Over 15,000 views! Big thanks to AnnaFrancisco10, Cuinawen, MiddleEarthMuse, Stephanied473, ThePsychoticDuck (such a cool name) and jasperwhitlockalicecullen, for following/favouriting.

Eruwaedhiel95 – I felt so sorry for him! And I agree with you about Kili and Tauriel. You say you can't wait…you may soon change your mind!

Taliabalia – I'm so sorry for dragging it out. I tried to have them kiss earlier but it didn't work. Hopefully when it finally happens the wait will be worth it.

Marina Oakenshield – I can't bear it any more than you can.

Noxy the Proxy – All I can say is there's going to be a happy ending.

Sleeplessnite – Glad you think it's a good idea. I was toying with it and I thought I'd see what you guys thought.

GIsLovingLifexxx – Those two deserved it didn't they? And I agree with Fili but I can't help but feel for him.

MidnightTales357 – Glad you're loving it. Been reading A Truly Unexpected Journey and I'm really enjoying it.

AN: Although the title kinda gives this chapter away I thought it summed up how we've all been feeling.

Leaning against one of the many trees I choked back my tears. I'd only just woken up and already I could the anger and sorrow working their way through my system. I looked down at the thin cuts on my arm. Gritting my teeth I shut my eyes before digging my nails into my arm and pulling them across my skin. I kept repeating this action over and over again until the wounds reopened and my arm was soon covered in blood. Grimacing at the state of my nails I ran a hand through my hair. I would have to face Fili sooner or later. I would be travelling with him for god knows how long. At the very least I could force myself to be civil to him.

Because that's gonna happen!

I sighed to myself – ignoring the intense pain in my arm. I had never felt this way about any one before. I never even imagined I could feel this way about someone. To me Fili was…he was everything! I couldn't put it into words the effect he had on me. To know that my feelings towards Fili weren't reciprocated, hurt far more than I could have ever imagined.

"Juliet?"

At the sound of Fili's voice my eyes snapped open and I forced myself to stay standing. The blonde dwarf stood looking at me and when I saw the pity in his eyes I couldn't help myself.

"What the hell do you want? Can't I just have some time by myself for once?"

Fili sighed. "Jinx…we need to talk."

"No Fili we really don't." I didn't want to have this conversation with him now. In truth I never wanted to have this conversation with him. However, when I tried to move Fili stepped in front of me and I knew him well enough to know he wasn't going to let the matter drop.

"How are you feeling?" Fili looked at me.

"Just say whatever you have to say." I snapped. In truth my shoulder didn't hurt as much although my back felt like it was on fire every time I moved it. Biting his lip Fili looked down at his feet.

"Kili told me…about how you overhead what I said to Thorin."

I blinked at this. A part of me was angry at Kili for telling his brother but another part was happy that everything was now in the open – no need to pretend anymore. Fili took a deep breath.

"You were never meant to hear that conversation Juliet."

"Obviously." Although I didn't want to look anywhere near him I forced myself to look at Fili's eyes. He sighed.

"You don't understand Jinx! What I said to Thorin…"

"I know what you said!" Although I was aware of the others sleeping just a few metres away I couldn't help but shout.

"You don't have to remind me Fili. I know I mean nothing to you!"

He began shaking his head and I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you even trying to tell me any different? You had no problems telling your uncle and brother how you feel about me!"

"I should never have said those words." Fili replied softly. "Especially not behind your back."

I nodded although my certainty was starting to waver. Fili sighed.

"I had to say that to Thorin. He wouldn't have let the matter drop until I convinced him."

"Convinced him of what?" I could feel the lump growing in my throat but I couldn't be bothered to wipe away my tears.

"Convinced him you hated me? That you couldn't bear to look at me?"

"Of course not!" Fili yelled at me. "Jinx you know that's not true. None of it!"

"Answer me this." I took a deep breath. "And I want the truth Fili."

He nodded. "Of course."

"When that Orc had his knife at my throat." I reached out to touch the bandage with a slight shudder.

"Why did you do what you did? Why the hell did you offer your life for mine?"

Fili's expression wasn't one I needed right now. He gaped at me as though I was out of my mind.

"Do you honestly not know? Juliet, whatever I said to Thorin I…"

"Just answer me!"

Fili sighed. "I'd offer up my life in exchange for yours in a heartbeat! When that…creature was threatening you I felt so helpless! I wasn't going to just stand back and watch him threaten to cut your throat."

I wanted to believe Fili's words. In fact a small part of me did believe him. The look in his eyes as he spoke helped soften the anger inside me. But try as I might I couldn't shake his words from my head. Every time something came up that contradicted Fili's words my brain didn't seem to want to accept it as fact. As I shook my head I was aware of Fili cursing under his breath.

"Why don't you just admit it Fili? You said yourself last night. Without me the stone is useless and that's why you did what you did."

"No Jinx." Fili said softly with a shake of his head. "That's not the truth."

"Well what is the truth!" I was practically screaming at him now.

"What is the truth Fili? If the truth is that I mean nothing to you then that's fine. I don't like it but I can learn to live with it. But what I don't like is guys who think its fine to mess with girls heads…"

Fili groaned before grabbing me by the shoulders.

"The truth is I love you."

"Because those guys…what?"

The two of us stared at each other and Fili hung his head limply before staring at me.

"I love you Juliet. I am so…desperately in love with you that it hurts."

I didn't know what to say. For the first time in my life I was utterly speechless. Fili gazed at me as his hands left my shoulders.

"You…I could never hate you. You're beautiful, smart, fiery…you're everything! I would do anything to see you smile because the best part of my day is when I get to see that smile. No matter how hard I try I can't get you out of my head. You're the one thing I think about each day and there hasn't been a night where I haven't dreamt about you. I love each and every little thing about you; the way you insisted on learning how to fight. The way you smile when you're busy daydreaming. The way you have made this quest as interesting as possible by being as reckless as Kili!"

I swallowed nervously. "Fili…"

He grabbed my hands and I realised just how much he was shaking. I'd never seen him this scared before and it frightened me.

"Just let me finish. Please? When you were taken it was like I was being torn apart. To know that you were in danger and I was powerless to protect you was the worst feeling in the world. I would have done anything to get you back. I would give up my life for yours a hundred times over. I've faced Orcs, goblins, dragons…I've faced death! But none of it scares me more than the thought of losing you. Dwarves have a One, someone who they love and cherish and protect. It's a bond that will last forever and they know who their One is the moment they see them. You are my One Juliet. No one else will ever have my heart the way you have it."

As Fili finished pouring out his heart me my legs trembled and when I saw the tears coursing down his face I could feel my own eyes watering. I took a deep breath – noticing how Fili gripped my hands.

"Say something." He whispered nervously. "Please…just say…anything?"

"I…"

How do I follow THAT?

I opened my mouth before bursting into tears. Fili's eyes filled with horror and he made to go when I pulled him back.

"Juliet?"

"I…I thought you…" I could barely speak and it was a real effort to get my words out so Fili could understand.

"I thought I meant nothing to you. That….that I was just a…means. A means to an end!"

"I know." Fili gently lifted my face up and he gazed at me softly.

"I will never forgive myself for saying those words. To know it was my fault you were captured…it's like my chest was being shattered into thousands of little pieces."

I swallowed nervously before taking a deep breath.

"I…when we first met I thought you were arrogant, irritating and incredibly stubborn." I smiled warmly at Fili.

"But since then…you've become my world! Even when I thought you hated me I couldn't stop thinking about you. You're the bravest, kindest, most loyal person I've ever known and I never thought for one second someone like you could ever love me." I clenched my fist and held it against my forehead as more tears fell down my face

"I love you. I don't think I'll ever love someone the way I love you." I looked up at him; glad he was crying as much as I was.

"I know it's not a great speech or anything but…"

I was cut off as Fili pressed his lips against mine. I could tell he was being gentle so as not to hurt my bruised face. As his hands cupped my face I wrapped my arms around his waist – pulling him against me. As our lips connected I allowed myself to melt into the kiss. All at once the ache in my chest vanished as both I and Fili began exploring each other's mouths. A low groan came from the back of Fili's throat as his lips moved from my mouth to my face before back to my mouth. His fingers got caught up in my hair and as the kiss started to become a lot more passionate I couldn't help but run a hand down his back. As I did so my arm scraped against his belt and I broke away with a gasp as the pain blossomed. Fili gripped me hard.

"Juliet what is it?"

I shook my head; not wanting him to see the pain I'd inflicted on myself. However I'd forgotten how smart this dwarf was. His eyes flew to my blood soaked sleeve and as he pushed the fabric away I saw the colour drain from his face.

"What..?" he looked up at me and I did my best to ease him.

"It's nothing okay? My wounds just reopened that's all."

He shook his head and took another look at my arm.

"You did this didn't you?" tears filled his eyes. "Why in Durin's name did you hurt yourself?"

"I…" I lowered my gaze. "I was angry and upset. I just wanted it to stop hurting! I didn't even realise I'd done it until I saw all the blood."

"Oh Juliet…" Fili whispered. Before I knew what was happening Fili had sunk to his knees. Sitting beside him I held his hands but he was too busy trying to hold back his sobs to pay attention.

"How can you love me?" he choked. "All I've done is hurt you!"

"Shut up!" I gripped his hand and forced him to look at me.

"Shut up okay? You've saved my life more times than I can count. The Orcs, the goblins, the slavers…those two muggers."

God that seems like two years ago!

Fili gave a small nod and I pressed my forehead against his.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You're the only man…dwarf, which I want to be with. Without you…I'd be nothing."

Fili nodded and I gave him a small smile before kissing him again. I'd only meant it to be a quick peck on the lips. However the temptation proved too much. Kissing Fili wasn't like kissing Liam. With Liam I'd had that voice in the back of my head telling me he didn't like kissing me. With Fili it made me feel like I was finally complete. It was like exploring a whole new side of him and I wanted to explore it very thoroughly. I could hear him moaning my name under his breath and the second the tip of his tongue brushed against mine we broke apart with a gasp. As Fili caressed my face I allowed myself to lean against him.

"What happens now?" I whispered. Fili frowned at me and I bit my lip.

"I mean with…Thorin and…the others?"

Fili paused before sighing.

"I think it would be best if we didn't tell anyone." I opened my mouth in protest but he placed a finger against my lips.

"I know it's not…ideal. Believe me Juliet no one more than me want to tell the others. But I can't guarantee uncle will react positively." Fili snorted. "In truth I have no idea how he'll react. It'd just be for a few days until I can make him come round to the idea of me not getting married to one of Dain's daughters."

I nodded sadly. I understood Fili's reasons and although I wasn't happy about it I knew it would be for the best. Thorin had seemed livid at the idea of Fili having feelings for me – this would hardly make him feel better. Fili interlocked our fingers.

"Don't worry." He whispered. "No matter what Thorin thinks I won't be with anyone else."

He kissed me again and my eyes widened.

"We should tell someone at the very least."

"Who?"

"Balin?"

Fili gaped at me. "Why would we do that?"

I bit my lip. That comment had been so random there was no way I'd be able to give it a decent explanation

I shrugged. "Well we should tell someone…get more people on our side." I paused before shaking my head.

"Also he's looking right at us."

Yay they finally kissed! I know I normally wait a few days but I figured you guys deserved this so thanks for being patient. Hope it was worth it!