Saving the Sons of Durin

Thand Thirtui-Canad

After another moment, she heard Radag pivot and gallop back the way they had just came. Once she had reached the rooftop, Ellía crouched down and pulled the horn from her neck. "This should be fun..." she mumbled and blew the horn, alerting not only Erebor of trouble, but the orcs of her presence...

~~~~~

Dwalin, Nori, Bifur, and the guards had wasted no time saddled their horses. They were now galloping down the mountain pass and towards Ravenhill. The group had only just started to see their destination through the fog, when the sound of a dwarven horn rang out through the air. They all pulled their steeds to a halt and listened to it fade away.

"Dain said he gave the lass a horn", Nori said with with worry in his voice. "Aye, he did." Dwalin said as he began to spur his horse forward, but a new sound made him stop once more. The sound of thundering hooves grew louder and the all drew their weapons. "Ath dav!", Dwalin grunted as jumped to the ground, gripping his axe.

A moment later, Radag burst out of the fog with 4 dwarrow clinging to him. Dwalin let his axe drop to the ground as he rushed forward to calm the stallion. "Easy, friend! Easy." He soothed as he took the horse's reigns into his hands. Bifur urged his horse forward as he chuckled, "Mahal! What are ye doing ridin' the Maeras!", but his words made the others notice something.

"Where is Ellía?", Dwalin demanded. The dwarrow all shared a look before Aivura spoke up. "Lady Ellía ordered us to flee on her horse and call for help. There is an unknown number of orcs at Ravenhill. You must go quickly." The oldest of the dwarrow said. "Skirth! Of course she stayed." Dwalin growled as he picked up his axe and mounted his horse.

"Baman. Take the ladies back to the Mountain and tell Lord Dain what is happening. You may meet him on the way with troops after hearing the horn." Dwalin ordered the nearest soldier. Radag began to snort and stomp his feet wildly, causing the dwarrow to cry out. "Alright off the horse. He's not gonna go anywhere but back to his lass now." Nori called and motioned for the ladies to dismount. Ravna slipped off before helping the other three back to the ground.

"Tell the king what you have told us!", Bifur called over his shoulder as he followed Dwalin, Nori, and the remaining three guards onward to Ravenhill. Radag charged forward, leading the way.

~~~~~

Snarls and screeches erupted from the tunnel once more at the sound of the dwarven horn. Ellía propped her quiver against a pile of rubble and notched an arrow. The first creature to emerge was a limping orc. Ellía could see multiple arrows protruding from its back and a dagger embedded in one of its legs. The single orc was then followed by about twenty more in varying conditions. They were clearly survivors from the battle that had hidden away in the never-ending tunnels the orcs had dug.

The pack frantically looked around for the source of the sound. They seemed to have a rabid look in their eyes as they searched the crumbling buildings. Ellía studied their movements and could pick up a stray word now and then as she hid behind rubble. 'Maybe I can just wait it out until the guards come.' she thought as she peeked out. But of course, she was not that lucky.

One of the orcs snapped its head up towards the roof she was on and she ducked down, praying to the Valar she had been quick enough. A moment later, she heard clumsy footsteps coming up the staircase she had climbed. The elf steadied her breath and drew the arrow back. The orc growled as it searched the roof, drawing closer and closer to Ellía's hiding spot.

The young elf looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was past its apex now, meaning the evening was drawing near. Her family would be arriving soon. "One more fight. Then you may run to cín nos, neth er." A voice in the wind whispered to her. The orc lumbered towards her as she took a deep breath and the familiar nerves, she had during the battle, returned in full force.