Finding Myself

Chapter 1

"Mother!!!! Come look, father's home!" Bain yelled from the window, causing Tilda to throw herself at the window too. I looked up from the book I was reading, A tale of Dragons: Eragon Paolini to see the two of them waving down at presumably, our father, known to the rest of the town as Bard the Bowman.

"Come big sis, look! Father's back!" Tilda's exclamation was soon followed by Bain, "I'm going to tell mother." and he ran off. I sighed a great breath and placed my beloved bookmark into the book, clamping it closed and gently placing it aside. I followed Tilda and Bain down the stairs to greet our father.

"Father!" Tilda shouted excitedly as father walked in through the door and flung her arms around his neck. Father hoisted her up on his waist and rubbed Bain's hair roughly. As he placed them down, he turned to me smiling, "No hugs for poor dear old me? Silvi?" I smiled and came in and crushed him in a bear hug. "Honey, you're back! How was this trip?" mother was talking to father from somewhere close behind me. We broke apart and dad said to mom, "Ah, yes..." I could tell he was reluctant, "we have some guests, and we shall be discreet about this all." And thus, the debacle of meeting thirteen dwarfs and a hobbit. It was full of unsuccessful sneaking and chaotic fist fights with the town guards.

Honestly, they are such a grumpy bunch. That was the conclusion I had come to once they've all finally settled down. They have non-stop been grumbling about how they needed medicine, how we were supposed to serve the great King under the mountain in reclaiming their kingdom, how they needed weapons, food, honour, respect, an audience with the leader of Lake Town, and the list just goes on and on. The dwarf named Dwalin was really grating on my nerves. Another dwarf named Kili, who is - in my opinion - quite the looker, was as pale as a sheet, trembling, moaning, layers and layers of sweat were visible on his forehead. Their healer draws, Oin stayed close to him with Fili. They huddled in the mid staircase area.

At least they weren't yelling anymore. I left the house to Prof. Wright's library since it was still sometime in the early evening. There, I hope I can find some solitude and finish my intriguing book about dragons. Prof Wright was the only scholar in town, he and his wife all had grown fluffy white hair, indicative of their age. Although knowledge is not prized in the area I live in, they still prided themselves greatly. Like them, I am a bit of an outcast, scorn by many and accepted by only a few. My mother and father weren't my blood parents. According to my mother, they took me in where they saw me next to the woods on one winter night many years ago. I was wailing strongly and my mother would not have left me there. Even the dwarfs made comments when I was introduced to them.

"Who is this girl?" Balin took a step closer, watching me like he was inspecting a tree and trying to find the breed, "better yet, what is she?"

Another dwarf, I think it was Dori, said next to him, "a skin complexion I've never seen, dark, almost black hair and pupils with soft delicate features never beheld in my life time."

Another dwarf, Gloin said, "such an ugly creature in our standards, women should have hair, lots of facial hair, she's even worse than Kili is." I snorted and scoffed while helping my mother handout water.

"I am not a specimen, not an animal, to take your scrutiny. I am human if that's what you're implying and the only answer I'll give you." I snapped.

The only hobbit in this company coughed into his cup of water, making a choking noise. "Sorry my friends offended you, this is no way to talk to a young lady, a lady of any kind actually, please forgive them, innocent curiosity is what it is. " he paused and made a slight bow, "Let me introduce myself again, Bilbo Buggins at your surface my lady."

Still feeling slightly offended by the dwarfs, I in turn nodded at Bilbo and said, "Sylvia, it's a pleasure to meet you too Master Baggins."

My appearance always brought my scrutiny and scorn. There were not a dozen people in town that did not point fingers at me or talk behind my backs about my appearance. Prof Wright and his wife being one of the few. They've taught me a lot and allowed me in their little house slash library since the day I accidentally snuck in and was found while reading one of the tomes. The windchime they placed on the window chimed from the pressure difference as I opened the door. "Little Slyvi! Back for more reading?" "Hello Professor, how's your day?""Same old same old." He answered. While I walked further into the house and plopped down at my favourite sport next to their fireplace, against a bookshelf. I was left to read in peace. Little did I know, that would be the only peace before the storm came.