Big thanks to Slyjard Ember-fire for following.

Rachetg – He knows she is a Dragonborn (for now!)

Celebrisilweth – No it doesn't. Sol is going to get even more involved as we go on.

Nice Egan – Gandalf always knows more than he lets on. And Fira and Kili are so cute together! You get to find out a bit about her family later one. As for Thorin I wanted to make him a bit nicer for you all.

A Prince in Disguise

Fira grunted as she swung herself into her room via the window. She had been forced to stay in that alley a good half an hour after Sol had left until she'd stopped shaking. Brushing the tears from her eyes she'd quickly relieved herself before hurrying back to the Prancing Pony. What she needed was a good night's sleep; and with any luck things would seem better the next day.

Sitting now on her small bed Fira ran her fingers through her tangled hair before easing her jacket and shirt off. Things weren't going to look better in the morning. In fact they would look worse. She'd be faced with another day of travelling with people she had to kill. People who didn't trust her and a wizard who could expose her at any moment. Fira ran a hand over her bare stomach – wincing as she passed over each and every scar. More covered her arms, back and legs and she couldn't stop gazing at her ruined hands and arms. The searing pain of trying to shift again flashed through her mind. The burning feeling that crept up her forearms leaving them just as scarred as her hands. Biting her lip she kicked her boots off and pushed the blankets off the bed. It was far too warm for such things and she'd never really liked them anyway. They always made her feel hemmed in.

Seconds before she sat down a sudden noise in the corridor caused Fira to jump to her feet and grab her knife. With one in each boot and another hanging from the back of her corset she was hardly being caught unawares. Licking her lips she inched towards her door. Whatever had made that noise was right outside it. Raising an eyebrow Fira paused as the noise came again. She couldn't be sure but it sounded like someone was rolling around by her door. Taking a deep breath Fira tightened her grip on her knife whilst reaching for the door handle with her other hand.

"I, 2, 3!"

She pulled the door open and a startled cry came from the corridor. Fira's knife was poised and ready to strike when the figure rubbed his head and forced himself to his feet. In the dark it took Fira a few seconds to twig who it was.

"Kili?"

The dwarf gave her a bashful smile. Sheathing her knife Fira was suddenly aware she had very little on. Without giving Kili a second glance she turned and grabbed her shirt – hurriedly pulling it on so he didn't see her arms. Turning back she watched as he licked his lips.

"What are you doing," she peered into the corridor to make sure this wasn't some practical joke. The sound of the others could still be heard downstairs, "outside my room?"

Kili shuffled his boots nervously, "Well downstairs is now filled with about twenty or so drunk men – all of whom were staring at you earlier. I wouldn't put it past any of them to come up here and force their way into your bed."

Fira gave a slow nod, "And you thought you'd keep me safe from such men?"

He nodded slowly and Fira realised he was being serious. Her face softening she reached out and rubbed his shoulder awkwardly.

"Thanks, I wasn't expecting any of you to care whether or not I got assaulted on this quest."

She'd said it offhandedly but Kili's whole face stiffened.

"Of course we would care! You're…" he trailed off, "You're a woman!"

Fira opened her mouth when he shook his head, "I didn't mean like that. I just meant, well even if some of them don't like you, they would do anything to stop something like that happening to you."

Nodding Fira was about to say something when she saw Kili's eyes had darkened. As his fingers brushed against her bruised cheek Fira trembled. How would she explain this to him?

"What happened?"

She shook her head, "Nothing. I tripped going up the stairs that's all. I can be incredibly clumsy at times."

He nodded but Fira knew he wasn't fully convinced. Eager for him not to press the matter she looked down at the floor. By the looks of things Kili was going to be staying here all night and Fira didn't want to be blamed for his bad back the next day.

"I'm grateful for the gesture but you can't sleep out here all night. At least come in here where it's warm."

At the mention of comfort she noticed Kili's face perk up. However as he leaned in he saw the single bed.

"I couldn't."

Fira frowned and he sighed.

"There's only one bed."

"So? It's better than the floor surely?"

"But I can't share a bed with you! I mean, I'd like to," his face went scarlet, "Not in that way of course! What I mean to say is that…"

Fira raised an eyebrow, "So when we camp each night you guys are going to sleep about five miles away from me so no one gets the wrong idea?"

Kili shook his head, "That's different. We're in a group and I wouldn't be sleeping with you then would I? Well I wouldn't be sleeping with you tonight but, well I mean…" he blushed again and before he got his words into even more of a muddle Fira placed a finger to his lips.

"Very well. But at least take a pillow if you're really going to spend the night here."

As Kili nodded Fira turned and grabbed the pillow from the bed. She could use her clothes after all. As she handed it over she didn't dare look at the dwarf in case she blushed. Why on earth he cared so much about her safety was beyond her. Maybe because they were riding together he felt an obligation to make sure she was alright? As Kili sat back down Fira gently pushed the door to.

"Kili?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

He smiled before sitting in the corner. Shutting the door Fira blinked and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. This was getting ridiculous. She'd known this dwarf for a couple of days and she was acting like a silly girl over him! Shaking her head Fira piled her clothes up and rested her head on them before shutting her eyes and falling asleep.

The next day certainly had nice weather even if Fira's insides were doing somersaults. Twice she'd turned down Fili and Kili's offers of breakfast only for Nori to comment that she was trying to lose weight in order to impress a certain dwarf. Ignoring Kili's dark glances Fira simply shrugged before moving away to talk to Bilbo. Apart from Gandalf and Balin the hobbit had barely spoken to anyone yesterday and she had a feeling the dwarves were trying to make him an outsider to.

"Morning."

He blinked at her before looking round, "Fili and Kili aren't here."

"I know. I came to see you."

He gave a slow nod and shuffled across his bench so Fira could join him. After remembering what Kili said from last night Fira looked up - Indeed several pairs of eyes landed on her and she crossed her arms over her chest. Bilbo downed the last of his drink and Fira smiled.

"How are you?"

He nodded, "I'm fine. I've been to Bree a few times before this so it still doesn't seem real yet. I imagine that will change by tonight though."

Fira nodded, "I'd prepare yourself for sleeping rough Bilbo. It's all you'll be doing from now on."

A wistful smile fell on Bilbo's face, "When I was a child I used to go camping with my friends. We only went as far as the fields of course. We'd play hide and seek and swim in the rivers. Then at night we'd see the stars come out in all their glory."

"Sounds…nice." A far cry from Fira's childhood of forever living in the barren wastelands of the North. Bilbo nodded before looking over at the dwarves.

"I wish they weren't so…"

"Dismissive?"

"Yes. I mean they claimed to want me on this quest but now I'm here it's like they wish I was back home."

Fira gave a nervous shuffle, "Maybe they're trying to provoke you into proving yourself."

Bilbo sighed, "They'll be waiting a while then."

Fira would have replied but her attention was drawn to Dwalins voice. Looking up Fira saw that Dwalin, Fili, Kili, Gloin and Bifur were on their feet and glaring at three men. Dwalin spat something in a strange langue before shrugging his fur coat off. The three men advanced on the dwarves and Fira gently pulled Bilbo back as the warrior dwarf punched the closest man in the stomach. Within seconds weapons had been drawn and punches and kicks were being thrown. Fira risked a glance at Bilbo to see that he too was staring at the scene in horror. The rest of the company watched on – unsure of whether to help or stay put. Meanwhile Fira sat back and watched. She had assumed that these dwarves relied on their weapons more than their fists. But it seemed they were just as skilled in hand to hand combat. Fili and Kili shocked her the most. Working as a single person they alone took on the shortest of the three men. Fili had him pinned down whilst Kili repeatedly punched him.

"What are they doing?" Bilbo whispered. Fira sighed.

"Who knows? Maybe one of the men called them short?"

Bilbo snorted, "This isn't funny!"

Fira nodded. This had to stop before it got too out of hand. But just as she was about to get to her feet a huge blast of air knocked the group to the floor.

"ENOUGH!"

Even Fira trembled at the rage in Gandalfs eyes and she saw the dwarves looked terrified as the wizard advanced. Nervously the three men got to their feet and hurried from the door. Gandalf cast a glance at Fira before looking back at the dwarves who were now standing up and brushing themselves down. Fira hurried over to them.

"What in the name of Valar were you doing?"

Only Dwalin met her gaze, "Fine way of saying thanks!"

"What?" Fira shook her head, "Don't try and say I started this! I had nothing to do with it!"

Dwalin sighed and Fira looked over to see both Fili and Kili giving each other awkward looks. At the anger in Kili's eyes Fira held her hands behind her back nervously. Eventually Fili faced her.

"They were calling you a slut, and…and a dwarvish whore."

"Oh," Fira stared at the others before looking over at Dwalin.

"I didn't realise…I mean I wouldn't have had you down for defending my honour."

He raised an eyebrow, "Look lass, we might not like ye and we might not like the fact ye in this company. But whether we do or not the fact remains that ye are. And that means that if anyone tries to insult ye or hurt ye then they have us to deal with."

Fira had no idea of what to say. These dwarves were willing to throw punches at some men for simply calling her names and yet she was to be their murderer? Shaking her head she and the rest jumped at Thorin's voice.

"It's time we got moving."

As they travelled Fira's mind was a whirl of thoughts. Once again she was travelling with Kili and despite his constant chatter earlier he knew when she didn't wish to talk. So instead he simply gave her a gentle squeeze and spoke softly to Fili who was behind them.

"Thank you."

Fira looked back to see Fili and Kili staring at her. She smiled.

"I realised I never said thank you for what happened this morning. I've never had anyone fighting over me before."

"We'd do it again," Fili smiled. Meanwhile Kili winked at her and Fira cursed her blushing cheeks. Fili raised an eyebrow before sighing.

"Good job it was Gandalf and not uncle who caught us."

Kili nodded whilst Fira choked on her words.

"Uncle?"

Kili nodded, "Thorins our uncle. Didn't you know?"

"No," she shook her head, "I mean he's a king!"

"And we're his nephews and therefore his heirs," Fili replied calmly. Turning back round Fira felt her chest tightening. Kili was a prince! Which meant he probably had a sweetheart of some sort back in his home. And even if he didn't the fact remained that he was far too good for her.

Why did it even matter if he had a girl? Why did it matter if he was too good for her? She didn't have those sorts of feelings for him. She'd only known him a couple of days.

"Fira?"

She jumped at Kili's voice. Forcing herself to remain calm she nodded.

"Yes?"

"How's your leg doing?"

Fira had completely forgotten about the orc attack. Her leg had ached this morning but she knew in a couple more days she would absolutely fine. Nodding she kept her head down; making a mental note to ride with someone else after lunch. At least now the others weren't shooting her glares all the time. Well Thorin still was but she had expected that. But even Dwalin flashed her a brief, gruff smile. Fira hesitantly returned it – trying to work out the feeling that these dwarves were given her. Even if they didn't like her it was clear they would protect her if needed.

It made her feel safe.

It made her feel wanted!

So a bit of a filler here but I wanted some cute Fira/Kili time. I can just imagine how much Kili was blushing during this chapter! But he's just so adorable! Plus it's nice to see the others being nicer towards her and defending her honour like that (wish i had guys doing that for me) And now Fira knows they're both princes AND is having more and more doubts about what she should do. Let me know what you all think xxxx