(Thorin)

I struggle to free myself from the sack. While Gandalf helps the other dwarves down from the spit Elena comes to my aid. Crouching down she quickly begins untying the ropes. Before I can look up and catch her gaze I'm freed, and she is upright extending her hand. Hesitantly I take it and she hoist me to my feet.

"There we go." She says cheerfully and takes a quick glance up at me.

I smirk seeing the red in her cheeks. She is so easy to get flustered over nothing. Perhaps it's the nearly closed space between us as we stand face to face. I give her hand a light squeeze and her eyes lock back with mine.

Gently I give my gratitude "Thank you."

She nods "Your welcome." and steps away looking to the ground.

"Wait!" I grab her arm and she looks back and I feel my cheeks flush. Quickly I release her crossing my arms "How did you accomplish all of that?"

I motion to the trolls and she shrugs "I just...improvised."

"Improvised?" I sound more angered than intended "You saved us based on luck?"

"But did you die?" she asks with a snort and I give her a smirk "No, I suppose not. That was very brave. Clever." I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, my fingertips brushing against her cheek.

Blushing her eyes widen and she smiles looking to her feet "Oh, um, th-thank you."

I chuckle and nod when she looks back up to me smiling back. The unfamiliar feeling arises in my chest. Elena, for some unknown reason, brings me comfort and fear all at once. Her presence is comforting and her continuous kindness despite my brooding and sharp bite of words. However, the thought of her being in danger, getting injured, or worse, terrifies me. Clearing my throat, I place my hands behind my back and leave her without another word.

"Brave one, isn't she?" Gandalf asks as he's leaned against the stone statues.

Glancing back at Elena as she helps the Hobbit free, I nod "Yes, if you consider scampering in the shadows brave."

Gandalf narrows his eyes "Hmm, yes, but, still in one piece."

"No thanks to your burglar."

"He had the nous to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that."

Repentantly I nod before taking one more glance at the Hobbit who locks eyes with me. Giving a reassuring nod he turns and joins Elena and Bofur in conversation. Gandalf turns, examining the trolls suspiciously "They must have come down from the Ettenmoors."

I raise a brow "Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south?"

"Oh, not for an age. Not since a darker power ruled these lands." Gandalf's face darkens and I feel my stomach twist. For a moment I feel like I may be sick. Taking a calming breath, I look around "They couldn't have moved in daylight. There must be a cave nearby."

The smell could burn the hair from my chin. The sickening feeling from earlier is nothing compared to this. I'm gagging, trying not to lose what little food I have on my stomach. We all follow Gandalf into the troll cave that is stocked of dusted weapons and treasure boxes.

"What's the stench?" Kili retches.

"It is a troll hoard." Gandalf calls back "Be careful with what you touch."

"Why did that just make this ten times more disgusting?" Elena asks following behind me.

I glance back "Because you know exactly what it means."

Elena groans and the rest of the Company follows suit. As we go deeper within the cave, I catch Gloin and Bofur open a chest that is filled the gold coins. Bofur eyes it "Seems a shame to leave it lying around. Anyone could take it."

Gloin turns speaking loudly "Agreed. Nori, get a shovel."

Shaking my head, I turn away from the dwarves as they begin digging as quickly as they can. Over at the bottom of the cave Elena stands next to Gandalf expecting the weapons. Joining Elena, she smirks at me from the side as she reaches for a long, slick, black bow with silver markings.

"I wouldn't if I were you..." I say reaching for the bow "You don't seem like the sort to handle such a weapon."

Pulling back and holding the bow to her she scoffs "Trust me, I think I can handle it."

I scoff "Do you now?"

I see the small flicker of anger in her eye, but she keeps her composure. Smirking she grabs the quiver filled the arrows and places the bow across her body. Sighing I nod and turn away looking to all the swords made with precise crafting.

"These were not made by any troll."

Gandalf picks up his own sword examining the markings "Nor were they made by any smith among men. They were forged in the Gondolin by the High Elves of the First age."

Once more my stomach churns, but not from the smell of the cave. Before I unsheathe the sword, I pull back ready to cast it aside in disgust. Glaring at me the wizard snaps "You could not wish for a finer blade!"

I look to Elena who looks from the sword to me. She gives a nod of approval and I reluctantly unsheathe the weapon, holding it high above me. Picking up my torch, I extend it to Elena "Here. Hold this."

Just as soon as she takes hold, I feel her hand touch mine. As soon as we touch, I hear a pained gasp leave her lips and her eyes widen. She looks into the flames of the torch as if she were seeing a monster. The light pink birthmark between her brows erupts in a silver light and she lets out a petrifying scream.

(Gandalf)

My blood runs cold. Every fiber in my body ceases movement as the scene unfolds. The glow from her mark erupts in a silver light the moment she touches Thorin's hand. I can see the look of Elena's petrified face. Her blue eyes now turned to a silver white as the vision before her unfolds. Screaming, she clutches her chest, eyes darting around the cave walls. Flinching and crying out for ghost of another's memory.

"GRANDFATHER!" she screams reaching out before Dwalin lays a hand on her shoulder.

"Lassy, wake-.."
Her body jolts and as her grip on Thorin tightens, constricting his hand. The King drops the torch as the embers scatter along the cave floor. Cupping her cheek, he speaks to her trying to wake her from her horrific visions.

"My lady, it's me. It's Thorin. Elena, look at me-it's alright."

"What's wrong with her?" Balin asks as he too lays a hand on her, but she only screams louder and results to sobbing.

Pushing into the dwarves O shove them off one by one "Don't touch her for God sake!"

All dwarves step back and Elena crumples to the stone floor. Sobbing tears streak her face as she hides herself within her hands. Gently I wrap an arm around her shielding her from the others. Many of the other Dwarves and Bilbo look puzzled and no short measure of worried.

"The fire! I saw the fire! The heat was b-b-burning my skin!" Elena cries "I-I saw the bodies! Piles-and-piles-and-piles of bodies! Dead.... Th-they were all dead." whimpers trembling as I cradle her to me. I look to Thorin who stares wide eyed at the girl before setting his fretful gaze upon me. Without words he knows. Thorin has figured out more than what I've told him. Whatever is inside of Elena is powerful and also dangerous. Even now, as I cradle her, I'm not even sure I realize how much.