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Chapter 24

~X~

Thus, not half an hour later, Fili and Jade were mounted on ponies and heading down the road to Dale. Thorin had indeed insisted that a guard accompany them, but much to Fili's relief, he only assigned one. The trip to the neighboring city was not a long one, taking less than an hour by pony and affording Jade a few sights she had yet to see.

"If we veer off the path here, I could show you a magnificent little pond surrounded by a grove of trees that will take your breath away," Fili offered, pointing towards the edge of a forest to their left. "Sometimes Kili and I go fishing there, when we don't want to travel all the way down to Esgaroth, that is."

"That sounds lovely," Jade nodded, eager to see whatever Fili had to show her. "Do we have time?"

"We have all day," he laughed, pulling on the reins to steer his pony into the grove of trees.

The forest was bright and sunny, with a pleasant breeze blowing through the limbs above them, making it quite the lovely ride. Fili was mostly silent, his mind lost in thought about how he might bring up the subject of the kiss while they sat on the shore of the little pond. He would instruct the guard to hang back, affording him the privacy he so desperately needed for such a conversation.

Yet, in the end, none of his planning came to fruition, for even before they had located the pond, tragedy struck…in the form of several arrows, zinging out of the foliage before them.

"AMBUSH!" the dwarf guard shouted from behind them, seconds before an arrow struck him in the chest, causing him to cry out once more, but this time in pain.

"JADE, GET BEHIND ME!" Fili yelled, pulling his now frightened pony around so that he was positioned protectively in front of her. He wished he had thought to bring a bow with him, but that was Kili's specialty, not his. Still, as the filthy orcs stepped out from where they had been hiding, Fili pulled up his shield, hoping it would prove effective in warding off the next volley of arrows that was sure to come their way. With his other hand he reached for the many daggers he had hidden within his clothes. Two of the orcs fell victim to Fili's excellent aim right away, yet as they saw their prey intended to fight back, they scattered, once more taking cover and firing back.

Jade had heard Fili's command, but found herself unable to remain on her pony when the poor guard behind her was obviously in need of aid. Sliding off her frantic mount, she raced over to where the guard's pony was dancing around, nearly throwing the slumped over dwarf out of the saddle. When she was able to get to him at last, she saw that he was still conscious, yet would not be for long.

"You…you must…run, My Lady," the soldier stammered, gritting his teeth as he gripped the shaft of the arrow protruding from his chest.

"NO! You need help and Fili can't deal with this alone," she insisted. She wanted to get the poor dwarrow down to the ground so she could check his wound, but with them being under fire, it might not be the best idea. Looking back at Fili, and seeing that he still continued to deflect the oncoming arrows, Jade was forced to decide what was best. "Here!" she ordered grabbing the rope off the back of his saddle and throwing it around him a few times before lashing it to the pommel. "This will help you stay on your pony. Now ride as quickly as you can and find help."

"I…I can't…leave you…or the prince!" the poor fellow protested.

"You are in no condition to aid in the fight, and I am ordering you to go fetch help!" Jade did her best to sound authoritative, but the fear in her voice was difficult to hide. "NOW GO!" And giving his pony's rump a slap, it took off at a run, not leaving the wounded soldier much of a choice.

Jade had just spun around, looking for her own mount, but was stopped in her tracks by a shout of pain from Fili. Turning her head quickly, she gasped in horror as her brave prince fell backwards off his pony, a wicked looking dark arrow protruding from his right shoulder.

"FILI!" Jade screamed, racing forward to where he now lay on the ground. His mount had immediately bolted in fright, just as her own had, leaving the two of them to the mercy of the attacking orcs. "FILI!"

"You need to get out of here, Jade!" Fili moaned, struggling to rise even with the obvious pain he was in. "Save yourself!"

"Never!" Jade protested, helping him to his feet as quickly as she could. "I won't leave you! Can you walk?"

"I believe walking would do little good," he muttered, pulling her to the right just in time to miss yet another oncoming arrow. The orcs, having seen their opponent take a hit, were now emerging from their cover once more, advancing on them at an alarming rate. Reaching over his shoulder, Fili drew out one of his twin blades with his good arm. "I think it best we run!"

And while it was hard going, the two of them did just that, zig-zagging through the trees, attempting to make themselves less of a target. Unfortunately, no matter how far away they got, the attacking orcs were closing the distance as they raced after them.

Daring a glance over his shoulder, Fili counted at least half a dozen filthy beasts, some still firing arrows, while others now brandished swords and spiked clubs. They were a small band, but even a few orcs could be deadly if they had you outnumbered.

Fili hated the idea of running, it wasn't in his blood to do so, but seeing as how he had Jade to protect, it was the only thing they could do. His shoulder burned like fire, and he could feel his shirt growing wet and sticky from his own blood, and he was now struggling to keep ahold of his sword. So, they continued to run like…well, like a hoard of orcs were on their heels. Fili made sure to keep Jade ahead of him, thankful that she was fast on her feet, leaping over fallen logs and ducking under low branches as if she were a rabbit.

Fili knew they couldn't outrun them though, not with him wounded and there being so many of them. Thus, he began to look for another means of escape - leaving turning and taking them all on at once as a last resort. Thankfully, as they made a sharp turn to avoid a formation of rocks, Fili spotted their salvation! A small cleft in the stone, just big enough for two desperate dwarves, partially hidden by a rather gangly bush. Surging forward, he maneuvered himself in front of Jade, stopping her with his body since his one good hand was full.

"Here!" he hissed, jerking his head towards the cleft, pleased when she instantly understood his intentions. Apparently Jade recalled his lessons in concealment during their game of hide and seek with Kili's cadets back in Erebor. Unfortunately, this time it was for real and not fun and games as it had been before.

They quickly squeezed inside the opening, and handing Jade his blade, Fili used his good arm to reach out and pull the bush to the side in order to hide them. They had barely finished positioning their camouflage when the thundering sound of the orcs came racing by, thankfully not noticing them, and speeding on down the path until they were out of sight.

Fili and Jade held their breath, not daring to move or speak until they could no longer hear their pursuers. When at last they felt it was safe, they peeked out, hoping that they had successfully evaded them, and this wasn't just a trick.

"Do…do you think they're gone?" Jade whispered, her hands gripping the sword he had given her so tightly that her knuckles were turning white.

"Not for long, once they realize we gave them the slip they'll be back," Fili warned her. He moved to retrieve his blade, but Jade would have none of it.

"You are hurt!" she insisted, using her free hand to inspect his wound, but flinching when her touch seemed to cause him even more pain. "You need to let me tend to that immediately!"

"There is no time," he insisted with a shake of his head. "We must to get out of here before they return." And guiding her out, Fili began to lead her back the way they had come. They did their best to move silently, yet every twig, or dry leaf they stepped on made them cringe, fearing the orcs would hear it and come running. However, it soon became apparent that the orcs who had raced by them shouldn't have been their only fear…for it would seem that another group, consisting of five more, were now advancing directly in front of them!

"Caragu!" Fili cursed, having truly hoped they could make it out of this without further bloodshed…yet that was not meant to be. "Stay behind me, Jade!" he ordered, pulling his second blade out of the scabbard on his back.

"I'm no weakling, Fili!" Jade insisted, stepping around until she was standing beside him, holding his other sword in front of her in a defensive position. "We will fight together!"

While the look in her eyes told Fili that she was scared to death, the determined tilt of her chin told him she meant every word. To a dwarf, having a brave and resourceful dam willing to fight at your side was as close to an aphrodisiac as one could get without visiting an herbalist, and Fili could honestly say he had never loved Jade as much as he did right that moment.

Still, it was his duty to protect her, to keep his intended safe, and that was warring with his stirrings of lust and pride in her willingness to stand beside him. Yet, in the end, he knew he couldn't stop her, and in all honesty, he realized he couldn't take them on all by himself, especially wounded as he was. They would either triumph as a team…or die as one, yet he silently prayed to Mahal that it would be the former.

With a mighty yell, the orcs attacked, their weapons clashing with those of Fili and Jade's as the sound rang through the trees. He did his best to keep his eye on his beloved, yet it was difficult to do when being attacked by multiple opponents, all determined to lob off your head. Still, when Fili could spare a second, he saw that Jade was holding her own, her skill with a sword having improved greatly under his tutelage. It gave him a measure of pride to know that she was battling with one of his weapons, and he hoped that it would protect her the same as it had always done for him.

Fili had taken out two of the orcs, noticing that Jade had bested one and was currently engaging another. This left one final opponent for him to deal with, but unfortunately, this one wasn't playing fair. After feigning a lunge to the left, it instead went right, grabbing hold of the arrow still protruding from Fili's shoulder. The jarring motion caused the blond prince to cry out as he struggled to get himself free. Yet the orc had a vice-like grip on the shaft and was not about to let go, so Fili did the only thing he could think of - he brought his blade around to hack at the vile creature's hand, determined to shake his hold.

Now it was the orc's turn to scream in pain as Fili's sword cut through not only several of its fingers, but the wooden shaft it held as well. However, the action sent such a flood of agony through Fili that he was unable to remain standing and fell to the forest floor as he struggled to remain conscious.

"YOU FILTHY DWARF!" the orc spat, it's hate-filled eyes going from his now bloody hand to the injured prince on the ground. "YOU WILL DIE!"

Fili did his best to rise, struggling to lift his blade, but he simply couldn't muster the strength to do so, his vision still a swirling mess leaving him nearly defenseless. He knew the strike would fall any second and braced himself for the blow and the blackness that was sure to follow. Yet when a few blessed moments passed without the searing pain he expected, Fili thought maybe the death stroke had come so quickly that he had died without feeling it. However, since his shoulder still hurt a great deal…he knew he had to still be alive.

Looking up, his vision began to clear, and what he saw had his mouth falling open in sock. The orc stood over him, his spiked club still raised above his head to strike, yet it was the pearl handled dagger that protruded from the beast's throat that held his attention. And as he watched, it gave a final gurgle before it fell to the ground, dead.

Turning his head slowly, since doing so quickly would have caused him to become dizzy and vomit, Fili stared at Jade, standing behind him with her arm still extended from her life-saving throw. She had killed the last orc she had been battling with just in time to turn and save him, and Fili knew then, that if he hadn't loved her before, he certainly did now…tenfold.

Yet, before he could even form words of thanks, the sound of the first group of orcs could be heard approaching up the path from where they had just come.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding!" Fili growled, once more struggling to get to his feet, yet this time, his body would not comply, leaving him flailing around like a newborn dear on wobbly legs. This was not good!

Thus, Fili was forced to watch as Jade became his protector, standing at his side as she threw her second dagger expertly through the air and into the lead orc's chest, sending him down several yards away.

"HERE!" Fili called, reaching into one of his many hidden pockets and extracting another blade, handing it up to her to use. Without missing a beat, she palmed the weapon and hurled it as expertly as she had the last, instinctively reaching back to receive the next one he had ready. Unfortunately, by the third blade, the orcs were far too close for throwing, and Jade hefted Fili's blade once more, prepared to take on the last three as best as she could.

This is it, Jade thought to herself as they came barreling at her. Here is where it all ends. But if she had to die, she would happily do so in defense of the dwarf she loved, laying down her life in hopes that he might live.

Yet, seconds before they came plowing into her, two of them jerked backwards, letting out a strangled cry before falling to the ground. The third didn't even have time to pause before he too was struck down, lying still on the woodland floor beside his comrades. Jade couldn't believe her eyes, and for a few heartbeats was unable to process what had just happened. Yet, when she saw the arrows sticking out of each vile creature's chest, she slowly turned around, nearly falling to her knees in relief when she saw Kili and Tauriel standing behind them - each with another arrow nocked and ready.

"KILI!" Fili cried out, at last letting himself fall backwards in a heap, a flood of gratefulness washing over him. Jade was instantly there, bracing him as he went down, doing her best to cradle his body in a way that would lessen the pressure on his wound. Yet all he could think of was the fact that Jade was safe…and to the blond prince, that was all that mattered.

"FILI! JADE!" Kili called, as he and the elleth hurried to their side. "You're hurt!"

"I'll live," Fili assured his brother, through the pain etched on his face belied his statement. His eyes then turned upward, looking at the dam he now rested against. "Are you all right, Jade? Are you wounded?"

"I…um…" Here the dam seemed to shake off the daze she was in, doing a mental check of herself before answering. When nothing seemed to hurt, and no blood was visible, she shook her head. "I'm…I'm fine…I think." Yet seeing the red stain still seeping over Fili's tunic, she let her hand hover over the broken shaft of the filthy orc arrow. "But you're not! We need to get you back to the mountain! FAST!"

"I'll go get our mounts!" Tauriel said, darting off in the direction they had come from.

Kili quickly removed his belt and secured his brother's arm to his chest, offering it some support so it didn't pull on his wound, while an ashen faced Jade fussed and fidgeted, wishing she could do more. Tauriel was soon back with a pony and a full-sized horse, holding them both as Kili moved to help his brother stand, directing him towards his own mount.

"No," Tauriel insisted, stopping him. "I can get Fili back to the mountain faster on my horse, while you and Jade follow as quickly as you can. He has lost a lot of blood and should that arrow be tipped with morgal poison as yours was…time is of the essence."

Kili only paused a moment before nodding in agreement, accepting the elleth's help in getting his wounded brother up in the saddle. Once he was in place, Tauriel gracefully leapt up behind him and kicked the horse into motion, expertly speeding through the trees, intent on getting Fili back to Erebor at all haste.

"Come, Jade," Kili stated, climbing on the back of his pony and offering her a hand. "We best not tarry, for there could easily be more orcs nearby."

"Wait! I need to get Fili's blades and my daggers!" she argued, scurrying around as she retrieved her beloved weapons from the dead bodies, as well as the twin blades her betrothed always carried. "We can't leave them behind."

Once they were gathered, she stowed her daggers back on her person and handed the rest to Kili, before mounting the pony behind him. Then they were off, following where the horse had just gone.

"How did you find us?" Jade questioned as they rode, her entire body feeling as if it were numb. She knew she was probably in shock, but she fought to remain alert. "And you came so quickly!"

"We met up with your wounded guard," he explained, keeping a close eye on where the pony was going, not wanting him to run into any trees in their haste. "Fili's idea for a ride sounded so nice, Tauriel and I decided to take one as well. We had just crossed the meadow when we saw your guard riding towards us, slumped over the neck of his pony. When he told us of your plight, I ordered the guard that had been assigned to us to take him back to Erebor and we came in search of you. Looks like we made it just in time too."

"A few moments later and I fear it might have been too late," Jade agreed, immensely thankful that they hadn't been delayed. "You and Tauriel saved our lives!"

"For which I can't tell you how pleased I am," Kili admitted, the tone of his voice betraying the fear he must have felt out of worry for them. "Fili is my brother, and I love him dearly, but I've grown very attached to you as well, Jade. I would have grieved greatly if either of you had been lost to us."

"I'm quite fond of you too, Kili," Jade smiled, leaning her head against his back as she gave a sigh of utter relief. "Thank you."

"Save your thanks for when we are all back inside the mountain safe and sound," Kili insisted, urging the pony into a dead run once they were out of the trees. Tauriel and Fili were long out of sight, and he only hoped that his love would get his brother to a healer in time.

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Lord Baldar, ruler of the Grey Mountains, was not far from Erebor's gates when a shout came from behind.

"MAKE WAY! INJURED WARRIOR!" the rider cried as a large horse came barreling up the road, over the bridge and directly into the open gates, forcing Lord Baldar and his party to leap out of the way or be run down.

"Was that an elf?" the dwarf with salt and peppered hair asked in shock, turning to his councilor for confirmation?

"It certainly appeared to be, My Lord," Hakim answered, his own surprise evident in his tone. "And a female one at that."

"She looked to be bearing an injured dwarf before her," the regal looking leader added, having seen the blood on the dwarrow's tunic as they rode past. "Do you think the mountain is under attack?"

"If so, I believe it best we do not delay and make our way inside before we too come under siege," the older dwarf suggested, looking back over his shoulder as he urged their contingent of guards to close ranks as they continued on their path towards Erebor.

"Let battle come!" Lord Baldar huffed, clutching the hilt of his sword. "It has been far too long since my blade tasted orc blood. I would welcome a good fight."

"Well, I would not," Hakim muttered, his fighting days long past. "Now please hurry, My Lord. Your son, Balmor, is a fine prince and warrior in his own right, but I for one would not wish for him to take over the duties of king so soon. Nor would I wish to forfeit my own life on foreign soil, even if this be the most renowned dwarf kingdom in all of Middle Earth."

"That remains to be seen," Baldar said with a bit of a grumble. "I have only come in order to keep the peace, I have not set my mind on whether I will pledge any sort of allegiance, or form an alliance, with this Thorin Oakenshield. He will first have to prove to me his worth."

"Do not carry old grudges into the mountain," Hakim all but begged, knowing full well the history that his lord and the new king of Erebor shared. "The past is the past, and it cannot be altered. Yet, the future can, and should be, for the sake of our people. Do not let your heart rule your actions this day…but instead, your head."

"You speak wisely, and I will attempt to do as you bid," Lord Baldar stated with a sigh. "Yet…it is difficult."

"I understand, truly I do," Hakim nodded sadly, turning to place his hand on his friend's shoulder comfortingly. "I too watched Lila grow up and miss her greatly as well."

Yet, before another word could be spoken, a second set of hooves and a shout came up the road behind them.

"Clear a path!" a dark-haired dwarf called, he and his companion racing by those standing on the side of the road, not slowing until they too reached the mountain gates.

"Hakim!" Baldar gasped, blinking his eyes several times as he strained to catch a better look at the dam who had been riding pillion behind the dwarf. "Did you see? Did you see…it was…Lila! I swear to Mahal it was, or my eyes are playing tricks on me!"

Hakim spun around and squinted against the noonday sun, attempting to catch a glimpse of what his lord had claimed to see. Yet, by now the rider, as well as his companion, was well within the mountain and out of sight.

"My Lord," he said in a soothing tone. "I fear you must have been mistaken. It was probably just someone who shared certain features with your daughter. We were just speaking of her, thus your mind must surely have only made you think it was her. Perhaps it's best we get you out of the sun." Here the older dwarf took him by the arm, as if to offer him assistance.

"I have not gone mad, nor been affected by the heat!" Baldar growled, pulling away in a huff. "I saw what I saw!" Yet after taking a few deep breaths, his shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head. "Or…at least I saw someone who looked like her. Oh, Hakim, will this pain ever truly go away?"

"Nay, My Lord," the white-haired dwarf said in a sad voice. "The loss of a child is never something one recovers from. Still, the hurt will continue to dull with time. Yet you still have Balmor, and he has given you several strong grandsons to dote upon."

"True, and I love them all dearly, but nothing and no one can replace my Lila. It has been nearly ninety years, Hakim," Baldar moaned. "Ninety years since I laid eyes on my only daughter. Thus, I fear I will take this ache with me to the Halls of Mandos. For only there will I be reunited with my little jewel, it would seem."

"Come, My Lord…let us continue on," Hakim suggested, once more placing a comforting hand on his leader's shoulder. "The sooner you speak with the king, the sooner we can make our way back home, where we belong."

"Aye," Lord Baldar agreed. "Let's get this blasted obligatory meeting over with." And on up they went, with their troops and wagons following close behind.

*wipes away sweat from forehead* That was close! Thankfully, Fili and Jade made it out alive...now let's see if they can remain that way. They fought good together, almost like they were made to be a couple or something!

Look at Kili and Tauriel working together as a team as well! Wonder who shot two of the orcs and who only got one. ha ha.

Hmmm, the Grey Mountain Delegation has arrived...and I don't know about you, but Lord Baldar seems to find Jade oddly familiar! Wonder what that's all about? (sly wink)

Please let me know if you had this all figured out ages ago, or if this comes as a big shock to you. I like to drop hints, but I do prefer to be subtle about it...so let me know how I did. ha ha.

Guest Reviews:

Aranel Mereneth: Yeah...sorry about that. A whole chapter and no talking...wait...I did it again! And I didn't see your review till very late last night and I was too sleepy by then to spend the time to post another one. Sorry again. But here is a new one now!

Nala: I hope your stress goes away soon...and I hope this chapter didn't just add to it! Don't worry, Fili is touch, he should pull through all right...maybe. Thanks.

Travelbug: Ch. 22 = You can fist-bump all you want...I'm pretty sure they did too. ha ha. And no one can be upset with our Kili, no matter WHAT he interrupts, right? He's just so happy. Ch. 23 = Of course Dis wants grand-babies... a whole lap full with more spilling onto the floor! Better get cracking on that Lads! You don't think I'll make their talking very easy? What makes you say that? Perhaps the big orc attack and Fili now being wounded? You know me so well. *sly grin* Thanks for both reviews.