𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐂 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 // 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘪 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯

~ five ~

We dragged ourselves out of the camp that morning. Everyone was sore with minor, nagging wounds and bruises. I had never felt more worn in my life. My shoulders ached and I felt the whiplash in my neck from the intense movements I had experienced the night before. I grabbed my neck to smooth out the knots in my muscles when I heard a slight chuckle.

"You'll get used to it," a voice said. I looked back to find Kili smiling shyly from under his bangs.

"Is that so, good sir? I mean, it is quite a load to save someone's life," I teased.

"I'll give you that one. You are quite the fighter, how were you taught?"

"My imagination," I stated. Kili laughed. "I'm not kidding!" I counted back with a smile. "I imagined my parents battling ferocious monsters throughout their journeys. I imagined how that would handle it and I played the situations out in my head. I eventually picked it up for myself. I mastered and perfected every movement to keep my skills smooth and quick, but yet, effective. There was really no one to teach me in the Shire, my parents were never around to show me and well...I had a lot of spare time," I answered.

Kili looked shocked. "That is truly outstanding, Adina. You're a natural fighter is all I can say."

We rode next to each other for several miles. We spoke frequently of our pasts and families. We never had an awkward pause of dead air. I learned his entire life story. I learned that he was the baby in his family and that he may never rule the kingdom of Erebor once it is reclaimed. He told me that he was not disappointed because he would never have to make important decisions that could save or ruin lives. I learned that Thorin was his uncle so he always had to live up to high exceptions. I realized that he was much different than any man I had ever met. I liked that. It was different. It was thrilling and exciting.

Up ahead I watched Thorin and Gandalf whispering quietly to each other. It had to have been about last night. A stranger appearing with great swordsmanship would never be ignored. Before I knew it, the horses halted.

"Adina, please come forward," Gandalf projected. I kicked Mila slightly in the ribs to lead her onward. My heart began to pound so fast and so hard that I thought it would burst out of my chest. I rode up slowly, eyes set on me, and watched Thorin pull a piece of paper out of his cloak.

"You need to sign this paper to ensure your commitment to this quest," Thorin said without any emotion. "We need to know that you will not abandon the journey at any time. We need a fighter like you, as you demonstrated yourself extremely well last night. You show promise."

I believe at that point, my heart had stopped. I had no words, and I stared blankly at the paper he was handing me.

"Well, do you accept?" Gandalf asked.

"Uh ye - yes I do, of course, I accept," I stuttered. I read the contract swiftly and scribbled my name at the bottom. Intense emotions flooded over me. Happiness. Excitement. Nervousness. I was proud more than anything. I knew I belonged somewhere and now I had finally found my path. A path that leads nowhere, it just continues with more and more connecting paths.

"Welcome to the haul," Thorin finished. I returned to my spot in the line of horses next to Kili.

"No going back? Think you can handle it?" Kili teased.

"Wasn't planning on it in the first place," I smirked.

We continued down the path a few more miles until we arrived at this abandoned looking cave. The cave was full of chests, piles of armor, and weapons. We dismounted from our saddles and began to wander through the cave. The dwarves began to loot. They rummaged through the piles to find dependable weapons. I began to look for myself. I noticed that almost all of the weapons were elvish. They were crafted beautifully. They had emblems of nature such as vines and leaves made with gold, which contrasted the silver construction. I picked up a sword that shined in the golden hour of sunlight. Leaf emblems covered the handle of the sword as a strip of gold swirled halfway down the steel. I gripped it in my hand, noticing the light yet heavyweight of the blade. It was a work of art and I claimed it as my own.

"Really going with a sword?" Kili scoffed as he picked up a bow. The bow had a dark, strong wood base with a grip made of gold. He held the bow in firing position and then released.

"Doesn't get much better than that," he sighed and smiled eagerly.

"I don't know a thing about using a bow," I protested. I grabbed the bow and tried to assume the same position that Kili did. He reached for my front hand and lifted it up. He positioned himself behind me and adjusted my shoulders and head. He straightened my posture and tilted my chin to the level of the bow. I could feel him smile as he rested his cheek on mine. He smelled like a campfire and quite honestly a little like troll. I smiled as well, ignoring the troll smell.

"See, easy," he said as he stepped away. "Put effort to it and you could master any weapon."

"Noted." I tossed the bow back at him and winked. Each dwarf selected his weapon and any other desired treasure and exited the cave. I noticed that Thorin had also found an impressive sword himself, he had very good taste. Bilbo walked up behind me. He held a smaller but nonetheless magnificent sword in his hand.

"That's quite a sword you got there." I nodded to the blade dangling in his inexperienced grip.

"I haven't the slightest idea how to use this thing," he said shaking and waving the sword around.

"You'll get the hang of it," I laughed. Bilbo noticed I was looking at Thorin and his sword.

"He's quite closed off isn't he," Bilbo asked.

"He has so much to tell and I feel as if I could listen to everything he has to say."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up," he stated bluntly. There was a pause between us as we watched the dwarves load the horses. "Adina?"

"Yes, Bilbo?"

"You know how proud your parents would be right now, right?"

"I would like to believe I would know, but that's a bit challenging now, isn't it?"

"Well, I can answer for them and say that they would be extremely proud of you, Adina." Before I could say thank you, Bilbo disappeared within the crowd. Gandalf approached from the left. I locked eyes with him and he nodded with a smile.

"You've earned this my dear, don't overthink. Thinking may be what is supposed to happen before taking action, but does it really always work that way?" He wandered off just as Bilbo did and I stood there, thinking. I deserved this and if my parents were here then they would be proud too. The only thing was that they weren't there. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice.

"Are you ready, Miss?" Bofur asked sweetly.

"As always."

I sheathed my sword. I found Mila and saddled up next to Kili. He was different than the other dwarves. He was innocent and that came with his youth. The world hadn't had its chance to mess with his mind or let its weight settle on his shoulders. He was all too familiar and was easy to talk to. He held onto his youth and wasn't as uptight as others...quite the opposite of his uncle.

We rode away from the cave moments later. A new path was up ahead with more dangers and challenges. I had a new responsibility on my shoulders. I had to protect the dwarves and aid their journey. I needed to get them to their destination. We took off towards a meadow that stretched for many miles. It didn't make me uneasy though, I had a new outlook. I was ready to take on the world and whatever challenges that came with it.