Disclaimer: I don't own anything recognizable. JRR Tolkien's estate, New Line Cinema, and I'm sure a lot more people who have way more money than I do own them and I'm just playing a bit. No infringement is intended or implied. And I promise to put them back when I'm finished with them. :)

Author's Note: If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for romance. Hopefully this one suits!

Dedicated to my darling Amy. "Don't say we have come now to the end. White shores are calling. You and I will meet again."

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Part Six

Fíli and Kíli were shown immediately to Bard's presence and Fíli covered a start of surprise. The Man had aged, it seemed, in the space of a couple of days. He seemed much more wary than he had been and new lines drew down around his eyes and mouth.

"What news from Erebor?" he asked simply as he greeted them. He seemed honestly pleased to see them, though. "Has Thorin any thoughts on this matter?"

"He sends his respects, and a troop of Dwarves to help patrol your trade routes," Fíli replied as he grasped the Man's forearm as an equal. "And Kíli and I are at your service." He took in the extra precautions and approved. There were guards at the doors, of course, but also more in the hallways between this place and the actual residence. Bard was taking no chances, it seemed.

"I'll have to thank him properly, of course." Bard ran a hand through his hair, agitated. "Come, sit. I need someone I can trust to speak of this with and make plans."

"You don't trust your own guard?" Kíli blurted out, surprised. "Why?"

"Because Nialla wasn't taken with a caravan," was the simple response. "She was taken from the market while surrounded by my own handpicked men. Somewhere among my guard is a traitor, or perhaps this Dario himself." He shook his head. "Not one of the prisoners can give me a description of this "Dario" and that in itself makes trust difficult."

"How can we help?" Fíli offered quickly. The Man needed someone to shoulder part of the burden of protection, at least for his family. But it would have to be handled carefully; Bard was a proud Man and that pride wouldn't allow him to accept what he would see as charity. "Our troops stand ready to your orders."

"Father?" Nialla's soft voice from the doorway interrupted them and Fíli groaned silently. She had to choose NOW to speak. "I'd like to go to the market, if I may. I can't stand sitting idle here any longer." She blushed slightly when she noticed Fíli and Kíli but she didn't leave.

Kíli kicked his brother hard in the shin and Fíli hid a wince, choosing instead to glare at Kíli until he realized what the boy was trying to say. "If it would help, we could escort her," he said slowly. He was going to skin Kíli later, but for right now, if Bard agreed, he would have a little time with her. And they would be more than decently chaperoned; the market was a crowded place.

Bard regarded them steadily for a moment before nodding slowly. "I suppose that would be all right." And it would get the girl out of the house for a while. He couldn't in good conscience keep her confined, though it would certainly be the safest course. Fíli had a reputation as a fierce fighter, and Bard had had occasion to witness same. She would be safe enough. "Two hours, no more."

Nialla looked like she would protest but one glance from Bard silenced her. Still, she looked mutinous and Fíli stifled another groan. In this mood, she would be difficult at best to deal with. What was Kíli thinking, to have volunteered them for this? Oh, right. His brother was trying to help him win the girl. The problem was, he didn't WANT the girl. Or rather, he did, and couldn't have her.

Yes, he was going to murder Kíli.

Instead, he rose and gave her a bow. "When you're ready, lady," he said simply.

"One moment," she replied and scampered off to get her cloak. When she returned, he counted it a minor victory that he was able to keep from staring. Her eyes were alight, dancing with good humor now in a shift so quick it left him dizzy, and he felt that same pull as before.

Skinning was too good for his brother. Roasting over a slow fire, maybe. He'd find something suitably vile. Torture, this was going to be torture. Still, he gestured to Nialla that they would go. "But two hours only," he reminded her firmly.

She only nodded and they walked to the market, Fíli beside her and Kíli trailing behind, both watchful without appearing to be.

They wandered for a time, Nialla idly gazing at this fabric, touching that trinket, and suddenly Fíli was a bit sorry for her. She hadn't asked for any of this but she was weathering it quite well. Regretfully he called a halt. "Time to return, Lady," he reminded her quietly.

"Can't I have a moment more?" she asked softly as she considered a small carved figurine. He got a closer look and approved; it was a little wolf, the workmanship exquisite, the detail amazing. He sighed and got the attention of one of the children nearby.

"Take word to your King, if you would, that Lady Nialla will return as soon as she finishes her business here," he asked quietly. "And this is for you." He held out a silver coin.

The lad scampered off and Fíli raised a brow at her. He could have sent Kíli with the message, but he didn't think that wise the way things were here. And they were both here as her guards. No, Kíli had to stay. He needed Kíli to stay to keep him sane. She encouraged the worst sort of madness in him. He should never have let her convince him to let her stay and yet he couldn't refuse her, either. One look from those damned grey eyes and she had him wrapped around her finger.

Kíli wasn't helping and Fíli resisted a growl. Oh, he was helping, but not in a good way. He had trailed along behind, close enough for propriety's sake and yet far enough back to give some privacy. And just for a moment he thought he hated his brother. This was torture; Nialla was what he wanted, and he couldn't have her. Why couldn't Kíli accept that?

She concluded her purchase quickly, though, and he gave her marks for no longer protesting their return to her home. And when they reached the house, she laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Thank you," she said simply.

She was touching him again. He had the sudden and admittedly insane urge to repeat his caress of her face but reason prevailed. Barely. They were in public and while it would be pleasant, it also wouldn't be proper and he'd give Bard no reason to send him away. It was too important for him to stay.

For alliance's sake, of course. Bard was the Dwarves' ally and needed to be protected.

His mind was all over the place today and she was the cause. He had to get himself under control. "My pleasure, Lady," he returned quietly. That at least was true. He had enjoyed the time spent in her company even if they hadn't spoken much beyond what was necessary for her protection.

He had enjoyed her company.

Maybe he wouldn't kill his brother just yet.