Hey everyone I am back from ma hols! Missed y'all! I am so glad that both my stories are going down a treat with you all! As promised I plan on updating BOTH stories so keep your eyes peeled for my other story's chapter XD hopefully I'll be able to clear up any queeries you are having over what is up with Daisy and Anne! Anywho back to this story! I am so happy nearly 70 followers and 45 favourites..plus 39 reviews! (can we see if we can make it 70 followers, 50 favourites and 45 reviews? PLZ :)) If you do then I can write a bonus dream chapter between Yavanna and Kili XD (yes I am bribing you) Ok I shall stop my rambling and crack on with the chapter...hope y'all enjoy it and please help me boost those numbers...THNX! ok now please read...

Out of Bond Barrels

The river tossed the barrels left and up and right and down. Kili could hear his friends shouts and grumbles; even with the solid wood and rushing water. Lark's head remained firmly on his chest and his arms were encircled round her waist. Their barrel was tossed into someone else's and Kili managed to restrain himself from crying out. The river was swift and they were getting carried along at a fast pace. Suddenly the waters started to calm. They had passed the main swell of the river and were drifting towards a steady stop where the raft-elveswould tie the barrels. The cries from the company had hushed and Kili held his breath as the voices of the raft-elves could be heard distantly. It was at this most delicate time that Lark decided to wake.

Her thoughts felt heavy and it was a strain just to open her eyes...when she did she could see darkness. Lark froze in panic, what had happened? Where was she? She felt strong arms around her and that only increased her panic. Her eyes darted about in the darkness and her breathing became heavy, she could only whisper.

"Who's that?!"

Kili froze and his eyes widened. No! It couldn't be...could it?!

"Lark...you awake?"

"Kili?!"

Kili let out the breath he'd been holding and he felt Lark relax. She began to ease and all her barriers crumbled. She was Kili...she was safe...wherever she was.

"Where are we?"

"Ah, Bilbo broke us out of the elf kingdom and we are now enroute to Laketown!"

"In what?"

"Uh..wine barrels."

Lark let out a weak chuckle.

"So that's what the smell is?"

Kili chuckled and nodded. Lark sighed and tried to shuffle around so she was more comfortable. Kili's arms tightened around her and she looked at him confused. As if he could see her face he answered;

"I don't want you hurting your leg anymore than it already is. Also you've been in the Healing Rooms for a week and I was worried that..."

He trailed off, unable to voice his fears to her. He stared at what he thought was the lid of the barrel and fought the tears that threatened to fall. If he had lost her...his heart lurched in his chest and he closed his eyes, not wanting to say any more.. Lark blinked up at him in the dark. Her own eyes were filled with salty tears. She had been near death for a week?! They had worried that she'd died?! Feeling that Kili had tensed, she lifted her arms and wrapped them round his back. Kili's breath hitched as she hugged him...in such a confined space...he was struggling to contain his longing. Lark pulled herself closer to his ear, her lips brushed against it as she whispered.

"I promise I will never leave you. I care about you all too much to do that. It'll take more than a few spiders to take me away."

Kili flushed a bright red and was thankful for the darkness that surrounded them, although he wasn't happy about the tight feeling in the pit of his gut. Lark moved one of her hands so it cupped his cheek and he leaned into her touch. She kissed him lightly on the cheek and again his breath caught in his throat. It was then that it clicked in Kili's head. He loved her. He wanted her more than he'd wanted anything in his life. He wanted her to be his. He wanted to be hers. Lark lowered her hand so it lay on Kili's chest, she could feel his heart thumping wildly...it matched the pace that her own was racing at...

"Lark...I..."

She looked at his shape in the darkness. He was so close...she could feel his breath against her face. She leaned her head closer and tilted it up. Kili lowered his head towards her, he wanted to taste her lips and to feel her...her breath ghosted over his face. Their lips were almost touching...both wanting the other...unaware that the other wanted them. Kili used his arms to pulls her towards him and...

"Well here are the barrels!"

The two jumped apart as the raft-elves tramped through the bushes. Lark wrapped her amrs round herself and shifted into a small mouse...Kili felt her change and settle on his knee. She felt so foolish for letting her emotions get so out of control, it had felt so right but she knew that Kili would only ever be her friend. Kili silently cursed himself...he couldn't do that to Lark...he didn't want her to shy away from him because he wanted her. He ran his hand ove his face and tried to shake the knot in his stomach. The elves began to prod at the barrels with large wooden poles and the barrels clattered off each other.

"This is a heavy load!"

"Some float too deep- they may not be empty!"

The head raftman rolled his eyes.

"No time now! Shove off!"

The elves pushed the barrels and they began to drift down the river towards Laketown. No sound came from any barrel...especially the largest where two souls pondered on their thoughts for each other.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo what'd ya think? Review plz!