Run It Back Again (Part 1)

Chapter 45

"Thorin, please..."  He turned, startled, and looked at me.  "Please, don't let this continue.  Call for peace, not ruin."  He shook his head.

"I know you're scared, Skyrena...  I swear I won't let anything happen to you or Era."  He took a hold on my arm and dragged me inside as the battle raged below us.  I jerked my arm free as soon as we were back in the throne room.

"What are you doing, Thorin?  Your kin are out there, fighting your fight, while you cower behind your walls!  That isn't like you!"  He came to a stop and turned to face me.

"I will not risk our future on a silly fight.  Those outside will learn that they can't just bully others into getting their way.  I refuse to allow them to make off with a single coin."  I shook my head.

"Thorin...  You should be out there, with the others!"  He shook his head.

"No, Skyrena...  I should be making sure that our company is safe, as well as our mountain.  Now, where's Era?"  I shook my head.

"I don't know!"  The honest of my answer made me sad.  Even if I did tell Thorin what Era was going to do, we still had no idea where she was.  He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Where is she?"  I shook my head, trembling slightly as he caught my arms and shook me.  "Where is she?!?"  I trembled as he shook me harder.  Finally, someone spoke.

"She left, Uncle."  We both turned and stared at Fili, who kept his gaze down.  Finally, Thorin found his voice.

"Where did she go?"  His voice was low and threatening.  Fili refused to look up at him.

"I don't know...  She left the mountain and stayed out so that she can fight when the Orcs come."  I bowed my head as Thorin turned towards me.

"Is this true?"  I refused to look at him as I nodded.

"She's trying to save your life, Thorin...  She knows what's going to happen if you go to war."  He shook his head.

"I don't believe it..."  He turned to Dwalin.  "Escort Queen Skyrena to her chambers and make sure she stays there."  Before Dwalin could link his arm with mine, I took off towards the wall.

As I ran, I felt panic.  What if I sealed our fates by doing this?  I shook my head, thinking of Era.  While she may not approve of my choice, I knew she'd forgive me as long as I lived through this.  As soon as I reached the top, I leaped over the edge of the wall, and, shifting into a bird, I flew down towards the battle that raged below.

As soon as I hit the ground, I saw the Orcs coming over the side of the hill to the East.  Leading them was Arzog.  I snarled as I slashed through the first Orc.  For some reason, I know I shouldn't be here, but this was a lot better than facing Thorin and his foolishness.

Up until we reached the mountain, he'd always been so kind and gentle.  Somehow, I knew he was still there, even if his behavior was off.  I felt the anger burn inside me as I compared the Thorin from last night to the one who was hiding inside the mountain.  Without warning, I shifted into a huge wolf tore through the Orcs, taking my anger out on them.  However, I couldn't find Era.

*Era's Pov-

As soon as the Orcs came over the hill, I started for the top of the waterfall, where Azog would be going.  If I could just get there before him, I'd have the element of surprise...

*Thorin's Pov-

"We have to go down there!"  I shook my head at Filli, who was searching the battle below us for Skyrena.

"No...  This is not our fight."  Balin's jaw dropped.

"But, Skyrena's down there!  She is our queen...  Besides, if Era's down there somewhere, we should help her!"  I turned to face him, anger flaring inside me.

"I am your king!  I say what we should and should not do!"  Everyone backed off a bit.  I sighed and looked down towards the battle, remembering everything Skyrena and Era had said and wondering why I never had listened.

What they had requested always made sense, but I never could see the wisdom in their words, especially since Era knew my fate.  Now, in her anger, Skyrena was down there somewhere, fighting off the Orcs, and Era was preparing to face Azog herself.  I felt something snap inside me as I took off into the halls.  I knew I'd been foolish, and Skyrena was out there because of me.  I shook my head as all sorts of thoughts raced through my head.  Eventually, it all came 'round to everything Skyrena and Era said about me or our situation.

Suddenly, I felt as though I had just woken up.  I took the crown from my head and pitched it across the room.  I started towards my chambers and changed from the rich, flowing robes to my old travel clothes.  Heading back out, I saw the others fiddling with their weapons.  Killi stood and shook his head.

"I'm tired of hiding from the fight, Thorin.  It's not in my blood to hide from a fight that is rightfully ours while our friend and queen is out there, fighting our battle beside our kin.  I can't stand it!"  I nodded and looked around at the others.

"You're right...  It's not in your blood."  I raised my voice so the others would hear me.  "I know I have no right to ask this of you all, but will you follow me into battle one last time?"  One by one, they all nodded.