Ieyui

Nobomeno

Remiri

Yojuyogo

Hasatekanae

Kutamae

The young dwelf hummed to herself the hymn as she made her way to Bree, to meet the wizard Gandalf the Grey at the Prancing Pony. The hymn brought her small comfort as she traveled. She and her father were approached by the wizard during their travels, and told them of a quest he would like both of them to be part of. They were to go together. But, only the dwelf survived. A lone tear escaped as she continued to hum the hymn that he sang to her when she was a child, a hymn that was once sung by her mother as a lullaby. Her mother taught it to her father, and in turn taught it to the young dwelf. Aside from the two beads that held together her braids, singing the hymn made her felt close to her parents, as if they were still around.

It was nightfall by the time the young dwelf arrived at the village of Bree. She made her way to the Prancing Pony, and tied up her pony outside. She made it just in time. It had started to rain once she stepped inside the inn. She put up her hood, hiding her ears from the people around her. She looked around, trying to find the wizard. The inn was crowded with people, from hobbits to men. All of them reeking of ale, laughing and yelling filling the room. It wasn't long until she spotted Gandalf by the wall, across from the entrance. She made her way towards him, and took a seat across from him. He merely smiled at her when she took her seat.

"Ah. Melawen. There you are. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up," he said.

"Sorry for the delay, Gandalf. There was…trouble on the way here."

"I see. And where is your father? Probably getting us a drink, I suppose," Gandalf said, smiling before taking another smoke from his pipe.

"My father…he won't be joining, Gandalf," Melawen said, looking down at the table. "He...he's dead. We ran into Orcs on our way here. He was killed…protecting me."

Gandalf didn't say anything as he listened to Melawen's story. He lowered his pipe, and let out a small sigh.

"I'm so sorry, my dear," was all he could say.

"I came because I made a promise to him. I promised I would help you in this quest. Part of me wanted to turn back, and not come. But, I want to see this quest through. My father would have done the same. Whatever this quest may be."

"That, my dear, I will explain shortly. If you excuse me, the one leading this company is here. Just sit here and wait."

Melawen was about to say something, but Gandalf had already gotten up from his seat. She turned, and saw him take a seat across from a dwarf. The dwarf seemed a bit relieved when the wizard took a seat. Being half elf, she just turned around and listened to the conversation Gandalf was having with the dwarf.

"I should introduce myself. My name is Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey."

"I know who you are."

"Well now, this is a fine chance."

Melawen could only roll her eyes at that statement. This was no fine chance. Gandalf was expecting the dwarf.

"What brings Thorin Oakenshield to Bree?"

Melawen couldn't help but stiffen when she heard the name. Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror, the Prince of Erebor. She heard stories of Thorin from her father. He was going to be the leader of this quest Gandalf had brought her into? Melawen leaned back in her chair, still listening in on their conversation.

"I received word that my father had been seen wandering the Wilds near Dunland. I went looking, and found no sign of him," Thorin explained.

"Thorin, it's been a long time since anything but rumor was heard of Thrain."

"He still lives. I am sure of it."

There was a short pause for a bit, and then Thorin continued.

"My father came to see you before he went missing. What did you say to him?"

"I urged him to march upon Erebor: To rally the seven armies of the dwarves, to destroy the dragon and take back the Lonely Mountain. And I would say the same to you. Take back your homeland."

Melawen couldn't believe it. Gandalf was telling Thorin to take back Erebor. Her father had dreamed of that happening for years. If only he were here to help retake it. She couldn't turn back now. She had to see this quest through. For the dwarves to be back in their homeland…it is what her father would have wanted. He waited for that day for so long, and he wasn't here to help reclaim it. Melawen made her choice. She was going to help Thorin take back Erebor, and she didn't care if she died trying. She had to keep her promise to her father.

Her train of thought was interrupted when Thorin spoke again.

"This is no chance meeting, is it, Gandalf?"

"No, it is not. The Lonely Mountain troubles me, Thorin," continued Gandalf. "That dragon has sat there long enough. Sooner or later, darker minds will turn toward Erebor. I ran into some unsavory characters whilst traveling along the Greenway. They mistook me for a vagabond."

"I imagine they regretted that."

"One of them was carrying a message."

Gandalf then laid out a dirty piece of cloth with a message on it. It also had a picture of the Lonely Mountain drawn on it. Gandalf pushed the cloth towards Thorin, and explained, "It is Black Speech. Promise of payment."

"Payment for what?" Thorin asked.

"Your head," Gandalf bluntly said. "Someone wants you dead. Thorin, you can wait no longer. You are the heir to the throne of Durin. Unite the armies of the dwarves. Together you have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon a meeting of the seven dwarf families. Demand they stand by their oaths."

"The seven armies swore that oath to the one who wields the King's Jewel, the Arkenstone! It is the only thing that will unite them. And in case you have forgotten, that jewel was stolen by Smaug."

"What if I were to help you reclaim it?"

"How? The Arkenstone lies half a world away, buried beneath the feet of a fire-breathing dragon."

"Yes, it does. Which is why we are going to need a burglar. And also…someone else."

"Who?"

"I'll let you know in three weeks. Meet me in Hobbiton by then with the rest of the company."

Gandalf had then stood up, followed by Thorin. Thorin left the Prancing Pony, and Gandalf joined Melawen.

"You're seriously going to get a Hobbit to join this quest?" Melawen questioned the moment Gandalf sat back down.

"Hobbits are very remarkable creatures, Melawen. They are light on their feet, and can pass unseen by most if they so choose."

"Okay. That I can understand. Then who is the last to be joining the company?"

"Why you, my dear, of course."

"Why me? You asked for both for my father and I, but there is nothing special about me. My father…I can understand since he was from Erebor."

"My dear. There is more to you than meets the eye," Gandalf explained, smiling softly at her. "You are very special indeed. Your mother said so herself."

"You…knew my mother?"

"I have encountered your mother on more than one occasion. Why, Celesta came to me after rescuing your father. And I visited the day you were born. Of course, you wouldn't remember. But, you have grown to be the spitting image of her."

"But, do you really believe Thorin will be all right with have a female join the company? Let alone someone who is only half dwarf?"

"Thorin will come to understand that you are very much needed for this quest. Like I told Thorin, as I'm sure you've heard with your hearing. Meet me in Hobbiton in three weeks."

And with that, Melawen paid for a room at the Prancing Pony. She had nowhere else to go until then. As she rested in her room, she took out her twin daggers and started sharpening them. She sang her mom's lullaby, putting her at ease as she sharpened her weapons. When she was done, she took a look at the blades, making sure they were sharp enough. Staring at them, her mind wandered back to when she first received them. She had just become of age, and her father had given them to Melawen.

"Really, father? These daggers are mine?"

"Yes, Melawen. It is time you had them. But, these daggers are special, my young one."

"Really? How?"

"They were your mother's. She would have wanted you to have them."

Melawen inspected the daggers that were laid out in front of her. She looked at the handles, wrapped with intricate designs. And the blades also had intricate designs as well.

"Father. I can't have these."

"Yes you can, and you will. Your mother would have wanted to give them to you herself. But, she gave them to me until you became of age. You are not only part dwarf, but you are also part elf. And your mother's blood flows through you. I know you will do your mother proud with these. I wish she were still here so you could see just how graceful she was with these. And I have no doubt in my mind that you will just be as graceful. You look so much like her, Melawen. Now, enough talk. Time for you to practice with something that isn't an axe."

"But-"

"Enough! Now, pick those up. Time to train!"

Melawen snapped out of her trance, and sheathed her daggers. She then took out her father's sword, and started to sharpen it as well. Her father had trained her to use a sword as well, but felt more comfortable with her mother's daggers. She took her father's sword after his death, still feeling he was with her during her travel to Bree. And now, she was getting ready to go on a quest to help Thorin reclaim Erebor. It isn't going to be an easy journey, and her being a female won't bode well with Thorin, especially when he learns that she is part elf, regardless if she is part dwarf. She had dark brown wavy hair, like what a dwarf's hair would be, but her ears were that of an elf. Regardless, she wasn't going to back down. She wasn't doing this quest for herself, but for her father.

Author's Note: The words at the beginning are the lyrics to the Hymn of the Fayth from Final Fantasy X. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my Hobbit Fanfic.