From Other Worlds

The Last Day in Rivendell

Kili snuck off from the dwarves that morning. Rayna wasn't at breakfast and he had become concerned. There was no answer at her room, and the bed was made. Was she already up and avoiding him? If she was, she was doing a great job at avoiding everyone.

"Kili is everything alright?" Bilbo asked as this was the third time Kili had walked passed that particular balconey. Bilbo had only hoped his conversation with Elrond about staying in Rivendell was not over heard.

"Rayna is missing." Kili walked quickly up to the hobbit.

"No she's not. She went on the morning hunt with her friend Strider and a couple of the other elves. Surprised she managed to get up given the state of her last night."

"A hunt? But it's dangerous."

"She's perfectly safe Kili. She can handle herself. And if you are that worried Strider will make sure nothing happens to her."

"Strider. Right." Kili nodded and walked away. Being watched by Bilbo who was beginning to notice this new behaviour of Kilis.

Within the hour she had returned, laughing with her friend as the other elves went to prepare the deer for the meal that evening.

"Kili has been looking for you." Bilbo walked up to them.

"Has he now?" Rayna asked, almost too quickly. She just hoped no one noticed. Strider nudged her before walking away.

"Was worried about you going off on the hunt."

"I'm capable."

"I know. Given the current state of things it might not have been the wisest choice."

"Yeah Thorins probably pissed I went off with some elves." Rayna mocked the last word, earning a chuckle from Bilbo.

"Did you get us dinner?" Thorin asked walking up to them, Fili and Kili behind him.

"As a matter of fact, I did. I hope you like venison." Rayna scanned the other two quickly. Thoughts of her dream last night creeping into her mind once she looked at Kili. The reminder of how hungry his eyes looked in her mind burning into her.

Kili only noticed how she couldn't look right at him. Confusing him as he thought they had shared some moments which made him start to think it wasn't as one sided after all.

"As a matter of fact I do." Thorin confirmed.

"Good. Dinners on me then. Excuse me." Rayna skirted passed them quickly.

"Rayna." Thorin called for her attention and she turned quickly, "Do not go off again. We hired you for this quest, we expect you to be here." he warned her. She could only throw a thumb up towards him before turning on her heel once more.

"That's, unusual for her." Bilbo crossed his arms, thinking he was muttering to himself.

"Something to share, Master Baggins." Thorin side eyed him.

"Nothing to be worried about. She just seemed in a hurry is all." Bilbo waved him off, and began walking away, hands clasped as if he really didn't know much more to Raynas behaviour. He also noticed how she couldn't look at Kili. Bilbo started to wonder if she was going to start acting strange too.

For most of the day it seemed she was avoiding the dwarves. At least not sticking around long enough for a conversation and she was always avoiding eye contact.

"My lady." Lindir approached her as she was, once again, dodging having to look at Kili only to be reminded of her dream.

"Lindir! Yes. How can I help you?"