Author's Note: Welcome to my new story. I haven't posted on here for quite some time but have continued to enjoy reading other people's writing. The Hobbit has inspired me to put my fingers to the keys again and write something myself. I'm very aware that I have the tendency to lose interest halfway through a story so I have held back from beginning a full story myself. However after reading some other stories I have decided to try writing a series of scenarios or standalone one shots that could be linked together into one longer narrative if so desired. This will allow me to write when inspiration hits and I won't be constricted to a linear story line.

The following scenario has been flying around my head for a while and I decided to just sit down and write it. I hope you like it. Also please go and read His Lioness if you like Fili/OC stories. It's amazing.

1

Rina stared around at her surroundings in amazement. She turned her head to the right and then back to the left, trying to take in all that was before her. The elegant architecture echoed and blended into the mountain scenery and dappled sunlight glinted off the rooftops. The she-dwarf had never seen anything quite like it before and was unable to deny the beauty of Rivendell.

Her companions seemed to disagree with her though, mumbling and grumbling as they all made their way into the elven refuge that lay in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. They came to a stop in a courtyard at the base of an elegant staircase and gathered together, quietening as a dark haired elf appeared at the top of the staircase.

Rina stepped around the muttering Gloin and stared up at the descending elf as he glided down the stone stairs. A hand clamped down on her arm and she was pulled backwards and manoeuvred between the two youngest dwarves in the company. Kili released her arm and slipped an arm around her waist, pinning her to his side.

"Stay back and don't draw attention to yourself," he told her, glancing at her briefly before looking forward once again.

Rina frowned and shoved his arm away, trying to slip around him to get a closer look at the male elf. Kili's golden haired brother restrained her and gave a quick shake of his head. She sighed and settled for peering around Bofur and Dwalin who had moved in front of her.

Gandalf was greeting the elf and she stood up on her tiptoes trying to hear what they were saying. She had never seen an elf before and she marvelled at the elf's height and bearing. She didn't understand her kin's hatred for the elves and certainly didn't share it. Rina believed in forgiveness and second chances and she didn't think it was fair to blame an entire race for the decisions of a select few. She could even understand the elven king's reluctance to put his own kin at risk.

A horn sounded suddenly, spurring the dwarves to mill around and grapple with their weapons. The young she-dwarf was pushed into the centre of the group and encircled as more elves approached the courtyard on horseback. The large horses pranced around them, circling the dwarves and causing them to crowd even closer together. The armoured elves looked down at them as the dwarves grunted and brandished their weapons.

Rina stared up at them in awe, trying to take in all that was happening. She itched to dart forward and study the other race more closely but Kili had taken hold of her arm again and was sticking close by her side.

While she didn't dislike the elves, the young Durin heirs definitely shared their uncle's feelings on the matter. Fili and Kili both glared at the circling elves with distrust, shielding the dark haired female behind them. She briefly marvelled at their fierce expressions before she was distracted as one elf jumped gracefully down from his horse. The elegantly dressed elf, who was clearly someone important, approached the grey wizard and embraced him formerly.

Realising that this elf was Lord Elrond she gasped aloud, causing Kili to frown at her and hush her sharply. Bofur moved to shield her as Elrond turned in their direction. She waited a few moments and then peeked around Bofur's hat to find that Gandalf had engaged Elrond in discussion once again.

She was pulled backwards into Kili's chest and she glanced up at the dark haired dwarf. He frowned and ducked down to whisper harshly in her ear. "Do you ever listen? I told you to be quiet."

Kili's words irritated her and she opened her mouth to tell him so but Fili elbowed her and she quietened at once. Kili loosened his hold and she slid out from his arms, moving closer to Fili. She listened as Lord Elrond spoke briefly to Thorin and she sighed at the unfriendly tone their leader used to reply. Elrond didn't seem greatly affected by Thorin's rudeness and in response spoke words that she'd never heard before. She had no idea what was being said but the language was undeniably beautiful and it entreated her to slide out from behind her protectors and inch closer.

Gloin obviously didn't share her view and stomped forward, harrumphing and demanding that the elf translate what he was saying. Gandalf hushed the angry dwarf and explained that they were being offered food. Rina's spirit lightened and she nodded her head, silently declaring that she would very much like to take the elves up on their offer.

Her stomach gave an agreeable rumble and she gasped as Elrond's eyes found hers between the broad shoulders of her companions.

"You have a she-dwarf with you?" His tone seemed surprised and he glanced at Gandalf before stepping towards the group. "Please, let me see you little one."

Her eyes widened and automatically flew to Kili's. The dwarf moved to grasp her hand with one of his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She didn't think it wise to ignore the direct order of Lord Elrond but her bravado had abruptly left her. It was one thing to gaze at someone in wonder, another thing entirely to meet that person eye to eye. She looked down and gazed at the strong hand enclosing hers and straightened her back to make herself feel as tall as possible. Even at her full height her eyes only just reached Kili's scruffy chin but the action helped steady her nerves. She took a deep breath before pushing her way forward past her companions towards Elrond. She didn't relinquish her hold on Kili's hand and he was forced to follow her, unable to stop the determined female. The other dwarves yelled and tried to stop her but she barrelled onwards until she was standing in front of the group bringing Kili up beside her.

Elrond watched as Thorin stepped up on her other side. Both males scowled at him but he ignored them to study the she-dwarf, his mouth twitching into a small smile. The petite female with the mass of dark brown hair appeared to be startlingly fragile when flanked by her male companions. Whilst her companions boasted the broad solid physiques that dwarves were known for, the female was svelte but shapely. Her softly rounded curves hinted at her dwarvish strength and rather complimented her pleasing appearance.

He noted the young dwarf on her left was holding her hand and raising an eyebrow he glanced at Thorin. "You allowed a female to join you on your travels."

Thorin opened his mouth to reply but Gandalf spoke first. "Rina has proved quite useful. She knows how to cook and she has mended my frayed robe and Ori's overcoat-"

"I unwillingly allowed her," interrupted Thorin. "However she will be departing from our group soon enough." Both Gandalf and Rina glared at him. Kili glanced at his uncle and then at the she-dwarf, his expression unreadable. Thorin spared his young charge a glance and lifted his chin. "I will see her to safety and then we will be on our way."

Rina folded her arms and kicked at the ground with her booted foot. She was well aware that her time with the company was short lived as Thorin had made it very clear that he would not allow her to journey with them for long. Nevertheless she had hoped she could persuade him that she wasn't completely useless. She desperately wanted to make him proud.

She glanced at Kili. She knew that part of the reason she had sneaked away from home was her utter aversion to the idea of being left behind by him. She didn't relish the thought of being abandoned by her guardian or Fili either.

She knew she had very little to offer them in terms of skill but she could hold a bow and she knew some simple defensive moves with a sword. Fili and Kili had made sure of that. She wasn't completely defenceless.

None of the other dwarves seemed terribly happy to have her accompanying them. She knew it was because they feared for her safety. While Kili and Fili both appeared pleased to see her, the two young dwarves had been quick to berate her, telling her that she had taken a great risk by following them.

Elrond seemed to be placated by this momentarily. "You must all be tired and hungry. I bid you rest and recover from your travels."

Rina nodded glumly and moved to follow after the dark haired elf as he turned to leave the courtyard. Kili moved with her, clutching her hand to his chest and giving it a squeeze.

"Thorin just means to protect you. I promise to not leave you anywhere you are not happy." His words calmed her and she gave him a feeble smile. "That's better. Come, let's rest."

AN: Please review and let me know what you think. Thank you for reading!