Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Thirty Six: Finding The Door

The boat stopped at the shore and what was left of the company climbed out of the floating device and onto dry land. Dwalin assisted in helping the young woman climb across safely and then began helping the others unload the supplies, given to them by the generous people of Laketown. Bella wandered up the path, scanning the hills. She found it odd that their didn't seem to be any signs of life. Not even a bird or so much as a bug in the air.

"Bella." Bilbo spoke up from behind her, causing the half-breed to jump.

"Bilbo. You startled me." She admitted, brushing the loose strands of hair behind her ears.

"I'm sorry Bella, that was not my intention. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Bella gave the hobbit a small smile, he always did think of others before himself. "Of course I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well its just...it couldn't have been easy for you...leaving your family behind. Your home." The hobbit stated.

"Laketown was never my home. And it wouldn't be the first time I left my family. Their better off without me. Being with the company has made me feel more at home then I have ever felt." She said, glancing off over in Thorin's direction, seeing him speaking with Dwalin and Balin as the others started to head in their direction. " Don't worry about me Bilbo. I'm where I'm suppose to be."

Before anymore could be said. Thorin's voice was heard. " Let's move. We must travel as far as we can before the sun sets and then tomorrow we must find the door before the last light of Durin's Day." Thorin told them all as he took lead and began leading the way up the rocky terrain. The young woman and Bilbo followed behind the others talking amongst each other quietly.

Thorin once and awhile glanced behind him to see how Bella was doing and noticed she didn't seem to be at her full strength. He would often find her having to take a rest here and there and falling further and further behind with the burglar. He then instructed Balin to take lead for awhile and waited for the others to pass him and he walked over to where Bella was resting.

The hobbit looked up when he heard the shifting of loose rocks coming towards them. " Bilbo, why don't you go on ahead and catch up with the others. I'll stay with Bella." Bilbo glanced at Bella for a second and the young woman nodded for him to go on and the two of them were alone. " Bella..." Thorin began, until Bella cut him off, know what he was going to say.

"I'm fine. I didn't mean to slow everyone down." The woman muttered, getting up from the rock she was resting on.

"Are you?" Thorin challenged, grabbing her arm when she tried to walk passed him. " Do not think I haven't noticed you struggling to keep up with us since we got to shore."

"I'm fine Thorin, really." Bella growled in annoyance, avoiding his serious, yet concerned look in his eyes. She glared at the ground and once again tried to get pass him, but the dwarf king held her back with little effort, leaving the half-breed no option but to look at him.

"Don't shut me out Bella, not now. Talk to me. What's wrong?" Thorin asked calmly, releasing his grip on her arm. Bella sat back down on the rock. Thorin took a seat beside her, letting out a sigh. " It still hurts." The woman turned to her side and furrowed her brows as she looked up at the dwarf. " Your leg."

" Sometimes...It comes and goes...Oin said the pain may never fully go away." Bella muttered.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier, Bella."

"I didn't want you to worry about me. You have enough on your mind as it is. Plus, we're so close to finally finding the door." The young woman explained.