Chapter 2

Kili smiled at Primrose, longing to put a braid in her hair to indicate she was his. Obviously they wouldn't be engaged so he couldn't put a special clip in her braid to signify she was his intended.

"If we did marry could we have children? What would they look like? They'd be half dwarf half hobbit. Is such a thing possible?" Primrose asked.

"I don't see why it isn't possible and as to what the children might look like I have no idea," Kili said.

"I'd stick out like a sore thumb if we lived in Erebor as I don't have a beard but your women folk do," Primrose said.

"Honestly I'm sure that won't matter," Kili said.

He slipped his arms around her and held her close.

"I want to be with you and that's what's important,"

"Kili you can't possibly marry Prim. She'd never be happy living underground and she's right she'd stick out like a sore thumb," Fili said.

"Who says I wouldn't be happy living underground. I have lived in a hole in a hill until now," Primrose said.

Kili smiled at Primrose happy to hear that. He was seriously considering getting Elrond to marry the two of them while they were in Rivendell.

"How would you feel about us getting married while we are in Rivendell. I'm sure Elrond could marry us. It is going to take us another 37 days or so to get to Rivendell," Kili said.

"I will see how I feel and how things are going between us when we get there," Primrose said

The rest of their watch passed uneventfully and finally they were relieved by Ori and Nori.

"What were you two up to eh," Nori asked Kili.

"Never you mind. We're going back to bed now," Kili said.

The two returned to their bedrolls where they quickly got back into their night things and into bed. They fell asleep again their fingers entwined. The next morning after a hearty breakfast the company got on the road again.

"I'm hoping we can get some alone time tonight," Kili said quietly to Primrose.

"Will you be on watch again?" Primrose asked.

"Yes," Kili said.

"What were we watching for anyway?" Primrose asked.

"Orcs. It's no laughing matter if we get attacked by them," Kili said.

"Oh right," Primrose said.

"I promise you that I will protect you and ensure you don't come to harm," Kili said.

Primrose nodded and smiled at him. She had never seen an orc or anything like them in her life.

"I will also teach you how to fight so you can defend yourself if necessary. I use both the sword and the bow," Kili said.

When they stopped for lunch they were near a stream so after everyone had eaten it was decided to have a swim. The dwarves began stripping down to their breeches and Primrose watched as Kili removed his outer clothing and placed it and his weapons in a neat pile beside her. When he took off his undershirt it was the first time she'd seen his chest and she liked what she saw. His chest was covered in thick dark hair which was the same shade as the hair on his head.

"Are you going to swim too?" Kili asked.

"Sure why not," Primrose asked.

She slowly began undressing conscious of Kili's eyes on her, roving over her body. She left her slip on to preserve her modesty just as Kili had left his breeches on. The other dwarves were already in the water laughing and splashing each other. Kili jumped into the stream followed by Primrose and the two began splashing each other. Then Fili splashed Kili and he splashed back. The water was cool and refreshing and Primrose lay back and floated her hair splaying out behind her. Suddenly she was under water and she came up coughing and spluttering, spotting Kili laughing. She knew instantly he'd dunked her so she lunged towards him intending to dunk him back but he leaped to the side and she missed. A fun chase ensued with Kili keeping ahead of her and avoiding her grasp until he tripped on a submerged root and pitched forward with a big splash. Primrose doubled over laughing as he scrambled back to his feet water running down his back and chest from his hair.

"Not funny Prim," Kili said.

"Oh yes it was. FACEPLANT," Primrose chortled.

The other dwarves were also laughing and Kili glared at them then joined in the laughter realizing he had to have looked pretty funny doing a face plant into the water. When Kili stopped laughing he drew Primrose close and found her mouth with his kissing her deeply.

"You look beautiful all wet," he said, after they came up for air.

The other dwarves were so busy splashing each other they didn't notice the two kissing.

"You look mighty handsome yourself my sexy prince," Primrose said.

"I just want to hold you close and feel the warmth of your body against mine," Kili said.

"Well there's no harm in cuddling," Primrose said.

Kili smiled and kissed her again unaware that they were being watched by some Orcs. They watched the two kissing and cuddling then decided to report back to Azog, thinking he could use what they had seen against Thorin.

"Uncle must be furious with me for coming away with you," Primrose said.

"He probably is but there's nothing he can do about it. And by the time you see him again you'll be my wife, if everything works out, so you'll be moving to live with me," Kili said.

"Mmm I like the sound of that," Primrose said, snuggling into him.

She was still concerned about what would happen when Thorin found out about her relationship with Kili. Both she and Kili were in no doubt that he would never approve of it.

Finally it was time for the company to resume travelling so everyone got out of the water and dried off then dressed again. The ponies were untied and mounted and the company set off once more. Thorin and Gandalf had gone for a walk while the dwarves were swimming so he was still none the wiser about Kili and Primrose.

"You know you might not have any hair on your face but I really really like your hairy feet," Kili said.

"Thanks. Hairy feet are something us hobbits are very very proud of," Primrose said.

"I forgot to tell you that when we dwarves start courting we will put a special braid in each other's hair Its different to the betrothal braid which is added to the female's hair at the time of betrothal. But it would indicate the female is courting said male," Kili said.

"But you haven't been able to put a braid in my hair or I in yours because your uncle would know what they meant and wouldn't be happy about it," Primrose said, understanding dawning at once.

"Yes that's right," Kili said, "I wish we could though as a braid would look fantastic with your ringlets," he added.

He lifted a hand and ran his fingers through her thick ringlets and Primrose let out a gasp of pleasure. Fortunately none of the other dwarves heard it.

The company rode for the rest of the afternoon, not stopping again until they stopped to camp. After everyone had dismounted and secured the ponies Thorin turned to the other dwarves.

"Everyone go and get firewood we need to get a fire going," Thorin said.

The dwarves scattered and Primrose accompanied Kili as they began to look for firewood. They gathered as much firewood as they could carry and then noticing they were alone put their piles of firewood down by a tree.

"We should take advantage of being alone," Kili said, smiling at Primrose and moving close to her.

"Mmm lets," Primrose said.

Kili wrapped his arms around her drawing her against her and found her mouth with his. One kiss followed another and soon they were sitting under the tree they'd put their piles of firewood down by, cuddling and kissing, just enjoying being alone together. The other dwarves had finished collecting firewood and were returning to the camp talking amongst themselves when they suddenly came across Kili and Primrose. They stopped, their piles of firewood clattering to the ground, their jaws hanging open in shock at what they were seeing. Kili and Primrose had sprung apart upon hearing the firewood hitting the ground.

Some of the dwarves were hooting and whistling and teasing Kili while some were worried about how Thorin would react should he find out.

"I hope to Mahal that your uncle doesn't find out about this," Dwalin said.

"Your Uncle will never approve of this you know that," Balin said.

"I think it's nice that Kili is happy," Fili said, in defense of his brother.

"It would be a first, having a hobbit as part of the royal family. But I don't see why not. As long as you behave appropriately," Dwalin said.

"It's not like I'll ever ascend the throne. Fili is Uncle's heir not me. I'm just the spare," Kili said.

"Gimli would probably think you were being very sneaky and he'd like it," Gloin said.

"Gimli is Gloin's son," Kili explained to Primrose.

"How come he didn't come on this quest?" Primrose asked.

"Too young. He's 15 years younger than me. I'm 77 and he's 62," Kili said.

"77? I'm only 33," Primrose said, "You're older than my Uncle," she ended.

"Dwarves live till they are between 200 and 300 - years old. So in dwarf terms I'm still very young," Kili said, "In human terms I'd be in my early to mid-30's so I've just become an adult," Kili said.

"I too have just become accepted as an adult," Primrose said.

Suddenly the age difference didn't seem to be an issue for her. Obviously Kili would live a lot longer than she would but they would deal with that when they came to it.

Primrose and Kili picked up their firewood and everyone began heading back to camp.

"Please don't tell Uncle what you saw," Kili said, worried that the other dwarves might tell him.

"Don't worry we won't tell him. You're right about not being likely to ascend the throne, " Balin said.

"Your secret is safe with us," Dwalin said.

The others all agreed that they'd keep their mouths shut.

"Prim and I have behaved very properly. She wants to wait until she's married to lie with a male," Kili said.

The other dwarves were very much relieved to hear that. As they continued to walk Primrose noticed them tossing bags of money to each other. She looked at Fili questioningly.

"Some of us placed bets on how soon you and Kili would start courting as we'd all noticed the looks you and he were giving each other," Fili explained.

"Did your uncle notice the looks?" Primrose asked.

"I don't think so," Fili said.

Then he suddenly looked at Kili an incredulous look on his face.

"You bastard letting me think you'd lain with her," he said.

Kili burst into laughter at the look on Fili's face and Fili glared at him.

"I'm sorry Fili but I knew the look on you when you realized I was pulling your leg would be priceless," Kili said.

Fili started laughing when he realized he was right and the two laughed all the way back to the camp. At the camp a fire was quickly started and Bombur began cooking that night's dinner.

"I think it's time I began teaching you how to fight," Kili said to Primrose.

"I don't have a sword or a bow," Primrose said.

"You can use my bow," Kili said, "And maybe one of the others will let you borrow their sword for a bit," he ended.

Primrose beamed and followed Kili a short distance from the camp. There he took his bow out of his it's holster and demonstrated to Primrose how to fire an arrow. Then it was her turn and Primrose took Kili's bow when he held it out to her and an arrow from his quiver. Kili moved so he was standing behind her and he placed his hands on hers to guide her on how to hold the bow and pull the string back. This meant his body was pressed against hers and jolts of electricity shot up and down her spine. Kili helped her to release the arrow and she watched as it flew and landed near where his arrow had landed.

"Not bad. Not bad at all," Kili said.

His body was still pressed against hers and he turned her to face him then found her lips with his. After they came up for air Kili went and retrieved the arrow and then got Primrose to shoot an arrow on her own. To her surprise she managed to get the arrow to land near where his arrow had landed again.

"Very well done. Now keep practicing until it becomes second nature to you," Kili said.

So Primrose kept practicing and aiming for whatever Kili suggested she aim for. Soon she was shooting arrows confidently over various distances.

"You're going to be a fine archer one day," Kili said.

"I don't think I'm going to be much good at sword fighting though," Primrose admitted.

"We'll see," Kili said.

They returned to camp and Fili let Amber borrow one of his two swords so she could begin to learn how to fight with a sword. The other dwarves watched with interest as Kili showed Primrose the correct stances to use and how to hold the sword. It was heavy in her hands and she struggled to get used to its weight.

"You need a lighter sword. Fili's sword is designed for a male dwarf to use and you aren't a male dwarf," Kili said.

"No kidding," Primrose said.

Kili let her hold his sword and it was just as heavy.

Kili then taught Primrose how to swing the sword and how to parry blows aimed her. They then began sparring, Primrose doing her best to swing Fili's sword and block his blows. It was hard going but she kept trying, not wanting to let Kili down.

"You are doing very well and I think once you have a sword of your own which is the right weight for you, you'll do even better," Kili said.

He smiled at Amber and the two began sparring again. Suddenly Primrose blocked a blow Kili aimed at her than with a quick movement had disarmed him. Kili looked amazed and stunned that she'd actually managed to knock his sword out of his hand. He hadn't expected that at all as he had always prided himself on being a very good swordsman and it had shocked him that he'd been bested and by a female at that. The other dwarves were laughing and Kili shot them a dirty look.

"Well I never thought I'd live to see the day. My brother bested by a female," Fili said between gusts of laughter.

"Why don't you spar with her. I'd love to see you do better," Kili said.

"Alright then. And I'll show you how much better than you I am," Fili said.

So Fili joined Primrose and the two sparred. But to Fili's surprise Primrose managed to disarm him too. He couldn't look Kili in the eyes as he was embarrassed that he too had been bested by a female.

"See you aren't any better," Kili said, looking triumphant.

"Fili, Kili enough," Thorin suddenly interrupted them.

"Yes Uncle, sorry Uncle," they both said.

"You're doing very well," Thorin said, turning to Primrose.

"Thank you Thorin," Primrose said, "I have an excellent teacher," she added.

"Kili learnt from the best," Thorin said proudly.

Primrose smiled knowing that Thorin had meant himself. She knew that both Fili and Kili as princes would have been bought up as warriors so would have learnt to fight from an early age. She was still shocked that she'd managed to disarm them both as they were both vastly more experienced than she.

"Would you like to spar?" Primrose asked Thorin.

"I would be very interested to see what my nephew has taught you," Thorin said.

So Thorin drew his sword and the two circled each other and began to spar. Thorin was good, very good.

"Kili has taught you well. You're going to be even better when you have a sword which is the right weight for you," Thorin said.