Thanks for all the reviews! They keep me going, and, as a result, I wrote a few more chapters! I'll post 'em sporadically throughout the week. Anyways, enjoy!

*Thorin Oakenshield's Perspective*

The child was the walking dead.

Her eyes were half-closed as we walked, a sort of inebriated look in her glazed over eyes. She had a hand firmly grasping onto my pantleg as we walked, but I didn't mind that as much as the fact that the poor lass was staggering every few steps. I kept moving to pick her up into my arms- she was so light it wouldn't hinder my movement at all- but Aurora simply refused, muttering about how it'd only make things worse. I had to slow my pace drastically as time went on, panic seizing me every time the small girl tripped on her own two feet and latched onto my leg in a death grip to steady herself. Her skin was paling dreadfully, letting me see the beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she walked, and I swear it was killing me.

"Mister Oin?"

Aurora suddenly let go of my leg, and I stopped short in worry as the child scrambled over to the healer.

"Mister Oin, I need-"

Realization dawned on me as the child gripped her head almost painfully, taking deep breaths to steady herself, and I cursed beneath my breath at how stupid I had been.

"Her medicine, Oin, do you have it?" I called as I bounded towards the pair, immediately kneeling beside the lass. I had become undeniably protective of the dear thing, especially with her new size, but the rest of the Company seemed to agree with me. The Burglar was right there beside me, hushing Aurora gently as he eased her down to sit in his lap. He coddled her, whispering soothing nonsense in her ear the entire time as Oin guided the bowl of medicine to her lips. I rose slowly upon seeing I was not needed, reluctantly tearing myself away from the small group.

"You're jealous, Lad. Don't deny it."

I looked to find Balin beside me at the head of the Company, a mischievous glint in his eye. I growled unappreciatively at his mirth, crossing my arms against my chest with, "I'm worried, that's all."

"You looked ready to tear apart our burglar to hold the lass."

"You're exaggerating."

"You're lying."

"You're-"

"You can't deny it, Lad. We see the way you look at her, just like when Kili and Fili were wee lads themselves."

"She's young, broken, and needs protecting, Balin, and I'll be damned if I let anyone else hurt her like her parents did!"

My voice came out in a hiss, tired of the accusatory tone Balin had in his voice. "If you expect me to just let her be, then you've never been more wrong in all you're life. She needs intervention, she needs a life, and I'm going to do my damned best to give her one."

Balin simply chuckled at my words, making me falter in confusion. "Thorin, I hadn't meant to attack ya. I just wanted you to recognize you were smothering the lass. Look at her!"

I looked back to the child, finding her bundled up in a spare coat we had salvaged from the mountain along with a blanket.

"Her clothes would do no good here," I defended with a huff. "Have you felt the material? Thin and weak. It wouldn't withstand a single storm. Anything I do for her is with good reason. I swear that."

"Aye, I don't doubt it. Just don't slaughter our burglar for touching your lass, alright?"

I was about to retort at Balin's retreating back, but I became more preoccupied by the lass hobbling towards me, arms outstretched for me.

I knelt, hoisting her up into my arms without second thought and settling her against my chest as I yelled for the Company to keep moving. She nestled closer to me without delay, head lulling against my shoulder as she wrapped her small arms around my neck. "You shouldn't hesitate to tell us about your injury, Lass. It's no trouble at all if you need to see Oin."

"Thought I could control it," she mumbled, and I couldn't help but smile when I felt her nuzzle the crook of my neck, arms tightening around me ever so slightly in her form of an embrace. "Sorry."

"It's quite alright, Aurora."

"Thorin?"

"Yes?"

"Was it a mistake for me to come with you? I know I need to help you, but maybe now all I am is a burden."

I slowed my pace at Aurora's words, wordlessly prodding her to meet my gaze with a gentle flick against her nose. "We discussed this earlier, didn't we? Back when you brought up all that gauntlet nonsense. Besides, I'd much rather have you take your chances here than in that other twisted world. We can protect you here, or at the least die trying."

I felt her smile against my neck, and I found one making its way onto my own lips when she whispered, "I love you guys."

I knocked my forehead against hers as gingerly as possible, knowing how terribly fragile she was, and I had to suppress the urge to press a kiss atop that little dark head of curls as I whispered, "Love you too, Lass. Never forget that."

After some time passed, she began to squirm restlessly yet again, and I almost sighed when I realized she wanted to be set down. I did as she wished, if not a bit reluctantly, trying not to acknowledge the pang sent through my chest at her absence. She scampered off seemingly without a second thought, leaving me with her blanket so she could speak with the other members of the Company.

She had barely left my line of sight before I heard her soft squeals of laughter, and I realized with a good amount of fear that Balin was right.

I was an envious, overprotective old fool.

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