Hello all,

Sorry for the delay. Here is the next chapter.


Death seemed too painful and bright. Where had she gone wrong? Was she being punished for some kind of crime she committed? Everything hurt, and she felt like she could not move at all. Worst of all she could not remember how she got here. At first all she knew was she should be dead, but this did not feel like death. Should she not see those that came before her in a mighty hall? Where was her father? Her fellows that fell? Then it all came crashing back the battle, and she stiffened as she remembered every gory detail. She squeezed her eyes shut when she saw Fili taken by the warg, and wanted to cry when she saw Thorin about to die. Were they all dead? She felt tears slip down at the idea of them all gone.

Finally she opened her silvery eyes to find herself in an infirmary. There were too many windows for it to be Erebor, this had to be Dale. Sadly a cloth partition kept her from seeing the others being treated there for injury, so for the moment she was alone as she slowly wiggled her toes and fingers. 'Well no limbs have been lost at least.' Veirra thought then groaned as the small actions made her dizzy and weak. 'Only severe blood loss would cause such a reaction from simple movement. I must have lost a great deal...'

She wanted to call out to someone, but her throat felt dry and the simple attempt might do just as much damage as checking to see if she still had her limbs. Instead she laid there staring at the ceiling, she hated being this idle. For the three days before the battle, Veirra had always kept moving, always busy. It was how she coped with the pain, she did not have to stop or think about Thorin then. Sadly, now thinking was all she could do and the pain she had avoided came at her like a flood of water released from a dam. She sucked in a breath as she recalled that at the battle it had been the Thorin Oakenshield she knew not a stranger. 'But what of now? Is he alive or dead? If he is alive is he himself or a stranger again? Why am I alone here?!'

It was the rustle of cloth partition that pulled her from her thoughts and her eyes found a beautiful red haired elf maiden smiling at her. Wait she recognised this maiden. It took her a moment to remember the maiden that had saved Kili's life in Lake-town, Tauriel was her name. The elf maiden came and took a seat on the edge of her bed. "You are awake at last. You have been unconscious for days now, Veirra."

Seeming to know exactly what was needed, Tauriel grabbed the pitcher off a night table by Veirra's bed and poured her a cup of water. She leaned in closer and helped to lift Veirra's head so she could drink. The water helped a lot as Veirra drank until the cup was empty then rested her head. "Thank you my throat felt like a desert."

Tauriel smiled as she set down the cup and returned to her seat on the edge of the bed. "Where am I Tauriel? Where is Thorin, Fili, Kili, and the others?"

"Relax mellon. They are in Erebor recovering." Tauriel explained what was happening in Dale and Erebor and how the day before Thorin had awakened and put some things right. It surprised Veirra especially Thorin's open acceptance of Tauriel. Even though he had agreed to her requests, it was still surprising to hear him uphold his promise. 'I am surprised he did not go back on his word.' Veirra thought bitterly, she did not want to think ill of the dwarf lord. However being laid up in bed and faced with how he hurt her. How could she not be angry and bitter at him? 'Even with what I saw on the battlefield before, Thorin will undoubtedly become a stranger once more. I swore never again would I give my heart to another only to have it crushed!'

"Veirra? Did you hear me? I said Thorin would be glad to know you have awakened. He will want to see-"

"No," Veirra whispered her voice shaken. The simple word surprised Tauriel as the elf maiden decided to simply listen. "I—I do not want to see him. You were not there Tauriel when he changed into a stranger, how I could not reach him, what he nearly did to Bilbo, or what he threatened to do to me. I tried to reach him, I tried everything, and at the gate I begged him to come back..." Veirra's voice broke. "I know you would say he is himself, and it would seem like good advice save for the warning in my heart. Too many times I have given up my heart, and too many times I have been hurt. I swore after leaving Erebor never again. I do not want to see him."

At the end the ranger turned her face away as tears slid down her cheeks freely and soft sobs escaped until the ranger covered her own mouth so to not disturb the other injured people. Tauriel seemed to know that this was when Veirra wanted to be left alone, and left to give her the peace she desired. The ranger cried until she could stay awake no longer then slipped into a fitful sleep.

Tauriel left Veirra to give her time alone, but was deeply disturbed by the ranger's reaction. She was to return to Kili soon, and wondered how she was to report this news to Thorin? Her return to Erebor was much quicker then she would have liked, the dwarves let her pass as Thorin had wanted her to be able to move as freely as Gandalf did. When she came to the door she could hear laughing within as Fili regaled his uncle and brother with the tale of how he saved Veirra from the warg.

"I bet you tasted yummy to the warg." Kili teased, then straightened. "I wonder how she dealt with the beast."

"I did not see all of the fight, but I do know she drove her blades into the back of that foul creature's head then rolled away as the ice broke beneath it." Thorin said, she could heard the pride in his voice as he spoke of her fondly.

"Sounds like auntie." Kili chuckled. Swallowing hard, Tauriel entered forcing a smile on her face. "Tauriel, we were just talking of the fight. Veirra fought Azog's warg."

"Well she must have made short work of the beast. She is a fine warrior." Tauriel said smiling, then greeted Thorin, Fili, and the rest of the company that stuck close before moving towards Kili.

"Did you see her? Is she well?" Thorin asked and Tauriel stiffened the expression on her face displayed how troubled she was. Gandalf saw the disturbed look on the elf maidens face and leaned forward on his staff.

"My dear tell us what happened."

Swallowing hard, Tauriel looked to Thorin. "I went to see her last night, but she had not woken. So I went this morning hoping to see a change in her condition rather than just report that she was unconscious. She was awake, and I spoke to her. She asked after you, Fili, and Kili, and I told her you three were well in Erebor. I—I told her that you would want to see her but she said 'no'."

"No? Why not? Why would Veirra not want to see us?" Fili asked hurt, but Tauriel cringed.

"She did not say she did not want to see you or Kili, Fili. She said she did not want to see..." Tauriel turned back to Thorin with an sad expression. "You."

"Tell me what she said." Thorin said trying to keep calm and not yell at the elf maiden.

"She is lying, Thorin!" Dain spoke up first, "You know her kind are deceitful buggers!"

"Tauriel would not lie!" Kili replied sharply coming to Tauriel's defence.

"No Veirra must be delirious or not thinking straight-" Dwalin added.

"Quiet! I will know what was said!" Thorin yelled, then looked to Tauriel and spoke in a softer tone. "Go ahead." He knew the elf maiden did not really want to repeat what was said, but she did anyway. At the end, Thorin just sat there staring at the cover over him.

"Thorin she is confused is all. She will change her mind." Dwalin said trying to reassure Thorin. However Thorin remained silent as if in shock that she would wish not to see him. It was a massive shock, after everything they had been through and now she did not want to see him? "Very well, if that is your wish. Then I promise you will never see me again, King under the mountain." The cold words Veirra had said before she left Erebor came back to haunt Thorin. Even if the promise had been broken during the battle, Veirra was not known for going back on her word. Still he would not let this stand, he needed her too much to simply accept her decision. His temper and stubbornness got the better of him as he started to get out of bed.

"Lay back you fool!" Gandalf called as a number of hands pushed him back into bed.

"Out of my way!" Thorin yelled trying to get up again.

"You are injured, Thorin! Running around Erebor and Dale will do nothing but cause further harm!" The wizard tried to reason.

"I will see her!" Thorin argued.

"Not today!" Gandalf retorted louder, then sighed. "You must be patient Thorin. Otherwise you will not be able to see her at all." The wizard looked troubled as he retook his seat.

"What is it Gandalf?" Bofur asked, as the grey wizard took out his pipe, lit it, and took a couple troubled puffs.

"Veirra will try to leave once healed enough. She knows the stubbornness of dwarves, staying here is not an option, not to her. The one advantage we have is that Thorin, Fili, and Kili are dwarves. They are sturdier and will quickly recover from injury. Veirra on the other hand is of the race of men and lost a lot of blood, while her injury will heal it will take a little longer then theirs..." Gandalf gestured to the three dwarves, "Veirra will need a bit longer to regain what was lost."

"How do you know she would leave? She is captain of those rangers..." Dwalin said.

"Because she left before. Being captain of those ranger outside will not stop her. She will most likely pass on leadership to Asher and leave when she thinks we least expect it. Disappear into the wilds." Gandalf said taking extra puffs.

"You said she did this before?" Dain asked suspiciously.

"Yes," Gandalf said, "After I found her and Atrice in woods, after their run-in with bandits, I took them to Rivendell. Both their families were notified, Ardric was the first to arrive about a week later. However as Asher told you his younger brother could not accept what happened to his sister and Veirra. He left, walked away from Veirra ending any relationship they had. That same night Veirra left a note, and disappeared out of Rivendell. Not at all an easy feat to elude the elves, but she did it. She is very good at disappearing especially when pushed. Lord Elrond learned that lesson the hard way, for some time later she returned to visit Atrice. Lord Elrond attempted to get her to stay longer as he contacted Ardric. You see after she left he returned realizing his mistake. Elrond tried to intercede on Ardric's behalf, Veirra found out refusing to see him, Elrond became insistent effectively pushing her and she was gone by dawn."

"That is why you said 'do not push her,' she can perform disappearing acts." Ori spoke up.

"And Ardric?" Balin asked.

"Ha my brother eventually got the message. He missed his chance and has to lay in the bed he made." The group looked to the door unaware that the ranger Asher had even come in until now where he stood there arms folded across his chest. For a moment the group stared until Asher asked. "What? I was enjoying story time."

"What do you want?" Dwalin asked.

"Well Bard wanted to let you know Veirra was awake, so I decided to play messenger. Waste of time that, someone already tipped ya off." Asher answered with a shrug of his shoulders. "I was also curious, Veirra is not really a talker so asking her is like pulling teeth. Have not seen her in years, then suddenly she pops up like a daisy with a group of dwarves. I get here and she is well loved by the men in Dale, and some dwarves are calling her their queen. Quite the list of achievements, wouldn't ya say?" As he spoke Asher plopped into a chair and put his feet up on a table, then pulled out his own pipe.

"I say we throw him off the gate." Dwalin growled.

"You know you were a lot more fun to be around when we were fighting Orcs." Asher pointed at Dwalin who rolled his eyes. So he looked at the rest of the group then sighed when no one spoke. "Look I was angry before Veirra is like a sister to me, and what little she did tell me did nothing to improve your image." Asher gestured at Thorin with his pipe, "Not to mention your actions at the gate just before the battle, and how Veirra react-"

"Veirra was there?" Thorin asked, "You are saying Bard lied?!"

"Yes, he lied because Veirra asked him to. She did not want to be traded like a piece of property." Asher said nonchalantly. "Had she not asked it of Bard, Thranduil would have tried to barter her along with that jewel you wanted. Anyway, let us just say I was far from impressed, but after our last meeting I kind of got the feeling I had only seen you at your worst. So I figured, I will give the benefit of the doubt. Which brings me to my offer: I can tell you more about Veirra, but you have to tell me why she signed up with you lot. Fair trade?"

"Fair trade." Thorin agreed after a moment of consideration. The group told how Veirra joined the company and the journey to Erebor. Then Asher told them of growing up with her, it turned out that Asher's family lived just down the street from her in a small village out in Rohan. The mutual sharing of information made Asher a more likeable person, and Thorin found himself liking the gruff man.


In the days that followed the dwarves were well on their way to recovery despite how grievous their injuries had been. Whereas Veirra still felt the brunt of her injury, her side still ached as she learned that when she fell from the warg she had not only bruised her side, but cracked ribs in the process. Not to mention the blade to the side, all in all her side was still tender. The healers said she would recover, but it would take time and lots of rest. Sadly each time she closed her eyes Thorin was there to greet her. It made it very hard to rest when the one person you did not want to see invaded your thoughts, and conquered your dreams. Although lately dreams were actually nightmares. If she was not dreaming that Thorin died, she was dreaming of the stranger he had become.

Many times she wanted to simply leave before anyone noticed her absence, and get as far away as possible. The fact that Thorin was a stubborn domineering jerk did not calm her any; she knew that the window for her to escape was quickly closing. Perhaps that was the nightmare she had most of all? Thorin taking her to Erebor and keeping her against her will and being a prisoner there. More than once she awoke screaming from such a nightmare. One nightmare was of Thorin when he acted like a stranger, it was their 'wedding night' and she was certainly not a willing bride as he took her. In fact in the dream he spoke of her bearing him heirs. When she awoke screaming and crying it was Sigrid who rushed in and was working towards calming her. Usually Bilbo was never far from her, but on this particular dream it was Sigrid. While she did not want to worry Bard's eldest she finally broke down and told her of the dream trusting that Sigrid would not repeat it.

Sadly she was unaware that Sigrid told the company of the terrible dream, and just how often Veirra awoke from nightmares. Those of the company not injured wanted to visit Veirra, but were now wary of causing her further distress. Only Gandalf and Bilbo visited her along with Tauriel, Sigrid, Bard, Asher, and on a couple of occasions Radagast and Beorn. Most simply asked how she was and tiptoed around the other questions they wanted to ask. However from enough of the visits she learned that Thorin, Fili, and Kili were now able to move about though had to take care. 'Damn thick skinned dwarves and their ability to recover quicker!' Veirra thought agitated, as she rolled onto her good side slowly. She was hoping to be long gone before Thorin fully recovered, but instead she was still stuck. Her one reprieve was the dwarf lord had not come to see her, it made her uneasy especially when she knew Gandalf was visiting the dwarf. The idea that the wizard was advising Thorin on how to deal with her, sent a nasty chill down her spine.

In the time since first waking and speaking to Tauriel, Veirra had not changed her mind. While she would not have minded a visit from the others in the company, she did not want to see Thorin at all. Even if he was himself that question burned inside her head: 'How long?' It was now mid-afternoon when Hilda came in and smiled at Veirra. "Alright lass time to get you out of that bed, hmm?"

"Oh finally! I thought I would be driven mad first." Veirra sighed, earning a laugh from the older woman.

"Now that does not mean running patrols or teaching the young how to fight. You still need to take things easy. So when you feel tired sit down and rest, okay?" Hilda said, as she helped Veirra to get up and dressed. The young woman dressed in her usual tunic, trousers, and boots, but her tunic was left un-tucked so to avoid pressing on the injury. As an added precaution she was given a walking stick to lean on should it all become too much. Veirra felt a bit silly, but managed to get outside and look around. Leaning on the stick some her left hand wrapped about her waist holding her tender side. As she was looking down she did notice a number of eyes on her as she focused on not crumbling to the ground. Hilda was right she needed to sit down. NOW! She made it a couple of steps then began to stumble as an arm caught her.

"Perhaps it is too soon for you to be up and about." Bard said holding the frail woman up.

"I will be alright I just need to sit a moment and rest." Veirra said, blushing as Bard helped her to sit. Once seated she took in the area as it was under repair and people rushed about. In this area at least it looked like a properly restored city. "You got this place up and running quick."

"Yes when not recovering from a dragon attack or being attacked by an Orc army much can be accomplished." Bard said, admiring the area then looked to Veirra, "Especially when a dwarf lord regrets his actions and tries to make amends."

Veirra stiffened at the words and swallowed hard, as she answered without looking at Bard. "Yes I am sure apologetic dwarf lords help restore cities fast. Their generosity and kindness must be limitless."

The cold way Veirra spoke took Bard by surprise, but he tried to reassure her. "Indeed it can be. It can restore one's faith in them. I now see Thorin as you did, a good dwarf lord with a kind heart. He gave double the amount of gold owed to the people here to restore what was lost by Smaug. He also gave Thranduil the gemstones the elf lord wanted with the promise that the elves never return to Erebor."

"Hmph! I take it then he got the Arkenstone back?" Veirra asked, feeling her heart sink into her stomach.

"He did not mention the Arkenstone, but I gave it to Balin." Bard admitted.

"Then be prepared that generosity and limitless kindness will disappear quickly." Veirra replied, bluntly not looking back at Bard. Inside she felt her heart take another painful blow as she imagined Thorin gone once more.

"Veirra, I know how much it must have hurt when Thorin sent you away, but he has changed for the better. He wants to see you, and you should go see him. He has done so much-"

"No! I will not go anywhere near Erebor. I will not see him." Veirra said, sharply as she looked to Bard her eyes threaten to let tears escaped, then she looked away. However Bard saw more than anger or heartache; he saw fear.


The desire to see Veirra was becoming too much and Thorin's impatience had made him short tempered with his fellows. Which was really the last thing he wanted to be. He considered his options, but with what Gandalf told him 'pushing' her would only cause her to disappear. Instead he sat at a desk trying to write out a note for her.

"Dearest Veirra,

I have missed you so much and longed to see you for too long. Please-" Thorin crumpled the parchment and tossed it aside. 'Too needy.' Thorin thought then tried again, and again, and still again several times until he had a small sea of crumpled parchment around him. Each one trying to express how much he needed her and wanted her back. The letters ranged from demanding to pleading, but all ended up on the floor rejected. Finally he threw down the quill and growled. "I am no damn poet!"

He rose from the desk too fast and almost stumbled as he placed an hand over his chest and took a moment to recover. Even then he was told to take things easy as the wound had been close to his heart. His heart with each report he received about Veirra his heart ached, any that made the mistake of mentioning his name got a cold response from her. Any that suggested she visit was told no, and the latest reports hinted that she was afraid of him. Thorin wanted to scream at the idea, after all she had nothing to fear from him!

No he could stand idle no longer, he was a dwarf of action not romantic poetry. With each hour he could feel his chance to win her back slipping further and further away. He had tried it Gandalf's way which was to let him try to talk her into visiting Erebor, but thus far the Grey wizard's attempts bore no fruit. Soon it was time for supper and he headed down to the great hall and sat at a table with his company and Dain. As usual Dain was not pleased with Thorin's choice of company, for as usual Tauriel sat by Kili, and Bard's family joined them with Sigrid next to Fili. Even Asher joined them as well. Finally the subject was brought up by Bofur.

"My uh lord, what are we going to do? I mean about Veirra."

"Oh for love—must we always come back to this ranger that does not want a thing to do with Thorin?!" Dain asked, agitated as he dropped the leg of meat he had been eating back onto his plate. "You need to accept the facts Thorin she refuses to see you. Time to move on and-"

Thorin slammed his fist down on the table which quieted Dain. "I will not simply move on nor continue to be ignored by her!" He looked to Gandalf then. "I hope you have good news Gandalf."

Gandalf sighed, "Unfortunately no. Veirra is nothing if not stubborn. Every time I bring up the subject of you she shoots me down. Last time she told me if I mentioned your name to simply get out."

Thorin growled as he pushed away from the table, his chair scrapping. "Thorin you must keep in mind you banished her and hurt her, she has a right to her anger." Gandalf said, trying to reason with the dwarf lord. As much as Thorin was angry he knew Gandalf was right, he just wished she would speak to him.

"I need to see her and speak with her if I am ever to put things right. How can I do that if she will not even see me?" The dwarf lord asked frustrated, unaware that Asher regarded him carefully then retreated into his own thoughts.

"All we can do is be patient, Thorin." Gandalf urged.

"Patient, yes. Right up until she disappears from my life. As you said Gandalf, she is very good at that." Thorin left the hall no longer hungry leaving the group to their meal. Gandalf leaned back rubbing his forehead, and few felt like eating then. The room went eerily quiet as some of the dwarves picked at their food and Ori finally spoke up.

"I miss her, and Bilbo."

"We all miss her and Bilbo, laddie." Balin said.

"Remember when Veirra used to agitate Thorin so much that we worried they would come to blows?" Nori asked, it brought smiles to the other dwarves faces.

"I remember she would purposely speak Elvish just to irritate Thorin." Gloin added chuckling, "None of us knew what she saying, but it did not really matter because it was just to anger him." The dwarves kept reminiscing until Dori looked to Dwalin.

"What do you remember best Dwalin?" At first Dwalin merely shook his head, but after enough nagging he sighed.

"I remember their duel in the woods towards the start of our journey. Most of us bet against her, only Kili and Bilbo bet for her. Prior to that day, I thought the only woman worthy of him would be the one that would evenly match him in battle. But when it turned out she and Thorin were evenly matched, I thought she just got lucky was all..." There were some more chuckles, then they grew quiet again.

"She is just going to disappear one of these days, isn't she?" Bofur asked miserably, the group stared at their plates and food. Finally it was Bombur who pushed his plate full of food away. His chair scrapped loudly as he got to his feet and left the hall. One by one the dwarves left having barely touched their food.


That night in Dale...

It was time, well past it actually. Every day someone was visiting urging her to enter Erebor and see Thorin. As if a simple visit would change her mind, and if she did visit she doubted she would be allowed to simply walk away. Yet no one could see that, no one could understand her choice. Had she not given up her heart enough to someone only to be repaid with more pain? As it was every time his name was uttered if felt like her heart was breaking or at least cracking like the ice that they had fought Azog and his army on. Even the company of those closest to her was turning sour only Asher and Bilbo did not try to urge her towards visiting the dwarves.

The hobbit, while gentle, turned out to be fiercely loyal to her and had not gone near Erebor. Instead he preferred to stay close to her in Dale. However now that she wished to leave the hobbit asked to travel with her most likely to help her if her injuries proved too much. She was grateful for her dear friend who had also left to pack his belongings for the return trip. It was high time the rest of the company learn to accept her decision, and she saw only one way for that to happen. She wrote out two notes: the first was to appoint Asher as the new ranger captain in charge of safeguarding Dale and it's people. The second was a goodbye note to the Company of Thorin Oakenshield.

Lastly she took off the mithril chain Thorin had once given her, and put her protection stone back on a black chord. She put the mithril chain in the envelop with the companies letter and fully intended to request Asher deliver it. It would be that simple act that would make them see her decision was final at least. With that she began packing in earnest preparing to leave for the wilds where she could breath once more.


Author's Notes:

Well here is the latest chapter for the Shadowed Companion. Not a whole lot to note other than Veirra's stubborn streak.

Aside from that I am posting the one-shot for those that wish to read the tragic ending. The title is: 'A Shadowed Companion: Tragic Ending' Which I guess is self explanatory but there ya go. Anyway hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think of both this chapter and the one-shot.

Lesliezin