Disclaimer: everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien except for the characters not in his works!

"I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you."

~Friedrich Nietzsche

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

T.A. 2941

Nuil rested a hand on the trunk of the tree beside her. Utterly spent and exhausted. She would have loved to show herself to the company, but she could name several dwarves, and a hobbit, who would be alarmed by her appearance. During the past week she had slipped and fallen into the mud, coating her whole front. Nuil had done her best to clean if off, but she could still feel it caked to her.

She was absolutely positive that there were bags under her eyes, not from the lack of sleep, but from the toll the company's pace was taking. Her legs ached, and her feet burned. It was like she was a hundred years younger and learning how to wield a blade for the first time again. With her free hand she whipped her brow and raised her eyes to the camp.

The dwarves were gathered around the fire, blazing, as Bombur fixed super. Gandalf was sitting among them, smoking his pipe along with Thorin and another whom she felt herself stiffen at seeing.

It couldn't be, could it?

Slowly she released a breath and straightened her tunic from underneath the dirty jerkin she wore. The dried mud cracked in the folds of her clothing, turning to dust. Grimacing, Nuil brushed what could be brushed off from herself. She would need to bathe soon. Her eyes landed on the figure talking to Thorin, and she knew that he was only there for her. Hiding would just have to wait, it seemed. Quietly she approached the edge of the camp and stood just outside the shadows but stepped no further. She waited for them to notice her, holding her tongue.

It was Kili who saw her fist.

"Aunnie!" he cried jumping to his feet and rushing to her side. He flung his arms around her nearly knocking her back into the trees. Nuil staggered, and the young dwarf quickly let go, his hand firmly holding her upright. Her brother had risen from where he sat beside Thorin, a firm frown etched upon his face. Thorin's gaze was on her, eyes narrowed. "We were worried."

Nuil pulled back and smiled. "Just a little slow, I'm afraid."

Thorin rose, and unlike her brother, approached her. His footsteps deliberate and steady as he crossed the camp to her. The dirt and small rocks crunching beneath his boots. All the while her brothers gaze followed the dwarf, untrustingly. Thorin paused at her side.

"We need to speak," -he cast a glance to his nephew- "alone," he said. Kili ducked his head and hurried back over to Fili who gave her a bright smile. Nuil offered them one of her own, before returning her eyes to Thorin. His lips were pressed into a thin line, the tall tale sign that he was displeased. Without a word Thorin stalked past her and back into the shadow of the trees. Nuil looked to her brother, their gazes somewhat detached and empty, before she turned and followed him.

Nuil entered the trees, blindly following after Thorin. Whatever had happened in her absence had not been good. She could feel it. There was a certain aloofness in her brother that unnerved her. She had expected him to rise and greet her, like they usually did. But he did not, merely looking at her. No, not at her. Through her. Something was not right with her brother.

So caught up in her thoughts, Nuil did not see Thorin until she was grabbed and pinned to a tree. Her hand shot out and made contact with a face, eliciting a grunt of pain. Nuil gasped, but was held more firmly to the tree. A strong arm held a firm grip on her right shoulder, but she made no move.

"What was that for?" she hissed. "You nearly scared me half to death."

"Well, you struck me, I would say we're even," came Thorin's aggravated voice. He raised his head holding his nose, while giving her a fierce glare. Nuil scowled at him. He released his nose and now held both her shoulders firmly in his strong hands. Nuil could see blood trickling down from his nose and felt a well of guilt rise within her.

"Forgive me," she murmured, whipping the blood away with her thumb. He sighed, eyes softening. But he was still stiff and angry, Nuil could feel it in the set of his shoulders as he hands came to rest there.

"Did you tell your brother where we were going?" he asked. Nuil frowned.

"I have told no one anything, I have not spoken with my brothers since last autumn," she replied with confusion in her voice. "I don't understand how he found you. I was surprised."

"You told no one?" he asked, watching her reaction intently.

"Do you think I would?" Nuil replied harshly, almost spitting her next words. "Have none of my words meant anything?"

"It does not explain to me why he is here, and why is insists on accusing me-"

"Accusing you?" she cut in gently as his voice rose.

"He seems to feel entitled to anything he wishes to know," Thorin growled. Nuil's brow furrowed.

"He is only worried."

Thorin raise a brow. Almost mockingly. She sighed wearily. Nuil rested her hands on his chest, and though he could not feel the heat of her touch, he could feel the weight of her hands. She was leaning on him. Looking closely he realized that she looked spent. Her eyes were glassy and she trembled slightly. He rubbed the fabric of her tunic between his fingers, noticing the gritty texture. She smelled like the earth.

"Nuilweyil," he breathed lifting her chin with his hand. "Are you unwell?" His other hand left her shoulders and pressed against the skin of her cheek, moving to her forehead. She was slightly warmer than he would have liked. Her breath caught and his eyes flickered toward her lips, remembering . . .

She pushed his hands away. "I'm fine, Thorin."

"No, you're not."

"Look, I will speak to Nogoth-"

"Nuilweyil, you are warm," he pressed.

"I said I was fine!" she insisted hotly. "The sooner I speak to Nogoth the sooner I may rest." He reached for her again, but she brushed his hands away and left, walking back towards the camp. He stared after her with a frown playing across his face.

Mahal, she was stubborn.

"Why is it that you're here, Nogoth," she asked as they sat beside each other. The company glanced towards them every-so-often as they muttered to one another. Gandalf watched the siblings in silence. "Surely Noledhe could have sent a missive by bird."

Nogoth gripped her hands tightly. His face was impassive.

"It couldn't find you and this is of the most important nature," he replied. As he said these words, Thorin emerged from the trees looking sour as he crossed the camp to join them. He sat on Nuil's other side, pulling a pipe from his coat silently.

Nuil's brows drew together. "What is it?"

"Nedoheen spotted an- unusual sighting from the Ettenmoors about two fortnights ago," Nogoth said keeping his voice low enough so that the other members of the company couldn't overhear them. "You know trolls live in there-"

"I am well aware of that fact," she replied miffed.

"-and they have been spotted," he went on ignoring her, "migrating south."

"Migrating south?" she murmured with concern. Gandalf's pipe lowered and he gazed at the two thoughtfully.

"Trolls have not been South since a darker power ruled these lands," Gandalf muttered darkly.

Nogoth nodded. "Precisely. I've come to warn you, little sister. Noledhe wanted you to return home, and I am of the same mind." He stood suddenly, releasing his hold on her hands and holding himself proudly. "Come sister."

Nuil shot to her feet, hazel eyes regarding her brother with carefully contained anger. Her hands clenched, which Nogoth saw and Thorin and Gandalf as well. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and while she stood a good several inches shorter than him, stared him down. Nogoth shifted slightly, his gaze not wavering from her own.

"You cannot tell me what to do, brother," she finally uttered in a voice so low Thorin was almost uncertain he had heard it. "You haven't been able to do so in many years."

"So you would stay?" he asked in disbelief. "They care nothing for you! Look at you! You're exhausted, and-" he waved his hands at her "-covered in mud. I see the hobbit with your cloak, so do not tell me you have been dry for these past days. You would have fallen ill and died on the road and they would never be the wiser."

"That is untrue!" she snapped, eyes blazing. "I am here."

"Yes," Nogoth replied with a sour note in his voice. "But would they offer you shelter, feed you, nurse you back to health? They would sooner leave you than have to wait on you. I'm no fool to not see that they are heading East." His dark gaze landed on Thorin, full of loathing and disgust.

Thorin glared at Nogoth, a few choice words coming to mind that he would've liked to use on the man had he not been Nuil's elder brother. His fists clenched tightly until they were white, a veins pulsed in his temple. Nuil stepped closer to her brother, in between the glaring males.

"I am not a child! I do not need to be coddled and safe guarded," she hissed. "I would have thought you to remember as such, brother." Nuil shook her head. "Has my time abroad ruined your opinion of my aptitude? Have I not shown myself?"

"As it stands you are still my sister, and as such you will act like it," Nogoth replied with a hard tone to his voice. "Too long have you run wild among these lands, there is danger now and you will heed the calls of your kin. I have a horse, we can make for Bree in a few days time." He reached for her arm, but she wrenched it free, stepping away from him.

"There is nothing you can do or say that will make me leave, Nogoth," she murmured. They shouldn't be fighting, that she knew. They were siblings, not rivals. Pain entered her hazel eyes. He should at least try to see her side, understand why she had to be here. "You are my brother, but they are also family."

"Family? Does family treat each other this way?" He gestured to her.

Nuil shook her head, tiredly. "I made a promise, you know I do not break my promises lightly."

"Even if it means throwing your life away?"

Nuil reeled away from Nogoth, stumbling to the ground. His words felt like a physical blow, but she saw the hurt and anger in her brothers eyes. She knew he would never feel the same way she felt about these dwarves. He hadn't watched two of them grow up since they were babes, he hadn't soothed their hurts, worries and tears. But she had.

She wouldn't just abandon them.

Even if it meant turning her back on her kin. It hurt. It was losing her parents and brothers all over again. Leaving Kili and Fili with their mourning mother, Dis. Leaving Thorin when he most likely needed her most. She made promises, she loved them.

Thorin set a hand on her shoulder, taking her hand in his other and helping her to her feet. His gaze was hard and his jaw was locked. He turned toward her brother, avoiding her eyes.

"Take her with you, she will be far safer with you than following us," he said. There was a trace of defeat in his voice. Nuil withdrew her hand from his with a sharp gasp.

"Thorin!"

Nogoth looked at the dwarf king, a new light entering his eyes. "I thank you, Thorin son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the Mountain." Nuil pulled away from them both.

"You would send me away, just like that?" she breathed, hurt. Thorin would not look her in the eye and she felt the sting of tears. How could he?! She had pledged her loyalty to him, she had promised. How could he send her away like this? Nogoth grabbed her arm, jerking her towards him.

"Let us go, little sister, we have much ground to travel," he told her firmly. She fought his grasp, finding him much stronger than she remembered. His hand held her firm and she kicked out at him. Several members of the company had risen, alarm on their faces.

"Unhand me, Nogoth," she growled loudly. With her free hand she raised it as if to strike him. Seeing this, he wrapped his arm around her waist and struck her midsection with a firm blow. Pain bloomed from her stomach, and black spots danced in her vision. She gasped before falling limp in his arms. Fili and Kili gave outraged yells.

"Put her down!"

"Let her go!"

Thorin stared at Nogoth, a fierce glare etched on his face. He said nothing however as he took Nuil to his horse, placing her in the saddle and climbing up behind her. He wanted nothing more than to smash the man's head into the ground, and take her limp form from him. But he wouldn't. Nuil was bent forward, eyes closed and breathing deeply. Nogoth looked down at Thorin who had yet to stop glaring at him.

"You have my thanks," he murmured.

"Aren't you going to stop him?" Fili demanded as Nogoth rode off into the night. His blue eyes blazed with ill restrained fury as he stomped over to Thorin. "You're just going to let him take her?!" Thorin glanced at his nephew, a mask of indifference on his face. He felt horrible, truly. But it was for her own good.

Kili stared after the retreating rider with a look of shock. Bilbo had risen from his bedroll, looking stricken. She was gone? Nuil was gone? Bilbo clutched her cloak tightly around his shoulders, feeling himself shake. He wanted to curl up and weep. She couldn't be gone. He turned his gaze to the leader of their company, a hurt and reproachful emotion in his wide blue eyes.

"Aren't you going to say something, uncle?" Kili asked softly, almost dejectedly.

What could he say? He had just willing sent away the one person that- he clenched his fists. It was for her own good, he kept reminding himself. He couldn't see her dead, not like Frerin and Eurig. Fili was staring at him with the utmost loathing he had ever seen on the lads face. It cut him like a knife, but it had to be.

"Get some rest," he told them firmly as he wandered to the edge of camp. There would be little sleep for him this night.

As always, let me know if something doesn't make sense.

Special thank you to my reviewers!: Comics4theFeels, Sam0728, RALover89, Just4Me, and Fangirlatyourservice. Also thank you to my readers, and favoriters! Hopefully I've answered most of your questions, if not, let me know. I'll get back to responding to reviews once I get my schedule under control!

Probably will post another chapter Sunday. :3 Thorin you are in some serious trouble!

Read and Review!

~filimeala