The Hobbit: Odd Love in Strange Times
Chapter 7 of my Hobbit story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: The Hobbit belongs to JRR Tolkein, Peter Jackson and associated companies.
Chapter 7
Those assembled on the wall could only watch in dismay; as the orc pack came forward with their captives. Bard watched helplessly as his children remained bound and gagged in the cage. Bain was struggling desperately but the ropes wouldn't give; Tilda struggled too, but without as much strength; tears streaked her face. Sigrid trembled and seemed to be trying; without success to keep herself together, tears stained her face too.
The orc pack then stopped, just out of range of any of the Lake-Town bows. Kili and Tauriel knew they could hit them however, yet they would not, there were too many orcs for such an attack to be successful. One of the orcs, a commander by his size and apparent authority; opened the cage, reached in and pulled Sigrid out roughly.
"I'd advise you to listen carefully!" He bellowed in rough common tongue. "This is your only chance to hear what we have to say!"
With that he forced Sigrid to her knees; drawing muffled protests from her gagged siblings. The orc commander then yanked Sigrid's gag from her mouth and held his blade to her throat.
With the blade at her throat, Sigrid spoke, her voice shaking. "You are to surrender Erebor; to surrender everything, before Azog and his army arrive."
She paused fearfully, the blade was pushed against her throat and she prepared herself to deliver the next, terrible part.
Up on the walls those gathered were shocked at what they were hearing. Yet it was clear they weren't done; Sigrid was even more afraid as she spoke again.
"Should you…Should you not accept this surrender. My siblings and I will be killed." She inhaled shakily and continued. "Tilda will die first, then me, then Bain…What's left will be sent back, piece by piece."
This news shocked those watched; hearing of the threat to Sigrid and her siblings; Fili growled with rage. Seeing what he was about to do, Kili and Nori quickly restrained him.
"Don't." Kili warned him.
Fili snarled. "They…"
"I know." Kili reassured him. "But they'll kill them if we try anything. We don't have enough to defeat them all."
Sigrid looked as if she was about to reply, but her gag was forced back into her mouth and she was forced back into the cage. The orcs then left, taking their captives with them. Watching them go, Fili seethed in rage.
"When I get my hands on them-"
Thorin cut him off sharply. "That will do Fili; we have much to consider here."
"What can we do?" Bilbo asked worriedly.
Bard immediately interjected. "We cannot leave them with those orcs."
Balin nodded before adding. "But with Azog and his army approaching; we're backed into a corner."
"Indeed. We cannot send any army after them." Thorin replied regretfully.
"Yes." A voice called from below. "But where an army may fail, a select few can succeed!"
They all turned sharply, looking over the wall; standing there below; looking up at them, was Gandalf.
There were shouts and murmurs from those assembled as Bilbo smiled joyfully at the wizard's return.
Thorin raised an eyebrow. "You took your time getting here."
Gandalf smiled lightly. "Ah, I was delayed, are you going to let me in?"
"Of course; Bombur; Dwalin, open the gates." Thorin called out. "Now, what's this about being delayed?"
Gandalf then revealed the answer as, from over the crest of a nearby hill; the Elves of Mirkwood, led by Thranduil and Legolas, appeared. Bilbo turned to Thorin as Gandalf and the Elves began to enter Erebor.
"We should really wait and discuss this alliance later." He said quickly. "We have more pressing matters on our hands."
Thorin nodded. "I know that, but we won't have a choice. We have to secure the alliance with Thranduil right away; he'll press the issue immediately after all."
Bilbo shook his head. "Are you sure this plan of yours will secure your aid?"
Balin nodded holding a wooden box with a hinged lid in his hands. They waited, except Tauriel who had vanished from sight. Before long Gandalf, Thranduil and Legolas arrived on the wall. It was clear Thranduil was furious; Tauriel's ruse seemed to have worked rather well.
Sure enough; Thranduil immediately burst out. "You have gone too far dwarf...taking one of my own hostage; I demand you return her at once!"
Gandalf shook his head. "Now I'm sure we can resolve this civilly."
Thranduil glared yet; surprisingly, Thorin smirked.
Thranduil was surprised by this yet Thorin's smirk simply grew as he replied.
"She said you'd react this way."
"What is this?" The Elf King snarled.
Thorin explained patiently. "We face a crisis here. We have allies approaching. But even they may not be enough. So we 'invited' you here to join your army with ours."
Thranduil scoffed. "We may share a common foe, but why would I join forces with you even because of that?"
"No doubt you recognize these." Thorin remarked; as Balin opened the box, revealing the gems so desired by Thranduil.
Thranduil saw them and froze, staring, his hand noticeably twitched.
"You aid us against this threat." Thorin explained. "Then I will hand these over. Those are the terms."
Thranduil glared suspiciously at Thorin. "How do I know you won't keep them for yourself after the battle is over?"
Thorin shook his head. "What use are they to me. It is the King's Jewel I seek."
Thranduil nodded slowly; seemingly accepting this. Bard then stepped forwards.
"We need help with more than this army." He said desperately.
He quickly explained the situation regarding his children. By the time he finished Legolas turned to his father.
"Father, we must act at once." He said quickly.
Thranduil shook his head. "Legolas we…"
Legolas shook his head. "I will not allow the innocent to be killed while our races fight amongst each other."
It was then Tauriel emerged.
"I will go with Bard anyway." She explained.
This immediately caught Kili's attention.
Fili meanwhile was thinking to himself, worried about Sigrid. Finally however he decided to go with his heart and so, made his decision.
Just then Kili spoke up. "I will go as well."
"Kili…" Thorin began but Fili spoke up.
"It will be fine uncle, I will go too."
So it was the decision was made. While Thranduil and his men worked to help reinforce the defences; Bard; Fili, Kili, Tauriel and Legolas set out, searching for where the orcs might have taken Bard's children.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.