Misty Mountains Ch.3 Once A Soldier….

****Many Years Ago****

The fog had settled in from the north covering the trees to where one could not see but a few feet in front of them. It was too quiet in the woods, a kind of darkness had seemed to settle over them and had driven the animals from the forest. It was something they feared would make things difficult for Erebor and the Mirkwood home to the elves.

The dwarves had been allies with the elves for many years at this point and as a sign of good will the neice to King Thranduil had sworn herself to the service of the dwarf king Thrain. She was young for an elf girl and had already accomplished much for her people, she had set herself apart as a warrior. He trusted her with his life and he knew so long as she was at his side he need not fear, he had fathered a son already and was ensured his line would endure.

They were marching quietly through the fog with his elven allies hoping to search out the source of the fog, it was magical in nature they were sure. The dark feeling of pressing hatred was almost choking as they walked into the fog.

“Arnial anything?” Thrain called tugging at his black beard.

“Nothing yet my king.” she said softly her eyes never leaving the edge of the fog. “I will scout ahead by your leave King Thrain.”

“I’ll allow it but be safe.” Thrain said with a gentle smile to the she elf.

She had been a part of his family for a few years now and even though she was an elf he felt that she was part of his house. Thrain looked up and watched as the she elf vanished into the fog the other soldiers at his side seeming to tense when she could no longer be seen.

The party there with him was made up of Five elves, their King, seven of his dwarves, Arnial, and himself. he felt that the best of both families would be able to handle whatever came for them from the fog. King Thrain had asked that all of the best warriors would be allowed to make the trips with them into the woods.

They were walking slowly behind the she elf who had not yet returned and that was when they heard it. The sounds of swords clashing in loud report was heard ahead of them. They heard the yells and angry shouts of the she elf that had went ahead of them.

“Arnial!” Thrain yelled into the fog.

Thrain shoved past the other dwarves and even the elves rushing forward into the fog. He could see the battle ahead of him as he made his way into the fog, what he saw shocked him for it was a rare sight. He saw his elven bodyguard standing against a large number of orcs turning her body in quick dodges to evade the swords. He could see that most of the orcs were holding back from the attack against the woman.

He saw her look up at him and he saw the look of distress on her face.

“My king no! It’s a trap turn back!” she yelled kicking one orc away from him.

She turned to keep herself between the king and the orcs running towards them with loud yells. The orcs were seven feet tall at the least, there skin was sickly gray colored, the eyes were a pale white color, and the black slime oozing from their mouths made a horrible stinch.

Arnial kept one of her hands behind her trying her best to keep the dwarf king back from danger.

“Please my king return to Erebor.” she begged as the other soldiers lined up beside her.

“I will not leave any of you behind while I sit in safety.” Thrain said sternly.

The orcs all formed up in a tight circle and then began to advance on their people. They started moving towards them and those defending the king all lined up armed heavily. The orcs attacked them with force crashing into them hard, the defenders lifted their shields and began to shove the attacking orcs back towards the other end of the trees.

Thrain was calling encouragement to the soldiers and leading them by example. His sword was the finest dwarvish metal forged by his father’s father who had been a master blacksmith to their people. He had handed down the blade from generation to generation with the sword never losing it’s sharpness. He had carried the blade proudly for years and as time had went on he planned to pass it down to his son.

Thrain was looking up at the elves when suddenly his eyes were drawn to the treeline behind the orcs. From those trees he saw a large orc walking towards them. It was the largest orc he had ever laid eyes on it stood at least nine feet tall, eyes bluer then he had imagined, and it’s skin was a plae white color. He saw it shoving the others out of the way and it even slung it’s hammer into them crippling some of the smaller ones.

“Arnial, Thranduil the giant pale orc is coming,watch out.” Thrain said sharply moving towards the front quickly.

The two elves looked up at the approaching orc and he began to shove his way to the front of the line.

“Arnial, Thranduil take the sides.” he yelled running towards the orc as he men started to make a way for him.

He planned to take the orc head on while his elf companions took the side hopefully taking the beast man down. He ran towards the beast and he leaped up towards him swipping his sword in an arc as the beast stepped into range of him. He caught the orc across the chest and it roared angrily swipping it’s own hammer out towards him. Thrain jumped back and he looked up at the orc as it’s eyes filled with hatred, he saw the orc turn suddenly towards Thranduil.

The orc slammed his fist into the elf king knocking him back into the nearest tree and he slid down to the ground groaning loudly. He tried to stand back up and almost immediately collapsed back to the ground. The orc turned towards the dwarf king again and swung the hammer much quicker then he had thought it would. The hammer was coming towards him faster then he would be able to get out of the way, he knew he was about to die.

Suddenly Thrain was hit but not by the orc’s hammer, he was hit from the side by Arnial his elf bodyguard. She knocked him down to the ground out of the way of the coming hammer, he saw the she elf leap onto the hammer itself to balance there.