Chapter One

The Cave. I hated the Cave. Darkness was all around me, suffocating me. The horrible and unspeakable memories flashed across my sight. It was getting harder and harder to choke back the tears and sobs as each memory replayed across my mind.

As the last memory faded, I found myself looking at the ground through my long thick raven black hair. I could see. And there was no muttering. I snapped my head up and I could actually see the light. Where were the trolls? Where was the constant arguing? Where was the suffocating stench?

And who cares? I quickly pushed my hair behind my ears and searched the ground, moving dry leaves around frantically. Where was it? I began to start panicking when my fingers brush across cool, smooth metal surface. The blade. My hopes brightened as I grasped the hilt and moved the blade to my free hand.

It was time to remove the shackle.

I knew I was never gonna get a chance like this again so I gabbed the tip of the blade into the key hole. Then I jiggled it around and hoped it would work. Actually not hoped . . . I prayed it would work.

I hated it here. For the first time in ten years, I had a chance to escape.

The knife wasn't working. I let out a frustrated sound and threw the knife away, looking down. I heard a clank and instantly snapped my head up. It had hit a sword or axe, I couldn't tell. I shifted so I could move closer. The shackle tugged my hand back, causing shearing pain tight the way down my arm, but I bit my lip and continued. I stretched my fingers. Almost there. I strained and groaned. I tugged against the shackle and strained once more, just touching the blade. I used my fingers to edge it closer until I could just touch it properly. I turned and turned the weapon until my fingers brushed the hilt. I gripped it then slumped back against the wall. It turned out to be an axe, which was just fine with me.

I moved my shackled hand until I could use the axe to safely cut the chain without harming my hand. I raised the axe and took a deep breath. I was going to be free! My breath quickened as I counted to five.

One . . . I could feel the sun on my skin again.

Two . . . I could breathe fresh air.

Three . . . I could frolic in wild plains once again.

Four . . . I would finally leave here.

Five . . . I could finally go home.

On that thought, I brought the axe down with all the force I could muster. The chain broke clean into two.

I couldn't believe it. After ten long, suffering years, I was going to leave all of this madness behind. I could go home and live my life once again. I tried to stand, but had to lean against the Cave wall for support. My legs were the weakest of my whole body. Whenever I tried to stand, one of the trolls would beat me back down. Therefore, I could barely move my legs without being beaten.

I took some deep and long breaths, and slowly edged along the wall. The entrance was just up ahead. I was going to do it! By tonight I am going to be long gone, and the trolls would be furious and planning to hunt me, but they will never find me. I was going to see them again. My two best friends who were like my brothers. But I believe that I might slight in crush with one of them. But I didn't think about that. I was finally going home!

A laugh escaped me as I reached the entrance. I felt the sunlight hit my face, warming me up from the dampness of the Cave. My light green pupils adjusted to the sudden amount of light. I took in deep gulps of the fresh and new air. As I looked around, my breath was being taken away. I had forgotten what a forest looked like. The trees were rich with forest animals and filled the air with scent of pine and nature. The leaves were olive green, light green like my eyes, dark green. Hell, there were even turquoise coloured leaves. The grass was soft to the touch and swayed in the gentle breeze that blew, making my long, thick raven black hair move of the back of my neck as it danced with the wind.

Okay, I know that I should be moving away, but I just couldn't. I felt like a newborn baby being introduced to the world. I felt as though I was learning past experiences once again. The scene just took your breath away. It was indescribable and so pure, so unique, that it was one of a kind. I would love to live in an area as beautiful as this area was. I regretted having to leave, but I have to put as much distance between this troll hoard and myself.

I stumbled over to the tree beside me and felt its rough surface. As I steadied myself, I knew I would be able to move with no hassle soon enough. I just have to get use moving my legs once again. I moved closer to the next tree, the ground changing from a nice, smooth and soft grassy area to a rough, hard and twigged filled one which hurt and scraped my feet, but I wasn't going to stop just because my feet were hurting. I'd already done too much to go back now.

The next tree wasn't as rough as the ones before it, but it wasn't exactly smooth either. I ran my hand over the bark, trying to the texture when I accidentally scratched my hand. I swore in dwarfish as I pulled a strip of clothing from my already torn and ragged top and wrapped it around the palm of my hand.

I looked up and realized that dawn actually wasn't that long ago. The sun was making thee usually blue sky brilliant shades of pink and orange. It was yet another thing that took my breath away. How could I have forgotten all of the beautiful and unique things of this world? I shook my head and laughed at myself. You could easily tell I hadn't been outside all that time I was captive. I started to move again, determined to put as much distance as possible between myself and the trolls.

I was too busy admiring the scenery when I tripped over a large wooden log and landed flat on my face. I groaned as I realized it wasn't that graceful. I can't even understand how people land gracefully anyway. It's just weird and creepy.

I heard footsteps and murmurs coming closer. I must have accidentally let out a shriek as I went down. I was about to get up when this pair of boots stopped right in front of my face. They had this worn leather look and they seemed to have this familiar vibe about them. I just couldn't place it. I hated it when I couldn't place something. It made me feel useless and weak minded. I hated feeling useless and any type of weak.

Anyway I looked up and saw this hand was being offered to me. Before this strange person could say anything, I took it and he helped me up. He practically pulled me up. I didn't really do anything. Still feeling woozy and dizzy, I accidentally lost my balance and he caught me in his arms. I looked up and gasped. It was like a day hadn't gone by in the past ten years.

He still had the medium brown hair than ended at his shoulders, the same matching pair of eyes that were warm and quite easy to get lost in, the same nose, believe it or not, the same chin struggling to grow a beard, I suddenly knew why the boots were so familiar. Remember how I briefly mentioned my two best friends who might as well be my brothers? Well here is one, and he just so happens to be the one I might be in crush with. "Easy there," he said as he held me there. His voice wasn't that deep, but deeper than I can remember. Then again, a lot can happen in ten years. My hair was proof of that. Besides that, I just couldn't believe that they would be still searching for me. I thought they had given up. If that's so, why was he here? They couldn't possible still be looking can they?

"Kili?" I asked, my voice hoarse as I searched his face. I didn't think he remembered me from the look he was giving me.

"Do I know you?" He asked me giving me a puzzled look.

"It's me… It's Dela."

AN:

Okay, I'll admit, it's been a while. But I have a new story, and trying to finish others. I've had writers block for my other stories, but i'm re-reading them and working on it. Okay, tell me what you think. Criticism good or bad, is accepted. I'll update soon.

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-Peach