Welcome back my lovelies! I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's a deep one, setting things up to come...

Thanks again for the f/f: SilverleafShadow & ro781727

I always love getting reviews, it makes my day x

I only own little Todd.

Chapter 31 – Mahal Made

"Don't it feel good to be on the move again, aye lads?" Nori chuckled as they waited for Thorin to pull Gandalf away from Beorn so they could set off. The company had gotten up at the break of dawn, before the first rays of sunlight had even really made it through the windows. The pale blue hue of light had drifted in as they readied their packs and weapons, glittering almost as it caught the dust in the air. They all stood astride their ponies, beautiful white and black creatures who were chewing the bountiful grass as the Company waited. They were huddled on the outskirts of the cops of trees behind Beorns home.

Todd had been the first to be awake, a nightmare of all consuming flames on a wooden town, and an eye forever watching her from the fire making her wake in a fright. She had taken herself off to one side away from where she had been sleeping between Bilbo and Kili and did the breathing technique Bilbo had suggested. She forced her mind over the company and all the memories and funny times they had shared. She had soon calmed down and set to getting herself ready to take her mind of the ever-present itch.

She had noticed as well that Beorn had been sat at his large table upon her waking. He had kept a solemn eye cast to her as she had gone through her new process of calming down. She had to admit, he completely unnerved her now. She had done a complete full circle, of being wary to being comfortable, and now back to being conscious of him. He had really put the wind up her tale. His words stills cared her, and she couldn't shake them, because a apart of her believed him, believed that it could happen. That she could be turned to darkness, that it would consume her.

Now they were all getting restless, packs full of provisions and their weapons all back to working order. They were chatting amongst themselves as Gandalf spoke in secret with Beorn off to one side of by the house. They had looked very serious, Beorn had even thrown a few glances over towards Todd which she had vehemently ignored and turned away from. Opting to speak to Bilbo who had made it his next mission to keep her mind off what the huge man had scared her with.

"Oh.. and lass of course!" Nori added, as he moved his pony in line with Todds, she raised her eye brows to him.

"Thank you kind Sir, I am very excited!" She smiled as warmly as she could. "We just need to get going now, I'm feeling restless."

"Aye, I hear you lass" Dwalin gruffly nodded from further up the group. "The sooner we're off, the better"

"Your Axes are looking in good nic, Dwalin!" Todd smiled warmly to him, offering him a compliment, which was completely true. The newly shined and sharpened axes were glistening in the early morn sunlight. Although they looked pristine, they had that edge to them that only a weapon that had seen many battles had. Now, Dwalin didn't outwardly hate her like he used to, now it was more of a reluctant acceptance, and she was very glad for it. Though she knew it could be better, therefore she took the chance to offer him kind words that she knew would mean a lot to him. Complimenting Dwarrows on their weapons, especially when that Dwarrow was skilled in the Warcraft of said weapon, is seen as an offering of great respect. The gruff Dwarves eyes widened at her before he broke into a beaming grin.

"Why thank you lassie, took my time with them, and it shows I think!" He puffed out his chest. Balin smiling warmly at his Brother. "I see you gave a little love and attention to your blades also!"

"Oh yes, last night I sat down with Bifur's whet stone for a while, they're not perfect and I should have spent more time on them, but it's a step in the right direction!" Todd smiled warmly as she instinctively moved to thumb the tassels.

They went back to their idle chatting as Thorin pulled Gandalf away from Beorn, who turned and stalked up in to the woods behind his house. Todd watched with nervous eyes as the hulking man disappeared between the leaves of the trees, not even giving them a second thought. Gandalf strode up to his larger horse and spared no time in jumping on and urging it forward.

Todd let her eyes sweep back over the house that they had taken refuge in the last few days. It had been the perfect place in the end for the lot of them to regroup and take a breather. They had been running for so long, days and days at a time, even with Todd being injured. It had taken a lot out of them. Therefore it had been a great relief to learn that they would be staying for another night. Although everyone was eager to get gone, to be moving ever closer to the Lonely Mountain. The extra night within the safety of Beorns home had been just what they needed to catch that bit more rest. She soaked it all in, the way the home almost moulded out from the ground at the front and into morphed into the woodlands behind it. She let her eyes fall over all the tools and pots and plants that Beorn had obviously taken time to cultivate.

"We leave now, Beorn will follow behind us, give us a chance if those Wargs catch our scent!" Gandalf supplied, Thorin nodding quickly as he too mounted his pony and urged it up in line with the wandering wizards. "It's a two days ride at best, so best be on our way"

"We're off then Bilbo, you ready?" Todd breathed as she turned away from the rugged wild home, and looked to her Hobbit.

"Oh yes, when am I never ready?" He rolled his eyes and they both gently nudged their ponies on, falling in line behind Bifur and Bofur.

"You were ready on that hill side, before the eagles came… don't sell yourself short!" She scolded him playfully. She wanted him to know that he had shown real bravery that day. The company set off at a fast trot, everyone falling into line with each other.

"Mr Boggins, you're a warrior now, don't forget it!" Kili announced from just behind them. Kili and Fili rode up till they were either side of Bilbo, whose face had taken on a mock thunderous expression at the use of the lads nick name for him. Todd couldn't help but chuckle behind her hand.

"Don't you laugh, you'll make it worse!" Bilbo moaned at Todd, glancing round Kili to do so.

"What me?" She played along and mocked hurt and shock. The lads smirking at the act. "Boy's, I think Master Boggins is trying to assassinate my character!" She swooned.

"We will have none of that you rascal!" Fili chided Bilbo, placing his hands on his hips trying to look forthright. From all his parading about trying to look as serious as his Uncle, he couldn't help but forget to hide the youthful spark that lit up his face when he joined in with the general tomfoolery of the group.

"Apologise to our Beautiful Lady!" Kili scolded, his words making Todd blush a deep rose colour which in turn made Fili wink to her. Kili's loud and exuberant voice drawing the attention of those around them. Todd was minutely aware of Bofur and Bifur turning to watch. Ori chuckled from somewhere behind them.

"Please accept my deepest apologies my wonderful and most kind-hearted Todd" Bilbo bowed his head to her, a wide smile on his face.

"You are forgiven…" She beamed to him carried away from the happiness falling like a blanket over the itch in the back of her head. This was the kind of distraction she needed, that Bilbo knew she needed. Which was probably why he had carried on the joke instead of going off in a huff. "… Master Boggins!"

That had the group of them laughing away with each other, with Bilbo in the middle rolling his eyes good naturedly as they went on.

Todd let her eyes drift over to Bofur, catching him with a frown on his face turning back away from her, they had hardly talked since they had slept so close with each other. It had been a bold step for her, to have him so close, basically touching. She remembered how warm it had felt to be next to him, how comfortable she felt, and even though she had suffered a minor nightmare, it was as good a night's sleep as she had had in a long time. She wished that they could have slept like that their last night in Beorn's, but Todd had settled in before Bofur had opted to sleep over with his cousin, therefore Kili and Bilbo had filled the spaces surrounding her.

She remembered his face as she had passed him when he had been talking to Thorin, how his eyes met hers and fell away, completely lacking the twinkle they usually held.

They hadn't even spoken today yet, which was very peculiar. Usually they would sit and chat with their breakfast, and then spend the day walking together and enjoying each others company. She was feeling at a loss, and she new that Bilbo would be attached to her hip after seeing her so shook up the night before, Mahal bless him. Sighing, she let her eyes fall to the tree line around them.

She was strong enough now to be out there scouting, but after what Beorn had said about staying in her second skin, she was very nervous to shift back again. Apparently, Kili said, Beorn had thought it was so important he had strode into his house and up to Gandalf and Thorin the night after their talk and told them that under no circumstances was she allowed to shift until after they had passed through Mirkwood. Thorin had looked taken aback, yet after some hushed words with Gandalf he had nodded and let that permanent scowl take over his features.

After a long while, when the sun had reached its highest point in the sky, she excused herself and urged her pony up ahead to Thorin. Determined to prove that even though she wasn't going to shift to her first skin, she was still an asset to the group.

"Thorin, I would like to pull a head and track the tree line if that's ok with you?" She asked, her King eyeing her thoughtfully. He glanced behind him back at the Company, then his eyes were boring into hers again.

"You may, but any sign of trouble and you're back here warning us all, understood?" He demanded. "No shifting!"

"Yes, my King!" She bowed slightly, and set off.

"Why the long face?" Bilbo asked as he settled his pony beside Bofur. The company had broken for lunch, passing food between each other, Todd had even popped back to grab some bread before heading off again. The company all seemed to be in high spirits, all because they were off and moving and making progress. None of them dared break the mood with talk or Warg's and orcs, and dark forests, that just let it roll off them, and they enjoyed the break in their journey as best they could. Thorin had barely let them finish chewing again before they had set off again.

"Aye, what's on your mind Brother?" Bombur added as he too rode beside Bofur. The usually smiling and happy dwarrow looked glum as the others chatted around him. He had made no move to join in or add any jokes to the mix, which was extremely unlike him.

"Just thinking over some things is all…" He supplied, trying to look less glum. Yet when he met Bilbo's eyes he could see the Hobbit raising an eyebrow to him.

"Is it to do with that chat with Thorin?" Bombur asked from his other side, Bofur immediately sighing, they knew his too well. Knowing that be was about to be questioned, and knowing that he couldn't hide things from his Brother, started to hang back to the back of the group. Bombur and Bilbo doing the same. A few of the dwarves gave them questioning glances, but carried on nonetheless. It wasn't unusual for those to seek some space every now and again.

"Oh, I meant to ask you about that as well…" Bilbo mumbled, nodding his head away.

"Well Lads, its ah…" Bofur started, pulling his hat off his head to give it a scratch, before shoving it back on. A notion that Bilbo had noticed his friend only did when he was lost for words. "… He asked me of my affections for the Lass… for Todd"

"He did?..." Bilbo gasped, thinking it a little shocking that Thorin of all people would fall to the need to know the ins and outs of his Companies personal lives. "…what did you say?"

"I hardly see how that is any of your business, let alone Thorins!" Bombur huffed, giving an eye of warning over to the Hobbit. Clearly feeling that his Brothers personal affections were his business only.

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it, you know that" Bilbo stuttered, holding his hands up in defence.

"Brother its ok, if Thorin has noticed, everyone will have" Bofur smirked, but it wasn't the usual smirk, it didn't reach his eyes at all. "Our quest doesn't exactly give the right secrecy for dwarven courting now does it!"

"Dwarven courting?" Bilbo asked, innocently, as he quite often did.

"Oh aye, it's all small gift giving and letter writing…" Bombur stated. "Took me eight gifts and thirty-five letters before my lady wife agreed to enter into an official courtship!"

"Oh, well that's a highly respectable way of going about things, I like it!" Bilbo smiled, still fond of the ideals of being respectable, for he knew he would be seen as far from it upon his return home to his beautiful and homely Shire.

"Aye, very.. So I suppose it comes to no surprise that in this situation my affections haven't been as well hidden as they should have been…" Bofur chuckled without mirth.

"Both of your affections!" Bilbo added.

Bofur looked to his friend then, eyeing the Hobbit wearily. He had been sure that the lass had been comfortable with him, yet he had no idea if she reciprocated his feelings. Yes, she had held his hand on her own accord, and she had allowed him to sleep next to her almost every night, she even let him bed down close enough for his to wrap his arm over her shoulder that first night that they had taken refuge in Beorns home. Not to mention the endearing habit she had of placing her fingers to his forehead when giving his thanks, or to reassure him. Something that was completely scandalous. Yet did she do it because she needed a friend, or was it because she felt the same as him. The quest was befuddling his mind, and mixing matters up even more. If he had met her back in Ered Luin, he would have sent her gift upon gift. He would have carved her intricate figures of beauty, and would have tried his hand at woven dwarvish jewellery. He couldn't do that here though, being on the road was no good for these situations.

"Come now, you really think that your feelings are one sided?" Bombur chortled from beside him, breaking him from his inner workings.

"Well…" He stammered.

"Anyone can see that Todd cares for you!" Bilbo added with a soft smile.

"Right you are, she practically comes to life whenever you're together, Brother" Bombur tried to bring his Brother round to the idea, and was by no means exaggerating either.

Bofur couldn't help but feel his chest tighten to the point where he had to hold his breath, for fearing his ribs would burst open. It hurt, and there was nothing he could do about it. The thought of Todd feeling that same way as him, well, it made him. He let his eyes drift over the wood line way before them, and spotted her pony in the far distance, trotting along, her wild fiery hair flying out behind her, she looked strong and imposing against the hues of green from the woods behind her. She looked like perfection to him, there was no doubt about that. His eyes fell away then, and glanced over at his King.

"Doesn't matter now…" His sentence failing, hands gripping the reigns to the pony tighter, his knuckles going white. He felt his heart weigh him down as the gravity of it all hit him. He even lost the colour to his cheeks.

"How could any of this not matter, Brother?" Bombur looked confused, where as before he was excited to be talking of the prospect of Bofur with a courtship on the horizon. Then he took in his Brothers now forlorn expression and the way that he had paled and turned almost sickly. It dawned on him then, and he felt a surge of sadness and anger. "… you're not considering, rejecting those feelings?"

"Rejecting his feelings?" Bilbo asked, confused as he looked between the frustrated look on Bombur to the defeated look on Bofur.

"It's a rare and special thing Bilbo lad, for a Dwarrow to meet his perfect match!" Bombur started, not just for the benefit of the oblivious Hobbit, but to make his Brother see sense. "We only love once, but our love is deep and fierce and lasts beyond a life time. Mahal our maker, creates us as halves, we can only ever love the Dwarrowdam Mahal makes for us, our One. Some dwarrows never find their One, and dedicate their life to their work."

"Ah I see, that is almost heartbreakingly beautiful…" Bilbo breathed.

"Some Dwarrows, although extremely rarely, reject the one that Mahal makes us, for reasons I could never ever comprehend. That love withers inside them you see, nothing good ever comes from it, if you ask me!" Bombur concluded with a huff.

"So If Todd is Bofurs One, and he rejects his feelings…" Bilbo wandered out loud.

"He will never find love in anyone else, Lad!"

Both then looked to Bofur who was trying to look up a head of them as if he wasn't listening. Yet they could tell that he was falling apart a little, by the defeated set of his shoulders and his deadly vice grip on the reigns. It would be the hardest decision of his life, and it would tear him up inside and potentially change him forever. It wasn't easy rejecting feelings, it took so much self control and years and years of separation. Which he couldn't have from Todd, not until they got to the mountain. His mind raced over what Thorin had told him, that she wouldn't be welcome by everyone, and what that would mean for her. Would she stay in the mountain, would she have to leave, and where would she go? Everything was just too much, too many factors to take into play, and he just couldn't get his head around it all.

"Do love her?" Bilbo asked, his eyes set on Bofur.

"I don't know lad… everything that I feel, is… was leading that way" Bofur stumbled over his words, pulling his hat from his head and letting it rest over his lap.

"Brother, are you willing to give her up? To close that door, not only for you but for her… never to open it again?" Bombur asked, reaching his rotund hand over to rest on his Brothers shoulder.

"What were Thorins reasons?" Came Bilbo's sudden question. The angry tone making the two Brothers look to him with shocked looks. They hadn't ever really seen the Hobbit angry since their tomfoolery in his Hobbit hole.

"You angry lad?" Bofur queried.

"Of course I am, what right does Thorin have to deny you both of your feelings for each other?" He scorned, his now eyes boring holes into the back of their King as he rode up front with no idea of the hatred trying to set him alight.

"He wants me to keep my distance, because he doesn't want her to become a distraction… but he also thinks she won't be welcomed by everyone else once we reclaim Erebor… and she doesn't know!" Bofur offloaded, feeling better now that others knew of what the King had asked of him.

"She doesn't know?" Bombur hissed the same time Bilbo's shocked voice breathed. "Won't be welcomed?"

"So you're going to distance yourself from her, without telling her why?" Bilbo asked, his eyes roaming the distance to find Todd, a worried look dawning over him. He cared for Todd, almost as if she were his family, they had just clicked and he knew it was mostly due to the fact that they were both the least liked and included in the Company, therefore it worked that they found the companionship they needed in each other. They egged each other on, that was how they were getting through the journey to the Lonely Mountain. He wanted to look out for her, just like how she had promised she would look out for him.

"He is my King, I can't disobey him!" Bofur sighed.

"I think you should tell her Brother, explain to her why"

"Or would that make it worse, her knowing that her King has taken her future away from her…" Bilbo mused out loud. All three of them settling into a dark and uncomfortable silence as they wallowed in the prospects of that Thorin wanted. "How would you feel?"