AN: I KNOW ITS BEEN AGES SINCE I'VE LAST UPDATED, I HOPE TO FALL BACK INTO RHYTHM NOW THAT EXAMS ARE OVER. HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER.
The clash of metal followed by the squelching of flesh tearing rang in Thorin's ears. Orc after orc fell before his blade. Yet despite it all, Azog's forces still outnumbered them. It was then, amongst the blood, screaming and sweat did he realise how he could end it all.
The Dwarf King raised his bloody sword and swung towards his next victim. Despite decades of neglect, the Dwarf forged weapon easily pierced through the orc's armour. The orc's blade slipped through its gnarled fingers as it dropped to the ground, dead.
The familiar red hair of his cousin stood out amongst the battle, "Dain!" Thorin yelled as his body twisted to strike down yet another orc.
Hearing his call, Dain turned towards the direction he heard his cousin. "Thorin! Hold on! I'm coming!" Dain yelled after seeing him. Unfortunately, there were orcs between them, preventing the Dwarf from getting to Thorin.
To get to his King, Dain leapt onto the back of an orc. His war hammer held tightly against its throat. The armoured beast began to spin around in an attempt to throw off the ginger Dwarf whilst his comrade raised its mace to hit him.
Seeing this, Dain momentarily released his hold on the orc's neck and swung his weapon towards the other. After landing the killing blow, Dain wrapped his fingers around the neck of the orc he was riding and flung it to the ground.
"Hey, cousin!" Dain began as he smashed the head of the orc in two with his hammer. "Wha' took ya so long?" He asked, beating another orcs head in before going to embrace his cousin and King.
Thorin laughed in reply. "There's te many of these buggers, Thorin," Dain began, "I hope yer got a plan,"
A cold look entered Thorin's eye as he stared at Azog's war flags. "Aye. We're going to take out their leader,"
Disbelief shone in Dain's eyes at the implication. "Azog?" He breathed, worry clear in his tone as he watched as his cousin and his King climbed astride one of his battle goats.
"I'm gonna kill that piece of filth," Thorin scowled, clutching the reins tightly in his fist.
"Thorin ya cannot do tis. Yer our King," Dain croaked, hoping Thorin would see reason.
"That is why I must do it," Thorin asserted,
Dain sighed. He knew there was no changing his cousin's mind. "And how do ya plan te fight yer way single-handed ta Ravenhill?!"
As if planned, a war machine pulled by six goats came to a sudden stop before the pair. Balin gripped the reins in his fist, "You know It's been awhile since I've done this," he remarked to his brother.
Thorin's lips turned slightly in a smile which then morphed into a look of determination. He raised his Dwarven sword and dug his heels into the goat beneath him, urging it forward. "To Ravenhill!" He yelled before charging towards the enemy line, sword raised at the ready.
A fierce look overtook the King's face as he charged into battle. He was going to kill the beast that had taken so much from him. He was going to kill Azog.
/
— Elsewhere on the battlefield —
/
ALEXA'S POV
I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that. The words rang in her mind as Alexa fought against the orcs. After she had dropped the bomb of Dwalin and the others not being 'alright' as Nori had tried to reassure her, said Dwarf had pretty much lost it. However, with the battle still ongoing, he couldn't do much about it other than the odd comment, well, shout every now and then. Nori had also stuck to his word. The Dwarf had yet to leave her side, well more, like her back. The pair were back-to-back fighting like a Makhai.
"Excuse me? What do you mean by-" Nori asked once again, pausing momentarily to bash an orcs head in before using air quotes. "'-they won't'?".
"What in Mahal aren't you telling us, Al?!" He continued, making Alexa bite her lip. You couldn't have just said, 'Yep, Nori, your right. They will be alright,' But NOOOO you just had to go ahead and say 'Yeah, about that. Not so much,'. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
THIRD POV
"Al, are you even listening to me? Al! ALEXA!" The Dwarf yelled. He had had enough. Pushing off her back, he raised his shield to block an incoming blade.
The orc swung its weapon against his shield in continuous strikes, trying to take him off balance. Panting, Nori gritted his teeth as he released his shield with his left hand and let his right take the load. His nimble fingers worked swiftly up his sleeve until they touched the cold steel. Gripping the blade, Nori took it swiftly from his sleeve.
Letting the orc get in a few more hits, Nori waited for the opportune moment. It came just as the orc struck the top of his shield. The blade became embedded in the shield, going down several inches before stopping just above his head. Which was great for two reasons; one, he's not dead. Two, now the sword is stuck, so he has his opportunity.
The orc instantly went to wrench its blade from the shield, tugging with all its might. Nori smirked and released his grip on the shield entirely. The orc stumbled back in an attempt to regain balance. But it was all for nought. The knife in Nori's hand had already gone through its fourth and fifth rib.
After he had killed the orc, Nori turned to face Alexa. A look of shock flashed across his face. Had he not spent the past year travelling with her, he would never have recognised her. Orc blood covered her from head to toe. Her once light brown pants and cream tunic, was splattered with black blood and drenched with sweat.
"Wha-what did you mean by-by 'they won't'?" Nori panted heavily, trying to catch his breath.
Alexa sighed and beheaded the orc before her. "Nothing Nori, I'm just worried, that's all. Ravenhill is where Azog is,"
Nori tilted his head slightly, a sceptical look in his eye as he looked at her. There was something Alexa wasn't telling him, and he was going to find out exactly what it was. "There's no point Al, I know your lying."
Alexa sighed. She really needed to find a way to Ravenhill. With her injured leg, she couldn't run there, not like last night anyways. But how else would she get there before her vision became reality? Alexa needed to think of something, and quick.
Ignoring him, Alexa posed her own question. "Do you remember what I told you on the ramparts?"
The gears turned in Nori's head as he struck down his next victim. "That when it came down to it, you needed me to trust you without question," he said warily.
Alexa nodded, "Look, I can't tell you what I know. There's not enough time. But I need to know, do you trust me?"
Nori knew the answer, but part of him was cautious. What did she know that no one else did? But this was Alexa, the woman he had been travelling with for the past year, his friend.
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes, I trust you, Al,"
She nodded. "Ravenhill." She breathed, "We need to find a way to Ravenhill,"
Nori watched her movements for a moment. Before, she had been advancing with every kill. Now she remained in the same spot, just pivoting now and then. And he knew why. His eyes drifted down to her bandaged thigh, "Al, your in no state to go. Can you even walk?"
Alexa sighed at his words. He was right; she was in no state to go. But she had to, needed to. "Nori, please." She begged, a choked sob leaving her as she applied weight to her injured leg.
She limped two steps before Nori wrapped an arm around her waist. "Don't make me regret this, Al," he murmured.
Alexa placed her right arm around his shoulders and kept her ignited lightsaber in her left. "Pfft, I wouldn't dream of it, No." she breathed, gaining a nod from the Dwarf.
Together they hobbled through the battlefield. Nori had since forgone his mace for his shield so he could shield her and himself from any attack. Whilst Alexa cut down any foul creature that came close to them down with her lightsaber. It was certainly a sight.
Unshed tears welled in Alexa's eyes as pain flared through her body. She bit her lip, allowing only a few muffled cries to escape as they trudged along. They had been at this for too long.
Nori's calculated eyes searched the battlefield for anything that could take them to Ravenhill. As he was looking, his eyes caught the sight of an ogre heading in their direction. There was nothing they could do. They were screwed. Alexa was far too injured to take on an ogre, and Nori no longer had his mace.
The ground shook beneath their feet, making Alexa stumble. Nori's arm tightened around her waist whilst his other, holding the shield, came to brace against her chest, catching her. The pair's eyes widened with panic as the ogre charged towards them, a wicked gleam in its beady eyes.
Gripping her lightsaber, Alexa gritted her teeth. She couldn't catch a break. Closing her eyes, Alexa mustered as much strength as possible. Beads of sweat ran down her face as she concentrated. Nausea grew within her, causing her to open her eyes. Black spots clouded her vision. This was the end. She had failed. Again.
"Look out, lass!" A gruff voice shouted.
Before Alexa could look towards the voice, she was jerked to the side by Nori. The sound of hoofs and arrows being shot grew louder, followed by roaring echoed in her ears. Help had come.
Dain whipped the reins, urging the war goats on faster, shouts of Khuduzul leaving his throat. At his command, Dagur shot more arrows at the ogre, aiming at its chest. Over a dozen bolts stuck out from the ugly creature, yet it had not slowed down.
As they approached the ogre, the young Dwarf aimed the crossbow at its head. Gripping the handle, Dagur spun it in his fist. Arrows sailed towards the ogre. Three protruded from its neck, one from its cheek and another seven from its shoulders. Releasing a yell, Dagur gritted his teeth and aimed high. The arrow sailed towards the beast, piercing its eye.
A bellow left Dain as he watched the ogre fall to the ground, dead. Yanking on the reins, he slowed his goats to a stop before Alexa and Nori. The pair were thankful, to say the least. Nori held his shield firm whilst Alexa's lightsaber remained ignited.
Hopping off the chariot with his war hammer, Dain patted Dagur on the back and stroked a few of his goats. "A little birdie told me ya wanted te go ta Ravenhill," he stated, peering over at the two. It wasn't a question.
Alexa shared a look with Nori before answering. "Yes, Lord Dain, that is correct,"
Dain continued to stroke the goat's coat as silence fell between them. Alexa shifted nervously. They were wasting time. Before she could say anything, Dain spoke. "Well, in tha' case, take Magnhild she'll get yer there,"
Alexa watched with bated breath as Dain undid the straps on the goat he was stroking. Gripping the reins, Dain led Magnhild over to her and Nori. During this, Dagur and several others held back Azog's forces from them.
Hope surged in Alexa's chest at the sight of the animal. After all, goats are incredible climbers, and force knew they needed one in this terrain.
The goat was tall, with its thick curled horns reaching up to Alexa's chin. Magnhild's body was stocky, and her legs were powerful. There was only one piece of armour upon her body, which adorned her chest. All and all, she looked deadly. They always did say a horse takes out as many enemies as its rider. Despite Magnhild being a goat, Alexa knew she would perform just as well, if not better.
"Thank you, Lord Dain. I'll take good care of her," Alexa said, averting her eyes from Magnhild to the Dwarf Lord.
Nori dipped his head but said nothing as he took the reins from Dain. Turning from Dain, Alexa ran her hand along Maghild's neck before settling them on her strong back. The short brown hairs stuck up between her fingers as Alexa lifted herself up and settled on the goat's back. Nori followed shortly after, swinging on behind her.
Dain yelled in Khuzadul, his words making Dagur leave his post. He jogged towards them, an axe in the one hand and a war hammer in the other. "You may need this where you're going," he stated, holding up the war hammer to Nori, who took it gladly.
Warmth bloomed in Alexa's chest as she looked at the young Dwarf she had met just hours prior. Alexa had been worrying about him ever since she had lost sight of him a few hours before Thorin and the others had joined the battle. And now he was here before her. Slightly more battered and covered in more filth than she last saw him, but alive nonetheless.
Alexa smiled at Dagur, who returned it. "When this is all over, I'm buying you a drink," she promised, grinning at the young lad who nodded gleefully with her words.
"May Durin be with you," Dain breathed, effectively breaking Alexa from her trance.
Alexa gripped the reins tightly as she stared out into the bloody battlefield. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her destiny awaited.
She swallowed her nerves. "And may the force be with you, Lord Dain. Dagur," she said before whipping the reins and disappearing with Nori into the battle.
/
- Scene: Ravenhill -
/
Kili squinted, "Where is he?" He asked, the thick fog blocking his vision.
Fili watched as Azog's flags became visible as the mist cleared briefly. "It looks empty," He replied, "I think Azog has fled."
Thorin stared at the war flags where Azog stood just minutes prior, "I don't think so," he muttered, his pulse rising slightly at the pale orc's absence. There was something about this that didn't feel right.
/
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AN: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Yes another cliffhanger, sorry about that. Not to worry I haven't abandoned this story, just had some writer's block and uni work. Till next time XD
Magnhild is a norse name and means 'mighty and strong in battle'. - well according to the web page I got it from.
