The rain continued to fall throughout the day and night. The company continued riding until the next evening when Gandalf brought them to a stop at a rundown home. It looked it had been completely deserted for years, torn apart with grass and moss growing over it.
"We'll camp here for the night", Thorin ordered. "Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them. Oin, Gloin, get a fire going."
Everyone looked around as they started their assigned duties. Clill looked up as Gandalf walked inside the home, looking around.
"I think it would be wiser to move on", he said looking around. "We could make for the Hidden Valley."
"I have told you already", Thorin said in a low voice. "I will not go near that place."
"Why not?" Gandalf asked. "The elves could help us. We could get food, rest, advice."
"I do not need their advice."
"We have a map that we cannot read. Lord Elrond could help us."
"Help?" Thorin asked. "A dragon attacks Erebor, what help came from the Elves? Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls, the Elves looked on and did nothing."
"Thorin…" Clill spoke softly.
Like him, she had a hatred for the Elves, but her hatred did not run as deep. It was Thranduil who refused to help them, not Elrond. She hadn't even met Elrond, so she had no reason not to trust him or the people in the Hidden Valley.
"Darling, maybe we should seek help from Lord Elrond", Clill said. "He could help to get us to Erebor quicker."
"You ask me to seek out the very people who let our daughter die. The very people who betrayed my grandfather and betrayed my father."
"You are neither of them", Gandalf said. "I did not give you that map and key for you to hold on to the past."
Clill pulled back, knowing this was going to be ugly. She looked at her husband, knowing he always held onto his pride and would never let go of his past. Talking down to him like this was certain to hurt his pride even worse than it already was.
"I did not know that they were yours to keep", Thorin said angry at the thought Gandalf would keep something like that away from him.
Gandalf looked at him frustrated with his behavior. He turned away and stomped off, leaving the group.
"Everything alright?" Bilbo asked as everyone watched. "Gandalf, where are you going?"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense", he answered.
"Who's that?"
"Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day."
Everyone was almost speechless. Thorin walked to the camp, thinking nothing of Gandalf's words.
"Come on, Bombur, we're hungry."
Clill sighed as she stood with Bilbo and Balin, who looked out in the direction Gandalf was last seen. The sun was beginning to go down and it was obvious Gandalf wouldn't be joining them for a meal.
"Is he coming back?" Bilbo asked.
"I certainly hope so", Clill said wrapping her arms around herself. "This journey is really starting to worry me. Thorin… he's not acting like himself anymore… I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean not acting like himself?" Bilbo asked.
"I know he has a stubborn streak, but that's how Dwarves are. Thorin may not take help when offered, but when the situation is dire like this, he will take the help. But our past with the Elves is not helping us."
"What past?"
She looked at the Hobbit, then turned away, joining the others. Balin sighed with a heavy heart as he watched his daughter.
"You mustn't blame them, laddie", he said turning to Bilbo. "Thorin's never trusted Elves since the loss of their daughter."
"Daughter?" Bilbo asked surprised. "Thorin and Clill have a child?"
"Had, laddie, had. Lost to the dragon when the Elves refused to offer any aid. Sidda's death left a gaping hole in the heart of my daughter. She won't ever forget it, and neither will Thorin. He will never let it go, that the Elves cost them, not only their home, but their only child, naught but a baby."
Bilbo turned and looked at Clill who watched the sunset, holding the jewel charm in her hand, keeping Sidda on her mind.
