The Plight of the East
Erebor has been thrown into a battle ready crazy overnight. One could hear the sounds of shouts rising from within as warriors readied themselves for the sounds of heavy armor and Rhunic speech roared across the hills like thunder across a plain. This startled the people of Dale and Esgaroth into a fear induced panic as they heard the chant of Easterlings. Bard and Iris had done their best of filing their people out of the cities to Erebor where they knew they would be safest. Bard had finished filing the last of the people inside when a loud, sonorous horn rattled the air sending fear up his spine. His mind went to Coruwen and Thorin, believing that they would know what was going on.
Bard climbed a series of steps to the Hall of Thror, where he found the queen alone with her eldest nephew. Coruwen cast him a soft smile over her shoulder as he came walking up to her. The queen of Erebor wore a dress of moss green with silver metal covering her neck, hips, and forearms. At her hip rested a quiver full of soft, blue feathered arrows and a yew wood bow was slung on her shoulder. Her fingers worked her hair into braids starting at her temples that became entwined with one on the back of her head.
Beside her stood Fili with his twin swords resting on either side of his hips. His gloved hands hovered over the pommels of each, and he was dressed in armor of dark red and tarnished silver, and it was scaled like that of a dragon. Bard found it amusing that he appeared like a dwarf version of Freya in the color of his armor. Fili tightened the straps of his gauntlets impatiently, which caused Coruwen to touch his shoulder with her fingertips. The dwarf looked up at her and gave her a bow of his head.
Coruwen glanced up at Bard, who wore a fierce mask in place of the normal happy expression he wore. Bard was restraining himself from barking at everyone to why he was not informed about the Easterlings. He dug his gloved fingers into the hilt of his blade that was concealed by the dark cloak he wore. He heard the footsteps and clanking of metal in the door nearest the exit of the great hall.
In the doorway, stood Thorin Oakenshield dressed in scaled armor but the scales were dark grey and ebony with the crest of Durin upon the front. Orcrist was strapped to his back and behind him was Kili in the dress of an archer, but still had the crest of his family prominent on his chest. Bard saw something gleaming in Kili's arms; something silver.
"Bard," Thorin greeted with a bow of his head. "I am sorry for not telling you about this sooner."
"Keeps me on my toes," Bard replied with a humorless laugh. "How did you not know that the Easterlings would be overnight?"
"Cairn never returned," The king stated flatly. Bard saw the mask of a ruler pass over the king's stern features, and Bard felt his blood turn cold. Looking upon Thorin, Bard saw the ferocity of the dwarves mingled with their immense pride far larger than any other creature in this world. Thorin Oakenshield was the epitome of a dwarf king. "In fact, my wife assumes that Dain in still fighting the Easterling forces in the Iron Hills. Had they been defeated, Dain would have hunted them like a pack of wolves."
"Understandable," Bard agreed. He silently unsheathed his sword as his anxiety brooded. "The Men of Dale will follow your order, King under the Mountain."
"That will not be necessary," Coruwen interjected. Bard and Thorin looked at the elf, whose face was passive with her blue eyes darkened with a strange ferocity that was never apparent in elves. "You are the Lord of Dale; command your people. We will have enough to deal with when the fight comes."
"Coruwen," Thorin growled.
Coruwen shot him a stern glare and he took a figurative step back. Bard had seen Iris do this before, this strange behavior made no sense to him. It was as if a switch had been pulled and then this side of women came forward. Her glare subsided as she met Bard's eyes.
"Go and be with your people, Descendant of Girion," Coruwen said in a gentle voice. "They will need you before their loved ones venture out."
"Lady Queen, I would gladly do so, but do you not think that we should be planning how to attack the Easterlings?" He questioned. Kili and Fili gave him nervous glances as the elf walked up to him. He could see the fierceness in her eyes that seemed to make him feel small. The intelligence and ethereal nature of the elves was prominent in the queen.
"The Easterlings have a simple strategy when it comes to being taken down, Lord of Dale. Do what I say, and seek out your wife. She is nervous," Coruwen said sternly.
Bard sighed and left the Hall of Thror in search of Iris. He slinked his way through the crowded levels in search of his wife, passing dwarves dressed in heavy armor that appeared like walking siege towers. He found a group of women hovering around a voice. He voice was nervous and quivering from anxiety. Iris.
Iris held onto the folds of her dress tightly as the women prodded her for answers about things beyond personal boundaries. She found Bard's eyes through the shoulders of the women, and gave him a silent plea for help. The Lord cleared his throat forcing the women to bow before him.
"I hate to steal my wife from you, my ladies, but I require her insight," Bard said, withholding a playful smirk. He offered Iris his hand, which she took gladly and clung to his side. She seemed nervous again. Something was indeed wrong with his Iris. When he led her to a walkway high above the bustling people, Iris threw her arms around him. "What's wrong?"
"Please, come back," Iris whispered into his shoulder. Bard held her close to him, leaning his head against her own and nestling his face into her dark hair. The scent of grass and lilies came to his senses as he shut his eyes. She trembled in his grip and he picked her up into his arms making her squeak in astonishment. "Bard, what are you doing?" Her hazel eyes were curious as she looked into his dark brown ones.
"I swear, I will return to you." He righted her back onto the floor and took her dainty hands. He kissed each of her fingers making her giggle. Her laugh lightened his heart enough to make him smile, "My sweet Iris."
Iris cast her gaze down with a bit of pink dusting her cheeks. She looked up at him with a strange, loving look in her eyes. She slipped her hands free of his, and wrung them. "Bard, there is something I need to tell you…. I can't seem to put it in words, but promise me that you will not jump away."
"Why would I do that?"
"I know you a little too well, that's all," She took one of his hands, pressing it against her stomach. Confusion hit him and he mentally thought Iris was trying to infer that she was fat or something. Then he thought best not to voice that. Her hazel eyes were bright with love, which confused him. He smiled nervously. "You do not understand this at all, do you?"
"Forgive me, dear, but I do not."
Iris removed his hand and pressed it to her hip. "Bard, I am with child."
"Oh!" He blinked in shock, and then his brow furrowed. "Oh… Is… Is it mine?"
Iris gave him a scolding look. "Of course, idiot! I have slept with no other man!"
Bard laughed and picked up Iris, spinning her around so much that she laughed with him. He was happy, no there wasn't a describable word for his happiness right now. He placed a firm kiss on Iris' lips and then hugged her close to him. "Iris, that is wonderful." He whispered in her ear. She pushed on him, looking up into his eyes.
"Promise me you will come back? For me and little one?" Iris asked in a quiet voice.
Bard smiled and kissed her lightly, "Of course, dearest. It is not every day one becomes a father."
Iris' hand slipped free of his and she disappeared back into the high levels of Erebor. With the departing of his love, Bard felt all of his happiness go with her; if he were to pass he would know that his line would be safe… But he would not cloud his mind with dark thoughts, even if the Easterlings sat outside his gates.
The lord returned to Coruwen and Thorin to find them standing above the gate watching the swarming masses of Easterlings in the valley below. They had shields of rectangular metal depicting great stars, mighty halberds that stood tall like spires with wisps of red and black cloth swimming in the wind's howl. Their chants were in a strange language, but as one would cry above the others, they would respond in a deep baritone cry.
"Plan?" Bard inquired as he came to stand beside Thorin. The king started to speak, but his queen cut him off.
"Besides charging in, husband," Coruwen interjected with a playful smirk. Bard held back a smile as the queen nudged her king. Thorin narrowed his eyes at her before returning his gaze back to the Easterling force.
"Very funny, love." Thorin deadpanned. The elf's smirk faded as she followed her husband's gaze. "Bard, your men will be of most use as archers, no?"
"Yes," the lord replied.
"Good," Thorin's gaze flicked across the moving banners and spears. "Dwalin and Balin told me they would keep an eye on the left and right flanks of our army. I will be taking the middle. Coruwen, I want you to be with the boys."
Bard turned on his heel, catching sight of his second in command. "Skal!" He yelled. The Second in commands attention flicked up to his lord's instantly. "Heita hverr ein!"
Skal dipped his head to Bard before running off into the depths of Erebor. He turned his attention back to the people behind him, and saw the queen wore a cloak over her shoulder with the hood covering her head. The cloak was pitch black with silver scales covering her shoulders, and Bard saw in her hand was her bow.
"Let us remind them why Erebor was never taken by any mortal race," Thorin said darkly as he descended the steps with Coruwen behind him. Bard reminded himself that the son of Thrain had fought awfully hard for his kingdom; thus giving him every right to be wrathful towards any attackers. His heart dropped out of his chest when the mighty gates of Erebor opened revealing a vast region covered in the black and red garments of the Easterlings. He swore to Iris he would return, and return to her, he would.
Coruwen heard the sounds of clanking armor behind her as she walked up to a plateau where she could see the dwarves, Lake-men, and Easterlings clash. She had heard war before, but never seen it. From here, she could see Thorin clearing as he fought alongside Dwalin and Balin, who flanked him like moving walls. Easterlings spied her and wheeled around to face the elf, making her stiffen under their gaze. Her hand snapped backward to the quiver pulling one arrow loose, and it twanged letting loose the arrow into the jugular of an Easterling halberdier.
"Fili, to your left," Kili ordered as he shot an archer from his place beside Coruwen. Adrenaline was beating in Coruwen's veins as she fired arrows into the necks of the Easterlings that ran at her like lemmings to water. Each dropped a few feet before their comrades, but as Coruwen let loose an arrow to stop an Easterling swordsman, her arm attempted to give away.
The muscles felt stretched, causing pain to lance down her arm. She withheld a whimper of pain managing to shoot the Easterling just as his blade graced Fili and her. Her nephew shot her worried glance over his shoulder as she dug his blades into the side of a halberdier.
Coruwen felt her hand and arm lock up as she tried to stop a charging halberdier. The memory of the Goblin King ripping the flesh from her arm made her cringe as the Easterling raised his spear. She had no time to stop him…
"Coruwen!" The boys shouted. Kili loosed an arrow into the Easterling's shin, and he tripped up a bit, but he still ran at the elleth. Fili tore away from his fight, a scimitar cutting his side as he ran at the spearman. The twin blades dug into the back of Easterling halberdier and dragged down; cutting the man's back open revealing stretched muscle and blood poured onto the ground like rain. Kili let an arrow loose on his brother's enemy as it ran at him. Fili stood and kicked the Easterling's helmet giving it large indentation.
"What in Durin's name happened?" Kili inquired as he flexed his bow hand.
"My arm is locked up," Coruwen said as she rubbed her upper arm. Fili walked up to her side and took her hand in his. He pressed his thumb into her palm feeling the muscles slowly releasing themselves.
"You have excellent timing, Auntie," Fili muttered low. Coruwen heard Thorin in that statement which made her smile. Slowly, her arm released its tight hold as Fili fixed her hand. 'There, that should hold it for a while. Let Kili and I handle the closer enemies. You deal with the ones we can't see or hit."
"Ai, go." Coruwen replied shooing him onward. She picked up the arrows of the archer Kili had shot and saw they were formed of a similar wood to that of her own people, but their shafts were formed of a crude steel to depict saw teeth. The boys hovered to far from her as they wound their way down the mountain. Coruwen saw the Easterling force departing, filing her with confidence.
She heard someone shout her name forcing her gaze up to Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin. An Easterling general whirled twin scimitars in a deadly dance almost gracing Thorin's neck and nicking Balin's armor. Thorin raised Orcrist to knock the Easterling off balance, but he swung low near Thorin's side and cutting it deeply. Coruwen's heart stopped in her chest as Thorin fell to the ground with his hand still gripping Orcrist. Fili and Kili were immediately running towards thir uncle, but Coruwen raised her bow aiming for the Easterling's eyes. Wrath boiled in her veins as the general brought both blades close to Thorin's neck in an X formation as if he were about to behead him.
Coruwen loosed the arrow into the general's eye and he tumbled backward and she stormed forward as the Easterling scrambled away like a frightened child. She had purposely made sure that the arrow was low enough in his eye that it would not kill him. She placed her boot on the general's chest and kicked downward so hard that he yelped in pain. The Easterling's eyes were clouded by terror as he looked upon the queen.
"I will kill you if you touch him," Coruwen hissed taking a hold of the arrow's feathers and giving it a shake. The general howled in pain. "Hear me! If you wish to take his life, then you will have to go through me."
The general spat words in the Rhunic tongue at her and squirmed a bit. She caught the words "kill" and "Hand" in his sentence. However, the elleth's face was blank. In a chopped sentence, the Easterling growled, "So be it."
The General raised a jagged knife to her knee, but Kili shot an arrow into his palm which warranted him to scowl at the young heir. The jagged knife clattered to the ground as the general clenched his teeth in pain. Coruwen stepped off of his chest so he may remove the arrow from his palm. He struggled on the arrow, but bit back a howl as the arrow left a hole in his hand. He scrambled to his feet leaving behind his jagged knife, but not his blades.
Coruwen felt her heart stop when she heard Orcrist clatter to the ground. She whirled around to see Thorin kneeling on one knee with one hand clutching his side where the general had cut him. She kneeled before him with her hands helping put pressure on the cut. Her feet slid around on the pooled blood as she brought his gaze up to hers. Fear was taunting her heart, but she concealed it trying to stay calm.
Her beloved sighed putting his forehead on her arm. "May be I am too old for this," He whispered.
"Nonsense, you were fine. The Easterling bastard just cheated," Coruwen replied softly. In the air split the great, baritone horn of the Easterlings and the ground shook. She heard Dwalin curse under his breath. "What in the world?"
She glanced over her shoulder to see a line of reformed Easterlings rattling their spears and blades against their great shields. Behind them marched mighty, broad shouldered creatures pulling a massive catapult armed with the skulls and bones of enemies. The creatures were flanked by Easterling cavalry each armed to the teeth with ebony blades and vermillion armor. The horses bore metal chains covered in skulls and bones with their hooves beating the air.
"Oh come on!" Kili shouted in disbelief. "Not fair!"
"Damn it all," Coruwen murmured angrily. The horn sounded again signaling a thunderous boom to beat the air. A great boulder was hurtled into the air and crashed into Erebor's side and from it erupted green fire that slid down the side like sludge. "Green fire?"
"Some sort of Rhunic creation," Thorin snarled as he took a sharp inhalation of breath. Coruwen's mind drifted in an odd direction. "Whatever it is, I do not like it." He attempted to move, but the cut on his side made him grit his teeth. Coruwen took his face with one hand, forcing his gaze to meet hers. "Do not do anything idiotic, I beg of you."
"Do you want to die?" She said loudly her nerves becoming frayed.
"No," He snapped. "But what else can we do!"
Coruwen sighed shortly. "Thorin, desperation calls forth many unwanted things; even those that of idiotic nature."
"Oh do not start with your elven advice!"
"Why are you being stubborn now?! That thing is going to kill us if we do not do something about it!"
"Then what do you suppose we do, elf?"
Coruwen's heart jolted in her chest at that name. The darkness in Thorin's eyes made her want to slink away to hide. That name was painful to hear from him. The bitterness of his tone mingled with the why he growled lout that title made her want to leave. She pulled her hand away from his side, feeling bitterness stab her heart. What could they do? Everyone was split. She stood, looking at the creatures pulling the catapult.
Manwë help me…
She raised her eyes to the River Running, spying the Easterlings climbing its currents to enter her home. Indecisiveness dug its nails into her mind, raking its rancid claws and biting into her with its infection ridden mouth. She worried her bottom lip, taking her shallow breaths.
"Lady Queen!" Grimbolt's voice called. The old guard was dodging whistling arrows by raising his shield as he ran towards her. He skidded beside her, watching her for an answer. "My Lady, the Easterlings they-,"
"We know, Old Guard," Balin interjected. Emerald fire leapt to life once more, covering Erebor in a sheath of flames. The ash and smoke rose into the air, making it hard for Coruwen to breathe calmly as she stood overlooking the Easterlings. "Coruwen, lass, are you going to be all right?"
"Please Manwë, hear me. Send us a savior, I beg of you," Coruwen prayed as wits drained completely. "Leave me."
"What?" The dwarves asked in shock. "No!"
"It was not a suggestion," Coruwen growled as her gaze landed on Thorin, who was giving her a slightly pained look. "It was an order. I swore to protect Erebor, and protect her I shall. Take Thorin somewhere safe and stitch up his wound."
"Coruwen, damn it!" Thorin snarled as he tried to walk up to her. Using Orcrist, he limped towards her so he could get close to her. A knife was thrown with deadly precision near him causing him to halt in his stride. "What are you doing?"
"Protecting you," She answered. "I fought to keep you here, Thorin. I have all of this time to prove myself to you. If the Easterlings think they can take my home and family away then they do not understand what I have been through."
"You do not have to do this!" He saw her turn, giving him a soft smile. He was not going to let her throw her life away so easily. Not after he, too, had fought for her. "Let us help you!"
"No, you are hurt and the boys are next in line," She replied shortly.
"Why the hell are you throwing your life away?!" Anger roared to life in him at the wrong time, but he knew he was not going to get through to her any other way. He loved her, and he wasn't going to let her get away by throwing her life aside for him. She had all ready done enough for him. "Do you think I do not care? DO you think that the boys and I will simply let you leave?"
"I-," Coruwen turned her attention backward towards the West. A horn sounded that was not the baritone horn of the Easterlings. He knew that horn all too well. The anger in his blood died down as Coruwen turned and took his arm. "I am a fool," She whispered in his ear. "I do not know what I was thinking."
"War makes fools of us all." Balin stated. "Best fix him quickly, my queen."
Coruwen dipped her head to Balin and let out a shrill whistle that made Thorin jump in his skin. He kneeled down to the ground as the wound on his side grew in intensity. It was like being burned by a torch. He clenched his jaw as a whinny was heard. Faenaur came trotting up to Coruwen allowing her to dig around in his saddlebags for something. She ran back to his side and peeled the bloodied armor away from his side.
The medicine she applied to the wound was a soothing pain, but it made the skin knit together quickly. It was like watching water pass over someone's palm. He met her eyes, catching signs of pain in her blue eyes. She placed a thin strip of gauze over the wound and then fixed his armor. He stood, no longer feeling the wound's insidious bite.
"Let us be on our way," Grimbolt said quickly. "My lady, who has come to our aid?"
Coruwen mounted Faenaur with her cloak draping over the sides of Faenaur as if his back was made of pitch black fur. Coruwen flipped back her hood with a prideful smile on her lips. Such a smile was almost enough to boost the king's confidence.
"An ally of ours," Coruwen stated knowingly.
The group set off, reforming the scrambled army of Erebor into a one long line of warriors. The Easterlings let out a chant as they marched forward with their cavalry units galloping in front with an unmatched speed. Faenaur halted upon a jutting rock with Thorin and the company beside the horse. One might've wondered how all of the company had gotten split and then reformed, but all one can assume was that it was luck.
"Are we going to do anything about those horses?" Kili asked looking up at his aunt.
"Watch and wait, little wolf," Coruwen soothed, patting his head.
The cavalry still galloped forward like a rain across the plain with their hooves grating against the ears of Lake-men who had reassembled with the King and Queen of Erebor. Faenaur became anxious with his hoof raking the ground. Kili became nervous as the Easterling archers raised their bows to fire their saw like arrows.
"Uh, Coruwen?" Fili asked.
The cavalry of the East galloped on and on until the soft whistle of arrows hissed past the ears of the army of Erebor, startling many. The sound of marching feet was heard behind them. Many turned their heads to see the mountain's walls come alive with the golden helms of elf with their gleaming shields of the same gold material. A second volley was sent past them into the breasts of horses, which tumbled to the ground with their riders being killed in the process.
Through the walls of the mountain came Thranduil dressed in armor of silver and dark green. His silver hair braided back into the braids of war and his green eyes fierce. He rode a white horse dressed with banners on its reins depicting the insignia of Greenwood's large Oak tree. He raised his hand and the archers above lowered their bows in mechanical unison.
"Your timing is well placed, Thranduil King," Coruwen teased as the white horse sauntering up to the queen. The Elvenking smiled wryly and placed his hand on his heart. She glanced down to see Thorin slightly narrowing his eyes at the ellon. She leaned down, tapping her husband on the shoulder to calm him.
"I will not be having that elf fight beside me," Thorin growled to her. Coruwen could not believe Thorin sometimes. Thranduil blinked in shock like a rabbit caught off guard with his head tilting to the side. "It is out of the question, Coruwen."
"Leave it alone, Thorin. If anything-," She was cut off by the Elvenking.
"If anything, this is payment for us abandoning you when Smaug attacked." Thranduil stated calmly. Thorin raised both eyebrows, looking at the king like he had lost his mind. "I believe that will suffice as payment, King under the Mountain. After all, your people do seem to be a in a bit of a bind."
"Fine," Thorin replied. Coruwen smiled down at him, but he glared at the Elvenking. "The only reason I did not order you to be killed was because I know my queen enjoys your presence."
"Completely understandable," Thranduil laughed. "Now, let me take care of your little problem." The king raised his hand, signaling the archers to prepare to fire. Bows were raised to the sky with elegant arrows notched within as the archers awaited their king's orders. As the Easterlings marched forward, Thranduil snapped his hand back down when they closed it and lines of Easterlings fell before the accuracy of the elves.
"I will be up here with the archers," Coruwen said looking down at Thorin. He bowed her head to him with one hand clasping Orcrist free of its place on his back. She watched as the dwarves descended upon the Easterlings once more like water upon rock. Thranduil and his warriors joined the fray. Coruwen took a section of archers and rode towards the great catapult that was being manned by mundane orcs. They dropped one of their green fire rocks onto a gear when they saw the elves, thus destroying the catapult by self destruction.
"Kill any strays! I do not want the Easterlings returning," Coruwen ordered as she loosed an arrow on an Easterling general who was trying to escape. The elves bowed their heads to her as they created a circle firing arrows left and right. The whistling of arrows could still be heard in the valley along with the mourning songs of the Men of Dale. The leaders of the battle met in the middle of the Desolation of Smaug with General Himon showing them a great casket with intercut carvings upon it.
The casket was like a tabernacle in design depicting a great cat eye leafed in gold and the box itself was formed of a white aspen wood with Easterling speech burned into the area around the gold eye. Coruwen found it strange to see, for something about the box was vile. Thranduil had the same look in his eyes as they observed the box. Bard told them he would leave it outside of his city for further observation whilst Thranduil stayed with the King and Queen.
They would observe this box once the dead had been taken care of; for there so many to be dealt with, and so little time.
Translation Key:
Heita Hverr Ein: Call every one
Please Review