The wargs seemed as if they appeared out of nowhere, encircling the Company with rheum filled eyes as they looked upon their new found prey. They snarled as their mouths dripped with saliva as they waited for the command of the Orcs that mounted them, their claws digging into the barren earth beneath it.

The Company all took our their weapons, backing up with the backs against each other, until they formed a circle of their own, waiting for the vile beasts to make the first move.

Keen green eyes darted from each of the wargs and their mounts, straining to understand the black speech that fell from their mouths.

"Where is Gandalf?" A frightened dwarf whispered just as a warg let out a terrifying shriek.

"He's left us to our own fate," Thorin, the head of the Company responded, his sharp blade held out taunt before him, aiming to the warg that snarled at him.

"We cannot depend on him any longer-"

"He has not abandoned us," The green eyed girl objected, her eyes darting to the warg that took a tentative step towards them. "He will come," She added quietly, "He has to."

She knew that Gandalf would never desert them. That much she could vow on her life. It was she who knew the gray wizard more than anyone in the company – since the early days of her childhood.

It was he that enlisted her to join the Company, on the condition that she would protect the remaining line of Durin, especially the two young sons of Dís. It wasn't until that moment that she knew her role would finally come into play.

It was a heavy weight that Gandalf placed on the young, human warrior. But if the wise wizard was confident enough to enlist her, then who would she be to question it?

The throaty bark of the warg took her out of her personal musings, just before it lunged at her, its Orc mount swinging its black sword at her dangerously.

She rose her own sword, preparing to drive it straight into the heart of the beast. She stopped the swing of her sword, however, as a single arrow flew past her, digging itself into the thick neck of the warg beast.

She glanced behind her and locked eyes with the black haired Prince, his bow already notched with another arrow, taking aim at the Orc that was thrown off his mount.

She looked back over her shoulder as the other seven wargs began their attack, fueled by the loss of their kin. She joined in the battle cry that Thorin began and clutched the handle of her sword as she lunged at a warg that charged her. She buried the blade of her sword into the neck of the beast, ducking as the Orc that rode it swung its own blade dangerously close to her head. Pulling her sword free, she plunged it into the side of the Orc as he fell from his mount.

She looked at her right and watched as Bilbo swung his sword at a dismounted Orc, his feet taking steps backward in an effort to get away from the Orc. She rushed over to the hobbit and struck him in the center of his back with her long blade. The Orc fell before Bilbo who glanced down at his sword that was still in his hands, confused. He finally looked up at locked eyes with her, giving her a thankful, nervous smile.

Her own lips began to pull back into a smile until a call caused her to glance behind her.

"Skaia!"

The call of Kili's voice caused her to turn, only to be met with the ugly appearance of an Orc that charged straight forward. She readied her sword, preparing for it to meet with the Orc's cursed one. The foul beast fell before her, however, three arrows protruding from the unprotected area of its neck.

She looked up knowingly at Kíli, a smile pulling at her lips. The smile fell as her eyes locked onto the warg that was led by its Orc rider, preparing to attack Kíli from behind.

She glanced to her right, to the rest of the Company only to realize that they were each occupied with an enemy that just seemed to be replaced by another.

Without a moment's hesitation, she rushed her way over to Kíli, her free hand raising to silently alert him of the attack that came from behind. He turned at her advice, although it was just a moment too late.

The warg, at the command of its rider, pounced on Kíli, knocking him breathless onto the ground below. His bow fell from his hands and was crushed by the heavy paw of the warg as it stood above him, its fangs baring as its head dipped down and took Kíli's left arm into its mouth.

The cry that left Kíli's lips was pained and rang endlessly in Skaia's ears.

Her blood rushing, she swung her sword, knocking the Orc from his mount before turning her focus onto the warg that kept Kíli's left arm in its mouth. Its yellow eyes watched her, waiting as she drew her sword back, her face twisted with anger and the force she put behind the thrust of her sword. She aimed and plunged it straight through the jaw of the warg, effectively dislodging it and releasing Kíli's arm from its bite.

Skaia looked down at Kíli, who clutched his arm in pain, his teeth noticeably clenched in agony.

Her lips parted to speak but was interrupted by the long black blade that swung just inches away from her face, shaving just a few strands of her light, curly hair from where it dangled over her shoulders. She leaped back, eying the Orc as he snarled at her, raising his blade preparing to swing again, the determination to not miss showing clear in his eyes.

She brought her sword up, readying it as the Orc charged at her, only to watch it stumble and fall onto its own blade, the metal sliding clean through its abdomen.

She looked at the felled beast, her eyes catching onto Kíli's uninjured hand as he released the Orc's ankle, his brown eyes meeting her own.

She went over to his side and knelt down, helping him to sit up before giving him a few moments to gather himself before she helped him onto his feet. She looped his uninjured arm around her neck, securing him to her waist by wrapping her arm around his.

They slowly made their way over to the rest of the Company, Fíli being the first to notice and rush over to them.

"Kíli!" He called, his eyes falling onto his brother's left arm that numbly hung at his left side. "Are you alright?"

"Its nothing, Fíli." He took in a sharp breath, "Just a couple of scratches."

Thorin eyed his nephew closely before glancing over at Skaia, whose green eyes were already caste at the ground below them.

He took a step towards the pair, watching as Fíli took Skaia's sword and sheathed it into the scabbard that sat on her waist.

The near cry of a warg caught their ears though, as another, larger pack, appeared on the horizon, heading for the already spent cluster of travelers.

Thorin eyed the approaching threat, readying his sword once again. "Stand your ground-!"

"Folly, you fools!" A thunderous voice interjected, causing the Company to turn to the direction of their speaker. Gandalf, mounted on a grey stallion, galloped towards the band, coming to a stop just before Skaia and Kíli. "Hand me the dwarf and make for the Eastern trail," He ordered, watching as Skaia hesitated for just a moment. He reached out his free hand towards Kíli, his blue eyes locked on Skaia's green ones. "Come now! We do not have much time, Skaia."

His words ringing in her head, she carefully brought Kíli's arm from around her neck and helped him mount Gandalf's horse.

Securing the black haired Prince in place, he pointed his staff forward. "Run!"

At that, the company took off without hesitation, Skaia ensuring that they all had a head start before taking off with Gandalf galloping not far behind.

The Company ran for what seemed to be an eternity, the galloping of Gandalf's horse spurring them on.

It was only when Gandalf called everyone to a stop that they finally rested, thankful that they had the fortune of stumbling upon a small bubbling creek.

They were quick about setting up a small camp with the coming of nightfall, piling their coats into a small pile for both Kíli and Bombur who fell while they traveled downhill.

A small campfire was started near the two injured, cracking warmly as the other members of the Company prepared to rest while they can.

Walking back to the camp from the small creek, Skaia made her way over to Bombur, being sure to not disturb the other dwarves who managed to fall asleep despite not having the proper bed. Reaching Bombur, who snored the loudest, Skaia checked the bandage that was wrapped around his ankle, being careful to not cause anymore undue pain or discomfort.

She jumped back slightly as Bombur snorted loudly, before mumbling something about the Roast Mutton being too undercooked. She shook her head, a light smile pulling at her lips as she gently placed her hand on his shoulder before kneeling up and walking around the small fire.

She was careful to not stir Fíli, who slept not farm from his brother, as she silently made her way over to the younger Prince. Kneeling down to her knees, Skaia focused in on the steady rise and fall of his chest, his uninjured arm resting on his stomach while the other laid by his side.

She gently reached her hand to his arm, her fingers ghosting over the bandages that covered the wounds he endured from the warg. A frown began to pull at the corner of her lips, a wave of guilt washing over her. She allowed her hands to trail down to his, gently taking his warm one into her cold ones. She squeezed it lightly as she stared into the enchanting flames of the fire.

The last two months she spent with the small band of Dwarves and hobbit have been nothing short of an adventure. She endured the seemingly never ending pranks of the two Princes, especially Kíli. His lighthearted, prank-pulling attitude made the gravity of the situation just a little more bearable – almost as if she wasn't enlisted to ensure the success of the mission. She was thankful to him for that. For her, he became a happy reassurance, someone who could bring her out of thoughts and worries that she could easily find herself downing in.

Tut now that her only physical comfort was injured and resting, she found herself drowning in the guilt that she couldn't stop from welling up inside her.

She bit her lip as she glanced up at Kíli's face before allowing one of her hands to fall away from his. Reaching over his torso, she grasped the edge of a wool blanket and began to pull it over him. Tucking it gently under his wounded arm and down the left side of his body, she brought her hand back to his, covering the topside of it.

She jumped slightly at the gruff voice that reached her ears.

"Your hands are cold, Skaia."

She looked up at Kíli's face before pulling her right hand away. She felt as Kíli kept a light hold on her left one that rested in the palm of his own.

"You're awake," She whispered, silently enjoying the warmth that flowed from his palm.

He smiled up at her slyly. "I have been this entire time."

She tilted her head, raising a single eyebrow. "Have you? Then why didn't you tuck yourself in?" She teased, a small smile pulling at her lips.

"And miss the chance at being tucked in by you?" He asked, feigning a surprised scoff. "Not a chance."

She smiled wider at him before looking down at the bandage that covered his forearm.

"Is your arm alright?"

She watched as he slowly tried to raise it, making sure to not let go of her hand. She frowned when she saw that he winced lightly, a quiet groan leaving his lips.

"Ah...It'll be fine-"

"Fine?" She asked, in a harsh whisper. "You nearly got it ripped clean off."

"Its barely a scratch, lass."

"Kíli," She scolded quietly, her eyes softening.

He eyed her closely, watching as the smile that was once on her face slowly transform into a small frown. He glanced down at their hands, lacing his fingers correctly through hers before he spoke. "Did I look cool at least?"

"Cool?" She asked, her eyes focusing on their entangled hands, not making an attempt to pull hers away, mutch to Kíli's surprise.

"When I protected you."

Her eyes flashed up to his as she let out a disbelieving scoff. "I'm supposed to be protecting you, Kíli. That's why I'm here." she half teased, half scolded.

"Oh." Kíli breathed, "Here I thought you were here to be a distraction for me."

"What?" Skaia couldn't help but smile as she gently nudged his leg, shaking her head slightly. Kíli let out a quiet laugh, his thumb moving across the smooth skin of the top of her hand.

"I'm sorry if I worried you, Skaia," Kíli offered quietly, his brown eyes looking up into her green ones.

"You did," She replied, shaking her head lightly. "But seeing as you're perfectly fine, I'm a tad bit upset that I wasted my time." She smirked at him as he smiled up at her.

He squeezed her hand lightly, pulling it towards him. "Come here," He said quietly.

She eyed him before leaning in slightly, only to have her hand squeezed again. "Closer," Kíli chuckled. She inched closer, watching him closely as he smiled at her. He brought his right arm from under the blanket, waving his hand towards himself. "Come here, lass."

She laughed lightly as she brought her face just inches away from Kíli's. She watched silently as he leaned his own head up, his lips planting a light kiss at the corner of her mouth. He bumped his nose lightly against hers as she lingered there, her lips parted slightly in surprise. He winked at her as he let his head rest back down. "I hope that'll be enough to cover for your troubles, my lady."

Skaia laughed lightly as she recovered herself, leaning away from him, her eyes never leaving his. "I sure do hope that there'll be more than just that one, my Prince."

Kíli gave her a wide childish smile before nodding his head in agreement. "You've got yourself a deal-"

"As long as you don't try to look "cool" again."

Kíli chuckled at that, squeezing her hand lightly.

"Deal"