Chapter Eight

Narâ could feel the strain on her muscles as she continued to pull the drawstring of her bow as taunt as she could, firing as many arrows as possible at the incoming orc pack. She gritted her teeth and groaned as her arms shuddered, sweat pouring from her brow. She could feel Khimâ flex beneath her, his shoulders shifting with her weight as he pawed the ground impatiently, his teeth fulling exposed as continuous roars sounded from him, deep and powerful to the point it was almost painful to listen to being so close to him. She tossed her bow over her shoulder and grabbed her battle ax, as the Wargs and their riders came to circle them, firing at this close range was pointless, she scanned her companions noticing them forming rank back-to-back weapons drawn and ready. She found them grossly underprepared, Ori was wielding what appeared to be some kind of sling shot, firing stones at an incoming Warg which only seemed to further enrage the beast. She leaned forward resting herself flat along her mounts back whispering in his ear

"Khimâ attack igribî" she called loud enough for her beast to hear her demands, the massive white Warg wasted not a moments time before leaping forward, over the heads of the smaller Dwarrow gathered smashing into the ground of Warg and orc riders alike.

Narâ gripped a fistful of long white fur, moving her body with Khimâ's to avoid falling off as he sailed toward the smaller black Warg, he met them with full force, knocking one to the ground, the orc rider falling to the ground, shrieking out in misery as his legs were crushed under the weight. Khimâ latched his powerful jaws around the Warg's throat shaking his head, he ripped out its throat of life, blood splattering his coat and coating his tongue, the smaller beast didn't even have a moment to cry out in pain before it fell limp on the ground. Narâ smirked at her wolf's bloodlust, despite being relatively tame with her and her companions he was very much a wild animal driven by instincts and Warg's were known to be savage hunters. She caught movement at her side, brining her ax around in a wide arc to smash into the skull of an incoming orc, splitting its head open like a melon, blood and gore spraying the bloody saturated ground. She heaved a breath steadying herself as her Warg spun around as he was attacked from the rear. She winced as the crunch of bones sounded out like a crack of thunder, Khimâ bit down on a foreleg snapping the bone like a twig, a deep rumbling of satisfaction sounding in his chest. She turned herself around to face behind them, looking at her companions face off with incoming orcs, Thorin was making quick work of killing them with his new sword as well as Dwalin who had a sadistic smile on his face as he wielded a large battle ax like her own severing heads. She felt the corner of her mouth pull up into a grin, it seemed he was enjoying himself despite the danger they were currently in. She yelped in shock as she was knocked from her Warg's back, something heavy colliding with her chest knocking the wind out of her as the ground came up to meet her. She opened her eyes to see a chest full of dark brown fur, the musky smell of wet dog tinged with blood filled her nostrils. She kicked at the beast as it stood up hovering over her, its yellow eyes glaring at her, and its mouth opened wide to reveal long canines dripping with saliva. She roared back at the Warg as it tried to bite her head off, shoving a gauntlet into its mouth to stop the assault. The long fangs pierced through her armor and into her flesh and she grunted in pain, kicking with all her strength to move the beast. She could smell its foul breath wash over her mixed with the metallic smell of her blood. She reached desperately for a dagger strapped to her chest, but her fingers were beginning to be coated with blood as her arm dripped above her. The pain was becoming unbearable, like searing hot daggers embedded deep in her flesh, before being ripped away, she sucked in a breath and rolled to her side watching as Khimâ tore into her attacker with vigor. Her wolf bit into the others side, digging into its softer underbelly spilling its guts, his muzzle and chest completely stained with dark blood his once pristine white coat matted with dirt and blood.

"Narâ are you alright lass" Dwalin called out rushing to her side grabbing her by the forearm he pulled her to her feet with his free hand the others swung his ax with precision decapitating an orc in one fluid motion.

Narâ blinked back and pain and nodded once at him, leaning down she grabbed her ax and rejoined the battle, frowning at Dwalin as he shook his head "Go back to the others lass, you are injured" he grunted giving her a gentle push towards outstretched hands. She was pulled into the tight formation by Dori and Oin who grabbed her bleeding forearm for inspection immediately. She huffed pushing them off, there was still orcs to fight, and she wasn't dead yet.

"Where is Gandalf?" Bilbo asked alarmed looking around for his pointy hatted friend. The grey wizard had seemed to disappear entirely.

Narâ whipped her head about making a mental note of each companion and indeed the hobbit was correct they were currently short one Maiar. She looked past the hobbits head, they were being pushed and herded toward a small rocky formation, she squinted staring at it, it seemed to be scribed with some type of language. She could barely make out the words, it seemed far to elegant a hand to be written in black speech and she knew for a fact it wasn't Khuzdul. She knew they were traveling along the East Road and were likely to be on eleven territory, clever wizard had led them to the elves all along taking advantage of this misfortune to cater to his own agenda, she knew Thorin would be furious once he discovered the misdeed.

"Blast that wizard, he has abandoned us" Dwalin shouted in outrage, gripping his ax tightly in his large fist as he stepped back to join the others, his eyes scanning the orcs with hatred.

"He wouldn't do that" Bilbo stuttered his voice wavering in freight, he looked up to see the dwarrowdam staring at him with intelligent jade eyes, he gave her a weak smile "He wouldn't" he tried to defend him, but she shook her head her long raven plaits twirling around her shoulders "Aye lad he is likely around here somewhere"

"Have you seen where he's gone then" Bofur called looking at her with hopefully eyes and she nodded pointing behind them.

"Over here you fools" Gandalf shouted poking his head out from a small narrow passageway beneath a rocky structure.

Thorin nodded "Everyone come on" he shouted ushering the others forward, guiding them down the steep slop that led into the hidden passageway. He turned looking over his shoulder at his sister son Kili who was still firing arrow after arrow at the orcs with fierce determination "Kili" he shouted trying to get his attention, but the younger Dwarrow wasn't paying attention. He growled under his breath, holding his sword tightly in his hand he went to move to retrieve him when he felt a hand on his wrist, he turned looking into emerald eyes.

Narâ shook her head at Thorin, whistling loudly Khimâ bounded toward them "I'll distract them and get Kili to safety you watch the others" she didn't give him a moment to argue, just grabbed her mount by the scruff and pulled herself rather ungracefully onto his back leaping away toward the dark-haired archer.

Khimâ leaped in front of Kili stopping his assault, his red eyes holding the dark brown of the young Dwarrow. Kili swallowed and looked up at Narâ who sat perched on his back, she gave him a stern glare "Kili retreat at once, Thorin has given you an order"

Kili frowned he didn't like being treated like a dwarrowling he was perfectly capable of killing a few measly orcs and he didn't like being ordered around by a dam. He puffed himself up ready to argue when a horn sounded in the distance, three quick blasts had him looking around in confusion. Narâ leaned down in her saddle and pulled Kili toward her grabbing him by the shoulder she met his gaze "Please listen Kili, go to Thorin, that is an elven horn of war, go before they find you"

Kili swallowed licking his dry lips, he gazed into her dark green eyes that held determination and wisdom "What about you" he said weakly, and she gave him a small smirk releasing him "Go I shall lead them away"

"What no, you must come with me" he said trying to grab for her, but she had already straightened up and turned her Warg around, kicking into his sides she sent him leaping away into the mass of snapping jaws and crude weapons wielding her ax she killed everything in her path, and he watched in aw, yelping in surprise as an arrow sailed toward him and embedded into the dirt at his feet. He leapt backwards looking at it mutely, the sound of Thorin shouting finally registering in his mind he turned on his heel and with a burst of speed ran toward the passageway, practically getting thrown down it by his uncle. He landed on his hands and knees with a huff of breath, a groan slipping from his mouth as he straightened himself up, meeting Thorin's enraged blues.

"What the hell were you thinking" Thorin growled eyes narrowed at his idiot sister son, grabbing him by the shoulder to pull him forward, frowning when something warm and sticky coated his palm.

Kili snorted and pulled his shoulder free "I was killing orcs Thorin isn't that what you wanted me to do"

Thorin looked down at the red blood coating his hand and fear struck him in the pit of his stomach, he looked at Kili with alarm his eyes traveling down his person "Are you injured, who's blood is this?"

Kili shrugged "Probably orcish, I didn't kill a lot of them" he said proud of himself.

Thorin growled and shook his head "No its not black, who is injured" he spun around looking at everyone, his head snapping up toward the entrance of the passageway as a horn blasted again and a body tumbled down.

He sneered at the dead orc, giving it a kick to roll it over, a long slender arrow shaft embedded in its neck. He pulled it out, his face twisting with disgust "Elves"

"Narâ, she's still up there" Kili said his eyes wide looking at the golden sunlight above.

"She will be fine she has her Warg" Thorin said thickly, the thought of her being ambushed by elves made his stomach twist with anger and nerves.

"Uncle, it was her blood, she's hurt" Kili said grabbing at his forearm as Thorin moved away from the dead orc toward Dwalin who was exploring the passage.

"Fear not, the elves will not harm her" Gandalf said trying to reassure the dwarves that the elves of Rivendell were in fact friendly.

Kili went to argue when an ear shattering scream sounded around them, it was loud and distinctively female.

"Narâ" he shouted running toward the entrance when Balin grabbed him by the shoulder shaking his head miserably "No lad we must stay on the path"

Kili shook his head looking at his uncle with wide eyes "What she is hurt, she could be dying we can't leave her there"

Balin gave him a heartbreaking smile "No laddie, I fear there is nothing we can do for her now"

"Uncle, what does he mean" Fili said confused looking to Thorin for an explanation.

Thorin swallowed and looked away walking down the narrow dark passage "She's gone"

…

The mood was somber as they obediently followed Gandalf down the long narrow passage, eyes downcast they seemed to move without thought. Thorin refused to acknowledge the dread in the pit of his stomach, of the despair he felt when he thought of the dwarrowdam. He blamed himself he should have retrieved Kili himself, should have never let her charge away on her blasted beast, damn the elves for showing up when they did, leave it to a bunch of pointy ears to shoot a Dwarrow on sight. He could only imagine what was going through her head as she was ambushed by an elven party. He narrowed his eyes glaring at the back of the wizard's head, it was his fault for leading them toward the hidden passage he was so adamant about seeking counsel with Lord Elrond, he didn't think of the consequences, all elves hated dwarves with a fierce passion and Narâ was proof of that.

"Thorin Oakenshield, I suggest you stop looking at me like that" Gandalf said with a measure of annoyance in his voice, refusing to turn around and acknowledge the deadly glare he was receiving from the dwarf leader.

The dwarf only grunted ignoring the comment as Gandalf sighed "Thorin I do not believe your companion was killed by the elves, it was more likely the numerous orcs and their pet Wargs" he said as he continued to walk, refusing to stop until they reached Rivendell.

Thorin clenched his teeth in anger, he was in a position that he didn't want to be in like a cornered rat, he knew they now needed to seek council with that elf lord the wizard was speaking about now that Narâ was no longer a part of the company; he had no choice he needed the map translated and he had no idea where to even begin with translating ancient moon runes. He chewed the inside of his cheek and kept silent following behind the tall grey wizard like an obedient beaten dog.

….

Narâ fought as many as she was able, Khimâ sailing through the air avoiding the lethal teeth of their enemies all the while trying to keep his master safe atop his back. Her ax was coated in thick dark blood as she swung wildly severing limbs, orcish screams music to her ears. She could hear the horn blasting in the distance, a strange sound almost musical and she knew it was about time the elves arrived. She pat Khimâ on the shoulder leaning toward his ears "Naithmiri" she called out, but her beast refused to listen, shaking his massive head back and forth as his muzzle was attached to a fleeing orc, ripping it apart he howled out ignoring his masters' pleas.

"Khimâ, Naithmiri" she screamed ducking as an arrow sailed above her head, narrowly missing her. She turned and looked with wide eyes at the thundering party of elves on fine looking horses charging toward her. She knew she looked strange on the back of a huge white Warg, both of them splattered with thick grim and blood, she was almost unrecognizable. She sent a silent pray to Mahal for aid and pulled hard on her mounts long ear, shrieking at him to retreat.

Khimâ growled deep In his chest, digging his hind legs into the soaked bloody ground he bounded away from the incoming elves, the orcs and Wargs behind them falling behind, she could hear the screams of agony as they were shot down, elves were the best archers in all of Middle Earth.

Khimâ yelped out in pain and crashed to the ground, sending Narâ flying through the air, a terrified scream tore through her lips as she watched her beloved friend withered and fall in a great heap of blood and fur. The ground met her fast knocking the air completely from her lungs, she felt her wrist snap as she braced herself against the stony ground, and she bit her lip tasting irony blood. Khimâ whimpered behind her, thrashing at the ground as he attempted to stand up, more arrows sailed toward him and she turned shrieking out in horror as her wolf was hit again this time in the hide quarters.

"KHIMÂ" she cried, rolling over as fast as her injuries would allow half crawling half running to his side to shield him with her body.

She hissed as she crashed against his fur, running her hand miserably over the bloodied fur as the great Warg whimpered, his tail flopping on the ground happy at her arrival.

She cooed at him and ran her hand along his forehead looking into his deep red eyes "Be brave, it'll be alright" she whispered looking over his shoulder to see the elves closing in on her spears drawn pointed at her and her fallen beast.

"A dilthen radag a a garav - a little beast and its wolf" one of the elves taunted, poking at her with a long slender spear. He chuckled behind his elegant helm, looking toward his companions, who were watching her cry miserably over her dying pet.

Narâ stood up on shaking legs, clutching her injured wrist and forearm tightly against her chest, she puffed herself up standing as tall as she was able and glared at the elf holding a fine looking banner that bared the crest of the house of Rivendell. "Im am baw radag-I am no beast" she growled pointing to her blooded wolf "You are beasts for hurting such a beautiful creature" she shrieked grabbing her ax to bring it pitifully upwards in an attempt to wield it.

The elf holding the banner sneered at her "So you speak Sindarin beast, and just what are you" he said with contempt looking down his slender nose at her.

She chuckled weakly "I am a dwarrowdam elf, I thought that much would be obvious, I didn't know elves to be so dimwitted" she growled.

The elf hissed in outrage thrusting a spear toward her stopping short as a short horn blast sounded just behind them. The elf sucked in a breath and sat straighter in the saddle as a fine white mount came waltzing in on the elven hunting party. Narâ watched with narrowed eyes as the newcomer stopped just beside the elf with the banner, he was tall and slender like all elves, with no facial hair and dark chocolatey locks. He had a sense about him that screamed elegance and regality, he had kinder eyes than the rest and looked down at her appalled at her state "What is the meaning of this?" he said with a calm level voice, causing the elves around him to shake in fear, which she found ridiculous.

"Caught this one, alongside that orc pack that crossed our borders, she was riding that beast my Lord" said the elf leader pointing at Khimâ who was panting heavily, as he tried to lick his wounds clean.

"What were you doing on our lands Mistress Dwarf" the elf lord spoke to her, watching as she flinched in pain as she turned to check on her wolf.

She chewed her lip as she faced him, staring boldly into his eyes refusing to bow "I was stalking an orc hunting party and confronted them with the intent to eliminate them, not realizing I had traveled onto elven lands"

"Lies" the elf with the banner shrieked, causing his mount to stomp its foot in irritation.

The elf lord held up his hand to silence him, looking over the dwarf female with curious eyes, she was injured, he could see her pain as she clutched her shattered wrist, but what intrigued him the most was the large, white beast behind her, she seemed to care for it shielding it partly from their view, although poorly due to her short stature. "And you were hunting alone Mistress Dwarf?"

Narâ shook her head and narrowed her eyes "Nay elf Lord, I never hunt alone, Khimâ is my companion"

"I see and where is this Khimâ" asked the elf Lord with a raised brow.

She growled pointing behind her "My Warg elf Lord, one of your elves shot him"

The elf lord dismounted and approached the small female dwarf with an outstretched hand "You ride this beast?" he said gesturing to the Warg that growled deeply pulling back his lip to reveal his bloodied canines.

Narâ held up a hand to silence Khimâ "Indeed, he is my mount and friend"

The elf lord rose a brow intrigued "I was not aware dwarves had taken Warg's as battle mounts"

She snorted and shook her head "Aye we don't, only I ride a Warg"

The elf lord nodded walking slowly around the pair with calculated slow steps, his eyes trailing over the injured Warg, he was large, much larger than his cousins, with white fur, and blood red eyes. He didn't appear to share the common characteristics typical of most Warg breeds, this one was wild, and rare, untainted it would seem. It watched him with intelligent eyes as if he could fully understand the conversations around him. "Please allow me to aid you, come back to my home in Rivendell and I shall see that both you and your Warg are treated properly as my way of an apology, my archers should never have fired on you" he said pointedly glaring at his hunting party.

She groaned as she stumbled over to Khimâ, running her hand over his rump she felt for the arrowhead, removing it in one swift pull, wincing as his whimpers broke her heart, and fresh blood stained his fur. "How far to Rivendell then" she grunted reaching into her pack she grabbed a small pouch of dried herbs, crushing them in her fist she packed them into the wound on her wolf, clicking her tongue to quiet him as he growled lowly at her.

The elf lord watched her with wide eyes as she tended to her beast, completely at ease as it growled out at her. "Only a short ride, we are on my borders, surely you don't mean to ride the Warg now that he is injured, you may ride with one of us"

She laughed patting Khimâ on the flank, clicking her tongue he shook his head standing slowly to his feet he lowered himself to allow her to mount up, she turned and looked over her shoulder at the elf lord with an icy glare "We have endured far worse elf, now lead on before we bleed to death" she hissed pulling herself onto her wolf.

…

They had almost reached Rivendell, conversation was nil as the Dwarrow followed behind the wizard, only stopping to gaze in awe at the elven city of Rivendell nestled within the mountainside, waterfalls flowing down around it, washing it with a fine mist. The sunlight reflecting off the water gave the appearance of dancing lights, it was erethral and beautiful and Bilbo was in amazement, watching with wide curious eyes as Gandalf lead them ever closer.

"Let me do the talking" Gandalf instructed with a firm voice as they neared the entrance, walking over a thin bridge suspended over a river.

Bilbo couldn't help but smile as they stopped, turning his head about to look at everything all at once, it was breathtaking and peaceful, the sunlight was warm on his face and his tired feet thanked him for the moment of rest. The little hobbit was completely unaware of the tension building within the group now that they had arrived at the elven stronghold.

Gandalf smiled bowing to an elven male with dark brown hair, speaking in a strange language that Bilbo didn't understand, he had never learned to speak Sindarin, although he found it to be a beautiful language that flowed softly off the tongue, unlike the dwarves whose language was harsh and rough much like the speakers. He chuckled to himself, getting a strange look from Bofur who was standing beside him, for once a smile did not grace his face as he clutched his weapon tightly.

"Where is Lord Elrond" Gandalf said looking around, and behind the elf as if Elrond would just appear at any moment.

"I'm afraid my Lord is not here" said the elf with a hint of distain his eyes flickering over the rough looking dwarvish party Mithrandir had traveled with.

"Where is he, I must speak with him" Gandalf said his voice betraying his frayed nerves and short temper.

The elf went to open his mouth, to dissuade them from entering the city when a horn blasted announcing the arrival of his Lord. Gandalf smiled and turned around watching as several elves mounted on fine looking horses surrounded the Dwarrow and himself, they were stone faced holding their weapons and banners with the upmost care and posture, typical of elves. Lord Elrond came second to the back a smile on his face as he gazed upon his old friend, turning to look over his shoulder he waited for his guest to make her appearance.

Narâ struggled to remain in her saddle on Khimâ's back she felt tired and dizzy due to her blood loss and her injured wrist, she couldn't wait for a bed to sleep on. Her mind drifted to her companions, and she prayed they made it safely away, she wasn't sure how many orcs had managed to survive and the last thing they needed was to be attacked again so soon on the road. She was only half aware of her surroundings changing as they reached Rivendell, her eyes flickering over the fine white marble and alabaster stonework, she grunted was far to fancy for her taste, pretty like the pretty little elves. She could feel Khimâ shudder beneath her, and she frowned running her hand down his shoulder, he was exhausted and injured, and his sheer strength and endurance always amazed her. They had stopped and she flicked her eyes up watching as the elves closed ranks in a tight formation around something, she could barely see over their blasted heads, but she caught a glimpse of grey poking out and she sucked in a breath kicking her heel into Khimâ the wolf grunted and pushed forward shouldering through the horses he stopped staring down at the other members of his pack. His tail thumped happily as he sank to the cold stone floor, watching with intelligent red eyes as his master dismounted and rushed toward the male dwarves.

Narâ couldn't believe her eyes, they were here, they made it safe and sound, Mahal be praised, she jumped from Khimâ's back and ran toward them a smile of relief on her face, as they stared in shock at her approach. She felt herself grabbed crushed into a warm embrace, a head of dark hair in her face as Kili squeezed her tightly "Narâ thank Mahal you are alive I thought you were killed" he wailed squeezing her tighter.

She chuckled and pat him awkwardly on the back, wincing in pain as he let go "Aye lad I'm alive, someone has to watch your back"

Kili smiled at her and stepped back as Thorin pushed forward looking down at the dam with icy blue eyes "Are you well" he grunted looking her over, frowning as he noticed the blood that coated her person, his eyes flickering to the Warg that towered over her standing just behind his master, his coat matted with blood.

Narâ smirked nodding her head "Aye Thorin, just a few injuries but we shall be fine"

He grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her close, placing his forehead against her own "Good, Mahal knows I cant handle these fools myself" he said with a hint of humor and relief in his voice.