Big thanks to 01juliet for following/favouriting.

Bleeding Blue Kunoichi – Hopefully the dragons will live up to the hype. And yeah Kili might want to be hiding from Fira; never mind orcs.

Thatgirl2002 – Pretty much.

Nice Egan – Fili is a born leader in my eyes. And I get that Kili meant well…but I doubt Fira will see it that way.

Raeshell – Indeed he is!

Rise of the Dragon

Forcing her eyes open Fira hissed as pain rushed through her head. She could hear cries and moans coming from all sides. Sitting up she rubbed her head. Everything rushed through her head in one blur. Kili talking to her. Kili grabbing her. Kili drugging her.

"You'd better survive this," she muttered, "Because I'm going to kill you when you get back."

"Fira!"

Shutting her eyes Fira licked her lips before turning to see Sigrid running towards her. The taller girl handed her a cup.

"Drink this. It'll make you feel more awake."

Nodding Fira downed the drink in one.

"What happened? Where is this?"

She glanced past Sigrid to see rows and rows of beds; half of them full. Soldiers moaned and cried out whilst a team of healers worked tirelessly. Sigrid took the empty cup.

"Kili brought you here with orders to keep you here."

"He…" Fira shook her head, "He is so dead."

"He just wanted you to be safe," Sigrid countered, "I could see it in his eyes; he hated doing what he did. But if he kept you out of harm's way then he would do it."

Nodding Fira chewed on her bottom lip. Swinging her legs out from under the blanket she jumped to her feet. Before she could do anything Sigrid grabbed her shoulder.

"Where are you going?"

"Look around you. Half your beds are full and I have a feeling the other half will be full soon. I'm not going to take a bed that will be needed in a few minutes."

"Right," Sigrid gave a shaky laugh, "I thought you were going to go and fight."

"No," Fira smiled, "I'm as angry as anything over what Kili did. But I understand why. Besides; I can always help here. I know a bit about treating wounds."

Sigrid nodded, "Brilliant. We're going to need an extra pair of hands."

The girl turned away – still talking. Smiling Fira backed away towards the edge of the tent. A quick check told her she still had her weapons. Shooting one last apologetic glance at Sigrid Fira turned and ran out into the camp.

She was going to find Kili and help him survive this. And then she would make him regret what he did to her.

Ducking Kili spun round and opened up an orcs stomach. In the same movement he twisted hiss word in his hand and stabbed another one in the thigh as it came too close to Fili. He could feel his brother's back pressed against his as they moved. He'd missed this; fighting alongside his brother. Until Fili had saved him he'd been making stupid mistakes. He kept expecting Fili to have his back. In truth Kili was surprised he hadn't been killed already.

"KILI!"

Spinning round and ducking Kili watched his brother throw a knife into an orcs face. The creature fell back and Kili wasted no time in running. Fili's breathing rang in his ear as the pair of them hurried towards a quieter part of the battlefield. Glancing at Erebor Kili nodded. He and Fili were now standing in the middle of a huge pathway. On either side there were fairly high rocks walls. Nose prickling Kili glanced up. He knew he'd smell the wargs before he heard them.

"So then," Fili smiled, "You drugged Fira?"

Kili sighed. He knew Fira would hate him when he got back to her.

"She was determined to go and fight. I couldn't let that happen."

"Kee…supposing we needed her?"

Kili nodded. He knew that Azog had dragons on his side. Whilst they hadn't been seen yet he knew it was only a matter of time before the orc let loose his greatest weapon. But Kili didn't care. He didn't care if Erebor fell again. As long as Fira was safe none of it mattered.

"I just…I wanted her safe. Surely you understand with Mithiel?"

His brother gulped and Kili realised what he had said. Now that he thought about it he hadn't seen the elf at all. Fili shook his head.

"We got separated almost straightaway. Last time I saw her she was with Dwalin and Gloin."

Kili rubbed his brother's arm, "She'll be fine. She's a skilled enough warrior."

"I know. I just feel so helpless. She could be in danger and I can't help her!"

Kili went to reply when he heard a snarl coming from above. Sheathing his sword he grabbed his bow.

"Fili move!"

Having no time to aim properly he fired. Thankfully the warg was massive; leaving the arrow nowhere else to go but in its belly. Jumping back to avoid being crushed Kili reached down and pulled the arrow free. Normally he would just leave it. But he only had a limited supply and he had a feeling he would need them soon.

"Kee?"

At his brothers voice Kili turned to see a huge blur running from the mountain towards them. As it moved closer he could feel the ground shaking underneath his feet.

"Is it a warg?"

Fili shook his head, a slight smile appearing on the corner of his lips.

"No. No it's not a warg."

Staring Kili hurried to the side as the chariot came to a halt. Four huge mountains goats stomped the frozen ground. Trying not to react as one of them sniffed his face Kili peered nervously at the chariot.

"Dwalin!"

The warrior dwarf was clinging on to the side. Taking another look Kili could see Balin holding tightly onto the reins.

"Need a lift lads?"

Grinning Kili allowed Dwalin to pull him up beside him. Meanwhile Fili was standing on the other side with both swords drawn. Despite the ferocity in Fili's eyes Kili could also see fear.

"Where's Mithiel? She was with you when I last saw her. Is she hurt?"

Balin smiled, "No she's fine. I…I don't know where she is Fili. But she's tough. She'll be okay."

Fili shook his head, "But…"

"Fee we don't have time for this!"

Whilst his brother had been worrying Kili had been watching the direction the chariot had come in. He could smell the wargs and as they got nearer he could hear the growls coming from the backs of their throats.

"Balin maybe we should think about moving!"

The old dwarf didn't even turn around, "On it. Hold on."

"Hold on? What does he mean..?"

Gasping Kili clung to the edge of the chariot as it raced off. His neck felt like it had been dislocated from the sudden jerk of movement. Glancing over he could see Fili was holding on just as tightly. Nodding to himself Kili turned to see the wargs running closer. However his sights were set on a bigger target.

"They have a troll!" His voice was lost over the roars. Dwalin cursed before swinging his axe.

"Shoot it Kili!"

"What?" Even though he was standing right next to the dwarf Kili could barely hear what he was saying. The combined roars of the wargs and the troll filled his ears. Dwalin shook his head.

"SHOOT IT!"

Wasting no time Kili fitted an arrow and took aim. It hadn't taken long for the troll to catch up. Wargs snapped at his feet and as Fili screamed Kili lowered the bow.

"Fili?"

"I'm fine," his brother sounded anything but fine, "Just shoot it?"

Nodding Kili took up aim. However he lost it when he ducked to avoid being hit in the face.

"Shoot it in the jambags!" Dwalin spat.

"It hasn't got any jambags!"

"Just shoot!"

Turning Kili fired. As the first arrow shot through the air he loaded and fired again without even blinking. Both hit the troll in the face. Clenching his fists Kili watched as it fell backwards. However his happiness faded as the troll shook it's head and got to it's feet. Getting another arrow ready Kili took aim when he stopped.

"Kili what are you doing?" Dwalin yelled.

Shaking his head Kili lowered his bow at the sight. It was impossible!

"Fira?"

He could see her running beside the troll. She was so small Kili wasn't surprised she had gone unnoticed. Her sword glinted in the harsh sunlight and at the trolls scream he knew she'd hit her mark. Spinning she then stabbed the troll in the ankle before running on. Kili could have watched her all day. The way she moved, the way her body twisted and spun. She was mesmerising.

And because he was watching only her he saw the wargs closing in.

Narrowing his eyes Kili fired the first arrow. With a yelp the warg went down and Fira glanced over to see it fall. As she did so however the one of the other side leapt for her.

"NO!"

His cry was lost. Watching the arrow fly Kili could have screamed with happiness as it hit the warg in the face. Fira paid no attention to this one and instead just ran. Their eyes met and Kili flinched at the anger. Trying to ignore it he smiled.

"FIRA RUN!"

She yelled something back that sounded like "I am!"

Smiling Kili edged towards the very end of the chariot and reached out for her. She was so close now.

"Got you!"

He'd grabbed her wrist and half dragged, half pulled her onto the chariot. Fira fell into a heap behind Balin whilst Kili gripped the edge of the chariot for dear life. The wargs still weren't far behind and if he were to fall off now..? Shaking his head he watched Fira get to her feet. She had a gash running across her right arm and her face was badly bruised. Kili bit his lip. This was why he had kept her behind.

"Fira..?"

He made no sound as his head snapped to the side. Winching Kili raised a hand to his stinging cheek. Fira glared at him and now they were this close he saw tears in her eyes. She slapped him again and Kili nodded to himself.

"I deserved that."

She nodded, "Yes Kili you did. If you EVER drug me again I will make your life a living hell!"

Glancing over her shoulder Kili could see Fili sending him a cheeky smile. Ignoring it he grabbed Fira's hands.

"I wanted you to be safe. I was so ashamed for doing what I did to you. But if it kept you out of harms way then I'd gladly do it again."

She flinched at the last part but Kili could see she was wavering. Nodding at him she leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

"I know…KILI!"

Spinning round Kili had no time to fit an arrow. Instead he plunged the arrow into the wargs stomach. The beast fell away and Kili glanced behind him. Three more were still on their trail.

"The chariot is too cumbersome!" Fili yelled, "We need to lose it!"

"What do we do?" Dwalin yelled. Kili watched his brother pause before nodding.

"Follow me."

Kili said nothing as Fili leapt from his spot and landed on the back of one of the goats. Bringing his sword down on the harness he then pulled the goat away from the chariot. Dwalin nodded.

"Come on Balin!"

"No."

Time seemed to stop as Kili watched Dwalin stare at his brother.

"But. If ye stare here..?"

Balin sighed, "I'll keep them at bay as long as possible. Now go!"

Kili knew Dwalin wanted to stay. He'd have been the same if Fili had done what Balin was doing. But instead Dwalin nodded and followed Fili's lead. As a second goat was freed Kili smiled at Fira.

"Come on my love."

He didn't watch her move. Instead he held tightly onto her hand in case he lost her again. Landing on his own goat Kili freed the animal and rode it towards his brother. He could see Fira riding beside him and he couldn't help himself.

"You're beautiful darling."

"Not the time brother," Fili smirked. Shaking his head Kili could hear the howls behind him. Not daring to look back he kept riding. Fili led the way with Dwalin close behind. Kili refused to leave Fira's side and his eyes kept darting about for anything that could hurt her. He could feel his face going red but he tried to ignore it. He had deserved it after all.

"Kili duck!"

Not looking he did as Fira said. Pressing his body against the goat he turned to see a warg leaping over him. Fira drew a sword but Kili knew it would do nothing. Opening his mouth he could hear himself screaming as the warg bowled into Fira. Warg, goat and rider all fell back in a heap and Kili could do nothing but watch as Fira was knocked from her mount. The goat lay lifelessly on the ground and Kili was aware he had stopped riding.

"FIRA!"

The warg jumped back and Kili could see blood dripping from his leg. Fira got to her feet and held out a hand. The warg whined but didn't move.

"Kili!"

Turning Kili could see Fili staring fearfully at him.

"Kili move!"

"No," tears dribbled down his face, "No I can't…I can't leave her."

"Kili!"

At Fira's voice he turned. She gave him a tired smile.

"Kili go."

"But..?"

"GO!"

She then sliced open the wargs face. Watching as she ran off in a different direction Kili held his goat tightly. As expected the wargs ran after her. He shook his head. He needed to go after her. He needed to protect her.

"Kili hurry up!"

Biting his lip Kili followed his brother. Every single step broke a part of him inside. He shouldn't be doing this. He should be riding after her. But he could remember the nightmares he'd had. About how there had been a battle and Fili had been slaughtered right in front of him.

Kili couldn't let that happen.

The three of the said nothing. Instead Kili bit his lip; urging his goat up the rocky slopes that made up Ravenhill. He'd seen Thorin hurrying up there only a few moments ago and it seemed likely that Azog would be hiding there. Silently he was still waiting for the moment when the dragons struck. But so far Azog's secret weapon was still staying silent.

"Kee?"

Jumping off the goat and onto the snow covered ground Kili ran to his brother. Fili's scream still ran through his mind. Glancing down he saw Fili's right ankle was covered in blood.

"Fee?"

"It's just a bite. I'm fine."

Nodding Kili turned to see his uncle staring at him. Licking his lips he backed away. Thorin shook his head.

"Kili I…forgive me."

Turning away Kili clenched his fists. Thorin had locked Fira up. He had attacked her and threatened to kill her. He didn't deserve his forgiveness.

But it had been the gold. The gold taking over his mind the way it had with Fira. The Thorin standing here now was the uncle he knew and loved.

"Kili?"

Nodding Kili glanced at Thorin.

"I will fight beside you; but I haven't forgiven you. Not yet. What you did…it can't be forgotten with a simply apology."

Thorin nodded, "I know. Kili believe me I…"

"Shush!" Dwalin hissed, "I think we're being watched."

Freezing Kili glanced around him as subtly as he dared. For a few seconds no one said anything. Then Thorin nodded.

"Fili, Kili I want you to scout ahead. Whatever happened don't engage."

Nodding Kili jogged after Fili. There weren't many places they could go after all. If Azog was hiding then they would find him.

Fili sighed as he hurried along the narrow tunnel. Kili was right behind him and – not for the first time – he wished his baby brother wasn't here. That he was back in Ered Luin; far away from all of this.

"Fili! Fili I heard something!"

Holding up a hand to silence him Fili waited. He could hear it to. Low growls and the sound of oncoming feet.

"Kili go and check down there," he pointed to another tunnel that he knew led back outside to where Thorin and the others were. Kili bit his lip and Fili nodded.

"I've got this."

Squeezing his brothers hand Fili watched Kili run off. Nodding he then hurried up another tunnel. He knew he had seconds before he was found. But as long as Kili was safe then it didn't matter.

"One dwarf princeling all on his own!"

At Azog's voice Fili sheathed his swords. Fighting the orc in such a confined space wouldn't help. Backing away he was powerless as a fist slammed into his face; knocking him into the tunnel wall. Azog punched him again before kicking him in the stomach. Doubling over Fili gave a weak cry as he was grabbed by the back of his neck and dragged off.

Azog said nothing as they walked. Struggling feebly Fili blinked his eyes as they were hit by bright white lights. As the sun faded slightly he gulped. Azog had dragged him to the top of Ravenhill. A huge ice sheet overhung the main cliff and Fili didn't want to think about how high they were.

"I wonder if you'll scream when I drop you?"

Saying nothing Fili held his head up high. Azog raised a hand and Fili saw the claw had been replaced with a blade. Azog jabbed the tip of his blade into his cheek.

"I wonder how you'll scream when I drop her?"

Fili wanted to be sick. Azog dropped him and at the sound of whimpering he turned around.

"No!"

Mithiel was held between two huge orcs. She was thrown to the ground and up close Fili could see she was covered in blood.

"No Mithiel…"

Reaching for her he stopped as Azog loomed over them both.

"Time for your goodbyes!"

Taking deep breaths Fira glanced about. She'd left the wargs behind after managing to give them the slip and she had now found herself on the edge of the battlefield. She'd seen Kili and the others making their way up to Ravenhill. However it had been that familiar roar that caused her stomach to churn. The dragon were close by then.

Breathing deeply Fira smiled. Shutting her eyes she envisaged her dragon form in her mind. Her wings, her claws, everything. Her whole body burned but not like the previous times. Instead this was like the time she had shifted back in the army camp. Her ridges bubbled and stretched; her wings breaking free. Dragon eyes forming Fira could feel her claws and teeth start to poke out. Her torn clothes fell away as she fell onto her hands and knees; her body growing. Scales began to cover her skin; the deep blue covering her scarred flesh. She could hear soldiers shouting at her in the distance but she ignored them. Opening her eyes she let out a roar. Jumping into the sky she felt her wings unfurl. It had been so long since she'd felt them flap into the sky. Soaring over the battlefield she glanced in the direction of Ravenhill. Stretching out her sore limbs Fira glanced down. Below her she could see her shadow.

The shadow of a dragon.

It's finally happened! More from Fira and the other dragons in the upcoming chapters. I just wanted to get it all set up. So now Azog has both Fili AND Mithiel. I did promise a happy ending through so try not to worry too much. Let me know what you think xxx