Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters

Chapter Two

The sound of rushing water greeted them as they continued walking eastward; many of the Dwarves quickened their pace until they caught a glimpse of the shining water as it bubbled past the rocks beneath the surface. They congregated at a shallow ford, staring across the wide expanse of clear water as it stretched lazily ahead, and the soft dapple of sunlight through trees decorated the far bank.

"We shall cross here," Thorin rumbled, his voice growling from deep within his chest. He watched then as his kin and company sagged under the weight of their journey, and smiled as his nephews threw themselves down on the grass and began to tug off their boots with glee. Their company followed suit, kicking off their heavy boots and shrugging off their winter cloaks so they could pass through the river without being unduly weighed down. Gandalf watched as the Dwarves began paddling in the river, their sighs and murmurs of contentment causing a grin to tug at the old wizard's lips. He turned to Miluiel, who had also cast off her boots and cloak, and was busy tying them to her pack in readiness for their crossing.

"Oh!" she cried, as she felt a sudden wetness on the back of her neck and shoulders. She turned abruptly, only to receive a handful of river water in her face. She stood, dripping and silent, as Fili and Kili grinned at her from their position in the water. Her lips quivered as droplets of water slid down her pretty face, and her grey eyes bored into those of the brothers. The two Dwarves in question, who had been laughing and smiling at the young woman, felt their exhilaration slip away like smoke on a breeze as they continued watching her. Miluiel began to slowly advance upon the riverbank, her hair curled more tightly in its damp state and her mouth set in a straight line. Then, with a cry of outrage, she threw herself into the river and tackled Kili, using her entire body weight to knock him off his feet and under the clear water. They both surfaced, laughing and dripping, and turned together to Fili, who was backing away from the evilly grinning pair. The three of them grappled and played in the water for a while, allowing the other Dwarves a short time of respite before Thorin and Gandalf both decided that they had rested enough, and should be on their way.

"Gather your things and away with you!" The wizard called good-naturedly, watching the young trio laughing and smiling as they began to cross the river together. The current was lazy and slow, making their movements easy in the clear water, but as Bilbo walked further and further into the river, he found that he was eventually swimming across. Dwalin took pity on the Hobbit and hefted his pack over his head, allowing Bilbo use of both of his hands and the promise of a dry cloak when he reached the other bank.

The sun shone bright overhead as they all congregated on the opposite bank, throwing their packs down and wriggling their bare toes in the sunlight to dry. They began pulling on their boots and cloaks as the sun moved almost imperceptibly in the sky, and Bombur passed out hunks of cheese and bread as they walked into the small copse of trees ahead. Balin dropped back in the marching company to come shoulder to shoulder with Miluiel as she sank her teeth into a piece of cheese.

"Are you well, lassie?" he asked quietly, smiling at her as she nodded and swallowed hard. The cheese was dry and stuck to her throat, making her wince as Balin passed her a flask brimming with fresh river water.

"And yourself, Master Balin?" she replied, her lips curving upward. Her hair was still drawn back from her temples, and the dappling sunlight highlighted the sun-lightened streaks through its length. No one could deny her beauty, nor would they wish to, but it troubled Balin. The old Dwarf was worried about the effect Miluiel was apparently having on their sullen leader; he had seen the way Thorin had gently caught the woman about her waist and looked long into her grey eyes, before lowering her out of his sight. It was plain to see his attraction to her, perhaps to all but himself, but a distraction such as this at such a precarious time could spell disaster for the company. Balin felt a selfish hand grip his heart as he watched the way she smiled and laughed softly with the younger Dwarves, but he knew that for their quest to succeed, Thorin would need a clear head with no lingering thoughts of the tiny woman beside him.

The company stopped to rest in the shade of a huge tree later in the afternoon. Their spirits were high, having caught glimpses of the illustrious mountain ahead, and their stomachs were full of the rationed food Bombur continued to pass around, as well as anything they could find on their journey.

"Brother, a word," Balin said softly, motioning with a jerk of his white head to Dwalin as he made to drop down on a rock next to Thorin. The Dwarf prince frowned but turned from the duo, listening to Kili recount a childhood tale to Miluiel and Bilbo, smiling as he remembered the mischievous boys his nephews had been.

"What irks you?" Dwalin asked as they were out of earshot, sitting a little way from the group. Balin stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Have you noticed our leader lately, Brother?" he asked, unsure of how much Dwalin had seen of Thorin's divided attentions.

Dwalin furrowed his brow and ran a hand over his bald head, before shooting a questioning look at his elder sibling. "If you wish to tell me something, hurry up and say it. I've no time for these games."

"Do you see the way he watches her?" Balin huffed out a breath softly. "I've seen him, when I don't think even he realises his eyes follow her. His mind is fractured, Brother. He is not focused on our quest."

The younger brother frowned gently and looked deeply into Balin's eyes. "And what would you have me do about that?"

"Not necessarily you," Balin replied, his voice heavy with regret. "But I feel that Thorin needs…some persuasion in regards to the young lass. He could be convinced that she is not safe with us…perhaps safer left in Laketown…" he trailed off then, turning to look at the group as they were dotted about. Thorin had moved closer to Miluiel, his eyes watching her gentle movements as she laughed and patted Kili's forearm.

"You are right, Brother," Dwalin rumbled, his hand resting on the hilt of his axe as he too observed their leader. "And perhaps she would be safer with the Men of Laketown. We are, after all, going to face a dragon."

"Aye laddie," the older Dwarf nodded sagely. "And may Aulë watch over us when we do."