After her brief conversation with Thorin Oakenshield, it left Ygritte feeling uneasy. She couldn't stop thinking about what he had planned for them and why he was so keen on disregarding her father's plan, for it had been a wise one, a clear path that would keep them away from prying eyes. But all they've trekked on since leaving Rivendell were perilous roads. When they caught sight of the storm, she knew her father would have told them they should find an alternative path, yet Thorin had led them straight into a battle of Stone Giants that almost got them all killed. She understood Thorin was angry at her father for forcing him to seek refuge with the Elves that had once turned their backs on his kin, but Thorin's grudge, she feared, would be the death of him. If he didn't learn to accept advice from the people around him, he would not live long enough to see his home, and this entire journey would have been for nothing.

As she laid out her bedroll near Aninth's, Ygritte allowed her eyes to sweep across her traveling companions, checking them over for any sign of injury. And while she did not find anyone injured, she could tell that dwarves, and their Hobbit, were exhausted, for their movements were slow as they each spread out their bedrolls and their eyelids were heavy as they each plopped down to rest. She offered a small smile toward Bilbo when the Hobbit caught her eye, and Balin as well, before she then rested her stare on the leader of their Company. Thorin was staring across the way, and for a moment Ygritte thought he was admiring her. But with a turn of her head, she realized he was staring at Aninth ⎯⎯ again.

Of course, the Dragonkin woman was unaware of this though.

Ygritte furrowed her brows as she continued to stare between them. Her thoughts from earlier returned, and she began wondering what could have happened between Aninth and Thorin during their stay at Rivendell. She knew they had talked in private, and when they had showed their faces again that day, they both seemed much more calm than before. Almost comfortable with each other. Which was odd ⎯⎯ suspicious, even ⎯⎯ after hearing so many bitter words exchanged between the pair of them since the Shire. She wondered if they had made amends or if something else had occurred between them they refused to discuss in front of the Company. Ygritte knew it was none of her business, but she was curious. She wanted to know what happened.

And she was going to find out.

Ygritte set her stare on Aninth. Their eyes met, silence passing between them, and after a moment, Aninth seemed to understand that she wanted to talk to her in private. With a silent nod of her head, they moved away from everyone else and found themselves huddled into a corner of the cavern where they could speak amoungst themselves without being heard.

Before asking Aninth what was on her mind, Ygritte knew that she should make sure that her friend was okay. Ever since Aninth got wounded, she couldn't help but remain worried for her friend's well-being, and Ryvniss' as well. She didn't doubt Lord Elrond's efforts in having them treated, but after what happened with the Stone Giants and having to hold Thorin's full weight with her injured side, Ygritte worried that all of that movement and stress could have reopened the wound ⎯⎯ and the last thing they needed right now was for Aninth's wound to fester and the woman to succumb to fever.

"Ygritte, this isn't necessary," Aninth insisted after being told to lift her shirt so the she could have her wound checked.

"After what happened with those Stone Giants, I'm not taking any chances," Ygritte replied.

Aninth opened her mouth to argue further, but must have realized it was pointless. She let out a sigh and removed her tunic before leaning back against the wall of the cavern, allowing Ygritte to access her wound.

Ygritte unwrapped the cloth from around Aninth's torso and placed it at her feet. She shuffled closer, eyebrows furrowing in concentration as she narrowed her eyes through the darkness to examine the damaged skin. Elrond's healers had done well, but their interaction with the Stone Giants left the skin red and irritated. She frowned and stepped away, ordering her friend to stay put as she went to retrieve her bag, returning a moment later and searching for the medicine that Isobel had given her.

After finding what she was looking for, Ygritte pulled her arm out of the bag, revealing a balled up piece of cloth tied off with a strand of leather in her hand. She unbound the knot and opened the clean fabric in her palm, scooping some paste onto her fingers. She advised Aninth to remain still, and the blonde obliged, watching with mild interest as Ygritte spread the paste across her wound. Aninth flinched, having not expected the sharp sting.

"Sorry," Ygritte apologized, glancing up to meet her stare for a moment. "Should've warned you about the sting."

Aninth hummed, giving a nod. "What is it, anyway?"

"An Elvish remedy," Ygritte replied, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "It comprises various herbs from the woodlands surrounding Rivendell. It will sting a little at first, but it will numb overtime and keep the wound from festering." She scooped more of the paste onto her fingertips. "Before we left Rivendell, Isobel gifted me with some. She knew that we would need it. As usual, she is correct."

"Is this Isobel family of yours?" Aninth asked, curious to learn more of her friend's upbringing. She only knew of Melisandre and Gandalf, but perhaps there were more whom shared Ygritte's blood.

"No," Ygritte answered. "But she may as well be. When my mother or father were traveling, I'd often stay at Rivendell under Lord Elrond's care and her own. Isobel was my friend. And she's treated a fair share of my wounds in my youth."

Aninth laughed softly. "I have no doubt you sustained wounds quite often as a girl."

"Your assumption is correct," Ygritte smirked. "I would climb trees, and my father was not always pleased that I would choose the tallest one in the entire forest. I was young and reckless, if not a little naïve. But overtime, I came to conquer every tree and would reach the top. The view was breathtaking from such a height. You could see all of Rivendell from up there. At dusk, it was the most beautiful thing my eyes ever had the pleasure of seeing."

Aninth smiled at the fondness in her friend's voice. The way Ygritte spoke of Rivendell reminded her of her own home and the longing that she felt to see it again. "That sounds beautiful. Perhaps one day you could show me this view?"

"Of course."

Silence fell over them for a long moment as Ygritte continued her work. She tied the leather strand around the cloth and placed the medicine back into her bag before reaching for the bandage. She secured it around Aninth's torso before brushing her hands on her pants. Ygritte glanced up at her face and found the blonde staring across the way. She followed her stare, and a smirk crept on her face when she found it set upon on Thorin Oakenshield.

"Curious," she said, causing Aninth to look her way.

"What is curious?" Aninth questioned, shaking herself from her thoughts.

Ygritte titled her head and gave her a knowing look. "Do you really think that I have not noticed the change in you both?" Even in the darkness, she could see the warmth flood in Aninth's cheeks.

"It's strange," Aninth began, unsure of what to say, face was contorted with an emotion that Ygritte could not recognize. "When we spoke at Rivendell, he did not grow irritated that we were alone together like I thought he would. He allowed me to speak... and he listened to my every word."

Ygritte raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain all you did was speak?"

Aninth's brows furrowed for a moment, unsure of what her friend meant. But after a moment, she seemed to realize what Ygritte instituted, and her cheeks flushed and her eyes grew in size. She reached forward, playfully hitting Ygritte on her arm, which caused the woman to laugh.

"Ygritte!" she scolded, glancing around and hoping that nobody had heard.

Ygritte burst into fits of laughter.

"Nothing happened," Aninth was quick to say.

"I seem to recall Thorin admiring you from afar."

"I'm sure he was staring at the waterfall."

Ygritte rolled her eyes, a smile on her face. "Yes, for why would he ever look upon a beauty such as yourself you with admiration."

Aninth stood rather quickly, cheeks flustered. "We should rest."

Ygritte watched her leave, amusement gleaming in her eyes. She crawled over to her own bedroll and curled up on her side, placing a folded arm underneath her head as she turned to face Aninth. The Dragonkin woman laid with her eyes closed, but opened them after a moment to find Ygritte smirking at her and she relished a groan.

"You, my friend, are becoming insufferable," Aninth grumbled, turning her back on Ygritte to find sleep. Ygritte did the same, and within moments, exhaustion consumed the women as they found themselves in a peaceful slumber.

And little did they know what would become of them all the next time that they opened their eyes.