Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from The Hobbit. The late JRR Tolkien, New Line Cinema, and a bunch of other people with a LOT more money than I have do, and I'm just borrowing them to have a little fun and I'll put them back when I'm finished. I'm making no money from this, it's for entertainment purposes only, so please don't sue me. Annabelle is my creation, as are a few of the other original characters in this series. Please consult me before you use them in your own fics; I'll probably say yes, I just like to know where my babies are.

Archive permission: If you want it, take it. Just tell me where you're putting it so I can stop by and visit. Thanks.

Special thanks to: SerenLyall for all her research into the timeline. Ithil-Valon for characterization. Lindarielwen from Council of Elrond for a sounding board. And PirateColey for encouragement and Dwarf drooling at all hours of the day and night. And ALL OF YOU ladies for brainstorming, tweaking, brainstorming more, and helping me to finally get it right! You guys ROCK!

Dedications: To Evendim, who has given me such great pleasure with her own AU series and graciously given me permission to play in hers any time I wish. She has the same permission from me. Without her, I would never have gotten started; she gave me the courage I needed to post that first story, and for that I am forever grateful. To Ithil-valon, who has provided tireless beta-services and been the best friend anyone could ever ask for… I love you for it, hon, don't ever change. And finally, to my beloved AJ, without whom my life is poorer and less bright. Rest in peace, my darling. We'll see each other again.

Part Ten

Annabelle was tired of traveling. It seemed they had been running for months, and there were months yet to go. It was a long way from Bree to the Lonely Mountain.

It had only been a matter of a few weeks, really. They were near to Rivendell, and Dwalin had mentioned they might stop there, if only to rest in safety for a few days. He wasn't fond of the Elves, it was obvious, but for her sake, he would endure them.

To her, that was a gift. That he would put aside his own considerations for hers was something no one but Kili had ever done for her. It didn't matter to her that he was doing it out of a sense of duty. It was one more kindness from him that she hadn't expected.

His arm had healed cleanly, and that was something else to be grateful for. She hadn't the faintest idea how to treat an infection and was glad she hadn't had to.

His treatment of her had changed since the night she let their attacker go. It was at once more tolerant and less condescending. She couldn't really describe the difference, but she welcomed it. They were more like friends, now, and that was to the good.

Her grief had finally started to subside. She would feel it the rest of her days, she knew; the promise of a bright future cut short by the sword. And yet she would trade no part of it, even the heartache of separation.

"It's not far now, lass," Dwalin said as he rode at her side. He had seen the ever present sorrow in her face and while it wasn't as sharp as before, it would never truly fade. And yet it hadn't affected her desire to learn, her wish to not be a burden on this journey.

He didn't know what had occasioned it, but she had turned her hand to many things he had thought beneath her or beyond her. She could protect herself, now, at least enough for him to reach her if they came under attack again. She cooked stew that he thoroughly enjoyed, even if it was travel rations. And while the sight of blood disturbed her, she had kept his bandages clean and well tended until he healed.

His respect for her had grown. Gone was the frightened mouse he had taken to Bilbo in the Shire. Granted, she had a great deal more to learn before she would be a true Durin, but she was well on her way.

Suddenly they were surrounded by mounted Elves. Dwalin held up a hand when she would have objected to their obvious disdain and she remained silent, fuming. "We want no trouble," he said simply.

One Elf detached himself from the rest and approached and Dwalin gave him a grave nod of the head. "Lord Elrond," he rumbled.

"Master Dwalin," was the calm reply. "We've been looking for you. Word has come that you are being hunted. Come, rest in peace for a time. None will pass our borders in search of you."

Dwalin nodded again, relief sweeping through him that he would never let anyone see. He was weary to the bone of watching over his shoulder and needed rest. The food here wouldn't be to his liking, but it would be food he didn't have to catch, and she would be protected while they rested up for the rest of the journey. He gestured to Annabelle. "This is Annabelle, wife to Kili, of the line of Durin." There, let the Elf make of that what he would. "Annabelle, Lord Elrond of Rivendell."

She wanted to curtsy but it was impossible while she was mounted. "Thank you." Her words were polite and gracious and again Dwalin was struck by the change in her. He was beginning to understand what Kili had seen in her. "Your hospitality is quite welcome."

"Then come. Refresh yourselves and heal your spirits." Elrond reined his horse about, intending to lead them to the entrance to the valley. Annabelle and Dwalin fell in beside him, finally able to relax a bit.

The first night was spent sleeping. Both of them were exhausted from their headlong pace and the respite was more than welcome.

The next two days were spent with Elrond, explaining the need for flight and why they were being hunted. All they could tell him was that someone as yet undiscovered had placed a price on their heads, for reasons they didn't know, and that they were trying to reach the mountain and safety. Elrond promised to send out scouts to see what they could discover, and in the meantime, they were to make themselves at home.

After that, there was time to rest and explore. And of course, there was time for Dwalin to continue teaching her how to fight.

He'd offered her the choice of sword, axe, or hammer, and she had chosen a sword as simply a longer knife than she was used to. But that was where things got difficult.

She hadn't the strength for the blade, not yet. She could lift it, but a swing was more often than not a clumsy attempt that wouldn't have hurt anything if it had connected. Still, she kept trying.

Dwalin was more than patient with her, and it surprised her. The Dwarf appeared so dour, and yet he was far from it. He never raised his voice to her, even when she was making a right mess of what he was trying to teach.

Case in point was that morning's training. She could barely even lift her sword now, she was so tired, and she was getting discouraged. If he was frustrated with her, it didn't show. Of course, her own exasperation was enough to overshadow it completely.

"Here, lass," Dwalin said as he stepped next to her and adjusted her hold again. She would never use just one hand, he though ruefully. She needed them both simply to hold it. And it wasn't even a big sword. "Proper grip keeps you from losing it in a fight."

"I know." Her own words were filled with frustration and he winced at the self-loathing he could clearly see. "Let me try it again, Dwalin. I need to be able to do this."

He stepped back to watch her again, seeing the struggle she was obviously waging with herself. On the one hand, she seemed to know she would need this to survive, and on the other, she was convinced she would never get it right. Finally she managed one stroke that would have at least hit an enemy and he decided that was enough. "Good. That's enough for one day, Annabelle."

She lowered the sword, watching him intently. Again, she felt that unexplainable change that seemed to have stolen over him of late. Simple respect? Kindness? Friendship? She couldn't put her finger on it and it bothered her. And the touch of his big hands on hers was so gentle which was another thing that was disturbing her.

She chalked it up to nerves. Even here, where she was undoubtedly safe with a whole ARMY of warriors to protect her, she couldn't completely relax. Not with the knowledge that as soon as they left here, the hunters would be on them again.

Suddenly she wanted to be outside. She needed to be. She put her sword away carefully and went to the gardens, wanting the peace they gave her.