-Karma's POV-

I hear the angered shouts echo through the valley, the dwarves begging and arguing with Thorin to change his decision. I bow my head and walk backwards into the crowd, feeling tears swell in my eyes. I shake my head disbelievingly, and turn around. I run angrily and forcefully through the crowd, shoving past anyone who blocks my way. I hear Thranduil's loud, triumphant laughter chase me down as I run away from him. Away from him, away from Erebor, and away from Thorin.

I finally allow myself to cry, letting out what has been trapped for days inside of me. I run, not knowing where I'm running to, just knowing what I'm running from. I reach the edge of the warline, breaking the perfect square as I run past the bewildered elves. I cover the land fast, slowing after a painful pressure builds in my side. I lean over, clutching at the cramp and breathing heavily.

I'm relieved as I hear silence behind me, grateful that no one had followed me. I suddenly realize that I don't know where I am. Trees surround me on every side, leading me to suspect that I'm somewhere in Mirkwood. 'I must have run quite a long way,' I think to myself, allowing my body to crumple onto the bright green grass. I use one of my sleeves to wipe tears from my eyes, determined not to shed any more tears.

The forest isn't silent as much as I would like it to be, but the birdsong isn't terrible either. The thrushes and blue jays in Mirkwood sing melodic tunes as if playing the greatest instruments invented. I allow my eyes to close and my head to fall to the ground, lying in the soft pillow of grass under me. I stay like this for what seems like hours, listening to the bird song and falling asleep very... very slowly.

-Two years later…-

"Well done, Karma." The training mistress tells me as I take down yet another sparring partner. I smile at the red-headed elf and bow enthusiastically, turning away from downed Eruvain. He catches at my ankle and tugs playfully, pulling me down onto the ground. We wrestle around for a few moments, Mistress Tauriel watching us with amusement. I'm finally able to get a chokehold over Eruvain and tighten it, laughing at the surprised look on his face.

"Fine! I yeild. Yeild!" He yells, flustered. I climb off of him, letting go. Walking over to Mistress Tauriel, I smile and bow again, making up for my last failed attempt. She smiles kindly and says;

"Karma, you have improved a great deal over these months. Lord Thranduil is even thinking of promoting you to sub-captain." I feel my eyes widen and my breath hitch.

"But, Miss Tauriel-" She cuts me off.

"Just Tauriel, if you might."

"Tauriel… I'm not sure of my willingness to have such a task laid on my shoulders. I still have not forgotten about Erebor and what Thranduil did." I tell the warrior in front of me. Her eyes become angry and impatient.

"Karma, Thorin gave you up for a stone. Thranduil has provided you with a suitor and a life. The blonde dwarf has probably forgotten all of you." She says, a flicker of memory flowing into her eyes, along with a long-forgotten tear still hiding in the corner. Her words wound me deeply, though I know they are most likely true. I think of my blonde warrior… or at least who used to be mine.

I think of Bilbo, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Kili, Fili, Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Gloin… but I leave the thought of the leader of the company out of my mind, still feeling his betrayal in my heart. After I had run to the forest, I had been found by Tauriel and Legolas while on a patrol. They had taken me back to my captors, who had offered me a position in the guard. I had quickly accepted, not wanting to make trouble with Thranduil or his kin. But my answer had not all been based on favors. I wanted to get back at Thorin for abandoning me, even though it hadn't really been him. It had been the gold sickness, but his choice had still burnt me to the core.

Tauriel has walked away from me, leaving Eruvain and I to ourselves. We glance surreptitiously at each other, a little smile playing on both of our lips. Soon, we burst into laughter and he comes over, his 6"2 height making me remember the 5"2 hybrid that I really am. He notices the flash of uncertainty in my eyes and smiles softly at me.

"Come, Karma. Let us go to the feasting now." I smile back up at him, and he leads me through the twisting halls of Mirkwood. During the long walk, I think about how Eru and I have been best friends since my stay at Mirkwood had started. He had been one of the first to show me how to wield a sword, than a longbow. I had taken to the longbow better, though, because I have a good sense of aim and direction. We must walk through the prisonry along our way to the feasting hall, and we are about to enter it.

I hear mumbling and curses in my own language, and I stop suddenly. I walk over towards the cell where the voice is coming from, to see Kili behind the barred cell door. I blanch and step back a few paces, almost stumbling over the edge and into the crevice below. He sees me, eyes brightening and hopeful.

"Karma… have they captured you too? We can find a way to get back to Thorin together!" He says in a flurry of words, but I manage to catch on.

"Eru, may I speak to the dwarf alone please?" I ask my friend, glancing beseechingly at him.

"Karma, you know Lord Thranduil does not speak highly of conversing with prisoners." He says, and I have half a mind to curse Thranduil and his stupid high-and-mightiness.

"Eru… please?" I ask, knowing that he would allow it sooner or later. And I'm relieved to find that it would be sooner. He glances uncertainly at Kili, and then back to me.

"Fine. Ten minutes no more." I nod and smile warmly at him before turning back to Kili, hearing Eruvain's footsteps echoing away.

"Karm, are you okay? Have they harmed you? I came to find you but that blasted prince found me and took me here. Thorin made Fili stay but I managed to sneak out… You're okay… you're really okay." He says, convincing himself. I kneel on the ground outside of his cell, him doing the same on the inside.

"Kili, what is wrong with your face?" I ask, reaching my hand through the iron bars to push back his black bangs, exposing an open and infected gash on his forehead. I gasp and almost fall backwards, the severness of the wound startling me. Kili quickly brushes his bangs back over the cut, reassuring me.

"Karma, its fine. I… I tripped and fell on my way in." I don't think Kili knows how terrible of a liar he is.

"Kili, this was done by an elvish whip." I state, trying to bring the truth from him.

"Okay, fine. Thranduil may have done some interrogating about Erebor. Wasn't nothing I couldn't handle." He says.

"Karma. It's time to come now." I hear Eruvain's voice to my left.

"No." I say, refusing to go until Kili is cared for.

"Karm-" Eru begins,

"No. I will not go until Ki- this dwarf is cared for." I tell him, coldly glaring at him.

"Karma, why does he consider your request if you are a prisoner… and why are you wearing an elvish guard uniform…?" Kili asks, realization beginning to fill his voice. I glance back down at him, sorrow in my eyes and heart.

"I-"

"Karma. Come now." Eru says, his authoritative manner taking over. I realize that I have no choice but to follow after him, and bow my head in a sign of submissiveness. Eru nods and begins to walk from the room, leaving me to tow behind.

"Bloody elves. They ruined you, Karma. You aren't her anymore! You are a cîàn!" He yells after me, and I can hear the sobs in his voice. I feel tears swelling in my eyes. I have to get Kili out of here. He cannot be here. I will free him.

Dwarvish meanings; Cîàn- Traitor/Backstabber

A/N- Okay, so hey. I thought this chapter was a little worse than the other ones, but I was writing all. night. long. Okay, so I hope the next chapter will be better. Review please! :)