A Ruby's Shine (Thorin Oakenshield X OC)

14. Returning To Rivendell

Elvish horns.

I looked up at Gandalf, smirking as I suddenly realized what Gandalf's play was here. You sly wizard, using us being chased by Orcs and Wargs to take us to the one place Thorin refused to go. I was internally berating myself for not realizing those familiar markers were the markers of one of the cave entrances to Rivendell. I should have known, I've ridden by them a few times in my final years in Rivendell, when I was out on Patrol with Elladan and Elrohir learning how to take down orcs.

We all stood still, listening to the thundering hooves of the elves horses, the thwacking sound of arrows, the sounds of both orcs and wargs roaring in pain and rage. I smirked more and more at the sound, remembering the times I joined the elves in riding out and taking out orcs or wargs who trailed too close to Rivendell. It was my first experience at fighting an actual enemy, both Elladan and Elrohir wanted me to have a first hand experience and understand how to take down Orcs and Wargs before I left to go out into the world alone. Both of them wanted to ensure I was well prepared to take on the enemy and to never hesitate with orcs and wargs or they will kill or torture you, which is understandable considering the story of their mother...

My eyes widened and I quickly moved my feet away as in orc fell down the tunnel like dead weight, coming to a stop on the floor with an arrow sticking out of the orc. For good measure I stabbed the orc as well, to ensure it's dead. Thorin frowned, stepping forward and pulling the arrow free from the orc, studying it before anger filled his face.

"Elves." He said in disgust, like the horns didn't give away the fact elves were near. I frowned a touch, looking away to hide my frown. The elves were the ones that took me in, raised me, taught me to fight, to think like a strategist and learn my surroundings and my enemy. And trust me, I was not an easy person to raise, there were many times I tested both Lord Elrond and my caretaker's patience. The only ones who understood me the most was Elladan and Elrohir, they both understood my want to explore yet my want to also grow stronger as a warrior. I learned much for the two famed orc hunters. Where as Lord Elrond and Maerwen wanted me to learn other things, which I stubbornly resisted, training to become a warrior.

I was just stubborn that way.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?" Dwalin called, appearing around the corner of the cave.

"Follow it, of course!" Bofur called frantically, probably not wanting to deal with whatever might be above, though I am pretty sure the elves killed off all the orcs and wargs with ease. If Elladan and Elrohir were among them then no orc or warg would be left living. I have seen only to well their vengeance they take out on the creatures every time they see them. I remember Elladan's words, 'Do not feel fear or pity the creatures, Mena, they do not belong in this world, they are a blight to end us all. If faced with an orc, do not hesitate to kill it, for it will not hesitate to kill you.'

I applied those words to all the times I took on small orc groups, never hesitating to end the orcs. While Elladan and Elrohir never told me, nor Lord Elrond, I did learn from Maerwen the tragic tale of Lady Celebrían.

I stood and began dusting off dirt and dust from the cave that got onto my clothing before holding out my right hand to Ori while keeping the wrapped hand out of view. Ori took my hand and smiled in thanks before running off after the others, probably excited to see where the cave leads. I am glad the kid no longer fears me, I really don't like people fearing me, unless they are my enemy. Then they should fear me.

I too was excited though, I knew where this cave leads, Elladan and Elrohir and I used it to sneak out here away from pranks we pulled, though they are two fully grown elves, they act like children when in the safety of home. Probably why I got along with them so well, there are not a lot of elf children running around this place. They both understood be best and I miss them, having seen them like unofficial brothers in a way. I had hoped over the last century to run into them on the road, so often Elladan and Elrohir went out hunting orcs, but I never did.