The days began to blur into one eventually. If it wasn't for Bilbo appearing every night to relay news to us I wouldn't know when one day finished and another started. Along with the lack of natural light, boredom soon took a firm hold and I eventually grew tired of my own day dreaming. I'd already counted the stones that made up my cell, and I'd even tried to train a beetle that came scuttling into my cell one night. Obviously, that didn't work.

I did have the Dwarves for company, but gradually they too became unhealthily silent and still; all of us were beginning to lose the will to hope. Conversations were flat and menial; words were usually snappy and harsh; and moods were at an all time low.

"Is tonight the night?"

We could hear the noise from above. Laughing, drinking, eating, dancing - it was the feast all right, and we were all hovering at our cell doors in anticipation for Bilbo. We had a plan. A rather flimsy plan but it was our best hope.

But where was Bilbo?

I glanced at my broken watch from the millionth time, still out of habit.

If we actually succeeded in this escape (which was still highly unlikely and very, very surreal) we'd actually be free. The idea of green grass and fresh air was like an unreachable luxury.

It was strange, actually, when I first started this quest my bed seemed like such a luxury, then as the days rolled by it became toilet paper that I would have given my soul for. That then changed to running water; warm, running, fresh water. And then it was food, yes that's right, any food other than raisins and stale bread became a fond memory so distant it almost didn't seem real. And now, reaching a new all-time low it is fresh, untainted oxygen that I missed the most.

My past life seemed like a dream, that none of it actually happened. I tried to remember by old self, and how different I now was. I was stronger, physically and mentally, but I was also far more broken and pained everyday by grief and regret.

But I smiled, I tried my hardest to stay happy and cheery for the Dwarves as well as myself.

There was a sweet clinking of mental from outside my cell, and it took a long moment for me to realise what was going on.

There was a loud creaking of metal hinges and then

"Come on!" Hissed Bilbo, and then he was gone, leaving the cell now unlocked and wide open. I blinked a few times before scrambling up so fast my head spun.

"Oh, my God." I embraced the first Dwarf I found. Which happened to be Thorin. Jeez, this is the second time I've actually been glad to see him. I really have changed.

For a very brief moment Thorin actually embraced me back, before pushing me off down deeper into the dungeons with the rest of the company. I was holding Ori's hand the entire time as we ventured deeper into Mirkwood, and I continued to wonder where we were going.

"Where are we-"

"Shhh!"

My legs began to ache pretty quickly, not used to being used for such large amounts of time for so many weeks. My muscles had deteriorated along with a lot of my mental health. When I say I'm the strongest I am now than I ever have been, I mean that in the sense that if I was thrown into this situation a year ago; I probably would have gone insane, but now I was just teetering on the brink of a complete and mental break down. See? Progress.

"We're in the cellars!" Exclaimed Bofur from up ahead, having already turned a corner and vanished into a room. A wave of whispers rippled through the rest of the company as we all continued our descent and one by one ventured into the room.

It was indeed the cellars, large barrels of wine, ales, and other no doubt alcoholic beverages lined the walls and stacked up neatly in corners.

"Why are we here?" I whispered to Ori. He just shrugged.

Bilbo led us to a stack of empty barrels, "Get in!" He hissed, looking over towards the door nervously, the noise of the Elves rustling around on the higher floors let off that they'd learnt of our escape.

"You mad?" I snapped lowly, "They'll find us!" Dread crawled up my spin and a strange unpleasant buzzing of pure fear began to sizzle away in the pit of my stomach.

"No, they won't I promise. Please!" Bilbo begged. None of the Dwarves made a move to be complacent. I fidgeted, wanting to know what was going on. I didn't think this was part of the plan.

Bilbo gave Thorin a pleading look and after a quick deliberation Thorin decided what to do for us, "Do as he says."

And we did.

I helped a few of the Dwarves to get into their own barrels before I felt a pair of strong arms around my waist and pull me into one myself. I offered Dwalin a thankful smile and in return he affectionately ruffled my hair before disappearing into another barrel.

"Now what?" Bofur asked, peeking out of one of the barrels.

A nervous look spread across Bilbo's face, and he shot me an almost apologetic smile before replying, "Hold your breath."

"What?" The words barely escaped my lips before Bilbo pulled a long wooden leaver, and before I knew what was happening we were moving. I let out a loud yelp as the barrels began to tumble through a new opening in the floor.

I always imagined situations like this would happen in slow motion. But they don't, they actually happen so fast you don't have any time to react, let alone think up a plan to escape. One moment we were in the Elven cellars, and then the next I was spluttering and gasping for air.

I choked and heaved over the side of my barrel, but nothing come out.

"You alright, sunshine?" Dwalin grabbed hold of my barrel to keep me in place and stop me bobbing away. Because, apparently, we were in some water now.

"Christ, no!" I coughed again, gagging and choking on the enormous amount of water I'd just inhaled. I felt another hand steady itself on my barrel, and I looked up to find Fili there, holding on with white knuckles while those crystal eyes stared at me; filled with worry and concern. His blonde hair was dripping, and his tunic was stuck to him like a second skin.

If fabric could talk, it would be saying 'lucky me!'

I don't know what came over me, I was still blinded by fury towards him. But I was scared, and people do strange things when they're scared and before I even thought about my actions I'd reached out and grabbed his hand. He instantly laced our fingers towards and squeezed. Even now, he was unbelievably warm.

Were we free?

There was a loud squeal and a splash as Bilbo came tumbling into the water. Kili quickly grabbed him and hauled him onto the side of his barrel.

"Come on!" Thorin pushed off the rock he was clinging to and with that we headed out of the small gave we were sheltering in and into the sunlight. I let go of Fili's hand to grip my own barrel for support and leverage in the water.

"Quickly!"

I barely registered the freshness of the air of the sound of birds twittering away in the trees. All I could hear was the sound of adrenaline and blood pumping through my veins and around my ears.

"Shut the gates!" It was Legolas.

"Shit."

Everything blurred once more, my eyesight closed in and arrowed as I forgot to breathe. We tried to paddle faster, but to no avail.

Thorin obviously cursed in one funny language as he hit the now closed iron gates. He turned round just as a rather unwelcome visitor joined us.

"Orcs!" Nori yelled, and I instantly dropped lower into my barrel, cowering. I thought for a moment that my idiotic bravery had been squashed out of me in those Elven dungeons, but as the fighting between Elves appearing out of nowhere and Orcs continued, I couldn't fight my eyes pulling towards the now unguarded leaver atop the bridge.

I wasn't aware that I was actually pulling myself from my barrel until it tumbled and I fell into the water. I involuntarily inhaled a mouthful of water and I broke the surface retching and heaving again. But I didn't stop to recover. I was a good swimmer, and it didn't take me long to close the distance between my barrel and the water's edge.

I pulled myself from the water with strength I didn't have and stumbled towards the steps of the bridge.

"Get her!"

I knew the Orcs growl was aimed at me, and I heard a few of the Dwarves scream my name in terror.

As I reached the top few steps I saw an Orc mirroring my advances across from me, but he had a rather large axe. I didn't stop though, if I was going to die then I was going to die saving my friends. Where this inner strength came from I didn't know, but it certainly wasn't bravery. I think it came from finally hitting rock bottom and giving up on everything. I just knew one thing: I didn't give a toss anymore.

My eyes were on the Orc as I moved towards the leaver. He raised his axe, and then suddenly keeled over, an Elven arrow lodged in its head.

I dropped my weight onto the leaver, and by the sounds that erupted from under the bridge the gates had opened.

"Olivia!"

I scrambled up and without even looking to where I would be landing I threw myself over the low brick wall of the bridge and into the water. I hadn't the time to prepare to dive into the turmoil of water, so instead I landed on my side and as a result knocked the wind out of my lungs and stunned all my muscles.

I didn't have the strength to fight against the current, although I tried, and my helpless body was pushed and thrown from side to side. I scrambled desperately towards where I thought the surface was, my lungs and throat burning and screaming for oxygen. I knew I was only moments away from an involuntary inhale, and my subsequent drowning.

Suddenly, I felt something grab the back of my top and pull. I let out a string of bubbles as I yelped. In one swift movement I was pulled from the water and wedged into someone's barrel. It was Fili.

I tried to wiggle and change position, but instead I slipped further into the wet wood and sank to the bottom, my legs in the air up one side and my back up against the other, with my arse wedged between Fili's legs.

I went to yell at him, but just as I did a massive current of water swept over and into the barrel, crashing into me and my open mouth.

"Stop catching flies!" I heard Fili yell to me, obviously referring to my opened mouth as I coughed and spluttered at him.

I growled at him, about to open my mouth once more and snap him some rude remark, but I didn't get the chance. The barrel spun violently, causing me to grip at the barrel walls and Fili to slump forward from the force, and (joy, oh, joy) thrust his wet groin into my face.

I pushed against him instantly, digging my nails into his calves to force the soggy material of his trousers out of my face and the feel of his member away from my mouth.

"Get off me!"

"I'm trying!" He grunted a response through the spraying of water crashing into us. I squinted up at him through the spit and watched in annoyed fascination as he skilfully caught a falling club and thumped a nearby Orc with it before throwing it on.

There was more turbulence and his groin pushed into my face once more as the barrel rocked.

I was being unreasonable, I knew I was. I knew full well he was fighting for our lives, trying to steer this barrel away from any danger and through the uproar of the river and that he couldn't actually control being thrown around.

But I was annoyed at him.

I pinched his bum hard when he didn't move from me fast enough, and I heard him yelp.

Serves you right, you tosser.

"I know you're still mad at me," I heard him call, and I shot a glance up at him through the spray of water. He grabbed an Orc and punched it square in the face before letting it go to the water, "But now is not the time for your childish antics!"

"My childish antics?!" Anger bubbled away at me, and I felt like a hormonal volcano about to erupt and spew solid rage into the bottom of the barrel. When the barrel rolled again I 'accidently' kicked him in the back of the shin.

I caught sight of his gritting his teeth, and thankfully he seemed to take the brunt of his anger out on the unfolding scene around us.

"I just saved you, does that not gain some credit?!" He didn't spare me a glance, and I didn't blame him. From the looks of things he needed his full attention on the outside. And there was me, sitting in a barrel having an absolute whale of a time.

"No! Because you were nasty to me! And I can swim!"

"Really? Because it looked like you were drowning to me!"

"Now is not the time for this, Fili!"

He then shot me a dramatically mocking exasperated look as if to say 'no shit'.

This only angered me further. I tried to wiggle around in the barrel, I tried to stand up and join him but he grabbed a fist full of my hair and pushed my back down.

"Ouch!" It didn't really hurt, actually. I was just being a cow.

"Stay down there! I don't want you to get hurt!"

I hesitated, before slowly sliding back down into the barrel, keeping my head high enough to miss the sloshing water that was beginning to accumulate in the bottom. Guilt filled and curdled in my stomach.

I was a total bitch to him, and yet he saved my life, I was mean to him again and he stills wants me to be safe? Why can't he be an arse hole so I could stay mad at him?

I don't know how long we were in the barrels for. It felt like hours but in fact I think it was only about twenty minutes or so. But, eventually the relentless current of the water began to still, and pretty soon we were forced to pull up on land.

"Kili!" Fili was out of his barrel in seconds, leaving me to topple over into the gravely shore.

I looked up to see what was going on and my knees buckled at the sight of Kili grimacing in pain, hands clutching at his bicep. I was at his side in seconds, completely forgetting the anger I felt towards Fili who was crouched by his brothers wound.

"What happened?" I asked frantically, pushing some of the wet tendrils of hair from Kili's strained face.

"It's nothing, I'm fine."

"Don't bullshit me, Kili." I snapped back, annoyed at his lie. He obviously wasn't fine, and I tried to ignore the noise the arrow made when Fili un-lodged it from his brothers arm.

"Come on, on your feet. We must keep moving." Thorin commanded, marching straight past Kili, Fili and me.

"Kili's injured, his wound needs binding." Fili replied, staring up at Thorin with matching ferocity.

If the situation was lighter, I would have raised my brows at the two. Never had I seen Fili stand up to Thorin like that, nor had I ever expected him to. Damn.

"I'm fine." Kili whined again.

"There's an Orc pack on our tail. We keep moving." Replied Thorin.

"To where?" Balin interjected in that tone of his that meant we had a problem.

"To the mountain." Said Bilbo, a little breathless as he came to stand beside me.

"A lake lies between us and that mountain, we have no way to cross it."

"So then we go around it?" I suggested, frightening against a squirming Kili so I could keep him still enough for Fili to bind his arm. "Jesus," I cursed, "The stubbornness of Dwarves. You just got shot, Kils. When will you lot understand that it's okay to sometimes admit you're not fine?" I'm such a hypocrite, and by the look Fili spared me he knew it too.

"The Orcs will run us down," Dwalin said in his usual, threatening tone, "As sure as daylight with no weapons to defend ourselves."

"You have five minutes." Thorin grunted, before stalking off again.

I waited with Kili until Fili had finished his binding, and then I left them alone to find Bilbo who had wandered off again, helping his gather whatever we could salvage. Which was nothing.

"Are you all right?"

"Hm?"

"Are you all right?" Bilbo repeated, peering at me through his wet hair.

I blinked at him a few times, a little confused, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"You have that look on your face."

"What look?" I have a look?

"You're thinking about something, or worried, or something. Whatever it is, it's never positive when you have that expression on."

I sighed, "It's not the time for my petty feelings, Bobo." I nodded towards a wincing Kili. "There are people in far worse of condition than myself. I'm alive – we're all alive – and that's all that matters."

Bilbo gave me a concerned looked, which looked as though he didn't fully believe me. But nevertheless he didn't pry any further, but that might have been down to the unexpected visitor that suddenly loomed over us.

Dwalin was instantly standing in front of me, braced with a large, thick stick as a weapon. Blindingly fast, the silhouette shot a long arrow into the centre of the wood, lodging and splintering it.

Kili quickly swooped down and went to throw a rock with his good arm, but with lightning speed the person shot the stone from his grasp.

All the Dwarves hesitated as the man raised another bow, "Do it again," He said lowly, revolving his bow to each of us in turn as if to make a point, "and you're dead."

There was a long pause, and I couldn't help myself but shuffle closer to Dwalin, just as Bilbo shuffled closer to me.

"Erm, excuse me?" Balin stepped up, using his polite and formal tone, "but you're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken." Balin took a few steps towards the man, arms raised to show he meant no harm, "That barge over there, it wouldn't be available for hire by any chance?"

Slowly, the man lowered his weapon, peering at Balin with a deep frown.

"Why should I help you?" He asked slowly, looking Balin up and down scrutinising.

"We will make it worth your while." Replied Balin, offering his most welcoming smile, "It looks as though your boots have seen better days," The man walked past Balin and began to pull the discarded barrels to shore, "and has your coat. A-and no doubt you have some hungry mouths to feed back home."

The man continued to work, inspecting the barrels and looking confused at the state they were in.

"How many?" Asked Balin, obviously trying to win the man over with hospitality.

"Boy and two girls." Replied the man, moving to pull a barrel that was close to me.

"Here, let me help you." I moved to help him pull a second barrel onto the shore and beside the rest of them.

"And your wife? I'm sure she's a beauty."

The man stilled, and I recognised the look he now bore. It was the same one I had worn many, many times before when people would ask me of my brother without knowledge that he'd passed.

"Aye, she was." His voice was low and filled with reminiscing. Balin's expression faltered on the chord he'd just struck.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." I told him softly, helping him with another barrel. "I'm sure—"

"Oh, come on, enough with the niceties." Dwalin fumed, and for a moment I was taken aback. I wasn't used to him being so brash with me, but I didn't dwell on it as he stepped forward.

"What's your hurry?" Asked the man.

"That's none of your business." Growled Thorin and I instantly rolled my eyes. This man – soon to be king, may I add – has nill people skills. Jesus.

"I would like to know who you are, and what you are doing in these parts."

Fair enough.

Noticing he'd finished pulling aside all of the barrels I gravitated slowly towards Kili, eyeing him up as he grimaced and bobbed in pain. I pulled him into a one armed, reassuring embrace.

"We are simple merchants from the Blue Mountains journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills."

"Simple merchants you say?" A strange smile graced the man's lips, as if he didn't quite believe us. I don't know why, that was a very plausible lie, I thou- "And the girl?" His eyes flickered to me, cutting off my train of thought.

For a long moment I couldn't work out who he meant, "Oh! You mean me. Hello, I'm Olivia, lovely to meet you." I took the man by surprise as I boldly stepped forward and took his hand, "And you are?" I shook it.

"Bard." He replied, giving me a curious look, "What are you doing travelling with these… Dwarves?"

I scoffed. "Honestly? I don't have a clue. But I'm so, so hungry I could eat a horse. And I'm so wet – not in a good way either - and we could all really use somewhere to rest our heads. So, please, please can you help us?" I was still shaking his hand as I said all that, and it wasn't until he pulled away that I was aware what I was doing. At this proximity, I could see that he was actually quite handsome. In a ruggish kind of way, with his chin length wavy hair, deep brown eyes, and light stubble along his square, sharp jaw.

He continued to look sceptically at me, "Can you help us?" I pleaded desperately.

Bard stepped away towards the barrels, "I know where these came from." He said pointedly.

"What of it?" Barked Thorin. I was thiiiiis close to spinning round and backhanding him due to his painful lack of people skills.

"I don't know what business you had with the Elves," Bard almost laughed, humour danced in his eyes, "But I don't think it ended well."

No shit.

"No one enters Laketown except by leave of the Master. All his wealth comes by trade of the Woodland Realm; he would see you in irons before risking the wrath of king Thranduil." He gave us all a pointed look before beginning to move the barrels onto his barge. I made a move to help him, but someone grabbed my arm.

If it was anyone else, I would have most likely obeyed and stayed put. But it was Fili, and right now I would do anything to get under that princes skin. So, knowing he wouldn't throw a tantrum right here, I pulled myself from him and stalked over to where Bard was pushing the barrels around.

"I wager there are ways to get into that town unseen." Called Balin.

"Aye," Replied Bard, taking a barrel off me as I struggled to haul it onto the barge, "But for that, you would need a smuggler."

"Which we would be willing to pay. Double."

That caught Bards attention.

.

.

.

"Can we talk, Olivia, please?"

I groaned, and only particularly due to Fili wanting 'to talk'. I was bracing myself on the side of the barge, trying not to heave my guts up into the lake. I was horrifically sea sick, and right now I wanted to die. The idea of talking things out was Fili definitely wasn't on my to-do list.

"No. Not right now." I leant over the side, trying to breathe slowly.

I jumped with a start when Fili suddenly thumped his fist down onto the wooden guard so hard it splintered. A few of the Dwarves turned to us, but upon realising what was about to happen they quickly turned away again.

"No. Now." He growled, boring into me with those crystal eyes of his.

I sneered, "Piss off, you pug ugly, knob head." Fili wasn't pug ugly, but it was the best insult I could think of with a swimming brain and a nauseating stomach.

Fili took a deep breath, obviously trying to calm himself. "I really, honestly, didn't mean what I said back in Mirkwood. All of our minds were poisoned. I didn't mean what I said any more than anyone else. I'd given up my food for you, I hadn't eaten in days. Please, please offer me an ounce of forgiveness."

I stared at him. At those pleading eyes and sinfully tempting lips. I stared at the trickle of water that escaped a lock of his damp hair and sunk down his neck, over his collar bone and into the top of his shirt.

Then I realised. I was holding onto what Fili had said to me as an excuse for something else, but what? I knew Fili's mind had been tainted, I knew how he felt towards me and Bilbo and although he self-confessed he 'allowed' us to be friends like I should be grateful that he did… I knew that wasn't truly why I was angry. In fact, I don't think I was actually angry at him at all. He'd saved my life on numerous occasions, he'd kept me safe and only tried to help me. He'd given me his food when we were on rations for godsake, and I knew who much he loved his food.

He'd been an arse – sure. But I knew most of the time he didn't mean those words. Sure, that didn't make what he said okay, but he'd also done so much good for me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. I owed him my life.

My bottom lip began to quiver as reality dawned on me. I was blaming Fili for everything wrong in my life because it was easier to concentrate my rage on that than actually face what wasn't right in the world.

Although, there was one thing about what he said that haunted me.

I ignored his plea for forgiveness for the moment, pending on his answer.

"If you had the choice…" I began, picking my words carefully and avoiding those hypnotising eyes, "Would you rather your One be a Dwarf than a Human?"

For a moment Fili just blinked at me, unsure of what I was getting at, but when he replied it sounded as though he meant them. With his voice lower and he took a step towards me, "Olivia. You are my One, the thought of you being any other way is… fucking crazy." He grinned hopefully at me.

I snorted, "Talking like me doesn't suit you."

"Then I'll leave the colourful language to you, miz azyung. But I honestly mean it. I wouldn't have you any other way than you are now. And you being a human?" He shook his head, sensing my next question, "There is nothing wrong with that. Admittedly, at first, I was a little worried to how my kin would react, but when I spoke to Thorin he assured me our people will accept it. There is nothing anyone can do about their One's. Mahal has blessed me and chosen you, and no one can go against his word."

Typical me, I mulled over the kind words in my head, mentally cooing over them and squeezing them tight. But my mouth blurted an unsentimental, "Thorin accepts me?"

Fili nodded, brow furrowed, "Of course. He finds you honourable and brave. Perfect traits to be passed down."

I ignored that last part and sported a board grin when I turned in the direction of Thorin. He was across the barge, talking to Dwalin.

"Awwh, Thorin!" I called loudly to catch his attention. I did, of course, and he briefly turned, grunted and then turned back around. "Love youuu!" I was ignored, but Dwalin snickered.

I then turned back to Fili who was looking confused.

"Do you actually mean all that?" I fidgeted on the spot.

"Of course, miz azyung."

Urgh. He's using the voice, that chocolaty, velvety voice he knows will get a reaction out of me. I glared at him, and he smirked.

"Bastard."

Fili took a hesitant step towards me, and I just watched him.

"Well?" He opened his arms tentatively, his smirk was still in place, but was now looking a little worried.

I grinned and closed the distance between us, but not before pulling back and adding, "By the way, you're not 'letting' me and Bilbo be friends, got that? I shouldn't be grateful, I- umph!"

Fili didn't let me finish, instead be wrapped his arms around me and forced me into him and crashed his lips to mine. At first I didn't do anything, a little too confused to move, but I quickly worked out what was happening, and I easily slipped my arms around his neck, letting his lips move gently and deeply against mine. I felt his tongue slid up against mine, and with every stroke a zing of pleasure shot through me to my core.

I melted against him, completely content with staying like that for the rest of my days.

Slowly, he pulled away, "Miz azyung," He murmured, lips slightly moist and a partially swollen, eyelids a little heavy, "I never meant it to sound as though you should be grateful for my feelings towards your friendships. I will never stand in the way of you and your friends, as long as you are mine."

Speechless after that kiss I dumbly nodded, and he returned his lips to mine.

However, at the back of my mind, I could feel my true anxiety continue to fester and burn.

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Boomboomboom

wahooooO!

I know I took the limelight away from Kili and I know I changed his injury! But the following scenes will still unfold as they are supposed to, AND I needed Olivia to land in Fili's barrel! Sorry! Creative licence? (:

So I actually thought to begin with that there wouldn't be Fili in this chapter bUT I GOT CARRIED AWAY

I hope you like the chapter, your reviews so far have just been so wonderful!

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Please let me know what you think of this chapter you lovely lovely people. Your words mean so much to me!

Love you all!

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