Erebor's Guardian

Chapter: 29

Suddenly the sound of rumbling was heard in the distance, the armies all turned to the ridge where heavily armoured dwarves stood. One huge dwarf was riding a battle-pig. I sighed as I brought my hand to my eyes. Gandalf sighed.

"Ironfoot."

Bilbo looked at me and spoke.

"Who is that? He doesn't look very happy."

"That would be Dain, Lord of the Iron Hills- Thorin's cousin."

"Are they alike?"

"Thorin is the more reasonable of the two."

Dain rode his pig forward as I flew in front of him.

"Lord Dain."

"Paephan. Tell this rabble to leave, or I'll water the ground with their blood."

Gandalf interjected.

"There is no need for war between dwarves, men and elves! A legion of orcs march on the mountain. Stand your army down

"I will not stand down before any elf! Not least this faithless woodland sprite!"

Dain gestured to Thranduil who looked angered by the statement.

"He wishes nothing but ill upon my people! If he chooses to stand between me and my kin-I'll split his pretty head open! See if he's still smirking then!"

Thranduil smiled at the threat. He yelled out loud for all to hear.

"He's clearly mad, like his cousin!"

"You hear that, lads?!"

Dain turned his head as he rejoined the army. I looked at the rampart to see the others at the rampart started to cheer at the sight. Thranduil rode as his army and the Lake-people turned to the dwarves on the hill. I looked at the others side to see the armies of the orcs arrive as well. Toward the top of a broken tower, I could see Azog using some sort of mechanism to order his armies. The orc armies came at both armies. I flew to the gate of Erebor and stood on the rampart.

"Will you not fight for your kin?"

Kili smiled and looked at the others.

"I'm going over the wall! Who's coming with me?"

The others cheered as Thorin spoke.

"Stand down."

Fili looked at his uncle.

"Are we to do nothing?"

"I said STAND DOWN!"

Thorin looked at me and walked away, the others looked with shock and surprise. I turned my head to see Dain and his army rush toward the oncoming orcs, the Elves didn't move. Dain's army was outnumbered.

I saw Thranduil turn to the dwarves, who had stopped and built a shield wall with their massive spears pointed outward. The orcs started to approach the shield wall. I watched as the Elf army leapt over the dwarves wielding their swords. As the elves pressed forward the dwarfs started to rush forward. Dain rode furiously through the Orcs, smashing them left and right.

I saw Azog change the direction of the mechanism and more orcs came forward. I pulled out Ringil and flew toward the orcs as the elven army readied their bows. The army of men started to run back to the city, I saw Gandalf and Bilbo run along with the army. I flew over the orc army and started to strike them from above. I could see the city of Dale being attacked. I flew over to Thranduil.

"Send some of your men with me."

Thranduil nodded as a group of his army followed me toward the city. I folded my wings and fell to the ground and landed near the centre of the town. I looked to see Bard getting his children away. I turned to see a horde of orcs running toward us, blocking their way to the people. I charged as some of the elves followed me and the others shot from a distance.

I watched as the people hurried into the main hall. The elves with me were still able to hold their own. I watched as some of the elves helped get the children and woman into the hall. I ordered the elves to guard the main hall with the men. I saw Bard run out of the hall with other men.

"Bard! These elves will follow you."

I turned to elves and gestured for them to stay with Bard.

I flew to the battle near Erebor to see Dain tiring. I landed next to him and blocked an Orcs axe coming toward him.

"Paephan! Where's Thorin?! We need him! Where is he?"

I looked at him and then at the gates.

"How long can your men hold?"

"Not long...We might have to fall back to the gate."

"I'll be right back, keep your men near the gate."

Dain nodded as I flew into the gates. I saw everyone sitting near the gate looking saddened and worried. I landed next to Kili who had his head in his lap. I laid a hand on his shoulder

"Kili, where is he."

"The hall covered in gold."

I pat his shoulder as I walked through the hall. I saw Thorin standing in the middle of the hall. He gripped his head in pain. I grasped my heart at his pain, I took a deep breath and started to walk toward the hall. Thorin turned to me. He looked frightened.

I expanded my wings and gently spoke to him.

"Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad."

I held out my hand to him, he looked at it and slowly reached for it. As he took my hand he seemed to come back to his senses.

"Paephan."

Thorin let go of my hand, looking at his hands he yanked off the crown and threw it to the floor.

"Welcome back, my king."

Thorin pulled me forward and held me close. I smiled to myself as I wrapped my wings around him. He pulled back lightly.

"Kili...Fili."

I gestured to the gate. Thorin shed the royal robes and drew his sword as he walked forward. We got closer to the others, Kili stood and started to shout.

"I will not hide behind a wall of stone, while others fight our battles for us!"

Thorin approached Kili not saying anything.

"It is not in my blood, Thorin."

They stopped in front of each other.

"No, it is not. We are sons of Durin. And Durin's folk do not flee from a fight."

Thorin laid his hand on Kili's shoulder as he smiled. Kili smiled back at him as his eyes became watery. They touched foreheads. Thorin smiled at Kili and walked past him to the others. I looked at Kili as he smiled at me. I watched Thorin as he spoke.

"I have no right to ask this of any of you; but will you follow me one last time?"

Everyone rose and raised their weapons. They were ready to follow their leader and friend again.