Disclaimer: I don't own any familiar characters, and or anything pertaining to the world of the Hobbit. All, but my ocs, are owned by J.R.R Tolkien (who probably hates us for doing this to his work).

Chapter 34

The day of their departure had arrived. Magdalen couldn't believe how quickly her time in Dale had passed. Tilda had spent most of breakfast jabbering on about how she was going to write Magdalen as much as she could, already planning out her next visit to the city of men in detail. As they stood at the steps of Bard's grand home, steadying their horses as Bard and family said their farewells, Tilda held onto Magdalen tightly. Magdalen couldn't help but laugh at the sweet teenager, she had certainly made a friend for life it seemed. The official goodbyes started and Magdalen pulled away from the sappy girl finding her place behind the royal advisors. Thorin, Fili, and Kili stood in front of Bard and Sigrid graciously thanking them for their warm reception and stay in their home.

While Dale's royal families goodbyes were friendly and familiar, Thranduil's was not. Thorin's demeanor became cool and unreadable as he faced the elven king. Their words were short and calculated. Thranduil whispered something to Thorin, that made him stiff and his face become red. Thorin huffed bowed before quickly putting distance between him and Thranduil. A smirk curled on Thranduil's pale face.

The onlookers cheered and clapped as they hopped onto their horses at the bottom of the steps of the palace. Magdalen mounted her pony ready to follow Thorin back to their mount, back to her home. Thorin clasped a hand over his heart bowing to the other royalty before leading the dwarves away. Magdalen sat at the back of the precision, ready to leave when she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned to find the face of Thranduil, she was taken back to find him smiling. She glanced back to find the caravan of dwarves halted in their spots, eyes suspiciously on the elven king.

"What can I do for you?" She cleared her throat trying to hide the surprise in her voice.

He let out a musical laugh clearly enjoying the discomfort he had caused.

"I simply wanted to wish you a farewell personally," Thranduil stated as if it was obvious.

His cool skin connected with her hand as he pressed a chasted kissed into it. She gaped like a fish out of water.

"If you ever tire of the dwarves and their barbaric ways you have a place to stay in my kingdom."

He paused winking at her.

"You will always be welcomed in the Kingdom of Mirkwood, Lady Magdalen."

He bowed to her before floating to Bard's side.

Magdalen swallowed turning to find the raised eyebrows of the dwarves, her face burned.

"Move out!" Thorin cried from the front of the caravan.

Slowly, one by one the dwarves followed returning back to their conversations. Magdalen trailed behind keeping her head down, trying to keep what little dignity she had left. A voice broke her attention.

"Already tiring of me?" Fili questioned looking ahead as they made their way through the cobbled streets.

Magdalen snorted, rolling her eyes. "I grew tired of you the moment I met you." She retorted.

Fili grinned, shifting in his saddle. "Dushin-Mizim, no need to forsake me. You already have me."

Magdalen stared at him with wide eyes, her heart trying desperately to break through her ribs. Thorin interrupted their moment when he called Fili as they arrived at the gates of the city. Fili winked as he made his way to his uncle.

Magdalen couldn't help but sigh like a lovesick teenager. She watched as the golden wood gates opened to the lush green world, sunlight flooding over them. The light reflected in Fili's lion's mane. The long soft curls of his hair hung over his shoulders. The neat braids scattered all over his hair, her fingers began to itch wanting to run them through them.

Never thought I would like a guy with long hair. She began chuckling.

"What's so funny?" Kili trotted up next to her.

"I was just thinking of your face when Tilda beat you." Magdalen covered.

Kili's lip pouted.

"That wasn't funny." He whined.

Magdalen laughed reaching over to poke him in his ribs. "It was a little funny."

Kili turned his nose up ignoring her jabbing. "She's only that good because I taught her!"

"You know when she was fourteen she nearly shot Bain's finger off…" Kili began on a long diatribe.

Magdalen vaguely listened as they made their way home, her eyes always landing on Fili.

Home.

It was strange but the mountain and its people had become home to her. She missed Deamara, Poppy, and Dis dearly, and couldn't wait to hold the Ur children in her arms again. She loved seeing Middle Earth, but it was time to go home.

Dis welcomed them with open arms and wets kisses. She nearly knocked them over when they walked through the gates. Fili and Kili had managed to slip out of their mother's grip after drowning in her affection. Magdalen nearly ran into Dis's arms, she had missed the princess with all of her heart. Dis began chatting her ear off about her visit to Dale and how she had liked it. Magdalen could barely get a word in before Dis had managed to capture Thorin in her iron grip. Thorin had muttered that they had only been gone a week, but that didn't deter her. Balin and Dwalin laughed as their king shook off his sister, he glared at them as he made his way back to his office. He called for Dis, and Fili to follow him.

Magdalen reached down to pick up her sack that contained her clothes from the trip when she felt a faint touch on her shoulder. She looked up to see Fili he strolled past. He glanced over his shoulder at her, sharing with her a private smile, only meant for her. Magdalen bit her lip, trying to calm her suddenly spiked nerves. Shaking her head she made her way to her apartment, just because Fili had kissed her didn't mean she was going to start acting like one of those dwarrowdams that followed the princes every move.

She had duties to attend to, just like Fili. Her days weren't going to be consumed by thoughts of her blond-haired prince. She was sure Balin wouldn't appreciate her daydreaming during her lessons, and Dwalin would beat her to a pulp.

Though a few moments a day wouldn't hurt anything.

Slowly summer marched on, Magdalen and the others go back into the routine of their lives. Every morning she trained with Dwalins, her days were spent in the library working with Ori, and dinners were spent with the Durin's. The only thing that had truly changed since her trip was her and Fili's relationship. It wasn't that they were keeping their relationship a secret, but they themselves weren't sure what to name their relationship. The following months after their trip was spent with lingering looks, and brief touches as they passed one another. Countless nights recalling the starry stories of her childhood in their secret garden, away from the prying eyes of others. In those moments everything seemed perfect, neither had the burden of everyday life weighing on their shoulders. They only had each other, and that was all they needed.

For the first time since Magdalen had started her new life, she felt truly at peace. She felt like she belonged somewhere, and she had a family.

Though that didn't seem to stop the nightmares.

Her peaceful days would come to a halt when night came, and her nightmares began. Like all those months ago her dreams were filled with gore, blood, and death. She would cling to Fili's lifeless body as she cried over him, only to wake up to a tear-stained pillow. Tonight had been the worst dream by far.

She found herself in a long stone tunnel, bright lights painted the grey stone in the distances. The echoes of war rang in her ears, yet her heavy breathing was what she heard the most. She heard the crunching of snow, and the wisps of air as something passed her. A dark figure ran down the long tunnel. Without her consent her body began following the shadow, she didn't protest as her eyes watched the figure.

A flash of brown and blue colors rushed into the bright light, her blood turned cold when painful cries filled the space around her.

Her heart pounded as she stood at the edge of the light, her hand resting against the stone. She knew what waited for her in the light. She already felt the tears forming, but the darkness of the tunnel had begun to consume the world around her. Magdalen no choice, but to walk into the painful light.

The icy fields of the Valley of Girion came into view just over the spiked and broken stone of the tower they stood on. Dread washed over her as she took in the frighteningly familiar sight. The sickly grey-green skin of the orc, Alzog, pinned Fili to the ground. The rusted sword hand of Alzog ran the point of his blade over Fili's chest leaving deep cuts, and crimson stains on his shirt. The orc spat black speech at him, Fili tried squirming out of the ugly creature's grasp too little avid. Magdalen tried reaching out, tried to help in any way. But it was too late, Alzog stood up his eyes looking in the direction of Thorin's voice. A cruel smile appeared on his face, reaching down he snatched up Fili holding his like a mother cat holds her kitten. Alzog called out to Thorin dangling Fili over the edge of the cliff.

Hot tears poured down Magdalen's cheeks, she begged for Fili's life. Alzog didn't hear her as he reared back his sword before burying it into Fili's side.

"NO!" Her voice cracked, her knees giving out under her weight.

She clasped on the ground watching Fili's lifeless body disappearing. Her vision blurred, her arms wrapping around her body as she tried to calm herself.

"This is just a dream. This is just a dream." She repeated to herself.

A swift kick to her shoulder, knocking herself on her back. Magdalen prepared to look upon Alzog but screamed when the face of Thyum came into view. He was just as he was the night he had attacked her. A foot crushed into her shoulder, the floor became like liquid wrapping around her wrists and ankles like chains.

The malicious laughter echoed in her ears. He bent down beside her, a finger brushing over her check.

"Happy to see me again?" His voice was venom in her ears.

Magdalen whimpered trying to get away, trying to find any way to escape. Thyum ignored her a hand wrapped around her throat, squeezing as hard as he could. He looked over his shoulder where Fili had fallen. He turned back to grin at Magdalen, he leaned over her body.

"Looks like your little prince won't have any use for you now." His dark eyes met hers.

"Guess we can have our fun now."

Magdalen screamed shooting upright in her bed. Her breath ragged, her hands shook gripping her sheets for dear life. Warm tears poured down her face just as they had in her dream. Closing her eyes tightly the bloodied screams of her nightmare filled her head. She pressed the heels of her hands into her ears hoping to chase away the daunting voice of Thyum ringing in her head.

Without a second thought, she threw her covers off of her bed shooting out of her bedroom like a bullet. She couldn't sleep, she couldn't face her dreams again. Wrapping her dressing gown around her, she slipped into the dark of the hall.

Her nightmares had been mounting for two months now, starting shortly after the festival. And she had grown into the routine of roams the upper halls of Erebor to keep sleep at bay. Some nights dreams never came, like after Deamra and Or's wedding, that night after sipping on too much ale and stealing sloppy kisses from Fili she drifted off peacefully. Under distributed by the monsters that lived in her head. Other nights, like tonight, they came alive. The guards had grown used to her erratic appearances, only glancing at her in concern as she drifted.

She was assumed they had voiced their concerns to their king as Thorin always examined her disheveled state after a sleepless night. When asked about her odd behavior in the privacy of his study. Magdalen told the king that she had dreams of her home, and was just caught up in her mind. He reluctantly took her word, leaving her roaming alone.

Tonight Magdalen found herself in front of Fili's door frozen in fear. This is stupid I shouldn't be here. She grumbled to herself spinning away from the door, convincing herself to walk away.

Magdalen knew that her dreams were only that: dreams. Yet she couldn't help but worry about all those who appeared in her dreams. She fiddles with her fingers, glancing over her shoulder at the simple wooden door. Her hand ran over her face, turning back to pace back to the door.

Around her, the hall was devoid of any guards as it was time for shift change. A fresh set of guards would be on their way to the royal hall any minute. They would definitely tell their king about her pacing like a crazy woman in front of the crown prince's door.

She sighed raising her hand to the door. Timidly Magdalen knocked on the door, afraid to wake the others. She waited for a beat, hearing nothing from the other side. Of course, he wouldn't be awake, do back to be and deal with your dreams like a big girl! Magdalen fussed to herself spinning on the balls of her feet to shamefully walk back to her bedroom.

Behind her, the squeaking of a door froze her footsteps mid-stride.

"Magdalen?" A groggy voice called from behind her.

Even half asleep he sounds good.

Slowly Magdalen turned grinning sheepishly at the sleep stricken man. His golden hair was curled and disheveled. His sleeping shirt was loose and showed off the tuft of chest hair that peaked out of the top. Magdalen quickly averted her eyes looking anywhere but him.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Fili, I must have been sleepwalking." She lied wanting to run as far away as she could.

Two hands sat on her crossed arms, she closed her eyes welcoming warmth onto her person.

"Magdalen, what's wrong? Uncle told me he's been worried about." His voice laced with concern as he pulled her close.

She glanced down the hall, realizing they were in plain sight.

"Maybe we should talk about this where everyone can see us." Fili was taken back by how small her voice sounded.

This wasn't his vibrant Magdalen, no she was scared and nervous. Fili nodded hooking his arm around her shoulder as he guided her into his room.

Fili's apartment was much larger than Magdalen's. The space was open and wide. His bed sat in a corner, his blanket tangled from when he scattered out of his bed. Books lined the walls, as did a few paintings from Sigrid. A tapestry from his mother sat behind his couch. Blue moonlight from his balcony illuminated their faces. Magdalen glared at the balcony remembering their first encounter. They had come along way since then.

"Ms. Magdalen, have you snuck into my room to try and seduce the crown prince?" He whispered into the shell of Magdalen's ear.

She scowled at his little joke, sitting into the cushions of his couch. Tucking her feet under herself. Fili's joking demeanor faded as he shifted closer to her.

They're getting worse… They're becoming more clear.

A voice whispered in her mind. Every time she shut her eyes, the visions of blood and death came rushing back. A warm hand wrapped around her upper arm breaking her from the spiraling thoughts. Tears blurred her vision a Fili came into sight. Her chest felt heavy as a cry shuttered from her lips. Fili stumbled back as she buried her face in his chest. Her hands clenching to the front of his nightshirt.

"Magdalen, Dushin-Mizim, what's wrong?" His hands ran through the thick of her hair, trying not to catch on any tangles that might have slipped there throughout the night.

He could make out her soft whispers through despite cries and hiccups. Fili held her closer, praying to take away whatever pained her heart at that moment.

His lips brushed over her forehead, and then to her cheek tasting the salty tears that covered her red skin. Her breath was shaky and heavy from the anxiety that rode while in her mind. His hands gripped the sides of her head, brushing the pads of his thumbs over her temples. Her eyes reminded him of the fiercest storms he had ever seen and were wide with their lighting.

"What is wrong? Please, I can't stand to see you like this." He begged softly.

She closed her eyes, feeling the heaviness of her now wet and clumpy eyelashes. Taking a few moments to calm her breathing.

"You don't understand. I can't tell you."

Pressing a soft kiss into her hair he whispered "Magdalen, love, you can tell me anything."

She sighed pushing away from him, standing up to pace in front of the couch.

"You died," Fili watched with widened eyes.

"I watched you take a spear for your brother, I watched you bleed out in the snow. I saw Kili being shot, I watched Thorin being stabbed in the heart. Bilbo crying over him."

Fili sat silently for a moment unsure of what to say.

"It was just a dream." He mustard.

Though Fili could not shake the eerie feeling in the air. Magdalen shook her head.

"It's not though, Fili. You don't understand." She looked up at him like a child.

"You don't understand." She repeated falling to her knees letting out painful sobs.

Fili furrowed his eyebrows, sinking to his knees beside her.

"In my world, the Hobbit ends differently... My dream, my nightmares." She corrected herself "Those things happen, you all die. The line of Durin is broken. Thorin never sits on the throne."

Fili looked alarmingly at Magdalen, her normally glowing skin was now red and puff. Tears streaked her round cheeks, her chest rose and fell far too quickly. Fili captured one of her hands, gripping it tightly against his. His fingers tracing over her knuckles, making mindless circles against her skin.

"I've had those dreams every night. I see my death, I see Kili and Thorin' death. I feel like we've somehow cheated death." Fili admitted.

Magdalen's glistening eyes shone as she looked up at him before leaning her head against Fili's shoulder.

"You're deaths were always sad to be. You got nothing more than a mention, and you were gone. The princes of Erebor sacrificed for each other."

Her voice was low as her breathing became stable. "Now it's like I lose you, again and again, every night."

She tucked her chin, staring at the ground. Magdalen stared at his door, she didn't want to leave. She didn't want her nightmares to come back again. Tears burned in her eyes when she looked up at Fili.

"Can I… stayherefortonight?" She muttered quickly under her breath.

Fili's lips tipped up, watching as her warm skin flushed to the color of roses.

"What?" He asked egging on her embarrassment.

Magdalen huffed in frustration. "Nevermind," she shot up ready to walk out of his apartment.

It had been a stupid thought, why had she come here in the first place. She had dealt with her nightmares for months on her own, and she could continue doing so.

Fili's hand rested on her shoulders giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Dushin-Mizim come lay down." He spoke softly.

His hand trailing from her shoulder to her hand, guiding her to the couch. He felt foolishly uncomfortable at the idea of laying with Magdalen in her bed. He had slept with women before, but Magdalen wasn't an ordinary woman. He wanted to take his time with her, get to know her and her heart entirely. So they laid on the couch, Magdalen used Fili's arm as he shifted behind her. For a while she just listened to his breathing, feeling his heartbeat against her skin.

Looking over her shoulder she studied Fili's face. She shifted in her spot turning to face him. Her fingers traced the lines of his face, gently over his closed eyes. As if to make sure he was real, making sure he was alive. Fili groaned, pressing a chaste kiss on her fingertips.

"Sleep, love. You need it." He said without opening his eyes.

"I can't watch you die again." She whimpered into the darkness.

Fili's eyes peeled open staring at the woman in his arms. "I will die one day, Dushin-Mizim. As will you, and we will meet in Mahal's hall. But for now I am here, and as are you. I promise nothing will ever happen to you, as long as I have anything to do with it." His fingers brushed a tendril of hair out of her face.

Magdalen sighed nuzzling into his neck. "Nothing will happen to you as long as I'm here." She repeated to him, finally closing her eyes and resting in his arms.

Fili watched the lines of worry and fear melt off her face as sleep took hold. How he ever got so lucky to hold this wild woman he would never know. But now that he held her he wished to never let go of her.

Feeling the weight of her on his side sleep quickly found him, and the two, for one night, slept in peace.