She awoke in a cold sweat jerking up into a sitting position. The dream had felt so real, fire burning buildings, people escaping around her screaming in fear and sadness for the ones who had fallen and a pair of golden eyes that stared straight into hers.
She knew no sleep would come again tonight. The healers had warned her that this was a possibility that she could start to remember the fight with the dual dragons. She just hadn't realized how terrified it would make her feel. She was glad that the fire had gone out some time in the night if it hadn't she didn't know what kind of damage she could have done. Her emotions were closely tied to her gifts and she had been known in moments of terror to use the fire around her to accidently destroy things.
Restania looked around her. The dwarves still slept around her, their dreams peaceful, their snoring the only sound in the night. She glanced back over her shoulder she hadn't woken Thorin either that was good. She stood moving to the kitchen unaware of the eyes that followed her.
Thorin was awoken by the elemental jerking up from a dead sleep. He remained laying there pretending to sleep when she glanced over him. He wondered what she had dreamed of that would cause her to awaken in such fear, for he had seen fear in her eyes. He waited only a minute before he also rose and followed her back to the kitchen. It would be sunrise in just a few hours' time.
"Good Morning Restania" Thorin greeted as he entered the kitchen. She jumped hand going for the sword that she only took off when she was sleeping. Realizing who it was she was almost glad she had left said sword by her bedroll when she had gotten up.
"Good morning Thorin. I did not realize anyone else would be up." She looked at him for a moment then realization hit her, he had been sleeping next to her when she had jerked up " I woke you didn't I?"
"It is of no consequence. I would have woken on my own within the hour anyway" Thorin said trying to soothe the guilt he saw in her eyes.
"I shall still apologize. The healers had warned me this could happen I just hadn't expected it after this much time had passed" Thorin looked at her in question.
"What do you speak of?" Then realization dawned "You are dreaming of the fight with the dragons?"
"Not dreaming remembering apparently" Thorin studied her, she still looked a little tired but he knew as well as anyone that sleeping ,after dreams such as this, would not come again.
"Would you care to speak of them? That can sometimes be helpful" He had surprised her by offering hell he'd surprised himself.
She thought for a moment trying to figure out if she had the strength to live through the memories again. She shook her head "Perhaps another time when there is not a fire around"
He looked at her confused. She nearly laughed at the look it was not one she had ever thought she would see on his face.
"When I was little around 12 or so I was staying with the healer who would later take me in. I had a nightmare about my father's death. It terrified me enough that my powers acted. Mina ,that's what I called her, had a fire going in my room, apparently when I was at the peak of fear I caused the fire to ignite half the room in flame. Since then I haven't slept with fire anywhere around me in fear of doing harm again."
"There will be fires when we make camp will that be a problem?" Thorin asked.
"I will sleep as far away from it as is possible if I do that then no it should be no problem" Restania answered.
He nodded and watched as she stood heading toward the fire where she had a kettle on to boil. Taking the kettle off she asked "Would you like some?"
When he nodded she pulled another cup down and poured the brew into both cups. Handing him one she asked "Is it too early to start breakfast do you think?"
He looked outside and was about to give an answer when Gandalf came in answering first. "It is an hour before sunrise if we wish to get started at sunrise then I think breakfast might be in order. It is likely to be the last full meal we have for quite a while."
She nodded moving out and toward the pantry as Thorin rose and started to wake the others.
Once all had eaten their fill they headed down to the Green Dragon pub to pick up their supplies and ponies. "It seems we will be one pony short" Gandalf said.
"We will not if your burglar doesn't join us" Thorin shot back.
Bofur who had heard the conversation said "I bet he comes".
This started a rally of bets being thrown around as the whether Mr. Baggins was likely to show, most bet that he wouldn't but Kili, Fili, Bofur and Gandalf, had all bet that he would.
"Thorin, Restania care to make a wager?" Bofur asked. Thorin shook his head "I care not whether he comes in my eyes we have the elemental if we need a burglar."
"Suit yourself" Bofur said "Restania?"
She looked at Thorin already getting on his pony before saying "I believe our Mr. Baggins will show, I will take your bet".
"If he shows what will we do about ponies?" Ori asked quietly. All eyes turned to him and he blushed.
"If the burglar shows then Restania can ride with me and the burglar can take the smaller pony." Now all eyes swiveled to Thorin in surprise for most in the company had not seen the interaction between him and Restania, and were most surprised by their king's offer.
Restania fought the blush that threatened to spread across her cheeks as eyes darted between her and Thorin trying to figure them out.
"We are wasting time already, saddle up and let's get moving." Thorin commanded. They all got on their ponies some much easier than others and began moving. Thorin lead the company while Restania stayed in the back trying to help the ones most uncomfortable learn to relax.
"Ori you can loosen your grip she will not run from you and you will still have feelings in your hand at the end of the day." Ori nodded and loosened his grip a little.
"I feel as though im going to fall off" he admitted to her.
"Take a deep breath a hold It in" he did as he was bid "now let it out" again he did and he felt himself relax a little so he did the exercise again. After 5 minutes he felt more relaxed and comfortable on the pony.
"See that wasn't so hard was it?" He shook his head
"Thanks Restania" he said and she smiled.
"Any time Ori"
They continued on through the shire and were almost to its borders when she heard the shout she turned her pony around and smiled as she saw him running towards them.
Bilbo Baggins had decided to join them after all.
