8 VII. Orc Raid

Lucien broke from the hold the guards had on him and ran after Legolas and the redheaded she-elf. He heard them chasing after him and calling him to halt but the wizard paid no mind as he picked up his pace, occasionally looking over his shoulder to grin at his followers. He couldn't help but rile them up further.

Slipping into a group of soldiers, Lucien tried to act just as they did, straightening his posture, staring ahead and turning his expression blank. No one seemed to notice the new addition to their group.

"Wizard!" They really don't give up, do they? Lucien rolled his eyes hard and squeezed through two elves towards the front. He had to get outside before those orcs found the dwarves floating in the barrels, just waiting to be killed.

As soon as the guards found their way outside they all ran off towards the orc raid and that meant near the river where the dwarves were. Lucien wondered what their reaction would be when they saw him again.

Legolas and his friend were fighting off the vile creatures, arrows flying through the air and embedding in the heads of their enemy. The accuracy was beyond anything and their fighting was as graceful as a professional dancer, Lucien was amazed as he joined in on the battle.

"Lucien?!" There someone goes again, calling his name.

The one in question did not turn his attention away from the orc coming straight for him, he had no weapon but he did have an arm. Lucien stepped to the side and raised an arm away from causing the orc to run its throat straight into his forearm and Lucien instantly let out a bark of laughter.

"Take that you piece of-!" The wizard was interrupted by a yell of pain from a short distance away. Turning his eyes towards the scream, Lucien saw Kili laying on the ground near the gate. "Kili!" He exclaimed in worry, racing over to see what had happened to his friend.

It was an arrow. An orc arrow sticking out of his thigh. This wasn't good.

Lucien grabbed him, "Get up. Get up!"

"You came back?" The young dwarf frowned at the sight of him up close, seeing the crazed look on his face and the redness in his cheeks.

Lucien ignored him and shoved him along towards his barrel, "Get in, I'll be right behind you!"

Before he could see it, something caught him from behind and threw him down. There were a few yells but it didn't seem to register in the wizard's mind as he tried pushing the growling beast off his body. "You really need a mint." He grunted.

The dwarves and hobbit were washed down the river as the gate opened and it caused quite a bit of outrage though they knew they did not have a choice in where and when they were going.

Lucien was still having trouble but he managed to reverse their position and rolled them over, slamming its head against the ground as it growled and gurgled in anger. "Just. Shut. Up. And. Die." He repeated until it loosened its grip enough for him to get up and run after the company.

Legolas was seen jumping from head to head along the river which made Lucien quite amused, to say the least, but as he stepped onto the hill to shoot an oncoming orc, one crept up behind him, ready to attack the prince.

Thinking quickly, the wizard eyed the sword in the other prince's hand, "Thorin!" He yelled, catching his attention over the battle, "Sword!" Holding out a hand, the weapon was thrown his way. He caught the hilt and tossed it straight through the abdomen of the enemy.

Appearing quite shocked, Legolas looked his way. He hadn't realised the wizard had followed him or escaped his guards, obviously he wasn't going to leave the dwarves so willingly so he shouldn't be too surprised but he was surprised to see he had saved him so quickly, without a thought. It felt as if they should be against each other, he was raised to be cold towards dwarves and anyone that affiliated with them. They escaped their hold for Eru's sake. So why did he have no hate in his heart for the 'legendary' green wizard?

Lucien was running out of time, he would not be able to chase after the group for much longer.

"Jump in the river already!" Dwalin yelled to the wizard. It honestly shocked him but he did as he said anyway. He dived into the rushing rapids, feeling the cold water wash over him in a bone-chilling gush. His head froze in a dull pain and he tried to push through it as he swam to the top.

Something caught onto his wrist and Lucien shook his hair away from his face to see Thorin gazing at him with relief and what seemed to be a little anger. They were going to talk later, that's what that look told him.

The wizard sighed and leaned heavily against the wood, trying not to get knocked off by the waves crashing into both of them. It was straining his muscles but it was better than drowning to death.

Over time, the river turned calmer. Lucien could finally touch the ground which meant they could leave them the damn river, everyone was tired and one of them needed medical attention though they knew they did not have the right tools.

Lucien pulled Thorin's barrel up onto the riverbank, his legs almost giving up on him and his hands could barely grip anything. Cold and fatigue were all he felt.

"Why did you leave?" Was the first thing Thorin said when they reached land.

Lucien quietly groaned, "I was trying to help," He told him, receiving an odd look, "Do you not trust me Thorin?"

The sudden question made the dwarf fell slight guilt but that is what the wizard wanted and he would not give him that. "Have I ever had a reason to trust you?"

"Have you ever had a reason not to trust me?"

He was stumped, he got him there.

So, what was next?

Kili had been shot with a poisonous arrow and it was clear it was quickly affecting him. He looked sickly and pale with sweat trickling down his forehead. The young dwarf put on a brave face as he did when put in front of any danger but this would surely kill him and everyone knew it.

Lucien and Fili stuck close with the injured dwarf while the rest roamed around closely, trying to understand where they were and where they would go.

"I'm worried," Fili mumbled to a crouched Lucien at his side.

The wizard turned his gaze to the blonde who continued to stare at his younger brother. He nodded, "I know. So am I."

"It's just," Fili's voice shook, "What will I do without him?"

Lucien frowned, "Hey," He turned the dwarf to face him, his eyes softening at the sight of tears in the young boy's eyes. "He's not going anywhere. I promise. He's much too stubborn being your brother and Thorin's nephew," They chuckled, "And if something does happen, I'm sure you will always be together no matter the circumstance."

Fili smiled, "You think?"

"Of course."

"Get yourselves ready, we need to leave." Thorin's deep voice demanded his company.

"Kili's been shot," Fili told his uncle, pleading him to let his brother rest.

He only shook his head, "This place will be swarming with Orcs in a matter of hours."

Thorin was right, they had to leave before they caught up but Kili would not be able to walk for much longer. Something had to be done, they just didn't know what.

However, seeing his eldest nephew's and wizard's pleading looks, Thorin sighed, "Fine. Ten minutes." And with that, they were left to tend to the injured or mope around by themselves.

Lucien sat beside Kili, eyeing the bandage around his leg.

"I'm fine." The brunette croaked.

Lucien smiled slightly, "Of course you are, my friend."

A moment of silence fell over them at the same time a shadow did with an unfamiliar and tall stature.

Kili grabbed a rock while Lucien stepped in front of him, now facing the human pointing an arrow directly at his face, so close it almost touched his cheek. Dark eyes stared down at threateningly, showing the power he held and the strength that resided within.

This wasn't good.