Hey hey hey! This chapter is something of a filler, them settling in for the night. Many thanks to everyone who read and/or reviewed previously. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 21 First Night as Guests

The guest house the company was offered was adjacent to the Master home. Alfrid led them on a brief tour with Captain Braga, pointing out the direction of the kitchen, bathrooms, sitting areas, and the six bedrooms of varying sizes. Not a word was said to the men from anyone until Thorin nodded in acceptance and Balin thanked them for their hospitality. Once the door was shut, everyone relaxed and fell into a chair or onto the floor in relief.

"We should figure out sleeping arrangements, it is getting late." Balin murmured to Thorin.

He looked around the room, wondering at the arrangements himself when he noticed they were missing someone. "Where is our burglar?"

"We left him at Bard's until we knew what was going on. I'm going to go get him know that we have another place to stay." Gavin said from his spot leaning against a post.

Thorin nodded and watched the man leave, spotting a guard trailing after him. He frowned at the action but refrained from doing or saying anything since he knew by now Gavin could handle himself and probably knew he was being followed. He returned his gaze to the company and started assigning bunkmates for the length of their stay, keeping relatives together.

Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur.

Dori, Nori, and Ori.

Oin and Gloin.

Balin and Dwalin.

Kili, Gavin, and Bilbo.

He gave Fili and Helena a room together despite the look Balin gave him. While it may not be within proper traditions, Thorin knew it would be fruitless to try and separate them. They all knew that sleep came sparsely when they weren't together. He could only hope her brother wouldn't be too angry. Thorin's eyes went to his dark haired nephew who was sitting in a chair with a hand bracing his head as Oin poked and prodded the wound on his leg.

"Thorin."

Said dwarf looked to his right at Balin. "Yes?"

"Where do you plan on sleeping lad?"

Silence followed the question. He hadn't thought about a bed for himself, the comfort of his company coming first. "I will stay down here in one of the chairs."

The bushy white eyebrows on Balin's face rose up at the answer. "Nonsense. You will sleep in a room with us, we will take the one with the largest bed. It wouldn't be the first time we would have shared space."

He didn't say anything and stared at his advisor for a moment. He gave a brisk nod and left Balin to Bombur's side, intending to discuss dinner for the night but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Thorin stopped mid-step and eyes swung over to Dwalin who hefted a chair and hid on the other side of the door. He saw Helena step to the side partially hiding herself behind a pillar armed once again with her bow. Looking back at the door, Thorin jerked his head at Balin who had his hand waiting at the handle. A genial smile graced his face and Balin opened the door, everyone else tensing behind him. In the doorway stood two young maids laden with large baskets and no guard near them. Balin frowned at the sight.

"How can I help you this night madams?"

The younger looking female blushed as the elder answered. "The Master ordered us to stock the kitchens here for it has been sometime since there have been guests."

At the mention of food the company relaxed slightly, Dwalin setting the chair down and looking around the edge of the door. "Come in then! Bombur, lead these nice lasses to the kitchen." Balin held the door open wider and the girls stepped into the house, eyeing the dwarves a little warily. Bombur bounced over and flapped his arms to get their attention and led them away. Balin made to shut the door when he heard a voice call out.

"Hold the door!"

Everyone craned their necks to the door way to see Gavin jogging up the steps with Bilbo in his arms and Sigrid trying to keep up with him carrying a couple of bags. They slowed coming through the entrance, Gavin setting an unsteady Bilbo to his feet and Sigrid hovering at the threshold looking unsure of what to be doing. Helena plopped her bow into Fili's hands and quickly made her way over to the swaying hobbit. She led him by his shoulders to the same couch Kili was on with Oin attending his leg still and sat Bilbo gently down, assessing his pale skin and drooping eyes. His cold didn't seem to be getting better which was unusual in Helena mind. She frowned at his hand that immediately went to his vest pocket.

The ring.

Her frown deepened at the thought of the jewelry that was turning the golden Valar flower black. Or had been, she hadn't seen his since they left Beorn's home. Footsteps behind her gained her attention and the two maids were crossing the sitting room to make a quick exit, the older one seemingly dragging the younger. Balin opened the door for them asking if they could thank the Master for his kindness and them for bringing food to them in the cold. Helena saw Sigrid still by the front door now talking to Gavin, having passed him the bags she had carried for him. He had set them to the side and was speaking to her quietly trying to press something into her hand. With a glance down at Bilbo again, Helena walked over to where they were standing leaving the hobbit in Oin's capable hands.

"I can't take this, it is too much!"

Helena heard the low exclamation from Sigrid as she came closer. "Can't take what?"

The girl blushed and Gavin sighed. "I'm trying to give her and her family restitution for the clothes and food we ate. She won't take anything."

"What are you trying to give her?" Gavin moved his hand to reveal a small pouch of coins. "How much?"

"It's only 15 coins."

Helena gave him a sardonic look. "That is a lot to them Gavin, people here aren't exactly rolling in riches if you haven't noticed."

"Exactly why she should take them. It isn't like we will need the money soon."

Looking at the still blushing girl now with her head lowered, Helena took the small pouch from him. "This isn't payment Sigrid. It is a gift from one friend to another, to not accept it will be an insult."

Unbeknownst to the three, they were being listened to by Balin and Thorin who were both impressed and curious about the transaction, more on where the money had come from. Sigrid lifted her head, looking at Helena and then to Gavin. Her hand grasped the leather money bag and let out a defeated sigh.

"Thank you."

"No, it is us who should thank you."

They turned to see Thorin and Balin near them. Thorin came forward and continued. "Your father didn't have to help us nor did your family need to let us partake in the food meant for yourselves."

Sigrid flushed again and stuttered out 'Your Welcome' looking at her hands holding the bag. Helena smiled at her and looked up to her brother. He was watching the young girl with an intrigued expression, one she had never seen on him before while looking at a female. Her eyes darted between the two coming to her own conclusion about how the two thought about the other.

"It is getting late Sigrid, you should head home." Helena told the teenager.

She nodded and walked around them to the door and Dwalin held it open for her. Gavin rushed after her, "I will walk her home as I promised her father." His eyes met with Helena's who winked at his statement. He rolled his eyes at her and placed a hand on Sigrid's shoulder, steering her forward. The door was shut firmly behind them and Dwalin took up stance in front of it to open it when Gavin would return.

With the winter air finally cut off, Gloin stroked the fire he had started and threw in another log. The warmth of the fire slowing filled the room and those who were in the room huddled more into their chairs relishing the rising warmth. Bofur had disappeared into the kitchen where his brother was and Bifur trailed behind him looking for something to entertain his hands. Thorin sat near Kili, watching him as he was close to falling asleep. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Fili and Helena whispering to each other. Thorin watched as the frustration grew on his nephew's face before Fili grabbed Helena and drag her from the room and up the stairs where the rooms were. He barely heard the foots steps above them nor the subsequent sound of the door shutting and wondered how far he had taken her.

As soon as the door shut, Helena pinched at the arm that held hers and jerked away when the hold loosed. "You have no right to manhandle me!"

"You are acting like a child." Fili answered her with a blank face.

"Me? Who's the one that snuck off without saying a word?"

"Your brother told me to leave without you!"

"And because you are so obedient when it comes to what he says, you listened with no complaint. Bullshit." The last word sparked confusion in Fili's eyes which Helena ignored. The two stood facing each other, Helena with her hands clench at her sides and Fili blocking the door with his arms crossed over his chest.

"I did so out of respect for him."

"So you have no respect for me."

"That isn't what I said."

"You implied it! Not a word was said to me about this idiotic plan I'm assuming Thorin and Dwalin created. Obviously there is no respect or trust for me in this company."

Fili stared down at his One as she stepped closer, anger rolling off her at her misconception of their intentions. "If you would have known about it, would you have stayed at Bard's home?"

"Of course not."

"That is exactly why it was decided that you weren't going to be told, they were worried about your safety if we were captured."

"I've been captured before in case you don't remember."

"That was the reasoning. You know how protective dwarves are of their women." Fili watched as her shoulder's tensed further and quicker than he could blink, her hands shot out and shoved him into the door. He stumbled into the wood at her strength as she took a step forward.

"So because I am female I am considered a liability? Who decided that?"

Hesitation. "Your brother."

Helena narrowed her eyes, "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

She growled and swung a fist to hit him in the chest. Fili was ready this time and caught her hand, switching their position and pushed Helena into the door, grabbing her other hand when it came up to hit him. He trapped her arms at her side, sliding a leg between hers and pressing against her to hold her eye level to him. Helena struggled in his grasp and tried to push against him to escape. "You're right, I lied." Her wriggling subsided slightly. "I said you weren't going to come with us to obtain the weapons. You are always in constant danger with us, especially with the dragon looming in the distance. I would never choose to purposely place you in harm's way as I have promised." He leaned his face into her left should and nuzzled the spot where he knew his mark to be with his nose. Fili felt more tension leave her body at his confession. "It is bad enough that I have to contend with the idea of you fighting the dragon with us, but I know what could happen with that beast. But I don't know what the race of men would have done if they discovered how special you were, especially if they hadn't taken kindly to us as they have today."

Helena stared at the bent head at her left in though. She laid a cheek on his head and sighed. "You could have simply told me or asked."

"Would you have listened?"

"Probably not," she said again. "But I guess we'll never find out." Fili lifted his head to look Helena in the eyes as she spoke again. "Don't you recall me yelling at Gandalf for trying to make decisions for me?"

A smirk flitted across his face, "That I do. Don't I get leeway for thinking about your safety?"

"I'll think about it." She told him as he leaned in closer.

"Am I forgiven?"

Helena felt her heart rate pick up at the warmth of his breath across her lips. "I'll think about it."

Fili smirked and laid a kiss on her mouth, his moustache and beard tickling her skin as his tongue push between her lips. Helena moaned and opened her mouth further, kissing him back. When she tugged her arms still trapped in his hands, Fili let go and relocated his hands to her waist to hold her better as her hands immediately went to his hair. They stayed in that position, Fili pressing Helena against the door kissing the breath from their lungs. Helena turned her head to the side and gasped for air, Fili trailing his mouth across her jaw and down her neck.

She pulled at his hair in weak attempts to pull him away. "Fili."

"Hm?" A nip was placed at the middle of her neck.

"St-stop."

He lifted his head to look her in the eyes, his thumbs stroking at her sides. "Is something wrong?"

Some of her conviction was lost as Helena slowly fell at the emotions while staring into his eyes. She carefully moved her hands so their skin wouldn't touch. "We need to talk," the last word stuttered out when Fili pushed his leg against her more firmly. "You l-lied to me."

Fili inched his face closer to hers again, eyes lowered on her mouth as she talked. "Will you forgive me for that as well, since I was only thinking of keeping you safe?"

"I don't like being lied to." Helena tried to keep her focus on talking to him and not be distracted by his deep, murmuring words.

"Would you still be mad at me if I told you it wasn't my idea?" He lifted his eyes finally back to hers and saw the confusion. "Gavin suggest it be his idea so you wouldn't be mad at me, not that it did any good. And you still found out."

Some of Helena's anger returned when she heard his confession. That bastard knew better. Her body tensed up as her ire grew, her hands tightening in Fili's long hair. A mouth pressed against hers and moved, coaxing her to return the kiss. She felt herself slowly melt into Fili's embrace and cursed at herself when her anger dissipated. Damn him for being her weakness.

Gavin had returned to find his sister and Fili missing from the group who were eating a simple fare in front of the fire. Thorin had informed him that they had left earlier to talk, presumably a couple fight about something. He had moved a chair to face the direction Thorin told him they left in and waited for them to appear while eating. "You haven't heard any noise from them?"

"Should we have?" Dori asked him.

"If she was mad about something, you might've heard a crash or screaming from her. She can get vocal when upset. Obviously whatever they needed to talk about wasn't anything bad."

"If they are talking at all." The words were spoken lowly but caught the attention of Gavin and he glared at Thorin who in turn sighed.

"Bofur." The hatted dwarf looked over at their leader. "Go find them, they need to eat."

He looked between Thorin and Gavin a moment before setting his plate to the side and standing. Bofur could feel the eyes of everyone watching him as he left the room to search for the missing members of their party. He climbed the stairs and wandered down the hall with the bedrooms peering in each one for the couple. Arriving at the last door on the left, Bofur's hand froze at the handle as he heard a moan behind him from the only other door he hadn't check yet. Quietly, he slid over the few feet on the wood and smirked when he heard the heavy breathing. He almost didn't want to interrupt them. But…

*Bang*

He thumped his fist on the solid wood and laughed when he heard a curse and a shriek from the other side of the door. "Let's go lovebirds, Bombur's already handed out food." The door flung open to reveal a glaring Fili and Helena flattening the skirt of her outfit, both of them breathing heavily. "Come on, surely you don't want your One to go hungry."

"I wasn't as it didn't appear that she was hungry for food at the moment."

Helena blushed at Fili's words and the second laugh that came from Bofur. She pinched the underside of Fili's arm through his shirt and he yelped at the pain, dropping his arm from where it was holding the door open. "Thank you Bofur, I am hungry." She looked over her should at Fili who was rubbing the sore section of his arm and eyeing her waist/butt area. "For food."

At her insistent tone, Fili drug his eyes up her body, over her face, and to Bofur. "Of course, let's go eat." He caught the disgruntled look on her face as she faced forward again and led the way back downstairs. Bofur was now chuckling quietly and slapped a hand on his back in comradery.

When the three returned, no one said a word about the disappearance or length thereof. Bombur gave Helena and Fili a plate each with a smile and waddled away to the kitchen, Bofur and Bifur leaving with him again with what was left of their own food. Helena steadily ignored Gavin while she ate sitting next to Fili and Dwalin and the man raised an eyebrow at Thorin who shrugged. Dori left to inspect the rooms upstairs to settle the final bedroom arrangements, coming back down as everyone finished the last of their food and drink, speaking to Thorin quietly about the placements of everybody. Bofur and Bifur had to drag Bombur from the kitchen at Dori's call and everyone filed up the stairs after the older dwarf.

Thorin was right about one thing, Gavin appeared less than please about Fili and Helena in a room by themselves. But seeing the look on her face as she shut the last door on the right behind them, he was sure she couldn't care less what her brother thought.

And at the moment, she really didn't.

Although they will be here for a period of time, I will probably gloss over a fair amount of it... maybe. I have some scenes in mind that I want to get to before they leave Laketown.