A/N: Wow it has been a really long time since i updated i just have been super super busy. It has finally started to calm down now so there will be more writing in the future.
"Fili" Thorin called
Fili turned having just dismounted from his own pony and headed towards his uncle.
"I will need you to take her for a moment" Fili nodded and Thorin lifted Restania down gently into his nephews waiting arms.
"She is a light little thing isn't she?" Fili joked quietly and was surprised to see his uncles back stiffen slightly.
"I do not imagine she would appreciate such words." Thorin spat.
Fili who hadn't heard that tone of voice from his uncle since he was a dwarfling deflated a little. "I am sorry uncle I meant no disrespect."
Thorin closed his eyes. He hadn't meant to snap "It is not you who should be apologizing. I did intend for it to come out so harshly."
Thorin turned and took Restania back from Fili. "You and your brother take care of the ponies make sure you stay with them." Fili nodded taking the reins of Thorin's pony and leading it towards the others.
Thorin moved over to a tree a little ways from where the dwarves were starting to set up camp and gently laid her Restania on the ground. Shedding his fur he covered her before heading towards the destroyed farm house.
"A farmer and his family used to live here" Gandalf said in contemplation as Thorin ordered Oin and Gloin to get a fire started.
"I think it would be wiser to move on" Gandalf said as Thorin moved to his side. "We could make for the hidden valley."
"I have told you already I will not go near that place." Thorin said in a disapproving tone and it was true they had had this argument several times.
"Why not the elves could help us, we could get food, rest, advice. " Gandalf was spouting the same reasons he always gave and it was rubbing on Thorin's nerves.
"We don't need their advice"
"We have a map we cannot read Lord Elrond could help us." Gandalf said trying to be patient.
"Help, a dragon attacks Erebor what help came from the elves. Orcs plunder Moria, desecrate our sacred halls the elves looked on and did nothing. You ask me to seek out the very people who betrayed my grandfather who betrayed my father." Thorin spoke in a deadly calm voice.
"You are neither of them and might I remind you, you have already allowed a half elf to help you in your quest." Gandalf said quietly looking to where Restania was sleeping
"That is a different case." Thorin replied also looking in the female's direction
"And how so exactly?" Gandalf asked turning back to Thorin. "She is an elf if only by half and you have accepted her help and loyalty without question why then can you not accept help from another of her kind?" Gandalf said heatedly
"She is only an elf by half as you have said. I do not understand myself why it was so easy to accept her. I will not however seek refuge and advice from the people who have betrayed my kin"
"I did not give you that map and key for you to hold onto the past." Gandalf said his aggravation growing.
"I did not know they were yours to keep" Thorin snapped right back his temper flaring.
Gandalf glare was wilting but Thorin stood his ground he would not seek the elves help not if he had any say in the matter. Gandalf turned and stalked down the hill passing Bilbo and the dwarves.
"Everything alright?" Bilbo asked Gandalf as he passed. "Gandalf where are you going?"
"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense!" Gandalf tritely replied.
"And who's that?" Bilbo wondered
"Myself Mr. Baggins!" Gandalf snapped. "I have had enough of dwarves for one day."
Thorin watched as Gandalf stalked off and met the questioning eyes of his company. "Come on Bombur we are hungry"
Thorin turned heading towards Restania but didn't miss Bilbo questioning Bofur. "Is he coming back?"
Thorin blocked out the rest of the conversation. The hobbit was not his concern.
He couldn't help the small smile that graced his lips when he saw how the she elf was sleeping. She was on her side facing towards the company with his fur pulled tight around her. She would have looked like an angel had a small frown not been marring her face. Another nightmare he guessed.
He stood and slipped around behind her slipping his arms under her he lifted her. Fili was right she was a light little thing. He moved so his back would be against the tree and sank down gently trying not to wake her. She shifted and he froze thinking she might be waking but she soon settled again her head leaning against his chest and her side pressed against him. The frown that had marred her face was now gone. He really would need to speak with her about life mates when she awoke.
It was several hours before Restania awoke. She almost didn't want to get up she was remarkable warm and comfortable. At least until she felt her pillow move. Glancing up in panic she settled down when she realized she had been sleeping against Thorin. "It is good to see you awake." He said making his chest rumble lightly.
"It is good to be awake"
He looked down at her. "You had me worried when you collapsed that way."
She looked up in surprise "I apologize it took more out of me then I realized it would. How long have I been out?"
"A few hours" She nodded laying her head back down against his chest feeling it move when he next spoke. "I would like to ask you something if I may?"
"You may"
"You mentioned life mates before." At her nod he continued "How and when do you become aware of who your life mate is?"
"We are born with the name of our mates on the back of our neck. It is written in our mate's language that is to say if my mate were a man it would be written in western if he were an elf it would be written in Sylvarian and so on. I have never been able to read mine I always believed it was some kind of dwarfish but languages are not my strong suit."
"Would you allow Balin to assist you?" Thorin asked quietly
She turned to him "Why?"
"I have a theory and If it is true this shall prove it" He said a hint of aggravation in his tone.
"I trust you Thorin I am simply afraid." He looked at her in confusion "I have not been able to read that name in 400 years and I am afraid that it will not be the name of the person I so desperately hope it is."
He studied her "There is only one way to find out" He nudged her then forcing her to stand and he followed suit. Taking her hand he led her closer to the fire and bid her to sit. "Balin would you join us for a moment"
"Yes Thorin what can I help you with the fine evening." Balin greeted jovially upon approach.
It was Restania who spoke up. "There is a marking on the back of my neck and im hoping you can tell me what it means."
Balin looked at her in surprise. "Certainly lass if you would turn around"
She did so lifting her hair and shifting it to one side. Balin looked at it for several moments before asking "This would be your mates name then would it lassie?"
She nodded hesitantly. "Well then lassie it says..."