Heart of a Warrior ➝ The Hobbit ✓

Part Four

PART FOUR ~

Alissa cleared her throat, oblivious to the admiring stare she was receiving from Kili, and continued in a clear voice. "Since then... Since Telholm died, I've been hunting orcs around Middle Earth, killing any of those merciless beasts whenever they crossed my path. It was quite recently I was in the village of Dulham, when I heard rumours of a troop of orcs making their way to the quiet village.

"With every intention of protecting the village, I tracked down the orcs. When I found the route they were taking, I intercepted them by waiting further ahead.

"Obviously I was in for a surprise when I saw their mottled armour and realised they were an elite troop. I attacked, regardless of being severely outnumbered. I got down to the final four with minor injuries, but my strength dwindling rapidly. As I was finishing one off, another must have crept behind me and stabbed me in the shoulder." Alissa unconsciously clutched her wound, which was healing steadily with the help from Kill's healing herbs.

"You know the rest, since you saved my life. I really appreciate it. Thank you." She looked directly at Kili, his eyes blazing in the firelight. Alissa was unaware of how close she and Kili were until she could feel his breath tickling her skin.

She drew her head away, staring awkwardly around the cave.
Kili stood up abruptly, and Alissa felt a great drowsiness suddenly sweep over her.

"Well," Kili said, stretching his arms. "I'd tell you my story, but you must be exhausted, so I think it's best we get some rest."

Alissa nodded, curling up by the fire with her head resting on a bundle of blankets that Kili had handed her from his pack.
Her eyelids drooped with exhaustion and she couldn't prevent the great yawn that erupted from her mouth.

Kill settled down also by the fire, on the other side of Alissa. "You've got an interesting story, Alissa," he muttered quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

Alissa nodded once more, not really paying attention, and quickly drifted into a deep slumber.

The dwarf turned so he was lying on his back, and stared at the cave roof for a while. Thoughts and questions bombarded his mind, but there was only one he truly paid attention to. Where was his brother, Fili?
He tried to push the horrifying fate of his brother out of his mind and to get some sleep, but the image of his brother being dragged away by orcs invaded his mind, and he turned to his side again.

Alissa was deeply asleep, and Kili wished he could do the same. He watched the slowly rising and falling figure of the human for a while, before eventually drifting into a troubled dream.