Be warned...there is a love scene at the of this chapter!

Chapter 32

The air was chilly as the dwarves and Ember slipped out into the night. Bard had left earlier in the evening, after once again insisting that they stay hidden until the moon rose. The Company tiptoed through the town, quiet as mice, hiding from the watchmen on patrol. Thorin led them to the city armory. Nori, the nimble thief that he was, managed to pick the lock, and they entered the building quickly. "As soon as we have the weapons, we make straight for the mountain. Go, go, go!" Thorin hissed. The dwarves began collecting a vast assortment of weapons. Ember stood in the shadows, silently keeping watch. She turned as the dwarves began their descent from the armory, when a hand clamped over her mouth, yanking her out the armory door. She struggled wildly as the man pulled her back into the shadows. She made to scream when she was turned roughly to face her attacker, and found herself looking into the brown eyes of Bard.

"Quiet!" he shushed. "The guards are coming!" She turned to see the watchmen racing towards them.

"I have to warn them!" she hissed frantically.

"If they know you are with the dwarves, they will know I smuggled you in. You are my sister, remember?" She stared at him in horror, his words ringing true. The dwarves were no match for the guards, and Ember watched in silence as they were marched from the armory, Kili eyes searching frantically for her. She struggled against Bard, as he gripped her arms tightly. "They must not see you!" He shook her several times, his desperation for keeping his children safe clear in his eyes. She stopped resisting, bowing her head. Taking her firmly by the hand, Bard led Ember away into the night.

Legolas and Tauriel slipped away from the Woodland Realm in the quiet of the night. After secretly resupplying their weapons, and packing some light provisions, they had ended up in Legolas' room. Once assured that they were not being watched, they took the quickest option of escape, albeit not the easiest. They climbed down from the balcony that lay outside his room. The idea that they were literally escaping out the window made both of them grin, and once they reached the ground, they lightly raced into the darkness. Wordlessly, they headed in the direction of Laketown, knowing that the river would have eventually taken the dwarves that route. Elves have remarkable stamina and endurance, but the events of the past day had tired Tauriel considerably, her head still reeling from the blow she had received from her king. Finally, Legolas halted near a clearing, motioning her to rest. Taking out a ration of lembas, he handed it to her. As they ate, their eyes and ears were watchful. Neither of them had been this far from the Woodland Realm without more reinforcements, and they knew of the dangers the wild presented. "Will your father forgive you?" Tauriel finally asked him. Legolas frowned.

"U-iston. Adar nin anruthna," Legolas answered, "but I cannot allow him to sentence our kin to death."

"The king has never let orc-filth leave our lands, yet he would let this orc-pack cross our borders and kill our prisoners. Uin henia," she said in frustration. "It will not end here. With every victory, evil will grow. If your father has his way, we will do nothing. We will hide in our walls, live our lives away from the light, and let darkness descend. Does he not realize? Are we not part of this world?" Legolas smiled at her, proud of her sense of righteousness.

"Gûr nîn be hen" he said. "This is our fight, whether he wants it to be or not." They fell silent, watching the night sky, listening to the silence around them. Finally, she sighed.

"Goston andin," she said softly. "Yuula...and the others." Legolas hid a grin as he knew her thoughts were lingering upon a certain blond haired dwarf. "That orc-filth will not stop until they are dead," she continued.

"Savo amdir," he murmured, pulling her close. "We will find them. Have you rested enough?" She nodded silently, as they quickly got to their feet. Gathering their cloaks about them, they hurried off into the night.

Bard nearly dragged Ember back to his home. He slammed the door, turning on her in anger. Bain rose from the chair by the fire where he had been dozing, his head going back and forth between them. Little Tilda came out from the room she shared with Sigrid. "Da? Is everything alright? Where are my friends?" she asked. Bard looked at her, a strange look on his face, before turning to Bain.

"Son, take Tilda back to bed, then go there yourself." His tone warned Bain that there was to be no argument. Bain hustled Tilda out of the room, shooting one last glance at Ember. She had stepped cautiously away from his father, closer to fire. Ember stood with her arms wrapped around her, pulling her cloak tight to her body. Bard approached her and she stepped away quickly, a flash of fear in her eyes.

"Ember, you do not need to be afraid of me," he began. She raised an eyebrow, rubbing her sore arms from where his hands had held her so roughly.

"Are you certain?" she asked in disbelief. He blushed.

"I am sorry for being so rough. I just…I needed to protect my children and…you." She looked at him, his dark eyes unreadable.

"How did they know we were at the armory?" she asked. He sighed.

"I told you the house was being watched. Had I not overheard the guards preparing, I would not have arrived in time." She sank down into the chair by the fire.

"Where will they take them?" she asked quietly.

"To the Master, who will most likely throw them in jail...where they belong." Ember glared at him.

"Why would you say that? They have done nothing to warrant jail! They have been honest, they paid you well, so why would you allow this to happen?" she asked.

"Honest? They have not been honest, not about their true intentions here in Laketown!" he yelled. She looked at him in confusion. "Is the leader of that group not Thorin Oakenshield?" She dropped her eyes. "Is he not planning on heading into that cursed mountain? Had I known then what I know now, I would never have seen them safe into Laketown. Now, my family is in danger." She turned to stare into the fire, her thoughts occupied by her fear for Kili and the Company. They had not meant to endanger anyone, but she knew that if the Master discovered that Bard had indeed assisted them into the town, he would be imprisoned as well. He watched her, golden hair shimmering in the firelight.

"I'm sorry," she murmured softly. "We did not mean to cause you so much trouble." He sighed, crouching down beside her chair.

"I know. You seem like a very kind lass. You remind me of…" he trailed off, his gaze turning to the fire. She watched his face, struggling with emotion.

"Your wife?" she asked quietly. He smiled, nodding his head.

"Aye. My Brianna. When I saw you on the shore, with your wet hair and dress, you reminded me of a time when I had to fish her from the lake. She had decided to take up fishing…only she wasn't very good at it." Ember chuckled lightly, then froze as he placed reached for her hands that lay in her lap. "Now, seeing you in the firelight, well…I guess I realize how much I miss her."

"I understand," she said. "Kili is my One. We were separated by King Thranduil for nearly two weeks. My heart ached every day for him." Bard stroked the back of her hand softly. "To think that I could lose him permanently…well, I don't know how you find the courage to continue." He smiled up at her, then glanced towards the dark bedrooms.

"They give me the courage, every day," he said softly. She slowly lowered herself to the floor beside him.

"Please, help me save them. I don't have anyone to give me courage, should I lose them. They are my family." He gently slid a lock of her behind her ear, and smiled.

"I have a feeling people don't say no to you too often." Shaking her head, Ember grinned, pulling him into a hug.

"I will make sure that the Master does not punish you or your family for helping us."

"How do you plan on doing that?" he asked.

"Like you said, not too many people can say no to me!" Bard laughed and pulled her to her feet.

"Here, let me get you some chamomile. You should keep drinking it, it will help with your stomach, especially in the mornings. Then we will go to see the Master."

"Thank you, but I am feeling much better, it must've been something I ate, and the rocking of the boat." She turned as he brought her a cup of the warm tea. Looking in his eyes, she saw a soft smile.

"You never know," he said, with a glance back the dark bedrooms, memories of another woman and her weak stomach flooding his mind. "You never know."

Meanwhile, the guards had finally managed to manhandle the dwarves into a large prison cell. The head guard left to report to Alfrid the Steward. Kili paced anxiously back and forth in the cell. Thorin approached him. "Where is Ember, lad?" Kili shook his head.

"I don't know. She was…in the armory, waiting for us. When the guards entered, I couldn't…I couldn't find her. They…they must've…" Kili broke off, his worry nearly breaking him. What had happened to her? Where could she be? The others were equally worried, but before they could let their imaginations get the better of them, the cell door opened.

"The Master is ready for you," the guard said smugly. Thorin straightened his shoulders, and followed the guard out into the courtyard. He led them to the town square, as townspeople soon began to follow. The guard, who was known as Braga, arranged the dwarves in front of the doors of a large mansion at the edge of the town square. The Master soon stormed out, standing grimly at the top of the stairs.

"What is the meaning of this?" he bellowed.

"We caught 'em stealing weapons, sire," Braga replied.

"Ah. Enemies of the state, then." The Master glared at the dwarves, as Alfrid sidled up to him.

"This is a bunch of mercenaries if ever there was, sire," Alfrid agreed. Dwalin bristled angrily.

"Hold your tongue! You do not know to whom you speak! This is no common criminal; this is Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror!" Dwalin growled, gesturing at Thorin. The crowd murmured in amazement as Thorin stepped forward.

"We are the dwarves of Erebor," he said firmly. The crowd gasped in shock, and recognition. People began to crane their heads to see better. "We have come to reclaim our homeland. I remember this town and the great days of old. Fleets of boats lay at harbor, filled with silks and fine gems. This was forsaken town on a lake. This was the center of all trade in the North!" He had turned to the crowd, and there were earnest nods of agreement.

Ember and Bard pushed their way through the crowd. They heard Thorin engaging the audience around them, and suddenly Ember had a flash of inspiration. She whispered in Bard's ear, and turned to her in surprise. He shook his head. "What about you?" he whispered.

"It's your true feelings, this way no one will suspect you brought them into the town!" He looked at her uncertainly. "Don't worry about me, think of your children!" she hissed. He smiled into her eyes, placing a soft kiss on her brow. Nodding, he stepped forward as Thorin continued his speech.

"I would see those days return," Thorin thundered, "I would relight the great forges of the dwarves and send wealth and riches flowing once more from the halls of Erebor!"

"Death! That is what you will bring upon us! Dragon-fire and ruin! If you awaken that beast, it will destroy us all!" Bard yelled as he neared Thorin, who glared at him.

"You can listen to this naysayer, but I promise you this; if we succeed, all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough fold to rebuild Esgaroth ten times over!" The crowd roared with excitement. The Master grinned at hearing these words.

"All of you! Listen to me! You MUST listen! Have you forgotten what happened to Dale?" Bard cried. There was silence as the people began to shake their heads sadly. "Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm? And for what purpose?" Bard turned to Thorin angrily. "The blind ambition of a mountain-king so driven by greed, he could not see beyond his own desire!" Bard and Thorin stared at each other in anger, as the crowd began to protest, when the Master stepped forward.

"Now, now, we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame. Let us not forget that it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor, who failed to kill the beast!" Bard looked away quickly, a feeling of shame washing over him.

"It's true, sire. You are too right. We all know the story: arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark." Alfrid sneered at Bard, hatred in his eyes. "Your family has not improved at all since then, has it Bard? You are a simple bargeman, with no wife, three brats and only a sis-"

"How dare you!" Ember stormed up the steps of the mansion, raising her hand and slapping Alfrid across the face. He stared at her in shock. Knowing the situation would get out of hand, she released the force of her power. She turned to the crowd, all eyes on her, then held the gaze of the Master and Alfrid firmly. "Here this now: Bard is not his ancestor. He is a kind man, who thinks of others before himself. Do not hold him responsible for the actions of his forefather." They all stared at her in silence. She leaned closer to the Master and Alfrid, her words for them only. "I am not his sister. You will not punish him for helping me or my friends enter Laketown. Indeed, you will forget that he did so." Her eyes burned brightly blue, boring into their minds. Ember felt how weak-minded and cruel the men before her were. As she felt their acceptance of her words, she slowly recaptured her power. Stepping quietly down the stairs, she moved to Kili who wrapped his cloak around her protectively. Bard stared at her in awe, and she gave him a small smile. Thorin turned to face the Master.

"I speak to the Master of the men of the Lake. Will you see the prophecy of Erebor fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?" There was silent anticipation from the crowd. The Master appeared to think for several moments, before he smiled, pointing his finger at Thorin.

"I say unto you…welcome! Welcome and thrice welcome, King under the Mountain!" The crowd roared with delight and the dwarves cheered loudly. Thorin made to move forward, when Bard grabbed his arm.

"You have no right, no right to enter that mountain!" Bard said quietly.

"I have the only right," Thorin replied, pulling his arm from Bard's grip. Thorin climbed several of the steps, turning to face the crowd. The people were hugging each other in excitement and joy. Ember watched as Bard turned to leave. She moved towards him, and he embraced her quickly.

"Take care of yourself," Bard whispered. As he pulled away, he brought his hand to cup her cheek gently, before heading away into the night. Ember turned to Kili, who stood with a surprised look on his face.

"Vol kaon? Is everything alright?" he asked her. She smiled back at him.

"Yes, miz hrun," she replied, wrapping her arms around him. She watched as the Master gestured for Thorin and the dwarves to follow him into the mansion. She glanced briefly over her shoulder to the disappearing figure of Bard in the distance, before following the others into the warmth of the manor.

Soon the dwarves were given a magnificent house that the Master normally kept for visiting dignitaries. After reassuring Thorin that they would be well supplied in both food, clothing and weapons, the Master informed them that a great feast would be held the following evening. Thorin thanked the Master graciously, before leading the dwarves into their new accommodations. Once inside, the Company looked at each other before bursting into laughter and cheers. To be so close to the end of their adventure was truly relieving and the fact that they did not need to hide any longer was freeing. Bofur discovered a large supply of ale, Bombur grabbed the glasses and drinks were poured all around. As Kili handed her a mug, he winked at her cheekily. Ember looked down at the swirling pale liquid, feeling her stomach churn. She shook her head, and handed it back to him. He looked at her in concern. "Will you not join us in celebration?" he asked. She smiled, taking his hand. She looked around at the Company, now watching her closely.

"Forgive me, my stomach is still not quite recovered from its long sea voyage," she said wryly. Balin watched her, his eyes questioning. "I think I shall just retire for the evening. It was not easy holding the whole town under my power." Her dwarves laughed, and Kili kissed her cheek.

"Indeed, lassie, that was quite some display," Dwalin grinned.

"Thank you, Dwalin, but it wore me out," she replied. As she moved towards the stairs, Thorin called out.

"Taal berch men, where did you disappear to at the armory?" he asked, coming towards her. She turned, a soft smile on her face.

"Bard," she said simply. "He had overheard the guards talking about coming to capture you. He was worried, since the steward had been told I was his sister that they would come for his family. He stole me away, but I convinced him to help me free you all. I needed to make sure there would be no repercussions to him or his family." The dwarves all nodded in understanding, Bifur grunting his thoughts as to the capture of little Tilda.

"He kept you from being taken, and so I am in his debt," Kili stated. "Although…" he trailed off, a sudden frown on his face. "He seemed quite taken with you." Dwalin growled in agreement.

"Aye, that he did. Maybe I should have a little chat with him. After all…you're as good as married!" Dwalin said. "Lippy lakeman," he added under his breath as Ember couldn't help but smile at her dwarves.

"Thank you for your concern, but I just happen to remind him of someone. His wife. She's..." Ember trailed off. There was silence as the Company processed the loss in those words. "I'm tired, good night everyone," she said softly. Kili came forward, gently taking her hand.

"I'll help you get settled," he murmured gently. She saw the fire reflected in his eyes, the heat smoldering there. Ignoring the cheeky grins from the others, she led Kili up the stairs.

He insisted she take the second largest room, leaving only the master bedroom for Thorin, as leader of the Company. Once inside the room, he turned and quietly locked the door, before leaning against it, studying her. She smiled softly and he came forward, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her tenderly. She stroked his hair, tangling her fingers in the dark tresses. No words needed to be spoken. It had been too long since they had been joined as One, and nothing could stop them this night. They had traveled far, had been separated for too long. The kiss turned passionate, and Kili lifted her into his arms, lying her gently down on the bed. He slowly undid the ties of her elven dress. "Tomorrow…we need to find you some new clothes!" he muttered. "This is taking too long!" She giggled at his frustration, before tugging his tunic over his head. She sighed as she stroked the soft hair on his chest. Shedding themselves of their remaining clothing, they snuggled under the covers, Kili pulling her close. She kissed him tenderly.

"Menu zirup men," she murmured softly. He smiled, stroking her cheek, before kissing her warmly. He nibbled her bottom lip, her tongue softly seeking out his own. Their passion began to grow in earnest, and he slowly rolled her onto her back, bracing himself above her. He brushed his fingers lightly over the faint Warg scars still marring her ribcage, then gently kissed them, eliciting a soft giggle from her. Lifting his head, he stared down into her beautiful eyes. He saw the love he felt for her reflected back to him. As they joined together, their eyes never left each other. They moved together as One, their bodies, hearts and souls combined in perfect harmony. As their love peaked, they cried out as One, trembling in each other's arms. Kili slowly rolled onto his back, and Ember laid her head on his chest, her hair spread like a warm blanket across him. As he inhaled her soft scent, she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and together they drifted off to sleep.

Kili woke in the morning, a feeling of contentment around him. His feeling of happiness increased as he listened to Ember's soft breathing on his chest. He hummed softly, stroking her hair. She slowly turned her head, planting soft kisses on his chest before gazing up at him. "Did I wake you?" he asked softly. A small smile came to her lips in reply.

"Good morning, miz hrun," she murmured. Raising her head from his chest, she kissed his lips, sighing happily.

"I cannot wait to wake up beside you every morning," he mumbled contentedly. She grinned.

"First, we need to get rid of a dragon…then a wedding…but hopefully we will then be able to have every morning of our lives together." He smiled, planting a quick kiss of agreement on her cheek.

"Only a few minor obstacles!" he laughed. "Tomorrow, we will be heading for Erebor. The time is growing short, we must reach the door by Durin's Day, and that's only two weeks away. But tonight, we feast!" He didn't fail to notice her cheeks pale slightly at the mention of food. "Is your stomach still unsettled, vol kaon?" he asked gently.

"A little. Bard suggested chamomile tea. I think I may just be hungry, but some tea would be nice as well." As Kili's stomach rumbled, she giggled. "I know for sure that you're hungry!" Laughing, they quickly dressed and headed out in search of food. As they entered the kitchen, she saw that the table was already set, and the Company was happily eating away. It reminded her of the first time they had all sat down together to eat back in the Shire, and it warmed her heart. Whatever dangers they still had to face, for now they could relax and enjoy their time together. Tomorrow, they would be back on the road to Erebor. But for now, they were a family sitting down to a meal together. It was what she had always wanted.

U-iston. Adar nin anruthna -I don't know. My father is very angry

Uin henia -I do not understand

Gûr nîn be hen -I agree with you

Goston andin -I am worried about them

Savo amdir -Have hope

Taal berch men - my fire daughter

Menu zirup men -you complete me

Okay...so I am not really happy with this chapter, but the next one hopefully will have a little more action. Rate and Review! I own nothing but Ember