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
Nola couldn't believe how many spider webs had built up in that tunnel. She had to crawl for a bit before she could finally stand up, pulling the thick silver thread from her hair. It was pitch black and she stumbled a little before she remembered where she had left a pile of torches, along with flint in steel. Quickly lighting it, she used the torch to gaze around the old tunnel, with ceilings stretching higher than she could see.
With her mission in mind, her nimble feet carried her swiftly to the secret door. Opening it would be easy but Nola hopped she would remember the password if she had to re-enter. Shoving hard against the ancient stone, she managed to force the door open. The sky was dark as the sun set over the mountain. Praying she could read the dwarfs in time, she shut the door once again and set out to save her kin.
What she was not expecting was the long jog. Unfortunately, the dwarf army would try to enter by the main gate, which was on the other side of the mountain. She would have to press on and run all night in order to make it in time. A few times Nola thought the fatigue would overwhelm her, but she refused to give up.
As the sun made its way back over the west side of the mountain, Nola could see the smoke rising in the dwarf encampment. What terrified her were the sounds of the ork army readying for battle deep within the mountain. If she was going to make it, Nola would have to hurry. But how could make it to the camp without being spotted by the scout sitting in the watchtower?
"Dam! This is harder than I thought it would be!"
She couldn't wait for the cover of darkness because by then it would be too late and it was too risky to try sneaking her way to the camp. The situation seemed hopeless. Suddenly there was a tremendous crash from inside Moria.
"Those stinking dwarfs! There trying to break down the doors of the great hall!" one of the orks shouted.
"Should we go help deal with them?" another asked.
"Well if they get out Azog will not be pleased…." The first one replied.
Even though Nola couldn't see them, she could hear the scuffling of their feet as they ran down the hall. It was now or never. She got into a crouch, leapt from the ground and ran with all her might toward the smoke over the hills. She weaved between the boulders, trying her best to remain hidden in case there were more orks watching the terrain below them.
By the time she reached the camp she was ready to pass out. It was all she could do not to stubble into the arms of a guard who was currently pointing his axe in her direction.
"Who goes there?" the guards barked.
Gasping in between words she said "Nola…Okar… daughter of… Norbar… lord of Moria…"
The guards exchange confused glances. "Thrór did not plan to reach the mountain until tomorrow. Have you come to greet him?"
Nola finally managed to fill her lungs with enough air to communicate. "Unfortunately not. I am afraid I only have bad news. Moria is overrun with orks. All of the dwarfs are trapped inside the mountain and Azog's army is waiting for you."
Panicked one of the guards took her arm and began to lead her into the camp.
"We'll take you to king Thrór!"
"No! No, stop!" Nola begged, pulling her arm free. "I have to go back to help my family, just warn the king so that you are not unprepared for tomorrow."
They looked back at her for a moment, and then quickly hurried away. Then had no time to lose after all. The dwarfs need to prepare for battle and they weren't going to argue with one woman.
Once the two guards disappeared around the corner, Nola made her way back to the mountain. It was true she needed to help her family. There was no telling what kind of treatment they were receiving from the orks. But the true reality was that she didn't want to meet the royal family. Until she was certain, she couldn't risk knowing if Thorin had died during the attack upon Erebor. If Smaug had killed him, she wouldn't be able to keep her wits about her in the battle that was sure to come.
…
Her boots felt heavy as Nola made her way back across the rocky plain. It was killing her that she didn't know the truth, but she knew it might kill her more if she did. Even though she hadn't seen Thorin in over a year, her feelings had never diminished. And who's to say he would share her feelings even if he was alive?
It was time to shift her focus back to the present. Moria had two entrances, one of which was secret. If she could somehow sneak Thror's army through the back they could force the orks out of the city that way. But since it's kind of impossible for an entire army to slip past another one, Nola ruled that strategy out. The only chance the dwarfs had was to make the orks meet them on the battlefield. So what was the easiest way to get them there?
…
"How did you come by this news?!" Thorin demanded.
The guards shared a quick look: "Norbar's daughter told us."
Thorin took a step back, trying to catch his breath. Thrór stepped into action.
"Secure the women and children and prepare every dwarf for battle!"
…
Nalar and Norbar were pacing so furiously in the throne room; you could almost see the trench in their path.
"She's been gone too long." Nalar finally stated out loud.
"Who's been gone too long?" Nola said from behind him as Nalar nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Durin's beard Nola! Make some sort of sound would you?!" He exclaimed.
"Boo!" She replied waving her hands in front of his face.
He gave her an evil glare.
"When you two are finished!" Their father boomed. "Nola, did you succeed?"
"Yes father, I bet they're getting ready as we speak." She replied "But it won't make a difference unless we force the orks out of the mine. If not, then Thrór and his army will be sitting ducks."
"And how do you propose we do that, being as we are locked in her"
"Well, nobody likes fire…" She implied with and evil grin.
You can't just live in a mountain with no air system. Consequently, small tunnels the width of a sword created a network throughout the mountain. All it took were a couple of shredded cloaks and some ale before the sound of panicking orks` filled the halls of Moria.
"You're a genius you know that?" Nalar exclaimed.
"Tell me something I don't know." She replied smirking.
"Excuse me, but we're still trapped in here." Their father interrupted. "Won't the fires kill us unless we get out."
"Relax; the walls are made of stone." Nola retorted. "As soon as the cloaks burn out the fire will die."
However, they didn't need to worry about getting trapped in the great hall because at that moment, one of the disgusting creatures in question burst through the door. And he didn't look happy.
"Ok, who started it?" He asked, glaring at the group of dwarfs who just stared back. He drew out his sword and ran to attack the dwarfs closest to him.
Before he could take three steps Nola's dagger was in his gut. She jerked it out of his stomach and watched him fall to the floor. She faced the group.
"Well getting out is no longer a problem." She noted.
"That's what you think" Growled a voice behind her.
Nola spun around to see about two dozen orks standing behind her. "Shit…"
The two groups immediately rushed each other, weapons flashing in the lamp light. The fight was pretty evenly matched, but the dwarfs had been locked up for two days already and Nola wasn't sure how much energy her family and the nobles had.
"Nola! Get out and go help Thrór!" Nalar shouted over the clash of metal.
She looked defiantly back at him, but for once his expression was stern. The corners of her mouth pulled up as she dipped her head gratefully to her brother. She out of the main hall and into the corridor. Her sword was raised in case she met trouble but the hallway was empty. Nola's eyes grew wide as she realized that everyone must have already gone to battle.
Nola took off towards the main entrance. She couldn't remember running this fast since her childhood races with Thorin. She turned a corner and the main gate came into view. She was in such a rush that she missed one of the orks, hiding behind a pillar.
Nola looked out on the battlefield, eyes skimming over the chaos. She was about to jump into the melee, when she spotted Thorin. Her heart dropped as she realized he was locked in battle with Azog. She was about to take off to help him until the ork that followed her out of the mine struck her on the head with the hilt of his sword. Nola stumbled onto the rocks and everything went black.
Thorin's shield went flying and he grabbed an oak branch as he fell to the ground. Azog swung his axe. Thorin took advantage of the miss and rolled away from the pale ork. He managed to get to his feet to defend himself before Azog swung again. He ducked and moved to side, and then he saw his chance. Thorin swung his own axe and pushed through heavy flesh. Azog roared as his arm fell to the ground.
The great beast moved forward desperate to seek his vengeance but, his comrades grabbed him and dragged Azog back to the mine. Thorin and the dwarf army were in too much despair to celebrate. Thrór was dead and even though they had won the battle, the orks still had control over the city, with their kin still imprisoned. Glancing back toward the entrance, Thorin spotted one of the orks hauling someone over his shoulder. He could not quite distinguish anything but, for a split second; he thought he saw a flash of red hair before the doors to the mine slammed shut.