Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Maranda was healing a woman's burnt wrist when the sound of feet reached her keen ears. She straightened and looked around. It was just before dawn which meant it was Thranduil's men. She walked through the streets quickly, racing to get to Alfred before Bard. No such luck. The sun was rising up over the city when she stumbled out into the courtyard. Bilbo followed, gaping in shock.

"Mara what is this?" he mumbled as the two followed Bard through the sea of Elves.

"Thranduil has come to claim what he thinks is his treasure," Maranda mumbled and glared at an Elf that was eyeing her. Thranduil rode in on his Elk, eyeing everything with disdain. Until he saw Maranda.

"My lady," he said tilting his head. Maranda only glared.

"My Lord Thranduil have you come to help?" Bilbo piped up and Thranduil glared at him.

"No. He's here for the Star Gems," snapped Maranda and Thranduil dismounted.

"We come with gifts," he said dully as a cart of food rolled into the square. Thranduil glanced at Maranda. "I am glad you abandoned that fool Oakenshield. He was mad and ill of the mind," he said and she clenched her fists. "Erebor is too precious to be trusted to Dwarves. I think, once this is all said and done, a new Fairy kingdom will rise up. With you and my son at it's throne." Maranda clenched her fists, her wings buzzing madly.

"If you speak one more word against my king Thorin, I will free your head from your shoulders," she snarled, hands covered in blue aura. Thranduil arched an eyebrow. "Thorin may be ill but he is not mad nor is he cruel or evil or wrong! He is doing what he thinks is right, no matter how wrong it is and you will not attempt to use me and supplant him! I know what you are, Thranduil, and you are not half the king Thorin is now, and a mere rat compared to what he will one day grow to be," she roared and the Elves and Humans around her stirred in surprise.

"He has abandoned you," Thranduil pointed out and she clenched her fists.

"Bilbo and I left of our own free will so I could be here to stop you from being an idiot! I know what you wish and I know what you would do and I will not have it!"

"That madman must be exterminated."

"You will not touch him," Maranda screamed, hovering at Thranduil's eye level now. He glared and then his gaze shifted to behind her.

"Slay the traitor," he said, pointing imperiously at Tauriel. She, Kili and Fili had just stepped into the square, confused and disoriented. Before anyone could react there was a snapping sound and Thranduil screamed in agony. He fell to his knees, clutching his arm as Maranda floated down to earth.

"You have no idea what I've been through to get here, Thranduil," Maranda snarled, eyes gold and hands blue. Thranduil stared up at her from his crumpled position on the ground. "I have been taken from my world and been given a chance to make this a better one, better than it would have been and I will not have a monstrous, dragon hearted, wretch such as yourself destroy everything!" she roared and her wings buzzed madly, making her hover slightly. Light flickered from her eyes and her hands were surrounded by an orb of blue light. Everyone stumbled back in fear as she advance on Thranduil, the ground beneath her feet cracking as she walked steadily forward.

"I have seen the darkness you would have done! I have seen you let the line of Durin crumble like so much ash and dust! Seen you walk away from innocent men, woman, your own people! Seen you turn away from your own child! Thranduil, you are a wyrm as much as Smaug was and if you don't find your way into the light and out of your own greed I will deal with you the same way I dealt with him," she snarled and Thranduil stared up at her, undisguised fear on his face. The light around her ebbed away until all that was left was Maranda. Simple, sad, pale, scarred Maranda, shaking slightly as tears rolled down her face. "And Middle Earth will only be the poorer for it," she said softly.

"Mara..." Kili tugged on her arm and she stumbled back against him, shaking with tears. She stared at Thranduil, who was watching her in fear, and blinked blearily. She extended a hand and his arm healed with a glimmer of green magic.

"Don't leave," she said in a hoarse voice. "Even now a force of Orcs the likes of which has not been seen in an Age marches to Erebor. And without you and your people everyone will die," she said and Thranduil stared at her. "I have a plan, but you and your people are a part of it. Because you are a part of this world. And if we do not stop the battle here, the fires of Mordor..." She flinched hugely and covered her eyes. "The fires of Mount Doom will sweep across all of Middle Earth," she rasped.

"Mara, stop," Kili said tugging on her curls softly. She sucked in her lips and struggled to her feet. Thranduil stood, glowering down at her.

"And why should we stay beyond the word of you?" he asked darkly and she looked up at him, eyes dull and empty.

"Thorin thinks you have no honor. I'm often inclined to say you are a coward and murderer. But you are not honorless. Elves never are. I have never known an Elf to die in hiding, fearing his enemies. Please, Thranduil. Look at me and tell me, without lying, that you would watch by as all these men, women and children are slaughtered." Thranduil glanced about and clenched his jaw.

"If you can best me in battle I will remain." Maranda sighed and stood. She was offered a sword and she gripped it tightly. Thranduil leveled his at her face and she sighed. With two fast swipes she knocked aside his word and pressed hers against his neck. She had taken flight at some point but no one saw it happen.

"I win," she said dully.

"That was cheating. We hadn't begun," Thranduil snapped.

"The battle begins when an enemy arises and ends when the enemy falls. Not after moments of preparation and niceties. I won, Thranduil," she said firmly, blade pressed to his neck.

"Then we shall stay."