Forced into a deep cavern that was filled with wooden platforms and torch light, I couldn't see a way out. Goblins were everywhere! They pushed us along a bridge till we got to the end. There a huge massive pale Goblin covered in boils and a huge flap under it's chin that looked like a beard, sitting on a throne wearing a crown, and held a scepter that had a goats head on it. Forced into a group as we stood before the Goblin King, we were stripped of our weapons. I glared around me, shoving my fear into the back of my mind. For some reason, I stood at the front of the Company as the Great Goblin came off his throne and demanded, "Who would be so bold as to come armed into my kingdom?"
I crossed my arms and glared up at the huge pimple in front of me as he whined, "Spies? Thieves? Assassins?"
A nearby Goblin said, "Dwarves, Your Malevolence." The King scoffed, "Dwarves? That one is no Dwarf!" He pointed at me and I rudely gestured at him with my fist. The Goblin continued, "We found them on the Front Porch."
The Goblin King barked, "Well don't just stand there! Search them! Every crack! Every crevice!"
When a Goblin tried to search me, it yanked away squealing from a broken wrist. It swiped at me with it's claws, only to be kicked off the platform. None of the other Goblins seemed to notice as they upended our packs. A bag from Nori was turned over. Candle sticks, forks, and other things that were obviously from Rivendell fell out. I bit back a giggle, looking up at the ceiling with a grin, "I should have known he would." The Goblin handed the Great Goblin a candle stick, "It is my belief your great protuberance, that they are in league Elves!"
The Goblin King read the bottom of the stick, "Made in Rivendell." And with a snooty attitude, "Second Age, couldn't give it away." and tossed it away with a snooty flick off the platform.
The others looked at Nori in disbelief, who said weakly, "Just a few keepsakes." I snorted and the King demanded, "What are you doing in these parts?" No one said a word and the King sneered, "If they will not talk, then how about I take your wench, and make her squeal."
Bristling, my anger took my fears place and I growled, "Oh I wouldn't do that." He hummed and I grinned wolfishly, as if I would rip out his throat with my teeth, "You'll lose your balls." He snorted and waved for some Goblins to grab me. In a lightning move I had one Goblin by the throat and a fast punch in the other ones nose had him flying off the platform, soon followed by the other as it squealed, or tried to when I threw it over the side. Wiping my hands disgustingly on my pants I gave a pointed look to the King and motioned what I meant to grab next and he stumbled back, covering his precious gems. This got some of the others behind me to chuckle. But then the Great Goblin hollered, "Then we'll make them squawk! Bring up the Mangler! Bring up the bone breaker!"
He pointed at me, "Start with the bitch!" About to show him bitch, I stepped forward, only to be grabbed and thrust into the middle of the group as Thorin yelled, "Wait!" Shocked, I realized he was the one who had grabbed me! I thought he didn't care! And was even more shocked when he pushed to the front of the group. The Goblin King looked pleased to see him, "Well, well, well. Look who it is. Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror." and gave a mocking bow, "King Under the Mountain. Oh! But I'm forgetting you don't have a mountain! And your not a king. So that make you..nobody really."
If looks could kill that Goblin King would be dead. But he practically purred, "I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head. Just a head." He chuckled, "Nothing attached."
The King straightened, grinning, "Perhaps you know of whom I speak. An old enemy of yours. A pale Orc, astride a white Warg." Thorin whispered in disbelief, "Azog the Defiler was destroyed. He was slain in battle long ago."
The King sneered, "So you think his defiling days are done, do you?" He laughed and then gave instructions to a small goblin on a string to send a message to the Pale Orc.
I gave a disgusted look when they brought up the items of torture and the King sang about what he was going to do to us. I mumbled, "His singing is torture."
Groans of agreement rang out until suddenly there was a shout! One of the Goblins had tried to take Thorin's sword out of it's sheath and dropped it in horror. The Goblin King cried out, trying to stagger onto his throne in fear, "I know that sword! That is the Goblin-cleaver! The Biter! The blade that sliced a thousand necks! Slash them! Beat them! Kill them!"
The Goblins attacked and I punched any I saw and then saw three tackled Thorin to the ground, "CUT OFF HIS HEAD!" A Goblin raised a dagger to do just that, only to die as I used my last throwing knife to kill it. "Thorin!"
BOOM!
A white light filled the cavern and blasted us off our feet. I wasn't sure what had happened as I lied there for a second, dazed. Shaking myself to get my wits back, I made myself get up as I heard Gandalf say as he appeared out of the light, "Take up arms! Fight! FIGHT!"
I was never so happy to see anyone in my life! I could have kissed him! Diving for my swords before anyone could make a move I slung them on and drew them, slicing off head and limbs of any Goblin I saw, giving the others a chance to move. The others lunged for their weapons and I killed the Goblins on Thorin and he leaped to his feet. Chaos around us, I yelped and barely got out of the way as the King lunged at Thorin. Thorin grabbed his sword from Nori and as it hit the King, it blasted him back and off the platform!
Gandalf barked, "Follow me!" I yelped, slicing off another head, "Don't have to tell me twice! Nice to see ya Gandalf!" We raced behind him, fighting Goblins left and right as we raced to escape. I took up the rear as we raced across a bridge and practically flew across.
It was amazing to watch the Dwarves fight. Almost like accidental elegance they killed the Goblins without a pause, and I killed just as much as them. Silver blurred in my hands as heads and limbs flew, followed by bodies that fell into the gaping darkness below. Then I saw some swinging over from the other side and shouted warning. Thorin yelled, "Cut the ropes!" We did, and the one he cut anchored the bridge above us to the wall. It swung and caught the swinging Goblins before falling to their doom.
We raced on and I found myself on another bridge that was too short, but when this one was cut we swung to the other side. Thorin shouted to jump, so I did. Landing on the other side I shouted as the others swung back, killed and boarded goblins and when they swung back over they jumped to land beside me and Fili jumped last. I had to grab Fili before he fell. We grinned at each other and as one cut the ropes and the bridge fell.
Running we killed multiple Goblins as we went and Gandalf shouted and touched a rock above him with his staff. A boulder fell and we rolled it in front of us as we ran and it squished Goblins in our way until we turned the corner.
Slash! Stab! Cut! Punch! Kick!
But the Goblins just kept coming! Three came at me at the same time and I was pinned in a corner, trying to fight them off. I screamed as one got a lucky cut at my side and Dwalin's ax took off it's head and I cut down the other two. Saluting to him with my sword I glanced at the cut, it was shallow but I worried about blood loss, as I dashed after him as the race continued. When we got to another bridge I stumbled back as the Goblin King popped out of it with a roar. I recoiled, staring fearfully at the beast and a strong arm stopped me from falling off the bridge. I glanced at who it was and nearly recoiled again, for a very different reason. I looked away from Thorin as the Great Goblin snarled, "You think you can escape?" Gandalf was in the front and stumbled back when it swung it's staff at him, the Dwarves caught him before he fell too far. The Great Goblin sneered, "What are you going to do now wizard?"
Gandalf glared, and then thrust his staff into it's eye! The Great Goblin cried out, and Gandalf cut open it's belly with his sword! The Goblin King fell to his knees and nodded wisely, "That'll do it." Gandalf cut it's throat and it fell with a thud. I was about to celebrate, until I heard a snap. Blood drained from my face. The weight of the Great Goblin caused the bridge to splinter on the ends!
I yelled as we plummeted, riding the bridge down the wall of rock! We all screamed as we fell, only to slow when the walls narrowed and finally came to a crashing halt when we hit the bottom. I groaned and wondered what I landed on because it didn't feel like stone. It was softer. Kind of. Blinking I realized I was being held and looked up as Thorin groaned. Leaping off like I had touched hot iron I said sheepishly, "Sorry. You alright?"
He grunted as he stood, "Had to land on me did you?" He didn't sound as mean as usual nor so angry when he looked at me. Not sure what to think about this, I just apologized again and grabbed his arm, helping him up. I heard Bofur say cheerfully, "Well that could have been worse."
Then the Goblin King fell on them. Dwalin snarled, "You've got to be joking!"
Shaking my head, I came up and helped dig them out. I looked up when I heard a racket, Kili yelled, "Gandalf!" and paled at the hoard of goblins coming towards us. Dwalin helped Ori up, hanging onto him protectively, "There's too many! We can't fight them!" Gandalf called, "Only daylight will save us! Quickly!"
I grabbed whoever was still not on their feet and helped them up. Then we ran like fiends! Fiercely relieved when we finally made it out and into daylight, we ran for a good distance before we finally stopped next to some pine trees.
Gasping for breath as Gandalf counted the Company I smiled at him, ripping the bottom of my shirt to create a bandage and then fashioned the bandage around my middle, tugging it tight. I said cheerfully, "Always good to see you Gandalf."
He grinned at me, and Thorin said firmly, "This is no laughing matter." I looked at him in surprise as he said, frown back on his face, "You know what those Goblins would have done to you? Do you have any idea what almost happened? You shouldn't have come with us!"
Realization hit me like a bus, this was why he was such an ass! He knew what could happen to a woman out here, the horror of it. And he was trying to get me to quit so that I would be safe.
Touched, I held up my hand as Gandalf opened his mouth and he paused. Walking up to Thorin I raised my chin stubbornly, "Just so we're clear, Thorin Oakenshield." He glared but I knew how to read his eyes now. There was fear and sadness in them that I had never seen before. He clenched his jaw stubbornly and I was glad for this. Because I decked him, right in the mouth. Pow! Right in the kisser!
He fell back and landed with a thud. I shook my hand, it not appreciating hitting such a hard object, and ignored the sharp gasps, whistles and other comments around me. Stalking over to Thorin, who stared at me in shock as he rubbed his jaw, I said cheerfully, "Stop trying to get rid of me Thorin, because I'm not leaving." Grabbing his hand I yanked him to his feet and said, "Not till the quest is done. You still don't have your home back."
Stepping back I looked at them all and said softly, "That's why we're here isn't it? To get your home back?"
I looked at Thorin, who had saddened at the reminder and I said gently, "I may not have a home either, but I am not a useless piece of baggage on this journey. I decided to help you get back your home, and I made up my mind when I signed the contract."
Smiling softly at him I said, "So I promise that I will do whatever I can to help you get your home back. I'm staying. Your just going to have to get over it."
This startled a chuckle out of some of them and I saw Thorin's face soften for a moment. But then the mood was dampened when we heard howling. I cursed under my breath as Thorin growled, "Out of the frying pan." Gandalf finished, "And into the fire! Run!"
Bolting once more I drew one sword as I heard a noise behind me. Dodging to the left I swung down on my right and cleaved the Wargs head right off. Spinning I whipped my blade up to cut into the side of another, it skid to a stop about to lunge back at me only to be killed by Thorin. He gave a nod to me and we ran once more, only to come to an outcropping and no where else to go. Gandalf barked, "Up into the trees!"
I didn't need to be told twice. Sheathing my sword I followed Fili and Kili up into one, looking to make sure everyone got up alright. Then I saw it. The Pale Orc riding a white Warg. He had scars all over him, wielding a mace and his other arm had a spike threw it with a metal claw on the end. I didn't need to be told who it was after Thorin said in disbelief, "Azog."
Azog said something in their black speech and it must have been something bad because Thorin said in sadness, "It cannot be." I looked at him, alarmed, until Azog shouted something and the Wargs lunged at the trees trying to rip us down. We had to climb higher to get away and I heard a creak, watching in horror as the tree next to us fell towards us and then ours fell. Like dominoes. We jumped from one tree to the other until we were all in Gandalf's tree at the edge.
Azog laughed and I looked up as Gandalf did something. I blinked as the pine cone he held burst into flames and he tossed it at the Wargs, who backed up in fear. He set more pine cones on fire and tossed them to us. I juggled mine as it burned my fingers and then launched it at a Warg underneath me. It howled in pain and ran back. I grinned determinedly as we threw them at the enemy, cheering as they fled.
Then I felt the tree give. We yelped and I hollered to hold on as it fell over and it's roots clung to the earth as it laid on it's side. I heard Fili's yell and saw Kili slip off the trunk. Lunging forward I grabbed Kili by the back of his jacket. Hearing another yelp I had to grab Fili next by his arm as he slipped when he tried to help Kili. My chest was pressed against the trunk and I tried to wrap my legs around it as I held each Dwarf on either side of the trunk, dangling in mid air. My face pressed against the bark, scratching and biting as I hung onto the dangling Dwarves. The trunk dug into my wounded side and I could feel it start to bleed again.
Looking around quickly to see how the others were fairing I saw the look on Thorin's face as he looked at Azog. Paling when I recognized that look, I snapped at him, "Thorin! Don't!"
Thorin stood, not even glancing back at me and I yelled, my heart in my throat, frantic to stop him but unable to, "It's what he wants! Dammit! Listen to me!"
Fear grew inside me as I watched Thorin rush at the pale Orc. I felt Fili begin to slip so I looked down to make sure I had a hold of him. And then I heard Balin yell, "NOOO!"
Snapping my head up I saw Azog's mace slammed Thorin in the chest and he went down. Thorin yelled in pain as the white Warg grabbed him by the arm, teeth crunching with powerful force. Dwalin yelled Thorin's name and tried to go to him but his branch broke and luckily he was able to grab another before he fell.
Gritting my teeth, my hold on Kili was good so I yanked. Kili yelped as I lifted him up and onto the tree. Twisting around, I grabbed with both hands and yanked up Fili and set him with his brother. Staggering to my feet, my heart wrenched when I saw Thorin's oak shield, arm and some of his chest was still in the white Wargs mouth. I ran down the trunk only to see Thorin thrown like a doll when he hit the Warg in the muzzle with his sword.
Thorin fell with a clatter, unable to get up. I heard the cries of the other Dwarves as the pale Orc told another Orc to behead Thorin. Fury swept through me on swift wings. I ran forward as the Orc got off it's Warg and raised the sword over Thorin's throat, seeing Thorin struggle even then to reach his fallen sword.
I drew my sword but didn't use it right off as I slammed my fist into the Orc's ugly face! The force of it threw him back into his Warg and I slashed without hesitation, severing his head from his shoulders. And in a second swing slashed open his Wargs throat. Standing over Thorin protectively, I snarled, "You'll have to get through me you bloody git!"
I glanced back at Thorin, who seemed to have fainted and then turned back and faced down the Pale Orc, snarling a wolf snarl that made his Warg pin it's ears back and snarl back in a language I didn't know. I stared at it for a moment, realizing that the Wargs were intelligent in a human mind sort of way. They could think! Three more Wargs came up behind the white Warg and I heard the Pale Orc order them to kill us in Orc speak.
Bracing my feet apart I blinked as Fili, Kili and Dwalin suddenly clashed into them with angry roars of their own. Seeing that they were outnumbered badly I took a deep breath and roared a bellowing roar much like bear. The Wargs turned their attention to me or flinched, which was their doom as the Dwarves hacked into them. I confronted the white Warg as it came at me and knocked the Pale Orcs mace away as I tried to stab his Warg in the eye. Dodging the teeth it lowered it's head and head butted me hard enough to send me flying into a part of a downed tree.
Smacking into it, my back was a mass of pain as I forced myself to my knees, ready to fight again. My ears caught a noise and I frowned in confusion until I heard a screech I recognized as an eagle's cry and gaped like country bumbkin as giant golden eagles joined the fray. They fought bravely and with great skill. Throwing Wargs and Orcs off the cliff and attacking them viciously, the eagles obviously had the upper hand int his fight.
Knowing we were in good hands I saw one gently hover over Thorin and raced for it, not willing to let him out of my sight, I said politely to the eagle as it scooped him up, "Excuse me, but I'd like to stay with him."
I could have sworn the great bird winked at me as it nodded and I leaped onto it's back, watching as other eagles picked up the rest of the Dwarves and Gandalf. Counting quickly in my mind I sighed in relief once we were all airborne. I laid flat on the eagles back, leaning over until I could see Thorin. He was still unconscious which worried me greatly. Looking into the great bird's eyes I said softly, remembering my manners, "Thank you so much for saving us. You and your friends."
It let loose a cry which was answered by the other eagles which I assumed was a your welcome, only for it to be confirmed when the eagle said, "Your welcome, little one." I blinked at him, startled that he could talk and slowly smiled, "Ariana. At your service." The eagle said smoothly, "I am in no need of your service but I am pleased to meet you."
I checked the others once more and was almost amused when I saw Bifir try to stand up on his eagle and pretend to fly, flapping his arms until Bofur grabbed him and yanked him down. The eagles flew us a good distance away before flying down into a valley with a giant rock tower in the middle where they gently set Thorin down. I jumped off and quickly crouched next to him, unsure how to help him. Luckily Gandalf hurried up and knew what to do. He whispered something, waving his hand over Thorin's face.
Sighing in huge relief, the grip on my heart loosening when Thorin opened his eyes, I stood and moved back as the other Dwarves hurried up to see if he was alright. Walking to the edge of the column of rock we stood on I felt a simmering of anger begin to rise within me. I thought angrily, "What was he thinking!? How could he do such a stupid thing! He nearly died!"
I was trying to get a hold of my temper when I heard stomping feet and turned as Dwalin snarled, "What in the name of Arda were you thinking!?" The tattooed Dwarf loomed over me threateningly, an ax in one hand and the other reaching as if to grab my tunic and shake me. I bristled automatically and slapped his hand away, "What are you going on about?" I was tired and not in the mood for any crap.
Dwalin gripped his ax tighter and snapped, "Dashing in there and..."
I snapped right back, reaching for my dagger, "I was saving his sorry ass from becoming mutant wolf food! From losing his head! Being torn to pieces! Take your pick!"
"That wasn't your choice to make!" Dwalin looked about to cleave my head off and I was close to doing the same to him. My temper spiked and I roared back, "I was the only one who could! I'm not about to sit by and let that idiot die for some stupid revenge!"
Dwalin looked startled at me screaming right back at him, even as I forced myself to let go of my dagger, "Or has all that ink in your head started to affect your brain?" As impressed as Dwalin might have otherwise been by the woman's bravery, he was too livid to care. He was actually halfway through drawing his ax back to strike at me when two voices stopped him.
"Dwal!" That one was his brother. Balin would be frowning at him severely if that tone was anything to go by. I was too busy staring down the tall Dwarf to look. The other voice was quiet. Thorin whispered, "The girl?" Dwalin looked over, startled and worry clearly etched on his stern face and I stepped back a step, not sure what to do as Gandalf reassured him, "She is fine. Right here and quite safe."
Oin was trying to persuade Thorin to stay lying down while he tended the gash on his leader's forehead, but the stubborn dwarf was struggling to sit up anyway. Dwalin and Kili moved to help him and he shrugged them off, looking at me as he swayed to his feet. I glared at him and raised my chin defiantly. He staggered a step, "What were you doing?" This set my temper a blaze once more and I snarled as I stepped towards him, "What was I doing? What were you doing!?"
Luckily Dwalin caught his arm before he fell, trying to move back from me and I paused before I forced him to fall, "You no good son of a..a..TROLL! What in the seven hells were you thinking? You were going to run right into that damn Orc riding a Warg for your damn feud! And get your bloody self killed! And where would that leave us huh?"
He opened his mouth, staring at me in shock but I cut him off, "Leaderless is where! Then what huh!? We would no longer have a quest and be useless! Useless a tits on a male boar!"
I heard a snort of laughter and spun to level a glare at the wizard and his eyes crinkled as he soothed, "Ariana calm down. Thorin is injured and we need a place to rest and recover. Stop yelling at him please."
I snorted but moved away. Thorin seemed to have found his tongue and glared at me. He shook his arm back from Dwalin and I watched at he strode up to me the best he could and continued, "You nearly got yourself killed!"
My glare could level mountains but I did catch Gandalf's eye and I said tightly, wrestling down my anger, "We could have all been killed. I don't regret my action tho I regret yours. Now, Your Highness how about you let Oin treat you and we find a place to rest off this rock? Then the rest of us can lick our wounds and plan our next move."
Thorin grimaced and found his civil tone, "Your right. And thank you for your assistance." I withheld another snort as we heard a screech above us. Everyone looked up and we watched the Eagles fly off and I waved after them, yelling, "THANK YOU!" They called back a welcome and I looked over at Thorin. He saw something behind me and from the look on his face I had to turn to see a single mountain far off in the distance. I asked softly, "Is that?"
Gandalf said as we climbed a bit to get a better look, "Erebor. The Lonely Mountain, the last great Dwarf kingdom of Middle-earth."
Thorin said warmly, "Our home." I looked at him and for a moment I saw a King, looking at his Kingdom just as the sun rose. Then a bird chirped as it flew by and Oin said excitedly, "A raven. The birds are returning to the mountain."
Gandalf corrected gently before I could, "That my dear Oin, is a thrush."
Thorin looked pleased as he looked at me, "But we'll take it as a sign. A good omen."
I cracked a grin at him, pushing my anger away for a moment, "Your right. It's about time we got one of those." Thorin nodded and moved away to let Oin tend to him. He sat with a poorly hidden grimace. Once Thorin's head injury had been tended and he'd had a few minutes to rest, he rallied his remaining strength into getting up again. He was too proud to ask for help, but Dwalin was immediately at his side, and supported the dark-haired Dwarf to his feet. I watched out of the corner of my eye and guessed he had bruised, if not broken ribs. I knew from experience that even the simple action of breathing was nearly unbearable, but only a faint tremble and a frown revealed how sore he was as he joined the others at the overlook, where the Lonely Mountain rose up eminently in the distance, a hazy blue, veiled in mist.
Once he was on his feet he gave a nod and ordered the Company to move out. I took one more glance at the Lonely Mountain, hoping that the rest of the journey would be better. If none of the Dwarves did any more stupid stunts!
