Hey y'all. It's been a heck of a month since I last posted. I've been working on this chapter for that whole time, but wasn't able to finish it until now. School has gotten crazy with midterms and papers, and things have not been any easier at home (what would we do without a good old-fashioned family crisis?).

So, here is the next chapter! I hope you all enjoy it. As always, I do not own anything, except my OCs. Please drop a comment, question, or critique if you have any!


For a heartbeat, nobody moves or speaks. Then everyone is talking, shouting over each other, staring at Thorin as if he'll disappear any second.

"Everybody out!" Oin barks, waving towards the door. "Aspen stay here. I'll need your help." Gandalf shoos the others out as Oin begins assessing Thorin's injuries. "Fractured both tibias, abdominal bruising. Large bump on his head probably indicates a concussion. Multiple cuts and bruises. At least one broken rib. He's lucky he doesn't have worse. And praise to Mahal that he's alive at all."

Oin starts to remove Thorin's clothes as I request boiled water, wine, and as many clean cloths as possible from Beorn outside the hallway. When Beorn returns with the requested items, I turn around and get a perfect view of naked Thorin. Shutting my eyes, I take a deep breath in.

Now isn't the time to worry about modesty. And I'm sure that as a healer modesty isn't a concept that exists anyway. I open them and move forward to set the items on the bedside table.

"Start washing his cuts. I'll need your help with his legs in a minute," Oin says as he starts preparations for resetting Thorin's bones.

I start with Thorin's face, sponging away blood and dirt. There's a deep gash on the side of his face that will need stitches. I add a temporary bandage to this, knowing it will be one of the last things that Oin looks at. I continue my ministrations, down to his abdomen. Another cut bleeds sluggishly, and I frown, inspecting it more closely.

"Oin," I call, and he looks up, scowling and ready to tell me off.

"He's been stabbed."

Oin hurries to my side, swearing viciously after his own assessment.

"We need to set his legs before we can do anything else for him." After forcing a poppy infusion down Thorin's throat and calling in the nephews, I place a leather strap between Thorin's teeth, resting his head in my lap.

Once Fili and Kili are in position holding Thorin's arms down, Oin slides one of the tibia bones back in place with a loud grinding sound. Thorin's eyes fly open and he screams through the gag.

"Shh," I murmur, stroking the less injured side of his face. Thorin's wild eyes seem to focus on me, and he stills. "It's going to be okay. We've got you. We're here," I whisper, still stroking his face and his hair.

At that moment, Oin snaps Thorin's other leg back into place, and again Thorin screams into the gag. I watch as his eyes roll back into his head and he falls unconscious. "Thorin?" Kili sounds like he's on the verge of panic.

"He passed out. Good," Oin says, bringing Fili and Kili's attention to him. I sigh, slipping from my position and continuing on with my ministrations as Oin explains Thorin's situation to his nephews. I sneak a glance over at their pale faces, and I have the sudden urge to give them a hug and never let go.

Oin finishes making the splints for Thorin's legs while I continue cleaning Thorin's cuts, Fili and Kili talking softly in Khuzdul over on the side of the room. As I'm examining the bruises on the side of Thorin's chest, I discover what I think are two more broken ribs and point them out to Oin so he can check later.

As I move lower Kili clears his throat. "Aspen, do you think that… uh, that you should be here?"

I don't pause as I answer. "Where else should I be Kili?"

"Maybe outside with the others. Certainly not, uh, not with our uncle. Who…who isn't wearing any clothes. By the way," he finishes in a rush.

I exhale heavily and close my eyes, trying not to think about a certain piece of Thorin's anatomy not too far from me. "Kili, if you're not going to help then get out." "But it's not proper," he insists. "I don't care. We might miss one of his wounds if we keep him clothed."

"Still, it's not proper," he says, clearly not ready to let it go. I shove off the bed and face him with a scowl. Kili looks embarrassed, and Fili…well, Fili has an odd look that I can't quite place.

"I don't care! Your uncle could die! And if I have to get an eyeful of his junk to help him survive then so be it. Now if you're not going to help get out of the room. I don't have time to deal with this." I punctuate my words with a jabbing motion towards the door.

Kili blanches as his eyes widen, and Fili's mouth tugs a little to one side before he crosses to a bowl of hot water to wash his hands. Kili leaves, shooting me a wary glance before the door shuts. I scowl at him again, then turn to help Oin wrap Thorin's chest, to hold his ribs steady as they heal.

Time wears on, and eventually we've stitched every gash, cleaned every wound, and treated every bruise. With his limited supplies and surroundings, Oin does the best he can to ensure Thorin will live. I have a newfound appreciation for all of the doctors and nurses I've ever encountered, knowing my healing skill will never compare to what they do.

Fili and I trudge to the door and open it to find the entire company sitting in the hallway outside. Dwalin jumps to his feet as soon as he sees me, and the others quickly follow suit.

"He's still hanging on. But we won't know until later whether he'll make it. For now try to get some sleep. Oin will let us know if anything changes."

Little by little the dwarves start to trickle back to their sleeping places. I can't change my clothes, so I settle for stripping off my bloodied shirt, leaving only my undershirt on. It will have to do until I can wash my clothes again.

When I go out to the main room, Beorn and Gandalf are seated in front of the fire, with Fili standing next to Gandalf. He looks at me as I approach, then gestures me over to his side, that odd look back on his face.

"And who is this?" Beorn grunts, gesturing at me with his chin. "This is Miss Aspen Brooks, an aide to both Thorin and Fili. She has been a great boon to us," Gandalf says, with Fili nodding his affirmation. Beorn eyes me suspiciously, and I return his skeptical look.

When Beorn finally looks away and resumes his conversation with Gandalf, Fili turns to me. Taking my arm gently, he steers me into a quiet corner.

"Did Beorn say how he found Thorin?" "Aye, although I almost wish he hadn't. He found a mixed pack of orcs and goblins. Beorn thinks they picked Thorin up in the mountains and followed us, out to where we spotted them on the plain."

Fili pauses, frowning. "Beorn said he thought he saw Bolg among them. He escaped too fast to be sure." "Bolg?" I repeat. "Bolg, as in son-of-Azog Bolg?" "Aye," Fili sighs.

"Shit," I mutter. Fili and I share a long look, knowing exactly how our quest has gotten more complicated.

"How is my uncle truly?" he asks in a soft voice.

"You were there. You saw him." "I'm not a healer."

"I don't have a lot of experience, so if you want a full assessment you need to ask Oin. But he's not good Fili. It's a miracle he's alive."

Fili droops, like he already knew the answer but was hoping for something else. "A miracle from Mahal perhaps. I've seen good dwarves die from less."

"You know he's not safe yet. Any one of his cuts could become infected, and it would be a fight for his life."

"Aye, or he could have other complications. I know you and Oin were worried about his broken legs, and the possibility of internal bleeding."

"There's another thing Fili." When I hesitate, he raises his eyebrows. "Are you going to tell me?"

"Thorin was stabbed."

Fili stares at me, jaw slack and face pale, his hands twitching. Then he lets out a long, low stream of Khuzdul curses.

"Probably by that filth Bolg," he says. I nod. "We'll need to be even more careful now when we travel. We'll need to be on high alert."

"Aye, Thorin will want the company to continue on to Erebor. Either you or Oin should stay behind to look after him."

I hum in agreement, thinking. "Oin should stay. He is the better healer. Although I am worried about being the only one to care for the rest of you." "Dwalin has some experience with battlefield care. So do Kili and I, and probably a few of the others." "Well that's much better than nothing. And I have knowledge of the book."

Fili nods, pleased by this plan. "Then it's settled. Oin will stay here while you travel with us. I'm hoping to leave three days from now."

"If you want to leave that early, we will need help, and supplies from Beorn. You should ask for some tomorrow, maybe in exchange for some dwarven labor?" "Aye we can do that. It's only fair."

I yawn, suddenly feeling more tired than I've ever felt. Fili smiles, his eyes soft and crinkly.

"You should get some sleep. It's been a stressful day." I give a sleepy grin. "I will." "Thank you again, for saving my uncle. And for staying with us. I know we're not the best travel companions." I chuckle. "No, you're not."

Fili gives me a gentle hug, before stepping back, looking unsure of himself. "Sorry." "Thank you. But it's alright." He goes over to Kili, while I stretch out next to Ori and Nori, where I soon fall into a dreamless sleep.

The next day I'm up early attending to Thorin, helping Oin care for his wounds and changing bandages. I touch Thorin's brow, and it seems cool, which means a fever hasn't set in. Not yet anyway.

After telling Oin to get some sleep, I start to clean the room. The bloodied cloths I put in the fire, as there is no saving them. Random bowls of water, little spills, and the like all get swept up.

Thorin's coat and mail shirt are salvageable, but need cleaning and mending. The rest of his clothes I dump in the fire as well, with a small twinge of regret. Thorin probably won't wear any finery until he reaches Erebor.

When the room is more or less in order, I recruit Dori into boiling some more water for me, as well as getting some cooler water and soap. After he returns, I scrub the blood spots and disinfect the room as best I can. When I'm finally done, I sit on the bed beside Thorin, sponging off his forehead, careful to avoid his cuts.

For the rest of the day this is what I do, switching between a chair at Thorin's bedside and finding other things to do. I fix Ori's shirts and one of Balin's socks. I watch the dwarves move around outside, completing their chores for Beorn. Gandalf comes in around noon and does a bit of odd magic to help Thorin heal faster, though I don't know how effective it is. Periodically Fili and Kili come to check on him, as do Dwalin and Balin. Dwalin doesn't say anything to me when he visits, and I don't say anything either.

Each time the visitors are disappointed that there are no changes in Thorin's condition, good or bad. He seems to cling to life, not quite here, but not quite beyond our reach either. How cruel it would be to lose him now, after we already thought we lost him once. It's as I'm sponging his face again, reflecting upon this particular morbid thought, that I feel him stirring beneath my hands.

My hand stills, but he doesn't move again, slipping back into sleep.

I bend over, my mouth by his ear. "Wake up Thorin," I whisper. "Wake up. You are needed. Your nephews and subjects need you. Wake up Thorin."

Of course nothing happens. But I'd like to imagine he heard me.

Oin takes over for me later in the afternoon, and I wash my shirt and try my best to wash my other clothes while they're still on my body. I'm not very successful, something Nori notes later over dinner.

Fili cuffs him on the back of the head and I just smirk before I head back to Thorin's room. Oin leaves for his dinner and I take up my post at Thorin's side.

An hour or two passes, and I hear a groan, making me look up from my book on bees.

Thorin's head shifts. "Thorin?"

His eyes open, and I never thought I would be so happy to see those deep blue depths again.

He takes a second to focus on me, and takes even longer to speak. "Aspen?" he croaks. "Aye Thorin," I say, gently brushing his hair away from his face. "I'm here. You're safe, in the house of Beorn, with the rest of the company members. Let me fetch you some water and I'll bring your nephews in."

I tilt his head up and place another pillow behind it, mindful of his broken ribs. Oin's been worried about them and Thorin's internal bleeding.

I pour a glass from a pitcher and turn back to Thorin, frowning as I realize he's still not in a good position to drink.

"I'm going to have to sit behind you and prop you up so you can drink. I'll try not to hurt you but please let me know if I do." Thorin grunts, and I raise him up little by little until I'm able to slide in behind him, holding him to my chest. Settling him into a semi-comfortable position, I raise the glass to his lips, tilting it back so he can drink.

When Thorin finishes, I slide out from under him carefully, settling him back onto the pillows. "My nephews," he says, reminding me of my words. "Aye, one second," I say, stepping into the hall, not noticing his furrowed brow.

Seeing no one inside, I go outside, walking towards the group of smoking dwarves gathered around a large fire pit. Fili and Kili are there, smoking pipes and listening to Gloin's story about the deeps of Moria. But they look up as I come near, all falling silent.

"Thorin is awake. He wishes to see you," I say, addressing everyone but looking at the two brothers. Immediately they jump up and knock out their pipes, stashing them in their coats and running towards the house. The rest of the dwarves follow suit, although at a more leisurely pace.

I'm alone now, with nothing to do. I plop down, staring at the ashes in the fire pit. A tear rolls down my face, and then another and another.

I miss my family. I want my photos back, and I want Ori's drawing.

I want Thorin to be well, and I wish Bilbo were here.

I even wish Elladan and Elrohir were here, making me laugh with their stupid pranks and lack of sarcasm.

The stress of the week washes over me. Has it really only been four days since we were in the mountains? Four days since Thorin fell? I never want a week like this again.

I don't know how much time passes, but eventually I hear a crunch, and I look up to see Fili approaching.

He studies me, tilting his head a little. "You've been crying."

"Yeah."

He sits down next to me, his face etched with concern. "Why aren't you with your uncle?" "He fell asleep." I nod and sniff. "That's probably a good thing."

"Aye. Why were you crying, if you don't mind me asking?"

I kind of do mind, but I reply anyway. "I miss my family. I wish I could see them again."

Fili's quiet, then asks, "May I hug you?" "Yes please," my voice cracks.

His arm is strong and soft, his body warm. He holds me as I cry into his shoulder, for my family and for myself. Ever since Rivendell I've been a hot mess. Ever since I came to Middle Earth I've had doubts about myself, feeling deep down that I'm weak. That I'll mess up and let everyone down.

My "be more" mantra from Rivendell really doesn't seem to be doing anything for me. I'm the lowest I've ever been, feeling the worst I've ever felt.

"Maybe Dwalin was right," I mutter. "What's that?" Fili's voice is sharp. "I shouldn't be here."

Fili shifts uncomfortably beneath me. "I had wondered about Dwalin. He's been acting unusual lately. Less like himself and more like Nori, which is the most disturbing thing I've ever seen." I smile and sniff.

"You belong here Aspen. You belong with us."

"Do I?"

"Aye you do. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."

Maybe one day I'll believe him.

We sit for a while and I close my eyes. The evening sun is warm on my face, and I feel like I could sleep for a thousand years. Fili hums quietly, and it takes me a minute to recognize the song.

"I know that song." Fili sounds surprised. "Do you?" "Thorin sang it once. Back in Rivendell." "Hmm."

"Thank you. For helping me." I don't have to open my eyes to know Fili is smiling. His arms squeeze just a bit tighter, and his chest rumbles. "Anything for you."

At some point I actually do drift off, because when Fili shakes me awake the sky is dark.

"Come on Aspen. Time to sleep. Inside." I yawn and stretch, groaning a little at the stiffness in my back. "Did you just sit here with me the whole time? Why would you do that?"

Fili is quiet and his steps slow down. "Never mind it's okay. You don't have to tell me." "I wanted to make sure you would be safe." I snort. "We're at Beorn's house. It's probably one of the safest places in Middle Earth."

Fili doesn't respond to that.

I check on Thorin one more time before going to sleep. He's resting comfortably and Oin assures me he'll wake me if I'm needed.

I wish them both goodnight and close the door. Turning, I almost bump into Beorn. I jump and scurry off to my sleeping space, his rumbling laughter following me down the hallway.

The next morning, the dwarves and I ask Beorn for chores. Having done this yesterday, Beorn quickly assigns the dwarves jobs like splitting wood or mending fences. When it's my turn he takes a good hard look at my arms and my hands. I shift under his gaze, reminded once again that I'm very human and quite out of place here.

"Do you have experience with goats or cows? Or with gardening?" "Yes, with all of them." "Then you can milk the animals, and pick the ripe vegetables. Milking pails are in the stable. You need to milk all of the animals and bring it into the kitchen. Set it on the counter and leave it there. Do the same with the vegetables. Baskets are by the front door."

I give a slight bow before hurrying off, which makes Beorn laugh again. I roll my eyes, glad at least he finds me amusing and not like an annoying, pesky bug to swat.

I wash my hands before I enter the stable and grab a milking pail and stool, intending to start with the goats. After greeting them and scratching between their horns, I clean their udders and begin with the first goat.

Twenty minutes later I'm lugging the heavy pails across the yard, trying to minimize my spills. I nudge the door open with my foot, stumbling slightly across the threshold. I make it to the kitchen, where I set my milk pails down on the counter, before heading back to the barn to milk the cows. The cows give me slightly more trouble, and I spend more time cleaning up milk spills than I do actually milking the two of them. Finally I finish in the stable, making sure to shut the door behind me.

As I'm crossing the yard again, Fili and Kili appear from around the corner, stripped to their undershirts. Seeing me struggling with the milk pail, they hurry towards me. They take the pails and carry them with such ease that for a moment I wish I were a dwarf. Even my training with my partisan won't get me muscles like theirs.

"Will you be needing help with your chores?" Kili asks. "Maybe. It's pretty light work, but it will go faster with more people." Kili nods. "Fili can finish up with the hinges while I come help you." We set the milk down in the kitchen and cover the pails, then Kili and I grab baskets and harvesting knives while Fili heads back to whatever he's doing.

It's nice to spend time with Kili. He likes to sing while he works, and he has a nice voice. Eventually he stops and I continue. He likes Hozier and Dua Lipa apparently. When he tells me a joke, his eyes crinkle in the corners. I've missed his smile.

It takes several hours, but we make our way through the garden, starting with cucumbers and finishing with plums. When it's too dark for us to see, we head back inside, setting the baskets down on the counter, our hands sticky. Beorn is straining the milk, but nods and grunts at us, which I suppose is his way of saying thank you. I wash my hands again, before crossing to Thorin's room.

At my knock, a voice calls me to enter. Balin is sitting at Thorin's bedside, talking softly with him in Khuzdul. Thorin himself has been propped up and clothed, and looks to have had his hair washed and freshly braided. "Join us if you please Aspen," Balin says, smiling with a twinkle in his eye. I smile and stand at the foot of the bed, facing the two dwarves.

"Fili tells us that you will be continuing on with the company while Oin stays behind," Thorin starts off. "Aye. Because Oin is the trained healer, and he will be able to care for you much better than I can." "That will leave the rest of the company with no healer." "You're forgetting that I've been training with Oin since Rivendell. I don't have a lot of knowledge, but it's enough to see the company through several scrapes or illnesses. You can ask Oin himself. He'll vouch for me."

Thorin nods, accepting this. "Then so be it. I ask that you continue to advise Fili and Balin in my stead, since clearly I will not be going with you. I will join you when I can." "Only when Oin says you're ready." Thorin throws me a grumpy look while Balin chuckles softly.

Thorin grows serious and says, "Balin please leave us. I need to speak to Aspen alone." His tone makes it clear this is more of a command than a request. Balin frowns a little, but does as asked, exiting the room.

Still, it is some time before Thorin speaks. "I know the past week has been hard on you. I worry that you are overexerting yourself." I want to laugh, or possibly cry. Overexerting myself is putting it lightly. The fate of the quest practically rests on my shoulders.

"It has been hard. But having Gandalf and Fili has made it a little easier." Thorin nods. "You should rely on them for as long as you can. You can't do everything by yourself. Don't give me that look," he chides as I wrinkle my nose. "You know you need people to help you. What you are doing for the company, for me, is an incredible burden. Let the company help you succeed. I know you have doubts about yourself. But you shouldn't. You are strong and capable. A fine leader."

The whole time he's speaking I stare at the floor, tracing the knots in the wood with my eyes. His words wash over me, filling me with a burning desire to succeed for his sake. But I know he would say I need to succeed for myself.

"I know you know this," he says, his voice softer now. "I guess I do. But knowing it and actually believing it are different." He nods, seeming tired and sad now.

I frown. "Fili and Kili don't know about the end of the book. They don't know that they're supposed to die." I look up to see Thorin frowning, maybe remembering the time I first mentioned this particular dark detail. "I should tell Fili what happens. He's leading the quest now. It's only fair that he knows."

Thorin grunts. "I suppose he should. Do not tell Kili, and speak with Fili alone. No one else should know of it. Not even Balin or Dwalin."

He is silent for a few more minutes, but it's a comfortable silence. Like on third watch. "I wish I were not bound here, and able to lead you," he eventually says. I give him a small smile, and move to squeeze his hand gently.

"I do too. I'll miss you."

Thorin gives a huff that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. "Somehow I doubt that."

I widen my eyes in mock surprise. "No! Who else would scowl at me when I let him sleep on watch, or snap at me when I do something stupid?" Thorin and I share a chuckle, but I quickly sober.

"I will miss you Thorin. You're a good friend of mine, and I will miss your company on the third watch." Thorin squeezes my hand. "Watch over Fili for me. He is young, and leading the company will be a trial for him." "I promise I will Thorin. I'll be there for him."

"Good. Go now. I know you have other things to do." I laugh lightly, but make sure he's comfortable before I leave. Once again, I miss his furrowed brow.