DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and sometimes Peter Jackson's stuff might fall in too. I only own my OC. Please, feel free to leave any comments and questions. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known. Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 4

I may not have secured my position in the company permanently, however this is a start. Sure, the leader thinks I'm either off my rocker or a witch in training; And sure I've never slept in a sleeping bag, let alone outside; And SURE I couldn't fight a quadriplegic pacifist but I'm sure everything will all work out for the best. Hopefully. As I watch Thorin walk away, I am reminded of a song I haven't heard in years. 'I hate to see you leave but I love to see you walk away.' His legs are thick and visibly muscular even through his layered clothes. Had he not been wearing his cloak I'm sure I would have gotten an eye full of something else in his retreat.

I decide to plan my next move instead of singing outdated songs and oogling Kings. It would not do to get caught without a plan. First things first, find a buddy. Introducing myself to the whole company will be easier with a few friendly faces mixed in. With my personality though, this is going to be a lot harder than it should be. No one is looking directly at me; in fact they all appear to be avoiding my gaze. Yet, I feel the constant pressure of eyes so I guess they stare when I look away. Since I cannot bring myself to just walk up to just any of them and start a relationship, I stand on the edge of the camp and wring my hands. 'Who should I talk to first?'

My knowledge of the company and their characteristics provide me with an automatic list: Bofur, Ori, Bilbo, Fili, and Kili. They would be the easiest to get along with. With that in mind, I start the process of elimination. As much as I would like to meet the young duo, it's unlikely at the moment. Fili and Kili are busy with the horses, so they are out of the running. 'No need to make myself a nuisance.'

I take a gander around the camp and spot Bofur assisting Bombur with lunch. It is too my understanding that women... and darfdams... and elleths... orcress(s?) too perhaps, in Middle Earth are natural homemakers. My cooking skills aren't too shabby but they aren't too great either. I doubt they have the supplies to make smothered pork chops so I don't think I could give too much aid in that endeavor. I continue to sweep my gaze around the camp and see Ori sitting with his brothers. Even if I was up to tackling three Dwarves at once, which I'm not, I'm pretty sure Dori thinks I'm a witch, which I'm not. Not to mention Nori is giving me the stink eye, just daring me to come over and face him... Bilbo it is then.

"A good choice indeed, my girl."

"Uh... yes." Hadn't meant to say that aloud "Thanks."

"Mmm." He hums lightly around his pipe as I continue to rub my hands raw "Go on then and introduce yourself. Do not be shy."

"I... I will."

I don't miss the twinkling in his eyes nor the icy stare that can only belong to Thorin at my back. Ignoring them both, I quickly finish my camp scan and find Bilbo sitting alone under a tree with huge roots. If I wasn't on a mission that could potentially end countless lives, I would demand we stop for night and climb it. Excusing myself from Gandalf's side, he had continued to silently me watch the Dwarves, I gather my courage and make my way over to the Hobbit.

"You can do this." I whisper to myself as I step through the suspicious group "No problem."

'I wish I had some theme music. It would help me walk with confidence.' As I step further into the camp I feel more and more eyes on my person and my stomach clenched at the attention. I'm two seconds from ducking my head when I remember what Daddy always says. 'I'm a King and you're my princess. Now keep your head up or you'll trip over your feet.' He may only be the King of his house but he carried himself like he owned the world. Lifting my chin I make my way across the camp without any more problems. Still, I reach Bilbo and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding but it is quickly recovered again when he jumps at the sound. I attempt to apologize for frightening the flustered Hobbit, but probably scare him even more with my wild hand gestures.

"I'm so sorry Bilbo." I say in dismay as he places a hand over his chest. His tweet jacket heaves in time with his breath as his calms himself, making me feel worse "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh… Um, you didn't." He denies poorly. He is obviously extremely surprised judging by his flustered appearance "I just wasn't expecting anyone to… be here… with me."

"What do you mean?" I ask, slightly confused.

"I only meant that I haven't been engaging in conversation too often lately. I wasn't expecting you to approach me Ms… You know, I don't know your name."

Tilting his head to the side Bilbo performs the best expression of confusion I have ever seen. His frowned concentration makes his eyebrows nearly touch as well as puts the cutest little pout on his perky mouth. His curly brown hair bounces lightly around his pointed ears in an adorable dance and I almost want to pinch his cheeks just to see his reaction. I nearly giggled at my own silliness but instead, answere his unasked question.

"My name is Thia Malcolmson. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Oh, yes. Miss Malcolmson then." He chirps with a bod of his head, sending his curls tumbling. He only reaches the middle of my ribcage! 'Come on Thia, you can do it. Hold a conversation.' "It is wonderful to meet such a well mannered lass on this... adventure. Even if it shant be for long."

"Actually Bilbo, I plan travel with you all for a while now." I ignore the rude scoff from behind me and extend my hand to the hobbit; belatedly wondering if he knows to shake it "I would like us to be friends on this journey. So please, just call me Thia.

He looks genuinely surprised by my request but takes my hand in his. They are tougher than mine, making me internally grimace at the meaning: Bilbo has done more hard work then I have. I am over taken by another thought. 'Am I being too forward? Should I turn it down some? Be more middle Earthy? How does one ask to be addressed informally in Middle Earth without sounded like a tart? Is it frowned upon? I can't remember, or maybe I never knew. Great, just GREAT! Now-' My inner meltdown is interrupted by a relieved looking Hobbit.

"That sounds wonderful Ms. Thia. I'd very much like to be friends with you as well."

I grin happily and sit down next to him before my communications skills make themselves scarce again. 'So, I made a friend. I don't have too many of those back home and none of them have ever been in a situation anywhere near this one. What should I say? Anything not pertaining to the dragon would be alright.' Bilbo thankfully saves me from asking about how he feels about having to fight a dragon. 'Screw you brain!'

"How did you know my name? I don't recall anyone introducing themselves, let alone me."

Even though they are trying to look busy, I know the rest of the company is listening to our conversation. I'd already told Thorin and Gandalf my "story" however I am unsure of whether or not I am allowed to share it with the whole company. I glance around looking for Thorin only to see him sitting directly across camp with the Fundin brothers, examining me with an intense gaze. 'Intimidating much?' He gives me neither a negative nor positive reaction, so I gave a half truth.

"As this quest progresses, I will sometimes know events before they occur."

"Like a seer?" He asks wide eyed

"Something like that." Is the best answer I can give.

~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~

I had to add about 1000 words extra to this chapter from the original version. So I'm going to take a guess and say its worth rereading just to be thorough. I'm having so much fun with it, that I'm slightly neglecting my other story. I'm always thinking about both but perhaps I'm single minded. Thank you for the steady reviews on each chapter (an average of 2). They remind me to post the next chapter due when I see them pop up in my email and such. ~Shishi