Wayfarer of dawn

I. In which the Company goes on a quest

There was a figure sitting in the shadows of a Hobbit Hole. Listening to the things that were going on inside. Where thirteen dwarves, a wizard, and a hobbit were in a heated discussion about their quest. And whether or not Mr. Bilbo Baggins was a burglar. And as the figure was pondering on joining them, and thereby taking the invitation of the wise wizard, the window opened. Not that the figure noticed. No, that didn't happen until it was too late, when pulled inside by Thorin Oakenshield.

In Thorin's grip sat a woman, of the Elven race. With blonde locks of hair and a kind face. She was wearing a dark green, almost black, cloak. And under her cloak her other attire showed through glimpses. She wore a white cotton shirt with a short, leather waistcoat. Her trousers were a dark, earthly colour. Which the ends of were tucked in neatly into her black boots, that were laced up tightly. And around her waist were several belts, with weapons and pouches attached to them. But her eyes were what cought Thorin's attention. Those deep green eyes full of willpower and strength.

But never the less, this was an elf. And elves could not be trusted in Thorin's opinion. "Who are you?" Thorin asked, albeit a bit harshly. "Our last companion" Gandalf answered. "A woman? An elf, no less! No. The Hobbit I can live with, but not the she-elf!" Thorin snarled. He had asked Gandalf for a fourteenth member, and had gotten the hobbit. Now he got a fifteenth member, an elf. That was not what he wanted.

The woman frowned. "The she-elf has a name" She said softly. "And what might that be, lass?" Balin asked. He was more open minded. As all those years ago, he was saved by the only elf that came down to help. And if that elf showed good, then why could not this elf too. "I am known by many names, and not all of them are friendly. But you may call me Rána, like you did so many years ago." "Rána...." Balin mumbled, the name running over his tongue. It sounded familiar. But surely it was not.... "You mean Rána, the only elf that helped us that day?" Dwalin suddenly asked, remembering his brother's tales of a young she-elf that came down to help. "Yes" she answered him. He nodded to Balin. And Balin turned to Thorin for conformation. "Dwalin, what do you mean? No Elven help came that day" Thorin said. Rána looked at him sadly. "You would not know as I did not help you. But your kin." She told him. "Aye, she saved my life Thorin." "And mine soon after" Balin and Dwalin told him. Thorin looked at the she-elf with doubt. "Why did you not listen to your king? Had you not sworn loyalty to him?" "You needen't worry, Thorin Oakenshield. I serve none but those I respect. And Thranduil lost my respect long ago, and sent me away. I was no more but a shadow of my kin when I decided to help yours. My loyalty belongs to you, were you to take me with you on this quest." Thorin took Rána's words in concideration. And Balin and Dwalin trusted her too, so why would he not?

Thorin turned towards Balin and nodded. Balin turned back towards Rána. "Welcome to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield." And then he asked her to sign something. And then Thorin signed it too. And so did Balin.

The fire had just started igniting the room with colours of red and orange, when the Dwarves started singing.

"Far over, the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep,
And caverns old,
We must away 'ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold"

It had been years since Rána heard that song, but she also knew the other version. The one of prophecy. And when the Dwarves stopped singing she smiled softly, sadly. For she had seen dragon fire in her mind, that day on replay. And when Bilbo retired for the night she turned to the two youngest Dwarves, who had come up to her. "How may I help you?" Rána asked politely. "I am Fili, this is Kili" The oldest one said, and together they added "at your service." Rána smiled. "Rána, at yours." Both boys smiled and sat down next to Rána. "Will you tell us your story lady Rána?" Kili asked. "I will, but not now. It is late, and tomorrow we leave bright and early." "Of course lady Rána, goodnight." Fili said quickly, before dragging Kili away. "You ought to be more polite Kili, you can't just ask those kind of things" He murmured, making Rána laugh softly. "Goodnight, I shall be here by morning's dawn. Bright and early." And with those words said she left the Hobbit Hole, making way to her horse in the distance.