The world was bathed in a deep red, the scent of irony blood tainted the air around her, she felt the warm sticky substance coat her skin, it was so strong she imagined the taste on her tongue. She kept her eyes shut and tried focusing on something anything to release her mind from the blood frenzied haze that consumed her. Riswynn could hear something, it sounded like shouting echoing in the back of her mind, feel the warmth of skin on her forearms, the scent of another dwarf assaulted her mind, and she snapped her eyes open and looked into sky blue eyes
"Riswynn are you alright" Fili shouted giving her a tiny shake, his hands still supporting her weight as she blinked back and him seemingly dazed.
She blew out a breath and shook her head, taking a step back "I'm fine" she whispered
"Good we have no move now" Fili smirked pulling her along behind him as he forced her to run to keep up with the others.
She looked ahead and frowned, they were still in the clearing, there was no cover from the orc pack, and on foot she feared they would never be able to outrun the Wargs. She grunted in frustration as she neared the others looking at the concerned face of the wizard "Gandalf where are you leading us?" she huffed as they ran between boulders and the sparse pine trees.
"Stay together hurry now" he grunted ushering them forward at a full sprint for their shorter legs.
She ran alongside Thorin and Gandalf keeping pace looking over her shoulder in worry as Bilbo lagged, he was red in the face his breath coming out in little pants from fear or exhaustion she was not sure. She spun on her heel and rushed to the back to stand guard passing the confused looks of the others
"I'll keep guard go" she hushed their concerns.
"Bilbo hurry now" she urged the little hobbit who looked at her with fearful eyes.
"Can't…keep..running" he panted between breaths.
She gave him a weak smile "It's okay Master Baggins, Gandalf has a plan we will get out of this" she said halfhearted, drawing her long bow from her back hands reaching for an arrow.
He tried to smile as he ran beside her, clutching his new sword tightly in his hand his heart beating out of his chest in fear, he watched with a newfound appreciation of her she was willing to stay behind and protect him as the others ran ahead. Her golden hair was splattered with blood, her tunic was ripped in several places and fresh crimson blood leaked from her own wounds and yet she remained steadfast in her duty to protect the company.
Riswynn could feel his gaze on her as they ran, she could hear the fluttering of his heartbeat and the panting of his breath beside her, the thumping of his large feet on the ground beside her as they raced forward. She inhaled smelling for the orcs, her eyes alight at the presence of danger she scanned the surrounding area, stopping to pull him behind a rock formation as the Wargs ran past. She shielded him behind her body pushing him against the rock as the Warg and rider came to a halt and stalked toward them she hushed him and nodded to her bow taking a quick step out she pulled back and let the arrow fly sinking into the orcs head killing it instantly. The Warg howled and leapt at them, she rolled out of the way as its foul breath washed over her face and its long white fangs snapped a breath away from her face. Bilbo held out his sword in front of him swinging it wildly as the beast turned and lunged for him falling short as an arrow lodged itself into its side. It rolled and wailed in agony thrashing wildly before gurling on its own blood as Riswynn raised a dagger and let it sail through the air and embed itself deep into its neck. She rushed over pulling the dagger from its body turning to look at Bilbo in panic as more Wargs sounded the alarm their chilling howls echoing across the open plains.
"Hurry run, Bilbo go" she screamed pushing him forward causing him to stumble out of their hiding spot toward the direction of the company.
"We will be run down" he panicked slowing down as the terrain became more uneven and she growled out in frustration grabbing him around the shoulders and pulling him up the small hillside.
"Bilbo, I don't plan on getting killed by a pack of filthy orcs, now move I'll keep them busy" she pointed toward the others noticing the tip of Gandalf's pointed hat "Hurry now, Gandalf is just over this ridge" she pushed him forward stopping to shoot a couple of arrows at the fast approaching Wargs.
He looked over his shoulder watching as she stood facing down the pack, her bow string drawn tight as arrow after arrow flew slowing them down as he made his escape. "Wait" he shouted out of breath as he neared the others.
Thorin stopped and frowned looking over his shoulder at the hobbit, rushing up behind them he was out of breath but seemed to be untouched. His eyes scanned for a head of golden curls but did not see her running behind with him. He grabbed Bilbo by the collar and pulled him toward his face, eyes flashing in anger "Where is she?" he grunted.
"She stayed behind to distract them, she was right behind me" he muttered stumbling back and Thorin released him with a frustrated grunt "You left her there" he growled clutching his sword tightly in his hand.
Bilbo held a hand up to defend himself when Riswynn came rushing over the hill, her hair billowing out behind her blood streaked across her face as Wargs snapped close to her heels "RUN" she screamed pumping her legs hard to catch up. She skidded to a stop her chest heaving in greedy breaths of air as she turned and fired her bow "Kili help me shoot these bastards" she shouted firing at as many of them as she could as the orcs slowly formed a circle around them caging them in.
"Where's Gandalf" Bilbo asked alarmed looking at the little huddled group for the old wizard.
Dwalin snorted and drew his twin battle axes "He's abandoned us lad"
"To arms, stand your ground" Thorin shouted pushing everyone back to form a tight circle, back to back weapons drawn.
"This way you fools" Gandalf shouted, the top of his hat poking out a cave mouth his light blue eyes connecting with her red swirling eyes she nodded and pointed at the wizard.
"Everyone move" she shouted pointing at the wizard pushing them forward remaining where she was with Kili by her side the two of them together firing at the orcs as the Wargs snapped their massive jaws, drool pooling from their mouths.
"Quickly all of you" Thorin shouted ushering everyone down the cave mouth as he stood guard.
Riswynn could hear him shouting at her, but her minds eye was so focused on the death of the orcs she paid little head to him. Kili gave her a shove "Come one lets go" he ushered, and she nodded running behind him she felt Thorin's hand on the small of her back leading her down the mouth of the cave, she could hear him sliding in behind her as the orcs closed in. she stood up brushing the dirt from herself and looked up into the warm sunlight above her head, listening to the pounding of hooves and the same distinct horn she had heard earlier sound out. Something was out there, and it was killing those orcs, she could smell the blood being spilt and could hear the cries of pain coming from the orcs as one tumbled down into the passage, an arrow sticking out of its neck. She knelt and pulled it out inspecting the arrowhead. She frowned and tossed it away with disgust "Elves"
"I cannot see where the pathway leads, do we follow it or no?" Dwalin shouted from down the passageway, ax still drawn at the ready.
"Follow it of course" Bofur grunted running ahead.
She turned her gaze toward the wizard and narrowed her eyes, she knew of this passage he was leading them toward the Elves as was his plan all along. She cracked her knuckles in anger she had never liked elves and they made it perfectly clear they had no love for her either.
They walked through the passage for the better part of the day the sunlight just above their heads cast shadows across the stone floors, causing her frown to deepen.
"Are you alright" Bilbo asked quietly trying to keep in step with her, he was surprised by the lack of sparkle in her eye or a smile on her face. She turned her glowing golden eyes toward him and grunted nodding her head once, causing him to frown. He quickened his steps and leaned forward to get a better look at her face offering her a weak smile "thank you, for saving my life back there" he said softly.
Riswynn sighed and smiled back at him, she was tired and felt dizzy, blood was still trickling down her bruised and busted side, her tunic stuck to her skin, and she felt and smelt the congealed blood of orc and Warg on her person. "Of course, Bilbo, now that you have that sword, we need to teach you how to use it" she said.
"Oh, what a job that'll be lass" Bofur chuckled at the two of them a smile on his face.
She frowned "I believe he can learn, isn't that right Master Baggins?"
He shrugged and looked down at the ground inspecting the worn and traveled path "I suppose its possible"
She pat him on the shoulder and offered him a small smile "Its settled then, in the evenings I'll teach you how to wield that blade properly"
"Have you ever used a sword before" he asked curiously his eyes traveling over her figure to land on the small daggers she kept strapped to her hips.
She shrugged "Oh a time of two, I prefer daggers lad, faster they are, yours is more like a dagger so im sure I can teach you just fine, could always ask Fili for help he is good with daggers as well"
He sighed unsure of the idea, he didn't want to learn to use his blade, and he hoped he would never have to use it, the idea of killing something made his stomach turn, the sight of blood left him lightheaded.
The path eventually came to an abrupt end, and she felt a gasp leave her lips as the beautiful scene unfolded before her eyes. She had heard the tales of the beauty of Rivendell but had never seen it with her own eyes. White elegant stone buildings built into the mountain side, golden sunlight washing the entire area with a soft glow, as the mists of waterfalls danced in the air. She took a deep breath the very air smelt clean and pure, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
"Wow" Bilbo whispered beside her and she felt herself nodding in agreeance.
"You will all leave the talking to me" Gandalf grunted leading the company down a narrow stone path towards the city.
She watched from the back of the party in awe at the sights, crossing over a bridge that led over a waterfall the fresh mountain water covering her in a fine mist, she felt the cool droplets of water wash over the cuts on her arms and she sighed at the soothing nature as it cleansed her wounds. They stopped at a small platform just outside the city, overlooking the many lakes surrounding them her eyes wide in wonder as she stopped beside Balin.
A tall elegant male elf walked down toward them, long rich colored brown hair fell down his shoulders, he stopped and looked at Gandalf a small smile on his regal face as he placed his hand on his heart and bowed speaking in his foreign tongue. She stopped looking around and took a step closer to her companions as keen elvish eyes landed on her and swept down her profile the gentle smile on the male elfish face falling slightly.
"I must speak with Lord Elrond" Gandalf said leaning against his wooden staff.
The elf nodded his head apologetically "My Lord Elrond is not here"
"Where is he" Gandalf said impatiently looking around.
The sound of horse hooves behind them caused Riswynn to snap her head around watching as a group of elvish hunters came stampeding in on their tall horses circling the small Dwarrow and the wizard.
"Lord Elrond" Gandalf said happily embracing a tall dark-haired elf as he dismounted and approached the wizard.
Riswynn watched with narrowed eyes as the two conversed, she was pressed tightly in the middle of the circle, her lungs felt constricted as her companions pushed themselves back keep her and Bilbo protected from the elves. She rolled her eyes and pushed forward to stand beside Thorin, her eyes blazing with curiosity as she regarded this tall male elf named Lord Elrond.
He stood tall and regal his dark eyes scanning across the party stopping on Thorin "Welcome Thorin son of Thrain" he finished nodding his head.
Thorin grunted "I don't believe we have met"
"You have your grandfathers bearing I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain" Elrond said politely.
"Indeed, he made no mention of you" Thorin growled out.
Dark eyes connected with her, his widening a fraction as he swept his watchful gaze over her "A dwarf female, and whom might you be"
Thorin stepped Infront of her blocking her from the greedy eyes of the elf, his mistrust increasing as Lord Elrond smirked at his behavior. Riswynn placed a gentle touch on his shoulder and pushed him back a half step to stare up into Elrond eyes "Riswynn if it please" she said trying to not appear hostile.
Lord Elrond smiled at her "Welcome to Rivendell, Thorin and party" he began to speak fluently in his native tongue, and she frowned looking at the smiling face of Gandalf
"What did he say, did he offer us insult" Gloin growled pushing forward his weapon still in hand.
Gandalf chuckled "No Master Gloin he is offering you food"
He sniffed and nodded his head "Well then lead on"