Hi everyone! ^^

This is my first translation into English. I'm not very good at English and it's very difficult for me to translate my literary style in another language. So I apologize in advance for the mistakes.

I will be thankful for any advice or correction.

This is the first chapter of my fic "Una identidad inesperada" /s/9031571/1/Una-identidad-inesperada

I hope enjoy it!

*~~~~~~~ CHAPTER 1: IRIEL ~~~~~~~*

Gandalf knew that Thorin wouldn't allow a woman to join his Company. Even when this woman had shown her skill on the fight in numerous adventures, although she had taken back treasures from inhospitable places evading the security of so many guards without being discovered, although she was so astute and stealthy that not many in Middle Earth knew her existence. No, he never recognizes her, unless he sees her deeds with his own eyes.

But Gandalf had a plan and for that he travelled to those wild hillsides when she had her hiding place. After a long trip, soon he discerned that precipitous entrance. It was a little cave in the mountainside, whose entrance was partially covered for the water of the waterfall which fell with strength over a crystalline lake. A leafy vegetation spread out both sides of the impressive fountainhead, climbing the mountain, which contributed to hide even more the entrance of this strange place. Not one of the visitors, who went into these lands once in a while, had never suspected the presence of someone living in this hide refuge. Fortunately, Gandalf really knew it.

To arrive to the entrance, he stopped to explore around. It didn't seem that any creature were in the nearby places, with the exception of the little animals which lived there. He spun round to the mountain and gave three little bangs over the rock with his walking stick. After receiving no response, he raised his walking stick to the waterfall and the water began to move to one side, allowing a little opening which let cross the magician without becoming wet. After leaving the waterfall behind, he went into the cave. In spite of being in a place so hidden, the lair was very good light up for the light of the day, which it strained through little holes strategically digged in the walls of the mountain.

The refuge was decorated with furnitures made from wood and stone. In the walls there were some items hanged with pride, they had been achieved during her adventures. Gandalf recognized a little glass that himself had given her as a reward for her help, years ago. Animal's skins, horns, crystal plants, amulets and maps, they were some of the items which decorated the walls and shelves carefully organized. In one of the curves of the bottom, he could see the rest of a bonfire with the ashes still burning. Definitely, Iriel wasn't at home, but she neither walked away, so he decided lie back in one of the armchair and wait her smoking from his long pipe.

The smoke seeped through all the corners of the cave, adopting curious shapes. The magician didn't have to wait more time, because a figure appeared to the other side of the waterfall. The figure stayed several seconds without moving, analising the fact of someone had discovered her lair and got into it. Finally, with a happy voice, she said through the water:

"I would recognize that smoked figures in anywhere of the world, also the smell of your favourite herb reports you. I don't know any other people enthusiastic about this North's herb so strong, friend Gandalf" and moving aside the water's curtain with an improvised umbrella made from oaken's leaves, got inside barely wet.

Then Gandalf got up to see her better, they hadn't seen each other many years ago, but the magician remembered very well this fearless creature. Iriel was the daughter of a human woman and an adventurer halfling who dared to settle in the men's lands. The mix of both races created a young woman with long straight dark hair with eyes so crystalline that the most people had ever seen them couldn't decide if they were grey or blue like the water which flowed over the mountain. The fusion of the human and halfling races had made her height like the dwarf's height, of course without any characteristics belonging to the dwarves, because not one blood of them flowed in her veins. She wore dark leather trousers with leather boots under knees. A brown bodice was fitted around her figure until the cleavage, showing a subtle aperture on it. Under it, she wore a shirt lavender coloured which covered her arms completely. A tired green cape was held around her neck and was falling until her ankles. She took off the hood when went into the cave. Gandalf observed her black belt, on it there were a couple of daggers next to her favourite weapon. Her weapon usually went unnoticed, hidden in its mysterious mechanism. In spite of its harmless appearance, Gandalf knew that it was a swift and letal weapon, especially under Iriel's hands. It has been baptized by herself as 'Memphis: the Cutting Spiral"

After inspected at each other for a few seconds Iriel ran happily to embrace the old magician.

"What brings you to these distant lands?" She asked curiously.

"I have come to propose you an adventure."

"Adventures? Long ago I left the life of bounty hunter. This place has everything I need, sorry Gandalf, I have no intention of returning" replied while a touch of nostalgia in his eyes was drawn.

"I'm sure you'll change your mind when you hear what I have come to offer."

Iriel gesture looked at him suspiciously, the magician knew very well choose his words and almost always got what he wanted.

"I know you promised your parents you'd leave this life that caused them so much worry when you reach the hobbit adulthood" said sitting back down on the couch, Iriel nodded, a couple of years it had reached 33 "but I can not believe your adventurous heart has really surrendered."

Iriel sighed, the Istari was right, as usual. Since childhood she had devoured all the books that were available to her, soaking up the greatest stories of Middle Earth. She knew a lot of legends and songs, but not enough to know, she needed to live them. When she was 18 she ran away from home and joined a group of hunters who met in a tavern. So she learned to defend herself and escape from danger. Gradually her skills improved and became a fearless bounty hunter. For 15 years she had lived intensely every minute of her life wondering if it would be the last. Repeatedly exposed her life to serious danger and learned not to be afraid of death, but her parents suffered a lot for her. On one of the occasions when she returned home she discovered that her parents had contracted a serious disease that had no cure. On their deathbed made her promise to abandon her reckless adventures to fulfill the adulthood, they felt it was time to grow up and start worrying about getting a peaceful and lasting life. On her birthday she felt like a little part of her died inside along with the memory of her parents, but she kept her promise and withdrew to the mountains. She had promised to have a quiet life and that's not going to happen within the walls of the noisy and busy city of her family. She needed to be near forests, streams, wind and mountains. Found the perfect place to go unnoticed behind a lonely waterfall and there she had moved all her belongings. It had been two years so quiet and boring, although she felt that something was missing, she had begun to get used to this life and the feeling that her parents would be watching from somewhere with a smile on his face was all that needed to continue. But now this old magician was about to ignite that spark in his heart that had cost both off.

"Your parents worked hard to achieve a peaceful and safe life and ¡for Valar! I don't blame them for wanting the same for you. But since I met you I knew you were destined for something more" the words of Gandalf approached the underbelly of Iriel, he paused to take one last puff of his pipe "and so do you" again stopped to remove smoke that rose drawing a big circle "If you follow me on this adventure and we're successful, you'll never have to worry about the promise you made in the tomb, you'll find a life for you without breaking your word"

Iriel bit his lip and turned her back to the magician. She didn't think there could be a balance between her desires and those of their parents. After a long silence from his mouth came out two words:

"I hear you."

The magician showed a small smile of triumph.

"I'm sure you still remember the stories you used to read younger" The magician coughed before continuing to provide the appropriate solemnity to the valuable information that would reveal "Far to the East, beyond the mountains and rivers it rises a Lonely Mountain."

Gandalf approached Iriel attracted to her words as the magician unrolled an old map of his pocket and taught her.

"Erebor" Iriel said breathlessly to remember one of their favorite legends of her childhood.

"Dwarfs are determined to regain their land."

"I believed that a dragon had occupied the Lonely Mountain expelling all dwarves and since then no one had dared to approach back to that place."

"I see that you remember well, Smaug has spent decades guarding the majestic treasure of the Erebor's kingdom"

"And after all this time away from home, why do they want it back now?"

"The dwarves have interpreted omens and say it's time. When birds of Erebor want to return the beast kingdom will end Several have seen crows returning to the mountain."

"Dawn! Is this the prediction? I don't think that watch a few birds on the horizon means that the great dragon has fallen."

"It is possible, but the dwarves are convinced that would be a big mistake to miss this opportunity. Durin's heir is determined to regain his throne and has recruited other twelve dwarves willing to give their lives for this company."

"Are only 13? ? 13 dwarves to fight a dragon? Is that all their help?"

"Well also have the wisdom of the old magician and the ability of an intrepid hobbit that I recommended myself" - and winking at Iriel added - "and now I hope they have the skills of a second halfling."

Iriel resented that comment on her, the only features hobbit she had were her pointed ears and her small stature.

"I'm only half-hobbit"

The magician smiled "That's more than enough to move deftly unseen, and I'm sure you get the dragon not recognize the smell either, which will lead the group of dwarves"

"Who is the other hobbit?" Asked while still looking at the map.

"Mr. Bilbo Baggins" Iriel indifference gestured to indicate that sounded nothing that name. "Oh, I do not know him, he lives in the Shire, far removed from any of your relatives. He's a hobbit with a fairly common sense and a homely personality, but also the Tuk's blood runs through his veins. Yes, this little man hasn't shown what it's worth yet, I'm sure even he doesn't know yet" Muttered aloud although it seemed he was talking to his own thoughts.

"And the thirteen dwarves?"

"Let's see, we have Óin, Glóin, Dwalin, Balin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur ... " Iriel had already made a mess of names in my head and repented of having asked - " younger Kíli and Fíli and finally the leader of the Company: Thorin Oakenshield."

"Is he the heir of Durin? The ... 'King Under the Mountain' "- said trying to remember the stories of this forgotten city.

"That's right. Thorin has suffered exile of his people and has worked hard to give them a new home in the Blue Mountains. It is a brave warrior who has lived the fall of his lineage, a direct descendant of the former king, now bears a great responsibility to take back what was taken from them. I'm sure he will be a great king and not make the mistakes of his grandfather"

Iriel knew some rumors that the old king Thrór had been consumed for the greed of his own treasure and this greed had attracted the dragon condemning the city of Erebor. She did not know much about the rest of the family, but she knew that the dwarves had gone through great hardship since.

"It's okay Gandalf, you've convinced me. I accept accompany to the Lonely Mountain, I've never seen a dragon and would be a good story to tell my descendants, if we get out alive of this suicide mission. I hope it can serve as an aid Memphis" Said stroking the unique weapon slung belt that had saved her life on many occasions. "When do we leave"

"The clock is ticking and the sooner we put in better way. But there is one problem that still I haven't told you."

They sought to confront a dragon which had burned whole armies with his breath counting only with the help of 13 dwarves, a hobbit and a magician. She doesn't believe any other problem that the magician had forgotten to mention could further worsen the situation, but listened intently.

"Thorin is played a lot in this mission so he is a bit suspicious of people who doesn't know. It is also quite stubborn in some ways ..." Gandalf did not quite know how to deal with the situation "I have thought of a plan to make you earn his trust gradually"

Iriel listened attentively what the magician was proposing. When the magician had finished Iriel could not hide his thoughts with a mixture of surprise and displeasure. The magician insisted it was the best solution and left pondering as he went to fetch his horse.

Although she doesn't like the proposal was true that some of her interior told her it could be weird and fun. The magician was proposing something she had never done. A challenge. Yes, she loved the challenges. While returning Gandalf set out to prepare for the adventure. She put her lighter clothes in a leather bag with some personal items. Also involved in various foods and flasks another backpack with some herbs that may be useful later. Was finishing putting her things when the magician returned to strike the rock with his walking stick to indicate that he was ready. Iriel came dragging her luggage. Seeing the magician gave him a mischievous smile.

"Okay, I can try but no promises. I guess it will be fun"

The magician descended the slope to reach his horse was loaded with all their belongings.

"I guess we get another mount for you in a nearby town"

"Oh no, don't worry about it, I still have my trusty horse," Iriel said, and lifted two fingers to her lips, emitting a powerful whistle. Soon, a small silver horse appeared, galloping through the trees. His long mane was like Iriel's eyes. It was smaller than the horse on which rode Gandalf but bigger than a pony. This loyal companion had accompanied Iriel during the past five years riding as fast as the morning breeze. After greeting her horse Iriel began loading her things into it. Then Gandalf broke a chest of his horse's back and showed it to his new traveling companion. Iriel looked the contents, it seemed that Gandalf had seen to get everything she'll need.

"We have already entertaining enough. It's time to start this adventure" And giving it use the contents of the trunk, got into his silver saddle and Iriel rode with Gandalf to their new destination.