Livewire[LOTR]

Chapter twenty-three- Maybe if the Stars Aline?

I landed Naia just below the cliffside. She roosted herself on an outcrop and I climbed up towards the cave entrance, I could hear yelling and the sound of metal cutting flesh. I limped behind a rock and pulled an arrow from the quiver on my back. Aiming it at the Goblins who where swarming the prince. I killed a few before he noticed they where dying- and not by his hand- he turned his head to see me. I waved. He stared, confused. Racing over to me. "What? How-" he began. I shook my head, leaning against my bow in an attempt to look as normal as possible. "I dont need a little prince to rescue me, thanks." He scowled and shook his head. Pointing to the cage holding my brothers. "We have to find a way to get them out, but they are out cold- so we will have to carry them." 

'Oh no.' I thought 'I cant carry anything if I cant even stand!' but I nodded, I would have to find a way. I whistled and Naia burst from below the overhang jumping beside me, I jumped onto her back and she raced into the cave. I shot arrows at the Goblins as the eagle bit there heads off with her strong jaws. I reached the cage and she attacked it with her beak, ripping open the doors. I grabbed my brothers, putting them on Naias back. She wouldnt be able to take off with all three of us, but she could get away. I kicked her and Naia began to run for the door, but suddenly she let out a scream and went down. I tumbled over and rolled away from the bird, she cried out in pain. A arrow was lodged in her left foot. I crawled towards her, reaching for the arrow, but my hand was crushed by a huge goblin foot. I screamed in pain, he had broken something. 

He kicked me in the stomach and I rolled away from the bird. He grabbed my head and lifted me up. Ripping the helmet off my face. "hahaha!!!" it laughed. "You escaped, but you returned, how foolish." he tossed me against the cave wall. I couldnt fight now, my good hand was broken and my legs didnt work- oh god. Was this how I was going to die? At the hands of a goblin- He unsheathed his sword, and lifted it above my head. I closed my eyes-

There was a clink, a yell and a loud thunk. I opened my eyes to see the Prince standing over me, his sword at his side. He scowled at me then jumped for the goblin warrior, cutting his sword into the creatures exposed belly. It screeched and coughed crimson blood before collapsing. He turned to me as a soft breeze swept threw the cavern causing his blonde hair to flow behind him like a stream of gold and white. He turned to me and helped me up. He removed the chainmail glove from my broken hand, studying it in silence. I couldnt tell what he was thinking, if he knew...? had he heard the Goblin... I was maskless now- so he could see my face. My red hair cut short, and soft hazel eyes. Pale face decorated with a thousand tiny sun kisses. He leaned me against the cave wall then went to  Naia, removing the arrow from her leg and pushing her up. She limped towards me, I used her to stand. He hoisted my brothers up onto his broad shoulders and strode from the cave not looking at me. 

Naia and I limped together from the cave and down the hill towards the thick forest. "Thranduil-" I called after the prince as he sat my unconscious brothers down. He glanced at me, my soft auburn hair blowing in the breeze. His eyes narrowed. "I always knew it. You know." I stared at him, my breath catching in my throat. "So... your... going-" I choked out. Collapsing forward- he strangely enough caught me. I looked up at him, I could feel tears welling in my eyes. God dammit, so- I was going to die.... maybe I could run- but. I couldn't, my legs didnt work I had a broken hand... Poor naia was wounded. I pushed myself away from him and tripped backward, falling into the thick grass. He glared at me and shook his head. Squatting down to look at me- my head hanging in defeat. "I only wanted to help." I muttered. "I just wanted to prove for once that I wasnt weak, that I was strong like my brothers-" I whimpered. He sighed shaking his head and removing some wrap from the Elks saddle. He took my hand and wrapped it, placing a small stick in the bandage to keep the bone from setting wrong. He placed a few on my face. He was so close to me- I could see every detail of his face. A small nick on his chin and the flecks of green in his blue eyes. 

"Why are you helping me." I muttered. "Your just going to have me killed." he stopped, pulling away from me. "No, I'm not- even if you are a woman and a liar... and you almost killed me. You are a powerful warrior that our Armys need right now." he said. I stared at him, confused. "But... you hate me.. Why are you-" he cut me off by putting his finger over my lips. "Sh, maybe I do- but for the greater good of our people. You need to be breathing." he grabbed my waist and helped me up, after wrapping Naias leg we set off. My brothers still out cold, but breathing. I watched the prince as he walked beside the Elk I was sitting on with my brothers. He was so strange... it was almost like he was happy to find out that I was a woman. I rolled my eyes and looked away, what a stupid thought.