Chapter 21

I do not own any of Tolkien's or Peter Jackson's work.

The dwarves were surrounding the fire with alcohol in their hands. Even Bilbo joined in with the company. Fili and Kili were the center of attention at the moment. They were telling funny stories while everyone listened and laughed. I glanced around at everyone and my eyes stopped on Dwalin. He was giving me a glare for some reason and my eyebrows knit together in confusion. Dwalin shook his head and took a swig of his drink. I shrugged and sat down on one of the logs they set up by the fire

I just realized that Thorin and Balin were missing and casually looked around to see if I could spot them. They were nowhere in sight. I didn't want to worry about it so I focused my attention on Fili and Kili. Both of them were talking loud and laughing at everything I couldn't even comprehend what they were saying because I had so much on my mind I stared aimlessly at the fire and watched the flames eat at the logs. Everyone's voice was muffled and I found myself in a trance.

"Am I right Ilana?" I just realized that Fili was talking to me and shook my head in confusion.

"What? Uhh… yeah." I blurted.

"You would like to hear a story, right?" Fili repeated slowly as if I didn't know English.

"Sure." I nodded and gave him my full attention this time.

"I think I'll let Balin take the reins of this story." Fili looked around at everyone, but Balin was still missing along with Thorin. Fili scratched his head and turned to leave.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kili take out another bottle of beer. He noticed me looking t him and smiled innocently.

"What? I want to have a bit more fun." Kili smirked and opened the bottle with a pop. "Don't judge." He said as he took three big gulps of the alcohol. I could only laugh at his sillies. He held out the bottle to me and asked, "Would ya like some?"

"No, thanks."

"Alright, more for me." His words slurred slightly as he spoke.

"Nope." Fili came in, grabbed the bottle out of Kili's hand and finished the rest. "Thanks, brother." Fili patted Kili's shoulder and smirked.

"Wow." Kili replied with sarcasm, shrugging off his brother's hand.

Balin walked into our little circle and sat down. Thorin followed behind him at a distance but he leaned against a tree a couple feet away I guess it's time for the story all eyes were on Balin as we waited for him to start.

He cleared his throat and began, "After the dragon took the Lonely Mountain King Thror tried to reclaim the ancient dwarf kingdom of Moria but our enemy had got there first. Moria had been taken by legions of Orcs, led by the most vile of all their race, Azog the Defiler. The giant Gundabad Orc had sworn to wipe out the line of Durin. He began by beheading the King." I cringed and looked up at Thorin who had his head down, but his eyes were filled with hatred. I never knew that this happened…

Balin continued, "Thrain, Thorin's father, was driven mad by grief. He went missing, taken prisoner or killed; we did not know. We were leaderless; defeat and death were upon us."

Before Balin finished, I knew that he was going to say that Thorin became the leader.

"That is when I saw him; the young dwarf prince facing down the pale orc. He stood alone against this terrible foe, his armor rent, wielding nothing but an oaken branch as a shield. Azog learned that day that the line of Durin would not be so easily broken. Our forces rallied and drove the Orcs back; our enemy had been defeated, but there was no feast or songs that night, for our dead were beyond the count of grief. We few had survived and I thought to myself then 'There is one I could follow. There is one I could call King.'"

Balin finished and I looked at Thorin who had a little glimmer of hope in his eyes underneath all of his anger and sorrow Thorin met my eyes, but didn't turn away. I saw him past his anger and bitterness and saw his sorrow that he went through so many years ago. I felt a tear slide down my face and wiped it away. Then my eyes dropped down towards the fire.

I thought Thorin was sad only because the dragon took his home, but his family was slaughtered right before his eyes. I wish I was able to understand him before I made the wrong assumptions.

"You alright, Ilana?" Bofur asked, sitting down next to me.

"I'm just thinking." I replied vaguely.

"About what?" He started to whisper so no one could overhear us, not even Fili.

"Well, I never realized how much Thorin had been through, and I sorta messed things up with him…" I looked at Bofur and he wanted me to continue. "He basically confessed that he had feelings for me, but only because I kept asking him what he was talking about with Dwalin since I eavesdropped. He was very aggravated when he told me and I apologized, but he said it was too late. I messed up big time…" I finished and tears welled up.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't cry now! Everything will be alright Give it time. Ya didn't know any better. Thorin will understand even if it doesn't look like it." Bofur pulled me into a hug and patted my back reassuringly.

"Okay." I said weakly. I hugged him back and blinked away my tears.

"Hang in there, Ilana. I promise ya everything will be fine."

I gave Bofur one last squeeze and let go. He flashed me a big smile and I giggled.

"I hope you aren't drunk." I laughed. "Because then everything you said might be a lie."

"I am not drunk, missy! I know what I said even if I am a tiny bit intoxicated." Bofur gently pushed me and laughed.

We stopped laughing and I asked, "Do you think I should talk to Thorin?"

"That's up to you, Ilana. I can't make your decisions." Bofur inquired.

I nodded, "Alright. Thanks, Bofur!"

"Anytime!"

I waved goodbye and went to my sleeping bag. As soon as I sat down, I felt someone grab my shoulders. I flipped around and was face to face with Fili. I gasped and took a step back in shock.

"What do you think you're doing?" I questioned.

"Sorry…" Fili slurred. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"You're drunk."

"Good observation." Fili staggered with a bottle in hand. "Lemme tell you something." Fili pointed a finger at me. "I told you I wasn't gonna drink much… I lied. Sorry about that."

"It's okay." I took another step back. He reeked of alcohol.

"Ya know, the forest isn't so bad… Let's live here. Whadaya say?" Fili almost fell over, but surprisingly caught himself.

I laughed quietly, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why's that?!" Fili raised his voice. He took another gulp of his alcohol.

"Hey now, brother. Don't get so angry." Kili stepped in and grabbed his brother's shoulders.

"Brother! Ya know, I really love you. Kili? Ya know that, right?" Fili was about to fall over, but Kili helped him.

"I know, Fili. You should sit down. You don't look so good." Kili started walking Fili towards the fire and winked at me before he walked away.

Fili and Kili are such goofballs! Good thing Kili still had his wits or Fili would have passed out. I giggled as I saw Kili trying to get Fili to sit down, but he would refuse and push him away. Fili is going to be so hung over tomorrow. I'm surprised Thorin didn't step in to say something to his nephew. By the way, where did Thorin go? He wasn't by the tree anymore and I couldn't see him anywhere.

Kili was still trying to calm Fili down when Thorin walked in the picture. Kili gave up and looked at Thorin.

"Fili." Thorin called. Fili looked up and paused for one second until he darted off in Thorin's directions, arms extended. Thorin didn't react fast enough and Fili tackled him to the ground. My eyes shot wide open and I watched with anticipation. Thorin was still shocked and Fili held him down.

I love you, Ilana…" Fili whispered loudly and tried to kiss Thorin on the lips but he turned his head. Instead, Fili kissed him on the cheek.

Thorin pushed Fili off and said with pure confusion, "What did you say?" I couldn't control myself as I burst out laughing. Fili's face dropped and he stumbled backwards. Thorin looked at me with amusement.

"Umm… Ilana? Oh! Uncle!" Fili swayed. "Uncle, I love you. You know that?" Fili started to hug Thorin again and ended up falling in his arms. Kili was on the floor laughing hysterically.

Thorin smirked, "Fili, I know." He put Fili back on his feet and took the alcohol away to finish the rest for himself.

"Good…wait… come back with dat." Fili pointed at the bottle in Thorin's hand. Thorin turned away and Fili gave up. "I love you guys so much!" He shouted towards all the dwarves and fainted flat on his face.

Everyone burst out laughing and it echoed in every direction. I enjoyed watching everyone have a good time. Bofur was on the ground with his feet kicking in the air. Ori was also on the ground laughing uncontrollably. Bombur was throwing food at a couple dwarves. Bilbo was red with laughter, too. A couple dwarves were playfully hitting each other and Thorin was hiding his face, but his shoulders shook in laughter.

I noticed that Dwalin was walking in my direction. Uh oh. What did he want? I held my breath.

Dwalin crouched in front of me and cleared his throat. "Thorin wants to talk to you, Ilana."

I exhaled, "Alright."

"And… uh… sorry… for my behavior." He stammered and looked down.

"It's okay! Don't worry about it." I answered quickly.

"Okay." Dwalin got up and patted my shoulder roughly before going back to his original spot by the fire.

That was strange. He apologized though, so that's good. Why couldn't Thorin come up to me? Why do I have to go to him? He's going to blow up again.

After the laughter died down, everyone passed out on their sleeping bags. The fire was reduced to a few embers and I looked around, but didn't find Thorin. I stood up and walked around quietly. Fili was still on the ground from when he fainted and I noticed he didn't have a blanket. I went over to where his backpack rested and untied the blanket. Fili snored loudly as I gently draped the blanket on top of him. I giggled and stepped away from the sleeping dwarves.

I stared into the darkness and saw a silhouette with broad shoulders. I knew it was Thorin and I slowly stepped towards him.

"Having trouble sleeping again, Ilana?" Thorin wondered in his deep voice.

My heart was beating out of my chest. "A little, yeah." I sounded like such an idiot.

"Come sit with me." I saw him sit on a log and wait for me.

I approached him and sat down cautiously. He stared ahead when I looked over at him. I shifted uncomfortably in the silence.

Then, Thorin broke the silence and said, "I have something to tell you. We need to talk." He turned his head and looked me straight in the eyes. His eyes didn't look hard and angry like they usually did. Instead, his eyes were soft and welcoming.

I nodded, "Okay. Yeah, I agree."

He smiled slightly, "I have a few questions and I want you to be completely honest with me. Understand?"

"Yes. I want you to be honest with me, too…" I looked at him shyly.

"Seems fair." Thorin nodded. Both of us turned our bodies to face each other and I waited for Thorin to start his questioning.

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year! Keep on reading! Thank you! :)