Bloodstained (Thorin x OC)

The Hobbit

An hour into the journey, it didn't seem so different to Agarwaen's lonesome travels. Nobody talked all that much, and her being in the lead meant she didn't have to look at the dwarves or notice their glares. Periodically, she'd realize that she was too far ahead, remember that they have short stumpy legs, and have to slow down a bit, but other than that, she just focused on reaching the mountain pass that took them straight through the middle. The last time she was on that pass was 22 years ago, and just like her encounter with the stone giants, it wasn't a pleasant trip. She'd barely escaped the goblin tunnels alive, but even though they had numbers, each and every one of them was stupid, and didn't know how to properly sharpen their blades. Luckily, now she knew what caves to stay away from, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Behind her, a few words were said every so often, questioning things about the elf. They all wondered what was wrong with her voice, why she didn't dress like an elf, and even why an elf who had a home was wandering the wilderness.

"Well, she's not from Rivendell." Bilbo spoke up at the question.

"How do you know that?" Fili asked.

"She told me?"

"Already making friends, lad?" Bofur asked.

"Well, we did have a conversation while you were all desecrating that fountain." The dwarves around him laughed at the memory.

"What else did you find out?" Kili asked.

"Did she say where she was from?" Fili added.

"W-well not much." He wasn't sure if telling them she was a woodland elf was a good idea, due to the hatred the dwarves held for them. "Just that she, um, understands why you distrust her. I didn't find out anything else though. She was in search of Gandalf when we talked."

"Oh good, she understands. I hope she can't sleep at night knowing what her kin did to us." Dwalin muttered.

"Be nice, Dwalin. She's been in the wilderness for almost three centuries, therefore she couldn't possibly have been a part of anything when the dragon attacked." Kili pointed out. He and his brother didn't truly understand why they should hate all elves. They didn't think it fair to those who had no part in the betrayal.

"Doesn't matter." Dwalin argued. "She's still an elf. Betrayal runs in her blood." Bilbo made a face at the realization of just how petty this grudge actually was. If one hobbit wronged them, would they come to hate his entire race too?

The group took small breaks periodically to catch their breaths and fill their stomachs, but they did not stop moving across the rocky hills until the sun began to dip behind the hills behind them.

"We stop for the night. Set up camp." Thorin ordered loud enough for everyone to hear. They had stopped near some larger rocks that provided at least some shelter from wind. There was not forest nor any shelter-like structure for as far as the eye could see, so it would have to do. Agarwaen made sure to set up her bedroll a decent distance away from the dwarves, and was about to build her own small fire, when Bilbo approached.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" He asked.

"Distancing myself from those who do not desire my company, master Baggins." Agarwaen answered.

"Just Bilbo, please." He replied, shaking his head. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind too much if you joined us by the fire for a little bit." Agarwaen laughed.

"I, for one, am acquainted with the stubbornness of dwarves. You underestimate it. I've been thrown out of taverns because a few dwarven patrons didn't appreciate an elf in a town of men."