Not Forsaken

Chapter One

Luliana awoke, another cold morning. Alone still. Even after all her years alone, it was not something she had been able to grow used to. She could hear the wind blowing lightly through the new leaves, as spring was still in its early stages. The birds were beginning to sing their songs in the early morning light. She rose up from her cold, damp sleeping area, as she surveyed her surroundings. She had found herself wandering for several weeks now, not knowing what she was looking for, but searching for something. Winter had passed, and she again journeyed from her winter home in the foothills near Dunland. She had made her home there, in a tiny cave she had found shortly after she found herself all alone in the world. It had been years now, so many years. She could no longer see their faces, nor hear their voices. The only memories left were that of death. Only death.

The orcs had come, and had destroyed the villages around their home. Her father had been sure that they would be safe, that they were far enough removed from the villages of men and dwarves that they would not be discovered. Because they were alone.
They had always been alone.

Her mother Maiken, had come out of Erebor alive, a young dwarrow, with only her father and brother when the dragon came. They had travelled as far as the Misty Mountains, where Luliana's grandfather was able to find work as a smith. It was there that her mother had met her father. Not a dwarf, much to the dismay of her kin, but a man. Luliana's father, Hopcyn, was also a smith, and had met her mother years after the dragon attack. His family was repulsed by the thought of him marrying a dwarf woman, and many of his kin even doubted she was a woman at all. She looked to be a short ugly man, round and plump with a full beard. Only her eyes, a deep slate grey, with their long eyelashes, her long Raven tresses, and her dainty nose, would have given even the slightest hint of womanhood. What Hopcyn ever saw in "that dwarf", his kin would never understand, nor accept. But he had seen a beauty in her, one that Maiken was loath to share with any but those closest to her. She was a woman of deep conviction, of fierce loyalty, with more than enough stubborn pride to keep the better qualities concealed. She had come to trust in, and eventually love Hopcyn, much to the chagrin of her father and brother. They had married in secret, and when Maiken could no longer conceal the fact that she was with child, they were driven from their village.

Luliana only knew the stories. She had never met any of her mannish or dwarvish kin. She had always been alone in the world, and would continue that way. For she knew no other way. They had been discovered in their deeply hidden woodland home by a stray pack of orcs. The orcs made short work of their ponies, and beloved pet goat, and when Maiken was attacked, Hopcyn was killed defending her life. Luliana had been collecting herbs that day, a small grace, for when she returned, the bloodshed was more than her worst nightmares could have afforded. She did what she could to bury what remained of her parents. She had quickly gathered her things, and spent what seemed like ages living in a constant state of sickening fear.

Even now, as she watched the sun climb higher in the sky, the breeze picking up pleasantly, as the birds chirped and the smell of spring wild flowers in the air, there was a sense that prickled down her back, that strange companion of fear. It seemed her only friend as of late. Well, besides that of her strange companion that popped up every now and again, she mused. He was a very tall, strange old man, how old, she wasn't sure. He had befriended her some years back, and although he was not a frequent visitor, he always seemed to find her before she was consumed by loneliness and fear. He had told her that his name was Gandalf, although she doubted that was truly his name. She knew that there was a wizard in these parts that went by that name, but this kind old man was just that. A kind, old man. Her friend.

She tried to shake the memories, memories of her mother's raven locks thick with blood, her father's hand still gripping the axe handle, in vain, trying to save his love.

No. I won't do this. She thought to herself. It is time to move.

No time for memories today. She felt an urgency come from somewhere, telling her she must move on. She began moving north west, searching for something, not sure what. Just keep moving, she told herself.

Luliana moved quietly, nearing what she knew to be the greenway, although she had never ventured this far to the west before. She adjusted her grey, wool cloak. It was beginning to grow quite warm. A welcome feeling of the warm spring breeze in her face. She thought, if but for a moment, she heard the sound of someone singing. Her deep blue eyes scanned the distance for other travelers. She feared the company of others, never able to trust anyone. She learned to be alone, and was not accustomed to anything else. She tugged at her long, single braid. She often did that when she was nervous. It was the only way she knew to keep her long, thick mane out of her way. She wasn't able to trim it, as Maiken had always done for her. Her mother was a very simple woman, and had never taught her daughter anything but what was necessary to stay clean and proper. Luliana had no idea of the ways of women, of plaiting of hair or wearing of jewels or dresses. She had always worn the same, a plain tunic, leggings, and her very tall leather boots her father Hopcyn had had made for her once she was fully grown. She owned no dresses, no jewelry. The only things of value she owned were some mithril beads that her mother told her were to be her dowry. Not that she would ever wed, but they may come in handy as a trade, Luliana told herself.

She had no concept of the beauty that she carried. She had seen her reflection sometimes, it was a reminder of her mother. She had the same nose, tiny lips, and the same dark hair as her mother. She had no beard, which at times felt shameful to her. As a young child, she had often inspected her chin for signs of one, both her parents had beards, she would think, disdainfully. Where was hers? She could remember her father taking her up on his lap, and telling her that she would have to not worry, that it may never come at all. No matter, Luliana thought to herself. It will never come now.

Suddenly a figure appeared on the greenway, tall, so much taller that Luliana. She gripped her dagger, her only weapon, in case the traveler came to close. For some reason, she was not gripped by her usual fear, but a feeling of familiarity washed over her. She crept slowly to the edge of the tree line, to be sure that her eyes were not deceiving her. It was her old friend!