There was a sort of defiance in her strut, something that was unusual for Ali. Normally she was pretty laid back, easy to get along with, some might say timid. Even the thought of nicking a pack of gum at a corner store made her uncomfortable.

This however was not a pack of gum, and technically she was not doing anything illegal, or even remotely morally wrong. As she followed the shouting of their little 'battle' Ali shrugged off her bulky yellow jacket. Telling herself it was because she was suddenly feeling warm, and definitely not because Thorin had made fun of it.

The clearing was complete with giant robotic trolls and all the dwarves tied up in bags. Save for those who were currently spinning around on the spit. It was total and utter chaos if Ali had ever seen it, and she had. Once witnessing the consequences of what actually happened when one stole candy from a baby, and it wasn't pretty. That was also the best metaphor she could think of, because by the look of these robots these people were totally loaded. Jurassic Park would have been a totally different movie if they had this kind of money, and that was a master piece as it was.

"Excuse me, pardon me," Ali shouted as she maneuvered through their legs to get to the trapped men.

"Eh, lookit, anotha!" One of them shrieked, making a grab at her.

"Whoa there, I am not part of this…" Ali waved her hands around, "this thing you guys are doing. Can't you tell?"

"Whaa?" One scrunched his nose and looked at the others.

"RUN LASS!"

"GIT OUTTA HERE!"

The dwarves yelled, sounding almost as if they were worried about her. Ali just barked out a laugh, waving her hands exaggeratedly to blow them off. "I have a bone to pick with you before you can get rid of me."

"We is gonna eat you," the nasally one knelt down closer to her, giving Ali a better view of the face.

"Well that's something that a man hasn't told me in a while," Ali joked reaching out she grabbed its nose giving it a squeeze and then pulled her hand out.

"EEEEEEEEEE!" It screamed, rolling back and grabbing its nose, "IT GOT ME! IT GOT ME!"

"Oh calm your tits, you'll be fine," Ali mumbled continuing over to the men. "You seem to have gotten yourselves in a pinch, it's too bad I'm a burden and can't help."

"What ya talking 'bout! Cut us loose!" Bofur yelled from his place on the spit.

Ali turned in time to see a giant gray hand flying at her. In high school Ali had taken gymnastics, and she hadn't been too bad if she did say so herself. Using some of that muscle memory more than actual knowing what she was doing, she was able to dive forward and roll back up to her feet.

Turing to look at him Ali just put her hand up as he looked ready to move forward again. "I said stop, you are awfully handsy for a guy who hasn't even brought me flowers" she stomped her foot and the creature froze.

"Grab 'er," one nudged his friend.

"But she said no," the nasally one protested still holding his hand over his nose.

"Get out of here now!" Thorin yelled!

"Oh really?" Ali waved her hands and rolled her eyes, "big words from the fashion police. I mean really? What is it you think I've been trying to do?"

Feeling the air move Ail ducked in time for a grab, "what did I say about the hands?!"

There was a second the troll looked between his friends and then back at her, "umm, no?"

"That's right, now, I'm not sure what kind of cosplay is going on, or maybe this is some strange reality show. I mean they have that one where people get married to someone they've never met. In comparison this wouldn't be that bad actually."

"You're not making any sense lassie!" One yelled, probably Dwalin.

"I'm not making any sense? You giant bulk of fucking muscle," Ali stepped around another grab, "you men make less sense than Batman riding a flying toaster!"

"What are you talking about!?"

"Batman! I'm talking about Batman!" Ali ran around one of their legs as they squealed in anger, "rich, handsome man desired by all, who fights crime at night dressed like a fucking bat! Riding a machine that toasts bread! Stop pretending to not understand!"

Ali kicked one of the legs on the robots, this talk was not going even close to how she planned. Somehow she kept getting distracted, and angry. Her temper was definitely beginning to flair, and she suddenly wished she hadn't had that drink. In a few minutes she knew she would feel bad for using such vulgar language.

From above she heard Gandalf yell, "DAWN TAKE YOU ALL!"

"Who's that?" One of the trolls asked.

"Dunno, can we eat him to?" Another said.

From his place atop the boulder Gandalf brought his staff up and cracked it back down onto the stone. It must not have been as solid as it looked cause it broke right in half, they could afford giant robots but couldn't find a proper rock?

All at once the trolls began to scream, moving away in stiff jostling movement. It down right startled Ali right out of the last of her buzz. The skin on each of them turned chalky as they slowed their retreat, and she couldn't look away. Probably should have though as the nearest one swung his arm one last time, catching Ali right across the face.

The woman was infuriating to say the least, running about spouting some sort of nonsense. Calling him, Thorin Oakenshield a fashion police! Spewing some nonsense about this Batman, calling him handsome and desired, surely any man who dresses as a tiny mammal would be idiotic. She made no move what so ever to free any in the company, instead just placed herself in harm's way.

Thorin's blood boiled during the entire performance of hers, surely she should have stayed back at camp as she was told. Though when Ali was knocked back by one of the trolls it felt as if someone had poured ice through his veins.

"Ali!" Bilbo yelled struggling to his feet while still bagged he struggled over to her limp body. Thorin struggled to remain stoic as Gandalf made his way maddeningly slowly over to help release them. "Ali, Ali, can you hear me?" Bilbo asked over and over as he gave up and attempted to roll to her.

"She is fine Master Bilbo, nothing more than a bump on the head." Gandalf grunted waving a hand in her direction.

"A complete idiot, useless as ever," Thorin mumbled loud enough so the others could hear.

"Oh," Gandalf said taking a step back just as he had knelt to help, "strange as she may seem it is because of her you were not sautéed with sage." Gandalf chuckled and leaned in so only Thorin could hear the rest, "and if I'm not mistaken you are rather fond of her."

It was true, Thorin could feel his palms sweating when he neared her, wishing every moment to reach for her. Catching himself watching the shy way she would smile, looking under her lashes when she believed no one was watching. Straining to catch the soft words she would use when she voiced her thoughts. It was becoming maddening.

"She's bleeding pretty bad!" Bilbo turned over.

"Hurry it up!" Kili wriggled around violently.

The others began to yell, drowning each other out. Thorin was surprised how many of them had actually grown to be fond of her, tripping out of his bag he moved to Ali. Grabbing a small dagger he ripped the rope around Bilbo's neck in one quick motion, using him as a reason to kneel by her side.

Blood had begun to run across her forehead from her hairline, but didn't look too serious. Thorin released a breath he hadn't realized that he was holding.

"She will be fine," Thorin snapped and calling on his waning willpower he stood and moved away. He was not daft he knew he was falling, he had heard of others who had found their other half. In fact one of his own company, Gloin had found his. Thorin was a strong man though, as long as he kept his distance, physically and emotionally, he was sure he could reverse it.

Alright, sorry for the late/short post, work has been a killer this week

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I promise the next chapter will be longer!