Fallen Starlight [Book One]

Chapter Nine

It was the sound of yelling and hooves on hard ground that pulled Arirua from the shroud of darkness that she had fallen into. As she opened her eyes, Arirua could see that they were no longer on the plain but in Rivendell.

Upon realizing where they were, Arirua forced herself to sit straighter in the saddle, no matter how much her head and muscles screamed out in pain. She could not let Thorin see her in a weakened state. She did not want the company thinking that she was a weakling.

As the cavalry tightened the two circles around the dwarves, Sythralen halted her horse close to where Kili was standing in the tightly knit group. He immediately pointed his arrow at Sythralen's head. Arirua flinched, knowing that this was not going to go well. Sythralen had never taken threats of any kind lightly.

"Release her!" Kili yelled over the curses and mutterings of the other dwarves. The company became quiet, all turning their gazes upon Arirua. Arirua shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. "She is no enemy of yours! Release her to our company!"

The pale haired woman could hear the general chuckling slightly at Kili's boldness.

She has made quite the impression on him. Sythralen thought to herself as she laughed. Though, I am not surprised. It is difficult to meet a star and not like them.

"Calm yourself, Master Dwarf." the dark haired woman said. "Who better to protect her than the Great Assassin?" Arirua watched as Kili lowered his bow upon hearing the name. The name that was known and feared throughout the land. Many children had grown up on the tales of the Great Assassin and her many victories.

"The Great Assassin rides with you?" Fili asked, stepping forward.

"She stands before you." Sythralen said, dismounting as she did. Arirua gripped the horn of the saddle when Sythralen dismounted, trying to stay as steady as she could. "Do not worry. She is among friends here." She then helped Arirua out of the saddle as gently as she could. The star only cried out once, when Sythralen made the mistake of grabbing her upper arm. As the woman apologized, Arirua looked to see what damage may had been done, she saw that the upper part of her sleeve had been torn, showing off the burns to the outside world. Arirua looked back at the company to see many eyes flick away from her. The star could feel the tears welling up from both the pain and the humiliation.

They had seen them.

"Here." Sythralen said, seeing that something was wrong. She led Arirua a couple of steps away, into the hands of a few other elves, ones that Arirua knew to be healers. As they began leading her away, she could hear another voice call out.

"Where are they taking her?" Arirua turned to see Bilbo pushing his way to the outside of the circle. He stood in front of Sythralen, looking up at her. Compared to the Great Assassin, Bilbo was very small; he looked like a beetle being compared to eagle.

"A hobbit?" Sythralen asked in shock. The healers tried to herd Arirua away, but she shooed them aside for a moment. She wanted to stay just a few moments longer.