I honestly can't believe your response to this story! Thanks!

Got a couple little sweet suggestions, I'll weave them in somehow!

Thanks to: Elisa de Lune for the pipe idea. Mrsmiawallace88 for the fur coat

As the story progresses so will Daisy's relationships with the others, I just need to sort the main paring out before we can commence on family life with the dwarves!

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When Daisy woke the next morning she was in her bed, leaving her to wonder if last night was a dream. She sat up and rubbed her eyes groggily before noticing that she was not covered with a duvet, but a large fur coat. Daisy felt a blush creeping up her cheeks and couldn't help but smile dreamily. Thorin must have carried her in and given her his coat. Oh gosh, how was she going to get it back to him without the others seeing? And she was pretty sure that the bets had been about Thorin and herself…getting together. She shook her head, there was no way Thorin loved her. But then he had treated her as such last night, Daisy let out a frustrated sigh before noticing piece of paper on the cabinet near her bed.

She reached out to grab it and read:

Daisy,

I don't know if you remembered this but we were meant to go the waterfall this morning? Don't worry, I heard about lunch and that you might not be feeling up to it. We'll do it another time. Lord Elrond will be trying to catch you about your ribs, I suspect they'll be beginning to cause you pain.

I'll catch you later!

Ednam.

Daisy gasped, she had completely forgotten about Ednam's trip. She would have to make sure she apologised. Realising that it was probably almost breakfast she decided to get up. Another dress had been laid out for her so she quickly changed and grumbled when she couldn't do the fastening up at the back. Perhaps if she held it up she'd see a female elf on the way to breakfast who could help her.

Daisy glanced at Thorin's coat lying on her bed. She knew she needed to go it to him so she picked it up and hurried to her door, praying she wouldn't see anyone before she'd sorted out her clothing problem.

Unfortunately, no sooner than she had left her room she collided with a fast moving Thorin. His firm arm grabbed her waist to stop her from falling, but she was red in the face by the time she looked at him properly.

'I have you coat.' She mumbled, holding out the mass of fabric in front of her.

'Thank you. I was just on my way to fetch you; you're a bit late for breakfast.' Thorin took the coat and smiled at her. Daisy was sure she was a beetroot by now. Why did he have this effect on her?

'Oh, am I? T-thank you for coming to get me.' Daisy stuttered, feeling like a fool.

'It's my pleasure. Let's get going then.' Thorin turned and started to walk away. He stopped when he noticed Daisy wasn't following. 'What's wrong?' Daisy shifted her feet.

'M-my dress has a little button on the back that keeps the skirt in place. I can't reach it, could you do it up please? I was going to find one of the elves but as you're here..' Daisy said quickly. It was Thorin's turn to go red.

'Y-yes of course.' He walked quickly over to her and she turned around, pulling her hair out of the way.

'Can you see it?' Daisy asked.

'Yes.' Thorin replied, his hands shaking as he fastened the delicate material together. He moved to bring her hair back but caught a glimpse of a scar underneath her shoulder. 'What's this?' Thorin's eyes went wide as he saw multiple little cuts running down her shoulder blades. Daisy turned around, fear in her eyes. Thorin spied more cuts peeking through the fabric across her collar bones.

'T-thank you for doing the button-'

'Daisy who did this to you?' Thorin asked firmly. Daisy took a step back and he cursed his tone of voice.

'No one,'

'Then how-?'

'It doesn't matter.' Daisy said, her voice cracking. Thorin moved towards her and took it as a good sign she didn't move away.

'Please Daisy, I want to help.' Thorin said softly.

'I know, but please. Not now.' Daisy pleaded and Thorin nodded reluctantly.

'Ok. Let's get you to breakfast.'

Thorin and Daisy walked in silence, though Daisy noticed how Thorin's hand always stayed near her lower back. Several of the dwarves seemed to notice this as well when they entered, casting knowing glances at one another. Perhaps when she was alone with Thorin she'd confront him about the glances and maybe even the bets.

'Lass, we have some apologising to do.' Bofur told her as she reached her seat. Daisy noticed that the dwarves had all moved their chairs so that they were closer to the end of the table.

'What for?' Daisy asked sitting down. She looked to Thorin but he didn't give anything away.

'I for one,' Gloin began. 'Would like to offer my sincere apology for giving you that wine yesterday. We missed you at dinner.'

'Also for placing silly bets,'

'And trying to carry them out,'

'And ruining Thorin's attempt to ask you-' There was a loud thud followed by an even louder: 'OW!' As Thorin kicked Kili under the table. Daisy bit back a smile. She'd come to think of these dwarves as family.

'I forgive you,' Daisy smiled and they all cheered. Breakfast seemed to have officially started, for sausages were being chucked around-a very different breakfast than yesterday. Bofur took out his pipe again and Daisy couldn't help herself:

'Why do you lot always smoke pipes?' She blurted out. Bofur looked at her in surprise.

'Tis the thing to do my lady!' Bofur leaned in closer. 'It's quite nice actually. Relaxes you, want to try?' Bofur wiped his pipe clean and held it out to her. Daisy looked at wearily.

'Are you sure it's safe?'

'Perfectly lass,' Dori said from behind her. 'Been doing it for years and what harm has it done me? None.' Bofur put the pipe in her hand.

'How?' Daisy held the pipe up to look at it.

'Place it in your mouth, like so,' Daisy copied Dori as he put the pipe between his lips. 'Breath in, in again, and out. Don't take a long drag though otherwise you might feel a little faint.' Daisy took a breath in and in again, but before she could breathe out a cough erupted from her protesting lungs. Bofur started to pat her back, and Dori put his head in his hands.

'T-that is h-horrible,' Daisy coughed. Bofur looked sheepish under the glare Thorin was giving him.

'That's quite enough of that I think.' Bilbo said and snatched Bofur's pipe away. Daisy took a sip of water to clear her throat and set about trying to find something for her breakfast.

Although she had eaten more since she had come to Rivendell, she was glad when mealtimes were over and was thankful Gandalf had soon come requesting to speak to her. She wasn't hungry anyway.

'Lord Elrond wishes to tend to your ribs,' Gandalf had to raise his voice over the noise of the dwarves. Daisy nodded and followed Gandalf. She was pleasantly surprised to find Bilbo beside her; she hadn't spoken to him since the previous morning.

'I thought I'd just come along and see how you were and all.' He said hurriedly as they tried to keep up with Gandalf. 'Do you remember much?'

'Only drinking and then waking up.' Daisy admitted. Bilbo nodded.

'Forgive me if I intrude or anything, but how are you feeling? You haven't had any dreams? Only you seem to be getting there with food and you are growing more confident every day.' Daisy smiled at him.

'I'm fine; I believe I am getting there with everything. I'm trying to forget, you see. But there are times when it's difficult; there are many things that remind me of my home.' Bilbo put a hand on her shoulder and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Gandalf.

'Ah Bilbo, I did not see you coming. I hope you are well. Daisy, Lord Elrond thinks that your ribs might be healed before the week is out, meaning that the quest can continue.' Daisy wasn't sure if this was good or bad news. She wanted to continue, but the safety of Rivendell seemed all too welcoming and she wanted to stay as long as possible. They entered the room Daisy had been into a number of times before and saw Elrond standing at a table which was covered in books.

'Ah, Mithrandir there you are. Daisy, Bilbo.' Elrond said as he walked over to them. 'I need to tend to your ribs Daisy, as I could not last night. You do not mind if Master Baggins is here?' Daisy looked to Bilbo and shook her head.

'I trust him,' she told them and Elrond set about working gently. Daisy held back flinches, but let the occasional grimace form on her face.

'I am pleased to say that your ribs should be healed before the week is out. You'll be able to tell Thorin he can get going' Elrond chuckled. 'That dwarf values his pride too much.' Gandalf nodded in agreement.

'I think it would be wise if you joined your companions soon.' Gandalf told them. 'Or they'll think we've kidnapped you again.' Daisy rubbed her freshly bandaged ribs and nodded as Gandalf led them from the room.

'Well that was quick, though I suppose Lord Elrond is a very good healer. Those two always seem to be together, perhaps they are plotting something,' Bilbo said thoughtfully. 'I think at some point Bofur wants to teach you a song; he was very keen about it. And I think we all want to ask you about that song you sang and it's words.'

'Oh of course anytime.' Daisy replied as they re-entered the balcony.

'There you two are!' Dwalin exclaimed. 'Master Baggins, we are going to do some training. You need to learn how to use that weapon of yours.' Bilbo grimaced.

'Must I?'

'Yes, you must. I cannot have you defenceless should we come across a threat.' Thorin told him. 'The rest of the dwarves have already gone.' Daisy looked around to find that this was a true statement. Bilbo sighed and reluctantly followed Dwalin out.

This left Thorin alone with Daisy. After the previous night Daisy didn't know what to think of dwarf-king. He had so many emotions that he hid, so many moods that changed so quickly.

'Daisy,' Thorin began. 'Would you like to take that walk now?' Daisy looked up to meet his eyes. Well at least I didn't dream last night. She thought.

'Y-yes alright. Though, I thought you said after lunch or dinner?'

'My men have left and will not disturb us; we may not get another chance to be alone.' Thorin explained. Daisy became increasingly nervous at his words and wondered what he would say next. 'Come, I believe there was somewhere you wanted to show me?'

'Ah yes, follow me,' She chimed and headed for the courtyard, Thorin close behind. 'I've only been there once, Ednam showed it to me, so I'm not completely sure of the way.'

Luckily Daisy managed to get to the bridge without loosing her way. She climbed carefully down underneath it and waited for Thorin to join her. Once he was beside her again she walked under the bridge and into the mist below it.

'Daisy?' Thorin called out, loosing sight of her.

'I'm here, it only lasts for a bit. Just be really careful of your footing!' Daisy replied, trying not to fall over. She let out a sigh of relied when she felt the mist beginning to clear and soon she could see the pool in front of her. Dais felt Thorin come up beside her and when she turned she saw him staring in wonder.

'It's quite the picture,' Thorin breathed.

'That it is. I'm curious, what colour is the water?' Thorin looked perplexed at her question.

'Deep blue, but surely you can see that?' He replied.

'I see it deep purple. Ednam sees it green. It's different for each person.' Daisy explained. Thorin shook his head in bewilderment.

'That is quite something.' Daisy began to walk to the rock she'd sat with Ednam on.

'It's very peaceful here.' She remarked, sitting down.

'Indeed. Who is singing?' Thorin asked, noticing the sweet melody around him. Daisy shrugged.

'Nobody knows.' They sat in silence for a while, listening to the sound of the waterfall.

The few minutes in which they were quiet gave Daisy the chance to think. Here she was, sitting alone with a King who she dared to hope showed a vague interest in her. She'd never had a boyfriend before, or even had a crush. But she did feel something with Thorin, she just couldn't describe it.

'Lord Elrond said my ribs should be healed before the week is out.' Daisy said, breaking the silence. Thorin looked at her.

'That is good news!' He cried. 'Do they hurt you much?'

'Not since he bandaged them. Thorin, can I ask you a question?'

'Anything.'

'What were you doing before you came into my room last night? It's just, it was the middle of the night and unless you woke up to just to check on me, you must have been up for another reason.' Daisy rushed her words nervously.

'Even though I would have come to check on you anyway, I was up for another reason.' Thorin admitted. 'You may not have been aware but Gandalf gave me a key which would open a secret passage into Erebor. The passage was told on the map we have, but the instructions were hidden. Gandalf thought Elrond could read it, and he could. So we now know how to enter the mountain. That's what I was doing before I came to check on you.'

'Fair enough. Do you want to leave early, as I'll be healed quicker?' Daisy asked quietly.

'Do you? I will not leave if you are not ready.' Thorin told her.

'But it's your quest-'

'Which you are now part of.'

'I still can't see my importance.' Daisy sighed, looking out across the pool. She felt Thorin take her hands.

'You are far more valuable to this quest than you could ever imagine.' He said sincerely. 'Without you, I'd be lost.'

'Wha-?' Daisy began but Thorin silenced her.

'I know I may appear a bit forwards, believe me it is not my intention to be so. I didn't know how to approach this, but I've decided to come out and tell you rather than waste both our times if nothing comes from this.'

'Thorin what?'

'Please, let me finish. You have always intrigued me Daisy. It was only when you saved us all that I truly realised how special you really are. You've not had it easy, I know that, yet I admire you greatly for everything you've done. Whenever I see you I just can't describe it, I feel a need to protect you, to hold you close and never let go.'

Daisy's ears were ringing, she could believe what she was hearing.

'I think it's time for me to just tell you. You can silence me if you wish. I think…no. I know that I, Thorin Oakenshield, am in love with you.'

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So he took the advice of Dori and told it to her straight. I feel that now he'd got that off his chest he can just get on with building their relationship and finding out the truth and stuff.

Hopefully their relationship won't move too quickly, we'll see how it goes in later chapters!