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


After getting through the whole 'I can't swim' issue – thanks to Nori, who held onto her as he swam - and being helped through the toilet. Yes toilet, oh force just the thought made her gag. The oldest girl of Bard, Sigrid had led her into a small room with two beds to get changed and gotten a pair of pants and a tunic from her draw for her.

Silently and without much thought, Alexa kicked off her boots and ripped her socks off; letting them hit the wooden floorboards with little care. Clutching her belt, she yanked it through the straps removing it from her waist. The only sounds made were the dull splats from her wet clothing and the clang from her belt. Lifting her outer tunic and tabard she shimmied out of her pants.

With that done, Alexa moved her hands up to her top. Pulling at the item, she winced as a shot of pain went through her shoulder. Pausing briefly to breathe, she went back to the task at hand. As gently as she could she shrugged off her outer tunic. Her wet auburn hair landed with a dull splat as it hit her neck.

Flicking her wet hair over her shoulder, a sigh left her as she bent over. The action making it easier to strip off her sodden tabard without knocking her shoulder. The task proved rather easy, with the tabard sliding off her form with a wet thud; as it was heavy from all the water it had absorbed. Once that was removed, she hastily took off her soaked undershirt.

Now left in only her undergarments, she quickly opened the door and disposed of her clothes and boots outside the door as instructed. Closing the door, she sat on the closest bed and grasped the pants Sigrid had left out. Placing her left foot in, her right shortly followed before she jumped to her feet, shimming into the tight pants.

As she went to grab the tunic, her green-grey eyes ran over her stomach. Her fingers stayed outstretched towards the rough material of the shirt before they dropped. A sad sigh left her as her worn fingers ran over the gruesome burns on her abdomen. As she hit one particularly scorched spot, her eyes shut tightly and her jaw clenched as a lump grew in her throat.

"Oh my, Alexa what happened?" a soft voice breathed behind her,

The sudden sound made her eyes open in fright. She whirled around towards the door, her hair whipping her face harshly in the process. But she paid no mind to that as her eyes fell upon Bilbo standing there, a horrified expression etched on his small face.He knows now, knows how ugly you really are. How worthless you are, how weak.

Panic rose in her as the voice got louder and louder, bringing her to her knees. Her heart thudded rapidly in her chest and her breath came out in short gasps. The walls around her seemed to close in on her, making it harder to breathe. Then all at once, she broke.

"GET OUT!" Alexa yelled, her voice echoing around the small room. The door slammed shut and objects around the girl's room started to rise as she screamed.

THIRD POV

The Dwarves were all sitting around the fireplace, all nursing their bruised bodies and wounded pride; following their escape, climbing through a toilet, and being handed Bard's idea of weapons when a scream echoed around the house.

"GET OUT!"

The Dwarves leapt to their feet at the sudden shout, exchanging looks with each other. They ignored the Lakeman's three children and their questions and all but ran down the hall with Thorin leading them through the small house towards the screaming.

"What's going on?" Thorin growled as he came across a startled Bilbo,

"I-I," Bilbo stuttered, still reeling with shock.

"Spit it out laddie," Balin said from beside Thorin,

"I went to check up on her, as she was taking a long time. I knocked I swear! But after hearing nothing, I grew worried and I-" Bilbo drowned off, choosing to peer down at his feet than their brooding leader.

"And what?" Thorin spat,

"I saw her scars… and she-she," Bilbo breathed, peering back at the closed door. It was then, that it dawned on one Dwarf in particular, why she had screamed.

"Scars?" Nori asked, saying the word they were all thinking.

"What type of scars? What from?" Fili asked, his tone calmer and more levelheaded than his uncle's.

"Force lightning," Ori piped up, as he recalled his previous conversation with Alexa at the skin changers.

"What?" Thorin asked, generally confused.

"Force lightning. The green lightning Alexa created to kill all those goblins," Ori said,

"And that chair!" Nori added, making all of them bar Bilbo, Balin and Thorin hum in agreement, along with some laughs and an 'oh yeah'.

"What of it?" Thorin asked, generally confused. Chair? Wait

"She told me that she tries not to use it, because she can't control it and how she doesn't want to hurt us. Then I told her that she would never consciously hurt us," Ori started, getting agreeing nods from all the Dwarves and Bilbo.

"Then she said that she personally knew what it felt like to get struck by it," He finished, the realization and shock clear on everyone's face as they put two and two together.

"Mahal! Yer saw what that force lighting did to the goblins and they died! I dread what scars the lassie has got," Gloin muttered, gaining some similar comments in return.

During this, Dwalin was getting angrier with every word. How dare they talk about such a sensitive topic! Let alone right outside the room she was in. The lass had sobbed in his arms when she had told him about her past, about those bastards . And now they were all talking about her scars like they were ordering breakfast!

His body was as tense as a bowstring. His thick arms were crossed tightly over his chest; the veins extruding clearly. Before they could say anymore, Dwalin pushed past Nori and brushed the hobbit aside. His stance defensive as he blocked the company from confronting the lass.

"It ain't any of yer business if she has scars or no! Leave teh lass be! All of yer!" He roared, his face red with anger.

His words silenced the Dwarves and Hobbit, all adorning shocked expressions. His words settling in their minds, he was right; it wasn't their business. But they expected this from Bilbo, or Nori, or Bofur, hell even Thorin! But Dwalin? Defending Alexa once again? What was going on? They were once more left wondering what on earth had happened in that blasted cell.

Balin observed his bull-headed brother, puzzled as to where all of this was coming from. It wasn't too long ago that the two were at each other's throats and now? His eyes widened as it dawned on him. There was no way! But how else could he explain his brother's actions?

"Come on lads, leave the poor lassie. Dwalin is right, it is none of our business. She will come out in her own time, and she does not need us standing outside gossiping about her," The white-bearded Dwarf spoke, peeling his eyes from his brother to Thorin. His brow arched and his blue eyes looked at his King, silently telling him to go along with him.

"Balin is right. We need to leave miss Alexa alone. Now, go get ready for tonight. All of you," Thorin said, his voice orotund, leaving no room for discussion. He nodded once to Dwalin, then turned to leave with the rest of the company. Dwalin spared one last glance at the door before following shortly after his King.

ALEXA'S POV

Alexa sat against the side of the bed, her head in her lap. Since Bilbo had seen her, she had hurriedly pulled the shirt over her head and placed all of the fallen objects back where she assumed they were originally.

She had heard Bilbo tell the company about her scars. She had heard Fili ask about them. She had heard Ori and she had definitely heard Dwalin tell them to, for lack of better words; fuck off.

Ori wasn't wrong, she had been struck by force lightning. But the burns on her abdomen wasn't caused by that. No, the damage done on her body by force lightning was all internal and unfortunately untreatable.

Alexa fingered at the metal emblem around her neck, her cheeks tear-stained. Closing her eyes, she tried to clear her head. Meditation always soothed her after all. Hours went by and Alexa stayed silent the entire time.

The creaking of the door opening brought her out of her meditation. Uncrossing her legs, Alexa got to her feet and looked at the young girl.

"We cleaned your clothes," the girl whispered shyly.

"Thank you," Alexa said, gently taking the clothes from her. Once she had taken the clothes, a breath left her as the girl suddenly wrapped her arms around her in a hug.

"I heard you scream. I hope you are okay now," she whispered into Alexa's chest.

Recovering from her shock, Alexa placed a hand on the young girl's shoulder, a tear trailing down her cheek. Once she had released her from the hug, Alexa placed the clothes on the bed beside them, then she got down on her knees before the young girl.

"What's your name?" she asked softly, tucking her auburn hair behind her ear.

"Tilda," the young girl replied,

"That's a pretty name, for a pretty girl," Alexa breathed, taking in the girl before her. Like the other two, she resembled Bard with her dark brown hair and matching eyes.

Without a word, Alexa pulled the girl back into her embrace. Her hand ran through the girl's soft hair, a lump in her throat. Pulling back, she looked at her, a sad smile formed on her lips, Tilda reminded her so much of Seren, it physically ached.

"Thank you Tilda,"

Deciding she had stayed in the girl's room long enough; Alexa stood and rubbed her eyes. Dragging her hands down her face; she got rid of any stray tears and wet patches.

"Come on then, let's join the others," Alexa whispered, her hand outstretched towards Tilda.

Tilda took Alexa's offered hand instantly, a broad smile on her face showing her dimples. The pair exited the room and walked through the corridor to the company who took up the living room.

As she entered the room, most of the Dwarves had noticed her and perked up immediately. Sensing the oncoming questions, Alexa crouched to Tilda's height and told her to go play while she talked to the company. Watching the little girl runoff, a small smile played at Alexa's lips before she turned back to the company, who had since noticed her return.

The room was silent for a while when Bilbo spoke up. "Alexa I'm sor-" Bilbo started, but was cut off by the woman.

"It is okay Bilbo. You did not know, I am sorry I yelled at you," Alexa said, looking at her Hobbit friend in remorse.

"No, no, I imposed. I will knock louder next time," Bilbo replied, his hands held up in defence.

"You knocked?" Alexa asked, her tone significantly lighter.

"Several times," Bilbo said, his nose twitching.

There was a brief silence, with Alexa's and Bilbo's faces twitching as they held back a smile; before the two friends started chuckling. You knocked? Several times. Wow! What would Master Mundi say? That sobered her, quickly.

"So," Alexa begun, addressing the company,

"I heard everything said, and I just to clear a few things up. Yes, I have scars. No, I do not want to talk about how I got them or show them. They are not... easy on the eyes and I do not like acknowledging their existence," she said, willing herself to get it over and done with.

As she knew if she didn't address the reek in the room now, the company would draw it out of her. So, this way she could rip the ban-aid off and be done with it. Her eyes ran over every Dwarf, who was taking the information in with stride and understanding. Finally, her eyes landed on Thorin.

"So, what have I missed?"

/

"Apparently quite a bit. So, are we really going to bust into the city armoury?" Alexa asked, walking towards the brooding Dwarf.

"Is that judgement I'm hearing?" Thorin muttered, his Durin blue eyes meeting her green-grey.

"Pride," she corrected a grin on her lips.


AN: A Reek is... you've guessed it a Star Wars creature. It was, in fact, the creature that Anakin faced off against in AOTC in the Geonosian death arena.