Author's Note: This chapter will definitely feel long compared to my last two updates. So I hope you don't run away in fear of the word count :D I've got three new fanarts up on my Tumblr if you want to see them. One by x0chu0x, SwanInProgress, and be-the-lights. Thank you to these three people who drew gorgeous fanart. All are awesomely talented and make me really jealous ;) Thanks TimeLady945, chibichibi98, DwarvenWarrior, Tulipa Negra, THE WALKING sexy AMC, znk99fg7, mysterymaiden14, YoIt'sThatOneGirlNameBianca, Shadowsammy, TheHobbitFanatic, Coolo, ThePJOLover, cauldron-of-ceridwen, house of the falling sun, SiaSaySomeday, UKReader, Laurie Jupiter, Just4Me, lovelovelovelove, anna. pantelarou, SwanInProgress, obsessed reader, komi, and x0chu0x for reviewing! Also thanks for the follows and favorites. Answers to the anons will be below.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Faithfully" by Journey. Had to put some Journey in here :)
Chapter Twenty: Faithfully
As Rue's feet hit the ground, weird thoughts whirled in her head: was this what jetlag felt like? Rue shut her fist tight, quickly scrambling her hand into her cloak pocket. She felt strange putting the ring in her torn cloak's pocket, but it wasn't like she could hold it the entire time or wear it. Freaking ring was becoming a problem.
She stumbled along, one arm clutching her stomach as she bent down. Rue was breathing hard; trying to regain some kind of composure―not that she was ever composed. Her body felt like it had gone through a meat grinder. Rue's lungs heaved for clean air, heart kicking out at her chest. She was nauseated, the ground below her looking wobbly and unsteady. Or maybe that was just her legs.
Sweaty, fatigued Dwarves joined Rue on pride rock one at a time as the eagles swooped over, dropping them off. Rue blinked wearily, wiping her eyes, feeling nonstop pounding ricochet in her head like there was a pinball machine going off.
Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur all ran toward each other as soon as they landed. Actually, it was more like Bofur and Bombur nearly tackled Bifur down in a bear hug. Wretched sobs pillaged the air. Kili was sitting next to Fili, one quivering hand on his brother's shoulder. Dwalin tried to help a stubborn Thorin walk toward Fili, which only resulted in Thorin shoving his bro away and Dwalin scowling in silent retort.
Many of the Dwarves gathered around Fili and Thorin. Strangely enough, Nori, Dori, and Ori stayed together, throwing furtive glances everyone's away―but especially at Gandalf.
"Do not cry nadadith; it is merely a wound that will heal in time." Fili forced himself to grin through gritted teeth. Nadadith…Rue could've sworn that meant brother in Khuzdul, but she couldn't be sure. The Dwarves rarely spoke their language in front of her, and when they did, they thought she was out of earshot...
"'Merely a wound that will heal in time,' you say? There is much for you to learn as the rightful Heir of Erebor."
Fili sat straighter, tenser, at the sound of Gandalf's voice. Rue hobbled her way closer to the Dwarves, watching in awe as the eagles soared into the sky, wings beating against the primitive dawn.
There was a soft clink. Rue's gaze fell back to the rock, where Gandalf was making a beeline for Fili and the other Dwarves. His staff dragged against rock, hems of his robes billowing in the soft breeze.
Rue shifted her weight onto her uninjured leg, biting back a scream. It hurt like hell. Freaking Azog. Her thoughts were distorted between painful fragments: eagles, Thorin, Fili, Dwalin, Gimli, Bilbo, Bifur, more Dwarves, the ring, the waterfall, Gandalf, Thorin getting bit by the Warg, Thorin seconds away from dying―from becoming headless.
"Miss Rue, go on."
Rue turned to find Nori on her right side. He gently placed an arm around her shoulders, guiding her closer to the company―to where Thorin was red-in-the-face angry, shouting at Gandalf. When had they started arguing?
"I told you to use your mindless magic on my Heir first, did I not?" Thorin boomed, stepping farther away from Gandalf as they glared daggers at each other, face-to-chest.
Gandalf shook his head, grumbling something about the stubbornness of Dwarves. He knelt down, bringing the tip of his staff to Fili's bloody leg. Rue started gasping for air at the ugly sight. There was so much blood; so much of it that it had somehow stained parts of his fur coat. Fili looked away, biting hard on his lip to keep from griping in pain.
Gandalf muttered incantations―Rue honestly would've preferred Madame Pomfrey― shutting his eyes for several long, tense moments. Rue had expected something miraculous to happen, like for Fili's wound to vanish like it had never been there in the first place. But nothing visible happened.
Suddenly, Fili was sighing in relief, leaning back on the palms of his hands, gazing up at the sky.
"What did you do?" Thorin barked accusingly.
Gandalf lazily whirled around to face Thorin, giving him a small smile that probably made Thorin want to slap Gandalf. "I stanched the blood loss, Thorin."
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. It was clear these days, Thorin and Gandalf's relationship was on the rocks.
"Now it―" Gandalf nearly closed the distance between him and Thorin, one hand outstretched in an attempt to touch his injured shoulder.
Thorin jerked away. "Attend to Miss Rue first."
For some reason, hearing Thorin refer to her as "Miss Rue" instead of just "Rue" hurt a whole lot more than her bleeding thigh.
She clenched her teeth during her umpteenth attempt to stand up straight. Ow. Searing pain flashed through her thigh.
Gandalf huffed and puffed in agitation, facing Rue now. Hmm. He impatiently bent down, saying nothing as his hands graced over her thigh. Rue bucked backwards as he chanted or whatever Wizards did―spells. The blood loss really must have been hammering away at her common sense. Rue knew about Wizards and witches. Harry Potter. Hogwarts. Her second home. Or at least her imaginative second home…
Straightaway, there was a slight relief in her thigh that turned her helpless stumble into a limp instead.
Licking her cracked lips, Rue whispered, "Thank you, Gandalf."
He grinned, saying airily, "It is ever so appreciated that at least one is grateful for my efforts." Not-so-subtly, he shot Thorin a glare. Okay, well that little quip was clearly meant to insult Thorin.
Rue was going to respond with an awkward, "Thanks again, Gandalf," but luckily Bilbo and Thorin started talking.
They were standing near the edge of the rock―actually, the Carrock. Minutes ago, Rue had heard Gandalf telling Dori that the rock had a name.
Bilbo's hands were on his sides, his fingers twitchy.
Thorin was pacing back and forth like an impatient tiger, his footsteps raging. "You endangered yourself, Mr. Baggins, foolishly running into battle when you are untrained, when you are―" Thorin stopped mid-sentence, his breaths coming out raspy as his piercing gaze cut through Bilbo. He was standing inches away from Bilbo, eyes unnervingly unflinching. And then―
Thorin threw his arms around Bilbo. He was hugging Mr. Hobbitkins. Eh? Bilbo was in a fit of dismay, eyes going as wide as saucers. He awkwardly patted Thorin on the back. Rue blinked stupidly, resisting the urge to gasp and squeal.
Moments later, they parted, a…smile ghosting Thorin's lips.
Clumsily, Bilbo started, "Since I am the burglar I thought…" Owlish. All of a sudden, Bilbo's eyes were owlish. "Is that―?"
"Erebor," Gandalf finished for him.
Thorin watched in awe, completely thunderstruck. His face as he stood near the end of the Carrock was just―so freaking distracting. Sunlight danced across his majestic hair. In humiliation, she hugged herself. It was a stupid time to be swooning over Thorin.
As one, the company started moving toward the end of the Carrock. Everybody except for Rue. This moment seemed private, only fit for the Dwarves, Gandalf, and Bilbo to witness. She was just going to stay over here and…
A husky voice interjected her thoughts.
"Why do you stand over here?"
Fearfully, she took a step back, stare drifting up to meet brilliant blue eyes. Thorin. He towered over her―which was odd since they were the same height―speaking quietly while the rest of the Dwarves continued to ogle Erebor.
She shook her head, shrugging. "I don't know―I just thought―Thorin, this is your, the Dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf's moment, not mine." Yep, if she did recall, Thorin had left her in Rivendell. Everyone here had a contract except for her…and maybe Gandalf?
Brute intensity flashed in his eyes. Thorin stepped closer, speaking heatedly, "It is our moment." He pointed passionately at his chest, at his heart, and then at Rue. "You risked yourself against Azog the Defiler despite my commands―" He swallowed hard, stance suddenly awkward― "You disobeyed me. But I cannot deny that if it were not for your interference that… I am indebted to you for the rest of my days." Thorin couldn't say it, jutting his chest out like some macho man. Impatiently, he growled, "I wish for you to see our homeland."
Rue slowly nodded, following Thorin as they marched across pride rock. The Dwarves parted ways, gazes never leaving the horizon, completely transfixed. They stopped at the end of the Carrock, joining Bilbo. Rue gulped, noticing how far the drop was. But then her neck slowly anchored up.
And she saw everything.
Below was vast, endless forest. Tangles of greenery reminding Rue of jades. In the distance was the real king of Mother Nature: the mountain. The Lonely Mountain. Erebor. It was snow-peaked, pink light painting the mountain peaks bold shades of ruddy and silver. The Lonely Mountain soared triumphantly into the clouds, thunderous against dawn.
Rue grinned, looking to Thorin.
He couldn't hide his child-like smile, in some dreamy state under the influence of Erebor. The light in his eyes―the happiness―made every single bump, bruise, and injury worth it. Rue would relive the quest; relive the confrontation with Azog a thousand more times just to see Thorin so damn happy.
They looked on in profound silence for a few passing moments.
"Our home," Thorin spoke pensively. Awe. Rue's heart was fluttering.
Birdsong pulsed against Rue's ears as a birdie flew over the Carrock. Gandalf said something about a thrush. The Dwarves were muttering amongst themselves. Their words were at a lost to her ears because―okay, it was corny―in that moment, something changed. Seeing the mountain for the first time was just awe-inspiring.
Never in Rue's twenty-two years of living had the world looked so brilliant―so alive. Maybe this wasn't earth, but in some weird way, Rue had never felt like she belonged more than now. Standing alongside Thorin and Bilbo. Gandalf and Bofur inches behind her. Gazing out at Erebor.
Middle-earth was…home. Thorin was…her home away from home.
Dear Nat,
I really miss you. But I had an epitome today. It was after we finished gazing out at Erebor from the Carrock. I guess if I'm stuck in Middle-earth, I should start thinking of making a life for myself here. Not sure what I can do for a living. Maybe play the Middle-earth version of a cello. Do they have those here? I'm not sure where I'll live after the quest. I'm sort of an unexpected surprise on the quest. If only you knew. I would tell you about my day, but I don't think you'd believe half the crap I write. I don't think I even want to write it out. Writing out what happened will make it ten times more real. Hope you understand, Nat? Thorin's hurt. His shoulder is hurt bad, but he's being stubborn. Gandalf has tried about four different times to heal him. When we were climbing down the Carrock―during Gandalf's "elaborate" explanation of how he met Gollum when following our path through the mountain and then how he ended up hunting us down via eagle king―Oin AND Dwalin tried to slow the crew down so they could look at Thorin's injury. Again, it happened minutes ago when Gandalf started lecturing Thorin on the dangers of an untreated wound. Poor Fili. He could hardly walk down the Carrock without help from Kili and Ori. Gimli is bummed out about his lost axe. Now he's weaponless unless you count the sword Fili has let him borrow. Poor baby. Gandalf keeps talking about how there's one person out here that might help us. But every time I look―all I see is a long stretch of forest and river. We stopped here to replenish our water supply and clean-up a little. We're still fast on the move. Thorin is worried about Azog catching up with us. I'm sitting here alone on a rock. Trying to be strong, but my freaking thigh is still killing me―
Rue's hand froze mid-sentence.
Crunch. Crunch.
Her eyes flew from the wordy diary page to―
She exhaled. Really, Rue had been expecting Azog, Wargs, or Orcs. No matter how many times she shut her eyes and told herself she was somehow alive, she couldn't stop seeing fire, blood, and fur. It was everywhere. Behind her eyes.
He towered over her from her position on the rock, blue eyes fierce in the withering sunlight. Between the mists from the mountains and the leafy trees, sunlight was beaming down in zigzag patterns.
"Hi," she squeaked, bending down, reaching for her backpack. But then―blinding pain. "Ow." She trembled, awkwardly dropping the diary in her backpack's open pocket.
Thorin moved quick, eyebrows furrowing in…concern.
"Oin was correct," he stated gruffly.
Rue panted, leaning back on the rock. She squinted up at him. "What?"
"He said you were in dire need of this salve―" Thorin bent down, almost sitting―wait. He dropped to his knees. Thorin Oakenshield was sitting on his knees. She was stunned.
"I'm okay, Thorin, we should uh―check on your shoulder first," she piped up.
"No," he growled.
She swallowed hard.
Tentatively, Thorin's hand reached for her injured thigh. Shuddering in fear―in anticipation?―Rue resisted from squeaking. He gently touched her thigh, fingers skimming the damaged flesh. Blood doused his fingertips. Thorin stared at his fingers, lips parting in worry. The instinct to quiver in pain beat Rue's determination to be like Big Bad King Under the Mountain. She was quivering, shaking even more as Thorin's hand returned to her thigh. He started to…gently rub her thigh, this look of crazy intensity pulsing in his eyes. Oh, man. Rue thought she was going to pass out right there and then―
Suddenly, Thorin jerked his hand backwards, reminding Rue of whiplash effect…
He gazed into her eyes, pink staining his cheeks. Eh?
In shame or humiliation―Rue couldn't tell which―his eyes fell to the ground.
"That was inappropriate―I did not mean to―" He shook his head― "Rue, I would never touch you in such a way…"
Tension coiled the air, so much of it that when Rue shifted a mere millimeter on the rock, her entire body screamed in protest. Her limbs felt like cinder blocks.
"It's okay if you touch me, like uh―I mean, we're friends and I trust you. Thorin, I trust you a lot so if you need to go ahead and touch me then―" Rue shrugged pathetically― "Then do it."
Thorin met her eyes, his orbs widening in response to the word, trust.
She nodded, slowly standing on knees ready to buckle. "It's all right, um―so what do I need to heal myself―"
Rue gasped. Thorin's fingers were on her thigh again, and this time, his face was brilliant red. She'd never thought she would see Thorin red in a million years. It was weird to think someone so brave, so brilliant, could feel humiliation. In her eyes, Thorin had nothing to feel humiliated about.
In his other hand was a small jar of one of Oin's salves. Rue went to take it from him. Pain shot through her leg as she went to lean forward. Crap. She winced, sinking back down on the rock with a whimper.
Thorin shook his head.
In a husky voice, he spat, "I will put it on you."
Achingly slow, he pried the lid open, dipping his large fingers inside the jar. And then―
"I need you to lower your trousers." He refused to stare at her, clearly as uncomfortable with this as Rue was. But it wasn't like she had much choice…it was either Thorin or one of the other Dwarves here. She could back out now; volunteer to put it on herself. Yep.
She gulped. "I can put it on myself if you want―I know this is weird, uh―" Sluggishly, Rue began to untie the strings on her trousers. Oh, no. Maybe it was stupid. The last thing she needed to worry about was Thorin's opinion on her naked thigh―she was bleeding, the wound hurting like a bitch―but that was apparently her stupid brain's first priority.
Rue awkwardly inched her trousers down, trying to make sure her Hello Kitty―all right, call her an official loser―underwear weren't showing. Also, her freaking vagina. Hey, Rue wasn't about to give a free show. Not that Thorin would care to see her vagina. Umm….this was awkward.
Her eyes nearly popped out her sockets. The wound. There were purplish bruises and mangled abrasions on the side of her thigh, which oddly made it look like a Warg had clawed her, instead of a mace striking her down. Blood slowly leaked out of her ten different cuts. Thank goodness, Thorin was here, even if he probably thought she was… unattractive― seriously stupid thought. She would've flipped out and probably would have ran straight into a tree during her panic. But Thorin's presence was soothing, made her feel…safe.
Quickly, Thorin's eyes were owlish as he took in the sight of her battle wound.
"At least uh…at least I'll have a battle scar," Rue spoke sheepishly, adding a shrug. "Aren't scars considered honorable for Dwarves? Not that I'm a Dwarf, I'm human, but…" Rue was really making an idiot out of herself.
Before she could do anything, Thorin's fingertips were on her thigh, softly massaging the salve into her wound. He refused to stare, probing her wound on instinct.
In a strangled voice, he spat, "I will kill him. He should have never lay hands on you. Disgusting, filthy beast. When I see Azog the Defiler, I will rip his throat out." Thorin was clenching the jar of salve in his hand, his arm shaking in rage. His sentences were coming out clipped, tone turning guttural.
"But uh…we can think about the positive, about the battle scar bit?" she lamely offered. The feel of his fingertips on her thigh was making her dizzy. Oh, gosh. Thorin's hands were so manly, the intensity behind each of his touches so…overwhelming. Rue's breaths became more rapid and shallow.
At her words, Thorin sat up on his knees, body going rigid. He met her eyes, his gaze searing her soul. Rue had no idea how to react, so she quietly gasped like some creeper.
"I swear to you he will suffer a grisly death before ever maiming you again," Thorin vowed vehemently. "Dwarf men do not allow no one―and I mean no one―to lay hands upon their women." The heat in his eyes waned, becoming softer. Now he openly peered at Rue's thigh, tenderly touching her injured flesh. Ever so gently, he uttered, "Scars are honor. This scar means you were willing to risk yourself for another. Even when the Dwarf did not deserve such an honor from you―" His gaze fell, expression crestfallen― "This scar will always be honorable, no matter if you are from the race of Men."
Rue's chest felt tight, her lungs full of hot air. Hot damn. The way Thorin was gazing at her, stroking her thigh in a total non-creepy way, his touches affectionate….Rue thought she was going to be done for. He was talking about himself. But he did deserve someone to risk everything for him. Thorin was amazing, beyond amazing.
"Thorin."
He looked up.
"I have something for you, um…just, I'm gonna pull my pants up first. We're done, right?"
Thorin swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes, you should. I do not mean to disrespect you, Rue. I should―" Thorin firmly crossed his arms over his chest, turning his head to the side to avoid openly staring.
Hurriedly, she pulled her pants up, tying the strings to her trousers within seconds. The knot looked dumb, like it would come undone after ten minutes or so. Rue briefly wondered if her pants would fall down.
With a little whimper, Rue stood up, reaching for behind the rock where she'd placed a little something. She found the wood, fingertips grazing the beautiful grooves of Thorin's oaken branch. Earlier, Rue had tied it to her backpack in order to make the climb down the Carrock easier. It had been a bitch. Thorin had even attempted to help her, but of course he got told off by Gandalf since he was injured himself. It was a wonder how Thorin hadn't spotted the big ass oaken branch strapped to her backpack. That was when Rue realized how much everything really had affected Thorin, making his mind foggy, giving him tunnel vision.
"Here you go. You can look now." Rue sat back down on the rock, holding the oaken branch out for Thorin.
He stood up to his full height, mouth falling open. Thorin was dumbstruck, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What is this?" he murmured in unabashed wonder.
"Your oakenshield." Rue grinned.
Silence. Pounding silence. Thorin just gawked at it, not taking it for some reason…
"Here." Rue held it out for him.
"I cannot."
What?
"Azog the Defiler is not dead. He was never dead. I do not―" His voice dropped to a whisper as he peered at his feet― "It no longer belongs to me."
Rue shook her head. "Thorin, it does! You're Thorin Oakenshield! Brave, tough, brilliant, fierce, passionate―"
He interrupted, snarling, "But yet I could not keep the Dwarves of this company safe, my own nephew safe―" Thorin's eyes pointedly fell to her thigh― "You safe."
Rue's bottom lip trembled. No. Oh, gosh. It was a stupid time to start crying. But all she could think about was how she almost had missed getting picked up by an eagle for the damn oaken branch, how Thorin thought so little of himself…
"I did not mean to shout. Rue―" Her eyes shot up, to where Thorin's expression was regretful, eyes apologetic.
"Thorin! They are coming!" Gandalf. It was Gandalf's voice from afar.
The hairs on the back of Rue's neck stood up. The shout was from further down the river, from where the rest of the company rested, bandaging their wounds.
Without a word, Thorin pulled Rue to her feet, his arm sliding protectively around her waist. He helped her walk, Rue leaning against him for support, desperately trying not to put too much strain on his shoulder
Her heart started beating erratically. There was only one they: Azog the Defiler and crew.
They waited between thickets of trees.
Tree roots creepily snaked across the forest floor in weird patterns. Rue stepped over roots, staying close to Gimli and Ori.
The entire company remained maybe inches from each other at the most―all except one. Bilbo was perched up on a rock, trying to see how far Azog and his minions were. Rue was shaking, taking the pressure off her throbbing thigh by leaning against one of the trees.
Everyone waited with bated breaths. Come on, Bilbo. Thorin was pacing back and forth, nostrils flaring, hands curled into fists. Gandalf stood erect, eyes widening more and more each passing second.
Rue noticed Dori whispering words of reassurance to Ori. Gloin had one hand on Gimli's shoulder, his lips pursed in unprecedented fear. She never thought she'd see Gloin afraid. Rue thought back to the confrontation with Azog hours ago―her breath hitching in her throat. Breathing was impossible. She remembered Gimli falling from his father's hands, the eagles, Thorin a hair's breadth away from dying, and the moment the spear had pierced Fili's thigh. It could happen again. She swallowed hard. If Azog saw them…caught up with them…he could finish them off.
Without warning, breath ghosted across her face.
"Do not be afraid."
Rue leaned further against the tree, gaze lifting up to meet thunderous blue eyes. Thorin stood in front of her, only inches separating them. Among the physical closeness between the rest of the Dwarves and Gandalf, it was impossible for Thorin not to stand so close. They were practically squished together.
Man, she must have looked like Ron seeing a spider.
Shakily, she nodded. "Okay."
His eyes were seething now as he gave her one of those looks. "Rue―"
"Gandalf!"
Rue jumped back at the sound of Bilbo's hysterical voice.
Mr. Hobbitkins was climbing down from the rock, landing on the forest floor with an audible thump.
Gandalf smiled sneakily. "Our burglar has returned." He faced the company, nodding. His little nod stirred something inside the Dwarves. They were laughing, chatting amongst themselves, cheering on Bilbo. Rue gave a little cat whistle for kicks. Thorin cocked his head to the side in puzzlement. Bet if Big Bad King Under the Mountain had been living in the modern world, he'd hear cat whistles all day long. Hmm. Not that Rue would want anyone to be checking him out…
"Wait! Wait," Bilbo interrupted the friendly banter and joking around―it had felt like forever since they had any lighthearted moments. "There was something else." He pursed his lips, eyes resembling a bunny rabbit's now. Come to think of it, Bilbo had a lot in common with rabbits. He had this unabashed innocence, his eyes were big, and he liked carrots. Bilbo was always in search of wild carrots. Not that Rue suspected they grew around here.
"You…saw something else?" Gandalf prodded suspiciously.
Bilbo nodded, gulping. "Yes―"
"Perhaps it was a rather large bear?" Gandalf suggested a little too innocently.
Rue blinked. Um. Apparently Gandalf didn't only know eagles, he knew bears, too. Wait. How could this be any good? Bears were crazy dangerous. Rue recalled that one story years ago about a man who had gotten too close to bears, some documentary maker. He ended up getting killed by one.
"Uh…how did you know that?" Bilbo stammered awkwardly.
A shadow flickered across Bilbo's face. He was gaping like a beached fish. Rue leaned further against the tree for support, her heart pounding wildly at the sight. It had been Thorin's shadow. And he appeared to be keen on confronting Gandalf.
"I concur with Mr. Baggins," Thorin spat tartly, fists on his sides, as he seemed to be peering down at Gandalf instead of peering up. "What do you know?"
Gandalf sighed irritably, "I know the bear―the skin-changer―may be our only hope. He may offer us supplies and refuge and―"
Howls.
Shattering silence fell.
No. Rue shook her head in denial. It couldn't be happening again. Fili was too injured. Thorin was injured, too. Not to mention half the Dwarves were recovering from bruises and cuts.
Gimli gave a very un-Gimli like gasp, scooting closer to his father. Gloin uttered inaudible words of comfort to Gims.
"We must move," Gandalf boomed in declaration.
There were no protests, only shouts of who had what weapon and which way to go. Rue balled her hands in tight fists, biting back the pain ebbing away at her thigh. Then she was gone.
They winded through the forest quickly, running past trees, shrubs, and rocks. The trees kept thinning out the further they got. Hardened breaths subdued the air. Rue forced herself to keep going. The temptation to speed walk was too great. Or just…walk.
More howls.
Rue ran faster, limping…
Bombur darted past her frantically, catching up with Bofur.
She dared to glimpse over her shoulder, afraid of seeing Azog right on their heels. Instead, she saw Dwalin, Thorin, and Gandalf at the rear of the group. Their presence brought her back down to earth. Rue could do this, she could―
A stupid tree root got in her way. Her foot slipped and―
She fell face forward, palms splayed out. Suddenly still, Rue could feel how fast her heart was pumping, how it felt ready to detonate. Was this some crazy science-fiction story where there were futuristic explosives in her bloodstream? All right, she was officially insane.
Without a moment's notice, she felt two hands on her. One was on her left shoulder while the other was on her right elbow. Rue climbed back to her feet without question, intending to crawl her way to this bear-skin-changer's house if she had to. One of the things she had learned―learned from Thorin―was that failure was never an option. Sure, the phrase was cliché, but Thorin really lived by the saying. He probably had no idea how inspiring he was…
She was startled to see Dwalin and Thorin on both sides of her. Rue had been half-expecting Gimli and Nori.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Dwalin and Thorin talking, only bits of their conversation making any sense.
"Dwalin, keep going."
Dwalin guffawed for some reason, sprinting ahead. Why was he laughing? Did Rue miss a joke?
Thorin stopped running altogether.
Rue froze, shifting her weight from one foot to the next uncomfortably.
They were panting―mostly she was panting. Probably from how deathly terrified she was of meeting Azog's mace―no. Don't think it.
Tentatively, Thorin reached for Rue, bending down to―
"What are you doing?" she piped up.
"Lifting you."
She shook her head, turning fast. "I'm―uh…too heavy for you." Rue continued her "glorious" limp-half-run.
Thorin caught up with her, running by her side, saying jadedly, "It will be simpler if I carry you."
"No, I'm A-Okay."
"You are injured," he growled.
"So are you," Rue said without thinking. Hastily, she added, "I mean you, too, which means I don't want to injure you more."
For a long moment, Rue thought Thorin would forget all about her and just continue running. He continued running, all right, but he remained by her side, looping an arm around her shoulders. In return, Rue slid an arm around his waist for support, leaning her weight against him.
Trees went on for miles. Then came the endless plunder of grasslands, grasses as high as their knees. Sunlight beamed down on them, giving the grasslands a golden hue. They were running for what felt like hours. Rue knew in reality it was probably one hour or less. Nori stumbled once, nearly losing his footing, caught by Ori. Kili and Dwalin had to literally carry a stubborn-as-hell Fili at one point. Bombur was in the lead once they passed through a colorful meadow. Not a meadow. Rue's frantic gaze zeroed in on the kaleidoscopic flowers. She expected Wargs to burst through the meadow at bullet speed, for fire to ravage through every flower― down to every little green stem.
The scariest part was that the howls never subsided. Not once. The fear never went away. Everyone knew what awaited them out there.
The meadow gave way to grass, an outcropping of trees, and exotic plant life.
Ahead was a brown gate, tangles of plant life weaving in crisscross patterns―up, down, left, and right on the gate.
Gandalf reached the gate first. He placed a hand on the wood. Rue half-expected Gandalf to face them and give a Dumbledore-worthy confession like, "Thorin, you have to die in order for Azog to die since apart of your soul is latched onto his. Sorry, bro."
Thud, thud, crunch, crunch.
Rue whirled around, hand gripping fiercely onto Thorin's coat. He turned with her.
Out from the trees burst a―
Rue shrieked. She freaking screamed. A white Warg. An eyeless Orc blinked at her, grinning, lazily holding his mace. Then his eye met hers. His sick smile broadened even more. Thorin tensed, shifting to stand in front of her. With desperation, he yanked Kili and Fili by the collars of their jackets, forcing them behind him.
Creak.
Rue's eyes shot to Gandalf, where he was holding the gate open.
"Go! Quick! Run!"
Bilbo and Bombur were the first through the gate. Thorin unsheathed Orcrist, taking a shaky step forward. His blue eyes were stormy, absolutely vengeful. Kili and Fili looked to Rue, their silence pleading for one thing, "Do something." What could she do?
Rue's hand trembled. One arm shot out. Her hand found Thorin's, fingers tightly interlacing with his.
"Thorin, please no."
Azog lifted one leg over the Warg, sluggishly climbing off the hell beast.
He was getting off the Warg. No. Rue squeezed Thorin's hand. He squeezed back.
"Fili, Kili, take Rue inside the gate," he hissed.
Kili started in protest, "Uncle―"
"Now," he snapped.
This wasn't happening. Thorin was not going to fight Azog when he was injured and exhausted.
"Thorin, you cannot―come." It was Dwalin, beckoning Thorin with the wave of his hand, hovering nearby in indecision.
The other Dwarves were flying through the gateway. Both of Azog's feet touched grass―
In a flash, an abnormally big, black bear burst from the trees, meeting Azog and the white Warg head on. There were snarls, growls. The bear slammed the Warg facedown, pressing its paw into its neck. There was a whimper. Azog swung his mace, steel honing in on the bear. That was the last thing Rue saw.
Gandalf was ushering them through the gate. "Come on!"
Her sweaty palm left Thorin's. Gandalf gave Thorin an accusatory stare. "Thorin Oakenshield, if you battle Azog the Defiler―"
He ignored Gandalf's chastising, shoving Rue, Kili, and Fili through the gate first. Stumbling inside, the last thing she heard was Thorin's huffing and puffing behind her.
Before her was an animal sanctuary, but a house. A sanctuary and house put together. It was wooden, laden with plants, shrubs, animals, and―a bee zoomed inches from her nose. Rue jumped back, biting her lip. Shit. Don't get stung.
Gandalf began his bitching again. He was standing by the house's front door, motioning for everyone to get inside. Already, half the company was inside. "Go inside the―"
Thorin stubbornly planted one boot down, turning to face the gate.
Orcrist was gripped in his hands. "I will not run."
Dwalin, Kili, Ori, Nori, and Dori joined in on Thorin's demonstration of honor. Because Rue knew that was what it came down to for Dwarves: honor.
Rue slowed down her pace. The bear-skin-changer was out there, so―
The gate flew open. A few more throaty growls, even Azog's filthy language, ripped the air. The bear―who was now human―stumbled inside. He slammed the gate behind him, sinking to his knees. The first thing Rue noticed was that he resembled the Wolf-Man…all right; she needed to seriously shut her rude thoughts up. The second thing…he was naked. Um.
Gandalf rolled his eyes. "Do you not have the decency to look away?"
She rolled her eyes right back. "How was I supposed to know he'd be naked! You don't tell us anything, Gandalf!" Wow. Rue blinked. Maybe getting sassy with Gandalf hadn't been the right move. Spinning around, she leaned against the doorframe for support.
Then in a holier-than-thou voice, Gandalf said, "Do not just stand there. Beorn is our host. He is in need of some aide."
How ironic that Gandalf spoke those words while waving his magic staff around, not doing a damn thing.
Dear Nat,
It's our second day at Beorn's. The first word I thought of when I entered his house was Dolly. You know. Dolly the first cloned sheep. Not sure why. I think it's because he has an apparent fetish for all things natural. He's a Middle-earth tree-hugger. Not that there's anything wrong with that. He's been really awesome. Letting us stay here while Azog lurks in the woods like some creeper. I'm scared. Really scared. I try not to think about it. Gloin and Oin are the only ones who have left the vicinity of the house in search of herbs in the woods. They're looking for stuff for our injuries, especially for Fili's and Thorin's. Fili's wound does not look good... I feel sick worrying over him. He's being stubborn, insisting he's all right. On the bright side, after Oin examined the wound, he said the spear actually didn't go in TOO far. But the scary part is that if it would have gone in several more inches, Oin said Fili might've never walked the same again. Yesterday night, Thorin went outside to brood. He feels guilty over Fili's wound. He won't say it, but I can tell by the look in his eyes. I want to give him a hug. I'm just sitting in the grass inches from the house. Dwalin or Thorin wouldn't have let me if there were no gate―
There was a yell. And it was coming from Beorn's house.
Rue jerked upright from her seat in the grass. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. That voice was all-too familiar. Thorin. Why was he yelling?
She leapt to her feet fast, tucking her diary inside her cloak. Then Rue was making a mad dash for Beorn's house. No. No. What would tear that kind of scream out Thorin's throat?
Rue burst through the front door, coming to a screeching halt in front of the kitchen table where―
She blinked in shock. Some of the Dwarves―Dwalin, Balin, Fili, Kili, Gloin, Bofur―surrounded the table. The rest of the Dwarves kept a safe distance. There weren't enough Dwarves to block him from her sight.
Thorin sat on the kitchen table―it had been cleared―shirtless, biting down on his tunic sleeve as he clutched the cloth to his chest. His shoulder was―Rue clenched her stomach, forcing her hand to dangle by her side no less than a second later―mangled. There was dry blood encrusted in a nasty bite wound. Oin, Beorn, and Gandalf stood by Thorin, pouring…alcohol on the damn Warg bite.
Trickles of sweat fell in the creases of Thorin's furrowed eyebrows. He was breathing hard, glimpses of his hairy chest rising and falling. Rue put a hand to her mouth, taking a step closer, ready to comfort―
Thorin met her eyes.
He yanked the tunic sleeve out his mouth, scowling like hell. Thorin balled his hands into fists, clutching onto the table's edges, no longer crying out in pain.
More alcohol was poured on the wound. He jerked a little, but refused to make a sound.
Rue neared him. "Thorin―"
Without warning, she was stopped by a familiar burly, baldheaded figure: Dwalin.
He crossed his arms over his chest. "Lass, you should wait outside."
Rue swallowed hard, shaking her head. "But―but Thorin―"
Quickly, he interrupted, "He will be fine. Thorin is of the line of Durin, Miss Rue. You needn't worry over him, unless―" Dwalin was now smirking teasingly― "You wish to give him a―"
"Dwalin," Thorin growled in warning.
Rue was ready to counter argue that there were bees outside and she was allergic to bees, but just taking one good look at Thorin stopped her will to get feisty. He was trembling, trying not to tremble, strands of hair plastered on his forehead thanks to his sweat. Man, he looked really sick.
She shakily nodded. Rue wiped her nose, leaving the house achingly slow. Nonstop, she kept peeking over her shoulder, watching Thorin. Inhale. Exhale. Okay, that wasn't helping anything.
This time, she did a slow-mo walk out the front door. Rue cast so many darn glances over her shoulder, she crashed into the doorway like a derp.
Rubbing her sore forehead, she headed outside. At this point, she felt like she was at a funeral, like freaking "Asleep" by The Smiths was playing. Everything was depressing as she stood in the grass outside. Waddle. Waddle. Rue was just going to shuffle her way around, therefore waddle.
Was it weird that she felt selfishly more offended over the fact that the Dwarves didn't mind Bilbo was in there? Rue snorted at herself. What an ass she was being. Clearly, Bilbo was considered more along the lines of "one of us" than she was. He was part of the in-group. She…well…not so much.
Rue put her hands in her pockets, contemplating whether to finish her diary entry or go storm inside Beorn's, demanding to stay inside the house. Minutes felt like an eternity. Hmm. Her fingers started to trace curiously the seams of her pocket, grazing against a familiar cool surface: the one ring.
Swallowing hard, Rue pulled the ring out. Her fist was shut one second, and then she was opening it the next. The ring was in the palm of her hand. Faint pounding ebbed at her head. Pound. Pound. The ring seemed…uh…particularly―Rue shook her head, damn was it beautiful. From this angle, the sun made it―
"Rue."
She gasped, shutting her hand, turning to meet vivid blue eyes. Thorin. There were peeks of a bandage on his shoulder, winking at her from beneath his tunic. It was the first time she recalled he didn't have his chainmail on. Thorin closed the distance between them. His footsteps were determined, gaze falling to the ground.
"How are you feeling? Are you going to be okay?" she sputtered, oh-so-smoothly bringing her hand to rest by her side. Why was she keeping this a secret from Thorin? Maybe―
"It will only be a scar. Nothing more." Thorin's hands were on his sides as he stuck out his chest. Again, his eyes lowered in unprecedented… shame? "I did not mean to force you to come outside when you did not wish to, but―"
Rue's eyes found his steely gaze. "But?"
"But we must speak of what occurred by the river." Thorin's tone was gruff…regretful.
Rue gulped. "You mean…"
"How you disappeared and reappeared? Yes."
Rue bit her lip. Well, it was now or never, right? Very slowly, she brought her hand forward. Crap, what if showing Thorin would mess everything up?
Like an oyster, her hand opened. "This ring can do this."
Author's Note: I had to cut-off there. Always in my head, the thought of Thorin meeting the one ring is so freaking interesting :D Please review and let me know what you think? After next chapter, there will be a drastic change in the story *hint hint* Follow me on Tumblr, pearlprimrose, where I now have an ask box. It's not a "Ask Me Anything" box, but an ask box mainly open for this story! Ask about the characters, what you want to see, what you might see, and whatever else you feel like asking.
TheHobbitFanatic: Thanks for reviewing! Better not let Gandalf see those "murder thy neighbor" thoughts or he's going to give you a big lecture about sparing a life and…it'll be a really long lecture. Thanks for calling my story awesome. I hope you have an awesome New Year :)
Coolo: Thanks for the review! You gave me a plot-bunny for a humor fic, where all the Middle-earth villains must go to a guidance counselor :) Thanks again and I hope you have a wonderful New Year.
ThePJOLover: Thank you 333 Yes, we will see Leggy! I can't wait to do the whole Gimli-Legolas connection. Only question…will Kili be jealous? Haha LOL. Thanks again. Hope you have a rockin' New Year.
Lovelovelovelove: Jaw-dropping amazing OC? Rue has had a lot of compliments (not trying to sound arrogant. Rue's taking the bow here), but that has got to be one of the best compliments so far! Thanks for loving my story and I wish you a Middle-earth worthy New Year. Hope that makes sense :)
Obsessed reader: Thanks for three reviews! I've been missing your lovely, insightful reviews as of late :)
The perfect marriage of action and characterization? Bet the dialogue is getting jealous then LOL JK. The creepy, supernatural feel was fun to write. I hope I upped the playing field in Mirkwood ;)
That's something I subconsciously wrote in, not realizing it in its entirety until your review. I think Thorin would have a fear of big fires. He'd never admit it, but I can see our poor baby being terrified :( Awe, shucks. Happy you think he needs the "love of a kind, understanding gentle soul like Rue." I obviously think so, too!
Much more intense than the scene in the movie :D I'm not sure I can agree, but thank you! Don't rip your heart out. Luckily, I won't wait until the next movie comes out to keep writing this.
Thanks again. Hope you have a rockin' New Year!
Komi: Thank you for the review! I'll be updating soon ;) Glad you had fun reading this. Happy New Year :) despite being five days into the New Year :p