That's Another Story For Later

Arrow

Two of the traps were full, and I took the rabbits, and headed back toward the house. It had only been about fifteen minutes. I walked quickly, hoping I wouldn't run into the figure who knocked me down. I opened the door, and shucked off my boots, still a little ticked. I hung my cloak up though. I set down my quiver a bow a little on the rough side, and set to skinning the rabbits with a practiced hand.

Dwalin had picked up his cloaks and boots, setting them near the door neatly or on the coat rack. I finished skinning the rabbits relatively quickly, and went to set the skins out to dry. "Dia!" Dwalin called out as I started cutting up the rabbit into sizable pieces. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine. It's just some ass decided to run into me and almost break my arrows!" I huffed, cutting the rabbit aggressively. I put the vegetables and the meat into the stew. I scrounged the kitchen for the right herbs, and then disposed of the bones and fat of the animal.

"Iridian... you should have been more careful." I diced the herbs, and threw them in the pot, stirring roughly.

"What do you mean? I was walking in a straight line, my eyes trained on the forest, and then whoever that idiot was smacked into me. If anything, he should have been more careful!" I said sharply. Dwalin set his hand on my shoulder. I took a deep breath, and sighed, setting the spoon down. "Dwalin, why do the people hate me here?" I asked after a moment.

I grabbed a cloth, and headed toward my weapons. I left the stew to simmer. I sat down on the carpeted floor, near the fire. I took out my arrows, and cleaned off the ones I had used. I counted how many I had as I put them away, and noticed one was missing. "Damn it! And Dwalin, you never answered my question." I took out the knife I used to skin, and cleaned it as well.

"People just don't understand. They're only looking at the fact that you're not all one race. Honestly, it's stupid. If people got to know you, they'd see what I do. That is, if you'd let them." I inspected my bow for any problems. There were none thankfully.

"And what do you see? Besides, why should I let people in when they could just go away like my parents did." I answered, returning my weapons to their proper places.

"I see an independent, talented, wonderful person. I see someone with dwarvish loyalty, Elvish beauty, and human will. If you'd let people in and give them a chance, then maybe people won't 'hate' you. They really don't. They just don't understand. You'll be alright, Iridian." I sighed, and went back to stir the stew. The guests would be here soon, maybe just over an hour.

I went upstairs to get a book, settling down. I had read a few pages, when Dwalin came over to ruffle my hair gently. "Dia. Are you happy here?" He asked softly. I closed my book, and stirred the stew, and answered.

"Of course I'm happy here. Why wouldn't I be?" I answered in a soft voice. I heard Dwalin exhale heavily, and drag a chair over, sitting next to me. He looked aged, tired. A worried look formed in my eyes. "Why do you ask?" He stroked his beard a couple times.

"Because. As you said, people glare at you. The other kids don't understand, and are kind of prejudicial. And I wanted to ask if you were actually happy. If I was doing okay..." He trailed off. I smiled sadly, and set the ladle down. I walked toward Dwalin, and knelt down.

"Honestly, while it does bother me from time to time, it doesn't really bother me. It does sometimes, and yeah, it hurts how people think I'm some freak, but their approval doesn't really matter. Yours does. The fact that you still kept me, and still care for me, is all I want. As long as I have your approval, I'm happy. You're the father I never had." I placed my hand on his shoulder. I then stood and went back to stir the stew.