Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).

Chapter 47

Mirkwood was a strange and dark place. Magdalen could remember the tales of the once Greenwood her grandfather had so brilliantly weaved so long ago. A place in which any creature who stepped into the woodland kingdom would feel a sense of renewal and life. That time seemed to have passed long since the gripping weight of wickness and despair seeped into her soul as they crossed the twisted branched gates.

The night sky provided them with coverage as they moved along the edges of Mirkwood. Magdalen could make out the guards whispers when they had stopped and Thymun had ventured ahead.

"What do you think the elves will do if they find us stomp all over their ruddin' forest?" Asked the plumper guard.

"Don't be ridiculous! Those pointy ears girlies don't go frolicking about these parts." Grumbled the black-haired one before he began picking at something in his teeth.

The plump guard nodded looking down at the ground before glancing back at where Magdalen and Deamra rested against a large oak tree.

"And why don't they come this way?" The guard asked, nervously glancing into the shadows in the forest.

From somewhere with the depths of the shadow something rustled, causing everyone in their small camp jump with surprise. Magdalen pushed Deamra behind her as best as she could, ready for whatever waited for them in the shadows.

"There are evils in this place that not even Muhal himself would want to face." Said the raven-haired guard, his eyes alert and set on the woods that surrounded them.

Thymun soon returned and ordered the two guards to begin setting up camp. Something was keeping Thymun on the edge of his heels tonight, Magdalen noted watching the dwarf pace the length of camp. His vigilance was beginning to weaver as he let Magdalen and Deamra sit quietly on the edge of the camp. Was this their chance? An opportunity was presenting itself, and Magdalen was not going to let it go. But the question was how? Magdalen couldn't simply run off into the forest leaving Deamra behind.

They could take off together.

No, we could get split up.

Magdalen's stared concentrated on the scenery around them. She just needed to find an elf, if she could get to King Thranduil he could help her.

Her train of thought soon derailed when she heard a hiss of pain. She turned to find Deamra pushed against the bass of the tree. Her face concerted with pain, as her hand pressed into the sides of her stomach. Deamra pressed her lips into a thin line as if she were trying to keep a secret in.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Magdalen whispered her voice filled with concern.

Deamra hissed again in pain, she tried not to double over instead pressing the base of her skull into the bark of the tree.

"Did one of the guards hurt you?" The edge in Magdalen's voice was as sharp as a sword.

She would kill one of the guards had laid a hand on Deamra. That was part of the deal, Thymun nor his brutes were to touch Deamra.

Deamra's breathing began to even out, her nostrils flared as she did so. She shook her head a single tear rolled down her cheek. Deamra shook her head, bright red eyes staring up at the night sky as she whispered a familiar dwarven pray under her breath. Her fingers rolled over the marriage bead Ori had put in her hair all those months ago.

"I'm pregnant." Deamra whimper, her hands curling over her abdomen.

"I'm sorry I should have told you soon I know." Her hands reaching out to place them over Magdalen's. She gave them a tight squeeze, tears poured down her face. "I-I just thought it would be okay. But with all the stress the baby is beginning to feel it."

Magdalen stared at Deamra's hand's wide eye. Dread, though had already begun creeping at the edges of her thoughts, now filled her person. Magdalen nodded quietly not wanting to draw the attention of the others. Her mind felt on fire.

Magdalen would not let Deamra's baby be born into a world without its father. An aching pain roared in her chest. She closed her eyes and let time slip by her. She envisioned thousands of ways to escape, and none had seemed to work. The hooting of owls aroused her from her vision state, the quiet crackling of the fire echoing in their small space. Magdalen looked at Deamra, who stared down at her stomach and then to the guards. The plumper one was now stationed in front of them on a log, his back turned to them as he feasted on some dried meat. The metal of his sword glowed against the firelight.

Magdalen felt like a bolt of lightning struck her as a plan unfolded in her mind. A small smile played on Magdalen's lips as she thought:

They were going to escape tonight.

Deamra stared up at the velvet night sky that offset the tops of the trees. She tried counting the endless diamonds that dotted the sky. She needed anything to take her mind off where she was and the gloomy future that lies ahead of her and her child. Though her mind still wandered back to her Ori, what did he think about her disappearance? Was he out there right now looking for her?

Deamra had tried to imagine what she would have done if Ori had suddenly vanished without a trace. She closed her eyes and pictured a warm night at home, tucked away in the mountain. Ori cooking dinner, while she set the table. He would talk about his day at work, the records he had uncovered or a book that made him think of her. She would vent about Master Oin and the stresses of the day. How she longed to be in the arms of her husband, to be home once more.

Deamra had a secret. One that she hadn't even had the chance to tell her dearest husband. Now would she ever get the chance to tell him he was going to be a father? Deamra's eyes had adjusted to the low light of the fire, she glanced at her friend. Magdalen's skin had grown pale in their short stent in captivity. Silky purple bag adorned her lovely skin. But if she was tired, Magdalen didn't show it. Deamra often wondered how Magdalen got to be so brave at times. Deamra felt a wave of guilt, Magdalen was one of the best swordsmen she knew. Deamra imagined she could have taken Thymun without so much of a second thought, but Magdalen had restrained herself. And all because of her. Deamra's hands curled around her stomach, she wished she could be brave like that.

She sighed again adjusting her eyesight to the sky. The two guards spoke quite loudly as they spoke, Thymun had occasionally busted in with a tale or two but had remained quiet for most of the night. He had fallen asleep soon after they had dinner, mumbling lowly to the guards to keep an eye on the two of them. The guards didn't seem to take heed of their leaders' request as they huddled around the fire swapping stories of maidens, drunken nights, and adventures. Though none sounded real or interesting enough for her to listen to. Her husband had taken back a mountain from a Drak, nothing could compare.

It felt like an eternity had passed when Magdalen got her attention. Magdalen's eyes were wide as she looked to her best friend, sparks of life popped in them as she spoke. Her voice was low, so low Deamra could barely register what she was saying.

"I have a plan," Magdalen mumbled under her breath her eyes still staring straight ahead.

Deamra's head perked up at her words.

"But it will only work if you do as I say."

Deamra nodded slowly to show that she was listening.

"I think I can get to one of the guards' weapons, and distract them. It will give you enough time to take off into the woods."

Deamra's eyes widened. "Magdalen I can't leave you here with them." She hissed, scolding her friend at the very idea.

"Mara, listen to me. I will give you enough time for them to lose your trail. Follow the southern star," She pointed to the bright orange star in the sky that just peeked over the treetops.

"Find one of the elves and tell them we are in danger. Tell them my name and that I am a friend of King Thranduil." Magdalen explained quickly.

"They will-"

"Hey, no talking back there lassie!" Yelled one of the guards, throwing a small pebble to the side of them.

Magdalen quieted dropping her gaze to the ground. Her hands crept over her lap and into the earth between them. Slowly she wrote out: Do you trust me?

Deamra's heart pounded against her chest violently. She closed her eyes, this was not for her. She wasn't doing this for herself, or just for Magdalen anymore. She was going to do this for her child. Deamra quickly wrote: Yes.

Magdalen sat back against the tree they rested on. After a few minutes, Magdalen looked over to Deamra, giving her a smile.

"Run and don't look back." Magdalen encouraged her.

Deamra nodded taking in a deep breath. Magdalen set her sight on the guards, her hand pushing into the ground as she readied herself. Deamra mirrored her actions, ready to jump to her feet and take off. Magdalen's finger's laid over Deamra's for a second.

They were going to be fine. Deamra tried to reassure herself.

Magdalen inhaled deeply before pushing off the ground. Deamra watched in amazement for a second as Magdalen sprung to action, slipping one of the swords from the guards belt with grace Magalden made her attack. Thymun jumped to his feet at the howls of his guards as Magdalen sliced at them.

Deamra shook her head, remembering her role.

Run and don't look back.

The echoing of the fight behind her echoed so loud that she had begun to believe she was only running in circles. Familiar voices screamed at her from the shadows as her feet kept pushing onward, calling to her telling her to come home. Deamra wanted to scream out in frustration, she wanted to be home more than anything. But she had to keep running, she had to be brave. The voices began to fade away, only to be replaced with the sound of a crying baby. Demra felt her body begin to slow, was that her baby?

She looked from side to side, in the dark silhouettes of bodies danced around her. A wave of nausea hit her, the world began to spin. Her eyes looked to the sky finding the bright orange star again. She needed to be brave for herself, for Magdalen, for her baby. Demra was not going to be a slave, nor was her unborn child.

She was going to fight to live.

And so she kept on running. The cracking of tree's quieted the crying baby, Demra's heart pounded as her feet began to run a little faster. Something was following her, and she didn't want to find out what it was. She quickly ducked behind a tree taking a moment to catch her breath. Closing her eyes she prayed, she needed strength. Just as Demra was about to take off a hand reached out from the darkness slamming her against the tree, holding her there with unmatched power.

"What are you doing in the King's land, Dwarf?" Spat a voice.

Deamra's eyes shot up the find the towering face of an elf. She cried in relief, the elf was taken aback by her warm greeting. It was not often dwarves that were happy to see elves.

"Please, you have to help us! We were kidnapped, please, please help us!" She sobbed loudly.

"Magdalen told me to come and find you. She knows King Thranduil, she is welcomed in your kingdom."

The elf's ears perked up at the mention of Magdalen's name. He released her quickly giving her some space.

"Nesterin!" He called into the darkness behind him.

Dropping from the tree came another long-haired elf, sharp eyes narrowed at the sight of the crying dwarrowdam.

He quickly rushed something in his tongue to the other elf, who nodded before taking off into the darkness. Deamra's cries quieted as her panic ebbed.

"Hil Mellon," said the elf gently as he led her away.

Deamra looked back in the direction from where she had run.

"Where are you taking me?"

The elf looked to her.

"To the king." He answered.