Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Twenty Three: Getting To Know One Another

The company decided to take the opportunity to rest for one more day at Beorn's to pack the supplies the Skinchanger had given them and to let Bella have a decent rest...if that was possible. Bella was not the sort to just lay in bed all day because of a leg injury which Oin had discovered the first time the woman refused to listen to his advice. Which was why he assigned someone the task of spending the day with her so she wouldn't remove herself from bed rest. However finding someone was the difficult part.

As much as Fili and Kili were fond of the young woman, they weren't sure if they could handle another full day of her protests. Dwalin suggest tying her down to the bed, that way no one would have to keep an eye on her, seeings how she wouldn't be going anywhere anyways. Some of his comrades found that idea hilarious. Thorin on the other hand was against that terrible idea. After what she had been through in the Goblin Tunnels and her past that Beorn had told him. Tying her up would probably only make her feel like she was reliving being tortured. Thorin let out a deep sigh, as his men continued to bicker back in forth who got stuck with the job of watching her, while Oin had taken her aside to a room that Beorn had offered for the young woman to stay in while she rested.

"I'll keep Bella company. The rest of you pack up the supplies and make sure everything's ready for tomorrow when we leave." Thorin declared and his men went silent. The king had been avoiding the woman every since her near death experience and now he was willing to spend a full day with her? The dwarves looking at him suspiciously, wondering if their leader was feeling alright. "What are you all looking at? You got work to do. Move it!"

The company scattered and Thorin removed himself from the table and turned around and inhaled a breath as he walked down to the young woman's room. He opened the door and saw Oin still explaining to Bella how imperative it was that she get as much rest as she could. Bella's response was a swift roll of the eyes and Oin's final words were: if she wished to continue on with them, she'd better take his advice or she'd be finding herself staying her permanently. Once Oin had his back to the young woman, Bella instantly made a face, which caused Thorin to raise an eyebrow and the two of them were finally alone.

"Hmm, and who got you to agree to this difficult job?" She asked with a smirk.

"No one. I figured Fili and Kili needed a break from your stubbornness."

"Yes, I guess I really put those boys through a lot." She agreed. "And what about Dwalin? I thought he had a tougher shell then that?"

"Well, if you would prefer Dwalin. You'd be gagged and unable to speak the whole day and I know how difficult that would be for you, not able to get your two sense in." The dwarf king stated.

"Well, at least you're honest. I like it." She smirked and Thorin rolled his eyes, his lips curling up into a slight smile.

" I'm guessing, back home the healers there must love you as a patient." Thorin remarked.

"Couldn't tell you. The last time I was ever in the healing chambers back home was 25 years ago, when my brother and I were dueling and he accidentally sliced my arm." She admitted, rolling up her sleeve and showed the leader her old wound where her brother had injured her.

Thorin took a seat in the empty chair beside the bed and looked at her. " How old are you Bella?"

"Why?" She challenged, finding this question a little odd.

"Just answer the question Bella and stop playing around. You're clearly one of the youngest in this company and yet you've seen and been through as much as someone near my age." He retorted.

Bella bit her lip and felt a bit hesitant before answering. "I'm 64 years old, why does it matter? So I've seen a lot in my short time. So have you, if I remember correctly." Thorin was a bit shock to learn she was this young. He half expected her to be at least older then his nephews, but she was even younger then Ori, who was the companies youngest Dwarf. Apart from Bilbo she was the second youngest in this company. It made sense to him now, the naive attitude she possessed. And yet, he admired her for her strengths. Most women would never survive what she had been through, which made him realize just how young she was when she had been captured by those wild men.

The half-breed watch Thorin's face become tortured by this knowledge. It made him feel even more guilty that he'd allowed her to come this far. He remembered when he first summoned a meeting in Ered Luin, to tell them all of this quest and to see who was willing to follow him. Gloin was one of the few in the company that was lucky enough to marry and had a son, Gimli, who was not much younger then Bella but his father felt his son was still too young to accompany them on this dangerous journey.

"Stop that." Bella growled.

"Stop what?" He pressed.

"Stop blaming yourself for what has happened to me. I knew what I was getting myself into when I agreed to come on this journey. What happened to me, is not your fault. I don't blame you for any of it and neither should you." The half-breed stated.

"I could have stopped it." Thorin mumbled lowly, shaking his head.

"Thorin. Even if you came forward with the truth when were in Goblin Town. We have no idea what would have happened. But it doesn't matter now. It's in the past. It can't be undone. So you can stop carrying this heavy weight. I am alive." Bella said with a smile at the end.

The dwarf king gave her a small smile in return but it quickly fell. He didn't understand how she could forgive him so easily. He couldn't even forgive himself for allowing any of this to happen to her, but he decided not to discuss this topic any further. Thorin could see she was growing tired as she let a yawn escape her lips.

"You should get some rest. It will do you some good. We have to leave tomorrow Bella." Thorin informed. Bella nodded and re-positioned herself in a more comfortable manner to get some rest. " I'll come check on you in a bit." he added, getting up from the chair and walking towards the door.

"What? Don't you trust me to stay put." She challenged.

"Not yet." He retorted with a smirk and he closed the door behind him. Once the young woman was alone, Bella stared at the ceiling, it had just occurred to her that this was probably the most civilized conversation her and Thorin have had since this quest began and for once the half-breed rather enjoyed her talk with the leader and she soon closed her eyes and fell asleep.