~Burn~ Hobbit Fanfiction

Chapter One: The Little Hunter

( Mia )

Shakily I breathe as I stand motionless. My eyes scan through the trees looming high above me. The sun barely shines through the large canopies to bring little light to the dimly lit forest. The forest floor beneath my feet scratches and grumbles with small noises under my shifting weight. Taking in a slow inhale of air through my nose I intake the sweet smell of pine and fresh earth. Slightly my shoulder relaxes as my eyes close and I feel the tension leave me for a moment. That is until I hear the familiar grunt over the sound of the chirping birds above. Gasping I crouch down as my eyes widen looking ahead. Through the thick of the forest, a young buck wanders through the wood. He doesn't seem to be aware of my presence despite the bright blue hue of my dress and dark sapphire cloak sticking out amongst the natural colors of the forest. He steadily walks on before stopping only a few feet from me to graze. Still, he is unaware of me and the bow I have drawn with my arrow pointing directly at him. My fingertips touch the corner of my mouth holding tight to the string pulling back with the arrow knocked in place. My eyes look down the length of the arrow shaft, to the tip, and beyond to the deer. With a small adjustment, I line up the arrow right where the deer's heart should be. I know at this distance the arrow will pierce his hide with ease. The trick is to not miss or better yet, not be heard or seen.

I wait for another moment to make sure everything is perfect. The pull of the string, the grip of the bow in my hand, and my aim. Shakily I breathe feeling my heart race in my chest. Just as I feel my fingers about to lose a small twig snaps beneath my foot by the slightest shift of my weight. The buck, lifting his head doesn't hesitate. He leaps in fear and bolts. Growling I scan my bow following his path releasing the arrow only to miss striking only the tree he runs past. 

"Dammit." I spit under my breath defeated.

Standing I place my bow back around my shoulder and adjust my satchel and quiver around me. Walking over to the tree I angrily grip the arrow yanking it from the wood seeing the now gaping hole in the trunk. I run my fingers over it and give it a pat "Sorry ole girl. This wasn't intended for you." as I show the arrow to the tree. 

Putting the arrow back in my quiver I begin my trek back. I follow the small disheveled path of the woods until I reach the edge of the forest. Ahead is the vast open field and rolling hills in their golden hue. The overgrowth makes it seem like a rolling ocean of gold as the wind runs through it before flowing into the forest while dancing through my brown hair. I inhale the cool air and step out making my way back home to Rivendel. 

---

Arriving back through the gates the courtyard entrance is empty. It is even more quiet than usual without an Elf in sight. As I walk across the cobblestone I begin to ascend the stairs. I smile thinking I've gotten away with it again but my victory is shortly lived.

"Mia."

I stop and grumble hearing his voice. He doesn't sound angry but I know he isn't happy with me either. Smiling I nervously turn to step back down the steps. Looking up I see the tall dark-haired Elf approach me with his arms folded across his chest as he looks disapprovingly at me. 

"Lord Elrond," I say as happily as I can muster as I awkwardly bow.

"Back sneaking off to the forest are we?" he asks dully. 

I sheepishly grin "No further than past the border of the forest."

"Hmm." he mutters raising a suspicious brow obviously not believing my lie. 

By the look on his face, I know I can't escape with small white lies this time. I sigh defeated "I'm sorry, I just wanted to see if I could get him this time."

Elrond's expression softens "Mia, your capabilities as a hunter do not hinge on you gaining that stag or not."

"But it does." I protest "For the past few years all I have gained is hundreds of squirrels and a handful of doves. If I can get the stag maybe I can prove I am more than a girl with a stick."

Elrond tries to hide his amused smirk "Little or big, a hunter is still a hunter."

"Little Hunter." I sneer at the thought.

I roll my eyes to myself as I fall silent crossing my arms. Elrond gently takes my hand giving a light shake "Come on now, chin and eyes up. Go change and come back down for dinner. You can try again for that stag on the morrow."

My eyes widen as I look back up at Elrond as he smiles back at me. Had I not been standing so close I may have thought his given consent to go back out alone was something of my imagination or the temperament of my bad ear, but his smile confirms his words. I happily return the same smile as I nod "Thank you! Thank you so much-"

"With our patrol in the surrounding area of course." he interrupts.

Of course, there's a catch.

He seems more serious now "I do not want to risk again what happened when..." his voice trails.

"I know," I mutter feeling the dull ache of my left ear "Neither do I."

"But." he states breaking the dark cloud of the past over us "We look forward to tomorrow."

I smirk nodding back to the Elf "The hunt is on." as I run my fingertips over the scar where the top half of my pointed left ear is missing.