The next morning I woke up feeling warmer than usual and quite cozy considering I was sleeping against rock and my swords. My cloak never kept me this warm. Opening my eyes I blinked when I saw that the brown blanket over me was not mine, and then at the two snoring Dwarves at my side. I looked up, surprised when I heard a chuckle and stared at Thorin. He looked amused, and I felt butterflies in my stomach as I grinned at him and made to get up. Then my body remembered what had happened yesterday and protested. Wincing I bit back a groan, and slowly moved the blanket. Thankfully my hands still worked thanks to Oin's salve, even if they hurt a bit and I slowly stood.

Twisting a bit I moved away from Fili and Kili, putting the blanket back over them and moved towards the edge of camp. Raising my arms I stretched, reaching for the sky. Hearing a crack from my back I sighed in relief and lowered my arms. I flexed my hands, ignoring the pain and making sure my hands would still work. Rolling my shoulders I settled my swords better, and then turned and saw Bombur about to make breakfast. Not sure if last nights kindness was a one time thing I warily came over to help, only to be enthusiastically welcomed.

Pleased I helped where I could and then when Oin came over I let him check my hands. He hummed his pleasure for his salve working so well on my hands and put more salve on and then re-did the bandages.

After breakfast we packed up, me feeling happier than I had in weeks now that the Dwarves weren't so against me. Thorin nodded to the front, "You lead, since you know what's about to go underneath our feet."

I shrugged, hiding my shock, and moved towards the front, "Alright. But you need to tell me where we're going. I have no idea." He sighed but I could tell his heart wasn't in it as he pointed, "That way."

I grinned at him and started walking, feeling for the ground underneath us. I had to make them move here and there or else we would have slid all the way off the mountain on the loose rock underfoot, or away from a shelf that would give under our weight. As we went Thorin asked gruffly, "How can you tell the ground is dangerous?"

I glanced back at him, feeling glad that we were having a decent conversation for once and shrugged as I kicked a rock from the path, "Don't really know. I just can always tell what kind of ground I'm stepping on."

I glanced back at him curiously, "Can Dwarves do that? You live in the rock right?"

It was Balin who answered, "We do live under the earth, mining for gold, silver, jewels. We have what we call an earth sense. Though I don't think we can sense what you do."

I grinned at him in a thank you for the explanation as I kicked another rock out of the way, "Well as you know by now, I'm a bit odd." He chuckled and I saw grins among the others.

We traveled like this for three more days. We camped where we could and I even warned them when boulders came crashing down the mountain side, loosened from the ground when the sun melted the frost from the ground and made it softer. During this time the Dwarves were nicer and I started to relax more around them. On the fourth day we finally got to where the ground stayed firm and I lead them to a small area where some trees had grown and a small meadow of short grass grew with an icy cold creek running through it.

Thorin called that we were stopping for the night, I set down my pack with a sigh of relief. Raising my arms above my head I stretched out sore muscles and realized that my hair was one big rats nest. I grimaced as I tugged futilely at it, it has gotten much too long for my tastes on this journey. I usually kept it just below my shoulders and now it was nearly to my hips. But I put off worrying about it when Oin came over to check my hands. They were no longer hurting and looked to be healing nicely, almost completely healed. Another lather of slave was put on and re-bandaged. I thanked him and watched as he went over to help his brother with the fire, or at least tell him what to do.

I shifted my swords off my back and checked over the sheath to try and find the part that had been rubbing on me all day. Settling down with my back to low rock and swords in my lap I felt over the old leather with my fingertips, the only part of my hands not bandaged and found that the leather in a few places had popped from it's stitching.

Scowling at it, and wondering how to fix it when I remembered I had seen Dori stitching something up and called over to him, "Excuse me Dori, but by chance do you have a needle and thread I can use to patch this up?"

Dori smiled at me and nodded, "Sure thing." He brought over a little bag and produced a needle and some tough thread that would hold the leather together. Thanking him I took out a knife to cut away the rotting thread and got to work on fixing my sheaths as he went over to do something with Ori, or fuss over him. I hid a grin as Dori did his mother hen thing over Ori, who rolled his eyes but let him. I heard my name called and saw Fili and Kili come up with mischief in their eyes. Kili said with much seriousness, "You know what you need Ariana?"

Deciding to play along I asked innocently, "A bath?"

Fili shook his head as if this sorrowed him greatly and said, "Your hair brushed. When was the last time you took care of it?" Kili nodded seriously, "We can help. Hair is very important to Dwarves you know."

Arching an eyebrow at them in disbelief I couldn't help but laugh when they turned their eyes into the best puppy dog eyes I had ever seen. Shaking my head I waved them over, "Knock yourselves out. But I may not keep my hair in whatever way you put it after your done."

They didn't seem to mind and I wondered if they were bored as they produced brushes and sat on the rock behind me and got to work. This seemed to amuse everyone in the company, but I just wrinkled my nose at their chuckles and continued working on my sheaths. I wouldn't tell Filli or Kili, but I was a sucker for people playing with my hair. It didn't happen often because I didn't trust folk easy and wouldn't allow people behind me, let alone let them play with my hair. I felt them doing something, but they were gentle about it so I left them to their devices and only made them pause when I had to use my teeth to pull the knot tight enough that the thread wouldn't come undone.

Finished, I handed Dori his needle and thread with another thank you and called back, "How's it going back there?"

Kili said in almost surprise, "You have really long hair." I couldn't keep the amusement out of my voice, "I have been meaning to cut it." and nearly jumped out of my skin when they yelped, "No!"

Laughing when this had startled some of the others I soothed, "Alright, alright." Fili explained seriously, "Dwarves grow their hair slowly, so hair is important to us." I hummed, and filed that info away for later. I asked curiously, trying to look back at them only to be tutted at, "Is that why you have braids in your hair?" Fili made me look forward and I grinned my amusement. Fili explained, "Braids are important too. They can show status, like marriage or social. Normally only family or spouses braid a Dwarfs hair." Kili then said proudly, "Done!"

They moved away and I took one of my swords out and used it like a mirror to see the damage. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they actually did a good job. They had taken the hair at my temples and pulled it back out of my face and twisted the strands and then they tied it off with a leather tie, the rest of my hair flowing down my back. Humming I said, "Not bad. I'll keep it."

But then they pouted and I rolled my eyes, "Unless your Highness's aren't done..." and they instantly went back to playing with my hair. I would have shook my head, but didn't want to ruin their fun. I just rolled my eyes with an amused smile and looked over at Thorin, who sat all the way across the camp by his lonesome, to see what he thought. I was very surprised that he was glaring at his nephews and looking...I almost thought jealous but that couldn't be right. Could it?

He saw me watching him and quickly looked away. Thinking this over I contemplated this and came up with a plan. When they were done once more with my hair, turning it into two braids this time on either side of my face I said gently, "Alright enough for tonight."

They groaned but I shook my head sternly and they pouted over to sympathetic Bofur. Gathering my courage, getting up, I went over to Thorin and plopped down beside him, showing him my work, "What do you think? Think it'll hold?"

He stopped scowling for a moment as took my sheaths from my hands to look over and I glanced at the back over his head and said, "Thorin, you got branches in your hair."

His hand instantly reached back to check and indeed he had some leaves and twigs caught in his hair and he winced when he tried to yank it out. Slapping his hand away I moved behind him, "Here, let me see."

I pulled my own brush from my pocket and gently began to work on the knots. He growled at me at he tried to move, "I can do it." Worried, I asked softly, "Am I doing something wrong?"

He paused, seeming uncomfortable, "No, but.."

I chided gently, tugging him back, "Then hold still. Your worse then your nephews."

He looked back at me with an almost mortified expression and I grinned widely, trying to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside me as he mumbled sullenly under his breath, "I am nothing like Fili and Kili."

Schooling my voice but not my expression I said sternly, "Prove it. Hold still."

He faced forward but not before I saw the quirk on the side of his mouth. Patting his shoulder to show that I meant peace, I started on his hair once again. Glancing up I saw Gloin opening his mouth and glared. He shut it with a snap and Oin smacked the back of his head which got them to argue and Gloin forgot what he was about to say. The others were wise enough to say nothing and I concentrated on my work. But to be honest, his hair was a mess.

So I worked from one side to the other, tugging knots loose and pulling out the twigs and leaves. One was particularly stubborn and I muttered as I worked on it, "This knot is as stubborn as you."

He snorted, but I could sense him beginning to relax, if just a smidgen as I worked. So I took extra care to get the knots loose and then brush it all tangle free and smooth. I thought calmly, "I can't believe it, but it's fun pampering him. His hair's nice."

Then with a grin I whipped his hair into a low ponytail that went to his shoulder blades and tied it off with a strip of leather. Bombur raised a bowl by the fire to show me food was done and I patted Thorin's shoulder, "There you go." Getting up as Thorin felt his hair, I went and smiled at Bombur, who winked as he gave me two bowls. I rolled my eyes at him and went back to Thorin, giving him his food and sitting back down next to him.

Eating I nearly lost some of my food as Kili jumped into the seat next to me, "My turn next."

Thorin scowled and I nudged Kili, "You better get your food before Fili eats it." Sure enough, Fili was looking like he was about to eat Kili's food. It was just for show but it made Kili yelp and race for him. Smiling I said to Thorin, "It's weird, they act like their my brothers. Or puppies."

Thorin looked at me, clearly startled and I motioned to the boys who were scarfing their food to see who ate there's faster, "They want attention, they always want to help, and they always get into trouble. They are always trying to impress me, but just so I would respect them. Like they do you."

I casually said softly as I sent my spoon after a bit of meat in my bowl, "I don't think I can ever think of them as anything else." Thorin just hummed under his breath, almost like he was relieved, as he ate and I got that elusive bit of meat and ate it eagerly.

When I was done I saw that Gloin and Dwalin were over by a stump arm wrestling. Curious I set my bowl down and went over to watch as Dwalin slowly but surely pushed Gloin's hand over to tap the stump. Gloin groaned and handed over a coin regrettably. Dwalin smirked and then saw me, waving me over, "What do you say Ariana? Give it a go."

I held up my hands and back pedaled, "Ah, no thanks I'm good." But I was stopped by Balin, "Oh come on lass, Dwalin won't hurt you."

I hesitated and then heard Dwalin whisper loudly, "Didn't take you for a coward."

Raising an eyebrow at him I finally smirked, "Fine. But don't go crying to Balin when you lose."

He snorted and Balin chuckled. I took my position opposite of Dwalin as Thorin came over and teased, "Dwalin, you break our burglar it's your job to fix her." I saw his eyes tho, he was worried. Until I laughed as Dwalin rolled his eyes, "Does that count if I break him?"

This got me a glare from Dwalin as the others laughed and we clasped hands. I felt the strength in his hand, and flexed my own muscles. Dwalin started to frown and I grinned. Balin smacked the stump, "Go!"

Dwalin automatically put his whole strength into his arm and I was surprised by the force he was putting on my arm. But I wasn't a push over, and wasn't about to let him show me up. I held my ground, feeling my hand twinge but not hurt. Dwalin looked at me, startled, before growling and putting more strength into it. I did the same and concentrated, putting everything I had into my arm. And slowly, inch by inch, his hand started to give. His face was a brilliant scarlet as our hands began to shake. I was winning, but barely.

And then suddenly the tide turned. Dwalin had a bit more to give and started pushing me back. Glaring at his smirk I tapped into my reserve and pushed! His arm gave again and I heard the others shouting in glee or disbelief and I finally, after what seemed like forever, tapped his fist against the wood and we broke apart.

Gasping for breath, I flexed my hand tenderly, laughed and held out my hand to Dwalin, "Wow Dwalin! I didn't know you were that strong! Good match."

For a moment I thought he would refuse my hand but then he gave a sigh, grinned and shook my hand, "Likewise Ariana. I underestimated you. Won't happen again." His grin transformed his face into something less fierce and I grinned back and clapped him on the shoulder, "I won't either, Master Dwalin."

We exchanged grins before I began to blush from all the praises the others gave me. Bofur laughed as he clapped his brother Bombur on the shoulder, "Don't forget Dwalin, she saved all our skins when we slid off that cliff. She pulled us all up, including Bombur!" Bombur grinned good naturally. Waving them off I went over and picked up my swords. Sitting down next to Ori I saw him knitting! A scarf no less that was almost as long my sword! The needles and yarn made the scarf grow almost like magic. Staring at him I scooted closer to watch, "You can knit Ori?"

He blushed slightly, a shy smile on his lips, "Yes, I made my own clothes." I whistled, "I am impressed. I can't knit to save my life but this is really neat."

His smile grew and he tied off the yarn and held it out to me. I blinked at him, startled and he said softly, "I made this for you, do you like it?"

I took it gingerly, the scarf was beautifully made of soft green wool. I murmured, "Thank you Ori. But you really didn't have to." His happy smile made me blush, shaking my head bemused I wrapped the scarf around my neck and grabbed him in a bit of a rough hug, "Thanks Ori."

He blushed slightly when I pulled away and I fingered the scarf, whispering, "No ones gave me something like this before. Except of course Bifur and the porcupine carving but that was more as a joke I think..." Ori smiled softly and said, "I can make you some gloves if you like."

Excited, I looked at him, "Fingerless gloves?" He laughed and I blushed into my scarf as he nodded, fishing around in his bag for some more yarn. I laughed with him and looked around at the others just to have something to look at. Then I noticed something. Dori and Nori were wearing things made obviously by Ori. Then I saw something curious. Dwalin was watching Ori, smiling slightly. Underneath his furry vest I saw a piece of knitted scarf the same color as mine.

Smiling brightly, Dwalin saw me and looked away with a embarrassed scowl. I nudged Ori and whispered, "So uh, you gave Dwalin one too huh?" He looked like a startled rabbit and I smiled at him, pleased as a cat that got into the cream, "Cute. Very cute."

He blushed scarlet and I laughed, making him elbow me in the ribs. I just ruffled his hair and whispered, "Your secret is safe with me."

Ori peeked at me from underneath his bangs and finally grinned at me, "Thank you."

I winked and then looked at the others with an innocent expression. They were watching curiously but hadn't heard our conversation. Balin then looked over at me like something had occurred to him and asked, "Ariana, how old are you?"

Not expecting that question I answered, "24." and was not expecting their reaction. Everyone except Thorin, who I suspected just had more control, and Balin because it was his question, yelled, "24!"

Dwalin mournfully cupped his face in his hands, "I was beaten by a little girl?" Beginning to get annoyed by their reactions I said tartly, "I am human. 24 isn't all that young."

Kili laughed, "Ariana, I'm 77. So your like a baby by Dwarf standard." I shook my head, trying not to let my temper show. After all, they were older then I, they just didn't act like it. "I'm human Kili, and an adult by human standards." But this fell on deaf ears as they started making jokes about how young I was. Bofur asked if I wanted a bottle and Bombur made baby noises. Bifur shook his head at his cousins, but then started to cradle his bowl in his arm. Gloin loudly said that his wee lad was older than I.

Everyone was laughing, even Thorin was chuckling. None of this did anything to sooth my hurt feelings. Crossing my arms over my chest I glared, but kept my mouth shut. I really shouldn't begrudge their fun, even at my expense. Until Bofur asked if I'd like a diaper, I finally couldn't stand it any more. It was too embarrassing. Standing up abruptly I went over to a boulder at the edge of the trees that sat next to the meadow, to hide my red face. I ignored their calls for me to come back.

The moon wasn't out yet and I settled down with my back to the boulder, rubbing my pounding temples. If I had known how they would react to my age I wouldn't have said anything! I was far from being a child! I stopped being a child when I turned...thirteen. Muttering darkly to myself as my mood darkened as I remembered my past. Sighing heavily I settled back, "After Bruce came, things changed for the worst. I was a child no longer."

A whisper of something to my left had me tensing until I saw a pointed muzzled, red face and two pointed ears sticking out of the grass. The little red fox cocked it's head to the side and asked shyly in quiet yips, "My name is Quickmunch. You smell of animal, may I show you my kits?"

Sometimes animals would approach me like this out of curiosity and a wondering of what I was. I smiled softly, beginning to relax, "I'd be honored Quickmunch. My name is Ariana."

Quickmunch walked out of the grass with two small kits behind her, peeking out from behind her big bushy red tail. They were adorable and I cooed quietly as Quickmuch lead them up to me and I gently set my hand on her head, "They're beautiful Quickmunch."

Her tail wagged happily and her kits grew bolder and came around their mother to inspect me. Soon I had them in my lap and I played with them absently, keeping one eye to watch on the surroundings and one eye to watch my fingers. The fox kits had very sharp teeth and I didn't want them getting their teeth caught in my bandages. Then suddenly we heard boot steps and Quickmunch and her two kits dove behind me to hide as a a form moved around the boulder. Thorin coughed softly as if nervous to be over by me. I muttered irritably, "Thorin, if you came over to make more cracks about my age, I'll throw you back at the camp."

I was startled when he chuckled softly and said, "No. They didn't mean any harm in their teasing." A unladylike snort escaped me, "Could have fooled me. They acted like they were the youngsters instead of me."

Thorin gazed out across the meadow that I was facing and then motioned to the boulder, "May I?"

I waved for him to have a seat and as soon as he sat I began feeling a bit nervous as I felt his body heat next to me. To hide it I grumbled softly, "I have some friends that I'd like you to meet." He looked at me curiously, but nodded and I barked softly and Quickmunch peeked over my elbow. Then two smaller heads peeked over my knee and I said, "Thorin, this is Quickmunch and her two kits. Quickmunch, this is Thorin, the leader of our Company."

She came around me slowly to get a good look at Thorin and I gently took his hand and held it out for her to sniff. She did and then looked at me, then back at him before giving a small nod. I let go of Thorin and relaxed further, "She approves of you seeing her kits."

Quickmunch barked softly and her two kits bounded out from behind me and jumped into my lap once more. Quickmunch lied down in front of us and I returned to tickling the kits and trying not to get bit as they tumbled in my lap. Thorin said nothing, but watched curiously and slowly reached out to the vixen and ran a hand down her back. She didn't seem to mind this, and even moved closer so that he could reach more of her back. He pet her thoughtfully and said softly, awe in his tone, "I would never have thought this possible. A wild animal...coming up to me willingly."

I shrugged and pinned down one of the kits when he got too feisty with his brother, "Animals like me. And their darn easier to understand than most people. Plus, if they attack you they have a reason too."

I couldn't hide the bitterness in my tone at that last part and the kits picked up on it, yipping at me in worry. I soothed them with pets and could feel Thorin's worried gaze, "It's nothing. Sorry." I gazed down thoughtfully at them, "I have to admit it's strange to hear you all make such a big fuss over my age. I mean, do Dwarves live a long time?"

I looked at him curiously and he said softly, "A Dwarves lifespan is longer than a humans. We can live at least to 250."

I gaped at him as he nodded sagely and I asked, dying of curiosity now, "And how old are you?"

He looked away and I nudged him with my elbow, "Come on. Fair is fair, you know how old I am."

I could see the amusement on his face as he softly said, "I am 195 this year." Again I was gaping at him like a farm girl seeing the city for the first time. Then I snickered in laughter, "And you gave me a hard time! Ha! Old man."

He scowled at me, but I didn't see it in his eyes and I poked his grizzled cheek, "Old fart." We were distracted by this conversation when Quickmunch stood and barked to her kits. They tumbled from my lap and she said, "It is time these two learned to hunt mice. It was a pleasure to meet you and your mate. Good night."

My heart nearly failed and I yelped, remembering to be quiet at the last second, "My what!?" Thorin looked startled and I coughed, hiding my blush as I said, "Um, thank you Quickmunch. Good hunting." And with a flick of her tail the vixen and her two kits disappeared into the tall grass. I couldn't meet Thorin's eyes as he asked, "Should I ask what she said or.."

I shook my head, "I'd rather you not. Lets just say she said good night." He hummed and I looked back at the scenery as if it was the most fascinating thing I had ever seen. Out of the blue, Thorin asked quietly, "Am I bothering you?"

Surprised by this question, I blurted, "No, why?"

He blinked, looking at me in surprise and I said softly, "I mean, this is the most you've spent in my company without making me want to burn the hair off your head." He looked slightly alarmed, and I soothed, "But I am enjoying your company for once."

He bowed his head and said as if it hurt him to say this, "I should apologize, I just...normally a woman wouldn't be able to survive in the wild." Then he looked at me and I saw a familiar mischievous look in his eyes as he said innocently, "And I have never had someone tell me to get my stubborn ass to the wall." This surprised a laugh from me and Thorin said solemnly, "You nearly made some of the others shit rocks when you yelled at me."

I smiled at him, "Eh well, if it keeps you guys from falling off a mountain."

He rolled his eyes and I looked back out at the meadow as the previous bit of the conversation came back to mind, "But I can't really blame you. I'm so much weirder than others, that it takes people a while to get used to me." I waved out at the meadow, "I mean, most people who find out I talk to animals think I've gone mental and when they realize how strong I am, they begin to fear me."

Sobered, I said softly, "Actually, this is the first time anyone has found out about my odd traits and didn't thrown me in a ditch."

The angry growl from Thorin startled me, "You have been harmed before?" I couldn't speak at first as I looked at him, his sapphire blue eyes glittering dangerously and his face fierce enough to scare even the toughest man. I sighed, old memories coming back to me, "Not for a long time."

Thorin gazed at me and whispered, "Your parents?"

I shook my head quickly, "No, they loved me and would never hurt me. But..." the words popped out before I could stop them, "A man wanted my mother for himself. She fled from him and started a family. But he found us. After he killed my parents, he kidnapped me and showed me just how displeased he was with my mother for running away from him. It took four years before I was strong enough to get away. I have been running from him ever since." I shifted uneasily as Thorin's face turned from horror to pity, and he asked softly, "Why not just kill him? Your strength..."

I interrupted bitterly, "He's stronger. He is much stronger then I. I couldn't kill him, so I ran. I found different people to teach me how to use a sword, how to fight with my hands and it still wasn't enough. I was finally betrayed by someone who I thought was my friend. He offered her money and she took it, leaving me to die. I almost did, if Gandalf hadn't saved me and brought me here."

Shaking my head fiercely to rid myself of those memories, my hair flipping over my shoulder, "But that's in the past. He can't get me here."

Thorin was quiet for a moment before saying strongly, "If he was here in Middle-Earth, the Company wouldn't let him touch you. You'd be safe at Erebor." Smiling at him at the kind thought I said softly, "Thank you Thorin."

We sat in silence for a bit and I nudged him, "Lets go back to the others. Before they come to see if we killed each other."

He grunted, but got up and as we walked towards the camp I grinned mischievously. Trotting over to one of the creek I scooped something up and trotted back to Thorin. He cocked an eyebrow at me but didn't say anything and I casually walked up behind Fili and Kili. In a flash I slipped the slimy frogs down the back of their tunics and laughed as they yelped and danced to try and get them out. I hopped back and then sat next to Thorin to watch the show.

After Kili nearly fell into the fire if Dwalin hadn't grabbed him, I got up and helped them get the frogs out of their tunic. I looked utterly innocent as I returned the frogs to the creek and went to my pack for my cloak. I wrapped myself in it as Fili and Kili grumbled to their bedrolls. That's when I realized that no one was teasing me anymore. Wary, thinking this was a trick, I watched as Balin came over with his pipe and sat on the rock near me. He said softly, "I should apologize to you lass, I didn't know they would tease you so."

Relieved I smiled at him, "Me neither. But thank you, I accept your apology." From the look he was sending the Company I understood why they no longer teased me. Balin winked at me before going back over to his bedroll. With that pleasant thought I settled on the ground and fought not to smile. Thorin and I finally had a conversation that didn't turn nuclear. It was nice, he was nice to talk to. Even if I spilled my guts a bit. I watched as Thorin gave Ori first watch and pretended to be asleep as everyone went to bed. I was the only one to see Dwalin join Ori at the edge of camp. Smiling softly I closed my eyes and went to sleep, burying my nose into my new scarf.