Big thanks to Stendy fan101, ValarenOfGondor, Ishouldprobablybedoinghomework and lunerusso for following/favouriting.

Rachetg – The eagles are coming soon!

Celebrisilweth – They do have a tendency to be a bit late.

Eruwaedhiel95 – Glad you are still enjoying it. Things will get sort of better in a bit for them.

The Waiting Game

Everything went into slow motion for Kili. One second Fira was standing over Thorin with Sol towering over her. The next…? He shook his head. His mind kept replaying the image of the knife being pulled from her body. Her sinking to the floor and Sol standing over her. Fira gave a weak cough before her eyes flickered shut and Kili could feel his bond to her start to splinter.

"NO!"

With a huge cry he leapt at Sol and somehow managed to grab onto the man's shoulders. With his knife in one hand Kili stabbed him in the back of the shoulder before jumping to the ground and facing him. Once again he was the one thing standing between Fira and death. Sol reached around and – with an agonising gasp – wrenched the knife from his shoulder. Kili watched open mouth as the weapon clattered to the floor.

"I'd say your goodbyes dwarfling. I don't think she has long left."

Kili swung at the man…and his sword hit thin air. Stumbling forward he glanced up to a sight he never imagined he would ever see.

"What in Mahal's name..?" Fili cried. Kili shook his head weakly as the dragon flew away. Conscious of the battle that was being raged around him he knelt down beside Fira's lifeless body. Taking her hand in his he pressed hurried kisses against her knuckles.

"Come on my love. Come on don't leave me. Not like this."

"Kili!"

At his brother cry Kili glanced over his shoulder in time to see a huge bird flying towards him. As it's talons grabbed him round the middle Kili lashed out in an effort to stay by Fira's side. However her hand slipped from his as he was carried into the air.

And then he was falling.

Out of instinct Kili shut his eyes – only daring to open them when he landed on something soft and warm. Licking his lips he allowed his hands to brush over the eagles feathers whilst Fili stared at him.

"Are you alright?"

Kili nodded; gasping as Fili tackled him in a hug.

"Don't you dare do anything like that again!" He cried, "I thought…Kili I thought you were dead back then!"

Freeing himself Kili clung to the back of the eagle whilst trying not to look down. As the sun began to rise he was aware of the rest of the company travelling on eagles with Gandalf at the very head of the group. But none of that mattered Kili. Looking in every direction possible he tried to see which eagle had taken Fira. He saw Mithiel sitting on an eagle by herself and Kili wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry when he realised she was holding Fira's body in her arms.

"Thorin!"

Kili glanced over at his brothers cry and his face fell.

"Uncle?"

The eagle in front of them held Thorin's lifeless body in its talons. Biting his lip Kili took his brothers hand – no doubt knowing what was going through Fili's mind. If Thorin died..? Fili wasn't ready. Not yet. Kili didn't doubt his brother would be a great king. But he knew to have all that thrown on him now would be far too much.

It was a few hours until they landed. The first eagle carrying Gandalf hovered above a huge rock formation and one by one the other eagles did likewise. As his uncle was dropped down Kili wasted no time in running to his side along with Fili. Both watched on as Gandalf knelt over him.

"Come on Thorin."

He placed a hand on Thorin forehead and Kili watched on in wonder as the wizard began muttering under his breath. For a second or two nothing happened. And then Thorin's eyes gave a small flicker and he forced them open. Gandalf sat back with a smile and Kili followed his brothers lead in helping Thorin to his feet. Thorin gently pulled them both in for a hug.

"Are you both alright?"

Kili knew if he dared to open his mouth he'd start crying again. So instead he simply nodded along with Fili. Thorin held them close before nodding and turning to Gandalf.

"The Halfling," he gasped. Gandalf nodded happily,

"It's alright. Bilbo is here,"

Kili bit his lip as Thorin advanced on Bilbo.

"What were you doing? You could have gotten yourself killed!" He spat.

Kili watched Bilbo's face fall and he glared at his uncle. Bilbo had saved his life and this was how Thorin chose to say thank you?

"Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you could not fend for yourself? That you had no place amongst us?"

Kili was about to step forward and say something on Bilbo's behalf when his uncle suddenly grabbed the hobbit and pulled him into an embrace,

"I have never been so wrong in my whole life,"

The company cheered and clapped at the astonished look on Bilbo's face. Thorin drew away and smiled at the hobbit,

"I am sorry I doubted you,"

"No I would have doubted me to, "Bilbo said, "I'm not a hero. Or a warrior…not even a burglar,"

Kili chuckled to himself at this. However, the laughter of the dwarves faded into silence as their gazes fell over the hobbits shoulder. Kili's eyes widened and he nudged Fili,

"Is that it?" He whispered. Fili nodded and Kili was pleased to see his brother looked equally dumbstruck.

"I think it is Kee."

The company stood at the edge of the rock as they looked across the horizon. In the distance they could see the small shape of a single mountain,

"Is that what I think it is?" Bilbo asked. Gandalf stepped up and nodded,

"Erebor – the lonely mountain. The last great dwarf kingdom of Middle Earth,"

"Our home," Thorin said quietly. The sound of birdsong could be heard above him and as the dwarves looked up they saw a bird fly in the direction of the mountain.

"A raven," Oin held up his battered ear trumpet, "The birds are returning to the mountain,"

"That master Oin, is a thrush," Gandalf corrected the dwarf. Thorin looked down at Bilbo,

"Well we'll take it as a sign. A good omen,"

Bilbo nodded, "You're right. I do believe the worst is behind us,"

The company looked at the mountain for a few silent seconds. Kili was the first to turn away and he bit his lip as he saw one last eagle flying towards them. Nudging Fili he watched as his brothers face lit up at the sight of Mithiel. As much as he wanted to be happy for his brother thought Kili couldn't bring himself to do it. As the eagle landed and Mithiel slid off he rushed forward to watch her kneel down and place Fira on the ground. Kili sat down and pulled her close to his chest, stroking her face.

"I'm here now my love. Don't worry, I've got you."

"She's still breathing," Mithiel sighed, "But the wound is still bleeding and if we don't hurry she will die."

Kili looked up to see everyone was now crowding round him. Mithiel gripped her bad shoulder whilst both Thorin and Dwalin glanced down at Fira. Kili sighed.

"Uncle…whatever you think of her she tried to save you. She stood between you and Azog. She was stabbed because she was protecting you."

Thorin nodded before glancing at the others.

"I will not make this decision here. Let us find a place to make camp and heal our wounds."

Nodding Kili gathered Fira into his arms and got to his feet. His whole back pulled from the whips but he forced himself to ignore it. Meanwhile he watched as Fili took wrapped an arm around Mithiel's waist and helped her down a huge flight of stone steps. Kili took one last look at the sight of the Lonely Mountain before kissing Fira on the lips and following the company.

It didn't take them long to find somewhere to camp. The second they found a clearing big enough Thorin stopped and Gloin began setting up a fire. Every company member still had their packs even though the majority were missing over half of their things. But they all still had weapons and most of Oin's healing supplies were still with him. Kili gently lay Fira down as the healer began barking out orders.

"Okay anyone who is seriously injured stay with me and the rest wait by the fire."

Kili's back hurt but it wasn't exactly serious. But he wasn't leaving Fira's side for anything and so he sat down beside her. Mithiel and Fili sat down along with Thorin, Bofur and Ori. Oin sat down beside Mithiel and took her shoulder.

"This will hurt a lot lass okay?"

She nodded before letting out a small scream as Oin popper her shoulder into place. Satisfied she was done he then moved onto Thorin and Ori. Meanwhile Kili never let go of Fira's hand. The blood was no longer leaking from her wound but he could just tell something wasn't right. Gazing at her face he was so caught up in his thoughts that he wasn't aware of Oin sitting beside him.

"Okay lad, I'll sort her hand out in a bit. But first I need to check she has no other injuries."

Kili gulped and glanced down at Fira's injured hand. Up close and in daylight it looked far worse than he had imagined. What was left of her skin had turned an ugly shade of purple whilst a few small hints of bone glared up at him. Shaking his head he turned away and gently pulled up Fira's tunic. Aware of everyone gathering round to look Kili was glad at the horrified gasps coming from the others. They didn't all hate her then at least. Oin pressed a damp cloth on the wound.

"I just needs cleaning and stitching."

"So she'll be alright?"

"Theoretically yes," Oin sighed, "But what that man did to her..? I just hope she has no internal injuries."

Kili rubbed his chest with a shudder. He could still remember the feel of Sol's grip on his heart. For those few moments he had never been more scared in his life. Pushing that from his mind he rested his gaze on Fira. Oin had finished cleaning up all the blood and as the needle went in Kili forced himself to watch. He didn't have anything against needles themselves – but seeing them go into someone skin did make him ever so slightly nauseous. Someone rubbed his shoulder and he smiled up at Fili. Oin made quick work of stitching it before handing Kili a roll of bandage.

"Nice and tightly but so she can still breathe."

Nodding Kili worked slowly and methodically. As he finished tying the bandage he remembered that first time he saw Fira. How he'd carried her unconscious body away from the orcs. How she had almost died then and was on the verge of dying now. He rubbed his chest – he could still feel the bond to her but he didn't want to assume she would be fine. He didn't dare get his hopes up about this. Pulling her tunic back down her then watched as Oin took her broken hand.

"It's a good thing she's not awake for this," the healer said sadly.

Kili opened his mouth to ask why when he heard a sudden clicking sound followed by a small pop. With a grimace he watched as Oin popped Fira's middle fingers back into their sockets. He then pressed a thick cloth over the worst of the bruising.

"She'll need some form of splint," he began rummaging around in his bag, "I can't guarantee she'll have full use of her hand again."

"That Master Oin is where I can help," Gandalf knelt down beside Fira and took her injured hand. He shut his eyes and began muttering words similar to the ones he said to Thorin earlier. Kili blinked silently as the bruising slowly faded on Fira's hand and the broken and torn skin began to heal itself. Gandalf placed her hand back on her stomach with a smile.

"It will be sore for a while but there shouldn't be any lasting issues."

"What about her stomach?" Fili asked, "If you can heal a broken hand then why not her stab wound."

Kili narrowed his eyes as Gandalf bit his lip sheepishly. However, just as he was about to say something the wizards nodded.

"Yes, yes of course."

He placed his hand over Fira's stomach and repeated his chant. Without realising it Kili had grabbed hold of Fili's arm. Gandalf got to his feet with a sad smile.

"Is that it?" Kili stroked Fira's face and Gandalf nodded.

"It's the best I can do. The wound is still there but chances are it will heal much faster than before."

Kili bent over and kissed her gently on the forehead. However as he sat back up the whip marks pulled and he couldn't stop his gasp of pain.

"Kili?"

Shaking off his brothers concerns Kili pulled out Fira's blanket and gently covered her with it before forcing himself out of his coat. The stinging sensation was getting much worse now and he couldn't stop gasping every so often. Fili grabbed his hand.

"Kili what is it?"

Kili shook his head, wishing he wasn't being so weak. But as the pain began to crawl all over his back he couldn't stop himself.

"My…my back!" He forced himself to speak clearly, "Oh Mahal it's like it's on fire."

"Get his shirt off." Oin said. Kili was aware of Fili kneeling beside him and helping him out of his tunic. Glancing down at his body he was stunned at the amount of bruising he had picked up from goblin town. But it was Fili enraged curses that brought his mind back.

"I'll kill them," Fili hissed, "If I see another goblin again I'm going to kill it."

So his back was in a bit of a mess than. Kili gave another – less painful – gasp as Oin began rubbing some cream over the wounds. They still stung but not as much anymore. And he still never took his eyes off Fira.

"She's going to be so annoyed she missed this," Bofur joked. Nodding Kili gave another gasp as Oin began bandaging his back. Forcing himself not to make another sound he waited until the healer had done before slipping his shirt back on. Fili sat down next to him with a sad look and Kili put an arm around him.

"What is it?"

Fili shook his head, "I just feel like I've failed."

Kili frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I promised mother I would protect you," Fili explained, "I even said I'd put my life on the line to save yours. But yet you're the one who got whipped. You're the one who almost died and I did nothing to help you."

Kili shook his head and pulled Fili in for a hug.

"Fili stop it. You're the best brother anyone could ever wish for. You have looked after me since I first opened my eyes. Please just stop beating yourself up about this."

Nodding Fili smiled at Kili.

"Fira's clearly a good influence on you Kee. Who ever thought you could be so mature."

Kili smiled but his heart wasn't in it.

Stretching out his legs Thorin watched as Kili carried Fira towards the campfire before laying her down and sitting close beside her. As expected Fili stuck close to Kili's side and several of the others got up to see how she was doing. Bringing out his pipe Thorin said nothing as Gandalf sat down beside him.

"I don't know what to do Gandalf," he whispered. The wizard sighed.

"Azog's presence certainly isn't helping matters."

Thorin shook his head. Even though it should have, Azog hadn't entered his head at all.

"No I meant I don't know what to do about Fira."

Gandalf frowned before it dawned on him, "You know then?"

"Yes," Thorin hissed, "No thanks to you."

"It was for Fira to tell, not me," Gandalf said sharply, "Although I do wish she had told you in Rivendell."

Thorin sighed, "I banished her."

"You did what?"

Even though Gandalf wasn't shouting Thorin still felt the full force of his anger. He forced himself to stare at the wizard.

"Gandalf she was sent here to kill us!" He bit his lip, "But looking back now I wonder if I was in the right. She put herself between me and Azog. She risked her life for us just like she has on many other occasions. But she tricked us and deceived us."

Gandalf nodded in understanding, "Thorin, Fira is a good person who was forced to make a choice no one would ever wish to make. For her there was no right answer and now…now I feel that she is doing what it takes to make up for the choice she made."

Thorin nodded before noticing the grave stare Gandalf was giving Fira.

"What is it?"

The wizard sighed, "She is dying."

Thorin almost spat out his pipe, "What?"

Gandalf nodded, "Her wound…it was caused with a morgul blade."

Thorin forced down the bile.

"Can't you help her?"

"Not alone," Gandalf brightened slightly, "But there might be someone who can help us. He lives not far from here."

Thorin bit his lip before glancing back at Kili. He watched as his nephew smiled at Fira before kissing her on the lips.

"Don't say anything to anyone. Not even Fira when she wakes. And especially not Kili. This will break him."

Gandalf nodded whilst Thorin went back to his pipe with a sigh.

When he had first planned this quest he hadn't imagined it would be so…eventful.

So it's bad enough Fira is stabbed but I'm adding that little nugget in as well! However give it a few chapters and things will start to get a bit better. Let me know what you all think xxx