Laurel

Over the days that passed Kili regained his strength. Bard was not inclined to let us all stay in his house, but he politely kicked us out once Kili was well. The company stayed in the Master's dining room, finding spots here and there to settle into and sleep. It wasn't often that I got to sleep beside Kili so comfortably. At Bard's house we were not allowed to sleep in Singrid's room together, because 'courting couples are not allowed without an escort'. Though at the Master's house, we were able to sleep side by side curled up in one another.

Thorin grew antsy as time wore on because Durin's day was drawing closer. Finally the morning came that we were to set off to the mountain. We were all marching around the town getting bows and cheers from the villagers. Once we were about to pass Bard's house, I broke away and marched up his steps.

"What is it you want Halfing," he muttered wiping at his face.

"The black arrow hanging your pots and pans," I whispered.

At my words his eyes grew. "I know it is there, I saw it when Bain was talking about the day Smaug came," I sighed, "I may not have a wind lance but I still need that arrow."

Without a word he backed into his house while I followed. He tore the arrow down, sending all the metal kitchen materials down to the ground with clatter and bangs. "What do you intend to do with it," he growled shoving it in my hands.

The arrow was long and heavy, but somehow I was still taller. It was warm even in my hands. There was no way it would work with my bow, or any bow I could find in that mountain. What was I to do? It was heavy but maybe I could throw it like a spear?

"I'm not sure," I muttered hefting the ammo on my shoulders to drape my arms across it. "There is a possibility I would just stab him with it."

The wild furious look he gave me was fearful. "Did anyone ever teach you not to poke a sleeping dragon? When that beast wakes he will lay waste to this village and all the people in it."

Instinctively I wanted to smirk at the familiar words I uttered myself just a few nights ago. Though I held my posture, trying to appear confident.

"Do you have a better idea? They are going in that mountain one way or another," I growled back, "It needs to be killed, not scared away."

With swiftness I didn't know I could manage, I fled the house, running to catch up with the company that were entering the boats. Surprisingly no one noticed I had ever disappeared. Kili just looked back at me with a smile that quickly fell as he looked in wonder at the arrow I newly acquired.

"Where did you get that," he asked, "when?"

I removed it from my shoulders and maneuvered my way onto the boat. I took my place in the back and sat the warm iron across my lap. "I just returned from Bard's. If we are going in that mountain, we need to kill that dragon," I whispered. In moments everyone in the company was on the boat, peering at the arrow as well.

"You were just at Bard's? I never saw you leave," he grabbed the arrow and looked it over as well. "You cannot shoot this from a bow. Nor do we have a wind lance at the mountain. What will you do with it?"

With a shake of my head I shrugged, not knowing what I would do with it. We would figure out something soon enough.

The boat ride over the lake wore on for hours. Each of the dwarves would trade turns in using the oars. It seemed to drag on forever. When the dwarves traded, Kili insisted that Bilbo work with him, leaving Fili sitting with me in the back.

"I wonder why he wanted Bilbo and not his brother," I muttered.

"My guess is he is asking for your hand," Fili chuckled out while patting me on the back.

My brows furrowed together in confusion. What did he mean by 'my hand'? "You know," he whispered softly, "your hand in marriage. He is your kin after all. It would be dishonorable to whisk you away without the blessing of your family."

The two in question were murmuring softly to one another. Occasionally Bilbo would look back at me with a kind smile. It set a tingle of warm through my chest. It instantly reminded me of my grandmother. The last time I saw her was when I was eighteen, because I moved states away and into the country where I wouldn't be found. I still talked to her from time to time, asking about my mom—at least I used to. Right then more than ever I wanted one of her hugs.

The thought caused me to take a stuttering breath. One that did not go unnoticed by Fili. Even if he didn't stay anything I could still feel the burn of his stare on my skin. It prickled instantly and the shiver tore through. Softly snow fell around us, and it only looked as if there was already a lump sum built up on the shore just about a mile or two away. We were close.

Still my eyes stayed trained on Bilbo. If he was truly the only relative I had now, I haven't made much effort to get to know him. It was still comforting to know there was someone there.

Once the bottom of the boat hit shore, Dwalin and Nori got out and started to pull the boat the rest of the way. By the position of the sun it was about midday noon, if not about one or two after. I was surprised to see the dwarves load the boat with their supplies and tie ropes to it. Half the company started to pull it behind us. Wouldn't it be easier to carry our things rather than lug the huge boat?

We started our long march up the side of the mountain. Kili's hand was attached to my lower back, almost as if he were trying to aid me in our journey. Instinctively I wanted to banish it and let him know I could climb by myself, but I held my tongue. Instead I busied myself talking to Bilbo, determined to make a family bond with him.

"Tell me of your home, where do you live," I huffed, already numb to the cold that surrounded us.

How was he not complaining with bare feet in the snow?

"I live at Bag End in the Shire. The Shire is near Bree, very green. I think that's my favorite part, how beautiful it is outside. I often find myself on my bench just outside my hobbit hole and take in the scenery as I smoke my bag weed," he sighed very reminiscent of his home.

He continued to speak, "My hole was higher up than most. So I can see most of the Shire. There are a lot of different flowers and trees all around. Inside I have a nice hearth and cozy chair that I sit in and drink tea and eat dinner. My vegetable garden is marvelous, though I do think it is probably overgrown and animals have been feeding from it since I am not home to tend to it."

"I will have to come visit sometime then," I smiled, "it does sound very homey."

Within the moment we came to a stop. The dwarves emptied out the boat of their things and started to cut into it. The idea of ruining the boat had me wide eyed and astounded. "What on earth are you doing," I asked Dwalin as he rose his axe again to swing down.

"We are goin' ta use half of this for fire wood Lass," he muttered, "the other half will be used for shelter until our next fire."

Bombur started to empty his pack of all the food we had acquired for the trip. It was mostly divided while the rest sat in a pot to stew over the fire that roared to life under Dori's nimble fingers. Kili and his brother were talking quietly off to the side while I pulled out my extra clothing. Somehow I had managed to keep all my things that the elves in Rivendell gave me. Currently I was wearing the shirt, pants, and cloak they gave me, but it did not help with the chill that fought into my skin.

Bard had given me some of his pants and one of his coats thankfully. I pulled all the extra clothing on top of my own and shivered still, it would take a while for me to warm. Still I scooted closer to the fire to gather the warmth provided by it. Once the food was done Kili returned and gave me my portion, sitting shoulder to shoulder as we ate.

Conveniently the wind died long ago, and we were able to keep the chill factor down a fraction, but as the sun started the set the temperature started to drop and I shivered more. It was surprising how fast the sun fell through the sky and the moon hung high. Even the various blues, purples and twinkling stars lit the sky. With such light in the dark I was able to see all around us.

I had no idea if we were climbing to the tip top of the mountain, but we were at least half way up. We would reach our destination surely by the end of the day tomorrow.

Kili had unrolled our pallet, tidying the blanket just right before flopping down with a content sigh. The chilled ground met my back while I laid down next to him. The chattering of my teeth could not be held back. The feeling of thick fingers tugging at my clothes startled me. "What are you doing," I muttered, looking around to find all the of the dwarves, save Bofur, settling into their own bed rolls.

"You will heat faster without this layer. Come now, lay with me and I will keep you warm," his voice dropped deeper. At his words I started to shrug off the coat and extra pants when Fili and Thorin approached us with their things. Not that I was expecting to be intimate with Kili anyway, but it was a downer that prying eyes were going to be next to us all night.

Screw Thorin's rules of propriety! I'm freezing my tits off. Little room was left between us as I snuggled up to Kili as close as I could be.

Something brushed against my bottom, causing me to jump into his embrace more. When I looked over my shoulder I was shocked to see Fili facing me and throwing his arms around me and his brother.

"What the hell are you doing," I muttered.

"Oh little sister, it is cold out. We need to preserve heat," he smiled. "See Uncle is sleeping with us too."

Indeed. Thorin was saddled up next to his nephew with his arms thrown over him, hands resting on my arms that were tucked between Kili and I. It was sort of odd, being sandwiched in-between three grown men. I did not mind being close to Kili, but it was odd that he was not jealous of his brother pushed right up against my back.

Even with my face tucked in Kili's neck I could see the night sky. The beauty of it had me in awe as I felt sleep take me into unconsciousness.

Snow covered the ground completely, but I didn't feel the cold. Instead I felt the gripping fear as I watched orcs come from all directions. Each one was more frightening than the last. None the less I was firing arrow after arrow at each of their heads. More dwarves than I had ever laid eyes on were fighting with all the orcs. Occasionally I saw a familiar face, but I didn't stop completely. Instead I was running with endless stamina towards a cliff.

On top I could make out figures fighting.

Finally when my feet hit the top of the cliff, a cry tore my throat as I watched Fili get thrown from the top of a stone-like building. In seconds I was to him, pressing my hands over his chest and trying to take his pulse. Instead his dull blue lifeless eyes starred back at me. Sobs overcame me while I hugged his form to me. Why Fili?

Finally, I rose, wiping the tears from my face as I looked back to the top of the building to see Kili swinging his sword against his opponent. It was a familiar orc, the one that I shot an arrow at back in Mirkwood.

My feet carried me as quickly as I could to scale the building. It took moments for me to get up there, but I was behind the orc facing Kili.

In seconds his eyes landed on me, widening as he took a step towards me. His mouth moved to speak, but froze on his lips.

Sticking out of his sternum was a sword, one that the orc was holding.

A scream erupted fiercely through me as I charged the orc sword raised. I met no resistance as I swung it across his throat. The gruesome creature's head rolled off onto the snow, coating it with ruby red blood.

The redness and pain in my face was enough to cry more on top of watching Kili stabbed before my eyes. His eyes moved towards me, hand shaking as he grabbed my own.

"What are you d-doing out h-here," he coughed, blood spurting across his lips.

He is dying, because I distracted him. Broken sobs left me as I hugged his body to my own. "I came to help y-you," I cried, pressing my lips to his own. When I pulled away the blood was smeared across his skin, and I could taste sharp iron on my tongue.

"At least I get to see your beauty," he coughed again, "one last time, my love."

His eyes fluttered close, and the heaving of his chest stopped in a slow second.

"NO!"

Razorblades sliced my throat as I screamed and beat the ground around me. How could this happen? Why? It wasn't fair! He didn't deserve this!

Movement caught my eye ahead. Swords clashing and grunts were seen as Thorin battled the pale orc. In seconds the King's sword was thrown from his hands, and the pale white orc laughed as he raised his own for the final blow.

"Thorin!"

My voice was ragged as I heaved for breath palmed my chest. There was snow around us, yes, but I was on a bed roll. In front of me was none other than Thorin himself, as he looked lost and sad.

"They're dead," I sobbed, jumping up to grab him. "Both of them are dead!"

His large warm hands rubbed up and down my back trying to soothe. How could he be so calm? Both of this nephews were dead! The ache in my heart was almost too much to bare, too much for me to grasp a breath.

"Shhh Laurel," he murmured, "it was but a bad dream. No one has died. Especially not Kili and Fili."

I pulled away to gauge his face, to find the truth in his statement. A small smile tugged on the edge of his lips, hands stroking my hair as he rubbed my back. "All is well child," he murmured before pulling be back into his warm embrace.

It was just a dream. It wasn't the worst I'd had since coming to Middle Earth, but it was the most realistic. Even without his words, his comforting hug could have calmed me alone. It was different than that of my grandfathers. It was tighter. Thorin was holding me tightly and for longer than most hugs I had received. I almost sobbed at the wonder if this is what a hug from my father had felt like.

"Laurel," Kili called softly, "is everything alright?"

Thorin extended his arms so that I could be passed into that of his nephew's. Still my hand clutched the King's coat. "Everything is perfect," I heaved out, "just a bad dream is all."

Surely my heart would give out in seconds if I saw one more damned orc.