A loud and animalistic bellow sounded from Kili's chest as he watched the warg bite down harder causing Calla to give a choked scream, a stream of blood bubbling up through her rosebud lips, her eyes were wide and glazing over with pain. The young dwarf acted on instinct, ignoring the shouts of the other dwarves from their place hidden in the cavern. He forcefully threw his bow to the ground and ran towards the animal, drawing his sword. In that single moment more emotion passed through his body than he had ever experienced, the painful feeling spurring him on as he drove the sword into the back of the beast's neck. He hacked through fur, muscle and bone, his vision hazed red with anger. He didn't even feel the tears streaming down his cheeks or hear Thorin's warning yell as a orc arrow buried itself deep into his shoulder blade.

He gritted his teeth through the pain, as he pulled the lifeless Calla from the jaws of the now dead warg. Her eyes had rolled back into her head and her breathing was shallow as Kili clutched her to his chest. "Please, please wake up. Please. Please don't leave me." he cried into her thick crimson curls as he pressed a kiss onto her clammy forehead. He only noticed the pain in his shoulder when a second arrow joined its counterpart. The dwarf prince cried in pain and looked up at his uncle and brother who were rushing towards them through tear-logged eyes.

"No! Don't take her away from me!" in his head the words came out as a violent scream, but in reality they were no more than a whisper as he helplessly watched his brother lift Calla carefully into his arms and run back towards the hidden passageway. Kili's body gave way just as his uncle reached him, fighting off a few wargs who had reached the scene. His face hit the cool ground and the overwhelming metallic smell of blood filled his nostrils. He ran his fingers through the red blood stained grass, the blood; it was hers. A burning sensation flooded his throat as he tears increased tenfold, she had lost a lot of blood, maybe too much to save her.

Big strong hands gripped the the collar of his long leather coat, and hoisted him into the arms of his uncle, his head dropped and his body became limp as he drifted out of consciousness.

Thorin Oakenshield protectively held his nephew to his chest like he was nothing but a young-ling. He was heavy, but the exiled king barely noticed the weight as he hurtled across the open plain, deftly jumping over small patches of stones, he was determined to get the boy to safety. His nephews were his everything and he didn't want Kili to lose his life so young, just for a girl. A girl who couldn't defend herself, and would probably be dead within a few hours judging by the state she was in when Fili had carried her back into the cave.

He finally reached the crevice's opening, and protected Kili's head as he slid down the rock, landing beside the other dwarves, who all looked pale and sombre as they bent over the two hobbits. Bilbo was knelt beside his cousin on the ground, massive tears running down his cheeks as he squeezed her hand, his knuckles turning white. Each breath he drew rattled with sobs and sniffs. Gandalf, too was bent over the figure of the young woman, whispering a healing incantation.

A loud horn and the clattering of horses hooves could be heard on the landscape above them.

"Elves" Nori said, his voice thick, as he scaled the rock, peeking over the edge at the battle ground.

"That is all I can do." Gandalf said wearily as he stood back up to his full height, turning his steely blue gaze on Thorin, who's face was set in a mask of betrayal towards the old man.

"You deliberately took us to the elves, When I told you not to?" He hissed, his voice dripping with venom.

"Do you want to lose two members of your company? You are a stubborn fool Thorin Oakenshield, they need urgent medical attention! And the elves can give it. Swallow your hate and let them help you."

Thorin was about to tell Gandalf that they could find help another place when a small voice from floor level reached his ears, the tone full of pleading and sobs.

"Please Thorin, she's all I have." sobbed Bilbo as he openly pleaded with their leader.

"And what about Kili uncle?" asked Fili as he appeared by his uncle's side, tears staining his ruddy cheeks.

Thorin sighed and looked down at the paper white face of his nephew, his heartstrings being pulled with a twang. "Very well. But we stay only as long as they need."

Gandalf nodded in approval at the Dwarf's decision and pointed towards an alleyway in the rocks, "This way."

The first thing Kili felt as he was roused from his sleeping state was the burning pain in his back, and the dryness of his throat from screaming. He scrunched his eyes up, not wanting to open them and take in the bright light that was trying to seep its way through his closed eyelids.

"It's really not that bright, you know." came a voice, pushing through his hazy state. The voice was thick with emotion but was easily recognisable as his brother's.

Kili finally forced his eyes open, blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the bright sunlight that flowed into Rivendell's infirmary. He took in the beautifully carved marble ceiling high above him, and relished the warm summer breeze on his bare shoulders.

"Easy for you to say." he choked out, his voice painfully husky from dehydration. On his left, perched in a large wooden chair was Fili, fresh from the elven baths and dressed in a long, white elven tunic with matching trousers. The look was, overall, quite feminine making Kili chuckle to himself quietly. "I had no idea you had taken to dressing as a woman brother. I would have got you some nice pearls for your last birthday." he wheezed quietly, with a weak grin.

"very funny. You should see what they have here for you. You will be the belle of the ball baby brother." chuckled Fili as he held up a pale blue tunic set that matched his own.

Kili stared at the garments horrified, as he tried to sit up in the bed, but was rewarded by a sharp pain engulfing his body. Fili leapt to his feet and helped his brother sit up and get comfortable, before returning to his chair as a tense silence fell between them.

"Water Fili, please." Kili requested quietly, tired of the dull scratching in the back of his throat. The blond adhered to his brother's wishes, filling an intricate wine glass with water and passing it over.

Kili drained the glass as the awkward silence took over again. No one was brave enough to bring up the subject of Calla. A few more minutes passed in silence before Durin's youngest heir could take it no longer, the words practically spilling from his lips.

"Calla … is she ..." he couldn't bring himself to finish the question, his chest was tight with nerves.

Fili sighed heavily and moved from his chair to take a seat on the silk sheets beside Kili's legs, his face was grave and heavily lined. He reached out and grabbed his younger brother's hand, offering his support. "She lost a lot of blood Kili. The warg's tooth punctured a lung and cracked two ribs. The elves have been unable to wake her."

Tears formed in Kili's eyes at the words and a lump caught in his throat. A solitary tear tracked its way down a finely chiselled cheekbone as he sniffed. "Is there nothing they can do?"

Fili squeezed reassuringly on his brothers hand, tears welling in his own eyes as he, himself had become quite attached to the young hobbit girl in their travels. "They say her heart is beating and she is still breathing. So there is hope. They say she's in a deep sleep."

"I want to see her." Kili stated forcefully as he sniffed back his tears, a small puddle of hope beginning to pool in his heart.

"Not until you are strong enough to leave that bed." called a stern voice as both brothers looked towards the open archway of the infirmary.

Kili smiled weakly at his uncle as the large dwarf made his way into the room, taking Fili's seat in the wooden chair. Kili's bow held in one hand. "I believe this belongs to you."

"Are you sure you're well enough for this?" Fili asked fretfully as he supported his brother's weight. The two young dwarf princes were stood outside the doors of Calla's infirmary room. Heavy velvet curtains shielded the capsule from any onlookers and kept the afternoon's bright sun at bay.

Kili shook his head, he was unsure. But he knew one thing, he had to see her. He had to make sure she was really there and that her survival wasn't just a dream. "I need to do this Fili." he simply stated as the pair entered the door that had been opened by a tall, willowy elf nurse.

Fili helped his brother to a chair beside the darkened bed, before taking Calla's cold hand in his, placing a kiss on her knuckles. He crossed the room, leaving Kili alone with Calla and the nurse, stopping in the doorway momentarily. "Send word to me when you want to leave, brother." and with a nod of his blond head, he departed.

Kili swallowed harshly and braved looking towards the bed where Calla lay, tucked beneath a set of white silken sheets much like the ones that had been on his own sick bed earlier. She looked so tiny on the huge feather mattress, and her head was nestled between two sets of double pillows, her cherry red curls spread out over them like a halo. Her skin was so white it could have blended in with the soft material that surrounded her body. Even in her motionless state Kili found her breath taking, his eyes lingering on the curve of her button nose and her soft, dusky pink lips. He was unaware that he had been staring at her until the elven nurse addressed him.

"Maybe, my lord, if you are as close as you seem, your voice may help to bring her back to the world."

Kili looked up at the dark haired woman, who was preparing to leave the room, "Do you think so?"

"I have seen it happen before my lord. If a person, even one in as heavy a sleep at Miss Took here, has a connection with someone, just their voice can wake them."

"What do I say?" he asked, suddenly feeling self conscious and sheepish.

"Anything you wish. Some choose to just talk, some sing songs, and some tell stories. The choice is yours. I will be right outside, should you need me." She said with a soft smile and slipped out of a side door leaving Kili alone with Calla.

The young prince sighed as he carefully lifted himself from his seat, hissing as he pushed through the pain in his shoulders. He tentatively laid down beside her on the bed. He lay on his side facing her, with one hand supporting his head, he gently laced the fingers of his spare hand with hers, his thumb running back and forth over her palm in a soothing motion.

He took a minute to study her face, only a few times had they been in such close proximity, their noses almost touching. He thought back to his gallant rescue of her from the trolls, and the hasty kiss he had bestowed upon her. He felt his heart throb painfully in his chest as he found himself yearning to kiss her again. "Uh, the nurse says you may want to hear my voice. I'm not sure you'd want to hear me sing, that would make you want to sleep for longer. A story then." He paused a minute, unlacing his fingers from hers, using them to lovingly feather over her cheek. "I shall tell you the best story I know. One filled with mountains of gold, kings, dragons, and a journey. The ending is yet to be written but I hope it will be a happy one."

He kissed her forehead gently as he wriggled around a bit on the silken sheets, trying to get himself comfortable.

"Many years ago, set deep into the heart of a solitary mountain was the greatest kingdom of dwarves Middle Earth has ever known. It was revered by races from all around, and the royal family that lived within were well known through out the lands of this world. King Thror ruled with an iron grip, safe in the knowledge his line was to be continued on by his son Thrain and grandsons Thorin and Ferrin. The trade of the dwarves within the mountain was mining, filling the lower halls with shining piles of gold and precious jewels, The dwarves were well known for their success and all who dwelled within were proud to be a part of the kingdom known as Erebor ..."

I actually really loved writing this chapter so i hope it pleases you all. it is up before the wee hours as promised! and don't worry I do intend to wake Calla up in the next chapter so as to not stray too far from the story. please let me know what you think!

Happy reading!

C :) xx