The Middle Earth Wonderers (The Hobbit/LOTR)

Chapter 6.

I sat down beside the fire, staring into the flames as the memories churned inside me. A deep sigh escaped my lips. I wasn't sure why I decided to share the story, but it felt like it needed to be said.

"Alright," I started, my voice low. "Here's the truth. Long ago, there was a king of the undead, my father. His kingdom was ruled by fear, hate, and bloodshed. They despised humans, and every day they raided villages, slaughtering anyone in sight. The humans, of course, started to hate the undead just as much. My father's own brother, a power-hungry bastard, pushed for a law—no undead and human could ever love or be with one another. The punishment for breaking that law was death. My father agreed, signed off on it like it was nothing."

I paused, clenching my fists at the memories. "But he was the first to break it. He fell in love with a human servant... my mother. They knew what they were doing, knew the risk, but they didn't care. Love made them reckless."

I shifted, feeling the weight of the past press down on me. "After my mother got pregnant, they ran. Fled the kingdom, hoping to live in peace. My father's brother... he seized the throne, sent soldiers after us. We hid for years. When I was born, I was a contradiction—half human, half undead. Both sides hated me. When I was five, they found us. My father was beheaded. My mother... burned alive right in front of me."

I didn't realize my voice had gotten quieter, tighter, until I stopped talking. My throat ached, but I forced myself to continue. "I was exiled from the undead kingdom. Tried to go to the humans, but they beat the shit out of me, then kicked me out, too. I was alone, angry, barely alive... and that's when Mike found me. He saved me, nursed me back to health. Took me in like I was his own."

I glanced toward the fire, letting the warmth pull me back to the present. "And yeah... there's not a day that goes by where I don't think about revenge. Especially on my uncle. But I grew past that hatred, learned to let some things go. Doesn't mean I didn't eventually kill the bastard though." I said that last part softly, but it carried weight.

Kili and Fili sat in stunned silence, their usual joking demeanor gone. It was like the wind had been knocked out of them.

"Damn," Fili muttered, his voice thick with sympathy. "That's... no one should have to go through that."

Kili shook his head, his eyes filled with anger. "That's beyond fucked up. But I'm glad you found Mike. And... I'm glad you got the chance to do what needed to be done to your uncle. He deserved it."

Mike, who had been silent up until now, placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. His grip was firm, reassuring, but I could see his jaw clenched, trying to keep his emotions in check. "Damn straight," he growled. "Your uncle got what was coming to him. And now you know why blood doesn't make a family. It's about sticking together when shit hits the fan."

Kili and Fili nodded in agreement, their faces serious. The usual playful spark was gone from their eyes, replaced by respect and understanding.

"Mike's right," Kili added, his voice sincere. "Family's about more than just blood. It's about the people who choose to stand by you, no matter what."

Mike gave me a proud look, his rough exterior softening. "This kid here, they're proof of that."

I couldn't help but smile a little, glancing up at him before giving a small nod. His approval meant the world to me, even if I didn't say it out loud.

Mike clapped his hands together suddenly, breaking the heavy mood. "Alright, enough of this shit. If the others start thinking we're having some kind of secret family meeting, they'll get jealous."

I chuckled, standing up and stretching out my legs. "Yeah, let's get back to the others." I turned to Kili and Fili, giving them a pointed look. "And remember, this stays between us."

They both raised their hands in mock surrender. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with us," Fili promised, his face serious again.

As we headed back to the fire where the rest of the group sat, Kili and Fili gave us one last knowing look before joining in on the conversation like nothing had happened. But I knew, from the way they looked at me now, things were different. They understood me a little better. And for once, I didn't feel so alone.