Silk sheets, smooth against the skin it flowed over Arabelle's body as the smell of lavender drifted into her nose, the pillows beneath her head the softest she had rested on in so long. Her mind was foggy as memories of the wargs came back to her, a tight bandage prevented her from moving her arm she groaned a little when she instinctively tried. "Careful Amrâlimê." A low familiar voice forced her to open her groggy eyes, still blurry they struggled to adjust but she did not need to see the blonde in his hair to know whose hands now held hers. "Rest. Its ok, just rest. I am here." His words soothed her back to sleep. So dream like when Arabelle woke late the next day it was little more than a distant memory.

The sun had already began its descent, the warm light radiated into the open room and pulled Arabelle out of her bed, healers hearing the movement came to her aid. Pulling on some clothes, they brushed her hair and against their wishes rebound her shoulder to allow her some use of her arm again. Quietly she walked through the familiar gardens. It was a beautiful time of year in Rivendell, the flowers were blossoming, the rivers running, all the harshness of the world blocked out and far away. She should have been thinking to see her saviours and old friends but her mind was with the dwarves, curious to see if they had stayed and though she would never admit it a little part of her was worried they had left her behind.

Her heart swelled as familiar voices echoed down a hallway, the dwarves remaining easy to track. She smiled quietly to herself having snuck up without being noticed, they had made a camp in the halls in front of what she knew would have been perfectly set up rooms for each of them. They had sprawled out together, clothes hanging up, a fire pit in the centre, it was a sight she had grown accustomed to seeing and yet this was different. They were not the same. Little conversation was happening, Bifur and Bofur whittling at wood without tunes, Bombur was not even eating the food beside him as Ori held a pen but made no movement on paper, Nori and Dori sat beside him staring into cups but not taking one sip, Oin and Gloin were not stoking the fire and instead silently stared at it, Thorin was with Balin and Dwalin away from everyone not even his usual scowl in place this one was deeper than she had ever seen. Then she realised Fili was missing, as was Bilbo and Kili.

"Looking at all your faces you'd think someone died." Arabelle's playful voice had pulled them all out of their trances, faces lighting up as she was suddenly surrounded by dwarves in all directions.

"You gave us a fright lass!" "Were the Trolls not enough?" "What were you thinking!" "You need some food?" "Are you right lass?" "You look flushed!" "Let us see you move? Any pain?" "Get her some drink!" "You need a seat!" "Give her some space lad's"

"Boys. Boys. I'm fine." Arabelle laughed and put her hands up in surrender, though as she looked at the group her heart grew for them "I am glad to see you all."

"Please Arabelle, I was hoping to talk with you." Thorin asked quietly, the others all backing away and Arabelle could not even hold in the shock as she did not think Thorin capable of being so cordial with her.

"Did I in fact die? I don't think I have ever heard you use such manners!" Arabelle joked and Thorin gave her his much more usual unamused look. "Ah nope still the same."

"Belle! I found her!" Kili yelled from down the hall, sprinting to her he wrapped her in a hug forcing a wince out of her before he put her down as another came sprinting around the corner.

"Belle you weren't in your room." Bilbo was looking her over as though new wounds were capable of developing in front of his eyes "And no one knew where you went and then the elves were no help, honestly you think they would have you forced to bed rest. Why aren't you in bed-" Bilbo began to fuss and Arabelle got down to his level and pulled him in for a hug. "I think the only person ever to force me to bed rest was your mother and she was far scarier than some elves." They shared a smile and laugh "I need to speak with you." Bilbo spoke but as the final dwarf of the company came around the corner Arabelle's attention was no longer on her friend.

"Are you ok?" Fili asked as she stood, his hands on her arms, so gentle a slight blush appearing on her cheeks as they had never been so close in front of everyone; she tried to supress it in fear they would connect the stars.

"So long as Kili doesn't bear hug me again any time soon." Arabelle laughed as Fili shot a glare up to his sheepish brother.

"Sorry Belle." Kili offered scratching the back of his head.

"Belle we need to talk." Fili held her hand and she smiled at him for she wanted to talk to him, she wanted to be with him without the eyes of the entire company, she wanted so desperately for him to hold her but before she could say any of this an Elf appeared.

"Lord Elrond has requested your presence for dinner M'Lady." Lindir bowed his head "Lord Elrond has of course extended an invitation to all your company."

"We will talk soon, I promise." She smiled at Fili, though remembered Bilbo also wished to speak with her and then Thorin's strange request was recalled; she was unsure if she had ever been so popular.

Lindir had guided them into an open entertaining area, vines wrapping around archways there was no roof but instead only the few branches which stretched to meet in the middle, large areas of the sky visible. It was a beautiful sky for the sun was setting with warm hues of orange fading into blues and soon there would be only the stars and moon. Multiple round tables were scattered amongst the elves that were already present, each filled with beautifully presented finger sized bites of food, each a master piece the cooks would have worked on for most of the day; the dwarves taking no time in grabbing handfuls. Lord Elrond stood from beside Gandalf, the pair previously in an intense conversation which had stopped at the arrival of The Company.

"M'Lady." Elrond took her hand, a gentle kiss upon her knuckles he bowed and she rolled her eyes "Nine months has been far too long."

"Don't worry My Lord I promise I haven't brought any sneaky love children back with me."

"Which is good news indeed, Elrohir owes me a bag of coin." A mischievous elf joined the conversation and Arabelle's face lit up.

"Elladan you son of the dark!" Arabelle exclaimed as she embraced him, laughter in her eyes he picked her up, spinning her around the room "So did you have to go and find some friends that made you feel tall?"

"Prefer my men rugged, hate to break an arm by accident; again." She punched his arm lightly as they both laughed.

"Elladan I would like you to meet my dear friend Bilbo Baggins." The elf bowed his head respectfully to the hobbit who had been lingering by Arabelle.

"A pleasure to meet any friend of Belle's." Elladan commented as they made their way to a lounge filled with cushions and to Bilbo's delight a platter of food in front of them "I hear you had quite the run in with trolls."

"If by run in you mean nearly skinned and cooked alive? Then yes." Bilbo mused as he sipped wine from a cup too large for one hand, he was rather enjoying it too.

"Quite an adventure that, Belle you will need to tell me how you wiggled yourself out of that." Elladan mused as Belle rubbed the back of her head.

"She's the one that saved us!"

"Now that I will believe. Let me guess stung him straight in the eye!" Elladan laughed as Arabelle nodded to confirm "I remember the time you had to save Elrohir from that horrid mountain troll near Moria!" He laughed and Arabelle couldn't help but chuckle as well.

"You remember how angry your father was?" Arabelle giggled at the thought.

"Honestly still think we would have been better off taking our chances in Moria. I was on night patrol for twenty years!" Elladan took a sip of wine, shuddering at the recollection of the lecture that was a punishment all to itself, he gestured to Arabelle's empty cup and she nodded approvingly as he retrieved it from her hand. "Come Master Baggins I believe you will enjoy the pastries by the wine." Bilbo followed Elladan without needing any further explanation as Arabelle settled into the cushions trying to adjust her shoulder without showing any pain.

"I don't like him." Kili jumped beside her on the mountain of cushions and Arabelle swore she would've hit the roof had there been one.

"By the light Kili you scared me half to death! Have you been spying?" Arabelle looked at the dwarf who conveniently was not looking her in the eyes.

"Not really spying, the pair of you seem quite content chatting and laughing loud enough for anyone passing by to hear." Kili grumbled as he grabbed at some grapes from the small table in front of them, playing with them more so than eating them.

"You are more than welcome to join us Kili, Elladan is a fine archer." She watched as Kili muttered something under his breath in Khuzdul.

"Kili don't go mumbling things you know I can hear but don't understand." Arabelle said, her irritation clear.

"If he is such a fine archer then why don't you just stay here with him." Kili grumbled just loud enough for Arabelle to hear, though he perhaps forgot how keen an elf's ears can be.

"I believe in Arabelle's own words 'she prefers her men rugged and less breakable.'" Elladan returned with an extra drink offering it to Kili who sat shocked for a moment before erupting into laughter.

"So you have just been using us for our muscles and good looks all this time?" Kili feigned offence.

"Well, have you seen Balin in the morning or Bombur after dinner? I mean how could a girl refuse such handsome men." She giggled as Kili looked over to Bombur whose beard appeared to have picked up more food than his mouth.

"So you are also an archer?" Elladan asked and Kili nodded "Tell me of your arrow heads, I have heard the dwarves have a peculiar style." Elladan started a conversation that continued for the rest of the night, Arabelle excusing herself once bow size got brought into the conversation.

Fili had followed her out to a small hallway, she had been staring out into the gardens enjoying some fresh air and peace. Her beauty paralysed him. Fili watched as the moon fell upon her face she had her eyes closed seeming to bask in the white glow that was made for her, the white and lilac dress was elven in design, the fabric falling down so thin it left little to the imagination for what was under. Sensing his presence she opened her eyes, extending a hand to motion him closer which he happily complied with, coming to join her he placed a hand on her cheek as she looked up to him with gentle eyes. His hand lingered on the new braid in her hair, the elves had placed thin plaits on either side and he couldn't help but trace them down to her neck; he wish they belonged to him.

"Belle…"

"M'Lady. Prince Fili. Just who I am looking for, I believe your uncle awaits." Elrond had appeared from around the corner, he offered his arm to Arabelle who gave an apologetic look to Fili as she took it. Much to Fili's annoyance they entered a room filled with books and a hobbit openly gawking at it all, however his displeasure was aimed at Thorin who was in a heated discussion with Gandalf.

"Thorin you are being too proud, you need to give him the map." A rather frustrated Gandalf was attempting to be quiet as Elrond led them into the room.

"Gandalf you asked me here?" Elrond queried as Arabelle awkwardly stood beside him watching in confusion as Fili kept a distance from his uncle but still stood beside him.

"Show him." Gandalf restated staring daggers at Thorin who was standing at least ten times taller than normal, his usual stance when he was being extra pigheaded.

"It is the property of my people. Our legacy." Thorin argued, Arabelle confused she looked to Fili who was just glaring at Thorin, Thorin not even glancing in his direction. She had not a clue what was happening, but she felt the need to step in.

"Then it is safe in Lord Elrond's hands." Arabelle spoke looking to the elf who had helped raise her and then back to Thorin "If you do not trust Lord Elrond then trust me."

Thorin looked to her and for a moment he glanced at Fili before looking down at the map in his hand. With a sigh he handed it over, the instructions read by Lord Elrond and a warning given; he thought the journey unwise, a risk to the peace and to all their lives. However, as the map was handed back Thorin paid no attention to the warning, having little time for the fear filled words of a gentle Elf Lord. Arabelle had been held back by Elrond as Fili and Thorin left the room together, though they both seemed upset when she did not follow.

"Tell me you do not intend to go on such a quest." Elrond spoke to her in Elvish and she sighed.

"I have yet to make a decision." Arabelle spoke honestly, for now she knew the price of such a quest, and it weighed heavy on her heart.

Once in the hall she came to a stop hearing the raised voices of Fili and Thorin, both of whom seem rather annoyed and for a change it was not with her, she was unsure if she had ever seen the pair even disagree. Though it was Thorin's general disposition Fili had always been softer, not quiet in nature but in soul, it was abnormal to hear him so worked up. It quickly became clear that it was not just a mere annoyance either as the pair began yelling, Fili storming off in one direction and Thorin in the opposite.

"What am I missing Bilbo?" Arabelle looked to the hobbit who lingered in the shadows with her.

"Belle I have to tell you something…"