Traveling through the mountains was more taxing than any of the Dwarves had thought. Sure they lived in mighty mountains and many were travelers, but the short rest in Rivendell could not hide the fact they had been attacked by trolls and orcs in such a short span and now they had very little to eat. The company tried to stay in good spirits however, doing their assigned duties and eating their slightly tepid stew each night. Fires were scarce, none of them wanting to draw unwanted attention to themselves.
Throughout their journey so far, the young princes had stayed in optimistic attitudes and it managed to remain even through the frosty mountains. They stayed close to their Hobbit as always, entertaining her in ways that they hoped would make up for the cold and lacking food. Thorin barely stopped for the usually three meals that Dwarves ate, Fili and Kili had no clue how Blossom was continuing on without all of the meals she had told them that Hobbits needed. It was no secret that sometimes the princes would give her some of their food, feigning full stomachs just so the female could have a bit more in hers. Fili was the one to ultimately go hungry out of the trio, though Frerin caught on quickly to what they were doing and had given Fili more of his own food and it was a weird circle from there.
"Uncle," Fili huffed softly, the older blond merely rolling his eyes as he poured more of his broth into Fili's bowl. The company had settled for the night, many instantly curling together to fight off the cold and weariness from the day.
"Hush and eat, irakdashat," the name had Fili eating his stew, knowing that he would not argue with his uncle. The trio of princes had taken to speaking in Khuzdul in hopes of teaching Blossom, even if it was a little bit. With most of the company knowing who Fili's One was, their future queen, none were too upset with her learning their language. It would be a matter of time anyhow.
"Nephew," Blossom chimes happily from where she is sat with Kili and Ori across the small fire. The youngest Ri brother has apparently taken to knitting and has seen fit to cover their Hobbit in as many things as he could make since Rivendell. She already had gloves and a scarf to cover her. Most of the Dwarves did not want to see her cold. Fili often found himself with her tucked under his cloak as they walked in harsh winds. He would carry her if he knew that she would allow him. It was not for a lack of trying, she had beat him around the head rather hard when he attempted to pick her up three days after their departure from Rivendell. Frerin and Kili laughed at him as he sulked for the rest of the day. The two could not stay away from each other though, Blossom coming to him that night and pressing a shy kiss to his temple. He had simply smiled and wrapped her in his cloak once more. He had learned never to pick Blossom up, unless permission was explicitly given.
"I am proud of you Kurdu," Fili smiled, hiding the guilt at the puzzled look on her face at the term. He did not know why, but telling her that she bore his name seemed as terrifying as losing her, though he did not dwell on the second thought too much. He was afraid that she would reject him, that she actually truly did love Frerin instead him. Or perhaps even Kili? She has always been soft with him since their first night together. Fili did not want to think of the possibilities, not even the positive. For now, she would not know, not until he could tell for himself that he was the one to hold his heart.
"You are cruel nadad," Kili was not too happy with Fili's secret however. He was never too good with secrets and did not like to lie to Blossom. Both brothers ignored Blossom's little call of "brother" as they stared each other down. Fili was the older brother and Blossom was his One, he should be able to do what he wanted without Kili taking as a personal offense. Kili had argued that it was not just his soul, but Blossom's that he was making sole decisions for. She should be included in Fili's choice for it was not just the blond's choice, but their choice. Fili understood, by Mahal he did, but that fear was real within him. He did not think he would ever be anyone besides Kili's first choice in anything. Though even that might be untrue with how close the Hobbit and his brother had gotten.
It was rather strange how the brothers had taken to the Hobbit in only a couple weeks of knowing her, even the first night of pain and sorrow was strange to seek her comfort. None of the company seemed to care one way or another seeing as they were not spilling their races' secrets, though they did not really approve of her being taught Khuzdul. The prince had simply argued that she would one day be Queen and should know what people say about her without he or Kili having to tell her. They understood that notion and left the princes to their 'activities'. The more traditional of the company – Thorin, Oin, Balin and Dori – just believed that the princes were merely toying with the Hobbit and would grow bored of her before too long. They should stop holding out hope since they all knew of their shared mark by now.
"You should keep your thoughts to yourself nadadith," Fili hissed back to his brother, his fists clenched at his side. The two princes glared fiercely for a few short minutes before both stood, ready to solve this issue like they normally would, with fighting. Usually it was more like wrestling, but both had not removed their weapons. Neither noticed a little lady shooting up as well and moving to stand in front of Fili, small hand pressed into his sternum, though they both knew it could not truly stop him if he wanted to fight his brother.
"Little brother," she said, her voice taking a nervous tone to is as she stared up at Fili. She did not want the two of them to fight and surely not over her. "That is what nadadith means right?" She hoped that her questions would distract the blond prince. Her presence seemed to distract him normally and it should be no different now. The blond's eyes flickered to her before settling on his brother once more, his head nodding to her question. "Can you tell me what turghalw is?" She asked, her Khuzdul a bit choppy, but it had its intended effect. Fili's eyes were on her and they were wide in shock. She blushed at the intense stare, biting her lip. She hoped that it was not an insult that Kili seemed fond of teaching her. Though she learned this one from Frerin if she was honest.
"Sweet beard," he whispered, looking deep into her eyes. His heart fluttered in his chest and he wanted nothing more than to hear endearment fall from her lips directed at him. Though he would have to wait for her to actually understand those endearments. Blossom beamed up at him, testing the word again. Fili smiled back at her, paying his brother no mind as he pulled her to his side and settled her between him and his uncle. Frerin was merely smirking at his nephew and his Hobbit, proud that she had been able to wrangle the childish nature that the two princes seemed not able to shake. Thorin would not take too kindly to his nephews fighting each other over the Hobbit. He was already upset to learn that his heir apparent was already destined outside their race to Blossom. It would have been easier had they never met, but now there would no denying Fili's right to his soulmate. Thorin hoped that he could find a wonderful Dwarf lass and marry off Kili before he got to meet his Elf One. Thorin would not stand for an Elf in his mountain.
With the crisis averted, Blossom settled against Fili, listening to Kili go back to conversing with Ori as if nothing had happened at all. She always adored how they seemed able to bounce right back from fights. No argument or disagreement could come between the two princes. She listened to Kili animatedly speak about his mother and Dwalin joined in as well, telling stories of the princess and king. It sounded to her like they were as thick as thieves, causing as much trouble as Fili and Kili.
"None stood a chance when Frerin and Vili joined their ranks. It is a blessing Ered Luin did not fall to their antics," Balin added, coming to sit next to his brother, his own bowl of broth in hand. The mention of Vili seemed to strike a chord in the princes, both stiffening at their father's name. Blossom placed a comforting hand on Fili's unmarked forearm. She was not the only one who had noticed the difference in the princes. They all waited with baited breath to see who would speak up first. Blossom felt Fili inhale next to her, but the words came out of Kili.
"Did he survive? I mean you did, against all odds, uncle… We just want to know if maybe," Kili, realizing he was rambling, stopped short. There was a desperate look to him, and Fili too she imagined if she looked up. Frerin sighed softly and shook his head. He knew this conversation would be coming, but it did not make it easier. Besides Vili was his best friend, outside of his siblings. His loss still hung heavily in Frerin's heart. It sometimes made him wish he had fallen with his sister's husband.
"He fought till the very end, at my side. He told me to live," Frerin said, the normally stoic blond trembling under the pressure. How was he to tell his nephews that their father died so he could live? Kili looked close to tears and Fili's jaw was clenched, eyes trained on the fire before him. Frerin nodded his head once more absentmindedly, getting up from his spot and moving to Thorin. He had been strong for the months they were on this trip, but in the lieu of his failure and loss, he allowed himself the permission to seek his brother. Thorin would take the burden from him, if only for a little while.
The company, with the new information in mind, found that they were wearier than before and all set about to get some sleep. Blossom curled between the princes as normal, this time whispering reassurances to them as they curled into her. Kili held her tightly, mourning a father he never knew. Fili seemed lost in thought, though he curled to the Hobbit's chest, his arm resting over her and Kili's neck. Kili was the first to fall asleep, his brother following only at the insistence of Blossom. She would keep the princes safe from nightmares. It was a while after them, that Blossom succumbed to her tiredness. Only Frerin and Thorin remained awake, the rest of the company in their dreams. There was a storm on the horizon and it would do them all good to get some good, dry sleep before they were soaked through to their bones.
This storm was not like the others they had faced. The rain fell like stone against their bodies, slicking the rock below their feet into mud. Blossom, had she been in the Shire, would have lament the mud that caked into the hair on her feet. At last, she wasn't in the Shire though. Had not been for weeks, months even! She would be lying if she said she did not miss the cozy nights with only Frerin in her smial. She also would be lying if she said that the journey was all bad, she did get to see the Elves after all. She quite liked the princes as well.
"Quickly, we must find shelter!" It was difficult to hear Thorin over the thunderclaps, but she followed along. She held on to Fili's belt, not wanting to slide off the mountain. The prince had much the same thought, one hand over hers and the other in the coat Kili wore. Fili, as always, took the leading role in protecting his younger companions, though Fili named them family within his head.
"Look out!" Dwalin snarled from behind them, slamming her and the princes into the mountain right as a boulder came crashing into the path where they had just been. Blossom's eyes were blown wide, staring at the trench at her feet. It would be a horrible fall indeed. The blood was rushing in her ears making it hard to hear who was talking or if anyone was taking at all.
"That's a thunder battle!" Bofur yelled, clear as day. Blossom felt her heart jump as a groaning sound came from the mountain. Were the legends true?
"Stone giants!" Balin, at least that is who she thought, shouted, the Dwarves scrambling along the path. Blossom stood in fear as a part of the mountain began to move. Yavanna save them all. She hurried after Fili, Kili having fallen a bit behind with Thorin. She no longer held his belt, rather his hand clutched hers. It was warm and a bit wet, but neither factors stopped her from clutching back just as tight. Thorin called for them to halt, Fili looking at his brother. The groaning sound came from below them and the ground started to move. Which side was moving was the mystery.
"Kili! Kili, take my hand!" Fili bellowed, reaching for his brother as the ground beneath his feet lifted. Blossom clung to the giant, grappling for Fili's free hand. The other was reaching for his brother. Had she been between them she would have seen the unshed tears welling up in their eyes. She took note that, thankfully, Frerin was safe at Thorin's side.
"Hang on Lass," Bofur called, clutching the mountain and Ori at his other side. Blossom was not sure who else got taken with them, but it mattered little at the time. All that mattered was that Fili did not fall off, her hand clutching his hand a bit tighter along with the stone giant to reassure herself of her grip. Her life most certainly depended on it. The clustered looked up when their giant jerked to the side. Its head was missing! Blossom assumed it was Its head. They began to fall, soaring towards the mountain. She felt arms wrap around her, Fili releasing the rock to hold her instead. Before she knew it, her body was covered by Fili, his feet on either side of her and holding her close. She had not a clue how he maneuvered himself in front of her, but she did not care, holding his waist tight. The foolish Dwarf was holding onto her solely, trusting her strength to hold them both to the giant! The mountain was close now, Fili whispering to her, none of them able to hear because of the thunder.
"Hold tight my heart," Fili said, loud enough for her to finally hear. She did not get to comment on the endearment as they slammed into the mountain. She clutched Fili's tunic, the Dwarf holding her just as tight. They slowly got up from their dwarf pile, Fili almost barreled over by his brother. Blossom took a step back, wanting them to have their moment in peace. Though she forgot where they were for a moment. The path crumbled beneath her feet, sending her down into the chasm. She made no sound other than a grunt from the force of grabbing the mountain. The velocity almost caused her to release her hold.
"Where's Blossom? Where's the Hobbit!" Bofur called, Blossom rolling her eyes at his dramatic shouting. She winched when pebbles rained down on her, looking up to see Frerin looming over her.
"My sweet hobbit," he sighed, his concern and fear present on his face as he slid down the side of the mountain and shoved her up to Dwalin's waiting hands. Frerin begun to climb, momentarily pausing when his foot slid in the rumble of the mountain. Thorin's shouts were all he could hear, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes at his brother's over protectiveness. No wonder her was graying already. Nevertheless, he swung himself up and grabbed Thorin's hand. Within seconds he was back on the mountain, his brother fretting over him.
"Honestly Thorin! I survived multiple arrow wounds and traveling down a river. And a very pregnant Belladonna Baggins! You think a little mountain can take me down?" Thorin recoiled from his brother's harsh words. Frerin felt bad, but Thorin needed to realize that he was no Dwarfling. He had fought battle and survived just like him. "Had I not gone down there, we would have lost our Hobbit," Frerin added hoping Thorin would finally see Blossom's importance.
"She has been lost since she left her home," Thorin spat cruelly, his eyes trained over Frerin's shoulder. The blond turned, his heart breaking at the lost look on his Hobbit's face. Fili and Kili stood at her side, both looking angry and torn. They both looked like sopping Dwarflings whose mother told them there would be no desert tonight for them playing in the rain. "Fili take your brother and scout ahead for shelter." The brothers moved reluctantly away from Blossom, the Hobbit's face only falling more. Frerin turned and glared at Thorin, caring not at all about the flinch he gained in return. He did not know Thorin could be so cruel. The blond moved to his Hobbit holding her close. Thankfully they found shelter before too long. Frerin sat down, pulling Blossom to curl into his side like she would when she had nightmares. She did not speak, but they did not need to. The warmth and closeness was enough for them.
"You shouldn't treat her like she is worthless," Despite not needing words between them, Frerin and Thorin obviously did. Though Frerin had waited for the Hobbit to be asleep, whether she was faking or not, before voicing his concerns to Thorin.
"I almost lost you because of her," Thorin huffed, sitting next to his brother. It was the closest that Frerin would get to compassion and worry from the older Dwarf. The blond had no clue who his brother had turned out to be. The Thorin he knew would never think of speaking to anyone, let alone a woman, in the way he spoke to Blossom. Frerin brushed his fingers through the Hobbit's hair, soothing away the worry lines from her face. Perhaps Thorin had always been with way? Being around Hobbits who cared immensely about others spoiled him. Frerin could not afford to think that way. That is how the abused thought of their abusers, thought that they deserved what they got. It would not be long, if he allowed the behavior to continue, before Thorin's sharp tongue turned on him.
"You will lose me if you are not kinder. She is like a child to me, I was there at her birth and have seen every quirk of her life. I know she is capable of more than you give her credit for," Frerin said, his eyes not meeting his brother's as he looked at his Hobbit. Belladonna was probably laughing at him from the grave for his sentimental words. He had not been too good at them when she was alive, always scared to say that he liked something. Belladonna read him like parchment however and did not allow him to wallow too much. He just hoped that her and Bungo passed knowing that their daughter was safe with him. There was no doubt in his heart that if Blossom was his child and he perished that Belladonna would have cared for her as her own.
Thorin observed his brother carefully. He was not the youngest, but the raven haired man had never seen his brother as gentle as he was with the Hobbit with anyone else. Admittedly there was part of him that was terrified, worried that this connection between the Hobbit and his brother was more than kinship, but he had seen the mark on her skin. Had seen his nephew's name on her. That in itself was worrying, to know that Fili would never have fully Dwarf children, if Blossom could bear his child at all. He worried about how the people would see it if they even succeeded in this quest. Please keep in mind dear reader, that Blossom only came into his life a few months prior and in that time she had 'ensnared' both of his nephews and already held his brother's heart in her hand. To anyone that alone was daunting. It felt as if his life was being ripped from him. He did not say anything back to his brother's words, simply sitting at his side. Before long the Durin line had laid down to rest, none of them realizing that Blossom had been awake the entire time.
The Hobbit lass waited until the dark of night, though it was rather dark during the day as well, before her eyes popped open. She was towards the back of the cave, Frerin curled protectively around herself. She smiled sadly, knowing it would break his heart, but she had to do this. The blond belonged here. Belonged with his nephews and Thorin. She could not get in the way of that anymore. She pressed a brief kiss to his forehead, the Dwarf twitching but not waking. The smile turned fond well aware of how much of a rock Frerin was when asleep. She would not have considered this if it hadn't been Frerin she was laying with. She gathered her things quickly and quietly. She stood up casting a look over the Durins. In her absence, Frerin curled to the closest warmth, which happened to be Thorin. The King laid on his back, Frerin on his right and Fili on his left. The younger blond had his back turned to his uncle, but was pressed into his side, Kili tucked under his chin. Thorin's left arm was outstretched as makeshift pillow for the princes. His other arm had come up in his sleep to cradle Frerin's head to him. The sight tugged on his heart strings, but this could not be hers. They could not be her family. Taking careful steps, Blossom made her way to the mouth of the cave. She really should have paid attention to Frerin's lessons on observance. If she had, she would have noticed that Thorin's fingers were moving in his brother's hair, very much awake, and that Bofur was sitting watch at the front of the cave.
"Where do you think you're going?" The Toymaker was quiet in his speak, but Blossom heard him as if he had yelled. She sighed softly and turned to face him, not sure she could actually leave if Bofur asked her not to.
"Back to Rivendell." She answered honestly, her fist clutching the walking stick that Kili had found for her. She would miss the princes a lot, but it was for the best. They were young and they would not miss her. Even if how close they had gotten attached to her.
"No, no, you can't turn back now, you're part of the Company. You're one of us." Bofur sprung from where he sat, his hands coming to grab the stick as well. As if it would hold her in place. She was stunned for a second, not having known that any in the company outside of the princes and Frerin liked her enough to plead with her to stay.
"I'm not though, am I? Thorin said I should never have come, and he was right. I'm not a Took, I'm a Baggins, I don't know what I was thinking. I should never have run out my door." Unknowingly to the duo, the King was staring up at the roof of the cave, listening to their conversation.
"You're homesick; I understand."
"No, you don't, you don't understand! None of you do you're dwarves. You used to- to this life, to living on the road, never settling in one place, not belonging anywhere." The instant the words left her, she knew they were wrong and she regretted them. Bofur's face took on a melancholy look and he moved back to where he was sitting before. "I am sorry, I didn't…"
"No, you're right. We don't belong anywhere. I wish you all the luck in the world. I really do." Bofur said somberly, though he smiled at Blossom. The Hobbit sighed inwardly to herself, turning to head back down the path. It would be a chance of fate if she even made it an hour away before she was swept of the mountain. A day before Frerin caught up and killed her himself. "What's that?" Bofur called softly, catching her attention before she could leave the cave. The Hobbit looked down at the sword that Gandalf had given her, eyes widening at the blue glow. Oh no.
"Wake up. Wake up!" Thorin shouted, shaking his nephews and kicking body parts that he could. It was no use however as the floor collapsed below them, sending them into the mountain. Thorin held tightly to Frerin, not sure who was who as they all collided together. After what felt like a lifetime of falling they landed in a heap of Dwarves. Well Dwarves and one Hobbit. They barely had a chance to gather one's breathes before they were being herded by Goblins. Ugly things, Blossom thought as she was manhandled by two of them. They were leading them off down into the mountain, to where she could not say. She did not struggle like the rest of the Dwarves, knowing she had no chance of fighting them without her weapons. Light began to lighten the tunnel, making it easier for the Hobbit to see where they were going a bit, but being surrounded by Goblins and Dwarves, she did not see much. Though she did hear a rhythmic thump through the mountain, from the goblins. It was not until the first croak that she realized that they were singing.
Clap! Snap! the black crack!
Grip, grab! Pinch, nab!
And down down to Goblin-town
You go, my lad!
Clash, crash! Crush, smash!
Hammer and tongs! Knocker and gongs!
Pound, pound, far underground!
Ho, ho! my lad!
Swish, smack! Whip crack!
Batter and beat! Yammer and bleat!
Work, work! Nor dare to shirk, While Goblins quaff, and Goblins laugh,
Round and round far underground
Below, my lad!
Horrible song it was, but truly what more would you expect from a creature like a goblin? Blossom stood speechless as they entered what she was guessing was a throne room. Before them sat a enormous goblin! Just as ugly, perhaps even more, than the normal goblins. She flinched as he leaped off his throne and came thumping towards the Company.
"Who would be so bold as to come armed into my kingdom? Spies? Thieves? Assassins?" His voice was whiny and high pitched, something that Blossom had not been expecting. It reminded her of the Took children who were nothing but rude and demanding.
"Dwarves, Your malevolence," One of the goblins responded, a conversation going on between the two as the other goblins searched their belongings.
"Well then, if they will not talk, we'll make them squawk! Bring out the Mangler! Bring out the Bone Breaker! Start with the woman." His gnarly finger was pointed at Blossom, the Hobbit freezing as she was carried from the back of the group towards the front. She could hear Fili and Kili shouting, terrifying things the shouts of the fear. If she was to be tortured, she would remain strong for her princes. No they would not hear her cry and beg. Maybe in her death, Thorin might actually respect her for not spilling any secrets.
"Wait!" Never in her life did she think Thorin would have stepped up for her, but she looked behind her and the King was right there, his nephews and brother right behind him staring at her in fear.
"Well, well, well, look who it is. Thorin son of Thrain, son of Thror; King under the Mountain." The Goblin King is mocking Thorin, especially with the poor excuse of a bow he did. "Oh, but I'm forgetting, you don't have a mountain. And you're not a king. Which makes you nobody, really. I know someone who would pay a pretty price for your head. Just the head, nothing attached. Perhaps you know of whom I speak, an old enemy of yours. A Pale Orc astride a White Warg." Thorin's head snapped up, his face showing only surprise and disbelief.
"Azog the Defiler was destroyed. He was slain in battle long ago." Thorin said, his voice strong, but his face betrayed him. He was worried even fearful.
"So you think his defiling days are done, do you?" The Great Goblin laughs, then turns to a tiny goblin sitting in a basket and holding a slate. "Send word to the Pale Orc; tell him I have found his prize." The tiny goblin writes the message and goes off to send his message.
The Company watches as the Goblin King begins to sing a horrible song, all that pleased with himself for having 'captured' Thorin Oakenshield. His merriment did not last that long when Thorin's swords were pulled from the pile. The goblin holding Orcrist gasps in horror, dropping the blade and rushing back, most of the goblins following after it. The Goblin King howled as well, rushing to his throne and scrambling up the chair. He smashed some of his subjects, but he did not care. Not in the presence of such a sword that had killed thousands of goblins. Or so the King said, Blossom would just have to take him at his word.
"Slash them! Beat them! Kill them! Kill them all! Cut off his head!" The Great Goblin demanded, the company roaring as Thorin was forced to his knees and a sword held over him ready to behead him. Blossom held her breath, praying that Yavanna would spare him. Suddenly, there is a massive explosion of bright light; the sound goes muted as a shockwave rips through the area, flinging goblins in the air and destroying the torturing machines. Everyone is knocked down, including the Great Goblin.
It was chaos once the white light blinded them all for a few short minutes. "Take up arms! Fight you fools, fight!" The voice shouted at them, a sword being thrown towards the group and if it had not been for his quick reflexes, it would have smacked Thorin in the face. Blossom rushed forward with the rest of the Dwarves, managing to find her sword and the curious, glowing blue one Gandalf had given to her, but unfortunately not her bow or quiver. She began to fight, her sword slicing violently almost erratically in the dark. Despite living underground for the most part, Hobbits did not have the same sight as Dwarves in the dark. The hobbit fought off the three closest to her, the fourth being beheaded by Frerin, at least she believed it was him. Being in the dark was a rather huge disadvantage for Blossom, not being able to tell when a body was near you, let alone if it was friend or foe. This disadvantage almost lost her life when she did not see the goblin approaching her until it was too close to fight with her sword. She let out a gasp in surprise when something wrapped around her torso and yanked her back into a hard chest. The object was removed and the familiar twang of a bow met her ears. Kili. She switched to her daggers that she had miraculously did not loose and stood at his back defending him from any close encounter attacks. She fell into the battle once more, her arms moving in the ways Frerin taught her and her body moving with the bigger Dwarf. She had barely heard Gandalf shout for them to follow him. Blossom only noticed Kili moving away from her. She would have been left behind had Dori not shuffled her along, the two of them bring up the rear.
Blossom could feel the goblins nipping at her heels, pushing herself faster. They paused for a moment, Blossom and Dori turning to fight the few goblins that had managed to keep up with them. The Hobbit could feel her muscles tiring, her grip on her sword wavering and making her strikes weak. One goblin had managed to knock her over, almost sending them over the edge of the pathway and into the cavern below. She only managed to stay on the path by grabbing onto the rope that lined the pathway. The goblin squirmed on top of her attempting to bite down on her, but she leaned back kicking her feet up. The force was enough to knock the goblin off of her and over the ledge. If one listened close enough they would have heard the sickening splat noise the goblin made when it hit the bottom. She panted heavily, sitting up to see all the Dwarves with gobsmacked expression and Gandalf's covered in mirth. The axe that Dwalin had lifted in an attempt to 'save her' was now hanging limply at his side.
"What?" She questioned, though did not get an answer for as soon as she was up, they were back to running, Dori on the outside nearest the cavern. Seemingly he did not want to almost lose the burglar again. The Dwarves and Hobbit followed Gandalf down the winding tunnels, not sure where the wizard was leading them, though it seemed further down to her. Thorin and Gandalf stopped to look around the corner, gauging if they could make it or find another way. Somehow Blossom found herself between Nori and Ori, her and the latter sandwiched between the thief and Dori as if they needed protection. If they got out of this alive, she would need to have a stern talking to the Dwarves about her capabilities.
All was quiet besides the hushed voices of Gandalf and Thorin, arguing over what to do next. Blossom huffed as the Dwarves begun prodding her forward, all keeping a firm hand on her. Seems her almost fall scared them all. She found herself in between Frerin and Kili, Fili at his brother's other side. Kili, at least, by now knew that she did not like people holding onto her and that it only hindered her. Then again Kili was the only one who saw how she took down Orcs with her bow.
"Blossom," Whatever Fili was about to say was cut off when Goblins feel upon them. Literally falling from the sky and landing on the company. Blossom pushed past Frerin, the older Dwarf attempting to protect her, and begun to fight once more. It was darker down here and almost impossible to see your feet. Blossom ducked out of the way of a Goblin, the creature falling over the edge. She turned back to fight, a cry of pain escaping her when daggers latched onto her arm. Her head turned to see the fallen goblin had grabbed her arm and clung for its pitiful life. She jerked with the force, her stomach remembering how the stone giants had jostled her and how she hung over the edge. Blossom hated to think that her last thought would be Thorin's words of hatred towards her. Right as she went over the edge, someone grabbed her other arm, halting her plummet.
Kili was a rather strong Dwarf able to carry Blossom could she ever need it. But holding her and a Goblin with one hand was beyond his limit. Kili was sliding over and rapidly. If Fili had not jumped forward, Kili would have surely gone over with the Hobbit and Orc.
"Let go Kili!" She begged him, not wanting Fili to lose his brother or life, especially at the expense of hers. Little did she know that Fili would be equally broken by losing her the same as he would be losing his brother and/or life.
"Never!" He shouted back, dropping his bow so he could clasp her hand with both of his, Fili holding all three of them. The blond pulled the brunet back on solid ground. There was a ripping sound, loud even in battle as the strap to Kili's quiver, where Fili was holding, began to give way under the weight. As if in slow motion, the strap ripped in half, but too fast for Fili to grab ahold of Kili. The prince toppled over the edge, a cry of agony following them down. Kili attempted to shield her body with his own as they crashed into rock on the way down. Blossom's head collided with one and she knew no more.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Comments and criticisms are welcome! I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts! For quick replies to comments, message me on my tumblr! ( xnotmoose )