Chapter 24 – Jealousy and Fights

Fili and Kili were both sitting up on top of the heavily vine covered railing, besides two arches that held up the roof hovering over them. Kili had chased Fili, though not for long before giving up, knowing he was just messing with him. Kili swore, however, that he would get back at his brother for it if he got the chance. They both were eating some left-over stew from last night, and Fili tried to make small talk with him.

"When are you going to ask her?" Kili knew he was referring to Elle, but didn't understand what he meant.

"Ask her what?"

"Ask her to court you," He chuckled his answer, "She's your One, isn't she?"

"Of course, I'm not mistaken." Kili sighed lightly, "It's just complicated."

"I know. She's scared, but there is no harm in asking her. What's the worst that could happen?"

"She rejects me." Kili answered with too much worry.

"You and I both know that isn't going to happen. She's even told you herself she feels the same way. Dwarves only love once, and everyone sees how much you both love each other." Kili smiled a little.

"She's not the only one that's scared."

"Well, get used to it. This feeling will never blow over; Your stuck with it forever." Fili said, glancing over at his brother.

Spending the rest of his life with her was all he wanted. The more Kili thought about it, he realized that Elle has been on his mind so much he has forgotten about Erebor. He didn't dare speak of this, knowing Thorin might get a little, no more on edge, than he was last night.

"I'm not the only one, everyone is thinking the same thing and uncle has given you his blessing."

"What about amâd?"

Fili's dimples appeared beside a wide smile.

"She may be worse than uncle sometimes but you and I both know our mother. She'll give you her blessing and she'll adore Elle."

Kili believed him but there was something else.

"I want to keep it traditional. I don't want to rush in and ask, I want to do it right." He placed his empty bowl down and searched his pocket, pulling out a small piece of wood that looked like was only half crafted. Fili tilted his head at it.

"Are you crafting something for her?"

"Aye, it's not done but I want to get it finished before asking her about courting."

He fiddled with the half-finished wooden wolf figure in his fingers.

"Ava spoke about a wolf she used to own and I could feel how much she missed him. I wanted to do something special."

"She'll love it naddîth," Fili beamed brightly, "I'm proud of you, we all are."

"Thank you nadad," Kili felt proud of himself as well, "I never thought I would find my sanâzyung."

"None of us do. Something rare isn't expected to happen," Fili slid down from the railing followed by his brother, "But it's happened to you and she's the perfect woman."

Kili smiled warmly. "She is. I couldn't wish for anything more."

The brothers spent a little more time with one another until Fili was called by Thorin, probably something Kili would find boring and didn't have interest in. Right now, he wanted to find Elle again. He wanted to see her beautiful smile and run his fingers through her lush hair, then hold her and never let go. He made his way up the stairs and looked around him to see if he could spot her at a distance or something. A familiar voice caught in his ears and beamed knowing it all too well, though the words she spoke were muffled. Picking up his pace he came around a corner to right away saw her. But his smile faded at what he saw.

Elle, his one love, was hugging the hobbit ever so closely. Too closely. The sight set a fiery boil in his blood and his hands balled until the skin turned white.

'That little rat.' He thought to himself bitterly.

He had never felt so much jealousy before, it made him feel sick. What if he loses Elle to Bilbo? No, he couldn't think like that. He will fight for her if he must. No one was going to win over what was his.

With fury and anger in his heart, he stormed off, a dark look and scowl set firmly upon his face. He decided he would wait until the hobbit was alone. He'll make the message clear to him.

Elle was his, and his alone.

Lunch had been a very peaceful and lovely experience for both Elle and Bilbo. After such a journey Bilbo was grateful to be in Rivendell. He had even considered staying behind and letting the dwarves continue, they wouldn't stop him. But then Elle and Chari came to mind and he didn't want to disappoint them. They had been nothing but kind to him and they were his only friends.

"Elle, I have something for you." Arwen said, reaching into her pocket.

"You do?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

"My father took it off you when you were brought here. I asked to hold on to it, so it would be returned to you when you awoke. I forgot, until now."

Arwen handed the girl a locket. It was shaped like a heart, and it looked like it had been freshly polished.

Elle gasped, taking the necklace in her hands. She hadn't laid eyes on the locket since she told the dwarves of her Papa's fate. Looking at it always brought back bad memories. A horrible feeling rose in her gut, and she felt like she would be sick.

Bilbo's eyebrows furrowed, and wondered why a necklace could cause such a reaction from his friend. He then recognized the locket that Elle always wore. The last time Elle took off the locket, or ever looked at it, was when she told the company of what happened to her Papa.

Her silence was enough to make the others notice.

"Elle? Are you okay?" Chari asked her sister hesitantly.

She was snapped back to reality and looked around at everyone with wide, tearful eyes.

"I-I'm sorry," Her voice was no more than a whisper before she hurried out the room, tears falling from her eyes, the locket clutched in her fist.

Arwen was about to follow her, intent on apologizing, but was stopped by Bilbo.

"Maybe I can try talking to her. She's spoken to me a lot so far, it's about time I return the favor."

She smiled lightly and agreed and Bilbo made his way out to follow Elle's trail. It didn't take long for him to find her sitting at a bench under a rounded arch with her head hung low. The soft whimpers were enough to make his heart ache for her and slowly crept forward.

"Elle?"

A red tear stained face was greeted to him, though she tried to hide her tears, and he looked at her in sympathy.

"Oh Elle," He exhaled sadly, "Y-you can talk to me about anything, like me to you, remember?"

Elle sniffled and wiped the back of her hands over her face to dry her tears.

"Thank you, Bilbo," She whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "But I don't know if I can..."

Bilbo stepped closer and was now standing next to her. "I…I'm not the best to talk, but I do enjoy listening."

Hearing this made her smirk lightly, "I know you do, you're a good hobbit Bilbo Baggins." She wiped the rest of her face with her sleeved dress not knowing what else to clean her face on.

"I would offer you a handkerchief but unfortunately I left it behind with my rush out." Bilbo said patting his pockets, "Would…. would you rather I leave?"

Elle didn't need to look up as she was already mostly eye level with him due to his height. She bit her bottom lip without realizing and gave a small smile.

"No, you can stay."

Exhaling she tried to get a hold on her emotions, "I just don't know what to do or think anymore."

Bilbo now stood in front of her and gave a warm smile.

"Well maybe you can tell me what's bothering you."

"My past," She gasped out softly, "It just keeps coming back to hurt me and all I want is for it to stop. I thought I could move on, but it's not easy. It's been getting worse so fast. Maybe its best if I stay and let the others continue. It would save a lot of trouble for them."

Bilbo stared with wide eyes at her and gave a firm but gentle tone.

"No! You're not staying. No matter how beautiful or peaceful it is here you belong with the dwarves. They need you. Kili needs you."

Hearing the mention of Kili brought Elle back to reality. He was right. She couldn't do that to him it would break his heart. It would hurt the others too; she would be letting them down.

"Y-you're a remarkable woman," Bilbo stumbled a little on his words as he continued, "I see how much Kili cares about you and Balin has explained to me about dwarves finding they're one love and, just like hobbits and other kins, we all only love once in our lifetime. I see you care about him too but I also see the hesitation. It's none of my business to know the reason or your past, but don't forget, you joined the company because you wanted to change, and because you wanted to make a difference. The past can hurt but it won't if you stop letting it hurt you. You're moving forward and that means leaving the past behind. Live your life and be free. You have great friends around you, and Kili loves you more than anything. Please Elle, don't throw away this chance."

All the positivity she had spoken to Bilbo that had been forgotten, was reiterated again by him. It was like a new door had opened for her. She felt a wave of relaxation wash over her and without even thinking she pulled Bilbo in for a hug. Bilbo wasn't expecting the sudden embrace but welcomed it with no hesitation.

He smiled and returned the hug. After a moment, they both moved away and Elle gave one of her bright smiles with her rosy cheeks.

"Thank you, Bilbo. I needed to hear that," She remained in her seat as she continued, "One day I'll speak about my past but I just need more time. I just never saw myself being here or finding someone like Kili. I care about him deeply, I truly do, but there is that small part in me that still isn't sure."

"We all get that and life is full of surprises, you have your courage though and that will help you through whatever life throws at you. I still need to find mine."

"Bilbo, it's not always about courage." She didn't want him to think he had to have it to be part of this quest.

Bilbo stood as tall as he could and puffed his chest out.

"Courage is found in the most unlikely places. It might be along this journey or it might not be, but I won't know unless I try. You're the only friend I have and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, you have inspired me."

He joined both his hands in front of him.

"You're brave with a lot of courage and you share that with me until I'm able to find my own. I cannot thank you enough."

"Oh Bilbo," Elle smiled with a small laugh, "Very well, I'm happy to share until you find yours, it won't be long now. Just you wait and see."

Bilbo nodded with a wide smile and then cleared his throat, "Well, I've heard the elves have a very large library here and I cannot leave Rivendell without having a look."

"I might find you there later, but first I need to go back to Arwen. I need to apologize for my reaction." She stood up from her seat, sliding the locket over her head, and looked down at the hobbit.

"Thank you again. I must say you're a better talker than you think."

He chuckled, "That's something new, but it might be a good thing."

"Have fun. I'll see you later."

She looked much better as she walked away and headed back towards where they were just having lunch. Bilbo smiled watching her leave, grateful to have someone like Elle as a friend.

Soon he left as well, strolling up the staircase and towards where he had been told by the elves the library was. He was looking forward to doing some reading and didn't matter if they were in elfish or not, he always enjoyed new books.

He had never sensed someone was following him before it was too late, and he was ruefully grabbed by the back of his shirt and yanked back into the closest room. Bilbo tried spinning around to see who it was and his voice betrayed him to yell out, too much in shock and fear built up inside him.

He was than thrown forward into the room and surprised himself as he managed to catch his balance and was finally able to turn around to see who it was.

"Kili?" He questioned confused with what was going on.

"W-what are you-" He never got to finish as Kili stormed forward and threw a punch at him, knocking him in the face and watched as the hobbit fell back onto the ground.

Bilbo gasped at the pain that swelled through his face and moved his hand away from his nose to see there was blood. He nervously gazed back up at Kili, who looked like he was ready to kill something. Kili glared down at the Bilbo with flared nostrils and burning eyes. He wanted to teach him a lesson for trying to steal what was his.

"K-Kili?" Bilbo shook lightly in fear, never has he seen the young dwarf so angry, "What…. w-what's gotten into you?!"

"Don't play stupid with me Halfling," Kili snarled stepping closer making Bilbo shuffle back trying to keep a distance from him, "You don't think I don't know? I see the way you look at her. You want her for yourself!"

Bilbo frowned trying to think over what he had done wrong and who he was speaking about. He took a guess, "A-are you talking about Elle?"

"Who else am I speaking of?!" Kili growled like a feral beast startling Bilbo.

"T-this is ridicules, Elle is my friend!" He tried to explain but his words weren't getting through to him, "I-I don't see her in that way at all!"

"You lie!"

Kili fisted both his hands into Bilbo's shirt and lifted him off the ground as if he was a feather. Bilbo's feet were dangling an inch from the ground and struggled in the dwarf's grip.

"She's mine. Not yours, mine! You stay away from her you piece of shruk!"

"Kili!"

Both faced the doorway to see a very unhappy Elle standing there with wide eyes, baffled with what she was witnessing. Her arms were on her hips, a dark look in her eyes as she watched the scene in front of her.

Elle had heard shouting from her place in the hall, where she was thinking about Kili, and how to tell him about her mother. She followed the voices, until she came across the scene now in front of her.

"Let him go now!"

She stormed forward burning holes into Kili who hesitated to drop the hobbit. Elle walked forward, and yanked on Kili's arm, hoping to get him to let go. Kili merely threw his arm back, trying to get Elle off. It worked, as she was sent sprawling to the floor with a loud thump.

All parties froze.

Elle stared up at Kili with wide eyes, as Bilbo glanced between the two fearfully. Kili merely looked down at Elle, before looking at his hands, which were still holding Bilbo against the wall. Kili dropped Bilbo to the ground with a clatter, staring wide eyed at his hands, then at Elle, a shocked look on his face. That seemed to snap Elle out of her head, and she scrambled to her feet. She was right away at Bilbo's aid, checking his bleeding nose that was smeared down his chin and shirt. The hobbit said he was ok just a little shaken and was helped up onto his feet by her.

She brought her attention to Kili who gazed at her in wonder. Elle wanted to hit him hard, but at the same time, the fear she felt in her bones was slowly consuming her. She could feel the stinging pain in her back from where she fell. Tears pricked her eyes, though she didn't let them fall.

She walked up to him, drew her hand back and punched him in the face. Hard. Blood began to trickle down his face, his lip bleeding from where she punched him.

She wanted to do worse for his ridicules behavior.

"You're unbelievable." She hissed, acting angry.

Inside, she was terrified. Kili licked his sore lip and looked at the woman he loved, but right now she looked like she wanted to murder him.

"Ava, I-"

"Don't bother explaining yourself. I've heard enough from you!" She snapped and he pulled back, a look of guilt on his face.

"I can't believe you would do something so reckless to Bilbo. He hasn't done anything wrong!"

"I-I thought-"

"¡Cállate!" Ell snapped, glaring at Kili.

She had an arm wrapped around Bilbo's shoulders, helping him from crumpling to the ground, as his legs still felt like jelly.

All the yelling had drawn the attention of the other dwarves who hurried up the stairs to see what was going on. Chari also had rushed in the room, Arwen staying in the hall.

Some came prepared just in case, armed with swords and blades ready to cut down anything. Thorin was the first to enter the room followed by Fili, Balin and Dwalin, then the rest of the company right behind them.

"What in Durin's beard is going on?" Thorin demanded eyeing his nephew seeing his cut lip then Elle before his eyes lay on Bilbo.

"What happened to the hobbit?" He asked noticing the blood down his front.

"I-ahh," Bilbo winced a little at the pain in his nose, "Kili hit me."

"What'd you do?" Fili frowned lightly thinking it was the hobbit's doing.

"I did bloody nothing!" Bilbo hadn't meant to snap like he did but he was pretty fed up with dwarves right now.

Elle huffed in annoyance and muttered, "Just casual dwarf behavior."

Her tone was enough to make the others keep their distance from her knowing all too well that Elle in a bad mood was not good news.

"I'm sorry, casual dwarf behavior? Are you serious?!" Bilbo stared at her seeing if she was joking, which she wasn't.

She, however, didn't want to do this here, not with everyone watching on. She brought her eyes to Kili who was looking guiltier now. Good.

"You and I need to have a serious talk."

She heads for the door with skirt flying around her legs. The other dwarves made a pathway for her not wanting to be in the way. She turned back around expecting to see Kili to follow her, but saw he just stood there with his head hung low still and huffed out making her way back to him.

"Now you goof ball!"

Before Kili could move or react for that matter she had grabbed the side of his ear between her fingers tightly and pulled him along behind her, not caring if it hurt him or not.

''Aish 'aish!" He winced but didn't dare to struggle or protest and glanced at everyone with a pleading look for help, but no one did.

Fili shook his head, wrapping his arm around Chari's waist as she made her way to the front, "You're on your own Naddîth."

"Good luck lad," Nori was the only that wished him that, "ye gonna need it."

All the company could do, including Fili and Thorin, was watch as Elle dragged Kili away from everyone for them to have a talk. Thorin sighed heavily and looked back at the hobbit, "Oin, tend to the burglar."

Khuzdul

1.amâd - mother

2.naddîth - little brother

3.nadad - big brother

4.shruk - shit

5. Aish 'aish - ow! Ow!

Spanish

1 .¡Cállate! - Shush!

Hey guys! Sorry it's taken so long to update! Hope you enjoy these next few chapters! Review/Favorite/Follow! Constructive criticism welcome!