When Nori returned to the camp he was pleased to see everyone unhappy about how things had turned out. Thorin was crankier than usual, glaring darkly into the night at the other end of the camp. Nori smiled slightly when Ori nervously glanced in the direction Ariana had gone. His brother was worried for Ariana. When Nori rode up Dori was the first to jump to his feet, full blown mother hen set in, "Where have you been?"

Nori fought not to roll his eyes at his brothers mistrust in him and he didn't answer as he dismounted and unsaddled his pony. The others were obviously waiting with baited breath to find out where Ariana had gone, and he was going to enjoy this. He happened to notice that Gandalf was gone. He just shrugged, "Just for a bit of a ride." And he took his sweet time brushing down his pony before tethering it with the others. Dori looked about ready to pop as Nori settled next to Ori, who looked at him eagerly, "Is Ariana alright?"

Nori smiled softly at his little brother, "Oh she's fine. Made camp a bit away from here and quite cozy." Ori seemed relieved by this and Dori asked, calming down and sitting next to him, "Why didn't you stay with her?"

He glanced over where the wizard had been sitting, "Where did Gandalf get off to?" From everyone's reaction they hadn't noticed he had left. Nori hid his smile and said softly, "Oh well, wizards go where they will I suppose." Nori shrugged at his brother and took out one of his daggers to clean, "She didn't want company."

Dwalin snorted and Nori fought not to glare as the big dwarf sneered, "So the thief is afraid of a little female, eh?"

Nori chuckled, which surprised all of them, "Afraid? Nah, but I am not stupid. Ariana doesn't seem like the type of gal to have any problem knocking my head in if she pleased." Gloin grunted, not believing but Nori just shrugged, going back to cleaning his dagger. He was almost surprised when Kili asked quietly, "Is she going to be alright by herself?"

Fili looked like this question had been on his lips as well. Both the Princes seemed to like Ariana and wanted to be her friend, but their fear of their Uncles disapproval had stopped them. Nori said soothingly, putting his dagger away, "She said that she's camped out alone before. She just needs some time to herself."

Balin sighed heavily from where he was seated, "Not that I blame her, but it's unsafe to travel alone."

Nori grinned at the old Dwarf, "Ah but she has Laddybuck. He's as good as any guard dog."

This seemed to reassure some of the others but Dwalin just grunted, "Can't handle the wilderness by herself, she should go back to her mother. She should just go home anyway, we don't need her."

Nori's face hardened as he looked at Dwalin and said coolly, "She has no one to return to. No family at all."

Silence hit the Company like a sludge hammer and Nori raised one eyebrow at Dwalin, "And no friends I reckon. Not that we have been much in the way of companions, but I doubt all your cracks about her going home to a family she no longer has is helping anything."

Dwalin at least looked a tad ashamed before grunting and stomping over to his bedroll. Balin, ever the quick one, looked appalled first before it spread to the rest. Nori just shrugged and said quietly, "Now you know. So stop nettling the poor girl, she's keeping up with us fine and does her share."

He locked eyes with Thorin, showing how displeased with his leader he was and Thorin heaved a heavy sigh, "We'll deal with this more tomorrow. Get some sleep."

Dori settled a comforting hand on both his brothers shoulders and went over to take first watch. Nori nudged Ori and they went over to their bedrolls. They settled down for the night and Nori listened to Ori's breathing level out before falling asleep himself.

Sometime later that night Nori woke to Ori, sitting up quietly. Nori glanced at his brother, barely glancing to see Dori sleeping on his other side. He saw Ori glancing at a bush with a blush and then at the sleeping Dori. Nori knew Ori didn't want to wake Dori, who must have just gotten off watch and smiled at him, "Go, it's alright."

Ori looked at him thankfully and went to go do his business in the bushes. Kili got up soon after with a sigh and followed Ori to the bushes. Nori saw Bombur on watch now and settled down on his bedroll, waiting for his brother drowsily.

When Ori didn't return after a few minutes Nori felt his stomach twist in worry for his little brother. He carefully stood to go find Ori when he heard a rustle. He sighed in relief to see his brother walk out of the bushes, only to lunge for one of his knives when he saw Ori's mouth covered and a dagger at his throat by a man in ragged clothes. Ori looked terrified.

Nori barked warning and the others woke instantly, lunging for their weapons but he froze when another man came out of the bushes, arm around Kili's throat, holding him off his feet. The man snarled as a group of men surrounded them from the shadows, "Lay down your weapons or these two die right here!"

Kili struggled in the man's hold but could barely breath and was slowly turning blue. Thorin looked like he could spit fire but we were outnumbered three to one. He finally set down his weapon, and was followed by the others. Dori looked murderous and Nori snarled under his breath as he was searched and relieved of all of his knives. Then they were rounded up, ponies, packs and all and shoved into the night. Nori was actually grateful Ariana wasn't here.