The day had broken over the east mountains, and its golden light bathed Rivendell in hues of gold and orange. We had climbed up into the mountains, and now were lumbering up a narrow path. I had been bombarded with praise since I had left Lindir unconscious in the halls that wove into Rivendell's elegant network.

We were in a single file line and I stood behind Bofur and in front of Bilbo – whom I constantly checked on –. My bag weighed down on my back and I realized how much I missed timid Milquetoast. The pony had been timid, and had abandoned us after the wargs attacked, but he had been useful. With the constant rubbing of my bag's straps around my arms my skin was pinched and pulled. My chest despised the feeling as the stitches tugged painfully on my skin.

As soon as my adrenaline had evaporated in my blood, I began to feel all the stress and the pain come roaring back. I wanted to be sure that after all this, the chaotic antics would not be held against me; especially after Thorin had heard Elrond's warning towards Gandalf.

I knew he was still skeptical of me – Thorin, I mean – but my little display of violence towards Lindir had him looking at me thoughtfully. It was almost as if he was beginning to trust me, even if it was just a little bit.

"Be on your guard. We're about to step over the edge of The Wild." Thorin warned us, stopping, and turning back to us, "Balin, you know these paths. Lead on." Thorin commanded our white-haired friend who mumbled an agreement. I followed Bofur, never hesitating in my movement forward.

"Master Baggins," Thorin called and I looked back over my shoulder to see Bilbo had stopped and was looking back at Rivendell, longingly, "I suggest you keep up." Bilbo began to follow, and I stepped out of line; my heals barely touching the ledge that fell away behind me as I waited Bilbo. I wanted to make sure he felt safe, and I knew that my presence had that effect on him.

It was nice. Being wanted.

Our path led through a pine riven ravine, branches sheltering us from above. I saw birds – chiefly robins or cardinals – fluttering about, colors dancing together against the blue sky.

"You're bleeding." I looked up, seeing that Fili and Kili had stopped and waited for me. I furrowed my brow and looked down at my chest, seeing that the front of my shirt was a little damp with blood.

"Oh." I mumbled softly, but kept walking, the boys able to walk beside me now – seeing as the path had widened a little –.

"Here." Fili said and took my bag so I could tend to my stitches. I moved the collar of my shirt father own and dabbed at the stitches with my sleeve.

"Do you think Oin would be annoyed if I asked him to look at it once we make camp?" I asked and Kili snorted.

"Oin? He'd be happy to." Kili said and clapped a hand on my shoulder gently.

"By the way," Bilbo added, speaking to me for the first time since we had left Rivendell, "that was smart – your plan –." Bilbo appraised me with a smile.

I looked at him and felt a smile tug at my lips. "Really?" I asked and Fili chuckled at my disbelieving stare. "I haven't talked to people like that since..." I trailed off, but with the curious looks of the boys, I knew I had to tell them. "Since I lived in Gondor."

Bilbo's brow furrowed as he recognized the name of the great city of Middle-Earth. "How long ago was that?" Bilbo asked, almost timidly.

I smiled to myself – trying to lighten the somber mood – and shrugged, "Almost eleven years? I was nine when I left." I informed them. "Ecthelion of Gondor became weary of me and my family, he thought we were too dangerous to be simply ignored." I whispered, the memory of the fire in my families' shop springing up in my mind.

"What did he do?" Fili whispered.

I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. I had never uttered these words to any other human, elf, or dwarf alive, but this could be good. I could finally get it off my chest. I opened my mouth to speak, sighing a little, "He tried to kill us." I spoke. It surprised me how easily the words came, and how completely fine I felt about it. "He had a pair of guards set fire to my home, only I was the only one inside." I added and clenched my fists.

"Ecthelion tried to kill you?" Kili asked, disbelievingly. I nodded and took my bag back from Fili with a smile of thanks.

"That he did." I confirmed, "My gran and mom got me out, and we ran. We didn't get too far, but my mom and grandma made sure I got away." I added, remembering the look of utter confidence in my grandma's eyes. She was sure I'd make it, and she was sure I'd see her again.

"Did they..." Bilbo trailed off; unsure if he should speak the dreaded words aloud.

"No." I responded simply, "I chose to believe they made it out. They believed they would get out, so I have confidence in them." I informed Bilbo and he smiled softly up at me. I could see the doubt in his eyes, but it didn't matter if he doubted the status of my family, because I knew and that was enough...