Note: Hello everyone! Shoutout to those of you who've liked my story and shoutout to the user who left a review on my other short story that I just posted! Keep them coming! As always, Middle Earth and its characters are owned by Tolkien and I own my OCs. Tauriel is owned by Peter Jackson. Please like, follow and review! Here's Chapter 9!
Chapter IX
It had been a few days since Thorin had begun to place some trust in Bilbo and Eruanna Úlumiel. On this particular day, he sent them to keep an eye out for orcs. The duo peeked out from behind some rocks, seeing orcs and wargs searching for them. The then beheld a large bear-like creature staring out in the distance before letting loose a booming roar.
The duo raced down. "How close is the pack?", Dwalin asked. "Close. A couple of leagues but no more", Eruanna responded. "We have another problem", Bilbo added. "The wargs picked up our scent?", Dwalin asked. "No, but they will soon enough", Bilbo said. "We have another problem", he repeated.
"They saw you", Gandalf asked. "No, they didn't see us", Bilbo said. "See? What did I tell you, quiet as a mouse, excellent burglar material", the wizard said and the dwarves voiced their agreements.
"Valar, what part of 'We have another problem' do you fail to understand!?!", Eruanna shouted and they went silent. "We are trying to tell you there is something else out there."
"What form did it take? A bear?", Gandalf asked. The group looked at him, shocked. "Yes, but much bigger", Bilbo responded.
"You knew about this beast?", Bofur asked. "I say we double back!"
"And be run down by a pack of orcs?", Thorin snapped.
The dwarves began to panic but Gandalf stopped them. "There is a house", Gandalf said. "Where we might take refuge."
"Whose house? Are they friend or foe?", Thorin asked. "Neither, he will help us or he will kill us", Gandalf said.
"Like we have any other choice", Eruanna said as they heard a roar. "Let's go", she said quickly. The Company ran across a field and finally came to a small hut surrounded by a wall. Eruanna saw a bear charging after them. They burst open the door and locked it in the bear's face.
"What the hell was that!?!", Eruanna cried out.
"That is our host", Gandalf said. The Dragon Princess looked at him as if he was insane. "His name is Beorn. He is a skin-changer. Sometimes he's a huge black bear and other times he's a great, strong man. The bear is unpredictable but the man can be reasoned with, however he's not overly fond of dwarves."
"You all may rest here tonight peacefully... I hope", he said. They all settled down.
They rested peacefully for the night. When Eruanna woke up, the dwarves were gone. She turned to see Bilbo next to her and lightly smacked him in the arm like she did with Elrohir when he began snoring. They both got up to find the company having breakfast.
Beorn was a tall man in shaggy clothing. His beard was long and wild, his body well-built and muscular. "So you are the one they call Oakenshield?", he asked Thorin. "Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?", he asked. "You know of Azog?", questioned Thorin. "How?", Thorin asked.
"My people were the first to live in the mountains before the orcs came down from the North. The Defiler killed most of my family but some he enslaved, not for work, you understand, but for sport. Caging skinchangers and torturing them seemed to amuse him", Beorn spoke with a heavy voice and Eruanna looked at him somberly. Her five dragons were huddled together, listening.
"There are others like you?", Bilbo asked.
"Once there were many. Now there is only one", Beorn answered. He sat down. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?."
"Before Durin's day falls, yes", Gandalf replied. "Then you are running out of time."
"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood", Gandalf said. Eruanna almost choked on her food and glared at the wizard. She didn't tell the dwarves of her paternal line even though most of them practically begged her to do so.
"A darkness lies upon that forest", Beorn informed them. "Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur", Beorn said. "Dol Guldur used to belong to my kin. It is in the southern part of Mirkwood but was long since abandoned", Eruanna informed the dwarves.
'We will take the Elven Road", Gandalf said. "It is safe." The Princess's ears perked when she heard the word "elven." "Safe?", Beorn asked. "The wood elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They are less wise and more dangerous but it matters not."
"What do you mean?", Thorin asked.
"These lands are crawling with orcs, their numbers are growing and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive", Beorn warned us. "Unless", he looked at Eruanna. She stared back at him.
"Unless what?", Thorin asked. Eruanna averted her eyes to look at her shaking hands.
"The elf you have with you. I know who she is. I am not entirely sure you do", Beorn said. Eruanna looked at the skinchanger.
"She is the granddaughter of Lord Elrond of Imladris", Thorin answered. "And the-"
"Mistress of Dragons as well as the Princess of Mirkwood", Beorn finished. "She is Eruanna Úlumiel. They call her the Dragon Princess or the Dragoness."
The dwarves looked up at her, shocked. Eruanna stood up and sighed. "You would have found out anyways", she said, throwing up her hands in mock surrender. Thorin looked at her and she glanced uneasily at the company.
"My mother is the eldest child and heir of Lord Elrond, that I have told you. But my father is the only son and heir of Thranduil, the Elvenking of Mirkwood. My paternal grandfather." The company looked at Eruanna in shock. "Why didn't you tell us?", Dwalin asked. "We trusted you", his tone pierced Eruanna's soul.
"I feared your wrath", Eruanna admitted. "But I swear", she looked at Thorin. "I am not my paternal grandfather." "Hmm", Thorin grunted and her heart sank. He merely turned away from her as if all her previous deeds meant nothing, solely due to the blood in her veins.
"She can secure us a path through Mirkwood", Gandalf said, ignoring the new tensions brewing between Eruanna and Thorin.
"I hardly know the elven path. I haven't visited my paternal grandfather in a long time. And he is not like Elrond. He is more stubborn and more easy to anger. He is far more disdainful of dwarves. He may have paid homage to King Thror and respected him but we both know how that alliance ended", Eruanna warned them.
Beorn got to his feet and slowly circled the Company. The air grew tense as he spoke. "I don't like dwarves, they are greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own", he paused. "But orcs I hate more. What do you need?"
He gave the Company his ponies and advised them to travel while they still had light. The Company thanked him and rode to Mirkwood. At the borders, Gandalf commanded, "Release the horses, let them return to their master. Not my horse, I need it."
"You're not leaving us", Bilbo said. "I wouldn't if it was urgent Master Baggins", Gandalf said. "Stay on the road. If you lose it you will never find it again", Gandalf warned them. "I will meet with everyone on the peak of Dale. Do not enter that mountain without me", he said before galloping away.
"Wizards", Eruanna muttered.
The Company walked along the path but they suddenly stopped. "Nori? Why did we stop?", Thorin asked one of the dwarves. "The path... it's gone", Nori said. "Find the path!", Thorin commanded. Eruanna gently grabbed Thorin's shoulder. "I will scout out a path. I will come back if I am not successful." He nodded and allowed her to run off.
Eruanna ran off into the woods and slowed to walk, slowly and silently scouting the area like she had done on patrols. She'd been young, just barely past her majority when she was allowed out on patrols, but she'd only been there for a few years before she was called back to Imladris.
"Why do we have to leave for Imladris? Nana says she and I are moving there", Eruanna looked up at her father. The confused child, no more than twenty years old, had been left alone with Legolas whilst her mother, Hiriel, went to pack their things.
"It is not safe for you here, my love", Legolas responded. "But do not worry. One day we'll find each other under the same canopy again when the darkness subsides and the leaves grow green again."
Eruanna smiled and Legolas stared into her deep blue eyes. "You have your grandmother's eyes", he said with a sad smile.
"Daernaneth Celebrian?", asked Eruanna.
"Nay. Daernaneth Itarille. My mother", Legolas responded. Few ever spoke of the Queen of Mirkwood, who died long before her granddaughter was born. "She would have adored you. They say her spirit haunts this forest."
Eruanna had seen Itarille's statue at the entrance of the realm. She'd long felt a connection to it, as if her grandmother was still with her despite having passed on.
Legolas crouched down and held his daughter's hands. "I still believe she will always be watching over you. But, know this, if you ever get lost in the forest, look to the sky."
Eruanna snapped out of her trance when a majestic white stag came forth, its hooves crunching the grass. Eruanna's eyes widened. The stag symbolized purity or a gate to the beyond, as some said. "Hello", Eruanna reached out to it. "Did my daernaneth send you?"
The stag did not flinch away from the Princess. It instead motioned its head upwards, nodding to the sky. If you ever get lost in the forest, look to the sky.
Eruanna looked up. "Of course", she murmured.
She climbed to the top of the trees as the stag nodded to her before running away. Eruanna burst out from the red leaves and her dragons screeched in happiness. They had been following her faithfully, as always. She smiled up at them until she heard a familiar voice.
"Eruanna!", Bilbo happily waved to her. He was only a few feet away and it did not take her long to reach him. Bilbo took a look at her dragons and chuckled. "I think I'm getting used to these guys!", overtime, the hobbit had become less fearful of the dragons.
Eruanna joined him with a smile. He was the only person that made the journey with the dwarves bearable. "It seems we have found the way", she said with a smile.
"Yes!", Bilbo pointed, excited to have some direction. "Do you see the lake? And the river? And... the Lonely Mountain!", he cried joyfully. "We're almost there!"
"Can you hear me? I know which way to go!", Bilbo called down to the dwarves. A chilling silence returned and Eruanna felt uneasy. "Bilbo... where are the dwarves?", she asked.
The hobbit grew frustrated. "They were just here!", just then they heard twigs snapping in the distance. The trees rustled and Eruanna grimaced. "Oh Valar", she murmured. She looked at her dragons. Faroniel looked intrigued, she was always itching for a good hunt. Naurion and Sûlion as always looked like they wanted to pick a fight with whatever lurked in the woods. Ceveniel and Helegiel aired on the side of caution.
Eruanna looked at her dragons. "Stay in the sky and keep watch", she ordered them. "Come Bilbo", the duo crept down the tree only to face a mass of cobwebs. "I feared this", Eruanna murmured.
"Feared what?", Bilbo asked. Fate answered his question when a giant spider crawled out and made itself known with a growl. Bilbo screamed and fell into a cobweb. Eruanna grabbed her dagger and stabbed the spider in the eye, causing it to stumble away from her.
Eruanna leapt down and freed Bilbo. Looking around, they saw several sack-like objects. "The dwarves. The spiders got to them", Eruanna murmured. This was soon proved when the spiders surrounded them and began to try to eat them. The dwarves struggled against the webs.
"Free the dwarves. I'll distract the spiders", Eruanna said. Bilbo nodded and left, drawing his sword which he'd found in the troll cave. Eruanna put her daggers away and readied her bow. She shot down the spiders who all screeched in pain. The spiders soon surrounded her, now angered.
Just then, arrows struck the spiders and one by one, they fell. Eruanna heard a very familiar grunt. Her father, Legolas, Crown Prince of Mirkwood, swung down and killed the spider in swift movements.
Legolas looked at Eruanna and his grey-blue eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing here?", he asked. "You weren't due to vist."
Eruanna licked her lips. "I was not. I-I can explain", by now the rest of Legolas's patrol group had shown up and they bowed to the Princess.
"We're clear!", Thorin shouted. "Where is the elf? Where is Eruanna?"
The patrol group looked at the Princess of Mirkwood. "Follow the voice", Legolas commanded. The elves swooped down, descending on the dwarf group and attacking any spiders that remained. It was there where Legolas saw Thorin.
"Do not think I won't kill you, dwarf", Legolas spat. "It would be my pleasure." The Company glared at him but just then, they heard a shout.
"Kili!", Fili cried out as Kili emerged, being attacked by a spider. A silvan elf by the name of Tauriel, swooped down and killed the spiders whilst injuring one of them who tried to attack her from behind. "Throw me a dagger!", Kili shouted. "Quick!"
"If you think I'm giving you a weapon, dwarf, you are mistaken!", Tauriel called back, throwing a dagger at the spider, killing it. Eruanna glared in her direction. The Princess thought Tauriel was rash and disobedient. Tauriel did not respect the Dragon Princess and deemed her to be nothing more than a spoilt child.
"Search them", Legolas commanded. "No adar!", Eruanna called, getting in between Thorin and Legolas. The elves looked at her, stunned. "Iell nin", Legolas looked at her in shock. "What are you doing?"
"Ada, the dwarves are just trying to pass through", Eruanna informed him. "They mean us no harm."
"Why defend them?", Legolas asked, now even more confused. "Mithrandir convinced me to help them on their quest", Eruanna answered.
Legolas sighed and looked down before facing her. "I cannot go against protocol, nor can I disobey the orders of your grandsire, the King", he said. He motioned to the elves who began stripping the dwarves of their weapons.
"Of course", Eruanna thought. The birds, beasts and trees all communicated with their King. Mirkwood elves had a special connection with the forest and no one entered or left the forest without the King knowing it.
"Gyrth in yngyl bain? (Are the spiders dead?)", he asked Tauriel. "Ennorner gwanod in yngyl na nyryn (Yes but more will come)", she replied. He looked at her and she whispered. "Engain nar (They are growing bolder)."
"What are you doing here?", Tauriel asked Eruanna. "That is not your concern", Eruanna shot back.
"You aren't supposed to be here. Why aren't you in Imladris?", Tauriel pressed further, demanding she answer. But the Dragoness would not have it. Eruanna glared at Tauriel. "I don't need to answer to you, Tauriel. I don't care what position you have."
"I happen to be Captain of the Guard", Tauriel shot back.
"And I am a Princess. Don't forget yourself", Eruanna hissed before storming off.
An elf came forth and handed Eruanna's father Thorin's blade. "Echannen i vegil hen vin Gondolin. Magannen nan Gelydh (This is an ancient Elvish blade. Forged by my kin)", my father said, looking at the sword in awe.
"Where did you get this?", the Prince asked Thorin. "It was given to me", he replied. Legolas then pointed the sword at the dwarf's neck. Eruanna tried to say something but no words came out. "You're not just a thief but a liar as well. Enwenno hain (Take them)!", he shouted.
"Thorin, where's Bilbo?", Eruanna heard Bofur whisper. She looked around but didn't see the halfling. When the dwarves entered the Woodland Realm, the elves followed behind. "Holo in ennyn (Close the gate)!", Eruanna's father called. They stood at the doors but then her father looked behind. "Did you hear something?", he asked her. "No, come on, let's get inside", she said, taking his arm and pulling him in as her dragons followed.
Elvish:
Iell nin: My daughter
Adar: Father
Daernaneth: Grandmother
Important note: I see majority as the age of 100, when elves are considered fully grown
