Disclaimer: I don't own The Hobbit, or any of it's characters. Marie and Beth are the only products of my imagination.

**Nadadith is Khuzdul for little brother.**

Chapter 11: Misunderstandings

"Just admit it!" Fili shoved Kili by his shoulder playfully as they walked toward their room, towels hanging around their shoulders to protect their clothing from still damp hair. "You were jealous."

Kili glared at his brother, shoving him back. "No I wasn't. You didn't hear it, or see the way he was acting for that matter! He was all over her, whispering in her ear about meeting her later."

His brother continued to grin at him, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "I may not have been sitting right next to her, but I did witness it from afar. Your reactions, nadadith, clearly conveyed jealousy."

Kili allowed his shoulders to slump slightly in defeat, confused once again by the variety of feelings he had encountered. "I don't know, I just felt so angry! For no reason at all, really. I'm sure that Marie thinks of me as a rough, bulky stinking Dwarf. Nothing more."

Fili's gaze softened as he gripped Kili's shoulder softly, offering comfort. "Well, we took care of the stinking part at least." He teased gently, before giving him a serious look. "I know, Kili, that the ladies at home have been cruel to you. I have not been deaf to the remarks that they thought they were hiding so well. You cannot allow the harsh words of others dictate how you see yourself." His expression changed once again, a look of pure arrogance and pride. "We are, after all, the dashingly handsome nephews of the King of Erebor!" Kili allowed a smile to stretch across his face, standing a bit taller as his brother continued. "Besides, I believe you have caught Marie's attention as much as she has caught yours. It would be hasty and foolish to claim love, but I have noticed quite a few appreciative glances cast your way. I doubt she finds you anything but pleasing." He finished his lengthy speech with a teasing wink and Kili was mortified to feel the heat of a blush creep up into his face.

He was about to respond when a pain filled cry sliced through the air. His heart dropped into his stomach at the sound, his gaze flying to Fili. He wanted to believe that it had been the wind rushing in the hallways, the death cry of some hunted animal, anything but what it sounded like. He could tell by Fili's alarmed look that it was indeed what he had thought it was. That had most definitely been Marie's voice, and she sounded like she was in horrible pain!

They set off down a hallway, toward the noise, running as quickly as they could. Kili could feel his heart pounding in time with his steps as they slammed against the stone floors, every possible scenario of what had caused such a pain filled sound flashed through his mind, each one more unbearable than the last. Another scream ripped through a doorway they had just passed. Kili skidded a bit as he backtracked and rushed through the door, freezing in place as he took in the sight before him.

Marie lay in front of him, sprawled on the stone floor with the skirt of her dress pushed up high, exposing an indecent amount of her leg. She was breathing heavily, hair splayed out around her, some bloodied strands stuck to the side of her face, blood smeared across her temple and cheek.

The Elf, Aegnor, knelt over her, trapping her trembling form within the a cage of arms and legs. One of his tunic sleeves was torn open and bloodied. A bright red trail of fresh blood stood out against the pale skin of Marie's wrist and arm that she was using to clutch at the torn garment.

'No...' Kili thought as he gazed at the worst of his imagined scenarios was played out in front of him. The word echoed dozens of times in the sudden hallow of his head, growing from a hushed whisper into a howling shriek. His vision clouded red as he charged forward, Fili just behind him, desperate to separate attacker and victim.

"Get off of her!" He bellowed as he ripped the scum from above Marie, his fist landing and crashing against his smooth, beardless face, knocking him back onto the floor. Fili stood over the man, prepared to block him from returning to his feet. Aegnor remained still and unmoving, unconscious from the blow.

"Kili, Fili?" Marie gasped from behind him. He turned his attention to her, rushing to her side as she struggled to sit up.

"Marie, what happened? Did he hurt you?" He dreaded the answer. The thought that something had happened was so frightening that he wanted to take the question back, but the desire to comfort her was stronger. To do that he needed answers. He helped her up into a sitting position, one hand supporting her back as he used the other to deftly pull her skirt down to cover her legs again. "Marie." He called out again, gently trying to get her attention. He waited until she was looking into his eyes before he continued. He took the still damp towel from around his shoulders, wiping at her face gently. He couldn't find the source of the blood. " Where are you hurt?"

"My hand." Marie seemed to be in some kind of shock like daze as she looked down at her hand. Kili's gut clenched at the sight of the deep cut running along her palm, fresh blood sluggishly oozing from the wound.

Had this, Aegnor, cut her?! Her injury looked like one that someone received from a dagger or sword. He released a soft groan of despair as he ripped a strip of cloth from his tunic, wrapping her hand as gently as he could. His heart ached as images of what possibly could have happened to sweet, kind Marie flitted through his mind. His hands suddenly felt too large against the sliced flesh, too rough.

"Do not move, filth!" Fili spat out from behind him, followed by a low groan of pain. Marie's eyes shot over to the Elf, what Kili could only assume was fear rushing against her delicate features.

Rage filled him again as he turn ed to face Aegnor. He would make him answer all of his questions, and then he would make this creature pay.

"What have you done?" He asked, the low, calm tone in his voice was surprising, even to his own ears.

"I have done nothing, I swear. I wouldn't hurt her!" The disgusting creature told him as he dared to look toward where Marie still sat. Kili shifted to block his line of sight, a low growl in his throat and fists clenched tightly at his sides.

"Lies!" Fili barked at Aegnor. "Tell us, why should I not remove your head from your shoulders for what you have done?" As he asked the question, Fili grabbed a handful of dark hair, pulling Aegnor's head back harshly, one of his hidden daggers suddenly pressing against his throat.

"No!" Marie cried out as she rose to her feet, rushing to Kili's side. He supported her as she swayed into him slightly. "Please, let him go! It was my fault."

"Marie?" He had to force her name out of his suddenly tight throat. What had this beast told her to make her believe it was her fault that she had been attacked? The moment his eyes met hers the question flew from his mind. She looked dazed, frightened and in pain...now was not the time to question her, or expose her to bloodshed. She needed his support and whatever comfort he could provide, along with medical attention.

"Please." She almost begged, clutching onto his arm with her good hand. "I can explain, please let him go."

Kili looked to his brother, silently asking for advice. He didn't want to let this scum free, but the idea of distressing Marie further was unthinkable. Fili looked her up and down. Kili knew what his brother saw, her swaying form, blood stained face and bandaged hand making her look down right pathetic. After a long moment of silence he finally nodded, pulling his blade away from the man's neck as he cast him away roughly.

"Leave." Kili commanded. "Don't let us see your face again if you value your life at all."

Aegnor stood slowly, casting another glance Marie's way before leaving quickly. Marie made a small noise of relief as she sagged against him once again, her legs seemed to be unable to support her weight as she put more of her weight against him. Kili scooped her into his arms before she fell, trying to be as gentle as possible so he wouldn't jar any unseen that he had missed.

"Let's have Oin take a look at you."

"I can walk." She argued weakly, trying to wiggle from his grasp.

He smiled down at her, a sharp pain shooting through his chest at the thought of someone hurting her. He couldn't bear to think of what might have happened if they had been just a few minutes late. "I'm sure you can walk just fine." He told her, trying to push his dark thoughts away. "I just want to help you, you are injured, after all."

Marie brought her bandaged hand up in front of her face, looking at it for a moment before shrugging in defeat as she looked back up at him. "If you're sure."

"I am." He assured her. He wanted to ask what had happened, to know the extent of her injuries, the amount of justice that had to be dispensed. The only thing that stopped him was that he could feel her trembling slightly as the trio made their way down the hall, toward the room that the company had decided to share. She needed their help, his questions could wait.

/

"Please Mr. Baggins!" Kili asked, pushing the steaming cup of tea into his hands. "Just ask her a few questions to make sure she's okay."

"Didn't she already tell you what happened?" Bilbo asked, his voice grumpy.

"She told us that she fell and grabbed onto him, pulling him down on top of her. She did also say that she cut herself on a shard of Isildur's sword."

"You think she's lying?"

"No! Not necessarily... I'm just afraid that she may not feel comfortable telling us if something more serious happened. Hobbits seem to be a gentler folk than us Dwarves, less intimidating. I just thought that if there was something else she might feel more inclined to tell you about it."

Bilbo nodded slowly, turning to look back to where Marie was resting on a bench. Oin had stitched her hand closed and given her an otherwise clean bill of health. "Do you really think that he..." Bilbo trailed off, obviously as uncomfortable with the idea as Kili was.

"I hope not." Kili told him sadly as the smaller man walked off to hand the tea to Marie, taking a seat next to her.

He certainly hoped for her sake that it had been another misunderstanding, that Aegnor hadn't attacked her after all. If he wasn't innocent Kili knew that the company wouldn't be satisfied until the Elf had paid with his life. Attacking a woman was punishable by death in Dwarvish culture. Dwarf women were so rare and well protected that an attack on their virtue was rare. When it did happen punishment was swift, brutal and very public. Dwarves from other settlements all over Middle Earth travelled to witness the executions.

He watched as Marie and Bilbo spoke quietly, noticing the same movements she had made when she had answered his and Fili's questions, head shaking adamantly at something that Bilbo had said. The motions gave him hope, maybe she had told the entire truth after all.

"What?!" A very familiar voice bellowed from near the door.

Thorin had arrived from a meeting he had been attending with Lord Elrond, and apparently Fili had met him at the door and filled him in. Judging by his uncle's clouded face, as he stormed over to Marie, he was already out for Elvish blood.

A/N: Review please! Thanks to everyone who has given me feedback and reviews, please keep them coming! Next Chapter, next week!