Hello everyone, sorry this chapter is a bit late. Unfortunately, that might be happening more and more now, as school has started and homework takes precedence. I will do my best to stick to my schedule, but please know in advance that updates may come irregularly.
That said, a big thank you for all of my readers, and to those who leave me comments. Even if I don't reply, I always enjoy reading them and appreciate them! Thank you for sticking with this story. It means the world to me to be able to share it with you.
Enjoy this chapter!
We tear down the mountainside, almost tripping over each other and our own feet. There's a cliff up ahead, cutting off our escape.
"Into the trees! Quickly! Climb!" Gandalf urges. We need no encouragement, and a few minutes later we are all up in trees. I'm climb up Gandalf's tree, finding it to be the easiest one to get into. The bark scratches at my palms, but I pay it no heed, focusing instead on the howls that are coming closer.
It's not long before extremely large wolves stream into the clearing, heading straight for our trees. Our only consolation is that they can't climb. The wolves circle around our trees as more come into the clearing. Soon there must be hundreds, and I inch closer to Gandalf as one wolf, largest of all, starts to snarl and snap at all the others.
"Gandalf, what is the wolf saying?" Gandalf looks at me sharply. "These are not wolves Miss Aspen," he says in a whisper. "These are wargs, great beasts and servants of dark forces that would sooner rip you apart than look at you. They used to ally with the goblins to raid villages for supplies and slaves. Let me see what they say." Gandalf listens for several moments, his gaze flitting around the moon-lit clearing.
"Tonight they had planned on raiding several new villages to the south with the goblins. It appears that some brave folk from the South have been settling there, carving out farms from the forest and making a place for themselves. The wargs believe we've come to spy on them and carry their plans back to the woodsmen to prepare for battle. They will not let us go, not until morning at least, or until the goblins come."
"Can we not do something to escape?" "It is too late for that." "Something to try and drive them off then." We cast around for a few minutes, minds spinning. Below, the wargs snap and scratch at the trees. My gaze lands on some pinecones. "Wolves are afraid of fire…" Pinecones, fire. Fiery pinecones. "Gandalf!" He looks over at the pinecones I have in my hands. "Fireballs!"
"A most excellent idea Miss Aspen," Gandalf says, already reaching for it. I hold one steady as he lights it with blue fire, and as soon as it catches, I lob it down. My pinecone hits the back of a warg before it bounces off, the fire catching on the dry pine needles underneath. Gandalf and I start throwing more, wreathed in green, red, or even purple flames. We aim for the wargs, creating a barrier of sorts when the fire catches and spreads on the ground.
It's chaos. The wargs, abandoning their mission, turn on each other, trying to get as far away from the flames as they can. In the other trees, I can hear the dwarves shouting and cheering. I join in as well, thinking of how Thorin would be cheering the loudest.
In the midst of all the noise and chaos, I barely hear the shrieks, drawing closer to our cliff.
Goblins and orcs come tearing through the trees, yelling and screaming. Upon seeing us sitting trapped in trees and the wargs frantically running around, some sit down and laugh, while others rush around and put out the flames, attempting to bring it under control. Time passes as we sit helpless, watching as the goblins pile dry brush under our trees and start to feed the fires nearest our trees with dead bracken. The fire spreads and soon it is licking at the bottom of our trees.
Our plan backfired. I exchange a frightened glance with Gandalf as the goblins begin to sing and hop around, while the orcs snarl and finger their weapons.
I spot one, bigger than the others. I squint, gasping when I realize what he's wearing. I hear a cry and angry cursing from a few of the other dwarves, and I know they've seen it too.
Thorin's coat. The big orc is wearing Thorin's coat.
Anger doesn't begin to cover how I feel, emotions swirling and colliding through my body. I watch as this orc seems to bark orders at the others, only just hearing Gandalf when he says, "Have courage Aspen. You must help Fili succeed in reclaiming Erebor." I look up, and nearly shriek, "Wait Gandalf, what are you doing?"
He doesn't answer, instead looking down on the wargs and goblins with a wicked light in his eye. "Gandalf no! Don't!" I yell, but before he can jump, a large eagle swoops down and grabs him, its loud cry piercing the night.
Suddenly there is a new sort of clamor, but one of panic instead. The eagles beat at the flames with their wings, fanning it out from our trees and towards the wargs. The eagles easily turn the course of events in our favor, snapping beaks and tearing talons far superior to poorly-armed goblins and orcs. Everywhere goblins and orcs run and scream, while the one wearing Thorin's coat draws a crude sword and starts swiping at the eagles, roaring as he goes.
For a chilling heartbeat, the orc and I lock eyes. He snarls before turning back to the other orcs. I know in that moment we will see this one again.
There's a yank on my arm, and I scream, first in pain, then in terror as I go flying off the cliff, falling through the air. I land with a soft thud on a feathery back.
"Aspen!" a dwarf calls. I roll over, pulling out my partisan so I'm not uncomfortable, and prop myself up to see Dori. "Are you alright?" "Yes and you?" "Aye I'm fine," he replies, scanning the other eagles in search of his brothers. When he spots Nori and Ori he visibly relaxes and turns his attention back to me.
"You look terrible lass." "So do you," I quip. In the bright moonlight, I can see Dori's beard is singed at the ends, and his clothes are smeared with goblin blood and guts. Numerous cuts adorn his fighting arm, though it seems he has no major wounds.
"If you would like, I have some knowledge in treating wounds." After he nods and grabs my partisan, I pull out the little pouch of medical supplies that somehow survived the goblins and the wargs. I yawn, taking a moment to think about what I need to do. "So. We're alive," I say, just to break the silence.
"Aye, we were lucky. I've fought off goblins many times before and it's no party, despite what some dwarves here are prone to think." "What do you mean? What did you do before the quest?" I ask, preparing to disinfect his wounds with some alcohol.
"I'm a wine merchant. Years ago I would travel with my caravans to meet my clients personally, and of course I travelled to different vineyards and wineries to select my stock," he says, twitching slightly as I dab at his cuts with my cloth. "You always have to be on the lookout for goblins when you're near the Misty Mountains." "You've crossed them before?" "Aye, once or twice, though most of the time we would go around to the south near the Gap of Rohan and through Enedwaith. Many prestigious Gondorians were clients of mine, as were some of the nobility of Rohan," he tells me, with a hint of pride in his voice.
I start to bandage his cuts. "Did Ori or Nori ever travel with you?" "Nori did sometimes, as a scout and spy. I do not approve of his thieving, but he does have his uses. When he wishes to be of use," he says with a wry smile. "I never took Ori with me, as he was too young. He's not really the adventuring type; never has been. I was more than a little surprised when he insisted on coming on this quest."
I finish with Dori's bandages, nodding as I take in this information. "And how did Nori…well, how did he get his talents?"
Dori doesn't say anything for a minute, and I'm about to apologize for asking when he says, "Before I was of age, times were hard. My brothers and I are Longbeards, but mum was a Broadbeam. She was a very talented armorer, one of the best in the Iron Hills. But it wasn't enough. We were surrounded by clansmen, and on the brink of starvation. We had no other family, and no support. Mahal bless her beard, she tried her hardest, but it wasn't enough.
"That's where Nori learned his…skills, I guess you could call them. He said it was to support our family, but that hasn't been the case in a long time. After Mum died, I took my brothers to Ered Luin and became an apprentice under a merchant there, and we've never looked back." He's silent for a few moments, and then absently says, "Bofur, Bombur, and Bifur are also Broadbeams you know. Very noble clan."
I nod, grateful that I'm deemed trustworthy enough to share in this information. "I apologize for asking. But I thank you for sharing with me." Dori dips his head in acknowledgment. "You're a fine lass, Aspen. I'm honored to have met you." He's silent as I clean some of my cuts, being careful with my movements.
A short while later, our eagle flies up to a large shelf in the side of a mountain and perches to let us slide off his back. Dori and I hustle over to our main group while Gandalf talks with the Lord of the Eagles.
We exchange soft greetings, the quiet reassurances people need after escaping several deadly situations in a row. The dwarves start to wander off in twos and threes, settling down for the night. I stand for a minute, uncertain of what I should do or where to go.
A dwarf comes up behind me. Dwalin.
Unease creeps up my spine. "Yes?" He doesn't reply, but leads me over to a far corner at the edge of the shelf. "I know that you didn't know about Thorin. I know that you can't remember everything to ever happen in your book. Mahal, I believe you were actually trying to help. But it doesn't matter. As soon as we're off this rock, I want you gone."
I take a moment to process what he's saying. "What?" He leans forward, as if to emphasize his point. "Your information is unreliable, to the point that it's dangerous. We lost Thorin, and I will not let Fili or Kili die because you can't tell us what's going to happen." I frown. "Wouldn't you rather have some idea of what could happen rather than none?" "No, because then I won't have to worry about how I could've done things differently. And I won't have to worry about you deliberately leading us astray."
My head pounds. I wish I had something to say. As it is, I open my mouth to speak, but no sound comes out.
Someone clears a throat behind me. "Dwalin, Fili has need of you." Kili's voice brooks no argument. Dwalin leaves without saying anything more to me, for which I'm grateful.
Kili puffs out a breath of air, seeming annoyed. "He has no right to say that to you—he doesn't lead the quest! No right!"
I sigh. "Kili he's worried. I don't like it, but I can't blame him. I'd be worried too."
He flops down on the edge, swinging his feet. I start to look him over for wounds, but he waves me off, saying Oin has already looked at him. "Are you alright?" I blink. "Sorry?" "You've got a lot going on. Thorin, orcs, wargs. Goblins. You made your first kill." My mind flashes back to the goblin I stabbed, the scene playing out in my mind. He crumples to the ground, twitching. Blood trickles down my partisan blade, and Kili tears by, yelling at me to follow.
"I don't know if I'll ever forget that." "I think most people remember their first kills. Mine was a deer, just outside of Ered Luin. Amad was so proud. You shouldn't feel bad about it."
"Those aren't even remotely the same," I say, wrinkling my nose at the thought. "You still shouldn't feel bad about it," he replies.
"I don't. I know he wanted to hurt me, or hurt one of the company. I guess just in the shock of that moment it was hard to believe I had actually killed something. No matter what the goblin was, it was a living being."
I'm quiet a moment, thinking. "I don't think I could have ever done that in my world."
"Change is inevitable. Especially on quests like these. Just make sure you like the person you're changing into."
I remember my mantra from back in Rivendell. Be more. "I'm trying."
"That's all you can do sometimes."
"You know, you're pretty amazing Kili." He grins. "Thanks, I know."
"When did that happen?" I joke, trying to make the conversation less serious. Kili looks at me, affronted, opening his mouth and closing it the next moment. "First, I'll have you know I've always been amazing. Second, everyone is amazing in their own way, at something."
"What about the trolls?" "Amazing at arguing." "The great goblin?" "Amazing at dying."
I laugh, and Kili smiles like he just scored a victory.
"Alright, enough! Clear off you big lump," Oin walks over, waving his hand at Kili. "I need to tend to the lass." Kili winks at me and hops up, wandering off.
Oin plops down and starts inspecting my work, nodding in approval at the cleaned cuts on my arms. He treats the biggest cut on my arm and a couple of scratches on my face with a salve he's made up.
Satisfied, he says, "Now your back. Take off your shirt." He turns around, and I make sure to face away from the rest of the company members as I pull my coat and outer tunic off, then hike my undershirt over my head, leaving my front covered. I unpin the fastenings for my chest bindings and peel those off as well, putting it with my coat.
"Oin," I call over my shoulder, pulling my knees up to my chest. He turns around and starts his inspection. "How bad is it?" "Not as bad as it could be. Your coat got most of it, but there will still be a few stripes on your upper back and neck."
He dips a cloth in some alcohol, and I hiss as it touches my back, trying not to squirm. Oin continues to clean, pausing only to dig through his bag for a different salve, one with stronger anti-infection properties. "You're going to need stitches on this one," he says.
I huff, taking the small spoon of liquid he holds out to me. I sniff, then swallow. An opium tincture, very precious now with our basically non-existent supplies.
I reach for my tunic and bunching a sleeve into my mouth while Oin calls Gandalf over for a little more light, saying the moonlight isn't enough. This catches the attention of the company, and I feel their stares on my bare back before quickly flitting away. Gandalf walks over, lighting the end of his staff and setting it down on a rock a few feet away.
Oin threads the needle, tying a knot at the end. It pierces my skin and I let out a strangled cry through my gag. I manage not to scream as Oin continues, but a few tears escape my eyes. It seems the opium wasn't enough.
After a few moments, Oin ties off his thread, smears my throbbing cut with his salve, and bandages it. He pats me gently on the shoulder and moves away with Gandalf, allowing me to dress in relative privacy. I wince as I wrap my bindings, not able to twist my back like I wish. After pulling on the rest of my clothes, I stand and wipe my eyes and sweaty brow, then walk over to the company. As I approach, Bombur hurries over to me and pulls me into a gentle hug.
Gandalf looks up at me and says, "Miss Aspen, I'm glad you are able to join us. I was just telling the company that the Lord of the Eagles has agreed to feed us tonight, and tomorrow the eagles will fly us over to the Carrock, which is a bit more east than I ever had planned to come. I've decided to see you all safely to Mirkwood, but then I must leave you to your own devices, as I have to attend to things that need attending to."
The dwarves grumble at this, but Gandalf will not budge. I just sigh, knowing Gandalf wouldn't be with us forever. Soon after, we have a roaring fire going, thanks to Gandalf and the eagles, who also provide us with rabbits and a small sheep.
After eating, I stretch out a little away from the dwarves, trying not to aggravate my back. Fili comes and inquires after me, and I have to think about what to say.
Kili's right. I've got a lot going on, and I'm not sure I'm alright. I tell this to Fili, who nods and doesn't ask anything else, just quietly looks at the stars with me.
Eventually he curls up facing me, snoring lightly. I stay awake a little bit longer, looking at the stars above me, missing my loved ones, both in this world and my world.
