Fire and Water ThorinxMermaid!OC

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Loreth's first day with legs couldn't possibly have been more uneventful. Her time was spent being passed around from dwarf to dwarf until she fell asleep or was allowed time to stand while the others rested.

She quite liked standing and feeling her legs. It was something different and something she had wanted for a very very long time. Loreth just wished she could use them properly.

One thing Loreth was grateful for was the opportunities to speak with the company. They all had so many stories of what their home was like and tales of a world that was finally in Loreth's grasp. She couldn't wait to be able to try and live a normal life, one that didn't consist of swimming in circles day after day and year after year.

Evening was falling and Loreth was placed beside the fire for warmth. She ate dinner and laughed with the company. A new and yet strange since of belonging entered her heart. The dwarves felt like the friends and family that she had never had before. Sure, Shod and Blue were great but they weren't people. There was always a disconnect between the animals and her.

When the chatter calmed down and the dwarves had gone off to sleep, Loreth sat awake. Listening to the chirping songs of frogs and crickets.

Bofur was keeping watch beside her, "you should get some rest, lass. We have another journey ahead of us come daylight."

She gave him a warm smile, "I've slept quite enough while being carried. Where is it your journey is taking you? Why won't Thorin or anyone speak of it?" She whispered to him. She peered at Thorin's bedroll which had his unmoving form on top. He had also managed to find another shirt at some point during the walking.

Bofur sighed, "I wish I could tell you, I really do. I must not tell. You have to understand—it could put us or yourself in danger."

The young woman eyed him carefully. She wouldn't be getting anything out of him it appeared, "Alright. Keep your secrets." She looked to the tree behind her. It was less of a tree and more akin to a sapling. It was nearly six feet tall and only ten inches wide at its thickest part. Loreth grabbed a very low branch stump to pull herself up slowly. Her legs shook as unused muscles strained themselves to stand.

"W-what are you doing?" Bofur's accentedbthickened in his worry for her.  He held out his arms cautiously in case the woman fell.

"I'm tired of feeling like a burden, Bofur. I want to walk. I want to prove to Thorin that I'm not as weak as he thinks I am."

"With that attitude I'd say you're already there—but you really don't have to prove anything, Loreth." Bofur tried to reason.

Loreth sent him a glare, "For the first time in my life I have been given a gift. I'm not going to be a burden to this company. I'll walk by morning, mark my words, Bofur."

Bofur looked skeptical, "Loreth, it takes wee babes  months to be able to walk. Forgive me but, by morning? I'll believe it when I see it."

Loreth huffed, not liking his skepticism, "then I'll just have to prove you wrong too."

Loreth started a tentative step forward and just like before, when her weight went to one foot she fell on her knees. Bofur whispered words of encouragement and advice every now and then but for the first time she wished he'd be quiet. Loreth needed fo figure this out on her own.

She rose from the ground and tried again. Each time she would rise, she would fall on her knees. Anger and frustration began to fuel her more than anything else. Now she was also needing prove herself wrong.