Author's Note: Thanks so much for the awesome response to the last update :) Thank you chibichibi98, Amadeussss, Guest, Kyle, Lalaithiel, DwarvenWarrior, jaoosa2, cauldron-of-ceridwen, SiaSaySomeday, znk99fg7, Candiee12, x0chu0x, Tulipa Negra, UKReader, uno mega, Heatblizzard, TheHobbitFanatic, kandy2431, house of the falling sun, and Coolo for reviewing. Answers to the anons will be below. You will notice there is something particularly different about this chapter ;) Don't be intimidated by the word count! The anon responses are REALLY long.
Disclaimer: I don't own "Blaze of Glory" by Bon Jovi. I cannot resist from using this song :)
Chapter Eighteen: Blaze of Glory
All Rue could see were Bilbo's fingernails digging into the mud―into the grass, trying with all his might to keep himself from being devoured by the mouth of the river―or the boney hand.
She didn't think. She just moved. Rue went to run after Bilbo, heart racing a million beats per minute, but―
A massive arm caught her by the shoulders, jerking her back with a powerful pull. Rue turned. Thorin. Looking downright furious, or more like an unusual state between anger and panic.
"Stay back!" he bellowed. And then he turned, roaring animalistic-like, "DWALIN!"
At once, endless pairs of eyes opened. The company was in chaos as the Dwarves inelegantly clambered to their feet, stumbling with wide-eyes, gazes finding Bilbo.
"BILBO!"
"GET THE HOBBIT!"
"What is grabbing him?"
Rue couldn't even distinct the voices. In a flash, there was a bombard of thud, thud, thuds―running―most of the Dwarves running for the river, wielding makeshift weapons. Like Bombur's ladle and Dori's boot.
Rue covered her mouth, gasping for air. Dwalin stood in front of her now, gripping his axe, facing Thorin. They traded a few words in Khuzdul.
She stood on her tiptoes, glancing past Dwalin, watching in full-fledged panic, as Bilbo was knee-deep in the water now. His arms were flailing, mouth open in a silent scream. Oh, no. Not Bilbo.
Gimli reached the river first, going in ankle deep, grabbing Bilbo's hands. Gloin and Ori leapt into the river next, reaching for any part of Bilbo they could, splashes resounding. Kili and Fili jumped into the water, Fili whipping out his two blades all ninja-like and Kili notching an arrow. Gimli hoisted his axe, bringing the blade down with a sickening crunch, striking bone, water shooting everywhere between the blow to the hand and Bilbo's thrashing.
Bilbo was yelling bloody murder, his desperate outcries of "help" making Rue feel like her eardrums were bursting blood. With a shaky hand, she pulled out Severus from her cloak, anxiously peeping past Dwalin.
Thorin pointed one finger at Rue. "Stay here."
Then he and Dwalin were running for the river. Rue paced back and forth, feet shuffling forward and backwards in indecision. How could she just stand here? Bilbo was in danger, getting dragged down by freaking Jason Voorhees's corpse. She stood on the balls of her feet, wiping tears away. Fear ate her heart, ate every last ounce of common sense she had. From here, she could no longer see Bilbo thanks to the Dwarves standing in and out of the river. It was freaking torture―the unknown. What was happening to him? All she could see was the water gushing this way, that way. Sure, Rue might have not exactly known what was going on now, but if there was a lot of splashing, that could only mean…
"GET HIM!" Ori screamed.
One minute, he was cupping his hands over his mouth, and the next, he was diving into the river, reaching for something, Nori bending down and holding Ori's ankles.
What. The. Hell. Rue darted inches forward, standing on her tiptoes, mouth opening in a silent O at the sight before her. Now she could see the river. And what she saw sent chills up her spine, made her blood run cold, made Rue wonder why the heck she had been foolish enough to willingly choose knowing over ignorant bliss.
Ori was Bilbo's only anchor, half his body in the water, a violent, unnatural whirlpool, trying to swallow him whole.
It felt like Buckbeak was kicking at her heart. Oh, crap. Whirlpools didn't happen in still rivers. They happened in rushing rivers. Right? This was insane. A hand, something that looked like it had popped right out of a Stephen King novel, had pulled Bilbo into the river. And now there was a whirlpool trying to suck him in.
All of a sudden, flashes of fur shot through the water. Rue blinked. It was Thorin, pushing through the other Dwarves, yelling words Rue couldn't make out. He closed the distance between him and Bilbo, his own legs getting caught up in the whirlpool. Thorin stumbled, nearly falling, bending forward to get a better grip on Bilbo. Within seconds, Dwalin was behind Thorin, steadying him.
"Uncle!" Kili shouted, eyes bugged out in fear.
Thorin held onto Bilbo's upper body, pulling him, grunting in the effort. Dwalin, Ori, and Fili yanked the rest of Bilbo's body from the vortex. In one sudden, final pull, Bilbo sprang forward from the clutches of the whirlpool, landing on Fili with an audible harrumph. Fili caught Mr. Hobbitkins, one arm wrapped around Bilbo's back as he dragged him back. Kili was there quick, fussing over Bilbo with a million different questions. Rue exhaled in relief.
Instantly, Thorin and Dwalin's weapons were drawn. They warily inched backwards, weapons pointed at the river in wait for the hand to reemerge.
Seconds passed. Nothing happened. The river went still, the whirlpool dying down, leaving nothing but sporadic bubbles behind.
Rue raced to Bilbo's side, squeezing inside the cluster of Dwarves surrounding him. He was sitting a ways from the river, one arm clutched around his stomach, his breathing erratic. Bilbo looked seconds away from passing out.
She bent down, meeting Bilbo's eyes. In the one look they shared, Rue knew. She just knew. It was the ring. Or something to do with the ring. Bilbo was trembling, reaching for Rue's offered hand when―
"Move!" Thorin bellowed.
Move where? It was the middle of the night.
"Travel now?" Balin spat in disbelief.
"There is not much choice," Thorin growled.
Then as one, the company's gazes drifted back to the river, where eerie ripples kept swelling to the surface.
Oh, shit.
The night air tore at Rue's cheeks as the company hiked through the woods, led by the light of Thorin, Dwalin, and Fili's torches. Wisps of panicked breaths hit the air as the seconds passed. Nobody was exactly sure what the hell had happened, but one thing was for sure―getting the hell away from the river was the smartest thing to do. And fast.
According to Thorin and Balin, the river was most likely two days more travel. Rue thought it ludicrous they could cover two days of walking in one night, but right now, it seemed like everyone was so tense, so shaken up over the crazy ordeal, that nobody was disputing it. Not yet at least. Rue guessed Balin or Dwalin would speak up in an hour tops. Even if the Dwarves would never admit it―Rue knew they were stubborn as hell―it was more than obvious they were scared. From the way Ori, Dori, and Nori stayed close together, peeking over their shoulders at every creak and snap of a branch, the way Bilbo kept glimpsing at his feet―probably half-expecting some other thing to grab him by the ankle and drag him underground.
Rue fell into step beside Bombur, both of them periodically glimpsing at each other. Bombur probably thought Rue was a joke. Most of the Dwarves did. Sure, signs of their serious disapproval of her had died down ever since the Troll incident and Kili's seizure, but Rue couldn't help but still feel like the outcast. Along with Bilbo.
Ahead, Bilbo paused by a tree, grabbing his abdomen as if he had a stitch on his side. With his free hand, he braced himself against the tree, gasping for air. Rue slowed down by Bilbo instinctively, intending to ask if he was okay, but then―
It happened fast. Bilbo stuck out his hand, slipping the ring inside Rue's palm. She blinked stupidly, standing stark still. Oh, crap. Stop acting suspicious. She clamped her hand shut, and with her other hand, touched Bilbo's shoulder "soothingly." Who would've guessed how darn sneaky Mr. Hobbitkins was?
"You all right?" Rue asked, voice becoming increasingly high-pitched in her panic. What if one of the Dwarves had noticed Bilbo pass Rue the ring? What if Thorin noticed? She could only imagine Thorin entering Big Bad King Under the Mountain mode, and chewing Rue and Bilbo out for keeping the ring on the hush-hush.
"Yes―just give me a second," Bilbo spoke breathily, leaning against the tree for support, doing a damn good job on faking tiredness.
Rue took a step backwards, peeking over her shoulder, her eyes meeting Thorin's. He stood inches away now, the rest of the company steadily hiking behind him. The torchlight cast an orangey-glow on Thorin's face, which…uh…only showed how suspicious he was. His eyes were narrowed, traveling from Bilbo to Rue in a back and forth motion.
He opened his mouth to say something, to maybe ask what the hell was going on―
Howls ripped the air.
Thorin peered at the sky, eyes big. No one was walking anymore, everyone standing in silence, in fear. Balin gave Dwalin an all-knowing look, like he knew exactly what those howls were before everyone else knew. Rue gulped. Not now.
More howls.
Rue felt her blood run cold, felt her heart racing like a war drum. She stepped closer to Thorin, nearly closing the distance between them. Thorin inched closer to her, one of his hands shooting out as his eyes remained on the sky. He touched her shoulder protectively, fingers tensing.
"It cannot, how could―" Thorin started, now gazing at Rue. She only shook her head, bottom lip trembling in fear. Her shaky hand shifted with the intention of covering Thorin's hand, of offering some comfort in this fucked up world. It was the first time Rue realized just how much Middle-earth and the modern world had in common. In one second, everything could change. Everything could go to hell in a blink of an eye.
Thorin turned away from Rue, his hand dropping from her shoulder as he whirled, facing the company.
"RUN!" Thorin bellowed, suddenly stabbing the ground with his torch, the fire dying. "Dowse your fire!" He gave the torchbearers a once over. Dwalin went to snuff out his torch with dirt immediately, but Fili kind of stayed frozen, watching Kili carefully. It was one of the only times Rue had ever seen Fili look…afraid. He was never afraid. He was always too cool to give things much of a reaction. But now he was scared shitless. Thorin roared, "I SAID DOWSE YOUR FIRE!"
Fili jumped in alarm at Thorin's shout, nearly throwing his torch down, rolling the wood back and forth until the flame was extinguished, nothing but a faint spark leftover.
Balin gulped. "Thorin…"
Thorin watched Balin, snarling, "RUN! STAY TOGETHER!"
In a flash, the company was racing through the woods, skirting past thickets of gaunt trees. Rue was flailing her arms, staying close to Bilbo and Bombur. Bombur's hobble-half-run was assuring. Seeing him inches away kept her going, made her feel like everything would be okay if she simply followed Thorin's command and didn't fall behind. To hell with what she knew. Rue quickly slipped the ring inside her cloak pocket, swallowing hard.
Creak, crack, thud, thud.
Rue gasped, turning. Behind them, she could make out swarms of giant silhouettes leaping past trees and over branches. One of the silhouettes was gaining on them, moving underneath moonlight, giving light to what Rue knew it was all along: a Warg.
More Wargs were coming fast, snarling and growling, the trumpet of their paws on the ground echoing like a grandfather clock's bongs.
Rue went left, and then right, frantically scanning the tree line, trying to make sure none of the company fell behind. With this many Dwarves and one Hobbit, the odds were not in their favor. Thank you very much, Effie.
The pounding of running grew achingly louder. Panting boomed. Why was it they were always running for their lives?
Rue leapt over several tree roots, nearly crashing into Gimli who flew past her from the left.
Right behind Gimli, a mix of fur and teeth barreled face first: a Warg jumping over a bush. Gimli turned quick, backtracking until his back met a tree, his axe at the ready.
"Come on, you mangy mutt," Gimli spat, bravely holding his ground. Rue stopped running. The only indication he was afraid were his trembling hands. Other than that, Gimli looked like a true, stubborn Dwarf holding his ground, absolutely fearless against all odds. She couldn't help but think of Thorin.
Out of nowhere, an arrow whizzed through the air. Rue gave a shriek of fright, hopping backwards, the arrow whirling inches from her face. She watched in awe as the arrow pierced the Warg in the chest. The beast yelped in pain, stumbling backwards, more violent than ever…Rue yanked Severus out, nearing the Warg. Hey, if anyone was going to die here, it might as well be her. Everyone else had too much to lose. Rue was the one without a family. Without much anything in Middle-earth, unless you counted forcing yourself on a quest nobody wanted you apart of.
"LASS!"
Rue turned, the voice giving her the heebie-jeebies. Her gaze fell on Gimli, who raced forward, ready to heave his axe at the squirming Warg. She had no freaking clue what to do, but instinct took over. Rue wrapped her arms around Gimli's shoulders, dragging him away from the Warg.
"Let me go! I said let me kill it! Lass, release me! I said release me!" Gimli bellowed, struggling against Rue's grip. Trying her best to keep him safe, Rue used her "height" to her advantage, digging her heels in the dirt.
Between an argumentative Gimli and the jerk of his wild red hair, Rue could only hear the other Wargs running past them, chasing down the rest of the company. Shit.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the injured Warg snarling, growling, stepping closer. Oh, no.
All of a sudden, a silhouette slid across the mix of dirt and grass like some baseball player. Fili flew in feet first, sliding between the Warg's legs. He swung one leg to the right, kicking the Warg in the leg so hard; Rue swore she heard a crack. Then he leapt up to his feet, pulling his blades out right as―
"FILI!" It was Kili's voice, almost shrilly in fear. Fili stopped what he was doing, distracted by his brother's one word.
Rue and Gimli's gazes flew left, to where Kili was perched in a tree, notching arrows. When in the heck had he climbed a tree? His eyes were big. Quickly, he started to shimmy down the tree, mouth opening and closing in panic.
That was enough for the Warg to end up on top. In one swift movement, Fili was knocked on all fours, the Warg climbing on top of him, canines nearly meeting Fili's jugular when―
"AHHHHH!"
From between the shadow of two trees, Bilbo ran out like a crazy person, the tip of his so-called letter opener pointed at the Warg. A wild, very unlike-Bilbo gleam was in his eyes.
Without a second thought, Rue released Gimli. A split-second later, all three were charging at the Warg like barbarians, Vikings, or…like Dwarves. Battles cries echoed. Rue bellowed passionately. Oh, man, this Warg was about to get effed up.
Gimli reached the Warg first, bringing his axe blade down, steel piercing flesh. Blood matted the creature's fur as it howled in pain. Rue's hand flew toward the Warg's face. She brought her dagger to the beast's throat, slicing mercilessly. Hating herself for it. Bilbo stabbed the Warg on its side, looking shocked as hell as the creature went still ten seconds after the assault.
It went limp on Fili, Kili arriving at the perfect moment to grab his brother by the hand and pull him away from the aftershock of the Warg's dead weight. Fili was up fast, head whipping left and right. Rue swallowed hard, wiping the fresh blood on her pants. Oh, gosh. What in the hell had she just done? Killing Wargs was one-step away from killing Orcs, and then after that…people.
She was shaking nonstop, trying to give herself a pep talk that went something like, "If you wouldn't have moved your ass and went all ghetto on the Warg, then Fili might not be alive."
For one long moment, her, Gimli, Bilbo, Kili, and Fili stood in a circle, silence ringing like some disturbing air raid. They blinked at each other in question, in…terror.
Rue was going to say something along the lines of, "Umm…maybe we should go since the Big White Bitch might be making an entrance," but was interrupted by more howls. But not just howls. She swallowed hard. Thorin was calling out names, including hers.
"We must run," Fili said airily, pushing Kili forward, unsheathing his blades.
Bilbo breathlessly nodded. "Right."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Gimli grumbled.
Rue cracked a humorless grin, following Kili and Fili, making sure Gimli and Bilbo were right on her heels every millisecond. Or it felt like milliseconds. She was turning her head so much that her neck was screaming in pain.
They sprinted past more trees, bushes, dodging stick-thin branches by inches, and following the line of Dwarves headed for…
Thorin was standing at the end of the woods, waiting for the entire company to pass him. In some weird way―it was totally inappropriate to think about her feelings for Thorin right now―Rue had never found him so attractive. His honor and integrity made him…oh wow.
She was breathing hard, completely ignoring running rule number one: breathe through your nose.
Up ahead, the majority of the company dashed through an open field flooded by moonlight. Rue blinked, taking a closer look as her feet took her there. The grass was tall, but wasn't exactly grass. There were flowers: red, blue, purple, pink, and a multitude of colors parading what Rue realized to be a meadow of some sorts.
"Go! Go!" Thorin shouted, pointing across the meadow, toward the other side. From this vantage point, Rue couldn't see what was on the other side. She could only see flowers, grass, and more flowers.
She flew past Thorin, feeling his eyes burn on her in brute intensity. What had she done? Well, uh, to Thorin at least? Rue had taken a Warg's life, something so ugly―disgusting. The rest of the Dwarves whirled past Thorin, stampeding through the meadow in pandemonium, shouting at each other in panic. Rue purposely kept a slower pace, trying to make sure all the Dwarves had made it, trying to make sure Thorin would make it. Damn him for being so noble.
Something became frighteningly apparent.
"Ori!"
"Where's Ori?"
"Ori!"
"Did you see him?"
"Where did you see him last?"
Rue stopped running at once, turning to face the woods. Glimpses of panic-stricken Dori and Nori plagued her line of vision. Thorin was running hard now, gritting his teeth, leaving the woods. Had Ori been left behind? Where else would he be? Did Thorin know Ori might be in there? Had he heard the Dwarves?
Rue didn't think so. Thorin met her halfway, puzzled by the panicked shouts, his head shooting this way, that way. Desperately, he beckoned her to keep going with shouts.
She shook her head, sputtering, "Ori―he might be in there."
Comprehension dawned. Thorin's lips formed a thin line as his eyes traveled from the meadow―from the spot Dori and Nori stubbornly stood―to the woods where a ruckus of branches breaking, snapping, and cracking exploded.
At once, Ori burst from the trees, running fast, breathing hard.
But he was not alone.
Four Wargs followed close behind him, their teeth centimeters away from his ankles, from the back of his neck.
From afar, Rue heard Bombur shouting, "ORI!" His shout gave life to Rue's stiff limbs. She started running, slipping past Thorin's fingers.
Behind her, a collection of urgent thuds sounded which were unmistakable pounding of feet: running. Rue cast a glance over her shoulder. Thorin, Nori, and Dori were running close behind her. Damn. They were going to get hurt. Oh, crap. No. No. Not Rue's Dwarves.
SlAM.
Ori tripped, fell face first, quickly trying to climb back up. He was shaking in fear, going motionless. One Warg opened its mouth, bringing its jaw down, big teeth centimeters away from Ori's leg. Attempting to scramble backwards, Ori kicked the Warg in the nose.
It was like the Warg felt nothing, teeth getting ready to sink down on Ori's boot―
Rue reached them so fast; she almost fell in her haste, bringing Severus down. The tip broke through fur, sinking through the Warg's mouth, stopping the beast from clamping down on Ori's foot. In those precious seconds, Ori dragged his leg back, getting up, colliding against his brothers as they arrived.
Rue pulled Severus out the Warg, surprised by how easy her dagger slid out―or maybe she had an adrenaline rush that gave her the superhuman strength to murder? It sure did feel like an adrenaline rush had surged through her. She was breathing hard, her heart rate skyrocketing to the moon.
Rue stumbled back. Blood oozed down the Warg's face as its bottomless eyes honed in on her.
Suddenly, her forearm was seized. Rue turned. Thorin was there, pulling her back with a powerful jerk. He leapt forward, swinging Orcrist left, the tip of the blade slicing across the bleeding Warg's throat. The Warg fell down, face crashing against the grass.
Dead.
Three more Wargs took its place.
Dori spun around, whirling, swinging his chain. The chain slammed against another Warg's jaw, a thunderous crack booming. Rue blinked, realizing stupidly that Dori had just broken the Warg's jaw. Its jaw hung loosely, grotesquely, but it still kept charging, meeting Nori's dagger.
Thorin stabbed a Warg in its side, the creature darting left at the right moment, the blade only grazing the Warg. No.
In a flash, an arrow―fire―came flying out of nowhere. An arrowhead on fire. The arrow-on-fire zoomed past one Warg, landing with a splat on the grass. Rue peeked over her shoulder frantically, watching as Kili did some somersault to gain closer leverage, bringing another arrow to a torch Fili was carrying. Wait. Had Fili relighted his torch?
Kili then notched another arrow with a vengeance, his furrowed eyebrows bringing out his uncanny resemblance to Thorin. He let the arrow go. Rue leapt out the arrow's path, dragging Thorin and Dori out of harm's way. Nori and Ori threw themselves on the grass.
The arrow met fur. A Warg howled―the howl sounding more like a scream―as it rolled on its side, trying to be rid itself of the arrow―of the fire. Fire spread across the grass. Oh, shit. What had Kili been thinking?
"UNCLE!" Fili bellowed from the distance, voice thick in alarm. Fili's panicked voice made Rue nearly double over in fear. No.
Thorin was in shock, stepping back as more fire engulfed the meadow.
"Ori, run!" Nori crawled back to his feet, tugging Ori and Dori along.
Rue reached for Thorin's tunic sleeve, tugging once. For a moment, Thorin watched the fire growing, blue eyes dazed in…Rue wasn't exactly sure what he was feeling. Usually, it was easy to tell what Thorin was feeling. But not now. The way things were going, Rue wasn't even sure if she wanted to know what Thorin was feeling.
As she watched uncertainty, agony, fear, and anger flicker in his eyes, she realized she did want to know what he was feeling. No matter how frightening, no matter how dark. To hell with being too afraid.
It turned out tugging on his sleeve once was enough to make a difference. Thorin turned, seizing Rue's hand protectively. They then raced across the meadow, moonlight―and now firelight―their only guides. Ahead, Rue caught jumpy glimpses of Ori, Nori, Dori, Fili, Kili, and Bombur stopping to stand at the edge of the meadow. What were they doing?
Smoke writhed through the air, filling Rue's nostrils. Forcing herself to keep going, to remember her days on track, Rue managed to ignore the cries of the burning Wargs in the background.
The farther they went into the meadow, the more potent a flowery smell was, teasing her nostrils with the hint of death in the air like some chipper nightingale. Death was flaunted as smoke rose, looking like claws for the cogs of fate come to get her. Damn her pessimistic analogies.
She was breathing hard while trying not to breathe. Funny how some things turned out. Thorin stopped first, beckoning Rue to move quicker.
She wiped her eyes, stepping meticulously in case another hand came from the river because―eh? Rue sniffed the air. That's what she smelled now. River water. She heard it, too, rushing fast, spurts of water landing on the tips of her boots as she dared to look up.
Now she could see why all the Dwarves had hesitated at the edge of the meadow. There was a riverbank, which was more like grass meets a mix of pebbles. Then there was a rushing river, the water rushing down into a―Rue gasped―a waterfall. There was a damn waterfall.
The only way across the river―Rue swallowed hard―a moss-covered tree trunk. Well, it was official. Middle-earth despised Thorin for some reason. Or just Dwarves in general.
Nori was already walking the plank, arms splayed outwards as he cheekily grinned like he had no care in the world.
He called loud, "Look, Ori! You see; no worries!"
From beside Rue and Thorin, Ori stood with owlish eyes, huddled a little close to Dori.
Dori murmured to Ori, "You will go next. I will go last. Just follow Nori."
"That is the first time you have ever told me to follow Nori in my entire life," Ori squeaked with false bravado.
Dori only nodded.
Rue inched closer to Thorin, squeezing his hand. She stared down. They were still holding hands. Well, uh, Rue hadn't even realized they were still holding hands until she squeezed it for comfort. Awkward on her part.
Standing on her tiptoes, she could see most of the company was on the other side of the grassy riverbank. She spotted Bofur, Bombur, Bifur, Balin, Dwalin, Bilbo, trusses of Kili's chestnut hair, and Fili's "killer" golden locks. Thorin followed her gaze, the air leaving him at once, as he sighed in relief. Awe. Rue put on some balls of steel, squeezing his hand in reassurance. Thorin peered at her, his intense gaze making it impossible for Rue to avert her eyes.
Rue opened her mouth to say something―with the intent to tell Thorin how much she admired him, how much he inspired her before the end of tonight. Because their chances of seeing first light…well…they sucked.
Thorin's heated words filled the space between them first.
"You will cross the river first. I will go last."
Shaking her head, she sputtered, "But uh, what about you? I'm afraid―and―" Rue ventured a glance over her shoulder, trembling at the sight of moving figures through the fire― "They're coming, Thorin. I can't―" She gasped in panic, shaking her head more― "I can't. I can't leave you."
Thorin suddenly interlaced their fingers, holding both her hands now as he faced her. His eyes warily darted toward the meadow. He nearly closed the distance between them, his nose inches from hers, his frantic breaths clouding her face. Huskily, he said, "You must. And you will. Do not worry for me, Rue."
She had no idea how it had happened, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ori and Dori halfway across the tree trunk. Rue blinked, realizing her and Thorin were the last ones on this side of the river.
Thorin realized it at the same time, too. In one unexpected gesture, he brought one of Rue's hands toward his mouth, the feel of his beard tickling her skin as he―she felt like she was going to pass out―kissed her hand. He held her hand centimeters from his mouth, frighteningly intense as his gaze steadied on hers.
"You will not die. I swear I will not let harm befall you this night or any night as long as we are together," Thorin said throatily.
She only could manage a nod, regretfully turning away from Thorin, her hands leaving his. Rue could feel him behind her, his strong hands on her waist as he helped her step onto the tree trunk. Ori and Dori were nearly finished walking the plank. The other Dwarves were cheering Ori on, shouting words of encouragement like, "Come on, laddie. If Elves can tiptoe across trees, so can we! We are Dwarves!"
Rue's eyes were down, watching her own feet walk across the tree trunk painstakingly slow. She was shaking from head to toe, trying not to lose her balance. Shit. Rue was a klutz unless she was running. Below the tree, she could see bloody colors reflecting off the river water, which only meant the fire had spread, had gotten close to the river. Damn it. Her heart felt like it was going to explode. The thought―the realization―that she might actually die, too much to handle. But Rue kept stepping and stepping, somehow not slipping when she was forced to cross the slick moss. Soon, she was halfway. She looked right, gulping. The beginning of the waterfall was in perfect view now, sloshes of water splashing against the tree.
"Come on, lassie! You are halfway!" Dwalin shouted.
Rue allowed herself to take her eyes off the tree, grinning when in fact she saw Dwalin was right. She was halfway there.
"Thorin, come on!" It was Balin, telling Thorin Rue was far enough for him to begin his own adventure over the river. It was like a sick version of an Indiana Jones movie.
Rue stepped once more, peeking over her shoulder, smiling in relief as Thorin began to inch his way across the tree trunk. Orcrist was sheathed, Thorin's lips parted before firmly closing. Sweat trickled down his face in his intense concentration.
In a flash, a single Warg darted out the meadow-on-fire, paws crushing the riverbank in alarming triumph. White. And―Rue stopped mid-step, stomach twisting at the sight―the Warg was not alone.
Azog sat on top of the Warg, smiling toothily at Thorin, mace gripped in his gargantuan-sized hand.
Without hesitation, he swung his mace, the weapon from hell honing in on King Under the Mountain―on Thorin.
Author's Note: I am so cruel to end on a giant cliffy, aren't I? Thought I was going to cover more in this chapter, but then I invested too much into the action. I am sometimes too much of an action writer. I live for blowing shit up :) As you've noticed, I've removed the lyrics. I've known for a while now about how the fanfiction website has started to crack the whip down on song lyrics being featured inside fanfictions. So after thinking things over, I prefer to make sure my account and this story remains safe instead of meeting some kind of end. Never fear for those of you who actually enjoy the lyrics! I have posted a few chapters on my Tumblr featuring the inclusion of lyrics as scene breaks―and also including the chapter title song playing. You can click on the link "Heroes Interactive," which will lead to postings of my chapters. Hopefully you guys enjoy the more interactive experience ;) Please review and let me know what you think!
Guest: Thanks so much for the review :) I'm glad you think my story is fantastic! Hope that doesn't sound arrogant.
Kyle: Thanks for taking the time to review multiple chapters :)
I've got a lot of reviews to respond to. Don't worry, I wasn't offended about you pointing out the lyric thing. I found this out about a month ago via someone's fanfiction profile. Someone had a link to sign a petition combating against the fanfiction site purging accounts and such. I heard the amount of accounts purged and stories deleted have gone down significantly less thanks to the petition, but better safe than sorry!
I think you might be referring to the portrayal of the race of Men? Didn't mean to make it cliché. I actually drew inspiration from what I learned in a Women of History class I took several semesters ago, concerning the treatment of women throughout time.
Yep, there is a reason Naji doesn't like Dwarves. He isn't just a hater ;)
Awe, thanks for saying this isn't a stale girl-falls-in-Middle-earth story. I actually think when authors put in their summaries "unique" and "different" then that's a telltale sign it's anything but.
True, true, Thorin thriving is a big giant insult to Smaug. If only Thorin realized that :D
Oh, yeah, there is a "force" making it impossible for Thorin and Rue to finally discuss Harry Potter. The force is purposely being a pain in the butt and waiting for the right moment :) If it's any consolation, my hundreds of reviews didn't happen overnight. It's been a bumpy road.
Interesting thing is that I'm not from the city. I'm from the country :) These are Rue's thoughts, not necessarily mine. Me and Rue are polar opposites in personality. We share some of the same beliefs. Rue isn't exactly narrow-minded, probably narrow-minded to country living, but her thoughts are based off her own personal experiences with her family. I'm from Generation Y, just to let you know since I'm not sure which generation you're speaking of. I'm not sure who's the one screaming tolerance. From the rest of your review, you probably mean me, when actually it's Rue. I don't believe in any bull Hollywood sells me. I'm a very straight-forward person who's definitely not naïve. Rue on the other hand has gone through a lot psychologically―I have, too―but she handles her psyche wounds completely different from me. I cope with writing and reading books. While Rue adds watching films to her methods of coping.
I do accept constructive criticism. It's the only way I'm ever going to keep on top of my writing game. I think this is more of a matter of opinion than concrit. You believe I buy into stereotypes, which I don't. I'm a walking anti-stereotype. Not to sound arrogant, but I've been writing long enough where I can separate a character's thoughts, feelings, and beliefs from my own. Sure, nearly all my main characters carry a piece of me, but it doesn't mean they are entirely me. The beauty of characterization :)
I'm confused from your last review. Not sure if you're referencing Khuzdul, my lack of Westron, or Elvish?
Thanks for reviewing and taking the time to give my story analysis :)
Lalaithiel: Thanks for the review :)
Your heart was pounding? Awe, shucks. Glad I updated so you can get some sleep and to make sure your health is okay!
Thanks again.
DwarvenWarrior: Thanks for the review :)
It's the first time we've done this dance this way, right? Haha. Glad you liked the ThoRue moment. What did grab Bilbo?
Heatblizzard: Thanks for reviewing!
I know The Hobbit came out in the '30s. Late '30s. Is this in reference to me mentioning Hobbit film instead of book? I think Rue would have jumped to film comparisons right away since she's never read the book. Most likely, she saw it around the library as a kid, but ran to check out Harry Potter books instead LOL.
Thanks again.
TheHobbitFanatic : Thank you for the review!
You called it awesome. Awesome ;) When the Dwarves are watching you? Hey, brah, I feel like they're watching me half the time JK.
Coolo: Thanks for the review!
This is the day after Christmas present to soothe your after-Christmas fever :)