Disclaimer: I don't own The Hobbit!

Chapter 8

The vale was hazy with sunlight beginning to cut through the morning mist that drifted through the tall grass and flowers. The door of the small cabin creaked as Camy rushed out for the third time, carrying a leather pouch, a pair of mittens, and a small pot.

"Hold on, you need these!" she said as she dashed down the steps and toward Fili and Kili. The two dwarves were standing on the ground, decked out in their armor and traveling gear. She hadn't seen them like this since the day she had found them, and they almost looked like strangers in all of that stuff. Fierce and unknown, especially with the weapons.

It was miraculously how much of their gear had made it through their battle in the mountains and the trip to Mim and Camy's cottage, though Kili only had a few arrows left and Fili was missing a few knives and axes. The sheer amount of weaponry that Fili was wearing was astounding, so she had trouble believing he was actually missing some of it. When she had been packing it all into the cart that first day, she hadn't realized how much he truly had.

"What's in the pouch?" Kili asked, taking it from her and peeking into it.

"Salt, pepper, and a few other spices and herbs," she said, "Things to make dinners a little more interesting." She held the mittens out to Fili. "I think you forgot these."

"Oh, yes," he said, taking them from her, "I didn't remember where I put them."

They had been under the bed, tucked away after the first night they had been at the house. There had been so many things to gather and sharpen and pack, it was easy to misplace such a simple thing as mittens. Her and Mim's home had become so different since the dwarves had arrived… Camy forced a brave smile, like nothing was wrong, and handed over the little brass pot.

"And there's this," she said, "I think it'll be useful, and Mim said you could have it." It had been a very grudging acquiescence, but she had said yes and that's what mattered.

"Did I?" Mim asked, raising an eyebrow at Camy. She was sitting on the edge of the porch, her arms crossed over her chest, her shawl pulled tight around her rickety shoulders. Huffing, she shook her head. "I suppose they can have it, if I said that."

"We can't take any more from you," Fili said, trying to hand it back, "You've already given us far more than we should have accepted."

"Oh hush," Camy said, lifting her chin and feeling bold, "It's just a small pot, nothing we've used that often." She took the pot from him and took a few quick steps until she was behind him. "I think I've made sauce in it once or twice."

"What're you doing?" he asked, trying to spin away from her, but she was too nimble. "You can't give us everything from your cottage."

"Hold still."

"Camy…"

Reaching up, she took a loose ribbon from her messy curls and threaded it through his pack. "Hold still or you'll hit me." He instantly stopped moving around, which worked perfectly for her scheme. With speedy fingers, she tied the pot to his pack and gave it a light tap before stepping back. It rang cheerfully. "There, now you can't refuse it."

Fili glanced over his shoulder at her. "You really are quite stubborn, aren't you."

"Almost as stubborn as a dwarf?" Camy teased.

"Never," Mim said.

Camy stepped back as both Kili and Fili turned toward her, and she felt the goodbye coming. It was like a hollow forming in the pit of her stomach, one she had only felt whenever Mim had left her behind to travel into the villages at the base of the mountain. She took a breath, and it caught in her throat before she forced it into a laugh and a weak smile.

"Is there anything else we can do?" Kili said quickly, perhaps also stalling for a few more moments. "Like Fili said, you've given us so many things, and we don't have a way to repay you."

"Yes, you can dance a jig right out of the vale, imp," Mim said, waving a hand toward the entrance.

"I bet you'll be dancing yourself when we're gone, won't you?" Kili said. He gave her a smirk that lived up to the nickname she had given him.

"I've been thinking of celebrations since I heard you were leaving," Mim said. Camy could tell she didn't mean it by the way she lifted her chin and looked away. While Mim acted like she didn't care, she had also been particular in the medicinal herbs and tinctures that she had packed away for the two of them. She also hadn't argued much when Camy had secretly hidden more food in their packs, stuffing them until they were full.

The mist was starting to evaporate in the dawn, and dew glistened on the flowers. No frost yet, but there was a chill in the morning air that promised winter's approach. Soon autumn would reach the vale. The enchantment didn't hold the seasons entirely at bay, though their garden would continue to thrive even when winter rolled in.

Camy shook her head at the dwarves, her smile fading. "You both look so different." Ready for a fight, ready for battle. It was easier to see them for the warriors they were rather than the friends they had become. "More like that first day than any other."

"Hopefully not that bad," Kili said, "Not that I remember, but I think we certainly looked worse off. I do look worse when I'm bleeding everywhere and unconscious, right?" His playful flash of pseudo-vanity took the edge off the way she was already missing them.

She twisted her fingers together in front of her. "You know, Mim says there's a place to send letters to, in the village. I've never written anyone before, but if I did, should I send them to the Lonely Mountain?" When the two of them stared at her for a moment, she took a half-step back, hands fluttering in the air. "Not that I would have anything very interesting to say! It'll be the same kinds of things most of the time, but I could tell you how Bert is doing and if we notice anything odd about the goblins and, well, you probably won't be wanting to hear about the flowers but—"

Fili reached out and caught one of her flying hands, stilling her. "We would be honored if you would write to us," he said, "I'm sorry, no one has ever offered to exchange letters before. It caught me off guard." His skin was rough and calloused, but he was gentle when he gave her fingers a squeeze before releasing her hand.

"Most people only write to dwarves when they want something," Kili said, "But yes, send them to the Mountain! We'll be living there very soon, so that's fitting." He grinned proudly.

There was a lull, and three of them looked around anywhere they wouldn't make eye contact.

Mim groaned and stood up, stretching so that her spine crackled. "Oh, for the sake of all good things, we'll walk you to the gate. You can make your goodbyes there and put it off a little longer." She drew the shawl tighter around her shoulders and walked down the steps, heading in the direction of the gate.

Camy breathed out, grateful for a few more stolen moments. Fili smiled, and Kili snorted.

"We're not putting it off, we're drawing it out," he said as they all started after her.

It wasn't a long walk to the gate, but Camy appreciated the stretch of moments before her world became calm and quiet once more. It wasn't that she didn't like how her life used to be, it was just…she had enjoyed how lively things had become. There was more music and laughter, and it was so different being around people who were the equivalent of her own age. She did hope that Mim would let her travel into the nearby villages with her. Traveling far beyond the border of the vale didn't seem so frightening in contrast to Fili and Kili heading off to fight a dragon.

She worried her bottom lip as the scaly beast entered into the edge of her thoughts, bringing anxiety with its sharp claws and teeth as big as she was. Maybe bigger? No one knew if Smaug was dead or alive, but dragons did live so fearfully long, or that's what the stories said. It wasn't likely that he had simply died, and that did seem too easy. Would a company of thirteen dwarves, a hobbit, and a wizard be enough to defeat a monster such Smaug? While she wanted to believe in them, it seemed very unlikely, and if they didn't win, what would that mean?"

"You look worried," Fili said.

"Hmm? What?" Camy blinked and shook her head as his voice yanked her out of her thoughts. She was walking between the two of them, her bare feet silent on the soft grass. "I…it's nothing. Just me being silly."

"You're not worried about us, are you?" Kili said, landing on the truth, "Because you shouldn't. We're good fighters."

"He's not wrong," Fili said, "I know it might not seem that way, seeing the way you found us. But we're actually very capable."

"Oh, no, I don't think—"

"Maybe you're not as good as you think you are," Mim said.

"It's just that it's a dragon," Camy said quickly, sensing a fight brewing as Kili's shoulders tensed up and Fili frowned. "You won't try to fight it alone, will you? Promise me you won't."

"It's certainly not in the plan," Fili said.

"Promise," Camy said, stopping, her hands small fists at her side. "It's a small promise but an important one."

"We won't fight the dragon alone," Kili said, "Because that would be absolutely crazy, Camy. But it would be dashingly brave of us, wouldn't it?"

"More like incredibly moronic," Fili said. He reached out and put a hand on Camy's forearm for a moment. "We have no intentions of fighting the dragon head on. We'll need to be a little cleverer than that."

"Still…"

"We promise," the two of them said in a chorus. Fili gave her a firm nod while Kili grinned, looking like he might just break that promise.

Camy nodded and started walking again as Fili let go. All right, then. At least Fili might keep Kili from doing something foolhardy. She didn't think she could manage getting anywhere near a dragon herself, though she did remember that their burglar might be sneaking into its lair. He was a supremely courageous hobbit, or a very stupid one. Well, in any case, she wished their Mr. Bilbo Baggins the best of luck.

As they approached the gate, Camy's feet dragged through the lush grass and wildflowers. She had never said goodbye to anyone for longer than a few days or a week before. For a while, it had seemed like the two of them would always be there, even when she had always known that wasn't true. A quick heat burned behind her eyes, and she blinked rapidly, willing away the tears. It wasn't forever. Was it? But there was a dragon…

"You could stay," Camy blurted out, stopping short of the barrier, "If you wanted. You could stay here." The moment she said it, an embarrassed blush curled up her neck and took up residence on her face.

Fili and Kili looked at each other, and she quickly looked down at her feet. A moment later, she was caught up in strong wiry arms, Kili's cheek smushing against her as he hugged her tight. She hugged him back, the tears brimming over.

She knew they couldn't stay. They all did.

He broke the hug and held her at arm's length. "You might have the most tender heart I've ever met, Camy. We'll see each other again, I know it." They hugged once more, and she buried her head in his shoulder, fingers tightening in his coat. As they stepped back, Kili laughed and bumped one knuckle up under her eye, brushing away a stray tear.

"He's right, you know," Fili said. He closed the distance between the two of them and gave one of her curls an affectionate gentle tug. "May I?"

Camy wasn't sure what he was asking, but she nodded.

His fingers moved swiftly, combing through the lock of hair he had chosen before he began to braid. "Goodbyes among our kind are rarely forever," he said as he worked, "You won't be rid of us so easily."

"I hope not," Camy said, something warm bubbling in her chest.

As he finished the quick thin braid, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver clasp. He placed it on the end of her braid and squeezed it, clamping it together. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and she was reminded again of how they had met, in the clearing back when she was worried he was dead.

Camy threw her arms around his neck to hug him. "I'm going to miss you. Both of you."

His arms, muscular and sure, tightened around her. "Aye. You're a bright spot in this world. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us." Before they pulled apart, he nuzzled his forehead against hers in the most friendly unexpected way. She closed her eyes until he stepped back beside his brother. "We'll be back."

"Not too soon though," Mim said. She put her hand on Camy's shoulder and nodded to the two dwarves. "We'll need time to restock our larder."

"More honey next time," Kili said with a grin.

"We won't forget your kindness," Fili said. He nudged his brother, rolling his eyes. Turning back to Mim, he bowed and Kili followed suit. "Thank you greatly."

Mim crossed her arms over her chest and nodded once more. "You're welcome. Now don't get eaten by dragon."

"We won't," Kili said cheekily while Fili sighed.

"To meet again," Fili said, looking from Mim to Camy.

"Goodbye," Camy said. She had to put her tongue between her teeth to keep from crying again as she forced a smile. "Be careful! Stay safe, and don't forget the spices in your bag. They'll make meals better."

With a few more goodbyes, the two dwarves walked out of the Living Gate and onto the mountain path. Camy wished them well with every bit of her heart as she rubbed at her eyes, a pang of loneliness striking her before she turned and headed back to the cottage. There were chores, after all, and those couldn't wait for your heart to heal.