Later that night I crept down and took over the watch. I sat there, thinking about Eruraviel.

"~I failed you little sister. I am so sorry. But I make you this promise…..I will protect Thorin.~"

"Caladwen?"

I did not look at Fili. He came and sat beside me.

"I apologize for…."

"Aníron peded. I wish to speak."

He fell silent and I looked at him.

"I understand his anger and his pain. Better then you know."

"But how?"

I looked down with tears in my eyes.

"The elf woman your uncle loved, and the sister I have been searching for…..are one in the same."

He gasped and I looked into his eyes.

"Eruraviel…..was my little sister."

His mouth fell open and I hid my face in my hands. I heard Fili get up and walk away.

"WHAT?!"

I knew it was Thorin's voice. I did not look up and I did not move.

"Caladwen?!" Kili asked.

I got up and ran to him. I cried into his chest.

"Uncle…"

"No Kili! It was not his fault." Fili said.

"Caladwen what happened?"

"She found out what happened to her sister." Thorin said.

"What do you speak of?"

"Eruraviel…." I cried.

Kili gasped. I held onto him tighter and cried harder. I had no family left. Save my husband and brother-in-law. Thorin loved my sister and he hated me. I looked at him now.

"Thank you…..for showing my sister love. For saving her life and showing her kindness."

He stood there in shock. He was looking into my eyes.

"But I am not her."

He blinked and looked away. I hid my face in Kili's chest and he stroked my hair. He hummed a strange but beautiful tune and I calmed down. I took his hand and led him away. I looked at him.

"I am sorry for earlier. Up in the tree when I told you to go away. I did not mean to be so harsh."

He smiled and cupped my face.

"I know. I understand."

I smiled and threw my arms around him.

"You can tell me anything Caladwen. I will never judge you or think differently of you. I will always love you, no matter what."

"And I will always love you."

He gently pulled back and looked at me. I leaned forward and kissed him. As he pulled away I leaned in for more.

Thorin's POV

How had I not known? I should have seen it. None had those eyes. What would Eruraviel think of me for the way I had been treating Caladwen?

"I am a fool. A blind fool who should have seen it."

"It is not your fault laddie."

I looked at Balin.

"I should have seen it Balin. I knew there was something familiar about her, and look at how I have treated her."

He put his hand on my shoulder.

"But you can make it right."

I sighed.

Kili's POV

She clung to me as I thrusted into her one last time. Then I felt myself release within her. She sighed and we both were panting. I pulled out of her and kissed her soft lips.

"We can stay here for the rest of the night if you wish." I said.

She shook her head.

"No…I…I need to talk with your uncle."

I bit my lower lip. I did not much like that idea.

"Caladwen…."

"Estelio nin meleth nin."

I sighed and nodded.

"Very well. But I am going with you and staying at your side."

She smiled and kissed me.

"Agreed."

Caladwen's POV

We dressed and headed back to camp. Thorin was standing off by himself. Fili looked at me. I smiled and I took Kili's hand.

"Estelio nin."

He nodded and I walked to Thorin with Kili at my side.

"My lord…."

He turned and looked at me.

"I…."

"No do not speak."

I shut my mouth and squeezed Kili's hand.

"I owe you an apology. I was cruel to you when I knew you not. I was a fool to treat you as I did. And I only did so…because of the pain and sorrow of my loss of Eruraviel. Seeing you with Kili….I was jealous. You remind me of her so much. It reminded me that I had failed her. I was going to ask her to marry me." My eyes widened. "For I loved her more then anything in the world. That fiery red hair, her warm eyes…."

He turned and covered his face with his hand. I took a deep breath and walked forward. I put my hand on his shoulder and he stiffened.

"She would not want for you to live your life in pain and sorrow. My sister was a ball of spitfire. She never let anyone or anything control her life and she was not afraid of who she was. And she was always full of life, running free. She would want you to remember her with love and happiness. It was not your fault she is died, it was the dragon's. Do not blame yourself please. And I forgive you. I will always forgive."

He turned and looked at me. I swore I saw a few tears in his eyes. I smiled at him and then stepped back.

"Thank you…..daughter of Thalion."

I turned back and smiled.

"Lle creoso. You are welcome."