The Half Breed Ranger

Chapter 5: Forgive

The company pulled their ponies and horse to a stop next to an old burned down farmers house. Amanda slipped off the pony she and Kili were on. Everyone followed he action and began to unpack provisions.

"We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them." Thorin ordered them Amanda saw Gandalf looking at the burnt house and went over to him.

"A farmer and his family used to live here." Gandalf said as Amandda ran her fingers over the burnt wood and stone.

"Oin, Gloin." Thorin called behind them.

"Aye?" Gloin replied looking to Thorin.

"Get a fire going." Thorin ordered as Gloin nodded and began to make a fire pit.

"Right you are." Gloin replied to his king as he started the fire. Amanda took her fingers from the burnt wood and rubbed them together. She brought the black ash to her nose and smelt it.

" This happened four days ago." Amanda said to Gandalf. He nodded and looked around as Amanda looked herself.

" There! Tracks." Amanda said as she rushed over and bent down. She moved the grass slightly as she studied by them. They were big, very big foot prints.

" Something very big made these." Amanda said as Thorin walked over to her and looked to the ground.

" A group of three..." Amanda said looking around.

"I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley." Gandalf said as Amanda stood up.

"I have told you already, I will not go near that place." Thorin growled to Gandalf as Amanda turned her head

"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice." Gandalf protested.

"I do not need their advice." Thorin growled again and Amanda stepped forward.

" We have to go, whatever made these tracks. Burned this house and killed this farming family. I do not want to be here when they get hungry again, so pull you head out of your ass." Amanda growled to him. Thorin was about to speak but Gandalf beat him to the mark.

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us." He tried to reason with the Dwarf. Amanda sighed and crossed her arms over her chest annoyed at him.

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, the Elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather and betrayed my father." Thorin yelled at him. Amanda stepped back to allow them to fight. There was no change the dwarf's decision.

"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past." Gandalf growled to him. Thorin stepped forward clearly angry at the wizards words.

"I did not know that they were yours to keep." Thorin replied to him as Gandalf huffed and marched away. Amanda glared at Thorin who returned it easily.

" Dwelling in the past is what will lead to your death." Amanda growled to him and looked behind him.

" And the death of your friends. Thorin, forgive the past." Amanda begged him. Thorin continued to glare at her.

" You want me to forget that the Elves left my people for dead?" Thorin asked her anger rushing through him.

" No, not to forget. But to forgive. Thorin, show the world that you are a good King. Not one that dwells in the past." Amanda told him. He seemed to think about it all for a moment and then turned to Amanda.