Happy Sunday! I hope you enjoy this new chapter and let me know what you think. Thanks very much to Xoxo, blasttyrant and McKenna079 for your reviews on the last one!


It was two days later when Dwalin brought the news from guard duty. They had seen the people, hundreds of them, streaming into Dale the day before, which had caused Thorin to order them to reinforce the makeshift gate with heavy boulders, so that no one could make their way inside – or out. But now, Dwalin had seen a rider approaching from his spot up among the battlements and had come to alert Thorin in the treasure hall, where they had all been searching for the Arkenstone.

Arinna followed, not actually having put much effort into her search, anyway, as the whole company hurried up to the battlements above the gate, gathering together to peer out over the plain. And indeed, the druid could see a distant form approaching on horseback, but there was something else. In the distance, she could see the old ruins of Dale, where the people of Laketown had set up camp, though there were now countless armed and armoured guards stood around the city walls, and not just any guards but Elven ones. The druid frowned at the realisation, while someone else said out loud what she was thinking.

"It seems the Elves have joined with the Lakemen," Dwalin said gruffly and Arinna shortly glanced over, noticing without surprise that Thorin's face had darkened dangerously upon his words. She had spent the past two days avoiding him as best as possible, so as to not give him any further reason to get angry with her.

She suppressed a sigh, focusing her attention back on the approaching rider as he came into sight. Her heart stopped for a moment as she realised who it was, almost unable to believe her eyes.

"Bard!" She called out loudly, unable to hold herself back. She leaned across the stone wall to get a better look, to make sure it was actually him. The Lakeman looked up at her just as Kili, Fili and Bofur had rushed toward the edge upon her call, staring down at the man in disbelief. Arinna couldn't help the happy, relieved laughter that left her upon seeing him alive and, from the looks of it, uninjured. "Bard! We thought you were dead!"

The Lakeman couldn't help the smile that pulled at his own lips at the druid's obvious joy, her companions – the two brothers and Bofur – calling out to him beside her. "I am glad to find you alive, as well," he called up to her. "Beyond hope!"

"The children!" Arinna called. "Are they alright? Did they find you?"

"Aye," Bard replied, nodding in appreciation of her obvious concern. "They are well, thanks to you! As well as can be expected."

Arinna was about to say something else, when she was grabbed roughly by the elbow and pulled back from the battlements' edge, stumbling slightly as she looked up to meet Thorin's furious glare. She swallowed tightly, wincing as his fingers dug painfully into her skin.

"That is enough," the dwarf-king hissed quietly, the dangerous tone of his voice sending a small shiver down the druid's spine. He seemed angrier than she had seen him ever before. "Another word out of you and I will throw you over this wall myself, do you understand me?"

The druid did not dare reply, seeing the serious threat behind the dwarf's glare, and Thorin stared at her for another moment before he let go of her so abruptly that she stumbled again, bumping into Bombur behind her, who put a steadying and comforting hand on her shoulder. She stayed where she was, shortly catching Fili's concerned gaze as she rubbed her arm slightly. Thorin stepped forward now, addressing Bard who had watched the scene with concern from below.

"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain," Bard called then, watching the dark-haired dwarf thoughtfully.

"Why do you come to the gates of the King under the Mountain armed for war?" Thorin replied, motioning with his right hand toward the Elven guards that were gathered around Dale.

"Why does the King under the Mountain fence himself in like a robber in his hole?" came Bard's retort, which only fuelled Thorin's anger further.

"Perhaps it is because I'm expecting to be robbed," he growled and Bard inclined his head in return.

The Lakeman shook his head, taking on a more friendly tone as he called back up to the dwarf. "My Lord, we have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?"

"I am listening," Thorin replied darkly, leaning against the battlement with one arm as he looked down at the man before his gate. The horse beneath Bard's saddle whinnied quietly. "If you wish to speak, do it now."

"On behalf of the people of Lake Town, I ask that you honour your pledge. A share of the treasure, so that they might rebuild their lives," Bard stated firmly, though Thorin only shook his head in return.

Again, he motioned toward Dale. "You have joined together with my enemies," he said. "I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door."

"King Thranduil has come to offer us his help," Bard explained. "He brought us food and clean water and other much needed provisions."

"No doubt out of the sheer goodness of his heart," was all Thorin said in return, his tone mocking and irritated. "It is a threat. But your threats do not sway me."

Bard shook his head in frustration, looking up at the dark-haired dwarf. He had not gotten to know the dwarf very well and had never really liked him but to refuse to help like this seemed unexpectedly cruel. "What of your conscience? Does it not tell you that our cause is just? My people offered you help and in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!"

Now Thorin let out a gruff laugh. "When did the men of Laketown come to our aid but for the promise of rich reward?"

"A bargain was struck!"

"A bargain?" Thorin growled, sending the Lakeman a lingering, dark gaze. His voice rang out loudly over the wall. "What choice did we have but to barter our birth right for blankets and food. To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom. You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the dragon-slayer, why should I honour such terms?"

"Because you gave us your word," Bard answered plainly in a calm, disappointed voice, knowing now that reasoning with Thorin was impossible. The Elven king had warned him. "Does that mean nothing?"

The dwarf-king's jaw twitched slightly as he pressed his teeth together, staring down at the Lakeman for another moment, before he turned away without another word, walking back into the mountain and leaving Bard to stare up at the spot he had just vacated. The rest of the company stood aimlessly for a little while, some of them peering down at Bard, who shook his head, before he turned his horse around and rode back the way he had come to Dale. The dwarves murmured quietly among themselves as they eventually slowly followed after Thorin, finding the dwarf-king standing in the middle of the entrance hall downstairs.

"What are you doing?" Bilbo asked, the first one to find the courage to address the dark-haired dwarf directly after what had just transpired. "Are you going to risk a war?"

"This does not concern you, Master Baggins," Thorin said lowly, only shooting the hobbit a small glance.

"Excuse me," Bilbo said indignantly, unwilling to just let Thorin get away with this. "But just in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of Elves out there. Not to mention several hundred angry fishermen. We… we are in fact outnumbered, Thorin."

Now Thorin turned toward the hobbit with a strange smile on his face, his blue eyes glowing maniacally in the dimly lit hall. "Not for much longer," he said, elaborating when Bilbo just shot him a bewildered look. "You should never underestimate dwarves, Master Baggins. I sent word to my cousin as soon as these greedy little Lakemen set up camp in Dale. We have reclaimed Erebor, now we defend it."

"How can you do this?" Another voice chimed up when Bilbo could only stare at him speechless, and Thorin looked over to where Arinna was standing at the back of the company, addressing him quietly. She seemed tired, her voice only a low murmur as she stared at the dwarf-king in quiet disappointment. "You made a promise to the people of Laketown. Is this treasure truly worth more than your honour? Our honour, Thorin. I was also there; I gave my word. Bilbo gave his word. So did Fili."

"For that, I'm grateful," Thorin answered her slowly, speaking as though he was indulging an insolent child. "It was nobly done. But the treasure in this mountain does not belong to the people of Laketown. This gold is ours, and ours alone."

"You mean yours," the druid muttered, causing a spark of anger to flare in his eyes. He ground his teeth together, sneering at her.

"I mean ours."

"Then give them my share."

Thorin's eyes narrowed upon her unexpected words, as though he had never heard a more ridiculous suggestion. "I will give them nothing," he answered darkly. "And if you would throw it away like that, perhaps you don't deserve it at all."

The druid dropped her head as Thorin turned away, not knowing what else to say. It was clear by now that he would not listen to reason, that he would rather go to war than let go of even one gold coin. Arinna did not feel as though she had the strength to fight with him any longer, and so she said nothing, and in fact, she stayed quiet for the rest of the day, not even replying to Fili when he tried to speak with her quietly.


It was the next evening and the mood among the company had not improved. They had heard nothing more from the Lakemen since the day before, and though it did not seem to concern Thorin, it was worrying the others.

Fili, though thinking about the possible next developments as well, found his mind mainly occupied by something else, however. Arinna had not said a word to him, or anyone, since the previous morning, after her last attempt to talk to Thorin. He had tried engaging her in conversation the day before, to get her mind off things, but to no avail. She was withdrawn and sad, lifeless, as though this situation was draining her of all her energy. And Fili understood, though it seemed to affect her much more than him. He still hoped that his uncle would come around eventually, that he would realise that going to war over this treasure was insane, but he could see that Arinna no longer thought so.

Still, he made his way over to her now, crouching down in front of her in the dark corner that she had secluded herself to. The druid looked up at him shortly, before she let her gaze drop back to the ground. Fili looked at her in silent concern, before he cleared his throat slightly, arranging his face into a smile.

"Get up," he told her quietly, smiling warmly at her as she looked back up at him in slight confusion. "I want to show you something."

He watched her as she shook her head slightly, but he was not about to give up. He held out his hand expectantly, giving her a pointed look. "You can take my hand and come with me willingly, or I can pick you up and throw you over my shoulder. It's up to you, my love."

Arinna's eyebrows rose slightly upon his words and she hesitated for another long moment before she finally put her hand in his with a sigh and let him pull her to her feet. She followed slowly as Fili led her out of the room, not paying attention to the few glances they drew from the others on their way out.

Fili walked ahead, the druid's hand held securely in his, as he led her down one dark hallway after another. She followed silently as they walked down a set of steep stairs, followed by several more, down into the cavernous halls of the mountain. Dim light was falling from torches that hung from the walls, and Arinna realised that someone must have been down here before and lit them, the fire casting long shadows on the walls.

A strange sulphurous smell hung in the air, intensifying the further they went. The druid put it down to the dragon having dwelled in these halls for so many decades. Her gaze was caught by narrow strands of gold and silver running along the stone to both sides of them, and she couldn't help but marvel at the beauty that must once have filled these halls.

"Here," Fili said after a little while, coming to a halt in front of a large opening, carved directly into the stone wall. It was a gateway that had once held two doors, of which only one remained. She shot him a short, doubtful look as he motioned for her to go ahead, only moving forward once he gave her a reassuring smile.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she stepped inside a great cavern, filled with dim torchlight. The strands of gold that ran along the walls continued in here, going up all the way to the ceiling of the hall. The strange smell was stronger here and filled the room, and the druid took a few steps forward, amazement filling her as she beheld three large pools of water before her, soft steam rising from their surfaces.

"What is this place?" She asked quietly, the first words she'd spoken out loud since yesterday, her soft voice echoing off the walls as she looked up at Fili who had stepped up beside her.

"Natural hot springs," he answered with another smile, glad to hear her voice again as he looked at the water before them as well. The torchlight reflected on the smooth surface. Arinna gave a short nod, now knowing the cause for the sulphur scent that hung in the air. "Balin told me about them. I thought perhaps you would like it, so I came down to see if they were still intact."

Arinna let out a sigh as Fili turned his gaze toward her, a gentle look on his youthful face, though his eyes betrayed another feeling. The druid couldn't quite decipher it as he spoke. "It's just something to take your mind off things… I know you've been troubled these past few days. You've been so quiet. So, I was hoping that a relaxing, warm bath might help ease your mind, if only for a while."

"You are quite something, Fili, you know that?" the druid breathed, averting her eyes from his as she shook her head slightly. She couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness, not having expected this at all. She wasn't sure it would be enough to distract her from the thoughts that had been circling in her mind for the past two days, but she couldn't bring herself to turn Fili's offer down after the trouble he had gone to. "Do you know how long it's been since I've had a warm bath? I don't think I even remember at this point."

The blond dwarf chuckled quietly and tilted his head at her words. "I could say the same," he admitted, before he cleared his throat. "Go on, then. It's perfectly safe. Take your time. I will stand by the door to make sure you're not disturbed."

He gave her a short nod and turned away from her before she could say anything, moving back toward the doorway with swift strides. Fili leaned his shoulder against it, his back turned on the dark-haired woman, though his ears perked up slightly after a few moments when he heard the soft rustle of her clothes falling to the stone floor behind him. He swallowed tightly, trying to ignore his wandering mind as he stared at the torch that sat opposite him on the wall. He heard the water splash softly as Arinna slowly got in the water, followed by a quiet sigh. He smiled at the content sound, glad that he had been able to do this for her. Fili listened for a while as the water rippled quietly behind him, his arms crossed firmly in front of his chest.

"Are you not coming in?"

The dwarf felt his heart skip a beat at the unexpected question, though he shook his head quickly, answering the druid without looking back at her. He kept his gaze firmly on the torch before him, blinking against the flickering light. "That would hardly be appropriate," he said, trying to sound light-hearted. "I shall keep watch. Make sure no one's coming."

"You said you couldn't remember your last proper bath either," she said and he could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke. He cleared his throat.

"Then it won't matter if I keep dry a little longer."

There was a short silence, in which Fili let out heavy breath. Of course, he was tempted. More than that. There was nothing better he could imagine right now than to be in that bath with her. He could hear the water splash behind him again, and he almost turned his head at the sound, catching himself in time.

"Fili," Arinna called over to him, her voice soft now. He shook his head to himself. "Fili, look at me."

He inclined his head, unable to keep himself from obeying her words and the gentle command they held. He slowly turned around, his eyes trained on the floor as he did, before they moved upwards, finding Arinna submerged to her shoulders in the dark water and looking at him with a soft smile on her lips. The only thing she was still wearing was the silver chain around her neck, the leaf at its end hidden somewhere beneath the water's surface. Fili felt a hard pull in his belly at the sight of her, and he was suddenly unable to look away.

"Please, join me."

She didn't say anything else and only watched as he fought with himself for a few moments, unsure if joining her would be a good idea. And though he was almost certain that it wasn't, his hands suddenly moved of their own accord, working open his clasps and laces, pulling off his layers until he stood only in his breeches.

"Do you mind?" He asked, suddenly feeling rather hot in the face as she had watched him undress so far. He frowned slightly at the amused grin that played on the druid's face, though she inclined her head as she gracefully turned her back to him in the water. Fili cleared his throat, letting out another deep breath before he got rid of the rest of his clothing and quickly moved to join her in the pool. He couldn't help a sigh of his own as his skin came into contact with the warm water, and he relaxed quickly as it enveloped his body.

His gaze fell on Arinna's back then, the druid no doubt waiting for him to tell her when she could turn back around, and he watched slow droplets of water make their way down the skin of her shoulders. His gaze lingered on the large pink scar that adorned her left shoulder, remembering how she had acquired it just before Rivendell. He had been so afraid of losing her at the time, he wondered for a moment whether he had already been in love with her then without even knowing it. Her hair was partly submerged, the dark strands floating softly in the water, while some stuck to her wet skin. Fili felt the familiar pull in his stomach again, and once more, before he could think better of it, his body and his hands were moving of their own will.

Arinna jumped slightly when she suddenly felt two large hands on her shoulders and she moved with their pull, turning around to face Fili once more. She had expected him to tell her when he was ready for her to turn around, having heard him enter the water, though she didn't mind him being this close. Her eyes were trained on his, feeling her breath falter slightly as she was caught in the intensity of his gaze. The druid's eyes fell from the dwarf's pale blue irises then, and travelled down his face, to his neck, to the broad chest that was partly covered by the water. She moved her hand from below the surface and laid it over his heart, feeling the light hair that covered Fili's chest beneath her palm. She took a deep breath, feeling her worrying mind calm at the feeling of the steady beat of his heart beneath her touch.

Arinna was caught up in her own thoughts, none of them truly clear in her mind as her hand drifted upwards slowly, trailing drops of water in its wake as it found its way to the dwarf's face. Her fingers softly traced along the thin scar on his face, over his temple, a memory of Goblin Town.

"Remember that fight we had after Goblin Town?" she uttered quietly, her voice but a low murmur as she remembered the moment on the riverbank many months ago. She felt a small smile pulling at the corners of her lips, looking up into Fili's blue eyes. He just gave a small nod, one of his own hands coming up to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"How could I forget?" he answered, his voice rumbling through his chest. "You threw a wet cloth at me."

Her small snort echoed over the quiet pool of water. She sent him a pointed look. "You were getting on my nerves," she said plainly, before her gaze grew softer, her smile almost shy. Fili watched her calmly. "I think it was at that moment that I realised that I could not bear the thought of losing you. And that's why I hated watching you throw yourself into harm's way."

The dwarf let out a soft hum, bringing his hand to her cheek and down to her jaw, letting his thumb brush gently against the line of her jaw. "I felt similarly," he smiled, the sight of it sending a small flutter through the druid's chest. "I can hardly believe that it took me so long to realise how much I love you."

Arinna smiled softly, gazing up at him as he brought both his hands to her face, his thumbs stroking across her cheekbones, before he leaned in to place a tender but passionate kiss on her lips.

She felt her whole body react as she returned his kiss eagerly, his hands moving from her face to her shoulders, and along her arms down into the water, finding her sides and pulling her into him. The water rippled around them as their kiss grew more intimate, and Arinna sighed as she felt his tongue brush against hers, one of her hands slung around his neck while the other was in his hair, keeping him as close as possible.

"Fili," she breathed as one of his hands splayed on her back, pulling her flush against him as he moaned into their kiss. She felt his hard stomach and chest press against her own, muscles rippling beneath his skin, and she felt a heat rise within her body that had nothing to do with the temperature of the water. Fili let out a deep groan when she pulled his head back, her lips trailing hot kisses down his neck and over his throat.

He was breathing heavily, his hands keeping her in place against his body as he looked down at her with hooded eyes. "Perhaps we should not do this," he uttered half-heartedly, the movement of his hand running down her spine betraying his words while he spoke them. He relished in the way her back arched at his touch.

"Do you regret putting your braid in my hair?" Arinna returned quietly, studying his face as he looked at her in slight surprise. He could tell that she was referring to the anger it had sparked in his uncle. He shook his head, his eyes earnest as he returned her gaze.

"No," he said simply as he raised one hand to the end of the braid behind her ear, tenderly letting it slide through his fingers. "Never."

The blue of his eyes grew slightly darker when the druid slung both arms around his neck in reply, pulling herself up against him and wrapping her legs around his waist. He wrapped both arms around her automatically and she kissed him again, softly but with a determination that made Fili sigh against her plump lips.

"Neither do I," she muttered, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. One of her hands brushed softly against his cheekbone and Fili inclined his head toward her touch, returning her gaze. "Tomorrow may be uncertain. But right now, tonight, there is you and me, and there is love, and that is what I know to be certain. That is all I need to know. I want to be yours, Fili, and for you to be mine. For tonight, for tomorrow…"

Fili leaned his forehead against hers gently, shortly closing his eyes as he let her words sink in before he looked up at her again, this time not hesitating to press his lips to hers in a fervent kiss.

"For always," he breathed against her as his hands roamed over her skin and he moved through the water to the edge of the basin, a moan falling from her lips as he pressed her up against the stone. Their kisses grew more ardent with their passion, their bodies moving together as one, their breath mingling together in the hot steam that rose from the water around them.

They stayed there for many hours and long into the night, and while the others slept in a faraway room, nobody of the company noticed the small hobbit sneaking out in the dark hours of the night, climbing down from the battlements on his own with the Arkenstone weighing heavy in his pocket.