It was a few minutes later when the company made their way back to their own camp. They needed to pack up their own things before going to investigate the troll cave that was apparently nearby. Rachael's ribs were definitely feeling a little sore now that she was up and about, but she didn't say anything to the others. It wasn't that bad, and no doubt would heal given a little bit of time.

"You gave us all quite a scare you know, Miss Rachael." Said Fili, walking beside her as they ventured towards the troll cave. "My brother especially."

Rachael gave an awkward chuckle. "Yeah, I can imagine. Sorry about that. I had to at least try and help." She gave him a side glance. "I nearly succeeded to! Another minute and I could have had you out of that sack." Well that sounds suggestive…ew.

"I don't doubt it." They walked on in silence for another minute or so before Fili spoke again, picking his words carefully. "My brother cares for you. A lot."

Rachael looked down, scratching at her neck. "I care about him too."

"I know. You certainly seemed to enjoy your position earlier." And thus, the serious mood had ended, and Rachael had to refrain from hitting him in the head.

"That…that was just…he was saying hello…"

Fili smirked and glanced towards his brother who was talking with Bofur about something or another. "Is that right? You know he was trying to protect you, don't you?"

Rachael blinked. She'd never seen Fili this serious before and this conversation was quite awkward. "Protect me? We were all about to be eaten by three big-arse trolls. How was he…how could he have protected me from that?"

"A troll picked Bombur up after he'd rolled on top of you so they wouldn't notice you." replied Fili, picking up his pace so he was walking next to Nori. Rachael watched him with her mouth open. Kili had rolled on her to protect her? He'd risked himself so she'd be safe? She smiled slightly at that, confused at the growing feelings she was getting for the dwarf. She'd been aware of the growing crush she had, but was trying to convince herself it would pass. He wouldn't look at her twice that way. Well, at least that would save her the rejection.

"Oh, what's that stench?!" exclaimed Nori, breaking her train of thoughts.

"It's a troll hoard." Replied Gandalf. "Be careful what you touch." Screwing up her nose, Rachael decided to remain outside of the hoard, opting to sit up on a large rock that was just to the side of it. She could see that most of the others had actually gone into the cave (although Rachael had no idea whysomeone would actually want to go in there) and were busy riffling through Lord only knows what.

Sighing (and wincing at the slight pain it caused in her ribs), she glanced to the side as someone sat next to her.

"Hi Ori." She said, sending him a smile. The Dwarf returned her greeting and pulled something out of his bag that he'd carried with him. It looked to Rachael like a small, very thick notebook. She'd seen him write in it before, at Bilbo's dining table and when they'd stop to make camp on an evening just before the sun set. "What are you writing about?"

"Our journey. My main job is to write down everything that happens." Rachael gave a slight chuckle at the proud look that Ori had and looked down to see what he was currently doing. It looked to be a sketch of the trolls they just encountered.

"That's really good!" she said, pointing to the picture.

"You think so?"

She nodded. "I used to draw, you know. Well, paint actually. Don't think I was very good personally, nowhere near as good as you, but I enjoyed it."

"You could always borrow my supplies sometime." Said Ori, looking a little awkward. "I wouldn't mind. I don't have paints, but…"

"Be careful there. Or I might actually take you up on your offer." She grinned. It would be nice to have something familiar here.

"And what offer is this?" Kili had walked out of the troll cave (trying to spend as little time in there as possible) to find Rachael and Ori sitting on a nearby rock and looking down at something that Ori was holding. It didn't surprise him that they were looking at Ori's notebook.

"Oh, nothing." Waved off Rachael. "Find anything?"

Kili nodded. "Yes, actually." He reached behind him to pull out a bow. "For you."

"Really?" she grinned.

"Well I can't teach you how to shoot if you don't have something to shoot with, can I?" teased Kili. He liked the grin and blush that overcame her face and found himself wishing that she'd do it more often. That he'd make her do it more often.

"No, I suppose not." She ran her finger along the curve of the bow.

"Come on then. Up."

"What?" She blinked.

"Up. I'm going to teach you how to shoot. I said I would a couple of days ago, so I'm going to."

Fighting a grin (hell, she was really starting to enjoy her time with the dwarf), Rachael hopped up off of the rock and followed Kili to the edges of the trees that surrounded the cave. "Do we have time for this?" she asked.

"Don't worry. I overheard Thorin talking to Balin in the troll cave. We won't be moving for a while. I think everyone is a little exhausted."

Rachael nodded. "Okay then. So…what? I just, kind of…hold it like this?" She stepped so she was facing sideways and held the bow out in front of her.

Kili chuckled. "No. Not like that. Here." He moved behind her and placed his hands on her hips. Kili blushed as he moved her so she was standing in the right position. "There, ahem…that's better. It gives you better posture so you'll be able to uh…shoot better."

"Right." Rachael nodded, feeling her own blush on her cheeks. "But I'll have you know, I will not remember to stand like this every time I have to shoot something."

"You won't have to. It will become instinct." Removing his hands from her sides (which he hadn't realised were still there), he moved to her side again. "Okay, you need to straighten your back a little, extend your arm a little further…"

"I did it!" Rachael grinned and jumped up and down. "Look!" It may not have been a very impressive shot, but after shot after shot she'd finally managed to hit the tree she'd been aiming at. It was quite a large tree, but the point was that she'd hit it. She was better at archery than she was at sword fighting (to be honest, she didn't think there was anything she was worse at than sword fighting), but she knew she still needed a lot of practice. Not that she was complaining about that. That just meant more time with Kili.

"You did." Kili smiled. "Well done." She had done well, after all. With a bit of practice, he had no doubt that Rachael would be very good with a bow. "Come on. You should probably rest a bit now." He'd seen the winces she'd been making when she drew the bow, no doubt from ribs, he thought bitterly. That should never have happened.

Still smiling, and very pleased with herself, Rachael jumped in front of Kili and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you." She released him and kissed his cheek, missing the dark red blush that overcame his face.

"Wha…what for?"

"For helping me. I know it's probably not very high on your to-do list, but I really appreciate it." Rachael gave an awkward smile. "And…Fili told me. About what you did back with the trolls. How you rolled on top of me to stop them from seeing me."

"Oh that." Kili scratched at the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well that was…that was nothing. And I don't mind helping you. I rather enjoy it if I'm honest."

"That wasn't nothing. I don't know anyone that would do that for me. I just wanted you to know that I'm…very thankful."

"You don't need to be. I would do it again. Like…uh, like any of the others probably would."

"Yeah well, it was you that did it. So just accept the thank you." Smiling at Kili's nod, she skipped over to where Bofur and Ori were sitting (the two Dwarves she was closest to other than the two brothers) to show them her new bow and to tell them of her shots.

"Well didn't that just look cozy." Kili heard Fili say from behind him. He could just picture the smirk his brother had on his face.

"Shut up, Fee."

"No, I'm serious. It was very sweet." Confirming his thoughts, Kili turned around to see Fili with a huge smirk. "What were you talking about anyway?"

"She just thanked me for what happened back at the trolls. Which apparently you told her about." Kili's expression turned to a mild glare.

"I only told her what I knew." Fili held his hands up.

Kili stared at his brother with wide eyes. He'd confided to Fili that he liked Rachael- hell, he was almost one hundred per cent sure she was his One (not that he'd told Fili that, but he'd figured that Fili had figured that out anyway)- but he hadn't expected Fili to tell her that. "And what was that?"

"That you cared for her and was trying to protect her."

"Why would you tell her that?"

"Kili." Fili's expression turned serious. "I'm your older brother. I'm only trying to look out for you; I don't want to see you hurt. But if you must know, she told me that she cares for you too, and if her behaviour earlier was any indicator, I'd say it's fairly obvious."

"What do you mean?" Kili was feeling utterly clueless. Rachael wouldn't like him…what was Fili talking about?

"A girl doesn't hug you like that if she doesn't like you, little brother. Just something to think about."

"So what did you guys manage to find in there?" asked Rachael once she'd sat down with Bofur and Ori. Ori was still writing in his journal (having finished his sketch, she'd noticed) and Bofur was just sitting smoking his pipe.

"Nothing much, lass." Replied Bofur. "Buried some stuff to come and collect after this journey's done. Wouldn't be able to carry it all the way there."

"Right…hey, did you see my new bow!?" She held out her new bow in front of her, displaying it proudly.

"That's nice, lass. You know how to shoot it?"

"Yeah, Kili's teaching me." She replied, looking over to where he was noticeably glaring at his brother. Wonder what they're talking about… "Didn't you see me practicing over there? I actually managed to hit the tree!"

"Congratulations, lass."

"Everyone make sure you have everything!" shouted Thorin, getting everyone's attention. "I want to leave this place as soon as possible."

Saying a brief good-bye to Bofur and Ori (she'd see them in a little while anyway), Rachael wandered over to where Fili and Kili's ponies were. She'd forgotten that the ponies were the actual reason they'd had trouble with the trolls in the first place, but was glad that they were all okay. She was beginning to grow fond of the creatures. "Hey." She said, a while later as they'd been riding. Neither of them had said anything the entire ride so far. "What's up?"

"Nothing." Replied Kili, shaking his head. "It's nothing."

"I know it's none of my business, but…is it to do with the conversation you had with your brother back there? You looked pretty annoyed from what I saw."

"No, no. Like I said, it's nothing."

"Oh, okay. Can I ask something?" It had been a question that had been bugging her for a while now.

"Anything."

"Why is it all of you that are going to reclaim the mountain? You know, like…why is Thorin the leader? Is he like, commander or something?"

"No one's told you?" asked Kili. "Thorin is the rightful heir to the Kingdom of Erebor. The rightful King."

Rachael blinked, letting the words process in her brain. "K…king?"

"Yes."

"But…then…oh my God…" He couldn't be a king…I couldn't have spoken to a king like I did back at Bilbo's… "But…you and Fili, you're his nephews?" Kili nodded. "So, you're…princes?" Kili nodded again, feeling more awkward than before. He hadn't realised that Rachael didn't know this. "Oh my God."

"There's really nothing special about it." assured Kili. "I'm still the same as I was before."

"Yeah, I know that." said Rachael. "But…you're a prince."

"Yes." Kili chuckled. "It doesn't always help matters though."

"What do you mean?" asked Rachael, realising that everyone had stopped and was getting off of their ponies. It was obvious that the others just wanted to get away from the troll cave and no one really wanted to travel anymore that day. She didn't blame them, she felt the same.

"I…" Kili led her away to the edge of where they were stopping. He could trust Rachael with what he was about to say. "You know I look different to the others. I don't…I don't have much of a beard and although Fili teases me about it sometimes, I know he's only joking. But other people, they're not joking." He looked down in annoyance at what he was saying. "They mock the fact that I don't look like a Dwarf, or act like one for that matter. I don't know if you've noticed, but no one else here uses a bow. It's seen as more of an Elven trait. The fact that I'm a prince doesn't seem to make much difference to them. Normally I wouldn't want it to, but…"

Rachael could see that what he'd said really bothered him. He tried not to let it show, but it was obvious now he was saying it. Why he was explaining it all to her, she had no idea, but she was happy that he trusted her enough to confide in her.

"Well, I'm not one for advice and I know that couldn't have been easy to say. But…if you ask me, what they say doesn't matter. Who cares if you're different? You are one of the kindest, most caring people I've met, both from here and where I'm from. I wouldn't want you to change. At all. Those people are all absolute idiots if they can't see what's right in front of them." She stood up, getting a little uncomfortable with what she was saying. "Besides, I think you suit not having a beard. You can see your dimples when you smile." Blushing like crazy (and cursing herself that she'd just made her feeling insanely obvious to Kili), she walked over to Bilbo, highly aware of the pair of eyes following her across the camp.

What is this? An update? Wow!

This is mostly a filler, I don't like to have purely script in my stories, mainly for the fact that I feel like there's obviously a lot of day to day things that they don't include in the films. So extra things like this are always fun to write despite the fact that they take longer. I hope it's worth the wait! There is a lot more Kili/Rachael moments, some brotherly love and some Fili/Rachael bonding!

Thank you to everyone reviewing and following! It makes my day! Until next time! :)