Peeling her eyes open was quite a task this morning, her tears from the night prior dried on her clumped lashes. She rubbed her throbbing temples, sitting up to take note of everyone else's state. She huffed, irritated to find everyone still asleep. Of course she would be the first one up.

Another quick once over corrected her assumption, noticing the king's absence. His bed roll lay unmade, his furs abandoned as well. Knowing he was awake knocked any hope of going back to sleep. He would wake everyone when he returned, that was certain. Rising to her feet, Lothrena stretched out her stiff joints. A particularly loud pop caused the warg - who had been playing the part of pillow and heater - to stir. A great whining yawn stretched from the beast, followed by a huff which was loud enough to wake the Durin brothers.

"G'morning." They offered groggily, before the younger rolled onto his side once more. Snores started instantly causing the blonde brother to roll his eyes comically. "Did you work it out with Thorin, then?" He suddenly asked, catching the elf off guard.

"I'm sorry?" She asked, cocking her head curiously.

"Last night when you left, he followed. He looked really upset. Jelous, even, when Dwalin went first." A blush heated in her cheeks and she struggled not to bite her lip. A smile spread across the young dwarf's face. "Did something happen?"

"Um- I, I suppose its all sorted." She spoke quickly, looking anywhere but the young prince who bore a shit eating grin. "I'm going to...I'm just...I'll be right back." She chirped shyly before disappearing into the trees once again.

She honestly wasn't sure why she did that. To get away from Fili's confrontation? To search for Thorin?

She pursed her lips at that. What had he meant? Thorin, /jealous? Why would he be jealous of Dwalin? A twig snapping nearby prompted the elf to grab her sword, ready for attack.

Thorin's thick silhouette broke through the trees, causing a smile to crack her face. "Good morning!" She greeted cheerily as she sheathed her sword.

"Elf." Thorin's voice broke through the trees, his powerful form wrapped in a single fur. A blush spread across her cheeks as she looked away. His hair was dripping, his chest - that was covered in thick, coarse, black hair - was peeking from the fur. Realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

He had been bathing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to -" His dark glare cut off her speech, a unsure feeling flooding her chest.

"Is something the matter?" He growled quietly, eyes never leaving her.

His sudden snap had caught her off guard. Her voice seemed frail in comparison to his. "No, why would there be?"

He sneered at that, ignoring her reply. "Because I do not remember giving you permission to speak."

"I thought that -" She moved to gesture at the rock where she'd poured her heart out to him, her voice dying in her throat as his eyes fell upon the spot.

"It changes nothing. You are not to speak to me unless something is wrong, am I understood?" Shock seared through her, a smoldering spark washing in her temples, causing tears to pebble in her eyes. "Do not make me repeat myself." She cast her eyes downward, looking pitifully to anything but him. She wouldn't let him see her cry.

"Yes, my lord."

His stocky figure brushed past her swiftly without so much as a single word. Her teeth clenched painfully, her vision blurring in anger.

With a huff, she cursed the false hope Fili had spurred in her.

"Sorted out, indeed."

"M'lady!" The hobbit chirped excitedly as she broke through the trees. His lips pursed curiously as he waited for her kind response. None came. "M'lady?"

"What is it, master hobbit?" Her tone was clipped and irritated. The hobbit twiddled with his thumbs, unnerved. "Well? Out with it!"

The small creature jumped in fright. "Oh, nothing." Her eyes found him now, her expression having softened at his defeated tone.

"I am sorry, Bilbo. I didn't mean to come off as short with you. You have caused me no harm, it was wrong of me to cast my anger upon you." A kind smile passed over his face.

"Yes, you were." An eyebrow raised at the hobbit's sudden tone. "Not to worry! No harm done!" Lothrena smirked, the hobbit's sassy tone having dropped. "Come, we are to set off soon and I highly doubt Thorin will wait for any stragglers."

The elf sighed, making her way over to her belongings. She smiled back at the hobbit, picking up her things.

He smiled back. However, the look of pain at the king's name had not escaped the hobbit.