Chapter 39: Pursuit

"Oh no!" cried Bilbo as they reentered their campsite. Sara could not quite see what had distressed the hobbit but she could hear Nori, Bifur, and Bombur's muttered curses. Thorin had insisted they return to camp before continuing the discussion with Dwalin, as the branches that Bilbo, Ori, and Bifur held were all threatening to burn themselves out and none wanted to be left in the dark. Only Bifur's branch still gave off any light by the time they found camp again, but as she pushed forward into the light of the campfire they had left behind, she could see the wreckage that had been camp. Their packs had been pilfered and food was strewn helter skelter across the ground, as were some of their smaller possessions.

"What happened here?" asked Ori, picking up his open pack. No one said anything as they set about gathering their belongings and salvaging what they could. Sara found her bag and pulled the opening at the top wider, searching its contents with a hand. She screamed and fell backwards dropping the bag as a furry missile shot up her arm and over her head into the darkness beyond, chittering all the way. Her heart hammered an erratic staccato in her chest as she fought to get her breathing under control. A squirrel. It was only a squirrel.

"Ya all right lass?" asked Bofur as he helped her to her feet. She nodded.

"Yes, I'm fine. It just startled me. I guess I'm still jumpy."

"Understandably so," said Bombur, depositing Gloin on the ground beside where Dori had laid Oin. The brothers were both still unconscious, although Oin showed signs of stirring.

"At least we know what happened to our packs," growled Nori, snatching a large rat from his open bag before snapping its neck and throwing it off the path. Sara poked her bag with a toe, bracing for another critter barrage but when her pack remained still she picked it up and began to sort through it.

"Bring any food that remains and we will assess what we have," said Thorin, helping Dwalin to sit by the fire. The warrior still did not look good. There was a dark stain from his shoulder and his arm hung limply by his side.

"How is Oin," asked Thorin as he began to go through his own bag.

"Still out but coming around," said Dori.

"Do we have his bag with the medical supplies?" asked Thorin as Sara brought two cakes and her jar of honey and put them on Thorin's bedroll where a small pile was forming.

"Yes we did find his, but not Gloin or Dwalin's," answered Dori, bringing the pack over to Thorin who sat next to Dwalin helping him out of his shirt and accoutrements. Sara's stomach turned as she saw the flesh around the two punctures in his shoulder. The skin was gray and swollen, so much so that the bleeding had stopped. Instead of blood the wounds wept a sickly yellow pus that gave off a nauseating smell. She stepped closer, covering her nose and mouth with a hand.

"Can you even feel or move your arm?" she asked. Dwalin did not respond but kept his head turned away from her. "Dwalin?" she asked again. Nothing. She looked to Balin who was pulling bandages from Oin's pack. He glanced up at her and gave a small shake of his head.

"Perhaps you should occupy yourself elsewhere," suggested Thorin. "See if you can bring Oin around, this wound is beyond my capability to treat." She saw the muscles tense in Dwalin's cheeks as his good hand clenched in a fist on his pant leg.

"All right," she said, and Thorin nodded his approval. By the time she made her way over to Bifur who was sitting with Oin, the healers eyes were open and he set up rubbing the back of his head. Bifur gave her a small nod as she crouched beside them.

"How are you feeling?" she asked Oin. His eyes looked to the side but when he saw her his back stiffened and he pointedly looked away. Great, Oin to. At this rate Gloin was probably still mad at her as well, or he would be when he woke up. Seeing Oin ignore her, Bifur said something to him in their native tongue. She wished she understood dwarvish, but even that didn't stop her from missing the venom in Oin's reply as he jerked a thumb at her. Bifur's face darkened and he folded his arms and then waved a hand to her as he replied fervently to Oin's words making the healer's face turn red as he opened his mouth to argue.

"Oin," she interjected. His mouth snapped shut. "You can be mad at me later if you want to, but Thorin told me to send you over when you were awake. Dwalin was bitten by one of the spiders and it doesn't look good. His skin is all gray and I don't think he can move his arm." Oin sat still, staring straight ahead. She sighed in frustration. Stubborn dwarves! "Oin did you hear me? Dwalin is injured and needs your help!" she insisted. Bifur reached over and smacked the healer's shoulder. Finally Oin stood, and without gracing either of them was so much as a look and went to help Thorin and Balin. Thorin's look of relief was clear when Oin took over. Bifur sat massaging his forehead around the ax-head grimacing in pain.

"You okay?" she asked. Bifur tapped his temple.

"Headache?" she guessed. He nodded.

"Is there anything I can do?" He shook his head but smiled at her.

"I'm not sure what you said to Oin but I can guess," she said. "Thanks." He waved her off as Fili approached and crouched by her side looking concerned.

"Uncle wants us to gather so we can talk about the food rations and hear Dwalin's warning."

"What about Gloin?" she asked, gesturing to where he was still asleep. Leaning forward she saw pollen on his face. She sighed and used her shirt sleeve to wipe the dust from his eyes. "He'll likely be out for a while if that's been there long."

"We'll bring him closer to the fire with the others," said Fili, heaving the sleeping dwarf over his shoulder. Soon they were all sitting clustered around the fire watching Oin tend to Dwalin with Balin's help. Sara glanced at Kili who had come to sit beside her and Fili. He still wasn't talking much but he wasn't actively ignoring them anymore either, and he had even regained some of his appetite. Pity there would not be much to eat for a while. Sara's heart dropped when she saw the dismally small pile of food in front of Thorin. Knowing how much Dwarves ate and with their increased numbers she guessed they had maybe two or three days of food left.

"I've done all I can," said Oin addressing Thorin and Dwalin. "I've never seen anything quite like it. It's as if the spider's venom destroys living tissue. I'm not sure which will act faster, the necrosis or our natural dwarf regenerative ability. I can do my best to fight the infection and several herbs from Beorn should help, but I don't know what causes the paralysis."

"All right," said Thorin, his face grade as Oin sat. "Is anyone else injured? How is Gloin?"

"I found no injury on him as I carried him back," said Bombur.

"He did have fern pollen on his face," volunteered Sara. "He's probably just asleep from that."

"Was he exposed to a fern?" Thorin asked Dwalin and Oin. Their eyebrows rose in confusion.

"Did you never leave the path?" asked Balin. They shook their heads.

"Then you were wiser than we were," said Thorin and he quickly explained their misadventure the first day and their subsequent discoveries about the forest.

"Gloin was knocked off the path when the spiders attacked," said Oin.

"But he was dragged back when one of them began to wrap him up," said Dwalin. "It could have happened then."

"Likely," sighed Thorin. "Now, tell me friend, what has brought you back to us. I thought you were returning to the Blue Mountains."

"That would have proved most difficult," said Oin. "The Misty Mountains and the plains between are now swarming with orcs and goblins. They have made an alliance together."

"How do you know this?" asked Thorin, sitting up a bit straighter.

"The skin changer," said Dwalin. "We encountered him almost a day after we parted ways. He was concerned when three of his ponies had not returned with the others. Apparently he had been tailing us since we left. We supped with him that night but he disappeared when we saw what looked like an army on the march further down the valley. We smothered our fire and watched for his return. He found us again come morning and told us he had overheard an orc and goblin captain talking before he slaughtered them."

"And?" prompted Nori, his fingers busy in his pocket.

"The orcs are moving into the Misty Mountains with the goblins," said Dwalin.

"Why?" asked Balin. "Why would they leave the fortress in the south?"

"I don't know," said Dwalin, wincing as he shifted slightly. "Beorn said only that there was a new alliance between them and that we needed to bring a warning to…" but he trailed off, unwilling to continue.

"To me?" asked Thorin. Dwalin shook his head.

"To me," said Sara, realization dawning on her. "You didn't tell him you knew about the future did you? He really didn't ask why you were going back?"

"Is that true?" asked Thorin, his eyes flicking to her momentarily.

"Yes," said Dwalin.

"Did he say anything about Azog?" she asked.

"I don't see why we should answer to her," said Oin, glaring at Thorin. She sighed angrily, the air bursting from her in a puff of frustration and folded her arms over her chest.

"Listen well," said Thorin, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to say this once and that will be the end of it. I don't care how you feel about Ms. Sara currently, but she is still a member of this company and a woman. You will treat her with the courtesy and respect that is afforded her as such." Dwalin opened his mouth to argue but Thorin raised his hand to stop him. "If we are to continue forward through this perilous forest we must be able to communicate with one another effectively, despite our differences of opinion or personal feelings. Is that clear?"

"Surely ya can't mean to continue on," exploded Dwalin. "Not after what we have told ya. Both the goblins and the orcs will attack the mountain. Azog and the new Goblin King have vowed to have yer head!"

"What would you have me do then? Turn back and deliver myself directly into their hands?" scoffed Thorin. "At least the elves have no particular reason to want me dead. I go forward to reclaim Erebor!"

"You will surely die if you go against both armies," insisted Oin.

"I don't intend to go as a lamb to the slaughter," said Thorin. "We will make allies and call for aid from Dain. We have the upper hand for we know they are coming."

"You will make peace with the elves?" asked Sara, looking at him, hope filling her chest.

"No," he said quickly. Her face fell. He sighed looking at her. "I agree with your plan for the men, eagles, and Beorn and his kin, and I will send word to Dain as soon as I may, but I want nothing to do with the elves. They are without honor.

"But we need them," she began, but stopped when his eyes hardened.

"I will not argue this with you," he said firmly. "We will let our time with the elves play out according to the book."

"They will probably still show up anyway," she said sullenly.

"Then so be it, but we tell them nothing. I will not abase myself for an alliance with those who can't be trusted to honor it." He turned to Dwalin. "Did Beorn say anything about Azog or his whereabouts?"

"He still wants her alive," growled the warrior pointing at Sara. "He will be coming after her once his army has joined with the goblin hordes."

"Both armies are coming after us, just for her?" asked Thorin skeptically.

"No. A hunting party including Azog and Bolg, or so said Beorn. They intend to take this very route to pursue us." It was quiet for a few seconds.

"Well this at least explains what the book was talking about," said Sara, biting her lower lip.

"You knew this would happen?" asked Thorin, annoyed.

"No, not really," she said, choosing to ignore his irritation. "You see, I thought that Bolg was just another goblin leader until Beorn told me he is Azog's son. But we weren't sure why he would be leading the goblins… but it makes sense if they really have formed an alliance."

"I see," said Thorin. "Another of those minor details in the book."

"Yeah, he's only mentioned briefly and until Beorn said so I had no reason to believe he wasn't a goblin as well." Dwalin snorted loudly but she tried to ignore him. Thorin thought for a moment.

"Ms. Sara, once we are free of this forest I would like you to read the remainder of the book to the company. Details such as these may be of the utmost importance and you may not recognize them for what they are." She nodded.

"All right. That sounds like a good idea," she said, trying to remember if there was anything she would need to exclude about Bilbo's ring. She didn't think so, but she would have to be careful as she read. Thorin's attention shifted to the food gathered in front of him and his lips quirked down in a distinct frown. There was not much food that had escaped the animals' ravages. "I suspect we have three full days of rations." Nori caught her eye and grimaced.

"It seems that despite our best efforts we are still going to go hungry," said the thief.

"It's a pity," said Bombur. "All that extra food you two insisted that I pack, only to feed the squirrels."

"What's done is done," said Thorin. "We will make do with what we have. We are no strangers to hunger."

"One thing," said Oin. "How did we catch you so quickly? We did not expect to see you for several more days. We were at least two full days behind you."

"We have only been walking to the next campsite each day," said Nori, his eyes scanning the forest, his hands gripping his staff.

"With so large a group it is not safe to sleep stretched out on the path," said Fili. "It leaves us strung-out and vulnerable, so we have been using the wider parts of the paths to camp. Besides as we discovered today, these pads are built in strategic places."

"What do you mean?" asked Dwalin.

"Water," said Fili, holding up his sloshing water pouch. "This pad was built here because there is a spring not far off the path."

"That at least is good news," said Oin. "We have been without for five days now. We have been walking from first light till dark. Little wonder we caught you so fast."

"And we will leave again come first light," said Thorin standing. "I suggest we get as much rest as we may. Bombur, Ori, and Kili you are on watch, though I pray to Mahal that the rest of the night will be quiet." Sara couldn't agree more

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Sara's t-shirt clung to her uncomfortably like a too tight second skin as she pushed her dripping hair from her face. It had been raining for two days now and she suspected her feet would be permanently pruney as her boots squelched and squirted water with each dreary step forward. The only good thing about the rain was that it meant they had water again. It had been Bilbo's idea to use the blankets to collect the falling rain water. The first time they had wrung the water from the wet cloth it had been discolored and brown, but after wringing it out several more times it cleared considerably. Before Bilbo had suggested this, they had been without a means of hydration for two days, but on this, the 15th, day in the forest, Sara had gladly drank the water available despite its taste being slightly off. As a result all the water skins were once again filled by the time they stopped for camp that night.

Large drops dripped from the canopy, but the sound of rain on the leaves above seemed to be letting up. Still, there was no hope for a fire tonight. Her feet splashed through a puddle in the center of the white stone pad. There was probably an hour or two of daylight left but Thorin had insisted they continue to use the campsites along the path if only so they had room to maneuver if need be. Knowing she could not possibly get any wetter she slung her pack to the ground and sat, trying to avoid the biggest of the puddles. Drawing her legs to her chest she rested her forehead on her knees, trying to ignore the tight pinch in her belly. They had managed to make the food last five days but it had been almost three days since their last meal. Kili splashed to her side and sat, his leg pressing up against hers, his heat leaching into her.

"I know I've said it before, but some days I really wish I were a dwarf," she grumbled, not looking up as Bilbo sat on her other side and Fili behind her.

"And why are you wishing that now?" asked Fili, prodding her in the back so she set up.

"Because you're always warm! Even soaking wet you still radiate heat like a solar flare." Fili's arms closed around her waist and drew her into his lap so she sat atop his crossed legs.

"Better?" he asked, tucking his chin over her shoulder.

"A bit," she said, crossing her arms over his. "It's just not fair that you have all the good genes, strength, endurance, enhanced healing, long life, and heat."

"Sorry," said Fili. "I would share if I could, but I'm afraid it doesn't work like that, so you have to settle for sharing my body heat."

"At least you have someone to keep you warm," groused a blue lipped Bilbo. Kili made to scoot closer to him but was stopped as Bofur came to scoop up the hobbit and placed him in his lap.

"If you want someone to cuddle you all you need to do is ask," said Bofur. Spluttering, Bilbo squirmed and toppled back out into the puddle beside Kili. Sara couldn't help but laugh at the shocked look on Bilbo's face.

"Th… thank you no," said Bilbo. Kili pulled him to his side, draping an arm over his shoulder, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Bofur sat on the ground, a look of mock injury plastered across his face.

"And here I thought you were cold," he said forlornly.

"I am," said Bilbo through chattering teeth. "But sitting on your lap is hardly required. I'm not a fauntling. Sitting between you two will be quite sufficient."

"Alright then, have it your way" said Bofur, scooting closer and draping his arm over Kili's. Bilbo's soft grumbles reached her ears and Sara could feel Fili suppressing his laughter behind her. For such dismal circumstances dwarves could be quite cheerful. Dwalin stomped by, snorting and cradling his arm. Well some dwarves anyhow.

It had surprised Sara just how much Dwalin was still upset with her, even over a week after they had reunited with the group. Once Thorin had defended her place in the company she had hoped that Dwalin, Oin, and Gloin would at least cool down a bit even if they didn't forgive her entirely, but they were just as tacitren as ever. Even Nori and Dori we're still cordial with her even though not overly warm, but Dwalin still snorted every time he was near her. He was in a constant foul mood, although his unhealed injury could have something to do with that. He even went so far as to try and persuade Thorin to turn around, twice. But after the last time Thorin had forbade him to bring the subject up again. The Sullen warrior stood away from the others, holding his left arm, which was still in a sling. Oin had informed them that the necrosis was indeed healing itself, but at an incredibly slow rate. He had advised Dwalin not to use that arm despite it no longer being paralyzed lest he aggravate the wound further. Once Gloin had awoken from his pollen induced sleep the following morning, he had proven just as cool and detached as his brother. Sara can understand why they were angry, at least she thought she could, but still she felt the churlish behavior had gone on long enough, even for a dwarf.

She sighed, half in appreciation for the heat radiating into her from Fili, and half from sheer weariness. She was so tired of being at odds with half the company. It was almost, if not more, exhausting than keeping the secret to begin with. She was never certain where she stood with them. She knew that Bilbo and Fili held no ill will for her, and was also reasonably sure that Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Balin and even Ori had forgiven her. She was still unsure of how Kili felt. He sometimes spent time near her and Fili but was still not himself and she worried for him. Dori and Nori were polite enough but not overly warm, though in Nori's case that was not unusual. The person who confused her the most was Thorin.

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It had surprised her when he told the others to quit ignoring her, and while he said it was for the sake of safety and communication, Sara had to wonder. The past few days he had begun to call her Ms. Sara once again instead of Ms. Miller, for which she was very grateful. She had also caught him watching her in the evenings now and then. Her own feelings for him had only grown more complex as the days went on. There was no denying that she continued to nurse a soft spot for him but after the way he had reacted to everything, she didn't know if it could ever go anywhere. She couldn't really blame him much for his actions after their last kiss; if she had been in his place she felt she would have reacted in a much more unpleasant way. Still, she hoped that not everything had been spoiled between them, but who knew when it came to Thorin. She was also aware of her growing frustration with him for his stubbornness regarding the elves. She felt she could understand, to a point, why he had such strong feelings about Thranduil and his people, to a point, but she was also aware of his equally, if not stronger, desire to provide a home for his people. To her mind, the two desires seemed to cancel each other out, neither serving the purpose of the other. It also severely hampered her own plans to preserve his, Fili, and Kili's lives. Despite her talks with Balin, which she knew Thorin and the others listened in on, some with curiosity and others with rage, she had yet to feel she could approach the topic with Thorin again, and Balin had made his silent advice clear. So, she bided her time, waiting for the right moment to broach the subject again. But the arguments inside her itched to be made vocal and this mixed with her other clouded emotions made for a volatile combination of feelings where the prideful dwarf king was concerned.

She had been so lost in her own thoughts that she had failed to notice Fili's body stiffening around her until he tapped her elbow insistently.

"Get up," he urged, almost dumping her out of his lap as he reached for his twin swords strapped to his back. Alarmed by the sudden shift in his demeanor she snatched her staff off her pack, and with a snap and a sharp twist held her staff at the ready. She was grateful her burns had healed leaving only scars. The rest of the company were also on their feet, weapons poised and glistening in the glow of twilight, awaiting the lurking danger they could all sence. She backed closer to Fili until she felt him behind her and Bilbo to her left.

"What's out there?" she asked, already knowing and dreading the answer. Something to their right broke several branches as it approached through the gloom.

"Spiders," was Fili's only reply. To the left and behind something moved in the brush and she trained her eyes on the spot, but the fading light blended all the colors and shades of her vision together.

"How many?" she asked hesitantly.

"At least six," said Balin.

"Eight," corrected Dwalin, hefting an axe in his good hand, his back pressed against Balin's.

"I'm really beginning to hate arachnids," said Sara, shaking damp hair from her face.

"Only now?" asked Bofur from beside Bifur and Kili.

"Stand ready," admonished Thorin, as the creaking, cracking, and scraping became louder, the eight-legged monsters creeping closer. Fili nudged her and Bilbo further behind him, jerking his head for them to step back. The rain had stopped but Sara wiped her face as a shower of large drops cascaded from above her. The last thing we needed now was for the rain to start again. The company tensed, their attention focused on the approaching enemy and Sara's grip on her staff tightened as another shower of drops danced in the puddle at her feet.

Without warning Sara's world tilted as something thick and sticky wrapped around her right thigh and hoisted her into the air, ripping a screen from her throat. Her staff clattered to the ground and in the back corner of her mind she was aware of Fili and Thorin's shouts of dismay as she was hauled higher into the dark heights of the looming tree. The ground and her companions sped away from her but just as she lost sight of them through the leaves an arrow wizzed into the canopy drawing her attention unwillingly upward into the multi eyed gaze of the waiting predator. The clacking of the spider's fangs drowned out the shouts of her companions as the line between her and the spider shrunk from 15 meters to 10. Another arrow flew past her, nicking the silken strand, dropping her several feet on the weakened thead. Another cord shot out and adhered to her left wrist, jerking her to stop. The sudden drop jarred her mind out of shock and back into action. Her free hand flew to her hip fumbling for the knife from Fili. Her fingers closed around the handle and the spider redoubled it's efforts to reel her in, the distance closing rapidly. Trying not to think about how high she was, she cut the web from her thigh and doing her best to block out the feel of the spiders spindly legs closing around her she sliced through the cord holding her wrist. The cruel reality of gravity took over and she plummeted down through the canopy, branches slapping her as she descended before all the wind was knocked from her. Her arms clamped around the thick branch that had caught her in the stomach and she looked down to see she was still a good twenty-five feet off the ground. She scrambled, trying to find a way down from the tree but the gears in her brain ground to a halt as the spider tore through the tree, keening and hissing through its clacking mandibles.

"Sara! Drop!" bellowed Thorin from below as another arrow blew past, burying into the spider's abdomen. The charging arachnid didn't so much as flinch, branches snapping as it pushed itself forward with an animalistic eagerness to reach her.

"Sara! Let go! I will catch you!" yelled Thorin. Her arms were frozen with fear, the spider a few yards away, shaking the branch she clung to.

"Lass! Let go!" called Dwalin's voice cutting through the paralysis. Another arrow flew by she let go, sliping from the branch. Closing her eyes, she prayed that the gaping maw of the spider was not the last thing she would ever see. Gut-wrenching seconds past before she fell into a waiting pair of arms, knocking Thorin to the ground, his feet slipping in the puddle beneath him. They tumbled to the ground, his hand cradling her head to his chest. For a moment she thought she had fallen straight to the ground for she could not move, but when she opened her eyes it was to see Thorin's clear blue ones staring down into hers.

"Are you all right?" She stared blankly up at him, his weight pressing her to the ground, his wet hair falling to curtain his face. "Sara are you injured?"

"No. No, I don't think so," she said finally, watching the relief wash over his face. Everything around them was pandamonium, but she was lost in his expression and the feel of his hand now on her cheek. "I'm okay," she said, her heart speeding up as his thumb rubbed over her lower lip.

"Sara... I'm…" But his expression hardened and before she knew what happened he had pulled her close rolling over and over with her. The bloated body of the spider fell where they had been moments before. Boots stomped past them and from under Thorin who was now crouched over her, Sara watched Dwalin swing his axe carelessly into the head of the spider, bringing its struggle to an end.

"Nine," he said, yanking the axe free, sending droplets of gore splattering across the white stones at his feet. Thorin pulled her to her feet as Dwalin approached and thrust her staff into her chest. "Don't ya lose this again or all the training will be for naught," said the warrior, and without another word he was gone to help Balin finish off another of the monsters.

"Stay close to me," said Thorin, pulling her behind him with his free hand, Orcrist drawn and ready. Fili was facing down a spider on his own, swinging at its legs, severing its spindly appendages. A gash opened of its own accord on the spider's pale bald under belly and it collapsed to the ground. Thorin let go of her hand leapt forward to deliver the killing stroke, his blade whistling through the air cleaving the spider in two at the joint between thorax and abdomen. A shrill squeal cried out from the dead spider and Sara and Fili both turned, looking at each other in surprise.

"Bilbo?" called Fili, stepping forward, searching.

"Here!" called the hobbit's pained voice from near the ground, but they could not see him. There was a space under the spider's body where it's flesh did not meet with the white stones below, and as they watched this the empty space was suddenly filled with a very anxious looking Bilbo. "I'm here."

"Durin's beard! Mr. Baggins!" chastised Thorin withdrawing his blade from its place, mear centimeters from where Bilbo's head had materialized into visibility. "Be more wary where, when, and how you use that ring of yours. You may avoid the notice of a foe, but you could just as easily be killed by the errant blow of a friend."

"Yes," said Bilbo breathlessly, wincing slightly under the spider's dead weight. "I'm beginning to see that invisibility is not all it's cracked up to be." Thorin and Fili bent to lift the spiders bulk off the hobbit and Sara pulled Bilbo out, helping him to his feet.

"Are you alright?" she asked as Bilbo tucked the ring into his pocket with some hesitation, his fingers lingering unnecessarily long in the cloth of his waistcoat. There was an odd expression on his face. "Bilbo?"she asked again.

"I'm fine," he said, shaking his head. "It's just sometimes I don't much like wearing that ring. I could hear their voices," he said, his voice falling to whisper.

"Whose voices?" she asked. Thorin shot them a glance.

"The spiders," said the pale hobbit. "With the ring on I can hear their foul speech." Fili opened his mouth to ask a question but at that moment a spider skittered between them, dragging Ori behind it, silk wrapped around his legs. Jumping forward Fili cut the strand and began to free the young scribe as Nori and Dori rushed past to put an end to the spider.

The rest of the battle was a blur in the fast fading twilight, but soon enough all was still again. Dwalin's final count had been correct, nine spiders total. Before the last of the light faded Thorin ordered the bodies to be thrown off the path and down into the ravine below and their camp was quickly cleared. The puddles they tromped though were now sullied with gore and blood, miraculously none of it belonging to the company. Though there had been a few near misses, none of them had sustained any lasting injury, but Kili's supply of arrows was greatly depleted and all were exhausted from their efforts and the lack of proper nourishment. Unable and unwilling to continue in the pitch black of the forest night the company was forced to attempt to sleep until the sun rose again.

Hours later, Sara's mind would still not settle, the recent encounters with the spiders too fresh for comfort. Hungry, wet, and cold despite Fili at her back, she tossed and turned long after the others had succumbed to sleep. Fili's snores and Bilbo's soft buzz sounded behind her and she could hear a whispered conversation in dwarvish off to the right. Knowing sleep was futile, she sat up rubbing her face, but as she straightened her legs her foot kicked something and it skipped across the stones. The dwarvish conversation cut off abruptly. Curious, she leant forward, her fingers searching blindly through the black until they came in contact with a smooth surface. The object was oblong and fit in the palm of her hand. At first she thought it was just a loose stone but as her fingers explored further she became aware of the linear grooves etched into a surface. Unable to rest and intrigued about the nature of the object in her possession she dug blindly in her pack until she found the puzzle box containing her phone. Within minutes her phone was powered on and she had activated the flashlight function and shown it down on the object. The smooth blue green stone in her hands was vaguely familiar, but it wasn't until she turned it over to examine the grooves that she remembered why. It was the stone Kili had been turning over and over in his hands the night both Fili and Thorin lay injured in the eagles nest.

"Ms. Sara?" called Throin's voice from the dark. Raising her phone she could see he and Kili squinting back at her from their place on watch. "Are you well?" he asked quietly. She nodded and carefully got to her feet, picking her way over to them near the edge of the path. Kili scooted over gesturing for her to sit between them. Glancing at Thorin who didn't react, she sat and put her phone on the ground, letting the glow from it light up their surroundings.

"Do you find it difficult to sleep?" asked Thorin. She shrugged.

"Too much on my mind I guess," she said, aware of his attention on her. "That, and it's hard to sleep when cold, wet, and hungry." Kili scooted closer so his side was pressed against hers. "Here I think this is yours," she said holding out the stone and dropping it into his hand. Kili stared down at it unmoving, even his breath stilled.

"It is yours isn't it?" she asked when he still hadn't moved for a full minute. Without warning Kili's shoulders shook as a ragged sob escaped him. Alarmed she looked at Thorin for a clue as to where she had gone wrong, but he looked just as surprised as she felt.

"Thank you," said Kili, swiping at his face before pulling her into a rough embrace. He held her tightly for several heartbeats, sniffling slightly, before she returned the hug, unsure what had brought on his sudden affection after so long. "I'm sorry I was angry with you," he said.

"No it's okay. I probably deserved it. I'm sorry for keeping secrets." He pulled back and held the stone to his forehead clenched in his fists as if praying.

"Thank you for returning this to me," he said looking at her with watery eyes before taking her hand in his.

"You're welcome," she said, squeezing his fingers. "Does this mean you are going to start talking again?" His shoulders fell.

"It wasn't my anger that kept me from talking to you," he said looking up at her. "I… I just."

"It's okay," she said, not wanting to drive him back into silence. "So what's up with the rock?" Kili was silent for a moment before he spoke, his voice rough and halting.

"It's a promise," he said.

"A promise?" question Sara. Kili nodded.

"I made a promise to my mother before we left the Blue Mountains and she gave me this stone."

"Do dwarves always give each other rocks when they make promises?" asked Sara, her brow wrinkling in confusion. Thorin reached across her and took the stone from Kili and turned it over before replying.

"It's not the stone," he said. "It's the words etched on the stone. Return to me", he read. Realization hit her like a brick.

"You promised to return to your mother," she said. Kili stiffend and then nodded.

"She never wanted to let me and Fili go with uncle, especially me. She worries, says I can be reckless."

"You are young, both you and Fili are reckless. You will learn more caution with time and experience," said Thorin, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. Sara shot him a look, tilting her head towards Kili who was running his hand through his hair clearly distraught.

"She was right. I never should have left," he said softly. She glanced at Thorin who was frowning now. "It took me weeks to finally get her blessing and even then I think she only did it because she knew I would sneak after the company if she tried to stop me. She could not forbid me anyway, I am of age, so she did the next best thing and made me swear that I would return to her in one piece... and I meant to keep that promise, until…"

"Until I told you that you die in the book," finished Sara.

"It's not right!" growled Kili, his fingers digging into his knees in anger. "We make it so far, kill the dragon and recover the mountain... only to lose everything in the end. There will be no one to return to mother after this is done. She was right and I couldn't keep my promise to her." His shoulders sagged and his head fell into his hand, his body shaking with sobs once again.

"Durin's beard!" exploded Thorin, jumping to his feet before coming to glower down at Kili who like Sara stared up at the dwarf king in shock.

"Uncle?"

"Compose yourself!" ordered Thorin, folding his arms across his chest. "You are a prince of Erebor and one of Durin's blood. Such self-deprecation is not becoming of one of your title."

"Uncle... I," started Kili.

"You have not passed into the halls of our fathers yet, and I will not tolerate this sullenness any longer. You are going to live and return to Dis if I have to drag you back to her myself. No sister son of mine will be an oath-breaker. You will keep your word to her or die trying, but you will try!"

"But it is our fate…" bagan Kili.

"No!" shouted Thorin. "I refuse to allow you to use this supposed fate as an excuse to give up. We are Durin's folk and we fight to our last breath, without hesitation. You will cease this moping and remember your oath and heritage."

"But how?"

"By not giving up," said Sara. "It's your life. Fight for it!"

"You have the word of Sara and myself that we will do all in our power to bring you through this, but that will matter little if you do not help us."

"But I don't see how we can change it," he said. Thorin growled.

"Have you not listened to Balin and Sara talking? Do you not have faith in them? In me? Do you hold our words so cheap?"

"No, of course not," said Kili quietly, his eyes on his toes. "Forgive me." Thorin sighed and let his arms drop before reaching for Kili, jerking him to a stand before embracing him tightly. They stood that way for several long moments before Thorin pulled away, his hand on the back of Kili's neck.

"You, Fili, and I will all live to see your mother again. This I swear to you," said Thorin, his thumb brushing quickly across Kili's cheek before he leaned forward and planted a kiss on his brow. "Do we have an agreement?" asked Thorin. Kili nodded.

"Yes Uncle."

"Good," said Thorin, turning Kili around and nudging him towards the others. "Now go and rest. I will take the watch. I wish to speak to Sara and what I have to say is for her ears alone." Once Kili had settled himself Thorin came to sit beside her, his legs crossed. He stared out into the forest saying nothing. The silence stretched on and grew awkward as she shifted uncomfortably. Finally, unable to bear it longer she spoke.

"You said you wanted to talk to me?" she prompted.

"I do, but not yet," he said. "I may have inadvertently woken some of the others, and I wish to wait till they return to their rest."

"Oh," she said, her mind racing. What did he want to say that he didn't want the others to hear? She grimaced. He was probably going to chew her out or for not paying attention earlier and almost being eaten by a spider. She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them, trying to ignore the chill of the air raising the hair on her arms.

"You are cold," he said, watching her shiver.

"Yes," she admitted. "My clothes are still damp."

"Here," he said shrugging out of his coat, draping it around her shoulders.

"Oh no, that's okay," she said, making to take it off. "I can go get my blanket." His hand rested firmly on her shoulder.

"Ware it," he said seriously. "You have not eaten in several days and as such you are more susceptible to illness, especially while your body is under stress. It may not be dry but it is better than nothing and it is warm. Besides I still have not fulfilled my promise to you. I owe you in a new coat. You won the bet fair and square."

"Alright," she said, pulling the fur closed over her chest, secretly reveling in what remained of his body heat and the faint smell surrounding her. "How do you know about human illnesses?" she asked after a few silent minutes. "Gandalf said that dwarves are hardly ever sick."

"Elrond," he answered. "While you were in recovery he was sure to tell me how best to keep you from needing his skills again. I had not realized just how frail you humans can be, but he made sure to impress upon me how best to care for you."

"That makes sense," she said, adjusting herself so she was more comfortable. "Although it makes me feel a bit like a pet when you say it like that." He grunted noncommittally. For many long minutes they sat enveloped in the night. There were no eyes in the forest tonight, in fact since they had run out of food the eyes had mostly disappeared. She stifled a yawn and felt her body relax as she waited. She had almost fallen asleep herself when Thorin broke the silence.

"I believe that they are asleep now," he said matter-of-factly. She lifted her head, blinking blearily and rubbing her face.

"What is it then?" she asked though a yawn. "Am I in trouble?"

He snorted. "You are trouble," he said simply. She sat up straighter, frowning at his accusation. "But," he said before she could form a retort, "One I find myself irresistibly drawn to." She froze.

"I thought you were still mad at me," she said cautiously. He sighed, pulling his pipe from his pocket, turning it over and over in his hands, not looking at her.

"In a way, I still am," he admitted. "But I realize I may have been too hasty in my judgment of you. I can't say that I understand your reasons or agree with your actions, but if I do know one thing about you, it's that you care deeply for my nephew's and the others of the company. You would not wish them harm."

"I care about you too," she said after a moment. "I don't want to see you die."

"I know," he said, his hands pausing their movement. "I have to admit, that despite my best efforts, I am still attracted to you."

"You are?" she asked not quite sure she had heard him correctly.

He nodded. "Though you will forgive me if I am now more wary of you."

"I suppose that's only natural," she sighed. "But I noticed your not calling me Ms. Miller anymore." He winced.

"I did once give my word in exchange for your forgiveness. I'm afraid I let my temper get the better of me despite my promise to you."

"It's okay," she said, absent-mindedly brushing the fur of his coat across her lips, tickling them. "It's not like I don't have a temper at times."

"I believe your temper could rival my own," he said, smirking at her as she continued to brush the fur over her lips.

"I blame the company I have been keeping," she said, her eyes darting to his before realizing what her hands were doing. She let them drop averting her eyes, her cheeks heating.

"At least I can better understand your previous reactions to me," he said wryly. "I should have seen that something was amiss. I'm afraid I left my interest in you drive me forward regardless, and for that I apologise."

"It's okay," she said. "You can hardly be held responsible for a secret I was actively trying to keep from you." He frowned. "I am sorry that I kept them from you. I don't like secrets, they are exhausting to keep."

"Are there any more?"

"Secrets?" she asked. He nodded and she sighed. "Sometimes it feels a bit like I am one big secret. You know I still can't tell you about the distant future."

"I know, and grudgingly I accept that. Admittedly it helps to know that you have told no one else." She gave a small laugh.

"I suppose so. I have told you everything I can remember about the hobbit and anything that pertains to your quest... and some things that don't, if I'm honest. I can't promise that I haven't forgotten something though."

"That is acceptable, so long as you agree to continue to be honest," he said. "What of yourself? Are there any more secrets about you that I should be aware of?"

"Depends on how you define a secret. There is still a lot you don't know about me. Heck there's still lots about myself that even I don't know. Do you have any idea what it's like to grow up not knowing your own birthday or given name?"

"I can't say I do."

"Well it sucks. So yes, I guess there are lots of things you don't know about me and I obviously don't have time to tell you everything right now. But, I can say there's not anything I won't tell you if you ask."

"That is agreeable," he said stowing his pipe in his pocket once again.

"Alright, turnabout is fair play, what about you? Any earth-shattering secrets you're keeping?" He stiffened and looked away. He was quiet for several long heart beats before sighing.

"You are right, that is a fair question, but you must remember that I have lived almost eight times longer than you. There is much more to tell. There are many things that I do not speak of unless absolutely necessary. Not because they are secret, but rather because they bring back dark memories and old fears."

"Old fears?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's hard to imagine you afraid of anything." He said nothing and she was quiet waiting. Her patience was rewarded.

"I have always feared that I would succumb to the same madness that claimed my father and grandfather."

"Madness?" she asked.

"Dragon sickness. The obsessive love of gold and treasure. It can drive one to utter insanity." She scrunched her forehead, thinking.

"But that's what the book says the Master of Laketown has. He gets the dragon sickness and runs off with the money Bard gives him to repair Lake Town."

"It's possible," he said. "Although any race can contract the sickness, dwarves are predisposed to develop it. Mahal instilled in us a great love of gold and treasure. While any dwarf can be affected the kings of Durin have proved to be most susceptible. It drove my father, grandfather, and many of our people including my younger brother to their death."

"How?" she asked gingerly

"That is something I would rather not go into tonight," he said. "Besides Balin may have to help me keep the tale straight." He sighed. "Unfortunately I do carry secrets, many of them, but they are not my own, rather they are secrets of my people and our culture."

"Like the hand signals you guys are always using?" she asked.

"Yes and secrets of our craft in magic. None but a dwarf may know or be taught."

"What if Fili does it, makes me his heart sister? Could you tell me then?"

"You are an unprecedented case. None but a dwarf has ever been adopted into one of our families, but I would wager there is no law forbidding it. But, you will never become his heart sister if I have my way." She looked at him, examining the set of his jaw, her fingers itching to rub his beard again.

"And just what would I be if you had your way? Would you still want to court me after all that has happened? After all that I have kept and am still keeping from you?" His eyes locked and held hers as he spoke.

"Yes," he said. "I would still pursue you if you would welcome it. Though I would take my time. I feel I rushed things previously." She snorted, remembering his heated kisses, her cheeks flushing as her belly squirmed pleasantly. She lost herself in the memory for a few minutes.

"I would understand if you don't wish to take the risk and entangle yourself with me further," he said, sounding a bit dejected. "You are right to be cautious. It could indeed lead to heartbreak, I may leave you without meaning to." She turned to him, scowling.

"Didn't you just chastise Kili for being pessimistic," she said.

"You did not respond," he said. "I thought you were searching for a way to turn me down."

"Well I wasn't," she huffed. "Seriously, you need to quit assuming things."

"If you were not searching for a way to turn me down then what occupied your attention for so long?"

"I was… I was… I was remembering some of your kisses," she admitted finally, chewing her lip. "I told you they could knock over a bull rhino…they are pretty potent."

"Would you welcome my pursuit?" he insisted. She looked at him, shifting her gaze from one of his eyes to the other, thinking.

"Are you sure you want to?" she asked. "You said it yourself, I have quite a temper and I don't like fighting with you, with anyone really." He nodded.

"I am certain. I can't say where it will lead but I would like to see for myself. Will you welcome my pursuit Sara Miller?"

"Yes," she said after a few staggering heartbeats. "Yes, I would welcome your pursuit." Her phone gave a beep as the battery died, plunging them back into inky blackness. She leaned forward and stuffed it into her pocket, groaning.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"It's dead and I don't think I can find my way back to my bed without stepping on someone. The last thing I want to do is step on Dwalin while he is sleeping." An arm snaked around her waist and drew her against a warm chest and into a lap.

"Then stay with me," he rumbled, tucking his chin over her shoulder, his beard tickling her ear and neck.

"Alright," she said breathlessly, turning so she was sitting sideways across his lap. She melted into his heat as she lay her head on his shoulder and pulled his coat higher.

"You promise no more secrets?" he asked, pulling her closer.

"No more secrets," she agreed. "For either of us." Tucked into his lap she quickly found her muscles relaxing as her eyes drooped, his heartbeat rhythmic under her ear.

"Sara?" he asked, his cheek resting on her head.

"Hum?" she hummed, pulling herself back from the brink of sleep.

"What is a rhino?"

She smiled.