To Sow a Barren Land
Disclaimer: 'The Hobbit' belongs to J.R.R Tolkien, MGM, Wingnut Productions and New Line Cinema. I make no profit off this.
AN: Here's the next instalment. Things are definitely picking up pace and slowly we're entering the next arc of this fic. Hopefully, you guys will like what I've planned for our sexy protagonist. :D
Chapter 15
It was deep into the night when a band passed—feral and merciless in their appearance—carrying torches and weapons as they rode away breathlessly.
Fires blazed all over burning houses and homes, slowly spreading over the entire city. Scream of women and children echoes throughout the air. Mothers pleaded their children to escape, husbands stayed behind urging their families to get away while they still could. Cattles ran in disarray, chaos overwhelmed the crowds and all over, it reeked of charred hay as utter destruction was brought about.
As the entire crowd headed for the city exit, a family of four tried to keep their pace. The youngest of them all stumbled suddenly and her mother paused, terrified, taking bumps from others as they went past her.
She paused and was swirled around as a flurry of horses went past her. She turned, horror carving into her being, when she was just able to catch the flowing golden hair and red cloaks as the riders rode past the crowds in a raging manner. Determination marred the very horses on which they rode, as they flew past the crowd, taking no heed of and paying no attention to anything except for the ones they intended to find.
Whatever little belongings they had lay scattered as the husband and brother quickly rushed to the young one's aid. Earnestly, they pulled her up and as the woman caught up to them, she clutched her daughter's hand as they began running with the crowd.
Doriath was burning and everyone had but one goal: to reach the city exit.
Two days since there last encounter, Thranduil had kept himself distant from Rainion and the elf in question too seemed to provide the prince with ample space. He took care to maintain his distance and only spoke when he was addressed.
Two days had passed since Thranduil last saw Thorin, though there was no pause in running the dwarf's thoughts in his mind. In fact, if he could help it, Thranduil would go over and over again with the sweet days they had both shared.
The gentle kisses and touches, the loving gazes and whispered promises were still gleaming bright and they filled Thranduil's heart with a certain kind of joy he long had been withheld from. Although, as soon as they'd land upon the bitter conversation they had, Thranduil's heart would stop fluttering and would sink with just as much heaviness.
He shook his head, trying to focus on the path ahead. He reigned in his steed. The elk slowed down and for that, someone from his company enquired about anything he sensed.
The elf's voice was drowned among Thranduil's active thoughts. The elven prince hardly reacted or registered the cautious glances the other elves gave one another.
One even flicked his gaze towards Thranduil and squinted his eyes with a raised brow, silently asking his companion if the prince was alright.
The other shrugged, signalling that he was in the dark as well.
Before it became too worrisome, an elf finally gathered courage and approached Thranduil. Just as he was about to call out to him, the Sinda snapped out of his inattentiveness and putting up his best royal facade, he glanced at the other defiantly, tipping his head as he wondered what need the other would possibly have to approach him.
The elf immediately seemed apologetic as he began, "Does Your Highness sense something?"
Thranduil narrowed his eyes in confusion and was about to ask what his subject meant. However, his attention was soon caught by the panicked voice of some other elf, who said in panic, "I hear sound of hooves. They are fast approaching!"
He didn't quite know if it was a saving grace or not but Thranduil's focus was grabbed nonetheless. His eyes widened in alarm as he hubbed on the intended direction. The size of his eyes grew even bigger as he too heard the ground thumping with a beat, confirming what had just been said.
"Stay sharp. Be in formation." Thranduil ordered, his peripherals catching the guards moving into a defensive position as ordered. Their hands readied on their weapons, the elves seemed anticipatory as they waited for the threat to show itself.
His fist and thumb enclosing on his own sword as well, Thranduil motioned with his hand, signalling the guards to wait for further orders, as he himself rendered his sharp gaze to sweep the path in front of him. His heart started beating faster as he became full with anxiety. His breath was held in his chest and all of his senses were extremely keen while he awaited the other party.
The tension was palpable. Not a single elf made any sound. None had their focus wavering by just a bit and all were strung out much like their bows. The slightest of agitation would cause them to launch an attack.
The sound of hooves became louder. From listening alone, Thranduil could guess that they were not a large army but the way with which they rode appeared to be extremely rushed and fraught.
His stomach fluttered and Thranduil placed a hand on it, soothing his nerves. His eyes suddenly darted over to his left and inwardly, he flinched as he realized a major flaw in his plan.
Rainion had no knowledge of how to wield weapons. He was vulnerable.
"Ride to the back." He ordered, quickly setting his eyes in front. When the other didn't respond, Thranduil frowned in annoyance and said with more assertiveness, "Rainion, did you not hear? Ride to the back where you'll be safe."
At that, he caught the other move. However, instead of doing as directed, Rainion moved forward and came very close to the elven prince's mount. At that, Thranduil's brows shot up as he became extremely surprised.
"What are you doing, you fool?" He hissed irritably. He had no time for such games. "I'm trying to save your life!"
"And I'm trying to save yours," came Rainion's reply which effectively stunned Thranduil as he stared with disbelief. He was all the more shocked when very softly Rainion added, "Both of your lives."
He couldn't help himself as his head jerked back to face the other. Rainion's lips were pressed tight and there was a glint in his eyes—the same glint which he had noticed during their field work—that spoke of immeasurable determination the Silvan had about him.
Then Rainion turned and as he met gazes, Thranduil could clearly see that it wasn't a question of flaunting on the other's part. Rainion was serious and he meant his words.
He was given a single nod and Thranduil turned to face the front. All of a sudden, he felt something in his heart. Something warm and slow like a newly lit heath, giving him a welling sensation in his chest, which was well familiar to the esteemed prince.
It was that of pride. Towards his subjects and towards one in particular who seemed undeterred as the rest of them, if not more.
Oropher dropped heavily on his throne, scandalously looking at the messenger as he had been delivered a drastic news not too long ago.
"What?" He managed to rasp out, drawing in a shuddering breath as his mind went about for a spin.
He looked up at the messenger shakily and felt his throat growing dry and wordless as he dreadfully waited for confirmation.
The messenger didn't fare any better. His face was ashamed and a horror splayed all over his face and demeanour.
His voice shook with fear as he somehow managed to respond, "It is true my king. King Thingol has been slain. It was the dwarves."
Green eyes widened as Oropher went chakily pale. He slumped back unceremoniously against his throne, suddenly feeling numb and frozen all over as helplessness overtook him.
Thorin paused abruptly, pulling the reign of his mount as hard as he could. The pony neighed in protest and stopped, an action imitated by the others when they too came to a halt.
A frown appeared between the dwarf prince's brows as he confusedly took in the small number of elves, rigid and stern in a tight formation, headed by Thranduil himself.
His expression showed off his increasing state of shock as his eyes picked up the subtle manner with which the elves had their hands on their weapons, as if it'd only take a blink for them to draw them out.
Before long, his eyes landed on the elegant hand of Thranduil, leisurely placed beside him as it would appear. However, experienced as he was, Thorin soon realized the little signal Thranduil was giving to the other elves and before he knew it, his eyes gazed upward, broadening in realization as he took in the elven prince's stoic stance.
"What are you—"
His words died down in his throat as he was overtaken by surprise. He hadn't expected to run in to Thranduil so soon.
The other narrowed his eyes and replied in a tone still raw from the wound he had received that favoured no friendly transaction. "None of your concern."
"What? It is my damn concern! You shouldn't be here!" Thorin sneered but not out of anger. He was frustrated and rushed. Already his company started fidgeting and Thorin himself was in no mood to stand around and explain himself.
He looked over his shoulder and for a brief moment, considered one of the dwarves at his back before frantically turning his short span of attention over to Thranduil.
"Look," He drew in a breath and said run a panicked hand through his hair, ignoring Thranduil's curious glances, "Get out from here. Fast. It's not safe."
"Why should we return when we are but one day's journey from Doriath?" Thranduil asked, not even bothering to conceal the distrust and anger from his voice.
Thorin opened his mouth to argue but shook it away. Instead, he went on insisting the other, "I can't explain. I wish I could." He paused, looking over his shoulder yet again, before he faced Thranduil with urgency. "But please. Have faith in me. You must get away from here."
Thranduil's cold stance wavered and he seemed completely shaken. His voice was laden with concern as he asked, "What have you gotten yourself into?"
"I can't say. Nor can I linger for a moment longer." Thorin inhaled loudly, his frown deepening as worry coalesced within him. "They're coming. You might not be spared. Please get out while you can!"
Thranduil's forehead creased in utter confusion. He shook his head and asked again, trying to comprehend whatever was taking place, "Who are coming?"
"GO BACK!" Thorin yelled, desperation bordering his eyes.
Before Thranduil could even start to enquire, Thorin commanded his mount and went past the elves in a blur, hastily followed by others.
While he was still in the other's hearing range, Thorin turned back one more time and urged Thranduil before it was too late. "Go back Thranduil. Now! The elves are enraged! Return to your realm."
He quickly rode ahead and didn't look back, thus missing the stunned form of every elf who was left behind frozen in place.
"My lord, we should move."
A voice beside him broke Thranduil from his stance. The sound of hooves could no longer be heard and once again, a tense silence surrounded the elves.
"My lord, please. Those dwarves seemed terrified. Perhaps we should be as well."
He turned towards the other and as Rainion's concerned face came into view, he hardened his gaze and said solemnly, "Turn back."
He next faced the others, pointing his elk in the opposite direction and spoke to them as well. Only this time, his voice was drenched with urgency and absoluteness as he commanded, "Turn back. Now! Head for Greenwood! Do not tarry."
Picking up the exigency in their prince's tone, the other elves spared no time and did as they were told, hurriedly cutting through the forest as their horses ran in full speed.
Thranduil stayed behind the group, ensuring that they were not being followed. The flutter in his stomach was back. His heart now leaping with an uncertain dread, he clutched his slightly swollen belly and rode harder.
Rainion stuck beside him and even if he gave the other a concerned look, he was soon forced to accept as the Silvan made it quite clear he would not leave their prince and his child in the mouth of teeming danger.
Thranduil's mind was bursting with new worries. He had certainly not expected this chain of events, much less Thorin's sudden rejection. Now that he was put in this dire position, he couldn't help but stress over what his father's reaction would be once he returned. He'd be noticeable by then and Oropher would certainly not accept the sire of his child.
If he knew.
Exhaling shakily, he frowned and tapped the sides of his ride, urging it to go faster. In a matter of moments his mind was relieved off all these budding concerns, freeing it to think of one thing and one alone.
Reach Greenwood. Stay alive.
Compared to the life of his child and company, other matters were of a far lesser priority.
AN: Soooooo...what do you think? Okay, it was a 'meh' attempt to incorporate the fall of Doriath. And I know, Thorin had no part in it. Not even the dwarves of Erebor. But let's just pretend. ^^;