Chapter One

"Why must we always run? Why can't we take leisurely strolls or jaunty walks? "

"Because the orcs chasing us want our heads. Preferably apart from our bodies."

I quirked a brow at the blonde dwarf beside me and felt my lip twitch up.

Dwarves…Masters of deadpan comedy. Who knew?

"Right, thanks Fili…I almost forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder."

I sighed and leaned up against a tree, taking a quick breather as Bilbo had gone to scout out the area. Fili chuckled and patted my shoulder sympathetically, leaning up against my right side.

I absently brushed back a few loose strains from my face and tried to secure it back into a ponytail. I bumped Fili and muttered an apology but he merely chuckled and watched his brother.

Kili paced nervously in front of us, sending nervous glances back up the forest hill. No doubt looking for our burglar friend once again but like the saying said, a watched pot never boils, so his constant pacing was just making everyone uneasy.

We had barely had time to take a break after we were rescued by the eagles, setting off soon after the eagles had left. We had assumed that Azog would take longer to regroup than he did; trying to salvage what was left of his pack.

Yet, Azog would not be stopped.

He tracked us down within the day and soon we were running again for our lives. We had spent a week running from the orcs, not sleeping and barely eating as we were chased across Middle Earth by a pack, albeit a smaller one, who wanted us dead.

Not that I can blame them though, after all, we had done a number on them and I had personally had an orc eaten by his own warg. They were more or less very ticked off, and were going to hunt us until we either died or were killed.

Odd, but orcs were surprisingly determined creatures when it came down to it.

We may as well die of exhaustion at the rate we're going… I thought sarcastically, looking down at the shirt Ori had lent me all those months ago. It hung off of me as if it was made for Bombur, slipping off my shoulder more times than I could count.

Let's just say the dwarves were getting to see far more of me than I would personally like.

Might as well just run in nothing but my bra… I thought, shaking my head at the odd image. Perhaps my pasty white skin will blind the orcs and scare them off. I know a few beach residents who could vouch for its unnatural paleness…

I giggled quietly at my own humor and earned a few curious looks from the dwarves around, each most likely wondering if I was losing my mind due to the lack of food. It wasn't the best time for humor, but I was at this point too tired to care.

I smiled weakly at them and felt myself automatically fiddling with the stone that lay on the chest, the familiar shape and weight settling my mind. I looked down and examined it, the black stone glittering in the light. It hummed under my touch and I could feel its strange presence in the depths of my mind.

"I blame you for all of this you know…" I murmured quietly, eyeing the Onyx Moon. It almost felt like it would have rolled its eyes at me in response and I snorted, setting it down.

Moody little thing…

I glanced back at the still pacing Kili and threw a small twig, hitting him square in the head. He jerked and spun around, eyeing me curiously.

"What was that for?" he demanded, his voice incredulous. I raised my brows and gestured to the rest of the company who looked a little worse for wear.

"You're making everyone nervous. Now just stop pacing and wait for Bilbo. He'll be back, he always come back."

Plus I know that he is fine because who else will give Frodo the ring, but then again, I probably should just keep that to myself. I thought to myself, a weak smile tugging at my lips.

Kili looked around quickly and surveyed the group, finally taking in tense atmosphere. Even Thorin looked more uneasy than usual, his brows drawn tightly together.

"She's right. No use wasting your strength lad." Bofur piped up, resting on a log massaging his feet. "We just have to wait until Bilbo gets back."

Kili glowered at Bofur but stopped pacing, moving to stand beside me instead.

"He's been gone for a while, is all." Kili said to me, still watching the path Bilbo had gone up. "I don't know if we should be worried or not."

I nodded and leaned into the dark haired dwarf.

Kili and I hadn't gone any farther with our new found relationship since that night on the cliff, if that's what it could even be called. After that night we both seemed to agree to keep things the same as they were before until we were in the clear.

Neither of us knew how to broach the news to the company so we decided to keep it quiet, except for Fili who quickly put two and two together and Bofur who grinned ear to ear for a solid day after. I often wondered if Thorin knew what his nephew had been up to but I felt that if he wanted to say something to me, he would have done it already. Thorin was not the best known for his patience.

With Kili and I's lives constantly at risk, it made more sense to keep our feelings relatively professional instead of playing the love-struck couple who make out far longer than strictly necessary. I would do no favours to us or the company.

Not that I wouldn't mind with Kili… Seriously, he was stunning. But when orcs are hunting you, you have to make the tough decisions.

I was brought out of my musing when Kili shifted for what seemed the hundredth time, still agitated. I was just about to tell him not to worry when a flurry of footsteps sounded from up the hill.

I jumped from where I stood and hurried to meet a flustered looking Bilbo, the dwarves and Gandalf hurrying behind me.

Thorin pushed through the group and eyed the hobbit, his countenance more tense than ever.

"Well?" he demanded.

Bilbo took a breath and shook his head. "The orcs are close, getting closer too. Only within a few hundred leagues now… But there is something else …"

"They saw you." Gandalf stated bluntly, his face grim. I felt my lips part and I looked at Bilbo, hoping that he had gone undetected. We had only just escaped Azog… I didn't want to be seeing him so soon.

Bet he would love to see you though… I thought, our last meeting flitting through my mind. Yah, that'll go well.

Bilbo frowned and shook his head furiously, glancing back at the wizard.

"No, I wasn't seen. But there is something else!"

"See, what did I tell you?" Gandalf cut in, smiling at the company. "A perfect burglar!"

The tense atmosphere seemed to evaporate all at once, the dwarves immediately turning to one another in relief.

Still, I felt a slight knot at the pit of my stomach. Bilbo did not seem as happy as I would expect he would be if Azog was clueless to our location. He seemed almost scared, his wide eyes making me more nervous.

"Bilbo," I asked, breaking the low chatter "What else did you see?"

"I saw something else out there…" Bilbo began, the dwarves quickly hushing, "Something big…It was some sort of beast."

Gandalf seemed to perk up at this, his gray eyes sharpening. "In the form of a bear?"

Bilbo jerked up and narrowed his eyes at the wizard. "Well, yes, but massive. Much larger than a normal bear. How did you know?"

I looked at Gandalf and tried to figure out what he was thinking, his eyes far away.

From what I could tell, a giant bear was not the best news I had ever heard. I didn't know how Middle-Earth bears acting, but given the way everything else did in this world, I was assuming it was dangerous and very deadly.

"There is a house, not far from here. It could provide us with protection. But we must hurry…"

I glanced around at the group and could tell that everyone was a little unsure. Thorin looked at Gandalf but before he could say anything, a loud roar ripped through the valley.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I reached for my dagger instinctively. The dwarves followed in suit but they were just as shaken as I was.

I caught Kili's eye and could see the uncertainty there. Either we stayed and fought, or we tried to make another run for it.

"Hurry!" Gandalf finally cried, shocking the dwarves into actions. Thorin seemed to come too and soon, we were off again, or choice once again made. And as it always was, we were to run.

Kili grabbed my hand and we tore off after the giant wizard, my legs protesting at the pace but I ignored it.

I quickly waved Kili off and let go of his hand, the terrain too uneven to be linked together. Also he and Fili were the two fastest runners so weighing him down was doing no one any favours.

I may be faster than some, like Bombur… But then again, so was everyone else...

We had stumbled into a copse of trees, Bilbo gallantly staying close to me just in case I fell. Which, though I loathe to admit it and make myself sound like those idiotic girls in horror movies, I often stumbled and had to push myself back up to keep up with the company.

We stutter to a stop in the midst of the trees as a roar ripped through the air, Kili and Fili appearing at either side of me. A part of me would have smiled at their constant appearances, but at the moment, I was too preoccupied to consider it.

"Come on!" Gandalf urged his grey hat askew. "This way!"

I took off once again, following Bilbo's tattered jacket as a point of reference. Poor Bombur was terrified and I noticed Thorin grab him by the beard and yank him after us.

"Hurry up Bombur!" I called, hoping to shock him out of his fearful state.

Just as we stumbled onto a flat valley, a blur ran past me I barely had time to recognize it.

"Bombur?" I huffed, watching as the tubby dwarf past the line of dwarves with surprising speed.

With a sudden realization, I turned to look behind me and realized now I was the last one. Thorin ran close by but still, I was last. Dead last…

Dead last just took on a brand new meaning… I thought darkly

"Oh come on!" I cried, quickening my pace. "I am not being eaten first!"

I was tired, sore and ready to collapse. I didn't want to add 'digested by a giant bear' to that list.

I looked up from the uneven ground and caught sight of our so-called sanctuary, a large house surrounded by what looked to be a wall.

Just as I thought we had reached safety, a loud crash sounded behind me. Ignoring my common sense, I whipped around to see.

Oh my god…

A bear the size of car came barreling at us, its black fur rippling over its muscular form. Huge teeth gleamed in the waning light, its eyes black as it tore after us.

With a small gulp, I focused on the dwarf ahead of me, willing my legs to push on. I could hear its pounding feet on the ground and could feel my heart beginning to truly pound. No from exhaustion, but from plain fear.

The company took off through the archway into a small garden, me taking up the rear. Gandalf waved me through and I could see the small fear in his eyes.

I could see the door to the home just ahead, my heart thundering inside my chest, matching the beat of the beasts' paws.

Suddenly, I crashed into the back of a dwarf and fell, stunned. I looked up from where I was on the ground and realized that we had reached the door but it wasn't opening.

"Open it!" someone cried, the dwarves pushing each other to try and get to the door. Oin helped me back onto my feet and I didn't miss his widening eyes at the beast behind us.

I pushed myself onto my toes and peered over the mass of dwarves, trying to see the problem. We only had so much time left!

The door was solid wood, iron bands holding it together. I could make out Kili's dark head and he hit the door with his shoulder, the thundering getting louder.

Then I realized the problem.

"Move!" I commanded, pushing my way through as fast as I could. "Get out of the way!" I was not going to be eaten because of the stupidity of dwarves… Or was it just men in general… Who knew…

Elbowing poor Nori in the stomach I threw myself at the door, earning a shocked look from Kili who hit the door repeatedly.

"The latch!" I cried indignantly, reaching up with both hands and moving the metal latch. Thorin moved beside me quickly and we hefted the deadbolt up, falling into the home as the door flung open.

I scuttled out of the way as the dwarves and Bilbo flung them against the door, now trying desperately to close it.

I jumped into action and threw myself into the fray, pushing the door close.

I nearly choked as a head appeared in the door, the beast's teeth snapping at us.

"Close it!" Someone screamed, the dwarves yelling at one another quickly. I pushed with all my strength against the door, the hot breath of the giant bear on my face.

"Heave lads!" I heard Dwalin bellow, my feet struggling to find grip on the stone floor. I closed my eyes and put all my weight into the door, my teeth set in a tight grimace.

Finally, with an agonizing slam, the door shut. The dwarves hurried to lock it and soon we were safe, the bear roaring from outside.

I slid down the door and let myself catch my breath, my breathe coming in pants and gasps.

"Next time…" I gasped out, looking up at the tired dwarves, "just check… for the latch…please…"

Bofur stood beside me and raised a brow, too tired for a retort but still in good enough humor to grace me with a sarcastic look.

"What was that?" Ori finally piped up, the small dwarf doubled over. I glanced at Gandalf and saw him gazing at the door, lost in thought.

"That is our host." he said finally, my eyes widening slightly. "His name is Beorn. He is a skin-changer. Sometimes he is a huge black bear, or sometimes he is a great strong man… The bear is unpredictable…"

Gandalf slowly started to move away, the dwarves slowly beginning to spread out in the home. He continued to explain this bear man and I couldn't help but mutter when it was revealed that Beorn did not like dwarves.

Bofur held out a hand and I took it, groaning as I got to my feet. I could still hear the bear, or rather Beorn, snuffling outside and followed Kili as he went to explore our host's home.

"Watch your step…" Fili warned, gesturing to the large step that separated the main room from what I thought was a kitchen.

I nodded and hopped onto it, looking around me.

The table towered over me and I walked over to Kili who seemed to be poking around the cabinets.

"What are you doing?" I asked, crossing my arms as he pulled out a large loaf of brown bread. He smiled impishly at me, the wide grin weakening my reserve.

Damn his smile… I thought, rolling my eyes at him.

"Just figured that we could use some food before we head off to bed." he said, his eyes glittering. "I don't think our host will mind."

"Uh huh, I doubt that the bear man will mind dwarves rifling through his cupboards. Not one bit." I shook my head but couldn't help but wonder how good that bread would be with a little cheese.

Kili grinned at me again and quickly leaned in for a kiss, surprising me. His lips felt soft against mine and I tried not to blush too much went he pulled away.

"I knew you would see reason." he answered easily, his dark eyes mischievous. I felt myself turning red, Kili's grin only widening. He leaned in again and spoke quietly, his hair brushing my shoulder.

"I think the company can wait though a bit longer for the bread, don't you think?" I glanced up at him and held my breath, a part of me still unbelieving that Kili could be remotely interested in me.

The Onyx Moon seemed to hum at my chest, sensing my whirl of emotions. I could feel my eyes closing on their own accord when a loud cough sounded.

Fili stood near the table, his face highly amused and both Kili and I shuffled away from each other.

Damn it Kris! Stop kissing the company members…This will only make things more awkward. I scolded myself, not believing my lack in reason. If Thorin had caught us…

The image of Thorin's intense glare finding me with his nephew caused me to shake, banishing the image from my mind. Hopefully that never came about. I really doubted Thorin would enjoy having me swooning after Kili left, right and centre while a dragon was on the loose.

I took a step back from the princeling and tried to look productive, searching area for anything that would make this any less awkward. Fili's eyes bore holes in my back and I couldn't help but thank that it wasn't Thorin's gaze that watched.

Fili crossed his arms and smiled a small smirk that seemed to only appear when he was really amused.

"Don't stop on my account." he said, that infuriating smirk still plastered on his face.

Kili glared at his brother and tossed him the loaf of bread, muttering under his breath. "Someone always has to appear…" I heard Kili say, Fili catching the bread and watching us.

"We were just trying to find some food. Hopefully Beorn doesn't get too mad." I tried, still ignoring Fili's wicked grin.

Fili cocked his head and gave me a leveled look, his brows rising. "If that is how you find supplies, then next time I'll volunteer."

Kili chuckled good-naturedly, eyeing his brother with a mix of amusement and annoyance. "In your dreams, brother."

I couldn't help but snort in response to Fili, grinning a bit despite myself.

Just like his brother… Geez these two must have been batting off the girls at home.

"You're a real charmer Fili. Sure know how to make a girl feel special." I chuckled, shaking my head as I made my way back towards the rest of the company. I glanced back at Kili and quirked a brow, whispering low to Fili as I passed.

"If Kili decides to take a swing, I'm not helping."

Fili eyed me sarcastically but I merely shrugged, tapping him lightly on the nose. "I'm not the one who interrupted. It would be a shame to see that perfect nose broken… But, I'm off duty now so have fun!"

I couldn't help but giggle as I walked away, Fili warily turning to Kili with his hands open in show of appeasement. I could hear Kili's sarcastic grumbling at his brother but decided to let them deal with it.

Right now, I was going to sleep.