Previously

Picking up a peach, he bit into it. Juice dribbled down his chin, and he wiped it on his cuff. Looking up he noticed Fili laughing at him. Shooting a glare at his brother, he took another bite from the peach. It wasn't too bad, not as good as meat of course, but at least it was better than leaves. The wine was good, fruity, but appetizing. Even so, ale would have been more generally appreciated. Elves and their strange ways, he thought. He looked out into the valley, wondering where Eve was, and wishing she was sitting beside him. That would make the meal more interesting for sure.

Chapter 5. The Calm Before The Storm

She was being pushed along, the water churning around her. Her leg caught something, and she cried out in agony. Her head went under, and she struggled to resurface. The water kept dragging her in its currents, and she tried to swim but kept getting pushed underwater. She saw something sticking out of the water, it looked like a lorry. A couple of people were lying on top of it, safely out of the water. She tried to get towards it, but the water kept pulling her away. The people on top noticed her, and the lady grabbed the ankle of the man, as he leaned out towards her. Eve felt her fingers touch his, and he grasped her wrist firmly, pulling her to safety. She crawled towards the middle of the roof, before collapsing, and losing consciousness.

Eve woke with a jump. She had been dreaming of that fateful day, and it had been so vivid, it was like reliving it. She looked at her leg, gasping in surprise as there was nothing but a long, white scar remaining. She stretched and moving her left leg off the bed carefully, gingerly tested her weight on it. It throbbed a bit, but at least she could walk. Ignoring the dull ache, she walked towards the room the healers were in, and knocked quietly on the door. There was the sound of footsteps, and Nethril appeared, looking at her in surprise.

"Pen-tithen! May I help you? Is your leg better?" Eve smiled at her, she had been so kind.

"My leg is much better, thank you. It only hurts a little. Is there anywhere I can bathe?" Nethril smiled,

"Of course. I shall show you a room, and get some water ready for you." Nethril led her to a small chamber, which had a pool in the middle. Eve sat and waited patiently, whilst Nethril prepared it for her.

"I shall be back in half an hour. I will find some clothes for you as well." She said, before bowing slightly, and leaving the room.

Eve sighed as she slipped into the warm water. It felt so good not having to bathe in a stream, avoiding the two brothers who kept spying on her. She smiled, wondering where they were, and if they were causing anymore mischief.

Kili sat by the fire listening to Bofur playing. He had hoped Eve would be back by now; she had been gone for hours. A few of the other dwarves, mainly the younger ones, kept looking up every time they heard someone go past, and then turned away disappointed. Pulling himself away from his thoughts, he listened to Bofur singing a tune he hadn't heard before.

Of all the money ere I had, I spent it in good company,

And all the harm I've ever done, alas was done to none but me

And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I can't recall

So fill me to the parting glass, goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,

And all the sweethearts ere I had, they wish me one more day to stay,

But since it falls unto my lot that I should go and you should not,

I'll gently rise and softly call, goodnight and joy be with you all.

If I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile

There is a fair maid in this town who sorely has my heart beguiled

Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips, I alone she has my heart in thrall

So fill me to the parting glass goodnight and joy be with you all.

Bofur smiled, looking into the fire, and Kili wondered if he had been speaking of someone he held dear to him.

"That was a good one laddie, where's it from?" Balin asked, looking at Bofur. The dwarf shrugged.

"No idea, I've always known it." With that, he turned away, and gazed into the fire again. Kili felt someone sit next to him, and looked up to see his brother.

"You're rather quiet tonight." He stated, watching Kili with a quizzical expression.

"Am I?" Kili asked, leaning his head against the wall. Fili frowned.

"Yes, you are only ever this quiet when you are asleep; actually, you aren't even this quiet when you are asleep. What's the matter?" Kili didn't reply; he just glanced up at the doorway. Fili chuckled softly.

"I see... you are missing our beautiful companion." He remarked, barely masking his snigger. Kili glared up at him.

"Aren't you?" Fili looked surprised, and the grin on his face slowly disappeared.

"Yeah, why is she taking so long?" Kili shrugged.

"I don't know, I just hope she is ok." He couldn't imagine not seeing those dazzling blue eyes, or that smile, which made him forget everything he was saying. He sighed, wishing she was snuggled up to him, her cheek resting against his chest.

Eve wrapped the towel around herself, waiting for Nethril to return. Her leg was still aching, but the warm water had helped, and now she barely noticed it. She moved her hair, so that it was hanging over her shoulder, and twisted it, wringing the water out. She did it again on the other side, and then ran her fingers through it, detangling any knots she could find. There was a gentle knock on the door, and Nethril opened it, holding a long green dress over one arm, and some undergarments over the other. She placed them down over a chair, and looked at Eve expectantly. Eve glanced between the dress and the elf waiting, realising that she was there to help. Her face went red, and she said quickly,

"I can manage on my own, thank you." She didn't mean to be rude, but it was a bit strange having someone to help her get dressed. Nethril nodded.

"I will be just outside if you need me." She said, smiling at the girl, before leaving the room. Eve quickly got dressed, and found that she would need Nethril after all. There was a little button at the top of her dress that she couldn't quite reach. She called for the elf, who came in, and noticing her dilemma, quickly did the button for her. Eve sat down, and Nethril started to do her hair, plaiting it at the front, and then making a small plait at the back. She then got some little beads attached to bits of wire, and threaded them into the plait, making it seem like her hair had tiny diamonds in it. Eve looked at her hair in amazement. Usually it would just be in a ponytail or loose, never anything as embellished as this. She stood up, and gave the elf maiden a hug. Nethril looked surprised, but smiled, and led the girl to where her friends were staying.

Kili was lying on the floor, his hands under his head, looking at the ceiling. There were runes and pictures carved onto it, scenes from history, and from songs and stories. He heard the sound of someone opening the door quietly, and sat up to see an elf dressed in green, with her copper hair hanging down, and ornately plaited at the front coming towards them. As she came closer, a couple of the dwarves gasped.

"Eve?" Bofur asked, his face showing his astonishment.

"Yes? What is it?" The girl replied, frowning at their stunned expressions. Kili jumped up, and gave her a hug, closely followed by Fili, Ori, Bilbo and Bofur. She looked surprised at this sudden attention, and looked down shyly.

"It's good to see you looking better lass." Balin said, smiling at her.

"Thank you." She replied, embarrassment etched on her face. She sat down next to Fili and Kili, and they were joined by Bilbo and Ori, both of whom were wondering about her health. Ori pulled out his book and some charcoal, and started to sketch the scene before him. Kili watched her as she told them about Nethril, and the healing salve. After a while, she glanced up, catching his gaze. He kept eye contact for a few moments, before turning away, trying to stop himself from saying anything he shouldn't. He remembered something his uncle had told him. Dwarves only love once Kili, he had said. Make sure you choose the right one. He looked at Eve again, as she laughed at one of Fili's jokes. Yes, he told himself. Yes, I think I have.

A/N Sorry it's so short! I have run out of any ideas of what might happen here….. So… Help me please!

The song Bofur sings is The Parting Glass. I don't know who it is by, but it is an old Irish folk song.

Hope you enjoyed it, and please review! I need opinions and ideas! ~Littlelots