Big thanks to AureliaPhoenixAnastasia and SunSetsOfAnotherWorld for following/favouriting.

Arianna Le Fay – You'll have to wait and see how that all turns out!

Celebrisilweth – I wasn't going to let anyone die. I agree with you on that one.

Live4Dancing – I know what you mean. Not yet decided what will happen.

Rachetg – I'd be the same in his shoes. In two days he's watched his uncle go mad, attack and try to kill Fira. Banish them both. He's had to fight in a battle and almost lose Fira. You can't blame him for how he's feeling.

ThatGirl2002 – I'd be just as angry. But hopefully things will work out.

A Difficult Recovery

Fili smiled as he looked over in the next bed. Kili was curled up beside Fira, his arms wrapped tightly around her body. It was the only way to keep her still as she slept. Fili could still remember the tears on Kili's face as Fira screamed with each movement.

"How are you?"

At Mithiel's voice Fili turned and smiled. Moving across he waited until she was lying down beside him.

"I'm fine. You?"

She nodded, "Sigrid patched me up. I'm fine."

Bowing his head Fili tightened his grip, pulling Mithiel onto him.

"I thought I would lose you," he whispered, "I watched you fall. And in that moment I wanted to die so badly. I wanted to be able to see you again."

"Don't think about it," Mithiel kissed his forehead, "It's over now. Everything will be fine."

Fili nodded, "But it got me thinking. I could have lost you so many times on this quest. There were times when I did lose you! I was tempted to wait and ask but now…I just want us to be together properly."

"Fili," Mithiel blinked at him, "Are you asking...?"

Nodding Fili took her hand and kissed it.

"Will you marry me?"

Mithiel paused and Fili sighed.

"I know it's not a big speech and I know I don't have a ring to offer you. But I'm sort of hoping that doesn't matter."

"Of course it doesn't," she kissed his forehead, "Fili I am in love with you! I'd marry you if you were a beggar with only one piece of bread to give me."

Snorting with laughter Fili pressed a hand to his aching side.

"So that's a yes then?"

Mithiel leaned in and covered his mouth with hers.

"What do you think?"

Opening his eyes Kili hissed as he sat up. One of his arms was completely numb from sleeping on it all night. But it had been the only way to prevent Fira from rolling over in her sleep. Smiling down at her Kili realised she was staring at the ceiling of the tent with tears in her eyes.

"Fira?"

She said nothing. One hand rested on her stomach whilst the other grasped at her neck. Kili frowned at this. Only understanding when he realised what was missing. The chain her ring had hung from was gone.

"I lost it," Fira's lip wobbled, "When I shifted the chain must have broken off. I didn't even think about it."

More tears fell and Kili lay back down beside her.

"It doesn't matter," his kissed the space next to her ear whilst stroking her hair.

"I can get you another ring. A better ring."

"But I want that ring! I want the ring you spent so long carving. I want the ring you found before we even began courting. I want the ring that kept me going in Erebor. I want the ring you gave to me in Laketown!"

Kili could feel her body shake and he forced himself to keep her still. He wasn't sure how much she had to move for the pain to start up.

"Fira we'll find it," he kissed her knuckles, "I'll get the others to start searching. I'll find it and bring it back."

"No point."

Kili bit his lip. This didn't sound like Fira. Normally she was so full of life and determination. But now her voice was dull. Empty.

"No point because you won't find it. How can you find one ring on a battlefield?"

"I'll try," Kili nodded, "It can't be hard. If you tell us where you were when you shifted then maybe…"

"Forget it Kili," Fira blinked away more tears, "Maybe it's a good thing. It saves you having to take it back."

"Take it..? Fira why on earth would I take it back?"

"Kili you can do much better than marrying some half breed. A freak."

"Fira don't call yourself that!"

"But I am! I am a freak! A freak who is now a cripple."

"No," Kili could feel his own tears coming, "No Fira. I love you. I am in love with you! I want to marry you the second we can. Don't you want that?"

She nodded, "But Kili…I can't even sit up without screaming. I'm no healer but I know I might never walk again. Why would you want to burden yourself with that when you now have the pick of all the girls back home?"

"I don't want any of the girls back home," Kili insisted, "I want you! I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please believe me when I say you're never a burden to me."

Fira turned her head and Kili could see the lost look in her eyes.

"Fira..?"

"I want to be by myself."

"I…" Kili didn't bother. Kissing her cheek he moved off the bed and towards the tent exit. Fira knew Fili was watching him go but she refused to look in his direction. Wiping her tears away she grasped her bare neck.

She loved Kili but she couldn't burden him like this.

Stumbling outside Kili blinked in the sudden sunlight. He'd gotten so used to inside the tent that it took his eyes a while to adjust. The second they had done so he was bombarded with visitors.

"How is she?"

"Is she awake yet?"

"Can we see her?"

Kili waved away the questions.

"She's awake yes. She'll be okay…I think. But she doesn't want to see anyone. Not even me it seems."

"I don't believe that for a second," Bofur grinned. However his smiled faded when Kili nodded.

"Well given she pretty much kicked me out I'd say she doesn't want to see me."

No one seemed to have an answer for this. Glancing round the small group Kili could see Thorin at the back. He hadn't realised at the time but now he thought about it he realised Thorin had been the first to ask after Fira.

"Lad?"

At Oin's voice Kili sighed.

"Why is she being so…moody?"

"So much has happened to her. She needs time to adjust. For some that means they lash out at those they love."

Nodding Kili glanced over his shoulder. He could still make out the very edges of the battlefield.

"Kili?"

Turning to Dwalin Kili sighed.

"Fira's ring. She lost it when she shifted. I said I'd get it back but…I don't even know where to start looking!"

"We'll help," Bilbo nodded, "Besides I was hired as a burglar. I'm sure I can find one ring?"

Smiling Kili shook his head, "Thank you. But I don't know where to begin! If I knew where she was when she had shifted then…"

"I do."

At Nori's voice Kili blinked. The other dwarf nodded.

"I saw her shift. At first I thought she was in pain. But then as she began to transform I realised what was happening," he blushed, "It was one of the best sights I'll ever see."

"Can you take me there?" It wasn't really a question. Nori nodded.

"Of course."

Not bothering to glance at the others Kili ran after Nori as they headed back out onto the battlefield.

"Here?"

"Here. I'm sure. Well almost sure."

Nodding Kili looked down at the ground around him. The bodies of any elven or dwarven soldiers were already being removed. However no one seemed willing to touch the bodies of the orcs. Kili himself didn't want to be anywhere near them. Instead he knelt down and began digging around. Deep known he knew he had no chance. The ring was tiny. And even if he did find it chances were it would be crushed beyond recognition.

"Let me help."

As Nori knelt beside him Kili wanted to tell him to go away. But he just nodded and carried on working.

"No," sitting back on his heels he wiped his face, "No it's not here. We won't find it."

"No," Nori shook his head, leaning forward, "Kili look."

Leaning over him Kili caught sight of something small glinting in the light. Hurriedly pushing Nori aside he grabbed the ring and held it against his chest. Kissing it he checked it over. Somehow it looked as good as new.

"Congratulations," Nori said suddenly. Kili blinked and the dwarf nodded.

"I never really said it properly when we found out. You two deserve each other."

"Thank you."

However Nori wasn't done, "I'm so sorry for what I said to her in Goblin Town. She's not a traitor. She saved us all. I was angry and just lashing out. But she means the world to all of us and I would never want to hurt her. Can you tell her that?"

"Tell her yourself," Kili got to his feet, "Assuming she lets any of us near her."

"She will," Nori rubbed his back, "She loves you."

As they re-entered the camp Kili had a feeling something was wrong. By the time they reached the healing tents he could hear the worried mutterings from the company. Clearing his throat he gulped at their tear stricken faces.

"What…no!"

"No she's still alive," Bofur gulped, "We didn't want her to be alone so I went in to see her. She told me to leave her alone and then she just blacked out."

Gripping the ring in his fists Kili hurried into the tent. Fili was sitting up and Kili could see his eyes weren't moving from Fira's still body. Oin and Gandalf were crowding around her.

"What is it? Let me see her!"

"Lad," Oin pulled him away, "She's bleeding internally."

"So? You must be able to treat her?"

Oin fell silent and Kili could feel everything crashing down around him.

"Kili. There's nothing I can do. The bleeding…it's too severe."

"No. No you can help her! You can save her! Please you have to save her for me!"

Darting forward Kili screamed an arm pulled him back. Lashing out he froze when Fili added in his own scream. Glancing over Kili realised he had just hit his brothers broken arm. Fili blinked back his tears of pain whilst Kili shook his head.

"I…Fee I'm so sorry!"

"No," Fili took deep breaths, "It's fine. I was the idiot who tried to restrain you."

Kili said nothing. Instead he sunk to his knees; burying his face in his hands.

"She can't… I need to give her the ring! I need her to see it again!"

"Kili I…if I could help her then I would, "Oin said softly, "I'm so sorry."

"Gandalf?" Kili forced himself to smile, "You must be able to save her? Please I'll do anything."

"I'm sorry Kili," the Wizard sighed, "I can't heal her alone. I need Beorns help."

Jumping to his feet Kili ran over to the wizard.

"But he's here! He saved us from Azog!"

"Beorn was in the battle?" The Wizard then pursed his lips before hurrying from the tent. Kili didn't bother asking why the skin changer would be needed. He just gazed down at Fira and held her hand.

"I found it," his lips brushed her forehead, "Good as new."

Fili held him close as he slipped the ring onto Fira's finger. They stayed like that in silence. The only sound coming from Kili's muffled sobs.

"Where is she?"

At Beorns voice Kili bit his lip. The giant had to walk almost bent double to fit in the tent. He saw tears dripping down Beorns cheeks as he saw Fira.

"She's bleeding internally. I can't save her on my own."

Nodding Beorn turned to Kili.

"Please wait outside."

"No. No I'm not leaving her."

"Please. She will be in a lot of pain. You won't help her by staying here."

Biting his lip Kili realised Fili had taken his hand.

"Come on brother. We'll wait outside."

Nodding Kili gave Fira one last kiss before letting Fili take him away. Not saying anything he allowed Fili to lead him to the others. No one said anything and when he collapsed to his knees Kili didn't bother shooing Thorin's comforting arm away.

The wait was short but agonising.

Every so often a high pitched scream would come from the tent. Each time that happened Kili would jump to his feet and run; only to be held back by the others. In the end he couldn't take anymore and curled up with his hands pressed over his ears. No dared say anything to him and when he heard Beorn's voice Kili could help but jump.

"Is she..?"

"She's alive," the skin changer wiped his eyes, "But still sleeping."

"I'm going to sit with her," Kili stood up and nodded at Beorn.

"It's not a request either."

"I wouldn't expect any less."

Smiling Kili forced himself into the tent and towards Fira's bedside. She looked so still. But as he saw the steady rise and fall of her chest he knew she would be fine.

"I don't care how much you yell at me," Kili whispered, "I will never stop loving you. I promise."

Fili chewed on his bottom lip before wincing as the pain started up in his arm. He was waiting for someone to order him back to bed. After all his ankle was covered in bite marks, his arm was broken and he'd been stabbed. But he couldn't move. All he could do was watch Mithiel. She was busy sitting with Tilda; doing her best to keep the young girl calm. Fili smiled. Mithiel would make a wonderful mother. That was one conversation he knew they would need to have. But first he would buy her a ring and propose to her properly. Forcing himself to his aching feet Fili made to move towards Mithiel. Only someone else got there before him.

Clenching his fists Fili watched as Alfred stood right beside his fiancée. Mithiel didn't notice him at first; and when she did Fili could see her fear even from this distance. He hadn't been given his sword back but he had several knives hidden in his coat. Trying not to make a sound he limped towards the pair.

"Tilda. Go and find your brother whilst I talk to Alfred," Mithiel voice was firm and Fili had a feeling only he could sense her fear. Tilda nodded and ran off. Alfred smiled and Fili realised a knife was in his hand as the man ran a finger down Mithiel's bruised face.

"You're still very beautiful," Alfred hissed.

Mithiel tried to step away when he lunged forward and grabbed her wrist. Clearing his throat Fili watched as the pair spun round. Alfred raised an eyebrow whilst Fili focused his gaze on Mithiel's wrist in Alfred's hand.

"Release her," he spoke softly but each word was laced with a threat. Alfred sniffed.

"Or what?"

"Or I gut you right here." Brandishing the knife Fili knew his face was enough to scare the man off. As Mithiel was released she moved to stand behind him. However Fili wasn't done. Not by a long shot. He still needed to make Alfred pay for what happened in Laketown.

"One moment. I wish to talk to you."

"Oh?"

Fili nodded; enjoying the fear on the other man's face.

"This girl here is my fiancée. When we were in Laketown you abducted her, imprisoned her and then tortured her. I promised that I would kill you for it."

"Now now," Alfred took a step back, "I was only doing my job. I didn't want to hurt her."

"Liar," Mithiel spat, "You told me you hoped I'd stay quiet. That way you could hurt me more."

Fili wanted to be sick at this. However he kept his cool.

"I won't kill you Alfred. But I want to make it clear what happens if you dare lay a finger on the woman I love."

Darting forward Fili grabbed Alfred's wrist. The taller man tried to push him away but Fili had already bent his wrist back. Stepping away he sheathed the knife.

"Should I hear you've hurt anyone with your sadistic methods then I'll do far worse than break your wrist. Do you understand?"

Alfred nodding; cradling his injured hand. Turning away from him Fili wrapped his arms around Mithiel's waist.

"He was right about one thing."

"Oh."

"You're beautiful."

There will be some more Thorin and Kili later on but I wanted plenty of Fira/Kili time. I think we all deserve it. Finally Alfred gets what he deserves from Fili! Let me know what you all think xxx