The world around me shifted, and a warmth had left my side. Something soft ran across my cheek, and I had wrinkled my nose, a word slipping from my lips that was barely even aword.

'Goodnight, Millie'.

I had woken up the next morning with my hand stretched out at my side, my blanket tucked under my chin and a soft knocking at the wooden, sliding door. Kili was nowhere to be seen.

'Millie?'

I coughed and sat up, rubbing away the sleep in my eyes. 'Yeah?' I half mumbled, kicking back the covers.

'Breakfast is ready,' said the Dwarf from the other side of the door, who I had then realized to be Bofur. 'I'll need to go and wake up the Hobbit now,' he said, and I had listened to his retreating footsteps before standing awkwardly from the futon, still quite sleepy. The windows had been filtered with morning light, and I had felt quite content with my new found comforting sleep.

But, alas, breakfast awaited.

After sorting out my tied up hair, washing my face in a bowl of water beside the bed and grabbing my bag, I had started out of the bedroom to find the Dwarves gathered around the table, all in their respected chairs.

'Mornin' lass,' said Gloin, biting around a large mushroom as I sat next to him and Fili. I had caught the eye of Kili, had given a grimace of a smile and then taken my own plate from the pile, filling it with mushrooms, toast, egg and jam.

I was embarrassed about the night before. Beyond embarrassed. I was glad that I had told him, of course, but what now? Did we talk about it, or did we let it hang in the air awkwardly?

I looked up as I settled back into my chair with my plate. Kili was looking at me, and amused and exasperated look on his face, having apparently noticed my complete inability to address what had happened the night before.

Finally, I gave him a proper smile, and he looked away triumphantly.

'What time will we leave?' I had asked, just as Beorn entered the room with a washcloth in his hands. The brute of a man considered our company as we ate, his eyes lingering on Bilbo.

'Soon. Later today,' said Thorin, eating away at his toast. 'We must consider the fact that we are to enter the terrible forest of Mirkwood-'

'Aye,' agreed Beorn, sitting heavily in the largest of all the chairs. 'I have heard tales of how the safety of Mirkwood has near deteriorated - spiders as big as dogs, no sunlight, a constant stench, swamps. You wish to wander through this forest?' he had asked Thorin, while my mouth had fallen open in horror at the idea of big spiders.

If you're thinking about the spiders in Harry Potter, then you are spot on.

'Spiders as big as dogs?' said Bofur, worry in his voice. The other Dwarves looked equally as put off. Bifur had simply plopped a mushroom into his cup of water, but everyone chose to ignore that.

Gandalf, who had not spoken much, said, 'Radagast spoke of spiders finding his home. You may have heard of him as he is a Wizard also and resides on the western eaves of southern Mirkwood'. Gandalf looked to Beorn, who nodded once and slowly.

'I've have - an alright fellow he is, too'.

Trolls I could handle. Orcs, Wargs and Goblins - those I could deal with, although just barely. But spiders - spiders - as big as dogs had me considering bolting out of the door. Instead, I stuffed a piece of toast into my mouth to stop any comment of, 'I don't care what Hagrid says, we are not following the spiders'.

After breakfast we all went about sorting ourselves for the worst part of our journey, all in our own ways. Beorn warned that he would be gone for an hour. 'Business to attend to,' he'd grumbled, hefting the wooden plates from the wooden table. 'An Orc pack, not too far from here. Near the Carrock, I think'.

Thorin was alert and standing. 'We will help you, it was us who drew them near'.

With a wave of his large hand, Beorn had said, 'There is no need. I have my own company, just as you have yours. I prefer to ward away any unwanted guests from my home'.

The discussion was finished then, as almost everyone knew that by 'company', Beorn had meant some rather furry allies. Ha.

I hadn't quite known what to do with myself. The others were either sharpening their weapons, sitting in chairs and talking, sorting through packs given to them by Beorn, or crawling back onto the floor for some much needed rest. Since coming to Middle Earth, I hadn't become used to...well, just relaxing. I hadn't had the internet to distract me, nor the television or books.

'The 'company' that Beorn speaks of were scratching at the walls last night, though I suppose you were far too preoccupied to notice,' said Thorin, appearing by my side. I looked lazily up at him, cocking a brow. 'Kili came from your room an hour after you both disappeared'. He nodded to Beorn, who past by us and disappeared out to attend to his 'business'.

I'd wrinkled my nose at him, though had been quite surprised that Kili had actually stayed with me until I fell asleep. Then again, I had remembered something about him leaving while I slept. 'Thorin, we didn't, um, braid each others hair or anything,' I said quietly, glad that the others had been quite distracted. Fili and Kili were sat in a corner, legs propped up beside one another.

Thorin actually smiled at that, but then he grew quite serious again. 'I know that you are close with my nephews, and it is because of that, that I know you are good enough for him.Please,' he had said, as I had opened my mouth to protest. 'I am not so old that I do not notice what is in front of me. Kili is young, and he is reckless. But Fili - Fili has a good judgment of character and if he has accepted you, then I trust that you are not quite so...unworthy of my nephews undivided attention. Fili knows his brother well, and he knows what he needs. If you are it, then so be it'.

I spluttered for roughly three seconds before Thorin cut over me.

'But,' he said, tone darker and head bowed. I cast a nervous glance over to Fili and Kili, but only the eldest caught my eye. The little shit merely smirked. 'Kili does not need a constant distraction on this quest - both he and Fili are my Heirs, and that is why I allowed them on this journey, and because they are family. I cannot risk losing my sister's sons. Do you understand?'

I stood taller, angrier. 'I'm not a distraction, and I thought I had proved as much. I'm learning, and I'll do anything I can to make sure that Kili or Fili don't try and risk their lives to stop any stupid situation that I'll probably get into. Do you understand?'

Thorin's mouth stretched back into a smirk. 'Oh,' he had sighed, straightening up. 'You will create a challenging little Heir, won't you?'

Before I could so much as throw a wooden plate at his smirking head, the supposedly brooding and dark King went on his way, falling into step beside Dwalin, who lingered by the open door.

This left me, once again, standing alone in the middle of the great hall, my mouth agape.

'Why is everyone so interested in my unborn kids?' I'd muttered.

Still a little dazed and mildly amused, I approached Kili and Fili. The latter gave me a little knowing smirk, while the youngest looked up at me, dark eyes wide with curiosity. 'Want to carry on with my training? We've got awhile to ourselves before we leave, and I'm still pretty useless'.

Kili nodded quite happily, glad to be of use. Fili, on the other hand, snorted. 'That can be a job for you, brother'.

I glared at him, hands on my hips. 'I wasn't asking you'.

Fili smiled. 'Good, then'.

I still think that it was him who got Thorin on my grill about Kili and I. It seemed like something Fili would do, the cunning, braided arse, he was.

Kili and I left Fili to smirk alone, but we were caught up by Dwalin, Gloin and Balin, who inquired as to why we were going outside. We told them, they laughed and then asked if they could join us. Then Nori, Dori and Ori caught on, also asking to watch me train. In the end, we were standing outside Beorn's house, the sun shining, with six Dwarves teaching me how to use a sword.

'You'll want to hold it firmly, lass,' said Gloin, standing before me and holding his own blade. 'Aye, like that. Your stance is good enough. A good, light blade that you have there'.

Dori pushed forward, tutting. 'No, no. He's got it all wrong. You want to be further sideways - yes!'

Ori piped in with, 'I prefer something lighter myself - something you can aim with'.

Nori merely said, 'Shut up, Ori'.

Balin just laughed.

Kili looked on with an amused smile, his own sword dangling from his hand and scraping against the dirt floor. 'I thought I was the one teaching Millie swordplay?' he questioned.

Dwalin snorted. 'There's a reason we moved onto archery when you were a Dwarfling,' he grumbled, and he and Balin shared a secret, amused look.

Kili had shut his mouth straight away.

It was Dwalin, that day, who had taught me how to spin away from an attack and then hit the target at a lower angle. He also taught me how to push forward and aim for the back. If it was not for these moves, I doubt I-

No. Not yet.

'Not half bad, lass,' sighed Dwalin, who was far taller than me and barely seemed out of breath, while I wiped sweat from my brow and exhaled deeply. 'We'll try and do a little everyday or so, how does that sound?'

It sounded bloody terrible, but I had known that I would need it, so I'd agreed.

It appeared that I had started a trend, because after that the other Dwarves began practicing their swordplay, specifically Ori, who refused to wield anything too heavy. 'I won't,' he'd said. 'There's not point if I'll just drop it'.

So, in the end, Dori and Nori had started to teach him how to use hunting knives. 'He's only doing it because you're here,' said Dori quietly, perhaps the harsher of the two oldest brothers. 'He'd be storming off in the other direction if we didn't have an audience,' he raised his eyebrows meaningfully, but I'd just scoffed in his face.

'I have that affect on people,' I had drawled, twirling Snowthorn in my hands and promptly dropping it onto the floor. Dori let out a bark of laughter and wandered off toward Nori, Ori and Dwalin.

I stooped down to pick Snowthorn up, but the shock of having the BFG (Beorn, who appeared out of nowhere) suddenly in front of me had me stumbling back a little, but I was quickly set right by said BFG. 'You're a clumsy Dwarf, aren't you?' Beorn had said. 'I saw you training with your sword - what is it called?' He went to pick it up, but I had quickly scrambled to get it.

'Snowthorn. Um, burns people who it doesn't belong to,' I had explained, shoving it with difficulty back into the scabbard. 'I've been meaning to ask you, do you have anywhere to bathe here? You don't really seem like the kind of guy to have a tub, so I'm guessing you like...bathe with the fish, or whatever?'

Beorn cracked a smile. 'Aye, I do. Around the back of the house, through the trees, there is a small stream. It gets bigger as it runs further into the forest, but it's hidden between some trees so you won't have to worry about anyone finding you. Would you like me to show you where it is?'

'Did you find the Orcs?' I'd asked nervously, noticing that he was a little sweaty and dirty. 'You were gone for around two hours, so I'm guessing you found something out there'.

Beorn nodded. 'Only a straggler. I...set a sign up, let's say. If any come near my hold, they will know that I am no Orc-friend'.

I'd sent him a funny look. 'Who is?'

'The Hobbit - Bilbo. He is a queer little thing, isn't he?' Beorn said suddenly as we rounded the back of his house. Behind it, there had been grass and trees, and we headed for said trees. 'A fidgety, nervous man - fine, though!' he'd insisted, upon seeing my guarded look. 'I simply mean that I know people as well as I know animals, and I know when someone is hiding something'.

With that, he stopped and pointed toward the trees. 'Just through there, on the other side of those pines and bushes. You know your way back?'

I looked pointedly at the house and the stables, which were directly in front of us. 'I'm pretty sure I can walk a hundred feet without getting lost, thanks,' I said, though not entirely unkindly.

Beorn just laughed and turned away, leaving me to mull over what he had said about Bilbo. The heck did Bilbo have to be all nervous and twitchy about? He was in Thorin's good books, which I had barely fit into, due to him thinking that I was corrupting his bloody nephew.

Too sweaty to care.

The stream was just where Beorn had said it would be. I had guessed that it was connected to the same one that I had bathed in before, just smaller and less deep. Still, it had went up to my knees as I stood in the middle of it, my clothes, bag and Snowthorn in a bundle, away form the wetness. I had released my hair from the string and happily sunk onto my bum.

It was freaking cold, let me tell you.

The water had rippled happily past my naked body, and thanks to not having to worry about the Dwarves getting impatient, I had sat there for around ten minutes, rubbing between my toes, under my finger nails, my armpits, my face, my hair. After that, I had crouched and scuttled over to bring my clothes into the water, grimacing as they quickly clouded the stream with their dirt.

My black shirt was filthy, as were my breeches. Both were quickly lain out onto the grass, once dry. Next, I squeezed my socks beneath the water, and put those out on the ground. My bra was next.

It's probably quite sad that I had felt immensely content and happy by doing such a simple task. I had felt like quite the domestic Goddess.

I had then pulled myself out of the stream, still crouching low to avoid Gandalf, the Dwarves, Bilbo or Beorn seeing me. I haven't thought this through. Now I've gotta sit here naked. Fab.

'Millie?'

'Oh, bugger no,' I had gasped, slamming myself onto the floor. His voice was close. Very close.

'Kili!' I'd yelped, scrambling further behind one of the bushes. A twig snapped on the other side. 'Kili - stop!' I'd all but screeched, waving a hand above the bush to show where I was.

'What in Durin's name is wrong?' He'd asked, alert and worried. 'I saw Beorn come out here with you, and then you did not come back with him. I waited, but-'

'Kili. I'm naked,' I'd said dramatically.

'...What?'

He'd sounded angry, alarmed, confused.

Kill me. Kill me now. 'Oh, not like that. Jesus man, I think I'd be squished if me and Beorn got it on, you jealous little minx. The guy would probably much rather get it on with, I don't know-' I cut myself off, drawing my legs up to my very naked and body and looking up at the bush behind me. I could just about see Kili's shadow. 'That doesn't matter. I'm waiting for my clothes to dry, because I washed them and went for a...bath, okay?'

Kili paused and I was met with silence. 'That does make more sense'. Another pause. 'You are without clothes. Anyone could have spied you out, without even bothering to call out your name first-!'

I rolled my eyes. 'It's very gallant of you to think about my privacy, but could you please chuck me your coat?'

'Why?'

'Why do you think? Doofus'.

There was the sound of scuffling, and then his jacket came flying overhead and landed just beside my soggy clothes. 'Turn around, please. Is there anyone else there?'

'No'.

'...Are you turned around, Kili?'

'Yes,' he'd said, affronted.

I had slid very ungracefully across the floor, annoyed that I was having to get dry dirt on myself after such a good clean. Kili's coat was big, thank God. I quickly pulled it around myself, ensuring that all of the clasps were fastened. And God, do you know how...frustrating it is, to be wrapped up in something so warm, that smelt just like him.

I nearly started drooling then and there.

'Howdy-doody,' I piped up, hopping up from behind the bushes. Kili stood on the other side of the bush, absent of, obviously, his coat. His eyes had lingered on me for that much longer, but I had quickly pushed past such things, gritting my teeth and blinking hard. 'This coat's pretty nice, you know. Very, er, heavy and - I don't know - big?'

It was true, the bloody coat was all thick leather. Kili had his hooded cloak beneath to keep away the rough, leather material - and here I was, naked and having it rubbing in all the worst places.

Kinky.

'This is just beyond awkward, isn't it?'

Kili met my eyes with an almost relieved smile. 'Not awkward, just- I'm not exactly used to female Dwarves being so open minded about their...'

'Hot bods?' I piped up with a snort, crossing my arms over my chest. Kili just stared. 'Er, nakedness - right,' I nodded firmly, hopping from one foot to another. 'I've gotta wait for my clothes to dry so...what's everyone doing?'

Kili'd hard gaze was firmly on my face. 'They've moved inside. Beorn is compromising with us what we are allowed to take with us once we leave, ponies included. I think Fili managed to convince him'.

'Thank God'.

Kili still stared, I still shifted. Both of us were very aware of my attire.

'I had hoped to talk to you of last night, earlier,' started Kili, pushing his long hair aside. 'The others joined us though, didn't they? I just wanted to say that, well, I am...here. I'll always be here, to talk to you if you ever need it. What you told me is beyond anything I have heard of-'

I smiled, cutting him off with a, 'Kili, dude, thank you. It was nice to tell someone, I've been keeping it a secret for a while. I mean, Gandalf knows, but he's pretty occupied most of the time. So, I know you're there. You're always bloody there, aren't you?' I'd mused.

There was a pause in which we both caught each other gazes. My jaw jumped at his look, which was so akin to how he had looked at me after the Stone Giants, when the Goblins had been attacking us...every time he had watched me go to sleep, and I had listened to his voice. It was on the edge of those looks, brinking on spilling everything to me.

'Kili-' I had started.

He had shaken his head quite firmly, walking toward me despite the separation. My mouth had snapped shut at his eyes, his look. 'Fili will have said something by now, Millie - I know that. I need to say-'

My heart had been hammering in my chest nervously, my hands grasping at Kili's coat, my toes digging into the dirt beneath us. It was then that Bombur had decided to shout over to us, and the maybe-confession, the words...well, they buggered right off.

Kili tilted his head, smiling slightly and tiredly. His eyes rolled to meet mine. 'Your clothes should be dry by now. Get dressed and we'll head back'. I opened my mouth, but he'd just shook his head. 'Millie. Later. There's time'.

In a fashion so like me, I had not listened to him. '...But what if there's not?'

The question had lingered between us, my voice quiet and full of tentativeness. That alone was odd enough. Kili's shoulders slumped, and I had regretted the words straight away. I meant for me, not you. Idiot.

'Dress, Millie. We'll talk later'.

This time, I did as I was told.

All of us sat in the hall once again, though Gandalf stood and lent against his staff. I was now dressed and cleaner, though quiet. The walk back with Kili had been quick and tense, something that we were both not used to.

Beorn, though, had agreed to give us a pony each - each! I got my own pony! - and a horse for Gandalf, for our journey into the forest. And food, he gave us food. Nuts, apples, jars of dried fruits, pots of honey, baked cakes, bread, potatoes - stuff that would last us weeks, if we took care of it.

'You will not need to carry water,' he'd said, watching us each pack away our share of the food. 'Until you reach Mirkwood. There you will not find food or water so easily, nor will you find light. In there, the wild things are dangerous, and all you will be able to find is nuts to eat. I will give you skins to carry water, and bows and arrows. There is one stream though,' he said, staring at Thorin. 'It is dark and deep, and it cuts off the path - do not drink form it, or bathe in it. It will make you drowsy and forgetful, or so I have heard'.

He paused, clasping his hands in front of him. His voice was deeper with his last words, and full of warning. 'And never stray from the path'.

Jeez Louise, be more blinking ominous.

'When will you leave?' he had asked them, staring around at the gathering of Dwarves, Hobbit and Wizard. We looked back, waiting for the answer.

Thorin looked at Dwalin, and then nodded once, his decision made.

'Now'.

Okie pokie, that was quite nice to write. I know that I changed Beorn's house, and I know that I promised more Bilbo and Gandalf, but I think that I've built that up in this chapter. I'm quite looking forward to Millie bugging Bilbo in the next one, as well as revealing the ring. Dun, dun, duuuun! So yeah, relaxing, clean and happy Millie aside.

And o m g, Millie and Kili had a moment.

Okay, I just...the reviews! Albeit, a few of them were negative (thank you to the reviewers who, quite frankly, saluted those negative reviews with their middle fingers) but hey, every story gets their flames, right? Anyway, I just want to thank you guys again, and I hope that you like this chapter. I've never known reviewers who are so consistent and lovely.

Next chapter MIGHT be up tomorrow. I'm ill, so yeah!