Of Mystery and Misery

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Chapter Three: Lurking Thoughts

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It has been hours since Róin, Mirabella, and Nuincaliel had left the inn. It was peaceful and quiet between the trio as they proceeded on their way to Mirkwood. The road was long, and well, not of existence, but also tiring. Mirabella was especially slow, because of her small stature. Being a Hobbit and traveling wasn't as awesome as it sounded at first, but, she would never trade anything for her current life.

Mirabella loved her life the way it was. If she hadn't, she would have never met the Somber Dwarf and Enchanting Elf.

Her bronze curls blew helplessly in the wind, getting in her face every second that passed them. Her hair even blew into her mouth, making her sputter. She did not enjoy eating her own hair.

Mirabella's palatinate blue eyes sparkled with annoyance as she yet again pushed her hair out of her face. "Gosh, this is very irritating." She commented dully, reverting to just holding her hair away. Róin stared at her, looking puzzled. "What is?" She asked after a moment, her gaze on Mirabella as she kept on walking higher up the hill.

Nuincaliel only rolled her eyes, stopping beside the Hobbit. She bent down, taking a piece of very thin cloth from her pack. She pulled the Hobbit's curly hair down and tied it so it hung loosely from the back of her neck.

Mirabella's expression held awe, as she reached back to feel the ponytail for herself. "Thanks, Nuin!" She said happily, continued on as if the best thing in the World had just happened.

Nuincaliel's only response was to shake her head, carefully shouldering her pack as she caught up with the other two females.

Róin smiled, turning around only to trip on a root. She fell to her knees, but stood a second later. She heard giggles behind her, and turned with a sheepish smile.

Pained memories flooded her head, but she ignored them as she continued on.

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It was now nightfall, and the three decided to set up camp for the night. They took refugee behind some large rocks which shielded them from mostly anything.

Róin shed her bag, letting it fall to the ground nosily. She let a groan out, rotating her shoulder gingerly. "Okay, who's doing what tonight?" She asked, looking between Nuincaliel and Mirabella. She began to build up the fire, lighting it after a few moments.

"I'll cook!" Mirabella said quickly, an innocent grin on her face as she plopped down on the ground.

"Alright, Nuincaliel and I can hunt, I suppose." Róin said, looking around the wide open space. "Uhh..." She cocked her brow, wondering if there was anything to even hunt. They weren't close enough to the forest yet, so there was nothing exactly to hunt.

"No, I got this from that inn we stayed at." Nuincaliel said quietly, pulling meat out of her bag. It was wrapped in leaves, and she peeled each leaf off as Mirabella got the supplies ready for cooking.

"Oh, okay..." Róin blinked, shrugging it off after a couple seconds. The young dwarf stared at the flames which burned the wood with ease. The fire crackled as the flame swayed from the minor wind that blew past them.

Róin's eyes glazed over, as the fire seemingly grew bigger, until it morphed into a smaller one...

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"Please-!... 'Lemme go..." Lili sobbed, her frame shaking uncontrollably as she was shoved down. She hit the ground with a pained yelp, and nearly tumbled into the open fire if it weren't for one of the olog-hai troll that caught her just in time.

Her tears didn't stop pouring as the troll carelessly moved her to the side. Lili's hands and legs were tied, so she couldn't move about freely. She struggled against her bonds, sniffling quietly to herself as she tired desperately to get the rope out of her bloodied wrists.

She had found her voice again, and looked at the nearest troll. "W- what do you want from me?" Her voice was almost to quiet, and shaky as she tried to contain her shivers. Dawn had turned to dusk, and it was now cold as usual.

"Oh, you know. A little of this, and a little of that." The troll barked with laughter, shaking his head. Lili didn't find it funny, and only let the silent hot tears trickle down her redden cheeks.

"Please..." She whispered, staring at the dancing flames.

"What?" The troll looked at her in annoyance.

"Let me go..." She whined out, clenching her eyes shut as her fingers curled into fists. "No can do, sweetie." The troll continued his ominous roar of laughter, others joining in.

"Mother..." Lili's voice came out in a choked whisper, wishing that she was with her mother, sitting in front of the fireplace as her mother stroked her hair gently, rocking her to sleep as she did many years ago...

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Fíli wasn't asleep.

More like, he couldn't sleep. Not after Thorin had mentioned Dís and Lili. He knew his mother was fine, although she was sad to see him and Kíli leave with her brother.

But Lili... He remember back to his sisters birthday. Ruined by trolls. After he had gotten Riro away from his sister with the help of Kíli, he hadn't seen her since.

He had became worried as the days passed, and finally word had reached Thorin. Thorin was very sad to report that Lili- Their Lili, was now Dead. Fíli had seen the shocked faces of his brother and his mother.

Dís had nearly fainted in her shocked state, but instead she had started to cry as she sunk to the ground.

Kíli was beyond shocked, and Fíli remembered that he could hardly move, let alone believe what his Uncle has just claimed...

Fíli shook his head, scrambling his thoughts. He stared up at the night sky, the only light from the very stars and moon shined down on them, illuminating the surrounding forest.

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A nice change of pace? *shot*

~Love me or Hate me~