DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters or happenings of middle earth. They belong to J. R. R. Tolkien and sometimes Peter Jackson's stuff might fall in too. I only own my OC. Please, feel free to leave any comments and questions. Follow the story in which ever way you would like, but make your thoughts known. Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 21

To say I take off like a rocket and speed down the expanse of the corridor would be a surprisingly accurate description of what is occurring. A loud squawk from Bilbo accompanied with a low guttural sound from Thorin is my only warning that the dwarf is actually giving chase. In my head, he just stared after me in disbelief but noooooooo. 'Bit light on his feet for a dwarf, though.' I glance over my shoulder to see how far he is before shrieking like a young banshee and picking up my pace to flee from his much too close predatory face. It's a nice face and all but I'm trying to escape here! Swiftly turning the corner to make a sharp right, I hear the sounds of the earliest rising company members starting their day. I skid into the room and dive head first behind a snoring Bombur, ignoring the obvious pain of such a feat. Placing my plate beside me, I peak from around his mass and hiss at the awake and surprised dwarves.

"We are... playing hide-and-go-seek." I say before ducking again "Say nothing!"

Thorin thunders into the room mere seconds later and stands in the entrance with his head on a swivel. He's not breathing nearly as hard as I would have liked, but I'll take what I can get. The three dwarves, whom I have identified as Balin, Bifur, and Dori, sit silently on their bedrolls; accessing the situation without a lick of interest. I awkwardly wonder how often Thorin chases girls in the predawn hours that this is just... normal. The, possibly raunchy, king in question hums in thought before walking slowly into the room with deliberate steps.

"I know you are in here. You should simply give up now." he says in such a mesmerizing sing song voice that I almost want to do as he says, and that in itself raises the hairs on my arms to caution me away "Come out, come out wherever you are."

"Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the game?" Dori mutters, totally unsympathetic to my plight. Some hallucinogenic mother he is.

I peer around Bombur once more and wait for Thorin to get just a little further from the door so I can make a break for it. He's singing to me, which is enough to freak me the heck out. My heart is racing, my stomach is in knots, and my muscles ache to move immediately but I hold steady. I inch my way around the rotund dwarrow each time Thorin looks away, getting myself ready to run. I would have gotten way with it too, if it wasn't for those meddling princes.

"She's right here, Uncle!"

I nearly curse in surprise. Looking up, I see the youngest Durins have awoken and are beginning the day with a big cup of jerk. Fili stands closest to me, pointing down at my spot so there is absolutely no confusion as to exactly where 'here' means. I glare up at him with my best version of pure loathing but he returns it with a well practiced smirk.

"That, my dear friend" he snorts out the word like it's some bad cocaine. Not that I know what bad cocaine... snorts... like... I'm just sayin- " is for saying I taste like spinach."

"That was low Fili. Really low." Thorin doesn't hesitate in beginning to make his way across the room and over to me "But so is this." Thinking quick, I punch Fili below the belt with a warrior cry that could wake the entire company. Thorin stops short and looks at me askew while a collective hiss of sympathy for the male runs through the room before I dash for the door "Tag!" I scream over my shoulder "Fili, you're it! No tag backs!"

"I thought this was hide-and-go-seek!" he moans after me from his crouched position; Kili poking at him with the tip of his boot "My family jewels..."

I don't stick around for more; quickly exiting the room with Thorin hot on my tail. I can practically feel him breathing down my neck, sending a questionable shiver of excitement down my spine. Checking on his neutered nephew doesn't seem to be all that important as he catches up to me a lot quicker this time than last. His hand barely touches my arm before it is ripped away by Kili tackling him. I stumble as the momentum practically spins me around, but catch myself and jog a few more steps away.

"Tag!" he beams triumphantly from his perch. If he grins any wider, he'll be able to lick his own ear "You're it, Uncle!"

The two wrestle on the floor good naturedly, providing me with a new view of the king. It's funny and doting and makes it hard to laugh while running, so I quit halfway up the hall. My yell did in fact wake the whole company and most seem to have joined in the impromptu game. 'Point for me.' Thorin finally shoves his nephew off and begins to rise. Our eyes lock and I feel that itch again as he begins to stalk after me only to be disappointingly taken down once more. This time by Dwalin.

"Found you." he snickers gruffly. I would not have expected the burly dwarf to join in but then again, I don't know if this is even a game. Sure didn't start off that way "You're out."

Bending over at the waist, I laugh painfully and watch the monarch struggle under his growing dwarf pile. Each time he gets up, someone tackles him. 'I enjoy watching this... from a safe distance, of course.' Its so cute and I wish it would happen more often. I know it won't last forever but it's nice to watch a group and big burly dwarves tussle on the floor like children. Once he is free, Thorin lifts his eyes to my own and I am taken aback by the sight. His blue gaze is filled with something I have never seen on him before. Mischief. Mirth. Life.

"I believe it is time for a new game." he calls, breaking the moment

"Oh?" Bofur questions, full of curious wonder "What kind?"

"Reverse tag. Target: Miss Thia."

My laughter dies in my throat as thirteen pairs of eyes turn their undivided attention to me. We all just stand there while I try to decide if this is really going to happen. I've never known Thorin to joke but I feel like anything is possible now. On that note, I take a step back and then another and then a lot more as the group chases me down. It wouldn't be so scary if they weren't roaring and brandishing weapons. Calls of 'you can't escape us' and 'get her' just fuel my legs.

"Run for your lives!" I cry out, throwing my hands into the air over my head "Rabid dwarves are on the loose!"

There is not enough oxygen to laugh and pant but Lord knows I try. I settle for letting out a long, drawn out, and shrill scream as I run through the halls. 'You know, just in case people thought they could sleep or something mundane like that.' Elves look on in amazement and confusion as I zip through the halls with a battalion of battle hardened dwarves in my wake. 'Gandalf is going to kill me.' As if by magic, the wizard pops up from around the corner... with Elrond. It's too sudden of an appearance and I can't stop myself before I am crashing into the elf's body like a curly headed bowling ball. He wraps his arms around my shoulders as he staggers backward, nearly toppling over, before thankfully steadying us both. The dwarves pull to a stop sooner than I did and glare at the elf before Ori speaks up.

"Does this mean we lost?"

~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~

Gandalf decides that the game is over, instructing the group to disperse. No one admits it aloud but the series of grumbles tells me that they were having... fun. I have no clue what would have happened if they caught me. I doubt even they know but the knowing blue eyes of the king display that he had a plan completely fleshed out. The wizard leads Thorin and myself to an office-like room where we sit at a small stone table but say nothing. Growing annoyed, Gandalf breaks the silence.

"It is good to see you up and about, my dear." he says clearing his throat "You had us all quite worried."

"Thanks, and I'm sorry to have caused you such distress." No one likes being a burden and I'm no exception. I'll going to have to work extra hard not to get killed to make up for this "Its good to be up. My legs enjoyed the stretch."

"I am most glad that you are feeling better Miss Malcolmson. I do ask however, that you keep your pace slower from now on." the elf scolds gently from his place by the window "You have only just gotten over your sickness after all."

"A sickness she would not have encountered had we never come here." Thorin spits.

"A sickness she would not have encountered had we simply used the main entrance." Gandalf returns

"A sickness I'm well and truly over." I assure before saying under my breath. "Besides, I wouldn't have been running if you weren't chasing me."

"I would not have chased you, if you had not been running." he retorts, clearly having heard my mumble "Why were you eating Belladonna?"

"Ew Thorin!" I exclaim making a disgusted face "Bilbo's mom is dead, don't joke around like that."

He pulls a face of his own before coughing into his fist. Beneath the scruff of his beard his cheeks heat slightly in an unbearably cute way. He turns away slightly, giving me a clear view of the blood making it's way up his neck to heat his face. 'Who would have thought. Thorin. Cute.' I gape at him openly as Gandalf chuckles from across the room and Elrond even cracks a smile, albeit a small one.

"The flower you carried, it was a Belladonna bud." he explains as patiently as he is able "The plant is extremely poisonous. Why did you... consume it?"

"Ohhhhhhhh. I thought you meant..." It's my turn to feel embarrassed. Placing my face in my hand, I groan at my stupidity. I just accused a guy of... you knowing... the dead mother of a company member he isn't even all that fond of yet. I'm glad Bilbo isn't here to witness this "Uh... N-nevermind. Nori made me eat it."

"Nori?!" he repeats, voice raised.

"Well yes." understanding my mistake, I explain before heads roll. Why I think so highly of myself to believe that Thorin would even think twice about anyone poisoning me doesn't cross my mind "In the cave I landed face first in the plant. When Nori fell on top of me, some of it got in my mouth. I thought I spit it all out but... hallucinations prove otherwise."

"I see. " Gandalf mutters distantly, glancing me over with a peculiar stare. The three males exchange a look that has me worried. I've never done drugs because I like being in control "What do you remember?"

"Hmmm. Animals. Food. Aliens." I list "I've been able to put faces to things since I woke up but it was really strange while I was... not right."

"Nothing else?" Thorin asks, ignoring the unfamiliar word "After you fainted in the hall, do you remember nothing of that time?"

"Well, I did take a trip to go see the Valar. They gave me a couple of gifts. Oh! Aulë, or do you prefer Mahal?" the dwarf nods slowly "ok, so Mahal gave me this super awesome braid and bead."

I pull out my braid from behind my ear and bring it forth. The trio leans in closer for a better look; Thorin going as far as to touch the, dare I say silky, length. He fingers the braid before rolling the bead in his palm. 'Awkward.' He sighs dreamily while continuing to gaze at it.

"Beautiful." he muses before pulling away "Mahal has blessed you."

"I suppose he blessed you too since they all brought me here for your sake." I reply

"This is something you should have led with." Gandalf chides before the dwarf can respond "What are the other gifts you were given?"

I start to give the group a rundown but am distracted by Thorin's intent stare at me. Or rather, my bead. Tucking it behind my ear seems to break the spell and I continue my rendition of Thia and the beanstalk until all has been said.

"There is much to think on." Gandalf hums quietly "And these gifts, you were given physical marks for each?"

"Uh yes. Most of them." shrugging, I run my hands through my hair selfconciously "One is this bead, one I assume is on my soul, two are here" I part my hair to show them what I can guess to be water and forest symbols "And the last ones... well... I'm not showing you those."

"It is all the same." Thorin says, seemingly focused on getting my attention "In the infirmary, you spoke to me about what is to come."

"I did?"

"You did." he insists almost painfully. Gripping my hands suddenly, he pulls our chairs closer "I need you to tell me more about that."

"Thorin I-"

"Please."

"..." stripping my brain for what he could be talking about, I come up with zilch. I wonder what I could have told him but I know I couldn't have said much being as I wasn't even in... my... body... Blinking in confusion, I shrink back from some realization "Thorin... I remember your voice while I was sick... at the beginning."

"Yes. Can you remember what you said?"

"Nothing." I hold up my hand to stop him from talking "Thorin, I didn't say anything to you."

"You did!" he shouts, dropping my hands in frustration before quickly retaking them "I was there. Balin was there. We both heard you. How can- Just tell me!"

"I can't because I wasn't there! I don't know who you spoke to, Thorin... but it wasn't me."

"While rare..." sucking in a breath of surprise, I flinch at the elf's voice. I'd honestly forgotten he was in the room "It is not impossible for ancestral spirits to speak from across the veil to give advice. While her soul was preoccupied with the Valar, it would seem that one of your ancestors paid you a visit."

"Why his and mine?"

"Because it wasn't you they needed to speak with." Gandalf peers at Thorin in agitation "Their appearance worries me."

"... Should I be worried?" While Thorin, speechless for the moment, gapes glaringly at the elf and wizard, I make sure my body isn't in danger of being taken over "I've seen enough horror movies to know this isn't a path I want to walk down."

"Nor is it one you will have to." Gandalf leans in, lifts me to my feet and guids me towards the door "It was merely a one time occurrence. You have no risks of your body suddenly falling under possession of an evil entity. That being said, you must practice for more physical perils.

"Practice what?"

"Escape techniques, my dear girl!" he smiles softly before shoving me out the door none to gently "You have many gifts to master."

~~~~~~~~~~Shishi~~~~~~~~~~

100 pages. I have written 100 pages of fan fiction. Thats a lot of time spent inform of a computer. So, happy 100th page. I don't have much to say this time around. The song is Blow me by P!nk. Oh! but you can also play that run around music that one of my reviewers left. It fits perfectly. Thanks everyone! Leave your reviews, all of you. Don't just read! I wrote 100 page pages, give me a sentence or two. :) Until next time!