Smaug's daughter

Barrels Out Of Bond Pt.2

The arrow hit me with such force that I was flung into the wall with a deafening crack. Kili immediately turned his back on the lever and sprang to my side while shouting my name.

My breathing was labored, but the area the arrow had hit honestly didn't hurt that much. I think my breath had just been knocked from my lungs when I hit the wall. "I'm fine..." I croaked. "Get the lever."

There were orcs fast approaching us, and Bolg was readying another arrow. Even if we got the lever, there would still be too many for us to fight. I had to shift forms.

Just as I was about to do so, Tauriel jumped out of nowhere and began firing arrow after arrow at the orcs. The ones closest to Kili went first. I was awestruck watching her fight. She looked magnificent. The jealousy I had previously felt was definitely justified. But in the back of my mind I knew she was here for Kili, who was watching her just as awestruck as me.

After the initial shock settled, Kili picked up a sword from one of the orcs and parried a sword meant for me. Bolg shouted at his orcs as I began creeping closer to the lever. Okay, so the arrow hurt a little. The orcs shifted focus and went on to attack Tauriel, only to be struck down by Legolas and a bunch of his elven soldiers. I almost forgot what I was doing, compelled by the sight of the fight. The elves fought with such effortless grace it was beautiful to watch, especially Legolas and Tauriel.

"Arien!" Kili was at my side again, helping me up. The arrow hurt, but I didn't think I was dying, maybe it was the adrenaline coursing through my blood. We pulled the lever together and then I grabbed the end of the arrow sticking out of my stomach. The dwarves below bellowed their victory as their barrels went on down the waterfall.

"Arien, I don't think-" Kili began, but I pulled it out with a hiss before he was able to finish the sentence. I was expecting blood to pour out dramatically, but nothing happened. When I looked down, it barely looked like more than a nick. My clothes weren't even bloody.

"Thats-" He began, puzzled.

"Jump, you idiot!" I yelled at him, pushing him towards the barrels where Fili was still waiting for us. I could smell that he was there. Another arrow came flying and so I pushed Kili down to the barrel waiting for him. This arrow pierced my thigh, almost making me stumble and fall on my face. But better me than Kili. Gritting my teeth, I pulled that arrow out as well before I dove into the barrel waiting for me.

The current in the river was so strong we couldn't do much but hold on to our barrels and kill the dumb orcs that actually jumped onto us. The orcs were chasing after us on the riverbanks, followed by the elves who literally ran on branches like gracious ballerinas. They defended us for a good while, but stopped after a while. If I were to guess, I'd say that's where Thranduil's terrain stopped.

I waited until they retreated, until I couldn't hear or smell them anymore, then I shifted. I probably should have gotten out of my barrel first, seeing as my big dragon body made it explode, but it wasn't exactly easy to balance on a barrel that was being dragged along a strong current while orcs were attacking.

There were yells when I took to the skies, but also cheers and shouts of encouragement amongst the group. I made a short process out of the remaining orcs, even chasing the ones who ran, so that there was no one who could run and tell Bolg that the dwarves had a dragon in their group.

I flew higher, enjoying the air under my wings, and the sun on my scales. I'd been in my human form for so long. Being in my dragon body gave me such a euphoric feeling that I didn't even notice that I had turned around and was flying enroute back to Mirkwood, or rather back to Thranduil I suppose. I could see his castle in the distance. How long had I been on autopilot?