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 35

Magdalen blankly stared at the walls of her apartment. Listening to the white nose of people outside her apartment going about their day. She rested her chin on the top of her bent knee as she hugged her legs. Magdalen had been contemplating her dilemma all day. Dwalin had security meetings and had let her rest for the day. She sent a message to Or i that she hadn't been feeling well, and she was going to take the day to recover. A lie he had happily accepted. She needed the day to think. Her nightmares had been better since her confession to Fili, but that didn't mean they weren't there still. Magdalen had been so content in her life she had almost pushed the secrets of her grandfather's journal out of her mind completely. That was until had practically fallen into her lap one night. Her head screamed at her to tell someone, anyone about what she had read. To tell them the truth about her grandfather and Lord Amrus. Yet her heart stopped her, whispering in fear that she would lose the life she had created in Erebor. She knew it was silly to think no one would believe her, but Lord Amrus was a very persuasive creature. He could get what he wanted and destroy her in the process. Those thoughts weighing on her mind heavily as her and Fili's relationship continued to progress.

Magdalen sighed shooting up from her couch, she needed to relax. Grabbing the journal Magdalen journeyed out into the hall, greeting the dwarves as she made her way to her destination. Making her way through the maze of Erebor, people slowly trickled away until she was left the sounds of her foot steps accompanying her down the narrow hall.

Erebor was a mighty kingdom,but had many undiscovered secrets. Magdalen was happy to proclaim that she had discovered one. At the base of the mount in a long forgotten corridor some ways, away from the market sat a hot springs scattered all over the series of caverns. She and Kili may have been trying to hide from eldest prince after a simple joke went horribly wrong when they found it. The warm air from the hot springs hit her skin, sending chills all over her body.

Quickly, Magdalen stripped her clothes off, feeling the caps of her shoulders screamed, from Dwalin's training the previous day, as she slipped out of her tunic and pants. Leaving her only in her small clothes that Dis insisted she wear under all of her clothing. It was a white loose tank top and bloomers. They were quite nice; made of thin linen and airy. She often wore them to bed much to Deamra and Dis's horror. She folded her clothes carefully laying them by her discarded boots, as not to get them wet.

She turned back to the spring watching the gentle invisible bubbling of the water beneath the surface. The milky blue water was cloudy bubbling from the natural springs under the rock. Magdalen dipped a toe into the water feeling the warmth water play around her skin inviting her into the pool. She leaned her hand against the stone submerging her calf followed by the rest of her body. The temperature of her body rose, almost taking her breath away. The water soaked her underclothes making them cling to her torso and slightly transparent. Her muscles relaxed, her back pressed against the stoned edge of the pool. Closing her eyes, she dipped underneath the surface of the water. Resurfacing to push the wet tangled locks out of the face. She pushes them behind her ears, the curled hair tickling her neck. Magdalen laying her head against the edge, leaving the panicked thoughts behind her as she let the waters carry her off to serenity.

Time slipped away from her as she felt the slow pace of the water run over her body. She had been so taken away, she hadn't heard the soft approaching footsteps. She nearly jumped out of the water when someone clears their throat behind her. Magdalen grabbed the knife she had purposefully placed near her. She had enough encounters with shady characters, she wasn't going to let some peeping tom interrupt her relaxation. Magdalen's grip around the throat of the knife was deadly, she was ready to throw it at the figure. The figure held up his hands as a gesture of peace, she groaned internally when registered who stood before her. There standing at the mouth of the springs was Fili looking far too smug for her liking.

"You shouldn't sneak up on someone like that," Magdalen spat setting her knife down.

Fili chuckled resting his hands on the belt around his waist. "What would you have done with that butter knife, poked me?" He leaned against the archway.

Magdalen narrowed her eyes turning her body to fully face him "Be careful Dwalin gave that knife, I will tell him you insulted his gift."

He laughed again. "I offer no insults, m'lady. I'm merely telling you need to sharpen them."

She rolled her eyes, he knew she hated it when he called her m'lady. Fili moved closer picking up the knife twirling it in his hands. Her knife looked tiny in his palms, she observed. The light look of merriment faded from his face when he looked down at her. She swallowed upon seeing the familiar dark look wrestling in his face. She looked down suddenly aware of her state of dress.

"Is this where you keep disappearing too?" He questioned walking closer to the edge of the hot spring. Magdalen pushed her body against the side of the spring, keeping her lack of clothing out of sight. She wasn't sure if it was the heat of the water, but she suddenly felt lightheaded. She cleared her own thoughts gripping the uneven stone in her palm's looking up at the golden-haired prince. He blinked quickly averting his gaze he beings to pace the small space, carefully taking in the small details in the room. His eyes never roamed back to her form.

They were both blushing like children at this point. They had spent nights in each other's arms, kissed each other senseless. Yet the sight of bare skin left them speechless.

"You've noticed I've been disappearing?" She teased resting her forearms against the cool stone, sitting her chin on them.

She could see the flush creeping up his neck. "Merely an observation." He answered a royal formality in his voice. That she had only heard when he met with advisors or captains.

"I've never seen anyone here, so I figured it would be okay for me to use," She assured him.

He hummed studying the wall, she let out a soft chuckle. She was sure there was nothing fascinating about the wall. Magdalen dipped back into the water, looking at the backside of Fili. She bit her lip before she spoke her next words.

"You could join me if you like." She felt a sudden rush of bravery as she spoke.

Fili froze looking over his shoulder, taking in the sight of her. Panic set in when he faced her slowly unbuckling his belt. A tight coil formed in her stomach as Fili let his coat slide down his arm. She gulped. Why had she said that? Don't be a chicken, you invited him in. She floated in the water watching as he laid his knives and boots out carefully along the flat rock where she had set her clothes.

He reached down gripping the edges of his green tunic pulling it over his head, tossing it to the side. Oh god, what have I done? Magdalen became unbearably hot, and it was not from the water. She had seen men shirtless numerous times, it wasn't like she was a virgin or anything. But Fili was not an ordinary man. No, she knew that when her eyes hung on his muscles. She watched as they rippled under his skin, dwarves were built from stone. If that was true then Aule carved Fili from marble, Magdalen groaned at her own thoughts. She was not a school girl, with a silly crush, she was a full grown woman and she should act like it. She took a deep breath tuning her back from his naked torso, trying to control her thoughts.

Magdalen felt the water beside her shift. She peeled her eyes open watching as Fili relaxed into the warm water. His head craning against the edge of the stone, exposing his throat. Magdalen stared, like an idiot. She felt his knee brush against hers, a thrilling feeling whirled in her gut. Fili popped an eye open to looking at Magdalen, grinning to show off his teeth.

"Like something you see?" Her eyes narrowed at the prince, she knew exactly what game he was wasn't about to let him win.

Magdalen's lips tugged into a smile, her hand reached out into the clouded water wandering until she found his thigh. Fili jumped at her touch, his eyes wide as he looked at her. Magdalen pushed from her side of the spring, coming far too close to Fili. She could feel his muscles contract as she came into such proximity to him. Her hand skimmed from his thigh up over his torso taking the liberty to enjoy the hard muscle under his skin. Her hand came to rest on his shoulder. Swinging her leg over his legs, she straddled his lap. Her other hand sat on his shoulder playing with the ends of his wet hair.

"And what if I do?" She played watching his smug look melt from his face.

His body went ridge under her touch. The blue hue of his eyes disappeared, replaced by black saucers. Fili searched her face before wrapping his arms around Magdalen's middle. Her own grin melting away, her skin pulsed under his touch. It suddenly became harder and harder to keep the air in her chest, a heavyweight pulling at her heart. His hand brushing away a stray hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheeks leaving a trail of fire as he dragged them down her face to her throat. She wasn't so certain they were playing a game anymore. Her eyes faltered shut, leaning her head into his open palm. His breath hitched as her lips pressed into his palm. She looked at him through black lashes. It took everything in him not to crush his face into hers. He felt her heart beating wildly against his chest.

" ûh othok var Mer da Kavir eron me" He muttered in Khuduzl in one breath pushing his forehead against hers, squeezing his arms around her middle. Her arms bracing his shoulders, her eyes widen looking at how close he was to her. The fire burning her in her body prayed that they were no longer playing a game.

"That's not fair, I don't know what you're saying." She wished she hadn't sounded so pathetic.

Fili opened his eyes meeting the close gaze of Magdalen, she was so close he could count her lashes.

"You will be the death of me." The husk in his voice was almost too much for her. He felt her shudder in his arms. He found that he liked that weight of her in his arms. Without hesitation he pulled her against his chest, his lips hovering over the skin of her shoulder. Not moving to touch her without her permission. Magdalen pressed her head into the side of Fili's neck, nudging him onto her skin.

Fili breathed in her skin, the smell of warm water and her bathing oils playing on her person. He sighed before pressing his lips into the smooth skin of her shoulder. Magdalen moaned, her fingertips digging into him. His lips discovered every inch of her neck, climbing their way to the hallows of her cheeks to her lids. Steel met ice as their eyes found one another, the heat of their breath mixing with one another. His fingers rubbing into her side, tracing patterned into them. Her palm feeling his rapid heartbeat. Her eyes dipped to his lips, sliding her hand from his neck to the braids of his mustache. Her fingers wrapped around his braid, he smiled leaning into her touch. He kissed her inner part of her wrist, taking delight in her shocked expression. He grinned into her skin as he pulled away. His hand covering hers, placing them on his chest. He began closing the space between them.

It had been like any other kiss they had shared before. This one was fueled by unspoken passion and desire.

God, I like him. She thought looking into his warm eyes.

Every moment they had spent together flashed before her eyes. The warmth she felt when she was with him, the laughter they shared. The whispers of promises they spoke underneath the night sky. She found herself thinking she never wanted to let him go.

She smiled like an idiot.

No, I think I love him.

Magdalen's face dropped staring at Fili. She loved him with all of her heart. She had never been in love before, but she was sure this was how it felt. Her eyes wandered from his form to the small journal that sat by her clothes.

"Magdalen?" Fili called her back gently brushing air out of her face.

You shouldn't keep secrets from the ones you love. A voice inside of her whispered.

"Fili I have something I want to show you." She confessed

Fili smiled butting his forehead against hers. "Anything, Dushin-Mizim."

Her stomach turned to jelly as she reached forward to press a kiss into his lips barely brushed when something moved behind them. Magdalen slid off Fili's lap as he stood in the shallows of the pool, causing her falling unceremoniously into the water. Magdalen quickly found her footing going to hide behind Fili's hulking figure.

"There you are!" The voice of Kili echoed his voice quieting seeing his brother.

"I have been looking everywhere for you!" Kili slowed as he took in the scene before him.

From the guilty look on his face to the feminine folded clothes on the rock behind him, Kili was sure he walked in on something he wasn't supposed to. At first, he was going to tease his brother about catching him trying to seduce a then he caught sight of a familiar knife at the edge of the pool.

"Fili?" He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at his brother. "Do you know where Maggie is?"

Magdalen gripped Fili's back before taking a sheepish step from out behind him. Kili blinked staring at the wet pair. Both looked extremely embarrassed not looking at him as he stood above them. Fili rubbed his neck, and Magdalen messed with her necklace. "Uncle needs to see you right away it's urgent."

Kili watched as his brother, red-faced, scrambled from the hot spring gathering his clothes. Kili eyed him as Fili stopped at the entrance glancing back at Magdalen. Clearing his throat Kili broke his brother's gaze with an eyebrow raised. Fili blushed nodding to his brother before addressing Magdalen.

"I'm glad I found you," He paused letting the true meaning of his words set in. "My baby brother was starting to worry about you." Winking Fili disappeared into the dark tunnel.

Kili stared blankly after his brother while Magdalen quickly emerged from the water. Yelling at Kili not to turn around as she slipped her tunic over her wet clothes. When it was safe to look again, Kili was smirking in Magdalen's direction. He folded his arms over one another looking far too smug for her liking.

"What are you looking at." She snapped picking up her knife sliding it back into its holster.

He shrugged, leaning against the wall. "Oh nothing, just wondering what my dearest friend is doing alone in a hot spring with my brother." He said casually looking out of the corner of his eye to watch her reaction.

Her expression remained cool as she approached Kili. Nonchalantly Magdalen flipped her knife in her hand, flipping it one last time before pointing it at Kili's neck.

"Nothing, and I don't want to hear any more about it." She threatened though he didn't seem too worried about it.

Carefully pointing the knife away from him, Kili pushed himself off the wall heading to the entrance.

"I would never say a word," He paused, looking over his shoulder before he left. "Dushin-Mizim."

Magdalen flushed, running a hand over her face.

"Oh no."

After trying to wash off the embarrassment, Magdalen paced in her apartment staring at the journal. You shouldn't keep secrets from the ones you love. The voice whispered again. Snatching the journal up Magdalen groaned. She loved Fili, and she couldn't let her grandfather's legacy be that he was a traitor. She had decided what she was going to do and she was set out on her course.

Clinging to her journal she made her way to the council doors. Magdalen had planned on grabbing Fili as soon as he walked through the door. Tapping on the hard surface of her journal Magdalen could feel her anxiety pulsing through her veins. She froze at the end of the hallway seeing the guards that stood at the door of the council room. Magdalen had many liberties in Erebor, but she couldn't every well waltz up to the council proclaiming she was there to kidnap the prince. So she stood at the corner, rehearsing what she would say to Fili once he got out.

"Hello, Ms. Magdalen what a pleasure to see you here."

Her blood ran cold.

Magdalen turned to face Lord Amrus, she felt the bile in her stomach churn. Quickly she tucked the journal into her a deep breath she turned to face the older dwarf. Forcing a smile, she gave him a courtesy bow.

"Lord Amrus," she muttered.

He let out a soft chuckle reaching forward to take her hand. Out of instinct Magdalen flinched snatching her hand away, taking a small step back. Though in turn she brought the journal into view. Amrus froze staring at the book wide eye. For a moment Magdalen thought about running away, but that didn't seem like much of an option.

"What is that?" His voice was distant as if he were remembering a long forgotten memory.

His sharp eyes snapped to her face, he took a step forward. Magdalen's eyes flashed to the corner if she just made it into the sight of the guards Amrus couldn't hurt her. She took a step toward the light of the connected hall, but a thick arm shot out stopping her place.

"Tell me little traitor, what is that." He hissed through gritted teeth.

Magdalen rolled back her shoulder's meeting the dangerous gaze of the dwarf. She spat in his face. Amrus growled surging forward, pinning Magdalen against the wall behind her.

"It will prove what you are, what you did to my grandfather." She breathed feeling the crushing pressure of his hand around her throat.

Amrus narrowed his eyes, applying more pressure to her throat. Magdalen quietly squealed clawing at his stone-like hand. Amrus pushed his wide nose into her hair taking a deep breath before whispering.

"Just like your grandfather, nothing but trouble." He reared his face back.

His eyes racketing over her face, he brought his other hand to caress her cheek.

"Such beauty, yet such stupidity." With all of his force, he knocked her against the wall and dropped her to the ground.

Amrus chuckled picking up the book. Flipping through the pages, tearing the paper as he went. Tossing them carelessly into the water below. Magdalen cried trying to reach over the rail, hoping to catch her grandfather's memories. One of the last pieces she had left of him.

"The words of a mad woman will mean nothing to a king."

Magdalen sat up on her knees nursing the bruising starting to form in her neck.

"Stop!" She managed through her harsh breathing.

Amrus bent down caving her hand in his. "You are the granddaughter of a traitor, the daughter of man. One day the princes will be married, and the Durin's will forget all about you. You're nothing but an unwanted nuisance." The sole of his boot twisted the pile of soggy papers.

Pale as snow Magdalen stared at the ground. Amrus reached down cupping her chin, forcing her to look at him in the eyes.

"You nothing and you will always be nothing. Like your welp of a grandfather, I can destroy you with a snap of my fingers. Don't get in my way." He patted her cheek before walking away.

Magdalen sat there for a moment, tears streaming down her face. She heard the crack of doors opening and voices carrying down the hallway. Gathering the papers in her arms, she got up and retreated.

"Magdalen?" she heard Dwalin call behind her. But it was too late, Magdalen had already been turning the corner. She didn't want anyone to see her in such a state.

Later that night she watched the papers burn in her fire pit. As sleep called her name, Magdalen settled into the couch unwilling to move away from the fire. Her lids became heavy and the void of sleep consumed her. There in the darkness, she heard a voice calling to her. Telling her one last thing before her subconscious slipped away

Much is to come.

Side note: I like to write with music on so I made a UtM playlist. And I have to say 'Hesitate" by the Jonas Brothers is definitely Magdalen and Fili's song. It's a great look into their relationship and feelings toward one another.