The Last Mage (Thorin Oakensheild love story)

Chapter 4

We stop at an edge of a cliff for a night. Many begin to sleep. Gloin was breathing in and out with insects flying around his mouth. I watch disgusted. I was sitting back with Fili and Kili. My eyes drift to Bilbo as he walks up to his horse, Mrytle.

There was a scream in the distance. The hobbit runs back over to the three on guard. "What was that?" Fear clear in eyes.

"Orcs" Kili replied.

Another scream is heard. I catch Thorin jerking awake at Kili's words. "Orcs?" Bilbo asked never hearing the term used before.

"Throat-cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there. The lowland are crawling with them." I knew the brothers were messing with the hobbit, but I didn't know whether I should frown or hide my smile.

"They strike in the wee small hours when everyone's asleep. Quick and Quiet, no screams, just lots of blood." The younger one continues. It works cause Bilbo looks away with fright. Smiles appear on their faces as they begin to laugh quietly.

"You think that's funny?" Thorin snaps standing up. "You think a night raid by orcs is a joke?"

"They didn't mean anything by it Thorin," I say defending the brothers who look like kicked puppies.

"No the didn't, they know nothing of the world." He snaps turning to the edge. He then looks over the valley.

Balin comes over to them, "Don't mind him. Thorin has more cause than most to hate orcs. After the dragon took Erebor, King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient kingdom of Moria. But our enemy got there first." He pauses for a moment remembering.

"Moria had been taken by legions of Orcs lead by the vilest of their race, Azog, the defiler." I stiffened at his name and that did not go unnoticed by either of the brothers nor Balin. "The giant Gundabad Orc had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the king."

"Thrain, Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief. He went missing, taken prisoner or killed, we do not know. We were leaderless. Defeat and death were upon us. That is when I saw him. A young dwarf prince, facing down the pale orc." I looked over at Thorin whose back was still to us.

"He stood alone against the terrible foe, his armor rent, wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog, the defiler learned that day, that the line of Durin would not be so easily broken. Our forces rallied and drove the orcs back, our enemy has been defeated. There was no feast, nor song that night, for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived." I looked at Balin who was wiping the tears from his cheeks.

"I thought to myself then, there is one I could follow. There is one I could call king."

The dwarves stand to look at Thorin in awe at his amazing story. He turns to look at them

"But the pale orc? What happened to him?" I hear Bilbo's small voice from behind me.

"He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago."

Slowly one by one the dwarves fell asleep, as I walked over to sit by Thorin. Who was still by the edge of the cliff.

"Why are you over here and not asleep?" Thorin asks me.

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied cheekily. I slowly pulled out my sword to clean and sharpen it. Then I felt a hand go to my wrist.

"This sword where did you get it?"

"It was my father's, my mother gave it to me when our kingdom was falling."

Thorin slowly studies my sword, running his fingers down the blade.

"This is dwarf made, I recognize the craftsmanship, it's from the Iron Hills. Your father was a dwarf?" Thorin asks looking at me in shock.

I look up at him, gazing into his hypnotic blue eyes. "Yes, he was. He met mother when she was young. She went out hunting and they ran into each other, literally." I gave a small laugh. "He fell in love with her at first sight. Left to the kingdom of the Mages, because no matter what race you dwarf, elf, hobbit, man, we do not judge. Though if you are a danger to us then it's a whole different situation." I said with a chuckle that made Thorin give a small laugh.

"You should do that more often," I said.

"Do what?" He asks

"Smile more, even slightly. It suits you." I stand taking my sword from him. "Good night, Thorin."

Slowly I make my way to where my bed role is, falling into a light sleep, but not before I hear. "Good night, Evelyn."