I have taken a few liberties with the outcome of the Battle of the Five Armies in order to explain how Thorin, Fili, and Kili survived. I still can't watch the ending of that movie, no matter how much I love the series. So, I'm spoiling it for those who wish to keep to the original ending. No offense, but in my story, they lived.Reviews are most welcome. I love reading them.

Chapter 12: Gathering Intelligence

Kili felt the impact moving through his arm each time his sword blocked another hit from his brother's advances. He knew that he would feel that later and winced at the thought. Fili usually took it easy when they were sparring, but Kili insisted that his brother use his full strength. If the princes were to face another battle like the one they encountered to defend Erebor after taking the mountain back from the dragon, they would need to be ready.

Both the brothers worked very hard to recover from their injuries after that day. Some of their friends did not think they would even survive. Thankfully, it was Gandalf and the elves who saved them from a terrible fate. Kili was particularly blessed for Tauriel tended to his wounds and never left his side until he awoke in a healer's bed in Dale. Erebor was not yet equipped to receive the wounded, and Dale, at least, had beds and medicinal herbs that was not tainted by the sulfuric breath of the dragon for over sixty years.

Fili suffered from a stab wound in his back from Azog's sword and broken legs from a fall from the tower at Raven Hill. The snow and frozen ground had numbed the pain and slowed the bleeding until a recovery group consisting of a few dwarves from his company and two elves from Thranduil's army had found him. He was barely alive when they carried him from the mountain and brought him to the healer's house in Dale. Like his brother, Fili was barely hanging on to life. It was a miracle from the gods that he survived. Over the next few years, his physical health improved, but the nightmares and mental anguish still plagued him.

Sometimes when he sparred with anyone in the training room, he had to keep in mind that he was not fighting Azog. While he was fighting a pretend battle with his opponent, he was fighting a real inner battle in himself. He had to be careful and not go for the kill with every thrust, but this fight was different. He was distracted with thoughts of Nyssa after their tour of the mountain the night before.

There was something about the mysterious ranger that he could not quite understand. She was charming, playful, loved to laugh. She was somewhat different from Sigrid, King Bard's oldest daughter. Sigrid was shy and quiet. But, when she became comfortable in his presence, she was sassy and funny. Both women were very pretty (for a human) and strong-willed. Yet, Nyssa had a strength and wit that had helped her live alone in the wild; whereas, Sigrid would never survive if she were to find herself wandering the lands by herself. Her vulnerability made her very attractive to Fili. He felt an unconscious need to protect her and take care of her.

His attraction to Nyssa was something altogether different. Her strong character was naturally appealing to most dwarves. It was highly unusual to meet a human woman with a forceful personality, yet it was quite common in dwarrowdams. To find a woman matched in both physical strength and stubborn mannerisms is worth more than any jewel in Erebor, except the Arkenstone.

This situation also created quite a problem for Fili. Both he and Kili escorted Nyssa back to her chambers after their tour. They bid each other goodnight, and Fili found himself lingering at her door, watching her, studying her facial features at bit longer than what was needed. The corners of her mouth curved into a soft smile as she said goodnight and stared in his eyes for a brief moment before quietly closing the door. To Kili, the gesture seemed awkward, to say the least. After Nyssa closed the door, he watched his brother continue to stare at the door. He punched his brother in the shoulder to bring him out of the strange spell the ranger had cast over him, and the brothers left the corridor for their own quarters.

Fili spent the remaining night thinking about the ranger instead of sleeping. He imagined marching into her room, ripping away the blankets, and showing her what true dwarf passion really was. But, then Sigrid's face entered into his thoughts. It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped all over him. He sat up from his bed in a cold sweat, shivering, yet he was not chilled. He imagined Sigrid's painful stare, the tears streaming from her eyes and down her cheeks. It was like his heart stopped beating at the mere thought of hurting her. He suddenly reached for the old wound from Azog's sword. For some reason, it felt like his insides were on fire.

Fili rose from the bed still clutching at his side and stumbled to the carafe of wine on the table at the far side of the room. He poured himself a drink and gulped it down in one shot. The wine had a tendency to make him feel better when he found himself in these panic moods. He slowly unclutched his side and began to breathe steady again. He poured another drink and sipped it more slowly than the first and felt his body start to relax. It was like that nearly every night but for different reasons. And yet, every night ended with him getting little to no sleep because of it.

As Fili continued to practice his sword play with Kili, his thoughts from last night crept into his mind again. He forgot what he was doing, and the fighting became more real. The sparring became a little too much for Kili, and he yielded. But, Fili did not stop. Kili continued to block his brother's thrusts and yelled his surrender louder. After the third yield, Fili was pulled from his thoughts and stopped. He blinked for a moment and realized that the person before him was not Nyssa, Sigrid, or Azog, but Kili. The expression on his face was not one of pleasure.

"Sorry, brother. I was distracted," Fili said apologetically.

"Right you are. You nearly killed me. When I said that I wished for you not to hold back, I didn't mean for you to finish me off. What has happened to you lately? Don't think that I haven't noticed," said Kili with concern.

"It's nothing of consequence. I found myself thinking about Analyn. It will not happen again."

"One would imagine that thoughts of a woman would put a warrior at a disadvantage on the battlefield. You seemed to be a force to be reckoned with. Is she that terrible that thoughts of her can turn you into a raging animal? Or, are you imagining what she may be hiding under that shirt and leather britches?" Kili teased.

"Very funny," Fili smirked. "I was thinking nothing of a sort."

"So, what is it? What's bothering you?" Kili's expression went from humor to serious concern as he questioned his brother.

"I'm torn, brother, and I do not know what to do about it."

"Does this have anything to do with Sigrid?"

"How will I tell Uncle that his nephew, the next Durin in line for the throne of Erebor, is in love with a daughter of man?"

"That would be easy compared to my confession," chuckled Kili. "How do you think his reaction will be if I told him about Tauriel, a woodland elf from Lord Thranduil's precious Mirkwood."

Fili began to laugh along side of Kili. The two of them were quite a pair.

"Yes, that is quite the dilemma you have. Much worse than mine," said Fili.

"What does that have to do with Analyn? You never explained," asked Kili returning to a more serious topic.

Fili waited a moment before he answered, then shook his head. How was he going to explain to his brother that the ranger's behavior last night was working on him? She seemed a little too flirtatious and open with her attentions toward him, which sparked a sort of carnal thoughts that he knew felt uncivil. It made him want to know the ranger more intimately than he did, and that thought alone was concerning him. She was an enigma, and he wanted to know the answer.

"I can't understand it myself. She seems like a very nice person, yet I feel like we cannot trust her. It is like she is hiding something from us." That was as good an answer as any, for the moment.

Kili nodded his head slightly as if in agreement. He, too, was having that uneasy feeling about her. He could not understand why. She seemed like a very trustworthy person, very polite and fun. She loved to laugh at their stories, so why all of the questions? Perhaps it was their dwarven nature driving them to be too cautious because she was a stranger given a temporary sanctuary in their kingdom (by the grace of their Uncle Thorin).

"You are not alone. I've felt it too, brother. What do you think we should do about it?"

"Well, I know that Dwalin barely lets her leave his sight. He trusts her even less than we do. We should inquire more about her and try to find the answers ourselves. Come, let's grab some breakfast. Maybe we will find her in the dining hall."

"Unless Dwalin hasn't killed her with more reconstruction work or sword training."

Fili chuckled and lightly slapped his brother's shoulder. The two princes sheathed their swords in their scabbards attached to their belts and exited the training hall.

While the mountain residents began stirring in the morning hours, Nyssa stayed in her room. She unwrapped a cloth parcel containing a little cheese and bread that she took from the meal she had from last night.

After the princes left her in her chambers, Nyssa spent the remaining night making sketches of the mountain interior from what she learned after her tour. The princes were careful to avoid taking her to the treasure room because it was forbidden for outsiders. Only the king's advisors and accountants were allowed inside the treasure room. Nyssa could only assume that the Arkenstone was kept in a special vault away from curious eyes. She only knew how large the treasure room was from the stories that her family used to tell years ago. And, if those stories were to be believed then finding the Arkenstone was going to be a problem.

Nyssa studied her notes throughout the night and into the very early morning. She fell asleep, resting with her head cradled in her arms while she was seated at a table across from her bed. The notes were spread across the table and underneath her. When she woke a couple of hours later, she had a cramp in her neck and back from the awkward position she found herself. She rubbed her eyes and neck and noticed that the sun was about to rise through the window and flood her room with light.

She felt exhaustion hit her and knew that she would have to get some rest before she faced Dwalin for yet another back breaking day. Nyssa gathered her notes and sketches and hid them in a small hole behind a stone next to the fireplace. It took her nearly a week to hollow out that small area to keep anything pertaining to the job out of sight of any suspicious people. Luckily, the stone was high enough that none of the maids noticed it when they lit the evening fires.

She knew how to be careful. So, why was she so careless as to fall asleep with her notes exposed for anyone to see should they enter her room unannounced? She blamed the rigorous work load from the dwarves that caused her to slip. She berated herself for being so stupid as making such a simple mistake like that. The dwarves of Erebor had the harshest of penalties when it came to crimes committed in their kingdom. She did not want to find out first hand at what they would have in store for her for merely thinking about stealing from them.

Nyssa was too tired to think any more. She turned toward her bed and without even changing out of her clothing, she fell hard and fast onto the comfortable furs and blankets and fell asleep.

It was mid-day when she woke from her dreamless slumber and realized that she had missed breakfast and was late to meet Dwalin in the training room for another sword lesson. A knock on her door brought her out of her unconscious state and suddenly realized that she had nearly slept the day away.

King Thranduil would not have to imprison me. Those damn dwarves will kill me before I even get started.

A second knock on the door caused Nyssa to jump from her bed and stumble toward the door. The sun was streaming through the window and filled the room with light, yet Nyssa had a hard time focusing. Her mind was still muddled from the much needed sleep.

"Yes….. Just a moment…… I'm coming," she yelled through the thick wooden door.

Nyssa opened it and saw a curious dwarf with red hair and a short beard standing before her. He was very short with a bowl-looking hair style and wore what looked like clothing too big for his small frame. He carried a parchment book under his arm and had a boyish grin when she opened the door.

"Lady Analyn. I am Ori at your service," said the little dwarf as he bowed in greeting toward her.

Nyssa returned the smile and gave a slight bow. Ori studied her for a moment before he spoke. He could tell by her wrinkled clothing and appearance that she had just woke up. It was a curious sight given the time of the day. Perhaps, she had taken ill.

"You missed the breakfast call and the training lesson. Mister Dwalin was about to call a guard to check on you, but I volunteered. Are you ill, my lady?" he asked sounding genuinely concerned.

"I am fine, master dwarf. I was very tired from the previous day and overslept. It will not happen again," she reassured him.

Ori, like many in his company, was curious about the new addition to Erebor. There were many stories circulating about her that he wanted to find out if they were true. Was she a powerful sorcerous who bewitched King Thorin's mind, or a lost princess from another kingdom running from an arranged marriage? There was no shortage of crazy thoughts and rumors to explain the sudden change in their leader's behavior. It was very unlike Thorin to allow a human stranger to live among the dwarves for any reason. The distrust and stubbornness of dwarves was very well known in all races of Middle-earth. It was a part of their culture. Anything less than that was considered unusual (maybe magical).

Whoever she was, she seemed harmless enough, for now. Yet, the curiosity in the community still remained.

"I am pleased to see that you are well. I have been sent with a message. You have been summoned by the king to the Great Hall. Lord Thorin wants to talk about security measures," he said.

"Yes, of course. Please wait here. I will be ready in a moment," she answered and went straight to her wardrobe for a fresh change of clothes.

Nyssa went behind a folding screen to change her clothes while Ori remained stationed just outside the open door. She wished that she had the time to take a quick bath before she had to meet Thorin, but the change of clothes would have to do. Nyssa quickly brushed her hair to look more presentable before she closed her door and followed Ori through the maze of halls.

"I don't believe I have met you before, Master Ori. What do you do here in Erebor?" Nyssa asked hoping just to have a polite conversation.

"I am the scribe, the keeper of the knowledge and history of our people. Did you know that we have a grand library in Erebor? It is the most extensive collection of our culture of any dwarvish kingdom," he said most proudly.

"I didn't know that. How exciting!" she said with a smile.

In a matter of minutes, Nyssa decided that she liked Ori. She could tell that Ori was very proud of his library and his kingdom. It was only polite to appear interested as he talked continuously about his role in the upkeep of the archives of Erebor. It was when he began telling his story of the day that the original dwarven company returned to the Lonely Mountain that sparked Nyssa's attention.

"We made quite an effort to get to the hidden door in time. 'The last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole' that's what it said," said Ori.

"Really? There is a hidden door?" she asked trying not to sound too excited by this new revelation.

"Yes. That was how Bilbo Baggins entered the treasure room and helped fight the dragon," said Ori imagining Bilbo and his fight with Smaug before Thorin and company charged in to save the day.

It was not common knowledge exactly how the dwarvish company entered Erebor when it was thought that the dragon was guarding the main entrance. That was why no one, not even the most accomplished thief, dared to enter the mountain in the sixty years that the dragon possessed it. They would be roasted before they ever crossed the threshold.

When Ori began talking about a hidden door, it was like finding an oasis for a dying soul in desperate need of water. There was a way in, but where exactly was this hidden door and how to access it? Perhaps, since Ori was so helpful in providing her a new clue to the treasure chamber, maybe he could help her find out more about it in his precious library that he spoke so highly of. There had to be something in their archives that could tell her.

"I am so very fascinated by your library. I would love for you to show me later today." She smiled.

Ori was beaming by the time he reached the Great Hall. Finally, he had made a new friend who had a love of books and knowledge as he did. He could hardly wait to tell his brothers.

The guards at the door announced Nyssa's and Ori's arrival before opening the massive wooden doors. Thorin was seated at the head of a large table with several empty chairs surrounding it. He was all alone with a few papers and maps scattered in front of him. He had obviously been reading and studying the borders of the kingdom before they entered. Thorin looked up from his parchments and acknowledged their presence.

"Thank you, Ori. Please, leave us and close the doors," he ordered. Ori gave a courteous bow and smiled at Nyssa before leaving them alone.

After the doors closed, the two occupants in the room stared at one another before Thorin gestured for Nyssa to take the nearest seat to his left. Without taking her eyes off of him, Nyssa casually walked toward the chair and sat down. She sat up straight with her arms crossed at her chest waiting for the king to make the first move. After a few seconds had passed without a word spoken, Nyssa grew impatient of his silly game of ignoring her and spoke first.

"You wished to see me, my lord?" she asked.

"Yes, Dwalin sent me word that you were not at the training room nor the dining hall this morning. Are you ill?" he asked knowing full well what the answer would be.

"I am not ill, merely tired. I must admit that I may have the lifespan of a dwarf, I do not have your stamina. Your captain is a very hard man when it comes to his expectations," she answered and smiled. Thorin smirked at her and nodded.

"Ori, the young dwarf that brought me here is a very pleasant fellow. He and I had a nice conversation about your extensive library." Thorin placed the parchment in his hands on the table and leaned back in his chair.

"Yes, he is quite fascinated with the written language of our people."

"I would love to see this library while I am here."

"I doubt you will be able to read anything in there. Nearly all of the books are written in Khuzdul."

"Is the Erebor library larger than your private one that I saw when we last spoke?" she asked.

"Far grander than most," he answered before changing the subject. "You have quite the curious mind, Analyn. First, you encourage my nephews to take you on a tour of Erebor. Then, you are interested in visiting our library even though you will not be able to read any of the books in our collection."

"Erebor is a fascination, my lord. It may also help in securing your kingdom if I knew more about where to find the weaknesses in your defenses."

Thorin continued to watch her with a stone expression. His glare made Nyssa uncomfortable but fought to keep from showing it. She could not read him and did not know if she sounded convincing enough. She had hoped that her last remark did not appear insulting.

"So, you still believe that Erebor has weaknesses in our defenses," he said calmly.

"That is why you asked me to come here, my lord. Why am I here if not for that?" she asked before taking a slow breath and letting it out.

I wonder that same thing, my dear. Why are you here?

"Alright. I have arranged a trip to scout the perimeter of the kingdom and assess it's stronghold. I want you to accompany me with a small scouting party. We leave in the morning."

She was a little shocked at this revelation and a little more pleased. This trip around the borders of the kingdom would also give her a chance to scout around the mountain and maybe even find this hidden door that Ori talked about. She could not believe her good luck. Nyssa nodded in agreement before she spoke again, trying not to sound too excited about joining the group.

"Is there anything else, my lord?" she asked.

He looked at her. His blue eyes stared into hers as if searching for an answer to some unspoken question.

"Yes, have dinner with me this evening. I have more to discuss with you, and I wish to do it in a more private setting," he answered.

This time her expressions did betray her. Her eyes widened slightly, and her lips parted. She was taken back by the statement. She was not expecting that at all, nor was she expecting him to ask her to dinner. No, he was not asking her to dinner. It was not a question. It felt more like an order than a request. Yet, he still held his gaze into her soft hazel eyes and waited for a response.

He seems mighty sure of himself. Quite arrogant, even for a dwarf.

"Yes, of course." Did she actually agree to that?

The voice that came from her mouth did not sound like her. It was as if she was briefly possessed by some entity that spoke for her. She did not utter those words.

"Good. Enjoy the rest of your day. I will send a man for you just after sunset. Do not be late," he ordered and returned to his papers on the table.

Nyssa sensed that his last statement was also an unspoken dismissal. Still in shock, Nyssa slowly rose from her chair and quietly left the room. She quickly glanced back at him before she opened the door and walked out.