AN: I do not own any of Middle Earth or its characters I have just taken them from Tolkien's toybox to play with them.

FanFiction Queen: Ori offers his hugs to Narrator and says he has a plan that will show Assassin just how crazy he is…if she has the guts to join him in it that is. And you just inspired this one shot.

Save Me.

He entered the dingy dwelling they had been forced to reside in with a heavy heart. The city guard had made his night impossible and he had barely escaped getting caught, let alone managed to liberate any food or money. He leant against the rotted wooden door, unable to face his family. Dori, while disappointed in the trade he'd chosen relied on his support to keep them alive. He shut his eyes and rubbed a skeletal hand over his gaunt face. He'd go without again tomorrow so Ori and Dori would have enough to eat. Ori was the jewel of their family and their hope for a better future. Already well learnt in his letters and numbers the lad had just been accepted on as a potential apprentice to Balin Fundinson. Dori was their pillar of support. Unflinching in the face of whatever life threw at them, he stared down danger and devastation with a steel spin and an iron fist. No-one touch the younger brothers of Ri and got away unscathed. Sighing Nori pushed from the door and slipped quietly into the dark kitchen where he knew Dori would be waiting up for him. He opened his mouth to offer an apology when he was drawn into a warm hug. He stiffened for a long moment and then relaxed into the arms of his big brother.

%

Soggy and disgruntled he stumbled through the door of the ale house, hoping they had a room free, or even some space left in their stables. He needed to get out of the driving rain and biting wind before he did himself an injury or ended up the first dwarf in the history of ever to die of the common cold. The bar keeper looked at him suspiciously and sneered at his every request. With barely enough energy to keep himself upright he merely nodded and turned to leave the tavern. As he reached for the door he heard his name being called and peered across the room. He smiled wanly as he recognised one of the dwarves there as a member of the Ur family. Shrugging and happy to stay in the warmth for longer he walked cautiously over to them. A bowl of stew and mug hot mead were shoved in front of him as soon as he had seated himself, and when he opened his mouth to object he was shot such a look by the terrifying dwarf beside the red-haired Ur that he subsided with a quiet "thank you" and tucked into his meal. As soon as he was done he was bundled along a passage and into one of the rooms the tavern kept to one side for the small folk. He tried to object when he was stripped of his still soaked outer wear but found his voice caught in his throat on a sob. The red-haired Ur stopped his actions and pulled him into a bear like grip. Unable to help himself he sobbed himself out into the massive red beard as hands rubbed soothing circles on his back.

%

He found himself shaking as he left the chamber of council. He hadn't been prepared to come face-to-face with most of the remaining Line of Durin, nor with the guardsman that had thrown his arse in a cell so many times he'd lost count. He'd gone there to offer his support to his baby brother, as he would be damned if he was letting the lad go off on a madcap adventure without him there to watch his back. He curled his hands into fists in an attempt to calm himself, Ori would be leaving the room shortly and it wouldn't do for his baby brother to see him so shook up. He hadn't dared respond to the barbs that had been flung at him, merely stating time and again that as long as Ori was with the company he would be at his brother's side. The only time he'd let his temper flare was when some red-haired buffoon had questioned Ori's ability to travel with them. He'd shot the dwarf down in a hail of words, whilst never leaving his brother's side. Apparently reminding them that Ori had grown up on the road and had only recently settled in one place was the right thing to do. He was so lost in his thoughts that he nearly knifed the person wrapping their arms around him. He sheathed the blade when he realised it was none other than Ori himself. Strong arms wound around him as his baby brother buried his face in his neck. "Thank you No'i!" Smiling softly and deciding that getting his little brother to hug him was worth everything Nori wrapped his arms around Ori's slender shoulders, "No worries kid," He chuckled softly as Ori snuffled at him, tears would never do, "I just saved them all from your temper." He was reward by a soft laugh and the arms tightening yet more.

%

"You're holding the blade wrong." He kept his voice flat, careful not to let the younger dwarf know he was impressed. "Go through the moves again, and this time don't move your hand it is a sure fire way to lose your fingers." He watched the slender form of the youngest Durin prince as the lad went through the moves again. He could see the determination in brown eyes, even as gangly limbs shook with the effort of going through the unknown moves yet again. He saw the moment that it clicked and the young body seemed to move without effort. "Good!" he called, "That's enough for now your majesty." Brown eyes turned to him with a question and he flung the water skin at him, "Dwalin will have my head if he knows I am teaching you any of this," he paused, "But I did promise your mother I would keep you safe, so…" He broke off as the tall brunette wrapped him in a quick hug, laughing as the lad went bright red and darted off as soon as he'd done it.

%

He eyed the lad carefully. He'd done nothing but fuss and complain since he'd chased after them, but now he was staring down three huge trolls with barely a flicker of fear in his hazel eyes. He watched as the small male barely flinched as a massive hand slammed into the ground next to him, he saw the defiance come into his eyes and the narrow chin raise, a delicate lip curling in a well-practiced sneer. He barely paid attention when he was cut from the spit, pausing only to take in that his brothers were safe he stepped rapidly across to the now white faced hobbit. Wincing as he saw the hurt quickly hidden at their leaders words. He placed a hand on narrow shoulders showing his support. "That was out of order Thorin," he spoke quietly, but all eyes flew to him and the company stilled. "If it weren't for Master Baggins we would be dead." He held up a hand to stop the royal dwarf talking. "Do you honestly think that if he'd let your nephews run in here any of us would be alive." His calm voice and logic seemed to deflate the company and they turned away from him, embarrassment written in their faces.

He turned to leave the hobbit when a gentle hand on his wrist stopped him. He raised an eyebrow as soft hazel eyes took him in, barely stopping himself from gapping as Baggins began to talk, "There is more to you than anyone gives you credit for Master Nori." Nori began to shake his head in denial and got an eyebrow raised at him in response. He stopped shaking his head recognising the expression, it was one he used himself. "That's what I thought Master Nori," Baggins' voice was still calm and Nori barely had time to stiffen as he was wrapped in a hug so similar to Ori's that he thought he might cry. Once again the dwarves around them stilled and he went to try and pull away from Baggins' arms. "Ain't happen'n dwarf," the small creature growled against his chest, "You need a hug and I need a hug and the rest can go and jump." Nori couldn't help the laughter that welled up at that and encircled the smaller male with his own arms.

%

"Master Nori?" The voice was unsure and completely not what he had expected from the blonde-haired Durin.

"Yes Master Prince?" he queried, turning to meet confused blue eyes.

"Why?"

"Why what Master Prince?"

"Why would you throw yourself in front of that arrow for Dwalin?" Nori opened his mouth to refute doing so, but Fili was soldiering on. "No I saw you do it. You would have taken the hit for him if you couldn't move him. He hates you and you hate him so why?"

Nori closed his eyes. "I don't hate him, I don't really hate anyone Master Prince. He is more vital to this quest than I. He will help our king rebuild Erebor, while I will disappear back into the shadows forgotten. He will protect your brother and yourself. He will stand between the assassins and thieves and naysayers. I will not be there. He will be remembered, while I will fade into obscurity." He rested a hand on the blonde Durin's shoulder, "Don't you see Master Prince I am here only for my brothers. He is hear for all of your people. For your king. For you!"

The strong shoulder was wrenched from his grip. "You're wrong!" The voice was quiet and void of emotion. That alone caused Nori to still, the blonde was fuelled by his emotion. "You are wrong!" Now there was conviction and Nori frowned as Fili talked, "We will not forget you. Your brothers will not forget you. Our hobbit will not forget you. You are one of us. One of the company. You answered the call of my uncle. It might have been for Ori, but you came!" Blue eyes fixed sharply on his face and Nori drew in a shocked breath at the flames he saw there. "You are the one who took the time to teach Kili. You are the one who stood up for Bilbo against my uncle. You are the one who nearly took an arrow for Dwalin." Strong hands gripped his narrow shoulders and yet Nori couldn't find the energy to wrench free, "I! Will! Not! Forget!"

Nori closed his eyes as he was tugged into a rough hug. It bruised his already battered body, but the young prince was warm and Nori found himself returning the hug just as fiercely. "If I am to be remembered by anyone then I am happy it is you My Prince." He swallowed the lump in his throat and pulled away from the hug. He offered a formal bow before walking swiftly back to the company, back straight and face set.

AN: Let me know what you think please.