NOTE: Hey guys been a long time lol. For those of you new to the story, basically I'm trying to create a love interest for Thorin. Frankly the hobbit lacks a little romance haha. For those who have already read this story I thank you for your continued patience. I know it's been a long haul. As you can see I have restructured the story a little bit to make longer chapters. There is a new one at the end. REMEMBER: any and all reviews are greatly appreciated.

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY J.R. TOLKEIN

"W-what?!" Bilbo sputtered in disbelief.

"I said, come at me…" Nola put her foot back and moved into the defensive stance she'd practiced a million times.

"I'm doomed…" Bilbo thought to himself as drew his sword with a nervous shake.

All the dwarves burst into laughter.

"C'mon Nola don't torture the little fellow." Dori teased.

However, the dwarves fell silent as Nola nodded to Bilbo, realizing that she was perfectly serious.

Bilbo tentatively swung his sword but Nola was too quick for him. When she struck, she struck hard.

"Faster Bilbo, Faster!" She encouraged.

Bilbo rushed in again, this time with sincere determination. His efforts were futile and he soon found himself on the floor with Nola staring down at him. His gaze drifted to her knee, remembering that night in the hall of Elrond's home.

"Nola he's had enou-" Thorin was cut off by Nola's cry of pain as Bilbo drove the hilt of his sword right into her wound.

His anger flared up as she fell to the floor and Bilbo held his sword to her throat. Thorin didn't even know what he was doing as he ran forward and shoved the hobbit into the wall.

"Enough Thorin!" Nola shouted at him.

"That was a dirty move Halfling!" Thorin roared.

Nola struggled to her feet and ran forward alongside Dwalin struggling to pull Thorin away from Bilbo. Once they had him calmed down Nola turned her attention to Bilbo.

"That was brilliant Bilbo!" she said with a smile.

"Brilliant?" Bilbo replied still in shock.

"Of course!" She exclaimed. "We you're fighting someone, you must let instincts take over. You can't show any mercy because you're not going to get any back."

At this point Thorin had slumped back, irritated with both Nola and Bilbo. "Why the hell is she encouraging him?"

Nola cast her gaze around the cave to the dwarves. "Let that be a lesson to all of you. This hobbit has a fighter's instinct."

She gave Thorin a pointed look before sitting down to bandage her leg.

As everyone settled down for the evening, Thorin timidly approached Nola and placed his pack next to hers.

"How's your leg?"

"Fine." She replied coldly. She had put away her bandages and untied her sword sheath from her waist.

Thorin ran his fingers through his hair before he continued in a low voice. "I apologize for my harsh judgment, but I don't know what you see in the hobbit…"

Nola took a deep breath, pulling her sword out of its sheath and she began to clean it as she spoke. "I know more that anyone that is a mistake to judge people by what they appear. The hobbit may have more to offer than you know… and there was a time you wouldn't have needed someone to tell you that."

She placed the sword back into its sheath and looked up at him. He could see the hope in her eyes, the hope that one day he may realize the value of those around him.

"Balin told me that you would take any of these dwarves over any elvish army. Why do you not accept the hobbit?"

"Because he is weak." Thorin replied without thinking.

"He managed to get me off my feet, which is more than I can say for you." She pointed out.

"Yes but you are not at your full strength." He insisted.

"It doesn't matter. There is more to being a warrior than just brute strength." She told him. "He was clever enough to use my weakness against me."

Thorin thought for a moment.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing… it's just." He paused. "Gandalf said something quite similar…"

Thorin and Nola shared another look before she patted the ground beside her.

"Alright Mr. King under the mountain, why don't you lie down before you pass out." She suggested. "You look dead tired."

"Is that your way of forgiving me?" He asked as he sat down.

"Consider yourself lucky you look like you need someone to give you a break for the night." She replied with a smile.

…

Thorin tried to sleep that night but too many thought were swirling in his head. Much had changed since Nola left the mountain, including Nola herself. She was no longer the frustrated little girl he remembered. Her strength had allowed her to become a powerful warrior, not just another nobleman's daughter. Ever since he saw her that day the company ran into the ork pack, he felt all his old feelings return and increase, despite the fact that she snored.

Thorin shifted from his back onto his left side gazing at her as Nola slept peacefully. If only he could feel her face with his fingertips just to reassure himself that she was truly there. But he was afraid to wake her. He had almost gained enough courage to raise his hand before he jumped at the sound of someone moving in the cave.

Bofur gave no warning shout but Thorin remained tense. He relaxed after hearing voices towards the front of the cave.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bofur whispered excitedly, trying to keep his voice down.

"Back to Rivendell." Bilbo replied simply.

"No, no you can't turn back now; you're part of the Company. You're one of us!" Bofur insisted.

I'm not though, am I? Thorin said I should never have come and he was right." Bilbo looked down at his feet. "I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins, I don't know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door."

"But what about earlier?" Bofur reminded him. "Your quick thinking got Nola to fall like… well like a stone to Thorin's forehead!"

"That was a once in a lifetime event that I'm sure will never happen again!" Bilbo said exasperated. "You don't get much warrior training sitting by the fire with a book and a tea cozy."

With a sympathetic look Bofur told him "You're homesick; I understand."

"No, you don't, you don't understand!" Bilbo's voice rose, cutting him off. "None of you do! You're dwarves. You used to, to this life, to living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere."

After seeing the hurt look in Bofur's face, Bilbo sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't…"

"No you're right." Bofur replied with a faraway look. He turned to gaze over his companions. "We don't belong anywhere. I wish you all the luck in the world... I really do."

The dwarf and the hobbit both nodded their heads towards each other. With a small smile, Bilbo turned to leave. Before Bilbo could take two steps, Bofur noticed something.

"What's that?" He asked pointing at his belt.

Bilbo looked down and pulled his blade from his sheath. His eyes grew in shock as he quickly realized the entire weapon was glowing blue.

Thorin lifted his head to see what the cause of the sudden silence was. Suddenly the floor began to creak and shake.

"Wake up!" He said panicked, shaking Nola's shoulder. "Wake up!" He hollered towards the rest of the group.

However, before anyone could react the floor collapses and the whole group dropped through the trap door.