Bring On The Wonder[Thorin Oakenshield]

Chapter Eleven: Recovery

The next couple of weeks went by in a blur for Bella. The elves had been especially good to the woman in helping her to regain her strength in her left leg so she could walk once again. Thorin made it his mission to avoid the young woman until it was time to leave. The leader had been teased by every member of his company. Even Balin and Dwalin badgered Thorin just to get arouse out of him for what possible reason he could have for deciding to stay in this forsaken land. Thorin wasn't even quite sure why he decided to wait until she recovered - she was just a woman. She would be safer here in Rivendell; then being out in the dangerous wild with them. Was it when she said she didn't want to be "left behind?" that made him suddenly decide he would wait? The dwarf began to wonder if that had anything to do with why she would not speak of where she was from. Did her people leave her behind? Thorin had asked her once and she didn't want to tell him. 

When the elves weren't helping Bella. Fili and Kili would see to it that their woman companion had a fast recovery so they could get back on the road. It was early the next morning. Bella had just opened her eyes and stretched her arms when he door opened and in came Fili and Kili. " Good morning Bella, and how are you feeling today?" Kili asked, his adorable smile forming on his face. She was growing fond of the two of them, constantly visiting her but she did wish it wasn't so early - She did enjoy her sleep.

"You ready for another day of our walking exercise?" Fili piped up, as he handed the woman a bowl of fruit and placed a glass full of water on the nightstand beside her bed. 

" As ready as I'm ever gonna be. Where did you get this?" Bella asked, pointing at the bowl filled with fresh cut up fruit.

"Oh, I swiped it from their kitchen early this morning. I thought you might like it." Fili insisted, with a smirk at how proud he was. Bella giggled and thank him for it and started plopping the pieces of fruit into her mouth. The taste of it as he she bit into a piece was very refreshing and soon she was down to the last piece and she picked it up and ate it. The half-breed climbed off the bed and she could now walk on her left foot without collapsing, she was only able to walk short distances but with the help of the two brothers their walking exercise was just starting to pay off. Bella walked down the hall, with Fili and Kili right beside her; encase her leg was to give out on her. The three of them were enjoying a conversation as they strolled outside. It was beautiful hot summer day. Kili suggest they should go down the trail, that led down to the bottom of the waterfall. Which just happened to be the same path that Thorin had followed her down a couple of weeks ago. 

They passed through the gardens and that's when Bella heard the sounds of the other dwarves. They were coming up to the pond and the half-breed nearly fell over when she saw the dwarves completely naked as they bathed themselves. Needless to say she didn't see Thorin amongst them; which didn't surprise her. He may be arrogant and stubborn but he did have his morals. Fili and Kili both shielded her from the embarrassing sight of their comrades and they quickly got passed their and they began their descend down the hill. Fili and Kili had been telling Bella of how their fellow dwarves had been causing mayhem in the elven valley since they had to extend their stay until the half-breed was well enough to continue on with them. Normally Bella would not approve of such childish behavior; especially since Lord Elrond had been so generous to allow them to stay this long and they do this? But as the brothers told the stories Bella couldn't help but giggle. 

The morning quickly turned into the afternoon. Thorin was out; hoping to keep clear of his men for one day. He couldn't face another day of being questioned. The dwarf was walking across the stone bridge that led into Rivendell when he heard the sound of the woman and his two nephews, talking and laughing. Thorin walked over to the edge and saw them walking along the path below and he observed the three of them - the woman especially. She had made some great progress. More then Thorin had expected. 

"The young lass, seems to be making quite a bit of progress." Balin's voice spoke, startling Thorin a little. 

"Yes, she is. It's good. Very...good." Thorin mumbled awkwardly, as he watched how protective the two brothers were being with her. Making sure one of them was near her if she were to fall over or if the walking was getting to much for her. The two dwarves on the bridge continued to watch the three of them below. Bella had climbed onto a rock, Thorin narrowed his eyes, wondering what she was planning on doing. The woman was looking at the rock that was a couple feet in front of her. Bella suddenly launched herself into the air and landed on the other rock perfectly without having to steady herself and she didn't feel any shooting pain up her leg anymore. 

"Bella are you alright?" Kili asked in concern.

"Actually. I feel quite good." She exclaimed and jumping off the rock onto the path, letting out random giggles and just started jumping for joy. Fili and Kili both started laughing, glad their friend was getting back to her normal self. Kili ran up to woman and picked her up and spun her around and she hugged them both for sticking with her. Balin couldn't help but smile and even let out a chuckle himself seeing this. Thorin turned his head to look at the elder dwarf. 

"This one is just full of surprises." Balin pointed out.

"Indeed." Thorin muttered to himself. Balin smirked, hearing this. "We should inform the others to be ready to leave at dawn." Thorin ordered and he started to head back across the bridge. 

"Shouldn't we give her one more day? She's only just starting to get her strength back." Balin stated as he glanced back down at the young woman. 

"We cannot afford to stay here another day. Durin's day will be upon us soon." Thorin reminded and he continued off the bridge and started heading back up to the elven home, leaving Balin their shaking his head at the prince. And the dwarf glanced back down at the three of them how were also starting to head back up the path - or more like racing each other back up and he couldn't help but smile one more time before leaving as well to meet the others.