Hello!

Thank you very much to those following my story and to Wynni and Fililover95 for their kind reviews!

Are we ready for some fun in this chapter?

I think Fili is in for an eye opener.

~X~

~X~

Chapter 5

As Fili's consciousness slipped from his delightful dream and awakened to reality, he became aware of two things. One…it was morning. And two…he had not been sleeping alone! For there, cuddled against his side, one arm wrapped securely around his waist and her head nestled against his right arm, was Daeloness! When had this happened?

Fili did not recall when he had fallen asleep, but he sure as hell remembered he had done so alone - his little captive having still been in her own bedroll a few feet away. Yet at some point during the night she must have become cold or frightened, perhaps even lost in some frightening dream, which had prompted her to venture nearer to him. He was now torn between being confused…and quite delighted. His own dreams had been rather salacious and to wake to find the very one they had been about, practically lying on top of him, was a very interesting turn of events.

He slowly reached out his left hand, tracing his fingers lightly up her bare arm until it reached her golden hair. Fili savored the feel of her silky tresses that were just as soft as he imagined they would be. Her eyes were closed and her face had taken on an almost serene look, erasing all the cares and worry from her often furrowed brows. Her body was warm against his own and the longer he allowed her to lie there, the more uncomfortable he became. A scowl marred his normally jovial face as he scolded his traitorous body for acting out of harmony with the pledge he had made her. No one would touch her without her permission, he had told her. That went for him as well! Yet here he was, relishing the feel of her hair, her sweet aroma, and the sensation of her little arm draped across his waist…oh, he was a wicked dwarf! He deserved a far greater punishment than a bitten thumb for the thoughts that were currently tormenting his mind!

Yet before he could disengage himself without her knowing, she stirred, stretching slightly as she opened her beautiful blue eyes and took in her surroundings. The moment she stiffened, Fili knew he had been caught, yet it had not been his fault…had it?

"Good morning, Daeloness," he told her, trying his best to sound calm and not on the verge of wanting to ravish her…even if he was.

At the sound of his voice coming from so close to her, she literally jumped and scrambled backwards, her eyes as wide as saucers. She was looking everywhere at once, her poor befuddled mind trying desperately to make heads or tails of the situation and come to some logical conclusion.

"How did you…did I…" she stammered, a blush coming to her cheeks as he continued to stare at her with that all too obvious gaze.

"You must have become chilly in the night," he attempted to explain, choosing the most logical and least offensive reason he could come up with. It was not his favorite reason…but she might have been offended by that one. "I woke to find you here. Nothing happened, I swear on my honor as a warrior." He knew this to be true, for not only were they still both fully clothed, he was certain that if they had engaged in anything besides sleep…he would remember the encounter in vivid detail.

She seemed to relax at his assurance, yet he could see that she was still having trouble meeting his eyes. He truly hoped this little blunder would not put them back to where they were not speaking again. Fili had grown very fond of her voice, as well as her laughter and smiles, and he would not easily give them up if he could help it.

"There is no reason to feel embarrassed," he continued. "It was simply a natural reaction, the instinctual need for warmth having driven you to my side…nothing more." Yet he found himself praying that it had been more…much more. "No one will think less of you, least of all me."

"You…you won't tell anyone though…will you?" she asked, finally looking up as her eyes pleaded with him.

"I will take the incident to my grave, my lady," he swore. "No one but you and I will ever know, I swear."

With his oath given she released a sigh of relief and went to rise, the metal cuff and chain rattling a bit as she did. It pained Fili greatly that he must keep her bound this way, and yet he knew he had no choice. Thorin had entrusted him with this assignment, and he could not afford to let feelings of guilt…or any other kinds…get in the way of that. Needing to do something to occupy his mind and hands, he too rose and went to stoke the fire. Much of the wood he had collected the day before had been used during the night, thus giving him the perfect excuse to put some much needed distance between himself and the girl who was currently troubling his mind and body.

"I will go gather some firewood and then I will see to breakfast," he informed her, grabbing an ax and heading down the hillside at a speed brought on by necessity.

~X~

The moment Fili was out of sight, Daeloness practically collapsed back on her bedroll, her legs having become like jelly after what had just taken place. She was extremely grateful for his quick departure, for she was not sure how much longer she would have been able to keep up the charade. The appearance of being embarrassed and uncomfortable had not been hard to project at all…but pretending to have been asleep had!

Daeloness had felt Fili's fingers caressing her skin as they slid up her arm, only to become entangled in her hair as he gently combed through it. She had not wanted him to know that she had been awake for the past half an hour, too afraid to dislodge herself for fear of waking him. The princess realized it had been she who must have moved in the night, not him. For he was still in the very same spot she remembered him to be when she fell asleep. Somehow, for some reason, she had been the one to seek him out! So she had silently lain there, listening to his gentle breathing, and feeling the rise and fall of his powerful chest, all the while thinking about what could have prompted her to act so brazenly.

He had been so engaging the previous evening, delighting her with both stories and songs until she had drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face. This was not how one was supposed to react to the person who held them captive. No, she was supposed to hate him! Yet she didn't…in fact, far from it. Having been cooped up in a tower all of her life had not afforded her many experiences with those of the opposite sex. Was her previous lack of male attention the only reason this dwarf prince seemed to steal her attention, making her heart beat a little faster and leaving her eyes longing for just one more stolen glance of him? While she wished it were so, Daeloness knew that was not the case. If that was the only reason…why had she not reacted the same when confronted by his brother, Kili…or the great and mighty Thorin? She was not blind, and she would readily admit that they both appeared handsome, and even a few of the other dwarves in the company were somewhat pleasant to look at…yet Fili was something completely different. And that is what scared her the most.

Was she actually developing feelings for the dwarf? Was the heart which beat frantically in her breast at the mere sight of him betraying her somehow? She was a princess, the daughter of a water king and the promised bride of their former enemy, so what was she even doing thinking about…no, she couldn't bring herself to even think the word! What she needed to do was stop this foolishness and get on with her plan…her plan to escape!

Daeloness looked down at her right hand, uncurling her fingers to reveal a key…the very key to the cuff that held her captive. When she had awoke to find herself plastered to Fili's side, at first she had been aghast, too mortified to move. Yet the longer she stayed still, thinking about what to do, the more she realized that she could use this awkward situation to her advantage. Daeloness knew he carried the key to her cuff on him somewhere, and if she moved ever so slowly, she was certain she could find it. It took her quite a while, but in the end, she had been victorious, discovering the small metal key in the right hand pocket of his leather vest. Palming the item, she quickly faked sleep, allowing him to think that she was just as shocked to find herself there with him as he was. And it had worked!

Now, with Fili gone, and her heart in her throat, she quickly released the metal cuff holding her captive, watching triumphantly as it dropped to the ground. Once free, Daeloness raced around the campsite, grabbing a water skin, a blanket and the small dagger Fili had given her the other day, shoving them all in a knapsack. She knew she had to move fast if she wished to make good her escape before her jailor returned with the firewood, and yet she was hesitant to take his pony. Not only did she have no idea how to handle the steed on her own, the idea of him coming back to camp to find not only her gone, but his mount as well, troubled her greatly. For she realized that should she make good her escape…Fili would have failed Thorin in his duty to guard her.

"That is foolish!" she scolded herself out loud. "Why should you care, especially when his duty was to keep you hostage? Now stop talking to yourself and just leave!"

Her firm rebuke did the trick, snapping her out of her troubling thoughts and motivating her towards the tree line. She would need to move quickly and quietly, for the last thing she ever wanted to see was a look of anger and betrayal in Fili's handsome blue eyes…should he manage to catch her!

~X~

Meanwhile, not terribly far away, Fili was struggling with his own mental conflict. It upset him to think just how much it had affected him to wake and find Daeloness so close. He was not some young inexperienced dwarfling who became giddy at the mere sight of a beautiful maid. He had been with his share, enjoyed their company, yet had never felt any compulsion to see them again once they kindly parted ways. So why did he now feel this overwhelming need to rush back to camp, simply in hopes of seeing her smile? He literally stopped in his track and shook his head in disbelief…he was acting just like his brother!

While he was standing still, Fili closed his eyes and began to recall the dream he had just before waking. He had pushed it from his mind the moment he had found Daeloness lying beside him, preferring the real thing to his unconscious fantasy. Yet now he began to wonder if they were not one in the same, that perhaps the things he had been dreaming of had actually happened! Once more he allowed his mind to think back to the visions dancing around in his mind. Her scent still lingered in his nostrils and he inhaled deeply, relishing the aroma of waterlilies and raindrops. He remembered soft little hands, running over his body, touching, teasing and exploring every valley and peak…almost as if she was searching for something.

Fili's eyes shot open as he dropped his ax, his hand instantly going to his pocket…the pocket where he kept the key to her shackle. It was gone!

"That devious little minx!" he growled, realizing just how easily he had been tricked. How could he have been so foolish? She had played him so well, using her womanly wiles against him and he had fallen for every line, every tear…everything! Picking up his ax he whirled around and raced back to camp.

Thorin would have his head for this!

When Fili broke through the bushes and into camp, he was met with silence…she was gone! The iron cuff lying on the ground mocked him, confirming that he had been a blasted idiot. Had everything been a lie? Her sad story about growing up in confinement, her betrothal to the King of Ekmus…her mother dying in childbirth? Had it all been a fabrication to win his sympathies? The warrior side of him praised her for her ingenuity if it was…yet his heart begged that it not be so. He had to find her! Not only would Thorin never forgive him for allowing their only hope of reclaiming Erebor to escape…but deep down, Fili had to know the truth.

Grabbing his weapons and a few supplies, he mounted his pony and spurred it out of camp, desperate to pick up her trail.

~X~

Daeloness had been trudging through the forest for a little over an hour, having no idea which direction to take since she had no idea where she was going! She could not go home…and since she had arrived at the camp site rolled up in a blanket, she had no idea where she was! Were there any settlements to the north…or the south? She simply didn't know!

She had done her best to hide her tracks, using a tree limb to brush them out when she first left camp, yet as she began to move faster, she gave up the effort and just ran. Perhaps her erratic directions would throw Fili off her scent, assuming he had already arrived back at camp and found her missing. She was certain he would make chase, his reputation and honor demanded no less…she just prayed she could remain one step ahead of him until he chose to give up.

But do you want him to give up? the voice inside her head wondered.

"Of course I do!" she answered herself, covering her mouth with her hand when she realized how forcefully she had stated her claim. It would certainly not do to give away her position by arguing with herself.

Or do you wish for him to find you, and that is why you spoke so loudly? That traitorous voice spoke again.

This time Daeloness did not respond. And whether it was because she did not want to run the risk of anyone hearing…or because it was actually true, she didn't wish to contemplate.

And so she ran.

~X~

Fili had picked up her trail with ease, though he had to credit this to her lack of skill in hiding her tracks, more than his ability to read them. A blind orc on a moonless night could have followed the water princess with surprising ease! He knew she had a bit of a head start, but it was only a matter of time before he overtook her. Fili shook his head in disbelief when he saw that she had changed directions yet again…did she even realize she was going around in circles? He chuckled to himself, thinking he could sit down right here and just wait until she stumbled back this way and ran straight into him.

Still, he pressed on, anxious to catch up with her and take her back where she belonged! His thought caused him to pause, wondering if he meant back with him as his prisoner…or something else. He could no longer deny the budding feeling he felt for his little princess captive. The emotions she stirred within him were definitely those a male would have for a female, yet he knew he had no business feeling them. She was not even of his kind!

As if that matters when affairs of the heart are involved, his inner voice whispered to him.

Well, Thorin would not approve, that much he knew for certain! How often had it been drilled into his head, that one day he stood to be king, and as such he would have to conduct his life with discipline and honor, holding fast to the ancient ways. He had heard of a few mixed race marriages, often a dwarf taking a bride from the race of men, or vice-versa. But these unions were not looked upon favorably, no, not at all! And as a prince in the line of Durin, Fili was certain that Thorin would not allow it.

"Why are you even thinking like this, you fool?" he chided himself out loud. "The girl obviously hates you! You and your kin took her captive and she only pretended to be friendly so that she could steal the key from you! Yet here you are, thinking of commitment and marriage when you don't even know where she is. Find the girl first, and then you can sort out your ridiculous feelings!"

Now, more angry with himself than with her, Fili trudged on, determined to locate Daeloness and have her back at camp before nightfall!

~X~

Daeloness was exhausted! She had traveled nearly all day and was not used to such things, having spent her whole life within four small rooms inside her tower prison. Her feet hurt and she wanted desperately to rest, yet she feared that if she stopped even for a moment, all would be lost. Reaching into her pack, she took out the water skin and tipped it up to her lips, moaning in despair when only a few drops remained, doing very little to quench her burning thirst. It was a hot dry day, with no way to pull any moisture from the air like she had done the previous night when she extinguished Fili's pipe, and she had yet to run across a stream or any source of liquid. She also wished she had thought to bring some food, for she had foolishly left without breakfast, having been so eager to make her escape while Fili was out of sight. Daeloness saw the error of her ways, deciding that she had acted too quickly, not thinking things through before taking off the moment she realized she could escape. Still…she was free! Free to go where she chose, free to do what she wanted…yet why was it that the only face she truly wanted to see right then had piercing blue eyes and two silly little braids hanging down from either side of his mustache?

Damn him! Why did he invade her thoughts so much? Why was he all she could think about? Daeloness stopped and stared up at the sun, noticing that it would soon begin to fall behind the hills, announcing the coming of night. She shivered at the thought of spending a night alone in the woods with no fire, no food…and no Fili. Images of his disarming smile and haunting eyes flashed before her, and suddenly she found she could go no further.

Stopping in her tracks and removing her pack, she threw it to the ground in disgust. Marching over to a fallen log she sat down and buried her face in her hands.

"Oh, Fili…why won't you get out of my head?" she moaned.

"A thousand pardons, my lady," came the voice she both longed for and dreaded at the same time. "I had no idea I had so rudely taken up residence there."

Daeloness' head whipped up and she stared at the dwarf before her with terror in her eyes. He was only a few yards away, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest, and his piercing eyes locked on her…yet not in a pleasant way. He appeared angry, a look that did not suit him well, and one that caused her to shiver in fear.

"How did you…" she began, yet stopped when she realized the foolishness of her question.

"Oh, you led me on a merry chase, I will give you that, princess," he told her, pushing off from the tree and walking forward, never taking his eyes off of her. "But I would have to say that your little act this morning was by far your crowning achievement. You play the coquette very well, batting your eyes and blushing with false modesty, all the while making me think that you truly…" Here he stopped, his eyes ablaze with rage and hurt. "Well, no more, princess. You are my prisoner and I am taking you back with me even if I have to hog tie you and carry you over my shoulder!"

Daeloness saw the threatening look on his face and she was up in a shot, forgetting her aching feet and her near exhaustion, as she ran from him as quickly as she possibly could. From behind, she heard him give an angry roar before taking off after her, his footfalls and heavy breaths bearing down on her. She knew she could not escape and yet she couldn't stop herself from trying. Daeloness had just ducked through a hedge of bushes and out into a small clearing when he caught up at last, his hand grabbing her arm and spinning her around with such force that she crashed against him. Their feet momentarily tangled and suddenly they were falling, yet at the last second Fili wrapped her in his arms and turned so that she landed on top of him, his shoulder and back striking the ground with a dreadful thud. Daeloness struggled to rise but Fili was quicker, instantly flipping her over and pinning her to the ground, her hands restrained next to her head as his solid body pressed her down into the soft grass.

"Stop running, girl!" he growled, as they both gasped for air after their quick sprint. "For I tire of chasing after you!" Fili knew that was a lie, for even though he had initially been irritated at his need to reclaim his prisoner, he had thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of the hunt…just as long as she was his prey. "You will not escape me again, princess, and if you thought being chained to a wall was maddening, just wait and see what I plan on doing with you this time!"

"Please…please just let me go!" she begged, fighting to keep her tears at bay.

"NO!" he answered back. "I trusted you once, gave you a little freedom and you betrayed me!"

"I made no secret of my wish to escape! I never once lied to you," Daeloness pointed out, her chest rising and falling at a frantic pace as she struggled beneath him. "I can't go back…I just can't become wife to a man I do not love…and who will never love me!" And with that realization, there went her resolve, and tears of utter despair began to fall from her eyes. "Can't you understand, Fili, I had to run…I had no choice!"

And as the dwarf prince stared down into her captivating azure blue eyes, his heated blood pumping wildly through his veins, something snapped within him, causing him to act in a way he had never dreamed he was capable.

"Just as I have no choice either," he whispered, not knowing if his words referred to his mission…or matters of the heart. Yet he did not have a chance to contemplate this, for without further thought, Fili brought his mouth down upon hers, tasting the sweetness of her lips for the first time. And suddenly, the golden prince, heir to Thorin Oakenshield and the lost kingdom of Erebor, understood that there were things in this world one required more than air, more than food and even more than life sustaining water.

Oh, yes…this was a different kind of thirst altogether.

Oh my...love is in the air, even if they both refuse to admit how strong and true it is.

But hey, leaves something for the next few chapters, right? This will not be LONG story, maybe 15 chapters total, unless I get 'wordy'. But I have it all mapped out and it should not take too long to get this whole mess they have themselves in figured out.

So please, keep checking back, keep reading and please, oh please, send in a review and let me know if you are enjoying it.

Thanks, T.O.W.G.