Heart of a Warrior ➝ The Hobbit ✓

Part Two

PART TWO ~

When Alissa awoke, she found herself lying on the cold stone floor of a cave. A fire was lit nearby, it's flames flickering vigorously in the breeze that blew in from the entrance. Shadows danced along the walls, gliding and prancing and shimmering through the cave.

Her shoulder was stiff, but pain no longer coursed through her body. Her leather armour had been removed and was propped up against the wall next to her, and a hole was cut into her light cotton top, where the wound was healing steadily. The gash was covered in a sticky substance, and Alissa noticed a pack nearby; healing items scattered along the floor.

Alissa's stomach let out a low gurgling noise and she scoured the cave for some food, moving clumsily and with stiff movements. In the pack she found some, and helped herself to a meagre meal of stale bread and cheese. She didn't eat much, in case she wasn't welcome to it, but she had enough to satisfy her hunger for the moment.

A chilly breeze swept in through the cave, and she moved closer to the fire. She could see the coal-black sky shimmering with stars and wondered how long she had been unconscious. But one single question plagued her mind: who was her rescuer?

It was not long before she fell asleep once more, curled up by the fire, and her rescuer returned to their shelter.

~

"Hey. You awake?" Came a gentle voice as Alissa stirred from her dreamless sleep. She blinked wearily, wiping her eyes to clear her vision. She slowly sat up and stretched and was quite taken aback to see a dwarf sitting by her side. He was reasonably tall for one of his race, and had a broad, handsome face.

Alissa became almost speechless as she stared at her rescuer. She nodded, unsure of the feeling that ignited in her heart.

"Are you hungry?" He asked in a gentle voice, his intelligent brown eyes locked on hers.

"Err... No. I've already had something to eat. Sorry. I wasn't sure when you'd return."

He laughed, moving closer to the fire. "You don't have to apologize."

Her lips drew into a smile and she stared blankly at the fire for some time, watching the flames lick higher, dancing and curling and gliding over each other like a living creature. She stayed as she was for a few moments, before a thought hit her, drawing her back to reality.

"Oh!" Alissa muttered in surprise. Her head abruptly snapped to the dwarf, who had drawn his attention to her after the exclamation. "I'm so sorry. I haven't even thanked you for everything you've done!" She cried, her face flushing red in shame. "I'm really sorry. You saved my life out there! I'd be dead if it weren't for you! Thank you so much! I'm terribly sorry. I bet-"

"Hey!" The dwarf said, abruptly cutting her off. Alissa glanced up at his face, his cheeks burning red in the firelight, and saw his eyes glazed over with calmness. He smiled, making Alissa's heart give a jolt in her chest. "Don't worry. I wasn't going to let you die."

Alissa smiled and nodded, drawing her gaze away from his handsome face and letting it wonder around the cave.

"Okay. Why don't we introduce ourselves?" The dwarf suggested, leaning back against the wall.

"Okay," The girl swallowed. "I'm Alissa."

"Kili, at your service. Nice to meet you, Alissa," He said warmly, grinning and holding out a hand.

Alissa took it hesitantly, her cheeks burning redder. His grasp was strong, and his hands callous, but Alissa felt reluctant to let go. "You, too."