The Hunting Expedition // BotFA AU // Thorin & Stryder
Thorin had now ruled over Erebor, as King Under the Mountain, for several years now. After the battle of the five armies, the mountain was once again thriving. It was back to it’s former glory now, if not better under his rule. For as King, he had made peace and allies, not only with Mirkwood and Dale, but he had also traveled to Gondor, to treat with the men of that Kingdom. Trade was commenced between Erebor, and all the great kingdoms of Middle Earth, and for now, there was a much won peace in the lands.
He had once again taken up his skills in the great forges of Erebor. There were also hunting expeditions he shared with Dwalin, and his nephews. But on one such Winter day, he decided to go out on his own, telling the others he would not be long, and was only going to the wilds on the other side of Mirkwood. He strapped Orcrist in its sheath on his back, and his Dwarven sword, Deathless two at his hip. Fili had also given him several daggers of all sizes, and he had them stuffed in his boots, at his hip, and inside his vambraces on his wrists.
So it was Thorin set out before the dawn, dressed in Dwarvish chainmail, his thick blue dwarvish tunic and shirt, and trousers, with his furred hooded cloak over his body. To shield him from the biting cold, and also to keep him less conspicuous. He also slung his Dwarvish bow and arrow over his back.
He made it through the forest, and moved to the outskirts of the wilds, where he heard the sound of something rustling in the trees and underbrush around him. But, he did not draw his weapons, only he reached for his bow and arrow, as he looked around, peering through his hood to see if there was anything, or anyone there. He thought perhaps it may be the game he had come out to hunt for. He did not expect a pack of orcs to suddenly burst through the forest, growling and howling loudly as they saw who stood before them. He was startled by the act, that he dropped his bow and quiver of arrows to the snow covered ground, but was able to draw Orcrist from its sheath, as the Elven blade rang out in the clearing.
Thorin spun around and took off several of the Orcs heads at once, but cried out when one of the beasts descended upon him from his left, stabbing him in his right thigh. He groaned as the force of the blow brought him his left knee. But, he pushed his sword up and out, sticking it inside the Orc’s middle. He grunted as the action pulled the beasts weapon out of his thigh, and made him see stars. He looked up to see he was surrounded by more Orcs were circling around him. He knew they were coming in for the kill, so he pushed himself up onto his feet again.
He growled angrily, as he thrust Orcrist out in front of him when a few of the Orcs ran toward him, but he stabbed and beheaded all of them. He did not see the Orc sneaking up behind him, and groaned when the beast hit him on the back of his head with the end of his weapon.
Thorin’s vision swam as he stumbled forward, then this time he fell to his knees, trying to keep his weapon in front of him. He reached for a couple of daggers, and threw them into the heads of some approaching orcs, but for some reason he knew he was not going to make it out of this ambush alive. He cursed himself for leaving Erebor on his own.
Thorin threw more daggers at the approaching Orcs, as they kept on coming at him, but he could feel his energy waning, as he crashed down onto his hands and knees now. He lifted Orcrist in front of him, then groaned when one of the Orcs used its weapon to throw it from his hands. The orc stood above him, and he reached for Deathless. The orc descended with his weapon, and his Dwarvish sword clashed with it. And he was knocked onto his back, as he sobbed. He knew this was the end of him. So, he prayed to Mahal, and hoped his kin and the company would forgive him for not letting them come with him...
