They were off at first light and followed the river, though Angel did not join them. She hopped along the tops of the trees above them, scouting both front and flank throughout the day. She would occasionally swing to lower branches to let them know she was still near, but besides that, she did not make contact much.
"Moon!" Thorin called while searching the trees. Angel jumped down to a near by branch, but did not say a word. "Find us a place to camp for the night." She nodded to him then quickly found herself back in the trees. It didn't take long for her to return, above them she descended and dropped.
"There is a small clearing of trees a little further ahead, it would make for an exceptional place to rest. It's not far from the stream, fresh water is plentiful." Angel described. Thorin nodded to her, she then lead the way. Upon their arrival, she again disappeared into the trees. She made her way to the river, and walked along the light current, doubling back only slightly before she planted herself on top of a bundle of rocks. Angel slowly removed her cowl, and looked down at her reflection. Grief flooded her. She bathed in the clean water while washing her tunic. Her clothes were still damp when she put them on, it took only moments before she was back in her armor, she combed through her flowing hair with shaking fingertips. Her cowl rested in her hand as she again stared in disgust at her reflection. A rustling came from the trees behind, though she did not move.
"M-Moon, is it? Or, may I call you Angel, when it is just us?" The hobbit's voice was just over a whisper, even if it wasn't, they were far away, enough so that no one would hear them. Angel said nothing, not even the clang of glass hitting stone broke her attention. "Why is your shoulder covered in gold?"
"It is my body's way of repairing itself, to keep it clean, and drive away infection." Angel explained.
"Why does it do that?" Angel turned slightly to meet the hobbit's eyes.
"In another world, far away from here, a battle between planets commenced. The planet I defended from attackers had experimental armor that would encase the bones of ones body. It would make them unbreakable, and would seep out of the skin and encase a wound to help keep it's host alive. It proved fatal in all cases, but when the people of the world thought they had it figured out, there was a break in security. They wanted to dispose of all evidence, but the liquid could not be destroyed." Angel clarified.
"So you let them inject you with it?" Angel smiled at Bilbo, happy he caught on so quickly. "Well it sticks out like a sore thumb. Please allow me to fix it. I never leave anywhere without a small sewing kit." Bilbo brought it out of his pocket. Angel giggled, the bowl Bilbo brought caught her eye.
"What's that?" She asked.
"Gandalf told me that he hasn't seen you eat since you came here. Now I know that I don't know much about you, but what I do know, is that you need to eat. Gandalf said that you are fond of berries. And so berries I have brought." Angel looked in the bowl to see bright red, juicy raspberries. Her eyes quickly met his, an innocent smirk splashed across his face.
"Why are you doing all this?" Her voice shook. "I don't deserve your kindness."
"And why not? Last I heard you were a princess-"
"Don't call me that, I am no princess! I am a monster..." Turning away, Angel sat on the rocky ground. "They don't know who I truly am, no one does, not even I know. Though I do know I am not a princess, I am not an 'angel'." A single tear fell from her eye. She felt a warm hand placing a cloth over her shoulder, and sewing the tear in her tunic.
"You save people, do you not? Defend the innocent yes?" Continuing to sew.
"Most of the time I have to kill to do so," Angel mumbled. "I do not deserve the titles that could be better suited for someone else."
"Did you ever think that maybe, others think that no one else is suited for them?" Angel turned her gaze towards him, before moving her damp hair out of his way. "Sure, maybe you have to do something you don't want to do, but you do it for the people around you. You kill few, to save a thousand. I can tell that it hurts you, needing to do that, but if you didn't, who would? How many other people, children, animals or even environments, would have to suffer?" Bilbo reinforced. He finished sewing and tied the string, biting it to retrieve the needle. Angel then turned to him as he put away his equipment. "I have not known you for long, but I do see an angel when I look at you, among all others you deserve to be called a princess. You have courage, and strength to do what others won't. You save people." He paused and handed her the bowl. "Stitching up a few scratches and tears is the least I can do." Angel looked at him with amazement, tears trailing from her eyes. She had no words, just a gentle grin. She took the bowl and one by one, ate the berries, offering some to Bilbo which he gladly accepted. "You know, I hope there is not a time that we will need your full strength, but if there ever is, know that many of us will accept you for who you are, many already have.
"What if I don't want them to?" Angel inquired, looking away from the bowl towards Bilbo.
"Well, I don't think you'll have a choice," he chuckled. "People will follow who they want to, and look to them when they need strength, or hope. They already do." A silence fell after he finished. She looked down at the empty bowl, her fingers fidgeted at its base. Bilbo stood and stretched, letting out a quiet yawn. "It's getting late, we should both get some rest." Bilbo stated as he offered to take the bowl. She gave it to him, quickly he walked towards the trees he came from. "Angel," He slowed to a stop, turning to her.
"Yes?"
"Think about what I said, there is truth in it." Angel nodded to him. With a smile he walked off. She put her cowl on, and climbed to the height of the trees above the company. She watched over them with a hidden smile on her face.