Hey guys! I'm here with a new story that I've had in mind for quite a while now and wanting to get it up. Please let me know your thoughts on this. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, even though it's just a prologue, but if you do, I'll be looking forward to getting the others up for you all to see!

Also, a couple of things before we get into it, this story, like my other Thorin/OC stories, are going to be in an alternate universe, so the dwarves will have a longer lifespan than in the original stories. The crops/foods will be like in this world and there are more dog breeds, like the pugs in the movie.

Lastly, the language for my original race, I am having it be Finnish. The words and phrases I will be getting from Google Translate. I don't know if it's going to be any good, so please, if anyone speaks Icelandic, let me know. xXx

Chapter 1

Many years ago in Middle Earth, there once lived the large and proud mountain of Erebor, a mountain of dwarves, which was ruled by Thror, King Under the Mountain. His house was never in danger, for his line was secured with the lives of his son, Thrain and grandson, Thorin.

Just beyond the doors of Erebor, lay the human settlement of Dale, peaceful and prosperous, where all were welcomed whether they be dwarves, elves, or even maybe a stray hobbit or two. . .if given the courage.

What many people did not know about, was the race of people living within the forest, up on the hills overlooking both kingdoms. These were a tribe called the Arcani, the children of Yavannah. They were human in appearance but much smaller, almost dwarven like, although the tallest being a head or two taller. Depending on which kingdom you talked to, they were either called 'The People of Nature.' or 'The People of the Sun.' They took care of all nature had to give such as the trees they lived in, the ground they walked on and even the animals they shared their land with.

While similar in height to the dwarves – almost - they were slimmer and while not as muscular, were still toned.

Their clothing was definitely something other races would never dream of being seen in public. While it may be natural for men to walk around almost naked, having at least something to cover their. . .manly parts. It was scandalous for a woman to do so, but that didn't stop this race. The ladies would wear a covering over their breast, held up with a strip of cloth tied behind their necks or shoulders. They would also wear a loincloth to cover their backsides and in between the legs, with strips of cloth hanging to mid thigh down the front and back, just like the males. They even continued wearing such clothing during the winter, the cold didn't seem to bother them. They also went barefoot, when asked, the people would tell you it is so they can stay connected to the earth beneath their feet.

Apart from their clothing, you could distinguish them from any other race. All of the people have green eyes with golden flecks. The type of green you would find leaves on trees in the height of summer, sparkling in the golden light of the sun. Their ears were slightly pointed and they had sharp hearing and eyesight. Not as well as an elf, but better than other races.

Their clothing also defined their rank in the clan; the higher you were in the clan, the fancier the cloth. The clan leader, Makani, wore a shawl of feathers and jewels, gifted to the clan many years before by King Thrain I, in the year 2010 of the Third Age, when the clan had claimed the woods as their home.

The Arcani were known among Erebor and Dale for growing the most delicious fruits and vegetables they have ever known. No one knew exactly how they would do it, but the Arcani had a way with the ground in which the crops would grow to the fullest potential, picking them at just the right time so they were the tastiest they could be. With the help of the dwarves, they had even been able to continue growing, even through winter. The first clan leader had asked Thrain, if he could carve away a section of the mountain, on their level, so there was a cavern where they could continue to grow. Thrain agreed and he was glad to do so, as his kingdom, and Dale, also benefitted from their abilities.

This ability was also good for the animals, as the milk, cheese, butter and eggs were of better quality, thanks to the amount of love the people put into the earth. The meat was better too, more delicious and tender.

Since then, the three peoples have become allies and are always welcomed into each others homes. This is where our story begins. In the year 2752, Chief's Makani's first child, a daughter, Shakana was born. It was a happy occasion for the tribe. Makani had thrown a huge celebration in honour of his first born, inviting the peoples of Erebor and Dale.

Makani smiled and greeted the King of Dale when he arrived with his wife.

"Brander, my friend, thank you for coming."

Brander smiled as he and the clan leader gave a brotherly embrace. "I am glad to be here on such an occasion. How is Alwyn? And the little one?"

"They are wonderful. Please, come see them."

Makani led the three of them deeper into the wood until they came to the large oak tree where the clan leader would sleep, to see Alwyn sitting at the base, reaching into a bed made of twig, leaves and wool. Hearing footsteps approach, she looks up and smiles as she sees her mate with the King and Queen of Dale. She smiles as she stands and embraces her friend, Queen Astrid, who embraces her back.

"Congratulations, Alwyn." Astrid says with a smile. Pulling away, both women are smiling broadly. "Welcome to the joys of motherhood."

Alwyn chuckles as she looks for their son. "Thank you. Is Girion not with you?"

Brander smiles as he and Alwyn embrace. "He is a man now, I thought it time to see if he can handle the duties of Kingship."

Makani laughs at this. "Let us hope Dale is still standing by the time you return."

The other three adults laugh at this, knowing how much trouble Girion had got into when he was a boy.

Hearing heavy footsteps, they turn to see Arcani guards leading Prince Thrain, Princess Alma and their sons six year old Prince Thorin and one year old Prince Frerin.

Makani eagerly greeted his old friend, both of them holding each other close. Alwyn and Alma also greeted each other, though Alwyn was careful of the little Prince in her arms.

"I am so glad to see you, veli." Makani says to Thrain, calling him brother in their native tongue.

"I am glad to have come, nadad." They pull back, grinning at each other. "My father wished he could come, but sends his regrets as well as his regards and congratulations."

"Please, thank him for us when you return." Makani grins before he turns to young Thorin, who is hiding slightly behind his mothers skirts. "And who is this handsome, young dwarf? It cannot be Thorin surely."

Thorin comes right out from behind his mother, standing straight and his chest slightly puffed out. "I am Thorin."

Alwyn smiles at him. "My, you are growing up quickly, Young Prince. It won't be long until your beard begins coming through."

Thorin smiles at this. "It'll be as long as ada's one day!"

Makani chuckles. "I don't doubt that, little one."

After hearing a fussing sound from behind them, Alwyn turns and goes to the basket, gently lifting her daughter into her arms to soothe her. She then comes back to their guests to show them the clan's newest member.

"Oh, Alwyn. She is beautiful." Astrid cooes.

"That she is, she looks just like her mother." Thrain agrees, making Alwyn smile.

Seeing Thorin straining to look, Alwyn smiles as she kneels down for him to get a better look. The adults watch as Thorin looks down at the baby for a while, far longer than they thought he would. He tilts his head this way and that as he looks over her, his braid swishing from side to side.

"She's pretty. What's her name?" Thorin asks as he looks at the woman he's known since birth.

Alwyn smiles at the dwarfling. "Her name is Shakana."

He frowns for a moment as he processes that name. "Sha-ka-na. Shakana."

Thrain and Alma chuckle quietly as they watch their son. Thorin moves back slightly in surprise as Shakana suddenly sneezes a few times, before opening her eyesd to look up at them. The first person she sees is Thorin and she stares at him with wide curious eyes, while Thorin is looking back at her. He doesn't know why, but he can't stop looking at this baby. He knows it's not curiosity at seeing a newborn, as he saw Frerin when he was born. But, he knows there's something special about this baby, and he knows he'll protect her like he does his brother. Shakana takes Thorin's finger as he reaches out to her, the dwarfling doesn't pull away, but just smiles at the baby.

"Hello, Shakana. We're going to be bestest friends, I can tell. We'll play with each other everyday, I'll teach you everything I know and I'll protect you and make sure you don't get hurt. I promise."

Since that day, Thorin kept his promise. As the children grew, Thorin became a constant visitor of the Arcani clan, coming over at every opportune moment he had. When Frerin and Shakana were old enough, the three children could be seen running and playing with each other, either outside in the forest or in the mountain. They would also get Fundin's youngest, Dwalin, to join in, as well as one of Shakana's friends, Elfryda, who's parents are family friends. When Alma's daughter, Dis, was born, Shakana would divide her time between the friends and her, doting on the babe as if she was her own sister.

Then, a few months later, came the birth of her own sister, Shaylee. When Shaylee was born, Shakana spent most of her time at home, doting on her baby sister, which would make Thorin jealous – although he wouldn't admit it if asked – she was his friend first so she should be with him.

One day, a couple of weeks after her sister's birth, and after finally getting the truth on why Thorin was so grumpy with her, she just hugs him.

"Thorin, you're my best friend in the whole wide world, no one can take that from me, not even Shaylee. We'll be together forever."

Thorin just smiles as he hugs her back, feeling relieved at.

After that, the children were once again all seen together, Thorin and Shakana were often seen holding hands as they ran and played. Alwyn and Alma had often talked and joked whether their two kingdoms would be merged by more than just friendship in the future.

All three kingdoms continued to live in peace, prosperity and happiness. The children continued to grow, as did their friendships. As they grew, Shakana and Thorin became closer than ever, would always be there for one another. Whenever one was upset or stressed, the other would be there to calm them down and cheer them up.

Growing up, Shakana had often talked to her mother about love and she knew her father was the one for her, was her mate. Alwyn had always said, when she had first looked her father in the eye, there was something there in her chest, a sort of ache in her heart. Their people called it Blooming. To symbolise love with flowers that bloom and grow into something beautiful.

Shakana has felt, for a long time, that maybe Thorin could be her Bloom and her mate for life. She didn't know if he thought the same, and was too scared to ask, so she kept it to herself. For now, her friendship with Thorin meant more to her than anything else in the world. She was content with that.

Little did everyone know, that in the year 2770, the lives of everyone in Erebor, the Arcani clan and Dale would change forever.

It was a warm sunny day, the children of Dale are flying paper kites and those of Arcani are playing and running through the trees. Shakana is playing with Shaylee, when Shakana stops, her ears twitching as she looks up.

"Kana? What's wrong?" Shaylee asks as she notices her sister not playing.

"I don't know. . .stay here."

She then proceeds to climb the nearest tree, not stopping until she gets to the top. Looking around the plains, everything looks to be normal, nothing seeming to be out of the ordinary. That's when a huge gust of wind suddenly blows, causing her to cry out as the tree she's in sways violently.

"Kana!" Shaylee yells up to her.

"I'm okay, Shay!" Shakana calls down.

She turns as she hears a roar and her eyes go wide as a large, red dragon is flying straight towards them. Before she can move, the dragon flies overhead, setting the trees on fire. Trying to avoid the flames, she ducks as quick as she can, but her right arm still manages to get engulfed in fire. She screams out in pain and then fear as she loses her grip on the tree and she falls to the ground, hitting her head hard. The last thing she knows is her sister shouting her name before she blacks out.

Well, there we have it, the first chapter done and dusted. Hope you all enjoyed it and stay tuned for the next one.

Translations;

veli- brother

nadad - brother