Hey everyone. I know I said two weeks, but guess what…My capstone project is done! Four years of hard work put to the test and I think I did pretty well. So while I agree that I shouldn't have waited this long to update, I'm afraid the time was well spent finishing studies.

However, this part is a little longer for your reading pleasure! Hopefully you will enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who favorited and followed! And a special thank you so much for your reviews. Every kind word is appreciated – and constructive criticism is welcome.

angel897 and lifes-death-bed – Thank you for the kind words and I hope you like this part!

chichi41 – I'm glad you like the flashbacks. Got a particular favorite?

Jhendoe – Sorry about that complications in RL, but I'm glad you like the subtlety. I really believe in the idea that you have to like someone before you love them and Thorin..can be a little rough in that department sometimes.

ro781727 – I know! I promised that I would go back and fix it and I will, just roll with me for a little bit longer. It shouldn't show up anymore, but I will have it fixed with proper explanation before they reach Beorn's house. If I don't – feel free to hit me with Mjolnir.

inperfection – I'm glad you liked Tauriel's father. This is the last we are going to see of him for the most part so I hope you like this chapter.

writingNOOB – Yep!

QueefCream – I wouldn't do that to you. I do, however, have plans…MUWAHAHA!

Everyone please be sure to check out QueefCream's story: Lians' Contingency. She recently completed it and is a really good read!

One of my reviewers is Lesliezin. I absolutely love her Thorin/OC story: A Shadowed Companion. All should read, it's fantastic and it's getting crazy.

I want to give a shout out to JensPen (previously JMac322). She has just started the second part to her Thorin/OC story and I absolutely love it. Check out both parts. The first one is Home is Behind and the second part is The World Ahead. We correspond regularly so I'm sure she would love more conversation than just me! Go check her stuff out!

Thorin looks over the stretch of path before them from a flattop they had reached as he waits for his kin to catch up. Bifur, Bofur, and Dwalin are ahead cautiously watching for goblins. Thorin stops to look back to track the progress of the others behind them. The dwarves stomp up the incline in a single file line and give a nod of acknowledgement as they pass him by. Some are slightly out of breath, but some breathe deeply.

He knows the hobbit will be winded when he emerges amongst the pool of dwarves. He is unaccustomed to the higher elevation and despite their sturdy build; his feet would still be tender against the unyielding mountain surface. Thorin could begrudgingly admit that the hobbit is managing to keep up with them at least. When the curly haired halfling finally did appear he is immediately followed by the towering stature of the ranger.

Thorin watches Tahna closely as she shifts her attention between pushing the hobbit along and assisting Balin, directly behind her. Unfortunately, Balin's age has also made him susceptible to the thin air in the mountain slopes. This had also been apparent when they had first arrived in Rivendell after being chased by orcs, but everyone would rather ignore that fact. Nothing is more insulting or wounding to a dwarf's pride than saying they were incapable. However, Tahna seems to have found a way to keep an eye on the wizened dwarrow without hinting at his need for help or damaging his pride. She keeps herself between them exaggerating her steps, appearing to be looking for the most suitable ground or looking back as if to look for Fili and Kili. Then when Balin manages to catch his breath she will pick back up the pace as if seeming to have not realized she had fallen behind and would go to check on the hobbit.

The peculiar thing is that Master Baggins seems to be doing the same thing to her, though maybe it could be his odd hobbit tendencies. He would look behind to see the ranger falling behind to keep Balin from falling behind. So after a brief while when he would get ahead of the pair he would stop to catch his breath. Once Tahna noticed she would try to catch up and make sure he was alright and the hobbit would start up again. They made an odd little group amongst the line of dwarrow, but it made Thorin a little proud as well. The entire company could be considered odd as well, each with their own background and motivations, but they are all working together now to get through these mountains. Fili and Kili and were now closely working with Oin and Dori in a similar manner to Tahna and Balin. The elder warriors didn't have nearly as much need as Balin, but the boys were doing their best to follow Tahna's example.

The pair watch over her closely, day and night. Even as she approaches the flattop now, from some feet behind her Fili looks over to make note of her head above the rest of the dwarves before continuing behind Oin. At night it's easy to find her nestled between the boys as if they could shield her from the rest of the world. With goblins now freely roaming the mountains the boys have taken the initiative and become much less rambunctious. At times Thorin misses their light-hearted nature that has been their signature upon the world from the time they could walk. He didn't speak openly about such things often, but he is proud of his sister's sons and could not have chosen more wonderful boys to be his heirs.

In Thorin's peripheral he notices the passing halfling who looks at the slight decline in the path with something akin to joy. However, the dwarf lord's eyes quickly shift to the ranger behind the short man. He looks up at her purposefully and sure enough she meets his gaze. When they make eye contact Thorin can feel both lightness in his heart and unease in his belly. He is still unsure of let her continuing further with them on this quest, especially now that he is aware of what occurred in the Greenwood. However, Thorin cannot seem to stop the pride or admiration he felt for her when she vowed to continue on for them, with them, regardless of what had befallen her in Thranduil's Realm. It brought a mix of emotions that even Thorin doesn't completely understand.

Several heavy gazes have been shared between them since they entered the mountains. Not that there was necessarily tension in them, but there is a…connection. With Thorin's lingering doubt about the ranger confirmed there is nothing between them. He no longer has a reason t be hesitant around her. Thorin knew that she knew he knew. There is something special in that unique knowledge and perhaps she felt it too.

As just the same whenever their eyes met and held she would smile at him. They would maintain eye contact for as long as possible before it would have to be broken off. And just as always he couldn't help noticing the way the scar in the corner of her mouth would curve enticingly. This moment is no different and like every time before it, it leaves him feeling physically lighter.

Once the contact breaks his eyes shift to Balin, whom he shares a nod with. However, he can't shake the lightness off so he does his best to ignore it and continue on with the others. That doesn't stop him from every now and again looking up past Balin to see the ranger's long legs carrying her forward along the path.

"This is why I never listen to you," I snap as I continue to cut away at my hair. My scalp still aches from where the orc had managed to get a good grip on my hair.

We are inside a small camp by Osgiliath, which was until recently under siege by a rouge group of orcs. The small army of orcs had nearly laid waste to Ecthelion's men stationed there, but Hadrien and I had arrived in time to aid them. Unfortunately, I had let my powers run away with me after one orc had grabbed my scalp and I ended up annihilating most of their forces. It is only chance that Hadrien had gotten to the orc before it killed me. Now with the threat gone several men are heading back to Minis Tirith to exchange the guard and to report to their Steward.

Initially, I just wanted to move on, but I needed their resources to negate the effects of my magic. I am well aware of how unstable my magic is even with years of training. It has the tendency to lash out, but my protective personality clashes with it and tends to hurt me more than anyone else. In the ranger camps, I had access to everything I needed, but now that we have left them behind I try to avoid using it altogether.

After healing the damaged tissues in my arm I ignore Hadrien's advice about letting my hair grow out and cut it immediately. Hadrien only glances up at me once, his gaze quickly returning to the pair of hilts resting in his hands. He keeps flipping them over continuously and running his fingers along the metal and stone delicately. His face is a little pale and his eyes wide, express his awe. It makes me a little anxious, not that he doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve, but the expression he wears is entirely uncharacteristic. We have been together so long that I forget this is the first time he has seen me use my magic.

The Gondorian soldiers while wary of us are exceptionally grateful that I intervened and used my magic. In the end, it had saved lives and therefore made it well worth the use. The captain of the regiment asked to escort us to the White City to meet the young Steward so that we may be rewarded for our deeds. I want to just move on to the Rohanian boarders where Azog had supposedly been seen in the past few months, but Hadrien is set on having a nice dinner for once and accepted the proposal. I know time is of the essence when it comes to tracking Azog, but when Hadrien is determined about something he is about as moveable as a dead Oliphaunt.

We are set to move out within the hour. It gave me plenty of time to preemptively stop the damage from using my magic and to cut my hair; though the latter is more to irritate the elf who wants his nice dinner. It's not my fault that I get bored waiting for the food to cook…or that it burns so easily. It's the reason I make so much dried meat, it saves me from burning it. Years later I will have eaten enough of my own charcoal dinners that it no longer bothers me and every good meal I receive is appreciated greatly.

"You had the power to burn the Greenwood to the ground," he murmurs over the hilts. "You could have turned our home into ashes if you so wished."

"Not exactly," I respond. "Using that kind of magic requires a clear mind. The dark magic in the forest robbed me of that. Both of them were useless – the forest was very safe from me. If I could have used them though, I would have likely been out of Thranduil's realm without any…accidents."

"And after," he pushes, "When you were free of the forest and Thranduil threatened to execute you. We didn't take the hilts when we saw you. We thought they were for decoration and were useless. You could have easily escaped us."

"I was guilty of the crimes I stood accused of," I growl with the memory. "Her blood was still drying on my hands…and the price of escape would have been too high. The thought of innocent people – like you, or Tauriel, or Gliwen; its price I would never be able to pay."

He looks away from the hilts and watches me and I gaze back at him. After a little while I feel my hands running through my short hair and his eyes drift towards the movement. I wince when I feel where the orc got a hold on me and in an instant Hadrien is in front of me. He places the hilts on the barrel beside me and pulls me up from the bench I had been sitting on. At first I am confused, but then he wraps me in a now familiar hug. The only difference is that he is holding me tighter, as though I might disappear. My arms naturally place themselves around his shoulders and waist. This encourages him and leans down towards my ear.

"I know you think your journey is purely one of vengeance, that what you do makes you unworthy of anyone's sympathies or kindness," he whispers. "But you are so much more than the lost little girl you think you are. You have such compassion and conviction! All you need is some hope and courage; it will guide you to where you need to be. With your permission I would like to stand by you always, Tahna; until the end of your days."

I can feel my heart warming with his words and tears rise in my eyes. It is difficult to believe the words, but it is nice to hear someone say them nonetheless. He makes me want to believe him, so I let the smile that had been growing split across my face and nod. When he does pull away he gently rubs my cheeks before his eyes fall on my hair again.

"I suppose I will never get to see a day where you grow this out will I?" he sighs.

"Once I have defeated Azog and his spawn I will grow it out. I won't really have as much reason to go look for trouble now will I? It will be safe for me then…when it's all over," I answer. He hums as he mulls over my answer, but abruptly pulls away and nods at nothing.

"What?" I laugh. He ignores my question and withdraws a dagger from his belt. He brings up to his hair and without warning cuts his hair off at the leather thong that held it in a ponytail.

"NO!" I shout before I can think anything else. I watch in complete horror as his bright red locks hit the ground. My mind has a difficult time trying to understand what it is he just did, but when I finally manage I look up at him angrily. He, on the other hand, looks nothing more than mildly surprised as he tests the new weight by shaking his head back and forth.

"My head feels so light," he comments.

"That's because your head is FULL OF AIR!" I shout. When I see his hand move towards the shorn locks my first instinct has me taking the dagger out of his other hand. "What did you do that for?"

"I wanted to try it," he says, still mesmerized by the short length. "And it's a promise. When you start growing out your hair again so too will I."

Elves grow their hair out as a sign of maturity and responsibility. The older you are the longer and heavier it is. Much like the burden they bear of knowledge and memory. It's not forbidden to cut one's hair among the elves, but it is strange and not something meant to be taken lightly. It's a sign of new life amongst their people. So while hair doesn't have nearly as much meaning to them as dwarves, it is still a matter of importance. To have Hadrien make me this promise…it means a lot.

"It's feels weird," he gripes. "I think it's too…shaggy. Would you mind cleaning it up a bit for me?" His head nods toward his dagger in my hand. I look at it and then at him. I agree that the slightly long strands hanging off his head don't suit him. With nothing else to be done about it I sigh and settle him on the bench I had been resting on. I stand behind him carefully cutting his hair to better suit him, but it doesn't change the fact that I am a little sad he had cut it. Is this what it felt like for him when I did my own?

He is silent throughout the whole processes; entirely yielding when I turn his head a particular way and even when I add cold water to mold the hair to a more manageable state. I keep the cut just long enough that it makes his head look full, but it's not the same.

"There," I say as I gently rub the soft fibers between my fingers. "Tauriel's gonna kill you."

"I have a thousand years to let it grow back. She'll forgive me one day," he says with a smile as he feels out the new length of his hair. "Besides, I think I look rather fetching now, wouldn't you agree? Those poor girls in Gondor won't know what hit them."

He would never take another after his wife, but the false arrogant egotism is meant to make me laugh. It fails at that, but it does make me smile a little bit. I wrap my arms around him again and he takes me in without another word. It is the greatest comfort I have ever received, knowing that I would have Hadrien by my side for however long I lived.

I knew I needed light in my life. Because of him the darkness of my thoughts never consumed me and he was my daily reminder of all things good. However, I should have known better…He would never grow his hair back out again, not because I failed to kill Azog, but because I failed to protect him. After cutting his hair…he didn't even see the end of a year.

A nudge at my shoulder stirs me and I open one eye to look up at Dori. He looks back at me gently with a small smile on his face.

"Your turn for watch, lad," he whispers.

A small growl escapes my throat as I force myself into a sitting position and try to rub the sleep from my eyes. We had found a small alcove near dusk and decided to set up camp there for the night. It is good for us to rest and it serves to hide the small fire we made. I had been sleeping on my right side which is now quite sore. Before I move closer to the fire Dori stops me and hands me the usual green tea before my watch.

"Thank you," I murmur. He nods and I expect him to leave for his brothers like he usually does, but he catches me by surprise when his hand gently wraps around my wrist once more.

"Are ya alright, lad? You have been rather tense since we entered the mountains," he says. I'm a little surprised he noticed, but since he is an overprotective brother I shouldn't be. I give him a light smile even and nod. Both my worry for the company and the lingering guilt for breaking my promise to Tauriel weigh heavily on me from time to time. I didn't realize just how much it showed though.

"I'm fine. Just a little anxious about the goblins and…about entering Mirkwood," I say.

His eyes soften a bit before gently patting my shoulder. "It's brave of ya to face that again, have no doubt, but don't forget that we are here with ya too, lad. We'll get ya back on your feet if ya fall."

A genuine smile spreads across my face as I reply, "Thank you, my friend."

He smiles back before stepping back over Kili to return to his own sleeping roll. I follow him part of the way to take up a better position near the fire, leaving Fili and Kili to guard my empty sleep roll. As I settle into place I take a quick head count, pleased to find everyone accounted for. I start on the tea, hopeful to shake the remaining cobwebs of sleep from my mind. It doesn't take long before I'm fully awake. Looking down into the cup Dori had given me I feel a little bad about taking from what must be Dori's personal stores, but I don't have the heart to tell him no. He's so very considerate about my morning temperament and he is trying to make it a little better by giving me this, so I won't will tell him no; I want him to know the effort is appreciated.

My eyes drift to Balin and I can feel relief when I see that he is breathing easily. We have been in the mountains for over a week now and Balin is finally adjusting to both the lack of air and the intense pace we set to try getting though the mountains without running into goblins. The first few days were hard on him, so I watched him throughout the day along with Master Baggins. Looking over at the Child of the West, I can see that he too is breathing evenly, but I worry about him still. When we walk it's not uncommon for me to find him breathing deep and trying to reclaim some of his lost breath. However, when I got close he would try to play it off and would continue forward. I hope that he isn't pushing himself to hard, just because dwarves and rangers could do it and acclimatize quicker didn't mean he had to hurt himself trying to keep up with the rest of us. Not to mention the meager meals we have been eating; I hope that he has been getting enough to eat. While the dwarves may not know that hobbits ate a lot, I heard from several fellow rangers that hobbits had seven meals a day, maybe one less. Bilbo hasn't said much about it after our earlier days together, but I still worry. Perhaps I can slip him a piece of my rations…

I watch him and his matted curls as he rolls over in his sleep roll, trying to find a more comfortable position in his sleep roll, which barely provides enough protection from the rough and hard surface of the stone. A small sad smile finds its way on my face as I sympathize with the little hobbit. I rub my right arm which still temporarily bears the mark of a stone that managed to make its way into my bed roll. Hopefully he can get some sleep before the sun started to stain the sky. It is endearing that he is trying and I can see that the others are coming to the same realization that this hobbit is facing dangers and enduring hardships that he doesn't really need to endure, but he is doing it for them; for their people. It makes me a little ashamed of myself if I'm honest. I started this journey out of convenience; they were going the same way as me. Now all I can think about is getting them there safe before I can continue on my own quest. Bilbo Baggins is certainly a brave man and has a heart bigger than his tiny body should be able to hold.

Luckily there have been no goblins yet. Even as the thought passes my mind I quietly remove Locelnehtar from it's sheathe to see if there was a blue glow about it. Thankfully, it only manages to capture the flickering light of the fire's flames and I return it to its leather confines. As I resume the drinking of the tea, movement catches out of the corner of my eye. It's Thorin's boot as he adjusts his position in his sleep. I naturally allow my eyes to travel upward, following the trail from his leg and up his torso to his sleeping face. A smile forms on my face when even his sleeping face manages to appear just as stern as it does when he is awake. If it weren't for the even breathing I would surely think that he is awake and just pretending to be asleep.

His back is to a side of the alcove, his arms grasping Orcrist tightly in case of an attack. His dark hair surrounds his face like a dark halo and his face is bathed in the firelight. I take note of the more silver strands to be found there and they stand as a testament to the years he has spent on this earth. The Sacking of Erebor, the Dwarf-Orc Wars, and establishing a dwarf kingdom in the Blue Mountains were pinnacle moments in Thorin's life and I hadn't been alive for a single one of them. I'm barely half the age of his nephews, but at the same time the paths our lives had taken makes us seem even older then we are and in some way that gave us a sort of kinship. Now with the addition of his knowledge about who I am…it has become even stronger still.

I glance up at the sky as the smell of fresh rain is hinted on the breeze. I groan lightly. The last thing we need is rain in the mountains. The trails hadn't been perilous for the most part, but it would most assuredly get worse. Add water and we would be asking for trouble. The only bright side would be that goblins wouldn't take those kinds of risks. However, I am more than sure that things could be a lot worse.

When the sky does begin to lighten I can see the slightly overcast sky. We would definitely need to move if we were going to find cover from what would inevitably be a stormy night. I get up from my position and gently grasp Thorin's arm. The response is immediate, one hand leaving Orcrist to grasp mine tightly. I ignore the need to wince and don't move. When his brilliant blue eyes land on me, the grip softens and releases.

"Apologies," he grumbles.

I give him a nod, "We need to move. There is rain on the horizon and we need to move while we still have the light. Trying to maneuver the narrow pathways in the dark is dangerous; add water and it's even worse. Another alcove like this may fill with water. We need to find a spot with protection from the worst of it and wait it out, but we need to move on."

As my words register, he sits up and stands. I can hear the sound of air passing through his nostrils as he takes in the air. He gives me a nod and moves to wake Dwalin and his nephews. With one last glance at the raven locks draping his back I move to get Bilbo up.

I wish I had been wrong. The rain came down light throughout most of the day, but as the sunlight faded behind the mountains and the clouds the rain came down harder. Most of my clothes are soaked, but I do my best to ignore that. The worst isn't even the rain, but the wind because it sends the rain to my skin like a hornet's sting. Our slow pace, while reasonably cautious, provided the stinging more time to pierce my flesh. If ever I had wanted to be born a dwarf it would be now. I would take beard and all just to make this stinging stop. We are lined up single file along the side of the mountain. We cling to the solid side of the trail to try and stop from falling off. Though there is a moment where Bilbo nearly took a tumble and thankfully Dwalin had been right there to catch him. Thorin continues, the entire exchange, unnoticed.

"We must find shelter," he says. He may have shouted, but over the rain, the wind, and the thunder, I could barely hear him. However, I can hear Dwalin, who is much closer.

"Look out!"

I follow his eyes to a see a large boulder, outlined in the light of the lightning, hurtling towards us. Those of us more light on our feet are suddenly clinging to the mountain side while we try to avoid being hit by any debris raining down on us from the shattering boulder. I can hear my heart beat picking up and the blood roaring in my ears.

Balin, who is just ahead of Kili, shouts, "This is no thunder storm. This is a Thunder Battle. Look!"

Looking up I can see it now. A large being made of the same stone of the mountains, rips off a large chunk of rock. Clearly it is meant to be a projectile, but at what I don't know. If it wanted us dead it would have just squashed us now. From behind me I can hear Bofur.

"Well bless me! The legends are true!" With that the large giant throws the rock over us, back the way we came, but Bofur is still too awestruck, "Giants! Stone Giants!"

Thorin shouts something back, but I cannot hear as I drag Bofur back into the relative safety of the ledge. Apparently, this pushes Bilbo back into Dwalin, but I have a hard time caring as the debris comes down harder. One piece comes down so hard it manages to hit my jaw like a punch. As I turn my head away I can feel a tremble passing through my legs. Then there is a massive shift in the stone beneath our feet. If I didn't know better I would have thought it an avalanche, but with our luck in this situation…I do know better.

I look up to see the head of the thing we are standing on as it tries to stand. I see Fili try to grab Kili with his hand outstretched and nearly falls over into the crevice forming between them. I immediately stick my hand out to catch Fili by the belt and pull him back and prevent him from falling. Kili watches with fear in his eyes as we are separated.

"Everyone hold on!" I shout. We grabbed a hold of one another to steady ourselves and made a joint effort to brace ourselves against the leg of the giant we are stuck on. Once it stood it is head-butted and falls back to where it had been resting. Looking up at the other leg I can't see the rest of the company, but I could hope they are alright. As the giant regained its footing it threw a punch at the other rock giant that had thrown the projectiles earlier. It went down with the first hit, but it doesn't see the other one that shows up behind it.

"Fuck the Makers, every last one of them," I murmur as I watch the head of the giant we are standing on suddenly get its head ripped off. I could feel the sickening swing of gravity as we are swung around. For a moment we pass by the others and I could see them along the trail. Thorin is yelling something, but I can't hear him. Suddenly, we are past them, hurtling into the side of the mountain, the trail would be right below us. One glance at Fili and I remember the emptiness that had filled me when Hadrien died; the emptiness that came with losing someone dear. So being unwilling to face that again, I grab his and Bofur's arms and I scream.

"JUMP!"

"I don't think a pretty rock is going to help you any. Tauriel is still sore about the whole hair ordeal," I tell Hadrien as we ride for Mirkwood.

"Shows what you know," he replies sorely. "Moonstones are precious to elves. They are signs of protection and promise of safe return."

"I thought only dwarves liked shiny rocks," I tease.

"Humans and elves aren't entirely immune to the draw of sparkling things, I'll have you know," he states. "It's not my fault your…weird."

"Oh! If that is not the pot calling the kettle black I do not know what is," I laugh. Since Tauriel's tirade at the sight of her father's hair I have been using his insecurities for my teasing for a while now. It is rare to find him so unsure of himself, but I make sure that there is no real bit to my words.

"Just you wait. A day will come when-"

He stops abruptly and when he doesn't make to complete his sentence I turn my horse around. I don't bother asking what's wrong; whatever his elf eyes see in the distance makes him rigid and tense. That's enough to put me on high alert. Even the horse below him can sense the elf's tension despite that his rider's weight is near nonexistent. His hand is moving ever slowly towards his sword. I grab mine and try to see what he sees among the plains, but my eyes aren't good enough.

"What do you see?"

"An orc pack. An abnormally large one." He dismounts.

"How many?" I follow his lead.

"About fifty, but there are only fifteen in the party approaching us." He steps away from the horses, allowing them to run away.

"A scouting party? What are they looking for?" I draw my sword.

"I don't know. The scouts will be on us soon and the rest will surely follow. Are you ready?" He removes his dual blades from his back and looks over at me.

In one hand I have my sword and in my other, my shield. I look at him and nod my confirmation. He stands to my left, swords raised and we wait for the inevitable. If Hadrien didn't turn us around the moment he spotted them then that means there is no way to out run them. We would have to stand and fight. It doesn't take too long before I can see the dark coat of a warg against the lighter grasses of the plains. The beast notices us immediately and let out yowl that sent ice down my back and put fire in my blood. Memories of Gundabad flash behind my eyes and I have to force them back. Suddenly more of the dark creatures surge from over the hills, their speed turning them from black dots to blobs in seconds. In those seconds, I clear my mind from all distractions and let my instinct take hold…Then her voice finds its place in my mind like it had during my training.

We are at the disadvantage for numbers, but I doubt they will be expecting us.

I slip into a cool shell of detachment and hold the stone hilt in my hand behind the shield. I am ready. The first to approach is a riderless warg. Hadrien dove low while the warg went for me first. He cut the hamstrings with his blade and I maneuver out of the way, but not before adding a fatal cut to the beast's throat.

It will take a few moments for the beast to die. Don't back up!

The next two have riders. Hadrien uses one blade to block the opponent's sword while the second lands a cut on the warg's face. With a running start I knock the rider off with my shield and puncture the warg's lung with my blade. With a low whimper the beast goes down, but its rider springs back up. It brings a spiked mace down on my shield, which I throw back and blindly try to swipe at its side. Unfortunately, his armor is thick and only graze him. He tries coming at me again, this time aiming for my ribs rather than my head. I dodge the swing entirely and manage to cut his throat open with an upward stroke. Once my opponent is down I look over at Hadrien to see him put down the orc that had charged him. He send a nod my way to know that he is alright.

He doesn't matter! Focus!

I blatantly ignore her words. There is no point more important than the fact that we both need to get out of this alive.

You don't need him! He's just dead weight! Stay alert!

Sooner than we expected the rest of the scouting party is on us. The grassland acting as unforgiving terrain. We are only lucky that we could use the other corpses of their fallen comrades for vertical support. Over time our movements became heavier with exhaustion and we ended up dragging our enemies away from each other. Sloppy movements means we would endanger one another so we separated. That is why when the fight is over it comes as no surprise that we are yards apart from one another. As we regain our breath we look over our carnage, making sure none survived. When I look up and meet Hadrien's eye he gives me a smile.

"I think you finally managed to beat me, Thoronen," he states flippantly. A smile grows on my face as I shake my head. After seeing my magic blades in action Hadrien has been trying to instigate a little competition to see who could kill more orcs. I clearly have the advantage, but I let Hadrien have the last word. He starts back towards me. "I don't think the others are close just now, if we can we should find our horses and go in the opposite direction."

I put away the stone hilt and the voice disappears with it. "Did none of them alert the others?

"I saw the one with the warning horn. It was the first one I took out," he confirms. He looks behind me and points, my eyes following his finger. "The horses are that way a bit. If we stay low and stealthy we can…"

"If we are stealthy we can do what?" I ask as I turn to look at him. My heart freezes and time slows. Hadrien's eyes are wide, but unseeing. He tries to speak, but as his lips part, red blood seeps out.

"No," I whimper. "NO!" I yell as I catch him in my arms. I can now feel the arrow sticking out of his back as I hold him. An archer, several yards out, cheers for his victory and summons the orcs that had not known we were there. Even as they approach nothing could take me from Hadrien. His hand clutches mine tightly as I lower us both to the ground. He is spluttering through his own blood, trying to say something. I couldn't do anything I realize in complete horror. There is nothing I could do to stop this. I put pressure on the wound, trying to stem it's flow, but it's futile. One moment he is here and then gone the next. I could hear the ringing in my ears as I look back into his unfocused eyes. I stare down at him, trying to grasp the fact that my best friend…my second father, has just passed on.

I struggle to hold my world together. I only manage to pin my world down to a single hard lump caught in my throat. Tears flow steadily down my face though I am not aware of them. I am staring at the glassy, brown eyes as the wargs and orcs have surrounded me. I am only drawn away when something grabs my hair and pulls me away.

When I make eye contact with my attacker I meet golden eyes. They glare back at me menacingly amidst a mantel of bones. This is Gijak, one of the twin spawn my mother was forced to bring into this world. His jagged and misshapen teeth flash at me. "Najundaunt trizgu! Brusizg fauthob za. Paushizg pau bloglab ishi vendob kranklobloab," he growls at me.

Despite his words, I couldn't feel the anger and hatred I built up over years against Azog and his spawn. I couldn't feel the satisfaction in finding him so I could kill him. Every fiber of my being focused on the painful lump in my throat. A build up of emotions nests there; all of my fear, sorrow, anger, hatred, and desperation. All of it bundled and lodged at one point.

Gijak's grip on my hair tightens as he unsheathes his sword. I would like to think I would have moved on my own and at least tried to defend myself. However, I would never truly know though. I only move when I see a nearby warg trying to take a bite of the Hadrien's body. All at once the point in my throat breaks and I grasp the iron hilt at my back. I scream as I lose the point of pain that anchored me to this world. The overwhelming emotion spills past my lips in the form of a feral shout and forces me to lose consciousness. The last thing I see is the blinding light of the flames consumed Gijak.

When I awake I have the momentary bliss of forget everything; where I am, what I am doing, who I am – all of it a blur for a moment. Then the overwhelming scent of burning hair and flesh seeps into my nose. I throw myself into a sitting position and pause. Hadrien's body remains untouched by the flames my blade had summoned. The green grass forming a perfect circle around us before it gave away to scorched earth. All throughout the burnt patch are bodies of wargs and orcs littering the ground. None had survived my onslaught. I twist my head to see Gijak's body still smoldering behind me. He is unrecognizable now that his face is a mix of red and pink flesh with a crisp coating of ash. The burnt grassland extended beyond him for another thirty feet. His sword is still glowing from the heat I had unleashed.

I had been training and waiting years for the opportunity to kill Azog and his sons. I had planned to relish my revenge, but now I am left feeling hallow instead. Looking at his body, I am instead consumed with disgusting regrets. This is a price I don't want to pay. I know that if I could I would bring Hadrien back in an instant even if it means the foul orc spawn would live again as well.

Thinking of him draws my attention back to his body. Looking at it causes fat tears fall down my cheeks. His face looks so peaceful, despite everything, he seems to be sleeping. Sniffling, I crawl over to him and pull his head on my lap.

"I'm sorry! Goheno nin…"

It's all I can say for minutes on end. Nothing else can come to my mind as I rock back and forth. His body cools and I manage to draw myself away. A gleaming light from his breast pocket catches my eye. It's the moonstone he had intended to give to Tauriel. A new wave of sorrow threatens to overcome me at the thought of Tauriel. I knew the pain she would feel when I return with her father's body. She would be alone in the world…just like I was before. That I would have to do this to her though, hurts more than I could begin to describe.

In a moment, perhaps my weakest moment, I grab that stone and put it to his chest. Looking down at his peaceful face I make him a promise. I make a promise to dead man in hopes of chaining some small piece of him to me still. So very much like a child…

"I have failed you…in the end for all of my powers they were worthless to save you. What's the point in having them if I can't protect you as well as destroy those who seek to take you from me? I can't ask for your forgiveness and I won't ask it of Tauriel either. I can't take this back…no matter how much I want to. So I can only promise you that I will do better. I will do what I can for Tauriel before I move on…but when I do…I promise that I will never endanger anyone in my search like I did you. I will do it alone…I can do it alone so long as everyone is safe. I will keep everyone safe, I promise."

As if to seal my promise, I brought my forehead to his before closing his eyes forever.

My side slams into the stone, but my bum quickly finds solid ground. For a moment I am disoriented and off balance. However, the grumble of living dwarves mixes with the still raging storm, allowing me to relax slightly. When I look over I see Fili looking up at his uncle and I relax further. Apparently, he had been shouting for us and is relieved to find us alive. When our eyes meet he suddenly appears distressed. He says something else, but I can't make out what he is saying. Figures a thunderous voice in a thunder storm.

"Where's Bilbo? Where's the hobbit?" cries Bofur.

Thorin turns to see Bofur and Ori both go for the cliff side where Bilbo must be hanging. A stone settles in my gut. I stand and try to get closer, but I can't with other two in the way. Without hesitation Thorin jumps down to a part of the ledge with footing. A panic grips my heart and now Dwalin and I jump to keep Thorin stable while he pushes the hobbit back up to the trail. Sure enough, he slips and Dwalin and I catch him. Between the two of us we manage to bring him up and once he is secure we take a moment to catch our breath.

I refused to let go of Thorin's hand for a moment, I knew I would also check in with Bilbo a little later, but right now while I had Thorin's hand there is no way I would let go now. I held it like a life line. Fili, Bilbo, Thorin, all of them. Nearly crushed by something I couldn't stop; it is more than a little terrifying. Thorin holds my hand a little tighter and I realize I am shaking. I can hear him now as he moves closer to me.

"You're bleeding."

I believe him so there is no need to check and there is nothing we can do about it in the middle of a storm. So I just hold onto his hand a little tighter. There is a moment in his eyes where they soften to the point that I forgot the stinging rain and fear of losing them all. It almost seems to stave off the cold, but the moment is swiftly lost.

"I thought we lost our burglar," says Dwalin.

Thorin's eyes snap away from mine and towards the little hobbit, "He's been lost ever since he left home. He should have never come. He has no place amongst us."

I can't see Bilbo's face, but I can imagine the hurt look there. It's wrong to let Thorin think so lowly of someone who would see him home at the risk of his own life. However, when I try to say as such…

"T-T-Th-Th-Thor-rin," I try to argue. I didn't realize how cold I was. Now with the blood loss and the adrenaline leaving my body it would only be a matter of time before I collapse. The others look at me, surprised, and Thorin even looks a little worried. Thorin looks on ahead and sees something.

"Dwalin, with me. Oin, keep he – him warm," he commands.

He and Dwalin trudge a little further up the trail. While he's gone Fili and Kili both wrap me up in whatever furs they aren't wearing while Oin looks at my head. A head wound then? Those always bleed worse than they are, but that is still a problem when I'm this cold. For a brief moment Fili leans in while Oin looks for dry bandages.

"I failed you. Forgive me, namadith," he murmurs.

"I-I was th-thinking the s-s-same th-thing about y-you," I say. He looks a little sad, but I take the time to hold his hand and keep him close. Kili reaches out and takes my other one just when Dwalin reappears.

"There's a cave. Get your arses in here before ya freeze."

Fili and Kili move simultaneously to help me towards the cave. When we enter we pass by Thorin, but I don't have the chance to look at him. The brothers lean me against the wall where Oin appears. He tilts my head forward while he wraps the bandages around my brow. The wet of my hair seeps into bandages and I begin to fall asleep at his ministrations. I can only just make out what they are saying.

"You boys watch her close now. I can't check her for a concussion since Thorin isn't lettin' us light a torch. Keep her warm for now it's the best we can do," whispers the healer. I can feel the brothers tense around me.

"How did you know?" asks Kili.

"There is a distinct different between going deaf and catching stupidity. In all honesty I'm surprised you knew," he murmurs. "Follow my instructions and she should be fine. I have to see to the others." Then Oin leaves. Of course, when did I think I could be so sneaky…?

"Fili?" I ask. The air around me is warmer now with the extra furs and my friends around me. I can feel my exhaustion beginning weighing down on me. I haven't felt this tired in a long time. It feels strange. I try to stay awake, but I feel sleepy.

"Yes, mimzirza-azag," he murmurs. I frown, a little confused by the new Khuzdul words he expels, but it helps me to remember my question too.

"What does 'namadith' mean?" I ask. He had been calling me that since we had left Rivendell

"It means 'little sister'," he replies. I smile. I have never had brothers in my life it seems; only would-be sisters. That they considered me to be part of their family makes me feel happy.

"How do you say 'brother'?" I ask before my sensibility can catch up with my thoughts.

"Nadad," answers Kili before Fili can say anything else.

"Nadad," I say. The word feels blocky on my tongue, but nothing I couldn't get used to. I can't seem to form anymore words as my mind blanks. Then my eyes close forcefully before I fall into oblivion.

(My Horrible) Translations:

Thoronen = my eagle*

Najundaunt trizgu = At last we meet

Brusizg fauthob za = I have waited for this

Paushizg pau bloglab ishi vendob kranklobloab = I will drink your blood in place of your mother's

Goheno nin – Forgive me

namadith – little sister

mimzirza-azag – little golden eyes

nadad - brother

*I about died when I saw the elvish word for eagle was Thoron. It's way too close to Thorin for me to not use it.

Next time: Goblin Town and the first look at Tahna's powers…

Thank you everyone once more. I will try to be on time next time I promise!