Heya everybody! Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy with a lot of things lately so that's I didn't have the time to write another chapter... But I'm back with a new one now and hope you'll all like it!

Thanks to the new FF: TurtleJustice, antautilover685, TraffyWolf10 and Angel030593.

TurtleJustice, thank you so much for the review! It really warmed my heart and I'm really that you're enjoying the story so far!

I own nothing except Ella and Allie! Cheers, everyone!

Chapter 7

Our company stopped as the sun was slowly setting down on the horizon. We camped at the foot of a mountain, just on the edge of the woods, and left the ponies in the forest. Then we headed to a hilly meadow just a little bit further. When I left the woods, I froze, my eyes catching the sight of what appeared to be the charred remains of a house. I felt a chill run down my spine. I did not like that and the fact that it seemed quite recent did not help in any case. I tried to find Ella's eyes through the comings and goings of dwarves, but she was already busy helping with the camp preparation. I sighed and finally went up to the ruins, keeping my distrusted thoughts for later.

"Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them."

Thorin's voice echoed throughout the camp, strong and authoritative, commanding every Dwarf to a specific task. I was about to give a hand to Ella when the same voice called me.

"Allie! Go with Bofur and I want the both of you to help Bombur with dinner that way the meal will be ready faster, the dwarf king ordered me."

I sat up and nodded. I was heading to the "kitchen" when Thorin added one last comment.

"Also, you seem to enjoy his company a lot so I guess that won't be too much trouble, huh?"

I turned quickly, mouth agape, feeling a blush creeping up my neck. Thorin gave me a sideling look with a half-smile on his lips. He seemed to enjoy my embarrassment. I lowered my head and walk the rest of the way double pace and, without asking if he had heard, I sat near Bofur in silence, putting me to work immediately. I did not know why, but since the kissing incident, the company took a royal pleasure in teasing me, multiplying the remarks and embarrassing situations. And I'm not just talking about the dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf had also joined the party lately! The only one saying nothing was Ella, but the reason for his solidarity was simple. She knew very well that I owned a major weapon against her. She knew I knew that she had a crush on none other than the leader of our troop. I had noticed back when we left the Shire. I knew her for so long now; it was easy for me to see her true feelings to the sovereign. Of course, the dwarves had not immediately noticed, but increasingly, I would hear murmurs exchanged quietly and would catch glances thrown sideways. But of course, they were not saying anything about that... you were not to make any fun about Thorin Oakenshield, at least not if you cared about your life! And so, even if I could disclose the nature of my friend's feelings to everybody, I did not do anything. In return, Ella was refraining any comment on my suspected feelings for our merry companion. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth: you talk, I'll sing like bird! Of course, I had nothing to hide; Bofur was a friend nothing more! And I was sure that Ella was very pleased that the dwarves had finally found a new scapegoat...

After a while, I chanced a glance at my fellow "cook". He had his eyes glued on his work and seemed very focused, though a smile was dancing on his lips. I sighed. I knew Bofur would not say anything, but to see that this did not seem to affect him relieved me. Because of course, the poor guy was as much as I the target of his peers' mockeries and I felt like it it was my fault. We were like poor star-crossed lovers, doomed to suffer the taunts of the company for eternity. Sad destiny. I smiled, remembering the many times we were trying to drag ourselves this circle of endless wrangling from our travel partners. Now, it was easier to see the absurdity of these situations and even to laugh at it.

"I love to see a smile on your face. For a moment I thought you were really angry."

I looked up from the carrot I was peeling to see Bofur watching me. His eyes seemed to shine and were both terribly sincere, electrifying. It hit me! It took quite a while before I could answer. I returned to my work, smiling.

"I am, I replied. But never for long."

He smiled and lowered his eyes to his own work, again leaving a comfortable silence hovering over our heads. I continued my work, peeling and cutting various ingredients necessary for the tonight's stew. But suddenly, I felt like someone was watching me. So I stopped what I was doing again and looked up. Bofur was like I left him a few minutes earlier, leaning over his work. I was still feeling a pair of eyes burning my neck; I turned my head and peered around. All dwarves seemed busy with their respective tasks and were giving me no attention. Then I turned to my right and discovered Bombur staring at me, stirring the stew mechanically, a knowing smile on his lips. I sighed. Of course, he had witnessed our exchange, Bofur and I. His smile stretched to show a row of small white teeth, chin splitting under his smile. Then he gave me a nod letting alternating his gaze between his brother and I. He pushed even the joke a little further by making small kisses in the air. I rolled my eyes and shook my head before going back to my work. These dwarfs could be really annoying sometimes! Nevertheless, I could not help but smile, even though I did not really understand why. It was definitely not Bombur's bad joke that made me smile, but, without really understanding, I felt rather pleased with the whole situation in the end. Although the allegations were false, I could not suppress certain emotions to surface when a remark was made. I still did not know why... There was no reason, unless...

I was suddenly pulled from my thoughts by loud shouting from the camp. Everyone turned their heads, surprised and curious at the same time towards the origin of the outburst. For my part, I had just the time to see Gandalf passed with a determined pace before me and then headed towards the forest.

"Gandalf, where are you going?, Bilbo asked, running towards the sorcerer.

- To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense!, said the old man, visibly irritated.

- Who's that?, tried the hobbit.

- Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day."

With that, the old man went on his way without looking back and disappeared behind the trees, mumbling in his beard. All eyes then turned to the second voice, easily recognizable. Our leader stood there frowning and gruff. He looked away and went back to the ruins, launching one last command with his authoritative.

"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry."

He sat down on one of the beams that had fallen onto the floor of the barn, Balin and Dwalin joining him soon after. I stared at them for several minutes. I did not know what had happened, but I knew that Gandalf would not have gone if it was not serious. This saddened me. Although we teased each other, I was really hoping to see him back. I felt less safe without the great wizard with us. Crossing the hard look of Ella, I knew she was thinking the same.

"Hey! These vegetables won't cut themselves alone!"

I jumped and turned. Bombur and Bofur were looking at me, the former with an amused look and the latter with a worried one disguised behind a small smile. I smiled and nodded.

"Sorry... I guess I got carried away for a moment."

Bombur shrugged and went back to his stew. As for Bofur, he continued his work, just like me, but kept throwing little anxious glances in my direction. And me in all of this? I tried not to show any emotions that were swirling in me right now. The bad ones... just like good ones...

After a few moments of slaving and stirring the meal was finally ready. Thus began the distribution of all the portions. A rather trivial task in appearance, but that truly revealed as hard one when someone like Bombur was around. Repeatedly Bofur had to return his brother who was asking for another part... While he already had four before! Watching the two brothers interacted together greatly amused me and I could not help but to let go a silent chuckle.

"So... Always keeping an eye on him, I see."

I turned and noticed that Ella was now sitting next to me, her nearly empty bowl in her hands and a mischievous smile on her lips. I looked away and pouted.

"I don't see what you're talking about.

- Yeah, that's what they all say..."

After a moment of silence, I turned and looked into her eyes with a defying look. She arched her eyebrows and gave me a false frightened look. We kept silent a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Having fun back there, I see!, Bofur cried as he filled two bowls of steaming stew."

Ella and I threw a silent look at each other before breaking in a series of giggles, a little bit more moderate this time. The dwarf smiled and finished to fill the first bowl and then handed it to Bilbo.

"He's been a long time."

When we heard Bilbo asked his question, we ceased our laughing and decided to listen attentively.

"Who?, asked Bofur as he finished to fill the second bowl.

- Gandalf!, the hobbit said.

- He's a wizard! He does as he chooses. Here, do us a favor: take this to the lads."

The hobbit nodded halfheartedly and then left for the woods. I followed him with my eyes, thinking back at what he had just said.

"I'm also worrying about Gandalf, I said as I turned to Ella.

- I'm mainly worrying about what will happen to us without him, my friend replied softly, making sure no one could hear."

I nodded. Even though Thorin was a great leader, he sometimes showed himself to be stubborn and impulsive, not to mention angry. Gandalf brought a nice counterpart to the fiery temperament of our leader, convincing him in safer and poised decisions. Moreover, I was sure the old man was more powerful than he was showing. I had not felt good that night in Bilbo's house, where he seemed to double in size and when that black aura appeared behind him. This gave me the shivers and removed any desire to cross him. Ella and I talked for a while and secretly hoped that the old mage would come back soon. After a while, silence fell between us. So I decided to look around, just out of curiosity, and I noticed an alarming detail.

"Where is Bilbo?, I asked, frowning. He should be back by now.

- He surely just decided to stay with Kili and Fili... Ella replied calmly, but she was sill throwing glances around."

I shook my head. I could not really picture in my head the little hobbit dwelling on a task and even less if it took place in this gloomy forest! I had a bad feeling... Suddenly, I jumped as I heard sounds coming from the wood. Several dwarves rose up, weapons in hands, ready to attack. The rustling became closer and more powerful; we were now hearing footsteps approaching quickly. I got up as well, Ella doing the same and we stuck together, waiting anxiously what would come out of the trees. A loud crack sounded and screams escaped from the woods while two well-known dwarves stumbled, rushing towards us. I was relieved, and others as well, to see it was only Fili and Kili, but soon their red faces and frightened eyes immediately put me back on high alert. And again, where was Bilbo? Why was he not with them? I did not like that, I did not like that at all!

"What is it?, Throin asked, approaching his nephews with two large strides.

- Tr-Tr... Tr-Trolls!, Kili managed to say between two breaths.

- They took our ponies... Fili added.

- We sent Mr. Baggins fetch them and...

- You did what!"

All eyes turned to me. Although the situation deserved it, it was not my place to reprimand the direct heirs of Thorin, but I could not help myself. The idiocy of their action was too great to bear. I was boiling with anger and my eyes flashed to the young dwarves. They turned to their uncle for any support, but were received with a look as intense as mine. They looked down, pitiful, aware of their mistake.

"Take us to them, commanded Thorin in a growl. Right now!"

The young princes nodded briskly and went off again in the direction from which they came, leading the way. Our leader then turned to the rest of our company.

"Forward all! We have a hobbit to save!, this last part was said with a good hint of disdain."

I frowned, not joining the cries of our companions. Thorin looked in our direction, and then met my gaze full of reprimands; he looked down and then took a deep breath before standing to his full height and raising his sword arm. He then led his company into the woods. Ella and I stood there, not moving. We looked at each other, both with a questioning look of our own.¸

"You're ready?, she asked me, pulling out her sword."

I inhaled deeply and then took my hammer from its sheath. I weighed it in my hand. It was heavy, but nothing that could really slow me down, I have more firepower at most. I raised my eyes at my friend and gave her a nod.

"I hope so..., I replied with a sigh."

We then went to the pursuit of the others, hoping with all my heart that Manwë did not make a mistake by sending us here...