When the time came the company slipped from the borders of Rivendell just hours before dawn. Gandalf stayed behind allowing for a distraction. How they managed to go unnoticed went beyond Percia's understanding, as Dwarves seemed unable to fully understand the term silent.
They traveled for several days on foot heading for the Misty Mountains. Kili stayed near her when they walked, often describing Middle Earth to her, especially the Blue Mountains where he grew up. Occasionally Fili or Ori would join in if they were nearby. At night they camped, finding it harder to make a fire the closer they got to the mountains as the woods thinned leaving little to no branches for their use. Sometimes the other Dwarves would regal her with history lessons, and even Bilbo joined in actually impressing the more scholarly males with his knowledge. It certainly helped break up the duller portions of the journey.
There were days in their travel where Percia would fondly remember cars and even the Camp bus. She especially missed Blackjack during this time, as he would have made travel so much faster. However, she did enjoy spending more time with Kili, and getting to know the other Dwarves. Some clearly didn't approve of their 'relationship' but said nothing. She wondered if it was because of their different species or their ages. According to Kili he was considered very young for their kind. Though he found their reactions silly since Fili was only eight years older than him and already had a betrothed.
Of course they had the serious talk about Percia's quest and her likelihood of going home afterwards. Kili admitted he didn't like it, but he wanted to be with her in the time they had. Percia agreed and they left it at that.
Sadly the weather had turned against them just as they made their way into the winding pass through the mountains. Rain pelted down on them with a vengeance as they tried to traverse the narrow trail. It didn't help that some sections would give way when one least expected it. Sometimes she wished she had the ability to fully control storms like her father, it certainly could have helped.
She didn't know how long they had been traveling when it happened. Focusing on putting one foot in front of the other she came to an abrupt stop when the Dwarf in front of her pulled to a stop.
"This is no thunderstorm," Balin yelled out over the torrential downpour. "It's a thunder battle!"
Percia followed to where he pointed eyes going wide to see a giant figure detach from the mountainside only to throw a large boulder towards another giant stone figure. A shudder went through her as memories of other giants in battle surfaced. Squeezing her eyes tight she barely forced the images back. She could hear Bofur muttering something, though the words were lost to her.
Without warning the earth under their feet move. The group watches in horror as they realize they stood on the knees of another stone giant. Split in two they could only hold on for dear life. Percia's eyes went to Kili who stood behind her, his eyes focused on Fili, who now struggled to stay on the other knee.
The other group managed to jump to safety but their own had nowhere to go. Sadly their giant didn't win its fight sending them careening down towards the mountainside. The sensation of falling gripped her stomach as the creature fell. By some stroke of luck the knee they were on crashed into the side of the cliff allowing them to tumble off onto the relative safety of the trail before the creature disappeared into the abyss below.
Her heart pounded in her ears as she tried to regain her equilibrium. Glancing to her right she saw Kili was fine and well if a bit shell shocked. There was a small commotion further back but she didn't see it, nor hear what was said due to the continued storm.
When the group finally made it to their feet she noted Kili was in Fili's hands, the two brothers reassuring each other they were fine. A smile crossed her face at their closeness. She wished more than once she had a sibling like that.
Thorin directed them all to a nearby cave, the others moving quickly to get out of the rain.
"Check the back," he ordered. "Caves in the mountains are seldom uninhabited."
"Well that's a nice thought.
"It's clear," Dwalin informed them.
"Right then," Gloin boasted happily. "Let's get a fire going."
Only for Thorin to vote him down. She couldn't blame him, something about this didn't seem right. Purposely setting her bed roll near the brothers, though giving them space to be together she tried to find some sleep. It took a while for the adrenaline to change to bone deep tiredness but finally sleep claimed her.