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

24-Her Pure Heart-1

Next I heard a soft rumbling sound behind us, turning I saw it was Bombur. His hand patted his stomach, his face turning bright pink in embarrassment. Everyone laughed at this for we were feeling the same thing.
Anya: "Well, gentlemen, that answers that. After all the excitement back there sure builds up one's appetite."
Gloin: "Ye got that right, lassie. I'm starving as well, c'mon lads best we do something about it."
Still chuckling slowly we climbed down the Carrock Mountain. My body was still stiff despite Gandalf's magic yet as a leader I had to endure it. I almost stumbled though & I felt two pair of hands supporting me. Looking besides me, Fili was on my left side & Kili to my right, my sister's sons. At first I wanted to tell them that I did not need their assistance then Anya brushed past us. She stopped momentarily & smiled at us while chatting with Bofur on their way down. I felt Kili squeeze my arm I turned to look at him.
Kili:(Whispers in my ear)"No need to feel embarrassed, uncle. Besides it was Anya who told us to help you down the track."
Fili: "He is right, Thorin. It is not a bad thing, even a warrior has his off days once in a while. Come, we are almost there, just a few more steps."
I huffed lightly at this as the boys flanked me from both sides. But I hid my smile of gratitude by lowering my head. A small campfire was made though to keep us warm. I sat down stiffly on a rock trying to make myself comfortable. Now we had a problem, we had lost most of our baggage at the goblin's mountain not to mention the food which Anya had made for us. I winced at that, each of us had barely finished the first roll as it is. Someone suggested to go for a hunt, there may be some small game nearby. But Anya Hadin shot the idea down, she wanted all of us to rest, especially me. I was about say something but one stern look from her made me clamp my mouth shut, damn her eyes. They usually spark like spots of fire whenever she is angry or during a fight. Makes my heart pound when she looks at me with that fire in her golden-brown eyes.
Dwalin: "But we need to eat, lassie. I don't exactly remember when was the last time we had a decent meal!"
Everyone grumbled in agreement at this.
Dori: "Besides we lost our supplies & other stuff back at the goblin's cave. So we have to hunt!"
At that they went into an uproar, I noticed Bilbo had covered his ears, Gandalf simply shook his head. Despite the pain & stress I was going through I was about to explode. We were all cranky for we were tired & hungry but before I could say anything a loud whistle pierced the air. Making some of us jump, Oin dropped his hearing aid again. Anya Hadin did it again, ouch!
Anya: "Now that I have your attention, gentlemen, will you all please sit down."(Reluctantly they obeyed, grumbling)"Listen, I know that everyone is feeling real cranky since we haven't had any food for a while now. But just yelling & making rash decisions won't help us. After facing stress not to mention double stress I might add,"(Behind her Gandalf chuckled)"I can understand this was not one of our best days, but we have to pull through this people & keep going."
Bilbo: "Great speech, Anya, but what are we going to eat?"
Anya:(Smiling)"That has been already taken care of, Master Baggins."
He stared at the girl in confusion as did the others, I watched as she took off her jacket to lay it flat on the log she was sitting on. My nephews looked at me as if asking what she was doing, I simply shrugged my shoulders for I had no clue. We watched as she began to open up her jacket to a hidden large pouch. To my surprise she took out those extra treats she had made back in Rivendell, which she had carried all the way here. Slowly the company gathered around her as she gave each of them one at a time. She handed one to Bilbo to hand it to me, which he did. She handed one to Gandalf as well. These would last a couple of days. I had to admit she was full of surprises as I opened my roll to eat, the others did the same. Looking at her gratefully as they chatted among themselves.
Balin:(Giving her a side hug)"God bless you, lassie. I had forgotten that you had made extra. But how were you able to hide them in this clever compartment?"
Anya: "Actually, Balin, this jacket was custom-made for pocketing all sorts of accessories. You see this jacket belonged to my father. He had it made by a wandering gypsy whom my father had befriended during one of his travels."
Fili:(Choking, Bombur patted his back)"Your father's? But so then I assume that your father must have been a tall man."
Anya: "Yes he was, Fili, even taller than Gandalf. You can ask him, even though he wished that my brother Andrein would keep it. But he refused, painful memories according to him. So I had it down-sized it a bit to fit me."
Bilbo: "I can understand that, Anya. You have already seen my house, what with all the furniture, my books & everything. They are also memories, well old memories which belonged to my family. Treasures so to speak!"
I swallowed my food slowly as I noticed a sad smile on both their faces. Admittedly, even I had saved some old memories of my family as well. Even though the house I currently live in the Blue Mountains was small, yet somehow I had kept them. Gandalf then began to tell us one of his fond memories of Anya's parents. Isabella, her mother, despite the poverty in her family she raised herself to be a refined lady. Like Anya she was an only daughter among her 5 brothers. This made her a strong & a willful person, with a thirst for new things to learn. It was her husband, Andon Hadin who taught her to use weapons. The bow & arrow was her specialty. So that was where Anya got her talent from, I glanced at her, she was sitting between Bofur & Kili. I remembered during the beginning of our journey both Anya & Kili shared some tips about archery. Without knowing the fact the she was trained by the elves which refined her archery, it had annoyed me first. But gradually I accepted it for it made Kili happy to have a partner. Kili had grown fond of the girl as a sister, he always wanted one, as for Fili, I noticed an odd look in his eyes whenever he looks at her. I was clueless at what he feels about her.
Gandalf:(Chuckling)"I remember one time I was on my way to meet them, it was exactly four months after Anya was born. I passed Andon & young Andrein who were on their way to hunt. Anakin & Aerof were toddlers, had to stay behind with their mother. For there have been many reports of orc attacks on innocent travelers during those days. Isabella was practicing with her bow & arrow as I got closer to their camp. Next thing I knew she aims the arrow towards me, knocking my hat off my head."(We all laughed as he did)"She told me that an annoying crow was aiming to take away my hat. So she did it to scare it away."
So Anya gets her mischievous side from her mother as well. I saw Anya blush, Kili was hugging her with one arm but she playfully pushed him gently. Bofur was teasing her, I really did not like the way he flirted with her, even though Anya treats him like a friend. She has a pure heart that much I knew. Gandalf went on telling us about her father who despite his tough appearance was a good person at heart. Not only being the elf, Lord Elrond's good friend but also befriended many good people. He would always help those in need, men, dwarfs & also travelling elves as a ranger. As Gandalf continued I glanced at Balin beside me, he was in a deep thought. I placed my hand on his shoulder which startled him a bit.
Thorin: "What is the matter, old friend? Something on your mind?"
Balin:(Sighing, shaking his head)"I don't know, Thorin, I'm sure that a long time ago we knew someone named Andon Hadin. He was very close to us especially you, Thorin, remember? Alas, my memory eludes me. Must be my old age, I'm so sure that Anya Hadin must be connected with this. I just know it."
I also have had these same feelings for days now, Anya's small actions, her smile & soft heart. They always reminded me of someone special too, a young human of course, from my past. But it was all foggy, a long lost memory & it was getting so frustrating. But we had a long way to go.

1562 words!

How about part 2? Lol.