Chapter Two

As Arirua got closer to the camp she could hear the sounds of snoring dwarves, the crackling of fire wood, and… laughter? She rode closer, quietly, not wanting to be charged, listening to the conversations being had.

When she was right on the edge of the camp, she sat on Elenduriel, listening to the story of Thorin Oakenshield and his great battle against the Pale Orc. Arirua shuddered; her people knew of the things the Pale Orc did, the horrible things they had witnessed him do. He was one of the reasons her people turned their faces from Middle Earth.

"And I thought to myself then, there is one who I could follow. There is one I could call King." finished the snow white haired dwarf who was telling the story. Arirua nudged Elenduriel out of the shadows she had taken as cover on the edge of the camp.

"A very interesting tale, master dwarf. The bravery of one man, pardon me, one dwarf that allowed his people to take arms when it seemed hopeless. Thought, there are some who believe," she said, as she rode Elenduriel slowly towards the ponies that were tied up, "that Azog the Defiler survived." Arirua dismounted and turned to swords pointed at her. She laughed.

"You are as predictable as Lord Elrond said you would be. Be at peace, for I come to answer the call." At this she looked up over the dwarves to see Mithrandir standing up. "Mithrandir!" she cried with joy. She quickly pulled away the pale blue cloak that covered her hair, allowing her hair to fall out behind her as she pushed the dwarves aside and walked quickly to Gandalf.

"Arirua," he said in a caring voice, "it is good to see you again. You have grown my dear." Arirua smiled again.

"Changes tend to happen when one is gone for a very long time." Arirua replied with a pointed look. "But, it is good to see you again old friend." Gandalf placed his hand on the top of her head, smiling at how wise she had become.

"Indeed. Now, Arirua, allow me to introduce you to the leader of the company. This is Thorin Oakenshield, rightful king under the mountain." Gandalf said, motioning to the taller dwarf of the five that were awake. Arirua looked at him. Had she heard him correctly? King under the mountain? She gave a small bow to Thorin.

"It is a great honor to meet you, Thorin." she said.

"You know of me then?" he asked, stepping forward.

"Yes, my lord. Your reputation precedes you. I have lived many more years then you would believe and I have seen and heard a great many things." Arirua explained. "But now is not the time for explanations. I have come for Gandalf has called upon my services for your quest. I ask that you allow me to join you on this quest."

"And what do you have to offer this company?" Thorin asked her. She looked him straight in the eyes and said,

"I have been trained in the ways of the elves. I know how to fight with a sword and a wide array of daggers." To make a demonstration, she pulled one of the knives that was hidden away in her boots out and flipped it, caught it, and put it back in the boot she had taken it from. "I am also a very skilled archer."

"An elf? I will not have an elf a member of my company!" Thorin said, directed to Gandalf. Gandalf opened his mouth to explain, but Arirua interrupted him.

"I am not an elf. I am something far stranger." she said.

"She has much to offer Thorin. Arirua has been risen by the elves most of her life, so she is well accepted by them. This could be very helpful, as well as her wide array of skills. She would be a valuable asset to the company." Gandalf explained.

"Don't stop now mother! Did Gandalf convince Thorin to allow Arirua to join the company?" Eldarion asked when Arwen paused for a moment from the story.

"Yes he did, though it took much convincing on Mithrandir's part. Arirua did join the company that night." Arwen said. "Shall I continue the story?" Eldarion nodded his head.

"Do not disappoint me." Thorin said to Arirua. Arirua nodded and tried not to let out a sigh of relief. She had been very sure that Thorin was not going to allow her to join the company. As she was looking around the camp, she heard someone clear their throat near her. Arirua turned to see a small man with big feet standing behind her. His hands were clasping and unclasping nervously; she also noticed that he was dress rather nicely for a traveler.

"Um, hello miss. My name is Bilbo Baggins of the Shire. I felt that it would be improper not to introduce myself." he said. Arirua smiled at Bilbo.

A hobbit. She thought. What a strange addition to the company.

"Hello Mr. Baggins. My name is Arirua. That was very kind of you to introduce yourself." Arirua said.

"That is a very pretty name Ms. Arirua. Does it have a meaning? I read somewhere once that many elf names have a meaning, so I was curious if yours might."

"Yes, it does indeed. You are very learned Mr. Baggins. Arirua means Silver Star in elvish." Arirua explained. "Lord Elrond gave me the name when he first met me. To be honest with you, I have forgotten my other name. I have been called Arirua for so long, it has been forgotten." Bilbo looked her, nodding, understanding what she was saying, though still slightly confused. He then turned his attention back to the white haired dwarf.

"Oh, Mr. Balin, the white orc? What happened to him?" Bilbo asked.

"He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died of his wounds long ago." Thorin said, interrupting the beginning of Balin's answer. There was silence in the camp for a moment before Thorin started to bark out orders.

"Kili! Fili! You are still on watch. Wake Bifur and Nori when your time has ended." He then went to an area a little ways off from everyone else, and sat down by himself. Arirua couldn't help wonder what a king thought about.

"Arirua." Gandalf said, catching her attention. "I know that sleeping is not something that I can ask of you, but do rest. This will be a long journey, and I know, even you need rest at some point."

"Thank you for your concern Mithrandir. I believe will keep the ones on watch company for a short amount and then lay down for a little bit. Go and rest." Arirua said. Gandalf bowed his head and left to retire for a short while.

Arirua softly walked back to Elenduriel and unsaddled her. She then tapped her, letting Elenduriel that she was free to graze as she pleased. Arirua then gathered her stuff together in a small pile next to one of the boulders, excluding Lalar, which she belted to her waist. One could never be to safe. She then tiptoed back towards the center of the camp where the two dwarves were keeping watch, avoiding sleeping dwarves and branches that lay on the ground. As she got closer to the two watchers, their whispering quieted. Arirua took that moment to study them, something she did with most.

The first was blonde, not a bright blonde like herself, but a darker blonde. In his hair he had a few braids, not as many as she had seen on some of the sleeping dwarves, but still some. He also has a mustache that was braided along with his beard. He was older looking then the other. A sword that Arirua could only assume was his sat on his lap as he sharpened it.

The other was dark haired, close to the color of Arwen's hair. It held no braids, which Arirua found strange, for all the dwarves, even Thorin, had some kind of braid of sorts in their hair. He also was lacking a beard, another oddity, for Arirua knew for a fact that dwarves cared for their beards very much. There was a quiver of arrows leaning against log he was sitting on and his bow was lying on the ground next to it. He was younger looking, but she found him slightly more handsome then the other.

The two of them stood up when they saw her getting close. The blonde one spoke first.

"Fili."

"And Kili." said the dark haired one.

"At your service." they said together, bowing at the same time. Arirua laughed slightly. Ah, brothers, that explains a great many things. Arirua thought to herself.

"And Arirua at yours." she said, giving a small bow back with a smile on her face. Kili and Fili both smiled at her. They both sat back down, chuckling to themselves.

"Please sit." Kili said, motioning to the log that was next to Arirua's feet.

"Thank you." she said as sat down, trying to get comfortable, figuring that she would be there for a long time.

A/N: Hello lovely readers :D! I just wanted to say thanks for all the reads and follows and alerts and whatnots, it makes me feel super amazing and awesome lol... VIRTUAL COOKIES FOR ALL! lol. Anyways I just wanted to say thanks (see sentence before) and say that I'd love to hear what you have to say about Starlight & Flames. Like it? Love it? Hate it? Found a problem with it? Please tell me. I'd love some feedback. Also if I'm going to keep this chapter up. My "beta" hasn't read it yet so yah... Anyways, happy reading to all and Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) and don't forget about dat feedback :D -Zella