Chapter 22
The pale yellow eyes of Azog the Defiler smirked at the Company hiding in the trees. "Nuzdigid? Nuzdi gast? Ganzilig-I unarug obod nauzdanish, Torin undag Train-ob."
"It cannot be," Thorin muttered. Ember stared into the dark night and her eyes met Azog, who roared in harsh laughter.
"Lozudurkh gimbuzizglat, baaklak! Dorgizub nargzablat!" Gandalf froze, understanding the meaning of the orc's words. He knew that Ember did as well, for he had taught her the Black Speech himself. She shut her eyes, her tears dripping down her cheeks. She knew this was the monster that had killed her family. "Toraulu biriz!" the Orc snarled, pointing at Thorin and Ember. "Worori-da!" The Wargs leapt forward at his command, trying to climb into the trees, which shook violently. The dwarves struggled to hold on. "Sho gad adol!" With the weight of the Wargs climbing it, the tree with Bilbo, Bifur and Gloin was uprooted, and they jumped into the tree with Gandalf and the others. Looking around in desperation, Gandalf spied a giant pine-cone. He grabbed it, using his staff to set the cone on fire.
"FILI!" He called, tossing a pine-cone to the dwarf, who threw it at the snarling Wargs below. The others began to gather pine-cones, while Gandalf set them on fire. They fired the burning cones like missiles at the Wargs. The Wargs were forced to retreat from the flames. Azog roared in anger. Ember rose to her feet in the tree, feeling her power surge. She pointed her finger towards the Orcs in anger and a fireball shot out from her fingertips, narrowly missing Azog. He snarled in rage, and anticipation.
"Gothurzta!" He roared, knowing his Master would be pleased. Before Ember could fire again, the roots of the tree began to give way; the tree tipped precariously over the edge of the cliff, throwing Ember off her branch. Kili snagged her arm as she fell, and she cried out in agony from the pain. Suddenly, Ori lost his grip and fell, barely managing to grab onto Dori's leg.
"Mister Gandalf!" Dori cried, as he was pulled from the tree as well, but Gandalf swung his staff down. Dori grasped it, now holding himself and his brother high in the air off the edge of the cliff. "Hold on, Ori!" Dori cried to his baby brother. Azog growled at Thorin, who looked at him in hate and anger. Thorin glanced at Ember who met his eyes. He pulled himself up, drew his sword, and walked down the leaning tree trunk, as the others looked on.
"THORIN, NO!" Ember cried out. She knew Thorin would do anything to protect the Company. Thorin raced through the burning ground at Azog and the White Warg. Azog spread his arms wide with a smug grin on his face. Thorin growled loudly with his sword raised, his oaken branch shield held in front of him. The White Warg leapt at Thorin, who swung his sword, but the Warg slashed his chest with its fore-paw, smashing Thorin to the ground. Thorin struggled to his feet as his enemy wheeled around. They charged at Thorin, Azog's mace connecting with his face before he could react. Thorin was flung brutally to the ground.
"NO!" Balin yelled. Azog roared in delight. Ember tore her eyes away from the awful site, and spotted Bilbo managing to stand up on the trunk of the tree. The White Warg clamped its jaws around Thorin, who hollered in pain. Dwalin struggled to get off the tree but the branches supporting him snapped, swinging him precariously over the edge of the cliff.
"Thorin! No!" Dwalin cried. Thorin managed to smash the head of the White Warg with the pommel of his sword. The Warg tossed Thorin away, landing heavily, his sword falling out of his hand, his head striking the flat stone beneath him with a sharp crack.
"Biriz torag khobdudol," Azog sneered. One of the Warg riders jumped off his mount, approaching Thorin. Bilbo, pulled out his own sword, which was awash in a blue glow. The Orc raised its sword above Thorin's neck. Metal clashed against metal as Bilbo threw himself at the Orc, the blades stopping mere inches from Thorin's neck. Thorin grunted in pain, as he watched the little Hobbit stab the Orc rider, killing him. Bilbo glared at the Pale Orc, placing himself in front of Thorin. Azog laughed evilly, the other Orcs joining him as they began to try to circle Bilbo. Suddenly, a slim figure raced forward, dropping to her knees, her legs unable to support her. Ember radiated power, focusing her eyes on the Pale Orc, who reeled back in surprise. She raised her hand and a hot blast flew from her, creating a shield of fire that forced the Orcs to back away.
"Ember…" Thorin muttered weakly, surrendering to unconsciousness. Azog roared in anger as an Orc rider was burned alive as it tried to cross the shield barrier. Suddenly, Fili, Kili and Dwalin plowed into the Wargs from the side, fighting for their king. Gandalf looked out into the night, seeing his moth returning to him. Dori's grip on the end of Gandalf's staff slipped and Dori and Ori dropped into the empty sky. They were startled when they landed on the back of a giant eagle, carrying them swiftly away. Several more eagles arrived, grabbing Orcs and Wargs, while one gently grabbed Thorin in its talons behind Ember and Bilbo. The heat from the shield became more intense as Ember moaned in agony, struggling to control her power. As another eagle scooped up Bilbo, Ember saw Gandalf leap clear of the tree, landing safely on an eagle. Ember sighed, her dwarves, her family was safe, and that was all that mattered. She smiled faintly at Azog, who roared in fury. She closed her eyes as her power overwhelmed her, falling into blackness. Azog moved towards her as the fire shield vanished but a final eagle gripped Ember in its talons, whisking her away into the night. An angry bellow came from Azog echoed in the darkness at the loss of his prey.
For hours, the Eagles soared through the air. Thorin dangled unconsciously in the talons of his eagle. "Thorin! THORIN!" Fili yelled in a desperate attempt to awaken his uncle. Kili searched the sky, not seeing Ember, fear rising in his throat. Finally, the eagles approached a massive rock structure shaped like a bear. The eagle carrying Thorin gently laid him down on the Carrock. Another eagle deposited Gandalf, who slid off its neck, running towards the unconscious Thorin.
"THORIN!" Gandalf said worriedly. Thorin did not respond, his breathing shallow and weak. Gandalf placed his hand on Thorin's face. Tense moments passed as the others approached, watching as Gandalf muttered his healing spell. Finally, Thorin's eyes fluttered open and he gasped for air.
"The halfling?" He murmured weakly. "Ember?"
"It's all right, Bilbo is here. He's quite safe." Gandalf gently assisted Thorin to his feet, aided by Dwalin and Fili. He shrugged them off, approaching Bilbo.
"You! What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild and that you had no place amongst us?" Thorin advanced upon Bilbo, who looked worried and frightened. "I've never been so wrong in all my life!" Thorin grabbed Bilbo, embracing him deeply. The other dwarves laughed and cheered loudly, clapping each other on the back. "I am sorry I doubted you," Thorin said softly.
"No, I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero or a warrior…not even a burglar truthfully." Everyone chuckled as Thorin released Bilbo.
"Where is Ember?" Thorin asked. He turned to see Kili slumped at the far end of the Carrock, where a large eagle had laid a body in his arms. They raced towards them, Gandalf pushing to the side of his beloved Yuula. She lay motionless, bloody and bruised. Thorin placed his hand tentatively on Kili's shoulder.
"I can't rouse her," Kili whispered. "I've tried water, but I can't get her to drink." Tears flowed down his cheeks. Gandalf reached to touch her hand, seeking out her power core.
"It is consuming her," he muttered. He quickly placed a containment spell around the core, hoping it would hold. White light surged from his staff, and he gasped at the effort it was taking him to contain her. Kili cried out as Ember began to thrash in his arms. He pulled her to him, ignoring the heat from her skin, calling her name, his soothing voice piercing the black veil that surrounded her. Gandalf sat back, panting in exhaustion. Ember's eyes fluttered open, struggling to focus. Her blue eyes finally settled on Kili, and she sighed softly.
"Kili…my hrun," she whispered. The others breathed a sigh of relief. Thorin crouched at her side, stroking her brow. She turned her eyes to him, a soft smile on her lips. "Thorin…my king…" she breathed. He smiled down at her, before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Ember…my daughter," he said softly. There were a few raised eyebrows from the Company at his term of endearment, but no one spoke. He stroked her cheek gently. "You were right…the halfling is more than worthy of being a member of this Company, as are you."
"I hate to say I told you so…" she joked weakly. A faint laughter broke around them. Kili brought water to her lips and she drank hungrily. Gandalf motioned to Oin, who went to grab his medical bag.
"Yuula, lasto nin, henig. " Gandalf grabbed her hand tightly.
"Istari, my family cannot understand you, Ú-bedir edhellen, remember?" she scolded gently. He smiled at her fondly.
"Forgive me, my dear. Ember, I have placed a containment spell around your power. You will not be able to wield it until I remove it." Kili stared at the Wizard in shock.
"She needs to heal herself, Gandalf," Kili protested anxiously, "before her wounds get infected." Gandalf shook his head slowly, pulling Kili aside as Oin approached, bringing his herbs and bandages.
"Listen to me, all of you," Gandalf said quietly to the group. "I have never seen a power like what she displayed on that mountain. Her power core has grown so great, it started to consume her. She must not wield it, until she is strong enough to do so. I fear if she were to attempt anything in her present condition…it would kill her." Kili furrowed his brow in fear as Fili gripped his shoulders. They glanced back at Ember, who had closed her eyes, whimpering in pain.
"Let me see to her wounds," Oin said quietly, before turning to Thorin. "Then I am seeing to yours!" Thorin made as if to argue, but thought better of it as he took in the expression on the old healer's face.
Kili gently placed Ember's head in his lap. With tender hands, Dwalin, Bifur and Bofur assisted Oin in turning Ember onto her side, so he could look at the blackened, bloody burn she had been given from the Goblin King. The site of the tender flesh scarred in such a way caused them to look at each other in horror. The wound was dirty, and reddened, already showing possible signs of infection. Oin sighed, before beginning to cleanse the wound. He used a wet cloth to gently clean the dirt and grime from the wound bed. Ember sobbed in pain, the dwarves holding her tightly to keep her from moving. Kili murmured in her ear, stroking her hair. Oin worked quickly, applying a salve and a bandage to the wound. They rolled her onto her back, her tears leaving track marks on her cheeks.
"I need to lift your shirt now, lassie." She smiled trustingly at Oin, who pulled up her shirt, still tied around her neck. He discreetly kept her breasts covered, but the site of her bruised abdomen caused a worried frown to settle over him. He gently probed her ribs, and she coughed harshly, blood trickling from her mouth. "Broken...5 or 6 for sure." Kili's eyes widened in fright. He looked at the old dwarf in anguish.
"Will she…" he trailed off.
"I will bind them as best I can. I don't think they have pierced her lungs, but the danger of that is great. That was a nasty blow she received. She needs time to rest…" Oin proceeded in tending to Ember, finally giving her a draught for the pain. She drank without protest, sighing into Kili's arms. "Keep her warm, laddie." He patted Kili on the shoulder. Kili gently lifted her into his arms, and the others guided him to a bedroll close to the fire. After helping her into a new tunic, Kili settled down beside her. Satisfied, Oin proceeded to Thorin, pulling him away from the group to tend to his wounds. As Thorin removed his tunic, wincing at his sore muscles, he studied the look on Oin's face.
"You are worried, old friend." Thorin said. Oin nodded.
"Her burn is already infected," Oin said quietly, examining the Warg bites on his king's torso. "But that is not the worst of it…" He trailed off as Gandalf approached. Gandalf motioned for him to continue. "I fear she is bleeding inside. Without proper treatment…she won't last more than a few days." he said softly, raising his eyes to Thorin. The king glanced at his nephew, who now lay with Ember in his arms, humming softly to her.
"Say nothing to Kili," Thorin whispered, the thought of his nephew losing his One too painful to imagine. Gandalf bowed his head, struggling to contain his emotions. He watched the old dwarf tend to Thorin, Oin wrapping his wounds tightly once they were cleansed. Gandalf finally sat down beside the king as Oin went back to the fire. "Can you heal her, Gandalf?" Thorin asked softly. Gandalf shook his head.
"I am not a true healer," Gandalf said. "There are spells that I may use for pain, for awakening...but they are no cure." Gandalf was angry at his inability to help Ember. "But I know someone who may be able to help her," Gandalf said quietly. "He has a home nearby, although he is not overfond of dwarves." Thorin studied the Wizard, then nodded.
"We will leave at first light." Thorin walked quietly over to Kili. Ember sat up suddenly, coughing with a spasm of pain and Thorin bent down to aid her. She smiled her thanks, before staring past Thorin.
"Look," she murmured softly. Thorin followed her gaze.
"Is that what I think it is?" Bilbo asked.
"Erebor-The Lonely Mountain. The last of the great dwarf kingdoms of Middle Earth." Gandalf spoke up.
"Our home," Thorin said, grasping Ember's hand tightly. A bird chirped, flying past into the distance.
"A raven! The birds are returning to the mountain." Oin cried, as more birdsong could be heard.
"That, my dear Oin, is a thrush." Gandalf chuckled.
"But we'll take it as a sign, a good omen," Thorin replied. Kili wrapped his arms around Ember gently, and she leaned back into his embrace.
"You're right, Thorin. I do believe the worst is behind us." Bilbo said hopefully. Thorin gazed back at Ember, who coughed quietly, before closing her eyes in agony.
"I hope you are right, Bilbo," Thorin murmured worriedly. "I hope you are right."
Nuzdigid? Nuzdi gast? Ganzilig-I unarug obod nauzdanish, Torin undag Train-ob. - Do you smell it? The Scent of fear? I remember your father reeked of it, Thorin son of Thrain.
Lozudurkh gimbuzizglat, baaklak! Dorgizub nargzablat! - At last I found you, half-breed. My Master wants you!
Toraulu biriz! - They are mine
Worori-da! -Kill the others!
Sho gad adol -Drink their blood
Gothurzta! -She's powerful
Biriz torag khobdudol - Bring me the Dwarf's head
lasto nin, henig - Listen to me, my child
Ú-bedir edhellen -They don't speak Elvish
Okay...so I found this chapter hard to write, so I hope it turned out okay. We have only had a small taste of her abilities...but will she be strong enough to use them? Next up...Beorn. Please review, let me know your thoughts! I own nothing but Ember