Hey guys! Getting this out a little bit later than I originally planned, apologies for that. I know I'm getting a few followers on this story, but I do hope you are all enjoying this, please let me know your thoughts x

Chapter 3

I wake up early the next morning as usual, the sun barely making its way into the sky. Laying on my back, I frown at the strange rumbling sound I hear, thinking it's thundering outside. When I concentrate on my hearing, I chuckle to myself as I realise it's just the dwarves snoring in the other rooms.

Getting out of bed, I wash, dress and strap on my weapons before picking up my pack and making my way downstairs. I pause for a moment as I already see Thorin awake, sitting alone at a table, seeming to be deep in thought.

Going to the bar, I hand my key to the keep and order Thorin and I some breakfast before going to join him, startling him as I sit across from him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

He waves his hand dismissively, "It's quite alright. I was just thinking of the path before us."

I nod. "It's going to be a long journey."

He nods and looks around the room before leaning towards me slightly. "I should have asked last night, but you do know the nature of our quest, do you not?"

I nod again. "I do. Gandalf told me about it. And as I said, I'm willing to do what I can to help you."

He smiles as he sits back. "And as I said, that's all I can ask for,"

I smile back before thanking the barmaid as she places a plate each down in front of Thorin and I. Thorin looks to me with a raised brow. I just grin as I pick up myknife and fork.

"Call it my treat. As a thank you for accepting me into your company."

He looks to me for a moment, a small smile gracing his lips as he inclines his head slightly before we begin to eat.

"I do want to apologise." I begin after a moment of us eating in silence. "I know Gandalf had previously asked to meet in the Shire, but I had a previous engagement that I could not miss."

He nods as he swallows the bit of sausage he was chewing.

"Gandalf had mentioned that there was something you needed to do first, and it is no bother. Apart from the incident last night, it is nice to have a break. As well as take the chance to purchase any last minute supplies, which I advise you to do before we leave."

I nod in agreement. I had already planned on making a few purchases after breakfast. So, once I am finished, I excuse myself from Thorin before picking up my pack and leave the inn, to do just that.

As I am in the butchers buying myself some dried meats, I look up and smile as I see Bofur and Bombur walk in.

Bofur grins as he sees me. "Ah, good morning, lass. Getting a head start on us?"

"Apparently so. I am running low on some dried meats and thought I would get some before I can do some hunting."

"Ah, a huntress are you?" he asks as he steps aside so Bombur can put his order through.

"Somewhat."

"With you and Kili on hand, I have no doubt we won't be going hungry any time soon."

I look to him in surprise. "Kili uses a bow? I thought archery isn't a dwarven thing?"

"Normally it isn't. But, Kili was drawn more to a bow than a blade. His brother on the other hand, he's got a whole arsenal of weapons on his person."

I grin at this. "Reminds me of myself. I have to make sure I have at least five hidden blades on me at all times."

He chuckles. "I have a feeling you'll fight right in with us, lass."

Smiling, we wait for Bombur to finish his purchase before we leave and after making sure we have everything, we go the stables where mostly everyone is waiting. I say my good mornings to everyone before going to Sidhiel, offering her an apple before patting her snout.

"Good morning, mellonen, did you sleep well?"

She just whinnies at me, causing me to smile and kiss her snout before grabbing her saddle and putsit on her back, stretching my arms up a little to reach her.

"I'm surprised you can ride a mount that big." Kili's voice sounds from behind me.

Turning, I see him peeking over the fence separating the stalls. I smile as I finish buckling the saddle and tie her bridle on, her lowering her head to help.

"I like to be high up. It took me a while to figure out how to get on a horse so big, but I managed."

He grins as I finish tying my packs to the saddle before leading Sidhiel from the stall and outside. Knowing I'm about to get an audience from at least Kili, I just hold my head up high and once we're outside, Sidhiel stands still while I reach up to grab the saddle and saddlehorn, before pulling myself up to the right height where I can slip my left foot into the stirrup and push myself up so I can swing my right leg over her back and slip the foot into the right stirrup. Once I make sure I am settled, I take hold of the reins and pat Sidhiel's neck before grinning at Kili who is watching.

"See? Easy."

He chuckles and shakes his head before getting into the saddle of his pony.

"Dwarves prefer to stay as close to the ground as possible. Give us a pony any day."

I grin and look up as everyone has now arrived and are getting ready. Within the next fifteen minutes or so, everyone is on their ponies, Gandalf on his horse, and we're now riding out of the gates and heading in the direction I had just come from.

I spend the day riding at the back with Bilbo, finding him a pleasant fellow to talk to. After helping him with how to sit on a pony properly, we strike up a conversation about the Shire, which he tells me all about.

"I think I'm going to have to pay a visit to the Shire, one day. It's one of the few places I have yet to see."

"Well, you're welcome to come and visit whenever you like after we're done. I'd be more than happy to give you a tour." Bilbo says with a smile.

I smile back at him. "I would like that very much, thank you."

"Have you travelled much, Sera?" Fili asks as he pulls up his pony next to me, Kili is on Bilbo's other side.

"A fair bit. I've seen all of the human cities and settlements, as well as Rivendell and Lothlorien. The only places I haven't been to are the Shire, Mirkwood and of course the dwarven kingdoms."

"Until now, anyway." Kili says with a grin.

I smile. "Yes. Until now. I will admit, I am excited to see Erebor. I have wanted to see it since I heard about it."

Since then, the brothers tell me everything they know about the dwarven kingdom they have heard from their uncle and it makes my excitement grow even more to see it.

We continue riding throughout the day, only stopping to relieve ourselves and for an hour or so for lunch. That evening, we go off the path a little to a clearing large enough for all of us to camp for the night. Thorin has Fili and Kili watch the ponies while Oin and Gloin light a fire for Bombur and Bofur to begin cooking.

I watch from Sidhiel's back as the dwarves begin working quickly and efficiently to get the camp set up for us.

"Alright up there, milady? Need a hand?" Kili asks with a cheeky grin.

I scoff while smiling. "If I didn't need help getting up, I definitely don't need in getting down."

Swinging my right leg over, I jump down easily.

Kili chuckles. "I stand corrected. Do you want me to take her?"

I smile at him as I'm taking my pack off. "No, thank you. I've got her."

He nods and leaves me to it as I take off her saddle and bridle, She then leans down and nudge me, more violently as she goes to my belt, causing me to chuckle.

"I know what you want." I say as I reach into a pouch on my belt and pulls out some sugar cubes I bought in Bree before feeding her.

Hearing a chuckle nearby, I look around to see Thorin standing nearby with his pony, which is a brown pony with a black mane and tail.

"She knows what she wants, doesn't she?"

I smile as I pat her neck. "She certainly has me wrapped around her hoof, that's for sure, knows how to get her own way. Mama says she reminds her of me when I was a child."

Thorin smiles softly as he walks over and pats her snout. I'm surprised when she allows him to be near her, let alone touch her.

"You're lucky, Master Oakenshield. She hardly lets anyone touch her."

"While I am honoured, she probably knows a person of authority when she sees one."

I chuckle. "You're probably right."

I pat her once more and pick up my pack before we make our way towards the others.

"If it is alright with you, Miss Seraphina, I would like to test your abilities with a blade before dinner."

I nod. "That seems fine with me."

He also nods. "Then we will begin once you have gotten yourself settled."

I nod again as I walk over to where Bilbo's sitting by his pack and lay my bedroll besides him.

"How are you feeling, Bilbo?" I ask him.

"Sore. But, I feel as though I would be even moreso if you hadn't helped me on Myrtle. I thank you for that."

I smile as I sit down and stretch my legs out, leaning back on my hands. "No thanks is necessary. I remember the first time I started riding. I had forgotten how to sit properly on a horse and my teacher, wanting me to learn by myself how to, didn't correct me. Let's just say, I remembered really quickly after that."

He chuckles. "I'll remember that. I wouldn't want to forget and then you not remind me."

I chuckle. "Not to worry, my friend, my teacher was strict, I wouldn't let you suffer."

He smiles and we continue to talk about anything and everything for a while. Looking around, I catch the eyes of Thorin and after a second I nod before getting up to grab my twin blades, unsheathing them, and walking over to a suitable area to fight.

I shake my legs and arms out a little to warm up, twirling my blades in hand before turning to see Thorin standing in front of me, without his coat, and dwarven sword in hand. His sword is a lot stockier and bulkier than my light, elegant elven blades, but it still fits well in his hands.

"No competition, no keeping score. This is just a test of you strength and ability, so give it everything you got. And don't expect me to go easy on you."

I just grin as I get into my stance. "I wouldn't dream of it."

And he definitely didn't go easy on me. He came at me with all the strength he possessed. If I was just a normal human, I would have been knocked on my ass long before now, I'm just thankful that I hold the dragon strength within me in my human form.

I've never had such a challenging partner before Thorin and it sent a thrill through me to finally fight someone along the same fight level as me. I have to keep my eyes from turning to gold from my emotions, which I swear they do flicker, but I don't think he notices.

By the time dinner is just about done, both of us are still going at it, both giving it our all and neither one wanting to back down, allowing the adrenaline and the thrill of the fight overtake us, the thought of this being just a simple test of skill long since gone. We're both a hot and sweaty mess, heavy breathing from either end and I am beginning to feel my arms tiring.

As we meet in a block in the middle, I know I have to end this somehow, so, seeing as how he is concentrating on the block, I tuck my right ankle behind his left and pull hard, making him lose his balance and fall back. However, he pulls his leg back and lock it around mine, making me fall with him, a surprised yelp coming from my lips, losing my grip on my blades in the process. He ends up flipping us so he is on top and has me pinned to the ground, his hands on both of my wrists on either side of my head.

We're both just looking at each other, our breathing heavy as we try to bring it back to normal. Looking up into his eyes, I can't help but feel a shock of lightning go through me, my heart skipping and stomach fluttering like butterflies. I can't explain what is is I'm feeling, having never felt like this before.

"Not bad, Miss Seraphina. Not bad at all." Thorin says once he's able to get his breath back.

I grin up at him. "Not so bad yourself, Master Oakenshield."

He grins back before standing and holding his hand out, which I take and allow him to help me on my feet, ignoring that spark I get once again. The other dwarves cheer once we return with our weapons.

"Good show, lass!" Bofur exclaims with a grin. "I think the only one able to keep up with Thorin is Dwalin!"

I smile and thank him as he hands me a bowl of stew. "Glad to know my training is paying off."

"Not meaning any offence, lass, I didn't think a race of man would have such strength, let alone a woman." Balin says as I sit with him and Bilbo.

I grin at the elderly dwarf. "None taken, Master Balin. One thing I always say, is never judge a book by its cover. They just might surprise you."

He smiles at this. "That is true. If only a lot more people felt the same."

I smile as I continue to eat. Once we've eaten, talk soon turns to families and I learn about Fili and Kili's mother, Thorin's younger sister, Dis, Gloin's wife Duna and son Gimli, who I am told is an almost copy of his father and then Bombur's wife Gina and their five young children; Bambur, Randur. Dinur, Dina and Allia.

"What about you, lass? Got any family waiting at home?" Nori asks.

I nod. "I do. I have my mama, Marina and my little one, Nina."

This causes a few looks of surprise from the others, including Thorin. I watch in amusement as Oin shakes his hearing trumpet a little to make sure he heard right.

"You're a mother?" Fili asks.

"I am." I answer with a nod.

"How old is she?" Kili asks.

"She's just turned five." I turn to Thorin. "It's why I was late meeting you. It was her birthday a couple of months ago and I didn't want to miss it."

He nods in understanding.

"You barely look old enough to marry, let alone have a child." Dori says and I can tell from his tone, there's a small amount of judgement there.

"I assure you, I am of adult age, and I was when she was born. I am also not married. Let's just say, the circumstances of her birth was not wanted. But I wouldn't change what happened for the world."

This causes the group to go silent, the reality of my words settling in. I clear my throat as I stand and turn to Thorin.

"Permission for first watch."

He looks to me for a few moments before nodding. "Granted. Have Dwalin relieve you for second. The rest of you, get some sleep."

At his words, I strap on my quiver, notching an arrow to the bow as I stand to one side of camp and keep look out, the others quietly settling themselves down to sleep.

As I stand on watch, I often pace in a circle around the company, looking through the trees and keeping my senses on alert, often tensing, but relaxing when I realise the noises I hear are just the animals.

As I reach the boulder I first sat at, I sigh as I take a seat the topic of conversation going through my head. I knew that was going to come out, but I didn't want it to be so soon. I've had an issue since that day of not wanting others to think I'm weak, especially on a quest such as this. It's something I'm working on with my mama and Lord Elrond, working on going through my feelings and not to be so standoffish, allowing myself to open up to others.

I do believe it's working well, however the occasional nightmare from that incident often sets me back and the wall I've spent so much time chipping away at, is straight back up. I am surprised I'm even joining a quest with fifteen males, but knowing Gandalf is here, I feel much safer.

I shake my head of my thoughts, not wanting any distractions as I continue my watch, not noticing a pair of blue eyes watching me for a moment before he goes to sleep.

Chapter 3 done, hope you all enjoyed that and keep enjoying it x