Soo sorry for the delay on this chapter! Work and School has been keeping me really busy for a while but I am hoping with summer approaching things will slow down a little. Nevertheless I do promise to have more regular updates for this starting now. I hope you all enjoy this and please let know if you do!

Amaranth squirmed awkwardly on her pony. It was just so tall- She mused. Every time she would glance down it would make her queasy. Maybe there was a reason Hobbits don't go on adventures, she thought wryly. Though her hands were clammy and she kept flinching every time the pony lifted its head, she refused to show she was scared.

Amaranth did not want the others dwarves to think less of her than they already did. Especially Fili, she admitted darkly. Her blood was still boiling from last night. She had been up late trying to make sure there was enough room for all of them to sleep comfortably when she had overheard him talking to the leader Thorin. Fili had been begging him to reconsider her joining. While she knew most of the dwarves did not wish for her to come, in fact each had approached her with concerns after dinner but it had all been gentle coming from a more protective angle. Even the gruff Dwalin seemed more worried about her than angry. However, she had been shocked at the disdain in Fili's voice towards her.

She had tried to be reassuring about her position within the company but his condensing nature had pushed past all her polite upbringing. Amaranth clenched her teeth recalling his audacity to suggest the reason he couldn't stomach her coming was because she was a girl. After their confrontation last night, she had stayed up late working out her anger on her mother's dishes. She had scrubbed everything within reach till her hands were raw. Even when she finally felt calm enough to go to bed, she had lain awake all night thinking of the high-handed dwarf. Her stomach rolling every time he had popped into her head which was irritatingly often she had to admit. If he was not such an arrogant sod he might be quite handsome, she reflected. Which was a surprise because dwarves were known for many things but being handsome was not one of of course his arrogant personality canceled any cuteness he may have had, she grunted darkly.

As the pony whinnied loudly and picked up his steps slightly Amaranth could feel her heart skip a beat. What if he took off and she lost control? The dwarves would surely send her home if they realized she could not even handle a trotting pony. Amaranth sneaked a glance over at Bilbo who was sitting awkwardly and was holding onto his reigns as though they were on fire but otherwise he seemed fine. Bofur seemed to have taken it upon himself to look after their burglar and was teaching how to handle riding.

As her pony whinnied again, Amaranth took a deep breath and leaned down towards its ear, "I will make you a deal," She whispered, "If you don't kick me off and help me prove to these guys I can handle this, I will make sure you get all the apples before any of the others." She tentatively reached out touching its silky neck, "What do you say? Is it a deal?" Amaranth smiled softly as the pony lifted its head quickly as though to say yes. Feeling better Amaranth patted his side more confidently as she sat back up into her seat.

"Her name is Ginger," came a quiet voice beside her. Startled she turned to see that Ori had ridden up next to her. He blushed shyly glancing back down at his diary he had been writing in. Amaranth smiled softly tilting her head towards the brown and white pony, "It's nice to meet you, Ginger." She turned towards Ori, "Thank you, Ori."

He brightened, "you remembered my name."

Amaranth laughed, "Of course." Noticing his surprised but pleased expression, she knitted her brow in confusion, "were you expecting me not too?"
He shrugged, "I don't know. Usually people call me Nori or Dori. My mother usually yells every name in the family before she gets to mine. I am the youngest, "He said simply.

Amaranth nodded in understanding, "Well, Ori," She stated firmly with a smile, "Are you a writer?"

"Not really," He said, "I just jot down my thoughts sometimes." He glanced up at her and realizing she was actually listening to him and caring, he seemed to grow more brave at talking to her. He moved his pony closer into hers, "I like looking back and see what I feeling at that moment."

"I like doing that too," Amaranth said, "sometimes I don't even realize what I was feeling until I see my thoughts in writing."

"Exactly," Ori replied excitedly, "I tried to tell Dori that but…" He trailed off sadly shifting his gaze over to his oldest brother.

Amaranth contemplated the young dwarf in front of her. He was smaller than the rest and slightly awkward as though he did not quite fit into his body yet. Ori was much quieter than the other dwarves although he interacted loudly at the party last night at Bag End like the others but she could tell he was considered a baby by the dwarves. She had been treated like little Amaranth from Bilbo too long not to notice the signs.

She had a feeling that Ori had a much gentler soul than the others and had been slightly teased growing up by his brothers for his more studious nature. Amaranth wondered if he had come along on this journey simply to prove his worth not only to his family but to himself as well.

"Do your brothers not approve of your writing?" She asked quietly.

Ori shook his head, "Not really. They don't mind it necessarily but they feel it is a waste of time. Dwarves are supposed to work in the mines. Although, we are not really able to in the Blue Mountains. We are forgers of steel mostly and traders." He paused seeming embarrassed, "I am a terrible forger and I never get the right prices for my trades."

"Any dwarf can make a blade or sell a fur, Ori. It takes a special one to write words to help soothe the soul." Amaranth said confidently, "If I was a girl dwarf I would much rather have a young man who could give me sweet words than something as common as created metal."

Ori blushed and did not reply but she could tell he was pleased by her words. Noticing he had something attached to his hip, "What is that?" She asked curiously.

He unhooked it to show her, "It is my slingshot."

"Are you any good with it?"

Ori beamed, "The best in the Blue Mountain. I can shoot bumble-bees out of the air with it."

"Well, that is a very rare skill indeed," Amaranth said surprised. She had not really taken Ori for a skilled fighter but he would have to be in order to use a slingshot like that. From all her reading, it took great aim and strength to use one so well. "I am sure your brothers are very proud."

Ori nodded happily and asked her about her time in the shire. She was regaling him of tales of all the antics Bilbo had gotten into as a young hobbit; grateful to have someone to talk to. She had been feeling a little uncomfortable around the gruff dwarves and Fili's outright disdain for her did not exactly make her feel welcomed. Bilbo had been too focused on learning from Bofur and Gandalf on what he would need in order to complete this journey to really spend much time with her. "So father had to tell Mr. McNamish that Bilbo was simply studying a new form of astronomy which is why he light all those fireworks in his backyard." Amaranth finished as Ori laughed and she peeked over at her brother who was giving her an angry glare but she could tell he was trying not to smile.

"If I recall," Gandalf broke in his deep voice laced with amusement, "they were fireworks he filched from me, as well."

"I did not filch them," Bilbo said firmly, "They had fallen off your wagon and I was simply bringing them back to you when they accidently went off in his yard."

They just stared at him until he shrugged reluctantly, "Well more or less."

Amaranth and Gandalf laughed and while the others did not, she could tell they were amused and were studying Bilbo more curiously. Ori rode up to his brothers and Amaranth shifted slightly in her saddle, still not quite comfortable.

"It seems to me, that Bilbo was not the only young hobbit in the shire with a few tales under his belt." Gandalf commented lightly, his gaze focused ahead.

Amaranth smiled tightly, "That was a long time ago."

"Was it?"

"Haven't you heard, Gandalf," She told him with a grin, "I am an all grown-up, respectable hobbit now."

"Are you?" Gandalf asked peering down at her quizzically as though he was looking for something and whatever he found made his eyes sad as he touched her head, "hmm," He murmured quietly to himself, "Not just for him then."

Before she could reply, he urged his pony forward to rejoin the front leaving her confused but oddly hopeful.

That evening as they camped, Ori was helping her collect vegetables for the stew. "Really, Ori you don't have to help." Amaranth said for the fifth time secretly throwing another poisonous mushroom over her shoulder that he had gathered. "I said I would do all the cooking in exchange for coming along," she reminded him.

"I don't mind," He called back happily, "I found some more- should I throw them into the pot?" he asked, holding up what looked like a mess of dirt with few vegetables past their prime in the mix.

"Uh no," Amaranth replied quickly, "Thanks but just leave them there. I just want to add them all at once, it helps the flavor."

"Okay," he added them to their pile and she made a mental note to go through each one before adding them in. If she poisoned one of the dwarves with her first supper she would be on her way home before they finished retching.

"Ori, would you mind grabbing the cooking supplies?" She asked leaning down trying to figure which sticks you used for a fire, realizing she was going to have to make one. She had read about starting one but the actual practice of it baffled her.

As he scurried off, Amaranth bit her lip. She wondered if Ori knew how to make a fire? She was loathed to ask anyone else for help. Besides everyone else was off relaxing and since the moment they had stopped they had made it clear that she was on her own here. It was her moment to prove her worth to the company and she was not about to admit she was unsure.

"Here you go, Amaranth," Ori said handing her the thick black cooking pot and knives.

"Thanks," she said absentmindedly before sighing, she turned to ask him if he could help when a teasing voice rang out, "Finally, found a girl you're not afraid of Ori?"

Amaranth quickly stood up as Kili and Fili came clambering out of the forest holding two rabbits for the stew-meat. Kili was grinning mischievously as Ori's ears turned pink and he stalked off bitterly.

"Kili," Amaranth said angrily taking the rabbits from him, "that was not nice."

He laughed throwing his arm over her shoulder, "Ahh don't worry about little Ori. I will give him my extra serving tonight to make it up to him,"

"If the food is even edible enough for a second helping," Fili muttered darkly.

"I am sure it will taste great," Kili said brightly noticing that Amaranth was turning a dangerous shade of purple.

"I am an excellent cook," She growled at him.

"Really?" Fili asked skeptically looking at the pile of dirt Ori had collected, "I like a little less mud in my stew, thanks."

"Oh, that pile is not for the stew," Amaranth said sweetly, "that pile is especially for your bowl. I decided if you were going to act like a self-righteous, know- it all pig, you could also eat like one."

"Okay then!" Kili interjected quickly before Fili could respond, "How about we get the food started now, shall we."

Amaranth could see Fili's jaw twitching as he glared at her. She balled up her fists at her sides refusing to back down. "Boy, am I hungry," Kili said bouncing up and down on his heels as stood between them, "Yep, just starving…" He mumbled softly his eyes shifting between the pair, "Sooo hungry."

Fili kept opening and shutting his mouth angrily before finally, "I am going to go talk to Ori." He gave her one last withering glare before stalking off. He paused staring down at the firewood she had awkwardly put together. He looked back at Amaranth, "I can't wait to try the stew. The last time someone added fire and actually cooked it, it was disgusting." With a satisfied grin he kicked a stick towards her before marching off.

"Ooh!" Amaranth cried angrily grabbing a carrot and drawing back her arm intending to throw it at the back of his head but Kili quickly snatched it out of her hand, "Thanks, I love carrots."

Amaranth could feel her face burning as she turned towards him but Kili just smiled at her like nothing had happened while he munched down.

She could feel her hands trembling with rage as she grabbed the stick Fili had kicked at her, "you're brother…" She muttered darkly.

Kili laughed but didn't reply as his gaze found Fili who was sitting next to Ori. Amaranth just kept muttering under breath and he had to duck unexpectedly as a mushroom came sailing towards his head.

She was throwing everything that Ori had collected which was inedible as hard as she could, imagining it to be Fili's arrogant self. She could barely talk she was so mad and now she was determined to figure out to light this fire. However, she still didn't know how and the idea that she may have to go into camp and ask someone for help made her want to cry. Amaranth opened her mouth to yell for Bilbo not that he would have any better idea but it was better than letting the others know and surely the two of them could figure it out. But before she could call her brother, Kili squatted down next to her with the rabbits and a large knife.

"Umm Amaranth, I was wondering if I could start the fire and you could skin these. I know I said earlier I would catch and skin them but the truth is I hate doing it. Do you mind?" Kili asked holding out the rabbits.

Amaranth shot him a confused look but he smiled knowingly and she realized he had figured out that she needed help. She gave his hand a grateful squeeze as she took the rabbits, "Sure Kili."

He winked before leaning forward gathering everything he would need. Amaranth sat down upon the cool rock, she began skinning the animals. She wrinkled her nose, she had always hated this part but it was something she was quite familiar with. Bilbo had always enjoyed rabbit stew so she was well practiced although the last few years her brother had always had taken on this task for her. At least though she did not need to focus as she worked and she was able to watch Kili and see what he was doing.

He went slowly and although he acted like he was talking to himself saying things like, "No, this wood is too wet," and throwing it out- she knew he was giving her instructions for the next time. Soon he had a blazing fire going and Amaranth felt more confident about what to do. She proudly held up the rabbits which he threw in along with the vegetables that she had deemed safe.

As the evening passed and the dwarves broke out instruments and started their story-telling, Amaranth stayed back and watched the food. She was trying to cool off her temper and Bilbo had come to check on her once but one look at her flushed cheeks and the spark in her green eyes, he had wisely decided it was best to leave her be for a while.

Only Kili stayed close and did not pay any heed to her bad mood and included her in on the merrymaking going on within camp. After a while his light-hearted mood rubbed off on her and she could feel her anger ebbing. Plus, the relief as the smell of the food began to fill the air and the other dwarves slowly started commenting on how well it smelled. Including Ori who was praising her cooking as he sampled the stew.

Though she was still boiling mad and couldn't even look at Fili without imagining some heinous thing she could do to him tonight while he slept, she was glad Ori seemed to have forgotten his embarrassment from earlier and was laughing with Kili-which she had to suspect had something to do with the older Durin brother.

"Let's eat," Thorin's booming voice broke out, "then everyone get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us and we will need to start early." He looked over at her as he took a bowl, "We can't wait for breakfast." Though his voice was sharp, it was not unkind.

Amaranth nodded, "I will have it for you all when you awaken."

"Good," As Bofur filled up his bowl, he turned towards Fili and Kili, "Eat quickly because you two have the first watch."

Fili nodded but Kili opened his mouth to protest although before he could say anything his brother stepped down hard on his foot, "Ow," he hissed under his breath at Fili.

"Kili," Fili warned softly.
"Fine," He sighed heavily grabbing a bowl. As they settled down by the tree he took a big gulp while Fili just poked at his with a look of disgust.

"Mmmmm," Kili hummed happily, "Good stew Amaranth!"

She smiled as the others quickly chimed in, "Yes, miss. It is very good." Balin said with a nod.

"Better than Dwalin's." Bofur called out teasing the menacing dwarf who responded by throwing a tobacco pouch at his head with a growl.

Bilbo, who was quite use to homegrown vegetables from their garden instead of the wild ones she had found in the fields nearby did not comment. It was not like the supper he was use to but he still gave her a grateful smile as she handed his to him.

"Mr. Gandalf," Amaranth said touching the wizards shoulder who had been lost in thought and had not went up to get his food with the others, "Are you hungry?" She asked handing him a bowl.

"What? Oh, yes thank you Aerie," He said with a smile.

Kili paused in his munching at the sound of her nickname, "Aerie?"

She shrugged sheepishly, "It's what my father called me."

"A fitting name," Balin told her as though he understand the special place it carried within her, "Do you mind then miss if we also call you Aerie?"

"It is a less of a mouthful," Dwalin broke in gruffly.

Amaranth laughed, "Aerie is fine, Mr. Balin." As she sat back down next to Bilbo, he put his arm around her with a small squeeze which she leaned into for a moment before they broke apart and focused on their supper.

As they ate, Aerie looked up into the night sky taking a deep breath of the cool air. "I told you, it would be good." She heard Kili say smugly to Fili regarding her cooking.

"It was okay," Fili admitted grudgingly but before she could even gloat, he added in a loud voice, "If you like undercooked mud."

Amaranth snapped her head over at them and saw Fili smirking in her direction. Feeling all the blood rush to her head, she stood up grabbing the pitcher she had filled with water from the stream earlier. She stalked over to where he sat eating, "That's right. I forgot the special ingredient just for you," and without thinking poured the icy water over his head soaking him but also making sure the water landed in his bowl turning the thick stew into an overflowing mess.

Fili gave a war cry as he fell back into the tree as the cold water shocked his body. He scrambled up, his chest heaving as his heavy braids dripped into his eyes, "you little goblin, stepping on my toes, childish imp!" Fili yelled, stepping in close until his chest pressed into hers.

She threw the pitcher down at his feet and her entire body was visibly shaking but she shook her hair out of her eyes smirking at the wet dwarf, "One mud stew like requested," She snapped before turning and headed to her sleeping mat.

The entire camp sat there in stunned silence as she stormed off and Fili stood breathing heavily until Kili finally burst into laughter. He fell back onto the ground gasping for air pointing at his enraged brother until Thorin came over and kicked him.

As Fili growled and threw his jacket onto the ground, the others started muttering about what had just happened. Gandalf gave a low chuckle as he light his pipe, intrigued to see how this would all play out. As he blew out a puff of smoke, he grinned as the blonde dwarf cursed loudly trying to squeeze the water from his hair, "Not just for Bilbo indeed," He muttered happily as the stars above twinkled with their plans for certain members of his company.

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