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solacryptid · 3 years

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Unexpected Fate

Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) & Lord of the Rings Crossover

Summary: Vilansia and her dragon, Svellevarina, have spent many years training the young dragon riders alongside Eragon and Saphira. But their time of adventure has come. The people of Middle Earth have called for aid and Alagaesia will answer.

Chapter 1: Distant Lands

I let out a cry of laughter as our blades slammed together. "Well done, Adelina!" The young girl furrowed her pale brows and charged forward while I disengaged and stepped away. "But you need to focus."

I am trying, Master." She turned to face me as she wiped the sweat from her brow. "It's just-"

I held up my hand, silencing her. "Ne. I don't want to hear it. There are no excuses in the midst of battle." I stepped closer to her. "Focus, Adelina, and be careful not to let your emotions get the better of you."

She dug the tip of her blade into the ground, uprooting the grass. "I am only human, you know,"

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Eka kenna, I know. But you will learn to find balance, shur'tugal." I rested my hand on her shoulder. "Now go, return to your studies. We are done for today."

Her head snapped up. "My apologies, Master, I'll do better...please, can we try again?"

I searched her wide eyes for a moment before shaking my head. "You needn't apologize. I believe that perhaps you should reflect on our lesson in preparation for tomorrow." I let my hand fall from her shoulder as I reached for her practice blade. "Ganga. Go,"

She offered the blade with a sigh and bowed. "Eka elrun ono, Master. I will do better."

I nodded in reply before she turned from me. I watched her go as I reflected on the lesson of the day. As a human rider she had much to learn about the balance of emotion and logic, and being young didn't help the matter. Yet, I had faith. Her passion would carry her far.

A slight breeze shifted my dark hair as I placed the blades into the weapons rack. The training island was unusually quiet today, as most of the riders were in the Hall attending to their studies as their respective dragons were training with Saphira. My own dragon, Svellevarina, was among them, helping Saphira-elda with the younglings.

I entered the Hall, the creaking of the large wooden door causing a series of faces to look my way before returning to the books and pages on the table. I came to stand beside Eragon, who was overseeing the young riders as they studied. He raised an eyebrow as I met his gaze, clearly expecting an explanation on Adelina's early return.

I spoke in the Ancient Language in a hushed tone as I explained: "I have asked that she take time to reflect on balancing her emotions while in combat. It does no good to allow them to get the better of you."

"Emotions can be used as a tool," he replied.

I shook my head slightly. "Not when you allow them to overpower you, Eragon-vodhr."

"Hm. Balance is needed, I do agree," he glanced in her direction. "Alas, she is young. And human. There is much for her to learn."

"Indeed."

The young riders concluded their evening of studying when their dragons returned to the island with Saphira-elda and Svellevarina, allowing them to eat, rest, and spend much needed time with their dragons. The sun was just peeking over the tops of the trees now, giving the clouds in the sky a navy shadow.

"You and Svellevarina may be dismissed for the evening. No further training is needed tonight." Eragon told me.

I bowed my head. "Eka elrun ono, Eragon-vodhr. Svellevarina and I shall return tomorrow morning."

Eragon nodded with a small smile as I turned from him and made my way to Svellevarina, who was laying next to Saphira in the training field behind the Hall. In comparison, Svellevarina was much smaller than Saphira due to their drastic age difference but she was just as beautiful. Her white scales managed to catch every ounce of light and reflect them into rainbows on nearby surfaces. It was if she was made of diamonds.

Svellevarina hummed as I approached.

I bowed to Saphira, twisting my hand over my heart before I addressed my dragon. "Eragon-vodhr has dismissed us for the evening."

Svellevarina shifted, allowing me access to climb up onto her back and into my place in the saddle. She nudged Saphira gently before coming to stand on all fours. She took a few steps forward and unfurled her velvet wings, making sure not to hit the elder dragon in the process. She pushed off the ground with her powerful legs, her talons taking up the earth with her as she pumped her wings and rose into the air. I held on tightly to the neck spike in front of me as she gained altitude, my brown hair whipped back behind me. It was only when Svellevarina angled herself and was level with the horizon that I relaxed in the saddle.

"Adelina has come a long way," Svellevarina remarked.

"Indeed, she has. But as Eragon-vodhr said, there is much for her to learn,"

"They all do, Vilensia. That is not unique,"

I chuckled, looking over Svellevarina's side and into the ocean waters below us. "Her dragon, Kydus, he is quite like her,"

"He has spirit. As every dragon should,"

The edge of Ellesmera, the Elvish capital city, was now in view. The light blue glow of the night lights lined in the treetops could be seen even from this distance. It was old magic that kept these lights aglow every night and dimmed during the day, allowing for those awake in the night hours to see their way through the city. They were especially useful in places where the rays of the sun could not pierce through the thick canopy of the trees. Behind us, the sky was painted with purples and oranges as the sun-kissed the horizon. There was a patch of vibrant red ahead of us, however, that stood out from the colours of the sunset. The colour sparkled in the dimming sunlight and a playful roar echoed across the water. Svellevarina responded in kind as we intercepted the dragon and rider.

"Kvetha, Murtagh!" I called as the dragons flew circles around one another. "Kvetha, Thorn,"

"How goes the rider training?" Murtagh asked.

"Slowly," Svellevarina replied. "Even the oldest of them have a long ways to go yet,"

"It is best that their training is handled with patience. Time is not against them," Thorn replied.

Murtagh grinned. "Not everyone can excel at their training as the two of you, after all."

Svellevarina bobbed her head and drew her lips back in her form of a grin, exposing her teeth and gums. "Now this is true. We were, nay, are an exception."

I patted the side of her neck. "Come Svell, we best be off. Another day of training awaits us tomorrow and the sun is always early to rise."

She snorted in response.

"Well, I am glad we were able to catch you on your way home," Murtagh said. "Thorn and I were on our way to see Queen Nasuada,"

I sent him a knowing smile. For as long as I could remember the Queen of Men was rather close to Murtagh and Thorn, though I was never aware if anything was official between the two of them. I had met Queen Nasuada only a handful of occasions to deal with formal matters on behalf of Eragon if he was not able to leave the island. She was sharp-witted and strong, with the courage to challenge a dragon. The two of them were fitting companions.

Svellevarina stretched out her talons and flared her wings back as she entered the opening of my home tree. She perched on the ledge as I unseated myself from the saddle and climbed down into the room. Papers had scattered off the table and onto the floor from the wind created by Svellevarina's landing. I began my nightly routine as Svellevarina crawled inside and settled down in the open space on the floor next to the window.

"Do you think we shall get the chance to travel one day, Vilansia?" My dragon asked.

I paused in unbraiding my hair, my ends flowing loose. "Maybe one day, bjartskular," I continued letting down my hair. "Why do you ask?"

She sighed, a small cloud of smoke escaping her white nostrils. "My wings ache to soar on different currents. It would be good for us, don't you think?"

I offered her a small smile as I sat down beside her head and looked out the window with her. I rested my left hand on the top of her snout and scratched her scales. Svellevarina hummed in pleasure. "Yes. It would be good. My heart tells me that there is still so much more to see. Maybe one day,"

Svellevarina said nothing in response as she closed her scaly eyelids and slipped away into her dreams. I closed my mind slightly to her to prevent my thoughts from disturbing her rest.

I sighed as I settled in the chair in front of my desk, gathering my papers together. I reviewed my notes on the young riders in training, rubbing my temple. There was not much else that Svellevarina and I were kept busy with. Not to say that this was entirely bad, Alagaesia was experiencing a glorious time of peace and tranquility with the new dragon riders stationed across the country. New treaties had been made with different cities and it was our duty to ensure that the rules of the treaties were followed. Svellevarina and I, however, were asked to stay with Eragon and Saphira to assist with the training of the next generations of riders. We were honored by the request. Other riders and their dragons left Alagaesia, for once they finished their training they were given the freedom to do so. Few rarely came back, not because they had perished, but because they made the choice to stay wherever it was that they had settled down.

I began to write today's notes on Adelina's training, making sure to state that it had ended earlier than usual. Tomorrow I would be training with another of the older students, a male elf named Ivsaar, who was still but a child by Elvish standards. His training was coming along quite well, but where Adelina was emotional, Ivsaar was proud. Proud to the point of arrogance. I pushed my dark hair away from my face as I leaned against the back of the chair. There was never a moment of boredom for Svellevarina and I, our duties always kept us busy. I often wondered how Eragon and Saphira had done this for so many years on their own. Svell's tail twitched in her sleep, the sliding of her scales on the wooden floor making a slithering noise. Through our bond, I could interpret the theme of her dreams. Tonight her mind led her to a world of winged battle, fighting enemies from the skies. I smiled in her direction before turning my attention to my notes. As an Elf, I had no need for rest, though in some time I would need to recover. I could go many nights without sleep. Rather, our minds and bodies slip into a deep meditative state, where our subconscious remains alert and awake to the outside world, allowing us to rise at a moment's notice. Tonight would be one without rest for me, as there was still more paperwork to be done.

Pinks and oranges coloured my room as the sun peaked over the horizon, marking the start of a new day. I pressed my mind against Svellevarinas to wake her gently. She snorted, small sparks shooting from her nostrils. Her scaly eyelids opened to reveal her apatite coloured eyes as they focused on me.

"It's morning already?" She asked.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "So it is, Svell. Kvetha,"

She hummed in response, the vibrations created in her chest echoing throughout me and the room.

I gathered my notes together and placed them in my pack so that I would be able to go over them with Eragon when we arrived at the rider's training island. I quickly braided my hair back before throwing my pack over my shoulders and hauling Svellevarina's saddle over to her. She shifted so that she was no longer on her side and tucked her wings against her. I placed the saddle in the space on her back just before the start of her neck where there was a large space between the row of spikes that grew from the base of her head to the tip of her tail, where the largest and sharpest spike created the point of her tail. She stood slightly as I looped the straps around her midsection and tightened the buckles. Once everything was in place I climbed up her foreleg and sat in the saddle, shifting until I was comfortable. Svellevarina informed Saphira-elda of our departure from home as she climbed on to the ledge of the window, spreading her translucent white wings. She jumped, allowing the wind to catch under her and soared over the treetops of other Elvish homes.

Eragon greeted us at the front of the main hall when we arrived, his right hand held up in the form of a wave.

I jumped down from the saddle once Svell landed and bowed to Eragon, my hand over my heart. "Kvetha, Eragon-vodhr,"

"Kvetha, Vilansia, Svellevarina," He replied, nodding to each of us. "I take it you wish to review your notes on some of the young riders?"

"If you have a moment, yes. I only wish to ensure that we are on the right path for Adelina and Ivsaar," I replied.

"Very well. I will meet you in the Hall." He faced my dragon. "Saphira is waiting for you in the training field,"

She did not waste a moment to take off into the air once again to meet with the elder dragon.

I followed Eragon into the Hall, sitting in one of the many oak chairs that lined the long table. Eragon sat beside me and waited patiently for me to gather my notes out of my pack and arrange them accordingly.

I rested my palm on one of the two piles. "Here I have recorded the progress made with Adelina's training. I made sure to update it appropriately last night,"

He pushed the stack of papers toward him before picking through them, scanning the contents of a few of the pages. "I would not change what is written here, I believe you have done well. Perhaps we should discuss the direction of her training,"

"I had hoped you would be willing, Eragon-vodhr. I believe there is much to discuss,"

He leaned back in the chair, his elbow propped on the armrest with his fist supporting the weight of his head. "It does not do well to force the process. Adelina will come to in her own time. If I have learned anything in my many years on this island it is that each dragon and rider requires a different length of time to complete their journey here. While it is our duty to ensure the quality of their training, it is also our duty to respect their individuality and the needs that come with that," He let his hand fall to his lap. "You are not wrong to worry, Vilansia. Your concern demonstrates your care. But do not forget your own duties,"

I bowed my head respectively. "I admire your wisdom, as always. Elrun ono,"

He offered a small smile. "You are doing well, you needn't stress yourself so. Saphira and I both appreciate the dedication that you and Svellevarina have to train those that come here,"

"Why, of course!" I replied quickly, my brows raised. "We are honored to assist yourself and Saphira-elda with the rider training,"

Before Eragon could reply, the Hall doors swung open, the wood creaking from the sudden movement. "Apologies, Master Eragon, Master Vilansia," a male dwarf rider spoke. "Arya Dröttning and Firnen-elda have arrived on the island!"

Adelina burst in behind the young dwarf. "I have called on both Saphira-elda and Svellevarina-elda to return,"

"Very well. Elrun ono. When the dragons all return, gather the youngest riders and their dragons together. You are all dismissed from training for the remainder of the day." Eragon ordered as he stood.

I followed suit, the two of us making our way to the front entrance of the Hall where the Elf queen and her dragon would be waiting. The emerald green of Firnen-elda was the first thing my eyes were drawn to before my gaze rested on the elegance of Arya Dröttning beside him. Eragon and I both bowed to her, our hands twisted over our hearts.

"We are graced by your visit, Arya Dröttning. And you as well, Firnen." Eragon said once he stood to his full height. "Though I must inquire about the reason behind your visit. It is not often the queen of Ellesmera and her dragon find themselves on the training island."

"Indeed, it is not," Arya replied. "We bring urgent news from a distant land that must be discussed immediately,"

Eragon gestured to the Hall, allowing Arya to walk in front of him as he rested his hand on the small of her back, guiding her the rest of the way. I followed the two of them, walking a few paces in front of Firnen. The Hall doors were large enough to accommodate the largest of dragons easily so that they may be present for any and all meetings within the Hall. Arya sat at the head of the table and Eragon placed himself on her right side. I sat next to Arya on her left as Firnen curled himself behind Arya Dröttning.

I wanted nothing more than to barrage the queen with questions about this pressing news, but I knew better to wait for the arrival of Svellevarina and Saphira-elda. It was not often at all that the queen made an appearance. In fact, it was rare for either her or Firnen to leave the borders of Ellesmera, as their duties required them to stay close to home. I couldn't help but notice the small glances that Eragon cast her way. There was no denying the care that he held in his brown eyes towards her, as he made no attempt to hide it. The two of them were an unlikely pairing. Saphira had shared the story of their meeting to me when I was considerably younger after I had pleaded for some time that someone tell it to me. She seemed happy to indulge my curious mind. Their fondness for one another was something I had grown up with, just as Svellevarina had with Saphira and Firnen. While the two never showed it, I was certain that the time and distance a part from one another certainly had it's toll.

Saphira was the first to enter the Hall, causing Firnen to stand and greet her as she settled in behind Eragon. He rubbed the top of his snout against her neck, humming until Saphira returned the gesture.

Arya cleared her throat, her green eyes sharp and focused. "I received word from outsiders of Alagaesia," she folded her hands together on the table in front of her. "Our people have known of distant lands for some time. As you all know, we have not always resided in Du Weldenvarden. Since that time, however, we had not heard from those living outside Alagaesia. That is, until now. I was contacted by an individual who claimed to be from a country called Middle Earth. He introduced himself as Gandalf Mithrandir but would not share much more about himself,"

"How was he able to contact you?" I interrupted.

The queen shook her head. "I do not know exactly how, I had believed our blockades around Du Weldenvarden to be stronger. In any case, he was able to scry me and he told me that his country is in a state of crisis, a war for them is inevitable. His purpose in contacting me was to seek out help so that they may have a better chance of defeating the evil forces threatening to take over. Apparently there were ancient texts describing our lands that he came across, thus leading him to seek someone out,"

Saphira lifted her head above Eragon's chair, leaning over her rider. "If he is asking for help, what exactly does he expect from us?"

"That is for us to decide. I believe that something must be done, though it is not up to me alone. Hence this meeting," Arya Dröttning replied.

Eragon shook his head. "Our graduated riders are scattered across Alagaesia. Even attempting to contact them would take some time,"

"Time is something those of Middle Earth do not have," Firnen stated.

"What is the threat, exactly?" I asked.

The queen's gaze fell on me, her mouth was pulled tight. "Gandalf Mithrandir described a sleeping darkness that is finally beginning to wake. A being capable of complete devastation on the free people of Middle Earth and has been slowly growing in power,"

"It must be stopped," Svellevarina said.

"I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that I agree," Arya replied, her green eyes focused on her hands in front of her. "The question remains. How are we to send aid? Firnen and I cannot leave, our duties require us to remain,"

Svellevarina shifted. "What about Vilansia and I? We are not so needed here as you all are,"

I couldn't help but turn to look at her. She glanced at me briefly before focusing on the others. There was no hesitation in her, she was completely set on this decision. After a moment I turned back around, my back straight. It was true. While Svell and I did much of the rider training on the island, our presence was not needed in the way that Eragon and Saphira were. There was no question that Arya and Firnen would not be able to leave the country, and with the other graduated rider's whereabouts unknown, it only made sense for Svellevarina and me to be the ones to go. All eyes were on my dragon and I.

"We are certainly capable,"

"There is no question about your capability," Eragon said. "The question is if you are willing,"

"I was not given much more information besides what I have already shared. Gandalf gave me coordinates to a meeting place in Middle Earth, but aside from that I know nothing else," Arya Dröttning added. "There is no question that this will be dangerous. It is only a matter of time before battle ensues,"

A small smirk played on my lips. "Eragon-vodhr, did Svellevarina and I not excel in our training?"

"You both did, yes,"

"There is no doubt, then, that we are a fitting choice," Svellevarina said.

Firnen growled low in his throat. "Do not take this matter lightly. You would be entering a time of great peril,"

"They need help, Firnen-elda," I replied. "We cannot deny them that. Svellevarina and I should be the ones to go,"

There was a moment of silence while everyone remained deep in thought.

"Very well," Arya Dröttning said, breaking the quiet. "The two of you shall leave tomorrow morning. There will be preparations made for your departure," She stood from the table. "I shall meet you all at the main hall of Ellesmera at sunrise," She faced me. "Gather what you are able. Whatever provisions you are lacking I can provide," With a twirl of her dress skirts, she took her leave of the Hall, Eragon being quick to follow her.

Saphira nudged Firnen along as they made their way after their riders.

I stood from the table as well to face my dragon. "You truly wish to take on this mission?"

"It will be a worthy adventure, Vi,"

I tilted my head. There was a small part of her that was slightly intimidated. The stress in Arya's voice was indeed sincere and we knew better than to take that lightly. I too was apprehensive, but the confidence I had in our abilities overshadowed my doubt.

"And we are a worthy team,"

Svellevarina's tail twitched in approval as she swung her head to nudge me gently. I rested my head on the top of her snout where her scales were the softest and held on to her bottom jaw. I closed my eyes, Svellevarina's hot breath shifting my hair with each exhale.

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Translations from the Ancient Language: Né - No Eka kenna - I know Shur'tugal - Dragon rider Gánga - Go Eka elrun ono - I thank you -vodhr - honorific praise for a man -elda - honorific praise, gender-neutral Kvetha - Greetings Bjartskular - Brightscales Elrun ono - Thank you Dröttning - Queen

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-next chapter-

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naldoreth · 4 years

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Legolas and Elin right after the Council of Elrond. Lineart by Ada, colour by me. Elin Priddy is my dear OC, a Welsh girl with a dwarven soul who fell in Middle Earth to shatter Legolas' world - and his patience, apparently. You can read more about these two in my fic Desde aquí hasta mi hogar. It's in Spanish, though! Desde aquí hasta mi hogar, Legolas/OFC - Read on AO3.

#legolas #legolas/ofc #legolas x ofc #lord of the rings #fanart #elin priddy #original female character #Desde aquí hasta mi hogar #fic #fanfiction #my fic #girl in middle earth #legolas greenleaf #lotr

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erathene · 2 years

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Hello and welcome to my blog!

Below is my masterlist of writings. I am an amateur writer and only do this for fun in my spare time. The writings I post are purely for enjoyment; don't like it don't read it!

Unfortunately I do not take requests at this time, but I might occasionally find inspiration from tumblr posts for which I will provide full credit.

Find me on AO3 here: My AO3 page

Last updated 21/04/2024

Series & Longfics

F*ck It - Aragorn x Female!Reader Two parts - Emotional Hurt / Comfort - LOTS of swearing & cursing - Dealing with grief. Read on AO3. Summary: As a barmaid at The Prancing Pony, you feel obliged to help Aragorn after a night of heavy drinking.

Part 1 - 2.1k words.

Part 2 - 2.3k words.

Safe with You - Aragorn x Female!Reader Two parts - Whump / Hurt&Comfort - LOTS of swearing and cursing - Descriptions of injury. Read on AO3. Summary: Strider turns up wounded at the Pony, you have little choice but to help him recover.

Part 1 - 2.1k words

Part 2 - 2.6k words

One Shots

*New!* Sowing Seeds - Aragorn x Female!Reader One Shot - Spice / Non-Explicit Sexual Themes - 2k words - Mentions of pregnancy and conceiving. Read on AO3. Summary: Your mother's nagging is becoming unbearable. Aragorn helps relieve some tension.

A Fool's Hope - Aragorn x Reader One Shot - Hurt / Comfort / Whump - 2.3k words - Gender Neutral. Read on AO3. Summary: Aragorn has returned to Helm’s Deep bearing injuries, and you attempt to help whilst battling your own doubts.

It Takes Practice - Legolas x Reader One Shot - Fluff / Mild Romance - 666 words - Human!Reader - Gender Neutral. Summary: A moment of frustration is turned around by a certain elvish prince.

100-word Drabbles

Taunted - Legolas & Original Male Character (tw: none)

A Beacon in your Darkness - Legolas & Reader (tw: panic attack)

Unguarded - Boromir & Female!Reader (tw: description of battle)

Choices - Legolas x Female!Elf!Reader (tw: description of battle, spiders)

More new and remastered fics to be added soon.

100-word Drabbles

Off Limits - Fili x Reader (tw: implied sexual themes)

#lotr fanfic #fanfiction #lotr #middle earth #the hobbit #tolkien #lotr x y/n #masterlist #my masterlist #erathene masterlist

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falcor-thee-luck-dragon · 4 years

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Masterlist

4/20/20

I don’t write as much as I used to, but here’s what I got. Hope you enjoy!

Always a Female reader just cause it’s easiest for me to write. I also write for multiple fandoms, most notably are as followed and some characters that I’d write for too...

The Witcher (Geralt, Jaskier, Eskel)

Marvel (Bucky Barnes, Loki, Druig, Eddie Brock, Steven Grant - Marc Spector)

Lord of the Rings (Legolas, Aragorn, Thranduil, Kili)

The Umbrella Academy (Diego, Klaus)

The Mandalorian (Din Djaren)

What We Do In The Shadows *TV series (Nandor)

Actors (Sebastian Stan, Henry Cavill)

Series Re-Writes that I have...

-What A Time To Be Alive (Diego Hargreeves) S1-2 Completed

-Of Monsters And Men (Geralt of Rivia) S1-2 Completed

-Love Cuts Deep (Bucky Barnes) Completed

Original Series

-Let Chaos Reign (Bucky Barnes) On hiatus

-Life Is Strange (Steven Grant) In progress

Series Incomplete

Let Chaos Reign- Bucky Barnes x powered (f)reader

Chapter 1- What Place Is This?

Chapter 2- Earth’s Mightiest What?

Chapter 3- Don’t Provoke The Bear

Chapter 4- People Of Earth

Chapter 5- The Man With The Metal Arm

——

Life Is Strange - Steven Grant x powered (f)reader

Chapters 1 - ???

Series - Completed

Love Cuts Deep - Bucky Barnes x powered (f)reader

Series Rewrite- (Civil War, Infinity War/Endgame, TFATWS)

Chapters 1 - 21

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Series - Completed

Of Monsters and Men - Geralt of Rivia x (f)reader

Season 1 & Season 2

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Series - Completed

What a Time to be Alive - Diego Hargreeves x (f)reader

All Seasons

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The Umbrella Academy

Diego Hargreeves ⚔️

-Diego Hargreeves x powered reader

-Diego Hargreeves x powered reader (reader x Platonic Klaus)

-Diego x reader

-Diego x reader (smut)

-Diego x reader

-Diego drabble

-Diego x reader - A Small Inconvenience

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Klaus Hargreeves 👻

-Klaus Hargreeves x reader

-Klaus drabble

-Klaus Hargreeves x powered reader

-Klaus drabble

Klaus x reader - Rainy Afternoon

——

The Mandalorian 🌌

-Din Djaren drabble

-Din Djaren x reader - A Clan of Three

-Din Djaren x reader - A Moment of Bliss

LOTR 🍃

Legolas x elven reader part 1

Legolas x elven reader part 2

Aragorn x elven reader - Find Me

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The Witcher🐺

-Jaskier x firebender reader - We Need a Horse

Geralt x reader- Full Moon on the Rise

Geralt x reader - Bound By Blood Part 1

Geralt x reader - Bound By Blood Part 2

Geralt x reader - Curious Travels

Geralt x reader - Drink Up

Geralt x reader - The Faun

Geralt x reader - Strange Side Quests

Geralt x reader - Your Traveling Circus

Ekel x reader - Wolf Like Me

Eskel x mage reader - Rose Of The Thorns

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Actors ✨

Henry x wife/actress reader - Interviews

Dating Sebastian Stan...camera roll

Dating Sebastian Stan....camera roll

Dating Sebastian Stan…camera roll

——

Marvel

Bucky Barnes x f(werewolf reader) - Rough Night

Bucky Barnes x f(reader) - Bad Dreams

Bucky Barnes x f(reader) - Don’t Feed The Flames

Bucky Barnes x f(reader) - Under A Storm

Bucky Barnes x f(reader) - Avenger Things

Loki x f(reader) - When We Meet Again

Loki x f(reader) - Keep Up

Loki x f(reader) - Tell Me A Story

Loki x f(reader) - Not A Place, A People

Loki x f(reader) - Kisses Heal Most Wounds

Druig x (f)eternal - Hello There Beautiful

Druig x (f)eternal - Still Mine

Druig x (f)eternal - Hello There Beautiful part 2

Druig x (f)eternal - Up To No Good

Druig x (f)eternal - Love In The Night

Eddie Brock x (f)mutant reader- His Favorite Problem

Bucky Barnes x (f)reader - Under The Golden Lights

Steven Grant x (f)reader - Life Is Strange part 1

——

What We Do In The Shadows 🦇

Nandor x f(vampire) reader - Forgive, But First Fun

Nandor x f(half/vampire) reader - Dark Shenanigans

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ao3feed-tolkien · 1 year

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Legolas & You (Reader x Legolas Love Story)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/jnoVbKg

by sexylegolas

Legolas & You is a compilation of Legolas x Reader love story. Most of them fits within the 'girl fall to middle earth' scenario. I am not currently accepting any requests, but I am open to your ideas that might jog another inspiration to write. Happy reading! (Romance, Hurt/comfort, M/F)

Words: 17564, Chapters: 4/?, Language: English

Fandoms: The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types, The Lord of the Rings (Movies)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/M

Characters: Legolas Greenleaf, Original Female Character(s), Original Female Human Character(s), Aragorn | Estel, Sam Gamgee, Gandalf | Mithrandir, Gimli (Son of Glóin), Frodo Baggins, Merry Brandybuck, Pippin Took

Relationships: Legolas Greenleaf/Original Female Character(s)

Additional Tags: Protective Legolas Greenleaf, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Romantic Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Romance

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/jnoVbKg

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #Tolkien #JRR Tolkien #Tolkien works #ao3 #fan fiction

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artemisdesari-blog · 3 years

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Why I Find Tauriel Problematic; An Essay On My Thoughts, Feelings, And Why Ambivalence Has Turned Into Frustration and Distaste

Although I have only been back on the fanfiction horse for about two years, and what a wonderful two years those have been, my brief stint writing fanfiction for The Hobbit has shown me a great deal about the fandom, and one of those things is that Tauriel is something like Marmite. For those unfamiliar with Marmite, it is a British salty yeast extract spread that is either utterly delicious or utterly vile depending on the tastes of the one eating it. The marketing slogan for it is “You either love it or hate it”, so even the manufacturers are aware that enjoyment of their product is a very subjective thing. Tauriel seems to polarise the fandom almost as much as said yeast extract, although there is a little more mid range ambivalence towards her as well. For me, personally, I prefer to pretend that she never existed in the movies at all, something that I will get into at a later date. That ambivalence has, sadly, shifted to distaste.

It is no secret that in popular literature and culture there is a very glaring absence of strong female characters. To the extent that when your Captain Janeways, Samantha Carters, Natasha Romanovs and so on pop up they become worth commenting on. Tolkien, of course, is no saint where this is concerned. It is glaringly obvious that for every Lúthien, Galadriel, Arwen and Eowyn there are dozens of male characters who play far greater roles in the saving of the world. In fact, The Hobbit is without strong female characters entirely, being a novel completely dominated by the male Company of Thorin Oakenshield, including the title character. Considering who Tolkien is supposed to have originally written the tale for, the source myths that he referenced and prevailing attitudes of the time, it is unsurprising. In fact, that characters like Eowyn and Galadriel pop up at all, not discounting Lúthien whose romance with Beren was said to have some inspiration from Tolkien’s own marriage, is impressive all things considered.

With that in mind, let us consider the matter of Tauriel. She was not in the book, and while I can see why the studio wanted her added to the film they later made decisions about her which sat, and still do sit, very poorly with me. Generally speaking, as a writer, I prefer to try ignoring the fact that she exists in the movies, even if I reference the movie appearances of the dwarves to avoid writing about too many bearded males with white or blue or blond hair. If I do reference her it is usually in passing and with no intention to do anything further with her other than acknowledge that she was added to the cast. Frequently, however, I get asked the questions “Will Kíli and Tauriel be forming an attachment?”. “How do you plan to handle the romance between Kíli and Tauriel given the relationship you’ve been building with X character?”, “Why do you dislike her so much?”. I’ve even been accused of disliking her from the misogynistic view point of “the evil female who corrupts the helpless males,” which is frankly offensive and not at all the case.

To the first two questions: she is not book canon, I do not need to address the so-called romance because there is nothing in Tolkien’s canon to support her existence and thus the romance. To the last question… well, that one is a little more complicated and requires an in depth examination of her introduction, actions and interactions with Kíli, as well as his personality as established over the course of the films since we have precious little to go on in the books.

First, let us look at Kíli. He is a flirt. We know that, we see him flirting with various elves during dinner in Rivendell. Beyond that, however, we see very little of his tastes or preferences, although it is probably fair to assume that he is probably something of a romantic as well. As much as he is a main character, he is still more of a background character compared to Bilbo and Thorin. It is, after all, about the hobbit of the piece. He is young, either just about to turn 77 or not long having done so and that makes him young enough that we get the impression that he and Fíli both are still of an age where it is perfectly natural to idolise their uncle and be desperate for his approval. We see that the few times he is dressed down he feels it very keenly. We also see that he is playful and open, perhaps the most playful and open of all of them except, maybe, Bofur. He is curious, perfectly capable of giving his all when it comes to a fight and Gandalf refers to him as one of Thorin’s best alongside his brother and Dwalin.

We also see him flip from open and loving, though perhaps infatuated is a better word, to cold and murderous in a moment, so we can probably include passionate in all things in that as well.

Now, let us look at Tauriel. Unlike Kíli, we have no set age for her. We know that she is young for an elf, but the ages given range from somewhere around 600 to 1,400. There is one quote placing her at 1,347 but it is in a sea of conflicting information. Regardless, she is young, she is idealistic and curious. She has never left Mirkwood and has dedicated much of the last few decades to attempting to curb the influx of giant spiders which are spreading from Dol Guldur while arguing with Thranduil; who wants his borders kept clear but refuses to deal with the source of the threat. An attitude not unfamiliar to many of us, sadly. She has the friendship of a prince of Mirkwood but is declared not good enough for him. Also, not an uncommon attitude in those who could be thought of as nobility.

She, like any being that has literally had hundreds of years to practice, is incredibly good with her weapons and pings and flips around like the others of her kind. Given her youth and position we can conclude that she is considered unusually skilled for her age but she still has the advantage of living forever, unless she tires of life or is killed, to keep improving her skills.

Finally, let us look at the history between elves and dwarves. It is not a pretty one. They come together for the sake of occasional trade, or to face the threat of Morgoth, and later Sauron, and their armies, but otherwise they keep to themselves. The dislike is clear on both sides and occurs well before the day Smaug arrived in Erebor, during the First Age in fact. So it will be difficult for this young pair to overcome millennia of bad feeling between their people, some of whom actually remember the events that set the dislike in stone. Legolas and Gimli are later understood to be among only a very, very, few who become close enough to be considered great friends. Much of fandom would probably cheerfully have them be a great deal more given Legolas snuck his dwarf into Valinor after Aragorn’s death.

To the shoe-horned in romance, and I do mean that in the literal sense. Evangeline Lily has been heard in interviews to say that she was wary about the fan reception of Tauriel from the start and that she signed on under the explicit understanding that there would be no romance or love triangle. And at the end of the initial shoot there was not. When they came back for studio shoots and reshoots, however, she was presented with a list of scenes that had been added and some that needed to be reshot to accommodate, you guessed it, a love triangle. She was signed in, she had taken the money, done the work and was boxed into a corner. The love triangle went in and it became the part of the films that polarises the fans the most. Besides, if we want to ship something, we do not need to have it spoon fed to us. Bagginshield is the most popular ship in the fandom and we only get the odd hint towards it here and there. Then look at the multitude of other ships. We did not need to be given something we can make up for ourselves.

That out of the way, let us look at their meeting:

The Company is beset by giant spiders, destined to be dinner, confused and disorientated and more than a little desperate, weakened due to lack of food and the weird miasma of Mirkwood which has been playing havoc with their minds. None of them are in good shape but, as they do, they fight on anyway. They need to survive and reach the mountain so that they can take back their home. Enter the elves, arrows whistling, blades crunching into thick spider exoskeletons, performing all manner of acrobatic leaps and twists to avoid getting bitten or killed. It is impressive, eye-catching even to the older dwarves, and would likely be even more so to a pair of young dwarves like Fíli and Kíli. We do not see Fíli’s reaction, he is too busy frantically looking for his missing brother who has been cornered by a spider.

Enter Tauriel, who refuses to give him a knife to defend himself with and help her deal with the stragglers because she believes he may well be an enemy. She is, in fact, somewhat derogatory towards him. I would not say that Kíli is charmed, although he is certainly impressed, because were he charmed I do not believe he would have such a massively discontent expression on his face as she takes him back to the others. I suspect that, much like in Rivendell, he would have put more effort into turning on the charm.

As the dwarves are led away, we get the first indication that Tauriel has noticed him; she comments that he is not entirely unattractive for a dwarf due to his lack of beard and the fact that he is tall for one of their kind. Legolas is unimpressed, but we expect that.

Once they reach the cells we see the dwarves desperately attempting to avoid being locked up. Most of them are attempting to force their way free, Fíli appears to be in the process of having yet more knives removed from his person while he huffs and sulks, and Kíli is watching as he is taken to a cell of his own. A solitary one at that. Fíli and Kíli, it could be argued, are a little bit co-dependant. Not horrendously, but they have been watching out for one another over all the rest from the start, they are brothers after all, and in the life of a dwarf five years is not all that much of an age gap. So we can assume that Kíli does not really want to be locked up on his own, he is a social person regardless it would seem and I suspect that being alone would be a special kind of torture for him. He tries stalling.

“Aren’t you going to check me? I could have anything down my trousers.”

I’ll give Tauriel this, she is quick witted and this is possibly one of my favourite exchanges of the films. Her reply; “Or nothing” is cool, a little bit cutting and gives no indication of any sort of interest at all. If anything, she seems a little exasperated with all the fuss the lot of them are creating and she simply wants to be done with it. Away Kíli goes and off she goes to report to her king.

Who proceeds to compliment her on her good handling of things so far, order her to make it better faster, reject her proposal for exterminating the source rather than simply dealing with the fallout and then tell her that no matter what else she has done, she is not good enough for his son. Oof. She hesitates before replying, stumbles her way through a response and seems genuinely upset about it. Regardless of whether her feelings for Legolas are of friendship or if she had been hoping for a little more as well, being told something like that had to hurt.

We next see Tauriel patrolling the cells. Some of the dwarves are making noise, most seem pretty resigned, Kíli is fiddling with his promise stone. Which he promptly drops and loses through the bars, only for it to be stopped by Tauriel who demands to know what it is. As you do. Kíli, as you do, replies that it is a curse stone and any who is not a dwarf who looks upon it will suffer greatly. I forget the exact quote, I could look it up but I’m not feeling quite that dedicated to making my point here. Tauriel hesitates. I will not say that she is alarmed, she seems to take his words with a pinch of salt, but she is definitely wary and we have to remember that she is a very young elf who has spent all of her life in Mirkwood. She has not interacted with dwarves, has no reason to have done so and so she has no idea if what he is saying is true or not. And we have no idea how many of the old stories about elves and dwarves she has heard, although we know it is enough for her to have a generally low opinion of them. Her hesitation is enough to cause Kíli to come clean, perhaps fearing that she will take this precious memento of his mother from him. You can see the moment that Tauriel decides to return it, the flicker of surprise that a dwarf would mention a parent with such apparent fondness and it makes me wonder what stories she has been told about dwarves and their emotions. Regardless, she gives it back and the two begin a conversation which starts with Kíli’s opinion on starlight and moves on to become centred around Kíli’s travels.

It is a good, safe, sensible conversation which would ring no alarm bells. In fact, the only thing that hints towards the idea that we should be looking for a romantic angle is the shot of Legolas looking down upon them with a disgusted sneer.

This is where I began to feel uneasy with the direction the story was taking. Legolas is clearly jealous, Tauriel has clearly been hurt by the callous words of Thranduil and there was, perhaps, a little bit of flirting going on between the bars. This is Kíli after all. One thing we forget, however, is that she is his jailor. She is in a position of significant power over him. Let us flip the genders. The one behind bars is female, the one who holds the keys and is showing a marked interest in her is male. This is a familiar trope, and one which many of us shudder back from due to the power divide and the vulnerability of the female character, no matter how kind the male one seems. Why, then, do so many of us ignore the reverse scenario? Why is it alright for a woman, or elleth, in a position of power over a male, and especially a young one who might well be looking for a way out and a way to keep his friends and family safe, to pay such marked attention to a male captive?

The answer, of course, is that it is very much not alright, but we let it slide because it is not the reverse and society seems to have this thing for women in power seducing helpless males.

So, they have got their flirt on, spent an unspecified length of time languishing in the cells and now it is time to escape. The book would have us believe that they spent a month or so in the cells and rode their barrels out with relative ease. No gates, orcs, arrows or chases through the rapids. I can understand the movies needing something a little more dramatic. It would have been a dull escape otherwise, but we can already see the shift in Tauriel when the dwarves escape, even though she has known them at most a month, and the film makes it seem like they have only been in there a day or two which is what makes her actions later make even less sense than they would had she known Kíli a month. She hesitates. Her prisoners have escaped, her king is going to be very displeased, and still she hesitates.

I refuse to get into the thing with the morgul arrow, I find it very hard to believe that Sauron would have allowed the use of those and thus tipped others who were not Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel and Elrond off to the fact that he was on the move. I am not even entirely sure they were a thing in book canon which is neither here nor there. It is believable that Kíli would have been hurt, that is a risk in every combat situation, and I will leave it at that.

The dwarves escape and head to Lake Town with Kíli in increasingly poor shape, Tauriel and Legolas take an orc to Thranduil for questioning which results in the elf king ordering the gates sealed. He wants nothing to do with whatever quarrel is between the orcs and dwarves. I hardly blame him. Legolas and Tauriel both object at different times and get shut down, and Legolas goes to obey his father’s orders, only to realise that Tauriel has already run off after this bloke she hardly knows.

I love Kíli, I do, but at this point he holds about as much of a permanent place in her life as the bloke I started to play Dungeons and Dragons with three months ago does in mine. And she probably knows him about as well as I do that guy.

She is idealistic, young, desperate to see the world. I get that. It is as good a reason as any to want to go out there and save it given that she is, to borrow from Guardians of the Galaxy, one of the idiots who lives in it. But saving the world, or that corner of it, was not what set her off in Thranduil’s throne room. Being told that Kíli was going to die slowly and painfully was. As much as the scene argues that she is going out there to save the world because she believes that they have a responsibility to do so, she has also already shown that Kíli is one of her primary reasons.

Four years ago, my then four year old, looked at this whole mess and said “But Elsa says you can’t marry a man you just met”. Where she got the idea Tauriel wanted to marry Kíli, I do not know, but that observation stuck with me.

Anyway, because this is getting rambling, stuff happens, the dwarves have a feast, Kíli gets left in Lake Town with Fíli while the rest go on to Erebor and Tauriel fights her way into Bard’s in time to get some athelas to heal Kíli, although not without a little bit of dithering about before hand as she tries to work out what, if anything, she can do to help him. It is not the first time we see the calm, collected and confident character we were introduced to take a backseat before she pulls herself together but it is quite prominent. Kíli, while being healed, spouts off some romantic gibberish about him and Tauriel being worlds apart from one another and wondering if she could have loved him.

It is very sweet. It is also delirious ramblings. I have said some things while feverish and sick that have had my Significant Other raising his eyebrows at me. It is not meant to be taken really seriously. For all we know, five minutes before he might have proposed marriage to Óin or been hallucinating a fight with Smaug. It is sweet and romantic, as we might believe Kíli to be, but can it be considered a true declaration?

Incidentally, this part is one of the changes that makes me really quite angry. Fíli and Kíli were always supposed to be at Thorin’s side when they entered Erebor. He leaves Kíli, and therefore Fíli, behind with barely a twitch, and callously does so after making him struggle his way to the dock and the waiting boat in front of the population of Lake Town who are waiting to see them off. It raises questions about whether the gold obsession that plagues the line of Durin had already started to set in, but I think it was a decision made to give a greater sense of peril to the scenes in Lake Town when Smaug is razing the place.

Either way, I do not like it.

The morning after the night before dawns, Kíli seems none the worse for wear after his near brush with death, though we know that Frodo was heavily weakened after his own such encounter in sixty/eighty years, depending on if you book or film timeline it. He is saying goodbye to Tauriel and effectively tells her he loves her by calling her “amrâlimê” which most of us here know means something to the effect of “my love”. Watch Fíli behind him, rolling his eyes and shaking his head as though this is not the first time he has seen his brother act like this. Fíli is the Darcy to Kíli’s Bingley, except maybe this time it really is not love at all and Fíli is right to be wary and frustrated. It is also the time we see Kíli go from adoring puppy to murder hound in about 0.6 seconds with the arrival of Legolas. This time he is clearly infatuated, but I would still hesitate to say “in love” for a couple of reasons. The first is that they really hardly know each other, and while love at first sight is a wonderful idea it is not necessarily the strongest foundation for a relationship. Especially one with such incredibly strong Romeo and Juliet vibes. The second is that she has saved his life twice at this point. It is a known phenomenon that when someone does such a thing gratitude can be mistaken for powerful love.

In fact, Aidan and Evangeline have both reported to have said that had Kíli survived the pair of them would have very rapidly recognised that this is not love at all. It is gratitude and infatuation and not something which could withstand the judgement of both of their peoples.

Here, they separate, and neither mentions the other at all. Tauriel is cast out of Mirkwood, Legolas vows he will not return without her which is a whole other host of problems on its own, and they go forth to Gundabad to see what the orcs are up to.

It is bad news, but then these things usually are.

Things go horribly wrong in Erebor, words and Arkenstones are exchanged, hobbits are nearly flung from very high places and battle commences while Dwalin attempts to knock some sense into a gold consumed Thorin. You can see why Kíli will not have had time to think about Tauriel at all.

With the battle joined, it is fight or die. Kíli is unaware that Tauriel is anywhere on the field, or that there is a trap waiting for him in that bloody tower and Tauriel… well she panics. Seeing that Thranduil is intending on withdrawing for the good of his people she stands before him and pulls a weapon on her king demanding that he stay and fight and help the dwarves. If not for the fact that Legolas comes and takes her toward Ravenhill I think Thranduil probably would have crossed a line into kinslaying right there and then. There is only so much disobedience and, frankly, treason one can endure from a subject before something more permanent needs to be done about them.

They get to the tower, Fíli is already dead and Kíli is desperately trying to hold his own against an ambush so that he can avenge his brother. And Tauriel, for some unfathomable reason, races through a tower full of orcs screaming his name. That… that is not how you do these things. At all. By doing that you draw the attention of every creature that is currently free to track you down and kill you.

Moving on.

Watch them fight against Bolg together. They do not do it well. Kíli is fabulous next to Fíli, and probably Thorin and Dwalin and any other dwarf for that matter. He probably would not do too badly with one of the Men beside him but the elvish style of combat and the dwarf style are very different and it does not mesh well for these two who barely really know each other. Legolas and Gimli fight in many of the same battles, but rarely side by side and they are certainly more in tune with one another than these two are. In this case, Tauriel is definitely panicking and I wonder if she would have done the same if it had been Legolas she was fighting with.

Somehow I doubt it.

Anyway, eventually they are overwhelmed, longing looks are exchanged and Kíli is killed. Tauriel breaks down to Thranduil who declares that it was clearly real love.

I just, there is so much wrong with this I hardly know where to start.

A lot of time is dedicated to this addition. It drives a wedge between Thranduil and Legolas that we had no reason to suspect existed, it deprives him of one of his loyal guards and it does absolutely nothing at all to affect the outcome of the quest for Erebor in a positive way. It adds nothing to Kili’s death, it does not make it any more of a tragedy than it is in the book. In fact, if anything I think it takes away from it a little bit. For those not in the know, in the book Thorin is felled on the field, fatally wounded by Bolg who is then crushed to death by Beorn. Fíli and Kíli, who do not wish to see their uncle’s body taken and desecrated, and likely hoping that there was some small chance he could be saved, fight over him as guards until they are overwhelmed and die side by side before help can come. It is, ultimately, a terrible waste of their lives. Thorin lives long enough to apologise to Bilbo in one of the healing tents, much as he does on the side of the mountain in the film, and then he dies.

So Tauriel has made no positive impact upon the outcome, it could be argued that her moment of hesitating to threaten Thranduil could have been the moments where she and Legolas might have reached the tower fast enough to save possibly Kíli, perhaps even Fíli, we will never know. What we do know is that the addition of the love triangle added extra time which could have been given to any of the rest of the Company, most of whom were given very little at all to do other than carry on in the background. We could have spent more time with Bilbo, who got shunted aside for the Legend of Legolas parts and, of course, the love triangle additions. We did not even get the funeral in the theatrical release!

It seemed to primarily be, well, filler. And the studio’s bizarre opinion that they were not going to get female viewers if they did not stick some form of romance in there. It seemed to almost be an attempt to mirror the Arwen, Aragorn, Eowyn triangle from the Lord of the Rings, except they missed the mark there spectacularly. Arwen knew very well what she was giving up in marrying Aragorn, and she ultimately made the same choice that her uncle had made thousands of years before as had her very nearly ultimate grandmother (bar Melian) before that. Tauriel could have had no concept at all of what she might have been tying herself to. And that does not even get into the political ramifications of it had Kíli survived, or if he and any one or both of Fíli and Thorin survived.

This next is, of course, speculation, because we have no real way of knowing.

Tauriel has sacrificed everything, her home and position for some dwarf she hardly knew. They think it is love, but in the coming weeks with Kíli dedicated to the mountain, whether alone as king or with his uncle and/or brother, distance begins to grow. Tauriel is an elf, she may have fought in the battle but she is still not completely trusted. Rumours from those who might have seen her interaction with Thranduil during the battle start to surface. Kíli might overlook them for himself, but could Thorin or Fíli? If they were to send Kíli to do something that Tauriel would not like, could they trust her not to do the same to them as she did to Thranduil? She owes them even less loyalty than she did him and she threw it all to one side in a heartbeat. If Kíli is the only one of the younger two who survived, where does that leave the succession? If he and Tauriel cannot have children together the throne is not secure, even if they could with all the millennia of bad blood between elf and dwarf will the general populace really accept a half elf on the throne? Especially one who might live forever. The answer there is very likely to be no, which will cause more problems further on and puts Dáin and later Thorin III Stonehelm on the throne again. So there was no point saving Kíli if the original timeline would come to pass anyway, if with a few more hurdles and a heap more unrest thrown in. In other words, it would cause a lot more contention than it would solve.

If they did grow apart, as the actors have stated they would, I think Tauriel would have come to resent Kíli for his role in her decisions, even though she was a grown elleth and perfectly capable of reasoning out possible consequences for herself. Evangeline says that Tauriel went back to Mirkwood after the battle and I suspect Thranduil forgave her out of pity and because he knew she had learnt a terrible lesson. I doubt, though, that she ever regained his trust, and I very much doubt she ever rose to any real position within the kingdom again. If Kíli had not died, I suspect her reception would have been less forgiving and more in the nature of “well if it isn’t the consequences of your actions” before being thrown from her home in disgrace.

Either ending is unhappy for her.

This whole diatribe actually makes it sound like I quite like the character, and there are some small parts of her that I do like. The film needed a strong female character, and this is perhaps one of the reasons that one of the more popular genderbends in the fandom is female Bilbo. Because either way, the story still works. And all the initial stuff with Tauriel worked. Her early interactions with Kíli, that snappy comeback which is actually a favourite because as a response to someone intending on unsettling her it is perfect, even that little bit of wanderlust that she lets seep out. Where it falls apart, and where my dislike stems, is the introduction of the love triangle, the huge power imbalance between them when it begins in the dungeons of Mirkwood, the fact that gratitude and love are allowed to blur over the line with no one questioning it. Except, perhaps, Fíli, who is the long suffering older sibling accustomed to his brother becoming infatuated with this or that pretty face or great warrior.

Had it been left at the wanderlust and the whole bit with the delirious confession been done away with, she could have still been great. Had she kept her head a bit better upon seeing Kíli fighting Bolg or even had a material effect on things for good I could possibly, possibly have overlooked how it all began. But that moment in the cells set my squick metre off and coloured my opinion of it from there. And even repeat watching has not helped me to see it in a positive light. It was filler, time wasting, and I find it hard to like a character who was introduced as someone that girls could look up to, and who became, instead, every cliché female love interest that I feared she would. They set her up, let her and us down, and as a result I prefer to pretend she never existed, or gloss over her entirely.

And because people are always asking me what my problem with her is I’ve grown to despise her.

Kíli is a grown dwarf, he is perfectly capable of making his own decisions and thinking for himself. Tauriel does not manipulate him into having feelings for her, she seems to be made uncomfortable by the confession in fact, but just as he is capable of thinking for himself, so is she. And I question every decision she made from the moment she locked him behind those bars, because that is where the Tauriel that Kíli met in the spider’s nest begins to vanish.

She could have been a great character and she did not need a love interest, or to become one, for that to happen. The studio handled her poorly, and that is why I would prefer to ignore the fact that she, and that stupid love triangle, ever existed.

#thehobbit #WhyTaurielisaproblem #Because I feel she is #fandom ramblings

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ao3feed-thehobbit · 1 year

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Shattered Planes

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/I1ed2zX

by Hannah_Girl

A nefarious force has caused a calamity that has affected Middle Earth, Faerun, the 21st century, and the 24th century. In an instant, Drizzt, Legolas, the Winchesters, the crew of the USS. Enterprise, and many others, find themselves in strange worlds with no way to get back to where they came from. They quickly learn that each of these worlds is under threat by many dangerous adversaries, and the fate of four worlds and everyone who lives on them hangs in the balance.

Words: 3695, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types, The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Silmarillion and other histories of Middle-Earth - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore, Supernatural (TV 2005), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV), The X-Files, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/F, F/M, Gen, Multi

Characters: Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduil (Tolkien), Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien), Bilbo Baggins, Elrond Peredhel, Celebrimbor | Telperinquar, Glorfindel (Tolkien), Elrohir (Tolkien), Elladan (Tolkien), Drizzt Do'Urden, Artemis Entreri, Catti-brie (Dungeons & Dragons), Ellifain Tuuserail, Bruenor Battlehammer, Dinin Do'Urden, Berg'inyon Baenre, Doum'wielle Armgo, Effron Alegni, Kimmuriel Oblodra, Jarlaxle Baenre, Zaknafein Do'Urden, Castiel (Supernatural), Hannah (Supernatural), Meg Masters, Dean Winchester, Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Buffy Summers, Jean-Luc Picard, Kira Nerys, Kathryn Janeway, Chakotay (Star Trek), Original Female Character(s)

Relationships: Legolas Greenleaf/Original Female Character(s), Kíli (Tolkien)/Original Female Character(s), Fíli (Tolkien)/Original Female Character(s), Catti-brie/Drizzt Do'Urden, Castiel/Hannah/Meg Masters, Jo Harvelle/Dean Winchester, Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester, Charlie Bradbury/Willow Rosenberg, Fox Mulder/Dana Scully, Angel/Buffy Summers, Beverly Crusher/Jean-Luc Picard, Kira Nerys/Odo, Julian Bashir/Jadzia Dax/Elim Garak

Additional Tags: Multiple Crossovers, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Gore, War, dark themes, Trauma, Battle, Torture, Destruction, Alternate Universe, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Action/Adventure, Friendship, Platonic Relationships

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/I1ed2zX

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #the hobbit

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i-drink-and-i-write-fics · 3 years

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Original Female Characters

These are all the Original Characters I have made for past, current, and coming soon stories.

Story: Timeless Warrior (Fandom: Lord of The Rings)

Name: Phoenix Garcia (formerly Phoenix Nowak)

Alias: Khaleesi, Dragon Rider

Age: 40 (shortly after the story begins she turns this age)

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: White. Mexican on her mother’s side, Polish on her father’s. Born and raised in Arizona, USA.

Hair: Dark brown before the war; silver due to stress of the war

Eyes: Blue-grey

Height: 5′5″

Species: human

Any Markings: A few tattoos: Valar Morghulis on the inside of her right wrist, Valar Dohaeris on the inside of her left wrist, the three-moon symbol for her pagan religion on her left shoulder, a skull with a chef’s hat and crossbones of a chef knife and whisk on the right shoulder, a red rose with one black pedal on the inside of her left bicep (a tribute to Rosa). Crisscross scars over her left eye from when she tried to save her wife’s life.

Powers: No known supernatural ones. Controls a mechanical dragon.

Relationship status: Widowed. Wife died saving her life

Spouse: Rosa Garcia. High school sweethearts. Built Meraxes to help win the war. Sacrificed herself to save Phoenix’s life.

Love Interest: Lord Elrond of Rivendell

Bio: Phoenix was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ as the oldest of two kids. Her mother was abusive and her father stayed married to keep the kids safe. Phoenix met Rosa in high school and the two became instant friends, starting a relationship their senior year. Rosa went off to get her degree and a job at NASA while Phoenix went to culinary school and opened a restaurant in Downtown Phoenix. The pair got married once it became legal in their country. They then sold the restaurant so the couple could move to Houston for Rosa’s job. Phoenix began teaching cooking classes that went virtual once a pandemic hit their country. Not even a year later, a war broke out and they found themselves leading a small group of survivors. With Rosa’s intelligence and connections, she got a group together to turn an old plane into a mechanical dragon. Unfortunately, Rosa was killed two years before the war ended and Phoenix blamed herself.

After the war, Phoenix accidentally flies through a portal into Middle Earth where more problems require her help.

Story: Let Nature Take Her Course (Fandom: Marvel/MCU)

Name: Juna, Last name Everhart created during the advent of last names.

Alias: Mother Nature, Mother of Mutants

Age: 20,000 years, give or take a century

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: Unknown

Hair: Black when undercover, green naturally

Eyes: Brown undercover, gold normally

Height: 5′4″

Species: First Man, First Mutant, External/Omega Mutant

Any Markings: None

Powers: Control of elements, weather, gravity, animals, use of lightning for teleportation, resistance to extreme heat and cold, faint connection to humans.

Relationship status: None. Finds it pointless as she never dies.

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Everett Ross, much to her annoyance.

Bio: Juna was one of the first species of humans to grace the earth. Born with a connection to the planet and humans, when they evolved, so did she so she would be able to blend in. She is responsible for the catastrophic events from the ice age ending to Pompeii, all in an effort to maintain the balance of earth and nature. She is not fond of humans and grows more and more annoyed with them as the years go by and the planet becomes more trashed. She’s not a villain, she just wants to save her home.

She doesn’t remember her parents, her family if she had one, or really anything of her past after the first one thousand years.

Story: Mirror (Fandom: Marvel/MCU)

Name: Sonya, No Last Name

Alias: Mirror

Age: 50, though the project to begin her cloning was in the 1940s

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: None - clone of Steve Rogers

Hair: Blonde

Eyes: Blue

Height: 6′2″

Species: Human clone

Any Markings: None

Powers: Super strength, speed, healing that comes with the super-soldier project.

Relationship status: Casually dating Bucky Barnes

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Bucky Barnes

Bio: Created as a clone of Steve Rogers by Hydra, leading to the sharing of physical features. Trained by the best team Hydra has, she is very deadly.

Feared by Hydra, she was locked away until they felt they could have more control over her. But then she discovered her origins and snaps, breaking free and going on a rampage to destroy any and all Hydra facilities before focusing on her last target: Steve Rogers.

Story: The Hidden Realm (Upcoming. Fandom: Lord of The Rings/The Hobbit)

Name: Rhyannon

Alias: Queen of Tir Na Nog, Fae Queen

Age: 34,000 years old (Born at the end of Years of the Lamps)

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: Fae, Home: Tir Na Nog

Hair: Midnight Blue

Eyes: Midnight Blue

Height: 7′

Species: Fae

Any Markings: Has wings she keeps hidden until she uses her powers.

Powers: Spells, magic, flight, super strength, communication with animals, control the elements.

Relationship status: Single

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Lord Elrond

Bio: Rhyannon is the Queen of the Fae and one of the first of her kind. Tir Na Nog is her kingdom and was one of the first realms established in Middle Earth. Contrary to what the Elves know, the Fae were actually the first beings of Arda. This realm borders both Mirkwood and Dol Guldur, causing tension between all three realms.

Thranduil has been engaged in a petty battle with Rhyannon since his father passed (who started the battle). The problem is, the realm is hidden so no other Elves believe it exists. Until Rhyannon decides to crash the Midsummer Festival in Mirkwood.

Story: The Queen’s Guard (Upcoming. Fandom: Game of Thrones)

Name: Myria Storm

Alias: Storm Breaker

Age: 30

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: Bastard child of Storm’s End

Hair: Ebony

Eyes: Black

Height: 5′6″

Species: Human

Any Markings: A tattoo of a black rose, to show her loyalty to Olenna Tyrell.

Powers: None

Relationship status: None

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Jorah Mormont

Bio: Myria Storm is a bastard child of Storm’s End. When she hears of the killing of Robert Baratheon’s bastard children and what they look like, she suspects she is one and flees her home. Myria had learned to fight from her older brother and soon becomes a sellsword. By the time she reaches High Garden, her reputation precedes her and Olenna requests an audience with the young woman. She is offered a job as Olenna’s personal guard.

When Varys brings word of Daenerys Targaryen’s return, Olenna sends Myria to have Dragonstone prepared for the future queen. And when all parties officially meet, Myria is noticed by the Dragon Queen’s right-hand man, Jorah Mormont.

Story: Kings & Queens (Upcoming. Fandom: The Hobbit)

Name: Ladien Peredhel

Alias: Ladi

Age: 3,041

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: Half-Elf, Noldor, The Grey Havens

Hair: Red

Eyes: Dark Grey

Height: 6′6″

Species: Half-Elf, Half-Human

Any Markings: Tattoos on the top half of her body. Flames that wrap around her shoulders like a shawl

Powers: None

Relationship status: Single

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Thorin & Thranduil (Love Triangle)

Bio: Laddi was born in the Grey Havens to an Elf mother who sailed West shortly after Laddi reached maturity. Her father was a human who died of an illness. Because she is a Peredhel, she never felt she truly fit in with the other Elves in the Havens and left to travel Middle Earth.

She is resting in Rivendell when Thorin’s company arrives. Gandalf persuades her to join the cause in re-taking Erebor. Thorin begins to warm to her as they make their difficult journey north. When they get caught in Mirkwood, Legolas reports to his father, Thranduil, that there is an Elleth amongst the Dwarves. Confused and intrigued, he commands she be brought before him. And is shocked to see someone almost identical to the wife he lost long ago.

Story: Battle of the Billionaires (TBW, maybe. Fandoms: Marvel/DC)

Name: Mya, No Last Name

Alias: Elemental

Age: 1,500 years old

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: Mexican & Mexico

Hair: Black

Eyes: Grey

Height: 5′6″

Species: Mutant

Any Markings: None

Powers: Can control the four main elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water (hence her name), super strength & speed, super healing.

Relationship status: Currently single. Briefly dated Diana Prince back on Themyscira and Alfred back in the 1970s

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Bruce Wayne & Tony Stark are making their bids known.

Bio: Born a mutant with the ability to heal from any wound and control the elements, Mya goes around helping humanity when she can. She mostly lends a hand to the X-Men or the Avengers when asked, until two friends of hers, Alfred Pennyworth & Diana Prince, ask for her help against Dark Side. Bruce Wayne takes an interest in her, but to his dismay, she is close friends with Tony Stark.

Story: If You Could Live Forever (Series. Fandom: MCU)

Name: Rose Fauna

Alias: Mother Nature

Age: Over 450 years (exact age unknown)

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: White/Germany

Hair: Silver (Changes colors when powers are used)

Eyes: Grey (Changes colors when powers are used)

Height: 5'5"

Species: Mutant

Any Markings: An old scar on the front of her body from when she was tortured as a child.

Powers: Controls the elements, controls animals, minimum flight ability, control of weather, uses the earth to heal, immortal.

Relationship status: On and off relationships with both Wolverine and Everett Ross, eventually married Everett

Spouse: Everett Ross

Love Interest: Wolverine & Everett Ross

Bio: Born during the time of the witch trials in Europe, Rose was proclaimed a witch when her mutant powers manifested. She was tortured and barely escaped with her life thanks to Loki and Thor. The Earth healed her and it was then she was given the gift of immortality. Ever since the trials, she has tried to stay hidden to stay safe.

Story: Against the Odds (Fandom: MCU/Olympus Has Fallen Crossover)

Name: Charlie Jones

Alias: Turbo

Age: 35

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: White, United States

Hair: Silver normally, Blue when using her powers

Eyes: Grey normally, Blue when using her powers

Height: 5'2"

Species: Mutant, Omega Mutant

Any Markings: None

Powers: Telekinesis, Telepathy, ability to make force fields, Omega Level Mutant

Relationship status: Single

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Mike Banning

Bio: Charolette (Charlie) is the youngest in her family. Her sister, Margaret, marries Ben Asher who eventually becomes the President of the United States. A family tragedy forces Charlie to go into hiding and for Margaret to lie and say she’s an only child to help Ben’s election. The return of Apocalypse brings everyone back together.

Story: Peredhel (Upcoming. Fandom: LoTR)

Name: Samantha Johnson

Alias: Sam

Age: 30

Race/Ethnicity/Home Country: White/Biracial/United States

Hair: Black

Eyes: Black

Height: 5'7"

Species: Human

Any Markings: None

Powers: None

Relationship status: Single

Spouse: None

Love Interest: Erestor Peredhel

Bio: Sam was a full-time chef and a part-time bartender when she accidentally finds herself in Middle Earth. Gandalf determines there is no way to send her home and so the Rohan take her in since it was their lands she appeared. After serving King Theoden for a few years, she travels all over Middle Earth learning different cooking techniques and even works at the Prancing Pony for a couple of years, where she meets and befriends Strider. Sam returns to Edoras just as a farewell party is being held for Elrond and Galadriel, where she meets Erestor.

#original female character #lord of the rings #lotr #the hobbit #dcue #marvel #marvel cinematic universe #game of thrones #got #olympus has fallen

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marvelhead17 · 3 years

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The Tale of Eossimar (Original Female Character x Bofur Fic)

Chapter 9

Word Count: 7.8k

Warnings to cover the whole fic: Fake relationships, half-blood children, mild violence, fight scenes, male/male relationships, Dwarf gender concepts, battle of five armies fix-it, pre-battle of five armies, near death incidents, talking to dead people, mentions of paradise/heaven.

As the sun rose that morning, Bofur and the others began to gear up without argument in the dimly lit rooms deep inside Erebor, fixing their braiding to ensure it was tight for the battle to come and securing their armour properly.

Out of habit Bofur scanned over his shoulder for Bilbo, for a moment he had worried but he relaxed when he found him standing with Thorin, he was being handed chain armour. Bofur swallowed as he understood that Thorin was meaning that the poor hobbit was to fight alongside them, even though he had no personal ties to Erebor.

They approached the rampart only to discover that they were faced with hundreds upon hundreds of Elves at their gate, King Thranduil rode confidently on his stag followed closely by Bard on his horse, and they easily passed in the middle of them.

Bofur was amazed by how uniform the soldiers were, as they stepped aside to let their King pass through without even turning their heads, before they fell back into place once again. As the two stopped in front of their armies Thorin raised his bow and arrow in hand, firing a quick warning shot at the feet of Thranduil’s stag.

“I will put the next one between your eyes,” he warned and the company laughed confidently, even Bofur found himself laughing at the sudden surprise in the Elf King’s eyes.

He felt his laughter die as soon as he recalled Nari saying the same threat to Prince Legolas not so long ago and his amusement quickly became dampened.

King Thranduil barely bobbed his head when his troops moved in synchronisation, and all readied their arrows at the dwarves, the company ducked down behind the ridges of the wall in panic, while their leader remained standing as he stared at Thranduil. The dwarves remained silent as they held their breaths, Thranduil raised his hand in the air and his men lowered their weapons.

“We have come to tell you, payment of your debt has been offered, and accepted.” Thranduil informed him, and the members slowly raised their heads over the wall in confusion.

“What payment? I gave you nothing, you have nothing.” He still held his next arrow at the ready.

Thranduil’s brows pricked up and he swept his gaze to Bard on his left briefly, the man dug into his inner coat and pulled out something that glistened in the sunlight, before raising it in the air for them to see it clearly.

“We have this,” Bard said, Thorin’s eyes widened and he lowered his weapon.

“They have the Arkenstone, thieves!” Kíli shouted, “How came you by the heirloom of our house? That belongs to the King!”

“And the King may have it,” he tossed the precious stone in the air playfully as it had no value to him, “With our good will,” and then tucked it back safely in his pocket. “But first, he must honour his word.”

Thorin shook his head as he whispered, “They are taking us for fools. This is a ruse, a filthy lie,” he spoke louder in spite of the dwarves’ disbelief, “The Arkenstone is in this Mountain! It is a trick!”

“It’s no trick, the stone is real, I gave it to them,” Bilbo informed him; the King froze for a moment and then faced the hobbit with a mad look in his eyes.

“You?” he questioned in disbelief.

“I took it as my fourteenth share,” Bilbo blinked several times as he tried to maintain his eye contact.

“You would steal from me?” His voice was harsh as he spoke.

“Steal from you? No, no,” he shook his head, “I may be a burglar, but I like to think I’m an honest one.” He stifled a little laugh through his nose, rocking nervously on the balls of his feet. “I’m willing to let it stand against my claim,”

“Against your claim? Your claim.” He gave Bilbo a mocking smile, “You have no claim over me, you miserable rat!” he threw down the bow and arrow, stepping closer to Bilbo as he did.

“I was going to tell you. Many times I wanted to, but-”

“But what, thief?” he growled.

“You are changed,Thorin.” He spoke sternly, “The dwarf I met in Bag-End would never have gone back on his word, would never have doubted the loyalty of his kin!”

“Do not speak to me of loyalty,” Thorin’s eyes began to well up, and he edged even closer to Bilbo, making Bofur’s heart pound relentlessly. “Throw him from the rampart!” he pointed at him, his eyes roamed over the rest of the group as nobody made to move to the fearful hobbit.

Thorin frowned back at them, grabbing Fíli by his chest plate, “Did you not hear me?!” he yelled and was taken aback when Fíli fought against him and pushed away, stepping back next to Balin. He looked around desperately, and then turned to face Bilbo, “I will do it myself. Curse you!” he seized him and forced him towards the edge of the wall.

Fíli, Bifur and Bofur all reached out in an attempt to rescue the hobbit as he struggled against the King’s grasp. “Cursed be the Wizard that forced you on this company!” he shoved Bilbo against the wall and the hobbit let out a scream.

“If you don’t like my burglar then please, don’t damage him.” Gandalf’s voice boomed over the panic and they all looked down, “Return him to me,” Thorin only stared blankly at the wizard who settled next to Bard and Thranduil, while Bilbo panted anxiously away. “You’re not making a very splendid figure as King under the Mountain are you, Thorin, son of Thráin?”

Thorin released the hobbit from his grasp and he nearly dropped face first into the ground, had it not been for Fíli and Bofur helping him, Bofur took him by the arm and guided him away while the King was distracted.

“Never again will I have dealings with Wizards!”

“Go,” Bofur whispered, encouraging Bilbo to leave with a gentle nudge.

“Or Shire rats!”

Bilbo tossed the rope that was attached to the wall over the edge, hastily climbing over and making a quick escape down the rope.

“Are we resolved, the return of the Arkenstone, for what was promised?” Bard asked, Thorin took uneven breaths as he stared out to the hills on the left, which were empty as far as Bofur could tell. “Give us your answer, will you have peace, or war?”

A raven landed in front of Thorin, cawing away as it eyed him, he faced them and without hesitation said, “I will have war.”

The guard had already bid their families goodbye as the sun shone over the mountain and cast a glow down on them, Callon led them through the tunnel that had once been abandoned and Nari watched as they walked on, she nodded at the more familiar faces that passed her way.

As the last of them went through Nari looked behind to ensure that no villager strayed their way, and she placed the warning sign back down where it had been for many years before, and then followed behind them. She raised her hand to cover her eyes as the sun was much brighter once they reached the opening of the tunnel. They gathered formally and she walked around to stand in front of them, a little surprised by the sheer number that were among them for a small village.

She was about to address them when a shadow flew over her head, she squinted up and raised her arm to let the owl land. She nipped at her owner’s ear and chirped; Nari listened carefully and smiled at Screech, raising her arm to let the owl roam free, and then facing her people once more.

“It’s good to see so many of us are here this morning, in actual fact I’m quite surprised by the number of ye,” some let out a little chuckle, “Those of ye who know of my little pet will know that she often brings me news from the outside, and I’ve just learned that the people of Lake-Town have made settlement within the old City of Dale,” a few people now muttered and she cleared her throat.

“And for many of ye, it was once the home to previous generations of yer families, and for others it was where yer parents were able to make a living from their craft.” They nodded their agreements, “Since there are so many of us, I’d like at least half of ye to go to Dale, the people there have suffered enough grievances these past days and they are essentially defenceless.”

Callon walked up next to his sister, “Now we have no idea what we may be facing out there today, it could be the usual orc scum or something much worse. What we do know is, we must protect the line of Durin so that the Kingdom may be opened and thrive once again. Now who’s with me?” he raised his fist in the air and they cheered enthusiastically.

Nari couldn’t help the grin that grew on her face as she looked to the Eossimarians, she walked down to a familiar face and placed a hand on the elf’s shoulder, and she turned around in surprise, smiling at Nari when she caught sight of her.

“Elanor, I’d like ye to lead the troop to Dale, if ye don’t mind,”

Her mouth fell open slightly, “Are you certain Nari?”

“Very, ye’re our best archer, and a good leader, take the archers and others to Dale,” she nodded, “I know they’ll be safe in yer hands,” she patted her on the arm lightly and smiled, and Elanor returned the gesture, Nari looked around, “I want the archers to follow Elanor, and I’ll need a few who can fight on the ground to go with her as well,” she instructed.

After a few moments of indecision they split into two groups, with Elanor waving her half on to head towards Dale, she gave a final nod to Nari before they vanished into the trees.

“What about the rest of us?”

“We are going to defend Erebor,” Nari moved to brush some low-hanging branches out of the way, “Callon, lead on,” they followed immediately after him as he moved hurriedly, and Nari made sure the last people were through before she ran around to catch up with her brother.

She turned to face the guard while walking backward continuously, “I want ye to be on high alert, look out for each other, ye all have families that want yer safe return. Are we understood?”

“Aye!” they chanted and marched forward steadily upon catching the Mountain in their line of sight.

There was clanking and stomping resonating suddenly on the hills to the left as a new army made an approach to the scene, Dwalin noticed Bofur’s puzzlement and he leaned over, speaking quietly, “Dáin, of the Iron Hills, Thorin’s cousin,” the dwarf nodded in understanding and stared at the army, his cousin Bifur roared triumphantly just behind him with a few other members.

The Elves immediately turned their stance away from Erebor, and marched right on to meet the Dwarven army, before bringing themselves to a standstill as the Dwarves also made their stop behind their leader.

“Good morning, how are we all?” A fiery red headed dwarf, Dáin, Bofur assumed addressed the masses rather sarcastically. “I have a wee proposition, if ye wouldn’t mind giving me a few moments of yer time.” He leaned forward on his war pig, “Would ye consider, just… sodding off?!” he yelled the last words out, unsettling the Men so much that they stepped back in fear.

“All of ye! Right now!” he barked.

“Stand fast!” Bard ordered his men.

“Come now, Lord Dáin,” Gandalf approached the Dwarves through the crowds.

“Gandalf the Grey,” Dáin greeted coldly, “Tell this rabble to leave, or I’ll water the ground with their blood!”

“There is no need for war between Dwarves, Men and Elves,” Gandalf insisted as he moved closer, in hopes of reasoning with the dwarf, “A legion of Orcs march on the Mountain. Stand your army down.”

“I will not stand down before any Elf, not least this faithless Woodland sprite,” he glared as he pointed to the King Thranduil with his large hammer, “He wishes nothing but ill upon my people, if he chooses to stand between me and my kin… I’ll split his pretty head open! See if he’s still smirking then!”

Bofur looked over and confirmed that Thranduil was indeed smirking at the dwarf Lord, the other members cheered on their kin defending them, and Bofur looked to his brother and saw that he too looked uneasy about it all.

“He’s clearly mad, like his cousin,” the elf king responded coolly.

“Ye hear that, lads? We’re on!” Dáin turned around on his pig to face his army, waving his hammer as he moved along, “Let’s give these bastards a good hammering!” His commander gave orders in Khuzdul and the army yelled out their response, raising their weapons to prepare themselves.

A rumbling echoed from underground near another mountain range, the cracking of breaking earth sounded thunderous as the ground burst open, enormous Earth-eaters roared as they crushed the chunks of land in their mouths.

“Oh, come on!” Dáin yelled.

Bofur couldn’t believe his eyes as the worms receded into the ground from whence they came, a horn drew his attention away as his eyes fell upon Azog on top of an abandoned watch tower; his arms were raised as he yelled out his commands and his armies marched forward.

“The hordes of Hell are upon us. To battle! To battle, sons of Durin!” Dáin yelled as he led his army forward to the swells of orcs.

“I’m going over the wall, who’s coming with me?” Fíli asked as he raised his sword in the air.

“Aye!”

“Yes!”

“Come on, let’s go!” Dwalin yelled eagerly.

“Stand down.” Thorin ordered.

“What? Are we to do nothing?” Fíli questioned his Uncle.

“I said, stand down!” he yelled at his nephew, and then he moved down the stairs without looking back at them, Fíli looked over to Balin whose gaze grew anxious as he looked at the dwarves charging forward. “I want all of you inside, now!”

They moved slowly down from the rampart, Bofur decidedly taking his time as best as he could, he stopped when he realised that the Elves had not moved from their position and watched Gandalf move to the Elf King.

“Thranduil, this is madness!” he insisted, as the Dwarves formed a barricade with their shields while the orcs stormed forward without fear.

Their commander announced that their duties were to Erebor and the King, and that they were to hold their positions, the soldiers reaffirmed their pledges with a cry. Bofur swore that he had barely blinked when he realised that the Elven army had used the Dwarves as a ramp to glide over them weightlessly, and even before they landed on the ground had begun slaying some of the orc army down.

The dwarves stood up soon after and the two races fought side by side against the orcs, the figures all swarmed together into one chaotic mess, had it not been for the golden coloured armour it would have been impossible to set the Elves apart from the Dwarves.

“Bofur,” a rough voice called and he cleared his head with a shake, rushing down the stairs quickly, he came to a standstill as he came face to face with Thorin; the King glared daggers at him. “You think I have not seen how distracted you’ve become? Your little friend Nari has left long ago, I would not expect her to be returning any time soon,” he growled.

“It would be best for you not to pursue whatever interests you think you have with her, if you wish to stay in these grounds, am I being clear?”

“A-Aye, Thorin, very,” he swallowed nervously, walking carefully around him to join the others as they gathered further away.

“What was that about?” Bombur asked, Bofur shook his head and avoided looking at him.

“It’s nothing; don’t worry yerself about it,”

Nari and the guard arrived in time to see the Elves and Dwarves merge together in battle, much to her surprise, and she faced her people as she raised her sword in the air. “[For Erebor!]”

“Erebor!” they yelled, and sprinted forward to the battle, they easily blended in amongst the chaos and began aiding in the killing of the orcs with the rest.

Nari and Callon fought side by side, watching each other’s backs and killing off orcs easily as a team, it seemed to be going well so far and yet, something was nagging her in the back of her mind.

Another section of Thranduil’s army moved into position and fired arrows at the orcs to the back on their King’s command; she briefly lost her focus when a horn sounded in the distance; she traced the noise to its origin and spotted Azog standing high above the battle almost cockily. A flag pole changed its signal, and the orc leader belted out his orders, the cries of another army sounded not too far away and they marched in the direction of Dale.

Her brother slayed an orc that had been approaching her from behind and moved to her line of vision, “Good thing ye sent half the guard to Dale,” he remarked and she nodded as she saw the people of Lake-Town back away from the battle slowly.

She hadn’t even realised that they were fighting between all the soldiers, “All of you, fall back to Dale. Now!” Bard ordered and she smiled to herself, knowing he was making good decisions for his people already; she killed a few more orcs and looked over her shoulder every so often to see what was happening near the ruined city.

Giant trolls with catapults strapped to their backsides raced towards Dale, stopping not too far off and launched boulders that crumbled the walls beneath them, and an even larger one with a stone tied down to his head ran straight into a solid wall and fell dead into the ground. The orcs charged into the city as the citizens screamed in terror, and Nari silently thanked Mahal that she had made the right decision by sending some of her people there.

“Ye buggers!” a dwarf cursed behind them as he leaped off of his war pig which had been stabbed, “I’ll show ye!” he used his head to knock down several orcs with ease, attacking with even more fury than he had before, “Where’s Thorin? We need him, where is he?”

She looked at her brother, “Seems the King has become cowardly in the face of war,”

“What do ye mean?” Callon asked as he took down another orc next to him.

“I think they’re all still pent up inside Erebor, I have yet to see any of the company out here,” she kicked down an orc that tried to approach and stabbed it in the back of its head.

“That’s a relief, they’ve not been found then,” he quickly sliced the throat of an orc that snuck up behind him.

“They’ll be trapped if they find a way in though,” Nari informed him.

“Should we go in then?”

“Aye,” she moved forward through the mess and took down a few more orcs as she went along, her brother following closely behind.

Dwalin approached Thorin angrily while he was brooding on his throne. “Since when do we forsake our own people? Thorin, they are dying out there.” But Thorin seemed distracted as his eyes wandered around the room.

“There are halls beneath halls within this Mountain. Places we can fortify… shore up make safe. Yes,” he stood from his throne and reached out to Dwalin as he walked forward a little unsteadily. “Yes, that is it. We must move the gold further underground to safety.”

He turned away to look down to where the gold was down below in the caverns, and Dwalin found that his eyes were tearing up as his anger only grew, he grabbed Thorin by the shoulder.

“Did ye not hear me? Dáin is surrounded. They’re being slaughtered, Thorin.” He stepped back as Thorin searched his face, as if almost looking at a stranger.

“Many die in war, life is cheap. But a treasure such as this, cannot be counted in lives lost,” he waved his friends' concerns away, “It is worth all the blood we can spend.”

Dwalin scoffed, “Ye sit here in these vast halls with a crown upon yer head, and yet ye are lesser now than ye have ever been.”

“Do not speak to me as if I were some lowly Dwarf Lord, as if,” his voice quivered as he spoke, “I were still, Thorin Oakenshield,” his voice cracked as he turned away and he bent over to the side, Dwalin remained at a distance and stepped back when Thorin swung out his sword haphazardly and missed his target. “I am your King!”

“Ye were always my King, ye used to know that once. Ye cannot see what ye have become. Nari was right, ye’re sick Thorin.”

“Go. Get out. Before I kill you.” His voice remained steady as he spoke this time; they locked eyes for a moment before Dwalin walked away in disappointment.

He reached the others and they looked up in hope but Dwalin’s face made it clear to them, “I fear that we’ve lost him for good, he threatened my life.”

“That is not the sign we needed,” Balin shook his head.

“Can’t we do something, anything, to make him see?” Fíli stood.

“No laddie, I’m afraid not,” Balin placed his hand on the young dwarf’s shoulder.

The group sat in silence, staring at the ground as the screams from the battle ensued; Bofur remained on the rampart as he tried to scan the scene to ease the twisting in his gut. He was soon joined by Dwalin and Balin who stood on either side of him, they all nodded at one another.

Kíli pricked his head as he noticed movement ahead of them, he recognised his Uncle’s form and stood up from his spot, the fury boiling in his blood encouraged him to approach Thorin fearlessly.

“I will not hide behind a wall of stone while others fight our battles for us!” he yelled, though Thorin moved forward wordlessly. “It is not in my blood, Thorin.”

“No. It is not,” Thorin agreed, stopping before his nephew, “We are sons of Durin, and Durin’s Folk do not flee from a fight.” He smiled slowly as he met Kíli’s gaze, his lip was twitching beyond his control.

They pressed their foreheads together before Thorin patted him on the shoulder and moved to stand in front of the others, and his nephew raised his fist in success behind his back.

“I have no right to ask this of any of you. But will you follow me, one last time?” he asked them, and they all smiled and raised their weapons wordlessly.

The Eossimarian guard fell in between Dain and his troops, for the Elves had left for Dale, and they now realised that they were severely outnumbered. Dain’s dwarves began chanting in unison and the guard joined in while the orc army began to line up in front of them, even larger orcs made their way to the frontlines with clubs in hand, unmistakably weaponised to clear buildings.

Just as Azog gave the order a trumpet sounded clearly above them, Nari glanced up and saw Bombur blowing into the instrument and felt a laugh bubble up inside with a mix of relief, a bell rang out and she frowned before the enormous object burst through the barricade and collapsed it.

The company emerged from wreckage crying out as they ran directly towards the orcs, and Dain’s army moved aside to let them pass through.

“To the King, to the King!” the dwarf they had seen earlier cried out, rallying his troops forward.

Nari and Callon looked at each other and smiled, before joining in the attack against the orcs and really giving their all as they swung their blades. She managed to get close enough to Thorin in time before they were surrounded.

“Thorin, it’s good to see ye!” she called out and he killed off an orc before turning around to speak with her.

“You came back, after everything I said to you?”

“Course I did, I was keeping my word,”

“Thank you.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, and the two of them bowed their heads briefly before returning to the fight. “Dáin!” Thorin yelled out.

“Thorin! Hold on, I’m coming!” He rode on the backside of an orc while killing others, they hugged for a moment and he frowned for a moment when his eyes landed on Nari, but he decided it wasn’t the time to question it. “Hey Cousin, what took ye so long?”

“Admittedly I was under duress,”

“No matter, there’s too many of these buggers, Thorin,” he gestured around them, “I hope ye’ve got a plan…”

Nari and Callon had drifted further down into the fight, working alongside members of the company as they struggled against what seemed to be an endless wave of the creatures.

“Aye, we’re going to take out their leader.” He stared up to where Azog stood proudly on the old tower.

“Azog?” Dáin’s jaw slackened as he stared wide-eyed at his cousin, who managed to get hold of a war ram and sat confidently.

“I’m going to kill that piece of filth,” he promised, and then rode towards the rocky hillside, taking off the heads of orcs along the path with him.

As if Dwalin, Fíli and Kíli had read their King’s mind, they followed him on their own rams. “Lead on!” Dwalin said as they raced on with speed.

“Callon, let’s go!” Nari called.

“Where?”

“That peak,” she pointed to where Azog stood, “Azog must have planned for every move we’ve made here so far, and I don’t like that they’ll be isolated up there.”

He agreed and they ran on, quickly passing behind Bofur and his brother, Nari took out an orc that had tried to attack Bofur from behind, and the dwarf turned just in time to see her vanish before he could thank or even question her. He grunted as he swung another deadly blow to an enemy.

They ran up the rocky hills as fast as they could on foot, Thorin and the others were already at the top for some time before them and she worried that they may be in danger.

“I’ll bet my life that he’s set something up there.”

“Ye’re probably right, but on a day like this, I would not be wagering my life about as if it were nothing sister,”

“Don’t fret brother, we both know I can take care of myself,” they reached the top and were assaulted by hordes of goblins, and had to fight their way through.

“We must hurry!”

“These goblins won’t kill themselves ye know!” she grunted as she killed off a few more of the creatures.

“Something is wrong, I feel it,” he helped to kill off more of them, and then grabbed her hand and pulled her along after him.

They reached a broken down tower that curved slightly over the frozen river, giving them quicker access across the way if they needed it, Callon climbed further up to get a better view as the area was covered.

“Damn this fog, I can’t see much of anything,”

“Do ye hear that?” she raised a hand to silence him, “Below somewhere… I think reinforcements are coming,”

Callon nodded, reaching behind his back and readying his bow and arrow, slowly raising it to the buildings across the way, “I see the others, but not the princes, and… Bilbo?”

“Bilbo?” She looked passed him curiously, and realised that they were staring across the frozen river to where Azog had stood not long ago.

There was a sudden thumping of drums and the fog dissipated to reveal Azog dragging Fíli by the scruff alongside himself, his feet dangling in the air as the orc leader was much larger than him; Callon stiffened as he raised the prince higher up.

“This one dies first, then the brother.” Azog smirked.

The others stepped forward to the rocky edges nervously as Fíli stared back at them in absolute fear, Callon aimed his arrow at the orc’s weaponised arm, and Nari observed her brother.

“Ye should aim for his head,” she suggested, but Callon disagreed.

“I want him to face a slow death,”

“Then you, Oakenshield… You will die last.” Azog grinned, raising his arm to strike.

“Go!” Fíli yelled to them but Thorin shook his head, “Run!”

“On my life,” Callon whispered as he released his arrow, it whizzed through the air quickly and struck the orc leader in his arm as he had intended.

The orc dropped Fíli with the unexpected attack, and the poor dwarf hit the ground at an awkward angle, causing him to roll towards the edge of the cliff they were on. As he reached the edge his body fell upright, and he managed to reach out and grab hold of the edge to keep himself from plummeting to his death.

Azog backed away, “Finish them,” he ordered, then disappeared from sight, not realising that the dwarf was still clinging on for his life.

The others assessed the area and were surprised to see the siblings already sprinting across the frozen water to the other side, and Thorin called out for his nephews as Kíli roared in outrage, not knowing his brother was still alive as he ran out from his hiding space and made after them. Thorin made no hesitation in chasing after him.

“Thorin,” Dwalin reached out, “Thorin, no!” he ran after his King, leaving Bilbo behind.

Nari worked at fighting off the goblin armies that had now circled the area to let her brother get to Fíli, he bent down on his knee and held his hand out for him.

“Take my hand,” the prince gladly took hold of it and was lifted to his feet, for a moment they seemed to forget the surroundings as their eyes met.

“Cal, a little assistance if ye would be so kind-” she called out and he jerked his head in surprise, before quickly taking out a dagger and handing it to Fíli, who took it with a smile; and they both moved out into the fight to aid Nari.

EEEEEEEEH!

They ducked down for a moment, covering their ears as they looked to the sky which was now filled with hefty bats flying overhead. They passed over the river and swooped over Dwalin and Bilbo who were being swarmed by another goblin army.

She stood up, “I’m going to help them,” she told Callon as she moved away, he gave a quick nod and worked side by side with Fíli at killing the goblins that still tried to attack them. As she darted across the ice she noticed Kíli not too far off, slaying a few orcs on his own but she realised that he would soon be overwhelmed, as the number of orcs never seemed to be wavering no matter how many kills they all made.

Nari jumped in and slayed an orc just as a larger one travelled passed Bilbo, knocking him down with the handle of his weapon, she stabbed another orc in the chest and watched the leading orc disappear, wondering if that was the infamous Bolg of the North, spawn of Azog.

She knelt over the hobbit in concern, and her shoulders slumped as she saw the rise and fall of his chest, “Thank Mahal, brave Master Baggins,” she breathed out.

“Kíli!”

Nari stood on her feet and frowned, somewhat recognising the voice that called his name.

“Kíli!”

It called again and she squinted to where she had last seen the prince.

“Tauriel!” he cried out, making Nari bolt to where their voices came from, only to find Bolg was attacking Tauriel and it seemed she was not winning.

She had no time to try and help the elf-maid as she became surrounded by more enemies herself, leaving her no choice but to defend herself against their constant attacks.

“Ah!” Tauriel grunted as Bolg raised her into the air by the throat, she kicked him swiftly in the gut and he dropped her immediately, only to return the gesture and force her against the wall with a thud.

Kíli leapt out from Nari’s right with his sword raised high into the air, landing promptly on the orc’s shoulders and sinking his weapon down, just missing his head by a whisker as the orc raised his own to block the attack. He launched Kíli over his head and into the nearby stone stairs, with a grunt the prince was on his feet again, and he charged at the orc; both went at each other relentlessly evading and striking where they could.

Nari finished off the hordes on her side and soared down, just at the orc held Kíli in place to strike him in the chest, with her dagger already drawn she came down on his exposed backside and Bolg dropped Kíli as he staggered sideways and distracting him from his kill; she buried it deep into his shoulder and neck as she was also thrown off her target.

Tauriel screamed as she grabbed the orc’s arm, making him lose grip of his sword, Nari hopped off and stood on the ground as Tauriel then rushed over to Kíli. Bolg reached down for his sword and faced Nari with a grunt; her breathing was heavy as she addressed the orc.

“I will see yer head mounted as a trophy before ye lay another hand on him,” the orc grinned, raising his sword and charging at her, she ducked as he narrowly missed her head. “Kíli, Tauriel, go!” she insisted, drawing her sword and facing the orc as the elf-maid struggled to help Kíli to his feet.

She managed to stab him in the leg and avoided another attack, moving further away from the two, “Are ye deaf?” she asked as she saw them watching her, “Run!” They seemed startled by her words and moved along as quickly as they could; it seemed that he had been disorientated from his fight against Bolg.

In her moment of distraction she had barely faced the orc when her head struck against something hard, causing her to gasp out and close her eyes for a second, when she opened them she froze in place, and Bolg’s sword impaled her torso firmly. She choked as she glanced down, the sword holding her in place against the stone; she looked over to the stairs and knew they were headed to safety.

Nari’s ears were ringing with the deafening scream that escaped her as the orc leaned over her and pressed the blade further in, but she fought against every nerve in her body telling her to give in, instead focusing on the heat that she felt coursing through her. Something in the back of her mind told her to grab Bolg by the wrists and she clasped them firmly, holding her gaze as he leaned back in surprise; the heat centred to her palms and a horrible odour wafted to her nose.

Bolg jerked back roaring in agony, taking his weapon with him and stepping backwards, and Nari gasped as she collapsed onto the ground, she closed her eyes for a moment as she pressed her burning hands into the bleeding wound, tears falling out her eyes as the skin seemed to bubble and scorch under the pressure. She opened her eyes glancing above her, and saw Kíli peering over the edge and then a hand swiftly pulling him away; she struggled to turn her attention back to Bolg.

Her vision started growing dark, but there was one last relief as she saw her brother approaching the orc, her breathing was shaky as Fíli leaned over her, and she watched as his mouth moved but she could not hear what he was saying.

His hands touched her shoulders to get her attention back on him as her head rolled back and her eyes seemed to glaze over steadily, he moved the lower edge of her tunic to examine her wound and frowned deeply as he saw the damage done by a sword, but also burned flesh that seemed to seal it somehow. Despite this, there was still a lot of blood slowly pooling underneath her, and he discovered the smaller opening on her backside.

“Nari, can you hear me?” he asked in concern, she met his eyes with a blank stare as her head rolled heavily.

She whispered hoarsely, “Keep my Callon safe for me,”

“Don’t you talk like that, you’ll be alright,” Fíli insisted, taking her hand and squeezing it hard, at least she assumed as she couldn’t feel her fingers; there was a grunt not far off as Bolg fell to his knees, and Callon removed the dagger from the orc’s head with satisfaction. “He’s right here Nari, right here,”

Her brother kneeled down next to Fíli, “Sister- what happened?” his eyes widened as he looked her over, her breathing was becoming even slower and her eyes barely remained open.

“Thorin… Kíli,” she mumbled out before her eyes shut, and she fell into the darkness; Fíli pressed his ear to her chest and heard her heart beat sluggishly.

“Nari?” Callon’s voice broke as he spoke her name.

“She is still with us,” Fíli assured him and Callon let out a shaky breath as a tear fell across his cheek, “I’ll stay with her, go find them,” he insisted, Callon nodded and took one last uncertain look at his sister as he left them.

He did not venture too far when he found Tauriel sitting with Kíli on a rock, “Thank Mahal, ye’re alive Kíli!”

“Is she alright?” Kíli spoke heavily, as if he had a lump in his throat.

“For now,” he bowed his head slightly, ignoring the burning of his eyes, “Where is Thorin?” he asked.

“Azog.” Kíli whispered and shot to his feet, he walked passed Callon who then followed him; they stood on another wall above the others and saw Dwalin down below battling some orcs.

They moved hurriedly when they saw more heading his way until they stumbled upon Bilbo laying between rubble, Kíli leaned over the hobbit immediately and gave him a once over, he moved back when Bilbo’s eyes suddenly flicked open and he stared at the skies above.

“The Eagles… they’ve come,” he said almost dreamily; Callon and Kíli both glanced up and realised that he wasn’t imagining things, the prince then helped Bilbo to his feet.

Callon ran over to aid Dwalin in his burst of hope, Kíli joined them and Bilbo did his best at fighting at a distance by throwing rocks at the assailants as they approached them, Dwalin moved further up the frozen river to kill off the smaller troop, and with the Eagles now helping their side the numbers seemed to begin to dwindle and as they killed the last of their enemies they could finally rest for a moment.

Callon breathed deeply, still feeling uncertain that all was right, and his eyes landed on Thorin who stood facing Azog on the ice just across from them.

The King picked up the stone that had slammed in front of him seconds ago, quickly tossing it over to Azog who caught it in his grasp, Thorin stepped back carefully as he kept his eyes on the orc, the cracked ice underneath Azog’s feet tilted into the air. He dropped the stone next to him and it slid into the water, it dragged the chain still attached and pulled the pale orc down with it despite his screams, and he slipped underneath the ice.

Silence.

“He’s done it,” Callon muttered, “He’s done it!” he cheered as he looked at the others; they smiled in relief before laughing.

He frowned when Thorin walked slowly along the ice, looking down with a wary gaze at something below, and his blade still firmly held in his hand. Callon started as the King cried out suddenly, the tip of a blade piercing through his foot from underneath, it vanished and Azog erupted out with a roar.

They all froze as he swung his sword at Thorin, knocking him down onto his backside, he was barely able to deflect the pale orc’s tireless blows against him; he stabbed his sword down and Thorin was lucky enough to raise his sword across his chest in time to protect himself.

Callon reached behind himself to retrieve his bow and arrow, aiming it at the Orc leader’s head, Kíli swallowed nervously and glanced down to Bilbo, only to find the hobbit had disappeared entirely.

The unique fork in Azog’s weapon was now the only thing keeping him from death, he grunted as the orc forced his sword further down upon him; it was a breath away from his heart now.

Callon shot his arrow and cursed as it moved off course with the breeze, hitting the orc in the shoulder and distracting him from his task at hand for a moment, he snorted at them and pushed his sword further down. It pricked Thorin’s chest and the dwarf King yelled out, Azog smirked with satisfaction and made to push further, when out of thin air Bilbo leapt down onto his backside; he plunged his little sword deep into the neck of the orc, Azog staggered to the side, giving Bilbo the opportunity to hop off.

The sword remained in his neck as he collapsed onto the ice with a final grunt, and Thorin, having gotten to his feet in seconds, grabbed the hobbit by the shoulders, moving them both away in fear. Callon lowered his bow and nodded at Bilbo, though he seemed too shaken to respond in the moment.

Kíli heard Dwalin shouting incoherently about an orc as he approached them at speed, he frowned and tried to ask him to be clear when there was a loud thud next to him, he turned to see Callon laying on the icy ground unconscious, a small boulder planted next to him that had not been there earlier and he quickly grabbed the bow and an arrow from the dwarf.

He scanned the area just behind them and spotted his target, one orc that was preparing to throw another stone, he swiftly shot him dead and kept his eyes peeled for any more signs of movement; he threw down the weapon and kneeled down to examine the injury to Callon’s head. He was bleeding a bit from the roughness of the stone, but seemed otherwise unharmed, Kíli moved his hand in front of Callon’s face and felt the warm breath against it.

He looked across the river and saw that Azog’s body lay still, his black blood seeping into the icy water, Thorin was leaning over him and then he walked away, Bilbo took to his side; he put an arm over the hobbit’s shoulder and held him tightly, Bilbo chuckled a little nervously until he saw the others.

They approached worriedly and Kíli spoke to his uncle, “He’s still breathing, only just, I think,”

Dwalin was panting loudly as he finally reached them, his exhaustion was evident as he approached tiredly, and his eyes welled up as he inspected Callon.

“Is he-?”

“What’s happened here?” Fíli’s voice spoke softer than usual and they diverted their attention to him, he carried Nari in his arms and she hung limply, still unconscious.

“He’s alive,” Kíli assured him.

“Mahal,” Dwalin whispered when his eyes fell onto Nari and darted back to Callon.

“She’s worse for wear I admit, but she’s fighting,” Fíli promised him.

“We must get them to the healers, quickly,” Thorin ordered, the princes agreed and Kíli moved to lift Callon from the ground but Dwalin raised a hand to stop him, picking his nephew up into his arms instead.

Once they were ready they moved down along the old paths as fast as they could, at some point along the way Kíli had taken Nari from his brother as his arms grew tired, and they continued without much fuss. Tauriel fell in step behind them, not wanting to invade in what felt like a very personal matter to the dwarves. A sense of guilt overwhelmed her as she registered that Nari had saved Kíli, and she swallowed the lump in her throat down at the concept of a life without him.

Thorin was the first to break the long silence they had fallen into, “Azog is finally dead, had it not been for these two… it could’ve been all of us,” his nephews only looked at him, “I was foolish for sending you there alone, it was clearly a trap, I hope you can forgive me, my nephews,”

“Of course Uncle,” they said together.

“You couldn’t have known Thorin, you know that.” Bilbo placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Aye,” Dwalin agreed, “We were ambushed and outnumbered by the bastards,” he gritted his teeth angrily.

To their relief the battle seemed to have ended, the Eagles flew away as the sun started to dip into the horizon, and they arrived at a gathering of those who had survived. Dwarves from the Iron Hills and the company, among the guards of Eossimar, were all mixed together; some were already tending to the injuries of their comrades, while others sat in silence as they mourned their losses.

From the left they saw more of the guard come out from the direction of Dale, with a large man walking somewhat alongside them, when Thorin met his gaze he bowed his head as a gesture of thanks, and Beorn returned it.

Bofur had just finished covering his brother’s leg wound when he looked around and saw Thorin and the others making their return, at first he was relieved as he stood up and made his way to them, but his smile faded as he saw how sombre they were. His eyes hovered over them and his heart pounded heavily in his chest as he saw Nari being carried in Kíli’s arms, he felt the air in his chest leave and he couldn’t breathe as they stilled in front of them.

Thorin waved Óin over to them and he examined them immediately, Bofur’s knees felt as though they were about to crumple under the sudden weight he felt as watched the healer look them over, a hand clapping down on his shoulder startled him and he turned to see Bombur trying to comfort him.

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