Chapter 11

I was waiting patiently in my sack when I heard hurried feet race over to me.

"Kris? Hold still please…"

I did what I was told and with an audible snap, the top of the bag sprung open. I pushed myself up and stretched, rubbing my sore neck and joints.

"Oh, that's feels better…" I moaned, enjoying the newly acquired leg room. I turned to my rescuer and smiled at Ori, the young dwarf smiling back meekly.

"Are you alright?" He asked, helping me out of the sack. I nodded, patting him on the arm.

"A little sore but nothing bad. Are you alright Ori?"

Ori nodded quickly and blushed, embarrassed at my attention.

I glanced around me for the first time and took in the scene. Three stone trolls stood around the fire, their grey bodies reflecting the early morning sun. I blinked up at the figures and shook my head in disbelief.

"Trolls turn to stone when they are out in daylight." Bofur's voice said beside me. I turned and took in Bofur, checking for any signs of injury.

"I never knew that…" I said, taking in the odd statues. "I don't have trolls where I come from."

Bofur raised an eyebrow, "There are no trolls in Hamil-Town? That is strange, since you said it is in the north where the mountains lie…I thought there would be many trolls there."

I cringed inwardly and turned away. Oops…Change the subject now!

"Are you alright?" I asked, changing the subject quickly. I noted that his beard was slightly charred and realized that he must have been over the fire.

Bofur smiled genuinely, forgetting my faux pas on troll knowledge.

"Course I am. Was almost roasted by a troll but that's nothing to when my mother would catch me and Bombur running off with the pies…Durin she was scary."

"I see…" I said, turning away.

Before he could say anything, I spun on him and smacked him hard on the arm.

"Oww! What was that for?" He cried indignantly.

"That's for tying me up and gaging me!" I answered, marching off but not before giving him another sound whack

"Oww! Kris!" Bofur's voice followed me, a few chuckles coming from the direction of Gloin and Dwalin.

I marched over to Fili who was still helping Bifur out of his sack and whacked him hard as well, causing him to spin bewildered.

"Hey!" He said, holding his arm wide-eyed. "That hurt…"

"Well I hope it hurts! Next time you tie me up and gag me, it will hurt a lot more!" I said evenly, glaring at him. Kili had come over to see what the commotion was and stood behind me.

I slapped him once more on the other arm and snorted content with my small revenge.

"You tied her up and gaged her?" Kili questioned, confused. "I told you just to keep her away from the fight! Not tie her up!"

I turned on Kili, my eyes wide. "It was your idea?" I hissed, my voice low.

Kili blushed and shuffled, uncomfortable. "Well…no…maybe… I just didn't want you to get hurt or…Oww, Kris!"

My hand stung a bit for I used my injured hand but I ignored the pain, annoyed to the extreme with Kili.

"You deserved it too. Is there anyone else I should hit? Anyone else have anything to add?" I asked, raising my brow. I notice Bifur look slightly worried and I felt my lips twitch up into a smile.

Bifur took this as an excuse to escape and quickly made his exit, giving nervous glances behind him as if worried I would chase him down.

A small giggle escaped my lips at me frightening the dwarfs and Kili's brows rose.

Kili took in my expression and peered down at me, curiously. "So you're not mad?"

"I'm still mad," I answered, glaring a bit, "But after being shoved into a sack by trolls it really gives a person perspective. Still, if you ever try to tie me up again, there will be hell to pay. Mark my words boys…hell…"

I gave Kili and Fili a knowing look and both shook their heads quickly. "Never again!" Fili said, "We promise."

I nodded and smiled, stretching my arms over my head. "Good…Just next time, ask me nicely or something. Girls really don't like the whole tying up thing. It's a little much…"

Fili grinned and I grinned back, feeling better about myself. Nothing releases tension like giving a few dwarves a good smack on the arm. Seriously, it felt good after being almost eaten by trolls.

I was so happy to be free of that sack I felt almost giddy, closing my eyes against the early morning light. My joints popped and strained, their night crammed into a sack not appreciated. I felt my shirt slip slightly off my shoulder and went to pull it back.

Dwarves were broad shoulder people so the shirt tended to slide a bit when I raised my arms. Nothing scandalous, but I was seriously contemplating asking one of the dwarves if they could alter it.

I heard someone let out a small hiss and opened my eyes, confused.

Kili's eyes were narrowed as his studied my shoulder. I turned my head and grimaced. My shoulder was already turning a nasty shade of purple and I could tell it was extensive.

"It's not as bad as it looks…" I began, pulling my shirt over the bruise. "Really, it's…"

"Fine?" Kili finished for me, a note of sarcasm in his voice. He sighed and moved closer, giving me a straight look. "Kris that doesn't look fine."

He reached out and his fingers lightly brushed my shoulder, his eyes concerned. The contact sent shivers down my spine and I jump, pulling back quickly.

I huffed and shifted to make sure he couldn't see my shoulder, pulling the shirt up.

"Kili, I'm not some weak little thing. I just banged it when the troll dropped me and that is all. I bruise easy so it's nothing to worry about. It will be gone in a few days."

Kili didn't seem to buy it but I ignored his concern, not wanting to seem like the weak link. I made a move to walk away when Kili reached out a hand, grabbing mine.

"Wait, Kris…"

I let out a gasp as he gripped my injured hand, tugging it away quickly. Kili's jaw tightened and he grabbed my hand again, making sure not to touch the palm.

"Kili…" I said, trying to tug back my hand.

Seriously, I was fine. A bruise, a scrape, nothing that I haven't had before. Why, I have fallen off of my bike with worst scrapes then these! Why couldn't he just leave me be?

Kili ignored my protests and now even Fili had come over, hovering beside his brother. Kili easily began to unravel my make-shift bandage and revealed the cut. Fili raised his brows and looked at me questioningly, Kili not moving.

"I had to use some broken glass to cut the bonds you used to tie me with." I said, very aware of the attention from the two dwarves. I was blushing again and I remembered my thoughts the night before, my thoughts involving the two handsome princelings before me.

Oh god…please, this is not making anything easier for me boys! Why can't you be like other men? Rude, annoying and more concerned with sports scores? I can deal with that!

"Kris, you are going to have to clean that cut. If it gets infected, it will only get worse." Fili stated with a note of worry.

Kili still hadn't move, holding my hand in his, his face unreadable.

"Perhaps we should take her to Oin?" Fili asked, directing his question at his unresponsive brother.

Kili seemed to start and Fili's voice and looked away from my hand, giving me a chance to pull it from his grasp.

"Uh, right. Oin will know what to do." Kili said taking a few steps away from me, averting his eyes from me. "Oin will be able to clean that cut, and he might have something for your shoulder."

"My shoulder is fine," I reminded him, annoyed. "Just a bruise. I have had worst. Stop worrying Kili."

Kili gave me a withering look and I sighed, grudgingly followed him Fili walking along beside me, a small smile playing on his lips.

Gandalf and Thorin had discovered a troll cave a few miles away and Oin promised to clean up my cut there. I thought that that was perfectly fine but oddly Kili seemed almost anxious, asking whether I could make it up the hill. Let's just say that I had some choice words to say about that and trekked up the hill, ignoring a sullen Kili.

As we travelled through the underbrush to get to the troll cave, Kili walked a few feet ahead, giving me worried glances every few feet.

Fili walked beside me and I whispered to him curious. "Is Kili alright? He seems a little out of sorts."

Fili looked over at his brother and gave a low chuckle, causing Kili to look back quizzically.

"You could say that." Fili answered, a smile tugging at his lips. "Kili just has a lot of things on his mind. My brother is not one to really dwell on any thought so when he does, he can act strangely…" He let out a short laugh and shook his head, obviously thinking of something.

I looked at him sideways but decided to let it go.

Fili was both alike and different from his younger brother. While Kili seemed to act without thought, Fili seemed more reserved, willing to think it out first. Also, Fili was much better at hiding his emotions. His lips still stayed in a small smile but his eyes twinkled, full of mirth which I could not explain.

We reached the cave and Gandalf along with a few others decided to investigate, leaving me with the rest. I went over to Oin and noticed Kili standing beside him, speaking quickly.

He saw me approach and I gave him a confused look, noticing his smug smile.

I sat down on a log beside Oin and sighed. "Alright, let's get this over with."

"Alright lass." Oin said, giving me a smile. "Let's see what we have…" He pulled out a few jars and packages from his bag and began examining the cut, prodding at it with a finger.

I let him dress the wound and focused my attention on the young dwarf leaning on a tree nearby.

"Don't you have any better to do?" I asked playfully, raising my brows. Kili grinned but stayed where he was.

"Nothing that I know of." He cheekily answered, his dark eyes staying on mine.

"Oh, so no trolls to be kidnapped by? I thought you enjoyed that sort of thing."

Kili grinned and let out a sharp laugh. "I generally try to only go after trolls once a day. It seems that I'll just have to wait until tomorrow."

I smirked, meeting his eyes. His dark eyes glittered and I found myself staring into them.

I held his gaze for a few moments but then turned away, blushing despite myself. Oin was almost done when he pulled out a small vial of some white ointment.

"What is that?" I asked, peering at the odd substance. My hand was already wrapped up so I didn't know what the ointment was for.

"It's for your shoulder. The lad tells me that it is quite bruised up." Oin was looking at e expectantly, waiting for me to show him my shoulder.

I turned my gaze toward Kili and glared at his smug expression. "I bet he did…" I said, finally understanding why he seemed so pleased with himself.

Kili smiled wickedly at me and I resisted the urge to stick out my tongue. Stupid, concerned dwarf…

"Oin, it's really not that bad." I tried to reason, fussing a bit. Oin raised a bushy brow at me and looked over at Kili.

"Don't listen to her! She likes to lie!" He called loudly, for both Oin's benefit as well as for my annoyance. Oin turned back to me and waited patiently.

I opened my mouth to protest again but Oin, with surprising speed, poked my shoulder. I let out a sharp hiss and Oin merely nodded, as if confirming Kili's observations.

"Oin! That hurt…" I said sharply, biting my lip to hide the pain. I was surprised on how much it hurt to the touch. It hurt…a lot.

"I'm sorry lass, but I was just seeing if you needed me to tend it. I believe that it does". He smiled fatherly at me and put a hand on my arm, as if to apologize.

I sighed but smiled back, "It's alright Oin. Just no more poking it please…"

Oin chuckled and nodded.

I turned to say something to Kili when I saw him, my eyes widening slightly.

His body language was tense, every part of him taunt as if akin to his bowstring. His eyes where like two black orbs and I struggled to identify the emotion within them. I frowned confused at his expression and cocked my head at him.

"Kili?" I asked, concerned at his sudden change.

He met my questioning look and shook his head, his hands unclenching. "Sorry. It's nothing."

I frowned again but returned my attention back to Oin.

"Come on lass, let me see it." Oin said in a calming voice, as if dealing with a child.

I slowly began to pull down the side of my shirt, revealing my shoulder.

Oin examined it coolly, poking and touching it with purpose. I clenched my mouth closed and refused to let out any noises as Oin touched the more tender parts. He was more careful then before but it hurt ridiculously.

Finally satisfied with his examination, Oin turned to me and gave me a reassuring look.

"It's not very bad. Just some muscle bruising, nothing broken or torn…it will be healed up in a few weeks."

"I told you." I called over to Kili, who was still waiting patiently by the tree. His expression was lighter than before but his eyes still remained dark, unreadable.

"I still need to apply the ointment though," Oin said, interrupting my gloating. "It will help numb the soreness."

Kili grinned and called over, his voice returning to its usual cheekiness, "I told you so…"

I grimaced at Kili but resigned myself. "Alright Oin. Do what you have to do."

Oin nodded and held out the ointment, popping open the top. Oin paused and cleared his throat, his grey eyes kind.

"I will need you to pull up your shirt a bit, lass."

I glanced over at Oin with shock. Oin held up a hand and motioned to my shoulder. "I feel that the bruising might go further down your side so I will need to see it."

I blushed but nodded.

I slowly grabbed the bottom and began to pull up the one side of my shirt, revealing the entire left side of my body from the hip up. I was thankful that I had remembered to keep my bra and then remembered that Kili was standing only a few feet away.

"Kili could you not look please."

I glanced at Kili and saw that he was staring at my side, the dark purple and black bruise creeping up my ribcage. His expression was stricken, causing my heart to flutter for the briefest of seconds before I realized I was only in a bra at the moment. His eyes seemed to skim briefly over my exposed skin and I gasped loudly.

"Kili!" I yelled, tugging my shirt down fast. "Don't look!"

Oin pulled back from his examination of my bruise surprised and looked over at the younger dwarf. I was blushing fiercely and tried to turn away from him, hiding my reddening cheeks.

Kili seemed to realize what he had been doing and his face went bright red. "Oh…" He managed his eyes wide in a mix of horror and shock.

I blushed again and hoped that he didn't notice how red I was becoming. It is easier for friends to stay friends when they keep their clothes on…A rule I tended to stick by when surrounded by men. Dwarfs were no exception.

Kili continued to sputter a bit then rushed to leave, only to smack head into the tree behind him with a solid thunk.

I cringed and made a face. That must have hurt…

"Oww…" He groaned, holding his head. He stumbled a few feet back and let out another groan, a red mark clearly visible on his forehead.

I felt myself starting to grin and then I began to giggle. The giggling didn't last long for soon I was laughing hysterically, tears streaming down my face.

"O, stop laughing!" Kili demanded, trying to regain his composure. "That hurt!"

I laughed even hard and grimaced as my laughing pulled at the sensitive skin.

"It's…just…you…tree…karma!" I managed to choke out, laughing too hard.

Oin smiled at me and beckoned Kili over. "Come on lad, I'll fix you up too." Kili pouted embarrassed but slowly made his way over, perching himself beside me.

Oin checked Kili's head and chuckled to himself, making Kili bristle. "That tree wasn't there before. I swear."

I laughed again and Kili eyed me grumpily. "It's not that funny Kris…"

I sarcastically nodded in understanding but laughed again, grinning like an idiot.

Kili turned away annoyed but I could see the smile tugging at his lips.

Oin pulled away from Kili and shook his head, smiling to himself. "You're alright laddie, you'll just have a big bump there for a night or so."

"Great…" grumbled Kili, but only half-heartily. I grinned but forced myself to stop laughing, my side now really hurting from the extra motions.

"Now," Oin said turning back to me, "Let's get this ointment on your bruise lass. It will help a bit."

I nodded and turned to Kili expectantly. Kili spun quickly and placed his back to me, rubbing his forehead gingerly.

"I won't look…" he murmured, low so only I could hear him. I blushed but accepted his word and pulled up my shirt again, allowing Oin to finish putting the cool while lotion on my bruise. It did feel heavenly and the lotion numbed the tenderness that my shoulder felt.

Kili remained where he was and didn't glance over, respecting my wishes. However I could tell something was on his mind so I decided to get it out in the open.

"What is it Kili? Something's on your mind, I know it."

Kili started to turn to me than remembered himself and forced to look ahead, his voice curious.

"What does karma mean? You said the word before."

I grinned to myself and looked at the back of the dwarf.

"Karma," I tried to explained, "is when someone does something bad or wrong, only to have something bad or wrong happen to them. So let's say you fall of your pony and Fili laughs, only to havehim fall off his pony later. That it karma."

Kili nodded and hummed, obviously thinking about it. I smirked to myself and continued,

"Another example could be how just like now when you were looking at me, and then smacked your head against that tree…"

I laughed and Kili grimaced, putting a hand tenderly to his sore head. He laughed darkly, "I think I get it now…I do not like karma…"

I chuckled at the last bit and allowed Oin to finish.

Oin sealed the small jar and tucked it back into his bag, patting me gently on the knee.

"All done lass. No more getting into trouble, alright."

"Alright, I promise." I teased, smiling at the grey haired dwarf. Kili glanced back quickly to check if I was dressed and helped me up, the red mark on his head slowly becoming a bump. I tried to hide my grin and looked away, sniggering.

Oh Kili… I thought happily, grinning. Thank goodness for karma.

I felt a strong hum at my chest and realized that the Onyx Moon had come alive again, bouncing almost on my chest.

Now what do you want?

It shimmied and seemed to try and drag my attention somewhere else. I glance back at Kili and saw the mark on his forehead. A surge of energy rushed through me, causing me to stumble.

Kili cast a concern look my way but I waved it off, gripping the stone.

Alright! Alright! Just give me a second! Sheesh, your moody…

Casually I reached out and touched Kili's hand, causing him to stare at me curiously. I felt the release of electricity flow through my body and could almost feel myself pulling away the hurt from Kili. Within moments, it was gone and a small throb started on my forehead.

I pulled away from Kili's touch and rubbed my forehead. The stone hummed happily and I groaned at its enjoyment. It wasn't the one with the sore head…

Kili's brows drew over his eyes and I could tell he was about to ask me a question when Oin spoke again, oblivious to what had just happened.

"And you lad," Oin added, gathering up his things, "No more running into trees."

I let out a sharp laugh and pressed my hand against my mouth, noticing the moody glare Kili threw me. Oin winked at me and headed off, leaving me and Kili alone.

Oin looked back though and peered at Kili. "Though, it seems to be healing fast lad. I don't even see a bump anymore…" He cocked his head in confusion then shook himself, trotted back towards camp.

I tried to look innocent when Kili touched his forehead, his eyes widening at no doubt the lack of pain. I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt and hoped Kili wouldn't think much of it.

I heard him mutter something but he said it very low, so I couldn't catch it. He seemed to forget about it and shook his head.

I slowly stretched my shoulder and felt a slight discomfort, but nothing bad. I would have to remember to ask what was in that ointment…It had nothing on A535…

"Is your shoulder alright?" Kili asked, looking at me with concern. I nodded and did one more shoulder roll.

"It's great actually. You dwarves sure can make a hell of a muscle relaxant."

Kili ignored my comment and motioned that we should rejoin the others.

We began to head back to the group when I remembered something.

I hit Kili hard on the arm, making him look at me confused. "Now what?" He asked, taking a step back.

"That's for peeking. And because I felt like it."

With that, I walked away, feeling much better about myself. Kili grumbled something behind me about women but followed, muttering all the way back to the camp.

"Run into any more trees Kili?" Fili mocked when we got back, a roar of laughter erupting from the dwarves. I noticed that even usually serious Dwalin had a smile on his face.

Kili laughed loudly, sarcasm dripping off each note.

"You are funny, brother. So extremely funny…"

I laughed and sat down beside Fili, he winked at me mischievously. He had his knives out and was sharpening them, the steel glinting in the sun. I found myself admiring the odd shape of the blades, staring at them with a mix of awe and fear.

He noticed me watching and held one out. "Ever used one before?"

I shook my head, not touching the blade. "Never…Where I come from, swords aren't really used anymore…so to speak."

Fili raised an eyebrow and returned them to their sheaths, looked at me quizzically. "Are you trying to tell me you have never used any sort of weapon before? None at all?"

"Nope…I tried archery in high school, erm I meant in town, but I wasn't that good at it. I mostly did track and cross country in school, I mean town." I lamely hoped my lie didn't sound so false. I really needed to work on my fake back story a bit…

Fili stared at me openly, amazement written clearly on his face. "So you signed on to this company with no fighting experience, whatsoever? When we are going to Erebor to fight a dragon?"

I turned away and cringed. "Maybe…" I murmured, trying to sound nonchalant. Fili was just about to add something when we heard a noise.

A shout went up and Fili jumped to his feet, both blades out quickly. I stood up and glanced around fearfully.

"Now what?"

"Come on!" Fili said to me, rushing off towards the rest of the group. I hurried after him and let out a string of curses.

Why can't Middle-Earth be boring…