I Bow To No One

Chapter 18: Pitiful King.

I woke up with a groan as I hit the ground. "Artrain come on lass get up we have to go!" Dwalins voice sounded. I groaned and opened my eyes slowly. "What happened?" I asked as Thorin helped me to my feet. "You were all ambushed by spiders" Bilbo explained. I looked confused for a moment but then my attention turned to the sound of multiple feet beating the ground. "Draw your swords." I growled. "Wait.. wh-" Bilbo began. "Do it now!" I snapped as I shifted to my wolf form and turned to face our approaching enemies. Right then a horrible spider leaped out of the undergrowth. It was quickly followed by many more. I snarled and leaped at one going for Ori. It hissed and Howled in pain as I clawed it to shreds. I was just about to attack another when an arrow shot straight through its skull. I growled in frustration but froze as the company became surrounded by elves and their loaded bows. I snarled at the blonde elf standing in front of me, It was Legolas.. "A company of dwarves, A hobbit, and a mutt.. Its strange enough to see the dwarves in these lands but you Artrain, I never expected to see you again." Legolas sneered. I snarled once again in response, making sure to stand in front of the company, trying to protect them the best I could. Suddenly Kili's cries for help rang through the clearing. My head snapped up. "Kili!" Fili yelled, obviously wanting nothing more than to run to his brothers rescue.  I was about to when Legolas aimed an arrow right between my eyes. "Do not even try Shifter." The elf snarled.

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The elves ended up dragging the company to Mirkwood. My whole body trembled and my mind screamed to run but I knew it was no use. There was no way out of this now. The dwarves were thrown into cells but I was not so lucky. I was dragged to the throne room to confront the king himself... Thranduil. His eyes burned into me as I was roughly thrown to the ground. "Rise." He barked, narrowing his eyes at me. I growled but I did as I was told. "Artrain the she-wolf. I assumed I would never see you again. But as always you just had to prove me wrong." Thranduil sneered as he walked toward me. He was a proud man, He walked with long, elegant, strides and kept his head held high. A crown of neatly woven Twigs, Leaves and berries rested on his head. "Forgive me for being so blunt but it was not my idea to come to this wretched place. I would truly rather be dead than be forced to speak to such a monstrosity." I snarled, Surprised at my sudden confidence. Thranduil looked taken aback for a moment but quickly replaced it with a glare "How dare you speak to me in that way?! I am a King!" The elf yelled, infuriated. "And a Pitiful king at that." I challenged, my voice dangerously low. "I will not have a prisoner speak to me In such a tone! You will bow to me or there will be consequences." Thranduil barked. I could tell he was trying to read my face, Figure out my next move. "Then so be it." I shrugged. "You seem to forget my dear"King" I Bow To No One.."