Chapter Text
The plane was coasting at an altitude of 35,000 feet; just above the range of the radar used for the surface to air missile defenses of the Fort Gundabad prison installation. This wasn’t Captain Tauriel “Starlight” Sylvan’s first HALO jump, but no matter how much you trained or how psyched up you got, your stomach still ended up in your throat when looking out the open cargo bay door into the dark blue abyss of the night. This time was no different. Her team had taken off from Esgaroth Air Base, traveling west into the setting sun, until they reached the border of the Misty Mountains. They had then turned north towards the drop zone; just over the border in Angmar Province.
The cold wind was a loud roar in her ears as she glanced at her two companions, illuminated by the red “hold” light above them. Lieutenants Sigrid “Songbird” Bowman and Legolas “Golden Boy” Greenleaf, were conducting a final check of their gear, inspecting each other’s parachutes and making sure weapons were secured in their proper places. Both were battle hardened and well versed in high risk snatch and grab jobs such as this would be. They looked as determined as she felt and Tauriel couldn’t help the swell of pride she felt as she watched them.
She had first met them both when the three had all been assigned to the small Special Forces sub-unit which had been cobbled together to infiltrate Dol Goldur; an old, and long abandoned, military stronghold in the south of Mirkwood. Through clandestine means, it had come under the control of a vicious warlord…a terrorist calling himself The Necromancer.
Their mission, Tauriel’s first in command, had been to rescue a kidnapped ambassador who was being held for ransom. It had been rumored in the intelligence they had collected for the mission that The Necromancer practiced a form of black magic…and had even delved into cannibalism. The mission, thankfully, had been successful, with the ambassador restored to his post and The Necromancer slain; but Tauriel’s stomach still churned at the memories of the nightmarish things she had seen and done. They haunted her to this day.
She feared this mission would be similar and quietly hoped they would all make it out alive…
***
Two days prior, Tauriel had been called off of a long overdue forty-eight hour liberty pass not twelve hours in, and had been ushered into a classified briefing with her CO, Commander Bard “Black Arrow” Dragonsbane.
After taking the proffered seat across from Dragsonbane, Tauriel was directed to the images of two men displayed on the wall mounted flat screen. They were pictured side by side and although the two were different in appearance, there was something about them that immediately said “brothers”. The blond man had a full head of neatly combed hair that reached his shoulders; elaborately woven braids on both sides of his head. Some hung down below his ears while others, she could tell, were holding the bulk of his mane securely together at the back. She noted that he sported a thick, short beard and a mustache; which was also braided and secured with beads at the ends of each side.
When she looked at the second photo, her heart skipped a beat. This man had long, wavy dark hair which seemed to reach well past his shoulders. His dark eyes smoldered and a smile that should be illegal lit his face. She saw that while he too sported braids, they weren’t nearly doing their office, as stray strands were noticeable all over. He had a light dusting of dark stubble gracing his face, but not much in the way of an actual beard. She was oddly glad of that, silently questioning why anyone would want to cover such a handsome visage. Overall, she felt he had a roguish air about him. Valar please don’t let him be someone I’m ordered to kill.
“Starlight, what I am about to tell you has been classified at the highest levels and at the moment is known by only a handful of people in the entirety of Arda. She nodded in understanding. This wasn’t her first rodeo.
“The two men before you are the heirs to the throne of Erebor, Princes Fili and Kili Dwarrow, respectively. They are King Thorin Oakenshield’s nephews and normally their identities are kept secret, for security purposes,” he paused, looking to see her reaction. When she stared back at him, wide eyed and silent, he continued.
“Well, not two hours ago they were abducted; yes, both of them. Taken from separate locations at the same time in what we believe was a coordinated strike…a first act, if you will, in a larger, long pomised plot to assassinate the Line of Durin.” Tauriel’s jaw dropped at that. The Kingdom of Erebor was the eastern neighbor to their own country of Mirkwood.
“We have received intel that they were taken by a group of mercenaries for hire employed by a piece of filth we are all well familiar with.” A new photo flashed up onto the screen, replacing the handsome brothers.
“Azog Melkor,” she spat, her face contorting into a grimace at the sight of the scarred face belonging to the most notorious mass murderer ever to grace the face of Arda.
“Indeed,” replied Dragonsbane.
“We believe he is behind the abductions, and although he hasn’t claimed responsibility for it yet, he has always been the most outspoken enemy of Erebor. Our sources along the northern border have also reported increased activity at Gundabad Fortress and if Melkor does have the Princes, there can be no doubt as to what his intentions are; he means to end the Line of Durin. The real question now, is will he use them first to make their uncle and people suffer? Or are they dead already?”
“Sir, while I appreciate the severity of the situation…how does Mirkwood factor into this equation? Surely Erebor will not allow us to interfere in their private State matters.” The relations between their King, Thranduil and King Thorin of Erebor, while not openly hostile, were also not exactly friendly and the Naugrim were known to be very secretive about their ways and traditions. Tauriel had heard they had even developed a language only spoken in front of others of their race.
“Ah, but it is not only Erebor’s concern Starlight. Should the Kingdom Under the Mountain fall, any security Mirkwood had to the east would vanish. What then would stand between us and the lawless lands of Rhun?”
Tauriel thought about that. Dragonsbane was right; if Erebor fell, Mirkwood might not be far behind. It could throw their country into a bloody war that might last years, decades even. They could not allow that to happen.
“What is my mission then sir?” as if she didn’t already know what Dragonsbane was going to say.
“As soon as we receive more conclusive information you and your team will HALO into Angmar Province and infiltrate the Gundabad installation in an attempt to recover them. We’ve designated a closed comm frequency for your team’s use in case our transmissions are being intercepted, and we will be using code names for the two Princes going forward. Refer to them as the Lion and the Raven. A rescue and recovery helo will be waiting for your extraction a few klicks away at a designated time.”
“When do we leave?”
“ First thing tomorrow, so gather your team and re-familiarize yourselves with the schematics for Gundabad. There is a transport waiting now to take you to Esgaroth Airfield.”
“Yes sir,” she answered and turned to leave.
“Starlight, one more thing…”
“Sir?”
“Be careful. This mission is strictly off radar so if anything happens; we won’t be able to come get you…no showboating, understood?”
“Understood,” was her stoic and clipped reply.
***
Her thoughts surged back to the present as a particularly strong gust of wind whipped around her face. She gave Songbird and Golden Boy the thumbs up, and as one, all three moved into the ready position and adjusted their dive goggles into place. Tauriel gave one last check over their closed comm frequency and the others followed suit. She then saw the greenlight come on and heard the telltale alarm that sounded when conditions were ready for them to jump.
Tauriel held up her hand and mimed a countdown…3…2…1…
With a running start, they threw themselves out of the airplane silently, one after the other into the darkening twilight sky.