Iron Stars

Chapter 4: Dwarf-Friend

FA 472
Beleriand

"Orhim avor ornzar"

"Orhim avor ornzar" Nyx said slowly. "Now what did you make me say?"

Azâghal laughed, laughed his big booming laugh. "I made you say 'home of iron'. It's a saying among dwarves that homes with strong parents are homes of iron. I thought you might like it considering you and that brother of yours are basically the parents of your family" the dwarf told her, handing her a small piece of paper with the runes for the phrase on it.

Nyx smiled, it was certainly true. Maedhros and her did lead their brothers both in politics and battle as they did now. As they marched to war against Morgoth.

She gazed over to where her brother stood, staring across the plains, his red hair dancing in the breeze. She wanted to tell him to rest, none of them had since Ulfang had betrayed them and they needed it if they were going to fight.

Around them were tents in which soldiers slept, dwarves and men and elves alike. The wind swept gently over their camp, stirring Nyx's hair. The stillness of night was broken by the crackling fire and the soft snores of those around them. The stars glittered high above her, beautiful but distant.

Out of nowhere came a thudding sound, a thudding that shook the ground they sat on. It had a resonance to it she could never put in words, powerful and terrifying. Standing, Nyx grabbed her blade and gazed out across the plains.

Azâghal stood as well, whistling to wake up his dwarves. "You see anything lass? You got better eyes than me," he asked.

She stared for a while then yelled, "DRAGON!"

Instantly everyone was up and dwarves swarmed Azâghal who stood by her. Maglor made his way over to her, "The brothers are moving out, Azâghal could you form the rearguard? Your dwarves are best equipped to deal with the dragon."

"Of course, laddie. We'll do what we can. Get your brothers to lead everyone else out of this ravine" the dwarf told him before shouting commands out.

"I'm staying back here too. I made my armor to be somewhat heat resistant" Nyx said, her eyes determined and her hand tight around her blade.

Maglor stared at her, worry evident on his face. Then seeing her determination and sighing, knowing from experience to let her do what she wanted. "Be safe, promise me you'll come back, both of you" he said, pulling Nyx into a hug before patting Azâghal's shoulder. He gave one last glance at his little sister before heading back towards his brothers.

She watched as the brothers took the lead, helping the others out of the ravine. She turned to the dwarf, "What do you need me to do?"

Nyx was assigned to stand beside the dwarf king and assist in keeping the rearguard strong. The dragon came upon them swiftly and soon she was swept into the whirlwind of battle. The clash of axe against scale, the screams of pain cut off, the hiss of fire as it escaped the jaws of the beast. Despite the armor of the dwarves many fell, their bodies scattered upon the plain.

She heard a shout from down the ravine, a shout calling for retreat. "Azâghal, come on! Let's get out of here!" she yelled over the dragon's roars and the crackle of fire. The dwarf nodded and shouted for the dwarves who ringed Glaurung to move. The dwarves struck the dragon once more with their fearsome axes before heading towards their king.

However as the dwarf was distracted, the dragon grabbed him. The dwarf yelled in pain, yelled as the dragon raked its claws across his body. The king, still fighting lifted a dagger and ran it through the beast's stomach as it moved over him.