Chapter 24
"Mirkwood, Part 2"
A rumble woke Calyr from his light slumber before the remnants of the fire. He rubbed his eyes and stood; eager to find where the noise had originated. As he proceeded to move to another part of the cottage the incredible form of the cottage's master appeared in the entryway; nearly startling the Elf.
"Good grief, Beorn! You gave me a fright!"
"It was not my intention, I assure you… Although, I seem to find myself in need of your services, Calyr…" the skin-changer spoke slightly above a strained whisper; making the Elf's eyes widen.
"What is it?! Where are you injured?!" the healer cried in worry as he moved to the massive man's side and attempted to support his weight, as well as guide him over to his chair. Beorn cringed with each step he took and breathed in a sigh when he was safely seated.
Calyr quickly started up another fire to get his new patient warm and create enough light for him to work by. Grabbing his bag, the Elf stooped on Beorn's left side and immediately noticed a long, medium width, bleeding gash along his lower ribs, "Beorn, what happened?! Did you get into a squabble with an Orc?!"
This made the other man chuckle then groan, "No… Something far worse than any Orc…" Calyr looked up confused and the skin-changer smirked, "A determined woman…"
Torshar clutched the bandage to her chest as she galloped across the hills on the back of one Beorn's horses that she procured. She coughed as the wind stung her lungs and irritated skin. The versifier wound not be swayed from reaching the forest so she could find her people before something could befall them; possibly by whatever lay in the shadows or them wandering off of the Elven path. As she drew closer, the passed a small patch of bushes where the horses the men had used earlier were busy eating, meaning they could not be that far into the woods. The moment she reached the gate, she dismounted and began to unbuckle her pack but stopped when an all-too-familiar voice cried out, "Torshar, stop! You are not well!"
The minstrel turned and came face-to-face with a beige colored pony with blond hair and the Elven physician, "I am going to find them… I don't care how injured I am…" she cringed and teetered slightly, "I will die in their company if that is what Fate has in store for me…." She stated, straightened herself, and then finished pulling her stuff off of her steed.
Calyr quickly slid off the saddle and moved to her right side, "Torshar, this is suicide! If you go into that forest you could be lost to the shadows as well!"
"Just because you are too afraid to face your fears does not mean I am!" the maiden screamed and turned towards him with tears in her eyes, "I swore to myself that I would see this journey through to the end… For Thorin… I… I can't let him down… Please, Calyr, help me find them… Help me get back to my family…"
The Elf looked deep into the she-Dwarf's tear-filled eyes and sighed, "Against all of my logic… I will guide you through the forest in search of the others." He smiled small and received one in return.
Once the horses were freed of supplies, Calyr sent them on their way while Torshar asked, "I hope Beorn was not injured beyond help…?"
"Not at all!" he laughed, "It was merely a flesh wound; just a few stitches, a salve of Eucalyptus and Oak bark, along with a Rose tea… Wait a minute! How did you know he was injured?!"
Realizing her blunder, Torshar sheepishly responded, "Well… Beorn and I both knew you would not allow me to travel in my current condition so we planned for me to "escape" and for you to follow mw… He made me injure him so it would distract you long enough for me to get a slight head start… I knew you would come…"
To say the Elf was upset was an understatement… Calyr was beyond upset, his knuckles began to turn white as he clenched his fists by his sides so to keep himself from placing them around her throat. Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, he seemed to calm himself enough to speak, "Torshar, this was very irresponsible of you…"
With lightening speed, the Elven healer had his fingers wrapped around one of the minstrel's wrists, "You are coming with me! I should have kept you sedated until you were fully healed…"
The young maiden put up a fight by trying to pry herself from his vice grip, "What are you so afraid of, Calyr?!" she shouted; making him stop and slowly release her.
Tears pricked his eyes, "I'm afraid… I'm afraid of facing him again…"
"Who, the king? My friend, he is just a child making believe he's a man-"
"No! Not him…" he stated and still did not face her.
Realization set in, "The king's son… You're afraid of seeing the forbidden object of your affection… You fear he will look upon you with loathing…" Torshar guessed and gently laid a hand against the small of her friend's back, "You need not be afraid, my friend…"
He turned slightly, "How can I not be? He's a prince… And I'm… A lowly healer…"
Torshar smiled, "I'm a traveling minstrel and my lover is the crowned prince of Erebor… I know exactly how you feel. But the thing is, Calyr, when it comes to love… It does not matter what your societal status is, what your gender is, or what others deem as right or wrong. All that truly matters is yours and your lover's happiness."
This made the corners of the Elf's mouth perk up slightly, "Thank you, Torshar… Come, let us find your family." The two friends then turned and gazed upon the dark trees, grasped each other's hands, then began their trek into the unknown.
Thorin sat, awake, near the outskirts of his men; taking watch while they slept. The fire still flickered lively, casting light upon some of the shadows that loomed. His gaze darted around constantly as this forest seemed to put him on edge. He did not like the way the forest seemed alive, in a dark and sinister way; as if the shadows were not really shadows.
Before he could move to wake Dwalin for the next watch, a twig snapped; grabbing the Dwarf lord's attention. Ever so slowly, he unsheathed Orchrist, not expecting to find Torshar and Calyr stepping from the darkness, "Torshar…?! You should not be here! You should be recovering!" he whispered agitated.
The versifier stepped towards him with a smirk, "And leave you alone to face a fire-breathing dragon?! Not a chance."
Not that the prince wasn't happy to see her, he feared for her health and safety; especially when she cringed, clutched her chest, and stumbled into his arms, "you should not be here, my love."
"I couldn't be away from you… Not after all that we have been through… I love you, Thorin… And nothing in all of Middle-Earth is going to change that… Ever." She smiled through pained expressions Calyr stepped up and helped Thorin in assisting Torshar towards the fire.
When she was seated comfortably, the healer quickly replaced the bandages and brewed some herbs for her pain. Thorin moved to her side and gazed at the Elf, "You should not have allowed her to come…"
Calyr scoffs, "There was no "allowing" her to do anything, Master Oakenshield. She and Beorn created a diversion for me so she could sneak away and find you before you got too far ahead; there was really no stopping her." He explained as he worked.
Thorin stooped down beside her and placed a gentle hand on the small of her back, "For once, I wish you would heed my request to stay behind."
"We are one, Thorin… Wherever you go, I will follow… I will stay with you, forever… If you will have me…" she whispered so as not wake the sleeping men around them.
This made the prince smile, lean forward, and connect their foreheads, "There is no other in this world… That I would have by my side…" he smiles wider and captures her lips in a kiss; which she happily returns.
Calyr clears his throat making the Dwarves stop their embrace, "Torshar should get some sleep; as should you, Thorin. I will continue the watch." With a nod, Erebor's prince laid the minstrel down slowly then lay close beside her; wrapping one arm gently around her waist. Once both Dwarves were fast asleep the Elf healer drew his double battle blades and slowly walked the perimeter of the company.
Dawn arrived too soon for Torshar when she was gently shook away by her physician who helped her sit up and check her vitals; also making her drink some Lavender tea. As her senses began to fully awaken, she noticed that the Dwarves were all debating on what their next move should be.
Carefully standing, she ventured closer, Thorin's voice booming with authority, "We must find a way to cross!"
Gazing to her right, the versifier found thick vines that appeared to have fallen centuries before and seemed to form a type of bridge. Apparently, Kili must have taken notice of them as well due to him stepping up beside her and stating loud, "These vines look safe enough."
Before he could begin an attempt to cross via the shrubbery, the leader called out, "Kili!" making the brunette stop and turn, "We need to send the lightest first."
At first all eyes were turned towards the lithe Elf man until the sound of a frustrated female voice echoed from halfway across the stream! Everyone turned to find the bard navigating the vines and slowly losing awareness of close she was getting to the enchanted water; Bilbo was quick to follow, as was Thorin.
When her feet made contact with the bank on the other side of the stream, wooziness and tiredness pulled Torshar to her knees, "Something's not right…" she whispered and shook her head, "This is not right at all…"
"Stay where you are!" she shouted as she turned then sighed in anguish when she gazed upon the rest of the company approaching. Bilbo was able to make it over to the she-Dwarf's side and took a knee to make sure she was alright.
Yet before receiving an answer, the Hobbit took notice of Thorin carefully drawing a bow, "What are you doing?" he whispered. He noticed Torshar slowly point behind him, not in fear but fascination and disbelief; making him rotate and gaze upon the mythical white stag of the Days of Old. The animal did not appear to take notice of the trio, or the advancing company, as he grazed until he heard the pulling of a bow string and picked his head up as well as turning his ears towards the sound.
The versifier followed his line of sight and quickly pushed the prince's arms up at the split second before he released the point projectile. Thankfully, it missed the stag and scared him off; much to Torshar and Bilbo's happiness.
"What do you think you were doing?!" she cried at the love of her life.
"That is bad luck!" Bilbo added.
"I do not believe in luck… We make our own." He stated simply. Suddenly, a loud splash reached their ears and they all spun around to see Bombur asleep, floating on his back; in the middle of the stream. Before anyone could move or say anything, another splash occurred and now Torshar was in the stream, swimming towards the enormous Dwarf.
"TORSHAR!" the prince cried.
Surprisingly, the injured woman was able to pull the floating, snoring man to the shore where all of the company now stood, "Pull him out, quickly! The longer he is in the water, the longer it will take for the spell to wear off!" she warned as hands grabbed for them both.
Thorin extracted her from the murky water and held her close, "You are a fool, Torshar! Now you will fall asleep as well!"
She sleepily replied, "I had to save him… He's family…" her eyelids began to droop, "You all are…"
"No, no! Torshar, stay awake!" the warrior pleaded.
"I'm so tired…" she whispered then lost consciousness in his arms.