Chapter 22
Left Behind

Fili woke me up before dawn to get ready to leave. I quickly get dressed. Fili wrapped his arms around me and I turned in his arms. He pressed his forehead against mine.

"Please stay by Kili and I and we'll keep you safe." Fili said. I knew he was worried about his brother. He got up a couple times to check on Kili and I saw him come back sad. He wasn't doing well.

"I will, but will Kili be alright?" I ask. I saw the sadness in his eyes and I hugged him close.

"It's getting bad. I hope Uncle will let him still go, but right now I don't think so." Fili said. I take his face in my hands.

"You'll have me standing at your side no matter what." I said. Fili pulled me tight against him and kissed me. I returned it.

"We need to go. I need to get my armor." Fili said. Fili kept an arm around me as we head down the stairs where the soldiers were already there with the armor. Fili kissed me on the check and went to get his armor. I saw some of the dwarves give me winks and I blush as I disappear to find my father. I found Bilbo all dressed up in armor. I laughed at how he looked. The armor looked to big for him.

"It's not funny, Bell." Bilbo said.

"It's weird seeing you in armor, father." I said.

"Just don't tell anyone back home." Bilbo said.

"I won't." I promise. I saw Kili and he looked paler then normal. I pushed my way over to him. "How's the leg?" Kili jumped in surprise to see me.

"I'll survive. Stop worrying, Bell. I'll be fine. Your sounding like Fili right now." Kili said. I hugged him.

"Your like a brother I never got to have. I have to worry. I don't want to loose you." I said. Kili kissed my forehead.

"Again. I'll be fine." Kili said. I head to find Fili and found him talking with Thorin. I stopped and admired him. He truly looked liked the future king he would be in the future. Fili spotted me and headed up to me.

"What do you think?" Fili asked.

"You look like a king." I said, earning a smile from Fili.

"And I will see my future queen in fine dresses instead of trousers and tunics, but you still look beautiful in anything you wear." Fili said, bringing my hands up and kissing my knuckles. I smile up at him. Fili smiled at me.

"Let's go. We don't have much time." Thorin said. I walked with Fili and Kili towards the boat that would take us to the Lonely Mountain. Fili kept a hand on my lower back as we walked. Bilbo was right in front of us.

"You do know we're one dwarf short. Where's Bofur?" Bilbo asked.

"If he's not here, we leave him behind." Thorin said. Fili and I shared looks.

"We have to, if we're to find the door before nightfall. We can risk no more delays." Balin said. We come down he pier to the boat that awaited us. Fili helped me get in and followed. I saw Thorin stop Kili, who was about to get in the boat as the dwarves started to load the boat with supplies and weapons.

"Not you. We must travel with speed. You will slow us down." Thorin said. I frowned in worry as Bilbo joins me. He watches as well. Kili smiles and I had a feeling that he thought Thorin was joking.

"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you." Kili said.

"No." Thorin said. I gasp and Fili turned at my gasp and stood to watch them with a frown.

"I'm going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our father's, Thorin." Kili said.

"Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed." Thorin said, putting a hand on Kili's shoulder. Kili looked shocked and betrayed. I felt sorry for him. He wanted so badly to be there when the door was opened to Erebor again, but Thorin didn't want him to. Thorin turns to get on the boat as Oin gets out.

"I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded." Oin said, heading up to Kili. Fili stops Thorin.

"Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can't take that away from him!" Fili said.

"Fili." Thorin said.

"I will carry him if I must." Fili said.

"One day you will be king, and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin." Thorin said. I had tears in my eyes. He had changed. Something was not right to not worry about the life of his nephew but worry about Erebor. Fili looked at Kili and then got out of the boat. Thorin grabs his arm and stops him. Fili looks at him. "Fili, don't be a fool. You belong with the Company." Fili glares at him.

"I belong with my brother." Fili said, pulling away from Thorin and hurrying up to Kili. Musicians started to play and the Master stands to speak. I watch the brothers and knew right away. I turn to Bilbo.

"Father..." Bilbo stopped me with a knowing smile.

"Go and be with them. Fili will need you till the end." Bilbo said. I hugged him.

"Thank you for understanding." I said. I got out of the boat. None of the dwarves stopped me as I hurried towards my friends and family. Fili smiled at me. "And I belong with you. I'm not letting you do this without me." I knelt in front of Kili to help Oin.

"Bring good fortune to all!" The Master said. We watch as the boat sails off with the dwarves waving and shouting. I saw Bofur come into view, late. He spotted us.

"Ah! So you missed the boat as well?" Bofur asked. Kili suddenly collapsed and Fili and I caught him.

"Kili! Kili!" Fili said. Fili and I looked at each other with worry.

"We need to get help. It's his leg." I said. We hurried around, trying to get help, but everyone refused, including the Master. Kili was getting worse.

"We need help." Fili said.

"Bard! Bard will help us." I said.

"But you heard him last night. He was angry at us." Bofur said.

"He wasn't at me. I'll convince him. We have no other choice." I said.

"She's right. Let's go." Fili said and I saw a proud smile grace his lips for a bit. We hurry to Bard's with Oin and Fili carrying Kili. Bofur knocked on the door. Bard answered and try closing the door as he talked.

"No. I'm done with dwarves. Go away." Bard said. Bofur quickly stops him from closing the door.

"No, no, no! No one will help us. Kili's sick. He's very sick." Bofur said. Bard looked at Kili, who was getting paler by the minute.

"Please Bard. We were left behind because of him and he needs help. Your our last hope." I said. Bard nodded.

"Come in." Bard said. We quickly stepped in and got Kili on the bed that Bard pointed out. I knew it was going to be a long night for all of us.

AN: I leave you there. I got to work tomorrow early, but I promise to update soon. Wow. Nearly 70 review. Thank you. Till next time.