Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from Tolkiens books or Jackson's films. I only claim creative ownership of Devina.

Lament

Chapter III

The Road Goes Ever On And On

It was the first rays of light filtering in through the open window of the dining room that woke Devina. The smell of the crisp morning air mingled with rain was so refreshing, like something only found in remote areas of her world, which were growing ever few and far between.

"Did I seriously sleep at the table all night?" she asked herself quietly. Sitting up she took in her surroundings as she rubbed sleep from her eyes, hearing a heavy cloth slide to the floor with her movement. Someone must have brought me a blanket she thought, not turning to pick it up yet. She was a little surprised to see that the dining room looked as though it never had thirteen dwarves, a wizard, a hobbit, and herself crammed inside. It was very tidy and quaint.

She was even more surprised to see that the table had been set while she slept, a place setting even laid out for her just slightly out of place to accommodate her sleeping form. The sound of a heavy skillet moving against a stove top could be heard from the next room, a gentle sizzling springing to life and the smell of fresh bacon wafted through the house. All in all the morning carried a heavy sense of peacefulness with it, often only attributed to slow Sundays in her mind.

Sighing contentedly Devina rose from her place at the table, planning to offer her help with the cooking or anything else that might need doing before they had to leave. Bending down, she was more than a little surprised to see that it wasn't a blanket at all that had fallen off her shoulders, but one of the fur lined coats many of the dwarves wore. She was a little touched by the gesture though she had no idea who had done it. They all had believed she'd gone to bed in the room she had found herself in at the start of all this.

Unfortunately for her, she had laid in that bed for about an hour before she gave up on trying to sleep and got back up. She had wanted to rejoin them, but the deep, mournful melody she overheard them singing made her hesitate. She didn't want to intrude on what was obviously a private moment for them all, especially after the arguing and convincing that had taken place between her and Thorin.

Stubborn as always, he had out right refused to let her come at all. That went on for what felt like ages until Gandalf had suddenly yelled at them all, claiming that Bilbo was a burglar if he said so, which he did, and that Devina would prove to be just as invaluable as any other member. Begrudgingly Thorin had called for Balin to draw her up a contract, and make the necessary changed to have a fifteenth member included. So instead of forcing herself where she wouldn't be wanted, Devina had poured herself a cup of water from a basin and sat at the table waiting for sleep to catch up to her. Clearly it had at some point since she woke up still at the table.

Walking into the kitchen she found Bombur cooking at the stove, while Balin sat at the little table next to Bofur, slicing tomatoes to be fried. Bofur smiled brightly at her as she approached. "Ah the lassie wakes from her beauty sleep at last!" he said by way of greeting, smoking his pipe. He always seemed to be smoking. Deving smiled just as much, he had an air about him that was so relaxed and made you want to be friends with him. She sensed this went with him into all situations, which probably came in handy since he often spoke without thinking. But he was sweet and kind, never meaning anything negatively and though she couldn't be sure, he always tried to make others feel at ease.

"Its still early, I didn't sleep that long" she half heatedly defended. Lifting the fur coat to offer it back to its owner, believing it had to belong to one of them. "Thank you for lending this to me. It was very comfortable, and I really appreciated the kindness." but Bofur only smiled and held his hands up, shaking his head.

"It isn't mine, or Balin's lassie!" he corrected her.

Confused she looked out into the sitting room where a few of the dwarves were still gathering their things and packing their bags but the others where nowhere to be seen. She looked back at the two of them and asked "Do you know whose it is then?"

"That belongs to Thorin I believe, or perhaps Dwalin." Balin spoke up. "It's too long to belong to the others, and I saw Fili and Kili leaving earlier, they both had their coats. I didn't see if Dwalin or Thorin did." he explained a gentle smile on his old face, since they were the four tallest of the company. It was a simple matter of deduction really, though what wasn't simple was why either would have done it, neither Dwalin or Thorin were acting warmly to her, and she distinctly remembered Thorin warming his nephews to steer clear of her. That part had stung the most.

**flashback**

Devina stared out the window of the dining room, twisting the empty cup in her hands back and forth. It had grown quiet after the song had ended and Thorin told then all to get some sleep for they would leave just after first light. Now all she'd heard for the past hour was a tremendous snoring coming from what she assumed was Bombur. She hadn't expected to hear hushed arguing from around the corner. By the voiced she knew it was the Durin family.

"But uncle, Gandalf clearly believe she is an asset. Surly she wont be a threat to us, I don't see why we can't offer her a little training along the way. She'll need it if she is to survive," It was Fili, the eldest of the two brothers. She was curious to know why they were arguing about her, but she was to frightened to make her presence known and have their uncle accuse her of spying. So Devina sat still, hoping they wouldn't come any father down the hall or they were sure to see her.

"She knows far too much about this quest, and us personally, to be anything but!" came Thorins sharp reply. "She shares it with the wizard, but refuses to tell us. Assuming she is not lying to Gandalf, how can we trust her? I will not risk your lives or the lives of this company for a slip of a girl who hides things."

"But Uncle, if she is so important, it is out duty to make sure she at the very least can defend herself," Kili this time argued, repeating his brothers words.

"Enough! If that girl falls behind, or is in danger, neither of you will risk yourselves. Do you understand? She will either keep up and learn along the way, or she wont. Now go to bed,"

She heard no more after that but her heart sank. How would she save them from their fate if Thorin wouldn't even trust her, and was ordering his nephews to stay away from her. Perhaps she should just tell him the truth. Or some of it..

**end flashback**

"Are you alright lassie?" came a voice.

Startled, Devina looked back at the person who spoke. It was Balin. She must have zoned out while thinking about last night.

"What?" she asked intelligently.

Balin and Bofur chuckled before he repeated himself. "I said, I believe they are out securing the horses, why don't you take them breakfast and you can return the coat," She hadn't notice that Bombur had set a try full of bacon, boiled eggs, and fried tomatoes in front of her.

Feeling terrified like a child sent to the principles office, she nodded and grabbed the tray. Coat folded neatly over one arm and went in search of the four missing dwarves. At first she was a little unsure of where to look, because the front garden was deserted but a neighing caused her to step back to the front gate so she could look over the house. On top of the hill in which Bilbo's home was built, there stood a small herd of ponies. Fili and and Dwalin were securing supplies to the saddles, while Kili went around to each checking the reigns. Thorin stood by the tree observing it all.

It was Kili who brought their attention to her presence before she could chicken out and sneak back inside. "Oh has a beautiful maiden brought us our breakfast?!" he called teasingly. "This quest surly his blessed then" Fili added, both laughing and rushing down the side of the hill to the gate.

Devina couldn't help the smile they gave her. Their humor and positive attitudes were infectious. Once the two finished plating their fair share onto small plates they made their way back to the horses to eat. She followed after them, a determined stiffness in her shoulders. Really, if I can't face one ill mannered dwarf, how do I expect to help them through the countless challenges and dangers that lay ahead, she scolded herself.

Giving the horsed a wide berth and nervous glance she made her way to Dwalin first. In truth Devina was scared of horses. As a child her father had tried to get her to ride, and as a result had been thrown off and nearly broken her arm. She'd avoided going near them ever since. Dwalin, a nearly bald dwarf covered in tattoos thanked her and asked her how she slept.

Surprised as the civility compared to his indifference the night before, she smiled and replied. "very well thank you for asking. I couldn't sleep at first and fell asleep at the table after getting a drink of water. Speaking of, is this yours?" she asked him, partly expecting it to be since he was being so much nicer than before.

Laughing he took the coat. "Aye, it was rather chilly this morning when Thorin and I headed out to secure the horses before the others woke up. Surprised us both to see you there and not in the bedroom," he explained. "would you like for me to bring him that?" he asked, indicating to the remaining breakfast.

Devina gave him a warm smile. "No thank you, I think I need to speak with him anyway. Thank you again for lending me your coat, it was very sweet of you." He merely waved her thanks away but returned her smile before joining the brothers with his breakfast. Having misjudged the intimidating dwarf, she prayed that she was misjudging Thorin, and that he would see he was misjudging her in turn.

As she approached Thorin he made no indication that he noticed her though she knew he did. She stopped next to him and put on at bright a smile as she could. Might as well act as pleasant as possible.

"I've brought breakfast! Bombur cooked, and I have to admit it smells delicious." She greeted him, trying to act as though there was no tension between them.

Thorin, to his credit, did not glare at her. He merely nodded and took the offered tray. "I'll see that these make it back inside" was all he said before he sat down in his same spot. Devina stood there for a moment, hesitation to speak up, however, he spoke up for her. "Are you going to stand there watching me eat, or was there something else?" She couldn't be sure but she thought he sounded mildly amused.

"I, well that is, I had hoped I could speak with you for a while. Before we set out?" she asked him. She desperately needed him to believe she was there to help them. She needed him to be open to trusting her and she was relieved when he nodded his head and motioned for her to sit beside him.

"I over heard you speaking to Fili and Kili last night." She began as she dropped down beside him, facing away from the others and the horses. Giving him her full attention. "I know you have no reason to trust me. But I am here to help, I swear it. You or you nephews dying is the one thing I have no intention of allowing to happen. Is there anything I can do to prove that to you? Because I don't know how I can help if you wont trust me just a little." Devina has intended to start this conversation in a calm, collected manner, but the moment she began she only felt a desperate need to make this work.

"Tell me about the book you spoke of," he asked watching her intently. She wished that he hadn't.

"I can tell you that you are exactly how I pictured you'd be. Perhaps more prickly, but lets chalk that up to being my fault." she tried for som humor, but he didn't even crack a smile. She sighed defeatedly. "Thorin, I can't tell you everything,"

Before she could say anything else or explain why, he made to stand. "Then there is nothing to discuss," he finished flatly. Gabbing his hand she pulled him to a stop before he could storm off.

"Please wait, let me explain," she begged him, hoping he'd listen. He stared over his shoulder at her hand holding his for a moment before turning back and sitting again. Relieved that she'd get the chance to try explaining she settled herself again.

"The reason I can't tell you has nothing to do with not wanting to, or withholding a dangerous plot to kill you all. I just know what will happen if I do, what you'll do." Thorin just gave her a skeptical expression.

"In my book, you are honorable, brave, and determined. Especially by doing what you believe is best for your people. But you are also stubborn, prideful, hotheaded, frequently prejudice against other races, granted for just reasons, and often refuse the council of those you should listen to. I can already see that its an accurate description of your character and I am afraid that if you know what is to come, you will stubbornly charge right into those events just to prove that they wont."

Thorin listened to Devina silently, torn between being insulted and curious. As much as it hurt his ego to admit, she wasn't wrong about him. He very likely would try to prove there was no such thing at fate.

"What can you tell me?" surely there was something significant he could learn from her, something that would help him on this quest. She smiled at him, looking relieved that he was willing to listen to her still.

"How about we start off small. Little things that will happen, to prove to you I'm not lying." She offered him. That had him curious.

"Like what?" he asked, allowing a smirk for the first time in her presence that wasn't due to an insult towards her.

"That Bilbo will join us. He will join us just before eleven o'clock," That he found interesting because he knew for a fact the hobbit said he would not come. She wasn't to know that since she'd gone to bed before then.

He held out his hand to her, "I'll take that wager. Say I win, you tell me everything about that book. You win, we stop in Bree to get you suited out for the journey. I take it you have no gold of your own?" he asked, confident he would get what he wanted before they made camp. He did not tell her however that he already planned on stopping in Bree to get her a few essentials. It was for his own benefit as much as her own.

Grinning she shook his hand. "You have your self a deal, your Majesty!" she proclaimed happily. He almost pitied her disadvantage.

"Oh whats this? What are you betting on?" His nephew Fili chimed in as he approached.

"Whether or not Master Baggins will join us on this venture." he explained simply. Before long everyone was making similar bets, most claiming he would not turn up. Standing, he offered his large hand to her to help her up. He smirked at the expression of surprise on her face before she took it and hauled her to her feet.

"Thank you," he mumbles.

He chuckled as he made his way past the now prepared ponies. He supposed he had been rather rude to her since she recovered from her injuries.

Looking back he noticed how she avoided going near the horses as they made their way back down the hill. "Can you not ride?" he asked her curiously. Reluctantly she shook her head.

"I'm actually terrified of them. I was thrown off once when i was a child. It had been my first and last time." she explained. He could tell she was embarrassed.

"You will ride with me then. That way I can keep you out of trouble, and you can start telling me about that book when I win the wager" he added, a smug expression on his face. She stuttered and blushed in embarrassment. Insisting she'd be fine walking. "No use arguing, its too long a journey to walk. And I wont have you falling behind.

An hour later, and after much teasing from the dwarves and protesting on her part, Devina found herself astride Thorin's pony. A hand clinging to each of his forearms and he gently held the reigns, steering the infernal beast down the path and around pits and stones. She had continued to refuse to climb up and the infuriating dwarf king simply gave an exasperated huff and literally lifted her under her arms and onto the animal in front of him. As soon as he kicked it into motion was when she stiffened against his chest and clung to his arms like a child. He and the others laughed. Fili and Kili throwing flirtatious remarks about being more than welcomed to ride with them. That they wouldn't complain about her clinging to them.

She found it funny how all of a sudden, after one bet, all thirteen of the dwarves seemed to have warmed up to her. As they rode on she started to get a little nervous that maybe she would lose the bet. It was nearing eleven, if the smug smirk she saw on Thoris face when she glanced behind them was any indication, and Gandalf was still riding with the company.

But Gandalf is supposed to give Bilbo that push out the door..if he was here...dread filled her. They needed Bilbo or they would never succeed.

She looked behind them again and felt Thorin's chest rumble with his laughter. "Are we less confident in our predictions?" he asked her teasingly. She was about to beg him to stop and turn around then they all heard shouting. Devina couldn't contain the grin as she looked up at Thorin.

"Not at all in fact I am rather excited to have you take me shopping!" she wasn't about to tell him that she actually had been worried. Though maybe later she would tell him the difference in the book to what had just happened. That did worry her a bit.

"I signed it! I signed it!" Bilbo huffed, coming to a stop beside Balin. She watched, full of joy and relief as Balin examined the contract before calling out that everything was in order.

"Welcome Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield," She looked back at a slightly confused but curious dwarf king.

"So, how soon will we get to Bree?" she asked him cheerily. Thorin merely rolled his eyes as he turned the horse back toward the path ahead. He caused it to give a slight jolt, making Devina squeal in fear.

Smirking at his small revenge he called out "Someone give him a pony," and they continued on as cheers were heard behind them and bags of gold were tossed around.

Author's note: Yay another chapter complete! I wanted to give a special thanks to TigerLily2214 for reviewing so far! What do you all think so far? Too much brooding stubborn Thorin? Just enough? Do we like the flip in their demeanors after the bet? Should Devina tell him more? I would love to hear what you all think, what you like or don't like. What you hope to see happen, or skipped over?

Anyway off to lunch and then another "exciting" night at work.

Tootles!