Chapter 9

An Enemy of Old and New Friends

Everyone scrambled to their feet and grabbed all of the remaining supplies. Within seconds they were all running. Enda did her best to keep up but she was weaker than normal and she fell behind. She ran by Bilbo's side. She offered him a small, weak smile.

"Hobbits aren't made to run…" he said breathlessly. Enda laughed a little.

"Neither were Dwarves… We're sprinters… Dangerous… over short distances… but this is… Ridiculous…" Enda saw the Hobbit smile in return. "Even I… A huntress who has run… thinks this is… Insanity…"

"Well… you aren't… fully well…"

"Like an injury… can stop me… May slow me… but not stop me…" Enda then tripped over a root. She cursed in Khuzdul. She then saw Bilbo draw his sword and a second later a Warg impaled itself on it. Enda blinked, surprised. She wondered what would have happened if she was standing but quickly shook the thought aside. She scrambled to her feet.

"Into the trees! Climb!" Gandalf ordered again. Enda then saw Bilbo struggling to free his sword from the dead Warg. She heard more of them approaching. She quickly pulled the sword for Bilbo and handed it to him and then tossed him into a tree. She then felt Fíli and Kíli pull her to up into a tree.

"Come on!" Kíli said. They all then climbed higher into the tree. Soon they climbed as high as they could without snapping the weak branches. "You alright?" Enda nodded.

"Bet you think climbing is important now…" Enda said as she softly smiled at Fíli's fear filled expression. She forced herself to try and lighten the mood although she knew that they were in danger. Enda then paled as she felt nauseous from the recent physical exertion. She quickly swallowed the bile.

"Too high… Too high!" His hands were tight around the branches.

"Sh… They're coming…" Glóin hissed to them. They instantly silenced.

They then saw as Orcs and Wargs came in view. There were many of them, at least three enemies to each of the company members. Then a large, pale Orc rode up on a pale Warg. Enda's eyes widened in recognition of this fiend.

"Azog?!" Thorin said, clearly shocked. Enda thought that he had killed the Orc and judging by Thorin's expression he had too. Apparently Azog had not died. She felt fear rise in her. She had always heard stories of the awful Azog from her father but thought that they were just stories. She felt an involuntary shudder creep down her spine. She then felt Kíli's hand on her shoulder.

"It's going to be alright…" he whispered. He looked scared as well but he offered a small smile. Enda returned it weakly wishing she could rid herself of the fear.

The pale Orc was saying something in his own language and even though Enda couldn't understand was being said she was frightened at his cruel sounding voice. She looked to Thorin who looked stricken with pain and grief.

Then Wargs came towards the trees. They jumped trying to get onto the branches. The tree shook violently but the Wargs couldn't get very high but they continued trying. It took everything for Enda not to scream as the tree started to topple over.

"Enda, jump!" Kíli said. He took her hand and they jumped into the next tree. The tree also toppled over so they continued to jump from tree to tree. They then found themselves on a tree right next to the edge and thankfully it didn't threaten to fall over. They sighed in relief. Then suddenly a fireball was tossed down from the tree. Enda looked up and saw Gandalf lighting pinecones on fire. He gave some of the Dwarves pinecones and they tossed them at the Wargs.

The Wargs ran away, some of them were in flames.

Enda whooped in triumph as she hit one and set it running away with fur flaming. The dead pine needles on the ground around the tree were on fire so the Wargs didn't dare getting too close.

"Told you it'd be alright…" Kíli smiled. Enda then also smiled. Dwarves cheered.

Then the moment of victory was ruined as everyone cried out in fear as the pine tree started to fall backwards. Enda desperately grasped onto the tree. Then it stopped. She noticed that they were sticking straight out over open air. She saw the ground far below she felt sick. She didn't mind heights but not when you could fall so far down so easily.

The tree shook and Enda lost her grip. She screamed as she started to fall downwards. She then felt a hand on each of her wrists. She looked up and saw Kíli and Fíli had her. She cried out in pain as Fíli's hand grabbed her injured arm. Enda was relieved though, she would rather have her arm shooting in pain than fall to her death.

"Come on!" Fíli said and both of them tried to lift her up higher so she could grasp back onto the branch.

"Safe…" Kíli said, looking relieved and he then smiled softly at Enda.

"Sorry if I hurt your wrist," Fíli said.

"It's fine… certainly better than whatever waits after a long drop…" Enda felt herself trembling and she tried to pull herself onto the branches but it was difficult.

She then saw as Thorin started to charge against Azog. Enda felt her heart leap into her throat when she saw how easily Azog's Warg knocked Thorin down.

"We've got to help him!" Kíli said as he struggled to pull himself onto the branch.

Then they all watched in horror as the Warg bit into Thorin and he cried out in pain. Thorin then used his sword to hit the Warg in the face. The Warg, in its shock, tossed Thorin away from him and the Dwarf landed on his back. Thorin was still and Enda saw an Orc going over to him with his sword drawn. Thorin struggled tried to reach for his sword but he couldn't reach it.

Enda got onto the branch and helped to pull Kíli and Fíli up and then they saw Bilbo then tackle the Orc to the ground and kill it.

Enda then saw that the other Orcs and Wargs were about to attack him so she, Fíli, Kíli, and Dwalin all ran to fight. Enda drew her sword and started hacking away at any Wargs that got close to her. Fighting this many enemies was frightening but Enda fought to the best of her ability, allowing her hatred towards them outweigh any fear.

She then saw the Pale Orc coming towards her. She then glared at him and twirled her sword in challenge towards him. She saw how easily he had taken Thorin down and that annoyed her.

"Get off your mangy beast and fight like a respectable creature ought to… Man to man," she muttered. She felt her temper ignite when he merely smirked. He started to ride towards her in a slow, arrogant matter. She felt fear again although she refused to back away. Suddenly she felt really cold. She shivered but that brought pain to her back. She winced in pain and blinked back the tears of pain. She held her sword up ready to fight the monstrous Orc who continued to smirk at her.

Then something unexpected happened. Enda then saw something huge in the corner of her vision and then a loud screech drew everyone's attention to the skies. Within a second two Wargs were suddenly lifted in huge talons and then tossed over the edge of the cliff. Enda grinned as more Eagles came to the scene and started to help them. Her face betrayed her complete awe towards the huge, majestic beasts. Then Thorin was lifted into safety and Azog growled in frustration.

Enda then felt something heavy topple her over and she landed hard on her back her back and she cried out in pain, the bandages that covered her back were becoming wet with her blood. She then saw that it was the pale Warg that was on top of her. She stared dumbly for a moment, unable to scream or think. She mentally cursed herself for allowing herself to get distracted while in a fight.

Then a sudden blast of heat overwhelmed her. Fire was blowing over her head and the Warg quickly backed away. She felt talons wrap around her body and aggravate her back. She let out a short cry of pain only to be cut off by a cry of fear as she was dropped. Enda closed her eyes tightly and then she then landed on something soft. Enda opened her eyes and saw feathers, large, soft, warm, feathers.

Enda quickly sheathed her sword and then buried her trembling hands into the warm feathers. She continued to shiver violently and she looked around. She was alone on an Eagle and she looked down and saw how high above the earth they were. They were high above the trees and even higher than the mountains. She would have enjoyed the flight if she wasn't feeling so terrible and if they knew that Thorin was alive and well. She looked over to him, concerned.

Suddenly her stomach gave an odd flip and she retched.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Enda said, horrified. Her head pounded and now she felt ready to throw up again, although considering she hadn't really eaten in a while she was surprised that she could vomit anything up.

"No worries, small one…" the Eagle said. "You're injured and ill. No need being angry with you. Take a deep breath and rest. You're trembling violently. Have you been poisoned?"

"Yes…" Enda nodded but knew he didn't see it. She felt stupid and hazy in the brain.

"I'm not a healer. We birds are not but I'm sure Gandalf can help you," the Eagle then continued to talk to her. "What do you think of flying?" His voice sounded youthful and yet at the same time wise but altogether kind.

"I like it. I feel so free… I just wish my head wasn't pounding nor my stomach ill and I would enjoy it even more."

"Perhaps someday you will fly under better circumstances. You are but a hatchling but I'm sure you have many tales already."

"Yes, indeed. I now can say I've flown and I shall never forget it. Thank you, sir Eagle."

"My name is Glade and I'm far too young to be referred to as sir. In fact this is the first time I've left the nest without my parents. What is your name?"

"Enda…" She smiled enjoying talking with the bird. The sun was just rising and she felt rejuvenated for a little bit.

"Ah… A warrior's name I'm sure. And if it isn't already, it will be."

Enda then laughed. "I hope I'm a warrior… I'm not sure if I'm classified as one yet. I have yet to really prove myself in battle."

"Battles are not what make one great. I see much, you are noble at heart and your injuries come from hiding a secret for your friends." Glade then turned his head slightly so he could look back at Enda. His golden brown eyes seemed to show a motherly light. "Remember, small one, courage doesn't mean that you aren't weak."

"What do you mean?"

"You already are courageous; I can see that in you. But it's alright to be weak at times. You had better get tended to. Don't be prideful because you think it's being courageous…"

"Yes mum."

The Eagle made a laughing sound and Enda laughed to. They flew in a comfortable silence until they came to a huge, bear shaped rock. It stood high as the mountains around it and in the distance Enda saw Mirkwood. Suddenly she felt slightly homesick. Soon they landed and Enda slid of the Eagle's back and bowed to him. "Thank you!"

"I will be back small one. I will have to fly you down again. The Carrock cannot be climbed down from. I will return in a little while as will my kin. Get some medical attention; I don't want you to be ill on me again…" It made a laughing noise again and Enda laughed too, in good natured spirit. The Eagle seemed to be smiling at Enda.

"I will," Enda smiled.

"Good. I hope you will feel better when I come back. Farewell for now!" Glade then flew off with the other Eagles.

"Thorin!" Gandalf ran to the Dwarf's side and then started to mutter a spell.

Enda then felt herself starting to fall and Kíli came to her side and helped her sit down. Enda wished her head would stop pounding and she winced in pain as everything got too bright for her eyes and noises became too loud for her. She felt sick again. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists, willing herself not to vomit again.

She winced as she heard Thorin's rough words against Bilbo. His words seemed so unnaturally loud to her aching head. She then vaguely heard him apologize to Bilbo and it seemed like they were getting along. She smiled a slight bit but it brought a stinging in her cheek. Then she heard someone walking over to her. She couldn't make out the words or the speaker and she opened her eyes to see Óin kneeling in front of her. His hand felt so cold upon her face and he frowned at her. She closed her eyes, the light was really hurting her head.

"The fever's gotten worse…" she heard him say.

"Fever?! I'm freezing cold…" Enda moaned. She hated how pitiful she sounded. Suddenly she retched again. Tears filled her eyes. She hated this, her head hurt more and more with each noise, sight and now retching. She was shivering and sweating and utterly exhausted. Every pain seemed amplified by twenty.

"This is not good," Óin muttered. "Kíli, lad, set up a place for her to lie down."

Kíli took his cloak and also Fíli's and tried to make as comfy a bed as he could. He then helped Óin bring Enda over. Óin then had Enda lie down. Enda seemed to fall asleep and Kíli couldn't help but worry. Despite the fever she shivered violently and her skin was paler than normal.

"What's wrong? Why is the fever coming back?"

"She was never rid of the fever… She's fighting however much poison is still within her," Óin said.

"I thought you said you got most of it out!" Kíli said.

"Kíli, hush!" Thorin commanded and Kíli stopped talking but he still looked angry. "Óin is doing everything he can, you need to calm down. You're stressing out too much and it's not good for you and it's not helping Enda."

Kíli bowed his head feeling embarrassed about him getting angry when it wasn't doing anything helpful.

"I'm sorry Óin."

"I know you're concerned lad but you have to keep a calm head…" Óin smiled sympathetically and placed his hand on Kíli's shoulder. "Trust me… I will do everything in my power to keep her alive and well."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, do we have any water? I want to try and bring her fever down. Then I must redress her injuries. I don't want her getting any infections. It would be best if we had boiling water but I will have to make do with what is available."

Kíli then went off in search of any canteens that had any water in them. But they had hardly any water. He groaned frustrated and then kicked a pebble over the edge.

"Gandalf! Why can't you just heal her?" He angrily turned to face the wizard. Gandalf looked exhausted and much older. He was worn from all the magic he had used that day.

"Master Kíli, I am not an expert in poisons. I couldn't tend to her well and I think Óin has things under control."

"Can't you do something though? Heal her injuries and stop her from bleeding out or lower her fever?"

"Kíli, calm down." Thorin looked sternly to his nephew.

"I know of someone who would be able to heal her. He lives not too far from here. He can help Enda and then she can heal."

"Who is it?" Thorin asked. "It better not be Thranduil."

"It is not. It is a man named Beorn, I'm sure he would help us. He lives about two days from here."

There was a pause. Kíli then bowed his head to the Wizard. "I'm sorry Gandalf-"

"I know lad. You're worried, we all are. But Enda will pull through and be back to her youthful, energetic self." Gandalf smiled and placed his hand on Kíli's shoulder. "I wish I could help her but we will get her to Beorn. Don't worry, everything will be alright…"

"I hope so."

"Hope is a powerful thing. Never give it up," Enda said with a weak smile on her lips. Kíli then turned to see Enda trying to push herself into a sitting position.

"How are you feeling?" Kíli said as he rushed to her side.

"Been better, but I've also been worse." She grinned. "My head still is pounding but I'm alive, so praise be to Mahal. Last time I felt this much pain was when I had been kicked in the head by a large moose."

"A moose?" Kíli asked.

"Long story short, I was hunting when an Elf startled the moose and he came charging at me and jumped over me but he decided that I needed a headache for trying to take him home for supper." Enda gingerly rubbed the back of her head in memory but a smile played at her lips.

"You have the most interesting stories ever," Kíli said with a smile.

"I know. I bet most of them aren't believed but they are all real. I will have the strangest tales to tell around the fire by the time this quest ends."
"You have had more adventures than most people who double your age…"

"And I am glad for the challenges I have faced and I am glad for the friends I have made." Enda smiled and then yawned.

"You should sleep while you can. Sleep does wonders in healing," Óin said. Enda nodded and then lay back down.

"Can someone tell me a story?" Enda asked. "I have told some of my tales and I would like to hear some of yours." Enda looked up at Kíli and Fíli.

"Well, have we told you of the time that Fíli and I had a prank war with Bofur and Ori?" Fíli and Kíli then took turns telling the story until Enda fell asleep. Kíli smiled seeing that Enda was sleeping peacefully.

While Enda slept the Eagles came back and had brought some deer and some wood and they offered to take some of the Dwarves down to the river to get some water. They didn't wake Enda but they saved her some food in case she would want it. Óin prepared a potion for Enda for when she awoke. He didn't want to force her to take it like he did before. She only awoke a few minutes and after she took the potion she fell back asleep.

That day everyone took things easy and slept when they felt like it. They needed the rest while they could get it since nothing was certain on this journey. They didn't set up a watch because only the Eagles could get to them.

That night everyone turned in early. Kíli awoke near midnight when he found Enda snuggled up to him, still sound asleep. Kíli sighed and placed his arm protectively around her. She was shivering but her fever still hadn't gone away. He pressed his lips to her forehead and said a quick prayer of healing over her.

"Enda, I wish I could tell you how I feel about you…" he whispered. But he had a sad feeling that she only viewed him as a brother. He then hummed himself to back into sleep and he allowed his imagination to take over his mind and imagine the rest of the quest.

Happy Valentines Day everybody! I hope all of you are having a wonderful day!

Once again thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry I didn't post it sooner, school = insanity. I hope none of you hate me.

Special thanks to all of the reviewers. Keep it up! All of your reviews make me so happy! :D

Any ideas, questions, comments or concerns are welcome! If I could get ten reviews on this chapter I will do everything in my power to have the next chapter up by Sunday.

~Maethorni