A.N. Hope 2021 is starting out nicely for everyone! It has dealt me a couple of "fun" complications concerning my health, but I'm still just doing what I can. Lol. Sorry that this chapter is so short! It's kind of just a bridge between the last couple of chapters, and what's coming next. Still, I hope you enjoy it! Thank you!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.

The next couple of weeks were both pleasant, and painful for Danica. On the one hand, spending time with so many of those she considered family, as well as getting to know Tala, Kayli, and Thorin Stonehelm, was healing to her heart. Not to mention all the great sex she and Thorin were having. Well, when she wasn't sick as a dog. That was what lay on the other hand. Calling it morning sickness seemed like purposeful deception, since the nausea could strike at any time of the day, or night. It was certainly one of the less glamorous parts of pregnancy. Every time she got hit with a wave of sickness, she could see the guilt in Thorin's eyes, which she found endearing. He was always so concerned for her and the baby.

As promised, they had spent as much time with the hobbits as possible. Both Thorin and Danica gave their input for bilbo's book, which Danica thought was absolutely perfect. Still, it was bittersweet to read about their adventures that seemed only a year ago to her, but was 60 years gone for Bilbo. These time travels may have saved her life, and Thorin's, but they came at a cost. There were times she could see the sadness in Thorin's as well. He would look at Bilbo, who had so much for them and become such a good friend, and turn somber at the sight of the grey hair and sagging skin. Though he never let Bilbo see it, the old hobbit seemed to sense it, and would kindly pat Thorin's hand or arm.

Much to Danica's surprise, as she spent more time with the dwarves, she was not only bonding with Kayli, but Tala as well. After moving past her initial discomfort at his relation to Fetir, Danica found Tala to be warm, and peaceful to be around. He had an easy humor, and was extremely protective of everyone he considered a friend. In a fairly short amount of time, she began to feel as safe in his presence as she did in Thorin and Dwalin's. Thorin Stonehelm was more difficult to get to know, due to his stoic nature. He took his title as heir to Fili very seriously, as well as his duty to take care of those around him. For the most part, he remained respectful with Danica, but, every now and then, she could see a smile lifting behind his ginger beard.

In the process of learning about her knew companions, Danica noticed that Tala nearly always had his eyes on Kayli. Danica recognized the look, but doubted either young dwarf really knew what it meant. All they knew was that they were connected.

"I have never had someone look at me the way he does," Kayli commented to Danica on their last day in Rivendell. "All other males have always seen me as either just a decent warrior, or something disgusting. How do dwarves even go about courting? Do they court?"

"Not often," Danica smiled, finding it ironic that she, a daughter of man, was the one answering these questions. "Most of the time, they just know, or decide who their mate is going to be,"

"I'm not sure if that is a comfort or not,"

Sensing the young dam's distress, Danica had given her hand a squeeze, then remembered something else that could be of more use. Gandalf had made sure to get Danica's belongings out of Gondor, and had brought some to Rivendell, including a red scarf. Leading Kayli to hers and Thorin's room, Danica went to the chest at the foo of the bed, and pulled the scarf out.

"This was made by your mother," she said, running a hand over the soft wool. "She gave it to me the night Thorin and I disappeared, and traveled to the present,"

Kayli's eyes were swimming when Danica draped the scarf around her neck. Just as Danica had, she ran a hand over it, and then pressed her cheek to it.

"Thank you,"

"As for you and Tala, I say give it time. You are both very young for dwarves, and will have plenty of opportunity to continue getting to know one another,"

Kayli nodded, but there was little confidence in it. "What if his feelings change? After all, I am only half a dwarf,"

"Dwarves' feelings do not change in such a way," Danica assured. She thought about explaining more on a dwarf's love, but thought it may be too much too soon. "I am not a dwarf at all, and yet Thorin still married me,"

Though her countenance had lightened, deep emotion was still on Kayli's face as they walked out, and ran into Tala, who was traveling in the other direction. Once he saw her face, he reached out and touched her shoulder, without hesitation. Trying to keep the smile to herself, Danica acknowledged Tala, and politely excused herself. These two needed more time to get more comfortable with each other. In the meantime, she went in search of Thorin. They would be leaving the next day, and she wanted one more moment of peace with him. She found him with Frodo, in a secluded courtyard. Both ere somber, sitting on a bench.

"Why did I do it?" Frodo asked softly. "So much has already happened, and it is unlikely that I will make it out of this alive. Let alone the people who are joining me,"

"You volunteered because you are brave, and kind," Thorin replied. "Those who stood by your side are the same, just like two other people I know who volunteered on a dangerous quest,"

Danica's stomach clenched, knowing he was speaking of her and Bilbo.

"Bilbo took a lot of convincing though," Frodo pointed out. "As did Dani, if I remember correctly,"

"Perhaps, but that emphasizes my point. When you first started out, you did so with determination, feeling like you had no other choice. This time, I sense it was a deep sense of responsibility. That, in and of itself, is admirable,"

Frodo didn't say anything at first, staring down at the ground. "Did Dani ever regret her decision to join you?"

At that point, Thorin looked over to where Danica was standing, as if he'd known she'd been there all along.

"Why don't you ask her, yourself?"

Smiling gently, Danica went and knelt in front of Frodo.

"There were many, many times that I found myself afraid. But I never regretted my decision. However, my actions were because of the love I felt for another. That is completely different than your situation. If you find yourself doubting your decision, that's ok. After all, I'm pretty sure anyone else would. Just remember to always get back up, and move forward,"

Though some of the sadness melted from Frodo's eyes, he still bore the weight of the world. He thanked Thorin and Danica, and then went to find his kin.

"This quest will forever change him," Thorin lamented. "The odds are stacked against him,"

"And when has that ever stopped a hobbit?" Danica mused. "But you are right; he will never be the same,"

With that truth haunting them, they went back to their room to change for the feast that was being held for their departure. Danica made sure to take Thorin at least one more time, unsure as to when they would know the comforts of a bed, and privacy again. They stayed up late, feasting and dancing, and talking. Thorin and Dwalin swapped stories of all the mischief they got into when they were young, which somehow led to Danica doing the same. By the looks on Merry and Pippin's faces, they had some new ideas to try out.

A cold breeze made its way through the valley, chasing the party-goers inside. Once there, the fatigue of the celebrations took its toll, and they all sought their beds. In typical, frustrating fashion, the moment Danica's head touched the pillow, her mind began to buzz. She knew all the dangers of the Fellowship's path, but had no real way of knowing her own. Up until then, she hadn't missed her visions, or strange dreams. Now, she wondered if there was a way to bring them back. With the Arkenstone, surely it was safe to try?

"You should get some sleep," Thorin's voice slurred beside her.

"I'm sorry if I woke you," she replied, rubbing his arm briefly.

"What has you so troubled?"

She breathed a small sigh through her nose. "The unknown,"

Thorin coaxed her back into his arms, and kissed her temple. "We will be fine. Our party is full of warriors, and the road we are taking to get home is well known,"

"I know, but I won't be able to see any danger coming," and it terrified her.

A couple of crickets chirped while Thorin pondered. "Everyone will be on alert, remaining aware of our surroundings, and you do not need magic to have good instincts,"

"Maybe not, but the magic helps," despite her words, he had soothed her mind a bit, even if she did still hope for her visions to return. After all, she no longer had just herself to worry about.

"We will be fine," Thorin repeated, his hand resting on her belly. "No matter what happens, I will make sure you and the babe are taken care of,"

Letting herself smile, Danica tilted her head back, and kissed him. "I know," and his earlier comment about warriors was valid. There was no one she would rather have at her back than those she would be traveling with. So, she closed her eyes, and summoned images of Erebor; of home. For the first time, her heart ached to be there, and she felt truly excited to begin the journey there.