Hey there guys! I'm back with a new chapter, and actually on time for once! YAY! Hope you all enjoy this as we delve into the Desolation of Smaug.

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Guest Palacegirl – Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! And apart from having depression over Christmas, I did have a good one. Hope you did too xx

Chapter 13

After a while of looking at Erebor, Thorin manages to pull his gaze from the mountain, deciding we need to find a way off this cliff. Which we soon find some steep stairs, so steep that we have to climb down, Aiden riding on Bifur's back. It takes quite some time, but eventually, we finally make it to the bottom where we walk on some more before stopping in a small clearing by a river.

We sit and take stock of what we have left, almost all of it having been left behind in the goblin caves. Thankfully, Oin had the sense to pick up the medical supplies so that Oin and I can take care of any injuries.

I also managed to grab mine and Aiden's packs so that we had a change of clothes, perfect for right now.

Once camp has been made, the dwarves instantly take advantage of the river to clean up. I take Aiden a little further down the river so I can bathe in privacy and while checking him over for any injuries. Dropping our packs, I kneel in front of him and gently take his face in my hands.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?"

He nods. "I think so. My arm hurts a little."

Gently holding his right arm, I roll up the sleeves and see a long scratch, about 3 or 4 centimetres long, dried blood covering it. Luckily the scratch isn't too deep, but deep enough to cause some problems if it isn't seen to.

"We'll get it cleaned up, don't worry." looking at his innocent face, I move some hair from his eyes, regret and guilt filling my whole being. First he gets injured when he fell the other day, and then facing the Stone Giants, to fall through a chute into Goblin Town and then to be chased by Orcs and Wargs. No child should have had to see what he has seen the past few days. "I'm sorry Aiden. . .I'm so sorry. I should never have let you come with us. I should have made you stay in Rivendell where you were safe."

He quickly shakes his head. "No, mommy. I wanted to come. It was scary, but I dint wanna leave you."

He then puts his arms around my neck, snuggling his face into my shoulder. I sigh as I hold him close.

"Love you, mummy."

I smile as I run my hand over his hair. "I love you too, sweetheart." pulling away, I kiss his forehead. "Come on, let's get cleaned up.

He nods and once we're undressed, I take off his bandages and smile that they are healing well at least. When I let him go, he runs straight into the river with a giggle, causing me to smile as I wade in after him, after grabbing some soap and a cloth. Laying the supplies on the boulder beside us - a large boulder which separates us from the males, who are by now splashing away – I sit on the river bed, leaning against the boulder and smile as I watch my son splash about, relieved he hasn't lost his childlike innocence from what happened.

Pulling him to me as he swims over, I settle with him leaning against my chest and I hold him close for a few moments before I take the soap, lathering it thickly and washing both our hairs then our bodies. Lastly, after retrieving a clean cloth, I carefully use it to wash away the dried blood, grime and dust on his cut, causing him to cry out a little.

"Everything alright, lass?" I hear Bofur asking.

"Yes, Bofur. Just cleaning a cut on Aiden's arm."

"Is he alright?" Kili's voice pipes up.

"He's fine, aren't you, Aiden? My brave boy."

He gives a watery smile. "Yeah!"

I hear the males chuckling away. After cleaning his knees and hands, we finish and get out, I take out a clean cloak and use it to dry us both off, taking care to dry his arm before putting a salve on the now clean, slightly bleeding arm and then wrap a bandage around it before leaning down and loudly kissing it better, causing him to giggle. Deciding that his hands don't need tending to anymore, I put some more salve and his knees and wrap them before getting him dressed in brown trousers, the ones Dori had finished mending, and a green tunic.

"There, all done." I turn my head back to the others. "Hope you males are decent, little boy about to run through!"

After getting assurances that they're covered, I tap his bottom and he runs on giggling away. Smiling as I shake my head, I dress in black leggings and a blue tunic before kneeling beside the river and washing our clothes.

"Sophia?"

Looking up, I see Thorin standing behind me, cleaner than earlier, so I know he's taken advantage of the river like the rest of us, but can see him favouring his ribs, a hand covering them.

"Have you got Oin to see to you yet?"

"No. I've told him to make sure everyone else is seen to first."

Grumbling away about stubborn males and their pride, I reach into my pack and pull out some supplies.

"Sit and take off your shirt."

I sense him more than see him stumble in surprise. "Pardon?"

I give him a look. "It's clear you're not going to let Oin see you any time soon, so since I am a healer myself and I have already seen to my son, I shall now see to my next patient." I then pat the ground next to me. "Now, sit and take off your shirt. I'll just get some more supplies from Oin."

Standing, I walk over to the others and up to Oin to ask for some supplies.

"Finally got Thorin to give in?"

I tilt my head slightly. "More or less."

He nods after giving me the bandages. "Good. Make sure to get yourself looked at, lass."

I just smile before returning to Thorin, stopping as I round the boulder. He has taken his shirt off like I said, but my breath catches in my throat as I look at his bare back. Looking over his wide, broad shoulders, his skin and muscles rippling and tensing with movement, a full raven tattoo covering his back. I swear my heart had stopped. I shake my head, inwardly scolding myself for acting like a lovesick teenager before walking over and sitting in front of him, laying the supplies next to me.

"Here we are, now, let's see what damage that Warg di-"

Looking up, I freeze again. If the sight of his back had left me speechless, then seeing his bare chest had left me brain dead. I swallow as I look at his broad, muscled and hard chest, thick dark hair covering his chest leading into one line down the middle of his stomach and disappearing into the waist line.

The sound of Thorin clearing his voice pulls me out of my coma like state.

"Like something you see?" he asks.

Looking up, I see him grinning slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. I clear my own throat before reaching my shaking hands out to ascertain the injuries he has. Obviously, I can see the puncture wounds where the Warg's teeth had bit into him, but from how he was favouring himself, I just had to make sure his ribs aren't broken. As soon as my fingers touch his warm skin, I feel a thrill rush straight through me. Pushing it aside, I gently but firmly press down on his chest and abdomen.

"Does this hurt?"

"Only slightly." He replies, grunting as I press down on a particularly tender spot.

"It doesn't hurt to breathe does it?"

"Not all that much."

I pull my hands away and pick up the salve. "Well, luckily I don't think you've broken anything, most likely bruised. I think Gandalf might have healed you in that sense when he revived you. So, we can be thankful for that."

I hear him hum in agreement as I rub some salve over his cuts and bruises, ignoring him watching me.

"How is Aiden? I saw the bandage. Is it bad?"

"Luckily his wound is not too deep that it needs stitches, like his knees. But still something I'll be keeping an eye on."

He nods. "Good. And mentally? He's not suffered much that way, has he?"

I pause for a moment before sighing as I take the bandages and wrapping them around his chest.

"I don't know. They're resilient, children, as you well know. Like I've said before, he's been through a lot in his short life before coming here, but nothing like this. If the nightmares come back. . .then I'll know."

"He's prone to nightmares?"

I nod as I sit back on my heels. "Yes. He's not had them for a few weeks luckily, which is how I thought he was healing. But after tonight. . ." I sigh as I look down. "I shouldn't have brought him with us. I knew we would be facing dangers, and if Gandalf hadn't have arrived when he did. . ."

After a few moments, I feel fingers slide under my chin and raise my head so I'm now looking into Thorin's blue grey eyes. I never realised just how much they resembled the swirling storm I am sure he feels inside.

"He is safe, Sophia. Take comfort in that. Would he have been safer in Rivendell? Yes. But, you have had no other choice but to bring him. If what Galadriel says is true and you find your way home at the end, of course you want him with you. You are doing all you can as a mother to protect him while on this treacherous journey. And as I have said before, we are all going to make sure nothing happens to him. We will not let any harm come to that boy, or to you, while you are with us. This I swear."

I smile. "Thank you, Thorin."

He smiles back before frowning.

"What?" I ask in confusion.

He reaches up and brushes his thumb across my left eyebrow, causing me to wince. When he pulls his hand away, there's some blood on it. Reaching up, I also touch it and see the blood.

"Huh, I didn't notice that. Must have got it when were escaping the goblins."

Reaching for a cloth, I pick it up along with my water skin, but Thorin takes them from me.

"Here, allow me."

He wets the cloth before raising it and gently cleaning the cut, being surprisingly gentle with how strong he is. Like he did with me, I sit and watch him. I never really noticed until now just how handsome this dwarf actually is with his soft, stormy eyes, gentle expression as he tends to me and his strong jaw hidden beneath his beautiful beard. I foolishly wonder what it would be like to kiss a man with such a beard.

"There. It is not deep, so it should heal on its own." he says softly. I didn't even know he could speak so softly.

I smile as he pulls the cloth away. "Is that your professional opinion, Master Healer?"

He smiles back, not just his usual small smiles but a full one, one where I can see white from his teeth. I swear I just swooned.

"Hmm. Maybe not professional, but I have seen enough scrapes such as this on my nephews to know it will not kill you."

I giggle a little as I look down, taking the cloth back. "Thank you, Thorin."

I feel him raise my head again so I'm looking at him.

"No, thank you for staying by my side on the mountain. I remember seeing you before darkness took me. I appreciate you being there. . .more than you can know."

I smile, my heat skipping a beat as I feel his hand go to my neck. "You're welcome."

We stay in that position for a while, just looking at one another. I swear I saw his eyes drift down to my lips, but it was for such a split second I think I imagined it, before I notice him leaning closer. My heart race quickens in my chest, fluttering like a thousand tiny wings. I also feel myself moving closer, getting so close I think he is actually going to kiss me. . .

"Mummy!"

Whatever spell was placed on our moment is broken and we instantly jump back from each other, Thorin wincing slightly from the pain, brushing off my look of concern. Aiden runs over, falling into my knees as he looks up at me with a large grin on his little face.

"Kee found some food for us and Bombur said supper will be done soon!"

I raise an eyebrow. "Kee?"

He nods. "He said I can call him that, and so did Fee."

Thorin and I share glances of amusement with each other.

"Okay, sweetheart. We'll be right there. Can you take these to Master Oin for me?"

He nods as I pass him the extra bandages, smiling at me before running off. I smile at Thorin before retrieving the clothes I was watching, which have dried off in the sun by now. Picking up my pack, I turn to Thorin, thankful that he's now covered and we both return to the others who are sitting by the fire.

I smile as I watch the dwarves grooming each other, though everyone stays in their own family groups. Sitting down by the fire, I sit Aiden in front of me and get out the brush and begin brushing his hair, which has gotten longer the past couple months.

"I'm going to have to cut your hair the next chance I get, it's getting long." I say as I run my hand through his locks, which has reached his shoulders.

It takes a few moments for me to notice that the campsite has gone silent and looking up, I blink in surprise as I see the dwarves staring at me with a mix of emotions ranging from shock to horror.

"What?" I ask, wondering what I could have said to insult them.

"Y-You'd cut the lads hair?" Bofur asks.

This takes me aback, not used to hearing the tone in his voice.

"Well, yeah. He's always had his hair short." I answer, still not seeing what is wrong by this.

At seeing my confusion, Balin takes pity on me as he clears his throat. "In our culture, to shave your beard or your hair would be a sign of shame and dishonour."

Recognition hits me instantly. To them, me talking about cutting Aiden's hair would mean I am ashamed of him in some way.

"Oh, right, I see. Well, that's not my intention at all. Most humans always cut their hair. In fact, where I'm from, most males have short hair."

Aiden looks up at me here. "Mummy, can I let my hair grow? I want it to be long like theirs, and have fancy braids and shiny beads like they have!"

I smile at him at this before leaning down and kissing his head. "If that's what you want, then long hair you'll have."

He cheers, causing us all to chuckle and allows me to finish brushing his hair before we eat dinner. Once we've eaten, we all sit together telling stories. Soon enough, Ori turns to me.

"Sophia, could you tell us a story from your home?" he has his book and quill out, prepared to write down what I say.

I smile. "You want to hear one of my stories?"

"Oh yes, lass. Let's hear one." Bofur replies eagerly.

I am met with a round of agreements from the dwarves and Bilbo, even Gandalf is smiling at the thought of a story from me. I just grin as I tap my lips with my finger, humming in thought as I think of a story.

"I know one, mummy!" Aiden exclaims as he jumps from Kili's lap, where he had put himself at the beginning of story time.

Running over to me, he cups his mouth and whispers in my ear his idea, which causes my grin to widen as I look to him.

"Really? You really think I should tell that story?"

Aiden nods excitedly, his eyes sparkling with such joy, I cannot help but smile and wrap my arms around him, pulling him onto my lap with his back to my chest, feeling so happy. I never though I would see that joy in his eyes again.

"Very well, my love. I will tell it. This story is called; Snow White and the Seven Dwarves."

The dwarves, who were waiting in anticipation of the story, are even more eager when they hear dwarves are involved, all of them refilling their pipes and settle down to listen. Being such an avid Disney fan back home, I watched almost all of the Disney movies more than once. Even though Snow White wasn't one of my particular favourites, I still watched it enough times to know the storyline by heart and so had no trouble retelling it.

As I told the story, even singing the songs, Aiden singing along also. I noticed the dwarves particularly enjoyed Dig, Dig, Dig and Heigh Ho, which I expected. Bofur, who is a miner by trade also, has asked me to teach him the songs so he can use them himself, to which I just laugh and agree to.

Once hearing the names of the dwarves, they all laugh at how ridiculous they sound, but immediately start giving out those names to the company, which caused all of us to laugh more, especially at Thorin's glare when Kili compared him to Grumpy.

As I continued, I became surprised at how much the dwarves enjoyed the romance part of the story, but it just made me smile and love the dwarves even more. Such big, gruff dwarves enjoying a good romance.

"What happened next, Soph?" Kili asks, still sad about what happened to Snow White.

"After the dwarves grieved, they decided that, Snow White was so beautiful, even in death, they could not find it in their hearts to bury her. So, they fashioned a coffin of glass and gold and kept an eternal vigil at her side. The Prince, who had searched far and wide, had heard of the maiden who slept in the glass coffin. Reaching the glade where her body rested, he found her surrounded by the dwarves and her animal friends. Walking over, he placed a loving kiss upon her lips before kneeling and bowing his head in grief.

It was then, she was woken up by the kiss of the Prince! Everyone rejoiced, the Prince taking her in his arms and to his horse where she was placed. She then kissed her dwarf friends goodbye before the Prince took her to his castle, where there they lived happily ever after."

The dwarves and Bilbo cheered at knowing Snow White was still alive.

"That was a lovely story, lass. Thank you for telling it to us, and thank you for suggesting it, laddie." Balin says.

"Tell us another, Soph!" Fili says enthusiastically.

I just grin. "Maybe another night. It is now way past someone's bedtime." I say with a pointed look to Aiden.

"Aww!" he groans.

I just grin as I stand, picking him up and carrying him to our bedroll where we lay together. The others also begin to settle down for the night, Thorin taking first watch. I hold Aiden close as he snuggles into me and we both fall asleep.

I soon wake to crying and a slap to the face. Opening my eyes, I see Aiden thrashing about, his eyes still closed, lost in nightmares. I instantly sit up and pull him close as the others also wake up.

"Shh, it's alright now, sweetheart. You're safe now."

His eyes snap open as he wakes up, sees me and throws himself at me. I hold him close as I run my fingers through his hair, making soothing noises before singing his lullaby, which soon sends him to sleep again. The others also settle back down after sending concern glances to Aiden.

"Is he alright?" Thorin asks as he sits beside me.

"He's fine. I was worried about this."

He reaches a hand out and runs it over Aiden's head, which causes Aiden to lean into it. Thorin and I smile at this.

"He is strong, just like his mother."

I look at him in surprise at this, blushing slightly at the compliment, but he just smiles back.

"Get some rest, Sophia."

I just nod as I lower my head to place it on Aiden's, my heart feeling warm. As I close my eyes and sleep, I don't notice my head slip from Aiden's onto Thorin's shoulder, or his arm going around me and pulling both Aiden and I close to him as he keeps watch.

There we have it. Nothing much needed changing with this chapter as you can see (for those of you who have read the previous version) but, hope you enjoyed it all the same. See you next week for the next chapter xx