Holy, what is this?! A new chapter?! Here's hoping you like it.

I am so sorry for the super long delay. My life has been nuts as of late. Family stuff, work stuff. I will do my best to update a little more often.

It was the rustling that woke her. It was a strange, unfamiliar sound, one she could not place in the context of her surroundings. Eiranna attempted to shake the sleep from herself as her eyes searched the tent for the origin of the sound. She saw a figure at the far side, shrouded in shadows. She willed her eyes to focus, and when they finally did, she wished she hadn't.

Eiranna watched the Orc, unblinking. She knew not if it had noticed she was awake. She doubted it had; its attention was clearly fixed on their belongings. It was so close that if she was to extend her arm her fingertips would touch the back of its leg. Its hands moved, with surprising stealth, as it clawed through their possessions, pausing occasionally to slide what it found useful within its crudely fashioned waistband. Eiranna knew not if it sought something out specifically. It was more likely that it was raiding for random supplies. Her stomach clenched nervously when she realized it was quite possible it wasn't alone. It was far more likely the Orc was part of a much larger raiding party.

Eiranna's hand tightened around the upper portion of Thorin's thigh. She couldn't tell if he was awake. Judging from how relaxed his body felt and his steady breathing, she figured not. It surprised her Thorin had not wakened. As of late, he had been a light sleeper, alert, even amid sleep, of those sounds that did not below. The events of the day had clearly left him exhausted. Of all the times she had wished he slept more sound, she did not count this amongst them.

Eiranna tried to take control of her meandering thoughts and maintain some semblance of calm for she knew it would do her absolutely no good to be caught by panic, but she feared she was failing hopelessly. She could feel it begin to overtake her as tremors, small at first, began to course through her body. She tightened her grip upon Thorin's leg. She dug her nails, as roughly as she could, into his leg, hopeful it would not abruptly wake him and draw the Orc's attention to them. Eiranna knew Thorin was awake when she felt the muscles in his leg tense and his fingers, still around her middle, press into her side.

In a split second, the Orc whipped its head around and its full attention was focused on Eiranna and Thorin. It sneered happily, and she felt her body tense with fear. It reached its hand toward Eiranna and seized her, roughly, by her arm. Its claws dug deep into her skin as its grip tightened. The pain was instant and excruciating, and she screamed aloud. She felt Thorin's grip upon her strengthen, but from his current position, his strength paled in comparison to that of the Orc's. Eiranna felt herself pulled from Thorin and into the arms of the Orc.

In the same moment, Thorin was off the cot and had his sword within his hands. He stood in front of the Orc, who held Eiranna against its front. "Release her," he hissed. The expression on his face frightened her. Thorin took a step towards the Orc. Eiranna felt it release its hold upon her arm. Her relief was short lived as it brought its hand upwards. It wrapped around her neck and begin to tighten, ever so slightly. She cried out suddenly as she felt its claws pierce her skin. It extended its hand towards Thorin and slowly wagged its long, clawed index finger at him. "Stay put, Dwarf. It would not take much to rip the female's head from her neck." It turned its gaze downwards to Eiranna and smiled cruelly.

Her free hand flew, instinctively, to her stomach as she covered it protectively. The meaning behind the movement was not lost on the Orc. Its mouth curled upwards and formed itself into a cruel smile. Its eyes flicked from the Dwarf within its arms to Thorin. The Orc bent itself downwards so it was at her level. "Interesting," it hissed into her ear. Eiranna cringed at the stupidity of her action. It brought the blade it held directly in front of her face, its other hand not loosening its hold upon her neck. It paused briefly before lowering it and pressing it, firmly, to her belly. "Are you scared, Dwarf?" it whispered. "You should be." Her tears flowed freely now. Eiranna closed her eyes tight and waited for the pain to come.

Eiranna heard an unknown sound originate behind the Orc. It sounded strangely like something ripping. She had no further time to ponder what it was for the Orc suddenly cried out and she felt its body tense against her. Eiranna looked down and saw the tip of a large blade protruding through the side of its belly, frighteningly close to her. As she watched, it disappeared from sight. The Orc collapsed limply to the ground, bringing her along with it. The blade it still held in its dead hand was still pressed onto her stomach and she could felt it biting into her. Before she was able to act to free herself, Thorin was at her side, pulling her from the grasp of the dead Orc.

As Eiranna stood, she looked down at herself, and that was when she noticed the blood. It originated from a long cut across her belly. She whimpered at the sight of it. Her hands flew to the wound and she pressed them tightly against it. Eiranna's vision became hazy as panic began to overwhelm her, so great she felt she might pass out. Thorin knelt down before her and took her hands in his. He looked upwards to her. "Let me see," he instructed. His words were spoken softly, but retained complete authority. Eiranna could not comprehend the calm expression upon Thorin's face, particularly when she felt the exact opposite.

"Fetch me some clean rags and water to clean Eiranna's wound." Thorin's words her directed at someone behind her. She turned her head to the side to discover Dwalin standing there. Within his hands, he held what Eiranna recognized as the blade that killed the Orc. It was him who had saved her. Dwalin nodded and turned to carry out Thorin's instructions. "Be sure there are no more of those things hiding where they do not belong," Thorin called after him.

Thorin tore a section of fabric from his shirt and pressed it to Eiranna's wound. He looked upwards at her and smiled. "It is only a shallow wound. It will not cause any permanent damage." Closing her eyes, Eiranna breathed in deeply and attempted to calm herself. "He is fine?" she whispered, her eyes popping open to meet Thorin's.

"Aye, he is just fine."