The night was not a comfortable one. Lana lay awake most of it expecting to be attacked, however it didn't come. This dwarf was infuriating, the only way she and he were going to survive this journey is if they were nowhere near each other. Thorin too had not slept, he watched his nemesis closely, Dwalin and the others had joked but having such a woman in their company did not sit well with the King. He was surrounded by the only dwarf folk who answered his call, the most reliable of his kin who would die for him and in return he would do the same. This woman, this stranger, was worse than the hobbit; at least the hobbit clearly had nothing about him that could threaten the safety of the group. The woman, on the other hand posed a threat, she would have to be watched carefully. He looked away as she met his gaze, her soft look turning stern at the sight of him. Those eyes he thought, something about her made him very uncomfortable.
Lana got up and went to get her things together; the wizard had made it clear how important it was she is on this quest, this she put before her feelings. She was joined by the young two dwarfs where they proceeded to help her load her things onto her horse.
'I am pleased you chose to stay, don't let uncle put you off. His bark is worse than his bite.' Kili said winking at her.
'Yes I am pleased too, I think it would be wise for you to bed near us too, I mean we are used to these dangerous times and aside from Uncle Thorin I am the next bravest warrior.' Fili puffed out his chest smiling proudly.
'Thank you, I will remember that.' She bowed, smiling inside.
For the first part of the journey Lana travelled alone, set back from the rest, her two new young followers had been scorned for wanting to travel beside her and were up front with their uncle. She was lost in her thoughts looking around at the beautiful forest when she heard someone coming up behind. Drawing her bow she turned, a smile crept on her lips as she spotted the hobbit running.
'Wait!' she shouted bringing the company to a halt, its leader falling back to see what was amiss.
'I'm here! Wait!' Bilbo shouted. Holding out stretched the contract he had been given.
'Everything seems to be in order.' Balin smiled 'welcome to the company of Thorin Oakenshield.'
They set off again, Kili dropping back to join the two outcasts.
The company bedded down for the night, after a long day of riding, Bofur made a fine stew that they had shared out, and she had done well to avoid Thorin that day. He had settled a few feet from her, keeping her within striking distance she mused, pulling her cloak tightly around her, her knife in her hand just in case. Her eyes rested on the kings face, the peaceful sleep not reaching his eyes. He was not unhandsome, far from it and the way he cared for his kin was admirable – however she would never admit this to him. He stirred in his sleep, mumbling and cursing. Leaning up on her elbows, she looked around; everyone else was fast asleep. Thorin started thrashing around, his dream clearly disturbing him. She got up and sighed having suffered herself with these nightmares; she went to gently wake him before he woke everyone else. She leaned over him, touching his arm softly.
'Thorin?' She whispered, he didn't wake, he mumbled louder making Kili next to him stir.
Gently, she touched his face and he stopped, peace coming over him, turning slightly towards her hand, as she stroked him she could see the tension leave his face. Seeming less anxious she moved back to her place, fighting sleep for the rest of her watch. From the corner of her eye she kept him in sight, smiling to herself that for at least this evening he would sleep soundly – not that she cared of course.