Okay, so, I realize that I haven't updated in exactly 241309573 years, but my hope is to get two more chapters in really soon. So sorry about the uber late update, please enjoy some more Firiah!

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue. Thanks.

Arriah walked slowly, heeding Legolas's advice, and never let her hand leave the wall. Step by step the skin changer descended down towards the cells that the dwarves were being held in. She could smell them, in all their stinky dwarf glory, could hear them, their even, almost sad breaths reached her ears like a symphony of annoyance and despair. The huntress couldn't help but cringe, at both the sound and the smell.

"That you, lass?"

Arriah had to search her mind to recognize the voice.

"Dwalin?"

"Aye."

"Are you alright?"

The dwarf grunted. "Fine. Can't say I'm the slightest bit happy with the current situation though."

Arriah nodded and grabbed onto a bar of Dwalin's cell door. "Me neither, I was hoping for a straight shot through the forest, but I became distracted, and was not able to come to the Company's aid in time. I apologize profusely for that."

"Hn. Not me you best be apologizing to, though. I can clearly see past my old grudges, and can clearly see an advantage to your relationship the the elevn prince, but still, I'm not the one you need to be havin' words with, lass."

Arriah nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Dwalin."

The dwarf said nothing further, so Arriah took her leave quietly and quickly, searching for Thorins searing scent. First, however, she came across Balin.

"Balin?"

"He's just to the left lass, don't be shy now."

Arriah nodded, thankful that the older dwarf's voice seemed to to no malice, as usual, he was kind and polite.

Arriah inhaled deeply and dragged her hand across the bars of Balin's cell till she came upon wood. "Thorin?"

The huntress continued on quietly until she came across cell bars once again. "Thorin?"

Arriah huffed and frowned, furrowing her brows. "Listen, I know you're there, and I know you can hear me, so please, listen. I have no intention of abandoning the Company. I also have zero intention of compromising the Company. I- I have come too far and done too much to just leave at this point. I haven't felt like this in so, so many years."

Thorin remained silent, so Arriah continued.

"I understand, I get it, more then you might think. My home was taken from me too. I watched my family and friends burn beneath the scorch of Goblins and Orcs. My mother, my father, my brothers..."

Arriah clenched the cell bar tightly. "...My sweet, dear little sister. My sight. My kingdom...It was all taken from me, and I'll never get it back, I'll never have the chance to-...to."

Arriah closed her eyes and fought back tears as memories long buried and desperately forgotten bubbled to the surface.

"But you, you have the chance, and I believe that you can do it, take back your home. The kind of pain that comes from being- from feeling so lost, it's unbelievable. I would never wish that kind of pain upon somebody. And I would never squander someones chance at recovery. Never, would I try to keep your home from you. Homes, families, friends, they are such valuable things. I-"

"Enough, child."

Arriah held her head low as her shoulders shook.

"Have you made contact with Baggins?"

All business no fun, this one.

Arriah's eyes widened and she slowly raised her head. "He wasn't captured with the rest of you?"

"No. He's still out there. Find him and get us out of here."

Arriah nodded slowly. "But I-"

"Yes, yes, speak with my nephew first."

Arriah gave the dwarf king a small smile and began to move away.

"It would seem, we have more in common than I realized."

Arriah stopped.

"Thank you, Arriah, for being a loyal member to my Company."

Arriah really smiled this time and nodded happily. "My pleasure."

In slightly higher spirits Arriah turned and immediately began to search for Fili's scent.

"Watch out for the steps!"

Arriah stopped and quickly moved against the wall.

"Goodness, lass, almost gave me a heart attack."

Arriah giggled. "Sorry Bofur, but, in case you didn't know, I can't see, like, at all, so..."

The dwarf let out a quiet chuckle. "There are some steps ahead of ya, six, I count-"

Arriah moved carefully as the dwarf spoke.

"Good, good, keep your hand on the wall, yep, now there's a bit of a break in the wall, and you'll be veering right a bit, so walk slowly, I'll guide ya."

Arriah nodded and inhaled deeply before letting her hand come off the wall. Slowly the huntress walked forward, listening carefully to Bofur. His voice alone wouldn't be enough. She could listen to his heart and breathing to guide her as well, if they sped up, then she would know that she was in danger.

"Yer doing great lass, keep going, almost..there ya go."

Arriah sighed in relief as her hand once again rested on solid wall. "Thank you Bofur."

"Any time lass. Now, Fili's cell is up these steps and to the right."

Arriah blinked. "What steps?"

"The ones right in front of- never mind. They're directly in front of ya', seven, eight, ten steps in total."

Arriah huffed. "Really?"

"Yeah, sorry lass. Just keep your hand on the wall, you should be fine."

Arriah nodded her thanks and moved forward, stubbing her toes on the first step. Grumbling Arriah counted as she walked up the steps.

One, two, three, ow, that really hurt, thanks for the warning Bofur, four, five, six, ugh, so many steps, seven, eight, nine, ten. Finally!

Arriah sighed once she reached the top. "Why are there always so many steps? Why haven't moving stairs been invented yet?"

Another sigh and Arriah inhaled deeply. Well, Bofur did say that Fili's cell was right at the top of the stairs so...

"Minwayla?

"I'm here."

Arriah let out a relieved breath and grabbed onto the cell's bars with both her hands.

"Please do not be cross with me Fili. I have no intention of abandoning the Company or-"

"I know that."

Gentle hands took hers and held them tightly.

"I know that."

Arriah raised an eye brow. "And you do know that Legoals is one, not my type, and two, like, way older then me, and also one of my best friends. So there's no way we'll be running off into the sunset together."

Fili grunted.

"Uh huh, yeah, thought so."

Arriah smiled softly and ran her thumb of the back of Fili's hand. "I have no intention of abandoning you either."

"I know..."

"Then you should hold nothing against Legolas. He's keeping my participation within the Company a secret from his father. He could be punished harshly if his father found out."

Fili sighed and Arriah felt his hands tighten around hers. "Please be careful."

"Of course I will. But first I have to find Bilbo. We'll get you guys out of here. I promise."

"Alright."

Her hands were raised and a soft kiss placed on each one. Reluctantly the red head pulled away and turned quickly. Finding Bilbo was now her top priority.

So, yeah, I'm gonna end it here. Expect another chapter soon! (I know I say that a lot, but seriously, I mean it this time) R&R!