Disclaimer: All recognized characters and lines are copyright their respective owners not limited to J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson & Co. The fox, Kit, and plot are mine, and I have a muse as fierce as dwarvin warriors to support that claim.
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Three: Transitions—From Curse to Gift
She is not certain of when her eyes close or when sleep comes upon her. She is only aware of waking up warm in a bedroll that smells of Kili.
"Brother she is awake," calls Fili, and she groans, rolling over, the sunlight much too bright, and it is then that she notices she still has hands, pale hands bathed in the light of the morn.
She recalls the gift she was granted last night, and her golden eyes widen as she recalls that no gift is ever truly freely given. She can't help wondering how Kili may have altered the gift granted her by Arda by intervening, and she remembers the condition Galadriel had warned of.
"This gift will be shared with your mate."
Kili comes into her line of vision, a look of relief on his face, and then one of surprise, as he says, "I would have expected to see a vixen in my bedroll by the morn."
"And it looks to me that your expectations have been met then brother," Fili answers, and Kili shoves at his elder brother.
"What of the curse?" Kili asks as he looks over Kit.
Kit groans and works to sit up, her body still weary from the transformation of curse into gift. Her mouth is dry, and Kili notices as she licks are her lips and provides her a water skin. She sips from it and then says, "That is what you came upon last night Kili. Lady Galadriel was given counsel and the magic needed to alter the curse to a gift, so that I might change at will rather than by curse. A gift from the Queen of the Arda. I do not yet know what your intervening last night may have cost me or you. That was a foolish thing to do."
"You were in pain, screaming! How is that a gift?" he snaps.
She smiles. "I am in my original form and it is morning. I am no longer forced into the changes. That is the gift."
"If it was a gift, then why were you pain from the receiving of it?" Kili bites out, his anger still evident.
"No gift comes without a price. That was part of the cost of this gift," she answers.
"And what is the rest of the cost?" Fili asks, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Kit shrugs, "That will come in time I am sure."
Fili does not look satisfied, but Kili seems cheered to see her awake and moving around, and Kili says, "Well then, lets have breakfast and then we'll catch up to the others."
"You've stayed behind while the others have gone ahead?" Kit asks in concern.
Kili shrugs and Fili pulls a sour face as he jerks his head in the younger dwarf's direction. "He insisted on tending you, and I stayed to make sure he didn't get lost or held back longer than necessary."
"I am just as fair a scout as you," Kili points out with a sneer, and Fili rolls his eyes.
"As distracted as you are with tending to her you would just as soon find your way to Dol Guldur as to catch us up," Fili says with a chuckle.
"It seems you've become friendlier," Kit says as she smiles at Fili.
The golden-haired brother smiles and says, "Don't think I don't recall you biting me or stealing my beads little burglar."
Once they've shared in the gruel left by the others they mount up, Fili on his pony, and Kili and Kit sharing the other. Within a couple of hours they have caught up to Thorin and company. The hobbit seems happy to see them, Thorin doesn't seem particularly moved and frowns at the sight of Kit, still not impressed with her presence or certain of her usefulness on this journey.
-THE HOBBIT-
Kit is not certain which is more miserable, this journey as fox or in her true form. At least as a fox she dealt less with the gazes of the others, safely tucked away and carried about in the satchel at Kili's side. Still she is pleased that the elves saw to providing a pack for her. She suspects Elrond knew of Thorin's plan to proceed on the journey, or at the very least escape Rivendell as soon as possible, and this foresight sees to her having extra clothes, provisions, an elven blade, and a bow and quiver of fine arrows.
She doesn't miss the fact that Kili's own quiver has been restocked with elven arrows as well. The current cause for their misery is the rugged and steep decline of the rock face and too narrow path of this treacherous mountain. To add to this misery there is a tempest growing every closer, the sounds of thunder growing louder, the sparks of lightening jolting in the sky.
All of the traveling party is on edge, but none more nervous than Blibo Baggins, situated between Bofur and Nori. Kit finds herself between Kili and Fili, with Fili in the lead, and that's when they hear the shout and realize that the thunder is not a storm as initially thought, but a thunder fight, and the mountains they are navigating are indeed the stone giants of old.
As the giants awaken the company does their best to find purchase, hold on, and avoid the clashing of stone. It is with a great deal of relief that they stumble across a cave, and all are accounted for though it was a near miss until Bofur hauled Bilbo back up the face of the mountain.
Of course the cave turns out to be anything but safe as a chorus of shouts and the disappearance of the cave's floor has the entire company tumbling into the strong hold of the Goblin King's lair.
The Goblin King interrogates the dwarves, and upon not receiving answers a smirk crosses his terrible maw.
"Well then, take the youngest and we'll see if he can account for this intrusion," he says, and the goblins close in on Kit, taking her for the youngest and least dangerous, and she is ready, the magic of her kind heating in her blood, and rushing to spark at her fingertips, but then Kili jumps in front of her, to protect her from the goblins.
"Kili, no!" she shouts, but he does not move, and before the goblins can close in Thorin steps forward. The Goblin King is quite pleased with this development, taunting Thorin until the discovery of Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver, and then the tides turn, the Goblin King demanding Thorin's head and the death of the rest of the company.
Luckily Gandalf has perfect timing, and all is well as Gandalf takes care of the Goblin King, that is until the poorly crafted bridge they are on falls beneath their feet and they are left in a pile, only to have the corpse of the Goblin King land on them to further their indignity before being forced to run for their lives.
Once free of the goblin-infested mountain, Thorin complains of the loss of their burglar, and Kit turns to confront Kili.
"What were you thinking jumping in front of me like that? Are you mad?" she hisses.
His eyes widen and then narrow, his nostrils flare in his anger. "What was I thinking? Clearly then you must enjoy torture at the hands of goblins! I was protecting you!"
"You were in my way! They knew not what I was or what I was capable of! Did you not see me the night I enchanted Fili's blade? I could have taken care of myself! You should worry over your own hide dwarfling!" she snarls at him, and even Fili winces as he sees Kili's expression crumble before Kili's face goes blank, and it is then that the hobbit reveals that he has in fact not left them at all, much to Thorin's consternation.
It is with the hobbit's declaration of his reasons for staying and continuing onward that the dwarves are humbled. Kili does not utter anything further other than a welcoming comment to Bilbo. Kili stays close to his uncle and brother, pointedly ignoring Kit, and Kit finds herself keeping the company of Bilbo.
"Ms. Le Fey," the hobbit begins, clearly uncomfortable with the silence fallen over the company.
She raises a scarlet brow as she looks at him and says, "Nay, that is the house that I am from. Call me Kit."
"Right, well then, Kit, what has changed between you and Master Kili?" Bilbo asks.
She bites her lip a moment and then chooses to answer him. "When you were off on your own adventure, Kili came to my defense when he didn't need to. He does not have faith in my ability to protect myself, and I got rather cross with him. Words were exchanged in anger and I called him a dwarfling knowing how hurt he would be by the name."
"Apologize then. Anything to bring some life back into this company," Bilbo suggests, and his smile is infectious as Kit returns it in kind.
"Are things so simple for hobbits Mr. Baggins?" she asks teasingly.
He nods with authority as he says, "Well of course. Aren't these matters always so simply handled when one avoids complicating them?"
"I do believe this world would be a brighter place were more inclined to the philosophy of hobbits," she says with a smile.
The hobbit lets out a laugh and says, "But of course it would indeed."
"All the more true if all hobbits were so noble and pure in heart as you," she says with a cheeky grin, and laughs as the hobbit blushes a fine crimson colour.
Of course neither hobbit nor faerir are aware they are being watched. Fili shakes his head and sighs as he claps his brother across the back to gain his attention. "Come Kili, they are only talking."
"She is laughing and look how the hobbit blushes! I thought him my friend, but he is flirting with her! She's in my keeping, and I am meant to care for her," Kili hisses.
"Care for her or take care of her, brother," Fili says with surprise at the vehemence in his younger brother's tone.
"Both, neither, I do not know anymore," Kili replies, his frustration clearly evident.
Fili sighs again. "You've grown fond of her, even more so since discovering her true form, but brother what do you know of her? She is ancient, the last of her kind here, cursed and exiled here, are these good qualities, are these things to waste your affections on for so fickle a creature, and do not forget, she is immortal, and you are not."
"That is why I told her things. She was different, like I am different. She listened, knows I'm striving to prove myself beyond everyone treating me as a dwarfling, and yet she throws that in my face in a fit of anger, when I all I did was try to protect her! Now she speaks with blushes and whispers to the hobbit, someone I thought I could count among my friends," Kili replies.
"Brother, your judgment is not clear for you are still hurt and angered by her words. Give it time and then mend whatever is between you, but be wary brother. I do not see her as the settling type. I doubt she looks for a match, why would she if she is the last of her kind here, and having long been cursed, and now that curse lifted. If she were to seek a match it would be with an immortal, do you not think it so? Look to her for friendship, and nothing more brother, for as you grow older you may also find disappointment for waiting on her," Fili says, a sad tone in his voice as he realizes how infatuated his brother is with the fox-girl.
Before more can be said between the brothers the company finds themselves under attack by Orcs and wargs. They find themselves up a tree and surrounded, the situation dire, and Thorin takes it upon himself to charge the awaiting Orcs, including Azog the Defiler.
The company watches as one of the smallest of their party, the hobbit, is the first to go to Thorin's aid to protect the fallen dwarf king, taking down a warg and an Orc. The other's join in the battle before the eagles arrive to carry them off to safety.
It is when they are all a safe distance from the Orcs that the eagles leave them, and once Thorin has regained his senses he starts after the hobbit, first scolding him and then thanking him. The thanks does not last long before they seek out refuge and find themselves in the company of a skin changer, Beorn at the beset of the next evening.
Their host sets them off with ponies, and Kit is careful to keep out of Beorn's notice lest he scent her other form and conflict arise. Kit still finds herself at odds with Kili, but as they are headed into Mirkwood now, she has a favour to ask of him.
She draws her pony up next to Kili's and says, "We'll be entering Mirkwood soon, and I cannot be seen in this form, not there Kili, not with the possibility of a confrontation with the elf king. Would you take charge of my clothes? You needn't carry me, I can travel as well as any and keep up as a vixen, but for the care of my clothing."
"Aye, I'll add your clothes to my pack and carry your pack as well if need be. Your weapons too I suppose," he says, seemingly indifferent to her request, and only acknowledging the necessity of it.
"Thank you," she says.
He waves her off and says, "Think naught of it. Once we've reached the forest edge we'll find a place to go off so you can change and then I'll take charge of your things. If you have need of your satchel while we travel that will be fine as well."
"I can keep up, you don't need to worry over that," she says.
"Fair point then, Kit. We're drawing nearer," he says.
They remain side by side throughout the rest of the ride, though nary another word is spoken between them, and as the others are releasing the ponies to return to Beorn, the two wander off, several of the company talking about the younger dwarf making up with the lass. Fili has his suspicions and he notices the extra pack and weapons Kili carries as a familiar fox trots next to him.
Gandalf departs with a warning to keep to the path in Mirkwood, and then the company enters the dark and foreboding forest.
-THE HOBBIT-
The forest is dense, thick with an ire and fog, covered in unhealthy decay, darkness, and the air is heavy with it. It doesn't take long for the men, led by Thorin to follow off of the path, much to the yapping consternation of Kit, which prompts Thorin to mention gagging the little furry nuisance. Kit makes a mental note to leave a nice, warm, and foul smelling present in Thorin's pack at some point in the near future.
As it stands, the company of travelers is in quite the sore spot when all save their four legged and furry member are disoriented and even delirious. It is as Rhadaghast mentioned earlier in their travels. Something dark has moved in and is poisoning the woods. Even the hobbit is affected by the gloom of the surrounding atmosphere.
The men are going around in circles and no amount of yipping, barking, nipping, biting and tugging can get them back towards the path, and Kit is growing frustrated. Finally one of them seems to get a good idea, that it is the hobbit does not surprise Kit in the least. She watches as Bilbo climbs up a tree and breaks out of the leaves. Perhaps the fresh air will do him good.
There is noise that follows and then a rushing. While the hobbit is otherwise preoccupied the company of dwarves is surrounded by large ghastly spiders. The spiders inject their venom, enough to lull the men to unconscious complacency, and then wrap them in webbing.
The fox yips and barks, and when Bilbo finally returns to the ground and sees that his companions are gone, it is the fox that nudges the hilt of his sword and tugs at his trousers' leg to get the man headed in the proper direction after the dwarves.
Kit is impressed as she watches Bilbo come into his own, wielding his weapon, killing the spiders, discovering a name Sting for his weapon, and cutting free the dwarves. With the dwarves loosed it doesn't take long for another threat to make itself known as the company soon finds themselves surrounded by wood elves.
Kit watches the interaction of one particular tall, auburn haired elf and one flirtatious oaf of a young dwarf. She also doesn't miss a seemingly familiar head of fair hair and grey eyes. Could it be the young elf child she once knew so fondly? She follows the elves and their captives, taking note that the hobbit is not among the captives. They may yet have some advantage in this seemingly dire situation.
She follows into the dungeons, careful to keep to the shadows so as not to be seen. She watches as the elves disarm the captives, stunned at the sheer amount of weaponry, practically an arsenal fit for several men being taken from Fili. Kit then watches as the auburn haired elf puts Kili in a cell, and her ears twitch, perk and then slide back at the dwarf's words to the elf.
"Shouldn't you check me for weapons as well? Who's to say what I have down my trousers?"
The elf responds critically in kind, and Kit doesn't know what she'd rather do, let the dwarf remain in the cell and rot, charge into the cell and maul him, or attack the elf. She is trembling in fury, the fur of her spine ruffled and her tail whipping back and forth.
She slips into the small cell that contains Kili, and keeps to the shadows as she shifts back to her true form. He is facing the bars, looking up, probably trying to catch a glimpse of his pretty jailor.
"And just what do you have down your trousers Kili?" she says tauntingly and watches with satisfaction as he jolts and turns to strain and see further into his cell.
"Kit," he says quietly.
"Yes," she answers, her tone cool. "Yes it is me. She's pretty isn't she? Exotic, an elf, tall, long hair. What would she see in the likes of a questing, near homeless dwarf who's managed to get himself thrown into her king's dungeon?"
"Such callous words Kit. Are you jealous?" he asks, and then he draws closer to the shadowed part of his cell; closer to her, as he continues, "You needn't be. Then again, what is it you're jealous for? A little, insignificant dwarfling lacking proper beard and braids and driven reckless. Is this what pleases you?"
He crowds her against the stone wall of the cell, leaning over her, their breaths mingle and his nose nudges the smooth, unblemished surface of her cheek. Her breath hitches in her throat, and he lets out a dark laugh.
"Is it like Fili says? That you are immortal so none less than an immortal shall tame you?" he asks, his lips and breath tickling and caressing the shell of her pointed left ear, and then he realizes she is bare before him as his hands go to either side brushing her flesh to block her in.
She squirms against him as he buries his face against her neck, his scruff pleasantly scratching against her neck and his soft hair tickling along her jaw and cheek as he breathes in her scent, wild, like the surrounding woods.
"I am still cursed," she whispers brokenly.
He pulls back at the sound of her tone, concern and shame warring within him as he regrets his recent behavior with her, and he wonders what she means. "How are you still cursed? You can choose your form now."
"All gifts come with a price, and that price is my new curse," she replies softly and then she shifts, her bones breaking and reforming, body shrinking and sprouting fur, and Kili feels helpless as he drops to his knees in the cell, blindly reaching out to pet her in reassurance only to barely brush his fingertips along her silky, thick tail.
"What have I done?" he says, and repeats the admonishment louder, catching the attention of his brother.
"Kili!" Fili shouts grabbing at the bars of his cell and looking toward the cell he knows Kili is in, but Kili has retreated to the shadows of the cell. "Kili, what has happened?"
Kili takes in a sharp breath, and his answer is forlorn as he says, "Any chance I may have had, Fili, any chance, it's lost now."
"Kili!" Fili shouts, and this captures the attention of one the elf guards, and he softens his tone, "What do you mean? What's wrong little brother?"
He is met only with the melancholy silence of the occupied cell across from his.
Kit watches and listens to the interaction between the brothers from a distance. It's almost as though the younger of the two is as broken as she, but he is young yet, his hurt will lessen, hers will continue to grow, for whoever she chooses will endure the same existence as her own.
She shakes herself, absently licks her paw and then leaves the dungeons. She will see the king that Thranduil has become. Upon reaching the throne room her liquid brown eyes watch as Thranduil questions Thorin, and how Thorin insults him, refuses to speak of his purpose, and Thranduil has the dwarf king returned to his cell.
Once the dwarf is removed Thranduil returns to his throne, a mischievous smile pulling at his mouth as he says, "Come out of hiding little one. Tell me, are you one of Rhadaghast's messengers?"
She emerges from the shadows and then changes her form before him. Thrandruil's grey eyes widen in surprise and he gathers quickly to his feet, removes his cloak and covers her with it as he kneels down, gathering her to him.
"So the stories were true, and it is you, Nanat, the cursed faerir, banished to Middle-Earth. It's been so long. How have you found your way here to my kingdom?" Thranduil asks, his voice tender, warm, kind, the opposite of the tone he used with the deposed dwarf king.
"Thran, you must let them go. They have a home and kingdom to reclaim," she whispers, her voice broken, her tone sorrowful.
He pulls back to look at her and shakes his head. "That cannot be. Their quest is a foolish one. They seek to reclaim Erebor and that would only serve to awaken the dragon within the mountain. The dragon will kill them and attack the towns and forests nearby. I do them a service as well as to protect my people, and what is your interest in the affairs of dwarves?"
He lifts her delicate chin, meets her golden gaze, and his eyes widen. "Which of them is it? Surely it is not Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror."
"I am cursed, so it is no one."
"I thought the curse prevented you from taking your true form. It appears to me that you can change form at will," he points out with a gentle smile.
"The price of altering the curse only makes it worse, Thranduil," she replies with a bitter smile.
He nods in acknowledgment. "I am sorry to hear that then, but never mind it. You are here, within my kingdom and we've much to talk of. You will need to meet my son and my court. We'll hold a feast in your honor, and see you properly clothed. It is good to have you in my court, to see you again. It's been so long, I thought surely you would have gone with the others of your kind, your family. I never thought the legends of the cursed faerir would be you."
"That is what defiance does for you I suppose."
He nods in acknowledgment of her words and summons several servants to lead his honored guests to the hot springs and to provide her with clothes.
Kit falls into the luxury of her former charge's hospitality, bathing in the perfumed hot springs, taking the proffered clothes, pleased that he remembers her preference for breeches and trousers. She is well outfitted in green breeches, a white long sleeved shirt, green leather corset over the shirt, leather guards, and rich brown cloak. She's also fitted with finely crafted boots, and offered a silver diadem crafted in the shape of woven vines and leaves. She ties on the leather arm and leg guards, and is pleased to find several pockets in the brown leather guards for hidden blades.
She arms herself with the blades provided by the king, surprised by his evident trust in her. Once she is dressed she begins to wander the halls of the kingdom, finding guestrooms, the kitchens, several libraries, and privies. Growing bored in her explorations she makes her way back down to the dungeons, not far off from where she remembers the wine cellar to be, so she can use that destination as her excuse if necessary.
She passes the first cell and a firm hand shoots out and grasps her arm. She turns and her golden eyes meet the stormy grey gaze of Thorin Oakenshield. "So you are now revealed for your true self. You serve the woodland king, and what have you told him? Were you sent to spy so early on? To capture my nephew's affection and use him? Do you think I have not heard from the others his despair over you? And this is how you repay his infatuation? You betray us, dine with the King of the Wood Elves, and wear his gifts, that crown upon your head, how heavy does it hang?"
She snatches his arm away from him and draws close to his cell. "You know nothing you fool! You scorn me when I am trying to find a way to free you all. You think I have betrayed you for accepting clothes and a meal? Perhaps it is Thranduil that I spy on, and I do so for your benefit. Are you so blinded by hatred and the promise of the riches of the mountain? It was those very riches that robbed you of your homelands, careful that you do not err and find yourself following mighty Thror's path, the very path that saw him fall."
"You are as good as your host and our jailor. Enjoy your feast," Thorin says in a tone meant to dismiss her.
There is no use in protesting or trying to sway the stubborn dwarf in his belief of her, she will have to show him. She continues to make her way through the dungeon, feeling the eyes of her dwarf companions on her, feeling the weight of what they perceive to be her betrayal of them. As she draws near the furthest cells, the ones containing Fili and Kili, she hears a soft, lilting, male voice call out to her.
"I am not familiar with…" he pauses as she turns and he notices the diadem crowning her head. "Then you must be my father's honored guest. My apologies milady."
"And you would be Legolas?" she asks, and the resemblance to his father is rather striking as she remembers him as the one among the elves to capture the dwarves.
"I am," he replies with a bright smile and she can't help returning that smile, and then he furrows his brow in confusion, "And what brings a lady down to the dungeons and dressed like a guard?"
"I prefer this way of dressing, especially as I've been traveling a great deal as of late. It is better to be mistaken for a boy sometimes," she answers and then laughs. "You know, I think your father meant for us to meet at the feast tonight."
"I'm sure he did. You are the one he calls Nanat, yes?" Legolas asks.
She nods. "Yes, which means he has spoken of me?"
"Oh, he is very fond of you. He speaks of you with the same reverence as that of my mother, but it would seem that you are still in the world, when she is not," the elf prince replies.
Kit takes in a sharp breath and reaches for the elf's hand, giving it a squeeze of sympathy. "I have lost my own family in a way, and I am sorry to hear the loss of your mother."
"You are kind, and I thank you for it," the prince acknowledges and clears his throat as he says, "And you have yet to tell me your reasons for being down here."
She smiles mischievously at him, "Well, if memory serves, and it has been an awfully long time, I recall the makings of a wine cellar just on the other side of these dungeons, and it has been so long since I've had a truly resplendent wine."
"Then it is my duty to see you satisfied milady," Legolas says and offers his arm to her as he escorts her past the last two cells, the two occupants within having watched the entire exchange.
"Brother, I am sorry," the elder calls out to the younger, and still he is met in silence as reply.
-THE HOBBIT-
It is during the feast that Kit senses something amiss. She lifts her nose to the air, and closes her eyes, sharpening her sense of smell, delving past the scents of food, wine, and the scent of the elves around her. There is a familiar scent that reaches her, faint, but the scent of fresh turned, clean earth. A smile curves her lips as she realizes that he hobbit has returned and is free among their company. This means that there is hope yet of the dwarves parting company with the elves of Mirkwood.
She continues to enjoy the feast well into the night, Thranduil keeping her well entertained, and Legolas as well. She is also pleased when Thranduil sends the auburn haired elf from the feast to attend her duty post.
It is late when she takes a small loaf of bread from the table and slips from the banquet hall. She makes her way down to the dungeons and stumbles seemingly over air and she watches in surprise as the hobbit appears from the air.
"It would seem that hobbits are full of surprises Bilbo Baggins," she says and holds out the bread to him.
He takes the bread gratefully and looks up at her, his eyes widen as he notices the crown on her head. She shakes her head.
"It is not what you think, now tell me, what have you learned? How might we help them escape?" she asks.
He looks nervous as he says, "Thorin doesn't think you can be trusted, Kit."
"I imagine not," she replies in turn and then sighs. "There is a barrel hold in the wine cellar, designed to drop empty barrels into the river, a sort of trap door. That should serve as a good means of escape. I can see that the guards are taken care of and you can find the keys to the cells and free them. Do not tell them my part in aiding you. They would not believe it."
"Will you not be joining us then?" he asks.
She smiles sadly. "I am no longer certain of how welcomed I would be. They have all seen me dressed thus, just as you have, and I have lost their trust now."
"What of Master Kili?" Bilbo asks.
"He is young yet, with all of life ahead of him, especially once they reclaim Erebor. What need would he have with me?" she asks.
"Did you not promise him that you would not leave him?" Bilbo asks.
Kit chuckles, "So not only are you a master burglar, but an eavesdropper as well?"
"Something to that effect, but he would not take it well if you abandoned him. Please Kit, come with us when we make our escape, for his sake if no one else's."
"Again I am reminded of the wonderful heart contained within your breast Bilbo Baggins. I will find a way to continue on with you, I promise. Just you hold strong to that hobbit faith of yours, all right?"
Bilbo nods, and then he vanishes from sight at the sound of a stone dropping to the floor, and Kit slips into the shadows, watching as the auburn haired elf draws near to Kili's cell and hands something to him. Kit swallows thickly and then shakes her head, turning her face away, unable to watch the exchange between them.
Yes, Kili is young yet, his whole life ahead of him, but then she recalls her promise to him and smiles grimly. She is still his in companionship, friendship, camaraderie.
-THE HOBBIT-
Word has travelled throughout the kingdom of the dwarves' disappearance from the dungeons. Kit can't help the smile that tugs at her mouth as she races to join the guards as they follow their king's orders to close off the river gate.
The barrels filled with dwarves race down the rapids of the river, and then the shores are besieged by Orcs, and she watches in horror as Kili scrambles from his barrel, fighting against several Orcs as reaches for the lever to open the gates only to fall from the arrow from an Orc archer. Still Kili forces himself to his feet, and manages to open the river gate.
Kit races to his side, helping him fall into the empty barrel he'd abandoned. The arrow shaft breaks off as the two of them fall into the barrel. Several dwarves call out in concern and Kili calls back that he is all right, but Kit is not so sure.
"So you've chosen our side then, and left behind the refinery of the elves?" he asks and reaches up, his fingers tracing over the delicate design of the diadem atop her head. "This crown, it suits you."
"Really? I look forward to the craftsmanship of a young dwarf smith to replace it with something more fitting. Come on now Kili stay awake for me, please," she says, slapping at his face when his eyes drift shut and he startles.
"Kit, they can't see you like this, they think you've betrayed us. You'll need to change. Please. You can change and I'll keep your clothes in the satchel, I still have it. I won't be able to store your boots, but the clothes we can fit. Hurry," he says.
She nods and first removes the diadem. She moves as much as possible in the tiny space provided in the barrel while trying to avoid aggravating Kili's injury, and Kili helps loosen the stays of her corset. She makes quick work of stowing the guards, knives, and newly removed corset into the confines of the satchel. She then removes her shirt and breeches, exposing herself to his dark gaze. She flushes, and after slipping free of boots and breeches she shifts, changing back into the fox. She watches as Kili makes quick work of folding the breeches and her shirt, adding them to the satchel, and then he holds the flap to encourage her to settle in as well.
She slips into the satchel, careful to mind the diadem. She hears the splash of her boots landing in the river, and it isn't long before their barrel washes up on the riverbank. She can hear the grunt of pain Kili releases as the barrel stops and he crawls out of it. Several dwarves gather round to assess the damage. She slips from the satchel, and is promptly snatched up by Fili.
Kit struggles against Fili's hold, and watches as Kili bites back on a groan as Oin pokes at his wound. Fili continues to hold her by the scruff as he demands that Kili's wound be bound. He gives Kit a shake, and that is when Kili snaps and says, "Turn her loose brother!"
Startled, Fili does as Kili requests, and Kit lands on her feet and races to Kili. She slips by Oin and gingerly licks the wind, spitting against the black taste of the poison of an arrow of Mordor. The poison is vile, and they haven't much time to treat the wound before it is too late.
She watches and listens as Thorin gives orders, and Kili struggles to his feet and is braced between Fili and Bofur as they continue onward, Kili insisting that he is fine. Kit knows different. The dwarf is far from okay with the poison taking stronger hold within his body with every passing moment.
None is more relieved than the fox when they finally come across the boat and captain, a man who introduces himself as Bard the Bowman. Balin negotiates their passage and request for weapons, and Bard reluctantly agrees to help them. Kit takes refuge in the satchel at Kili's side.
The journey into Laketown is not an easy one, especially when the dwarves are covered in fish. Still they make it into the town and Bard takes them to his home, and even Kit must swim up through the man's latrine.
It is later, after being disappointed by the weapons offered to them by Bard that the dwarves plan to raid the armoury of Laketown, and it is due to Kili's injury that they are caught. Through a grand speech by Thorin the people of Laketown are given hope and rally behind the dwarves.
By the coming dawn the dwarves are set to continue onward their journey to Erebor, however Thorin refuses Kili passage due to his injury. Fili and Oin remain back as well, and as the boat departs a hung over Bofur joins them in watching the boat sail on to Erebor.
That is when Kili takes a turn for the worse; the poison's hold strengthening further.
They manage to get him back to Bard's home, much to the consternation of the bowman and his family. They clear off a table and begin to work frantically on him, trying to stave off his fever. All the while the fox watches anxiously, pacing to and fro.
There are mentions of herbs and then the elves show up, Legolas and the she-elf with the auburn hair. She remains behind, taking herbs from Bofur, but Kit knows this is not enough, not to save Kili. The elf's attempts at healing appear to be speeding up the spread of the poison and Kili grows more and more delirious, the treatment left for far too long.
Kit can't take it as she changes, not caring for modesty and she cries out desperately, "Stop it! Take away the herbs! You're killing him faster!"
Fili removes his cloak to cover her and scowls at her as he snarls, "And what do you know about this? Can you save him?"
"The poison has taken too strong a hold. He will die," she answers, and then she takes in a sharp breath and Fili notices as she stiffens.
"There is one way to save him, but it is a curse," she answers the golden haired brother.
"Anything is better than him dying!" Fili shouts.
"The gift will be shared with your mate," she whispers, and then she lets out a shuddering breath as she hears Kili in his delirium talking to the auburn haired elf.
"Do you think she could have loved me?"
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