Chapter 10

Sigrid

"Where could Da have gone off to?" She thought to herself as she began to clean up the mess left by the orc attack. She was worried about her father, hoping that he was not in serious danger. Perhaps the dwarves would help her find him; after all, they were unwanted guests in his nearly demolished home. Nothing about her life had been routine since they have popped up through her toilet and she was beginning to wonder how things could go back to the way they were before.

Despite herself, she rather enjoyed the company of the dwarves, well a few of them anyway. Thorin and Dwalin were rather frightening to her, and she could not understand a single word that came from Bifur, but the others were pleasant enough. She was especially fond of one in particular; his golden hair and intense eyes flashed in her mind, causing her mind to wander.

His voice startled her out of her daydream, and she nearly dropped the bowl she was busy scrubbing. "Sigrid, would you like some help washing?" Fili asked. "The dishes I mean, would you like help washing the dishes?" He seemed flustered suddenly.

"If you wouldn't mind handing me the dishes that are still in one piece, we could finish them faster." She smiled as she spoke. "Would you like some eggs on toast for breakfast?"

"I do not want to trouble you. Besides, we should probably be headed off to the mountain now that Kili's leg is on the mend." He said softly.

"I don't know about you lad, but eggs and toast sound delightful right about now! I haven't had a proper meal since we left Bilbo's house in The Shire and I'm half-starved to death." Bofur sauntered into the kitchen, stretching his arms and producing a loud crack from his back. "Where are the lovers this morning? Still sleeping, or perhaps otherwise engaged." He winked as he hit Fili on the arm.

"I believe they are sleeping. I should wake them though, as it's about time we rejoined The Company." Fili frowned.

"Oh Fili, let the lad have some fun! Now, let's get started on those eggs." Bofur grinned as Fili groaned.

"Eggs? Is it time to eat yet?" A low voice called out from the sitting room.

"Ay Oin, you're awake. I figured you'd be sleeping long into the day." The dwarf with the silly hat joked.

"What's that now?" The old dwarf asked as he searched for his hearing device.

"Nevermind." Bofur called. "Funny how well he hears when food is concerned." He muttered to himself.

"Sigrid, where's Da?" The sleepy voice of Tilda asked as she emerged from her chamber.

"Yes, he should have been back ages ago. I hope he is alright." Bain said as he furrowed his brow.

"He did not come back last night. I am worried about him" She said privately to Fili as she tried to keep her positive outlook for the sake of her worried siblings. "I'm sure he's taking care of some business by the docks."

"Where could he be? Sister! The orcs! You don't think…" Bain said with his voice awash with worry and dread.

"Do you think something awful happened? Oh Sigrid!" Large tears spilled from young Tilda's eyes as she began to openly sob. "I want Da!"

"Come now child, dry those tears!" Bofur sighed as he scooped up the distressed little girl. "I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for why he's not home here with you. We will find your Da, I promise love." Tilda buried her face into Bofur's coat as he spoke.

"Promise?" She whispered as she looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Promise dear." He repeated with a smile. He patted the small lass on her head and gave her another reassuring hug. "We're not going to be any help to anyone without a decent meal in our bellies though. Sigrid, might I help you with the cooking?"

Fili looked irritated over the prospect of yet another delay, but could hardly deny that Bard had put himself and his family in great peril for the sake of the dwarves. "Very well. It is the least we can do, and I do not want to leave Bard's family undefended." He said as he glanced over at Sigrid. "I'm going to look in on Kili."

She watched as Fili approached the door to the bedroom with great apprehension. She wondered what had transpired between them in the bedroom, blushing slightly as she imagined herself lying in bed next to a certain dwarf. Such thoughts left her feeling quite warm and confused, but excited none the less. "Bofur," she smiled. "Could you kindly hand me that large mixing bowl?"

Kili

She was beautiful when she smiled, even more so when she was laughing. He delighted in the musical sound spilling from where his mouth had just been. He watched her for a moment, still not able to comprehend that she was here with him, much less that she had pressed her lips passionately against his. Her kiss left him feeling dizzy and warm all over his body; a feeling he had never experienced before and he reveled in the moment, allowing no other thoughts to disturb him from the bliss of having her in his arms. He reached again for her hand and felt her graceful fingers nestle safely between his own.

Tauriel

She was always so composed, so steadfastly guarded with her feelings and emotions, that the urge to kiss him took her completely by surprise. What was it about him that made her so rash and bold? How could he hold such power over her? The mystery that was her heart was beginning to reveal itself as she listened to him laugh. She gazed at him and smiled; he was everything that an elf was not; hairy, stocky, short and uncouth, but none of that mattered to her. He was perfect and she knew in her heart that wherever he was, she belonged with him.

Fili

He held his breath as he stood before the door, silently praying that he would not catch his brother in a compromising position. From outside the room, he could hear the sounds of laughing coming from both Kili and Tauriel. Elves laugh? He wondered to himself. Well if anyone can make one laugh, it's Kili. The forever prankster with the easy sense of humor; his brother rarely took anything seriously, much to Fili's dismay. The sounds grew silent, and Fili did not want to miss his opportunity to interrupt.

He rapped loudly against the door and to his relief, he heard Kili shout come in and he carefully entered the room.

"Good morning brother, Lady Tauriel." He gave them a nod as he entered the room. They were still intertwined on the bed, the same tangle of limbs he had witnessed last night. Seeing them again caused him to blush, and he quickly cast his eyes down at the ground. "I trust you are feeling better."

"Ay Fee, much better!" Kili said with that irresistible smile on his face.

"Good morning Master Fili." Tauriel said shyly as she sat up, she too was avoiding eye contact. "Let me see if Sigrid requires assistance." Fili noticed that her hand was still firmly in the grasp of his brother's; that she did not recoil in his presence.

"I can help too!" Kili purred, reluctant to see her leave. He pulled her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss upon it before releasing her fingers from his.

"You rest. I can handle it." She smiled as she slipped out of the bed and glided towards the door. She nodded her head in acknowledgement at Fili as she left the door, closing the door behind her.

Fili watched his brother as he sat up and folded his arms behind his head, grinning from ear to ear.

"You have to be the worst dwarf in history." Fili stated as he shook his head. "Wipe that stupid grin off your face you damn idiot. What have you gotten yourself into now? Of all the reckless shit you've pulled, this is by far the worst!"

"Don't be like that Fee!" The younger dwarf pleaded. "I can't help it! She's wonderful and beautiful and she saved my life…like three times at this point!" He reasoned wildly.

"Why is it always you? Do you even know what Thorin is going to say? He will probably kill you over this!" Fili scolded as he raised his voice.

"I love her, Fee. I know that through and through. Nothing is going to make me change my mind and I will not allow anyone to come between us." Kili's voice lowered as he spoke. He was full of confidence and determination.

Fili let out a loud sigh as he sat down on the bed next to his brother. "I know. You've been daft over her since you first laid eyes on her." He picked at a piece of lint on the thread-bare blanket. He could never stay mad at Kili, it had been like that since they were young and he believed it would always be that way.

"I think she might have a thing for me. She let me kiss her." Kili smiled slyly as his face turned red.

"Seriously? Just a kiss? The way she was singing and fawning over you last night, I thought I'd walk in on something my eyes don't want to see." He jested as a small smile broke out on his face.

"Ay! You were spying on us then? You sneaky shit!" Kili teased as he tackled his brother right off the bed, sending them both to the floor with a heavy thud. They tussled on the floor for a minute, and then both burst out laughing. Fili slapped his brother on the back before pulling his forehead against his own. "I am happy for you Kee."

"Thanks Fee." Kili said quietly.

"You do know that Thorin is going to kill you, right?" Fili couldn't help but grimace thinking about the terrible reaction his uncle would have to the news.

"Probably. Guess I'll have to have you tell him then." Kili joked as Fili rolled his eyes; his brother did not take anything seriously.