Chapter 8

Kelly heard the doorbell ring again and again. She could hear lots of talking and laughing, and she could hear furniture being moved. She still wasn't willing to face this group of Dwarves. She wouldn't. She couldn't. She - her thoughts were cut off as she tuned into what sounded like Bilbo panicking. Kelly felt a surge of remorse as she realized that she had done the worst thing imaginable to her friend. She had left him to fend for himself in a group of people whom he did not know. Kelly knew then that she would have to leave the safe haven of her room, and go help her friend.

Bilbo was running around frantically, trying to save antique chairs that shouldn't be sat on while also trying to stop the Dwarves from completely ruining his pantry. He was also wondering just why Kelly had run to her room as if her life depended on it. Suddenly, Bilbo stopped in his tracks as he heard one of the Dwarves yell "Dwalin! Come help us with this!" Looking around, he saw the first Dwarf that had entered his home begin to stride across the room. Bilbo quickly puffed up in anger. This was the Dwarf that had caused his friend so much pain; he had scarred her and made her hide her face! Before he could take even one step however, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder and looked over to see Kelly standing next to him shaking her head slowly. "Don't fret Bilbo. Yes he is here, and no he won't recognize me. He's alive and looks well and that's all that matters to me." Bilbo could tell that there was a smile on her face. Being the good friend that he was, decided to leave the matter alone and not confront the tattooed Dwarf. Bilbo decided to let Kelly deal with that issue when, and if, it ever arose.

The Dwarves quickly realized that there was someone in the room with them that was not of their group. Gandalf introduced her simply as an old friend of his who would be assisting them on their journey. The wizard knew better than to give her name out freely; she wished to keep her identity hidden for a bit longer and Gandalf could not go against her deepest wish. She avoided Dwalin as much as possible; constantly making sure her hood covered all of her face and only talking to the Dwarves that she hadn't met before. Then, while talking to Gandalf about her stay with Bilbo, she heard one of the younger Dwarves start a conversation about Dwarvish "Ones" and immediately she turned to listen. A few of the Dwarves shared stories of how their Ones were waiting for them in the Blue Mountains and would join them when this adventure was over. These stories were happy, full of love, and hinted at happy endings. Kelly was hoping that Dwalin wouldn't be asked to tell his story because then she would finally understand just how much he hated her.

However, she never was one for luck and it seemed the universe just wanted to torment her that night. "Dwalin, I think you should enlighten our young members of the darker side of finding your One." Balin said quietly, as though hoping not to upset his brother. Dwalin nodded once then crossed his arms and leaned against a wall, noticing that everyone including the woman had stopped what they were doing to listen to him. "I had met a woman long ago and she was beautiful, smart, and talented. Everything any man could ever want in his One the only problem was that she wasn't a Dwarf. She was a human blessed with long life from her adventures before we met." There was a collective gasp from the younger members, causing Dwalin to give them a look before continuing. "This was an insignificant thing, my family approved as did the King so we began our courtship with blessings all around. She was my everything and I tried to make sure she knew it. I knew she was not one for lavish gifts and shows of wealth, instead she liked her braids. It was obvious to anyone that the braids were her pride and joy as she never took them out and almost begged me to redo them each night. I had never been happier and everything was perfect, we were due to be married in a few months' time and so I celebrated." At this Dwalin stopped and took a shuddering breath before turning away so the group couldn't see his expression.

"I drank far too much that night and the last thing I can remember is wanting to go to her chambers to bid her a good night. I left the celebrations with a cask of mead in my arm and I don't remember anything until the next morning. I awoke on the floor of her chambers and to my horror, there were empty closets and every gift I had given her was gone. There was the sleeve of a dress, ripped from the garment, lying on the floor near me. Across the room there was a shattered mirror surrounded by blood, so much blood." Everyone, Kelly especially, could hear the sadness and horror in his voice and they all watched as his shoulders shook the smallest bit. "I am not quite sure what happened but I assumed that I had laid a hand on her and harmed her and she left. I drove my love away because I was too drunk, and I no longer know if she is alive or dead. I do know that I have never stopped loving her and I never shall." Dwalin turned around and pulled something from underneath his shirt then showed it to everyone. It was a beautiful and delicate ring tied to a string of leather to make a necklace. The ring was gold with a beautiful mixture of small diamonds and emeralds running across the top in such a fashion as to resemble running water. Next to the ring was tied a small strip of fabric, the same fabric that was pulled from the dress sleeve. "This was the only thing I have left of her lads. A piece of cloth that at one time held her scent and the ring I was going to wed her with."

A.N. So as everyone probably knows, I unfortunately do NOT own the Hobbit or any of the characters except my own. I do however, own my ideas so if you could not steal them? That'd be great :) and please remember that reviews are welcomed! Thanks :)