Run It Back Again (Part 2)

Chapter 26

*Era's Pov-

We all crept carefully down the mountain, down towards the forest below us. We traveled quietly, with only our own fears to accompany our thoughts. Finally, we reached the bottom and entered the woods. Boromir glanced around nervously as he reached for my arm, and we both listened to Gimili.

"They say there's a sorceress in these woods..." I looked over at Boromir, who was watching me.

"Are you alright?" He nodded and smiled slightly at me.

"Just hoping you'll be okay, Era..." I lowered my gaze and looked away, thinking back to the nightmares I used to have.

"I just feel as though the worst is to come, Boromir..." He wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I promise not to let anything to happen to you." Suddenly, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. As I looked up, I found an arrow in my face, pointed right at me. Boromir tensed, glaring at the elf as he found himself surrounded by elves, all taking aim at him. I cringed away slightly, fearing what might happen.

"A dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." A tall, blond elf stopped in front of us, eyeing us all, as Aragorn spoke.

"We seek refuge in these woods for the night." He raised an eyebrow as he looked at each and every one of us. He stopped when he saw me.

"Not many companies travel with a woman in their presence, especially since not many fight." I started to speak, but Aragorn cut me off.

"She is Era, daughter of Thorin, princess of Erebor..." The elf stared at me for a moment, making me shift uncomfortably.

"A shapeshifter..." I trembled slightly, waiting for what would happen. Boromir shifted his weight, putting himself between the elf and I.

"She is not dangerous unless given a reason." The elf looked between the two of us.

"I don't trust it..." He nodded at a few elves. "Stand by and watch over it. One false move, and you can open fire." He looked at me. "No funny business. Am I clear?" I nodded.

With that, we were off through the forest. Boromir and Aragorn stood by my side as Legolas followed behind me. Frowning, Boromir eyed my shoulder.

"What happened, Era?" I looked down and noticed one nasty scratch that streamed blood.

"I don't know... I never even noticed it." Aragorn stopped, turning to examine it.

"It's pretty old. It looks like you about got sliced through with a huge javelin..." The blond elf stopped and shook his head.

"We must not stop until we reach my lord and lady. They will decide what to do with the creature." Boromir started to protest, but I nodded.

"Very well then..." I nodded at Aragorn, who nodded at Boromir, and we continued walking.

Before long, we reached the center of the forest. There, we were lead into a huge throne room. All the elves around us bowed their heads as a light haired elf lead a light haired she-elf into the room.

"Greetings, and welcome to Lothloria." The she-elf looked at me, watching me carefully as she slowly approached.

"Your companion is hurt..." The blond elf stepped between the lady and I.

"My lady... This creature is a shapeshifter." The lord raised an eyebrow at me.

"I thought there was only one left." I shook my head, staying right where I was.

"No, sir... My mother is Skyrena, queen of Erebor. My father is Thorin, son of Thrain." The she-elf nodded at the elf.

"Both of whom are friends of Middle Earth." The elf nodded at the blond elf.

"Take her to receive help, Haldir. I want you to watch over her yourself." The blond elf nodded and turned to face me. I swallowed back a gasp as I noticed the obvious change in his composure.

"This way, my lady." I nodded and followed him through the forest. When we came to a small room, he stopped. Motioning me in, he smiled ever so slightly. "I hope you'll forgive me for being so cautious earlier... Since we heard that your mother went missing, we figured she'd been turned against us." I frowned as I watched him while another elf tended to my arm.

"What do you mean? My mother was reported to be safe in Erebor, with the elves of Mirkwood and the men of Dale helping protect our home." He frowned as he watched me.

"When was the last time you heard from your family?" I thought for a moment.

"Almost a full month ago..." He shrugged.

"We received word a few weeks ago that she had been taken in your father's absence. We also heard that you had disappeared just weeks before that, too." My heart pounded in my chest.

"No... That can't be possible." I glared at him. "You're lying!" He shrugged and looked away.

"I'm more worried about what will happen if you both happen to get taken. I'm considering asking the lord and lady to keep you here, under our protection." I trembled indignantly as I watched the elf work. Soon, he was done, and I stood.

"I don't care what happens to me. I came on this quest to help, and I will. However, should someone try to stop me, I will prove to be more than a warrior. Am I clear?" He chuckled as he looked me up and down.

"Typical..." With that, he lead me back out to the halls, where we met up with the others.