Imagine: the Company have set up camp for the night when Alex Hunter comes to a shocking realisation - she had fallen in love with Thorin Oakenshield!!

Alex's P.O.V

After Thorin had declared we would stop and set up camp for the night, as well as had given everyone their jobs, I picked a place and set up my bedroll before assisting Bofur with collecting some firewood and creating the fire itself. After that, I allowed myself to rest and warm up by the roaring fire as the others all carried on with their own jobs; I was kind of glad I got some time on my own as I needed to clear my head. Lately, something has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now - one single thing which refused to leave my head...and heart. And that single thing was called Thorin Oakenshield. The damn dwarf had somehow invaded my mind and decided he rather liked it there, refusing to leave even when I seriously needed to think of other more in the moment things!! Like during a fight against a blood thirsty orc and I needed to focus on not getting killed!! But no, my mind - even during those dangerous moments - creeped towards the Company's leader!! On the other hand, it wasn't completely terrible. The thought of Thorin was a pleasant one, that was for sure. His beautiful blue eyes, his long braided hair, his strong muscular arms and chest, as well as his broad shoulders - stop it Alex!! Shaking my head of the thoughts of the dwarves features, I began to wonder why I was thinking these things. When we had first met, it was no secret Thorin literally hated my guts and wished I hadn't agreed to join his Company; we really didn't get along back then. But after I had saved him, as well as everyone else within the Company at least once, he had apolagised for his hostality towards me and began to change; he started checking on me, helping me with my jobs and injuries, his harsh words and snaps were no more, he would purposely walk with me when we were traveling and I'm pretty sure he talks to me nearly more than anyone else. Not to mention I've noticed how he chooses to sit next to me during our meals, as well as places his bedroll not too far from my own. And honestly....I wasn't complaining. I never had anything against the king - even when he was horrid towards me - but once we finally came to an understanding, a friendship began to grow. And a strong one at that. I felt I could now trust Thorin with my life and more.

But what I couldn't figure was why?? Why do I think about Thorin in ways I have never thought of anyone else before?? Sure, I always make sure everyone else within the Company is okay, but I've never thought about them as much and with as much close detail as I do with their leader. So why did I do this?? Was something wrong with me?? Uhh!! Why are my thoughts always consumed by Thorin Oakenshield?! I used to believe it was just because - once we had sorted our differences....or his differences - we were building a friendship that appeared to grow stronger and stronger as each day passed by; it helped that we began to actually spend most of our days volenteerally together, as well as held hour long conversations which we were both interest in. It was nice. But why was it that, whenever I thought about the future crowned king of Erebor, my stomach began to do backflips?? That my cheeks would burn to the point where I was sure I resembled a tomato?? And whenever Thorin and I were forced to part, I felt a sense of...sadness and worry - especially if it was during dangerous situations. And whilst I didn't like being separated from the others, I never felt like I did for their leader.....what was wrong with me?! Why couldn't I just understand these strong yet bloody confusing feelings?! Sighing, I rubbed my forehead in an attempt to calm my racing and annoying thoughts. Looking up from the fire, I glanced around to see what everyone else was doing; Kili, Fili, Ori, Bifur and Bofur were in the middle of playing a card game as they used their limited gold coins to gamble. Nori, Dori and Bombur were sat on the other side of the fire having a good old chat whilst the largest dwarf prepared our dinner which should be ready within the hour. Sat on a large bolder not too far from the roaring fire, Gandalf and Bilbo were happily devoted to a conversation about who knows what as they also puffed on their smoke pipes, both making different shapes with the smoke. It was rather impressing actually. And sat under a large oak tree on the opposite side of our chosen campsite, Balin, Dwalin and Thorin were also talking away; the elder of the three was enjoying his smoke pipe whilst the younger two were both cleaning their weapons.

As my eyes landed on the Company's leader, I felt myself begin to smile. You see!! This is what I'm talking about!! Now a days, all I have to do is gaze upon the dwarf and I find all of my worries and stresses fading away; he makes me feel happy. He had the power to make me feel any emotion and, whether he knew it or not, he has!! Was I going crazy?? Had all of my horrific life events finally caught up to me and taken an effect on my mind?? Was I finally beginning to lose the plot?? And was it really starting with my thoughts and feelings with Thorin?? 'Well it's either that or I'm falling in love with him' I mentally joked with myself as I thought back to all of the fiction love stories I've read over the years; I realised what I had actually thought and felt my eyes widen. No...I'm actually going crazy!! There is absolutely no way!! I really have lost it!! Surely!! Stealing yet another glance towards the Company's leader, I took note - once again - of how my heart skipped a beat upon seeing his smile and hearing him laugh at something Balin had said and how the sight of him seeming rather relaxed for once and happy made a smile of my own form.....god damn it!! "Oh, bloody hell!!" I exlciamed as I rested my head in my hands, my fingers rubbing soothing circles onto either sides of my forehead - it didn't really do much to actually sooth my mind from the sudden and shocking realisation. A voice calling out my name pulled me away from stressed thoughts "Alex??" I looked up from my hands to see I had gathered the attention of everyone within the Company; it was Bofur who had spoken up "you alright lass??" he asked. Putting on a smile, I nodded my head "just fine" I lied before asking "why wouldn't I be??" they all shared looks of concern before Balin informed me that....I had exclaimed rather fustratedly "bloody hell" less than a few seconds ago. Feeling my stomach drop as I believed I had thought that silently, I asked if I had said anything else; they seemed to understand this as Bilbo spoke up "no, nothing else". That was a relief. A voice that definately caught my attention spoke up "so are you alright??" it was Thorin; I looked over to see him once relaxed face showing signs of worry - for me!!

Fighting the burning in my cheeks to fade quickly, I cast my gaze away from the leader of the Company "I'm fine, really" I once again lied "I em....I think I'm gonna go collect somemore firewood" I stated as I stood from my seat. Before I could take a step, however, Nori 'reassured' me that he and his brothers had collected plently of firewood that would last us the night "right...well...I think I'll go for a walk then" and with that, I began to make my way towards the forest area when I was once again stopped by a voice - it was Kili's this time. "We'll come with you if you'd like??" he offered as his brother agreed; they were beginning to stand when I blurted out "no!!". A few concerned and confused brows rose from my exclamation "em...I mean" I really wasn't helping my situation "I'll be fine on my own, honestly" and finally, without waiting for any reply, I hurried away until I knew I couldn't be seen by any of the Company from the campsite. Once I was far enough away, I came to a stop as I leant against a large and old tree; I rested my forehead and hands against the trunk as I closed my eyes in order to attempt to calm my mind. I must really be going crazy!! I can't be...there's no way that I'm.....oh god!! I....I'm in love with Thorin Oakenshield.

Thorin's P.O.V

Well....that was strange. Standing from me seat beside Dwalin and Balin, I strethched my limbs as they asked where I was going "I'm going to check on Hunter" I informed "the way she was just acting wasn't like her, not to mention she never denies any of our company - let alone Kili or Fili's". It was true. The three seems to be best friend so when Alex told them that she would be fine to walk alone, it rung a few alarm bells. Agreeing that something seemed very off with our human friend, they wished me good luck as I left in the direction we had all watched the young woman rush to; I followed her foot prints until my eyes finally lay upon the twenty five year old.....except she was leaning face first against a large tree?? As I silently approached the woman who....seemed to be oblivious to my presence - Alex could usually tell when someone was near just by using her senses so I knew there was definately something wrong - I managed to hear she was mumbling something to herself. Straining myself as I drew closer, I managed to overhear the twenty five year old tell herself "I'm screwed"; it earned a silent rose brow as I wondered why she believed that - had she made some sort of mistake?? Deciding to make my presence known, I spoke up "Alex??" her eyes shot open as she spun around, clearly startled; she really had no idea that I was there "easy, it's just me" I reassured. It didn't seem to help as she averted her gaze from my own, finding the ground extremely interesting which just strengthened my confusion, as well as my worry; I was slightly reassured when she spoke up, though it was clearly with much hesitation. "Em...hey, what's...what's up??" Alex asked as she fiddled with her hands behind her back - she seemed....nervous?? I wondered why but let it drop...for now anyway. As I folded my arms across my chest, I spoke up "I could ask you the same thing" I stated "what happened back there?? That...that wasn't you" Alex rose a brow of her own as she said that of course that was her "who else could that have been??" she asked; I stared blankly at the human as I could tell she knew what I actually meant. "That wasn't the Alex Hunter the Company know and they all agree with me, even Gandalf was confused by what we had all just witnessed" I wasn't wrong and I could see she knew it as well "you suddenly yelling out 'bloody hell', making an excuse to leave the camp site, declining Kili and Fili's offer to join you - that wasn't you" I listed off easily "so tell me, what's happened or on your mind that is making you act different??".

There was no getting out of this conversation and Alex knew this all too well as she sighed, leaning against the large tree trunk once again - except this time she didn't have a face full of bark as her back was resting against the tree, though she kept her gaze fixed down to the floor. "Nothing happened...nothing physically anyway" she rubbed the back of her neck, seeming to feel awkward by the situaion; I couldn't help but wonder why?? Both Alex and I have held many conversations since we....well since I had made peace and began a friendship with her; as our friendship grew, our conversations began to deepen and expand to hours long. The talks we had varied to being extremely deep and meaningful to short and sweet - either way, I looked forward to those moments very much. And I hoped Alex did as well. Though right now?? I was debating if she even wanted to have this conversation at all - even if it was with me. "Not physically??" I repeated with a raised brow "so...what about mentally??" I asked earning complete silence; it seemed I had my answer. Watching and hearing her sigh, Alex hesitantly began to explain "when I was sat by the fire, I had....accidentally realised something which earned the reaction of 'bloody hell', though I was only meant to think that...not actually say it out loud" I was thankful she was revealing these things but it only increased my confusion and curiousity "okay...can I ask what you realised exactly??" I asked carefully, not wanting to pressure the woman "was it something relating to the Company?? The quest??". Did she...did she realise that this quest was something that she probably shouldn't have agreed to go on?? Did she realise that she will possibly and most likely die and wants to leave?! Once again, she appeared extremely hesitant and I could tell she was choosing her words very carefully as to not give too much away "no, not exactly" she sighed "it was....something to do with myself....I was confused by something - had been for a while now - and I wasn't expecting to actually work it out...but I did unintensionally and it....it took me by surprise".

Listening intensely, I wondered what she had discovered about herself and really wanted to know, but I also didn't want to make Alex uncomfortable by asking; it appeared, whatever she had realised, was something big and serious. She needed time to process it and that was most likely the reason she wanted to go on a walk all by herself. "Do...do you want to talk about it??" I asked hesitantly "you don't have to and if you want me to leave so you can think about it all in peace, I will" I offered; the young human sent a beautiful smile my way, seeming to make my heart skip a beat - she always did manage to have a strange effect over me. I wonder why?? "Thanks Thorin" she smiled "I think I just need some time to wrap my head around this...realization" she explained as she rubbed her forehead; I nodded my head in understanding "alright, I'll keep the others from coming to find you" I reassured "but....just know that I'm here if and when you want to talk, and I speak on behalf of the others too" we both knew I was right "we're all your friends and in some ways, we're a family....so we're here when you need us" and with that, I turned and began to make my way back to the camp site. Did I hear the twenty five year old's beautiful voice speak out yet another "thank you Thorin"?? My grinning face may or may not confirm such a thing.

Alex's P.O.V

Oh, who am I kidding?! No wonder I've fallen in love with him!! He's mr brave, kind hearted, selfless, sweet, tough, family dwarf - Thorin bloody Oakenshield!!

I. Am.....Potentially. Screwed!!