Fandom: The Hobbit

Summary: A stubborn headed ranger joins the company unaware of the treasure she is about to find.

Pairings: FilixOC ThorinxBilbo

Chapter warnings: mention of death

Chapter Seven

Fili and Arabelle began straightening their clothes, looking as though they were children caught sneaking a sweet treat past bedtime "Was wondering if you might know if a wizard Gandalf is about these parts?" The brown wizard politely asked, seemingly unaware of what he had interrupted.

"You are in the right place, just up that hill." Arabelle pointed up the hill and the man tipped his hat, releasing a bird at the same time. "We should go see what that is all about."

"Belle can we speak?" Fili grasped her wrist, the entire thing fitting in his hand she looked back to him as she wondered if he would waste their time trying to swear her to secrecy, or would he make sure she knew this to be nothing more than attraction, or as Fili had put it; practice.

"Oi you two come on we need to find the ponies!" Nori called out from above them, stopping any further conversation.

"Radagast I'd like to introduce you to Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf was making polite introductions that Thorin cared little for, instead asking "Can you help us with some horses?"

"You have a mighty fine horse, pretty girl." Radagast cooed at Eryn who was the only horse to remain after the Trolls captured half and spooked the others, she whinnied in response to his compliment.

"Yes, but that is just one horse and we need more." Thorin sighed with exhaustion as Radagast began counting those in the company; Thorin's face dropping as he realised this wizard was as helpful as his current one.

"We could find some in Rivendell." Arabelle noted.

"I will not travel to the home of those pointy eared-" Thorin might have continued his rant but Arabelle interrupted "Watch your insults, I consider many elves friends." Arabelle's eyes narrowed, she was over Thorin's blatant hate for any but his own. She wondered if dwarves were more accepting then perhaps Fili would see her as something more.

"The elves are no friends of dwarves."

"Yet I know that to be false, I have heard stories of friendships between the two. The very Doors of Durin were made in such friendship, yet you take one offense and make it a reason to have discord with an entire race."

"The turning away of my people is more than just insult!" Thorin argued and the dwarves jeered him on.

"That's enough! I am so over the stupidity of dwarves. The lot of you need to see further than your own pricks and realise something beyond your own selfish pride." She had begun a tirade of curses but had been cut short by one very distinct howl; wargs.

"I can distract them!" Radagast seemed all too pleased to be leaving as the others waited at the outskirts of the field, a field Arabelle knew well she smirked as she would enjoy the moment Thorin would see their destination.

"Run!" Gandalf hurried them to the first boulder, Arabelle beside Bilbo with Thorin just in front of them he kept a hand on Bilbo's chest scolding the halfling for trying to run too early.

It was a mad race after the first warg fell alerting the others to their location, they sprinted to follow Gandalf as Arabelle effortlessly climbed a boulder to release a few arrows before jumping down to join them; it almost seemed she was enjoying herself. Finally, Gandalf began to lead them into the secret passage which would shield them as no evil could pass through the magical barrier. As the dwarves began to file down the opening Arabelle watched as Fili looked to her before Thorin pushed him in and yelled for Kili who had remained with her shooting down their approaching enemy. She barked at him to go and though reluctant he retreated. She continued to back up releasing arrows to the last moment, she turned to see Thorin waiting for her, arms motioning her to run. That is when she saw the creature coming from above him, ready to pounce she yelled for him to jump as she used her last arrow to kill the rider whose sword aimed for Thorin's head. Thorin disappearing into the ground Arabelle swung around to see the circling pack of wargs. Arabelle had often thought of battle as just another dance and while some fathers would teach their daughters to twirl around a room her father had taught her how to draw blood. She began to count in her head.

One; feet apart. Two; ready sword. Three; wait. Four; duck. Five; strike. Six; swing. Seven; strike. Eight; breathe. And repeat.

Each sequence gained traction, each breath becoming harder. Until finally bang! The conclusion to her dance. A spike ball to her shoulder blade had her reeling for the ground, she could hear the clambering of the dwarves trying to make it back up to her but once in the tunnel none could get out. She thought she could perhaps make it to the edge, roll herself in, but it became clear her shoulder was not just dislocated. Pain shuddered through her body as blood trickled down her arm, vision fading as she uselessly clasped her sword unable to swing it. Death had been a familiar concept to her. She had met death on her very first day when her mother passed bringing her into the world, her father's death witness when she was not even fifteen, she had lost uncles and cousins in every manner possible. She had accepted it long ago it would be her fate to die an early death and join her family. She had been close too. In the past she had taken injuries, faced enemies twice her number and size, yet for the first time in a long time she felt it; fear. Clutching at her smaller hand blade, her heart hammered against her chest, breath ragged as her eyes widened realising, she wished to live. Her vision was scattered with black the wargs approaching slowly knowing her dead, she wanted to move but her body no longer listened. As her vision faded to black, her mind drifted to Fili for she wished to live if only to see him once more and a part of her yearned to know if he felt the same.

—

Fili had been clambering up the slope, his voice beginning to break from his screams and yet every time he would near the edge and invisible force pushed him back down. His brother softening the blows each time Kili would catch him, until they were both beaten and bruised. Eventually when all the sounds from above stopped his brother held him. A silence fell amongst them all, Dwalin was the first to speak ushering everyone into the tunnel he led the way until it was only the royal family left behind; Fili's breath was still ragged as he looked to his uncle.

"You left her." He accused softly, drained from all strength, all hope.

"I-I had no choice." Thorin tried to defend himself, though his mind began to doubt.

"You had a choice!" Fili launched for him, Kili holding his brother back pleading for him to stop.

"Fili you weren't up there, you don't know." Bilbo whose presence had gone unnoticed spoke up, tears in his eyes at the loss of his friend "The elves would have helped her, she is their friend they would have saved her."

"If she is gone." Fili's voice stopped, he took a calming breath before pulling his hand through his royal braid, removing the bead Thorin had recently given him he forced it into Thorin's hand, levelling his eyes to meet his.

"I am travelling to Rivendell to find her. I intend to make her my wife. I do not care that I will be exiled. And if she is gone…I never want to see you again."