A/N: Hello again! Welcome to my new favorites/followers, and thank you to my reviewers: Jarvis68, Dalonega Noquisi, and acid-veins. I really appreciate your feedback! Thanks again, and enjoy your update!

"Ach, would you look at them!"

"Like a pile of pups they are."

"'Tis almost a shame to wake them—"

"Shush, the lot of you! They're waking up." A familiar voice hushed as I stirred, my eyes slowly creaking open. A weight rested on top of my head as I shifted, blinking my eyes open the rest of the way. I felt my throat warm to see the majority of my kinsmen and Bilbo gathered around where I lay, snickers escaping from their silly grins.

A hot breath warmed the top of my head as Fili pressed his face closer into my hair, his arm tightening around me when I tried to sit up from my slouched position. I struggled to pull Fili's arm away from my side, lifting my head from his shoulder, and his head dropped to loll against his chest, a soft snore escaping his parted lips. "Fili, wake up!" my speech was slurred with drowsiness as I shook him with one hand, rubbing the sleep from my eyes with the other. "It's time to go."

"Hmm?" His eyes cracked open a bit, honey-gold lashes fluttering as he fought to wake up. Now that I was awake, I could see that he had his other arm slung over the still-sleeping Kili, his fingers knotted in the front of the darker prince's coat. He sniffed a bit, looking at the now chortling others, before pushing a bit at Kili, who groaned in denial. "Kili, wake up."

Fili's arm fell away from me as I rose to stand, going up on tiptoe to stretch my taut leg muscles and stretching my arms towards the sky. My knees popped from having been in an awkward position all night, my body aching like I'd been beaten all over, and the wound on my cheek throbbed as it healed. I dusted my backside for weeds and silt, kneading at my lower back as Fili got to his feet with a yawn.

Dwalin smirked down at me, tugging on my braid. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever wake."

I wrinkled my nose at him teasingly, turning his smirk to a smile. Squinting up at the barely-brightened sky, I complained, "What's this? It's hardly dawn!"

"We can use all the light we can get." Balin replied, giving my shoulder a squeeze. I gave a heavy sigh, straightening my coat and smoothing my hair back from my face.

"Come on, little brother," Fili grinned, leaning down to pinch Kili's cheek lightly, "time to rise."

"I'm up, I'm up," Kili grumbled, eyes still shut as he struggled to his knees, then to his feet, using Fili's arm for support. He scowled up at the sky as well, scratching at his jaw, "As are some of the stars—I thought we weren't leaving until first light?"

"Plans have changed, apparently." I sighed, settling my sword against my back.

Even Thorin's lips were curled up a bit, his battered face lit with cheer. "Now that we're all awake, we'll head out. All of you, follow me."

"Aye," I acknowledged, trudging alongside the others towards the rocky path through the Anduin.

Bilbo came up alongside me, looking disgruntled, no doubt by the lack of breakfast. "Good morning, Tal."

"It's hardly morning, but thank you." I smiled, giving him a clap on the back.

Fili appeared on my other side, his fingers slipping down my arm to give my hand a squeeze. "Hello, Tal. Did you sleep well?"

My blood warmed my cheeks as I nodded, returning the pressure. "I did, thank you."

"I'm glad." His eyes were more gold than slate as he beamed down at me, the first rays of dawn making his face seem to glow as they streaked through the sky. I doubted I looked half as radiant. "I was wondering if I could borrow you for a moment."

I looked uncertainly from him to the company that was moving on, slowly but surely, but his features had set into that princely mask of surety. "Bilbo, we'll be just a moment," I acquiesced, motioning for the hobbit to rejoin with the rest of the party.

"As you say," the burglar nodded, a rosy tinge rising in his face as he scurried off after the others.

I turned my focus back to Fili, my breath catching a bit in my chest at the sight of him set against the backdrop of the Carrock, crowned by the last stars that fought against the dawn. His gaze was unwavering on mine as he clutched my hand between his, taking a steadying breath.

"Tal," he began, "I know just yesterday I told you that I could wait however long for you to make your decision, but I am in agony. I swear to you, without hesitation: beyond death, forever and beyond the ages, I will belong to no other but you. Please, would you allow me to court you? Give me any quest, any other stipulation you desire, but I beg you just for the chance to try to win you over."

I bit my lip, anxiety pricking at the back of mind as it sought anything that might dissuade him. "And the rank difference between us has no bearing to you, my prince?"

His eyes dulled, expression offended for a split second before switching back to his resolve. "Indeed not; you know me better than that, Tal. And besides, you're hardly beneath me, a lady in your own right." He brought our joined hands to his lips, kissing the back of my hand reverently. "Please Tal, don't fight me on this, not anymore. Let me treasure you, let me fight by your side and steal your sorrows. Let me love you."

Pleasant shock warmed its way along my spine, and I felt my lips curl in a delighted smile. "Very well," the words escaped me before I realized what I was saying, giddy from exhaustion or his pretty words, I couldn't tell which, "you may court me as you like."

The princely façade shattered, replaced by a dazed expression of disbelief and wonder. "Truly?"

I nodded, pulling him along the path by our joined hands. I was surprised at how light I felt, despite the anxiety and worry that gnawed at the back of my mind at my own decision. I was so tired of trying to fight him on this, and with death apparently constantly lurking around us on this quest, I wanted every bit of happiness I could get my hands on. "Come on, the others will start to wonder what's happened if we linger too long."

The rest of the company was quiet, still waking up, save for a few yawns and some light chatter as we caught up to them where they followed the river out of the valley. Bilbo cast me a questioning look, but I shook my head, unable to hold back the silly grin that tugged at my face. The passing of the hours was only recognized by the steady lightening of the sky. A soft breeze caressed my neck, sending a thrill up my spine as the trees seemed to close in around us. Bilbo shifted closer to me in the renewed gloom, the rest of us filing into a semblance of a line as we passed through the thick underbrush. It was odd to not have the extra weight of my pack banging against my thigh, leaving me to take longer strides. Thinking of my lost pack, my hand subconsciously moved to the small pocket of my vest under my coat, pulling out the small pouch that was hidden there. I was infinitely glad I had thought to keep my gold on my person, else I'd have lost it when I'd lost my pack. A long drawstring made it so that the pouch could be worn as a necklace; I looped it over my head, dragging my hair out from the loop and tucking the pouch between my mithril and linen shirts.

I felt a pair of eyes on me, and turned to see Fili's gaze roving over me from his peripheral vision, resting occasionally on my chest, my collarbone and throat, my lips, before coming to stop on my eyes. A wicked grin stretched across his lips as I shoved him a bit away as my cheeks burned. He's absolutely incorrigible! I thought, unable to keep from smirking a bit, my heart fluttering erratically as he chuckled beside me.

"Is everything alright, Tal?" Bilbo asked, his head cocking a bit to the side in his curiosity.

"Everything's grand." I replied drily, fixing my gaze ahead of me. The dawn's light was beginning to filter through the trees, painting everything with pink, orange, and red. Foliage around us gave way to stone and weeds as we came closer to the edge of the mountains surrounding the Carrock. My breathing became more labored as we struggled up a rise, and I could already feel my legs trying to cramp up from the past few days' exertion.

My blood turned to ice, my good mood effectively gone, as a distant howling echoed through the air, silencing any idle chatter that was going on. We all stopped in our tracks, exchanging glances ranging from disbelieving to resigned.

The Wargs were upon us already?

"Oh, honeslty," Bilbo sighed beside me, his hand worrying the pommel of his sword as he cast a glance behind us.

Thorin's nostrils flared as he grabbed Bifur, who was closest to him, and propelled him forward up the rise. "We must hurry. Quickly, the lot of you! To the top of the rise!"

Dwalin nodded as we all began to move with renewed vigor. "Aye, the better to get a vantage point on them."

"Don't be so hasty," Gandalf warned, using his walking stick to find purchase in the uneven ground as we looked to him for counsel. "It'd be best to send only one of us up there as lookout, not the entire Company."

"It'd have to be someone sneaky," Gloin intoned, his eyes glittering from beneath his brows as they looked to Bilbo, "and very small."

Bilbo's lips set in a thin, bloodless line as we all looked to him, and I gave him an apologetic half-smile as he let out his breath in a huff. "Very well, I'll be back in a moment."

I watched the halfling almost silently sneak along a path between two sheer rock faces, keeping himself hunched low to the ground. Bofur seemed to echo my concern. "How do we know Bilbo won't be spotted?" he asked Gandalf, the tips of his hat quivering faintly in the wind.

"Do you forget how he escaped the goblin halls?" Gandalf smiled, seemingly unconcerned. "He is small and silent as a mouse—he will be fine."

Another chorus of howls and snarls rose up from beyond the rise, making me shiver. A strange roar echoed the ensuing silence, and I shared a worried glance with Fili, a muscle in his jaw tensing as he gave Kili's forearm a quick squeeze, earning a nod. His breath tickled my ear as he leaned in close, murmuring, "Stay close to me."

I faked a brave smile, tightening my fingers into fists to quell their shaking. "Aye, of course—how else will I keep you safe?"

He shook his head at my bravado, eyes jovial and bright as Bilbo came scurrying back towards us.

Dwalin looked up from where he'd been speaking with Thorin. "How close is the pack?"

"Too close." Bilbo's face was grim as he reported, "A couple of leagues, no more, but that's not the worst of it."

Dwalin glowered at that, the news causing us all to shift restlessly. "Have the Wargs picked up our scent?"

"Not yet, but they will; we have another problem." Bilbo added after a breath.

"Did they see you?" Gandalf interrupted, worry flashing across his features. "They saw you!"

Bilbo shook his head, lightly annoyed. "No, that's not it."

Gandalf's face lit with a grin, his voice filled with mirth, "What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse—excellent burglar material!"

The others and myself nodded our assent, quiet cheers and laughter bubbling from our combined relief. Bilbo raised his voice to be heard over us, exasperation etched into his features. "Would you lis—would you just listen? I'm trying to tell you that there is something else out there!"

"Just what we needed," I muttered, my words lost to the disheartened grumbling of the others.

Concern and anxiety filled the faces of the others as we all exchanged glances, Dwalin giving me a firm look as though to say, Stay in my sight. Something like recognition sparked in Gandalf's eyes as he asked slowly, "What form did it take? Like a bear?"

"Ye-yes, but bigger, much bigger," Bilbo agreed, looking crossly at Gandalf.

"You knew about this beast?!" Bofur quipped as we all turned to look at the wizard, bewildered.

Gandalf said nothing, but turned to take a few steps back the way we'd come.

Bofur took that as a confirmation. "I say we double back—,"

"And be run down by a pack of orcs?" Thorin finished, immediately silencing the other dwarf.

"Aye, that sounds like a great plan." Gloin's voice dripped with sarcasm as he rolled his eyes towards the sky. Bifur made tearing motions with his fingers.

"There is a house," Gandalf's voice boomed quietly, hushing the others as he turned back to us, "not far from here where we might take refuge."

I raised a brow at the emphasis on his might, my fists settling on my hips as Thorin asked tiredly, "Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither," Gandalf replied, and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. Aye, that's very helpful. The wizard continued, "He will help us…or he will kill us."

I flicked an alarmed gaze at Fili as Thorin sighed bitterly, "What choice do we have?"

No sooner had he spoken, another guttural roar sliced through the air, this time closer, and I felt my heart stutter with dismay. That had to have been the bear—still, I had no desire to be anything's meal, be it bear or Warg.

Dread panged through me as Gandalf answered matter-of-factly, "None."

"Get moving!" Dwalin ordered, pushing Ori back towards the forest.

"Watch your arse," I breathed to Fili as we filed along behind the others, our shambling pace quickly accelerating.

I caught a glimpse of his rakish grin from the corner of my eye. "I'd rather be watching yours."

Choking back a laugh, I swatted his shoulder with a shake of my head. "Focus! This is serious."

"I'm always serious when it comes to you," he paused to help me ease down over a boulder lodged in the rise, our eyes meeting long enough for me to recognize the gravity in his gaze.

"I know," my feet touched down on more level purchase, and I gave his knuckles a quick kiss, lighter than a moth's wing, before releasing him and stepping back to give him room to jump down beside me.

A Warg bayed in the distance, echoed by the bear, and spurred us into motion once more so that we were all but flying down the steep hillside. I cringed at the noise we made as we crashed through the underbrush, pebbles and silt spraying about as we skidded back into the forest. I ducked to avoid low-hanging branches as I ran, my breath hissing from beneath my clenched teeth, and my arms wheeled to catch myself every time I stumbled over a loose rock or tree root. I grimaced with every footfall, twinges of pain shooting up my legs as though in warning of the pain that awaited me whenever we finally found shelter. My back felt bruised from the repeated thumping of my sword against my spine.

I was temporarily blinded as we exploded from the gloom of the forest into an open glade, the tall grasses glinting golden in the early morning light. My lungs ached with my ragged breaths as I struggled to keep up with Fili, a stitch developing in my side, the grasses tangling around my ankles. I could recognize the sounds of the Wargs crashing through the trees a ways behind us, snarling and baying at our heels. Sweat stung my eyes, my hair clinging tightly around my throat. Sunlight glinted off of the water in the gurgling streams, wildflowers bobbing dazedly in the warming breeze before being crushed under our boots. It'd have been a lovely place to rest if we weren't busy running for our lives.

I suppressed a groan as we delved back into the forest, storming through the brambles and greenery.

"Come on!" Gandalf encouraged us from the head of our party, his voice booming through the trees.

Fili pushed Kili in front of him, breathlessly urging him on; beyond him, I saw Dwalin haul Oin to his feet from where he'd stumbled.

The forest floor before us gave way to a steep drop, many of my kinsmen inadvertently rolling down it in their haste. I tried to catch myself on a boulder as I began to fall, to no avail, scrabbling for purchase as I fell, dirt and rock and weeds tearing at my fingertips. My back met the forest floor with a muffled thud, the impact of my scabbard against my spine sending sparks of pain through me with a cry.

"No time for that, lass," Balin grumbled as he and Bilbo rushed over to me, hauling me to my feet by my outstretched hands, "on your feet!"

"Are you alright, my dear?" the hobbit's face was full of concern as he pulled a twig from my hair, brow pinched with the same exhaustion and stress that painted the faces of my kinsmen.

I opened my mouth to thank him, but I was interrupted by a blood-chilling roar that froze us all in our tracks. I spared a glance at Fili as he landed with a hearty oomph beside me, his eyes wide as he surveyed our surroundings.

Gandalf wasted no time. "This way, quickly!" he bellowed, all but herding us along.

"Move!" I bit out, giving the frozen Bilbo a shove towards Gandalf to spur him into motion.

"Go, Kili!" Fili barked, propelling his brother forward, before turning and grasping me by my forearm to pull me in front of him as well as he began to run. The rest of me was sore, but my legs were filled with renewed vigor from the bear's outburst, sending me loping through the trees and out into the sunlit plain beyond.

My tunnel vision locked onto the large house nestled in the heart of the plain, and I didn't need to hear Gandalf through the blood rushing in my ears to know that the house was our intended destination. A large movement to my right caught my eye, and with a shock I realized that Bombur was overtaking me, even Kili, and gaining speed, the sight of the house driving him in determination.

The closer we got to the house, I realized it was enclosed by a magnificent hedge, the gates I passed through towering high above me, and the shade was a welcome thing to my flushed face and aching eyes. We raced down the paved little path to the house's front door, Bombur and Kili reaching it first and, using their momentum, threw themselves against it, the recoil sending Bombur onto his back.

I used the last vestiges of my adrenaline to drive myself faster, leaping over Bombur's fallen form and launching myself at the massive door. My body made hard contact with the weathered wood, a punishing ache spreading through my side as the door shivered, but didn't move, Fili following my suit. Somewhere behind us I heard the cracking of trees and Gandalf's shout to open the door. Our efforts grew panicked, fear beating an erratic rhythm from my heart as we all began throwing ourselves at the door at an attempt to open it.

"Quickly!" Thorin urged, weaving through our frantic crowd to where the doors met. Suddenly the doors gave way, a wooden plank falling to the wayside; the door had been bolted. I had only a moment to feel stupid before I was overcome by the tide of my kinsmen propelling me into the house, the lot of us flooding into the entryway before turning back to slam the doors back in place.

Before they could fully shut, the bear jammed its gargantuan head into the door, shoving against it with all of its might. Its hot breath washed over me as it roared, weariness and fear almost causing my knees to buckle as we shoved at the door. If I survived a goblin hoard, I can survive this bear, I thought with little conviction as I grit my teeth and renewed my efforts.

"Come on, then!" Dwalin grunted, making me wonder if I'd accidentally spoken out loud, and with a yell we all heaved against the door, finally forcing it closed and slamming the bolt into place.

With a chorus of relieved sighs and pained groans, our company fell back from the door.

I braced my hands on my knees as I doubled over, gulping for air. My hair was plastered to my face with dirt and sweat, and each breath sent flares of agony through my body as I struggled with nausea, bile creeping up my throat.

"What is that?" Ori's voice trembled lightly with the question.

"That is our host," Gandalf intoned, and I raised my head enough to peer at him through my wild hair, bewildered. I pressed the back of my hand to my mouth to quell my nausea and ragged gasps as he continued, "His name is Beorn, and he is a skin-changer."

"Fantastic," I all but choked out, earning a sharp glance from Balin and a rueful smirk from Dwalin as I straightened to my full height. Beside me, Oin checked his little hearing trumpet, as though to be sure he'd heard Gandalf correctly.

"Sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great, strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with," Gandalf explained, eyes twinkling at the last bit before sobering once more. "However, he is not overfond of dwarves."

No, I don't suppose we could be that lucky, I thought with a sigh. Around me, my kinsmen murmured in dismay, exchanging long-suffering glances.

"He's leaving!" Ori piped up from the door.

Dori hastily pulled Ori away by the arm, chastising him. "Get away from there!" He murmured in a conspiratory tone, "It's not natural, none of it! It's obvious he's under some dark spell."

"Don't be a fool," Gandalf's voice dripped with an exasperated contempt, "he's under no enchantment but his own.

"Alright now, get some sleep, all of you," Gandalf continued in a more jovial tone, "you'll be safe here tonight."

Despite their grumblings, I could see the hope and relief in my kinsmen's faces as they dispersed to search for food and bedding. Now that the panic was over, I could practically feel my heart trying to calm itself down, chills racing up my sweat-drenched back even as it felt like every muscle in my body was on fire. My feet dragged through the rushes covering the ground as I trudged up the tall stone steps to the dining area, where I paused to lean heavily against the table.

"Tal?"

"Hmm?" I pushed my hair out of my face, turning to see Kili standing next to me, looking as tired as I felt.

The darker prince peered at me quizzically. "Are you alright? You look ill."

I mustered up a half-smile, clapping him lightly on the shoulder. "I'm fine, Kili, but thank you for the concern."

"'Tis not so much my concern as it is my brother's," Kili admitted with a shrug, a knowing smirk curling his lips. "I know you're a strong lass, but my brother is a worrywart when it comes to those he cares for."

Heat pooled in my cheeks as I reached for one of the apples piled in a carved bowl on the table. "I don't know what you mean."

"I might be foolhardy, but I'm not stupid. I see the way he looks at you." Kili's face split into a grin as he dug his elbow into my side jovially. "Truth be told, I'm glad for it—gives him someone besides me to fuss over!"

I shook my head at his antics, his infectious smile drawing a chuckle out of me. "I see."

"Besides, don't all the best adventures have a little romance in them?" He added, shrugging away from the table and heading towards what I assumed was the pantry.

Giving my head another shake, I bit into my apple, the honeyed juices spilling down my parched throat like a balm. What a pair those brothers made. Apple in hand (and mouth), I began rifling through the drawers of a nearby cupboard, producing a few immense woolen blankets that I hauled over to where the others were creating a sort of sleeping area over on the other end of the house, past the cows. Golden sunshine spilled through the windows, and where the air had been tinged by fear and sweat, now all I could smell was hay and honey and warmth. Bilbo was already fast asleep, curled up in a sheet in the hay, his breathing deep and even, many of my exhausted kinsmen passed out around him. The poor little thing had really been run ragged.

I found a neat little corner partially behind one of the carven support beams and spread one of the heavy blankets over a heap of hay, leaving the others nearby for any who would need them. I struggled with my scabbard, my muscles aching with protest as I unbuckled the strap securing it to my person, letting the weight of my sword drop to the stone floor. Between the late morning sunshine, the hearth, and the amount of my kinsmen packed into this portion of the house, the heat was practically sweltering, and I shucked my coat, balling it up to use as a pillow as I sat down. The hay pricked at me a bit through the blanket, but it was far better than sleeping on the cave floor the night before. I winced as I began carefully, methodically kneading at my rock-hard calves, the muscles panging with each touch.

The hay shifted beside me, and I continued my ministrations as I turned my head to see Fili kneeling in the hay beside me, a waterskin and a cloth bundle in hand. "May I join you?"

"Of course," I smiled, inhaling sharply when I squeezed my leg a tad too roughly for its liking.

Fili returned the smile, settling more comfortably into the hay and stretching his legs in front of him. As I switched my attentions to my other leg, I watched as he used his legs as a sort of table, opening the bundle to reveal a few biscuits and an apple from the table, deftly breaking the biscuits apart with his calloused fingers. His hair straggled around his face where it escaped his many braids, loose waves of tawny gold in the sunshine.

His smile turned mischievous as he shifted a bit, holding out a piece of biscuit in offering. "Here, say 'ahh'."

"You can't be serious!" My face flooded with warmth, and I cast an embarrassed glance about our immediate area; if they'd heard anything, they made no move, and all around us were the sounds of snores and slow, slumbering breathing.

"Don't worry," Fili reassured me, "they'll all be out like the dead for hours, you know that. Now, please? I won't eat until you do, and from how quickly you devoured that apple, I know you must be starving."

"You really don't leave any room for argument, do you?" I conceded with a sigh, leaning forward and opening my mouth a little. He beamed at me, ridiculously pleased, and placed the crumbly pastry in my mouth, his calloused fingers just brushing my chapped lips. I looked away from him as I chewed, only looking back to him once I was finished. "Satisfied?"

"Immensely," his gaze was warm on me as I fidgeted with one of the straps on my boots, flustered, and with his cheeky grin still in place he turned back to his own food. His eyes crinkled around the edges a bit as he ate, and I shook my head at his antics, a silly little smile toying with my lips.

Suddenly parched, I rose and picked my way between my sleeping kinsmen towards where I thought the pantry was, giving the occasional bee that floated through the air a wide berth. The fire was starting to die down as I passed it, embers glowing snugly in their bed of ashes, and I paused to feed it another log from the heap to the side of the fireplace before rounding the corner. I hummed low in the back of my throat, pleased that I was right as I entered the expansive pantry; it was almost laughable how tall all of the shelves were compared to me, making me feel like I was a child. As it was, the barrel of what was labeled honey mead was almost as tall as I was.

The rushes behind me stirred as I rose on tiptoe to take down a tankard from the shelf, and I turned to see Fili enter the pantry after me, hesitating in the doorway. I raised my eyebrow in question after the moment stretched on, and he shrugged, almost sheepishly murmuring, "I was still hungry."

"What would you like?" I asked as he approached, turning my focus to the shelves, "I'll help you get it down."

My breath hitched as his hands came to rest on my waist, propping his chin on my shoulder. "I'll just have whatever you're having."

"O-okay," his hold slipped to my hips as I moved to grip the spigot, and I shivered as he placed a soft kiss on my throat, his braided mustache tickling my shoulder and his breath almost agonizingly hot on the tender skin there. "If you don't stop that, I'll end up spilling mead everywhere," I warned, annoyingly breathless.

I could feel his lips shape into a grin before they moved on, the tip of his nose tracing its way up my neck. "I doubt our esteemed host would appreciate that," he agreed, testing the skin at the corner of my jaw with his teeth.

Laughter escaped from my lips before I could help it. "You're terrible!"

"The worst," he rumbled hoarsely, pulling me close against his chest as he continued his attentions. Heat coursed through my veins, my air leaving me in a breathy little sigh as I gripped the shelf in front of me for support against my weakening knees.

"Fili," I meant for it to sound like a warning, but it came out as more of a plea.

"Gajut men," he rasped. Forgive me.

I turned in his loosened hold, pressing my empty hand to his cheek with a gentle smile. "Always."

He hummed low in his throat, pressing his face closer into my palm with a contented sigh. "Did I ever thank you for finally agreeing to let me court you?"

"Not that I can remember."

The golden prince tsked, one of his hands covering mine to hold it to his cheek as his hooded, slate-and-honey eyes all but glowed at me. "I really should have; I should have dropped to my knees before you and wept of joy."

My heart fluttered against the confines of my chest. "Goodness, what a sight that would have been," I teased, smoothing my thumb along his cheek.

"It's strange, and not quite short of terrifying, really," he admitted slowly, "how important you've become to me."

I nodded, thinking, "It is strange, though it's understandable; we've been through so much together—trolls, orc hunts, storm giants, goblins."

He shook his head, smiling beatifically, "I don't think it has anything to do with that, honestly. I think I'd have fallen just as hard if I'd simply come across you in the market, or at your brother's shop."

I hummed thoughtfully, trying to imagine Fili walking into our little shop and seeing me reading at the counter, or sidling up beside me at the market to strike up idle chitchat. It was almost impossible to picture. "Part of me wishes it had been that way. It'd have been simpler than constantly fighting for our lives, running until we're exhausted and losing damn near all of our belongings."

"Aye, but it'd have made a much less interesting story to tell one day," he grinned. "Anyone can meet in the marketplace, or by arguing over the prices of things. One day, our little one will come up and ask, 'Adad, Amad, how did you meet?' and we'll be able to say 'Well little one, we met reclaiming Erebor'!"

A wondrous smile took over my face as I laughed, "You're so certain that we'll end up happily, together forever?"

"Of course!" He took the tankard from me and put it back before reclaiming my hand, leading me from the pantry. "I promised, didn't I?"

"That you did."

He led me back to our little nest of blankets in the corner, all of the others lost to their dreams, and we both did our best not to jostle the nearby Kili as we nestled down. He stole my balled-up coat for his own pillow, and I curled into his side, using his shoulder as my pillow. His hand found mine, toying with my fingers as sleep began to leaden my limbs. Just as I began to drift off to sleep, he whispered into my hair, "Beyond death, on and on through the ages, I'll belong to none other than you."

I awoke to the sounds of hushed chatter, the dying rays or the sun bleeding through the windows. Fili clenched my hand to his chest in his sleep, his face pressed into my hair.

And there was Ori.

Sketching it all.

Mahal, does this boy have nothing better to do? At the realization, the last of the sleep clouding my mind cleared away, leaving only sharp clarity and irritation. When I tried to rise to give the younger dwarf a scolding he'd never forget, though, Fili nuzzled the top of my head, making me freeze, his other arm winding around my waist.

Ori whispered a quick apology, all but quaking under my glare as he closed his notebook and fled to the safety of the other side of the large hall.

With a huff I settled back into Fili's embrace, shifting into a more comfortable position. That boy better be ready once I managed to extricate myself from Fili's hold.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review!