Okay so first, let me apologize for not writing sooner. I have been working like a dog lol So bare with me friends!

Here is my next chapter! Please review!

I slept much easier the remainder of the night. No one disturbed me until the early mornings hours. The sun had just peered over the horizon and slipped into the small window to my room. Just as the warmth hit my face, the door opened. I was not quite awake when a hand was placed onto my shoulder.

I practically jumped from the bed when I felt someone shake me. It would have been nice if I had got to my feet when that happened, but unfortunately my legs were tangled within the blankets and I fell from the bed, landing with a rather loud thud.

"Ow, shit that hurt!" I rubbed my hip and looked up to see Gandalf standing above me with a mischievous grin. Fucking wizard. He knew how jumpy I was.

His grin sobered quickly at my glare. "Be dressed and ready in half an hour. There will be some breakfast waiting for you in the kitchen, but I would hurry before Bombur eats it all." Then he was gone, shutting the door behind him.

God I hated the wizard. Popping in at the most dreadful times and scaring the ever living hell out of me. It was like he knew what he was doing...Who am I kidding? He probably did it on purpose.

With a groan I untangled myself from the blankets and threw them onto the bed. Bilbo wouldn't need to worry about how his rooms looked, since he was going to be joining them anyway. I grabbed my pants and tank top that I had worn last night and practically shoved myself into them. When I bragged my black cardigan I noticed a hole in it's soft fabric. Damn. Probably got it when I was struggling with Oliver. I would really need to get something different if I was going to be traveling...maybe I could talk them into going to Bree...

I stored that in the back of my head and strolled out of my room. I really had no belongings other than my clothes...so there was really no point in backing a bag. Bree would be my best bet.

I rounded the corner and saw the dwarves all sitting at the table eating quietly. Woah...huge difference from last night. They were so quiet it was almost scary. I cleared my throat nervously and looked to Gandalf.

He looked to me with a smile and motioned for me to sit in the empty chair next to him. I did so without complaint and he handed me a plate with eggs and sausage on it. Man was I happy to see that. The food was a welcome distraction from the strange silence. Sure I could hear the clinking and clacking of their plates and silverware, but still...the talking was non existent.

I shoved food into my mouth and chewed. The resounding noise of my own body kept me from getting too nervous. The food was hot and my stomach was more than excited about the new addition to it's empty void.

"Bombur, I could kiss you right now." I said in between bites.

He almost choked on what he had in his mouth. Bofur had to pat him on the back while the fat dwarf coughed almost violently. I looked up while taking a bite of a sausage. Bombur was the deepest shade of red I had ever seen. When he finally cleared his throat he looked at me shyly.

What? What had I said? Oh...I barked out a laugh.

"Sorry Bombur, I meant that I really enjoy the food." I hadn't noticed that most of the table had stopped eating and were looking between Bombur and myself. God these guys were weird.

"Thank you, lass..." Bombur looked back to his food with a bashful smile on his face.

Oh my god. It was like Snow and the Seven Dwarfs. I had to pinch my leg to keep form laughing. This was too rich. I managed to look down quickly and keep eating, but the thought was now there and I could never look at him the same. Bashful would be his new name to me.

The rest of the time was spent eating in silence until Thorin stood suddenly, gaining attention from everyone.

"Let us prepare and make way. Well will leave in twenty minutes, so be quick." And with that he left us all staring after him.

Then just like that, everyone was done eating and were now moving around the house putting everything back in it's place. I didn't even get to finish my last sausage when someone snatched it from the table and disappeared.

Damn it. I was still hungry. With a loud sigh I stood from the table and made my way into the hall. It was a quiet chaos. Everything was put back the way it was and they were starting to bring packs and weapons outside to the ponies someone must have brought from somewhere.

I was walking to toward the door to see if I could help with someone, anything really, when I pair of boots came flying at me. I barely had time to catch them, one boot hung by my finger when it was all said and done.

Looking up to the culprit, I saw Dwalin standing there leaning against a frame. His arms crossed against his chest with a frown plastered on his face.

"You'll need something to cover your feet, lass." That was all he said. He left me standing there without letting me say thank you and bounded for the door to prepare with the rest.

I looked down at the boots and smiled. It was very nice of him to give me a spare pair. I had not come into this world with shoes on...I was bare foot in the car when it...

I stopped myself from thinking any further and took a seat on a small bench against the wall. I pulled the boots on and looked at my feet. Well they weren't something to look at, but I was glad my feet were warm and would not blister from having to move around without anything on them.

They were comfortable and a bit big, but I could walk in them. I tried them out as I made my way to the door. Once outside I saw everything was pretty much done. Twenty minutes must have meant twenty minutes. No seconds to spare.

Gandalf saw me exit the hobbit hole and motioned for me to come over to him. I almost tripped on my way over to him, but made was able to get there without further humiliation. Damn boots.

"Emma, I'm afraid we were unprepared for another to contribute to our quest..." Gandalf started.

"Not enough ponies?" I questioned sarcastically.

He nodded and held onto his staff with a small smirk. "You may ride with me if you feel more comfortable."

"Gandalf you are a very tall wizard...riding with you might be very uncomfortable...for us both."

"You can ride with me, lass!" I turned to see Kili walking up to me with the biggest grin on his face.

I rolled my eyes. Why did I feel like that was a terrible idea...

"Kili, I don't know..."

"Come on. I wont do anything inappropriate, I promise." The look on Kili's face said otherwise, but while everyone was already saddling up, I had little time to argue.

"Fine." With a heavy sigh I had to resign to riding with Kili. It was not an ideal situation.

I followed Kili over to his pony. Ahead was Fili strapping his bags to his own pony. He saw Kili and myself heading his way and stopped to watch us. He glared openly at his younger brother. Kili ignored him completely and stopped in front of his pony and offered a hand to me.

"Shall I help you up, my lady?" He was either being very polite, or just trying to be an ass. I wasn't sure, but it was fairly amusing to watch Fili almost jump at Kili...though I had no idea why.

"Thank you Kili, but I know how to ride a pony." I made little effort getting onto the horse. Before I could turn to look down at the brother, Kili was leaping up and seating himself on the pony, making it a point to wiggle his body into the saddle in front of me.

"You have skill in riding I take it, Miss Emma." Well, Kili was right about that. My mother made me ride when I was younger. I hated it. What the hell would you need a horse for when there were cars? But my mother made it clear that 'women of our caliber had to do many things we didn't like.' Whatever that meant.

The rest of the company was prepared to head out when Thorin gave a loud call in dwarfish. The horses began to move and they fell in line as the journey began.

This was it. It was the start of something big. Bigger than why I was here and if I was dead? Not quite, but it was up there with my top 5 big moments.

The beginning of the ride was met with small talk from most of the dwarves. Most of them annoyed they had to make the extra trip out to Hobbiton just to be rejected by their supposed burglar.

I had been deep in thought when someone said my name. I glanced to my right to see Bofur riding beside Kili and herself with a pipe in hand.

"I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"We're taking bets on whether the hobbit will show or not. What's your take?" Bofur asked.

"Do you really think it is a good idea to ask a seer what the future might hold, Master Dwarf?" I responded with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk. Though I was not a seer, it would be better to play it up...for now.

"I'm still debating on whether you are one or not. You seem rather skittish for someone who is all knowing of the future." I really wasn't going to fool this guy was I? Sigh.

I kept my gaze on Bofur long enough to watch his expression. He seemed calm enough... it was like he was waiting for me to something. Anything. Make a fool of myself or show him that I really was a seer.

Finally I shifted uncomfortably on the pony. "I have no coin to bet, Master Dwarf, but if I may ask...what did you bet?"

He inhaled smoke from his pipe slowly and leaned forward on his pony slightly. A smirk was prevalent on his always usually smiling face. Smoke rose from his mouth when he decided he would respond.

"I've yet to decide. I thought perhaps you're take on it would sway me...but since you will not be betting..."

"Would you like to hear what I would have bet?"

He was grinning from ear to ear. Oh goodness, that's what this was about. Trying to cheat to get his winnings.

"Now Mister Bofur, isn't that cheatin'?" Kili spoke up in front of me. Fili and himself had been so busy talking, I had not thought they were even listening to our conversation. Guess those big ears aren't just for show.

"Come on, lads. There's no harm in having an advantage. Tell ya what, I'll let you bet on the advice of Miss Emma here as well. No harm done."

The brothers looked at each other and then had their eyes on me. Fili turned to in his pony and Kili looking over his shoulder. When I looked to Bofur, he had his eyes rested on me as well. All waiting to hear what I had to say.

Well this wasn't intimidating at all.

I raised my hands in surrender. "Fine. You win, you win." I looked back to the forest we were leaving behind. I knew Bilbo would come running from The Shire and would have that signed paper in his hands. I could just imagine it. The picture brought a smile to my face, it would be quite a sight for the dwarves who were so against the gentle hobbit coming along.

"Well, lass?" Bofur asked, not impatiently, but very eager.

I slowly turned back to him still smiling. "Bilbo Baggins will be joining us shortly. Don't worry your pretty little beard about that." I gave him a cheeky grin and wink before he chuckled.

"I'll put five gold to that!" Kili handed over a small pouch to Bofur, confident of my skills as seer.

"Are you sure, Emma? You really think he will come?" Fili spoke as he pulled on the reins of his pony to slow down enough to face me. He looked intrigued and a little speculative.

I only gave him a smile and a nod.

He took a good long look at me. He did that a lot and it was very disconcerting. Finally he smiled and looked to Bofur who was seemingly waiting for his bet.

"I'll put five on the hobbit.." He pulled out his own pouch. "And I'd like to throw five in for Miss Emma here as well."

"You what?" Did he just say what I think he said?

"Good on ya, laddie!" Bofur caught the pouch Fili threw to him. He then penciled in the bet numbers on a piece of parchment and kicked his pony to gather the other bets.

I was still staring at Fili when Bofur left. What the hell just happened? Fili was well aware I was looking at him, the smirk on his face told me that, but he was looking straight ahead to the rest of the company, doing a fine job of ignoring me.

"Why did you do that?" He still didn't look at me.

"You have no coin, lass. I thought you'd need some on the journey...and since we should be getting a good amount when this is over, why would I care if I gave up five gold now?" He made a good point...the only flaw in his theory was I knew Kili and Fili would not make it out of this quest alive.

"Well..thank you Fili. That was very sweet of you." That only made him turn away from me more, hiding his face very conveniently. He kicked his pony to serge it forward, as though he had to talk to some other dwarf about something.

Uh, okay?

Kili shifted slightly in front of me and turned his head to speak. Like always a smirk was on his face.

"I do believe you made him blush, Miss Emma."

"Oh? I don't see how a bit of gratitude could make someone blush like that...First Bombur, now Fili. Who's next?"

"I don't doubt you'll have most of the company blushing at your every word, lass. We are not accustom to having a woman around." Well that was a lie, on his part at least. He was cute, so why wouldn't he have women throwing themselves at his feet?

I barked out a laugh in protest and poked his shoulder. "I hardly doubt you, of all people, weren't accustom to the company of a woman. I bet you're a bigger whore than a bar maid!"

"A whore? Did you just call me a whore?" Kili had a very misleading look on his face. I couldn't tell if he was seriously offended or if he...oh! And there was the smirk! For a second I had actually felt bad for calling him that.

"I couldn't fool you, Miss Emma! The look on your face was a sight to behold! You genuinely looked concerned." I punched him in the shoulder.

"You git!" Kili laughed and leaned back slightly.

"You seem like you are used to male companionship and you are far too forward to be a maiden, am I correct?"

I froze. Perhaps it was in the moment that he asked the question. Probably wondering why I would talk so casually about the idea of sex. I had forgotten how different things were in this world. Maidens were supposed to be shy and docile..not talking about bar maids and whores...but that wasn't what made him look at me suddenly like he regretted what he had just asked me.

I knew the look I had on my face was ashen, I could feel the blood run from my face the moment those words came out of his mouth. 'You are far too forward to be a maiden.'

I had been. I was one...but it was taken from me and now I was tainted with the memories of violence. Nothing could take back that moment. I could have fought harder..I should have just killed him sooner!

"Miss Emma?" Kili's voice brought me out of my thoughts and my blurred vision spotted him with a worried look. I must have been crying.

Bile started to rise in my throat. "I have to get down."

"Are you alright?" Kili asked.

"Please, I have to get down...I'm going to be sick." I covered my mouth and leaned to the side slightly.

Immediately Kili pulled on the reins and stopped the pony. I hoped off it the moment I felt the halt and only made it a few steps before everything that had been in my stomach from breakfast was making it's way onto the grass in front of me.

All I could hear was the sound of my heart's increased speed. I was dizzy and more than upset about the whole thing. I was sure I looked weak to the dwarves.

Once I had finished and my stomach had nothing left to give up, there was a skin of water in my line of vision. I glanced up to see Thorin standing there. He was frowning, but his eyes gave away the small concern he had for me. It was touching.

I took the skin and stood up fully. "Thank you..." I brought it to my lips and took a sip to rinse out the disgusting taste in my mouth.

"If you can not ride without throwing up then perhaps you should not have come." And there was the asshole.

I gave back his skin while I spit out the water. Mouthwash. Maybe if I prayed for some it would just appear like I had.

I looked at Thorin, who was now retreating back to his pony, and sighed. He needed a swift kick in the ass.

"I would worry less about me and more about yourself. My fate may be unclear, Thorin Oakenshield, but yours is already mapped out. That is something you should remember." I spoke firmly and made sure to stand straight as he turned to look at me with a glare.

"And what would you know of that, seer?" His words poured out of his mouth like venom. He was obviously not happy that I would stand up to him, again, in front of his company.

"More than I'd care to admit." I looked to Gandalf who was worried I would let out information that should not be heard by them. I wasn't going to say a word.

"And if you must know, Thorin Oakenshield, I've been riding since I was 6." My eyes were brought back to the glaring King. "So do not insult me like I am one of your common followers. You are not my King, nor will you ever be."

Thorin went to say something, probably another insult, when Dori interrupted.

"I said it. Didn't I say it? Coming here was a waste of time."

"That's true enough." Gloin said loudly. "Not only did we not get our burglar, but we picked up a mouthy girl in his place."

"Ridiculous notion. Use a hobbit? A halfing? And now a seer who has yet to prove that she can even see the fufure? Who's idea was this anyway?" Dori replied.

I turned to the two dwarves, both were looking at me with a frown. They obviously didn't like the idea that I was pretty much insulting their king with my attitude. I would have scorned them or said something I would later regret, but luckily Bilbo's voice in the distance caught everyone's attention.

"Wait!" Bilbo shouted loudly. The company turned in their saddles. "Wait!" Bilbo repeated as he ran up to the group.

It was lucky that we had stopped. He might not have caught up so soon. Okay he would have, but regardless, I was proud of myself. Not to mention that I did prove what I said. Bilbo showed them that he was capable of the courage to come on the quest, even knowing what was in store for them.

He passed by me with a smile and gripped my arm gently before walking over to Balin with his contract in hand.

"I signed it." Bilbo came up to Balin, with the biggest, proudest, smile on his face, and handed the contract over. "Here."

To say that I was pretty damn proud in him was an understatement. With my hands on my hips I walked back over to Kili to get back on his pony. I didn't even look at Thorin to see his reaction to the hobbit showing up. I already knew that he had just gained a small amount of respect for the hobbit taking on such an adventure. Now as for what I had said to him, I knew he now believed what I had tried to say.

Kili helped me onto the horse with an arm and I securely wrapped an arm around his waist. He leaned back as Balin went over the contract in front of us.

"Are you alright Miss Emma?"

"Yes Kili, I am just fine." I tried not to blush. I had almost forgotten about what had caused me to throw up in the first place.

"I am sorry for what I asked.."

"Please don't be. If it's alright I would prefer not to talk about it...EVER." He chuckled at my apparent embarrassment and nodded.

Next to us Fili watched carefully. I could see him out of the corner of my eye. I don't know why he was always doing that. I know I've probably said it before, but it's creepy. Not like 'guy at the party that nobody likes watching you' creepy...I really had no way to describe it.

I turned my head to look at Fili. Mostly to let him know I could see him eying me. He smirked and kept my gaze.

" Why do you do that?" I said looking more than a bit offended by his actions. Not that I didn't like him, but he was really putting me on edge.

His smirked faded into a frown and he opened his mouth to say something when Balin spoke.

"Welcome, Master Baggins, to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Thorin by now had found his way onto his pony. "Give him a pony."

That didn't sit well with Bilbo. He tried to protest, but as the group began to move once again Kili and Fili grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him onto a pony, all the while laughing. Once Bilbo was sitting on his pony, looking very unenthusiastic, he saw me and smiled.

"I am glad to see you here Bilbo. I missed your company." I was leaning the side of my head against Kili's back, I was already tired from throwing up and now hungry, but I smiled none the less.

"Well you're lucky I decided to come, otherwise you'd be stuck with this unruly lot." He teased. I giggled lightly and shook my head.

"I knew you'd come. There was no doubt in my mind."

Bilbo smiled and looked ahead to see Gandalf motioning for him to join the spot next to him. Bilbo awkwardly kicked his pony and waved a small goodbye to me when he left. I sighed and closed my eyes. Things were heading in the right direction.

"Come on, Nori. Pay up." Oin called over the company. I could here the sound of coins in pouches being throw about. 'Thanks, lad."

"One more!" Kili called. His voice loud as my ear was pressed against his back. I sat up and the ducked when I saw a pouch being thrown out way. Of course he caught it without problem, but that still didn't mean I wasn't nervous about being hit in the face.

"Hey I need two back here!" Fili called beside us. Two bags came flying toward him. He easily caught them and put his pouch in his saddle bag. Fili then looked over to me with a smile.

"Your ten gold coins, Miss Emma." Fili dangled the pouch in the air.

"I- I couldn't Fili. It's your money."

"Nonsense. It is a gift." He held out the pouch a little more firmer, insisting I take it.

"No, I couldn't. Really Fili.."

"Emma you have nothing, you said so yourself. Take the gold, please.." Fili looked at me sadly, like he was hurt I was rejecting his gift.

I didn't want to just take his gold. I hated hand outs when I didn't feel I deserved them...but maybe we could find some compromise.

"I will take your gold Master Dwarf..if you would grant me a favor."

That seemed to get his attention. His eyebrows raised fully in surprise and intrigue. " And what favor would that be?"

"I would appreciate it greatly if you could talk your Uncle into letting us stop in Bree."

Fili knitted his eyebrows together, not really like the idea as far as I could tell. "Bree? Why would you want to stop there?"

"Fili, it's like you said; I have nothing. So I would like to stop in Bree to procure the things I will need for this journey...and with the gold you gave me, I'm sure I could get just what I need."

Fili seemed to mull it over for a moment before nodding. He tossed the pouch of coins at me and kicked his pony to catch up to his uncle.

Well that was easier than I thought. I blinked after him and then looked to the pouch. Finally, I could get what I needed. Let's hope Fili would hold up his end of the bargain or there would be no use for the money he gave me.

Quite abruptly I could here Bilbo yelling above the company.

"No wait, wait! Stop! Stop! We have to turn around."

"What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asked sounding very confused.

"I forgot my handkerchief." Seriously Bilbo? I had forgotten about that, really. It was hard to remember what was about to happen when I was so caught up in my own world.

"Is he joking?" Kili asked.

"Unfortunately not, I'm afraid..." I sighed and leaned forward to look over Kili's shoulder.

Bofur had ripped off a piece of clothing and threw it at Bilbo to use. Ew. It was probably his way of trying to help, but still...dude it was probably dirty and full of his man-dwarf sweat. The look on Bilbo's face was that of disgust. He was not used to things being so rugged. The company chuckled and Thorin called for them to move on. Fili was beside him and continued the conversation they were having before the hobbit interrupted them.

I felt so very sorry for Bilbo. Though he was given a small bit of respect for joining them, the dwarves obviously had little faith in the hobbit.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I saw Fili riding back towards us. He had a smile on his face. That was always good news.

He corrected his pony to stride beside Kili and myself. "So Uncle says we are to stop in Bree for the night. He says the idea of getting supplies would be a very wise." He was speaking to Kili, but turned to wink at me.

At that moment, he was my savior. The past stares and glances meant nothing now because he had did something to make me happy. I squealed with excitement, which caused the brothers to laugh rather at my outburst.

"Careful brother, any more good news and she might leap over this pony to embrace you." Kili teased.

"Don't be so jealous, Kili. I only did what the lass asked to make sure she took my money. Chivalry, remember?" Fili tried to play it off as just that.

Whatever the case, I was just happy to be heading to Bree. Little did I know it would be a decision I would soon regret.

It took the better half of a day to reach their destination. Bree was surrounded by a wall to keep out trouble, which was always a good idea, I thought.

As we came up to the large wooden gate, Thorin jumped from his pony and strolled over to. He knocked on the door heavily and waited for a response. Moment's later a man opened up a square peephole to check whoever was coming in to the town when the sun was setting.

He had to strain to see the top of Thorin's head, but knew a dwarf when he saw one. In fact he had seen this particular dwarf before.

"Ah, Master Thorin. Returning so soon?"

"Aye, My company and I would like entrance to your Inns on this night."

"Of course, of course. Come in, come in!" The gate keeper opened the door and allowed the dwarves and their ponies to come in.

The company took the ponies to the nearest stable and paid the owner a hefty price to watch over their ponies. If I had more money I would have asked for a pony of my own...but ten gold would probably do little in that attempt.

It was nearing dusk when we had made it to the Prancing Pony. The sign hanging outside the Inn made me gape with astonishment. The picture of it from The Fellowship of the Ring was flashing in my head. I was so excited to see what it would look like inside, to really feel what sort of atmosphere it would have.

The moment we stepped into the bar, I regretted the idea completely. It was full of men who looked down at the dwarves who strolled in. It was an uneasy feeling. I found myself wedged between Kili and Fili, which I didn't mind. I felt safe with them in this place.

Gandalf stopped in the entrance where a man at the bar with a very large book glanced down at the company.

"Gandalf it is nice to see you again. My, my you have brought such a large party to my inn. Will you be needing rooms for the night?" The innkeeper asked excitingly.

"Peterson Butterbur, the last time I saw you, there was a beard on that face. Whatever have you done?" Gandalf asked the messily shaved man.

"Oh..wife hated the thing. Couldn't argue with her, you know.." The innkeeper looked upset about the whole thing.

"Oh, I am very sorry my friend..Oh!" Gandalf seemed to remember what he was here for. "Yes I do need rooms...for..sixteen I believe."

"Hm, yes let me see what I have." The innkeeper looked through his book. " I have some hobbit sized rooms available for your dwarf friends. They will fit in them comfortably...now for you my friend I have a double if you wish to share." Peterson then saw me in the crowd of dwarves. "Is the little woman the wife of one of your companions?"

I blushed and shook my head quickly.

"Ah I see...well I have a room just for you then. A small bed in a room near the rest. You'll have your privacy little lady."

"Thank you sir." I smiled shyly and kept my eyes down. I was very nervous with all the eyes in the bar on us.

Once we had our keys we were escorted up to our room. How lucky was it that mine was all the way down the hall. Everyone else stopped in the middle to their rooms, but I had to walk another twenty feet to get to mine. It made me very nervous to be so far away from the rest of the company.

The company was starting to bring things into their room while I stood outside my door with hesitation. I sighed and threw the key into the keyhole and opened the door. It was a nice little room, with a nice view, but it did little to comfort my loneliness. I took a few steps into the room to have a look around.

The bed was clean and there was a fireplace in the corner. I would at least be warm. Stepping over to the window, I looked down at the still bustling road below. I glanced up to see myself in the reflection of the window and narrowed my eyes. I still had bruises on my face. They were light, but still there and I hated it.

"Will you be alright all the way down here, Miss Emma?" I turned to see Bilbo standing in the doorway.

"I'm not sure.."

"If it would put you at ease, I could always bring a roll in here and sleep on the floor." I was almost about to agree, but I knew that it would look bad to have a man in my room...especially in this time.

"It's fine, Bilbo. I will be alright...besides, I need some space from all of you hulking males." I joked to avoid any protests from him.

"Well if you're sure.." He said, barely believing the humor hiding my nervous demeanor.

"I am. Now get some rest. We will all need it." I smiled at him and sat on my bed stretching my feet out in front of me.

"Alright. Goodnight Miss Emma."

"Goodnight Bilbo..." He slowly shut my door and I heard the footsteps trail away from my room.

I stood up and quickly walked over to the door and slammed the bolt shut to lock it. The idea of all those gross looking men downstairs eying our group made me nervous enough...but being down here alone made it even worse. I should have agreed to have Bilbo in here.

Sometimes I was really stupid.

I had found some sort of comfort within the bed of my small room. It was cozy and kept me from shivering. I refused to get out of my clothes, for fear of someone breaking in and seeing me in just my underwear...not something I would ever want.

I had curled under the blankets long enough to fall into a semi-deep slumber, but in the middle of the night I was awaken to the sound of rowdy voice in the bar below. It went on for almost an hour before I kicked the blankets off and strolled to the door.

I couldn't sleep at all now. If it wasn't the sound below, it was the fact that I was uncomfortable alone and my stomach had been growling most of the night. I had not joined the group for dinner, even when Bilbo insisted. I just wasn't hungry.

Perhaps there would be some hot tea and bread in the bar. That might help put me to sleep. A full belly and something warm to sooth my worries.

I grabbed the boots next to the door and shoved them on fast. I wanted to be in and out of there before someone could see me. There was a moment, in the back of my head, when I thought going downstairs would be a bad idea, but I shook it off and opened the door anyway.

I moved down the hallway and to the stairs that led to the bar. When I descended the stairs I could see it was still fairly full. Eyes turned on me immediately.

Damn. So much for stealth.

I awkwardly slipped over to the bar and sat on a stool, it felt strange being so short when I never used to be.

Luckily, the very kind looking Peterson came over. His face made me feel at ease.

"Good evening little lady, what can I get for you?"

"Might you have some tea and bread, Mr. Butterbur?" I asked shyly, twiddling my thumbs with a small amount of nervousness.

"Would you like to take it to your room?" He must have known I felt uncomfortable.

"Yes, please..." I was glad he could read me at the moment.

"Right away Miss." He was gone for only a few minutes before he gave me a tray with an assortment of bread, cheese, and fruit. On the side was a tea pot.

"This is far more than I-"

"Not to worry, lass. Thorin said anything purchased would be on his tab. I will only charge him for the bread and tea." He winked and left me smiling for his kindness.

I hopped off the stool and carefully pulled the tray from counter. I made my way through the crowd of people before I saw the stairs in my sight. Excitingly I walked a bit faster.

Then I heard a giggle and a familiar voice that made me stop in my tracks.

"Don't tease me, lass." The very male voice was seductive and a bit frustrated.

When I looked to the corner I had just passed...well let's just say I was very unprepared. There in the corner, on a bar seat, was Fili wrapped around the arms of a very voluptuous looking female hobbit that must have been in the service of Butterbur.

I gasped in a state of shock I didn't know I could be in. It was such a weird thing to see and such a weird feeling that engulfed me that I could do little else. Fili must have heard it because his head swiveled around to see me standing there wide-eyed.

His face fell and he pulled the girl from his body in an attempt to talk to me. Suddenly I realized how weird this was and blushed. I felt the heat in my face, my neck...I felt red all over. I practically ran up the stairs and slammed my door shut.

That was bar far the strangest and most awkward situation I had ever been put into. With a heavy sigh I walked over to my small table in front of the fire and placed my tray there.

I spent the next forty minutes or so trying to get that image out of my head. I ate and drank my tea in the first ten, the rest of the time was me sitting on my bed trying to fall asleep without thinking about it. It was so incredibly embarrassing that it just wouldn't go away.

What I wouldn't give for a sleeping pill right about now...