Chapter 10

Return to Middle Earth

Once Lexi help Kili inside of her apartment, she noticed that the dwarves were huddled in her kitchen as the elves tended to their wounds. Gandalf gave a happy sigh of relief when he had spotted the two coming towards him. Fili jumped to his feet as he raced over to his brother, his expression full of concern.

"Fili?" Kili barely whispered. Fili nodded and took him off Lexi and led him to the others. Lexi was wondering how and why they haven't noticed the collar around her neck. Lexi looked down at her neck and saw no collar, but a necklace in its place. That made Lexi worry a lot. She didn't notice that Gandalf had asked her a question. Lexi looked up and saw everyone looking at her.

"What?" Lexi asked walking towards them and stood beside Kili. Kili looked to the necklace that hanged on her neck.

"Gandalf asked what is that necklace doing on your neck," Kili said. Lexi gulped and tried to think of words.

"Well?" Gloin asked noticing her hesitation.

"Please tell me you didn't do what I think you did," Kili said taking Lexi's hand in his. She saw the pain flash across his face from his movements. It was all her fault he was hurt.

"I umm…" Lexi started. The dwarves erupted into shouts. Lexi tried to calm them down but they did not listen.

"QUIET!" Lexi finally yelled. The dwarves stopped in mid shouts to see the human flustered.

"If you would listen, you would realize that I am trying to tell you! Yes I made a deal not to go back but it was so all of you," Lexi paused pointing to everyone, "Could be safe. I thought of you guys and now I am a slave," Lexi said close to tears. The dwarves but Kili looked to the ground. Kili pulled Lexi down slightly so she could rest her head on his shoulder, and that is exactly what she did. Kili patted her back and looked to Gandalf who was deep in thought. Lexi sobbed into his shoulder. Fili sighed. He couldn't believe the pain the lass would have gone through watching everyone she cares about being tortured.

"No matter what, we will get you back Lexi," Fili said. The dwarves agreed and smiled at her. Lexi looked up and smiled.

"Lexi come hear," Gandalf said. Lexi gave Kili's hand a squeeze before walking over to him. Gandalf examined the necklace. Gandalf muttered something and no one understood. Lexi gasped. The necklace disappeared.

"Gandalf, what did you do?" She asked.

"Saruman forgot to add a spell which prevents the necklace or slave collar from being destroyed. That is how my dear." Lexi looked surprised. It was that easy. Then she felt tired.

"I think we need to sleep. Is everyone's wounds dealt to?" She asked. Everyone nodded. "Well goodnight." She walked into her room and shut the door. Then Lexi wriggled into the bed and rested her head on the pillow.

"You can't escape me. I have eyes and ears everywhere. Do not think less." The deep voice echoed through Lexi's dream. Then a figure appeared out of the darkness that made the landscape.

"What magic is this?" Lexi questioned, her voice echoing. She could hardly recognize the voice and it was starting to trouble her.

"No magic needed, just your nightmares allowing access for me."

"Who are you?" She questioned, not liking the answer just given to her.

"My identity is not important to you Lexi of Erebor. Just remember this warning: If you return, your loved ones, including the baby that lies in your stomach, will die. The choice is up to you." The man grinned.

"No! I will not give in. It is just a dream," Lexi shouted.

"Believe what you want my dear." Then he faded, his words in the air all around her. Lexi was shaking her head as the landscape was breaking.

Lexi gasped opening her eyes. She then immediately sat up. Kili was asleep next to her. Lexi closed her eyes and put her head in her hands.

"What's wrong?" Kili asked sitting up.

"Nothing," Lexi said. Kili put his hands over hers and pulled them down.

"It didn't sound like nothing. You talk in your sleep," Kili said. Lexi looked away.

"It seems that a human becoming a permeant resident in Middle Earth dose achieve a few enemies. Saruman isn't the only one." Kili gave her a brief kiss.

"Nothing will stop us from returning tomorrow," He said. Lexi nodded.

"We need our sleep," She said before laying back down. Kili did the same and Lexi shifted her head until it was on his chest. As she fell asleep, no other nightmares crept into her dreams.

A knock on the door made Lexi jump. Kili smiled and Lexi saw a little pain flash across his expression. The door swang open and the dwarves pilled in.

"Lexi! Lexi!" Ori cried sitting by her feet.

"Yes?" She asked.

"We need a new TV series to watch. We just finished watching Lost Girl," Nori cried.

"You better not have been burning my food," Lexi said standing up. Kili sat up and watched her leave.

"Don't keep her away too long," He warned. Lexi smiled as she looked in her movie/TV series collection. She was muttering as she found a new series.

"Can I trust you not to go on and on and on about this series?" She asked raising an eyebrow. The nodded eagerly.

"Fine," She said popping 'The Walking Dead: Season One' into the DVD player. She then got herself some cereal.

"Will you ever stop eating healthy?" Fili asked standing in the frame of the doorway.

"You can't talk," Lexi said nodding to the bowl of carrots in his hand.

"You know what I mean Lexi," Fili insisted.

"Is it just me or did you heal really quickly?" She asked. Fili smiled and nodded. "I better not keep Kili waiting anymore," Lexi says walking out of the kitchen with her bowl in her hand. Lexi entered her room and saw Kili wasn't lying on the bed. She sighed before sitting and started to eat. Her door to her ensuite was slightly opened and Lexi heard the shower running. When Lexi finished eating, she popped the bowl on her dresser right before a big crash and shouting. In a flash Lexi was in her living room surveying the damage.

"What did you do?" Lexi demanded looking at her fallen over bookshelf.

"Catching this intruder," Dwalin answered pulling Caleb into view. Lexi stomped up to him and slapped him. She went to do it again but a hand caught her wrist. Lexi looked back and saw Kili holding her wrist.

"We don't have tie. Gandalf is going to do the portal soon," Kili said.

"Fine," Lexi said. Kili let go of her wrist and Lexi grabbed Caleb's ear and pulled him outside. "If you ever try to hurt me again, I will kill you," she hissed. Caleb nodding before Lexi shut the door. After that she saw all but a few were missing. Gandalf stood up.

"Ready to go home?" He asked. Lexi nodded and took Kili's hand. They stepped into the make shifted circle in Lexi's lounge room and closed their eyes. When Lexi opened them again, she saw all of her dwarf, elf and surprisingly human friends smiling at her.

"We are home," Lexi said smiling.

"Yes we are," Kili replied.