(Thorin)

Small spritz of rain hits my face as I stand at the cave entrance waiting for Elena to come inside. Most of the Company waits inside followed by Bilbo. The Hobbit enters in giving me a nervous glance but walks past. Slowly Elena steps inside from the rain, her hair and clothes soaked. Her eyes look ahead to the back of the cave to keep from looking at me. Before she can walk past, I see the cuts and scrapes along her arms from her mountain trek.

"Elena." I take hold of her arm, but she keeps her gaze averted "I-..."

She keeps her eyes to the floor, and I feel the slight pull of her arm away from me. I don't blame her for being angry or wanting nothing to do with me. My words hurt her more than I probably realized until now. Slowly I loosen my grip and her arm falls from my grasp.

"There's nothing here!" Dwalin calls out over his shoulder pulling my attention from Elena who has already left my side.

Gloin drops a bundle of wood on the floor. He grins, rubbing his hands together "Right then! Let's get a fire started."

"No. No fires, not in this place." I look to the others trying to sound relaxed "Get some sleep. We will start at first light."

Balin walks up with his brows furrowed "We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan."

"Plans change."

I look to Bofur and motion to the entrance "Bofur, take the first watch."

Disappointedly he slumps and finds a spot near the mouth of the cave looking out into the rain. As the others begin to settle in as well, I look back to Elena who is disappearing deeper into the cave.

(Elena)

I can't stand to look at him. In fact, I refuse to. If I were smart, I would be back in Rivendell possibly closer to going home than I am right now. The good Lord above had to make me tender hearted. Whatever odd infatuation I have for Thorin Oakenshield, I wish for it to be eradicated. He's prideful, arrogant, cold, and stubborn. All qualities I have disliked in men I have met and one particularly that resides not five feet away. Pulling a change of clothes from my pack I quickly make my way deeper into the cave to put as much distance as I can between the Company and myself. I waste no time and before I know it, I'm at the back of the cave. Its darker than where it is with the others, but their voices aren't far off. Glancing back over my shoulder I make sure no one is watching as I change out of my wet clothes. My bare skin recoils from the cold draft of the cave but I quickly dress myself to fend against the chill.

I hear footsteps approaching closer and I fear for it to be Thorin, yet I'm hopeful that it is. However, when I turn around I see the curly headed Hobbit. Bilbo peeks around the corner. Forcefully I smile "Oh, Bilbo, it's you."

Approaching closer he smiles but his eyes look worried.

I raise a brow "What is it?"

His smile fades and he clasp my hand in his "My dear girl, I thought we lost you. I don't know what we would have done if-...I'm sorry we left you behind. Thorin was just trying to protect you and-."

"No." I interrupt the Hobbit narrowing my eyes "I knew I wasn't wanted on this journey before we ever left the Shire. It was stupid to think I could do it. All I've done in this trip is gotten in the way. I shouldn't be here."

As I grab up my old clothes Bilbo chuckles "What if we go back?"

I freeze looking back at him "Go back?"

"The two of us, when everyone's asleep we head back down the mountain to Rivendell. Perhaps you can actually get some help and I'll have decent conversations with people who want us around."

I smile at Bilbo's effort to make me feel better, but it only makes me feel worse. I want to be welcomed and wanted by the dwarves, especially Thorin. Now it doesn't matter how I feel. I need to get home and I'm not helping myself or the Dwarves by staying here. I nod to the Hobbit "As soon as the rain stops, we head for Rivendell."

While Bilbo and I come to an agreement I'm unaware of the blonde-haired dwarf that is listening nearby.

Somehow, I had managed to find sleep. Despite the events that had happened earlier tonight, I wouldn't give up what little sleep I could get. Feeling the light shake on my shoulder I open my eyes looking up at Bilbo. He has his bags packed and whispers "Come on, the rains letting up."

Quickly but silently, I pack my things preparing to leave. All I want it to get as far from Thorin as possible. I spot the sleeping dark haired dwarf in the corner. My gaze rests on him for a moment watching him sleep. He looks more exhausted than I am. The tug in my chest is followed by a hint of guilt. Even if it was in my head, I felt a connection with Thorin. Despite that, I promised I'd help him get his home back, but I suppose leaving is the best thing I can do.

I look back to Bilbo slinging my pack over my shoulder "Alright, I'm ready."

Just as we step carefully over and past the dwarves, we hear a voice.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Shit. Bofur.

Bilbo and I turn around facing the dwarf who eyes us suspiciously. I look to Bilbo who humph in defeat. I nod to Bofur "Were going to back to Rivendell."

His eyes widen and he quickly jumps to his feet "No, no, you can't turn back now, you're both part of the Company. You're one of us."

"No were not...!" I hiss under my breathe "No one wants us here. Thorin said it himself, and he's right. He's right I never should have done this."

For a moment Bofur lowers his head knowing I speak the truth. It is obvious Thorin doesn't want me here and any of his actions of kindness towards me were just good manners or a form of tolerance.

Bilbo nods "Elena's right. Its apparent were not meant to be here. I'm a not a Took, I'm a Baggins. I don't know what I was thinking. I should have never run out my door."

Bofur smiles speaking as comforting as he can "You're homesick; I understand."

"No, you don't!" Bilbo snaps "You don't understand, none of you do- your dwarves! You're used to this life, to living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere."

I even flinch as the words leave the Hobbits mouth. The pained look is apparent on Bofur's face. I narrow my eyes "Bilbo..."

Apologetically Bilbo looks to Bofur "I am sorry, I didn't mean-..."

Bofur shakes his head looking to the rest of the dwarves "No, you're right. We don't belong anywhere."

Taking hold of Bofur's arm my eyes crinkle as I smile "That's not true Bofur. You have a home in the Lonely mountain, and I know you will all get their real soon. I just know it."

Bofur smirks taking hold of my hand "I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do."

He looks over to Bilbo bringing the three of us into a group hug. I smile trying not to let the sadness overtake me hugging my friend goodbye. As we part, I look back over my shoulder to the others "Bofur, could you, um, tell them that-..."
"I will." He reassures and I sigh contently "Thank you."

Just as Bilbo and I turn to leave the cave a glimmer from Bilbo's sword shines. It glows in a bright blue hue.

"What's that?" Bofur asks and the light catches Bilbo's eye. Pulling out his sword his eyes widen as he looks down at me. My eyes wander down and my pocket where the stone Radagast gave me glows. Just as I reach in my pocket feeling the smooth surface the cave rumbles. A crack and then a faint hissing noise fill the empty space as the three of us freeze.

"Wake up!" Thorin shouts now on his feet "Wake up!"

Before any of the other dwarves can even lift their heads, the cave floor collapses downward like a trap door. The dwarves going falling down as pieces of their cave floor give way.

"Look out!"Thorin shouts shoving my back and right to the mouth of the cave. Before I can get back on my feet I watch as Thorin, Bilbo, and Bofur going falling down into the dark treacherous pit. I hear the echoes of their screams as they go sliding down before I'm left alone in the silence.