Hello!
As promised, here's the second chapter for the week before I'm off to Germany and - because today is my birthday and I want to share my good mood with you lovely people - it's a bit longer than usual aaaand... well, you'll see at the end :D
DwarvenWarrior: You'll see how Tarya's reaction is when she wakes up in this chapter and - since you keep telling me how awful all the tension between them is - I hope you will like how it turns out :D
Akilah Swiftblade: It's no problem, I just get confused easily :D And that's a cool dwarven name! I should find out what mine would be sometime :D Yeah, I've read a few stories where the OC falls into the black water, as well, but I just needed her falling in, my writer-mind just wouldn't let me keep her dry xD Her memory doesn't get erased really, because as an Amarok, she's affected differently by the magic water (yeah, the writer-mind strikes again xD) You'll see what I mean when you read the chapter and I hope you'll like it, even if she doesn't lose her memory :)
kaia: Aha! I like your curiosity! :D The water does indeed not have the same effect on her as it has on other people, it's slightly different. You'll see what I mean in this chapter :)
Beloved Daughter: It's really no problem, I was all the happier reading all your reviews now! :) Yeah, Thorin is catching up to what's going on :D (Although he's a bit slow xD) Concerning the horse riding: you're right, it was technically the second time but she was unconscious and a wolf when she was carried into Rivendell, so I guess that doesn't really count since she was not actually aware of it :D (I think it's actually mentioned in the beginning of the chapter in Kili's part :) Anyway, I loved reading your reviews and I hope you keep reading even if life gets in the way sometimes :)
Teshka: Well, we all know Fili and Kili are hard to keep straight sometimes xD Yeah, there's a bit more of Kili the Cutie in this chapter. I even smuggled in a bit of Kilarya for your reading pleasure :D
Dunedain ranger of the north: Thank you! I'm glad you like the story so far and, of course, I hope it's going to stay that way :) I have read two books of the Redwall series when I was younger (although I can't remember much of them and you actually got me thinking of digging them out of my shelf to re-read), so I guess I do have good taste :D
Also thank you very much for your reviews to ZabuzasGirl, DJ Sparkles, bayoubabe985, becca, Varietyduck and the lovely Guest reviewer who wants to shove Kili and Tarya together and finally make them kiss (I loved your review xD)
Thanks to the people who have followed/favorited and whatnot, you're lovely!
Now read and I hope you enjoy and leave me a review if you do because I would really love to read from you and it's my birthday, so a review would be the perfect present :D
"Is there no end to this accursed forest?" Thorin growled, frustrated as the trees around them never changed, no matter how far and long they walked. He turned around to look at the company that had come to a halt behind him and Balin. His men looked at him questioningly and Thorin could see the fatigue in their faces, the hunger and thirst. He sighed silently. They needed to find a way out of this forest as soon as possible, knowing that the last scraps of food would be eaten that night.
"Someone needs to climb a tree and see if he can get his head above the roof and have a look around," Thorin said, his gaze falling upon their burglar. Dwarfs were not particularly good climbers and – apart from Tarya who was still sleeping soundly in his nephew's arms – the hobbit was the only one light enough for the highest and slenderest branches to bear him.
Bilbo shot the dwarf-king a doubtful look when he noticed him staring at him. "Me? But – but I don't have much experience in climbing trees," he stammered. "I really don't think that – oh!"
Without question Gloin and Oin had hoisted him up into the lowest branches of an enormous oak that grew right out into the path, leaving Bilbo no choice than to climb up as best he could. He wasn't very happy about it and he slipped more than a few times, only catching himself just in time as he pushed his way through the tangled twigs, further and further up the tree. When he finally poked his head through the leaves on top, Bilbo was nearly blinded by the bright light that suddenly flooded his vision. The sun was shining brilliantly and it was a long while before his eyes had adjusted to the light, not used to it anymore after the long days in the dimness of Mirkwood.
But then, when he finally opened his eyes, he saw hundreds of dark blue butterflies, fluttering everywhere and around his head, the sun reflecting on their wings as a mild breeze ruffled his hair and grazed his face. Bilbo couldn't help the small amazed and happy laugh that left his mouth as he enjoyed the fresh air, watching the beautiful dark butterflies fluttering around, the feel of the wind and the sun on his face lightening his heart.
However, he soon became aware of the dwarves cries down below, his companions impatient and grumpy. The hobbit sighed quietly, remembering the actual business he had been sent up here for and he looked around, his heart sinking back into his toes when he saw no end to the forest, leaves and trees already coloured by autumn the only things to be seen in any direction.
Sighing, Bilbo took a last deep breath of fresh air before he carefully made his way back down the great oak that he had climbed. He eventually got to the bottom, scratched, hot and grimed with the old bark of the bigger boughs.
"That took you long enough," Dwalin grumbled when Bilbo let himself plop down from the tree, landing right next to the burly dwarf. The hobbit ignored him and turned to Thorin when the dwarf-king stepped closer.
"What did you see?" Thorin asked, eyebrows rising slightly as he awaited the hobbit's report.
"Nothing," Bilbo stated. "The forest goes on forever and ever in every direction, there's no end to it. At least none that I could see."
Thorin let out a dark growl, his face showing how frustrated he was.
"There were butterflies," Bilbo added, hoping to at least lighten the mood a bit with telling them of the animals. Thorin merely shot him an irritated look. "Hundreds of them, of a dark blue colour that had the sun reflecting on their wings."
The dwarf-king looked at him for another moment before he turned away without another word, obviously not interested in his story. The rest of the company followed his example, only getting more frustrated when they heard the hobbit talk about the beautiful breeze that they were too heavy to climb up and feel themselves.
Bilbo fell in step beside Kili, the dwarf looking quite tired but still refusing to hand Tarya to someone else. The hobbit looked at the small sleeping woman in the young dwarf's arms and couldn't help but sigh. Surely, Tarya would have liked to hear about the butterflies.
For a long while all Tarya could see was darkness that was surrounding her thick like a woollen blanket. It was a quite comfortable feeling though, appeasing almost. She knew she wasn't awake. And she knew it would be better to wake up but she couldn't bring up the strength to fight her way out of the fuzzy blackness that held her and if she was honest, she didn't want to, either.
And then, after a while, the darkness started to change and she suddenly found herself standing in a nightly forest. She slowly walked along the trees, for there was nowhere else to go. No sounds were to be heard around her, which would normally have alarmed her but as it was, she was content to wander the dark forest on her own, relishing the feeling of calm that spread within her. She didn't remember when she had last felt as good. Tarya felt calmer than she had for weeks, caught in this strange dreamland in which there was no more anger or hurt. It felt as if Kili had never said any foul word to her, as if she wasn't in dark and gloomy Mirkwood anymore, as if she'd never had an argument with Thorin, as if her mother hadn't died at the hands of Azog.
All of that was slowly fading away as she forgot one thing after the other and eventually Tarya felt like she was back to whom she had been before she had even met Kili for the first time, when she had only been a wolf and nothing else. Alone in the woods, no one even knowing she existed.
The darkness was tempting and the Amarok couldn't help wandering further into the forest, happy not to wake up ever again, just living in this dark forest that offered nothing but the bliss of nothingness. And the further she walked into the forest, the more she forgot, in the end not even remembering that she was dreaming anymore.
The forest never changed at all. It was always night, it was always dark and it was always silent. Tarya didn't know how long she had been wandering when the darkness around her started to feel different. It was a small change that didn't stand out to her for a long time until she realized that the blissful forgetfulness she was roaming in started to feel strange. She was alone in the dark and although it felt normal to her by now, there was something amiss. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, she thought. Tarya realized that she felt lonely and she suddenly stopped in her tracks, coming to a stand on a small clearing, not even knowing how she got there.
Suddenly, as she looked around, there was a small man with curly brown hair standing before her, looking towards her worriedly. Tarya gasped slightly as she made a surprised step back. The man didn't react at all, just kept staring, and although he seemed to look through her rather than directly at her, Tarya couldn't help but think that he looked awfully familiar. She went to make a step towards him then but the figure vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, fading like smoke in the air.
"Wait!" Tarya called out, flinching as her voice cut through the silence of the forest. There was no answer and Tarya narrowed her eyes suspiciously, turning around to see if there was anyone there. Who had that little fellow been? And where had he come from?
Before she could dwell on the appearance of the strange little man more, there was a rustling to her right and she spun around, coming face to face with a tall dark-haired dwarf with piercing blue eyes that were staring right through her. Tarya made a surprised step back, turning her head to see what he was looking at but there was nothing.
And then, suddenly, there was another tall dwarf, standing right next to the first one before her, bald and with many tattoos.
"How long do you think will it take for her to wake up?" the bald one asked, looking directly through her just like his companion while his deep voice was sounding strange, as if it were coming from very far away and he was not standing right in front of her. It sounded like an echo, Tarya realized with a frown.
"I cannot tell," the other man replied in a grumble, his voice sounding just as far away as the other dwarf's. Who were these people? Were they talking about her? They must, she thought, who else was there here to be talking about if not her? "Maybe she will not."
Tarya's brows drew together. They were talking about her waking up. Was she asleep? She had to be, she suddenly realized. It was the only explanation for them appearing out of nowhere and their voices sounding so strange. They were merely a product of her imagination. She was dreaming, Tarya realized, eyes widening as she stared at the two dwarfs before her. They didn't seem to see her.
"She will," another voice echoed through the forest and Tarya swivelled around to see another dark-haired dwarf standing a few feet away from her, a kind smile on his youthful features. His voice sounded much clearer than those of the other two and the deep, soft sound of it struck something within Tarya that made her stomach flutter. The Amarok couldn't tear her eyes from the new dwarf, unable to make a move and only getting more confused when the dwarf's gaze settled right on her and he was looking directly into her eyes. Seeing her. She shortly glanced back to the other two but they had vanished silently like the small man with the curly hair without her even noticing.
Her gaze flew back to the brunet dwarf that was leaning casually against a tree, his arms folded over his chest. Tarya's brows drew together in a deep frown when he shot her a cheeky smile. He seemed so real, much realer than the other three figures before.
"You will wake up soon, I know it," the brunet spoke, observing her calmly.
"Why?" Tarya asked, not able to formulate any of the dozen other questions that were racing through her head.
The dwarf's smile grew brighter, softer.
"Because this is not where you belong," he told her as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and Tarya's eyes widened slightly when he pushed himself off the tree and stepped towards her. She couldn't move a muscle as the dwarf raised one hand to her cheek, making her wonder how his skin could be so warm if he wasn't even real. The dwarf looked down at her, the small smile still playing around his lips as he stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. "Come back to me."
And then memory hit her like a blow to the head.
"Kili," she muttered, eyes wide as he smiled down at her, before he suddenly started to fade before her eyes. Tarya instinctively reached out to grab him by his blue tunic but her fingers only caught thin air.
"Kili…"
The brunet dwarf's head swivelled around to look at the small woman in his arms in surprise, hearing her voice for the first time since she had fallen into the black water. His hope faltered as soon as it had grown, though, when he saw that Tarya's eyes were still closed, the Amarok still as fast asleep as she had been for the past six days. He turned his head back forward with a sigh, not even quite sure whether he had only imagined her quiet voice.
Bombur had woken up a few hours ago, sitting up suddenly and scratching his head. He had not been able to make out where he was at all, or why he felt so hungry, for he had forgotten everything that had happened since they had started their journey in the Shire. The last thing the large redhead remembered was the party at Bilbo's house and they'd had a lot of trouble in making him believe the adventures that they had undergone since then.
Kili had hoped that Tarya would follow Bombur's example and wake up, although now, after witnessing Bombur's memory loss, he dreaded the state she might be in when she did. Would she even remember him?
Dwalin had seemed to gain some hope as well after Bombur had woken up, asking Thorin how long he'd think it would take for Tarya to follow. Thorin had answered that she might not, for her body was a lot smaller than Bombur's and they could not know what kind of effect the dark water had on her if it had already affected Bombur so badly. That was when Kili had spoken up, not even thinking of accepting the possibility of Tarya not waking up again. She had to. And she would, he was sure of it. His uncle had merely shot him a short glance upon his words before he had turned around and ordered them to move on, Bombur following on wobbly legs.
"Oh, why did I ever wake up," the fat dwarf cried out from where he was walking a few metres behind Kili. "I was having such a beautiful dream. I dreamed I was walking through a forest not unlike this one, only lit with torches on the trees and lamps swinging from the branches and fires burning on the ground… and there was a great feast going on for ever! And I could not count or describe the things there were to eat and drink!"
Kili listened quietly to Bombur, now understanding why the dwarf had looked so happy while sleeping. He shortly wondered whether Tarya was having a similar dream, before his uncle's sharp voice cut through Bombur's complaining.
"You need not try," Thorin growled, obviously annoyed by the fat dwarf. "In fact, if you can't talk about anything else, you had better be silent. We are annoyed enough with you as it is. We should have left you to your idiotic dreams in the forest!"
Bombur fell silent upon the king's harsh words and inclined his head as Thorin turned around with an annoyed grunt and they walked on. For a while, Kili could hear Bombur complaining quietly that his legs would not carry him and that he wanted to lie down and sleep but the others grew annoyed with him quite quickly and he soon shut up completely, following along unhappily.
And then, after another while of walking in silence, there suddenly was a soft incoherent murmur tumbling from Tarya's lips and colliding with Kili's neck. He stopped walking abruptly, looking at Tarya attentively. Bilbo came to a halt beside him as well, the hobbit not having left the Amarok's side much ever since her accident.
"What is it?" Bilbo asked, curiously glancing up at the young dwarf prince. Kili didn't bother to look at him, his eyes carefully studying Tarya's sleeping features.
"She's talking," he answered, this time sure of having heard her voice, and Bilbo's eyes widened hopefully.
"Do you think she – " Bilbo was cut off by a small growl that left the Amarok's mouth.
"Yes!" Kili replied urgently, his voice slightly hoarse as he looked at the girl in his arms. Bilbo quickly turned towards the others that had kept walking on, not aware of what was happening.
"Wait!" the hobbit called out, causing Fili and Dwalin who were walking before them to turn around to him questioningly. It was just at that moment that there was another small noise coming from Tarya, her forehead setting in a frown that made her look like she was angry at something.
"She's waking up," Kili exclaimed loudly, now absolutely sure of it, exchanging a short look with his older brother before Fili turned to call out to their uncle, not able to fight the smile that came to play around his bearded lips. Fili's call finally made Thorin stop and slowly walk back towards them, the rest of the companions now gathering around the youngest Durin prince.
Tarya was struggling to find a way out of the dark forest her mind had trapped her in, not knowing how to get out of it, which caused a small, frustrated growl to leave her throat.
She remembered. Tarya remembered the quest and her friends that were probably worrying themselves over her while she had let herself get lost in her own mind. She remembered the trouble they had gone through, the fights she'd had with both Thorin and Kili but also the comforting words, the jokes, the feeling of belonging somewhere. The feeling of not being lonely anymore.
She had to wake up. Now. Only how?
Then suddenly, she faintly remembered what Gandalf had told her before she had entered Mirkwood. 'Trust your heart and your friends, and you shall always find the right path,' the wizard had said. Tarya hadn't been able to make sense of his words then but somehow it seemed like now was the perfect time to just follow the wizard's advice and hope for the best. She needed to find the right path to escape this dark dreamland. So she closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose, trying to find out what her heart was saying.
Even though the darkness and the quietness of this forest had been comforting, relaxing, Tarya knew in her heart that this wasn't right for her. She didn't belong alone in a forest anymore, for she had found a new place to belong. She belonged with Bilbo, Dwalin, Fili, Ori, Bofur, Bombur and all the others. With Kili. And even though he had hurt her, he had also been the one to wake her from her dreaming, the one that had seen her when nobody else had.
Her heart lay with him, with the company, where she had found a place to be herself, where she had found something to fight for.
She had to wake up.
When Tarya reopened her eyes after a long while, she suddenly saw a faint white light gleaming through the trees and she smiled, walking towards it without hesitance.
As soon as she had come close enough and stepped into the shining white light, there was darkness again but she knew she was out of the forest, she knew she was awake now because she suddenly heard quiet voices around her. Soon, she could feel her body again, though her lids were still too heavy to open her eyes. Tarya felt warm and comfortable and as she slowly fought her way back to consciousness, she realized that she was wrapped in a warm blanket, her arms trapped in front of her chest.
Then, she finally managed to open her eyes, although there was no significant difference between the darkness behind her eyelids and the one that awaited her before them. It took her a moment before her eyes finally adjusted to the dimness around her and she found herself staring at a neck, her head resting on a broad shoulder. It took her a few seconds to put the pieces together and realize that she was not lying on the floor like she had initially thought but that two strong arms were wrapped around her back and the hollow of her knees, holding her to a broad chest.
Tarya slightly turned her head to look up at the one carrying her, blinking lazily against the remains of sleep that still clouded her mind.
"Kili?" she asked in a small, tired whisper as she recognized that it was him who was holding her in his arms and she found herself confronted with a happy gaze out of kind brown eyes.
Tarya remembered the very same eyes being the last thing she'd seen before everything had gone dark.
"Tarya!" Kili exclaimed quietly, smiling down at her. "You're awake."
The Amarok merely nodded slightly, not quite able to organize her own thoughts, as another dwarf appeared in her field of vision. She only realized that it was Fili after a few tired blinks. The blond dwarf was smiling down at her happily.
"Took you long enough," Fili teased, though she could hear the relief in his voice.
"What… what happened?" she asked weakly, wriggling slightly in Kili's grip until he reluctantly set her on the floor. The dwarves looked at her worriedly and Tarya held the woollen blanket close around her as she stood shakily on her feet. She felt Kili wrap one arm tightly around her just a moment later to keep her upright when she faltered slightly.
"What is the last thing you remember?" Fili asked, looking at her searchingly.
Tarya frowned, rummaging her brain for her last memories. "The boat," she eventually muttered. "We were crossing the river and then there was the… the deer. Bombur stumbled and…" she trailed off, watching Fili as he exchanged a short glance with his brother before he looked back at her, a relieved smile spreading on his face.
"You fell in the river," a deep baritone voice suddenly continued her started sentence and as Tarya looked up, she saw Thorin stepping towards her while behind him the others were smiling brightly at her. The Amarok was struggling to keep her eyes open to look at the dwarf-king who was gazing down at her with a slight frown on his forehead. "Together with Bombur."
Tarya nodded, only remembering vaguely how she had thought she would drown in the dark water, shuddering slightly at the memory.
"You swallowed a lot of water. It was Oin who saved your life on the riverbank," Thorin continued, watching her closely as she tried to concentrate on what he was saying. But her mind was still clouded and Thorin's words were only sinking in slowly.
"You slept for six days," Bilbo spoke up softly and Tarya flinched slightly as she noticed him standing right next to her, wondering why she hadn't seen him there before. The hobbit shot her a kind but worried smile. "We were afraid you wouldn't wake up. Bombur only awoke this morning," he continued and Tarya followed his gaze as he looked over to where Bombur was standing next to his brother and Dwalin. The big redhead smiled warmly at her, just like Bofur, and Dwalin sent her a short nod, his eyes softening slightly as he looked at her. Tarya couldn't help but smile back, happy to see all of them again.
"It's good to have you back, khael."
They decided to make camp where they were, although Thorin was not happy with it but even he could see that Tarya wouldn't make it far, for she still stood rather shakily on her legs, needing Kili's support to keep standing upright. They couldn't give her something to eat in order to regain some strength, for the last remains of their food were gone by now, but Thorin could at least grant her some rest. Bombur was quite happy with the dwarf-king's decision, as well, and so the dwarves quickly made to set up their bedrolls in the little light they still had before night would fall upon the forest and surround them in blackness once more.
"You should sit down," Bilbo spoke up from beside Tarya who was still leaning slightly against Kili, although the young dwarf could tell that she wasn't quite comfortable in his hold, the thought stinging his heart slightly. "I think Ori was carrying your pack… I'll just…" the hobbit trailed off and quickly scurried away towards Ori, apparently planning on setting up Tarya's bedroll so she didn't have to do it herself.
Kili slightly rolled his eyes and supressed the small growl that was threatening to leave his throat as Bilbo turned around when he had retrieved the pack and kindly smiled at the Amarok before he went to set up her bedroll. Kili knew his thoughts were uncalled for and that Bilbo only meant well but he'd gotten rather annoyed by the hobbit over the last few days. Bilbo had been hovering over Tarya for the whole last six days and therefore over Kili as well, since he'd been the one to carry her most of the time except when Dwalin or Fili had practically forced him to take a rest and had carried her for a little while.
"Thank you," Kili suddenly heard a soft yet reserved voice beside him say and as he looked down, he met Tarya's gaze as she held the woollen blanket that they had wrapped her in out to him, carefully stepping out of his hold. Kili only raised one questioning eyebrow at her and she returned the gesture. "It's yours, isn't it? I can smell you on it."
Kili felt a slight blush creeping up his neck upon her words, not quite knowing how he felt about the fact that she recognised his scent that easily, although his heart gave a little flutter in his chest. "I… yes," he mumbled, taking the blanket from her. "Your skin was cold as ice when we fished you out of the water." And for days after that, he thought, remembering how he had checked every night whether she was finally getting warmer. The blanket had been all he could do to help her. That and the body heat he had tried to give her by keeping her close to him at night but he wouldn't go and tell her that. By the way she was looking at him, it didn't seem like a good idea.
Tarya nodded shortly before she turned to walk over to Bilbo who was by now setting up his own bedroll next to hers. It was only then that Kili realized that they were standing alone together for the first time since their fight and he quickly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her back gently as to not make her stumble. He swallowed tightly as she looked up at him, her features set in a distant expression while her eyes betrayed confusion and hesitancy.
"I'm sorry," Kili said, looking into her golden eyes, his hand keeping her in place before him when she tried to turn away from him again.
"Tarya," he insisted, stepping closer to her so that their bodies were mere inches from each other. Her eyes widened slightly at the movement and she looked up at him in a way that was making it hard for him to concentrate on what he wanted to say. "I'm very sorry for what I said to you. I didn't mean any of it. You're… you are very important to me, Tarya. I wasn't in my right mind during these last weeks and I said things that I didn't mean and that I awfully regret… I just… please, Tarya, I'm – forgive me."
He hadn't broken eye contact with her during his little speech although he would have liked to look down at the floor and just await her judgement but as it was, looking into Tarya's eyes was giving him the strength to say all this, although he hadn't even remotely told her how deep his feelings for her truly were, knowing that would have been too much. To regain her trust and her friendship was enough of a challenge for the moment.
Tarya looked up at him, surprise written all over her face before her gaze dropped to the ground for a moment and Kili felt his heart sink at the thought of her not forgiving him. Maybe it was too much to ask? His gaze rested on her as she studied the floor with a small frown on her beautiful face, seemingly deep in thought about something.
"You were not yourself," Tarya eventually muttered lowly as her gaze climbed back up to meet his. There was a lot of hesitancy in her golden orbs but Kili thought to see something else there, as well. Something that he couldn't quite decipher. The dwarf's brows rose slightly as she sighed quietly before him, searching his eyes for something that Kili didn't know. "Are you yourself again now?"
As Kili heard her sad voice, he couldn't help but abruptly pull her towards him and wrap his arms around her in a tight hug. He heard her make a surprised noise against his cloak but a few moments later, she hesitantly laid her head against his shoulder and he felt her arms wrap around him and squeeze his middle softly.
"I am," he mumbled into her hair, pulling her even closer. He felt her sigh against his neck and shortly closed his eyes, releasing a deep breath of relief. "I am. I'm sorry."
Tarya smiled slightly against the leather of Kili's cloak and she took a deep breath, filling her nose with his familiar scent. She felt her heart doing funny things in her chest, beating fast and hard against her ribcage and the strange fluttering in her stomach was back, as well. For a moment, she wondered what any of that meant, for it only ever happened when she was around Kili. Tarya didn't have an answer for it. But she thought back to how calm and relaxed she had felt when she had been asleep and Tarya couldn't help but notice that Kili's hug was giving her the very same feeling, if only even a bit stronger. Any tension left her as he held her tightly, and she couldn't help but feel sheltered.
It was after a long moment that Kili finally released her, making half a step back and putting one big and warm hand on her cheek, his thumb gently stroking over her cheekbone as he looked at her. Tarya could only return his gaze with wide eyes, the gesture catching her off guard. He had done the very same thing in her dream; he'd even had the same tender look in his warm brown eyes.
"I could have lost you in that river," Kili murmured quietly, his gaze wandering over her face.
Tarya couldn't help but smile calmingly up at him and although she was still confused by his gesture, she put her own hand over the one on her cheek. "But you haven't," she replied, not knowing where the words were even coming from as they tumbled from her lips. "I came back to you."
She heard Kili's breath catch slightly in his throat before he nodded, a thoughtful look gracing his features. "You came back to me," he repeated quietly, almost as if he was saying it to himself rather than her. Tarya slightly raised her eyebrows and he shook his head with a soft smile, before she took his hand from her cheek and pulled slightly on it. Kili followed her without question as she led him to where the others had by now set up camp. Tarya's eyebrows rose in surprise and she shortly wondered just how long she had been with Kili.
The Amarok led her brunet friend to where Fili was sitting on his bedroll, the blond smiling brightly when he saw the two of them approaching him together. Tarya smiled back and squeezed Kili's hand slightly, before she let go of him and walked up to Bilbo who was waiting for her with a small smile of anticipation.
She slowly let herself slump down on her bedroll next to the hobbit and listened curiously as Bilbo started telling her about dark blue butterflies he had seen while climbing a tree.