Chapter 9

Amli rolled her eyes watching Lindir scurry through the halls of Rivendell; making many a turn and twist. It was obvious that the elf was just as uncomfortable with this as she with their silence. However Amli had to wonder if the glares were really necessary.

Much quicker than she expected, the elf came to halt causing her to bump into him much to his disgust. She did have to give the twit some credit, he actually righted her.

"This is your room Miss Amli. Another elf shall be by to retrieve you for dinner. You shall find some acceptable clothing for dinner within." Lindir said glaring down his nose at her.

Amli grinned at the elf; subdued mischief sparkling in her eyes. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lindir." She began as the elf nodded and began to walk off.

Ever quick, Amli stuck her foot out causing the elf to stumble slightly before glaring at her. Laughter filled the hallway as Amli spotted Ori a ways off, on the floor in tears.

"I meant to warn you of a lift in the stone." Amli replied trying to contain her giggles as the elf stamped away, thoroughly sick of dwarfs' foolishness.

Once the elf disappeared from view, Amli released the laughter she had been holding in and it felt incredible. When regaining breath, Amli rested against the stone wall watching Ori regain his.

"Come 'ere Ori." She called with a grin as the shy dwarf got up and took a seat beside her.

"So do tell me why such a gentleman like you comes to aid a mischief maker like me at the first sign of danger?" Amli asked with a toothy grin as they shared a laugh.

"Well other than it offers me a good laugh, I wanted to check in on you. You seemed rather upset earlier." Ori mumbled cheeks enflamed with a tinge of color as Amli glanced at him.

"Yeah I figure that the wargs and elves really didn't do much to brighten my mood." Amli said with a playful smile as his cheeks were now set a blaze.

She regretted her playful attitude immediately as Ori made the movement to get up.

"No please don't go, Ori. Though I try to conceal my emotions with lightheartedness, your initial guess was correct. I am troubled

"Go on…" He began placing a hand upon her shoulder, offering her encouragement.

"I'm going to feel rather ridiculous saying this and so help me if any of the other the dwarves hear of this…" Amli warned as Ori rolled his eyes.

"Dwalin said the same thing the other day." Ori replied as Amli's brow quirked in surprise.

"You mean to tell me he has a soft underbelly?"

Ori could not help giggle imagining the burly dwarf as a kitten rolled onto its back. "I have become the confidant to many on our journey. So go on."

"I feel terrible burdening your shoulders with my thoughts but if you insist. I still feel like the outsider in our company and I fear that will not change." Amli began wiping her hands on her breeches nervously.

"Aside from you, Fili, Kili, Bofur and occasionally Balin and Oin; I find myself with a small number of friends. My wolf on the other hand manages to bloody well seduce the rest with the greatest of ease. Speaking of which, have you seen him?"

The young dwarf beside her sat oddly silent for a while seeming to ponder the information she had just thrown in his direction.

"I have not seen him yet. Uh I know I won't be able to say much to sway your thoughts on friendships but the ones you have care deeply for you." Ori mumbled as Amli grinned softly over at him.

This shy dwarf really had the biggest heart and he gave it so freely to people.

"I'm starting to see how truly blessed I am for what I have. Thank you for being a shoulder to lean on Ori. Please know that you can always come to me too." She whispered placing a kiss upon his forehead before getting to her feet.

"Now I better get cleaned up for dinner before I upset any more elves. I shall see you soon." Amli sent the now pink dwarf wink as they bid each other farewell.

Though she hated to admit it, a bath in that exquisite elven-made tub sounded wonderful.

Ori returned to the company with a heavy heart. He felt terrible for Amli that she had felt so ostracized. He found her to be rather enjoyable.

She always managed to make him feel better about the day even if it was her who needed the uplifting. Yet the dwarf could not blame her for how she felt. It was not like the others were necessarily singing her praises.

Even as they returned from the elvish-baths; looking much cleaner, Ori could hear them talking about Amli.

"I knew there was something off about that girl from the very beginning. Now this proves it." Dwalin gruff voice mumbled as a couple dwarves voiced their agreement.

Ori noted however with some relief that not all partook in the slandering like Fili, Kili, Bofur, Oin, and Balin. Basically everyone who Amli had mentioned having some semblance of friendship with.

"Oi, Ori where did you disappear to?" Dori asked directing the dwarves' attention to the newcomer.

"I went to go see how Miss Amli was." He mumbled as those laughed about that.

"Figures, you best be keeping an eye on this one Nori. She'll…" Dwalin continued with a condescending chuckle.

"That's enough! I have grown rather tired of your rudeness towards Miss Amli!" Ori cried surprising the dwarves thoroughly, though a few select ones had small smiles on their faces at his bravery.

"She has been very kind to us all but you have been too stubborn to accept it or at least be courteous. Now she feels ostracized and unworthy." Ori finished mouth falling open into a little o at his outburst.

Guilt rushed through his veins instantaneously as he realized he broke her promise not to spread that around.

"Well it's not exactly like the lass has been forthcoming about all her tricks and talents." Gloin replied pointedly causing a bit of a mumbled argument to break out between those who supported the lass and those who were not fond of her.

"Can you blame her? Besides why should it matter? We ought to be thankful for her skills." Fili interrupted tired of the trash talking and taking heed of Ori's brave lead.

"That's enough!" Thorin voice rumbled quelling the arguments instantly as he appeared before them with Gandalf and Bilbo trailing behind.

"I will not have such foolish arguments in the presence of elves. Dinner is ready and I expect this to end this moment."The dwarves uttered not even a peep as they left through the pathway he just entered.

"I knew this friend of yours was going to be trouble! Already causing disputes among my men." Thorin grumbled as the wizard towered before him.

"These disputes stem from your prejudices, do not forget that. It is not right to fault those who look beyond that nor Amli." Gandalf boomed causing both dwarf and hobbit to avoid his gaze.

"Has her presence not been of service to you!? Did her animal not save your nephew earlier this very day?"

"Speaking of, has anyone seen Trouble?" Bilbo asked glancing amongst the dwarves who sat at the table shaking their heads. It was odd; the beast seemed to disappear after they entered in Rivendell.

Though they were not too concerned for the beast was wild and was more than likely in search of food.

Meanwhile, Amli was having a delightful time trying to get "appropriate "clothing. 'Stupid elves and their stupid need for dresses' Amli thought to herself growling slightly.

A knock at the door stirred her from her agitation and thoughts.

"Just a moment, I'll be right there!" Amli called finally pulling the dress down. Much to her surprise, the gown grazed the floor and flattered her shape. It clung a little too snuggly to certain areas, 'ahem her arse and chest', but it was a flattering forest green hue all the same.

Opening the door, Amli's brows furrowed finding Linidir looking at her queerly. "Am I late for dinner?"

The elf shook his head oh so gracefully and gestured down the hall.

"Amli you must come with me at once." Lindir replied with a touch of urgency in his voice that spurred Amli forward down the hall.

"What is it?" Amli asked feeling her heart beat speed up rapidly in her chest assuming the worst.

"Your animal was harmed on the outskirts of our borders when it appeared to be searching for food. They are bringing him in as we speak." Lindir murmured as Amli followed wordlessly behind the elf.

A chilling numbness ran through her bones at the thought of her wolf pained. Her heart beat kept up its rapid pace as oxygen had difficulty flowing through her lungs. She could not face the idea of living in a world that did not have the only person who meant anything to her.

The incident earlier in the day was already too close for comfort.

Lindir whisked her quickly through many a hallway much to Amli's relief. At least he was not dawdling.

The elf came to a halt in front of a door and Amli nearly knocked into him from the sudden stop. Glancing around him, she felt violently ill watching as the elves carried her wolf's body into the room.

"What happened?" Amli asked rushing to Trouble's head, not wanting to hinder the elves diligently tending to him.

Gazing over the wounds, Amli gasped seeing the large bite mark across his chest and neck. Her hand rose to cover her lips as tears misted her vision taking in the blood oozing from the gashes matting the magnificent silver coat with blood.

"A lone warg appears to have attacked the wolf along our boarders. Both were in search of food from what we gathered." One murmured the tears trickled from Amli's eyes like rain.

Numbness overtook her again and heart wrenching pain set in. Trouble was the only family she had left in this world. Without him, she would truly be alone.

A pitiful whimper stirred her from her misery as she glanced down into her wolf's pained eyes. Her heart shattered that very instant feeling so lost.

"They're going to take care of you. Please don't lose faith, you're all I have" Amli whimpered closing her eyes as she gently nudged her head with his and ran her fingers through his fur.

Opening them back up, her tears turned into full sobs as his eyes flickered closed.

An elf quickly ushered her out the door and closed it in her face. Much to her relief, Lindir had disappeared which made her next actions much easier.

Falling to her knees, Amli let all her emotions out in heaving rather ugly sobs. She gave herself so freely to the pain that she failed to notice the trinket radiating an icy chill through her body.

The company meanwhile congregated around the dinning table anticipating a delicious feast. What they were served however was far from it; everything on the table was green and leafy! There was no sign of a hearty piece of meat or fulfilling food upon the table.

"Just try it," Dori began urging his youngest brother to at least eat something on the table before them.

"I don't like green food." Ori replied with a touch of righteous indignation gazing at the piece of lettuce as if it had grown a face.

Dwalin could not help but ruffle through the salad with a bit of a jaundiced look. "Where's the meat?" He questioned glancing about at his companions.

Thorin and Gandalf dined in the presence of Lord Elrond whose discussion focused more so on Thorin's new finely crafted blade rather than the meal.

"This is Orcrist…" Elrond began gazing over it impressed by the elvish craftsmanship.

"The Goblin Cleaver, a famous blade forged by the high elves of the west. My kin, may it serve you well." Elrond added handing the sword back to Thorin who nodded his thanks.

"This is Glamdring." Elrond continued glancing over the sword Gandalf handed over to him. "The foe hammer, sword of the king of Gondolin."

"My Lord," Lindir began appearing beside the tableas all three eyed the elf who whispered rather animatedly to Elrond who stood up no more than a moment after he finished.

"Excuse me; there is something that requires my attention immediately." Elrond said standing up from the table following behind Lindir leaving curious dwarves in their wake.

Thorin eyed Fili with a knowing glance and nod in the direction of the path that Lord Elrond had traveled. He was not keen on the elf's disappearance and wanted to have someone observe what called his attention desperately

Much to his relief, Fili caught on to his intentions rather quickly as he excused himself from the table claiming to be in need of the facilities. Thorin could not help but watch his nephew stride away from the table with a touch of pride.

Fili was in the works to becoming what was going to be one of Erebor's greatest kings.

Fili followed the two elves at good distance ensuring to not draw too much attention to himself. He understood Thorin's need to find out what Lord Elrond was hiding, but chose him to go. Was this not an ideal job for their burglar?

A faint sobbing caught his attention as the two elves stopped before a hunched over figure. An eerie sense of dread washed over Fili's very bones as familiar pair of green eyes glanced up at them broken.

"Amli," Lord Elrond said in a gentle voice as the girl addressed him shakily. Silent tears fell from her eyes as Lindir informed Elrond of the extent of the damages.

"The wolf was harmed by a warg in search of food. There is a gruesome wound across its chest from a bite mark. That is what has been giving the healers the most trouble thus far."

Fili could not help but feet angry at the elf's lack of care in delving into the details of the beast's wounds. At the same time, Fili could not help feel rather pained at the news.

That was the last thing that connected Amli to her family. Hell the wolf was the only one left of her family. Trouble had become a loyal companion to him despite not knowing each other long.

"I will do what I can Amli, do not fret. Perhaps Master Fili would be kind enough to keep you company while you wait." Elrond murmured gazing over his shoulder with a knowing smirk at a now pink dwarf making his way to her side.

An awkward silence befell the two as neither knew what to say. Amli wiped the tears from her eyes embarrassedly; while Fili on the other hand did not know how to calm the girl. It was not like he knew what it felt like to be without his entire family.

"Amli," Fili began as she finally gazed over at him. His heart ached seeing the brokenness in her beautiful green eyes as tears fell from them again. Instinctively he pulled her into his arms and onto his lap without a second thought.

Sobs racked over her body at his outright kindness. One arm wrapped snuggly around her shoulders cradling her to his chest while the other reached around to rake through her soft hair.

"I can't lose him Fili. He's all I have." Amli whimpered into the crook of his neck.

Fili could not help but feel his heart break at the desperation in her voice. Amli was this gorgeous mystery yet in this vulnerability he saw a piece to her that not many had the chance to witness.

He knew to cherish it.

"You will not lose him. He's tough and quite brave just like his master." Fili began drawing small circles upon her shoulder. "You still have me." He added softly not entirely sure what caused that little admittance on his behalf.

Amli could not help but gaze up at him with a small grin. "Exactly which master are you referring to?" She questioned feeling a little better hearing Fili's rich laughter.

"I'd like to say a bit of both. He's got your bravery and my strength." Fili replied with a grin seeing Amli's mischievous face in the midst of giggles. She really had a contagious laugh and smile.

"So basically he's our child?" Amli questioned with a hint of mirth in her voice that developed into giggles at Fili's flushed cheeks.

The hiccups that escaped her lips no more than a moment later allowed for Fili to chuckle at her expense.

As the laughter died down, Amli could not help but sigh into his strong chest. Sure she was embarrassed but Amli was going to make the best of the situation. Fili's arms provided reinforcement where hers failed. His chest offered a warm place to be lost and have not fear. Unfortunately that good feeling left as her wolf's wounds came back to her mind.

"It looked terrible Fili." She murmured as Fili's arms held her tighter.

"Though I am not the biggest fan of the elves, Trouble is the best hands possible."

The two sat like that for some time, enjoying the company of one another and thinking

Fili enjoyed the feel of Amli in his arms. She was so soft and delicate yet strong. Amli was truly the conundrum that she claimed to be back in the Shire. Yet he was finding, as of late, that he liked learning more and more about her.

Amli on the other hand thought of her wolf and the kiss she had shared with Fili earlier on in the day. She had worked really hard convincing herself that it could not happen with the prince but this cuddling made her want that.

"Amli." A voice called as the two dwarfs gazed over to find Lord Elrond exiting the room. Getting to her feet with Fili beside her, Amli couldn't help but ask the proverbial,

"Is he okay?"

Much to Amli and Fili's relief, the elf nodded and offered them a grin as a gorgeous smile painted Amli's face.

"Thank Mahal, he's okay! Fili, he's okay!" She cried pulling Fili into a tight embrace that he welcomed.

The brunette dwarf then pulled Lord Elrond into a hug much to the elf's surprised crying out her thanks. A small chuckle escaped his lips as the two pulled apart and a small blush painted her cheeks.

"Amli, may I speak with you alone?" Elrond questioned recalling that Mithrandir had said that the young crossbreed has something that she wanted to show to him.

"May I first see Trouble?" She asked as the elf lord nodded. "Then give me a moment and I shall meet with you." Amli replied with a small smile even though she felt Fili tense behind her as Lord Elrond nodded.

"Linwin shall take you to my study once you are finished." Lord Elrond offered nodding to the elf now beside him in the hallway.

Nodding, Amli smiled before taking Fili's hand in hers as they walked into the room where her wolf lay upon a bed. It gave her some pleasure to know that they treated him well despite being wild.

Fili could not help but feel a little relieved as Amli dropped his hand as they reached the unconscious wolf. His heart beat had gotten rather erratic at the feel of her fingers interlaced.

Taking a deep breath Fili focused on the smile upon Amli's face and the large bandaged wolf before them. He ran a hand through the wolf's coarse fur mimicking her grin as the realization that the wolf was well set in.

"The healers gave him a mild sedative to ensure that the healing process can transpire." Linwin's angelic voice called from the hallway watching the crossbreed with the wild beast.

"Thank you." She replied with a grin as the elf disappeared.

After a few moments of the two dwarf's gently caressing the wolf's soft fur, Amli excused herself and made her way to the door. A firm hand upon her wrist pulled her back into Fili's chest as she gazed up at him.

"Are you sure you should go speak to the elf alone?" Fili questioned, the concern apparent in his eyes causing Amli's lips to upturn in a smile.

"He has done much more for me than I can ever repay him for. I shall be okay." Amli said with a soft voice touched at the protective nature of the dwarf. It was nice to feel that someone actually cared.

Amli could not help but be lost in his blue eyes. There was a magnetic power to them that left the person on the receiving side happily vulnerable. She gazed then at his lips finding herself overwhelmed with a desire to kiss him again which she did.

There was something that just felt right about kissing Fili. His hands resting securely upon her hips and his strong arms wrapping her in an embrace felt as if she were coming home. Not to mention the fact that the dwarf's lips just tasted wonderful. Almost like a spice cake that had been sweetened with a touch of mead.

Pulling apart both had dumbfounded looks upon their faces. However Amli noted the curiosity and intrigue in Fili's eyes that mirrored her own. She wanted to say something or at least ask the question that would satisfy their curiosity.

"Go talk with Elrond. We can continue this later tonight." He offered with a knowing grin as she nodded turning to go meet with Linwin in the hall. Amli could not help but steal one more glance at Fili who was now petting Trouble; looking rather deep in thought.

'Mahal was this dwarf going to be the death of her!' She thought to herself with small grin following behind the elf before her.