He clenched his teeth so hard he was afraid he might break them as he followed behind Bilbo, his pace forcing the hobbit to run ahead. He was curling his fists in rage at the though of some elvish trash hurting one of his people, they were fools to have trusted the elves in the first place, they never should have come here. He steeled his emotions not wanting to alarm Bilbo that he was ready to kill something, he could hear Gandalf talking with Lord Elrond and the other wizard Sauramon, trying to assure him that it was likely a misunderstanding, and that Bilbo wasn't used to seeing skilled warrior's spar.
"Enough, I will see for myself" Thorin growled between gritted teeth ignoring them as they wandered through the elvish halls.
Everyone stopped as they heard a scream echoing toward them, it sounded like Riswynn and Thorin shoved Bilbo out of the way and ran towards her following the sounds of battle. The small party burst onto the training ground mouths open in shock as the dam was covered in blood, several cuts slashed across her back coating her hair in blood. She was wielding an impressive war hammer, it was much longer than what was considered normal for a dwarf, she was panting heavily her chest heaving with each breath she took, her eyes were blood red, and she didn't seem to notice the newcomers at all, she opened her mouth and let out a feral roar sending the hammer flying through the air it crashed into one of the elves knocking him down, one was already one the ground bleeding and the other was charging straight for her with a dagger drawn.
Thorin looked around the training grounds in rage, three against one, there was nothing about this fight that was fair, these elves did not fight with honor, he could see two discarded bows on the ground, one elf was knocked out an enormous dent in his chest armor. The one that was just struck by her hammer blow was getting too his feet, blood trickling from a wound on his forehead. The last elf was lunging at her, hatred shining in his green eyes. Thorin looked to Riswynn and took a step forward without thinking he wielded Orcrist, stepping in front of her he deflected the elven blade narrowing his eyes in rage at the elf that dared to hurt her.
"What is the meaning of this" he bellowed looking at Lord Elrond.
Lord Elrond looked shocked to see the amount of blood on the field, his eyes scanned the three elves and the female, and he scowled "Answer him" he shouted looking at the green-eyed elf.
The elf bowed his head in respect for Lord Elrond before looking at the Dwarrow that protected the abomination. He sneered and pointed his bloodied sword at the dam "This filth was using our training grounds my Lord, when I inquired why she was here she attacked without provocation"
Bilbo stepped up beside Elrond and shook his head "That's not true, I was here, she was helping me train, and these elves came and started taunting her"
Elrond looked down at the little hobbit and frowned glaring at the elf "Is this true" he growled.
The elf scoffed and rolled his eyes "Don't believe the halfling my Lord, this creature attacked us, and we simply defended ourselves"
"Not very well" someone coughed.
All heads turned toward Riswynn as she limped forward, clutching an arrow that lodged itself in her shoulder she screamed as she pulled it out, her eyes flashing in agony. She was covered in blood but stood her ground. Thorin whirled around glaring at the elven Lord "Is this your elven hospitality, your guards could have killed her"
She smiled through her pain and shook her head "They could have tried" she coughed spitting blood onto the ground.
Gandalf looked uncomfortable gripping his staff tightly as the tension rose in the small space, his eyes flickering between Lord Elrond, Thorin and Sauramon. Riswynn was clutching her wounded shoulder, bright red blood oozed from her new wound, but she seemed to care little for the damage on her body, her eyes blazed red with rage.
"Îsh kakhfê ai-'d-dûr-rugnu" Riswynn hissed staring at the elf that shot her with his bow.
Thorin smirked at her attitude standing beside her, he felt a surge of pride flow through him, she held off three skilled elves by herself, she even managed to knock one out and severely injure the other. He stepped closer to her, shielding her from the filthy elves watchful glare.
"Who is this female dwarf" Sauramon said, stepping around Gandalf to stare down at the Dwarrow Thorin Oakenshield and the maiden, he narrowed his eyes at her watching as she glared back at him, her eyes never wavering and the fire never dulling from them. He sucked in a breath at the sight, she had red eyes, that glowed like fire, she wasn't a normal female dwarf at all and yet Gandalf associated himself with her kind.
Riswynn shook her head, blinking back the rage that boiled in her veins, she lost a lot of blood, and she was dizzy but refused to appear weak in front of these leaf munchers.
"Are you alright" Bilbo asked concerned for his friend, it always seemed she was hurt trying to defend him and he felt an immeasurable amount of guilt as he watched her grit her teeth and nod stiffly.
"You two take your comrade to the healers then report to my chambers at once, Lady Riswynn please allow me to escort you to your chamber ill have a healer waiting to dress your wounds at once, and please accept my apology for this despicable behavior" Lord Elrond said bowing low to her.
"My Lord you can't be serious, we can't allow her to leave" the green-eyed elf shrieked in outrage.
Lord Elrond stood to his full height and shot him a withering glare "Do not speak to me about whom I allow into my home, Lady Riswynn is my guest and you attacked her, be glad Thorin Oakenshield doesn't kill you where you stand"
"Like he could" he scoffed in disgust.
Thorin sent him an icy glare "Try me elf" he growled.
Riswynn groaned in pain "Here let me help you" Bilbo offered coming to her aid, but she pushed him away with an unsteady hand.
"Riswynn Lord Elrond has a healer waiting for you" Bilbo urged her to listen to him, but her glare silenced his protests.
"I will not receive aid from an elf, not as long as I draw breath, these fools have reminded me that I am not wanted guest or not" she grunted at the hobbit, before looking at Thorin "Where is Oin"
Thorin wanted to hug her as she denied help from the elves, and disclaimed them, she was proud and would only rely on her own people, like a true dwarrowdam. She held his gaze, the red receding swirling with gold until her eyes dimmed, and she shuddered in pain, his blue eyes held worry and she gave him a weak smile "Lead on" she grunted.
"Surely you can't be serious my dear" Gandalf said, frowning as she looked up at him and narrowed her eyes "Move" she growled, pushing her way through the taller bodies despite her injuries getting crimson blood all over everything.
"What a vile thing" Sauramon scowled.
"That vile thing saved my life on multiple occasions, she is kind and good, those elves attacked her, and she fought back bravely" Bilbo said puffing up his chest, angered that anyone would insult his friend.
Gandalf went to leave when Sauramon stopped him with a hand on his shoulder "We must speak at once" he looked back and frowned fearing the conversation that would take place.
…
Riswynn followed slowly behind Thorin as he led her back toward the others, she was too proud to accept his multiple offers of help, so they moved slowly to accommodate her, Bilbo walking just behind them.
"We are almost there" Thorin said looking at her from the corner of his eye, she was nodding mutely her mouth a thin line as she struggled to keep her pain in check. She clutched her shoulder more fiercely, the crimson blood coating her hand, running between her fingers and down her chest, she grunted and pinched her eyes shut, she felt like death and imaged she looked it as well.
"OIN" Thorin shouted as he spotted the others sitting around what appeared to be a makeshift fire, he would have laughed at the odd sight if not for the dire circumstances. It appeared that his companions had taken the liberty to chop up a table and use it as firewood and were cooking sausages over the open fire right in the middle of their sleeping quarters.
Gloin looked at his older brother when he heard someone calling his name, it sounded like Thorin shouting, he stood up giving his brother a shove "Come on then" he grunted when Oin tried waving him off as he stuffed a sausage into his mouth, his earpiece laying on the ground beside him. Gloin rolled his eyes and grabbed his brother by the forearm and hauled him up yelling into his good ear "Thorin is calling ya"
Oin smacked his lips and nodded "Why didn't you tell me" He mumbled.
"OIN" Thorin shouted again stomping toward the fire looking at the old Dwarrow with frustration.
Oin smiled largely at his leader, his smile slipping as his eyes spotted the dam struggling behind him, she was pale as milk, her honey hair smeared with blood, her arms split open in several places, she was clutching her shoulder miserably as she bled heavily. "What happened" he shouted rushing to her aid.
"Elves happened, she was in the training yard with Bilbo when she was ambushed" Thorin growled out as he paced back and forth.
Riswynn rolled her eyes at Thorin's dramatics, he was enraged, seemingly angrier than herself and she was the one bleeding to death. Oin approached her carefully and gently took her free arm and sat her down on one of the beds, he shoved his ear horn in and leaned close "Tell me lass, how bad are you hurt" he half shouted.
Her sensitive ears burned at the volume, and she sighed in annoyance gritting her teeth "They shot me with arrows"
Oin looked appalled and grabbed for her hand "Move it lassie let me see" he said with a softer volume.
She bit her lip and nodded, slowly removing her hand, wincing in pain as her shoulder jarred and a fiery pain spread through her body. As soon as she removed the pressure the wound started bleeding profusely, her blood soaking her jerkin and her cotton underclothes.
Oin moved closer to get a good look at the arrow wound, his eyes fixated on the amount of blood and the size of the entrance wound, he leaned her forward to see if it exited through her shoulder blade and frowned.
"Will she be alright" Thorin grunted, his arms crossed standing off to the side watching with his icy glare.
"Lass, did you pull out the arrowhead" Oin asked looking up at her clouded golden eyes.
Riswynn could barely hear them, blood was rushing in her ears, and the overwhelming scent of her own blood was driving her insane. She blinked at started into his eyes, shaking her head "snapped it when I was fighting" she grunted.
Oin looked down and shook his head "Lads, help me hold her down, I have to pull it out" he said miserably.
"What" Bilbo said alarmed.
Oin looked over his shoulder at the hobbit and frowned "I have to pull out the arrowhead"
"What's going on" Kili shouted as he rushed into the room with his brother surprised to see Riswynn sitting on Oin's bed covered with blood.
Oin sighed in frustration "We don't have time to chat lads, help me hold her down" he turned his gaze to the dam and gave her a small weak smile "Riswynn I need to you try and lay still" he urged gently pushing her to lay on her back.
She looked up at the elaborately carved ceiling, warm sunlight trickled through the many sky lights, washing the area in its warm embrace and she found it oddly comforting. She blinked her eyes taking a deep breath as Oin hovered above her right shoulder, he was holding a crude looking tool, and a long knife, his eyes flickered to her for approval, and she gave him a subtle nod. The cold metal entered her flesh and began to dig out the arrowhead and she bucked under the pain, white hot and never ending as her nerves frayed.
"HOLD HER" Oin shouted as he tried working, she was thrashing in pain trying to move away from his tools.
Fili and Kili rushed to his aid and held her down by the arms and legs "Relax Ris, Oin is trying to help you" Kili said trying to calm her down.
She felt fire burning in her veins, she was in so much pain, she gnashed her teeth and screamed out as tears stung her eyes "Stop" she wheezed out in between her cries, it fell on deaf ears, as Oin continued to work, pulling out pieces of debris that got stuck inside her wound, small fragments of the arrows shaft embedded in her skin. She could feel a rage settle deep in her bones, and her eyes begin to glow red, as her body fought against the intrusion, she trashed kicking Kili away from her legs.
"Thorin, hold her shoulder down I'm almost finished" Oin grunted, knuckling into her wound, his fingers gripping the edge of the arrowhead,
Thorin approached the dam, her eyes wide and glowing like embers, she locked gazes with him, as they filled with tears. His heart hurt looking at her in pain, he knelt beside her and put in palm on her good shoulder pushing down as gently as he could "Don't move" he commanded his voice smooth and calm, it seemed to register within her mind as she stopped thrashing, her breath coming out in little pants, her eyes glistening with tears. She held his gaze and gave him a weak smile as the tears split over and she looked away in shame.
Oin held up the arrowhead with a triumphant smile on his face, his fingers and hand coated with her blood he tossed the offending metal on the floor and looked at his brother "Gloin fetch me my bag, I want to sew this up before it festers"
Riswynn looked at the ceiling refusing to hold anyone eye as tears continued to pool in her stubbornly and spill over her cheeks. She never cried, she hated being weak, but there was something about her companions that made her feel more vulnerable, perhaps even a little normal like a regular dam. She could feel the needle pierce her skin, could feel the thread being tugged tightly to close her wound up, Oin was a skilled healer, and she was thankful he was still quick in his older age.
"Okay lass, I need to sit you back up and check you over for other wounds need stitching" he said gently, and she only nodded, allowing him to sit her up she looked at her lap grunting as he told her she needed more stitches on her back.
"Riswynn" Bilbo called her softly, wringing his fingers together nervously.
She looked up at him and blinked tiredly "Bilbo" she gave him a small smile.
"I'm so sorry you got hurt because of me" he said choaking up.
She snorted and pinched her eyes shut "Don't worry Master Baggins, hardly the first-time elves have tried to kill me, besides if it weren't for you going to get Thorin It probably would have been worse"
"Lads, you best all leave, I have to dress her other wounds, and they are on unsightly places" Oin said carefully
Riswynn chuckled weakly "Thanks Oin, you sure know how to make a dam feel good bout herself"
Oin went red in the face and shook his head "That's not what I meant, I just figured they shouldn't be here when you are going to be in your state of dress while I stitch you up" he huffed embarrassed.
She smiled, and shook her head "Excellent idea Master Oin, lads off with Yas I don't need a bunch of Dwarrow looking at me backside"
"Will you be alright" Thorin said looking at her, his arms still crossed over his wide chest, posture stiff and threatening.
She wheezed out a laugh "Course, don't believe Oin is going to ravish me while I'm half dead"
Thorin sighed "That's not what I meant"
She smiled "I know, I'll be fine, couple pointy eared princesses aren't going to take me down"
He nodded and turned ushering everyone else out of the room, waiting outside as Oin finished cleaning her up.
"So, what happened exactly Bilbo" Fili asked curiously.
Bilbo looked at the blond Dwarrow sitting cross legged playing with his daggers, tossing them back and forth into the air before catching them. He swallowed hard and looked at the ground kicking his large feet "We were practicing with weapons, she told me she would help me with my sword, then those elves came" he mumbled
"Then what" Thorin demanded his tone icy.
Bilbo looked up at him and frowned "They started taunting me, then her, she must have known something I didn't because she told me to leave, then they all started attacking her, she was good at defending herself until they used their bows, and I ran to find you"
"Why didn't you help her" Thorin growled.
Bilbo looked exasperated "I am not a fighter they would have killed me before I could even swing a sword"
"You did the right thing lad, Oin will have her fixed up in no time" Gloin said a hint of pride for his brothers work in his voice.
Bilbo gave him a sincere smile and nodded in thanks opening his mouth to express his gratitude when the clicking of heels brought everyone's attention forward to watch a tall slender she elf approach. She had long dark hair that flowed to her waist and kind eyes she bowed her head
"I am told Lady Riswynn was brought here to be healed, I am to retrieve her and bring her to my Lord Elrond" the she-elf said politely.
Thorin grunted and grabbed the hilt of his sword "You may tell your Lord that she is indisposed and will not be joining him"
"Who will not be joining whom" came a voice from behind them, Thorin turned to look at the dam, she was bandaged heavily from her shoulder down her arm, around her middle. Oin had done a good job cleaning her up and helped her pile her locks onto the top of her head, her plaits hanging down around her ears. She was wearing a loose-fitting cotton undershirt and trousers, and boots.
"Lady Riswynn Lord Elrond requests your presence" the she-elf said again.
Riswynn looked up and frowned at the elf, not recognizing her she narrowed her eyes and huffed "Very-Well let's get this over with"
Thorin stepped up to her and shook his head "Like hell I'm letting you go speak to that filth"
She sighed and looked up at him giving him a weak smile "Thorin we are currently in his house, what choice do I have"
He grit his teeth in frustration she did unfortunately have a point, he looked down at her and scowled she wasn't dressed appropriately to hold council with Elrond, or anyone for that matter she was dressed in nightclothes he wasn't about to let her stroll throughout Rivendell and be gawked at. "Fine, I'm coming with you then, Bilbo come along as well you can confirm her story if Elrond asks questions" he stared at the hobbit who only nodded.
Riswynn went to move around his wide frame when a hand on her wrist stopped her "Here put this on, I don't want these elves staring at you" he grunted shrugging off his fine coat he wrapped it around her shoulders and nodded satisfied. She felt her cheeks burn as the warm heavy material was gently placed over her, the fur of the collar was soft, and she found herself burying her nose to hid the embarrassment on her face.
The she-elf coughed getting their attention "Come along" she said spinning on her heel walking away.
Riswynn sighed and looked at the small party gathered around her "Shall we go"