Kili

Laurel marched next to me as we scaled the mountain. The temperature dropped, and I could tell she was fighting the shiver that settled on her skin. It was finally Durin's day, and if we were going to the place described by the map, then we would be in the mountain by night fall.

The black iron arrow that was almost bigger than her was resting against her shoulders, arms hanging across it. How was she going to kill Smaug with an arrow she could not shoot? It would not take long to fire a forge and make it smaller, but the noise it would cause would be mindful to wake the sleeping beast. If we can't melt the arrow down to something she could shoot, what was she going to do with it? Without a wind-lace it would surely not pierce through the scales of the monster either.

Still I kept my thoughts to myself, seeing as it was known between each of the dwarves.

In the heart of the mountain laid a dragon so fierce it could incinerate us with just a puff of smoke. Here we were marching to our doom. To my right was such a beautiful woman I wanted to spend the rest of my moments with, and it caused my heart to ache at the thought.

Was I marching her to her death as well? I was not lying when I said at least I would have gotten to have a love with her, but it still burns to know we do not stand a chance at leaving that mountain alive-at least both of us. Deep in my heart I know I dragged her to this fate somehow. It was possibly my doing that got her to come to Middle Earth, leaving her life behind.

As we started to scale the side of the mountain I could see her struggle. The frigid weather was not aiding to her attempt to keep upright, only seeming to make her shiver more. We could not stop, we were so close to the mountain that if we even faltered in step one moment we could possibly miss our timing to get to the door. Fili sensed her need as well. In a matter of moments, he took the black arrow from Laurel, and I had her swept into my arms in the next. In a couple of strides, we were back to the company and keeping pace.

In my arms she shivered more, teeth chattering while she clung to my chest. "Th-thank you," she muttered. "I don't li-like the c-c-cold."

"Once we stop I will warm you," I murmured back.

Hours passed until we finally reached the top. The excitement that filled each of our companions was that to be reckoned with. Each of the dwarves were gathered around looking and tapping on the stone siding of the mountain, when Dwalin declared he had found the door.

"The last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole," uncle declared as we watched the last slivers of sunlight bounced its rays on the stone.

Nothing was happening.

Each of the company grew more anxious and all I could do was stand idle as I held the small body of Laurel closer to me as she shivered. Kicking, yelling, shouting, beating—nothing seemed to make a difference. In horror, I watched as the sun slipped over the horizon and we still remained without access to the mountain. My knees met the cold icy ground, despair flowing through me. A deep ache settled in the pit of my stomach and in my chest. All this way, for nothing.

Laurel looked up at me confused, her eyes barely opening. "What's going on? Why is everyone leaving," she whispered softly. As I looked around she was indeed right, the brave dwarves I traveled with for over a years' time were simply leaving with heavy hearts. All that remained was Bilbo, whom was reading the map over and over again while pacing the wall.

"The keyhole! Come back! It's the last light of Durin's day! The moonlight is the last light," Bilbo shouted after muttering to himself endlessly. The claim bolted me from my thoughts. "Where's the key," he continued on, running amok back and forth over the terrace.

Uncle was the first to return, key in hand, as he approached the Hobbit and the now visible lining of the hidden door into Erebor.

Thorin and Balin both were visibly shaking. In turn they both took soft steps towards the door. Once Uncle placed the key into its rightful home, it also shook and seemingly crumbled into the mountain.

One by one the company took turns entering the mountain. I myself waited with Fili, Laurel, and Bilbo. My brother took a deep breath before he entered the shadows. Laurel rolled out of my arms onto quivering legs using her hands upon my shoulders to right herself. "Go," she whispered reaching out for Bilbo. "See what your home has to offer."

Quick to intercept, I grabbed her hands and pulled her with me towards the entrance. "Tis not only my home, but yours as well," I spoke, "let us see it together for the first time."

Her hand promptly in my own, I pulled us to the shadows of the door and into the humidity of the mountain. First breath was that of pure love. It smelled of the first rain of summer and the moss was thick under my fingers as they trailed the walls. Still where it did not grow I could feel the carving geometric designs that lay.

Soon we reached the others, where we could see a room covered in cobweb and other odds and ends. Shelves covered in clay pots and lids here and then brooms and rolling pins were on the other side.

Bilbo made his way past me as he came through to look at everything as well. Laurel had her eyes closed on the other hand. Soft delicate fingers were tracing the walls, feet shuffling through the hall, nose fared as she tested the scent on her nose.

"It's colder in here than it was out there," she breathed out with a puff of steam.

"It feels perfect to me," I sighed with a smile, "we will get you warmer clothes for the rest of winter. In the summer the mountain will remain cool."

With ease I wrapped her in my arms, inhaling the honeysuckle scent of her hair, enjoying the warmth she offered. There was a renewed hope. We would defeat this dragon. This will be our home. We will have a future together. The only one who perishes tonight will be the large reptile who sleeps on our gold.

"The time has come," Balin's voice carried over all. Each seemed to hush with his words. "Bilbo, your services are required."

The Hobbit in question shook softly as he came to stand before the oldest dwarf. "Yes, what is it exactly you need of me," he asked.

"To find the Arkenstone."

Thorin visibly straightened up, looking out over the passage way and nodding softly. It was still unknown to me what acquiring the Arkenstone will do for us. If we have the stone, will it have power to drive away the dragon? To what aid will it bring us? Laurel escaped my grasp and snatched the arrow from Fili. In moments she was beside Bilbo. "What of Smaug," she spoke loud enough to echo around us.

"The stone first," Dwalin huffed, "then we will worry about the slithering snake."

Her brows furrowed together in thought while her fingers tightened around the black arrow. What was going through her head? Was it something I could sway her from?

"Bilbo, I'll go with you. I have a plan," she laid her hand on his shoulder.

In a few strides I was up next to her, grasping each of her arms. Once my eyes met her pine greens I was unable to release her. Was this the last time I would look upon her beauty? It was possible she would enter that vault of gold and never to return. The sudden thought had blood pounding down my veins, my pulse thumping all too fast. Breath was leaving just as quickly. "Please, don't go," I murmured softly, pulling her closer to me.

"Kili," she smiled softly, "I have to. There was a reason I was brought here. I think this is it, for me to kill the dragon, as crazy as it sounds. I know I am the size of a Hobbit, and that dragon will be a fraction of the size of this mountain—but I can't let it escape and destroy Laketown. I can't let it destroy any other village for that matter. He has caused everyone so much grief, and if I can put an end to it I will."

A tremble started in my fingertips at her words. This was it, she was planning to kill a dragon, my little huntress.

"I only just got you."

"Have faith that you will have me returned," she smirked, "I have only just got a taste of having a love with you Kili and I like it very much. I intend to come back and experience more."

With the words leaving her I did not hesitate to grab her face and bring it to my own so I could crush our lips together. The only quiver of flesh came from me. Laurel's fingers were deep in my hair as her lips brushed against my own just as passionate. Soon she was completely in my arms chest to chest as my mouth slanted over hers. Far too quick for my liking she pulled away but kept our foreheads pressed together.

"I love you my old dwarf prince," she murmured, "even if you can't keep your hands to yourself."

"You like it," I laughed. "I love you as well my little doe. Come back to me swiftly, do not leave me to worry like a mother."

In moments she was shed of her many layers except for her tunic and trousers, and trailing Bilbo Baggins down into Smaug's Keep. Her russet locks swaying with each of her steps embraced the black iron arrow she had slung across her shoulders.