*Bilbo*

With the dwarves banging on the table, singing, shouting, and tossing bits of food I was ready for Lord Elrond to toss us out. Not that I would blame him of course. I'm sure Gandalf and Enola would be allowed to rest under their protection. Myself and the others? Not a chance. Guilty by association I suppose but by the way Elrond cares for Enola I doubt he would toss someone like her out on account of the Dwarves. Especially, someone, he looks at as a daughter. As the Dwarves are unaware of her departure I catch a glimmer of her hurrying away from the dining area back into the Kingdom. Elrond seems perplexed and Gandalf uneasy. I see the Elf look to the wizard muttering a question to which the wizard looks away sputtering on his drink. Maybe something was said or seen that triggered Enola's memory of what happened back in the forest. Either way, I know whatever is troubling her it isn't good. Glancing around I try to find the proper time to exit but before I do I see Thorin's face. He is looking in the direction she left until he glances down at his wrists. Even from afar, I can see the burns from Enola's grip on him. She must have seen it while at the table.

Bofur's almost done with his last chorus. The time to go needs to be now. I don't believe I'll get away any easier once they've gotten settled. Slowly rising I slip from my chair unbeknownst to Balin or the others and head for the courtyard in hopes of meeting Enola on the other side. Slipping away was the easy part but what I saw in the courtyard was much more complicated. As I rounded the corner next to one of the smaller fountains I found Enola sitting on the ground with her head down as she looked to her trembling hands. I hesitate to approach her and look over my shoulder wondering if I should just go back but the sound of her sniffles brings me back. Awkwardly I shake my arms and cautiously approach her "E-Enola?"

She gasps a little looking up at me as I force a smirk seeing her tear-streaked face "Is everything alright?"

Quickly she wipes at her cheeks and falsifies a giggle that even a naive individual such as myself can decipher. She looks back at me with still shining blue eyes and smirks "Y-yes Bilbo everything is fine. I just needed some air."

I nod "Yes, me too."

She smirks a little as we both bask in uncomfortable silence until she gestures next to her "You can join me if you'd like."

I smirk but still find myself awkwardly wobbling and looking around as if she had asked me to marry her. Still, I point to the empty spot on the ground next to her and walk with purpose to that spot before sitting down. I sigh contently and fold my arms giving her a glance from the side. She doesn't meet my eyes but I can see the weariness in her face and the still freshly made streaks down her cheeks.

"You were thinking about what happened in the woods, weren't you?" I question watching her face for any sort of discomfort or perhaps more tears "What-what happened was not-"

"Yes it was." she replies softly cutting me off "It was my fault. I should never have-I never should have tried to use my...use these powers. They should have stayed locked away."

I hum in thought pondering how to offer her comfort but perhaps comfort isn't what she needs. I purse my lips and angle myself to her "If I may, but aren't we all supposed to be our complete selves?"

She furrows her brows looking back at me "What do you mean?"

I shuffle in my spot but swallow the dryness in my throat "What I mean is that why would we want to hide the most unique and extraordinary parts of ourselves? Just because something is imperfect doesn't mean it isn't true. Wouldn't you rather have something authentically you instead of a facade of who you are?"

I can see the crinkle of her brows as she looks back down at her hands in thought but seems to be disgusted by the mere sight of her fingertips. I look to her hands as well then to her. She sighs clasping them together and looking back at me "But what if the most unique part of yourself wasn't unique at all? What if it's dangerous? What if it's...monstrous?"

Reaching out I clasp my hand over her's and look down at her trembling wrists. Under my touch, she trembles in fear of her very self which is something I will not pretend to even know about. Smirking I give a small shrug of my shoulder and look back up "Well, I suppose it depends on who you ask."

Seemingly a little more uplifted she offers me her smile and agrees with a slight nod as she squeezes my hand back in a form of thanks. I like Enola. I believe she is very kind, considerate, strong, and loyal. Despite what I think about her I think about other things as well. She doesn't have a clue how powerful she really is and I do not know if she will be able to control it.

*Thorin*

Why I felt like running after her I do not know. The minute I felt her eyes looking at my exposed wrist I knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling in an instant. I didn't have to look at her face immediately to know the guilt and shame she felt. I myself know a thing or two about that. I should have gone after her the minute she left her seat. I should go after her even now despite the halfling getting a head start. From my position, I watch the Dwarves in their clamor much to the Elven servant's disgust which I find most amusing. I know if I head out now there will be questions but I can answer them all with a glare and they will cease to have any point or reasoning in being asked. Before I can make my first move I watch as Bilbo and Enola walk from around the structure and past the courtyard chattering, smiling, and even laughing. I become fixated on Enola as the setting sun shines through her hair and illuminates her blue hues turning them a light gold. I watch her and the halfling both as they pass by us all as if unaware of our presence and the others them except me. They pass through only noticed by myself and no other. Even the wizard and Elf have taken their minds off her which seems to anger me so. Anger? Why anger? What do I care if others pay her mind or not? Why do I pay so much of my attention to her? She's just a girl. A young woman was taken in by our enemy, Elves, and wanders around with an old man with a stick. She is no one. So then why do I care?