Too Far Gone

Chapter 4

"I swear upon my grave that I do not recall anything!" I growled, slightly irritated.

I recalled nothing of the sort.

"She assumes we're no smarter than the Orcs." Thranduil circled me again.

I kept my stare at the ground.

"I assure you. I know nothing!"

"The Dwarves of Erebor were attacked by the Firedrake Smaug, yet you are not with them. Why?" He stood in front of me, looking down.

"I merely left there one day past." I choked. "I recall nothing, I have never been here! I awoke two days ago in a place I'd never seen, desolated with Dragon fire and ruin! I know nothing of anything! My mind is clear as a summer day upon the shining skies!"

"Do not lie, filth. You know you were imprisoned here days ago!" Legolas interrupted.

"Ah, a liar. Well let me fill you in." Thranduil spoke sternly, and began to circle me again. "The Firedrake, Smaug took over Erebor but a few days past. It devastated the city of Dale. Not to mention the Mountain was left in ruins.

The Dwarves of Erebor are now venturing towards their kin in the Blue Mountains.

And you, well you were most likely presumed dead. The Dwarves would not go back to ensure you were alive and well. They searched in the value of your beating heart and found it worth nothing."

"Free me at once! I've grown sick of Elves! You lack integrity." I snapped at him. "May you forever burn within the deepest corners of Mordor!" I then proceeded to curse him in Khûzdul.

"Do not antagonize me! I will give you death within a second and not have a second thought of it!" He came within inches of my face again as he spoke sternly.

"Imrid armrad ursul!" I barked.

"Get her out of my sight! Throw her out of Mirkwood, I do not even want that filth within my Kingdom. Now!" He turned.

Legolas and Avalinn grabbed my arms and dragged me back. A blindfold was placed over my eyes. I could not see in the slightest. Darkness filled my eyes. I could certainly feel I was thrown onto a horse. It galloped powerfully.

Through the forests, the hazy forests.

The horse cantered on.

Avalinn and Legolas conversed, but I could not take any notice in it while the illusions invaded my mind, even as the blindfold sat upon my sight.

My mind raced back and forth and danced tauntingly. I could not process what was said. I truly could not. My thoughts scattered as I pondered the King's words.

~

Before I knew it the horse stopped and I was thrown off. My stance deteriorated due to no balance from my hands being behind my back and a blindfold over my eyes.

"You lucked out, Dwarf." Legolas snarled.

Avalinn bent down and untied my blindfold.

"It amuses me to know you take us for fools!" Avalinn hissed. "Not just a halfwit, but a lying halfwit! Using such an excuse to get out of imprisonation. Telling us you know nothing. Nothing of the attack, nothing of your escape from Mirkwood, nothing!"

"Rukhsul menu! Khagun menu penu rukhs!" I growled, still on the ground with my hands binded.

"Filth." Avalinn snarled.

"Avalinn, let it go." Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder and gestured for her to turn.

"Metun menu rukhas!" I hissed as they turned away.

They climbed upon their white steed. Tall and sturdy she was.

I maneuvered my hands to get in front of me. I brought them down under my body and over my feet. I grabbed a knife from my boot and cut the rope.

They dropped me off at what looked to be the other end of the enormous tree line. Happiness flooded my veins and lifted the corners of my lips. I would not have to endure the pain of crossing this vast forest. I was spared of it.

I rubbed my burned wrists and picked up my sword. The blade shone in the sun's light and reflected onto my face softly.

It was nearly dusk, so I decided to stay where I was, sitting under a giant tree in the middle of nowhere. I didn't know where I was, what had gone on, or almost who I was.

I sat, with my mind wandering. A clearly blank slate. It was nothing, but everything at the same time.

This night, I knew would not be one in which I would sleep.

I placed my sword at my side and rested my head on my arm.

But I did not close my eyes.