The Tenderness In Others

You were relieved when you all managed to climb down the carrock. Though you must admit, you were a little worried about Thorin. You were watching him while Oin was trying unsuccessfully to tend to his wounds.

Thorin kept swatting Oin's hands away from his wounds. You had a feeling that Oin was going to give up. Sighing, you grabbed hold of your bag and walked over to them, taking no notice of the others.

"Do you need any assistance Oin?" You asked him.

"Well yes. Thorin here is being very unreasonable and won't let me look at his wounds."

Kneeling down, you opened up your bag and started rummaging in there, searching for your medical herbs.

"Why don't you tend to Bilbo?" You say to Oin "I'll look after this very stubborn man!"

"I am still here you know?" remarked Thorin.

"Why, what's the matter with Bilbo?" asked Oin, taking no notice of what Thorin said.

"He did fall from a great height in that cave and I have no idea if that Warg hurt him during that battle."

You grabbed hold to what you were searching for with a small smile on your face.

"It would ease my mind if you would check on Bilbo," You added, pulling out Kingsfoil from your bag "while Thorin and I will be heading toward the lake over there."

"We will?" asked Thorin, raising his eyebrows at you.

When you looked up at him, you were surprised to see a smile on his lips.

"Yes, we will," You replied "where I can see what damage has been done to you."

"I am fine Lena, nothing to worry about."

You just rolled your eyes as you stood up, placing your bag around your shoulder blades once more. Without saying a word, you then took hold of Thorin's hand with your free hand, pulling him away from the rest of the company. The laughter that followed made you cringe a little, especially when Kili shouted out,

"Mummy and Daddy want some alone time!"

"Remind me to hit him later." You muttered under your breath.

"But he's our son!"

You turned and looked at Thorin, noticing he was trying not to laugh. All you could do was growl in frustration. You were a little miffed to see Thorin act like this. You were used to him being grumpy and on guard but of late...

"Right, " You say, letting go of Thorin's hand "you might be able to wheedle your way out of Oin's treatment but I on the other hand, will not tolerate that kind of behaviour."

Taking your bag off your back, you placed it on the ground before returning your attention to Thorin who now had his arms crossed.

"You dare talk to me like this?"

"While you have injuries, yes I do," You replied "now please take the top half of your armour of so I can see what that Warg did to you."

"You want me too..."

"Hmmm, Yes."

"As you wish."

Once again you rolled your eyes while you placed some Kingsfoil in your mouth. The taste was really bitter as your teeth slowly chewed on the herb. You would be glad when you could remove it that was for sure.

As you walked toward the lake, you heard Thorin slowly take off his armour and tunic off. You bent down and wet your hands to clean them, before walking back to Thorin who now had the top half of his clothes off.

You had to stop in your tracks when your eyes trailed down to his hairy chest. Though you could clearly see that he kept in shape, you were looking at the bite marks that vile Warg did to him.

"Like what you see?" teased Thorin, bringing you back to the present.

Spitting out the Kingsfoil in the palm of your hand, you purposely never replied to him, though you could clearly see Thorin' smile broaden.

"Where to start?" You mumbled to yourself.

Once again, you were looking at Thorin' torso. You were thankful that Warg hadn't done a lot of damage. In fact, the wounds weren't that bad. Taking a little of the chewed up Kingsfoil, you walked up to him, though your eyes stayed on his chest.

"This will hurt to which I am sorry for."

"I've been through much worse than this." admitted Thorin, causing you to look at him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think."

"You wasn't to know."

"Actually I do know a little about the battle of Azanulbizar," You say, as you began spreading the Kingfoil on Thorin's ribcage, as gently as you could of course "you'd be a fool if you didn't."

Thorin flinched at your touch and your blue eyes went back at him with an apologetic look.

"That is strange," said Thorin after a while "because we keep our stories to ourselves. Who was it that spoke to you?"

"Well, fights like your kind, do tend to get around," You point out, spreading the Kingsfoil around the bite marks on his chest "though with my travels, I listen to everything and everyone. After all, you never know if you need to gain some trust with like-minded people."

Once again, you caught Thorin's bemused look on his face, though you simply returned your attention to his wounds.

"It was Gandalf that informed you about Azanulbizar wasn't it?"

"Well, I do admit the subject did come up a few times when we saw each other, but that was only because of my own problems," You gave him a sheepish smile before adding "I would never reveal the story to anyone, I know you guard your stories and such very seriously."

You failed to notice the way Thorin was watching you, while you continued placing Kingsfoil on his bite marks. If you had noticed, you would have seen the tender way he was looking at you. As if he was memorising everything about you. Which of course, he was.

When you were certain every wound on his chest was covered with Kingsfoil, you walked toward the lake and washed your hands clean. Then once again, you went toward to your bag, taking out some more Kingsfoil and repeated the circle. While you were chewing on this bitter herb, you pulled out some clean bandages and then headed back toward Thorin, whose eyes never left yours.

"You come prepared?" He asked as you leaned forward, placing the bandage around his middle.

"Of course," You replied, looking up at him "one must always come prepared. You never know what awaits you done the long path you tread."

"Now you sound like Gandalf." said Thorin, his smile broadening.

"Only I don't cast spells and mumble under my breath like he does." You mused, making sure the bandage was where it should be and not bunched up.

"So it's not just me that notices Gandalf's weird ways?"

"No, I believe everyone notices that Gandalf is a little-,"

"Odd." jumped in Thorin, causing you to laugh.

"I was going to say, eccentric, but seeing as that means the same, it matters not."

For a few moments, nothing was said. You just continued wrapping the bandage around Thorin's chest, until finally, you tied the end up with a knot.

"I'll have Oin cheek on your chest wound in a while." You remarked, more to yourself, though Thorin had clearly heard you.

"I'd rather you tend to me."

You look back at him with surprise, though said nothing.

"Oin means well," carried on Thorin "except that he can be a little heavy-handed. You on the other hand, are not what I was expecting."

"Oh?"

Thorin had the grace to look away as he spoke back to you.

"I w-w-wish to apologise. Our first meeting was not nice. I was rude to you when you had informed myself and my kin that you would be taking over Gandalf's role for a short role."

"There is no need to apologise. You had every right to be like that...No fighting for you," You remark, changing the subject "I don't want to see a bloody bandage. Otherwise, there will be a nasty scar on your ribcage which I'd imagine, would alarm your wife and family."

You walked toward the lake, once again washing your hands in the cool water, before heading back to your bag in search for more Kingsfoil. You happened to glance up at Thorin, noticing he was now grinning back at you.

"What's the matter?" You asked, pulling out the last of your Kingsfoil out your bag.

"Wife and family?" He's right eyebrow shots up, though the grin on his face remained.

"Yes. I don't particularly want them moaning back at me, that I didn't look after you and your-,"

"I'm not married," interrupted Thorin "Nor have I a significant other."

Once again, your eyes went wide from hearing this, causing Thorin to chuckle.

"You seem surprised."

"In all honestly, yes I am," You admitted, "I just assumed that you were married, which would have made this quest even more personal for you."

"It is personal," fumed Thorin and you instinctively stepped back, startled at the sudden change in him "that blasted dragon took over my home and has the gall to stay there! No, Lena, it is personal because I intend to put a stop to that once and for all."

For once, you were lost for words. You watched Thorin seeing the anguish on his face. You knew he had seen a lot through his azure eyes, most of it bad. You don't know what came over you then, but you stepped forward toward him and surprised him by placing your arms around his waist, hugging him, making sure not to press into his ribcage.

It was your turn to be startled when you felt his own arms wrap around your middle, holding you a little tight against him. For a few minutes, nothing was said between the pair of you until you felt compelled to say,

"I know from my own experience what it is like to lose someone precious. That you want to right the wrongs. Just promise me something."

You pulled back a little watching him. Thorin's blue eyes met yours and once again, he had a small smile on his face.

"That depends."

You frowned at that comment but carried on with what you were saying,

"When and if you do come across Smaug and of course that orc Azog, don't just fight them on your own. Let others help you, it will be a lot easier that way. Trust me on this."

You sighed, looking at the bandage around Thorin's chest. For just a second, you were back to that dark place. You watched hopelessly as two of your dearest friends were murdered right in front of yours eyes. A shiver went through you, knowing that they deaths were caused by a spy who has yet to be dealt with. You were brought back to the present when a warm calloused hand gently touched your left cheek. You looked up, noticing the worry in Thorin's eyes.

"What ails you?" He asked.

Just as you were about to finally confide with Thorin, heavy footsteps could be heard, then a loud 'ahem'. Breaking away from Thorin slightly, you turned to where the sound was and saw a grinning Balin holding two bowls in his hands.

"I didn't mean to interrupt you both," said Balin, now walking toward Thorin and yourself "but Bombur has just made this hot stew, so I thought you both would appreciate this."

You graced Balin with a smile then looked back at Thorin, noticing his narrowed eyes towards his friend. You could also feel his arm tighten around your waist which was weird for you.

"Right, well," began Balin, looking at Thorin with wide eyes, then placed the bowls on the ground "I'll be heading back now. See you both in a little while."

You furrowed your brows, wondering what made Balin leave like that.

~~Thorin's POV~~

To say he was surprised that he would let an outsider willingly tend to his wounds instead of Oin was an understatement. Thorin didn't even want Oin to touch him. He was going to see for himself what damage that blasted Warg had done to him. Lena of course had other ideas.

Now here they were, with this extraordinary lady, placing Kingsfoil on his chest and that actually pleased him. Her very touch was sending out signals on his skin, letting Thorin know that she was indeed his 'one'. He couldn't stop grinning at her and he could tell that she was a little baffled by his sudden difference, which is why he had to apologise to her. Surprised when Lena said she completely understood why he acted that way.

He could have hit himself when he suddenly lashed out at her, when she had said,

"I just assumed you were married, which would have made this quest even more personal for you."

It was just an automatic manner, for it was not the first time someone had said it was very personal to him. Thorin was ashamed to look Lena in the eye from his outburst just now, when something unexpected happened.

A pair of arms wrapped themselves around his waist and for a split second, Thorin was dumbstruck. He inhaled sharply and caught the essence of her blonde hair. He could faintly smell jasmine, which comforted him so what. Slowly he placed he's own arms around her middle, holding her tight, realising he never wanted to let her go.

Thorin knew that the quest was his main priority but with Lena now part of his company, he was willing himself to reveal his feelings for her. Never had he felt this way toward any lady before. With the quest at hand and the eventful knowledge that he would be King in Ereber once reclaimed,

Looking down at Lena he could see her looking worried. He felt her shiver and wondered what caused that. It was quite a warm evening considering what they had all been through recently. Thorin watched her as she frowned while she looked at nothing in particular. Without really thinking about it to much, he gently lifted his right hand and cupped Lena's cheek, startling her.

"What ails you?" He asked softly.

Before she could say something, Balin decided to show up with two bowls of food in his hands. Thorin was not impressed by this however and gave his oldest friend a glare that told him to go away.

"Right well," Balin suddenly said, his eyes never leaving the stern look coming from Thorin as he placed the bowls on the ground near them "I'll be heading back now. See you both in a little while."

With that, Balin swiftly turned around and went back towards the rest of the company. While this was happening. Thorin realised that he was practically holding onto Lena a little tighter then he should. He loosened his hold of her, looking anywhere but her, for he could feel his face burn a little to what just happened.

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking at the two bowls on the ground.

"I should be the one to apologise," replied Lena "I was the one that initiated that hug. I just thought you needed it."

"I admit, it did take me by surprise."

Lena stepped back and walked towards the two bowls on the ground, unaware that Thorin felt lost without her touch.

"I don't normally hug people," said Lena, bending down to retrieve their food "it's just you had a sad look in your eyes and that propelled me to reach out to you."

Thorin never uttered a word, only watching her as she came back, handing over his bowl of hot stew.

"You," started Thorin, clearing his throat, "you looked sad too. What ails you?"

Lena looked back at him with wide eyes, then sighed.

"You are not the only one that has been through a lot Thorin but with Gandalf's guidance, I believe I would still be in a very dark place right now."

Again, Thorin saw the sadness in her blue eyes and really wanted her to open up to him, but alas, she just placed some stew in her mouth and silently chewed her food. When she swallowed, Lena looked at Thorin, then at his wounds and said,

"We'll finish this, then I shall continue to clean your wounds."

"Right." replied Thorin, grabbing the spoon, though never ate anything.

He just played with his food, thinking. Then he looked at Lena once more, when a thought strike him.

"Why did you change our names when that strange thing was around us in that cave?"

Lena was just about to eat another mouthful of stew, when she stopped, placed her spoon back in the bowl, then looked at Thorin with disdain.

"Surely you know?" She asked him.

He didn't and it clearly showed on his face. Sighing, she walked back towards Thorin and sat down. Thorin followed suit, waiting for her answer.

"If I had told Gollum our real names, what's to stop him from revealing them to someone who is not on our side?"

Lena tilted her head watching Thorin silently.

"Our real names are very powerful and it is unfortunate that Bilbo told Gollum his name," Lena shook her head with sad eyes "I've a feeling that will come to haunt Bilbo later on."

"I have a feeling you are speaking from experience."

Lena nodded her head and picked up her spoon, though never said anything. Thorin watched her as she began to eat once more. He sighed, wishing she would open up a little to him. Thorin really wanted to help her in any way he could, but how could he do that, if she was keeping whatever was bothering her hidden inside of her?

From time to time, a strand of hair, kept hitting Lena in the face, causing her to groan out loud. Despite himself, Thorin chuckled causing Lena to look back at him and smile.

"Before I start with you, perhaps I should tie my hair up."

"I could do it," remarked Thorin, gracing her with a small smile "it will be my thanks for you seeing to my wounds."

"You really don't-,"

"I insist." interrupted Thorin, placing his stew bowl back on the ground.

He then got up and walked behind Lena startling her when he gently touched her hair. Without saying a word, Lena handed a comb to him that she retrieved from her bag and let Thorin get on with it. Once again he could smell jasmine as he combed through the tangles in her blonde hair. Thorin smiled when he heard Lena sigh in content and for a while either one of them spoke as he tied her hair up.

"All done." He said softly, handing over her comb.

"Thank you," replied Lena, smiling at him as she stood up, putting her comb bag in her bag "now, shall we continue?"

All Thorin did was nod his head, feeling a little nervous to what he had just done. Other than tie her hair up in a simple ponytail, he had also braided a section of her hair and placed his bead to secure the braid in place. He only hoped that when she discovered the true meaning of this braid, she would already be his.

o0o

A little later Thorin and Lena were back with the others and despite where they were, there was a very cheerful atmosphere in the air. While Lena was now making sure that Bilbo was alright, Thorin noticed Dwalin and Balin walk towards him, with grins on their faces.

"Judging by the braid in her hair, everything is to be expected," said Balin, squeezing Thorin's shoulder gently "I'm very happy for you."

"Er...Thanks." replied Thorin, feeling like a fraud.

"Thorin," came a voice ahead of him "what have you done?"

Thorin's eyes went on Gandalf 's narrowed blue's eyes, waiting for Thorin to say something. When the wizard noticed the stoney silence, he then watched Lena and shook his head.

"Helena has no idea does she?"

"Well," began Thorin, scratching his neck "I did offer to help with her hair and she of course never refuse."

"So your telling me, that our fair companion has accepted you as your 'one'?" asked Gandalf, holding onto his staff a little tightly, while he watched Thorin carefully.

"Hmmm, She just let me tie her hair up." admitted Thorin, not looking at the wizard, but at the ground.

"Thorin, you didn't?" gasped Balin, stepping back a little, even Dwalin was surprised by this, though said nothing.

The woman in question walked past the four men, gracing them with a nod and a smile. eight pairs of eyes watched her as she went towards Ori, looking at his sketches he had done so far. The air around Thorin suddenly felt very chilly, glancing back at the wizard, he knew why.

Gandalf was vivid.

"Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin, son of Thrór, you are a complete and utter imbecile. Whatever made you do this?" hissed Gandalf.

By now, most of the company had stopped what they were doing and were now looking at Gandalf and Thorin. Thorin himself, watched Lena who seemed completely oblivious to what was happening.

"I did it in fear of losing her." whispered Thorin.

"I'd suggest you re-find that shovel you used and dig that hole you have made a little bigger and then fall into it!" fumed Gandalf, walking away from him "When she finds out," He continued "and she will do, all I'll say is this."

Gandalf turned and faced Thorin once more, taking no notice to what was going on around him.

"Brace yourself, for Helena's temper is mightier than her two swords."

With that, the wizard walked off, leaving Thorin to wallow in his new found problem he had created.

~~~Lena's POV~~

Though you knew that something was up, you refused to acknowledge it. After all, it was none of your business as to what was going on. Thankfully you were distracted with the very detailed drawing's Ori had created so far.

In one drawing, you could see Lord Elrond with Lindir looking a little disturbed with what they were witnessing. Looking over at Ori who was clearly watching the events of the argument, you asked,

"What's behind this drawing Ori?"

The talented dwarf glanced at you quite bashfully you might add, then at his work of art. A smile came from nowhere as he explained to you what had happened that late afternoon back in Rivendell.

"Most of us were just relaxing and having a good time. There was a waterfall nearby so we er, decided to take our clothes off, and splash about."

"That's when Lord Elrond came," You guessed, noticing the grin on Ori's face broaden "Did you splash about as well?"

"Me?"

Ori's smile vanished. In it's place were red cheeks. He quickly averted his gaze, looking anywhere but you. You of course, found Ori completely adorable and your right arm, gently squeezed his shoulder, a gentle smile played on your lips.

"I was busy drawing this," replied Ori after a while "I-I-I want to remember everything, so I do this."

You looked at another picture, now it was of Bilbo on a pony. You noticed that in this drawing, Bilbo had a worried look on his face and it appeared he was holding a cloth in his right hand. Though everything appeared to be calm once more, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife.

You tried to relax as you looked at a drawing of Balin, Dwalin and Thorin all in a circle, looking like they were discussing something private. Glancing up, you spotted the three men in question, talking quietly to themselves. Looking back at the drawing, then at them, it was near identical, causing you to chuckle at the irony.

"I really like your hair up like that Lena."

You looked to the source of the voice, noticing Kili heading towards you. As was his brother and Bofur.

"Thanks." was all you said, as you looked at another drawing Ori had drawn.

"Especially the braid," carried on Kili "you could say, you are now part of us."

"Shut up Kee!" Fili said, causing you to glance at him and Kili.

You had no idea what was going on here, but you really were not in the mood for a joke, especially as Kili was now grinning at you. Before you had a chance to reply, you heard Gandalf call Kili over, leaving Fili and Bofur standing next to you.

"Please ignore my brother." Fili finally said, now sitting next to you, Bofur stayed standing, taking out his flute and inspecting it.

"That shouldn't be too hard," You replied, gracing Fili was a smile "I'm not in the mood for jokes tonight, not after what's happened."

"W-What do you mean?" stammers Fili, looking back at you with a nervousness that you had never seen before.

You gave back the sketch book to Ori, who then walked over to his brother Nori, you sighed.

"Seeing Thorin's nemesis earlier, has brought my own friction out."

"Why's that lass?" asked Bofur gently, now wiping his flute on his tunic.

"I'm sure you don't want to hear my ramblings."

"We do," replied Bofur, grinning at you "don't we Fili?"

"Aye."

Admitting defeat, you lowered your voice and began.

"For five years I have been searching for my betrayer."

"Your what?" asked Bofur, stopping what he was doing as he watched you with a confused look on his face.

"It's thanks to this betrayer," You continued, now looking at the ground "that my two dearest friends are dead."

"The one's you named your sword's after?" asked Fili gently.

All you could do was nod your head, now seeing their smiling faces in your mind. Then another scene with your friends being massacred while you were looking for that night's meal. Of course you fought one of the assailants off, noticing the strange white mark on their armour.

"We were guarding a person who had something on them," You continued "something that these assailants wanted as well."

"Did they get what they wanted?" asked Bofur.

Shaking your head, you whispered,

"No. I remember dropping the food that I had hunted and then instantly went into attack mode, protecting the person we were supposed to protect. Sword and axe clashed together, while at the same time, I was making sure the person we were protecting was out of harms way."

"Helena!"

My eyes instantly went to the source of the voice, noticing Gandalf had a very somber expression.

"You don't have to explain child," said Gandalf softly "even I can see that the wound is still too raw."

Once again, you shook your head.

"No, I have to remember every detail. It is the only way to redeem myself."

"Now you listen to me, Helena Madagáin. What happened five years ago was 'not' your fault. You had no way of knowing that there was an informer among you."

"If you hadn't of been there," You whispered "I don't know what I-,"

"I believe I was supposed to be there at that time, Helena," interrupted the wizard "things happen for a reason."

"Do they indeed?" You counter, standing up "I lost two friends that night, I don't take that lightly."

"I know child. Though perhaps one day," You looked at Gandalf "you will get your answers as to who betrayed you and your companions."

As you listened to what Gandalf had said, you realised that the rest of the company had grown quiet. Looking around, you saw that everyone was silently listening in to what Gandalf and you were talking about.

You didn't like this one bit. The silence was awful. Taking a deep breath, you picked your bag up and turned around, walking away from the rest of the company. You needed to be alone for a while.

"Don't walk too far Helena." You heard Gandalf shout out.

You waved your hand in the air, letting him know that you had heard him. You found yourself near the lake from earlier. Dropping your bag on the ground, you sighed, letting all these thoughts out of your system. You believed that you would some day come face to face with the low life that had betrayed you. Everything had a way of revealing itself, you just had to sit this out. Until you had any new clue as to what that white mark on that armour was really all about.

A sudden snap of a twig made you grab hold of your sword and spin around, ready to attack. When you saw Thorin however, you instantly let go of the hilt of your weapon and slightly relaxed a little. You then turned around again, looking at nothing in particular.

"You are not the only one who has lost someone dear to them." You heard Thorin say, as you heard his footsteps approach you.

"You think I don't know that?" You snapped back and then inwardly cringed.

Thorin seemed unfazed by your outburst however and simply carried on speaking.

"I witnessed my own grandfather's death. The vile scum Azog decapitated him and I fought him at the battle of Azanulbizar."

You just listen, not saying anything, though you knew that the battle of Moria had been major. Slowly, you turned your head and looked at Thorin. He had a pained expression on his face. It was this expression that you were used too, for you felt the same for the loss of your friends.

"Seeing him again," continued Thorin "has made me angry and I do want vengeance. I can imagine that you want that too, with this betrayer."

All you could do was nod your head.

"Good. That means you have a goal. Though this time you won't be alone."

"Thorin, this is my fight."

"You told me not to fight Smaug and Azog alone," Thorin reminded you "well, the same applies to you as well."

"So, you did listen." was your reply, noticing Thorin frown a little.

This caused you to chuckle a little, then you nodded your head.

"I should perhaps listen to my own advice."

"Aye, you should.

You watch Thorin shift from foot to foot, while he looked at you, then at the ground. You wondered why he was acting this way now, though never asked him.

"Do you," He coughed a little, causing you to arch an eyebrow "do you want to talk about it?"

A small smile wormed it's way to your lips, though you shook your head.

"No thank you," You replied, unsheathing your swords "though I do have to get rid of this pent up anger that is causing through me."

"Fight me." came Thorin's response.

You just looked at him, clearly shocked.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said, fight me." Thorin repeated unsheathing his own sword.

Glancing down at his sword, then back at him, who now clearly had a smile on his lips, while you were aghast. Not too long ago, you were busy cleaning up his wounds and now he wants to play fight with you? You shook your head, not liking this development.

"Are you out of your mind? You are injured Thorin, therefore I will not-,"

"So, you are frightened to challenge me then?" interrupted Thorin, now grinning back at me.

"I am not 'frightened' of anything, lest of all you Thorin Oakenshield!"

"Prove it then."

You don't know how he did it, but you were more angry than ever before. The cheek of him to say you were actually frightened of fighting him.

The nerve!

Looking at his wounds, however, did somehow calm you down a little, until you heard him say,

"I was the one that ran towards Azog, getting these wounds in the first place. So to my reckoning, I'm the next best thing you have, to a good fight."

"You are injured!" You point out to him.

"Aye, though I'll live to tell another tale...I do think you are frightened to fight me. Although men are better suited-'"

Out of sheer frustration, you lunged at him, using one of your swords. Thorin was ready however and simply deflected your blade with ease.

"Is that the best you can do?" He chided, now smirking back at you.

With narrowed eyes, you watched him carefully. Holding your two sword's 'Destiny and Judgement' in both hands. Both of you were now doing the sword dance. Both walking around one another, looking for an opening, a weakness to really start this strange fight.

"What in the world is going on here?" You heard someone say, though your eyes stayed on Thorin.

You were a little surprised when Thorin actually did drop his guard down and looked over to who had been speaking. This was your chance and you took that it by aiming 'Judgement' to Thorin's throat.

A smile came from Thorin once more as he easily deflected your sword once more. He then went for you, though both off your sword's clashed with his every time. Neither of you stopped. It was like seeing who would start lacking sooner. It appears neither of you both were ready to quit just yet.

"Why are they fighting?"

"Shhh," came another voice "Who cares, this is good...I'll put a wager on Lena here, seeing as she has every reason too-,"

You then heard a loud moan coming from the direction of the voices, though you refused to see what was going on over there.

"What was that for?" You now knew it was Kili that was shouting.

"Fool of a dwarf," remarked Gandalf, "never learns."

"You are going to easy on me Lena," points out Thorin "show me what you are really capable off."

Once again, you blocked Thorin's sword with one of your own as he said that. He was right. you were being careful. You didn't want to hurt him accidentally while this fight was taking place. In truth, you really didn't want to hurt him at all.

"Or are you all show?" carried on Thorin "A pretty face to entice those that come near you."

This angered you and without warning, you held on to 'Destiny and Judgement' and really let Thorin now what you were truly capable off. You could see this pleased him as he gave just as much as you did. Neither of you could find any opening or weakness as swords clashed with each other.

When you and Thorin had started this very weird sword fight, the sun was setting. Now though, the stars were out watching what was happening down below. After a long while, you found Thorin's sword at your neck but one of your own sword's was pointing directly at his navel.

"Do you yield?" asked Thorin.

"Never!" was your response, noticing Thorin's smile broaden.

Neither of you moved a muscle, both watching and waiting to see what would happen next. Footsteps could be heard then,

"Ahem...I believe it is a draw," said Gandalf "so perhaps it is time to stop this now, hmmm?"

Still, Thorin and yourself refused to budge.

"Oh for the-," mumbled Gandalf.

A bright light came from nowhere, separating and pulling you and Thorin apart. You were knocked backwards, landing hard on your arse, both of your swords were taken out of your hands, then landed back on the ground by an unknown source.

Turning your head to your left, you noticed Thorin was in the same boat, though he had narrowed eyes as he was looking at the wizard that had done this to you both. Gandalf however, was now looking at the sky as if nothing had happened, before walking off back to the camp.

"Well, that was an anticlimax," You heard Dwalin say "damn that wizard."

You could hear several mumbles as the rest of the company went back to camp, leaving you and Thorin alone once more. Just as you were about to get up and retrieve 'Destiny and Judgement, a hand went around yours, pulling you up.

"How are you feeling now?" asked Thorin, watching you closely.

Letting go of his hand, you walked towards your swords, bent down and picked them up. Straightening yourself up, you then inspected your swords, then said,

"Better."

"I am glad to that hear...Keeping all that anger is not good for you after all."

"Is that so?"

"Aye, it is."

You raised an eyebrow at Thorin as he walked over towards his own sword, kicking it up, so that when the sword was in the air, he grabbed it in his right hand.

"We should never have fought one another." You remark, placing your swords back in their rightful place.

"Oh? Why is that?"

"You are injured for one thing," You point out "I would never forgive myself if I'd-."

"Nothing did happen," butted in Thorin, now walking towards you "in fact, at first you were treating me like a beginner, which I did not like by the way."

A sudden realisation hit you then, causing you to narrow your eyes at Thorin.

"You did that deliberately. Make me unlease my fury at you when you tried to insult me."

"I have no idea on what you are talking about Lena. I will say this however," Thorin was now right in front of you "you fight just as well as Dwalin and that's saying something. I'm just glad you are on our side."

You had no words to that. You just watched him with a confused expression on your face. Thorin however, smiled back at you, before leaving you to your thoughts once more. You still had no idea what had recently transpired here.

A few days ago, if someone would have told you that you would have a play fight with Thorin Oakenshield, you would have laughed in their face. Yet it did happen and all that anger from before had gone too. You were beginning to realise that Thorin knew more about you, then you did and you wasn't sure if you liked that notion.

o0o

It had been just an hour later since the fight between yourself and Thorin had ended and you were now sitting beside Gandalf, leaning on a tree. Though there was still chatter along the company, you never said a word. You were in your own thoughts, thinking about that night.

Even to this day, you could still sense something was amiss. Yet you never acted on that. For the past five years this has been eating you up. Instead of searching for firewood, you should have dealt with what was happening back at the camp.

The scream was what made you halt. Dropping the wood, you quickly ran back to the camp, seeing these strange warriors with white marks on their dark armour, fighting and killing innocent people.

"Helena."

This brought you back to the present, though once again, you remained silent.

"Your friends would want you to move forward."

You turned your head to your right, glancing at Gandalf in surprise.

'How does he do that?' You found yourself wondering.

As you watched the wizard, you realised he was now smoking a pipe. Watching the smoke go high in the air, the smoke changed form to a sailing boat, before floating off into the horizon.

"How can I move on, when somewhere out there," You flail your right arm to emphasise to get the message across "there is a low life that thinks he or she has gotten away with all those murders...I'm sorry Gandalf, I'm still going to look everywhere for this scum and then deal with it, my way."

"I'm not going to stop you child," replied the wizard, after puffing out more smoke from his pipe "but now you have companions that could help you."

"Gandalf!" You warned him.

He knew fall well that you worked alone, though all Gandalf did was smirk a little, while he watched you from the corner of his blue eye.

"There is a possibility that you could encounter this very being while traveling alongside Thorin and his men. Doing things alone is not always the answer Helena."

You found yourself shaking your head, though said nothing. You did not want to involve your new companions with your own problems, this was your fight, not theirs.

"Just think on to what I have said Helena," carried on Gandalf, now getting up "now, let's see if there is some more stew in that pot."

You just watch the wizard walk toward Bombur while you process his words. Could it possible you would meet this betrayer? If that were true, how did Gandalf even know that?

"Are you okay Lena?"

The voice brought you back to the present as you looked to the source, noticing Fili look back at you with worry on his face.

"I'm not sure." You admitted, returning your attention toward Gandalf.

"Want to talk about it?"

By now Fili had taken Gandalf's place and you look back at him as he got out his own pipe, lighting it up, while he watched you. Waiting for you to say something, anything.

"It's just something Gandalf said," You finally say as Fili now blew out some smoke from his mouth "it's making me reanalyse everything to-,"

"Toward your betrayer." interrupted Fili.

All you did was nod your head.

"What did Gandalf say for you to think like this?"

Sighing, you slowly began the strange conversation you had with the wizard.

"It's like he knows what's about to happen.

"Maybe he does," chuckled Fili, "it could explain why he mumbles to himself."

Despite yourself, you burst out laughing, knowing that Gandalf did just that.

"True," You replied, when you got your bearings once more "the way Gandalf spoke, it felt like he was telling me that I would soon see my past reappear while traveling with you lot."

Fili once again blew out smoke before answering you,

"You helped us out, so it is only fitting that we help you out, should your past come back to haunt you."

"I'm used to doing things on my own Fili," You explained, turning to face him fully "it's how I like it."

"That's never going to happen Lena. You are now part of the company. You just have to get used to that fact."

You never said anything, though you did scrunch your nose, not liking where this was going. First Gandalf, now Fili. This was why you preferred to work alone. No one would get hurt if you were on your own. Though you knew you had made another promise to Thorin and you would never break that.

"There is no guarantee that I will see the scum that killed my friends anyway," You reasoned, finally relaxing a little with this knowledge "though I'll take on board to what you and Gandalf have said."

"You better," grinned Fili "or Kili and I will start pranking you."

"Oh I'm so scared," You smirked, "I'd like to see you try that."

"Never underestimate my brother and I, Lena," remarked Fili, placing his pipe back in his mouth "we know what we are doing."

Rolling your blue eyes at Fili, you gently shoved Fili's leg, before turning your back and leaned on the tree. You were completely oblivious to Thorin's ever watchful gaze as he narrowed his blue eyes towards his own nephew.

You however would worry about your past should it ever show itself to you. Until that day comes, you would concentrate at what was at hand here, reclaiming Erebor from a dragon that had not been seen for a very long time.