"Nadi!"
The young Dwarve turned around and smiled at Bilbo. She was heavily wounded about the face and some of her old scars had been reinjured. But the smile that she cast upon him was bright and warm as the descending sun.
They had just finished their battle with the Pale Orc and his minions. Bilbo had proven himself quite courageous when he guarded Thorin's fallen body against the White Warg. They all had been courageous, even when it seemed as if all was lost and they were sure to either be torn apart, burned alive, or plummet to their deaths. Still, they fought.
It was the Eagles that had saved them in the end. Right when it seemed as if the single tree would snap under their weight, the Eagles had arrived and caught the falling Dwarves. Majestically, and beautifully, they had carried them away one by one. They had thought that Thorin had been killed as he lay limp within their talons. But upon setting them gently upon a grassy platform jutting from a mountain he had awakened and proclaimed, in his singular way, his surprise and appreciation for the Hobbit's loyalty. They had turned as one and faced the blessed sight of their journey's end. The Lonely Mountain loomed out of the fog before them. Though Bilbo had never been, the sight made him feel warm and happy as if it was his own home that he was gazing at.
He thought to accost Nadi as the Company packed away and rearranged their things.
"Speak and be heard, Burglar," she said joyously as he walked towards her.
"I meant to ask, and it's perhaps none of my business, but it's been on my mind and, well, when something's on my mind it's rather hard to-"
"What is it, Master Baggins?"
"Why Kili? Why did the Witch choose him to be the subject of your nightmares?"
Nadi froze and slowly her gaze traveled away from him. He turned and they both looked at Kili. He stood between Dwalin and Dori. They had their hands clasped upon his shoulders and they were shaking him in delight. As they mocked and praised his ordeal with Iree he smiled and lowered his eyes. The fading sunlight glowed its warm golden and amber tones behind him, creating a halo of light around his dark features. He looked up and smiled at them and, for the first time, Bilbo could see him as if through her eyes. He was handsome and brooding and strong: a young Dwarven prince who risked his life for his King and kin. He was her friend, Bilbo could see by the way that he held her eyes, and once he perhaps he had been so much more. Bilbo smiled in a very understanding way and nudged her gently.
"Go. Tell him of the dreams that you had about him. Iree is dead and I am sure that her curse has been broken."
"I can't," she said in a shy voice.
"You can."
"I pushed him away when he showed me nothing but love and kindness. I have no right to offer an apology."
"Words can be meaningless and burdensome, most of the time," Bilbo said. The irony of having spoken similar words to Kili did not escape him. "But now is not such a time."
He nudged her again and bid her 'go.' She looked at him with such a desperate expression that it almost broke his little heart. But she did pick up her weary feet and walk towards Kili. I have faced many frightening things upon this journey, he thought to himself as he watched her draw nearer to Kili, but perhaps the thought of losing someone so loved has been the most frightening of all. Nadi came to a stop before Kili and the two Dwarves next to him moved respectfully away.
"Kili," Nadi said, cordially.
"Starlight," he responded, just as kindly.
She opened her mouth and then closed it. With some effort, she tried again. "I am glad that you are safe," she said.
"And the same goes for you, Nadi," he said. He wrapped his large arm around her waist and turned her to face the Lonely Mountain. "Are you ready to go home?"
"...yes."
The End