Caught in Thorns >EDITING<

Caught in Thorns: Chapter 10

~Chapter 10~

I feel as if a ton of bricks have fallen on my chest. As much as I want the Dwarves to claim their home back, I don't want them to at the same time. I don't want this town, along with the people in it, to be burned to ashes. Maybe I should go. I have to to warn the Dwarves not to do anything that could cause this place to burn.

"No, it is not my place to go." I mumble. "I should go back to Rivendell. They don't need me here anymore."

Why? So I can cower in the protection of the valley while everyone here suffers an excruciating death?

That's not how I grew up. That's not what I was taught. I was taught to never back down, never show fear. To not let the enemy get the best of you.

"Celaireth!"

I look up to see Balin looking at me with concerned eyes. "Are you coming?" He asks, pointing up the steps to where the rest of the company is waiting.

"No," I say. "I'm not."

With that, I turn and leave the square. The crowd splits as I pass, my head held high.

Never show weakness. Don't let your enemy see you as weak. Don't let them get the best of you.

I won't run. I won't hide. I will fight. If this town burns, then I'll go down with it.

---

I get back to Bard's home before Bard does and look around at his children. They watch me with wide, expectant eyes.

"There's a storm coming." I tell them. "You are not to leave this house until it passes."

"Unless it catches on fire." I jump at the sound of Bard's voice behind me.

"Pa!" Bain exclaims and races towards his father.

"What do you mean? Is our house going to catch on fire?" Bard's youngest daughter asks, looking between her father and I.

"They don't know?" I ask Bard, who shakes his head in response.

"Know what?" Bard's older daughter looks at me and narrows her eyes.

"Nothing," I say. "Your father is just preparing you for anything unexpected."

The young girls exchange a look and then look to their father.

"Don't worry about it girls. We're safe with Celaireth." Bard says.

I look over at Bard with a confused expression. He's trusting me with the safety of his children?