The Desolation of Smaug (Editing)

A Cold Challenge

We went down several waterfalls. My barrel was going weak. It had a hole. I was about to call for Bofur's help, but Thorin quickly grabbed me and pulled me into his barrel.

"Hold on to me."

"Okay." I tried to think nothing of it, but I was blushing.

Thorin held onto his barrel tightly as we went down another waterfall and floated on a fast-pacing river. Thorin turned to me as he placed a thick branch in our barrel. "Have you discovered why the Elf is truly helping us?"

I paused. "Well, she's part of this company. She isn't going back. The way the prince looked at her assured me of that. She's a traitor of her kingdom."

Thorin looked away with furrowed brows. 

"What's wrong?" 

Thorin turned back to me. "I know just as much about you as I know of the Elf." He pulled me into him. "Tell me, what exactly are you doing here? Why are you really on this journey with us?" He whispered into my ear. "What did the Elf promise you?"

"Nothing," I quickly whispered back. "Nothing but a way home. That's all I trust her for. I'm starting to believe she's here what she says she's here for though."

Thorin stepped back with narrow eyes.

I paused. "You don't trust me."

Thorin looked ahead and began rowing with a branch. "I haven't accepted you as one of my kin. Once that happens, I shall trust you entirely." He looked at me with soft eyes. "Please, don't take it personally."

"How can I not?" I stared at him with angry eyes. "This about your trust in me, and what about everything that happened in Rivendell and..."

"Losing my heart to you," He asked quietly.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Much seems different. That Elf was far too prepared for everything that's happened." Thorin looked at Caleniel. "She had her weapons and still has her armor. Would her king not want to see her at an easy moment to slit her throat if she truly was a traitor?"

I paused and looked at Caleniel. She swam by Bilbo and seemed to be having a conversation with him. I turned to Thorin. "What does your trust in her have to do with me?"

Thorin turned to me. "She reminds me of how little I know you and how little proof I have that your words are true. How can I trust you with no proof?"

I glared. "Really?"

"Try seeing it my way. Once I am king, I will have more enemies. And now, as more learn I am trying to claim my throne, why would they not stop me before claiming it?"

"I see... Either way, I am who I say. But I don't know where my heart lies with you now."

The river became calmer and smoother as if it was a lake. There was a shore ahead. I couldn't look at Thorin even as he yelled, "Do you see an Orc?"

"I don't see any," Dori exclaimed.

Bofur rose from his barrel, spitting water out. "I think we've out run the Orcs."

"Not for long." Thorin continued rowing toward the shore. "We've lost the current."

"We'll get further on foot," Dwalin yelled.

Thorin nodded. "Head for the shore. Come on! Let's go!" He quickly got out of the barrel and stomped his way to Caleniel.

I felt myself draw a bit more breath than usual as I watched him face her. They spoke lowly to each other in whispers. I jumped at the sound of Kili grunting as he reached the shore. I cautiously walked towards him with furrowed brows. "What's wrong?"