingly soft lips. His beard tickles my chin and cheeks. I pulled away with a smile, "Your beard tickles. And I am right. You cannot deny that."
Dwalin spoke under his breath, "Just shut up about ye bein' right."
His free hand reached behind my head and pulled me back towards him. His lips tasted mine once more. He tasted like smoke. It's not a bad smoke. It tasted sweet. He pulled away. My glazed eyes looked up at him. A voice called out, "Dwalin!"
Dwalin stopped staring at his elf to look towards the voice, "Give me a second!"
Dwalin moved my body to rest against a stump. I shook my head to get rid of the feeling. This nice, this really nice feeling. My heart is beating more than it should. I didn't know it could beat this quickly. A rip of fabric brought my attention back. Dwalin lifted his finger gesturing to my shirt, "Lift it up."
A warmth touched my cheeks, "What? No! We aren't betrothed!"
Dwalin knelt on his knees, "We need to patch ye up, Miriel."
I used my free hand to help maneuver my body away from him, "No!"
Dwalin was about to tower me till I hit him with my foot, "Just give me it to me and I'll do it!"
He grabbed my foot and yanked me closer to him. He glanced behind him, "They're goin' to come back here now let me do it, she-wolf."
I used my other foot to kick him away but his temper from my resistance flared which ended up with him grabbing my other foot as well. He growled, "Will ye stop?"
I huffed, "Dwalin! Please!"
The other dwarves blushed at the sounds coming from the hidden brush. Kili looked over at his brother, "What do you think Master Dwalin is doing?"
Fili stared at the brush, "Sounds indecent."
A female voice was heard behind the brush, "I said DON'T YOU DARE!"
Bofur took off his hat placing it on his chest. Dori instantly has his hands over Ori's ears, "Don't listen it's quite indecent."
Dwalin's voice was next, "She-wolf, ye're goin' to let me. Now pull up yer tunic."
Thorin felt a blush surface on his cheeks. Thorin looked over to the older brother of Fundin's children. Balin looked at Thorin and pointed to the brush. Thorin nodded. Balin sighed hopping off the rock to where his brother and his One were hiding. Once Balin got closer, "Dwalin, laddie. I don't think that is any way to treat a woman."
Dwalin's voice came out frustrated, "It is with this stubborn elf! She won't even sit still."
Balin closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He tried again but going through the brush, "Dwalin, it really isn't the way to treat a lady."
Balin was going to turn away but noticed that the two were decent. Balin went into the area they were in, "What is goin' on?"
Balin saw the elf on the far side away from Dwalin while Dwalin holds a piece of his ripped tunic. Dwalin gritted his teeth, "I was going to dress her wound."
The older brother raised his brows, "Wound?"
I pointed to Dwalin, "He wanted me to remove my shirt. I told him I could handle it."
The white haired dwarf sighed, "Dwalin maybe ye should let Oin fix her up. We have to start moving before the beasts and elves catch up."
Dwalin huffed gripping tightly at his ripped piece of fabric. He stood up pushing past his brother leaving the two alone. Balin spoke softly, "He... doesn't know how to act around you lass. Sorry."
I felt heat rise from my cheeks as the memory of what Dwalin and I did moments ago before he asked for my shirt to be off. I spoke, "I-it's alright. It's not his fault. I might be overreacting. It could be the poison."
Balin's eyes widened, "You didn't tell him."
It was hard to find the words and I didn't think of it fast enough till Oin appeared. Oin went through his pockets. He was lucky they didn't search him fully. Oin spoke up, "Alright lass. Let's fix ye up."
I watched Balin blinked then walked away. I gave a light nod, "Uhm.. yes sure."
I have to speak to Balin before he speaks with his brother. After this, I definitely will.
Thank you Ro781727 for helping me by proofreading this.
