Hey guys! Here we are with chapter 3 ready to go! Hoping you're enjoying this so far if you're new, and if you're not, then welcome back, hope you continue this xx

Chapter 3

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of the others getting up and preparing for the day ahead. Opening my eyes, I yawn and sit up, stretching as I go. Looking around the camp, I see a few of the dwarves already awake and packing away their belongings. There are still a few sleeping, including Bilbo. Looking next to me, I smile as I see Aiden is also sleeping, thankfully peacefully after last night.

"Good morning, lass." Bofur's jovial voice rings out.

Turning to the voice, I see the hatted dwarf standing besides the pot over the fire.

"Good morning, Bofur." I reply with a smile.

"How did you sleep?" he asks while pouring some porridge into two bowls.

"Good thank you. Although, I think I slept on a branch or something." I groan as I feel something in my back crack.

He chuckles while handing me the bowls. "That's life on the road for you. You'll get used to it."

I smile as I put the bowls down and turn to my son, gently shaking him to wake him up.

"Aiden, come on carino, it's time to wake up."

He groans and snuggles into the blanket, causing me to smile, but I persist. "Come on, wake up and eat something. You can sleep on the road if you're still tired."

He yawns and rubs his eyes as I sit him up and hand him his bowl. He takes it and slowly starts to eat, allowing me to tuck into my own breakfast. At home I usually have it with milk and sugar, sometimes with jam, not with just water. But, due to being on the open road, it wasn't so bad.

As I'm eating, I notice Bofur still standing nearby, looking curiously at me.

"What is it?" I ask him.

He gently lays a hand on my right cheek, tilting my head up slightly to look at my neck. "Did those bandits do this to you? I couldn't see them last night."

Realising what he is talking about, I move my head from his hand, knowing about the bruises that must have appeared by now, no thanks to David. "No. . .that's. . .that's from something else."

Noticing my hesitation to talk about it, he just nods, apologising for the intrusion, before turning back to the pot.

Once Aiden and I finish eating, I stand, with Bofur's help, and put the bowls in the wash bucket where a few other dirty bowls are already stacking and roll up Thorin's blanket. Finding him beside a brown pony tying a pack on, I walk/limp over to him.

"Excuse me, Mister Thorin."

He turns to me, and I hand him the blanket.

"Thank you for letting my son and I use this last night."

He nods as he takes it from me and attaches it to his pony.

"Did you both sleep well?" he asks.

I nod. "We did, thank you. Erm, is there anything I can help with, this morning?"

He shakes his head. "No, lass. Go sit back down. You need to rest that leg as much as possible so it can heal."

I go to argue this, being one of those that doesn't like to sit idle while everyone else does the work. However, I can see his point. If I kept walking around, my leg would never heal. I nod as I walk/limp, back to Aiden, who is drinking from his Lion King water bottle and sit beside him.

Reaching out to my backpack, I pull it to me and go inside it to retrieve my wash bag and water bottle before taking out the soap and lathering up a wash cloth using my water.

I'm now thankful I decided to pack everything away into the packs and car before we went on our hike, so we could've just left when getting back.

I turn to my son. "Aiden, come here. Let me wash your face."

He grumbles, but sits in front of me, allowing me to wash his face.

"What are those?" I hear Kili ask.

Looking up, he and his brother are standing beside us, Kili pointing at our bottles.

"Oh, they're our water bottles."

"They sure look different to what we use." Fili says, holding up a water canteen.

"I'm sure they do. Are you going to fill up those?" I ask while nodding to the multiple canteens they're holding.

Kili nods. "We are. Do you want us to fill those for you?"

"Yes, please. Once I've washed us both up a bit."

He nods and they wait until I've cleaned Aiden and I, not fully obviously, but enough to where I feel more comfortable. Once I am done, I hand the bottles to them, as well as the cloth.

"Could you rinse this out for me too?"

"Of course." Fili says as he takes them from me before he and his brother go off to gather the other canteens.

Reaching into my rucksack, I pull out my tablet and after checking to make sure it's not damaged, which it isn't thankfully, I load up one of Aiden's books and pass it to him to read, keeping him entertained while I go through my pack. Finding my solar powered charger, I find a patch of sun next to me and placed it there to power up before going through everything else.

During all of this, I don't notice the stares we are getting from the others, that is until Bilbo walks over.

"What are those?"

Looking up, I notice Bilbo standing next to us, looking at the tablet and charger curiously. I look around and see the stares from the others.

"Oh. These are some technologies from my world. What Aiden is using is called a tablet. It's something we use to hold books, music, and movies. There are also some games on there too. That there, is my solar powered charger. Using the sun, I can make it so the tablet doesn't run out of power."

Bilbo nods, trying to make sense of what I have told him. "I see."

"What are movies?" I hear someone else ask, Nori, I think it was.

I think for a moment, wondering how to explain. "Erm. . .do you guys have like productions or plays where you act out certain parts of history? Or play pretend and act out famous battles or stuff like that?"

Balin nods. "Something like that, lass."

"Okay. Movies are basically that. Actors pretending to be characters which are then physically recorded and sold for other people to watch them. Or, we also have animated movies, which are hand drawn by an artist and then recorded. I have a few of each of them on the tablet, I could show you them later."

"You can hold all of that on that one thing?" Ori's voice pipes up.

I nod. "We can. Either that or this." I then take out my phone.

"Is that a "tablet" too?" Fili asks.

I open my mouth to answer but am interrupted by Thorin.

"We need to hurry and move on. You can ask your questions while on the road. Fili, Kili, go fill the canteens."

The brothers rush off to the river as everyone else hurries to get packed up. After taking the tablet from Aiden and turning it off, I pack it, my phone and the charger into my pack and wait for Fili and Kili to return before I pack away the soap and cloth in my wash bag and then putting the bottle in the side pocket, Aiden doing the same with his.

Fili and Kili help me to my feet and after helping me get my rucksack on, lead me over to the ponies.

"Can you both ride?" Fili asks.

"I can. I've been riding since I was little. Aiden hasn't, however."

He nods at this. "Okay. You can ride with me if you like and Aiden can ride with Kili."

"That would be great. Thank you."

I look down to Aiden, who is looking up at us curiously. I smile as I remove my arm from around Kili's shoulders to put a gentle hand on his cheek.

"Sweetie, you're going to be riding with Mister Kili here for today. Okay?"

After looking to Kili and back, I see the fear return to his eyes. "But. . .can't I ride with you?"

I give him a reassuring smile. "I wish you could, carino. But there won't be enough room with me and Fili. You won't be too far away from us though, we'll be riding side by side the whole way. Right?" I finish looking between the brothers.

Kili nods. "Of course, we will. You won't be too far from each other, I promise."

I smile down at Aiden. "There, see? I won't be far at all."

He hesitates for a moment but gives a shaky nod. "O-Okay."

I lean down to kiss his head before Fili and Kili help me up onto the pony, Fili easily hopping up in front of me. Kili gently lifts Aiden up onto his before getting on behind him. Hearing Aiden whimper as Kili wraps a sturdy arm around him, I reach out and take his hand.

"It's going to be alright, sweetie. You're safe." My heart breaks as I feel him trembling in fear. "Do you want Simba?"

He nods enthusiastically at this and leans forward so I can go into his backpack and pull out a soft Simba plush toy and hand it to him, which he holds tightly as I zip his bag up.

I smile as I sit back and watch him cuddling Simba. "Better?"

He nods happily, which Fili and Kili also smile at. Aiden gives a little yelp of surprise as we move on, but other than that, he doesn't make another sound and just sits quietly, listening to the rest of us talk.

Kili turns to me. "What does ca-carinino mean?"

I smile at his attempt before I correct him, while adding on the accent. "Carino. It means sweetheart."

He nods. "Is that a common language where you're from?"

"One off. There are many, many languages out there."

"Really? I think there are only a few here." Ori says as he joins on the otherside of Fili and I.

I smile. "Yeah. There are many countries which have their own languages."

He nods.

"So, Sophia, you were saying? With the tablet?" Fili asks me.

I just now notice that those ahead had slowed down their ponies to put us in the middle when I started talking, so that they could hear me. I smile at their curiosity as I reach back and take my phone out of my pack and hold it out in front of Fili to show him, turning it this way and that.

"I know it looks like a smaller version of the tablet, but this is actually what we call a mobile phone. True, that we can use it the same as a tablet, but we can also use this to keep in contact with people who live away from us."

"Really?" Kili asks.

I nod. "Yeah. Say, we were back in my world and doing this, I could use this to contact someone from your families, for instance, if they had a contact number, I could call. I wouldn't need to send a letter as the call would be instant."

"That's incredible! You can keep in contact with someone so far away in an instant!" Balin exclaims.

I smile. "I know. It really does come in handy. Especially when I had a friend who literally lived on the other side of the world. It wasn't cheap though. Cost a fortune to make an out of country call."

"Can it do anything else?" Bilbo asks.

"Oh! Yes, it can take pictures. As can the tablet."

"Pictures?" Kili asks.

"Photos. Paintings. Except, these are also instant. You don't have to sit for hours while someone paints you. Here."

I take the phone back and after unlocking it, I open the camera app and switch it to selfie mode before holding it in front of Fili and I. I giggle as I see his look of shock, surprise, and awe in the camera.

"Smile, Fili."

He does so and I take the picture and bring it up to show everyone.

"See?"

I smile as they look in awe and genuinely seem impressed with it.

"That is really impressive, my dear." Gandalf speaks up. "Being able to capture something in the moment."

I nod in agreement. "It really is. I have caught quite a few good moments with this."

After this, I am asked to take pictures of the others, which I do so, as well as taking pictures of the beautiful scenery. Never wanting to forget the views. I was asked questions throughout the ride and I was all too happy to answer.

Before the sun is due to set, Throin calls out for us to stop for the night. Our pony stops and Fili hops off, this is something I am not looking forward to, getting off. I haven't ridden in so long, so I know I am going to be in so much pain from my thighs and ass. Adding that to my wound, this is not going to be pleasant. Fili helps me off and keeps me steady once my feet are touching the ground. I instantly hiss at the pain in my legs.

"Are you alright?" Fili asks in concern.

I nod. "Yeah. It's been a long time since I've last ridden. But I'll get used to it."

He smiles. "And your leg?"

"Throbbing." I say, refusing to put any weight on that leg.

Feeling a pat on my arm, I turn to see Oin has walked up to us at that point.

"Come on then, lass. Let me take a look at it."

He and Fili help me over to where camp is being set up and gently sit me down. After taking off my rucksack, I lay with my back facing Oin so he can roll up the leg of my joggers and change my bandages.

"Looking good, lass. Should be healed in a week or so if you keep off it." Oin says when he's done.

I smile as I sit up. "Thank you Oin. While you're here, would you mind if we talked about some things?"

After straining to hear what I said in his trumpet, he nods. "Of course, lass. How can I help?"

Without answering, I take out my tablet and bring up a book on medicinal herbs. While Aiden is being entertained by Fili and Kili, Oin and I spend some time pouring through the pages and comparing the herbs he knows and what are in the book. It turns out, that there are herbs here that are similar to what can be found in my world. The main one I don't know about being Athelas, or Kingsfoil.

We continue to talk until dinner is ready. I happily take my bowl of stew from Bofur, thanking him. Adien sits next to me with a bowl himself.

"Mummy, can we watch a movie?"

I smile. "Of course, sweetie. Which one?"

He just gives me a grin and I fondly roll my eyes, knowing exactly which one he wants. I take the tablet and get the movie set up.

"Is anyone interested in watching?"

Most of the others are, mainly the younger ones. Looking around for somewhere to set the tablet up, I see a tree stump not far from me. Giving the tablet to Aiden, he sets it on the stump, on its stand and presses play before sitting right in front with his bowl. Others sit around him, Fili and Kili placing themselves on either side of him as the beginning of Lion King plays. I just smile in amusement, as I watch the reactions as everyone watch their first ever movie. It appears everyone is enjoying the movie, even the older dwarves and Gandalf. Even Throin and Dwalin are engrossed in it. Some of the dwarves dance in their seats when "I Can't Wait to be King" plays, Fili and Kili dancing with Aiden and hearing him giggle makes me smile. Some even tear up when Mufasa dies. From the back, I manage to sneak a picture of everyone, definitely wanting to capture this moment.

The movie soon ends, and everyone groans as they stand and stretch.

I smile at them, holding Aiden as he comes over with the tablet. "So, how was your first movie experience?"

I just chuckle as some of the others immediately start talking about it with awe and excitement.

"Thank you for sharing that with us, lass." Balin says as he walks over to me. "It was an incredible experience."

I smile. "You are very welcome. There are more movies on this to keep us entertained."

He just smiled as he sits next to Aiden and I. For the rest of the night, we all relax and once the others had gotten over the excitement of the movie, they continue on as they normally would. Bofur tells stories as we all just lounge around. I smile as Aiden ends up falling asleep from Bofur's storytelling, which makes me happy that he feels comfortable enough around them to sleep as he did. Noticing him sleeping, Kili comes over and offers to tuck him into bed. I thank him and hand Aiden over to him after kissing him on the head. I just watch as Kili lays him on the bedroll and tuck the blanket around him, smiling at Aiden holding his Simba close.

"He seems to be handling this well." Throin's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

Turning to the voice, I see him sitting down next to me.

"Thankfully. He has had trust issues with males in the past. So, knowing he can fall asleep comfortably makes me relieved."

Seeing his look of confusion and worry, I just shake my head.

"Let's just say he's had some trauma which has caused some mental issues with him."

He nods, now a sad look on his face. "Well, he will be safe with us. As will you. We will protect the both of you. I swear."

I smile at him. "I know you will. I appreciate everything you are doing for us, Thorin. You didn't have to go out of your way to help us. I am sure you have better things to be doing than escorting a helpless woman and her child."

He gives a small smile. "Not to worry. To us dwarves, women and children are treasured and should be kept safe and protected. To think you both would be alone out there. . .it would not sit right with me. Besides, my mother would have tanned my backside if she saw me leaving you both behind."

I giggle at this. "She sounds like my mother. I am sure they would have gotten along happily."

He chuckles. "I am sure they would if she is anything like my mother. Not to worry, Sophia. We will get you home to her soon."

I give a sad smile. "You won't. My mother is no longer with us."

He looks to me. "What about your father? Siblings?"

I shake my head. "Dead. My parents and sister died in an accident not long before Aiden was born The were the last of my family after my brother passed when I was a child. Aiden is all I have."

He nods, a grief stricken look on his face. "I am sorry. I did not mean to bring up bad times."

"Not to worry. You weren't to know." I say, giving him a reassuring smile.

He's quiet for a moment. "What of the boy's father?"

My body stiffens at that as I think about the man that has caused us so much hurt the past few years.

"Not in the picture." I simply say, my voice void of emotion.

He just looks to me for a moment before nodding as he senses my mood. "My apologies."

I sigh as I manage to relax and get rid of the tension in my body. "No, I apologise. Again, you weren't to know. He is just someone I would rather not think about right now."

He nods in understanding, not bringing it up anymore. We just continue to sit together in a comfortable silence as we watch the others. Some of them have already turned in for the night. I stretch and let out a yawn.

"I think I am going to get some sleep."

"That is a good idea. We will be up early again." Thorin says.

I smile. "Like we will be the day after and then after that, and so on and so forth, right?"

He chuckles. "That is right. Get as much distance travelled as we can during the day."

I nod as he stands and helps me up. After wishing the others goodnight, Thorin helps me over to Aiden and down on the ground where I snuggle under the blanket with Aiden, smiling as he cuddles into me.

"Goodnight, Thorin." I say as I look up at him.

"Goodnight, Sophia. Sleep well." He says as he walks away.

I just smile as I hold Aiden close, closing my eyes and soon drift off to sleep, the future being the last thing I think about.

Well, there's chapter 3 done. Hope you all enjoyed.

Translations;

Carino - Sweetheart