It seemed everyone except me was really down with this raiding the armoury idea. I thought it seemed slightly foolish but then, I was also one of the only two people who still had a proper sword. Regardless, I couldn't let them all run off into this madness without me.

"You can't leave." Bain was desperately trying to block the dwarves at the door. He was very brave about it actually.

"Move out of the way boy." Dwalin countered in a hard tone.

"It is not dark enough yet!" Bain argued but it was no use. He might have well have saved his breath.

"I said move!" Dwalin pushed Bain from the door as if he weighed no more than a sack of potatoes.

I gasped and went to help the boy but Bofur grabbed onto my arm and pushed me out of the door, "He is not hurt." He told me, "And we really need to get going."

With a stinging conscience I trailed after the others through the town to the armoury.

We had to hide behind boats from guards on more than one occasion. I grasped Fili's hand tightly. This was just a little close for comfort.

"As soon as we have the weapons we make straight for the mountain." Thorin told us.

I glanced nervously at Kili. His leg was really going to hinder him if we set off without giving him chance to rest.

We eventually came up at the side of the armoury building and Thorin sent Bilbo off scouting. After about a minute, one very tense minute, the hobbit returned.

"It's guarded at all entrances." The company grumbled at this news.

Bombur happened to look up, "Not all entrances." Unfortunately he was right; there was a window on the side of the building. A tight fit for any man to enter and high up, but a dwarf would have less problems getting in.

"It could be guarded inside!" I whispered fretfully. "Throwing yourself through a window with no weapons to meet someone with loads is stupid!"

Nori looked oddly thoughtful and then, "Well we send someone small and sneaky to check it out then."

The dwarves all made a tower from their bodies; it was obvious where this plan was leading.

"No way." Bilbo shook his head. "I'm not going in there alone."

"Master Baggins you are the company burglar, it is your job." Thorin gave Bilbo a rather hard look but Bilbo continued shaking his head, arms crossed.

"I am also the most likely to get stabbed if I come across any trouble!" He moaned frustrated.

"I'll go with him." The words slipped out of my mouth before I even realised what I'd said and the dwarves looked at me with shock. Plus a clear 'no' seemed to be written on their features. Especially Fili's.

"You are not going anywhere." Fili held me tightly by the hand, looking quite pissed off that I'd even suggested the idea.

"Fili." I fixed him with a stare that clearly said I thought he was being unreasonable. "I'm the smallest and lightest on my feet next to Bilbo, plus we both have weapons." I tried to logically explain my point but he was having absolutely none of it.

"Give me your sword, I'll go."

"Nuh uh! No way! If I'm not going you're not going. Especially when you go banging about and wake whatever guards might be there in the first place. Not happening. It makes sense for me to go with Bilbo." My tone was slightly pleading as I tried in vain to yank my hand from his grasp.

"If you think I'm letting you walk into some unknown danger then you are deathly mistaken." His furious glare was enough to cut off the next retort brewing inside me.

"I think it's a good idea."

If looks could kill Bilbo Baggins would be six feet under.

"She is not going. End of story." There was finality to Fili's tone which only made anger bubble up inside me.

"You!" I said finally managing to rip my hand from his grasp. "Are not my keeper."

We stood arms crossed over our chests, glaring daggers at one another both acting as stubborn as a mountain. Neither of us was moving on our point, obviously.

"I completely agree with the lad." Gloin piped up from beside Fili.

"Oh you would!" I shot at him.

Bofur with a look on his face, clearly speaking volumes about how he was signing his own death warrant chimed in. "Well I agree with Zai."

I smiled at him; Fili scowled the most awful scowl I'd ever seen on his face, as if he'd been betrayed at his moment of need.

The others continued picking sides and eventually, Fili stood with: Gloin, Oin, Dwalin, Balin, Dori and Kili. I stood with: Bofur, Bombur, Bifur, Nori, Ori and Bilbo.

Actually now I think about it, not sure how Bifur decided he was on my side or if he just followed his cousins. I like to think he believed in me but then… no one really explained anything to him. So unless he just understood and decided without explaining his decision like the others…

It looked as if Thorin was going to be the deciding vote here. We both snapped our heads to him and, for the first time since I'd known Thorin he faltered. "Well it's not really any of my business…"

Fili cut him off with a scoff. "Of course it is we need weapons for this venture, you are the leader of the venture it's entirely your business."

"But… it's a very difficult decision..." He excuses were getting weaker and I began to think perhaps we were being unfair to the man; he was going to be stuck between a rock and a hard place at some time, but for those places to be Fili and I…well.

"You're a king." I dead-panned. "Difficult decisions are basically your job."

He swallowed thickly, ran a hand across his face and bit his lip looking at us slightly desperately. "Fili is just, he… it's natural for him to protect you. If he had just let you go it would be… well it just wouldn't happen."

I raised my eyebrows at him as Fili smirked, obviously thinking he had won, at least until Thorin spoke again anyway, and then the smirk dropped right off his face.

"But I think considering the circumstances… and that this is Zalia, who is most certainly not a regular woman. She should go."

"Yes!" I fist pumped the air, Bilbo looked so relieved I thought he was going to faint and Bofur clapped me on the back as the dwarves began creating their tower again.

Fili's hand cracked the wall with an almighty punch and he wouldn't even look at me.

I think the sooner we have this culture difference conversation the better.

As soon as the tower was complete Bilbo turned to me, "You're going first." His voice shook as he spoke and I realised just how worried about this he was.

"Bloody chicken shit." I muttered as I climbed up the dwarves and entered through the window.

I would love for you to believe I barrel rolled through the window and got back to a crouch in James Bond style awesomeness… but I didn't. I actually fell in face first, caught myself and rolled out of the way just in time for Bilbo to come bounding in.

"What are you doing on the floor?" He asked me with a chuckle.

"I fell."

At my admission he did start chortling before eventually regaining some form of composure and offering me a hand to help me up, still chuckling away.

We looked around the room and found that it was empty of guards, that was good. Bilbo tapped me on the arm and pointed to the stairs. My eyes widened at him.

"You go!" I hissed, "You're the scout. I'm back-up!"

He sighed but eventually began creeping down as slowly as possible, me following right on his heels. As we rounded the corner it was clear to see there were no guards here either. Although, when we peaked outside the door, which took both of us to yank open and force shut, there were guards out there.

I padded quietly but quickly back up the stairs and grabbed the window ledge leaning out I spoke directly to Thorin. "It's clear, but there are guards outside the downstairs room."

Thorin's head popped up next to mine and he pushed me backwards lightly, coming in the window himself. Then the others started appearing, honestly, even Kili with his dodgy leg didn't fall as he bound in.

Bilbo smirked at me and I lightly slapped him on the back of the head. "Say nothing."

When everyone coming in was in they began loading up on weapons. "Kils…" I muttered as he trailed past, the load in his arms getting heavier and heavier.

"I'm fine." He snapped at me.

I frowned, he didn't look fine. In fact he looked pale and sweaty and sick. "Kili…"

"How is it…" He began harshly. "That you can worry about me, me and my physical and mental hardships and not my brothers?!"

Honestly it was like a slap in the face. I'd never really thought about it like that before. I worried for Fili all the time too, but Kili… he meant that I was causing Fili hardship and not even batting an eyelid. That hurt, it hurt to consider and it hurt more knowing it was true.

Reality checks, courtesy of Kili, get it while it's hot, completely free!

"I…I…" I stuttered unable to think of anything to say.

Kili glared at me, "Exactly. You've quickly become one of the most important people to him along with myself, my uncle and my mother and you don't even think about how your actions might make him feel."

"I'm not…I don't… I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself." It was hard to justify where I was coming from to someone who I knew didn't understand… not really.

Kili hefted his arms up a bit, moving the load of weapons into a more comfortable position and then, "Perhaps, but if anything happened to you… It would destroy him, especially if he should have been able to protect you. Think about that next time."

And with that Kili marched off towards Thorin to be loaded up with more weapons, while I stood feeling shitty and gob-smacked.

I saw Kili head towards the stairs and I moved forwards but it was too late to do anything about it. I watched as his leg gave way underneath him and he fell, weapons making clattering and banging sounds the whole way. I winced at the shout of the guards.

I told them this would go wrong.

I jumped down the stairs two at a time, over all the weapons after Kili. If we got out of this, I swore to myself as I drew my sword that I would apologise to Fili a thousand times over. Right now, I couldn't do anything for him, except try to ensure his brother didn't die.

The guards had swords pointed at all of our necks before we could even blink. I sheathed my weapon quickly and quietly during the confusion, I really didn't want to lose it again.

There's something about having cold, sharp metal pressed against your throat which makes you realise just how vulnerable you are. How breakable. And seeing a sword pressed to Fili's throat as we were dragged outside, well it made me realise exactly where he was coming from earlier.

The guards took hold of us roughly and pulled us through the town right to the Master's front door. Half of the company struggled, I was in the half that didn't. It seemed to me the best plan was to follow Thorin's example and just walk along complacently. Struggling at this point, would get us nowhere.

We were all thrown onto our knees and I saw Kili's face fill with pain as the tremors shot up his bad leg. I stared across our little semi-circle straight into Fili's eyes. The rage, concern and affection that swirled around in them as my knees banged down was immense. If eyes could give off sparks, then sparks would be flying out of his eyes as he glared across at the guard who held my shoulder in a bruising grasp making me wince.

"I'm sorry." I mouthed to him. "So, so, sorry."

His face softened a little and he gave me a stiff nod as we waited on baited breath for the Master of Laketown to appear.

It's not enough, not nearly enough but…

My thoughts about being able to mouth sorry to Fili were cut off as a huge, fat, man. With long ginger hair and a funny looking moustache that almost imitated that of the French diplomats in the renaissance stepped out. Actually he reminded me of those people you see in old portraits from that time.

"What is the meaning of this?!" He asked a frown marring his features as he strode out pulling on a coat.

"Caught 'em stealing weapons sire." Replied the man who, was obviously, the head of the guard.

"Ah enemies of the state eh?" His ginger goatee bobbed slightly when he talked as he surveyed us through narrowed eyes and I visibly baulked.

This man was English. Or, at least, he sounded English. It had been so long since I heard an accent like mine it was almost unnerving. The dwarves did not miss the resemblance, they all stared over at me wide-eyed and confused before turning their attention back to the man in question.

"A desperate bunch of mercenaries if ever there was sire." Alfred had popped back up and was putting his two cents in still looking as creepy and skeevy as before.

"Hold your tongue." Spat out Dwalin, rising to his feet again and stepping forwards, "You do not know to whom you speak!"

We all forced ourselves up at this, or at least, everyone else did, I didn't have the strength to push myself up, not against the tough man holding me down at least. Bombur it seemed, was offended by my treatment, because he grasped me by the arm and yanked me to my feet, making the soldier let go of me. I smiled gratefully at him. It could have been really awkward to be the only one still on my knees.

"This is no common criminal!" Dwalin continued, beckoning Thorin forward. Thorin obliged. "This is Thorin! Son of Thrain! Son of Thror!"

The Master's eyes seemed to widen at this realisation and he stood silently listening to Thorin as he began to speak.

"We are the dwarves of Erebor." Thorin's strong voice carried, and I was glad of it, it made the soldiers and the crowd back off a little. "We have come to reclaim our homeland."

Whatever the Master and the crowd had been expecting Thorin to say. That was not it.

"I remember this town in the great days of old…" Thorin began.

Oh I thought, here we go. Quite literally, the kings' speech.

"…Fleets of boats lay at harbour, filled with silks and fine gems, this was no forsaken town on a lake! This was the centre of all trade in the North." His voice rose and he began using his hands to emphasise his point as the townspeople cheered in agreement. "I would see those days return. I would re-light the great forges of the dwarves, SEND WEALTH AND RICHES FLOWING ONCE MORE, FROM THE HALLS OF EREBOR!"

The crowd cheered deafeningly as Thorin turned to look at the Master of Laketown and then suddenly there came a loud cry. "DEATH!" I recognised the voice at once. It was Bard.

"That is what you will bring upon us." He strode through the crowd and through our little semi-circle. He placed a hand on my shoulder at looked down at me imploringly before looking back to Thorin, his voice harsh. "Dragon fire and ruin. If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all."

"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this," Thorin's voice dropped to a whisper and it made me really believe in him. "If we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain."

The crowd cheered loudly again and Thorin announced in a booming voice, throwing his arms out to the side. "YOU WILL HAVE ENOUGH GOLD, TO REBUILD ESGAROTH TEN TIMES OVER!"

There were more screams and cheers before Bard spun around to face the crowd and yelled urgently, "All of you! Listen to me! You must listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?"

The murmurs of uncertainty were back now, as if everyone was realising just what could happen if Smaug was awoken.

"Have you forgotten those who died in the fire-storm?!" Bard continued, "And for what purpose?! The blind ambition of a mountain king." He turned to Thorin and looked down at him as he spoke, voice filled with disgust. "SO DRIVEN BY GREED, HE COULD NOT SEE BEYOND HIS OWN DESIRE!"

"Now, now!" Cut in the Master of Laketown, shaking and pointing a finger at Bard. "We must not any of us, be too quick to lay blame." Everyone fell silent as he spoke and we looked up at him, waiting to see what he had to say. "Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, YOUR ANCESTOR!..." He screeched at Bard.

I totally knew it! I knew it was more than a story to that family!

"…who failed to kill the beast! Hm?!"

Bit harsh, I'm not sure the Master could kill a dragon. I thought looking him up and down.

Thorin and the dwarves turned to Bard as if looking for the truth on his face, and actually it was displayed there quite clearly.

"It's true sire." Alfred began speaking again in his nasally voice, "We all know the story! Arrow after arrow he shot. Each one missin' its mark."

The crowd grumbled and bubbled with agreement and I felt quite sorry for Bard, but I didn't really feel bad for deceiving him any longer. He'd done the exact same to us! Bard took a few quiet steps up to Thorin and looked down at him, "You have no right…" he said in a whisper, "no right to enter that mountain!"

Thorin looked up at him with hard eyes and replied, also in a whisper, "I have the only right."

He then swung round and looked up at the Master, who it appeared was considering Thorin carefully. "I speak to the Master of the men of the lake," His voice had risen once more. "Will you see the prophecy fulfilled?" He began walking up the steps and Bard followed close behind. "Will you share, in the great wealth of our people?"

The people of Laketown watched the Master carefully as they waited for his reply to Thorin, it was clear what they thought it should be.

"What say you?!" Demanded Thorin.

The Master's eyes flicked down from the sky to Thorin and he replied, "I say unto you…WELCOME!" And he threw his arms out wide. "Welcome! King Under The Mountain!"

There was a lot of cheering taking place as Thorin turned on the stairs looking every bit king under the mountain, standing regally in front of the crowd. The dwarves moved forwards and I went to move with them until Bard caught me on the arm.

Bending down to my level he said, "You cannot let them do this!"

I sighed at him. "I can't stop them, and I don't think I'd want to…" I paused. "They deserve a home Bard, their home."

He grimaced at me, "If you are still here, come to my house. The day after next, we must speak."

I frowned and began shaking my head, "I don't think that…"

"Please."

The imploring look in his eyes had me nodding against all of my better judgement. "Okay. Alright. The day after next."

The Master provided us with a big house, rooms for all of us. Or at least, for each mini family. Thorin had his own room though, as did Bilbo and I.

"We leave at first light." Announced Thorin that night as we sat by a warm fire still at the table after having a great meal Bombur had cooked. "I will inform the Master in the morning."

Kili stood shakily to his feet. "Then we must all get ready."

"Not you." Thorin said shocking all of us into silence. "We must travel at speed you will slow us down."

"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you." Kili replied with a little laugh.

I don't think Thorin's joking.

"No you're not." Thorin shook his head and Fili's eyes widened as he looked over at them, standing up from his spot a little way down the table.

"I'm going to be there when that door is opened." Kili looked as if someone had kicked his puppy; tears welled up in his eyes, "When we first look upon the halls of our fathers! Thorin…"

"Kili…" Thorin took Kili by the shoulder. "Stay here, rest, join us when you're healed." He ran a hand over the back of Kili's head through his hair and Kili looked as if he couldn't believe what was happening.

"Well then!" Oin proclaimed, obviously having heard the conversation for once. "I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded."

"Uncle!" Fili addressed Thorin in a serious yet pleading tone, "We grew up on tales of the mountain! Tales you told us! You cannot take that away from him!"

"Fili" Called Kili as Oin fussed around him now, looking at just how badly he was fairing, but Fili paid him no mind.

"I will carry him if I must!" He finished, staring a Thorin chest heaving.

Thorin fixed him with a stare and replied. "One day you will be king, and then you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin."

Fili looked disbelievingly at his uncle before replying. "Well then, Mimur and I stay too."

Bilbo's eyes snapped to me when I didn't say anything. As Thorin turned to Fili, "Fili! Don't be a fool! You belong with the company."

Fili stared straight back into Thorin's eyes. "I belong with my brother."

He moved over to stand near Kili as well and Thorin gave me a pleading look. "Hell no, not my problem!" I announced holding my hands up.

"But that doesn't mean you have to stay too!" Bilbo chimed in looking and sounding slightly hysterical.

"I go where he goes." I pointed at Fili. "If he stays I stay."

Bilbo jumped up from the bench at the table as I stood to move over to Fili and ran round grasping me by the arms, "You can't leave me! You can't!"

"Bilbo." I sighed.

"NO!" His voice shocked everyone into silence. Bilbo, never shouted. "When we were in Bag End you told me you didn't want me to do anything I'd regret! You begged me not to leave you! And now…." His voice fell to almost a whisper. "Now I'm begging you, you can't abandon me Zai, not when we're this close. You can't!"

"DAMN IT BILBO!" I slammed my fist on the table creating a large crash, "Do you realise what you're asking? Do you?!" I breathed heavily for a few seconds, trying to get my emotions under control. "Do you realise what it would do to me if I left and something happened to him?! I can't… I won't. I don't want to abandon anyone." I fixed Bilbo with a hard, honest, stare. "I've already made that mistake once tonight. I do not intend on making it again."

The finality displayed in my tone and on my face must have somehow got through to him, because Bilbo straightened and turned to stare at Thorin. "Well, that settles it then. If she stays, I stay. I can't do this on my own."

Thorin growled, "Bilbo Baggins you are the burglar! We cannot continue without you!"

Bilbo, with a courage that surprised me stared straight back at Thorin, "I'm sorry."

Thorin breathing heavily stood for a few seconds, apparently unsure of what to do, before finally reaching a decision. "Fine. We stay, for one week, if Kili is not healed by then…" He trailed of slightly. "We cannot afford to stay any longer."

So kind of just setting up for the stay in Laketown, but it does give some depth to Zai and Fili's relationship. As well as Zai and Bilbo's and Zai and Kili's oh and Kili and Fili's.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed it!

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for all the reviews, favs, and follows.

Rue