Disclaimer -I Don't own anything you'll read, click, see and/or hear except my Oc's!

Dedicated to- my mother for giving me endless support and ideas I could run off of! ❤ love yah, mom!
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Things you Need to Know-

* apostrophe marks ' 'in italics are their thoughts.'

* Song - (name of song here..) - by - (name of artist here..)* Please click the YouTube link/video..at the top, or listen to it some other way when you see it~

* Words in italics without apostrophes put emphasis on certain word(s)
Example: Run. Run!

Dwarvish words you need to know! -
Adad = Dad/father
Amad = Mom/mother

"It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit."
- J.R.R Tolkien

             ----- Let it Begin! :D -----

It was late Autumn when I was born to Prince Thorin II Durin and Princess Kali Drunazak of Erebor. I was born in the early hours of October 12th with my mom's dark brown hair, and eyes that matched my dad's which were sky-blue. They gave me the name Arietta Séthol Durin.

My Adad is a Dwarf, while my Amad is a Witch. So, I'm Half Dwarf, Half Witch. But what exactly does that make me? Besides a...half-breed? - A mix of two races? What am I? I've been trying to figure that out for years. I have a huge family. Half of Erebor is related to us, I swear... At least it seems that way.

I'm closest to my Adad, my cousin's Balin, Dwalin, my uncle Frerin and my aunt Dis.

But also to the Wandering Wizard, Gandalf who occasionally visits us.

One day, the Elven King, Thranduil came to visit us to pay "respect" to my great grandpa, my amad *mother* had told me. As she was getting me dressed. "Why would he come to pay respect?" I asked.
"Because of the stone that was found. It is said to be the Kings Jewel. They think it is a sign of the right ruler."
"So, Thror is the right King...?" I questioned Amad as she brushed my hair.
"Yes, my dear. And you must be on your best behavior while the guests are here."
"I will, Amad."
"Good, now go get your tiara." She smiled.

Soon, we headed for the Throne Room, I and Amad stood next to Adad *father* within minutes the Elven King of Mirkwood and some of his company arrived. My eyes widened, for I rarely saw Elves. And I had never met Thranduil though Adad and Amad told me about him.

He walked closer, inspecting each and every one of us. Nodding in respect. A dwarf stepped forward with a box, he opened the lid and Thranduil's hand extended out towards the box. I lent forward and gasped quietly. Balin had taught me about those! The White Gems of Lasgalen. They belonged to Thranduil. Why did we have them? I was confused.
The box suddenly shut. Nearly catching Thranduil's hand in the process. I frowned. As did he. I saw Adad look sharply to Thror, shocked.

Little did we know that this would effect us in the years to come...

*Narrator*

"As the great wealth of the Dwarves grew, their store of good will ran thin.
No one knows Exactly what began the rift.
The Elves say the Dwarves stole their treasure.
The Dwarves tell another tale.
They say the Elf King refused to give them their rightful pay.
It is sad how old alliances can be broken.
How friendships between peoples can be lost.
And for what?
Slowly the days turned sour,
and the watchful nights closed in.
Thror's love of Gold had grown too fierce.
A sickness had begun to grow within him.
It was a sickness of the Mind.
And Where Sickness Thrives,
Bad Things Will Follow..."

It was a warm summer day, and I was sword fighting with Dwalin in the city of Dale. My mom watching us from a far. "...Bend your arms and put them close to body, remember? Mhm, very good Arietta." I smiled at Dwalin getting a praise was hard.
"Never extend your sword too far away from your body, It'll give the opponents a bigger chance." He said, reminding me.

It was actually encouraged that dwarf-women fight. To protect ourselves if need be. But, we rarely left the city - which in my opinion was annoying. We were highly protected since there were so few of us.. And when we did leave? We dressed like everyone else, the men. No frilly, girly dresses.

*Song- I See Fire - by - Ed Sheeran*

A sudden harsh wind blew me off my feet. Dwalin was helping me up as I saw my dad run up to my mom, yelling at her frantically. And putting something in her hand.

I murmured a "Thank You" to Dwalin.

I couldn't hear what my Amad or Adad said over the wind. 'what's going on?' I thought. Adad looked this way before running off, 'he looks worried..'

"Arietta run to your mother." Dwalin pushed me in her direction. He too, then ran off.

Lets face it, I was scared. I knew something bad, something important was happening it was a gut feeling. Just how bad? Or important? I would find that out soon enough.

My mother, Kali was running down the cobble stone street to me. I met her half-way. She put something in my small hand, a dark grey oval stone, with a leather cord attached. It was my Adad's sign, his symbol and signature. In the middle of the stone was a carved out square and a four pointed flower looking symbol inside.. In the center of the flower, was an engraved diamond shape.

"Your Adad wanted you to have this, he said he loves you."

"Don't lose it, Arietta." She said with tears in her eyes.

She grabbed my arm and she started pulling me. "Come on dear, we have to go." She spoke hurriedly.

I looked back to see if I could see my Adad or Dwalin, they were nowhere in sight.

People were running around like crazy some getting trampled even! I heard the four horns blast. They don't do that often...only in emergencies.

My head snapped in that direction as we were running.

"What about Adad!?" I asked, terrified for my father.

"He has to get the troops ready. Come Ari, we don't have time! We must get there before it does." My Amad was speaking so fast I could barely catch what she was saying.

"Momma..You're scaring me...Before what gets where?" I asked hesitantly.

"We have to leave Erebor." She replied. Still leading us towards the stables.

"Why!?"

"Because a dragon has come. Your father has ordered us to go somewhere safe."

"What about Dis, Balin, Dwalin..everyone else?" I asked.

"They'll be safe, Arietta. Have faith. Have hope!"

Just then I felt big gusts of wind, coming closer and closer. I chanced a look behind us. The dragon was coming this way.. To Dale.

"Amad! The dragon is coming!" I started to pull her behind a building, but I wasn't strong enough and it was too fast. People were running and screaming even more!

"Run Ari, run! Take my ring, find Gandalf." She said.

I obeyed her words, I didn't have time to question amad, to object. Ask her to come with me. So I ducked behind a building, in a dark alleyway just seconds before death. I saw the dragon fly above my head spreading blazing fire everywhere. It's eyes the color of liquid gold, scales maroon.

Screams echoed throughout the air, I winced. Knowing that I couldn't do anything, being a princess i'm suppose to help the people not hide but this time I have to. It frustrated me.

My thoughts were 'I hope everyone's safe at Erebor...' I waited a long time before coming out, I snuck out of the dark alley when I thought it was clear. Careful not to make any noises. I couldn't believe my surroundings... Everything and I mean everything was destroyed. Very few survived, those that did were mostly animals. Whatever was left was all burning, or had collapsed. It stunk, making me want to throw up very badly. Bodies were burnt to a crisp some were so bad that they were barely recognizable.

I searched for my amad, before I could continue on my way I had to know. My heart was heavy when I found her.. I could barely believe it was my mom. The only way I could tell was by her crown, wedding necklace, and what was left of her royal clothes... I had to quickly say my goodbyes, in fear of danger. I held back the tears as best as I could. For now.

Her words rang through my head "Find Gandalf."

So, that's where I'm heading, where ever that is...

I stood up at the sound of marching, I saw the Elves of the Greenwood, refusing to help fight off the Dragon. Disappointment went through me as I shook my head.

But what could I do?

I'm only 21..

I made my way to the stables...

'Are the horses alive? If they are I must find one..'

I put on my Adad's stone necklace, and my Amad's golden ring with a purple amethyst stone in the middle.

They gave me some sort of comfort, that and my weapons. I had two short throwing knives. And a sword, one Elvish blade as a gift of my birth from the Greenwood. I know how to use them, but not as well as Dwalin, Adad, Freren or Dis.

That, didn't give me comfort. I need to practice more..

I continued my walk to the stables, very carefully, and quietly. Who knows where that Dragon went or what was happening outside of Dale?

Eventually I got their, and half of it was burnt..I paused mid-step. 'To enter, or not to enter?...' I thought. I decided to peak in, see if I could hear any neighs' of horses or ponies.

I heard a few, but just barely. Could I find a way in? Maybe.

Would I get hurt? Possibly.

I don't want them to die.

I shifted some boards of wood, picking my movements carefully. I didn't want the stable to collapse. It was getting hard to breathe, and the neighs' were getting louder. I've made a path that was large enough for us to get out of, hopefully.

Finally I reached the first of the three horses who were tied up and moving around frantically. I hushed them, calmed the three down. "Shh, shh, its okay. The danger is gone. I wont hurt you. I'm going to untie you, okay? Be careful in here." I spoke softly knowing they would understand.

They slowly calmed down, and then I hesitantly untied and let free the first one, then the second. They did as I said, slowly making their way out of the building. When I untied and let the third free, she stayed by my side. Looking at me as if saying "Well, are you going to get on, or not?"

I looked back at her, and got on. She was bareback. The building was creaking and starting to give way. "C'mon girl, we have to get out of here." I said patting her neck.

She carefully, yet quickly picked her way out of the stables. I lent as close to her neck as possible, not wanting to get burnt.

Everyone made it out of the stables safely. 'Now if that was the same for Dale.' Tears came to my eyes I didn't bother stopping them, it was safe to cry now - danger was gone.

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...

                                                                          __________
So, in this chap. We've learned:
1) The dragon, Smaug attacked Dale and Erebor.
2) It's unknown how the rift between the Elves and Dwarves began.
3) Arietta (Ari) is 21, still a child in Dwarven standards!
4) She has to find Gandalf, and has no clue how to get to Rivendell.
5) Arietta lost her mom, Kali due to the dragon.
6) She's half Dwarf, half Witch.
7) Esgaroth is Lake-Town.
8) She's a princess.

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Tip: Fanfic writers, listen to the soundtrack! Makes it easier - sometimes.