***Author Note: This started as an exercise in Character Development, but when it reached the length of half of the original novel, I thought I might as well share it, otherwise what use is the work and the critique process? Most of this came from epic dreams I had about an OC working its way into both the films and the book. It is an epic tale, mostly devoid of women, and Tolkien's original women characters were strong for such small roles, but I wanted an element of length given to my character, not only so I could draw her out and test my abilities, but also so I could maybe add a little feminine touch. The plot may not be much, but I am welcome to any and all constructive criticism, so please, feel free to write to me about my work. That's the only way to get better. Yours Truly, Patterns-Unseen.***

The sun was setting as Lord Elrond fed his guests, each of them whispering as they lifted their lettuce leaves in confusion. He chuckled to himself, he knew the tendencies of dwarves was to eat copious amounts of meat and ale but he suffered to let them try elfish cuisine. The dwarf king, would be king, or what will you; held his composure more than most, his breeding shining through the rest. He was majestic, in a dwarf way; proud, forceful, commanding but sincere. A set of footsteps along with arguing voices unsettled Lord Elrond from his observations of the table.

A pale head rose above the steps and a few moments later, a smaller, earthier head extended past. 'This meeting may not go well.' Thought Lord Elrond to himself. The table was still preoccupied with their meal at hand when the woman and the elf reached the top of the stairs. She was holding a bow, split in two, still attached by the drawstring. She seemed to be relating a story to the elf and it was becoming quite heated. Her eyes met Elrond's and she smiled. "Ah, my lord, please tell me you saw my bow split today on the field?" she looked at him straightforward. The moment her voice entered the room, the whole table went quiet. Gandalf turned around and gave her a small smile, and she did the same; she knew he was coming.

The dwarves stared at her, how unusual it was for a dwarf to be calling an elf "my lord" and she was odd to look at as well. She had no beard on her face, like most dwarfish women, and she was slender, not as slender as the elves, but not as full in frame as a dwarf woman would be. Kili and Fili leaned back in their chairs to get a better look, and immediately Kili couldn't tear his eyes away. She wore plain clothing, although she wore men's pants, and boots that were fashioned by elves, her dark shirt was of dwarfish variety and she wore over top of it a leather vest with a simple decal along the shoulder to the waist. Most dwarves wore their hair and beards in braids, usually in multiples, but her hair was only pulled back into a single braid from the top of her forehead, to the middle of her back. Her face was pale, but full of life, and joy.

"Asta?" a meager voice from the very end of the table broke through the silence. Her bow hit the ground when she saw him, "Bilbo…" it had been many years since they last saw each other, and they had both grown up, so it was difficult to determine if the hobbit before her really was the hobbit she played with as a child.

"Asta!" he slid from his chair, his hand following the back, "it is you!" Before Bilbo could say anything more she had her arms around his neck.

"You haven't answered my letters in so long, I thought something had happened to you. But it seems you are on a journey, what in Middle Earth got you to leave Bag End?"

"Well Gandalf showed up at my house and then later invited a band of dwarves over to my home, they ate my food and—" but it was too late, she had seen him.

He was all you would imagine a King to be. He looked like he had seen more years than she had, and his age gave a sense of wisdom. His face was not as covered by beard than some at the table, but his hair was thick and had silver streaks running through it. His eyes were blue and bold, they questioned nothing, and only knew answers. He looked at her, as she looked at him and for a few moments they stared, before Bilbo interjected.

"Asta, this is-"

"I know who he is." She scanned the rest of the table before saying, "My, what prestigious guests we have to-day." And with a graceful bow and a dry voice, "It is a great honor to be in the presence of Thorin, son of Thrain; King Under the Mountain."

When she lifted her head he merely nodded, then she turned to the dwarf next to him, "Lord Balin, your beard is much more white than I remember it, but you look well." She gave a low nod to Balin who looked confused.

"Forgive me lady, but I'm afraid I don't remember meeting at all."

"You wouldn't, I suppose, as your beard got whiter, I grew from the age of six. It has been many years since my pilgrimage to the great halls of Erebor." Her demeanor changed now and she grew rather pretentious, "Perhaps we can talk of my visit sometime, I'm sure you would love to relive the tale."

"I'm sure I would enjoy that very much." He managed a small smile that was polite. Before Asta could say another thing to raise tensions, Elrond asked her, "Asta, what is this about someone snapping your bow?" He had been talking to the other elf.

"Well, my lord, Endras here, believes it was snapped in—unnatural ways; and he would try to convince you of it, but it is in fact due to my lack of skill in bow making. It snapped today while we were with the orcs."

Elrond looked her over, she didn't seem either rough or hurt, nor did she seem concerned. But he knew she was hiding something, and so he would keep her close, for now. "Very well, you should make a new one soon. As soon as can be."

"Yes, Lord Elrond, I have one in the making presently."

Endras was trying his best to conceal his anger at being set aside, but a great horn blew and they air grew stiff. Asta, Elrond and Endras's faces grew stern and Lord Elrond nodded at Endras, who gave a curt bow and then was down the steps. Asta began after him when Elrond said, "Not you."

This did not please Asta, and she was rather shocked, "Not me, my Lord? Have I done something to offend you? Or perhaps am I not preforming adequately?" a little doubt in her voice and a little hurt in her eyes.

"Not at all, I want you to take care of our guests this evening." And he re-seated himself as the disbelief on her face emerged.

"Lord Elrond, I –" she rubbed her temples and heaved air out of her chest, "I- I have other duties to attend tonight."

She was upset with him, and he knew it, he wasn't ignoring it, "I will pass them to another. Don't worry about your watch duty just concern yourself with the comfort-," and he leaned forward to look into her eyes "and happiness of our guests."

"May I ask why me, my lord?" her eyes were unwavering, "I know you are capable of ensuring everything for our guests and besides, isn't it good to be among other dwarves every once in a while?"

"Yes, my lord." She gave him a nod and then turned to Thorin, her eyes intense and enduring, "When the dwarfish Masters have finished, and are in need of my service, send for me." And with that she abruptly turned on her heels and marched out of the dining hall.

"Well that was bizarre." Stated Fili, before returning to his plate. Thorin thought the same thing, and wanted to know more about the dwarf in the service of the elf.

"Wait, how do you know her?" Kili turned to Bilbo who was in the middle of taking a bite of food, setting it down he looked at his plate, "When…" then he stopped. Bilbo reflected on his response, which puzzled his companions greatly. When he did look up at Kili again he was overcome with sadness, "She lived with me, when we were young."

Speculation broke out over the table and it carried on to a point when Gandalf looked at them and with that one glance, the conversation switched to the architecture of the elven city.

She didn't hate them, Bilbo knew it, Gandalf knew it, and she knew it. Being faced with your past, when it is unpleasant is never easy and for Asta she finally had a moment to deal with it. She sat in the dark of her room contemplating how she was going to face them. Asta had forgiven all transgressions by Thorin's grandfather Thror, his decisions had given her life but now she had a choice to make which would throw her into the hands of the very grandson of the man who granted her that. As night came, and the lamps lit, she made her decision.

Now, dwarves need a great amount of food to sustain themselves, so needless to say the dwarves were cooking themselves some tasty morsels when Asta found them. She was carrying boughs to make a new bow with and a pheasant she caught in the courtyard. Bombur had just broken the table he was sitting on and a great deal of laughter burst from the group. What bliss they had; excellent companionship, a journey to grow on and friendships to foster and keep. It was Bilbo who saw her first and he grinned in his hobbit way when one was expecting company. He set his pipe down and went to help her with her load.

"I didn't think you would come unless I told them to grab you from whatever crevice you were hiding in." He looked up at her from under his eyes with a mischief that calmed her greatly.

"I should do my duty and spend time with dwarves as Lord Elrond suggests." She said as she avoided his gaze, a smile appearing on her face as well. When Bilbo set her things down next to Kili she was a little unsettled but something in the way he smirked told her it was for her own good.

"Good Evening, Master Dwarves." She looked around them, and then was very ashamed. She had broken the merriment, and they were staring at her again, but this time expectantly. Thorin stood in a doorway and for a moment she caught his eye then quickly moved along. She recognized some of them from stories and histories, but there were some who were unfamiliar to her. Even though it felt unbelievably unnerving, she began to make her apology.

She bowed, deeply, allowing her braid to fall off her shoulders. The red in her face was beginning to show and she didn't want them to see.

"I am very embarrassed by my behavior earlier, I let my emotions get ahead of me and my anger directed my actions. I am most humbly remorseful." With this she held out the bird, with her head still bowed, "If you would like it, I have brought a pheasant, I know it is not dwarfish nature to eat such delicate foods such as elfish cuisine." She did not raise her head but she did open her eyes. She began to look at the ground and waited for someone to speak or rustle or cough or anything really. The thought of making a fool of herself again was unbearable, but she stood firm, holding out this miniscule bird carcass, waiting for some form of acknowledgement. A shadow blocked out the candle light in front of her and so she decided to look up. One of the more portly dwarves stood before her. He had a thick round beard but past it she could see a smile and he took the pheasant from her with a short nod. She nodded slightly back and smiled gratefully at him before he turned to the fire they were cooking at. When she peered at the others they were smiling back, most of them anyways. A sweet smell mixed with smoke broke through the aromas of food that danced through the room.

"Bilbo, is that, Shire pipe weed?" she asked

"Yes, of course, finest weed in the south farthing." His pride blew his chest out and he smoked a ring to show his experience.

"Well do you mind, old friend, if I snatch a bit off you?"

Bilbo choked as she pulled a small pipe from a leather pouch on her left hip. "It is no good for women!" he said sternly with a very serious scowl on his face.

"And what of old friends? Can they not share a little smoke now and then? Reminisce of days gone?" the dwarves had decided to continue as they were before Asta had arrived, while she and Bilbo conversed on the window.

"Perhaps, but only between men! How ever are you to be married with manners like smoking?

"Oh Bilbo," she rested her elbow on the window sill and bent down to rest her head on her hand, "Good, sweet Bilbo, I gave up on the notion of marriage many years ago." When he looked at her she seemed lost in a place that wasn't where he was, and she was so lost, that her face had totally relaxed and her eyes hazy; she meant it. So he took the pipe from her, which brought her back to him, and she gave him the same look she did when they were little, that look of gratefulness that always made him feel glad to have met her.

"You shouldn't give up hope." Bilbo said sadly.

"Never you mind, let us smoke together; if only for one night." They touched the bowl of their pipes and when she inhaled, exuding a great cloud of smoke, he knew it was not her first time. "Finest weed in the south farthing…" she said from behind her pipe.

A little scream came from down the hall and a small elf girl ran from around the corner, and she stopped to stare at the group, then upon hearing her pursuer she hid behind Kili with an "Shhhh!" up at him. Endras came stomping from the next corridor yelling, "AH! Where did my little meal go? I, the great Goblin King, love to eat elfish ladies, especially little girls!" His hands were gnarled and his face contorted when he noticed the dwarves, he smiled at them, and then continued the charade. "Have any of you dwarves seen my delicious meal?" They just gawked at him like he was mad, but Asta stood out from the window, "No! Great Goblin King, we have seen no meals here!" she spoke loudly so the girl could hear.

"Perhaps she moved down the hall, for your help dwarf, I'll spare your life." And he hobbled down the hallway as a little voice asked Kili, "Is he gone?" and Kili who smirked at her, "Yes, he's gone." She let out a loud giggle and ran to Asta's legs.

"Asta! Asta! I've outsmarted the Goblin King!"

"I saw! Good job! Was he ever going to catch such a clever girl?" and Asta picked her up and twirled her in the air.

"Not me!" they rubbed noses affectionately then she put her down and it was only a second before…

"ARRRGHHH!" out popped Endras who pretended to eat her stomach while she squealed, giggled, and squirmed. Once he had finished "devouring" her, he sat cross-legged and set her in his lap. "Now, my Lady, you promised if I caught you, you would go to bed."

"But I don't want to!" and she broke free of him and ran to Asta, who sat with the child in her lap and said to her, "Young ladies always go to bed on time, so they have their strength to face the Goblin King another day." So with that the child consented but before she left she asked,

"Have these dwarves come to marry you Asta?"

This took Asta by surprise, but she answered, "No, my lady"

"Why not? Are they not pretty enough?"

Asta giggled, "No that's not it, they are all very handsome."

"Even that one?" she pointed at Bombur.

"Of course! Master Bombur is a most excellent warrior; he fights with his weight to his advantage. He would make a fine husband."

"Sorry, Master Bombur." The child sheepishly hid behind long lashes, but Bombur just nodded gladly.

"Then, are you not pretty enough?" And before Asta could answer, the child had turned to look at the dwarves, and Kili spoke up.

"She is very beautiful, child." Fili looked at his brother oddly, like he had said something strange, but the others expressions did not change.

"Then why?" frustration was beginning to surface in her. Asta looked down at the child so that she had to look all the way up at her. She took the girl's hands in her own and said, "Love is not something you see, it is something you feel. You do not love someone just because they are beautiful. You love them for who they are, on the inside."

The girl looked at her feet and thought very hard, "Than is there something wrong with your insides?"

Endras was immediately on his feet and said "You mustn't ask such things!" and he came to take her, but Asta motioned for him to stop. "Yes child. People don't like who I am inside, more so they don't like the blood that flows in my veins. So I don't imagine I will ever get married." Asta grew solemn now.

"You won't have children? A family?" the child's eyes growing large and desperation emerged from them.

"No, my Lady."

"What about a home? Is this your home now?"

"No." her voice was barely a whisper now.

"But you don't have to leave, you can stay; I will keep you Asta!" and tears began to stream down the child's face.

"Ohhh shhhh now. Stop your crying. It will be all right. I am happy here, and I will always come to visit if I go away. Now, off to bed."

"I'm sorry Asta", and Endras took her to bed.

It was Ori who spoke next, "What don't people like about your blood, my lady?"

"Just Asta is fine. Lord Balin, would you like to hear the tale of my journey to Erebor now? I think it should answer most questions."

Balin nodded with courtesy, telling her to begin.

She turned to face them, and sitting like she did with the girl, she began, "They tell me I look like my mother, although this hair must be my father's, as my mother's was raven black. But I will never know, because I never knew him. My mother had a sweetly face, to match her personality, she was a songstress and one day we traveled to the great city of Erebor to meet King Thror. The halls were lit by the bright torches that day, the grey stone shone in the light. I was only six years old and I still remember every detail. We entered the hall and walked up the steps, the King sat in his great throne, and above his head was a dark and beautiful stone. Beside him stood Lord Balin and the King's own son, Thrain, hair dark as night and he stood proud. We had come to seek sanctuary; we had many troubles along our way and had a hard time settling down in one place.

"My mother pleaded with the King who denied her request and finally she said to him, 'This child may be mine, but she is also of dwarvish blood, her father is a noble of Erebor!' The King took one look at me and stood abruptly, "Get this filth out of my kingdom!" And that is when you, Lord Balin, told the guards to take myself and my mother out. She still pleaded, 'If not the both of us, at least deliver the child to her father! Please your majesty! 'OUT, OUT! I will not have an elf of any manner of birth—"

"YOU!" Balin's eyes had turned to anger, confusion and fear. "You're the filthy—" he stopped himself, lowering his head, but not his eyes. The company moved between the two of them, anxious and waiting for some sign.

"Do you really believe, Lord Balin, that in all my years of living, the worst thing I have heard is 'filthy mixed blood'?" she looked at him, not with hate, not with malice, but compassion and sympathy. "I have endured worse things than name calling. Shall I continue?" she did not wait for permission. "Needless to say, we were thrown out, banished, abandoned. It's not as if the King hated elves yet, he just didn't want them in his kingdom. We searched for a few months then found a small village beyond Esgaroth and we settled there; for a few years."

When she looked around the room it was obvious their sentiment, "You know, my mother was mostly human. Her father and mother were human; it was her great grandmother who was an elf. But regardless, now the dwarves despise the elves and the mere thought of a union of the two is atrocious. I learned of the cruelty of man a long time ago and the elves are the only ones who seem to like me enough to keep me around."

She finished the pipe and Ori looked at the ground, "I'm sorry."

"Why my Lord…?"

"Ori."

"Why Lord Ori? Although I am not welcome among most, the elves will take me in. I've even managed to make a few friends along the way. Too I gained something from my great, great grandmother." Asta stood now, and moved to the center of the group, "I have been given the power of foresight. Is there a Master Gloin, among you?

Gloin was bulky, not rotund, but well built and when he stood up he towered over Asta. "I am Gloin."

She turned to him and grew so joyous that he was taken aback, "I have seen a portion of your future, Master Gloin, and if you wish to hear it, I will give you some advice. But you must be certain that you want to hear it." She did not hesitate to look at him in the eyes. He was strong, middle aged and had fiery red hair. He pondered for a bit then nodded. "I will hear it."

The smile on Asta's face grew so it reached across her face. "Your story, Master Gloin, will be great. The story of the dwarves who attempted to save Erebor will be in songs and told for generations. There will even be a book written."

"You say, 'Attempt'…" Master Balin chimed in.

"Yes, attempt. The future has many paths and at the time of my vision it was still uncertain that you would succeed. That may have changed by now." She raked her eyes over Thorin's face, in which his eyes narrowed and he knew that this was also for him to hear and know.

"Yes your story will be remembered for a long time, but will eventually fade." A murmur escaped across the company and she continued, "You will have a son. He will be stubborn and bold, this is certain. He will play an important role in the rescue of Middle Earth, as we know it. His name will be written into history itself, so my advice to you, is to give him a name that suits a warrior to last the ages."

The bushy beard he had to cover his face and most of his chest could not hide his delight. "Thank you, young lady. Hear that boys, I'm having a son! I suppose I might have to acquire a wife for such things!" and they all laughed.

"So the Warg Slayer can also see the future. You have quite a skill set girl." Dwalin with his arms crossed and leaning back against the wall, emerged as he exposed her.

"Oh, you have heard of me? That makes me pleased; only one dwarf carries such an extensive axe and has tattoos on his head. It is an honor to be acknowledged by you Lord Dwalin, great axe bearer."

"There was rumor of a dwarvish female warrior, with dusty red hair who fought with twin blades. I will admit it amused me to hear."

"Well perhaps if we ever get the chance, that amusement can be put to better use, my Lord."

"I don't fight women."

"Good thing I don't consider myself a woman. I'm a warrior, I have been studying for the better part of my life."

He merely nodded as she sat next to Kili to begin making her bows and the candles burned bright along side the fire when Balin asked her, "Well then child, if you are here, where is your mother?"

She stopped cutting at the bough, and without looking at him, "My mother is dead. She died when I was nine; a year before Smaug took the Lonely Mountain."

When he stepped out of the darkness she could feel it. He was terribly handsome, his shoulders were broad and every muscle in his body commanded attention. His eyes had power and intensity behind their grey light. When he spoke his voice was low and sultry but authoritative and honest. She could say she had been looking into his eyes, but she hadn't, because she couldn't bear to look at him directly now.

"Be grateful she wasn't amongst those who perished by fire."

She was shocked that he would speak to her directly, she assumed that she was too low of birth, but what he had said enraged her, and she didn't care much for protocol then. She laughed.

"You think that is funny do you?! Thousands died that day, the searing smell of flesh permeated that air past where we migrated to. My people are laborers and have no place to return to, and you find that amusing!"

"No. The horror that occurred that day is no laughing matter. I was in the Shire when I heard." She looked at her lap, then up again, "I wept for days. My best and worst memory destroyed in one moment. I laugh at your pretentious comment. You assume that my mother had a more peaceful death than those who suffered in masses." It was hard to look up at him, as he stood in front of her glaring down, his eyes blazing into hers. She tore herself from him and looked down the hall at nothing.

"Three men came to our house in the village. The first thrust his shield into her chest. The second grabbed me, pushing me to the ground and holding my head so I could watch as the third cut open her throat. 'This one too?' asked the one holding me. 'No, she has to be alive so he is always wondering if his bastard daughter is dead or not.' Said throat man. 'This dwarf better pay up' said shield. 'He's a noble, he has plenty of gold' and with that they were gone. I rushed to my mother and caressed her head as she slowly choked on her own blood." She looked back up at him, trying to subdue the water that was gathering in her eyes, "So please, your Grace, don't tell me to be grateful she didn't have the instant death of dragon's fire."

Thorin knew he was wrong, but he wasn't going to admit it, not to this woman who defied him with every breath. He went back to his hovel and then the pheasant was passed around and small conversation ensued. Asta and Kili were engaged about talking about bows and the difference between elfish and dwarvish curvatures. Bilbo and Ori were discussing maps and drawings. Thorin and Balin were in a serious conversation that could not be overheard. Upon finishing her plateful, Asta gave her compliments to the chef, then with all her nerve, she walked up to Balin and Thorin who looked sideways at her.

"I have a proposition for you, your Grace, my lord, and as you plan to leave before dawn, I feel I should speak up."

"How did you—" Balin's anger at this woman grew.

"I can see into the future my lord, not willingly I will add, its rather sporadic."

"What is this proposition?" Thorin looked down at her in contempt.

"I wish to accompany you for a portion of your journey." Balin was instantly in disagreement but she spoke quickly. "You plan to pass through the Greenwood, but it is a great journey past the mountains and I have a home on the edge of the forest, you could rest, resupply there, all I ask is to join you that far."

"Why would you want to leave your precious elves?" Inquired Thorin.

"Because bows don't snap like that without being forced to." Kili additioned to the conversation.

"Yes. It seems that I have worn out my welcome here. I shall return to my home in the forest until I decide what to do and where to go next. Besides, I would like to spend more time with Bilbo and Gandalf while they are most certainly alive."

Thorin looked her over. She didn't seem to have ill intent, and the promise of a place to rest after a trek through the mountains did have its benefits, "Let me discuss with my men."

She nodded and returned to the window with Bilbo. They shared stories for a short period of time, when Thorin called to her. "Woman."

"Asta." She curtly said.

"We will not be responsible for your life."

"And I will not be responsible for any of yours."

He sighed and looked at the ground, fearing for what bringing a woman amongst them would do, but even he had heard of her skills in battle. He also had a conscious. He felt pity for the girl, and she would only be further caused pain if she stayed. She didn't even look like an elf. She wasn't tall, she wasn't especially beautiful like the elves, she even had the harsh tone and look of a dwarf in her stature. Why should she not be among them?

"Very well. You may join us and we will rest in your home in the Greenwood."

"Thank you, your Grace."

"Thorin. No one calls me by my title."

She nodded and turned to see Kili beaming at her. He was especially happy she was joining them, and she was especially pleased that someone wanted her along.

Asta returned to her room to gather her things and called for Endras. She explained her reasons of leaving and that she wanted to thank Lord Elrond, but she could not herself. She pulled a bow from under her bed and grabbed her cloak, handed a written note to Endras and hugged him tightly. The dawn would soon be upon them so she ran to her fellow travellers. Endras watched as they disappeared between the rocks and while flipping the letter in his hand he dropped it, and a corner peeked out with a second letter inside, addressed to him.

Dear Endras:

I have had many good days here at Rivendell, and the majority of them I attribute to you, but my destiny calls. Thorin is King Under the Mountain; I can feel his success in my bones. I must ensure that he lives to see Erebor returned to the dwarves, so I must go. Please know, you will always be with me, my friend.

Asta.

He looked up from the letter and silently wished her all the happiness in Middle Earth.