Part 1: Maliah's Start

Chapter 1 Missing

It was the height of spring 3001 when Gavin succumbed to his sickness, sitting outside with Sigrid at night and falling asleep. He didn't want to be inside, surrounded by those he cared about grieving for him. The previous night, Gavin said goodbye, kissed, and hugged his five children and six grandchildren. The same was repeated when his dwarf family and Elf came to his side to say goodbye, his sister trying not to sob in front of everyone. Everyone left per his request, including Sigrid, and Râlia remained so he could talk to her. She sat on the bed next to Gavin who was propped up on the pillows and backboard. he took her hand in his weathered one and looked upon her face that had barely aged.

"I never thought a life like this would be possible, that there was another world outside of ours. I never stopped being grateful and blessed they brought you here and me to follow, I couldn't have imagined life without you in it. Don't be so sad when I'm gone My Lena. Enjoy your live and I will live on in you and my children."

Râlia had finally broke when he finished and fell onto her brothers still strong chest and cried. In the morning after, Felicity had found her mother outside smoothing back the hair on her father's head. Attendants were called and both cities fell into a state of mourning for the passed prince. The funeral was as grand as Bard and Gavin was laid to rest in the new crypt constructed for those of the Dragonslayers family.

Life seemed a little darker, less laughter as the families tried to carry on without Gavin's sense of humor to keep them going. Râlia appeared to be hit harder than Sigrid at his death, locking herself away and not consulting on any matters. Even when the crafts Bilbo's had asked for in an additional letter with his invitation for his party were done, she didn't appear to check the goods. Fili gave his consent for the caravans to leave for the Shire with another gift of their own for their old friend.

It wasn't until a week later that they realized someone was missing who wasn't supposed to be.


Faraim looked up from his goat at the little bird nose diving to him. The warrior kept his place and he recognized the bird as the Queens Robin, Daemyn. The main wonder about the bird was how it was still alive after all these years. Little talons gripped the leather on Faraim's glove and he spied a bit of paper tied to the leg of Daemyn. Removing the one glove, he unrolled the parchment and his eyebrows shot up at what was written. He halted his goat and the rest of the caravans followed the movement.

"Garran!"

The second in command road to the front of the line and was instantly weary at the sight of the robin. "What happened?"

"We might have a stowaway, check the wagons."

The bird watched diligently as the dwarves took the wagons apart, looking for some one who might have hidden in the crafts. Murmurs and head shakes ripple through the caravans and Faraim frowned. The queen didn't actually irrationally so if she thought someone had joined them then the like hood was more hands possible.

"Has anyone seen or experienced items going missing?" After couple of dwarves whispered to each other before one came forward.

"A satchel of food went missing last night , we thought it might have been an animal."

Faraim held back a groan and looked down at the robin. "The queen she was possibly here but no longer, we will search and keep an eye out for her. It would be best if she were to send out a party to track behind us." Daemyn chirped and flew away. All the dwarves watched until they could no longer see him and turned back to their captain.

"What happened?"

"It would seem Princess Maliah has disappeared."


She left just in the nick of time. Maliah was already away from the caravans when her mother's familiar arrived and watched the dwarves search for her. She had been gone a week already and wondered at how long it took her family to notice she was missing. Then again, most were more worried about getting her mother to eat than where everyone else was, never mind she was the youngest of the royal children in Erebor. They were inside Mirkwood now, having the escorts of King Thranduil leading the caravans on the trail.

Honestly she was more surprised that none of the elves had spotted her or acknowledged her presence. She knew there was past animosity between he two races, but she didn't think that they would simply ignore her. After the captain had the crafts loaded up and tied down again, he started moving the wagons again, Maliah sat on the ground and wondered what to do now. So deep in thought she didn't notice an Elf guard in front of her bush until she was picked up by the back of her collar.

Yelping in surprise, she kicked at the Elf holding her in the air. Arms wrapped around her small body and Maliah struggled in the hold. Admitting defeat after a few minutes, she pulled away and looked up at the Elf to see a more than amused face watching her.

"I almost believe I wouldn't have had to overhear the dwarf speak of your mother to know you were her daughter, Princess."

"You know Mama?"

"I do, I am Hissaleon."

The name niggles a memory in the back of her head. "You were the one to capture her and Uncle Gavin in the forest when they were lost."

"Yes." He looked to his right where the caravan and his soldiers had disappeared around a bend. Setting her to her feet and kneeling before her, he looked her in the eyes. "Why did you run away from home?"

Maliah chewed on her lower lip and her eyes lowered to the ground. She knew others only saw her age and acted appropriately towards it, but she didn't feel her young age at times. There was knowledge in her head from books she had never read or heard, such as how to get to the Shire without a map. Especially considering she had never been beyond the lake near Erebor. "I love Erebor, it's my home. But I don't feel he attachment or belonging to it like the rest of my family." One look at the Elf and she knew her side stepping wasn't going to work. "I feel something drawing me to the Shire, like the rest of my future and life is waiting there for me."

Hissaleon knew what she was feeling, something he had seen from his years of being alive and around others. but the fact she had no idea why she was feeling drawn to a part of middle earth so far away showed her age. He sighed knowing he couldn't just leave her here to fend for herself. "Since I believe if I return you to your parents, you would only leave again but alone next time. Therefore, I will help and take you to the shifter's home."

"You mean Beorn?"

"You know of him then. He will keep you safe and hopefully will guide you through the Misty Mountains."

"I don't need help."

"Your words shows how young you really are." From his experience with dwarves, he put her age in the forties.

"I am considered a young adult."

"Yes, but not of age. Stay with me and away from the edge of the path."


Râlia was beside herself with worry.. Daemynhad communicated with her from his post with the caravan and Maliah was no longer with them. Why did she run away from home? It couldn't have possibly been just to go on Bilbo's party. Something else was going on, her daughter wasn't selfish in her actions. Thoughtless at times yes, but never malicious. Aüle would know, if they hadn't stopped talking to her, she would've asked the Valar.

"Even if we don't answer, we are listening. Your daughter lives and is safe."

Her feet halted in their pacing at the sudden voice in her head. none of the Valar had spoken to her like this in many years and thus Râlia was unprepared. Why of all times would they now talk to her.

"She is on her way to the Shire, don't fret for her."

Silence. Nothing more was said and Râlia's calm broke. "Where is she?"

Fili jumped in his seat when his wife screamed at the ceiling. She hadn't done that since..."Is Mahal talking to you?"

"He was but the bastard won't answer me now." Her hands dug and pulled at the braids in her hair.

Dropping the paperwork he had been keeping his mind busy with, stood up and went over to his wife to hold her in a hug. "What did he tell you?"

Râlia replated what Aüle had told her after a shaky breath. They stood together, holding onto one another as she clung to the hope Daemyn would find her.


Maliah would give the Elf one thing, he was true to his word. They kept separate from the others and she was fed, sleeping near the Elf at nighttime so he could watch over her. She still didn't know why he was helping her defy her mother, but it almost didn't matter. The closer she was to the Shire, the more a weight was lifted from her heart. Over a week later, they emerged from the forest two days sooner than the others. Looking out over the Plains, Maliah breathed in the fresh air that was so different from Mirkwood.

"If you wish, I can carry you. We will get to the shifter's home sooner."

She eyed the Elf, not knowing about the offer. But his words were true, being a dwarf had its disadvantages. "How?"

"On my back. All you have to do is hold on."

After a few thoughtful moments, Maliah secured her pack and Hissaleon knelt so she could climb on. Making sure she was holding on tightly, he took off running and her laughter filled the air. About every two hours the first and second day of running, they would stop and take a break; although more for him than her. It was a distance to Beorn hall and he wanted to get there before dark since two were closer and the bear would come out after nightfall. The sun was just barely visible over the hills at the end of the second day when Hissaleon stopped at the fence of the shifter's inner land. He was out of breath and his muscles in pain. While Maliah had been sleeping the night before they left the forest, he had instructed his second in command to carry on without him and he would return within a week.

Entering through the gate, he happened immediately upon a sheep who blessed loudly at him. Enough to wake Maliah from her light slumber. She looked over his shoulder and cooed at the little black sheep. More sheep joined the one and their talking gained such volume the door to the hall banged open and Hissaleon readied himself.

"An Elf on my land, unusual, but not more than a dwarfling."

Her mother had told stories of the great bear hitter who had helped the company more than once in their quest. But words lack to describe how tall and, well, furry the man appeared. Maliah watched him with large eyes as he came closer and then the word hit her.

"I am not a dwarfling!"

A small laugh came from the Elf and his arms lowered so she could slide off his back. "He isn't far off little one." He gently pushed her in front of him because the man had great love for children. "Lord Beorn, this is Princess Maliah. Daughter of The Queen and King of Erebor, you met them on their journey to the lonely mountain many years ago."

Bushy eyebrows drew together as he stared down at the princess. "I remember your mother, a slip of a woman with a heart of a warrior and strength to match. What are you doing here?

Feet shifted at the question she couldn't answer because she had yet to know herself. Hissaleon took a look at her and knew he would have to ell the shifter why he was helping the dwarf run away. "Lord Beorn, if I could speak to you alone?"

He nodded and the two walked a bit away, leaving Maliah surrounded by sheep who kept trying to get her attention.

"She has left home without telling her parents, hiding with the caravans headed to the Shire not five days behind us. I found her alone in the forest of Mirkwood hiding when the searched the wagons for her."

A rumble came from Beorn's belly. "Why are you helping a child run away from all she has ever known?"

"Because there is something pulling her out of her home and to the Shire, something she doesn't recognize. I believe it to be the will of the Valar for her to go there because her One is among the hobbits."

Disbelief was clear as day on the face of the shifter's. "I cannot condone such actions , right now. Tomorrow we will speak again and tonight the two of you will be guests in my hall."

"Thank you." Dear Eru, he hope the Bear-man wouldn't tear him apart. Hissaleon followed him back to Maliah and rose a browser at the princess playing with one of the sheep in the dirt.

"You have your uncle's affinity for my sheep, they loved and followed him around in his time here."

"Uncle?"

"I believe you called him Gavin, although he was known to us as Master Wolf."

Her face fell at the mention of her Uncle who had just died. Both sensing the melancholy in her, shooed the sheep away and took her into the hall. Beorn showed them the pantry and spots they could sleep before ordering them to bolt the door after he left for the night.


Tada! Had to rewrite it or it would've been up soon. let me know what you think of the story so far. much love!