J.R.R. Tolkien owns all. This story is based loosely off of Lady Hawk and Swan Princess. Nothing written here is meant to copy another work, or based off of anything else.

Chapter One

Thorin had told them tales of a people living in the mountains to the north of them. They were a dwindling people, small in stature like dwarves, but more man-like in appearance. Fili had sought to learn more about this allusive people, asking for stories whenever Thorin had a moment to spare from his duties. As a child he had soaked in the stories with wide-eyed wonder and curiosity. Age had not dimmed this thirst; for knowledge of a people that few had ever seen.

So when Dwalin offered to take him and his brother on a hunting trip to the northern parts of Ered Luin, Fili jumped at the chance. But his reasons for his excitement he kept from his brother and uncle. They went north of the branching of the River Lhûn, to the western side of the mountain range. When they arrived at the small wooded forest, on their third day from Thorin's halls, their little party set up camp.

Fili lay awake most of the night, even after his watch was over. He lay gazing up at the stars peeking through the tree leaves, thinking about the tales running through his mind.

Tales of the Kārearea.

Kili shifted again for the sixth time since settling in their hideout. He held his bow in his hands, arrow ready on the string. His fingers twitched with anticipation, eyes scanning the undergrowth for deer. Fili sighed through his nose, feeling no small amount of frustration at his brother. If he kept moving they would catch nothing.

Fili turned his eyes back to the trees, staying as still as possible, waiting for anything to cross their path. Dwalin had disappeared earlier to follow a set of tracks, telling them to not wander far and be back at camp by sundown.

He thought little of the Kārearea that he had spent most of the night dwelling on. If they returned to camp empty handed, Dwalin would most likely make them return home. He had little patience for their joking and expected them to be successful. Dwalin would not tolerate day dreaming. He would not offer to take them hunting again.

By midday they spotted and took down two hares. Their brown fur and white bobbed tails soft to the touch. Fili felt little remorse in catching them, he had long ago stopped feeling that horrible gut wrenching he had as a young dwarfling. Kili merely spared them a pitying glance before they resumed their hunt. Late in the afternoon they finally saw what they had spent the day searching for.

The young buck stepped through the undergrowth, nibbling at the grass growing between bushes and leaves from low hanging trees. The only sound above the slight breeze, and the insects buzzing through air, was Kili's bow creaking as he drew back the string. The fletching held against his cheek, eyes narrowed with concentration, he breathed and let go.

Kili stood quickly as the buck gave a startled scream, making a vain dash in the opposite direction only to fall. The arrow had gone true and hit the deers heart. Fili dashed after it, jumping over the undergrowth, sinking to his knees beside the buck and ending its life in one swift move with one of his daggers. He looked up at Kili as his brother approached. A smile tugged the corners of his lips.

"I believe Master Dwalin will be pleased with our catch," Kili said happily.

"Aye," Fili murmured looking over the deer. "And here I thought all your twitching would give us away."

"Oi!" Kili laughed, smacking his shoulder. Fili grinned at his brother. Kili feigned insult and the two gave a start as a screech filled the air, a dark sharp diving towards them. Fili gave a cry of alarm as it swooped towards his head and faster than he thought possible; Kili had drawn another arrow and let it fly at the creature.

It gave a screech, having been mid-dive towards Kili, dropping like a rock into the thick foliage. Fili rose to his feet unsteadily, grabbing Kili's arm as his brother tried to go towards it. Both were unharmed, but startled.

"A bird?" Kili asked breathlessly. Their hearts slowly returned to normal, from the pounding of before. Fili nodded, moving towards the bushes. They could hear it rustling around. It did not squawk or make any noises of distress. Odd, Fili thought, warily bushing the bushes back to look at the bird. He jerked back though at the sight that met his eyes, gaping at the bush.

What in Mahal's name-?

"What is it?' Kili asked instantly. When Fili did not respond he pushed past his brother and pushed apart the bushes, stilling instantly. Coming back to his senses Fili jerked Kili back as a very angry voice met their ears.

"What are you staring at?!"

Both brothers went bright red. Fili not as red as his brother, having known what a woman looked like. Kili was as red as a tomato. It had been a bird, Fili was sure of it, when it had gone down. But now it was a woman. A very naked woman. A very naked and angry woman.

Mahal.

Fili cleared his throat, awkwardly. "Would you like a blanket or . . . a cloak, milady?"

There was silence for a moment, the angry mutterings ceasing before she spoke again. "I would since you insist on peeking," she replied grudgingly. Fili fought another blush, feeling its heat rise up to his cheeks as he unfastened his cloak and slowly offered it through the bush. The fabric was yanked from his grip instantly, and Fili looked at his still beet red brother.

Kili gaped like a fish out of water. "But it-she was a bird! A bird! I swear by Mahal," he murmured looking at Fili. "I-I don't understand. How is it- . . . she a woman?"

Before Fili could answer, a loud swear filled the air, a hiss and the bushes moved apart to reveal a woman. She glared at them, her dark black eyes glittering with contempt. His cloak covered her nakedness now, but Fili could not help but think about the sight of her pale skin. Another light blush rose up his neck. He cleared his throat again.

"Are you- injured, milady?" he asked, guilt sweeping through him. She pressed her lips into a thin line, glancing at Kili and then his bow with narrowed eyes.

"Yes."

"May we assist you?" Fili asked, glad that Kili looked guilty and slowly put his bow on the ground.

She snorted. "I'd rather not- at the moment. You are males."

Both blushed brightly. "Surely we can help you-"

She shook her head. "When it is dawn you may, not a moment sooner, dwarf."

Her words confused him. Not until dawn? And she knew he was a dwarf, so she wasn't in the dark about that. It was then that Fili noticed that the sun had set, the stars beginning to shine brightly. They were supposed to be at the campsite by sundown. Dwalin would not be happy. Kili noticed the lack of sunlight as well and shifted nervously.

"Would you come with us?" Fili asked. "We will have a warm fire, food, a safe place to sleep." Her brows furrowed nervously. "Please. It is the least we can do for the pain we have caused you."

She sighed through her nose, glancing at the trees before nodding grudgingly. "Very well, dwarf."

Fili nodded and turned to his brother. "Let's get the buck," he said. "And the hares, and we should hurry to get back before Dwalin comes searching."

" . . . there is another one of you?" the woman asked, in a voice akin to nervousness. Fili shooed Kili ahead and turned to her. She didn't seem like a threat now, so he felt safe sending Kili away. He saw the way her one visible hand clutched the fabric of his cloak tightly closed. He frowned.

"We will not harm you," he told her seriously. "On my honor we will not touch you. I swear it." He could still see the fear and wariness in her dark glittering eyes. But she still accepted his words and slowly trailed after him. When they met up with Kili, he helped lift the buck, grabbing the hares and glancing over his shoulder to see that the woman still followed.

They went silently. When they reached the camp Fili could could see the fire through the trees before they emerged into the small clearing. Dwalin was pacing, but when he saw them he stopped, glaring until he saw the buck they carried and hares slung over Fili's shoulder.

"You lads are lucky you caught such a good catch, or I'd have your hides," Dwalin growled. Kili offered Dwalin a cheeky grin before dropping his end of the deer, forcing Fili to do the same and reveal their female companion. Dwalin's eyes narrowed, back straightening as he reached for the ax strapped to his back. "And what's this?"

Fili straightened, handing the string of hares to Kili and shielding the woman with his body. She was already wary of them, and did not need Dwalin attacking her. They had already wounded her.

"We were hunting and she startled us. Unfortunately she was injured in the . . . incident," Fili exclaimed.

Dwalin raised his brows. "Incident?"

"I may have shot her . . ." Kili muttered, scuffing the toe of his boot in the dirt. The woman pressed her lips into a thin line, her gaze riveted on him, while Dwalin looked at her. After a long silence he gave a huff, crossing his arms.

"Well, aren't ye going to help the lass?" he demanded.

Fili shifted uncomfortably, glancing over his shoulder at the woman before returning his attention to Dwalin. "She says that we must wait for dawn." Dwalin grunted, eyeing the woman before giving a short nod.

"Very well then," he said gruffly. "But if she is to stay here with us, I want to know her name." He looked at the woman now. "What is yer name, lassie?"

" . . . I am called Marama," she murmured from behind Fili and he gave a start. He had not realized they stood so close. Dwalin nodded before turning his attention to the deer and Kili.

"Well, lad, help me prepare this. Then we can dress those hares and eat." He drew a long knife from his belt and without turning towards Fili spoke. "Take care of Marama, Fili."

Fili turned to the woman- Marama, and gestured for her to sit near the fire. He was glad that Dwalin had started it already, glad to have the heat as the air became cooler. Marama sat near the flames, but not in reach, his cloak still wrapped around her. Fili went to his pack and retrieved his blanket, taking it to her and holding it out. Marama looked up, dark eyes regarding him thoughtfully.

"Take it. You have no clothes, and it will get colder."

" . . . what about you? Will you not be cold?" she said slowly.

"I am a dwarf, we feel the cold less," he assured her with a smile. "The fire will be enough for me." She took it from him, her arm extending from the folds of his cloak, pale and slender.

"You have my thanks," she murmured, adding it around her shoulders. Fili nodded before offering her a water skin. She peered at it with confusion, tilting her head to the side. He was instantly reminded of a bird, trying to figure something out. Kili had shot down a bird, and they had found a woman. Thorin's stories came rushing to the forefront of his thoughts.

Excitement stirred in his chest and he fought to control it so he would not frighten her. People who changed into birds, that's what she had to be. He was sure of it. Fili sat near the fire, not next to her, allowing her to have space.

"Might I ask you something?" he asked slowly, his gaze moving to her. She was looking at the flames, and looked to him through her lashes. When she didn't respond he plowed on, keeping his attention on her as Dwalin and Kili worked on the buck at the edge of the camp. "Kili shot a bird. But we found you."

"You want to know how that can be?" she asked. He nodded, trying not to seem too eager. A sigh passed her lips, a grimace crossing her face. Fili knew that her wound was causing her pain. Again guilt spread through him. He gave his brother a surreptitious look, wondering if he too felt guilt for causing her pain. "I am from the northern parts of Ered Luin," she said finally. "Our people are small in number, but we are all the same. Some call us the children of Manwë, but we are called the Kārearea."

Kārearea: (car-ear-ia) is species of falcons found in New Zealand. Instead of making up a name I used the name of the bird for this story.

Zundushinh: dwarvish for bird-lady.

Marama: (Mar-ama) Maori, loosely means 'moon', but also 'clear'.

Manwë: Valar of the Wind and air, lord over birds (eagles), essentially.

R&R

~filimeala