I am back! Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews, followers and favourites! If you're new here welcome aboard ;) It was great to here your theories last time, keep em coming guys, I love them. Yueri-chan's latest picture for this story is so adorable – the link to their deviantart profile is on my profile, go check it out if you like!

Forgive any grammatical errors on my part :P

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Chapter Thirty Four # You'll Be In My Heart #

Thranduil rested his chin on his fingers, staring at the map before him with a look of forced disinterest on his face as Legolas and Tauriel pointed out various locations on the map stretched out before them.

"…the goblins and goblins are marching in swarms from the Misty Mountains, Mount Gundabad and Moria; we estimate their numbers to be around ten thousand."

"My lord," Galion bowed his way into the tent. "There's someone here to see you…"

Thranduil waved his hand casually. "We are busy, Galion."

"He has snuck past the main guard three times, my Lord. He will not leave; he insists that he needs to talk to you. My Lord, he is a halfling." The king's butler insisted quietly.

"A halfling?" Despite himself, Thranduil felt his interest pique, and he watched carefully as Tauriel's eyes lit up with curiosity that she could not quite hide.

"Yes, my Lord." Galion confirmed.

"Bring him in." Thranduil commanded, and his butler bowed his way out of the tent.

Moments later Galion escorted a small creature into the tent, and Thranduil observed the being curiously. Curly hair framed his small face, which was filled with poorly hidden nervousness. His clothes had obviously seen better days and his hair was lank and growing a little over his eyes. Though he had never seen a halfling before, the elf could tell that the small being was at least a little too thin. Despite his frail and fearful demeanour, however, resolution shone in his eyes.

"Who are you, and from where do you hail?" Thranduil asked coldly, masking his curiosity carefully.

"Lord Thranduil," the hobbit bowed slightly. "My name is Bilbo Baggins. I am a hobbit from the Shire in the West."

Thranduil's eyebrows raised and he smirked as realised exactly who the small fellow must be. "Bilbo Baggins… So, the missing 'dog' of young Kíli the dwarf is in fact a hobbit. I suppose you are the dwarf's father, then."

"I am." Master Baggins nodded.

"So you are part of the company of Thorin Oakenshield…"

"I am, though none of them know I am here." The halfling admitted almost shamefully. "I have come to ask for your help."

"My help?" Thranduil raised an eyebrow.

Master Baggins took a deep breath. "I would like you to offer Thorin a temporary allegiance to fight the orc army advancing on the Lonely Mountain."

Well, that was unexpected.

"Why would I want to do a thing like that?" Thranduil frowned.

"Because Thorin…because Thorin Oakenshield is losing his mind and if you don't help us there'll be a massacre and I don't want my friends and my son to die." Bilbo Baggins swallowed, trying to strengthen his voice. "I also don't think that you want to see orcs winning a battle so close to home. Furthermore, if you and Thorin make an allegiance, Lake-town will surely make an agreement with the both of you to fight, and the more numbers there are on our side the better."

"I understand the advantages of allies and numbers in war, Master Baggins. I am yet to see why I should make an offer to your dwarven king." Thranduil leant back in his chair. He did not care if the dwarf-king was utterly insane – Thorin Oakenshield posed little threat to him under the circumstances. Yes, Lake-town's attempt to sit on the fence between the two kingdoms had been an annoyance, but as the hobbit himself pointed out an allegiance would only be temporary, and therefore would only temporarily solve their problem.

"Thorin will accept an offer of temporary allegiance, I'm sure, even if he won't give one. If you do help us, I personally guarantee that you can have my share of the treasure of Erebor."

Thranduil raised his eyebrows. "Oh really? And what share would you have of the treasure would a hobbit be entitled to?"

"Up to but not exceeding one fourteenth of the total profit," The halfling quoted. "And I'd happy to give it all to you if you just offer us your help."

Thranduil sat back in his chair, considering the deal. In truth, he was already planning on waging war on the orcs advancing towards the Lonely Mountain, purely because he knew that Tauriel was right. With each victory the armies of evil obtained they would grow stronger and stronger, until not even the elves of Mirkwood were able to withstand them. As much as he would like to just stay out of things such as this, Thranduil was not a coward. This deal, however, was not something he had considered, and that the halfling was all but begging for it intrigued him greatly.

"A temporary allegiance you say. Under what conditions would I offer this 'temporary allegiance'?"

The halfling tried to keep his face neutral, but Thranduil could read the hobbit's desperation in the flash of hope in his eyes. "Your forces would fight with us tomorrow, and as soon as the orcs are destroyed you receive my portion of the treasure and you can resume your conflict with Thorin over the white gems."

Thranduil looked to the two younger elves who were watching the seen intently. "Legolas, what is your view of this?"

The prince nodded slowly, glancing at the halfling before looking up at his father. "It seems to be a wise plan. The orcs are posing a threat to the entire region, not only to the dwarves, and if we fight united we have a higher chance of defeating the foul creatures with fewer casualties on our part."

Thranduil nodded again, content that his son's approval masked the vehemence of his own agreement. "Very well, Master Baggins. I will make an offer to Thorin Oakenshield. But do not expect me to remain his friend after the battle is one if he refuses to cooperate with me."

The hobbit seemed to sag with relief. "Thank you, thank you…"

"Do not thank me," Thranduil waved his hand dismissively. "Go back to your mountain and speak to your dwarves. I will be there at noon."

Bilbo Baggins nodded, his heart filled with relief, and returned to the mountain as quickly as he could. The sun was barely rising – it had taken him all night into Thranduil's tent. On the way to the elven camp he had gotten himself utterly lost, and then it had taken him three attempts to persuade the elven guards to let him see their King. Nevertheless, he had succeeded in doing all that he could to save his friends, and he resigned himself to that as he scurried back to the mountain.

Though the plan had been Bilbo's, Gandalf had been the one to convince him to do it. The wizard had left the mountain just before Bilbo to seek out allies of his own, though he would not tell Bilbo who they were, and his leaving had inspired many a protest from the dwarves which had distracted the others from Bilbo's leaving. That being said, Bilbo doubted that any but Kíli, Fíli and perhaps Bofur or Bombur would have noticed his absence with the way the dwarves were currently acting.

It had been easy enough to steal the key from Thorin – the Arkenstone seemed to have pushed all other treasures out of the king's mind, including his nephews and the key that had granted them access to the mountain in the first place. Bilbo had left the hidden door slightly ajar when he left, and as soon as he returned to the mountain he closed it behind him and pocketed the key, meaning to put it back where he found it in Thorin's pack as soon as he could.

Somehow the hobbit did not get lost between the door and the Hall of Kings. What he did get, however, was discovered.

"Where have you been?" Kíli stepped out from behind a pillar, his dark eyes full of worry.

"Kíli, you look dreadful!" Bilbo gasped, genuinely distracted by the horrible black bruise above Kíli's right eyebrow. "What happened?"

Kíli batted his hand away gently. "It's nothing, I was just sparring with Fíli and Dwalin and I made a mistake. Where were you?"

Bilbo paused with a soft sigh. "I went… Look, Kíli, I'll tell you if it works."

"If what works?" Kíli asked slowly. "Bilbo, what did you do?"

Bilbo just smiled sadly. "I'll tell you if it works."

Kíli did not look happy at all but he nodded slowly. "Let's go and get something to eat, Bilbo."

"That sounds like a brilliant idea, I'm starving."

The morning wore on, and true enough few of the dwarves had noticed his absence. Bofur gave him a questioning look and Fíli glanced at Kíli, but if anyone else had noticed anything they kept quiet about it.

If he had not been so worried about the coming hours and the orcs that were due to arrive at the mountain that night, Bilbo would have enjoyed talking to the mingling dwarves. The dwarves Dain had brought from the Iron Hills were all warriors, naturally, and therefore rather intimidating, but the journey had hardened the already courageous hobbit and Bilbo found himself having rather interesting conversations with several of them. A pair of brothers, Vidar and Gunnar, were particularly friendly, and questioned Bilbo amicably about his life in the Shire with Kíli.

"…so none of your young ones are taught to fight?" Vidar, the younger of the two brothers frowned curiously, his red moustache twitching.

"No," Bilbo shook his head. "There's never any need for it in the Shire."

"That sounds like a nice place to be…" Gunnar smiled wistfully, and Vidar snorted.

"It wouldn't be if you went there. You'd be bored within two days and then you'd start another bar fight."

Bilbo laughed slightly as the older brother raised his bushy brown eyebrows.

"I most certainly would not. I'd go to the nearest town of men and start a bar fight there. I don't think brawling with halflings would be any fun at all, nor would it be fair."

Vidar rolled his eyes at Bilbo. "That's my brother for you… Always overthinking things that aren't meant to be taken literally…"

"It's called using your mind. You should try it sometime, little brother. I'm sure you have one somewhere."

Bilbo smiled at the brotherly banter, his eyes automatically searching for the pair of brothers that meant the most to him. They were on the other side of the hall, talking to Bofur, Nori and Ori, with Fíli seeming a far more active participant in the conversation than Kíli. In fact, Bilbo noted with a slight frown, Kíli seemed to be sheltering at the back of the group. What the young dwarf was sheltering from, Bilbo was unsure. It could be the fear of the upcoming battle or the timidity in front of the strangers, but whatever it was; the hobbit doubted anyone outside of the company would notice the slight difference in Kíli's body language. With thought to the way the company had been behaving over the past few days, Bilbo shortened the list of people who were likely to notice by more than half.

"Are you alright, Master Baggins?" Gunnar asked with mild concern, and Bilbo forced a smile onto his face, tearing his eyes away from Kíli and looking back to the brothers before him.

"Yes, sorry, I'm absolutely fine. I'm just, ah… not used to battles and war…"

Vidar nodded sympathetically. "Aye, I don't think anyone ever is. And he who is used to it is probably a few gems short of a mine."

"My lord!" A young soldier of Dain's ran into the room, approaching his leader directly. "Thranduil is outside of the gates demanding an audience with King Thorin."

"What?" Dain leapt to his feet and Balin, who he had been talking to, hurried to go and get Thorin.

Bilbo's heart dropped and fell through his stomach as the King ran into the room, demanding the presence of the company to go to the main gate with him.

As the thirteen hurried to follow him, Bilbo pushed his way through to stand next to Kíli, murmuring quietly in the youngest dwarf's ear. "Stay close to me, now."

"Why?" Kíli asked slowly, but Bilbo heard so much more than that one word. You know I will anyway Bilbo, what makes now so important?

Bilbo said nothing, and Kíli pressed himself a little closer to the hobbit's side.

Thorin hesitated for a moment before the door, looking at Dwalin who nodded seriously and then pushed open a smaller door within the great doors of Erebor. Stepping outside, Dwalin turned and nodded at Thorin who strode out after him, followed by Fíli, Kíli, Bilbo and the others. With the exceptions of Kíli, Bilbo and Thorin, each had their hands clasped around their weapons.

"What brings the great king Thranduil to my door?" Thorin drawled, sarcasm and disdain dripping from his voice.

Thranduil, for his part, looked at Thorin with even greater disdain than the dwarf could muster. "I have come, Thorin Oakenshield to offer you a deal of temporary allegiance."

"An offer of temporary allegiance?" Thorin repeated in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

"I mean to offer you a truce - we shall fight the orcs and goblins together and we shall resume this petty conflict when it is done." Bilbo wondered if Thranduil could sound more bored if he tried.

Thorin paused. "How do I know you will hold true to you word?"

Thranduil's eyes flashed dangerously. "If our armies collaborate you can guarantee that Lake-town will also offer their army for our help. Do you want the assistance of two armies or not?"

"Very well." Thorin ground out after a long pause. "We shall fight with you at sunset. My people will lead the charge from the front if you bring your troops around the back."

Thranduil nodded slowly. "It is agreed. I believe it would be wise to place some archers on the mountain, and you only have one..."

Thorin growled. "I will not allow elves into-"

"Oh believe me, Thorin Oakenshield; no elf wants to venture into your precious mountain." Thranduil sneered. "I meant only to propose the positioning of some of my archers on the mountain, not in it."

Bilbo could see Thorin warring with himself, and he was very pleased when the king answered between clenched teeth.

"So be it."

The two kings bowed their heads to each other stiffly and Thranduil turned to go.

"Wait!" Thorin commanded, and the elf turned, looking at him with a strange mix of disgust and curiosity etched onto his face. "Why are you offering us your assistance now?"

"Ask your burglar." Thranduil drawled, and Bilbo's stomach swooped sickeningly.

He felt the eyes of his companions on him as Thorin's jaw clenched and the dwarf gave a stiff nod. As soon as Thranduil was far enough down the mountain for the dwarves' liking, Thorin stormed back inside, the company scuttling in after him. Just like the hobbit expected, Thorin rounded on Bilbo almost immediately.

"What did you do, halfling?"

Bilbo swallowed but held his head high. He had made the right choice. "I went to Thranduil and I asked him to offer you a truce."

"You did what?" Thorin growled, his voice low and dangerous, and Bilbo felt Kíli shift a little closer to him as he calmly replied.

"I went to Thranduil and I asked him to fight with us tonight."

"And what authority do you have to make such decisions?" Thorin's eyes narrowed.

"The authority of one desperate to avoid a massacre at all costs." Bilbo replied evenly. "We need help and someone had to get it."

Thorin's face was becoming steadily redder and his voice shook as he continued. "And what did you offer Thranduil in return?"

Well aware that Thorin would not like the idea of the Elvenking receiving any of Erebor's gold, Bilbo shook his head. "That is no concern of yours."

"It most certainly is my concern." Thorin's voice raised and he took a threatening step towards Bilbo, who tensed. "What did you promise him?"

"Something that is rightfully mine and nothing that isn't." Bilbo replied, putting his hand on Kíli's arm to prevent the young dwarf stepping between his hobbit and his uncle.

Thorin misinterpreted the gesture entirely and stepped forward again, snarling in Bilbo's face. "You promised to give him Kíli? As a prisoner?"

"No!" Bilbo roared, anger firing uncontrollably in his chest. "Do you honestly think that I would, that I could do anything to hurt him? I'm trying to protect Kíli - you're the one leading him like a lamb to the slaughter!"

Thorin let out an angry roar and moved as if to strike the hobbit, but Bilbo had not watched hours of Kíli training for nothing and he dodged easily, pushing his speechless young dwarf away from his uncle as he did so.

"Thorin!" Fíli yelled. "Stop!"

The dwarf king restrained himself, glaring at Bilbo with a ferocious intensity. "Get out of my mountain."

"No!" Fíli cried, his eyes widening as his brother's mouth fell open in shock.

"Silence, Fíli!" Thorin snapped, advancing threateningly towards the hobbit as if he could not see the heartbreak on Kíli's desperate face. "I hereby exile you from Erebor for your treachery, Bilbo Baggins. I never want to see you in this mountain again!"

"Thorin-" Kíli begged, his hand gripping Bilbo's so hard that it was a wonder the hobbit's fingers survived, and Bilbo's heart began to beat quickly in his chest. "Thorin, please-"

"Enough Kíli. It is time for you to choose - you can stand by your kin in your home or you can join the halfling in exile and slither back to that pathetic hole he has in the ground." Thorin spat, and the words leaving his mouth were bitter and harsh.

"Thorin!" Fíli stepped in between his uncle and Bilbo and Kíli, grabbing his uncle's arms. "Stop this, this is madness!"

Thorin shook Fíli's arms off in one sharp movement and shoved his nephew backwards so brutally that Bilbo heard Fíli gasp as his breath was forced from his body. The anger burning in Bilbo's veins intensified even before Thorin started talking.

"Do not speak to me of madness, boy. You know your place - remain in it!" The King under the Mountain snapped furiously.

Fíli stared at his uncle in disbelief, shaking his head as he staggered backwards almost fearfully. His eyes flickered between the hobbit and his uncle, and the pain in his eyes hurt Bilbo almost as much as the torture in Kíli's.

"Bilbo," Kíli whispered, his voice trembling from anger and fear. "You can't-"

Bilbo felt his heart breaking under the strain of his guilt and grief. He had known full well that Thorin was likely to exile him – or even potentially worse – and he had prepared himself for it, but he had not realised that the king would force Kíli to choose so cruelly.

"Well, Kíli? Where do you stand? Will you fight like a dwarf or flee like a coward?" Thorin sneered, and Bilbo swallowed.

Slowly the young dwarf stepped forward, but his usually warm voice was as cold and hard as steel when he spoke. "I will fight with you tonight because I cannot abandon my family in danger like this, even if you have completely forgotten what family means. But, if I am so lucky to survive I will follow Bilbo and I will go back to the Shire. It's not the family we are born with that defines us, but the family we choose, and I will not be defined by greedy, cold dwarves who have utterly lost their minds. Bilbo is my father and I would follow him to the ends of the earth. I am so sorry, Fíli. I truly am." Kíli's strong, agonized eyes rested on his heartbroken brother for a moment longer before they turned to Thorin and became as cold as ice. The young dwarf took a step towards his uncle almost threateningly. "Let me make one thing quite clear, Thorin. If I die tomorrow, I die fighting for Fíli, for you, for my friends and my family and even for this home. But I will not die for your hoarded gold."

For a moment, Thorin's eyes exposed pain and shock and fear, but then the moment was gone and he clenched his teeth. "Get that thing out of the mountain, boy, before I do!"

No one moved, and Bilbo's eyes flickered over the entire company.

Dwalin was glaring at him with as much hatred as Thorin was, but in Balin's eyes the hobbit found a hint of pity. Ori looked as if he was about to cry, while Nori was staring at Bilbo with the unreadable expression of one trying to pull away before he got hurt. The look in Dori's eyes was a mixture of betrayal and pity, and it was mirrored in Óin's expression. Glóin seemed utterly confused, as though he could not place his own emotions in stark contrast to Bifur, who just looked as though he wanted to stab something. Bombur appeared to be positively ill while Bofur just stared at the scene unravelling before them, utterly horror struck.

"Kíli, now!" Thorin roared, and Kíli stepped backwards several times, grabbing Bilbo's arm and turning to flee.

Bilbo allowed himself to be dragged away by his shaking son, and he was a little glad to hear Thorin angrily calling Fíli back, the king's continued shouts telling him that their heir to the throne was following his brother. The trio ran until they reached the hidden door until Kíli's knees buckled and he fell to the floor, dropping his head to his hands and groaning softly.

"Kíli…" Bilbo swallowed, crouching down next to him. "Kíli, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"Don't be…" Kíli's voice sounded utterly beaten. "You're not the one who's lost his mind. You tried to help Bilbo…"

Fíli's voice was equally hollow as he passed Bilbo the hobbit's own pack, having scooped it up as they ran. "I just can't believe Thorin…I can't believe he would…"

"It's alright, Fíli." Bilbo sighed, closing his eyes. "It's alright…"

"No, it's not!" Fíli swallowed, and the pain in his eyes struck Bilbo to the core. "That dwarf in there…that's not Thorin. Our uncle would never threaten to banish you, Kíli, never!"

"We already knew he's sick." Kíli mourned as he leant against Bilbo.

"But sick enough to threaten to banish you?" Fíli closed his eyes and leant against the wall as if his entire world had been jolted out of perspective. "This has gone too far, someone has to do something!"

"I already have," Bilbo said calmly, not wanting to upset either of the boys further. "What's done is done, and the battle is too close. All the two of you need to do is focus on surviving tonight, alright? Thorin…well, we'll figure it out afterwards."

"I don't want you to go," Kíli whispered in a heart-wrenchingly childish voice. "Promise me you'll stay out of the battle?"

"I can't promise that any more than you can." Bilbo laughed bitterly, putting his arm around Kíli and praying that it was not the last time he would get to do so.

"There has to be something we can do to stop this madness…" Fíli shook his head. "If I talked to Thorin-"

"He's beyond listening, Fíli. That's why I had to go in the first place." Bilbo smiled sadly, pulling the key to the mountain out of his pocket and passing it to the heir of the throne. "Here…I don't want Thorin thinking I stole that, too."

"Bilbo, you don't have to do this, you don't have to leave." Fíli begged, his eyes flickering to Kíli.

"There's no point making things more difficult now." Bilbo sighed. "We'll figure out the details after the battle."

"If we can." Kíli spat bitterly.

"You will survive, Kíli." Bilbo sighed heavily, closing his eyes and standing up. "I should go."

Kíli's own eyes closed and Fíli swallowed, looking between the hobbit and his brother. The blond prince stepped forward and hugged Bilbo tenderly.

"I'm glad I met you, Bilbo Baggins. Take care of yourself tonight."

"You too, Fíli. Don't you dare die on us, and take care of your brother for me?" Bilbo tried to swallow, but the lump in his throat would not budge.

"Always." Fíli nodded, pulling away slowly and glancing at the two of them. "I'll wait here…"

Kíli nodded at him shakily and Bilbo stepped out of the door arm in arm with his son. They lingered outside for a moment, staring at each other wordlessly.

What words could they use? What words could be used to ease the parting of souls with such a bond? What words could explain the agony and terror that this could be the last time they ever saw each other alive?

What words did they have left?

"I'm sorry, Kíli. I'm sorry I put you through this."

"I'm sorry you had to." Kíli managed to say before he grabbed Bilbo tightly. The father and son embraced with the fierce fear of those faced with losing their loved ones, and the tears in their eyes stemmed from the same terror. "Be safe, Bilbo. Be safe…"

"I will do my very best," Bilbo swallowed, his fingers instinctively curling into Kíli's hair. "You must be careful yourself. If you die in this battle Merry will never forgive you."

Kíli laughed, a broken, sob-like sound, and pulled Bilbo even closer. "I don't want to say goodbye. I want to go home. With you and Fíli…"

"We will," Bilbo struggled to keep himself together, though the tears were coming far too fast to be successfully blinked back. "We will go home, with Fíli if he wishes to come."

Kíli's body started to shake and Bilbo swallowed. As much as he wanted to wail himself, crying would not do anyone any good now.

"Come now, stop crying, Kíli. It will be alright."

"How can it ever be alright?" Kíli pulled away angrily, tears streaking down his face. "How will it ever be alright again? You'll be gone and-"

Bilbo took Kíli's hands in his own smaller hands and smiled sadly. "I'll be with you always, Kíli. Don't cry. You're so young, Kíli but by Durin, you're so strong…Stronger than I'll ever be."

"I'm not!" Kíli protested weakly, "You're strong enough to leave but I'm just… I'm breaking!"

Bilbo pulled Kíli back into his arms. "You can't be broken, Kíli. The bond between us, nothing can break that unless you let it. Don't cry."

"I know," Kíli whispered, nodding vigorously on Kíli's shoulder. "I just wish Thorin would understand…"

"I don't think he understands much of anything now, Kíli." Bilbo reasoned sadly. "Don't listen to him, Kíli. Not when he's like this. Remember who he really is and you'll be able to forgive him."

"Forgive him?" Kíli spat, his arms tightening around Bilbo. "Why would I ever forgive him for this?"

"Because you know as well as I do that Thorin's not in his right mind." Bilbo soothed. "Don't listen to the madness – remember the rest."

"What would I be without you, Bilbo?" Kíli half laughed, pulling away gently. "I'll always need you, you know."

"That works both ways," Bilbo nodded tearfully, before taking a deep breath. "Alright, now… The battle tonight will be bloody, no doubt. When the time comes you must be strong, Kíli. I may not be with you, but you have to hold on."

"I will," Kíli promised tearfully. "Oh Bilbo, I will. But Thorin-"

"In time he will see what he has done, I know it." Bilbo nodded, taking another shaky breath. "Don't worry about Thorin, Kíli."

Kíli turned to look back at the mountain. "I love you, Bilbo. I already feel so alone…"

"I would never leave you alone, ever!" Bilbo insisted fiercely, putting his hand on the side of Kíli's face and gently guiding his son's eyes to his own. "You have Fíli here, and Bofur and Dwalin and all of the others. I love you, Kíli. And if this is…goodbye…well, I suppose all I can really say is that you – Kíli Baggins – will be in my heart forever."

Kíli sobbed and grabbed Bilbo one last time, hugging him tightly. "I love you, too. I'll be there always, Bilbo, always!"

"I know," Bilbo breathed, finally allowing the tears to fall down his cheeks. "Me too."

Kíli took a deep breath and slowly they parted. Bilbo shouldered his bag and nodded once, grasping Kíli's forearm one last time before walking away from the mountain.

However fast he stepped, it felt like a funeral procession and he closed his eyes against the pain until all of a sudden-

"Bilbo!"

The hobbit turned and let out a strange, sob like noise, the sight of Kíli standing so sorrowful and so alone breaking his heart and making it so difficult to stop himself from running back to his son. "Yes?"

"Tonight, when the battle comes, if you need help…"

Bilbo blinked when Kíli trailed off. "What?"

A small smile spread across Kíli's face.

"Just look over your shoulder. I'll be there."

Well, writing that just about broke my heart. I hope you enjoyed that chapter – the last bit was written to a very specific song from which I stole several snippets of lyrics (with the chapter name it shouldn't be too hard to guess which song ;) hint - it's another song from Tarzan by Phil Collins where 'Strangers Like Me' comes from) but I think it worked quite well - let me know if you noticed/liked/hated it :)

Kíli's speech to Thorin (I will not die for your hoarded gold) was actually something I've had planned since the very beginning of this story, so it was great fun to actually lose it.

I hope Fíli was in character here – he's a little bit shell-shocked that even mad Thorin could threaten to separate him from his long lost brother so I hope it fits! Anyway, yeah I hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think :)