Warrior's Heart

Chapter One

Ordinarily, the rain didn't bother Thorin. He wasn't overly fond of it, but at the same time, he found he could mostly ignore it. They were making their way home and still had a journey ahead of them. They skirted Mirkwood, as the last thing Thorin felt the need to contend with was Thranduíl and his Wood-Elves. Dwarves and elves, especially Wood-elves, had little love lost between them and frankly, Thorin was tired. He wanted to sleep in his own bed, if only for a little while.

And only a little while it would be, as the time would come sooner rather than later when he and his Company would try once more to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. Or more accurately, what was rightfully his. But, that would keep for now. His company was tired. They were worn out. They needed a short rest before trying again. A short rest, a new plan, and perhaps—as much as Thorin hated to admit it it—help.

But for now, they were homeward bound, heading toward the Blue Mountains, where their ponies would rest as well.

"What is that?"

Thorin peered through the teeming rain in the direction his nephew Kili pointed. At first, he saw nothing, but since Kili's eyes were sharper, Thorin figured there was most likely something in their path. The only question became, was that something friend or foe or worse?

"Where?" he asked, squinting even more now. The trees were twisted shadow creatures, and at times Orcs used the illusion to ambush weary travelers. The rain made those shadow creatures even harder to discern.

"Right there," Kili pointed to a particularly wizened tree and the hapless form at its base. "It's too small to be an Orc or troll. And we are nowhere near the Shire, so I'd doubt it to be a halfling."

"Pay it no mind," Thorin told him reaching up to draw his wet sleeve across his forehead, for all the good it did. "If it threatens, run it through. I'm tired and we still have several days' journey ahead."

"How far are we from the Wayside?" This came from Kili's brother Fili, who rode on his brother's right side.

"Two hours, perhaps a bit more." Thorin glanced up at the sky, thick with clouds, then looked back down as the rain stung his eyes. "I'd rather push through and sleep somewhere dry this eve, if it's the same to you."

"I think we all would," Kili said, shaking his head to send droplets in all directions. "I don't recall the last time it rained so endlessly."

"It will stop eventually." Under his breath, Thorin muttered, "Or so I hope."

"It moved!" Fili exclaimed, jabbing a fore-finger in the direction of the shape.

With a sigh, Thorin held up one hand to bid them all halt, then climbed down from his saddle. He unsheathed his sword without a sound, and also made no sound as he crept closer. The rain made this easier, since is drowned out any other wayward sounds, such as the ponies' hoof steps.

Although it was nearly dark as pitch, his eyes had adjusted enough that he could make out the shadow of the tree. Of the rocks all around it. Of the shape lying in a miserable heap.

Wait. No. It wasn't a shape.

It was a woman.

Rolling his eyes, Thorin resheathed his blade and peered over his shoulder. "Worry not. It's only a—"

"Watch your back!"

The girl rolled and pushed up onto her feet in one fluid motion and the zing of a blade sliced through the patter of raindrops. Thorin spun away, but bit back a yelp as the tip of the blade sliced through his tunic to his skin beneath it.

She spun about, but this time he was ready and caught her hand by the wrist with his right hand, freed his sword once more with his left, and thrust just the tip into the hollow of her throat. "Who are you and why do you attack?" he growled.