A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

16-Should Have Known

I noticed that she was clenching her hands tightly. She was upset that I could see, what have I done?
Thorin:(Widening my eyes)"Anya, I had no idea...!"
She turned her back to me before I could say anything, her shoulders shook slightly.
Anya: "I've many fond memories of this place, Thorin. Lord Elrond was a good friend to both my parents. This locket belonged to my mother. They were married here if you must know & it was Lord Elrond who married them. Gandalf was here as well. My brother Andrein & I were born here. Lord Elrond is like a second father to me. He saved me & Andrein, they even buried the bodies of my family here in Rivendell. They trained me to be the person I am today, to fight for not only myself but for the defenceless as well."
I just stood there listening to her, not moving, so I let her continue.
Anya: "You know if those orcs hadn't attacked us we would have been in Rivendell by then. My parents meant to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary here. But instead I lost everything that night. Everything."
Hearing her saying all this in an anguished tone in her voice, it seemed I had struck a nerve. I walked towards her & gripped her arm to see her face. I placed my finger under her chin to lift her face slightly. I was shocked to see tears in her closed eyes. I felt as if someone was holding my heart in a tight fist. By Mahal. I raised my hand to dry her tears while my other hand was holding her arm. She slowly opened her eyes, the tears in her golden-brown eyes shone like diamonds.
Thorin:(Finding my voice)"I'm so sorry, Anya. I did not mean to offend you in anyway."
I smiled as her eyes went huge, my eyes wandered down to the gold locket around her neck. It had dwarfish engravings on it with a letter H on it, I frowned.
Thorin: "Can I see the locket?"
She opened the locket herself & I held it in my hand to see. There were 2 hand-drawn portraits in it. There was one with 3 boys & a little girl. The boys were handsome with blue-green eyes & brown hair, Anya looked precious as a child. On the other one was of a handsome couple, the man looked really familiar to me though, Anya has his eyes & hair. But she looks like her mother, I agreed with them she was beautiful, I told her that & she blushed slightly. I held her hand to pull her closer as I closed her locket. Our eyes locked, as I pulled her even closer. Like her mother she had the same beauty mark, a small mole, on her upper lip, attracting me.
Thorin: "I assume that Master Baggins has already told you about Durin's Day & about the map. We have a lot of road to cover, are you upto it?"
She closed her eyes & slowly nodded her head. I lifted my hand to caress her soft, heated cheek. I tucked a strand of her silky black hair behind her ear as I came closer. My hand was about to cup her cheek then a loud cough behind us snapped us to reality. Curse it, so close. Extremely annoyed, I turned to face the culprit, I scowled when I saw that it was an elf maiden. Typical of these elves they ruin everything. I turned to look at the girl, her back was towards me, I was almost tempted to take her in my arms, I mean almost! As if recovering herself she turned around & to my utter astonishment she began speak elvish with the elf maiden who knew her. But my inner voice spoke up: 'Of course she can speak Elvish, you vain fool. She had told you that she grew up here!' I flinched when I heard my name being called, twice. I blinked & turned to look at the girl who was smiling at me.
Anya: "I called your name twice now, Thorin, is anything the matter?"(I shook my head, no)"Well then, come with me I have made us some treats for the road."
I just stared at her, how can she act so normal after what almost happened between us? We almost kissed if that she-elf hadn't interfered. Slightly huffing I followed her but in a safe distance. My fingertips could still feel the soft sensation of her skin & she did not pull back or felt disgusted. I could not deny this attraction between us but for now I had to suppress these feelings. For this quest, for Erebor, once crowned King under the Mountain & with the King's Jewel.
Soon we came out to the open, I could hear the familiar laughter of my friends. I saw Anya bow her head slightly to her right where Balin was standing. He bowed in return smiling, I walked towards the older dwarf, Dwalin joined us as well. I watched Anya walk in another direction, probably the kitchens. Turning, I saw Balin staring at me with an odd gleam in his eyes.
Thorin:(Annoyed)"What is it, Balin? What's with the look?"
Balin: "Just wanted to know, lad, how did it go? Did you talk to her & what did she say?"
Thorin:(Shrugged)"There is nothing much to tell except that she grew up among the elves of Rivendell. She was trained to fight by this Lord Elrond. Both she & her oldest brother named Andrein I believe, had survived the orc's ambush. They were brought here in Rivendell while their parents & 2 brothers who were twins by the way. They were slain by those orcs."
The Fundin Brothers: "WHAT!?! An orc ambush? Anya's family are dead?"
Balin shook his head sadly at this information while Dwalin seems conflicted.
Dwalin:(Clearing his throat)"So she grew up here then & trained to fight, eh!? That explains a lot of her skills but what about her brother. Is he here then?"
Thorin:(Shook my head)"No, her brother is currently living in Rohan. He is married according to Gandalf & has a family. Anya knows about that, she visited him long before she joined our quest, Dwalin."
Balin: "I don't suppose Gandalf told you how long did this unfortunate incident occurred?"
I winced hoping to avoid this topic, but both were really eager to know about Anya's past. I know that Balin had grown fond of the girl but not so sure about Dwalin.
Thorin:(Sighing)"According to Gandalf she was just a child of 8. They were camping & their next destination was Rivendell but the orcs got to them & Gandalf was with them."
Fundin Brothers: "WHAT?"
I was pleasantly surprised that they cared about the girl. I slightly coughed to hide my smile.
Balin: "Ah! The poor child, to witness all that at a young age. She has come a long way & I admire her perseverance. And her spirit, may Durin bless her."
Dwalin:(Nodding his head)"Aye! So, Thorin, Balin told us about the map & Durin's Day. The others been told as well. So when do we leave, old friend?"
Thorin: "We shall leave by dawn before first light before these elves could prevent us."
He nodded then walked back to others to convey the message. The hobbit seemed disappointed as if he did not want to leave, typical. My mind wandered back to Anya & her family. It saddens me to think they could not live long enough to watch her grow up. They would have been proud of her, she had come a long way, alone. I felt sorry for Andrein aged 18 at that time, who according to Gandalf had left his sister in Rivendell to pursue the orcs to avenge his family. Gandalf did rescue him from near death, but recovering he bailed again. As for the twins Aerof & Anakin were their names I believe must have been 15 or 14. Gandalf told me that those two were a handful so were Kili & Fili when they were younger. I bet they'd be friends if the Hadin twins were alive. Now I understood what Anya meant that I wasn't the only one who had lost everything. She has a strong will & spirit, even I cannot help but admire her. And I'm sure there must be another reason behind her joining this quest!

1404 words!