Chapter Text
Jumping into the small archway, quickly silencing the dwarf standing there. My finger held to my covered lips. He nodded in understanding. My black hood covering my head, my wrap pulled up covering up to my nose, my golden eyes are the only thing visible.
I hear the pale orc talking above, a monologue if I’ve ever heard one. And trust me I have heard plenty. Rolling my eyes, I remove an arrow from the sheath on my back. The arrow is black as a night sky void of any stars. The bow is black as well, with deep red accents, truly beautiful craftsmanship. I take my stance firing up into the orc flesh, just before he was able to pierce the back of the golden haired dwarf.
A loud roar sounded from the orc, releasing his grip on the dwarf. He fell from the beasts outstretched arm. Landing a few inches from where I had been standing. I was already making my exit, running and jumping along the fallen rocks. Reaching my next fight I wait in the shadows of a fallen stone column. This place was so beautiful once, years of neglect causing it to crumble. I hope it will be restored.
The next dwarf I was waiting for appeared, he was able to easily fight off the few orcs attacking him. I do admire him for that. I take this opportunity to quietly observe him, he doesn’t need my help…yet. He’s tall for a dwarf, taller than me by a few inches. Dark hair, slick with sweat sticking to his neck and forehead. A well built body from years in exile. He took down the group of orcs with ease. Slicing through them like the trained warrior he is.
I see the target approach, the pale Orc, Azog. Here to end the line of Durin. “Think again buddy” I whisper into the air of my hiding spot, smirk on my face. I stay still, waiting for my chance.
I watched Azog go under the ice. The dwarf assuming he had won, that was his first mistake. I see him watching the pale Orc float under the ice. Then I hear a load roar of pain from the dwarf, I flinch. The sound of him in pain affects me in a way I cannot describe. I have to force myself to stay still and wait. They fight more and I can tell the dwarf is getting weaker, the orc can see it as well. Next thing I know the dwarf is on his back, keeping the blade of Azogs at bay with his own sword.
Unsheathing my daggers from my waist I make my move. Jumping from my hiding spot I land on the back of the pale Orc. Stabbing between his shoulder blades, around the metal imbedded in his scared skin. Wrenching back with all of my strength I get him off of the dwarf.
I am pleased to see him still breathing. I lock eyes with the dwarf for just a moment until I feel my back meet a rock wall. The orc backed up slamming me into the sharp rocks…hard. “Son of a bitch. That hurt.”
I remove my daggers from his skin. Using the opportunity of him moving forward to squeeze out of the space. Using the rocks underneath my feet. I push up and spin through the air. Landing on the ice in front of the beast.
“You? You think you can protect them?” His black speech reaches my ears but I have no response for him. I stand tall, back straight. Ready to end this once and for all. I hear the two young dwarves from earlier helping the wounded dwarf to my left. I see I am close to the edge of the frozen waterfall now, Azog in front of me. He turns back to the three dwarves. There is nothing separating them from Azog and most certainly death.
I don’t think, I react, just like in all of my years of training. Backing up to the edge of the ice, I lift my arm and take aim. The bracer on my left arm has a spring loaded arrow. One. Two. Three. A deep breath fills my lungs. I see him start to move towards the dwarves who now have the older dwarf up and supported. He seems to be out cold.
Before the pale orc can take another step I have an arrow pierced through his skull. His movements stop. I chance a glance at the dwarves who are all staring, except for the unconscious one of course. I smirk under my mask. Then I see the orc start to tip back. I try to step to the side, but he was already falling on me. I feel myself fall over the edge of the ice. The air rushing past me as I fall. Then I feel it, a magical void. Dark. Vibrating with energy.
I land in a set of outstretched arms. My eyes open and I am met with a set of golden eyes just like mine. I send him a cheeky smile. He shakes his head, but I can see the hairpin of a smile at the corner of his lips. Then the lecture starts. “Do you ever think before you do something?” This was Lambert.
Geralt is setting me down on the ground on shaky legs, keeping his arms near for support. “Of course I do Lamb. Thats why I did what I did. The Orc is dead and so is the other I assume?” I send a look to the triplets, they nod in affirmation. “Yup! As dead as a door nail.” Hamish says to me proudly. Hubert and Harris nod their heads, their ginger curls flopping as they do. I smile at them. “Thanks boys.” The triplets were the last to go through the trials, making them the youngest of the group.
I take the time to look around, I see eight others. Sitting around nursing whatever little wounds they have. We heal fast. None of the wounds look fatal, so I’m not too worried. I look to the North, the battle is ending. With the leader of the Orcs dead it was easy for the armies to get the upper hand.
“Which was the goal,” I say looking pointedly at Lamb, finally addressing him again. Rolling his eyes in return, “Not a good goal if you die in the end.”
I feel all eyes on me, taking deep breath I sign. “Not worried about it when I have the best big brothers a girl could ask for.” They all let out a little chuckle, Lambert rolling his eyes, trying to hide the smirk.
We are far enough away from Erebor and Dale that we shouldn’t run into any prying eyes. So we take the time for rest before moving out. I was ready to get home to a warm bath and continue to avoid my problems of a certain new Dwarf King a little bit longer.
A month later I find myself back in Erebor. I blend in with the shadows, leaning against a pillar. Far enough away from the crowded bodies that are eager to get a glimpse of their new King. A small smile falls on my face, seeing him accept his crown. Then I hear a voice from the past that quickly brings me back to reality.
“Admiring your handy work my dear?” The gray figure asks in his slow, calm voice. I just shoot him a smirk. I don’t have my cloak on, he can see my face clear as day. I knew he would recognize me in the crowd. “Such a shame, he has so much weight on his shoulders, and no one to help him bear it.” His bushy eyebrows raised at me.
“I see plenty shoulders there to help carry the weight Tharkûn. I made sure of it.” Keeping my eyes forward.
“You know what I speak of, don’t play a fool. You know of the prophecy” His quick rise to ire surprises me, but of course I don’t let him see that.
“I know of it, yes. I was the only on present at the time, remember?” Eyes staying forward, my voice void of emotion. I’m not here to give the Wizard any more leverage on me than he already has.
My eyes land again on the King, standing by his people. His dark brows pinch together, confusion written on his face. I can see him start to sent the air. His eyes sweep the room, I wonder if my sent is strong enough to locate me easily yet. I stay put, leaning against the pillar. Our eyes lock. His deep blue eyes staring into mine, almost staring into my soul. I hold his stare, it's like everyone in the room disappears.
He no longer looks confused, he looks almost…hungry. A small whimper escapes me. My brain unravels itself from the trance when I start to see him try to move my way. He is stopped by an older dwarf that honestly looks like Santa. Which I don’t have time to think about right now stupid brain. I need to get out of here, and fast.
Shaking my head, I lean toward the Wizard, balancing on the tips of my toes to reach his ear. He still has to bend down to help me. “Keep my secret? Please old friend.” My eyes pleading with him. “I'm not the woman I once was, a lot has changed. I am certainly not the type to sit still and look pretty anymore.”
He looks at my carefully, “My dear, I’m not sure if you ever were that type.” Sending me a wink. “I shall do what I can. But now that he has caught your sent, I’m afraid you cannot hide forever. He is a stubborn thing.”
“If he is anything like the Durin I knew, I’m not surprised.” I say as I slip back into the shadows.