Finn and the Halflings (A working title)

Chapter 1

   Finn glanced up at the horizon, looking for any sign of the sun to rise. The faintest sliver of the sun was starting to show above the eastern horizon, bringing with it the day's warmth. He slapped his hands together, cupping them before his mouth, and blew into them for warmth. It was early spring so his breath still showed as large clouds of steam. He reached into his belt pouch to retrieve his sling and a round stone. A rabbit or squirrel would be good for lunch today. Winter stores were still good, but fresh meat was always an improvement.

     The spring smells were strong this morning, Finn could smell better than most people he knew and was quieter than anyone else in the village when stalking, except for his best friends Brit and Drea. They were halfling twins that were the same age as he. They were the only people who could sneak up on him unheard.

     This morning he was following the faint smell of smoke. This of itself was not unusual, but it was always a good idea to investigate since his village was too small to have a warden or royal ranger. A great deal of their resources came from the forest, and a fire could be a tragedy. 

     Finn slowed so he didn't spook anything he might be able to take home with his sling, but still followed the increasingly strong smell of smoke. Shortly he arrived at a small embankment, overlooking a creek. On the other side of the river was a small campfire, and what looked like a bedroll next to it. There was also a small satchel and a few items haphazardly scattered around. He crouched lower, blending into his surroundings as best he could while keeping an eye on the camp. No-one was present, but they couldn't be far.

     Suddenly, a twig snapped behind Finn, and he spun around trying to drop his sling and grab his belt knife. Somebody grabbed his feet and pulled him back through the bushes. A small figure burst through the remaining brush and landed on his chest with a loud "Gotcha!", a short stick roughly jabbed into his face.

     Finn hissed as quietly as he could, "Drea, get off me!" The young halfling grinned at him, still straddling his chest. Finn looked to his left, and swatted the stick out of his face, "Brit, you too! What are you two doing here?"

Drea grinned again and tightened her legs around Finn's chest causing him to exhale loudly, "We were following you stupid! What are you up to this early in the morning?"

     "I was hunting, but I smelled smoke, and found a campsite on the other side of the river right as you two jumped me!"

     Brit turned to the side and looked through the bushes at the camp, but Drea kept where she was, grinning even wider as she straddled Finn's chest.

     "Drea, get off, I want to see who is camping down there."

     Brit's face took on a large pout as she slid off. "Fine, but don't pretend you didn't like it, Finnegan Brewer," using his full name was a perverse pleasure of hers, "because I know you did."

     Finn felt his face suddenly blushing and he rolled over and grabbed his sling. How was Drea always able to make him blush like that? It seemed like he spent most of his days either avoiding her like the plague or trying to find her. Finn wished she could be more like her sister. Brit was pleasant, quiet, and easy to talk to. She was always clean and dressed in nice well-fitting clothes. Drea on the other hand always had a boy's over-sized breeches on, and an old work shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Being halflings, neither wore shoes, even in the deepest winter chills, but other than that, the two couldn't be more different.