Collection of One-Shots

》like a star

"Uncle," the dwarf paused, glancing back to the girl that the company had taken in the prior evening after an orc raid, "Why permit her stay? She would be a burden, would she not?" His brown eyes flashed from the girl back to his uncle.

Thorin rested his hand on Kili's shoulder, shaking his head. "She can wield a sword, though she be but little, she is fierce. Fiercer than you think. I suggest you get to know the newest member of our quest." The girl in question was not a dwarf herself, she was not Elven either, nor wizard, but a simple human, naught even past the age of twenty. Asta, was her name, the meaning of which was lost to her after years of training with the sword, but Balin had quickly supplemented the girl, a star, he had told her. The other dwarves looked at her as if she were such, a star, Fili especially; her wit was as sharp as her blade that he admired more than her beauty though she did not fall short of expectations.

Her hair, when not held back into a fighter's braid fell to her waist in soft chestnut waves which only served to compliment the flawless porcelain complexion that could make an elf envious; and lastly were her striking eyes, grey as steel and to Kili were as hard as steel too. While the others grew to accept her company the youngest grew bitterer towards her presence, and for weeks it remained as such, even the hobbit had taken a keen liking to the human girl, but Kili was unsettled by her stay and prayed that soon they would be rid of her.

Fate; however, changed when a pack of orcs caught onto their trail the previous evening, they had been traveling for days on end and rest was needed as it had been revealed that Azog the Defiler still lived. If they were to encounter him, they would be glad that they had rested, if only until daylight broke through the trees. The incursion had occurred that evening as the group settled for the small meal that Bilbo had pulled together, Kili and Fili had been charged with securing the ponies, the rest to make camp and search the trees for orcs or wargs.

The first battle cry came from Dwalin and the rest of the company quickly returned gathering round. Asta had once more proved that she could be of use to the quest, Kili's fear of her being a burden, which Thorin had regretfully made mention of was quite irrational as her profound agility could only be compared to that of an elf's. Gandalf quickly counted the heads, thirteen dwarves, one hobbit, one human, and himself. As the possibility of rest was eliminated each returned to their pony, sitting astride and following single file behind the wizard.

Though Asta remained at the middle she fell behind, riding by Kili, he glared, flinching and pressing his hand to his thigh, and much to his dismay the human had noticed.

"You are wounded," Asta commented, looking at the darkening fabric of his garb. "I'm fine. It's nothing." He venomously bit back; making sure his voice would not carry to any others, his brother especially.

"If it was nothing you would not be cringing at the slightest of pressure," She declared, daring him to say she was wrong, instead, he said nothing and urged his pony faster. "When we stop, I will clean and bind your wound." There was no argument, she left no room for such a dispute and Kili hated to admit it but she was right if it was not treated he could risk infection and only slow down a quest that had a very strict timeline.

The company stopped at an abandoned troll burrow, forgotten to the point that the stench that would accompany the creatures had long faded and all that seemed to be left was a small cave, large enough for them all. "Kili, Fili; tie the ponies, but keep the knots loose," Thorin commanded but Asta stood and pushed Fili back much to his surprise but his cheeks turned a light shade of pink at her hand resting on his chest.

"Stay, I will assist Kili." Fili nodded and Kili finally realized that she had a melodic voice, and nearly everything that came from her lips was like a song. Asta nodded for Kili to follow back out of the mouth of the hole, and he was able to do so without making his injury known. Asta had easily calmed the ponies, even the most rambunctious Bumpkin, making the task of securing them easier for the both. "Come, we must go the stream;" Asta whispered waving her hand for Kili to follow.