I would apologize for how long it's taken me to edit this story...but I'm a gangsta, so I won't. The name Varzsiel is copyrighted by me and can't be used by anyone else. Jk, but seriously. XD Enjoy!
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"There isn't enough darkness in the entire world to snuff out the light of one little candle." -Buddha
~Chapter 24~
Goblin Town
Somehow, the chute's curve and the chaotic tumble of bodies have conspired together to deposit me atop none other than Thorin, a twist of fate as unexpected as it is uncomfortable. We weren't even standing close together in the cave for crying out loud! It could have been worse though. His solid frame could have landed on top of me.
My relief of that fact is short lived, however, as more dwarves tumble down top of me, forming a pile with me wedged in the middle. I give a yelp of pain as Bombur lands at the very top of us with a thud, his heavy impact driving the steel boots of the dwarf above me into my back and squashing my body even further into Thorin. Worry fills me as I imagine the fate of the dwarf at the bottom of this pile, surely being flattened like a pancake under our collective weight, dying a slow pancake-squished death! Please be Dwalin or Gloin! They're rock-solid and can withstand the pressure of 15 people! But the thought of poor Bilbo or Ori being at the bottom sends waves of panic through me, sparking a frantic struggle to free myself as I start flailing around.
Unfortunately, my movements only serve to irritate Thorin, who, with a firm grip around my waist, forces me to be still.
"Bombur! GET OFF!" Thorin bellows up toward Bombur, who's sitting there with a clueless expression on his face. Unfortunately, my ear is right where his mouth is, so I momentarily go deaf.
"THORIN! Not so LOUD!" I retaliate with a shout of my own. I can feel his beard on my cheek.
The intimacy of our position sends an embarrassing flush through me, and I squirm in a futile attempt to create some distance only to realize that I'm not helping anything except embarrassing myself further, pressed on top of the Dwarf King. Nori's elbow jabs into my back, drawing a yelp of pain from me right into Thorin's neck. His warm breath puffs in my ear as he also tries to deal with the weight of everyone on his diaphragm.
We all manage to untangle ourselves barely in time to see small, pale, yellowish creatures rush at us with blood-curdling shrieks and wide toothed mouths. I squeak in horror. Goblins? These putrid, hideous beings are goblins?! They look nothing like the cartoonish figures I imagined; the reality is far more horrifying.
They're like little nightmares brought to life, with humanoid bodies tinted in a sickly, mottled yellow hue. Their faces, reminiscent of orcs, are grotesquely misshapen, and their cruel, beady eyes fill me with alarm. The pungent smell of ammonia cuts through my senses, akin to cat or ferret urine, and I gag as their unwashed bodies close in around us. Strange, guttural hissing and growling emanate from their throats—a sound as foreign as it is terrifying. Goblin language?
They have long clever fingers, tipped with claws, which snag at my clothing as they tug and scratch at everyone. A sharp scrape from one of their claws on my arm elicits a high-pitched, yipe from me. The sound halts a couple of the goblins in their tracks, their watery black eyes now focused on me.
"What's this?" One of them croons, his voice raspy and chilling. My heart plummets as the other two goblins begin to chitter in excitement.
"A female?!" The other's voice, gurgling with phlegm, sounds to my left. I flinch away from it.
"Sweet, tasty girl...!"
The goblins begin to crowd around me, but I bare my teeth and lash out at the goblin grinning at me. Shoving him away from me, and connecting my foot with the shin of the goblin beside me.
Their response are furious snarls as they begin to grab at me more directly, before Dwalin grabs me by the back of the coat and pulls me into the group. The dwarves put up a good fight, but it's no use. The goblins push us down long wooden catwalks further into the darkness.
Bats flutter overhead, their peaceful slumber disturbed by the cacophony below.
I've always been fascinated (and terrified) by caves. I explored a couple of innocent ones while visiting China and watched documentaries about them. The maximum depth a cave can reach underground is about 9,800 feet (3,000 meters). Nearly two miles. The sight of the dark chasm below us, beneath the wooden boards we're herded on, on sends a jolt of anxiety through me. Our path is precariously attached to the side of the cave's walls by fraying ropes. But before I can fully process the terrible danger, clawed hands shove me, and I move closer to Dwalin.
As we stumble along, the chasm opens wider to reveal a larger cavern, with even more goblins appearing on boardwalks above and below us. I'm taken aback by the sight of goblin mothers and children leering down at us from overhead platforms, their faces twisted into sneers and growls. I've never given much thought to the existence of female goblins. My mouth widens in surprise as we pass them. I guess I always imagined that all goblins were male even though that makes zero sense. Gotta come from somewhere right? They start to spit at us, snarling something and I quickly close my mouth and duck my head.
The warm air is unventilated and the cloying smell of ammonia from goblin piss is so strong that the stagnant air suffocating me. Like an old lady's house that has fifty-three cats and only four litter boxes on a hot summer day. I breathe through my mouth but feel no relief. I can taste it at the back of my throat.
Strange clashes echo off the cavern walls as notes of dissonant music and voices assault us. They're… singing? Huh. Just like the book and cartoon! Do orcs sing too?
Maybe Dwalin is right- Life creates! Is music the universal language spoken by all races of the Universe?
The Great Goblin is hard to miss, even from far away. He is about seven times bigger than any of the other goblins. His voice booms above the rest, and I can barely make out the words with the goblins hissing and shrieking in my ear and all of the dwarves grunting and yelling. The only clear part is the eerie chorus that reverberates off the cavern walls, "Down down down in Goblin town." The tune is completely different from what I was expecting.
It is all so fascinating and horrendous, a spectacle far beyond the realm of my imagination. My attention is briefly drawn to a bizarre makeshift band on a platform where the crashing and tooting is coming from. Their instruments are a collection of drums and crudely formed horns and whistles and stringed contraptions. But before I can take in more, a rough shove propels me forward, the band disappearing from my sight. I wonder what Goblin parties are like?
We finally reach the center platform, with the throne of the Goblin King. All curiosity about the quality of Goblin parties evaporates in an instant, replaced by a wave of revulsion so potent it threatens to upend my stomach as the Goblin King suddenly and cruelly spears one unsuspecting goblin through his stomach in a swift brutal motion. The goblin's squeal of agony as the grotesque King lifts him up for us all to see, echoes through the cavern, a chilling melody to the goblin's twisted words.
My mouth falls open, a silent scream of horror, as the goblin's lifeblood - a viscous, inky black - trickles down the staff, staining the king's enormous hand. Why would he do that to his own subjects?!? With a flick of his wrist, the king sends the impaled goblin flying over our heads. His body disappears, vanishing into the dark crevices below. Food for Gollum. My stomach rolls. That's disgusting!
My heart aches for the fallen goblin, an unexpected pang of sympathy for a creature I'd feared moments ago.
I instinctively turn back towards the Goblin King and as he spins around dramatically, we all have to duck underneath his staff. I keep my body curling into a protective hunch however, my head out of view. I'll let Thorin handle this. He just so happens to be standing right in front of me, shielding me against the goblin king's gaze. I'm flanked by Gloin and Balin, Dwalin at my side. All the warriors have seemed to congregate around me, with Bifur and Kili shielding Thorin in the front. I remember that this situation is more deadly for me than it is for them. I feel a warmth spread through my chest, grateful for their protective instinct. It won't be safe for anyone once the Goblin King sees Orchrist though. That's when we'll have to run.
I hear more squeals of pain, like wounded puppies, as the enormous fat king crushes a small pile of them while ascending to his throne and my revulsion grows. A king doesn't treat his subjects this way! He's a tyrant!
"Catchy isn't it? It's one of my own compositions." The fat Goblin rumbles. His deep voice sounds like a bullfrog's, but that's offensive to frogs.
"That wasn't a song, it was an abomination!" Balin yells angrily and I can't help but agree. I thought it was kinda catchy (in a weirdly annoying, can't-get-it-out-of-your-head kind of way), but the pain he inflicted completely tainted the melody.
I hunch further down as he speaks, my body huddled almost to the floor. My eyes dart around, scanning the forest of dwarf legs clad in rough-hewn fabric and sturdy leather boots. A knot of dread forms in my stomach when I can't see Bilbo's hairy feet anywhere. Could he be in the very front? My heart hammers in my chest in a frantic beat. He can't be missing!
The Goblin King's voice shatters my thoughts, "Who would dare come armed into my kingdom? Thieves? Spies? Assassins?" His voice becomes an angry squeal but his words hang heavy in the air.
"Damn, he's as bad as you are!" I mutter lowly under my breath, remembering how Thorin and the company thought I was a spy at first too. Thorin hears me though and his fist clenches by my face, indicating that this isn't a joke and I need to keep silent. His body is rigid, a statue carved from stone, his glowering silence a stark contrast to the chaos around us.
"Dwarves, your Malevolence," a goblin answers for us.
"Dwarves?!" the King echoes.
Is the Gobln King blind? He sounds surprised.
"We found them on the front porch." the same goblin explains in a grating drone.
"Well don't just stand there! Search them! Every crack! Every crevice!" The king's command is met with a flurry of activity.
It seems like the goblins have been waiting anxiously for this moment because they pounce.
On me.
I gasp in fright, still ducked down, but my dwarf guards stand firm against the eager reaching claws, refusing to let the goblins through their wall of solid muscle and unyielding resolve. They repel the goblins with their movements reminicent of American football linebackers. Not only that, but the entire company firmly resist the 'crack and crevice' searching. The whole thing causes a much louder commotion than the goblins anticipate.
"What is all this rackus?" the Goblin King's voice booms through the cavern. He pushes through the throng with his dangerously pointed staff until he is towering over me and the others.
When he sees the reason for the squabble, the glint of malevolence in his eye can only be described as demonic. A look of pure evil. I wish I had the One ring if only to disappear.
"A woman!?" His voice is a mix of shock and delight, a twisted smile stretching across his face. "Well, well!...It seems that holiday has come early! Bring up the female!"
"Wha-? Hey! No!" I protest as the goblins pull me forward, "This isn't necessary, guys. Really!"
My protest falls on deaf ears, my words drowned out by the goblins' eager chittering. I'm pulled forward, my body a ragdoll in their grip. The dwarves fight back, their faces marred by scratches and bruises, their lips split and bleeding. But their efforts are in vain with no weapons. I'm dragged to the front, standing alone before the king, two goblins gripping my arms with their clawed hands.
A wave of dread washes over me, a chilling realization that I'm in deep trouble. This is bad. This is really, REALLY bad. I didn't sign up for this! I don't have plot armor!
The Goblin King's voice cuts through my panic, a cruel sneer that sends a shiver down my spine. "Very brave of a female to travel in Goblin country." He leers at me, his grin a grotesque display of yellowed, jagged teeth. "OR! Very foolish."
I swallow hard, my throat dry with fear. "Oh, uh, yeah! Very foolish. Most definitely." I agree in a desperate attempt to placate him.
His eyes narrow, a glint of malice that sends a jolt of fear through me. "And how did you like my song?" He rumbles, his tone laced with a threat.
I blink, taken aback by his question. Why's he asking me? I tilt my head, considering his words and trying to control my fear with an audible gulp. "Well…..uh...as someone who's had to create her own song before on the spot...I DO know how difficult it is to create a tune." I nod hesitantly and my honest opinion spills out. "And your tune was catchy. You had a good rhythm and the words rhymed. Overall, I'd give it a 6/10……..b-but the addition of killing your subject was over the top and detracted from the song." I can't help but add the last part.
His eyes light up, a spark of interest that sends a chill down my spine. He leans closer, and I'm hit with a wave of stench so foul it's…indescribable. It's a nauseating mix of unwashed flesh, infected bacterial sores, and the sharp tang of ammonia from urine. Like an infected, bloated cat. My stomach churns, and I can't suppress the gag that rises in my throat. I double over, choking, only to be forcefully yanked back upright by the two goblins holding my arms. Their cruel laughter echoes in my ears, snickering at my reaction.
The Goblin King remains unfazed by my reaction, his grin widening at my discomfort. "And why exactly are you traveling through the Misty Mountains with this lot, hmm? You have no beard, so you're no dwarf."
I glare at him, noticing his reference to my short height, and, trying to breath through my mouth, reply "Sorry, that's top secret information. (BLECK!) Classified. On a 'need to know' (Arrgh!) basis!"
I would sell my soul to the Necromancer for a cool blast of fresh air in my face right about now.
The Goblin King looks at me with a strange, puzzled expression. His massive body tilts, the pudge of his belly shifting with the movement, a grotesque display that sends another whirl to my stomach.
"She-she means...that we are humble merchants on our way to the Iron mountains!" Balin's voice rings out from behind me. His tone is laced with a cleverly disguised calm as he attempts to steer us away from the precipice of disaster.
"Do you take me for a fool?" The Goblin King jabs Balin with his staff and for a second my soul tries to escape my body, a scream caught in my chest, only to die down when I realize he used the blunt end. "A human woman, in the company of thirteen dwarves?" He looks out over the rest of his kingdom, a smirk curling his lips, "Sounds like a bad joke."
The goblins erupt into laughter and their malicious cackles echo off the cavern walls.
The Goblin King turns back to us, his bulbous eyes focusing once more on me and his voice becomes curious, "I have heard tell...of a human woman not of this world…traveling with a group of dwarves." The Goblin King leans down, his face mere inches from mine as he rumbles menacingly, "That wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"
A frown tugs at my lips, confusion clouding my thoughts. How is news going around about me? How? They don't have social media or cellphones...
An instinctive urge to lie seizes me, "Uhhh, no? No, I'm definitely from Middle Earth. Mister Baggins here is my brother-in-law! Aren't you Bilbo?" I cast a hopeful glance over my shoulder, only to be met with a sea of anxious dwarf faces. My heart sinks, "Bilbo?" I repeat, my voice barely audible.
The Goblin King dismisses my words. "Search her bag," He orders airily with a wave of his huge hand.
The goblins scramble to obey, hauling up all the bags to the front and rummaging through them. Items are thrown around in their haste, a symphony of destruction that sends a pang of regret through me. My companions murmur angrily as their belongings are torn to pieces in front of them.
As the Goblins pull everything out of Nori's bag, the angry murmurs from the dwarves give way to an embarrassed silence as item after stolen item creates a large pile. His bag is like Mary-freaking-Poppin's bag! We all slowly turn to look at Nori, who looks back at us with wide eyes.
"What?! It was just a couple of keep-sakes!" He stammers, trying to shrug it off. Dori shakes his head in disapointment while Ori says nothing, gaping at his big brother.
The Great Goblin however does not seem impressed by this treasure hoard. He examines a gold candelabra and turns it over: "Made in Rivendell?" he says "Bah – Second Age, couldn't give it away!" he exclaims, and tosses it aside.
Wait...Goblins can read Elvish?!
My attention is drawn away by an excited squeal. I turn to see a goblin holding up my hot pink hoodie, his face alight with glee as he waves it around, "Look! Look what I found, your Malevolence! Look!"
"What is this?" The Goblin King demands, snatching the hoodie from the goblin's grasp. He holds it up to his face for inspection. "What is this color?!"
Shoot.
"Uh, it's a very rare cloth that I got from...um...the Easterlings!" I blurt out, my mind scrambling for a plausible explanation. They're the only people I know who live far away.
"University of Nevada." He reads out loud, his voice echoing through the cavern.
My heart skips a beat. They can read English too?!? "Yeah! It's an Easterling college. I-I mean tribe!" I stammer, my words tumbling out in a desperate attempt to cover my tracks. Smooth, Pey. Very smooth.
He ignores my pitiful lies. His attention is focused on the quality of the hoodie's fabric as well as the bright pink color, a color unlike any that currently exists in Middle Earth. He speaks, while he examines the garment, "The bounty stated that it was a short human woman with a shirt the color of the sunset." He glances at me, seeming a tad disappointed before a perverse delight lights up his face. "The Pale Orc will be most pleased."
My world comes crashing down, the noise and chaos behind me of the goblins and angry hollers from the dwarves fade into a dull roar. The Great Goblin words echo in my ears, a chilling revelation that sends a wave of dread through me.
"What did you say?" I whisper, my voice barely audible above the din as if it was just he and I in that horrible cavern.
Bounty?
"Ahh, so you are familiar with whom I speak?" His grin widens as he savors the pallor of my face.
"You...you're lying!" I shake my head, becoming angry and desperate. "Azog isn't looking for me! The bounty was for...for..."
Do not say Thorin!!!
"S-someone else! You're WRONG!" My voice gains volume despite my despair until I'm literally yelling at the Goblin King.
The Goblin King towers over me, causing me to shrink back slightly, "Oh? The Defiler issued forth two bounties. Although..." his tone becomes thoughtful as he speculates, "there are rumors that yours stems from a more... sinister source." His grotesque belly undulates with his laughter at my expression, his gaze raking over me, "Such a shame, really. We could have had a lot of fun with you."
But his words are a distant murmur, my mind consumed by a single, terrifying confirmation. Azog and the Necromancer ARE in league. It is as I feared. Every time I walked into the Necromancer's castle I wore my hot pink hoodie and jeans. It would have been the only way he could describe me to Azog.
"The fear etched on your face is a sight to behold. Truly a pity." The Goblin repeats again, his grin a grotesque parody of remorse as he pivots back towards his subjects, bellowing, "It appears this one is not for our entertainment, lads!"
The goblins' disappointment resonates throughout the cavern, echoing off the stone walls.
But their king, ever the entertainer, turns back to the rest of the company, "But as for the rest of you…give me one good reason why I shouldn't string up the lot of you for the bats to chew on?" His voice yells loudly through the cavern, his repulsive belly quivering with each word.
The company, rather than becoming disheartened, seems to have become more hopeful now that it's clear I'm not going to be torn to pieces in front of them. Thorin opens his mouth, about to speak up, but Bofur clasps a hand on his shoulder, bravely coming to stand in front of the company, "Indeed! We have…we have a most convincing reason. And, I'm about to share it. This instant!"
The Goblin King arches an eyebrow above one bulbous eye, a silent invitation. Bofur's mouth opens and closes in rapid succession, his mind scrambling to keep up with his unexpected success of gaining the goblin's attention.
"Yes…Yes, you see, we were on the main road….until we weren't. A-and there was a huge Thunder battle with stone giants, until there wasn't. So we had to find cover, see? But then we weren't there anymore either. We were down here! And uh…that's…that's where we are now. Here!…that is. B-but, if it's all the same to your royal, uh, Maleviolence?…We'd like to be back up there...again. Uh, if you please?"
"LIES! All of it!" The Goblin King's roar reverberates through the cavern, inciting a chorus of growls, shrieks, and hollers from the goblins around us. The two holding my arms grip tighter, causing me to yipe from their nails digging into my skin. "If they will not talk, we'll make them squawk! Bring up the Terrible Torture! The Mutilator, and Bone Breaker!" He then looks at me with his ghastly grin, "Normally, ladies would start first….but since a far worse fate awaits you...we'll start with the youngest present. We'll loosen their tongues with his screams."
WHAT?! Not little Ori!!!
"No!" I shout, twisting and pulling against the Goblins holding my arms, even as the Goblins pounce on Ori, who's now wears a terrified expression. Dori and Nori's face darken, ready to defend him with their lives.
Where's Gandalf?? What if he is watching this whole thing and doesn't do anything because he feels we need to learn a lesson or some other nonsense? Or worse….what if he didn't make it?
"NO!" A familiar voice thunders out from behind me like a crack of lightening.
A wave of relief washes over me, as Thorin shoves forward beside me, his body a shield against the goblins. His presence is a comfort, a reminder that I'm not alone in this nightmare. The Goblin King's voice cuts through the chaos, his words a cruel taunt.
"Well, well! This just keeps getting better and better! Look who decided to show up!" The Goblin King taunts in surprise, tottering over to us with his gigantic bulk and squishing the little goblins by his throne.
"Thorin, son of Thrain! Son of Thror! King…Under the Mountain." He gives a half mocking bow, and the goblins around the cavern utter mocking laughs, hisses, and snarls. "Oh, but wait! You don't have a mountain. Which makes you…well, nobody really."
Thorin remains silent, but his glare speaks volumes.
"And just in time for me to collect my second bounty!" He bellows and raises his arms and staff, spinning in a circle to face all the goblins in the rafters once more who all break into large cheers. He turns back to Thorin with a cat-ate-the-canary grin, "I can hardly believe my luck. What say you, Thorin? Eager for another meeting with your old enemy at long last?"
"Extremely." Thorin's words hiss through his gritted teeth, his gaze darker than I've ever seen him. I gulp.
The Goblin King smirks, his voice growing introspective and amused, "It's a shame, then, that the bounty for your head specifically stated that it was just your head required. Nothing attached."
I gasp, pressing closer to Thorin.
There's a clatter of swords that hit the wooden platform but I don't pay attention focused as I am on Thorin's face. A few of the goblins are still going through the belongings even though my 'sunset' hoodie has been identified. Now that I think of it, how would the Goblin King even know what a sunset looks li-
Chaos ensues as a goblin begins to shriek and hiss, jumping back from the bag he was going through of swords. The Goblin King is suddenly filled with terror, staring at the offending swords. He steps back, raising an arm to defend himself as if the sword with come alive.
"Ah! I know that sword! It is Varzsiel! The Last Vengeance! The sword that severed my ancestor in two! Kill them! Kill them ALL!"
WHAT?! Varzi-what?! What about Orchrist??!!!!
"No!" I yell in panic.
Thorin's pulls me closer to his side, even as the Goblins start surrounding us, scratching and pulling.
He points at all of us, his terror and hatred overcoming whatever desire he had to sell me and Thorin off to Azog. "Cut off their heads!"
I grip Thorin's hand in mine realizing that he was right. I should have never brought the company down here! We aren't going to make it. Gandalf doesn't know where to find us. Bilbo is lost in the darkness before it's even time for him to be lost. We should have thought of some other way to get the ring. I never got to tell Thorin how I feel about him. I never got to kiss him goodbye.
I turn to look at him and open my mouth, about to do so now, but his hand is ripped away from mine as we're roughly separated. The dwarves fight back but it's no use. It's like we're in an ant hill. There are too many of them. I'm held back by three goblins, trying to pull me from the group while Thorin's held down by six goblins. A sword is raising above a particularly nasty Goblin with the intent to behead him.
He's going to die! He's going to die and it's all my fault!
"No! Wait!" I shout, horrible anguish eating away at me as I continue to punch and kick at the goblins surrounding me.
BOOM!
An explosion, reminiscent of a bomb, causes my sight and hearing to temporarily abandon me. A brilliant white light bursts throughout the cavern, the forces causes bodies to go flying here and there, many falling into the chasm below. My ears ring and I lay there for a moment in a daze, eyes blinded by the white light after spending hours accumulating to the dark caverns. I blink rapidly, turning to see none other than my dear old pal, Gandalf.
"Take up your arms." His blue eyes look like flames in the dark. "Fight."
What? He wants us to fight? I thought we were supposed to run!?
"FIGHT!!" He bellows, his words rushing over us like the white light had.
The company snaps back into action, an energy filling us that wasn't there before. Angry battle cries from the dwarves sound out as they shove the still dazed goblins off of them and rush for their weapons. The cavern soon echoes the sounds of clashing metal, goblin screeching in pain, and the furious growls of dwarves as they fight.
I run over to...Varzsiel?...and pick it up. The blade gleams blue from the goblins around us and I stare at it in awe. The Last Vengeance? Damn! I got me a kick-ass sword of legend!! One that had the Goblin King backing away in fear!
A goblin rushes at me, and thankfully I already know what to do. With a swift movement, I bring up my sword, blocking the goblin's attack. The creature snarls at me with sharp teeth, its eyes filled with hatred and bloodlust. But I don't back down. I can't. Not now.
I grit my teeth and push back, using all my strength to force the goblin away. It stumbles back, caught off guard. I shift my feet as sparing with Dwalin, Fili, Kili, and finally Thorin have taught me. Seizing the opportunity, I lunge forward, driving my sword into its chest. As someone studying nursing, I am familiar the body's anatomy. For once...I wish I wasn't. The sensation is not one I will soon to forget- I can feel it pierce through the flesh, the muscle, into the organs causing a popping sensation as it releases pressure inside. The goblin lets out a strangled cry, its eyes widening in shock and pain. I gape in horror and something akin to regret. I am unable to blink, forced to watch the light fade from its eyes. Then, it collapses.
I pull my sword free with a small tug, the gleaming metal now covered in a sheen of black blood. My heart pounds in my chest. I feel faint. Sick. The image of that creature's last moments is seared into my mind's eye, replaying like a movie. I killed it. I just killed a living, breathing soul.
I feel strangely numb as another goblin rushes at me, its crude weapon raised high. I find myself watching him, unable nor willing to react. Before he reaches me though, Thorin steps in front of me. His sword meets the goblin's weapon with a resounding clang only to then deliver a swift kick, sending the goblin and its weapon flying over the edge into the darkness.
Thorin turns back to look at me. I'm still standing there.
"Move, Peyton!" He bellows, his expression fierce before another goblin rushes at him that he turns to deal with.
While his back is turned, a goblin rushes at him, one that he doesn't see on his right as he's already parring another goblin to his left. Seeing a goblin come towards Thorin, however, is just what I need to snap me out of the strange numbness that's taken over my mind. A hot angry overcomes me and I leap in front of the goblin, quick to parry his attack before loudly yelling as I slice at its torso. The elvish blade is sharper than sharp, and it cuts him as easy as pie. Even though I can feel it cutting straight through the all the components, I do not feel as queasy as before. The alternative to killing this creature is unthinkable. I may not be willing to kill to save myself, but I'm willing to kill to defend Thorin.
More come. Again, and again, I parry their attacks, and then slice them with my blade. It's almost too easy. It shouldn't be this easy, a strange frightened voice says in my heart. But I'm not alone. The dwarves are fighting alongside me, their weapons clashing against the goblins'.
Gandalf is there too, his sword and staff glowing with a bright light. He moves with a grace and power that belies his age, his weapons felling goblins left and right.
Despite the chaos, despite the danger, I can't help but feel a sense of hope. Yes, we're outnumbered, outmatched, but we're not backing down. I plunge my sword into another goblin. We're fighting, and we're surviving.
Thorin movements are swift and effective, a dark angel of death. He turns back to me just as I finish lobbing a goblin's head off. I gasp, looking behind him, "Thorin!"
The Great Goblin is there, rushing forward to slam his scepter over him like a hammer with a nail.
Thorin turns, putting his entire body into his swing as he strikes at the Great Goblin's staff. The scepter, oddly enough, is struck back by the blow! Causing the Goblin King to become off-balance as he stumbles and trips him off the platform. He did it! He just killed the Goblin King!
I stare at Thorin in amazement, the power within his arms to withstand a heavy blow like that does funny things to my insides.
"Run!" Gandalf finally yells at us all before turning and taking off into the darkness.
This time, my body is ready. Walking all day, every day, uphill has toned my muscles and running is actually easy. I keep up with everyone and I don't need Kili and Fili to push or pull me along this time. Which is very convenient, because now is not the time to lag behind.
We race along the wooden catwalks, hoards of goblins closing in.
On multiple occasions, I barely evade or block a sword swung at my head or other scary looking weapon. The labyrinth of timber and rope is a terror to traverse. Fili and Balin diverge on different pathway in order to dodge a Goblin assault, only to thankfully rejoin us several platforms later. Up and down, left and right- the platforms seem to extend on every level. Dwalin and Gloin hurl a ladder across a chasm for us to sprint over.
The warm stench is oppressive. I pant through my mouth, tasting the acrid air as I run quickly. The wooden planks tremble under the weight of our group rushing over them. I nearly trip several times, almost impaling myself on Varzsiel.
It's mostly because I'm a little distracted if I'm being honest.
My company of fun loving dwarves have suddenly transformed into the most badass people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Balin swirls his sword around him as if he's a Master Sifu of Martial Arts. The only thing sharper than Dwalin's axe is his mind as he thinks of ingenious ways to use the terrain and wood to his advantage. He creates pathways and hinders the goblin's pursuit. Kili and Fili work in tandem as they cut and slice through their enemies, a dynamic duo. Gandalf is as courageous and vibrant as when I watched him defeat the Balrog in Moria. And even the others who are not fighters by profession hold their own and slam goblins in the face left and right!
But the dwarf that captures and holds my attention the most... is Thorin. My steps briefly falter as I watch Orcrist dance around him with a grace I've never seen him use. His expression is fierce, terrifying even and goblins parts fly everywhere as he cleaves them in rage. The Goblin-Cleaver. The sword was aptly named. But the sword is only as good as it's weirder. It's like he's dancing. A graceful, deadly dance.
My mouth is hanging open, watching his incredible skill until black blood flies onto my coat. Better keep my mouth closed then.
Suddenly, Gandalf raises his staff to an incline above us and another blast of white light BOOMS! out of it. A large round chunk of stone falls off, and Dwalin wastes no time in using it to his advantage as he and the company roll it down the path before them. I feel euphoric, the adrenaline running through my veins and I let out a breathy laugh as it crushes the goblins before us, shielding us.
"Whooo! Gandalf, you rock!"
Literally...
Then my soul leaves my body as a sudden crash sounds in front of us and the terrifying body of the Great Goblin smashes upwards through the catwalk. I shriek and pull back it utter shock. How is he still alive?!? The destroyed catwalk and hulking Goblin King, back from the dead, causes our group to come to a complete standstill.
"You really thought you could escape me?!" He bellows, large arms flailing about, "You're in my kingdom."
We are completely surrounded and the dwarves create their circle of protection, back to back. My heart pounds in my chest after all that running. I reach out a hand to touch Thorin's coat to ground myself. I know I'm not a warrior like the dwarves, but this is what Dwalin and he trained me for and I won't stand by and do nothing. I let out a shaky breath and raise Varzsiel, prepared to fight once more.
The Great Goblin chuckles evilly, "You're all done for." He bangs his staff on the already old catwalk before slicing his staff towards Gandalf. Gandalf has no choice but to stagger back with a grunt and is caught by Ori and Dori.
The Great Goblin lunges towards us, his massive body moving with surprising speed. I feel Thorin's grip tighten around me, his body shielding me from the impending attack. But before the Great Goblin can reach us, Gandalf leaps forward with a gruff angry yell, brandishing his staff and sword. They both clash against the Great Goblin's weapon.
The impact sends a shockwave through the tunnel, causing the goblins to stumble back. Gandalf uses this moment of distraction to his advantage, his staff glowing with a bright light that illuminates the dark cavern. With a swift movement, he strikes the Great Goblin, sending him sprawling back. He hits him across the face with his staff before slashes across his gelatinous gut.
"Oh...Oh dear." The Great Goblin sounds surprised, his cruel face now sheepish.
Gandalf shoves Glamdring up into his goiter and through his throat in a fatal move. The Great Goblin chokes his final breath before collapsing onto the boardwalk. But because he had broken through the boardwalk, the structure is weakened. It gives a heaving groan as the collective weight of the company and Goblin King damage the already ancient ropes.
"Hold on!" Thorin yells to the company, pulling me close.
No. Wait, wait, wait, hold on a moment! We're not really going to-
"NOO-Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!" I scream as, for the second time that day, I find myself falling into a dark chasm with the company.
I cling to Thorin with all my strength, his arms wrapped around me as well. The company all echo my terrified sentiments as our catwalk goes down, sliding along the cavern walls. Thorin's balance is legendary but...so is the catwalk. I stop screaming after a little while, confused about why we haven't started rolling yet. Gandalf arms are stretched out and he's muttering something. I can't hear anything except the company and Bofur's screams. I stare at Gandalf in wonder and amazement. Just like a hitchhiker through the galaxy needs a towel, every adventurer needs a wizard. They're indispensable.
We land…gently, all things considered. Divine intervention at its finest. Thank the Valar for Gandalf.
I jump off onto the soft powdery floor. I don't even want to know what it's made of. I can't help but let out an ecstatic, "Whoo-hoo!" I turn and hug Thorin in euphoria, forgetting myself for a moment. I pull back and ignoring his surprised expression I yell, "Hell yeah people! We got PLOT ARMOR! Whoo!" I look up and happily yell "Thank you Valar!-OOOOOH NO!!"
The Great Goblin's dead body lands with a horrible crash onto the catwalk, painfully squishing the dwarves underneath him. That's..that's vile. That is just VILE!
"Oh you've got to the jokin!" Dwalin wheezes in pain, echoing my thoughts.
I immediately go to him, doing my best to pull him out from under the wood, but I'm only able to make a difference when Thorin pulls his other hand. With a final tug, we manage to free him from the wreckage. He grunts in pain but manages to stand.
I pause, noticing that the air feels…cooler down here. Still horribly stale, but..is it my imagination or is there a soft, barely perceptible breeze blowing on my face? I take a deep breath, grateful that it's not an oppressive stench.
Shrieks and cries above us cut the positive mood short as we all look up. Goblins are running along the edges of the walls, like little geckos, closing in. Why the hell did they even make all those catwalks if they can just stick to the sides of the caves?!?
"Only daylight will save us!" Gandalf yells, "Run!"
As Gandalf's words echo through the cavern, a sense of urgency grips us once more. The dwarves scramble to their feet, pulling each other up and checking for injuries. Thorin's eyes meet mine, a silent command passing between us as he grips my arm once more. We need to move, now.
The goblins are closing in, their beady eyes gleaming in the dim light. I can see the malice on their faces, the rage that we killed their king. Why on Middle Earth would they be attached to such a foul creature, I'll never know.
"This way!" Gandalf orders the company, his voice carrying over the chaos.
The rest of the dwarves follow Gandalf, weapons ready for any surprises. I grip Varzsiel, and follow Thorin.
And then, just when I think we're done for, a ray of light pierces the darkness. Daylight. Right up ahead! Behind me, I hear the goblins recoil, their cries turning into shrieks of pain. Gandalf's words ring in my ears. Only daylight will save us.
With renewed vigor, I push forward, the goblins aweful shrieks behind us. The light grows brighter, the air fresher. We're getting closer to the exit!
And then, finally, I break free from the clutches of the Misty Mountain's belly, the sunlight blinding me momentarily. I'm battered, bruised, but I'm alive! We all are! We actually did it!! YEAH!!!!
Even after reaching the daylight the adrenaline coursing through my body doesn't want to allow me to stop, and I can tell it's the same for the others. We keep running until we are quite a ways away. This side of the mountain is actually rather pretty. Large pine trees surround us, with dry bits of green and foliage underneath. It reminds me of the Sierra Nevada Mountains! Much better than the monotonous grey on the westside.
Gandalf finally stops up ahead, and turns back to us. Signaling that it's the place to stop. We continue to rush towards him and he counts us again.
"Five, six, seven, eight, nine, Bifur, Bofur, that's eleven. Fili, Kili, that's thirteen. And Bombur. That makes fourteen."
I put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. I've never run so far or so long or so scared in my life.
"Where's Bilbo? Where is our hobbit?"
I stop breathing. Ice flows through my veins and I look up and meet Gandalf's questioning look before letting out a choked gasp. I whirl around to look back at the way we've come. Oh no.
Please...please Bilbo...
End of Chapter
Well! That was fuuuun! I actually took out part of the Goblin Town scene where Peyton bides Gandalf time and copies the gingerbread man from Shrek by confusing the Goblin King and getting him to unknowingly play the Muffin Man song. XD If anyone wants to read it, just private message me and I'll send it to you. I wasn't sure if it was too silly or not so I took it out. It was fun to write though!
Please feel free to review! Reviews are like sunlight to my heart after traveling through Goblin country ;)