Beside the Undying Fire

Chapter 2

Dawn of the day in T.A. 2761 came.
The start of the journey. I was not to go, but I would follow until I couldn't anymore, and maybe even past then. This was our kin. I would honour their choice to fight. Even if it means breaking Thorin's trust. Nothing, not the great dwarf prince Thorin, not the danger, not the risk would stop me, I swear on it.

I hauled nothing with me but a sword - Arvendel I wore dark green, long-sleeve dress-like shirt with a corset of armour upon the chest, the bottom of the dress opened at the front, revealing my brown pants and boots. The back had cuts up to my thighs, perhaps to allow more movement. And a brown belt upon my waist. I took greaves as well.

The Ettenmoors couldn't be longer than a few days travel, if that is, we traveled at speed.

I made my way to where I last spoke to Thorin. He was gathered with a small amount of other dwarves, I instantly heard his distinctly deep voice but couldn't make out what he was saying, until he raised his voice "Find what you need. Meet at the edge of Dale before anyone awakens."

From what I could see, Dwalin, was there, but I had not the slightest clue who the others were. Maybe Dwarves from the Blue Mountains or Iron Hills.

I walked through the great halls of Erebor, torches lit the way, making shadows throughout, alternating sides with the flames. My footsteps echoed, yet I was forced to move silently. The working hours had not approached quite yet, and noises were virtually non-existent.

I was only afraid that I would be heard and scolded for my attempted action. But I could not let something happen to Thorin or my people. If something was to happen and I was not there, to maybe perhaps even prevent it, I could never live with myself.

I walked in the great halls slowly, heading for the door leading towards Dale.

Erebor was that of myths. Every inch forged and carved with great honor, for it was our home. Nothing short of legend. It entailed engravings of Dwarven tongue, carefully carven with the greatest of hands.

~

The danger of battle did not frighten me, nor had it ever. But the outcome. Who's hearts would still be beating?
Perhaps evil would have its chance to advance it's underlying cause in the time after.
Or the greater good of our kin would thrive, eliminating that of the evil which had come. But that would not be known until after the dust settled. So many uncertainties lingered, but the gamble of my life is one I am willing to take for the safety of my kin.

I walked down stairs that slowly rounded down to the right, enclosed in stone walls. It was a long stairwell, and quiet. Footsteps echoed loudly, and fast paced behind me. I looked back up, trying to maneuver my head to see around the winding corner. A torch became covered from my view, creating a shadow.

I recognized it in a second.

It was Dwalin.

His footsteps were mighty. I was forced down the rest of the stairs in a quiet sprint.

~

I left the mountain, and reached the beginning of Dale.

But the night guards were only aware of Thorin's group, not mine. Going around or past were my only suitable options.

It was a cool dawn, although it was mainly dark. The Lonely Mountain stood tall and absorbed a bit of cloud-covered sun atop the peak.

I ran to a nearby bush at the entrance of Dale.

Until I heard Dwalin's voice. I turned to see the group striding towards Dale, armed for battle. Their swords and axes at their sides. Forged with great detail and strength, the heavy swords hung, not affecting. Their strong bodies.

Thorin's steps grew closer, intimidating the dirt under them as he stomped.

He neared the guard, who wore a brownish red cloak with fur lining and a sword over his shoulder. He wore considerably big boots along with a silver belt.

I peered through the thick bushes. Thorin shook the stocky guard's hand and proceeded into the city. I lost sight of them not ten seconds later.

I would have to go around the guard. He paced back and forth.

"I can't fall behind!" I thought.

Out of my quick thinking I threw a rock at a nearby wall. The guard quickly turned and I ducked. Arvendel dropped onto the ground. I squeezed my entire body hoping the guard didn't here the impact on the ground. I looked through the leaves of the bush, only to see the guard searching another bush. I got up and ran to the other side of the wall. He didn't hear my steps.

I was lucky that way, my footprints were scarcely heard, although I was a dwarf, or 4 fifths Dwarf and one part not.. but I dared not tell another of this. To tell the truth I didn't know what exactly I was.

And I didn't want to know. For in my heart I was a Dwarf.

I ran through the outermost part of Dale, behind buildings so that I was out of sight to the company. The wind blew my brown wavy hair back as I ran. Thorin's footsteps echoed down the city's streets.

I stopped abruptly and turned. Thorin and his company trudged along the sides of Dale, swerving around homes and obstacles to avoid attention, as no one in Dale or Erebor knew of this journey.

~

The end of Dale was reached. I crouched behind a rock. They were within my sights, there was Dwalin, as well as two who looked similar, but one had a long, orange beard and wore a hat that nearly covered his eyes and the other had a short brown one, but I didn't recognize them.

The brown-bearded one gave the other a punch.

"Keep your dirty sausages to yourself, Farin!" The orange-bearded one demanded.

I could tell already that these two were going to be a hassle.

"Quiet, laddie!" Dwalin snarled.

They all came bearing axes and heavy, hand-crafted armour.

"We will head on West for the time being." Thorin spoke. "Traveling at speed may bring us upon the Misty mountains. Ensure you keep up."

"Filthy place crawling with goblins." The orange-bearded dwarf interrupted. Thorin looked at him and gave a nod.

"Let's move along." Thorin coaxed.