"Out of the frying pan..." Thorin whispered in fear.
"And into the fire," Gandalf finished with urgency. "Run. Run!"
Without wasting a precious moment, they sprinted forth in the opposite direction of the encroaching Wargs. Anaynah dashed down the rugged mountainside, the treacherous path tested her agility and balance. The steep slopes threatened to send her tumbling, but she pressed on, fueled by the impending danger closing in.
Her instincts kicked in, and she swiftly evaded a Warg's attempted ambush, causing the creature to stumble and fall. With swift precision, she unslung her bow, notching an arrow in one fluid motion and releasing it straight into the beast's eye. As she rose to her feet, she realized the path ahead was dwindling, inducing a surge of panic within her.
"Up into the trees, all of you!" Anaynah turned her gaze to Gandalf, who urgently implored the Company. "Come on! Climb!"
"Bilbo!" Anaynah vowed not to repeat her mistake of losing sight of their burglar. To her dismay, Bilbo lagged, struggling to retrieve his weapon from a fallen Warg's corpse. "Hurry!"
Bilbo, finally freed freeing his blade from the Wargs skull, sprinted towards Anaynah, who reached out her arm to receive him. With a powerful swing, she propelled his diminutive form up into the safety of the tree, and just in the nick of time. Anaynah swiftly followed, gracefully ascending the branches and assisting Bilbo in climbing higher, away from the imminent danger below.
For a fleeting moment, it seemed they had found respite. Perched on the branch, Anaynah surveyed the scene below, where the patient Wargs awaited. But their tranquillity was shattered when their leader revealed himself. Mounted upon a white Warg, a towering Orc, larger than his kin, emerged. His presence sent shivers down their spines, for there was no mistaking his ominous aura.
"Azog?" Thorin gasped in disbelief, his voice a blend of fear and fury, as the one who had butchered his father and ancestors stood before them, undeniably alive.
"Do you smell it?" the repulsive creature sniffed the air. "The scent of fear. I remember your father reeked of it, Thorin, son of Thrain." The chilling words of the Black Speech of Mordor left no room for doubt.
"It cannot be," Thorin whispered, still reeling from the shock of encountering his ancient foe.
"That one is mine," Azog declared, raising his weapon towards Thorin before redirecting his gaze to Anaynah. "Bring me the Dovahkin, and kill the others!"
Anaynah's heart raced as the tree beneath her trembled violently. The Wargs, under their master's command, lunged at the trees, causing chaos and terror to fill the air. The Dwarves' cries of fear echoed around them as the Wargs relentlessly tore at the wood, just out of their reach. Claws dug into the bark, and teeth gnawed at the branches, snapping them to the ground. Anaynah struggled to maintain her grip on the trembling tree, the situation growing more precarious by the moment.
"Drink their blood!" the chilling command rang out, intensifying the sense of impending danger.
Unable to withstand the onslaught, the tree beneath Anaynah finally gave way. With a powerful force, it toppled forward, colliding with the tree in front of it. In a split-second decision, Anaynah propelled herself forward, managing to grab onto a branch, as did the others. However, the impact from the falling tree also uprooted the second one, setting off a chain reaction. The Company desperately jumped from one falling tree to another, the domino effect threatening to consume them.
At long last, Anaynah leapt onto the last tree, perched precariously at the edge of the cliff. The entire Company clung on for dear life, their legs dangling over the abyss, struggling to find a secure grip. With all her strength, Anaynah pushed her weight onto her chest, using her forearms to reach for a branch above, desperately seeking stability.
Anaynah jumped when a fiery pinecone narrowly missed her ear. As it hit the ground, flames erupted, causing the Wargs to retreat in fear. Gandalf continued to throw flaming cones, passing them to anyone nearby to help fend off the Wargs. Anaynah discreetly lit her own pinecones, adding to the golden glow illuminating the night sky. Cheers of victory filled the air as the Wargs retreated, their leader Azod roaring in frustration. However, their triumph was short-lived as the final tree they stood upon began to give way under the weight of the 16 individuals.
Anaynah desperately clung to the trunk, fighting to maintain her footing as the tree started to uproot. It teetered sideways over the edge, the potential fall from such a height posing a fatal risk, one would not even feel the pain.
"Mister Gandalf!" Anaynah's heart raced as she witnessed Ori and Dori slipping from the branch, clinging desperately to each other. Her relief washed over her as Gandalf reached out his staff for Dori to grasp, but she couldn't help but worry about how long he could hold on.
The situation seemed hopeless, with the looming threat of everyone falling to their deaths. Anaynah strained as she tried to pull herself up further, her gaze meeting Kili's as he struggled to find a grip.
"Kili," Anaynah whispered, her voice filled with hopelessness, searching for any glimmer of comfort in his eyes, her heart shattered upon the fear seeping from him. But her attention was abruptly diverted as she felt a vibration through the tree, causing her to raise her head and see Thorin standing tall. Sword in hand and an oak shield in the other, their leader boldly advanced through the break in the flames, his gaze fixed on Azog.
There was no hope. An anguished cry escaped Anaynah's throat as Thorin was forcefully knocked off his feet by The Defiler. She watched him struggle to rise, only to be sent soaring onto his back once again.
"No..." Anaynah whimpered, her heart sinking.
And at that moment, she understood. The time had arrived, and she knew what she must do.
Summoning every ounce of her remaining strength, Anaynah forced herself to stand tall upon the sturdy trunk of the tree. The flames raged around her, but they couldn't obstruct her view. Her golden eyes remained fixated on Thorin. Gandalf sensed the power emanating from her.
"Anaynah, no!" the Wizard grunted, still clutching the staff that Dori and Ori desperately clung to. "You cannot let them take you!"
Yet, Anaynah paid no heed to his words, steadily advancing with empty hands, devoid of weapons.
The Dwarves' eyes widened in disbelief as they observed her walking directly into the inferno, their screams of protest falling on deaf ears.
"Anaynah, what are you doing?!" Fili cried out, but he got no answer.
As the roaring flames consumed the tree, Anaynah pressed on, untouched by the scorching heat, her eyes burning with unwavering determination. The Hobbit that clung to the tree could not believe his eyes.
"Did she just walk through fire?"
Her gaze locked with Azog, a mix of hatred and defiance reflected in their eyes. Her hands shook as she said a quick prayer.
Valar, grant me strength.
"Azog!" Anaynah's voice reverberated with authority, cutting through the chaos.
Thorin's anguished cry filled the air as the white Warg sank its teeth into him, before callously tossing him aside. The Pale Orc's wicked smirk widened as he signalled his Orcs to advance. Thorin watched helplessly as his companion now was in the midst of danger.
"Untouched," with a wicked smile he reminded them in his native tongue. Azog's dark gaze shifted back to the seemingly unthreatening figure of the Ranger. "You're playing right into my hands, oh prophecied one. Your supposed magnificence was greatly exaggerated. I must confess, my disappointment knows no bounds."
Anaynah's breath quivered as she found herself retreating, the relentless Warg riders slowly converging upon her, gradually pushing her closer to the precipice's edge. The ground beneath her heel threatened to crumble, almost sending her tumbling into the abyss below as she finally reached the edge. She had reached the point of no return, trapped and cornered.
In a fleeting moment, Anaynah glanced sideways, her eyes meeting those of the Grey Wizard, who observed her every move with unwavering focus. Time seemed to slow, their connection transcending the chaos around them. Amidst the flickering flames, he glimpsed the untamed fire burning within her eyes.
Anaynah was a force to be reckoned with. And with a subtle nod, Gandalf silently acknowledged her resolve.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Anaynah tore her gaze away from Gandalf, fixing her unwavering stare upon Azog, who stood mere feet away. Her expression remained impassive, hiding the tempest of emotions churning within her. As Azog, the embodiment of malice and darkness, cornered Anaynah, her heart pounding within her chest, echoing the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
With a resolute gaze, she took a step back, teetering on the edge of the treacherous precipice. The wind whispered through her hair, carrying a sense of both danger and determination.
"Arda naa vanya naire." [Behold the magnificence within me!]"
Anaynah proclaimed, her voice laced with resolution.
Closing her eyes, a solitary tear traced a path down her cheek. Tilting her head back, her body followed suit, disappearing from view as she descended over the edge. Anaynah surrendered to gravity's embrace, hurtling down into the abyss. The world became a blur as she plummeted, her senses overwhelmed by the rush of wind and the sheer magnitude of her choice.
"Anaynah..." Thorin's voice trembled, inaudible amidst the chaos. His eyes welled up with tears, glistening like precious gems, as he extended a trembling hand towards his fallen comrade. The air filled with anguished cries from the Company, their hearts heavy with grief as they witnessed Anaynah's tragic descent, vanishing from their sight.
Fili let out a guttral cry. At that moment, he felt as though his very soul had been rent asunder, torn apart by the cruel hands of fate. Kili, too, experienced a searing pain that pierced his core, a pain he had never known before. Their hearts, once strong and resolute, now shattered into countless fragments, unable to fathom the reality of Anaynah's untimely demise.
Azog, consumed by frustration, let out a primal roar that reverberated through the air. Annoyed by the missed opportunity, he watched as Anaynah slipped away, mere inches from his grasp. With a menacing growl, Azog redirected his gaze back to Thorin, a silent promise of vengeance burning in his eyes.
"Bring me the Dwarfs' head." his voice dripped with venomous intent. He commanded the executioner. But just as the blade is poised to strike, a figure emerges from the shadows, defying the odds and the expectations of all.
Bilbo, the unassuming Hobbit, leapt forward with a courage born of friendship and loyalty. His small frame belies the strength within, as he interposed himself between the impending doom and Thorin's noble visage. He lunged at the Orc, driving his blade Sting deep into it's chest. The halfling now stood between Thorin and Azog, swinging his little dagger with all his might.
After Bilbo's heroic act of saving Thorin, the other Dwarves witness the selfless bravery of their Hobbit companion. Inspired by his courage, they rally together, joining the fight against Azog and his forces.
With a resounding battle cry, the Dwarves charge forward, their weapons clashing against the enemy. Each dwarf fights with unwavering determination, fuelled by their loyalty to Thorin and their newfound respect for Bilbo.
Yet, amid the tension and uncertainty, a rumbling sound reverberated through the very core of the earth. It started as a distant murmur, gradually growing in intensity, until it becomes a thunderous roar that commanded attention. The ground quaked beneath their feet, adding an eerie sense of anticipation to the scene. Eyes looked to the sky to witness the oddity. No storm approached, but the sound was that of thunder, the winds that of a hurricane.
And then, in a breathtaking display of power and majesty, a dark creature emerged from the depths of the chasm. It shot up straight to the sky. Its wings, vast and formidable, beating against the air, creating a gust that rustled the nearby trees. Scales shimmered with an otherworldly iridescence, reflecting the moonlight in a mesmerising dance of colours. It circled them from the air. The Dwarves trembled in fear.
"Dragon!" Fili yelled in horror, his voice echoing with fear.
"It is Smaug!" Dwalin's warning pierced through the mounting panic, his words heavy with dread, "Smaug has come to destroy us all!"
But amidst the chaos, Gandalf's voice emerged like a guiding light, cutting through the thick fog of fear.
"No, my friends. It is not Smaug."
______
The beginning of the end. The final stretch...
Let me know if you like the strong language or if you prefer reading simpler terms.
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- I <3