This is Me → Post BOTFA fanfic

Chapter 18

*ARETHS POV*

I gulped, rocking back and forth on my feet. Thorin had saw it all. I had a bad feeling in my gut, knowing he probably didn't like what he saw. Me not only defeating one of his subjects but installing fear in his heart probably did not settle well for him. I twiddled with my fingers, scared for what was going to happen next. "You, what is your name?" A scratchy voice asks. It is more high pitched than Thorin's, and I didn't know who it was. My eyes darted up to see who this man was, but quickly look back down once I have taken in his rough, battle hardened features. "Areth sir, at your service" I say with a bow of respect. "Hm" he responds, "You are a fine warrior". "Thank you" I respond simply, though smiling a little to myself. "How would you like to join my army?".

My eyes widen at his question. "M.. Me?" I stammer. "But I'm just a child, a child with elvish blood to be specific". I look up and meet the man's eyes, but he does not shudder or drop his jaw at their queerness. "It matters not" he says, "You are loyal to the dwarven race and are skilled in the art of fighting. Why would it matter what you are?". My mouth almost went agape at his comment. Did I hear him clearly? He said it didn't matter. Someone did not ostracize me or judge me because of who I am. Someone saw me for my abilities instead of for my appearance. "Wow" I state, "This really is an honor". The man smiles and nods. "We want none but the best to fight in defense of our home, and there isn't a doubt in my mind you're are one of them". "Thank you" I say again, "It would mean a lot to me to fight along others in defense of Erebor". "Good", the man says, "I'm glad to know I have another talented warrior to fight along side". I nod at him with a smile.

"See, my king," he says as he turns around, "Today's outing proved to be successful". Thorin nodded with a rough, forced smile. "Indeed it has. You fought well Areth" he says gruffly, with a hint of anger in his voice, then he and the man walk away. I wiped my sword off with the corner of my tunic, re sheathed it and started off towards home. I walked with a small skip in my step. Someone didn't judge me. I felt wanted for once in my life; I felt important. Even Thorin had complimented me, even though he had a slight scowl on his face. He smiled at me, and though slightly forced, I was generally pleased. For once in a long time, I enjoyed myself. As I skipped through the throne room, I saw Thorin was not there. He was probably still with that man. As I ran to my door, I opened it quickly, throwing my weapons in the pile of multiple other ones belonging to my parents near the door.

My father turned the corner, a smile on his face from seeing me home. "How are you, sweetheart?" He asks, pulling me into a hug. "I'm great father" I say with a giggle, hugging him back. I break from his embrace and start taking off my leather practice armor. I throw everything in the direction of my room, walking into the kitchen area to see if there is any food prepared. When I round the corner, my mother is there, her long red hair pulled back into a French braid. She turned to me with a smile. "Hi honey, how are you?" She asked, still working on whatever she was preparing to eat. "Good" I say happily. "What did you do today?" She asks as my father joins us in the kitchen. "I practiced with my dagger and sword, and I practiced against a kid from school". "Did you beat him?" Me dad asks with a mischievous smile. "Yes" I laugh, "and some man and Uncle Thorin watched. The man said I was so good he asked me to be a part of the army" I said cheerfully. All of the positive energy stopped there as my mother looked at me in surprise.

"What?" She asks, absolutely puzzled. "I was invited to fight on behalf of Erebor if the need ever arises" I repeat. "No." father says, "My daughter will not fight in a battle". "Wait, why?!" I ask, surprised at his reaction. "It's too dangerous. I will not lose you to battle. You are to young and to valuable to us" he says seriously. You can tell there is no swaying him. I look at my mom pleadingly. "Never" she says, "I will not let you fight in any battle". A hurt look crossed my face. He put aside all my indifferences to allow me to do something I really want to do and I am shot down. "But..." I start before my father cuts me off. "No 'buts' Areth, you are not fighting".
"Fine" I mumble, stomping to my bed in the other room.

I throw my body onto my bed, sobbing into my bent arm. My one chance. My one chance to be a someone without being judged. My one chance to stand out in the crowd in a good way, gone. All because my parents were afraid. As the tears seep into my pillow, I think to myself what my life would be like if people accepted me. I only cry more. This was my chance and it's gone. That replays over and over again, shuddering at the fact I was so close, yet so far, to becoming who I wanted to be. "Areth, please pick up your armor" I hear my mother ask politely. I don't reply, just continue to lay there in tears. I hear her footsteps turn the corner to ask me again, but after a short pause I hear the footsteps walk the other direction. My sniffles start to fade out, and my breathing starts to level as I slowly fall asleep.

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As I burst through the front gates of Erebor, I feel the sun and wind meet my face. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and smile as I walk out into the open plain. Once I feel grass under my boots, I break out into a sprint. It feels like ages since I have done this, yet it has been no more than a week. I twirl around and giggle a little, letting all my worries off of my chest. Once I am far enough away front the mountain, I slow down, walking calmly among the billowing grass that reached my ankles. My enhanced eyesight searches my surroundings, taking in things I had never seen before. The slight greenish tint to the grasses I once thought dead, the small grasshoppers hopping across the soil. I watched the tree line, beaches billowing in the wind, investigating every little leaf of the branches. My advanced hearing picked up things I had never heard, like the rustling the grasshoppers made in the grass or how the wind really sang as it weaved through the trees. I slowly walked in a circle, letting my senses be bathed in the beauty of the earth, before a foul odor attacked my nose. My eyes shot open in panic as I recognized the smell.

My light feet carried me quickly to the forest, following my nose. As I got closer, I heard the slur of black speech and the grunts and squeals of the disgusting creatures the smell radiated from. Orcs.

AN- Sorry for such a short chapter! I have been really busy with showing my horses and livestock lately... Anyway hope this short chapter is ok ^_^ I'm thinking this story isn't going to have more that about 10 more chapters... I am working on more of them currently, as well as my Thorin/ OC fic. I'm thinking about including their wedding scene in this story, so I can get readers of that fanfic to read this one as well. If you don't like that idea just tell me and I won't do it. Thank you for waiting patiently for me to update, and I hope you like the picture of Tauriel that goes with this chapter because personally I think it is absolutely stunning. Thanks again!