Chapter 22: Under the Moonlight

Gailien sits in the common room of their temporary house, staring at her own palm. They are just lines, created by both years of work and her birth yet some people place so much importance on them. Who would she be without her visions? She certainly would not be here – possibly still back in Mirkwood.

The feast, or banquet – whatever it is, is tonight and Thorin is the guest of honour. She has even been given a dress to wear. It is a child's make, and nothing fancy but it has been so long since she has had the luxury of wearing such a hindering outfit without consequences that it sits ready on her cot. It is a dark blue, like the colour of her old shirt with lace trimmings around the neck-lining at it pinches at the waist with a matching coloured belt. Even in its simplicity, it looks far too nice for the Lake-town economy. Though the Master has plenty of gold to spare it seems.

Gailien is excited to the feast, not wanting the pleasant days to end but the Master is becoming anxious for their departure, not wanting to spend any more money on them. But last night she had fallen asleep outside as they stayed out, wrapped in their blankets until the latest hours of the day, possibly those of today's early morning and she had not focused on opening her mind to any visions.

She has still had smaller unplanned ones such as Kili spilling his breakfast on himself. She had definitely debated preventing that from happening and only made her mind up moments before, walking beside him and as the bowl slipped from his fingers, Gailien was already waiting to catch it, sending the younger Dwarf a wink.

Yet still, nothing appeared to her that had any sort of relevance to this quest.

That midday she had taken the promised chips for Tilda who eye's brightened lighter than the stars she had seen the previous night. Gailien has never had any experience with younger children, especially human ones so it made her feel proud that she could bring joy to one. Like Kili, the way to her heart was through food.

Her cheeks blush at the memories of the night before, cursing herself for being so…so...child-like. The constant want to be close, craving his touch and having to quite literally control her breathing as his fingers continued tracing her palm, even after they moved their arms back under the blankets when they started to feel too cold.

Most of the Dwarves have taken the day to wander the markets and get out of the house – already feeling couped in the small space. Fili and one or two other Dwarves decided to stay in the house along with Gailien, lounging around. Fili had been given a new arsenal of knives from Lake-town's armoury. They are nowhere near the craftsmanship of the Elves or the Dwarves, but they would do better than the knives that they use to butter their bread.

Gailien's legs lay outstretched in front of her as her back leans against the back of the counters for storage. The blonde prince pushes off from the table he leans against, sauntering lazily over to Gailien, joining her on the floor.

"There are much comfier spots to sit you know," he remarks, adjusting himself to try and get comfortable against the hard and cold wood floor.

"This is the spot my heart desired," Gailien muses half-heartedly. "But my legs are going numb, I'll admit." She also shifts in her seat, drawing her legs underneath her instead, crossed over one another. "Didn't feel like going to the markets with Kili?"

"Nah," he shrugs. "My new knives needed sharpening. And I thought you'd like the company after a while."

"Did I look that bored?"

"Not bored," Fili confesses slowly. He leans in as though to tell her a secret. "But a little lost."

Gailien cocks her chin out to the side, stretching her neck. She blinks slowly trying to not to show emotion on her face. "I don't why you'd think that."

Fili holds back a roll of his eyes. Out of all the Dwarves, he has been the best at reading her – maybe because he does similar things as her when he feels the same. Even Kili who spends the most time around her doesn't pick on her slight changes as he does. "You've got some things on your mind. And I think I know what some of them are."

Gailien drops her gaze, looking back to her open palms. "Doesn't everybody?" she questions, trying to mentally figure out if she does want to talk or not.

"Yes," Fili agrees. "But you have this little habit of getting stuck in your mind." He waves his pointer finger up to her temple, causing Gailien to smile, ducking her head out of the way. "I thought age was supposed to make you wise. Sometimes you need to talk about these things to people."

Gailien nods slowly and reluctantly, ignoring the insult. "I've got a few things on my mind at the moment, are you sure you want to hear all of them?"

"If it'll make you feel better, I'll listen all day. But my question is before you start – do you want advice or just an ear to talk to?"

Gailien stays silent for the moment. She had never thought that was an option to ask of somebody before. Maybe she would have sought out an ear to talk too long before is she knew that she could ask one or the either. "Advice," she decides. "I don't really know what you could say to help but if you do, I would love to hear it."

"Alright," Fili says.

Gailien takes a deep breath, her eyes quickly scanning the room for listening ears, but Bifur must still be sleeping their large lunch off and Ori must be outside. "I just…I saw Kili getting shot and I tried to stop it. And I did, but I was so distracted in the fact that I was able to that I didn't anticipate the second arrow and now... Now nothing has changed, and I feel like not only is it my fault for not being able to prevent it, but that second arrow was aimed at me. And I'm glad that he's finally talking to Oin but it doesn't make me feel any less guilty."

Fili smiles tightly, out of sympathy rather than happiness. He reaches out, placing his hand on the back of her shoulder. "I saw how hard you fought to reach him and even you can't tell every possible future. You can't be caught up in what did or didn't happen – nobody can, or everybody would be stuck in their past selves. He's going to be fine."

It does make her feel the slightest bit better, but the guilt still lingers. Gailien fears that nothing but time and seeing Kili back in full health will ever alleviate her of that burden.

"What else is on your mind?" Fili prompts, knowing well that that isn't the only thing behind her eyes. Gailien nearly huffs at Fili, feeling called out but she answers, nonetheless.

"I haven't been able to see anything to do with the mountain. And it's killing me not being able to help."

"I won't lie, it would be nice to have an idea of what we're going into," Fili admits. "But you have done more than your fair share. Don't force anything but don't give up. I think you're overthinking it all and that's creating some type of block."

"You're probably right," Gailien sighs.

Fili sits there in silence, watching as Gailien twiddles her thumbs in her lap. He waits for her to continue but she doesn't speak up first. "Don't make me try to guess, I'm terrible at that." Gailien doesn't answer, only briefly flicker her eyes at him. Fili exhales, crossing his arm and his eyes wander the room in thought. "Has it something to do with…Thorin?"

Gailien mumbles the next words out before she can stop them. "Apparently you aren't that bad."

Fili shakes his head, laughing softly. "You're just too easy." He waits once more for Gailien to say anything, but it seems that he will have to force it out of her – for her own good, of course. "I think you should talk with him."

Gailien narrows her eyes. "You don't even know what it's about," she states.

Fili purses his lips, tilting his head forward. "I think I do." He laughs to himself at a memory. "You know, back at the Carrock he pulled me aside and told me that he would give his blessing as a king to our relationship since it would be rather unusual for a Dwarf and Elf to be together."

Gailien's mouth falls open as she is caught completely off-guard by his statement. "Our what?"

"Our relationship," Fili says mockingly, he laughs louder at Gailien's horrified face. "Don't worry, I informed him that nothing of the sorts was happening."

She drops her head in her hands groaning in embarrassment, not having realised what he had assumed but then realises how Fili may be taking her actions. "I'm sorry, I don't mean that to insult you."

"Don't worry," Fili says, a large smile still on his face. "I understand that you wouldn't want him assuming such things." He leans forward again and says in a pointed tone "which is why you should tell him that it is no stranger that has taken your heart. I believe he may have been intending to say something just before Mirkwood."

Gailien tries to not let her heart cling to the insinuation that Fili is making. Before she can respond, the front door slams open and the Dwarves start filing in, their hands still empty since they have no money, but they looked like they enjoyed their day at least. Or they enjoyed the people rejoicing at their presence rather.

She smiles as Kili sits down on her other side, his leg neatly bandaged. He leans back against the cabinet then leans forward again, shifting in his seat. "This is a terrible spot to sit."

Gailien laughs, pushing herself up to a stand and holds her hand out for the younger Dwarf. "Come on then, we'll find somewhere nicer for your royal behind."

"She knows how to treat us royalty," Kili jesters to Fili as he takes her offered hand. The three finds spots on the main dining table which starts filling up with some of the other Dwarves as well.

"Anything interesting today?" Gailien asks aloud to the group.

"Interesting? In this town?" Dwalin asks. "Not likely."

That doesn't surprise Gailien in the slightest. They are all filled with their eyes on the mountain (and the food that is going to be served tonight) so this provincial settlement probably seems like the Bree of the trip from the Shire to Rivendell.

Thorin, who has not found a seat, walks up behind Gailien's chair, resting his arms against the back of it. "I believe you found scaring that young boy entertaining at least," he notes.

Gailien narrows her eyes at the warrior Dwarf as Thorin speaks over her head. "Why are you scaring young boys, Dwalin?" she questions exasperatedly.

Dwalin mumbles something, crossing his arms in defence. "He was looking at me funny."

"Well, you are not exactly a friendly-looking fellow,' Gailien counters in good humour.

Xx

With the feast happening that night, Gailien announces that she is going to have a bath. The bathing room is a small room, separate from the bedrooms. It is sectioned off into two parts, a bamboo-like wall through the middle and the metal tub behind it.

Luckily there is a fire going in the hearth and she is able to put two kettles of water over it, so her water is at least not as cold as that underneath the house currently. Squatting in front she holds her hands out, keeping them warm as the water in the kettles slowly heats.

Hearing the slight bubbling of the water, she grins, wrapping the handles of the kettles in a towel so she doesn't burn herself and pulls them off the hooks.

"Here, let me help you, lass," Dwalin says, taking one of the kettles from her hand. Gailien narrows her eyes, not taking Dwalin as the helpful type. She catches Thorin's eye as she and the warrior Dwarf walk past him to the stairs. Thorin also narrows his eyes, pointing them at the Dwarf but doesn't say anything as they disappear up the stairs.

The bath is already full of water and they pour the hot water in, the steam slowly drifting up, but it will be almost the perfect temperature. For a short while at least.

"Thank you," Gailien says, slightly still reserved about his seemingly selfless help. It isn't that she doesn't like Dwalin – quite the opposite, in fact. But he isn't such the selfless caring type. Dwalin grins broadly at her.

"Anytime."

He leaves and Gailien shuts the door. She strips in the first section of the room, hanging her clothes and the towel over wooden hooks protruding from the wall. She audibly sighs as she sinks into the warm water, letting it rise to her neck. Slowly, almost as though she is half asleep, she scrubs herself clean. Her fingers dig into her scalp, massaging the dirt and grime away.

With no need to be anywhere just of yet, Gailien sits as deep as she can in the tub, her knees gently swaying underneath the water. Her eyes close, head against the back of the tub. She almost does fall into a sleep, only disturbed by a slight creaking of hinges.

"Hello?" she calls out, leaning forward but she cannot see past the small wall that splits the room. There is no mistaking the sound of someone moving on the other side. Her hands rest on either side of the tub but she can't decide whether it is best to leave it or dive further in.

"Who's there?" she tries again. Whoever it is, leaves just as quietly as they came. Ruined from her small serenity, she leaves the tub, dripping water all over the floor. She peeks around the corner, but the door is shut and there is nobody in the room. There is, however, also the lack of something that should be in the room.

Dwalin saunters back down the stairs with a small smirk, slowly making his way over to the table a few of the older Dwarves have planted themselves on. Thorin narrows his eyes at the Dwarf once more, taking heavy note of his actions the past hour.

"What are you up to?" he asks. Dwalin's expression doesn't falter.

"What do you mean, Thorin?" he replies coolly. "I'm not up to anything."

"Thorin's right," Balin observes. "I know that look anywhere." Dwalin only shrugs, tracing his finger over the wooden grooves on the table and lets the conversation change naturally as he doesn't answer.

Then, the sweet and ever so pleasant sound comes ringing from the upper level.

"Chen hedithon min noer o Orodruin!"

Her voice is filled with so much rage that he honestly would not believe it comes from Gailien if he did not know the exact reason she calls out. All the Dwarves' heads snap up ad Dwalin's moment of victory ends as a chair scraps obnoxiously against the ground as Kili reacts quicker than anybody else, pushing out from another table and runs towards the stairs. Dwalin shoots from his own, sprinting to the bottom of the staircase and holds his hands to either wall, blocking the young Dwarf from going up.

Kili looks at Dwalin with wide eyes. "What are you doing!?" he cries. The young prince tries to move under Dwalin's arm, but the warrior quickly moves in his way. Anger grows and he tries to push Dwalin away with a rough shove but Dwalin holds his ground. "She could be hurt," Kili cries in both confusion and fear. A few other Dwarves stand behind him, looking up to the roof as though they can see through it or at the two Dwarves fighting.

"You probably don't want to go up there, laddie," Dwalin says. "Not unless you want to see something that your eyes will never forget."

Both Kili and Thorin go to speak up but Gailien shouts back through the walls again. "DWALIN, IF YOU DON'T BRING MY CLOTHES BACK IN THE NEXT MINUTE, I WILL STORM DOWN THERE AND TAKE YOURS OFF YOUR BACK INSTEAD." Kili's eyes widen as he takes a stumbling step backwards, his cheeks beginning to burn.

Gailien's chest heaves as she looks out the door that she has cracked open. He took everything, not even leaving her with the decency of a towel. Her room is on the other side of the floor and from memory, all the Dwarves are currently downstairs, but it isn't a risk she wants to run just yet. Of course, it was Dwalin – he has never looked so smug with her.

All the warmth from the water leaves and she stands there shivering and naked behind the door, waiting for literally anybody to respond to her call. Eventually, she hears heavy footsteps and she takes a step closer to the back of the door, stretching her neck to peek out.

"I, uh, have your clothes," Fili announces. Gailien sighs stepping closer to the edge.

"You're a lifesaver, Fee," she sighs, opening the door to poke her head out. Fili holds her clothes out with one hand, the other firmly placed over his eyes. "I'm a little insulted," she jests, taking the clothes. With his second hand free, he places it over his first, ensuring that not even a slither of light reaches his eyes.

"I'm sure we both don't me to remove my hands," he replies, already walking backwards. Gailien laughs, nodding but realises he can't see. "And don't worry about Dwalin, Thorin is already giving him a lecture."

"For some reason that doesn't surprise me."

Finally dressed, Gailien goes back downstairs, holding a pair of slippers that she is going to be wearing in her hand. As soon as she spots him, talking with his brother, Gailien pulls her arm back and pegs one of the shoes through the air.

Dwalin grunts, holding the back of his head where the heel bounced off. He snaps around, glaring at everyone and everything until he finds Gailien glaring back at him. "That was for pushing me into the water," he states. "I told you I would murder you so think of it as a blessing."

"Just be glad we're considered even," she growls, though slightly teasingly. "Or I would already be digging my grave if I were you." Huffing in content she finds a spot with Fili and Kili at their usually small table. She smiles at Fili, another thanks before her gaze shifts to Kili. "What's got you so flushed?" she taunts, noting his red cheeks and downwards cast eyes.

"Nothing," he mumbles, earning a choked laugh from his brother. Gailien raises her brow, smiling in adoration at the both of them.

Xx

The others already have left for the feast and though Gailien is changed into the dress (and she hopes that the hall will be warmed), she stays inside the house a little longer, sitting in front of the fire with her eyes closed. She knows that she would either not remember, or not be bothered by the end of tonight to meditate so she figures that missing the beginning of the feast would not be detrimental.

She runs over Fili's advice, calming her mind and thoughts; letting whatever wants to come, be shown to her. It seems his words are those of wisdom as only after fifteen minutes, do the first visions come to her. The first is the Dwarves rowing in the boat towards Dale, then Thorin standing by the hidden door. It is the last light of Durin's day, but the keyhole does not reveal itself until the sun has set and the moon shines on them.

Moonlight, not sunlight.

The next image is of Bilbo, inside the mountain. He reaches down and he picks up a large stone. It is nothing like she has ever seen but there is no mistaking that it is the Arkenstone. They do it. They find the Arkenstone. But where is the dragon?

She searches; searches the furthest regions of her mind but still nothing wants to show itself. And if it does not want to, it will not. Gailien sighs, both in content and slight disappointment and opens her eyes. The fire still flickers in front of her, but there is another figure's side lit. Gailien's entire body tenses, her muscles preparing to either fight or run as the figure stands next to the hearth, watching her silently.

It only takes a split second longer than her muscles for her eyes to comprehend. "Thorin," she hisses. "Do you have to look so ominous?" Gailien unfolds her legs, standing up as Thorin unfolds his arms.

"Sorry, you weren't at the feast and I thought something might be wrong," he explains himself.

"No, just thought I'd meditate for a while. I told Kili but he probably forgot the moment I left his sight," she chuckles, dusting off her dress. Thorin looks her over.

"You look lovely," he notes. One side of Gailien's mouth tips up in a smirk.

"So, I don't resemble a troll today?" she teases, biting her cheek.

Thorin shakes his head, stepping closer so he stands in front of the hearth and Gailien. "You never do."

Gailien was expecting a sarcastic remark or something else that continued the bantering tone she had shown herself but Thorin's voice is as smooth and as sincere as when he warned her that he would kill her if her loyalties proved to lie elsewhere. That was back in the first few minutes that they had met for the first time, where Gailien had been intimidated by him.

"Are you trying to flatter me for something, Oakenshield?" she questions, a little scared to match Thorin's way of speaking. "Is there something you want?"

Thorin meets her gaze. His eyes are soft, matching the relaxed muscles of his face. "Perhaps," he answers.

"You're being very cryptic," she notes, swallowing thickly. "I cannot give you what you want if you do not ask for it."

Thorin's straight expression breaks as his lips pull into a small smile, accompanied by soft laughter. "You are right. I was just lost I thought for a moment."

Gailien tilts her head with a small smile. "Care to tell me what about?"

Thorin breaks away from her gaze for the first time. The lines between his eyes deepen and the muscles on his jaws clench. Gailien's small smile drops as her head straightens. Familiar dread begins the run through her veins; has she done something wrong? Is that what he wishes to speak about?

Just as she is about to dismiss it and tell him that they should probably go to the feast, Thorin speaks. "I remember that night in the forest," he says, still looking beyond Gailien. "I don't think you think that I do. But I remember every moment."

The dread in her veins intensifies. She knew she should not have done so. It was rude, not to mention odd. Her mouth opens partially, to mumble an apology or an excuse, she does not know as it never leaves her mouth.

"Were you under the…influence…of the forest?" Thorin asks.

Oh, she knew it. Gailien feels humiliated. After all this time she had just assumed that he was too lost in his mind to even remember that night. Her eyes close for a moment, gathering her senses before she answers. "No," she exhales. "But I don't know why I did. I'm so sorry. I was tired, hungry. I…I-I-"

Two hands clasp her face and new pressure on her makes her stumble back. One of the hands drops from her face to her waist as her mind is too preoccupied with foreign lips on her own to even be aware of her feet.

Every drop of dread is eradicated from her body, replaced by an utterly new sensation that she has never felt in her near five hundred years of life. Instinctively, her own hands raise, wrapping around his neck as his second hand drops around her waist, pulling her even closer. It is intense. Needy. Months of built of desire finally pouring from both of them.

Then, she becomes aware of every nerve in her body; where she can feel his fingers, digging into her waist. Where his beard tickles her cheeks and the feeling of his coat that brushes against her fingertips.

Thorin is the one to break away, breathing heavily as his eyes slowly open. Gailien takes longer, still trying to comprehend that what just happened is in fact, reality. But as she opens her eyes, there is no way her mind could conjure such unexplored emotion.

One of Thorin's hands slips from her waist, his fingers spidering up until the wrap around her wrist near his neck gently. He guides it forward to his face, mimicking that night in the forest. He leans into her touch, barely touching her hand now as she slowly cups the side of his cheek, threading her fingers through his beard. Gailien raises her other hand to the other side of his face. Thorin's hand comes back to cup hers, holding it still as he pulls his face away slightly. He tilts his head, kissing her palm tenderly then pulling it back on his face.

He leans forward until his forehead rests against her and teases her own cheek with his lips. Gailien's hands move from his face to around his neck, threading her fingers up into his long hair. Thorin's teasing ends as he plants his lips on her cheek lightly, then once again a little lower. Her chest heaves as he trails down under her ear, following the curve of her neck.

The sound of cheering echoes softly into the house from the hall, breaking their little paradise of isolation. Gailien has to force the words to pass through her throat as Thorin kisses over it. "We…we should go to the feast."

Thorin retreats, leaning back up to his full height. His grip on her waist loosens but never leaves. "I was not…uh…I'm sorry if-"

"Thorin," she cuts off, smiling with closed lips. The pleasure she feels showing more so in her eyes than anywhere else. Thorin swallows, breathing just as heavy as she was. "You may do that again whenever you like."

"Then I will."