Over 3,000 views! Thanks to everyone for contributing to that! Big thanks to LadyZee86, phoenixmoon25572, Dreamergirl1556 for following/favouriting.

Marina Oakenshield – Time will tell but you won't be disappointed.

1-clisa-1 – I can only say that Fili and Oin DEFINITELY know ;)

Eruwadiehiel95 – Yeah that's going to become more of a thing later on. Glad you liked it.

The One with a Mysterious Stranger

It didn't take long for the days to blend together. Despite what they looked like in films, quests could actually be boring. Get up, eat, ride, eat, ride, eat sleep and begin again. Even some of the dwarves jokes didn't help. They were still funny despite having been told a hundred times; but there was something else. I couldn't exactly put my finger on it but the underlying sadness never seemed to leave us. Even though Erebor was only filled with those that were sick I knew the company were worried about what would happen to the others if we failed.

Leaning against Fili I shook my head. We weren't going to fail. It wasn't something we did, especially when people's lives were at stake. Also I knew I was probably just imagining things. Ever since my panic attacks over a week ago I'd been terrified of it happening again. Which was ironic because worrying about it would probably bring another one on. Every night I'd cling to Fili to reassure myself he was beside me. He would then hold me and rock me gently until I was asleep. I couldn't help but feel ashamed of how I was acting, but I was too terrified to stop. I didn't even know what had brought it on. In my old world I'd had Liam as an excuse, but here? We were safe. I'd been in far worse situations than this and been fine. Maybe it was because I had a child to think of now? I had two lives to protect, not just Fili's.

"Juliet? Are you awake?"

"Hmm?" Sitting up I looked around. Fili kissed my forehead.

"Sorry, you weren't making a sound and I wondered if you'd fallen asleep – again."

I shook my head, "Just thinking that's all."

Fili nodded, "How are you feeling?"

"Good." I wasn't even lying for his benefit. The morning sickness was still present but didn't affect me every day and I found myself needing the berries less and less. Fili hugged me close and as I looked over at the others I wondered if we were doing the right thing by keeping it from them. It certainly made things a lot harder. Despite my words to Fili that I would let Oin examine me regularly, I wasn't able to do that because then the others would realise. Half of the conversations between me and Fili had to happen when no one was listening. The others had to know. They were going to be the baby's family after all. But if we told them then they would send us back. I knew we were still close enough to the Iron Hills for me and Fili to make the journey. But I knew Fili wouldn't leave the quest and I wouldn't leave Fili. Plus the last thing I wanted was to be fussed over. The company treated me like glass when I was fighting fit. Once they knew I was pregnant they'd become ten times worse.

Fili nudged me, bringing me from my trance. Looking up I saw the sun was starting to set. We'd left the last of the forests behind us a few days ago and were now faced with open plains before hitting the edge of the Grey Mountains. I wasn't going to deny that thought alone filled me with nausea. When we were riding I would often look up to see them in the distance. Even then they looked huge and I dreaded the day we would have to start climbing them.

"Juliet?"

At Fili's voice I realised I was no longer leaning against him. Looking down I saw him standing by Daisy with a smirk on his face.

"I love it when you daydream," he waited for me to get down before taking Daisy's reins and tying them to a nearby tree.

"You look like you're about to come up with something really philosophical…and then you don't."

Giving him a playful nudge I pulled my coat around my body and headed towards the fire. As usual Gloin was sitting by the pot. But this time I decided to help. Although I could barely cook beans on toast back home I could at least slice meat. Taking the rabbits from Gloin I hurriedly got to work skinning them before slicing up to go in the soup. Fili watched me with a sly smile.

"I still don't understand why you wanted to do that for a living?"

I didn't answer him at first. It felt weird thinking back to how my life could have turned out. Chucking the last few bits of rabbit in the pot I got up and sat beside Fili. His eyes strayed to my bloodied hands and as he began to clean them for me I tried to think of the best answer he would understand.

"I don't know really. I didn't have many other options. And I was good at it. If it would earn me a living then I saw no issue with it."

Fili nodded, "Everyone should be able to support themselves."

"Exactly." Wiping my hands on my trousers I took the bowl of soup from Gloin. The smell no longer made me feel nauseous and the only thing stopping me from finishing it there and then was the fact that it was boiling! Placing it beside Fili I leant against him, his arm round my shoulder and my head on his chest.

"I spoke to Oin about your panic attack," Fili whispered. Despite that I could hear the nerves in his voice.

"I asked if it would affect the baby. He said at this early stage it was unlikely."

"That's good then. Right?"

Fili nodded, "But what if you have another one? Or you have one when the baby's further along?"

I kissed his shoulder, trying to calm him, "Listen to me. I doubt I'll have another one. And if I do then it probably won't affect the baby. I can't see how it can."

Fili nodded and I tried not to remind myself I knew very little about what could affect an unborn child or not. I had to hope that dwarvish pregnancies were different from human ones besides the length of time. Fili chuckled and, raising my head, I peered at him.

"What is it?"

He grinned at me, "Look at you. You're the one carrying this child and yet it's me who's worrying about every little thing."

I nodded, "You'd baby proof middle earth if you could."

Although he laughed Fili nodded, "Yeah I think I would."

Although I found it easy to fall asleep that night, it didn't take me long to wake back up. Despite my best efforts I hadn't been able to stop my nightmares and this had easily been the worst one. Sitting up I could see the figure of Thorin sitting by the fire. He nodded at me before turning the other way. Running a hand through my hair I was tempted to reach out and wake Fili. He had always been able to stop my nightmares before. But I couldn't bear the idea of waking him. It's not like he could stop my nightmares from existing.

And that's when I felt it again - that horrible tightening of my chest. Each breath felt like a knife was being driven into my lungs. I didn't need to wake Fili. Somehow he had twigged something was wrong and was kneeling before me.

"Juliet?" He rubbed my face, "Juliet what is it?"

I could feel my mouth open and close but no words came out. As my body shivered I realised I'd taken my coat off. Fili frowned at this before grabbing his blanket and wrapping it around me to try and keep me warm.

"Deep breaths Juliet. Remember? That's it love."

I knew we both looked ridiculous. Kneeling before each other breathing in and out. I shut my eyes as the grip around my chest loosened and my body stopped shivering. Even so I kept the blanket wrapped tightly around me. Fili rubbed my shoulders.

"Another nightmare." He didn't even have to ask. I nodded and he pulled me close.

"What happened?"

"Nordri. He was grabbing at me again. He stripped me before… And you were being forced to watch. You were screaming at him, trying to kill him. But something was stopping you. I couldn't see but it was stopping you reaching me."

As Fili hugged me I bit my lip. I had seen who had been stopping Fili. Liam's face had been grinning at me. When Nordri had finished with me Liam had stepped up to take his turn. But I wasn't going to tell that to Fili. If I did it would led the questions I had no wish to answer. Kissing Fili's nose I looked at him. I couldn't go back to sleep now and I could sense my chest still wasn't completely free.

"Could I…could I go for a walk."

Fili frowned. There was a small glade a few metres to our left. Completely secluded and peaceful. No one would disturb me and I knew it would calm me down. Fili sighed.

"Right now? It's the middle of the night."

"I know and I'm sorry. I can't go back to sleep now though! I would never ask if I thought I could."

Fili nodded and got to his feet. I did the same as he pulled on his coat and grabbed both his swords. I slept with two knives so I had no need to worry about being caught unawares. One was in my belt and the other strapped to the inside of my thigh. Pulling me against him Fili led me away from the camp and down a small hill. Even thought it was dark I could see the glade perfectly. And when Fili sat me down I curled against him as he stroked the back of my hair.

"I could have gone by myself you know. I wouldn't have minded."

Fili tensed at this, "If you believe I'd leave you out here alone then forget it. Armed or not I'm not letting you out of my sight."

We both lay back, staring up at the night sky. Unlike the sky back home the sky in Middle Earth was crammed full of stars every night. I'd given up trying to learn all the different constellations. Instead I just admired the view. I knew dwarves didn't care too much for the night sky; but it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.

"Juliet are you…are you alright?"

I nodded, "Fili I'm fine. It was just a nightmare."

"I know, but that's what I mean. The panic attacks. The nightmares. It's like you're scared of something. As though you think something is going to happen to you."

I sighed; glad Fili couldn't full see my face. He took my hand and held it against his chest.

"Are you worried someone might attack you the way Nordri did? Because I swear I will not allow that to happen to you. Not again."

Pausing I let Fili's words run round my head. For all his concern he was one to talk. I knew he had nightmares over the Battle of the Five Armies. Many times I'd held him in my arms to comfort him. But if I asked he would clam up. Kili, Thorin and the others were the same. It was like they wanted to pretend it never happened. But a part of me wanted to know the truth. Thorin, Fili and Kili had been supposed to die that day. But somehow they hadn't. Did this mean the ending of the story was forever changed? Had the future of Middle Earth somehow changed? Turning onto my side I ran my finger down Fili's arm.

"I'll answer your question if you swear to answer mine."

Fili nodded and I locked eyes with him,

"How did you, Thorin and Kili survive the Battle of the Five Armies?"

He froze at this. I was so close I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. But I furiously ignored them. I had to know this. I had to know how the man I loved had defeated his own fate. Kissing my hand Fili sighed.

"You want to know how I survived a battle seven years ago."

"No one will talk about it. It's like you guys want to forget it ever happened! I just…I'm just interested that's all."

I had to be careful. I couldn't exactly tell Fili the real reason I was surprised he had survived. How he had been meant to die that day. Facing the stars Fili took a deep breath.

"We were at Ravenhill. Me, Kili, Thorin, Dwalin and Bilbo. I and Kili had gone off to scout. We split up and I was found by Azog. I thought he'd kill me then and there. But no, instead he dragged me to the top of Ravenhill and held me up like I was his pet."

At the rage in Fili's voice I held his hand tightly.

"I could see the others. The anger on Thorins face. The…the terror on Kili's. Azog…I thought he would drop me. Let me fall to my death. I remember his blade driving into my hip. The pain was so much I stopped registering it after a while. I could feel the blood soaking my leg and I waited for him to finish me off. Anything would be better than living with that pain. But he didn't drop me. Instead he swung me round and threw me against a wall of ice. Everything spun for a second before I blacked out."

"And?"

Turning to me Fili toyed with his marriage braid, "When I came round I was back in Erebor. Thorin was being treated but I knew he would be fine. The I looked over and…and saw Kili. He was so still, so pale. I tried to reach for him but the pain was too much. Tauriel was holding Kili's hand, stroking his face. I could hear Oin telling Thorin Kili would be lucky to make it through the night."

Tears were pouring down my own face at this. Fili opened his mouth but I pulled him against me. He buried his face against me whilst I held him tightly.

"But he did make it. He made it and he's here with you now."

Fili nodded and I kissed his head firmly, "I am so sorry I asked you to tell me that. If I had known I would never have done so."

Fili gave me a soft smile.

"It doesn't matter miz dornessiti. It doesn't matter."

Nodding I let Fili roll back onto his back before curling up against him. He played with me hair.

"So then, I answered your question."

I nodded, "Truth is I don't know. I've not had panic attacks for years. I think it's more a combination of things. Like supposing we do get caught by orcs? We get caught and they realise I've got a child inside of me?"

"If they tried to touch you I'd cut them down." Fili spat. He looked over at me, "I'd die for you Juliet. You know that don't you?"

I nodded, "Hopefully it won't come to that."

Fili opened his mouth before yawning. I blushed,

"Maybe we should head back?"

He shook his head, "No let's stay a while. It's nice to have some time alone for once."

I nodded, pulling the blanket off me so it could cover us both. However, Fili shook his head.

"Keep it."

"You'll freeze out here!" Not letting him protest I draped the blanket over him. It wasn't big enough for us both so Fili wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against him to share the heat.

We fell asleep in minutes.

Fili was the first to wake up. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he smiled softly at Juliet. She was curled up against him with her head resting on his chest. Despite having spent the past four years watching her sleep Fili didn't think the sight would ever lose its novelty. Her braids fell over her face and he gently pushed them away – trying not to wake her.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

Fili jumped at his uncle's voice. Looking over at Juliet he saw her eyes snap open and he sighed. He knew Thorin would get the wrong idea about this. Either that or he would lecture them both for leaving camp. As Juliet got to her feet Fili hurried to do the same. She rubbed her arms he all but threw the blanket at her. Pulling her close he faced Thorin who scowled at them.

"I thought you had more sense that to go wandering off at night."

Fili opened his mouth but Juliet interrupted.

"It was my fault. I…I'd had another panic attack and I wanted a walk so I asked Fili if he would come. We didn't mean to stay out here."

Folding his arms Thorin nodded. Fili kissed Juliet's cheek. Giving them a small nod Thorin allowed a glimmer of a smile to hit his face.

"Juliet head back to camp. There should be some breakfast left. I just need to talk with Fili for a bit."

As Juliet hurried back up the hill Fili braced himself for his lecture. Only when Juliet's slight figure vanished completely did Thorin round on him.

"What in Durin's name were you thinking?"

"Uncle I don't understand?"

Thorin scoffed and Fili bit his lip. He opened his mouth before deciding it would be best to let Thorin say his piece. Fortunately his uncle needed no encouragement.

"We are trying to save our people Fili! This quest is not a holiday."

"You think I'm not taking this seriously? Uncle just because…"

"I'm not done! Not only do you leave camp without warning anyone but you take your wife to the most secluded spot for miles. I don't have to be a genius to work out what happened last night."

Fili could feel himself going red. Of course Thorin would assume he and Juliet had slept together. Shaking his head he matched his uncle's gaze.

"We did nothing of the sort uncle. As you can see we're both still dressed. I know the seriousness of this quest and I can assure you it has my full dedication. What Juliet said was true. She'd had a nightmare and was in danger of having another panic attack. I had to calm her down so we went for a walk."

Thorin sighed and Fili knew he was regretting his outburst. Thorin placed a hand on his arm.

"Forgive me Fili. But you have to be careful. Anything could have attacked you two last night."

"You honestly think I'd let something hurt her?"

"Of course not!" Thorin spat, "Just…be more careful next time."

Raising his head Fili gave Thorin a stony glare, "May I go now?"

When Thorin nodded Fili turned and all but ran up the hill. He would have thought his uncle knew him better than that. Shaking his head he knew the only thing that would make him smile would be the thought of seeing Juliet again.

The morning passed by uneventfully. I didn't have to look at Fili to know how angry he was. Whatever Thorin had said to him, it hadn't gone down well. The others had made their obligatory jokes about what me and Fili had gotten up to last night but I'd made sure I'd given as good as I got. I even managed to make Gimli blush. But nothing could bring Fili from his stupor. As the days carried on little changed. He was still the same around us, but if Thorin tried to talk to him he would simply turn around and talk to one of the others.

Another two weeks passed and I knew if Fili didn't make up with his uncle soon then I was going to make them. The land around us got far rockier and I knew we were only a few weeks from the foot of the mountains. As expected the weather had turned against us and despite my hood and thick coat I was still getting drenched. The others were in a similar state. Only they didn't have Fili holding them close to try and keep them warm.

"Halt!"

At Dwalin's voice everything stopped instantly. Thorin frowned at his friend but as the others began looking all around them I could sense something was wrong. Fili slid off Daisy and drew out his swords.

"Stay there." He muttered. Holding the reins in my hand I watched as the others began getting off their ponies and arming themselves. I couldn't stop myself from looking around in fear. Something was watching us. But what?

"ORCS!"

At Thorin's shout the dwarves leapt into actions. I grabbed Daisy's reins to stop her from bolting as several huge orcs charged towards us. Giving me a nod Fili ran towards his brother who had already shot down one of them. Gripping the reins in oen hand I drew my sword. The air was filled with shouts and curses – several coming from me – as the company tried to battle the group.

"Piss off!" I slashed at an orc who tried to reach for me. Its hand dropped to the ground and before it could say something else my sword found its way into its gut. Turning away from the dead orc I gasped as a larger one began running towards Daisy. The terrified pony began backing away and as my hands slipped on the reins it reared up – throwing me backwards.

"Ow!"

I tried to protect my stomach as I fell. Thankfully I landed on my back so I didn't have to worry about the baby – assuming I got out of this alive. Pushing Daisy from my mind I looked up to see the orc standing over me with its sword. I raised my own to try and block its attack when the orc's body gave a jolt. As it crashed beside me I was aware of the other orcs dropping to the ground. The dwarf's faces were a mix of shock, relief and anger. Only when I saw my saviour did I understand their last expression. The sun was high in the sky but the tall figure standing over me blocked me view of it. All I could see were blue eyes and a bow. But that didn't matter. I knew that face better than my own.

So then bit of a cliff-hanger there! Wonder who this mysterious rescuer is? More Juliet/Fili moments there to keep you all happy - i now have a very cute image of Fili trying to wrap Middle Earth in cotton wool! Plus we got to find out how Fili survived the BOTFA! Let me know what you think xx