Hi Guys, me again! So, everything has been a bit hectic the last few months. Sadly, and, it could not have come at a worse time for me - As some of you might remember I lost my cat late in December of last year and unfortunately, I had to have my dog put down in February. So, I've sort of been wallowing in self pity for the last few months. It's so weird not having either of them around 8(
I have has some free time the last few days as I took some time off work for my birthday and got this chapter finished up. I know its been a while since my last upload but I hope you can all remember what happened and I hope you like it! Please read, review, follow & favourite as you see fit - and as always, enjoy!
Chapter 34
The dwarves mill around us for a while, sometimes making rude comments about Alvaldir and myself for one reason or another, but mostly just ignoring us. I keep my eyes on the elf and he alternates between watching me and our kidnappers.
It does not take long for two of the five dwarves to go, leaving only three, who quickly set about getting themselves a drink and starting up a new game of cards at the table some distance away.
"Alvaldir," I say quietly, my eyes flicking from him to the guards. We have not been told that we can't speak to one another – but I don't really want the dwarves to overhear me either. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Quite clearly I am not okay," The elf says back, his usually melodic voice somewhat ruined by the lisp his split lip has given him. He still manages to sound his usual cheerful self though. "What is going on?"
"I'm sorry," I say, and mean it. I dragged him here to help my brother and now he has been pulled into some sort of murder plot to over throw the King and start a war. I decide to be as honest as I have a right to be. "There are warring factions within Erebor and it seems they are planning to use the two of us to start a war."
"Wonderful," The elf snaps, not nearly as worried at the implications as I feel he should be. "It is no surprise that the rest of the world wants nothing to do with your kind – you can't even keep your own people in line."
"It's a bit more complicated than that," I snap back. I don't want to argue with him because he certainly has a point, but I still have my pride and despite my current situation I know my people are not all bad. "But we have more important things to worry about at the moment."
"At least that we can agree on," Alvaldir huffs out, then shakes his head. He looks over to the dwarves who are whooping and joking at something and then back to me. "Just what do your people intend for us?"
"They are not my people," I snarl, probably louder than I should have as the dwarves pause their card game to look over at us. Alvaldir and I avoid their gazes and each other until they return to their cups. I continue, still angry but at a lower volume, "These are the bastards that injured Bruin."
Alvaldir is silent for a few moments, watching our kidnappers in the dim light. "Well then, what is their objective?"
"In the long run – to remove the line of Durin from the throne," I say, blowing out a breath that makes my throat hurt. The skin on my neck feels tender but I can't inspect it with my hands tied. "Where we are concerned, they are going to kill me and make it look like you did it- and in doing so start a war between our people."
"Well I can see why I was selected to play the part of villainous elf, but why you? Does this rogue faction have something against your family?" Alvaldir wonders aloud, then spits blood from his mouth.
I can see how he might have come to that conclusion – first my brother was struck down, no matter he wasn't the target – and now here I am, tied to a chair in a dank cave. If I didn't know better I might have thought this was some plot against my family too.
"They think that I am close with the royal family." I say vaguely, because at the moment I don't even know how close I am to the royal family.
"I imagined you must be," Alvaldir nods and I furrow my brow.
"Why would you imagine that?" I ask, still frowning hard enough to make my face hurt.
"Your king is not fond of my people," The elf says, which is not unknown nor a particularly intuitive leap. "For him to allow you to seek help from King Thranduil would be most unusual if there was no attachment between the two of you."
I blanche at the thought that it is that easy to see that Thorin and I have an attachment of any kind. I had never really considered it as more than friendship until last night – whether that is because I did not see it myself or because I did not want to see it I don't know, but it is embarrassing to think that it has been so obvious to others all this time.
Though I hope not obvious to all others.
"I did think you might be related," Alvaldir admits, clueless to my internal struggle. "You dwarves all look alike to me."
"Aye, well I can assure you we share no blood," I tell him. "My relationship with the Royal family is … complicated."
"I'm sure." Alvaldir says flatly, clearly not believing me or interested enough to delve deeper. "I only saw your King for a few moments, while I was tending to your brother, but he did seem quite concerned when he found you passed out in that chair."
I groan and would put my head in my hands if they were not strapped to the arms of my chair.
"He was very insistent that I tell him what had happened to you on your journey to end up as you did," Alvaldir continues, almost as if he is enjoying my embarrassment. "Only your healer was able to convince him to leave me be."
"He is rather stubborn." I admit grudgingly.
"Another trait your people seem to share." Alvaldir snorts, flexing his hands against his restraints.
"Yes well it-" I cry out as something flies past my face, catching me on the chin as it does, then bouncing down my chest to land at my feet with a clack.
"Oi!" One of the guards yells, already stalking over to us. He squats down in front of my and picks up a rock, tossing it in the air before catching it again. "What d'you think you're talking 'bout?"
"The weather," I growl out, feeling something hot and wet slide down my chin.
"Don't get smart with me, pet," The guard snaps, pointing a meaty finger at me. "No talking, either of you."
He gives us a glare and walks off, but not before giving Alvaldir a swift punch to the stomach which leaves the elf gasping, hunched over as much as his restraints will allow. It takes a few minutes for him to get his breath back and then he sits up again, trying to regain his composure.
"How did they catch you?" I ask, quieter now to avoid drawing their attention back to us. I remember Alvaldir leaping about in the woods as he fought the spiders and while I have confidence in the strength of my kind – they would have had to put hands on the elf first.
Alvaldir is silent for a few moments before letting out a huff.
"I was sleeping," He tells me, as if he is admitting a grave and terrible secret. "Truth be told my attempts to heal your brother left me with little energy."
I make a mental note to tell Truin she was right about Alvaldirs healing affinity when I next see her – If I see her again.
"I did not hear them when they fought the guards your King stationed outside my door nor did I hear them enter my room," He continues, tilting his head to watch our captors. "Truthfully I did not realise what was happening until I was being dragged out of the door."
"Do you know if we left the mountain?" I ask, because out of the two of us at least Alvaldir was conscious when he was kidnapped- even if there was a sack over his head.
"I don't believe so," he says after a moment of thinking. "Not by any means that took me outside at least – I can't pretend to understand this warren you live in."
"There are likely tunnels that lead out of Erebor that do not involve being above ground," I concede, fighting an overwhelming desire to itch my nose. "Though I am not privy to such information."
"Some Kings pet you make." Alvaldir snorts.
He is lucky I am tied to my chair or I might have tried to kick him.
We lapse into silence for a while, not wanting to draw any more ire from our captors and I watch as Alvaldir struggles silently against his bonds. I give mine another few fruitless tugs and then tip my head back against the cold stone of my chair with a sigh.
My head is still pounding, and I can feel the pull of matted blood in my hair whenever I change my facial expression. My chin stings from where the rock hit it but these are all the least of my problems. I close my eyes to block out my surroundings and try to figure out how to escape.
.
.
My planning doesn't go well because instead of concocting a daring escape plan I passed out instead – however upon waking an idea blossoms in my mind, courtesy of my full bladder.
There is no way to convey my plan to Alvaldir who unlike me appears to have managed to stay awake and is gazing blankly at the ceiling, looking bored and annoyed.
I wonder briefly how long I was asleep for as the candles that illuminated our small section of cave have all but burned out and two of the three guards are now snoring on their cots, their card game obviously ended.
The one remaining guard is sitting in one of the chairs a way off from us, sharpening his axe with methodical precision.
"Excuse me," I say, quiet enough that I hope it won't stir the others. The guard looks up at me, then returns to his work. "Excuse me," I repeat.
"What?" He growls out, pausing to glare at me.
"I need to relieve myself." I tell him, earning myself an eyeroll and a scoff.
"Not my problem, girl," He rumbles, really not interested in continuing our conversation. I press on.
"I'd really prefer not to piss myself," I say flatly, and he shrugs.
"Don't really care what you prefer to be honest," he tells me, continuing his blade care. "You might as well soil yourself – you'll be dead soon enough."
There isn't much I can say to that because he's got a point, and in his shoes I wouldn't risk it. Still that doesn't help me get away so I keep on at him.
"Your plan – as little of it as I understand – is to convince all of Erebor that I have been killed by an Elf," I demand, and the dwarf turns his attention back to me. "Well anyone that knows me knows I would never be so afraid that I'd wet myself at the hands of an elf."
"Body does it's own thing when it's dying," the dwarf says in a bored tone, still watching me. "Can't control it, no matter who your opponent is."
"Yes but-" I start, so desperate for this to work that I don't care if I'm arguing over whether or not I'll shit myself when I die.
"Just let her use the can, Derreth!" One of the other guards bursts out from across the room. "I'm trying to sleep over here and I can't with you two debatin' if it's alright to go for a piss or not."
Derreth looks like he wants to say some choice words to the other guard but he must outrank him in whatever informal system they have set up because he holds his tongue.
I watch as the dwarf sets down his whetstone and axe, grumbling as he does so before coming over to me, muttering under his breath.
"No funny business," He demands and I nod quickly to show I understand even though I have every intention of engaging in some funny business.
The guard is not completely stupid and unstraps my arms first – then ties my wrists together – before releasing my legs. He hauls me up by the back of my shirt and I am not prepared for the wave of vertigo that sweeps over me and I stagger.
"Oi, I said no funny business." He snaps, jerking me forward again and giving me a little shake.
"I got knocked out!" I exclaim, trying to get my feet under me and right myself. "I think I might have a concussion."
"Just walk!" The guard demands, still holding on to the back of my shirt as he pushed me forward. We walk further into the cave. I see the sheen of wet walls and the sound of dripping gets louder – there must be an underground water source nearby.
Derreth gives me a sharp tug to stop me in my tracks, "Alright, here will do."
I stop and glance over my shoulder to see how far we are from Alvaldir – I can see him in the darkness but only just. The other guards are just dark shapes in the back of the cave.
It is no act when I struggle to drop my trousers and squat, trying to conceal myself from Derreth whom I'm sure is still watching me. I do my business and make as much of a hash as I can at pulling my clothing back into place.
I manage my undergarments on my own then, slowly, turn to Derreth.
"Could you.." I feign embarrassment though I don't know how well I manage it. "Would you mind helping me."
"I'm not your nurse maid girl," Derreth snaps, looking furious. "Dress yourself."
"I. Can't." I grind out, shaking my bound hands at him.
He curses under his breath, snarling and grumbling as he steps over the uneven stone floor to my side. Still swearing and calling my mother every name under the sun he bends down to hoike up my trousers.
It is almost too easy to slip my arm over his head and twist my body so that his neck ends up in the crook of my arm. He starts to protest and I flex and tighten my grip, securing the hold and cutting off his air flow.
Derreth begins to gasp. He slaps and scrabbles at my arm, his feet kicking and making dull thuds on the stone so that I have to kneel on the back of his legs to keep them still. He thrashes, making a soft mewling noise which I can do nothing to silence.
He lasts another forty seconds before he goes limp in my grip.
I hold for another ten seconds out of spite and then slowly release my hold, making sure to keep Derreth from dropping to the floor like the sack of rocks he feels like.
It almost surprises me to find that I am panting and my hands are shaking from the effort.
I finish the half-completed task of re-clothing myself and quickly check over Derreth – he is alive, which is probably better than he deserves, but I doubt he will be joining us again for a while.
With these two tasks done I pick my way across the cave, towards Alvaldir, keeping low. I know elves have good eyesight, but I'm not sure how they compare to my kind in the dark. Still, I hope he can see that I am returning on my own.
As I pass the chair that Derreth was sitting in I take up his axe, slitting the bonds that hold my wrists as I go. Then I am moving as quietly as I can towards where the remaining guards are snoozing.
I have a split second of indecision as I flip between the thought of freeing Alvaldir first or dispatching our kidnappers while I have the element of surprise. If I am caught without freeing him I have doomed us both but if I take the time to release him and am noticed I lose my advantage.
It is the first thought that decides me. I can't risk that the two dwarves will overpower me leaving us in no better position. At least with Alvaldir free there is hope for one of us.
I slink over to Alvaldir and try to unbuckle his restraints as quietly as I can – but the blasted things clink and jingle the second I touch them.
"Back already Derreth?" The other dwarf asks around a yawn. "Thought you might take the chance for a quick tumble."
I wrinkle my nose at the implication, both outraged and disgusted by the thought and try the buckle again.
"Derreth?" The dwarf asks, then there is a shout and I know I have been found out. I give up on the buckle and swing the axe, slicing clean through the leather to free one of Alvaldirs hands. He wastes no time in freeing the rest of his limbs as I turn my attention to the dwarves.
One dwarf is already on his feet, sword in hand and advancing – the second a step behind him.
I heft the axe and try to keep in mind that not only am I fighting in the dark, on uneven ground but that I have recently received a head wound that has effected my balance. I widen my stance and plant my feet for stability.
"Where's Derreth?" The second dwarf demands, jabbing his sword in my direction.
I smile in the dark, "He went for a tumble."
"You stupid bitch," The first dwarf snarls, lunging forward to stab at me. I block and angle his sword away, swiping with the axe, but the dwarf leaps back out of my range.
"Watch it Matun!" The second dwarf advises unnecessarily as the two of them try to circle me. I shift so they both stay in front of me – while I certainly don't want them being able to flank me I'm also aware that Alvaldir does not have a weapon. They can't get past me.
"The boss warned us you were a fighter," Matun growls out, advancing again. "Didn't say anything about how stupid you are though."
"Well your boss has obviously never met me then," I say, then unable to help myself from prying, "Does your boss have a name, perhaps I can introduce myself?"
"What – you think we're stupid?" The second dwarf scoffs, coming up beside his companion.
"Up until now – yes," I taunt and they both come at me.
I am caught in a hail of blows which I only just manage to block or evade, having to give up my plan of standing my ground or risk being skewered.
I score a glancing blow across the back of the second dwarves forearm but receive a shallow cut from Matun in return. We dance back and forward like this for another minute or so before the pounding in my head becomes strong enough that it is all I can do to focus on my opponents.
The second unnamed dwarf scores a hit to my leg and though it is only a scratch it puts me off balance enough that I fall, rolling as I do so to avoid the downward slash of Matuns blade. I stagger to my feet in time to deflect the next attack but the follow up is too quick.
I brace for the feel of steel parting skin but it never comes – instead a rock comes flying out of the darkness and smacks into the side of Matuns head with unerring accuracy. The dwarf drops his sword and falls to his knee, pressing his hands to his head while letting out a string of curses so colourful that they almost make me blush.
Another rock is hurled at the second dwarf, then another, and another till he has no choice but to holding his hands up to deflect the onslaught. I take my chance to sink my axe into his neck at the point where the shoulder joins.
Blood spurts in an arc around us. The dwarf lets out a gurgling scream and tries desperately to stop the flow of blood as I wrench my axe back out of his body.
Alvaldir appears at my side, scooping up the dropped sword. He points it towards Matun but I hold out a hand to stop him from giving a killing blow – I need at least one of them alive.
"Thank you," I say once I have my breath back. "I appreciate the help."
"I thought it best not to let you die – considering our current situation." Alvaldir informs me and I snort. It would have achieved the rebels plan if he had let me die by the hands of the dwarves just as well if they had forced him to do the deed himself.
"Well whatever your motivations, I am still thankful," I smile, then turn to the matter at hand.
Matun's companion is writhing weakly on the floor in a pool of his own blood, moaning every so often but growing fainter with each passing second. He will be no use to me – though I was not expecting him to be after delivering what I knew was a killing blow.
Matun on the other hand is still conscious and swearing quietly under his breath, a large red welt on the side of his face where the rock struck him, oozing blood.
I grab him by the collar and haul him to his feet, narrowly missing a clout across the ear when the dwarf swings for me. Luckily Alvaldir is on hand and quickly grabs Matuns arm, twisting it behind his back to dissuade any further attacks.
Together we man-handle the dwarf over to my chair and quickly strap him in – tight enough that the leather bites into his skin. He struggles against us but he has no chance against both myself and Alvaldir.
"Whatever you are planning – don't be long, I'd rather not be here when reinforcements arrive." Alvaldir tells me. I nod and he gives me space, striding off further into the cave – to keep watch or do some routing around.
I squat in front of the dwarf and he watches me with pure hatred in his eyes. I smile.
"Now, I'm going to ask you a question, and you are going to answer it." I say to him, running a finger along the edge of the axe, aiming for threatening.
"You'll not get a word out of me," Matun snarls, straining against his bonds. "Do your worst."
"I intend to." I say, still smiling.
….
Meanwhile.
….
Tybbar watches the King pace, keeping his body still and his expression neutral so's not to attract his Majesties attention. The King is enraged – and rightly so.
Not only was Lady Ruin snatched from her quarters but the Elf she bought in to heal her brother has also disappeared. No on knows if this is coincidence or by nefarious design but everyone has agreed it is not good news.
Tybbar himself is furious. Exhausted as he was he had been a fool and taken Lady Ruin up on her offer to use Bruin's room to rest while Toldin took his shift. The fighting had awoken him, and he had rushed to help only to find the door had been barred from the outside.
He had realised quickly that there was no way to open the door from his side and had proceeded to the family room, then barrelled through Lady Ruin's room to join the fray – but he had been too late. Lady Ruin was gone and Toldin had been taken down by a sword through his stomach.
Perhaps even worse had been when Lord Dalkin and Lady Yutte arrived. Unlike Tybbar, Lord Dalkin had simply beaten against the door until the hinges had given up and the door had fallen into the hallway.
Lord Dalkin had taken one look at the carnage, the bodies and blood and had disappeared back into his room – only to come out a second later wearing a sword and a pair of axes. His face like thunder.
Lady Yutte by comparison had followed her husband out, seen the bloodshed and gone straight to Lady Ruin's room. She had returned looking ashen faced and had stared at Tybbar with blank eyes, disbelieving that she may has just lost another of her children.
Tybbar rolls his shoulders to suppress the shiver at the memory of her broken expression.
The King flicks a glance towards him then resumes his pacing – he has barely said a handful of words to Tybbar since he had given his report. Again, Tybbar didn't blame him.
Marrik arrives a moment later, dropping a bow to the King.
"I've my men searching the mountain top to bottom your Highness," Marrik advises, glancing at him and then away again. Likely he blames Tybbar for the disappearance of his Lady too. "If they are anywhere within the walls of the mountain, we'll find 'em."
"And if they're not?" The King growls out.
Marrik does not respond.
…
…
I wipe the head of the axe against my leg, cleaning off the blood as I do so. Matun's head flops forward, his chin resting on his chest and his eyes closed – likely more down to the still bleeding wound on his head than anything I have done to him.
Having never claimed to be much of an interrogator I am impressed that I have managed to get any information from the dwarf at all. He has told me nothing of the mastermind behind this plot, but he has given me three names.
Talbot, the first, is of little use to me as his corpse is currently cooling a short distance from where I stand. While my axe strike to his neck was a death sentence I know Alvaldir went back and finished the job shortly after I began my questioning – out of malice or mercy, I don't know.
The second one I have apparently met – Khune, the dwarf who's fingers have left bruises across my throat. If nothing else once this is all over I will be searching him out myself for a little payback.
And finally Ozul, who despite my best attempts to get more information on remains a mystery.
Matun has given me other small bits, pointless pieces of information such as what type of explosives they used on the bridge attack, where they planned to leave my body after framing Alvaldir for my murder - that sort of thing.
With a sigh of resignation I push to my feet and pick my way over to Alvaldir who has been cautiously looking around the cave, picking through the sparse belongings and searching the cave itself for exits and entrances.
"Have you gleaned all the information you required?" Alvaldir asks, and I notice he is now sporting a sword and has a short knife tucked into his belt.
"Not nearly as much as I'd like – but I don't want to stay here longer than we have to," I admit, looking around. "I don't know when others might arrive and I'd like to not be here when they do."
"Well then we are in agreement," Alvaldir says dryly, then passes me a piece of parchment. "You might find this useful."
I take it from him and give it a glance over, then blink and read it again just to make sure I'm not imagining it. Some absolute glorious fool has written down a collection of names and places. I stare at the paper, disbelieving that anyone could be so stupid.
"This must be the drop off locations." I say, awed at my luck.
"I haven't a clue what that means,"Alvaldir drawls, a hand going to the hilt of his stolen sword. "Shall we leave now?"
I hesitate. This piece of paper alone is more information than I ever hoped to find - but there could be so much more here. The downfall of the rebels could be tucked away on a slip of paper somewhere in this dank cave and I could find it.
But I also have a duty to Alvaldir. He is here on my request. Here to help my brother. Kidnapped because of me. I can't allow any more danger to befall him – even though he would likely hate the thought of my trying to protect him.
"Aye, lets get out of here." I say finally, stuffing the piece of paper into my shirt for safe keeping. We turn and head toward the direction of the fire and the area where the dwarves first appeared when dragging Alvaldir. I let the elf lead the way as he has done a circuit of the cave and knows when the exit is.
The entryway is little more than a crack in the rock that we squeeze through for the length of a meter or two before coming out into a middling sized room. It is roughhewn, nothing like the polished walls of the rest of the Kingdom under the Mountain.
"Mahal – I've got no clue where we are," I say, brushing myself down from the rock dust that is clinging to me. "This room doesn't look like it has been used for years and that cave is a natural formation."
I run my hand over the crack in the wall we have just exited and ponder. "I bet they stumbled on this place by accident – this fissure must have happened some time since the dragons attack, so no one knew it was here."
"Fascinating." Alvaldir says, clearly not fascinated. He opens his mouth to say something else but stops himself and instead turns his head to the side and listens.
I pause too, watching his face as it goes from annoyed, to tense, to worried.
"Get back in the hole." He demands and gives me a shove.
"Wha-"
"Go!" He snaps from behind me, still trying to wedge me into the little gap.
"Alvaldir!" I protest, unable to fight him in the small space. "What are you-"
"Someone is coming!" Alvaldir growls out, not stopping once we pop out of the other side – back into the cave. "And from the sound of it – there are a lot of them."
Dun dun dunnnnn! Anyways, that's all for this chapter. I hope you know that I have about as much idea as to where this story is going as you guys but, sadly, I will have to wrap it up soon in some way, shape or form. We shall see, we shall see.
Quick thank you to everyone who has reviewed the last chapter, both when it was fast published and those of you that have reviewed recently. It really does give me motivation when I see them in my inbox! Also - big thank to the couple of new readers who practically reviewed every chapter as you read it - that was a fun read :D
Anyway, as always please review, follow and favourite as you see fit. Until next time, much love.