Run It Back Again (Part 1)

Chapter 48

*Fili's Pov-

Kili and I made it down the waterfall, hacking and chopping through the Orcs.  When we finally got back down to the rest of the dwarves, I glanced up at the waterfall, hoping Thorin, Skyrena, and Era would be alright.

*Era's Pov-

Father and I fought side by side, slicing through the Orcs.  I fought the best I could, but I knew Thorin wouldn't let me anywhere near Azog.  Instead, I soon found myself seperated from him and face to face with Bolg, Azog's lackey who attacked us in Lake Town.

I struggled to fight my fear as I gazed upon him.  He met my gaze and sneered at me, sending shivers up my spine.  I backed off, crouching low as I grasped my blades.  He simply approached me and, despite my attempt to defend myself, picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder.  I released a shriek rather than a scream, reaching desperately to stab him with my blades.

"Era!"  I turned and saw Legolas, Skyrena, and Tauriel coming towards us.  Bolg roared as he put me down.  Turing to face the Orc, he nodded to Tauriel and Skyrena.  "Go...  I've got this one."  As we fought, I turned to Mother.

"Where's Fili and Kili?"  She smiled a little.

"I sent them to safety.  I believe they made it."  I heaved a sigh of relief and nodded.

"Why are you here?"  She shrugged.

"There's no way I'm leaving you and Thorin.  We need to stay together."  I smiled and nodded as we continued on.  Finally, Tauriel turned to me.

"I must help Legolas..."  She nodded at Skyrena.  "I wish you luck, my friend."  With that, she was gone.

*Skyrena's Pov-

He was fighting off the Orcs, one by one.  I drew my bow and shot at as many as I could as I raced over, trying to outrun the Orcs still hunting me.

"Thorin!"  He turned and looked at me.

"Go, Skyrena!"  By this time I reached him, breathing hard.  "Go!  You have to save yourself."  I shook my head.

"Not without you!"  He looked over my shoulder and glared at the approaching Orcs.  I trembled and raised my blades as he spoke.

"Stay by my side, and I will protect you.  I swear not one will harm you as long as I live."  With that, he hacked through the first of the Orcs.  I started to kill them myself, fighting alongside Era, who was fighting almost as well as the both of us, when I heard a voice.

"Skyrena!"  I turned and saw Bilbo running right towards me.  "Come on!  You have to leave, now..."  I shook my head as I stabbed an Orc.

"I can't!  We will be overrun for I cannot shift."  He started to respond, but an Orc knocked him aside as it charged.  I roared in rage as I beheaded it.  Soon enough, Thorin, Era, and I had fought off every Orc.  I sank to my knees, breathing heavily.  Thorin came over to me.

"Something is very wrong with you.  You can't shift, and you grow weary with every second.  What's wrong?"  Era nodded in agreement and knelt down beside me, frowning as she placed a hand on my belly.

"I sense something..."  Before I could answer, someone spoke up.

"She is conceiving a child..."  We both turned and saw Arzog, our dreaded enemy.

*Era's Pov-

"I saw it with every shapeshifter I held captive in the Misty Mountains.  The female loses her ability to shift and her energy before she shows any sign of being with child."  He glared at me.  "You are a child of Oakenshield, aren't you?"  When we didn't answer, he shooks his head and turned to Mother.  "You have brought your own fate upon yourself, for I will kill the line of Durin, even if I must destroy the last shapeshifters to do so."  With that, he lifted his sword.  "Who will die first?"  I cringed as he brought down his blade.  Hearing the clang of blades, I opened my eyes and saw Thorin holding off Azog's blade.

"You will die first..."  Shouting, he deflected Azog's next attack and pushed me back.  "Go!  Get back!  Get Skyrena out of here!"  I didn't argue as I took off away from the waterfall and towards the rocks, leading Skyrena away from the fight.  Hearing a thump, I turned and saw Azog tossing Thorin, who was still alive, aside.  I swallowed hard and stood between Azog and Mother as he started towards me.

"I should have killed you the same way I killed your people so long ago...  You have been more trouble than you are worth, you of the line of Durin."  I held up my swords and swallowed hard, knowing they were no match for his huge blade.  I backed off and shook my head, trying to think of a way out and keep Skyrena away from him.

*Skyrena's Pov-

Without thinking, I leaped to my left, away from Era, and headed for the waterfall and Thorin.  Thorin, who was already on his feet, pushed me behind him, placing himself between me and Azog.  Azog charged, knocking us away from each other.  I used my blades to try to keep from falling down the waterfall, but Thorin flew to the other side, away from the waterfall.  I looked up as Azog towered over me, holding up his blade.  I looked down, smiled, and released my hold on my daggers.

"No!"  Arzog watched me fall, roaring in rage when I hit the wreckage of one of the towers, which held up like a bridge.  As soon as I hit the wreckage, I saw Legolas fighting Bolg.  Bolg looked up as Arzog roared.

"Kill her!"  Bolg's stare zeroed in on me as he grunted.  Legolas struck out at him with his blade as I backed off.

"Run, Skyrena!"  I started off to the other side of the wreckage.