Author's Note – this one is way too much of the movie, but I liked the way the movie handled this scene. Any recognizable dialogue is not mine.
Missing Person (Goblin Town)
Bella rushed out of the mountain and into the sunlight. Her legs shook, but she forced herself to continue moving forward. She wanted to find the company – wanted to get back to where she belonged. Yes – back where she belonged. She knew that now. No matter what might happen in the future, no matter what danger still lay before them, she belonged with them. Until they once more had a home – the one thing she took for granted – then her place would be at their side fighting to give them that chance.
It only took her a few minutes to catch up with them and she arrived in time to hear Gandalf demanding to know where she was. It was good to know someone realized she was missing. Then she heard Thorin declare she was long gone and her irritation spiked.
"I am not." She gave him an exasperated look as she stepped out of the trees.
Gandalf seemed pleased to see her, but the others looked bewildered, wanting to know how she escaped.
"Well, what does it matter?" the Wizard demanded. "She's back!"
"It matters!" Thorin insisted. "I want to know: why did you come back?"
Bella took a deep breath before focusing on Thorin. "Look, I know you doubt me, I know you always have." She dropped her gaze for a moment. "I almost proved you right. I almost broke my word because I believed my presence made it worse, made it more likely that someone would get hurt." A murmur of protest rose from a couple of the Dwarves, but it died away as Bella continued, waving towards the mountain behind her. "This shows you can get yourselves into plenty of trouble without my help, and I'm through felling torn." She shifted her eyes over the group. "You're right though – I miss my books and my armchair and my garden. Those meant home to me. And that's why I came back – because you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you." Her chin went up and her shoulders back. "But I will help you take it back if I can."
Emotions warred in Thorin's gaze and Bella forced herself to look at the other Dwarves. Balin and Bofur both gave her proud looks while Dori and Bombur nodded at her, accepting her words. On the other hand, Glóin and Bifur were too busy exchanging a small bag. Glóin didn't look happy, but Bifur chuckled. Fíli, Kíli, and Ori shifter their gazes between Bella and Thorin, as did Dwalin and Nori, but where the younger Dwarves seemed bewildered, the two older ones were much more calculating.
Bella frowned at them, not believing their innocent expressions for a single instant.
"Let me see the lass," Óin demanded, pushing his way forward. "She looks like she fell down the mountainside."
The sound of howls echoed down the mountain.
"Oh, no," Bella groaned, though her voice held a resigned acceptance.
Thorin scowled. "Out of the frying pan…"
"…and into the fire! Run!" Gandalf's shouts spurred everyone into motion.
One thought dominated all others in Bella's mind as she followed.
Here we go again.