NOTE: Hey guys been a long time lol. For those of you new to the story, basically I'm trying to create a love interest for Thorin. Frankly the hobbit lacks a little romance haha. For those who have already read this story I thank you for your continued patience. I know it's been a long haul. As you can see I have restructured the story a little bit to make longer chapters. There is a new one at the end. REMEMBER: any and all reviews are greatly appreciated.
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY J.R. TOLKEIN
Clash! Duck! Thrust! It was these series of movements that kept Nola balanced and in control of the fight against her mock opponent. He swung his sword wide again and she spun out of the way. Turning back quickly she jabbed him in the gut with the hilt of her sword. It was enough to make him keel over and have the breath knocked out of him. Nola flashed a grin at her brother.
"Had enough?" she asked.
He nodded his head vigorously.
"Would you be up for round two?"
Nalar raised his hand "No, no. You put me on my butt more times than I can count this week"
Nola laughed an action she had not been able to perform in a while. It had only been a year since the Okar family had taken control of Moria and it had not been a happy one. Orks were a constant problem because they continuously attacked the mountain, trying to steal the neethril that lay within.
The other major issue was the prophecy, warning that if the dwarfs dug too deep into the mines they would meet their doom. It was a difficult debate because many of the dwarfs simply did not wish to chance digging too far. Norbar on the other hand, pushed his crews down. He was prepared to ignore the legend and searched deeper than any other Lord of Moria ever had.
The only positive was that because her father was so occupied, Nola was finally able to focus her attention on becoming a warrior. She trained every day four hours until her feet were numb and she could barely lift her sword. Afterwards she would return to her rooms and study. She would study wild plants for poisons and remedies, battle strategies and army formations. Anything that would give her any advantage against her enemy. But it didn't matter how hard she trained because nothing could prepare her for the days ahead.
Because of Norbar eagerness in the progress of his mining, he failed to notice that the number of his soldiers was slipping. Many were killed protecting the gate at the front of the mountain. He was also using more of his men to help dig in the mines. It left a shortage of men and holes in the watch rotation. It was these holes that left them defenseless when the attack came.
"You'd better be careful Nalar" Nola chuckled as she helped her brother to his feet. "One day someone might see me knock you to the ground."
"And you better be cautious sister." He replied. "If you keep underestimating me I might catch you off guard."
They walked back towards the main chamber arm in arm. Two servants pull open the grand doors in front of them; they had arrived just in time for their father's regular council meeting.
"Norbar we need more soldiers to cover the front." One of the councilors pleaded. "We don't have enough men to guard the city and those we do have are exhausted from double shifts"
"No we need the men in the mine. We are making great progress and Thrór is pleased to hear it. We don't have time to worry about attacks that will never come. Our reputation for siring the mightiest warriors has kept us guarded for this long." Norbar replied.
"But what if an attack should come, we will be totally unprepared!" he exclaimed.
Another councilor piped in. "not to mention the rumors about the prophecy. Our continuous dig into the ground is leaving the minors scared. It's difficult enough to get them into the mine these days. Let them break and fill the sentry posts."
"I've never heard of a dwarf who needed to take a break from being underground!" Norbar retorted. "Besides those rumors are just what they are! Rumors! If we give into them, then our people will have justification for their fears!"
"Father you're a fool" Nola thought to herself.
"I've made my decision and that is…."
"My Lord! My Lord!" A servant burst into the room screaming. "We are under attack!"
Everyone stood up in shock.
"There breaking down the gate as we speak!" The servant continued.
Norbar just stood in stunned silence.
"My Lord! What are your orders?!"
Still no response from Norbar. Nola could not take it anymore.
"Go tell everyone from the mines to put on their combat armor and move to the front hall!" She shouted.
With a quick bow the servant dashed from the room.
"Everyone, hurry we don't have much time" She moved towards the door as another messenger ran in. "Who is attacking us?"
"Orks." He replied. "We believe Azog is leading them."
Nola swore under her breath. "Summon anyone who wishes to fight and get them to the gate. We can't let them enter!"
"NO!" Norbar suddenly shouted. "We have to protect our wealth. Summon our forces to the treasury and the entrance to the mine"
"But that's deep within the city." Nola protested. "If we let them in who knows how many they will slaughter!"
"My priority is the neethril." He answered. Norbar nodded his head to the guards standing by the wall. They moved towards Nola and grabbed her.
"What are you doing?" She screamed.
"I'm getting rid of a problem!" He stated. "Barricade her in her chambers!"
"No father you can't do this!" She cried before finally being pulled from the room.
"Sir?" the messenger asked.
"You know my orders!" he barked. "Now do it!"
…
There were only a dozen guards or so at the front gate. They were desperately trying to barricade the heavy wooden doors but were failing. On the other side, legions of Orks pushed against the doors, encouraged as the wood began to crack and break. The dwarfs looked at each other, quickly coming to the realization that their efforts were in vain. As if they were reading each other's minds, they nodded and moved back from the gate and unsheathed their weapons. Swords and axes gleamed against the lantern light as the wielders prepared for their final stand.
With one last shudder, the door fell and the Orks began to poor into the front hall, spreading like a plague. Metal clashed against metal as each of the dwarfs fought until their last breath. They fell quickly but honorably. As the last dwarf was struck down Azog had entered the city and led his army inside.
Dwarfs who were unable to fight were desperately trying to hide but Azog left no corner unsearched. He was making his way to the throne room and Nola could hear the battle drums from inside her room. She tried to leave but the guards were present to stop her every attempt. Finally, she vented her frustration.
"You idiots! You're stopping me from leaving my room, so that I can go help the others defend our city. While you waste your time here, Azog is killing more and more of our kin and you're babysitting!" She screeched.
"But we have orders from your father." The guards replied.
"Screw him! It was his "judgment" that put us in this situation in the first place! Answer me truthfully: would you rather be here, listening to me yell at you, or out there, defending your home and loved ones from an evil that will surely destroy them both?"
They stared at her and she glared back. The two guards looked at each other and lifted the axes blocking her way.
"We will follow you into battle." They decided.
"Great! Let's go!"
With her sword already tied around her waist, Nola ran quickly from her room and down the corridor. She was moving towards the battle cries and the guards were close behind her. As they turned the corner into the throne room they saw a violent and bloody battle. Weapons clashed and clanged all around them and the situation did not look good for the dwarfs. Many of their kin were already dead on the floor, blood seeping from their wounds. Well, those left alive wouldn't be without help for long.
Nola threw herself into the fight. She began by shoving her sword into the gut of an ork who was about to charge her. Next she slashed the throat of another ork sitting on top of a dwarf. Nola soon began to realize that the orks were relying on strength, not skill, to win them the battle. She could use that to her advantage.
Just as she finished slaying another foe, she caught sight of her brother, who was currently engaged in a fight against Azog himself! Azog had just managed to disarm Nalar and reached out to lift him by the throat.
"NO!" She screamed as Azog threw Nalar against the stonewall, knocking him unconscious.
Azog looked on triumphantly and Nola ran to her brother's side. She immediately pressed her fingers to his neck. For a moment she felt relief as his veins pulsed beneath her fingers. Then the anger began to seep in. She turned toward Azog, who still wore that cocky grin on his face. She would be the one to wipe it off.
Strengthening her grip on her sword, Nola rose to her feet and launched herself in Azog's direction. She ducked just in time as he swung his mace, aiming to crush her skull. She stood up again and moved to stab the pale ork in the gut, but he blocked her with his mighty weapon. She might have had time to admire it if she wasn't trying to kill him.
The struck each other back and forth until finally she was able to extend her sword down the shaft of Azog's mace and began to spin it as she wrapped her sword around the handle. He quickly lost his grip and the mace went flying, knocking another ork in the head. Azog stared at the mace in shock, unrepaired for the swift kick Nola gave to his shin, striking him down to his knees. Nola raised her sword, prepared to deliver the finally blow, when suddenly an arrow grazed her arm.
She fell to her knees, dropping her sword and grasping her arm in pain. Two orks grabbed her from behind pinning her arms behind her and offering her life to Azog. He gazed at her and titled his head, considering something.
"Probably the most painful way to kill me" Nola thought. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that her father was pinned down as well. It seemed that all hope had been lost.
"WAIT!" Azog suddenly shouted.
Everyone in the throne room stopped. It was almost impossible to believe the silence that followed his command. Azog slowly walked over to Norbar, who had lost all of his spirit.
"I have a proposition for you." Azog announced.