Almost 50,000 views! Big thanks to carry-on-my-wayward-reader and Navieh for following/favouriting.

Marina Oakenshield – I wanted her to have a bit of a bigger part in my story.

ValerieT – Yeah this chapter may be another tear jerker (in a good way though). And I'm the same! I hope any future boyfriend I have loves the Hobbit as much as I do lols.

Celebrisilweth – BOTFA totally changed my opinion of her so I wanted her to sort of come in a save the day a bit.

XRjctedPrincessx – Aww thanks!

Bunny's daughter – Don't worry about it. For one fic I'm reading I never get email updates when new chapters are posted so I totally understand! More tissues may be needed in this one I'm afraid.

A Day no one Expected to Come

Arianna looked around her. The last thing she remembered was the chaos of a battlefield. The screams of armies as her power cut through them. The bulky figure of Bolg limping away whilst Kili lay unmoving in front of her.

Choking back a sob, Arianna brushed her tears from her eyes. She had failed. She had failed to protect her love and she was no doubt going to join him in the afterlife. Licking her lips she frowned as she took in her surroundings. Where they had once been a ruined fortress Arianna could now see a small farming village. Above her she could make out the sound of birdsong whilst the wind ruffled her hair. Long grass brushed against her legs and Arianna couldn't tear her eyes from the people who were laughing and joking.

They all looked familiar. Yet she couldn't place a single face or voice.

Shaking her head Arianna looked down at her and frowned. She had been covered in blood, bruises and various injuries. Yet her clothes were clean and she realised she was no longer in armour but in a pale blue dress. Her hair fell over her shoulders and as she pulled at her skirts Arianna was aware of someone standing beside her.

"Arianna? Is it really you?"

Arianna froze at that voice. It was a voice she hadn't heard in over forty years and one she had never expected to hear again. Swallowing the lump in her throat Arianna turned to look at her mother. The woman before her smiled warmly; her blue eyes matching Arianna's whilst her bright hair was tied back in a bun. Arianna's legs trembled but she fought the impulse to sit down.

"Mu...mummy?"

She didn't know what else to call her mother. She couldn't remember ever calling her anything else. Her mother nodded before holding out her hands. Hesitantly Arianna reached out and allowed her mother to pull her close. As she stroked Arianna's face Arianna found tears working their way down her face.

"Look at you." Her mother smiled tearfully. "You're so beautiful."

Arianna couldn't say anything. Her mother kissed the top of her head and held her hands tight.

"I hoped I wouldn't see you in this place so soon."

"This place?" Arianna looked around. Her eyes landed on the village and as the realisation hit she could feel the bile in her stomach. The last time she had seen her home it had been on fire. Bodies had covered the ground around her whilst screams filled her ears. Shaking her head Arianna turned back to her mother.

"Am I…am I dead?"

No my love. You still have a link to the world of the living. But you need to keep on fighting Arianna. You cannot give in! Not when there are people back there who love you just as much as I do."

Biting her lip Arianna gripped her mother's hands. She didn't know what to say. What did you say to someone you thought you'd never see again? More importantly, what was she meant to say to her mother when her whole life had been one she'd rather forget? As her mother gently lifted her head up Arianna froze at the pride in her eyes.

"You seem afraid of something Arianna."

"I…I let you down. I worked for a monster; I killed for him and allowed him to… I never became the daughter you wanted me to be."

Her mother shook her head. "I couldn't be more proud of you Arianna. You became strong, and independent. You are a fighter and you've never stopped fighting for what you believed in."

Nodding Arianna froze as she saw her mother start to fade. Gripping her hard she shook her head.

"Don't go! Please…please don't leave me!"

Her mother kissed her on the cheek. "It's not me who is leaving Arianna. You have a life to return to."

"But!" Arianna could feel her throat closing up. "I'll never…get to see you again!"

Her mother smiled fondly as tears fell down her own face. "We will meet again one day my love. But until then…I have never stopped loving you."

As her mother faded away into nothingness Arianna's legs gave way and she fell to the ground. All around her she could feel the light growing brighter and brighter. Taking deep breaths Arianna gripped at her throat as she allowed the light to swallow her up.


Arianna gasped as her eyes flew open. Where she expected to see the sky above her she instead found herself looking at a celling. Her hands brushed against soft blankets whilst she frowned at the thick blankets covering her. Licking her lips Arianna couldn't help her wince as pain shot through her leg and body. She remembered the feeling of her bones breaking from Azog's mace and the thought alone caused her to shudder. Brushing her tears away with one hand she froze as she saw how thin she had gotten.

How long had she been like this?

Was Thorin alright? And Kili and Fili?

Shaking her head Arianna gritted her teeth before forcing herself to turn over onto her side. As she did so her breath got caught in her throat. More tears fell from her eyes as she gazed at Kili's shocked face. He lay curled up beside her and whilst she could see relief in his wide eyes she could also see shock and fear. Arianna didn't know what to say.

"You…you..?"

Kili didn't let her finish. With one fluid movement he pulled her against him and sobbed against her. Wrapping her arms around him comfortingly Arianna could feel her own tears falling.

"You…you came back to me!" Kili stammered. "You came back!"

Arianna forced herself to nod. Easing herself away from Kili she looked him up and down.

"You were…I thought you were dead! I thought I'd…I'd failed you!" More tears fell only this time Kili brushed them away with one hand whilst his other cupped her face.

"You could never fail me my love."

As their lips connected Arianna felt her bond to Kili swell with glee. Kili's mouth moved from her lips down her neck whilst Arianna grabbed at his shoulders. She wanted so much to let Kili take her again. But as the pain in her leg blossomed Arianna forced herself to back off. Kili hurriedly held her to sit against him as the pair sat up. Arianna winced and pain shot through her limbs and when she put weight on her broken wrist she fell against Kili.

"How long have I been out?"

"You've been in a stasis for almost two weeks. Then when you came out it took you another two days to wake up."

Running a hand through her hair Arianna gave Kili a fearful glance.

"Azog? Is he…?"

Kissing her cheek firmly Kili nodded. "Aye he's dead. You killed him."

Arianna frowned at this. She had only had once chance to kill Azog and she hadn't taken it. Leaning against Kili she decided to let him explain it all.

"You power…when you unleashed it he was about to kill Thorin. You broke every bone in the orcs body."

Arianna didn't know how she was meant to respond. The orc who had destroyed her life was dead and all she could feel was a sort of hollowness in her stomach. Forcing herself to smile she looked over at Kili.

"Thorin? Fili and the others?"

Kili squeezed her hand. "They're fine. A few broken bones here and there but very much alive."

Arianna opened her mouth when she saw Kili's shoulders shake again. As he pressed his forehead against hers she could hear his ragged breathing.

"You were so cold." He whispered through his tears. Shutting her eyes Arianna bit her lip as Kili took her face.

"So cold and lifeless. I believed I had truly lost you this time. That you would never return to me."

Shaking her head Arianna allowed Kili to draw her against him. Placing a hand on his chest she bit her lip as she felt the scar on his chest through his tunic.

"I'm sorry Kili. I didn't mean…I never meant to do what I did."

Kili sighed. He took her hand and Arianna could see he was trying to reassure himself she was sitting next to him.

"You almost died! Your power…Gandalf said it was consuming you. He couldn't find a way to stop it. The only way…" He broke off with an apologetic look. Gripping his hand Arianna frowned.

"What is it?"

Kili kissed her knuckles. "This elf…she said her name was Galadriel."

Arianna froze at the mention of the elf. If Kili noticed he said nothing. Instead he stroked her hand with his thumb.

"She said she could save you. But at the cost of your magic." He looked her clear in the eyes, "I'm sorry Arianna. It's gone. Your power's gone. Forever."

Arianna didn't know what to say. Kili withdrew his hand as though he was afraid of her reaction. Licking her lips Arianna shook her head. She had never imagined what it would be like to not have magic. The magic that had been the cause of so many wrongs in her life. To be free of it…Arianna didn't know how to react. Smiling wanly she turned to Kili who was giving her a fearful look.

"I'm so sorry but you were dying! I had no choice…I had to save you!"

Shaking her head Arianna ran her fingers through Kili's tangled hair. "Don't be sorry. I never wanted my magic. It was forced upon me and if I had been given the choice I would have gotten rid of it in an instant."

Kili's whole body relaxed. "So you…you aren't angry with me?"

"Of course not!" Arianna snuggled against him, "You saved me even though I failed to save you."

Kili shook his head. "You saved my brother's life! And my uncles! The entire company is heavily in your debt once again. And I can never ever repay you for what you've done to me."

Arianna didn't know what to say to this. Instead she leant against Kili whilst he put an arm around her. Leaning against him Arianna absentmindedly reached up a hand to her neck. As she came across bare skin she couldn't stop the tears falling down her face. Shutting her eyes Arianna choked out a sob as her mother's smiling face came into view. Kili's grip on her body tightened.

"Arianna what's wrong?"

"I…I saw her…" Forcing herself to look up at Kili Arianna wiped her eyes. Kili frowned as she fidgeted in his grip.

"When I was…in this stasis I saw her. My mother. She didn't look any different…she couldn't stop…stop smiling at me! I saw my home; unburnt and no longer in ruins. It looked so beautiful!"

Pressing his lips against the top of her head Kili gently rocked her back and forth. Clinging to his shirt Arianna took a deep breath.

"She said…said she was proud of…of me. That she….loved me!"

Unable to carry on Arianna buried her face in Kili's shirt. He shushed her cries gently whilst rubbing a hand along her back.

"It's okay Arianna. It's alright."

Wiping her eyes Arianna shook her head. "How can she be proud of me? What have I ever done to make her proud?"

Holding at her arms-length Kili flashed a dark look.

"You've done so much Arianna. You made a life for yourself. You've saved so many lives, been through torture for someone you barely knew, risked your life for a company of dwarves time and time again. You saved my life and fought beside us all during our greatest need."

Arianna couldn't speak as she heard the love filling Kili's voice. Instead she shut her eyes and allowed his gentle humming to soothe her into an easy sleep.


When Arianna woke up she wasn't surprised to feel Kili's arms around her. Looking down at herself her eyes widened as she realised just how thin she had become. Her nightgown was falling off her shoulders and Kili's arms could have easily been wrapped around her two more times. As a yawn escaped her lips Arianna could hear Kili stirring beside her and she couldn't stop herself from sighing sadly.

He deserved to know the whole truth about what had happened to her. She couldn't hide anything else from it. Not after coming so close to losing him.

Arianna said nothing as Kili muttered something under his breath before kissing the back of her neck.

"How are you?" As always Arianna could hear the worry in his voice and she gave a small nod. Her body no longer hurt, it just ached all over. Behind her Kili sat up and Arianna allowed him to pick her up under the arms and sit her against his chest. Leaning back Arianna could feel Kili's torso pressing against her spine.

"You remember how you wanted me to try and deal with what Jared…did?"

Kili's hands gripped her shoulders firmly. "Only when you're ready. I won't have you upsetting yourself over it."

Nodding Arianna was glad she wasn't looking at Kili's face. If she was to get through this in one piece she didn't want to see the look in his eyes.

"I thought you were dead Kili. I thought I'd lost you when you didn't know the whole truth…I can't hide it anymore."

Kili didn't say anything and Arianna took this as a sign she could continue.

"I don't remember how I managed to get away in the first place. I think I just jumped out of a window or something. Anyway it only took them a day to catch up with me. I tried to fight them off but there were too many of them and they outmatched me by far. Of course they made sure I was strong enough to walk; and when they were done they had me chained and blindfolded before dragging me back like a slave."

Arianna could feel Kili seething at this. Clutching his hand tenderly she licked her dry lips.

"I fully expected Jared to have me executed the second he saw me. I'd seen it happen to others who tried to escape. I wasn't afraid to die though. Anything would have been better than living under his rule. But he had…other plans for me. After Jared did…what he did to me I thought that would be it. He'd made me suffer enough so I expected him to kill me then and there. He even placed his knife against my throat. I wanted him to kill me. I didn't want to live knowing he had violated me."

Arianna could feel Kili wrap a protective arm around her waist and she gave a small shudder.

"But he let me live. He took the knife away and wrapped his cloak around my naked body. Everything that happened was just a blur. Him dragging me from the room. Taking me to his personal chambers…tying me to his bed."

Kili growled several curses whilst Arianna's face remained unmoving. "I thought he'd just rape me again. But he something else in mind. Something far more degrading. He didn't even tell me. He just opened the door and invited them all in - all his closest friends and confidants. I tried screaming but Jared pressed his hand over my mouth. He only removed it when I started choking."

Kili didn't know what he was supposed to do. He knew what he wanted to do; find each and every one of those men and hurt them. Hurt them until they were begging for mercy. Mercy he would never give. As an unexplainable anger raged through him Kili tried to keep calm. The effort it was taking Arianna to tell him this was beyond monumental. If he made a wrong move she would close up.

"Most of them left after their go. Only one – Dirk - stayed until the end. Jared allowed him an extra turn. I can still remember the look in his eyes. That hurtful lust building up in them. All the while Jared dug his hands into my shoulders to stop me moving."

"Arianna stop it." Kili pressed his lips against her hair. "Stop talking please."

Arianna shifted so she was now lying beside Kili who slid down to lie beside her. Taking her hands he squeezed them gently, not missing the scared look in her eyes. Holding her close Kili licked his lips.

"Are they still alive?"

When Arianna nodded Kili was sure he would throw up. "As far as I know. I think a couple might have died a few years back. Most of them were so old they could barely walk."

Kili nodded. "They'll pay my love. I'll kill them all a hundred times over for what they did."

Arianna didn't move. Smiling down at her Kili racked his brains for a way to make her smile again. And that's when his brain clicked into place. Rummaging through his pockets Kili was aware of the blush spreading over his face. He couldn't explain why he was so nervous. Arianna had already said yes.

Arianna's eyes widened as Kili pulled out a silver ring. It was made up of two thin bands with a deep green stone joining them. Kili beamed at her.

"I said I'd get you a ring my love."

Arianna froze. "You…you really want to marry me?"

At her question Kili couldn't stop his mouth from dropping. He'd wanted to marry her since he first met her! Nodding his head Kili gently took Arianna's hand.

"Of course! Why else would I ask you?"

"I…I don't know. I thought…because of the battle it was just something that came into your head?"

"It was!" Kili snorted. "I mean…I was always going to ask you, I just couldn't bear the thought of going into battle without knowing if we'd survive. If I did die I wanted to die knowing you'd said yes. Why would you think I didn't want to marry you?"

Arianna shook her head. "I don't know Kili! I've never had anyone truly love me. I've always believed I could never be loved."

Kili slid the ring onto her finger before pressing his lips against the corner of her mouth.

"Well you couldn't be more wrong my love."

OMG! So here we are! Everyone alive and well (sort of). Hope you're all happy with the battle's outcome. And Kili got her a ring at last…oh man he's just too cute! I could kiss him! I couldn't not just have a chapter between Kili and Arianna but don't worry the others will get their moment in the next update! Let me know what you think when you've stopped crying xx