Big thanks to SeaGoddessOfStarlight, electrogirl88, hannah2088 and Spirit of Imagination for following/favouriting.
Rachetg – Yeah he's a very stubborn man isn't he?
Celebrisilweth – I want to add just a bit more drama to the whole thing.
Zetti – Glad you are enjoying it. Plenty more Fira/Kili feels to come!
Electrogirl88 – Hopefully you will enjoy the rest just as much.
Everything Will Be Alright
Waking up Fira was aware of the burning pain in her side. Rubbing it she frowned at the smooth bandages covering her stomach. Looking over she saw the figure of Kili curled up beside her with the rest of the company all sleeping by the huge fire.
She shouldn't be here.
Sitting up Fira bit down her groan at the last second. Her pack was sitting by her feet and before she could succumb to the need to lie back down again she crawled towards it and shoved her blanket into it. She could feel the pain from the stab wound burn at her every time she took a breath. Shaking her head Fira did the straps on her pack before glancing round at the others. She didn't want to leave them like this. She didn't want to leave them at all!
"Lass?"
At Dwalin's voice Fira cursed under her breath. The warrior dwarf hurried towards her before kneeling down.
"Ye awake! Oh thank Durin for that!"
Fira wasn't expecting the hug. Her wound burned and her injured hand throbbed as Dwalin wrapped his arms around her. He let go sheepishly before his eyes landed on her pack.
"Fira? You aren't leaving are ye?"
Nodding Fira pulled her pack onto her back.
"I have no choice. You were there when Thorin banished me. And don't say he was wrong because he had every right."
Dwalin nodded, "Aye, I won't lie I was angry to when I heard about Sol and…and what you had been told to do. But I also know that ye're no killer lass. I trust ye with my life."
Fira sighed before trying to get to her feet. However the pain in her side was too much and she sunk to her knees. Dwalin took her elbow to steady her.
"What about Kili? Hmm? What will he do when he wakes up and finds ye gone? Fira he would follow ye to the ends of the earth and beyond! If ye going to leave then at least do the right thing and say goodbye to us all."
Fira shook her head, "I don't know. It depends if Thorin gives me time to do so before he throws me out."
Shaking off Dwalin's grip Fira got to her feet. The wound burned but not as bad as before. However she only had to take a few steps before the pain exploded. Crying out Fira held out her hands to break her fall when arms wrapped themselves around her and slowly lowered her to the ground. Her hair was pushed away from her face and when she felt Kili's lips on her cheek Fira froze. Kili buried his face in her neck.
"You're awake! I thought…I mean when I saw him pull that knife out...!"
Clinging to him Fira allowed her own tears to fall. All around her she was aware of the others waking up. Hiding her face in Kili's chest and allowed him to rub her back whilst she pressed a kiss over his heart. She could still remember Sol's face as he had tried to choke the life from Kili.
"Are you alright?" She whispered. Kili nodded before pressing his lips over hers.
"Now that you're with me I am."
Fira opened her mouth when she was aware of Dwalin giving her the knowing look. Easing herself from Kili she could see the others wanted to see how she was doing. But Kili's eyes had already landed on her bag and his face fell.
"Fira, what are you doing?"
Bowing her head Fira took his hand.
"Can we talk in private please?"
"Of course."
Shedding her pack Fira tried to stand when suddenly the ground vanished. Glancing over she realised Kili had her in his arms. Ignoring the cheers and whistles from the others she allowed him to carry her away from the company until they came to an uprooted tree. As Kili sat her down Fira bent over to take deep calming breaths as her wound pulled at her again. Kili rubbed her back.
"Are you alright?"
Nodding she glanced up at him.
"I'm fine."
He pressed his forehead against hers.
"I've never been so frightened as I was back then. I could feel my bond to you start to break! I thought…I honestly thought I was going to watch you die."
"Hey," Fira kissed his hand, "I'm still here. You aren't getting rid of me that easily."
Kili smiled and Fira tightened her grip on his hand.
"I need to talk to you. To explain a few things."
Kili nodded, "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"How did you know you wouldn't be able to kill us? You said you had decided before you even met any of us. How?"
"Because…" Fira bowed her head, "Because I couldn't do it. I can't just kill people in cold blood. But…I don't know! I guess I hoped I could find a way to trick Tharos and Sol."
She faced him, "I know I should have told you. Believe me it's been eating away at me ever since I first met you! But I knew you would despise me when you found out. I couldn't bear that."
Kili cupped her chin his hand, "Why do you think I would be like that? You are the love of my life Fira. I meant what I said yesterday. I will always love you no matter what happens."
Nodding Fira tapped her courting bead.
"I know…but I can't stay here."
Kili shook his head, "We've had this conversation before."
"I know, but this time I mean it," Fira sighed, "If I stay here I'll end up hurting you. I can't keep doing that."
"Where would you go?"
Fira sighed, "Back to Tharos I guess."
"But…" Kili gripped her hands and she could see the horror in his eyes.
"Fira if you go back he'll kill you!"
Nodding Fira watched as Kili's eyes darkened and he shook his head.
"No. No I'm not going to let you do this!"
"I don't have another option. The second Thorin sees me he'll tell me to leave. It won't take Sol long to find me and I'd rather go back of my own free will than a prisoner."
Kili licked his lips, "Then I'll come with you. I'll look after you and keep you safe. I won't let anyone hurt you!"
Pressing a hand to his cheek Fira shook her head.
"You can't! I know you would lay down your life for me, but I won't allow you to do it. This is my choice Kili. You can't make me change my mind."
He gave a low growl, "Mahal you can so bloody stubborn at times!"
"Oh I'm sorry," Fira snapped, "I didn't realise I was meant to be some meek and docile creature."
Getting up to go she grabbed her stomach and her legs wobbled. Kili took her arms and gently sat her back down. He nuzzled her neck gently and despite the anger, Fira couldn't help but blush as his lips brushed her neck.
"I'm sorry my love, "he whispered, "I didn't mean to get so angry."
"I know. I'm sorry I snapped at you."
Kili kissed her shoulder, "Please just…at least see what Thorin has to say. You saved his life, he might come round."
Fira glanced at him to find his big brown eyes gazing at her. She shook her head with a small smile.
"You know I can't resist that look."
Kili simply smiled.
Fira clung to Kili as they returned to the others. He had insisted on carrying her but she told him she wanted to be on her own two feet when Thorin saw her. As the others all gathered round Fira let go of Kili and moved towards Thorin who folded his arms.
"I trust you are feeling better?"
Nodding Fira held her hands behind her back. Thorin sighed.
"As you know you were banished from this company on pain of death."
All around her Fira could hear the uneasy mutterings from the others and she jutted her chin out.
"And I'm sure you know I didn't exactly come back here. In fact if you speak to Dwalin he'll tell you I tried to leave this morning."
Thorin nodded, "I am aware," he sighed.
"You betrayed us Fira. You kept quiet about why you were here. You lied to us in Bag End and you deceived us all."
Fira nodded and Thorin cleared his throat.
"But you have looked out for us, protected us and saved our lives so many times. You had plenty of opportunities to kill us but you never took them. I look in your eyes and I don't see the eyes of a cold blooded killer."
Fira didn't dare breathe as Thorin carried on. The dwarf king glanced at the others who were all smiling.
"I have decided to allow you to stay Fira. My actions back in the cave were done more out of anger than rational thought and I hope you can forgive me."
Fira nodded, "You did what anyone would have done."
Thorin nodded before glancing over her shoulder. Looking round Fira saw Kili giving her a bashful smile. Thorin chuckled.
"I know you want to kiss her Kili."
The others wolf whistled and Kili placed both his hands on Fira's waist and drew her close. Pressing his lips to hers they kissed before breaking apart again. Thorin smiled at the pair.
"We'll stay here for lunch before setting off again."
He moved away to talk to Gandalf; however as he went Fira noticed the look of sadness he flashed her. Holding Kili's hand she pressed her other one against the wound in her stomach. It still burned. Shaking her head she allowed Kili to lead her other to the others.
Fili watched as Mithiel eased herself down against a thick oak tree a few feet away from the others. Clutching his own bowl he sat down beside her, watching with concern.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded, "My shoulder aches and my stomach feels like it's being constantly kicked by horse. But other than that I'm fine."
Fili nodded before pushing his soup away.
"I'm sorry."
"What for?"
He sighed, "For letting them hurt you. I should have stepped in and told them what they wanted."
Mithiel shook her head, "No, then things would have been worse."
"But you would have been alright!" Fili sighed.
Mithiel said nothing to this and carried on eating. Leaning forward Fili wondered if this was the best time to bring this up.
"Back in the caves I…I heard what you said to Fira. About your mother."
The colour drained from the girls face and she moved to go. However Fili grabbed her arm and gently pulled her back down.
"You told me your mum loved you. Why would you lie?"
She shrugged, "I didn't want pity. And I didn't want you to look down on me; a whore's daughter who allowed her adopted mother to beat her."
Fili shook his head, "I wouldn't have looked down on you. Yes I'd have felt sorry for you but I wouldn't have stopped being your friend because of this!"
Mithiel shook her head, "I don't know why I thought that to be honest. I think I was just scared, I've never really told anyone about my mother and I had no idea how to do it. I didn't even know how I managed to tell Fira."
Fili took her hand, "Listen…I want you to know that Erebor would always be your home. Should you wish it," he added.
"I'm not saying it's got all the wonders of Rivendell. But the offer is always there."
Mithiel nodded, "Thank you."
It didn't take long for the company to get ready to go. Fili took Mithiel's pack as her shoulder was still too sore for her to carry it whilst Thorin took Kili's to avoid it rubbing against his whip marks. Fira's broken hand had been bandaged up and she tried to get to her feet when Kili knelt down and held out his arms.
"Let me carry you."
"Kili you were whipped!" Fira hissed, "I can't let you hurt yourself just for me."
"Oin said you shouldn't walk until fully healed," Kili said softly," And…" he blushed. Fira kissed his nose."
"And..?"
"And I hate the idea of you being in someone else's arms." He said. Giggling Fira bit her lip before nodding.
"But the second you are in any pain I want you to stop," she folded her arms, "Promise?"
He kissed her cheek, "I'd promise you anything my darling."
As Kili picked her up Fira hissed as the pain got steadily worse in her stomach. She had never been stabbed before so she had to assume it would be like this for a while. Leaning her head against Kili's chest she watched the others flash her smiles. The only one who didn't was Nori. Instead he lowered his gaze shamefully. Kili kissed the top of her head.
"When we make camp I'm going to have a word with him."
"About what?"
"About what he called you in Goblin town. I heard every word of that conversation."
Fira gave a small nod, "He was just angry – and he had every right to be."
Kili hummed at this before resting his chin on her head. Fira hurriedly sneaked a glance and as the pain flashed across his face she sighed.
"Kili, please let one of the others take me."
"No," he shook his head, "No I'm fine. It was just a twinge."
Fira chewed the bottom of her lip,
"You aren't going to let go even if you lose a leg are you?"
He shook his head, "Fira nothing on this earth is going to take you away from me."
Nodding Fira curled up in his arms, allowing the slow rhythm of his feet to soothe her. She could still feel the pain in her side as well as another kind of pain. She could still remember Sols' magic coursing through her. Glancing down at herself she gave a small sigh; wondering if she should let the others know the full extent of his power. The best person to tell would be Gandalf. But there was no way she would be able to speak with him until they camped that night. Shutting her eyes she wrapped her arms around her body.
"Fira?"
"Hmm?" Opening her eyes she smiled up at Kili who blushed.
"Sorry, were you sleeping?"
"No its fine. What is it?"
Kili sighed, "Now that…that you aren't going to kill us. What will happen?"
Fira frowned at this and he nodded.
"I mean with Sol. Won't he try and get you back?"
"Yes," Fira admitted, "But he was also sent after me to carry out my task if I failed. I'm not going to kill you so he'll try and do it himself."
Kili paled and Fira kissed his chest.
"But there's no way in hell I'm going to let him near you. Next time I see him he's a dead man."
"As long as you don't mind getting in line behind me love." Kili said darkly. Fira nodded and Kili kissed her forehead.
"Get some sleep Fira. By the looks of things we'll need it."
That night the creature made sure he wasn't heard as he snuck through the trees. Although given he was almost twice the size of most bears maybe 'snuck' wasn't the right word. He could hear the sounds of snoring coming from a small clearing up ahead and when he caught a glimpse of a fire his interest was spiked. A low growl came from the back of his throat as he caught sight of the camp. Fifteen small figures lay asleep on the ground whilst another, slightly taller figure was sitting by the fire, her elf ears clearly visible. The creature growled again; only stopping when he saw the tall figure of Gandalf sitting by a tree. The wizard didn't have his hat on but he knew that face anywhere. Slipping back into the trees his nose twitched as the foul stench of wargs hit him. They had to be a few leagues away at best. With another glance at the camp the bear fixed his eyes on them. He knew what direction they would be taking tomorrow. Indeed there was only one place they could go. His home.
As the smell of orcs and wargs drew closer the creature let out a slightly louder growl. He would protect Gandalf. He would protect his friend.
So some nice moments with everyone there. And finally Thorin is being nice instead of a mardy, stubborn old man! Kili is just such a cutie and so is his brother!Let me know what you all think xxx
