A.N. This chapter is going to be a bit shorter, because I got to the end of it, and thought it was a perfect place to stop. Lol. Hope you all like it!
Likarian: Thank you! I'm glad someone came back after I took the original version down.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

They picked up their clothes from the seamstress, who seemed very harried with how crowded her shop was getting. Not wanting to pull her wrath their way, Thorin escorted Danica out as a line began to grow out the door. He wondered how the hobbit woman would get through the next day without killing someone. Despite the workload she seemed to have, the parcels she had given him and Danica felt like they held more than one outfit. Perhaps they really had gotten lucky, and she had been able to quickly hem some larger clothes. Since both of them desperately wanted to get out of their stifling, winter clothes, they hurried back to Bag End.

The instant they got to the door, they knew their hosts had company. Loud laughter spilled from the open windows, creating a cheerful, if not chaotic atmosphere.

"Do we have to go in?"

Danica's voice held a tremor, and when he looked over at her, he could see the nervous pull of her brow.

"No," he replied carefully, "But I am sure everything will be fine if we do. If you need to get out, you can just let me know, and we will go back out,"

Gathering his parcels under his arm as best he could, he held his hand out to her. Looking a little less fearful, she took his hand, and walked inside with him. The voices in the kitchen stopped when they heard the door.

"It's just us," Thorin called, and felt Danica jump at the sound of multiple pairs of feet softly padding down the hall. He squeezed her hand, and turned his attention to the three new hobbits standing with Frodo and Bilbo.

"Forgive the chaos," Bilbo said with a disdainful glance at his young guests. "This is Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took. They were going to take Frodo to the Green Dragon before the party tomorrow. We told them we had other guests staying with us,"

Frodo came forward, taking the parcels from both of them to free their hands. "They also heard the rumors about a dwarf and a woman staying with us, and wanted to see for themselves," his tone and expression were wry.

One of them, seemingly the boldest of all of them, walked forward and stretched his hand out.

"I'm Merry. Nice to meet you," he vigorously shook their hands, followed by the one named Pippin. Same greeted them as well, but much more quietly and shyly than the first two.

"This is Thorin, and his wife, Dani," Bilbo said. The young hobbits' eyes widened.

"Thorin Oakenshield, and Danica MacKay? From your stories?" Sam asked softly. Pippin looked about ready to jump out of his skin.

Bilbo looked to Thorin for permission, which he gave with a small nod of his head. There was no point trying to hide it from these three. When Bilbo confirmed their identities, the others instantly began asking for stories. Though Danica seemed to like their new friends, she was clearly overwhelmed.

"Why don't we let these two changes, and get comfortable before you bombard them?" Bilbo suggested.

Thorin sent Bilbo a grateful look before leading Danica back to the room they had stayed in. Frodo set their parcels on the bed, and then left, closing the door behind him. Danica sat heavily on the edge of the bed, and rubbed her face. Kneeling in front of her, Thorin took her hands.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Just very tired," she admitted, and the dark circles on her eyes attested to that.

"You can stay here and rest, if you would like. I am sure they will understand,"

She frowned, her eyelids drooping. "Are you sure?"

Her words were slightly slurred, which had him smiling, and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Yes. I will go change in the bathroom. Rest now,"

"Thank you,"

He moved her packages to the floor so she could lay back, then took his own so he could change. Once that was done, he made his way to the kitchen to join the others, making sure to check on Danica first. She had only stripped to her slip, and was already fast asleep. While he sat with the hobbits, indulging them with tales of his travels and adventures, half of his attention remained in the bedroom. Even while he spoke, he listened for any signs of trouble.


It was snowing outside the walls of Erebor. Danica stood by one of the very few windows, watching the snowflakes fall. She wasn't sure where in time she was, but could hear voices in the halls. As she looked around, the great, dwarven kingdom became more and more familiar. This was home. Just like the beach and forest of her own world. No memories returned, but she could feel the peace of being somewhere safe.

Since she did not know exactly when she was, she began exploring, thankful when none of the resident dwarves seemed to be able to see her. She tried to catch what conversations she could, hoping to get clues. Most of the talk was normal, every day small talk and gossip. Her clue finally came when she passed a couple of guards.

"The king is still expecting a letter from the Lord of Ered Luin," one of them said.

The other sighed. "I admire his perseverance, but I fear he is wasting his time. Lord Fili has his mind made up. The most His Majesty can do is provide help,"

"Let's all just pray that this doesn't go the way it did with Lord Balin,"

Their somber mention of Balin had dread creeping through Danica. From what Bilbo had said, Balin had gone to Moria. Had something bad happened? And what was Fili doing in Ered Luin? She now knew this to be the future, but still had so many questions.

"Did His Majesty ask for Lord Fili's presence?" the second guard asked.

"I believe so, though I cannot be sure,"

"Why would he ask for him to return here, so soon after his last visit?"

The first guard scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? With the queen's pregnancy being so delicate, the king is terrified. He wants all the support he can get,"

"Is it really so bad?"

"She nearly died giving birth to the twins, and was not supposed to be able to get pregnant again," the guard shook his head sadly. "If she dies, I fear the king would never recover,"

Danica quickly walked away, unable to hear any more. Though the guards hadn't said the names of the king and queen, she had a sick feeling she already knew. Childbirth had always scared her, despite her mother having two perfect deliveries. That fear had only escalated after losing her first child. Yes, she had wanted kids, but knew she needed modern medicine. What would she do here, without that?


When she woke up, her face was damp with tears, and the panic was still tight in her chest. She took a few, deep breaths, and then listened for anyone who may still be in the house. At first, she thought everyone might have left, but when she opened the door, she heard Thorin and Bilbo outside. Instantly feeling better at the sound of Thorin's voice, she went to join them. The sun was dipping below the horizon, so Bilbo had lit many of the candles inside the house. Her hand was on the front door when she heard her name.

"What do you think you and Danica will do?" Bilbo asked. She could now smell smoke, and knew they were using pipes.

"I cannot say for certain," Thorin replied. "That will likely be determined by what Gandalf says tomorrow,"

Danica almost walked out then, but when Bilbo spoke again, she wanted to hear Thorin's response.

"I saw the change in the two of you today. How much do you remember?"

"We shared a dream that showed some of her life, as well as the first night we all stayed in Rivendell. Her memories of us, and our world are still hazy, but she can now remember everything before she came here,"

"And you?" there was something sly in Bilbo's tone, and she could almost see the disparaging look she was sure Thorin gave him.

"Do you play matchmaker for everyone, or is it just me you enjoy torturing?" when Bilbo chuckled, Thorin sighed. "Everything until Mirkwood,"

"And?"

When silence stretched on for a few moments, Danica thought he wouldn't answer. Once he did, his tone was softer.

"I remember the moment I could no longer deny my feelings for her, and when I knew I would give my life for hers,"

Just like in their dream, butterflies filled Danica's stomach. Feeling like she could fly, she walked to the kitchen to get some food, her other dream forgotten. After grabbing a scone, she put on one of the dresses they had picked up. The white one with yellow flowers and corset she wanted to save for the party. Her other dress was blue and green pattern with a light, green jacket. Both dresses barely reached her shins, but it would help keep her cool. By the time she had dressed and braided her hair, the sun had gone down, and Bilbo and Thorin were back inside.

"How are you feeling?" Bilbo asked with a smile.

"Better, thank you," she smiled back, and fell into step with them as they went back into the kitchen.

"Good! I managed to get some fine chicken and potatoes for dinner,"

While Bilbo prattled on about dinner, and what the young hobbits were up to, Danica looked over at Thorin. He was in a clean, light blue tunic, and a dark blue vest. Sensing her gaze, he turned his head, blue eyes catching hers, and a flash of heat speared through her. They stayed that way, looking at each other while something electric grew between them. Thorin took a step toward her, but froze when Bilbo turned to them.

"Would you like tea or wine with dinner?" he didn't even stutter, but the look in his eyes had Danica flushing.

"Tea," she and Thorin said at the same time.

P.S. Thank you all for reading! Reviews and comments would be lovely! ^_^