Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 1

Princess of Erebor...  Not exactly the best thing, but I couldn't complain.

First of all, I was the daughter of Skyrena of the Woods and King Thorin of Erebor.  I lived in Erebor, with those who had travelled with Mother and Father to reclaim Erebor from the dragon, Smaug, and their families and kin.  Also, I wasn't necessarily the only one around my age, but I had plenty of friends, including my cousins, Fili and Kili, and many others, who were always more than willing to share a story or two about Mother and Father.

However, being the princess had its drawbacks.  Father didn't want me to so much as look at a weapon, much less wield one.  I learned at a young age how grand of a warrior he and Mother were, but I couldn't understand why he wouldn't let me learn to fight.  So, I learned in secret.

When I was 10, I convinced Fili and Kili to train me, promising that, if we ever got caught, I'd take full responsibility.  Meanwhile, Mother taught me everything I needed to know about being a shapeshifter, from how to shift to extracting energy.  This is how I spent the first 50+ years of my life.

I soared through the air, flying through the tree branches with such ease, I knew I wouldn't have a single scratch.  Reaching the top of the tree, I shifted back into my dwarf form and looked out to the sunrise.  It was so beautiful, but a dark shape caught my attention.  I frowned and, shifting into a falcon, flew off to see what was happening.

About a mile from the outskirts of Dale, I saw a pack of Orcs.  For a moment, I wanted to shift into my dwarf form and attack, but there was too many to take on myself.  So, I flew back and found Fili and Kili, who were sparring in a clearing on the side of the Lonely Mountain.  As soon as I landed, Fili turned and smiled at me.

"Well, are we ready to head back?  I don't think your father will appreciate a ride that took longer than usual, especially with what today is..."  I shook my head.

"Nah, I'm sure he wants me to be out longer than usual.  He's probably too busy with planning tonight's festivities to notice."  I shrugged.  "Besides, I've spotted a pack of Orcs outside of Dale."  They both looked at each other before Kili spoke.

"Now, Era...  We made a deal.  No combat situations until your father approves of your training.  Remember...?"  I stared him down.

"There's at least 36 Orcs, Kili.  We have to at least warn the men of Dale..."  Fili looked over at his brother and shrugged.

"What harm could it do?  She's been training for years, and we should warn the men of Dale."  He lifted up his sword for Kili to see.  "Besides, we are pretty heavily armed..."  Finally, Kili nodded.

"Alright, fine..."  He turned and smiled at me.  "Besides, I think you could use a little practise this morning."  With that, we mounted and started off towards Dale, which was only half a mile away from where we'd been sparring and training.

*Thorin's Pov-

"Come now!  Where's the minstrel's?  Don't forget to mope these floors!"  Skyrena chuckled as she approached me, shaking her head.

"Thorin...  Isn't this a bit much?"  I frowned and looked around.

"What do you mean?"  I looked back at her.  "I think it's not enough!"  She beamed at me as I linked my arm with her's.

"You know Era...  A simple meal with everyone would be grand enough."  I sighed and shook my head.

"I just want everything to be perfect.  I mean, she's turning 60.  She's a fully mature.  Besides, the whole kingdom will be here!"  Skyrena sighed and nodded.

"I know, but..."  She ducked as someone walked by with a platter balanced on his hand.  "Era knows that she's grown, Thorin.  And, I think we both know what she wants more than anything for her birthday..."  I started to speak when a messanger came in.

"Dale's under attack!  A pack of Orcs!"  I sighed and shouted for a host of men to prepare to set out.  Before taking off, I turned to Skyrena.

"We'll speak of this later, my queen."  She smiled and kissed my cheek.

"I'll find Era and prepare her for the banquet.  You be carefull."  I smiled and kissed her hand.

"Aren't I always?"  As we reached the gate, I looked out towards the new Dale.  Seeing some ponies outside of Dale, I turned to Balin and Dwalin, who were on either side of me.  "Did you already send men out?"  Both shook their heads.  I counted the 3 ponies and felt anger flare up in me.

"Era, Fili, and Kili..."

*Era's Pov-

Right when we reached Dale, the Orcs attacked.  I withdrew my twin blades and combined them into the double bladed staff, something I'd recently designed in order to impress Father with.  I turned and nodded at Fili and Kili, who'd drawn their swords.

"Sound the alert.  Make sure the women and children are inside and off the streets."  They nodded and took off.

Already, men were spilling into the streets, weapons drawn.  I shouted as I attacked the first Orcs, slicing one and beheading another with a swift swing of my double sword staff.  All around me, the men followed my example and began fighting.  I twirled my weapon around, slicing and beheading with a simple movement or stabbing them with a jab.  Already, I'd killed off several, but more were coming.

Soon enough, we were down to the last few Orcs.  I smiled a little as I scaled the side of one of the buildings and nose-dived at my opponent, blade first.  As soon as I hit the ground, I heard a shout.

"Era!"  I turned and saw several ponies and armed dwarves approaching the square, where I fought.  I sighed.

"No...  Not now."  Suddenly, I was blindsided by an Orc and knocked off my feet, my staff skidding across the coblestone.  I cursed myself for letting my guard down and, rolling out of the way of the Orc's falling blade, took off after it.  As I grabbed it, I turned and watched the Orc, who was in hot pursuit, jerk and stop just inches from striking me with his blade.  I slashed at him, removing his torso from his waist, and found myself face to face with Father.