Big thanks to Cow-Lover2214, aquakim, Inperfection and ZabuzasGirl for following/favouriting.

Nice Egan – No I can't imagine Bilbo will be happy for much longer. Yeah I'm getting excited about the moment she tells them the truth – which is coming very soon. And Fira has enough sass for the whole company as far as I'm concerned.

Eruwaedhiel95 – I know! I mean I would be a bit annoyed at him as well but he's just too cute!

Rachetg – Oh yeah I'm totally with Fira…but Kili is just the sweetest thing ever! She can't stay mad at him…can she?

Inperfection – Glad you are enjoying. Things are going to star heating up soon.

Celebrisilweth - Kili's gonna have his fair share of reckless moments…as is Fira

ZabuzasGirl – Glad you are enjoying it.

Apologies, Headaches and a Loving Moment

Fira didn't say a word as they began moving. Thorin had insisted they search the surrounding area for a troll cave. Fira couldn't see why they were bothering. But when she looked at Gandalf she saw a dark look in his eyes. There was clearly more to this than she had first realised.

"Fira!"

At first she thought it was Kili and she quickened her pace. Even though she knew he had spoken out of anger she could still feel his words running round her head. She hadn't planned on being almost skinned and eaten and yet Kili was treating her like she was made of glass!

"Fira wait!"

Turning round Fira realised with a start that it was Fili. He jogged to catch up with her and as she glanced over his shoulder Fira saw Kili giving her a pleading glance. Shaking her head she turned back around and began walking as Fili joined her.

"How are you?"

Nodding she raised an eyebrow, "Did your brother send you to act as a peace maker?"

Fili bit his lip and Fira scowled.

"If he wants to talk to me he can do it himself."

"Bit hard when you're determined to stay away from him."

Pausing Fira nodded in agreement.

"I know," she glanced back over her shoulder before looking back over at Fili again.

"I don't understand why he was so angry. I didn't do anything. Not really."

Fili gave a small shake of the head and at the serious look crossing his face Fira wondered if he too was about to lecture her. Fili glanced over his shoulder.

"Think of it from Kili's point of view. You run off to confront three huge trolls. You're caught and almost killed. And then you later put yourself in danger and almost get killed again!"

As he spoke Fira realised how bad it really was. But she still didn't fully understand Kili's anger over it. Fili must have read her mind because he fixed a weak smile on his face.

"Listen Fira; I'm not saying Kili had the right to be so angry with you. And believe me he's wishing he could take back what he said. But…" he peered at her closely, "Do you realise how much you mean to Kili?"

Fira stopped in her tracks. She knew she was Kili's friend. But she had never imagined that she could be so special to him. Trying to ignore the pounding of her heart she forced herself to shake her head. Fili nodded.

"Well you mean a great deal to him. Far more than he's willing to admit actually. My point is…don't hold this against him Fira. He feels bad enough already. The last thing he needs is to think you hate him."

Nodding Fira reached over and squeezed Fili's hand.

"I'll talk to him. I promise."

Fili breathed a small sigh of relief, "Anything to take away his lost puppy look."

Kili couldn't have been described any better. Snorting Fira placed a hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter. Fili smiled back but Fira could tell he had something else on his mind.

"What is it?"

"It's nothing. I just wanted to say thank you."

"For?"

"Kili told me what you said to him yesterday. He's never had any self-confidence and he always puts himself down. I try and make him see how great he is but I know he doesn't always believe me. What you said to him though…"

Nodding Fira took a deep breath and inched closer to Fili. She didn't want the wrong ears to overhear this.

"I might mean a lot to Kili. But he means far to me than I do to him. What I said to him…I meant every single word of it."

Fira gave her a cheeky smile before turning and hurrying back to join Kili. Watching him go Fira sighed as Kili glanced up and gave her a brief smile. Returning it she watched his eyes light up. Shoving her hands into her pockets she stumbled on along with the others.

She had to tell them and she had to do it soon.

As they reached the troll cave Kili's insides churned from the stench. Glancing over he was pleased to see that Fili looked equally sick. Gandalf, Thorin, Nori, Gloin and Bofur were heading inside and Kili couldn't help but wonder what sort of buried secrets they would find. The others were all busy resting their legs and as he looked around his eyes fell on the figure of Fira sitting by Balin. The older dwarf said something to her and as she laughed Kili wondered if his blush could become any more obvious.

"Kee?"

"Hmm?" Looking over his shoulder he saw Fili moving towards the mouth of the cave. Kili looked over at Fira with a small pang. He should talk to her. Explain that he hadn't meant to upset her and that he'd been so frightened of watching her die. He remembered the trolls suggesting that they skin her and the thought of such a thing happening caused the nausea to worsen in his stomach. Shaking his head he forced his gaze away from Fira and moved after Fili who had already entered the troll cave. Gandalf and Thorin were in the far corner whilst Kili saw Bofur, Gloin and Nori were busy piling gold coins into a small chest. Shaking his head he followed Fili who had moved towards a small pile a few feet from the entrance. Kili's eyes widened at the hoard. Weapons, coins, jewellery, trinkets, gemstones. He even caught a glimpse of some armour. Fili began rifling through the weapons whilst Kili turned his attention to the jewels. Kneeling down he ran his hands over the items before his fingers brushed against what looked like a hair clasp. Blowing the dust away Kili pulled it out and gently held it in his hand. Underneath all of the dirt and grime he could tell it was a small branch with leaves on each side. He guessed it was silver but he couldn't be sure. Glancing round to see if anyone was looking he slipped it into his pocket. Once cleaned and polished it would be a beautiful gift for Fira.

And that's when he saw it.

Hidden underneath everything else was a small ring. Inching forward Kili pulled it out – mindful of the large emerald that were encrusted on the top – and examined it closely. Unlike some of the company members he was no expert with gems. He and Fili had forged weapons back home. But despite that he knew it was made by dwarvish hands. The ring itself was gold and before he could think about it Kili slipped it into his pocket. Maybe he could give it to Fira as yet another present. It didn't have to show how much he cared for her.

Kili sighed. He knew his feelings for her wouldn't never go away. He would either be forced to tell her or stay away from her. The first idea terrified him but the second was almost haunting!

"Fili, Kili!"

Kili jumped at Thorin's voice and as he got to his feet he saw Fili holding two daggers in his hands. He sheathed one before holding the second one out to Kili.

"Call it an early birthday present."

Taking the dagger Kili smiled gratefully. He was lucky to have a brother like Fili. And he was beyond lucky to know someone like Fira.

Fira rubber her head absentmindedly as the small group left the troll cave. Bringing her hand away she grimaced as she saw blood staining her fingers. As Gandalf moved to a small corner to talk to Bilbo Fira glanced up to see Kili coming towards her. One hand seemed to be fumbling with something inside his coat pocket. Fira hid her bloodied fingers from him – knowing he'd only yell at her again. However, this time Kili seemed almost nervous of her.

"How are you?"

Fira nodded and Kili bit his lip.

"I came to apologise for how I acted earlier. What you did was incredibly brave and I should have said so instead of getting angry."

"Kili its fine," Fira wished she wasn't so tongue tied around him, "I shouldn't have run off like I did and I'm sorry. I never meant to scare you. To be honest I didn't think I would."

His eyes widened, "Of course you scared me! I thought you were going to die!" he paused before taking a deep breath.

"Either way, I'm sorry for not protecting you like I should have done."

Fira blinked at this. Kili didn't need to protect her from anything. She would have said so when her head started to ache again. Trying to ignore her shaky legs Fira got to her feet. Kili gave her a nervous glance.

"Are you alright?"

Fira nodded and Kili shook his head.

"You've gone white," he mumbled as he sat her down. Fira bit down on her protests as he began looking her over. She knew it wouldn't be long before he realised what had happened.

Sure enough as Kili reached the back of her head his fingers dug into her shoulders.

"You're bleeding!" Moving back around he gaped at her.

"Fira your head is bleeding!"

"I'm fine," Fira mumbled as Kili's yells simply burned through her head. However he was already running off towards Oin. Shutting her eyes Fira took several deep breaths to control the nausea shooting through her body. She only opened her eyes again when the sound of footsteps got even closer. As Oin began looking her over Fira sneaked a glance at Kili. Even though he was trying to hide it, it was clear he was shaking. Reaching out a hand she rubbed his arm.

"Kili I'm fine."

He nodded but she could still see unease in his eyes. Oin pressed a cloth to her head.

"Ye should be fine in a few minutes' lass. But next time tell me. Head injures can often be very deceptive."

As he moved away Fira inched over on the rock she was sitting on to make room for Kili who sat down without saying a word.

"Why didn't you mention it to me?"

Fira raised an eyebrow, "Because I was being stubborn and refusing to talk to you."

Kili sighed but Fira could see a glimmer of a smile. He then licked his lips.

"When I uh…saw you…bathing," he blushed again and Fira bit her lip as Kili continued.

"I saw two strange ridges on your back," he shook his head, "I mean, it's none of my business. You don't have to say anything to that I was just being curious."

Fira sighed, "I've always had them. It's a birth defect I guess."

Hot exactly a lie either. Kili nodded as his hand inched towards hers and Fira waited with baited breath. Kili's fingers brushed against her wrists before he took her hand.

"Fira…I need to tell you something."

Fira realised that she had unconsciously moved closer to Kili. He glanced up at her and at the sight of those huge dark eyes Fira licked her lips – tightening the grip on his hand.

"I…"Kili blushed and looked down again. Fira squeezed his hand and Kili nodded.

"Fira…you mean a lot to me. More than I could have ever imagined."

He was about to say something else when Thorin's shout broke the spell that had the pair frozen in place. Kili suddenly withdrew his hand and got to his feet sheepishly. As he ran off Fira brushed herself down before following. Was it possible Kili did feel about her the way she did about him? Looking over she saw him staying close with Fili and she licked her lips. She knew it was unfair but she hated Thorin for interrupting that moment. However, any feelings towards the dwarf king vanished as Gandalf drew out his sword.

"Stay together!"

As the wizard hurried through the thick clump of trees the others hurried on behind. Through no design of her own by the time they reached a small clearing Fira found herself right next to Kili. As a huge shape burst from the trees he instantly stepped in front of her and took aim with his bow. The shape stopped and Fira gaped at the sledge that was being pulled by around a dozen large rabbits. Riding the sledge was a short figure with a wild face and beard to match. His ragged brown clothes fell to the floor and he was staring at them all. Gandalf gave a small chuckle.

Radagast! Radagast the Brown!"

Radagast nodded and the dwarves slowly lowered their weapons as Gandalf approached their new visitor. Fira stepped out from behind Kili who gave her a sheepish smile. Gandalf gave a small nod.

"What are you doing here?"

Fira noticed he didn't seem all that happy to see the other wizard. Radagast wrung his hands.

"I was looking for you Gandalf!" Radagast cried, "Something's wrong! Something's terribly terribly wrong!"

Glancing at the others Fira realised they were starting to share her look of worry. Radagast opened his mouth before pausing.

"I had a thought and now I've lost it!" he shook his head, "It was right here on the tip of my tongue!"

With a look that crossed between amusement and disgust Fira watched as Radagast stuck his tongue out and Gandalf pulled an insect from it.

"It's not a thought at all. It's a silly old stick insect."

Fira rolled her eyes as the two wizards began to move away. When it became clear they were going to be talking for a while she copied the others and sat down. Kili sat close beside her and Fira wondered if he was going to finish what he had tried to say earlier. But now they were well within ear shot of the entire company that didn't seem like a possibility. Kili smiled weakly at her.

"How are you?"

Fira nodded, "Very tired." She hadn't had any sleep for over a day and had a feeling it would be a long time before she got any more. Kili rubbed her arm.

"You can sleep when we start riding again," he glanced over, "Assuming we do start again."

Fira opened her mouth when the silence of the air was cut off with a blood chilling howl. Everyone was one their feet in an instant and Fira drew her sword whilst Kili took aim with his bow.

"Was that a wolf?" Bilbo asked, "Are there wolves out here?"

Fira shook her head weakly and Bofur bit his lip.

"Wolf? No that is not a wolf."

Following the dwarf gaze Fira froze as the sun that had been streaming through the trees a second ago was now blocked by a huge black shape. Her whole body locked up as the warg stared came into view.

The warg staring right at her.

So Fira and Kili made up AND HE ALMOST GOT TO TELL HER! Boo Thorin for interrupting their moment. But now we have orcs and wargs to contend with now so I can guarantee more recklessness will ensure. Only a couple of chapters until the company find out who Fira is (or rather what she is). Let me know what you think xxx