Okay I am VERY VERY sorry that I took so long to post. It's something I'm trying to work on lol I just had a brief lapse in judgement about my story after someone had wrote about how my story was turning more into a Mary Sue. I really didn't want this story to be that way. The last few chapters Emma (or Emi) has been in the safety of Imladris, where the magic of the Elves could keep her mostly away from Sauron and his powers...so naturally the powers within her were going to flourish and she became cocky, but once outside the magic, she was vulnerable again...and with that she is still having trouble trying to find her own strength. I just wanted to make that clear. Emma is not Emi in the sense that her physical form was killed long ago..so she will not have the same strength as before. It's complicated, but at some point we will get to where she can be her own person.
Anyway, please review! I do enjoy seeing what everyone has to say and I love that you are liking this story :) I wish I could write you all individually and thank you personally, but I wouldn't even know where to begin!
Thank you all for following this story! it makes me very happy :)
"Be on your guard. We're about to step over the edge of the Wild." Thorin called out over the company. "Balin, you know these paths. Lead on."
Moving quietly through the halls of Imladris was a journey itself. Dwarves were not as silent as you would hope. In fact, they were so loud I could have sworn we would have been caught at any moment...but by some miracle I found myself overlooking the Hidden Valley as we climbed up the steep passageway out into the Wilds.
A sigh escaped my lips while I gave Rivendell one last farewell. I wasn't sure if I would ever see it again. Bilbo must have thought the same as he stepped up beside me. The dwarves continued on behind us, more than happy to leave the dwelling of elves and gave no thought to look at it once more. A glance over at Bilbo told me he was almost unwilling to leave this palce. He held onto the strap of his bag a bit tighter than he should have. He was itching to return and spend his days in the glory of this magical valley.
Without much thought, I leaned to the side and wrapped an arm around his own. "Do not fret, Master Baggins. You shall return in no time." He deserved to at least know he would see this place again.
Bilbo was slow to react to my words. Once it sunk in that I was suggesting he would live through the ordeal, he perked up and turned to look at me in surprise.
"You really believe that?" Bilbo asked with a crack in his voice.
I smiled and leaned closer, leaving a small kiss on his cheek before I replied. "I have no doubt in my mind that you will come back."
"How do you know?" He quietly questioned with a soft blush upon his already rosy cheeks.
With a wink and a dazzling smile, I tapped the side of my head.
Once he remembered that I was a seer, as I have led them to believe, he gave an 'Aaaaaah, Right.' and nodded. I giggled and once again we found ourselves looking at Imladris...you know, until..
"Miss Emma, Master Baggins. I suggest you keep up. We have little time for sight seeing today." Here comes Thorin to ruin our moment.
We both sighed simultaneously and our shoulders slumped a little. What a buzz kill. I turned slightly to give Thorin a nod of acknowledgment when suddenly Bofur popped his head into my view.
"Don't worry, lass. You two day-dreamers can have a chance to cuddle later." The gleeful dwarf said with a smirk and scurried off to continue his ascent out of the valley with the rest of the company. Good thing he did so, because I tried awkwardly to swat him away. He was either quicker than I thought or my aim was off. Either way, I only managed to brush at his hat.
The tease brought out a few chuckles amongst the company. Bilbo and I, however, found it less than amusing. With my hands on my hips, I turned back to Bilbo and gestured for him to follow.
With one last look, we departed from the Hidden Valley and made our way into what most of us considered uncharted territory.
Strangely, I felt as though I had just walked this same path yesterday.
The atmosphere of the journey had changed from hearty and rich to grumpy and solemn in the course of a few days. We had been traveling through toward the main peaks of the Misty Mountains for what seemed like forever. The first two night had been uneventful. We stayed in heavily wooded areas, hiding ourselves from the elements and from sight, in case more orc packs happened upon us.
The ever constant threat of being hunted was still heavy on our minds. Especially mine. Thorin may have thought his problem was the center of our universe, but mine was far more dangerous. The only being who wanted Thorin was Azog. Azog was one orc. Just an orc. I, on the other hand, was being hunted by the monster who controlled all of the orcs, including Azog.
I didn't believe the others knew I was being hunted as well and I wasn't about to say anything. If I did, they would surely send me back. I was trying to be brave about it, but I couldn't deny that I was scared. When we ran into the orcs again, there was no certainty that I could get away as I did last time. There would be no elves to save me. Only giant birds...and whose to say that was even going to happen? Things were still strangely occurring around us that I was now doubtful of future outcomes.
Thinking about the future gave me anxiety. I knew I would be able to see them through most of it, but if something out of place happened like the last few times...I was tired of saving the situation.
Sitting amongst the group, who was scattered around our camp site, on edge, I kicked a stone into the fire that was blazing before me. Only Bilbo and Bombur stayed close by while the other dwarves made themselves useful with chores. Cleaning and sharpening their weapons, carefully dividing up the rations, or keeping a careful look out for enemies.
Supper had yet been served and Bombur was in the midst of cooking something spectacular up. Kili had been keen enough to spot a deer earlier in the day and went after it immediately. Yum for venison, but ew for the scene that followed the initial slaying of the beautiful beast.
Kili brought the doe back and Fili pulled out one of his knives. What I witnessed after that would forever scar me. As I recall, I had seen many slaughtered beings...but seeing such a serene creature butchered and gutted like that...I lost my breakfast almost as fast as I ate in earlier in the morning. The worst part about it was hearing Fili and Kili laughing after I spilled my guts all over the forest floor.
Since then I had not spoke to either unless spoken to first. Even then I gave them short answers. I guess I wasn't really angry with them. We did have to eat after all. The day just felt off to me. There was some strange feeling that clouded my mind. I didn't say anything, but it was a constant sense that was telling me something was wrong. I just couldn't put my finger on it.
"What's wrong, Miss Emma? You look like you have something on your mind?" It was the first words that had been spoken in the last hour.
My eyes floated over to Bilbo, who looked concerned. Sighing, I replied with a weak smile. "I'm fine Bilbo. Just tired is all."
"You're not the only one, lass." Gloin said as he threw a few more logs on the fire.
Embers rose from the fire like fireflies and before I knew it, I was watching them float up to the sky as though they had entranced me. It was silly, really. I found such beauty in the little things. The embers cooled as they rose into the forest canopy and faded into ash.
A snap of a twig had me swinging my head in the opposite direction. I narrowed my eyes and tried to look into the dark forest surrounding us.
"Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Bilbo was a bit startled as first, but when he looked at the others, they didn't seem to be in panic mode. "Emma, are you sure you're alright?"
The halfling placed a gentle hand on my head, but instinctively I swiped it away. I was so engrossed with finding the unnatural sounds of the forest that I didn't think twice about brushing him off. After a few moments, however, I felt like an arse. I sighed and turned to Bilbo, who was sadly looking into the fire.
"...Bilbo I'm sorry. I'm just on edge."
Bilbo scuffed and broke a piece of long grass apart before throwing it into the inferno. "Aren't we all..."
"No..I mean, I just- Something's wrong." I said it. It was the first time I admitted it out loud and only Bilbo was close enough to hear.
"What?" He said with a little more volume than intended and even more confusion.
"I don't know what it is...it's just...a feeling." I shifted on the ground and brought a knee up to my chest to wrap my arms around.
Bilbo scooted closer and leaned in. "Don't you think Thorin should know about this? Maybe it's your abilities talking to you..."
I gave him a side-glance and shook my head. "I won't concern him over a feeling."
"A feeling that could be from a vision."
"Bilbo, it's not like that. Maybe it's just because I'm anxious. The thought of coming under attack again is still heavy on my mind." I hoped that would help get Bilbo off my back. I shouldn't have said anything.
"No worries, my lovely lass. I shall keep you safe from the big monsters that roam the forest." Kili sat down on the other side of me with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes and didn't even look in his direction. "The only thing you could keep safe is buried in your trousers."
"You wound and surprise me with your vile words!" Kili was obviously not 'wounded' at all. He followed his comment with a chuckle.
"Kili, leave Emma alone." Fili came out from behind a tree across the fire and glared over at his brother. Right now was not the time to be playing and Kili should have known better. We were all on edge.
"Why? We're just having a bit of f-"
"I'm going to go freshen up." I stood suddenly, trying to keep them from arguing any further. I hated when they fought about me.
"Emma are you mad?! You can't just go wandering about the woods to 'freshen up'." Fili exclaimed while crossing his arms over his chest.
"Would you rather I did so right here in the open?" Raising an eyebrow, I gave him little emotion. I really just wanted to get away from the group for a few moments, even if it was just to relieve myself.
The idea didn't amuse Fili one bit. I got a rise out of Kili, but his older brother seemed to be all business now. Looks like the fun was over the minute we stepped foot out of Rivendell. Fili grimaced at my words and shook his head.
"You shouldn't go alone." Fili looked about the forest in trepidation. Who could blame him for being cautious? Orcs seemed to be everywhere and on top of that we were in an area that was unfamiliar. Who knew what sort of unsavory characters were out there...
"Well I'm certainly not taking one of you with me! I don't need someone looking over my shoulder." I stood up and grabbed my pack. He was being ridiculous about this. I just had to urinate.
"Emma-" Fili began as he took a few steps around the fire toward me.
I interrupted him with a raised hand. "Look, I'm just going beyond the tree line. If I see or hear anything, I'll scream or something. Okay?"
"Let her go, laddie. We scouted the area already. There's no one around for miles." Gloin threw in his two cents as he poked at the fire before tossing a small piece of wood into the fire once more.
Fili glanced over to Gloin before his blue eyes landed back on me. He held no emotion in his face. Only a stoic mask that left little to the imagination. Then finally, he let out a sigh and turned to walk away.
"Just be quick...and take your 'weapon' just in case." I watched Fili walk across the camp to speak with his Uncle.
Rolling my eyes, I snagged my hammer from where I had been sitting and began my trek toward the treeline.
"Be careful, Emma..." Bilbo warned quietly.
Another eye roll and a wave of my hand later, I was walking into the thickness of the forest, making sure to stay within sight of the fire. As long as I could see it, I wouldn't get lost.
At first, my only thought was to get some girly business done, but as I continued to walk out, pushing through brush and moving tree limbs out of my way, I felt goosebumps form on my skin. Just as earlier, I was overpowered by a sense of warning. I no longer had the urge to stop and relieve myself. My only thought was to keep going.
My legs were on autopilot, but my consciousness was fully aware of what was going on around me. I was on high alert. Each step I took brought me closer to some unknowing destination. And I had no idea what would be lying in wait when I arrived. Could be anything...or nothing at all. I really hoped it was the latter.
Please let it be nothing.
The gods hated me. It was far from nothing. After wandering away from our camp and walking several minutes to what I hoped was just my imagination, actually turned out to be the worst kind of something.
The first thing I saw was a faint light in the distance, hidden by the heavily wooded area. I practically held my breath as I stepped forward. As I approached what seemed like a fire, I heard voices. The language was foreign to this area, but not to me. They spoke in hushed tones, but I could understand most between the foreign language and the portion of Westron they threw in.
Easterlings. It wasn't the way they were dressed that gave them away, or the weapons they had strapped to their waists, or even the language they used. It was their aura. The moment I laid eyes on them, I knew. Since the first age, they had been completely swayed by the powers of evil. First by Morgoth...then by Sauron. They were loyal to those they served and since I knew it was Sauron they were serving, I had little hope they were only passing through.
One thing I realized almost instantly- They had yet to notice the other camp that was a few hundred feet away. The forest was hiding both camps from each other and kept their voices within the space of their sites.
I was frozen in place as I watched them. There was at least a dozen or so of these men and one wrong move could bring them to my location. The thought of what could happen if I was caught caused me to grip the handle of my hammer.
Making the conscious decision to turn back and tell the other was my only option. They were a dozen and I was one. I may be confident in my fighting abilities (kind of), but I wasn't completely insane.
With steady feet I began backing up the way I came. I let out a shaky breath while praying to the Gods I could get away as I quietly as I had approached.
SNAP.
OH DEAR SWEET ERU.
I stepped on a damn twig. The sound bounced off the trees, causing everything around me to freeze. The talking stopped, movement ceased, and the only sound I could hear was my ragged breath. My lower lips shook as I hoped they would just forget about the noise, but when I heard the distinctive sound of a sword being unsheathed, I knew my hopes had run dry.
"Fuck." The words left my mouth faster than I could run.
Crashing and shouting followed after me and I could only push myself to run faster. Bushes and tree limbs smacked my arms and face. The burn of being cut and scraped was overpowered by the pure adrenaline that coursed through my veins.
As my legs continued to carry me away from the dozens of men close behind, I suddenly became aware that something was whooshing passed my head. It took only moments to realize they had indeed spotted me and were shooting arrows at whatever glimpse of my person they could see within the darkness.
I was in over my head.
The only thing rushing through my head was how stupid I was. Why the hell did I have to follow my bloody gut!? Why!?
Another arrow barely missed my head, causing me to yelp in surprise. How were they able to see me? They must be able to hear me. It was too dark to even see where I was running, but somehow I was able to keep going without running into anything.
Just as I was thinking how lucky I was that I hadn't smashed face first into a tree, a body came crashing into me instead. The wind was knocked out of my lungs and I found myself lying on my back looking up into the forest canopy. My head ached and a sharp pain in my back suggested I had fallen upon the root of a tree. Voices just out of sight had me forgetting all of my agony.
With a groan I pulled myself to sit up and just as quickly, remembered I was running from Easterlings. I made a move to stand, caring little for who or what I ran into, because it was most likely one of those bastards. Hopefully after the collision he would stay down for good. Aule knows I almost did.
I staggered on my feet and made it a few feet away from the incident before the spinning in my head came to a stop. Bracing myself on tree branches I made an attempt to get away.
I didn't even know if I was heading in the right direction.
"Ouch...my head."
I stopped dead in my tracks. That was NOT the voice of an Easterling. My eyes widened at the sudden realization that I had crashed into someone entirely opposite. Ori. The gentle -barely able to fight on his own -would rather read, sketch, and learn- Ori.
Please no. Why? Why was this happening?
There was no way I could leave without him. Nor could we get away after that little crash. I turned quickly and followed the soft groaning of the youngest dwarf. It was fairly dark around me, but finally I was able to nudge my foot against him and immediately dropped to me knees with my hands on his surcoat, grasping it to pull him up.
"Ori! Get up! We have to run!" I whispered loudly to him. My eyes wandered around to make sure we had yet been seen. I could hear heavy footsteps all around us, but they must not have found us yet.
Perhaps running into Ori had thrown them off. They had been following the sound of my steps through the forest, but now I had stopped. I sighed softly with subtle relief.
"Miss Emma?" Ori asked almost too loudly. My hand smashed over his mouth to cover his on queue when I heard the snap of a twig closer to us than I would have liked.
Ori started to struggle against my grip, not sure whether I was actually Emma or someone trying to hurt him. I leaned down as close to his face as I could to calm him.
"Ori, it's me. Do not move...there are Easterlings after me. We're surrounded so please, please stop." I spoke as crisp and quick as I could with as little volume as possible.
Luckily the words froze Ori in place. We both dared not to move. Just in the distance we could spot the faded light of a torch coming our way. I prayed it would veer off in another direction and we would be safe for just a bit longer. Maybe they would figure they lost me and return to their camp.
"Can you find your way back to the camp?" A plan formulated slowly as I watched the torch float closer to our position. We were still hidden out of sight with the help of heavy brush, but eventually, they would find us.
Ori nodded reluctantly. He must have been terrified, but was trying to keep a brave face for the sake of me.
"Listen to me very carefully. I'm going to lead them off to the North. Go back, get the others, and find me. I will try to hold them in one place long enough for you all to return."
The idea was a good one, I thought. Ori, however, shook his head furiously and pulled my hand away from his mouth.
"No! Miss Emma you can't- Let me lead them off! I have to protect y-" I slammed my hand against his mouth once again. He was getting too loud for my liking.
"Ori, do as I say. This is no time to be noble. Get Thorin and come for me...I will be fine." The reassurance I gave him was a bit shaky, but I gave him little chance to argue.
I was up and running before he could make a plea for my sanity. I heard a protest from him, but I was not about to let him get caught as well.
"I'M OVER HERE YOU UGLY GITS!" I screamed out while trying to dodge trees. "COME ON THEN!"
The fall of my steps quickened when an arrow whizzed passed my face, the tail end of it grazing my cheek. The impact had startled me enough to scream, but not enough to frighten me into a halt. I was going to run until my legs gave out from under me...or until Thorin and company showed up. Which ever came first.
My only hope was lying on the chance that Ori had made it to the camp.
The only downside of that was-if these Easterlings didn't manage to kill me, Fili might.
Where the hell was Ori!?
There was no way to tell how long I had been running nor in which direction. I pretty much followed my instincts with that. I said East, right? Or was it West?
An arrow thudded into a tree just beside me. I squeaked in surprise and kept going. My heart was pounding furiously within my chest and my throat stung from trying to breath. Everything hurt and it was evident that this body was still unaccustomed to this sort of physical strain.
My hair was falling out of the braid I had woven and my clothes must had been in shambles. Even Nambalos was flopping around on my back, hitting me occasionally in the back of the head. It was a distraction I could do without-
Wait. I had Nambalos! Holy mother of Aule! I had forgotten!
New excitement rushed through my veins, along with another healthy dose of adrenaline, that had me suddenly veering off to the left where I could see an opening against the treeline. If I could just get them into a clearing, maybe I could hit them all at once. I've done it before...in battles far superior to this charade. It had to work. It will work.
I scrambled against the trees and bushes that were in my way, nearly tripping over a briar bush in the process, but I finally pulled myself free of the forest and ran across the field. The sky above me laid above me black and opposing, with only a partial moon to guide me through the darkness. Even the stars seemed too nervous to show themselves on this night.
My feet carried me through the grass and with a look back I saw no one was behind me. That meant they were farther behind then I thought. When my head turned, I spotted fog ahead of me. The sheet of vapor rose slowly and kept all beyond it out of my view.
At first I wasn't sure whether to run into it or not, but after my the ground beneath me faded from grass and dirt to solid rock, I had to stop. It was as I stopped that I could finally hear the distinctive sound of water falling by the tons. Just before me, the fog moved with a shift of wind, revealing that I had stopped short of a cliff. Just a few hundred feet away, on the other side of the canyon was a waterfall that was spilling into the void below.
Blimey, this was a death trap...One that I almost fell into. Literally.
"That was close..." I ran a shaky hand over my hair, pushing my wild strands back into place and looked wide eyed into what had almost been my grave.
"Not close enough, I'd say." The gruff voice caused me to spin around in defense, gasping with fright.
Now, I was in trouble. Behind me was a canyon, leaving me with no room to escape and before me was the Easterlings, who finally caught up with their prey. There were at least a dozen or so. All dressed in what as obvious stolen. Each one wore different attire. Some were covered in armor that looked like a king could wear, others were merely in a tunic...but were covered in jewelry that couldn't possibly belong to them.
They were thieves, liars, swindlers, and murderers. Monsters. Just like the creature they served.
"What's a pretty little thing like you wandering about in a place like this? Couldn't be for the scenery." The one who seemed to be in charge stood taller than the rest and wore the strongest, blackest armor.
The moonlight gave me an uninspiring glance at this...man, if I could call him that. His face was rough, his blonde hair dirty and short. Dark brown eyes pierced through my soul momentarily before they slide down my body. The bastard smirked at me with very obvious intent on his face. His yellow teeth peeked out from behind his lips as they curled upward.
I cringed and took a step back, almost forgetting that there was a cliff only a few feet behind me.
The man took a step toward me with his hands crossed against his broad chest. "I wouldn't do that if I was you, girl. We can't have you falling, now can we?"
I was trapped. He knew it and I knew it. I narrowed my eyes at the man then shifted to the others who stood behind him. I counted 14. And that was only what I could see with the help of the moon.
"Why don't you come here and tell us what you were doing in our camp, eh? I wont hurt you." The leader took another step forward, trying to coax me like a wounded dog with his hand out.
Dirt and blood still caked on his hands gave me all the more reason to back away another step. If I was actually a wounded dog, I would have fallen for it...then end up dead soon after.
Not happening.
I reached behind me to grasp onto the handle of Nambalos. My fingers tightened around it and I felt the tingle of energy pour into me. The sensation was comfortable. It made me feel invincible. Like they would never touch me. Not even get the chance.
"Doesn't look like the dwarf wants to talk..." One of the men behind him spoke with a chuckle.
My jaw clenched at the assumption that I was a dwarf. It was no surprise that I was insulted by this. I had a deep underlying anger towards dwarves. Not just because one was trying to claim me for himself, but because of what my father had done. When I was barely brought upon Arda, he immediately believed that I would not be fit to carry on the knowledge he held. Luckily he was caught and ultimately forced to put them to sleep until the elves were awakened.
After that, he changed his mind. I had always thought it was just the pestering of my mother...but perhaps there was more behind his change of heart.
Whatever the case, it still didn't change the fact that at some point in my life, he chose the dwarves over me...which had me falling into the arms of Mairon.
Fuck them.
"I am not a dwarf!" I yelled louder than I intended. The outburst caught them briefly off guard, but did little to deter them from their main goal. Which was obviously to do me harm. In any form they wished.
The largest Easterling in the back barked out a laughed meant to mock my anger.
"She looks awful furious. Maybe we should ju-" The large one stopped speaking when the leader of the pack of evil men put his hand up, silencing everyone around him.
He must be smarter than he looks.
He stared at me. Calculating eyes looked me from head to toe. What was he thinking?
Quite suddenly he spoke, with suspicion within his tone. "If you are not a dwarf...what are you then?"
"Not an elf. No pointy ears." One said to the leaders left.
"Dwarves are covered in 'air...Maybe she's one of them little 'obbits!" A much dumber one spoke up. I actually rolled my eyes at him.
For a few very unsteady moments they argued amongst themselves, trying to decide what exactly I was. They obviously weren't the sharpest tools in the shed.
Except for their leader. Who stood in place with his burly arms hooked around each other against his broad chest. His expression stoic, but his eyes told me he was looking for an answer to that very same question...what was this girl standing before him. He seemed to make connections much quicker than the rest.
"Who are you traveling with, girl?" His tone quieted the others just as quickly as his hand.
I locked eyes with him and tensed. I had no answer off the top of my head. Maybe a lie to save the others from being hunted down while these men did as they pleased with me would work? No. Just stay quiet. Don't say a word.
"Answer me." It was a command. One that was meant to scare me into giving him what he wanted.
But I was not afraid. I had Nambalos...and hopefully a dozen dwarves to fight for me if Ori got there in time and managed to find me. I didn't even know which direction I ran.
I inched my feet apart as then tension between me and the leader grew. The sound of iron unsheathing caused me to tighten the grasp on my war hammer. It was strapped to my back and still wrapped in the cloth, but it could still do some damage. Touching the metal against my skin brought an ounce of courage to my body. I needed all the courage I could get.
The moment he pulled out his large sword and stepped toward me, the memory of being back in Bree flooded my mind. Those men who held me against my will...the one who had came at Georgiana, blood lust in his eyes.
Then there was the pack of orcs who came after us. That was a whole other can of worms.
My hand began to shake, sweat forming between the palm of my hand and the handle of my weapon.
Within the walls of Imladris I was safe. There was no real danger while I was there...I was not afraid...but out here in the open, with little to protect me. No magic, no dwarves, no army. I felt vulnerable. Fear set in and replaced the courage brought on by Namablos.
"One last chance. Who are you traveling with?"
Panic rose within me. What the fuck?
I was having a panic attack. Bloody hell. How was this happening?
I felt as though I couldn't breath and my heart pounded against my chest. My fingers tingled with numbness and my skin felt cold.
In the face of danger, I was as weak as I was before Imladris. I was scared. Scared because I was alone against a foe. I was comfortable within the territory of the elves. Too comfortable. I thought I could be strong. I could prove myself worthy of my name. Emi.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I tried to concentrate on breathing.
I was Emi. Not Emma. I was not weak. I am Emi.
"Emi. I am Emi." I tired to convince myself.
Suddenly I was being grabbed. My arm stung under the tightening grip of my aggressor. The leader ripped me away from the edge of the cliff, his other arm firmly wrapping around my waist while he brought up his sword to my neck.
"Do not think I wont kill you, girl! Answer me before my fingers start to slip..." The leader growled into my ear.
The trembling in my body ceased as the sharp blade pressed beneath my jaw. The burn of my skin and the warmth of blood slid down my throat as the steel cut into me.
I gave them nothing. I was silent. A very foolish thing for me to do. They could kill me right here. No. They WILL kill me. And for what? For some dwarves, some of which I would like nothing more than to rid myself of...
Well now on top of being frightened, I felt like an arse. Of course I would want to see them all.
Please stop thinking. Just stop.
"I don't think she's going to answer boss." The largest one took a few steps closer, keeping his eyes on my smaller form. "Let's just take her back to the camp. She'll tell us all we need to know after a few rounds.." The man's grotesque black and yellow teeth caused me to quiver under his threat.
Nope. The shimmer of excitement in his eyes guaranteed his words were a promise.
I was so dead.
No sign of the dwarves.
I was alone.
Dozen to one odds.
There was no getting out of this one.
"Tch. Fine. Take the little harlot back to camp...but I get her first." The leader practically threw me into toward the hulking Easterling.
The bastard reached out to grab me, but just as his fingers grazed my arm, a heavy thud echoed in the air.
The large man dropped to the ground, an arrow protruding from his forhead.
Kili.
Just as quick as the arrow appeared, the dwarves erupted from the forest and rushed at the group of men who threatened my life.
Trying to register what was going on around me was a harder task than I would have assumed. It was dark and the sounds of clashing steel kept me from moving from my position.
Which was sitting on my knees on the ground where I had landed. I couldn't understand why my body wouldn't respond.
The thudding of my heartbeat drowned out the sound of chaos around me and my vision blurred as tears formed.
I was terrified. Like I had been before we made it to Rivendell. Outside of those walls of magic, I was still useless. I was so sure I could be as great as I once was.
Sauron would win against my will. I will never be Emi. Just a sad, helpless Emma.
"Emma! Emma get up!" My eyes snapped up to the figure above me. Fili was leaning down, grabbing for my arm.
In my weakened state I let him pull me to my feet. He held out his sword in front of us as an Easterling came at us. There was no effort when Fili cut him down. I was pulled by the arm to get away from the ongoing battle, having to step over the lifeless body of the man Fili had just killed.
In a brief moment, as I looked down at the body without a soul, there was fear etched on his features. No one wanted to die...even the evil feared death. I was pulled from him. Fili tugged on my arm once again, trying to get my attention.
"Emma, what are you doing!? We have to get you to safety!" Fili looked back, disgruntled by my lack of effort.
In the mass of this skirmish, I was finding myself incapable of any form of bravery. My courage had turned to dust and was being blown away with the midnight breeze.
My body stopped responding to my commands. I could feel the pull of Fili trying to get me to leave. I could hear the strain of fear in his voice. The thumping of my heart in my ears dulled me into a state of comatose. I was seeing and hearing it all, but I couldn't find the strength to speak or move.
The world was ceasing to exist and I felt as though I was melting into the darkness. In that moment I could feel the tears fall from my face and a creeping fear climbed its way up my spine, grasping me like a clawed hand. It stung as it engulfed my heart.
In the brief stillness in time, I was able to look up through my tear ridden eyes to Fili. He had stopped in place, just as I had. His gaze focused onto my form, watching me struggle with my this new ailment.
His grasp on my arm loosened as he stepped forward, finding a new home upon my shoulder. I could see his lips move, but I didn't know what he was saying.
He must have thought I was being a coward. I was crying like a scared child. This was all my fault. I should have stayed close to the camp. If I had, then this wouldn't have happened. Once again I was altering the course of time by being a stupid, foolish little girl.
Fili dropped the sword he was holding and moved forward, attempting to encircle me with his arms . For what purpose...to console me? Of course he would. The anxiety within his gaze proved his concern for me.
I would have let him hold me. I would let him soothe my fears and give me strength had we not been in the middle of a fight.
There was a flash of moonlight on metal behind Fili. It was enough to pull me from whatever spell I was under. Enough to break my fear. Fili was now unarmed. The fool had released the grip on his weapon to comfort me and I was letting it happen.
The form of a man came with the flash and what I knew was supposed to happen to this young dwarf was about to occur far sooner than it should have.
My eyes widened and with a rush of adrenaline I brought my arm up to push Fili away as he tried to embrace me. My other hand found Nambalos tucked behind my back and ripped it from the bindings that held it in place. Fili's confusion and hurt that I had pushed him away was quickly replaced by fear and anger.
I had moved him out of the way to confront the attacker who was about to cut him down. How I managed to bring my weapon up in time to stop the blow was nothing short of a miracle. It stopped our foe from striking either one of us down. The man growled and pushed back with his sword, taking my balance away. I fumbled with my steps as he came at me again. This time he didn't get the chance to strike. An arrow had pierced his throat, dropping him at my feet.
I whipped my head around to see Kili with his bow still vibrating from the shot. He smirked, nodded, and turned to take another opponent out, one who was getting the upper hand on Nori.
Sighing heavily in relief, my weapon almost slipped from my hand. My other hand was found by a larger, stronger one. Fili grabbed hold and tugged on my arm. His sword had found its way back into his other hand and with one tug, I had little choice but to follow the dwarf.
He steered me away from back towards the tree line. Obviously he wanted to keep me hidden from the battle...or just wanted to get me out of the way so I wouldn't get injured in the process of trying to help. It was likely that I would walk in front of one of them while they were swinging a sword. I could see that happening quite easily. Especially since I had lost any faith in my abilities as a warrior. My sheer panic observed while trying to handle the group of Easterlings alone was enough to deter me from that path. For now.
The moment we got into the forest, I was thrust against a tree. Two strong hands held onto my arms, keeping me pinned between a furious dwarf and the tree. I let out a gasp at the harshness of being manhandled by Fili, but when I looked up to his face to yell at him, I paused.
The anger beneath his eyes gave way to an entirely different emotion. Fear. He was afraid. There was a small amount of relief within that fear and anger, but the moment of silence between us was dashed by the overpowering fury that Fili spewed out.
"How could you be so foolish! Do you have any idea what sort of danger you put us all in! Why did you stray so far from the camp?!" His grip on my arms tightened as he expected an answer from me almost immediately.
I couldn't give him an answer. They were there, right on the tip of my tongue...but nothing would come out. Yes, I had done something stupid. No, I didn't know I was getting myself into trouble. No, I didn't mean for it to happen. I was sorry. I did feel like a fool.
All very reasonable answers...and none of them came out.
"Well?! Have you nothing to say? Do you care so little about your safety that you would walk away from the camp unprotected, inviting death to rip you away from me-...from us." He searched my face, looking for any emotion that would give him the answer he was looking for, but all I could do was stare at him in disbelief.
He had never been so angry at me. Not like this. We had barely been away from the Imladris and I had brought this upon the group. Fili's anger was unfiltered by how I had once again been put into harms way.
There couldn't be anything more disheartening than watching someone you care for become disappointed in you. Fili turned his head to look away from me with a sigh that said he was giving up.
"Do not move from this spot. We will come for you when they are all dead." His words were quiet, but still filled with anger.
My heart wretched at his utter dissatisfaction of my actions.
"If you are not here when I return..." He didn't have to say anything else.
Thorin must be very upset with me. If I wasn't there when they returned, the King would probably leave me behind, no matter how his kin felt about the idea.
I only nodded and looked down, tears blurring my vision. I was embarrassed for what I had done. I was so sure that I could have handled it myself...but I failed myself...and I failed my company.
Fili left by the time a salty tear made its way down my hot cheek. I curled my arms around myself, dropping my weapon to the ground in the process. I was so stupid. So bloody stupid.
On the other side of the tree, beyond the field that led to the cliffs edge, I could hear the sounds of iron against iron. I could make out shouting and cries of pain.
There was nothing I could do to help them. I would only make it worse. I closed my eyes and slide down the tree, my back scrapping against the bark. Once I had found the ground, I pulled my knees to my chest and let out a sob. I didn't mean for it to come out, but I was so distressed over all of this that I couldn't help it.
I hope Bilbo wasn't out there. He would never make it in a skirmish. He was so small and helpless.
Speaking of Bilbo- The hobbit, like magic, appeared next to me. He was kneeling in with a cloth ready to wipe my tears away and his sword gripped in his small hands.
"Miss Emma, I am so glad you are unharmed." Bilbo was keeping an eye out with much apprehension. He was not used to the fighting or blood shed that came with a battle.
With a gentle hand he wiped my face and forced me to look at him. He was smiling at me even though he was in danger just by coming here. It softened me out of my depressed state and brought a smile to my lips.
"Bilbo...you shouldn't be here."
"Neither should you." The hobbit smiled and brought the cloth to my cheek to wipe the remainder of my tears. "Why on Earth were you out here all by yourself? You had us all very worried. Ori came trampling into camp yelling about men after you...we thought maybe we would be too late."
"Why did you come with them? It's dangerous enough for them, but you are not used to...this." It was a valid question. He could have stayed at the camp and waited for us to return.
"I had to help somehow. You are my friend...and how could I not help when someone close to me is in trouble?" Bilbo sat back on his heels as he looked at me, a smile still gracing his nervous features. He was trying to be brave.
"Bilbo.." I was touched.
I wish I had more to say to him. I would have embraced him as the friend that he is. Unfortunately there as loud footsteps rushing towards us from the field.
My eyes widened and I pushed Bilbo against the tree while I peeked out to get a glimpse of what was going on.
Just beyond the trees was a larger shape heading towards our location. It was obviously not a dwarf. Did the Easterlings win the battle. No. They couldn't have.
"Kili! One of them is getting away!" I heard the voice of Dwalin echo beyond the shadow of the man.
Air was sliced open by the rushing of an arrow. It missed its marked as it thunked against the tree to our right.
"Kili, he's heading toward Emma!" The panicked voice of Fili pierced the night.
"Get him! Quickly Kili!" Thorin shouted.
Another arrow flew through the air, but the man was ducking and moving about to evade. Not to mention how dark it was. The arrow missed once again and the man was closer than I would have liked.
He was heading right for us. The glint of a sword against the moonlight made me even more nervous.
"Damn..."
Bilbo must have been watching as well. He took a step away from the tree and readied himself for a battle if the man attacked.
"Stay behind me, Miss Emma. I will do my best to protect you." As the man came closer, Bilbo was poised to take him out, if needed.
I turned my head to look at the hobbit and furrowed my brows. Everyone was doing this to protect me. I was getting them into trouble and they were cleaning up my mess. I was weak to them. I couldn't blame them. I had done little to save myself from those men and shut down when I was being rescued.
How could I be such a burden to them? I closed my eyes, anger seeping into my very bones. I was angry with myself. I should have been able to defend myself. Why couldn't I do this?
A small rush of energy pulsed through my hand and my eyes opened. I glanced down to my hand and spied Nambalos within my grasp. Subconsciously I had picked it up...but what could I do? I already failed to use it once. Why try again.
Fear is for the weak. You, my child, are not weak.
The words, as uninspiring as they were, gave me a small bit of hope. My father would say that from time to time, giving me what little faith I had a boost.
It was a silly thing for him to say. I had caught him on more than one occasion saying the only thing he feared the most was losing my mother or myself. Fear.
Fear is what makes us alive. Do not use it to drive you away. Use it to make you stronger.
My mother made far more sense than my father did. On many occasions.
My thoughts were interrupted by the thrashing of someone coming through the bush and footsteps hurrying toward the tree.
Bilbo took a step forward to ambush our enemy, but in the heat of the moment and without a thought in my head, I pushed the hobbit back.
He fell to the ground with and grunt and with what strength was lingering beneath my skin, I brought Nambalos to a full swing. It hit the man square in the chest and knocked him to the ground with a cry. The crack of bones suggested I must have broken a few ribs in the process.
My disbelief of the moment was short lived when I heard the man groan and try to move. I stepped out from the tree and stood above him. Of course I knew it was one of those nasty Easterlings, but what I had not expected was the leader of the ground to be looking back up at me with pure hatred.
"You little bitch. I should of had you and killed you when I had the chance!" He coughed and tried to move, but the crack of another bone ceased his movements as he cried out in agony.
I glared down at him.
"Who sent you?" I spoke to him in the language they had spoken in the camp. I didn't know what it was, but I found myself speaking it regardless. I obviously knew the language somehow.
The leader gave me a small glimpse of surprise before he gritted his teeth and spit at me.
It landed on my sleeve, which was easy to wipe away. I narrowed my eyes and kicked his sword away from his body as I stepped closer to him.
"That's not a wise answer...One more time, then. Who sent you? Who are you working for?"
"Emma! Are you alright?!" I heard Fili coming closer to us. The footsteps of several dwarves were audible now that they were heading back to where Fili had left me.
"I'd answer quickly...before they finish you off."
"You think I'd give you anything, you whore! I hope he kills you again...maybe this time he'll take his time!"
That was all he had to say for me to swing my war hammer above my head and bring it down onto his. The crack of his skull and the stillness of his body told me I had killed him.
It was not something I wanted to do...but when he said that, I panicked and killed him out of impulse.
"Emma..." Bilbo stepped over, grimacing at what I had just done and what he had just heard.
I didn't answer him. I just sighed and walked back over to the tree to lean on it. I was exhausted from this whole ordeal...and knowing that Sauron was getting closer was a never ending fear that would break me. Maybe not today...but there were many more days to follow this one.
"Did he hurt you?" Fili was the one to ask as he came up to the site with the others not far behind.
I glanced beside me to see he didn't look as upset as he was earlier. We only held a gaze for a few moment before he brought a hand up to wipe something wet away on my cheek.
"Come on...we can scold you later. Let's get that blood off you first." He grabbed my arm and pulled me with him, dragging me (once again) behind him.
As we passed the others, there were few looks of anger set on the dwarves faces. Only Thorin glared at me with malice. Balin only smiled and sighed to see that I was alright.
Now that the ordeal was over, it was time to get back to the camp.
"Nori, Bofur, Gloin, let's try to find their camp. We'll see if there are any left. Perhaps we can salvage any supplies they have." Thorin spoke over the group before we broke off.
As I was guided through the forest by Fili, I could feel how tense he was becoming. There was little talk within the group and I could only hold my head down in shame. Though not all of them were upset with me, I had angered the one person I was trying to avoid upsetting. Thorin. Now that he was angry at me, it was causing Fili to become strained as well.
A sigh escaped my lips. Surprisingly it caused Fili to loosen his grip on my arm and in one fluid motion he slide his hand down to my own. A small squeeze told me he was still on my side.
It was a small comfort. Just enough to get me through the rest of the night.
Not as long as I wanted it to be, but I do hope you like it anyway! Review, review, review!