Note: Italics is thoughts, unless specified otherwise i.e flashbacks or visions. / is timeskip


ALEXA'S POV

Alexa and the company walked along the pathway towards Rivendell. Alexa was so excited, she could barely hold herself back from running, though she was travelling with a group that had 'I hate Elves' plastered on their foreheads; so, she pretended otherwise.

Shortly, they came to an opening, Alexa hung back not wanting to seem too enthused to the Dwarves about coming to the Elvish home. Gandalf looked on at the scene, Bilbo pushed past him to get a better look – he gasped. Looking around he saw a river twisting round the Elven structure built into the rock, he saw waterfalls pouring out from the city and into the river.

"The Valley of Imraldis. In the common tongue, it's known by another name," Gandalf said a smile on his lips.

"Rivendell," Bilbo breathed in awe. Alexa watched on from beside Gandalf at the Hobbit, smiling knowingly; for she had the same reaction as Bilbo all those years ago.

"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea," Gandalf informs the company, still smiling.

Thorin glared at the Wizard, coming back up the steps of the mountain pass "This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy," he sneered, a deep frown etched on his face.

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oaken-shield. The only ill will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself," Gandalf scolded the Dwarf.

"You think the Elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try and stop us," Thorin retaliated, ignoring the Wizard's words. Gandalf huffed at the Dwarf's stubbornness.

"Of course, they will. But we have questions that need to be answered. If we are to be successful, this will need to be handled with tact and respect and no small degree of charm. Which why you leave the talking to me," Gandalf says, having lost the smile on his face to an even deeper frown than Thorins.

Force! you can smell the testosterone! Alexa thought, watching the two bicker. Eventually, Thorin gave in, slumping his shoulders slightly he stepped aside so Gandalf could pass and therefore lead the company down to the Elven city.

Alexa walked at a slow pace – against her own will - behind Bofur and Bifur towards the city, she grew impatient, an urge to run into the city to find Ben overwhelmed her. Eventually, they came to the courtyard, she glanced up at the familiar Elven warrior statues when a shocking thought came to her. Oh, shit! How do I tell the Dwarves I've been living here for the past four years? Wait! I'll just tell them the mayhem I've caused over the years. They won't hate me, will they? Who am I kidding they hate Elves! She thought, peering around at the disgruntled company.

Soon the eyes of the company are drawn to an Elf gracefully making his way towards the company down a set of marble stairs. His straight brown hair waved about his narrow shoulders as he descended, he approached the company towering over those in his path. Lindir ?

"Mithrandir," Lindir greeted Gandalf, causing the Wizard to turn around to face him.

"Ah, Lindir," Gandalf replied, passing his staff back and forth through both hands. Wow! Gandalf's nervous! Never thought I'd see the day, Alexa thought, coming out from behind the Dwarves – some sending a worried glance towards her.

"I must speak with Lord Elrond," Gandalf said to Lindir in common – as the Elf had been speaking in Elfish previously.

"My Lord Elrond is not here," Lindir informed Gandalf, causing him to frown deeply.

"Not here? Where is he?" Gandalf asked warily. A horn sounded from behind the Wizard, swiftly turning around on his feet he saw Elrond and his battalion gallop towards the company.

"Ifridî bekâr!" Thorin commanded, this caused the Dwarves to close ranks.

They shoved Bilbo and Alexa behind them, closing them in a circular defence formation to protect them. Though it didn't do much for Alexa, since she was taller than all of the Dwarves her head stuck above the group awkwardly – though she was thankful she could see.

Elrond and the rest of his group circled the Dwarves on their horses. Not making the situation any better, Alexa thought, peering at the Elven troops awkwardly as she did.

"Gandalf," he called out.

"Lord Elrond," Gandalf replied, making his way over to his friend he spoke in Elvish.

Elrond hopped off his horse, closing the distance between him and the Wizard, continuing to speak in Elvish. For what felt like an eternity, Alexa and the company watched on having no clue what the hell the two were on about.

"Hey!" Alexa called out, gaining the attention of the Elf and Wizard.

"Unless you want to translate, speak common," the Dwarves looked on shocked at Alexa, Thorin turned, whispering to Dwalin.

"I like this one," Dwalin nodded in agreement, still glaring at the Elf.

Elrond looked towards Alexa, a flash of recognition went through his eyes, he smiled slightly, nodding. He turned back to Gandalf as if nothing happened, and begun talking once more – though this time in common.

"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something or someone has drawn them near," Elrond continued, glancing at the company as he did.

"Ah, that may have been us," Gandalf admitted sheepishly.

During their talk, the Dwarves broke their circle formation as Thorin had stepped towards the Elf. This drew the attention of Lord Elrond, who looked at Thorin knowingly. "Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain,"

"I do not believe we have met," Thorin grunted in reply, Elrond looked on amused.

"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain," he told Thorin.

"Indeed, he made no mention of you," Thorin responded bluntly, not bothering to sugar coat it.

Slightly fed up with the Dwarf, he shifted back over to Gandalf, speaking in Elfish once more. Alexa though wasn't paying attention; she was too busy looking around for Ben. When she couldn't find him, she reached out in the force with her mind, she called out to Ben. "I'm here Ben! I'm back home with the company," she felt a rush of excitement flow into her suddenly - he's coming. She was brought out of her trance when shouting filled her ears.

"Wha' is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" Gloin shouted at the Elf, infuriated.

"No, Master Gloin, he is offering you food," Gandalf informed the riled Dwarf. Alexa watched on humorously as the Dwarves came together in small groups, talking about the Elf's offer.

"Ah well, in tha' case, lead on," Gloin confirmed, hustling past his fellow Dwarves to get to the food first.

Alexa began to follow after when she heard a voice call out to her. "Nice to see you are here in one-piece Alexa. He has missed you greatly,"

Peering over her shoulder, she confirmed it to be Elrond "Good to be back Lord Elrond, I have missed him too. Now I must get back to the company, force knows what those Dwarves would do if I stayed any longer," she smiled slightly, bowing respectfully towards the Elf who she had grown to admire; before sprinting off in the direction of the Dwarves.

"Try it just a mouth full," Dori said, regarding a piece of lettuce.

"I don't like green food," Ori replied, disgusted.

Dwalin fisted his bowl full of greens "Where's the meat?" he asked annoyed.

"Have they got any chips?" Ori asked, looking around the room as he did.

"What took you so long?" Nori called from the table across the room, slowing her pace to a walk she strolled over to the table, sitting down next to Bofur, opposite Nori.

"Lord Elrond wanted to talk to me," she vaguely replied.

"An' why's that lass? Does he know ya?" Bofur added, interested in why the Elven Lord wanted to talk to her.

"Yes, he does know me, he said he was glad I made it in one piece," The two Dwarves looked at each other warily.

"And how does he know you?" they asked, waiting for her to continue. When she didn't, Nori looked at her questioningly both eyebrows raised, sighing she gave in.

"Well for the past four years I have been living here,"

The chatter at the table suddenly stopped, all Dwarves glanced at her having heard everything. Thorin scoffed at her, angry she had kept such information from them.

"Is there anything else you haven't told us?" he grunted from the head of the table, fists clenching. Alexa slouched in her chair, willing for it to swallow her whole.

"Well-"

— Time skip: Rewind a Few Minutes —

BEN'S POV

I was busy playing with Estel when I heard it. "I'm here Ben! I'm back home with the company,"

Excitement shot through me, she's home she's finally home! Calling out to Estel, I explain to him what I heard. He grinned at me. "What are you waiting for? Go see her!" he yelled. I nodded, truly happy since she first left - I ran following the force to her. I can't wait!

Skidding to a stop, I come to the dining area, glancing around I see her and a bunch of Dwarves sitting together at a table. I grin, running as fast as my feet could carry me.

"MUMMY!" I yelled, rushing towards her.

— Time skip: To Present Moment —

THIRD POV

"Well-"

"MUMMY!"

Piping her head up, Alexa saw Ben running towards her with a massive grin on his face. She stood up quickly, knocking the seat backwards, she ran around the table to him. They collided, arms wrapping around his body, she lifted him and spun him around.

Bringing him to her hip she papered his face with kisses, he giggled hands coming up to grasp at her face as she did. The company watched on at the two dumbfound, opening and closing their mouths in shock. After reuniting, Alexa brought Ben over to the Dwarves on her hip smiling widely.

Thorin was the first to speak "W-what you-you didn't tell us you were-you were with child!" he gasped out, shocked.

Alexa laughed, taking her seat next to Bofur again. "Well for starters you didn't ask," That earned her a stern look from Thorin, an eyebrow raised in questioning.

"Second, he-he's not my child," a few sighs of relief came from the company. That's weird, "I rescued him when he was a babe from genocide," she added, serious once more.

Ben looked up at her questioningly; Alexa had told him very vague details about the Jedi purge as it still hurt her to talk about it, he hadn't heard about the event until it was the night of the fourth anniversary. It wasn't intentional, but she was drunk, pissed in fact, the details just flooded out, ever since he had never asked her about it again.

Taking his eyes off of Alexa, Ben turned to look at the company, curiosity filling him. "Hello there," he waved, "I am Ben," he grinned.

Bofur looked at the boy with his own dimpled smile "Well hello Ben, I am Bofur," he said, bowing as much as he could while sitting. "At yer service,"

Alexa went around the table, introducing Ben to the Dwarves "That one there with the tattoo's - you see him,"

"Yeah!" Ben grinned.

Alexa looked at Dwalin "That there is Dwalin, he's Balin – the kind white-bearded Dwarfs' brother," Ben looked on at the Dwarf in awe, he knew from the look of him that he was a proper warrior.

Ben stretched his arm across the table towards Dwalin "Nice to meet you, Mr Dwalin,"

Dwalin looked at his hand weirdly "He wants you to shake it," Alexa informed, grinning at Dwalin.

Peering over at Alexa, Dwalin nodded, shaking Ben's hand stiffly "Aye, nice te meet yer too laddie,"

Continuing on Alexa went through each Dwarf "This is Nori," said Dwarf smiled mischievously, he ushered Ben closer.

"By any chance, Ben. Do you have abilities like Alexa?" Ben smiled slyly,

"Yes Mr Nori, I shall show you later," Nori nodded at the boy, slapping him lightly on the back,

"See you then aye?"

"Aye!"

Alexa watched the interaction intrigued, "Yer know," Bofur started, nudging Alexa "That ain't gonna end well,"

Alexa hummed thoughtfully "Yeah probably," she adopted a mischievous grin of her own "But I really want to see how it ends," Bofur laughed heartily at that, nodding vigorously in agreement.

"And this is the leader of the company, Thorin Oaken-shield," Alexa introduced.

She watched proudly as Ben bowed lowly. "Hello Mr Thorin, a pleasure to meet you,"

Thorin looked at the child thoughtfully "How old are you, Ben?" he asked, Ben looked down at his feet for a moment, then back up, making eye contact with Thorin once more.

"Four, Mr Thorin, sir," Thorin breathed out a laugh, "Wow," He said, now looking at Alexa with a grin,

"He's four and he has manners? Where were you when I was raising those two?!" Thorin stated, jesting at Fili and Kili.

"Oi!" they both yelled, which caused Thorin to stare at them knowingly, eyebrow raised. The brothers pouted, knowing they were never that polite, hell they still ain't. Thorin crouched down to Ben's height.

"So, tell me young Ben," Thorin stared at the boy seriously "Do you like Elves?"

At that Ben stifled a laugh. "They are okay,"

"It's fun to mess with them though," he added, looking at Thorin with a grin that reminded him of his own when he was a mere Dwarfling.

"Oh," Thorin said, "So, you have the same abilities to miss Alexa then," he said, casting a look at her as he did.

"Well no, uh I have a lot of training to do before I get that good," Ben replied, looking over at Alexa briefly. She was back at the table next to Bofur, laughing with him and Nori about something.

"Ah, of course, you do young one," Thorin said, bringing Ben's attention back to their conversation, "So tell me, what is your relationship with Miss Alexa?"

Ben thought for a moment "Well she is like my mother, though professionally speaking I am her Padawan learner," Thorin looked at the boy in confusion.

"Padawan learner? What is that?" he asked curiously,

"Oh, it's like an apprentice," Ben said.

"Thorin, Lord Elrond wishes to speak with you," Gandalf called. Cringing slightly, Thorin stood, glancing down at Ben.

"Well, that's my queue. nice meeting you Ben," he said, strolling towards the Wizard and the Elf, Thorin hummed lightly to himself. Padawan learner, now that is new.

— While their talk was happening —

"You know-" Alexa started, having calmed down from her talk with Nori and Bofur. She peered under her lashes at Dwalin. "Ben seems to have taken a shine to you,"

Dwalin glanced at her awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck "Has he now? Cannot say I 'ave noticed," she sighed, how stubborn can they get?

"Don't be like that Dwalin," Alexa said, body stretching across the table, she whispered "I can sense the smug seeping off you," She watched as his ears burned red, smirking.

"Nah, I'm naut," he muttered,

"You may fool others, but you can't-fool me Dwalin. I know your preening underneath," she said, moving back to her original position at the table.

Before he could think of a comeback, out of the corner of his eye, Dwalin noticed Kili winking at an Elf-maid strumming the harp. Forgetting about his conversation with Alexa he glared at the young Dwarf. Alexa watched the exchange, knocking Bofur slightly. He looked at her expectantly, Alexa just grinned at him, gesturing to Kili, grinning himself he watched the scene unfold with rabid attention.

Noticing Dwalin's glare, Kili dropped his flirtatious smile "I can't say I fancy Elves myself, too thin. They're all high cheekbones and creamy skin," he defended, glancing at Bofur and Alexa, who just nodded thoughtfully along with him "Not enough facial hair for me," he finished.

Casting his eyes back at Dwalin once more, he motioned to an Elf walking behind him "Although, that one there's not bad," he said, watching the Elf as they strolled along.

Alexa stifled a giggle, that's not an Elf-maid! As if reading her thoughts, Dwalin stretched his head across the table slightly "Tha's nah an Elf maid," Confirming his words, the Elf turned around, revealing that he is indeed a male.

Dwalin copied Kili's wink from earlier, sending the entire table bursting with laughter "That's funny," Kili muttered,

"You swing for a different team but you still play ball, don't ya Kili boy?" Alexa joked, making the older Dwarves splutter. Bofur laughed along with Alexa at the young Dwarf who just looked at them weirdly, not understanding what she said.