In the Shadows of War

An Unexpected Encounter

It was the same kind of day as everyday was for the past six hundred years. For man, that seems like a lot but for elves...time means nothing. For as long as i can remember Rivendell, home to the elves hidden in the misty mountains in the western valley, was home. I haven't got much memory as to how i came to be, but Lord Elrond has been my father and raised me as his own since the beginning of my life. Sometimes i wonder is this all my life will be? Or is there more out there. Unless some unexpected journey crossed my path...it's highly unlikely.

It was half past noon, father is going to kill me for being late to music lessons again. I rush into one of the foyers and realize I haven't been spotted quite yet. As i turn a sharp corner i hit something hard and look up to see Lord Elrond glancing down at me with a disappointing look. I smile nervously, "Katrina, your late...again"
"i know, I know I'm sorry i was just...i was in the fields and..."
He cuts me off
"in the fields? Outside the walls? You know better than that, their have been orc scouts spotted and you out there alone could have been catastrophic"
I just sit there quietly. After a moment he sighs "you a strong warrior this i know, i have heard it and see it with my own eyes, but you just have to be more careful do you understand"
"yes my lord."
At that moment is when the horns sounded. A guard comes rushing in "my lord, warg scouts in the field. They are hunting"
I step forward "hunting what?"
The guard gulps and looks to Elrond. "go my child, i have business to attend to, we will continue this discussion later."
He begins to walk away with the guard i huff "business huh?."

I hurry and make my way to a balcony over looking the entrance and the bridge leading into Rivendell. What i saw i could only half understand, first was Gandalf the Grey, a wise wizard whom I grew up around and he was here on business not two days ago. Only this time he's back accompanied by a bit of the filth i had grown to loathe only because of our history, Dwarves.
Not just one or two but thirteen of them and a halfling it seemed.
What an odd company was my first thought.
As i loomed over the balcony, i watched Lord Elrond and the company exchange words and greetings and watched him lead them into our home.

Later that evening, i strolled into the dining to see the dwarves seated at the table, An halted in disgust.
I scan the room and find Elrond and Gandalf seated at one end of the table.
"So kind of you to invite us though not really dressed for dinner" explains Gandalf
"well, you never are" Elrond exclaims followed by Gandalf joyous laugh.
I stick to the shadows as Elrond and Gandalf engage in conversation, I look over and seated on the other side of Elrond is the dwarf who seems to be the leader of the company.
"We came by some weapons in a troll cave and we wondered if you could identify them" Gandalf exclaimed. "Thorin, show master Elrond your blade."
He hesitates and pulls it and hands it to him. Elrond examines the blade, "this is Orcrist, the goblin-cleaver, a famous blade, forged by the high elves of the west, my kin, may it serve you well."
The dwarve bows his head and i scoff. Elrond looks and sees.
"so nice of you to join us my daughter." I come from the shadows.
"This is my daughter, Katrina, she is.."
"not fond of us dwarves i see" the daarf interrupts,  i glare at him
"and you will do well to remember it dwarf scum."
"ENOUGH"
Elrond stands and towers over me. "These are our guests and we are here to help them, you will do well to respect them."
It gets quiet and the dwarves including the halfling stare at me, I turn and leave not looking at the following eyes.

"Excuse her, she means well but...she is..fierce in things she does not need to be"
Gandalf clears his throat "she is a warrior that is for sure, yet my dear friend you keep her from her path."
"I promised her father i would protect her, she is my kin and steering her toward that path, would bring me dishonor"
"My friend..one can not avoid one's path and destiny for so long." Elrond gives Gandalf a look of knowing he is right but doesn't want to admit it.

"AHHHH" I yell bringing my sword down into some training dummies, a few more pop up and i quickly pull an arrow and hit then straight in the head. I continue to push myself more and more fighting the anger and frustration.
"You know, training with dummies isnt like the real war."
I look up to see one of the dwarves, a much younger one, handsome even.
I give him a wry look "What could you possibly know of war, you seem like just a child,"
He laughs, "guess my charming good looks dont show my age, but then again yours dont either."
I eye him up and down
"who are you and what do you want,"
he strolls to the weapons rack on the left side of the training area
"My name is Kili and I am kin  Thorin, and i am here to well, maybe give you a worthy opponent" he makes a stance "if you are up for it."
I hesitate for a moment, then ready my stance. "Dont go crying to your king when i beat you" I wickedly smile at him
"I highly doubt that," he lunges for me and I swerve dodging his blade easy and knock him in the back, he then turns to counter with a swing of his blade and i block it again kicking him back. He stumbles
"not bad, you are quick like an elf, you sure you haven't had training?"
"Only what I've taught my self."
I go for him this time and we clash swords, in a final attempt i roll and dodge him bring down his sword and i sweep his feet, knocking him to the ground, i get up and hold my sword above him. "Yield," I say, tenderly pressing the point of my blade to his neck
he smiles "you got me"
I remove my sword and turn to walk away, he "You know we could use someone like you"
I stop dead in my tracks and face him, leaned up on his elbows he pushes off and then stands brushing the dirt off himself
"and you seem pretty determined to leave this place, why dont you consider it"
He hands me a scroll what seems to be a contract.
"we leave before dawn."
He walks away,and i watch after him.
After he has gone i open the paper, on it reads;

"Thorin Oakenshield and company, quest to take back the lonely mountain, Rendevous at the western gate just before dawn."

Is this a sign? I thought to myself.
If it is maybe the journey is more unexpected than i realized it to be.

As dawn approached, I gathered my things. In a closet hidden within a wall i pull an old elven bow and one of the swords Lord Elrond used in the Great War. I strap on my fighting leathers and my quiver and sheath my sword. I stand in the mirror, seeing nothing but a warrior, Elrond appears behind me. I quickly face him, a guilty look on my face, I open my mouth to begin speaking and he hold up his hand
"I know I can not keep you from this, it was what you were always meant for, just promise me you will be safe and dont look back, you are so much stronger than you realize right now."
I tear up a bit and smile and hug him
"Thank you, for everything."
He hugs me back and nods
"you must move hastily, soon they will realized you all have gone."
I nod and run making my way down the corridor, i stop and see the dwarve company leaving. I look around and climb over the balcony and using my elven swiftness , I jump and climb from statue to balcony making my way to them. I stop draw and arrow and fire, it hits the rock right in front of Thorin, they all turn and look and I slide down and rail and land facing them, Thorin is in the back now.
"Listen, i know i have no right, but take me with you...please, this war is not yours alone"
Thorin scoffs "We dont need the company of elves"
He turns his back to keep walking. The other dwarves begin to turn as well until I stop them.
"I can fight, and i know my way around these mountains, and these lands!" I walk through them, they step aside out of my path and I get to a Thorin.
"you need me, more or less you could use me"
Kili steps in "she is one hell of a fighter."
Some other chime in
"and her swiftness could be of use"
"and she could scout for us"
more of them state their opinions.
After a moment Thorin looks to them all and back to me and leans in close.
"I do not trust you...but, If you betray me or any of my company. It will be the last thing you do."
I look him up and down and smirk
"you have my word if I have yours" he is silent for a moment and then nods and turns to the company. "now lets get moving"
As the dwarves shove past me Kili stops.
"Glad you decided to make it she-elf."
I roll my eyes "I suppose it is time I go on an adventure."