Before even trying to push themselves forward to try and make it any further they needed to rest to heal their wounds and ready for more fights Hermione was a great deal of help bandaging the Dwarves. Going to a nearby stream with a two buckets to fetch the company water dipping one filling it to the brim she did the same with the other trying her best to lift both she couldn't keep balance on the uneven terrain. Almost falling she was caught by Thorin who gripped the one of the buckets taking the extra wait off her, Thorin still covered in dirt and blood even though he was in much pain he nevertheless helped her.

"Thank you" She said with gratitude regaining her balance

"It's no trouble" he said with painful groan

"Are you in pain?" She asked with concern

"You should not worry I have been dealt with worse wounds" he replied

The two began to head back camp slow and steady as not worsen Thorin's wound, Hermione stuck close by his side in case his wounds goy worse than they were.

"I need to stop for a moment" he groaned leaning against a rock

"Are you alright?" She asked concerned putting the wooden bucket down going to his side

"Yes, I just to rest" he answered pain evident in his voice

"You should just let me carry the water"

"No, I can do it find it as my way of repaying you" he argued

She looked at him with concern smiling a little at how determined he was to repay even though she didn't see it as a debt to be paid. Soaking a cloth in one of the buckets she began to wiping the sweat off his brow along with the blood.

"You don't have to repay me in anyway" she said gently washing the sweat away

"Oh but I do, if it wasn't for you or master Baggins I would not be drawing breath right now" he argued

Taking a rest Hermione was curious about the man that came to be.

"So tell me who is 'Thorin Oakenshield'?" She asked with a smile

"Just a man who wants to see his home once more" he chuckled

"That's not what I see...it certainly isn't what they see" she retorted

"They see a king, their leader, but I am again just a man"

She chuckled continuing to wash his face of blood.

"Bow tell who is 'Hermione Granger'?" He asked back also curious about her

Hesitant it was one thing to tell Gandalf who knew more than anyone, but to tell her tale would he believe her?

"How is it you can use magic?" He asked leaning towards her slightly

"I don't...come from these lands" she answered

"Then where do you come from?"

So she began to tell her tale in which some parts of her story did seem strange and unusual to those who didn't come from her home. From her time as a student at Hogwarts to herself and her friends fighting Death Eaters, Thorin though stoic didn't show any sign or expression of shock he just sat quietly listening carefully to each word each detail until she finished.

"And that's it" she said finishing her story he looked her, but still gave a stone faced expression

"Who else have you told?" He asked

"Gandalf" She answered

Looking down he thought if the wizard saw this as nothing to worry about, then he wouldn't as well.

"So now you know who I am, tell me about you now" she said jokingly

He then began his own tale of how grandfather Thror who was king of the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor and how mighty they were, everyone even the elfs gave them respect he then went on to tell her how Smaug came and destroyed what they had owned all for the sake of the riches that dwelled within the mountain. Hermione didn't have control over her emotions as he did showing expressions of shock and sadness.

"But now we have a chance to retake our home something we would fight and die for" he said finishing his tale

She looked at him with a saddened look.

"Well I'm glade I'm here to help you" She said holding his rough hand giving it a squeeze

"Well we better get going don't want to leave the others dying of thirst now would we?" She joked patting his arm

She rose picking up the bucket she moved on ahead as Thorin stared after her she was elegant, beautiful and smart brilliant might say. As he sat she stopped to look back at the Dwarf.

"Come now, or you'll be left behind" she said with a gentle smile

Taking a deep breath he too rose from the rock grabbing his bucket and began to follow her staying behind her only a little. Hermione would take glances back to catch a look at him, he was strong, blunt and determined.

As they entered the camp the Dwarves had returned to laughing and talking, but quieter than normal so that any Orcs were near couldn't find them. Hermione and Thorin sat their buckets of water spashing onto the ground, the Dwarves plus Gandalf Hermione and Bilbo soaked their cloths in and began to wipe their faces of dirt of blood.

"Ah thank you lass" Balin said grabbing a rag from Hermione

"My pleasure" she said with a smile

"We best get some sleep the Orcs won't be too far behind us" Gandalf said positioning his hat to cover his eyes as leaned against an old tree

Do as advised the Dwarves picked spots for sleeping, Bilbo chose the trunk of the tree Gandalf lay on, Hermione chose a patch of grass as Thorin sat across from her he watched her sleep. His thoughts drifted to the young maiden her scent, her hair, her skin it was more beautiful than any treasure that Erebor could offer his own eyes closed as he drifted to sleep. As he fell asleep her eyes opened seeing the Dwarf King she knew he stared at from time to time as did she, it was then when she herself truly fell asleep.