So guys, I'm now on holiday from uni until late September so I hope to get more of this story fully written whilst I have time.

"Vey?" A worried whisper fell into my ear. "Vey, are you well?"

I mumbled an assent, to which way I did not know. I was half asleep. I had been waking every now and then since we turned out the lights.

"You sure?" The voice persisted. Kili. Obviously.

I sat up slowly, wiping my face, which was oddly damp, maybe I had been drooling. I nodded, "I am quite well, thank you." I replied, sleep making my voice break unevenly.

Kili studied my face in the grey half-light that comes before dawn. "You were crying," He explained, "Don't worry, it was not loud, no one else heard." He hurried when I blanched.

"Sorry for waking you," I bumbled, slightly relieved that I had not begun drooling in my slumber.

"I was awake anyway, couldn't sleep." He pushed his hand to the side to wave my apology away. "Neither could you." It was a statement, clearly he had seen my disturbed night. I wonder what it was that kept him from oblivion. "Do you wish to talk about it?" He breathed, his voice so low that I could have reasonably ignored it should I choose.

"They are only dreams," I assured him; and they were, albeit dreams that distressed me a great deal.

Kili moved to sit on the edge of my bed where I had now sat upright. "You can tell me, if it would please you, I would keep it to myself." He promised, patting my shoulder warily, as though he thought I might run screaming from our lodgings should he get too close. He let the hand fall to my knee and I stilled, not wanting him to remove it, but also not wanting him to get the wrong idea; especially when I was at a loss as to just what the right idea actually was.

I sighed, collecting my words. "It has been a long while since I last had this dream, since a couple of months after my mother…" I blanched, I could still see her face from the dream. "She's always there with her back to me, always leading me through the Old Forest back in the Shire. I only ever went once when I was little; it's such a queer place and the trees are never where they were before, and they whisper to one another too. Or at least, that is how I remember them," I shrugged. "That's where we were anyhow, and my mother takes me through the trees, twisting and turning away from strange cries and shouts that echo from everywhere."

That was not the worst part of it, though I had paused Kili seemed to know that there was more to come and bless his heart he waited as patiently for me to continue as a flower does for spring. Eventually my voice flowed through my lips without my truly being aware of it, I was back inside my dream now. "After a while there's a man we follow, he carries a bow, and he keeps gesturing to us and calling, but his voice never reaches us and then he turns to face us only – he has no face, there's nothing there at all. And mother starts screaming about fire and he begins burning. She finally turns to me and she's covered in blood and I lift my arms to try and help her, but I can't. I can't. I am made of fire and blood and darkness and I can't – I just can't-"

And that was usually when I woke up. I could feel my cheeks growing wet once more and my eyes were sore, but my hands were already occupied, I found that they were turning over and examining the Dwarf's hand that had previously been resting upon my knee. I could not remember deciding to do this and yet once I had noticed it was going on I could not imagine a good enough reason to stop. Not that Kili had complained at all.

I also realised I had been sobbing, how embarrassing. I hoped none of the other Dwarves would hear this, it would be bad enough to remember telling Kili this, but he was silently considering all I had told him. The sobbing came harsher, the tears no longer coming regularly, but in waterfalls then trickles.

The Dwarf leant his head upon my own and put his free hand to my face, wiping away the tracks that ran the length of my face, shushing me softly as I wept. Strangely my thoughts only turned to worries about how blotchy and horrid my face must look now from all this crying. In one sense I was ashamed of it being Kili who had seen me in such a way and yet at the same time, I was glad it had been him; I could not envisage Thorin treating me so kindly and I did not think having Bombur assert that I would feel better if I ate would do much good. No, I was pleased Kili was here by my side. Without really saying a word, the Dwarf had consoled me to the point of the choking sobs all but disappearing, leaving unattractive hiccoughs in their place.

It felt infinitely better to tell someone about this dream that had plagued me, no matter how twisted and unimportant it was. I had guessed that the faceless man was supposed to be my father, hence my not knowing what his face would look like, but his sudden bursting into flames baffled me; as did the blood and fire I always found cloaking my own skin. I gathered that I would never fully understand the meanings and perhaps I was not supposed to. Just then I did not care, the tears had worn me out and I slowly found myself dozing on Kili's shoulder, my hands still not letting go of his.

I woke to discover two things: firstly, Kili talks in his sleep and secondly, we were still sat upright my head on his shoulder and his atop mine. There were but a few remaining Dwarves still in the lodgings with most having probably followed the scent of another delicious feast that hung in the air. I tried desperately not to move so as not to disturb him, I had a feeling that he would not have slept until he was sure I was okay. My efforts were wasted however when I caught the eye of an already up and about Fili.

"Oi, beardless!" He crowed in his brother's direction. "Not you," He added to me with a wicked wink.

Kili was awake instantly, jumping with surprise and a hand flying to the hilt of a sword I had not realised he had been wearing. His eyes focussed slowly on the blond brother and his shocked half-asleep expression turned into one of annoyance. "I was sleeping!" He complained.

"And Veyra's hungry," Fili shot back simply.

As if on cue my stomach gurgled loudly. I had not even realised I was so hungry, it actually ached and heaved; as though I would be sick if I did not have something to eat soon. I cannot imagine how the Dwarf had known. Perhaps my stomach had been complaining earlier or something like that.

"You should have woken me!" Kili chided, realising that I could never have hoped to move without doing so.

I shrugged, "I didn't want to, you said you had not slept well."

He pulled me to my feet. "I slept well enough for you to be able to eat, Vey." He whined.

"I was only awake for a moment," I told him. In truth a part of me was somewhat disappointed that we were not still sat with my head on his shoulder, he was warm and he smelled of the earth and iron, a good scent even after weeks of not bathing. The smells of some of the other Dwarves weren't nearly as pleasant, though I doubt I could possibly still smell as a girl should after so long sleeping on the ground and not being able to change and wash every day. Thinking about it made me squirm, I would have to find a bath or stream somewhere in this valley, but first: food.

Once Kili had ensured that I was fed and watered I endeavoured, quite successfully to find a bath house of sorts so I could finally be clean. These Elves were very nearly as polite as Bilbo; the girl I had asked had pretended I did not smell like I had never heard of soap before, which was kind of her as I must have smelled doubly terrible to her Elven nostrils – Gandalf had informed me of their heightened senses, I realised that was why the Dwarves spoke amongst themselves in whispers at all times which was unnerving coming from beings that did nothing but shout. She had even offered to wash my clothes for me – all of them! Of course I said that would be most welcome. It would be a shame, after finally bathing, to ruin it by putting on dirty clothes again.

The bath chambers were pleasantly warm, the air moist and saturated with the clean odour of some flower that I had never seen before, but whose petals were scattered everywhere; in the water, on the stone floor, around small candles. It was quite a relaxing sight, I was saddened to leave it once clean knowing that it was like as not I would not be able to have such a luxury again for a long time after we depart, and from the twitching agitated glances Thorin threw at the Elves it would probably be a swift departure.

The young Elf-maiden – Elyah, her name was – returned my clothes and happily insisted I take a tunic from her people as a welcome gift, saying she hoped I would return, though she hinted that I should maybe leave the Dwarves at home next time. I learned that she was only one hundred, an Elfling by her people's standards. It was fascinating to speak to someone so willing to share about their culture, when she asked of mine I felt slightly unimportant; the Shire was lovely and peaceful, but we had few traditions and celebrations that did not involve a harvest, these people celebrated the moon and the stars, the sun and the wind, everything and anything beautiful was praised, Hobbits could learn a thing or two from the Elves.

I dressed in my usual black leggings, but opted for my new tunic instead of my normal shirts. The tunic was made of beautiful azure silk, the same tone as my eyes, and ornamented with silver birds and trees, it actually gave me a woman's shape which was usually hidden by my baggy shirts. It fit surprisingly well, it must have been made for a very young Elf indeed.

She bid me farewell when we reached the lodgings the Dwarves and I had been allocated as she thought it would be impertinent of her to intrude, though I insisted she would be welcome, especially after she had helped me so much. I headed inside and piled my newly washed clothes onto my bed and began packing, waving a 'hello' to Kili, Bofur and Balin as I passed.

"You smell nice," Kili commented. "Not that you smelled bad before," He added hastily, a soft blush upon his cheeks.

I giggled, "Thanks, a girl I met-"

"And where have you been?" Boomed a stern voice behind me. There were only four Dwarves in the room and I had not realised the leader had been amongst them.

I continued putting my clothes in my bag and replied steadily. "I went to bathe,"

"What were you thinking going off with these creatures? They are dangerous," He was still shouting, his words drawing the attention of the others. "Are you really as stupid as you look dressed up like those filth?!"

"Uncle, she-"

"She needs to learn that she cannot wander off when we are surrounded by enemies," Thorin cut Kili off with a scathing scowl. "I knew bringing a woman-child on this journey would be a mistake. You have and will be nothing but trouble, I wish Gandalf had not worked his magic to have you accompany us. I have never met such an ignorant little girl in my entire life!"

I blanched, a poisonous bile filling my throat. I threw the clothes in my hands to my bed. "You may mislike Elves for whatever pathetic reason you so choose, but they have been nothing but kind to me and I will treat them as I please. If you cannot accept that – woman as I may be – I am just as capable and intelligent as any male, Dwarf or no, then perhaps I am a wasted tool in your service."

"If you are so intent on recklessness, then it is for the best that I release you from your contract." Thorin countered.

"As you wish," I replied, stuffing the rest of my possessions into my bag unceremoniously. "And I hope you are a better King than you are a person, for the sake of all those who will be under your rule. Thank the Gods, you will never be King over me."

I shouldered my bag and left the lodgings where immediately voices were exploding, I noted that Kili's was the most prominent amongst them. I ended up wandering aimlessly around the Valley, passing through the market and following streams. I regretted agreeing not to accompany the Company the rest of the way, but I would be far happier back home than having to accept Thorin's preconceptions about me and his insults. At least I could say I had been on an adventure, even if I had not been there to witness its ending, I had enough treasure from the Troll hoard to prove it.

The streams were quiet and tranquil, rolling slowly onward, barely whispering as the waters went by. Under the trees the breeze only made the briefest and softest of appearances and each time it rose silent gooseflesh upon my bare forearms. I wrapped my cloak around me, though the cold was not unpleasant. It felt safe here, even without my hidden bow and quiver clipped inside my coat and my blade tucked into my boot. I would never need them in Rivendell, every part of me knew that.

"Thorin will come around," I was not a bit surprised to find Gandalf behind me, nor was I shocked to discover that he knew about the confrontation. The wizard always seemed to know just what was happening and turn up just at the right time. "In the meantime, you can assist me in studying the map." He offered. Of course I knew which map he meant, it was Thorin's, what I was curious about is how Gandalf had gotten his hands on it, Thorin practically slept with the thing.

I shrugged, "I doubt I would be of much aid, but alright."

The wizard handed me the map, and I did my best to seem as though I knew what I was looking at. The truth is: I have never seen a map of anywhere other than the Shire before. I had heard of distant places but I had never seen map nor drawing of them.

This map showed the Misty Mountains, The Lonely Mountain, a forest called Mirkwood, all of which I had never before this quest known existed. There were runes I could not read everywhere, harsh lines, I presumed these to be Dwarven. To the left hand side I could see the faintest scratching lines, not forming full runes but they were something, it was as though someone had written something, but then erased it. There was no definite mark, but when you looked closely, there were slight indents in there parchment at regular intervals. "There were words here." I stated, it could not be news to Gandalf, nothing would escape his eyes.

"Indeed," He agreed, "We just have no way of reading them."

"It is a pity I cannot read Khuzdul." I sighed, "but I imagine the indents do not show full words else you would have already gathered their meaning."

"You are quite right," The wizard agreed with a chuckle.

I tried to remember things the Old Took might have said about Dwarven culture: they can make doors invisible once closed, not helpful in this; they have symbolic braids and care a great deal about beards, still not useful; they have ways of making wording invisible. That was it! Somehow the words could be read. "The words can be read, but they're invisible?" I asked slowly.

"Indeed," He agreed once more, "But how is the question, child. I have tried using the brightest sunlight and candles, but they are no day runes." Which I remembered would glow like hot coals once the right light was found. "They do not shine gold when in complete darkness either." He complained, evidently frustrated that he had yet to figure a way to read the message.

I thought back to Old Took's teachings, "What about Moon Runes?" I recollected that these would reveal themselves in silvery wisps ones under the stars on a cloudless night.

"My child, I think you have it!" The wizard beamed, "If the Dwarf does not require your service then I most certainly do." Gandalf seemed only a little disappointed that he had not thought of it himself. Though I only really dwelt on how absurd it seemed to me to conceal a message on a map; maps were made to be read, what was the point of having a map that you could not read whenever you fancied? I would never have thought to examine a map in moon light, it would be a strange thing to do, you would not see everything clearly, there just is not enough light in the night.

"Come, we will speak to the Company."

I faltered, "No, thank you," I refused politely, taking a step backward. "They do not want me with them and I am perfectly happy heading home now."

The wizard tittered, "Are you really? The girl I thought I knew would never have said that. When I met you, you were eager for adventure or has that changed?"

"I – no, it's just –"

He raised a hand to silence me. "You joined to prove yourself, you have already done that. Thorin will see it in time, he is stubborn and even more so when it comes to admitting that he is wrong."

I sighed, "You will not let me leave, will you?"

"I will not force you into anything you do not wish to do, but I can think of many reasons why this quest will be good for you." He replied. "I do not think you want to go home just yet, am I correct?"

He was, so I nodded. Nothing excited me more than the thought of facing a dragon. As terrifying as it was, an overly confident and hopeful part of me chanted that we could do it and that it would be worth it. I still had my pride though, and that would be my worst feature.

"I will not go unless Thorin asks," I promised. "Last time it was me that begged to come along, I will not do that a second time." I would not; I had been insulted and scorned and I would be twice as cold to the leader as he had been to me. I always treated people the best I could, but there were some that you cannot be pleasant to for all the gold in the Lonely Mountain.

Gandalf's glare made it apparent that he did not approve of my attitude, but at that moment in time, it did not bother me on bit. I had had enough on my mind.

"You have been thinking of your mother more so recently." Gandalf seemed to know everything spoken and not.

"And my father," I admitted. "I wonder – I wonder if he knows about me, if he cares? If he could see me now would he be proud of me or would he think I was a fool to run with Dwarves?" I sighed. "I hope my mother would be proud, after all, if it were not for her I would never have left the Shire."

Gandalf nodded knowingly, "I have a feeling she would be, if I knew her as well as I thought I did." He chuckled softly. "As for your father, I cannot tell you whether he has knowledge of your existence, for I do not know his name. I think anyone would be proud to have you as a daughter in any case; whomever your father may be, he could not wish for a worthier child."

I grinned, a small part of me suspected that he was only saying these words to make me feel better, but it worked. I felt more confident in my actions, like I was supposed to do as Gandalf had insisted, almost like it was my destiny to go with these Dwarves to the Lonely Mountain, no matter how unwanted I felt within the Company.

We slowly walked back to the lodgings; Gandalf walking in proudly, map in hand and me sheepishly shuffling along behind him. I would rather be anywhere other than here, even if the wizard were here, there would be no shielding me from Thorin's wrath. Despite my attempts to hide behind Gandalf, I could feel the intense collective gaze of the Dwarves, although I dared not peek from my shelter to discover what emotions were displayed on said faces. I could guess that many would be angry and disgusted at the way in which I had spoken to their leader – their king. Though they were all friendly and kind toward me, their loyalties would no doubt lie with Thorin.

"So the girl will run to the wizard when scorned, eh?" Thorin mocked, "How terribly brave." He snorted, "I suppose she regrets her words of disrespect?"

"She?" I spat incredulously, "She has a name!"

Gandalf threw me a look that clearly meant I was to keep shtum.

"Silence, you fool." Gandalf scolded, a scowl in place to rival even Thorin's. "This young lady has just figured out that which both you and I could not. Veyra has found the key to reading the map, I suggest that you are more appreciative in the future, your very lives may depend upon it." The wizard confided.

Did he really feel the pressing need to do this before the whole Company? It seemed too overdramatic and a little embarrassing, though the glower I received from Thorin when I poked my head out from behind the old man gave me a small thrill of superiority; I had triumphed where he had failed, and he absolutely could not stand it.

"What gave you the right to display my map to a child outside of my Company?" Thorin raged, utterly seething, throwing his arms to the heavens in outrage.

The wizard merely sighed, "You asked for my assistance and advice and I have given it freely," The wizard reminded the Dwarf, "And I would advise you once more: This woman is more valuable to your mission than even she can know, I implore you to reconsider your release of Veyra from her contract."

I could see Thorin was trying to think up a decent excuse to forbid me to join them – and failing. "Fine, I will allow her to accompany us for so long as she is useful." He huffed.

"So," Oin interrupted, reminding the three of us that there were twelve other Dwarves and a concerned looking Hobbit in the room, "How are we to read it, Miss?"

I was shocked that it was me whom he had asked, surely they would have trusted Gandalf's word more than my own. I paused a moment, making sure he was definitely talking to me, though there were none amongst them who would ever allow themselves to be addressed as 'Miss'.

"They're Moon Runes," I explained, "They must be." I was unsure whether or not to elaborate further, but figured it would be impertinent given that it was Dwarfish work and they were likely to find me lecturing them of their own ways a little patronising.

Most of the Dwarves gave appreciative nods, whilst Thorin appeared furious that he had not thought of it himself. Clearly he thought as I did in that maps were useless when read in the dark – though I would never admit any similarity between the two of us; that would be beyond embarrassing. On both parts. Nonetheless, the Dwarves seemed impressed with my revelation.

The group delved into conversation about when and where would be the best place to read the runes and I tuned it out, it meant nothing to me anyway as they were excitedly slipping into Khuzdul every now and then. Once more I placed my bag upon my bed, it was mid-afternoon and I had not eaten since breakfast; my Hobbit instincts were kicking in and my stomach gave a small gurgle.

"Always hungry aren't you?" Came Fili's mocking murmur by my side.

I pushed his arm gently, "I am part Hobbit you know! It's almost like you people have never even heard of second breakfast!" I laughed, pretending to be scandalised.

Kili appeared by his brother's side, as I knew he would. "You have two breakfasts?!" He piped in.

I bobbed my head, "Of course! And elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper too."

The two Dwarves smiled bemusedly, it was as though they had never thought a female could eat so much – I could, and snacks too.

"I want to be a Hobbit!" Kili complained with a sullen frown.

I laughed, "Well, we are far superior," I joked.

"Perhaps," He replied with a wicked grin, "but at least us Dwarves don't have to reach up to do this," The youngest Dwarf ruffled my hair. Not in a cute way. I hated my hair being messed up, especially when I had only just removed the many weeks' worth of tangles that had littered it before.

"Not fair!" I pouted, shoving him less gently than I had Fili.

To his credit, Kili did allow himself to stumble backward a ways; though I do doubt my pathetic strength could move him if he did not wish so, even if I tried as hard as I were able. Fili laughed, which earned him another swift swat, though it was slightly marred by my own mirth trickling from my lips.

"I'm glad you're still coming with us, Vey." Kili muttered when the laughter had subsided.

"Only because it means I will pick on her instead of you." Fili chipped in, "But it is good to know you will be here all the same." He told me genuinely.

I blushed, "I'm glad too," I did not especially want them to catch my cheeks reddening, but there was no way to stop nor hide it; I would just have to hope they did not read anything into it. "Even if it means that I have to put up with you." I hastened to add in a joking manner.

Kili snickered, "A high honour indeed," The sarcasm flowed easily from his lips.

"Gentlemen," Gandalf called, "and Veyra," He put in remembering my presence, "Thorin has agreed, reluctantly, to visit Lord Elrond this eve to study our map in the hopes of enlightenment. We shall leave after dinner." He announced.

"Oh no, we'll miss supper!" I stage whispered in mock horror to the two brothers, whom went to great effort to hide their guffawing with yawns and bouts of coughing. Some of the other Dwarves gave the three of us funny glances, but asked of nothing.

A rather concerned and obstinate looking Bilbo appeared as though from nowhere. "Veyra, a word if you please." He implored, pulling lightly upon my arm.

"As you wish," I answered, giving a very confused and slightly terrified plea to the brothers using only my eyes, which were now wider than I have ever remembered them being.

The Hobbit led me away rather briskly for someone so much the shorter, though he had a surprising strength beneath his slight frame. He ventured outside to a small stream, not unlike the one I had found Gandalf by earlier, it was even framed by similar trees and bushes.

When finally he stopped, he turned to face me expectantly but did not say a thing for a very long time. It was terribly unnerving to have my cousin staring so intently at me, he usually saved such a glare of mistrust for foreign foods, like that cheese he had once been sent from Bree which he outright refused to eat on the basis of him not trusting them to make cheese fit for Hobbit consumption.

I heaved an impatient sigh, "Pray, whatever is the matter, dear Bilbo?" It was entirely unlike him to be quite so silent.

"Are you ever going to tell me what in the Shire is going on between the two of you?" He blustered, exasperated at my reluctance to admit whatever I was supposed to admit to him.

"I do not know what you are speaking of." I told him, though I had a few ideas: one alluded to my conflict with Thorin, although my problem with him seemed fairly self-explanatory to me, he was horrible to me; the other possibility was far more likely and pertained to a certain younger Dwarf, Bilbo knew me better than I did.

"Hmm!" He huffed. "You cannot pretend forever, dear cousin. We have all seen the way you two look upon each other." He informed me, startling me with the revelation that others had seen it too. "You might as well tell me your feelings yourself so I can confirm I am correct."

"It matters not," I insisted, hedging the order. I was not yet sure myself just what I felt for the Dwarf and far more uncertain if the Dwarf felt a thing at all for me, I was not about to admit anything before I know the full situation.

The Hobbit's stare faltered, "Why does it not matter, little one?"

I resolved that the only way to explain was to give a part of an admission. Bilbo would not tell anyone, surely, he was my cousin after all and we were practically like brother and sister. "Even if I did… care for him in any way (which I'm not saying I do), he is a prince. Would it not be, I don't know, inappropriate if anything were to happen? I'm not saying it will, but…" I sat down on a log beside the stream. "He deserves fellow royalty not some Half-breed."

Bilbo made a sound of disgust, "Don't you ever let me hear you say anything of that sort again! You are far better than that." He assured, infinitely worried that any cousin of his would have such thoughts about themselves. "You are plenty good enough for any prince, Dwarf, Elf or Hobbit. You've achieved more than enough to impress any man." He smiled.

I could not help bit return with a small smile, this little Hobbit always knew how to cheer me up. "Thank you," Was all I could say to him, but he gave a knowing nod of understanding.

"Well," He burst brusquely, changing the subject, "I suppose we ought to make for dinner before those Dwarves eat everything in the kitchens."

Thanks to anyone still reading this, please review. I need any input or criticism.

This chapters song was If You Could See Me Now by The Script and last chapters was My Paradise by All Time Low.