Chapter Twenty -Dammêl Blood
The tunnels proved to tight a space for such a large Warg to be mounted, Narâ was forced to dismount and run alongside her companions, her lungs burning and muscles cramping as she moved. Still her blood burned with adrenaline forcing her to keep moving, keen eyes scanned the dark tunnels all those years spent living deep in the mountains kept her vision sharp.
"There" she pointed toward another long tunnel of crude cut rock, a small light flickering just at its end. The company pushed forward until they submerged themselves in the warm glow of daylight. Narâ took a deep steadying breath and let it wash over her, like a soothing balm the fresh air filled her lungs and the warm sunlight kissed her skin. Khimâ stopped beside her and lowered his head letting his thick pink tongue pass over the top of her head she felt her smile falter.
"Rukhis Khimâ" she growled playfully running a hand through her now damp hair, no doubt the heavy plaits were sticking up at an odd angle.
Gandalf smiled happily at the dam, leaning his weight on his staff he took a calming breath glad to be out of the goblin caves he let his pale blue eyes scan the company making a mental note that everyone was accounted for. Panic settled in his gut as all dwarves and the Warg were accounted for but they were lacking one hobbit, he looked over their heads and past the vast white body of Khimâ perhaps Bilbo was just resting behind them.
"Where is Bilbo?" he called moving around the gathered group the uneasy feeling mounting the longer he looked and came up empty.
Narâ chewed her lip and moved to join the wizard "Bilbo" she called letting her voice travel over the small, wooded area they had found themselves in. They had only ran a short distance away from the cave mouth that led into Goblin town surely the hobbit was right with them. She turned toward the others "Has anyone seen Bilbo? Where is our burglar" she said her voice raising in pitch as she panicked.
Dwalin scowled and waved his arms in anger "Damn that halfling".
Narâ narrowed her eyes "Who was supposed to be watching him, Dori did I see him with you?" she turned toward the Dwarrow with a pleading look on her face.
Dori shook his head and stood beside his brothers "Don't look at me, I haven't seen him, I thought he was with Nori".
A bout of arguing broke out between the Dwarrow and Gandalf sighed in irritation looking back up the mountain side from where they had just ran for their lives. Narâ followed his line of sight and frowned
"Perhaps I should go look for him" she said softly turning toward her mount she readied herself to go looking when a firm hand on her arm stopped her.
Thorin didn't want to let her leave, Mahal only knew what that blasted hobbit had gotten himself into and it wasn't the dam responsibility to always go trying to save him. Any ill be brought upon himself was no fault of hers, Bilbo knew the risks same as everyone else and last he saw him he was trying to leave before the fell into the goblin caves. "Ill tell you were Bilbo went, he's long gone from us" he growled giving her a subtle shake in his anger, letting go immediately at the hurt that flashed in her jade eyes. He stepped back and faced the group "He has thought of nothing but his books and his warm bed since journey began, I told you he never should have come" he said his deep voice echoing out.
Bilbo waited patiently for Thorin to finish his rant, normally it would turn his stomach to hear someone talk about him in such a fashion, but he was a changed hobbit. Something about the journey thus far had hardened him, made him braver than he thought capable, and he liked that newfound feeling. Thorin could say what he wished about him, but he would prove him wrong, prove them all wrong, he belonged with the company.
"No, I'm right here" he called stepping out from around one of the large pines, tucking the ring he had found into the deep pockets of his vest lest someone see it and start asking questions. He himself wasn't sure what to make of it and its strange abilities but something about it called to him and made him fiercely protective of it. He licked his dry lips and gave them a weak smile, stumbling back as Narâ nearly knocked him off his feet. Narâ held onto the tiny hobbit for dear life, squeezing the air from his lungs he grunted, and she let out a watery laugh stepping back to get a good look at him. He had a faint blush on his cheeks "I thought you were gone lad" she said weakly.
He twitched his nose and chuckled "Not quiet". She laughed and pat him on the shoulder once, taking a step back to allow the wizard to come forward and inspect the burglar.
"How did you get past the goblins" Fili asked looking at the hobbit with a strange expression on his face, something was off about Bilbo he looked nervous as Gandalf checked him over for any injuries. Bilbo swallowed hard and chuckled again, his ears turning a brighter shade of red as he shrugged his shoulders his hand automatically going to his pocket, he gave it a pat his eyes scanning the dwarves landing on Gandalf, who gave him a curious look "Well what does it matter he's back" he said trying to smooth over any ruffled feathers.
Thorin let out a breath of embarrassment, glad his dark hair hid the red of his ears, he held his mouth in a firm line and looked at the hobbit. Bilbo wouldn't meet his eyes no doubt he had heard everything said about him a moment ago, perhaps Narâ was right about the hobbit all along, she seemed to favor him and always encouraged him to be more a part of the company. "I want to know why did you come back" he said crossing his arms over his thick chest he looked down his nose at the shorter hobbit a habit of years spent ruling the blue mountains, the hobbit frowned at his posture letting out a tired breath.
"Look I know that you doubt me, and you always have, you are right I miss my armchair and my books. I miss my home" he said with a shrug giving the dam a weak smile and she nodded at him encouragingly to keep speaking. "You don't have a home, it was taken from you, and I will help you get it back if I can" he said letting out a breath letting his eyes hold Thorin's icy blues.
Narâ beamed at the hobbit "A noble thing Master Baggins".
Bilbo blushed opening his mouth to respond when a shrill howl echoed on the wind, he froze in place his blood turning to ice as Khimâ growled low in his throat the long fur along the ridge of his spine standing on end. "Was that a wolf" he mumbled quietly as Narâ held an axe firmly in her hand her knuckles turning a shade of pale white as she clutched the hilt hard. She shook her head long raven locks swishing back and forth "No laddie that's no wolf" she said looking up the mountain, eyes scanning between the tall pines.
"Run" she bellowed pointing to a blur of darkness shooting down toward them, Khimâ pulled back his lip revealing blood-stained canines and charged forward ignoring his masters calls he met the smaller Warg head on in a clash of fangs and claws. He slammed the smaller Warg to the ground teeth deeply imbedded in its flesh tearing away chunks of meat and fur he shook his head savagely, ignoring the burning in his hind legs as the black Warg clawed into him. Narâ shouted for him to return but he was lost in the bloodlust of the hunt, hands were pulling her backward with urgency.
"Come we must move Miss Narâ" it was Dori to her surprise his hand unrelenting as he pulled with a strength, she was unaware of. She sniffed and nodded, letting the Dwarrow led her down the hill they ran just behind his brothers, jumping over fallen logs and rocks jutting from the ground.
"Where are we" Thorin called over his shoulder hoping the dam could provide an escape route, everything looked the same and it appeared there was no path ahead.
Narâ swallowed hard and shook her head aware that he couldn't actually see "I can't tell where the pathway lies, going through Goblin Town has messed up me sense of direction" she huffed sucking in a deep breath of air. A loud growl sounded over her shoulder as a great mass of dark black and brown fur sailed overhead, landing on heavy paws it rounded on them knocking her onto the flat of her back she yelped as long yellowed canines nearly took off her head. It snapped and snarled saliva pooling off its tongue and she winced at the smell of its putrid breath, trying to wrestle free her weapon as the beast crushed her with its weight. Khimâ could hear her cries on the wind as he chased after more of the Wargs rushing after his packmates. He could smell the tang of blood in the air as he lapped his tongue and scented his master, crashing through low hanging branches he smashed his weight against the Warg pinning her to the ground. A mouthful of thick hair and hide he tumbled end over end letting his longer fangs shred muscle and bone. With a bone snapping crunch, he broke its neck and stood on shaking legs, moving to nuzzle into the little female he helped her to her feet with his large head. Narâ gave him an appreciative pat, her fingers sliding through his thick pelt coming away slick with blood. She frowned it was dark as pitch and bright scarlet, her eyes widening at the amount of bite wounds that littered her poor Warg.
"C'mon keep moving" Thorin shouted at the dam who stood inspecting her pet, her hands bright red against her pale skin, her pet looked like it had been in a good fight, blood splattered its once pristine coat. He stopped short skidding his boots on the loose soil as Nori turned and shook his head pointing to the large looming cliffside that lay just ahead of them. He looked at the wizard hoping at least he had some sort of plan to get them out of this mess. Gandalf swallowed hard and pointed upward as another Warg slipped past the dam and her pet, this one lunging at Bilbo only to get a small dagger to the skull killing it instantly.
"Up, up into the trees" he yelled grabbing a low hanging branch on a sturdy looking pine he pulled his weight as high as he was able, the branches groaning under his feet as he watched the Dwarrow attempt to climb as well.
Bilbo yanked the hilt of his blade with all his strength frowning when it would not give way, it was embedded so deep into the skull of the Warg he feared he couldn't get it out in time before they were overrun. He pulled hard letting out a shriek as a hand came behind him and easily pulled the blade free, the jade eyes of Narâ flashing playfully as she handed the blade back to him. Not giving him a moment to collect himself, she placed her hands on his shoulders and tossed him upward like a sack of flour. Hands grabbed his coat and arms and pulled him up into the safety of the tree as the dam and Khimâ ran toward the edge of the cliffside.
Narâ was at an impasse, her heart hammering in her chest at the situation they had found themselves in. Khimâ on the ground would surely not survive the onslaught of Wargs chasing them. He was a remarkable beast but wasn't invincible and had already sustained injuries, Wargs often fought viciously amongst themselves and despite him being large and stronger one against many was terrible odds. She placed her hand on the side of his face and leaned her forehead against him, letting his heartfelt whine crush her; she gave him a gentle push urging him to run.
"Jalaignigî Khimâ -Go at once Khima" she cried frantically trying to urge him to run, he gave her a weak whine and licked her tear-streaked face. Turning to face down more of the Warg pack he shielded her smaller body with his own, letting out a roar at the oncoming enemy his fur bristled along his spine, the white length looked like daggers along his back. His lethal teeth on display he crouched down low as Narâ scrambled up the tree that held Gandalf tears staining her face she could barely contain herself as all at once the Wargs rushed forward.
Growls and blood curdling yelps of pain made her wince and look away as limbs were torn from bodies, blood scented the air so thick it made her stomach knot. A soothing hand on her shoulder she looked up at the warm smile of the wizard with confusion. His blue eyes sparkled in the light of the sun and with a subtle nod he pointed downwards toward her beloved companion. Khimâ stood on shaking legs, dead Wargs surrounded him, blood soaked his coat, and half his long ear was torn to ribbons but he still stood on his own paws watching as a slender white coated female came into view on her back sat the palest monstrosity of an orc Narâ had ever seen. Covered with scars and strange metal plating the orc was the largest she had ever seen, his eyes seemed to glow a strange blue compared to his comrades. The Warga he was riding was also remarkable, white as snow with dark black markings, she had bright yellow eyes and a huge mouth full of deadly teeth. Like the Wargs typical of the misty mountains, she was other, altered and made into something entirely different that Khimâ who looked more Dire wolf than Warg. The female let out a sharp commanding growl and all the others seemed to shrink in on themselves, tails tucked between legs they cowered down as the orc and the Warg moved to stand atop a large stone. She could hear the intake of breath from Thorin and the muttering of Khuzdul as he nearly let himself drop from his tree to get a better look. She watched with horror as the orc revealed himself Azog had come for Thorin, so the Golbin king was telling truths after all. Azog seemed to delight in the dwarf's situation, delight in their fear and misery at having been caught like a rabbit in the jaws of the fox. Black speech so vile it made the hairs stand on end at the back of her neck met her ear as the foul blooded orc taunted Thorin. She clenched her jaw hard and shook her head at the words glad Thorin could not speak it "Don't" she called as Thorin made a move to leave the tree. He turned and looked at her his eyes flashing like thunderclouds his mouth a firm line as the hatred swirled in the cerulean pools. She shook her head and swallowed, hoping she could portray how important it was for him to stay in the tree, the Wargs stilled circled the ground and several orc riders stood alongside Azog, Thorin would be killed immediately. The thought made her blood run cold, so much wanton death. Azog motioned toward the trees again and the Wargs rushed again snapping at branches they tore into the bark like paper, powerful jaws snapping the branches with ease. The weight of their heavy bodies caused the trees to sway and groan at the constant onslaught. All the while her poor Khimâ fought tooth and claw with the Wargs that ventured to close to her tree, his pained cries broke her heart, a loud yelp and a gurgling of blood made her mind up she slide down the tree to the lowest hanging branch and produced her axe. Wrapping her legs around the branch she hung upside down and swung with all her might, catching a Warg unawares she split its skull like kindling. Fear and anger fueled her swings as blood sprayed her face and a nip from sharp teeth ripped her armor and tore the flesh of her back. She paid little heed to it as the Wargs kept pushing forward, kept attacking her poor pet. Khimâ was panting heavily as he finally lolled to his side and stopped at the base of the tree just as the others cracked and splintered. The Dwarrow were falling now, sailing from tree to tree until her pine was overloaded with bodies, the Wargs startled had stepped back as great roots shot from the ground, dirt spraying everywhere as they fell. Loud snapping of branches and yelps of unaware Wargs sounded along the cliffside. Gandalf let out a shaking breath, time was not on their side, the tree couldn't handle the added stress and Narâ and Khimâ could not hold off the Wargs any longer. He pulled down a pinecone and lit it on fire letting it sail through the air it caught the dry needles on fire with a blaze of brilliant red. Soon all the others were throwing cones of fire creating a barrier between them and the orc pack. He could hear the frustrated cries of Azog and the whines of pain from the Wargs running away with coats on fire. The smell of burnt hair and blood was thick In the air, smoke and fire danced in the air as Narâ clutched the tree with all her strength as it snapped and the roots started to let go. Screams of panic soon filled the air as the others higher up the tree tried to clutch on for dear life, she wanted to help wanted to look at them and ensure their safety but all she could see was the lifeless body of Khimâ on the ground. Red and black soaked his pelt, so much blood, so many bite wounds she was sure he had left her for good. Heartbreak so profound knocked the air from her lungs as tears blurred her eyes. She hadn't been paying enough attention or she would have stopped him. Would have seen the way his eyes tracked the pale orc, seen the fury in them. Thorin rushed past her sword at the ready, shield poised to protect himself. The battle cry from his lips snapped her head up and away from her mount. A new panic settled deep in her bones and made her heart turn to ice as she watched him. Her breath left her in a pained gasp and her heart constricted as he was laid low, a heavy blow from the pale orc had knocked him to the ground. The sound piercing her ears like an elven arrow and his pained cried making her shiver. She could not look away as the Warga picked him up, crunch of teeth on armor, crunch of bones and blood and she felt the scream rip from her throat until it was raw. Movement to her side had her rushing up pulling herself to her feet she was surprised to see the hobbit beside her, small elven dagger at the ready he nodded once at her and rushed forward with surprising speed. She hot on his heels raised her axe high above her head and let it sail into the body of an orc as it raised a crude looking dagger to Thorin who lay motionless on the ground. A deep groan of pain and a gurgling of blood let her know it was dead. The hobbit tackled another to the ground, his smaller body throwing it off balance enough for him to plunge the dagger again and again into its chest.
She heaved a breath and pulled Bilbo up by his coat wielding a sword and he his dagger they stood shoulder to shoulder as Azog smiled down at them, the Warg snapping its jaws. Narâ refused to let her terror be seen if she was to die today, she would die a warriors death protecting those she loved. She sneered as the Warga charged toward her readying her blade to strike it down amazed at the mass of bloodied fur that tackled the smaller female away Khimâ panted snapped at the female. His ear pinned back he could barely stand, his hind legs buckling at the attempt, but he refused to back down. This one would not kill his packmates, not while he lived, he growled ferociously. Narâ let out a bellowing battle cry as the others rushed from the tree's weapons drawn they attacked driving back the orcs to protect their kin and king.
Sharp calls on the wind made her look up from the battle, blood congealed in her left eye and her breath camp in short pants as she pulled her sword with a sickening pop from the corpse of another orc. Dark shapes began to take shape as blurs of browns and whites swooped down toward them. Eagles, huge and majestic they soared through the skies picking up Wargs and tossing them over the cliff with ease. More and more joined the aerial dance, sweeping low to spread the lick of flames across the dry pines the forest blazed with fire, the Wargs retreating on swift legs. Again the eagles dove picking up her companions in huge clawed feet tossing them through the air until they landed on backsides. Narâ panicked leaning her weight over her wounded Warg as a huge eagle came forth and snapped them from the ground, she felt herself being pinned against her bloodied pet, enough room to peer through the skies to see her companions safe, all except Thorin who had remained motionless and quiet as the dead.