The wizard shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of thirteen annoyed dwarves. Daisy couldn't blame him really; the sight would terrify anyone really.

'You mean to say,' Thorin began slowly. 'That you told the eagles to land on the tallest rock without thinking about how we'd get off it?'

'You must see here Thorin, I did not tell the eagles to land here,' Gandalf defended himself. 'And in case you had not noticed you were in dire need of my attention!'

'Couldn't you have perhaps, you know, asked the eagles to take us to the bottom after you had finished?' Bilbo asked nervously. Gandalf huffed.

'I was not going to ask anymore of the eagles than I did. We were very lucky they helped us at all.' Gandalf said as he took out his pipe. Daisy wondered where he got all his tobacco from. Assuming that was what he smoked. There was no telling what the wizard did. 'And anyway, I am no stranger to this place. We are on the Carrock and a good friend of mine lives near. We should be able to find shelter and food with him.'

'Providing we get off this bloody rock,' Gloin grumbled.

'As I said, I am no stranger to this place. I have merely forgotten my way. I suggest you all get some rest while I try and think which way is down.'

'Over the edge perhaps,' Dwalin muttered under his breath. Gandalf raised an eyebrow.

'That may be our only option if I do not remember. Now rest and I will think.' And with that he turned away from them and sat smoking.

'I give up with that wizard,' Thorin sighed. 'But I suppose he is right. We need rest, all of us. Get some sleep with the knowledge that we are safe up here.' The company murmured in agreement and set about trying to get themselves comfortable with the little remaining they had left. They'd lost everything in the Mountains save for weapons and a few bits of cloth. There was no wood on the Carrock and so the only warmth they had was eachother.

Daisy shivered as she sat down and closed her eyes. Even though the day was dawning it was cold this high up. It was only now that she was aware how tired she was. On any other circumstance she wouldn't have been able to sleep during the day but now for the first time in ages sleep seemed to be welcoming. She felt someone sit down next to her and it came as no surprise to her when she opened her eyes to find Thorin sitting next to her.

'Here,' He said softly taking his fur coat off. 'You should have this.'

'Oh, Thorin no.' Daisy protested. 'You're injured; you need the warmth.'

'Do you forget that you are also injured?' He asked, his fingers gently tracing her head wound. 'I regret that we do not have Oin's healing bag so I could clean your wounds. We can only hope that your wound does not get infected and that we reach this friend of Gandalf's soon.' As he said this he draped his coat over her shoulders and Daisy snuggled into the furs.

'Bilbo,' Daisy suddenly breathed. Thorin looked at her, puzzled.

'What about him?'

'He suffered wounds just as great as mine.' She pointed out. 'I have to go and see him-'

'Hush Daisy, Master Bilbo is well cared for. Just rest now.' Daisy looked over to see Bilbo sandwiched between Bofur and Ori, looking as tired as she felt.

'This coat is big enough for both of us,' Daisy told Thorin, who just smiled.

'So it is,' He replied but made no move to join her.

'Get in the coat Thorin,' She chuckled at his stubbornness.

'I shall, my dear. For I have seen you smile again.' Thorin said as he wrapped the coat around both of them.

'You saw me smile earlier.'

'Indeed, but only I got to see this smile so it makes it much better.' Thorin slid his arm around Daisy's waist and Daisy became aware of how safe she truly felt with him. With him, everything that had happened to her seemed a distant memory, and if the quest didn't bring up triggers for her past then she was quite certain she would have put her past further behind her than she'd already done.

'I'm glad you're alright.' Daisy said sleepily.

' And I am glad you are. I don't think I can ever explain the feeling when Dwalin said you weren't with us in the Goblin Town. You must tell me if you are hurting, do you promise?' Thorin asked her. Daisy looked up to him.

'I promise.'

'Daisy, the injuries you have could be serious if not treated quickly. A head wound especially, there's no knowing what damage is done-'

'Thorin, I am fine.' Daisy tried to reassure him. 'I do not feel any pain.'

'How? How could you not feel any?' He asked softly. 'You have fallen from Mahal knows what height'

'I know how to deal with pain.' Daisy said bluntly. Thorin looked ashamed.

'I'm sorry. I did not mean to bring back memories. I am only scared that your head wound may be graver than it looks and that you have internal damage. I'm scared that you will fall asleep and never wake up.' Daisy sat up in alarm at his words.

'Now you're scaring me,' She said slowly. If it was possible, Thorin looked even more ashamed.

'Forgive me, it was not my intention.' He held her tighter and she leant against him. 'When we are back on the road you will tell me what happened in the caves will you not?'

'Of course I will,' She replied as she yawned.

'Sleep, Daisy.' Thorin told her as he kissed her hair.

And Daisy slept.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Daisy watched as her parents packed up their belongings into a large van they had somehow acquired.

'You've got the last of it woman?' Her father asked harshly, causing her mother to tremble.

'Y-yes,'

'Good. Let's get out of here.'

'Excuse me!' Daisy turned to see an old woman walking as swiftly as she could towards her parents. She recognised her as Mrs Gibs her next door neighbour. She saw her father grimace.

'Mrs Gibs.' Her mother greeted.

'How are you deary? I heard about Daisy. Such a tragedy, I am so terribly sorry.' Mrs Gibs eyed the van. 'Are you moving? I guess it makes sense. Too many memories here.'

'Yes, yes of course-' Her mother began but Mrs Gibs continued.

'You have to wonder if Daisy is in a better place now.'

'What do you mean?' Her father asked gruffly.

'I mean, Daisy didn't have the best life here did she?'

'What are you saying woman?'

'This world is such an awful place for youngsters to grow up in. The pollution, the crime, and they spend all day indoors nowadays!' Mrs Gibs explained and her parents visibly relaxed.

'Well that is true, Mrs Gibs.' Her mother said at last. 'But we really have to be going, or else we will miss our train.'

'Ah yes! I have kept you too long and for that I apologise. I am a thief, a thief of your time and you will almost miss your train because of me.' Her parents laughed nervously as they climbed in the van. Mrs Gibs turned so she was looking straight at Daisy.

'H-hello?' Daisy said, waving a hand. Mrs Gibs didn't move.

'A thief. A thief,' She repeated and Daisy looked at her confused. 'A thief. Flower is a thief.' Daisy's eyes went wide as the world around her changed into a dark cave and Mrs Gibs into the creature Daisy had encountered there. 'Thief! They stole it from us!' The creature lunged for Daisy who managed to get out of the way just in time-

'Daisy! Daisy wake up,' Daisy opened her eyes and suddenly wished she hadn't. The sun was blearing down and she couldn't see a thing.

She could hear the mutterings of the dwarves and looked up when she felt a hand on her cheek. She looked up through half closed eyes to see Thorin looking at her concerned.

'Was it another dream?' He asked gently. Daisy nodded. 'Would you like to tell me?' Daisy closed her eyes and shook her head. Thorin sighed.

'I'm sorry. I will, but when we are somewhere safe and well rested.' Daisy amended and Thorin nodded.

'He's remembered!' Bofur said suddenly and Daisy and Thorin looked over to where he was standing. Gandalf was peering over the edge with a satisfied look on his face.

'What are waiting for? We must make haste if we are to reach safety before nightfall. Who knows how long it will take before Azog and his Orcs catch us up?' Gandalf said and the dwarves didn't need telling twice. 'Now be careful, all of you. This is a dangerous path even to the most cautious.'

In Daisy's mind, dangerous was an understatement. On more than one occasion someone lost their footing and had almost tumbled over the edge. On some parts the path had even worn away and they had to jump over the short gap.

'Bother!' Daisy heard Bilbo exclaim once Thorin had helped her over. 'There is no chance of me getting over that gap. You shall just have to leave me here.'

'Nonsense Bilbo!' Gandalf cried, making his way to the gap. 'You are no shorter than the dwarves you travel with. Now just jump.' Bilbo puffed out his chest.

'I'll have you know that I'm at least a head shorter than Dwalin!' He defended himself whilst the others laughed.

'Well hold tight then,' Dwalin laughed as he picked up the hobbit and chucked him into the wizards awaiting arms.

'Totally uncalled for,' Bilbo muttered angrily as he recovered. The dwarves laughed and continued jumping across the gap, eager to get off the Carrock.

Thorin had taken to resting his hand on her lower back to steady her as the path became steeper. The ground looked as if it was becoming nearer, though the path was more deadly than ever. Nori even fell off onto a lower ledge, which sent Dori into a state of distress.

'Look, Dori. He is fine!' Oin told his fellow grey haired dwarf. 'Now can we please carry on? The sooner we move the sooner we'll meet him.'

'Master Dori, stop you're worrying. At this rate we shall never get where we are going. It is not safe in the woods at night, especially round these parts. Please refrain yourself from worrying for at least the rest of this day!' Gandalf said gruffly, and stalked on. The dwarves cast glances at eachother before following on. They soon caught up with Nori, who had found steps leading directly to the bottom. Needless to say they took that way.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

They had not stopped after reaching the bottom, in fact they'd sped up. Still not fully rested or recovered, Daisy and Bilbo soon started to fall behind.

'We can rest if you would like,' Thorin said to Daisy, concerned that neither she nor Bilbo seemed to be their normal selves. Daisy waved a hand away.

'N-no.' She replied. 'It can't be that much further. And I think stopping would make Gandalf even more annoyed than he already is.' Thorin did not look convinced but did not press her.

The truth was Daisy was more concerned about Bilbo than herself. His hand always lingered near his pocket, but he did not seem conscious that he was doing it. Perhaps it was the heat, but he seemed more twitchy than usual, even though he was interacting with the dwarves when appropriate.

'We stop for a break wizard!' Thorin suddenly called out causing Daisy to look at him. 'Come with me,' He took her by her hand and led her into the shade of the trees.

'Thorin?'

'Here, drink this.' He handed her a water skin.

'H-how did you get this? I thought we lost everything in the mountains?' Daisy asked as Thorin placed it in her hand.

'I always keep a spare on me. Situations like this prove the idea's worth. Now please drink. We have had no water today and I fear you may faint.'

'I'm fine, do not worry.'

'Daisy, I do worry. Can you not see?' Thorin looked at her, his eyes pleading. 'I do not know what has become of me since we started this quest. You…you have changed me in ways that scare me and I feel that if I loose you I loose myself. I do not know what I would do.'

Daisy was overwhelmed by his words of love, and cursed herself for being weak when tears sprang to her eyes. Thorin quickly gathered her into a tight embrace.

'T-thank you,' She whispered. 'I do not know what I would do without you either.' She admitted, and it was the truth. There was just something that felt wrong about life without Thorin, she just couldn't work out what.

Daisy drank from the water skin and realised how thirsty she actually was.

'Is Bilbo alright?' Daisy asked.

'Yes, he is perfectly fine.' Thorin replied, with a hint of amusement in his voice. 'I spoke with him while you were asleep. He says you need to stop worrying about him and start worrying about yourself more. I also gave him some water then, so do not fret, he is well cared for.'

'Thank you,' Daisy said, smiling at him. There was a small buzzing noise and Daisy looked to see something flying around Thorin's left shoulder. 'Is, is that a bee?' Thorin turned to see what Diays was referring to.

'I believe it is,' Thorin said confused. 'Strange, for bees to be in terrain like this.'

'We must hurry!' The wizards voice drifted through the trees. Thorin sighed.

'I do not like Gandalf when he is like this.'

'Thorin! There you are.' Gandalf came towards them. 'I was beginning to think you'd wandered off.'

'Actually wizard, we have found something that may be of importance.' Thorin retorted. 'There are bees around here.'

'Bees?' Gandalf asked, his voice full of bewilderment. 'Are you quite sure?'

'Yes, bees are bees aren't they?' Daisy asked.

'Well in that case, we need not go any further.' Gandlaf clasped his hand together and became rather excitable. 'Welcome, my friends, to Master Beorn's halls!'

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Some real deep conversations are going to take place at Beorn's, and some plot lines will become clear! Hope you enjoyed this