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

Chapter 8 - Banished Princess

Our ponies trudged through mud as the sky poured rain down upon us. Even though I had the hood of my cloak up, I was still soaked to the bone. "Mr. Gandalf, can't you do something about this deluge?" Dori asked from somewhere behind me.

"It is raining Master Dwarf and it will continue to rain until the rain is done. If you wish to change the weather of the world, you should find yourself another Wizard."

When Dori said no more, I spoke up, "Are there any?"

"What?"

"Other Wizards."

"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman the White." Saruman. I remember my father mentioning him a few times. "Then there are the two Blue Wizards, though I've quite forgotten their names."

"And who is the fifth?"

"Well that would be Radagast the Brown."

"Is he a great Wizard? Or is he more like you?"

"I think he is a very great Wizard, in his own way. He's a gentle soul who prefers the company of animals to others." So he would like me then. Well at least the other sides of me. "He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forest lands to the East. And a good thing, too. For always evil will look to find a foothold in this world." Nodding, I asked no more questions.

***

The rain eventually stopped and I slowed my pony so that I was riding in between Fili and Kili, "Hold my pony will you? I'm going to go look ahead." They both nodded and I turned myself around, so that I was now facing backwards. I half slid, half jumped off the back of my pony, landing on my feet. Straightening myself out, I starting transforming into a larger version of a hawk, taking flight. I flew to the front of the group, past Dwalin and Thorin, who barely gave me a second glance. Looking for a place we could all rest, I spotted some ruins on the hillside. Flying back to the company, I circled around them before landing on the ground next to Thorin and his pony, changing back. "There is a place for us to rest not far from here," I told him.

"You lead and we shall follow," he replied. I took flight again, leading them to the place I had found. Standing on top of a rock, I waited for them to come through the trees.

"We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them," Thorin instructed, clambering off his pony. Gandalf wandered into what used to be a shack, looking around at what was left of it.

I followed in after him, "What is it, Gandalf?"

"A farmer and his family used to live here," he commented, grimly. Thorin walked up to where we stood, ordering Oin and Gloin to get a fire going. Gandalf turned to him, "I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley." Thorin didn't look too pleased with that suggestion. I, on the other hand, longed to see my kin; I hadn't seen another Elf in years.

"I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

As he walked past me, I turned in surprise, "Why not? The Elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."

"I do not need their advice," he declared, firmly.

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us," Gandalf butted in.

"Help? A dragon attacks Erebor. What help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls. The Elves looked on and did nothing. And you ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather, who betrayed my father?"

"That's not true!" I snapped, aggravated.

Thorin gave me a questioning look, "What would a She-Elf who lives in the Shire even know?"

"Nothing," I mumbled. Thorin stared at me, making me fidget before walking away. I found Fili and Kili guiding the ponies to a little clearing where they could graze and I sat down on a boulder, crossing my arms.

"What's wrong with you?" Fili asked as he passed me.

"Your uncle, that's what. He's so annoyingly stubborn. He won't go seek the Elves for help. Not even for food," I explained.

"Uncle hates the Elves. He would probably prefer death over going to ask them for anything," Fili said.

"Not all of them turned their backs on you," I retorted.

"Really? Some wanted to help fight?" Fili looked surprised by my statement.

"I know I did," I mumbled, hoping neither them heard. Unfortunately, Kili caught it.

"What?" I stared at him, wide-eyed.

"What?"

"You just said that you did."

"Did what? I didn't say anything."

"Yes you did. I heard you," he said, walking closer to where I sat.

"I think you're hearing things, Kili," I joked. Standing up, I started to turn to go back to the rest of the group when Kili grabbed my arm, spinning me around to face him.

"Almi, what did you mean?" He asked quietly.

Looking into his brown eyes, I caved, "While the others turned their backs on the King, I didn't. I wanted to help fight. I was forbidden, so I did something else to try to help. I provided shelter and food to some of your kin. My father found out what I had done and banished me. I haven't been home since; nor have I seen my father or my brother since that day. That's why I live in the Shire."

"Your father banished you for trying to help some Dwarves? Can he do that?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"He can if he's the King."

"Your father is a King?" Fili asked, coming up to us. "That makes you a princess." They both stepped back, bowing to me.

Rolling my eyes, I chuckled, "Not anymore. I haven't been a princess for two hundred years. That title was stripped from me when I was kicked out of the kingdom." There was a commotion and Gandalf came stomping past us. "Gandalf? Where are you going?"

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense," he yelled, not stopping.

"And who's that?"

"Myself, Almithara! I've had enough of Dwarves for one day." Kili, Fili, and I looked at each other, shrugging.

I OWN NOTHING BUT MY CHARACTER!!