Big thanks to DestielLover27and Pinkhippo204 for following/favouriting.

Rachetg – Had to have everyone be nice and friendly again.

Nice Egan – Thought that part would! And yeah their relationship should certainly be an interesting one.

A Hidden Enemy Makes a Reappearance

Opening his eyes Kili soon realised he was the first to wake up. Giving that he had several sharp stones digging into his back he wasn't exactly surprised either. Rubbing his eyes with one hand he looked down to see Fire curled up against him. Her head rested on his stomach and his other arm was carefully wrapped around her body – pulling her against him. Smiling fondly Kili brushed several loose hair strands away from her face before leaning down and kissing the top of her head. As his lips brushed her hair she mumbled something under her breathe and a look of worry crossed her face. Kili tightened his grip. He hadn't mentioned it but he knew something was bothering her. Now that they were being hunted down by orcs most of the company were getting more and more jumpy the further they travelled through the mountains; but Fira was the worst of them all. Kili often caught her looking over her shoulder and she nearly always jumped at the slightest noise. His fingers rummaged around in his coat pocket and as he pulled out the ring Kili's smile grew. He hadn't had much of a chance to work on it and his knife wasn't the best tool for the job. He knew Bifur would have some tools but there was no way of getting them without raising suspicion. Kili glanced at the ring again – he had an idea building in his mind about when to give it to her. He just wasn't sure if it was a good one or not.

Slipping the ring back in his pocket Kili sighed as the look of worry fell over Fira's face again. Resting his head back on the ground he sighed – if orcs were to ever find them and catch them he wouldn't let them touch her. He'd offer himself up in a heartbeat before any of them even looked in Fira's direction. Gently stroking her cheek Kili realised with a sad smile that the others were starting to wake up around him. He sighed before sitting up and gently nudging Fira. She shook her head and Kili smiled fondly at her.

"Wake up my love."

She forced her eyes open before giving him a sleepy glare. Kili did an innocent shrug as she sat up and yawned. At the sight he wanted to pull her against him and hug her. They'd spent the entire night in each - others arms but that wasn't enough for Kili. He'd never fully understood what his mother had meant by the bond between a dwarf and their One until now. Every moment not touching Fira was horrible. But he didn't want to come across as too clingy or too needy. But as Fira took his hands he could see the similar want in her eyes and before he could stop himself he drew her close and put an arm around her shoulder. Her lips brushed against his neck.

"Morning," she mumbled. Kili nodded back before kissing her on her nose. As Fili's wolf whistles filled the air both he and Fira rolled their eyes.

"It's been over a month since leaving Rivendell!" Fili cried, "Surely you guys must be tired of holding each other every five minutes?"

Kili watched as Fira got to her feet; that familiar cheeky look on her face. She rubbed Kili's shoulder.

"Maybe we just like annoying you? Have you thought of that?"

Fili sighed before winking at the pair of them. Kili got to his feet and found himself clinging to Fira's hand as a strange sense of nervousness came over him.

"You were joking then weren't you?"

"Hm?"

"I mean…you were joking about what you said to Fili. You don't do this just to tease him and the others?"

She squeezed his hand, "Of course I was joking. Kili…" she blushed, "Without sounding like an idiot I hate not being in your arms."

Kili nodded with a relieved sigh, "I'm sorry…just sometimes I wake up and see you lying beside me and I wonder if it'll turn out to be a dream. Or that you'll turn around and say you never could love me."

Fira pulled him close and ran her fingers through his tangled hair.

"Kili I swear to you, right here, right now, that I love you. I will never stop loving you no matter what happens and I will do whatever it takes to be deserving of your love."

Kili kissed her hands with a bashful smile – this time ignoring the cheers and whistles coming from the others. Only when Thorin cleared his throat did he look up.

"Let's get moving," his uncle sighed dejectedly, "We've a long walk ahead of us."

'Long walk' was putting it mildly. By the time it was lunch Fira was almost certain they had travelled the whole length of the Misty Mountains twice. By dinner it was clear the company couldn't travel for much longer and yet Thorin persisted in walking. As the sky began to darken Fira didn't dare look down. They had moved from thick mountain plains to small, narrow passes and she couldn't help but cling to Kili's hand as they walked. She knew it was stupid – if she fell the last thing she wanted was to take him with her. But each time she tried to remove her hand he gripped it tightly and when she saw his face Fira realised that heights weren't Kili's friend. In fact he was shaking far more than anyone else – including Bilbo. Inching close Fira kissed the back of his neck.

"It'll be alright," she whispered, "We'll be off soon."

He gave her a nervous nod and Fira froze as a huge rumble came from the sky above. In the space of a single second the sky had transformed from cloudy skies to threatening clouds. Behind her she knew was Fili whilst Mithiel was a few people ahead. Every so often she had caught the pair talking to each other and sending small glances when they couldn't talk. With a small sigh she made a mental note to get Mithiel alone and talk to her about the blonde dwarf. In front of her Kili wobbled and his boots slipped dangerously close to the edge of the mountain pass. Fira rubbed his arm – trying to ignore that rain that was starting to hit them.

"A few more steps my love and then we'll find shelter."

Kili nodded, "I imagine you think me an idiot to be scared of heights. These must be nothing to you."

Fira had to strain to hear him over the rising wind. She sighed.

"No you aren't an idiot. It's normal to be scared of something," she paused, "I'm terrified of the open water. I used to have these nightmares that I was drowning and the water would be rising all the time."

Kili would have replied when a crack of thunder shot through and the rain began to pelt the company who were sticking to the edge of the mountain for safety. Daring to lift her head Fira could just about see Thorin driving his axe into the ground in order to brace his body against the wind,

"We must find shelter!" he roared.

Fira nodded. That sounded like a good plan. She could feel Kili shaking even more and she longed to be able to turn into a dragon and fly them all to safety. Fira shook her head; if she could shift again she could just take them to Erebor and be done with it. At the sound of Bilbo's cries she herself froze in her tracks – but the happy cries of several others reassured her the hobbit was alright.

"WATCH OUT!" Thorin yelled. Fira looked to see a giant boulder crash into the mountain slope above them. She clung to Kili who had turned and was holding his arm over her head to protect it.

"Are you alright!" He was forced to yell and Fira nodded; getting to her feet. As there was another flash of lightening however her stomach plunged when she caught sight of a huge black shape before it was obscured by the darkness. But they had been no mistaking it.

It had been a dragon

"This isn't a thunderstorm!" Balin got to his feet, "It's a thunder battle. Look!"

Everyone followed the dwarf's finger in time to see a huge figure breaking free from the mountain. Fira held Kili close as his shaking got worse and worse.

"Bless me," Bofur yelled, "The legends are true. Giants! Stone Giants!"

"We need to find shelter!"

Thorin pushed his way forward as the stone giant pulled yet another large boulder and threw it towards the huddled dwarves. As it crashed above them – showering them with debris. Kili gasped and Fira did likewise when she saw a gap appear before his feet – widening all the time. He turned and kissed her full on the mouth.

"I love you."

Fira's cry was lost as Kili – somehow – swung her round and pushed her towards the others. Fira felt Dwalin's arms around her and when she looked she saw the gap was too wide for the others to make it. Not that it stopped her from fighting.

"Kili! KILI!"

Dwalin tried to shush her but as the other half of the company began to disappear into the blackness Fira just fought more. In the end Dwalin wrapped his arms around her waist and half carried, half dragged her along with the others. Only when everyone crashed around her in a heap did Fira realise she was safe. Looking up she saw a very dazed and terrified Mithiel. Running towards her she was shocked at the tears in the elfs eyes.

"What is it?"

"Fili..?" She tailed off and Fira squeezed her hand before turning around. Fira began to shake as they re-appeared only this time opposite her. With a jolt she realised the small mountain pass had now separated to become the two knees of the stone giant. Someone else cried out and Fira looked up to see another stone giant throwing a boulder at the head of the one holding the rest of the company. The boulder collided and the stone giant began falling backwards – it's knees heading straight for a huge cliff face a few feet further along the pass. Fira's screams could easily be heard over the wind as the bit holding the company smashed into the mountain

"FILI! KILI!" Thorin screamed. Fira shook her head as Mithiel grabbed her and pulled her along. The company couldn't run fast enough and soon Fira was neck and neck with Thorin as she turned to see a huge pile of dwarves groaning and moaning.

"It's alright! Their alive!" Balin cried out.

Fira gave Fili a weak smile, noticing how his eyes lit up at the sight of Mithiel. But as the others reunited Fira realised Kili was nowhere to be seen. Fear filled her heart as she looked towards the bottomless chasm.

"Kili? Kili!"

The others began looking around and when she saw Thorin and Fili, Fira could see the terror in her eyes. Tears fell down her face and she pressed a hand to her mouth.

"No…no Kili?"

"Fira!"

Fira almost screamed at the voice. Spinning round she saw Kili limping towards her, he had a huge gash on his forehead but other than that he seemed fine. He opened his mouth to speak when Fira grabbed him and kissed him hard on the mouth.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

He winked before holding her close. "I had to keep you safe," he whispered. Fira nodded slightly before Bofur's cry caused her knees to shake.

"Bilbo? Where's the hobbit?"

As the others began to move towards the edge of the pass Fira moved forward when Kili pulled her back.

"He'll be fine, they'll get him," he gently stroked her face, ""I thought I would never see you again."

Fira held him close, "Same here."

Kili kissed her gently on the forehead before Fira opened her eyes with a gasp.

"I'm coming for you Fira. You believed you could have escaped me?"

"Fira?"

She shook her head. Opening her mouth she shut it again as Sols voice reappeared.

"I'd say your goodbye now. You won't get another chance to say them."

Fira began shaking her head – fully aware of Thorin yelling at Bilbo again. But none of that mattered now that Sol was inside her head.

"And if you're wondering how much pain you'll be put through before you die – here's a small taste."

Fira opened her mouth when a sharp cry came from the back of her throat. Kili grabbed her by the arms as she sank to her knees.

"Fira? FIRA!"

All around her Fira could hear the others crowding around her. Clutching her stomach she shook her head.

"I'm fine…" as another pain hit her she couldn't stop her cry. How could she have forgotten Sol's 'gift'. His ability to worm is way inside people's minds and bodies was the main reason he was Tharos' right hand man. If he wanted to cause pain all he had to do was snap his fingers. Fira was aware of Kili kneeling beside her.

"It burns," she gasped as he stroked her face, "Everything burns…"

He yelled something but Fira could only gasp as she could feel her throat being closed off. Grabbing Kili's hand and she shook her head weakly.

"Kili…"

Everything went dark.

The second Fira shut her eyes Kili began shaking her.

"Fira wake up! Please wake up sweetheart!"

He was aware of Fili rubbed his back whilst Oin knelt down and placed a hand on Fira's head.

"She's still breathing," he glanced at the others, "Did she have any injuries or..?"

As everyone shook her head Kili tried to forget the sight of her withering on the ground like a dying animal. He kissed her forehead before pulling her into his arms.

"We need shelter!" Thorin yelled. Kili was about to send him a scathing reply when he heard Dwalin's voice.

"There's a cave not far away."

Getting to his feet Kili took Fira in his arms – fear of heights banished. He pushed his way towards the front of the group and hurried inside the mouth of the cave. His whole body was still shaking from both his fear and the cold. Looking down at Fira he could see the corners of her lips turning grey.

"Oin!"

Laying her on the ground Kili shuffled over to give Oin some room. The healer rubbed her hands.

"We need to warm her up. She'll get hypothermia if we wait too long."

"Hyper..?" Kili shook his head and pulled out his blanket – wrapping it tightly around her body. Someone chucked him a coat and when he saw Dwalin's tired face he gave a small nod in thanks.

"Search to the back," Thorin said, "Mountain caves are seldom unoccupied."

As several others began moving Kili pulled Fira against him and hugged her tight. She was no longer shaking and whatever pain she had been in before seemed to have vanished. He stroked her cheek – fully aware of her eyes flickering.

"Fira? My love?"

"Kili?" Fira forced her eyes open and Kili kissed her on the forehead. She narrowed her eyes.

"What happened?" she glanced around, "Where are we?"

"A mountain cave," Mithiel explained. Fira nodded and Kili sat back to allow her to curl up against him. He rubbed her back gently.

"What happened? One minute you were fine and the next..?" he trailed off. Fira shook her head.

"I don't know. There was this sudden burning pain in my head. I can't explain it."

Nodding Kili kissed the top of her hair as she leant against him. He gave a sad sigh. He didn't know why she had done it but he knew Fira wasn't telling him the truth.

So for all those who thought Sol had been forgotten about then think again! Next chapter is going to have a few interesting showdowns. And of course we are running up to Goblin Town now! Will never fully get over just how caring and protective Kili is! Let me know what you all think xxxxx