Fiontann and Athlenah went through the old gate with the strange markings carrying Gaeded and Carmillia]] respectively. The wall was of Dwarven make but the symbol on the gate didn't resemble any of the Dwarven symbols that Fiontann has ever seen but on they went. It was a big fort almost on the top of the Northern side of the Misty Mountains and they could see windows on the mountain and some battlements here and there but no doors, so they went on. They went on ahead in the middle of the yard looking around in an attempt to find an entrance into the mountain or a building of some sort but nothing caught their eyes, something filled their ears though. It was a loud grunt or growl, they could not tell as it was coming from afar, they stopped for one moment and looked at each other, then around and took some more steps when another shout or grunt was heard from the same direction. Fiontann turned right, prompting Athlenah who was on his right to do the same and on they went. Suddenly there came a pound in the distance and the earth beneath their feet shook, another pound, another shake. Another shout. Suddenly each pound seemed closer, as well as the shaking and they hurried towards some rocks covered by a stone. Before reaching it the earth beneath them disappeared!
Fiontann was sliding in a dark tunnel with Gaeded beside him for some time, then for half a heartbeat he felt he was in the air and then he felt the hard ground meeting his body and the air escaped his lungs violently. His vision blackened and his chest and back hurt. He draw some deep breaths, choking grunts and breathed in the humid air.
-Gaeded, Athlenah, Carmillia. He whispered in the dark. He couldn't see anything and he didn't want risking being heard. No reply came.
-Athlenah, Carmillia, Gaeded. He said again.
-I'm here. Came Gaeded's voice from not so far to his right.
-Good. Athlenah, Camillia. He repeated once more but no reply came from these two.
Fiontann starting pating his pockets and found the flint and steel. It had been quiet, except for his whispers and Gaeded's reply and he decided to try and make some light. The tool produced sparks but he couldn't see past his feet. As his eyes adjusted to the dark he saw Gaeded next to him.
-We'll need a light. The woman said and started feeling the ground around her to find something to use as a torch. Left, right, over her head. Nothing. She brought her hand up, vertically to the ground and touched something, hard, smooth and long caught between some cobwebs. Gaeded pull it and managed to release it.
-I got something, I'll use some web to make fire. She said and they started getting up.
Gaeded moved whatever she found around to gather some web on it and Fiontann set it ablaze. Again, the light wasn't too much but now they could see more than five feet ahead of them. The light had also shown that what Gaeded found was a bone, the hand of a person who had been caughted in the webs and died.
-A human, that's strange for this part. Said Fiontann.
-Indeed, why would someone come here?
Not knowing what to reply to that Fiontann pulled down the other arm and wrapped the bone in webs. He lit it from Gaeded's torch and put the fire-making tool away. They started going forth, towards the one path that went on in front of them. The walls were all covered in webs and every now and then they would see bodies, skeletons, wrapped in them, lifeless. The ceiling was too high for the light to be seen but it wasn't a hard guess that it was covered in webs as well. They went on until they heard some ticking ahead of them and low screeches. they knew that it meant only one thing and then they saw it. One spider, double the size of a man and three or four smaller ones around it. Fiontann and Gaeded looked at each other, the knew there was no chance to go unseen or turn back. They calmly put the torches down, drew their weapons and charged!
It wasn't a hard fight, despite its size the big spider was easy to kill and the small ones even easier.
The tunnel narrowed down and lowered in height, they could now see the ceiling around them. As they expected it was covered in web. They kept going. The cave was pitch black and the light of the make-shift torches didn't reach far. Still, the shadows played tricks on their eyes. Every now and then they'd think that something was moving in the web, or above them. Maybe the webs were too shiny and reflected the light, making strange shapes on the ground, or even deeper in them and Fion and Gaeded stayed on their toes all that time. Not being able to measure the time that had passed made the whole situation even weighing on them. At the end of the passage they had to stop. It was blocked by webs. They had to cut their way through. They couldn't set fire on it from fear the fire being spread all over. That would mean certain death from the smoke. They started cutting down the webs with difficulty, some were sticky, others were too hard. But they made it and just as they did, the path that they made sealed again behind it as if the spiders that made it were working constantly.
Past the path they reached a big and tall room and they didn't need the torches anymore. In front of them was a shallow lake, or pond. No higher than the soles of their boots and the middle of the ceiling was covered by a large block of ice that let the rays of the sun go through and cast light in the cave. The ice and the water spread it everywhere and the two could see that it was a large room and past the water there was land, but they could not see more than sixty feet, as the light didn't get that far.
They got close to the water and the heard a screech coming from the dark across them. It was louder than the spider they fought earlier and the sounds they were hearing could only be made by a huge creature. They put down the torches and stepped into the water, getting close to the middle of it. Another screech came from the dark and thin legs walked on the hard cold ground.
A huge spider came out of the dark. It was huge and its head only was the size of a cow, on the front of which it had two sets of four eyes left and right and two claws that were as big as a tall man.
-This is it. Said Fiontann. We either die or... I don't know.
-I won't die today. Replied Gaeded.
-Tell that to him.
Fiontann didn't wait. He drew his sword and his shield and started walking towards the giant spider. Gaeded did the same. They knew they reached the end of the line. They would win and try and find an exit or die and become its next meal. The spider didn't wait much. As soon as they started walking towards it the creature lifted its fangs parallel to the ground and sprayed two lines of web consecutively. One towards Fiontann an another towards Gaeded. Gaeded rolled out of the way, keeping the shield in front of her and Fion took a step to his right, turning his body slightly to the left and avoiding getting hit. The spider screeched. They charged. The spider charged.
Two front legs were set forth to stab Gaeded, the experienced woman turned to her right, letting them go between her and stabbed the creature's mouth. At the same time Fiontann slashed hard against a back leg and made the spider turn to him. It turned with force, almost spinning, sending swings of four legs at him one after the other. Fiontann saw it and kneeled, he put the shield in front of him, supporting its bottom part with his knee and took the hits. The first leg hit the shield without a result, the second as well, the third came from slightly further and pushed him out of balance. The fourth leg came and Fion fell to the ground to avoid it. The fangs came down and he rolled away and saw them dig in the cold ground.
Gaeded slashed against the tow back legs once they landed in spot and stabbed the spider in the back, as a reply the spider sent a kick with the left rear leg, hitting Gaeded in the chest and pushing her back. It turned fast and send a front leg at the woman who took two steps back and brought up the shield to block the attack. The spider walked towards her. Fion that had created some distance now covered it as he ran and slashed against the other rear leg hard, making the spider screech and turned violently towards him. But he slashed and run away next to a rock. Gaeded ran and slashed and stabbed at the spider, drawing more screeches and its sticky blood fell to the ground. The spider turned and covered the distance that separated it and the woman and sent forward a leg and a fang to stab her. Gaeded brought up the shield to block the leg but the fang passed over her shoulder, making a deep scratch. Fion on the other side ran and slashed hard against the leg that he slashed first, weakening it. The spider screeched and made towards the darker part of the cave with slow steps, always facing the two, Fion on the left and Gaeded on the right.
Two sprays of web were spat without a warning, first at Fiontann and then at Gaeded. Fiontann was a little tired and when the spider stepped back he lowered his weapons and guard slightly and that was enough to get hit. The force of the web made him step back and he got stuck on the rock and couldn't move. Gaeded gracefully turned her body sideways, dodging the web completely. The spider focused its attention on Fiontann after an unsuccessful attack at Gaeded. It moved towards him swiftly and attempted a stab with a front leg. At that moment Gaeded ran and slashed against its weakened back leg. It seemed to have no effect and as the spider made to turn the lower half broke and the spider lost its balance, as well as the opportunity for a counterattack. Gaeded run to the other side to try and get on the rock that Fion was stuck against but she couldn't. It was too slippery. The spider came forth once more and Gaeded now run behind the rock and got to the left of the creature. The spider tried to stab Fiontann with its leg again but Gaeded slashed against the left rear leg and cut it. The creature's body almost touched the ground. It turned fast to face Gaeded who had already reached the rock and not finding it it screeched angrily. And it turned around not to find Gaeded anywhere.
The spider screeched again and raised its front legs towards Fiontann. It came down hard. Its left fang pierced the stone, almost throwing off it Gaeded who was holding on it close to its top. The right fang pierced Fiontann's left shoulder. He saw white lightning and the pain spread all over the would. He felt his head heavy and aching, his feet giving in. But he stayed there. Stuck to the rock. At that moment and when the spider just pulled its fangs out Gaeded jumped. She held the sword in both hands and her eyes were fixed on the spider's head, just above its eyes. The spider moved upwards pulling the fangs out, Gaeded was falling down with the sword pointing at the creature. It went through the skull easily, like a knife cuts through a well cooked steak. It stopped only when the guard touched the top of the creature's head. The spider stopped mid-air and dropped quietly. Gaeded fell safely on it.
Gaeded got up and ran to Fion.
-Are you alright? She said cutting the webs.
-I'll live for now. Said Fiontann and as soon as he was freed he slid down on the ground. You find an exit.
Gaeded nodded and made for the dark part of he cave. Fiontann found the cloth in an inner pocket and put it over his wound and pressed.
-There is some light here! Called Gaeded and ran back.
-Let's go then. can you help with my weapons?
Gaeded picked up his shield and sword and Fion sheathed the sword and threw the shield over his right shoulder, mustering all his strength to get out of the cave.
The went through the narrow tunnel, following the light in the distance. The went down a set of stairs that seemed as if it was endless but at least they could see the light outside. Suddenly the stairs went straight and as they were at an angle downwards the two started sliding once more. At least this time it was out of the cave. Fiontann just kept his head low and enjoyed the ride, at least for now he didn't have to use whatever strength remained in him to move. The sliding wasn't long and soon they were spat out of the tunnel on the fresh snow, delighted to feel the cold rays of the sun in their faces. The snow was fresh and soothing on their burning bodies after the fight and soon its numbness helped with Fiontann's wound. They couldn't enjoy it though. They had to press on to find a place to camp, laying next to a hillside wasn't the safest option. Fiontann threw away the bloodied cloth and put another on the wound, adjusting his clothes properly in order to press it against the wound to keep the bleeding to a minimum.
Once more all they could see was white. Mountains, the hillside, some trees scattered below and some water further East. Fiontann wasn't in a condition to look around. Gaeded estimated that this was the mountain that the goblins came from the previous night and the two started walking towards the river that they saw. Again, Fiontann slipped and slid all the way down from the hillside. This ride was even more pleasant. Their path lead them to an abandoned goblin encampment. Judging by its condition it was clear that it was long abandoned. Three or four tents with holes were here and there, some rotten logs of wood that once have been barricades or a fence of some sort and broken crates. Gaeded looked around and saw grey and black figures running towards them from the Northern hillside. She fixed her gaze on them for some moments and she realised what they were.
-Wargs! She said.
-Where? Have they seen us?
-I am not sure, we better run.
Fion nodded in agreement and they started East, as fast as they could. Gaeded run, Fion hurried as much as possible behind her, his shoulder in great pain. They reached a big rock, the only thing that could keep them away. After a while Gaeded's attempts proved fruitful and she climbed on it, despite the sharp edges and the steep side. Fion on the other hand couldn't climb with a damaged shoulder. The woman jumped down and drew her weapons.
-I'm not leaving you.
-You almost made it. Reach the top and pull me up. Fion said and passed her one end of the rope.
Gaeded repeated her movements and with a final push she got on the rock. Fiontann wrapped the rope around him, regretfully, to have to be pulled up like that and avoid a fight and nodded at her. The woman was strong and with some stepping form Fiontann she pulled him up. The wargs had picked up their smell and while she was pulling him up they ran towards them. But they reached them as soon as they made themselves comfortable on the rock. The wargs tried to get on the rock, howled, growled threateningly, tried again. But they could not get up. The rock was too steep. Fiontann slid against the rock on his back and say down, spreading his legs comfortably. He took out the bandages and his wineskin, he poured whiskey from it on a bandage and put it against his wound wincing, then wrapped the other one around it tightly to stop the bleeding as much as possible and took a swing from the wineskin. Gaeded finally sat down too, catching her breath. They were tired from the previous fight.
-Can you help me with this? Said Fiontann while his right hand worked its way in his pockets and brought out the pipe and the pipeweed.
-I don't know how.
-Just shove pipeweed in the pipe.
Gaeded did so and handed it back. Fiontann stomped on it with his thumb and took out his flint and steel.
-And with this? He said and bit the neck of the pipe, bringing his head closer to the woman. Gaeded lit the pipe and handed him the tool. Fion started smoking.
-This is life. Almost. He said and put the pipe on his lap and took another swing, handing it to Gaeded.
-It could be better. Came the woman's reply as she refused the drink.
-Have some, we're not going anywhere, we may as well rest.
-Yes but I don't want to get drunk.
-You don't have to. I won't. It helps with the cold too.
Gaeded refused and Fion kept on smoking.
-We could be in a better place. Said Gaeded.
-Yes, by a hearth, with ale, a boar on a spit, women.
Gaeded smirked and shook her head.
-A hearth in Helm's Deep. It was the best.
-Why? What did you do there?
-We rested there between the fights in the war. We kept getting the officers angry.
-How?
-Drinking games, fighting.
-Army! Commented Fiontann and took another swig.
Three good hours had passed and the sun had made its way to the other side of the sky, making ready to set in a couple of hours. The wargs were still down there and Fiontann made a snowball and threw it on a warg. The warg got up angry, barked, tried to get on the rock, failed and sat down again. Fion made another snowball, poured whisky on it and threw it in the wargs face.
-Here! Take this bastard!
The warg didn't even look at him, it just stayed there.
-That won't work. Said Gaeded.
-No but it may get him drunk. Then he'll fight the others.
-He'll lose, no help to us.
-Well get another drunk and another another till they are all out. Said Fiontann and laughed.
Some more time passed and suddenly the wargs got excited and started howling, some even tried to get on the stone again, one was looking intently to the Northwest. Fiontann and Gaeded looked there too. More wargs were coming, more than thirty they reckoned, even more than forty. They sighed but this time they did not sit down. That was very bad news.
Suddenly a horn sounded from the East, a horn that they had never heard before. They looked at each other, then at the howling wargs.
-Goblins?
-Probably.
They saw armed figures coming down from the mountain fast, the wargs from the other side. They waited to see. They had lost almost all hope by now. Death seemed almost certain. In a last vain attempt they took hold of their weapons for a last stand.
-I suppose we will die today. Said Fiontann grimacing from the pain, though he kept the shield, weakly. Gaeded did not reply.
A rain of arrows flew past them, making them fall on the rock and then sit down on it. They weren't aiming at them, three or four wargs fell dead and a band of Dwarves appeared, about the same number as the wargs and a great battle started. The two sighed with relief. The Dwarves were hammering the wargs hard, but the wargs were fierce and did not take a step back. At the head of the Dwarven band was Therden, the stout Dwarf with the battleaxe in Dindrik's company. He was hammering the wargs with force, keeping them away from him, none could get past his great-hammer's reach. Some feet next to him was Dindrik in his blue and gold armour and his two bladed battleaxe. He kept swinging it skillfully, killing wargs. Somewhere close to the frontline line a pitch black warg, three times the size of the rest was grabbing Dwarves in its great teeth and threw them away in all directions, cutting a bloody line towards the rest of its opponents.
Fiontann and Gaeded were watching, happy to live another day. Suddenly a warg made a jump and reached the edge of the stone, bringing its teeth forward for a bite at either of the two but it did not make it. An arrow pierched its head, dropping it dead on another warg. Fion and Gaeded turned towards where the arrow came from and saw Athlenah on the stone on the other side with the Dwarven archers, next to Blosi, the thinner Dwarf of Dindrik's company woh carried a bow. They were shooting arrows on the wargs tirelessly. Athlenah's aim was true most of the time. It hit a charging warg straight into its open mouth, its tip coming out of the top of its head. Making the two cheer for her. Another warg fell with an arrow in its muzzle and the fight went on. No side seemed to lose ground. Wargs and Dwarves fought with the same zeal and strength. Another warg almost reached the edge of the stone but it slipped and fell. An arrow flew past Gaeded and Fiontann's heads and they turned to look at Athlenah who was nocking another arrow.
-Hey! Watch it! Shouted Fion half amused.
-You'll kill us! Added Gaeded and they sat down again.
The Dwarves started to gain ground. Therden's hammering was gaining ground, inch by inch, Dindrik had broken through the lines and was slashing and cutting on all sides. The sounds of the wargs were now mostly whining than growls and they kept stepping back. The arrows dropped a few more. Some more Dwarves fell, but their kinsmen kept fighting. It wasn't long and the wargs started running back where they came from. The Dwarves started cheering.
-Are you planning to stay up there all day? Said Dindrik looking at the two.
Fion shrugged and motioned at his shoulder. Dindrik sent some Dwarves to help them down.
-Great warriors, standing on a rock during a fight. Said the Dwarf.
-Hey! I killed a giant spider! Protested Gaeded.
Dindrik shook his head and walked off, amused.
-What spider? Asked one of the Dwarves that helped them down.
-It was in a cave not far from here. Said Gaeded and pointed at the hillside where they came from.
-Good job. She killed my cousin. Said the Dwarf.
Athlenah joined the two and they walked with the Dwarves to their fort.
