The Half Breed Ranger

Chapter 26: Memories

Amanda's POV

I found myself standing in a field of rolling golden crops mixed with gently coloured flowers scattered throughout. The soft warm breeze floated gently through the air as it carried little bits of fluff from the cotton plants here and there. The bird sung sweetly in tune with the buzzing of bees that buzzed about completing their daily tasks. A small stream rippled its way over rocks and down it's intended path. The trees in the distances swaying gently in the breeze that picked up my brown hair. The smell of nature hung in the air, relaxing every part of my body as the sun hovered just above the furthest hill spreading the golden light to illuminate everything its the ray's grasp.

" Amanda." A voice called out as I instantly looked around to find the source.

" Coming!" A younger voice called out as a small girl no other than four, run forward. It was not to long after I saw the little girls face, I realised it was myself. I watched as the younger me ran out from by the stream and towards a tall young man around the age of twenty five. His blond hair was the large give away. He bent down to one knee and opened his arms for the young me to run into. Younger me ran and jumped into his arms as he stood up with me held above his head giggle with my hands spread out. Younger me was wearing a white dress and small boots as my hair was pulled back in the same style as my adoptive fathers.

" Kenny." Myself laughed as Kenny pulled me up and sat me on his right arm while his left hand tickled my stomach. " Stop!" I yelled over and over until he finally did.

" Kenny, why don't I have a mummy or a daddy?" I asked as his smile fell slightly.

" Amanda, you mummy and daddy entrusted you too me. I am sure they love you just as much as I do." Kenny said as his eyes went from looking at the younger me to myself as I stood here.

" Even if they have done hurtful things. You should always learn to forgive." Kenny spoke as if he was speaking to me.

" Why?" Younger me asked as if taking it straight from my lips.

" Because living a life like that is a burden. Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness." He spoke as a single tear fell from my eye as I realised that even though my father may pretend to hate me. I am his daughter, and he loves me for that.

" Okay, Kenny. Forgiveness is good." Younger me called out throwing my hands in the air. Kenny just chuckled and grabbed my small hand in his large one.

" Princess, why don't you go and play by the river again." Kenny said softly as he put the younger me down and I ran off .

" You have grown up to be a beautiful lady you know." Kenny said without turning to face me as he kept his eyes on the younger me playing with many different flowers.

" That may be true. But I wish things where like this all the time. So peaceful and quiet. Just you and myself, no duties, no fighting, just... This." I motioned to the world around us.

" All things must end, that means for conflict as well. Your quest to reclaim Erebor will end. But the ending depends on you and you alone." Kenny spoke as he laced his hands behind his back. His black trousers tucked into his black leather boots and his white shirt hanging loosely over his body.

" No, it does not depend on myself alone. I have my friends there with me." I smiled as I remembered the company all laughing around the homemade fire in the middle of Rivendell. " The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it..." I turned my head to look up at Kenny as he looked down to me. " Many times over."

" That I am glad too hear." Kenny spoke with a gently smile to me.

" Kenny, I do not know how I could ever repay you what everything you have done for me." I whispered to him with tears forming in my eyes. Kenny turned to face me and knelt down so he was roughly my height. He placed both his hands onto my cheek and caress the fallen tears.

" Princess, you never have to repay me. Just seeing you grown up and so strong. Is payment enough for me." He said as this only forced more tears to the surface and I could only fling my around around his neck and release them into his shoulder as he wrapped his arms tightly around my body. His right hand went up to stroke my hair.

" I love you, baby girl. Always remember I am here for you when you need me." Kenny said as he pulled back and move to kiss my forehead.

" I will always love you, my daughter." He spoke as I smiled to him.

" and I you, dad." I whispered to him as everything around me faded into darkness. But my smile last along with the warmth of my dad's hug that will forever keep me safe.