The Merging of Destinies (Legolas Romance) *New Version, Same Author*

7: Goblins

They fell down a rocky tunnel, going deeper into the earth. Val rolled and rolled, bumping into anything and everything before coming into contact with the hard ground. A few dwarves landed on her. She groaned at feeling bruised and also dizzy.

Slowly, she looked around and noticed they were in a cage and that a hoard of goblins was nearly upon them. I'll be damned if these disgusting creatures get their hands on my weapons, Val thought defiantly and used her magic to make them vanish.

They all scrabbled upright but the dwarves were no match for the number of goblins now on them. Forced forwards, Val let herself be taken prisoner as too ensure the dwarves had stable backup in case things went south. It probably would go south.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Bilbo was able to sneak away. For that Val was grateful. She didn't want the hobbit to be tortured.

They were led further into the cavern and noticed just how many goblins there were. They stopped before a giant goblin and Val couldn't hide the disgust she was feeling. It was hideous.

'Who would be so bold as to come armed into my kingdom? Spies? Thieves? Assassins?' Said the Great Goblin.

Well it's not like we willingly came here, thought Val.

'Dwarves, your Malevolence,' Said a goblin. 'And an elf.' Val rolled her eyes at the word 'malevolence'.

The Great Goblin stared down at them, 'Dwarves? Elf?'

It seemed as though he couldn't believe it.

'We found them on the front porch.' Informed a goblin.

Val hoped Bilbo was alright and wasn't planning on doing anything stupid.

'Well don't just stand there, search them! Every crack, every crevice!' Ordered the Great Goblin.

Val felt hands on her and noticed everyone was being searched. She suddenly felt as if there was a lack of air when a memory came to mind. Just as she was about to faint the goblin's hands had left. Focusing on the wooden planks below her and taking deep breaths Val felt reality coming back to her.

'What are you doing in these parts? Speak!' Demanded the Great Goblin. No one said a thing.

'Very well, if they will not talk, we'll make them squawk!' Said the Great Goblin which was met with cheers. 'Bring up the mangler, bring up the bone breaker! Start with the youngest.'

Goblins started scurrying over to Ori and Val, along with everyone else tried to protect him.

'Wait!'

Thorin had stepped forward and Val found herself admiring the dwarf, the way he would risk himself to save one of his own.

'Well, well, well! Look who it is! Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the mountain.' Said the Great Goblin who did a mock bow to finish it off. Val knew it was very inappropriate but a small smile made its way onto her face and quickly swallowed it.

'Oh! But I'm forgetting you don't have a mountain, and you're not a king. Which makes you nobody really.' Said the Great Goblin bluntly. 'I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head. Just the head, nothing attached. Perhaps you know of whom I speak, an old enemy of yours. A pale orc astride a white warg.'

Val was overcome with emotion when Azog was mentioned. Yes, and he'll have yours if he finds out your filthy goblins put their hands on me.

'Azog the Defiler was destroyed. He was slain in battle long ago!' Said Thorin with disgust.

Val tried to look as innocent as possible.

The Great Goblin smugly looked down upon him, 'So you think his defiling days are done, do you?' He turned to a goblin scribe which had appeared beside him, 'Send word to the pale orc, tell him I have found his prize.'