《Rome on Middle Earth (ROME)》


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    Legion - 10000 soldiers


    Cohort - 500 soldiersIf you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Company - 100 soldiers


    Battalion - 50 soldiers


    Commander - General of the legion


    Garen - Commander of centurions and a praetorian guard


    Darius - Cavalry officer and a praetorian guard


    Praetorians - Royal guards


    Centurions - Officers below commanders


    Captains - Officers below centurions


    Auxiliary - non-citizens of Rome but are part of the legion


    P.S If anyone is wondering about the size of the legion and ranks there is an explanation in the ff chapters. First time writing a fanfic, pls comment if there is any errors.

 Chapter 1 - The Legion

    Germania


    In the fields of Germania, two armies were about to clash. Red armored soldiers could be seen holding large square shields as they marched to form several lines of square formations. These soldiers are the famous legions of Rome which has been expanding their territories for the past century aggressively. Their many wars have brought down many ancient kingdoms and nations that have brought great shock to the known world that barely any person never heard of them. On the opposite side of their army are the coalition of barbarians from the different tribes of Germania united to halt the expansion of Rome.


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    Tiberius POV


    "A great day for a battle isn''t it you''re highness?" Shouted a man.


    I looked towards the man who was smiling excitedly, my right-hand and childhood friend Darius Noxus, he''s a twenty-one year old, has short black hair and is the bastard son of the Noxus family, a powerful patrician nobleman in Rome. Darius was sent to me at a young age to become a member of my praetorian guard.


    Looking towards the legions I recall why we were here and why there is a battle. Rome''s northern borders have been harassed by Germania''s barbarians for the last a couple of years. The barbarians have always been raiding the outskirts villages and towns for a long time yet lately it became more frequent. The Emperor finally had enough and ordered me, his stepson Tiberius Claudius to pacify and bring Roman rule to Germania.


    "Yes, it is" I responded while looking at Darius. "We''ve finally cornered the barbarians, now they don''t have a choice other than to fight us in the open field where our heavy infantry has a greater advantage." I smiled at him. "Very soon our victory will be upon us."


    Darius grinned and replied. "And our revenge right?"


    "Yes, the soul of our fallen will be at peace in the underworld." I bowed my head as I recall what happened. "They''ve been harassing us since the beginning of the campaign. We''ve lost many good legionnaires from their constant harassment, but in the end, the mighty legions of Rome will triumph like always."


    Looking towards legions, I noticed they''ve completed their preparations. The legions formed several neat lines of square formations with even spaces in between as to allow the reserves to quickly support any gaps in the formation. The soldiers seem to be split into their respective cohorts on the battlefield. They quietly stand holding their large shields and javelins as they waited for the sound of trumpets that would signal the beginning of the battle.


    On the other side of the open field, I can see the coalition of barbarians gathering into line formations. Contrary to the disciplined and neat line of the legions, I can see how undisciplined the barbarians were, their lines are disordered with no sense of unity at all. I watched as they shouted and screamed vulgar words towards their direction trying to taunt them.


    "Uncivilized mongrels"


    Observing the barbarians I noticed how ill-equipped they were for battle, wearing only animal skins or leather clothes, I can even see some of the barbarians were topless or naked showing their tattoos proudly like it would protect them from our steels. Unlike the legions they were poorly equipped yet even so those barbarians are still a threat, they were taller, bigger and stronger than any Romans. "But what we Romans lack we compensate with discipline and unity in the battlefield."Stolen story; please report.


    Looking at the field I nod as I compare the two armies, with this battle the campaign that lasted for eight months will about to reach its conclusion.


    "I can finally prove to the emperor that I am worthy to be his son and heir to the throne." I quietly whisper to myself as I think about the emperor''s reaction when I bring the news of victory.


    I signaled my flag bearer to begin the march.


    Woooooo!


    As soon as my signal was received I heard the sound of blowing trumpets signaling the start of a battle. I watched as thirty thousand legionnaires marched towards the forty thousand barbarians,


    Comparing the two armies sizes I smiled in confidence. "Being outnumbered in this battle will be costly but I know we will win."


    I smiled as I predict what will happen. The barbarians have short patience and will soon recklessly charge towards the shield wall after they failed to harass the front with their archers. They have fewer range weapons than the legions and their cavalries numbering only around five thousand. Like Gaul was before it was conquered, the forest of Germania made horses difficult to rear in large numbers. The barbarian coalition are mostly infantry. They could have been a bigger threat to Rome if they were properly equipped but too bad that they were too uncivilized and divided to put in use the resources of Germania properly.


    Unlike Germania the Roman Empire has a proper standing army. The legions were trained by veteran instructors and were equipped by the vast resources of Rome. While the barbarians lived in tribes divided, fighting one another when resources are scarce because of the lack of trust to trade with each other. They only unify to form a coalition when there is a bigger threat like they do when they raid the borders of Rome.


    They were strong together when they were united but their unity is fragile. Their armies being undisciplined would rout once their casualties reach a certain number, they would scatter as every man runs for himself. Unlike the barbarians the legionnaires were trained to strictly follow the commands of their ranking officers making routing rare unless certain defeat.


    Observing the coalition I noticed how they don''t have proper military ranks as Rome does, their army was divided by their respective chieftains and shamans.


    I shook my head at their stupidity. "Fools they are, their commands won''t be relayed properly with that kind of line up."


    The military system of Rome is more advanced compared to their neighboring countries. Its military system is why Rome dominates the Mediterranean. Because of the military system that Rome invented, the Roman Empire became what it is today. With the ever-growing empire and its proven system, they will soon grow larger as the empire expands. The borders of the empire will grow longer as they continue to expand in all directions as they conquer the neighboring nations.


    "This is why Rome became an empire in only short amount of time." I smiled confidently.


    I dreamed about the future of Rome when my thoughts were interrupted by loud screaming. Looking towards the front I see the barbarians beginning to harass the legions with their archers as I had predicted. Watching the legionnaires get into testudo formations I see the arrows fly into the air and falls down towards their direction.


    CLANG!


    I heard the sound of arrows deflecting on the shields.


    "Argh, my arm!" A legionnaire screamed.


    Even though the shields of the legionnaires were bigger than any other armies in the world, some of the arrows still managed to get into the gaps. The rain of arrows dealt injuries to the legions but failed to do any real damage to the army. After a while I see the barbarians losing their patience seeing that their attack was ineffective and broke what little formation they had as they charged towards shield wall.


    I sigh as I watched their reckless charge. "This will be a long day."

 Chapter 2 - Barbarians of Germania

    Germania


    Tiberius POV


    I watched the barbarian army charge towards the shield wall before issuing my command.


    "Archers nock your arrows and wait for my command!"


    The archers nodded as they raised their bows aiming towards the sky, waiting for the enemies to be in their firing range.


    I feel the earth shake as the barbarian army charges and the sound of screaming men as they roared their warcries trying to demoralize the legion yet they don''t know how disciplined my legionnaires are. The strict training that they received when they were recruited made them have a stronger will than any other normal men.


    "They''re just wasting their breath."


    The barbarians looked intimidating with their large size and strong build, they looked and behaved like wild animals too, especially the ones that wore animal skins.


    I watched my men silently stand and stare at the charging enemies as the barbarians wave their weapons around and screamed in exhilaration thinking that the legionnaires were intimidated by their actions.


    I smirked at their futile efforts. "They won''t break the will of my men."


    The legions of Rome has fought too many tough adversaries since its founding. Our history has taught us that Rome''s legions are the mightiest in the world, after all, we conquered Carthage, Egypt, and Greece, all those lands that Rome conquered were home to ancient and powerful nations. "True, that they were tough opponents for Rome, we lost some battles and sustained large casualties yet still, they fell when they faced the might of the legions steels." The people that the legions conquered bowed their heads to Rome''s supremacy as they fell to the legions might.


    "From a republic to an empire, Rome would grow stronger as we continue to expand our borders and now Germania would be next on the list to join our territory."


    I smiled at the thought of me ruling an empire so large that my name would go down in history as the greatest emperor to ever rule.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    As I daydreamed about my future I noticed that the barbarians were at firing range so I issued my command.


    "Archers Release!"


    I watched the arrows fly through the air with quick speed and great height. As the arrows reached the end of their flight they soon fell down bringing a rain of arrows toward the incoming barbarians. The poorly equipped barbarians fell in great numbers, weakening their momentum yet they were still undeterred by their casualties and continued to charge.


    I heard the shouts of centurions ordering the infantry to throw their javelins. The javelins fly before piercing the chest of the barbarians further weakening their momentum.


    "Shield Wall!" I hear the centurions shouting once more as they prepared the men for the incoming impact.


    I feel the bloodlust and excitement of the legionnaires. Knowing soon they will earn merits, enough merits to bring glory and enough merits to own lands, and if they were lucky enough to slay a number of enemies they could earn a promotion.


    They didn''t have to wait long as I see the barbarians are already at the front of the shield wall.


    BOOM!


    Looking towards the front of the legions I heard the sound of bodies slamming at the shields. The barbarians are strong and their charge was heavy yet not enough push the lines of Romans. The lines of shield managed to hold, albeit with great difficulty as the men stand their ground while gritting their teeth.


    "Die barbarians!"


    "Arghh!"


    Soon I heard the screaming of cries and pain as hundreds of men died a second.


    I watched the melee ongoing at the front and praised the enemies. The barbarians were truly strong, physically they could have overpowered any of my men on single combat but too bad wars were fought in large numbers.


    After a while, I see the differences between the two sides as the battle progressed. The legionnaires were helping one another, unlike the barbarians. My men carried the wounded back towards the rear while the barbarians stepped on their fallen comrades even though some were still alive.


    I see the barbarians rushing towards the gaps in the formations but before they can take advantage of it, the legion''s reserves already blocked the gaps. I nod my head as I see the legionnaires staying close in formations so that they could share the burden from the attacks while shaking my head when I see the barbarians recklessly assaulting them without caring how many have to die to breakthrough the legion¡¯s formation.


    Continuing to observe the battle that has been ongoing for three hours, I finally made the decision to deal the finishing blow when I saw the situation deteriorating for the barbarians side.


    "Its time to launch our attack that will end this battle."


    I looked towards my left and give my command. "Darius, take half of the cavalry and flank their left while I go to the opposite side."


    "Yes, your highness! Men to me!" Darius nods and leaves to execute the command.


    I watched as Darius rides with his men into position.


    I nod and unsheathed my blade. "Alright men, let''s end this battle! The emperor is waiting for news of our victory!" I point my blade towards the enemies. "CHARGE!".

 Chapter 3 - Victory

    Germania


    The sound of galloping hooves can be heard in the field of Germania, five thousand cavalries can be seen charging to the right flank of the barbarians formation, leading this charge is the young commander Prince Tiberius.


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    Tiberius POV


    "Enemy cavalry at the front your highness!" Shouted by a praetorian guard behind me.


    I looked towards the enemy cavalry and smiled. "Here comes the appetizer boys!" I point my blade and shouted my command. "Charge!"


    It took less than ten minutes before the enemy cavalry was obliterated. They didn''t stood a chance with our greater numbers.


    I looked at the barbarians who were busy fighting the legionnaires and give my command. "Continue the charge! ATTACK!"


    The barbarians seeing our charge towards their right flank panicked. The chieftains tried to recompose the barbarians but failed when they saw another incoming cavalry from the left. The chieftains and shamans weren''t able to prepare their men before we arrived.


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    Both their flanks were impacted by the cavalry charge. After twenty minutes of fighting, I can see the barbarians starting to lose ground. Outmaneuvered they lost their morale and started to route.


    Looking at the fleeing barbarians I issued my command. "Let them go it will hasten their defeat!"


    I see a chieftain trying to rally his men but failed miserably. "You idiots don''t flee! keep fighting! Argh who hit me?! Fight to the death you imbeciles! Argh, who hit me again?!"


    But like a collapsing dam the entire coalition routed as every man run for himself.


    Looking at the fleeing barbarians, I grinned and gave my command."Chase them down! Rome needs fresh slaves!"


    With a roar the legionnaires gave chase. Two hours after the battle I watched the soldiers clean the battlefield, they dug mass graves, treated the wounded and salvaged gears. Watching them I nod before entering my tent.


    Resting in my chair I see a man wearing white clothes enter. "You''re highness there are too many wounded, we''re lacking medical supplies after the barbarians raided our stocks last month."


    Looking at the physician I thought for a while before ordering. "Prioritise our men and kill those barbarians that are disabled, they have little value being slaves." The officer stared at me before saluting then leaving to execute the order.


    "No mercy eh?" I stared at Darius who was standing behind me. I shrug before replying. "It''s their fault for burning the supplies, if they didn''t burn them we could have enough supplies to treat all the wounded, including them."


    He laughed as he hears me say that. "Cold as usual, well at least we can finally go home. I haven''t slept with a woman for eight months, there are no beautiful women here in Germania. I only see muscular women here, too rough for my taste and were running low in booze and wine."


    "You and you''re hedonistic ways Darius." We hear a voice and see a man entering the tent.

 Chapter 4 - Cleaning up the field

    Germania


    Tiberius POV


    I looked towards where the voice came from and see a man entering the tent. The man that entered the tent was Garen Crownguard, my left hand and childhood friend. He''s twenty-four years old, short brown hair and first son of Pieter Crownguard, a senator and founder of the praetorian guards academy of Rome.


    His father was a foreigner and a wandering mercenary before saving the emperor from an assassination attempt while he was on the road. The emperor gratefully awarded him citizenship and position to become the head commander of the Praetorian guards. Agreeing he later established the praetorian guards academy where they enrolled both commoners and patrician nobles. Because of its success he became a senator by only a short amount of time. When Garen was born he was nurtured to become a praetorian guard. When the emperor married my mother he later join me as my guard.


    I watched Darius and Garen argue like they always do since we were kids.


    Darius laughed and mocks Garen. "Have you ever slept with a woman?" He grins as he said that.


    Glaring at him Garen clasp his chest "My duties come first." He paused "I''m too busy training the men and leading them in battle. I have responsibilities if I become like you the reputation of the praetorian guards would go down the drain."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "BAH!" Darius spats. "What''s so great about what others think?"


    Watching the duo argue I shook my head and intervened before it escalates. "ENOUGH!" They both stopped arguing as the looked towards me. "Both of you stop bickering like children and tell me what''s the situation of the army."


    Garen glares at Darius before shaking his head. Looking towards me he explained the situation of the army. "Your majesty we lost a legion of infantry, the wounded are being treated but we lack supplies, we also managed to salvage some equipment from the field and we captured ten thousand prisoners but they are being rowdy and uncooperative."


    I coldly looked at Garen and replied. "Kill some of the prisoners as an example to show that we won''t tolerate their behavior. They''re now slaves of the empire and must be obedient as slaves if they want better treatment or else will send them to the mines or the gladiator pits." I paused and took a parchment that listed our plunder. "The loot from Germania will be enough to replenish our forces but they need to be trained and equipped, you will be in charge of that."


    Nodding his head Garen saluted then glared at Darius before leaving. Looking at Darius he raised his middle finger at Garen''s departing figure before looking towards me. "We only lost six hundred men from the charge, easy to replace with the loot we have. Some of the soldiers are still chasing down the barbarians." He paused and smiled at me. "We can''t let those precious slaves go right? and we also found some chests filled with Parthian gold in the enemy camp."


    I stared at Darius before replying. "So the information was true, looks like it was the Parthians who instigated those barbarians, they will pay when the emperor finds out. Clean up the battlefield and get the men back into formation we will go back to camp before nightfall."


    Darius saluted before leaving the tent. I stared at Darius departing figure before sitting in my chair to rest.

 Chapter 5 - Rifts Light

    Germania


    Tiberius POV


    After two hours the legions were lined up in front of me.


    "Are the legions ready?" I asked Garen.


    He nods and responded. "The men are rested and ready to march at your command."


    Nodding my head I looked towards the legions. Standing in line formations I can see it in their eyes show pride. No more doubts that I saw at the beginning of the campaign, they thought that I was too young and inexperienced to lead but now they''re glad of me leading them. I led them to victories and now I see in their eyes reverence towards me. With me leading the campaign I showed them leadership worthy of my title.


    Looking at the legions I nod in approval before raising my hand to signal the march.


    BOOM!


    Before the legions could depart we suddenly heard a loud explosion above us. Looking up I saw something that I will never forget, a purple rift can be seen at the sky above. Mouth agape I stared at the growing rift as we hear more explosions. The horses and soldiers panicked as the explosions got louder. I see Garen trying to maintain order but to no avail. The soldiers fell off of their horses as the rift got bigger while I see Darius clinging the neck of his horse trying not falling off.


    I shouted commands when a bright flash of light came from above blinding everyone. Covering my eyes I felt the earth shaking before losing my balance. As my body lands on the ground I lost consciousness.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Opening my eyes, I see the bright sky. I looked around me and see my men and horses lying in the ground unconscious. I stand up and see Darius lying on the ground just besides me.


    Kicking his leg I try to wake him. "Hey wake up Darius!"


    Regaining conscious Darius opened his eyes and look up to me."Five more minutes"


    I can feel the nerve in my head throbbing before kicking him once more. "Wake up!" I paused and shouted., "We''re lost!"


    Opening his eyes he finally became aware of the situation.


    "Wake the others, we''re sitting ducks here." I said to him as I explained our situation.


    Darius stands up and walked towards the person closest to him while I survey our surroundings. Looking at the surroundings all I can see were mountains and mist.


    "Where are we? This isn''t Germania anymore"


    I looked at my surroundings when I heard the grumblings of men waking up. The men were standing and rubbing their eyes as they too survey the area, probably thinking the same as me.


    When everyone was awake I gathered the centurions as we try to make out the situation.


    The centurions screamed in panic as they recalled what happened.


    "What happened?"


    "I remember a loud explosion! My God the rift in the sky! what was that?!


    "Did Jupiter brought down his fury upon us?"


    I looked at the panicking officers and try to calm them down. "No matter what happened we need to calm down first." I paused and looked around. "We don''t know where we are and we don''t recognize our landscapes." I point my finger towards the mountains. "I certainly don''t remember any records of tall mountains like that in Germania."


    Garen nods in agreement. "Yes, no mountains with that much mist exist in Germania."


    Looking around I explained how we should respond. "What we need to do first is to calm the men and check our supplies.¡± I stated. ¡±Rally your battalions! make sure everyone is all accounted for. Darius you secure the prisoners, Garen you check the supplies."


    As they left to execute my command I heard rumblings from the distance.

 Chapter 6 - Misty Mountains

    Misty mountains


    Tiberius POV


    Looking towards the mountain I see 13 midgets and an old man going down the mountain. They were running away from an endless horde of ragtag deformed creatures that were coming out from a crack in the mountain.


    I see them run while fending off those creatures, I observed the creatures chasing them wearing loincloths barely covering their wrinkled skin that is full of disgusting warts, they have sharp teeth and pointy ears, they are four feet tall and were waving their daggers and swords showing their aggressiveness making it obvious that they were hostiles.


    "I''ve seen midgets before in Rome as entertainers and jesters while that old man should be a priest judging by the grey cloak, but what''s up with that hat?."


    The running old man looked towards our direction and shouted something at the midgets before changing their direction to us.


    "Damn it they are luring them to us! Legions to arms!"


    I heard my officers relaying my commands as they rally the men.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Even though the legion is still disoriented from just waking up they showed why the legions of Rome conquered many of their adversaries, the men are disciplined and well trained, they quickly rallied to their centurions and prepared for the upcoming battle.


    "Shield wall!" Screamed by the centurions at the front. Soon men at the front lined up and lifted their shields.


    "Archers nock your arrows!"


    I heard the archers taking their arrows from their quiver.


    "Garen go to the front and lead the men!" I ordered Garen


    Saluting Garen rode his horse to the front along with some centurions. I feel the ground shaking


    "Here they come" whispered by an officer nervously.


    I see the fear in the eyes of my legion, they are still confused, we don''t know where we are, and facing unknown creatures we have never heard of before.


    "I need to increase their morale or we will die here"


    I ride my horse to the front of the army and shout. "Legionnaires! We face the unknown but do you remember who we are? We are the legions of Rome! We defeated the barbarians of Germania, Carthage, Egypt, Greece, now let us defeat those creatures! Look at their frail bodies, they are walking sticks ready to be broken! We will meet them with our steel and shields and show them why we Romans are someone to be feared!"


    The legions raised their swords as they regained their morale.


    "ROAR!"


    Looking at the legion I nod.


    I managed to reignite the flames in their eyes, no longer I see fear and confusion but excitement to taste the blood of the enemy. Riding my horse to the back of the formation I watched the incoming tide and slowly raised my fist to signal the start of the battle. Soon I heard the blowing of trumpets.

 Chapter 7 - Mountain Creatures

    Misty mountain


    Tiberius POV


    I watched as the running midgets and old man reaching the front of the shield wall.


    "Halt!" Shouted by the men in the front.


    They stopped and turned around showing their backs to us and faced the incoming creatures, they unsheathed their swords, hammers, maces, and staff preparing for the upcoming battle.


    I was surprised by their actions, for those midgets and that old man to face those creatures mean they have great courage and showing their back to us and trusting us so quickly. I grin as I see this. I heard galloping behind me, I looked to see Darius coming after securing the prisoners, he goes to my side and raised his axe smiling excitedly for another battle.


    I nod and shouted my command as soon as they are in range.


    "Archers release!"


    Soon arrows fly to the air and rained down on those creatures. Soon shouts of cries can be heard. None of the arrows missed because there were too many targets and they were poorly dressed for battle.


    "Fire at will! You don''t have to aim just keep shooting!"


    More arrows fly into the air and hitting their marks. The creatures continued their charge and facing them are shield and steel of Rome and 13 midgets and an old man. The centurions ordered their soldiers to throw their javelins before they arrive killing more of those creatures, soon they arrived and slammed on the shields.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    BOOM!


    A loud impact can be heard as the creatures slammed into the shield wall. Shouting can be heard as the legions battle in melee.


    I watched my men easily kill them by the hundreds per seconds, but I was surprised again by those midgets, their martial prowess as they slay those creatures, they rotate their bodies as they slam their hammers at the creatures tossing them far, slashing at their legs and hammering down their heads, I saw a fat one using his tummy to push back those creatures and that old man wielding his staff and sword skillfully as he slay more creatures than a single man could.


    "Whoever they are I want them to join the legion."


    -------------------------------


    Garen POV


    "Legionaries hold the line! Push them back!"


    I grit my teeth as those vile creatures try to push us, but legionaries will stand their ground no matter how much they slam their weapons and bodies at our shields.


    I hacked another one as I see them jumping over us.


    "Kill! For Rome!" I shouted to my men to increase morale.


    While killing another one of those creatures I see those midgets bravely fighting even though they are getting surrounded.


    I spot enemy archers aiming their arrows to their direction and I screamed to my men.


    "To me men protect them!"


    We arrived to their side slaying enemies near them and raised our shields into tetsudo as arrows rain down on us.


    The midgets stared at us as we raised our shield over them, shielding them from the rain of arrows. I look at the midget with black hair holding a wooden shield and he stared back at me and I smiled at him.


    I hear the arrows stopped falling down on our shields and I shouted to my men: "Break formation and throw your javelins at their archers before they reload!"


    Javelins fly through the air and piercing their frail bodies.


    Seeing the javelins hit their mark I charged to the front slaying more of this creatures.

 Chapter 8 - Thorin and Goblins

    Misty mountains


    Garen POV


    I charged towards the creatures slamming my shield at their frail bodies before finishing them off while they were still knockdown.


    "They''re really weak" I paused to catch my breath, while looking at the corpses lying on the ground around me before continuing to kill more of this strange creatures.


    While fighting them I noticed how easily they were knocked down when slamming my shield and that their attacks were slow and predictable.


    "They''re just mobs."


    Continuing my killing spree I kept killing them without realizing that I had gone too far out from the legions. When I realized my mistake I was already surrounded.


    Looking at my surroundings the creatures encircled me while doing provocative gestures. They growled like animals and kept on taunting me probably trying to make me fluster and to find an opening, but even so I held my ground undeterred by their taunts. I continued to stand patiently as I eyed the surroundings waiting for a chance to break through of their encirclement.


    Knowing that their taunts have no effect on me, one of the creatures lost its patience and charges towards me while shouting some gibberish words.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "No you don''t!"


    I raised my shield blocking the attack before stabbing the chest of the attacker. As I withdraw my sword from the creature''s chest another one tried to attack me from behind. Quickly turning around I lifted my shield, blocking the attack just in time before stabbing my sword in it stomach.


    "Argh?!"


    The creature died while looking surprised at my fast reaction.


    Seeing what happened, the rest of the creatures charged towards me. As I raised my sword and shield to face to incoming assault a small silhouette suddenly arrives in front me and slayed some of the charging creatures, successfully halting their advance. The creatures stopped as they looked towards the figure in confusion and fear at the sudden intervention.


    Looking towards the person who saved me, I realized it was the midget with the wooden shield.


    Observing the midget I smiled and give my gratitude. "Thanks, midget"


    The midget frowned while looking at me before responding. "You insult me after saving you? I''m no midget I''m a dwarf."


    I looked at the dwarf in confusion while tilting my head. "Dwarf? Never heard of them." I paused before smiling. "Still, thank you for saving me from those creatures."


    "They are goblins." The dwarf replied. "Creatures of the dark who dwell below the misty mountains."


    "Goblins huh? Also never heard of them, anyway my name is Garen Crownguard, head commander of the centurions northern expedition and praetorian guard of the prince."


    The dwarf raised his brow as he responded. "Roman Empire? which country is that? Well I''m Thorin Oakenshield son of Thr¨¢in Oakenshield and king of Durin''s folk"


    "King?"


    I looked at Thorin and was about to ask him about his title when the screams of goblins charging around them halted my speech. Quickly turning around I lifted my sword and shield while Thorin faced the other way raising his sword, we watched as the incoming goblins arrive.

 Chapter 9 - Dwarfs?

    Misty mountains


    Tiberius POV


    Watching the ongoing battle I ordered the reserves to quickly reinforce any gaps in the formations. Looking at the legionnaires I nod in approval as they were able to hold off the creatures and even started to push them back. The men slaughtered the ugly creatures with little difficulty and minimal losses when suddenly I spotted Garen and a black-haired midget standing behind him as they were surrounded by those creatures from the distance.


    Looking towards them I see them barely holding off as more of those creatures arrive.


    "To me men!" I screamed towards Darius and the praetorians and urged my horse towards their location.


    Darius yelled while raising his axe as he followed me. "Haha finally some action! Taste my axe you filthy creatures!"


    Darius swings his axe and decapitated the heads of the creatures that were in our path. Some of them even tried to jump on him trying to let him fall off from his horse but he quickly cleaved through mid flight.


    Looking at him I shake my head. "What a battle maniac."


    As I got closer towards their location I tossed my javelin behind Garen as one of the creatures tried to jump on him managing to saving him in time. Unsheathing my blade I urged my horse faster as it trampled the creatures with its hooves that were stupid enough to stand on its way.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Darius and the praetorians arrive not long after me and we quickly cleared the surrounding area. Watching them guard our surroundings I dismount my horse and walked towards Garen with an angry expression.


    Glaring at him I yelled. "Why were you too far out?!" I point my finger. "You of all people should know that soldiers should always stay within formation! Especially you being their commanding officer!" Frowning at him I yelled. "If your father finds out what you did today he would spank your head and send you back to the Academy."


    Garen bowed his head as he responded. "I, Im sorry I was trying to protect the dwarves and got carried away."


    "Dwarves? You mean those midgets?" I asked him


    "Hold your tongue lest you loose it human." Threatening me was the black haired dwarf beside Garen.


    Hearing the threat my guards pointed their blades towards him. I raised my hand before they attack the dwarf. "Stand down and secure the surroundings" They lowered their blades and eyed the surroundings.


    Darius laughed as he mocked Garen. "You''re not so perfect after all Garen"


    "I never said I was hmpf. By the way you''re majesty this man here is Thorin Oakenshield" Garen points towards the dwarf.


    I looked towards the Dwarf named Thorin and question him. "What are those creatures? Why were they chasing you? Why did you lured them to us?"


    "Too many questions." The dwarf points towards the mountains. "Goblins are coming, I will explain it later for now we need to fall back before they surround us.


    I raised my brow. "So they''re called goblins huh."


    Observing the mountains I feel the ground shaking. "Something''s coming let''s go."


    I mount my horse with Garen sitting behind me while Thorin rides with Darius. As we ride back towards the legions I heard screaming behind me. Looking towards the mountains I see more of those creatures called goblins rushing out from the cracks of the mountain.


    "Shit"

 Chapter 10 - The Quest

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    Arriving back in front of the shield wall, they opened a gap to let us through. Thorin and his companions followed as they sat down to rest.


    Riding my mount back towards the legion''s formation I looked back behind me to see the incoming goblin tide.


    I looked towards my officers and issued my commands. "Darius, Garen go to the front and lead the men, hold those creatures off while I have word with the dwarves."


    "At your command." They both responded saluting.


    Thorin jumps down from Darius'' horse before the two officers left, riding their horse towards the front. Dismounting my horse I looked at the panting dwarves.


    "Give them water and rations"


    My guards nod before running to get the supplies. Soon coming back they gave the rations to the dwarves and the old man. I watched as they quickly emptied the waterskin and stuffed their mouths with food.


    "They must be really tired." I think to myself.


    "Got any booze?" Said the fat dwarf.


    Ignoring him I looked towards Thorin: "You got some explaining to do."


    "Let me explain." Before the dwarf could reply to the old man with a pointy hat walked towards the front.


    "I am Gandalf" he points toward the dwarves before speaking. "My friends here names is Gloin, Kili, Bofur, Bombur, Bifur, Oin, Ori, Bali, Fili, Dwalin, Doli, Nori, and Thorin their king. We are on a quest to reclaim Lonely Mountain from the evil dragon Smaug who has taken it as his den. While on our journey my friends here encountered the goblins who captured them. They dragged them inside the mountain towards goblin town where their king interrogated them.¡± He paused as he recalled what happened. ¡±The goblin king was about to torture them when I killed him. Killing their king I angered the entire den of goblins making them chase us. As we made our escape we run towards the tunnels as they continued to chase us, when we got out from mountain I saw your army and you know the rest."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I looked furiously at Gandalf. "You lured them to us! My men''s blood is on your hands, why should I not kill you where you stand?" I pointed my blade at him.


    "They would have attacked you regardless." He shook his head. "Your army is too close to their den, and the smell of men would attract the goblins as they see man''s flesh as a delicacy." He paused looking at me. "What''s your name, young man? and which kingdom does this army do belong to?"


    Gandalf observes the legion and continues to speak. "I don''t recognize those armors and gears, and that red flag with the symbol of an eagle and laurel wreath are unfamiliar. You''re not Gondor, Rohan, nor Easterlings." He paused as he looked in surprised. "Wait, why can I sense N¨²men¨®reans blood within you and your men?!"


    I lowered my sword and replied. "I''m Prince Tiberius Claudius commander of the Roman Empire northern legions." I raised my brow. "How can you sense my blood and what do you mean by N¨²men¨®reans who are they?"


    Gandalf looked confused before explaining. "All races in middle earth knows I''m Gandalf the grey, an Istari also called as a wizard in the mortal tongue. As for your blood I can sense it from the energy around you.¡± He bowed his head before continuing. ¡±The N¨²men¨®reans were the Men of N¨²menor, descendants of the Edain of the First Age, who were granted the island of Elenna as a dwelling place. They turned against the Valar, and their island home was destroyed in the last years of the Second Age.¡±


    Gandalf paused as he tried to recall something. ¡±Where is this Roman Empire you mentioned young prince? I''ve never heard of any kingdoms named Rome in middle earth."


    "Middle earth?" As I was about to question him I hear him shout as he points his finger behind me.


    "Orcs!"


    On our rear I saw giant wolves and riding them should be what Gandalf said was orcs. Leading them was an orc sitting on a white wolf. The orc had pale skin and scarred face while holding a mace in his left hand and instead of a right hand where it should be, a blade was attached to it instead. Observing the orc I realized he was eyeing Thorin with anger.


    "Aavavack!"(Attack!) The orc shouted in a strange language as he points his mace towards us.


    Hearing his shout the rest of the orcs riding giant wolves urged their mounts forward, charging towards their rear.


    "SHIELD WALL!" I screamed in panic as I see the incoming assault.

 Chapter 11 - Wolves and Orcs

    Misty mountains


    Tiberius POV


    The Centurions relayed the order of they''re prince, as they shouted commands to the soldiers to form the shield wall. Soldiers rush to the rear and lined up to halt the charging orcs but as fast they try they were still too late.


    The wolves speed is beyond any horse could achieve, they swiftly dash left and right as roman archers try to hit them, soon they arrived in front of the shield wall.


    They slammed on their shields tossing the soldiers far, the shield wall being too thin were quickly broken through as more orcs arrive riding their wolves.


    I watched my men as they were slaughtered by the orcs."Praetorian guards to me!" I unsheathed my sword and ride my horse forward. My guards urged their horses following me. I arrived on the scene and noticed the guards not behind me. I looked to see the Praetorian guards that were following me were intercepted by orcs and were in combat with them.


    I quickly ride my horse and slashes my blade on an orc''s head as it was about to kill a soldier, the orc seeing my attack quickly leans his body to dodge his strike, dodging my slash the orc shouts and counter-attacks. I lifted my shield and blocked the hit but the orcs strike was too strong.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.Losing my balance I fell off from my horse, falling on my back I see the wolf''s head staring at me. I quickly rolled to my left as the wolf try to bite off my head.


    I reached for my sword and slashes at the wolf''s head decapitating it, its rider falls and gets disoriented. I quickly stand up and ran to the orcs side and stabs my sword down on the orc''s head before it recovers.


    The orc''s eyes opened and see the tip of my blade before dying as my sword pierced the orc''s head through his eye, the orc''s spasm before stopping, seeing the orc not moving I confirmed my kill.


    I survey my surroundings and see my men dying, the soldiers were too scared to fight back properly, it''s their first time they do battle with giant wolves and orcs and his legionaries were still in combat with the goblins that were slowly pushing them because of the orcs attacking their rear.


    "The army is outmaneuvered" I thought in my head.


    The legion is on the verge of routing when I see Gandalf and dwarves arriving. They killed the orcs faster than I did, showing me their expertise in fighting them, they moved agilely as they rolled and climb on the wolves and killing its rider.


    I see Gandalf staff shines brightly blinding both the wolf and rider, he quickly decapitates both of them with his sword and looks for another target.


    I watch them as they save his men from routing. Encouraged I mount my horse and rally the men.


    "FIGHT LEGIONARIES! FIGHT FOR ROME! MARS IS WATCHING US! RALLY TO ME!"

 Chapter 12 - Darius Axe

    Misty Mountains


    Darius POV


    My horse trots toward the front and I looked at Garen ordering the soldiers to prepare for the next wave of goblins coming down the mountain.


    "We used up all our javelins, we can''t weaken their next charge," I say to him frowning.


    "We have two legions of men here, this should be enough after what I''ve seen them do"


    "What do you mean?" I asked him


    "They''re actually weak, nothing compared to the barbarians of Germania. A shove of our shields can knock them down and finishing them off with the stab of our swords."


    "I agree with you, their necks were too soft for my axe as I killed them when I and the prince RESCUED you haha!" I emphasized what happened earlier.


    "Shut up! I was just trying to analyze their weakness that''s why I was that far out!"


    "Sure, sure you were analyzing their weakness" I speak with a satirical voice as I looked at the blushing Garen.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "Here they come!" Shouted by a centurion.


    I looked at the goblins ten meters from him and trying to count their numbers: "There''s at least seventy thousand of them. Should be enough to satiate my axe!" I said excitedly


    Garen facepalm as he hears my words: "You''re the only person I know who gets excited in a fight like a horny dog."


    "I only love three things in life and that is women, booze and fighting! HAHA!"


    I waved around my axe as I welcome the goblins. The charging goblins arrived in front of the shield wall.


    BOOM!


    The sound of impact as goblins slammed their bodies to the shield wall.


    Without javelins the legion wasn''t able to weaken their charge, soon gaps opened in the formation as goblins persistently slammed on the shields.


    I quickly rushed towards the gap.


    "Taste my axe goblin scums!" I shout as I swing my axe, killing three of them with a swing.


    The goblins attracted by my war cry runs toward me. I quickly killed two more with another swing. I continued to swing my axe as I killed more goblins than a battalion of legionnaires could.


    Without realizing how long I''ve been fighting I smiled as my axe continue to reap more lives.


    "Orcs!"


    I heard a shout behind me, I looked towards the rear and see giant wolves and what should be orcs riding them. I quickly urged my horse towards them, excited to fight new enemies.


    "I hope they''re not weak like those goblins!"


    I tossed my axe towards them as I arrived, the wolf sees the axe too late and sliced its body.


    The orc riding it falls off and Darius horse tramples its body. I grabbed my axe from the wolf''s corpse and looks for a new target when I saw a big one fighting Thorin.


    The orc rides a huge white wolf and has a blade as its right arm.


    "That should be a good target!¡± My horse gallops toward their direction.

 Chapter 13 - Azog

    Misty Mountains


    Thorin Oakenshield POV


    He looks at the man whose name is Tiberius Claudius, Prince and commander of this army which he says is from the Roman Empire. He does not know any kingdoms with that name, maybe they are from the far east? Or probably beyond the grey mountains, he remembers Tiberius and Garen''s insult calling him a midget, a great offense to dwarves but when he said to them he was a dwarf he can see it in their eyes confusion, like they never knew what dwarves are just like those goblins.


    He sees his fury for his men who died fighting for a battle that my companions dragged them into. He mourns for his soldiers, he knows what it feels like losing your people, when he lost his family from the battle of Azanulbizar and when Smaug devoured his kin and stole their home.


    He regretted being too weak and failing his people and now he involved Tiberius and his legion to a battle they shouldn''t even fight for.


    "But I don''t have a choice I must complete my quest no matter what, even if I involve bystanders."


    He continues with his thoughts when Gandalf pointed and screamed something behind Tiberius. He looked at what he pointed at and gritted his teeth glaring at the Orc in front.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.He furiously whispers his name as he clenches his fist.


    "Azog"


    The orc glares at him and senses his animosity. "Aavavack!"(Attack)


    The orc shouts in black speech and charges towards him followed by other orcs. He sees the Romans lining up to block them but they''re too late. Azog rams them with his huge white warg tossing the Romans far.


    He unsheathed his blade and ran towards the orc followed by his companions.


    "Intercept the other orcs! I''ll deal with Azog!"


    They followed his command and intercepted the orcs following Azog.


    He arrived in front of Azog and pointed his blade while lifting his oak shield.


    "That rotting wood of yours won''t protect you anymore Oakenshield."


    "I see you have a new arm" Thorin smiles as he mocks the orc before attacking.


    The wolf tries to bite him but he rolled down to the right and stabbed it''s side while raising his shield as Azog slammed his mace down.


    BOOM!


    A loud sound can be heard as the mace impacts his shield. "Looks like this wood can still protect me Azog!"


    The orc growls and was about to swing his mace once more when he suddenly stops and looks at a galloping horse.


    Riding that horse is Darius, one of the men with the Prince who saved him earlier. Darius grins as he swings his axe at Azog. The white warg quickly jumps back, dodging the strike before it can hit his master and the warg swiftly dashes forward to the side of the horse biting it then killing it.


    Darius jumps from his horse and somersaults as he swing his axe down. The white warg dodges the axe but stumbles making Azog fall.


    Thorin charges at Azog as they continue their battle once more.

 Chapter 14 - Fight!

    Misty Mountains


    Darius POV


    He jumped and somersaults as his horse dies.


    Swinging his axe down at the giant wolf who killed his horse but the wolf once again dodges his axe but stumbles making its rider fall. He pauses as the vibration of the axe smashing the ground hits him, he lost his grip of the axe as the wolf pounced on him. Falling down on the ground he looked at the wolf''s jaws opening as it tries to bite his head. He raised both of his arms as the jaws of death near upon him barely stopping it near his face.


    He can smell the horrible stench of its breath and feel the cold saliva dripping on his face, he quickly punched it''s head before it can close its jaw and the wolf backs up stunned from the force of his hit. He quickly stands up before it recovers.


    Running towards it with open arms he grabbed around it''s neck tightly. They wrestled as it tries to break free but he slammed it''s body on the ground before it slips away from him.


    They continued to wrestle as the wolf tries to break free but it couldn''t escape from his powerful clutches. Slamming its body once more on the ground he continued punching it''s face for a long time before stopping when he noticed the wolf not moving.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    He looked at the unconscious wolf and stands up and flexing his muscle.


    "No dog can beat no matter how big they are! ROAR!" he continues flexing his muscles as he shout in victory.


    "I have a new mount HAHA!" He said it while looking at the white pup excitedly.


    ----------------------------------


    Thorin POV


    He swings his sword at Azog but blocked his blade.


    Clang!


    The orc swings his right arm blade at his head but misses as he leans his head backward barely dodging it. He backflips before rolling down on the ground towards Azog stabbing the orc''s leg


    "Arrgh!" The orc grunts in pain from the hit.


    "OAKENSHIELD!"


    The orc kicks Thorin away and falls down on the ground rolling. Azog takes the sword out from his leg and throws it far. He rushes at him with great fury as Thorin stands up. He slammed his mace on Thorin''s shield.


    BOOM! The force of the hit makes Thorin kneel.


    BOOM! Azog strikes once again making him fall down on the ground.


    He looses all his energy in his legs as his body lay flat on the ground.


    He looked up at Azog, the orc smiles as he was about to finish him off when suddenly he heard a shout.


    "Thorin!" He sees a silhouette stabbing behind Azog. He looked at the figure who saved him in panic.


    "Bilbo run!"


    Azog glares at Bilbo and grabbed his neck.


    "NO! Let him go Azog!"


    As Azog was about to choke him to death he heard a screeching sound above him.

 Chapter 15 - Great Eagles

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    Rallying the men, they killed the orcs attacking their rear but enemy reinforcements arrived and his legions try to form shield wall as more orcs riding wolves arrive.


    Leading them is an orc wearing black armor, with a big scar in his head going down his face like a huge blade chopped it and his left eye all white with no pupil. The orc looks at the ongoing battle and shouted an unknown language.


    "Vicavorausan or deaavh!!"(Victory or Death)


    "Drepa gith bur!"(Kill all man!)


    Then the charging orc led it''s orcs, attacking more of his legions.


    Looking out front he watches as the goblin tide pushes their frontline as gaps appeared all over the shield wall, more and more goblins breaks through the line. The orcs attack on their rear was a heavy blow and many casualties appeared all over the battlefield.


    I shouted a command: "Evocati cohort! reinforce the front! "First cohort! Move to the rear!"


    The remaining reserves marches towards the locations. He watched as the centurions leading their cohorts, moving their forces to reinforce both the front and rear.


    Slashing his blade he killed an orc riding his wolf towards him. He rides his horse around the field rushing wherever he sees a soldier in trouble.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "No! Let him go Azog!"


    Killing another orc he hears Thorin voice, looking at him lying on the ground, he sees the orc named Azog choking a dwarf but bigger feet than most, as he was about to rescue them, he heard a screech above him, his eyes open wide as he sees giant eagles flying down, one of them grabs Azog, he sees Azog struggles and stabs the eagle with his right arm blade, the orc fall down two meters from the ground and quickly recovers.


    He sees more eagles flying down, they opened their sharp claws and flies down towards the goblins, severed body parts fly through the air as they were slashed by the big claws of the eagles, they grabbed orcs riding their wolves and dropping them at a great height.


    He looked at those eagles aiding his legions in battle, his legions roars and morale goes up as they watch the giant eagles swoop down on the battlefield and obliterating their enemies.


    Having second wind they break formations and charges at their enemies.


    "For Rome!"


    "Die you, creatures!"


    "Mars has blessed us!"


    The goblins trying to fend off the eagle''s panics when they see the Romans assaulting them. The goblins back up as they start to be pushed back as the Romans continue their assault. Soon the goblins starts routing, they stumbled while retreating back towards the mountain.


    "BOLG!"


    He heard a deep shout and looked at Azog. The orc with a big scar on his head arrived in front of Azog. The orc named Azog looks toward Thorin and glares before speaking an unknown language.


    "Nexav avime vok lat wonav eukcape" (Next time dwarf you won''t escape)


    "Nauk-avreaav!" (Retreat!)


    Seeing the loosing battle the orc jumps on Bolg''s wolf and flees the battle along with the other surviving orcs.


    He watched at the routing goblins and orcs and his legions chasing down stragglers as the battle reach to its conclusion.


    "LEGION VICTORY!"


    Hearing his shout the legions raised their swords and celebrates.


    "Viccctorrrry!!!" ROAR!


    And with that Rome''s Legions wins their first battle in Middle Earth.

 Chapter 16 - Beggar King

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    Two hours after the battle the legionnaires can be seen setting up camp and cleaning up the field, the dead are separated, severed body parts and corpses of goblins and orcs are tossed to a pile where they are left to be eaten by scavengers while the corpses of romans are buried in mass graves as surviving soldiers pray for their comrades who fell in battle.


    The stench of blood around the air attracted vultures as they circled around the sky and landing down on the pile of corpses where they dig out the eyes of the corpse and rip out the intestines.


    I watch my men drag more bodies of their comrades to the graves and my heart aches as we lost a legion of men in battle in this strange world.


    "How many casualties?"


    "Around ten thousand your majesty, we lost too many soldiers after our rear was attacked by those giant wolves and orcs." Garen speaking up


    "They''re wargs not wolves"


    I looked at Thorin who said that and my anger rise as I remember what happened.


    "That big one, Azog is their leader right?, that orc was looking at you! They were hunting you right?! Once again you lured danger to my men and I lost a legion of men fighting those monsters! They will be back and probably bring more of those orcs! Why should I not give you and your companions to them tied up Huh?!!"The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I will compensate your losses." He says to me while gritting his teeth.


    "COMPENSATE? Who the fuck you think you are?! Do you know how long it is to train a legionnaire? And how much it cost? My legion lost a lot gear in that battle and I don''t even know what to do with those scraps of metals in this god forsaken nowhere."


    "I''m Thorin Oakenshield rightful king of under the mountain, grandson of Thr¨®r who was the king of Durin''s Folk I pledge in Valar''s name I will compensate all your losses and more.


    "You a king? you don''t look like one."


    "As gandalf said before we lost our home from the evil dragon Smaug who was attracted to the treasures of my people. The dragon hoarded all our wealth to himself to make it as his bed."


    "So your a king in exile? You''re a beggar king then."


    "If you and your army help me take back lonely mountain, I promise that half of the wealth of Lonely mountain that my people has amassed for centuries will be yours. My people are the best blacksmiths in the world, we will forge the most excellent steel and armors to your men."


    I looked at him and ponder over his proposal: "We don''t know where we are and I''m sure this isn''t our world anymore after what I''ve seen, no creatures like goblins, orcs, wargs, and giant eagles exist in any records of rome, that rift in the sky and the light that blinded us must have done something to me and my legions and we need someone to guide us in this strange world." I think over his proposal and look to Garen my advisor.


    Garen nods his head he as understands our situation.


    "You sure that mountain is full of treasures?" I looked at Thorin


    "Yes, an ocean of gold and gems awaits you if you help us."


    "Deal!," I reached out my hand and we shook hands


    What they don''t know is this pact is a historic moment that will mark the rise of Rome in this world and change the fate of middle earth.

 Chapter 17 - Great Evil

    Misty Mountain


    At nightfall one kilometre away from the field of battle, Rome''s sentries can be seen carrying torches as they vigilantly patrol around the camp to prevent any more unexpected creatures attacking them, the rest of the soldiers goes inside their tents falling down on their backs as they snored away their fatigue and worries and rest after a day of fighting unfamiliar creatures, but while they rest at the center of the legions camp a large tent with praetorian guards surrounding it are having a discussion.


    Thorin and his company along with officers of Rome''s legion gather inside the commander''s tent as they discussed their situation.


    ---------------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    "They should be executed for luring them to us!"


    "Those orcs will return with a larger force!, we need to tie them up and give them to those orcs!"


    "No they are our friends! they fought bravely along with our legions! we can not harm them or Mars will smite us in his fury!" Garen speaks up inside the tent.


    "The battle was a pyrrhic victory!, We lost a legion!, We have one remaining legion left!, If not for those great eagles saving us we could have lost!"


    I watch my officers argue as Thorin and his company also silently watch the argument. The fear of orcs coming back with a larger force brought fear to my centurions, who can blame them, watching those horde of goblins and orcs riding those wargs dealt a huge blow to their confidence, while only Garen defends them as he saw their courage and skill as those dwarves fight along with the legions saving countless lives.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "SILENCE!"


    They stop their argument and look to me


    "I made a pact with them, Thorin is a king of dwarves and has promised to compensate our losses, we also need allies in this strange world we are in, yes we maybe not in our world anymore, that rift in the sky and flash of light did something to us."


    "That light was like the stories my father once said to me." Garen speaks up


    "What do you mean?" I look to him with surprised expression.


    "He said before he saved the emperor from those assassins, he was an officer from a different kingdom when a flash of light blinded him while fighting a battle and sent him to a forest where he wandered as a mercenary for several months before meeting the emperor."


    "Yes same story what my old man also said to me." Darius suddenly speaking up after a long silence."He said something about fighting Garen''s father when that light came and was transported near the capital of rome with some of his soldiers, where he built up his reputation before joining the senate. When he heard the news of the emperor being saved by someone he was familiar with, he almost attacked him when he saw him in the palace. That''s why the Noxus and Crownguard family always argue during a senate meeting."


    "Why are you only just saying this to me after knowing you for a long time?" I look at him bewildered.


    "Well I thought he was crazy and making up stories."


    I palm my face as I hear him say that.


    "That light might be Eru Il¨²vatar summons"


    I hear Gandalf voice: "Who?"


    "Eru Il¨²vatar the supreme being from which all things were created, he might have foreseen a great evil coming that will bring doom on our world and summoned you and your legions to save us from catastrophe."


    "I only believe in Graeco roman gods," I stare at Gandalf


    "He has many names and represents different Gods."


    "I don''t care about Eru what I want to know why us? I just lost half of my Legions and now were lost in this strange world!


    "We will never know... " Gandalf shakes his head as he leaves the tent.

 Chapter 18 - Planning

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    I watched Gandalf leave the tent before I looked towards the centurions. "No matter if we were summoned or not we need to survive!" I shouted loudly. "I don''t care about any great evil!, I only care about the legions, I will do all I can to safeguard the remaining soldiers, they are romans and as their prince it''s my duty to lead and protect them.¡±


    I paused as I looked around the tent. ¡°The adrenaline from all the fighting would soon disappear. Tomorrow when the soldiers wakes up they would start to wonder and ask questions about our situation, if not properly dealt with they would panic and loose morale. They won''t be able to fight properly if another threat attack us like those orcs, so I don''t want anyone of you panicking and arguing in front of the men.¡± I paused then point my fingers at them. ¡°As their officers you must be a model on what a legionnaires should act like or it will worsen our situation if you show a bad example."


    They bowed their heads as they absorb the words I said to them. After a while they saluted as they finally become level headed, now remembering their duties and responsibilities.


    I nod as I see them finally regaining their clarity and understanding on what they should do. I looked towards Thorin and ask him information about this world and our future journey.


    Thorin takes a map from his pockets and places it on the table, he opens the map and shows me a detailed drawing of a continent that I''m not familiar with. The map made me confirm that we were no longer in Germania or in Europe. Thorin tells me that the name of the continent was middle earth then points our location on the map. He tells me that we are in the misty mountains and that we must pass through mirkwood forest then travel the banks of the river before passing through the elves domain.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    "Elves?" I looked towards Thorin and ask the unfamiliar word.


    He paused as he places his hands on his ears. "They are man but with pointy ears instead. I advise you not to befriend them, they are arrogant oath breaking bastards that deserve no respect."


    "Are the women beautiful?" Darius suddenly intervenes as he excitedly asked the question.


    "They¡®re gorgeous!" Before Thorin can reply the dark haired dwarf named Kili answered the question as he looked towards Darius.


    The tent was silent before Darius asked Kili. ¡±How gorgeous?" The rest of the men also came closer as they too were curious about the elves.


    Kili smiled seeing their reactions before explaining."They have this beautiful long hairs that glows in the sun and their smell are like Nessamelda an evergreen fragrant tree. They are good dancers and singers that will blow your mind when you hear their voice!."


    "Are they good dancers and singers on the bed too?" Darius smirks when he asked the dirty question.


    Both Darius and Kili looked towards each other before they clasped their hands as they smiled in understanding.


    Tiberius and rest of the men inside the tent shook their head in disgust when they heard their conversation.


    "Continue Thorin." I interrupted their brotherhood bond.


    Thorin sigh as he looked at Kili before continuing. "After passing through their domain we have to go to Esgaroth or lake town as most people call it, where your legions can resupply."


    I suddenly remembered the legions current predicament and ask Thorin. "Yes, we have 1 month worth of rations left, will they accept our coins?"


    "They will as long its precious stones and metals.¡± He bowed his head before continuing to explain. ¡±After resupplying, your legions will go to Dale, an abandoned city of northmen, where your men can set up camp, me and my companions will go inside the mountain along with some of your men to scout the surroundings before we fight the dragon."


    I nod at the plan and think about the future expedition.

 Chapter 19 - Darkness Comes

    Dol Guldur


    A company of orcs riding their wargs can be seen travelling in a dark forest, one of the riders is an orc with scarred face and a blade where his right arm should be, the orc''s name is Azog the one who led the attack on the legions, the orc growls as he remembers the battle in the misty mountains, he remembers Thorin''s face as he was so close to exact his revenge for severing his arm and the soldiers in red armors carrying large square shield foiling his hunt, he ponders as he tries to remember any information about them. He looks to his spawn Bolg and ask.


    "Nalkrulji nauk-alm avhouke nauk-d bur?" (Which realm those red men from?)


    "Jiak do noav" (I do not know) Bolg replies to his master.


    As they travel through the forest they can see a black castle from the distance, this castle is Dol Guldur where his master and his spawns gather as their stronghold. As they arrive in the stronghold they are met by dark cloth figures. Azog stare at the figures and say.


    "Thrak alnej avo naj-ri" (Bring me to him)


    They escort him in the dark hallways and they arrive in front of a large door, opening the door he looks at the surroundings until he see a dark shadow, he walks to the shadow then speaks.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    "Lat promiukun alnej nauk-venge!" (You promised me revenge!)


    "Agh jiak avold lat avheir locaavion" (And I told you their location)


    "Atigat wauk an ushtar ro nauk-d bur avhere!" (There was an army of red men there!)


    "Nauk-d men ushtar? jiak have noav ukeen avhem shal mausan viukionuk" (Red men army?, I have not seen them in my visions)


    "Nalkriuk ayh avheausan?" (Who are they?)


    "Jiak liwo aukk mausan mordor" (I do not know but I will consult my ally in mordor) "Thiuk iuk avhe" (For now this is the plan)


    The dark shadow and Azog speaks in black speech as they discuss their future plans.


    ------------------------------


    Mordor


    In the land of mordor where the skies are eternally dark because of an active volcano that continues to spew thick smoke and where an army of dark creatures that has been slowly increasing in numbers for the past hundreds of years.


    The dark army gathers around a tall black tower with raging flames at the top, the flames is shaped like an eye and it looks at it''s surroundings. The flaming eyes watches the growing army below it and looks at the direction of Gondor, where the realm of men declines. Beside the black tower is a ruined tomb where it shouldn''t have been, inside the tomb is a black throne where a skeleton wearing black and red armor sit, but if you look closely you can see the empty eye sockets glows in red.


    "I feel a disturbance in the force." A voice can be heard from the skeleton


    "Another rift has opened." The glowing eyes socket dims as the skeleton remain silent once more.

 Chapter 20 - The Situation

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    In the commander''s tent, Tiberius and his officers continued their meeting as Thorin and the other dwarves leave the tent to rest. They discussed the situation of the army and their logistics.


    "We have only nine thousand legionnaires from the original thirty thousand your majesty, we lost a legion fighting the Germania and another legion fighting those creatures, the injured are being treated and can fight again in a few days while one thousand soldiers are critically injured and are unfit for battle. The physicians are treating the wounded but estimate more of them will die soon from their injuries or infections. The physicians are also complaining that they lacked medical supplies as they have used up most of them during the battle against the Germania barbarians. If we don''t resupply soon more than half of the wounded men will die in a few weeks."


    I looked at the officers as they tell me the status of the army, I closed my eyes thinking before speaking: "We will ask Thorin''s and his companions for advice tomorrow if he has any idea to treat the wounded, as for the soldiers we can recruit the barbarian prisoners as auxiliary soldiers to replenish our force, how many barbarians do we have?"


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.One of the officers replies: We had ten thousand barbarians prisoners your majesty but lost some of them as the goblins and orcs managed to break through our defenses but luckily they were at the center of the army and only lost one thousand of them, but it will be very difficult to recruit them your majesty after we just had a war with them and might not agree."


    "Don''t worry I will handle it, I will convince them to join tomorrow, are they behaving?"


    "Yes your majesty they are too scared to move after what they saw, they won''t attempt to riot after seeing our forces beating hordes of goblins and orcs riding giant wolves. They were also worshipping the great eagles that saved us, their shamans thought it was their Gods blessing our forces.


    "Hmm, we can use that as a reason to recruit them, I will talk to their shamans and chieftains tomorrow, for now all of you are dismissed."


    They saluted and left the tent, I go to my bed and rest. As I close my eyes I remember the experiences that just happened, it was too unreal and confusing, too many things happened in just one day I remember the endless goblins coming out from the cracks of the mountain and giant wolves riding orcs that I haven''t seen nor heard about and giant eagles flying down from the sky obliterating them like they were nothing and the pact with the dwarves and Gandalf magical glowing staff, I try to sleep but can''t seem to as I see the battle in my mind as I close my eyes, I stand up to go outside to take a walk.


    "Your majesty?" A praetorian guard looks at me and asks.


    "I will go for a walk around the camp, I want to be alone." They looked at me worryingly before saluting.


    As I walked around the camp I saw a bonfire and see Darius and Garen sitting around it.

 Chapter 21 - Laughter

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    I walked towards the bonfire while I see Darius and Garen holding a stick roasting a hare. They see me coming and Garen stands up saluting while Darius continues to roast his hare.


    Garen glares at Darius and shouts: "Darius have some respect!"


    "Don''t worry everyone is resting or patrolling no one can see us isn''t that right Tiber?"


    "You know I always hated that nickname you made up, I can court-martial you for that."


    Darius places down his stick and stands up and walked up to me, he stands a few inches before me and lowers his head looking down on me intimidatingly, I looked up to him and we glared at each other for a while before placing our hands behind in each other necks laughing.


    "HAHA!, You court-martial me? then who will protect your godamn ass, without me you will die after stepping on a pointy rock or being hit in the head by bird poop.


    "Hey you promised me you will never mention that again!"


    "My fingers were crossed behind my back when I said that HAHA!"


    Garen looks at the two laughing men before placing his fingers in his forehead and shaking his head: "Really you two, you need to act like adults, Tiberius your a prince and Darius he is your liege, both of you must act like one."You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    We stopped laughing and looked at Garen.


    Darius grins and said: "We''re adults you know, we''re not virgins right Tiber?"


    "Yea we were men since we were fifteen! what about you Garen?


    Garen blushes when he heard them say that, he stared angrily at them: "Shut up I slept with a woman!"


    Darius laugh: "Yea you met Tiberius cousin Lea during Tiberius'' birthday and she went to your house for the night. She told us that both of you only slept that night doing nothing, she told us you were too nervous seeing her naked and you fainted, HAHA!"


    Both me and Darius laugh while tears come out from our eyes.


    Garen looks in horror: "She told you?!, She promised she will not tell anyone!"


    Garen lays down on the ground while rolling left and right crying.


    I looked at the rolling Garen and say: "Never trust a teenage girl a secret, they like to gossip."


    We continued to laugh when Darius suddenly mentioned what happened to Garen''s parents when they found out what happened the next day after the incident.


    "Man your father face frowned all day and saying you were a disgrace to the family while your mom cried saying she will not live to see her grandchildren"


    Garen looks wide eye in realization: "So that''s why Father kept frowning when he looked at me and mother kept crying without telling me why!"


    We laughed while Garen smiles as we remembered our childhood.


    I looked at my friends and smiled: "Thanks I needed that, I feel more relaxed now I can''t sleep after what happened today."


    Garen and Darius looked at me and smiled.


    Darius thumbs ups and says: "Don''t worry we''re brothers and your friends we got your back."


    "You have always our support if you need them" said a smiling Garen."


    We continued to converse when Darius mentioned the rift: "I wonder what was that rift and light, we''re not anymore in our world."


    Garen looks at me: "Yea, this world is mysterious and strange but we have the legion with us so we will persevere."


    Darius and Garen continues to converse while I lay down on the ground placing my hands behind my head and looked up at the stars, as I watch the night sky and shining stars I noticed something.


    "What the?"

 Chapter 22 - Moon and Stars

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    "What the?"


    Darius and Garen stopped their conversation as they hear his voice. Looking at Tiberius they noticed him looking at the sky intently with a surprised expression. Both of them looked up trying to look for the reason for his bewilderment. Looking up they see the night skies full moon and bright stars.


    Garen continued to stared at the sky for a long time before his eyes widened in realization: "My God!"


    Darius stared at the sky trying to find out why the two looked surprised. He scratched his head as he looks up: "What I don''t see nothing"


    Garen smacked Darius head and pointed up: "Look at the stars, you idiot"


    Darius once again looked up as he observed the stars. He squinted his eyes trying to find any anomaly from the stars when suddenly his mouth wide opened: "My God the stars! they look beautiful?" He once more scratches his head.


    Garen smacked Darius'' head and grabbed around his neck while pointing up.


    "Look at the stars, you idiot! aren''t they familiar?"


    "What? they''re the same old stars nothin, Oh, Oh! the constellations!, THEY''RE THE SAME FROM OUR WORLD!"


    Garen looks at Darius and thinking how stupid and slow he was: "They are exactly the same! both the color and where they should be, also the moon has the same black spots on its surface just like the moon on our world!."


    Tiberius looked at the duo and placed his hands on his chin: "If they are same moon and stars doesn''t it mean.."


    "This is the same world!" Garen completed his sentence with an excited expression.


    Darius eyes wide open as he hears him say that: "Wait, what do you mean this is the same world?, I don''t recall any goblins, orcs, giant wolves and great eagles in Rome or any other place, the biggest animal I''ve seen was an elephant."Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Tiberius nods his head as he also ponders what Darius said: "Maybe we are in the lands beyond the Atlantic Sea? no ships have ever sailed beyond it."


    Garen looked at Tiberius and wondered if his words are true, if it is they only have to build ships and sail towards the east to be back in Rome.


    Garen looked at Tiberius and speaks his thoughts: "So we just need to go east then find a sea and cross it to be back in Rome?"


    Darius intervenes as he hears him say that: "Why go back? we just got here, it''s fun here! lands to conquer, adventures, fighting strange new creatures, and ELVES!, I haven''t slept with one yet and the dwarf Kili said they are excellent dancers in bed!, I have to sleep with one before I at least go back." Darius crossed his arms and nods as he explains.


    "Sigh" Tiberius shakes his ahead in disappointment at Darius reasons. He looked at Darius with a serious expression: "How about our family, friends, and our duties back in Rome?"


    "Family? They won''t care about me. Friends? You''re right here! as for duties, my duty is to protect you and I''m doing it."


    Tiberius and Garen looked at Darius with pity as they heard him say that. They knew Darius'' situation back home and they feel sorry for him.


    Tiberius gave his reasons on why they should go back: "We have to go back Darius, our family will be waiting for us, and if I don''t go back, Rome will be in turmoil if something happens to the emperor, there might be one right now with our legions missing. Our disappearance would cause great chaos in Rome as the emperor looks for me and the legions. He might think that the enemies of the empire were at fault.


    Darius looks at Tiberius with a serious expression before reluctantly agreeing: "Fine, at least let me sleep with an elf first before we go back okay?"


    "Sure, sure, we will be here for a while anyway, and we will be passing through their domain in our journey, you can sleep with those elves if you find one willing to."


    Tiberius looked towards the duo: "We will go back home right?, Including the legions. With the possibility of seeing their families again the legionnaires would continue to fight for us. We will smash all the obstacle in our way. We will show this land why Rome became the ruler of the Mediterranean."


    ---------------------------


    The three sworn brothers made a pledge around the bonfire to do all they can to bring back the legions back home. This pledge marks the end of their first day here in middle earth.


    What they don''t know is up in the sky, you can see the continents of the world, there are two major continents, the continent of middle earth is separated from the other continent by a vast Sea, when the time comes when the legions of Rome arrive on the other continent they will be disappointed.

 Chapter 23 - Thorin鈥檚 Past

    Misty Mountains


    As the run rises the legionnaires can be seen waking up. They went out of their tents and washed their faces. They lined up in front of the legions cooks then eat their breakfast around the campfires while they listened to some rumors. Words have spread what transpired last night, patrolling men of the legions were also able to notice the night sky. They learned from their officers that Rome might be east of their position, they just have to march east and destroy any obstacles that gets in their way and sail across the sea to get back to Rome.


    With renewed hope the soldiers can be seen eating their breakfast with great enthusiasm as they talked about the battle that happened yesterday as dwarves, goblins, orcs, giant wolves, great eagles and their legions do battle. They mocked the goblins being weak, they worshiped the great eagles saving them from orcs that were riding large wolves and the dwarves that fought skillfully compared to their small height. They laughed when they recalled the fat one using his large belly to kill the goblins. They also remembered the old man with a glowing staff which blinded the orcs, it was their first time seeing magic and were excited if they can learn magic.


    They recalled the bravery of their prince as he saved them from orcs and goblins. They praised how he endangered his life by fighting alongside with them even though he was of royal blood. They also praised his two officers Garen, who commanded the troops with great leadership and Darius, whose mighty axe cleaved through many foes as he fought wildly while smiling in the heat of battle.


    After breakfast they checked their gears then went to their respective battalions as they they trained with great fervour hoping they can be strong enough to survive the upcoming obstacles that will be in their way back to Rome.


    -----------------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    Me and my officers watched the legionnaires do mock battle, we see it in their eyes flames that wont be extinguished by any foes, they will eliminate anyone that comes in their way on their journey back towards Rome. They they trained with great fervour so that could see their families again.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    I turned my head as I heard footsteps coming, looking behind me I see Thorin and Gandalf arriving while they watched the training legions impressed.


    Thorin watched carefully at the training men with eyes wide opened as they formed shield walls and testudo: "What a mighty army you have there Prince Tiberius, if my grandfather King Thr¨®r had this army when Smaug arrived we could have beaten him back that day saving our home.


    Thorin looks down on the ground and whispers: "If only I was there during that day defending my people."


    I looked at Thorin and ask: "Where were you during that day?."


    Thorin looked at me with a sad expression: "I was out hunting when Smaug arrived, when I saw smoke coming from the mountain I quickly went back but by the time I arrived it was too late, Smaug already burned my home, just as I was about to battle him to death I saw the king and my father alive, we gathered all surviving dwarves and left our home."


    Looking at Thorin with sad expression I apologise: "I''m sorrry"


    ¡±Don''t worry at least we survived no matter how few were left."


    "Where did you go after leaving your home?"


    Thorin frowned as he recalled the sad memories: "We were homeless, we gathered what little possessions we had and travelled south before settling in Dunland where we lived in poverty."


    I nod at his reply. "By the way what''s up with that orc Azog? I saw him only looking at you with great fury during the battle."


    Thorin clenches his fist and grit his teeth: "King Thr¨®r saw how poorly we lived and decided to take back the ancient dwarven kingdom Moria, but when he got there he was too late, our enemies got there first. Moria had been taken by armies of Gundabad orcs led by the most vile of their race, Azog the defiler. Azog sworn to wipe out the line of Durin, he began by beheading the king my grandfather. My father went mad in grief when learned about the king''s death and summoned other houses of dwarves who were mad at the dishonor to the heir eldest of our race. In the Battle of Azanulbizar my Father went missing, I do not know if he was captured or killed. I stood alone fighting Azog and managed to cut off his right hand thanks to this oaken branch, Azog learned that day it isn''t easy to wipe out the line of Durin, before I was able to kill him he was carried away by his spawns, the orcs leaderless lost the battle. We lost too many dwarves during that battle and weren''t able to take back Moria with our numbers"


    I listen to Thorin''s story and worry about the emperor back in Rome, I hope nothing happens when I''m gone. I looked at Thorin and give my condolence: "I''m sorry my friend"


    Thorin smiles and we looked back at the training legions.

 Chapter 24 - WTH?

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    "Truly amazing young prince, your army is well disciplined and they trained with great fervour, those formations are like walking turtles while those shield wall are like the famous famous Korhaz Kaz''ad of the dwarves.


    I looked at Gandalf and ask: "The what?"


    ¡±It means shield fort in dwarven language, it''s one of the reason why dwarven armies are feared¡±


    "How strong are they compared to my legions?"


    "You have many similarities but what separates your legions from them are that your legions armors are nothing compared to them, the armies of dwarves has one of the most thickest armors in middle earth and are very hard to penetrate, while your legions armors are a bit in poor quality compared to the many armies in middle earth."


    I look at him with a serious expression and silently think, "If it is true, my legions are seriously in need of an upgrade, it''s a good thing Thorin promised to forge us new gears."


    "By the way Gandalf can you tell me more about middle earth?"


    "Sure young prince"


    Gandalf and I talked until the sun was up above us, without noticing it was already afternoon. We continued our conversation while having lunch when Garen interrupted us.


    "Your majesty you need to sign some parchments for the logistics commands"


    I nod and stand while looking at Gandalf: "Thank you Gandalf for all the information, we really needed it, I will inform my men about what you said to me so that they won''t be walking blind in this world.¡±


    Gandalf nods and I walked to my tent with Garen, in there I read and signed parchments as I was about to sign the last the parchment I suddenly noticed something.


    "What the hell?"


    Garen looks at me while slanting his head: "What is it your majesty?"


    I hold the parchment in front of my eyes and continued to stare at it intently."Holy shit! why haven''t I noticed before and why is everyone the same?"


    Garen looks at the parchment and curiously stare at me: "Is there something wrong written?"


    I looked towards at Garen while my forehead sweats and hands tremble while thinking that for something so obvious that no one noticed is very scary. Maybe that God Eru Gandalf mentioned is real, maybe we need to change religion after all.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "Um read this again"


    Garen holds out his hand and takes the parchment, he reads it and doesn''t see anything wrong. "Nothing''s wrong your majesty, we already talked all about it during the meeting last night and you just have to sign it."


    "You not realizing makes it more scary, look at my hand tremble and my head sweats I can''t believe of all people you won''t notice, Darius sure he won''t, but you? something is really wrong."


    Garen seriously looks at me: "What is it? Is it really serious?"


    I nod and finally explain: "What language are you speaking right now?"


    Garen raise his brow and replies: "Of course its Lati,, OH SHIT! Why the hell I did not noticed!"


    I nod and pointed at the parchment: "Look at it"


    Garen stares at the parchment and opened his eyes wide, his hand trembles and forehead sweats just like I did.


    "What language is this and why can I read it? I''m now scared too your majesty"


    I slowly nod: "It''s like something is blocking our attention not making us realize were not speaking in Latin anymore and you wrote that right?"


    Garen nods his head repeatedly.


    "You didn''t even noticed you were writing in different language anymore, something must have happened when we were unconscious during that rift and light blinding us"


    Garen nods his head again and speak: "We need to tell the others"


    "Gather the centurions"


    Garen salutes and was about to leave when I remembered something: "Wait, call Gandalf too he might know something"


    Garen nods and leaves to summon the centurions.


    One hour after I gave my order the centurions can be seen gathered around the tent except for Gandalf who is still not here. I looked around and glanced at my officers. "Anyone noticed anything?" They stared at me before shaking their heads not realizing our situation.


    "Figured you won''t notice anything when me and Garen only noticed it just a while ago"


    I placed down the parchment from before and point at it: "Read it and tell me anything wrong"


    They stared at me before looking at the parchment, they read for a while before looking back at me.


    "Really?, no one noticed anything? Sigh"


    I point one of the centurions and ask: "What language is written there? and what language are we speaking in?"


    The centurion replies: "It''s Lati, Oh wait, what the hell?!"


    I looked at the centurion and think to myself that the word for the day is what the hell.


    The other centurions looked at the parchment and each other in realization except for Darius who still scratches his head when he is confused, I looked at him in worry as I thought if he was dropped when he was a baby.


    After five minutes of silence in the tent Darius finally opened wide his eyes and his jaw drops as he finally realized, I thought to myself, "That''s a new record"


    "Alright everyone finally realized, right Darius?" I asked Darius confirming if he really knows or just acting.


    Darius seriously nods and replies: "It''s not latin right?"


    Everyone in the room clapped while the centurion right beside Darius pats Darius back and one them even wiped tears in his eyes. Darius smiled proudly like it was an honor while Garen places his palm in his face when he see his actions.


    "Congratulations Darius!, as I was saying no one noticed we were speaking or writing in different language, even if we were too busy fighting yesterday we should have noticed it by the time we talked with the dwarves but it was like something was distracting us making us feel like it was natural speaking in another language, I don''t know the reason and surely all of you won''t know too, right Darius?, that''s why I called Gandalf because he is a wizard and being a wizard means having great wisdom because he said to me it comes with the job but he is still not here.


    "I''m here young prince" I turned my head to see Gandalf coming in escorted by my guards.

 Chapter 25 - Language and Unity

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    "I''m here young prince" I turned my head and see Gandalf coming in escorted by my guards.


    "Ah Gandalf you''re here, we need to ask you some questions that are troubling us"


    Gandalf nods and listened to what we talked about, in deep thought he strokes his beard as he seriously think about our situation, everyone in the room stayed silent as to not disturb while Darius'' eyes are half-closed seemingly sleepy, I see Garen throwing a pebble at his forehead and Darius eyes wide opened when he was just about to sleep.


    After a few minutes, Gandalf finally replied: "So young prince what language should Romans speak?"


    "We speak in Latin, one of the most ancient languages in Italy."


    "Hmm, I see you said no one noticed until just now?"


    "Yes," I nod at him with a serious expression.


    "I''m not sure young prince but the only explanation I can think of is either Eru using his power to help you speak in common tongue or you hitting your head hard enough that you learned to speak our language."


    I looked at Gandalf while touching my chin: "Why can we understand you and the dwarves but not those orcs when they spoke? what language were they speaking?"


    Gandalf stopped stroking his beard and looked me with a serious expression before replying: "The language is that of Mordor, the land of which I talked to you about, I will not utter here the language. I can only say that the black speech also known as the dark tongue is a language of evil and only a few in middle earth know or learned to speak them, Thorin learned to speak the language so that he may mock Azog with insults in the language of the orcs. I don''t know why you can only understand common speech, maybe it is just a guide from Eru to help you to quickly adapt to this world.¡±


    "I see, but we also seemed to learn to write your world''s language, what language are we using anyway?"


    "You speak the most common tongues of mannish, Weston we called it, along with the language of the tongue you speak right now you seemed to learned read and write it."


    "Westron? what other languages are there?"


    "There are many, the first races of Arda has there own many languages, each unique and extraordinary, some even have powers when spoken, the language of the Valar, valarin is an example, they can command the forces within the world to raise mountains or lands from the bottom of the sea. The mightiest of them all, the language of Eru the Ainulindal? or the Music of Ainur, only the first and strongest beings created by Eru, the Ainur, the oldest of the Valar''s were taught this language, it was said they can make new stars in the sky with a word and only this language can give birth to new life if used with the secret fire of Eru."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Me and the other officers listened to Gandalf as he explained the mysterious languages of middle earth, after one hour he left. After not having any explanations we discussed what to do.


    "For now on we will write and speak in latin when we have meetings so that spies won''t learn what we discuss and also write in latin so that thieves who steal our documents cant learn anything from it."


    They nodded and agree with the plan, with a language that only us knew it is safe to say that no other beings in this world can learn what we say or write except probably for Eru, making it difficult for spies to learn anything from us, we continued to discuss in the tent about the situation of the army when one the centurions reminded me about the prisoners of Germania and recruiting them to the legions as auxiliaries, I nod and everyone left the room to go back to their post while I go the prisoner camps.


    Arriving there I can see the barbarians looking up towards the Misty Mountains, probably hoping to see the great eagles once more flying down, they worshipped the great eagles as spirits and the shamans preached how the spirits of Germania will be saved from danger in this strange world with those mighty birds protecting them.


    I walked up to them with my praetorians while they warily looked at them as they unsheathed their swords and raised their shields in front of me.


    "Stand down, they will be be legions soon"


    They reluctantly sheathed their blades and went to side but still raising their shields as they stared intently at the barbarians. Walking up to where their chieftains and shamans gathered, they were already looking at me as they already noticed my praetorians surrounding me from afar.


    "You must have already know right? we are in a strange new land and surrounded by threats like goblins and orcs riding giant wolves, you need to tell your people to join the legions as auxiliaries so that we can all survive this predicament."


    They glared at me when one the chieftains spoke: "Why should we? after you invaded our land and killed our people you expect us to join you?!" BAH!


    He shouted and spits in front of me, my guards once more unsheathed their swords as they were about to kill him for the insult to their liege when I stopped them, they sheathed their swords while still glaring at the barbarian.


    "You raided our borders and enslaved our people, of course we retaliated, right now we should focus what really matter, we are in new lands after that rift and light blinding us, you saw the creatures that attacked us and the dangers that soon will follow, we need to unite and must join the legions if we want to survive here."


    The chieftain was about to decline once more when an old shaman went to the front and speaks: "He is right chieftain our people are in danger if we continued to be in chains, those creatures killed our people without mercy when we are prisoners, we need to be in armed to fight them or we will be left off fending for ourselves while in chains while they attack us."


    The chieftains discussed but are still reluctant when I suddenly remembered what the officers told me about them worshipping the great eagles and them looking above the mountains.


    "Haven''t you seen those great eagles saving us? Your spirits came because of us, they have blessed the legions with protection when we defeated those orcs and goblins even being outnumbered, if you join the legions you will also be protected by those great eagles.


    Their eyes shined and the chieftains discussed with the shamans, after a while they finally have an answer: "Fine we will join, but we won''t be treated like slaves! And you will give us enough food, we are still hungry only drinking porridge and eating black bread."


    "Deal but you will be trained by my centurions, if you want to join the legions as auxiliaries you need to be like one."


    They agreed and the legionnaires started to unlock their chains as the barbarians stretched their bodies after a long time being restricted. I looked at my future legionnaires and wonder if they will be enough to let us survive in this strange world.

 Chapter 26 - Beginning of Journey

    Misty Mountains


    Tiberius POV


    It''s been three days since the barbarians joined the legions as auxiliaries, every day they trained with great difficulty as they had a hard time adapting to the legions strict formations and tactics. Garen and the centurions had headaches as they see the auxiliaries tripping down or getting separated from the formations.


    The chieftains were promoted to centurions to lead their people in cohorts while the shamans were captains, their shamans were thought to hold the Aquila as eagle bearers. The eagle was extremely important to the Roman military, beyond merely being a symbol of a legion. A lost standard was considered an extremely grave occurrence, and the Roman military often went to great lengths to both protect a standard and to recover it if lost.


    Garen along with other officers equipped the auxiliaries with the spare gears we have that were taken from our dead comrades. The auxiliaries wore the armors but it barely fitted them, the sleeves were too short and the armor too small, but still, they wore it, if not they will be like those goblins, unprotected from arrows and swords.


    After three days we were ready to leave the misty mountains after shortly training the auxiliary legions, they still needed more training but we have limited rations left, we needed to go to Esgaroth to resupply. When we prepared to set off we burned the camp so that no goblins or orcs can use them, the wounded were placed in carts where they will be pulled by horses. Thorin mentioned that there are herbs near Mirkwood that can treat our wounded giving hope to our physicians to save the critically wounded.


    I looked at the legions behind me, I see five long lines that stretched over the horizon, we have two legions again after recruiting the barbarians, though they are still undisciplined and need more training we don''t have the time for it. I raised my right hand to begin the march.


    "Wooooooooooo"


    I heard the sound of trumpets and urged my horse forward, the horse trot as we finally begin our journey, to my right is Darius who is riding a white warg, we questioned him about it and he said something about him taming it, Thorin looks at the warg warily and the warg growls when it noticed his stare, Darius hits its head and the warg yelped and behaved while looking scared at Darius. Thorin questioned him about the warg and Darius replied something about Romans being the masters of the art of slavery.


    To my left is Garen riding a brown horse, I see him having a conversation with one of the auxiliaries, a young teenage boy with a bow and quiver behind him and seems to be timid. After a few hours of marching, I have conversation with the other dwarves asking me about Rome and it''s military, I explained the ranks of the legions and how Darius and Garen''s father reformed the military during their time in the senate, Darius father was a militaristic man and doubled the size of a legion while Garen father simplified the ranking officers saying that it was easier to control the army and common soldiers and aristocrats does not need to be divided in the military.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    After five days of marching and camping we can see tall trees from the distance, they are the tallest trees I''ve ever seen if they can bee seen from here. I praised it''s beauty and also wary at the danger within it''s forest. The auxiliary barbarians kept praising the forest how they felt like home. As we near the forest I see a giant bear walking towards us.


    "Wedge formations!"


    The auxiliary barbarians at the front of the army were about to bow down saying it''s the bear spirit but rush to the front when Garen threatened them, they stumbled while running forward but quickly recovers after being shouted at by their centurions. The bear sees us and growls threateningly, seeing that we were still slowly marching towards it in wedge formation the bear stands.


    The bear standing up overshadows the legionnaires at the front and roars.


    "ROOOAR!!"


    Saliva splashed at the legionnaires and they quickly try wipe it when the giant bear charged at them.


    "Javelins!"


    Just as the legionnaires were about to throw their javelins when suddenly Gandalf screamed. "WAIT!" He shouts as he looked at the giant bear.


    The legionnaires ignores him and threw their javelins, the javelins flies through air was about to hit the giant bear when suddenly a brown light covered the bear, the javelins hits the light and bounces as they were deflected by the brown light.


    Everyone looked in shock except for Gandalf, just as the archers were about to release their arrows, we see something coming out from the forest.


    We see an old man that looks like a shaman riding a sled made of sticks being pulled by rabbits I looked in shock seeing the weird old man wearing dirty brown robe with a brown hat and a messy long beard as long as Gandalf.


    "Halt!" I shouted a command and the archers lowered their bow and arrows. The brown light covering the bear slowly disappears while the bear stopped charging just a few meters away before it slams into the formation. I looked at Gandalf and he smiled at me knowing that I made a wise decision.


    The old man riding the strange sled arrives right beside the bear and touched it''s side and whispered something to the giant bear ears. We looked in shocked the bear getting smaller and morphing into a hairy man wearing brown clothes like what the barbarians used to wear.


    "Radagast!" Gandalf shouts and urged his horse towards the man named Radagast.


    "Gandalf its nice to see you again!"


    The two old men shake hands before having a conversation, I waited patiently as the auxiliary soldiers looked at the man who can morph into a bear and the old man that looks like a shaman having conversation with Gandalf with shining eyes and reverence. Their culture has thought them that spirits are all around them and when they saw the morphing bear and shaman using magic they worshipped them.


    After a few minutes they stopped their conversation and walked towards the legions while the morphing man looks in wary at the soldiers as he walked with them.

 Chapter 27 - Hospitality

    Misty Mountains


    Before the Journey


    Darius POV


    Everyone is doing their thing while I''m here doing nothing in the camp, I might be a cavalry officer but most of the time I don''t do anything. Since my bastard of a father became a senator he made the cavalry important in the legions and expanded their size and made them a vital role in the battlefield, that''s why he trained me ruthlessly since I was young so that I can become a good cavalry officer. But it''s good to be the head officer of the cavalry, my centurions do all the work for me, they train the men and take care of the horses while I''m only called during battles where I''m very good at. I roamed outside near the camp trying to look for any goblins and orcs to fight with when a messenger from Garen told me there was an emergency meeting in Tiberius tent.


    When I arrived there everyone was talking with each other trying to find about the reason for the meeting when Tiberius arrived from the inner tent, he discussed something that I really didn''t understand because I was not really listening.


    I continue to doze off until I heard everyone gasping as they realized something, I scratched my head trying to find out what they were talking about when I realized everyone just learned that they weren''t speaking in Latin anymore, wasn''t it obvious from the beginning? My eyes opened wide and my jaws drop as I realized they didn''t knew. I never mentioned it because I thought everyone knew already.


    Everyone looked at me in silence and I speak: "It''s not Latin right?"


    Everyone in the room clapped and I smiled thinking that I''m the smartest person in the room. They continued their meeting when Gandalf arrived while I try not to fall asleep. After the meeting, I went to the stables where I arrived in front of a cage where a big white pup is growling at me.


    "Let me ride you" I opened the cage without thinking other than to feel the wind in my skin while riding it when suddenly it pounced on me. I round kicked it before it can bite and the pup falls down with a yelp


    Looking at it I smiled and said: "Round two eh?"


    The pup stands up in all four and glares at me before we both charged at the same time, As the pup get closer I side step to the left and held both my hands into a knuckle and swing it up as the pup''s head passed by me hitting the pup''s chin. The pup yelped and was thrown up before falling on the ground with a thud.


    The wolf tries to stand and looks at me, I glared at it and let out my bloodlust and it finally bowed it''s head while bending its front two legs into a bow. I smiled and ride my new mount around the camp while everyone looked at me with a surprised expression, for the next three days I only rode my mount outside the camp while I punched it''s head when it misbehaves.


    --------------------------------------


    Outside Mirkwood


    Tiberius POV PresentThe tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    I watched Gandalf along with the strange old man and a tall hairy man walking in front of the formation, I ordered the men to let them through. The soldiers stepped to the side and allowed Gandalf along with the two other men to pass as they walked in front of me.


    "Young prince this here Radagast the brown my old friend and as you have seen he is also a wizard, while this man here is Beorn the skin-changer and chieftain of his tribe.


    "Nice to meet you Gandalf friends, I am Prince Tiberius Claudius of the Roman Empire commander of this legions, chieftain Beorn why did you attempt to attack us?"


    Beorn glared at me and say: "This place here is my territory where I live along with my tribesman, you trespassed in my domain leading your army without permission just like all man always does."


    Looking at him I finally understand his aggression and apologize: "I apologize for trespassing chieftain of the?"


    "Beornings" Beorn replies


    "Chieftain of the beornings, but we are on a journey towards Esgaroth with these dwarves here and Gandalf"


    His eyes looked at the dwarves coldly but softened when he learned that Gandalf was with us: "I do not like dwarves and men from outside but I will allow you to pass my domain because I''m indebted to Gandalf but do NOT harm my people and any animals within my territory they are my friends."


    I wonder what he meant by animals being friends but I do not question him and agree: "I promise Beorn chieftain of the Beornings that I and my legions will do no harm to your people and animals within your domain."


    "I and my companions also promise" said by Thorin


    I see Beorn smiling when he heard that but still glares at the dwarves and welcomed us to toward his small village, there I see his people who are also as tall and hairy as him, I let my legion set up camp outside the village while me, dwarves, Gandalf, Radagast, Garen and Darius was led by Beorn towards his house where I finally learned why animals are his friends.


    His animals were all extremely intelligent; his dogs, for instance, could walk on their hind legs while carrying things with their forelegs, set the table, and able to speak. Beorn''s horses could also understand what their master said. Beorn was also capable of speaking in the tongue of beasts, as he could communicate with bears outside his house. When he spoke to his dogs, his words sounded like "barks twisted into some form of speech".


    "Nice house you have and your animal friends are truly amazing"


    Beorn smiles at the compliment and served us dinner. I ate his bread and honey which were really delicious. Beorn''s people appear to be an animal-loving vegetarians. They live on bread and honey, which they collects from their hives of giant bees. We continued to discuss our plans as Beorn question us about our journey while Gandalf and Radagast went outside to talk something serious as I see it in their expressions.


    "You want to reclaim lonely mountain? good luck not dying from the flames of Smaug haha." Beorn laughed at our mission. "And you, men from the Roman Empire, It''s hard it to believe your stories but who am I to question Eru if it''s true."


    I look to him and ask: "You seem to hate the dwarves?"


    He glared at them as he has been ignoring them since they came inside: "Their king din''t help my people when I asked for help, me and my people were attacked by orcs and enslaved where they chained us and hunt us for sport, few of us survived and only Gandalf and the elves helped us, we decimated the orcs and made our home here near mirkwood."


    "Im sorry that must have been tragic, but Thorin and his companions are different they are brave and loyal to their friends and won''t make the same mistake."


    "I''m sorry what my grandfather did, he was was senile as he grew older and forgot the code of dwarves, we won''t ever again make the same mistake and if you need our aid next time we will be there."


    Beorn looked at Thorin and finally acknowledged his presence: "I will remember your words Thorin Oakenshield."


    We continued our dinner and I noticed Darius and Beorn getting along saying that only Darius has ever tamed a warg being a man and he was impressed. They armed wrestled while the dwarves cheered and Garen laughed as Beorn overpowered Darius, as they were about to have another round a messenger came and told that the hobbit named Bilbo is awake after being comatose for a long time.

 Chapter 28 - The Ring

    Outside Mirkwood


    Tiberius POV


    Coming inside the medical tent I saw Bilbo in bed while staring at the dwarves, they surrounded his bed laughing while Bombur the fat dwarf gave Bilbo some food that he took from his pockets, I watched smiling as Bombur kept taking out food from his many pockets and giving it to Bilbo.


    "Eat plenty, my friend! They are my emergency rations and only a few ever have the honor to receive food from me, you deserved it after saving Thorin haha!"


    I smiled seeing Bombur giving bread and a jar of honey that he took from Beorn''s home.


    The dwarf named Nori took a pouch filled with gold from his belt and gave it to Bilbo: "Here Bilbo, a dwarf giving gold is a gesture of great gratitude for his closest friends and saviors and we rarely do."


    The other dwarves also took amulets and other treasures from their pockets and giving it to Bilbo as they surround Bilbo''s bed with food and precious treasures.


    I see Bilbo looking around at the surrounding dwarves in the room and smiled at them as he understands how worried they were for him and grateful they were for saving their king. He tried to give back their gifts when he saw Thorin walking to the side of his bed and giving his elven dagger named Sting back to him that he got from the troll cave of the trolls that they killed during their journey before entering the misty mountains.


    "Thank you, Bilbo, for saving me I owe you a great debt"


    Bilbo smiled and replied: "You all would have done the same for me"


    Thorin placed his hands in Bilbo''s shoulders and nods.


    "How long I have been asleep? And who are they?" asked Bilbo while looking at me and the physicians in the room.


    Thorin was about to reply when Gandalf entered the tent: "Let me explain"


    Gandalf walked toward us and looked at Bilbo: "You''ve been comatose for nine days after Azog injured your neck badly if it weren''t for my magic healing you, you would have died from lack of sustenance or injury, as for our saviors here they are from Rome a different land they say, their army is led by this young prince named Tiberius who saved us when we were surrounded by orcs and goblins, they promised to assist us in our quest to reclaim lonely mountain."


    Bilbo looks at me gratefully and bows his head: "Thank you, your majesty, for saving my friends I''m eternally grateful."


    "Well we didn''t really have a choice back then, they ran towards us luring those goblins and orcs but at least we made new allies and they promised to compensate us."


    "Still thank you for helping us and not punishing them"


    "Where were you during our capture by the goblins weren''t you with us?" Asked by one of the dwarves.


    "Us hobbits have quick feet and low presence, I managed to slip past as they dragged us towards their den when I got lost in the tunnels when I met a."This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Bilbo paused as he remembered something and he quickly searched something from his pockets, he paused while touching one of his pocket and sigh in relief before continuing to explain: "I met a creature who promised to help me escape from the tunnels if I solve his riddles or he will kill me, I won and made it out when I saw the battle and stabbed that big orc before he kills Thorin."


    Thorin explained who the orc was and told his past history with Azog and the dwarves were impressed by Bilbo''s adventure and after a while, everyone left the tent to let Bilbo rest while going out from the tent I see from the edge of my vision Bilbo taking out a golden ring from the pocket where he touched before, my pupils shrank as I saw the ring and felt a sudden impulse to take it but I shook my head to stop myself, I also saw Gandalf glanced at the ring before we left the tent.


    While walking back to my tent I remembered the golden ring and seem not to get it out of my mind, while asleep I dreamed about the ring and heard whispers saying that I should take it, I wake up in the middle of the night covered with sweat, I washed my face before going back to sleep, now without that nightmare from before.


    The next day we gathered in a large tent discussing our plans.


    "Beorn do we have your permission to gather medical herbs around your territory for our wounded?"


    "You may but it will take a long time gathering enough herbs from what I saw in your medical tents, you have many wounded and my small village can''t provide food for a large army like yours."


    I agree with him we have less than a month worth of rations left I think for a plan when I finally made a decision. "We will leave the wounded with some of our legionnaires to gather the herbs, while the rest of the legions continues with its journey to lake town."


    Beorn agreed and we left the tent to prepare for our departure tomorrow.


    While in my tent with Darius I see Garen entering with the young teenage boy I saw before talking with Garen during the start of our journey. The young teenager is short with black hair wearing tribal accessories and looks shy, he is still carrying a bow and quiver full of arrows from before. Gandalf and Radagast shortly entered behind them and I observed them as they approached me.


    "What is it?" I looked at them with a curious gaze.


    "Young prince I had a discussion with my friend here Radagast and we must go somewhere first before joining with your army and Thorin''s company in lake town, we will also help you''re wounded before leaving."


    I nod at them and they left the tent while the teenage boy looked at Radagast with reverence while Radagast smiled at the boy as they left the tent.


    "Your majesty this young boy is Cornelius Testesiculus"


    Everyone was silent in the tent before laughing at the name of the boy. Darius laughed so loudly and teased him: "I''ll call you balls from now on"


    Everyone laughed except for Garen who only looked in pity while the boy blushed up to his ears.


    "Your majesty" The boy saluted while still blushing.


    "Enough Darius, so why are you here?"


    "This boy is one of the auxiliaries and is a very good archer, I saw it myself during training, he can hit a target from a very far distance, I also personally trained him during our time in misty mountains and confident with his abilities even with his young age."


    "So?"


    "He wants to stay here to help the wounded along with his tribemates, some of the shamans also want to stay to help the wounded but I think they only want to interact with the beornings and Radagast, they are looking at them with reverence since yesterday."


    Garen continues to explain: "I promoted him to centurion under probation because of his skill I also propose for him to be in charge of the legionnaires who will stay here."


    "Fine but only some of them, leave some Romans behind to watch over them"


    Garen nods while the boy smiled happily, excited to have a chance to interact with the beornings and the wizard.


    The next day the legions break camp and are ready to continue our journey, I looked at the forming lines when I noticed Radagast having a conversation with Cornelius, they seem to have hit it well and are already close, I see small animals gathering around them and climbing Cornelius shoulders and head, I smiled at the sight and looked back to the legions which are ready to match.


    "LEGIONS MARCH!"


    I shouted loudly and heard the trumpets soon and we finally continued our journey, I see the tall trees of Mirkwood from the distance and wonder what dangers await us inside.

 Chapter 29 - Beauty

    Mirkwood


    Tiberius POV


    The legions marched towards Mirkwood and soon arrived at the edge of the forest, looking at the forest I see fog and many vines covering both the trees and the ground, I gulped as we finally entered the forest a bit fearful in our surroundings. As we continued our marching soon the entire legions have entered Mirkwood. The Romans expressions are wary and uneasy as they inspected their surroundings while the auxiliaries looked happy as they felt they have arrived in sacred lands.


    "This place is creepy" I whispered to myself


    "It really is your majesty, we must be careful as we march the legion in this forest, it is a good place for an ambush." Garen heard my whisper and speak his thoughts to me.


    I agree with his remark and continue to inspect my surroundings after Garen''s remarks might come true. I grew nervous at the lack of sound in the forest other than the legions feet marching, horses hoof trotting and the clanking of armors and shields.


    "Should we send scouts around the surroundings?" I looked at Thorin asking for his opinion.


    "It is unwise, even us dwarves don''t know what creatures and dangers within the forest, after the shadow of the Dark Lord Sauron fell upon it, and men began to call it Mirkwood, or Taur-nu-Fuin and Taur-e-Ndaedelos in the Sindarin tongue. From then on, Mirkwood became a haunted place inhabited by many dark and savage things.


    I gulped as I heard him say the name Sauron, Gandalf explained to me the history of Arda, saying that we are in the third age, a weaker age compared to the first and second age. He said that the first age was the age of Elder days when the Valar roamed the world and other races grew in strength and numbers when the magical two trees of Valinor shined upon the land bringing great prosperity to all the races.


    The age ended after the War of Wrath when one of the Ainur named Melkor later known as Morgoth was cast out into the void outside of Arda after he corrupted the elves making them into orcs and destroying the two trees of Valinor. A great war that spanned for forty years that marshaled millions of soldiers at both sides which ended in the victory of the alliances but with the cost of the land of Beleriand sinking to the sea and decline of all races.


    I think nervously that the Roman Empire stands no chance against such forces and powerful beings, for a being to make those orcs and breeding them in the millions would have destroyed not only Rome but all of the known world back in our land, I continued to recall the history lesson that Gandalf told me.Stolen novel; please report.


    After the first age the Valar decided to limit their interference in the mortal realm because of the great destruction that occurred during the War of Wrath, they left to go to the undying lands where they only invited the elves and a select few to enter. It is said that the undying land is physically not in Arda after Eru transported it into another realm. Morgoth greatest lieutenant Sauron which was far weaker than Morgoth survived the war and left to go to middle earth, where he established himself in Mordor and slowly corrupted man and the other races weakening them and making them his servants while mustering forces to conquer middle earth. Another great war occurred named the War of the Last Alliance and ended with the defeat of Sauron.


    In the age we are in right now is said to be the age of great decline when only a few elves are left as they leave middle earth to go to the undying lands and the dwarves and man decline in numbers as they experienced great plagues and wars. I think about the unbelievable history of this land and wonder if this is really earth but looking at the moon I assured myself we are still in earth, if not I do not know what to do and may lose my legions due to false hope if they learned this is not our world anymore.


    We continued our marching until nightfall, we tried to make camp but the big trees of Mirkwood made it impossible to cut them down to build Rome''s famous fortifications, we tried to keep the legions camp as close as much possible with one another to fend off any creatures that might wake in the dark but still we have no choice but to divide the legions into different camps while building wooden stakes from the trees we cut which were from smaller trees as walls while sentries patrol the camp wary around their surroundings.


    At night while everyone was asleep I once more dreamed about Bilbo''s golden ring, I heard whispers saying I must take it before Gandalf steals it. I woke up in the middle of the night covered again with sweat, I went out of my tent to calm my mind and roamed the camp while my Praetorians follow me when I saw from the distant red lights.


    "Stay here, I will shout if anything happens, I want to be alone"


    The Praetorian nods and saluted while they turned around glancing around the surroundings.


    I walked towards the lights and found a small lake where I see many fireflies, I walked around the small lake when I heard a beautiful sound. I stopped and closed my eyes to listen to the sound, I opened my eyes and walked towards the direction of the sound when I finally clearly hear it, a beautiful voice is singing a song which I do not understand but I feel the feelings of the voice singing it, I walked towards the voice and stop not far from the singer and opened my eyes wide.


    "To the sea to the sea the white gulls are crying, the winds is blowing and the white foam is flying, west west away the round sun is falling, grey ship grey ship do you hear them calling....."


    I continued to listen while my heart beats fast and my palms sweat like a waterfall as I looked at the singing figure. Fireflies are flying around her illuminating her figure and I see her hair which was like a golden sun, she wore wore a tiara with a golden leaf attached to it, she has pointy ears and accessories which are unique but beautiful, she has luscious lips which I just want to kiss and her gentle aqua green eyes which made me hard to stare away from. I continued to stare at her as she finished her singing.

 Chapter 30 - Spiders and Elf

    Mirkwood


    Tiberius POV


    I continued to stare at the most beautiful female I''ve ever seen, her figure is seductive as her clothing outlines her figure and how she smiles at the hundreds of fireflies flying around her, the sight made my heart beat faster that I felt my heart would explode."


    "I''ve fallen in love dint I? And my first love is an elf" I speak my feelings out loud.


    The female elf sensitive ears hears me and quickly turned her head towards me, she trembled as she sees me and runs away while the fireflies dispersed."


    "Eeeek"


    She screamed in a cute voice and run''s very fast that I was surprised at her speed. I quickly chased her and she runs faster when she turned her head and see me running behind her.


    "Please wait!" I shout pleadingly as I chased her.


    She ignores me and dashed left and right around obstacles, I copy her and managed to dodge the branches and large rocks in my path. I chased her for six minutes before feeling tired, my stamina is nothing compared to the strong bodies of the elves which I learned from Gandalf, after four more minutes I slowed down and her figure disappear in my sight.


    I stopped and crouched as I try to regain my energy while taking big gulps of air as my heartbeat returns to normal speed. I looked around me and realize that I''m lost, I hear the sound of crickets and owls hoot. When I finally regained enough energy to find my way back I see many shining eyes from the dark up above me. From the moonlight I see giant spiders crawling down from the tall trees of Mirkwood, I quickly run back to where I came from when suddenly one of them jumped down from the tree in front of me. The spider raised one of its many legs and swipe at me, I quickly unsheathed my sword and blocked the hit, I jumped over it and slides down it''s back and continued to run.


    I ran as I see more spiders crawling down the tree and suddenly I run into a giant web when I was looking up. Ensnared I try to hack my way through the web when one the spiders came near me with green liquid dripping from its mouth, just as the spider was about to bite me I saw a silhouette coming from behind the spider, I realized it was the female elf came to rescue me.


    She unsheathed two daggers in her belt and jumped very high landing down on the spiders back while smashing her daggers to the spider''s head.


    "Crack"


    I heard a cracking sound and see the spider''s eyes stop glowing and all its leg slumped down along with its entire body. The female elf jumps down of the spider''s back and hacked the web that ensnared me.


    "Quickly follow me"


    I followed her while the spiders crawled chasing us, we continued to run but soon we were surrounded by spiders. I hold my sword with two hands and point my blade towards the spiders while my back leaned on the elf, she raised her two daggers as she faced the spiders.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    "Sorry for dragging you into this" I sincerely apologize to her.


    "It''s fine, I shouldn''t have run away and accidentally lured you in spiders territory." She replied


    As we faced the incoming spiders with our backs leaned into each other we heard shouting and saw my praetorian guards led by Darius coming along with the dwarves.


    "Your majesty!" shouted by a praetorian


    Soon the sound of steel hitting the exoskeletons of the spiders can be heard as my men clashed with the spiders, me and the elf separate as we combat the spiders. I bend down my body as I dodge the spider''s legs swiping at me and stab its head from below its head, my sword pierces through its head and its eyes stop glowing.


    After killing the spider I see the elf having trouble killing her opponent, I quickly ran towards her and stabs the spider''s side bringing it down, while the elf slashed its head killing it.


    "So what''s your name, beautiful lady?" I looked at her while wiping blue blood from my face.


    "Lind in Sindarin language but you can call me Melody.¡±


    As I try to continue our conversation we were interrupted by charging spiders, as I was about to block its attack an arrow hit its head."


    "Brother!" Melody shouted at a running figure.


    Running with great speed, another elf arrives with other elves, they shoot their arrows as they accurately hit the spider''s eyes. They moved with great flexibility as they run and slide under the spider''s body while also jumping over them and finishing them off by shooting its head from above. My men not wanting to be shown off by the arriving elves attacked more fiercely while the dwarves tossed their axes hitting it''s heads killing more spiders.


    Darius swings his axe and sliced its body in half while blue blood splashed in his smiling face. The elves see this and are impressed by Darius'' strength and continued their attack, after five more minutes knowing that many of them have fallen the spiders crawled back to the trees climbing it in retreat.


    The elves continued to shoot at the retreating spiders making them fall and die from the Praetorians waiting for them in the ground. Soon all the spiders had retreated and they were surrounded by spiders corpse. The elves surround us while my guards looked at them in caution, the leading elf who saved us which was Melody''s brother came in front of me while Melody hides behind me while looking scared at her brother.


    "Adar na- mad an at cin an cel awaui ad-."(Father is mad and worried about you for running away again)


    "Im''m sorrui gwanur"(I''m sorry brother) Melody replied


    I stare at them as they talked without understanding their language, soon they finished talking and the elf looked at me with a gentle smile.


    "I am Legolas son of Thranduil ruler of the woodland realm, thank you for saving my sister" Legolas speaks in the common tongue and bowed his head


    I scratched my head and replied: "She saved me actually"


    "No it was her fault for running away here in spiders den, I wish to invite you and your men to our city and meet my father, he will welcome you and your dwarf friends" He glanced at the dwarves behind me.


    I think before replying and replied: "Sure but my legions are still in camp and won''t march until daybreak tomorrow, you and your companions can stay in our camp for now to rest."


    Legolas looked in surprised hearing that I have an army with me and thinks for a while: "Ok then but you must not march your army within five kilometers of our city."


    I agreed and we all walked back to the camp, Garen was worried when we arrived and scolded me for being reckless, the other legionnaires who were preparing to look for me were surprised by the elves and their beauty. Darius kept staring at one the female elf with brown hair while the elf looks in disgust at him. I escorted the elves to their tent where they will sleep for the night. I said goodbye to Melody, she smiled back waving her hands with a blush, I see Legolas frowning at our interaction.


    I slept for the night as I recover my strength from all the running and fighting and dreamt about Melody while forgetting about the ring which caused me nightmares for which I don''t know why.

 Chapter 31 - Woodland Realm

    Mirkwood


    Tiberius POV


    Waking up after a night''s rest I stretched my body and smiled after having a good sleep, I remember the wonderful dream where I and Melody were in the lake where I met here, instead of her running away we chatted and laughed as fireflies surrounded us. After recalling my dreams I washed my face and prepared myself to meet our elf friends in their tent to invite them for breakfast and start our journey towards their city.


    I went to their tent with my Praetorians and whistled happily excited to meet Melody once more, seeing their tents from the distance I can already see the elves awake and outside of their tents exercising and Legolas speaking to a hawk before it flies away going northwest, I see Melody behind him and I walked faster. Melody turned her head after hearing footsteps and see me with my guards she smiled excitedly and came to meet me.


    "Good morning Melody" I smiled and wave my hand at her.


    "Good morning Tiberius" She smiled back after knowing my name from the night before on our journey to the camp.


    Legolas see us and walked towards our direction along with other elves who noticed our presence. We have a conversation about how their rest was and he smiled saying it was fine and thank us for our hospitality.


    "Please join me for breakfast along with your companions," I asked sincerely


    He nods and I escort them to an open field where tables and food are already prepared.


    "I hope you eat meat, but if you don''t I have bread and honey that can serve you and the other elves for breakfast, I got them from the beornings who welcomed us to their village."


    "It is fine Tiberius, some elves do not eat meat in middle earth but us wood elves eat meat because of the lack of fields to plant here in the forest, we hunt our food in the forest to sustain us." Legolas smiled at me while impressed that we were welcomed by the beornings.


    We have breakfast and Legolas sit besides me with Melody on the other chair, we talked about my story how we were transported and on a quest to help the dwarves, Legolas frowned when he heard about the quest while Melody smiled excitedly hearing of our adventures like a fairytale from her bedtime stories when she was a child.


    "What was that hawk I saw you with?" I asked Legolas


    "It was a messenger hawk, I gave word to it to send to my father informing of your upcoming visit and Melody being found"


    We talked some more and I looked towards Melody while we eat breakfast while she sneaked glances towards me and we smiled seeing each other vision, after breakfast, we prepared to break camp while gathering all the separated legions from different camps, Melody and the other elves were impressed by the legions seeing them marched with discipline and formations, Legolas frowned seeing them as if worried about the mighty army marching towards their domain.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    After completing preparations I gave the elves some of our horses and we continued our march while the elves escort us and scout our surrounding area, I felt better that we finally have some natives who can guide us in this dangerous forest especially seeing those giant spiders yesterday. I trot my horse towards Melody side as we chatted some more while I see Darius trying to court the brown-haired female elf from yesterday. Darius'' face was perverted and saying something when the elf slapped him, the female elf rides her horse away and went close to the dwarf named Kili. Me and Melody smiled as we see this and we laughed at Darius'' face with a red hand mark.


    "So Melody why did you ran away and singing in that lake?"


    "My friends left a few days ago to go to the Undying Lands as they will sail across the west sea forever not to be able to return, I felt sad not seeing them again unless I leave middle earth permanently. I went to that place where father brought me and brother when we were young, it''s one the most special place for me but as the forest got more dangerous we rarely go there anymore," She said in a sad expression with tears in her eyes.


    I offer her shoulder and she leaned on it, behind us without me knowing Legolas frowned seeing our actions and was about to interrupt when the browned haired female elf stopped him and shook her head, Legolas reluctantly agrees but continued to look at us making sure we don''t do anything inappropriate.


    As the legions marched along with dwarves and elves we faced more dangers from the forest, we encountered trolls and ogres which attacked us while the elves taught us how to beat them more conveniently, they said killing them from afar was better and showed us as they shoot their arrows towards the dark creatures bringing them down before they can get near upon us, everyone from the legions we''re impressed while Thorin remain silent and glared at the elves.


    We continued marching during daylight and setting up camp during the night for many days as me and Melody get closer sharing our stories with one another while I spot Legolas always near us either cleaning his bow or counting his arrows. Darius gave up on the browned hair female elf after seeing her being close with the dwarf Kili instead he looked for new targets to seduce to complete his goal of sleeping with an elf while Garen led the army in charge of the logistics and command as he has seen me busy lately with Melody.


    After five days of traveling, we arrived upon a stream with an eerie atmosphere. I looked at it and Melody explained that the Enchanted stream was a black stream in Mirkwood that flowed north from its source in the mountains of Mirkwood towards the forest river which it joined about ten miles before (west of) the Elven kings halls. It had fast and strong currents, but was not too wide at least in the area near the forest path. Anyone who drank or bathed in the stream''s water would fall into a deep sleep, and suffer amnesia when finally waking.


    They had to cross the stream while traveling through Mirkwood on their way to the woodland realm, we carefully crossed the bridge when one of the dwarves Bombur the fat one clumsily fell backward into the stream while trying to get food from the carts. We fished him out of the river with a branch we cut off from the trees while covering him with a big cloth to dry him after that we saw him in deep sleep smiling probably having a good dream.


    Bilbo and the dwarves looked worried but Legolas assured them they have a way to wake him up back in their city but probably will lose his memories, they nod now more determined to arrive faster in their city even though they were reluctant before still bitter about something.


    Few more days passed and we see more elves from up the trees arriving jumping from branch to branch to escort us and make sure Legolas and the other elves were safe while looking wary at the legions making sure they were not a threat to the elves domain. Legolas said we were within five kilometers from the city and the legions must stop here, the other elves escort them to a good spot to camp while Garen and the centurions stay with them while me, Darius, Praetorians and Thorin''s company join us to go to the city, arriving there I admired the beauty of the city while Melody pointed and explained their heritage and history of this ancient city of the wood elves.

 Chapter 32 - Legolas Fantasy

    Woodland Realm


    The elves observed the visitors with a curious gaze, they looked at Tiberius and the praetorian guards lifting large square shields with an eagle painted on it and their weird clothing. They stared at the strips of iron that the Romans wore as it was their first time seeing soldiers of man with those outfits and gears.


    They also looked at the man with a big axe behind his back like what dwarves used in favor in battle and wonder if he can wield such a big axe. The dwarves were ignored as they have seen them too many times and they''ve already recognized Thorin being the king of Durin''s folk of the fallen mountain of Erebor. (Lonely Mountain)


    -------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    "They are really curious about you and your men, you looked strange even more so than the Easterlings that harassed us in the east." Said Melody in a sweet voice.


    "They will be impressed if they see the entire legion" I smirk as I feel great pride with the legions of Rome.


    As we continued our tour around the city, an elf riding an elk arrived with a message informing Legolas that he must escort us to the elven king''s hall this evening after preparations were complete to welcome us for a feast and to meet their king.


    Legolas nod his head before the messenger left. As we continued our tour around the city to pass our time, Melody pointed and describe the things that we saw.


    "Amazing"


    I saw the elves living up above in the trees making their home inside it, my eyes shined as I see all the marvelous and beautiful homes of the elves, they were one with nature, they assimilated themselves with nature to bring no harm to it as much as possible. I was impressed by their ingenuity and history and continued to learn more about their strange but amazing culture from Melody, while Legolas followed behind us with a creepy smile.


    ------------------------


    Melody POV


    Looking at the man who I ran away from at first when I was on the lake which probably because I was sad and lonely at that time. I see his amazement towards my people''s culture and history. I see his shining eyes as he continued to eye the surroundings while asking me question as I answered him. I feel my heart beating faster when I looked towards him and my mind feeling fuzzy, probably still fatigued from the journey. Even though I was distracted trying to find out what was happening inside me I still answered his every question because I worry that he would hate me if I don''t.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I continued to show our guests around the city while my brother followed close behind. For some reason I feel his gaze behind our backs when I was talking with Tiberius, eyeing us with an intense focus like he was worried something bad might happen.


    "What is he worried about?¡± I think to myself. ¡±We¡¯re already safe, away from the dangers outside the city that lurks in the dark. Maybe he wants to befriend Tiberius? He hasn''t talked with him much lately since we arrived.¡±


    -------------------------


    Legolas POV


    Looking at the man who has been having a close relationship with my sister I worried about him taking advantage of her. My sister is still young only 1400 years old, her innocence will one day bring her danger and I will make sure that won''t ever happen especially since her running away again but this time being so far from home.


    I and father were so worried that father immediately sent all of his scouts and animals to the surroundings to look for her. It took me days to track her because of the dark creatures that have been plaguing our forest since Sauron dark hand fell upon it but thanks to my experience and Tauriel (Brown-haired female elf) skills we managed to find her just in time to save her from the giant spiders attacking her and this cunning man who calls himself a prince of Rome which I hardly believe the story from danger.


    I will shoot my arrows in his eyes the moment I see malicious actions, I grin as I imagine how I will torture him and make him scream in horror as I cut off his reproductive organs while feeding it to him and after that, I''ll let the animals eat him alive while I watch his face as he screamed in terror. I continued to smile as I imagine more ways to torture this man named Tiberius without my sister being sad for him, she will know the man is perverted and will corrupt her if she continues to be close with him.


    Without me realizing because of my fantasy it was already evening, I told them it was time to go to the elven king''s hall for the feast and escort them. Arriving there my father greets Tiberius and his men while also greeting the dwarves but with less enthusiasm. I see Thorin and the dwarves frowning but still behaving and the hobbit named Bilbo looking around excitedly while eating food from the table probably impressed by our dishes.


    I walked beside my father and tell him about our guest: "Father their army is dangerous and it would be wise for them to leave soon, their large shields and formations will make it very difficult to hit them with our arrows while the dwarves are still bitter about Erebor, if something happens to provoke them their legions will siege the city."


    Father agrees and nods his head and walked towards Tiberius to talk about something and I looked at my sister who is still sitting close to the roman prince while eating food and placing some dishes on his plate. I frowned at this sight but do nothing because my sister has been too depressed since her friends left to go to the Undying Lands and she deserves to make new ones no matter how unpleasant it is to my eyes.

 Chapter 33 - Feast and March

    Woodland Realm


    The entryway to the halls had huge stone doors that were closed and secured by magic. The Elvenking''s Halls was a cave system in northern Mirkwood, in which King Thranduil and many of the Elves of Mirkwood lived during most of the Third Age. The great cave had many passages and wide halls and was more wholesome than the goblin tunnels in the misty mountains which Tiberius heard from the dwarves as they entered the hall with him. While most of the Elves lived in the woods the king''s halls served as his palace and treasure vault and was also a fortress for the Elves in times of danger.


    ----------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    I entered the room and observed the surroundings. The throne room of Thranduil was a great hall with pillars carved from the living rock. I see the king sitting on it as we entered.


    "Welcome men from Rome and Thorin''s company, I would like to thank you for looking after my family and people during your journey and wish to serve you with our greatest food and wine, after that I invite you to rest in my home after the feast, please enjoy your stay here." King Thranduil welcomed us while sitting on the throne with an elegant voice.


    We bowed except for the dwarves and sit on the chairs near the table and started the feast. Melody sits beside me and recommends dishes which she says is delicious, she places food on my plate as I smiled at her while tasting the dishes. I feel like my mouth explodes from the rich taste and continued to eat as Melody place more food on my plate when suddenly I spot the king coming near our table.


    "Melody would you please show our guests in the wine cellar? While I have a conversation with the prince."


    Melody nods and hugs her father before leaving with some of the Praetorians and dwarves excited to drink fine wine made by the elves.


    "You have a good daughter King Thranduil," I say to him as he sits where Melody used to.


    "She is my adopted daughter, my wife saved her from orcs when she was a baby, she was poisoned as she escaped from the pursuit of the orcs, by the time I found her she was dead but was hugging Melody to prevent her from freezing. She is very special and important to me and would do all I can to protect her from harm and any fools who break her heart." Thranduil stares at me while smiling.


    I adjust the cloth in my neck and felt hot from the stare as I feel the elven king''s aura directed at me.


    "I''m sorry about your wife...Cough...How is Bombur, your majesty?" I asked him trying to change the topic.


    "Ah yes he is awake but will need some rest, he lost all his memories during the time when he entered the Misty Mountains but he will be fine, is the food to your liking?"This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I nod at him and we have a conversation about my past and information about the legions situation, we have a good conversation until he said to me I should give up helping the dwarves quest. I said to him I made an oath to help Thorin and won''t go back on my word.


    "They aren''t like you oath breaker." Thorin''s voice can be heard and the whole room turned silent.


    Thranduil glanced at Thranduil with a neutral face: "If your grandfather wasn''t so greedy we would have assisted you back then."


    Thranduil argued with Thorin while the dwarf screamed about breaking their alliance oath. Thorin being so furious unsheathed his sword and attacked the elf king, the king easily deflected his attack and brought down the dwarf. The other dwarves and Bilbo attacked while the elven guards fought back and the dwarves in the wine cellar heard the sound of clashing steels went back to the throne room and joined the fray while I and my men stayed silent as we watched the dwarves being taken to the dungeons. I see Melody being escorted by elven guards towards her bedchambers. While me and my men were brought to our rooms with a heavy escort.


    The next day I went to meet the elf king with the dwarves in the throne room to discuss their release and forgiveness for their rudeness during the feast that he generously hosted for us. The elf king looked at them and said.


    "You have a noble quest dwarf, a quest to reclaim your homeland and slay a dragon, I will release you and the others and even help you in your quest, on one condition. There are gems I too desire in the mountain, white gems of pure starlight which belong to my wife and stolen by your people. Give me Lasgalen and I will help you."


    Thorin refused and they were taken back to prison, I tried to plead but was rejected. I went back to the legions camp and stayed there for the night. I secretly prepared the legions to siege the city when news came that Thorin and the others escaped. Legolas came to the camp and asked me if I know something while I honestly rejected knowing nothing about how they escaped.


    When I came back to my tent I saw a note from Bilbo telling me to continue our journey and meet them in Lake-town, I was curious how they escaped and sent me this letter but I focused on preparing the legions to leave tomorrow. I bought some supplies from the elves but the King limited on how much we can buy. The king sent Bombur to us who don''t recognize us but believed our story being allied with Thorin, the king sent him to us because he wasn''t involved during the fight during the feast.


    The next day we marched towards Lake-town and I see Thranduil and Melody not far from the legions watching us with Legolas leading some elves watching us in suspicion, riding my horse towards Melody I said my goodbye while holding her hands.


    "I''ll be back for you okay?"


    "I feel something bad will happen on your quest, I want to join you." She asked me with tears in her eyes.


    "NO! you shall not, I lost my wife and won''t lose you!" Thranduil shouted and drag her crying daughter back to the city.


    I watched her figure as Thranduil dragged her back towards their home hoping I would meet her again soon. With renewed spirit and determination to finish the quest quickly, I commanded the legions to march faster. As nightfall came we set up camp while setting a perimeter around it.


    "Damn not one female elf slept with me!" Darius screamed at disappointment.


    "Better luck next time at least someone was lucky right your majesty?" Garen smirk looking at me.


    I remained silent as I think of Melody and looked towards them: "Double the speed of tomorrow''s march I want to finish this quest and slay that dragon quickly and go back to woodland."


    They nod after seeing my serious face and went back to their tent to rest while I sleep dreaming of Melody while I hear a growing sound of whispers reminding me about something that I must take but I chose to ignore it.

 Chapter 34 - Lonely Mountain

    Woodland Realm


    Melody POV


    A few days have passed since Tiberius left with his legions and I worry for him every day and felt uneasy. I touched the golden leaf attached to my tiara which was said to be with me when father found me saying that the leaf has special origins and powers which even he doesn''t know, It''s hard to believe that my father who has been alive since the first age lacks the knowledge to identify this golden leaf.


    Touching the leaf I closed my eyes and feel it as it tries to tell me something, I see visions of Tiberius dying while battling a dragon and a man in black clothing. I see him dying screaming my name as the dragon tear him to pieces. I opened my eyes and finally made my decision to run away.


    "I must go to him."


    In the middle of the night, I sneaked my way through the guards as I leave the city undetected, as one of the best blade dancers in our realm I easily managed to sneak my way out of the city without alerting anyone. I run through the dark forest as I go to the place where Tiberius mentioned they would be going.


    "I''m coming please be safe"


    -----------------------------


    Lake Town


    Outside the town that is surrounded by water, the townspeople can be seen running in panic as they ran and paddle their boats towards the gate as they see a marching army with large shields with an eagle painted on it. The army can be seen marching in the only bridge towards the town. The town bells can be heard ringing as the gates were closed and the walls we''re manned as they prepared to defend the town from the unknown army that was marching towards them.


    ------------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    I looked at the town coldly as my envoy run towards it to send a message for trade while intimidating them with the legions, if it weren''t for the town only having one entrance where my army can enter in the solid ground I would have sacked the town or better yet conquered it. I don''t have any ships to use nor the time to siege the town as the legions only have one week worth of rations left.


    After leaving woodland I became more irritable and short-tempered as I wanted to quickly finish my pact with Thorin and establish myself in middle earth with the wealth I will get from the mountain. After having a foothold I will go back to woodland and ask for Melody''s hand in marriage.


    I''ve been dreaming of Melody while I heard whispers in the background, though weaker than before it''s still annoying me and made it hard to enjoy my dream. I felt like something dark growing within me the only thing that can calm my mind is my happy memories with Melody, her voice as she laughed and her gentle personality as she listened to my worries of responsibility during our time together.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    I slapped myself as I focused what''s more important, I am a prince of Rome and my legions are counting on me to lead them back home. I looked towards the gate to see Thorin and some men of Dale going out. Bombur ran towards Thorin and hugged him when they approached.


    Thorin smiled as he approached me: "It took you longer than I expected, we were just about to leave the next day"


    "Bombur has amnesia and bad at directions while you took the only map, it took us a while to find the path towards here."


    Thorin introduced me to the man beside him named Bard a bargeman and archer who helped them smuggled inside the town. He said that they were ambushed by orcs injuring Kili when they were escaping the elves, they had to go to the town to get medicine but the guards refused to let them in. If it were not for Bard helping them Kili would have died from his injury.


    They were soon discovered when one of the town guards accidentally saw them when he entered Bard''s house to hire him for a job. They were brought to the mayor and Thorin told about their quest and our legions arrival while also promising them wealth from the mountain. The greedy mayor agreed and the dwarves were preparing to leave the next day because of us being late.


    Thorin explained to me they know of a secret entrance we can sneak into, we will scout the mountain first before marching the legions to battle Smaug.


    "I and some of my Praetorians will join you, I will leave Garen in charge of preparations to battle the dragon."


    I marched the legions back as we make camp near the bridge, Thorin followed me with the mayor of lake town to my tent as we discussed buying provisions for the legions. The mayor was so happy to have business again from the outside after a long time and easily agreed to our price.


    The next day we prepared to leave the town, coming along with me is Darius and twenty Praetorian guards, Kili was left in the town to recuperate while his brother stayed with him. We ride on the boats that the mayor provided for us as we paddle our way through the lake and to the large mountain from the distance hoping our operation would be a success.


    Three hours later we arrived on the mountain where the secret entrance should be, but as we observed our surroundings we couldn''t find the door that was stated by Thorin. We spent the entire afternoon scouring the place with no success. As the sun falls down my men and the dwarves give up as they go down the mountain with dejected expressions, Thorin told me we should just go to the main entrance with the entire army and force it open.


    As I was about to go down I heard Bilbo shouting that he found the keyhole that can be only found when moonlight shines upon it. Rushing back we see a keyhole on the wall, Thorin inserts a key and pushed it open.


    We entered the tunnels with torches to light our way and separate as we scout around the area, we saw a large furnace and cauldrons with hardened gold inside it where they used to melt their metals. We saw skeletons of dead dwarves who either starved to death or killed while fighting. We saw the throne room where an incomplete giant stone statue of a dwarf can be seen.


    "My grandfather ordered that hollowed statue to be built, gold was supposed to be poured within it to make a golden statue."


    I looked at Thorin impressed by how rich they were in gold, as we continued to update the old map that Thorin gave us we heard Bilbo screaming. We run to the direction of his voice and see a golden light from the distance, as we got closer we see a dragon chasing a hobbit in a big cave full of gold and precious treasures.


    We were stunned by the sight but snapped out of it when we see the dragon breathed fire at Bilbo who was hiding behind a stone pillar.


    "Javelins!" I shouted as I see the melting pillar.

 Chapter 35 - Smaug

    Lonely Mountain


    Tiberius POV


    "Javelins!"


    Javelins fly through the air and bounced as they were deflected by the red scales of the dragon. I see the dragon stopped unleashing its flame and turned its lock neck at our direction, it paused for a while observing us before unleashing its mighty roar.


    "ROAR!"


    "Attack!" I shout as we face one of the biggest creatures I''ve ever seen in the middle earth.


    I led the charged as we unsheathed our blades and charged at the dragon while Bilbo escape. We jumped from the stairs and stepped on the ground which was mostly covered by gold. Arriving at the leg of the dragon we unleashed our attack on it while the dragon was looking amused by our actions.


    Clang!


    All of our swords we''re deflected as we slashed our blades on its legs, the dragon having enough entertainment from watching our attacks opened its wing and pushed us back then flew above our heads, it circled around us before opening its jaw and we saw a red light within it.


    "Run!" Thorin screamed


    Finally realizing the dragon was about to breathe fire everyone ran in panic as we already saw what it did to the stone pillar Bilbo was hiding from.


    "ROAR!"


    The dragon unleashed its breath and burned three of the Praetorian guards who were too slow to move because of all the gold under their feet. I see their body turning black as they screamed in pain while the gold under their feet melts.


    "We need to run! This should have been a scouting mission!"


    They nodded as they heard me and started to run back towards where we came from but before we can get close to the stairs the dragon flew over us and blocked our path while preparing to breathe fire once more.


    "ROAR"


    Two more Praetorians died as they screamed in pain turning their bodies into charcoals. In my anger, I once more attacked the dragon with my sword but were still deflected by the dragon''s impenetrable scale. I see the dwarves throwing weapons they picked up from the ground and targeted the dragon''s wing to tear it, but even it''s wing deflected the axes and swords that we''re thrown upon it. The dragon looked at the dwarves and moved its mouth.


    "I knew you would come one day dwarf, I missed the taste of your kind and you even brought more food for me."


    I looked in shock at the talking dragon that claimed to have been expecting us. The dragon turned around swinging its large tail at us, we were thrown far and landed on the gold with our backs.


    "Arggh"


    While I was still lying down stunned from being thrown back I saw the dragon''s foot landing in front of me and I quickly rolled to the side to dodge it.


    BOOM!


    "Shit that was close!"


    Thorin runs in front of me and held out his hand: "I have a plan to lure him to the throne room and distract him!"


    I nod and rallied the men: "Rally to me Praetorians! Let''s go!"Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    My men follow me as we throw our remaining javelins at the dragon to provoke him while the dwarves went to the direction of the furnace room.


    "Its been so long since I tasted N¨²menorean flesh."


    We run down the stairs as the dragon knocked down pillars and destroyed the stairs behind us.


    "Shit how many of my legionnaires will die if we fight that thing!"


    We continued running until we arrived in the throne room, I see red fire glow above us and melted gold pouring inside the giant statue and I realized Thorin''s plan. Before I can order my men to hide the gates of the throne room were crashed opened by the dragon.


    "Where are you going? Dinner has just been served."


    The dragon opened its jaw and crushed one of my Praetorians with its mouth.


    "Run your majesty! ARGH!"


    "Hmm, delicious"


    I see Darius running to the side of the dragon then climbing it''s back from its tail, while the dragon was busy swallowing my guard.


    "Hey, lizard! Eat this!"


    Darius swings his axe down and hits behind the dragon''s head.


    Clang!


    Once again the scales of the dragon deflected the attack. The dragon looked at the man who disturbed its meal.


    "ROAR!'' The dragon flies through the air and shook it''s body making Darius fall.


    BOOM!


    I see Darius landing on the floor while his head bleeds, seeing my childhood friend and brother not moving made me so angry that I felt the growing darkness within me grow stronger.


    "Release your anger"


    I heard whispers in my head and picked up a spear from the skeleton of a dwarf soldier on the floor and threw it targeting the dragon''s eyes who was still distracted by Darius'' body checking if he was dead.


    Clang!


    I see the spear being deflected by its eyelids as the dragon closed its eyes just as the spear was few inches from it.


    BOOM!


    The dragon flies down and I was thrown back by it''s landing. I see the dragon preparing to breathe fire once more in my direction probably pissed from almost blinding it.


    "Tetsudo Formation!"


    My praetorian guards shouted and the other guards run towards me as they surround me with their shields preparing to block the dragon''s fire breath.


    "ROOOOOAR!"


    I felt a great heat as the fire hit their shields and I see my men skins turning black into charcoal while they screamed in pain but still they chose to endure it and stayed within the formation to keep me safe from the hellfire.


    Looking at their shields I noticed they were melting from the flames, just as I thought we will die I heard Thorin''s voice.


    "SMAUG LEAVE MY MOUNTAIN!"


    The dragon stopped unleashing its breath and looked behind him to see Thorin standing on the shoulders of the large dwarven statue.


    "This is not your kingdom! This is dwarf land! And we will have our revenge!"


    I see Thorin on the statue grabbing a chain, when I was about to stand up I see the other dwarves arriving behind me, they carried my guards away while I placed one of my guards on my shoulders as we run away from the impending flood.


    Clang!


    BOOM!


    The moment we were outside of the throne room I heard the sound of falling chains from the dwarven statue that held it together, looking inside the throne the room I saw the stone statue falling down and inside it, I saw one the largest and expensive statue my eyes ever laid upon.


    I saw a statue so bright and shiny that it was difficult for my eyes to stare away from it, thinking the same as me I see the dragon also mesmerized by the large golden statue. We stared at it for ten seconds before I see the nose of the statue deforming and soon the entire statue turned into liquid gold.


    SPLASH!


    The entire statue turned into a flood of gold that drowned the entire dragon, I watched as the dragon attempted to fly but was thrown back from the momentum of the sudden flood. After half a minute the entire room is quiet.


    "We did it?"


    One of the dwarves whispered and soon everyone was cheering for slaying the dragon.


    "Haha! We did it!"


    "We don''t need the entire legion after all!"


    "For Rome! conquerors and dragon slayers!"


    I see everyone celebrating from our legendary feat as our scouting mission became a dragon hunt, just as I was about to celebrate with them I remembered Darius."


    "Wait! Where is Darius!"


    I looked inside the throne room thinking he was under the golden liquid when suddenly I heard Bilbo''s voice behind me.


    "His fine, I carried him away just in time, he''s just unconscious."


    I looked at Bilbo and Darius who is still not moving, just I was about to approach him I heard rumbling noises in the throne room.


    "REVENGE!, REVENGE!"


    Looking inside I heard the voice of the dragon and trembled, I see the dragon climbing out from the melted gold and was covered by it. I looked at the furious golden dragon rushing out from the throne room, the dragon smashed open the gates and went outside.


    "YOU DARE MORTALS! I WILL SHOW YOU REVENGE!"


    I see the dragon flapped open its wing and fly away while rotating its body in the air as the gold covering it splashed away.


    "I AM FIRE! I AM DEATH!"


    Looking at the direction of where it was headed I see the town was already on fire, the town and the location of the legions camp was being attacked by an unknown army.

 Chapter 36 - Battle of Laketown(1)

    Lake-town


    Garen POV


    The prince and the others have not yet returned. They said they would be back before nightfall, I am worried something might have happened.


    "Garen have you met my friend Bard?"


    Coming inside my tent I see Fili and the bargeman Bard: "Ah yes the prince mentioned you. What''s the problem?"


    "Some of the town''s citizens are concerned that the hunters did not return from their hunting trip, they are asking me if some of your men saw them?" Bard looked hopefully at me.


    "Strange, none of my scouts saw your hunters, maybe they were just late?"


    "No, we don''t go out during the night it''s too dangerous, they should have returned before sundown."


    Just as I was about to reply a guard went inside the tent. "Lord Garen we spotted an elf arriving west of our camp."


    "An elf? Probably from Woodland, Get my horse I will meet this elf."


    "May we join you?"


    I looked at Fili and Bard and nod, my guards got more horses and we went to the west side of the camp, arriving there I saw a familiar elf which was the cause of the prince''s short temper lately.


    "Lady Melody, why have you come?" I looked shocked at her thinking if she ran away again.


    Observing her she looked ragged and tired, she paused and took her time regaining her breath before replying.


    "I''ve seen a vision of death upon your legions and Tiberius, an army is approaching from the east led by a Nazg?l."


    I looked surprised when she mentioned an army approaching us: "I''ve sent scouts around the area to inform me of any irregularities they haven''t reported anything."


    "Where are the scout''s captain?"


    The captain replied while sweating: "They haven''t returned since this afternoon."


    "Shit they should have returned a few hours ago, rally the men! Prepare for battle!"


    Screaming of centurions in the camp can be heard as they wake up their legionnaires, soldiers woken up from their dreams were still confused but quickly regained clarity when they heard that a night raid from an unknown enemy might be inevitable, they prepared their armor and steels, wore their helmets, lifted their shields and run towards to their respective cohorts.


    "Bard go to the town and inform the mayor!"


    "Yes!, would the enemy coming from the lake too?"


    "I don''t know but your hunters and my scouts not returning mean it''s certain they will be coming from the land."


    Bard nods and rides his horse towards the town, I can see him screaming at the gates about the situation and soon torches we''re lightening up around the town walls.


    "Send more scouts around the area! We need to know who we are dealing with and their numbers!"Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    I haven''t completed my orders when I suddenly heard rumbling from the east, I see pebbles on the ground shaking and birds flying off from their nest. Everyone paused as they looked at the birds flying up in the air in the middle of the night.


    "COHORTS BLOCK THE ENTRANCE! ARCHERS READY YOUR BOWS!"


    The soldiers quickly marched to the entrance of the camp and lifted their shields to form a shield wall as they looked at the dark forest from the distance. The watchtowers were manned by archers which were taking out arrows from their quivers and aiming at the forest. If it were not for Melody warning them they would have been caught unaware as the enemy would have attacked them unprepared.


    "ENEMY CAVALRY!"


    I heard a sentry screaming and looked towards the forest, from the dark forest I heard war-cry and see a cavalry charge led by a dark clothed person riding a dark horse.


    "Nazg?l!"


    Looking at the source of the voice I see Melody trembling, I learned about the Nazg?ls from the prince, they are also known as Ringwraiths, The Nine, The Fallen Kings, Black Riders, or ¨²lairi in Quenya were the dreaded ring-servants of the Dark Lord Sauron in Middle-earth throughout the Second age.


    "What are they doing here?"


    I gulped as I can feel the dark aura from here, the Nazg?l led the charge riding a dark horse while followed by men riding blade chariots pulled by two horses and cavalry riders wearing similar clothing like the Scythians from back home.


    "Wainriders! They''re Easterlings!"


    I heard Fili shouting and finally know who we are dealing with, The Wainriders were a people, or confederacy, of men from the east that served Sauron. They journeyed in great wagons as nomads, and their chieftains rode chariots in battle. They were enemies of the alliance and were the cause of the destruction of the Rhovanion kingdom which used to rule the Northmen making the entire northeast of middle earth without a ruler.


    "Archers fire!"


    Horses fell as they were hit upon by a rain of arrows from our camp, I saw the Nazg?l lifting its sword and parried all the arrows falling above him like they were nothing.


    "Javelins!"


    The legionnaires threw their javelins and weakened the charging cavalry but even so the enemies were undeterred as the Nazg?l screamed in a sharp voice increasing the morale of the Easterlings.


    "SHOCK CAVALRY BRACE FOR IMPACT!"


    BOOM!


    Legionnaires bodies flew through the air as the enemy cavalry slammed on them, the blade chariots sliced through the men and squashed them under their wheels. I saw Fili throwing his axe and successfully throwing off a chariot rider.


    "Maintain the shield wall!"


    Reserves quickly filled up gaps before more enemy can enter the camp, I watched the legionnaires slowly stabilizing the frontline as the enemy cavalry combat in melee with the legionnaires. After the initial charge, the enemy was at a disadvantage fighting the heavy infantry of Rome in a tight space and was slowly being eliminated.


    I heard screaming and see the Nazg?l killing my men easily, the Nazg?l slashed his sword and killed multiple legionnaires like they were nothing as he tries to break through the formation.


    "Damn it, His trying to escape!"


    I shout and lead my guards while Melody follows me, we rushed towards the Nazg?l, as we got closer we felt the dark aura of the Nazg?l, for some reason we were out of breath and nervous being near him.


    "Don''t think of escaping after killing my men!"


    I urged my horse and it gallops faster towards the dark being, slashing my blade the Nazg?l easily parried my attack and kicks me, making me fall off from my horse.


    "Begone Dark One!"


    I watched Melody taking out a pair of daggers and jumping towards the Nazg?l, she slashed her daggers towards him but a dark orb came out from the Nazg?l hands and flew towards her, I watched her roll down on the ground as the black orb hits her. Successfully stopping us the Nazg?l breaks out from the formation while rallying the wainriders. The Nazg?l rides his horse towards the town while more wainriders arrive from the forest, surrounding our camp.


    "Assemble five cohorts we''re reinforcing the town!"


    I shout my command to a centurion while I help Melody up, I see the town under siege by the wainriders as they brought battering ram to bring down the gate. After ten minutes I see the gate breaking open and the Nazg?l entering the town along with the wainriders. I watched as fire erupt within the town as my cohorts assemble.


    After a few more minutes the cohorts were assembled and I lead them towards the town while Melody recovers and my centurions stay to protect the camp.


    "ATTACK!"


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="2"><caption>Battle of Lake town</caption>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%">Commander -Nazg?l</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">Commander - Garen, Bard</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 50%">35000 Wainriders</td>


    <td style="width: 50%">


    19000 Legionnaires


    10000 Town Militia


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Chapter 37 - Battle of Laketown(2)

    Lake Town


    Garen POV


    "ATTACK!"


    Two thousand five hundred legionnaires rushed out of the camp and attacked the wainriders.


    "Javelins!"


    Thousands of wainriders fell as they faced the might of the legions of Rome before they can charge at them with their chariots and horses.


    "To the bridge! Kill that stands in our way!"


    Clearing the wainriders outside of the camp they quickly marched towards the bridge and do battle with the enemies that blocked them. With the bridge having limited space the wainriders horses barely can gallop as more and more legionnaires cross the bridge.


    "Faster! Reinforce the town!"


    I command my men while I slay more of the wainriders, thanks to the bridge having limited space my men easily brought down the enemy blocking our way as we entered the town through the broken gate.


    Just as we entered the town I heard a loud roar, looking towards the source of the sound, I saw a golden light from the mountain and a silhouette of something flying towards us.


    "Dragon!"


    I heard one of the militia screaming and I finally understand why the dwarves lost their home. Flying towards us I see a red dragon one hundred thirty meters in length flying towards the town, I see red the dragon swoops down with red light from its chest while opening its jaws, flames burst out from its mouth as the dragon burns everything in its path including the wainriders.


    "Look out!"


    I heard a voice and someone pushed me down dodging the slash aiming for my head. I see my guards throwing a javelin and brought down the wainrider. Looking at the person who saved me I see a familiar face.


    "Bard! How is the defense of the city?"


    "There will no defense if that dragon burns the entire town! We need to a slay it!"


    "How? We are too preoccupied fighting the wainriders, there won''t be enough time to prepare for a counter-attack!"


    Bard looks worried before finally replying with a determined face.


    "It would take hundreds of thousands of arrows or slash of a blade to finally soften the dragon''s scale but I know a better way, we need to go to my house and get the only thing that can penetrate the scales of a dragon."


    I looked at him and nod without waiting for an explanation on why he has it in his house. Assembling my men we quickly rushed towards his house, entering the small wooden house we saw his two daughters and his son.


    "Bain take your sisters to the boat and leave the town!"


    "How about you, father?"


    "I have to defend the town, Now GO!"


    Bard grabbed a large black spear on the wall but looking closely at it''s wasn''t really a spear but a giant arrow because of the fletching attached at the lower end of it. Grabbing the black arrow Bard looked towards me.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "We need to find a wind lance to fire this black arrow."


    "Wind lance? Ah, you mean that giant crossbow the dwarves mentioned, I saw one near the watchtower let''s go!"


    We rushed towards the watchtower near the town''s hall when suddenly the Nazg?l blocked us along with the wainriders. Just as we were about to engage them, a rain of arrows from the sky hits them. Looking towards the side I see Legolas and Melody along with two hundred elves arriving. Legolas looked at the black arrow in Bard''s hand and shout.


    "GO! WE WILL HOLD THEM OFF!"


    I nod and ordered my men to fight with them while me and Bard go up the tower. Running up the stairs I see from the windows the dragon burning more of the town while my men fight with the wainriders.


    "My God, it''s like hades descended"


    Arriving on the roof I see the wind lance, Bard quickly loads the arrow and aims at the flying dragon.


    "What are you waiting for? Shoot!"


    "We have only one chance! I need to make it count."


    Just as Bard was about to shoot I see the Nazg?l climbing up from the stairs and slashed its sword at Bard. I quickly blocked the hit with my shield but I was pushed towards Bard who was just about to fire the black arrow.


    CLANG!


    I watched the arrow fly through the air towards the dragon hoping it would kill it but alas the spear went through the dragon''s wings instead.


    "ROOOOAR!"


    I watched the dragon roared in pain as its wing tore opened a huge hole as the spear went through it and landing somewhere we can''t see.


    CLANG!


    I quickly blocked the Nazg?l with my shield who once more slashed its blade. I stab my swords towards its head but the Nazg?l blocked it easily and kicks me down on the ground. Just as the Nazg?l would finish me off I see Bard charging towards the Nazg?l furiously and pushed the Nazg?l off from the roof, Before Bard can fall off I see Legolas grabbing the edge of Bard''s clothes and pulled him back to safety.


    "We failed Damn!"


    "Not exactly look"


    I looked at what Legolas was pointing and see the dragon losing altitude, it flapped opened its wing and barely not fall as it flew away from the town towards the dark forest retreating.


    "The Nazg?l!"


    I heard Bard scream and look down to see the Nazg?l standing up while limping towards its black horse before riding it in retreat along with the wainriders as they rush out from the burning town.


    "Evacuate the Town!"


    Everyone rushed to get out of the town as it burns while the townspeople paddle their boats or run on the bridge to escape their homes. We looked back to see the burning town while the wainriders retreat back towards the forest as the sun rises bringing back light to the world.


    "So many innocent dead..."


    I spoke in a low voice while Bard wipe tears in his eyes as he sees his home destroyed while failing to slay the dragon.


    "Father!"


    I watched Bard''s children hugging him in a reunion while I listened to the status of the army from a centurion.


    "Three thousand dead from the night attack, if it were not for Lady Melody timely warning and the elves reinforcements we could have lost more."


    Looking towards the camp I see elves and legionnaires walking around the battlefield killing enemy survivors which are still breathing.


    "Thank you, Legolas"


    "No, the reason we came was because of my sister who ran away again, which I will make sure she never does again, EVER!"


    I looked at Melody who is crying while Legolas yank her ear, turning my head I see the townspeople of lake town who are still in shock from losing their homes in one night and asked Bard.


    "What''s your plan?"


    "The mayor is dead, I will try to lead the townspeople go to Dale now that the dragon is gone to recuperate and make a plan on how we will rebuild the town, how about you?"


    "We will still stay here for now and wait for the prince, our scouts reported the wainriders haven''t completely retreated, they are camped six kilometers south east from us and are probably going to strike again the moment we break camp, it would be too dangerous for the legions to fight them in the open with their cavalries."


    Legolas stopped punishing his sister and looked towards us: "We will go to Dale as well, this is your battle, not ours, I''ve already sent word to father to meet us there. With Smaug alive and leaving his mountain probably means that the dwarves and your prince might be dead. We will take back the white gems of Lasgalen which belonged to us and leave, while you Northmen can take some of the wealth to rebuild your town."


    Bard''s eyes shine as he remembers the great wealth within the mountain, enough wealth to rebuild the town and more. I looked angrily at Legolas who assumed the death of the prince and was about to rebuke him when I heard a voice behind me.


    "It''s a good that you guys survived."

 Chapter 38 - Assemble

    Beorning''s Village


    Gandalf POV


    Waking up from his long sleep Gandalf opened his eyes as he looked around his surroundings, a large room with medical herbs on the shelf and a white cloth and a pail of water on the table. He touched his chest and remembered the injury inflicted upon him when he separated from Thorin and the legions. His friend Radagast told him he saw ruins with black speech imprinted on it so they followed the clues and led them into a black castle called Dol Guldur.


    He went inside the castle while Radagast informs the white council. When he entered the castle he met the necromancer which revealed himself to be Sauron and his plans to conquer middle earth once more. If it weren''t for Saruman the White, Galadriel Lady of the Galadhrim and Elrond Lord of Rivendell arriving he could have died.


    "Sauron..."


    "Ah you''re awake Gandalf"


    Looking towards the source of the voice he sees Beorn coming inside the room.


    "I see, Radagast brought me back to your village."


    "Yes, he brought you here and treated your injuries, if weren''t for Rome''s legionnaires already gathering medical herbs it might have taken longer to heal you."


    "Where is Radagast? I would like to thank him."


    "Radagast is with the boy named Cornelius along with the shamans from the legions outside the village, he has been teaching them some tricks, he seems very fond of them."


    Looking at Beorn Gandalf think to himself: "Radagast and that boy Cornelius has been spending a lot of time together even before we left the village. Is Radagast teaching the boy magic? That would be possible seeing that boy also has the blood of N¨²menor. I don''t know the reason why but the young prince Tiberius and his legions have all pure blood of N¨²menoreans, they don''t realize how precious it is yet and how much shock it will cause in Gondor, did Eru Il¨²vatar blessed them?."


    Looking at Beorn he bowed his head: "Thank you for the hospitality Chieftain Beorn, I am healed now, I must meet Radagast to discuss something important."


    Beorn smiled and escorted Gandalf outside the village, walking through the forest he saw his wizard friend with the boy along with the shamans which have been worshiping the Beornings and Radagast since they came. They said something about them being spirits and protectors of nature, although true they protect nature they are no spirit.


    "Radagast my friend, what have you been teaching them?"


    Turning his head Radagast looked at Gandalf joyfully: "Gandalf you''re finally awake, I''ve just been teaching them some tricks nothing serious."


    Looking around, Gandalf can see different animals roaming the field while the shamans feed them with treats while the boy Cornelius rides a bear.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "I will go to Woodland and inform Thranduil about our discoveries then meet up with Thorin and the others how about you?"


    "I''ll stay here for now, there are still wounded to be treated, I will catch up with you in a few days."


    Nodding his head Gandalf left the village while riding his horse towards Woodland where he will meet with the king of wood elves. A few days in his journey he is intercepted by elf scouts that we''re patrolling the area. They escorted Gandalf towards the Elven Kings hall.


    Sitting in his throne Thranduil looks down at Gandalf: "Gandalf the grey, I heard you were supposed to be with those Dwarfs and Romans in their noble quest to reclaim Erebor."


    "Yes I should be, but I went to Dol Guldur and discovered something horrible, I bring grave news Thranduil, Sauron has returned and amassing his forces as we speak, you need to assemble your army and march towards Erebor before they can take it.


    Smiling at Gandalf the elven king replied: "Haha, let those dwarves and Romans fight for their mountain from orcs and dragons while I wait for them to tire then take back what belongs to me from inside the mountain."


    "This is a battle you cannot ignore Thranduil, Erebor is a strategic position to take the north if Sauron succeeds he will use it as the gateway to take back the lost realm of Angmar."


    Thranduil frowned at the mention of Angmar, Angmar was a realm established by the Lord of the Nazg?l later called the Witch-King of Angmar located in a northern fork in the western Misty Mountains and founded with the sole purpose of weakening the alliance. Though it later fell when the alliance attacked the realm, the witch king survived and escaped back to Mordor.


    Angmar is a large piece of the land northwest of middle earth full of dark creatures and men if Sauron managed to reunite them under his banner they would be a great threat to all races of the alliance.


    "I do not care Gandalf, I have not received reports of any orcs marching their armies towards north even if it''s true my people have shed too much blood already during the war of last alliance."


    Gandalf shook his head in disappointment and was about to leave when a elven guard rushed towards the room.


    "Message from Prince Legolas, Lady Lind(Melody) has been found, she was located in Lake-town which was attacked by wainriders and Smaug, they successfully repelled the attack temporarily and injured the dragon with the help of the Romans, they are waiting for you your majesty in Dale to claim Erebor as it is left undefended as the dragon already retreated towards the forest while the Romans are still busy engaging the wainriders in lake town."


    Thranduil stands up from his throne when he heard the news, with the dragon gone they could take back the white gems of Lasgalen while the Romans are still busy fighting the Easterlings and waiting for him in Dale are his children who are in danger if what Gandalf said was true.


    "Assemble the army we march to Erebor!"


    -----------------------------


    Misty Mountains


    Azog POV


    Marching down the misty mountains are a horde of goblins and orcs, with the goblin king''s recent death at the hands of the dwarves and wizard it infuriated the entire horde of goblins living in the mountains. Using this as a reason Azog managed to rally fifty thousand goblins if it were not for the limited resources he could have recruited more to attack the dwarves and the red men and take Erebor as ordered by his master. The orc warlord equipped the goblins with the best steel and armor forged by orcs smiths and marched them towards east.


    A few weeks have passed since the march of the dark army, he spots Bolg arriving from the south riding a warg. Bolg arrived in front of Azog and speaks.


    "Elveuk ayh marchaumn avheir ushtar!"(Wood elves are marching their armies toward Erebor!)


    "Rideuk avo gundabad avhe ushtar forav." (Ride to Gundabad let the army come forth.)


    Nodding his head Bolg ride towards Gundabad to summon more orcs to march towards Erebor. Looking behind him Azog shouts at his armies which can be seen over the horizon.


    "Elveuk bur dwarveuk avhe mounavain liwo be avheir avomb avo fighav!"(Elves, Men, Dwarves the mountain will be their tomb to WAR!)


    ROOOOOAR!


    As the dark army marched towards the large mountain from the distance a large shadow cast over them and everyone looked up.


    ROAR!

 Chapter 39 - Wainriders

    Lonely Mountain


    Tiberius POV


    Looking at the distance Tiberius can see the burning town under the mountain as the dragon swoops down and burn more of the town into ashes. He felt anger rise within him and wanted to blame someone for their current situation.


    "Damn it, Bilbo, why did you wake up the dragon!"


    "I.. I''m sorry I just saw something and didn''t realize the dragon would smell me."


    "What did you see that you have to wake up the dragon, because of you I lost my guards and now Darius is critically injured!"


    Bilbo touched something in his bulging pocket and was about to reply when he suddenly saw Thorin arriving and changed his mind.


    "No... Nothing I just saw some jewels that I liked."


    "You!"


    Just as Tiberius was about to lash out Thorin came between him and Bilbo.


    "Enough, we can''t change something that already happened."


    He looked at Thorin and Bilbo before looking back again at the burning town before finally making a decision.


    "I''m going back, my legions needs me, are you coming, Thorin?"


    Thorin looked at Tiberius before looking at the golden light inside the mountain, he stared at the throne room and the golden floor in the hall.


    "No, I finally took back my home and won''t leave it again, I would be staying here with my company.


    The other dwarves we''re about to complain when suddenly Thorin glared at them before finally bowing their heads in silence. Bilbo looked in disappointment at Thorin before finally making a decision.


    "I''m sorry for alerting the dragon so I will join you back to the town even if I have to fight the dragon to the death."


    Nodding his head in approval he prepared to go back to the legions camp, he checked Darius wounds and the other Praetorian before finally leaving.


    "Thorin I''ll leave the injured here, for now, I would be back after dealing with the situation, I hope you remembered our deal."


    "Don''t worry, half of the wealth is yours and after my people return to Erebor I will forge you the best steel and armor. I''ll be here fortifying the mountain, if that dragon ever plans to return again I''ll make sure he won''t even get inside, I will be blocking the main entrance after you leave.


    Nodding his head he started the journey going back down the mountain along with the hobbit and some Praetorians who have light injuries. A few hours later they arrived on their boats and started to paddle towards the direction of the burning town. As time passed they heard a loud roar and saw the dragon leaving in a hurry towards the forest as they got closer.


    Tiberius looked at the fleeing dragon: "What happened to make that giant lizard retreat?"


    They continued to paddle their boats as they looked at the burning town.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "The town is ruined."


    One of the praetorians whispered and they agreed, the fire was already too big and uncontrollable, there was no hope to put it out. As they got closer the screaming and clash of steels inside the town slowly subside as daybreak came.


    "Were here"


    Everyone jumped off the boat and started to walk towards the camp, they already saw the destroyed town as the fire consumed it overnight. Arriving near the camp they saw Garen and the others near the bridge and hurriedly runs towards them.


    "It''s good that you guys survived."


    Turning their heads they see the prince along with the Praetorians and a hobbit arriving.


    "Your majesty you''re safe!"


    Garen rushes towards the prince and hugged him in joy as he thought Legolas words might have been true.


    "Yea I''m fine stop hugging me in front of everyone."


    Garen embarrassingly let go of the prince and explained the situation on what occurred, Tiberius'' frowned when hearing they were attacked by a Nazg?l and the Easterlings.


    "Why would they attack us, we never came in contact with them nor offended them also aren''t the Nazg?l gone since Sauron fell?"


    Everyone looked at Tiberius, the return of the Nazg?l is a bad omen, they were servants of the dark lord and only followed him, if they have returned there was only one possible answer.


    "He has returned"


    Looking at the person who said that Melody''s grim expression meant she also reached the same conclusion as them, everyone looked worried except for the Romans who had not experience Sauron''s wrath.


    "I don''t care about the dark lord, but his servants attacking us meant declaring war upon us, this won''t go unpunished, once a war against Sauron occurs my legions will be there for revenge."


    Tiberius looked at everyone with determination, as the heir of the Roman Empire any offense towards them is an act of crime, Rome did not conquer the Mediterranean by being scared of great foes, Carthage was wealthier than Rome before they fell, Greece was the home of many powerful and ancient kingdoms yet they were conquered and the barbarians of the north with their larger physique we''re no match for Rome military. They won''t be scared of someone who claims to be a dark lord, as Rome has conquered too many adversaries already.


    "I hope he cleans his neck when the time comes."


    Everyone looked impressed especially the elves and the Northmen, they knew how powerful Sauron and his armies are and looking at the confident looks of the Romans meant they must have a way to back it up.


    Legolas looked at Tiberius: "Your bravery is admirable but we have to leave, we will go to Dale along with the townspeople, the Nazgul are weak to light and won''t be attacking during the day so it''s a good time for us to leave, are you sure you won''t join us?"


    "We will stay, for now, the wounded can not move and our army is too large to march towards Dale before sundown, we can''t let them attack us in the open, only with the defenses of the camp we can hold them off. Bilbo, you go with them along with Fili and Kili, Thorin would be expecting them."


    They nodded before preparing to leave with the elves and townspeople, they took what they can salvage from the town before leaving.


    Tiberius looked at Melody who was forbidden to talk to him as punishment for running away again, They looked at each other with their eyes and can tell each other thoughts, he watched her figure disappears from the distance and now more determined to quickly establish himself in this world faster.


    Looking at the departing elves and Northmen, Tiberius and his officers went back to the camp to prepare for the battle after sundown, judging by the scout''s reports the wainriders would attack once more during the night but this time they would be prepared, they dug ditches, set up sharpened stakes and barricades, spread caltrops on the field and cut down trees near the camp.


    Tiberius watched the sunset as darkness once more consume the world, looking at the legionnaires they can be seen holding their shields and steel, ready to face the incoming enemies. Torches we''re lightening up inside and outside the camp, men ate their dinner which was delivered to them by the cooks, they eat their dinner sitting on the ground with their shields and steel in arms reach ready to fight the moment they heard the alarm.


    After midnight when the men started to get tired and fall asleep they finally heard the sound of a galloping horse, the ground shakes showing how large their numbers are. Scouts returned confirming the incoming charge.


    "Barricade the entrance!"


    The soldiers pushed the sharpened stakes they prepared and pushed them towards the entrance blocking anyone from entering or leaving the camp. Looking at the dark forest they see once more the charging blade chariots and cavalry led by the Nazg?l who is fully healed from its injuries. They heard the sharp scream of the Nazg?l sounding the beginning of another battle.


    "SHIELD WALL!"

 Chapter 40 - Night Battle

    Burned Lake Town


    Tiberius POV


    "SHIELD WALL!"


    The legionnaires heard the shout of the commander and immediately lifted their shields to block any enemies that try to get through, they stand their ground while looking at the enemy charge, they see the horses falling down as they stepped on the caltrops, the chariots fly through the air and crashed on the ground making more horses fall down as they slammed on the fallen chariots.


    "Archers Fire!"


    More wainriders fell as arrows pierced them and their horses,weakening their momentum but this traps and arrows we''re nothing to the Nazg?l, with a wave of his hands all obstacles we''re removed as they disintegrate the Nazg?l looked at the barricade blocking the entrance and lifted his left hand, on it a black orb forms before flying towards the barricade.


    BOOM!


    "Arrgh!"


    Legionnaires shouted in pain as splinters from the wood stab their bodies, some died immediately as larger pieces of sharp wood pierced their eyes then through their brains. The dreadful aura of the Nazg?l can also be felt stronger as the dark being came closer.


    "Javelins"


    "Screeeeeeech!"


    They were about to throw their javelins when a sharp shriek from the Nazg?l stunned them, they clutched their ears in pain as they dropped their javelins and shields on the ground, seeing its attack was effective the Nazg?l urged its black horse faster and soon arrived in front of the disorganized legions.


    BOOM!


    Men were crushed by the horse hooves while the Nazg?l also slashes its blade beheading the soldiers, the horse continued to gallop as the horse of a Nazg?l was stronger than any other normal horse, it continued to charge at the thick formation barely slowing down, following him the wainriders finally caught up and also entered the camp bringing more chaos to the stunned legionnaires.


    "Damn it!"


    Shouting in anger Tiberius looked at the collapsing front while gritting his teeth in frustration, the Nazg?l was a factor that made the battle unpredictable, the traps and plans we''re made useless by the Nazg?l strange power.


    "Evocati Cohort reinforce the front!"


    Watching the men marching towards the gap he heard a shout from the watchtower.


    "Enemy infantry to the west!"


    Looking at the direction he saw men in leather armors rushing towards the wall of the west side of the camp, they dropped down boards to act as a bridge to cross over the ditches that they dug up during the day.


    "They have infantry?!"


    "They must have hidden it well for our scouts not to discover them, they probably knew that it would be difficult for all their cavalry to enter the camp so they finally used their trump card."


    Hearing Garen''s speculations he agreed: "The attack last night was probably just a probe to see how we fight and also to check our defenses, now that Lake-town burned down they can focus all their manpower towards our camp."


    "Stay here Garen I will personally lead the defense on the west wall!"


    Not waiting for his reply Tiberius turned his horse around and gallop towards the opposite side of the camp, following him are the Praetorian guards ready to protect their liege.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Rally to me! Defend the walls!"


    Arriving on the west wall he rallied the men, he watched as the enemies placed ladders then climbed over the wall while the legions archers shoot at them, the legionnaires defending the wall threw their javelins while engaging the enemies that managed to climb up.


    Jumping off his horse Tiberius rushed to the wall to engage the enemy while his guards followed him.


    "Stand your ground! Don''t let them through!"


    The defenders saw their commander fighting with them increasing their morale as they shout their war-cries.


    "His highness is with us! Fight!"


    "For Rome!"


    "Mars bless us!"


    The legionnaires fought with great ferocity as their morale increased. More enemies climbed the ladder making the battle more brutal. Enemies that looked like the Scythians and Slavs wield their curved blades at the legions while the auxiliaries with their stronger bodies were able to push some of the ladders off the wall. The wainriders fell and were either stabbed by the sharp wooden stakes below or fell into the ditches.


    "KILL!"


    Tiberius slammed his shield at a wainrider who just climbed the ladder making the poor guy fell off. He pushed the ladder before more enemies can climb.


    BOOM!


    SPLASH!


    The sound of men hitting the ground and splashing on the ditches can be heard as Tiberius looks for another ladder to fell.


    "Enemy Archers!"


    A cry from a legionnaire in the watchtower can be heard making him look over the wall, on the field he sees the Easterlings lining up and lighting their arrows with torches before aiming them towards their camp.


    "Testudo!"


    A praetorian guard shouts and they rush towards Tiberius, they surrounded him and raised their shields as the rain of flaming arrows arrive.


    Clang, Clang, Clang


    Arrows hitting their shields can be heard for two minutes before they stopped.


    "Break!"


    They broke formation and looked around them to see dead bodies of their comrades but mostly the enemies, the Easterlings fired their arrows knowing they would hit their own men.


    "FIRE!"


    Looking back they see tents burning and horses panicking, though the enemy killed their own troops they succeeded in making the camp more chaotic as men run to get buckets of water to put out the fire while another wave of enemy infantry arrives.


    "Defend the walls!"


    Screaming at his men Tiberius once more continued to defend the wall while new enemies climb the ladders. The legions archers concentrated shooting on the enemy archers and successfully suppressed them making sure that they won''t fire another volley of fire attack on their camp. The battle continued for a few hours before finally stabilizing, fires were put out and reinforcements arrived, looking at the wall Tiberius sees the men holding their ground against the Easterlings.


    "Screeeeech!"


    He once more heard the sharp cry of the Nazg?l, he looked towards the sound and see Garen and the Nazg?l in combat while the legionnaires are engaged in melee with the wainriders.


    "Kill the Nazg?l!"


    Going down the wall Tiberius mounts his horse and gallops towards them, he watched as Garen barely hold''s off against the dark being while his soldiers supports him. The Nazg?l punched Garen''s face throwing him off his horse then slamming onto the soldiers that were supporting him.


    He felt anger rise within him when he saw his friend falling unconscious and heard whispers in his mind saying to release his fury like what happened when he saw Darius bleeding head inside the mountain, he did what the whispering voice said and attacked with great fury at the Nazg?l.


    "Die!"


    Slashing his blade, the Nazg?l was caught surprised not detecting his presence but quickly recovered, the dark being parried his attack with it''s sword while the other hand aims at him while it forms a dark orb. The orb flies towards him but he leaned his body to the left barely dodging it.


    BOOM!


    An explosion sounds behind him but he ignored it, he once more slashes his blade but this time it succeeds, the left hand of the Nazg?l was cut off while trying to pull it back after forming the orb. The fallen hand crumpled into nothingness while dark miasma seeps out from the site of injury.


    "Screeeeech!"


    Before Tiberius can finish off the Nazg?l it once more shrieked, stunning him as he covers his ears. The Nazg?l used this chance to kick him off his horse before escaping, the wainriders see their fleeing leader also routed.


    "Chase them!"


    The legionnaires see the retreating enemies and gave chase. Javelins were thrown and arrows fly as the wainriders retreated, the enemies attacking the wall see the retreating wainriders also routed. Mounting his horse Tiberius chased the Nazg?l, he knows if he can not slay the dark being now it would recover and mount another attack.


    "Die!"


    Throwing his javelin the Nazg?l see this and urged it''s horse to the left dodging the attack, the black horse speed was greater than his horse and would soon would escape but before it could he heard the sound of trumpets upfront.


    Wooooooo!


    Coming out from the dark forest are dwarves riding goats followed by heavily armored infantry dwarves with long spears and thick shields.


    "Kahr!"(Attack!)

 Chapter 41 - Ironfoot

    Burned Lake-town


    Tiberius POV


    BOOM!


    The goat''s large horns slammed on the wainriders and we''re thrown far from the impact, the dwarves infantry stab the wainriders that tried to get through with their long spears while forming a shield wall blocking the retreat of the wainriders. The wainriders stopped as they see the dwarves upfront while behind them are also the swords of the legions pointed at them. The wainriders know their predicament, all escape route is blocked and now they were trapped.


    The unexpected arrival of a dwarven army meant their defeat is assured, the field was quiet for a few seconds before a loud laughter can be heard from the side of the dwarves.


    "Haha, I did not expect a battle here!"


    A dwarf with a red beard riding a pig came to the front of the dwarven army.


    "I knew there would be men wearing red armors with large shields but did not expect an army of Easterlings and a servant of Sauron here."


    The dwarf smiled looking around the legions and wainriders before his face turned serious staring at the Nazg?l.


    "I know only one Nazg?l that has reappeared during this age and you don''t look like the one that I have heard about, you''re definitely not the Witch King, for another of your kind to appear here meant only one thing, Sauron has finally regained a physical form and now strong enough to summon all the remaining Nazg?l."


    Screeeech!


    The Nazg?l shrieked then urged its horse forward towards the dwarf general, seeing this the dwarf lifted his large hammer and swing it at the black horse killing it.


    BOOM!


    The Nazg?l fell down on the ground and quickly got up but turning around he sees the roman prince in front of him.


    "You won''t escape this time!"


    Tiberius slashed his sword severing both legs and it''s remaining hand making the Nazg?l immobilized while dark miasma flows out from its wounds, he lifted his sword and was about to strike down on the Nazg?l''s head when suddenly he heard the shout of the dwarf.


    "Wait stop!"


    Looking at the dwarf face Tiberius questions him: "Why?"


    "If you kill it now it will just lose it''s physical form and would be revive in the dark lair of Sauron after a few years."


    Looking at the Nazg?l anger rise within him as he remembered the deaths it caused to his legions. If this being revive it will just cause destruction and death once more.


    "So what now?"


    "First let''s kill all this Easterlings before dealing with the Nazg?l"


    The battle continued for another hour before all Easterlings were slain, knowing they would lose the Easterlings fought without regard for their safety as they recklessly charged at the line of dwarves and Romans trying to kill as many as they can before dying.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Looking around the field Tiberius can see the men carrying off the injured while killing the enemies that were still breathing on the ground, though the wainriders fought bravely to the last man they were too reckless during their last charge dealing only minimal losses.


    Screeeech!


    The Nazg?l shrieked while squirming on the ground trying to taunt the men and dwarves to kill him so that he could escape from the situation, though he will lose his physical form he knows his master will revive him.


    "How do we deal with this?"


    Tiberius looked at the dwarf jumping off from his pig before walking towards him, they looked at the squirming dark being on the ground before the dwarf replied.


    "There are only two known ways to truly kill a Nazg?l from the white council, burn it into ashes or" The dwarf pulled down the black hood of the Nazg?l and they see a rotting face of an old man. "Sunlight"


    The moment the dwarf said that they see from the east the rising sun, the moment light shined upon the Nazg?l face it shrieked.


    Screeeeeeech!


    The dark being shrieked in terror as sunlight burns its body, dark smoke came out from under its clothes while its face melts until the skull can be seen, its eyeballs dropped off from its sockets before melting onto the ground. The Nazg?l squirmed trying to find shelter away from the sun.


    "Now you can kill it"


    Nodding his head Tiberius slashed his sword and decapitated the Nazg?l, it''s head rolled before stopping next to its body before disintegrating.


    "Thank You"


    He heard a whisper as the entire body of the Nazg?l disintegrates only leaving its black cloak and golden ring behind.


    "You heard that?"


    "What?" The dwarf looked at Tiberius curiously.


    Tiberius shook his head and picked up the black cloak and the ring, he felt malice just touching them before giving it to the dwarf. The dwarf inspected them and frowned before giving it to one of his men before finally making their introductions.


    "I''m Tiberius Claudius, Prince of Rome and Commander of the legion, and you are?."


    "Well lad I''m D¨¢in ll Ironfoot, lord of the Iron Hills and cousin of Thorin, he sent me a message saying he was in Lake-town and requested aid to slay the dragon with you Romans, where is he?"


    Tiberius looked at the dwarf cautiously: "You''re late, we''ve already reclaimed the mountain and why did he not inform me about you and your armies arrival?"


    "You slew the dragon already?! That''s amazing, well my cousin was probably afraid that you would break your oath like the elves did and take all the wealth for yourself, but judging how bravely you fought I doubt it."


    "No the dragon left after sustaining injuries, I don''t expect it to return anytime soon, as for Thorin''s suspicions I would have killed him the moment the dragon left the mountain."


    Walking back to the camp along with two thousand dwarven soldiers they talked about the dragon, wainriders, Lake-town and Thorin. They discussed their plans for the march tomorrow and the possible battle that might occur.


    Tiberius looked at the dwarf: "The Northmen and elves went to Dale, we could expect the elven king and his army to be there judging by what Legolas said."


    "Ah Dale, the city of northmen just in front of the gates of Erebor, pity it was abandoned when the dragon came. As for those oathbreakers, BAH! They won''t stand a chance against my kin!"


    "As much as possible please avoid conflict with them, someone special to me is among them."


    The dwarf paused hearing the young man, he knows that an elf and a man''s relationship rarely ends well for both sides, especially for the elf who does not age. He was about to say this but changed his mind when seeing the young man determined face: "The young man would learn it the hard way then."


    "Aye I''ll try, but no promises! Pray that those pointy ear bastards behave!"


    Nodding his head Tiberius finally breathes in relief knowing there is a chance to avoid conflict, now he just hopes the elves would not offend the dwarves who he knows have an ill will against them after their past history.


    "For now we need some rest, can your men stand guard while we sleep?"


    "Aye lad rest, for tomorrow we march!"


    ------------------------


    The roman prince slept in comfort not knowing tomorrow a legendary battle would occur that will make all middle earth tremble as a new power rise on the north and also would make a certain dark being not from this world notice the hidden potential of the young prince of Rome.

 Chapter 42 - Toys

    Burned Lake-town


    A day has passed since the battle against the wainriders and the first death of a Nazg?l in middle earth''s history, Tiberius doesn''t know how a big deal that is and the unknown consequences it would bring to the legions because right now he is too busy preparing the legions to break camp before daybreak as they would soon begin their march towards Erebor along with the dwarven army.


    ----------------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    "How''s your injury, Garen?


    Looking at Garen''s face he can see his swollen eye.


    "It''s fine, for some reason it''s healing faster than I thought it would, you should have seen my face yesterday it was way worse than now, not only me even the other men''s wounds are also healing at an accelerated rate than before, wounds that would take days to heal are just scars already."


    Tiberius looked at Garen in surprise, now that he thought about it he felt stronger than before, he could fight longer without being out of breath and he even managed to defeat the legendary Nazg?l making it retreat before it died with the help of the dwarves.


    "Yes we''re different compared to when we just arrived, wounds healed faster, increased stamina, farther eyesight, and our bodies felt stronger too, I recall Gandalf saying something about N¨²menorean blood? We need to take his words seriously."


    "I agree with you, your majesty, Gandalf words might be true, great changes came upon us and we must thoroughly investigate it''s effects, but from what I can see it''s been a great benefit to the legions but we must not be complacent, we don''t know if there is any hidden consequence achieving such power."


    Nodding his head Tiberius agreed with his friend, they don''t know if there is any potential danger from their newly gained powers, after encountering the Nazg?l he remembered their history from Gandalf, they were men with great power and wealth but at the cost of corruption, if they were also corrupted by their powers he would rather die rather than being controlled by someone who calls himself a Dark Lord.


    "For now be alert, be on a lookout for any men that act strangely."


    Nodding his head Garen saluted before leaving to inform the centurions to report of any suspicious individuals.


    After looking at Garen''s departing figure he looked at the dwarves inside the camp, after arriving yesterday they occupied the tents of the fallen men, and with their short stature a couple of dwarves could easily fit inside a single tent.


    The dwarves were already lining up as they prepare to march out of the camp, their discipline is as good or even better than the legions, they wore thick armors and held long spears and heavy shields. There was an entire line of cavalry on goats in the dwarven army, though the sight of dwarfs riding goats looked amusing he dared not to laugh after what he saw yesterday, those goats rammed the wainriders with their large horns, throwing both the horse and rider far.Stolen story; please report.


    "Impressive right?"


    Coming right beside him is D¨¢in ll Ironfoot, the cousin of Thorin Oakenshield and Lord of the Iron hills which he learned is one of the strongest dwarf domains.


    "Yes they truly are, even with the size of the legion it would be a difficult battle to win against your army without sustaining large casualties."


    "Aye lad I bet you wouldn''t even win! This here is the best soldiers of the Iron hills army, they are veterans of many battles and equipped with the best dwarven-steel, they were strictly trained since they enlisted and most of them here are more than a hundred years old."


    Tiberius sweat nervously hearing his descriptions, an army of veteran dwarves wearing thick armors that are also far older than any human that ever lived back in Rome. Legionnaires spend a minimum of twenty-five years before retiring, nothing compared to the dwarves who have hundreds of years of battle experience. Though they are outnumbered by the legions it would still be a difficult battle to win.


    Thinking on his mind he sighs in relief knowing that he did not betray Thorin or else he would have faced Ironfoot and his army. While looking at the dwarven army he spots dwarves riding on chariots pulled by multiple goats and ballistas also pulled by goats.


    "Nice toys you got there."


    "Aye lad! They are made by the best thinkers of the Iron hills and you would be surprised by their firepower."


    "How so?"


    The dwarf smiled while pointing at the weapons of war: "Those chariots are equipped with repeating crossbows that would continuously shoot twenty arrows until they ran out of ammo while the goats rams the enemy lines. That ballista over there shoot something I called twiddly widdlies, when the arrow flies through the air the back end would open up and spin deflecting any projectiles in it''s path, then it would land on the enemies dealing a big blow! HAHA!"


    "Wow....."


    Tiberius'' mouth was left open as the dwarf described their weaponry, the dwarves weapons are too advanced and deadly compared to any roman weaponry. It would take years of research to understand how they built such a fascinating weapon.


    "I hope you can teach us how you built them or better yet we can purchase some instead."


    "HAHA! Like them don''t ya? Don''t worry lad, for helping us dwarves reclaim Erebor I would gift you some of our toys, you don''t know how much important that mountain for us Durin''s, all dwarves would celebrate when the word spreads that Erebor was retaken."


    Smiling at the dwarf Tiberius thanked him joyfully knowing that they will procure some weaponry from the dwarves.


    The commander of dwarves and men sits on their mounts as they continued to observe their army break camp, after an hour, a long line of dwarves and men can be seen in the open field as the sun rises, the field was silent and only the sound of chirping birds and the wind blowing can be heard as the combined army of man and dwarfs awaits.


    Dwedmar eron Khro hill Veloz! (Dwarves of the Iron hills march!)


    Legions Forward!


    The first one to break the silence was Ironfoot as their army march first followed by the legions of Rome from behind. As both armies marched towards the mountain Tiberius spots something near the shoreline.


    "What''s that?"


    Galloping his horse towards the shoreline he finds a black spear stabbed on the sand.


    "A black spear?"


    Behind him Garen arrives with the Praetorians in worry as they wondered why their prince separated from the army.


    "That''s the black arrow!"


    Garen looked in surprised at the object on the sand and explained it''s origins and purpose to the prince.


    "I see, this would be useful if that giant lizard ever comes back."


    Tiberius smiled and replaced his javelin with the black arrow now knowing he has a contingency plan in case the dragon ever returns.


    "That dragon will not know what''s coming."

 Chapter 43 - Gates of Erebor

    Lonely Mountain


    Marching towards Erebor is an army of two thousand dwarves from the Iron Hills and fifteen thousand legionnaires from the Roman Empire. The army of men are lost and homeless, they''ve traveled far and wide fighting many strange enemies as their numbers continued to dwindle for each battle they fought just so that they could establish themselves in this strange new lands.


    Observing the legions, they held shields and javelins while carrying short swords attached to their belts, they had armor made of strips of iron. The iron made the armor strong and the strips made it flexible. They also had iron helmets that protected their heads and neck, but still, let them have a good vision for fighting. Their gears are quite different compared to the realm of men yet they were effective when they''ve proven their worth when they fought against the Easterlings.


    Leading this army is the prince of Rome, a young man with great charisma and courage, he has already proven himself to the legions by fighting with them during the heat of battle and by leading them to many victories.


    -------------------------


    Tiberius POV


    A few hours have passed since they''ve left Lake-town. Tiberius looked at the marching legions and sigh in relief knowing everything would be soon over. With the wealth that they would receive they could finally establish themselves and recuperate after a long journey.


    After what he saw from the wainriders he knew that it will be far too difficult to lead an expedition towards Rhun the land of Easterlings. They would need to establish a stronghold where they could build up their forces and gather resources while the dwarves forge them new gears. He hasn''t seen any complete map of middle earth yet, but from what Gandalf described the eastern lands are vast and would take years to reach the other end.


    "Hey, lad! I''ve got something for you!"


    Interrupting his thoughts is Ironfoot, the commander of the dwarven army. Riding his pig towards him the dwarf took something from his pocket before extending his arms towards him. On the dwarf''s palm, he sees the golden ring that the Nazg?l dropped when it died.


    "Hey isn''t that?"


    "Aye, one of the nine rings of power for mortal men, forged by the best elven smith but corrupted by Sauron''s dark magic, he who wears it will gain eternity, wealth and power. Now I''m giving it to you."


    Tiberius looked in shock at the dwarf who was offering the ring.


    "What are you crazy?! Why do you think I gave you the cloak and ring? I know their past history from Gandalf and I refuse to become a mindless servant!"


    Shaking his head the dwarf explains.


    "The cloak was imbued with dark magic making it hard as mithril but only a Nazg?l could wear it without turning mad. I could cleanse its dark essence but it will take time, as for the ring of power it''s now ownerless. I tried to weaken Sauron''s imprint on it but because it''s been in the hands of a Nazg?l for too long you can only wear it for ten minutes before it starts to corrupts you, in those ten minutes it will grant you power that you could not imagine."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Tiberius took the ring and observed it, he knows how important the ring would be if what the dwarf said was true, this land was too dangerous with its orcs, goblins, wargs, giant spiders and other mystical creatures. The ring would come in handy during emergencies especially now they were stranded on middle earth, but too bad the ring is still corrupted or else he would have immediately worn it.


    "Why not take the ring for yourself?" He asked the dwarf.


    "No, it''s for man to wear, us dwarves had our rings. Seven rings for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, though they were all lost a long time ago."


    He remembered something and questions the dwarf: "I see, by the way, I''ve never heard of any dwarfs turning into a Nazg?l."


    The dwarf paused before replying: "Us dwarves are resistant to the malevolent magic of the ring, instead of turning us into mindless servants of Sauron it brought out something deep within us, it kindled our greed and wrath. The great dwarf lords who wore the rings changed as time passed, they became exceedingly rich and greedy; as the ring multiplied any ores mined within their mountains. Thanks to the rings the seven hoards of dwarves were made but it also attracted the dragons including Smaug causing great destruction and death to my kin."


    The dwarf looked at the ring before shaking his head: "The ring might have brought great wealth to us but in the end, it was still imbued with Sauron''s dark magic."


    Tiberius pocketed the ring then silently looked at the dwarf before he asked about the dragons and their resistance to the rings. Ironfoot explains that the dwarves were created by a valar named Aul? to be strong, resistant to fire and the evils of a dark lord. They are resistant to fire, more than Elves or Men but are not completely immune to it.


    Ironfoot told his race history on how during the war of dwarves and dragons they slew many of the dragon kind thanks to their mighty weapons and skills, but because of the dragons great numbers in Forodwaith they lost too many dwarves during the conflict and were finally forced out of their mountains after twenty years of battle. They migrated south where they settled in Erebor and the Iron hills.


    Listening to Ironfoot, he admired their race tenacity in fighting the dragons. The dwarves were brave and great builders, they were skilled in the art of crafting, creating fascinating weapons like the repeating crossbows and arrows that deflects projectiles in midair. The elves were great craftsmen too, but they aren''t as interested as the dwarves in crafting. The dwarves were created by a God of Smith after all.


    "Wait a minute I found this black arrow." He took out the black arrow which he found on the shoreline.


    "A black arrow! Oh, great Valars! there are still some of them remaining?!"


    He looked puzzlingly at the dwarf: "What, are they that rare?"


    The dwarf eyes shined excitedly as he looked at the black arrow before explaining.


    "That arrow in your hand is extremely rare and precious, they were only used when battling a great dragon. Unlike the great dragons, lesser dragons like the cold drakes which my kin fought during the war couldn''t breathe fire and had weaker scales that can be penetrated by common steels albeit with difficulty. Great dragons like Smaug have extremely strong scales that can only be penetrated by the black arrows or weapons imbued with great magic. My kin lost the majority of the arrows during the war and the materials to forge them can only be found in the grey mountains which my kin were forced to leave. The remaining black arrows were either lost or given as gifts and by the time Smaug descended on Erebor we realized how foolish we were when we found out we had no arrows remaining."


    Tiberius observed the black arrow in his hands, thinking how precious the arrow is, unlike the dwarves he would keep it for himself and when the time comes to slay a great dragon, he would use it.


    As they continued their journey towards Lonely Mountain, the soldiers took out bread and sausages from their pockets as they eat their lunch while still marching. As they neared upon the gates of Erebor they heard Thorin''s voice.


    "Never again I will have dealings with wizards or shire rats!"

 Chapter 44 - Make Ready!

    Lonely Mountain


    Tiberius POV


    "Never again I will have dealings with wizards or shire rats!"


    Approaching Erebor they heard Thorin''s shout.


    "Oh no..."


    Hearing the furious shout Tiberius knows something bad might have happened, and as he looked towards Ironfoot he sees the dwarf riding his pig towards the front of the dwarven army probably preparing to support his cousin in whatever conflict he has.


    Ironfoot''s back paused for a while when he arrived at the front, his head looking down at something before urging his pig down the slope followed by his army.


    Tiberius hears the sound of a rhythmic march and knows it wasn''t the dwarves. When he and his legions arrived near the edge of the slope he sees why Ironfoot paused, looking down he saw an army of ten thousand elves marching towards Ironfoot and the dwarven army. The elves stopped just a few meters in front of them. They wore golden armor while holding long spears and large shields, while some also carried either longbows or curved blades with both hands.


    At the center of the elven army, he sees a militia of five thousand men and women from Lake-town carrying a variety of weapons like swords, spears, axe, and pitchforks while being led by Bard who was riding a white horse.


    "This doesn''t look good, the elves must be here for the gems."


    He observes the army when suddenly he spots Melody and Legolas standing at the side of their father King Thranduil who was riding a large elk just in front of the formation. He looked at Melody in worry knowing that if a conflict occurs she will be in danger.


    The elves and northmen eyed the dwarves before realizing their arrival. They observed the legions before quickly realizing who they were, probably when they saw the standard-bearer carrying a pole with an eagle on top of it.


    "Romans..." murmuring voices can be heard at the sight of their arrival.


    As the legions marched down the slope Tiberius sees the elves and northmen looking at the legions in wary as if they were enemies.


    "What the hell happened?!" He shouted loudly in his mind seeing their reactions before quickly looking towards the gates of Erebor, he sees it blocked by a wall boulders while Thorin and his company stands above it, cheering at their arrival.


    "LEGIONS HALT!"


    The legions stopped their march just a few meters behind the line of dwarves. The field was silent before Tiberius sees Ironfoot trot his pig towards the front of the opposite army while smiling gently at the elves and northmen.


    "Good Afternoon! How are we all?... I have a wee proposition if you wouldn''t mind giving me some moments of your time." He paused while still smiling. "Would you consider...JUST SODDING OFF! ALL OF YOU RIGHT NOW! BEFORE I WATER THE GROUND WITH YOUR BLOOD!"


    The elves lifted their shields and pointed their spears towards Ironfoot in caution while the Lake-town militia retreated back in fear.


    "Stand fast!" Bard shouted towards the militia.


    As the northmen calm down they saw a familiar old man with a pointy hat walking to the front of the army of elves and northmen.


    "Come now, Lord Dain. There''s no need for war between elves, dwarves and men."


    Ironfoot eyed the wizard: "Gandalf the grey.."


    "Gandalf''s right Ironfoot, you need to calm down. No one here wants unnecessary bloodshed." Tiberius rides his horse towards them.


    "KILL THEM COUSIN! THEY STOLE THE ARKENSTONE!"


    They looked towards the voice and see Thorin shouting angrily while pointing his finger at Bilbo. Looking towards Bilbo they see a glowing stone on the hobbit''s hand.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "THIEF!" Ironfoot screamed when he saw the stone. The line of dwarves lifted their shields as they pointed their spears towards the elves and northmen.


    Tiberius looked at the glowing stone then at the dwarves reaction, he curiously observed the stone before asking Ironfoot about the stone''s origin.


    "The Arkenstone is a wondrous gem that was found inside the mines of Erebor. Its beauty and uniqueness made it become the heirloom of the Durin''s. Anyone bold enough to steal it would face the wrath of the entire Durin''s no matter who they are."


    Tiberius finally understands why the dwarves are furious. Looking at Bilbo''s position it''s obvious he was under the protection of the elves and northmen. A battle between elves and dwarves would be catastrophic. Darius and some of his Praetorians are still inside the mountain, they would be endangered if a battle occurs.


    He stared at Ironfoot before looking towards Thorin: "I understand that it''s an important heirloom to you Durin''s, but the legions will not be a part of this conflict. I would appreciate it if you return my men and give us part of the share from the mountain''s treasure.


    The field was silent before he sees Thorin laughing: "Don''t worry Tiberius they are under my protection, as for the treasures I promised, I can''t give it to you just yet."


    "You take my men hostage and dare break your oath?!" Tiberius points his finger at Thorin accusingly.


    "No no no, I would never do such a thing to the Romans who helped us in reclaiming our mountain. It''s just they are still injured after the battle with the dragon and are unable to move. As for the treasures that I promised I can''t give it to you with this army of elves blocking the gate. I will give an additional ten percent if you help us take back the Arkenstone and remove these beggars and thieves off of my mountain. What do you say, prince of Rome?"


    "LIES!" Bilbo suddenly intervened."Thorin has dragon sickness! All that gold changed him. He did not give the promised share of the people of Lake-town like he said he would! The dwarf I met on Bag''s End would never gone back on his words, and only a mad man would go to war with the elves over a handful of gems!"


    Thorin glares at the hobbit before looking towards Tiberius: "Would you really believe this thief? Do you know why Smaug woke up when it was supposed to be just a scouting mission? It''s because he took the Arkenstone which at that time was near the dragon, alerting it. He killed your men! It was this shire''s rat fault that Darius was severely injured!"


    Thorin pause before pointing his finger at Bard: "And you, beggars of Lake-town, you allied yourselves with the elves and dared to threaten me to give you your share along with the white gems of Lasgalen? Who the hell do you think you are? The elves did nothing and you demand I give them back their gems?! BAH!"


    Bard speaks up for the elves: "They helped us! If it wasn''t for the elves we wouldn''t have driven off the invaders and injured the dragon!"


    Tiberius listened to their arguments when suddenly he remembered the bulging pocket of the hobbit that night on the mountain. The realization made him furious at Bilbo''s lies and reckless actions. He also looked at Thorin noticing his changed personality, the dwarf he met on the misty mountains was friendly, brave and honest, but now he has taken his men hostage and broken his oath with the townspeople just so he could antagonize the elves.


    He doesn''t want any conflict with the elves for the sake of Melody. He looked at her before shaking his head, his duties as the commander of the legions comes first. He needed to make decisions that would benefit them. He cannot let his personal feelings get in the way. The dwarves are important allies and the legions badly needed their gold to construct their foothold. They would also need the dwarves to forge them new gears as their armors and steels started to rust and break down with all the fighting they''ve been doing.


    He looked towards Melody''s pleading eyes before making his decision: "The legions stand with the Durin''s. Thranduil, Bard, and Bilbo give back the Arkenstone then leave at once or there will be bloodshed here today!"


    Tiberius clenches his fist when he saw the disappointment in Melody''s eyes, he knows how important the gems are to her and her family, its the only memory left of Thranduil''s wife and Melody''s adoptive mother. But he still made the decision for the sake of his legions future.


    "An army of orcs is marching towards the mountain. All of you stand down!" Gandalf stands between both sides trying to prevent a war, yet no one cared.


    "I Dain Ironfoot, Lord of the Iron Hills will not stand down before any Elf. Not least this faithless woodland sprite. He wishes nothing but ill upon my people. If he chooses to stand between me and my kin, I''ll split his pretty head open! See if he''s still smirking then."


    Thranduil smirks while staring at Dain: "Enough Gandalf, He''s clearly mad, like his cousin. If they want war they will have it. I''ll get what I came here for, no Durin''s or Romans will get in my way."


    "You hear that, lads? We''re on! Let''s give these bastards a good hammering!" Ironfoot shouts towards his army while Tiberius rides back towards the legions. He paused and looked back towards Melody in regret before continuing.


    "YANAD DURINUL!"(Sons of Durin!)


    "LEGIONS AT THE READY!"


    ROAR!


    Tiberius looked at the armies of elves, dwarves and men make ready for war, as they were about to launch their attack they suddenly heard a rumbling noise from the mountains at the distance.


    CRACCCKK!


    "Were-worms!"


    Gandalf voice can be heard as they looked towards the mountains in realization on what was causing the sound.


    Everyone continued to look towards the mountain as the rumblings gets louder.


    BOOOOM!


    Ironfoot:"Oh, come on!"