My heart was a wild erratic thing when Kili pulled away. Something that usually only I noticed, except now I would forever have someone else in the know.

"Now I can tell exactly how much I affect you," He said with a self-satisfied grin still on his face.

His smugness reared a competitive streak in me. Two could play at that game.

With a smile of my own, I leaned forward. His eyes widened as I approached. My lips brushed the top of his cheek. I let my lips linger there for a few seconds before leaning back. His heart reacted instantly, racing along with my own.

"It works both ways," I smiled.

"I guess it does."

"Has anyone told you anything about this…thing between us?"

"Yes, Gandalf informed me," his eyebrows drew together, his tone concerned "If one of us dies, then so will the other."

"That's the gist of it."

"Thorin was not impressed when he found out. He nearly banned me from continuing on with the quest," said Kili

"Seriously?"

"I think it was about the added danger. Instead of one person getting hurt, it would be both of us," he mused "And maybe the fact that I had died earlier that day didn't help matters."

I screwed my eyes tight. I did not need to be reminded of that event.

"Did Gandalf also tell you that you're technically immortal now?" I said, wanting to change the subject.

Kili's eyebrows shot up. "He most certainly did not! What do you mean?" Kili's voice was incredulous.

"Yes, Lord Elrond said that if none of us gets killed, then you will live as long as I do," I muttered "And seeing as I'm an elf…"

"I'm going to live as long as an elf!" he exclaimed. I couldn't tell whether he was happy about it or not. His tone was simply full of surprise more than anything. "This is a lot to take in."

"Tell me about it," I said.

I started to feel a little tired from standing and moved over to perch on the end of the bed. I did not feel as bad as when I first woke up, but recovery was still slow going. Evidently, bringing someone back to life can do a number on you. Who would have thought?

Kili followed me and, with only a small hesitation, took the place next to me on the bed.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you… for a while now," he started, a light pink dusting his cheeks.

I let him take his time, though my stomach flipped in anticipation. He took a few deep breaths before looking back up at me. "I don't know about elves, or men, or people from your other world but dwarves have this…thing."

"Thing?"

"Let me finish," he said. There was a smile on his face but he was clearly exasperated.

"Dwarves have this thing called a One...It's like the one person you are supposed to be with. You are made to be with this one person."

My breath caught in my throat. I knew what a One was. It was like the dwarven version of soul mates.

"...and I found out that you were mine" Kili looked like he was holding his breath. Waiting for me to say something.

I was his One.

The collision of emotions in my chest was overwhelming. A mixture of euphoria, shock, and confusion. It felt like they would burst out if I weren't careful.

So not only were our souls now connected, they were also made for each other in the first place?

"Really?" I breathed.

"Yes, Leah. You are my One" The relief on his face was palpable.

"How do you know?" I said, a hint of self-doubt creeping in. Could I really be the person Kili was meant to be with?

Kili let out an amused chuckle, looking at me as if he knew something that I didn't. "Uh, a dwarf finds out someone is their One when they…kiss for the first time," Kili coughed. "A feeling runs through you, and you just know that they are your One."

I paused. That did not quite add up.

"You find out when you kiss?"

"Yes," his eyes crinkled in clear amusement.

"But that was our first kiss," I said.

"Weeell, that wasn't actually our first kiss," Kili divulged.

Excuse me.

"I think I'd remember if we'd kissed before!"

"You were very drunk at the time. I was carrying you back to your room because you could barely walk. Then you grabbed me and kissed me. I nearly dropped you, actually," he laughed.

Oh. My. God.

I buried my face in my hands, refusing to meet Kili's amused gaze.

"I'm so sorry," I mumbled into my hands.

I could feel Kili shaking with laughter next to me. "Why are you sorry? It was rather nice."

As I went to pull my hands away, I felt the string of my bracelet tap against my face. I turned my hand around so that I could look at it properly. The runes were still a mystery to me.

"I'm guessing this doesn't say penis, then," I joked

"No, it does not."

I raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to continue. "It says amrâlimê. It means love of mine in khuzdul."

I gave Kili's shoulder a shove "I can't believe you didn't tell me. No wonder I got such strange looks from the other dwarves who saw it."

Mani had insinuated that I must have been 'very close' with the person who made the bracelet. Now I could understand why.

"Technically," he elongated the word, "This could be seen as a courting gift. Other dwarves would see it as such, mainly because it was handmade."

I gave Kili another shove. Nearly pushing him off the bed.

I can't believe this boy!

"You gave me a courting gift and didn't tell me! This whole time I've been wondering if you liked me the same way that I liked you, and it turns out you asked me out ages ago," I breathed hard down my nose.

Kili's demeanour turned nervous, scared that I was angry with him. "I wanted to tell you. I was going to, but then a lot of other things happened. Like me being sent back to Middle Earth for six months without you."

Touché.

I wasn't angry with him, not really. I was more exasperated than anything else. He wasn't the only one that had been too scared to air their feelings after all.

"I want to court you properly," he explained.

The way he said 'court' made me smile. It sounded like something from a classic romance novel.

Kili reached into his pocket and withdrew something small. He unfurled his hand and showed me the contents. In his palm sat two identical beads, like the ones dwarves wore in their hair. Except these ones glowed with a strange ethereal quality, unlike anything I had ever seen.

"When I died, I went to Mahal's halls. It's where all dwarves go when they die… I saw my Adad" his voice broke slightly on the last word.

I froze. I hadn't really thought about where Kili had gone when he died. The only thought I had was bringing him back. But Middle Earth had actual heavens for the people in this world.

"He was exactly the same" Kili smiled though his eyes looked kind of misty. "These are what he gave me before I left. They're courting beads, you see. You wear them to signify that you are courting one another."

I struggled to form words. His dad had given him courting beads. "Does this mean that your dad approves of me, then?"

"I guess it does," Kili laughed.

Kili grabbed both of my hands and tilted his body so that he was facing me fully. "Leah Orrison. Would you provide me with the greatest honour of accepting this courting bead" His face was open and vulnerable, showing me everything he felt.

"Of course I accept."

oOo

The beads were braided into our hair. A single braid down the right side of our faces to signify that we were courting.

When Kili led me out of the room with a strong arm, I saw Thorin's unsurprised face on the other side of it. He must have fully expected what Kili was going to ask. Though the thought that Thorin had been waiting outside while I kissed his nephew made heat rise to my face.

But before I could dwell on any embarrassment, I was nearly bowled over by a blonde-haired dwarf.

"You have no idea how grateful I am, Leah," Fili said into my shoulder. I nearly collapsed under his sudden weight.

A gentle shove from Kili pushed his brother off me. "You can show your gratefulness by not throwing her to the ground, maybe," Kili said, humour shining in his eyes.

"A life for me not tackling you, a worthy exchange," The corner of Fili's mouth ticked up then he turned more serious "I didn't hurt you though, did I? I apologise if I did."

I smile to reassure him, "No, I'm fine. Just a little tired."

"Good," Thorin said. "Shall we make our way to the rest of the company? I am sure they all wish to see you well."

Thorin led the way to where the dwarves were staying, and we followed close behind. I made sure to hold onto Kili tightly as I forced my tired legs to walk. He was always there to lean against when I got out of breath.

The dwarves had all been offered rooms but had opted to all stay together in a covered pavilion. How they could forgo a mattress was beyond me but I was not going to judge them if that is what they preferred.

Rivendell was magnificent, and took a lot for me not to gawp open-mouthed. Everything seemed organic as if hewn from the valley itself. Gardens sprouted up from everywhere, overflowing with flowers and trees, fruits and herbs. It would take weeks to fully see them all. The sun was higher up in the sky, creeping over the cliff, sending slanted beams of light across the white stone walls.

I finally got a glimpse of the rest of the company when we crested a bridge. They had officially made themselves at home and were in the process of dismantling the furniture for firewood. I just about stopped myself from rolling my eyes.

They all jumped up when they saw us, with exclamations of delight. I beamed back at them, letting their joy wash over me. Some came up and patted me on the back, others disregarded politeness altogether and crushed me into a hug. Kili led me over to a high-backed chair that they hadn't destroyed yet, and I sank heavily into it. Hopefully, my energy will return to me soon.

"Leah, it's good to see you up and about," said Bofur "You were as floppy as a fish last time I saw you."

He leaned down to give me a hug, his hat hitting me in the face as he did so. I didn't mind though, and laughed it off. The dwarves could be very affectionate when they wanted to be.

When Bofur broke off the hug, his eyes zeroed in on my new braid. A triumphant grin spread across his face. "Oi Gloin ye lost, pay up."

Gloin grumbled something under his breath before tossing Bofur a small bag of coins. More bags began flying across the room from some of the others too.

"What is this all about?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

Bofur began counting his new winnings "We made bets about whether Kili would actually ask to court you or not"

My cheeks warmed slightly. I can't believe they were betting behind my back.

"Dwalin, why did you bet against me?!" Kili asked, affronted.

"Well, you've been pissing about for long enough, I thought you'd carry on the same," Dwalin replied.

Kili's cheeks turned pink, and he grumbled something in Khuzdul. The other dwarves started laughing.

I noticed Dwalin was now sporting deep purple bruises under his eyes, and Nori next to him was also nursing a black eye. Though when I racked my brain, I could not remember them getting hit. They were one of the first dwarves to escape the orc's clutches. How did they get injured?

"Admiring your handiwork, my lady," Nori said, raising a braided eyebrow.

"My handiwork?"

"Oh yes," he said with a grin "You've got some strong elbows on you, let me tell you."

Elbows? What was he talking about?

"And a head like stone," Dwalin cut in, rubbing his nose.

A memory bubbled to the surface of hands trying to pull me away from Kili and me retaliating like a wild animal.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise."

Dwalin laughed, deep and gruff "No need to be sorry, lass. You should be proud you managed to land a bruise on me. It won't be happening a second time."

"Noted," I said with a small smile.

The dwarves caught me up on what had happened while I was in a mini coma. Apparently, they had all banded together and refused dinner with the elves until I was better. Which meant that lunch was to be held by Elrond today. But first, I cared more about breakfast. Apparently, I had been unconscious for over a day, and it showed. I was ravenous. Thankfully, the dwarves were happy to oblige and offered me a hearty breakfast of bread, cheese, fruit and meat.

"So it turns out I'm actually from Middle Earth originally," I said around a bite of bread.

A few bemused faces turned towards me.

"What do you mean, lass?" said Bofur from where he was lounging across a bench, pipe between his teeth.

"I was born here, died, got sent to another world and then came back," I said very matter-of-factly.

"Durin's beard! That's quite something," said Dori

"It means I can't be turned back into a human because, technically, I was an elf first anyway."

"That's a real shame, lass," said Dwalin from the corner "Just when I was warming up to you."

"Hey, I can't help it," I chuckled. Secretly, I was ecstatic that he said he was warming up to me. I'll befriend all these dwarves if it's the last thing I do.

The longer I hung around the dwarves and their jovial dispositions, the more relaxed I felt. I could almost believe that nothing traumatic had happened and that nightmares wouldn't plague my sleep that night. Whenever my thoughts drifted to more unsavoury places, my heartbeat would rise. But Kili must have cottoned on to the direction of my thoughts and tugged on the bond every time it happened. The sensation was comforting and pulled me out of a spiral before it could form.

Lunch was to be eaten in a lovely, open courtyard. Tables had been found that would fit the dwarves' shorter stature. That meant that they were all mismatched with different shapes and designs, like a hipster cafe that was trying to be chic. At the top stood a round table that looked like the only one that was supposed to be there. That was where Elrond was sitting. The elves were playing music around the courtyard to entertain us while we ate.

I had intended to sit next to Kili. However, when I approached the table, I was called over by Elrond. I gave Kili a small apologetic smile and made my way over.

"Lady Leah, I would like you to join us," said Elrond "There is something I wish to ask you."

I took my seat on Elrond's left and raised my eyebrows quizzically. Elrond gave me a polite smile and said, "You may not know this, but I am quite well-versed in the art of healing myself."

That was an understatement if I ever heard one.

"If you wish it, I would be open to helping you improve your own skill. You are clearly powerful, but without the knowledge of how to wield it, you may struggle in the future. So I will offer up my services for the duration of your stay."

Was he serious? That was more than I could ever ask for.

"Thank you, yes, that would be amazing," I said.

Elrond smiled, "I look forward to teaching you, Lady Leah."

The food was amazing, and surprisingly, platters of meat were brought out for the dwarves to eat. Perhaps they had been nicer to the elves than in the story. At least I wouldn't have to hear a bunch of dwarves moaning about salad.

Elrond kindly identified all of the swords for us. When he did, Thorin turned to look at me. I could only guess what the look meant, but it seemed to acknowledge that I had been right. The swords were great weapons after all. It made up for nearly getting killed to get them.

Nearly.