Author Note::

Hello! I wanted to apologize for such long waits between updates.. I have hit a small blocked path on this story. I have one more completed chapter after this, and then I am stuck on the next chapter. I know how the story ends and what happens, but I am just at an awkward point where it is difficult to write the scene. Please be patient with me!

Laurel

Everything screamed in pain, from my back to the tips of my fingers, down to the fine edges of my heels. Time literally stood still as I stared up at the dark cavernous ceiling of the treasure hall, taking in small gasping breathes. I got the wind knocked out of me when my back hit the gold below. Soon while tears lined my cheeks from the pain and effort to breathe, I was able to take one calming breath. The silence was broken when Bilbo yelped, running through the metal towards me.

Never before had I been happier to see his smiling face than I had just now.

"Laurel! You did it! You killed Smaug," he laughed in excitement.

He leaned down to offer me a hand, but I could not find it in myself to give him mine back. "I can't," I whispered, "I just need a few more moments. The fall was higher than I expected, and metal isn't exactly soft."

In seconds he plopped down to the floor next to me, leaning back on his hands while he sighed. It was sort of peaceful if I didn't think about what just happened, or the fact that I could have possibly broken a bone. Or my back.

"Did you find the stone," I asked.

"Yes," he murmured, "I have it. Everything went smoothly didn't it?"

The sounds of thundering footfalls ricochet across the hall. It had only been a mere five minutes since he beast fell. Soon the company would be here to see what I have accomplished. The pride I had suddenly bestowed myself flared, I killed Smaug. I rid the beast of their home—of our home.

I didn't want them to see me laying and broken.

"Help me up, will you," I asked softly. Both hands holding my own he pulled me to my feet. I gasped a few times, but was surprised that I wasn't in as much pain as I thought originally. My back ached something terrible, but I was able to stand up right and walk with only a small limp.

Across the way laid Smaug lifeless.

My feet carried me towards the dragon, even as I heard my name called over and over again from different men. When I was close enough I dropped to my knees at the head of the beast. A deep amber eye stared blankly back at me without any light. No life stared back at me. Without hesitation my hand rested on the still moist scales that lined his snout, though they were starting to turn cold. The scales down toward his middle were as big as tires on a semi-truck, though the ones closer to his face were small as my palm.

Hands settled on my shoulders, and instantly I leaned back into the arms that were opened. The warmth met my back, then the smell of Kili invaded my nostrils. All my tense muscles relaxed as I sighed and let him embrace me.

"You did it little doe," he murmured, "you came back to me."

I looked up at him and smiled, "I always will."

The company followed and each took turns inspecting the dragon. Inch by inch I was pulled into Kili's lap. It felt like home.

"It's tradition," Balin came to stand before me, "that when a warrior defeats their first enemy, they take a trophy as testament of the victory. This tradition is shared between father and son. Though your father is not here, I am sure any one of us would be honored to stand in his place."

Kili gingerly helped me up, the ache in my muscles started to deepen with time. I was going to need a good heating pad and a night's sleep for a few days while this healed over. Heating pads didn't exist here from what I could tell. I looked around at each of the dwarves. Half of them were on their knees gazing up at me and half were staring at the dead dragon. My eyes sought out Thorin, who looked dazed and confused.

"Thorin," I whispered, "will you help me?"

Stark blue eyes roved over me, probably taking in my ragged form. I felt like I had been through the wash but not clean. A small nod was given to me.

"Everyone else look for the stone."

Soon I looked to Bilbo, ready to tell Thorin that the stone was found. But the stern look I received from my kin was enough for me to seal my lips. What was it that he was trying to convey? Instead of saying anything, I nodded softly and let the topic drop.

I hobbled to Smaug with Thorin at my side, and fell to my knees while my hands traced the dragon's scales once more. They were his armor, and now they would be ours. Slowly I told Thorin of my idea and we set to work at pulling the scales from Smaug's skin. We plucked the ones just big enough to be molded into shields for us all. One for each member. Balin had mentioned something about dragon's blood being useful, so I made sure to gather blood in some crystallized vials I found lying among the treasures.

"Who was your Father?"

With a grunt I tossed another scale in the steady growing pile. "My father was Theron Took," I whispered softly. "I suspect he was part Hobbit. He died while I was young so I don't remember much of him. My mother would never talk about him because she was so heart broken."

Thorin returned my statement with a grunt of his own. Work such as this isn't hard labor for a dwarf like the king, so his grunt must be a response. One that wasn't pleasant.

"So just like Kili you have known no father."

"No I haven't," I sighed, but then laughed softly. Maybe I have known a father, if even for a short time.

Thorin stopped and looked at me with an oddness of his own. Eyes crinkled with confusion. "What humors you?"

"In my world it is common to have a broken family. Sometimes the mother or father remarries and the children have what are called step-parents. The closest thing I have had to a father is a step-father, and I find it funny because I thought of you."

The statement had Thorin smile softly, "Is that so Halfling? You see me like a step-father as you call it?"

My eyes roamed over him, Thorin Oakenshield, the King Under the Mountain. From the moment my eyes first landed on him in the woods ragged until now—even more so ragged—there was a tale in its own. First he despised the fact I existed and now he was welcoming me into his family for saving them time after time. Perhaps I saw him as a step-father because that is how Kili looked up to him as. There wasn't just one feeling I could pin point that could explain my statement.

His expression did not look as if he was displeased. Instead it seemed to have warmed him some. Though something still itched in the back of my mind. Thorin was worn to the bone. We all have lost weight on this journey, but the grey hairs that streaked through his black hair seemed to have multiplied since the start. Something in his expression still screamed anxiousness even though we were kneeling over the dead dragon who took his home.

"In a way yes," I smirked, "you disciplined me and ridiculed me from the moment we entered Rivendell. Step-parents are harder on their step-children. Over time you seem to have warmed up to me, and treat me as you do your nephews."

He dropped another scale to the pile that was steady growing, wiping his brow of sweat. It was still warm down here in the middle of winter. Maybe it was because Smaug was a fire dragon and kept it warm?

"It is true, I did not want you to accompany us when you first arrived. I could see the way that Kili looked at you and I knew you would be a distraction and a burden. Instead you proved me wrong Laurel. Though you may have the blood of everything but Dwarf flowing through your veins, your soul and spirit are every bit of dwarf as mine.

"We are a very loyal and spit-fire race that does tend to be greedy. Above all else we care about each other like family, even if we are not related by blood. You have proven you care much about each of us by small acts, words, and offering your life in place of our own. This is where the Dwarves find hearth of home, is in the heart. I would be honored to have a daughter such as you."

The words warmed me to the core, tears starting to line my eyes. What more could I ask for? I lost the small bit of family I had before and now I gained an even bigger one.

We worked in silence some more until we had enough scales and then some. Off to the side I had collected enough dragon's blood for Balin, and even looked at Smaug's claws to see if there was a way to have those as well. Time dragged on and no one spoke again as they searched aimlessly for the stone. I wanted to find Bilbo and ask him about it, but couldn't bring myself to rise and do it.

What is the stone even used for when we find it?

Soon after we had pulled everything from Smaug that we could, I rose to drag my feet across the coin covered ground toward an empty spot.

"Where are you going," Thorin called after me.

"To look for this Arkenstone," I called back softly, "it is important, isn't it?"

Yes, I already knew Bilbo had the stone, but I felt guilty for not telling Thorin that it was found. Bilbo must have a good reason to keep it from the king though. A good enough reason to have my heart break at the thought of lying to him.

"No," he called back, "you are to rest. You have done enough for one day. Kili! Fili!"

The men raced over, Kili looking more excited than his blonde brother. "Yes Uncle?"

"Fili, gather these trophies," he nodded to the scales, blood, and claws we took from Smaug. "Kili, take Laurel and find somewhere for her to rest. Come right back after you have done so, no foolery boy."

In moments, I was swept up into two strong arms and rushed off from the golden chambers. A small laugh bubbled its way through my throat at Kili's excitement. He murmured sweet nothings in my ear about his devotion for me, how marvelous I was for slaying a dragon. My eyes started to slip close because of how tired I had become. Killing an evil beast was hard work even on a good day.

"If you weren't so tired I would strip you and worship your body like the goddess you are amrâlime," he murmured seductively. The words immediately perked my interest and caused me to startle awake. Apparently, I had fell asleep, for now I was laying on a pallet of blankets, coats, and mildew like cushions. The press of his warm chapped lips on my throat was arousing.

They did not stop, but continued down to the top of my chest, his hands diving underneath my shirts to touch the bare skin of my stomach. "Kili," I whined, "I am exhausted."

"That is alright," he whispered, "you can just lay there and enjoy my touch, you will feel better I promise."

"The others—"

"Are looking for the stone, there is no need for anyone to come find us."

Everything felt so numb and cold. If I had not known better, I would have thought I had taken a lot of strong painkillers. My skin sizzled at the feel of Kili's thick fingers hooking into my pants and pulling them down. It caused me to gasp softly, exhorting enough energy to lift my hips just enough for him to remove my pants altogether. He must have taken off my boots while I was asleep. The air seemed oddly warm, but it could have been my numbness.

Then his hands cupped my thighs, running up and down the length of my legs. It was a breath of fresh air, the heat invaded me right to my core. My breasts started to tingle at the anticipation, legs quivering. His chapped lips met mine, soft and gentle as he coaxed them open to tangle his tongue with my own. I moaned softly, because the last time we had kissed like this was too long for me to remember. It was almost like the first time. My stomach felt so light and empty, but full of a flapping like motion at the same time.

A soft breath left me when his lips traced down my neck. One of his hands was still rubbing my thighs, while the other snaked underneath my shirt and palming my ribs. The feeling of being held and possessed was intoxicating. Instinctively my hips rose to press against him, needing the delicious friction.

All the cares and worries I had escaped me like the moan that tumbled from Kili's lips. "Oh little doe," he whispered against my stomach as he moved down, "I cannot wait for our union. The thought of it is enough pleasure alone."

"When," I gasped the question as his fingers traced in-between my thighs. I could feel him catch the slickness, making me buck my hips again.

Soon he was on his elbows and knees between my legs, taking in his breath quickly as his eyes roamed over my warm heat exposed. "Not now, or here," his hot breath fanned my core. It caused me to buck again, craving his mouth. Never had I thought that something like this were to ever transpire. Instead I thought he would use his hands again. "Once we are settled in our home. We can wait until we are wed if you would prefer."

The thunderous beating of my heart stopped momentarily at his words. He planned to marry me? The moment I knew I was going to give my heart to him, I also knew that there would be no other, I would be with him and only him as long as he would have me. These...these were my dreams come true.

He whispered the words to my bundle of nerves before dropping his head more and swiping his tongue up. Pure pleasure spiked through me, arching my back up to draw him closer. My thighs tightened around his ears while my hands nestled in the dark brown locks I love. His hands moved to my thighs to hold them apart while he moaned and dove in again. With the mixture of his tongue and lips he licked and sucked on my clitoris. "Oh Kili," I moaned as the pleasure built. It was incredible, better than anything I had ever done or when he used his hands by the pond.

In that instant, he slipped two fingers inside of me while he licked at me more. The dual action of him sucking and pumping me was so beautiful it was almost too much.

With the action of rubbing something inside that felt just right, and using his lips, all the pressure inside of me exploded with his name on my lips while I screamed in ecstasy.

In that moment, I felt like I was raised to the heavens and floating in the darkness that was exploding with stars.

"Thank you," I whispered, suddenly overcome with a tiredness I knew nothing of.

"It was my pleasure," he panted, "I will devour your quim every night for the taste alone. I will aim to make you scream my name like that every time."

Then the darkness came and I was asleep.