Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit.

Author's Note: I am in the midst of rereading The Hobbit. I haven't read it in quite a few years. Any mistakes are a result of my ignorance of Tolkien's characters. I apologize in advance.

At First Sight

Chapter 1

Kili looked anxiously back over his shoulder as he rode next to his uncle on their matched brown and white ponies. They were traveling a good distance to ask that Uncle's friends join their quest to reclaim Erebor, their lost home. Normally, Kili would be excited to be off even on a small adventure such as this one, but not today-not when he had to leave his brother behind.

Thorin sat tall on his pony, his back ramrod straight, looking very much the dwarven king. He glanced over at his youngest nephew and knew exactly what was on Kili's mind. "Fili will be ready to travel by the time we return," he assured the younger dwarf.

Kili expelled the air he hadn't realized he had been holding. The young man had promised himself that he would prove his maturity and worth to his uncle. He had failed within the first five minutes of their journey. "Yes, Uncle. I'm sorry his burns kept him from traveling with us."

Thorin nodded. "All part of being a dwarf and practically living in the forge." He knew the burns on Fili's arms were painful, but the cream they boy's mother had made would heal them in short order. Fili would undoubtedly be itching to travel in a few days' time.

Kili was glad for his thick coat as a cool breeze blew across the bleak landscape as they traveled farther from their small town. The weather this year had been colder than usual and today was no exception. Heavy gray clouds scudded across the sky and threatened freezing rain or snow.

The clip clop of the ponies' hooves tapped out a rhythm on the dusty road. Thorin nudged his pony to a faster gait, and Kili followed suit. The cold air cut through the layers of their clothes, but both dwarves steadily ignored it.

They traveled this way for quite some time. The weak sun climbed high in the sky and shone down on them offering little warmth as the clouds dissipated. Kili's stomach grumbled hungrily and he cast a quick glance toward Thorin, hoping the dwarf king would suggest they stop soon for lunch. His uncle's face was impassive and gave no clue as to his thoughts.

Kili missed having his brother to talk to. They would have laughed and joked all morning. Thorin, though he may have seemed grouchy, would have smiled at the boys when he thought they weren't looking. Now a somewhat uncomfortable silence had fallen between uncle and nephew.

Kili was jolted out of his thoughts when Thorin turned to him and spoke. "Let's look for a place to-…"

A loud crashing sounded emanating from the trees caused him to stop mid-sentence. Keeping a tight grip on the reins with one hand, Thorin drew his sword and brandished it before him. Kili whipped out his own sword although his fingers longed for the familiarity of his bow and arrows.

"An animal?" Kili guessed softly as the sound drew closer.

Thorin didn't speak, only narrowed his eyes.

Once again Kili wished his brother was with them. Both boys had been close to their uncle as they were growing up, but more recently it was Fili that Thorin seemed to cater to. Kili knew he himself was still seen as the child who just wouldn't grow up and that frustrated his uncle to no end.

Thorin tensed and held his sword at the ready as the crashing sound grew closer. Kili did the same only to stare in shock as a female dwarfling burst through the undergrowth. Her blonde hair, a shade lighter than Fili's, hung in tangles around her face. Her clothes were muddy from her trek through the forest, and she wasn't wearing a coat. Tears streaked down her cheeks and her breath came in great gasps.

In a heartbeat, both adult dwarves had their swords in their sheaths and were slipping off of their ponies.

"Please come," the child begged frantically as she grabbed ahold of Thorin's arm and pulled him toward the forest. "My mother!" she panted. "Please!"

Kili remembered how Thorin had cuddled him as a child as he watched the tender side of his uncle emerge with this little dwarfling.

Thorin knelt before her and wrapped his blanket around her shoulders. Using the sleeve of his coat, he wiped the muddy tear tracks off of her face. "What is your name, little one?" he asked kindly.

"Saura," she stammered, her teeth chattering in her peaked face. "Please, hurry. My mother needs help."

Thorin nodded and stood. He lifted Saura effortlessly and placed her on his pony before mounting up behind her. Kili climbed on his own pony and followed his uncle and Saura through the trees.

To Be Continued….

Author's Note: Please take the time to review. The next chapter will be longer. This one just got us started.