Big thanks to Reader-anonymous-writer, pink blade of fury and Marcus S. Lazarus for following/favouriting.

Ishouldprobablybedoinghomework – Glad you love it!

Nice Egan – I know what you mean; but I'm with Thorin here. Thranduil could have helped his people both during Smaugs attack and afterwards. If he had I think things would have been different so I don't blame Thorin for hating him.

Rachetg – We shall soon find out!

Reader-anonymous-writer – Glad you are liking it and hopefully those answers helped.

Confrontations and Comforts

Fira didn't fight as Legolas led her through the maze of corridors. She knew she wouldn't get very far even if she did manage to break free. Sensing she wouldn't run Legolas loosened his grip on her arm.

"Mind your behaviour with my father. He will have no qualms about punishing you. Even if you are a girl."

Freeing her arm Fira rolled her eyes.

"What is it with men and thinking that because I'm a girl I'm afraid of a few slaps. I've taken plenty of them in my time and I've given twice as many."

Legolas raised an eyebrow and Fira could see the corners of his mouth twitch into a smile. However he then straightened his face and led her up a small flight of stone steps. Fira bit her lip as he bowed before leaving. Turning around her unease increased. She was standing on a huge stone platform. In the middle was a small pool and Fira couldn't help but be drawn to it. The water was far brighter than any she had ever seen before.

"The half breed."

At Thranduil's voice Fira jumped. The king was still in his robe but the crown was gone from his head now. Holding her hands behind her back Fira raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you call me a half breed?"

"Because that is what you are," Thranduil smiled "You have the height…and the arrogance of a dwarf. But the features of another race. Human maybe?"

Fira chewed on her lip. She wasn't going tell this king anything if it wasn't an insult.

"I suppose you're proud of yourself? Locking up innocent travellers, assaulting one and imprisoning an injured man! Not to mention your treatment of myself and Mithiel."

Thranduil peered at her closely.

"Have you been mistreated? Have I locked you up in cells? Have I had you both tortured? No. You can hardly complain now can you?"

"You're keeping us from our friends!" Fira clenched her fists, "You're going to send us away from them when you have no right to do so!"

"When you trespass into my kingdom I have to right to whatever I like with you," Thranduil snapped, "Now I have been nice to you and that elf mongrel. I can easily change that."

"Wow," Fira rolled her eyes, "How terrifying."

Before she could even blink Thranduil moved forward and grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.

"I have asked you here because I want to know exactly why you were in that forest. Oakenshield has told me very little."

Steeping out of his gaze Fira folded her arms.

"Stick it up your arse."

Thranduil's face showed no sign of anger. Instead he simply shrugged.

"As you wish."

Clicking his fingers Fira watched as another elf joined them. Thranduil nodded.

"Go to the dungeons and bring me the young dark haired dwarf."

"Wait," Fira held up her hands. The elf stopped half way down the steps.

"What will you do to him?"

Thranduil ran a finger down her cheek.

"I want answers. I will get them one way or the other whether you tell me of your own will or I have to put your lover put through the most excruciating pain imaginable."

Fira frowned. How on earth did Thranduil know about her and Kili? The elf king chuckled.

"It's not hard. The way you clung to each other. The way he always made sure he was close by should you need him," he leaned forward, "I wonder what his scream sounds like?"

"No," Fira shook her head.

Thranduil smiled, "You will answer my questions?"

Fira bit her lip before nodding. As the elf was dismissed she allowed Thranduil to take her hand and draw her over to the other side of the platform. As she saw a bench Fira stiffened. However Thranduil sat her down before pacing in front of her.

"Firstly, I want to hear about you. Why are you travelling with them?"

"I was asked by Gandalf to join the company," Fira saw no reason why she had to be honest.

"He said they needed another company member."

Thranduil nodded, "Yet Gandalf isn't here is he?"

"He left us," Fira clenched her fists. Whatever reason the wizard had for leaving it had better have been a good one.

"And the elf? How does she fit in?"

"She saved us from an orc attack," Fira gripped the edge of the bench, "She then decided to join us to help keep us safe."

"I see," Thranduil nodded, "Well that brings us to the most important question of all. Why has Oakenshield chosen now to reclaim the mountain?"

"How…" Fira shook her head and Thranduil smiled.

"Why else would he be travelling here?"

Nodding Fira sighed, "I can't say. I met them once they had started the quest."

"You had better not be lying to me."

Fira shook her head before fixing Thranduil with a glare.

"He told me about you. The elf who refused to help his people."

Thranduil did nothing as she got to her feet and jabbed a finger at him.

"Look at you! Sitting there and pretending to be a king. Thorin Oakenshield is a hundred times the king you will ever be! You had the chance to help him! Give his people shelter and yet you refused. You would rather they starved then give them help! You're nothing more than a coward! A fucking coward!"

The slap sent her to the floor. Pressing a hand to her cheek Fira gasped as Thranduil lent over her and slapped her again. This time she felt his ring cut into her skin. Wiping away the blood Fira sat back on her knees. Pressing her lips shut she eyed the king. Thranduil raised an eyebrow.

"What to do with you now?" He shrugged, "I suppose if you won't give me the answers I want then I have no use for you anymore."

"Meaning?" Fira couldn't hide the fear from her voice. Thranduil raised an eyebrow.

"I'll send you back to wherever you came from of course."

"No." Jumping to her feet Fira shook her head, "No I stay with the company. And by that I mean I don't just sit around in one of your fancy bedrooms."

"You would rather sit in a cell than in comfort?"

Fira nodded, "They never gave up on me and I won't give up on them. Just because you're too far up your arse to see that doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Nodding Thranduil clapped his hands. Fira watched as the same elf from earlier came up the steps. Thranduil nodded.

"See this…girl is escorted to the cells."

Fira did nothing as the elf grabbed her. Glaring at Thranduil she allowed herself to be lead back down the steps. She licked her lips – wondering how mad Kili would be when he got to hear about this.

Leaning against the wall of his cell Kili peered out of the bars. He could see several of the others doing the same thing and as he rested his head he tapped his knee. He'd been here for a good half an hour but it felt like hours. But Fira wasn't here. She wasn't locked up like he was. He had to be thankful for that.

"Kili?"

At his brothers voice Kili sat up. Thankfully he and Fili had been put in adjoining cells. Pressing his ear to the wall Kili was surprised he could hear Fili. Not that he was going to complain.

"Fee?"

"How are you? How's your leg?"

Kili gave his wound a testing probe before nodding.

"I'm fine. It aches but I'll be alright. What about you?"

"My head feels like it's been kicked by a horse."

Kili clenched his fists. He'd been dragged past his brother's cell in time to see another healer tending to him. It hadn't taken a genius to know what had happened.

"Where do you think Bilbo is?"

"I don't know Kee. Hopefully he's not been caught by the elves."

"No," Kili agreed. He'd started putting more and more faith in Bilbo since their journey had begun. He and Fili hadn't been as bad as the others but Kili wasn't going to lie. He'd had his doubts at the start. Doubts that had been quick to go.

"Kee?"

"Hmm?"

"I…can I talk to you about Mithiel?"

Sitting up Kili nodded. "Of course."

"I really like her," Fili sounded terrified, "More than I've ever liked a girl. I think…I think she could be my One."

Kili beamed at this. Out of anyone who deserved to find love it was his brother.

"Kee?"

"Sorry," Kili kept forgetting his brother couldn't see him, "Sorry you were saying."

"I think she's my One. To be honest I'm almost certain of it!"

"So tell her."

"I can't."

Kili sighed, "Is this going to have anything to do with Thorin."

There was a pause, "Not entirely."

Kili sighed, "Fee if Thorin can cope with me loving a Dragonborn I think an elf will be fine."

"But with you it's different. You won't be king one day."

"True," Kili bit his lip as Fili carried on.

"I mean you'd be great at it…but I don't fancy dying anytime soon."

Kili sighed. He knew Fili was trying to lighten the mood but he wished he wasn't. They'd both come far too close to death already on this quest and Kili had a nagging feeling they'd do so again.

"But my point is Fira wouldn't be Queen," Fili said, "If Mithiel was my One then she would be. I can't see Thorin being happy about that."

"It's nothing to do with him," Kili said softly, "If you love her then that's all that matters."

"Assuming she loves me."

"Fili…I don't know what is going on in Mithiel's mind. But I've seen the way she looks at you. The way her eyes light up at the very sight of you. She cares about you a great deal. Just…talk to her."

"Bit hard when I'm here isn't it?"

Kili laughed, "We'll get out. Then you can rescue Mithiel and confess your love."

Fili chuckled at this and Kili resumed his positon from earlier. From this vantage point he could see the steps that led away from the dungeons.

Meaning he saw the elf dragging a smaller figure along with them.

Sitting up Kili wondered If Bilbo had been caught. But as the elf moved closer he realised it wasn't Bilbo. In fact it was worse.

It was Fira.

The elf pulled her along by the elbow and Kili gripped his bars as he saw the look in her eyes.

"Fira!"

Her head shot towards him and Kili smiled as she pulled away from the elf and ran towards him. She gripped the bars and he covered her hands with his.

"Are you alright?"

He eyed her bruised cheek and glanced over at the elf.

"What have you done to her?"

The elf said nothing and instead pulled Fira away. Lashing out she twisted in the elfs grip and Kili dropped to his knees.

"Where are you taking her?"

"That's none of your concern."

"Please!" Kili shook his head, "Put her in with me. Don't lock her up by herself."

He half expected the guard to refuse. But instead the elf just dragged Fira back up towards his cell. Stepping back Kili watched as Fira was thrown in. She landed on her knees and Kili winced on her behalf.

"What is she doing down here anyway?"

The elf then locked the door.

"She asked to be brought down here."

Shaking his head Kili knelt by Fira and took her face in his hands. Tears streaked down her cheeks and Kili wasted no time in pulling her close against him. Kili pressed his face into her hair.

"Are you alright? What happened? Did they hurt you? Who did that to you?"

He pointed to the bruise and Fira licked her lips.

"I'm fine. Thranduil wanted to see me. To ask me about the quest."

"Did you tell him anything?"

"Not much. There wasn't much I could tell him to be honest. I wasn't going to talk at all but…"

As more tears fell Kili gently rocked her, rubbing her back. Fira wiped her eyes.

"He said he was going to take you and hurt you. I would have to watch you go through so much pain until I answered his questions. I wasn't going to let that happen."

Kili kissed her forehead before gently rubbing his thumb over her bruised cheek.

"Did he do this to you?"

Fira nodded and Kili bit back his curses, "And is it true? You asked to be brought down here?"

Fira got to her feet and moved back towards the cell door.

"Yes I did. I wasn't going to leave you down here alone."

"Fira I told you to try and escape!" Getting to his feet Kili couldn't help the anger boiling through his system.

"How will this help?"

Fira shook her head, "I don't care about getting out. I care about being with you! I wasn't going to leave you Kili."

"I was fine down here! I was fine because I knew you were safe!"

"I was scared!"

Kili blinked at her, "Scared?"

Fira gave a small nod and Kili could see shame in her eyes.

"I…I never wanted to tell you. I didn't want you to think me weak. But ever since Rivendell I can't stand the idea of being apart from you. Those times you and Fili go hunting I just sit there and stare in the direction you've gone until you come back. At night if I'm not sleeping beside you I kept thinking I'll wake up and find you gone. I…I didn't want to be by myself in this place."

"Oh Fira," Kili hugged her tightly as both sat down by the cell door, "Fira you're not weak. That's because of our bond. The bond between a dwarf and their One means that they can't be apart for long. It's perfectly normal Fira. You are many things but weak isn't one of them."

Nodding Fira leant her head against him, "I didn't realise. I just thought if I told you you'd think me silly."

Shaking his head Kili wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Fira, after the past twenty four hours I'm surprised you even want to be near me!"

"Kili you weren't yourself when you said those things. I was the idiot for running off! I knew it wasn't you but my brain told me you meant every word."

Kili sighed, "Fira for me, my worst nightmare is hurting you. That nightmare came true back in Mirkwood."

Fira shook her head but Kili took her hands. He needed to say this.

"You are the love of my life and I would lay down my life for yours! Those…things I said…I never meant them! I love everything about you and I don't care if you're a half breed or not! I don't deserve your forgiveness Fira…I'll never forgive myself until they day I die. I just…I need you to know that I would never ever willingly do or say anything to hurt you."

Fira kissed his knuckles, "I know my love. I know."

"Fira?"

At Thorin's voice Kili glanced up. His uncle was gripping the bars of his cell and Kili bit his lip. He knew what this delay was costing Thorin. What is was costing them all. Fira nodded.

"Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

Fira wiped her eyes and nodded. Kili beamed at her. As Fira took his hand she faced his uncle.

"Thranduil wanted to know about the quest. And after a fair few insults I told him you were a hundred times the king he could ever be."

Kili smiled at the look on Thorin's face. His uncle had never shown doubt to anyone. But Kili knew he often worried he wasn't the king his people needed. To have Fira say something like that to him would do him the world of good.

"Come 'ere."

Nodding Fira curled up against him and Kili put an arm around her. Smiling he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his small rune stone. Looking at the carving he thought back to this mother. How she'd begged him not to go before making him promise not to get himself killed because if he did then she would kill him.

"What is that?" Fira whispered. Kili opened his mouth when an idea came to him.

"It's a talisman," he said softly but not meekly, "A powerful spell lies upon it. If any but a dwarf reads it then they will be forever cursed!"

He narrowed his eyes and looked down at Fira. She bit her lip and he grinned.

"Or not; depending on whether or not you believe in that kind thing. It really is just a token,"

Kili smiled before gasping as Fira elbowed him in the ribs. Laughing he glanced at the stone and brought it closer so she could see it.

"My mother gave it to me. So I would remember my promise,"

"What promise is that?"

"That I would come back to her."

Fira tucked the rune stone back into his pocket and kissed him on the cheek.

"You will come back to her Kili. I'll see to that."

Even though she was smiling Kili knew how serious she was. Leaning back he pulled Fira in for a hug as thoughts began clouding his mind. He knew nothing would stop her sacrificing herself for him.

He had to do whatever it took to ensure that never happened.

So sadly they're still stuck in Mirkwood but an escape will be coming up soon. Loving all these sweet moments between everyone! Now we just need Fili to get his ass in gear and kiss Mithiel and then everything's hunky dory! Let me know what you all think xxx