Happy Friday! Thanks very much to everyone for reviewing on the last chapter. As always, I'd very much love to hear your thoughts on this one!


The burning fire was emitting quiet sounds, the light crackling and hissing helping to ease the druid's troubled mind ever so slightly. She hadn't meant to storm out of the dinner the way she had; didn't even want to imagine what kind of impression her exit had made on the others. But she could not have listened to another one of Lilya's words. It had bothered her too much to hear how Fili had apparently sent out an invitation for his future wife, how he had her sat right opposite this woman without so much as a word of it beforehand, though she now understood why she had seen the two of them around each other so often ever since she had arrived.

She had no claim over him, the druid reminded herself harshly. They were not together, hadn't been a couple for years, she told herself. Yet her heart bled at the mere thought of seeing him with someone else. Even during the eight years that they had been apart, Arinna had known that there could never be anyone else for her, not someone she would have been happy with, in any case. Not anyone she could have felt the same for. And even though, of course, Fili was entitled to his own life, his own choices, another love, it hurt her to think that their bond had not been as strong for him as it had felt for her.

A knock at the door roused her from her troubled thoughts, and the druid blinked a few times to acclimate herself to her surroundings again. She wasn't sure how long she had spent just sat, folded up, in one of the large armchairs that were stood by the fireplace, but her legs were feeling slightly numb from having kept them in a folded position for so long. There was another loud knock, and she got up from her seat, calling out toward the door as she made her way over.

"Alright, I'm coming," she uttered, though she felt rather unwilling to see anyone at this time.

Arinna wasn't sure whom she had expected to find on the other side, though, as she pulled open the heavy wooden door with a sigh, her eyebrows rose in utter surprise at the person that she was now faced with.

"What time is it?"

"Almost midnight."

The druid gave a small nod at the information, her expression turning into a confused frown. "What are you doing here?"

Fili was looking at her calmly, though his eyes were searching hers with quiet concern. Instinctively, Arinna wrapped her arms around herself in a slightly defensive stance, returning his gaze with a weary one of her own. After what she had learned tonight, she wasn't exactly in the right mood to talk to him.

"Dinner just ended. I was just coming to check on you," he said quietly, the concern still evident in his eyes as he gave her a short once-over. Arinna felt herself growing irrationally angry at his calm, concerned demeanour. "You left rather abruptly, I wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I'm fine," she replied curtly, giving him a short nod to emphasise her words. Fili stared at her for another second, before his expression changed slightly. His next words rather took her by surprise.

"Well, that's a relief," he said, raising his eyebrows at her. "Now, if there's nothing wrong, I might tell you that your exit was in rather poor taste. I know you're not used to fine dining in the company of lords and ladies, but you did not make a great impression tonight. Guests aren't usually expected to storm out without a word of explanation."

Arinna's mouth fell open in shock, and it took her a few moments to close it again, her eyes narrowing at the blond dwarf as she processed his words. "You've come here to admonish me?" she asked in disbelief, her eyes widening when he merely gave a non-committal shrug.

"I wouldn't call it that," Fili started. "I simply –"

"I would most definitely call it that," the druid hissed, irritation flaring up in her stomach once more. "Mind you, Fili, I do not care in the slightest about the impression I leave on your precious lords and ladies."

Fili frowned at her sudden anger, putting his hand firmly against the door, as she tried to close it in his face. He sent her a pointed look, feeling slightly irritated by her behaviour.

"I do not mean to admonish you," he tried to appease her, realising that his timing to bring up the subject might have been flawed. "Merely to tell you that you are my – you are one of Erebor's court physicians. Your behaviour reflects on this kingdom, Arinna, whether you do care or not."

"You said yourself Lord Finnur was a loudmouth," Arinna growled. "Why does it even matter, what do you care?"

"I care about being on good terms with him," Fili answered, feeling slightly frustrated with how the conversation was going. "The relationship between Erebor and the Red Mountains is important to uphold."

"Yes, so I've heard," Arinna retorted dryly, her tongue running away with her. "The Lady Lilya confirmed that in no unclear terms."

The druid couldn't keep the hurt she felt turning into anger, directing it at Fili, who had simply turned up at the wrong door at the wrong time. He sent her a confused frown in return to her words, though he gave a slow nod.

"Well, I suppose it's good she sees it the same way."

As Arinna just let out a huff, all the blond dwarf could do was frown further. He felt her pushing at the door again, and he put his weight against it now through the hand he still held pressed firmly against the cold wood.

"Well, congratulations, Fili. You've successfully reprimanded me," she uttered darkly. "I assure you, there won't be any need to do so in the future. As Lady Lilya reminded me, this is a great dwarven kingdom, in which not all belong."

"What do you mean by that?" Fili asked, feeling his confusion mixing with his irritation, and another feeling that ran much deeper, though he didn't have enough time to examine it.

"Nothing."

The druid let out an annoyed huff, when he still blocked the door, barely refraining from rolling her eyes at him. This wasn't the right time to discuss such things, she wasn't even sure why she had brought it up at all. She was angry and tired, and having him squarely face her off like this was putting her on edge.

"If she said something to offend you, I'm sure she did not do so on purpose," Fili tried to reason, though his words only seemed to irritate the druid further. He let out a sigh. "Lilya is a nice girl. She even said she was sorry you left so early, for Mahal's sake."

Arinna couldn't suppress the snort that escaped her. "Oh, I'm sure she was," she answered dryly, eyebrows rising when Fili merely sent her another frown in return. She remembered seeing the two of them on their walks through the mountain, during which the dwarrowdam had no doubt presented herself from her best side, and a sudden flash on envy rushed through her again.

"Please," she uttered, unable to keep the words in, as she sent him a derisive look. "Are you truly so blinded by your own desire that you cannot see her true character?"

Her words hit Fili like a slap in the face, his frown turning into a scowl as he stared at her in disbelief. She wasn't pushing at the door now, her hand merely limply holding on to the door knob, and so he pressed his weight against it and pushed forward, causing her to take a few surprised steps backwards into the room. Fili sent her an irritated look, his own frustration now rising rapidly as she crossed her arms in front of herself defensively.

"What on earth is that supposed to mean?" he asked, trying to keep his voice even, though his anger was expressed by him throwing the door shut behind him. The druid flinched at the loud thump that echoed through the room as the lock fell into place. He let out a low growl, when she didn't answer. "What are you saying?"

"Why would you even invite me here?" Arinna answered him heatedly, throwing her hands in the air as she shook her head, not really answering his question.

"My mother invited you," Fili frowned, unable to follow her thoughts. He couldn't make proper sense of what she was telling him, of why she was so angry with him. "It was a dinner for Thorin's Company. You're one of us."

"But I am not, am I?" the druid retorted, forcing her gaze away from him as her voice rose without her permission. "I am not one of you. Why am I even here, Fili? Why did you ask me to stay if you were – if she was –"

The frown on Fili's face deepened when she trailed off, and still, he did not know what she was trying to say. But his patience was now slowly running short. His emotions were running wild in his chest, the irritation and anger merely masking what lay beneath. How could she not know?

"I am not blinded by anything," he growled then, his dark voice rumbling through the quiet chamber, as she sent him a defiant look. "I can see very clearly whom and what it is I desire."

"Well, then I will not stand in your way," Arinna retorted angrily, trying to keep her voice even, as a lump suddenly built in her throat. His words cut deep, and she was so upset by now, she could barely think straight.

She was about to say something else, when Fili suddenly rushed forward and grabbed her by the arms, pressing his lips to hers in a deep, hungry kiss.

For a second, she couldn't move at all, completely stunned by the feeling of his big hands wrapping around her arms, pulling her closer, his mouth moving against hers, tasting of honey and sweet peaches. And then, her body reacted all on its own, and she returned his kiss eagerly, her hands instinctively reaching for his middle. She dug her fingers into his tunic, pulling herself closer as their kiss deepened further, their bodies pressed against each other now. One of Fili's hands moved from her arms to her cheek and then to the back of her neck to keep her as close as possible, while his other snaked around her back to pull her flush against his chest.

Their breaths mingled together, and Arinna couldn't help the soft sounds falling from her lips, as they continued to kiss almost feverishly. Her thoughts and feelings were tumbling and turning in her head, the anger she had felt before suddenly turned into something else, as her hands worked at his tunic. She just wanted to get closer, even closer to him.

Fili only interrupted the kiss for a second, as she pushed his tunic over his head, before he grabbed her again and pulled her close, her arms now wrapping around his neck, as he kissed her hungrily. He felt a deep pull in his stomach, his heart thumping wildly in his chest as he held her in his arms for the first time in eight years. He could hardly find the words to express how much he'd missed her, how much he wanted to be with her. A small yelp escaped the druid, when she suddenly felt Fili's hands wrap around her thighs and he easily lifted her up in one swift motion, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he kept her upright.

She barely registered that he was moving forward now, still working her mouth hungrily against his, as he slowly carried her over to the bed. It was only when he laid her down on the soft sheets, his body hovering over hers as he tried not to let his whole weight rest on her small form, that he pulled back slightly to look at her.

They were both breathing heavily, neither of them knowing what to say, her eyes dark but focused on him, as he held her gaze intently. Her hands were splayed against his bare shoulders, and he shuddered slightly, as he felt them move slowly over his skin until they reached his cheeks. He felt her give a small pull, and followed her invitation without hesitation, bending down to capture her lips with his once more. He sighed deeply against her, feeling the fluttery feeling in his belly wrap into a tight knot. His hands were moving then, slowly, so that she had time to reject his touch at any time, as he worked at the laces of the green dress that she had worn to dinner, the same one that she had worn to the winner's celebration a few weeks ago. The one he had thought she looked so lovely in that he had not been able to resist dancing with her in the quiet hallways.

Arinna did not protest as he worked open her dress, his movements slow and deliberate, though she breathed in sharply, when she suddenly felt his hands connect with her bare skin. The blond dwarf instinctively pulled back at her reaction, but the druid quickly wrapped her arms around his back, keeping him as close as possible. He hesitated for just a moment, his pale blue eyes searching her face, before his hands continued their exploration. His touch was accompanied by goose bumps, and she was unable to help the soft sighs escaping her as they exchanged passionate kisses. She followed his example, exploring his body as she had once before, when they had shared their first night together in the sulphur baths.

That night in the baths, for a few hours, only the two of them had existed, and everything else had fallen away. And it was the same tonight, when both Arinna and Fili forgot about everything else in the world, their anger, their sorrow, their pain falling away like feathers from a soft pillow. For a little while, it felt as though the past eight years had never happened, and they moved together as if they had never been parted at all.


The fire had gone out during the night, but when Fili woke up, he felt warm and cosy, and more refreshed than he had in years. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept so soundly through the night, without nightmares entering his mind, or his thoughts keeping him awake. Pulling the warm fur blanket up over his belly, he turned his head slightly to find the druid still sleeping soundly next to him.

Arinna was laying on her stomach, her head resting comfortably against one of the soft pillows, her dark hair splayed out over the fabric. Her face was turned toward him, and he took a moment to let his eyes roam across her relaxed, peaceful features, feeling her warm breath fan lightly against his bare shoulder. The sight of her strengthened the sense of calm he was feeling, and he noticed his chest tightening slightly in realisation of what he had missed all these years that she had not been with him. He had missed her so much, it felt like a physical wound that was only now slowly starting to close up. Perhaps, he thought, as he looked at her, one day it might heal over completely.

It was as though he was in some sort of dream, he pondered, as he watched her back move lightly with every slow, rhythmic breath she took. The blanket had fallen down to her waist, and Fili let his eyes wander across her pale skin, his gaze halting on the faded scar that adorned her left shoulder. He traced along the old warg bite with his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh. He had lost her so many times over the course of time.

Fili pushed the thought to the back of his mind for now, merely enjoying having her near him like this. He thought about last night, remembering her fingers gently running along his own scars, lingering on the large one he carried across his back, which he had carried away from the battle for Erebor as a stark reminder. He was glad that he never had to look at it himself, thinking of how she had halted in her touch at its discovery. Her quiet gasp had echoed through the chamber upon her discovery, and it had taken her a while, before her fingers had continued their journey along his skin, along with her lips. Fili felt a light shudder of pleasure run through him at the memory.

It was already late in the morning, Fili knew, much later than he usually got up. He had already missed his daily training session and was running late for breakfast with his mother, though he had no intention of getting out of this bed any sooner than he had to. He could have stayed there forever, he thought, in this little bubble of calm.

It was then that he saw Arinna's eyes flutter open lazily, and he waited until she had blinked several times, her eyes focusing slowly on him, before he gave her a tentative smile. She returned his gesture almost shyly, neither of them knowing exactly what to say. Last night, their actions had been instinctive and deliberate, fuelled by passion and longing, and they had understood each other without having to say anything. In the light of day, the barrier between them seemed to have become slightly more visible again.

Arinna sighed slightly, turning onto her side, as she pulled the blanket further up her body. They held each other's gaze for a moment, before she glanced at his exposed torso, the fur blanket covering the lower part of his stomach, while it left his muscular chest and arms exposed. Fili watched her gaze roam across his form for a moment.

"I suppose I look different," he uttered quietly, trying to interpret the look in her eyes. His words brought her gaze back to his face and he was surprised to see a faint smile pulling at the corners of her lips. "Without the robes and crown."

She laid back against the pillows, holding his gaze. "You look like I remember you," she answered him, her voice soft. "With or without the crown."

Letting out a soft hum in return, he brought one hand up, lightly brushing the back of his fingers against her cheek. Still, Fili could have thought himself dreaming. The silence between them stretched out for a few moments as his touch grazed gently across her skin. They looked at each other, almost mesmerised by each other's gaze.

"Where have you been?" Fili whispered, more to himself than to her, slowly turning from his back to his side so he was facing her directly. She blinked as he withdrew his hand from her face, unsure of what to say. His gaze grew more thoughtful as he looked at her. "Would you tell me? Where you went after the battle, the life you've lived?"

Arinna hesitated, slightly taken aback by his question and the choice of topic. But his expression was honest and open, and she let out a small sigh in return. "Do you not know?"

"Only through others," Fili answered quietly, studying her face. She looked incredibly vulnerable; one hand buried in the fur blanket that covered them both. He watched as she buried her chin in the fur, averting her eyes from his, and for a moment Fili thought she wouldn't answer. But then, she began to speak, her voice quiet and hesitant, as she told him everything. The further she got with her story, the easier the words fell from her lips, and Fili listened, absorbing every bit of information she offered. When she ended, trailing off at the part where she had parted ways with Senias and travelled back East, Fili was frowning thoughtfully.

"Were you happy?" he asked into the silence that had followed her story. The druid blinked at him in slight surprise, letting out a low breath.

"I was content," she answered honestly, pulling up her shoulder in a slight shrug. "Travelling with Senias gave me purpose. I don't know what would have become of me without him."

Fili let out a deep sigh, averting his gaze from hers as he turned back onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. "I suppose I am glad for him," he uttered then, feeling her gaze rest on him as he spoke. He brushed one of his hands slowly across his bare chest. "All I ever wished for was for you to be happy. Wherever you were, whomever with."

His words, though comforting in a way, made the druid frown slightly and she slowly pushed herself up on her elbow to look into Fili's face. He took a moment, before he returned her gaze. "Is that what you think my relationship with Senias was?" she asked, her brows creasing, when he suddenly sat up. His movement was so sudden that it made her flinch ever so slightly, the bubble of calm that had surrounded them until now suddenly beginning to crack.

"It's just – Travelling together for so long, there must have…" he started, clearing his throat. He shook his head, as he trailed off and she slowly sat up on the bed, as well. Her gaze had darkened slightly upon his words, and he sent her an apologetic look. "I know it is not my place to even ask. I'm s–"

"Such a hypocrite," Arinna interrupted him. Fili raised his eyebrows questioningly, taken aback by the accusation. The angry look she was now giving him stung rather deeply. "You would question my friendship with Senias, deliberately misjudging what I have told you, yet last night, you had me sit across from a woman who announced in no unclear terms that she intends to marry you."

"To marry me?" Fili repeated loudly, his brows drawing together in confusion and slight irritation. He hadn't intended for this conversation to turn sour, but he knew, of course, that there was only one person she could be talking about. And he was suddenly reminded of why they had started arguing the night before in the first place.

"Don't pretend with me," Arinna said, trying to keep her voice from trembling, as she secured the fur blanket defensively around her body, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. She could only watch him shake his head in frustration, the invisible barrier between them rebuilding itself as swiftly as it had fallen the night before. Fili's jaw twitched angrily as she uttered her next words. "What kind of man sends for his potential bride to join him in the mountain, and then spends the night with another woman?"

There was a slight pause, before he spoke.

"Do you truly think so lowly of me?"

Arinna shook her head at his angry, yet obviously hurt tone. She regretted her words already, but was feeling too hurt to take them back. She knew that she was being unfair, but the truth was that she didn't know what to think. So, she said nothing in return, avoiding Fili's gaze as he stared at her for a long moment. Then, she heard him let out a deep sigh, his bare chest rising and falling with the sound. He moved then, muttering quietly as he got up and out of the bed.

"I should go," was all he said, as he gathered his clothes from the floor, putting them on swiftly, while Arinna kept sitting stiffly where she was on the bed, trying not to watch him leave. He glanced over at her once he had gathered all his things, feeling angry and yet sad, as he saw her sat with the fur blanket wrapped around herself protectively. She looked so small and hurt, almost buried in the pile of pillows and blanket.

He wanted to say something, but couldn't bring himself to. He didn't even know what he could have said. Instead, he let out a last, frustrated sigh, before he marched over to the door and left the room without another word.

Arinna flinched, as the lock clicked loudly into place behind him. Letting out a shaky breath, she buried herself deeper in the furs, letting herself slowly fall back against the mattress. She drew her legs up against her body, staring at the side of the bed that was now empty and growing cold.