Hey everyone, hope you're ready for some action/adventure chapters, as well as the longest chapter to date in this fic. (Yay!)

I noticed this week while I was writing that I fell into the trap that every writer faces at least once. I began writing the story I though people wanted to read, instead of telling the story I wanted to tell. So now that I've found my way again, I'm excited to share this with you.

Please Enjoy!

-B

Chapter 9 - Pulling Weight

The sun was high on this unknown day of travel. Eryn wasn't sure if it had been weeks or days, but she was sure of one thing, she was not prepared for a quest. Her body shook violently as another biting gust blew past, the sun reflected off the tightly packed snow all around them and her eyes ached from the squinting so harshly.

She was wearing both of her tunics over her shirt, and her hooded jacket over that. Ori had also offered her an additional jacket that he brought; which she took merrily, thanking him profusely for hours. She had her extra pair of loose trousers over her jeans and was wearing the gloves that she found in her pack. Her feet were taking the worst beating out of it all though. They were sore, but thankfully her blisters were given the chance to callous over, thanks for a few bandages Oin was able to wrap her feat in. But once she recovered from those, she found a new one somewhere else, so she had taken to wrapping both of her feet in bandages under her socks. The additional layer helped, but the cold was her worst enemy now.

Eryn thought back to the days leading up to her stepping over the threshold to Middle Earth, she craved adventure, and now she indeed had it. Probably a little too much adventure. She hadn't walked this much in years, and to say she was out of shape was an understatement, but she could tell already that her endurance was growing, and her jeans were already growing loose around her legs. She was also eating a lot less, but they always had enough. Every evening she ate her dinner, had a merry gathering around the campfire, massaged her feet and went to bed. Sometimes she would fall asleep before she got her dinner, but someone would always place a full bowl next to her. If she woke past dinner, she would sneak back to the fire and eat her portion with whoever was on watch.

All things considered; Eryn was in very good spirits. Middle Earth was breathtaking. She had grown up most of her life in a rural area, so trees and the outdoors were not a stranger to her; this was different. Even the snowy mountains were breathtaking in their bitterness. There was something so freeing to Eryn about this trek, it was like the ultimate camping trip.

She had started picking any flower or leaf that was distinctly unique to Middle Earth. She would write down what the flower looked like, asked Dori for its name and then pressed them in her journal. Her journal was already groaning at the access between its pages.

,

"Why do you do that?" Bilbo had asked her one day, picking up an identical leaf that Eryn was documenting in her journal, spinning it between his fingers.

"Because I'm interested." Eryn muttered. "I really like trees and plants in general. I've been interested in most botany and agriculture since I was a child. I took a few college courses, but never finished" she admitted, snapping her journal shut.

"You took classes about trees?" Bilbo asked, "Also, what is college?"

"It's extended learning for people who want to learn about something specific, or for someone who just wants a broader education." She said as she packed her things to catch up to the others before they noticed she was lagging behind. Though Fili was waiting patiently with them, as he always did, it never bothered him that she stopped to smell the flowers every now and again.

"And you never finished?" He inquired, his hands gripping his pack straps.

"No, I never did…" Eryn sighed. "I was about to, but something came up."

"What did? You're being oddly vague." Bilbo accused, much to Eryns surprise, he was being far more forthright with her lately than usual.

"Because I don't finish anything, Bilbo." She shot her eyebrows up at him, challenging him to continue, which he did.

"That? Coming from the woman who is supposed to be our 'Adviser'? Don't let Thorin hear." Bilbo asserted.

Eryn had signed her contract with Thorin and company a few nights prior, it took Balin some time to write the contract as it was rather lengthy to say the least. It had at least 40 major sections, numerous footnotes and digressions in smaller writing. Once she received it, she took the time to read it in full, much to Thorin's displeasure as he wanted to watch her sign it. At first it started as a joke, because Eryn saw how impatient he was being about it, but then she was taken aback by the contents of the contract. It was a surprisingly legitimate contract, though Eryn questioned the enforceable rules of jurisdiction, as she is not actually from Middle Earth. Not wanting to make Thorin dislike her more, she simply signed it, without questioning the jurisdiction. Her official roll: "Additional Adviser." Eryn was hoping Balin would give her the title of "Witch" but she wasn't one, so therefore could not claim that title.

"That's Additional Adviser, to you. I believe Balin is 'Head Advisor'." Eryn grinned.

"Additional, conditional, expositional. It's all the same" Bilbo muttered, sourly.

"You're a tall glass of sass today. What's wrong?" Eryn asked.

"I'm just so exhausted," Bilbo admitted with a sigh. "I do what I'm asked, even beyond that and still get barked at for no reason." he murmured. " I just feel very unwelcome."

"Oh Bilbo," Eryn softened, placing a hand on his shoulder, she understood the feeling. "You're doing your best. That's all anyone can ask of you." she encouraged, but Bilbo still slumped his shoulders.

"I just can't shake the feeling that I shouldn't have come." He turned his face away from her, ashamed.

"Well, don't forget Bilbo, you're more capable than you know, and your strength is in the little things. Things people don't even notice and you never once beg to be acknowledged for it! You don't understand how important that is." She looked up at a small flock of birds flying overhead and she smiled. "Beautiful things don't ask for attention."

Bilbo stopped walking, her but Eryn kept on. Maybe he wanted a moment to himself. She wasn't sure, but he wasn't stopped for long as Thorin was calling loudly for everyone to keep up.

The rain began to fall as they slowly began the narrow ascent up the narrow mountain pass and the sky grew darker and darker as storm clouds rolled in. Soon Eryn didn't know whether it was day or night.

The stone was so slick, Eryn was sure this was the day her shoes killed her and she was going to fall to her death; unfortunately, she also had a small fear of heights. The trail itself was so narrow Eryn wasn't sure how someone like Dwalin or Gloin could walk with their Axes protruding out from their backs.

The steady fall of rain turned into a torrential downpour the further they progressed up the mountain. Thunder cracked, causing the ground to shake, and the rain caused a haze to fall over the canyon to their right. Eryn pulled her hood up to shield her head from the deluge, but it was no use; everything was soaked. The wind blew strong and steady as she pressed in tighter, gripping the rock wall to her left. She kept her eyes locked on the floor beneath her, so she didn't step on any loose stones.

She heard the thunder crack again, coupled with a firm gust.

"Steady!" Thorin boomed over the sound of the rain. "Hold on!"

Everyone was walking in a single file line and she trailed closely behind Dwalin who a steady arm was if she needed assistance, though he didn't willingly sign up for that task.

Eryn looked up from her usual downward cast just in time to see Bilbo who was between Dwalin and Bofur, slip on unsteady stones. "Bilbo!" she called as he cried, fumbling for anything to catch onto, but there was nothing. He fell forward, but not before Dwalin caught him by the shoulder, Bofur quickly grabbed onto him as well, pulling him toward the stone wall behind them. Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief as he stood there for a moment, catching his breath.

Eryn's heart was beating like a hummingbird's wings inside of her chest. She realized this wasn't a fun camping trip anymore. She could very well slip just like Bilbo and fall to her death, or worse, she could cause someone else to slip and fall. She clenched her jaw and gripped the side of the wall tighter. This was not how she wanted to die, if she was going to die in Middle Earth, it would not be because she was a klutz.

"We must find shelter!" Thorin demanded.

Suddenly there was a crack, it was like thunder, but there was no flash of light to follow; as the pattern usually was.

"Look Out!" Dwalin yelled, stopping dead in his tracks, causing Eryn to bump into him.

Everyone looked up and saw with horror that there was a large boulder careening towards the mountainside they were one.

At first it looked like it was going to hit them, and Eryn pressed deeply into the side of the mountain, preparing for the impact and sudden death. But instead it hit just above them, everyone shouted as it showered debris and stone upon their heads. Eryn shut her eyes and ducked, covered her head instinctively, shielding her head from the heavy stone falling from above.

"Look out!" Gloin boomed above the noise, clutching his brother to his side.

"Hold On!" Kili cried.

When Eryn opened her eyes, she saw that Dwalin was leaning over her, with an arm shielding her as well as himself from the rocks pelting them from above.

"This is no thunderstorm!" Balin called. "This is a thunder battle!" And The mountains began to shake once more. "Look!" He pointed to the far side of the cliff and as he said those words, the mountain began to rise as if it was being summoned.

It stood tall and Eryn was shaking. This was the most awful thing she had ever witnessed, but that reverence quickly turned to fear as the Stone giant grabbed a clump of rock it had emerged from.

"Well, bless me." Bofur exclaimed, awestruck. "The legends are true! Giants! Stone giants!" He took a step closer, brushing past everyone, to get a better look at the edge of the cliff.

The Giant hurled the projectile and Eryn braced for another impact, but she then noticed that it wasn't aimed at them. She turned, along with everyone else to see that a second Stone Giant had emerged behind them. The flying rock hit it square on, causing it to fall into the mountainside and the ground to shake again. The already critically damaged rock wall came pouring down upon them again. "Take cover, you fool!" Thorin shouted at Bofur and Kili pulled him back towards the side of the mountain.

Rocks poured out like a waterfall, breaking away some of their walkway making the path narrower than ever. Eryns immediate fear was that the walkway beneath her would crumble as well. The ground shook stronger and the mountain began to split, causing a rift, separating them into two groups.

"Fili! Grab my hand!" Kili called as the ground was breaking between the two brothers. The look on Kili's face was agony as they were pulled apart.

"Hang on!" Eryn cried, as she reached for Fili from her position, grabbing hold of the back of his backpack so he didn't fall as the ground shook more violently than ever before. It became apparent what was happening, as they began to sway and lurch. They caught an unwelcome ride on a stone giant of their own.

It rose just in time to receive a sturdy head butt from the other Giant, causing it to fall backwards once again. Eryn clung to the side of the wall, her eyes clamped shut and her stomach in knots.

As they fell, the other leg contacted the remaining lip of their pathway, enabling the other party to leap off of the giant; Eryns group was not so lucky. Thorin's group watched in agony as the remaining party was thrust once again away from them.

They bobbed and swayed as they Giants fought; Eryn was in just as much awe as she was terrified. She thought hard for a moment what the outcome was in the story and remembered everyone getting out ok, but she forgot one small detail. There were more people on this ledge then there were supposed to be, she was an unexpected addition to the equation.

As the leg swung out once again, and their Giant was met with another impact. Whether with a fist or flying stone, Eryn wasn't sure, because Fili had slipped. Thankfully, she was close enough and saw it just in time to catch hold of his arm, throwing herself onto her stomach over what ledge they had left for leverage. Her shoulder groaned with pain, and her stomach hurt from being pressed onto the sharp stone. Eryn yelled, gathering whatever adrenaline her body could give her to hold him as they swung yet again towards an unknown destination; and he was heavy.

They swung past the others watching helplessly from the side of the mountain. She could hear the faint shouts of the adjacent party as they yelled and Thorin screamed to them, "Hold on!"

Thankfully, with just moments to spare, along with Bilbo and Dwalin's additional strength, they reached down and grabbed Fili, helping her pull him up as their Giant lost the battle and its head. It had fallen and incidentally, so where they, towards the mountain beside them.

The impact flung them forward and onto the large lip on the side of the mountain.

They all simply laid there for a moment, tangled up and out of breath. The adrenaline was still coursing through Eryn as she huffed and stared up at the cloudy sky. She was unsure exactly where in the pile of dwarves she was, but she was closest to Dwalin, Fili and Ori. Dwalin grabbed her hand and gave it a tight squeeze, though Eryn did not look over towards him. She was locked in a really good stare into oblivion. Fili, leaned his head back on her shoulder as well, huffing or laughing, Eryn wasn't sure.

Thorin rounded the corner shouting for his nephew, stopping when he set his eyes on the pile before him. Eryn broke her stare only to see that he had looked more relieved than she had ever seen him. A smile broke across his face and he shook his head.

"It's all right! They're alive!" Gloin called and Kili pushed around the corner to find his brother.

"Where's Bilbo?" Bofur asked, as he rose. "Where's the Hobbit?!" he looked around urgently.

Eryn snapped out of her trance, looking around frantically for the Hobbit.

There poor Bilbo was, hanging from the side of the cliff. "Bilbo!" Bofur cried again.

Bilbo hung there, eyes wide and filled with fear. His feet swam to grip onto anything, but the rock was too slick, he slipped.

"Get him!" Thorin commanded as Ori dove for Bilbo's hand, but he was only moments too late. Bilbo fell, thankfully caught himself on another small cleft in the side of the mountain. Eryn dove down as well, extending her hand hoping for it to magically reach, but it didn't. She looked over helplessly as the Hobbit hung there, terror in his eyes.

"Grab my hand!" Bofur called, reaching out to Bilbo, but he was too far down.

Everyone yelled and fussed, but it was Thorin of all people to throw himself over the side of the cliff after him. He held onto the edge of the cliff as he lowered himself, extending his hand to Bilbo. He pulled the hobbit up with ease and shoved him upwards to Bofur and Ori. Right as he let go of Bilbo and shifted his grip to climb back up, he slipped as well. Dwalin's arm shot out like a snake, catching him. Thankfully Eryn was close enough to help Dwalin lift Thorin from the side of the cliff. He was significantly heavier than Fili. Eryn gripped his hand, surprised that Thorin even took it, but she was thankful.

"Can you Durins keep off of sides of cliffs from now on?" Eryn gave a labored laugh and an exhausted smile as she sat back into the side of the mountain, releasing his hand.

He gave her a diagonal nod and rose. He stood to lean against the side of the rock, catching his breath.

"I thought we lost our Burglar." Dwalin said relieved, leaning back into the mountain next to Eryn, breathing heavily he placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a firm nod.

"He's been lost ever since he left home." Thorin chided, Bilbo looked up at him in disbelief. "He should have never come. He has no place amongst us." He turned and walked forward on the path. "Dwalin!" He called, jerking his head, motioning for Dwalin to follow. Dwalin rose quickly and followed behind, but not before giving him a somber look.

They all exchanged looks and rose to follow Thorin deeper into the mountain. Eryn was hoping for one moment to breath, but they were up again and chasing after moody-mcgrumpy pants. Thankfully that chase was one that yielded something useful, Thorin had found a cave. Eryn sighed with relief when she saw it.

"It looks safe enough." Dwalin said as he looked at the cave once over.

"Search the back." Thorin commanded. "Caves in the mountain are seldom unoccupied."

Balin found a lamp that was left at the mouth of the cave, lit it and handed it to his brother. Dwalin walked all the way to the back in search of any additional company, once he was satisfied, he reported back.

"There's nothing here." he affirmed.

"Right then!" Gloin said, dropping some wood in a pile he had found as well. "Let's get a fire started." He rubbed his hands together and Eryn's heart rejoiced at the thought of being warm and possibly dry.

"No. No fires. Not in this place." Thorin informed. "Get some sleep, we start at the first light." And he began removing the equipment from his person.

"We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us." Balin informed Thorin. "That was the plan" His mouth set in a hard line; he was visibly displeased.

"Plans change." Thorin informed Balin and he stared back, concern set deep in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if he was to say something, but Thorin spoke first.

"Bofur, you take the first watch." He commanded, Bofur merely nodded silently. The disappointment was clear on his face.

Eryn looked around and noticed that nobody looked at Thorin, they looked disappointed, even upset. Eryn wasn't sure if it was because they didn't want to leave at first light, or if it was because of his unfair treatment of Bilbo. She watched as he retreated to the mouth of the cave before she threw her bag down, next to Bilbo's things. Everyone noticed her obvious frustration and watched as she strode out of the cave after Thorin.

Eryn's grandfather always said that she was 'wilder than a tornado in a corn field' when something riled her up, thankfully that was a rare occasion. She had lost that spark for quite some time, but every once in a while, something happened that made her burst. Unfortunately for Thorin, this was one of those rare occasions.

"What the hell was that?" Eryn demanded, hot on Thorin's heels.

"What do you mean woman?" He spun around; offence set deep into his brow.

"With Bilbo! That was unfair and you know it! What did he do that was so wrong hu?" Eryn said bowing up before him, his harsh stare bore deep into her hard-set cognac eyes.

"He almost got himself and my people killed, he has been nothing but a hindrance" Thorin spat.

"And how about me?!" She challenged. "I nearly dangled off a cliff today, once to help you. How do you intend to chastise me?"

"It is not the same and I do not intend to chastise you," He broke away from her stare and looked downward, almost as if he was embarrassed. "I intend to thank you. I saw what you did for Fili. I am in your debt. Whatever you want, speak it, it is yours." He looked at her now, his eyes softened.

"I want you to apologize to Bilbo!" She began, but decided against it. It was no apology at all if he did it out of requirement. "No. You know what, no. I don't want you apologizing unless you actually have a shred of remorse for what you did." Eryn wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. "Besides, I don't want anything from you." His eyes hardened again, and his mouth set into a hard line. "Your pride and selfish disdain is what will lead you to a very lonely life, Thorin. You'll die alone and you'll have no one to blame but yourself." Eryn murmured, she closed her eyes and shook her head.

"How do you mean?" Thorin hissed, "Speak woman!" and he placed his hands on her shoulders firmly. Eryn flinched away from him. He saw the momentary flash of fear in her eyes and lowered his hands slowly, fear growing in his own. He didn't intend to frighten her.

"I'm not telling you a thing." Eryn whispered; her voice broke but it was firm. "Now let me walk away and I will consider your debt repaid. I already told you, I don't want anything from you." She shot her eyes downward, examining her shoes.

Thorin slowly stepped away from her, nodding his head in agreement. Eryn nodded in return, turned on her heels and retreated into the cave.

Everyone once again looked conveniently busy when she walked in. She looked down toward her shoes and made her way to where she left her pack.

She noticed her bed roll was put out for her and both Balin and Dwalin were sitting on either side of her bed.

"That was a very brave thing you did, lass." Balin affirmed, Dwalin nodded in agreement.

"What was?" Eryn said, shaking from the chill of the cave and her damp clothes. She decided to strip off the jackets and first tunic, as well as her extra trousers, giving her a little less to cling to.

"Helping Thorin, and his Kin. As well as standing up for Bilbo." Balin answered, smiling his cheeky smile.

"You heard that?" Eryn groaned, pulling her knees up to her chest and placing her forehead on them. It was a poor attempt at hiding.

"Aye, few times have I seen Thorin speechless." Dwalin chuckled. "We're proud of you lass. The Hobbit too. Not many can endure that with the boldness ye did." He nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You sure put in work today. At the rate we were going, I thought you were going to be pulling everyone up from that cliff today." Eryn teased Dwalin.

He shook his head. "I saw you pulling your weight today as well. You pulled as many people off that cliff as I." He nodded his head in approval.

"Hardly, I didn't do much. I wish I could have done more really." Eryn admitted.

"You stuck your neck out for my kin, you were more than a comrade today, dear." Balin said as Dwalin reached into his pack and pulled out a small dagger. He spun it in his hands for a few moments and then he handed it to Eryn. "Here lass. I know you don't have a sword, or the means to learn how to use one right now. I want you to have it, in case you ever need it."

Eryn took it, the cool metal felt heavy in her tired hands.

"Do you know how to use it?" He asked as she examined the blade.

"Use the pointy end?" Eryn teased, causing Dwalin to stare at her void of humor, Balin thought it was funny at least. "I'm just joking, eh?" He still didn't laugh. "I took fencing lessons for a while, so I'm familiar with the basic strikes and technique. But I have no idea how to wield a sword-sword." She admitted.

"I'll teach you the basics tomorrow." Dwalin Promised.

"Get some rest. You'll feel better in the morning." Balin said, also patting her on the shoulder.

They both laid down on their bedrolls and were asleep within minutes, Eryn however, laid there for some time, her muscles tense and her eyes burned with tears that threatened to escape. She was cold, the sand stuck to her wet shirt. Her feet hurt, she forgot to take her shoes off but was too tired and sore now to sit up and remove them. Her shoulder ached from holding Fili for what felt like an hour, and she was overwhelmed with exhaustion. She was too tired to sleep, so she just laid there for a while before the soft whispers turned to a lull of snores and heavy breathing.

The cave was tight, but they made it work, though there was barely a walkway down the middle of the rows of dwarves. Everyone was sprawled out and tightly packed.

Just as Eryn was about to fall asleep, she heard a faint rustling towards the front of the cave, she turned on her side to see Bilbo had risen and was cinching his belt to his waist. Eryn moved to sit up, every muscle in her back screamed, when she heard someone else notice Bilbo too.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bofur whispered, startling Bilbo.

"Back to Rivendel." He said with a firm nod.

"No, no! You can't turn back now, eh?" Bofur rose, "You're part of the company. You're one of us."

"I'm not, though, am I?" Bilbo challenged. "Thorin said I should never have come, and he was right." Bilbo shrugged. Eryn instinctively turned her eyes to Thorin, who was also awake, listening, the two locked eyes and Eryn raised her eyebrows giving him a chastising look. "I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins, I don't know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door." He planted his walking stick firmly into the sand. Thorin looked downward, regret settled into his brow.

"You're homesick, I understand." Bofur said, sympathetic.

"No! No, no you don't understand! None of you do, you're Dwarves!" He exclaimed, waving his hands about. "You're used to this life, living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere!" At those words, Bofur's face fell, the joy lost in his eyes and Bilbo realized what he had said. "Oh, I am sorry, I didn't-" he started, but the damage had been done, he cleared his throat, casting his gaze downward, pursing his lips. Eryn looked on, debating if she needed to get up and say something.

Bofur merely nodded. "No, you're right." he turned and looked at the cramped cave full of Dwarves. "We don't belong anywhere." He sighed, turning back to look at a remorseful Hobbit. Thorin, Eryn noticed, looked wounded as well. "I wish you all the luck in the world." He smiled finally, reaching out to grip Bilbo's shoulder in parting. "I really do." Bilbo smiled and returned the parting gesture.

It was when Bilbo turned to leave that Bofur spotted a mysterious glow from Bilbo's sword. "What's that?"

Bilbo looked down, and slowly pulled his dagger from its sheath, looking up unsettled and afraid

At the sight of the blue glow, Eryn bolted upright, she had forgotten about one very crucial thing. Goblins.