Chapter 46

The spear bounced off my muzzle, making my reptilian eyes narrow in irritation. Glancing back to see who had thrown it, I swung in a wide circle, burning enemies as I did. Dwarves rallied around Thorin and Dain as they fought together, and so I dove to land in the circle. When I touched the ground, I was human again. Shaking off the change, I yanked the sword from a dead Orc and cut the head off of one when I joined the cousins.

"I hope you've got a plan..." Dain grunted, and then turned to see me. "Arina! By my beard lass, I cannot believe what you've done. It's bloody amazing."

"Thanks, Dain," I laughed, joining him as Thorin hopped up on a large ram.

"Aye," Thorin answered his cousin's question. "I'm going to take out their leader."

"Azog..." Dain sucked in a breath.

The dwarf swung to look up at Ravenhill and glared at it for a long moment, before turning and looking at me. I opened my mouth to say something, but he glared.

"You're a King! You cannot do that," Dain protested.

"That's exactly why I must do it," Thorin answered, his voice firm.

I looked from Dain and then back to Thorin, as Dain continued to protest against it. He then demanded to know how he was going to get up to Ravenhill alone. I felt my blood run cold when I looked up toward the place that he was supposed to die. He and his nephews were going to die up there, unless I did something. Looking back to Thorin, I met his gaze when he turned back to me.

"What is it?" he asked, riding up to me.

"I..." I trailed off for a moment, unable to speak.

His hand came down, and touched me on my cheek gently. I closed my eyes at the warmth that spread through my body and I forced the tears back. Opening them again, I gazed at him, and watched Fili, Kili, Dwalin and Balin ride over on a war chariot. Amusement flooded through me, until I thought about their deaths again.

"You think that alone is going to get you up there!?" Dain shrieked.

"No," I answered for Thorin. "But a dragon will."

"Arina..." Thorin murmured. "You don't need to be a warrior anymore."

I glared at Thorin, and then yanked him down so that I could kiss him. His surprise almost had him frozen, but he recovered and kissed me back. Breaking the kiss, I pressed our foreheads together.

"If you are to die, then I'm dying with you," I whispered. "But I'm going to do everything in my power to save you."

"Mahal save me if I live," he chuckled.

Moving back from him, I ran forward and killed several Orcs in my way. There were shouts to kill me, once they recognized who and what I was. Snarling loudly, I pushed my change and opened my wings. Thorin and the others were already moving and I swung my head to see the others kill several war beasts. Chuckling, I went to lift into the air when something heavy slammed into my back. Roaring, I swung myself around to see a huge troll coming forward. I jumped into the air as he managed to get a good hit on my belly, and I let loose a tongue of flame.

Turning, I followed the others, and turned my head toward Ravenhill. My good eyesight made contact with Azog, and my eyes glittered with rage. Opening my mouth, I roared to him. Death was coming for him, and for a moment the large pale orc shuddered. Wargs took my attention away from him, and I watched as Dwalin, Fili and Kili left Balin in the chariot and ride after Thorin.

"I am getting to old for this," Balin muttered, shooting two wargs.

Chuckling, I grabbed four and killed them, before making sure that he was safe to get off the ice. I heard something large shoot, and suddenly there were chains on my neck. It wrapped tightly, and I snarled loudly when I was yanked off my course. I had to get up to Ravenhill. Now that my challenge had been given, Azog was going to do whatever it took to kill me. I glanced to see several trolls yanking my body to the ground, and I roared in anger as I crashed to the ground. It was ungraceful, and I heard my name on the wind. Shaking my head, I felt agony rip through my wing and side before I was yanked down again.

"No," I snarled, and gave into the rage.

My eyes became slits and instinct flared in me. It took me a bit to get my feet under me, but when I did they all burned. My jaws snapped shut on one enemy, and I bit him in half. I ripped the chains off of me, and spun in a circle as I blew fire around me. Once I was down, I leaped into the air and headed toward Ravenhill again. Large bats came into view, and they swarmed around me, but were unable to harm me.

I was taken off course again, and came upon Ravenhill from the waterfall. I didn't make a sound as I lifted straight up, my wings spreading wide. I could hear shouting, and saw fear in Thorin's eyes as he gazed at the fortress. I wasted no time as I circled around the back, and dove into it. In the process, I destroyed half of the stone fortress, but I found who I was looking for.

"KILI RUN!"

Flames partly left my jaws as Azog turned to me in terror. None of them were expecting me to attack them full force like this. I don't even think Thorin expected it either. In Azog's grip was Fili, who was beaten and bloodied. He managed to look up at me, and my blood boiled. A roar left my jaws as I shoved my head into the tunnel where the Orc was standing. I arched my neck to break more stone, and grabbed Azog from behind. In the process he dropped the dwarf he held, and I snatched the prince up.

Azog stabbed me right in the muzzle, and I roared again but didn't let go of him. Several Orcs ran forward to try and save their leader, and I just smiled. He glared at me, and cursed me in his speech. A yell caught my attention, and I watched Thorin and Dwalin get swarmed by Goblins.

"You're time...is done," I snarled, and in one motion, I snapped my jaws shut.

Bone crunched between my teeth, and blood spilled to the ground below. The Pale Orc gave one last roar of his own before he was dead. Spreading my wings, I lifted into the air, and grabbed Kili with my other claw as I did. I swung, and slammed the dead body into the fortress and burned it. Rage flowed through my body, but I managed to set the princes down with the king, and I took out a few more goblins.

Something suddenly felt off, and as I turned my head, I watched as Bolg suddenly came up behind Thorin. No one was quick enough and I roared so loud it hurt my ears. The look on his face as the blade went through his back had me screeching.

"You think you can change his death?" Bolg sneered.

Thorin gasped as Bolg shoved him forward and Dwalin was forced to catch him. A roar left my jaws that had everyone trembling, and I charged forward. Spreading my wings, I reached out with my claws and snatched up the Orc who went from smirking, to roaring in fear. I wasted no time in killing him, and ran him through with my own claws. Throwing him off the waterfall, I rushed back to Thorin.

Forcing myself to turn human, I stumbled and came to Thorin's side. Dwalin was holding him up slightly, and I dropped to my knees and grabbed his hand.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

"It's not your fault," he managed to rumble.

I looked up frantically, "We need to get him help! NOW!"

As those who were surrounding me hurried to their feet, I rushed off and turned into a dragon again. Rage took control of my body then. They were all going to die.

I woke violently, and threw myself out of bed within moments. Thorin jumped to his feet as well, and by that time I had slammed my back against the stone wall to try and get myself under control. The room lit up just a little bit later, and Thorin looked at me to see what happened. I could feel fangs in my mouth, and claws dug into the stone behind me as I panicked.

"Arina," he ordered. "Arina look at me."

Forcing myself to stare at him, I took in that he was very much alive, and that I wasn't dreaming. I had never had such a dream like that before. It had been so clear, that I felt like I had been living it. Nothing like that had happened at the battle, so I kept my eyes on him.

"Arina."

"I'm...I'm here," I breathed. "I...I'm sorry…."

He shook his head gently, and walked across the room and to me. By that time, I had managed to get myself back to normal, and reached for him. Once my mind cleared, I pressed my face into his chest and took in his scent.

"Well, and here I thought you were done with nightmares," he mused gently.

"That was a...very real dream," I whispered. "It felt real. I've not had something like that happen in a long time."

He moved me to the bed, and laid me down again once my legs started to cooperate. Letting out my breath, I pressed my face into his chest and let him hum. I listened to him, before I quietly told him what I had dreamed about. Thorin held me tightly once I fell quiet again, and he pressed a kiss to my head.

"You have changed my fate. Do not fear," he murmured. "Mahal himself couldn't take me right now, even if he tried. I will not leave you for a long time."

"Good," I whispered.

We were woken the next morning before the sun had even risen. Someone was pounding on the door, and Thorin flew out of bed. I sat up, and looked toward the door as he yanked it open. Dwalin marched in, bowing to us slightly in apology.

"We're under attack," he said gruffly.

Thorin was moving just moments later. "Go, I will join you as quickly as possible," he rumbled.

When the door shut, I sat up fully and swung my feet to the floor as he got dressed. I listened, and could hear the snarls and roars of the Orcs outside. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Thorin went to pull on a shirt when I flew out of bed and stopped him.

"Arina, now isn't the time," he ordered, giving me a firm look.

I glared at him, but turned and went into my wardrobe and yanked out a shirt made of mithril. Thorin arched his brow in surprise, but I shoved it into his hands without a word. He sighed, and put it on before getting dressed the rest of the way.

"I want you inside," he ordered. "Keep the people calm. You know what to do."

Opening my mouth, I went to protest his order, but Thorin grabbed my face after he pulled on the rest of his clothes. He kissed me, and laid our foreheads together.

"You cannot save me all the time," he murmured. "Now get dressed and do as I say."

"Ok," I nodded quietly.

I yanked on my clothes as quickly as I could and slipped into my shoes. I ran a brush through my hair and grabbed my coat as the door shut. I ran to the balcony to see what we were up against. I saw at least a hundred Orcs down in the valley, fighting to get in at the front gate. Sucking in a soft breath, I felt fear bubble in my stomach. A horn blew, alerting everyone that we were under attack, so I finally rushed from the room and down to the main halls.

Dwarves were filing out of the armory and toward the front gates, ready for battle. I jumped when Balin came up next to me, dressed and ready to help. Giving him a worried smile, I sucked in a breath when I saw Fili and Kili coming out in armor. Kili was taking a band of archers onto the ramparts, and I was sure it was to make a path for the rest of the dwarves to get out. Thorin followed shortly after, and I made eye contact with him when he looked my way. Dwalin was by his side, as was Fili which put my stomach into more knots.

Resting his hand on Orcrist, the king came over to me after he spoke with Dwalin. I lifted my head, and steadied myself when he approached. Reaching up, I let my fingers brush his cheek before tugging on his braid. Thorin smiled slightly at that and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"Stay safe," I whispered.

"Do not let any of them in here," he rumbled.

I nodded, and watched as they disappeared down the hall. Clenching my fists for a moment, I then turned to Balin when he tilted his head at me. He bowed his head slightly, and sighed.

"Get this hall cleared now," I nodded. "I want those who need to be in the healing halls at their posts, and everyone who cannot fight to go deeper into the mountain. How many soldiers do we have staying behind?"

"We have at least fifteen staying inside to hold the line if they get past our first group," Balin nodded.

"Send the message," I nodded.

He nodded just as another horn sounded outside. I could hear arrows fly, hitting the Orcs outside and soon, dwarves were out the front gates and clashing with the enemy. Why had this many Orcs suddenly attacked the mountain? I was also worried about how Dale was fairing, and if the Orcs had come through the city or from the pass to the west. The soldiers who were left behind came and joined me, and I relaxed when I saw that Nori and Bofur were among them. At least I had two that I knew.

"My Lady," Bofur nodded.

"How many are outside the gates?" Nori asked.

"Before Kili's archers, there were at least a hundred," I replied quietly.

"Do you think they can breach the gates?" a soldier asked softly.

"No, not with the numbers we sent out," I answered, looking at the dwarf. "We have far more warriors out there."

A deep roar echoed outside, and I glared at the front gates. They had a war troll out there. I could hear the battle shouts outside and I distinctively heard Thorin's command to charge. I turned to Bofur and Nori.

"If they breach the gate, be ready," I commanded. "I will be fighting with you."

They nodded, and I ran off toward the ramparts. I had to see what was going on, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Kili and his archers were still up there, so I hurried to him. He gave me a wide smile, and positioned himself to protect me as he continued to fire. I wanted to smack him upside the head, but I looked on the battlefield instead. There were two large trolls in the mix, but from the looks of it we had the upper hand. I found Thorin battling alongside Dwalin and Fili.

"We're having difficulty with the trolls. Their armor is so thick it's hard to penetrate," Kiili yelled over all the shouting.

"Your uncle gave me firm instructions to stay inside," I answered.

We ducked suddenly as arrows came flying up from a few lone archers. One of the dwarves beside us cried out as an arrow buried itself in his shoulder. I was moving without thinking, and ran to him.

"Come on, inside," I commanded.

"No!" he grunted. "I can fight!"

"This isn't a request," I growled.

I ushered to Bofur from the stairs, and he rushed up to help. Standing up, I heard someone cry out my name and I swung around and dodged an arrow heading for me. Moving back to Kili, I watched as the trolls both looked up to the ramparts and at the archers. They snarled and roared as they came forward, raising their clubs.

"Get down!" Kili ordered.

I didn't want to go against Thorin's orders, so I ducked as the clubs smashed against the rocks. Covering my head, I felt Kili grab me to help shield us both. He lifted a shield over us as small rocks continued to fall. Glaring slightly at the beasts, I froze when I heard a roar of agony. I knew that voice, and Kili looked at me with worry. Surging to our feet, I watched as Thorin was kicked to the ground by a large Orc who had stabbed him in the leg. Dwalin was there in seconds, defending his King and Thorin was soon back on his feet and fighting.

"ARINA!" Dwalin commanded, shouting above all the sounds. "Kill those trolls for Mahal's sake!"

"There, now you can't feel bad," Kili grinned, drawing his sword. "Get me down there."

Nodding my head, I let him put his arm around me, and I did the same. We stepped up on the rampart, and I jumped down into the battle. I managed to land us both gracefully, and the moment he let go of me, Kili was gone from my sight. Both trolls turned to see what had joined the fight and I glared at them.

"Here I was, trying to actually obey my husbands orders," I growled, and pushed myself into a dragon. "But you both had to ruin it."

Both of them cowered slightly at the sight, and I roared loudly. Reaching forward I snapped my jaws on one, and dug my claws into the other. I made quick work of them, when I noticed that joining us in battle was Bard and his men. How had I not noticed them before. Pushing myself into the air, I dove into the mountain as I turned human.

We had many wounded, and there were just a few Orcs left to kill. I had to get to the healing halls. I rushed down the stairs and into the main hall again to where several of the soldiers were still waiting.

"Be ready to help when they come in," I murmured to Nori.

Going into the halls of healing, I relaxed when I saw Dis in there. She looked more than prepared and she looked up when I walked in. Moving over, she bowed slightly and gave me a hug.

"We have many wounded, be ready," I commanded.

She nodded her head, and I turned to walk back out to the front gates. They flew open several minutes later, and the dwarves slowly began to filter in. I instructed those who had injuries to the healing halls and fiddled with my fingers until I saw the four dwarves I was waiting for. Fili and Kili were laughing about something as they walked in, and I was relieved to see they were only scraped up. Dwalin was walking alongside Thorin, who was limping and sporting a good cut on his forehead. His war master was fairing no better.

The princes approached me quietly, and I let them both squeeze my hands before they went off to get their injuries tended to. Thorin chuckled deeply at something Dwalin said before meeting my gaze. He winced slightly at the look I gave him, and Dwalin grinned.

"I'd rather take on Orcs," he commented, walking to the healing halls alone.

"If it helps you," Thorin rumbled. "I was stabbed right in the chest, and your...gift saved me."

I glared at him, and he just sighed and touched my chin with a finger. Beside the cut on his forehead, his only other wound was the one on his leg. Without saying a word, I dragged him to the healing halls and forced him to get taken care of. I left him there, and walked out the front gates to greet Bard who rode up on his horse. He nodded to me, and I patted the neck of his mount.

"How many do you have injured?" I asked.

"Not many. We'll fair just fine," he replied, swinging out of the saddle. "We'll help remove the bodies."

"Thank you," I sighed.

"How fairs King Thorin?" Bard asked.

"Alive, for now," I grunted, making him laugh.

I over saw the dwarves that joined me as they cleaned up the dead bodies and burned them. It made me happy to see that not one of ours had fallen to the attack. Our defenses needed to be stronger if these beasts were going to be around again. Bard stayed with me, while everything was done, and I turned my head when Fili and Kili walked back out.

"Thorin took Dwalin into a meeting with the council," Fili informed me. "He wants our defenses to be better."

I nodded my head when he finished speaking. "Why were they not strong enough to begin with?"

"We're stretching ourselves thin, with the rebuilding of Esgaroth and helping in Dale," Fili murmured, attempting to soothe my anger. "The winter will be in full affect soon, we are trying to work before it truly freezes."

I ran a hand through my long hair, and pushed it over my shoulder, staying silent for a few moments. Kili laid a hand on my shoulder, and then turned his head when Tauriel approached us. She gave us all a respectful bow, before taking Kili aside to discuss something with him. Fili looked at me when I glared over the field, and came to stand shoulder to shoulder with me.

"You are no longer the mischievous dwarf I remember," I murmured. "You will be a wonderful King one day."

"What is bothering you?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

"I had a terrible dream last night," I admitted with a sigh. "It was almost like a vision. Of what has already passed, but it went so different...I don't want to think about it."

Fili looked at me gently, and nudged me in an attempt to make me smile. It worked, and I cocked my eyebrow at him, before shouting caught my attention. Ori came rushing over, and gestured to me with a bow.

"The King demands your presence in the council chambers," he breathed.

I sucked in a breath, and tried not to groan in front of everyone. Bard gave me an amused look when he caught my expression. Fili only grinned widely at it.

"She hates these kind of things," he laughed heartily.

"Thank you, Ori," I murmured. "Fili, continue over seeing everything."

"My Lady," he nodded.

Leaving them, I headed back into the mountain and quickly made my way into the Council chambers. As I walked down the stone hall, I could hear arguing from where I was. I rolled my eyes, and as I drew closer, I could hear several of the council members yelling. Thorin's voice was quiet and deep, suggesting that he was reaching his limit with the old men. I did not hear Dwalin, or Balin in the mix. I arched my brow as I drew closer, wondering what on earth were they yelling about?

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