Arien, Lady of Rivendell

A slight problem

They headed a short distance away from the camp and proceeded to tie up each of the fourteen ponies and two horses to the twisting trees of the woodland.
Thoughts raced through Ariens mind as she routinely untacked her horse, first taking off the reins.
What had just happened? First she was furious at Thorin for saying such things about her family, but then he had the nerve to say she was different. But what did he mean by that?
She ran her fingers through her hair and reached for the saddle.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that she wasn't fully elvish.
The thought caused her to pause as she clasped the leather. Where had that come from? Yes it was true she wasn't fully elvish blood but when had that mattered before. Just because her grandfather had been human and her father was only half elvish...
"Hey, Arien you okay?" Fili asked and she realised she'd been stood like that for at least a few minuets.
"Yes, yeah I'm fine." She replied with a sigh. Storm had noticed it too. His head had curved round and he was currently chewing on her cloak to get her attention. Arien batted him away and slung the saddle over her shoulder before walking over and placing it in a pile with the others.
"No you're not." Kili, who had taken a seat on a nearby log commented, already having done a few of his and leaving his brother to do the rest.
Arien rolled her eyes. "Fine, then I'm not okay." She retorted hating being questioned about it. She was about to head back to her horse when Fili grasped her arm tightly.
"Hey." He said softly, their eyes meeting. "You can tell us."
Arien looked to the ground but agreed grudgingly and let him seat her beside Kili. Kili bashed her knee with his as a gesture of friendship.
"Go on, what's bugging you?" He asked with a grin. She sighed.
"It's Thorin." She admitted. "He said a few things earlier to Gandalf, I wasn't supposed to hear." Fili looked down.
"It's about going to Rivendell isn't it?" He replied and Arien raised her eyebrows wondering how he would have known.
"I heard him talk about the route they were going to take, Thorin insisted we miss it out." Fili explained after catching her look.
"Yeah, it's about that." She agreed. "I can understand his hesitation but Gandalf is right, it would be he best thing to do." She replied. Kili looked at her sideways.
"I hope your opinions not biased just because you live there." He commented and Arien shook her head.
"No trust me, it's actually the last place I want to be. But I've seen the food supplies, they're a little low only this far into the journey." She heard Fili snort with laughter.
"Yeah, that's because Bomber eats when he thinks we aren't watching." The dwarf laughs and Arien couldn't help but join in after a moment.
Once the laughter fades out Fili seats himself on her other side.
"What did he say anyway?" He asked and she winced at the memory.
"He basically accounted his detailed hatred of my race." She replied and Fili sighed.
"It's not directed at you, though it may seem like it." He responded.
"Yeah I actually think he kind of likes you." Kili injected. Arien frowned and looked at him wanting him to expand, but she noticed fili glare at his brother.
"I mean like as a travelling companion." He added.
Arien smirked.
"Well I don't think Thorin has Friends so I guess that'll do." She replied gaining a chuckle from them both.
"Anyway, you feeling okay now?" Fili asked and she nodded.
"Good, then I better finish up Kili's work." He teased and with a grin headed back off towards the horses.
"Hey, he offered." The youngest brother explained with a grin and Arien rolled her eyes and banged their shoulders.
"Don't worry I would take him up on that offer too."
After a moment she heard heavy footsteps reproaching. Fili jogged out of the bushes panting, his face etched with worry.
"We're in trouble." The dwarf panted.