Well, first off, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY! I would've posted this chapter earlier, but fanfiction was down so boo. *pouts* All the same, consider this my Christmas present and thank you to you AWESOME first SIXTEEN reviewers: Xerxes'Girl, hobbitlove, Faye, nobody, 13Nyx13, sillystring-roxs-the-earth, PurpleFairy11, Robin Winters, Hiding in the Shadow, Zuta-chan, Reystro, Guest, GhostVonGhoul (sorry, fanfiction wouldn't let me put the spaces in. *pouts*), thunderyoshi, Guest (2), and my best friend Mitch Crosszeria! BROWNIES FOR YOU ALL! Also, another HUGE thanks and brownies to the people who have already favorited and/or followed this story! LOVE YOU ALL! Hope everyone enjoys chapter two! :D
Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Hobbit, its characters, NOR The Hobbit's plot. I only own my OC Kaiya, any other OCs created along the way, and any part of the plot NOT a part of the movie or book. This fanfic, however, is MINE and I'd like to keep it that way.
Chapter 2
Meeting: Beginnings of Life Anew
Stormy-colored eyes peered around lazily as she took a seat by the river. Gandalf was nowhere in sight, or in scent for that matter. "Surprise, surprise." She grumbled sarcastically in her mind with half-hearted irritation. Honestly, the foxy old wizard really hadn't changed a bit since she last saw him. Same old Gandalf.
A small frown marred the girl's fair skinned face at the thought.
Same old guilty Gandalf.
Kaiya growled softly with frustration as she ran her hands through her dark red locks. At first, forty years ago, when the old wizard had fed the red-haired young woman the dragon's heart, Kaiya's rage had caused her to want nothing more than for her mentor to wallow in guilt for what he'd done. However, as the years past, and life wizened her up a bit, the girl began to understand his choice and feel the very guilt that she'd forced upon her old teacher.
Not to say that the stormy-eyed female didn't still despise the dragon blood flowing in her veins.
She did.
Passionately.
But still, as time had passed, and the rage diminished, she found herself forgiving the wizard for what he had done, and understanding the reasons behind his decision. In return, just about a decade ago, Kaiya had finally reestablished contact with him; since she hadn't been quite ready to face him face to face again yet.
To be honest, she still wasn't quite ready.
No matter how she twisted it around, and even if she did more or less forgive Gandalf, the pang of something akin to… betrayal still lay within the red-haired girl's heart. It was conflicting, really. All the same though, there was still and always would be that gentle chunk in the girl's heart as well. And that part was demanding that she do at least something to relieve some of the guilt off her old mentor's shoulders and let him know that…
That what?
That she still loved him like the pops he'd always been to her back in those days?
…
Yeah, something like that.
Twitching slightly with annoyance while trying to figure out just how to put her thoughts into words, Kaiya suddenly picked up an all too identifiable scent floating on the midnight breeze.
"Hope I didn't keep you waiting." A familiar voice spoke out with a hint of smugness from the shadows. Only moments later, Gandalf walked out into the moonlight, his eyes twinkling with amusement and absolute joy at seeing that his old apprentice had decided to come.
"Not too long." Kaiya admitted with a shrug as she rose to her feet, looking up at the moon before shooting her ex-mentor a half amused, half reprimanding look, "All the same, you're still late."
"Hmph!" the elderly wizard grumped though his eyes still held their mirth, "A wizard is never late, Kaiya. Nor is he-"
"Early." The red-haired young woman finished with an amused smirk, "He arrives precisely when he means to. That's a load of hogwash and you know it."
A corner of Gandalf's mouth twitched upward at the girl's statement. "Perhaps." He admitted but still with a sagely air. The old wizard paused a moment before continuing, "I apologize, but the Hidden Valley isn't called the 'Hidden' Valley for nothing. It took a mite longer than I expected to find it."
"Hn." Kaiya mumbled, giving her previous mentor a long look, "So, you intend to lead Thorin and his company to Rivendell?"
"Correct." The elderly wizard praised before asking with a smile, "I hope you don't mind paying the Lord Elrond a visit."
"Not at all." The red-haired young woman shrugged before adding with a look halfway between a grimace and a smirk, "The Rivendell elves I can stand."
"Oh?" Gandalf raised an eyebrow at his ex-apprentice, "I was not aware you were acquainted with the elves. Though I suppose I wouldn't have much knowledge of what you've been doing in these last few decades. But you speak as if you have been to Rivendell before."
"I have." The stormy-eyed female stated bluntly.
The bearded old man gave the girl a curious look, "Might I ask the occasion?"
A frown formed slowly on the young woman's face. "It was right after we parted ways." She admitted reluctantly before continuing with a heavy sigh, "I had hoped that, considering Lord Elrond is well into 3,000th year, he might know of a way to successfully remove the dragon blood from within me." The frown on the red-haired female's face turned into a slight scowl, "Little be said, he obviously informed me that such a task was impossible."
"I see." Gandalf stated simply, already feeling a bit uncomfortable with the topic, especially knowing just how uncomfortable his ex-apprentice must be talking about it. So, deciding to chance topics, the bearded wizard turned around and began heading back in the way of the company, "Come! We should start heading back if we're to join the company before they again set off on the road."
The red-haired young woman watched in a nearly frustrated silence instead of immediately following along; the gentle chunk of her heart screaming that now would be a good time to say… something to at least slightly repair their relationship.
"Hey, Gandalf?" Kaiya, having come to a jumbled decision, finally addressed the retreating figure of her old mentor.
Pausing in his step, the elderly wizard gave the girl a somewhat curious look, "Yes, what is it?"
"Well, it's just," a small, embarrassed blush formed on the red-haired young woman's cheeks as she suddenly struggled for words. This sentimental crap really wasn't her strong point. Taking a deep breath she turned away from the old wizard and continued with a huff, "I'm just saying that, after all this time… it's good to see you again. That's all." The girl paused briefly, feeling more awkward by the second before finally snapping, "Aw, hell! And can you stop looking so guilty about what happened! The past is the past, and I understand now. So… So… just let it go already!"
At first, all Gandalf could do was blink in a stupefied silence as those words were spoke before his whole expression softened dramatically. "Thank you, Kaiya." He spoke gently with a smile, "And it's good to see you again too, even better seeing you alive and healthy."
"Heh! Yeah, well," Kaiya snorted with amusement as she turned around and walked past the elderly wizard, relieved to have gotten through her little tirade, "let's just pray you'll be able to say the same thing about me once this quest is over."
The elderly wizard chuckled humorously at her statement, "Knowing you, I'm sure I will."
Stormy-eyes softened as a comfortable silence stretched between the newly reunited teacher and student. This silence continued for several hours until, just as the they were topping yet another hill, a familiar and yet putrid scent wafted into Kaiya's sensitive nostrils causing the girl's eyes to widen.
"What is it, Kaiya?" the bearded man inquired worriedly, seeing his previous apprentice halt in her tracks.
"Trolls!" the red-haired woman spat, breaking into a run, "Along with dwarves, and-" another familiar scent caused her to pause about ten feet in front of the old wizard before turning around briefly to give him an incredulous look, "The hobbit you managed to convince on this journey was Bilbo Baggins!?"
Gandalf, who had also broken into a run, going about as fast as an old wizard could, was startled with the fact that the girl was acquainted with the hobbit. However, he was unable to voice his inquiry at the moment as Kaiya, being a good deal faster than himself, was already far on up ahead.
And indeed the girl was far ahead of the aging wizard, "Bloody hell! Just how in the world did that blasted Baggins manage to get himself dragged into all this!?" For several times, Kaiya had passed through the shire, and each time she'd spent the night at her friendly acquaintance Bilbo Baggins'; a polite, gentle, welcoming little fellow, not the kind she would have expected to be wrapped up in this sort of mess!
Coming upon the scene of said mess, Kaiya slowed down her steps in order to remain stealthy and unnoticed as she carefully observed the scene before her.
There were three trolls - damn it all! Too many for her to take on immediately all at once, for even with her sharp blades, troll hide was too tough to just go recklessly slicing at. The young woman supposed she could use that. A shiver passed through her spine. She hated 'that' technique, and besides, with all the blasted dwarves and Bilbo in the near vicinity, she couldn't use it without killing them as well.
"Oh, crap!" Kaiya mentally cursed as one of the trolls suddenly picked up a… plump looking dwarf and dangled him over its mouth. The damned thing was going to eat him! "Well, screw not taking the reckless route. Sorry, Gandalf. I tried." The red-haired girl apologized with little remorse in her mind, reaching on her back for one of her blades, but pausing as Bilbo suddenly spoke up.
"N-N-Not that one! He's infected!" the Bilbo stuttered out frantically, causing the troll to freeze in its tracks, "Y-Yeah, he's got worms in his," the hobbit fumbled a moment for words, "tubes."
The red-haired young woman watching this scene play out bit her cheek in effort to keep from laughing and giving away her hiding spot as the troll disgustedly threw the dwarf he'd been holding back into the rest of the pile. "Good thinking, Bilbo." The girl silently praised, though still keeping her hand on her katana. At least now though it seemed the hobbit had bought her a little more time to study and find the best way to pull of this little rescue operation.
Or even better yet, perhaps give Gandalf enough time to arrive.
"I-In fact they all have. They're infested with parasites." The furry-footed male continued, beginning to get the hang of his conversation. "It's a terrible business! I wouldn't risk it. I really wouldn't." he finished with a convincing shake of the head, once again causing the trolls to put on disgusted faces.
"The one turning the skewer should be my first target." Kaiya continued to plan out how she'd accomplish taking out three trolls without getting the rest of the company killed, "Perhaps if I managed to maneuver my way behind him, jump on his back, and stab my blade directly into the back of his neck-"
"Parasites?" An old, gray-haired dwarf spoke up with an irritable look, "Did he just say parasites?"
"YEAH, WE DON'T HAVE PARASITES!" a much younger, dark-haired dwarf shouted indignantly, causing Kaiya to shoot the moron a death glare from behind the bushes. Were these idiots really that stupid!?
One would seem to think so as the rest of the company, excluding Bilbo of course who was looking positively exasperated, joined in in the indignant protests until another older looking, dark-haired dwarf suddenly kicked the younger one, giving him a subtle but pointed look.
Little be said, realization was soon to dawn on Kili's face as well as the rest of the company's.
"I've got parasites as big as my arm!" the gray-haired dwarf quickly stated.
"Mine are the biggest parasites! I've got HUGE parasites!" the younger one again put in with panic, causing Kaiya to smirk with smug amusement.
Funny how circumstances could dampen one's pride, as the rest of the company was quick to follow Oin and Kili's suite.
"We're riddled!"
"Yes, riddled!"
"Yes, we are! Badly!"
However, it seemed the ruse became too overused, even when dealing with trolls as the larger one got a suspicious look on its face. "What would you have us do then?" the creature inquired, stalking towards Bilbo, "Let em' all go!?"
"Son of a-" Kaiya cut off her mental tirade as she gripped her blade, preparing to leap out at any moment now. However, again paused as she caught another, more than welcomed scent fast approaching.
"Well…" Bilbo sported a hopeful expression.
"You think I don't know what you're up to!?" the troll growled angrily, "This little ferret, he's taking us for fools!"
"Ferret!" the hobbit cried indignantly.
"Three." The red-haired young woman began her count down, "Two."
"Fools!" Another troll spat.
"One." Kaiya smirked with a smug expression.
"The dawn shall take you all!" Gandalf shouted as if on cue he appeared on top of a boulder.
All three trolls looked up in surprise.
"Who's that?" one asked with confusion.
Another replied, "No idea."
"Can we eat him too?" the last put in hopefully.
However, such hopes were not to be met as the wizard raised his staff and brought it down with a fierce crack as he split the boulder in whence he was standing; successfully revealing the rising sun.
"Brilliant." The stormy-eyed female growled sarcastically, though with slight relief as she stood up, "The sun's coming up. How convenient."
A collaboration of snarls and growls were heard from the beasts as their bodies were turned to stone. This was of course all followed by a relieved cheer from the company whose hides had been preserved due to the wizard's timely interference. Although, if he hadn't arrived, Kaiya would've done the job instead, even if it would have been with a fair share more difficulty.
After being successfully rescued, it wasn't long before most of the dwarves were freed or being freed and reassembling their attire. It was while this was going on, that Thorin then decided to approach the old wizard smugly looking at his stonework and the young woman rolling her eyes beside him.
"Where did you go to, if I may ask?" the almost King Under the Mountain inquired, deciding to address the first topic at hand.
"To look ahead." Gandalf replied simply.
"What brought you back?" the Dürin dwarf raised an eyebrow at the wizard.
"Looking behind." He replied with a wise tone.
Nodding his head with a slight smile, Thorin than turned to face the young red-haired woman observing him calmly from Gandalf's side. The kingly dwarf had already guessed just who she was. "You must be our dragon slayer." He assumed correctly as he sized up the young woman before him.
Kaiya nearly winced at the term but still met the dwarf's gaze unflinchingly, knowing that she was being judged. Gandalf had always told her that first impressions were important or something like that. However, she did make a mental note to berate the wizard for mentioning her exploits later. "I suppose. Although I prefer Kaiya to dragon slayer." The stormy-eyed female managed to reply with a small smile, offering out her hand for a shake.
Raising an eyebrow at the gesture, Thorin slowly extended his own hand out to return the shake. "Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror." He stated majestically, not in a particularly friendly way, but not in a hostile way either, "I assume Gandalf has already explained everything?"
"Yes." The red-haired young woman replied simply, feeling that no other words were necessary. He seemed like the serious 'straight to the point' and 'down to business' kind of fellow.
"Good." The almost King Under the Mountain replied with equally simple terms before, albeit, almost reluctantly adding, "Then I suppose I should say welcome to the company."
Fili, in the meantime, had finally managed to disentangle himself from his body knapsack and happened to have overheard part of what was just said. "You made no mention of there being a fifteenth member of the company, Uncle." The blonde prince stated with a surprised look as he approached and curiously examined the newcomer.
"I was the one who asked Thorin to keep it to himself." Gandalf answered in place of the dark-haired dwarf. "For I was not sure I would even be able to find her." He continued, giving his ex-apprentice a knowingly amused look. Which, in turn, caused the girl to shoot him a slightly annoyed glare.
In the meantime, Kili, who had also managed to free himself, found himself staring in surprise as he spotted his uncle and brother conversing with a young dwarf- no, human woman - goodness was she short! Perhaps only a mite shorter than himself, but still awfully short for a human, and just what in the name of the line of Dürin was a human woman doing here anyways!?
Not to mention that her presence had an oddly familiar feeling to it, although the dwarvish prince was sure he'd never met her before in his life! How odd…
"All the same," Fili continued, now with a friendly smile and snapping Kili out of his thoughts, "I'm Fili," a sweeping bow was promptly executed, "at your service, and that," he continued, gesturing to his sibling, "is my brother."
"Kili," the dark-haired dwarf introduced himself just as promptly with the same sweeping bow, having now at least partially recovered from his shock, although his confusion and curiosity were still riding high, "Also, at your service."
Facing the two smiling brothers, Kaiya could feel her own smile tugging at her lips, and, without putting up to much of a struggle, she allowed it to show through. "And I would be Kaiya," she returned their bowing gesture with one of her own, "at yours."
Watching the pair of sibling's eyes light up as she responded so positively to their friendly gesture, the red-haired young woman could feel her own bout of mirth well up from within. It was already all too obvious that these two were clearly young; really young when compared to the rest of their company. Just by looking in those pairs of mischievous eyes, Kaiya could already tell she'd best prepare for dealing with a pair of little troublemakers on this trip. For by openly responding to their friendly gesture with the same kind of gesture of her own, the young woman had just made herself a target of their friendliness as well as their mischief.
Having wandered about as much as she had, it shouldn't be surprising she knew a bit here and there about dwarf customs and behavior.
And elves as well, for that fact.
She cringed slightly at the thought of the pointy eared people.
…
Yeah, even if they weren't always the brightest bunch, she had and always would like dwarves better.
Subconsciously, her stormy eyes softened a bit, "And so another journey of life begins anew."
Well, hope you guys/girls enjoyed this chapter as much as you did the last one! *grins* Seriously, I was SOOO ECSTATIC when I saw how many reviews I got on the last chapter. Hence, the reason I possessed the inspiration to get this one done so soon. So, PLEAAAASE review! They REALLY are my inspiration! You guys/girls have been doing an AWESOME job so far. So, keep up the AWESOME work and I'll keep posting new chapters! Oh, and please follow and favorite this story as well! See you all in the next chapter! :D
Rock Out!
Kira