I don't own any right on the characters or universe in that story, except for Moonstone, and I don't earn any money from that hobby.

Special thanks for the review! I was surprised and pleased to read it. I also think that the more I will write, the less confused it will be. At least, that is the plan (I have some chapters ahead in my mind...). Maybe a part of the confusion comes from the fact that I find my inspiration from the movies, but also from many Tolkien"s books. I was going to keep the next chapters for me, but since it looks like someone enjoys to read it, I am happy to share.

Chapter 4. Meanwhileback in Bree

As the sunlight is fading slowly from the May sky, Gwenael arrives at the Prancing Poney. Welcomed by Master Butterbur, she soon arrives to Fili's room. She can see him sit on a red velvety armchair, looking at the fire dancing in the grate. He does not seem to have notice that she is there yet. So she knocks on the door frame before she enters.

- I am here with your painkiller herbal tea, Fili. How are you?

- Oh, evening, Lady Mirthle. Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts... Well, I must admit I cannot wait for your medecine and a good night sleep. I am exhausted.

- Sorry to make you wait... Did you push yourself?

- Not at all! You sure worry a lot for your patient...

She only smiles warmly at his comment. Fili hesitates a few moments, until he says to her:

- I wish it did not happen like this... You know, this afternoon, with Kili...

Gwenael flushes when she hears his name, which confirms Fili hypothesis. Well, since he loves his brother, and that he does not understand his own feelings about that beautiful hobbit already, he decides to make all he can to help what looks like a newborn idyll only waiting to bloom.

- Well... It was a big misunderstanding. And he already apologized nicely... No hard feelings, do not worry about that!, says Gwenael, her cheeks still pink.

- I am glad to hear that, says Fili with a warm smile.

Gwenael then looks carefully at his bandage, satisfied that the bleeding has finally stopped for good. The healing process seems to operate as expected. As she prepares his medecine, Fili decides to call his brother... just to see how it works...

- Kili! It will be your turn soon!

They hear Kili walk in his room just next door. His steps then lead to the corridor, and then to Fili's room. Absorbed by the reading of a map he has in his hands, Kili does not notice that Gwenael is here.

- My turn for what Fee?, says he, still distracted by his reading. By the way, I can't wait to show that map to Bilbo.

And he enters his brother room, his eyes still on his map.

- Did you just say Bilbo? Do you mean Bilbo Baggins by any chance? Says a smiling Gwenael, seemingly very happy to hear about Bilbo.

A strange mix of feelings pass suddenly on Kili's face. At first his big eyes show surprise as he realizes Gwenael is there... then she can see the beginning of a smile that is almost erased instantly by... well... she is good at body language. She would bet on disapointment. She wonders why he would be happy so soon, and then so disapointed all of a sudden? But Fili speaks before she can even form a question.

- Yes, Lady Gwenael, Kili is talking about Bilbo Baggins. Do you know him?

- Yes I know him. And very well. I love him so much. He has done so much for me...

She stops right there, seeing that disapointment is now transforming in what seems to be... despair on Kili's face.

- What is it Kili?, she asks, her voice full of worry.

Kili seems lost in his tought, but finally answers her, his voice a little faded. She can see he is trying to act casually.

- Nothing... really. Sorry my Lady. In all hobbits that can be encountered in Bree and in the Shire, it is very surprising that you are so closed from Bilbo...

- What do you mean? Bilbo never told you about me?

Fili is now as surprised as Kili to hear her. They both answer no, shaking their heads slowly, waiting for her explaination.

- Well, it was... about twenty years ago... He adopted me with Lily.

Kili is slowly processing the information in his confused mind... and Gwenael can easily read that he is now relieved.

- Well, it is normal that we don't know about his adoptive daughter... Since we met him twenty-five years ago. We did not saw him since. We only had news of him by our friends Balin and Dwalin. I wonder why he skiped that part?

- It makes twenty five years since you did not see each other? That is so sad... I did not imagine that you could be his dwarves friends from Erebor...

- Well... we are, says a smiling Fili. I am pleased to learn that Bilbo has a daughter... which reminds me that I should have one... Sorry to think out loud, my lady. I bet I am tired.

- Of course. Here, Fee... can I call you Fee... Since we are related?

Typically hobbit... as soon they know they are related to someone, they seem to need to bound, whatever the link is : cousin, great-grand-aunt, brother-in-law or friends of family.

- I would be pleased if you do.

- Here is your tea. Drink it slowly, and then you should have a good night sleep, says an even more caretaker Gwenael, if it is possible.

- Thank you very much... Gwen. Kee? I would sleep better if I knew that you will take our new friend home...

Kili looks at his brother, surprised by his request. Well, he as to admit that he is too happy to please him.

- Of course Fee, it will be a pleasure to take Lady Gwenael home.

Gwenael whispers a shy thanks , flushing another time. Which awakes Kili's curiosity all of a sudden.

- Now, Lady and gentleman, please let me have my good night sleep. See you tomorrow, both of you, says a yawning Fili.

As they walk towards Gwenael's house, it looks like she has the capacity to blush forever, which makes Kili a little uncomfortable, knowing he is somehow responsible but ignoring what he could do to help her to feel better... The silence is thick, both of them not knowing how to start a conversation. They would have tons of subjects to talk about, but it is like their mind is freezed. Until Kili takes his courage to face what could make her upset about him, now that he admits it...

- Lady Gwenael?

- You can call me Gwenael, or even Gwen, if you wish, Kili... she says, her pink face turning dangerously to red.

Gwenael only wishes that he will notice more her golden hair then her tomato skin tone.

- Well, Gwenael, I am asking myself if my presence is making you feeling uncomfortable? I mean, are you still afraid of me? I would understand, after my reaction earlier... his voice fades as he ends his sentence, still feeling bad about what happened.

Gwenael stops to walk, and look at him. She feels like if she is melting inside right now... Nobody ever had this kind of effect on her. It is quite terrifying, as well as intriguing. Knowing that she will regret it for the rest of her life if she lets him go without telling him how she feels, for she knows that they are waiting for their friend to leave... probably forever. But she is also afraid of his reaction... what if it is only one side? Well, maybe she needs right now what Gandalf calls the courage of the hobbits...

- I... I am not afraid of you Kili. I understand what happened. And my healer side is very curious about it. I bet you did not tell me everything, but I know it is probably not intentional. Anyway... I do not know how to say this, Kili...

He now guesses what she is trying to say. He remembers he saw this kind of look, what seems ages ago to him now. Something he so thought that would never come back in his life... Something he took time to recognize. But now that she is facing him, he can see it in her emerald eyes. So he decides to help her to say what she has to say, by slowly, delicately, taking her hand in his. She sighs lowly, her hand sliding in his, a smile slowly forming on her adorable face, the meaning of his gesture slowly sinking in her unbelieving heart. The encouraging smile he gives her makes everything around disapear, but an unpleasant voice breaks the spell.

- Gwenael Myrthle! Why are you out there, in the falling night, with... a stranger?

The nasal twang came from a man. He would not have been that ugly if it was not of his wicked expression, exagerated by his poor hygiene.

- I did not know I have to report to you, Mister Ferny.

Gwenael answers politely, but still with a warning in her tone. Kili immediately places himself before Gwenael, in a protective attitude. He does not like the baleful look than man is giving her.

- Who do you think you are, dwarf, to put yourself between Gwenel and me?

- I am his friend. Do you have a problem with that? Because I have a problem with the fact that you are rude. And I don't like the way you look at her.

The man seems to hesitate before Kili's reaction. But he does not want to let his prey flee another time.

- Well, since she healed me, we know each other. And I think she should not walk with strangers at night. It is not very careful.

- There is only a professionnal relationship between you and me, Mister Ferny. I already told you many times.

- I bet you are too shy to accept my wedding proposition, Gwenael. Always scamping off like a rabbit.

- I am not too shy, you fool! You do not even listen when I say I am not interested and that I will never be!

- Nobody will want of you, with your strange past. I know you were raised by the witch of the woods before you were adopted. I was only offering you a chance to have a family life. Your kin will never be interested in you. Are you sure to let this chance flee?

- I would rather live alone all my life than to be with a... wicked man like you! And do not dare to call her a witch again! You do not know, you ignorant! Now, enough, let me alone!

Gwenael is now crying, both from fear and anger. This man obviously makes her feel sick. But the man is quite determinate to ignore her. He steps towards her, ignoring Kili. But the dwarf now hides Gwenael and face the man, that is just a couple of inches taller than him.

- Now you will leave her alone. She told you many times, now just cooperate and leave.

- Who do you think you are to give me orders you nasty dwarf?

- Enough, scumbag! Leave her alone! says loudly a now very pissed Kili.

The man steps back slowly, mumbling in his beard. Gwenael steps from behind Kili, to the suprise of the dwarf. But she is too swift for him.

- I heard you! Yes, I have seen the last of you. If you are hurt or sick, I do not even want yourself near of me or my mother! I will lodge a complaint to the autorities, so you will be under watch, which should be very unpleasant, since you are involved in many shady businesses. Now you will know what it is to be followed and watched in your every movement.

The man's eyes opened wide as he hears her. But his nasty side makes him desire to win over her. So he tries another time to have her for him, forgetting the dwarf nearby, in his obsessive and sick mind. He suddenly grabs Gwenael wrist, putting his hand on her mouth in the same time. His feeling of victory is very short, for he receives Kili's knuckles right on his left cheek.

But Kili does not inted to stop there. In his mind, there is no more a wicked man in front of him, but a far more dangerous enemy. His memories are coming back as cruel than sudden. So, with a swift move, he easily makes the man fall down, and he draws his sword, ready to kill him. Only her voice can make him stop. As soon as he hears her screaming, he stops his movement, his blade only an inch distant of the throath's man.

- Kili! No! Stop it!, screams Gwenael in fear and distress.

In the blink of an eye, the dwarf stands up, putting back his sword swiftly. The man stands up hardly, and spits in the direction of Gwenael, before he takes his leave as quickly as he can.

Seeing that Gwenael is trembling with fear, Kili softly takes her in his arms, embracing her like if she was the most precious thing on Arda. Because it is what she is for him now. But some things of his past seem to be taken care of, and he does not know how to do it for now. Gwenael's body slowly relax in his embrace, her head resting on his comfortable and strong chest. Well, she can see that it is not one sided, even if they did not really talk about it already...

- Kee?

He looks at her, a smile slowly appearing on his worried face. As she sees he is listening, she says :

- I should go home now. You will have to go back to the Prancing Pony to take your medecine.

- No I will not, my Lady. You will let me sleep on your couch, just before your room. I do not want you to be exposed to any danger. This scumbag surely knows where you live, and he may try to harm you after what happened.

Gwenael hesitates. It is a big step. But she would surely feel safer if he was at home.

- I have another idea, then.

- Do not count on me to be dismissed. It seems like you have been pursued by this man for a long time now. He may not want to let it go easily.

- I was actually thinking about something else. What would you say if I asked you to rest besides me... in my bed?

They both look in each other eyes, intensely.

- It would be an honor. I am truly touched that you put your trust in me, my lady. Now, please lead me to your home, dearest maiden.

- Yes, my prince.

This words sound strange in her mouth, even if it is true. He so does not think of himself as a prince. Especially when they are on the road. He is just Kili, on the road. Which reminds him that he will have to leave. But he cannot imagine his life without her now. But he promised Thorin to help him. Seeing his worries on his face, Gwenael hushes him.

- Do not worry for tonight, Kee. Night brings counsel. You need rest, and medecine. But I would like to report that horrible man just before...

- Of course.

They diligently go to the guards, who take their request in charge, reassuring them that this man will be taken care of as soon as tomorrow. It looks like Gwenael is not the first person to lodge a complaint against him. She now knows that Lily will be safe, for a plan is forming slowly into her mind. A departure plan...

They arrive a few minutes later to her house. They have to pass by a wounderful garden, luxuriant and fragrant, even in May. She must have a talent with plants and flowers. Her home is beautiful in its simplicity, but equally in its way to be the epitome of the perfect balance between being practical and comfortable. A typical hobbit house, for all he can see, very inspired from the Shire, with round windows, doors and fireplace. There are fresh cut flowers in few vases, and Gwenael seems to love inner gardening as well as taking care of her outdoor garden, for there is all kind of plants in various sizes and forms of pots, on tables, set of shelves and under the windows. Her kitchen is full of herbs that are drying, hung by the stems. It smells a mix of flowers and cinnamon. There is a short bow and a quiver with several arrows in it, near the door, as well as a short sword, that could even be called a dagger.

- By Mahal! says an impressed Kili. You are an archer?

- I am even a huntress... Why are you so surprised?

- Well, I don't know… Maybe because I can hardly imagine hobbits leaving their comfort to hunt… especially the young ladies…

- But you know Bilbo… He is a kind of adventurer…

- Yes… But we both know he is exceptional among your kin. And… he maybe got some talents with Sting. And he is really an expert at throwing rocks. But I definitely know that Bilbo is not a hunter. He more like invites them to share their meat...

They both chuckle at that thought. Kili continues.

- Well, I guess we have archer skills in common.

- So you are an archer too? That is nice... Kili, I have so much to talk about... but it is getting late and I think we both need to rest. But I still have to ask you some things before we sleep, can I?

- Yes, of course, dearest maiden.

Gwenael takes a few moments to gather her ideas, before she decides which are priorities for now. She finally takes her courage to tell him how she feels, for she is honest, and if there is to have a relationship between them, she needs it to be cristal clear.

- Well, earlier, I have to admit, I was almost sure you were going to kill that man. And I found it scary. But I know that you would never harm me. I think you were startled earlier because I was an unknown presence, and that you were asleep. I even think that you were having a nightmare back then. I think what is in those nightmares is the key... But I do not want to rush your healing. Because we are talking about healing here, even if it is a healing of the mind... an probably of the heart to.

Kili hears what she is telling to him. And in his rational dwarven mind, it totally makes sense. But a part of him, that was hidden for what seems a very long time to him, is reacting to what she is saying, trying to hide even more far. For it makes him suffer now that there is no more foe to direct his anger and sorrow.

- I... I am sorry to have frighten you. I feel really protective around you. Maybe it is guilt, for what happened earlier today. But what you say makes some sense for me. But I do not know how to face it right now. I am sorry to ask it, but could you help me? I think is is deeper than nightmares about goblins.

- Of course! It would be an honor and a pleasure, Kili. As I was trying to say before we were so rudely interrupted... I have very strong feelings for you. I never have these before, for anyone. And I want to explore what seems to sprout between us.

- I want it too, Gwenael. I feel the same.

He wants to tell her that he already felt that way. Only once before. And that her emerald eyes reminds him of his lost love. A lost love that had not even the chance to grow. A lost love that was killed even before it reclaimed the right to live. Killed because of him...

She can see that something troubles him very deeply, but she does not want to push him to open, for she knows that it could make him put an even thicker armour around it. It is almost a luck that he talks about it that much with her already... He must truly trust her, and she is now sure that it is more than her healing talent that makes him confident.

- Do not worry for tonight. You will find a way, in time. And I will help you as much as I can. But to do so, I will have to enter your fellowship, I guess. What you have to do seems important. You were so absorbed by your map earlier... And I always knew I would leave, one day or another. And I feel this is the time now. I will do like Bilbo. I will go on an adventure!

Kili is so surprised, his mind hardly absorbs the information. It finally sinks in him, and an incredible joy fills him, a joy he cannot keep for himself. So he takes her in his arms, and embrace her strongly but still carefully, laughing at the idea of her in their fellowship. But his joy diminishes a few, for he finally thinks of his uncle.

- Well, maybe we will have to convince Thorin...

- Thorin Oakenshield?

- Yes. But he is now Thorin II, King of Erebor. The last time it took a magician to convince him to bring a hobbit with us. But since that hobbit became his friend, and that he saved us many times, maybe it will not be that hard, this time?

- Well, says she with a mischievous smile, I think I have some cards to play if we need to convince him...

But Gwenael suddenly thinks about a detail. A so big detail she did not see it until now, like the tree that hides the forrest.

- Kili? What would Thorin think about... us? Could he forbid you...?

- I guess he could. But there is so few ladies among us nowadays... I think he would allow me, especially since that I am not the heir for the throne of Erebor.

- So maybe our... begginning relationship should stay low profile for a while?

- Maybe. But I do not feel to hide him anything either. We should just let the things flow naturally, and see where it lead us... I think we should take it slowly, for, like you said, I have some things to resolve.

- I guess you are right. And I feel better not to have to hide anything. I guess I will prepare your medecine.

- Are you sure I will be enough aware of danger if I take it?

- Yes. I will give you something very soft, just to diminish the nightmares, to begin with. We will see how it goes, and I will adjust things if I need to.

As he drinks the tea she made, they prepare for sleep. Kili looks around and see where the doors and windows are, installing some quick noisy traps, just in case any intruder comes in during the night. As he came back in Gwenael's room, he can see she is already under the blanket, blushing while he enters and walks towards her bed.

- Are you sure you want me to stay beside you? I would not mind to sleep on the couch. It is better than to sleep on the ground, outside, which I am used to.

- No. I want you to sleep near me, it would make me feel safer. It is just weird. So fast.

Her worries makes him think of something... that he needs to know right now.

- Are you sure you are not too young? Maybe it is why you are so nervous about it?

- Too young? How old do you think I am?

- Well, I really do not know... and I do not know when hobbits are getting... mature either.

She calms down. He is just concerned about not passing any limit he should not. Which comforts her in a way. She is so used to be seen like a little girl by her mother and Bilbo, it sometimes annoys her so much... But it is not the same for him.

- Hobbits are officially adults at their thirty one birthday. I am now thirty four. I am still young, but an adult nonetheless. And... how old are you? I know dwarves have a far longer life than halflings, but you do not seem that old to me?

As Kili swallow the last sip of his tea, which smell like a mixture of lavender... and something else he does not recognize... He thinks about his actual age. Something he did not do for long. Being the younger brother and the youngest of the company makes him feel like he never really olds. But now that she asks, and knowing he wants to settle with her makes him realize how fast the time passed since the rebuilding of Erebor...

- I will be one hundred and two years old in a couple of weeks. I am born during the spring.

- A century on Arda? You still do not look that old, says she with a shy smile.

He smiles back and points at the place next to her on the bed.

- May I?

- Please make yourself comfortable.

As he lays on his back besides her, her hand is waiting for his. He accepts the invitation, holding her hand warmly. They whisper each other good night. They cannot find their sleep quickly, for they have to get attuned to each other. The silence is nonetheless comfortable, filled with their mutual anticipation of what adventures are awaiting for them on the road, until they finally fall asleep.