"Bre."

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to Thorin's face close to mine. He was kneeling beside me, waking me. My breath stilled. I felt myself blush in his majestic presence. I blinked and looked away. "Wh-what's going on?"

Thorin stood up. "We are leaving. Quickly prepare yourself." He let out a deep breath. "And you'll riding with me."

I sat up and turned entirely around. "Okay." I cleared my throat. "I guess I'll get ready now."

I heard Thorin clear his throat. "Do so quickly. We have quite a journey ahead of us. I don't want you burdening us with your timing." I heard his footstep move away from me to where the horses were.

I quickly rolled the blankets that Bofur and Balin gave me. I awkwardly walked towards the ponies and the dwarves walked towards me. Most of them carried smiles, and a few had confused faces.

Nori stepped forward. "What's the purpose of you coming with us? I heard you're from another land."

"Are you anything like Gandalf," asked Gloin.

"Do you speak some other language," Bombur asked.

I blinked. "I uh--"

Fili smiled. "She's trying to find a home like us."

Kili laughed. "No. She's trying to find her home, but she's coming with us to find an answer of how to reach her land."

Bofur stepped forward and took my blankets from me. "I'll carry these on my pony. You should travel light in case you have to run. But I'm sure you won't have to until we reach the mountain range."

I froze and barely managed a smile. "Okay..."

Bofur winked. "I'll do what I can so you won't run. I want you to stay so I can make you laugh. You'll love my jokes." 

"You're not funny. She didn't laugh at any of your jokes last night," Kili said with furrowed brows.

"She didn't even laugh at yours, Kili." Fili grinned.

I smiled. That's a cute. "Thank you, Bofur."

Fili stepped forward. "I suppose you could ride with me. My pony might not look like much, but she can carry us both."

I grinned. "I'd--"

"No."

All of our heads whirled toward Thorin. He continued walking toward us with Gandalf. "She will ride with me." I felt my heart race as my breath escaped me. The Dwarves exchanged glances as Thorin walked past me.

Gandalf stepped in front of me. "Don't take it personally."

I blinked and paused. "Thorin's attitude?"

Gandalf smiled. "No one here really knows you. Trust is something you must gain, I'm sure you know."

I managed to nod slowly. "I understand."

"Bre." Thorin looked at me as he stood by his pony. "Let's go." He held his hand out to me.

I walked to him and took his hand. He helped me onto his pony. He quickly jumped onto the pony and wrapped his arms around me, grabbing the reigns. "Let's be on our way. I do not want to waste any more daylight here." His mouth came close to my ear as he whispered, "Do not flatter yourself with this ride. You may be riding with a king, but I am merely keeping an eye on you."

I lowered my eyes and smiled. "I understand you have every right to. You're just looking out for your kin right?"

Thorin  paused and nodded. "I also need as many as I can for this quest."

The other dwarves got on their ponies, and we began our journey to the Lonely Mountain, which Bofur told me about as I fell asleep the night before. I tried remembering everything he said, for I didn't want to talk to Thorin. He seemed angry.

Once we entered a wooded area, Thorin broke the silence. "So you're a woman, from man. Yet, you're shorter than us, Dwarves. But taller than Hobbits."

I paused. "I guess that could be a reason you don't trust me. But, I am what I say." I pulled out the necklace. "I think that this might be responsible for my size. It is also the reason I am here."

I felt Thorin's chin on my shoulder. "Where did you get that?"

"I found it near my home... in my homeland."

Thorin let out a small laugh. "It looks like something from our land, of Elvish make especially."

"Elvish make?"

"Indeed. They are the most dishonourable people of this Earth. They are selfish and very self-righteous."

"I don't like the sound of them."

"Then you won't like them, and we'll have something in common."

"We're the same size." I grinned. "We'll have two things in common."

"It's the necklace made you our size." Thorin let out a small laugh. "Taller than a hobbit, shorter than a dwarf. Therefore that necklace is more than it appears to be. It must have magical properties."

"Thorin!"

I felt his head lift from my shoulder. "What is it?"

"Shouldn't we wait for Master Baggins?"

Thorin let out a deep breath and he looked at Gandalf. "That hobbit was a waste of time."

Nori seemed to grunt. "I knew we couldn't use a hobbit."

"Wait! Wait!"

A few dwarves stopped their ponies. We all watched as Bilbo ran to Balin with a piece of paper. "I signed it."

Balin took out a pocket-glass, reading the contract. He smiled at Bilbo. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Every dwarf laughed or agreed except for Thorin. I even smiled a bit. He turned the pony a bit. "Give him a pony."

Bilbo paused. "No, no, no, no, that-that won't be necessary, thank you, but I-I'm sure I can keep up on foot. I-I-I've done my fair share of walking holidays, you know. I even got as far as Frogmorton once--agh!!"

Fili and Kili picked up the hobbit by one arm each and placed him on a pony.

I couldn't help but laugh as Bilbo looked terrified riding his pony. Thorin quickly turned his pony away and let out a small, very quiet laugh. I wanted to look back at Bilbo. He was afraid, but he did look uncomfortable.

"Tell me, Bre," Thorin said. "Do the men of your land wear dresses?"

I raised a brow. "No?"

Thorin nodded.

"Why?"

"In our land woman do unless they are a warrior. Since you have trousers instead of a skirt, I assumed the men of your land wore the skirts."

I paused and swallowed. "I'm not sure you could call me a warrior."

"I'm not sure you could call half of the Dwarves here one."

I blinked. "Wait. What?"

"Come on, Nori, pay up. Go on."

The sound of money sacks being tossed around were filling the air.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

The Dwarves laughed.

I smiled to myself. "They wagered whether Bilbo would come with us or not."

"Indeed." Thorin smiled slightly. "The bets were set last night." I felt Thorin's chest on my back. "There was also a bet on whether I would I allow you to come with us or not."

I paused. When did this happen?!

Bofur caught a bag of money and winked at me.

"No, no, wait, wait. Stop! Stop! We have to turn around." Everyone stopped and faced Bilbo.

Thorin sighed. "What is it now," Thorin's voice was low and tickled my ear a bit.

"What on earth is the matter," Gandalf asked Bilbo.

I looked down, trying to hide my smile.

"I forgot my handkerchief."

Bofur's eyes widened like he got an idea. He quickly tore a piece of cloth from his clothes and tossed it to Bilbo. "Here! Use this."

Bilbo caught the rag and made a face. The dwarves laughed.

"Move on." Thorin moved our pony forward.

I stayed quiet as we traveled along the forests, hills, and plains of what Bofur told me was Middle Earth. He was quickly shooed by what I think was a glare from Thorin. However, Fili ventured by our side and ocassionally flahed quick grins and smiles at me before Thorin's head turned his way. However, Fili dared to venture closer.

"Hello there, Bre." Fili smiled.

"Hi." I smiled.

Thorin turned his head toward Fili.

"Hello, Uncle."

Thorin faced forward again. "What is the matter Fili?"

Fili let out a small laugh. "I simply wished to speak to our guest."

"And you have spoken."

My brows furrowed. "Like a word."

Fili smiled and came closer to our side. "Have you ever fought with a sword before?"

"Or perhaps arrows," Kili called from behind.

I let out a small laugh. "I fought with a plastic and wooden sword before."

"Plastic?" Fili made a face. "What is plastic?"

"It's a strong material that you can bend and change into anything you want it to."

"It sounds like it may be a strong weapon," Fili said.

"However, it can bend," Thorin said.

My brows furrowed. "It can be a pretty useful weapon."

"What else exists in your world," Fili asked with beaming eyes.

I paused and looked down. I smiled as I held out my wrist. "These do-hickies!"

Kili's pony ran to the other side of Thorin and me. "Do-hickies?"

"Yeah." I slid off the hair tie.

"We call those bracelets here," Thorin said quickly.

"But it's not a bracelet." I moved some of my hair forward and tied it into a side pony-tail. "It's a... do-hickie that ties your hair." 

Fili's mouth was agape. "She did that faster than we could ever with these hair clasps." 

I let out a small laugh. "People in a rush usually use them." 

Kili laughed. "Perhaps you'll spend less than three hours tying your hair brother, and Uncle perhaps you could--" 

"Enough," Thorin said. "No matter how marvelous this do-hickie is, she does not have enough for us to use." 

I lowered my gaze. "He's right." 

"Now put the matter aside," Thorin ordered. "We have other priorities."

We reached the edge of a cliff and began building camp there. Most of the dwarves decided to sleep. Bofur quickly made my bed before he made his own. I let out a small laugh as I thanked him.

He smiled at me. "It's the least I can do to let your pretty blue eyes light up."

"How'd you know I was tired?"

Bofur let out a small laugh. "Thorin can be a handful, and your dealing with the Durin brothers can wear you out." He grinned. "You shouldn't have gone through the silent treatment of Thorin. He means well, I promise."

I grinned and hugged him.

He paused and hugged me back. As I let go he smiled. "Now please sleep, miss Bre."

"Okay."

I lied down and closed my eyes, but I woke up as one Dwarf let out a loud snore. That was a nice ten minute sleep. I groaned and got up. I spotted Thorin and walked towards the fire Kili and Fili must have built. He was dozing off. His head was leaning back against the rock and everything. I smiled.

"Orcs," I heard Kili say.

Thorin's head jerked up, and I instantly covered my mouth to muffle my gasp. I uncovered my mouth and looked at Thorin. "Are you okay?"

Thorin looked away from me and looked at Kili and Bilbo.

Fili looked at Bilbo. "Throat cutters. There'll be dozens of them out there. The lowlands are crawling with them."

Kili continued. "They strike in the wee small hours, when everyone's asleep. Quick and quiet; no screams, just lots of blood."

Bilbo looked away, his skin getting paler. Fili and Kili looked at each other and laughed.

Thorin quickly moved toward them. "You think that's funny? You think a night raid by orcs is a joke?"

Kili swallowed. "We didn't mean anything by it."

"No, you didn't. You know nothing of the world." Thorin walked to the edge of the cliff and looked out at the valley.

I hesitantly followed him. "Hey... are you, uhm, are you alright?"

Thorin didn't even bother to looked at me. He continued to stare out at the valley. He took a deep breath. "What do you want?"

I paused. "What?"

He turned to me. "What do you want, miss Bre?"

I paused. "I uh..." I looked down at my hands. "I just wanted to know if you were okay. You seem upset."

His stare was harsh but not cruel. "I will not be all right until we regain my throne and home." He looked at the dwarves then me. "Our home."

I nodded slowly. "Because you're their king."

He nodded. "They are my strength. After we lost our home... we tried to reclaim an ancient home of my kin and were attacked by Orcs, and I lost part o fmy family that day..."

I blinked. "You fought Orcs and sought revenge..."

Thorin lowered his gaze. "To answer your question, no, I am not all right. I've been quite upset for a long time. I've been upset for many years in fact."

I paused. "Why?"

"Because I lost everything. My throne, my father, my home."

I stared at his eyes. I felt tears starting to form behind my eyes. I took a deep breath and continued to stare at Thorin's eyes. I pursed my lips. "Then you understand why I felt the need to come with you and the other dwarves. I've lost everything also. I don't even have a path to get back home. Until I find a way back home I've lost everything. But, hey, you already know the way to your home."

Thorin paused and looked away. "You... you don't even know the way to yours."

I shook my head. "And as you know I really don't look like I belong to men, dwarves, hobbits, or anything else. I don't really fit in anywhere here."

Thorin continued to stay quiet. His eyes were fixated on the floor. He was probably thinking.

"Our forces railed and drove the orcs back," I heard Balin say. Thorin and I exchanged glances and walked to the others where Balin continued speaking. "Our enemy had been defeated. But there was no feast, no song, that night for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived. And I thought to myself then, there is one I could follow. There is one I could call king."

"But the pale orc," Bilbo asked. "What happened to him?"

Thorin took his last step towards the party. "He slunk back into the hole whence he came. That filth died from his wounds long ago." He genlty glared at everyone and walked to his made-bed. "Good night."

I took a step to follow Thorin, but Kili took a hold of my arm. I looked him in the eyes. "Please." Kili sighed and let go. I quietly followed Thorin.

He stopped in his tracks. "What is it now? I already said I'm not all right."

I swallowed. "I just want to wish you a good night. And I'm sorry. I should have understood that you didn't trust me for a good reason. That's all." I turned around. "Good night."

"Bre."

I turned around to face a smiling Thorin. "Yes?..."

He looked down and pursed his lips. He looked back up at me with his mouth agape. "Good night." I went to the bed Bofur made for me and slept.

"Bre!"

I woke up to a smiling Kili in front of my face. I groaned and sat up. "Do we have to get up and leave now?"

Kili nodded. "It's Thorin's order."

Thorin walked toward us. "The faster we move the less of a chance we'll be caught by Orcs." He held out his hand. "I plan to reach the mountain before losing my life."

I sighed, taking Thorin's hand, and packed my blankets. I rode with Thorin as we all ventured into a forest... with rain. My brows crashed and I pursed my lips. This is a time I would have loved a wish to waste on an umbrella.There was no such things as straighteners in this land...

Bofur made his pony ride along side Thorin and I. He smiled. "You must be colder than us." He held out a furry piece of clothing. "Here, wear this."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"She not need it." Thorin's tone was a bit harsh. "If she wears that I'll breath in that fur." He wrapped part of his clothing on my sides. "Is this fine for you?"

I looked away in the direction opposite of Bofur and smiled. "That's fine. Thank you. And thank you for your offer, Bofur."

"You're welcome, Darlin'." Bofur shrugged and slowly moved back.

Thorin cleared his throat. "Let me know if I should lean forward more to give you more cover."

I smiled. "Could you lean forward just a little bit?" He did so, and his chin was on my shoulder.

"Here, Mr. Gandalf," I heard Dori speak, "can't you do something about this deluge?"

"It is raining, Master Dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done."

"In other words, he's as useless a wizard as useless as that hobbit is," Thorin said in a low whisper.

I let out a small laugh.

Thorin let out a quieter laugh. "Is there rain in your land?"

"Yes." I looked down at the horses neck. "There are also these things called umbrellas that stop the rain from falling on you. And there's these things call cars that you can ride in the rain without the rain falling on you." 

"You wouldn't happen to have one of these things would you?" 

I shook my head with a small laugh. "A car is too big and too heavy to carry." 

"Bigger than a horse?" Thorin grinned.

I grinned back. "No. Just heavier than one." Thorin and I locked gazes.

He looked down and leaned back a bit. I put my eyes back on the road. He leaned forward and covered my arms and sides with what he could of his clothing. I smiled, knowing what he was doing without out him spelling it out for me... or at least, I think he was flirting. We eventually arrived at an old farm house as the rain stopped.

Thorin stopped the horse. "We'll make camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them."

Gandalf looked at the farm house. "A famer and his family used to live here."

"Well it is a farm," I said.

Bofur laughed. "That it is."

Thorin continued giving orders. "Oin, Gloin."

"Aye," Gloin was now attentive.

"Get a fire going."

"Right you are," Gloin said.

Gandalf faced Thorin. "I think it would be wiser to move on. We could make for the Hidden Valley."

Thorin seemed to glare at Gandalf. "I have told you already, I will not go near that place."

"Why not? The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."

"I don't need their advice."

"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us."

I could feel a fire building in Thorin. "Help? A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, the Elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people that betrayed my grandfather and betrayed my father."

"You are neither of them. I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past."

"I did not know they were yours to keep."

Gandalf's brows crashed together and he stomped away. He stomped out of view.

I watched Bilbo follow Gandalf asking him worrying questions. I looked back at Thorin who seemed more angry than the wizard.

"Miss Bre."

I turned and faced Bofur. "Perhaps spending time with Thorin right now wouldn't be wise."

I sighed with pursed lips. "I can't help but feel that you're right."

Bofur paused. "That's a very unhappy face."

I shrugged. "No one can be happy all the time."

"Maybe they can." Bofur smiled. "I may not be as silent as Thorin, but perhaps you could spend time with me until it's time to sleep."

I smiled and took Bofur's hand. "That would be great."

Bofur grinned. "I saw a nice grass field not too far from here. There are wild scented-lollers and poppies growing there, and rare gardenias. Would you like to go there?"

"As long as you're there with me."

"Of course I will be. There might be monster near by, and my mother taught me not to leave a lady alone." He held his hand out and I took it. We walked toward the grassy field. Bofur sat down, and I sat next to him.

He picked a few blades of grass. "Are you enjoying yourself? Aside from all the anger Thorin and Gandalf spilled out. And the silent treatment Thorin gives you. He means well, he's just a very unbreakable person."

I nodded and smiled. "It's not as amazing as the first day I met all of you, but I know that a journey like this isn't fun and games all the time." I plucked a few blades of grass.

Bofur smiled as he picked a few more blades of grass, but unlike me he was tying them together. "Is it fun in your land? You know, lots of smiling faces, plenty of laughs and good times. Think laughter that feels eternal."

I shrugged. "Sometimes it is and sometimes it's not. It depends on who you're with and what you enjoy doing together."

He picked a few of the yellow flowers near him and tied them together with the grass circle he made. "So what we're doing now, would that be considered fun in your land?" His smile was the sweetest thing I looked at. "Because I consider this fun."

I smiled. "Yes, yes it is."

He let out a small laugh. "I'm glad we're doing something fun. Gets my mind off of the death that could come along because we could die any second." He picked a few red flowers. "Not that I think we will, but there are definitely more fun moments than I expected."

I picked some grass. "So your home was taken by a dragon."

Bofur nodded. "Everything Thorin said is true, but I do not believe that all Elves are bad."

I blinked and looked at Bofur. "Why is that? Their king left your kin for dead. Kings are the representatives of their kin."

He smiled as he tied the grass and flowers into a circle. "There was an Elf maid who I met and taught me how to do this." He placed the circle onto my head. "It's a crown made of grass, flowers, and two twigs I found just now." He smiled widely.

I laughed as I felt the crown on my head. "She taught you to do this?"

"Yes." He nodded. "And she told me that I should make it and only give it to a lovely lass."

I looked down and smiled to myself. "Thank you, Bofur."

He smiled. "No need. It looks beautiful on you." He looked up at the darkening sky and placed his hand on mine. "Come, I believe supper will be ready soon."

We walked back to the camp, and I could smell the soup as I sat on a log not far from it.

Bofur turned to me. "Bombur said it's almost ready."

I smiled. "Good. I'm starving."

He smiled. "A pretty lass never should." He handed me a bowl, and I began to eat. He sat beside me. "We'll have a lot of time for talking, so let's eat for now."

I nodded and ate my meal ravenously. Bofur didn't mind beause he was doing the same thing too. He even laughed as we looked at each other. I burped and stared at Bofur. He burped and laughed heartily. I laughed with him.

Bofur grinned at me. "Would you like some more?"

I nodded, and we both went back to serve ourselves some more soup.

"Wait," Bofur looked at Bombur. "Have Fili and Kili had any?"

Bombur shook his head.

Bofur took a bowl. "Sorry, Bre, but I think we should serve the lads first."

I nodded and looked at the starry sky of the night. It had a been a while since I could actually see stars. There were too many lights in my world that didn't allow me to see the stars often. I looked back at my soup and continued eating what was left of it.

Bofur smiled. "Fancy the stars do you?"

I nodded and swallowed the last spoonful of my soup. "Don't you?"

Bofur shrugged. "From time to time." He began serving two bowls of soup. "There just really far away, cold lights."

"You're sort of right about that."

"He's been a long time," Bilbo said.

 Bofur turned to Bilbo. "Who?"

"Gandalf."

"He's a wizard! He does as he chooses. Here do us a favor: take this to the lads." He handed Bilbo the two bowls.

Bilbo walked away with the two bowls. I watched Bilbo walk away until I couldn't see him anymore.

"Stop it, you've had plenty." Bofur stopped Bombur from getting more soup. 

I turned to Bofur. "Something feels off."

Bofur looked at me. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's obvious that I'm in a very dangerous land. I thought that if someone were nervous that meant something.

Bofur smiled. "Not to belittle your statement, but Master Baggins is nervous quite often."

"But he has lived here. He should be used to most of these things."

Bofur let out a small laugh. "He hasn't been out in this world for a while."

I paused. "Never mind. I just can't shake this feeling."

We heard two hoots of a barn owl and one of a brown. Bofur looked at me. He paused. "That's the call of Fili and Kili. We must tell Thorin."

"I already heard." Thorin was on the other side of the fire. He paused and looked me over. "Bre, what is that on your head?"

I paused. "Oh, uh, I... it's a flower crown."

Thorin opened his mouth as if to speak, but he started walking away. "Come, we must hurry."

Fili ran towards us. "It's Bilbo."

Thorin took a deep breath. "Quickly then." We began running towards a more forest-like area. We halted near some bushes that were close to a fire.

Bofur stopped me. "Bre, take this." He handed me a dagger. "You need something to protect yourself."

"We shall take the trolls by surprise," Thorin whispered. "It is our best chance." We hid behind bushes. There were three trolls and two seemed to be in conversation.

There was a troll holding Bilbo. Another was pointing at him. "Make him squeal."

"No!" Kili ran out and cut  troll's leg. "Drop him."

"You what?"

Kili looked up at him. "I said drop him."

We all rushed out of the bushes towards the trolls. I tried cutting one of the troll's legs. The troll looked at me and I ran towards Bofur. He looked at the dwarf and I ran towards Bilbo. I saw Bilbo free the ponies and smile at me. One of the trolls grabbed Bilbo and I froze. All of the dwarves stopped as two trolls held Bilbo by his arms and legs.

"Bilbo!" Kili rushed forward.

"No!" Thorin stopped Kili from moving foward.

"Lay down your arms, or we'll rip his off."

Thorin sighed. He planted his sword in the ground. Everyone dropped their swords and I tossed my dagger aside. "That's more like it." They began tying us up. Some of us were in sacks. The rest were tied onto a spit. I was lucky to get tied up into a sack.

"Don't bother cooking them. Let's just sit on them and squash them into jelly," one of the trolls suggested gleefully.

I looked at Thorin. "So... since we're going to be eaten..."

Thorin looked at me.

"Never mind." I looked away.

"They should be sauteed and grilled with a sprinkle of sage," the other troll argued.

"Is this really necessary?" Dori asked.

"Ooh, that does sound quite nice." The first troll smiled.

"Untie us, you monsters!" Oin cried.

"Take on someone your own size!" Gloin yelled.

Everyone began making noises. A few dwarves were screaming. I heard one say, "They're going to eat us all."

My eyes widened and I turned to Thorin again. "Okay, so since we're going to be eaten, and this might not really matter, I always thought you were hott."

Thorin's brows furrowed. "I believe the Dwarves on the spit are hot."

I blinked. "I... right..."

"Never mind the seasoning; we ain't got all night! Dawn ain't far away, so let's get a move on. I don't fancy being turned to stone." The troll sounded annoyed.

I paused and saw Bilbo's face light up. I grinned at him, getting the same idea. "Stall them," I whispered.

Bilbo nodded and turned his face to the trolls. "Wait! You're making a terrible mistake."

"You can't reason with them, they're half-wits!" Dori yelled.

Bofur grunted. "Half-wits? What does that make us?"

Bilbo managed to stand up and face the trolls. "Uh, I meant with the, uh, with, uh, with the seasoning."

"What about the seasoning?" The troll looked at Bilbo.

 "Well have you smelt them? You're going to need something stronger before you plate this lot up." Bilbo smiled.

The dwarves started yelling; a few called him a traitor. I saw a few try to kick Bilbo. I kicked one of the dwarves that kicked Bilbo.

"What do you know about cooking dwarf?" The troll moved closer to Bilbo.

"He's an expert," I shouted.

The other troll was annoyed. "Shut up and let the, uh, flurgaburbura hobbit talk."

Bilbo continued. "Uh, th-the secret to cooking dwarf is, um--"

"Yes? Come on."

"It's, uh..."

"Tell us the secret." The troll rushed Bilbo.

"Ye-yes, I'm telling you, the secret is... to skin them first!" He seemed proud of his misleading statement as the Dwarves yelled.

The troll seemed pleased. "Tom, get me the filleting knife."

Gloin yelled, "If I get you, you little--"

Dwalin called out,  "I won't forget that!"

The troll was angry. "What a load of rubbish! I've eaten plenty with their skin on. Scuff them, I say, boots and all."

I looked at the horizon. I thought I caught of glimse of Gandalf in the corner of my eye. I gapsed and saw nothing but a tree.

"'e's right! Nothing wrong with a bit of raw dwarf! Nice and crunchy." He lifted Bombur. My eyes widened as Bombur dangled over the troll's mouth.

Bilbo spoke to stop the troll. "Not-not that one, he-he's infected!"

"You what?" The troll turned to Bilbo.

Bilbo went on. "Yeah, he's got worms in his... tubes."

The troll dropped Bombur back onto the pile, and he stepped back in disgust. 

"In-in fact they all have, they're in-infested with parasites. It's a terrible business; I wouldn't risk it, I really wouldn't." Bilbo shook his head.

"Parasites," Oin said loudly, " did he say parasites?"

Kili didn't understand the plan. "We don't have parasites. You have parasites," He yelled at Bilbo.

"You have parasite," I yelled at Kili.

Kili frowned with crash brows.

"What are you talking about, laddie," Gloin yelled.

I rolled my eyes as I'm sure Bilbo rolled his. I looked at Thorin, and he nodded. He kicked one of the dwarves. Everyone paused and seemed to understand what Bilbo was doing.

Oin spoke hesitantly, "I've got parasites as big as my arms."

Kili chimed in. "I've got the biggest parasites, I've got huge parasites!"

"We're riddled."

"Yes, I'm riddled!"

"Yes, we are! Badly!"

The troll turned to Bilbo. "What would you have us, then, let 'em all go?"

Bilbo slightly shrugged. "Well..."

"You think I don't know what you're up to? This little ferret is taking us for fools!"

Bilbo blinked, offended. "Ferret?"

"Fools?" The trolls exchanged glances.

Gandalf appeared on the top of the rock behind the trolls. "The dawn will take you all."

The trolls turned to Gandalf as we all did.

"Who's that?"

"No idea."

"Can we eat 'im too?"

Gandalf struck the rock with the base of his staff. Rock split in half, and sunlight ventured toward the trolls. My eyes widened as a troll came near me, but he staggered away. The trolls straggered around as they became stone. Everyone cheered and smiled at Gandalf. I grinned, feeling the greatest relief I felt in a long time. I looked at Thorin who was grinning at Gandalf too. He began to untie us.

Fili and Kili helped untie me.

"I kind of prefered her that way." Fili grinned.

Kili let out a small laugh. "Be a gentleDwarf, brother. Mother raised you better."

I winked at Fili and walked away. I spotted Gandalf and Thorin in conversation.

Kili and Fili smiled at me. "How are you, Miss Bre?" They exchanged glances as they rushed to stand in my way.

I laughed. "I'm alright. Thank you."

Fili looked at my flower crown. "That's a beautiful crown. Did you make it?"

I shook my head. "It was given to me. I'm glad it didn't fall off." I felt the crown on top of my head.

Kili and Fili paused. Kili asked, "Who made it for you?"

I smiled to myself. "A very kind person."

Fili and Kili looked out at the dwarves. They're expressions showed the obvious confusion in their minds.

Kili looked at me. "Is he within our company?"

I nodded. "I won't say who though."

"It doen't matter who he is." Fili smiled. "I can change your mind about him." He kissed my hand. "And I will."

I blinked. "What?"