"My goodness are you alright" asked Bilbo who looked almost exactly like Martin freeman. Bilbo tried to walk to me but was stopped by who I assumed was Thorin.
"Why is a crippled elf covered in blood doing here?" said Thorin while stepping closer to me and pointing his sword at my throat.
"I understand the crippled part but why the bloooo…"looking down at my clothes I trailed off. My clothes were stained with dry blood as well as the remaining cuts from the taken earlier."... neverminded, as for what I'm doing here quite frankly i fell out of that hole just above the cave there" i said while gesturing to the hole i fell out of a few moments prior.
Thorin taking a quick glance at the hole just above the cave lowered his sword just barely. "and what pray tell were you doing in that hole"
"I'd love to tell you but as of right now don't you hear that?" I questioned hearing someone off in the distance shouting random nonsense. They all stopped to listen and when they heard what I was talking about they closed ranks and pointed there swords in the direction of the noise and a few seconds later radagast burst through the trees shouting nonsense. Seeing this Gandalf calmed the dwarves down and welcomed his friend.
"Radagast" Gandalf said in a relieved voice. At this point I checked out of the conversation knowing that soon a warg would come from above, and sure enough there it was. The warg lunged at me first ,most likely due to the blood grabbing bolt-caster smacking the warg away from me as it tried to claw me drawing bolt-caster while gripping it with my feet. I slashed at it, cutting deep and killing it where it stood.
"Who did you tell!" Gandalf said with a sense of urgency
"No one" answered Thorin quickly.
Stepping closer and putting his hands on his shoulders Gandalf asked again. "who did you tell"
"No one I swear, what is happening," Thorin said while looking around and hearing the various wolf howls.
"You are being hunted" at this Gandalf told the company to get ready, seeing this radagast spoke up.
"Let me lead them away," said Radagast while heading over to his sleigh.
"These are gundabad wargs they will outrun you". Said Gandalf with a pleading look.
"These are rustabell rabbits, I'd like to see them try" with that radagast sped off through the woods and off to the plains out in the distance.
The company quickly started moving so I decided to follow after them. Thorin tried to say something about me but was cut off by Gandalf.
"Thorin we have a common enemy at the moment, so swallow your pride and start running" Thorin simply nodded his looking, not pleased about it.
"Thank you for that Gandalf" Gandalf smiled at me and started after the dwarves with me following quickly behind him.
Reaching the edge of the forest we came across a large plain with rocks dotting the landscape. Seeing the wargs chase after radagast we slowly made our way through the planes hiding under rocks and other such outcroppings. Eventually we found a large outcropping where we hid under it and hearing the wargs slowly going farther away we relaxed slightly, soon though we tensed back up as a warg was right on top of the outcrop, Thorin motioned to who i now recognized as kili, kili seeing this drew his bow and stepped out of the shadows and fired at the warg causing it to fall down and the orc riding it to fall off. Drawing bolt-caster a ran up to the orc and sliced its head off but not before it could let out a shriek of alert.
"Run "I shouted to the dwarves and started after Gandalf who had already started running to the hidden entrance of Rivendell. Soon the dwarves followed after me and Gandalf the wargs though were soon upon us. After running for 10 minutes we reached the entrance to the cave and Gandalf had slipped into the cave.
"Where is Gandalf?" shouted a dwarf.
"He has abandoned us" shouted another as they started to get closer to each other sheathing bt caster and strapping it loosely around my waist I reached into my bag and pulled out some ammunition for hawkmoon feeling a bit dizzy i gritted my teeth and loaded hawkmoon pulling it out of its holster i drew it and pointed it at an orc but before i fired something caught my eye. A small orc garbed in hive armor riding a taken warg the orc was holding a black sphere that was emitting a white smoke in one hand and in the other it was holding a short sword. My eyes widened at this and i pointed my gun at the orc and fired, the roar of hawkmoon seemed to stop the battle amd all the eyes were on me, the orc wearing hive armor seemed to stop and look directly at me before turning his taken warg around and running off away from the battle but not before the orb he was holding glowed and shot a tether at me the tether was fast incredibly so i wasn't able to dodge in time. The white beam of energy hit me in my right shoulder knocking me to the ground. At first I didn't notice anything but when I went to push myself back up I saw an arm, a taken arm. Standing backup took a look at my new arm it looked like the warlock taken armor that you could get in destiny 1 but i knew that this wasn't armor this was my arm I could feel the gentle breeze of the wind blow across it and i could also move the taken fingers as if it were a normal arm. However my experiments with this new arm were cut short as an orc swinged it's blade at my head ducking underneath the blade i instinctively swung my taken arm at it and soon a blade of ice formed off it very similar to a certain alchemists blade, the ice blade met the orcs neck and decapitated it and side stepping the warg as its orc rider fell from it i stabbed into its neck and twisted the blade causing the warg to go limp. Retching the ice blade free from the warg I turned to another warg that was behind me but before I could attack the warg and its rider were shot full of arrows. Turning my head I saw a group of elves hunting and chasing the orc pack away, sighing. I waved to the elves and eventually I saw Hugo weaving come up to me recognizing this elf is Elrond I bowed slightly.
"There is no need for bowing, you are among your kin now" said Elrond with a smile on his face while wearing his elvish armor that had a blue and silver color scheme to it. He was also holding a bow in one hand and he had a sword hanging at his waist. Soon another elf came up to us and stopped when he looked at my rather haggard appearance. He was slightly shocked with his mouth hanging open just slightly.
"We need to get you back to Rivendell immediately" said the new elf bit before he could continue. Elrond raised his hand stopping the elf from getting off his horse.
"You need not worry haldir he is not injured, although i am rather curious as to why a guardian is here and has a taken arm" said Elrond while looking directly into my eyes.
"I can answer your question but as to how I have a taken arm that isn't corrupting me I have no idea" with that Elrond nodded his head and gestured to Haldir.
"It would be best for us to get back to Rivendell to discuss this matter, Haldir will give you a ride on his horse" thanking the both of them i walked up to Haldir and got onto his horse, Haldir stiffened however when my taken arm brushed him briefly. Removing my taken hand away from him I sat up on his horse and soon we started off to Rivendell.
"How can one so bright have something so dark attached to them" muttered Haldir under his breath and i couldn't help but agree i was basically a walking contradiction right now.
'I mean I'm glad for a new arm. I was going to try and find a replacement anyway but still a taken arm...wait, that ice was stasis right ghost'. My ghost soon responded mentally.
'That was stasis and I'm assuming that you can only use stasis via that arm, I also scanned that new arm of yours and learned that you can't channel light into it'. Adjusting myself in the saddle i mentally nodded. After all, it makes sense that I wouldn't be able to channel light through it. It did make sense though that I could channel a darkness based class into it. Soon we reached the entrance to Rivendell and I have to say the movies didn't do it justice. It was incredible and just being there felt at peace much like the last time I met elves although I suppose those elves were probably illusions created for the trial. Soon the hunting party surrounded the dwarfs and I could hear Thorin yelling to close ranks. Soon the hunting party stopped and Elrond got off his horse and walked to Gandalf welcoming him; this invitation was then extended to company.
"The only ill will you'll find here is the one you bring with you Thorin." I heard Gandalf say to Thorin, getting off Haldir's horse I walked over to Gandalf.
"Ah the Guardian, I was wondering where you went off to," said Gandalf as he turned to face me. "I do see you have a new arm?"
"Yes the arm is still a mystery to me and how does everyone know in a guardian" I asked Gandalf as we started walking to the building in front of us.
"Certain beings of middle earth know what the Guardians look like it is very hard to miss someone who shines as bright as you and your ghost" hearing this my ghost crackled out startling the dwarves behind us.
"That's neat, well I guess I better go and talk to Elrond now" nodding his head Gandalf said that he would as well. Heading to where Elrond had left earlier we eventually came upon a staircase that led to a table where Elrond and Saruman were already sitting. The sun was starting to set at this point casting the valley in an orange glow.
"So this is the guardian, I don't recognize you" said Saruman in a skeptical tone.
"That's because I'm new to middle earth. I only got here 4 or 5 weeks ago" I said while looking directly at Saruman.
"That's what I assumed, however a new guardian showing up can only mean that your help will be required in the future, "said Elrond while gesturing for us to take a seat at the table. Sitting down at the table I looked at Elrond.
"I have to agree with this. I recently found a tower in some woods with a taken guardian in its basement where I learned that oryx's lieutenant killed her, and corrupted her, though she did kill the lieutenant" Elrond paused at this news.
"And what woods are these?'' I was about to answer what woods bjt Gandalf cut me to it.
"The troll swallows just before the plains" Elrond looked solemn at this news.
"Then it is our worst fear she has been slain and from your word corrupted" Said Saruman. "we should be wary at this news at least sauron hasn't been heard of". At this Gandalf paused and soon after I heard whispers and I turned and I saw Galadriel who was walking down some steps to the right of the table.
"My lady" said Elrond while looking at her.
She stayed silent for a few moments before looking at me. "I welcome you and your ghost guardian, I must suggest however that you get some rest". Nodding my head I got up from the table and wandered around Rivendell for a while. I got quite a few stares due to my clothes as well as my taken arm. Eventually I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned and I could see Haldir looking at me.
"If you would come with me Guardian" said Haldir who turned around and started walking away. He led me through Rivendell and eventually led me to a bathroom with warm water inside of a tub, thanking Haldir who had a look as if to say it was obvious I took off my ruined clothes and bathed away the dirt and dried blood. When i was finally done i looked like a new man or elf in this case, i can say though that my taken arm didn't really need to be cleaned in fact when i put it in the water the water started to freeze. Getting out of the now dirty water i looked for some clothes and instead of finding my ruined ones i found a new set of clothes that reminded me of the rangers garb that Aragorn wore in the fellowship of the rings minus the hood and cloak of course, replacing the coat however was a new dark green trench coat with long green sleeves the chest part would wrap around my chest fully before being pinned with a gold pin in the shape of the warlock symbol from destiny which was above my heart on the left side. Drying off i put on the standard ranger clothes followed by the new trench coat and underneath the clothes was my bag along with my holsters and sword all of which i might add were now clean. Putting on the holsters and wrapping the sword belt around the back of my waist i grabbed my bag and walked out the bathroom. When i exited the bathroom i was greeted by Haldir.
"I must say you look much better now guardian" and I couldn't help but smile at that the clothes were a welcome addition.
"These clothes were designed for the other guardians should they have a need for new armor" said Haldir who reached into his left pocket.
"ahh i almost forgot you may want this" he handed me a red leather glove with black stitching. Taking the glove i realized it was for my taken hand so i put it on, the glove fit well like a glove.
"Thank you Haldir i think the other elves will be less frightened now" with a smile Haldir left me to my own devices. Walking around Rivendell realizing it was now night i realized that Elrond was most likely reading the runes on Thorin's map so i headed in the general direction of where i thought it might be. Walking for a good 10 minutes i eventually found them standing by an alter that was in front if a waterfall with the moonlight shining through a hole in the sealing illuminating the room and the alter.
"I expect nothing less from an elf" I could hear some sort of argument between Thorin and Elrond.
"You should thank him Thorin he is one of the few who can read that map of yours" I said aloud walking into the chamber. Thorin quickly turned to face me before raising a question.
"I see you have new clothes and new arm?" He said with a puzzled tone and face.
"That's not important right now and can i ask to see that map" I asked and Thorin seemed hesitant before nodding his head which took me but surprise. "thank you Thorin" I said while walking over to him and taking the map from his hands though I didn't fail to see the ashamed expression on his face raising an eyebrow i walked over to the moonlit alter and placed the map on it. The map was much the same as the movie but instead i saw an extra symbol one of a titan symbol located just on the outskirts of Erebor that was shimmering with my touch.
"That's new" said Elrond while looking at the new symbol.
"this is a location of one of the five Guardians" said Gandalf with a sort of surprised look on him.
'Why did you want me to look at the map ghost?' I thought mentally thinking of why my ghost asked me to take a look at the map earlier.
'Because i had a suspicion the map had a faint trace of light on it so i just guessed it might have something to so with it'. Walking back to Thorin i handed him back the map.
"I'm sorry for the way i treated you earlier i thought you were an elf". Thorin apologizing that is something i would have never thought to happen. "one of the 5 Guardians helped with the evacuation of Erebor they even stopped the dragon from killing my father". Stopping at this i just nodded to him.
"It's fine Thorin" but at this i suddenly had an idea "although of you really want to make it up to me you could let me join you on your quest to Erebor." Thorin seemed to process this before nodding his head.
"Ill allow it but only to find your kin who lives near Erebor" smiling i extended my hand and he shook it with that i turned to Elrond watching Thorin leave to go and tell his company the news no doubt.
"Thank you for the glove lord Elrond I can tell it has some magic attached to it" lifting up my hand and showing the glove i noticed a small smile creep across his face.
"Yes can't have you going around with a tainted arm exposed to the air now can I" thanking Elrond once again I left the room and decide to look for the dwarves, Gandalf soon caught up to me however. We walked in silence for awhile till he eventually interrupted the quiet.
"I must say i was surprised to see Thorin accept your proposal" smiling i simply shook my head. "yes quite surprised although i do have a proposal of my own"
"Let me guess, go with the dwarves when they leave in the morning" at this Gandalf spluttered his words. "It doesn't take a genius to figure out Thorin's hate for elves and the fact he probably wont stay here longer than he has to"
Sighing Gandalf nodded. "so will you accept my proposal"
"Yes, i accept, though i would ask why you aren't coming i can take a guess and assume a meeting is about to happen" Gandalf sighing harder this time nodded his head and with that we reached where the dwarves were staying. I could tell a few of them were asleep but a few of the older members as well as Thorin were discussing something by a fireplace.
"Do you think he can be trusted, Thorin?" said one with a bald head whom I couldn't quite remember.
"I'm not sure, he helped us escape the warg pack and even though he looks like an elf we both know that guardians don't really look like any of a race from middle earth" said Thorin who stood and turned around and looked at me and Gandalf before gesturing to the dwarfs at his side.
"Ah guardian meet dwalin, and balin my most trusted adviser" ah right i remember there names now the white haired one is balin and the bald one is dwalin.
"Dwalin at your service" he said bowing slightly.
"And balin at your service" he said while bowing as well.
"Nice to meet you, Dwalin and Balin," I said while extending my left hand. Balin raised a questioning look but shook my hand nonetheless.
"I thought you only had a left arm lad" said Balin as he took a step back. Nodding my head I reached for my right arm and removed the glove and revealed the taken hand underneath.
With a slight gasp balin took a closer look as did Thorin and Dwalin when he finished shaking my hand.
"I wouldn't have guessed that you would gain a taken limb" said Thorin as he satisfied his curiosity and went back to his seat by the fireplace. Soon Dwalin followed and when Balin turned to leave I slipped the red glove back on.
"Neither would i master dwarf but as i have been without proper sleep for nearly 5 days now i will take my leave" waving goodbye i left the room to find an empty bedroom, eventually i found one that was relatively near the dwarves and with that i closed and locked the door behind me.
"Alright ghost, how do I have a taken arm? I know you've scanned it from your earlier explanation" soon my ghost appeared in a crackle of sparks.
"From what I understood about the battle on the plains that orc wearing hive armor had an artifact similar to the sword back in the tower and when it struck you instead of corrupting you it somehow replaced what you had loss instead of taking you over" walking to the large queen sized bed in the middle of the room i sat down and made my way into the blankets.
"Well at least i don't have to deal with all the problems associated with being an amputee and quite frankly I'm happy that I'll be able to experience all the advantages that elves hold but gaining a taken arm might cause some problems, but enough worrying I'm very tired and I can finally sleep in an actual bed" my ghost simply disappeared and soon i was taken into a deep sleep.
I was awoken by the sound of knocking on my door followed by whispers that sounded very annoyed. Realizing that it was the dwarves i quickly got out of bed and headed to the door as i didn't need to get dressed because i just fell asleep like i was yesterday.
"I'm up and i'm ready to leave," I said while opening the door as I was greeted by Dwalin.
"Good we're leaving now" Dwalin quickly sped off down the hall so I decided to follow. Soon I found the rest of the company who were giving me suspicious glances but before they could raise any objections they were cut off by Thorin who received many confused expressions. Soon the company was ready and we headed off and out of Rivendell before the sun had even risen. Walking further and further away from Rivendell with the sun now starting to rise I was greeted by Bilbo.
"Bilbo Baggins, and i must say you look much better than the last time i saw you and it is quite surprising to see you with a right arm" smiling a bit and trying not to be a fanboy i replied.
"It is surprising to see me with a new arm and I do indeed feel much better, baths work wonders for that sort of stuff." Bilbo had a smile when I mentioned baths as if agreeing with me. Looking at the dwarves who were now slowing their pace no doubt trying to gain information about me, I simply waved and a few stiffened and quickened their respective paces. I chatted with Bilbo for a while and after miles of beautiful landscapes we came upon the slopes of the misty mountains.
'Onto the next leg of the journey full of goblins and treacherous mountain paths' walking with the rest of the company we reached the mountain path and started into the mountains onto a new story.
Authors note: i have a general philosophy that for a character to gain anything they have to lose something first so in the last chapter he lost his arm then in this one he gained stasis via a taken arm.( i really wanted him to have stasis but couldn't think of how he could get it till this chapter that is)