Kili

She was here.

His One.

He had prayed nearly everyday, hoping that there was some way that he would see her again. The moment he saw her standing next to his Uncle, time stopped. His heart skipped a beat and the breath caught in his lungs. Surely what he was seeing was some kind of illusion. A conjuration his own mind had made up to cope with the pain. Then she smiled, an emotion so happy it took over her whole face. She called his name and then she was in his arms.

Real, she was real.

Leah was in his arms again. All of his prayers were answered at once. Mahal, she even smelled the same. It took everything in him not to choke up. He drank in all of her features like a person dying of thirst, committing them to memory so that he would never forget them. If, by some cruel twist of fate, this was all a dream he was going to remember everything.

But it wasn't a dream. Leah was really there, in his world… And apparently now an elf. Now he definitely could not say that it was not a shock. It's not every day that you're One becomes an entirely different race. But he was not going to let it spoil their reunion. Kili could tell that she was insecure about her transformation. However, he didn't view her any differently. She still took his breath away, beautiful as ever. Also, and he would never tell anyone this, he liked Leah's new ears. They suited her.

When she told him about what had nearly happened to her, he saw red. A combination of fear, rage and shame had flown through him. Leah had nearly been taken away from him and he had no idea. He should have been there. The thought of what could have happened made him feel sick. It took everything in him to try and calm himself down after that. Her being wrapped in his arms probably helped the most.

Kili knew that he needed to talk to Leah. This whole situation was mind-boggling and he had no idea about where they stood relationship-wise. He had given her a courting gift but never got to tell her that's what it was. Her world was so much different than his. She probably thought that it was simply a gift between friends. Maybe she wanted to be just friends.

But then again she did kiss him. That must mean something right? But she was also drunk at the time and now can't remember it. Oh Mahal, why couldn't this be easier?

It did not help that when his uncle found him, he gave him a very awkward conversation about the behaviour he expected between him and Leah on the quest. 'No fraternising' was the term that Thorin had coined. Under no circumstances would they wander off alone together. Kili's face had gone bright red with what Thorin had been insinuating. But it also meant there would be very little chance to talk to Leah about what was happening between them.

When he woke up the next day, he nearly had a panic. She wasn't on the chair where they had left her. For a dark second, he'd thought that he had imagined her last night. Then her melodic voice bounced from somewhere in the house and he felt himself relax again. He'd told her of his brief panic when he walked into the room. How he'd thought she was all a dream. Kili had said it jokingly but deep down he knew that it was a very real fear.

When she had asked if he normally dreamt about her he nearly spat out his drink. There may have been some truth to it. In the six months that he didn't see her, she would often appear in his dreams. One of the most memorable ones was of them dancing. He'd spin her around and her laugh would light up her face. Then he'd whisper 'Menu tassu, mi yâsith' (You mean everything to me, my wife) into her ear before bringing her closer and kissing her. That one always hurt the most when he thought he would never see her again. The idea of being able to call her his wife one day made his heart race. In other dreams a kiss would escalate into...other things. He shook his head and tried not to think about those particular ones. Mahal, he needed something stronger than water to drink.

Of course, Leah had been correct in saying that a certain hobbit would show up. Kili obviously bet with her and now sported a heftier sum than he previously did. Fili divided up their winnings and gave Leah her share. There were a few sounds of protest when they realised that Leah had bet. Gloin had cried cheating because they'd conferred with a seer. He did not let it get to him, simply flashing Gloin a large grin and conspicuously counting out his new coins.

They would be staying in the small town of Bree for that night before venturing through the wilderness in the morning. Everyone would be staying at an Inn called The Prancing Pony. Rooms were booked for groups of twos or threes. Thorin had shut him down with simply a look before he could even suggest that Leah could stay with him and Fili. It was not fair, really. It is not as if anything would happen anyway, he just wanted her to be close. So Leah was going to be staying in a room with Thorin as he was the only one who wasn't paired up with anyone.

Once everyone was settled Fili grabbed Kili and dragged him into town. As it was Leah's birthday, they needed to find her a gift of some kind, which led to them hopelessly wandering around the shops for inspiration.

"What do girls even like anyway?" Fili asked the universe.

Kili looked through various wares around the shop. Nothing grand stood out to him. "I don't even know," he sighed.

Why was this so hard? Surely they should have found something by now. He knew of things that she liked from her own world but many of them did not exist in this one.

"What about soap? Girls like being clean don't they," said Fili, as he rifled through a shelf. He brought several bars towards his face to sniff them. Most of them made his nose wrinkle, and he threw them back.

"That's not really a birthday present though is it," said Kili, defeat creeping into his voice.

"What about jewellery? I know the dwarrowdams back home go wild for that," suggested Fili "I think I saw a shop down the road that sold some."

"I've already made her a bracelet though," Kili said, picking up random pots and boxes. He inspected them briefly before putting them back.

"Yes but that was a courting gift, that's different,"

Kili's hand rubbed the back of his neck as an awkward feeling overcame him. "I, uh, I may not have actually told her that it was a courting gift," he said, refusing to look Fili in the eye.

"What?" Fili gasped "I thought you'd already told her. Does she even know how you feel about her? That she's your One?"

"No," he whispered forcefully. Kili looked around to make sure that there was no one else around to eavesdrop on his conversation. "I did not exactly get the chance to tell her. As soon as I gave her the bracelet I ended up back here."

Fili's expression softened at Kili's words "Well you have to tell her now."

"Yes, I know, I'm working on it. Thorin's not exactly making it easy. I'm not even allowed to be alone with her," he grumbled.

They left that shop behind and wandered into the one next door. It turned out to sell outdoor clothing, such as boots, gloves and cloaks. This one seemed more promising than the last. Kili dismissed the boots straight away. He had no idea which ones would fit her, with those tiny feet of hers. It's a miracle she could stand without falling over. Gloves were a 'maybe' but it was not exactly the weather for it.

He was still debating when he came across a cloak. Deep blue with floral, organic shapes embroidered into the edges, shimmering gold. The material was soft but treated with some kind of potion so that it would not soak in the rain.

This one had potential.

Kili held it out in front of him. It wasn't too large and it probably would not drag along the floor. This cloak would cover her better than the Earthen coat she currently wore. And it was pretty, like her.

"What about this?" Kili asked.

Fili put down a pair of gloves he had been trying on and turned around. His eyebrows rose slightly when he saw it. He tilted his head and looked at it appreciatively. "It's perfect."

Turned out Kili had expensive tastes. The cloak cost more than he had first guessed. Though, thanks to their winnings, they managed to pool enough together to buy it.

They had planned to surprise her with it later in the evening. But as they turned the corner, they saw Leah outside the Prancing Pony. Kili stopped in his tracks and quickly thrust his hands behind his back. Fili, being the helpful brother he was, came and stood directly on his right, arms touching so that they could hide their gift better.

Leah, thankfully, had not seen them. She was too busy bothering a dog to notice them. Thorin stood behind her, arms crossed, waiting for her to finish. As they got closer, they heard the titillating conversation between Leah and the dog.

"Look at you. So fluffy," The dog was living its best life, happily panting and accepting all the fuss it was being given "Aren't you a gorgeous boy. So wise. No don't lick me," she barely evaded the dog's tongue.

Thorin let out a sigh "I thought you told me that you were not a child."

Leah turned to Thorin, her hand keeping the dog's face at bay. "You don't have to be a child to appreciate a dog Thorin."

"If you say so," he said with a small chuckle.

Both of them turned when Fili and Kili got closer. They got raised eyebrows at their stance, side shuffling around them.

"What are you hiding?" Leah asked with a knowing smile.

"Nothing, we were merely out for a stroll," said Fili.

"But we got tired," said Kili

"Oh yes, sooo tired."

"Super tired, best be heading inside now,"

They backed through the door and once they were safely out of eye range, they turned back around. Both brothers turned to one another and broke into laughter.

"That was close," said Kili "Do you think she suspected anything?"

"No way, we were too sneaky," said Fili.

Leah

Even though I had magically developed horse-riding skills, it was still a killer on my legs. They were very much unused to the jostling of a horse. It left me with aching muscles and a numb butt. When I got off the horse my foot got caught in the stirrups and nearly fell backwards. I was saved by a pair of tattooed hands.

"I thought elves were supposed to be graceful lass," Dwalin said, amusement clear in his voice.

He placed me upright once more. I hastily readjusted my clothes, which twisted when I fell. "Well I'm not exactly a very good elf," I smiled back.

"That's probably a good thing," he said before leading both of our horses away.

It was so weird being in the actual Bree. Thankfully, it wasn't as grim as the films had made it out to be. Probably helped that it wasn't pouring with rain and in the dead of night. We were staying at the Prancing Pony. Hopefully, no errant ringwraiths would pass through and try to kill us in the night. I remembered this morning wondering to myself when I'd get to stay in a proper bed again. Turns out it was today. Don't I look foolish.

Everyone was staying in groups of 2 or 3. Ori, Nori and Dori were in one room. Bifur, Bofur and Bombur were in another. Then Dwalin and Balin. Fili and Kili. Gloin and Oin. Gandalf and Bilbo. That left Thorin and me to share a room. I didn't mind. I'd spent the past week sleeping next to him. Except this time we would get something comfy to sleep on.

Thorin informed me that under no circumstances was I to wander unaccompanied. After what happened in Rildolach he did not want to risk anything else happening to me. You could not really fault that logic. So I spent the rest of the day following anyone who would let me.

I spent a bit of time with Bofur and Bifur, as they had decided to stay at the inn. Bombur was resting upstairs. Horse riding didn't agree with him apparently. Ori and Dori joined us at one point too.

Bifur decided that he wanted to show me something. He revealed a small contraption from his pocket. It was shaped like a bird and there was a little lever to wind it with. When you wound it the wings would move. It was amazing and so detailed. A huge smile spread across my face.

"Did you make this?" I asked.

A string of khuzdul fell from his mouth. He then placed the toy in my hands and motioned for me to have a go.

"Aye he did," said Bofur next to him "We're toy makers ya see. Well Bifur is, I'm more of a miner these days."

"It's amazing," I said, rotating the wings slowly.

"He brought a few things with him. To keep his hands busy."

"Khajima, Khajima tada Khuzsh!" Bifur said very excitedly. He pointed to the bird in my hand.

"What is he saying?" I asked, turning to Bofur.

"Oh, he says it's a gift," said Bofur "Consider it a birthday present."

I was so touched. It was such a nice gift and completely unexpected. I thanked Bifur profusely. Even though I had no idea what he was saying back, I assumed he was happy. The way the bird's wings flapped reminded me of an origami crane.

Maybe I could return a gift in kind.

I turned and asked Ori for a piece of paper. He was a little reluctant at first but then decided that he was going to buy more anyway and handed one over. The edges were not as straight as machine cut paper for obvious reasons but I made it work.

The dwarves gave me odd looks as I folded but once I was done, I revealed my finished product to them.

"It's a bird," said Ori in amazement "How did you do that?"

"It's called origami. The art of folding paper," I said. "But check out the best bit."

Pulling slightly on the crane's tail, the wings folded inwards. I repeated it a few times to simulate the flapping of wings. All the dwarves were impressed. Bifur, on the other hand, was over the moon. Smiling and clapping his hands. I handed him the paper bird and he studied it intently. Trying it out for himself.

"I don't think you're getting that back," said Bofur.

"It's fine. I've got this bird, he can have that one."

All of the company returned to the inn for an evening meal. I made sure to sit next to Bilbo so that he wouldn't feel left out. Kili showed up and sat on my other side. Fili then sat opposite us across the table. There was a suspicious something under Kili's shirt. It bulged in a peculiar manner suggesting he had hidden something up there. Though he did not answer my questioning look and instead dove straight into his food.

"Are you going to tell me what this is at some point?" I poked Kili's shirt. The suspicious item seemed to be soft in nature.

"I am certain that I do not know of what you speak," said Kili very nonchalantly.

I raised my eyebrows and continued looking straight at him, my expression clearly unconvinced.

"Fine, you've caught us," he said, holding his hands up. "It's your present."

"You got me a present?" a smile tugged at my mouth

"Of course we did. We said we would," said Fili.

"And is there any reason it had to be under your shirt?" I asked, bemused.

"Subterfuge," said Fili while wiggling his fingers "So you wouldn't suspect we'd got you anything."

I laughed at that. "You're subterfuge leaves much to be desired."

Kili then reached under his shirt and removed the item. There was a quick flash of skin as he lifted his shirt. To which I quickly averted my eyes, hoping that a blush wasn't showing on my face.

"Happy birthday Leah," Said Kili, as he offered me the item.

It was some kind of dark blue fabric. A blanket? There was a fine gold trim along the edge in a cute floral design. I unfolded it to see the whole thing. It wasn't a blanket, it was some kind of cape thing. A cloak.

"This is so cool," I squealed.

"So you like it?" Kili asked, uncertainty still in his voice.

"I love it," I reached over and hugged him "Thank you."

"You're welcome," his hug tightened before he let me lean back.

"Thank you as well Fili," I said once I sat down. "Would you like a hug too?"

Fili covered his heart with a hand, a fake gasp falling from his mouth "I would be honoured, my lady."

I laughed before going around to the other side of the table and giving him a quick hug.

Kili helped me to try on the cloak. The hood was massive and could cover my whole face. I guess that would be a good feature to have when it rained. Once it was fully wrapped around, I did a little spin. The cloak billowed out around me, just as I had hoped. Kili's eyes lit up as I spun around.

"I'm glad you like it," said Kili

I looked like a wizard. Not the Gandalf type. More the Harry Potter type. I lifted one edge of the cloak up to my face so that only my eyes were visible.

"I will teach you to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses," I said in my best Severus Snape impression.

I was met with blank stares and confused smiles.

"Come on Kili I showed you, Harry Potter you should have got that reference," I said, giving Kili a nudge.

"If you say so," he laughed, his eyes crinkling with a smile.