Chapter 63 Memory in Thorin's POV
The howls of wargs had come upon them at first light while they were still gathering their things to head off for another day. Frightened muttering soon followed. Their group had decreased drastically, but there were still injured and children amongst them that would be easy targets for those horrible creatures.
"To arms!" King Thror yelled, pulling his own axe from its place. Suddenly a flurry of movement occurred as those who could fight pulled weapons. "Anyone who can't fight, retreat!"
"Lead them on," Thrain said to Dis as she picked up both her children. She had already gained much of her strength back after having Kili and could very well lead the group with haste.
"This way!" Dis yelled, running off away from the howling cries. The dwarves gathered themselves quickly, grabbing stretchers for the injured and pulling anyone who couldn't run onto their backs. It would slow them down, but they would not leave anyone behind.
Thorin pulled out his own weapon as he helped an older dwarf raise from the ground.
"Thorin," Thrain said, catching him by the arm when he tried to follow his people to battle. "Go with your sister. Lead our people to safety."
"I can fight," Thorin protested.
"That's why I need you with them!" Thrain said. "They need someone to defend them if anyone should get past us. Take some of our soldiers with you."
Thorin scowled, but nodded. As much as the glory of battle called to him, the safety of his people overwhelmed it. He had a duty and he would not let a single dwarf fall.
"Good, now go," Thrain pushed Thorin on before turning back to battle himself, taking with him all but a few of the soldiers who were still helping the last of the people collect themselves.
Only then did Thorin realize that he had no idea where Haran was. His husband had been by Dis's side when the wargs' sounded, but when she had gone he too had disappeared into the panicked fray. For a moment Thorin hesitated. Haran wouldn't have gone to the front lines with his father and grandfather. He was far too injured to be much use in a battle against wargs. Besides, he thought, Haran had always preferred defense over attack. He must be leading the escape with Dis.
Satisfied, Thorin checked one last time to make sure no dwarves remained who could not fight before he and his men took up the rear guard.
It surprisingly didn't take Thorin long to find Haran in the chaos. In fact, his husband made it rather easy as he stood outside the group directing them to make a wide turn. It looked as though Haran was just waiting for the end of the group, but Thorin could tell that wasn't the only reason. He was breathing heavily even as he called out for their people to hurry and sweat was already collecting on his brow.
Thorin frowned.
Although Haran had recently taken up training again, he hadn't had to do anything this strenuous since they had regrouped after escaping Erebor. Nor had most of their injured and it was quickly starting to show as the back of the group grew heavier and heavier with the injured. Even some of the rear guards were forced to overtake the injured on Thorin's orders to stay with and protect the main pack. The others were forced to slow their pace to stay at the back even as they pushed the injured along.
Haran caught sight of Thorin at the back of group and held out his arm. Thorin didn't hesitate to take it, pulling Haran along by it. The force probably pained Haran to no end, but without Thorin pulling him along, they both knew that he wasn't going to be able to outrun any wargs that might be on their tail.
"Why are we turning?" Thorin asked. The original plan before they had been threatened by wargs was to go as straight as possible, only making turns when something was blocking their path. But they were in the middle of a field and Thorin couldn't see anything ahead. They shouldn't have needed to turn.
"The closest cover is thick forests this way," Haran said through gasping breaths.
Of course Haran, a lover of travel and maps, would know the area. Thorin had no doubt of his decision and could only smirk at his husband's ingenuity even in these circumstances. They may yet survive this without tragedy.
Only then did a warg's howl sound nearer than it should. Some of the creatures had made it past the soldiers. They were coming for them.
"Hurry!" Thorin commanded of his people, urging them to go even faster.
"They're closing in!" someone yelled and Thorin grit his teeth. The forest was just within sight. Some of the dwarves had already disappeared into it. Yet a majority of them were still a far from its edge.
Thorin looked back at Haran who was gasping and stumbling. He wouldn't' last much longer. Suddenly, Thorin remembered Frerin. His brother had been a good and kind dwarf who loved to play and have fun. Yet he had been cut down by an ambush of orcs. Worst still was that he didn't die immediately. He had been poisoned by a blade to his side and Thorin hadn't had the medicine needed to save him. He had tried to bring Frerin home, to save his baby brother, but the harsh gasps of his brother trying to hold on through the pain had slowly faded until they were no more.
Thorin wouldn't let that happen to his husband. Not this time.
Not this time.
He redoubled his pace, jerking Haran with him. The dwarf cried out at the sudden force, but made no other signs that he was in pain. Yet Thorin could feel it in his heart. Haran was suffering greatly.
"Thorin," Haran gasped through the pain, "we can't outrun wargs!"
"The trees!" Thorin called out, ignoring his husband's warning. They had to outrun the wargs. They had no other chance. "Climb the trees!"
Suddenly, Haran's hand was shaken free from Thorin's grip. For a heart stopping moment, Thorin thought a warg must have taken his husband. He turned, ready and willing to throw himself between any warg who would threaten Haran. Yet, there Haran stood, knife already in hand while one of the orcs was pulled from its mount by the force of another, tripping another as they both fell.
Haran reminded Thorin so much in that moment of his former self. He stood tall, a knife held confidently in hand. Not missing a single target, though everything was against him. Just like the time he was suffering the Sickness. Haran would not let anything slow him down now. It was as though the whole world meant nothing to him. It was just him and his target. Thorin always believed that Haran was the loveliest creature he had ever seen, but now he was absolutely breathtaking.
But the wargs were still closing in. Haran's interference was only slowing them slightly and they had no archers in their group to throw a volley of arrows. It wouldn't be long before they were on him.
"Haran!" Thorin yelled, still holding his sword ready, "Run!"
Haran glanced at him, threw one last dagger at a warg's eye, and then ran. Thorin held his breath when a warg snapped at his husband's feet, but by mere luck it missed. But still, it had to die for the sin of trying to harm his husband. How dare it. How dare that creature even try to come near him. Thorin stabbed his sword through the foul beast mouth and to be back of his head before spinning around and beheading the orc atop it.
He was the last to enter the trees, shortly after Haran had made sure there was no one left out of cover. He followed his One to a small alcove alongside the rest of his soldiers. Each one of them held their weapons firm and ready. None of them would give up. Not until the bitter end.
"We hold out until the king returns!" Thorin demanded. They didn't need to be told. But just the fact that the king would return was enough to ease some of the fear. They wouldn't have to stay strong for long. Their king would come and save them.
"Stay with me," Thorin whispered to Haran as the growls of the wargs closed in. He wanted to pull Haran into his arms and kiss him, but now was not the time.
"Always," Haran smiled, pulling out his own sword and readying for the fight.
Thorin loved his husband so much and rare moments like these were only reminders as to why his husband was so amazing.
AN: This chapter was requested Anno1701. Thank you so much for requesting! ^_^
If you guys have any chapter or memory that you want to see in any person's POV, please let me know. I have so many chapters, I can never pick which one to work on next.
Happy Holidays everyone!