Love Takes Flight (Kili Fanfiction - Book 1) - SLOWLY EDITING!!

Chapter 6 - Joining the Company

I slowly opened my eyes, hearing birds chirping through the open window. I blinked in the sunlight and sat up, stretching my arms out. A blanket that had been draped around my shoulders fell to the ground and I stared at it, confused. I hadn't put it there last night. Looking up at Bilbo softly breathing, I knew he hadn't done it either. So then who? The events of last night started coming back to me and I quickly got up, going out into the hallway. "Hello?" I called out. There had been a group of Dwarves here last night, but now the house was completely empty. Was it all just a dream? I walked around the house and saw that everything was right where it was before, almost as if it hadn't been touched. Going into the sitting room, I noticed the contract on the armchair. It was signed by both Thorin and Balin. I stared at it a little bit longer before making up my mind. Throwing my pack on my back and writing a note for Bilbo, I quickly ran out the door. I ran down paths and past my neighbors, cutting through the fields of the Shire.

As I ran past a chicken, I heard a voice call out to me, "Where are you off to?"

"Can't stop! I'm already late!"

"Late for what?"

"I'm going on an adventure!" I yelled back at him. I would be able to run faster if I were in my wolf form, but I couldn't do that around here, so I would have to wait until I was hidden safely in the woods. I finally made it to the woods and hid behind a tree, taking my pack off. Closing my eyes, I could feel my wolf form surface. My fingernails became claws, my teeth sharpened, and my hair grew out as I stood on all fours. I opened my eyes, feeling the new me. My eyesight and my hearing were much better when I was in wolf form. I hadn't shifted in years and it felt great. Looking around with my icy blue eyes, I located the direction of the company before picking up my pack with my teeth and taking off. I got close enough to the group and I could hear them all talking quietly to one another. Shifting back into my Elf form, I ran out of the trees and caught up with the group. They all stopped their ponies as they heard me calling out to them.

"I signed it." Balin held his hand out for it, but I hesitated, looking directly at Gandalf. "I'll go, but only on one condition. Send word to Elrond of Rivendell. Have him send his best men to the Shire to retrieve Bilbo and take him back with them. Elvish medicine can help him get better, I know it can," I declared.

"And if it doesn't? What then?" One of the Dwarves asked.

"Then at least he won't die alone," I replied. "Please, Gandalf. This is all I ask of you. Just this one simple request and I'm all yours."

He nodded his head, "You have my word." I smiled before handing Balin the contract.

"Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Almithara, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield." Balin winked at me, sending me a smile.

"Give her a pony," Thorin ordered from the front of the group.

"Actually, if you don't mind, one of my animal sides hasn't gotten the chance to fly in a while. I would love to be able to stretch my wings. I just need someone to hold my pack," I explained. Thorin stared at me for a moment before nodding his head. Turning, I placed my pack on the nearest pony, not bothering to look at the rider. All of the ponies started moving forward, but I stayed put.

"Are you coming, Almithara? It's best if you keep up." I heard Bofur ask.

"You don't need to worry about me keeping up," I laughed, stretching my arms out to the sides. I felt my arms get longer and my eyes get darker. Shooting straight up into the air, I heard a wave of gasps from below. I could feel the wind blowing through my wings as I flew through a maze of trees, climbing higher and higher into the sky. Breaking through the tops of the trees, the sun hit my feathers, warming them up before I flew back down towards the company. Flying beside Gandalf, I heard something metal being thrown and looked back in time to see Kili catch a small bag. Another bag flew past my head and I squawked in surprise.

Giving Gandalf a look, he simply said, "They took wagers on whether or not you'd turn up. Most of them bet that you wouldn't." He was silent for a moment before adding, "Do not worry, my dear, I never doubted you for a second." I rolled my eyes and flew away, landing not far from the extra pony. Changing back into my Elvish form, I climbed on top of the pony.

"Well that was fun," I thought out loud, "I don't get to do that very often." Some of the Dwarves around me laughed, as did Gandalf.

"You'll have to manage without pocket handkerchiefs and a good many other things, Almithara, before we reach our journey's end. You live in the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire. But home is behind you now. The world is ahead."

Author's Note:

The picture is of Almithara's bird form. She's pretty much a hawk, but MUCH bigger! She is all white with green eyes.

I OWN NOTHING BUT MY CHARACTER!!