A.N. Been crazy sick this last week, thankfully with just a cold, but I haven't been able to get anything done. Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Reviews and comments would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

Thorin sat on the edge of a boulder, hair dripping on his shoulders, and down his back. The cold water had done his spinning head good, but left him with nagging guilt and frustration. He had gone back to the feast with Kili long enough to drink a glass of water, then went and dunked his head in the creek.

"The lass came back to the feast,"

There was no need to turn; he'd known it was Dwalin before his friend had spoken. He gave a grunt to let him know he'd heard him. Waiting to say more, Dwalin sat next to him, and took a look at the wet state of Thorin's hair and shirt.

"She seemed a bit out of sorts,"

Another grunt. So was he.

"What did ye do?"

Thorin sighed, unable to get even a little angry at the implication. "I cornered her, and kissed her,"

Dwalin let out a low sigh of his own. "I cannot say I am surprised. Anyone with eyes and a brain can see how wound up the lass has made ye,"

"Perfect," Thorin groaned.

"Well, neither of ye tried to hide how ye were eyeing each other earlier tonight. At least ye know she was willing to kiss ye,"

"That almost makes it worse," he rubbed his eyes, wishing for the peace of inebriation.

Dwalin studied him a moment. "Never, in all my time knowing ye, have I seen a female of any kind get so deep under yer skin,"

"I know. It has been driving me mad," more so than he'd ever acknowledged. "Perhaps I could have kept ignoring it if we had not been forced to stay here so long,"

"I'd say it was only a matter of time," Dwalin said with a chuckle, but then grew serious. "Have ye considered that she may be- "

"I can't, Dwalin. A tale like that can have no happy ending," a wave of emotion flooded over him, robbing him of his voice for a moment. "She is a daughter of Man from another world, and I am fated to die in a few months. Even if I sought out a relationship, we could never be together past this quest,"

"She may decide to stay, and none of us are just going to lie down and let ye die. Perhaps ye shouldn't give up so easily,"

Thorin raised a brow. "Are you suggesting I throw caution to the wind, and take her as my wife?"

"Easy. One baby step at a time. Ye need to bed her first," Dwalin had to jump from the rock to avoid the punch Thorin aimed at him. However, as they both knew it was a joke, Thorin chuckled, and allowed Dwalin to return to the boulder.

"Thank you, my friend, but I believe it would be best to concern ourselves with reaching the mountain alive. Accomplishing that will take all of the concentration we have,"

"Yer probably right," Dwalin agreed. "That being said, if ye find some 'opportunities,' I wouldn't waste them. As ye said, yer supposed to die soon,"

This time, Thorin's fist found its mark, but when that didn't seem like enough punishment, he shoved Dwalin into the water, and hurried back to the feast before revenge could be enacted. By the time he got there, Danica had already gone back to bed. That was probably for the best, though he needed to start addressing her as Miss MacKay again. They would both need that formal wall to make it through the quest. He remained with the others for a little while longer, and then decided to get some rest as well.

Though he slept well into the morning, Thorin felt anything but rested. His dreams had been filled with Miss MacKay, and the woman who had betrayed him. In the dream, Miss MacKay had also turned against him, hurt by his sudden formality. She had come riding in on Smaug, and looked on coldly while he burned. The dream plagued him as he packed, and checked on the rest of the Company after running an errand. Some were sporting the remnants of a hangover, but were excited to continue the quest. A sense of purpose once again filled them.

Afternoon was beginning to wane when Thorin made his way to the small study. They would be meeting Elrond once the sun went down, and he wanted Miss MacKay there as well. As he had suspected, she was there, sitting in her normal window seat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gilraen walking way in the other direction.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Just like the first time he'd found her there, she jumped at the sound of his voice. She rubbed a hand over her face, then looked at him. By the sheen of dampness that lingered on her cheeks, he knew she'd been crying. He felt gutted.

"Yes, sorry. Just wanted to spend one last minute here. It's such a peaceful spot for me, and I doubt I'll ever see it again,"

It was a reminder that she would likely return to her world once the quest was finished. For a moment, Thorin had no words. Then, knowing it had to be done, he cleared his throat to speak.

"Miss MacKay, about last night…"

"It's alright," she slid from her perch and faced him. He could see now that she was wearing traveling clothes. Not the normal frock that a woman might wear, but tunic, vest, animal hide leggings and riding boots. "You don't need to say anything. There was a lot of alcohol consumption, and now is the time to return to the quest. Last night doesn't need to change anything,"

But it had. It had changed everything. However, he could see her pleading with him to let it go. It didn't sit right with him at all, but he nodded.

"Very well. We will be meeting with Lord Elrond soon, and I thought you should be there," his voice sounded strangely distant even to his own ears.

"Thank you," Miss MacKay said. "That way I can see if anything is different from what I remember,"

They walked out together, a silent understanding passing between them. Neither of them could forget the events of the previous night, nor could they continue acting upon it.

"I am sorry," he said softly, hoping she would understand at least a little of what was behind those words.

She sighed deeply, regretfully. "Me too,"

All she understood was that the moment in the alcove had been a mistake. Gilraen had warned her to be careful, and she hadn't. Now her heart was aching painfully in her chest. After her husband had died, she'd been unsure if she could ever love again. Of course she had to go and fall for someone she could never have, not to mention someone who would never feel as deeply as she did. She hadn't let him speak earlier, knowing she couldn't bear to hear his rejection. In truth, she never would have expected him to kiss her in the first place. Everything would have been fine if he hadn't, and she could have gone on carrying her pathetic little torch in secret. Perhaps Fili and Gilraen had been right about him reciprocating her feelings, and she'd just been blind. She didn't want that. For if that were the case, then Gilraen's final warning would be all the worse.

"They will not all make it," she had said, eyes somber and sympathetic. "You came here to undo the damage done by another. It is not your destiny to change life and death,"

It was the same message she'd heard while traveling between worlds. "I have to try,"

Gilraen had sighed, and squeezed Danica's hand. "I know, and I am truly sorry,"

There seemed to be a lot of apologies going around. Still, Danica would miss the presence of another woman, particularly one with whom she shared so much understanding. The road ahead now seemed not just perilous, but bleak as well. She knew she would have to shake the depression off sooner rather than later, but couldn't manage it in that moment. Thankfully, Thorin said nothing else, and they were quickly joined by Balin, Bilbo, Fili, Kili, and John. It was easier to smile for the others, and she was soon able to put her mind back on the quest.

Once the moon had risen, Elrond had them all gather in his study. No large crystal was needed, apparently. He held the map up to the moon so that the silvery light shown through the back.

"'Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks,'" he read, "'and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole,'"

"Is that it?" Thorin questioned. When Elrond nodded, Thorin looked at Danica and John. "Does that sound like what you know?"

Danica nodded, while John shrugged.

"Honestly, I hadn't remembered much about that,"

"What is Durin's Day?" Bilbo asked.

"The first day of the dwarves' New Year," Danica replied.

Thorin looked at her, eyes almost sad, then turned to Bilbo to elaborate on her answer. "It is when the last sun and moon of autumn share the sky," he looked at Elrond. "Is there any more writing?"

"None to be seen by this moon," Elrond replied, returning the map to Thorin. "I hope it will be enough for you to be successful,"

They all went down to the gate, where the rest of the Company was waiting. Fili had been good enough to bring Danica's pack and spear from her room, and had loaded her horse. Both Gilraen and Estel were there as well. Danica embraced the other woman, desperately wishing she could see her again. All too soon, the farewells had been said, and they mounted their steeds. Shadow seemed just as eager as the dwarves to get back on the road. The horses would have to be sent back once the mountain pass grew too treacherous, but Danica didn't want to think about parting from Shadow just yet.

Estellia went a little way ahead of them, likely checking to see if the road was safe from ambush. Everyone remained quiet that first night, keeping their ears alert for signs of attack. It was tense and sleepless, finally making way for a clear, and much anticipated dawn. With the light, the Company was able to relax. No enemy in sight for as far as they could see. For a couple of days, traveling remained fairly pleasant, and they almost forgot about the dangers both ahead and behind. They rode along to warm, fair days, and continued training at night. Danica enjoyed the pattern, some of her peace and happiness returning. So long as she stayed away from Thorin.

They hadn't spoken, or even looked at each other since Rivendell. He left her training to John, Fili, and Dwalin. She was sure the others noticed the sudden, chilly distance between them, but were wise enough to leave it alone. Well, except for John, Fili, and Kili. They cornered her one night during training.

"So, why aren't you and Thorin on speaking terms anymore?" John began, wiping some sweat from his brow.

"A good question," Fili followed. "It had seemed as though you two had finally gotten over your differences,"

Danica wracked her brain for a plausible answer. "We both just enjoyed spending time in the same study. It was a good place to read," that sounded casual enough.

Kili raised a doubtful brow. "Sure, it seemed like more than that to me. You two were thick as thieves,"

It was Danica's turn to raise a brow. "An exaggeration," she scoffed, parrying a few blows from Fili.

"Sorry, Dani, but I have to side with Kili," John grinned, dodging the thrust Kili sent his way.

"You two did appear quite comfortable in each other's arms during the midsummer celebration," Fili pointed out with a wink.

So flushed was she from exertion that Danica couldn't tell if she blushed or not. She did plant her spear, and put the other hand on her hip.

"Ok, what is this? Are the three of you trying to play matchmaker?"

"Just observing what's already there," John said, sharing a mischievous look with his co-conspirators.

"Well, don't. There is nothing to observe, and the rules for that kind of…fraternization have been made clear," beginning to get frustrated, she picked up her spear, and began another match with Fili.

"Come on, Dani, you cannot deny- "

"I can deny anything I want," she ground out, swinging hard at his legs. "All that matters is making sure this quest is successful,"

Fili stepped back, clearly finished fighting, so Danica went for John. Kili's voice came softly from behind her.

"But don't you think- "

"No!" with a yell and particularly vicious hit, she disarmed John. It was the first time she'd been able to manage it, but couldn't take any pleasure in the accomplishment. "No buts. There is nothing to this. So please, just drop it,"

Dangerously close to crying, she walked away, still remaining within sight of the Company, but keeping her back to them. She knew she would have to apologize, and that they would likely do the same, but she needed the peace of being alone. As alone as she could be, anyway. She could feel the weight of many pairs of eyes on her, and couldn't help wondering if Thorin's were among them.

"Come on, Dani, we're just concerned for you," John was the first brave soul to approach.

"I know," she sighed. "But I need to forget about it,"

He stood beside her, taking her hand in his. "Can you forget?"

"No," her voice broke, but she squeezed her eyes against tears. No more crying. "But I have to try and move on,"

"Come here," he opened his arms and pulled her into a hug. "Ya know, I've had a bit of a thing for you since we first met,"

"Really?"

His laugh vibrated against where her cheek rested on his chest.

"Yeah, but I learned pretty quickly that it was hopeless,"

"Hopeless is a good word for all of this," she tilted her head back, looking at him in the moonlight. "I'm sorry John,"

He gave a good-natured shrug. "Don't worry your pretty little head over it. This is good enough for me,"

They were soon joined by Fili and Kili, who apologized profusely, before also hugging her, effectively crushing her between the three of them. Spirits lifted, Danica led them back to the camp site. As Fili braided her hair before bed, and Bilbo told her some stories of his family, she knew that her heart would be alright. She also knew that she had to do everything possible to keep them all alive. Either she would succeed, or die trying.