Chapter 24

The room was light by soft candlelight, as Kili carefully turned to the beautiful creature lying in the bed. He saw that Beorn had washed her of all the blood and grime, her blond hair lying softly on her bare shoulders, the blankets covering her modestly. He felt a deep longing stir in his soul. The last time she had been injured, she had been assisted by the healing powers of Elrond. All it had really taken after that was a kiss from Kili. He knew, somehow, that she would need more than just a kiss. She slowly opened her eyes, and a weak smile came to her lips as she saw him. She was so pale, but her cheeks were flushed with fever. He slowly walked towards her, gently taking her outstretched hand in his. "How are you?" he asked quietly, sitting down beside her on the bed.

"I can feel my power, it's…" He put a finger to her lips.

"No, vol kaon. How are YOU?" His eyes searched hers, feeling every inch of the pain that was reflected in them. She grimaced.

"I hurt," she said quietly. "I am so tired, and the pain was…is almost too much to bear." He stroked her brow, as she dropped her eyes. "And...I am afraid." He gently caressed her face, his touch urging her to look at him. "I'm so scared, Kili," she said, a tear trailed down her cheek.

"I will do anything to help you," he whispered. "You CAN do this, vol kaon."

"I need your help," she said, drawing him close. He kissed her softly, feeling the heat from the infection, the heat from her power. He kept his eyes locked on hers, as he slowly drew back, removing his tunic. She watched silently as he finally crawled beside her under the blankets, his clothing gone, his body pressed to hers. She trembled as he gently gathered her into his arms, a soft whimper of pain at the movement. "What if I can't control…what if I hurt you?" she whispered. He gazed down into her blue eyes, now a stormy blue.

"Nothing will ever hurt as much as losing you," he murmured. "I trust you…trust yourself. Trust me." He smiled into her soul. "You are my One. This will be for life. More than any commitment, any promise ever made. This is for eternity…and beyond. Men lananubukhs menu." He pressed his lips softly to hers, as if for the first time. A warm calm began to spread over her as she breathed in his cedar scent, and he gently teased her lips with his tongue. Her lips parted, and he deepened the kiss. She tasted faintly of vanilla, sweet and soft. Since Rivendell, they had not ever been truly alone, merely stolen kisses here and there. This time, the kiss was passionate, but pure. He swept her hair off of her face, tugging lightly on her courting braid. She ran her fingers through his hair, inhaling deeply. There had never been anyone else before, for either of them. They both trembled as they felt their passion grow. Suddenly, Ember felt a warmth surge up from inside her and she gasped, a small whimper escaping her lips. A tear fell from her eyes, as her power began to grow. Kili pressed his lips to her soft neck, caressing the skin on her collarbone. There was no hesitation as he lowered his lips to her breast, and she felt the heat grow. Her power began to try to heal her, causing excruciating pain throughout her body. The pain was only made bearable by the firm yet gentle sensation of Kili's hands as he caressed her body. He slowly moved until she lay beneath him, their eyes locked on one another. He could feel the heat from her power, could see it roaring through her as she struggled to hold back, and his heart ached to help her. "Ohr bi haar, vol kaon," he murmured softly. "Dijnu mi." She cried out as she released her power fully. Kili felt a surge to the depths of his very soul, and his scream matched hers. He felt as if he would be torched by the flames, but he held on to her tightly, taking as much heat as he could to ease her pain. The heat burned them both, but they locked their fingers together and as their bodies finally joined, understanding was theirs. They were two halves of one whole, incomplete without the other. As they moved together as one, they knew that they would never let each other go. Soon, their cries of pain turned into something more beautiful and true. It was the beginning of their eternity.

The Company sat around the great fireplace in Beorn's home. The mood was somber, as not only was their lass in danger, but they feared for Kili as well. There had been screams, both from Ember and Kili, then silence. Thorin had made a move to the door, but Bifur held him back, guiding him to a chair near the fire. Bilbo sat in a corner, wiping away tears every so often. Gandalf sat in silence, puffing on his pipe. As the dwarves finally settled down into uneasy sleep, he pondered the scene he had witnessed on the mountain over and over again. The Pale Orc had wanted both Thorin and Ember, Thorin for himself…and Ember for his Master. He had heard the Orc's glee at witnessing Ember's power. A dark thought began to grow in Gandalf's mind, and he heard Galadriel's voice in his head. "The riddle of the Morgul Blade must be answered." He had to go to the High Fells. He had to see for himself.

She awoke before dawn, a soft smile on her face. She felt…whole. That was the only word she could think of. She looked up to the face of the dwarf still asleep beside her. She knew that she would never get tired of looking at him, of wanting him. Ember had never truly felt like she belonged anywhere. Merely tolerated by the elves, hidden from both the dwarves and humans, she had resigned herself to being alone. When Kili had called her his One, her heart had soared. But after last night, she finally understood what that truly meant for the both of them. He stirred beside her, his arms pulling her tight. As his hazel green eyes opened to hers, she gently brought her lips to his. Running her fingers over his warm soft chest hair, she deepened the kiss and he responded in kind. As she pulled him closer, locking her arms around his shoulders, they joined again. He tenderly moved inside her, feeling like he couldn't get close enough. He buried his face in her neck as their breathing quickened and he felt like his heart was going to burst as the sensations grew to the crescendo. Finally, they slowly drew apart, and he held her close as their breaths returned to normal. Sighing, he curled his fingers in her hair, and gave a playful tug to her braid. "Good morning, love," she murmured.

"Good morning, vol kaon." He smiled lovingly at her. "How…how do you feel?"

"Tired," she quipped cheekily. He chuckled softly, pressing his lips to her brow. "But complete…whole." She glanced up at him shyly.

"As do I." He brushed his lips gently over hers. No other words were needed. They were One. She sat up slowly, allowing Kili to get a glimpse of her back. He gasped, tracing his fingers lightly over the light scar in her tender flesh. It was a word, and figuring it must be in Black Speech, he figured he would need Gandalf to translate. As Ember rose from the bed, he smiled as her blond hair tumbled down to her shapely hips. Beyond the light scarring on her back, and the previous scars from Rivendell, her skin was creamy and soft. Opening a drawer, Ember gently pulled on a pair of trousers and a green tunic that fit her perfectly. Seeing his confused smile, she grinned.

"When I was younger, I took many trips with Radagast, learning about nature. One time, we ended up here with Beorn. I stayed when Radagast left urgently, and since he didn't return for almost a year, I have a few clothes here." She sat back on the bed. "Beorn had a daughter long ago, but she was killed by Azog. I guess he sees a little of her in me. He can be…protective."

"You're telling me!" Kili laughed, remembering the way the large man had held him against the wall. "Any clothes for me in there?" he asked hopefully.

"You are lucky, miz hrun," she smiled, "that I prefer pants and shirts to dresses!" Kili grinned, pulling her to him.

"You do realize they are waiting for us," he mused. "Beorn did not seem happy yesterday when he found us together. Am I in trouble?" Ember shook her head.

"I think the fact that you saved my life will spare you from any real danger." He kissed her softly. "But…I would put your boots on in case you need a quick getaway!" He tossed a pillow at her, and quickly dressed. The trousers were clean, if a little short, and the shirt was tight, displaying his muscular chest. But it would do until he could change into his spares. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he opened the door, and headed towards the sounds of breakfast. As they walked into the bright room, everyone stopped, their eyes on Kili, who bowed his head. Ember peeked shyly from behind Kili, and a great cheer rose up from the Company. She was nearly bowled over as a gaggle of dwarves rushed to her, embracing her tightly. She raised her eyes to Beorn, who smiled at her in relief. Fili and Thorin held onto Kili, foreheads pressed together, before reaching for Ember. Fili stood back, observing the light in his brother's eyes, and the glow in Ember's cheeks. Guessing what had happened between them, he pretended to frown.

"Kili…what are you wearing?" Fili asked. Kili glared at him, Ember blushed and, after looking at each other with wide grins, figuring out quickly what had happened in the night, the entire Company burst out laughing.

"So lass, I guess it took more than a kiss this time?" Dwalin teased her mercilessly. Ember responded by punching him hard in the arm.

"I don't kiss and tell, Dwalin!" she smirked.

"Ow!" he said, rubbing his shoulder. Grabbing Kili's hand, she led them all back to the table, before approaching Beorn. He stared down at her in silence, before opening his arms and embracing her.

"My little flame," he whispered, a tear falling from his eye. "You are healed?"

"Yes…thanks to you, and my One," she replied softly.

"You should see her scar," Kili piped up. Ember frowned at him, but the look on his face was one of pride. Dwarves see scars as badges of honor and courage, and hers was one that had been received as a result of both of those traits. After several moments of pestering, Ember finally walked to the end of the table, turned her back to the Company and lifted her tunic. There were gasps of shock and awe. Gandalf moved forward, examining the faint lines intently. "Do you know what it says, Gandalf?" Kili asked. The old Wizard looked at him, as Ember turned around.

"It says FIRE," Gandalf said quietly.

The rest of the morning passed quickly. The Company sat outside as Beorn chopped wood. Ember told the tale of their quest, while Bifur played with her hair and Bilbo rubbed her feet. Kili and Dwalin were sparring nearby, Kili wanting to "defend her honor" after Dwalin had made another lewd remark. Finally, after having enough of their playful bickering, Ember tossed a dagger at each of them, striking them each in the arm with the hilts. She laughed, and turned back to Beorn.

"You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?" he asked.

"Before Durin's Day, yes," Thorin said.

"You are running out of time, Master Oakenshield," the skin-changer observed.

"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood," Gandalf spoke up. Beorn frowned.

"A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. I would not venture there, except in great need."

"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe," Gandalf pointed out.

"Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They are less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not. These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. You are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." Thorin bowed his head in frustration. Ember rose to her feet, standing before Beorn. She searched his face, with no thought of using her power of persuasion. He held her ice-blue gaze steadily, before nodding. "I never liked dwarves. They are greedy and blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own. That was until I met my little flame." He smiled at her. "Now seeing all of you together, seeing how her young prince saved her, I cannot help but feel in your debt. What do you need?" Ember smiled, her arms wrapping around him.

After Thorin agreed to leave at first light the next morning, Ember took the dwarves to a small stream that flowed through the back of the garden. After ordering them to bathe, handing them bars of soap, she took their clothes to be washed and hung to dry. Soon, the sounds of her family splashing and singing brought a smile to her face. She turned to see Kili approaching her, his chest wet and bare, trousers low on his hips. He wrapped his arms around her, and she squealed at the cold water still dripping from him. Planting a kiss on her cheek, he watched her clean the clothing, doing her best to remove each and every bloodstain. A thought came to him suddenly. "Vol kaon," he said, "you did not need any water." She looked at him, confused.

"Kili, my love, I think I may need to explain how to properly clean clothes. Of course I need water!" He chuckled at her misunderstanding.

"No, my heart, I mean…last night. Whenever you have used your power before…you have always needed water to cool you down. Last night, you didn't."

"Of course not, hrun. I had you." He pulled her into a loving embrace, kissing her deeply. She smiled as he stroked her hair. "That does it. Now I will have to bathe, since I am now soaking wet." Kili looked at her in shock.

"You cannot bathe with the rest of us!" Ember giggled.

"You misunderstand, hrun. The Company gets the cold stream. Beorn loves me…I get a hot bath!" Kili laughed as she playfully pushed him away. He headed back to the stream, as Ember gazed around the meadow. It was so peaceful here. The smell of jasmine and honeysuckle wafted from the garden as a soft breeze blew through the air. Tomorrow they would have to continue on, but today they were safe, and that is all that mattered. She sighed happily and headed into the house.

Men lananubukhs menu - I love you

Ohr bi haar, vol kaon - I'm here blue eyes

Dijnu mi - Trust me

miz hrun - my One

So I hope the love scene wasn't too graphic. It was essential to understand, as the Company will soon realize, that her power isn't based in fear, but in love. That is what heals. Send me a review...