(Elena)

As we fly high above the land below us over mountain ranges and hilltops, I can't enjoy the sight thinking of Thorin. I know he's laying limp in the clutches of the eagle as the sun crests over the horizon. Fili and Kili fly not far behind us and Fili cries out his uncle's name. Thorin is still rendered silent.
Just ahead there is a small mountain much smaller than those surrounding the valley. The tipping point of the small mountain reaches up just high enough for us to see out on the horizon. the Eagles land with ours being the first out of the rest. Quickly I jump off the eagle and rush to Thorin as he's gently laid on the ground.
"Thorin? Thorin, can you hear me?" I asked holding his face in my hands.
The king lay silent, still, and his chest doesn't seem to be rising.
"H-he's not breathing!" I call to Gandalf who rushes over to us "Thorin!"
He kneels down looking at the king muttering his name again.
"Gandalf...?" I say fervently "If this...power I possess is real. Now is a good time to teach me a healing lesson or something."
The old wizard looks to me then to the King "Hold his face gently in your hands."
I nod and do as he says gently stroking Thorin's beard.
"Now focus on him. Try envisioning it. The life force within you seeping into him."
I nod and close my eyes trying to focus on Thorin. Part of me feels ridiculous for doing it but I'm willing to try anything to help him.
"Come on Thorin..." I whisper "Wake up."
Slowly but surely I see the reflection of white light. I open my eyes to see white streams of light flowing from my veins into Thorin. I see his chest begin to rise and I'm filled with relief but then my vision blurs.
Whatever I'm doing to help him seems to be draining from me. Quickly I jerk my hands away and the white light fades. I crumple barely able to sit upright.
"Elena!" Gandalf exclaims but I wave him off "I-I'm fine."
Gandalf gives me a wary glance before turning back to Thorin. Breathless I sit back and wait until the Kings eyes slowly flutter open.
"The girl..." he whispers hoarsely.
Gandalf smiles "It's alright. Elena is safe."
"And...the halfling?"
"Yes, he is here. He is well."
Bilbo comes to my side helping me stand just as Dwalin and Kili try and lift Thorin. I can bear the relieved sigh from Bilbo seeing Thorin's improvement but the King piercing gaze does nothing to calm my nerves.
"You! What were you doing?!" Thorin snaps shooting daggers at Bilbo and I. The Hobbit and I glance at one another trying to figure out which he's addressing but I suppose we're both in agreeance we're in deep shit.
"Did I not say you would be a burden?" Thorin says breathlessly to me before turning to Bilbo "And that you had no place amongst us?"
The Hobbit and I look to the stone surface we stand in to ignore Thorin's eyes as he now stands inches from us. However, the second I look up I see the King's expression. It's soft and filled with regret and thanks.
"I have never been so wrong in all my life!" He exclaims wrapping Bilbo and me in a bone-crushing embrace.
The company cheers and I can't help but chuckle in relief. He lets us go for a moment and turns to Bilbo "I am sorry I doubted you."
The Hobbit smirks "No, I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero or a warrior. Not even a burglar."
The company chuckles as does Thorin. After he shakes the Hobbits hand Bilbo joins the rest of the company who give him reassurance pats on the shoulder.
My attention from the Hobbit has pulled away as Thorin approaches me.
Without missing a beat he wraps me in an embrace again but this time not so bone-crushing. Not that I minded.
"Elena..." he whispers in my ear "I can not tell you how grateful I am for you."
I shake my head "No-eh, you have much more to be thankful for than me. You're alive."
"Thanks to you!" He says pulling back and holding me at arm's length. His brows are drawn up looking almost worried "You were going to give your life for mine. Trade your freedom and family. Why?"
I smirk lightly squeezing Thorin's arm "It would be a privilege to die in the place of a friend."
"So we are friends then?" He asks.
I smirk "I suppose so."
As I put my hand in my pocket my eyes widen as I pull out the necklace given to Thorin by his mother "Oh! I almost forgot."
I extend it to him and his eyes widen with glee "How did you-? I thought it was lost."
I smile "That's why I chased after you all. I found it in the courtyard in Rivendell. I knew you'd be needing it for this journey ahead. Better put it somewhere safe."
I place it into Thorin's hand and he clasps his fingers around it.
"Thank you, Elena."
Thorin smiles warmly at me and I him. For a moment we're quiet until his hand cups the back of my neck gently pulling me in closer. My eyes widen almost afraid for him to kiss me but yearning for it all the same.
I am thoroughly relieved and disappointed all at once as his lips place a gentle lingering kiss on my forehead. Still, I tremble under the touch of his lips in euphoria.
Just as he pulls away I feel my cheeks burn and I giggle stepping back. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and avoid his gaze.
"Umm...thank you?"
We both chuckle and Thorin finishes tucking the rest of my loose hair from my face. Our eyes are locked for a moment until his shift out in the horizon. His eyes widen and I turn around to see the marvelous sight. In the distance on the horizon sits the lonely mountain.
"Is that what I think it is?" Bilbo asks.
"Our home." Thorin says as tears seem to fill his eyes.
"Look!" Gloin exclaims "The ravens are returning to the mountain."
"That my dear Gloin is a thrush." Gandalf corrects as the rest of the company looks out from the cliff with us.
"We'll take it as a sign. A good omen." Thorin says with a smile looking to me. 
I nod smiling back "Yes, a good omen."
Bilbo chuckles "I agree. I do believe the worst is behind us."

~AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY~

(End of Part One)