Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything about the world of The Hobbit. All, but my OCS, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien
Chapter Elven
The Hills Have Eyes
The departure from the Last Homely House of the West was rather straightforward. Rowan held Claudia's arm tight as Lord Elrond wished them luck on their journey, ensuring Marchwarden Halidr and his party would see them off to the shire. Alma and Dag bowed deeply to Rowan, giving word that they would protect the Line of Durin with their lives. Theo had begun to bowie but Rowan stopped him, pulling him into a tight hug. She whispered something in his ear, and then let go with one last tight squeeze. Enna captured Rowan's hand, raising it to her forehead in a familiar dwarven gesture. Claudia noted the glimmer of sadness and longing in her sister's eyes as Enna joined their small party in preparing for their parting.
Claudia stood on the steps of Rivendell watching as the mixture of elves and dwarves moved about preparing their various beasts, loading them with food, blankets, and any other supplies that might save them on the road. The weight of leaving behind her kept her feet steady. Claudia squeezed Rowan's hand, she had never been far from her sister or parents' side.
"Are you sure your 'destiny' isn't calling you home?" Rowan said low enough that it was only heard between the sisters.
Claudia's eyes scanned over her companions. "Ama taught us not to question what the Valor's will for it will always be done." She reminded her sister.
Rowan hummed, falling quiet for a moment. "Be wary out there, Claudia. Even if your allies."
Claudia glanced at Rowan, though her sister's eyes were set on Lord Elrond's captain, Lord Glorfindel.
"You think the Warrior of Legend will betray us?" Claudia was shocked that Rowan would think such a thing. They are grown up on stories of Glorfindel's deed. Rowan idolized any hero that seemed to be a figure of perfection. Someone that was on par with her flawlessness
Rowan shook her head, her eyes settling on Claudia. "No, but I do not trust him enough to keep you all protected."
Claudia snorted. "Alma and Dag are hardly new guards holding their first axes. Enna is Enna, and she knows her way around a battlefield. Both Theo and I were trained under Dwalin, just as you were. We don't need some golden-haired hero, we have each other."
Rowan smiled. "Keep it that way, Claudia. Protect one another. Haldir promised me to help you train until you reach the Shire. Use your sword, and not the staff, it's much safer." She insisted.
"Okay, Ama. I get it, I'm not the most talented swordsman but I will be fine I promise." Claudia huffed.
Rowan brushed her hand through Claudia's hair in the manor their mother always had. "I'm not saying you can't defend yourself. I'm just saying you need to be aware of your shortcomings."
Claudia let out a short laugh. "Don't worry, Rowan. I'm keenly aware of them."
"That's not what I meant, Claudia. And you know it." Rowan said, though her voice sounded defeated.
Rowan pulled her into a tight hug, she turned to whisper in Claudia's ear. "I just want you to come home, Claudia."
"As your future queen, I order you to return home."
Rowan slipped from Claudia, though her hands remained on her shoulder.
"As your sister, I command you to stay alive." Her voice was nothing more than a whisper.
Her fingertips pressed into Claudia's skin. "Please come home."
The soft footfall of the elf approached them. "Claudia, we will be leaving soon you need to prepare your ram."
Claudia slipped from her sister's embrace, turning to face Enna. Enna began leading them down the steps toward her company. Claudia paused, looking back at her sister the sunlight caught a glimmer of tears that were gathered in Rowan's eyes. A sudden wave of sadness broke in Claudia as she raced back up the stairs flung herself into Rowan's arms. "Give Ama and Da my letter, and tell Odette to be good. I will come home, I promise."
Rowan squeezed her little sister tight, before letting go. Claudia didn't look back as she raced down the steps toward her ram, afraid that she betrayed her heart and forsake her destiny. Quietly she got onto her ram, her eyes set on the bridge that led out of Rivendell.
Elves are insufferable, Claudia decided on the third day of their journey, barely out of sight of Rivendell. The morning of their departure Claudia held some hope that her fellow travelers would cooperate on some level with each other. That hope was squashed within hours. At their first stop, Theo soon found himself scolded by one of Haldir's footsoldiers as he tried to bate him into a fight. Theo's lively spirit quieted for the rest of the day. Claudia had not been much better in luck with her own company. Haldir's soldiers barely looked in her direction, Enna rode silently in the back of their caravan, Dag and Alma were on guard duty and had no time to entertain her trivial boredom. That left the last of their company, Glorfindel, who Claudia had successfully avoided. That was until Haldir had called her up to ride with him and Glorfindel.
"Your sister tells me you've studied with the bo staff. " Haldir said trying to fill the tense silence.
"I have studied many weapons, but I do prefer the staff."
Haldir hummed. "When we stop you will have to show me your skill with your staff. It's been many years since I used one myself. Perhaps you can teach me as I can teach you." Haldir suggested.
Claudia flashed him a bright smile, her cheeks pushing her eyes shut as they lifted with excitement.
"I would love that, Marchwarden."
Haldir returned her smile, though he was much more reserved.
"I'm sure there won't be much to learn with a stick," Glorfindel grumbled beside Haldir. "Not everyone is blessed as you are with a saber, Lord Glorfindel," Haldir commented.
Claudia set her eyes forward not wishing to engage with Glorfindel.
"Not many can master the saber, but even an orc can manage to hit with a stick, wouldn't you agree princess?"
He was bating her like he wanted to anger her. Claudia swallowed the anger that bubbled in her mouth.
"Perhaps if I hit you hard enough with that 'stick' then all of your mastery of words and swords could slip away, Lord Glorfindel," Claudia said calmly.
Glorfindel quickly fell silent. Claudia could have sworn she saw the slight shake of Haldir's shoulder as if he were holding in a laugh.
"A staff that's an unusual weapon found among dwarves, no?" Haldir quickly broke the silence again.
"My people are well versed in the art of weaponry, not just the weapons themselves," Claudia said.
"I don't think the word art and dwarves belong in a sentence together." Glorfindel's low voice irritated Claudia's ear.
Claudia leaned forward glaring at Glorfindel. Haldir swung his head in Glorfindel's direction, hissing something in elvish she couldn't make out though from his tone it sounded, faintly, like he was scolding the ancient warrior. A voice called to Haldir from behind them, he nodded to both of his riding companions before pulling away. Glorfindel and Claudia kept their distance from one another.
After a few moments, Claudia spoke first.
"Tell me is it your goal to make everyone miserable on this journey?"
Glorfindel let out a low laugh. "Only you, Princess."
Claudia rolled her eyes, pushing into her ram's belly to put distance between her and the elf captain.
The spirits of the company were soon dampened by an on pour of rain on the third day nearing the Shire. Claudia shivered violently under her cloak as she moved about their small campsite. As her sister wished Claudia had continued her training with Haldir. Though she stayed with her staff in most of her training. Mud caked her leggings as she rooted herself in the earth beneath her, her knees bending ever so slightly as she braced herself for the oncoming impact. Iston, one of the Marchwarden's soldiers, pierced his sword toward her with grace. To Claudia, it didn't look like he was trying to fight her, but rather dance around her. Claudia twisted feeling the air buzz inches between her skin and his blade. Taking her staff, she caught the edge of his sword the sharp edge barely cutting into its wood.
Claudia pushed a breath through her core and he pushed the blade above her head. Victory gleamed in her foresight as she kept pushing Iston. Though all glittering victories were soon dowsed by a swift kick to her abs. Her back, forcefully, met mud. Claudia tried to find her breath. Iston's hand appeared in front of her face as he helped her to her feet again. The small group of elves that had been watching them for entertainment clapped. Dag and Theo hollered in support from their place on a nearby fallen log. Haldir marched over toward her.
"Excellent form, Lady Claudia." Haldir admired.
Claudia smiled.
"Thank you, Marchwarden. Though I imagine victory would taste better."
Haldir laughed.
"You will get there one day, Mellon." Haldir clapped his hand on her shoulder.
"As I told you before a stick gets you nowhere in battle." A voice called from the crowd.
Over her shoulder she watched Glorfindel step into their makeshift training grounds. Claudia narrowed her eyes, Glorfindel's head held arrogantly high.
"My staff and I will be none of your concern in battle, my lord," Claudia called.
Glorfindel shrugged. "It's not a concern of mine. I would like to know that the members of my company are capable of protecting themselves."
"Your company. I hadn't realized we assigned you as our leader, tell did I miss the vote?" Claudia jabbed.
Glorfindel stepped closer. "I thought they would want someone who has been outside of their home without a babysitter as a leader." His face glowed even against the grey sky.
Claudia flexed her hand hoping to contain an ounce of the anger that was beginning to drown her.
"I would think they would want someone who doesn't rely on the Valor to survive." Claudia hissed.
As the words have spoken a silence lay over the camp, and it seemed that everyone in earshot held their breath. In a second Glorfindel was on her, snatching the blade from a stunned Iston's hand. Claudia gulped, pushing down her fear as she held the bo tightly in her hand. Before she could speak Dag was in front of her, his ax drawn.
"I wouldn't take another step closer, my lord." Her guard warned.
"I was only coming to challenge the princess. Though I see who fights her battles." He looked down at Dag from the tip of his nose.
Claudia clasped a hand on Dag's shoulder. "It's okay, Dag. I've got this." She tried to reassure him.
Dag glanced back at the High Lord, but only bowed his head at Claudia. He was not one for disobeying orders. Dag shuffled back to his log where Theo stood, his face blank as he watch the pair cautiously. Claudia flipped her staff with ease around her body, before tucking it into her body. She steadied herself to fight. Glorfindel circled Claudia, Haldir reluctantly backing off the pair.
"Tell me, my lord, can you even see straight enough to fight? Or will you need another drink?"
With one motion the point of his blade sat meeting of her neck and shoulder. "First lesson, princess, listen, don't speak. Your tongue, no matter, how sharp, will not stop an orc."
Claudia took in a deep breath before catching the edge of the sword with her staff. Encircling the sword she used her force to embed the sharp blade into the wood of her staff. Glorfindel struggled only for a moment before letting go of the sword completely. Claudia stumbled surprised Glorfindel had given up so quickly until his arm snaked under hers, his hand launching onto her body, and with one swift blow, he threw her to the ground. Beautiful golden hair tickled her face, she blew trying to move the blonde locks. From the wave of sun-like hair, two wild emeralds peered at her wildly.
"My vices are none of your concern, Princess. You are nothing but a child hiding behind a sharp tongue. You know nothing of what you speak of, and you shall not speak on it again."
He pushed himself off the ground, his hand laying into her arm as he rose. A small crowd stared at the pair quietly.
"We are on a quest, not to make friends. Focus on that before you get one of us or yourself killed."
He stalked off the small crowd parting for the angry elf captain. Claudia laid back into the dirt straying up at the blue sky.
Claudia had stalked off to the edge of the woods, far from the pity glances of the rest of her company. She needed no one's pity. Glorfindel was a boorish man, who believed himself better than those around him. To Claudia, he was just another example of the Valor's folly.
"He had no right to speak to you like that." Dag's voice cut through the melody of the forest.
Claudia stared at the intersecting line of trees in front of her. "He is infurtraing, Dag. I am not some helpless princess. Why does everyone treat me like one? My father took back our home, my mother is one of only two Champions of Erebor. My life's blood is not weak, so why does everyone see me as such."
Claudia gritted her teeth, beginning to march forward directionless.
"Princess, they don't-"
"Do not lie to me."
Her words were unmistakable an order. The soft song of crickets ringing louder and louder in her ears, the breaking of branches beneath her boots accompanying them. Dag called her name but she kept walking forward needing space between herself and the company. Tears watered her vision, she was being silly, she knew it. Perhaps Glorfindel was right, she was nothing more than a spoiled child.
"Something clouds your thoughts." A voice called out from behind her.
She turned to find Thallian standing among the trees and moss as if he were always a part of them. Embarrassment heated her cheeks. Claudia stopped using the back of her hand to wipe away her tears.
"Just wondering why you would send me out here. Over the last week, all of my thoughts have been consumed with my so-called destiny." She grumbled.
Thallian laughed, his diamond jewel tooth flashing for a brief second. "Destiny calls to us all, my dear. Whether we answer her call is up to us."
Claudia flashed an annoyed looked at his wise tone.
"You make it sound simple as if the path is clear. But all that is in front of me is fog."
He moved to her, his hand cupping her face.
"There are thousands of paths in front of you and only you can choose which to take. I'm here merely as a guiding light."
Claudia looked up at him, cautiously her hand cover his. "And why are you here."
His expression dropped as he backed up, his eyes watching the treeline. The first had seemed to darken in their short exchange, the air thick and heavy in Claudia's lungs.
"Our connection wanes, little bird. I cannot protect you much longer."
Claudia's heart spiked. "Protect me from what? Where are you going?"
Something on the forest floor snapped behind them. Thalian surged forward grabbing Claudia's shoulders. "He has sent them already. They are tracking you as we speak. Do not underestimate them, Claudia. Be watchful of the shadows as it is their friend."
The buzz of lighting echoed in the forest around them, three blue lights each of various shapes and sizes illuminated near them. Thalian stood in front of Claudia.
"Go! Now!"
Claudia didn't hesitate as she raced off in the other direction. Behind her, an explosion of light illuminated the forest. As if nightfall had consumed the world around her, Claudia could only make out the outline of foliage in front of her. Screams echoed in her ears, and then silence. From the silence rang the cruel crack of branches underweight. Fear kissed her skin, as she dropped to her knees crawled under the hollow skeleton skin of a fallen oak. Pushing her finger pressed into her heart, willing it to quiet. Her breathing was erratic as an invisible force neared her. The hum and crack of pure power hit her ear as through the breaks in the tree blue light burned through the shadows.
"Where did she go?" A soft voice called out.
"She couldn't have gone far. Separate, and search the area. He wants her alive." An eerily calm voice ordered.
The patterning of shoes rushed off into the night forest. Claudia waited a moment as the forest quieted around her. Moments passed and Claudia crawled out from the tree. The shadows of the woods were long and stiff, the rustle of leaves carried the wood's whispers. A single drop of rain slide between the canopy of leaves above her finding her bare cheek followed by much harder and fast rain. Claudia staggered through the forest floor desperately hoping to find the familiar campsite.
Frantically look behind her, Claudia could feel the shadows chasing her, watching her every move. While looking back, running from the shadows, Claudia didn't see the figure that stepped into her path until her shoulder hit a solid surface. Bouncing off the surface, Claudia hit the ground. Above her was a titled owl-like mas. One side of its face was sharp-shaped stone-like material, the other side was painted red - patches of the raw stone showed through from years of wear.
The rise and fall of her chest was violently fast as the face crouched to her level, standing only inches from her. Claudia backed away from the figure, her hand dancing along the uneven wet ground. Her hand brushed a loose stone.
"He will be pleased to see you." The distinctly female voice said.
The masked figure paused, their stare dropping to Claudia's neck. A black-gloved hand reached out capturing her mother's necklace.
"Where did you get that?" The voice sounded surprised and slightly shocked.
Claudia only stared at the mask for a moment, before taking the stone in her hand and smacking the side of the mask. The woman let out a scream before falling to the ground. Claudia shot up jumping over the body racing - hopefully - out of the woods. Claudia raced for what seemed like forever, not noticing how light warmed the world around her. Tears cleaned paths down her dirty cheeks.
"Claudia!" A voice called out.
Claudia dashed to the voice, as it became her beacon. Soon she found a familiar sight as figures of her company appeared in a clearing. Theo spotted her first as he raced to her, worry was written on his normally youthful face.
Theo held Claudia's shoulder. "Are you alright? We've been looking for you for an hour."
Claudia blinked looking back at the forest behind her, no sign of the masked figure that had chased her.
"An hour? No, it was night." Her voice was dazed.
Theo looked to Haldir and Enna who crowded around her. Claudia began to shake slightly. Dag appeared in her sight.
"My lady, one moment I was speaking to you, and the next you were gone. Where did you go?"
Claudia shook her head, her mind buzzing. Alma came to her side, wrapping her tightly in a blanket. "Claudia, did you fall in a river you are soaked."
Claudia looked up to the now cleared sky. Her eyes settled on the group around her. She found the face of Glorfindel standing at the edge of the group. His eyes set on her, irritation growing in them.
Alma placed her arm around Claudia as she ushered her back to the camp, Theo close behind them firing off a list of questions that she didn't listen to. Claudia paused beside Glorfindel as he stared down at her from the tip of his sharp nose.
"Perhaps if someone so inexperienced in the world shouldn't stray so far from their company at night." Glorfindel bit.
"Perhaps the Valor shouldn't have picked someone so heartless to do their will in Middle Earth." Though her voice was low her words were heard.
His stare burned through her back to camp.
As things settled around the camp, Claudia couldn't will herself to fall asleep. She watched the treeline for the mask.
Be watchful of the shadows as it is their friend.
