Chapter 3
Silence. That is the first thing that I heard. The birds in the trees stopped singing their songs, and the wind stopped whipping through the air, stopping the trees from swaying gently. I gaped at Thorin, my mouth almost reaching the floor. I was not the only one. Twelve dwarves and a hobbit were doing the same, except they looked even more confused. Only Gandalf didn't look surprised, and Thorin looked nervous.
"WHAT?!" I shouted at the top of my voice. Everyone else burst into cries of 'what does he mean?' and whispers of 'what is he on about?', but my voice made the insects scurry back into their dark holes, and the fish to swim quickly off down the stream.
"Rhoe–" Thorin started, but was drowned out by my shouts.
"What on Middle Earth are you on about?" I shouted loudly. The dwarves stopped whispering and turned to face us. The two dwarves standing by Thorin (who I later learnt were called Fili and Kili) looked at him quizzing. "There is no way you are my brother. You are a dwarf, and I am a human. Yes, a very small human, but still a human. I am not related to some random dwarf who I have never met before!" my voice was hysterical. I didn't, wouldn't and couldn't believe it.
"Rhoewia," Gandalf said, "I think you should listen to your Brother."
"STOP CALLING HIM THAT!" I shouted. I was getting worried. He couldn't be my brother, could he? No, I thought, that would mean everything Papa had told me would be a lie. All the times he said my Mama was dead, killed in a fire along with my brother and sister, would be fake. All the false stories I had been told, all the false dreams I had about somehow being reunited with Mama, all… gone…
I couldn't bear the thought of my beloved Papa lying to me about my entire life. Without a further thought, I sprinted off into the forest, leaving my bow and other weapons behind. I heard cries behind me, but didn't glance back to see if I was being followed.
I reached a little stream where I stopped. I could no longer hear shouts, so felt safe to rest for a while. As I sat down, I realised I still had my horn around my waist. Gandalf mustn't have taken it off. I debated whether to blow it or not. If I did, I would run the risk of the dwarves following the sound, but would be with my wolves once again. If I didn't, I probably wouldn't be found, but would be lonely. I always called on my wolves in times like this. Not that I am told every day I have a brother whose life I managed to save without realising it. But when I am sad, confused or worried; calling on my wolves, and just sitting there listening to their breathing while stroking their warm fur, makes me feel not so alone.
Eventually, my love of my wolves won over, and I blew two long blasts, savouring the sound of the calming horn. After waiting for only a minute, about two dozen wolves came in a great big pack, racing out of the forest and bounding over the small stream in one leap.
I was bombarded by tongues and fur, and once we had got the entire hello's over and done with, I sat crossed legged on the damp floor, with tens of wolves lazing around me. I glanced around to see who was here.
The closest to me was Blaze, the Alpha female of the pack, and also the oldest. Being ten years old, she usually just orders the others around, but she was the one who took me in, and taught me the way of the wolf. Lying next to her was the female Beta, Lunar. She has a stunning white coat, like the moon, and captivating blue eyes. To my other side was Lobo, the alpha male, the same age as Blaze, but still the best hunter of the pack. Next to him was Shadow, the Beta male, who is a black as the night, with blue eyes like Lunar. Behind me are Blu and Brolyn, two younger grey wolves with gold eyes who are the proud parents of Piper, a one year old pup with a lively attitude, who was sitting next to Blu. Lying down in a protective all around me was the rest of my wolves. Ren, Skye, Slade and Logan were lying to my right, a group of sandy brown and black wolves, all siblings. To my left was Rain, Star and Tala, a group of grey wolves. On my lap was Faolan, a two month old wolf cub who followed me around everywhere and was the cutest thing ever. Patrolling around the circle of wolves with me in the middle was the packs' guarders. Hunter and Ranger, two light brown wolves, were patrolling the east, while Bandit and Fable, two black wolves, the west. Forrest and Scout, grey and red wolves, were lying looking out to the south, and Frost and Ice, both pure whites, were lazing about to the North.
We sat there in silence for about half an hour, just listening to the wind in the air, and the bubbling of the stream. Then, Hunter and Ranger started to growl. Not loudly, but loud enough for me to hear. I wondered who it could be. Ha, yeah right. It was probably one of them stupid dwarves, but it could possibly be something worse. I was about to push Faolan off my lap, but he already knew there was danger, and was advancing with the younger wolves back into the forest. Blaze and Lobo remained, along with the guarders, but with a quick nod from me, they followed the others into the forest.
By now, Hunter, Ranger, Scout, Forrest, Fable, Bandit, Frost and Ice were circling the edge of the forest. My head was cocked to the side, listening for the intruder. All the years of living with the wolves have benefited me. I had excellent hearing and sight, and could hunt for prey using my bare hands. I could hear soft footsteps and the crack of twigs under someone's boot, and my body tensed. But then I also heard heavy breathing – and only dwarves can breathe that loud – and I relaxed. I signalled to the wolves to go, as there was no danger, but shook my head to Hunter and Bandit, a signal they now know means stay.
Just as the last of the wolves' tails were disappearing, a dwarf came out of the clearing and saw me, sitting next to the stream with Hunter and Bandit lying next to me. He stopped at the edge of the forest and watched me for a while. I found myself staring back. He was tall for a dwarf, about the same height as me, with shoulder length, wavy, dark brown hair, and warm brown eyes. He had a small beard, and light skin, browned from staying out in the sunlight day after day. After studying me for a while, as though I was a caged animal, he advanced towards me, taking long strides. He stopped a few paces in front of me and glanced at Hunter and Bandit. His looks weren't nervous, like most peoples I come across. It was more like amusement, and maybe a little bit of wonder.
I felt Bandit's eyes on me and looked down at him. His eyes were asking if I wanted him to move, so I flicked my hand and indicated him to sit on my other side, next to Hunter. He slowly stood up and loped slowly to my right, lying down.
The dwarf (Kili I think) came towards me and sat down next to me. I could feel a growl rising in Hunter's throat, so I tickled him behind the ears, where he likes best. Kili sat down by me, and we sat in silence for a few minutes.
"He's upset." Kili started. He had a rich voice, and it was comforting. "He's my uncle, you know. In my entire life, I have never seen him like this."
"So, tell me, Kili," I said, emphasizing his name. "How could he be upset, when we have never met before? Hmmm? I have absolutely no idea who he is, so how is he upset?" I could feel myself getting angrier and angrier, about to burst. "I should go." I said standing up. I knew what happened when I got angry: I couldn't control my skills. Kili grabbed my hand as I stood up and pulled me back down.
"Thorin sent me to talk to you, and that is what I will do." He said. "If you don't do this for yourself, then please, do it for me. I try my hardest to please Uncle, but nothing ever works. But this might. Please." I sighed.
"What are you going to tell me?" I asked.
"Whatever you want to know." He replied.
"Okay, well, ummm…" I pondered over what to say. Should I ask him why I didn't know sooner that I had a brother, or why he got rid of me? "Tell me everything from the beginning," I said. "And don't leave anything out!"