- Chapter 34 -
Terror filled Shyloh and flooded all of her senses, rendering her immobile. She stood rooted to the spot with her guards as they stood silently next to her while the first round of arrows soared through the sky towards the dwarves. Her heart pounded in her chest, echoing in her ears like a drum. She could not believe her eyes, nor did it seem could her companions.
So this is what the start of war looked like.
The arrows never made it to their intended targets, but the elves took a major blow when the twirling weapons unleashed by the dwarves made their mark, and her blood ran cold.
"No," she gasped, not realizing she was clutching at the stone wall that separated them from a twenty foot drop above the streets below.
No one moved or said anything as they watched in horror as another round of arrows raced through the skyline. It was only then that she realized Sidhel returned and he stepped up to her side, his hardened eyes looking down at her. He looked just as upset as he had last night and earlier that morning. Clearly something had happened and she had a feeling she was about to find out.
"Since you refused to talk with me earlier, I will have you tell me right now Shyloh, who are we protecting: a princess of Rivendell, or the future Queen of the Woodland Realm?" he demanded, his voice low and calm, yet his question caught her so off guard she retreated as he stared her down.
She felt as though someone dumped a bucket of ice cold water over her head. How could he possibly be asking her such questions when war had literally just broken out in front of them?
"Sidhel, what in the name of Eru are you talking about?" demanded Nodron, his eyes widening in confusion.
Queen? Where on earth would he have gotten such a crazy idea?
"Answer my question," Sidhel ordered and she shook her head.
"I don't understand what you mean," she sputtered.
"Iamben told me last night that you and Legolas were intended. He was in negotiations with the King about the union between his own daughter, Lastril, and the Prince. The negotiations ended the moment you showed up in Mirkwood," Sidhel explained quickly. "Now tell me, who am I protecting: a princess or our future Queen?"
She blinked back her shock. "In-intended?"
"Intended, as in marriage," he said impatiently.
"M-m-marriage?" she blinked again. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Sidhel," a voice snapped behind them. "That is enough!"
"Not now, Galdiron," snapped Sidhel as he raised a hand towards the approaching ellon.
"I said enough!" Galdiron stepped forward and placed himself between Shyloh and Sidhel, whose glare seemed to burn right through her.
"Is what Iamben said true?" he asked her.
"I've hardly spoken more than a dozen words to Legolas," she snapped suddenly. "And now you suddenly think we're getting married?"
"What in the world brought all of this on now?" Galdiron asked as he tried to smooth the tension.
"Iamben thinks Lord Elrond's intentions are false," explained Sidhel quickly. "He believes Shyloh was sent with the dwarves so that Rivendell would have a claim in the treasure. He wants to have her interrogated in front of the entire council. He also thinks she's here to capture our Prince's hand in marriage, else Iamben's daughter would not have been set aside like she was."
"Where is Iamben?" asked Tinnion.
"The King ordered him to go with to the gates of Erebor," Nodron confirmed.
"That's completely absurd!" she snapped at Sidhel as her face reddened. "And not true at all!"
"Which part?" asked Sidhel.
"Any of it! I came with the dwarves because Gandalf asked me to, not because of my uncle," she explained. "I didn't even leave Rivendell with his blessing!"
"And as far as Legolas being your intended?" Sidhel asked, his face like stone.
"As far as your Prince goes," she spat. "He can marry whoever the hell he wants but it won't be me!"
Sidhel straightened a little but his eyes bore into hers as if he were looking for any sign of lying.
"No," Galdiron sighed. "He can't."
She blinked and turned to the healer. "He can't what?"
"He cannot marry whoever he wants. Not after he has already bonded with you," the healer said, and he pinched the bridge between his nose and shifted on his feet uncomfortably.
"Bonded?" Sidhel asked, recoiling a little in surprise. The others blinked in confusion and their eyes flicked between Galdiron and Shyloh, as if looking for some sort of confirmation they heard the healer correctly.
"Yes," Galdiron said slowly, and he gave Shyloh an apologetic look.
Her eyes widened like saucers. "You knew?" she shrieked, and his face tightened painfully. Sidhel's head snapped towards her.
"This is not how others were supposed to find out," Galdiron said slowly.
"You and ernil Legolas bonded?" Eithrian asked, her face soft with surprise to the point she was almost smiling.
Shyloh stepped back and ran her hands over her face. "I cannot believe this is happening right now!"
Galdiron sighed and then looked around carefully, as if making sure they were alone. "This cannot leave our group, do you understand?" he eyed Sidhel carefully, whose hardened expression softened a little.
With a nod, Sidhel agreed. "If Iamben has not already spread it around, not one of us will utter a word."
He looked to his fellow guards, seeking confirmation that they understood. In turn, each nodded firmly, giving his or her word that they would not spill the beans anymore than they already were.
Shyloh watched silently, horrified between the fact the dwarves and elves were now at war with each other, and the fact that her secret - which she was sure she'd been the only one that knew - had been revealed to all five of her guards and Galdiron.
"How did you find out?" she hissed, staring at Galdiron.
The healer looked slightly uncomfortable and embarrassed. "In truth, King Thranduil told me in confidence."
Her face fell.
So Legolas does know...
Now things were starting to make sense. The reason behind the King's behavior towards her, the reason she had probably not been thrown in the dungeons with the dwarves, the reason the Prince's own personal security team was assigned to her protection; it was all because of him. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to take a deep breath, but her body trembled with anger and humiliation and she felt a lump rise in her throat.
"You bonded at first sight," Nodron stated thoughtfully, as his eyes fell on her. Her eyes flew open. "In the clearing, I saw it happen. I did not realize it until now."
They all grew quiet at this revelation, and it occurred to her that each one of these guards had witnessed that moment, whether they realized it at the time or not. Her bottom lip trembled just the slightest. This had not been part of her plan at all. Knowing there were now so many that knew about their bonding, only made her want to run away even more.
A sudden crack split the air and the ground shook beneath their very feet. They all froze as the clashing of weapons ceased below on the battlefield. They looked around in confusion.
Another crack echoed and the ground shook again like an earthquake. Turning towards the mountains, they watched in horror as the very ground opened up. At first she thought they were sink holes, but she was quickly mistaken as enormous snake like creatures erupted out of the ground; crushing rock into dust as if they were giant hands.
"Were-worms," someone gasped next her but she didn't turn to find out who.
They watched the creatures sink back into their holes, but it was what came out next that Shyloh knew she would never forget in a million years. Like black rivers, orcs streamed out of the tunnels from under the mountains, flowing together into a giant pool. With no real formation, they ran full out towards the dwarves and elves, catching both armies by complete surprise.
Panic rose inside her as the orcs streamed out of the tunnels by the thousands, and her heart started racing as the dwarves formed a long, solid, defensive line in the path directly in front of Erebor. Like flashes of gold and red, the elves jumped the barrier of dwarves and within seconds they clashed with the orcs; blades slicing like lightning through their foes.
"We must warn the others in the city," Galdiron said, his eyes wide as he turned towards Sidhel. The guard nodded; his lips drawn into a tight line.
Sidhel gave Shyloh a long assessing look as if contemplating the best course of action.
"You will need your weapons. If the city is breached, we all need to be prepared," said Sidhel finally, and the others turned to look at her.
"They are back in the healing tents," Nodron confirmed and Sidhel nodded.
She said nothing as they hurried back to the tents, and Sidhel and Nodron constantly cast her apprehensive looks. Now that they knew the truth, they felt even more inclined to ensure she stayed safe no matter what. Their King was already in the middle of a full out war, and when a horn blast reverberated through the valley their steps hesitated.
"Sidhel!" a voice shouted.
They all turned in unison and watched an ellon in full battle gear race towards them, eyes wide.
"What is it?" Sidhel shouted.
"Troops are marching towards the city," the elf said. "We're being surrounded!"
Sidhel cursed under his breath. "We need to hurry," he said, then turned back to the armored guard. "Spread the word to gather the survivors; send them all to the center of the city. Send a messenger to King Thranduil that the city is under attack, but I do not think we can expect much aid."
The words were no more out of his mouth when Sidhel ushered Shyloh forwards and they ran the rest of the way to the healing tents. The tents themselves were situated towards the center of the city and once they were there, Galdiron took up his position and started spouting off orders to the other two healers and their aids.
She snatched up her weapons; slinging her sword and quiver over her back. With her bow in one hand, they followed Sidhel as he led the way back towards the Northern edges of the city. They ran as quick as they could against the crowd of screaming people, and Shyloh's heart pounded in her chest. She had absolutely no idea what they were going to be facing when they reached the North gates, but they wouldn't be making it there anytime soon.
Like a black wave, the orcs descended upon them. Sidhel and Nodron knocked their bows and fired as the first few orcs raced forwards.
"Swords!" Nodron cried and she automatically obeyed.
Slinging her bow over her back, she drew her blade from its sheath and prepared herself as an orc darted straight towards her. Tinnion was quicker though, and an arrow pierced the black neck and it dropped before it got too close to their company. It mattered not, because more orcs descended upon them.
Before she could blink, she found herself swinging her blade into the air and with a heavy thrust, felled her first orc. It dropped in a heap by her feet but just as quickly as it fell another took its place. With only the skill of seasoned warriors, Sidhel, Tinnion, Nodron, Eithrian, and Ganir felled orc after orc. She might not have had the years behind her like they did, but there was no way she was going to let Glorfindel down.
Remembering the surge she felt back in the woods of Mirkwood, Shyloh let her body and mind go, and quickly found herself matching the warriors around her. As if she wielded a blade for ages instead of years, she moved her feet and body like she'd been taught. How many times over the last couple of years that she trained with Glorfindel, did she recall him telling her to trust her body and instincts? Too many, she figured, so she heeded his words and let her instincts take over.
Sidhel hardly ever strayed from her side, and together they cut a path through the fresh onslaught of orcs that surrounded them. Everywhere she looked, more orcs seemed to flood out of every crack and crevice imaginable.
"We need to get her out of here!" cried Nodron, and Sidhel was quick to agree.
However, just as they cleared the courtyard they were crowded in, a heavy blow to the defensive outer wall made the stone crack and crumble, leaving a massive gap in the wall. An enormous troll swayed on the spot before tumbling backwards and out of the way, but was quickly replaced by another row of orcs.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. There never seemed to be an end to the onslaught and she quickly lost track of time as they fled further back into the city, attempting to keep themselves from being boxed in and cut off from behind. People screamed as they ran for their lives but no matter how skilled the elves were, there just weren't enough of them. The small dent the six of them made was hardly enough to break the constant stream that flowed through to them, and they were forced to retreat yet again.
Arrows whizzed past their heads and they ducked before contact was made. Eithrian grabbed Shyloh's elbow and yanked her out of the way just as an orc attempted to stab her from behind. The elleth quickly felled the creature and Shyloh shot her a look of gratitude, but it was missed when Shyloh thrust her sword just in time, blocking a blow meant for Eithrian's head.
There was no stopping, and she could feel her heart hammering in her chest, and her breathing became louder as they threw everything they could at the orcs. Spinning on her heel, she let the sword fly wide and knocked a head clean off before twirling it around in her hand and thrusting it behind her, embedding it into the side of another orc.
Sidhel shot her a worried look as she killed another, and met his gaze briefly. They were being overrun. Clearly the messenger did not make it to Thranduil to notify him the city was under siege, because from where they stood, they were the only ones keeping the orcs from trampling down the main road towards the heart of the city; the very place the refugees were swarming to.
Soldiers that remained as guards of the city were kept busy as they fought just as hard, but still, the numbers against them were immeasurable.
"We have to fall back!" Tinnion shouted as he yanked his long knives out from the middle of an orc's broad chest. In a heap, the orc fell to the ground by the tall elf's feet, never to move again.
"Fall back to where?" cried Shyloh as she looked behind them frantically. "The streets are already overrun."
Just as the words left her mouth, arrows whizzed past them so suddenly that they didn't even have time to react. The targets, however, were not the elves but instead, the orcs that were advancing and when she dared to turn around, golden armored soldiers were bringing up their rear and she almost let loose a sigh of relief. Help had come.
Men wielding swords joined the fray and soon the orcs were the ones retreating back down the street. A white horse raced past them suddenly and she recognized the rider as Bard. He was calling out frantically to the crowd of refugees as they fled further into the city.
"My children!" he cried to no one in particular. "Where are my children?"
"I saw them," a woman shouted back, her skirts bunched up into her fists as she ran. "They were down in the old market!"
Bard spun around and for whatever reason, his eyes met Shyloh's for the briefest of moments before he turned to his men and barked orders at them. Some were dispersed to different parts of the city, and some were to follow him. He raced down a side street and she lost track of him in the crowd.
Sidhel grabbed her arm and began pulling her down the main street, the rest of their small company following closely behind. He was determined to pull the Princess towards safety but as fate would have it, a troll shoved its way through the crumbled building it stood behind; bursting the walls around him into smithereens as he swung his heavy club through the air.
They ducked as bits of debris spiraled towards them and Shyloh knocked an arrow to her bow. Her aim was quick as was her shot, and the arrow embedded itself straight into the left eye. With a scream, the troll stumbled backwards and fell but it didn't move again.
Sidhel whipped around and stared at her in disbelief. "I have never seen someone kill a troll like that before."
She was just as surprised, then almost laughed. "Yeah, I really have a knack for their left eye!"
Without waiting for his reply, she grabbed his sleeve and spun him around as she hurried past, and they raced through the streets again. They were called to a stop when a shout made them turn. Gandalf had his sword drawn, and Glamdring almost glowed bright as he wielded it by his side. Staff in one hand, she realized that Bilbo wasn't far behind him and relief crossed her face as she redirected her route and hurried towards them.
"Shyloh!" Gandalf cried in relief as he drew himself up.
"Mithrandir, any news of the King?" asked Sidhel and the wizard nodded.
"He is here in the city, I believe a few streets down. They are trying to raise the defenses for the city so it does not get overrun."
"It is already being overrun," Nodron said.
"They are trying to cut us off. Azog is here, he is currently commanding his troops from Ravenhill," the wizard said, and he pointed to the high peak that overlooked the city. The tall outcropping of rocks jutted high above the buildings of the city and sure enough, she could make out the small figures moving around and what looked like flags flitting in the breeze. That must have been how he was commanding them below.
A horn blast erupted suddenly and reverberated somewhere off in the distance, but Gandalf turned towards the Lonely Mountain and he swept towards the short wall of the causeway. She followed him and her eyes widened in surprise. The horn it seemed, was coming from Erebor and they watched as the front gates were blasted outwards by a massive force.
"Thorin," Bilbo gasped and sure enough, thirteen little dots raced out of the front gates of the mountain.
"They are rallying to their king!" Gandalf announced, and the dwarves raced towards the line of orcs that had formed in front of the mountain.
The dwarves cut a path straight through the ranks of orcs as if the enemy weren't even there at all, and for a moment it looked like the orcs hesitated at the sudden and unexpected onslaught.
They couldn't watch long though, as they were forced to turn and defend themselves again from a rush of orcs that came up from the lower levels. She had no idea how much time passed before Bilbo cried out again, calling for Gandalf. Shyloh followed closely behind the wizard as they ran to the causeway again, and the three of them looked towards Ravenhill.
"It's Thorin!" cried the hobbit. "And Dwalin, Fili and Kili. What on earth are they doing?"
"He's taking his best fighters. They're going to cut the head off the snake," Gandalf said, and Shyloh's eyes widened in disbelief. Sure enough, the four of them raced up the side of the rocky slopes of Ravenhill on the backs of giant mountain goats.
"They can't defeat him alone," she said but Gandalf gave her a pained look and she could tell that the wizard knew she was right.
They followed Gandalf back down the streets quickly but where they were going she could not tell. Sidhel's head snapped around when a voice shouted Gandalf's name from the crowd and they all stopped.
"Legolas," gasped Gandalf. "Legolas Greenleaf."
Her heart lurched in her chest at the sight of the horse and riders that approached them and she felt herself freeze. The Prince of Mirkwood had his bow and blades slung across his back and he looked just the same as he had the first time she'd seen him in the clearing. The horse came to a sliding stop and he threw a leg over the horse's neck, and he landed lightly on his feet while Gandalf hurried forward to meet him.
"There is a second army," Legolas announced as he closed the distance between them. "Bolg leads a band of Gundabad orcs; they are almost upon us."
Shyloh's eyes swept over the second rider on the back of the horse and watched as Tauriel slipped down to the ground lightly.
"Gundabad? This was their plan all along. Azog engages our forces then Bolg sweeps in from the north," Gandalf confirmed.
"The north?" asked Bilbo as he spun around frantically. "Where is the north, exactly?"
"Ravenhill," Gandalf said grimly and Shyloh felt her insides freeze. Legolas' eyes followed Gandalf's gaze toward the high tower behind them but he caught sight of her standing there behind Sidhel and he went still. His eyes flashed angrily and she forced herself to turn away, and instead looked towards the north in the direction of Ravenhill.
"Mellon nin," Sidhel said as he hurried forward. He and Legolas clasped arms in greeting and the rest of her guards were quick to follow suit. He at least looked pleased to see them, but his eyes flicked back towards her and she pretended not to notice. "Ever am I glad to see you."
"Likewise, Sidhel," the Prince said. "Is there news of my father?"
A horn echoed off the buildings around them and she exchanged worried looks with Bilbo. While the guard's talked quickly with Legolas, they did not stick around long and before she knew it, Nodron was pulling her along beside him as they went down another street. Tauriel, she noticed, was nowhere in sight and while she tugged herself free from Nodron's grip, the guard eyed her suspiciously. She had to find a way to get away from them.
The narrow passage led out to another street and they came to a sudden halt as they met a small host of elves; whose grim faces told her something was wrong. Twisting around, they found the reason behind their quick stop. Only a short way down the street, King Thranduil's tall frame towered over a terrified looking Tauriel. His sword was pointed right at her but she could not hear what was being said.
In a quick flash, Legolas came out of nowhere and was placing himself between his father and Tauriel; his own sword drawn and set upon his father's defensively.
"If you harm her," she could hear the Prince say. "You will have to kill me."
Thranduil seemed to shrink back a little, and lowered his blade. Legolas' eyes met Shyloh's for only a split second but his expression was unreadable before he turned to Tauriel. He said something she couldn't hear and then the two of them left together, and Shyloh's worries were confirmed.
Yes, the Prince had chosen Tauriel, and her body went a little numb as disappointment flared within her.
So much for bonds...
"Those gems weren't the only thing your wife left you," came Gandalf's voice from behind them. "She left you a son. Tell me mellon, which would she have you value more?"
Thranduil turned to look at the wizard, his face ashen and drawn tight, guilt filling his eyes.
Whatever had just transpired, she didn't understand completely. She gripped her bow even tighter in her hand. She needed to get out of here; this was no time to worry about bonds or Kings, not when her friend's lives were on the line.
When her guards turned towards the other elves and began exchanging information she felt a thin thread of silk drift across the edges of her mind and she stiffened.
Now.
She didn't need to be told again. While her guards were distracted, she turned on her heel and slipped silently into the shadows of the buildings behind her; diving down a narrow side passage and out of sight. When she was in the clear, she ran like hell.
Welcome new followers and thanks for the reviews and messages. Appreciated as always.
-S
