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It's MONDAY

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Chapter 38

~X~

While all of this had been going on, Fili and Kili made a thorough search for Kara in the longhouse, with Tauriel abandoning breakfast in order to help look. Next the three headed off to Bofur's house, yet when he and Melind reported that she had not come calling last night, Fili began to seriously worry.

"Where could she have gone?" he asked, panic rising in his voice. "She was only dressed in her night clothes, which are nowhere near adequate for being out in this weather."

"We'll help you look," Melind assured him, she and Bofur quickly grabbing their warm furs and heading out to search as well.

They ran into Ori soon after, and he said he had not seen Kara, nor was she at Nori's house, since he had just come from there. Next they checked with Bifur and Dori, yet neither one of them knew anything. By now, Fili was nearly frantic, his heart pounding and his palms sweating. When they beat on Dwalin's door, desperately checking with anyone she might have felt comfortable turning to, they were surprised to find both Thorin and Dis there as well.

"We can't locate Kara anywhere!" Fili told them, not even caring why the three were there together. "She ran off last night, and we don't know where she's gone!"

"Where have you looked," was Thorin's first words, taking charge of the situation like the Jarl he was.

Fili quickly filled him in on the locations they had searched, and he began to send each of them in different directions. Bofur and Melind to the stables, Kili and Tauriel to the communal kitchens, and Dwalin and Ori to the meeting house.

"Fili, you and your mother check with Gloin and his family, while I ask about her at each of the gates," he continued, watching as everyone raced off to fulfill their assignments.

Thorin was surprised at how worried everyone was over one thrall…and yet, he too had come to admire the pretty lass quite a bit over the past month or so. Her saving little Gimli had endeared her to many of Erebor's residents, and her fiery spirit and kind nature had managed to touch his own cold heart as well. The fact that Fili said he loved her, made finding the girl all the more important…especially now that he had decided to do something about them being forever separated. He only hoped that fate had not taken things into its own hands in some way.

Fili and Dis hurried towards their cousin's house, desperate to learn if they might have seen Kara, yet a cry from behind stopped them in their tracks.

"FILI! HERE!" came the frantic call from Bofur, standing out in the street in front of the stables, waving his hands to get their attention.

With his heart in his throat, and fear in his mind, Fili turned and ran as quickly as he could towards his friend, the look in the hatted warrior's eyes doing nothing to calm him down.

"Where is she?" he demanded, skidding to a halt. "Is she all right?"

"We found her in the barn, huddled in the straw with only a small horse blanket," Bofur told his friend, gripping his shoulders. "She looks near frozen though…Melind is with her."

"Oh…please no!" Fili gasped, breaking free and racing inside. There he found Melind on the ground with a shivering Kara wrapped in both her and Bofur's furs, her eyes closed and looking very pale. "KARA!" he cried, falling to his knees beside the two women and taking her from Melind, wrapping his arms around her in an effort to warm her further. "Kara…can you hear me…please, open your eyes and look at me." Yet no response came, other than the chattering of her teeth.

"I don't understand, Fili…why was she out here last night?" Melind looked at him with both fear and confusion. "Was she trying to run away…did you two argue?"

"Something like that," he replied, now feeling lower than the belly of a snake at the sight of what his stupidity had caused.

By now, most of the search party had heard that Kara had been found and were gathered in the doorway of the stables, concern etched on each of their faces. Thorin was one of the last to arrive and pushed his way inside, not at all liking the looks of things.

"She needs to be warmed up immediately!" he commanded. "Fili, take her to the longhouse and sit with her by the fire."

"What about the baths? Wouldn't that be faster?" Fili suggested, desperation in his tone.

"No, she needs to be warmed slowly or it could damage her even more," Dis insisted. "It would be like putting a frozen dish in hot water…it would crack."

The words were hardly out of his mother's mouth, that Fili was up and carrying her through the door.

"Kili, Tauriel, and Dis, go with him," Thorin continued, barking out orders. "Dwalin, go fetch Oin, and tell him to hurry…in fact, if he's moving too slow, carry him!"

"On my way," the war chief agreed, disappearing around the corner.

"What about us, Jarl Thorin?" Bofur asked, wrapping his arm around his worried wife and gesturing to the others that stood around them.

"Pray to Odin that it is not Kara's time to join the gods," he mumbled, having no other assignment to give them.

"It is said that the gods do favor brave women," Ori proclaimed. "And none have I found braver than Kara."

"Agreed," Thorin nodded. "Let's then hope they favor her this day."

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Fili had not allowed Kara out of his grasp since finding her shivering in Melind's arms, and even when Oin arrived with his medicines and herbs, he refused to leave her side. Once it was determined that she suffered no injuries, and that cold was the only reason she was in danger, he ordered her to be taken upstairs and placed in bed, with as many blankets and furs covering her as possible.

"She needs to be warmed up, and the best thing for that is body heat," the old healer stated.

Understanding what Oin meant, Fili was already stripping off his shirt and boots, quickly climbing in beside her and wrapping her ice cold body with his own. Downstairs, Kili brought in several more armloads of wood, and kept the fire blazing hot, allowing the warm air to drift up to the bedchambers until most were removing their outer furs due to discomfort. Yet no one said a word, as they filtered in and out of Fili's room, bringing things that might aid Kara's condition.

"Here, see if she will take a sip of this warm broth," Dis suggested, holding out a cup to her son. "She needs to be warmed up on the inside as well."

Fili did as directed, coaxing Kara to take a little of liquid, before encasing her in his warming embrace once again. It felt like it took forever, but at last her shivering began to subside. Oin said that was a good sign, but not long after this, the healer became even more concerned when her temperature began to rise at an alarming rate, until Kara was drenched in sweat.

"I was worried about this," Oin said. "She has taken ill from the cold, and a fever can be a very dangerous thing. It can cook the mind, making one mad with delirium, and even cause..." Here his voice drifted off, as if not wanting to speak his final words.

"You mean she could die?" Fili's panic rose to new heights. "Is there anything we can do?"

"There is very little within my power," the healer told him. "We must keep her warm, bathe her face and neck in cool water, and get her to drink as much as possible." He then turned and headed for the door. "I will see what I might have to help bring her fever down, but I'm afraid that this old horse only knows so many tricks." And then he was gone.

Fili lay there, watching as the woman he loved suffered beside him, knowing that it was all his fault. If only he had said the right things last night…or not been so foolish to have gone along with Stonehelm's challenge in the first place. Perhaps if he had not been drinking so much he would have known better, or at least been able to go after her when she ran out and not have ended up passed out on the floor. So many ifs…and no way to fix any of them.

"Fili?" came Melind's voice from the doorway. "May I come in?"

"Yes, of course," he answered, though he never took his eyes off of Kara. "She's burning up with a fever, and Oin has gone to find something to help."

"He told me to bring you some water and cloths to bathe her head and arms with," she offered, setting a bowl and towels on the table. "And here is a fresh pitcher of water for her to drink."

"Thank you," he nodded, extracting himself from the bed and reaching over to pour some into a cup and putting it to her lips. He was very pleased when she instinctively drank a few sips.

"Fili…I must ask," Melind continued, sounding hesitant. "Did…did Kara tell you of her feelings last night? Is that what you two argued over? If so, I am so very sorry for urging her to speak to you about them."

"Her feelings…what do you mean?" Fili questioned, his head spinning around to face Melind.

"Of her feelings for you…as well as her fears about…about having your children," Melind revealed, wringing her hands in worry as she spoke.

"My what?" Fili gasped. "She…she talked to you about us having children?"

"Well…yes," she stammered, not sure if she was betraying her friend's confidence by telling him such things. "She worried that if you two were to ever have children, that they would be born as slaves…like her. I know your mother has been giving her the meadow fern to drink, so that none would come…but even that brew is not fool-proof. She was afraid to tell you that – " Here she did stop, knowing that she might have gone too far.

"That what? What is she afraid to tell me?" Fili demanded.

"I've said too much already," Melind whimpered, now upset with herself and afraid of what Fili might do over her slip of the tongue.

"NO! You have not said enough," he argued, standing up and taking her gently by the arms, holding her in place before him. "Tell me, Melind…please, I must know."

"Kara told me yesterday…that she…she loves you," she blurted out. "But that she fears the idea of only ever being your thrall, and what that would mean for any children you might give her in the future."

"Kara said that? She…loves me?" Fili couldn't believe it. He finally had his wish, and yet he had destroyed everything by his asinine actions. How could he have been so stupid?

"Do…do you love her in return?" Melind questioned, almost too afraid to ask such a thing.

"Of course I do!" he answered without hesitation. "I would do anything for her…anything! I even told Thorin I would renounce my place as his heir if it meant I could marry her. I love Kara with all my heart!"

"Then I will pray that she wakes soon in order to hear this from your own lips," she told him with a sad smile. "I have always told Kara that she was very fortunate to have been bought by you."

"You have been a good friend to her…and to me," Fili said, leaning down and kissing her on the top of the head. "Bofur is a lucky man."

"As am I to have him," she grinned. "I will go back downstairs, but if you require anything, please, let me know. I'll stay as long as I am needed, and help prepare food, or whatever is nessesary. Kara is my very best friend…I will not leave until she is better."

"Thank you, Melind," Fili nodded, turning his attention back to Kara.

Melind gave the two of them one more regretful smile, and then left them alone.

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The day turned into night, but still Fili refused to leave her side for more than a few minutes, eating very little as he continued to care for his love. She looked so frail compared to the feisty woman he knew her to be, and with each passing hour, he feared he might never see that side of her again. Her fever was not subsiding, no matter how many times he had wiped her down with cool water, or how much foul smelling herbs Oin forced down her throat. Nothing was helping, and as the hours ticked by, Fili's hope began to dwindle.

He was losing her.

"Kara," he whispered, bringing his lips close to her ear as he rested his head on the pillow next to her. "Kara…please, you must fight. I'm so sorry…this is all my fault. And I would give anything if you would just open your eyes and smile at me…please…don't leave. Stay with me, my love."

Yet no answer came, and Fili's heart began to despair.

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When the next morning came, everyone in the longhouse was exhausted, for no one got much, if any, sleep. Melind, Tauriel, and Dis busied themselves making some breakfast, while Kili hovered outside Fili's room, wanting to be a comfort to his brother, but not sure if he should intrude. Oin had come and gone several times in the night, but the look on his face as he descended the stairs gave them little hope. Even Thorin had remained awake all night, sitting by the fire, staring up at the pulled curtain, his heart aching for the pain his nephew was currently feeling. He knew the same ache…and he knew how devastating it could be.

The knock at the door startled them, causing everyone to jump at the sound. Thorin rose, going to see who it was, with everyone turning back to what they had been doing. Mostly their actions were to distract them from Kara's plight, but at the moment, anything was better than dwelling on the worries that were plaguing their minds.

"Jarl Thorin," the guard at the door greeted him when he opened it. "Your presence is needed at the docks. A longboat has been spotted…it is heading into the bay."

"Yes…I will come," Thorin nodded, hating to leave, but knowing that it was his duty. Any ship arriving at this time of year was unusual, and could potentially mean trouble. He held his hand up, signaling for the man to wait, then turned around to speak to the others in the room. "I must go out. But I will be back as soon as I can. Send for me if…if anything changes."

Dis nodded her head, telling him she understood his fears, for it was on their minds as well. Kara was in a fight for her life, and if she perished, they all feared that Fili would never recover from the loss. He would blame himself for the rest of his days, plunging him into doubt and despair…and no one wanted that.

Thus, on that somber note, Thorin reached for his furs and threw them over his shoulders, stepping out into the cold. He followed the guard down to where he could see that the boat was just reaching the shore, the ropes being thrown out and pulled up against the wooden dock. A few of the men standing around had their weapons drawn, waiting to see if it be friend or foe…but Thorin's eyes were keen and it took only seconds for him to recognize the figure at the front of the vessel, making his heart leap in his chest.

Olane!

She was back! And looking just as lovely as ever. Thorin still couldn't believe how his entire body came alive just at the sight of her, and he found his arms itching to wrap themselves around her and never let go.

"Thorin!" she called, waving to him from the bow of the ship. "Thorin!"

He loved the sound of his name on her lips, for not even the sweetest melody was as delightful to his senses. He could stand there and listen to her speak all day, but he was the Jarl, and he could not indulge in such foolishness…at least not in public.

"Welcome home, Olane!" he called back, watching as all those around him lowered their weapons and relaxed. "We had not expected you back so soon."

"Bard's wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl a little over a week ago, and while she is a bit on the small side, having come early and all, both the mother and child are doing fine. So, I figured I was not longer needed. That and I certainly couldn't have stayed gone any longer after such strange and disturbing news reached my ears," she informed him, gracefully leaping off the ship and onto the docks. In seconds she had her arms wrapped around Thorin's neck, hugging him tightly as she laughed.

The action brought both pleasure and pain to Thorin, yet he would suffer such agony for a thousand years if only to remain in her embrace.

"You have been sorely missed," he mumbled, daring to hug her back for the briefest of moments…knowing if he allowed himself to indulge too long, he would never stop. "But what news is this that brought you back to our shores?"

"The man named Gier, your former tanner, arrived in Dale not long ago, bringing with him wild stories about Kili being married off to seal a treaty?" she stated, pulling back as she stared up at him questioningly. "I of course told him he was mad, assuring him that you would never have allowed such a thing…would you?"

"No, I would not," Thorin stated, his dislike for such a custom already well known to Olane. "Yet, this was Kili's choice. He actually claims to have fallen in love with the lass at first sight, and begged me to make the match."

"Honestly?" Olane's eyes grew wide, but so did her smile. "So…our little Kili is married? And in love as well, you say?"

"You can see for yourself," Thorin chuckled, holding out his hand in a gesture for her to follow him back to the longhouse. "The two love-birds are currently at home now."

"And how is everyone else?" she pressed, falling into step with Thorin.

"Dis is well…but I fear that Fili is not," he admitted, though when he saw her face grow fearful, he quickly added, "He is not sick or injured…other than in the heart."

"His heart…how is that?" Now Olane was truly confused.

"He has fallen in love as well, I fear," Thorin said with a sigh. "Unfortunately, it is with a thrall he brought home a few months ago."

"A thrall?" the pretty healer questioned. "How is that possible? He knows he can only marry a Viking lass…does he not?"

"He does, and yet, one cannot dictate whom the heart will yearn for…can we?" Thorin hoped Olane wouldn't detect the longing in his voice as he said this, or the look of devotion he unintentionally shot her direction. "However, being denied the ability to marry her is not the only reason he is unwell…for she is ill, and Oin feels close to death."

"WHAT?" Olane reached out and halted him by taking his arm. "Someone is ill and you're just telling me now? What are we waiting for, Thorin?" And off she ran, leaving the Jarl hurrying to catch up. He had to hide his smile as he watched her sprint ahead of him, loving her dedication…as well as the sight of her lovely arse.

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When they arrived at the longhouse, bursting inside and shutting the cold winds out, everyone sprang to their feet, eager to greet their beloved family member home.

"Olane! I'm so happy you're back!" Dis cried, launching herself into her sister-in-law's arms. "It feels like you've been gone forever."

"With all the things that have been happening around here in my absence, one might think it has been that long," she laughed, pulling away and reaching for Kili next. "What's this I hear about you being all grown up now and taking a wife? Where did my little Kili go? For when I look at you, I now see a man!"

"I've been a man for quite some time, Aunt Olane," Kili said with a roll of his eyes. "Don't embarrass me in front of my wife." He then turned and gestured for Tauriel to step forward, eager to introduce her. "This is Tauriel of Mirkwood… and my beautiful bride."

"Oh, you are truly lovely!" Olane gushed, taking the red-head by the hands and giving them a welcoming squeeze. "Welcome to the family, my dear…you and Kili are going to have such beautiful babies."

"Aunt Olane!" Kili said, a blush coming to his cheeks. "Must you be so…so…"

"So excited about the prospect of new life within our family?" she offered, ending his sentence for him with a wide grin.

"No…so blatant!" he answered.

"I think her candor is refreshing, and I agree with her," Tauriel scolded Kili. "I think any child that has your smile and dancing eyes will be beautiful."

"Just as long as it has your courage and fire-red hair," Kili agreed, all thoughts of embarrassment now gone as he stared lovingly at his wife.

"Olane! Good to see you," Dwalin spoke up, giving her a wide smile.

"You too, old friend," she agreed, then letting her eyes slip over to the hatted Viking who was grinning from ear to ear. "And you too, Bofur. But who is that with you?" Olane questioned, seeing that he was standing quite close to the woman beside him.

"This is my wife…Melind," he introduced proudly, pulling her forward just a bit.

"Melind, what a pretty name…though not quite Viking I believe?" she prodded, feeling as if she had seen this girl before, but could not place where.

"It is true…I was not born here in the north…but in Northumbria," Melind admitted worriedly, fearing being rejected for her background. "I…I was a thrall until Bofur bought my freedom and took me as his wife."

"Ahhh, yes, now I remember you," she nodded, recalling having seen her in the company of the traveling tanner, Gier. "I can tell there is an interesting story here, to be sure. But a more lovely lass Bofur could not have found," Olane told them, enjoying the wide smiles that graced both their lips. "He is indeed a lucky man to have you at his side."

Of course, at the mention of the word thrall, it reminded Olane that her other nephew was somewhere in pain, and she was eager to see if she could help.

"Where's Fili?" she demanded, her demeanor suddenly all business. "You said his woman was ill? Take me to her."

"Oh, yes, do you think you can help?" Dis begged, taking Olane by the hand and pulling her towards the stairs, with everyone else hot on their heels. "Kara was out all night in the cold and now suffers from a fever…one that Oin can't seem to cure."

"I will do what I can," Olane assured them, pushing open the curtain and stepping inside. "Fili, my dear…I'm here to help," she announced, pulling the bedraggled looking man's eyes away from the woman in the bed and to the one in the doorway.

"Aunt Olane!" Fili nearly sobbed, standing up as she raced into his waiting arms, the blond warrior clinging to the smaller woman as if his life…and Kara's… depended on it. "I'm so happy you're here. Kara…she's…she's…" here he stopped unable to go on for fear that speaking the words out loud might make them true.

"Shhhh, none of that," Olane soothed. "I'll do what I can, but you must have faith. Your lass needs you to be strong so that she has something, and someone, to fight for. Don't give up on her."

"Never!" Fili agreed, bolstered by his aunt's words of encouragement. "Just please…help her. I can't live without her."

"Look at you," she smiled, reaching up and cupping his cheek in a motherly fashion. "All grown up now as well. For it's a brave man who can admit such a thing, and mean it. I will do what I can…I promise."

And just like that…Fili felt hope welling up inside of him. Hope that Kara just might indeed pull through.

LOOK! LOOK! Olane is back! NOW thing will really start hopping!

And Thorin was so happy to see her too, he totally missed his secret crush.

So, how do you all like Olane? I know it took nearly 40 chapters to meet her, but she will play a very important role from here on out. ha ha.

Fili really needs a boost of hope...and it would appear that Olane is just the one to give it to him. Don't worry, Kara...help has arrived!

Guest Reviews:

Bob: I'm glad you thought so, and happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review. See you on Wednesday.

Guest: Yes, I am kind of mean that way, but not intentionally. Honest! And no, Kara is not all right, not by a long shot. But maybe Olane can help her...yes? Thanks.

abc: (Chapter 36) Fili is in deep doo doo. And though being drunk got him in lot of trouble with Kara, maybe it helped him speak his mind to Thorin. Maybe? No, as you have already seen, she did not want to hear any of what he was saying, since it was kind of lame really. Fili needs to do some good groveling it would seem. (Chapter 37) As you just read, no Kara is NOT Ok, not at all, but let's hope that Olane showing up will solve all the problems of the world. ha ha. Thorin thankfully didn't poke Dwalin full of holes, much to Dis' delight. Wonder what the boys will think. Only time will tell...because I'm sure not gunna. ha ha. that was a joke. Thanks.

Bookworm18: Hey, check it out...you were right. Olane did show up to save the day! Now things will really start to get interesting. Will they save her? Will they find out who she is? Will Fili ever get his heart's desire? Will his heart's desire even WANT him any more. ha ha. So, you like little Flinn in my other story, do ya? I had a lot of fun with that lad! Thanks.