Chapter 35
"Meeting Up"
The night carried on for what seemed like eternity as Torshar listened to Gandalf, once she regained consciousness, whisper in an ancient archaic language that she could not understand. Her body grew heavy with exhaustion as a big Orc stepped up to the wizard's cage, took hold of it in his, massive hand, and yanked it off its hanging chain then tossed it to the ground a few feet from where Torshar was tied up.
It spoke mockingly in Black Speech, "Spells will not save you, old man. You have something my Master wants. Where is it?" he tore open the cage and lifted Gandalf by the throat, "One of the Elven Rings." The Orc then threw the wizard hard across the open room.
The Istari in grey tried to fight back by grabbing a chain and using it as a weapon, but that only seemed to anger the Orc who then grabbed the magic wielder once more then proceeded to beat him within an inch of his life as he shouted, "You have the Ring of Fire! Where are the others?!"
As the beating took place, Torshar screamed at the top of her lungs, "NO! LEAVE HIME ALONE!" then, as if from thin air, three more Orcs appeared and circled her with hungry gazes making the versifier's blood run cold.
In the blink of an eye, the Orcs had their hands all over her, pulling her hair, ripping her clothes, and undressing their lower halves. The Dwarf maiden tried to fight but the exhaustion prevented her, as well as still being tied to the past.
Suddenly, all of the Orcs stopped and turned to face someone who had just entered the area. She was tall, fair complected, with golden hair, purest blue eyes, and dressed in a long white gown. Her voice was soft but filled with authority, "I come for Mithrandir and Torshar. And I will leave with them. If you try to stop me, I will destroy you."
The Orcs took her threat as a joke because they swiftly tried to advance and gang up on her but they were reduced to ash by her blinding white magic. Once they were disposed of, she quickly approached the pillar the She-Dwarf was tied to and once more used her magic to free her, "Are you alright, Torshar?"
"I will be, Lady Galadriel. Thank you." The versifier answered with a sigh of relief then realization set in, "Gandalf!" but before she could get up and run to him, Galadriel placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Ease your mind, Torshar. I will tend to Mithrandir. You get out of this place. Use the south wing as your escape route, there is a horse waiting to take you wherever you wish to go. But you must hurry." The Lady of Lothlorien explained as she helped the Dwarf stand.
The minstrel took the Elf's hands in her own and kissed her knuckles in gratitude, "May Mahal bless you, Lady Galadriel." She then released the other woman and took off running to the south as instructed. As she neared the exit, a white stallion seemed to appear out of the shadows of the dead woods that surrounded the fortress, like a beacon in the night.
As she slowly stepped down, the stallion approached and bowed his head. The versifier showed the same gesture then walked up to his side where she found a dark, sea blue garment which turned out to be a dress of Elvish make. The minstrel was confused as she held up the garment, 'How did she know…?' she wondered and looked over her shoulder at the fortress once more.
Stamping his hoof impatiently, the stallion whinnied to grab her attention. Quickly, Torshar stripped out of her torn clothes and slipped on the dress. Once she was ready, though with bare feet, the stallion took a knee to allow the young woman to climb on, which she did hastily and grabbed the reins, "Now then… To Erebor."
Lady Galadriel carried the unconscious Gandalf through the twists and turns of Dol Gul Dur until she reached, what used to be, a courtyard. As she looked around for the correct direction, sinister voice filled the air, "Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky… Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone…"
Her blood ran cold as her pace ceased in the middle of the courtyard, "Nine for mortal Men doomed to die…" she breathed in horror then looked around as ghosts of said Men began to appear around the edge of the crumbling structure.
"You cannot fight the shadow. Even now you fade. One light… Alone in the darkness." The voice continued as Galadriel tried to put as much distance between herself, plus Gandalf, and the approaching apparitions.
"I am not alone." She answered as a wizard in white, wielding a black white orbed staff accompanied by the Lord of Rivendell dressed in gold war armor.
"Are you in need of assistance, my lady?" the long white bearded man asked.
The ghosts quickly turned on the two men, "You should have stayed dead." Elrond stated and began to defend himself.
While the other wizard and the Elf lord fought, Galadriel whispered to the unconscious Gandalf, "Mithrandir… Come back…" then leans over and kisses his forehead; he regains consciousness seconds later.
Gasping, the grey wizard mumbled, "He's… Here…"
"Yes… The darkness has returned…" the Elf lady agreed as Rhatagast and his sled team arrived.
"Gandalf! Gandalf, climb on!" the brown wizard shouted as his team of rabbits slowed to a stop beside him and Galadriel.
The woman in white attempted to help load Gandalf onto the sled but was growing weak herself, "He is weak… He cannot remain here, it's draining his life. Go, quickly!"
Gandalf reached out and grabbed Galadriel's wrist, "Come with me… My lady…" he rasped, making her smile sadly and pull her wrist away.
"GO!" she shouted and the sled took off.
Torshar road well through the night and into the morning until she reached the shore facing what was left of Lake-Town and the survivors flooding the bank. Horror gripped her heart as she slowly rode through the people. Parentless children sobbed for ones they held dear, mothers cried for lost children, and many more were silent in shock of what had happened. She spotted a boat with four Dwarves getting in and a redheaded Elf standing nearby, watching them.
"Fili! Kili! Bofur! Oin!" she shouted and galloped over to them as they looked up and cheered. Quickly, she dismounted and wrapped her arms around Bofur who was the first to greet her. She went down the line until she reached Kili who was back to his natural color and she cupped his face in her hands as a teary eyed smile appeared on her face, "Oh, sweet boy… I'm so glad to see you." Then she pulled him in for a hug, which he returned with a smile of his own.
"Take only what you need. We have a long journey ahead." Bard instructed as he walked around.
Legolas and Calyr stood together as the bargeman neared, "Where will you go?" the blond asked.
"There is only one place…" the dark haired man responded and glanced towards the Mountain.
Alfrid smirked as he followed Bard, "The Mountain… You are a genius, sire. We can take refuge inside the Mountain. It might smell a bit of dragon, but the woman can clean that up. We'll be safe, and warm, and dry… And full of stores, bedding, clothing… And a bit of gold." He mentioned.
Bard turned with a glare, "What gold in that mountain is cursed. We will only what was promised to us; only enough to rebuild our lives."
Calyr spoke next, "News of the death of Smaug will have spread through the lands…"
This made Bard stop, "Aye…"
"Others will now look to the Mountain… For its wealth, its position." Legolas stated, gaining Bard's attention once more.
"What is it you know?" he asked in worry.
The blond prince shook his head, "Nothing for certain. It is what I fear may come…" he spoke as Tauriel approached with the reins of the white stallion in her hand.
"You saw something out there." She stated when she saw the expression on Legolas' face.
"The Orc I pursued out of Lake-Town, I know who he is… Bolg, spawn of Azog the Defiler. A Warg pack was waiting for him on the outskirts of Esgaroth, they fled into the North… These Orcs were different from the others, they bore a mark I have not seen for a long time; the mark of Gundabad." Legolas explained.
Calyr became concerned, "Gundabad?"
"An Orc stronghold in the far north of the Misty Mountains."
The trio walked as they talked but were soon stopped by a messenger of Mirkwood, "My lord Legolas… I bring word from your father. You are to return to him immediately." He relayed in Elvish so the people around him wouldn't understand.
"Come Tauriel, Calyr." He ordered softly but stopped when the messenger spoke again.
"My lord… Calyr and Tauriel are banished…" he said reluctantly.
"Banished?" her asked confused, "You may tell my father, if there are no places for Calyr and Tauriel then there is no place for me." then he turned and began to walk away.
The brunette healer gently grabbed the prince's arm, "Legolas… It is your king's command…"
Blue eyes met caramel as they locked gazes, "Yes, he is my king…" he smiles and cups Calyr's face in his hands, "But he does not command my heart." And he quickly kisses the healer.
When pulled back the archer asks, "I ride North, will you come with me?"
The brunette shook his head as he caught sight of Torshar climbing into the boat with the rest of the company, "I must see to it that Torshar is alright but we will be together again soon." He smiled then pulled the prince in for another kiss then pulls away and runs to meet the boat before it sailed