Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. Save for characters that are not in his works. Erebor, Arnor, Lake Evendim, and all other places in Middle Earth are not mine.

This is the brainchild of the movie and book, that I've been writing, rewriting, and editing for the past couple months. Only now after getting so far along in it have I managed to finally post it. I've done lots of research, so hopefully everything will be accurate and in line with the story. If not, feel free to review or PM me with any concerns that need to be addressed. I stress and encourage lots of constructive criticism, since this story is one of my more serious works. It is also my first hobbit fanfiction, and after reading countless others for the past eight months, I wish to add mine to the list. Read, Review, and Enjoy!

Abad Bovan

"Everything you can imagine is real"

~Pablo Picasso

Since she had been young, there had always been a certain level of expectation set for her. She was the only daughter out of seven brothers. It was only natural, given her family heritage, that she follow in their footsteps. A female child had not been born in their family for many, many generations. Her birth itself had been a cause for celebration, and despite the fact that she was the eighth child, she was cherished most of all. But her father, Nolen, always prided himself in his seven strong sons.

It also meant she had no shortage of willing teachers.

They found it hard to resist her wide pleading hazel eyes when she wanted to learn how to skip stones in the pond outside their home, or how to trap rabbit. Eventually it grew into how to wield a bow and sword, to tracking, then hunting. She was talented, but not perfect. Nolen made it his goal to push her the hardest, for being a girl and the youngest. But he loved her, like a father should. Her mother Meldamar, however despaired of instilling more 'ladylike' qualities in her daughter. It was mere luck that she could thread a needle and sew with some proficiency.

They lived in a handsome cottage, settled in the northern reaches of the shire called Arnor, overlooking a small valley between two large hills and near Lake Evendim. It was a pretty place, green and seemingly always in spring. At least to her. Winters were harsh, bitter and cold. Meldamar would not allow her out for fear of her catching a cold. But she loved the crisp white blanket that covered the hills, how it sparkled in the sunlight, and crunched beneath her doeskin boots.

They lived in shouting distance to a small hobbit village. The lovely round doors set in the hills sometimes open in the summer heat to let the sweet smell of baked pies, and breads fill the air. She played with the hobbit children, when she was not with her brothers. They thought her hairless feet, and long limbs freakish. It was common to be taunted for it, along with her somewhat straighter hair. Due to her more fiery nature, it was an often occurrence for her to be sent home with a scolding letter to give to her parents.

"Nuil!" Her mother scolded. "You must stop picking fights with them!"

"They started it!" Nuil replied, scowling up from the butter churn she was being forced to work. Meldamar pressed her lips into a thin line and shook her head.

"It does not mean you need to finish it," she told her. Turning back to her sewing she muttered under her breath: "What is your father teaching you?"

When she was nine summers old, Nolen decided to take her on one of his travels. It was like an initiation, a coming of age, in their family. A journey to test the skills of that had been learned. It was no secret that the northern reaches of the Shire were safe, because of their family. They were notorious for hunting the great wolves that once roamed freely there, and on occasion, warg.

Nolen, his eldest son Noledhe, and Nuil, set out in the early spring. They traveled for several weeks through the Shire, visiting Hobbiton even. Nuil found she rather liked traveling, and after returning home it was not long before they set out again. They went to the east, through Bree, Rivendell, and the Misty Mountains. Foregoing the dark paths of Mirkwood, they went south along its borders, and back north to reach the sunny markets of Dale. The city of men was tall and proud, filled with laughter, music, and wares of all sorts.

But it was nothing compared to the towering peak of the Lonely Mountain; Erebor, were our story really begins.

CHAPTER ONE

T.A. 2766

It was dreadfully cold, as they walked up the road leading to the great gates of Erebor. The wind nipped at her nose, making it bright red and numb. She sniffled silently into the folds of her cloak, earning a sympathetic look from Noledhe. The last legs of their journey had been getting harder for her due to the changing of seasons. Waking up with frost on oneself was not a bright way to begin the day.

Nuil could not help but admire the few dwarrows passing them, in their fine fur cloaks and gold laden fingers. While she did have her own handsome fur lined cloak, theirs were more fine and stitched with gold thread. She stared at their beards, the great masses of hair clinging to their chins, decorated with elaborate braids and beads made from precious metals. Her own father kept his beard at a considerably shorter length, while Noledhe only had a short scruff to boast himself. Nuil also realized that her father was only slightly taller than the dwarves. She had noticed quickly in Dale how the men towered over them; though she had not done this in Bree.

"Papa?"

Nolen grunted, looking down at her slightly as they journeyed to the green stone gates.

"Are you a dwarf?"

Nolen stopped abruptly, looking down at her with a deep frown. Noledhe coughed, trying to hide the laugh that had burst from his lips. Nolen gave him a stern look and returned to her. He sighed slightly.

"Nuil, I am not a dwarf, but a half dwarf I am."

"Is Mama a dwarf?"

Noledhe let out a bellowing laugh, and Nolen's lips quirked upwards. "No little one. Your mother is of the race of men." Nuil frowned, puzzlement clouding her features, as she stared up at Nolen with wide hazel eyes.

"Then what are you?"

Nolen let out a huff, almost laughing at his youngest child. "I am many things, Nuil. We are of a line of Dunedain, married several times to hobbits and dwarves."

Nuil paused, before understanding lit her face. "You're a dwarobbit?"

Nolen blinked, smiling slightly. "Of course, child. I'm a-" with some hesitation "-dwarobbit." He patted her shoulder, urging her forward. She complied easily, moving ahead of them. Noledhe chuckled.

"Are you going to let her call us that?" He asked. Nolen looked at his son.

"It is the truth, is it not?"

At the gates they were stopped, two dwarf guards blocking their way with mighty axes. The blades were gleaming in the sunlight, sharp. They wore helms that covered their faces, only their beards showing.

"Halt!" said one.

"What is your business in Erebor?" asked the other. Nuil watched her father place himself before them, Noledhe at his right shoulder while she peeked around her fathers cloak shyly.

"I am Nolen, these are my children. I seek an audience with Thror, King Under the Mountain," Nolen said in a strong clear voice. There was a moment of silence that hung in the air before the dwarves simultaneously moved away, uncrossing their axes and standing perfectly still. Nolen nodded to them and continued on.

Nuil grabbed her fathers cloak, suddenly nervous about going within the mountain. She did not know if it was like a hobbit hole, which was nice, bright and warm. Was Erebor dark, and cold? Nuil jogged to keep up with her fathers long strides. They passed through the gate, and her fears were dashed to the side as her eyes landed on the sight before her.

No.

It was not like a hobbit hole. It was so much more.

The long road became a street, lined by pillars of stone, carved with dwarven symbols. Gold gleamed along the walls, set in the pillars themselves, lit by a multitude of blazing torches. There were dwarves, wide ones, fat ones, thin ones(only slightly), old and young. Even dwarf women.

Nuil had never seen a dwarf woman before. It was rather alarming to realize that the women, in fine dresses, had beards. They were not the full ones that the dwarf men had. No, they were more slight, yet the hair growing from their faces was undeniably a beard. They were braided, some with beads, or gold woven in them. Elegantly groomed, and styled. Nuil was slightly confused at first, turning and watching them as she followed her father.

She followed gazing with childlike awe at the wide streets, glittering jewels, and dwarves. It was quickly over when they stopped before yet another door, another set of dwarven guards stationed before them. These doors were carved with tall imposing dwarf figures. As they opened with a great rumble she was pulled forward by her fathers cloak.

The hall before them was a great cavern. Along the walls were statues of dwarves, a crown on every one, yet each characteristically different. The path became a bridge, over a long deep drop, leading up to the throne before them, where dwarves gathered. When the door had opened, the dwarves, turned and watched them as they approached. Nuil found herself wondering why her father had wanted to come here.

While is was beautiful, it was also frightening. At only ten winters old, Nuil felt very small compared to these great dwarves. They stopped at the foot of the throne, Nolen bowing, followed by Noledhe. Nuil hid herself, peering at them from behind her father.

"Hail, Thror, King Under the Mountain," her father began. "I am Nolen of Arnor, this is my son Noledhe, and Nuilweyil, my daughter."

Nuil would have wrinkled her nose at her father using her birth name, but she was too engrossed with the dwarves before her. The king was well aged, his hair riddled heavily with white, a great crown resting on his brow. On his right stood another dwarf, similar in features, but only less aged. They both wore deep blue, and watched with dark, wary blue eyes.

"I would welcome you, Master Nolen, but I know you not," King Thror replied, his fingers tapping the arm of his throne as he gazed at them. Her father nodded understandingly.

"Then let me tell you of myself," he said. King Thror raised his chin, his eyes moving from her father, to Noledhe, and finally resting on her.

"You bring a young one with you?"

"My youngest."

"Come forward, child. Do not hide behind your father, let me see you," King Thror commanded. Nuil glanced up at her father, who nodded encouragingly to her. Slowly she pulled away and stepped forward. From behind her father she had not been able to see the dwarf on King Thror's left. He was of the same bearing as the first two, only much younger, no trace of white in his hair. He wore the same fine tunic, with the same wary eyes. Nuil's eyes went back to the king.

"My, you are very young," King Thror said surprised. Nuil flushed, wanting very much to be back behind her fathers cloak. Back home, she was sometimes mistaken for an adult hobbit, because she was so much taller than the other hobbit children. But here, there was no possibility for that. "Come closer."

Nuil glanced back at her father, but his eyes were on the king. With slow timidness she approached, stopping at the base of the steps. He looked down at her, interest in his eyes.

"Nuilweyil . . ." he murmured. "A very pretty name, for a very pretty lady."

She flushed again, her fingers running nervously over the fur of her cloak. "Thank you."

King Thror turned his attention back to her father, interest burning in his eyes clearly now.

"I will speak with you Master Nolen, come," King Thror said. With a wave of his hand he rose to his feet and Nolen followed, placing a comforting hand on Nuil's shoulder before disappearing down a hall with the king.

Nuil went back to her brother, attaching herself to his cloak and gazing at the great cavern. She paid no mind to the dwarves leaving after the king and did not notice Noledhe stiffen until a voice pulled her from her awe-filled wanderings.

"Where do you hail from?"

Nuil turned, finding the young dwarf from King Thror's left before them. Her brother placed a protective hand on her back.

"Arnor. North of the Shire, beside the Lake Evendim," Noledhe replied. Nuil noticed his stiff stance, and looked back to the dwarf. Both stared at one another while she watched in silence. Suddenly the dwarf looked down to her, and Nuil reached for her brothers hand instinctively.

"How old is she?"

"Ten winters," Noledhe said after a pause. The dwarf's eyes narrowed at her, and she pressed herself closer to Noledhe.

"Why would you bring a youngling so far a distance?" he said it with a voice of disbelief, eyes never leaving her.

Suddenly finding a small ounce of courage she spoke, "I like to travel, there is so much to see."

The dwarf did not respond to her, only stared with a unnameable look. Noledhe broke the silence however.

"It is a coming of age rite," he explained with some pride lacing his voice. "Every one of us, at nine winters, takes a journey with our father."

" 'One of us'," echoed the dwarf. "How many are you?"

"Seven," Nuil immediately offered.

"Eight," corrected Noledhe. "Seven brothers, one sister."

The dwarf stared at them as if they had told him that dwarves could suddenly grow to the height of elves. Noledhe did not like it, and his hand around Nuil's tightened. Yet Nuil felt her curiosity grow with each passing word spoken and finally asked the question that both siblings wanted to ask.

"What may we call you, master dwarf?"

Both looked down at her with varying levels of surprise, and Nuil flushed. She returned to trying to hide behind her brother, knowing that she had crossed some barrier of etiquette. Her mother was always scolding her for such things. But she found no reassurance from Noledhe. He was still in shock over her blunt question.

It was plain as day to him that this dwarf was a member of the royal family.

Nuil did not expect the sudden kind look that entered his features, nor did she expect him to bend down on one knee before her. And she did not expect the next words that came from his mouth.

"I am Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror."

Nuil immediately knew who this dwarf was, and so did Noledhe. He paled, glancing down at his sister. Would she be punished for her blunt question, that was by no means respectful? Relief flooded through him when Thorin reached forward and ruffled his sisters hair with a fond look.

No, she would be fine.

Nuil's eyes lifted suddenly, landing on her father as he returned with King Thror. Nolen was smiling and spread his arms wide towards her. Without waiting she ran towards him, flinging herself into his waiting arms.

Thorin rose and watched her, Noledhe standing beside him. Noledhe watched his father set Nuil down and speak with her. Without thinking he spoke to the prince beside him.

"Erebor already holds a place in her heart." He had seen his little sisters awed looks. It was the same way he viewed their home back in Arnor, as he gazed out over Lake Evendim in the early hours of dawn. He knew she would not leave willingly.

Thorin hummed, saying nothing.

Nuil came running back to them, her eyes bright, smile wide. "Is it not wonderful?!" she cried, grabbing Noledhe's hands. "We are staying!"

Noledhe looked up to his father. Nolen nodded, a smile of his own stretched across his face.

Hope you enjoyed reading this. There are some things I had to change in this story in regards to characters birth dates, and how old they are when everything happens. If you've read the book you may have noticed that Thorin is one of the oldest characters, even Balin is younger than him, so I've taken a few liberties because I like how the movie portrays them more. You will see this later I suppose.

My first question is, what do you think of Nuil and her family? Or the family so far?

Also in Tolkien's pronunciation/thing (idk what it's called :P but I found it in the back of the Silmarillion ) the 'dh' is pronounced with a 'th' sound. So Noledhe would sound like 'Noleth' not 'Noled-he'. I just liked the way the name looked, so that's why it's spelled that way. I also pronounce Nuil's name like this, 'New-ill-way-ill'. It just stuck when I was coming up with names so . . .

Read! Review! Tell me what you liked/didn't like!

~filimeala