I do not own any of the characters or the Hobbit (just the AU storyline and my OC) those are the work of the esteemed and brilliant John Ronald Reull Tolkien, and without his genius, this and many other fan fics would not be in existence.

Please review! I love getting them-they keep me encouraged! J

Thorin regarded the girl before him with an unreadable expression on his face. The company looked to him to see what he would say.

Many of them were in full agreement that they did not trust the elves enough to leave her in their care, especially after she had rescued the young prince from being mauled to death by a warg. However, that very same protectiveness most of the company felt towards her out of honor and respect caused them to be wary of bringing her with them, knowing what awaited them once they reached the Mountain.

"Who are you?" Thorin asked her, his tone demanding answers. "And how did you know to follow us?"

"I had a feeling you would leave after the strange look you gave me when you left my room yesterday," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite her side still causing her some slight twinges of pain. The elf drought had mostly kicked in but not quite all the way yet.

"As to who I am, I am called Cirashala, and I am at your service, Thorin Oakenshield, King Under the Mountain." She bowed again amidst astonished gasps from the company. Thorin's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Why do you address me by that title?" Thorin replied after a moment, wondering exactly how she knew who he was, and why she would give him a title that wasn't officially his yet until he was crowned and swore his oath as King.

"Because you are Thorin, son of Thrain, Son of Thrór, King in exile of Erebor and of Durin's folk," she replied, looking at him in confusion. Balin looked at her curiously.

"He has not been crowned king, lass," he replied, glancing to Thorin. "Erebor has not been our home since long before you were born." He was determined that the girl should not know of their quest, and acted as though they were simply on a journey. She looked at Balin, inclining her head in respect.

"I suppose the dragon would not have allowed it formally, but there are many who still follow him as such, since both Thrór and Thrain perished at the battle of Azanulbizar, from what I have been led to understand," she replied, and even Thorin's eyes went wide as she spoke and the company fell silent.

"A-are you a dwarf, lass?" Bofur asked her after a moment. The company stared wide eyed at her in confusion. She shook her head.

"No, but that does not mean I have not heard of the sacking of Erebor, and of the battle," she replied, "And I know what it feels like to lose everything." Her voice wavered slightly, and she looked down for a moment, before looking up slightly misty eyed and swallowing hard.

"I buried my husband and my two baby girls," she whispered, wiping her eyes quickly before tears could fall. "I lost my home, my family, everything. It's gone, all of it."She paused for a brief moment, then continued, her voice gaining strength as she looked the dwarf king in the eye.

"I swear I will protect each and every one of you with my life," she said, and looked at the company before her eyes returned to Thorin. He sighed.

"Gir-Cirashala, you do not know what you are asking," he replied, "You do not know what you will be facing should you join our company." She stood up and sheathed her sword, looking Thorin in the eye as her jaw set determinedly.

"I have lost everything I ever knew. I have faced a warg with a dagger and didn't think twice about it, as you so kindly pointed out," she mentioned, causing a slight snort from Kili, who was instantly shushed by his brother. Thorin gave him a warning glare, before turning back to the girl. He opened his mouth to speak, but she continued on, heedless of his attempt at interrupting her.

"Yet, I am still standing here. I am not afraid of a dragon." Thorin's eyes widened, and he cast an angry glance at the burglar, who looked just as confused as everyone else.

"How do you know of our quest?" the dwarf asked angrily, glaring at her as the company glanced around them, searching for any eavesdroppers.

"Why else would you and your kin be on the great east road?" she replied, giving the same answer she had given Gandalf. "My lord, I know I don't have much of anything. I am not nobility and I have no title. I am a mere peasant, and as such it is impossible for me to have honor. I don't have much skill with my weapons, but I have had some training, and will continue to do so as much as I can. But, I am willing, and I will remain loyal to you and your kin. My grief will not hinder me."

She bowed low at the waist. "I swear loyalty and fealty to you, my lord king, until my lord release me, or death take me," she said, and there was a collective gasp among the company as they gaped at her.

Balin looked toward Thorin, and their eyes met. Thorin remembered what he had said to Balin a month ago in Bilbo's home.

Loyalty, honor, and a willing heart. I can ask no more than that.

He sighed, wondering if in fact he would have to tie the girl to a tree, before the girl's eyes widened and she turned her head toward the direction she came from.

"Someone's coming, she whispered, and the dwarves looked in the same direction she was in confusion. But after a moment, they too heard the slight rustling. Her eyes locked with the dwarf king.

"Go," she whispered, "I will distract them so you can leave." Thorin turned toward the company.

"Move, quickly!" he whispered loudly. The dwarves hurried across the bridge and continued on up the path that led out of the valley. Fili and Kili cast a glance at the girl, then at their uncle, their eyes uncertain. Thorin sighed again as the girl got up and nodded at them before starting to walk back toward the noise. He glanced at the lads, then at the girl, and nodded reluctantly. They looked at each other, relief on their faces, before reaching out and grabbing her hands.

They turned her around, and she looked at the two young dwarves, confusion in her face. Kili smiled slightly and tilted his head toward the retreating company. She looked at Fili, who gave her a wink, before the two lads all but dragged her toward the disappearing dwarves.

XXX

The three caught up with the dwarves quickly, before the entire group walked up the path at a fast pace. Cirashala's side had finally stopped twinging, thanks to the elven pain draught, however she was a bit breathless as they went higher and higher up the side of the cliffs overlooking Rivendell. And she had no doubt her legs would pay dearly for it tomorrow as well, not used to ascending such steep slopes.

The path had narrowed, forcing the trio in the back to walk in a single line. Fili walked ahead of her, while Kili took up the rear. Towards the top, Cirashala saw Bilbo look back on the peaceful valley with longing, and she completely understood. She had begged Thorin to not leave her with the elves, not because she wouldn't love to stay in the beautiful valley, but because of both the quest and her desire to earn her own way instead of taking advantage of their wonderful hospitality. Unlike Thorin, she had at least asked Gandalf to thank Lord Elrond and the elves for her.

The company reached the top of the path, and was able to spread out a bit for a moment. Several of them, Dwalin and Thorin mainly, looked back down the path to make sure they weren't being followed. Thorin then turned toward Cirashala.

"Go back, girl. We let you come with us to avoid discovery, but this quest really is no place for a woman," he said. She bit her lip, and looked down. The sunlight caught the heart shaped diamond in her ring, and her eyes misted. She tugged it off and looked for a minute at it, swallowing her pain before very reluctantly holding it out to the dwarf King.

"If you would allow me to accompany you until I can reach Laketown, this," her voice wavered as she held up the ring, "Is yours. It is not much, but it's all I have left." Thorin stared at her, before looking down at the ring, eyes widening when he saw the heart shaped diamond in the center.

"Is that your wedding ring, lass?" Bofur asked, peering slightly over the dwarf king's shoulder, before looking at her. She nodded, brushing the tear that fell unwanted down her cheek, before straightening her shoulders.

"I do not know the way to Laketown," she said softly, "I-I do not want to get lost, and you are the only people I know of who are traveling that way. There is nothing left for me in Eriador." She bit her lip again as she looked up at Thorin. He sighed loudly, before meeting her gaze.

"If you do not keep up, we will leave you behind," he said, "You are responsible for yourself and your own safety. I will not allow my men to become distracted to protect you." She nodded. He passed her in a bit of a huff, grumbling under his breath. She didn't catch what was said, and had a feeling she probably didn't want to know.

XXX

Kili heard what his uncle said about distractions, and swallowed, flushing a bit as Thorin cast a side glance at him. He avoided his gaze and looked at the ground. No doubt Thorin was thinking of his decision to take the injured girl to Rivendell four days prior when he said that to her.

Still, he was somewhat relieved that she had been allowed to accompany them. He still wasn't sure his blood debt had been released (or even if she knew he owed her one), and it would be far easier to keep his honor regarding the debt if she was nearby. He shared a look with his brother, and could tell he was thinking the same thing. The group moved out, Thorin eager to put some distance between them and the elven valley.

She hesitated, before falling in line somewhere in the middle of the group. It wasn't long before Kili and Fili had made their way up behind her. Fili looked at the way she had slung her bow across her shoulders, and signed to Kili in igleshmek.

That's not the way to stow a bow over one's shoulder, is it? He signed. Kili shook his head.

No, it's not. There are ties on the quiver for that. I don't know why she just threw it across her shoulder, he signed back, looking at the girl with a little bit of confusion.

Do you think she even knows how to use it? Fili asked. Kili shrugged.

I have no idea. She said she has some weapons training, but I wonder just how much, he replied.

Or how little, Fili glanced at her.

Do we still owe her a blood debt? Kili asked. Fili shrugged his shoulders and shook his head as if to indicate that he wasn't sure.

I don't know, little brother, he signed. Kili's brow furrowed in thought, before he smiled widely and met his brother's eyes.

Maybe we could teach her, he said. Fili shook his head.

No, Thorin said that she was responsible for her own safety, he signed. I don't think he would want us to.

But he didn't say that we couldn't train her, Kili argued. He only said that we couldn't get distracted protecting her. I don't see why we can't train her after we set up camp and eat when others are on watch.

Well, if we do still owe her a blood debt, it will be wise to ensure that she can defend herself at least, Fili agreed. It would make our job easier. But if Thorin gets angry at us for doing so, it's your fault.

Kili was fine with that. If her being able to defend herself helped him protect her to fulfill his blood debt, then he was willing to risk it. Besides, being an archer himself, seeing her bow slung over her shoulder the way it is was driving him absolutely crazy. If anything, he desperately needed to show her how to tie her bow to her quiver properly, otherwise he might just be tempted to grab it off of her and do it himself.

But, he thought to himself wryly as he felt his still tender nose (which finally stopped bleeding, thank Mahal), I really don't want to get beat up again.