Chapter 5

Abigail woke slowly, the first thing she noticed was that her hand was noticeably warmer than her body. The second was the pain in her abdomen, a groan escaped her lips.

"Abigail?" A familiar voice asked.

She opened her eyes and saw Thorin standing over her with a relieved smile on his face. Without knowing why she returned his smile with a weak one of her own.

"What happened?" She asked, her voice sounded weak and frail.

"You don't remember?"

She closed her eyes and tried to remember what had happened. The last thing she remembered was…

"I was shot?" Abigail said, reaching down to where the pain was most intense, feeling the roughness of the bandages.

"With a poisoned arrow." There was a guilt in Thorin's voice that she didn't understand.

"Is everyone alright?" She asked.

"Yes, both Harond and I made it out alright." Thorin said, although he didn't meet her gaze.

Abigail squeezed his hand until he finally met her eye.

"What's wrong Thorin?"

There was a long pause, so long she thought he wasn't going to answer her.

"That arrow…" he said softly "was meant for me."

"Then it's a good thing it didn't hit its mark." She said.

He gave her a questioning look.

"Because I don't think I could have carried you all the way to Erebor." Abigail tried to give a playful smirk, though it turned into more of a grimace.

Thorin was unable to hide the half smile on his face, he was glad she had kept her wits.

"You still should not have done it." He said.

"Oh, so now you're mad at me for saving your life? There really is no pleasing you."

"Abigail, you almost died." Thorin said seriously "There were several times when you were gone."

She just watched him for a moment, amazed at the concerned in his eyes. She had no idea what to say to him, she didn't think her usual sarcasm would cut it this time.

"What I did…it wasn't your fault. I made a split second decision, and I would do it again if I had to."

"Why?" He asked with a mix of confusion and amazement.

"Because," she said with a small smile "we're friends."

Suddenly, before he could reply, the door behind them opened, a dwarf walking in.

"Ah, good. You're awake. I was beginning to wonder if you ever would."

Thorin gave him a dirty look before glancing back at Abigail.

"Abigail, this is Oin. He's the one who saved your life."

"I think I owe you a thank you then." She said craning her neck to look at him "I heard I gave you some trouble."

"A few times, although it wasn't you I had a hard time with." He said looking pointedly at the young prince.

Abigail gave him a questioning look as the dwarf came to look at her wound. Before he replied he lifted the bandage, apparently satisfied with what he saw he turned his attention back to her.

"This one refused to leave your side these past three days, even for a moment. Perhaps now that you are awake he will leave me to my work."

"Wait, three days?" Abigail asked panic evident in her voice "Thorin my mom's out there, she didn't have that much food when I left her."

She tried to sit up but pain exploded in her stomach causing her to cry out.

"It's okay, I sent out a few men to go and find your home. I sent some food and a note telling her of what's happened." Thorin said, placing his hands on her shoulders to keep her still.

"You're sure they got there?" She asked through gasps of pains.

"Yes, they came back yesterday. Your mother is alright."

She reached up to grasp his arm "Thank you."

"I think that's all the excitement you should have today lass. You should get some sleep." Oin said.

Abigail couldn't deny that she was tired.

"And you should as well my prince."

"I think I'll stay here for a while longer." He replied.

"Your decision my prince." Oin said, giving a slight bow before leaving.

Thorin turned back to her "You look exhausted, you should get some sleep."

"You can't be doing much better if you stayed with me for three days. You didn't have to do that you know." She said closing her eyes.

"You saved my life, it's the least I could do. Besides, we're friends aren't we?" He said.

Abigail smiled but couldn't manage to open her eyes again.

*O*

Two weeks later Abigail was standing on the front porch of her home. Once Oin had given her the okay, Thorin and several of his guard helped escort her home. It was strange to stand under the sun after two weeks of nothing but darkness and fire. The last few days, Thorin had shown her the world he lived in. Now Thorin stood in front of her with an almost sad look in his eyes.

"That was an adventure." She said at last.

"To say the least." Thorin replied "You know my fathers welcomed you to Erebor any time you want."

Abigail smiled, clasping her hands behind her back.

"I might just take him up on that." She said.

Abigail knew this was the time to say their goodbyes, she could see the guards shifting nervously at the edge of the yard, yet she found herself hesitating.

"I guess you should be going back now." Abigail said.

"I guess so."

Going out on a limb, Abigail stepped forward and put her arms around his neck. For a second she was afraid that she'd made a mistake but then he returned her hug.

"I'll see you later." She said.

And they did.

As the years past their friendship flourished. Every chance Abigail got, she went to Erebor, becoming more acquainted with its people, until they no longer treated her as an outsider. Her own mother joked that the mountain was her second home, and she couldn't deny that she was happy when she was there. She and Thorin became almost inseparable, even more so when Abigail's mother went to live with her brother in the city. Both learned a great deal from the other; Abigail how to fight with a sword and axe, and Thorin how to wield a bow and arrow.

However those happy carefree days were not to last. Thorin became increasingly worried about his grandfather's strange behavior. Often the king would lock himself in the hall of treasures for hours at a time. Thorin felt that a sickness was taking over his grandfather, the discovery of the Arkenstone only strengthened that belief. The king installed the stone upon his throne with the decree that it showed his divine right to rule. Other leaders of the north came to pay homage to the king.

Not long after that came the day that changed their lives forever; the day the dragon Smaug attacked.

Hey guy's! I know this chapter is not the best, believe me I know but I had such a hard time finding a way to portray their friendship without taking 23 more chapters to do so. Anyway I'm really excited because we are only two chapters away from getting to the start of the movies! As always let me know what you think!