Hummingbird Heartbeat

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Easier said than done. The King was eyeing them, even as he sang his abominable song. Maranda hugged the bag with her guitar closer and kept her head low. The Goblin started bleating about what they were and then Nori's bag was emptied onto the platform. The Dwarves tried to stall for time, first Oin, the Bofur, then dear Ori was being threatened. Maranda clamped a hand over Thorin's mouth and shoved him against Dwalin with a look. The taller Dwarf gripped the Prince tightly as Maranda stumbled forward.

"I-I can tell you anything you want to know," she stuttered out, steadying herself.

"Are you sure?" sneered the Goblin King and Maranda nodded vehemently.

"Yes, you see, I'm an oracle, I can see the future," she said and an excited murmur ran through the Goblins.

"Really?" asked the Great Goblin.

"Y-yes," she stuttered as she tried to even out her breaths. Calm. Calm was the only way to keep both feet on the ground.

"And what do you see in my future?" the Great Goblin demanded and Maranda swallowed.

"Well it's not pretty," she said.

"Not many pretty things down here," the King said in a bored tone and she laughed.

"That's funny, you're funny."

"Looks aren't everything, Mara!"

"SHUT UP BOFUR!" she roared as the Goblins yowled angrily. The Dwarrow pulled his hat lower over his face to hide from her scorn. She turned back to the Goblin King. "Your future starts with air," she said loudly and the Goblins stirred. "You're...flying. At an odd angle," Maranda said, struggling to think of a way to stall for time. "I see, warriors falling before you, blinding darkness and..." she choked. "Hamburgers," she squeaked and silence billowed around her. "Okay, I give up," she said and punched the Great Goblin's stomach with a fist coated in Strength.

He screamed as he toppled off the side and the Goblins roared in rage and Maranda ripped off the tunic. With a flash of light Gandalf appeared, knocking everyone off their feet and sending Maranda over the edge. She gasped and her heart stopped.

"No, no!" she cried as she fell straight down. "Come on wings!" she said spreading her arms out. She closed her eyes and muttered a single name that made her heart pound and her wings stretched wide, slowing her and with a buzz like a motor and then she was flying. She spiraled madly in the air and came to a stop looking around. There! They were already running. She flew over to their side.

"MARA!" Fili called.

"Sword!" she shouted and he tossed her one of his. She caught it deftly and slashed at a Goblin. He cried out and scurried away from the flyer. They fought their way to the bridge where the Great Goblin crashed into their path. Gandalf dispatched him and they crashed down. Maranda dove after them, landing lightly on the Goblin's stomach. They started running again. When they were within sight of the exit she skidded to a halt. She saw the cleft and jumped behind the rock Gollum was hidden behind.

The creature cried out as the Dwarves charged out. He scurried away as Maranda reached out one hand for Bilbo. Her hand connected with his wrist and she ran, dragging the Hobbit behind her. Gollum's cries echoed behind them as the two ran, fast as they could down the side of the mountain, only a few paces behind poor, slow Bombur.

"How...did...you...know..."

"Oracle," she panted in response and they stumbled among the Dwarves, she toppled against Nori who caught her.

"Bilbo!" he cried in surprise and she smacked his shoulder. "Where did you go?" Thorin bristled and Gandalf frowned.

"Go?"