Chapter 25:

Fili and I jumped up. Sigrid ran back into the room and tried to shut the door so that whatever was out there couldn't get in. The ceiling broke through as two orcs fell into the house. The one Sigrid had been trying to keep out burst through the door and pushed her out of the way. She fell into the bench and slid under the table. Fili charged at the orc.

Another orc came through the front door and Oin started throwing anything in his reach at it. I watched as one approached Tilda. She tried to be brave and threw a bowl at it. It just snarled at her. I ran over and pushed her under the table.

"Stay down there," I told her and Sigrid.

Okay. Stay calm..

I grabbed my sword from the counter and held it out. I tried to steady my shaking hands. The orcs towered over me.

I swung at one and it dodged the blade with ease. I tried again only to fail once more. The orc seemed to be enjoying my struggle and I swear it was laughing at me.

"Get away!" I shouted and lunged forward.

I had managed to pierce its skin and it howled in rage. The orc yanked the sword out of my hands and threw it aside.

Okay, time for plan B...what is plan B?

I backed away slowly and looked around desperately. Everyone was holding their own for now, but it wouldn't last for long. I was distracted by checking that Sigrid, Tilda, Bain, and Kili were safe. I tried to focus on my immediate threat-the big, ugly orc in front of me- but I was out of ideas. I saw one of the orcs flip over the table that the girls were hiding under and my heart dropped. My back hit a wall and I screamed as the orc raised its ax, grinning evilly. My legs seemed to lock up and all I could do was stare.

Suddenly, it froze, eyes glazed over, ax still raised. My legs got their feeling back just in time for me to duck out of the way of the orc as it fell forward. I looked up to see Tauriel, her dagger had flown right into the orc's back. She pulled out another knife and started to fight off the other orcs. Legolas jumped through the broken roof and began to fight as well.

My heart soared. Maybe we would make it through this after all. Through all the confusion, I saw an orc heading for Kili. Kili pulled himself up into a sitting position but that was all he could do. Taking a deep breath, I picked up my sword from the ground. I walked as quietly as I could behind the orc. I raised my blade to stab it. But I hesitated. Could I actually kill something?

The orc spun around and grabbed the sword from my hands. It smacked me across the face and I fell to the ground. I raised a shaking hand to my cheek and felt something warm and sticky. Kili shouted, reached for the knife in his belt and leapt at the orc with sudden strength. The dagger sank into its neck and both Kili and the orc tumbled to the ground. Kili howled in pain and clutched his leg. I crawled over to him, tears falling from my eyes.

"Kili!"

I tried to calm him but his pain was so bad, he was beyond reason. I was pretty hysterical myself.

Tauriel looked over at us in shock.

There was only one orc left and it suddenly ran out of the house. Legolas followed it onto the balcony.

Everyone rushed over to Kili and me.

"Miss Libby," Sigrid kneeled by my side. "Are you alright?"

I ignored her and clutched onto Kili.

Bain stared up at Tauriel with an expression of amazement and adoration.

"You killed them all!"

"There are others," said Legolas coming back into the room. "Tauriel, come."

Tauriel simply stared at us.

Fili pulled me away from Kili so that Oin could have a look at him. I struggled, trying to get back to Kili. If I had been paying attention, I would have noticed the tears rolling down Fili's face as well.

"We're losing him!" said Oin, urgently.

"No!" I sobbed into Fili's arms, which had grown tense around me.

"Tauriel..." said Legolas once more.

He looked at her for a minute longer before giving her a dark look, running out of the room, and jumping off the balcony. Tauriel eyes followed Legolas and then moved back to us. She sighed.

The door flew open and Bofur ran in. Tauriel pulled out her dagger at the sound, making Bofur jump. Then her eyes lit up and she grabbed the plant from Bofur's hands.

"Athelas!" she whispered in awe.

"What are you doing?" Bofur asked.

"I'm going to save him."

Tauriel commanded us to hold Kili down as she prepared the Kingsfoil. The dwarves moved him to the table and did as she said. It took all their strength combined to hold down the trashing Kili. It broke my heart to see Kili like that. I sat by Kili's head and tried my best to soothe him.

Tauriel walked over to Kili. She took the paste she had made from the kingsfoil and pressed it to his wound. She started chanting something in elvish.

I had no idea what she was saying but it felt magical. I could feel it in the air.

Kili seemed to be in more pain at first. Sigrid, Bain, and Tilda had to come help hold him down. But the longer Tauriel continued to chant, the calmer he got. He turned his head to me and stared with glassy, distant eyes. I felt more tears roll down my face.

Please, Kili. Hold on!

"You will be okay, Kili. You have to be okay; I need you."

An hour later, Tauriel was done and Kili lay sleeping, finally still. She bound his leg in a clean cloth. The others moved about the kitchen. Ori sat in a chair, looking exhausted. Sigrid was cooking supper while Bain and Fili tried to clean up as much of the debris left from the orcs as they could. Bofur sat telling jokes and tales to Tilda, who was much happier now that Kili was better.

I stayed by Kili's side, holding his hand tightly in mine. Almost losing him made me fully aware of how much I needed him. It also made me nervous of what was to come. Once again I proved useless in helping. If Tauriel hadn't come, Kili would have been doomed. We all would. How was I supposed to save Kili and the others if I couldn't even save myself? I laid my head down on the table, in a half-dreaming state.

"I've heard tell of the wonders of elvish medicine," I heard Oin say. "That was a privilege to witness."

I felt Kili stir and I sat up.

Kili opened his eyes and stared at me.

"Libby," he breathed.

"Shh, lie still," I said, quietly. My voice shook with relief.

Kili sighed.

"It cannot be true."

I gave him a questioning look.

"She is like a bright spirit. Always shinning with goodness even in the darkest of times. Always by my side when I need her," Kili said with a far-off look.

I felt tears come into my eyes once again, but for a very different reason. This time it was because I felt relief, hope, and love. Kili's words engulfed me and made me feel wanted, important.

"It must have been a dream," Kili concluded, his hand tightening around mine. "For nothing so pure of heart, so good and true, could love me?"

His words drifted off as he fell back asleep.

I noticed Tauriel watching us with a tight expression. I slowly released Kili's hand and stood up.

"Thank you," I said to Tauriel. "Words can't express how grateful I am for what you've done."

"I see how much you love him and I couldn't let that die. Love is the most powerful magic of all, you know."

"But you let Legolas go," I pointed out. "You chose to stay with us rather than follow your true love...Why?"

"Legolas will always come back for me. I know he hasn't gone too far. And even though he doesn't approve of me helping you, he will come back; He always does," a small smile lit Tauriel's face.

"What are you going to do now?" I asked her.

Tauriel went to the kitchen and brought over the kingsfoil paste. She crouched down and put some on my cheek and said something under her breath. My face felt hot for a second and then felt normal once more. She wiped it off with a cloth. My hand automatically flew to my cheek and I could tell that the wound from the orc was no longer there.

"I've done what I came here to do. Now I have to go back out there and help Legolas stop the rest of those orcs. I don't know why they came here but there are dark forces brewing and someone needs to stop them," she squeezed my hand. "It was an honor meeting you Libby. And I wish you and your love all the luck in the world. Try to stay safe."

With that, she stood back up, smiled at the others and ran to the balcony and leapt into the darkness.

Sigrid and Tilda got us blankets and told us to stay as long as we needed. They also said I could sleep in their room, but I told them I wanted to stay with Kili for a while. They went off to their room and Bain eyed us wirily before going to bed.

Once we were alone, Oin, Fili, Bofur and I, huddled together.

"What's the plan?"asked Fili.

"As soon as Kili can travel, we should go meet the others at the mountain. We still have time before Durin's day arrives," said Oin.

"Aye," Bofur said. "They will need our help."

"Perhaps you should stay here, lassie," said Oin, gently. "Where you will be safe..."

"No!" I cried out. "I need to go with you!"

Bofur and Oin glanced at one another, confirming my suspicion that they had planned this all along and that my reaction was exactly what they had been expecting.

I turned to Fili, silently pleading with him. He sighed and shook his head.

"Libby comes with us."

"But-" began Oin.

"She comes with us, end of story."

"I was just trying to do what is best for the lassie," said Oin, sheepishly.

"Have some faith in her, boys," Fili grinned. "She made it this far didn't she."

Later that night, when the others were sleeping, I crept out to the balcony. I knew the dwarves wouldn't want me out there. Even though all the orcs were gone and Tauriel and Legolas would keep us safe, the guys would make me come in.

I stood at the edge, my arms wrapped around myself. The thin nightgown that Sigrid left out for me didn't provide much warmth. I hummed to myself, thinking about everything that had happened to me so far and everything that was to come.

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use in crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
If you just smile.

"That was beautiful."

I jumped and spun around, my hand going to my heart.

"Kili! You startled me!"

"Sorry, love," Kili smirked.

"How do you feel? Does your leg hurt?"

"I feel great!" said Kili, flexing his limbs. "It's like it never happened."

He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

"The others said that we are leaving tomorrow morning," I said, quietly. "To meet the company at the mountain. Told you we'd get there."

"Mmmm," said Kili kissing the back of my neck. "Yes, you did."

"We should be sleeping," I pointed out but my head went back against Kili anyway.

"Yeah, we probably should," murmured Kili, turning me around so I was facing him. He kissed my lips with so much passion, a chill went down my spine and to my toes.

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him even closer to me.

When we finally broke apart, I had to catch my breath.

"Wow," I breathed. "You do feel better."

Kili chuckled.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"I just missed you," replied Kili. "And I missed doing that."

"Right," I said with a breathy laugh.

"Can I ask you something?"

I nodded.

"What was that song you were singing?"

"Oh, just a song from my old world. I didn't even realize I was singing it. Why?"

"I just liked it."

"Wake-up, lovebirds!"

I opened my eyes, reluctantly. Kili was laying next to me, his head under a pillow. Fili was crouching down next to us. Once we had got in from the balcony, we just laid down on the floor and stayed there.

"Go away!" groaned Kili, throwing a pillow up at Fili.

"I'm glad you are back to normal, brother," said Fili, a twinkle in his eye.

"It's still dark out," I mumbled, half-asleep. "Why am I awake?"

"Time to go!"

I changed back into my old clothes which felt amazing. Although, Bilbo's coat was a little worse for wear. Once we were all ready, we snuck out of the house as quietly as we could. I made sure to leave a note thanking Bard and his children for all they had done for us. Then we were sneaking through the town towards the docks.

There was no way anyone would help us now that Thorin was gone, so we had to steal a boat. I stood on the dock, torn. I knew we needed to help the company but I didn't want to steal from someone who relayed on a boat for their job.

"Once we have the mountain back we'll send them more than enough money for a new boat," said Kili, gently nudging me forward. "But we have to get there first."

I sighed and stepped into the small boat. The dwarves picked up oars and started to row. We knew no one would care if we left town but we wouldn't be able to get back in. The boat was small but it fit all of us well. One of the perks of being small.

We traveled for three days down the river. By the third day we were low on provisions and I thought I might go crazy from sitting in that tiny boat for so long.

The closer we got to the mountain, the more charred and burnt the landscape looked. The air was dry and smelled of smoke. It made everything seem one hundred times more real, but I was still eager to get out and stretch my legs.

"We're looking for their campsite," explained Oin. "They may be closer to the mountain by now."

We rowed to the shore and climbed out, each of us stretching our stiff limbs.

"Alright," said Fili. "Everyone keep their weapons out and ready. Who knows what we're going to find here."

Kili helped me readjust my armor. He leaned down to kiss my forehead and I clung on to his arms.

"It's going to be alright, love."

He held out my sword and I took it warily.

We made our way to the lonely mountain. All day we walked and the closer we got, the more it loomed over us. We were all jumpy. At every sound someone pulled their sword out. But there was nothing except a few birds and rodents. All that surrounded us was black and grey. I shivered, even though I could already feel the heat from the mountain. The sun was beginning to set and I dreaded the thought of sleeping alone out here.

Finally Bofur spoke.

"Look! I can see a fire up ahead!"

"Keep quiet," said Fili. "Kili and I will go and make sure it is safe. We will come back to get you."

Kili gave my hand a squeeze before going off with Fili. Bofur, Oin, and I sat down to wait. Bofur hummed to himself and Oin closed his eyes and his breathing became very deep.

"That's a lovely tune," I said quietly.

"Why thank you Miss Libby," Bofur smiled. "I was just off in my own thoughts."

"Where you thinking about the dragon?" I asked. "Because that is all I can think about!"

"I was imagining what it was going to be like after we get rid of that old pest. We will have a home again. It will soon be as magnificent as it once was long ago."

"And you will be able to marry your true love," I said with sly smile.

"Aye, her name is Raena. And soon I will have enough gold to give her the life she deserves."

"Does she know you're on this quest?"

"I told her right before I left. I wasn't going to but she caught me as I was leaving. She was a little upset that I was going to leave without telling her, but she was understanding. It's the only way for us to be together."

"You will be able to see her soon," I said. "We're almost there! I mean, we still have to get past a dragon... but I'm sure things will work out..."

"Aye, that they will, Miss Libby. That they will."

I looked out into the darkness and saw a light coming towards us.

"Look!" I whispered to the others.

Oin sat up, anxiously. Bofur grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him. I clutched the hilt of the sword at my waist.

I saw a dark figure running towards us. It was pretty small. Finally I could make out a pair of big, hairy feet and a mop of curly, brown hair.

"Bilbo!" I cried, leaping out from behind Bofur.

"Libby!" he called out and tackled me in a warm hug. "I was so worried I'd never see you again!"

"Me too!"

Then Fili and Kili came into view.

"We found the others. They set up camp over there," said Fili, gesturing behind him. "And they've already begun the search for the door."

"We haven't gotten very far," said Bilbo. "I'm so glad you are all here! And that Mr. Kili is feeling better!"

"Yes; Elvish healing is quite extraordinary!" Oin piped in. "I've never seen anything like it!"

"We'll come on then," said Kili, putting his arm around me. "The others want to see all of you!"

So we made our way over to the camp to join the others once more and to find the secret door.

Author's Note:

So here it is, finally! I know I already said it but I am so sorry this took me so long to finish! Life gets in the way of things sometimes. But I really need to thank you all for being so understanding! I was worried you were going to give up on this story and that made me very anxious! And for those who left such nice and understanding reviews I want to thank you a million times over! Every single review you leave means the world to me, it really does! It feels so wonderful to come on here and share something very close to my heart and to have people appreciate it. So I just want to give anyone who followed, favorited, or reviewed my story a giant thank you and a great, big hobbit hug! :-P

I also hope you enjoyed this long awaited chapter. I'm going to be going mostly from the book here on out. With a couple little twists and original ideas, of course! I have such big plans for this story and I've had the ending planned out from the beginning! Please feel free to leave me any suggestions of things you might want to see in future chapters. I'm still open to ideas!

If there is one request I have for you, it's that you go onto Youtube and look up the song "Smile" by the Celtic Woman. It's the song I used in this chapter and it is the song that has been getting me through life recently. I think it fits both my life and Libby's life right now. And maybe it will help you if you're feeling down.

I think that's all I have to say...for now! So I guess I'll stop rambling on and let you get back to the real world (boo) or to another story (yay!). I will try my best to update soon! Love you guys with all my heart!

~Fantasydreamer44