Stuffed, I didn't think I could eat another bite. There was one honey cake left. Fili and Kili were still going strong, but the food was running low with the way they and Bombur were going. Shaking my head at them I leaned back comfortably and rubbed my full stomach. Dwalin, Balin and Thorin were still talking about the trip, but Thorin had been slipping closer. Now he was so close our legs could be touching if I hadn't been scooting away discretely.

I still wasn't sure about anything about...us. If there was even an us!

Confused I wasn't sure what to do. Then I felt something on my bare foot. Looking down I saw a tiny gray mouse looking up at me with solemn eyes. Smiling slightly I took a bit of bread the size of my thumb nail and rolled it into a ball, then let it roll down my leg and to the floor. The mouse squeaked a thanks as it snatched it up and ran off to it's hole.

Smiling to myself I decided I should give my last honey cake to Laddybuck and make my escape from this awkwardness that could just be in my mind about Thorin. Taking it I swung over the bench and headed back outside. I didn't have to go far to find Laddybuck and he really enjoyed the cake. I heard a noise over by where Beorn had been chopping wood and looked over to see Bifur standing by it. Curious, I walked over and saw that he was glaring darkly into space. Worried now I gently touched his shoulder, "Bifur?"

I didn't expect him to suddenly curse something in Dwarvish, spin and strike at me with the whittling knife in his hand as if I was an enemy. I gasped, jumping back but not before he got me on the arm, "Ow!" My exclamation seemed to snap him out of whatever was wrong. He froze, dropping the knife and paled. He was talking to me in Dwarvish but I couldn't understand him. But I did understand his gestures that he was very sorry, his hands were shaking. I recognized that he had attacked me because his mind was somewhere dark and he reacted badly when I startled him. Laddybuck danced nervously behind me but I gestured for him to settle and thankfully he did, tho still looking warily at Bifur.

Bifur backed away, still talking, looking from the ground to my cut and back down. I moved towards him slowly but determined, "It's alright Bifur." He shook his head viciously, making his wild hair shake and he looked about to bolt. I felt terrible, not meaning to startle him but now he was very upset.

Striding forward I grabbed him around the shoulders in a hug and he stiffened like a board. I whispered softly, "I'm so sorry Bifur, I didn't mean to startle you. It's just a scratch Bifur, I'm alright."

I kept talking to him and he nearly gave me a heart attack when he suddenly grabbed me back. But he was only hugging me and slowly his shaking stopped. I let him pull away first and smiled at him, "Better?"

He grunted, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a strip of cotton. Then he took my arm and wrapped the cut. He was incredibly gentle and when he was done I bent and grabbed his knife, giving it back, "Were you looking for another piece of wood Bifur?"

He nodded and reached for a piece he must have already picked out and I grinned at him, "How about we sit out here? It's lovely and warm."

He gave a little smile and we went over to a big oak tree and sat beneath it. He began to whittle, and I sat next to him. Laddybuck relaxed further, seeing Bifur wasn't going to hurt me but stayed nearby to eat some grass. We heard a call and I grinned to see Bofur come out looking for his cousin. He saw us and grinned back, "Ah, I see where you two trouble makers have run off to." Bifur snorted, glancing at my arm as I flipped down the sleeve to hide the cut, "What are you doing out here Bofur?"

He flopped on the other side of Bifur, "Came to enjoy the nice weather." He pulled out whatever he was whittling on before and started again. He began to hum under his breath which made me begin to feel sleepy again. Before I knew it my head began to nod. Finally I tilted over and rested my head on Bifur's shoulder. He grunted something soothing and then I was out like a light.

0o0

Bofur glanced over at Ariana and asked his cousin softly, "She alright?"

Bifur nodded, looking over his bit of wood, before he spoke softly in Dwarvish, "She's a good lass."

Bofur nodded with a soft smile. Then he chuckled, winking at his cousin, "How long do you think before she accepts Thorin's affections?" Bifur raised an eyebrow at him, "How long until Thorin finally figures out the whole Company knows?"

Bofur chuckled quietly, "Dense as he is...a while." Bifur looked back at the sleeping girl, "It may be just as long before she is ready to return his feelings. After the way he treated her..."

Bofur nodded, humming thoughtfully, "True, but I'm not sure if that's what holding her back." Bifur frowned, looking at him. Bofur explained to his confused cousin, "It seems to me...that she might feel that Thorin's affections are just because she saved him."

Bifur snorted, but Bofur only shrugged, "That's what I noticed. I've seen the looks they have given each other when they thought no one was looking. But I've also seen Ariana when she thinks Thorin doesn't see her."

Bifur looked thoughtful, knowing his cousin had a sharp eye. Finally he shrugged, "We'll just have to wait and see. Thorin will have to be patient."

Bofur snorted, Bifur's look was ruthful. They both knew of Thorin's patience, or lack thereof. Bifur shook his head and sighed. They'd just have to wait and see.

0o0

Evening arrived and Laddybuck came over as Bofur got up to go inside, Bifur wasn't sure how to wake Ariana. Laddybuck took care of that, by licking her right on the cheek. She came awake with a squeak, rubbing the slime off, "Laddybuck! Yuck!"

0o0

Something wet and slimy wiped across my cheek, jolting me awake. Seeing Laddybuck amused look I scolded as I wiped my cheek with my sleeve, "Laddybuck! Yuck!" Laddybuck snickered again and I huffed, accepting Bifur's hand as he helped me to my feet. Bofur was trying to hide his grin and failing, "Ha ha. Laugh it up Bofur."

He snickered, only to get whacked by Bifur. His indignant exclamation made me laugh and we teased each other as I patted Laddybuck good night and sent him to the other horses. I grabbed my dry clothes and swords right before we went inside the house. Beorn had mentioned that we should sleep inside and not come back out till dawn.

Once inside I saw that neither Gandalf nor Beorn was back, but the animals had replenished the food so the Dwarves were happy. I thanked the animals kindly, slipping into the wash room to change quickly. Feeling better in pants I folded the shirt and sash neatly before giving it to a sheep with a thanks.

Going back out I raised an eyebrow at the jolly Dwarves and wondered where they got all that energy from. Possibly the mead in their tankards. Not sure if I was up to a table full of rambunctious Dwarves I wandered the house, patting animals as I went. Coming over by a huge fireplace where an extremely large chair sat, I saw some shelves with carving and such on them. And a couple books. My fingers itched to have a look but I wasn't sure if it was polite.

A sheep dog came over and told me that Beorn wouldn't mind. I hesitated for another split second before gently taking one up. It was in a different language and I couldn't read it. Picking the next I found it in the common tongue and it was about animals. Without thinking I hopped up on the chair, curled up and started reading. It even had some information on the great Golden Eagles that had saved us.

Practically bursting with curiosity I read it eagerly and tuned out the others. I read deep into the night, barely glancing up when the others finally went to bed. Finally the sheep dog from earlier set his head on my lap, making me jump. I had just read the last page and the sheep dog gave me a look that clearly read to go to bed. Grinning I covered a yawn as I got up and put the book back, stretching from sitting too long. The house was dark except the fire which I had been using to read by.

But my eyes adjusted as I accepted a blanket from the dog and wondered where to lie down. The Dwarves were scattered everywhere. Biting my lip I looked around to try and find a spot that was free of Dwarves or animals. Not seeing any I was about to just curl back up in the chair when Thorin suddenly sat up, flicking a finger at me to come over. There was an open spot next to him, so I quelled down my blushes and tip toed around the snoring lumps. Getting to him I sat carefully in the straw, smiling thankfully at him before wrapping myself in the blanket and lying down. He seemed pleased that I had joined him as he flipped his coat over me before I could protest. I did glare at him and he rolled his eyes and tugged half of his coat back onto himself.

Pleased I smiled brightly at him, snuggling into the straw. But just before I could fall asleep a familiar yet still terrifying roar was heard from a distance. Thorin stiffened and was about to get up but I flung a hand over his chest, listening with all my being. He froze and I heard the roar again, somehow able to understand what Beorn was roaring about. I whispered, "It's just Beorn, protecting his land. The Orcs are too scared to come any closer and he's making sure it stays that way."

Thorin slowly relaxed, and I patted his chest reassuringly before I took back my hand and yawned, "Good night Thorin."

I barely heard him whisper good night before his snores filled the air. Smiling softly I snuggled into the straw, feeling the sheep dog join me on my other side. I buried my fingers into it's fur before I was asleep once again.

0o0

I woke up at dawn, which on one hand was awful! I had wanted to sleep in, but a cold nose touching my cheek woke me up. I glared angrily at the sheep dog but only got a lick on the cheek in return. Grumbling I buried my face back in the warm shoulder it had been resting on before. Then I realized that there was a strong arm wrapped around my waist and whose shoulder I was buried against. This realization was like a dose of cold water and I nearly threw myself away from Thorin, but this would wake him! So I went with plan B. I carefully unwound Thorin's arm, inched away from him, grabbed my swords and as soon as I was free I was ten feet away.

Heart pounding I knew my face was a tomato and was very glad no one was awake. Except the animals, who was showing a bit too much glee in my actions. Gesturing rudely at them I slipped outside. Sighing heavily I slipped my swords onto my back, went over to a rain barrel and washed my face, debating drowning myself.

Hearing footsteps I looked over at Beorn, who petted his animals as he came over. Wiping my face on a rag I straightened, "Good morning Beorn. How are you?"

He sat down on a nearby log and said, "I am well little Vixen. And you?"

I shrugged, pulling my hair back so that I could tie it, "I'm good. Thank you...for uh..watching out for us."

He shrugged, "Like I said, I don't like Orcs." I grinned at him, "You also said you don't like Dwarves." He gave a crooked grin, "I don't." We shared an amused look. Then Beorn looked like he was about to say something but changed his mind as Gandalf came out of the house, and I wondered how long he had been in there when he came up, "Ariana, how are you?"

I grinned at him, glad to see him back, "I am well Gandalf, and you?"

"Good, good. I do believe the others are awake and trying to eat all the food."

Snorting I smiled at Beorn as he stood with a chuckle, "Thank you again for your hospitality Beorn."

We walked in and I saw a group of cheerful Dwarves diving into breakfast. Beorn cocked an eyebrow at me, as if to ask where I would sit. There didn't seem to be any more room. But then Thorin spotted me and nudged Dwalin who was next to him. They scooted over and Thorin gave me a wave to come over. Hopping up on the bench I thanked him as I dove into the food.

After we had stuffed ourselves Fili and Kili escaped outside. Curious and a bit wary about leaving those two imps alone, I followed. Outside I saw Kili working with a new bow he must have gotten from Beorn because his had been lost in the Goblin caves. He was shooting at a stump a good ways away. They saw me and Fili asked, "Want to have a go Ariana?"

I waved him off, "Oh no, I can't shoot a bow."

They stared at me as if I had turned into an Orc. "What?" Then their looks turned to glee and the lessons began.

0o0

Sighing heavily, I gripped the bow as if it was a snake. Kili was giving me pointers and Fili was teasing Kili as well as giving me more pointers. Then they both stepped back and waved for me to have a go. Sighing heavily once more I tried to do as they said and aimed the arrow at the stump.

I cocked the arrow back and let it fly. It went wide and hit the tree three feet to the left instead. Fili jumped in and showed me what was wrong with my stance and such. Then I tried again, with even worse luck as it sailed over the stump and hit the fence. Then it was Kili's turn to teach.

12 arrows later. Fili shook his head in bewilderment as I glared at the offending contraption in my hand. Hearing a snort of amusement behind me I spun and glared at all the Dwarves having a good time watching me, "Oh bugger off!"

They didn't take any offense, only laughed. I thrust the bow into Kili's hands, "I'm not good with a bow. I prefer to throw, such as knives." in a flash one of my daggers was in my hand. Flipping a pebble on the top of my boot, I smirked, "Watch and learn."

Kicking my foot up the pebble went sailing towards the stump. My hand was a blur as my dagger went flying soon after and we heard a ting before it buried hilt deep into the wood. There was silence behind me as I strode over, retrieved my dagger and then two things in the grass. Sheathing my dagger I held up the pebble, neatly sliced in two. The shocked looks on everyone's faces was a treat. But nothing compared to the pride on Thorin's face. I flushed with pleasure before giving Fili and Kili each one of the halves, "I don't need a bow when I have a perfectly good throwing arm."

I grinned at the hoots and cheers of the other Dwarves and saw Thorin looking at me again, with a look that I wasn't even near ready to put a name to. Luckily Laddybuck chose that moment to come and pester me. So with a shake of my head I playfully bowed to the Dwarves, wrapped my arm around Laddybuck's shoulders and we walked off towards the other side of the house. My heart was in my boots as my mind raced. I knew that look. I had grown up seeing that same look on my mother and father's faces when they looked at each other.

I thought to myself, "But...I couldn't... how could I... Thorin is a King! And I was..a..a woman not even born in Middle-earth! No matter where my mother was born. I have no status..nothing to offer. I couldn't even...have children. If that was even possible, so far I haven't heard any of the others mention Dwarves able to have children of other races. I had heard them talking once of Men and Elves able to have children together...but I couldn't even do the one thing a woman was supposed to be able to do!"

I hadn't realized I had stopped until Laddybuck nuzzled my cheek and nickered worriedly. I blinked at him and touched my cheek, realizing in horror that I was crying. Bitterly I wiped my cheeks roughly on my sleeve, "Oh so now it bothers me if I can't have children. Never did before."

A little voice in my head told me that it was because I have never had anyone interested in me before. Sighing heavily I buried my face into Laddybuck's neck, wrapping my arms around him as I felt him curl his neck and hug me back.

I was so confused. I liked Thorin, but so many things held me back. What do I do?

Pulling away from Laddybuck I just rested my arm on his back and sighed heavily, running all the pros and cons in my mind. The bottom line was that the Quest was not over, not by a long shot. And I needed to have my head in the game if we were all going to make it. So I decided to put love on the back burner and worry about it later. No more snuggling with Thorin at night, be nice but give no indication of anything other than friendship. That was for the best. Or at least my head was saying as much. My heart was still torn and a flutter over what to do.