The next day, Thorin and Snowlily were the first ones awake.

"Are you glad we finally found Dwalin?" Thorin asked his sister.

"Yes." she replied.

"Well, he wasn't sure it was really you at first."

"I missed him, and I know you did too."

"Yeah, I did."

When they were all getting on their ponies, Thorin realize they were one pony short.

"Who is riding with who?" he mused, more to himself than anyone else.

"I'll ride with Dwalin so you don't have to worry about me." Snowlily said softly.

"oh, um, is Dwalin ok with this?" Thorin asked.

"Ok with what?" Dwalin asked walking up.

"Snowlily suggested that she ride with you since we are one pony short, and so I don't have to worry about her."

"Sure."

When they set off, Snowlily was sitting in front of Dwalin on his pony.

He had an arm around her waist, and she was the only one who knew.

If Thorin knew, he would flip.

She leaned back against him, and he had no complaints.

"Thorin still doesn't know." she whispered.

"I know, and we can't tell him yet, ok?"

"Okey-dokey Dwalin."

He kissed the top of her head since no one was watching.

"I love you, Snowlily." he breathed in her ear. She shivered.

"I know you do, and I love you too." she replied softly.

"So you finally figured it out?"

"Yes."

Suddenly, Kili rode up beside them.

"What are you two talking about?" he asked.

"My coming of age party the day before Smaug came. There were a couple funny things about it, like my father running around like a chicken with its head cut off while planning it." Snowlily said.

"Plus, Dwalin proved exactly how stubborn he can be." Thorin grinned, slowing to be in on the conversation.

"Not even I heard this." Balin said, riding over.

Suddenly, everyone was listening as Thorin explained about wjat happened at the party, and Snowlily was hoping Thorin didn't see Dwalin's arm around her waist. He didn't.

When everyone went back to their respective positions, Snowlily breathed a sigh of relief that no one noticed.

Dwalin moved his hand to her thigh and gently squeezed, causing her to jump.

"Did I scare you?" he asked teasingly.

"Yes, but I don't care." she replied,  moving his arm back to around her waist

They rode in silence for the rest of the trip.