Beorn gave a nod to the Dwarves before leading his horses to a clean corral. The ground was covered in mud from washing the horses and I was standing up to my calves in it. Thorin paused at the edge of the giant mud puddle, beard twitching, "Are you alright Ariana?"

I blinked at him, confused and Kili grinned cheekily, "Your turning into a mud monster."

I looked down at myself and saw that I was indeed covered in mud. Looking back at the Dwarves I saw the hidden amusement, Thorin's only give away that he was amused was the twitch of his beard and the slightly crinkle of his eyes. Fili and Kili weren't bothering to hide their mirth. Giving a wicked grin I said, "Here, I'll share!"

Laddybuck, guessing what I was about to do, quickly moved away and followed Beorn. Bending I scooped up two handfuls of mud in a flash and loped them into Fili and Kili's faces before they could dodge. Sadly the one that hit Fili kind of exploded and half hit Thorin in the face. Gasping I squeaked, "Oops, sorry Thorin." Fili and Kili stared in horror at their uncle, slowly backing away. Thorin grimaced and slowly opened his eyes and glared at me.

I knew I was in trouble but was unable to withhold the giggle that escaped. He blinked and then a devilish grin appeared, taking me by surprise. Before I could dodge he had stooped and scooped up a handful of mud and threw it. It hit me square in the forehead and I yelped, trying to rub it out of my eyes and heard him chuckle. Fili and Kili roared with laughter, having to lean against each other for support. Not about to let this go without a fight I lunged forward and grabbed Kili's tunic, throwing him over my hip and straight into the mud. Fili laughed until I spun, grabbed his arm and judo threw him over my shoulder and straight after his brother. This started a mud fight between them.

Strong arms grabbed me from behind and I yelped as I was thrust into the mud, but I had grabbed the sleeves of my attacker and took him with me. Grinning at the disgruntled look on Thorin's face I thrust up and rolled him into the mud, glad he wasn't wearing his coat. I sat on his waist, careful of his ribs, pinning him down with my hands on his shoulders and grinned victoriously, "Gotcha!"

He looked up at me and slowly grinned, "So it seems." He shifted underneath me and I realized the position we were in and turned beet red. I quickly rolled off, "Oh, sorry!" Blushing I got to my feet and held out my hand, "You alright?"

He rolled his eyes, taking my hand and I pulled him up, "I am not fragile Ariana."

Remembering the solid barrel of a chest I had sat on I murmured, "Oh I don't doubt that." I cocked my head at him, concerned, "But you were injured Thorin, I can't help but worry." He raised a dark eyebrow at me, "You were injured as well."

I waved him off with a huff, "Tis but a scratch." I moved back quickly as a mud ball nearly hit me and grinned at Thorin, "How about we move away so that we don't get dragged into their foolery?"

He once more raised a black eyebrow at me, "I do believe you started this foolery." I gave him my best innocent face as we moved away from Fili and Kili's mud fight, "Are you accusing a lady of soiling her hands with mud? My good sir, I have no idea what your talking about." My grin ruined my false snooty attitude. He shook his head at me, unable to suppress his own smile, "Are you always this silly?"

I winked at him, scrapping a chunk of mud off my arm, "Oh Thorin, you've been traveling with me for how long? And you have yet to realize that I take nothing seriously."

He snorted, probably remembering my exploits of seriousness, "Of course. How could I have not noticed this?"

I chuckled, liking this new joking Thorin, "And I had no idea you had a sense of humor."

He looked at me, startled and I shrugged, still smiling, "No worries, I know you have a lot on your mind." He smiled softly, looking at me, "Maybe you bring out the best in me."

Looking at him in surprise, I blushed when I saw the seriousness in his bright blue eyes, "Um, thanks? I could say something about a stick...but that'd be rude.." I grimaced when I felt the drying mud on my face crack. Looking down at myself I grimaced again, "Although, it may be a great idea if I get this stuff off. And you might want to wash up as well..." beginning to feel a bit self conscious all of a sudden.

Thorin chuckled and nodded, "We both need to wash up. Before Fili and Kili descend on the wash room. You go in first." I smiled in relief before ducking my head and heading back to the house, wrinkling my nose when Bofur teased that I was a bit too old for playing in the mud. Dori fussed over me, clucking his tongue at the mud, which made me laugh. Beorn chuckled at me before offering one of his clean shirts that was a large dress to me. I graciously accepted it, heading for the wash room. Thorin came in, face showing a stern leader so there was no room for teasing him that he was covered in mud too. That was before Fili and Kili came in, about to try and beat me to the wash room.

Dwalin took hold of them tho, since they were dripping in mud and made them go out to the stream to wash. When they protested, he grabbed them by the back of their tunic and drug them out. Hiding my grin at their protests I gave them a wave before slipping into a stone floored room with a large stone basin that I could swim in. One of the sheep came in through another way with a towel and a bar of honey soap on his back.

I thanked it as I stripped out of my dirty clothes, pumped enough water into the tub and then carefully got into the cold water. Biting my lip to stop the squeak about to escape my throat I took the soap and washed off the grime. Looking at my side I found that it really was just a scratch now and for that I was grateful for Oin's stinky medicines.

I washed twice before I began to feel clean enough and the honey soap smelled fantastic. Getting out I took my clothes and washed them in the tub. Once I got them as clean as I possibly could I drained and wiped out the tub. Rubbing myself dry with the towel I put on Beorn's brown shirt and laughed. It really was like a dress. It hung loose over my body like a tent.

The sheep eyed me, disappeared, and then returned with a green sash. Rubbing it's nose in thanks I wrapped it around my waist and rolled up the sleeves. Gathering my wet clothes I went out, wrinkled my nose once more at the Dwarves as they exclaimed and teased over me wearing a dress. They were enjoying a table full of food and resting in their own ways. Beorn and Gandalf seemed to have disappeared. Thorin watched me curiously as I waved to the Dwarves as I went outside to hang my clothes to dry on the bushes. Then I gathered my swords and a rag to clean them. Laddybuck found me there and offered to visit me while I sat in the sunlight on the grass to dry and warm myself from my cold bath.

I looked over when I heard some noise as Kili and Fili walked toward the house looking like a pair of disgruntled dripping wet cats, a smug Dwalin walking behind them. I giggled quietly and Laddybuck started munching on the grass as I carefully settled on the grass, feeling a bit sleepy as I enjoyed the bright sun. Taking my swords out of their sheaths I was amazed and pleased to find that they hadn't rusted and were as clean as the day I found them. I wondered if this was because they were of Elven make. I cleaned them anyway before I sheathed them and set them down beside me.

Settling back on my back I sighed happily, the Goblin caves had left a dark chill over my mind and the sun helped to dash it away. I cat napped like this, listening to Laddybuck eating and the giant bees buzzing around the flowers nearby. Then my brain became a buzz when I sensed footsteps, Laddybuck nickered that one of the Dwarves was approaching and I cracked an eye open to see shy Ori coming towards me. I sat up with a smile, "Hi Ori, care to join me?"

He smiled, bobbing his head so that his braids swung, "I don't mean to interrupt." I waved him off, patting the grass beside me, "Not at all. Do you need something?"

He settled beside me with his shy smile in place and said, reaching into his tunic, "I've been meaning to give this back to you, but we've kind of been busy..."

My curiosity bloomed as I said sarcastically, "Oh yes, running for our lives is very time consuming." He chuckled and pulled out a brown leather book that I instantly recognized as my sketchbook and my jaw dropped in disbelief and awe, "Ori, is that?"

He blushed slightly a he handed it to me, "I managed to snag it along with my pack before we had to run for our lives. I knew it was important to you.." He didn't get to finish as I lunged to my knees and grabbed him in a hug, "Oh thank you! Thank you! This is wonderful Ori!"

He hugged me back with a chuckle and I let him go, sitting back down and eagerly opening the book to check the pages, "Your very welcome. I know how important it is to keep one's book safe."

I looked at him and we shared an artist/author smile of understanding. He then asked shyly, "May I have a look?"

I eagerly, if a bit shyly myself, handed it to him and watched as he carefully looked through it, chuckling here and there when he found the sketches of some of the Dwarves. I had sketched nearly anything I could in the book and it was still only half way full. He murmured, impressed, "These are wonderful."

I blushed, pleased, "Thank you Ori. I've seen your drawings, they are quite nice as well." He smiled brightly and handed it back to me, "Thank you, I try. I plan on writing about our journey when this is all over." His eyes brightened and I nodded, "I'd love it if you'd let me read it." His smile rivaled any I had seen before and I couldn't help but smile back. He stood then, "there are a plate of honey cakes inside if you want to join us..." Then he looked back and suddenly looked down, shifting uncomfortably.

I looked towards the house and saw Thorin standing there, all clean and looking at us very suspiciously. Dwalin was just behind him, looking like he'd like to interrupt but wanting to not show interest. I rolled my eyes and said, "No, you go ahead Ori. I'm still full from this morning." He nodded and scurried away, looking frightened until Dwalin came out from behind Thorin, shooting his leader a glare before meeting Ori half way and leading him into the house. I chided Thorin, who came over, as I flopped back onto the grass, "I think you scared him. What were you scowling about?"

He muttered something I couldn't hear and I looked at Laddybuck as he walked over and stared the Dwarf in the eye. Thorin, remembering how bad tempered Laddybuck could be, froze. I hid a grin, feeling a bit happy that I had my guard-horse back, "Laddybuck. Be nice."

Laddybuck seemed to snicker, that was the only thing his nicker sounded like, before he ambled innocently off to eat more grass a few feet away. Thorin eyed him warily before slowly walking towards me. He still limped slightly and I cocked an eyebrow but said nothing as he settled down beside me with a wince. I played with a blade of grass between my fingers, curiously asking, "So why were you scowling at Ori?" He grumbled something under his breath in Dwarvish and I asked, "sorry? I didn't catch that..."

Sitting up I flipped my long hair over my shoulder and looked at him. He shifted a bit and finally blurted, "What's it like where your from?"

Seeing the ploy to change the subject I gave him a look that clearly said he wasn't fooling me but decided to answer him anyway, "Hmmm, different. A lot...crazier? I'm not sure how to describe it."

He looked at me, all ears, curiosity practically dripping from him. I sighed and cocked my head to the side in thought, "Well, it's noisier. People are always running about...there's always some machine that's making a racket. Money makes the world go around I suppose. To be quite honest I like Middle-earth a lot more then my world."

He cocked his head at me, "You hated it so much?"

I hummed thoughtfully, "You forget dear Dwarf that I was on the run for most of my life. Ever since I was 16. Bruce put a bounty on my head and after that there was no peace. People were desperate for money and would help him hunt me down. And it became harder and harder to hide. I guess that's one reason why I dislike where I'm from so much."

Realizing how depressing this sounded I blushed and looked down, "Oh bugger, sorry Thorin. I'm sure that's not what you meant..." He said softly, frowning a bit but not his usual scowl, "It's fine. I'm glad you opened up to me." Getting my embarrassment under control with some difficulty I mock glared at him, "Sometimes your just so bloody easy to talk to."

He snorted, his eyes crinkling slightly, "You have no problem yelling at me if you'll recall." I snorted like a horse, rolling my eyes, "Only when you are overcome with stupidity. Honestly, your going to give me gray hairs." Then I eyed him playfully, "Even though you've beat me to it. Old man."

He took the teasing much better than I thought he would. He didn't bite my head off, instead he chuckled and said, "I deserved that." I flashed Thorin a grin, "My past isn't all bad. Before they passed my parents loved me and taught me skills I used to survive to this day. And anyway, I'm not dead. Bruce didn't win. And I got to go on a quest with a bunch of Dwarves who I'd like to call my friends." I said the last part a bit bashfully.

Thorin smiled at me and I felt my heart flutter at the sight. It transformed his face completely, making it softer, less harsh, and left me weak at the knees. He said gently, "Of course. You're apart of the Company."

I looked at him innocently, "Really? And here I thought I was just here for the fun of it." He scoffed, shaking his head, "Oh yes this has all been just for the fun of it. Mahal help us."

Curiosity peeked I tilted my head, "Alright, I've heard you guys say that before. Who is Mahal?"

He looked at me like I had slapped him, "Your joking." I found his face amusing but made sure I just showed a bland face, "In case you haven't noticed, you Dwarves are rather secretive and I do not know who Mahal is."

Realizing this may be one of their secrets I quickly raised my hands in peace, "But if you can't tell me, if it's something only Dwarves should know..." He stopped with with a wave of his hand and he said, "No. It's alright. Mahal is the maker of the Dwarven race."

I stared at him, confused and Thorin shifted slightly to get more comfortable, "Here, let me start at the beginning."

I listened to Thorin with rapt attention as he told me of how the Dwarven race began. It was quite interesting but to be honest I just liked the sound of his voice. It was rich and deep, making the story come alive. When he was done I gave a slight whistle, "Huh, that makes sense." then to my great embarrassment, my stomach gave a loud growl. But then I was joined when Thorin's stomach returned the call of hunger.

We looked at each other, startled until I giggled, "Right." I slowly got to my feet and held out my hand to him, "Shall we, King Under the Mountain?"

He looked a bit bashful as he took my hand in his larger one and let me help him to his feet. Laddybuck fell in step with us and I rested my hand on his shoulder as we walked. We were quiet and when we got to the house I patted Laddybuck good bye. We came to the door, and like a gentleman,Thorin bowed me into the house. I blushed, rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile as I walked in.

Fili and Kili called to me, raising a plate of honey cakes. From what I could tell they were having an eating contest. I smiled and joined them, Thorin taking a seat near Balin at the end of the table to my left. I eagerly took the plate from Kili, giving Ori a knowing wink where he sat next to Dwalin, who looked to be in deep conversation with Balin. Ori's brothers were too busy arguing with each other to notice how close their little brother was to the large Dwarf with tattoos. Nor did they see Dwalin, without missing a beat, set another roll on Ori's plate. Ori blushed slightly, looking incredibly pleased as he took a bite, slipping a honey cake onto Dwalin's plate.

Then Dwalin turned, facing Thorin and they started discussing the journey ahead. The only indication that anyone but me noticed was Balin, who looked at me and we shared knowing smiles. Bofur was over by the wall with Bifur, cheerfully humming under his breath as he and Bifur whittled on some wood. Bofur was trying to put himself in a food coma at the other end of the table. Oin was trying to hear through his crumbled horn as Gloin told another story of his son. Or Oin could be faking it, which seemed to be the case with the half asleep look on his face.

I sighed contently as I munched on my third cake, glancing over at Thorin, who seemed to shift closer but it might have been my imagination. Glancing over at him I shrugged it off, deciding that I'd take this moment of peace and rest while I still could. And enjoy Thorin being so nice, it was still strange but nice. And I had no idea what to do about it.