Heart of a Warrior ➝ The Hobbit ✓

Part Ten

PART TEN ~

"How do you know my name?!" The dwarf demanded fiercely. Alissa eyed his sword warily; she knew he wouldn't hurt her once she mentioned his brother.

"Kili," Was all she replied, and straight away Fili's shoulders relaxed as his expression turned calm. His gaze showed signs of relief, but they soon disappeared as he tried to conceal his feelings. He nodded and let his eyes wander through the darkness.

"It's not safe here," He whispered, nodding in the direction the orcs had disappeared. "We'll find the nearest village and talk there." Alissa nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was starving and thirsty and desperately needed to tend to her shoulder.

Fili came out of the shadows and peered around, making sure there were no wondering orcs. He gestured with his head for the human to follow him, and Alissa obeyed, following his quiet footsteps as they wound around the trees in the opposite direction of the orcs.

Once they were sure it would cause no harm to talk, Fili asked about his brother.

"He was fine when I left him," Was all she said, saving her strength for the journey.

The dwarf noticed her lack of haste and the way she winced every time something brushed past her shoulder. "Here," He said eventually, handing Alissa a small flask of liquid. She took it warily, peering inside cautiously. Fili let out a small chuckle, and Alissa glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Have some! It'll give you strength."

Alissa followed his advice and took a gulp of the blood-red liquid. It washed down her throat and made it erupt like fire, but a renewed wave of strength washed over her, and she felt revived. Her steps became more confident and the throb in her shoulder reduced to a small ache; she stared at the flask in wonder.

Fili let out another chuckle, taking a small sip himself, and then they carried on through the forest at a hasty pace.

~

The sun was just beginning to rise in the horizon, tinging the sky a pale pink, as the dwarf and human reached the border of the forest, unharmed.

The village of Asendur, which lay just beyond the trees, was somewhat of a tranquil place, hiding within the cover of the forest.

Fili doubled over and took in a long breath before they entered the village. Alissa raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. Her thoughts were with Kili and his fate. Where was he? What was he doing? Was he even still alive? Alissa's heart missed a beat at the latter thought. Then a strange feeling entered her heart. Longing? She longed to see her saviour again; his bright, mischievous grin, his twinkling eyes. And then there was the kiss...

"You okay?" Fili asked, snapping Alissa back to reality. She realised she had been staring at him with a distant gaze, and nodded, a slight blush creeping up her neck.
"Let's go."

They stepped out from the trees, but abruptly recoiled back in surprise and horror at the sight they beheld. The village of Asendur... was in ruins. Fires blazed upon the rooftops, dancing and flickering and gliding over the houses like a living, breathing creature. Some of the lodgings had already been knocked down, and now lay in shattered ruins of rubble. Bodies were scattered across the floor, and pools of blood caked the surface.

Tears immediately sprung to Alissa's eyes as memories flooded back to her. Caspian pushing her out the way as the orcs drew it's sword and getting struck down himself. Her mother screaming for them to run...

She was brought out of her thoughts as a scream rang through the air, chilling Alissa to the bone. She glanced at Fili, who's head had snapped up at the blood-curdling cry.

"Quickly!" Fili cried, and ran off into the square, drawing his sword. Alissa followed behind, though she brandished no weapon.

The dwarf sprinted through the square and rounded the corner; the human close behind, and before long they laid their eyes on the source of the scream. But it was too late. Fili reached the Orc just as it brought its sword down, cutting deep into the flesh of the woman that lay huddled on the ground before it. She let out one last cry and collapsed the ground, lifeless.

Alissa let out a whimper as she remembered Caspian's motionless form laying on the ground, his pale face distorted in pain.

The Orc in front of them turned round in surprise just as Fili slashed his sword at the beast, slicing straight through its neck and beheading it.

Fili glanced at the woman and crouched down next to her. He drew his hands over her terrified eyes, closing her eyelids. He whispered something, but Alissa didn't quite catch it.

"D'you have a spare weapon?" Alissa asked, once Fili had stood up, receiving a raised eyebrow from the dwarf. He shrugged and handed her two daggers which he had pulled from their sheaths around his back. She nodded gratefully and spun round abruptly, throwing them as she did so. The twin blades smacked directly into the tough leathery skin of the Orc that was just rounding the corner, making him grunt in surprise and look upon the weapon in bewilderment, before collapsing to the ground with a thump.

Fili grinned at the human, clearly impressed, and Alissa ran to collect her new weapons.

"There will be more about," She said, fastening the sheath that Fili had just handed her round her waist, in which she slid the daggers back into place.

The dwarf nodded. The human had clearly regained her strength and confidence, but she still needed to eat.

"Right. We'll split up and wonder round and see if there are any survivors. Kill any Orc that crosses your path, and..." Fili paused for a moment, glancing at Alissa, before finishing his sentence somewhat hesitantly. "Search among the rubble for any items that may come in useful. Food, water, clothing, medicines, weapons, anything as such."

Alissa felt uncomfortable with the idea of searching through the belongings of the dead, and so did Fili from the looks of it, but she knew they had to. The next village could be miles away, and they needed supplies.

Finally, the human nodded, and they both headed in different directions, staying alert for any signs of the enemy.

~~~

Hey!
Again, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all those who have read my fanfic so far. I really appreciate it. And thanks for voting too!

I know I've updated my story quite a bit this week, but I may not be able to write as regularly as I need to revise for my exams. I think I'll mainly update on the weekend, when I have time, but I hope you're enjoying it so far.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks :)

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