A/N: Thank you for the reviews. They mean the world. :) It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that folks are enjoying my words. So into the wild we go! Little bit shorter chapter this time (sorry!) but it would've been too long if I hadn't cut it off where I did.

Lady Arien: Oh I know!

Sadly, I am not the genius...that title belongs to Tolkien and PJ. Only Rhae is mine.

Rhae's knowledge of Rivendell came in handy as they quietly prepared to slip away the next day and Thorin found himself amazed at her resourcefulness. They wouldn't have been so well provisioned if it hadn't been for her and he was grateful. Besides bringing back enough food to last them quite some time she brought some extra blankets and even found more pipe tobacco. The one time he had questioned her on taking so much from Elrond she had merely shrugged.

"They'll have no problem replacing what I've borrowed," she'd replied with an impish grin on her face. Thorin felt like he shouldn't be surprised at anything she did during the remainder of their journey. While she was busy making sure they had food he quietly discussed their plans with Dwalin and Balin. He chose not to mention their impending departure to any of the company beyond the Fundin brothers, merely telling the others that they should be ready to leave at a moment's notice from here on out. His nerves were stretched thin and he didn't want a thoughtless or careless word giving them away. He wanted to continue on, especially now that they knew when they had to be at the mountain, and he fought the constant fear that something would stop them.

After finding everything she felt the company needed and could carry, Rhae made her way to the stables. They would be leaving, continuing on foot, and she wanted to say goodbye to Tálagor. The black horse whinnied when she approached him holding out an apple. He took it eagerly from her hand. As he chewed she carefully brushed his mane, enjoying the feel of his hair under her fingers, murmuring to him in Sindarin. Seeming to understand the words she whispered to him he nudged her with his head. He had been her one companion for many years, the one constant in her life and she would miss him. Knowing he would be safe, well fed and exercised in Rivendell made the separation a bit easier but Rhae still felt a few tears threaten as she laid her forehead against Tálagor's.

"Na lû e-govaned vîn." (until next we meet)

As dusk approached Thorin waited in their quarters with the rest of the company, unable to eat much of the meal Bombur handed him. He was tense and anxiously listening for Rhae's footsteps. The Ranger had gone somewhere to keep watch so they would know when it was safe to leave. He worried that something or someone would manage to stop them and he wouldn't rest easy until they had left Rivendell behind. Yes, they had received food, rest, and valuable help from Lord Elrond but it still grated on Thorin that he'd been forced to accept it all from elves. Finally he heard what he'd been waiting for and stood as Rhae slipped through the door.

"Let's go," she told him, grabbing her own pack from against the wall. He nodded and in a low voice told the company that they were leaving immediately. They seemed a bit surprised but no one questioned him. Within moments they had doused their furniture fed fire, hefted their freshly filled packs on their backs, and were following Rhae down quiet corridors. She knew where to go in order to remain unseen and hurried them along. Once they were out of the buildings they still had to follow the path out of the valley and she was anxious to get away, her distrust of the White Wizard fueling her. She only paused once, when they reached the top of the hidden path, allowing the rest of the company to catch up. As they did she looked down over Rivendell, glowing golden in the setting sun, and hoped she would live to see it again. It might not be home but it had always been a comfortable refuge.

"Be on your guard," Thorin told everyone. "We're about to step over the edge of the Wild. Rhae, Balin, you know these paths. Lead on." The white bearded dwarf joined the Ranger at the front of the line and they started on their way. Bilbo stopped and looked back at Rivendell, longing clear on his face.

"Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up," Thorin said gruffly from where he was waiting for the company to go by. Bilbo heaved a small sigh and then fell in line behind Oín.

Rhae lead the company from the valley and headed through the forest, trying to keep a steady pace so as not to exhaust them. The Misty Mountains were a shadowy blue rising in front of them. There wasn't much chatter among the dwarves for a while after they left Rivendell, everyone seemingly lost in their own thoughts. They were leaving safety behind them, heading into the wild with nothing but dangerous uncertainty ahead. Most of the company was only thinking of survival, hoping the remainder of their trek would be as easy as the beginning. Bilbo thought constantly of Rivendell; he had felt so safe and peaceful with the elves. He was also nervous without Gandalf and wondered again why the wizard was not with them. Thorin was never easy, knowing that the closer they got to the Misty Mountains the greater the danger. He could feel Erebor calling to him, that call getting stronger with every step he took eastward. The going was slow, much slower than he would like now that they were on foot, and that irritated him as well, though there was nothing else they could do. The Ranger provided a welcome distraction and he found his eyes on her more often than not. She presented a very pleasing picture as she lead them towards the mountains: messy braid peeking from out of her hood, cloak billowing around her small frame, sword and daggers at her waist, pack, quiver and bow across her back. The black scarf was back in place, shielding the lower half of her face from the wind. For someone not a dwarf she had remarkable strength and stamina, never seeming to tire. She certainly never complained. Remembering their moments together in Rivendell made him long for another opportunity to just be near her but she seemed to be avoiding him.

The views as they trudged along were magnificent. It had been many years since Rhae had cause to travel this way and she enjoyed all that she saw. Forest merged into rocky foothills which would lead them into the treacherous passes through the mountains. They passed crystal clear streams and waterfalls. There was plenty of game to hunt for meals so they were able to preserve the supplies Rhae had filled their packs with before leaving Rivendell. She could almost believe she was back in the north, patrolling those lands before she was sent further south towards the Shire. Despite being on foot and the circumstances surrounding her even being in this place, there was a spring in her step and small smile on her face. This was where she was most comfortable after all. It was remarkably quiet and uneventful for several days for which Rhae was grateful. She knew what lived hidden in the mountains and the company would need all its strength to make it through to the other side.

She had managed to avoid Thorin for the most part, feeling she needed to stay focused on the job for which Gandalf had recruited her. Staying away from him hadn't kept him out of her mind but at least it was easier to ignore her wayward thoughts when he wasn't right in front of her. The few times she wasn't at the head of the line she couldn't help but admire him as he lead them forward, his steps sure and firm, his gaze never leaving the mountains in front of them. Even trekking through the wild he was still majestic and damnably handsome. Rhae found she wanted him by her side, that she missed the easy conversations they'd shared before Rivendell. She forced herself to stay where she was most evenings. However, on the last night before they began their climb into the heights of the mountains he finally came and sat next to her while she was on watch. They didn't speak for a while and he watched her as she sat with her sword across her lap, staring up at the snow-covered peaks silhouetted against the black sky.

"You have been very quiet lately." She glanced at him, weighing how she was going to answer.

"Just thinking about our path through the mountains. You know as well as I what lives there."

"Yes. I wish there was some other way across."

"We'd have to travel hundreds of miles south to the Gap of Rohan and then the same distance back north. It would also put us too close to Saruman in Isengard for my tastes."

"Why do you not trust him?" Rhae paused as she considered. She'd had conversations about this with Gandalf.

"I can't quite put my finger on a particular reason. It is just a feeling I get. Its not that he has necessarily done anything to cause my distrust, its more what he hasn't done. He balks at any mention of this growing darkness, waves it off as mere nonsense or stories of cowardly farmers. He cannot be ignorant of what others have felt but yet he refuses to investigate."

"What have you felt? I have not forgotten your few cryptic comments over the course of our journey so far. There is something you and the wizard haven't told me."

Well, her father had said that she could tell Thorin eventually and the dwarf wanted to know what was going on. "There is evil growing again in this world. I can feel it in the air, in the ground, all around me. It is not strong - yet - but it is there. I don't have any type of second sight but I can certainly feel the changes. There is a reason behind the increase in orc raids. They have been venturing much further south recently. I fear the Watchful Peace we've enjoyed for so long is coming to an end."

After a moment Thorin's eyes widened slightly. "You can not mean-?"

"I know nothing for certain. It is only a sense that things are changing. That is why Gandalf stayed behind. He has felt it, too, and probably has seen more than I ever could. If he can get answers I will be much more comfortable." She returned her gaze to the mountain peaks. "I only hope that he is not delayed in meeting us as he said."

"This is what you meant that evening after your fall, that Sauron was simply waiting." She nodded. "Will this affect our quest?"

"I do not think so but we must defeat Smaug. He would be a dangerous weapon for Sauron or any of his allies." Her words threw a whole new perspective to their quest and Thorin felt added responsibility sink onto his shoulders. "Do not worry about the Dark Lord. Just focus on reclaiming your mountain for your people. The rest will present itself when it is time." He stared at her for a moment, again surprised at her ability to read his mind and know what he was feeling. It was oddly comforting. He reached out and took her hand, gently intertwining his fingers with hers. Her skin was soft but he could feel the calluses on her fingertips from her bowstring, a subtle reminder that she was no dainty female of Men. She was a warrior, a Dunedain Ranger with the blood of Isildur in her veins, and she had promised to stay by his side throughout whatever may come. Perhaps he should learn not to judge all by the actions of a few. She was certainly unlike any from the race of Man he'd ever met. Thorin gave her hand a gentle kiss and settled in next to her, placing their joined hands on his thigh, content to finally just be next to her. She smiled at him softly, equally as happy. They kept watch together for the rest of the night, never knowing that Balin had watched them for a bit with a satisfied twinkle in his eye.

The next day saw them climbing into the mountains, the trail becoming steeper and more narrow as it worked its way up. At one point they were walking across a boulder strewn ridge, the Misty Mountains spread around them and Rhae couldn't help but marvel at the splendor. If she hadn't been on the quest with the dwarves she probably would've stayed there a few days, just to enjoy seeing everything spread out beneath her feet. The wind was cold but it did not bother her; she enjoyed the feel of it against her face. If the weather held they should have no problem getting through the mountains.

So of course the next evening a storm crashed right over them. Rhae gripped her cloak tighter around her body to keep it from distracting Bofur behind her. They inched their way along a tiny little path that seemed to cling to the edge of the mountain, a sheer drop into the darkness on one side. Lightning flashed constantly over their heads and the wind blew stinging rain in their faces. Hearing a scuffle she turned in time to see Dwalin grabbing Bilbo back, keeping him from plummeting over the edge. This was madness. If they didn't find shelter soon someone was going to fall. Thorin seemed to have the same thought.

"We must find shelter!" She was able to just hear him over the sounds of the storm.

"Watch out!" Dwalin suddenly yelled and she looked up to see a massive boulder crash into the side of the mountain above them, showering rocks down on where they stood.

"This is no thunderstorm! It's a thunder battle! Look!" Rhae looked where Balin was pointing and gasped in horror as a stone giant rose from a nearby mountain. As they watched it tore off the peak of another mountain.

Bofur stood there amazed. "Well bless me. The legends are true! Giants! Stone giants!"

"Take cover! You'll fall!" Rhae yelled at him, pulling him back against the mountain. A second giant appeared behind them and became the target for the boulder the first giant had ripped off. The impact caused more rock to rain down on them and the stone beneath their feet began to crumble away. Rhae began to panic. They were trapped on this quickly narrowing excuse for a path. It suddenly seemed to move underneath them and she heard Fíli yell in front of her as a crack formed between the brothers.

"Kíli! Grab my hand!" Rhae watched as Kíli and everyone ahead of him on the path was carried away on what was one of the legs of yet another stone giant. She pressed herself against the side of the mountain as the leg they were on began to move as well, Fíli turning and using his body to try and keep her from tumbling into the chasm. They clung to the rock as the giants fought. This could not end well. The giant they were on was hit in the head with a boulder and she could feel it beginning to collapse.

"Hold on!" Dwalin yelled. As the giant fell they caught a last glimpse of the other group as they hurtled towards a rocky ledge. Rhae felt Fíli grasp her waist as they braced for impact. This certainly wasn't the end she'd envisioned for herself.

The rest of the company could only watch helplessly as the other group disappeared from sight, seemingly smashed against a rock ledge. Thorin felt pain sear through his heart as the giant fell into the void beneath them.

"No! No!" he screamed, hurrying along what remained of the path, desperate to get to where the rocks had collided. "Fíli! Rhae!" He could not lose them both! He could not lose his heir and his - Ranger. He could not lose her, too! They rounded the corner, expecting the worst. Thorin felt like collapsing in relief when he saw the rest of his company in a moaning, complaining heap.

"They're alright! They're alive!" Balin yelled behind him. Fíli and Rhae were in the middle of the pile, his arm still wrapped tightly around her waist from his effort to keep her from falling. Despite the situation he enjoyed feeling her against him and reluctantly released her when she tried to get up. She groaned, knowing this was going to leave some colorful bruises. Thorin helped them both to their feet, resting his head against his nephew's for a moment before turning to her.

"Are you alright?" She looked okay to him but it would be impossible to see if she was bleeding or bruised.

"I'll live. We -"

"Where's Bilbo? Where the hobbit?" Bofur suddenly yelled. Rhae snapped around at his words, scanning the group. The Halfling had been with them. Had he fallen? She felt sick to her stomach thinking that they had lost him.

Ori spotted him first. "There!" Rhae cried out when she finally saw him dangling from the edge of the path. There were too many dwarves in front of her to get to him.

"Get him!" Dwalin yelled and the young dwarf fell to the ground, trying to grasp Bilbo's arm but his grip slipped and the hobbit fell a bit further. Several in the company tried in vain to reach him. Out of nowhere Thorin swung down and gripped Bilbo, tossing him up to the hands of the waiting dwarves. However as he was lifting himself back up on the path his hand slipped and he started to fall. Dwalin and Rhae dove forward, each managing to grab him before he was gone and hauled him back to safety. His weight crashed into her and she fell backwards, smacking her head against the ground. If they made it off this cursed mountain she was going to be black and blue from head to toe. She laid there for a moment to catch her breath not even noticing the rain still pouring in her face.

"I thought we'd lost our burglar," she heard Dwalin say and she forced herself up so she could move next to Bilbo. The poor thing was as white as a sheet and still panting in fright.

"He's been lost ever since he left home. He should never have come," Thorin growled. She looked up at him with a frown. "He has no place amongst us. Dwalin!" The burly dwarf spared a quick glance at the hobbit and then followed his king. Rhae merely glared after them, furious at the words Thorin had just flung out so carelessly. She placed a comforting arm around Bilbo's shoulders. It wasn't long before the two dwarves returned with the news that there was a cave just ahead they could shelter in for the night. The company followed them wordlessly.

"It looks safe enough," Dwalin said peering in through the opening.

Thorin wasn't satisfied and rightfully so. "Search to the back. Caves in the mountains are seldom unoccupied." They waited while Dwalin inspected the cave, tumbling in gratefully when he came back saying there was nothing in there. Gloin dropped an armload of wood on the floor and rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

"Right then! Let's get a fire started."

"No," Thorin stopped him. "No fires, not in this place. Get some sleep. We start at first light." There was some groaning from the dwarves. Rhae agreed with him but she was still too mad to speak up in support.

"We were to wait in the mountains until Gandalf joined us. That was the plan." Balin was leery of moving on without the wizard.

"Plans change. Bofur, take first watch." Thorin remained at the cave entrance while the rest of the company attempted to find a comfortable spot on the floor. They were so exhausted it didn't take long for them to begin drifting off to sleep. Rhae waited until the majority of them were snoring before approaching Thorin. She was amazed she'd been able to keep quiet as long as she had.

"How could you say such things to Bilbo?"

He jerked around in surprise at the anger in her voice and was met with an icy glare. It had been a while since he'd seen her this angry.

"I only spoke the truth."

"Whether you think it true or not doesn't matter. Sometimes its best just to keep your thoughts to yourself."

"He doesn't belong out here. The wild is no place for those that can't fend for themselves."

"You thought the same when you first saw me."

"That is different. You are a Ranger and well trained to fight."

"Could you fend for yourself the first time you were in the wild? Would you have been able to survive without knowing how to use your sword?"

"We are taught from an early age the skills needed to survive anywhere."

"Exactly. You're taught that, as I was, but what if you hadn't been? Life in the Shire is, of course, different from Erebor or Ered Luin. They have no need of fighting skills. Bilbo came willingly on this quest to help you, knowing it was dangerous and that he was ill-prepared. You could have helped him, taught him how to use that sword Gandalf gave him. Instead all you have done is either ignore or berate him for things he has no control over."

"His carelessness could have cost me members of my company."

"What carelessness?" Rhae snapped. "He was clinging to that rock as we were smashed against the mountainside just like the rest of us. It was just bad luck that he slipped. It could have been any member of the company hanging from that path. He does not deserve your scorn."

Thorin wasn't sure how to respond to her. Why had he snapped at the Halfling like that? The fellow certainly didn't belong in the wild but had he actually been much of a burden? He thought back to the scene on the path; he'd been worried. Yes, worried. The Halfling was a member of his company and, despite his words to Gandalf at Bag End, he was responsible for the hobbit. He opened his mouth to try and explain to Rhae but she held up a hand.

"Don't bother. I'm not really in a mood to hear your excuses." He watched as she stomped towards the back of the cave and laid down between his nephews. There were some murmured words that he couldn't catch, obviously the boys hadn't been asleep, and then he gritted his teeth as the two of them scooted closer to where she lay, sandwiching her between them. Jealousy gnawed at his gut. He had hoped she might stay near him. Seeing her on that rock as the giant had fallen, thinking that she had been crushed to death had made him feel physically sick. He'd had to fight to keep his knees from buckling underneath him. And oh the relief he'd felt when he'd spotted her alive!

He'd been scared, terrified that he had lost her.

The thought came to him and he knew that had been the reason he'd lashed out at the hobbit. There was nothing he could have done to help Rhae in that situation and feeling helpless never sat well with him. So he'd taken out his frustration on the first thing that presented itself. He passed a hand over his face in irritation. Laying down on the stone floor he realized an apology was probably in order.

Rhae couldn't relax. She was uneasy and sleep wouldn't come. Hearing something near the front of the cave her eyes popped open and she searched the gloom until she spotted the source of the noise. Bilbo was standing with Bofur. It was easy enough for her to hear their words.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Back to Rivendell."

"No, no, you can't turn back now. You're part of the company. You're one of us." Bofur's words put a smile on her face, glad to hear that at least some of the other dwarves liked Bilbo and considered him part of the group.

"I'm not though, am I?" The resignation was clear in his voice and Rhae's heart hurt for him. "Thorin said I should never have come and he was right. I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins. I don't know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door."

Rhae looked to where Thorin was laying and was surprised to see him awake and listening as well. Their gaze locked across the cave and her eyes narrowed as she frowned at him.

"You're homesick. I understand." Poor Bofur was trying his hardest to convince Bilbo to stay.

"No you don't, you don't understand! None of you do. Not even Rhae understands. You're dwarves. You're used to - to this life, living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere." Rhae knew what he meant; she had no home, no place to call her own, no one who really cared if she ever returned. Never in her life had she felt as alone as she did in that moment.

"I'm sorry, I didn't -" Bilbo, obviously feeling like he'd been too harsh, tried to apologize to the dwarf in the funny hat.

"No, you're right. We don't belong anywhere." Bofur sounded so sad as he glanced around at the dwarves asleep on the floor. "I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do."

Bofur placed his hand on Bilbo's shoulder and gave him a friendly smile. Rhae began to push herself to her feet. If the Halfling was going to leave she had to go with him; he'd never make it back to Rivendell alive. She could easily rejoin the company once the hobbit was safe with the elves, though she knew Gandalf would not be pleased. However as she stood she saw something that made her freeze in fear.

"What's that?" Bofur asked, noticing it at the same time as the Ranger. Bilbo glanced down and slowly pulled his small sword from its sheath. It was glowing blue. There was a faint noise at her feet and Rhae watched as the sand began slipping through a quickly forming crack in the floor.

"Wake up! Wake up!" Thorin bellowed.

It was too late.

Revised/Edited April 2016