Bound (A Lord of the Rings Fanfic)

Chapter 7

Jessie POV

In all honesty I never thought the day would come when I would have to battle goblins. Yet here I am, and there they are, charging at us. My heart pumps so hard I think it's going to flat line. I am no Mary Sue who runs away crying, but having hordes of huge and utterly terrifying creatures swarm the chamber brandishing weapons makes me rethink the option of becoming one. In a situation like this I know that using my bow would be unwise. I am so far from Legolas's deathly accurate skill level it's not even funny. Instead I unsheathe my blade.

I locate Cass just as she stabs her sword through the chest of a goblin that had been chasing Pippin. Pippin thanks her and I notice how he seems to cling around her. A goblin thunders behind me, I whirl to find it charging at me. Having taken very few and short lessons from Legolas and Aragorn these past few days we've spent stumbling along in the mines, my skills, though improved, aren't going to keep me alive through this fight.

Our swords clash sending violent shockwaves up my arms. Using my sword in actual battle is way different from what I thought it would be. Pulling my arm back I barely manage to put enough force into my swing to behead the goblin. I'd feel guilty if they weren't attacking us with the obvious intention to kill. I engage with another goblin that attacks me with so much force I fall on my butt. The ground begins to shake. Panicking, my eyes scan for Cass to confirm she's doing alright when a giant cave troll crashes through the doors. I do my best to avoid the debris that plummets from the broken wall. The goblins surrounding me aren't as lucky and are crushed to a pulp beneath the heavy stones.

Looking in the direction of the cave troll, I realize that Sam is in danger. The troll brings down its heavy hammer and my breath hitches in my throat. He is going to be crushed! But by a shred of luck he manages to slip right between the troll's legs and escape. I release a large sigh of relief and search for my next target.

A shrill cry comes from above me, I twist to face it only to stumble against a rock and land hard on my backside.

"Jessie!" Cassie hollers as I instinctively shoot my hands outwards in self-defense. A gust of air surges from my palms, slamming the goblin a into the nearby wall. I can't believe I managed to forget I can use my powers! My small victory is short lived as the cave troll launches its next attack on me. I am so not ready for this. I barely roll out of the way before the troll slams its foot into the area I had been. The troll erupts in a howl of agony as a pair of arrows dig themselves into its shoulder. I search for their source and sure enough, Legolas is poised in his ever perfect stance. I see the concern that clouds his eyes when our eyes lock.

Now, I'm not complaining about Legolas helping me out, but I'm not the type of person who's okay with others defending them. I'm a fighter that can look after herself. Besides, I don't want anyone to think I'm a weak and terrified ninny!

Regaining my balance I reposition my arms, concentrating on sending a powerful gale at the troll. My arms fling forward in one swift motion. The gust of wind that I produce is strong enough to blow the goblins away but the troll doesn't budge.

"Tch, not strong enough. . . " I mumble in disappointment.

"Jessie! Watch your back, god damn it!" Cassie's furious voice resounds in my ear. I turn just in time to slash the goblin attempting to behead me. Getting back to the bigger task at hand, I pick up a stray sword and fling it with all my might. The sword sinks into the troll's flesh causing a roar to rip its throat. Enraged, the troll lumbers toward me but is abruptly yanked back by both Boromir and Aragorn. The troll swings its giant hammer and they duck. Boromir checks his grip on the chain, glancing back up just in time to see the cave troll swing its hammer at him and send him flying him into a wall. I race to his side as he falls, a goblin moves to stab him. Knowing I won't make it in time I punch a gust of wind to shove the goblin away from him.