Recap-
Not knowing if the rest of your family and friends are safe.. That's the worst. "We need to find Gandalf... Now where would a Wandering Wizard be?"

Gandalf once told me that he visited Rivendell often. 'But how do I get their?' One problem? I've never been outside of Dale or Erebor. But I have heard of Esgaroth. And where it's located, thanks to Balin.

That's my first stop...
------------------

Remember..
* Adad = dad/father
* Amad = mom/mother

* apostrophe ' in italics 'are thoughts'
* when you see - *Song - (Song name) - by (artist name)
* please click the video above! It fits that exact part. (Or find some other way to listen to it please!)

____________

"Little by little, one travels far" -J.R.R Tolkien

--- Three Days Later ---

Hungry, sore, and tired. I wish I was a horse. They can eat grass. Humans/Dwarves/Witches...you get the idea, cant. I entered Esgaroth and started to get strange looks with my burnt clothes, dirty skin, and who knows what the rest of me looks like!

I got off my horse and stopped someone who had just passed I asked "Excuse me, Sir, do you know someone that could tell me how to get to Rivendell?" The man nodded then brought me to a wooden house that held many windows, a sturdy door..but also looked like it could use a new roof. "Aye. Darwyn'll know the way, Lil' miss." I nodded, "Thank You."

Why was I hesitant to go up the steps? "Stay here, okay?" I told my new companion, the horse. 'I really should give her a name..'

-Growing up as a princess, has some advantages - I occasionally have to act older then I really am, like an adult. 21 is considered a child for Dwarf standards, we reach Maturity at about 40, and live to about 250 years. But being part Witch, who knows how old I'll live to be?-

I took a big breathe and went up the menacing steps and knocked twice. A little girl answered it looking scared. "Hello..." She spoke. I smiled at her "Hello there, is your father home?" A person came up from behind her. "Jazmyn? Who is it?" A scruffy looking man came into view, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Hi, i'm Arietta of Erebor. I was told that you could help point me in the direction of Rivendell..?"

"Who said this?"

"I-I'm not completely sure who. Some man I ran into, I asked for help. He recommended you." I said, gesturing from the way I came.

"Come in, I'll show you." He sighed.

"Thank you, you have no idea how much you're helping me." I smiled.

"Your tiara, you're a princess. Are you not?"

"Yes.. Of Erebor."

Something told me not to speak about the Dragon.

"So, why do you wish to travel to Rivendell, Arietta?"

"I'm looking for a friend, Gandalf is his name."

"Ah.. The Wandering Wizard, he helped me quite a lot in my younger days.." He smiled.

Darwyn went to a shelf and pulled out a map, one of Middle Earth. And brought me over to a table to show me how to get to Rivendell, the places to avoid and such.

"Now this is 'Celduin' better known as 'The River Running.' I can take you to the banks of 'The Old Forest Road' by barge, then you must travel on that road, and do not stray. Evil things linger in the forest. The Elves cannot always protect you, Arietta. Travel by The Old Forest Road until you meet the river, Anduin. Then, take The Misty Mountains by way of The Old Ford Road, and you will have reached Rivendell." Darwyn explained.

"Thank you Darwyn. But, I must ask, why are you so willing to help me? A stranger?"

"I was once a Ranger. It's the decent thing to do." He smiled. "Now come on, we need supplies."

He rushed around the house, I stayed out of the way until I was needed.

---1 Day Later. Darwyn's Daughter, Jazmyn Has a Babysitter---

v * Song - No one is Alone - Into The Woods Soundtrack * v

Darwyn, I and my horse who I have named Lasair. (pronounced: Laus-air)

We're now halfway down The Celduin River. I'm afraid to leave Darwyn behind. He reminded me of Dwalin in some ways. Balin too.

I'm afraid to get off the barge, also. To go off on my own. Go off into the unknown. But I know I have to. I clutched my Adad's stone necklace. 'Please be alive.'

This barge, is eerie. I kept thinking we were going to crash, or worse.. Drown.

"How long will it take us to get their? To The Old Forest Road?"

"Should take three or four days, two if we're lucky."

He spoke while steering the barge, Darwyn had that stern look on his face, too - kinda scary.

I sat by Lasair for awhile. It was silent the only sound was the water and ice splashing against the barge. I dare not go near the edge.

My mind began to wander some were rather depressing..

'If they got away, where would they go? Do they think i'm dead? Missing? Did they find Amad's body?' Lasair nudged me, and I stroked her. 'Maybe they'll go to the Iron Hills, to where Cousin Dáin is? I miss Adad's hugs, his smiles, and stories. How Balin always knew what to say, and his lessons. And how Dwalin never gave up on me when I lost hope in myself, Dis and I were like sisters. I miss Amad's cooking and jokes, stories of Rivendell, her advice... Why didn't she come with me?'

'I miss them all..'

I leant against Lasair, letting out a frustrated sigh. 'Stupid brain..Thinking depressing thoughts.'

Darwyn brought me out of my thinking, "What's on your mind, young Arietta?"

I turned around to find that Darwyn was looking at me, a concerned look on his scruffy face.

"I'm just thinking about my family... Reminiscing."

"About?" He asked

"Them, moving on, my mom's death.." I explained.

"Why did they leave you behind if your mother died?"

"They don't know she's gone." I said.

His eyebrows furrowed.

"It's a long story, shall I explain?"

"We have awhile, tell if it'll make you feel better."

I sighed. "Well, it happened a few days ago, so the wounds are still fresh. My adad - father. Told my mom and I to flee from the danger that had come to our kingdom of Erebor, what it was I will not say.. It still pains me. While we were escaping she died from it, the danger. I tried to save her but instead she saved me." I fiddled with my Amad's ring.

"And I searched for her after the danger was gone, she had long passed... So I set out for where she told me to go, to Gandalf. The Wandering Wizard. A close friend of ours. They- my family, and race, probably think I am dead also.." I looked down as tears formed in my eyes.

"Lasair and I than set out for Esgaroth and found you."

Lasair could clearly detect my sadness, she nudged and blew in my face. I pet and leant against her.

Darwyn was silent, staring off into space. Clearly thinking. But somehow still steering the boat.

"You, Arietta have lost a lot in the past few days. Are you sure you can travel by yourself?" He asked.

I nodded. "Dwarven women are trained just like men, to be fighters."

I didn't tell him that I've never been past Esgaroth...

"If I see any of your kind in Esgaroth I will tell them you are still alive, Arietta. It's the least I can do."

"Thank you, again, Darwyn. I will pay you back someday - that's a promise."

---- Few Days Later ----

Darwyn landed at the shore of The Old Forest Road, it was a smooth landing, considering that there was no port... It surprised me. Didn't jerk us around.

We grabbed our things, except for Lasair - of course.

Darwyn hopped out of the barge first, lending me a hand. I smiled and nodded at him. Lasair right behind me.

He then handed me a sack, full of things I would need later.

"Remember Arietta, stick to the road. It'll get you to Rivendell."

"Will I see you again?" I asked

"Maybe, if you travel through Esgaroth. Or I to Rivendell. Now get going before the sun sets! Don't travel after dark."

I climbed onto Lasair with the rucksack on my back.

"And good luck! Tell Gandalf I said hello."

"I will Darwyn. Thanks, again." I laughed and waved goodbye.

'Into the woods we go... What would Adad think? Me going on an adventure alone...'

---One Week Later, Old Forest Road---

The Old Forest Road. It's very...Depressing. Dank, dark, wet. Unwelcoming. 'I could really use some human company right now...' The forest scared me. The faster we got through here, the better. But it was almost night time, and fires plus trees...Nah-uh. Not a very good mix. - Well, for someone who doesn't know much about camping, at least. I wouldn't know what to do exactly if something were to happen.
So, it was going to be a cold night. I decided to look through the rucksack Darwyn gave me before it was pitch-black. It had food, water, a cloak, blanket, matches, sleeping mat.. 'I defiantly have to pay him back.' Darwyn said it would take a week or so of travel. It made me want to groan.

So the next morning came, and it was basically the same as the last - just longer. Keeping to the road, thinking of my family, and friends, Darwyn also, and wanting nothing more but to just get out of here! And to find Gandalf. A snack here or there for both Lasair and I.

This went on for a few days.

The fourth in mid-day, we heard rustling in the bushes. Much bigger then a rabbit, or a bird. An arrow flew in my direction just barely missing me, by a few centimeters. I saw an ugly creature jump out from the forest, face messed up, hunched over, and snarling at me. Lasair reared in the air and made me fall. I screamed, but quickly got on my feet when it came straight at me - my training coming to the front of my mind. I went for the throat, and then the gut. I'm small, built like my mother - not much muscle on me. But I'm my Adad's height.

The Throat will make it gag then if I went for it's gut, will make him double over to give me time to finish him off.

'Did Lasair run off? Are there more of those things? I hope not.' Just as I was about to call out her name, she came trotting up to me.

"That's a good girl, thank you for not leaving me." I pet her and got an apple out of the bag.

So, our journey continued in the forest for five more days, which were pretty uneventful. Then we came to the river. And we could see The Misty Mountains in the distance. 'How are we going to get over that, where's the road?' I wondered.

Five hours or so into the day, Luck was on our side as we came upon a grey dressed figure that looked very familiar. I slowed Lasair down. "Gandalf!"

"Well if it isn't Arietta Durin. Where are your parents, my dear?"

... Silence.

"A dragon attacked Erebor a few weeks ago, Adad ordered Amad and I to leave, and she.. Died saving me."

"Gandalf?"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Are Orcs normally seen in those woods?" I asked, gesturing to them behind me.

"No... Arietta, no they are not. Why do you ask?"

"Because one attacked Lasair and I while we were riding through."

"Hm..."

"And where are you headed off to?"

"Amad said to look for you, actually."

"Hm. How about this, I will escort you to Rivendell, and when you grow into your powers if you wish it I will teach you how to control them."

I looked at him, stunned. Gandalf was like a grandfather to me.

"You would really do that?"

He looked offended.

"Of course I would! And don't you want to learn about your powers?"

"To Rivendell!" I pointed and yelled.

Gandalf chuckled.

"To Rivendell, indeed."

_______

If you run into/ the name "Fyre" anywhere, it's because that's what I originally named Arietta's horse... But I changed it. To well, "Lasair"