Big thanks to bntjammer, original alanoymouse, EmeraldRaider31 and yamikojigoku for following/favouriting.

Arianna Le Fay – No it won't. I've got several chapters planned for the aftermath.

Thatgirl2002 – I love that quote so much! Yeah I've waited so long to write Fira in her dragon form.

Rachetg – Yeah…although this isn't really the time. After the battle maybe… But no he did deserve the slaps.

Celebrisilweth – Yep she was.

Nice Egan – I can't make any promises.

Bntjammer – Glad you enjoyed it so much. Hopefully things won't disappoint

Just in the Nick of Time

Until now Fili has always assumed he knew what terror was. Watching Kili being attacked by a spider. Watching as his uncle slipped into madness. He had always thought that was what terror felt like.

But he was so wrong.

Licking his lips Fili reached out for Mithiel. Curled up, her body trembled and he could see blood covering her tunic.

"You're hurt!"

She smiled, "It's nothing. You…are you alright?"

Unable to speak he just nodded.

"My love please forgive me."

Mithiel laughed and Fili felt helpless as she doubled over in pain.

"What for? I chose to fight. This isn't your fault."

"Not but…" a shadow fell over him and Fili forced himself to look up.

"How touching," Azog dug his blade under his chin, "I hope you've said your goodbyes."

"Please!" Fili knew it would be pointless. Azog had dragged them up here to kill them. Nothing would change his mind. Yet he got onto his knees all the same.

"Please let her go!"

The pale orc paused and glanced at Mithiel.

"But I want you to hear her scream. I want to watch as your heart breaks when I rip her apart."

Forcing himself not to be sick Fili bowed his head.

"I'll do anything you want. Just let her go. She's innocent! She's not the one you want anyway. I am!"

"Fili shut up!"

Ignoring Mithiel Fili glowered up at Azog.

"I'm the one you want dead. I'm Thorin's heir not her. She's nothing to you."

"True."

Gasping Fili blinked back his tears as Azog grabbed his hair and pulled his head back. As the tip of the orcs bladed arm traced a line down his throat Fili licked his lips. Azog sneered.

"But I know when she dies you'll be torn apart from the inside. I don't just want you dead. I want you destroyed."

"No…no please…" unable to stop himself Fili burst into tears. Azog released his grip and moved away towards the very edge. As the orc's back turned Fili crawled to Mithiel and pulled her close against him.

"Run," he buried his face into her hair, "Just run."

"I can't."

"Mithiel forget about me and just run!"

"No," she smiled weakly, "I mean I can't. The orcs that brought me here are right behind us. I'd never get away."

Nodding Fili cupped her face, his hands slowly moving down her neck.

"I love you."

Mithiel leaned forward and kissed his wet cheeks.

"I love you to."

Opening his mouth Fili cried out as Azog grabbed him by the back of his neck. He clung to Mithiel but she too was hauled to her feet by another orc. Up close Fili realised it was the same orc he had seen in Mirkwood. Licking his lips he tried to ignore the orcs face as it glanced Mithiel up and down. As he was dragged towards the edge Fili risked a glance down. He could see Thorin and Dwalin there along with someone else. Someone smaller.

"Bilbo?"

Azog shook him and Fili scanned the whole area for Kili. He didn't want Kili to be put through this. Yet a flash of chain mail told him his brother was right below him. His body would land at Kili's feet.

"Oakenshield!"

Azog roar almost deafened Fili. Glancing over he saw that Mithiel was being held over the edge. Her feet brushed against the ice and he wanted to reach out and take her hand. Azog shook him. The ground vanished and Fili didn't want to look down. He could feel Azog dig the blade into his neck.

"How does it feel to see something you treasure in my hands?"

Fili could hear Kili screaming and he mentally yelled at his brother to run. But he knew Kili wouldn't be moving. Mithiel gasped as Fili turned to in time to see her captor deliver another punch to her stomach. Azog laughed.

"This one will die first. Then the brother…and finally you!"

Fili didn't hear what Thorin said. He was too busy watching as Azog brought his bladed hand down. Fili wasn't sure who screamed first as the blade went into his side. Mithiel's scream stuck with him the longest whilst he did everything he could not to focus on the pain. Instead he just waited for it to be over. For his broken body to hit the ground.

Only it didn't.

The ice brushed against his legs and as he was dropped Fili gasped. His hands forced themselves up and he licked his lips. Azog smiled.

"You will be the first of Oakenshield's kin to die. But I want you to see her fall."

Tearing his gaze away Fili watched as the orc holding Mithiel inched closer. Fili tried to get to his feet but the pain was too much and he sunk back down. Mithiel locked eyes with him.

"Goodbye."

"PLEASE!"

Fili's words were lost as the orc dropped her. His fist smashed into the ice, tears coursed down his face whilst Azog laughed.

"No. No, no, no, NO!"

Shaking his head weakly Fili did nothing as Azog pulled him to his feet. He couldn't move. He didn't want to move. He wanted the orc to let him fall to his death. He wanted to be with Mithiel.

"I hope you're watching Oakenshield!"

Gulping Fili glanced down to see Kili. Even from this height he could see the tears falling down his brothers face.

"I'm so sorry Kee."

Then he saw her. Narrowing his eyes Fili glanced at the small blur of colour against the huge wall of ice. Everything around him fell away as he gazed at Mithiel's unconscious body. She wasn't lying in a broken heap on the ground. Instead she was lying on the edge of a small ledge halfway down the ice sheet. Fili blinked back his tears. She was alive! She…she was alive!

Azog gave him one last shake.

"I'm looking forward to hearing your scream!"

Fili gulped. The pain rushing through his body was off the scale. He could feel Azog's grip wavering. He didn't scream as the orc let go. He didn't have time to. Within a few seconds the cold air was replaced by a huge scaled body. Gripping on Fili had to blink to make sure he was seeing things.

He was riding a dragon.

Shaking her head Fira glided effortlessly through the air. Her wings had taken a few minutes to get used to; but it hadn't been long before she had been soaring across the sky. She could feel Fili gripping onto her back and she smiled. She could remember those agonisingly long seconds as he fell. She could still hear Kili's murderous screams. Had she been a few seconds too late..?

Turning around Fira could see Thorin, Dwalin, Kili and Bilbo huddled together with weapons drawn. Smiling to herself she turned in mid-air.

"Let me go!"

At Fili's voice Fira frowned. Did he not realise it was her?

"Put me down!"

Clearly not. Flying towards the small huddle Fira caught sight of Mithiel's prone form. The girl was starting to stir and Fira knew if she moved too much to the right then she'd fall. Glancing back in Kili's direction she headed towards the elf.

"No. No stay away from her!"

Ignoring Fili's desperate cries Fira slowed as she neared the cliff face. Up close she could see Mithiel was covered in small cuts. She screwed up her eyes and Fira didn't bother waiting. Reaching out with one paw she scooped the girl up; making sure her claws didn't scratch her.

"Leave her alone!"

Fira ignored his cries but she couldn't ignore the pain. Fili's blade had gone into her left shoulder. Thanks to her dwarven blood her skin wasn't as tough as most dragon hides. Even though it was a little wound that wouldn't do much damage it still hurt. Thankfully she was nearing the ground now. Landing as gently as she could she lay Mithiel out; sinking down so Fili could jump off. Fira watched as he ran to Mithiel; kneeling over her and tenderly stroking her face.

"Please, please no. Please just come back to me. Come back."

As Mithiel opened her eyes Fira moved back. However as she did so loud shouts began to surround her.

"Get it!"

"Dwalin aim for the eyes!"

"Lad shoot it!"

"One step closer to him..!"

Growling Fira spun round to see Dwalin and Thorin had their swords drawn. Bilbo hung back and Fira could see Kili aiming an arrow at her face. Shaking her head she fixed eyes with Kili.

"Kili stop!"

It felt odd to hear her dragon voice again. The gravelly sound coming from the back of her throat was something she had missed. She still sounded like herself; just a lot deeper and more powerful. Kili narrowed his eyes.

"I…Fira?"

Nodding Fira inched closer; noting how none of them lowered their weapons.

"It's me Kili. It's me."

"You..?" Kili shook his head; gently lowering his bow.

"You're breath taking!"

Kili couldn't take his eyes off Fira. He had never told her but he'd often imagined what she would look like as a dragon. All of his fantasies paled in comparison to the real thing. She was smaller than Smaug. A lot smaller and her scales were a bright blue. Small ridges ran down the back of her neck and back. Inching closer Kili placed a hand on her thigh. She felt so warm. So alive!

"You…Fira you're beautiful!"

She smiled and Kili glanced at the others. They had all lowered their weapons and were now staring at Fira in shock.

"Lass…how?"

Fira shook her head, "I don't know. I guess. I just…did it."

Smiling Kili could see Thorin staring up at Fira. As his uncle bowed he saw Fira stiffen.

"I know an apology will never be good enough. Believe me I intend to prove myself worthy to be your friend. I have a long way to go to get your forgiveness; I know that. But may I at least call this a start?"

Kili watched as Fira nodded. How could she be so forgiving to the man who had attacked, imprisoned and tried to kill her?

"Kee?"

At the voice Kili turned to see Fili run at him. Clinging tightly to his brother he buried his face into Fili's neck.

"Fee I thought…You were falling and…I wanted to tear Azog to shreds."

Fili rubbed his back, "I'm fine Kee. Thanks to Fira we're both fine."

Nodding Kili turned to see Mithiel limping over towards them. His brother reached out and pulled her close.

"I thought I would lose you," Fili pressed kisses against her hair, "I thought…I never want to go through that again."

Deciding to let them have a moment Kili turned to Fira. She smiled down at him.

"The dragons need to be stopped. Only one of them needs to reach the mountain for it to fall."

"So…what will you do?"

He knew the answer before she nodded.

"Stop them. I have to."

"But…" shaking his head Kili inched closer. Fira brought her head down and he pressed his forehead to her snout.

"Be careful my love."

She nodded, "You to. We have a wedding remember?"

Nodding Kili gently kissed her before drawing his sword and backing away. Fira gave a small nod of the head before leaping up into the air. Unable to tear away his gaze Kili watched her spin before her wings unfurled and she flew away. Fili clapped him on the shoulder.

"Now then. I believe we have an orc problem to deal with."

A bit shorter yes but I wanted to focus on the scene with Fili and Azog. Apologises if any of you were having heart attacks throughout. Let me know what you think xxx