a/n: A big thank you and welcome to the new story favoriters and followers. Mrs. ThorinOakenshield, pandah89, pugsalert, Joslyne Aleera Nyx, RGAukema

The Earthsong, but it's good to see Thorin does have a sense of humor, is it not? I might show some dwarf magic. As for characters dying... it's not my plan to kill anyone off. I'm not here to cause suffering, only enjoyment.

Kelwtim2spar, thank you. It means a lot.

Arianna Le Fay, I thought that moth trick from the Fellowship needed to be explored. I think Gandalf did it another time, also, but I don't recall when. He was obviously sending a message.

princesaangelbebe, I think Thorin appreciated that Fili was as concerned for him as well as for Holly and the others wounded. It never seemed, to me, that there was a close familial bond between the nephews and uncle, not even in the book. I think the headcanon that everyone seems to have that Thorin helped raise Fili and Kili is untrue. Otherwise, Tolkien would have had the three of them closer in the book, instead they are as far apart as any of the characters. Also, in the movie, when Thorin made Kili stay in Laketown, he didn't seem concerned that it would probably be the last time he saw that nephew. Although he did seem disappointed that he had to leave Fili behind, I think he would have liked some backup by the heir.


Holly woke to find Fili wrapped around her as much as was possible with Fili's short arms. She snuggled down deeper into his embrace, not ready to give up the feeling just yet.

She would have changed to dwarrowdam-size last night, but Fili had discouraged her from it. "You've been ill, I think it's for the best that you don't," he had said softly and cupped her cheek. "For a while. Aye?"

She had sighed and nodded. "Aye."

Now, in the dim light of dawn that came in through the cave mouth, she watched him sleep.

Holly knew he had had watch duty early that morning. He'd woken her accidentally when he'd slid from the bed.

"No," she had said sleepily and held onto his sleeve.

He chuckled softly. "I have watch now, Love," he said softly.

"A kiss and I'll let you go," she had demanded. Fili smirked and obliged. He had pressed his forehead to hers and groaned softly.

"Nânami," he said softly and kissed her. He smiled down at her. "Amrali astî." Then he nuzzled her neck and was gone. When he came back to her, he crept in quietly and had not woken her. [translations: Nânami - to share kisses. Amrali astî - I love you (to female)]

Holly sighed blissfully at the memory of his leaving her as she lay there a while longer, under Fili's arm and the leg that was thrown over her. She wondered if Fili thought she would run away while he was sleeping and just wanted to keep her where he knew she would be safe. She smiled at the thought.

Fili snuffled himself awake. Smacking his lips, he chuffed softly and opened his eyes. He smiled seeing her already awake.

"How long have you been awake?" he asked softly.

She shrugged. "Not long," she said and smiled.

"What's for breakfast?" he asked. His stomach rumbled in reply and Holly rubbed it.

"Apples, I think," she said.

"Oh, aye?" he asked and smiled. "There are enough apples for breakfast?"

"Yes, Bilbo and I found a couple of trees yesterday," she said.

"Oh, we'll have to collect more before we move on," he said.

"I wonder if Bombur knows how to dry them," she mused.

Fili shrugged. "That you'll have to ask him," he said.

Holly nodded and leaned over and kissed him. Fili chuckled.

The two lay there a while and waited for the day to start. One by one everyone else woke and began moving around.

The fires were built up, breakfast was started. The wounded were tended to. Including Holly.

Fili went and found some apples and they shared them ontop of the blanket.

"Maybe you should stay abed today," Fili suggested.

Holly sighed. "I'd like to walk around a while," she said.

"I think you should rest," Fili said and gave her a look that said he didn't want to have that argument.

Holly bit her lip. "I will lay down after we go for a walk," she said. "I need to stretch."

"We'll go slow," he said.

Holly shook her head. "I'm not an invalid," she hedged.

"No, but you're not well, either," he countered.

Holly was silent for a while. Fili cut the third apple into pieces to share. He picked up a piece and held it to Holly's lips. She looked at him before taking it from his fingers, her lips brushing them as they closed around the piece of apple.

Fili licked his lips.

Holly picked up a piece of apple and brushed Fili's lips with it. Of all the things she liked about Fili, his mouth was probably the thing she liked best. The sweetest kisses and the nicest words came from that mouth. And now, his lips brushed her fingers as he took the apple piece from her. She lingered there and brushed her fingertips over them as he chewed.

Fili chuckled and blushed. "If we continue on this way, you won't be getting any rest this day," he said softly.

"I know," she said and bit her lip.

They continued to feed each other until the apple was gone. Luckily, everyone had vacated the cave by that time. But Holly didn't know if it was on purpose that everyone had left, their play making everyone uncomfortable, or if the others had just not taken any note of them sitting together. But she wasn't about to ask anyone about it.

"We should take that walk now," Fili said. "Before someone recruits me to do some work."

"Aye," she said as they stood. She took his sticky hand in hers and they left the cave.

They had walked a while. It was mostly bushes and tall grasses. There seemed to be a lot to forage, but neither of them did.

"Oh, is that calendula?" Holly asked when they came to a field of low grass with what seemed acres and acres of a yellow flower. It looked like a daisy to Holly, but she wasn't very familiar with flora, neither here nor at home.

"Aye, I think so," Fili said. "Why? Do you like them?"

She shrugged. "Oin wanted Bilbo and I to pick some if we found them," she said. "For his salve."

"Ah, we can take a few back for him to judge," he said and picked one. He then tucked it behind Holly's ear. He grinned.

"How do I look?" she asked and lightly patted the flower.

"Abnâmul," he said. Holly frowned. "Beautiful." He grinned. Holly smirked and bent to kiss him lightly on the lips.

Fili chuckled as he gathered a few more flowers. He put them in the small pouch he always carried slung over his shoulder. Then they began walking.

He led her to a big rock among the flowers. They sat and looked out at them as they swayed gently in the breeze.

"It's amazing," Holly said and bit her lip.

Fili turned to her and frowned. "What is?" he asked.

"How there's so much beauty here," she said. "And yet there's so much evil in the world."

"Evil often overtakes the beauty," Fili said softly. "It comes in and corrupts what was once fine and bright. It brings only sadness and decay."

Holly sighed and took Fili's hand. She kissed the back of his fingers.

"Let's talk of something else," he suggested.

"Aye, let's," she said and sighed.

"How long have we known each other?" he asked.

Holly frowned. "A month? Three weeks?" she asked. Fili nodded.

"I know... I know I love you," he said softly and looked away for a moment, then looked back at her. "But I don't know the things you love."

Holly chuckled. "I love you," she said and shrugged. She watched as he shredded a long blade of grass with chubby dwarf fingers.

Fili smiled softly. "The things," he said. "What do you like? A clear running stream? Calendula in summer? Apples?"

Holly smiled. "All those things sound wonderful," she said. "But if I had experienced them with anyone else, they wouldn't be the same."

Fili bit his lip.

"I like... silk under my fingers," she said and Fili nodded. "Green fields with cows. The sound of a windchime in a breeze. The smell of rain. The smooth taste of chocolate."

Fili chuckled. "We still have some of those candy bars you bought us that day," Fili said and smiled.

"Are you and Kili enjoying them?" she asked and toyed with the end of his braid.

"Oh, aye," he said. "Very much. It is a luxury we don't get much."

"But you have had it before," she asked and Fili nodded. "But it is here, so that's good news."

"Aye, it's like maple syrup," he said. "Not something that is shared with strangers."

"Where does it come from?" she asked. "Do you know?"

"Aye, from the south-east," he said. "Traders used to bring it into the area."

"Maybe once Erebor is taken back, we can see about getting chocolate," she said.

Fili chuckled and nodded. "And maple syrup?"

Holly nodded. "What do you like?" she asked. "Since I've told you a few of the things I like, it's your turn now."

Fili chuckled. "A sharp blade," he said.

"I should have guessed," Holly said and smirked.

"A clear gem," he said and Holly fingered the necklace that Fili had given her at the troll hoard. She had never taken it off.

"Smooth leather," he continued and Holly touched the long knee length vest he wore.

"Apples," he said. "Fresh venison. Cider." He smirked at that, of course he'd like cider after his apple admission.

"I've never had cider," she said softly. She assumed he was speaking of the alcoholic drink and not apple juice.

"Aye?" he asked. "I'll buy you one at the next town we come to."

"You're on," she said. They sat there for a while longer.

Holly sighed. "I really miss your fiddle," she said.

Fili chuckled. "Why don't you sing to me?" he suggested and searched her face.

She bit her lip and shook her head.

"Please?" he asked and leaned into her. "A love song." He grinned.

Holly bit her lip and thought about it. "I warned you before," she said and Fili nodded. "It's not the best. So it's entirely your fault if your ears start to bleed."

"I will persevere, my Love," he said. "Now sing for me."

Holly sighed and nodded. She began the first warbly strains of 'Down in the Valley'. She didn't know why, but it seemed appropriate.

"Down in the valley, the valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, love, hear the wind blow;
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow."

"Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in Heaven know I love you,
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in Heaven know I love you."

Fili frowned. "What are angels?" he asked, interrupting her song.

"Ah... well... they are beings," she said. "In my world... it's commonly thought that God has angels. They are... his helpers. Spirits."

"Oh," Fili said and nodded. "One day you will tell me more about your God?"

"Yes, of course," she said. "If you would like."

Fili nodded and smiled up at her. "Sing more, please." Holly nodded.

"If you don't love me, love whom you please,
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease,
Give my heart ease, love, give my heart ease,
Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease"

"Build me a castle, forty feet high;
So I can see you as you ride by,
As you ride by, love, as you ride by,
So I can see you as you ride by."

"Erebor is taller than forty feet," Fili said rather boastfully, Holly thought.

"I didn't expect you to build me a castle anyway," she said and smirked.

"That was a fine song, Love," he said.

"But horrible singing," she replied and bit her lip.

Fili chuckled but didn't deny it. Instead he put his arm around her and pulled her into his side. "It doesn't matter," he said softly. "I'd love you even if you croaked like a toad."

Holly giggled and shook her head. "Maybe we should head back to the camp now," she said.

Fili sighed. "I think I saw those apple trees a bit back," he said.

"Always hungry, is my Fili," she said softly and kissed the top of his head.

"Aye," he said.

They collected enough apples to weigh themselves down. Bombur was happy to get them, promising to dry a good portion for their travels ahead. He also promised something nice to go with dinner, as he had already made lunch.

Holly and Fili joined the others to a lunch of roast venison and vegetables.

"Oh, Holly," Bilbo came and joined them. "I cooked the asparagus we found!" He sounded overjoyed at the prospect of asparagus.

"Wonderful," Holly replied and smiled. "How is it?"

"Delicious," Bilbo said. "A little taste of home." He sighed, but then remembered himself and scraped off a portion of the asparagus onto Holly's plate.

"Oh, thank you," Holly said. She hid her surprise at Bilbo's actions. But ate one of the spears while he watched. "Delightful."

Bilbo smiled and nodded. Then he turned to speak to Ori and tried to get him to eat one of the long green spears. Ori protested, but Bilbo wouldn't be put off.

"They just don't know what they're missing," she said to Bilbo. He turned back to her and shrugged. He stuffed three of the things in his mouth at once and chewed them, the ends hanging out. He smiled. Holly chuckled and went back to her own meal.

"Don't forget," Fili said to her once he regained her attention. "You promised to rest after lunch."

"Aye, I remember," she said and nodded.

"Won't you stay with me?" she asked.

"Nay, Love," he said. "They want me to help snare."

"Poor bunnies," Holly said and yawned.

Fili chuckled in reply and brushed a lock of hair from her face.

"Don't forget the calendula," she told him and yawned.

"Aye," he said. "I won't. Sleep well." He kissed her forehead.

"Say it," Holly demanded.

"Say what?" he asked, though he knew what she wanted to hear.

"Say you love me," she said.

Fili chuckled. "Amrali astî," he said. Holly looked up at him and smiled. "Now you say it."

"Amrali astî," she replied. Fili chuckled.

"Astû," he said.

Holly frowned. "Astû," she said, testing the word. "Amrali astû."

"Very good, Love," he said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Why what?"

"Why 'astî' and 'astû'?" she asked. "And not..." She shrugged. "Something else. Like... 'you' is both male and female, but your 'astî' and 'astû' are different words."

"Because... that's the way Mahal said it was to be when he gave us language," he said softly and chuckled.

"Your language is too complicated," she said and yawned.

Fili chuckled and pulled the blanket up to cover her. "Rest well."


It was later that evening, after their dinner of fresh venison and roast vegetables, during Bombur's dessert of apple crumble that Gandalf broke the news.

"I'll not be travelling with you much longer," he said.

"What? No!" were the protests by more than one member of the company.

"Whyever not?" came someone else.

"I've things to attend to," Gandalf replied. "And I've been with you far longer than I had wanted to be."

"Oh, but you have to stay," Bilbo said. "What will we do without you?"

There were some mentions of losing their escort. And many mentions of buttering Gandalf up. And many bribes to get him to stay.

But Gandalf would not be dissuaded from his task. "It is a very important thing I go do," he said.

"And what is it you go to do that you abandon us?" Gloin asked.

"That I cannot tell you," Gandalf said.

"Mysterious as ever," Holly whispered to Fili. Kili nodded along with his brother.

"I will go as far as the Greenwood forest," Gandalf said. "But no further."

"How will we get to Erebor?" Bilbo said, eyes wide.

"I imagine Thorin knows the way," Gandalf said as gently as possible.

Thorin didn't look too pleased. He focused on his meal while exchanging glances at Dwalin and Balin. Those two also had nothing to say about this turn of events.

Holly considered it was probably for the best that they didn't say anything. They were probably tired of Gandalf anyway. He was there, then he was not. He liked to argue with Thorin during their meetings.

She was sure that the others had heard the arguments during the times Gandalf was there. And the peace when he was not. He didn't argue with anyone else in the company. Only Gandalf.

Too many leaders, and all that. Holly sighed.

"We'll make it through, Bilbo," she said. "Don't worry."

Bilbo blinked up at her. "Oh, yes," he said and nodded. His smile wavered. "It's just that... he's the one that got me into his mess. And now he's leaving."

Holly nodded. "Well... you're in this mess well and good," she said. "You just have to soldier on."

Bilbo heaved a great sigh and nodded. "Yes, I reckon you're right," he said. "If I turn back now, I'll be walking back to the Shire alone."

"Shire?" she asked and frowned.

"Oh, that's the place I'm from," he said and smiled a bit.

"I thought that was Hobbiton," Holly replied.

"Hobbiton is the town," Bilbo clarified. "The Shire is the... region."

"Oh, okay," she said and nodded.

"And what region are we in now?" she asked.

Bilbo shrugged. "We're currently in Arnor," Bofur supplied. "When we reach the Greenwood forest we will be in Rhovanion."

"Once we cross the river Anduin we will be in Rhovanion," Nori said.

"Another river," Holly said and sighed. Fili nodded and pressed his arm against her.


Nânami - to share kisses
Amrali astî - I love you (to female)
Amrali astû - I love you (to male)