A lot of unexpected events took place. Kept up Tumblr updates as best as I could. Don't think I don't think about you guys! I know you've been itching for this update so with no further a-do, here's more to read this time:

Under the light of a torch, Bofur, Gloin, and Nori, meandered across rocky terrain alongside the mountain's eastern shoulder. Armed with their weapons, they had ventured out some time ago to patrol the dark corners of the Lonely Mountain for signs of hidden foes that may have lingered after battle. The odds of a goblin or even an orc testing their luck while defenses have been secured with help from the eagles and Beorn, were slim.

Other dwarves from the Iron Hills took part as well, scavenging the adjacent to their location. One could never be too careful with so many wounded, and word of the reclamation of Erebor would travel swiftly to all corners of Middle Earth, as the wizard predicted.

Following a very narrow and questionable path a little higher above ground, their expedition came to a halt met with a blockade. The path itself had been well constructed, although where it led remained a mystery. Gloin stepped onto an overturned chunk of stone, eyes narrowing with disappointment.

"No way across from what I can tell."

"Let me take a look." Nori hopped up to see for himself. As a former thief, he had a knack for finding smaller details that others often overlooked. The dwarf squinted in the dark before facing his companions, Gloin already set to pass a torch for better lighting.

"Thought you might need this." He mused. Nori's mouth curled upwards. Having such a title still preceded him even after being part of the company. Whether he could shake it off in the future, was undetermined.

"There's nothing here, lads." Bofur chimed in as Nori climbed to the top of the rubble. "There's a long night ahead of us, and we best search the other entrances before the sun rises."

"You've become the pessimist as of late, Bofur." Nori called over his shoulder. There was humor in his tone even when keeping quiet.

Bofur leaned sluggishly against the mountain's wall, shrugging off the comment. "Not a pessimist, my friend, a realist."

"Yes, well, war will do that to ye'."

Bofur kept watch as Gloin involuntarily followed the ex-thief over the mound and out of sight. He glanced back at the camp that seemed so far away. Glowing embers from the torches twinkled in the distance, providing a waypoint until their return. The atmosphere was calm, a nice change from desperation and despondency that etched their hearts. "That it has."

Dain was furious.

There was no question about that. Bilbo watched from the corner of the room in silence, keeping to himself as the dwarf lord approached the end of the cot, only to turn on his heel and slam the door behind him.

"S-should I leave?"

Balin met the Halfling's heavy gaze with a tired smile. "No."

"But-" Bilbo looked to the closed door as if anticipating the dwarf's sudden return.

"Dain is on edge right now. It'll pass." The dwarf contemplated following the other. "I hope."

"Why? I mean, I understand why, but Thorin's still…" He couldn't finish, his words trailing into an empty thought coiling within a labyrinth of hurt and blame. There had been so much death and now so many clung to life. Most he knew were friends, or at least he hoped it were. If he hadn't done what he did with the Arkenstone, Bilbo tried to believe that his actions might've prevented a war. Despite his efforts for peace, the result appeared to be unchanged.

"With Thorin's wounds, there is no definitive King under the Mountain to rule it. None that's physically or mentally capable to take on the responsibility at least."

"How would that work?" Bilbo asked. "What of Fili and Kili? They are his nephews."

"True; Fili is next in line for the throne. He will most likely be placed in a temporary role, unless Thorin succumbs to his injuries overnight." Balin explained, frowning as he settled a nervous hand on the bed. "Dain is a calculated one. He sees reason, but can be dangerous like any dwarf when our laws are broken."

The thought of Thorin leaving this world weighed heavily on their hearts. Time was against them. If he should fall, then there was no saving the few lives that mattered most.

Bilbo clenched his fingers in the blanket draped over his shoulders. He was tired, they all were. All he wanted to do was sleep, but it scared him that he would close his eyes only for a dear one to draw their last breath as he slept. It was a battle he was gradually losing.

He took one last look at Éla resting peacefully, before standing. Her features appeared to have aged. War would do that to a person though. Her recovery would be a long one. Balin remained seated by her side as Bilbo stretched and then left the warmth for some fresh air.

"Bilbo Baggins."

The hobbit spun around after gently closing the door behind him, and greeted by a tall, grey figure. The racing of his heart subsided in relief. "Gandalf."

"You're being summoned." The wizard announced calmly. There were no hints as to who made the odd request.

Bilbo's face grew taut. He had his suspicions, and when the wandering wizard was involved, it was not always a good thing. The night couldn't possibly get any worse, so he joined the wizard with more confidence he thought he couldn't muster. "By who?"

"Thorin Oakenshield."

A sharp pain stung repeatedly in the same spot, casually working its way up.

"Easy, miss Éla."

"Oin."

"Don't strain yourself, lassie. It's best you stay in bed to keep any pressure off your wounds." He ordered, gently pushing her down as she tried to sit up. She muffled a scream as something sharp dug into her skin before a small tug brought everything into focus.

Éla mustered the courage to look where the healer's hands had been hard at work. A short line of needlework ran across the right side of her mid-section. The image churned her stomach, so she quickly looked away.

Another familiar face came into focus as she rested her head back down. Her mouth felt dry and pasty. "Balin."

Eyes slammed shut as Oin performed another procedure that sent pain coursing through her limbs. Balin patted her hand, trying to keep her attention focused on him as Oin finished.

"Glad to see you haven't lost your memory." Balin said soothingly.

"It's surprising you woke up at all." Oin told her.

"What do you mean?" Éla asked weakly, carefully turning her head to face him. Even that was proving difficult without something hurting somewhere.

"With the damage you took," he fell silent, shaking his head in protest to the thought, "I don't want to think about it. A few more minutes and we would've lost you."

Her eyes remained closed with a furrowed brow trying to pinpoint another odd sensation. Pain wasn't immediately at the forefront of her worries, for she sensed a greater question unanswered. "Something doesn't feel right."

"You did take quite a beating out there - arrow, sprained ribs." Oin said. "After all, you were trapped under a warg."

He sounded worried. Éla shook her head feebly, her speech becoming slurred from exhaustion. "No, I don't think it's that."

The other dwarves were nervous as they hid behind each other's' shadow of guilt for not coming forth with cold hard, life-altering details. Fili remained motionless on his cot while Kili was still fast asleep or unconscious - he could not tell. He became alarmed when a multitude of voices entered the small room unexpectedly. Hearing her voice again meant that she would be alright. She sounded better to him at the very least.

The elder listened intently to the conversation across their room as Éla quickly became surrounded by many important figures. Oin was allowed to stay as he was the company's primary healer who continued to tend to a half-unconscious Éla.

Then there was Balin, who stood on the opposite side of her bed, Dwalin soon entered, standing a few feet away with arms crossed. Fili couldn't see their faces at all except for the occasional glimpse as one turned to face another. What troubled him even more was the fourth nameless body by the entrance who was shielded by Dwalin's burly form. This figure wasn't familiar to Fili, yet every time he opened his eyes that very dwarf remained unmoved as the stone of the mountain itself. The stillness of the atmosphere was alarming, even though it shouldn't have been. He sensed there would be trouble.

"What happened, exactly?" Éla asked, her voice trembling in attempts to find needed energy.

"You were attacked, shoved hard by a warg from behind." Oin explained grimly. He frowned when she tried to sit up, pushing her shoulders back down. The pain was enough to keep her from making another attempt.

"Its rider sliced through your armor in passing." Dwalin went on in the healer's place, never looking at her. His attention remained on the ground with arms crossed, almost holding his injured arm.

"And Thorin? I-is he alright?" Worry etched over Éla's face in a flash. "Where is he?"

She tried to sit but crashed on her back in pain just as quickly. She had no strength.

"For the love of Aulë, don't make any sudden moves!" Oin scolded her while checking the bandages. "You lost enough blood as it is."

Éla turned towards the area of pain that had inflamed her entire right side. Her vision hazed momentarily, signaling the extent of blood loss and enervation. Her arm trembling as Oin tended to her.

"You bled profusely...at first we couldn't find the sources, but when we did, it was too late..." Oin explained. "There was nothing that could be done."

"What couldn't be done?" Éla eyed them suspiciously, suddenly more alert to their worried and drained expressions.

None wanted to come forth even as Éla scanned each face with weary determination. It was only when anxious eyes settled on Balin for answers. He would never lie nor keep anything from her as they shared an open friendship.

He stepped closer in fear of her straining herself for a response, speaking in a steady tone low enough so it wouldn't breach their privacy to eavesdropping ears outside the fabricated walls. "The healers believe you were with child."

Balin saw the colour drain from her face as she froze stiff. Éla's sight never faltered away from his as she held the dwarf's stare, searching for any trace of a lie. There was nothing.

Initially, she was shocked, but that soon turned into confusion. Balin wished there would've been more privacy, but they had to settle on those present. It didn't take much else for the dwarf standing idly by the entrance to come forward almost yelling in a hushed whisper, unable to endure the growing tension.

"Did you know?"

"Sorry?..N-no?" Éla was tired and never recalled seeing the dwarf, despite his familiar features. "Know what? I, I don't believe – have we met?"

"Are you absolutely sure?!" The dwarf stepped closer, but stopped when Dwalin quickly followed. "Because if this was-"

"Dain." He warned.

Balin stood at the ready, returning his attention to his female companion when the dwarf lord paused. "They're not sure if you were, given the damage from your wounds."

Dain huffed. "There is only one way to render judgement then."

"I'm sure this can wait for another time." Balin tried to reason but gave up when he was ignored.

"Did you, or did you not lay with my cousin, your king?"

Éla tried to form words, but they failed her. Her mind was still trying to accept what's been told. Dain took her silence as an answer, and addressed Balin head on.

"I will not condone such behaviour from a mere peasant." He stated.

"You don't understand-" Éla was shot down by his menacing stare.

"Of course not." He spat. "There is nothing else that binds you to him. As lord of the Iron Hills, it is my duty to render judgement against those who defy our laws."

"That's not entirely accurate, Lord Dain." Balin intervened cautiously, addressing the dwarf by his title in a respectable manner. "So long as Thorin is breathing, I may step in as an adversary. May I also remind you, while his heirs are alive, they are next in-line for the throne, therefore, your judgement becomes secondary."

Dain grumbled, miraculously holding his rage in check, shoulders shaking, and body tense with irritation. "Very wise of you, Balin. Your intentions are poorly placed to protect someone with little remaining values of our culture."

Out of the corner of his eye, Balin took notice of the young, blonde prince raising slowly from beneath his blankets on the far side of the room. In those few seconds astray, the dwarf pondered the values and loyalties that should define dwarven culture as he watched Fili pull the covers over his head. The young dwarf certainly tuned into the heated debate, Balin had no doubt about that.

"Élarinya was one who aided in the reclamation of the mountain." Balin repeated from an earlier conversation. Convincing the dwarf lord was proving troublesome.

"That does nothing for the situation. By these acts, she should be exiled." Dain proclaimed. Glancing over, he noticed her widened eyes shocked by his verdict, and they weren't the only ones. His stare softened a fraction of his stubbornness. "That in itself is showing more mercy than what the council would sentence…and they will have no mercy."

"The council will not get involved in this." Balin rebuked calmly. "You cannot send her away unless ordered by the king." He was beginning to believe nothing would get through. "Let us at least give Thorin the chance to surpass his injuries."

"That's if he can." Dain said grimly.

Éla sunk further into the feathered mattress. Were Thorin's injuries that severe for his cousin to question his survival?

The dwarves fell silent for a short time. Only the sounds of breathing filled the empty space. The few quiet moments gave Éla time to think and piece everything together. Even she wasn't entirely certain if what was said, was true. The longer she thought, the more real it became; the signs had been there. She had been blinded by the quest to see clearly.

"What will it be?"

Éla looked up to the dwarf lord. "I beg your pardon?"

"I will give you one chance to explain yourself before I decide whether the council will get involved or not."

She inhaled a shaky breath. Her lungs strained against aching bones. "W-what would it matter when I have nothing to prove other than a dying tradition?"

"Yes, I was informed about the braids." Dain nodded in direction to her hair. "It's unfortunate to say, that won't be enough to persuade anyone."

"I may attest to her words as witness." Balin offered. He did know more of their relationship than what was let on after all.

Dain crossed his arms, feeling the need to stand taller, blocking himself off from such a petty discussion. "Her meddling actions are inexcusable, regardless of what Thorin did or said. You don't understand the position this has put me in."

"Leave." Éla said in an exasperated breath. "I've had enough of this for one day."

Dain uncrossed his arms, stepping forward. "What did you say?"

"Please, leave." Éla repeated, exhaustion finally showing through her features.

"For Durin's sake!" He turned as if to walk away, but rage only fueled his temper to remain where he was. "You have no authority here. Say something like that again, and I won't think twice about sending word to the council."

Dain expressed his words with an accusing sharp wave of his finger, making Dwalin tense under his scrutinizing gaze.

"This should not concern you nor anyone beyond this room." She rebutted jadedly. "Or perhaps we should ask Thorin what he thinks about this being taken to a council that's miles away."

Dain smouldered, his mouth forming into a thin line. He bore into the female with such anger and frustration in hopes that she would back down, but damned be him; she never did in her weakened state. He was getting irritated over the lack of respect he was receiving as her Lord.

"You are a despicable -"

"Get OUT!" Éla yelled, her chest burning from the action as Dain stormed outside without looking back. Once he was gone, Balin soon followed with his brother at his heels as Oin returned to her side. She could no longer hold back the swell of tears forming in her eyes, wondering if she had truly made a mistake in coming after all.

Balin scanned the area outside as Dwalin guarded the entrance. They too would soon need rest before the night was through. The elder found what he was searching for, swiftly approaching Dain marching toward a secluded area away from camp.

"She is not stable." He huffed.

Thorin had not yet awoken since last he saw his cousin, and this was becoming a very sensitive matter which needed to be dealt with sooner than later. In the end, he had enough and thought very little of Éla.

Balin approached him with no more caution than he would with his own tempered brother. "You must understand she was just told she lost a child, his child."

"But this is discreditable! Unacceptable!" Dain voiced his concerns a little louder than anticipated. He turned to the one who followed. "What was my cousin thinking to delve into such petty behavior?! She isn't even nobility."

Given any more thought, and Dain was certain his head would explode.

"Forgive me Balin, but the council must be notified of these engagements."

"Might it be best to wait until the night is through before they are told of such a fragile situation?" Balin suggested. If he could hold this off for one night for them to see whether Thorin would pull through, he suspected he may be able to stall Dain's pursuits on the council for good.

"Understand, with my cousin incapacitated, I must make these decisions. Believe me when I say: the council will learn of this eventually."

"By law, Fili will be the one to make such a decision with our guidance until Thorin is capable." Balin's own patience grew thin. "While I hate to put the lad through such customs, he's well trained to take over such duties. For the moment."

Dain kept quiet in the still of night, replaying the dwarf's offer.

"Allow me to deal with Thorin when the time arises for him to be aware of this." Balin said as he turned his back to the dwarf lord.

"Very well. Should he survive the night." Dain was not happy, but he'd allow Balin to take control for the time being. "I leave you to ponder the status of your female companion while I wait to hear from Falo and those in Ered Luin in regards to Erebor's successful repossession. Until then, the young prince shall be placed under temporary guidance."

Sometimes your ears played tricks, forcing you to interpret words beyond their original meaning. For Fili, every sensory was doing just that. He was well aware that something wasn't right by the healers' persistent hovering and fussing in the corner, and Balin's continuous departures through the night. Sleep became difficult to achieve. After hearing so many elevated voices, he had wished he were mobile to take up his swords and silence everyone. If it were that easy, he didn't mind lying in bed and listening.

"Fee?"

Fili turned his head, throwing back the covers so he faced his younger brother staring at him weakly with half-opened eyelids.

"What's going on?" The young archer whispered, fighting to stay alert but relying on his hearing instead.

Fili contemplated telling the truth, but he could not lie to his brother. "Something's wrong with Éla."

Guilt swept over him as Kili's eyes sprung open, straining to look over his shoulder but fell back. The muscles in his right arm were aflame. Fili lay helplessly, watching his younger brother struggle with his injuries.

"She'll be alright." He reassured. "It's nothing Oin can't handle."

He sighed when he heard Kili's soft snores shortly after. Despite the odds, Fili was content in knowing the two of them would have each other through thick and thin. Their mother would definitely be relieved when she gets word of their retaken homeland. The thought of seeing her face again put a smile on his own, and he allowed his eyes to close off reality.

One minute, or was it seconds? Bilbo did not know how little time had passed as he stood awkwardly outside the medical tent as Gandalf entered alone to bear news to the dwarf king of his presence.

As the tent flap was drawn back, Bilbo walked in slowly. He prepared himself for the worse, but nothing could prepare anyone for what he was about to face.

"Master Baggins, child of the kindly West…"

Have you noticed I can type again? Obviously since this is at least two-updates-in-one and written a few days ago!
Wrist is a lot better. I'll ask that no one send any wargs after me. (Though I do deserve it for making you all wait unintentionally.)
In other news, I'm keeping Thorin's fate a slight mystery. I've had this part planned out for a long time, but it's far from over. But wait, we found out about Kili!
Take the hint as you see fit. My lips (words) remain sealed. Although I may begin teaser-hints on my Tumblr for those who do check for updates. ;)