" I am not wearing that!" Lex squeaked loudly. Thorin grumbled and picked up the heavy coat from the bed. They had been at this for what seemed like hours. Bofur chuckled and puffed on his pipe.

"I don't see why not. Did you not ask for my help? Did you not say you did not want to be seen as different so you would not distract the company or anyone who paid close heed to us?" He tossed the coat down again and crossed his arms over his broad chest. Lex frowned.

"I did, but I would like to look like a woman! How do female dwarves dress?" with that question Bofur choked on his smoke. He looked up and sighed, he'd have to take it from here. Bofur had been requested to be present as Lex stated she felt family like affection for him. He stood and tapped his pipe out.

"Aye lassie, that is how are dwarrowdams' dress." Lex guffawed at him openly.

"You must be joking!" Both dwarves shook their heads at her. It wasn't that she was trying to be difficult. She was very comfortable staying in her jeans, boots and hoodie, later switching into her running gear. It was like she was at home, but she wasn't and yet she couldn't seem to part with the items. She walked to the bed and picked at the hefty trousers and thick leather and fur bound boots. She frowned. She didn't want to change completely, she had meant what she said, she didn't want to be seen as different, and she didn't want unneeded attention brought upon them.

"I.."she sighed deeply. "I could try. But I will probably be swallowed up by all of this. What about what the barmaid wore? Couldn't I wear something like that? Even if it is a dress?" She was examing the boots, they were hard and heavy, but the fur was somewhat soft. Bofur's eyes widened and he dropped his head, shaking it rapidly. Before he could answer Thorin interjected, rather smoothly, I might add.

"Those clothes are not befitting a member of my company. Besides, my lady, who would tie your corset? Perhaps" a sly glance happened between Thorin and Bofur, "Fili would be…"He was cut of abruptly by the bright red blush and angry look Lex threw at him. She had been caught, not thinking about the fact that the outfit the woman had worn was indeed tied in the back and nothing but bosoms were really seen, almost as if she wanted to rest her chin on top of her chest. Lex grimaced. While she dreamed of comfort, the clothes in front of her made her think she would lose herself. Who knew clothes would have the power to do such a thing. She sat heavily on the bed, laying her head in her hands and fought against the tears.

"Aw, lassie, it was just a joke." Bofur sat next to her and rubbed small circles on her back. "We also want to make sure you're warm, the weather will be getting colder and you being that of Men, you'll feel the cold more than we will." Lex leaned heavily onto Bofur.

"It was never like this in the movies…"she sighed. A confused look passed both dwarves faces. A knock at the door brought all three heads up.

"Uncle?" Fili's voice slipped under the door and flowed around the room. "How long are we to stay? It is well past time for us to leave but no one has heard from you. Is everything alright?"

Thorin looked pointedly at Lex. She bit her lip. She needed time, time to adapt, to adjust to everything and somehow she knew she didn't have that luxury.

"Is Lex alright?" It was like an afterthought, he was rather hesitant in asking. Lex realized he had been the one to rush to her, or was he still there? When she had had the nightmare and had begun to scream.

"I…"Lex swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. She walked to the door and opened it. She looked directly into Fili's bright blue eyes. Suddenly she was nervous. They do not know you, your past and they do not dictate your future. Be who you want to be. She reminded herself of this a lot the past few days.

"It's my fault, just trying to find some more appropriate to wear." Lex leaned against the door frame, Fili smiled softly.

"Ah…Well.."he coughed, clearing his throat. Lex shrugged and pushed past him.

"I'm going for a walk…just give me a moment to think." Fili watched Lex reach the stairs and heard a grumble behind him. Bofur and Thorin gesturing over a pile of clothes. Ah, so that was the reason for the frustration behind Lex's eyes.

"Uncle?"

More grumbling.

"Uncle?"

Neither looked at the blonde prince. Sighing Fili tapped his uncle on the shoulder. Thorin shot his nephew a glare.

"What?" He grumped. Fili motioned to the pile of clothes.

"Is this what Lex needs to think about?"

"Indeed. She asked for my help to be able to integrate herself into our company. However she is unsatisfied with her choices." Thorin crossed his arms over his chest.

"Perhaps I could be of some assistance? May I?" Thorin dropped his arms and gestured to the door. Fili smiled and headed to the door, his name being shouted at him stopped him. As he turned he noticed a parcel of sorts being thrown at him. A money pouch. With another nod he swept out of the room.

Lex kicked at the stony path underneath her feet. She tugged her hoodie closer to her; the burning sensation of eyes following her was becoming the norm for her. She tended to hide her face away during the day, her hood up, hair tucked away, hands covered. She sighed again and curled her fingers in the comforting feel of cotton folding under her fingers.

"Dwalin?" She called, without turning her head. He usually followed her out of the town when she went on her morning runs and he had continued to follow her when she left the inn. No one answered her. She stopped midstep and turned. She was never alone anymore. It was an eerie feeling.

"Dwalin?" She called a little louder, swiveling her head left to right, searching through the crowds. Her heart rate quickened. She was alone, for the first time in quite a while. She pulled her small blade from her pocket and held her thumb on the bottom, ready to push the blade up if she had use for it. She took a deep breath through her nose, but it felt like it was caught in her chest. She surged forward, heading back towards the inn. She had been warned to never be alone; she didn't know this world.

A woman carrying a basket on her head passed by Lex and within a moment the basket had pulled her hood down. Her bright red hair spilled over her shoulders, loose and rippling. Her eyes widened and she pushed herself back against the wooden wall that sat around the town; protection. Panic closed her throat. The woman turned and sneered at her. Lex hadn't always been a people person and this was a moment that she remembered why. She stared the woman down and lifted her chin; her lip curled slightly. She was tiny and was reminded constantly of it in her world, teasing remarks; mostly about her height and her body.

"Stupid lass…"the woman grumbled and she turned and plotted away. Lex took a deep breath again, her fingers still toying with the yellow blade in her hand. She could do this. She began to pull herself away from the wooden wall when a voice called for her. Whirling around she saw Fili and ran to him.

Fili caught Lex as she launched herself at him. She was just a tad shorter than he was and fit perfectly into his arms. Inhaling deep he could smell the soft scent of lavender and something he believed was sandalwood. She used her own travel soaps scarcely, in case she could never get home; she wasn't sure how her sensitive skin would handle their soaps and lotions and she didn't want to find out right away. Lex inhaled smoke and leather. His body was hard under the multiple layers he wore; she could feel faint outlines of the many knives he kept tucked away. After a moment he realized she was trembling.

"Lex?" His voice was soft. He leaned his head back and noticed that for the first time since they found her and that they were not in the inn, that her hood was down and her hair flowed freely. The only other time she did this was when they were in her room, or maybe, if they were lucky, in the dining area.

"Lex, are you alright? You're shaking? Did you come out by yourself?" Lex looked up into his deep blue eyes, her nose twitched.

"I…I thought Dwalin followed me. He usually does…But I'm alright. Ya'll just keep telling me how dangerous it is…and I've always had someone with me since ya'll found out about my morning runs. I'm ok, I just need another moment. I'm just so glad to see you!" she huffed out her answer. Fili nodded and smiled.

"Uncle seems a bit distressed. Something about clothes? Said you wanted to fit in?" Lex nodded slowly and bit back a sigh. She was tired of the changes being thrown at her, but it wasn't the dwarves fault. They found her and had practically saved her from what could have been a horrible fate, she tried not to think about what would have happened had they not come along.

"It's just been so much…so much change and I just couldn't bear to wear all those layers…I rarely wore that much in winter in my own world! I should be grateful for everything…but I'm just being a bitch-"she slapped a hand over her mouth. Fili laughed heartily and hugged Lex close.

"I think" his smile almost reached his eyes, "that you are doing very well since you have been thrown into a world you know nothing about. However, Uncle may have over thought things…Our women would love what he picked out for you. But, you are of the race of men…so I believe I may have a solution. Are you brave enough to indulge me?" Lex smiled and nodded.

"Lead on my prince." Fili grinned.

A/N: This has been bugging me! Hopefully I can keep going…I have no idea where I'm going with this. Reviews would be nice. I tend to take things a bit far with language and over correcting (or under correcting) myself. So enjoy!