Here's another chapter! Sorry it took so long, my daughter had the chicken pox...it was so very sad to see an 18 month old sick like that.
Anyway! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
We ran behind jagged rocks and protruding boulders. Fleeing through thick yellow grass and plains. The company had managed to stay together and dodge any wargs that came too close to our location.
It was all thanks to Radagast's brilliant diversion. He kept the orc pack long enough for us to weave our way in the direction that Gandalf was leading us, which I knew would be Rivendell.
Cheeky wizard. It was very smart to lead the company to the hidden passage unknowingly. Everyone was in such a panic that they would never think to ask where it was they were going. Not to mention they trusted the wizard.
I had been running along side Fili, who was making sure to keep me as close as possible, while Kili stayed right behind us. There was no way I would get out of their site now, that was for sure. One of the other would grab my arm when we changed directions and kept me going right along with the rest. It was actually a comforting thought that they liked me well enough to keep an eye on me...but in the midst of running and being exhausted, it started to annoy the hell out of me.
We had run out into the open when Thorin stopped in his tracks. Slowing down we could see Radagast fly passed us with the orc pack still following closely behind him. We definitely couldn't go that way.
"Stay together." Gandalf said loudly enough for the rest to hear, but quiet enough so not to alert the enemy.
Thorin on the other hand, let out a shout that could have very well ended us all. "Move!"
When we turned around and continued running, the company had huddled closer together to hide behind the boulders as they passed. We had been moving at a fairly fast pace. No one talked to each other, we just kept going.
At some point we had came to a rather large boulder and Thorin stopped just on the edge. Poor Ori was yanked back as he started to run out from the behind the boulder, not knowing that Thorin had actually ceased his movements because the orcs were riding by in close proximity.
"Ori, no! Get back!" Thorin pulled on Ori's collar to hide him behind the rock. It was like we were running on thin ice.
I could hear everyone breathing hard to catch their breaths. Although it could have been from me. I was most certainly out of air and my chest hurt from all that running. I found myself bent over with my hands on my knees trying to suck some air in. Exhaustion was kicking in.
"Getting tired already, lass?" Open your mouth one more time Fili.
"Dude...I will break you." I said in between gasps of air. The cheeky bastard only smirked and wiped his brow.
"Your charm is astounding Miss Emma." Kili piped up from the other side of me.
"I swear to Aule..." Oh my god! There was that damn name again. Why is it so familiar?
"All of you, come on. Quick!" Gandalf suddenly said and once again we were moving.
Kili pushed on my back to get me moving while Fili grabbed my arm to pull me along. I was far too tired to fight him off anymore. My legs were killing me and the help I was getting from these two were most likely saving my life. I'd fall without them...though I was sure if I did fall they would just pick me up and carry me.
As we passed by Gandalf and Thorin who was standing there to make sure they rest got over in time, I heard a conversation I was familiar with. Things had been going so strangely lately that it put me at ease to hear something I recognized.
"Where are you leading us?" Thorin asked Gandalf.
I knew there was no response, but didn't stay by them long enough to hear if the wizard had spoke or not. The good thing about all this running was it gave me time to think, surprisingly. I had been trying to figure out why everything was changing. Why was this story going wrong? Was it because of my presence? Well that wasn't right. I was dead, correct? So this was all just happening in my mind...or heaven...or some kind of hell. I didn't know anymore.
There had to be some logical and reasonable explanation as to why this was all happening...but with all these bizarre events, I was starting to doubt I was sane at all. Especially if I was hearing strange voices in my head and seeing people who weren't really there.
That brings another question. Who was the man in the fire? The one who called me beautiful. Then there was that woman and that other male voice who told me to run. And who was Aule? I still couldn't figure out why it sounded so-
"Oh! That's how!" I practically screamed it out.
I startled everyone around me because they all slowed down, probably thinking that another warg had attacked me. Kili and Fili both looked at me strangely as we kept running.
"Do not stop! Keep moving! Miss Emma, are you hurt?" Thorin bellowed with concern as he ran over to me.
"No. I am fine..." I blushed in embarrassment. I probably just gave away our position.
Thorin did not look happy that nothing was wrong with me, but yet I made enough noise we could have been found by the enemy."If you value the lives of your companions then place, Miss Emma, restrain your outbursts." Thorin gave me a glare before he ran passed to catch up to Gandalf.
Well, damn. I was so excited that I had remembered who Aule was, but now I was miffed that I could have fucked things up for everyone. Way to go, Emma. I had to smile, however. I was proud that I remembered one piece of information from my many readings of J.R.R. Tolkien's books. Aule was the Valar who created dwarves. How I didn't remember that sooner, I had no idea.
"Do you enjoy running from foes who are more than willing to kill you?" I heard Fili ask as he ran beside me.
I let out a small chuckle and shook my head. "No, I just remembered something important."
"Important enough to kill us all?" Fili did have a point.
"Well, I was hoping it would just be you." Wrong time, but definitely the only answer I could give him.
"You wound me, Miss Emma." Fili barely looked at me as he ran, but I knew, just like his brother, that he had a smirk plastered on that stupid face.
"Shut it." I snapped at him.
This was not the time for witty banter. We both knew that. Perhaps we were just trying to make light of this very undesirable situation, but now I was more worried about the impending doom looming just beyond a few rocks.
One by one we hid behind a large rock, blocking us from the sight of any warg riders that happened to pass by. Unfortunately, and very disappointing, we heard the sound of growling coming closer to our destination. It was clear and distinctive. A warg rider had broken off from it's pack to seek out our location.
I'd bet my right arm that it was my outburst that got his attention. I believe some of the others in the company thought the same thing because I was suddenly getting a few side-glance glares.
I shrunk away from my space between Fili and Kili. I thought it would be safer from them. Especially after the look Thorin had given Kili. This was a familiar sight to me and I knew what was about to transpire.
I found myself next to Oin, who was just on the outskirt of the group. I knew that would be the furthest from the small skirmish that was about to take place.
The growling became louder, accompanied by the clacking of claws on stone. The warg was right above us now.
We all tensed. Not one person moved as Kili slowly retrieved an arrow from his quiver. I watched with concern while he slide the arrow through his fingers and placed it against the bow. Kili was nervous. His face focused and strained at the same time. I certainly felt sorry for him. It was a heavy burden to have lives in the palm of your hand.
Kili momentarily made eye contact with me. I smiled confidently to show I believed in his keen eyes. He could do this. He gave me a small nod before his eyes averted my direction and he let out a careful breath. With all his courage he stepped away from the rock and aimed his arrow above to where the warg rider should have been.
But he didn't shoot. He dropped his bow and arrow with confusion. The motion had caused the company to take a step back and look to where they had heard the sound of their foe only moments ago, but there was nothing there.
I stepped back with the rest and raised an eyebrow. Where had it gone? Did it give up and continue the chase of the brown wizard?
"What luck!" Gloin bellowed with a relieved chuckle.
"They're bigger half wits than the trolls.." Dori said as he pulled up his belt.
It would seem that the warg rider had run off...but that was not supposed to happen. Where was the small fight that led to us being chased until we found the hidden passage to Imladris?
Every one was so glad that they had not been seen that they didn't see the warg that had snuck around the other side until it was too late. The warg, without its rider, attacked from one side, receiving all of the attention from the company on it.
Oin pushed me back as they descended on the warg with quickness. Balin was the first to slam his heavy hammer into the creature, ending its life. While the group was focused on the warg, I was cautiously backing up to steer clear of the carnage.
It was while I was trying to stay clear of the danger, that I ran directly into a different kind of danger. I was grabbed from behind by a pair of strong, blackish-grey arms. I let out a startled scream before an arm wrapped around my neck, partially cutting off my air supply, which effectively stopped my screaming.
The company turned when they heard me.
"Emma!" Fili called out as he took a heavy step forward to attack, but was stopped by Kili and Thorin.
"No, Fili!" Thorin ordered while his eyes were trained on the orc who held me.
The orc growled in my ear while he brought up his sword to push the tip onto my throat. Then it was everyone in the company who took a step forward, but stopped when the orc pulled me tighter against him.
Then the orc spoke in the black language. "Move and she dies, dwarf-scum."
No one moved for what seemed like hours, but I knew to be only seconds. Something in chest started to warm, much like it had earlier in the day. It was my fight to live...and something more. I knew this orc wouldn't kill me...not for what he wanted me for...
I felt myself smirking as I looked upon the company. They were so scared of what might happen to me even though they barely knew who I was. They only saw me as Emma. The weak girl with a troublesome past. And now, once again, I was in danger and putting their lives at risk.
"He wont kill me." The words came out slow, but precise.
The orc tightened his grip and trid to cut me off. My hands flew to his arm to pull at it, with little effect.
"Emma, keep quiet! You'll only make this worse!" Gandalf said loudly.
I coughed and pulled at the orcs arm as hard as I can. "He wont kill me! Kili, take the shot!"
Kili gave me a look that clearly said I was crazy. He shook his head while Fili put a firm hand on his shoulder to stop him if he had changed his mind. Neither wanted to take the chance of me being killed. How very sentimental.
"Do you want to die, girl?" The orc whispered harshly in my ear.
I barked out a laugh that surprised everyone, including myself. "You will not kill me, orc. How would your master respond if you brought him a lifeless prize?"
For some strange and impossible reason, I knew what the orc was here for. Just like the other. They most certainly wanted Thorin...but they also wanted me...for a completely different purpose. For him.
I'll die again before I let that happen.
The orc understood what I was saying, because he let his grip loosen and stayed silent, but I knew he was weighing his options before he made a move.
"Kili.." I looked at him with a small nod, compelling him to take a shot at the orc.
Kili only shook his head again. Seriously?...I sighed and glared at him. I only received a glare back from both him and Fili. The company was awkwardly at a stand off with the orc and I was the only thing in the way of its defeat.
Thorin slowly stepped forward with his sword resting at his side. "Let the woman go..and.."
The orc laughed maliciously and grinned as menacing as one could. He moved quickly, grabbing a horn from the side of his leather belt and held onto me tight while he blew the horn.
Fuuuuuck.
I started to panic now. I had to make a decision. A very tough one. If things worked out, I might turn out alive in the end, but right now, they had to leave. I closed my eyes tightly. The confidence that had once overwhelmed me moments ago was now sinking into a pit of despair filled with fear.
I felt the hot tears before I could understand what was happening. When I opened my eyes I saw that everyone was still there. Gits. They clenched their weapons in their hands and prepared themselves for a battle that was sure to take some lives, but this is what dwarves were made for. Fighting and surviving. Bilbo, however, had fear written across his features. His eyes darted from one direction to the other, fully expecting a warg to appear from somewhere around them.
My eyes landed on Kili, who was glaring at the orc who held me against its body. The daggers shooting from his glare would have killed the orc if they were real. He cautiously had an arrow at the ready. When my eyes glided over to the older Durin brother, I saw him looking at me. Not once had he glanced up to the orc. His blue-grey eyes stayed on mine with a roaring storm swirling within them. For a moment, I felt everything he must have felt. Fear, pain, hatred, anxiety, and courage. A mixture of emotions that had even more tears running down my cheeks and dripping off my chin.
He was prepared to die for me. They all were. They would stay and fight off the orc pack until there was no one left to fight...and then I would be taken to him. I wasn't sure why I knew who it was...but it was obvious there would be no one else darker than Mairon. The quite difficult intuition problems I was having lately were telling me things I didn't quite understand, but I trusted them with my life. This was one of these moments where I trusted what my heart was telling me.
They would have to leave me behind.
"Run." I said with my head down. I couldn't look them in the eyes.
"Miss Emma.." Gandalf was the only one to say my name or even admit that he had heard me correctly.
I lifted my head slowly and looked at them one at a time. Each face that was willing to fight for me. They had been protecting me this long, it was time for me to return the favor...I just hope this plan works.
A sudden chorus of howling was heard in the distance. The call had worked. The orc pack would be closing in on us soon.
"I said run! Take them away from here, Gandalf! Take them to safety!" The wargs were getting closer.
"Emma, we will not abandon you!" Of course Fili stepped forward to protest, only to be stopped by Thorin with a firm grip of his arm.
There were protests throughout the group.
"Aye, lass, we can not leave one of our own behind." Balin spoke up with a small smile. How he could smile like that at a time such as this, I'll never understand.
"We will not let you perish, lass." Gloin gripped his axe tightly as though that was his answer for everything.
Stubborn, damn dwarves. "Stop being so damn noble!" I shouted in anger. They were so infuriating! I looked at Thorin with pleading eyes.
"Please Thorin...please go with Gandalf. You must trust that I will be okay." Then I used the only weapon I really had at the moment. "I have foreseen it! I will make it out of this!" I tried to be as convincing as possible, but I think he knew I was lying...just like I knew I probably had no chance of survival.
The intense look I got from the King under the Mountain was filled with sorrow and regret. He nodded at me with a sad smile.
"We must flee." Thorin agreed with me and started to walk passed Gandalf.
"Uncle no! We can't just-" Fili started.
"Leave her behind! This is not the time to argue. Now go! Everyone!" Thorin's command had the company moving, though it was hesitant at first.
Each glanced at me with sadness and fear. I looked away from their grief ridden faces as to not cause more tears to spew from my eyes. It was hard enough that they were leaving me, now I would have to endure their sad faces as they began to depart.
When I did look in their direction, I could see Kili and Fili were the last to leave. It was mostly because Kili had to drag Fili away from the scene in order to get away. Fili was more than upset about the situation, but there was nothing he could do to remedy it.
"Fili, we have to go..." It was obvious Kili was having a hard time leaving me. The agony in his face was all he had to say.
Fili said nothing as his younger brother tugged on his arm. He watched me until they were no longer in sight. There was nothing I could say to make him feel better. They both had sworn to protect me and now they could do nothing as I was left in the grip of danger.
Now they were gone. I was alone with the orc who had practically laughed at how I had so easily given myself to him. Bastard. The second the dwarves were out of sight he had thrown me to the ground with his blade pointed at me.
"Foolish girl." This was where we stayed for the a long moment before the orc pack finally arrived.
The orc in charge jumped off his warg and looked down at me with a smirk that securely said he was ecstatic.
"Master will be proud." He said to the asshole orc that had captured me. "Did you kill the dwarf-scum?"
"No, they escaped just beyond the clearing." The orc pointed in the direction they had gone. Hopefully they were a good distance away by now.
"What do we do with the girl?" Another orc spoke up from atop his warg.
The leader smirked as he glanced down at me with dark eyes. I shivered and pulled myself against the rock behind me. Perhaps it was unwise for me to surrender myself in order to save the others...but there was still the nagging feeling that I would be alright in the end. Unfortunately I was starting to doubt that happy thought.
"Bring her along. She can watch as her companions fall." He said with a wicked grin.
I understood exactly what he had said. I had no idea how or why, but I wish I had not known. I felt the blood flee from my face at the mere idea that I could be watching my friends die a rather slow and horrific death. Orcs were not known for being honorable...so a quick death would not be in store for anyone in the company. Let us hope it doesn't come to pass.
I was suddenly picked up and forcibly bound to the back of a warg. I kicked and scream the entire time, not giving them a moment of ease. I wanted to make this as difficult as possible. I found out, however, that it was not a good idea to piss off an orc. My fruitless effort to cause problems was met with the back of a grey hand. Knuckles smashed into my jaw and the force behind it nearly knocked me out. I vaguely remember the wargs taking off toward their target.
I was completely helpless. I just prayed to Aule that the company had made it to the hidden passage safely.
THIRD PERSON POV
"Come on, brother!" Kili pulled on Fili's arm as they ran in the back of the company.
"Why did we just leave her? It's not right!" Fili was fighting with his conscience whether or not to go back and help Emma. The only problem was that if he went alone he would be more than overcome by the enemy. He had no choice, but to run.
"There is nothing we could have done, Fili." Kili was trying to reason with him, but inside he was just as torn as his older brother was. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Emma behind.
They ran as fast as they could with the sound of howling closing in behind them. Then it was in front of them. The company was being surrounded. Making it over a small hill, they could see the opposing foes just beyond a group of trees. They were cut off from that direction.
"This way! Quickly!" Gandalf called out as he pointed his staff where they were heading.
Gandalf led them over a grassy incline and into a plain that was surrounded by grassy holls on all sides. One large rock stood in the center.
Trapped. There was no place they could hide. The small valley they had found themselves in was in plain sight of the orc pack that was on the grassy hills.
Kili and Fili used their acute eyes sight to probe the land. There was absolutely no way out.
"There's more coming!" Kili had turned and ran back towards the group.
"Kili! Shoot them!" Thorin called over to his youngest nephew, hoping that Kili's skills as an archer would help them out tremendously.
Kili had done what he was told and was slicing arrows through the air, hitting their targets, but doing little to stop the advancing danger.
Fili could see the effort his brother was putting in did little to protect them. He could see the pack had cut off any escape and were closing in at a stalking pace. Now they were just toying with them. The orc pack knew they had them outnumbered and had fierce weapons on their side; wargs. It was an unfair fight.
"We're surrounded!" Fili looked back at Thorin, knowing that his uncle would what to know what exactly their chances were.
The company began to close ranks as the pack continued to push forward. That was when someone had noticed the disappearance of the wizard, who they expected to help them in this dire situation. It would seem that they were wrong.
"Where's Gandalf?" Dori asked with fear behind his voice. If the wizard had abandoned them, then all was lost.
"He's abandoned us!" Dwalin was more than angry at the wizard for taking off when needed the most.
As the pack was getting closer, Ori was getting a close encounter with the leader of the group. He smirked as he came in closer, stalking the small dwarf. That was when Ori took notice of something on the back of his warg. It was warm, chocolate hair that was silky in the warm sun beaming down. Ori had to make sure what he was seeing was really what he believed it to be.
It was. He gasped and took out his sling shot. He took aim at the leader and let loose a rock...Sadly it only hit the warg the leader was riding and did little damage.
Ori widened his eyes in fear as the leader laughed at the dwarfs pathetic attempt. He backed up slowly, then looked to the unconscious girl on the back of the warg.
"They have Emma!" Ori called out, hoping that if they knew Emma was still alive...but he didn't know if she was. She hadn't moved.
The sound of her name on someone's lips must have brought her to life because she lifted her head slightly and for a moment Ori had caught site of her forest green eyes hidden beneath the sea of shimmering chocolate hair.
"She's still alive!" Ori's outburst had everyone in the company smiling for only a second before they remembered that she was still the hands of the enemy.
Emma had the biggest headache she had ever had. The blow to her jaw earlier had knocked the sense pretty much completely out of her. This was a huge mistake. She knew it. She should have fought harder to get away when she was captured.
'I have to get away..' The thought had crossed her mind several times in the last several minutes. This was the place where the elves would come and fight off the orcs. Or at least she hoped that would happen. If it didn't...well then she was fucked.
Knowing this was her one chance to get away she began to wiggle on the back of the warg as it continued to move. There was a strap that kept her against the warg, but luckily for her all the movement the pack was doing had loosened it up quite a bit. Using her body she rolled hard to the back of the warg and fell with a loud thump off the back.
The leader stopped and looked back at her with surprise. She wouldn't be able to get very far with her hands and legs bound. He only smirked as he looked upon her.
"Once we have finished off your friends, I will be back to take care of you. Don't go too far little one." The evil grin that accompanied his chilling remark brought a shiver to her spine.
"We have to get to her!" Once again Ori was the one to call out.
"We can not get to her!" Bofur was right. She was too far from them and if they tried to run for her they would be jumping into the fire.
Emma would just have to wait it out until the battle was over. Thorin knew what Bofur said was true. There was no way to get to her and though it troubled him to let a woman and companion be on her own, there was no choice in the matter. It was too great a risk to run out to her.
His mind was changed when he caught the sight of Emma looking over at them. Her eyes were red with tears, her mouth covered with a dirty piece of linen. Her hair was tangled and there was a bruise forming on her jaw. His own jaw clenched at how she was being treated and he went to take a few strides forward, in an attempt to come to her aid.
"We wont leave her again.." Thorin said while gripping his sword.
Dwalin, Fili, and Bofur saw the move and went to follow him, but Emma sat up quickly when she saw this and waved her hand at them. She shook her head and made it clear she did not want them coming for her.
"Emma don't be foolish!" Fili was already angry at her for making them leave her to begin with, now she was refusing their help. He took several more steps forward, with his uncle and company poised behind him.
Emma shook her head furiously and when it looked as though Fili would not listen to her, she quickly pulled as hard as she could on the linen to free it from her mouth. Once her mouth was free from the disgusting cloth, she took in a deep clean breath.
"Do not come for me! I will be fine!" She shouted as loud as she could.
The company stopped, but Fili continued walking. His determined expression caught her off guard, but his stupidity was starting to piss her off.
"Fili, go back! Gandalf will show you to safety!" Right as I yelled at him, Gandalf popped his head up from the passage.
"This way you fools!" The grey wizard then disappeared again.
Knowing that there was now a safe way out got most of the dwarves moving. Emma had already made it clear that she would make it out of this alive and Thorin made sure to point that out.
"Emma will survive. For now we must run! We are sorely outnumbered!" Thorin looked at Emma for a long moment, both sharing a brief understanding before he grabbed Fili's arm and pulled him away.
Fili was once again taken away from the woman he had said he would keep safe. He watched her as he was led away to the safety of the passage. She looked so fragile sitting there on the ground with nothing to help her. She was alone. The tears in her eyes broke his heart.
"Quickly all of you!" Thorin shouted out, making sure to stay on guard as the others began sliding down into the passage. "Go, go, go!"
Kili was still off in the distance shooting at the wargs, while most of the company had slide down to safety. Fili and Thorin were taking care of a warg that had come too close when Thorin noticed he had not yet pulled back to the hole.
"Kili! Run!"
Kili heard his name and looked back, noticing there was no one behind him. With quickness he began running for his uncle and brother.
Fili only glanced at his brother for a moment before his eyes were back on Emma, who had been struggling to free herself from her bonds. The panic and fear in her face made him clench his jaw. Kili passed by his vision and slide down the hole. It drew his attention to his uncle who was looking at him with just as much hesitation as he felt.
"She said-" Thorin began.
"I know what she said...I just don't believe it.." Fili said with anger laced within his every word. He didn't believe what Emma had said. She would not be fine. Even if she was a seer, it just couldn't be true.
"Fili, we must leave." Thorin demanded and waited for Fili to enter first. "Go, now."
Fili looked at his uncle briefly with resentment then his eyes slid back over to Emma who felt his eyes on her again and looked up. Her green orbs were pleading to him, while he head shook at him and her mouth told him to go.
"No.."
"I said now! Do not be- Fili, no!" Thorin's words ended with him being shoved down the passage by Fili. The last thing Thorin saw as he slide down the hole was Fili's blonde hair disappearing as his nephew ran for the girl.
EMMA POV
What the hell was he doing?!
"Fili, go back!" I watched in amazement as Fili had pushed his uncle down the hole and began to run for me.
He said nothing to me as he tried to dodge the blade of an orc who had rode up to him. Fili skillfully cut down the warg from beneath the orc and stabbed the creature in the chest before continuing his approach to me.
I thought for sure he would be killed, but there was a sudden blasting of a horn and all my fear was released at once. Elves!
Fili stopped in his tracks as the sound filled the air. Then there were arrows flying through the air and heavy hooves pounding on the ground. The elves had rode into the pack and the slaughter had begun. I witnessed the wargs take off around me and the smile on my face couldn't be more full of joy. I was saved!
A warg came right for me just then and my face turned to terror. The leader was coming at me with a fierce look that had me squirming to move out of the way. It looked like he was going to scoop me up in the wargs mouth and take me away.
And that is exactly what he attempted to do. The warg wrapped it's jaws around my midsection and clamped down. I let out a scream of pain. It would have taken off with me had it not been for the heroic Fili swooping in and slicing at the wargs face. It dropped me immediately.
Through clouded eyes I could see Fili squaring off with the warg rider. They would have fought to the death for my life, but the approaching Elves sent arrows toward the leader of the pack and he was forced to retreat. Though he did so with a sneer and a calculated glare at my person.
Fili was then on me. He pulled me into my arms to cover me from the battle around us and even though it hurt to move as such, I was awfully glad he had been there to save me. His hard breathing brushed the top of my head. My face was planted into his chest to keep from seeing much more of the carnage...which was a strange thing for him to do, in my opinion.
When it was all over, I had assumed that he would let me go, but he did not do so. He held onto me as tight as he could. Not faltering for a moment. He wanted to protect me, I could sense that strongly. It came off him in waves.
"Do not leave me again, Emma. I can't protect you if you do.." The softness in his voice pulled me form my thoughts and had me pushing against his chest.
When I was finally able to look up at him, he gave me a stoic look that reminded me of his uncle far too much. He was hiding what ever emotion was within him. I only gave him a nod before I looked about the area. The wargs were gone now and coming up on us were the elves on their white horses.
Fili tensed and pulled the sword up in defense. The elves had their bows drawn on us as they came up. Fili helped me to my feet carefully, his sword still held out in case we were attacked...which was foolish to think.
"Fili they wont hurt us.." I tried to reassure him as he pulled me against his chest to keep safe. I winced and sucked in a breath. I must have broken a rib.
"That is what you said about the orcs...and look what happened." Well, he had a point.
"They are elves.." I suddenly started to feel light headed. Good thing he had such a strong hold on me.
"All the more reason to stay on guard." Bloody git.
One of the elves hoped down from his horse and strode over to us. Fili swung his sword in his direction and pushed me behind his body.
"What are dwarves doing with an orc pack..." That voice. I knew who this was...and it wasn't because I thought it was like what I heard on a screen...but because I had heard this soothing voice in person.
I pushed Fili to the side with more strength than I though I had in me. Fili was surprised by my action and looked at me confused.
The only thing I could do was look up at the elf who had just spoke. "Elrond...My friend"
The elf stared at me in a state of shock. His eyebrows knitted together and he pulled off his helmet with haste. Once I saw his face fully, I knew this was someone I had once known. I couldn't explain how or why, but this was someone I trusted with my life. Tears were once again falling from my face in sheer happiness.
"Emi?It can not be...I.." There was that name again. Why was he calling me that? It felt wrong, but right at the same time. Oh and did I mention that I understood Sindarin with no trouble at all. Another 'holy hell' moment.
"I watched you fall.." Elrond touched my face lightly, which was the warmest and most welcoming touch I had ever received.
I had no idea what he was talking about, but I was suddenly overcome with an emotion. The kind you get when you haven't seen a special person for a long time and then suddenly they are right there. A friend you had not seen in ages...someone who meant something to you.
I started crying. Again. I was seriously a mess right now. There was no way to stop it. I wish I could have been stronger. I hoped that I wouldn't be so weak...but so much had gone wrong and I was still confused about who I was and what I had seen.
Elrond had been touching my face with both his hands by now. His eyes were locked on with mine as though he was searching me very soul for an answer. His face then softened and he gave me the kindest smile.
"It is you." I was suddenly in his arms. Uh...whoa.
"Emma, get away from him!" Fili cried out. He took a step toward me when the elves aimed their arrows at him. He stopped in his tracks and took a careful step back.
"Emma?" Elrond pulled me back to look at me once again and raised an eyebrow.
I shrugged, not knowing exactly how to respond to being called Emi and Emma. They were so close in resemblance that it was even starting to mesh together in my ears. I was still so very confused as to how I knew Elrond and why the name Emi sounded right to me.
Fortunately there was no longer any need to discuss it. The rib I thought might have been broken started to throb and I winced.
"You are badly wounded.." Elrond turned to his patrolmen. "Take up the dwarf and make way for home. We must see to her wounds at once!"
The demand had the elves moving. One jumped off his horse and walked over to Fili, ready to help him onto the horse.
"Do not touch me elf!" Stubborn dwarf.
I turned from Elrond's help to look at Fili through narrowed eyes. I was in so much pain, I was not in the mood to deal with an idiot dwarf.
"Fili, get on the fucking horse or I swear to Aule I will maim you!" I sounded far more harsher than I had planned...but seriously I felt like I was going to throw up. That's how painful this was.
Fili was not prepared for my outburst and looked at me in surprise for a silent moment before he grumbled some curse. He sheathed his sword and walked over with the elf to get on the horse. He hated ever second of it.
With a sigh I turned back to Elrond, who was still holding onto me. He carefully lifted me up and brought me over to his horse. How I got up there in the state I was in, I honestly didn't remember.
The next thing I knew we were riding for Rivendell. The jolting of the horse I was on caused me to go in and out of consciousness. Luckily I was nestled in front of Lord Elrond who kept me securely on the horse.
I watched as the world passed by in a blur of colors. It was difficult to tell what was what at this point. The pain brought me into a state of catatonic. Then we went over a fairly large incline and a jolt had sent pain into my entire body. I let out a startled cry and then...I was in the darkness.
THIRD PERSON POV
Valinor laid in the west, brightly illuminated by the Two Treeswhile Middle Earth was thrown into darkness with Melkor keeping his ever watchful eye on all that went on. His evil poisoned the thoughts of Maia who had joined him. The rift between light and darkness grew more intense as the years went by.
The Children of Iluvatar were not yet born, nor were the dwarves created by Aule in his impatience. He was satisfied, for now, with the only creation his wife Yavanna and himself had been allowed to possess. Emi, the Maia made in his glory. Much like that of the dwarves, she was created with small stature, but was given the beauty of her mother.
Her days were spent gaining the knowledge Yavanna and Aule would bestow on her. When she was not in their halls, she was with the only being able to capture her interest. Mairon.
Pale skin slide across silken sheets. Sweat glided slowly against bodies that moved with a fierce desire. The room was cast in darkness, save for a fire that laid in the corner of the room. It's light illuminated the couple on the large bed.
Fruit, cheese, and bread untouched on a table near the fire. The strongest wine was placed near the bed with gold goblets lying next to it. Neither had moved to touch the food.
The moment they had entered the room, they were on each other. Now they lay on the bed wrapped in each others arms. A shudder of pleasure escaped the lips of the woman. She arched her body against the movements of the man on top of her.
He was driving her senses to the edge. Everything he did brought her into a state of ecstasy she had never experienced. Every stroke, every touch...she had no control over her own body. A pull of her chocolate locks had her screaming for more.
He moved faster within her slick entrance. There was nothing he loved more than feeling her body against his own. Her petite, fragile form made him feel powerful beside her. He pumped into with a fierce desire to possess her. The soft feminine whimpers that came from her lips pushed him over the edge.
It didn't take much more for her to let out a loud moan as her climax tightened around his member. With a few more calculated thrusts he found himself pouring inside her. This was the part he loved the most. He loved watching her come apart in his arms.
The wash of arousal purged her of an coherent thoughts and when it was over, she was gasping for air. He let his mouth brush against her neck as he traced her porcelain skin. By now he knew every inch of her body.
When they finally settled down, he shifted off of her and pulled her flush against him, keeping her as close as he could. She looked up at him with large green orbs that penetrated his very soul. She loved him.
He had always been gentle. He had always been so kind and patient. He was everything she could have asked for in a spouse...and yet he had yet to ask her to be such. She cared little for what she was to him. As long as they were together it mattered not.
"Why do you look at me so, Emi?" He said with a small smile on his features.
She loved it when he smiled. It brought out a goodness in him she thought was starting to fade. Emi let out a sigh and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I am just worried..." It was true. She was starting to fear something was amiss with him. He had been disappearing more often and sometimes didn't show up for their rendezvous.
"Worried? What has your mind so clouded, my love?" His cool, confident voice brought more suspicion within her mind. She loved him, aye, but the way he spoke sometimes made her believe he was hiding something.
"You have not been present as of late...I thought you had found another." She played it off as such. Hoping that this was indeed the only thing that had brought her unease.
He let out a laugh that startled her. His deep chuckle brought a smile to her face. He should be a Valar with how lovely his feature had become when he was happy.
"Is that what has been on your mind? My dear Emi, there is no other I would rather spend my days with. I'd make you my wife-"
"You'd do what?" Emi pushed herself up to look down at the man with shock. Not once had he brought the subject up before. "Mairon you don't mean that.."
"Ah, but I do." He grinned as he watched the soft blankets fall off her naked form.
"I do not see how this is funny, Mairon." Emi put her hands on her hips as she glared at Mairon.
"'Tis not, my love." He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her beneath him. The small shriek of surprise caused him to grin mischievously. "And call me Lord Marion...for soon I shall be a Lord and you, my Lady."
Emi looked at him as though he was going insane. "What is the nonsense you speak of?" Her answer was a kiss so tender and passionate she could only surrender to his advances.
When he pulled away she was smiling warmly. The love in her eyes brought great pain to his chest. His own smile faltered and as it turned into a frown he leaned his forehead against her own.
"Promise me, Emi.."
"Anything, my Lord." He gave her a small smirk, but his eyes were still filled with sorrow.
"Promise me you will always stay by my side...no matter what happens."
The seriousness behind his statement had her wheels turning. Why would he need her to promise such a thing? Did he not trust her?...or Maybe there was something more behind what he was saying.
"Only if you promise to stay with me...here. Never leave me alone in the dark. I would die a thousand times if you did so.."
He watched her carefully in silence. What was he thinking? What made him so hesitant? After he came to a decision, he kissed the top of her head and nodded.
"I will do whatever you wish." His answer was unwavering.
Emi gave Mairon a soft smile and place a gentle hand upon his face. "Then I shall do the same."
A promise made was a promise kept...But both would break them.
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