Run It Back Again (Part 1)

Chapter 31

"Thorin, this isn't fair!  You said I could go with you, but I wasn't to enter the mountain!"  Thorin loaded the boat with the supplies from the people of Lake Town as Skyrena spoke with him.  He still insisted Skyrena and I stay in Lake Town.  He turned after he placed a quiver into the boat.

"We've been over this, Skyrena.  Killi needs someone to look after him, and Era's staying behind as well.  They both need someone to look after them.  Besides, I don't like the idea of you being near the mountain and that dragon..."  I stood beside Kili, who was watching sadly as everyone else got into the boat.

"It's not fair...  A true warrior shouldn't stay behind with the women."  I turned to face him, ignoring Thorin and Skyrena's conversation.

"A true warrior knows the difference between bravery and stupidity.  You're still wounded, Kili.  If you went up to the mountain with them, you may not make it.  Thorin knows that, and he's trying to prevent losing you.  You're part of his family..."  Kili sighed as he shook his head.

"I had always hoped to help reclaim the mountain..."  I patted his shoulder, lost for words.  I knew this had to be as hard on him as it was on me, but I knew it was for the best.

Without warning, Filli jumped out and joined us on the dock, followed by several others.  I did a quick head count.  Bofur, Filli, Killi, Nori, and Oin were staying behind with me, so I knew we would be okay.  I watched Thorin and the others go, rowing down the lake towards the mountain.

"Era...  Skyrena..."  I turned and saw Killi collapse.  His breath was heavy, and his wound was bleeding through.  I raced through the town, calling for help.  When none would help us, I lead the weary band of dwarves to Bard's house.

"Will you help us?  Please?"  He started to shut the door, but I caught it.  "Please, he's wounded...  No one will help us, and we're alone."  Bard sighed and let us in.  I set to work, trying to help Killi.

"Era, he won't hold still!"  I glanced back at Killi, who was screaming in pain.  I shook my head and looked up at Bard.

"The arrow was poisoned...  I need Kingsfoil.  You know it?"  Bard frowned.

"Kingfoil?  The weed?"  I nodded.  "We feed it to the pigs!"  Bofur nodded and took off.  As soon as he was gone, we felt a rumble in the ground.  I swallowed hard.

"They woke the dragon..."  Tilda, the youngest, teared up.

"Are we all going to die, Da?"  Bard looked around at us.  I shook my head at him, trying to reassure him, but he reached up, yanking something free.  He held up a black arrow.

"Not if I kill it first..."  He nodded to Bain.  "Come with me."  I started towards him as he spoke to me.  "Stay here and protect my girls.  They will help you take care of your friend, but, please, don't let anything happen to them."  I nodded and watched him take off, with Bain on his heels.  Sigrid and Skyrena turned towards me.

"What can we do to help?"  I smiled at her.

"Boil some water...  We're gonna need it."  Singrid nodded and set to work.  I turned to Skyrena.  "Keep a look out for any trouble."  I then walked over to Killi and Filli.  Killi's skin felt as hot as fire, which made me nervous.  I closed my eyes, fighting the tears.

"I don't know if I can save him, Filli.  I never learned how to heal from poisons..."  He patted my shoulder and smiled at me as I glanced up at him.  "We may lose him, Filli.  I should have paid better attention to his wound earlier!"  He pulled me into a hug.

"It's going to be okay, Era..."  His voice cracked, but he held his composure in order to keep me from losing mine.  "We'll figure this out...  I believe in you."  I shook my head and looked up at him.

"I feel like this is my fault...  I feel as though I could have done something sooner.  You both have helped me out so many times during our journey, and I feel as though I'll have failed if I can't help him."  Fili shook his head.

"That's nonsense, Era..."  I took a deep, shaky breath and pulled away from him, looking him in the eye.

"I swear, Fili, that I will personally see to it that you both make it..."  Before he could speak, I stepped out onto the balcony, trying to calm myself.  Before long, I heard a creak in the boards above our heads as we waited for Bofur.  I frowned and looked around.  Sigrid frowned and walked out onto the balcony.

"Father?  Is that you?"  Then, the stench reached me, and I smelled...

"Orcs!"  Right as the word left my mouth, one landed right in front of Sigrid.  She screamed as she retreated into the house.  Bain, who'd returned with news that Bard had been arrested, leaped up and grabbed Tilda, pulling her away from an attacking Orc.  Bolg, Arzog's lackey, entered the room.

"Take the female dwarves and kill the rest!"  I jumped up and unsheathed the claws of both my hands and slashed at its throat.  I nodded towards the table.

"Sigrid!  Take your sister and take cover!"  They stumbled under the table, screaming.  Skyrena dropped the pan and shifted into a wolf, roaring at the Orcs.  Then, I lunged forward, ready to defend everyone else.

As we fought, I heard an arrow whiz by my head and lodge itself into the face of an Orc.  I turned and saw Tauriel standing by the door.  Legolas dropped in from roof and started attacking the remaining Orcs.  Hearing the girls screaming, I noticed an Orc was going after them.  I lunged forward and snapped the Orc's neck.  The rest began retreating.