I Bow To No One

Chapter 26: Long Live the King Under the Mountain

"It is clear to see that this journey will be the death of you. And not because of a dragon.."

Bards words rang through my head as I stumbled aimlessly through the rubble. If someone had told me that this was how it would end for me, being the young and foolish girl I was I would have laughed and told them that they were absolutely mad. Artrain, the mighty shifter, could not die. Or so she thought. 

Things were never meant to be this way... that was what I kept telling myself as I forced my legs to carry me, struggling to catch my breath. It's all those damned dwarves faults. 

I knew this was a lie. I knew the moment I saw the company what I was getting myself into. I had plenty of chances to turn back, but something about the company kept me from doing so. 

Thorin... My heart twinged at the thought. I failed him. My thoughts wander to the night we spent together in Lake town. The pained, yet determined expression on his face when he told me that I wasnt going to die. Part of me wanted to belive him... And I did for a long while. I dragged myself as far as I could with the company. I watched the mighty Smaug fall and witnessed the oceans of armies march across the fields just a few days after, each under a different banner. I saw the mighty sons of Durin rise and fall... all within a matter of days. Kili and Fili were both dead. And Thorin was nowhere to be found. 

Thorin... His name ran through my head more than a dozen times as I trudged along. Words could not express how much I yearned for him in that moment. I needed to know he was safe. That at least one of them survived. That all of this death and destruction had a purpose. He had to live.

I stumbled around for what felt like hours. I felt myself growing weaker with each step. I began to wonder if I would ever find him. The clashing of swords seemed to answer my question for me. My pace quickened as I followed the sound. My heart was hammering against my chest. Please be alive.

I was relieved to see he was, however the feeling did not last long. In front of him stood the pale orc, both had their swords drawn. Thorin's chest heaved as he skillfully avoided attacks, he returned the gestures with twice as much force. He was tired, they both knew this. I slowly reached for my sword

3rd person Pov

The fight felt as if it were lasting for hours. Thorins muscles screamed in protest each time he swung the heavy blade. He wouldn't be able to do this much longer... The thought had barely entered his brain when the orc suddenly let out a harsh gasp. Thorin looked up in utter shock, He stared at the shimmering blade that was lodged in the beasts chest. He locked eyes with Azog as he fell lifelessly to the ground.

However, he wasn't the only one to fall. Behind him was the silhouette of a girl, one Thorin knew all to well. 

"No..." He breathed out, rushing to her side in an instant. Her breathing was labored, beads of sweat rolled down her face as she coughed, desperately trying to get air into her lungs. She felt the poison coursing through every fiber of her being. It wouldn't be long now.

He's alive... She thought to herself.

"Artrain? Artrain please talk to me. Artrain!" He gripped her hand tightly in his.  His pleas didn't seem to be heard. Her gaze was focused on the land around her. 

"Y-you know, you weren't wrong..." She muttered, slowly turning her face to meet his gaze. Her eyes bore intensely into his. He seemed confused for a moment.

"This place is beautiful.... I a-always thought you were o-over exaggerating..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. 

"Y-you know... My people were always t-too prideful for their own good... T-they rarely ever showed respect for anyone outside of the clan... Especially when it came to your worlds idea of a king. We believed your kings were cowards. Men who his behind a throne and sent their men to their deaths for no reason at all..." she coughed harshly, she felt her body slowly shutting itself down. Thorin's grip on her hand tightened. 

"I... I think they would have liked you... You're a brave man, you care for the men you lead... A man that deserves to be king." She smiled softly. Tears pricked at the dwarfs eyes. 

"Artrain stop. Stop speaking as if you are going to die. You're going to be just fine. You have to be." His voice broke, tears flowed freely down his face. She weakly reached up and wiped the tears away, he leaned into her hand. It was as cold as ice. 

A sense of peace seemed to wash over her in that moment. She had done what she came to do. When she started this little adventure, she promised herself she would see Erebor restored. Laying there looking up at Thorin, she knew that mission was complete. Under his rule, the great dwarven kingdom would thrive once again. This was his destiny, he was meant to rule. Pride crept its way into her heart, she knew he would live to do great things. She knew...

"Long live the king under the mountain..." she muttered. And with that, her chest fell, Thorin watched helplessly as the life faded from her eyes.