I hope you are enjoying the story so far and are getting an idea of what Rhov is like and how he fits in to the scheme of things. He's not stupid as such, just a little bored with life in Mirkwood, consequently in this chapter you'll be seeing the dark side of Rhov's character (that has been hinted at early in the story) comes out during the Battle of the Five Armies. I'm awfully sorry if some of you are slightly angry about the death of Rhov's friend, but sacrifices have to be made in stories like this, doncha know. I know I made a big deal about the little wolf cub and kinda do in the starting of this chapter, but bear with me, he does come into the story far more in a bit. Please, if you like this little history (or if you don't) please PLEASE review! I'm begging you! Ok not really but close to it.
No one checked on the dwarves for three days after the feast for no one was in the mood to deal with a bunch of crotchety dwarves and besides, they had been given plenty to eat and it would probably last them till a week after the feast. Three days after, however, one of the elves that punted the barrels to Esgaroth arrived in Mirkwood with the startling news that the dwarves that had been captured three weeks ago had turned up in the city hall! The elf wanted to know if the Elvenking had actually granted their release or if they had escaped. A hasty inspection of the dungeons made it very apparent that the elf's story was true and the dwarves had actually escaped! There was nothing to do about it since the dwarves were now out of the elves hands as Esgaroth and the Long Lake were out of the Elvenking's jurisdiction.
Thranduil was absolutely furious and the only way to channel his frustration was to pin the blame on someone, anyone who had been part of it. So it was that Rhov found himself in front of Thranduil who, like everyone else when it came to the dark-elf, was torn between anger and amusement. Yet Thranduil understood that it was not particularly anyone's fault in the matter of the dwarves, but at the same time, Rhov had disobeyed the Elvenking when he refused to give up his wolf (for Legolas had stumbled over the bundle when he was searching for Rhov's bow), therefore, Thranduil would have to administer justice.
"You will be leaving here in 6 weeks time to return to Lothlorien." Legolas' head whipped up but he refrained from saying anything. His father continued, "I have already sent one of my birds to Galadriel telling her of your arrival. I'm sorry Rhov, but I cannot allow such an animal under my roof nor a disobedient elf." The look on Rhov's face nearly broke Thranduil's resolve but he held firm and dismissed Legolas and Rhov.
The two friends walked in silence down the hall and Rhov could tell that his friend was taking the order harder than himself. Rhov tried to comfort his best friend, "I was going to leave anyway, remember? Besides, this makes it legal and there won't be any blame on the wood-elves heads when arrive home. I'll be coming back to visit you and I won't forget you." Legolas nodded and drew a hand across his eyes than said stoically, "You shouldn't have hid the dog from me though. It was a almost like lying and you know it," he sighed then added, "but, after all, you aren't like us and you have different ideas than us." He clapped Rhov on the shoulder and walked quickly toward his chambers.
Rhov knew this was no time to comfort or gloss it over. What he had done had been wrong, not keeping the wolf essentially, but the way in which he had done it had instilled the seed of doubt in those closest to him. His room was cool and quiet except for the puppy's little whimpers as it slept, so Rhov turned around and went outside to walk in the wood near the palace. What was he going to do with himself when he left here?
Four week later, news arrived at the palace from many different birds that Bard of Esgaroth had killed Smaug, the dragon that had dominated the lands east of Mirkwood. There was great joy at this announcement and Thranduil immediately organized a force that was to travel to the Lonely Mountain to claim a portion of the great treasure of Smaug. To Legolas' great pleasure, King Thranduil insisted that Rhov come as well that he might take some of it for the Lady Galadriel. Rhov agreed and the army set out a day after the news. Lindwen had agreed to take care of the wolf while Rhov was away.
When they arrived at Esgaroth and saw that it had been burned and sunk by the dragon, Thranduil sent about 40-odd elves to help the people and see if there were any able-bodied men who were willing to accompany them. Bard arrived in the elves' camp and had an audience with the Elvenking.
Rhov and Legolas had been speaking with the King about what supplies they could give to the people when Bard entered. He was tall with a noble light in his dark brown eyes and a beautifully crafted bow on his back. Rhov took to him immediately.
"I hope you know my lord, that the dwarves that escaped from your palace had left about two weeks ago for the Lonely Mountain. They may yet still be alive." Bard then added, "If so, we will have a time of it, for they are stubborn. I had wondered if you had noticed the strange creature that has been with them, he did not look like anything I had ever seen."
Thranduil frowned, for when captured none of the elves had seen anything but dwarves. As the King thought, Rhov suddenly remembered Lind's face when her food disappeared off her plate and then the different complaints he had heard about disappeared blankets, food, drink, and even a depleted supply of hay in the storeroom. Could it be that this creature could be invisible? Possibly. Bard was speaking again.
"They called it a hobbit and he was with them from the beginning of their journey with Gandalf. I believe its name was Bilbo Baggins." His name was called from outside and Bard bowed and went out of the tent.
The combined forces of elves and men arrived at the Lonely Mountain four days later in a heavy drizzle to find the main gate shut in by a wall of stone blocks. Apparently Thorin and his followers were still alive and somehow knew about the coming of Bard and Thranduil. The army set out its tents in the miserable weather and waited for the morning.
Rhov lay on his cot that night wondering why he had the feeling this wasn't going to be easy, for in all his reading, dwarves held onto their treasure until they were dead. He lay on his stomach and began to think of what it would be like when he had to leave Mirkwood and return to Lothlorien. Although he adored his adopted mother and father, life in the Golden Wood was too serious too constricting for a bundle of energy that Rhov was. But then so was living with the wood-elves to a certain extent. Rolling over, Rhov stared up at the roof of the tent and swore to himself that after he left Mirkwood he was going to go to Lothlorien, visit the Lord and Lady, and then begin the exploration of Middle-Earth that he had so wished for since he was a little elflet listening to Galadriel's stories.
Next morning everyone watched as Bard and several of his men rode toward the entrance of the Mountain to speak with Thorin. The company disappeared behind a curve in the trail and no one could see them. Everyone waited in suspense until ten minutes later; they arrived back in camp looking very grave. Things had not gone well. Bard reported to Thranduil as Legolas and Rhov sat listening.
"The fool refuses to give up anything unless the entire elven army leaves. I guess there is not much we can do but see what will happen."
Thranduil frowned, "I'm afraid it's worse than that. We have gotten word that Dain of the Iron Hills is coming with a dwarf army to help Thorin hold the Lonely Mountain. It could get very nasty soon and I had hoped that we could settle this peacefully." He sighed and everyone but Rhov looked grave.
Rhov could never stay serious for any long amount of time so he laughed, "Why don't we just throw Lady Lindwen up to them. She would have them begging for surrender in less time then you can say Legolas backwards!" They all stared at him for a minute then King Thranduil shook his head.
"Although you are quite right in supposing Lady Lindwen could talk their ugly beards off, we cannot put her in danger otherwise I would send you two back to the palace at double-time!" He grinned the first real grin Rhov had seen in 5 weeks.
Suddenly an elf poked his head into the tent and whispered, "The dwarves' hobbit is outside and wishes and audience with you, my lords."
Surprised though he was, Thranduil kept his head and motioned for the hobbit to be ushered in. He was the strangest thing that Rhov had ever seen, but in a good way. The little hobbit had thick, curly brown hair, little breeches, an old ragged, blue cloak, and bare feet with thick curly hair on the toes and the strangest part was that he was wearing an elvish mail coat of mithril. He looked very funny in it.
"Really you know," Bilbo was saying in his best business manner, "things are impossible. Personally I am tired of the whole affair." He then went on to explain he was willing to give up his share to the men and elves so that everyone could go home all in one piece. "I assure you, Thorin is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here."
Bard snorted and said, "Well, let him! Such a fool deserves to starve."
Bilbo nodded his agreement then added, "Have you not heard that Dain of the Iron Hills is only two days away with his dwarves and there are many of them."
Thranduil nodded as well and answered, "Yes, we had known about Dain but not that he was so close. This is ill news indeed!"
"I have an answer to your problem, I believe." Bilbo said and pulled out of his pocket the most beautiful jewel that Rhov or anyone else had ever seen. "This is the Arkenstone of Thrain, the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin." Bilbo then handed the stone to Bard and stood up.
Bard stared at it as if dazed. "How is it yours to give?" He said at last with an effort. Bilbo shifted his feet and began babbling, "O well! It isn't exactly; but, well, I am willing to let it stand against all my claim, don't you know." And thus in the same strain until Thranduil, who had been so shocked he hadn't said anything, finally recovered and exclaimed, "Bilbo Baggins! You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it. But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of dwarves in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and here you shall be honoured and thrice welcome."
But Bilbo refused and saying his goodbyes, he left the tent and disappeared into the darkness toward the Lonely Mountain and whatever awaited the brave hobbit. Rhov walked out after him and watched as he began walking among the tents. A dark, hooded figure stopped him en-route and clapped him on the shoulder and spoke to the little hobbit in low tones. Then the elven guards came up and escorted Bilbo toward the small river that stood between the camp and the entrance to the Lonely Mountain.
Then the cloaked figure hurried toward Rhov and pushed the hood back. It was Gandalf and he looked very pleased. "Excellent hobbit. Should've known there was more to him than even I thought. Well laddie, show me in why don't you! We have much to talk about." With that Gandalf grabbed Rhov's elbow and dragged him into the tent where everyone else looked up and stared at the pair with astonishment.
"Gandalf!" yelled Thranduil when he had recovered slightly, "Glad I am to see you, my old friend! What news do you bring of the Necromancer?" Bard and Legolas visibly shuddered at the mention of the name, Rhov just looked keenly between the two ancients. But Gandalf waved away the question and sat down.
"Bard, there are several things I want you to do tomorrow." Bard raised his eyebrows slightly as Gandalf spoke his name but said nothing. "You must go back to Thorin and show him the Arkenstone. No, better yet I will show him and hopefully from me he will capitulate. I do hope he doesn't damage that good hobbit, for I think we will have need of Bilbo Baggins in the future."
"Should any elves go with Bard?" asked Legolas.
"No! No, he would never listen to even a word I would have to say if he saw even one pointy ear!" The King and Legolas frowned at the little jab at their strange ears but Rhov chuckled quietly. Gandalf heard him and turned toward him and stared at him for a moment then said, "I must speak to you alone tonight. Your mother sent a message by me that she wishes you to hear as soon as possible." Then he turned back to the others and their plans leaving Rhov feeling slightly uneasy.
Since Rhov most certainly wasn't going to be there for the confrontation, he went outside to get a breath of fresh air before he retired for the night. Clouds covered the stars, the air felt heavy and wet, and Rhov didn't like the smell of the breeze that drifted from the north.
After several minutes Rhov began to walk to his tent when Gandalf called to him, "Rhovanion! I must speak with you." Rhov nodded curtly and turned back to where Gandalf was standing in the shadows of the King's tent.
"Well, I am glad to see you alive still. According to Thranduil you are more than he can cope with at the minute and he is sending you back to Lothlorien when this all over. Is it true you adopted a little wolf pup?"
Rhov nodded again and wondered what Gandalf was getting to. "The thing is," continued Gandalf, "is that it shows you have a kind and sweet heart. Do not believe all the stories about your kind. Yes, your kind, for as you are not as other elves of these days or of the ones before. Some day I might tell you some of the stories and just where dark-elves got their bad name but this is not the time or place for such things."
Rhov was getting impatient and he never liked riddles that much. He wasn't subtle and that was another thing that was different from regular elves. If they gave any information whatsoever, it would be in subtle hints or little poems that you had to waste time figuring out. Thus it was that he spoke more sharply than he habitually did.
"You said you had message from the Lady Galadriel. What was it that she wanted to say to me?" Gandalf looked up into the eyes of the dark-elf and wondered again, how this elf was so tall when all his ancestors had been so short, comparatively speaking.
"Rilien, I named you for the light I saw in you,Morohtar for a great warrior that would come in time of need,
Randir lonely wanderer
And finally, Rhovanion, for dark and wild you are and none are like you.
Listen to me, my child, go to Rivendell,
For you shall meet, one there, who is like you and will be your friend for many years.
Do not forget Caras Galadhon for loves dwells here, ever."
Gandalf said no more but peered at the young dark-elf from under his bushy eyebrows, wondering what could possibly go on inside the head of a completely foreign creature from all other races of elves. Rhov didn't say anything but walked off into the darkness away from the camp and Gandalf did not follow. After all, Rhov understood what his adopted mother had tried to say, kindly of course. Rhov did not belong, in Mirkwood, Lothlorien, or possibly even Rivendell. To men and hobbits Rhov would have to go to meet kindred spirits, for dark-elves had understood millennia ago that they would always be estranged from their distant cousins. Gandalf watched the tall, dark lithe figure disappear into the gloom and whispered, "May the Valar bless you, Rilien Rhovanion."
Two days later Rhovanion was sitting next to a fire in the early morning next to Bilbo Baggins. Things had not gone well yesterday and the brave little hobbit was nearly strangled by Thorin before Gandalf could stop the infuriated dwarf. Far from making Thorin Oakenshield compliant with the showing of the Arkenstone, the dwarf had nearly blown a blood vessel and had sent to Dain of the Iron Hills to march through the night with no delays. Accordingly, the dwarf had pushed his men fast and hard all through the night arriving near the encampment of the men and elves at daybreak. Nothing had happened yet and Bilbo had already reported the news to Bard, Thranduil, and Gandalf.
"I do hope there won't be any trouble. It would all be so much easier if Thorin could give up but a fourteenth of his treasure, then no lives would be lost or disturbed." Bilbo sighed.
Rhov smiled and patted the little hobbit on the back. "You did what you could my friend and no one can ask for more, perhaps Dain will understand and try to reason with Thorin for us." But Bilbo merely shook his head and sipped the water from his beaker with a long face. Losing all his friends that he had battled, starved, and traveled with for all these months was hard on poor Bilbo, but he was grateful for Rhov's presence.
"Ho, here comes the great dwarf himself!" Rhov said to Bilbo and both stood up to watch as Dain and several of his dwarves came riding into the camp and stopped in front of Gandalf.
Dain spoke, "We wish for passage through your army to our cousin Thorin Oakenshield."
Gandalf shook his head. "We cannot let you get through until Thorin complies with our wishes in the matter of the treasure for the Lakemen."
"And what do you have that could sway the great Thorin Oakenshield of his rightful inheritance?"
"This." And Gandalf held up the Arkenstone, which glittered and rippled even without the light of the sun, which was hidden beneath dark rain clouds.
Dain shook with anger. "How can you barter with the great Arkenstone the rightful belonging to the King under the Mountain? We shall see about this!" With that the dwarf and his cohorts turned their ponies around and trotted toward their host who were waiting for news.
Without further ado, King Thranduil set up his elves under Legolas and Rhov went with Bard to rally the men for the strike that would come.
It was at this time that Rhov turned to Gandalf and saw he was looking, not toward the south where the dwarf army was marshaling, but toward the North where a great, black cloud was moving very fast and against the wind. Just as the dwarves were about to charge Gandalf suddenly went into action.
"Hold! Hold! Death is on the wind! It is almost upon you and it has come swifter than I had thought! Look to the North! There an army of Wargs and goblins are coming toward the Lonely Mountain with a great cloud of bats preceding them! Forget your petty conflicts and let the captains come together for a council of war before the goblin army is upon us!" It was to everyone's credit that Dain joined Gandalf, Bard, and Thranduil to map out what quick plans they could come up with for the defense of themselves and the Lonely Mountain.
Rhov listened and was surprised when he was assigned the duty of captain to the elves who were to be stationed on the west slope of the Mountain to rain arrows down on the heads of the attacking enemy. It would be a hard command and not the least of it was that a drizzle had begun falling, although lightly, it would make the hillside slick and dangerous to move fast. Rhov rounded up the best archers of Mirkwood beside himself and hurried them up the slope and, as he had thought, many took a slip from the wet rock. Finally, they were all in their place and could see into the northwest and the huge army of goblins and Wargs as they charged toward the Lonely Mountain and the army that was being set into ranks to guard the entrance to the Mountain.
The dark-elf could hear his companions' gasp and then quiet as they realized that this battle could very well turn the fortunes of all in Middle-Earth. A wild, unreasoning desire to kill had risen up in Rhov's heart and he could see nothing at the end of the tunnel but the goblins and Wargs that were almost upon the main force at the foot of the Mountain. Legolas had been given the command of the host of men and elves that were in the back. They were the last defense of the gate should the goblins and wargs slash through the others.
Rhov raised his hand and all the elves notched arrows while staring intently at their foes.
"Pick a goblin now and do not waste one shot. They will most certainly make their way up here one way or another so be sure to make every arrow count." And with that Rhov notched an arrow to his bow and stared down the perfectly straight wood to the largest goblin he could find in the front of the charging foe. His eyes were shining with anticipation and an unholy joy flickered in their depths as he called to all his friends.
"FIRE!"
There was a hissing sound as the arrows took flight and all found their mark in the screaming wave of rank evil before it broke over the men, dwarves, and elves that began to fight with a vengeance.
"Aim for the Wargs! Leave the goblins and get the wolves!" Rhov shouted as he shot his fourth arrow into the seething mass. The elves around him were all crack archers and none in Middle-Earth could outshoot even the worst. The men on the other side of the slope were doing very well for their kind and claiming a good portion for the slain Wargs.
It seemed victory was in the air, but this could not be for there were too many of the evil creatures, goblins especially, and Rhov was beginning to wonder how much longer he and the others were going to be able to hold their position. Sure enough, the men and dwarves who were the main forces at the foot of the Mountain were being pushed back with many losses and then suddenly goblins began pouring from the North and South slopes and attacked the two forces of archers stopping the rain of arrows on there comrades.
This is just what Rhov had not wanted but that wild joy in battle that had risen in his eyes before he fired his first arrow, rose up and consumed him and without thinking, he waded in. He whipped his two Lorien dagger out and he forgot his bow and quiver, his command, even why he was there, except for the desire to kill the goblins before him.
King Thranduil who was standing with Gandalf had seen the goblins attacking the archers, felt despair, for the only real defense of the army below was the archers, and they were now fighting hand-to-hand. Then his eyes narrowed and he saw a black-haired, bronze colored flash mowing down goblins with a pair of knives that flashed in the lightening that had begun in the sky. The Elvenking's heart shuddered as he heard a wild, joyful laugh and he realized who was acting the maniac up on the slopes. Rhov had that dark joy of battle that all the stories had confirmed the Moriquendi had and it frightened the King of Mirkwood far more than the goblins' war cries did.
"The eagles! The eagles are coming!" yelled Mr. Baggins who was far too small to fight and had been standing next to Gandalf. "The eagles are coming!" he repeated.
The cry was taken up from many of the elves and men and the goblins hesitated for a moment as understanding swept over them. Rhov heard the cries and looked toward the North, there were the great eagles of the Misty Mountains, yet there were still not enough of them to finish the job. Rhov continued slashing and skewering with deadly efficiency, but his brain had cleared now and he had to decide how to get some of his men down to the main battle to help Legolas and the others before they were overrun.
A bear's roar then rose above the screams and yells of battle. Beorn had come in his bear's form to destroy as many of his mortal foes as he could get his claws and teeth on. With another great shout Thorin and his dwarves broke the wall and joined the fight adding greatly to the moral of all assembled there.
"To me, men, dwarves, and elves! To me!" cried the great dwarf over the battle din and the army took heart and began to push the enemy back. The goblins had begun to understand what was happening and were fighting with the ferocity of hopelessness. Sure enough, within fifteen minutes of the arrival of Beorn, he was able to reach the innermost part of the goblin army and killed Bolg the Great Goblin.
With a wailing cry, the goblins and wargs began to retreat from the field of battle and the elves, men, and dwarves that were still hale and hardy, gave chase. Rhov would've joined in had he not seen Gilian lying on the ground covered in blood.
"Gilian! Come lad, where are you hurt?" Rhov kneeled next to his friend. Even in death, Gilian could not help but smile in the same little mischievous way that he had since he was born. His merry little songs would be heard no more, in the halls of the Elvenking's palace. Rhov bowed his head and wept for his friend and the others that lay all around him for death is never pretty and the loss of a friend is hard to bear. Rhov did not rise nor look up for what seemed an age, until a hand touched his shoulder.
Legolas had seen Rhov disappear to the other side of the battle and had been looking for him since he had returned from the rout of the goblins. Now he found Rhov, behind a pile of the vermin (Beorn's doings) cradling Gilian's head in his hands with red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
"Rhov, there is nothing more you can do for him and there are many others that are alive yet need help. Come, my friend, for Gilian has gone to fairer places and we will see him again perchance."
The dark-elf nodded and stood up wiping his eyes. Legolas nodded but before he left he asked, "Could you find Mr. Baggins? For none have seen him since the eagles arrived and Gandalf is beside himself. If you find him, tell him that Thorin is mortally wounded and that Fili and Kili are dead. Tell him gently for they were his dear friends."
Rhov met many others who were searching for Bilbo and they explained to him that he was last heard over by Raven Hill. So Rhov searched for his little friend through the evening until a half an hour after nightfall, calling Mr. Baggin's name until his voice began to grow hoarse. He finally heard a small voice come from the rocks.
"Hullo there! What news?" It was Mr. Baggins voice, a little shaky, but his voice all the same; but where was the little burglar?
"Where are you Bilbo? I can't see you at all!" Rhov called in the direction of the voice. Then Mr. Baggins appeared around the rock.
"It is well that I have found you, my friend!" said Rhov striding up to the little hobbit. "You are needed and we have looked for you long. Are you much hurt?"
"Oh, a nasty knock on the head, I think," said Bilbo. "But I have a helm and a hard skull. All the same I feel sick and my legs are like straws."
Rhov smiled for the first time since the battle and said, "I will carry you down to the camp in the valley. If you wish to know what happened to your friends, Thorin has been wounded severely and Fili and Kili are dead." He was not sure if Bilbo had heard or not, for the hobbit made no reply.
Gandalf was waiting for them as they arrived at a tent in the Dale, so Rhov set Mr. Baggins down and Gandalf ushered them both inside, greeting Bilbo happily. Thorin was lying on his back with many wounds on his body. He turned and greeted his visitors and then began to speak to Bilbo in quiet tones. Gandalf motioned to Rhov and they both stepped out of the tent to leave the two friends to themselves. Thorin died that day and great was the sadness at the passing of the great Thorin Oakenshield.
Yet healing began in the Lonely Mountain and the Valley of Dale beneath its shadow. The goblins and wargs were carted to a lonely spot and buried in a common grave and no sign was ever given that they lay there. The elves buried their kindred near the river and the men sent their dead back to the waiting wives and children at the shores of the Long Lake.
Thorin was laid to rest in a cave deep beneath the Mountain and they laid the Arkenstone on his chest and it is said that the Arkenstone shone brightly whenever danger was near at hand.
Dain was made King under the Mountain and he gave Bard a fourteenth of the treasure from which the good man gave the emeralds of Girion to the Elvenking. When all was ready, the elven host began the march back to Mirkwood accompanied by Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, and Beorn. Although there were many a cheerful elf gone from their ranks forever, the overall spirit of the company was light-hearted, for they had vanquished the goblins of the northern Misty Mountains and Wilderland would be rid of their kind for many a long year.
Bilbo rode next to Rhov and made him recount all of the battle that he had missed and then Rhov began to tell his friend about the stories of the Second Age and of Middle Earth before it was changed by the great wars of the Valar and Melkor. Bilbo was quite enthralled throughout the march of two weeks and the little fellow became great friends with the dark-elf.
When they reached the edge of Mirkwood, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Beorn said their goodbyes to the elven company, for they were going to circumvent Mirkwood. Bilbo was very sad to leave his merry friend and begged Rhov to come and look him up in Hobbiton some time.
"Perhaps we shall meet sooner than that, Bilbo. For now let us say goodbye cheerfully, and I need not say to go carefully; you are in the best of company for such a long sojourn. Farewell!" Rhov waved and then the elves plunged into Mirkwood and the hobbit disappeared from view.
"Oh, I will meet you soon my little friend. I must leave this place for it is not my home and to Rivendell I must go. Farewell, good hobbit until our paths meet again at Imladris." Rhov spoke softly to the swaying trees and then spurred his horse to join Legolas in the rear.