Fili wiggled his toes, eyes blinking rapidly as he awoke in the forest. He was propped up against a tree, the bark coarse and brown. Just as he arose in waking life, he stretched and groaned in an attempt to get his body awake. This dream was a welcome retreat and he was all too eager to see her again.

With a smile on his face and excitement in his soul, Fili began walking. He would find her before too long if she didn't find him. They always found each other.

He looked up to the canopy in search of birds but could find none; was it too early? The last time he had been in the dream, everything was covered in red flowers. Those didn't seem to be as overgrown as they had been, in fact they were absent, but perhaps they lay elsewhere. The flowers may have only grown in pockets of the forest, perhaps one in which he had been in prior.

Her laugh, sweet and sticky as honey, danced in his head. He knew it was not his imagination. He began to run, eyes bright and heart racing. He was going to see her face this time; he had to.

After sprinting and jumping over protruding roots on the forest floor, Fili slowed down to a nimble jog. Usually he'd hear her laughing continuously or her breathing would mirror his own. He hadn't caught up to her yet he had been so sure he'd reach her immediately.

The laugh rang out once more, distant this time and fleeting. FIli turned this way and that, looking for some sort of indication - a red flash or a swinging branch - yet none was found. She had to be here, he heard her clear as day.

Fili began to run, ignoring the branches that slapped his face and chest. The forest appeared to carry on forever, a sea of trunks as far as the eye could see. This wasn't normal nor was it comforting. He couldn't remember ever running this far into the wood, at least not without his friend.

Stopping abruptly, he threw his hands behind his head. There were no birds in the trees or forest scavengers moving about. Nothing made a sound save for his deep breathing, the sting of his pumping heart growing in his chest.

Standing motionless, he heard a snap of a branch. By his estimation, it couldn't have been more than five feet to his right. He turned slowly, not wanting to spook an animal or his friend, though he was praying desperately it was the latter. He saw nothing as he turned, jumping slightly at the sound of another snap, and another, surrounding him in a wave that echoed and bounced in the air.

Fili turned in circles, unease creeping over him like the slow shadow of night. This was not like his friend; she would not intentionally scare him or remain so hidden. Sure, they played their game and toyed with one another, but it was always with a childlike spirit. That was one of the things he always held with him in moments of waking - their relationship was carefree and boundless.

Whatever this feeling was, it was intruding and confined, as though with every movement he fell deeper and deeper into some sort of maze. For a dwarf who knew his way around a forest both in his dreams and in waking life, he felt lost and vulnerable. The trees began to bend down, inching towards his body. The earth felt hollow beneath his feet, like the very heat of his body was being leeched out. He went to move but didn't know where he would go - where had he come from? Where was his friend?

A short laugh rang out, clear and crisp. Relief washed over Fili instantaneously. Whipping his head to the left, he followed the sound of his friend's cheer, wanting to run but unsure if his feet would rise to the urge. Another laugh came out between the trees, farther away but still close. Fili knew he'd be able to reach her if he ran.

He ran for what felt like hours, unsure as to where his friend was leading him yet trusting her completely. There were moments he swore he heard her breath, fast and rhythmic, as though she were running at his side. It pushed him forward, knowing she was just within reach but still out of sight.

Fili stopped to catch his breath, something he couldn't remember doing in the dream before. They would always run, tirelessly and infinitely. But he couldn't go on, he couldn't run further without his legs buckling beneath him. He had always been so strong in his dreams, being able to go on and on without thinking for the smallest moment that he needed a breather.

Wanting to desperately continue forward after his friend, Fili knelt on the ground. The earth was hard and cold, as though winter had a hold on the soil. The grass still shone with delight and the leaves still popped with shades of yellow and green. Winter nor fall was present in this place, yet everything felt empty and altered.

Fili stood, letting out a deep breath. He cocked his head as he analyzed the forest. What exactly was off, he couldn't say. Everything was too quiet. His own breath and heartbeat were muffled, as though he could barely hear the thumping in his chest or the whistling of air in and out of his lungs.

A soft echo of a laugh hung in the distance. His friend had carried on without him, waiting for Fili to devotedly follow. He resumed the chase, jogging along toward the sound of her. Thinking of the dependable aspects of this dream in comparison to the abnormalities, he decided he'd look for the meadow. She usually waited for him there or rounded back to it once they had begun the chase. How could he have forgotten? She had probably been there the entire time, wondering where he was.

As though he were meant to find it, he came to the clearing of grass, vast and open with golden sunlight sprinkling down. Yet something felt wrong. The air was thick and stale, as though at any moment a breeze might sweep through and carry away the discomfort. Fili felt as though something was about to happen, as though he should be prepared for confrontation yet had no reason to be on guard. This was not right. This was not the dream he knew.

He took cautious steps forward, noticing the unpleasant sound his feet made as they flattened the grass beneath them; the blades sounded as though they were made of paper, brittle and rigid. Fili lifted his foot, looking to see what was wrong with the meadow yet nothing appeared beneath him. The blades appeared as dewy and as vibrant as ever.

In the center of the clearing, a single red flower stood like a sentinel, small and strong. It was the flower he had seen in his last visit, the last dream. The earth was exposed around it, as though the very roots that spread beneath the ground had caused the grass to wither away. Ash appeared to be sprinkled on the petals, stark white and flaky. Fili reached down, touching the tip of his finger to the white powder and rubbing it between his thumb until it smeared over his skin.

He stood slowly, brows pulled together in confusion. As with silent snow in winter, ash began to fall from the sky in wispy clumps. Fili extended his palm, bringing his hand closer to his face to validate that he was indeed standing in a meadow of snowflake-like ash. He looked up, searching for some source of smoke from which a fire could be blazing.

A laugh rang out from somewhere in the meadow, close enough that Fili felt he should have been making eye contact with its owner. Only, this was not his friend's tone. This was much more deep. A twisting sound laced with uncertainty.

A bone chilling scream filled the camp, ringing in the ears of every individual. Almost every dwarf had awoken, reaching for their weapons or the nearest object out of habit. Before anyone could assess the situation, another scream resonated throughout the circle. And then another.

Gandalf was the first one there, towering over the dwarves still in their positions on the ground. He seemed to relax, realizing the girl was only dreaming and there was not some deathly threat upon them. He watched silently, expecting Hayden to wake at any moment with the camp's unrest.

Fili gripped one of his daggers, flying up onto his knees and preparing for impact. He barely had any time to think about his strange dream; all he could think about was the horrid noise emerging from Hayden and whatever was causing her pain.

Preparing to swing his small blade, Fili scanned the area looking for the intruder. Only, there wasn't one. Hayden was on the ground twitching and shaking as her eyes remained tightly shut, screams continuing to tumble out of her.

Fili cast his dagger down, scooting himself closer to Hayden. Without thinking he scanned her body, ensuring there were no wounds or afflictions. She was obviously still asleep yet something held her in a deep state. Her body writhed around as though it were defending itself against something or someone.

"NO!" Hayden shouted. Her voice was shrill yet silent, as though her vocal cords were being strained.

"What's wrong with her?" Ori asked, holding up his hands to cover his mouth.

"Hayden?" Bofur called. "Lass, can you hear us?"

Fili reached out a hand, attempting to brush back strands of hair that had covered her face. Hayden fought back at his touch, though he wasn't sure it was entirely voluntary. Gripping his wrist, she threw his arm away from her, struggling once more against some unknown force.

"Fili. Wake her." Thorin demanded, brushing his own hair out of his face as he loosened the grip on his sword.

"No." Gandalf interrupted. "I do not think that would be wise."

"Why not?" Dori asked with wide eyes.

"I fear her mind is somewhere else, somewhere far away. I thought she was held in a dream but now I sense something else is at play." Gandalf explained, eyes fixed on Hayden's frantic body.

"I say we wake her." Dwalin countered, siding with Thorin. "There may be many a threat nearby that will learn of our location."

Fili didn't care about whether or not waking Hayden was a good idea, he simply wanted to help her, to rid her of whatever evil had hold of her. He reached out once more, cupping her cheeks in his hands to try and steady her head.

Alarmingly she stopped moving, her body becoming as still as a corpse except for her heavy, uneven breaths. The Company stood in wait, expecting the screams and unrest to begin once more.

Her eyes shot open, sudden and swift, as they searched the night sky. Fili's heart was eager, wanting her to rise out of the dream and into real life. Yet something was off in her gaze, her eyes not reflecting the darkness or even the fairly present embers of the fire. Her eyes were reflecting something much brighter.

"Hayden!" Fili called, somewhat lower than a scream.

Hayden's eyes flew at the dwarf, white and wide open. He had been right - her eyes were reflecting something else, but how? As though she were looking at him from underneath a scorching sunny day, the reflections in her eyes shone with an intensity, peering out like torches. Whatever this was, it was far from normal.

"It's a nightmare." Bilbo slurred, rushing over to Hayden while rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"What?" Kili asked.

Hayden's eyes darted back and forth, as though analyzing Bilbo and Kili for the first time.

"She is having a nightmare." Bilbo said again, saying the sentence slower. "She has them quite often, I'm afraid."

"Her eyes. They're shining." Balin commented.

Hayden swung her head around to see the older dwarf, panting in her petrified state.

"I've never noticed that before." Bilbo commented, puzzled.

Hayden quirked her head back at Bilbo, searching his face cautiously.

"She's looking at you as though she doesn't know you. It's as though she doesn't know any of us." Thorin said, his voice intent in a low whisper.

The whisper did not fall faint on her ears, causing Hayden to jump in her skin at Thorin's low and rough tone.

"Lass?" Bomber called out, shuffling from his position on the other side of the fire to stand near the other dwarves.

Hayden's eyes shifted to Bombur's direction, alarmed at his voice without being able to see who it belonged to. Her breathing did not slow, instead remaining steady as though she were running.

Fili reached out to her hand, draped lazily across her stomach. Her fingers were ice cold and her palm warm with sweat; he gave it a squeeze, tracing a thumb over her skin. "Hayden wake up. It's just a dream." Fili assured. "You can wake up."

She stared at him for a long moment, eyes unblinking. Though the girl was physically the same person, her eyes were not necessarily the same as they looked back at Fili. Still a brilliant grey and green but far off and distant. He couldn't help but wonder if she could even really see him.

"Hayden." Fili whispered, giving her hand another rough squeeze in hopes of drawing her out of this trance.

Whether his touch had worked or the spell had worn off, Hayden blinked rapidly. Her eyes transitioned back to normal orbs reflecting the darkness of night as they squinted with sleep. Hayden sat straight up, gripping onto Fili's hand as she realized what had happened.

Glancing around the small circle now bearing over her, Hayden's mouth hung open. The nightmares were nothing new to her, albeit overbearing and cruel, but she wasn't sure she was ready or willing to explain the contents or the reasoning behind the dreams to her new acquaintances. The dwarves wore faces of worry and fear, something she hadn't seen from the rough and tough Company.

Her head swiveled to Bilbo, knowing he would understand the situation. As if taking his queue, Bilbo spoke up. "It's alright, Hayden. We're all here. It was just another nightmare."

Hayden was embarrassed and frightened, not having had such a realistic nightmare in a while. The dreams were constant but she didn't always wake up feeling as though she had just taken her last breath or feeling the fresh bruises from Daniel's grasp. This time, the dream had felt real. It had felt like she was reliving every second just as she had dreamt on her first night in Middle-Earth.

She couldn't tell any of them this; it was not the time or place. Still, she felt so alone with the inner pain and torment that followed her. She had woken truly frightened with a hollow feeling left in her heart. Without warning, a prickly feeling came up from her chest followed by a small tear and then another, forming a silent train down her face.

Fili squeezed Hayden's hand gently, hoping to comfort her in some small way She glanced nervously at him. Had she reached out for him or he for her? For one reason or another, she didn't let go. She didn't want to, not right now.

Consciously trying to push the thought away, she looked around once more to the Company standing over her. Her breathing was still heavy but she felt more grounded than she had a few moments prior. Taking a deep breath, she swallowed back the fear. She wouldn't begin to feel better until she forced herself to and until these dwarves gave her some breathing room.

"I'm okay." She squeaked. Nodding slowly, more so to herself, she exhaled slowly. "I'll be fine."

She sat for what felt like ages with the Company watching her, mumbling to one another over the instance. Gandalf stood silently against his staff, staring off into the night with something weighing heavily on his mind. Hayden's breathing had normalized and the tears had stopped; someone had rekindled the fire, warming her face and feet.

"Let us get some sleep." Thorin called, standing from his kneeled position near Hayden. "We can discuss these events tomorrow, no need for chatter." He nodded once to Hayden, looking around to the other dwarves as well. "I will take the next watch."

The group reluctantly dispersed, each of them returning to their bedrolls after giving Hayden a light pat on the head or a sleepy smile. Despite the sudden awakening, most of the dwarves found it quite easy to slip back into dreamland, snores filling the air in a matter of minutes.

Gandalf puffed on his pipe near a tree, wondering what had just occurred. He too had been startled by Hayden's screaming but even more so by the appearance of her eyes. Thorin had been right in his statement: Hayden hadn't known who any of them were. The wizard suspected some sort of strange magic at work, though he wasn't sure what. Perhaps this was something from her old world; he would have to think long and hard on this.

Hayden sat staring at the fire with glazed eyes. She didn't want these nightmares, not anymore. This time it hadn't reminded her of the second chance she was given, of the horrors she had escaped and overcome. This time the dream felt far too real. There was a feeling of urgency, of an inevitable thing just waiting to happen. The feeling didn't make much sense and she had nothing to go on to validate that fear. Still, it was present and unwelcome.

She held onto Fili's hand as he sat quietly beside her. He didn't mind holding her hand, in fact it was a strangely comforting thing. The notion grounded him in some way, reminding him to take in the moment before it passed.

"Are you all right?" Fili whispered, glancing to Hayden.

She nodded silently, giving his hand a small appreciative squeeze.

"You were screaming - are you hurt?" He asked.

Hayden shook her head, fighting back the urge to smile. For one reason or another, she imagined Fili examining her like an over-eager nurse straight out of an internship, unnecessarily prodding and poking just to cover all the bases. This was no time for jokes yet she couldn't help but admire his concern.

"What happened?" Fili asked desperately.

The urge to smile left immediately, replaced with a wave of panic and embarrassment. She didn't want to tell him about Daniel, about dying and being reborn and reliving her death. Lying would do her no good yet she didn't want to run around all night trying to explain the dream to him - that came with many more explanations. Honesty was the best policy, and she could be honest without revealing the whole truth.

"I can't tell you. Not now." Hayden said, looking down into her lap.

She half expected him to protest, demanding that she tell him what the dream was about. Instead Fili simply nodded, swallowing back any further questions he had. He was silent for a moment, questions and thoughts buzzing around his head.

"Last night in the Shire," FIli began, "you mentioned that your mind runs away with you, that sleep is hard to come by. Was this what you meant?" Fili asked gently. His eyes searched Hayden's cautiously, not wanting to pressure her into talking but also trying to show compassion.

Hayden bit her lip, realizing Fili didn't want to pry but also couldn't let the matter go so easily. The dwarf cared, even though he didn't truly have any reason to. And so she found she didn't really have any reason to shove off his inquiry.

"More or less, yes." She admitted. "Whether it's the dreams or my own contemplation of them, they're generally what keep me awake."

Fili nodded in understanding. "I apologize."

Hayden whipped her head at him, surprised at his statement. "For what?"

"I am sorry that you are plagued by such things. I cannot do much to help, for which I am also sorry." Fili said plainly, as though the entire thing were somehow his fault.

"I don't think anyone can. The fact you care enough to wish you could help is plenty, trust me." Hayden said with a sharp exhale.

Fili smiled, letting silence fill the air between them. If she was constantly dealing with night terrors, that meant she didn't have much time for other dreams, dreams he was certain involved chasing him in an unknown forest. He couldn't help but fear that she wasn't the one from the dreams, the one he had held in his heart. Then again, perhaps she had been absent in his dream because she was caught up in another.

"Do you dream of other things?" He asked, not truly realizing he had said the words out loud.

"Of course." Hayden said with a small chuckle.

"Tell me about them." Fili said. His voice was flat in tone though he was highly interested.

Hayden immediately thought of the dreams she had with her unknown friend, running through the forest that never seemed to age. Of course she dreamt of things other than him but those were the dreams she remembered because they were the only ones that ever meant anything.

She fought back a blush, thinking of the golden haired boy who held her heart so dearly without even trying, who knew everything about her without knowing anything at all. A thought struck her, remembering the golden flash she knew all too well.

She glanced to Fili, realizing his hair was just as golden and wild even in the clasp that kept it tame. Hayden had always wanted for her friend to be real, for him to come out of the shadows of the trees. Though she never cast out the idea entirely, she hadn't ever considered finding him in her waking life. It was highly improbable and probably part of some girlish fantasy, yet Hayden found her heart speaking to her, telling her that there was more to Fili than she knew.

"I dream of my parents. Of horses and fields. Respectable young men. Cakes and flowers. Girlish things, really." Hayden said. She didn't like lying, and up until this point she had tried to be honest with the dwarves as best she could. This, however, felt much too intrusive and personal when it shouldn't have; she couldn't tell him about the dreams she had nearly her entire life with a young man who could very well be his doppelgänger.

Fili smirked, giving her a questionable look. "Cakes and flowers?"

Hayden nodded forcibly. "Yes. What's wrong with that?"

Fili shook his head, turning to look at the fire. "Somehow I don't think you're the kind of woman to dream of cakes and flowers."

Hayden's stomach churned, not wanting to admit her lie. "How would you know what kind of woman I am?" She asked, hoping to alter the focus to his own assumptions.

"I just know." Fili said with a chuckle. "Women who dream of cakes and flowers seldom lift a finger in their life. If they do, it's to point around and instruct some one else to do their work for them. Here you are, a young woman, yet you're like no woman I've ever met. You chop wood alone at dusk, carve impeccable intricacies into bark in no time at all, and treat others with respect without them having earned it."

Hayden cleared her throat, wondering if this conversation was going to turn into a lecture about her mannerisms that weren't so ladylike after all.

Fili smiled, turning to face Hayden more directly. "Today you carried others packs and belongings outside and were ready to disembark before half of the Company this morn'." Fili said with a small shake of his head. "Each time we stopped for a rest you secured buckles and straps on every pony, you offered your help to anyone who would take it this evening before resting yourself, and you were the first one up and tidying after supper."

There was a long pause. Hayden avoided Fili's gaze. She didn't know if he was watching her or simply facing her way. Curiosity ate at her, tempting her to find out. She was met with warm green eyes and a small smile.

"You're aiding thirteen dwarves - none of them being of kin or even acquaintance - on a dangerous journey without having any reason to devote yourself to the cause."

Hayden blushed, looking away briefly. His eyes were just as serious when she found them a second time.

"And you taught a hobbit how to ride a pony." Fili added with a chuckle.

Hayden laughed lightly as well, but she couldn't let him win this debate and wanted to divert the attention elsewhere. She was flattered, not realizing that Fili was so attentive to her, yet she felt as though she were lost in the feeling, not knowing how she should or wanted to react.

"That does not mean I don't want cakes and flowers." She said, gearing the topic back to the original subject.

"No," Fili admitted, looking back to the fire, "but you don't dream of them. You dream of things you desire - adventure, opportunity..." Fili trailed off.

"I can still desire a respectable young man." Hayden added, eliciting a chuckle out of Fili.

"I suppose you can." Fili said. He nodded slowly, trying to force the blush off of his cheeks.

Silence claimed the two as the other dwarves snored their hearts off into the night. Hayden caught a glimpse of Thorin near the tree, stoic in his guard. She briefly wondered if he had heard their conversation, suddenly becoming very aware of how loud she and Fili's voices could have been in the dead of night. Gandalf stood near Thorin, puffing on tobacco and glancing out into the darkness. Hayden wondered why the wizard was awake; did the old man ever sleep?

The thought of sleep was welcoming but daunting. Would she have another nightmare or nothing at all? Would she be so lucky as to dream of her devoted friend? If she did have the recurring dream, would it be altered as it had been at Bag End or would it play out as it had for years with the absence of the Fumellar blossom?

Hayden felt her heart beating fast at the thought of seeing her blond friend once more. No matter what occurred in her waking life, she always felt secure and loved in his presence, as though he understood all her worries. Running through the forest amidst the flowers and trees she felt appreciated and accepted, as though being herself were more than enough.

The connection she felt with Fili was confusing yet so strong. For one reason or another, she found herself more inclined to trust and confide in the dwarf. There was nothing wrong with any of the dwarves to deem them unworthy of trust or faith yet Hayden felt she was naturally drawn to Fili, as though she had known him long enough to establish confidence in him.

She did not want to indulge the thought of Fili truly being her dream friend but when compared to everything else that had happened in her life, the occurrence didn't seem too far-fetched. He had the same physical features, at least roughly; she wasn't sure what her friend looked like, save for his clothing and his hair. While Fili's clothing wasn't exactly the same, it was similar in style and definitely different than things people wore in her old life on Earth. Unlike other fancies and fantasies, Hayden noticed it was harder to push Fili out of her mind, not finding truth in thoughts that deemed her actions mere foolishness. This felt like something much more than an inflated infatuation.

Hayden gave his hand an absentminded squeeze, hoping everything she was thinking was right all while hoping it wasn't true.

"Do you think you'll be able to fall back asleep?" Fili asked, squeezing her hand back.

Hayden let out a rough sigh, nodding her head with hesitation. She looked over to Fili, realizing that her eyes were stinging from the fire's heat. The dwarf looked as though he were already asleep, his brows furrowed in concentration as his consciousness struggled.

She began to lie back on her bedroll, Fili happily following her movement. "Fili your bedroll is over there." She whispered. He was about to lie down on a patch of dirt while his bed and things sat a few feet away.

He grunted frustratingly, reaching with his free hand for his thin fabric mat. He drug it over, clumsily lifting his legs and scooting on top of it with his body, before lying back down again in a defeated motion. Hayden lied down briefly after him, not expecting him to stay so close; she didn't expect him to be holding onto her hand so faithfully either.

Thorin watched as his nephew and the strange foreign girl drifted off into sleep. Gandalf smoked silently a foot or so away, staring off into the night. There were many things that could be said but Thorin found himself praying for silence, to which the wizard had silently agreed.

This girl had potential, having known some of the ancient Khuzdul runes and seemingly popping into the path of the Company at the perfect time. Thorin couldn't deny that she was an asset, or at least could be. If she indeed had a gift, he feared that the nightmares and glowing eyes were an unfortunate addition; what else was she capable of and would it be a hindrance or a blessing upon them?

The last thing he needed was a girl having horrifically expressive nightmares; if any enemies were nearby, she would surely wake them or alert them of their location. If she had another nightmare, perhaps he would have to leave her in Bree. The quest was not built around this girl and so it could surely survive without her if need be.

Thorin watched as Hayden stirred in her sleep, turning her back to Fili. He thought the occurrence curious and threatening hoping Fili's act of kindness was purely out of comfort. Thorin wasn't dull, he knew there was a spark of chemistry between the two. If this were any other time, he would be rejoicing that his nephew had finally shown some interest in something other than combat and his royal duties.

Hayden was strange, yes, but there was something different about her. Something Thorin had never seen in a female before. There was a weight to her, a presence of something she carried within her character that set her apart from others. He briefly wondered if this was due to her hybrid nature, not having met a halfbreed in his life.

Hayden sat up with her eyes closed, yawning and readjusting her position. Lying back down on her other side to face Fili, she reached over to the resting hand she had just released. Taking Fili's hand in hers once more, Thorin watched as Hayden's chest rose and fell with the steadiness of tranquil breath. Somehow the gesture brought more warmth than anger to his heart, though he tried to tell himself the opposite.


The Company woke early and rushed to get back on the road, led by Thorin's barking calls. The King hadn't slept since Hayden's incident, too paranoid and wrapped up in his own thoughts as he kept watch. He had reminded Fili immediately after he woke of his oath, his duty to his people; Hayden was not to be a distraction even though she had been just that for him as the Comapny slept. Thorin's lack of sleep was reason enough to take their time, but the Company knew better than to protest.

No one mentioned Hayden's nightmare, not even Bilbo. Either they shrugged off the event as a normal disturbance or they respected her enough not to pry. Hayden couldn't tell. Yet she was glad for it. There would be plenty of time to discuss the dreams if she felt she needed to. Until then, she counted the birds in the trees and thought back to the time she had spent in the Shire. Yet the nightmare continued to bug her, poking at the back of her mind. It had been too different, and she needed to get it off her chest.

They had been on the road for hours, not having stopped for a rest, yet Thorin insisted they keep moving. He was short tempered, even more so than usual, and so the Company continued to ride in relative silence. The silence was comforting, however. The sound of birds and insects buzzing about made the morning an enjoyable ride. And it would seem the Company agreed, taking in their surroundings as their ponies trotted along.

"Quite a beautiful day it's turning out to be." Bilbo muttered, more to himself than to Hayden, who sat behind him on Myrtle. She simply smiled and nodded, taking in the scent of flowers and pine.

"Aye, sure is." Bofur chimed in, tipping his hat as he agreed. "Yet I wonder when we'll give it a rest. Minty is due for a drink, I should say."

"Kipper as well." Kili added. "Uncle!"

Thorin turned around, his face drawn with sleep and fatigue. He raised a brow in question, not granting his nephew a verbal reply.

"Why don't we settle down for a moment? Give our ponies a chance to drink. Stretch our limbs." Kili called, a line of heads bobbing in agreement before him.

"Very well." Thorin muttered, steering Scorch off the path into a clearing of sorts.

The rest followed suit, steering their ponies into the general area before dismounting and grabbing water from their packs. They would have to refill their water supplies before long, possibly before reaching Bree.

Oin had talked Thorin into resting his eyes, finally convincing the King that he could not perform at his best in a fight or make logical decisions if his mind was distracted. The rest of the Company agreed to search for berries or fruits, if possible. And if they found a water source, they'd refill their skins.

Bilbo and Hayden walked quietly together, Bilbo stepping wide over pockets of mud or thick brush. He knew he couldn't exactly escape nature yet he still wasn't welcoming of it all over his body.

Hayden's mind drifted to her nightmare once more. It had been different and much more real than she ever remembered. And she needed to tell Bilbo. He was the only one she could trust with the information at the moment, and she knew he'd have some sort of insight that might set her nerves at ease. With everyone foraging and walking about, she felt this was as good a time as ever.

"What do you think about these, Miss Hayden?" Bilbo asked, pointing to vibrant red berries on a bush.

"I'm not sure, do you recognize them?" Hayden asked, peering around to make sure no one else was nearby.

"No, not entirely. Perhaps someone else will." Bilbo said with a shrug. He took a deep breath as if to call out for someone to come to inspect his findings.

"Bilbo I need to talk to you." Hayden said sharply.

Bilbo's brows drew together in concern. "About what?"

"My dream. Last night."

"Ah." Bilbo said, nodding. "That was very different. I've never seen you like that."

"What do you mean? Like what?" Hayden asked.

Bilbo licked his lips. "Well you were...your eyes...you..."

"I what?" Hayden pressed again.

"What is it you wanted to tell me?" Bilbo finally said.

Hayden sighed in frustration. "I dreamt about Daniel again. About the night I died."

Bilbo reached out a hand to stroke her arm. "I am sorry. I know that can't be easy for you to re-live. But I am thankful you're here now."

Hayden smiled in return but shook her head. "The thing is, the ending was different. It was as though I was still alive. After he killed me he set my body on fire. And I was conscious, lying there watching my body burn."

Bilbo's eyes widened in horror. Hayden noticed, becoming worried herself. "What is it?"

Bilbo swallowed hard, glancing from the berries to Hayden. "Your eyes were shining. It was as though you were looking at everyone during the light of day. I'm not sure how to describe it."

"Looking at everyone?" Hayden asked. "I was awake?"

"No, not entirely. You were asleep but your eyes were open. They shone with a rather intense light. Perhaps your eyes were reflecting the fire. You didn't recognize any of us." Bilbo replied.

Hayden was silent. What could this mean? Had Daniel really burned her body or was this something new? She had slept next to a fire; her brain could have incorporated that into her dream. Somehow this explanation seemed unlikely, no matter how likely it was.

Bilbo sighed heavily and began to walk back to the resting area. "I'm not sure what else I can tell you. Let's just take this one step at a time. It was just a dream." He reminded her, though he was honestly reminding himself.

"There was something else." Hayden said. Bilbo turned, not wanting to hear yet wanting to know.

"I saw Fili. He was there."

"Was anyone else?" Bilbo asked.

Hayden shook her head. "Just Fili. He was like a ghost. One minute I thought I saw him and the next I couldn't see anything. I thought I was just imagining it at first, but he kept showing up. He was angry and trying to help me, that much was clear, but I couldn't hear him."

"So..." Bilbo began. "Daniel saw him?"

Hayden shrugged. "I don't think so. I have no idea. He didn't act differently or indicate so. I couldn't even interact with Fili. I was stuck in the same loop of events but I could glance at him every now and then."

Bilbo waved his hand. "I bet this whole thing happened because of yesterday's events. You did set off on an adventure with strangers into an unknown land. You must have been stressed."

"Yes, but..." Hayden began.

"Let's get back before our chatter becomes their gossip." Bilbo said. "I imagine you don't want the Company knowing all of this."

Hayden nodded in agreement, though she was convinced the dream couldn't have been a product of stress. Even if it were, that didn't explain her eyes shining brightly or her sleep-like roused state. Bilbo was right. They couldn't talk about it so openly if she didn't want to explain everything to the Company. Until she had more answers, all she could do was focus on the quest at hand.

Most of the Company had returned, some with half-eaten apples in hand and others with questionable looking berries. Bilbo mentioned the red berries he had eyed but was soon told that they were not suitable for eating, unless he wanted to end his journey right then and there. Expectantly, Bilbo denied.

Balin struggled with his pack, trying not to wake Thorin as he repacked some items. "Do you need some help?" Hayden asked.

"No. Just a larger pack, I'm afraid. Thank you." Balin said with a smile. "Fili and Kili spotted a stream a quarter mile away. They've started filling the water skins. I'm sure they'd enjoy the help." Balin suggested.

"What do you say?" Hayden asked Bilbo. He had leaned against a tree and was observing just how dirty his feet and calves had become. "You can wash off." Hayden added, giving the hobbit a small smile as he frantically tried to brush off the dirt from his heels.

"And collect even more dirt as I walk back here with wet feet? No, thank you." Bilbo muttered, wiping his feet against a log.

Balin pointed Hayden in the direction of the stream and sent her off with three more water skins, extras he kept for good measure. They hadn't been used in some time but he assured her they'd hold water just the same.

She found the brothers sitting near the stream, legs stretched out as the slow current swept over their bare feet. "Looks like filling water skins is a tough job." She said, smiling as they jumped at her voice.

"We were just taking a break." Kili said quickly, moving to stand in embarrassment.

"Stay. I was only joking." Hayden said. She walked over to them, sitting down next to Kili. She pulled her boots off, wiggling her toes and cautiously slipping them in the stream. The water was strikingly cold yet it felt good on her tired soles.

"I thought maybe Thorin had sent you to collect us." Kili said in explanation. "We filled all the skins already."

Hayden nodded. "I have three more to fill. Thorin is still asleep. I'm not sure when he'll wake up or when we'll need to wake him."

"I'll wake him when we return. Otherwise we'll hear about the loss of daylight for the next twenty years." Fili commented, shaking his head.

"Twenty years seems like a long time to complain about a nap." Hayden said, shaking her feet off before slipping them back into her boots. The water had already numbed her feet.

"Not with Thorin. He still complains about our mother's sudden infatuation with portraits - and that was one hundred years ago." Fili said.

"One hundred years ago?" Hayden asked. Fili must have been joking.

"Aye. She's a brilliant artist, our mother. But she sat him down for a portrait and he ended up missing a smithing lesson." Kili said.

"Ten decades later and we still hear about it." Fili added.

"One hundred years?" Hayden asked again. She dipped her hands into the stream, letting the water soothe her palms. She had really overdone it chopping wood and now the reins were starting to rub even more on the calluses that hadn't yet healed.

"Yes." Kili nodded enthusiastically. "Time flies by I guess but not fast enough to forget a precious smithing lesson."

Fili chuckled yet he understood Thorin's frustration. He had missed more than one lesson because of Kili in their youth. Sometimes it was due to his own hopeless search for the red haired mistress. But he always wondered how much better of a fighter, a leader, a man he would have been if he had attended every single lesson.

"How old is Thorin?" Hayden asked. She was more than convinced the brothers were playing a trick on her yet she didn't hear the tone in their voice to justify this assumption.

Kili looked at Fili, not entirely knowing the answer. Fili answered her. "One hundred and ninety five this year."

Hayden burst out laughing, not believing the brothers were carrying the joke out so long. "Right, and I suppose you're one hundred and twenty." She said sarcastically.

"Do I really look that mature?" Kili asked, pawing at his chin. He looked to Fili who shook his head in disagreement. "I know I don't have a full beard, but I never would have expected that generous of a guess." Kili added.

"You don't look one hundred and twenty." Fiili assured him. "You are still a growing dwarf and not all dwarves grow into full beards; yours is no reflection of your age. Your childlike behavior is." He chuckled, accepting Kili's swat at his arm.

"I am not a child!" Kili added. "No more than you."

"Wait." Hayden said, breaking up their banter. "How old are the both of you?"

"I am seventy seven." Kili said proudly. He nodded, as if to affirm that his numerical age did not reflect his maturity - or immaturity.

"And I recently aged eighty two." Fili added.

"I see." Said Hayden with a nod of her head. They had to be joking.

"And how old are you?" Fili asked. If Hayden was indeed Telchar's daughter, as Gandalf had proposed, she would have been much older than he. Older than Thorin, even. This didn't entirely match her age in his dreams, because she had grown in unison as he did. Perhaps this was because she was from another world, another time. He didn't have the answer, but he was sure he was about to receive it.

"I'm twenty-three." She blurted out with enthusiasm, expecting them to admit their joke and their true ages along with it.

"Twenty-three!" Kili called out. "She's nothing but a wee babe, isn't she?"

Fili shook his head firmly. "You can't be twenty-three."

Hayden scoffed. "I'm fairly sure I know my own age. Or at least I used to."

"You used to?" Fili asked. He shook off his feet and slid them into his boots.

"Nevermind." Hayden said quickly. "I'm twenty-three. But if it fits in with your little game I suppose you can think of me as one hundred and twenty-three."

"What game?" Kili asked. "There's no game. What are you playing at?"

Hayden stood as Fili did, suddenly realizing that they hadn't been joking. This was Middle-Earth, not home. She had forgotten entirely about the various ages of the races that lived here; she should have kept better mental notes from her reading of Bilbo's books. She was looking at two very old, very young looking, dwarves. And they were looking back at her like the fool she had portrayed herself to be.

"I'm sorry. It's just that I forgot dwarves lived so long." She muttered. She reached for Balin's water skins and set to filling them after Kili had removed his feet from the stream.

"I find that surprising considering dwarves live in close proximity to the Shire. And Gandalf is surely as old as Middle-Earth itself." Fili chimed. Hayden's lack of knowledge coincided with his assumption that she was, somehow, from another world or another place in time. Perhaps she didn't know how old she really was. He couldn't ask her openly, at least not with Kili present.

"Right." Hayden said with wide eyes. She swallowed hard. "Would you help me fill the other two? I'll help bring all the rest back."

Kili handed his brother a skin as he set to fill the third and final one. Silence had filled the air save for the stream's trickling over rocks. Once Balin's extras had been filled, they three slung all the skins over their shoulders and began the short hike back to the Company. Hayden struggled to find a subject to bring up, not sure if she was out of the woods. She'd have some explaining to do at some point in time but didn't have the patience or the strength to explain everything at the current moment.

"So, you're really twenty-three years of age?" Fili finally asked.

Hayden nodded with a small smile.

"How old was your father? He must have been Thorin's age." Fili asked. "And your mother, was she older?" Fili spoke quickly, as though he were afraid if he didn't get the words out now, he never would.

"What? What do you mean?" Hayden asked.

"Fili! Kili!" Thorin called out through the forest. "We leave in five minutes!" He was awake and he was ready to move.

Fili set off, ignoring Kili and Hayden who exchanged awkward glances before scurrying behind with water sloshing as they ran.

Hayden had no idea what Fili meant; her father was not a dwarf and her mother wouldn't have been older than one. Did he think she was a dwarf? She did match dwarvish height and was taller than most hobbits. Perhaps he was just trying to discover who, and what, she was. A valid inquiry, but one she would have trouble answering.


The rest of the day ran smoothly, Thorin's mood improving considerably after his nap. He knew staying up had been a poor choice on his part but he didn't openly admit it to the Company. He wanted to maintain the authoritative persona they had come to expect from him, especially with Hayden and the hobbit in their midst.

Thorin still wasn't convinced that Bilbo was equipped to be their burglar. He was meek, inexperienced, and surely couldn't defend his own life let alone one of the dwarves' in a fight. This would have to be changed; he could not have the hobbit be part of the Company without being able to hold his own and do his part.

The same could be said for the girl. Per the agreement he had struck in Hobbiton with Dwalin, she too was to be trained as an asset, not a liability. She was a woman but she had also willingly agreed to partake in their quest. The Company was not a band of babysitters and he would not allow for any of them to treat her with that regard.

Bombur had just put in the last of the rabbit into his stew and was waiting for it to boil. The rest of the Company was strewn out around the night's camp, basking in what was left of the sunlight before it fell below the horizon.

"You mentioned you had never left the Shire before." Thorin asked Hayden.

Chatter around the camp seemed to halt rather quickly, too quickly for Hayden and even Bilbo's liking. Hayden wasn't sure if he had heard the conversation from the day before or if news had traveled fast. Either way, she didn't appreciate being center stage.

"Yes. This is my first time." She replied. She took out her bedroll, intent on setting up for sleep even though daylight was still present. She needed some sort of excuse to dismiss the invitation for conversation.

"And your parents, they resided in the Shire as well?" Thorin asked openly.

"Not exactly." Hayden said. She wasn't sure how to answer honestly without opening up her story. And she wasn't quite sure how they would all take it. They were more likely to think her insane rather than believe her.

"Then where were they from?" Asked Dori. He handed Bombur a pouch of what appeared to be salt.

In synchronization, the entire Company sat forward with anticipation. Bombur had been filled in on Gandalf's hunch earlier that day. Nori and Ori had been discussing Telchar and the plausibility of Hayden being his granddaughter; Bombur simply couldn't help but ask.

As though sensing Hayden's discomfort, Gandalf interjected. "I am sure Miss Hayden will be more than willing to discuss the events of her past. But at the present moment, we need to count our provisions and ensure we will be able to properly refill our stores once we reach Bree."

The group grunted in agreement and protest as they got up to console their belongings and make lists of what needed to be purchased. Thorin walked tall and slow over to Hayden, eyes downcast as though he hadn't quite let the issue go. The suspense left her skin crawling. She couldn't exactly ignore him if he was in her face.

"We will reach Bree by tomorrow evening. You are to purchase a weapon. If you are in need of coin I am sure those who can will donate. Take this to heart. I cannot allow you to put us in danger; you are to protect yourself on this journey."

"Of course. I don't expect anyone to protect me." Hayden said. And she meant it. She didn't expect anyone in the Company to coddle her or risk their lives on her behalf. She was, however, not expecting Thorin to be so blunt about the matter. Surely they would all look out for their comrades, wouldn't they?

Thorin nodded and smiled at Hayden. It was a small smile yet it caught Hayden off guard. Based on his persistence and demeanor she didn't expect such a gesture. Especially with the implications that came with him telling her she would be responsible for her own safety.

"Dwalin has agreed to train you. Why don't you make use of this hour of dusk?" Thorin said. His eyes shone slightly, as though he were excited or anxious. It leached onto Hayden, making her fear that perhaps Dwalin meant to scare her.

She nodded swiftly, smoothing out her bedroll as Thorin walked over to Fili and Gloin. She glanced around the camp, looking for Dwalin. She eyed him sitting on a rock, back resting against a tree with a pipe hanging lamely out of his mouth. He didn't look in any state to fight let alone in any mood to teach.

Grabbing the dagger Dwalin had lent her, she walked over quietly, trying not to disturb the self-induced tranquility he seemed to be caught up in. "Excuse me." She blurted out.

He did not open his eyes but merely clenched down on the pipe. When he did not respond, Hayden took this as dismissal and turned to leave.

"If you give up tha' easily I'm afraid there won't be much hope for you in the face 'a the enemy." Dwalin snorted. He pulled the pipe from his lips and moved to stand.

"No, that's not it. I just - " Hayden began.

"Gave up." Dwalin finished. "You did not follow through." Dwalin said, placing his pipe on the rock. He motioned for Hayden to follow him into the trees, some feet away from where the Company was gathered. "This will be your first lesson."

"The world is a cruel and ruthless pit. A place full of murderers." Dwalin began, looking at Hayden in the eye so she took him seriously. "Skinners. Thieves. Deceitful people and demented monsters." He continued. He had begun to pace, pulling out a knife.

"The world is no place for those of a weak heart. You will fight and you will fight hard if you want to live. You will not," he began, pointing his dagger at Hayden, "give up. Once you decide to defend, to fight, you must follow through."

Hayden nodded in understanding, looking down at the dagger in her hand. She unsheathed it, turning over the blade in the dim light.

"Now, you must remember that fighting in combat is not just a physical skill." Dwalin began, pulling another dagger from his belt. "A way of life for some but a mindset for most."

He spun rapidly, letting the dagger in his hands fly through the air and wedge itself perfectly in the center of a tree trunk. "Be mindful of your surroundings. Expect tha' you can encounter anything at anytime." He walked over to the trunk, yanking the blade free and brushing off the bark. "And don't hesitate. Understand now that your life lies in your hands. Do not weigh your life in the hands of another's. I doubt your attacker will return such a courtesy."

Hayden nodded in understanding. She had to make that decision once in her life. She had been in the right mindset but had lacked the physical stamina and prowess she needed. She felt, however, that she'd have to be constantly in that mindset here in Middle-Earth. She couldn't wait to be pushed to that breaking point.

"If you are not prepared mentally, you cannot expect your body 'ta react. Yer physical strength is important, but just like a hammer in the hands of a child, if you do not understand why you must train, why you must be always ready, then you are not a warrior." Dwalin said, slapping the flat edge of the knife against the palm of his hand.

"Yes, but I'm not a warrior. I don't have that kind of strength or physical stamina." Hayden blurted out. She wasn't trying to argue with Dwalin but she felt as though he was expecting too much too fast from her and her friend. Perhaps she was expecting too much too soon of herself.

"Know your abilities and inabilities." He said calmly. "While you are weak now, with time and dedication you will be more." He sheathed his dagger and folded his arms, evidently frustrated with the student he had reluctantly taken under his wing. This girl was right; she wasn't a warrior. He needed a different approach. "If you did not have a weapon, what would you do lass?"

Hayden hesitated. There were many options, all of which seemed obvious and irrelevant. "You could use your hands?" She said slowly. "Or whatever lies in your surroundings." She finished more confidently.

Dwalin nodded. "Aye. Hayden, if ye wouldn't mind puttin' away the blade."

Hayden sheathed the dagger and stuck it awkwardly in the waistband of her pants.

"Though other landscapes have more, you will notice large rocks on the ground. Pick them up." Dwalin commanded. He kept his arms folded, making it look as though he were impatient.

Hayden picked up a rock, weighing several in her hands before finally choosing one.

"This will be your weapon for this lesson." Dwalin explained, unfolding his arms and taking a few paces towards his student.

Hayden grew cold, sweat prickling up at the back of her neck. The last time she had held a rock she had used it as a weapon; it had been the very thing that helped end her life. She threw the rock behind her, not caring or thinking of Dwalin's reaction. She wouldn't be caught dead - literally - using a rock again.

"Yer testing my patience. Pick up another." Dwalin insisted.

"No." Hayden said flatly. She stared at the ground, trying to shake the feeling of doom and sorrow that had come into her mind.

"What?" Dwalin asked.

"I'll use something else." Hayden said, scanning the ground instantly. She found a long branch a few feet away, nearly as tall as she, that had broken off of the canopy above. She scrambled back to her position, holding her head high and trying to act as though nothing had happened.

The dwarf breathed slowly. "While I consider you are not used to training, when I tell you how to do somethin' I expect you to do it. I 'aint teaching for my own good." Dwalin barked.

Hayden looked at the dwarf, realizing his temper had been piqued. Her eyes were pleading. "Please." She wanted to tell him she couldn't, she wanted to tell him she held far too many fresh scars.

Dwalin swallowed hard. Either he accepted her behavior or somehow understood the look of silent torment behind her eyes. "Any type of fighting involves endurance as well as preparation. Hold your weapon over your head. This is a position used for both offensive and defensive combat." Dwalin commanded. He held his knife over his head, poised ready to stab with it in a run or brace for impact.

Hayden did as she was told, awkwardly holding the stick above her head. She tightened her grip, thinking back to moments she had held a football in school; if she had to send the branch flailing through the air, hopefully she could make that path true.

"Good. Keep yer feet firmly on the ground. Do not lock your knees and do not focus on breathing - if you do you will not breathe correctly." Dwalin said. "Your lesson is to be ready." He started walking back to camp, nodding to both of them. "Hold this until I return."

Hayden stood in the small area for what felt like half an hour. She murmured to herself, asking what the point of this lesson was other than to make her arm ache; she was trying desperately to keep her shaking limb steady per the dwarf's instructions.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ori, Nori, Bifur, and Kili sprang from the bushes and trees. Shouting and rushing Hayden, their screams turned into hearty laughs. She had fallen to the ground, dropping her stick entirely. How the dwarves had managed to climb trees and float behind brush in front of her eyes, Hayden would never know.

Dwalin shook his head as he approached from behind the tree line. "You were not ready. You have failed the first lesson."

Hayden stood quickly, grabbing the long stick and striking the ground angrily. "And what would you have liked me to do? Attack the Company?"

"I would have liked you to stand your ground." Dwalin said loudly. He stood tall, not wanting to be too harsh on the girl yet struggling to find a happy medium between an enforcer and a mentor. "You need to look danger directly in the eye. And gain wisdom enough to know when that danger is false." He added.

Hayden sighed heavily. The other dwarves had scurried off at the sound of Dwalin's bellowing voice, realizing that the outcome of the trick was not humorous to the dwarf.

"That is enough for tonight. Think about what I have said." Dwalin commented, waving in the air as if to blow away any aggression he might have given off.

Hayden took a few deep breaths. "He has a point. As embarrassed and frustrated as I am, he is right." She thought. "But I know what it means to fight for your life. And this time around, I'd much rather have the upper hand. I want to be a master at this game, not just a contestant. I need to try harder." She thought with a nod.

She walked back into camp, Bilbo running over to her like a puppy who had finally been let out of its cage. "What was that about?" He asked in a whisper.

"Just some training." Hayden said, shrugging her shoulder.

"Ah." Bilbo said, walking in step with her around the fire. He felt instantly worthless. He wasn't being trained and he could hardly ride a horse. What did he have to offer the Company, Hayden even, if he was just a burglar who had never stolen anything in his life? "Well, I -" Bilbo began. He thought for a moment, sighing heavily a few times before continuing. "I want to be as much help as I can on this journey. I expect to stay out of the way and to make sure you are safe."

Hayden smiled. "But Bilbo," Hayden said, "I hardly think you are in the way; you're their burglar after all. And if you're watching over me who is going to watch over you?"

Bilbo shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps my mother. She's bound to be looking down on me now, wishing she was out with me on this adventure and scolding me all the same for having gone on it."

Hayden laughed warmly, gesturing her head towards camp as she began to walk. "Well I'll watch over you. We all will."

Bilbo nodded in acceptance though he didn't feel any less of a burden. "Why do I doubt that the rest of them would have different answers to that question?"

"Because you are insecure. I'm insecure." Hayden said.

Bilbo agreed, trying to calm his nerves and build his confidence as they walked. "Aren't you going to put that branch down?" He asked.

Hayden held the piece of wood close to her face, examining it as though for the first time. "I think I'll keep it for now. It has a good weight to it."

Bilbo shrugged his shoulders. "Seems rather large if you ask me."

"Yes, well you are a hobbit." Hayden teased. Bilbo shot her a look of bewilderment before laughing openly.

"That I am." He finally said with a firm nod. "A Baggins and a Took."