Hey-ho, lovely people, a new chapter awaits!

Akilah Swiftblade: There just needed to be some adorable feels! I did it for the greater good! xD

huntressofartemis101: I'm glad you liked it! The words on the clasps are written in dwarven runes, so they would be in Khuzdul :)

Nimtheriel: Ah, well, Kili does have a bit of an ego, doesn't he? xD I'm glad you liked the fluffy chapter! I loved writing it. I just love them having fluffy moments, it took them long enough to get there :D And yay for finally being an Official Thing, that exact thing will come up again in this chapter…

Thank you very much also to Angel of the Night Watchers, Jocasta Silver, kaia, FleurSuoh, Dalonega Noquisi and Adalyn for your reviews!

Thanks to those who followed and favorited!

And now, go ahead, read and leave me your thoughts! :)

Almost three days had passed ever since Smaug had left the mountain to go for Laketown. The dwarves and Bilbo had stayed in the corridor behind the secret door for the best part of that time, until they had decided that it was safe enough to go out on the small clearing before the door. They had not known what to do, as they did not know if or when the dragon would return. It was in their grim musings that suddenly a thrush had come to them; tweeting and chirping, and it had taken them quite a while to realize that the bird was trying to tell them something. But none of them spoke the language of thrushes and the bird had flown away after Balin had said what a pity it was that it wasn't a raven, for the ravens had been allies of the dwarves in the ages before Smaug's attack. Much to their surprise, the thrush had later come back with a raven named Roäc, a descendant of those ravens that had remained on the hill even after Smaug had driven out their old allies. And then the bird had told them news that none of them had been expecting.

It told them that Smaug had been killed during his attack on Laketown.

And though these had been joyous news, ever since then, things had developed in a rather worrying way, Bilbo thought. Roäc had told them that the news of Smaug's death had travelled fast and far already, and that Lakemen were gathering on the shores with elves that had come from Mirkwood. Amongst the Lakemen, there were murmurs that their sorrows were due to the dwarves and they now thought to find amends in Thror's treasure after the dragon had destroyed their town had many had died.

Thorin had reacted to these news with nothing short but anger, refusing even the idea to give any of the treasure to those who would try to claim it. The dwarf-king had asked the raven to bring a message to his cousin in the Iron Hills then, a call for help in guarding the treasures of Erebor. For none of their gold shall thieves take or the violent carry off while they were alive.

A few days had come and gone since then and Bilbo had observed how Thorin became more intent on the gold and especially on finding the Arkenstone with every day that passed. And his temper was getting worse with every day that the gem was left undiscovered. He worked with the others as they laboured hard to fortify and repair the front gate as well as they could upon his command, so they could keep their enemies out. But Thorin's mood was dark and he didn't speak much, instead spent most of his time searching the mountains of gold for that one jewel he so desperately wanted to find.

The others were more or less cheery since they had heard the news of Smaug's death and with it the knowledge that the treasure was theirs; the only thing that really dampened their mood at the moment was the food that was slowly running low. Bilbo however, was not as cheery as his companions and not as interested in the gold as Thorin. As a matter of fact, he had found himself being utterly unable to focus on much these last days, for his mind was overflown with worry and guilt. While he enjoyed the happiness that reigned over the fact that they had reclaimed Erebor and fulfilled the quest, the hobbit always thought about the five members of their company that were not with them. And that had possibly found their death in Smaug's flames because they had awoken the dragon and sent it down on them. Bilbo missed them terribly.

That was what the hobbit was thinking about as he walked through the throne hall on his own, along the high piles of gold and gems without really paying attention to where his big feet were leading him. He had his hands buried in his pockets, two fingers absent-mindedly fiddling with the gold ring that still resided there. He slowly rounded a pile of old instruments, though they were still nice and precious and no doubt fit for playing, and it was then that he suddenly saw something shimmer to his right. Bilbo turned, his brows slightly furrowed as he approached the strange shine curiously. And as he came closer to the source, he saw a large white jewel, glimmering in the dim light, the light catching within its core and breaking into different colours. There was no doubt in Bilbo's mind that this was the Arkenstone that everyone was looking for. Balin had told him that he would know it when he saw it, and Bilbo did. He shortly looked around, finding himself utterly alone among the mountains of gold. He didn't know whether anyone of the others had ventured in this particular spot before, though he doubted that anyone would have let the Arkenstone lying around here if they had found it. Bilbo carefully reached out and pulled the jewel from the pile of gold, a few coins tumbling to the ground because of the movement. As he turned the gem in his hands, Bilbo knew that he should tell Thorin that he had found it and bring it to him. But for some reason unknown to even himself, the hobbit took the jewel and put it away in the inside of his jacket, concealing it safely in one of his larger pockets.

He lingered a moment longer before he slowly ventured back to the group.

Balin and Thorin were standing together next to the wide stone stairs that led up to a large balcony over the front gate where the company mostly spent their time if they weren't exploring the halls of the mountain. Balin greeted the hobbit with a smile and a nod as he saw him coming, whereas Thorin merely shot him a short look and Bilbo nodded rather stiffly at both of them, feeling the weight of the Arkenstone in his pocket as he quickly rushed up the set of stairs.

A few of his companions were sitting there, by themselves or chatting quietly to each other. The air was fresh and cold up here but none of them seemed to mind and as Bilbo took a few steps further, he saw Bombur sitting by himself a little distance away from the others and he slowly made his way over to the large dwarf.

"Are you all right, Bombur?" Bilbo asked as he sat down next to the redhead, following his gaze as the dwarf looked out over the lands that lay before Erebor. The valley where Dale lay could be seen in the distance, the late afternoon sun hanging low in the sky.

"I'm fine," Bombur muttered; though his words were quiet and followed by a deep sigh. He shot the hobbit a short look before he directed it back and looked straight ahead. Bilbo didn't have to ask to know that Bombur had been thinking about his brother who had been left behind in Laketown. He knew that he was not the only one that missed the rest of their company and he slightly shook his head as he glanced at the stairs where he knew Thorin was just a floor below. Deep down they all knew what had become of their friends and Bombur, Bifur and Bilbo were not the only ones that were visibly affected by it. Gloin was worried for his brother as much as Bombur was, whereas Dwalin, for example, had become even more silent than he had been before and Bilbo had seen him glancing at the distant horizon where Laketown lay – or once had been – more than once. Ori was scribbling into his notebook, often sitting in a corner all by himself. Bilbo had sat with him once, and seen him draw pictures of their lost companions.

Thorin, however, had not lost a word on what most likely had happened. Bilbo didn't understand it and it sometimes made him angry to think that Fili and Kili – his own nephews – had died because of what they had caused and Thorin refused to even speak a word of it. It sometimes seemed as if he didn't even care, though Bilbo knew that was not true. He could see it in the dwarf-king's eyes, the sadness and the guilt, though there always was this other feeling he could see in Thorin's pale blue eyes, the one that seemed to overrule anything else ever since he had first set eyes on the treasure beneath the mountain. And that was a dark and unsettling obsession. Maybe it had been that expression that mirrored constantly in Thorin's eyes that had kept Bilbo from giving him the Arkenstone.

"What's that?" Bombur suddenly asked beside him, ripping the hobbit out of his thoughts quite abruptly. He followed the redhead's finger as he pointed towards the horizon and upon squinting against the sun Bilbo recognized a few dark dots in the distance that were slowly moving closer. He stood up along with Bombur, their action alerting a few of the others to the situation.

"What is it?" Nori asked as he came to stand next to them, leaning against the broad stone bannister that kept them from falling off the edge of the balcony.

"Someone's coming," Bilbo answered as he peered into the distance, though they were still too far away for him to see whom it was. "Though I don't know who it is."

A few others came to stand by the bannister as well then and together they watched the dots slowly grow larger in the distance. It was a long while until Bilbo could see five figures approaching the mountain, their pace not entirely fast but steady.

"Lakemen?" Dwalin asked gruffly from behind the hobbit but Bilbo shook his head.

"They are too few for that. Roäc said they were coming in large groups and together with the elves. It would not make sense for – " He suddenly broke off in the middle of his sentence, the words he was about to say getting stuck in his throat as he saw who it was long before the dwarves did, for his eyesight was much sharper than theirs. He could see them now, coming closer as they headed straight for the mountain.

"It – It is them!" Bilbo called out excitedly, stumbling over his own words as he leaned over the stone bannister to get a better look. "It's Fili and Kili! And Tarya, Oin and Bofur!"

The others shot him surprised, almost shocked looks as the hobbit leaned back, a broad happy smile plastered on his face as he returned their gazes. The others leaned forward, too, and tried to peer out into the distance but before anyone could say anything, Bilbo had sped to the stairs, calling loudly.

"Open the gate! Open the gate! Quick!" he yelled as he ran down the stairs, the others following in a rumbling of heavy boots and agitated calls. Thorin and Balin shot their companions a confused look as Bilbo came to a halt next to the dwarf-king, panting slightly from how fast he had run down here. He looked up at the Thorin intently. "They are coming! They're alive! The others! Fili, Kili, Tarya, all of them! Bofur and Oin! We must open the gate immediately!"

The hobbit watched as Thorin's expression froze for a moment, shock written in his steel blue eyes as they searched his for a lie without finding any. He suddenly moved abruptly then, calling loudly for Dwalin, Gloin, Bifur and Bombur to help open the gate. They didn't hesitate, running to work open the large doors. And as the doors swung open, Bilbo ran past them and outside, the others following on his heels. They stood on top of the stairs that led up to the front gate from below when they finally saw them.

All five of their missing companions, thought dead, were walking towards the mountain. Fili was leading the small group; Bofur and Oin walking in the middle while Kili and Tarya formed the back end. Thorin felt his heart well up with relief as he watched his nephews make their way towards them and he could only watch as they shortly stopped at the end of the stairs, looking up at them as incredulously as they were all staring down at them. Thorin had no doubt that they had had as little hope to see them again as they did.

It was just a few seconds until cries erupted from both sides, as Bombur and Gloin and Bofur and Oin both called for their respective brother at the same time. Bofur and Oin hurried up the stairs, engulfing their family members in massive bear hugs as soon as they reached the top. Fili, Kili and Tarya were taking a bit more time to climb the massive set of stairs and it was when Thorin caught his oldest nephew's gaze that he knew that something had changed. Fili's expression was happy and relieved as he looked at his uncle, but Thorin could see that it was more distant now and that anger was flaring somewhere deep within his nephew's pale blue eyes as he reached the top of the stairs together with his two companions. Nevertheless, Thorin reached out and wrapped both his nephews in a tight hug.

Tarya found herself in a little bit of a chaos as the company reunited, finding herself getting separated from Kili as she got engulfed in multiple hugs by multiple dwarfs and one hobbit. She didn't say anything as Bilbo hugged her tightly, a few tears running down his cheeks as she returned his embrace with as much relief in her heart as was obviously in his. They had thought each other dead by the hands – or claws – of Smaug, and yet here they all were, alive and reunited beneath the shadow of the mountain.

It was only when the group had calmed slightly and separated a bit that Tarya saw Dwalin, standing behind the others with his arms crossed over his broad chest. His face was grim as he looked at her and Tarya felt a lump build in her throat despite how happy she felt to see the bald warrior. Slowly, she took a few steps forward until she was standing right in front of the big dwarf, slightly craning her neck to look up at him. Dwalin hadn't moved a muscle, his arms still crossed tightly over his chest as he scowled at her.

"I had thought you dead, khael," Dwalin eventually rumbled, his voice vibrating roughly in his chest. Tarya didn't break her gaze with him.

"I know the feeling," she replied quietly, seeing the expression on his face change, as he looked her over. It became a bit softer, though he frowned when his gaze landed on her bandaged arm.

"You got hurt," he observed and Tarya shrugged slightly, a breathy chuckle leaving her throat despite herself.

"Unpleasant encounter with a few orcs," she said. "Nothing to worry about."

Dwalin just growled slightly in reply before he shook his head and unfolded his arms, putting both of his heavy hands on her shoulders instead. Tarya couldn't help her smile as the warrior pulled her into a fierce hug and she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing tightly as they stood like that for a few short moments.

"It's just a scratch," she said as he let go of her as quickly as he'd pulled her in, and Dwalin just shot her a pointed look. Tarya glanced over at Ori as the shy dwarf spoke up.

"Orcs?" he asked, his gaze set on the Amarok's arm in concern for a moment before he looked into her eyes. Tarya just shrugged slightly and gave him a reassuring smile. She felt Fili and Kili step up next to her as the companions looked at them questioningly, obviously waiting for answers.

"It's a long story," Kili said cheerfully beside her, though Tarya could hear the underlying abrasiveness in his voice. "And quite a good one. It involves a few nasty orcs, helpful elves, a large wolf, a near-death experience on my part and an Amarok that saved my life."

There was a heavy silence over the group as Kili gently and almost absently let his fingers stroke over the bandage on her arm and Tarya quietly cleared her throat before Kili looked at his uncle, his gaze darkening slightly. "That was of course before we all almost died in the dragon's firestorm."

The silence became rather uncomfortable when Thorin didn't answer and just returned his nephew's gaze silently. It was Balin that broke the tension by speaking up in a calming manner.

"I think it might be best if we go inside," he said, looking over the group. "I'm sure we have a lot of long stories to tell each other."

Tarya waited until most of the others had gone ahead, Dwalin patting her shoulder lightly before he followed the rest of the company into the halls of Erebor. Kili was still staring darkly at his uncle who still stood outside with them as only Tarya, Kili, Fili, Bilbo and Thorin were left. Tarya gently put her head on Kili's upper arm as she turned towards the giant doors of the front gate. He shortly glanced down at her and she sent both him and his brother a pointed look before she motioned with her head to follow the others. There would be time to discuss everything.

Fili was the first to follow her sign, his little brother only starting to move when Tarya lightly pulled on his sleeve without noticing Thorin's gaze on her as she did it. The others were already talking when they walked inside the mountain and settled in a room further away from the throne hall. Tarya could see Bombur fussing over his brother and his injuries, though Bofur tried in vain to wave him off. The Amarok couldn't help but smile slightly as she watched them. Bombur was just glad to have his brother back alive, that was clear for everyone to see, and Tarya didn't want to imagine how devastated he and Bifur would have been if they had returned to the mountain with nothing more of Bofur than his old furry hat. Once again, she found herself eternally grateful that her friend hat not died in that firestorm.

It took them a few hours to exchange all of what had transpired in the time they had been separated. They had settled down in a large, slightly deformed circle and everyone had listened intently as Fili took the job of telling everyone what had happened. Tarya just sat quietly beside Kili as the blond talked, telling their companions about everything. Fili told them about the orc attack, about Kili's almost dying and how Tarya had saved him, about how the dragon had come down on the town and they had to fight and run for their lives. About how Bard had shot the beast right down from the sky. He told them about how they had thought Bofur to be dead, and what had transpired with the Master, and that Bard had called for help from Thranduil. Fili also told them that he would be coming to the mountain to claim the part of the treasure that once belonged to Dale and that he wanted to use to rebuild the town.

As it turned out, their companions already knew that bit of the story. Tarya had watched the others during Fili's explanation, and she could watch Thorin's expression darken the further his nephew elaborated.

"The ravens have told us already of their plans. Not one single coin will he get from me," Thorin growled once Fili was finished with his tale, causing not only the blond dwarf but also Kili and Tarya to look at him in surprise.

"You cannot deny him this after all that he has done, uncle." Fili said, his voice unbelieving as he looked at Thorin. "He deserves it."

"He deserves nothing as long as he collaborates with these elves and their honourless king!" Thorin replied loudly, clenching his fist at his nephew who just raised his eyebrows in disbelief. Tarya frowned at the king. "Do not think I do not know what they are planning. We have ravens travelling back and forth, bringing news of these filthy elves and men. They think they can come marching on the mountain and claim gold as theirs that has always belonged to us dwarves. Thieves are they, nothing more!"

"Bard has helped us in our greatest need. He has slain the dragon after you awakened it," Tarye then spoke, catching Thorin's stormy gaze as he looked at her. The dwarf-king narrowed his eyes at her and Tarya frowned at the strange expression in his steel blue gaze. She had seen Thorin in bad moods before, but not like this. Thorin was usually bad-tempered but reasonable. Now he almost seemed obsessively intent on keeping every single coin of gold within the walls of his mountain. The Amarok shortly glanced at Kili who returned her gaze just as indecisively.

"If he expects to be rewarded for killing a dragon with the very gold that this worm stole from my people, he is gravely mistaken. I did never ask him to slay Smaug," Thorin stated and it was Kili that now spoke up, his voice echoing loud and angry through the room.

"And he did never ask for us to waken that beast, and yet you have. And the dragon came down and buried Esgaroth deep beneath the surface of the lake. Had it not been for Bard, we would all be dead! But I guess it would not have been so bad for you," he added in a low growl. "For you got everything you wanted. Erebor is reclaimed, the gold is yours."

"Do not speak to me in such a tone, Kili." Thorin replied, just as angry himself and Tarya shortly caught Bilbo's worried gaze as both dwarves got to their feet, facing each other. "What do you mean to say?"

"You left us behind because you didn't want to risk the fate of this quest. You do not care for anything but this quest, uncle! Did you send for us when you reached the mountain? Did you send one of your ravens for us after you knew what had happened to Smaug and Laketown? Did you care?!" Kili demanded, his voice full of hurt and anger, and Tarya quickly got to her feet and stepped up to him at the same time Fili did. Of course Kili had a right to be angry, and he had a right to question Thorin. But after they had only just all reunited, Tarya didn't think that now was the time for fighting.

"Guard your words, boy," Thorin growled, his eyes sparking with anger at the brunet who just huffed furiously in reply. For a moment, heavy silence hung over them all as uncle and nephew just stared at each other darkly. Tarya glanced away from Thorin, seeing that there was no reasoning with him at the moment.

"Kili," the Amarok muttered, trying to calm him down as she put one hand on his arm. The young dwarf glanced at her at the same time that Thorin was about to say something, though the dwarf-king stopped abruptly as his gaze fell on Tarya and he really looked at her for the first time that day. Tarya heard his sudden intake of breath and quickly turned her head to look at him in confusion.

Tarya's hair swung lightly with the movement of her head as she turned to look at him, and Thorin's eyes narrowed dangerously, his gaze set firmly on the small braid that framed the Amarok's face.

The dwarf-king's gaze darkened as he caught sight of the small silver clasp that held it in place.

"What is this?" he demanded, his voice nothing but a low growl as he pointed his finger at the Amarok's hair, bringing his gaze to rest heavily on Kili who stood beside Tarya, staring back at his uncle a bit calmer now.

"It's my braid," the brunet replied matter-of-factly, telling Thorin what he already knew as he stared him square in the eyes.

"I am aware. Why is she wearing it?" Thorin asked, sending his nephew a dark look.

"I put it there," Kili just said, frowning slightly at his uncle's grim face.

"You cannot be serious," Thorin muttered quietly as if to himself, as his gaze flicked back to Tarya who just stood there silently, eyes wide as she watched the dwarf-king take a step closer to his nephew. "You must be out of your mind to place a courting braid in this woman's hair, nephew."

Kili just shook his head, infuriating his uncle even more than he'd already been before.

"I love her, uncle."

"SHE IS A WOLF, KILI!" Thorin suddenly bellowed in reply, making both his nephew and the Amarok as well as everyone else in the room flinch slightly at the volume of his voice. "You should know better than that, Kili. You are a prince of Erebor, a dwarf of high status and you cannot be as foolish as to seriously consider a relationship with someone like her. With something like her! How big of a fool are you to think that she could possibly be a fitting match for you?"

"Uncle…" Fili tried to cut in but was interrupted as his little brother easily spoke over him.

"I am not a fool for choosing to be with the woman I love!" Kili answered, his voice getting louder again as well as he stood tall before Thorin. He had known that some might be opposed to his union with Tarya, but he certainly hadn't counted on his own uncle to be one of them.

"You cannot love her, Kili! SHE IS BARELY EVEN HUMAN!"

Kili immediately took a step forward as he saw Tarya visibly flinch at his uncle's words, her gaze cast to the ground as a hurt expression washed over her face. Kili put himself between his uncle and Tarya as Thorin aggressively pointed his finger at her, ready to continue his verbal assault on her.

"Do not speak of her like that!" Kili called heatedly, glaring at his uncle as he took a step towards him. "How dare you speak of her like that? She does not deserve such disdain and such hostile words from you. Tarya has done more for you and this company than was possibly deserved! She is much more than just a wolf, and you know it, Thorin. She is strong and smart, loyal and honest. Tarya has a heart of gold and she is as fierce a fighter as any of us. She is beautiful in every possible way and I love her for that. With all my heart and everything that I am. I love her for everything she is, for the wolf in her as much as the human."

Thorin was looking at his nephew in barely concealed shock, surprise written over his features at Kili's outburst. "You are being foolish," the king growled at the young dwarf, taking in his nephew's fierce expression as Kili shook his head. "You will find another more fitting – "

"No!" Kili said angrily, his voice dangerously calm as he stared at his uncle furiously. "There will never be another one but her, uncle. She's my One. Tarya belongs with me as much as I belong with her and I will not let you – or anyone – get in between that." He took a step towards his Thorin then, glaring at him out of dark eyes. "And I swear to Mahal – I don't care that you are my uncle or my king – if you speak another foul word to her or about her, I will punch you."

And with that, he abruptly turned on his heels, grabbing Tarya's hand with a surprising gentleness after his angry outburst and pulling her with him as he left the room. Thorin could just stare after them blankly, dumbfounded by the turn of events. He had thought Kili's liking of the Amarok to be that of friendship. That of a foolish young dwarf that did not know or care much for the responsibilities he had to his line and his family. Thorin blinked a few times to clear his head, catching Fili's gaze as he turned back around. The blond was staring at him out of pale accusing eyes, shaking his head incredulously.

"Is it me," Gloin suddenly spoke through the heavy silence that had settled amongst them from where he was sitting beside his brother. "Or did the lad just say Tarya was his One?"