"Uncle!" Fili cried as Thorin started coughing and groaning in slight pain and clutching at his chest.

"Fili!" he whispered with a smile on his bruised face as he saw his oldest nephew, and everyone fled to the bed. Some knocked over chairs and Bilbo tripped when Dwalin crashed into him. And Bofur could not help the chuckle that escaped him.

"Thorin!" Dwalin cried as Oin stood guard over his patient so they all would not fall into him.

"Wheres Kili?" Thorin asked looking to everyone, and after a final count he knew one was missing. His heartbeat started to accelerate as he thought of who was missing.

"He" someone began…

"No!" Thorin said as his eyes became filled with fear.

Gandalf shook his head quickly as everyone started to talk at once.

"He is fine" Oin said and Thorin sighed in relief and briefly closed his eyes.

"That reckless boy is as annoying as ever" Gloin murmured.

"He is with Tauriel" Dori cheerfully announced and everyone turned to him with horrified gasps and some with glares in their eyes. Dori swallowed and stood behind Nori.

"He means that he is helping her and some elves…. to" Bilbo started, but he found himself that he could not lie in front of Thorin… not when he had seen him hanging over death.

"He is with her because he is helping her clean up some mess" Gandalf said in a smile. "It is good to see you again King Under the Mountain"

Thorin smiled back and with help from Oin and Fili he was able to be seated.

"I need to see Kili first" Thorin started. "I need all of you here"

"Go fetch your brother" Thorin softly ordered looking at Fili. He smiled and suddenly hugged his uncle carefully. His heart was racing from relief at seeing his uncle alive and well.

"Seeing you up there with that monster has been the worst nightmare" Thorin whispered as he saw Fili's eyes fill with tears. He patted him on the shoulder and although his pat was weak he did look much better with some color brought to his cheeks as he saw that his kin was alive.

"But I killed that monster for threatening your life, all of our lives" he muttered.

Fili nodded and swallowed as everyone was looking at him.

He walked out of the tent and finally exhaled the breath of worry he had stuck inside of him.

Now everyone he loved was out of danger…. but then everything regarding Kili and Tauriel came clashing back into his mind.

"Never mind" he grumbled as there was much more to face.

He walked through the cold and frozen ground to his brother's tent and he stopped as some elves passed with a wagon full of supplies. They paid him no attention as they passed.

"Kili" he then called at the door and gave them a few seconds to…. maybe redress….

"Kili!" he said once again and Kili finally opened the tent's grey door and stood there.

Thank Mahal… he had his clothes on, Fili thought.

"Kili… uncle is awake!" Fili exclaimed and Kili gasped and slammed into his brother in a hug.

"Really!" Kili said in a smile and he suddenly went back in.

"Hes awake?" Tauriel whispered with a smile on her face as he saw how the brothers were smiling widely. Her heart was so happy in seeing them like that.

"How do we do this?" Kili asked as he helped Tauriel with her boots and Tauriel chuckled at how fast he was moving.

"Don't tell him yet…" Fili advised with his finger stroking his beard. Kili stopped and lifted an eyebrow in question and Fili held his hand up as he was going to explain.

"Kili… don't upset him now, give him some rest" Fili whispered and Kili reluctantly nodded as he knew Fili was probably right. His uncle's wound was still healing and he needed to rest before Kili gave him a heart attack, figuratively, well hopefully...

"Just stand away from each other as possible again" Fili ordered looking at Tauriel as well and she was silent and looking at the floor.

She could guard her feelings well but Kili knew she was nervous. He could tell as she was playing with a strand of her hair, and that was a great giveaway that he had picked up.

"When would we tell him?" Tauriel asked finally looking up.

"How about tomorrow, or the day after at the latest?" Fili said tilting his head.

Kili shook his head… maybe it was not a good idea to wait.

"I need to tell him now… I can't handle lying to him further" he whispered as he grabbed Tauriel's hand who was still seated at the edge of the bed. She rose and he brought her coat to her. She smiled when he gave it to her and she sighed in happiness as the warm black coat was placed around her.

"I can't keep hiding my feelings in front of him" he whispered as he caressed Tauriel's cheek and her eyes fluttered closed.

"Ready?" Kili asked as she suddenly became alert again. She hesitated but nodded and her eyes became ready and focused.

"Darling… if you feel threatened do not raise your weapons" he whispered, once again repeating what they had told her before. If she did raise her weapons to Thorin then the dwarves would have no other choice than to raise theirs against her. After all Thorin was their king. She nodded as a shiver ran down her spine as a memory clashed into her.

"I made that mistake already" she said in a fake chuckle. Raising her bow against Thranduil had been a great and foolish mistake.

"Should she even take them?" Fili asked as Kili handed Tauriel her daggers. Kili looked at Tauriel and she gave him a small smile.

"Just in case" Kili whispered. He was now tense and he could not lie about being nervous. He did not fear what his uncle would do or say to him, but he was worried for Tauriel. His wrath will be great and he personally knew how he acted when he was upset.

"Kili I still believe its a bad idea to tell him right now" Fili said as he ran a hand through his hair.

Kili sighed as he put on his coat and nodded.

"I'm not sure there can be an appropriate time to tell him" Kili feared.

Tauriel took a deep breath and went to Kili's side. She was nervous and her hand was shaking but she was not used to showing her nervous emotion in front of anyone rather than Kili so she tried to steel herself. But to her dismay her hand was still shaking.

"Its going to be alright" Fili assured with a smile.

She smiled back but her smile must of faltered because even Fili looked nervous.

The air in the tent was getting suffocating with nervousness and uncertainty so they all walked out quickly.

"Just know that he can't exactly kill you because he would have to face mother" Fili noted trying to lighten up the mood.

Kili rolled his eyes and tightened his grip on Tauriel's hand. She looked at him in question.

"He wouldn't do it" Kili assured…. right?

They were suddenly in front of the tent.

Both of them took a step away from each other.

"Alright.." Fili began when Kili quickly walked to Tauriel again and started to kiss her.

Fili sighed in a smile and waited… and waited…

"I'm ready" Kili breathed and Tauriel took a few seconds to start breathing again.

Fili smiled at the way they were staring at eachother. He didn't know if they were anxious to talk to Thorin, or if they did not like the idea of being far away from each other.

"I will be right there brother" Fili whispered and Kili smiled in appreciation.

Kili walked in first, followed by Fili and finally Tauriel.

"Uncle!" Kili exclaimed as he immediately fled to Thorin's side.

Before Thorin could say something Kili threw his arms around him just as Fili had done.

"I'm so happy you are alright" Kili whispered as Thorin took him in his arms again. Every one present had a smile on their faces as they saw the tender scene in front of them.

Tauriel was now standing next to Gandalf and Fili and she was smiling as well. Seeing Kili now take a final breath of relief was lifting her spirits but they once again fell when she knew for sure that the tender scene in front of them would soon change. And what bothered her more was that it was all her fault… she had never told Kili before, but she felt responsible for falling pregnant, as she had been the one who initiated that night. She sighed loudly and closed her eyes but opened them when she felt Thorin's gaze upon her.

"I see she is still here" Thorin commented as Kili sat in the bed. They all turned to Tauriel and she gave them a small smile.

She then looked at Kili and quickly turned her stare to Thorin. She cursed herself mentally as it was too hard to look at Kili. And the problem was not that she looked at him, it was that every time she did, she knew her eyes held something else when they looked at him.

"My Lord, I am happy to see you are well" she bowed as she spoke. Thorin gave one nod but his eyes still narrowed at the sight of her.

"Well now that we are all here" Thorin began looking to everyone once again but Kili noticed that his gaze lingered on Tauriel. Thorin narrowed his eyes with suspicion that he could not put his finger on. But he knew there was something….

"You were saying" Balin intervened. Thorin looked to him.

"I wanted to thank you all for joining me" Thorin thanked as he looked to everyone. "I know my behavior is unpardonable but you, my friends, my family have forgiven me, and for that I am grateful" he announced and everyone started to nod and cheer some "yess!" and some "Woohs".

Thorin chuckled and he carefully threw his feet to the side of the bed.

"Thorin, don't be as stubborn as your nephew" Oin warned and Thorin looked to Kili, who shook his head as to pretend he didn't know what he was speaking of. Thorin smiled knowingly.

"I feel much better Oin" he assured and Oin grumbled something along the lines of stubborn royals… and so on..

"He may be right Thorin, you may want to stay in bed for a few days longer" Gandalf suggested but his voice left no room for discussion. Thorin sighed as he always did when Gandalf ordered him to do something… the wizard always felt like his father.

"Too many tasks to attend to" Thorin said looking at Balin whom nodded in agreement.

"I need to speak with Bard and Thranduil… and Dain" Thorin began and Tauriel swallowed at her king's name.

"That reminds me Dain wanted to know when you woke" Dwalin suddenly said.

"Go fetch him" Thorin said and smiled when Dwalin reached and patted him on the shoulder quite hard.

"Nice to have you back lad" he cheerfully said and Thorin returned him the pat with surprising strength for someone who had been critically stabbed.

Dwalin chuckled and left to the door.

"Wait…" Kili said as he rose and Dwalin turned around.

"I… I need to tell you something first uncle" he started. Thorin looked to his nephew and nodded with a confused look in his eyes. Kili swallowed as his gaze fell to the floor. Tauriel froze next to Gandalf and she suddenly had the urge to grab Kili and run out of the tent.

"Tell me" Thorin said slowly as he was surprised to see his nephew suddenly sound serious.

"I need to tell you, because everyday that goes on without telling you, it just…" Kili whispered as he closed his eyes as he could already imagine the disappointment in his uncle's eyes…

"Kili" Thorin whispered and everyone froze… silence overtook the tent and Tauriel wanted to run to Kili's side but Gandalf laid a firm hand on her shoulder.

Kili raised his head with determination and his eyes held a spark Thorin had never seen before.

"I am…" he began when suddenly the tent's door was thrown opened and Legolas walked in with an alarmed look.

His eyes landed on Tauriel and he suddenly relaxed.

"Legolas" Gandalf greeted and he looked at Kili who took a deep breath.. of relief at being interrupted.. he did not know.

"Some of my father's guards were just attacked by some wargs and orcs" Legolas announced. "Next to Dale and there are some that can be seen roaming in Raven Hill"

The tent was suddenly filled with chatter and many of them grabbed their weapons. Kili looked to Tauriel and fisted his hands to keep himself from going to her.

"How many?" Thorin quickly asked as he got up and Oin basically glared at him but Thorin waved him off respectfully.

"Enough to cause alarm" Legolas responded… He was genuinely happy to see the King under the Mountain alive.

"Where is your father?" Thorin asked as he put on his coat and fetched his sword.

"He is in Dale, organizing his guards so some can stay behind with the Laketown people" he responded and they all fell silent as they heard distant growling. Tauriel froze at the mention of the Laketown people.

"Jesi" she whispered.

Then the tent door was thrown opened… again.

"Thorin!" Dain greeted and his loud voice boomed around the tent.

"Cousin!" Thorin said as they embraced.

"There are some filth still alive, we thought they retreated but there are still here stinking up the air" he grumbled as he patted Dwalin in the shoulder.

"Lets show them the way home" Dwalin suggested and they started to walk out.

"You are still not well" Bilbo cried as he came to Thorin.

"I am feeling much better" Thorin argued as he walked after Dain. Bilbo huffed and shook his head but retreated his sword as well. No one tried to stop Thorin, he was stubborn and pleas will not get them anywhere.

"Lass, take us to your father" Dain ordered looking at Legolas. He nodded and walked out.

In the chaos Kili was suddenly next to Tauriel.

"I'm not staying here" she whispered as Kili was about so say something. He smiled at her tone and ran his thumb down her cheek.

"I was so close in telling him" he whispered as he shook his head and Fili stood to his side.

"Those orcs keep on ruining everything" Gandalf muttered and they turned to him. He smiled at the couple as he also walked out.

"Now my job is to stay by your side" Gandalf announced. Kili, Fili and Tauriel turned to him in confusion.

"We are fine" Kili protested with a smile on his face to prove his point.

"Did Thorin tell you to look after Kili?" Tauriel asked as she could see Dain's remaining army surrounding the tents to keep the wounded safe.

"No… I told myself" the wizard whispered. "Besides you are officially not able to fight, as you are still wounded, and Fili will also make sure you both don't do anything reckless"

His voice left no room for discussion and frankly neither of them wanted to argue with the wizard.

"Tauriel, Thranduil will see you" Kili whispered and Gandalf nodded in thought.

"Maybe it is a good idea I'm staying with you" he murmured as Tauriel drew her daggers at her side.

The smell of orcs filled her and she glared ahead. Kili saw her deadly stare and he reached across Gandalf and calmed her hand.

"Tauriel" he whispered but they both separated quickly as Thorin stopped and turned to them.

"We are going to Dale" he cried so everyone could hear him over the loud wind.

Many dwarves from the Iron Hills were now with them as they walked to the bridge leading into entrance.

Thranduil was there as well as Bard. Thranduil's long cape was blowing in the wind and he was standing tall. His expression was cold but unreadable until he saw the dwarves and he stiffened ever so slightly.

"No moose" Dwalin murmured softly with a roll of his eyes and Fili and Kili were next to him so they chuckled quietly.

Thorin came to a stop as Legolas went to his father. They saw him nod and turned to them and the elf king's gaze turned icier when his eyes fell on Tauriel. Gandalf stood next to her almost protectively and Kili was straining himself to keep from going to her.

"There are matters to attend to" Gandalf reminded as Thranduil nodded slowly.

"He does not know does he?" Thranduil asked looking briefly at Kili and Tauriel stiffened at the thought of her king saying something. Thorin furrowed his brow and looked to Bard who shrugged his shoulders. Legolas froze as Tauriel looked at him in alert.

"We are glad to see you well" Thranduil then announced looking at Thorin with a small smile. He was somehow pleased with himself as he knew something so delicate that could be used against his traitor. "Being the one who ended the pale orc's life must feel like a great accomplishement"

Bard nodded as well as he looked at the King.

Thorin glared slightly at Thranduil but to everyone's relief he bowed his head ever so slightly in thanks. His mind was still caught up in his earlier question but the reminder of orcs still roaming his land was taking up most of his thoughts.

"Killing that beast is an accomplishment all on its own" Thorin hissed as he remembered how Azog almost killed his heir and nephew.

"I believe we can all set aside our differences for the time being as we still have a common enemy" Bard said as he looked to Raven Hill. It was surrounded by fog and it was now silent but their enemy was surely still there.

"It is too silent" Thorin said as he looked to the foggy hill.

"They are there" Bard argued. "They have not been seen retreating"

"Trust me when I say this, they want us to follow them" Thorin warned as he looked to Bard and Thranduil.

Thranduil nodded in thought.

"How do you suppose we kill them?" Thranduil intervened lifting an elegant brow.

"We don't… we wait" Thorin responded.

"Why don't they leave, they are clearly outnumbered?" Fili then asked.

"Is is clear they want revenge" Legolas answered as he stood next to his father. "They are on a suicide mission"

They all nodded slowly and chatter took up among them.

"They still want to kill the blood line, even if their leader has been killed, and maybe another orc took command" Gandalf then said and everyone turned to him and then they gradually looked to Fili, Kili and then Thorin. "Killing the Durin blood line is their ultimate goal"

Thorin stiffened and walked to his nephews.

"They could try" Thorin hissed as he had had enough of his nephews being in danger.

"That is precisely what they are doing" Thranduil said in an obvious tone that had the dwarves rolling their eyes.

"I say we stop them before they have time to come down here" Dain grumbled as he felt antsy.

Bard shook his head. "Thorin is right" he began. "They are waiting, it is a trap"

Suddenly a commotion could be heard in Dale and Dain raised his hammer in anticipation. All of them turned.

"They are attacking from the destroyed wall!" an elf guard on a horse announced as he came closer to the group. "There are many"

"Go!" Thranduil ordered to some of his guards. "We need to ensure they are all killed, go and scout the hill and make sure every last of that scum is dead". Some of his guards nodded and left with some of Dain's dwarves.

"To Dale!" Thorin ordered his kin as they quickly walked to the bridge to the entrance.

"Give Thorin your horse" Legolas then ordered to the guard who had come on his horse.

Thorin and Thranduil and everyone else froze at that.

"You are wounded and will get there faster" Legolas said as Thorin nodded reluctantly and took the horse. He was about to deny it but such a strange almost kind gesture could not be ignored.

Tauriel smiled at Legolas' action and soon they were crossing the bridge.

"Kili!" Tauriel whispered as he came to her. "I need to ensure Jesi is fine"

He nodded and drew his sword.

"I was thinking the same thing, stay by my side" he said.

"I will" Gandalf interrupted as he smiled at the couple. "Lets go"

Back at it again….