DISCLAIMER: Let's get this out of the way. I do not own or have any hope of ever owning the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to Tolkien and as far as I'm concerned he can keep them. For now. I do however, own my OC, Kidhuzel! So don't steal her. Please, feel free to leave any comments and/or questions that you may have. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known but be polite while you do it. Thank you!

Chapter 21

Keeping an eye on her bearer but pace with her mate, Kidhuzel ensures that neither falls behind. Had she paid more attention to her surroundings however, she would have been able to warn the group away from the cliff. As she did not, all she can do now is sigh in discontentment as she waits for her bearer to climb into the tree with all the rest. She does not begrudge the king for placing his people above his own safety but the wargs are fast approaching.

"Kidhuzel, into the tree!" Allowing him to begin his ascent, the half drake quickly sinks her claws into the bark and follows "Higher!"

"Do you smell it? The scent of fear? I remember your father wreaked of it, Thorin son of Thrain."

The appearance of her bearer's longtime enemy sets all the small pieces to rights in the girl's mind. The Bounty, the Goblins, Gandalf and Balin's exchange of glances. It was all him. A snarl tears from her mouth at the knowledge that he who caused Thorin such grief is within killing distance. Even more so, he speaks ill of he who she can never repay for saving her.

The sound of her anger brings the Orc's steely blue gaze to her and his amusement grows tenfold.

"A beautifully interesting pet you have." His eyes slide back to the king with the feral grin "You have not trained her. Good. Leave the Fallen King and his pet! Drink the blood of the rest!"

The enemy bounds towards the trees, tearing them limb from limb as the company does its best to stay out of harm's way. The king continues to guide his men despite the inner turmoil he feels.

"Keep moving!"

As a well-trained unit, the dwarves obey the commands effortlessly. Even so, the tree has its limits. The weight of the dwarves compounded with the snarling wargs sends the first tree crashing into the next and then the next until only one remains. Grabbing her mate's hand as he loses his grip, the dwarrowdam aids him in staying alive before once again directing her attention to the pale orc.

"Do not." The firm command stills the half drake's movement towards the enemy before she even notices what she is doing. Her lip curls with a scoff as she realizes that it was not her bearer's command, but that of her mate "You have no right to kill him. That is Thorin's battle."

"I know his limits better than you." Coming to whisper harshly into the dwarf's ear so as not to be overheard, El glares at the orc. "After weeks of barely sleeping on the side of a cliff, going 2 nights without sleep at all, and battling thousands of goblins, he's in no condition to face this enemy. None of you are."

"Yet we will."

The girl says nothing in return as the fire rains from above them. It snaps her attention to the beauty of it and the dwarf uses her distraction to rejoin the battle. Eyes twinkling at the view, El has to fight herself not to take flight and dance amongst the embers. The shrieks of pain and the destruction of the flames sends a dangerously pleasant shiver up the young drake's back. Had the tree they are all perched upon not fallen, El does not know what she would have done. It thankfully knocks her back into the reality of the situation just as her bearer begins to advance on the pale orc. Offering a glance to her mate only to confirm his safety Kidhuzel takes her place at Thorin's side.

"You will only take on his warg, is that understood?" There is no need for her to answer, as the dwarf is too far gone to hear her anyway. His eyes are lit with the promise of vengeance but El has her doubts of his ability in this moment. Still, she has received her orders and will refrain from disobeying for as long as she is able "This is between he and I."

All the while, Azog the defiler watches their approach with excitement. He can tell from simply the termination on each of their faces that this battle will be as satisfying as the last. Even as his curiosity is piqued by the strange creature trailing beside the dwarf, the orc only has eyes for his prey. Sliding from his white warg, he directs her to do battle with the winged girl.

"Come, Oakenshield, while our bitches become more acquainted!"

Though not completely pleased with being called such a name, Kidhuzel takes her bearer's bellow as an affirmation and bounds towards the warg. Its sheer size is daunting but she is not deterred. Narrowly escaping the snapping jaw of the beast, the drake thrusts her hand toward its chest. Sensing the venom from El's claws only inches from her throat, the white warg leaps back with a snarl. Not to be outdone, the half-drake follows.

Barely giving the battling females more than a cursory glance, Azog focuses on the enraged dwarrow before him. Eyes alight with flames of the Earth and his very soul, the pale orc grins at the coming battle. He'd been unable to obtain the king's head for so many years but he is here now. He can complete his set now.

"I may have killed your grandfather quickly but your father? I took my time with him." Hefting his mace with the roar, Azog slams it down against the surprise dwarf. Repeating the act, he laughs cruelly "You appear shocked little Princeling! You should know, he kept my cock warm many a night."

"Lies!" The ragged outcry is only met with booming laughter. The king refuses to believe that his father's had suffered such a fate. "My father-"

"-lost his body. Lost his mind. Lost his life."

Each statement is paired with the clash of weapons but the dwarf king is faltering. Just as El suspected, their journey thus far has taken its toll. Thorin's movements are less fluid, slower in reaction, and less effective against the raging behemoth.

Dwalin can see what is happening from his precarious position on the failing tree but can do nothing to stop it. He desperately wills Kidhuzel to aid the king but knows she will not. She feels his pain through their bond but her orders were clear: Do not help. Unless she is sure he will die, the half-dwarf will not intervene on her bearer's behalf. It is not for lack of caring or coldness on her part, but her respect for Thorin's wishes.

She is no fool. She feels the ground tremble when it is met with astray blow from the orc and she knows each one that meets its mark has the power to snap bone. Her own anger rises with every ill spoken word but she never loses focus on her assigned opponent.

When a direct blow knocks her leader to the ground, it takes all her willpower not to give rise to the flames of ice and eradicate his enemies because she knows it would not be appreciated. It is her greatest fear but she is too wise to ignore it. Thorin needs this battle more than he needs her defense. Thorin needs this battle... more than he needs to win it.

"Kidhuzel!" her mate shouts her name as her bearer crumbles to the floor and makes no move to get up "Do as you promised!"

The moment the pale orc orders his subordinate to finish off the king, El finally leaps into action. This is no longer a fight between the dwarf and his nemesis thus, she feels less inclined towards reservation. Tossing the white walk over her shoulder with ease, the half Drake moves to intercept the smaller orc but he's outdone as Bilbo beats her to it. The hobbit guts his enemy before taking a defensive stance in front of the king.

"Perhaps hobbits ARE magic." Shrugging her shoulders, the dam takes up her position beside the king. He eyes the two of them from his position before passing out "You have done well, Master Baggins. For that, I will not let you die here."

"Ah, yes. Th-thank you?"

The next moments are a rush of action. There are bodies being thrown in every which direction by every which body. Black blood soaks the ground and smoke does the same to the air. Kidhuzel stands her ground over her bearer, never leaving him to catch a stray arrow or blade, but neither is she remiss in her duty to her mate or friend. Should any get too close to either, a spike of ice leaps from the flames to pierce the enemy before disappearing into the night.

"The Eagles!"

Intuitively knowing that the birds of prey will not approach her due to cautions of their own, the girl leaves the king for his own safety. No sooner has she done so then an eagle picks up his limp body from the earth. His shield clatters to the earth and is swiftly crushed by deliberate enemy boots but it is of little consequence if he lives . One by one her companions are saved until only she remains on the smokey ledge surrounded by the remaining orcs.

"You smell of brimstone and icy death. What is a creature of darkness doing with a dwarf?"

Smiling delicately, El pins the pale Orc with her golden gazes. Those around him hiss and stumble back in fright but he simply raises to his full height and returns her stare. They both know that she could end his life here. Just as truly, they both know that she will not. Thorin desires to have his battle with this orc and she will ensure that he gets that chance.

"What am I doing with him?" Sending a blade into the chest of the lesser being who smashed the king's shield El blinks in boredom. Shrugging out of her cloak, the half dwarf folds it in her arms before spreading her wings in a full stretch. Taking to the sky she offers a laugh "Whatever he wants me to!"

Sorry for the wait. I wanted to push out 3 chapters for 3 stories on the same day. Why? Just cause they were all half done for so long now. This story is still loved by me. How ever, I am currently writing 4 and it is last place on my inspiration levels right now. Sorry for the bad words. As of ist morally astute.