A Clash With Swords -A Thorin Fanfiction- (Discontinued)

Chapter 01: I Rolven Etherstone Met the King Under the Mountain

A young woman clasps her sword tighter in her hand. The air around her tensed as a Dwarf looked around.

-YOU-

"No one here, just our luck." A deep voice mutters from out. I hear him sheathe his sword. I peek out nervously out of my hiding place, keeping a confident visage. The Dwarves go out of the dark chamber of the ship. We followed suit like a troop of ants. "They're gone," my companion, Urdin, said as he stood up from his kneeling position. The Dwarves have come here to find us, since bounties are on our heads. Especially me, the so-called leader of the pirate crew The Scoundrels of the Deep.

A female, everyone would disagree. But I am. Flesh and blood.

"Milady," another companion and our deck-master, Ratter, muttered deep and bowed. "The Dwarves. They're waiting to ambush us at front. We won't last long if they keep watch." I grunted. The Dwarves really do know when to make a fight. "What do they want of us? Our heads?" I asked the crew, who were obviously unsure. "We are the most bloodthirsty, the most wanted, the most dangerous pirates on Middle-Earth!" I roared. They nodded amongst each other. "We took on sea serpents, fire-drakes, orcs, trolls... The list goes on! We did not cower in fear! We stood up against them!" The little jolly crew cheered. I huffed. What an extravagant speech, I remarked to myself.

Urdin and Ratter looked out of a tiny opening on one side of the ship. "The Dwarves, milady..." Urdin breathed out. "They're not here." I panicked. Although it did not show, I was afraid. My crew, if ever, will be doomed because of me. "I'll take front line." I said, looking at the stairs that led up to the top deck. "Milady, don't; we shall do it for you." Urdin and Ratter said, already marching up the stairs. "Ratter, Urdin! I said... I'd take front line. Stand your ground this instant!" I commanded. They did not seem to listen. "This is an order!"

They finally perked up and stopped. Almost out of the blue, an arrow shot Urdin's leg. I stood, mouth agape. Urdin moaned, and that seemed to go on forever. I snapped out of my trance, grabbing the nearest weapon I saw: two medium-sized swords. Twins. "Raaaaah!" I cried out. A Dwarf with blonde hair placed himself in front of me. "Show me what you got, laddie!" He said, and I charged.

Funny enough, he slipped because of the oil.

Yes, oil was there. I let him go, despite what he might do. My priority was Urdin who was in the midst of the battle. Ratter defended the both of them, and soon I joined in. "Ratter, take Urdin!" I shouted as I was feeling exhausted. He took it as a sign and ran off with Urdin. I covered them both. Then, a Dwarf archer shot me in the leg, and I collapsed, seeing blackness.

~~

I woke up, my head swimming. I found myself in a chamber. A cell, to be exact. It was spacious enough for me to have space-but then I remembered. The battle.

"Ratter and Urdin," I muttered, voice cracking. I was surprised as I realized that I was sobbing. It's been a long time since I last had tears. Then I stopped. A man stood in front of the cell door. He unlocked the door as its sound resounded through the small room. "I see you're worried about the others, lad."

Light shone on in his face, and I saw him. The leader of the Dwarves, the King Under the Mountain.

"Thorin Oakenshield," I mocked, making a bow with my head.

I made my voice deeper, I guess, in order for me to sound as if I was a young man. "An honor, indeed, for a pirate such as me self to be in his presence. Milord." I said again.

He seemed uninterested.

"A bounty was set on your head, Rolven Etherstone." I winced. I thought they had known already: my female name. My real name. It seems they haven't, at least. He kneeled, being on eye level with me. "Watch yourself, sea-rat." He warned, but I stared at him, wanting to bore a hole in that face of his. He turned his back and stood up.

"I've got a proposition," he stated, pacing around the room.

My eyebrows knit to an expression of question. "I want you to help us." I sat there for a while. I didn't believe my ears. I smirked. "A King," I uttered. "Wants a thief, like me, to help him." I laughed. "A nice proposal, I'll give you that. Exception of total humiliation for the rest of your life, what other things are in it for my crew?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "If that's all you're gonna give me, this is no other than ridiculous."

He opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped short. "I-I'll give you treasure. Gold, gems, anything you desire." I smiled, quite smugly. I nodded, a big smile plastered across my face... And a neutral frown on his. He was unsure, I'd say. "Very well, then. I accept your proposal. Rolven Etherstone, at your service milord." I bowed.