Chapter 6

We were up early the next morning, and Thorin was determined to go as far as he could push the others during the day. I kept my form of a wolf, and trotted with them as they ran through the forest. Bofur ran next to me at one point as I jumped down from a fallen tree and hopped over some rocks.

"Aye, I'm tired," he sighed.

I snorted at him with a bare of my teeth to show him a smile. He chuckled, and adjusted his hat. Pushing myself ahead, I joined Thorin at the front as he slowed the pace for everyone and I jumped over a small stream, unwilling to walk through it.

"Don't want to get your paws wet?" Fili teased behind me and I flattened my ears.

"Can you hear anything, Arina?" Thorin asked.

I blinked at him and wished I could speak in animal form, but instead I stopped and waited until they all moved ahead of me. Lifting my head to the breeze I took a large breath and then pricked my ears forward and listened. I heard nothing at all except for their heavy breathing. Gandalf said we had at least a week on them before the Orcs would catch up. Azog would have to replenish his pack if they were to come after us. Glancing back to Thorin as he walked through the others as they caught their breath, I wagged my tail once to let him know they were safe. He nodded his head and looked around at everyone.

"Take a break. We have five minutes," he said firmly to them as he moved to a higher spot to keep watch.

They were all panting for breath and Bilbo leaned tiredly against a tree near Gandalf. Shaking my fur out, I went and joined Thorin as he kept watch for the others while they took a quick rest. He glanced down at me for a second before scanning the forest.

"You sure?" he asked lowly. I gave him a flat look and then pushed myself to my human form.

"Have a little faith in my abilities," I replied sourly. "I heard nothing, and the breeze has no scent of Orc on the wind. I'd be able to smell them from miles off if they were near."

Thorin gave a slight smirk in my direction and I looked at him. "How are you? You were sore when you got up this morning."

"Granted I almost got bit in half by a warg, I'll take being sore over dead any day," he rumbled. "Gandalf...did something. He healed me for the most part."

"Well good then," I nodded and scanned the trees as a few birds continued tweeting. "How much further?"

"I want to get as far as we can today," Thorin replied quietly."We need to keep as much distance between them as we can."

I nodded my head and crossed my arms. Thorin pressed his sword into the ground a little so he could lean on it and he looked at me for a moment. "So what made you follow us?" he asked seriously.

"I told you I wanted to help you in any way I can," I answered and leaned against the tree beside me. "You cared for me for over three years, and even when I visited in the Blue Mountains when it should have been me taking care of you."

"I didn't need you to," he snorted softly. "And anyway, you did enough."

"So you told me," I sighed. "But I can help in this, I know I can. If to keep you all just a little safer, then that's fine. I wish I had got there before you took on Azog. But still you guys are all unharmed."

Thorin gave me a mixed look between gentle and annoyed which made me smile. "We don't need protection; we are more than capable of fighting."

"Indeed," I replied slowly and looked away from him.

"I have to complete this, Arina," Thorin said lowly. "There is no other choice. Not for me. It's such a...burning in my chest, something I must do."

I looked at him in surprise and then sighed and pushed myself from my spot and laid a hand on his arm. "You will complete this," I said softly. "You are stronger than anyone I know, Thorin. You'll get them there."

For a moment, his expression softened slightly, before he grabbed his sword and turned around to the others. "Come on, time is up," he commanded as he walked forward.

I watched him go and then jumped down to join the others and landed near Kili. He smiled at me as he got to his feet and we started moving again. I turned back into a wolf to keep up easier with them and so that I could hear and smell better. Nipping at Kili's heels playfully, I barked a laugh as he went to kick me but I dodged it and ran forward. We got to the edge of some of the forest at sundown, and Thorin picked a spot for everyone to sleep for the night. It was backed up against a huge pile of rocks that made a good spot to keep watch and it was safe. I watched Fili and Kili get a fire going while Dwalin sat on top of the rocks to keep his eyes peeled for anything. Thorin set down several of his things, and I glanced at Kili's bow as he also laid it down. Walking over to it as Bofur, and Bombur tried finding things to eat, I picked up the bow and its arrows and walked over to Thorin and dropped them at his feet.

"What?" he asked, arching his brow as he leaned back with his arms crossed.

I wagged my tail and nudged the weapon toward him and then moved off into the woods and sighed at him when he didn't move. Going back over to him, I firmly shoved my head against his legs to get him moving and he grunted a little.

"Oh sod off," he muttered grumpily and I bared my teeth at him.

Fine, if he didn't feel like hunting then I would do it alone. I've taken down deer alone before, I had just been hoping to get him out of his mood. Snorting at him, I trotted away from the group with my ears flat to my head.

"Arina!" Fili exclaimed as I jumped over a few rocks and headed out of the forest.

I kept to the trees, however without fully leaving the forest as I prowled around for a scent and I kept my eyes open. Glancing into the field, I laid eyes on several deer that were grazing in the grass. Sitting downwind of them, I laid down as they moved around the field and waited till they all relaxed and focused on eating. Every time I had seen Thorin we had always managed to go hunting, or do something dangerous. Even when the times were hard and he had lost so much, he had managed to find something to smile about. Now he was quiet, and the smile that used to always light up his face was nowhere to be found. It had been thirty years since I had last seen them all, so this should be no surprise to me. Things had gone way too smoothly since I had seen him. His anger was going to catch up with him sooner or later. Slowly, I got to my feet and paced forward, keeping low in the grass as I approached an old buck that had his back to me.

His tail twitched slightly, but before the animal turned around I had leaped forward and yanked a leg out from under him. He hit the ground with a thud, but managed to kick me in the process. Yelping, I moved back and then snarled softly and leaped for his throat and clamped my jaws shut on it. Blood rushed from the wound and the animal struggled, but I held on and almost shrieked when an arrow shot the buck right in the head from where we lay. Dropping the prey instantly, I turned and saw Thorin walking over with his nephew's bow. I went to the stream nearby and washed my mouth off as Thorin picked the dead animal up. He waited for me to join him before slowly walking back to the others where he promptly handed it over to them. They were all delighted with the catch, and even Bilbo smiled. I went and laid down on top of the rocks while they all ate, and hung my head over the edge for a moment as I let my thoughts wander. Someone joined me so I looked up, startled for a moment. Balin sighed as he sat down and I put my head back down.

"You've been gone such a long time," he said sadly. "He's turned into such...a hardened dwarf that sometimes I worry he doesn't know himself anymore. He knows how to be a leader, and to protect, but that all comes so naturally to him. It's all he's been since then. Who he was with you...was someone I think he doesn't know how to be anymore."

I whined softly and let him sit with me for a while before he went to join the others to eat. Forcing my change back to human, I moved back away from the glow of the fire as they ate and turned to keep watch for them. Balin's words made me so sad for Thorin. After so many years of death, war, and being moved around, I didn't blame him. I had seen a glimpse of the old him, but now I was sure that was long gone. Putting my hands behind my head, I listened to the distant hoot of an owl, and the fire cracking below where I was. I could hear everyone happily tucked into their food, and I sighed softly. At least they wouldn't go hungry tonight, and I knew that dwarves got extremely grouchy when they were hungry. Looking up through the trees, I looked at the stars that were shining through brightly and I inhaled a soft breath.

"Arina?"

Turning my head, I watched Thorin walk up the rocks holding a bowl of something in his hand. I went to shake my head, because in truth I wasn't very hungry, but he gave me a look so I sighed and took it. I stirred the stew quietly as I watched everyone slowly start to bed down for the night except for Gloin who was on watch.

"All of you should get some sleep," I said as I held on to the bowl. "I'll watch tonight."

"No," Thorin shook his head. "Eat, and then get some sleep. We'll be fine."

His words were short and obviously an order. My fingers clenched on the bowl for a moment and I tilted my head when he turned his back on me to go back down to the others. I finished the bowl of food without tasting it and resisted the urge to throw it at Thorin's head. Whistling to Gloin, I tossed him the empty bowl and he caught it easily. Crossing my arms, I felt Thorin's gaze on me from where he sat below, but for some reason I didn't want to go down there. Elrond said I could save them, but I realized that this was also going to test not just them, but me as well. He wasn't the dwarf I had known, and it was almost painful. Small glimpses of him would shine through when he'd relax, but I noticed in the last few days he stayed firmly shut away. Running fingers through my hair as some of the emotions in me claimed to overwhelm my control, I closed my eyes tightly.

"If anyone can get through to him, you can."

Opening my eyes, I saw Gandalf coming up to join me. I gave him a pathetic smile, and took a slow breath when he stood beside me. "I never thought he'd...shut himself off to me," I said sadly. "But I was gone...for a very long time. We didn't part on the best terms either."

"Well, he just needs some time," Gandalf said gently. "You didn't do it on purpose."

"Thank you, for attempting to comfort," I replied. "But I think I need to go for a walk."

"Just stick close."

I snorted, "If I don't I'm sure he won't be missing me."

"Arina," Gandalf said softly, making me turn to him. "He still has your sword. He got it back in the goblin tunnels."

Without replying, I hopped down from the rocks and this time I stayed human. I stole a glance at the dwarves who were sleeping, as well as the hobbit that was squished between Bofur and Oin. All of them I was sure were full and happy. I didn't dare look in Thorin's direction, so instead I pressed on and walked away from the fire. I heard someone say something, but I couldn't hear it. Going back toward the clearing, I walked out of the trees and through the grass for a little while before I planted myself on the ground near the stream. The animals were out and about, and the moon was shining brightly tonight. It provided light, and my sharp eyes adjusted well to it. I watched a fox prowl through the tall grass and a few other animals as well. The fox perked up when she spotted me, and curiosity won her as she crept closer. I smiled at her, and wiggled my fingers when she got close enough.

"Not food," I warned her as she sniffed my knee.

She allowed me to stroke her nose briefly before she circled me to see what I was all about. I chuckled softly and let her stand on my knees so she could sniff my face as well and her tail flicked around in excitement. I let my fingers move through the fur on her chest gently before a yip drew her from me and I was alone again. I had to figure out how I was going to figure out this journey with them. It was hard not to want to get close to everyone again. They weren't exactly the problem though. I was here to save Thorin and his nephews from certain death, but I found Thorin to be more complicated. Fili and Kili would be easier to save I knew that. They had been so overjoyed to see I was alive while Thorin had almost shuddered at the sight of me. We had stolen a brief moment where I thought it was going to be ok, but then here I was again stuck. Leaning forward, I looked at the flowing stream and ran my hand through the water briefly before a sound caught my attention that had me sitting up just a little straighter. Grabbing a large rock in front of me silently, I listened as the footsteps came closer. They were heavy, and slow, but I at least recognized them. Picking the rock up, I tossed it into the water.

"Next time announce yourself," I said loud enough so he heard.

"What are you doing out here?" Thorin asked as he walked to stand by my side.

"Funny, I could ask you the same question," I answered. "You should be sleeping. Go back to the others I'll be fine."

"I would if I hadn't been shoved off by Balin and that wizard," Thorin muttered under his breath and he squatted down beside me before he sat down.

"Hmm," I arched my brow. "All the more reason to go back if you don't want to be here. I can make it easier for you and go somewhere else."

I shifted, and went to push myself to my feet when Thorin grabbed my arm and yanked me down to sit again. I caught myself before he made me fall and I sighed in irritation.

"I don't know what you are looking to find out here," I said quietly.

"I hurt your feelings earlier," he said suddenly. "I'm sorry."

Pausing, I glanced at him and then tucked my hair behind my ear quietly and sighed. "I'm sure it'll be something I'll have to get used to," I murmured. "You aren't the dwarf I remember."

"I'm not," he agreed, stating a fact. "You left, Arina. Just disappeared after what...what had happened. What did you expect us to do? What did you expect me to do?"

"It wasn't a choice, Thorin," I said sharply. "I had to, for my sake. Lord Elrond told me to go into hiding, or go to a safe place. I told you that already. If I hadn't left I would have been captured or worse, killed. I'm sorry; I know I owed you much more than that. Why do you think I'm here now?"

"We could have kept you safe," he countered darkly.

"Not that time," I shook my head in frustration. "I don't feel like arguing with you about it anymore. I know you are upset with how I left. I was angry with myself. It was the hardest time of my life; I would have changed it if I could. I would have changed everything if I could."

He looked at me, the moonlight catching the glare in his blue eyes and I looked at the water for a moment and I pressed my hand to my forehead for a moment. "This journey is ours," he said suddenly. "I don't feel like putting you in danger."

"Then do you wish me to leave?" I asked, feeling my blood run cold.

Thorin sighed and looked over the clearing. "I think it would possibly be best for you to," he rumbled. "You don't need to be caught up in what we're doing."

"Why? Because it's dangerous?" I demanded.

"Yes. You could die," he replied evenly. "It's why you went into hiding in the first place, so you wouldn't."

"You could die too," I snapped and then fell silent when I heard the other part of his sentence.

Rising to my feet, I moved away from him when he slowly stood and faced me. I didn't look at him as I felt the hurt pool in the pit of my stomach. Letting out a soft breath, I walked away from him.

"Thirty years have been just too long," I said, keeping my back to him. "I miss the dwarf I used to know."

When he didn't reply, I felt my shoulders drop and the tears come to my eyes. Clearing my throat, I moved so I could transform into a wolf and shook my fur when I finished.

"I want you safe," Thorin suddenly rumbled. "Like I did then, I still want to now. That part won't ever go away. You were already in hiding...why come out now?"

I snorted at him and growled as I walked off when I heard footsteps running through the grass. Fili suddenly pounced on me, taking us both to the ground and I rumbled when he wrapped his arms around me.

"Uncle she's staying," he said harshly.

"She can help us," Kili said, panting as he joined us.

I wrenched away from them both and turned human again with irritation. "Ouch," I said pointedly to Fili as he got up. "Do you two ever mind your own business?"

"Sorry," he smiled as he got up. "Stay with us, Arina please? We just got you back. We've missed you so much. The company wants you with us."

I sighed softly, and looked up at the sky for a moment. Fili moved forward suddenly and hugged me, making me pause. I couldn't help but return it, if only to provide comfort. Kili laid a hand on my shoulder when his older brother let me go

"Go back to the fire, both of you," I commanded firmly. "I will be there in a bit."

The brothers relaxed instantly and I watched them rush back to the woods. I felt the amusement rise in me before I squashed it and looked at Thorin who was standing quietly. "I came out of hiding because I had been summoned to Rivendell. Seeing you and your company wasn't planned...but this time I couldn't leave again. I had finally seen you all after so long. I couldn't go away," I said as I walked up to him.

"So you missed us, in plain words," he rumbled arching a brow.

I wanted to glare at him, but instead I rolled my eyes. "Of course I missed you all," I murmured. "I would have been a fool not to. And anyway, I see you did too."

"What gives you that impression?" Thorin looked at me, his expression cold. Reaching out, I touched the sword at his waist.

"You may be wielding a great Elvish blade, but I know my gift when I see it. You could have left it in the Goblin Tunnels, but you didn't."

He didn't answer me for a moment, but his gaze met mine. Lowering my head, I stared at the ground when I couldn't hold his gaze and then reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck tightly. I yanked him into the hug, and slowly his arms came around my back and he hugged me in return. His arms tightened on my body to the point where I almost couldn't breathe, but I didn't complain. Thorin leaned his head against mine when I pressed my face into his shoulder. When we finally let go of each other, I took a step back from him so that I could see his face. His eyes had softened slightly, and his shoulders were no longer tense.

"No, I did not," he finally answered me. "I couldn't do that. It was one of the most precious gifts I had ever received. I'd be a fool to let it get lost."

I gave him a soft smile at the words he spoke, and they almost brought happy tears to my eyes. Easily holding them back, I glanced back toward the stream to gather my thoughts before I turned back to him. I had been afraid that he would still send me off, so this was much better. Humming lightly, I glanced back at him again and felt my lips twitch with a smile.

"Well then," I said, my voice light. "Let's head back."

Thorin nodded his head, and reached out to gently lay a hand on my cheek for a moment. It startled me, but I didn't move and let him lay his forehead against mine. "I did miss you," he admitted finally. "So much I could hardly bear it."

We walked back to the fire together, and I glanced at Fili and Kili when they looked up. I transformed into a wolf and joined them for the night, knowing it would comfort them. The fact that I was there helped them both fall asleep a little easier.