Chapter Four

One month later..

It had been a month since the dwarves stay, and during that time between their arrival and that month, Tabitha had been showing them around town, and attended different festivals. There was one occasion she took them to an amusement park, and the Company didn't know what to think. She even dared some of the dwarves to ride the rides, especially the younger dwarves. Kili definitely was interested in the rides, especially the roller coasters, or Kili has called them 'flying cart ride'.

Later that same afternoon, the last ride everyone rode together was the Carrousel, and the dwarves (and Bilbo) took quite an interest in it. "The music is a bit too loud, but this contraption is beautiful! The craftsmanship on the horses is amazing!" said Bofur. Bifur nodded. "What kind of music is that?" asked Fili. "They call it a band organ, it plays by itself, operated by a paper roll and an engine." said Tabitha. Bilbo himself enjoyed the ride, and he said it was better than riding a real pony, and everyone laughed at the hobbit's remark.

Later that afternoon, everyone returned home from the long day at the amusement park, and gathered in the Great Hall. "Too bad, we didn't have our musical instruments with us, I'm in the mood for some music!" said Fili. "I got my flute! Piped in Bofur. "I forgot to show all of you the music room. My father often goes in there sometimes to play." said Tabitha, as she lead the company into the music room. Inside the music room, there was a grand piano, a cello, three violins, a Celtic harp (belonged to her mother), an acoustic guitar, a drum set, and a bass guitar.

"All these were my father's." said Tabitha. "I thought you said he played the pipe organ?" said Dwalin. "He does, but he plays other instruments as well, which is you see in here." said Tabitha. The dwarves looked around with great interest. Balin noticed the cello, as he went for it, and took a seat and began tuning the cello. "No offense, Miss O Hara, but doesn't your father tune his instruments?" asked Balin. Tabitha laughed. "He hasn't touched the instruments in a while, so they needed tuning." Tabitha replied. "No worries, lass, we can do that." said Balin, smiling at the young woman.

Thorin already had taken his place at Tabitha's mother's Celtic harp, Fili and Kili and Dwalin picked up the violin's nearby.

And Bofur picked up the acoustic guitar, while Ori picked up a clarinet. Soon as everyone got their instruments, they began playing, while Tabitha, Gandalf and Bilbo sat and watched. Thorin soon led the dwarves in singing a song, and Bilbo recognized it as it was the same song that was sung at his home:

Far over the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away, ere break of day

To find our long forgotten gold

The pines were roaring on the height

The winds were moaning in the night

The fire is red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches, blazed with light.

Tabitha sighed as she listened to them, but mainly focused her attention on Thorin at her mother's harp. He looked so different, less angry and aggressive-he looked sad, longing to see his home again. This side of Thorin, the soft and sensitive side, had drawn her to him.

As it was getting late, the Company dispersed and gathered in the Great Hall where they are going to sleep. Tabitha couldn't sleep, so she decided to sit out in the backyard courtyard to enjoy the night air. She didn't realize she was not alone as she sat outside, as she could hear heavy footsteps behind her. Tabitha turned, and she saw Thorin approaching her. "Cannot sleep, Miss O Hara?" asked Thorin as he sat beside her on the bench.

"No." Tabitha replied. "Beautiful night out here. You have a very lovely home, Miss O Hara." said Thorin. "Thank you." said Tabitha, casually. "You know this has been a pleasant month during our stay with you. I just want to thank you for taking us in, feeding us, giving us shelter and clothes!" said Thorin. "You're welcome, Thorin. You and your company haven't been such bad guests yourselves." said Tabitha. "You know, Tabitha, once we do leave, its going to be very difficult from parting from you." confessed Thorin.

Thorin's words caught Tabitha by surprise. "What are you trying to say, Thorin?" asked Tabitha. "I'm trying to say, I've growing rather fond of you, Tabitha O Hara. You've been so kind to us since our arrival!" said Thorin. "Thorin, its getting late, and I'm tired." began Tabitha, as she stood up.

"Alright, go and get some rest, Miss O Hara. We'll talk more tomorrow!" said Thorin. "Good night." said Tabitha, as she walked back inside. "Good night, Tabitha." said Thorin. The next morning, as Tabitha was about to make breakfast, she noticed she needed some things from the store in order to make breakfast. "I'm going to the store, everyone! I'll be back in a few! Can some of you hold down the fort while I'm gone?" asked Tabitha. "Sure, if you let Bombur help you make breakfast." said Bofur. "Of course, I will." said Tabitha, smiling at the dwarf.

And so Tabitha left, and she made way to the store. As she arrived, she browsed through the aisles grabbing the things she needed to cook breakfast. No soon as she arrived at check out, she saw a very familiar face, a face she didn't want to see. It was her former boyfriend, Alex. And a flashback of a horrible return to her of her last encounter with Alex:

Flashback:

"Open the door, Tabby! I said open the door now!" shouted Alex. "No! broke it off with you three months ago, you could at least get the hint and leave me alone!" Tabitha shouted back from behind the door. "Don't make me have to break down your door, woman!" barked Alex.

"You do that, I will call the cops!" yelled Tabitha. "You call the cops, I will break down this door, and kill you myself! I said open the door, damn it!" Alex screamed. "I'm picking up the phone!" Tabitha shouted. Suddenly, Tabitha could hear loud banging coming from the front door. Suddenly, Tabitha's dorm door had broken down, as Alex charged into the dorm room, as he lunged at Tabitha. Tabitha screamed. "Get off of me!" Tabitha shrieked, as Alex pounded on her.

"NO! You are mine, and if I ever, EVER catch you with another man again, I will kill you! You are mine, woman, you understand me, MINE!" bellowed Alex. Suddenly, Tabitha took her free leg and kicked the man in the groin, as Alex roared. Tabitha bolted out of her dorm room, as she made way to Luke's room, and the two called the police.

End of Flashback.

Come on people, I need to get home quick! thought Tabitha, as she stood in the long line. That and the fact she didn't want Alex to see her standing there, either. Finally she made it, and she paid for her things. When that was done, she left the store. And she didn't realize she had been followed, because unfortunately Alex had indeed saw her standing in line, and he followed her out to the parking lot.

By the time he came close, Tabitha was already inside her van, and she pulled out. Alex went to his brown truck, and he began to drive, following her. Tabitha arrived at the home with the groceries, and Thorin whom was sitting outside on the front porch smoking his pipe, saw her pulling in, and he stood up. Once Tabitha parked the van, Thorin went to help her. "Do you need help carrying stuff in?" asked Thorin. "Sure, please do!" Tabitha replied, as Thorin helped Tabitha carrying in the groceries.

Meanwhile, Alex pulled in the driveway, and parked, and he snarled when he saw Thorin helping Tabitha carrying groceries inside the large home. So that ass hole thinks he can steal what's mine from me? Well he's got another thing coming! I'll sit and wait until the time is right to make my attack! thought Alex.

Tabitha's POV:

After unloading the groceries in the kitchen, Bombur and I started breakfast. "Miss O Hara! Your trash can is full! Don't you ever take out your trash?" lectured Dori. "Dori, can't you see I'm a little busy at the moment cooking?" I said. "Let Bombur do the cooking!" said Bofur.

I sighed deeply. "I'll be back in a minute!" I said as I went to the trash can, grabbed the trash back, and walked out of the front door of my home. After placing the trash in the cans outside, I was about to turn to walk back inside my home, when suddenly, I felt someone jumping out at me. "You stupid little witch! You've been told, haven't you? You've been told not to see other people!" barked the loud familiar voice. "ALEX! GET OFF OF ME! GET OFF MY PROPERTY!" I screamed. "I'm going to kill you and that man you're with!" roared Alex, as he pulled out a small knife from his coat.

He had me pinned down to the ground. I took my left leg and kicked him, and I quickly stood up, and was about to run away when Alex grabbed me by the hair, yanking as hard as he could, and I screamed louder. Suddenly, he punched me, throwing me down to the ground. "You will pay for this woman, mark my words!" snarled Alex, whom is now on top of me.

Now he had me in a position where I couldn't barely move at all. He was too strong. Alex took his knife, pointing the blade towards my throat.

No One's POV:

Thorin and Dwalin stood nearby the front door when they heard screaming and yelling coming from outside the large front yard. "What in Durin's name is going on out there? And why hasn't Miss O Hara not back inside yet?" asked Dwalin. "I don't know, but I'm about to find out. Dwalin, you're coming with me, and bring our weapons." said Thorin. Dwalin went to get his axe and Thorin's sword, and followed Thorin outside to the front yard. To their shock and horror, they saw Alex on top of Tabitha, with a knife to her throat.

This angered both dwarves tremendously as Thorin and Dwalin both charged at the man. "LET HER GO!" bellowed Thorin. Alex stood up, and suddenly, he dropped his blade and pulled out a gun, pointing it both dwarves. "Drop your weapons, or she will die!" bellowed Alex. "YOU stupid bastard! Leave them alone!" Tabitha screamed. "SHUT UP!" Alex barked at Tabitha. Thank god I have my phone in my pocket, thought Tabitha as she quickly pulled out her phone. While Alex was busy making threats at the dwarves, and three of them exchanged heated words, Tabitha called the police.

Suddenly no soon as she finished making the call, she could hear a loud shot coming from Alex's gun, and the bullet struck Thorin in the side, much to Tabitha's shock and horror. Tabitha screamed as she lunged at Alex, now on his back, punching him severely. "Miss O Hara! I got this, you run inside for safety!" Dwalin called out. Alex tossed Tabitha to the ground. It didn't take long for the police to arrive. Four cop cars pulled into the driveway. After regaining her composure, she given the officers her report, and the officers made their arrest on Alex.

"Is he hurt? Should we call the paramedics?" asked the second officer. "Yes, please!" said Tabitha. Tabitha and Dwalin quickly ran over to Thorin. "Thorin, listen-we're getting you some help okay?" said Tabitha gently. "Send for Oin, Dwalin. I'm hurt." said Thorin, weakly. "No, lad, she is taking you to a healing place. You will be in good hands." said Dwalin gently. "I don't want to go anywhere! I want Oin to help me!" snapped Thorin. "Trust me Thorin, the doctors, or healers as you call them have more advanced healing technology and will get you healed quicker than anything-no offense to Mister Oin, of course." said Tabitha. "Very well." said Tabitha.

A/N: Please don't hate me, I never intended to get Thorin injured in this chapter. Don't worry, he'll be fine!