I do not own any of the characters or the Hobbit (just the AU storyline and my OC) those are the work of the esteemed and brilliant John Ronald Reull Tolkien, and without his genius, this and many other fan fics would not be in existence.

Please review! I love getting them-they keep me encouraged! J

Note- I apologize that it has been a few days since I updated. The last couple of days have been crazy busy and sleep has eluded me, making me very tired. So I hope this chapter doesn't stink. But here it is, and thanks to all who have reviewed and favorite and followed- it has made my muses very happy J

The girl's eyes widened at the question, and she shrank back from Thorin as her eyes flew from him to the others in the room. She grimaced a bit as the slight movement caused pain once more, although she could feel it lessening a bit. Her mind was still very hazy as she tried to remember what happened, and she wasn't quite sure where she was at. It was as though there were glimpses in her mind like the pieces of the puzzle, but she could not seem to connect any of them. She had the distinct feeling that she should know these people and she should know where she was at, but her mind was drawing a blank. Exhaustion like she had never felt before seemed to be enveloping her, and she was fighting to keep her eyes open.

Thorin stared at her, his demeanor clearly demanding an explanation for her reckless behavior. He didn't seem to notice the slight panic and questioning in her eyes as they flew to him, around the room, then back again. Gandalf, however, could see the fear and confusion, and decided to intervene.

"Thorin, the poor girl is exhausted and confused I am sure. She doesn't seem to know where she is, and she may not remember much about what happened. Besides, it is the middle of the night, and I am sure we all could use some sleep," he said, hoping Thorin would change his mind and question her when it was daylight and she had some time to sort things out (and when they were all rested and less short tempered). Lord Elrond nodded in agreement.

"She has just awakened after three days of unconsciousness, Lord Thorin," he added, "She is still very weak, and now may not be the best time to seek answers to your questions."

Thorin sighed, as the girl's eyelids kept fluttering closed, only for her to start and her eyes to open again.

"Very well," he replied, "But I will be expecting answers in the morning." He gestured toward Kili to follow him, and headed out the door. Kili glanced once more at the now sleeping girl, who had lost her battle to the pain drought, and followed his uncle reluctantly. He was not looking forward to the lecture he knew he was going to receive.

XXX

Dawn came with the chirping of birds and the warm summer breeze filtering through the slightly open windows. Cirashala stirred, eyes fluttering open. They shut again as she groaned, before flying open. She quickly sat up, grabbing her middle as the sudden movement caused pain. She looked around the room in confusion. There were intricate tapestries on the walls, and leaves and vines carved into the trim. She heard the distinct sound of rushing water coming through the windows, and through them she beheld the beautiful elven valley of Imladris.

Rivendell?! How did I end up here? She thought. The memories flooded back to her in a flash- the accident, the funeral, waking up in Trollshaw forest, Kili and Fili finding her in the cave, being chased by the wargs, seeing Kili fall, horrible pain surging through her, the sounding of Elrond's hosts' horn, then darkness.

She vaguely recalled the feeling of someone putting pressure on her abdomen, and hearing raised voices, but she couldn't remember anything at all after that. Her mouth and lips felt very dry, and there was a strange taste in her mouth. It wasn't a bad one, more like the taste of a strange yet pleasant tea.

Vague recollections of Elrond placing a cup to her mouth, and Thorin standing over her came into her mind.

The tea must have had some medicine in it that helped with the pain, but also put me to sleep, she thought. She had had trouble sleeping for several years now, and was quite used to the slightly groggy feeling of waking up after taking sleep aids. She looked up as an elf woman entered her room from a small room off to the side. The she-elf smiled at her.

"Good morning," she said in Westron, before approaching the bed with a steaming cup in her hand.

"I am Hûredhiel," she continued, "I am a healer. You are in the house of Lord Elrond." She held out the cup toward Cirashala. "This is tea with a pain drought in it. It will help lessen your pain and make you feel a bit better." Cirashala took the cup with shaky hands and eyed the steaming liquid, before attempting to take a small sip.

She cried out and jerked her head back as she brought her hand to her mouth. Hûredhiel quickly grabbed the cup before she could spill it. She looked at Cirashala apologetically.

"Forgive me, young miss. I did not realize it would be too hot for you," she apologized. Cirashala nodded. Hûredhiel took the cup and hurried back into the side room, before emerging a few moments later with a much cooler tea. Cirashala accepted it gratefully. She tested it with a small sip first to make sure it was cool enough. She had never been able to stand tea that was boiling hot, and always added enough cool water to make it a little more than lukewarm. She looked up at the healer.

"W-will this m-make me sleep?" she stuttered in a whisper, her voice extremely scratchy from dehydration and non use. Hûredhiel shook her head.

"No, this one will not make you sleep," she replied, "we only give patients those when it is nighttime or when they really need to sleep." Cirashala nodded, and continued sipping very slowly, unsure if her nauseous stomach would be willing to accept the tea. She felt a little sick to her stomach, and reached the shaking cup out to the healer.

"I-I can't finish it," she whispered. The healer nodded.

"That is to be expected when one has been unconscious for three days," she said. Cirashala stared at her in alarm.

"I-it's been three days?" she asked, her voice hinting at slight panic. The healer looked a little confused.

"Yes, it has," she replied, looking at her curiously. "You were very badly injured. Lord Elrond is somewhat surprised you woke up this quickly with how much blood you lost. Is there something wrong?"

"But t-the dwarves? Are they s-still here?" she asked her. Hûredhiel nodded. Cirashala let the breath she had been holding out, and sank into her pillow with relief. She shut her eyes against the dizziness she felt, and tried her best to fight the nausea that increased with her sudden anxiety. She was afraid she had been left behind in Thorin's eagerness to reach the mountain.

"I will send for Lord Thorin. He tried to speak to you last night, but you were too exhausted," Hûredhiel said, "I will also send for Lord Elrond. He was to be informed when you awakened this morning. Will you be all right for a few minutes by yourself?" Cirashala nodded, laying her head back. She glanced to the table, and saw a small bowl. She could reach it if she needed to.

XXX

After Thorin and Kili had returned to the dwarves' room, Thorin had pulled him aside out on the balcony. Kili gulped, afraid of the lecture he knew he would receive. He hung his head and looked at the floor, waiting for Thorin to speak.

"Kili, what were you thinking going up to her room in the middle of the night?" Thorin asked sternly. Kili gulped.

"I-I couldn't sleep," he answered.

"So you take it upon yourself to sneak out of our room without telling anyone, and walk through this place alone? Have I taught you nothing about elves? Why would you do such a reckless thing?" Thorin crossed his arms, and waited for his nephew to answer. Kili shifted in his boots, and swallowed hard.

"I-I cannot stop wondering why she did what she did. Why she saved my life, even though I don't know her or anything about her," Kili replied.

"And what were you thinking asking aid of the elves in the first place? Do you even realize the danger you put yourself, and this girl, through? What if the elves had taken you both prisoner? What if they had tried to harm you or the girl? You could have gotten the both of you killed!" Thorin was almost roaring now, and the only thing stopping him was the other eleven dwarves and hobbit who were sleeping in the adjoining chamber. This tension had built up over the course of the three days, with Thorin having set it aside due to the concern over the girl's condition, but now that she was awake, he was fully reminded of the events from three days ago.

"I-I didn't mean to endanger us. The elves, they-they didn't seem so bad. They helped her and they n-never harmed me and I—" Kili swallowed, seeing the hard, angry look his uncle was giving him, and looked away, feeling tears of shame prick at the corners of his eyes. He blinked them away, not wishing for his uncle to see his weakness. He felt foolish for having let his guard down and being so willing to trust the elves, even though he knew the girl's life had depended on it. His uncle was right-he knew nothing of the world. He should have just let Gandalf and Thorin work it out and not interfered.

He continued, voice wavering slightly. "Forgive me uncle. I should never have gone without telling anyone, and I never should have defied you by asking the elves for aid," he replied hesitantly, looking up at his uncle. "It was my fault she got hurt. I-I just didn't want her to die," he whispered, feeling like a young, insecure dwarfling again as he looked down at his boots and awaited his punishment.

Thorin looked at the despondent lad before him, and sighed in exasperation. He couldn't deny that he was rather curious about the girl's motives as well, but Kili's actions had been very reckless. He could not have known whether or not the elves would keep their word or take him prisoner and kill him, and yet he went with them willingly, potentially putting both his and the girl's lives in danger. Thorin grudgingly acknowledged that the elves had surprised him and treated them fairly well, despite the obvious undercurrent of distrust and differences between the two races. In that, Kili had been very fortunate.

And, much to his chagrin, Gandalf had been correct in thinking they would need Lord Elrond's help with the map. And, as much as Thorin hated to admit it, Kili had been right in doing what he did by aiding the girl. Although the lad had never encountered it before, he understood blood debts far better than Thorin would have given him credit before, and was willing to defy his uncle to ensure that he would not fail in the debt he owed.

He could see his nephew was close to tears, despite his efforts to hide it. The lad was shaking too, he noticed. Thorin became aware that he hadn't realized how much Kili had feared his reaction to his defiance. The lad was torn between his blood debt and his duty to his family. It was a very difficult place to be for any dwarf, let alone one who has barely come of age. The boy had always idolized him, had always wanted to be like him. Knowing that he had let his uncle down, had disappointed him, must be tearing him up inside. He could see the dark circles under Kili's tired eyes, and realized that the lad likely hadn't slept much at all since the warg incident.

Thorin began to calm, realizing just how lost and confused the lad must feel. He reached out to Kili, and much to his surprise the startled lad backed up so quickly that he fell onto the floor, scooting back until he was up against a pillar. Thorin knelt before him, and the lad flinched, drawing his arm up to protect his face as though he was afraid his uncle would strike him. Thorin felt his heart sink at the sight. The realization that his nephew feared him, actually feared him, was almost more than Thorin could bear. He would never lay a hand on his nephews.

"Kili," he said gently. The lad looked up at him in surprise, not expecting such a gentle tone after what he had said just a few moments ago. Thorin locked eyes with him, and could see the fear in his youngest nephew's brown eyes.

"I may be angry with you, but I would never strike you," he said. A tear fell unbidden from his nephew's eyes, and he swiped it quickly away, before kneeling in front of Thorin, head bowed.

"I'm sorry uncle," he whispered, "P-please don't hate me like you hate the elves." Thorin's eyes widened at the trembling lad before him. Was his professed hatred of elves so strong that Kili feared his uncle would hate him as well for being willing to ask for aid from them? It explained his nephew's unusual reaction to his lecture. He gently placed his hands on Kili's shoulders and brought his forehead to his nephew's.

"Kili, you are my nephew, my kin. I could never hate you," Thorin said gently. "Do you understand that?" Kili nodded. Thorin stood up and offered his hand. Kili reached up, and Thorin helped him off the floor. His nephew still couldn't meet his eyes, but at least he had not flinched from him.

"How long has it been since you slept?" Thorin asked, seeing his nephew waver slightly. He looked up at his uncle, tired lines clouding his face.

"Four days," he said, "I-I keep trying, but I can't." His shoulders slumped and he let out an enormous yawn. His nephew was clearly exhausted. Thorin nodded, and motioned Kili to follow.

They entered the large bedchamber, and Thorin lit a candle. He knelt by Oin's bag and fished around for a minute before withdrawing a small vial with runes etched into it. Thorin held the candle up to the vial, before nodding and blowing the candle out. He handed the vial to Kili.

"Take it. It is a sleeping draught. You must rest," Thorin instructed. Kili nodded, and swallowed the foul tasting liquid. He made a face as he drank it, gagging a bit at the last few drops.

"Why do Oin's medicines always taste so awful?" he coughed. Thorin smiled. There was the Kili he knew.

XXX

The next morning, the dwarves all began to grumble as they stumbled out of bed. Few of the dwarves were morning people, and the tension of being in the elven valley made it worse. Yawning, they began to dress, before heading up to a guest dining hall for breakfast.

Thorin noted with some satisfaction that Kili was still in bed sound asleep, snoring lightly with a peaceful expression on his face. Fili had panicked for a moment when he couldn't wake his brother, until Thorin had told him about the sleep drought. Fili nodded, relieved that his brother was finally resting. He hadn't been sleeping too well either, with Kili's tossing and turning waking him frequently.

He hadn't told anyone, but he knew Kili had been suffering from nightmares about what had happened. He had managed to wake up in time to keep his brother from crying out each time, but to be honest he had been having some too. In his sleep he kept reliving the moment where he knew he wouldn't be able to reach Kili in time, only this time the girl was not there to protect him and the warg would grab Kili by the throat. He would see his brother's blood spurt out, and his brother's eyes would be staring at him. He would be begging him to help him, before the light in his eyes went out and his body would be limp.

Fili would wake up in a cold sweat and panting hard, only to feel his very much alive brother next to him, whimpering and restless. He would often see Kili's brow furrowed, and his breath quicken, and he would gently shake his brother awake and reassure him that they were safe, until he fell back into his fitful sleep again.

He didn't think Kili had noticed his nightmares, and hoped he didn't. He didn't want to worry his younger brother further, as he already had enough worries on his mind. His thoughts were interrupted when Thorin approached him.

"Fili, the girl awakened last night," he said. Fili looked at his uncle in surprise.

"She did? How is she?" he asked.

"She was very disoriented and confused, and Gandalf assured me that was normal given her blood loss. However, both he and Lord Elrond believe that she will be more lucid this morning. After breakfast, I wish for you and your brother to accompany me to her chambers," he replied. Kili let out a loud snore, causing Thorin and Fili to glance at the drooling, unconscious dwarf.

"If he's even awake by then," Fili chuckled, shaking his head, before following the company heading toward the guest dining hall.

Now that she was awake, he hoped she would finally shed some light on the question that had been plaguing them for the past three days. But most of all, he wished to thank her for saving his brother's life. He could not imagine what would happen if his brother were to die, and the very thought that he had come so close to it terrified Fili. One thing he knew for sure- even if he lived as long as Durin the Deathless, he would never be able to repay the debt he owed her.