Bard walked out the house to get the weapons. Thorin, Kili and Fili talked with each other.
„Are those dwarves really your friends?", Tilda asked Kaléa curiously.
„They more like my family, actualy."
„How long will you stay this time?"
Kaléa smile was full of sorrow. She petted her head. „Not for long, I'm afraid. As soon as your Da gives us the weapons we will leave."
The girl hanged her head sadly. „Father won´t like that, at all.", she commented.
The darkhaired women leaned her head slightly to the side. „Why's that?"
„He likes you, a lot. And we do too."
"TILDA! You can't just tell her that!", scolded Sigrid.
Kaléa was taken aback by this. „What? It's true. And you and Bain agree that Kaléa is like a Ma to us.", Tilda argued.
„Tily, honey. Listen carefully." The dunedain crouched in front of the girl. „It means the world to me that you kids feel that way. And I love you too. But love is complicated."
„But you like each other."
„Sometimes this is not enough. However your father and I may feel for each other is our business. And like I said, a complicated thing. Escpecially right now, okay?", Kaléa reasoned softly. The girl nodded disappointed.
„And when do you return here next?", Bain interjected.
„Don`t know, son. Soon I hope and then I will spend as much time with you as I can."
Bard came in and showed the weapons, but they were displeased with it. „This is a joke!"m someone exclaimed.
„Come on, guys. A weapon is only as good as the person that wields it.". Chimed Kaléa smugly.
„She is right, Thorin. We did with less already. Let's just take it and leave.", Balin agreed.
„No. You can't leave now.", Bard said.
„What you mean by thar?", Thorin narrowed.
„There are guards observing the house. You'll have to wait till nightfall.", he said and went out.
„We won't make it with this garbage.", Gloin growled and eyed the weapons.
„Well, there are a some decent ones in the armory.", sang Kaléa in Khuzdul.
The dwarves looked at her. „Do you know how to get them?", Thorin asked.
„I do. Woudln't be the first time I raided it.", she smirked.
„You are the best, I swear on my beard.", Fili smiled greatfully.
—–
The group was caugt. „Last time went smoother.", Kaléa deadpanned. As they were brought to the mayor.
„It seems we caught a bunch of thieving dwarves, sire.", observed Alfrid.
„Watch ye mouth! This is no coomon dwarf. This is Thorin, son of Thror, son of Thrain.", barked Dwalin and Thorin stepped forward.
Kaléa watched the pained expression of Kili and ignored Thorin's speech. „Hey, hold thight, handsome.", she whispered.
He smiled up at her. „Your so cute, when you are worrying over me."
"DEATH!", Bard exclaimed and Kaléa wondered which side she should take.
Bard is reasonable, but I can't just turn against my family. What should I do?
„We don't even know you. Who would vouch for your word.", Alfrid challanged.
„I do!", Kaléa said an took few steps towards them. Damn. „Most of you know me, my reputation, my intentions. You know you can trust me! I know dwarves a considered to be rude, greedy and selfserving. But I habe travelled with these people for monts and I can tell you from personal experience that, nothing could be further from the truth. They are absolutly loyal, brave and honest. Sometimes painfuly so." She smiled at her friends and some snickered.
„And if there is one thing I learned in my long life is, that nothing weights more then the promise of a dwarf.", she looked at Thorin who bowed his head in gratitude. The company smiled touched.
„So, what say you?", the king turned to the mayor.
„WELCOME!", he boomed and the people cheered.
Kaléa looked over her shoulder in the disappointed face of Bard before he stormed off. „Come on, Kaléa. The mayor offers food.", Bilbo brought her back to reality.
„You guys go ahead. I join shortly.", she nudged.
—–
Kaléa approached Bard, who stood on the porch. „Bard?", she carefully called.
„I just want to protect my family.", he sighed.
„I know, I'm sorry for not backing you up there, but… I couldn't…", she trailed off and looked at the stars.
„I know, I don't blame you. I know you do the things you do for good reasons. Still, I rather have you stay here."
She put her hand on his shoulder, offering comfort. „You are right about Smaug. It could go bad, but that's exactly why I have to go. I could be the only one to prevent a disaster."
„You are always so modest.", he chuckled and turned to her.
„Anyway I should go back to the others before they miss me. Give the kids my best, should I not see you before we leave. I'll return as soon as I can.", she was about to leave but Bard grabbed her wrist. She looked over her shoulder to him. „Bard.", she breathed.
„Stay here tonight, please. Give me just this one night. That is all I'm asking… I…"
„Bard, please. Stop. I can't Not right now. Don't make this harder then it already is.", she pleaded and looked away.
Bard watched at their joined handa and sank his shoulders in defeat. Then he let her go. „It's this injured dwarf, right?"
She whirled around in surprise. „Beg your pardon?"
„It's obvious that you are deeply in love with each other."
„You ate mistaken. We are just friends. Besides, his heart already belongs to another."
He laughed but there was no humour in it. „I highly doubt that. But then again, you were always blind and deaf when it came to love. I think you two are the only ones that don't realise it."
She shook her head. „You are seeing things, my friend. „See ya around."
—–
The morning after the company gathered at the shore to continue their journey to Erebor. The people of Laketown applouded.
„Thorin? Bofur is missing.", Kaléa informed.
„His problem. We can't wait for him."
They stepped onto the boat. Then Thorin stopped Kili to join. „Not you. You are not coming."
Kili smiled, thinking his uncle joked. „What are you talking about? Of course I'm coming."
„Kili, your injured. Stay. Rest and heal. Once you did you can join." Thorin leaned his forehead against his nephews.
Fili argued with his uncle and decided to stay with his brother, as did Oin. Suddenly Kaléa jumped off the boat and walked up to them.
„No, Léa. You ain't staying. They need you. They are lost without you.", Kili tried to smile but failed.
The female caressed his cheek and realised that Bard and Legolas were right. I guess I always knew I love him, but it's pointless. He is Tauriel's. Her heart broke.
„You sure your…", she swollowed. Lost for word for the first time in her life.
„I join you shortly. After you did all the work so I can enjoy the pleasant things in life.", he joked ad leaned into her touch.
„You better or I swear on Durin's beard… should you not return to me… I'll…", she stuttered and a tear ran down her face.
Kili watched her intenely, taking the words in and… his lis pressed against hers. The kiss was full of love and desperation. The group smiled.
„Now, go.", Kili whispered aganst her lips and pushed her gently.
She nodded. „Go to Bard, he'll help you.", she suggested before she climed to the boat with Dwalin's assistence.
Kili kept eyecontact with his uncle and mouthed "keep her safe". Thorin nodded and joined the others.
There were off. „Wait!, Bofur called and watched them go. Then he turned to the other three, grinning like a idiot. „Hey, did you missed the ride too?" Kili collapsed.
—–
„Here Kaléa. I got them from Bard.", Bilbo said and gave her the leaves against her nausea.
„Oh, bless you, Bilbo. I love ya so much right now.", she kissed his cheek und took the leaves in her mouth.
„You should be telling that your One, not our burglar.", Nori mused.
The female smiled with a blush. „I shall, once he joins."
„About bloody time too. Ye were killin us with yer dancin around.", Dwalin said.
She raised an eyebrow. You all knew?"
„It was bloody obvious for us all, except you two.", Gloin confirmed.
And then coins were exchanged, „Don't tell me you made a bet about me and Kili." Kaléa rolled her eyes.
„It was a safe bet.", Balin happily took the money from his brother.
And just so you know, you have my blessings. I couldn't wish for a better wife for my nephew.", Thorin said softly.
„You are okay that he is courting a human?", she asked surprised.
„No, but you are no ordinary human. And I'm proud to call you family." Thorin touched his forehead with hers like he did with Kili earlier.
„Thanks, uncle."; she winked.
„I can`t wait for the wedding!", Ori said cheerily.
„And you will make some pretty pebbles.", Bombur agreed.
„Dis will be exstatic.", Balin joined.
„Wow, slow down. We aren't even officially courting yet.", interjected the women laughing. Holding her hands up.
„Eh, details.", Nori waved his hand dismissively.
„Interesting times are upon us."; Dori smiled warmly.
„Hey, look. Spirit!"m Bilbo called and pointed at the sky.
„Told ya, he'll come around.", replied Kaléa.
—–
The sun disappeared behind the horizon and the dwarves looked desperate.
„Let's wait. The map doesn't say which light. The day doesn't end with the sunset. Maybe it is the light of the last autumn moon.", Kaléa tried to raise their hope.
„This makes sense. Maybe she is right.", Balin smiled weakly.
„What do we have to lose?" Thorin was not convinced.
Then the light showed the keyhole. And the company gasped amazed. „Well, slap me sideways. The lass was right.", Gloin breathed stunned.
„Of course, I'm always right.", she said cockily. Then Thorin hugged her. „Thank you. If not for your intelligents I would've give up and missed the chance to see my home again. Our home.", he beamed.
„That's why I came. And all the butt saving of course.", she laughed and nudged him towards the door.
Thorin slowly opened the door and hasitantly stepped in. „I remember this halls, filled with the light of gold. Don't you, Balin?"
„Like it was yesterday.", the older dwarf teared up.
„Wish I could've seen it in all it's glory. We will rebuild and make it even greater though.", Kaléa whispered. I sound like Trump.
„That we will.", Thorin smiled at her.
They looked at the carvings above the door. „What is that on the throne?", Bilbo asked.
„The arkenstone.", breathed Kaléa.
„That is why you are here.", Thorin said.
„You have to go to the treasury and search for the stone, without waking Smaug, preferably.", explained the female.
The hobbit swallowed nervously. „Show me the way."
The dunedain lad a hand on his shoulder. „You changed, master Baggins. Your bravery is admirably. I am proud to call you friend."
„Likewise, Kaléa. You taught me a lot."
„It was always there, I just showed you how to uncover it. Now, good luck. I have the greatest confidence in you.", she embraced him quick before Balin lead him to the treasury.