I hope you are ready for some action. This chapter took me forever to work on thanks to my own health issues and my mother's surgery. Hopefully you all will enjoy it. The next chapter will be posted sometime in August.
Have your tissues ready. Some characters may not survive.
I strongly recommend listening to: Battle for the Mountain, Helm's Deep, or The Fields of Pelenor while reading this. I used Battle for the Mountain as my musical inspiration while writing this chapter.
Khuzdul.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
Inside of Erebor's Main Gate...
"Fili!" Dain's voice echoes from among the crowds. Even though he is missing half of his right leg, Dain refuses to be convalesced. So he had somehow found one of Oin's contraptions, a "metal leg", to compensate for the loss of his. The metal legs clacks on the ground with every hobble step Dain takes.
"Dain. What are you doing up and about so soon? Shouldn't you have stayed in the Healing Halls?" Fili asks, giving the older dwarf lord a respectable bow.
"Aye. Would na want ta miss a battle. Those armored bastards need a good wallopin'." Dain says excitedly.
The dwarf to Dain's right, however, doesn't seem to agree. "Adad, you should na be up so soon. Ya need ta rest. I can take revenge on them for ya." One of Thorin Stonehelms' hands rests upon Dain's shoulder. While the other grips the pommel of a sheathed dagger. His own battle axe rests against his back, in its carrier.
"Thorin, I may be old and injured, but tha doesn't mean I cannot fight." Dain grumbles out. "Besides, ya will be needin to give Fili an apology before we go into battle together."
Fili gives the two dwarves a confused look as to what the father and son duo is talking about. But before he can ask, he sees Dwalin approaching him with a thunderous look upon the older warriors face. The War General of Erebor gives Fili a quick bow before jerking his head towards the ramparts. Dwalins' silent gesture speaking for him as to what he is trying to convey to Fili.
"Excuse me, but I need to speak to the troops before we head out. Will the Iron Hills fighters be joining us?" Fili asks Dain, while looking at Thorin. Even though the Iron Hills has some of its former army from their exile out of their lands, many of those fighters are looking to give the enemy a sound beating.
"Count us in, laddie." Dain growls out before turning to look at Thorin. "Bring me my hammer, lad. I have some unfinished business with those armored devils."
Fili chuckles before leaving Dain and Thorin to follow Dwalin towards the stairs that will lead to the ramparts. However, the clattering of a horses' hooves upon stone causes Fili to stop just before climbing the steps. A dark, curly haired teenager upon a black horse comes to a stop before the gate guards.
"Cousin!" The rider shouts from the top of his horse.
"Cousin Bard!" Balder shouts from where he is standing with his peers. Leaving his fellow soldiers, Balder makes his way over to his cousin from Dale.
"Cousin Balder." Bard says quickly as he climbs down from his horse. "The Easterlings have set Esgaroth a blaze during the night, and have now made their way to Dale. They have breach the far walls that faces the long lake. Father is still helping with the evacuation of our people, with most of our army trying to hold back the enemy from over taking Dale. I don't know how long our army will be able to hold them back."
"How badly burned is Esgaroth?" Fili asks as he approaches where Bard and Balder are standing near the horse.
Bard gives Fili a hard look before answering his great-uncle. "Total loss. Nothing survived the flames and pillaging. The enemy has brought with them catapults, which took out the South wall. But that isn't the worst of it. They have with them large crossbows that send tree length spears flying a few feet above the ground. They aren't very accurate, but it can take out many soldiers and cavalry horses."
"What?" Dwalin and Fili gasp out at hearing of their enemy having a weapon similar to the Iron Hills crossbows.
"What about those who lived there? Did any make it out?" Balder asks, wondering if any of the inhabitants of Laketown made it to Dale.
"Only those who evacuated before the first wave of the attack. Most of the people stayed, thinking that they would be safe out on the water." Bard replies sadly. "The enemy is moving fast, and hitting hard right from the start. I don't know how many of my own people will survive if Da and the army can't hold the front line."
"Erebor will send a small battalion to Dale to help Brand hold the enemy off till Dale is fully empty of its people." Fili promises Bard. "I suggest you stay within Erebor. You are Brand's only heir, and it would not do Dale any good if you were lost in battle."
"Adad." Balder cries out at Fili's suggestion.
"But I can fight, King Fili." Bard pleads to Fili. "I have to fight. What if Da is struck down? Who then will lead Dale's army?"
Fili shakes his head before speaking again. "I know you can fight, Bard. If you are truly wishing to fight, then you may join Kilian and Erebor's third Archer Unit. They will be stationed along the ramparts and among our slopes on hard to reach crevices to give us support. But out on the front line, it would be too dangerous. I don't believe your Da would want his heir killed or Dale's army leaderless if he should fall."
Seeing the young man yield to his logical statement, Fili calls for his nephew. "Kilian!"
Kilian, hearing Fili calling for him, leaves Rìka's side and rushes over to his uncle. "Yes?"
"Kilian, I want you to help your cousin, Bard, to our armory. Give him a bow and several quivers of arrows. You are to stay by his side and with the Third Archer Unit. I mean it. No reckless behavior that would cause me to explain your death to Kili." Fili gives Kilian a knowing look that means not to argue.
"Yes my King." Kilian sighs out before looking over at his cousin from Dale. "Follow me."
Fili watches as Bard follows Kilian into the mass of warriors to make their way to the armory. He sends a quick prayer to Mahal to keep those two boys safe from harm should the fighting reach Erebor. Pulling himself out of his reprieve, Fili slowly makes his way up the stairs and the dwarves below begin to quiet down at the sight of their King.
Slowly Fili takes his place above the gates and turns to face his people. Taking a deep breath, he begins to address the army.
"Dwarves of Erebor." He shouts for everyone in the main entrance hall to hear. "An enemy has come forth from the East to wage war upon not only Erebor, but of our allies. The Iron Hills have already fallen to this enemy. And Laketown has been destroyed by these invaders. It was burned down by this army, and it is unknown how many may have survived the blaze."
Many dwarves, male and female, let out gasps of shock and some begin to whisper among themselves. However, as Fili continues to speak, they all become silent again.
"Now these invaders have begun an assault upon Dale. Our ally and friend. Already, we have begun to shelter refugees and those who are fleeing before this enemy. But I tell you this, they will not take Dale without a fight!" Fili shouts to the soldiers, which he receives a shouted response. "Nor will they take Erebor from us. We will fight to the death to protect our ally and our home. These Easterlings are well armored, and have dangerous weapons in their arsenal. But what they don't have is the sheer strength and resolve that Durin's folk have. We will meet them on the battlefield. We will show these Easterlings that the Dwarves of Erebor shall not be defeated so easily."
The main entrance erupts with loud shouts of approval and the sound of staffs hitting the ground echo throughout all of Erebor.
"I will be joining you on the battlefield. For I shall live or die among you all." Fili ends his speech and the Dwarves of Erebor cheer for their king.
Slowly, Dwalin approaches where Fili is standing and begins to call the units who will be part of the first wave. As those units begin to exit the main gate, Dwalin call out to several other units and where they will be placed outside. Fili and Dwalin agreed that the other dwarf would be in charge of placing the many different units of the army to their assigned positions on the battlefield.
Once all of the different units have their assignments, Dwalin and Fili make their way down the stairs to join up with the units that make up the first wave. However, Fili stops when he notices Balder standing with Runila instead of with his unit.
Dwalin notices Fili's hesitation, and places a heavy hand upon his kings' shoulder. "The lass will see your lad again, Fili. I placed his unit with several line-breakers, infantry, and the heavy hitters. Balder will be safe."
"He shouldn't be fighting. None of the young ones should be fighting." Fili says sadly to Dwalin. "They are too young to see battle yet."
"Aye. That they are, but they have courage and spirit. Most will survive and will lead the next generation into battle. But they need to learn at some point. I was only a few years older than they are now when Thror took us to Moria. But he also made every young lad fight if they were able to hold their own with a weapon." Dwalin answers Fili. "But this time, we are fighting to protect our home, not invade. Surely Mahal will be on our side. See you on the battlefield, Fili."
Fili watches Dwalin head out the gate before looking back towards Balder and Runila. He hopes that Dwalin is right about Mahal being on their side. For Fili is unsure if he could survive the loss of his own child.
"Ready to go, Fili?" Bofur calls out as he stands by the gate with his large pick axe leaning over his shoulder.
"Aye." Fili calls back, and slowly makes his way to the old miner. "I am surprised that Aliena is allowing you to fight, Bofur."
"My lass knows tha' I am needed. Besides, she will be helping in running the Healing Halls with your nathith. Hopefully she doesn't worry herself sick about me." Bofur says sheepishly to Fili as the two make their way outside.
"You will be fighting alongside of me then?" Fili asks the older dwarf as they walk pass the rows upon rows of the army.
"Aye. Dwalin, Nori, and myself will have ya back. Can't let anything happen to ya." Bofur chuckles out as they keep walking.
"Right. Let's go help Brand." Fili says as they finally come to the front of the army.
Before the Gates of Erebor stands Erebor's army of nearly 7,000 with another 5,000 in reserve that remains inside of the mountain. Then there is over 250 archers placed strategically along the slopes of Erebor. At the front of the army mainly consists of lancers, some line-breakers, and infantry. In the middle sits the cavalry with some of their heavy artillery consisting of a few 'Twirly-Whirly' contraptions, riding infantry on battle rams or ponies, and even more lancers and line-breakers. Near the back of the army consists of 300 archers, infantry, cavalry, riding infantry, infantry, and the last of the lancers.
Screaming is heard across the small valley the last survivors of Dale leave with what is left of Dale's army. They are giving the survivors time to escape the coming hordes of the Easterling army. However, they are taking heavy losses.
"Make a gap for the survivors to reach Erebor." Fili says to Dwalin as they watch Dale be completely overrun by the enemy. "Make ready!"
Several of the commanders shout out the order to their troops, and the sound of the front line lancers locking their shields together echoes into the valley. Behind the lancers, the lines of infantry bring their weapons into attack position.
"Let the survivors pass unharmed, but keep the enemy from breaking the front line." Fili shouts out before giving the signal to the commanders to have the lines move forward. Half of the army will follow Fili while the rest stay before the gates.
Riding towards Erebor's army upon the back of a lame horse, is a bloodied up Brand. He keeps shouting for his army to prepare to join with the dwarves. Turning to look over his shoulder, he sees that the Easterling army is just now rushing out of Dale and beginning to cross over the stone bridgeway. However, the Easterling army begins to halt and form up at the sight of the dwarven army.
"King Brand!" Fili calls out as the dwarves continue to march forwards. The last survivors are rushing past Fili and the dwarves, but the remains of Dales' army comes to a halt a few yards short of the approaching dwarves.
"King Fili!" Brand calls out as he pushes the lame horse towards the dwarf king.
"What happened?" Fili asks as he approaches the King of Dale.
"They overran us. All of the south wall and west wall are gone. There was no way we could stop them. They out flanked us. We had to abandon the city." Brand growls out as he gingerly climbs down from his horse.
Both Kings look towards the Easterling army, who are forming up rather quickly, before speaking with each other once more.
"How do you want to handle this?" Brand asks Fili while keep an eye on the enemy.
"Send your wounded and tired back to Erebor. Any who are still willing to fight are welcome to join us." Fili says as he pulls his two falchion swords out from behind his back.
"Very well." Brand replies before heading over towards his men.
Half of what is left of Brand's army leaves while the other half stays with their king. So Fili has the front lines split in half to allow Brand's fighters to join them. The dwarves move to a defensive stance and wait to see what the Easterling army is going to do. During this time, Dain approaches with his son following behind him.
"Wha' are we waitin' for?" Dain asks from atop a battle ram.
"For that!" Fili shouts as he sees the main front of the Easterling army charge forward towards them.
The dwarven lancers step forwards and begin to build a shield wall to try and block the approaching enemy swarm. From there, the foot infantry rushes towards the shield wall to help protect the lancers should any enemy soldier break through.
"Have your men ready for close quarter combat." Fili shouts at Brand before taking charge of a unit of line-breakers.
Brand makes his way towards his men and has them make ready for the coming attack. The men from Dale watch with shock as the heavily armored Easterling army rams right into the shield wall. The defensive wall hold till another enemy wave rushes in with spears longer than the dwarven lancers. Several areas of the shield wall falls apart and it is then that Fili, Brand, and the dwarven commanders charge forwards into battle.
The fighting lasts well into the afternoon, with the dwarves only giving up a few yards on the battle grounds. However, the tides begin to change for the dwarves of Erebor and the men of Dale. The Easterling army has gotten several catapults out of the city, and are currently attempting to pull one of their large crossbows out of the city.
As one of the catapults sends a large chunk of rock towards the dwarven army, Fili hears Dwalin call out to several soldiers to take cover. Only a few were able make it clear of the rock before it slams down onto the ground. Several dwarves, and even a few of the Easterling soldiers, are crushed by the rock.
"Fili!" Bofur calls out as he swings his pick axe at an approaching Easterling that was trying to sneak up on Fili. Stabbing the soldier with the sharp end of his weapon, Bofur finishes his swing that sends the enemy flying away. "We need to retreat for better cover."
A whoosh is heard in the air, and a loud thud from another piece of rock lands only a few feet away from Fili and Bofur.
"I agree. Send word out to retreat out of the range of their catapults." Fili shouts to Bofur before blocking another enemy soldier. "Hurry!"
"Aye."
Fili finishes his opponent before calling out to the surrounding dwarves to retreat, out of the catapults range. As he begins backing away from the battlefield, Fili takes a look towards the stone bridge-way and sees that the large crossbow has made its way out of the city.
"Fall back, farther!" Fili shouts as he and several line-breakers head back towards where the rest of Erebor's army is watching and waiting with batted breaths.
What remains of the front-lines begin to pull back, and make their way towards the mountain. The Easterlings, however, do not follow after them. This has Dwalin, Dain, Brand, and Fili wondering what the enemy is planning. It doesn't take long for them to discover what it is. The enemy's front lines allow the crossbow to take their place.
"Take cover!" Dain shouts just before the crossbow fires out several long spears out at them.
Several dwarves, and men, are hit by the spears which slices the heads clean off the dwarves and splits the men in two. Watching their comrades fall from the attack sends some of the dwarves and men into a state of panic.
Those who are watching from Erebor take a collective gasp of shock at the brutality that the enemy's weapon. Balder, who is standing with several other soldiers, hopes that none of the fallen is his father. Yet, his fear comes to the surface as his breath quickens.
"Easy, young prince." An older dwarrow says to Balder. "Your adad is safe. Look there, many of our fellow soldiers are rallying to his side."
Balder follows the old dwarrow's line of sight and sees that in fact his adad is safe. He also sees that the enemy is no longer advancing under the mid-afternoon sun.
"Why are they not advancing?" Balder asks the older dwarrow.
"Probably because they are tired, prince. You forget, they torched Laketown last night and over took Dale. They are most likely exhausted."
"Then we should press forward then. Take their exhaustion to our advantage."
"Nay. For all we know is that there may be some refreshed soldiers inside of Dale that may yet come forth to fight."
Back at the front lines, Fili and the others are trying to flee the firing range of the crossbow. They are halfway back to the rest of the army when, Dwalin catches Fili's attention.
"Fili. Look there." Dwalin says as he point towards Dale. More soldiers are filing out of the city with several more large crossbows coming with them. "We won't last long with them firing those things at us."
"What should we do about them?" Fili asks Dwalin as he tries to catch his breath.
"Can't do anything with them seeing us. I say we wait till dark, then light those machines on fire." Dwalin suggests.
Fili nods his head in agreement with Dwalin's idea. "Send Nori and some of his spies to do it. They need to get in and out quickly."
"I will tell him." Dwalin replies and then leaves in search of Nori.
Thorin Stonehelm and Dain make their way towards Fili. Their rams let out several huffs as they come to a stop.
"What do we do now?" Thorin asks his cousin. "They aren't pressing forwards."
"No, but their weapons will be givin' us grief." Dain replies and looks down at Fili. "What is your command? Should I bring a few Twirly-Whirlies forwards?"
Fili looks back towards the enemy's army. He realizes that they are in a stalemate till those crossbows can be taken out. "Bring only a few of them forwards, Dain. Get our wounded back to Erebor, and set up a watch. I don't think the Easterlings will be pushing forwards anymore today."
"Aye. Will do." Dain turns his ram before sending the ram charging forwards towards the Lonely Mountain.
"What happens now?" Thorin asks Fili as he climbs down from his battle ram.
"Whether we like it or not, we have reached a stalemate. We can't press forwards thanks to their large crossbows. Nor are they willing to press forwards due to the tiredness of their troops. All we can do is trade blows with our machines and keep a vigilant eye on troop movements." Fili responds while keeping his eyes locked on the enemy's army.
"What about at night? What if they press forwards then?"
"Take what rest you can now before that happens. I will be having a watch set up to keep an eye on them."
As mid-afternoon turns to evening, the Easterling army fires their catapults and crossbows towards the Erebor army. Slowly they press forwards, but the dwarves answer back in kind with the Twirly-Whirlies. However, more and more of the Easterling soldiers are arriving on the battlefield after having refreshed. No one would have known that nearly three-quarters of the enemy's army had rested inside of Dale while the other one-fourth fought earlier in the day. The fighting begins anew during the mid-evening hours with the Easterlings slowly advancing closer and closer to Erebor. When night approaches both armies use their war machines until Nori and his spies, including Yuri, set the crossbows on fire.
The slow progression of the Easterlings lasts well into the next day, and even into the day after that. But it is on the third day of the advance that things take a turn for the worse. Easterling reinforcements arrive, which has the men of Dale and the dwarves of Erebor and Iron Hills out numbered.
Day Three since the beginning of battle...
Fili is fighting near the front lines with a newly released, from the Healing Halls, Brand. Both Kings decided to lead a small wave towards the front-lines to try and rally their armies. Both are fighting, only yards away from each other when a voice calls out to one of them.
"Cousin!" Dain calls out to Fili as he limps his way over several dead Easterlings lying on the ground. His war-hammer is covered with the blood of the enemy.
"Lord Dain!" Brand shouts as he struggles against his opponent. The King of Dale swings his sword to block another attack from the enemy.
Fili, who is fighting nearby, finishes an Easterling with a quick swing of one of his blades. The head of the Easterling rolls off of the shoulders as the body falls to the ground. With no sign of another enemy, Fili makes his way towards where Dain and Brand are fighting.
"Cousin! Nice of you to join the party." Dain says to Fili as he knocks back another Easterling with his war-hammer.
"The line isn't going to hold for much longer." Brand growls out as his opponent's sword slices through his chainmail and grazes his arm. Brand stabs his sword into the throat of the Easterling, killing the enemy. "Do we retreat into the mountain, King Fili?"
"If we don't these bastards will destroy our armies." Fili replies as he looks out at the carnage of the battlefield. The enemy has nearly backed their armies all the way to the Gates of Erebor. "Get as many as you can back inside of the gates."
"As you command." Dain says before calling out to Thorin Stonehelm to lead the retreat of the Iron Hills dwarves. He then leads his battle ram into a group of enemy soldiers and begins swinging his hammer at them.
"Fili." Brand says looking at his dwarf uncle. "Someone needs to make sure that our retreat isn't cut off too soon."
"Agreed." Fili answers as he looks among the fighters for his son, Balder.
Brand, knowing that Fili's attention isn't focused on the retreat, places a hand on Fili's shoulder. "Go. Find your son and make sure that he is safe."
Before Fili can give his gratitude to Brand, a zing is heard through the air. The next thing Fili knows is that his upper back, near the armpit, is in agony that causes Fili to yell out in pain. His legs buckle and Fili falls to his knees just as another arrow zings just past his right ear. It lands with a sickening thud into Brands' stomach. He watches in shock as Brand crumples backwards and lands on his backside.
Another arrow zings through the air and wedges itself into Brands' shoulder. Brand lets out a cry of pain as he falls onto his back. Sucking in quick breaths, Brand can feel blood beginning to flow down his sides from the arrow protruding from his stomach.
"Brand." Fili gasps out as he crawls on his hand and knees to his nephews' side.
"Fili." Brand gasps out as blood begins to pool into his mouth, coming up from his throat. "Go. Save. Yourself." Brand closes his eyes and lets out a groan from the pain he is feeling.
"No. Not without you. Your people need you still. Your son needs you." Fili growls out as he moves to Brands' side. He knows that he needs to stop the blood, but that will not keep the fatal wounds from taking Brand.
"He. Will be. A great king." Brand gurgles out as the blood builds in his mouth. His eyes begin to burn with tears as he realizes that he won't survive. "Help him. See that. He. Rules fairly."
Fili's eyes fill with tears as he sees that Brand has come to terms that he won't make it back to his son alive. "You can tell him yourself."
Brand starts to choke on his own blood, and Fili is powerless to stop it. However, he takes hold of Brand's hand and makes sure to keep Brand's face focused on his own. Just as Brand takes his last breath, another arrow hits Fili in the back of his right thigh. Letting out a loud cry of agony, Fili falls onto his side, next to Brands' lifeless body.
"Fili!"
"Get the King outta here!" A brash voiced dwarf on a battle ram, takes up a guard position before the fallen King of Dale, yells out.
Fili is in so much pain that he doesn't feel someone lifting him up from the ground. The world around him goes into slow motion as a familiar, funny hatted dwarf lifts him up into the waiting arms of a dwarf on a battle ram.
"Get him outta here, laddie." Bofur says to Thorin Stonehelm as he helps make sure that Thorin has Fili in a good grip. "Get him to the Healing Halls. Freya and Aliena will see to his wounds. Now go!"
Thorin Stonehelm, atop his own battle ram, urges the animal towards the Gates of Erebor with all haste. He knows that the King of Erebor is in need of immediate medical attention. Tightening his hold on his distant cousin, Thorin takes one last look over his shoulder to see his father defend Brands' dead body from the fast approaching enemy.
"I'll hold 'em off. Get outta here." Dain calls out to Bofur as he swings his massive war-hammer at an approaching Easterling.
"Ya sure?" Bofur calls out while swinging his large pic-axe at an enemy soldier, with the sharp end stabbing through the enemy's armor.
"These bastards are swarmin' faster than we can cut 'em down." Dain hollers back at Bofur while staying focused on the battle. "I'll hold 'em off for ya to retreat."
Bofur, not one to question a command, finishes off another enemy before heeding Dain's advice. Bofur scurries away while taking down as many of the Easterlings as possible. As he gets closer towards the Gates of Erebor, he sees Balder battling against an opponent. However, the young lad doesn't notice, nor realizes, that another enemy is approaching him from behind. Bofur rushes to Balder's aid and lets out a battle cry as he swings his weapon at the soldier.
Balder hears Bofur's battle cry and loses his focus just enough that his opponent lands a slicing blow on his chest. Thankfully the blow didn't cut through the armor chest plate that lays underneath the chainmail and clothes.
"Bofur!" Balder shouts out as he cuts down his opponent. "Where is adad?"
Bofur kills the enemy soldier and rushes to Balder's side. "He is injured. Stonehelm took him back inside." Bofur swings his pic-axe at an approaching soldier as Balder ducks out of the way.
Balder and Bofur fight back-to-back, killing as many of the Easterlings that are pushing forwards. Several lay dead before the two dwarves by the time that the horn of Erebor signals a retreat. Both Bofur and Balder know that they have to move quickly to get through the gate before they are sealed shut. Slowly the two fight their way till they are only a few yards away from the gates. Several other fighters are trying to hold the line for any stragglers to reach the gates before they are shut.
On an alcove, Kilian and Bard II are firing arrows at the Easterling army, giving support to the fighters down below. Kilian and Bard II had climbed their way, from the ramparts, to reach this particular spot. It sits a little lower than the ramparts, but if they need to, they can either climb back to the ramparts or head down to the battlefield. As they fire their arrows, Kilian keeps firing his towards those who are approaching his cousin and honorary uncle. Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees an approaching enemy soldier who carries a long, throwing javelin.
"Oh Mahal, no." Kilian gasps out in shock before aiming one of his arrows at the javelin carrying soldier. As he releases the arrow, the soldier throws the javelin towards where Balder and Bofur are fighting.
Bofur, who had just killed an enemy, also sees the soldier carrying the javelin approaching. The instinct to protect his younger kin kicks in. Bofur grabs hold of Balder's upper arm and pushes the lad as he places his body in the same spot that Balder was just standing. The next thing Bofur knows is immense pain in his ribs and looks down to see the tip of the javelin sticking out from the side of his belly. He winces for a second before the pain causes him to black out.
"No!" Balder screams out from where he landed on the ground as he sees Bofur fall to the ground with a javelin skewered through Bofur's right side. Seeing Bofur with a javelin going through the right side of the back to come out on the same side, causes rage to burn through Balder's veins. With adrenaline and rage coursing through him, Balder goes into a berserker fighting mode. It doesn't last long though as an enemy's arrow embeds itself into his collarbone.
Kilian, who had watched it all from the alcove, rushes his way down the mountain side to reach his cousin and Bofur. He had tossed his bow onto his shoulder as he hopped along a very jagged rock face. With Bard II providing cover fire, Kilian pulls out two elven like daggers once he reaches the bottom. Balder is only a short jog away from where Kilian has landed on the ground.
"Balder!" Kilian shouts as he pulls out two daggers from his waist. These daggers were birthday gifts from Tauriel several years ago.
"Kilian!" Balder yells out in reply. Even with an arrow protruding from his collar, and blood beginning to soak his armor, Balder is still fighting. His broad sword swinging with each attack at any enemy soldier that dares to come close to him.
"Balder. They are starting to close the gate. We need to go now!" Kilian shouts as he dodges an enemy's long sword.
"Not without Bofur!" Balder replies with a shout as he cuts the head off of an enemy's head. "I will not allow them to desecrate or dishonor him."
Kilian, who was about to reply finds himself being hit in the face by an enemy shield. He falls to the ground and lands on his back. This new opponent carries a shield and is swinging a mace. As quick as he can, Kilian rolls to the side as he sees the incoming mace, but he isn't fast enough not to be hit. The mace lands on his right hand and wrist. Smashing the bones, and ripping apart the skin.
Hearing his cousin's scream of pain, Balder kills the soldier that he had attacked him moments before Kilian's scream. Turning towards where his cousin should have been, Balder lets out a gasp as he sees his young cousin holding the arm of his pinned hand. Seeing the bloody pool of blood underneath the mace, Balder knows that Kilian will no longer have that hand. Moving with speed that surprises not only himself, but the mace wielding soldier, Balder charges at the soldier and slices the off the hand that holds the mace. Then Balder rams his sword into the waist of the soldier with enough force to break through the armor and deliver a deadly blow.
Both the soldier and Balder land on the ground, with Balder sitting on top of the soldier. With his sword buried deep in the soldier, Balder begins to punch the soldier's face after ripping off the helmet.
"Balder! Kilian!" Both Solen and Vân yell as they approach their kin.
Balder gives one last punch to the now dead soldier, before Vân pulls him off. As Balder rises up, he pushes Vân away before looking towards where Solen is pulling the mace off of Kilian's crushed and mangled hand. He can see that Kilian is panting but still conscious.
"We need to go, nadad." Solen shouts at Balder as he gently helps Kilian up off of the ground. He tries to be gentle with the damaged hand, but there are bits hanging off it before falling to the ground.
"Balder! Kilian!" Dwalin and Nori yell as they run over to the group. Both of the older dwarves go pale at the sight of Kilian's destroyed hand.
Nori quickly rips off his leather vet armor and rushes to Kilian. He gently wraps the leather around the mangled appendage, before sending Solen and Kilian to the almost closed gate.
"Bofur. We can't leave Bofur." Balder gasps out as the rage and adrenaline leave his blood.
"We'll get him. Now get to the gate and get inside." Dwalin growls out at Balder and Vân.
"Come on, cousin." Vân says as he starts to drag Balder, by the arm, towards the gate.
Dwalin and Nori hurry over to where Bofur is lying, in a pool of blood. The two older dwarves take care as they lift Bofur from the ground. The dwarven archers are now providing enough cover, since watching their leaders' son fall, that Dwalin and Nori don't have to pull out their own weapons and fight. Carrying their fallen comrades' body through the gates before it is closed and sealed shut.
Outside of the Gates, the Easterling army cheers out at their victory. Those dwarves and men who are up on the ramparts watch helplessly as the bodies of their dead kin are desecrated. The heads of Dain and Brand are placed on pikes where everyone on the ramparts to see.
So there is part of the battle. The next chapter we will see what happens in the Healing Halls with the injured, and then the Siege of Erebor will come to an end. Have your tissues ready for that chapter.
Reviews are welcomes, loved, and cherished.
Selene
P.S. I know you all have been patiently waiting for this chapter, and I just want to thank you all. So, I wanted to give you all a sneak peek at another story that the plot bunnies placed in my head while I was in the hospital. This story won't be posted till around November since the plot bunnies are still working away at it.
"Inside of Mt. Doom Sauron takes the ring for his own. Before the Black Gates of Mordor, those who oppose him are killed. Middle Earth slowly falls to the darkness over the years. Yet in the Gray Havens, the last of the White Council and the last wizard find a way to foil Sauron's plan. They plan on sending the last living Heirs of Erebor back in time. What they didn't plan on was that one heir will die, while the other heir changes the future of the Line of Durin entirely."
Most of the story is pre-Hobbit and will go into the events of the Hobbit. Let me know if this little preview sounds interesting to you.