Child Of Light

Trolls!

"Look Daddy! Look what I can do!"

A smaller Erica ran to her father in excitement. She proudly showed him a tiny ice sculpture in her hand and transformed it to a smaller version of himself and her together. But her smile turned to fear when her father gave her a look of horror and anger "you...you freak!...you devils child!"

The sculpture shattered to the ground when he grabbed her and began to hit her.

"No daddy! Please stop!"

"Shut up!"

Images flashed of her being tortured, starved, whipped through her years of childhood.

Erica...

"Monster!

Erica

"Freak!"

Erica

"Abomination!"

"ERICA!!!"

Erica screamed and shot up, gasping for breath startling Bilbo from his kneeled position. She felt eyes upon her and saw that everyone was looking at her with concern and worry. Gandalf looked more worried as he stood.

"Erica?...are you alright?" He asked gently. He watched as she shakingly stood and rolled up her bedroll "f-fine, j-just fine" she stuttered.

"Are ye sure Lassie? Your arms bleedin" Dwalin pointed out. Sure enough a dark patch soaked her sleeve making her curse under her breath 'dam it! Not now!' She thought. Balin came forward "here let me..."

Erica immediately flinched away

"Easy miss Erica he only wants to help...."

"I'm fine ok! Just leave it!" She yelled at Kili who jumped back from her sudden out burst. He watched as she grabbed her things and made her way to the horses. Thorin went to go after her and scold her but Gandalf stopped him with his staff "Thorin, leave her " he warned. Thorin looked towards the girl who was petting his pony. He sighed and helped pack up. Soon everyone was on their way.

During the ride, rain had begun to pour from the heavens which got everyone awfully miserable and grumpy including Erica who despised the rain. It made her even more colder than she already was. She tightened her cloak, trying to at least get a little bit warm as she walked along side the company.

"Erica get on here, your feet will be soaked" Kili said holding his hand out. She hesitated but grabbed his hand and let him pull her up in front of him. He wrapped his coat around her, giving his body heat. "Thanks Kili...sorry for yelling at you this morning by the way" she whispered, leaning her head against his chest.

"It's ok, I forgive you" he smiled patting her head.

"Here, Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori complained.

"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another wizard!" Gandalf snapped, putting the old dwarf in his place.

"Are there any? Other wizards?" Bilbo asked

ah! There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the White. Then there are the two Blue Wizards; you know, I've quite forgotten their names." Gandalf mumbled

"Alastair and Pallando Gamdalf" Erica reminded him. The old wizard chuckled "so it is my dear! And our fifth is Radagast the brown. You know that one right Erica?" He asked

She laughed "I have heard stories" she winked

"Is he a great Wizard or is he...more like you?" Bilbo asked