Chapter 26: Left Behind

Gailien slowly ties her boots up, sitting on the floor of the common area. The Dwarves are spread out through the entire house, either eating or putting on their armour. Gailien opted not to wear any – since she would not be going. Every time she tried to tell somebody; she becomes overridden with guilt. They might think she is abandoning them, but that is the furthest from the truth.

Smaug needs to die, Gandalf confirmed that for her a while ago and she didn't know how it would be done but now with the knowledge of the Black Arrow and Bard, she knows where her duty lies. Gailien knows she cannot tell them about the waking of the dragon – they would just promise to be extra careful and it would scare them even more. Nerves make mistakes.

Then she also has to find the correct timing to go to Bard. If she tells him to early, then he'll try and stop the Dwarves. Not to mention if it gets wind to the rest of the town, they drive themselves into chaos and try to escape. But Smaug will attack them no matter where they run. So Gailien is left with the solemn duty of finding the perfect time to warn them enough so they have the time to escape but also keep Smaug around the town so Bard can shoot him down.

"I think I've watched you tie and retie that same shoe four times," Fili muses. He has just finished tying off his last plates of armour and intended to just talk with his brother but Kili is still getting ready himself. Thorin is pacing around, making sure everybody is on top of everything.

Gailien sighs, tying it off tightly for a final time. "Distracted," she excuses herself. Her forehead thankfully, never truly bled but she is left with a nasty bruise just above her temple, colouring her skin.

"You never told us what you saw last night," he says. "Whatever it was struck a nerve in you." Gailien drops her eyes back to the floor where her booted feet lay in front of her. Fili sighs, dropping down next to her. "I've already told you before that you have a habit of getting stuck in your head."

Gailien manages a stiff breath of laughter through her nose. "I know, malthen emel. But this is something that I have to carry myself." She tucks her chin to her chest in thought, wanting to distract her mind for at least a moment. "I've…noticed that you seem to not like jokes about favouritism," she begins cautiously. "You know that they're just jokes, right?"

Fili sucks his lips, looking down at his fingernails. "Yeah, of course," he answers. Gailien watches him silently. It is a trick her father used to use to get her to confess. The silence is just too vacant, and people talk to fill it. And it seems to work as Fili rounds off his shoulders, trying to hold his mind together as he answers. "Sometimes I think they aren't," he admits quietly. His eyes dart around trying to find any listening ears. "Thorin was always softer with Kili. And you treat him the same way. Even our mother treats him easier."

Gailien nods slowly as he talks, wanting to validate his feelings. "I don't think it has anything to do with favouritism," she says. "You're the future king, Fee. You hold yourself strong and while it may sound a little wrong, there is a lot more weighing on your shoulders. I love you both equally, and I treat you how I think you need to be by me. I don't want to…to-to to coddle you because I don't think you need it. And neither does Kili for that matter, I just enjoy it.

"Nobody is treating you differently because they love you any less, especially your mother or Thorin. But one day you are going to have an entire kingdom to run and you need to be able to stand tall and proud – and be a good leader. Sure, Kili is a prince, but unless something unthinkable happens, then he will never have to have that responsibility. Could you imagine Kili as a king right now?"

Their eyes gaze over to where Kili is spinning about in a circle, trying to grasp one of the ties to his shoulder plates. "Like a dog chasing his tail," Fili chuckles. "I…I guess you're right." He smiles, shaking his head to himself. "I came over here to listen to your worries, not ramble about my own."

"I think I owe you," Gailien answers, standing and offering a hand down. "And don't ever think I don't have a soft spot for you. I only give special people nicknames."

"Yes, but you never told me what mine means," he points out as they wander to where everyone seems to be congregating by the entrance. "And since you were calling Kee little all this time, I must say that my mind has been running over the possibilities."

"Don't worry," she laughs. "You both have deserving names now."

"Will you tell me then?"

"Do you not like the mystery?"

"I did but now my curiosity is turning into a burden."

Gailien smiles softly, tilting her head as she watches Fili pester her. "It means golden heart," she answers affectionately. Fili's mouth opens slightly, a faint blush dusting his cheek. "Do you like it or would you like something else. Dilthen er is free now."

Fili shakes his head. "No. I…Thank you, it is an honourable name to have bestowed, Elger karr'a."

"Elger karr'a?" she asks. "I know I shouldn't ask, but should I know what that means."

"I thought it is time that gave you one of your own," he answers. "And now you are faced with the same curiosity that you burdened me with."

"I take it that I won't know for a while?" she jests. Fili squints one eye, shaking his head. Kili finally prances over to them. Gailien smile proudly at the brothers, donned in their armour. "You boys – correction, you men look like true warriors."

Kili smirks arrogantly, pushing his shoulders back and his chin tilts a little higher. Fili chuckles at his brother's behaviour. "Kee, I have taken the honour of giving our little half-Elf a nickname since she is so fond of them. What do you think about Elger karr'a?"

Kili's mouth opens slightly and Gailien isn't quite sure what to make of that expression but it turns into an open-mouthed grin. "I think it is perfect," he announces. "Do you know what it means?"

"No, your brother is keen on letting my curiosity burn as I let yours," Gailien intones. "And I must say it is already doing what you intended since you had quite the reaction just then."

"Don't worry, it isn't an insult," Fili laughs. Gailien rolls her eyes.

"I would hope not."

Kili frowns as he looks her over. "You're not wearing armour," he notes. "Did we not take anything that would fit you?"

Gailien crosses her arms over her stomach, her mouth opening but the words don't form correctly. "No, I-I, uh-"

Thorin saves her (even if it is just for a few minutes) as he stands behind her, resting his hands on her upper arms. "We are leaving in a moment's time," he informs the trio. "There is no time to waste."

"Of course," Fili answers. "We are ready."

Thorin nods, squeezing her arms. With one hand, he cups her cheek, turning it over her shoulder and kisses it affectionately. Gailien smiles with closed eyes, only opening them as Thorin leaves once again. Kili raises a brow as he watches his uncle go.

"It is a little strange to see him so…" he trails off, unable to find the right word but Fili is on the exact same track of thought.

"Affectionate," he offers. Gailien rolls her eyes, trying to ignore her blush. Kili nods, humming in agreement.

"Alright!" Thorin exclaims. "Durin's day is the day after next, we move now."

Gailien gives the brothers a tight smile, readjusting her small pack. She doubts she would be welcome to stay here another night, not with Alfrid and the Master giving the company distasteful looks. She only hopes that whatever wealth Thorin has promised the town does not go straight to his personal needs.

The Dwarves shuffle out of the door and into the streets of Lake-town. Her fingers pinch her thighs as she tries to keep her sights on the road directly in front of her. They're going to be facing a dragon. She hasn't even seen if the Dwarves will make it out alive. The people begin crowding around them, cheering as the follow the company towards the docs. These people will be running for their lives in a matter of hours and they don't even know it.

Wait till the Dwarves have reached the mountain, warn Bard, prepare the arrow, tell the town at exactly the right moment to both minimise casualties but keep Smaug in range of the arrow.

A hand smacks her fingers away from her legs. "Stop it," Kili chides. "You're going to leave bruises." Gailien sucks her cheeks, not bothering to retort.

"You do realise we're one short," Bilbo says as the near the barge. "Where's Bofur?"

"If he's not here, we leave him behind," Thorin declares. At least she will not be alone.

"We'll have to if we're to find the door in time," Balin adds. "It'll take us two days to travel, and we can only hope that the moon isn't covered by clouds."

"Don't even begin to bring that possibility up," Thorin growls. Gailien trots up faster next to his side.

"It won't be," she assures. "I've seen the moonlight reveal the hole. As long as you are there from the moment it rises, then you'll find it."

Thorin smiles, though it doesn't reach his eyes. She doesn't comment, knowing exactly what kind of stress he is under at this very moment. The crowd around them watches as the Dwarves begin loading themselves onto the barge. Gailien stands next to Thorin, knowing that she has run out of other opportunities to tell him her plan. Well, part of her plan – and that's what is making this so difficult.

Her mouth begins to open, her jaw jutting out slightly as she tries to force the words out. But Thorin has not yet taken notice of her stance, instead focusing on his youngest nephew. Kili almost passes him, following his older brother onto the boat when Thorin's arm extends out in front of him.

"Not you," Thorin says. "We must travel at speed; you will slow us down."

Kili's face slowly morphs into confusion and shock. Fili notices his brother's absence on the boat. "What are you talking about? I'm coming with you."

Gailien's thoughts about herself end as she registers the conversation happening in front of her. She steps forward, between the uncle and nephew. "Thorin, Kili is fine. He won't slow you down."

Thorin sighs, shaking his head. "He is injured. He can join us when he is healed."

"He is healed," Gailien counters. "I've tended to him myself. And not only that but I've seen him at the entrance with you. He will not hinder you, so don't take this away from him." It is a lie. A huge fat lie that is a small seed in the flowering guilt that already runs through her veins. She never saw him in her vision of them at the mountain, but that is also with the line of future where he did not confess about his wound hurting so much. She has changed that course.

Thorin looks between Kili and Gailien. Fili stands to the side, watching the exchange silently. Eventually, Thorin resigns with a short nod. "Go ahead," he says to Kili. The young prince grins, squeezing Gailien's shoulder in thanks as he passes her to go to the barge with his brother. Thorin goes to move as well but Gailien catches his arm.

"Thorin." She sighs, hating herself for this. "I'm not going with you."

Thorin's breath catches and his whole body shifts in discomfort. "What do you mean you're not coming?"

"I'm not going to the mountain, at least not yet."

"I...I-I don't understand," he stammers. His eyes don't stay still, flickering in random directions as he seems to try and truly comprehend her words. "Did I do something wrong? Did someone ask you to? Are you being forced?"

Gailien shakes her head feverishly. "No, no, definitely not!" Taking another step forward, she cups his face, forcing him to look at her. "There is just…something I need to do; for the company but I need to be here to do it."

Thorin's hands rise to her wrists, grasping them in desperation as he searches her eyes. "Then why won't you tell me," he begs in a raspy tone.

Gailien tilts her shoulder back and forth. "It's just one of those things that if I tell you then it could change. You trust me, just as I trust you. I will join you in less than a week's time. Gerich veleth nin."

Thorin squeezes his eyes shut and leans his head forward until their foreheads are touching. "I trust you. I don't like it, but I trust you. Be safe, find Bofur, keep yourselves out of danger."

"That's the plan," she mutters. "You be safe as well. Bilbo is terrified so don't rush him. Don't worry about Kili, he's fine. And take care of yourself, alright?"

In answer, Thorin leans down, kissing her lips with force. With the prospect of death on the horizon, Gailien melts into it, knowing that if her plan does not work, then this may well be the last time she sees him. She is the one to pull away this time.

"I think you're supposed to be in a rush," she mutters, gesturing to the awaiting barge. Thorin nods reluctantly. He leaves her, marching over to the barge where the Dwarves are settling in for the day-long boat ride. Gailien takes a step back, balancing on the heels of her feet as she watches them prepare to leave.

Dwalin and Thorin untie them from the dock. She isn't brave enough to tell the others, leaving that responsibility to Thorin. A week. Less than a week and she'll be back with them, yet a week has never seemed so long. In over a year, she has not spent more than a few days away from them. The barge begins to move away from the side of the dock, the current slowly guiding them down. She watches as the begin to float away from her.

Fili is at the back of the barge, looking around for something but he doesn't find it with him. His head snaps up and he locks eyes with the woman still standing on the edge. "Gailien?"

Bilbo, who is seated next to Fili also notices the lack of their woman's presence. "Uh, Thorin," he calls. "Why isn't Gailien on the barge?"

Gailien hears the murmurs of the people of the town, wondering why she has not left with them, but she pays them no mind. Fili is the first to notice her absence and quickly, the news spreads as their heads turn to her. Her cheek is trapped between her teeth as Kili pushes to the back of the barge next to his brother, his head flicking between her and Thorin. Thorin comes up behind his nephews, saying something to them. Her name being called desperately reaches her ears softly. A few days.

"Oh, you missed the boat to then?"

Gailien's head turns to her right where Bofur stands. His cheeks are red as he breathes heavily. "It seems I have," she answers, not wanting to explain just yet. Less than a week. If she survives that is – they are going against a dragon after all.

A little extra because I've completely finished writing everything in that happens in the movies. Yes, things are changed - no, it's not all fluffy. Yes, there are deaths. No, they are not who you expect them to be...enjoy.