A War Not Yet Won {Thorin Oakenshield Sequel to My Heart My Mountain My King}

Chapter 3 - An Old Aquaintance

"It's Azog," I said. "He's alive."

I shot my arrow at another Orc coming my way.

"It's not possible," Thorin contradicted. "It cannot be!"

He cut down another Orc.

There were too many of them. Far too many for a dwarf and a nymph to ward off. Even with our battle skills, it was futile.

"We can't fight them," I claimed.

"And what do you expect me to do about that?" Thorin argued. "I'm not giving up."

Suddenly, an arrow was shot into the Orc he was about to kill. It wasn't my arrow. We turned our heads. In the trees, a blonde elf was running through the branches, firing shots at orcs, just like how I had first become aquatinted with him.

"Legolas!" I shouted.

He jumped out of the tree and landed next to us, still firing his shots. He pulled out a knife and expertly sliced an orcs throat while at the same time, taking one out with his foot.

With the help of Legolas, we had managed to frighten the Orc pack off.

"Jaedda," Legolas said.

"Legolas," I returned. "Thank you for helping us."

Thorin rolled his eyes.

"My pleasure." He bowed his head toward me. "Queen Under the Mountain." I giggled.

"Your father said that you had abandoned him shortly after the battle of the five armies," Thorin said to him.

"Aye," Legolas replied. "I cannot live under my father's heavy hand forever. I was seeking out a man by the name of Strider."

"Then, why have you returned to Greenwood?" I asked.

He sighed. "Ran out of arrows during the battle. I tried to make more. Turns out, I can't make arrows."

"What brought you to our aid?" Thorin asked.

"I saw the ponies," Legolas answered. "I figured they were dwarves' ponies, so I tied them up next to my horse just up the trail. I came down here to see what had spooked them."

"I'm glad you did," I admitted. "This weren't looking so good."

Thorin rolled his eyes again. Even though he had rekindled his forces with Thranduil, he still didn't like admitting that he needed help from Elves.

"Might I ask, do you know what has happened to Tauriel?" he asked.

I nodded. "She lives with us in the mountain."

He smiled. "Do you think she'll come with me if I ask her?"

"On an adventure?" Thorin questioned. We exchanged a glance. He doesn't know.

Legolas nodded. "She's not coming back to Greenwood, I know that. And that dwarf who was catching her attention died in battle. There's no reason why she wouldn't come with me."

"Legolas," I said as I stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Tauriel is married to that dwarf. He didn't die."

Legolas let out a breath and stepped backwards. "Married?" he asked. "But...what?"

"It's sort of a long story..." I stalled. "Would you like to come see her?"

He shook his head. "No. No, I do not wish it. Perhaps, some other day."

I nodded. "I understand."

He swallowed. "Your ponies are just ahead. I'll be seeing you."

And with that, he turned and headed towards the palace.

"Poor Legolas," I said. "I think he fancied Tauriel."

"Yeah. But my nephew beat out King Thranduil's son, that's got to count for something," Thorin boasted. I smiled and kissed him.

"Whatever you say."

He chuckled as he chased me down the lush trail. I laughed, but Azog's voice still resonated in the back of my mind. He wanted us dead. And nothing was going to prevent him from killing us. Not even his own death.