Chapter 10:

"We need to keep moving," Thorin announced.

We packed up camp and prepared to leave. Kili helped me up onto his pony and then jumped up behind me. His arm automatically found its way around my waist and I realized that I was becoming used to his touch. It still gave me butterflies, but it was becoming more familiar.

We rode for hours. When I thought I might die from boredom, I decided to teach Kili how to play twenty questions.

Fili joined in after a few rounds and so did Bilbo. Soon, all of the dwarves were asking questions, apart from a few of the older dwarves. Balin asked a few questions though. Gandalf tried to play as well, but he was too smart and usually guessed the answer right on his third or fourth question. Everyone was laughing, even Thorin cracked a small smile. But then he decided that we were being too loud and made us stop.

"Was that a game you played in your old world?" asked Kili.

"Yes, I used to play it with my family on long trips."

Oh, how I miss them. I wish they could have been here to play with us.

Finally, after being yelled at once more by Thorin for being too loud- although it really was all Kili's fault-we came to stop for the night. After we got settled in, a few of the dwarves decided to give Bilbo a lesson on how to use his sword properly. I unsheathed my new blade and went over to join them.

"And what do you think you're doing, lassie?" asked Dori as I walked over.

"Learning how to use my sword," I replied, confused.

"This isn't really the appropriate matter for a lady, such as yourself. Why don't you go help with supper."

I stared incredulously at him.

"But Gandalf gave me a sword to protect myself with. I want to know how to use it."

"Battle is no place for a woman," said Dori. "Leave it to the men to do the protecting."

I looked around at Oin and Gloin.

"Go on, then," grunted Gloin.

I gave them all my best death glare before turning around sharply and stomping over to the fire. I stabbed my blade into the dirt, angrily, before sitting down with a huff.

"Whoa. What's got you all fired up?" asked Kili, coming over and sitting down next to me.

"They won't teach me how to use my sword because I am a girl," I said, fuming. "They said fighting practice isn't where a woman belongs. Which is the most ridiculously sexist thing I have ever heard. What, am I not allowed to learn how to protect myself?"

"Don't listen to those old fools," said Kili, leaning over and bumping against me. "Besides, I told you I would teach you how to use your sword. Do you want to help, Fili?"

"Of course," said Fili, who had followed Kili over.

So I went off with Kili and Fili into the woods and to a small clearing.

I pulled my blade out of its sheath and held it, unsurely. Kili nodded in encouragement.

The boys taught me the basics first. How to properly hold the sword, the proper stance, etc. This required Kili coming behind me to position my body correctly, and at first I felt as if I was going to pass out.

Okay Libby. Focus.

Once I had the basics down, they taught me some simple steps and how to move with my sword. Fili fought against me for practice. I was terrible. I kept tripping over my own feet and my blade was wobbly and unsteady. If I was in a real fight, Fili would have stabbed me at least ten times.

Finally, when the sun was beginning to set, Thorin called for Fili which brought our lesson to an end.

"Not bad for your first time. You are learning pretty fast," said Fili, clapping me on the shoulder before going to Thorin.

"I am so bad at this," I mumbled after he left.

"Oh, come on love," said Kili, putting his arm around me. "You just started. You can't expect to be an expert after your first try."

"I just want to prove them wrong."

"I'm sure you will someday. Maybe you should try archery. I'm better at that than sword fighting."

"I'll try, but let me warn you, I have horrible aim."

"You can't be that bad! Here," said Kili handing me his bow. "Aim for the center of that tree trunk."

I held up his bow-which was a bit too big for me- and let an arrow fly. It whizzed right past the tree and into a bush.

"I told you I was bad," I muttered, blushing.

Kili laughed. "You're just holding it wrong. Here,"

He moved to stand behind me.

"Hold the bow with your left arm, like this," he put his left hand on mine and helped me hold up the bow. "Then pull back the arrow to your lips."

He placed his right hand over mine and we pulled back the string.

He was so close to me, I could feel his chest rising and falling against my back. Suddenly, I turned my face towards his, which was only inches away.

His dark brown eyes were searching mine and I couldn't look away. His face was incredibly close now and I could feel his breath through his parted lips. My lips parted automatically. He was so close, our lips were almost touching...

Something inside of me panicked, and I quickly turned my head away.

"N-now what?" I asked, my voice shaking.

Kili, unfazed, whispered, "Aim and release."

We let the arrow go and it flew directly into the center of the tree. I quickly stepped away from Kili, all-to-aware that my face was probably bright red.

"We should probably go back to camp now. It's getting dark," I said, softly. I was staring at the ground.

Kili sighed and stepped close to me once again. He reached out a hand to stroke my burning cheek. He ran his thumb along my bottom lip, making me feel faint.

"You're right," he grabbed my hand and led me back to camp.

"What took you two so long?" asked Thorin, eyeing us suspiciously.

I could feel everyone's eyes on me as they took in our entwined hands and my flushed face.

"I was just teaching Libby how to shoot an arrow," said Kili.

"Right," someone muttered and some snickers followed.

I hastily pulled my hand out of Kili's and went to sit next to Bilbo.

"Come, brother," said Fili, standing up. "Let's go fetch some more firewood."

Kili grinned at me before going off with Fili.

"So," said Bilbo, once everyone had broken off into separate conversations once again. "Was Kili really teaching you how to shoot an arrow?"

"Well, it started out that way...but then...he...well he..." I spluttered. "Oh, Bilbo. I think he was going to kiss me!"

"And?"

"And I panicked!" I cried, my face in my hands. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I was just worried, I guess...I don't even know why!"

"Libby," sighed Bilbo. "It's obvious to everyone that you two fancy one another."

"Everyone?" I asked, cringing.

"Even Bifur," chuckled Bilbo.

That night, I laid down in between Bilbo and Kili. Fili was on the other side of Kili.

"Thanks for teaching me how to use my sword," I whispered. I felt my face grow warm as I forced myself to add, "And for showing me how to shoot an arrow."

Kili reached over to lay his hand on my cheek.

"Anytime, love."

I woke up once that night. I had shifted in my sleep and was now laying very close to Kili. My face was only inches away from his chest, My first instinct was to shy away. But I made myself stay still and just enjoy being close to him.

When I woke up again, it was light out. All the dwarves were still asleep, which meant it was still very early. I was expecting to see Kili laying next to me, but saw Fili instead. I sat up slowly. Kili wasn't in his spot and I didn't see him anywhere else. I stood up, to see better. Gandalf was awake and leaning against a tree, smoking his pipe.

Once he noticed me, he smiled and nodded into the trees.

"He went that way."

"Thanks," I said, smiling shyly.

I made my way through the trees until I found the small clearing. Kili was shooting arrows at the trees. I watched him for awhile, fascinated. He was the only dwarf in the group who used a bow and his aim was perfect. I wanted to get closer, so I took a step forwards. A twig snapped under my foot and Kili whipped around, pointing an arrow right at me. I stepped back in surprise, tripping over a rock and falling to the ground. I landed painfully on my backside.

I just can't win, can I?

I heard a thump as Kili's bow was dropped to the ground to join me. Kili rushed over.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh sure," I mumbled, irritably. "I love it when arrows are pointed in my face first thing in the morning."

Kili chuckled and helped me up. I brushed the dirt off my back.

"Why are you up this early anyways?" he asked.

"I don't know. I couldn't sleep anymore."

"Me neither."

"Do you always practice archery when you can't sleep?" I asked, remembering back in the Shire.

"Yeah."

"And is that a lot?"

Kili rubbed the back of his neck and went over to pick up his bow.

"What is it?" I asked, going over to him.

"You know...It's just frustrating. I mean, Thorin is the best king we could ask for. He lead us through war before and he knows what he's doing. And everyone loves Fili. I don't blame them. He's an amazing swordsman and everyone says he is going to make a great king one day. And I know he will... But where does that leave me? I'm just his goofy, little brother. The other dwarves think of me as a failure. I bet Thorin thinks of me as a failure. I feel like I don't even belong here on this quest. Thorin is the leader and Fili is training to be king. But why am I even here? What's my purpose?"

"Kili, you're not a failure," I said. It made me sad that he thought of himself as one.

"It's not like you would understand."

"W-what?" I asked, taken aback.

"You're not even from this world. You wouldn't know what I'm talking about."

"I have no idea how you feel?" I asked, sarcastically. Maybe it was the early hour or because the topic was a bit touchy with me, but I was so angry. "I have no idea what it feels like to think you are a failure? To feel like everyone is looking down on you. I only feel it every single day of my life. People judged me all the time because I decided not to take the normal route and continue my schooling. They just assumed that meant I was stupid and that I was never going anywhere in my life. Because I'm not doing something practical, they just gave up on me. They didn't even give me a chance to prove them wrong! I even get it here from you guys," I jabbed a finger into his chest. "You don't think I can handle myself. Because I'm a girl it means I must be weak and defenseless. Well, I'm sick of it all! Don't you dare accuse me of not understanding how you feel. I feel it every day."

With my voice hoarse from raising it, I turned around sharply and walked away. Kili grabbed my arm, but I yanked it angrily out of his grasp. Tears were leaking out of my eyes now.

When I got back to camp, everyone was awake and bustling around.

"Where were you?" asked Bilbo, but he froze when he saw my face. "Are you crying?"

"It's nothing," I lied, trying to shield my wet face from him.

"It most certainly is not nothing!" exclaimed Bilbo as he pulled my hand away from my face. "Where's Kili?"

"In the woods. We just got into a bit of an argument, that's all."

"He made you cry," said Bilbo, angrily. "I have a few words to say to him when he gets back here..."

"No, Bilbo. Please. It doesn't matter," I pleaded.

"It does matter, Libby," he replied.

"Just stay out of it. Please."

He eyed me warily.

"Okay," he said after a minute. "But I'll be keeping an eye on him."

I went over to my bedroll and sat down, pulling my bag towards me. I rummaged through it until I found my hair brush. I undid my messy braid and moodily ran my brush through the tangled strands.

Someone sat down beside me and I looked over quickly. It was Fili.

"I'm sorry for whatever my brother said that upset you."

"It's not your fault," I replied, stiffly.

"I know but don't hold it against him too much."

I opened my mouth to protest, but Fili held up his hands.

"Listen. Kili cares for you very much. I know that he would never purposely hurt you. I'm not saying whatever he said or did was right; I'm just saying that Kili doesn't always think before he speaks. It's gotten him in trouble before. But he truly does care about you."

I sighed.

Maybe I was a bit harsh...

I finished brushing my hair and pulled it up into a high ponytail. I rolled up my bedroll and packed my bag. I stood up and looked at Kili's pony. I didn't know if I wanted to ride with him or not...or if he would even want to ride with me. I didn't like this fighting thing.

As I was contemplating, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Can I please talk to you?"

I eyed Kili, cautiously. He took my hands and pulled me aside. I knew Bilbo was watching us.

"I feel horrible," he began, looking down at our entwined hands. "I shouldn't have said what I did to you. I wasn't thinking of how you feel; I was being selfish and rude. And I am so sorry."

"Well, maybe I was being a bit oversensitive and grumpy..." I begrudgingly admitted.

"I should have known better than to say anything to you that early in the morning," Kili laughed.

I finally smiled. "You are forgiven, then."

I was feeling very happy that this stupid fight was behind us, which caused me to feel very daring as I stood on my tip-toes and kissed Kili's cheek. His arms encircled my waist.

Someone cleared their throat.

I quickly pushed out of Kili's arms.

"Everyone else is ready to move on," said Thorin, with a very annoyed expression. "Are you two finished?"

I was too mortified to speak, but Kili just rolled his eyes and said "Yes uncle."

I no longer felt so daring as we made the walk of shame to Kili's pony, trying to avoid the smirks the others were giving us.

Sorry I didn't update for awhile. These past two weeks were not the greatest. But I am back and ready to write!

~Fantasydreamer44