Hello lovely people, welcome to another chapter of the revised Flitting Through Pages. Read on, my friends!

Chapter Twenty-One

In Which, There is Adventure in Water Fetching

Despite the heavy downpour, they made good pace and managed to reach well passed the lands of the Shire and the settlements of Men. Now they had gone far into the Lone-lands, a place where no people (or any good people) dwelled and where the road further East became increasingly worse. It was here, barely passed the last inn (according to Gandalf and Balin) that the Dwarves finally made camp. And not a moment too soon in Bilbo's opinion.

He was cold, tired, and very sore.

So, with much relief, he went about securing his pony to a fallen log and began the task of brushing down the poor creature. Myrtle found this very pleasing and, feeling quite horrible for his spat with her, Bilbo pulled a shiny, red apple from his pocket (he had been saving it as a snack) and offered it to her as an apology. The pony nickered happily in response and wasted no time in devouring the ripe fruit.

"Am I forgiven, then?" He laughed, going about with the unloading. Myrtle simply responded with small snort, which Bilbo took as approval. Smiling, the hobbit patted her gently just over the shoulder. "Thank you, Myrtle. Let us not be cross with one another any longer, shall we?"

Again the pony voiced her approval and the hobbit laughed once more.

Once the pony was properly cared for and free of burdens (which he deposited by a nearby boulder), Bilbo worked his way back to the small outcropping that was now slowly transforming into their newest settlement. This particular campsite he did not like in the least. It sat atop the face of a cliff, complete with a sheer fifty-foot drop on one side. A wall of rock, however, shielded them from the north and created a bit of an overhang, thus leaving them relatively comfortable and well-sheltered. A cluster of tress completed the arrangement. As the limited space became more . . . civilized . . . the poor hobbit couldn't help feeling it was a far cry from any sort of resemblance to Bag-end.

He stopped just short of the camp, merely watching the Dwarves set to work. He heaved a small sigh, wishing he could help in some way. Yet, as he quickly discovered, his service was repeatedly turned away by many of the Company. He may not know much about such rugged traveling yet, he was not completely ignorant. Firewood, for example, was a necessity. Any hobbit knew this, for how could they keep their fires burning in the dead of winter? A water source was also needed (which is why it had taken so long to scour the area for a decent campsite), not to mention that proper cover was also a factor. He, Bilbo Baggins, may not be a full-blooded Took, yet he was no ignorant Bracegirdle either.

His current predicament set his tempter aflame; he could not help but wish to stamp his feet and demand a bit of trust.

"Mr. Baggins?"

He looked about, only to find himself nose-to-stomach with a now all-too-familiar strange, charcoal-colored coat. Quickly taking note of the height difference, he titled back his head in order to see the person more clearly. "Hmm? Ah, yes, Miss Martin?"

She was holding two water skins, one in each hand, and her pack was slung across one shoulder. She offered him a wide, toothy smile and asked, "Would you like to help me fill the water skins? It's not a good idea to go off alone, so I thought I'd ask you."

As if to further the point, she lifted the skins and gave them a small shake.

Surprised by the offer, yet practically jumping at the chance to do something useful for once on this journey, Bilbo nodded eagerly in agreement. "Of course, Miss Martin! It t'would be a pleasure."

"Great!" The young woman declared happily, jerking her head in the appropriate direction. "Creek's this way."

The two made their way into the trees and passed the ponies, where the land began to slop steadily downward. It was no easy task, picking their way through the underbrush and especially not with the sun beginning it's own preparations for bed. Luckily, the trees here were not so close as they had been in the Old Forest, so there was plenty of light to navigate by.

"Careful over here," Miss Martin called up to him, for she had gone a few feet ahead. "It's a bit slippery. The rain's made all this stuff wet."

Unfortunately, just as she finished her warning, the woman's next step proved exactly how slippery the slope was. Quite suddenly, one of her feet went straight up and the rest fell back. She landed hard on her backside (with a startled scream, no less), rolled, and slid fast down the rest of the slope, appearing to hit nearly every fallen branch, and managing to find every hidden hole, on the way down.

"Miss Martin!"

Without wasting even a moment, Bilbo immediately hurried after her. His large feet found purchase, even on the wet leaves and damp earth, enabling him to scurry his way down the slope. Along the way, he retrieved the pack that had been ripped from her shoulder (thankfully she had placed the skins into the pack in order not to lose them). He dodged bushes and leaped over fallen logs, yet his footing not once failed him. He was a hobbit after all, he was built to be quick, sure, and silent.

However, as silent as his feet may have been, Bilbo's mouth was a far different story.

"Miss Martin!" He cried in panic. She had disappeared somewhere along the way and he feared the worst. "Miss Martin, are you injured?! Miss Martin, please answer!"

"I-I'm alright!" A voice sounded faintly.

When Bilbo approached the bottom of the slope, he quickly looked about. Yet he saw nothing more than the trees and the natural debris of the forest.

"Down here!"

Her voice was stronger now and he sprung forward only to find that, several feet ahead, the earth had opened up to reveal a rather large, and quite deep, hole. And in this hole was Miss Martin, looking considerably worse for wear. She was struggling to her feet but, the feat seemed to take her longer than necessary and she staggered unsteadily before falling to the ground.

The hobbit instantly dropped the heavy pack and made his way to the edge of the hole.

"Miss Martin, perhaps you should take a moment." Bilbo suggested worriedly, searching around for some way to climb down into the hole. It was, at the very least, five feet deep. Too far vast for the poor hobbit to simply jump. "You may be hurt."

"I'm fine, Mr. Baggins." The young woman snorted softly and attempted, once again, to get back on her feet. "I've taken worse falls than that, trust me."

"What I trust, is that your balance is severely unsteady." He remarked sternly, sending her a severe look. Miss Martin merely grinned up at him and scratched the back of her head rather awkwardly. Of course, it may have looked as such due to all the leaves and small sticks that were now deeply embedded in the thick curls. "Sit down before you cause any further harm to yourself. I shall discover a way to get you out."

Oddly enough, to Bilbo's surprise, the young lady did indeed give up on trying to stand. Instead, she merely made herself comfortable among the wet leaves and damp branches.

"Better?" She asked, a cheeky smile upon her face. She spread her arms wide so as to gesture at her new seating arrangement.

Bilbo, in a rather Tookish moment, simply rolled his eyes and shook his head; a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth all the same. "Quite."

Miss Martin threw her head back and laughed, slapping a hand against her knee. Ignoring her bout of possible madness, he set to work on finding a way into the hole (preferably one he could use to get back out again). Luckily, fortune was on their side. He quickly discovered one of the hole's walls had collapsed enough so, if a person did indeed fall in, they could make their way out. However, the collapsed wall was at a severe angle and maked the climb out a bit difficult. Not to mention slightly hazardous if the person was injured.

The hobbit chanced a glance at Miss Martin, who was now lying flat on her back and staring up into the treetops. She was a conundrum, that was for certain.

"The light's fading." She said suddenly. Bilbo almost slipped and, if he had, would have ended up in the hole in much the same fashion as she had. "We'd better fill the water skins and head back or Thorin'll have our heads."

"Are you able to?" He asked worriedly, ringing his hands.

"Mr. Baggins," Miss Martin sat up rather quickly; piercing him with a rather stern expression. "I'm perfectly able to climb out on my own. I'm fine. Really, you worry too much."

A part of him felt like arguing the issue, but the look on the young woman's face told him to think better of it. Nonetheless, he directed her towards the collapsed wall he had discovered earlier and helped her out of the indention of earth. Of course, there had been a few slips and one failed attempt along the way, but Miss Martin insisted there was no need to find extra help. She eventually proved this and, once she was safely out, began the task of dusting herself off.

"Here, Miss Martin," declared Bilbo, taking notice of a patch of dirt on the shoulder of her coat. "allow me, if you would?"

"Thanks." The young woman returned, holding still while the hobbit reached up to brush the dirt away. "I'm a mess right now."

Once the dirt and leaves were removed from her clothing, Bilbo was quick to point out one other matter in need of addressing. "What of your hair? It's quite a nest."

"Huh?" Miss Martin lifted a hand to her hair, finding several leaves tangled in the curls. "You're right. Man, I really took a tumble, didn't I?"

"Indeed," The hobbit merely chuckled in humor. " Perhaps you should be more careful."

"Hey!" She cracked a large, toothy smile and leaned over in the attempt to ruffle his own curly head. "I'm plenty careful!"

However, Bilbo proved to be far too quick and dodged before she could even get close. Yet, it appeared Miss Martin was not ready to admit defeat. Again she lunged playfully, a devious grin upon her face. Once more, Bilbo, who now sported a wicked grin of his own, evaded her. This little game of cat and mouse continued until both were so worn out, they collapsed and laughed until their sides were fit to burst. Of course, their little game had brought them back were they started: Covered in leaves, dirt, and twigs and still waterless.

"Aha! That was great!" Miss Martin sat up, abet, rather unsteadily, and wiped tears of mirth from her pale face. "I haven't had that much fun since I fell into this place!"

"Indeed!" Bilbo agreed, now struggling to sit up as well. He felt light, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders and a smile of his own was stretched wide across his features. "Nor have I!"

The young woman raised a questioning brow, though the smile had not faded, and said with a chuckle, "Last time I checked, sir, you belonged here."

"I fear you are incorrect, Miss," frowned the hobbit as he gazed mournfully at the ground. "I don't believe I belong here at all."

The crunch of leaves and the snap of a twig alerted him the young woman had shifted, yet his confidence had fled him. The Dwarves, or at least most of them (Bofur and Ori had been friendly enough, had been shooting him looks of severe disapproval since the journey began. They did not want his help with preparing the campsites, nor the packing up, or anything else it seemed. If he was their Burglar, then surely something was required of him? Yet, it appeared they wanted nothing of him at all. Even his mere presence seemed to cause conflict!

"Oh, Mr. Baggins."

He glanced up through his thick, brown curls and saw Miss Martin gazing at him with a rather sad expression. He instantly felt guilty for saying such things, for he had not even realized he had spoken this aloud. After all, it was rude and inconsiderate to complain. He had been the one to sign the contract and he had agreed to its terms. It was not his place to complain about the current living conditions or the lack of full meals.

"I know it's tough." She relented, sitting down cross-legged in front of him and leaning forward. "It's not exactly a picnic for me either. I'm not comfortable with sleeping on the ground or riding a pony through the rain." She suddenly laughed, "In fact, I'm surprised I haven't caught a cold yet!"

Her last remark only made Bilbo feel all the worse and he glanced away.

"Look, Mr. Baggins." Miss Martin's stern tone returned and he quickly raised his head to listen. For some odd reason, it resembled his mother's. "Things are probably going to get a lot more worse out here, no doubt about it. Who knows what's gonna happen. But sulking isn't going to make things better." She paused for a moment, her expression struggling, then looked away. "I learned that today. Snapping at you wasn't right and I hurt your feelings. I'm sorry."

Unsure of how to answer, the hobbit remained silent.

"I miss my home." She continued softly, looking out through the trees. "And I know you do too. And the Dwarves aren't exactly helping." She turned again and bent her head so she could met his eyes from under his fringe of curls. "I'm sorry they're treating you like they are. They don't like me either, remember?"

"Inconsiderate bunch of louts," Bilbo muttered darkly. "T'is not your fault you must travel the same road."

"No." She laughed with the shake of her head. "But they're Dwarves and if there's one thing I've learned about Dwarves, it's that they are very suspicious and not exactly trusting."

Again he grumbled under his breath, causing Miss Martin to chuckle.

"An angry hobbit," She observed with humor, the corner of her mouth tilting up in a half smile. "The Dwarves don't stand a chance."

He couldn't help but grin, yet he tried to conceal it so she could not see. He did not succeed.

"Aha!" Miss Martin exclaimed with triumph; she pointed a finger at him, a grin of her own upon her face. "I see that smile, Mr. Baggins. You can't hide from me!"

"Indeed?" He returned, raising an incredulous brow. "Shall we put it to the test, Miss Martin?"

"Huh?" She blinked. "How?"

Bilbo smiled proudly and rose to his feet. "I propose a challenge."

"What kind of challenge?" She asked curiously, also standing. "What'd you have in mind?"

The hobbit smiled deviously. "A water challenge."

"They're late."

"Do calm yourself, Thorin." The wizard stated with the wave of his hand. "Mr. Baggins and Miss Martin are only filling water skins, they shall return."

"It's been far too long to fill water skins." The dark-haired dwarrow returned with a grunt. He paced the fire, hands clasped tightly behind his broad back.

"What is this, I wonder?" declared Gandalf. The smile upon the wizard's face did not spell promise. "Thorin Oakenshield, concerned over a hobbit and a odd woman from place far beyond the reaches of wizards? And here I thought that heart of yours was as solid as the rock you carve."

"Test me not, wizard!" Thorin rounded about, his eyes dark with growing rage. "As I've told you, I shall not be held responsible for the halfling! Nor is the woman included in my charge!"

"Oh, but she is," The Grey Pilgrim returned softly, slowly getting to his feet. "Or have you forgotten your previous words?"

Thorin took notice that the Company, now gathered about the fire, had gone stalk still.

Indeed, he remembered the words he had spoken. Indeed, he had agreed the woman would be under their protection. Yet, all the same, he did not like the feeling that surrounded her. She was strange all around. Her mannerisms were far too familiar, her dress was odd, and her form in general was mind-boggling. He did not trust her nor did he want her near his kin. She was far too unpredictable.

He had done what the wizard had suggested. He had observed her. Yet, his findings were useless! He had learned nothing that could tell him whether or not she was a threat! She favored her left side when she slept. She was right handed. She spoke little to any of his Company (yet she was oddly attached to the halfling) but when she did there was a cold politeness about her. Most of all, he found she talked more to her pony than anyone else! The pony!

No, there was nothing he learned so far that could tell him anything useful!

"I have forgotten nothing." Thorin growled lowly, his hands clenching into fists. "Yet, I say this once more Gandalf, the woman is not to be trusted."

The wizard rolled his eyes and stepped fully into the firelight. "Whether she is to be trusted or not has yet to be seen, Thorin Oakenshield. Yet, here you stand." He gestured at Thorin then, shifted his gray eyes to the rest of the dwarrrows, "Here you all stand, very much alive and well. Catelynn Martin has not once offered you a single threat, save for one. Which, was only because you tried to prevent her from going east. I shall say this once more and once more only, Miss Martin's only wish is to discover her own path home. Whether or not this path leads her east or elsewhere, she will follow it."

"You place far too much trust in her ." Thorin bit back harshly, stepping closer. "It shall cost you in the end."

"Is something wrong?"

He and the wizard instantly turned round. There standing at the edge of the treeline, was the halfling and the woman herself. She and the hobbit shared a puzzled look, but before either of them could ask any further questions, Thorin began to march towards them.

"You, Burglar!" he barked sharply, eyes narrowing. "Where have you been?! Have you no consideration for yourself, wandering about in the fading light?! Dusk is now upon us and the night is fast approaching!"

"Calm down, Master Dwarf." The woman cut in, stepping forward, her hands raised palms up in peace.

"You," He snapped, eyes flashing as he rounded on her. "will speak when spoken to."

The woman's eyes widened in a flicker of fear and, for the first time since their meeting, actually stepped away from him.

A part of Thorin instantly felt guilty for speaking to a woman in such a brute fashion. Yet, he quickly buried it. Guilt would not serve him here. She could very well be a threat and he would not allow anymore of his kin to fall to deceit and lies. He had lost more than enough. All he had left were the scattered remnants of a once mighty people. A people who now had become so settled in their new home in the Ered Luin, they had all but given up on the prospect of regaining their original homeland. No. He would not waver to this strange woman, for she was like every other obstacle that stood before him.

He would not allow her to prevent him from accomplishing his goal.

Cate's eyes narrowed dangerously as she felt her anger begin to swell.

She didn't like him; not in the least. He was frightening. His whole build and presence practically oozed intimidation, giving off an intense feeling of fear. And she despised feeling scared. However, there was but one other thing she hated more than being afraid: she hated seeing her friends threatened and scared. To say Bilbo Baggins was a tad bit frightened would be an understatement. The poor hobbit beside her was shaking and not at all comfortable with how close Thorin Oakenshield was to his personal space.

Cate quickly dropped the pack from her shoulders and took a step forward.

"Back up there Bud," She replied through clenched teeth, placing herself between Bilbo and Thorin. "You're a bit close."

He met her eyes with a dark and torrent stare of raging blue fire. Cate felt a shiver of fear flit down her spine, yet she stood her ground. She didn't care if she did end up insulting him at this point, it would serve him right. From what Bilbo had told her, most of the Company had been nothing but rude and inconsiderate; mostly ignoring the poor hobbit altogether. But, in her mind, being ignored was just as wrong. Being ignored was painful and Bilbo only wanted to pull his own weight; only wanted to help.

And no one would even give him that much.

"I have no quarrel with you," Thorin rumbled, continuing to glare down at her. "Yet I would advise you to remove yourself from this. It is of no concern of yours."

"The hell it is!" Cate snapped angrily, crossing her arms and raising her head slightly. She wasn't going to show she was scared, even though on the inside she wanted to flee. Bilbo had been the first one to show her any kindness. The one who had given her a bed and a pack and even declared to be her escort. He had become her friend! Like hell she was going to let the Dwarves treatment of the hobbit continue without her intervention. "You can't just go up to someone and demand an explanation! If you have a question, then you speak it! Not give us an interrogation!"

Something moved in the Dwarf's eyes caused her to second-guess her approach. A glint of rage hung just beneath the surface and the next thing she knew, Thorin was far too close to for comfort.

"Watch. Your. Tongue." He hissed, his breath hot against her face.

This time Cate did move, only not exactly in the way she expected.

She stepped forward.

"We haven't done anything wrong." She bit back, meeting Thorin's angered face with her own. She was shaking, yet whether it was out of fear or anger (or a combination of the two) she did not know. "Bilbo hasn't done anything wrong. He was helping me fill my water skins."

"Is that so?" Thorin's face darkened and he raised an eyebrow. "I was not aware so much time was needed to fill them."

Cate bristled. It took all her inner strength not to bury her fist in his face.

"I fell going down the hill. Bilbo wanted to make sure I was alright. And for your information, I thought it wasn't safe for someone to go off by themselves?"

"And so you chose the hobbit as your escort?" He returned incredulously, a cruel smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "How amusing. As if the halfling could provide ample protection."

Her already strained temper snapped.

Without any regard to her own health, Cate pulled back her fist and slammed it, full force, into the tree not a foot from her right. A sickening crunch filled the air and a strained silence fell soon after. She felt her hand begin to throb and knew, from one past experience, one of her knuckles had been broken. Grunting, she extracted her hand from the splintered bark and let the hand fall limply at her side. The hit had split the skin of her two largest knuckles and, without looking, could feel the hot liquid of her blood begin to flow down her fingers. Yet, she clamped her mouth shut. Like hell she was going to complain aloud in front of them.

"Just be lucky it wasn't your face, Dwarf." Cate growled quietly; her words loaded with an unspoken promise.

Thorin only gazed back at her, eyes wide, an expression of horror upon his face.

Then without another word, she reached down (with her one good hand), picked up her pack, and began to march across camp.

"And by the way," Cate added with fury, turning around to address them as a whole. "You know the solution, don't you? If you don't want Bilbo running off with me, why don't you have him do things you do deem useful! He wouldn't be running around with me if you would give him work to do! And if I recall, he's offered all of you his service many times! It's not his fault none of you will take him up on it! What else is he supposed to do if none of you give him a chance?!"

She whipped out her bedroll and found herself a nice, dry spot to sleep.

Though right away she knew it was a wasted effort.

Bilbo confiding in Cate has made her realize the two of them have a bit in common. Our hobbit is in need of a friend, as the Dwarves are a bit much for him to handle. Cate is originally very loud and boisterous and happy-go-lucky, yet her situation has toned down her personality. She's not fully herself out here in Middle-earth.

Of course, when certain situations occur (such as her discovering the Dwarves treatment of Bilbo), Cate reacts as she would normally would. She's been respectful so far of the Dwarves because she wants as little to do with them as possible. Yet, due to her now forming friendship with Bilbo, her protective side makes an appearance.

So, why hasn't Cate seen the Company's poor treatment of Bilbo? First, she has been caught up in her own thoughts and has paid very little attention. Second, she also believes it rude for her to interfere with Thorin Oakenshield and his Company. After all, she has her quest and they have theirs. Their paths are still very separate. Yet, she interacts with Bilbo because, one, he's the one who usually seekers her out, and two, he's the first one to show her any real sort of kindness.

Revised 2/9/16