Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not my own, yadda yadda yadda. I'm not making any money off of this. (Though I wish I could.)

A/N: The lemon has been posted under "A Night of Passion." Its my first serious attempt at smut, so let me know how I did. Anyways... Onward!

I woke to the sound of voices just outside the room. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the brightness coming from the window. I was laying on my side, my head cradled in the crook of Thorin's elbow. He spooned around me, his face buried in my hair, his other arm curled tightly around my stomach.

"…Did anyone see them last night?" I frowned and lifted my head to glance at the door.

"I do not care where Talya is. Thorin is the one I am concerned for. These Men are untrustworthy. How can we be sure that we have not been betrayed?!" Dwalin's voice was loud. Thorin let out a long breath and stirred in his slumber. I watched as he slowly opened his eyes, his mouth now, too, pulled into a frown. His eyes softened momentarily when he gazed at me and he leaned forward to plant a soft kiss on my lips. I returned the gesture, closing my eyes and sighing.

"We should get up before they send out a search party," I said softly. I could feel dread settle into me as I realized there was no way to exit the room and leave any doubt in anyone's mind about what had happened the night before between Thorin and I.

He exhaled slowly and we both sat up, taking the time to tuck ourselves back into our clothes. I winced as I shifted, definitely sore between my legs. Thorin noticed the gesture and frowned. I smiled slightly back at him and shrugged a little.

"It's been awhile," I said softly. "And you are…" I flushed, suddenly and irritatingly flustered. Thorin laughed deeply and stood up first, then leaned down to take my hands in his. He helped me to my feet and lay another kiss on my lips. We separated and began to adjust ourselves. I watched Thorin as he stretched and begin to tug his shirt over his head.

The sound of our movements must have travelled because, very abruptly, the door was thrown open, Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili standing there. I blushed scarlet and turned away, despite the fact that I was fully clothed. Thorin hardly reacted, unhurriedly pulling his shirt back into place.

"You lay with her?!" Dwalin demanded, his tone accusing. He stepped into the room, his face contorting in anger. "I warned you away from her. From the beginning, I told you something about her was not as it seemed!"

"Dwalin," Thorin warned. "Enough."

"No. It is not enough. You allow this… woman to jeopardize our quest? Did it not ever occur to you that the only reason she is here to seduce a king?!" At that, I whirled around to face Dwalin.

"How dare you?!" I snapped, so unbelievably angry.

"Do not raise your voice to me, harlot." He sneered at me and closed the distance between the two of us. "Tell me, did you seduce that man, Bard as well? Is that why he so willingly allowed you in his home? And what then, when Thorin returned, did you decide that your own kind was not good enough?!"

Thorin had had enough. He stepped between the two of us, shoving Dwalin roughly away.

"I said enough." His eyes were blazing with anger. "Gloin, Dori, take him outside and let him clear his head. Balin, I suggest you talk sense into your brothers' thick skull."

Gloin and Dori stepped into the room and I realized then that our raised voices had gathered the rest of the company to us. They went to grab Dwalin, but he jerked his arm away. He shot one last look at me.

"And so you see, she already comes between you and your kin." Was his parting shot.

I was shaking, my face red from sheer anger and embarrassment.

"Go. Gather your things; plans have not changed. We leave by mid-morning." Thorin called out, still shielding me behind him. Once everyone had cleared out, he turned to face me.

"He should not have said such things to you," He said after a minute.

"Is that what everyone thinks? That I seduced you?" I asked so very quietly. Thorin embraced me tightly to his chest.

"You know it is not. Dwalin… He has only ever looked out for the welfare of his king. He thinks that you will lead me to my death, whether intentional or no."

I felt the same pang in my chest as I had when I had tried to promise Fili that his brother would be fine. In my mind's eye, I saw the great sword of Azog pierce Thorins chest. Tears threatened and spilled over before I could stop them.

"You should go," I said softly, pulling away. "The others will be waiting, and Durins day approaches."

"Talya…"

"Go. I'll be fine."

I turned away from him then, and it hurt so much to do so. I heard him exhale slowly.

"And Thorin…" I said softly. "Make Kili stay."

"Why in Mahal's name should I do that?" His voice was sharp, abrupt, and I glanced at him.

"Because, his leg is not healed and he will slow you down. If he doesn't stay here and his leg worsens, you will not be able to help him on the road."

"I can not ask him to stay behind when he has traveled so far…"

"I am begging you, Thorin. Make him stay." I pleaded. His face became stony, and he nodded once. I let out a breath in relief.

"Thank…"

"Don't. Do not thank me. Kili will never forgive me for forcing him to stay behind while the rest of us journey on to Erebor."

The bitterness in his voice was hard to take. I watched him turn and go, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the room.

It didn't take long for the final preparations to be made. The entire town, it seemed, gathered at the docks to see off the dwarves of Erebor. I stayed a fair distance, my heart aching, as the dwarves, all decked out in new traveling clothes, weapons at their sides and packs on their back, passed by to climb into the waiting boat. Though I would not be leaving, I, too, had my traveling clothes on, no longer able to bear wearing the dress I gave myself to Thorin in. My sword was at my side, my bow and quiver slung over my shoulders.

As they passed, most of them smiled sadly at me, and I wondered what Thorin had told them. Bilbo hesitated, then broke out of the line.

"Chin up, Talya. We will see you again, soon." He said, his usual warm smile on his lips. I chewed my lip a moment and, remembering everything to come, I let out a long breathe. I reached forward and hugged Bilbo tightly to me. He seemed surprised, but returned the hug, patting my back gently.

"Don't not let Thorin get his hands on the Arkenstone. Whatever you do. Please."

I pulled away and Bilbo looked at me sharply. I wondered if he was going to argue, or if he would remember our conversation about my uncanny knowledge. I looked at him pleadingly and after a moment, he nodded once. He squeezed my shoulder and continued on.

Thorin was one of the last to pass by, and his eyes sought out mine. He made his way towards me, ignoring the touches and calls of those around him.

"Promise me you will follow when Smaug lay dead." He pressed. "Promise me you will come to Erebor, that you will be at my side."

I couldn't speak, not after I had just encouraged Bilbo to betray him, so I merely nodded my head rapidly. He sighed and brushed his hand against my face fleetingly, his eyes softening for the briefest of moments before he turned away and headed back to the boat. I watched Thorin and Bilbo exchange words and I remembered that Bofur was missing. I wondered if he was still with the woman from the night before, and my heart lightened, if only for a second.

Kili stepped up to the boat and went to swing his leg in, still stepping very much tenderly, his face very pale. Thorin touched his chest and spoke to him. I watched as Kili jerked back as though he had been hit, shock and betrayal written on his face. Thorin's eyes flicked up to where I stood and looked away.

Oin disembarked, then, too, and stepped next to Kili. Fili grabbed Thorin's upper arm and spoke furiously with him. They exchanged angry words before Fili, too, stepped off the boat, refusing to look at his uncle. I could see the anger in Thorin's face and I ached to know that I was the cause of it.

"Talya!" Fili called. "Talk to him. Tell him that he cannot leave Kili behind!"

Wanting so desperately to walk away, I instead faced the hurt and angry brothers. I walked slowly to them, not meeting their eyes.

"Please, Talya. Tell him I am fine." Kili was pleading and it damn near broke my heart.

"I am the one who told him to leave you behind." I admitted.

"What did you say, lass?" Oin, who had been busy looking over Kili's leg, shot his head up to look at me.

"Why?" Fili demanded at the same time that Kili cried out, "How could you?"

"Because you are not yet healed, Kili. Please, I am doing this for you…" Kili didn't want to hear it.

"And so you see," Fili spat, parroting the words Dwalin had spoken earlier. "She comes between you and your kin."

The venom there and from Fili of all people, left me breathless.

Cheers called out around us as the boat pushed off from the dock. Though surrounded by people, I felt so terribly alone and for the first time in months, I wished I was home.

"Ah! So you missed the boat as well?" Came Bofur's breathless voice as he came to a halt next to us. He leaned over, resting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

Kili glanced at Bofur darkly, then, pointedly not looking at me, glanced between Fili and Oin.

"Let's go." He snapped. He looked so miserable and exhausted. I knit my brows together, wondering if the excitement and rush of emotions was wearing on him. He went to stand up, but his leg buckled under him and he fell hard to the dock. I rushed forward to grab him, but I was shoved out of the way by Fili. Bofur looked on in surprise.

"Kili. Kili?" FIli called. Kili didn't answer. His face was drawn together in agony and I cursed. Why the fuck hadn't the kingsfoil helped?

"We have to get him inside." I said. Fili ignored me. "Did you hear me? We need to get him help, now!"

In a move that was very much reminiscent of Thorin, I watched as his jaw worked under his golden beard.

"Back to our lodgings," Fili slipped an arm under his brother's shoulder, Oin supporting the other side. They hefted him up and began to walk towards the lodge.

"They won't let you back in." I called after them. "Not now that Thorin's gone."

Still, they ignored me.

"Fucking dwarves!" I cursed loudly, then fell into step behind them. They made their way through the crowds, the pace agonizingly slow. As we neared the lodge, Bofur shot forward to speak with the guards. There was much arguing between Bofur and the two guards there before suddenly one of them brandished his pole axe. Bofur jerked back and, yelling something rudely in dwarvish, turned back to us.

"They will not allow us to enter." Bofur said, once he reached us.

Fili cursed and Oin shook his head.

"Be pissed at me if you want, but don't put that ahead of your brother's health." Fili growled in frustration.

"What would you have us do, Talya?" He asked finally.

"Follow me."

We made our way towards Bards' house and Fili must have realized where we were headed because he glared at me. I wondered if Dwalin's words were still playing in his head, the accusations of my supposed dalliances with Bard echoing there.

I did my best to ignore the looks as we stepped up to Bard's house. I knocked hard on the door and waited.

The door swung open and Bard stood there. He looked at me coldly, then over at the dwarves behind me.

"No. I am done with you and your dwarves. Leave." He started to close the door, but Bofur shot his foot out before the door could shut.

"No, no, no! No one will help us. Kili's sick. He's very sick!"

"Please, Bard. Don't turn us away." I pleaded. He let out a long frustrated breath and pushed the door open. He walked away without a word.

"Take him upstairs." I said, ushering them inside. I looked around outside before I closed the door solidly behind us.

"Talya! You are back!" Tilda's voice made me look up and I watched her and Sigrid follow after us. Sigrid looked angry at me, but she frowned when her eyes fell on Kili.

"Girls, I need your help. My friend is very sick. I need blankets and hot water. Quickly."

Sigrid hesitated, but nodded and pulled Tilda along with her. I reached the spare room upstairs and watched Bard thumb threw a bag of medicine.

"I have nightshade, feverfew…"

"They're no use to me." Oin paused and glanced at me. "Do you have any Kingsfoil?

"No. It's a weed. We feed it to the pigs." Bard replied, frowning.

"Pigs… Weed? Right." Bofur glanced back at Kili, his face pinched in pain, a sheen of sweat glistening on his face and neck.

"Don't move." Bofur said, lightly. His face was drawn with worry. Kili offered a very weak smile.

The girls returned, Tilda carrying blankets, Sigrid a pot of hot water. Fili grabbed one of the blankets and quickly wrapped it around his brother's shaking body. Oin cut back Kili's pant leg and cursed at the sight of Kili's swollen leg. I wet a cloth and began to dab at his forehead. He was burning up.

Feeling useless and frustrated, I glanced outside. It was still light out, and I knew that, if Tauriel was really going to show up, it probably wouldn't be until later.

I pushed away from the table and sought our Bard. He was standing near an open window with his arms crossed.
"We need to try and evacuate the city." I said bluntly.

"And go where? There is nowhere to go." He turned and leveled an angry look at me.

"It doesn't matter. Go towards the mountain. Go towards the hills. We just need to get everyone out of here."

"Leave Lake Town and be run down by orcs?" He barked.

"No. The elves of Mirkwood will take care of them." I answered, tired of dancing around, giving cryptic messages and hints. I decided to take the same course of action as I had with Tauriel and maybe shock him with the truth.

"Smaug is going to come here and set fire to the town. Many people will die if we do not get them to leave." I said bluntly. "Get your kids out while you can, Bard. Send them away."

"Send them away, not take them away." Bard narrowed his eyes at me, right away catching the specifics of my words.

"You have to stay."

"The hell I do!" He growled out. He pointed in my face. "Do not think you can come in here after everything you have put me through, put us through, and dare to tell me what to do. I will go where my children do."

"You can't Bard. You have to use the Black Arrow. You have to finish where Girion left off. You have to be the one to kill Smaug."

Bard stopped, frozen in place.

"How did you know about the arrow? I have never spoken of that to anyone."

I groaned and resisted the urge to smack my forehead. I was beginning to get very tired of that question.

"Bard, you know I am different. I am not like normal women." He shot me a glare.

"I am well aware." His words were clipped, and I realized he thought I was making at a dig at his feelings for me.

"I was sent to Middle-Earth by the Valar. I told you before that I was bound to see this quest to completion. That wasn't just some bull shit oath. I know of things, past, present, and future. I know that you are destined to kill Smaug using the Black Arrow passed on to you from your forbearers."

For the first time ever, Bard's usual snapping wit failed him. He stared at me, mouth open in pure shock.

"Please, Bard. Do whatever you can. The people here adore you and they will listen to you if you stand up against the Master. Get them out."

I glanced out the window that Bard had been looking out and watched as the sun set.

"I have to go." I said softly. "Please think about I said and…. Look after Kili, please."

I snuck quickly down the stairs, trying not to alert the dwarves to my departure. I slipped out the door and began to make my way out of town, towards Mirkwood.

"Ah, Lady Conner. What are you doing out without your companions?" A guard, who I recognized as the one who had taken me captive at the armory, stepped out of the shadows drunkenly, a younger man following closely behind. I let out a breath, irritated.

"Look, I don't have time for this. Leave me alone." I growled, irritable.

"Your own kind not good enough?" He barked out, laughing crudely. "Notice that your dwarf king left you behind."

I grit my teeth and continued to walk.

"Get back here," He snapped. "I can show you what it's like to be with a real Man." His hand shot out and grabbed my right shoulder with his left hand.

I had SO had it.

I shot my hand out, grabbed his wrist with my left hand and yanked him forward, hard. As he stumbled towards me, I twisted my body and slammed my elbow into his gut. He let out a harsh grunt and fell forward. Still pulling his arm, his own momentum doing much to carry him forward, I grabbed the back of his head and slammed it forward, bringing my knee up at the same time. My knee smashed solidly into his face and he dropped like a rock, groaning in pain. Blood gushed out of his nose and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. It was over in a matter of seconds.

I snapped my eyes up to look at his partner, whose eyes were wide, startled. He raised his hands in peace and stepped backwards quickly.

I whirled away, and headed back towards the exit.

I picked up a slow jog as night began to fall faster. It didn't take long for me to hear the shuffling of orcs as they began to try and sneak into town. I knelt down and waited for the telltale signs of either Legolas or Tauriel. A caught sight of golden hair and my eyes followed as Legolas began to slip across roof tops towards an orc standing watch. I tugged an arrow from my quiver, knocked it, and let it fly towards the orc Legolas had been heading towards. As my arrow pierced the creatures' neck, the blow effectively silencing him, Legolas's head jerked up, his eyes searching in the dark. With eyes that pierced the darkness much better than my own, he quickly spotted me crouched down. He hesitantly nodded his head towards me before bounding off towards his next target.

I began to search through the town, picking off orcs as I saw them.

There was a solid thud behind me, followed by a snarl. I whipped around and quickly dropped my bow. I withdrew my sword and jerked backwards as an orc swung his blade at me. While they were strong, they lacked speed and graze, and I easily dodged a second clumsy swing. As he swung a third time, I dodged forward and thrust the tip of my blade between his ribs. He faltered and I shoved harder, my own blade sinking solidly into his chest. I jerked my blade free and was sprayed with thick, black blood.

A flash of red hair from overhead and I found Tauriel shooting down an orc in the distance. As soon as her arrow flew, I called out.

"Tauriel!" She glanced down in my direction, surveyed her surroundings, than dropped nimbly in front of me. I snatched my bow up from the ground.

"Kili. He's been shot with a morgul shaft. He needs help, now."

"I know… That is why I am here. How did you know…?" I raised an eye brow and thought suddenly of Gandalf and our long ago conversation about him being a wizard. I felt a pang and I realized how much I missed the old man.

"Come on, follow me." I took off without bothering to see if she was following. We paused once or twice to engage in battle with the orcs we found on our way, but quickly pressed on.

We came to Bard's house before long and, as I stormed through the front door, I watched her nimbly leap to the roof.

"Talya! What happened?!" Bard demanded as he caught sight of my blood splattered clothes.

"Orcs," I replied simply. I took the stairs two at a time and reached the spare room just as Tauriel swung in.

Suddenly, Sigrid screamed behind us and we whirled to find an orc standing there.

"Are you fucking serious right now?!" I rushed in, barely managing to cross blades with the beast before I tugged an arrow out of my quiver and stabbed it into his gut. He jerked back in pain and I took the moment of surprise to slash his throat. A second followed shortly after and when he swung his sword, I scarcely managed to jerk back, but not before the blade bit into my ribs. I cried out in pain and slashed in retaliation, my sword managing to rip into his belly, blood and thicker things pouring out of the great gaping wound.

More orcs began to pour in through the balcony, the windows, and one through the roof. I hastily shoved my blade into its sheath and tugged my bow back in hand. I knocked my bow and let it loose, the arrow lodging through the side of an orcs head just as it loomed over Bain. It fell over before it knew what hit it and I had to dodge quickly as another lumbered after me, swinging wildly over my head.

Legolas jumped through the window then and I rolled my eyes.

"Nice of you to finally join in," I snapped sarcastically as I shot at an orc who had attempted to follow him in.

A scream of pain caused me to jerk and look behind me and I watched as an orc snagged Kili by his wounded leg. Tauriel whipped around and threw a knife, the blade lodging firmly in its throat.

The barrage of orcs began to slow until finally, Legolas and I dispatched the last two nearly simultaneously.

"You killed them all," Bain said, looking between Legolas, Tauriel and myself in wonder. Legolas frowned at the boy and looked to Tauriel.

"There are others. Tauriel, come."

I watched him turn to leave, and shook my head at Tauriel, looking over to Kili who was now curled on the ground, his breaths shallow and his eyes closed.

"We're losing him!" Oin called out. Tauriel glanced at Kili, then at Legolas, and shakes her head. He frowns, then turned and left, just as silently as he had come.

Finally, Bofur burst through the door, his hand clutching the kingsfoil. Tauriel rushed to take the plant from Bofur's hand and touched the leaves humbly. She whispered to them reverently before she went to Kili's side.

"Talya had me wash the wound with the plant before. What can you do now that will help?" Oin asked and Tauriel glanced at me.

"Athelas. Who knew, right?" I muttered, shrugging.

"The action may very well have been what has sustained him thus far. But now, I will apply it to him with the grace of my kind, with the healing touch of the Eldar."

"Come on," I said breathlessly, the adrenaline from the fight wearing off. The dull ache in my ribs was quickly becoming an insistent stabbing pain. "Let Tauriel do her thing."

Bard ushered the kids out first, telling them to go down into the kitchen. Oin and Bofur followed after. Fili watched his brother hesitantly, his brows knitted together in worry.

"There isn't anything you can do for him right now, Fili. Come on." Fili glanced back at me, then nodded and followed after Oin and Bofur. I went next and noticed Bard looking me over, frowning. He brought up the rear and we all made our way down into the kitchen.

I rolled my bow over onto my back and tugged my cloak so that it covered my blood coated right side, figuring I would wait until things settled down to worry about myself. I sat down and winced slightly. While Bard checked over his kids and the dwarves glanced upwards as though they could see their fallen comrade, I slowly reached in and pressed my left hand against my ribs. My tunic there was soaked through with blood and I hissed slowly. When I pulled my hand out, it was coated with blood.

Bard began to turn to look at me and I hastily dropped my hand. He frowned and looked over my form.

"You are injured." It wasn't a question. I shifted in my seat as I noticed everyone turn to look at me. Did I ever mention how much I hated when people did that?

"Yeah," I muttered. Oin glared at me and shook his head, muttering something about me being hypocritical. I caught the word 'stubborn' several times.

"Well now, lass. Let's see it." He made a beckoning motion at me.

"Can I not have an audience for this?" I grumbled. Bard spoke to the children and ushered them into the common room. Bofur followed after, promising to watch them. Bard and Fili remained. Fili was watching me, his face carefully blank, while Bard watched with concern.

I frowned and let out an irritated puff of breath. I stood up, dropped my cloak, and began to tug my tunic over my head. A blush crept up Bard's face and he almost turned away until he caught sight of the blood coating my right side.

The tunic pulled at the wound and I hissed. I dropped the tunic to the floor once it was over my head and stood wearing only a simple bra on my upper half. Fili and Oin did not bat an eye, but Bard was torn between being embarrassed and concerned.

Oin shook his head at me and grabbed a cloth. Bard hastily picked up a flask of what I knew to be some sort of alcoholic beverage and I fought the urge to cuss him out. Oin up ended the flask on to the cloth and began to clean away the blood.

"God dam fucking fucker!" I barely managed to growl out. "That burns like hell."

Oin ignored my outburst, but Fili rolled his eyes. He came to stand at my side and offered me his hand. I realized it was a gesture of peace and while I was still very angry at him for the words he spoke, I took it, using my right hand.

"You're going to need stitches." Oin said after a moment. "The skin's split fairly evenly, but it's very deep."

Bard peered closer and paled.

"Is that… Bone?" He asked. My eyes widened as I glanced at Oin. He frowned at Bard as though he had something he shouldn't have.

"Yes, laddie. That is bone. Truthfully, lass, you should count yourself lucky that no other damage was done. A blow like that could have easily broken something."

"Oh yeah. Tons of luck over here." I muttered. Oin shook his head again and reached into his satchel for a length of thread and a needle. I let out a long breath and Fili pulled my arm taught so that it was out of the way.

"How many stitches do you think this time, Talya?" He asked conversationally.

"I don't know. Over, under?" I asked.

"What to bet?"

"The loser has to clean and sharpen the losers' sword."

He shook his head and I noticed Bard was watching the exchange with some interest.

"I could make an awful joke about polishing swords, but I feel as though it might be wildly inappropriate and, Mahal forbid if my words ever reached my Uncle's ears."

My mouth dropped open. I could not believe he just said that!

I jumped as the first stitch stabbed through my skin.

"You ass! I can not believe you just said that to me!" He shrugged and grinned, but it faltered a moment.

"And I can not believe I spoke to you earlier so harshly." He glanced down for a moment, and I realized that it was a habit of most of the dwarves when they were speaking from the heart. "You have only ever looked after us, particularly Kili, and I had no right to say such harmful things."

"I can understand why you guys were angry at me. But I would not have changed a thing. If Tauriel could not find Kili…" I started. Fili frowned.

"Wait. How did you know Tauriel would come?" I realized what I had let slip.

"Because I did?" I sighed and jerked again as yet another stitch pierced through my skin. "I swear that the whole story will come out some day, Fili, but for now, just realize that sometimes I have a very good idea of what there is to come."

He fell silent and I cursed again as Oin tugged particularly hard.

"So… What's your guess?" I said through clenched teeth. Fili looked down thoughtfully.

"Seventeen."

"Oh come on. It's not that bad. I say only ten."

"Fourteen," Came Bards voice. He walked over with his arms crossed. "I must admit, Talya. I am impressed."

"With what?"

"Well, part with how well you are taking those stitches, and part with your imaginative use of curse words."

I laughed dryly.

"I find that I must thank you, too." He said after a moment. "You saved my sons life."

"She has a habit of doing that." Fili said, nodding to the man. "Shes saved my brother twice now."

"Done." Oin said. He cleaned up the blood that was left from the stitches and began to wrap my ribs.

"Whats the verdict?" I asked, glancing down.

"Thirteen." He answered.

Fili and I glanced at each other, then at Bard.

"So. If you 'polish' his sword… can I watch?" I asked brightly.