Chapter 5 in which Sarah goes on a daring mission and the group arrives at the Lonely Mountain...
I don't know about you, but I think after all I had to put up with in the last..two days??..I was granted a good enough excuse to squeal in absolute psychotic delight at the sight of the glorious blue box thus known as the T.A.R.D.I.S.
In which case I received judgmental glances from my companions. But boy after all I had seen so far..the T.A.R.D.I.S. certainly was an amazing thing to behold.
Following Master to it's location didn't take long at all. In fact, in a few minutes, we had entered a more enclosed area where infront of us, the water was exposed where the dock came to an end and various wooden platforms hovered over the surface, drifting ever so slightly with the movement of the current.
Farthest from us, smack dab in the middle of one platform, rested a familiar dark blue hunk of wood that was sitting so quietly and innocently, unaware of all the trouble it had caused us. My heart lifted as soon as I received a full, clear view of the ship. At long last, it was there.
I was correct. I sensed it's presence and I was correct.
Still a strange thing how I was able to do the thing...
I dunno if it was because I was in a strange new land, searching for a strange new ship.
Or perhaps it was just the alien nature of it that allowed me to be more in tune with the foreign properties of the world.
In any case...seeing the T.A.R.D.I.S...actually detecting it and tracking it down...brought me tremendous joy that I can't explain. I couldn't help myself any longer. I was beaming from ear to ear. "It's here.."
My voice sounded a bit shaky, but satisfied.
Cold can of Pepsi, here I come. ♡
I suddenly began bouncing up and down like a spring, as my arm jerked around, locked to Bane's.
"IT'S HERE IT'S HERE IT'S HERE IT'S HERE!!"
"Yes--it's here. And soon, we won't be!"
Master, at once, leapt ahead of us and ran to the edge of the water, where he turned his body back around and let out his hand, greedily. "Give me the key!"
As soon as I saw this change in his behavior, I was struck with a strong force of irritation that made my body tense and nearly coil like a threatened snake. My eyes fixed on the villainous Timelord, unable to come off him, as the irritation slowly turned into a boiling, volcanic fury...I soon found myself approaching him with the utmost delicacy.
Honestly..I was feeling a little more menacing than what was probably necessary. Unfortunately for me, being a so-called adorable shortie, feeling menacing probably met I looked like a rabid bunny to everyone else.
I reached inside my shirt through the neck hole and pulled out the key, holding it tightly with two fingers, close against my chest. "What did I tell you?"
My voice partially echoed in the now abandoned square.
"The thing I've told you over and over, that you can't seem to get through your dense little alien skull? We are NOT going until I SAVE these people."
His eyebrows lowered in disapproval.
"You're already bloody evacuating the town!!"
My finger shot out viciously at the town itself.
"Look around you, SAXON. They may be simply evacuating in your eyes and will be able to find a home elsewhere, but I know the truth of it..they're leaving everything behind. All their belongings, their houses, their memories. Every little piece of them is in this town. And you really think Smaug is going to accept their getaway? NO. He's gonna chase after them." I moved my finger towards the mountain.
"Smaug is still alive. And he will kill these people. And thankfully, out of the many we have crossed, he's one that can die. And he should die. He's plagued Middle Earth long enough and it's time for him to go."
I finally lowered my arm and watched as the Master lowered his and tightened his jaw with his own irritation.
"...I don't think I need to go into further detail, nor repeat myself, do I?"
He fell silent. Very silent. I couldn't even hear him breathe.
His brown eyes darkened and his teeth grinded behind his closed lips. But without another word of protest or any further sign of disobedience, he bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut and clenched his fists at his sides. "..Fine.."
I waited a few seconds to study him..once I saw that he had surrendered, I straightened my back back up and tilted my head to the side, once again returning to my perky, sassy self. Huh..either they were all playing me and were just waiting for the opportune moment to string me up and turn me into a Roasted Demens..or they were actually showing me respect. General respect.
It was as if I had a power over them..it was..strange.
I like strange. :)
My head turned from him to all around us and I turned it to and fro, in search of our missing companion.
"Where's four-leaf clover?"
Before the Timelord could answer, I heard a throat clear and I moved my eyes to the T.A.R.D.I.S..
Coming from behind was the adorable little Irish sociopath I knew and loved. "I resent that comment...I'm more like a five-leaf clover!" His hands were in his pockets and his mouth was smutched to the side. He leaned his body coolly against our vehicle of transportation.
"There you are!" I let out in a squeal and nearly slapped my mouth, as a grin had escaped as well.
"Don't smile, I might think you're happy to see me.. I do see you're as beautiful as ever."
"Oh hush, not now.." I did everything I could to look away from the fiend as I plucked the key from my neck, breaking the tie, and hopped across the water on the floating platforms, until I landed on the one the T.A.R.D.I.S. was on.
I approached the ship and reached for the knob, where I quickly unlocked it and immediately bolted through the door the second it swung open.
"So..." I heard behind me as the boys hurried inside, shutting the door. "What's the plan, kid?"
It was the Joker.
I gave him a slight glare. "Honestly..I have no clue..but I plan on having no clue, fabulously."
I leaned in a little against Jim, actually hoping it would be someone else. "Double honesty, that's the story of my life..I never have a clue what I'm doing. But that can be the name of my autobiography one day.. 'She winged everything...but she did it, fabulously'."
Cue excited jazz hands.
"..I would read it.." "Of course you would, you groupie."
As soon as we were in the T.A.R.D.I.S., I had instantly caught scent of something entirely different from the smell I had become accustomed to outside. It wasn't fish and oil. But more similar to febreeze and metal. I took a second to stand in place and take a huge whiff of the air, my mouth slowly cracking open a smile. The boys all came from behind me, the Master in particular walking straight for the control panel. "At long last..how are you, you old beauty?.."
Aww, Master and the T.A.R.D.I.S.
I would ship them if it weren't for two reasons. One, that'd be weird. And two, it was literally a ship.
I, myself, turned and ran to the wall, throwing my arms out to embrace the metal graty thing.
"Oh, it's so good to see you again!!"
"Lay off, it's my ship."
Was that a joke? Guys, the Master was joking again, this was progress.
As much as I loved Middle Earth and it's inhabitants, I couldn't help but receive a great amount of comfort being within the T.A.R.D.I.S. again, embracing being back in something a tad more modern inside my realm of understanding. I can not even describe to you how tired I was. I hadn't even gotten proper sleep..the feeble amount I got when I was with the dwarves wasn't holding my attention for long and I needed caffeine very, very badly.
A quick nap would've been ideal, and I probably would've gotten away with one since we were in a time machine and time itself stood practically still for us.
But my mind would not rest on the fact that there was a dragon above us and he meant us harm. Who knows? He could swallow us whole.
"Ok, first of all..gimme a cord. I need to charge Kai. Second of all, lock that door!"
Joker wasted no time to do so.
"Thirdly.." I continued, grabbing Master by the shoulder of his hoodie and reeling him in towards the control panel. He was becoming less and less surprised by my man-handling, almost coming to terms with my direct course of action. "PLEASE tell me you can watch movies on this thing! Otherwise, I don't know what to do with you."
His expression changed to one involving lowered eyebrows and a hanging jaw, that it made me feel inferior for even asking the question. "MOVIES???? Demens, in case you haven't noticed--" "Before you go on with any more of your foolishness, I need to remind you that we are in a TIME TRAVELING SPACESHIP. Watching a movie should not be an issue, honestly. Now, that aside, I need to know what else happens in the future. What else I need to prevent. To who, to what, all the things. That means I'm forced to watch the 3rd part of the Hobbit. Now..if you please.."
He whipped his head away from me so fast and so defiantly, I almost laughed.
"I didn't sign up for this rubbish!"
"You agreed to take me with, to go traveling. Don't like it, I can just leave." "Alright, alright, no need to get so dramatic about it...." He had a heavy sigh. I, at once, could tell he was starting to hate me all over again. "I suppose with the right modifications...a little work..." He dabbled here and there, pressing this and that, while intently focusing his eyes on the monitor. Seconds after this, he hovered his hands over the keyboard, as if to take a minute for his brain to catch up..he, with a single, final click, tapped the small screen and presented it victoriously with one hand.
"It's ready!"
Seeing the work he had done, I beamed and with a single jump upwards, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, which he responded to with a grumpy, disgusted face.
"Thank you, dear." I replied as sweetly as possible, then removed my hoodie and tossed it over a railing.
With a single motion, I tightened my ponytail to where it now hung high again.
"While I'm doing this, start repairing the T.A.R.D.I.S., won't you?"
There wasn't much to argue with. He nodded at my command and immediately started going to work, while I turned to the boys. "The rest of you, mind the door, find some weapons, and in your free time, get me some food and come watch the movie with me!"
At first, they did not seem to take it well, having to follow the orders of little old me. But it's not like I was asking them to stand on their heads and recite Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious backwards.
I was simply asking them to be mindful of intruders, acquire instruments of violence, eat food and be entertained. not much to argue with at all, life is simple.
Unfortunately, I was unable to sit due to the lack, or rather complete absence, of chairs. Therefore I stood in various positions, shifting here and there, holding my chin in thought as I tried to operate the monitor.
True to his word..for once..the Master had modified the system to indeed have the capability to watch movies.
It took me a few minutes, a few suggestions from the boys, a few slaps of Jim's hand as he pointed, but I eventually figured it out and was able to select the timeline, the planet, yada yada, and finally the title of the film I was looking for.
Not too much longer and Battle of the Five Armies had begun.
Naturally, it was the extended version, so I could watch any additional content the theatrical release failed to show.
Hmm....fire, screaming and destruction.
Always an A+ opening set of ingredients for a film.
It was rather fantastic to return to my favorite of pass times. But after actually being in the town and getting to know it's people, it was aching my heart something fierce to watch everyone dying, especially so horribly...
I further learned that Bain helped his father take down Smaug, which in turn wound up causing Master to be squashed by Smaug's falling body..oh my, Kili and Tauriel were falling in deep for one another..the Dwarves got back the mountain, Thorin completely lost it over his gold and Arkenstone, Bard was being leaderly and deserved the Father of the Year award..Thranduil was his usual racist self..Gandalf and his wizardy friends were up to their old tricks..evil was a-brewing..Azog and his brat were leading an army..Azog also had a complex about his gimpy little arm..Legolostagirlfriend...you must never underestimate dwarves..Bilbo was sneaky..Thranduil really just wants to fight, not make friends..ALFRID DIED, THE SLEAZEBALL..I was very hungry and was stuffing my face with popcorn...Tauriel was bullied around by Bolg..don't ask me where I got that popcorn..cuz idk..meh babehs Kili and Fili were slaughtered..there was lots of fighting..Thorin was slaughtered..I really hated Azog..I also hated Bolg..tears taste delightful, don't they??..endings suck, what is the purpose of anything, I am a mule.
Granted, for a 3 hour movie, I learned much more than that..but let's not dwell on such things.
Let's dwell on the fact that by the time the movie was over, I was an internally screaming disaster, and was trying to stifle it as best as I could to hide it from the others, who each seemed completely unfazed by the film in general.
I wanted to cry that they didn't cry.
I quietly wiped the sneaky streaks of tears off my cheeks with my sleeves and sniffed and cleared my throat more times than what should be allowed--uttering "Well" quite a lot. Blasted, even the end credits were making me blubber like a walrus! Sons of old! There aren't enough curses in the common tongue...
"WELL" I said a final time, at last regaining enough composure to at least look at the others without them suspecting ulterior things. "That's that, then..."
"Most of that rubbish wasn't even in the novel!"
"Oh, spare me the purist views..I get enough of those. Calm yourself."
I would say I stood up to add effect for the moment, but I was already standing, and my legs, I had no legs.
Let's just say I tapped them and stomped them to shake out their numbness......a lot.
".......yeah......." I gently shook my head as I stared off into the distance at nothing in particular..my mind was slowly coming up with a plan.
Well..until my subconscious realized that the others were watching me.
My eyes slowly rolled over to the Master. "Yessssssss????"
"-I was about to ask you the same." He sniffed in a laugh.
My eyebrows raised. "Is the T.A.R.D.I.S. fixed?"
"Has been since Alfrid was mobbed by the people."
"Whoa son." "Yeah.."
hm.......
"What's your decision, miss Demens?" Bane spoke for the first time in 3 hours. "Yeah...now that you got your film fix and T.A.R.D.I.S. fixed, can we--" "no." "Okay, then."
I turned my head slowly towards the monitor, gazing at it with emotionless eyes. Thorin was killed...
Kili and Fili were killed...you probably understand why I hate Azog and Bolg so much...
"I can't let this happen to them..I just can't."
I kept repeating this over and over, but this time I said it aloud. "I'm sorry, what??"
I turned my full attention to my villainous companions.
They looked generally confused.
I didn't hesitate. "I'm not going."
The Master's mouth, at once, fell and he inflated almost like a threatened puffer fish, making the grumpiest face ever.
"Have you gone mad?! The point of us leaving was to prevent you from preventing things..NOW you want to PREVENT yourself from preventing your prevention?!"
My eyes quickly shot back at him and I tensed my body up, angrily. "I'm fully aware I'm sounding crazy! I don't expect you--ANY of you-- to understand! Cuz this actually putting someone else first over yourself...something you clearly know NOTHING about! Your whole life goal is to harm innocent people and to kill as many of them as possible..well, it's not mine! I protect the people you prey on--and I'm sure as heck not gonna just sit back and watch or take off and let those people either get burned alive or slaughtered by the orcs! I know what I'm doing sounds crazy, but doing anything else would be the coldest possible action to take. I'm here and that's for a reason. Everything has a reason. So I don't care what I have to change or who I have to save. However this is going to effect the future, I'm going to do what I think is right!...and btw, if things were reversed..if I was in you guys' worlds and I knew something was gonna happen to you? I'd go out of my way, just the same, to try and save you!"
Before I could say anymore, Master inadvertently stopped me by jerking his head back and revealed to me a rather shocked, bewildered expression that he could not help.
It made him look human, for once.
I jerked my own head back, as well. "..What?"
His eyes narrowed a little, in a confused manner.
"..you would?"
In return, I gave him a look that half-way resembled "Are you serious?" and "Is that even a question?"
With a good mixture of "You look pitiful when confused" and "You're an idiot".
My head briefly turned to the others, whom were behind me, exchanging their own inquisitive glances at one another.
I turned my attention back to the Master, who's mouth was now hanging open, eyes pointed at the floor.
"Of course I would..I may be a violent little cuss and like my fighting, but I wouldn't just let you die. That's not in my nature. I, myself, give everyone a chance, no matter who or what they are. What they decide to do with that chance is entirely up to them and then they're on their own. I'm not a complete monster. I don't wanna watch anyone suffer without giving them a chance. I'm giving the Master one, Alfrid, Bard, the town, Thranduil, EVERYone..because that's who I am."
The air inside the ship now felt cold and empty, the sudden silence making everything feel awkward and out of place. Through this, I moved towards the Master, who's dark eyes slowly fixed on me the closer I approached.
When I got about a foot way from him, I stopped.
He tried his hardest not to look at me as I stood and stared right through him, no doubt making him feel beyond uncomfortable and exposed.
"This is my choice..." I said quietly, "I'm staying...you can go if you want to, that's completely upto you...because I can always find my way back when this thing is over...but there's no sense in going with you if we're not going to start working together.." I paused a few seconds before suddenly taking his wrist, lifting it up, and opened it..which he watched carefully, bleeding out suspicion.
I gently laid my hand atop his and folded his fingers over top the item I had carefully placed seconds before...I then let my arm fall to my side. The Master slowly opened his fingers back out to reveal the T.A.R.D.I.S. key.
His eyes at last traveled to mine, as soon as I whispered sternly... "This is your chance.."
I didn't speak another word. Just turned back to the control panel and set back the time to 3 hours before..the T.A.R.D.I.S. gave a little shake and the floor beneath me vibrated as the obnoxious squealing sound rang in my ears..a few seconds later, all was still and the air fell silent once again. The whole time, I had been hanging my head low and rubbing my own fingers together as a nervous tick.
Finally, I turned, marched off towards the door, opened it and for a brief moment, I looked back and gave the others one last glance. None of them were looking in my direction...
I then looked away and shut the door behind me for what could have been the last time. This made me swallow hard my fear and anxiety, as well as stomach my depression and sadness that they had let me walk away so easily, without even giving me a final glance.
But really....what did I expect?
Not having enough time for anything else, I put aside my disappointment and started forward with a deep exhale, fully prepared for the fact that this was the last time I would see the four...however, not 10 steps away, I heard a creaking sound come from behind me.
I cut my eyes at it...as expected..it was Bane.
At the time, I had no clue..but Bane had really grown to have a real fondness for me, that made his constant decisions involving me look as if he were purely loyal.
I couldn't help but view him as my bodyguard, of sorts.
He shut the door behind him and approached me, calmly, without speaking a word. In his arms, he held two assault rifles..he tossed one in my direction and I caught it with one hand. "Allowing you to proceed alone would be foolish. Your services are still required."
My already beaming face and gleeful smile increased with charm as my eyebrows slightly lifted at his words with happiness. Coolest bodyguard ever.
I nearly squeaked when I heard the door creak a second time and unexpectedly, out came Joker, who opened and closed things like a complete ruffian and stomped towards us as such. "Don't get the wrong idea," He said, pointing.
"I have nothing better to do, and you two are far funnier company than those idiots."
I'll take that as a compliment.
Despite his constant flirts at me, I did not expect to be seeing Jim side with his queen, yet here he was, stepping out, hands in his pockets, eyes to the ground, not even bothering to shut the door behind him. I refused to show happiness, for it would only encourage his advances, so I kept a straightened face. Nevertheless, he gave me a sly little wink as he got closer, making me sigh. I swear, he did and said these things just to get under my skin. "Well, here I am.." He stated, simply. Still refusing to celebrate his arrival in any kind of way, I looked to the ground, nodding my head in a slow, so-so way. "Quite obvious..."
I heard the door close and my eyes darted at the T.A.R.D.I.S..
If you were expecting the last of the four to come out, stating an excuse for joining me, well, yeah.
My heart sunk as the all-too familiar sound of the ship's throaty, failing-engine sound loomed through the air, and before my eyes, the ship had slowly disintegrated from sight. I held still for a few minutes, as I foolishly waited for the noise to start again...but it didn't.
Once again, I found myself swallowing hard and I looked to the sky. It hurt a little.
I suppose it was merely wishful thinking, hoping the Master would choose otherwise, going against his nature, and a silly hope it was. But..you know..after what we'd been through..still.
I had no choice but to accept his decision and I sighed, deeply, turning again. The others looked to me for direction, seeing as how I had been pouncing around all the time, pretending I was someone special. I gave them a reassuring nod and rested my rifle against my shoulder...just as I took a few steps forward, it happened.
The throaty noise returned.
I didn't even bother to hide my grin at this time, for it lit up too quickly. I spun on my heels, just as the door flung open and out stepped the Master.
He took the key, bounced it in his hand and locked the ship's entrance, then at once swung around and advanced towards me, hastily. "Don't say a word--" He snapped. "--you bloody American." He abruptly tossed a 24 ounce bottle of oh my gah Pepsi, which I caught effortlessly.
"I know how much you wanted it..can't have you crying the rest of the way for it, can we?"
As he passed me, he gave me a look..in his eyes, I could clearly see, he was having general fun. But it was as if he was keeping that hidden, like putting on an act for the others that he was still a villain and he hated me...he was still a villain and I wouldn't want it any other way..but I didn't mind at all if his feelings toward me changed to that of a friendly nature.
"You owe me 1.13 in British pounds."
I held on to the cold, condensated, lovely bottle of Pepsi quite tightly..as I turned, the others turned, and we started off after the Master. In the meantime..my face was starting to hurt from smiling so much.
- - - -
The five of us, side-by-side, strode down the bridges that led to where I last saw Alfrid. The town was completely deserted now. I searched the area, still, of anyone of any significance...I spotted a little pug run from a distance towards us..instantly, I was reminded of Molly, who was no doubt still waiting for me to get back home from Pizza Hut.
From a trip that was only supposed to last an hour, maybe.
I couldn't stop regretting leaving her behind...oh, how I missed her.
"So, you got a plan yet?" I was rushed from behind, as I watched the pug run off across a bridge.
I slightly lowered my eyebrows. "I'm working on it, geez! Gimme a minute!"
"Do remember, there's a dragon and all."
"I'm fully aware that there's a dragon, he's big enough to not be forgotten."
The sarcastic tone was strong in all of us.
I lifted my eyes to the mountain. "...As soon as I'm certain everyone is out of here, we go back to the T.A.R.D.I.S. and get it out of here, somewhere safe. Like on that field or something.." Thoughts popped up in my head...questions I had been pondering on..about a certain young troublemaker.
What if he decided to cause me more trouble?
There's 4 definite things to go over..
1. We definitely weren't alone here, so that would mean someone had the ability to travel like us.
2. Smaug had thus far only showed up one time and did nothing. Which clearly indicated he was only scouting.
3. Whoever was causing all this bruhaha was young and cute and powerful and I really wanted to meet him...for interrogation purposes, of course.
4. I dunno, something.
As I stood there, fingers pressed against my lips thoughtfully, I went over everything. And something occurred to me. "What if whoever's behind this, somehow convinced Smaug to hold off..y'know, wait?"
Bane's interest was piqued, while the other three looked half-enthused. "Wait for what?"
I blinked a few times, rifle still resting on my shoulder, as I thought it over. "...for something else."
Bane lifted his chin. "The orc army."
I pointed. He got this.
"So what, they're bringing in their armies now??" "It only makes sense.." "but didn't that happen long after all this other....." "Child friendly language, now."
"--junk?" I tapped my head at J.
"That's the point, though. NOTHING is happening the way it's supposed to. It's all happening too fast or not at all or out of order or every which way, and oh my gahh, my head hurts!"
I swung around, holding my forehead. "They could be on their way right now!! And honestly, with my luck, it wouldn't surprise me if we saw the dwarves pop up right now."
"Miss Sarah!" "SHOOT me now!!"
It was here that I spun and spotted 13 dwarves and a hobbit, charging towards me and my companions.
I flailed my arms and let out unseemly noises.
Figures.
"Miss Sarah!!" They repeated as they bolted down the bridge. They were wet. Very wet. So wet, in fact, that as they approached us, I saw that they were dripping puddles.
I looked at each of them, up and down, seeing their hair and clothes so soaked, with their very happy little man faces, and I just wanted to bust out laughing. But I didn't, cuz friendship.
At the same time, though....HOW?
"What're you guys DOING here?!" I exclaimed in a squeal.
"We were about to ask you the same thing!" Fili shot back.
I rose my brows. "D...D...Di-didn't you..have a run in with the elves??" "Point of fact, we did!"
Master, at once, leapt ahead of us and ran to the edge of the water, where he turned his body back around and let out his hand, greedily. "Give me the key!"
As soon as I saw this change in his behavior, I was struck with a strong force of irritation that made my body tense and nearly coil like a threatened snake. My eyes fixed on the villainous Timelord, unable to come off him, as the irritation slowly turned into a boiling, volcanic fury...I soon found myself approaching him with the utmost delicacy.
Honestly..I was feeling a little more menacing than what was probably necessary. Unfortunately for me, being a so-called adorable shortie, feeling menacing probably met I looked like a rabid bunny to everyone else.
I reached inside my shirt through the neck hole and pulled out the key, holding it tightly with two fingers, close against my chest. "What did I tell you?"
My voice partially echoed in the now abandoned square.
"The thing I've told you over and over, that you can't seem to get through your dense little alien skull? We are NOT going until I SAVE these people."
His eyebrows lowered in disapproval.
"You're already bloody evacuating the town!!"
My finger shot out viciously at the town itself.
"Look around you, SAXON. They may be simply evacuating in your eyes and will be able to find a home elsewhere, but I know the truth of it..they're leaving everything behind. All their belongings, their houses, their memories. Every little piece of them is in this town. And you really think Smaug is going to accept their getaway? NO. He's gonna chase after them." I moved my finger towards the mountain.
"Smaug is still alive. And he will kill these people. And thankfully, out of the many we have crossed, he's one that can die. And he should die. He's plagued Middle Earth long enough and it's time for him to go."
I finally lowered my arm and watched as the Master lowered his and tightened his jaw with his own irritation.
"...I don't think I need to go into further detail, nor repeat myself, do I?"
He fell silent. Very silent. I couldn't even hear him breathe.
His brown eyes darkened and his teeth grinded behind his closed lips. But without another word of protest or any further sign of disobedience, he bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut and clenched his fists at his sides. "..Fine.."
I waited a few seconds to study him..once I saw that he had surrendered, I straightened my back back up and tilted my head to the side, once again returning to my perky, sassy self. Huh..either they were all playing me and were just waiting for the opportune moment to string me up and turn me into a Roasted Demens..or they were actually showing me respect. General respect.
It was as if I had a power over them..it was..strange.
I like strange. :)
My head turned from him to all around us and I turned it to and fro, in search of our missing companion.
"Where's four-leaf clover?"
Before the Timelord could answer, I heard a throat clear and I moved my eyes to the T.A.R.D.I.S..
Coming from behind was the adorable little Irish sociopath I knew and loved. "I resent that comment...I'm more like a five-leaf clover!" His hands were in his pockets and his mouth was smutched to the side. He leaned his body coolly against our vehicle of transportation.
"There you are!" I let out in a squeal and nearly slapped my mouth, as a grin had escaped as well.
"Don't smile, I might think you're happy to see me.. I do see you're as beautiful as ever."
"Oh hush, not now.." I did everything I could to look away from the fiend as I plucked the key from my neck, breaking the tie, and hopped across the water on the floating platforms, until I landed on the one the T.A.R.D.I.S. was on.
I approached the ship and reached for the knob, where I quickly unlocked it and immediately bolted through the door the second it swung open.
"So..." I heard behind me as the boys hurried inside, shutting the door. "What's the plan, kid?"
It was the Joker.
I gave him a slight glare. "Honestly..I have no clue..but I plan on having no clue, fabulously."
I leaned in a little against Jim, actually hoping it would be someone else. "Double honesty, that's the story of my life..I never have a clue what I'm doing. But that can be the name of my autobiography one day.. 'She winged everything...but she did it, fabulously'."
Cue excited jazz hands.
"..I would read it.." "Of course you would, you groupie."
As soon as we were in the T.A.R.D.I.S., I had instantly caught scent of something entirely different from the smell I had become accustomed to outside. It wasn't fish and oil. But more similar to febreeze and metal. I took a second to stand in place and take a huge whiff of the air, my mouth slowly cracking open a smile. The boys all came from behind me, the Master in particular walking straight for the control panel. "At long last..how are you, you old beauty?.."
Aww, Master and the T.A.R.D.I.S.
I would ship them if it weren't for two reasons. One, that'd be weird. And two, it was literally a ship.
I, myself, turned and ran to the wall, throwing my arms out to embrace the metal graty thing.
"Oh, it's so good to see you again!!"
"Lay off, it's my ship."
Was that a joke? Guys, the Master was joking again, this was progress.
As much as I loved Middle Earth and it's inhabitants, I couldn't help but receive a great amount of comfort being within the T.A.R.D.I.S. again, embracing being back in something a tad more modern inside my realm of understanding. I can not even describe to you how tired I was. I hadn't even gotten proper sleep..the feeble amount I got when I was with the dwarves wasn't holding my attention for long and I needed caffeine very, very badly.
A quick nap would've been ideal, and I probably would've gotten away with one since we were in a time machine and time itself stood practically still for us.
But my mind would not rest on the fact that there was a dragon above us and he meant us harm. Who knows? He could swallow us whole.
"Ok, first of all..gimme a cord. I need to charge Kai. Second of all, lock that door!"
Joker wasted no time to do so.
"Thirdly.." I continued, grabbing Master by the shoulder of his hoodie and reeling him in towards the control panel. He was becoming less and less surprised by my man-handling, almost coming to terms with my direct course of action. "PLEASE tell me you can watch movies on this thing! Otherwise, I don't know what to do with you."
His expression changed to one involving lowered eyebrows and a hanging jaw, that it made me feel inferior for even asking the question. "MOVIES???? Demens, in case you haven't noticed--" "Before you go on with any more of your foolishness, I need to remind you that we are in a TIME TRAVELING SPACESHIP. Watching a movie should not be an issue, honestly. Now, that aside, I need to know what else happens in the future. What else I need to prevent. To who, to what, all the things. That means I'm forced to watch the 3rd part of the Hobbit. Now..if you please.."
He whipped his head away from me so fast and so defiantly, I almost laughed.
"I didn't sign up for this rubbish!"
"You agreed to take me with, to go traveling. Don't like it, I can just leave." "Alright, alright, no need to get so dramatic about it...." He had a heavy sigh. I, at once, could tell he was starting to hate me all over again. "I suppose with the right modifications...a little work..." He dabbled here and there, pressing this and that, while intently focusing his eyes on the monitor. Seconds after this, he hovered his hands over the keyboard, as if to take a minute for his brain to catch up..he, with a single, final click, tapped the small screen and presented it victoriously with one hand.
"It's ready!"
Seeing the work he had done, I beamed and with a single jump upwards, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, which he responded to with a grumpy, disgusted face.
"Thank you, dear." I replied as sweetly as possible, then removed my hoodie and tossed it over a railing.
With a single motion, I tightened my ponytail to where it now hung high again.
"While I'm doing this, start repairing the T.A.R.D.I.S., won't you?"
There wasn't much to argue with. He nodded at my command and immediately started going to work, while I turned to the boys. "The rest of you, mind the door, find some weapons, and in your free time, get me some food and come watch the movie with me!"
At first, they did not seem to take it well, having to follow the orders of little old me. But it's not like I was asking them to stand on their heads and recite Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious backwards.
I was simply asking them to be mindful of intruders, acquire instruments of violence, eat food and be entertained. not much to argue with at all, life is simple.
Unfortunately, I was unable to sit due to the lack, or rather complete absence, of chairs. Therefore I stood in various positions, shifting here and there, holding my chin in thought as I tried to operate the monitor.
True to his word..for once..the Master had modified the system to indeed have the capability to watch movies.
It took me a few minutes, a few suggestions from the boys, a few slaps of Jim's hand as he pointed, but I eventually figured it out and was able to select the timeline, the planet, yada yada, and finally the title of the film I was looking for.
Not too much longer and Battle of the Five Armies had begun.
Naturally, it was the extended version, so I could watch any additional content the theatrical release failed to show.
Hmm....fire, screaming and destruction.
Always an A+ opening set of ingredients for a film.
It was rather fantastic to return to my favorite of pass times. But after actually being in the town and getting to know it's people, it was aching my heart something fierce to watch everyone dying, especially so horribly...
I further learned that Bain helped his father take down Smaug, which in turn wound up causing Master to be squashed by Smaug's falling body..oh my, Kili and Tauriel were falling in deep for one another..the Dwarves got back the mountain, Thorin completely lost it over his gold and Arkenstone, Bard was being leaderly and deserved the Father of the Year award..Thranduil was his usual racist self..Gandalf and his wizardy friends were up to their old tricks..evil was a-brewing..Azog and his brat were leading an army..Azog also had a complex about his gimpy little arm..Legolostagirlfriend...you must never underestimate dwarves..Bilbo was sneaky..Thranduil really just wants to fight, not make friends..ALFRID DIED, THE SLEAZEBALL..I was very hungry and was stuffing my face with popcorn...Tauriel was bullied around by Bolg..don't ask me where I got that popcorn..cuz idk..meh babehs Kili and Fili were slaughtered..there was lots of fighting..Thorin was slaughtered..I really hated Azog..I also hated Bolg..tears taste delightful, don't they??..endings suck, what is the purpose of anything, I am a mule.
Granted, for a 3 hour movie, I learned much more than that..but let's not dwell on such things.
Let's dwell on the fact that by the time the movie was over, I was an internally screaming disaster, and was trying to stifle it as best as I could to hide it from the others, who each seemed completely unfazed by the film in general.
I wanted to cry that they didn't cry.
I quietly wiped the sneaky streaks of tears off my cheeks with my sleeves and sniffed and cleared my throat more times than what should be allowed--uttering "Well" quite a lot. Blasted, even the end credits were making me blubber like a walrus! Sons of old! There aren't enough curses in the common tongue...
"WELL" I said a final time, at last regaining enough composure to at least look at the others without them suspecting ulterior things. "That's that, then..."
"Most of that rubbish wasn't even in the novel!"
"Oh, spare me the purist views..I get enough of those. Calm yourself."
I would say I stood up to add effect for the moment, but I was already standing, and my legs, I had no legs.
Let's just say I tapped them and stomped them to shake out their numbness......a lot.
".......yeah......." I gently shook my head as I stared off into the distance at nothing in particular..my mind was slowly coming up with a plan.
Well..until my subconscious realized that the others were watching me.
My eyes slowly rolled over to the Master. "Yessssssss????"
"-I was about to ask you the same." He sniffed in a laugh.
My eyebrows raised. "Is the T.A.R.D.I.S. fixed?"
"Has been since Alfrid was mobbed by the people."
"Whoa son." "Yeah.."
hm.......
"What's your decision, miss Demens?" Bane spoke for the first time in 3 hours. "Yeah...now that you got your film fix and T.A.R.D.I.S. fixed, can we--" "no." "Okay, then."
I turned my head slowly towards the monitor, gazing at it with emotionless eyes. Thorin was killed...
Kili and Fili were killed...you probably understand why I hate Azog and Bolg so much...
"I can't let this happen to them..I just can't."
I kept repeating this over and over, but this time I said it aloud. "I'm sorry, what??"
I turned my full attention to my villainous companions.
They looked generally confused.
I didn't hesitate. "I'm not going."
The Master's mouth, at once, fell and he inflated almost like a threatened puffer fish, making the grumpiest face ever.
"Have you gone mad?! The point of us leaving was to prevent you from preventing things..NOW you want to PREVENT yourself from preventing your prevention?!"
My eyes quickly shot back at him and I tensed my body up, angrily. "I'm fully aware I'm sounding crazy! I don't expect you--ANY of you-- to understand! Cuz this actually putting someone else first over yourself...something you clearly know NOTHING about! Your whole life goal is to harm innocent people and to kill as many of them as possible..well, it's not mine! I protect the people you prey on--and I'm sure as heck not gonna just sit back and watch or take off and let those people either get burned alive or slaughtered by the orcs! I know what I'm doing sounds crazy, but doing anything else would be the coldest possible action to take. I'm here and that's for a reason. Everything has a reason. So I don't care what I have to change or who I have to save. However this is going to effect the future, I'm going to do what I think is right!...and btw, if things were reversed..if I was in you guys' worlds and I knew something was gonna happen to you? I'd go out of my way, just the same, to try and save you!"
Before I could say anymore, Master inadvertently stopped me by jerking his head back and revealed to me a rather shocked, bewildered expression that he could not help.
It made him look human, for once.
I jerked my own head back, as well. "..What?"
His eyes narrowed a little, in a confused manner.
"..you would?"
In return, I gave him a look that half-way resembled "Are you serious?" and "Is that even a question?"
With a good mixture of "You look pitiful when confused" and "You're an idiot".
My head briefly turned to the others, whom were behind me, exchanging their own inquisitive glances at one another.
I turned my attention back to the Master, who's mouth was now hanging open, eyes pointed at the floor.
"Of course I would..I may be a violent little cuss and like my fighting, but I wouldn't just let you die. That's not in my nature. I, myself, give everyone a chance, no matter who or what they are. What they decide to do with that chance is entirely up to them and then they're on their own. I'm not a complete monster. I don't wanna watch anyone suffer without giving them a chance. I'm giving the Master one, Alfrid, Bard, the town, Thranduil, EVERYone..because that's who I am."
The air inside the ship now felt cold and empty, the sudden silence making everything feel awkward and out of place. Through this, I moved towards the Master, who's dark eyes slowly fixed on me the closer I approached.
When I got about a foot way from him, I stopped.
He tried his hardest not to look at me as I stood and stared right through him, no doubt making him feel beyond uncomfortable and exposed.
"This is my choice..." I said quietly, "I'm staying...you can go if you want to, that's completely upto you...because I can always find my way back when this thing is over...but there's no sense in going with you if we're not going to start working together.." I paused a few seconds before suddenly taking his wrist, lifting it up, and opened it..which he watched carefully, bleeding out suspicion.
I gently laid my hand atop his and folded his fingers over top the item I had carefully placed seconds before...I then let my arm fall to my side. The Master slowly opened his fingers back out to reveal the T.A.R.D.I.S. key.
His eyes at last traveled to mine, as soon as I whispered sternly... "This is your chance.."
I didn't speak another word. Just turned back to the control panel and set back the time to 3 hours before..the T.A.R.D.I.S. gave a little shake and the floor beneath me vibrated as the obnoxious squealing sound rang in my ears..a few seconds later, all was still and the air fell silent once again. The whole time, I had been hanging my head low and rubbing my own fingers together as a nervous tick.
Finally, I turned, marched off towards the door, opened it and for a brief moment, I looked back and gave the others one last glance. None of them were looking in my direction...
I then looked away and shut the door behind me for what could have been the last time. This made me swallow hard my fear and anxiety, as well as stomach my depression and sadness that they had let me walk away so easily, without even giving me a final glance.
But really....what did I expect?
Not having enough time for anything else, I put aside my disappointment and started forward with a deep exhale, fully prepared for the fact that this was the last time I would see the four...however, not 10 steps away, I heard a creaking sound come from behind me.
I cut my eyes at it...as expected..it was Bane.
At the time, I had no clue..but Bane had really grown to have a real fondness for me, that made his constant decisions involving me look as if he were purely loyal.
I couldn't help but view him as my bodyguard, of sorts.
He shut the door behind him and approached me, calmly, without speaking a word. In his arms, he held two assault rifles..he tossed one in my direction and I caught it with one hand. "Allowing you to proceed alone would be foolish. Your services are still required."
My already beaming face and gleeful smile increased with charm as my eyebrows slightly lifted at his words with happiness. Coolest bodyguard ever.
I nearly squeaked when I heard the door creak a second time and unexpectedly, out came Joker, who opened and closed things like a complete ruffian and stomped towards us as such. "Don't get the wrong idea," He said, pointing.
"I have nothing better to do, and you two are far funnier company than those idiots."
I'll take that as a compliment.
Despite his constant flirts at me, I did not expect to be seeing Jim side with his queen, yet here he was, stepping out, hands in his pockets, eyes to the ground, not even bothering to shut the door behind him. I refused to show happiness, for it would only encourage his advances, so I kept a straightened face. Nevertheless, he gave me a sly little wink as he got closer, making me sigh. I swear, he did and said these things just to get under my skin. "Well, here I am.." He stated, simply. Still refusing to celebrate his arrival in any kind of way, I looked to the ground, nodding my head in a slow, so-so way. "Quite obvious..."
I heard the door close and my eyes darted at the T.A.R.D.I.S..
If you were expecting the last of the four to come out, stating an excuse for joining me, well, yeah.
My heart sunk as the all-too familiar sound of the ship's throaty, failing-engine sound loomed through the air, and before my eyes, the ship had slowly disintegrated from sight. I held still for a few minutes, as I foolishly waited for the noise to start again...but it didn't.
Once again, I found myself swallowing hard and I looked to the sky. It hurt a little.
I suppose it was merely wishful thinking, hoping the Master would choose otherwise, going against his nature, and a silly hope it was. But..you know..after what we'd been through..still.
I had no choice but to accept his decision and I sighed, deeply, turning again. The others looked to me for direction, seeing as how I had been pouncing around all the time, pretending I was someone special. I gave them a reassuring nod and rested my rifle against my shoulder...just as I took a few steps forward, it happened.
The throaty noise returned.
I didn't even bother to hide my grin at this time, for it lit up too quickly. I spun on my heels, just as the door flung open and out stepped the Master.
He took the key, bounced it in his hand and locked the ship's entrance, then at once swung around and advanced towards me, hastily. "Don't say a word--" He snapped. "--you bloody American." He abruptly tossed a 24 ounce bottle of oh my gah Pepsi, which I caught effortlessly.
"I know how much you wanted it..can't have you crying the rest of the way for it, can we?"
As he passed me, he gave me a look..in his eyes, I could clearly see, he was having general fun. But it was as if he was keeping that hidden, like putting on an act for the others that he was still a villain and he hated me...he was still a villain and I wouldn't want it any other way..but I didn't mind at all if his feelings toward me changed to that of a friendly nature.
"You owe me 1.13 in British pounds."
I held on to the cold, condensated, lovely bottle of Pepsi quite tightly..as I turned, the others turned, and we started off after the Master. In the meantime..my face was starting to hurt from smiling so much.
- - - -
The five of us, side-by-side, strode down the bridges that led to where I last saw Alfrid. The town was completely deserted now. I searched the area, still, of anyone of any significance...I spotted a little pug run from a distance towards us..instantly, I was reminded of Molly, who was no doubt still waiting for me to get back home from Pizza Hut.
From a trip that was only supposed to last an hour, maybe.
I couldn't stop regretting leaving her behind...oh, how I missed her.
"So, you got a plan yet?" I was rushed from behind, as I watched the pug run off across a bridge.
I slightly lowered my eyebrows. "I'm working on it, geez! Gimme a minute!"
"Do remember, there's a dragon and all."
"I'm fully aware that there's a dragon, he's big enough to not be forgotten."
The sarcastic tone was strong in all of us.
I lifted my eyes to the mountain. "...As soon as I'm certain everyone is out of here, we go back to the T.A.R.D.I.S. and get it out of here, somewhere safe. Like on that field or something.." Thoughts popped up in my head...questions I had been pondering on..about a certain young troublemaker.
What if he decided to cause me more trouble?
There's 4 definite things to go over..
1. We definitely weren't alone here, so that would mean someone had the ability to travel like us.
2. Smaug had thus far only showed up one time and did nothing. Which clearly indicated he was only scouting.
3. Whoever was causing all this bruhaha was young and cute and powerful and I really wanted to meet him...for interrogation purposes, of course.
4. I dunno, something.
As I stood there, fingers pressed against my lips thoughtfully, I went over everything. And something occurred to me. "What if whoever's behind this, somehow convinced Smaug to hold off..y'know, wait?"
Bane's interest was piqued, while the other three looked half-enthused. "Wait for what?"
I blinked a few times, rifle still resting on my shoulder, as I thought it over. "...for something else."
Bane lifted his chin. "The orc army."
I pointed. He got this.
"So what, they're bringing in their armies now??" "It only makes sense.." "but didn't that happen long after all this other....." "Child friendly language, now."
"--junk?" I tapped my head at J.
"That's the point, though. NOTHING is happening the way it's supposed to. It's all happening too fast or not at all or out of order or every which way, and oh my gahh, my head hurts!"
I swung around, holding my forehead. "They could be on their way right now!! And honestly, with my luck, it wouldn't surprise me if we saw the dwarves pop up right now."
"Miss Sarah!" "SHOOT me now!!"
It was here that I spun and spotted 13 dwarves and a hobbit, charging towards me and my companions.
I flailed my arms and let out unseemly noises.
Figures.
"Miss Sarah!!" They repeated as they bolted down the bridge. They were wet. Very wet. So wet, in fact, that as they approached us, I saw that they were dripping puddles.
I looked at each of them, up and down, seeing their hair and clothes so soaked, with their very happy little man faces, and I just wanted to bust out laughing. But I didn't, cuz friendship.
At the same time, though....HOW?
"What're you guys DOING here?!" I exclaimed in a squeal.
"We were about to ask you the same thing!" Fili shot back.
I rose my brows. "D...D...Di-didn't you..have a run in with the elves??" "Point of fact, we did!"
Answered Balin, wringing his sleeves. "They caught us not long after you disappeared!"
"They were about to arrest us,"
Dwalin took over. "But the elven prince and a female elf decided to pardon us when we told them of our acquaintance with you."
???????
COME AGAIN?
Thorin then pushed past the others and nodded at me, looking as manly and majestic as ever. "The prince told us to find you and help you. That all of our lives depended on it."
He gained a look of suspicion and cocked his head to the side, slightly narrowing his eyes. "Now why would he say that?" I made a lopsided frown as I tried to search for answers, blinking repeatedly like an idiot...
"-----I dunno. Elves say things. Elves are crazy. Never trust an elf. Ya know, they can only think of one thing at a time."
I nodded my head as they all looked amused by my answer.
"If it wasn't me saying it, I'd say this dude had some serious issues and you should probably stay away from him, he might have woodland rabies."
Thorin brought his head back and now looked at me with a half smile, as if he were indulging a child's wild story.
Well, ok, seemed we were past that point and I smiled at the little men and then, "We escaped from their cells to avoid execution." I at once made a quieted scream from the inside of my throat as I turned to the Joker, looking panicked.
THANK YOU, CLOWN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
"Lighten up, Demens, that ain't queen-like."
WHAT THE CRAP, MASTER.
The dwarves all jolted. Uh oh.
"Demens?!" A few repeated. While others yelled out, "QUEEN?" and I was now screaming internally.
Thorin's eyes went wild, "You! You're the queen they spoke of!" "No, I'm not." "Fancy that, a queen!!" "Stooppp."
"I can't believe it!" "Don't believe it."
"You lied to us!"
Dwalin yelled, viciously.
"WHOA, hey, no! No, no, no. Wrong. I never lied. I kept it a secret, there's a difference. Cuz you never asked me if I was a queen. Therefore I never denied being a queen. Therefore I didn't lie. And who are you judging; on this trip, all you guys EVER do is lie!" I gave them all a look of smugness, as they realized I was right. Bofur, the poor thing, looked hurt. "Why didn't you tell us??"
To this, I sighed sadly. "At the time, I wasn't planning on sticking around..so it didn't matter telling you about that. I was just trying to get out. I'm sorry.."
Little Ori's face lit up with realization.
"So these men--" He pointed at each. "--are really your subjects..and they were only trying to find you when they attacked me. You're their queen!!"
Out of the blue, making me jolt, they all instantly dropped to the ground on one knee and bowed their bodies low. It took Bilbo a few seconds to notice what was going on and he quickly followed. "Your majesty!"
They all sung in unison. Even Thorin joined in, strangely enough. GREAT SCOTT.
Ohhhhhh, how I wished I could get used to that.
"BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT." I exclaimed, lifting many of their wet bodies up.
"We've got a major problem!"
I, at once, pointed to the mountain, where their eyes followed. "Smaug's awake!!"
"WHAT?!?!" *cue alarmed chatter*
"When did this happen?!" exclaimed Thorin.
"Maybe an hour ago? I already got the town evacuated. He flew over here a bit, then went back to the mountain. I think he's waiting, though...for something bigger."
"Bigger than Smaug?!" "WAY bigger. We're talking orc army big!" They all looked at one another with urgency and confusion. One looked to me and was obviously about to ask me how I knew, but I silenced him with a risen hand.
"Don't ask me how I know, I just do."
They all went back to being worried.
"What are we going to do?!" "We're doomed, I tell you!" "We're never going to reclaim the mountain now!" "All hope is lost!"
"Now hold on, none of that negativity! Listen! We've gotta keep what's left of our sanity and keep it together. Like Legolas said, stick with me and everything will be al-"
Just as I said this, the earth shook, violently, beneath us.
We all jolted and desperately tried to regain our balance.
"EARTHQUAKE!"
"Aw, crap!" "What ails you, lady Sarah?!"
"That ain't an earthquake! That's-"
I looked straight up at the skies and the others followed.
"SMAUG!!!!" They all screamed.
Once again, he was flying from above, without a word, without a roar, without a spark of a flame.
As he passed us, his head pointed straight down and my mouth hung open as he once again seemed to be staring directly at me. His gruesome serpentine face looked wicked and hungry. My heart shut down for the longest three seconds of my life so far.
He flew off, away from the town, back towards the mountain. My head spinning, I stumbled all over the place, feeling like throwing up for a long duration.
"It can't be!!" Thorin exclaimed. "How has he been awakened?!" "You can thank a certain young troublemaker for that! Don't ask who, cuz idk who, but he intentionally woke him up. He threatened he'd have the town burned down.." "But nothing's burned."
I looked at them, then at my companions, then I stumbled forward. "Not yet."
We were running full speed ahead, with plenty of room to zigzag on, especially since I was a panicking mess.
"Come on!!" I called over my shoulder.
The dwarves ran as fast as their legs could go.
"Miss Sarah!" Yelled Balin. "Where are we going?!"
"To Neverland!" "What?!" "Don't pay attention to me, we need to get to Bard!.....if he isn't gone by now...."
Just as I thought we were in the clear, yet another rumble shook the earth. We all looked in the same direction, the dwarves scurrying after me.
Smaug circled the town, gazing down at it...almost as if he were searching for us. When he did spot us, my body tensed. At once, we all crossed the bridge that led to the market place, going so fast, many of us almost tripped.
I heard screaming come from a distance. We were getting closer to the boats, thank God.
"Get on the boats, quickly!" a familiar voice echoed through the air.
I searched all around for it's owner, and wound up spotting Bard from a distance, who was busily ushering people into boats. As soon as this occurred, I shot my head back and tried to whistle..when that failed, I clicked my tongue. Almost immediately, the nearby dogs all responded by prancing towards me.
As they came close, I snatched each and advanced to the bowman. "Bard!!"
He immediately took notice of me and his face lit up with worry, "Sarah!"
He ran with all his force upto me, his bow hanging from his shoulders, as if he were prepared for battle.
"What are you still doing here, you need to leave!!"
"I found my ship already, but I'm not leaving until I make sure everyone is safe!"
I then practically shoved the dogs into his arms, "Get these little guys on the boats and get the heck out've here! I don't know how much time we have to mosey around before he gets bored and wants human roast!"
"But, Sarah, I can't leave! I must find a way to stop-" "Well not right now!" I rushed, spinning him around and pushing him forwards. "Find your kids and get out've here.." "But, Sar-" "NOW, Bard! I'm the last person you need to be worried about!"
There was no time for him to be reluctant. He was showing difficulty in doing so, but he seemed to accept the fact that I was right, and he held the dogs tight, running away back to the boats without so much as a thank you or goodbye.
Then, out've nowhere, emerged Alfrid, who sneered at the people and Bard, Bard running to him and stuffing the animals in his flimsy arms. "Get these on a boat. And get yourself on one!"
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Alfrid yelled, fumbling with the armful of canines.
He scurried off and practically dumped them into the laps of people, then scrambled to get on board himself.
"Move it, granny!" He spat at an old woman, as he grabbed the oar and began to hastily paddle.
I turned my attention from them.
"The rest of you!" I swung to the dwarves. "Get your butts to a boat and skedaddle!"
"We're not going anywhere!" "That's right, we're facing the dragon!"
"YOU GUYS." "We're not leaving! And that's final!"
They stood their ground, firmly.
Master looked over at me, smirking, with a cock of the head. "Sound like someone you know??"
I gave him a look of sass, while sighing frustratedly. I couldn't help but look at them in admiration for their bravery. Bless their suicidal little hearts.
oh yeah..dragon.
In that instance, Smaug once again passed over us, casting a foreboding shadow upon the earth beneath him, that was cold and empty..I felt like I was gonna be squished.
"WHOEVER'S NOT OBEYING ME, WE'VE GOTTA MOVE!"
I moved to the docks, repeatedly rushing the others to follow. When they all had started doing so, I slid onto a slippery dock and began to wrangle up a couple of boats that were tied to a post.
"We've gotta draw him away from the people and town! Take the boats toward the mountain and wait for me. We'll set up camp in the city later."
"These boats aren't large enough for all of us!" Balin exclaimed.
"I have my own method of transportation, and I'm going to get precisely that. I can't leave it behind."
I jabbed the ropes at Bombur's chest, since he was the closest, then kicked the boats out a bit to pull them from underneath the deck. "Hurry, there's no more time for questions!"
One by one, I began to push each of the dwarves on board, including Bilbo, who in the mean time kept saying "Sarah" with constant interruption. He was obviously trying to tell me something.
"Now get!"
They all huffed, but there literally was zero time to argue. Bofur and Bifur took the oars and began to paddle viciously. "Hurry!" "We're hurrying!" Bofur exclaimed.
I nodded like a bobblehead as I backed away, watching them get further. "...I'll meet ya guys over there.."
Just as I turned, a rush of wind blew me back and I found myself inches from instant death as Smaug swooped down and snapped his hot jaws at me in a matter of seconds.
With surprisingly lightning quick reflexes, I thankfully ducked in the nick of time with a quick yelp that made me nearly choke as viciously cold air was quickly sucked up into my lungs.
Like that, Smaug was up high again.
The dwarves screamed from behind me, as I held my position on the ground, crouching for dear life.
"MISS SARAH!!"
I spun my head around to check Smaug's current location, seeing that he was flying far ahead and beginning to circle.
"Miss Sarah, are you alright?!" "I'm FINE! Just GO!"
There was nothing the concerned dwarves could do, anyway, as they were already a good distance away from the dock. Before I gave Smaug another chance to snap his jaws at me again, I pivoted my body and ran with all force down the bridge leading back to my companions, who were all hastily waving for me to come to them. I was only a mere ten feet away before Master suddenly shouted, "WATCH OUT!!"
At that, I fell to the ground and once again felt Smaug's scolding breath loom through the air as he clamped down, just mere inches from taking my head.
I had fallen so fast, it almost felt like I tripped.
As soon as Smaug passed again, I shot back up, just as Bane skipped ten steps towards me and shot a round or two at the villainous dragon. With his open hand, he grabbed mine and yanked me up and dragged us both back to the others. "The rifles are not having any effect on him!" He observed, loudly.
I bent over and caught my breath a little, before standing back up amongst the four villains, the five of us forming a tiny circle. Resting my own rifle against my shoulder, I shook my head softly, "Nothing will, even with our modern toys." My eyes followed Smaug as he did another 180 in the sky.
"...Not unless we had a black arrow."
The five of us almost instantly started to exchange glances.
"Of course--the black arrow was the only means capable of piercing the beast!" Bane sounded actually thrilled. That's when Master looked towards the houses. ".........correct me if I'm wrong...but wasn't that at Bard's place?" I looked in the same direction, ".....Yes."
Jim peeked from behind us. "Did he get it already??"
"..That part I'm not so sure about."
He then shrugged his shoulders as everyone looked in his direction and he tried to walk away, "Oh well, we tried." Distracted by the Irish monkey, Bane caught his shirt collar that froze him in place...the thing needed to be done, and they'd never let me take the plunge otherwise.....
With a burst of energy, I bolted forward. My loud footsteps alerted them and one of the four bolted, as well, unfortunately picking up enough speed to catch me by the arm. It had to be the Master.
"WHAT THE BLOODY *BEEP* DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! HE'LL GET YOU!"
"He won't if I'm fast enough!" I squealed with a struggle.
"Forget it!!" "We need the arrow!!--let GO of me!!" "I'm not letting you wander off by yourself, you little lunatic!" "GET OFF ME!" "NO!" I then kicked his stomach, hard, and he shouted in extreme pain, letting go and bending over. I quickly started to back away. "Go get the T.A.R.D.I.S.!"
"It's out of the question!" Bane exclaimed, stepping in our direction. "You are not going alone!"
"It won't matter how many of you dorks go with me, he's a freaking DRAGON, he'll toast us all! I'm short, small and pretty fast. I can dart his attacks better than you can. Now just let me leave!!"
Without giving them any real chance to, I swung around and ran as fast as possible down the bridge, looking back one more time at the boys. They stared my way for a few seconds, Master hurriedly following after Joker and Jim, while still bending forwards a bit in pain, and the three slowly went out of sight.
Bane, watching me go the entire time, was the last one to depart.
Smaug came down once again, but didn't bother clamping at me. I rolled out of the way and into the middle of the first two buildings on the deck, immediately bouncing my body back around. As he had been doing so, Smaug flew away. I couldn't tell if he was actually wanting to get me or was just maybe intimidating me.
Dude made no sense, yo.
Forced your hand, have I?
I might have grinned a little too psychotically at the dragon as I stared after him, his huge body swirling in the sky. Yeahhhh, I was enjoying this. Not gonna lie. The thrill was just too strong to not love.
I stared the way behind me, which led to a completely wide, open area that allowed Smaug to have the best time of his life picking at me as if I were a worm being chased by a giant bird, without the interference of nearby buildings. But I couldn't stay in the dark little alley forever. He would eventually find me.
So it was a risk I had to take, for the good of myself.
As I clutched onto the woody wall, I took a few deep, forced inhales, sucking up as much oxygen as I could to psych myself up, before I finally gritted my teeth tight together and sprung from my hiding place.
As soon as I emerged from the darkness and was exposed in the open area, Smaug's eyes snapped to me mid-circle. He swirled around to fly directly toward my position.
I took my gun and shot a few rounds, "Back off, chompy lips!"
He flinched as the bullets bounced off his face and he elected to miss me intentionally, instead choosing to fly behind me. "Have you seen me?! I'm the size of a twig! I ain't got no meat to even have for left-overs!"
Realizing I had probably angered him even further, I ran even faster.
I tried to remember where the bloody heck I was going while moving in zigzags to decrease Smaug's chances of getting me. As I ran, the wind kicked up and practically slapped me in the face.
It made my ponytail whip around wildly, and my hood shuffle uncomfortably against my neck.
On top of that, the bottoms of my boots were wet from all the water I'd been stepping on, and kept making annoying squeaky sounds at each step I took. As well as the fact that the dock was wet and slippery and I had to keep catching myself various times of running. siighhh. It was a dark day for Sarah Demens.
Once again, that scum swooped down and I ducked just in time as his wing cut right through the top of a building, smashing it to bits, the rest collapsing in on itself.
Hunks of wood flew all over the place, including the front of my direction and I scrambled to get away from the line of fire. Oh and speaking of fire...yep.
He opened his mouth wide and before I had enough time to hide from the blast radius, a burst of scolding hot flames descended upon me and the bridge, burning it to a crisp, the rest crumbling into ash, dropping to the water beneath. Miraculously, the fire bypassed me, by mere feet. But I still felt it just as strong as if it were hitting me. As the bridge started to collapse at my heels, I made a quick, daring jump..and by inches, I made it to the more steady portion of the dock that was built apart from the bridge.
On it, I climbed to safety and wasted no time before I was on the move again.
Smaug briefly retreated back to the sky, to lay out my next destination, but I didn't give him the opportunity.
I ducked underneath a dark cranny that I tightened my body inside to avoid Smaug's detection.
It was obvious he was having difficulty trying to find me, seeing as how he kept circling the area.
By experience, though, I know that when you can't find what you're looking for after awhile, that you either get really fed up and give up, or you get really clever and figure the thing out.
Pretty soon, he'd start to think outside of the box, and eventually discover where I was.
It was Smaug, after all.
So once he was turned from my direction, I skedaddled down the alleyway and booked it in between two other buildings. To avoid boredom to you, dear readers, let's just say by a few minutes later, I had located Bard's house, at last. I hoped and prayed that Bard did forget the arrow, or else me nearly dying would've all been for nothing. Then again, I am immortal...
Quickly jumping the steps to his boat home, I grabbed the door knob and threw the hunk of wood open, almost immediately shutting it behind me.
I slapped myself against the door, completely out of breath.
Idk if I've mentioned this yet, but if I use too much energy, or ya know, over-exert myself, my side winds up having an excruciating pain built up inside it...and this made me bend severely low and wince into a grit as it stung like fire. But ain't nobody got time fo' that!
I had a mission and a mission was what I had!
I, at once, bounced myself back up and searched the room, aiming for the spot that I remember Bard pulling it from inside the movie. If I remembered correctly, he kept it stuffed inside something that was hanging from the ceiling...I think. I tapped my chin, in thought...I saw a net type thing, but I didn't wanna start ransacking things to trash the area. After all, he was my friend.
So I grabbed one of the chairs from the dinner table and propped it against the wall close to the net.
Then I stood atop it and reached in to look at the inside of the kerfuffle of items.
I buried my hand in and used my fingers to search...there was a lot in there, dang...
It took me quite a bit to move past all the junk...and a lot of pokes from the pointy things.
I was beginning to wonder if I was even right, when-- "OW!"
I winced as my hand was stabbed by something very sharp..guess that answered that question.
I wiggled my fingers to a more grabbable, non-painful part of the item and once I got an appropriate grasp of it, I pulled it out. As I did so, a long black rod revealed itself, at last ending with a point.
I examined it a second, to appreciate what had taken me all that time and effort to acquire.
Finally, the black arrow..the one thing able to smoke up Smaug.
Feeling a great deal of achievement was one thing, but I couldn't help but take a look at my injured hand.
The stabby part went through my glove, darn it, so I took it off..as I expected, it was jabbed pretty good and fresh red blood had already started to swell up in it. Not the trifling little slit of wipable nonsense you mostly get from a cut, folks. This was actual blood, with actual blood drops.
And my hand was already in serious pain, no doubt since the arrow was rusty. Not good by any book.
But there was no time for pain! I had to get and I had to get fast.
With the arrow in my clutches, I ran for the nearest window and peeked through the glass.
Smaug was still searching for me...and his behavior seemed to be induced with agitation.
I smirked....but then I unsmirked. There was no way I was returning to the bridges or docks, with the way he was chasing me and I almost got roasted. I already cost someone's home, and I refused to do it again.
But I had to get out of there and back to the boys...without being seen....my eyes gravitated to the water..
and a thought was thought.....oh well........cold don't bother me, anyway.
~ ~ ~
"Mistakes were made!" I quietly exclaimed, as I navigated myself underneath the bridges, ducking the frequent support beams and what not, me growing more and more paranoid that Smaug would land and cause the entire town to collapse on top of me. I mean, if you can even call what I was doing swimming..I don't have no gill bones in my body..I can't swim worth a lick!
So I basically got around by grabbing the wood above me and pulling myself along, which was a lot bigger of a struggle than it sounds, lemme tell ya.
The boys went left, last I saw, so that was the precise direction I was going.
I couldn't dilly dally or risk being seen even for a second, as Smaug was keeping a very close eye on everything beneath him. Me being out in the open for too long would not have been smart.
When I came to the parts of the water where there was nothing to hold onto from above, I shuffled my legs and flapped my arms, looking like a silly comedian duck. This caused me to scoot forward, eventually gravitating back to cover. I had mini heart attacks each time I had to do this.
I'll be honest, the water paralyzes me. Even if the water was freezing cold, I still held the paranoia that something would swim right up from beneath and get me. Being in the water is the one true place where I can't fight back. I was helpless. At least..I felt helpless.
I yelped as I lost my grip and dipped into the water without warning, as if I were being baptized.
Nah thanks, water, I already did the thing!
I screamed a bit underneath, a flurry of bubbles escaping my mouth. I quickly kicked my way back to the top and with grabby hands, I outstretched my arms and held on to the nearest possible solid object.
I choked and coughed as I tried to replace my lungs full of water with air.
With my free hand, the other holding onto the wood, I wiped my gasping face. And ugh..my nostrils were stinging with nasty salt water, gross! There are not enough showers in the world for this evil... T_T
I shook my now soaking head to flap the water from my hair and face and trudged on.
Just as I moved an inch outside and was about to move to the next corner, "There you are."
Boy, was that loud. My body literally froze. I held on tight to the wood above me with both hands.
Then my eyes made the mistake of turning only to see Smaug's enormous body flying straight my way.
My heart skipped and before I could come up with a proper plan, I jerked my body forward to the next bridge, just as Smaug was swooping in, his talons outstretched to grab me.
"YA-HO!" I exclaimed and pushed myself to the edge of the platforms.
Well, this water thing wasn't gonna happen no more! I hurriedly snatched a ledge and pulled myself out with as much strength as possible. Immediately after I made my recovery, I was booking it.
Smaug snapped his skull at me, catching sight of the item attached to my back.
With that, he roared and once again started chasing me.
Now that I wasn't searching for a bland old boat house, but a noticeable blue box, I was basically leaping and jumping over obstacles, ducking and rolling as Smaug proceeded to snap at me.
I was using speed and energy I didn't even know I had....
---
It wasn't long before I came to a familiar part of the town. I made a quick turn and wala!
The T.A.R.D.I.S. lay before me. Despite the situation I was in, I grinned at the sight of it.
"DEMENS!" Master shouted, the moment he and the others caught sight of me.
"Miss Demens!!" "Over here!!"
A couple of them waved their arms as I got closer.
They had moved the ship from the area of the platforms and positioned it smack-dab in the middle of a path, so I wouldn't have to travel too far. Which was surprisingly kind of them.
"You got it?!" "Yes, I'm alright--and I got it!" I simultaneously pulled out the arrow from my back and held it out with a shaky hand as I charged forward. "Good, then let's get out of this accursed town!"
"The mountains, head to the mountains!" But this part was unheard, surely, for as I got closer, a roar echoed loudly in our ears and not long after, the dragon came into view, headed straight for us and the T.A.R.D.I.S..
I refused to look up any more than I already had, and picked up my speed, for the ship was only mere yards away. "MOVE, MOVE, GET INSIDE!!" I screeched, just as I leapt forward the rest of the way, which accordingly allowed me to knock into two of my companions, all the way inside, while the other two jumped back to avoid being clobbered.
Panicked shouts and screams ensued as Smaug's face was growing in size, the closer he got to us--the three of us that tumbled inside screamed and scrambled to get up off of eachother.
Thankfully, Joker was a quick thinker in times of trouble and immediately skid towards the door and slammed it shut..so hard, it made the walls rattle.
As we heard Smaug letting out another roar and trying to break in,
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
I jumped up and pressed close to the door, as the outside abruptly became silent.
I glanced to the boys.. it sure wasn't Smaug's voice...it was a young man's.
We all sent out inquisitive expressions.
"--The girl!" Smaug's chilling, serpentine voice bellowed. "--She is here!"
"What did I tell you, you IDIOT! That girl is off limits until the armies arrive! You're ruining the plan!"
Smaug's voice was cut off, "GET BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN NOW AND WAIT YOUR TURN!"
There was a brief, low growl.
"Do as you're told, you little snake!"
It wasn't long before we heard yet another growl and the air once again fell silent, before a powerful, incredibly loud sound, much like a hurricane, deafened everything and I held my ears.
Briefly, the earth shook. That kept happening...why did that keep happening?
Even when Smaug was in the sky.....I didn't understand.
After the T.A.R.D.I.S. rattled in response, all went quiet once more. Master tilted his head a little, as he stood next to me, still listening. After a few minutes of waiting, he looked at me. "...Who was that?"
"Let's not stick around long enough to find out." I moved to the control panel.
"To the mountain!" "The WHAT?!" "Sorry, error, that didn't come out right--to the fields near the mountain, so we don't get eaten!" "That's better!"
Master skipped ahead of me and took control, lifting the ship up high into the air, and steering it over the town, towards the wide open fields that lay far away.
Ahead rested the Lonely Mountain, which the top part was shrouded in smog, giving it an eery feel.
The closer we got, the more huge it became.
Not far from it was the city of Dale. Plagued with ruin from when Smaug had first arrived and attacked the area to take over the mountain itself. It was a sad sight, knowing the history behind it and how it came to such a crumbling set of buildings, empty of any residents.
We finally landed with a jerk in a soft -- lol, jk -- very hard rock that was flattened at the top and once we were on solid ground -- real solid ground -- the ship made a final shake, before settling into a peaceful, still ease. It's engine powering down sounded like a screechy cat.
Once we were landed, the five of us bolted for the doors and all at once threw them open, immediately sticking our heads out, only to look upward, open-mouthed.
Smaug had once again taken to the skies..we caught sight of him just as he flew towards his "home", and without any more fuss, he landed at the main entrance and silently skulked back inside.
...That was the end of that, for the time being.
The boys and I, even so, let out a breath. We could rest a little, not being chased by a dragon.
I pushed back the group of men and stumbled outside, weak at the knees from all the running and "swimming". When the pressure proved too much to hold, I finally collapsed.
"whew..."
The others slowly followed behind me...Bane started to pace around the T.A.R.D.I.S., while Joker opened a magically-appearing can of beer and started sipping from it, much to my disapproval, where the Master leaned against the doorway, staring all around him. Jim moved and sat next to me.
And he laid a hand on my shoulder..which I smacked away.
"Well, that happened." I sighed.
"It certainly did, you suicidal little wench." My eyes gravitated to the Master, who approached me, his voice teeming with an attitude. "What was all that 'Mission Impossible' *beep* out there?"
"Language." "You nearly got yourself killed!" "Whatta you care?" I turned my head at him.
"Not too long ago, you wanted me dead yourselves."
"Thing is, you're no use to us dead." Jim answered for him, suddenly putting a large portion of my hair behind my ear, without my permission. It was a sweet violation, darn it, what do I even say to those??
"You're precious cargo."
I crinkled my eyebrows at him, then glanced back at the Master. "You guys are so hard on me for doing edgy stuff, yet you do foolish things all the time!" "Because we can afford to. There's only ONE Character Queen...unfortunately." He turned his head.
My eyes snapped at him. With that being said, I angrily sprung up and marched back to the T.A.R.D.I.S., violently shoving him out of the way. Quickly, I stomped inside, snatched the arrow, then exited once more.
This time, I circled the ship and began to travel down the small hill we had rested on.
"Where are you going?!" Bane exclaimed from afar.
"Whereever I want!" I yelled behind me.
I officially lost count of the amount of arguments the Master and I had had since we started traveling with eachother. Even Jim...even Joker and I, weren't this bad...then again, Jim wasn't necessarily up for my kind of confrontation, more for flirty sass-backs or intellectual burn-fests..and after the first two goings with the Joker, the dude just wanted to kill me.
But yeah...I was wet, chilled, bleeding, angry, and completely clueless as to what to do.
Oh yeah, I was bleeding.
I paused a second to check my hand. The darn thing was now a gruesome green and purple combination. Without being cleansed with medicine or washed properly, it was becoming a festering ugliness.
Deep red blood, both dry and fresh, covered half of my hand, attempting to travel down my wrist.
Had I known the cut I received was this bad, I would've done something sooner.
But alas, the wound was now infected.
"Aw great, just what I need. Another injury."
"Miss Sarah!!"
My head lifted, only for me to be pleased with the lovable sight of my dwarves, who were running up the hill, as fast as their legs could take them. "You're alive!!" Kili exclaimed.
"Dwarves!!" I put my glove back on and hurried the rest of the way to them, just as they all greeted me with warm hugs and delighted laughter. "Bless the stars, you got here safely!" Gloin exclaimed.
"Barely. It took me a bit of work, but I managed to get here in one piece." "Smaug came after you, then?"
"HA. He practically wanted to take me out to dinner....literally."
Their faces became worrisome at this news.
Thorin pushed his way up to me. "Where did he go?"
I gestured with my head, "Back to the mountain."
His eyes then shifted to the giant rock, and I swear...the same lust and greediness that nearly got him killed in the final installment (for he died another way) had entered his eyes at that second, lighting the two marbles like a poisonous flame. And it worried me. Everything was happening too soon.
"Sarah!"
My eyes turned to Bard, who too was running up the mountain towards us. I spotted another, struggling behind him, soon to be revealed as Alfrid. My eyes widened as the two grew closer.
"Bard?! What are you--" "The dwarves told me you stayed behind! Is that true?"
I deflated a little, as if I were being scolded. "...yes.."
"That was foolish! You could have gotten yourself killed!"
"Oh, for criminy's sake! I'm tired of people getting on to me about that! I just live dangerously, get over it!"
I lifted my arm and showed the party what I possessed. "Had to go back for this beauty.."
Bard's eyes shifted and his mouth ran agape. "The black arrow! You got it! But------how did you--"
"A discussion for another time. Why don't you tell me why you're here?" My eyes cut at Alfrid, who was out of breath. "I still don't know why I'm even here!" He huffed.
Bard turned his head to him, then pushed him forward, "Well, go on, then.."
Alfrid shot his head at him, then me. "..Right! Well..the townspe'ple..the snivelin' rats, have turned agains' the Masta, and are now rallyin' to turn again' his power."
But my blank face remained unimpressed and I merely shrugged my shoulders. "So?"
Alfrid gawked. "...SO, come an' fix it, girly!"
"It no longer concerns me what happens to the lard toad, beyond the evacuation. My job was to get everyone out safely, not to play law enforcement for your boss. I gave you two a chance to live, but that doesn't mean I'll step in to save you from the consequences of your own actions."
He was generally shocked. "Wha--you--you helped 'im! You did right by 'im! You sided with 'im!"
"Ah-ah.." I waggled a finger. "I actually didn't. I merely used the chomp for my advantage. If the people were all focused on him, Smaug would've attacked and they had've all perished. I convinced them enough to get out. But now that they're safe, the situation is out've my hands. I'll let nature play out however it wants to with that...." "YOU LITTLE!!" He was about to plunge forward, but Bard grabbed onto the back of his robe and restrained him. "Do remember, she is a lady, Alfrid. A true gentleman stays his hand."
Alfrid was let go and he angrily shoved his arms down, in protest.
"That's right." One of the dwarves spoke up, and suddenly I was surrounded by the short men, who were all getting out their weapons. My brows raised at this abrupt defense.
"You plan on attacking the lady, you'll just have to go through us!" Ori said, as tough as he could be.
Alfrid made a sour face at them, but eventually gravitated back behind Bard. "I don' want no trouble.."
Bard looked back at me, shaking his head at Alfrid's behavior in shame, as if trying to excuse the little worm's bad nature. I just smirked at everything. Couldn't help myself.
Everyone here who wasn't a hungry dragon or bloodthirsty orc or fat old master of a lake town or Alfrid, was generally kind and defensive of me. Something I was really appreciating while I could.
"That's right..you heard, Lickspiddle! 'Bout time you showed me a little respect!"
I put my hands at my hips like a fashion model and almost posed.
Until one of the dwarves turned to me, "Now what, your majesty?"
Bard practically tossed his head in my direction, with the utmost alarm in his face.
"MAJESTY?!"
WHERE WAS THE NEAREST ROCK?!
"You're royal?! A princess?!" "No--" Ori corrected, turning to him with a smile. "She's a queen!"
Bard was too shocked to react any further, so it was Alfrid who was the next to freak out.
Upon hearing the reveal, he jumped out from behind the bowman and instantly began to dust himself, fixing up his crazy bed hair and clothes and put on the finest smile you can imagine...which was still disturbing.
Then he leaped ahead, got on one knee and flashed his arms, as if he were presenting me as a new car.
"All hail Sara'! Ruler of the littl' pe'ple!"
My mouth fell to the ground. "I AM NOT, YOU SLIME!! WHAT THE HECK?!"
"Actually, she did say she was part Leprechaun!" Nori said, with a grin.
Alfrid shot up, "Queen of the Leprechauns! Bringer of the luck of the common short folk!"
My hand instantly went over Nori's mouth.
"Savior of the noble waters! Defier of orcs! Inciter of riots!"
Was this my legacy?
"Nimble springer of tiny legs! Mind of a child, but bravery of a nitwit!"
I HEARD ENOUGH.
"I am not the ruler of Leprechauns, you imbeciles!"
They all flinched at my sudden raised voice.
"Queen of what, exactly, I can't tell you, but I'm sure as heck not the ruler of short people!"
My feathers ruffled, I stormed past the dwarves and grabbed Alfrid by the collar of his robe and brought the ugly little cretin in close (...but not too close).
"And since your boss will soon be dealt with swiftly by the townspeople, you'll soon be unemployed..might as well make yourself useful!" With a flick of the wrist, I tossed him behind me and he fumbled to the ground.
"--You are now, officially, part of my council. Welcome aboard, Lickspiddle!"
His eyebrows flexed in half-suspicion, half-intimidation. "How do you know my full name?!"
I shook my head at his question, putting on a more regal, secretive attitude, against my usual careless, punk-like behavior. "I know all that there is to know.."
With a swift turn, I spun around and pointed at him.
"I know how you die, Alfrid! I know how the dwarves take back the mountain..I know Bard's fate..I know how Bilbo's journey ends..I know what becomes of Smaug..and the elves..and the Master...and Lake Town..and everything!"
They all suddenly looked a bit frightened by this and I'm sure the question of me being a witch was once again raised. "But here's the down-low...unfortunately, someone has come here with the intention of altering said events. And he intends to make the bad occurrences ten times worse. In doing so, he's already made a mess of your timeline, and it can't be helped. Which is why, precisely why, I am here. I'm here to help you all and make sure things get turned around."
Departing from the group, by a few steps, I walked towards the mountain.
"We need to defeat Smaug. He was woken up prematurely and for some reason, is after me...but..whoever woke him ordered him back in town to return to the mountain and 'wait' his 'turn'."
My body rotated towards the rest of the land, which was darkened by the night time, traces of moon and starlight scattered about here and there.
"..He was referring to the orc army. He even said it. They were supposed to come much later, but by the way he said it, it's safe to bet they're already on their way."
"Orc army.." Thorin repeated, pressing his fingers against his lips. "....no....."
"Are you sure of this?!" Bard exclaimed. I nodded my head at them, seriously.
"...For now, we need to focus on the army and wait on Smaug. They'll be coming strong, in lots of numbers and lots of earth worms and trolls and anger and hormones..and they'll also be bringing in bats from-"
"Gundabad."
We all swung around to see the newly arrived Legolas. By his side stood Tauriel, the two of them looking at all of us with shifty eyes. "She speaks the truth.." Legolas continued.
With that, he turned his head at me and nodded, respectively.
"What do you need, my queen?"
---to be continued---
The suspense and thrill is killing me! This part is too good, I can't wait to see how you all will defeat this terrible turn of events!
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