Chapter 8: Outsiders

Authors note: Thanks to everyone yet again for the reviews and follows! And to reply to a guest author going by the name of Kaia who reviewed my last chapter, the beer being free was one of the many reasons why Bofur decided to join the quest. I just chose the one about the reward as all. I am well aware of Bofur's behaviour to the quest; he is after all one of my many favourite Dwarves. Anyway this chapter involves a lot more dialogue and discussion between Thobera and Bilbo and then Thorin himself. Enjoy!

And so the next day they had travelled a long distance. The Dwarves had got up from their slumber and immediately planned on setting out. They helped Thobera pack up the camp and all of her few possessions. They had even given her a pony to ride, and unlike Bilbo Baggins, she did not protest to riding one. In fact she kept extremely quiet about it. Actually, come to think of it, she was quiet about everything. The Dwarves had already grown used to the fact she spoke rarely. And to some, that wasn't such a bad thing.

They had travelled pretty much all day with no breaks or stops. The Dwarves making eager conversations with each other, pulling pranks, joking and laughing at one another. But it made a certain few, Bilbo in particular, feel rather left out. Thorin on the other hand kept his pony at the front of the company and paid no attention to those behind him. Meanwhile a rather lonely Bilbo kept his pony at the back of the company out of the way of the constant teasing from the others. Thobera also trailed behind the rest of the company as she did not wish to get involved in the others conversations. She looked rather tense, but who could really blame her after her rather rash addition to the company?

Bilbo tried his best not to stare at the Dwarf woman. His eyes dotted about the area their ponies were treading nervously as Thobera pulled her pony alongside his own. She had noticed his uncomfortable body language and wasn't sure if it was wise to continue riding near him. It wasn't until she decided to break the awkwardness and finally speak to him that things grew less awkward.

"Am I making you uncomfortable young Hobbit?" She queried softly. Bilbo jumped at the sound of her voice and his head snapped in her direction wearily. He shook his head rapidly and began to stutter to himself.

"N-n-no!" he exclaimed rather surprisingly "I'm sorry. I am just still getting over everything that has happened to me of late."

Thobera couldn't help but chuckle at the Hobbit. She smiled rather friendly at the Halfling as she adjusted her reins in her hands and continued to speak to the bewildered Hobbit.

"Yes, as what Gandalf told me, these Dwarves randomly turned up on your doorstep and ate you out of house and home."

"Oh you heard that did you?" Bilbo looked down sheepishly thinking that she too would laugh at that whole affair like the others. But no chuckle or laugh escaped her throat.

"Yes," she continued "I would say that is typical Dwarf behaviour, but I do not fall into that category. I wouldn't call myself a typical Dwarf as I rarely get the opportunity to do such a thing these days."

"Gandalf told me what happened to you," Bilbo mentioned gazing back at her, his eyes marvelling at the Dwarf woman, "you are very brave."

"Or very foolish," Thobera looked away.

"What makes you say that?" Bilbo questioned rather puzzled at her response.

"Well…" she began "I am not exactly a hero you would hear in songs or tales. I am a prisoner in exile for pities sake! But that exile has taught me some valuable lessons. But I do not consider myself to be a brave Dwarf woman. I just like to make a difference and fight for what I believe in."

"You are still a brave Dwarf woman to me, my lady," Bilbo continued causing Thobera to let out a small laugh.

"My lady?" Thobera scoffed "my dear Hobbit, I am no 'lady'."

"Very well then," Bilbo smirked at her. Thobera's eyes suddenly widened and her body shifted back as she began to think of s suitable reply.

"When I said I am no lady, I meant in title terms, not in gender," Thobera announced defensively. Bilbo turned his head away teasingly as he continued to joke.

"Well," Bilbo shrugged jokingly "you did slay a pack of Orcs yesterday. I wouldn't call that lady-like behaviour."

"Hey!" Thobera grinned leaning over the gap between their ponies to punch the Hobbit's shoulder gently. Both began to laugh at their little private joke. This alerted a few other attentions, Gandalf, Balin, Dwalin and Thorin's to be precise.

Dwalin grumbled as he watched the Dwarf woman and the Halfling tease each other at the back of the company. He was more than content with her silence than to hear her laugh and be merry with someone. To him, she did not deserve such a thing as happiness. Not after what she had done anyway. Gandalf on the other hand was more than thrilled to see her interact so well with Bilbo. The other Dwarves still didn't take well to the poor Hobbit and often mocked him or left him out of their discussions because they did not want to get him involved. But Thobera was more than happy to make conversation with the Halfling. This brought a great comfort to Gandalf. But Thobera and Bilbo had something in common. Not only were they extra, new additions to the company. But they were also outsiders. Bilbo wasn't welcome because he was a humble Hobbit with no skills for the quest while Thobera wasn't welcome because of her past and the fact she was the only Dwarf woman in the company. A Dwarf woman surrounded by Dwarf men.

Thorin watched Thobera with a somewhat interested gaze about him. This was the happiest he had ever seen her. She, much like himself, was not a Dwarf to show her true emotions in front of others around her. Now she felt at ease around the Hobbit and Gandalf but none of the Dwarves. He himself hadn't properly spoken to her since their encounter with the Orc pack. He had wanted to speak to her but had no idea on what to say. Their past hadn't gone down so well beforehand and he wanted to start afresh with the Dwarf woman. But the thing was, much to his own denial, he was afraid. He wanted to just focus his full attentions on the quest, but now found his focus on that one thing fading. He had so many questions for her, so much he wanted to say. But this was Thorin Oakenshield after all. He was never one to get close to anyone. Not after he had been through throughout his long life. It seemed every time he got close or cared for someone; they would end up hurt or worse. He was after all, a wanted-by-many king in exile.

"You know you can go talk to her laddie," Balin pulled alongside him startling Thorin slightly. "She won't bite."

"Her bite isn't what I am afraid of," Thorin commented still fixing his eyes upon her.

"Then what is it?" Balin asked eyes arching in confusion. "You of all people should be talking to her. After the history you two had, I thought you'd be glad to see her again."

"I am, it is just-"

"Something is holding you back," Balin interrupted quickly jumping to his own assumptions "it's the quest isn't it?"

"Yes," Thorin nodded solemnly "I do not feel this quest is the ideal place to restart a friendship or close bond with anyone. If I do, I will get sidetracked and I cannot afford that to happen. Not now."

"Why ever not?" Balin questioned "look laddie, I know you are determined to re-claim Erebor and restore peace to the people, but there are limits you can go to with your own needs. You are isolating yourself from those around you and concerning those who care for you. Why don't you put yourself at ease for a while and go to the back of the company and talk to her? We are on a clear road and I seriously doubt any Orcs will make any sudden appearances in this part of the woodlands. This will give you the perfect opportunity to make amends and catch up with her after a long time apart."

Thorin thought about this for a moment. He wanted to protest to the elder Dwarf but wasn't prepared to argue about it. Thorin let out a small grunt-like noise before inwardly giving in to his older friend's suggestion. He gave a nod toward Balin and grabbed a tight grip of the reins on his pony before swiftly guiding it to turn around and head towards the back of the company. Many of the Dwarves had wondered why he had made this swift yet unexpected turn as his pony brushed past them. They watched curiously as he made his way toward the back and quickly figured out why he had done this. They then simply shrugged their shoulders and continued about their own conversations.

"So you're from Hobbiton?" Thobera questioned Bilbo curiously as the Hobbit nodded gently.

"Yes, my family have resided in our humble home of Bag End for many years." Bilbo replied smiling rather proudly.

"Of all the places I have visited in my travels, I have never ventured into the realm of the Shire," Thobera added "the closest I have been to there, I would have to say would be the town of Bree. And that is a town occupied by Men as I recall, not Hobbits."

"And where else have you travelled over the years?" Bilbo questioned rather eagerly.

"Well," Thobera gazed down in thought before continuing "other than Bree and Erebor I have been to a few towns in Rohan and Gondor. I have also resided in many towns and villages belonging to that of Men and Elves over the years. But I haven't resided in any of them for long. I am more of a constant traveller. By some I have been called a Dwarven ranger."

"It must be lonely travelling out there all alone," Bilbo added his tone layered with a hint of remorse for her.

"Yes, and no," Thobera smiled much to his surprise "I was never one to make friends, even when I lived with my father in the city of Dale. Travelling alone from town to town or just going on about the wild with a few supplies is the lifestyle I have grown accustomed to. I would never admit I don't get lonely, because I do. But being alone proves I can be independent, it also eases the burden of getting close to people and sharing their pain."

"But don't you wish to be close to people?" Bilbo's eyes arched in such a way it caused Thobera to turn her head forward to try and think of a suitable reply. She kept her head low as she tried to force some words out of her mouth, but nothing came out. Bilbo had actually made her speechless. It had been a very long time since Thobera had considered being close to people. She was a Dwarf who had lived in solitude for many decades and had grown used to not being in the company of friends and family. Her only family had abandoned her to the shadow of death a long time ago, and since then, she had become a very independent Dwarf woman.

Thorin had heard the last part of the conversation between the pair as he approached them. His eyes shifted to Thobera and he had noticed her rather shell-shocked features as she gazed down in an attempt to reply to the intrigued Hobbit. Bilbo still waited for an answer to his question but he would not get one. The Dwarf woman and the Hobbit's attentions turned from each other to another approaching figure.

Thobera could see out of the corner of her eye a pony approaching her own. She lifted her head to see Thorin Oakenshield himself riding beside her. Her head swiftly turned back and forth from Bilbo to Thorin as the tension about them began to rise rapidly. It wasn't until another voice broke in that the atmosphere would change, but only slightly.

"Bilbo my lad," Gandalf broke in from up front chuckling as he called for the Hobbit "come here and make yourself useful."

Bilbo did as he was instructed and allowed his pony to gain some speed and catch up with the Wizard's horse. Thobera watched him leave and then found her gaze soon fall back onto her pony again. She wasn't in the right frame of mind to talk, not to mention she had nothing to say. Especially to Thorin Oakenshield of all people.

"I see you have taken a shine to the Hobbit," Thorin announced finally trying to make conversation and break the barrier between them.

"Yes," Thobera smiled gazing up slightly "he is a charming fellow once you get to know him."

"I fail to see why you think of him as a 'charming fellow'." Thorin said his tone rather shallow "he hasn't proven anything to me since we, or should I say Gandalf, recruited him."

"That is because you have not seen him like I have," Thobera added "but yet again, he and I are alike. We are both outsiders to this company, unlike you and the others. But I don't expect someone as noble as you to understand."

Thorin was left rather taken aback by her outlet. But he knew her words to be true. He was well aware she was not welcome among many as they failed to trust her or find any comfort in being around her. This had bothered him but he could hardly ask for his kin to forgive and forget what she had done all of those years ago. They had also been rather tense around him since he admitted he helped her escape his grandfather's version of 'justice'. They still couldn't believe after all she had done to insult his family and his grandfather's honour, he had looked upon her in pity and spared her life.

"So…" Thorin finally broke in again "I hear you have been busy since last we met."

"Yes," Thobera replied plainly "exactly as I have heard about you."

"What?"

"I often thought of you and the other Dwarves when I heard Smaug had taken Erebor," Thobera explained "though it did not surprise me greatly as to the Dragon's sudden appearance. His love of gold could compete with that of your late grandfather's. I was right about Thror's sickness of the mind and his obsession for gold. It was only a matter of time before something bad happened because of it."

"Why did you never return?" Thorin questioned, it was at this point when Thobera's eyes met his own. And much to her surprise, his eyes no longer bore a serious or proud gaze, more of a soft one.

"I was, and will always be an outcast," Thobera admitted "I am not welcome among my own kin. Hasn't this already been proven among these Dwarves? They despise me. And I cannot say I blame them."

"But you have changed since then."

"I have had to," Thobera explained "we aren't all given a life of a silver platter you know. You of all people should know that, with what you have been through also. Yet ever since I went into exile I have had to fight for myself. I have had to train myself to fight, work among strangers, and even fight battles that do not concern me. And for what? Honour? A reward? No. I do it because my heart goes out to the less fortunate and I have tried my best to help those in dire need. It is something I have always done. But now, I offer you my services to repay you for saving my life all of those years ago."

Thorin became silent again. He did not know what to say, or to do. He now knew the real Thobera. She had proven herself to be a lot like him. They both fought for causes they truly believed in. And while his was to serve his own people, hers was to try and earn the respect of others by fighting their battles for them. He already had a lot of respect for the Dwarf woman. Ever since her escape he had hoped she had started a new, more meaningful life. And she had! But he had never anticipated on ever seeing her again. Until now anyway.

Thobera used this silence to finally as him a question which had been on her mind since she had agreed to join their quest to the Lonely Mountain. She was of course aware in what she was going into. This did not bother her, for she had done worse things in her lifetime than simply trek many miles across various lands to one place. The thing which did bother her was in fact the simple question, why now? Surely Thorin had many opportunities to take back Erebor in the past. So why wait such a long time and pick now of all times to decide to take thirteen (now fourteen) Dwarves, a Hobbit and a Wizard on this quest? This was what she was about to find out.

"Thorin?" Thobera broke out diverting his distant attention back on her again.

"Yes Thobera?"

"Why now?" She questioned much to his confusion.

"What?"

"Why pick now of all times to go back to Erebor?" Thobera queried. Thorin moved his hand on the reins of his pony and took a moment or two to prepare the appropriate answer allowing a small pause in the atmosphere before he decided to answer her pressing question.

"Ever since the day that monster came and ruined the lives of many, including myself, I have thought of nothing but reclaiming the kingdom he unrightfully stole from us." Thorin explained "my father did try to take it back but failed to do so. And when my grandfather died in the battle of Azanulbizar and my father went missing, my hopes and dreams seemed crushed. But that did not stop me. For years now I have been preparing myself and those willing to take this quest to Erebor to reclaim our homeland and return what was stolen from us. Only those of their own free will joined the quest, many willing to die for this cause."

"But wasn't it you, Thorin Oakenshield, who brought peace among the Dwarves in the Blue Mountains?" Thobera pressed forward.

"Yes," Thorin answered "but I feel that is not all I can give my people."

"Then what is enough?" Thobera asked, her voice growing more argumentative much to his disapproval. "If this mission fails and we all end up dying for this cause, then your people will find themselves leaderless."

"It is a risk I am prepared to take," Thorin said boldly "for it is in my people's best interests that I at least try and reclaim our true homelands that were taken from us."

Thobera suddenly pulled the reins of her pony tightly causing her to go to an unexpected halt. Thorin quickly did the same to see why she had done this first. He turned his pony to face hers and as he did so he watched as she shook her head disapprovingly towards him.

"You don't owe your people anything," Thobera explained, face full of determination "you have given them your best. They can ask no more of you than what you have already given them."

"I haven't given them my best," Thorin shook his head keeping his eyes locked on hers "not yet anyway."

Both Dwarves kept their eyes firmly locked onto one another's. Neither taking their gaze off of each other. Determination and commitment flaring off of them through their facial expressions and body gestures. They were no longer speaking, but the way they acted around each other was enough to work out what the other was thinking. Further in front the other Dwarves had noticed Thorin and Thobera had held back and weren't too keen to stop their ponies for the benefit of the two Dwarves. They had all noticed the awkward staring competition that was going on between the pair. It wasn't until Gandalf, who was now at the front of the company, decided to call out startling both Thorin and Thobera.

"Thorin, Thobera, come along. We do not have all day!"

The two soon pulled their ponies back to the rest of the company. All remained silent until the odd rumble broke into the atmosphere. Bofur took this opportunity to crack a joke towards his poor younger brother. Smirking and turning his gaze behind him he let out a teasing remark.

"Bombur, was that your stomach?"

This had gained a few odd chuckles amongst the company much to poor Bombur's embarrassment. The company swiftly fell silent again as that same rumble echoed again, this time much louder and more threatening than beforehand. And it wasn't until the skies above grew dark with the growing black clouds and the odd spot of rain that all of the cheerful faces in the company dropped. Now everyone was frowning.

"Rain," Bilbo muttered glumly putting his hand in the air to feel the odd small splashes of water fall onto his hand "brilliant."

Authors note: So what do you think? There will be a lot more interaction between Thorin and Thobera later on. Especially once they get to Rivendell. A surprise twist will happen between the Warg chase and the events in Rivendell. Please review! I do enjoy getting them; it motivates me to write more. Thank you all for the support so far and I promise to update soon!