Ooopsy daisies, this is a pretty freaking short chapter. Apologies.

Chapter 6 (Kili)

I lose track of time after Legolas leaves, but it is a while before Morgan speaks up.

I do not expect to hear her clear voice ringing out across this space so devoid of noise and interaction, but it is just suddenly there, in my head, and for a moment I wonder if I am only dreaming the sound of it.

"Well we could continue sitting here in complete and utter boredom until we rot, or you could actually try talking to me."

I look at her with raised eyebrows. She smirks, and it brings out a dimple in her cheek. I can't decide if she looks endearing or threatening. When I don't reply, her grin widens.

"It was just a suggestion," she shrugs, leaning back against the cold bars as though nothing were amiss.

I almost laugh. "What do you suggest we talk about?" I reply, "It's not as if we have anything in common at all."

She is looking over her shoulder at me now, back still facing me, and I can feel the strength of her eyes as she peeks out from behind her hair. "Well, ask me questions then. We can have an argument if you want. Debate. Anything's better than just sitting in silence."

"Maybe I like the peace and quiet," I say, checking her response.

She laughs. "I highly doubt that."

"Well if you know me so well, we shouldn't need to ask each other silly questions now, would we?" I'm waiting for her to contradict me. I do have questions, and I don't doubt that she is the same way.

"Maybe I like asking questions," she mimics, flashing me a reckless kind of grin. I return it.

"Ask ahead."

She doesn't even need to think before she plunges ahead. "The blonde one…the other young looking dwarf…he's your brother? Cousin? Childhood friend? And the leader – Thorin – are you related?"

I look at her curiously. I can't tell if she's just extremely perceptive or if I'm more of a giveaway than I thought. "You've had a lot of time to think, haven't you?" I ask rhetorically, although she nods her head with vigour. I smile. "The blonde one, as you called him, is my brother Fili. Thorin is our uncle."

She nods again, this time in satisfaction. "How long had you been traveling before I came?"

"Not more than a few weeks. It feels like less."

"How much longer do you have to go?"

This makes me smile. "Impatient, are we? The deadline's only a few days away."

She is unabashed. "Patience never was one of my strong points. What's your middle name?"

I think little of the seemingly random nature of her questions. "Don't have one."

"Do you have a family?"

I wince. She nods again, and I forget the momentarily awkwardness by how cute she looks. The fierceness from before, the teasing, that's all gone now, and I'm left with a strange, giddy creature, with a fast talking pace and a whole lot of questions.

The next question follows straight after. "Do you like music? Art? Books? Do these things even exist over here?"

I am stopped short for a moment. "Of course. Not that I've ever really had time for any of them."

I am unaware of any movement happening, but she is somehow sitting directly opposite now, cross-legged and no longer turned to the side. The look she throws me is pitying, and I instantly flinch at the emotion. "I like music," I say defensively.

The smirk is back on her face as she looks me up and down. "Bet you'd have a heart attack if you heard my music."

"Should I be afraid to ask what this music of yours entails?"

"Be terrified," she smiles. "But go ahead. Ask."