Hey all! A little bit later than I intended with this, which I do apologise for. But I do hope you enjoy this chapter.

Review Responses:

LairaCapulet – Yup, the adventure is really about to begin, and the action will be coming. I'm glad the reasoning for Sophia dn Aiden continuing with the company is okay, I've been constantly worried about it since I first wrote this story. And thank you for informing me about the mistake in the previous chapter. I have since corrected it. My space bar on my old keyboard was a bit dodgy, so hopefully, now I have my new one, it'll be better. I hope you continue to enjoy this xx

Crystal-Wolf_Guardian-967 – I'm glad you did!

BubblyYork – I'm glad they are too xx

Chapter 10

Early the next morning, just before dawn, I am gently shaken awake by Thorin who lets me know it's time to wake up. Looking at Aiden, who is sleeping away next to me, I decide to let him sleep a little more and leave him be while Bilbo, the dwarves and I get everything ready to go. I eat a quick breakfast, saving some for Aiden before getting my bedroll and blanket into my pack. When I finish, I turn to Aiden, hesitant to wake him, but know I have to. Reaching out, I gently shake his shoulder.

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

He groans as he stirs and opens his eyes to look at me. "It's too early, mummy."

I smile at his stubbornness, knowing exactly who he got it from. Me.

"I know sweetie, but we have to go soon."

He yawns as he sits up, rubbing his eyes with his little fists as I pass him his breakfast before packing away his bedroll and blanket. When I finish, I brush his hair and then my own, tying it into a tail, while everyone else is finishing getting ready.

Thorin then calls for us to move out and we sneak out of the valley, not wanting to be stopped by the elves, by hiking along a path on a cliff edge, on the opposite side of where we entered, which leads out of Rivendell.

"Be on your guard; we're about to step over the edge of the wild. Balin, you know these paths, lead on." Thorin says to the older dwarf as he steps aside.

"Aye." Balin replies as he walks on.

I see Bilbo standing and looking back at Rivendell longingly. I stop besides him and place a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be back here, one day."

He sighs. "I hope you're right."

Wincing slightly, I feel a sharp tug in my head before I see an older version of Bilbo sitting on a bench in Rivendell. I shake my head slightly. No idea where that came from. But, I smile as I give his shoulder a firm and a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm pretty sure you will." I tell him with a smile.

He smiles back and continues to look at the elven city.

"Master Baggins, Sophia, I suggest you both keep up."

I look back and see him standing, leaning against his axe as he watches us. As I'm looking at him standing there, I can't help but feel something in my chest. A jolt, a tug. I'm not sure what it is. Though, it may have something to do with how attractive I find him. I don't think I've felt this strongly about a man before Thorin and especially when he's only stood there watching us.

I just smile. "We'll be right there, Thorin. Don't worry."

He looks to me and gives a slight tilt of his head in acknowledgement before he turns away. I feel myself take in a deep breath. What's wrong with me? Just that was enough to make me swoon!

Looking back to Rivendell, I take off my rucksack and put it at my feet before reaching in to get my phone and proceed to take a picture of the city, the rising sun making it almost sparkle. Definitely not missing an opportunity to take a picture of that.

Putting the phone away, I put my rucksack back on before wrapping an arm around Bilbo's shoulders as we walk back in line with the others, Aiden now holding my hand.

"Do you really think I'll make it out of this?" Bilbo asks.

I smile. "I'm sure of it."

I don't know how I know this, maybe it was from the slight vision I just had, or just from my own gut, but I do know Bilbo will survive this quest and will one day come back to the elven city.

"Me too!" Aiden calls up.

Bilbo and I smile at him.

"Well, if you say so, then I am inclined to believe you." Bilbo says to him with a fond smile.

Aiden smiles wide at this before he moves and puts himself between Bilbo and I, taking both of our hands as we walk. I smile at this, knowing that Aiden has happily accepted Bilbo into his small bubble of people he trusted. Maybe coming here was best for us after all. It's certainly helped Aiden to come out of his shell a little more.

Bilbo and I just smile at each other as we continue to walk on, the both of us talking away with one another, with Aiden interjecting every now and then.

Over the next few weeks, we continue walking along the wilderness, walking towards the mountains in the distance, which are the Misty Mountains, or so Balin says. Every chance I get, I manage to get some pictures taken of the beautiful scenery as we're walking, even taking pictures of the others when asked.

When he gets tired, I have often seen Aiden being offered piggy back rides by some of the other dwarves. I have also often seen the dwarves making the journey entertaining for Aiden; Bofur breaking out into song a time or two, Fili and Kili playing with him – which makes me happy as I hear his giggles – Balin tells him stories, as well as Ori and even though they can't speak the same language, Aiden often walks with Bifur in a comfortable silence.

At nights when we rest, Fili, Kili and Dwalin continue with their training of Aiden and I. The three of them say we're coming along great, which I hope so, what with what's ahead

Soon enough, we come close to the bottom of the mountains. Looking up at them, I can see and feel the daunting task that's going to come; crossing over them, I only hope that Aiden will manage. Balin, who I am walking with, senses my trepidation and pats my arm reassuringly.

"Don't worry, lassie, we'll help him over."

I smile at him, thankful for his words. Just then, there's the sound of a scuffle followed by a thud and then the sound that breaks my heart; Aiden crying.

Whipping around, I look past the others of the company, who have also stopped, and see Aiden being lifted from the ground by Fili and Kili. I instantly run over, the mama bear inside coming out, worrying over her cub.

"Aiden! What happened!?" I ask as I kneel in front of him.

Aiden just falls into my arms, crying into my chest. I hold him close as I look up at Fili who answers for me, his face full of grief, sorrow and guilt.

"He tripped on a rock and fell. I tried to catch him, but I wasn't quick enough. I'm so sorry."

I just smile in reassurance. "Don't be. Accidents happen. Thank you both for helping him."

He and his younger brother smile as I pull Aiden back to look over him, just as Oin joins us. I can see a graze on his chin where he knocked it, cuts on his hands from trying to stop the fall and deep cuts on his knees, the trousers having been torn by the sharp rocks. Looking closer, I can see some small stones and dirt within the cuts.

Thorin kneels next to me to check on him. "Is he alright?"

I smile. "He'll be fine. Just a few cuts that need seeing to before we can move on."

After checking the injuries, then looking to the slowly setting sun, he nods before standing and turning to the others.

"Alright. We'll rest here for tonight. Gloin, get a fire going."

"Aye, Thorin." Gloin says as he gets started.

I pick up Aiden before Oin leads us to a place to sit near the fire where I take mine and Aiden's packs off and sit down. Setting Aiden onto his feet, I reach into my pack to pull out a cloth and use some of my water to dampen it as Oin begins to prepare to wash his knees, as well as removing the stones. I make shushing and soothing noises to Aiden as he whimpers just from me cleaning his chin.

"It's okay, carino. You'll need to be brave for this. Can you do that, be brave for mummy?"

He sniffles and nods, allowing me to clean up his hands, putting on Oin's poultice and wrapping his hands in bandages. Once Oin was ready, I remove Aiden's trousers and pass them to Dori, who offered to mend the holes, which I thank him for.

I get Aiden to sit sideways in my lap, his legs hanging over my right leg, Oin sits to my right as Fili sits on my left, rubbing Aiden's back. Kili, after passing Aiden his Simba, sits in front of me, gently rubbing Aiden's left arm. Between the three of us, we try to keep him as calm as possible, until Oin begins his work.

Aiden begins to cry as Oin is firmly but gently trying to get the dirt and stones from out of his knees, his head in my chest as he holds tight to his plush. Having had to have small stones removed from my own knees when I was eight, I knew how painful this is for him, and it hurts I can't do anything for him except to hold him, soothe him and try my best to keep him calm and not kick out at Oin.

As every mother does, she wants to be able to take the pain from their child in that instant, to keep them safe and protected, and to hear his cries, it kills me and makes me feel useless.

About half an hour later, Oin is finally done, having tied off the last bandage.

"There you are, lad. You were very brave." Oin says with a gentle and fond pat on Aiden's shoulder before he turns and cleans up.

At my askance, Fili fetches me Aiden's blanket and I use it to wrap around him to keep him warm, not wanting to put his trousers on just yet and aggravating his legs any more than necessary. So, instead, I hold him in a cocoon of his blanket and my arms as his cries reduce down to whimpers and soon snuffles, the whimpers coming back when he moves his legs and the pain hits.

Oin soon returns with a tea that will help with the pain and after allowing it to cool, I encourage Aiden to drink it and soon enough, Aiden is just laying against me, listening and giving watery giggles as Bofur tells him a story.

Once he has eaten his supper, I get Aiden laid down on his bedroll, all tucked up in his blanket. Fili also puts his coat over him to give him an extra bit of warmth, which makes me smile. Holding him close, I begin singing Hushabye Mountain to him and thankfully, he falls straight to sleep, drifting off even before I've finished singing. I stay with him for a few moments, making sure he's sound asleep before getting up gently so I don't wake him and sit back with the others. We all sit and talk quietly, with me continuing to teach Bifur some more sign language. Soon enough, Thorin clears his throat as he stands.

"We should all get some sleep. Gloin, you'll take first watch. And second-"

"Thorin."

Thorin pauses and looks to me as I interrupt him. "Yes, Sophia?"

"If it's alright, I'd like to offer to take watch."

"You, lass?" Dwalin asks with a raised brow.

I sit straight as I look to him. "Yes, me. I'm a member of this company now, aren't I? I also signed a contract. I'd like to take my turn to do something for the company and pull my weight."

Thorin continues looking at me for a few moments before nodding. "Very well. You'll take second watch then."

I smile. "Thank you, Thorin."

He nods as we all, apart from Gloin who sits on a boulder, get into our bedrolls. I lay beside Aiden, smiling as he curls into me. Fili and Kili lay on either side of us.

"That was kind of you to want to take watch, Sophia." Fili says.

I just shrug. "Well, all of you have been doing it, haven't you? I know it's my first time, but I'd like to give it a shot."

"Well, I'm sure whoever Thorin was going to pick is happy for the sleep." Kili says with a grin.

I smile back as the three of us settle down and sleep.

…

It doesn't feel like I've slept long at all until I am being gently shaken awake. Opening my eyes, I blearily look up into Gloin's face.

"Your turn for watch, lass." he informs me.

I nod as I yawn. "Alright. I'm up."

He nods. "I've made ye some tea, lass. Goodnight."

"Night, Gloin."

As he walks off to his bedroll, I gently detangle myself from Aiden's limbs before I sit up and stretch. Fili, waking up by my movements, takes my place on my bedroll and snuggles up to Aiden, he and his brother now on either side of my boy, keeping him warm and safe.

"Thank you." I say to him quietly.

He gives me a smile before closing his eyes again, drifting back off to sleep.

Smiling, I lean down and kiss Aiden's head before taking my sword and make my way to the boulder Gloin was, smiling at the mug of tea he left. Laying my sword across my lap, I take the mug in my hands and sip on it, enjoying the warm liquid going down my throat.

I look out over the lands as I sit watch. I never thought I would ever see something so beautiful. There's no pollution, no skyscrapers that block views or anything to interrupt the lifelihood of the wildlife. I think this alone would give me a reason to stay.

An hour into my shift, I tense and sit up straight as I hear a rustling, but am instantly relieved as I look back to camp and see Thorin sitting up, looking around until his eyes lock onto mine. I smile as I give a little wave from my spot. He gives a nod before he stands and look towards his nephews and Aiden before walking over and standing beside me.

"Can't sleep?" I ask as I shuffle over for him to sit, which he does.

"No. How is watch?"

"It's okay. I mean, I only began watch like an houror so ago, but still good."

He nods. "Good. I was surprised you offered to take watch."

I smile. "I know, but I wanted to do it. Besides, I've had trouble sleeping too, so might as well do something with my time."

He looks to me. "I didn't know that."

"Yeah. When I wake, I just lay there and try to get back to sleep." I see him looking worried. "I'm fine, don't worry. Just bad dreams."

He nods but doesn't ask about it. I look back out across the lands.

"It's beautiful here."

"You don't have views like this where you come from?"

"Oh, we do. We have peak districts and countrysides, but never anything like this, at least not in my country. Usually, nature is overtaken by houses or other buildings, like really tall buildings which block out everything. Sometimes, I love to just watch nature and be at peace, kinda hard when everything tends to go to shit."

I grin as I hear him choke on a breath at my use of vulgarity.

"I'm not some prim and proper woman, Thorin. I do my fair share of swearing, too."

"So I see. Do you miss it? Your world?"

"Some things I miss. I miss my friends, I miss electricity, I miss having a good burger and I miss chocolate. Although lately, I've been wondering whether it's worth me trying to find the answers I need. Aiden is much happier here."

He looks to me for a moment before speaking softly. "You could stay, if that was your wish. We would happily accept you into Erebor."

I don't say anything that, letting what he said sink in before I turn to him. "Thorin, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about for a while now and I want you to be honest with me."

He turns fully to face me. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

"What happened. . .that night in Rivendell?"

I didn't need to elaborate what I was talking about, seeing him become a little uncomfortable.

"I. . .I'm not sure. I have never been so forward to a woman before. I haven't felt such strong feelings. I don't usually take notice of women, you see. I've been so focused on my people, keeping them safe, there was never a need or a want to think of such things. And then we meet and. . .everything is turned upside down."

"I know what you mean. When I split up with Aiden's father, I didn't want to be with anyone else again. Content to being a single woman forever and concentrate on Aiden. And then we come here, and as soon as we meet, all of that is thrown out the window."

He nods. "That night, I just. . .I couldn't hold it in any longer. I know it was too soon and sudden, for both of us, for that I do apologise."

I smile at him, taking his hand and lacing our fingers, squeezing it in reassurance. "As I said then, you have nothing to be sorry about. If we hadn't been disturbed. . .I think I would've gone straight in. . .and that's what scares me."

He frowns. "Scares you?"

"You have to understand, while I'm not yet ready to tell you everything, Aiden's father was not a nice man, to either me or Aiden. For me, it's too soon to go into anything serious. I hope you can understand."

Through my explanation, I feel his hand tighten and knowing how dwarves feel about men who treat women so poorly, I know why he's so angry.

"I understand, Sophia. If you need to take some time, then take it. My love is not fragile. I can wait as long as you need."

Love. He said it. I was right when I saw love in his eyes that night. I just smile, my heart fluttering.

"Thank you, Thorin. I really appreciate that."

He smiles back and we continue to sit and keep watch together, sometimes talking and sometimes just sitting in a content and comfortable silence, both of us keeping hold of the other's hands until it was time to leave.

There we have it. Poor little Aiden getting hurt, but he'll be fine. He's a tough little one. Also, nice little moment with Thorin and Sophia. Hope you all enjoyed it. Please keep your lovely reviews coming in, I love hearing from you all xx