Note: Italics is thoughts, unless specified otherwise i.e flashbacks or visions. / is timeskip


— Time Skip: Five hours later —

THIRD POV

"What are you two up to?" Nori asked, having caught the pair fixing Alexa's bedroll; he smirked as the two Durin brothers jumped at his voice. His eyebrows rose expectantly while he watched as the two shifted uneasily in their boots.

"Pfft, nothing! We were simply fixing Alexa's bedroll for her, after all, she's done for us," Fílí claimed, saying the words as if it were common knowledge. Nori nodded at his words, but none-of-the-less stared at him suspiciously.

"Now my brother and I are simply going for a stroll, are we not Kíli?" Fílí replied, puffing his chest out.

"Yes, Fílí we are. So, if you'll excuse us, we have some strolling to do," Kílí backed up, also puffing out his chest; then two princes' promptly left, leaving a curious Nori.

/

"It's heavier than I expected," Fílí whispered to his brother, as he grasped Alexa's lightsaber in both hands.

"Let me see," Kílí whispered back, curious.

"And wha' do yer think yer two ar' doin'?" A gruff voice sounded behind them, the sudden noise making them jump and release uncharacteristically high-pitched squeaks.

"Mr Dwalin how nice to see you this fine morning. Your head looks shinier than usual, are you using a special lotion? What is your secret?" Kílí chuckled awkwardly, his voice wavering as he watched the Dwarf's face grow redder by the second.

"Oh, I'm goIN' TA-" Dwalin began, his voice growing louder with every word.

"Shhh! You're going to blow our cover," Fílí shushed the burly Dwarf, his hands just managing to cover the stoic Dwarf's mouth; whilst Kílí looked over to where Alexa sat laughing with the Ur family.

"It's clear," Kílí confirmed, making Fílí let go of Dwalin as well as promoting two sighs of relief to escape the brothers; briefly forgetting about the seething Dwarf behind them.Fílí reached down to pick up Alexa's lightsaber, having dropped it when Dwalin startled them.

Dwalin grunted lowly, his eyes hardening as he watched the two brothers' fiddle with Alexa's weapon. Before he could smack the two around the head and teach them a lesson about stealing their companion's things; a sudden spike of pain erupted in his side followed by a burning sensation. His eyes fleetingly caught sight of a flash of green before they closed in agony; his jaw clamped, gritting his teeth.

"W-we-we're so-sorry, we-we did-didn't me—mean to-to," Kílí stuttered, looking to his brother for help, who dropped the activated lightsaber in terror.

Dwalin made a move to beat their heads when he fell to his knees; his meaty hand barely covering the injury. A look of horror passed over their faces as they noticed the severe-looking burn wound on his stomach but not only that a hole.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Alexa asked, having heard the commotion.

"We-we," Fílí whispered, still staring at Dwalin's hunched form.

"Kick him in the family jewels? Who do I owe a high-five? Aye?" Alexa jest, as she came up behind the two brothers and Dwalin's hunched over form came into her sight. When her comment got no laughs from the pair, a bad feeling settled in her stomach. Which was only worsened as she saw her lightsaber humming in the dirt between them.

ALEXA'S POV

Alexa stood frozen as she stared down at her active lightsaber, picking it up she deactivated it and turned to look at the terror-stricken faces of Fílí and Kílí. Time seemed to slow down as it dawned on her what had happened. Alexa hurried towards Dwalin's hunched form, placing her weapon into the dirt beside his limp body.

With outstretched palms, she gently took Dwalin's head into her hands; lifting it slightly she stared into his pained dark blue eyes, silently reassuring him. Casting her eyes down to his scorched tunic, she carefully removed his brawny hands which were covering his wound and ripped open his shirt revealing the damage done. Oh, Dwalin ...

The blade had gone through the side of his stomach and exited through his back, leaving a gaping hole although lucky missing any major organs. Thankfully, since it was caused by a lightsaber the wound had been automatically cauterized when the energy blade went through his stomach lining. However, it was still life-threatening, Qui-Gon had died from a similar injury.

A lump rose in her throat as she realized with bated breath, what she had to do to save him; she only hoped she could still do it since this world did not have the medical equipment to fix his wound properly.

Around her, the Dwarves who had heard the commotion were frantically yelling for Oin; Alexa hadn't even noticed them until now. A tortured grunt left an almost unconscious Dwalin as she pressed her palm to his wound. Closing her eyes, Alexa begged for this to work, she was rusty after all.

Exhaling softly, Alexa let herself relax; reaching out with her mind she reached inside Dwalin and begun mending the flesh and reconstructing his muscle tissue with the force.

Some long minutes later, Dwalin inhaled deeply, having been successfully healed. Alexa opened her eyes and removed her palm from Dwalin's stomach, not to soon after his eyes opened and briefly made contact with Alexa's green-grey ones. Only breaking contact, when Alexa's body fell back against the fence as she panted from exertion. Alexa's chest rose and fell with quick movements, as she tried to gain both her strength and breath back.Thank the force. It worked!

"Thanks, fer healing me lass," Dwalin whispered his voice hoarse from the experience.

"Don't mention it," Alexa breathed, exhausted. Having stretched muscles that hadn't been stretched in years.

/

THIRD POV

"The lass has healed him," Oin declared, staring wide-eyed at Dwalin's stomach through the burned away tunic.

From what Fílí and Kili had managed to splutter out, they were expecting a hole going through Dwalin's stomach and out the end with burns; a severe, life-threatening wound. But there was nothing to show this but a patch of singed chest hair.

The Dwarves stared in astonishment at Dwalin's unharmed stomach to a tired Alexa and back again. They had never seen anything like it, Bilbo's jaw was almost touching the ground. They had heard of Elven healing, but this was something else entirely.

"Oh, brother don't do that again," Balin breathed unshed tears in his eyes. Dwalin nodded, grunting before knocking their heads together.

"What happened to you Dwalin?" Thorin asked his friend, knowingly the lesion he had was not a regular battle wound.

Dwalin still tired from the experience nodded his head in the direction of young princes'. Seeing that his brother in arms was okay, Thorin turned his attention back to his nephews beyond angry. "What did you two do now?" Thorin growled, glaring down at his nephews.

ALEXA'S POV

Force, it's been a while since I've had to do that, five years give or take. Damn, I'm as rusty as Rathtar are ugly!

"Are you alright Alexa?" Nori asked, breaking her from her thought. He kneeled beside her, grasping under her arms to lift her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just recovering. Been a while since…" she murmured, gesturing what she was too exhausted to say, before tiredly wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Let's get you somewhere comfier aye?" Nori muttered, lifting her rather effortlessly so that her legs could wrap around his waist.

Nori then walked quite a wee way away from a shouting Thorin and the rest of the company who was too busy gaping at Dwalin's stomach to notice they had even left. Not long after, he released her from his grasp so she could lean against the oak tree that she had seemed to of taken a liking to over their time here.

"Thanks No," Alexa whispered, getting herself comfortable against the tree.

She released a rather loud sigh, the cause you ask? Knowing that not too far away Kílí and Fílí were more or less getting the admonition of their lives by Thorin. Yes, they deserved every word but she couldn't help but feel like Thorin was layering it on a bit too thick. They hadn't meant any harm to Dwalin, they were only curious. Yes, what they did was foolish and immature and could've killed Dwalin but they were young at the end of the day, still kids.

"Dwalin owes you his life," Nori remarked, a laugh threatening to bubble out.

"So, it seems," Alexa huffed, a wicked grin forming on her lips.

"Though I have to say Al I'm surprised you healed him, considering…" he drowned off with a knowingly look. Alexa scoffed, stifling a chuckle.

"Oh, come on! How cold-hearted do you think I am?" she jests, eyebrows raised in question. In response Nori snickered, bumping his shoulder against hers which caused the young woman to give him a heartwarming smile that reached her eyes.

"Do you really want me to answer that?" He asked innocently, provoking Alexa to chortle at his witticism.

They sat there grinning for a while and enjoying the scenery; however, after a particularly loud yell from Thorin; Alexa decided to take matters into her own hands. "Well, I think it's gone on for long enough," Alexa said, pushing herself up from the ground.

"So, you coming or?" Alexa drawled, already knowing the answer.

"Do Dwarves have beards?" Nori deadpanned rather seriously.

"Well… Kili…" Alexa remarked, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Yes, I'm coming Al," Nori grinned.

THORIN'S POV

"It was a mistake bringing you two on this journey," Thorin growled, anger clear on his face. Don't they understand what they've done?! What could've happened if Alexa didn't get there on time?

Thorin was about to tear them a new one when a flicker of dark red brushed against his cheek, causing him to pause. A soft pressure appeared on his chest, moving in small, calming circles. Peering down at his chest, he watched as a small hand continued stroking his chest. His eyes followed the hand, up the arm and face-to-face with their female companion; Alexa.

A sad smile raised on her lips as she looked at his nephews then back to him; a question brewed behind her eyes silently waiting for confirmation. Thorin looked between his nephews and Alexa several times before releasing a deep sigh and nodded.

THIRD POV

"What were you doing with my lightsaber?" Alexa quite calmly asked the two brothers, as she turned from Thorin and force picked up her treasured weapon; and began wiping the dirt from the ridges in the hilt.

"We just wanted to see what it did," Fílí admitted, eyes downcast.

"We didn't mean to-to hurt Mr Dwalin," Kílí finished, his big brown eyes full of regret.

Alexa exhaled softly. "I know you boys didn't want this to happen if you wanted to see what my lightsaber could do you should've come to me. I would've shown you and maybe even let you use it if you just asked," Alexa spoke, her words making the boys form sad smiles on their lips; it all could've been avoided if only they had asked.

"Now," Alexa begun, exchanging a look with Thorin.

"I think you owe someone an apology," Alexa implied, nodding her head in Dwalin's direction; the brothers nodded and began making their way to the said Dwarf.

"Oh, and boys," Alexa added, causing the two to glance over their shoulders at her.

"Maybe for the next few weeks, do what Dwalin wants. I think he earned that right," Alexa finished; a stern tone laced in her voice which said no negotiating. Releasing a sigh, Alexa turned to their brooding leader Thorin.

"They are still learning, don't go too hard on them. They understand what they did was wrong," Alexa whispered as they both watched Fílí and Kílí apologize to Dwalin.

— Time Skip: Night time —

ALEXA'S POV

Her fingers twitched, fiddling with the small pendant. The cool of the metal soothed her, exhaling deeply she stared out at the scenery. So peaceful compared to the thoughts in her head.

Alexa's eyes flickered back down to her lap, studying the pendant in her hand. It was nothing special, just a circular piece of steel, a reminiscent of her old life. The tips of her fingers brushed over the wings of the necklace following the path until she got to the shining star.

It was a symbol of the Jedi Order - of her old life. Sighing, she brought the leather that bound it over her head. Tugging her tunic away from her chest, the pendant fell before it hung snugly against her breast. Releasing her tunic, she exhaled softly and crossed her legs; letting the images flow through her mind.

Water crashed against the rocks; the bang sounded loudly in her ears. Alexa stood on a wooden structure, a bridge. Her hand reached out towards the railing, fingers stroking the intricate patterns carved into the wood. Elves.

'So, we get to meet the blonde king after all,' Alexa pondered, chewing on her lip. How fun!

A muted horn echoed around her, causing her eyes to flash towards the brown-haired Elf standing beside her. She stared at him curiously, before a shout caused her eyes to snap down to the water below. There they all were, including herself. In wine barrels.

Alexa stood there watching as the scene played through, the Orcs had ambushed them, killing the Elves that stood guard. Part of her felt bad for them, but before she could think much more of it a desperate yell followed by a pained grunt sounded.

Kílí had been shot by an arrow! Her gaze wandered over the bank searching for the source. Her eyes flashed over a rather brute looking Orc holding a bow in hand; but that didn't catch her attention, the familiar smug smile on his face did. It was then her eyes turned cold; this was the Orc that killed Kílí in her previous vision. She silently promised herself that she would personally see to it that he got what he deserved.

The scene changed before her.

A fire burned the wooden structures around her. She watched asherself, Kílí , Fílí , Bofur , Oin , the ginger Elf from her previous vision, and two brown-haired girls she didn't recognize paddle through the lake on a small boat. Screams echoed in her ears. A massive shadow flew above her, crashing through one of the barely standing buildings.

"Who are you that would stand against me?" A malicious voice roared from above. In the darkness, the fire projected a shadow onto the figure, it was a dragon. It was Smaug.

Alexa's eyes snapped open; her breath came out in large gulps as she tried to calm her still raging heart. After a couple of deep breaths, she leaned back into the tree behind her, the bark dug into her back, oddly soothing as well as grounding her.

"Another nightmare?" A deep voice rumbled nearby, the voice startling Alexa, making her jump slightly.

Her lightsaber sat against her thigh; her fingers ready to grab it if need be as she reached out in the force for the voice of the being. Not too soon after, she signed deeply as she recognized the force signature; through the darkness, the broad form of Thorin appeared before her.

"Something like that," Alexa mumbled, wiping stray tears from her cheeks before he could get any closer and see them.

"So… You have the ability to heal others?" Thorin asked, a curious tint to his voice.

"Yes, among other things…" Alexa huffed, thinking about her late Master's words.

"You are the most dedicated and gifted Jedi I have ever known; you might even one day surpass Master Yoda himself." - she had chuckled at that, not quite believing her Master's words. Yoda was great after all.

"I know you will become one of the greatest Jedi the galaxy has ever seen,"

A deep hum came from Thorin, followed by the sounds of his boots coming closer to the trunk she was nestled against. Alexa closed her eyes briefly, composing herself from the vision she just had. Not too soon after, a dull thud sounded from beside her followed by a soft grunt.

Not quite comfortable, Thorin shifted slightly, brushing up against her shoulder; thankfully the good one. They sat like that for a while, in the darkness, quiet with nothing but the soft noises of the cows mooing and the faint sound of their snoring companions around them.

"Thank you for earlier; for saving Dwalin even though you two have been at each other's throats lately," Thorin whispered, breaking the silence between them.

"You say that like I wouldn't of," Alexa laughed quietly, swallowing a lump in her throat. He would've died if I didn't heal him. The words were left unspoken, though they were known to the company, especially Dwalin. Sure, I could've left a scar instead of going the extra mile. But even after everything that's happened, Dwalin doesn't deserve the ghastly scars a lightsaber leaves behind.

"Can you blame me?" Thorin jest, resulting in getting his shoulder shoved by a grinning Alexa, the response causing Thorin to let out a deep chuckle.

"No," Alexa muttered lowly, peering up under her lashes into his Durin blue eyes; unable to stop a smile from forming on her lips as his grew larger by the second. Alexa was the first to break; bursting into laughter, she chortled until it physically ached whilst Thorin chuckled softly with mirth as they lay together under the night sky.


AN: Rathtar are large, carnivorous cephalopods that were native to the planet Twon Ketee. They are incredibly dangerous and very ugly.

Also, sorry for doing this to Fili and Kili. However, I feel as if they would be the ones to take Alexa's lightsaber and accidentally do this sort of thing, hence this chapter.