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It was kindly brought to my attention that wolves in general would not necessarily act this way. So it has been decided that these wolves might be mixed with wargs, or just went nuts from living in the Old Forest for so long. Regardless, I mean no disrespect to the majestic creatures themselves, and I hope I don't offend anyone with my fictional portrayal of them.
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Now...on with the show!
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Chapter 161
~X~
Flinn crouched down just a bit, his blade held out before him, while Frodo began to hurl the stones with deadly accuracy at their oncoming attackers. The wolves yipped in pain as the rocks struck them in the head and side, and one even went down, plowing into the soft grass as Frodo had targeted its front leg. That still left the two others heading right for them, but Flinn raced forward and swung his blade at the lead wolf, slicing through its neck with a force he didn't realize he possessed. The animal cried out in pain, veering away as it stumbled around a bit, before dropping to the ground as blood drained from the deep wound in its throat.
This caused the third wolf to skid to a halt, reassessing the two creatures before it, and perhaps deciding they were not the easy prey they had hoped. His two comrades were either limping, or now dead, and he held back for a moment, deciding the best form of attack.
"You've done your best, Frodo, now get up in that tree!" Flinn begged, unsure if they could hold off the remaining two much longer.
"And I said I'm staying!" the hobbit affirmed, reaching for a few more stones.
The wolf with the limp growled in rage as he saw his assailant arming himself once more, and lunged directly at Frodo. Thankfully, his throwing arm was not the only fast part of the hobbit, and he hit the dirt as the beast sailed over him, its teeth and claws missing him by mere inches. The wolf landed on all four feet, but skidded a bit as his paws slipped on the grass. However, once it found its footing, he bounded towards Frodo, snarling and slobbering as he came. Holly and Frerin screamed once more from up in the trees, the little lass burying her face in the dwarfling's shoulder, too afraid to watch. Down below, Frodo knew there was no escaping his fate, and no amount of rocks would save him this time.
However, his sword-brother had other ideas, and seconds before he would have sunk his teeth into Frodo's neck, Flinn leapt in between, driving his sword into the chest of the beast. The momentum of his hairy attacker caused the young prince to fall to the ground, finding himself pinned beneath the now lifeless corpse, weighed down and unable to move.
"FLINN!" Frodo screamed, grabbing hold of the animal's fur and pulling with all his might. It took a few agonizing seconds, but eventually the wolf was rolled away and a stunned and wide eyed Flinn was at last revealed. His blade, however, remained embedded deep in the lupine's flesh. "Flinn…are you all right?"
"I…I think so," he stammered, as his friend helped him to his feet. Yet the moment they were both upright, they quickly noticed that there was still one wolf left…and they were now both unarmed. Flinn's eyes flew to where his sword lay, buried in the dead mongrel's body, and he wondered for a split second if he could get to it before the last animal attacked. Unfortunately, that question was answered for him, when the fury grey beast leapt into the air, directly at the two children.
Yet, much to Flinn and Frodo's infinite relief, the attack fell short. For at that moment a savage cry was heard to their right, and a muscular dwarf came sailing through the air, tackling the wolf mid-leap, and driving them both to the ground with a painful thud. Amid a cacophony of growls, curse words, and cries of pain, the two combatants wrestled around in the dirt and grass, with no one knowing who might emerge the victor.
"Uncle Thorin!" Flinn screamed, no longer fearing for his own life, but that of his kin. He made to rush forward to aid his uncle, but Frodo held him back, knowing he would only hinder the mighty dwarf in his battle.
Suddenly, there was another sound to his right, causing Frodo to look over, afraid it was more wolves approaching to finish them off. Yet instead, he saw his father, Paladin, and Saradoc, running at top speed, attempting to reach Thorin and offer assistance. However, before they were able to, a loud crack was heard, followed by silence, and everyone halted in their tracks, watching an exhausted and bloody Thorin rise to his feet…having finished off the wolf by breaking its neck with a mighty twist.
For a moment everyone was still, unable to move or speak after such a harrowing ordeal. The silence was broken by the heart-rending sob of Flinn as he bolted to his uncle, throwing himself into his arms, ignoring the blood that now soaked the dwarf's sleeve.
"Uncle Thorin!" Flinn cried, clinging to the king's neck as he held him up with is one good arm.
"Shhhh…it's all right…now," the dwarf said, his voice hoarse and raspy, and coming out in short gasps. "You're safe. Everyone's safe." And while he was doing his best to comfort his nephew with his words, Thorin realized he was saying them more for himself…in order to get his rapidly beating heart to slow at last.
"Frodo! Holly!" Drogo choked out, taking is son in his arms as he watched Saradoc and Paladin help the two shaking children down from the tree. "Oh, my wee ones…thank Yavanna you are safe!"
"It was Flinn, Papa!" Frodo stated, clinging to his father with both hands. "He saved us! He made Frerin and Holly climb the tree, and then when the wolf attacked me, he stabbed him right in the gut."
"Thank you, Flinn," Drogo told the dwarfling, his eyes shining with tears of joy. "Thank you so very, very much."
"I'm very proud of you, Flinn," Thorin told the still sobbing lad in his arms. "You were very brave."
"I…I didn't feel very brave," the blond dwarfling sniffled, pulling back and wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "I was so scared those wolves were going to eat us."
"But that's what true bravery is…doing what needs to be done, even if you're scared," Thorin insisted, repeating the adage that he had told the lad's father and uncle many times in the past. "And today…I would say you were the bravest one of all."
"Frodo stood with me…even though he didn't have a sword to fight with," Flinn told his uncle. "But he's really good with a handful of rocks."
"Then I'm proud of you both," Thorin grinned, looking over at the now blushing hobbit.
"Uncle!" Frerin cried, having just been set down on the ground by Saradoc, and quickly ran over, wrapping his arms around Thorin's legs. "Are you hurt bad?"
"Nah, just a scratch," the king assured his youngest nephew, though he was not quite sure how truthful he was being. His arm stung like he'd been cut with a newly forged blade, and he could feel the sticky blood oozing down beneath his sleeve. Marigold was not going to be happy when she saw what the wolf had done. Yet better that, than two dead dwarflings and a couple of hobbits.
Drogo was now hugging both his children as if he would never let go, kissing them over and over as he checked them for injuries. Paladin was inspecting the three dead wolves, taking time to remove Flinn's sword from the body of the second beast. Saradoc came up alongside Thorin, insisting that he allow him to take a look at his arm, and giving a sharp hissing sound when he saw the deep gash beneath the now torn sleeve.
"Sit over here, Thorin, and let's get that shirt off so Drogo bind you up," he ordered, apparently giving no heed to the fact he was now bossing around a king. Yet hobbits were not the type to be awed by such titles, and Thorin willingly complied, giving no sign of offense. Frodo and Holly's father was reluctant to let go of his children, yet at the sight of the dwarf's bloody arm, he quickly set to work, wrapping the wound with strips he tore from the now ruined shirt Thorin had been wearing. In no time at all, the dark haired king sported a fine field dressing, insuring he would not bleed to death before they made it back to where he could be treated properly. Flinn and Frerin watched every move Drogo made with fear in their eyes, worried over the health of their uncle.
"It's not as bad as I first thought," the hobbit told Thorin. "Still, you'll need to get it tended to immediately by a real doctor just to be on the safe side. But don't worry, you should still be able to swing that pretty wife of yours around a few times on the dancefloor at the upcoming party."
"Here, Flinn," Paladin said, approaching them with the dwarfling's sword in his hand. "You will be wanting this back, I'm sure."
"I…I don't even want to look at it!" the blond prince stated, turning his head away in disgust. "I…I killed today, Uncle…I killed."
"Yes, you did. But would you rather it be Frerin, or Frodo and Holly, lying there on the ground?" Thorin asked in a quiet and somber tone.
"No!" Flinn assured him firmly. "Never!"
"Then you need to understand what you did was necessary," the king continued. "A good warrior does not go looking for a fight, but neither does he run from one when the lives of those he loves are in danger. I know it's hard…and it hurts you right here," Thorin said, placing his fingers lightly over the dwarfling's heart. "But in time, it will fade, and you will realize what happened here today saved not only you…but your brother, Frodo, and Holly as well. Your father will be extremely proud of the way you conducted yourself." He reached out and placed his hand on the back of Flinn's neck, pulling him close enough to rest his forehead against his nephew's. "He will most certainly praise you, just like I'm doing now…" Thorin then pulled back and gave Flinn a wink. "And then he will more than likely kill me for allowing you and your brother to ever be put in such a dangerous situation."
"He will not!" Flinn laughed, wiping away more of his tears as he tried to smile. "Adad couldn't ever be mad at you."
"Oh…I beg to differ on that," Thorin chuckled. "Your adad and I have butted heads on many occasions, but I still love him dearly. Just as I love the both of you." He then pulled them both into a fierce hug. When he let them go, he turned to Flinn once more, his face growing stern. "Now…take your sword and wipe it clean. You are a tested warrior now, and a soldier knows never to leave his weapon stained with his enemy's blood." Thorin reached down and handed the dwarfling the remainder of his torn shirt, nodding towards the blade in Paladin's hand.
With a bit of hesitation, Flinn took his sword and slowly wiped it clean, before re-sheathing it with a nod of finality.
"And for once, Flinn, I'm happy you disobeyed my direct command," Thorin said, rising to his feet and placing his hand on the dwafling's shoulder.
"You are?" Flinn asked, looking confused. "What order? How did I disobey?"
"I strictly forbid you from taking your sword out of its sheath…remember?" he grinned. "In this instance, you were wise to disregard my instructions."
This made everyone laugh…at least a little, for most were still shaken up over what had just transpired. But it was with slightly lighter hearts that they all headed back towards Hobbiton, with Drogo carrying Holly, and Saradoc hefting Frerin, since Thorin was in no condition to carry anyone. Frodo and Flinn walked side by side, the two of them in silent contemplation.
"Flinn," Frodo spoke at last. "Thank you for saving me and my sister."
"You helped too," the dwarfling humbly admitted. "You gave me the courage to stand and fight. I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there beside me."
"You would have done exactly what was needed…just like you did," Frodo stated, throwing his arm around his friend's shoulder. "I'll never forget it either."
"Well, you're my sword-brother, Frodo," Flinn reasoned, giving him a big smile. "And anytime you ever need me…I promise I'll be there. No matter what."
"I believe you, Flinn," the little hobbit smiled. "And I'm counting on that, too."
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They hadn't gone far, just leaving the wooded area and coming out into a meadow when they saw Dwalin, Bilbo, Kili and Tauriel heading right for them at a dead run.
"Thorin!" Dwalin called, catching sight of his wounded arm almost immediately. "Three of the wolves split off from the pack and headed this way!"
"We know," the dwarf king said with a nod. "They are dead."
"You killed them?" Kili asked, admiration for his uncle shinning in his eyes.
"One of them," Thorin revealed, reaching out with his good arm and placing his hand on Flinn's shoulder. "This brave soldier took care of the other two."
"Flinn?" Kili gasped, eyeing his nephew with shock and awe. "You killed two wolves?"
"I…I had to," he told everyone, looking none too happy to be receiving the attention. "They would have eaten Frerin and Holly. Frodo helped."
"I threw a few rocks," the hobbit contradicted proudly, smiling at his friend in gratitude. "Flinn was the one who did all the work."
"Well, whoever did the deed, that takes care of the lot of them," Dwalin nodded firmly.
"We found the pack feasting on a few sheep that belonged to Duffer Tolebrook," Bilbo explained. "We managed to slay them all with bow, ax, and sword…but three of them got away from us. Glad to hear you all took care of them."
"We should go tell those near the Brandywine Bridge, so they can remove that tree that is serving as path for the wolves to cross," Saradoc stated, nudging Paladin with his elbow.
"Right, we will do that while you go tell the rest of Hobbiton that they can come out of their homes now," the sandy blond hobbit said in agreement. "We'll drop by on the way, and tell Esme that everyone is safe. Please be sure to tell Ellie for me as well."
"We will," Drogo nodded, watching the two younger hobbits head off.
"And it looks as if you need some tending there, Uncle," Kili mentioned, eying the blood soaked bandage on Thorin's arm. "Aunt Marigold is not going to be pleased when she sees that."
"It was well worth it," Thorin assured him, smiling down at Flinn and giving him a wink. "But I agree, no sense in delaying the inevitable. The quicker Mari gets to ranting, the sooner she will be done and things can get back to normal."
"And here you believed the Shire was danger free," Bilbo laughed.
"Aye. All Uncle Thorin thought he needed to worry about was getting lost and being attacked by a cow," Kili chuckled, causing Bilbo and Drogo to look at the young prince in confusion. When the dwarves noticed that the hobbits were not laughing…Kili shrugged his shoulders. "I guess you had to be there."
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"Thorin Oakenshield!" Marigold nearly screamed as she came down the lane and skidded to a halt. The word had just gone out that the wolves had been taken care of and everyone could return to their daily chores, drawing Bergie, Marigold and the children to the main square. The two lasses had done their best to remain calm and collected during their confinement, mostly for the sake of the children. Yet, when she saw her husband, sitting on a bench with Dr. Burrows tending to his wounded arm, she panicked. "Oh, Mahal, what happened?"
"He got scratched saving us, Auntie Marigold," Frerin explained, placing his hands on his hips and sounding very clinical in his explanation. "He's not hurt bad, and he'll be just fine in no time." He then turned and looked up at the physician. "Isn't that right?"
"Aye, lad," old Burrows nodded, smiling down at the child. "Your prognosis is correct. You would make a fine doctor yourself." When Thorin looked at the hobbit questioningly, he further explained. "Well, out of everyone here, including you, Master Thorin, he was the only one who watched everything I did without flinching or getting sick."
"I only flinched because you were stabbing my skin with that blasted needle!" Thorin growled, not liking anyone calling his bravery into question. Yet even he had to agree that his youngest nephew didn't appear to be the least bit squeamish.
"But what happened?" Marigold persisted, not having had her question answered.
"I had a run in with a wolf," Thorin informed her, waving off her concern. "Don't worry…I won."
"Oh, you might think you have," Marigold huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "But when you are laid up in an easy chair, with that arm in a sling, don't you come crying to me about wanting to go to the forge!"
"I should have let the wolf eat me," Thorin grumbled, though only in jest, for he knew his wife was only worried over him, and rightly so. Still, his murmurings made Flinn snicker a little, and that alone was worth the effort.
"And what about you, my fine warrior?" Bergie asked, coming to stand beside her own husband. She had arrived with Marigold, carrying little Raina in her arms, while the other three children matching the adults step for step.
"Not a scratch on me, love," Dwalin assured her, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Those wolves never stood a chance." He then looked over at Kili and Tauriel, giving them a wink. "Especially with two fine archers picking them off before they could even get near us. Although that's not to say that Bilbo and I didn't get a few good licks in when one or two slipped past them. Couldn't let them have all the fun."
"No, of course not!" Bergie laughed, though she elbowed him just a bit harder than necessary, making sure he knew she had been worried over his stubborn hide. Still, he only grinned back at her, causing her stern look to fade until only the love remained.
"Drogo!" came another frantic call, everyone turning to see Primula padding down the lane towards them, her eyes searching desperately for her little ones. When Holly saw her mother, she broke loose from Drogo and ran into her waiting arms.
"Mama!" Holly cried, burying her face in her chest as she let lose her tears. "It was so scary! The mean old wolves were going to eat us!"
"Oh, my precious baby!" Prim sobbed, holding her daughter even closer. "Did they hurt you?"
"No, Frerin held on to me really tight in the tree," she told her mother between sniffles. "And Flinn and Frodo wouldn't let them come any closer."
"They did?" Now the frantic hobbit searched out the faces of her daughter's saviors, her own son and little Flinn. "You were both so very, very brave and I don't know what to say. Frodo, you saved your sister's life! And Flinn…thank goodness you were there with my son."
"He's my sword-brother," Frodo announced, as if that made everything clear. "Where else would he be?" And turning to Flinn, the small hobbit threw his arms around his friend and gave him a big hug. "You're the best friend ever, Flinn. I don't know what I would do without you."
"I promise you'll never have to find out," Flinn assured him, embracing him back with a wide smile.
"There you go, all patched up," Dr. Burrows announced, leaning over to put his medical supplies back in his bag. "Anyone else in need of some care?" When no one spoke up, he nodded his head and headed back to his little office, to see if he had any patients waiting for him there.
"Well, I suppose we should all retire back to Bag End and see what Daisy has whipped up for us," Bilbo suggested. "She tends to cook a lot when she is nervous, so I'm sure there is enough for everyone." He turned to Drogo and Prim, the small family still looking a bit shaken. "Please join us, no sense in trying to fix a meal after all this fuss. And I think the wee ones would enjoy some time with each other…without being chased by wild animals."
"You won't get any arguments from me, Bilbo," Prim said with a smile of gratitude.
"Then it's settled. Dinner at Bag End!" Bilbo announced.
"What about the wolves?" Kili asked, turning to stare in the direction he knew the dead carcasses to be. "We shouldn't just leave them out there to rot."
"No, they won't go to waste," Hamfast told the dwarf prince, having joined the little group during the discussion, flanked by several other males from the town. "We will have Rufus and Wil Chub go take care of the remains. They're both furriers, so they'll have their hides stretched and tanned in no time." He then gave a bow to Thorin and the others. "We thank you profusely for protecting our homes and property, your visit was quite fortuitous, master dwarves."
"Just glad we could be of help," Thorin replied, standing up and winching just a bit as the movement stretched his new stitches. "But if you will excuse us, I believe there is an easy chair with my name on it back at Bag End."
"You're darn right there is!" Marigold stated firmly, taking his good arm and flopping it over her shoulders as she began to lead him up the path.
"I'm starting to think he would rather tangle with the wolves again than his wife," Bilbo whispered to Drogo, causing the younger hobbit to snicker.
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Kili and Tauriel were a few paces behind, hanging back on purpose so that they could speak privately.
"Are you sure you're all right…both of you?" Kili whispered, giving his wife a worried look.
"Of course," she smiled, touched by his concern. "Elves are not fragile creatures, we are difficult to injure and very rarely get sick. Please do not worry about me so, Kili. We are both just fine."
"I can't help but worry," he informed her solemnly. "You and little Ithil are my life now. I don't know what I would do without the two of you."
"I love you too, my prince," Tauriel told him, leaning down to give him a kiss. "And I too cannot wait until we hold our little moon in our arms. But until then, please know he is safe and happy. Just as I am whenever I am with you."
This made Kili grin widely, always loving it when his wife said such things. He would do anything to protect her and make her happy. And soon, there would be another life for him to fret and worry over…as well as love.
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Torin, who had held back until now, scurried up to walk beside little Holly, who was holding onto her mother's hand as if she would never let go.
"I…I'm glad you're all right, Holly," Torin told her, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye as they walked.
"Thank you, Tor," she murmured, still sniffling a bit now and then.
"I…I'm sorry you were scared," he spoke again, hoping to keep the conversation going.
"Thank you again," the polite lass told him. Yet if he was expecting any more, he was sadly disappointed.
"Holly…I…I'm still really sorry for what I said before," he said at last, the words coming out in a low moan of guilt. "And if anything would have happened to you today…I would have just felt terrible."
"I said that I forgave you, Tor," she told him, though no smile accompanied her words.
"And…and we're still friends?" he asked, not quite sure by her tone.
"Yes, of course," she assured him. Yet before he could say any more, Holly turned to Drogo and held her hands up to him in a pleading manner.
"Papa, can you carry me, I'm tired of walking," she begged.
"Of course my duckling," he replied, scooping her up in his arms, giving Torin a sympathetic smile.
"That was a very nice of you, Torin," Prim told the now confused child at her side. "Holly is just very tired and not quite herself right now. But don't feel bad, she said she forgave you and she meant it. She simply needs some time."
"All right," Torin sighed, not knowing what else he could do to make things right. Maybe her mother was correct and later on they could run around and be friends just like before. But for now, he would give Holly some space…after all, she just had a very trying day.
And there you go...all safe and sound once more. *wipes sweat from brow*
Flinn and Frodo did good, and so did Thorin. The Shire is once more the quiet, peaceful place is was before.
Now...Party Time!
Guest Reviews:
abc: I can't really say I have a 'posting schedule' anymore, now that I am writing mostly as I go. I have to write the chapter, look it over for a day, add more stuff, change things, etc. and then send it off to be beta read...and when it comes back, I change more stuff and then send it out. ha ha. So it all depends on when I can write, fix, and when my betas can get it back to me. And look...they just did. ha ha. Oh yes, the Shire is not as safe as they thought, and of course Flinn is just like his Adad! Adorable and protective! As for a rite of passage for a first kill...um...I don't think so, and if there was, it should wait till he gets home and dad can take part too. Was this fast enough? As I just said above...the time frame is not all on me. ha ha. Thanks.
Emrfangirl: Nope, peaceful is nice, but you got to stick a bit of suspense and danger in...I mean, hello...this IS Middle Earth. ha ha. And Holly and Rose in a screaming contest? It would make my ears bleed! ha ha. Thanks.
arrondissement: Thanks for your kind words, and I am glad you are shipping Tolly. That is so cute! I was rather fond of the kitten part too - being a cat person myself - and did you really think I would let our little lads be eaten? Never! As for you pointing out that oops of mine...THANKS! I had NOT noticed it and really appreciate you letting me know. You see, originally I wrote it with Theoden being an infant, and Bard and Tilda had yet to go down and visit to see him...but then I checked the timeline and found out that Theoden was born in the same year I had Flinn born, so I changed it...but apparently missed that one little part. So, again...thanks for catching it and pointing it out. Yes, everyone will find out about baby Ithil soon enough. Thanks.
dojoson41: ha ha, oh yes, Kili will have a field day with teasting Fili about his 'runaway kids' but then like you said...just wait till it happens to HIM! ha ha. Ha ha, Gandalfette is my favorite. ha ha. Too funny. Thanks.