Big thanks to okaloosa and shifon for following and favouriting.

Bleeding Blue Kunoichi – Well I always do happy endings so take it from there.

Thatgirl2002 – Sadly yes he's back but I do have faith in Fira and the others.

Celebrisilweth – No not exactly. As for having a good plan…well…well you'll just have to read on.

RocketRaccoonGirl83 – Aww thanks.

Rachetg – There was some unfinished business with him after all.

Old Deals and New Ones

It only took them two days to reach the mountain. In all that time the trio rarely spoke. Every time Fili opened his mouth it would be to apologise whilst Kili kept trying to come up with plans to stop Sol and the others. However Fira shut them both down. Fili had nothing to feel guilty about and as for Kili; well she appreciated the effort but she couldn't take it. She hadn't said anything of course but she knew she would be leaving Erebor with Sol. She'd been racking her brains but so far couldn't think of any plan that didn't involve the others getting hurt. Sol wouldn't think anything of running Kili through. In fact he'd probably do it whether she went with him or not.

Shaking her head Fira clenched her fists. She had to keep Kili and the others safe. If it meant giving up her own life…well she'd been willing to risk her own safety for them in the past. Now was no different. She hadn't said any of this to Kili. She could almost quote what his reaction would be. As the mountain came into view she merely leaned back and allowed him to hug her close.

"Well then," Kili muttered dryly, "Home sweet home."

Fira laughed. She couldn't help it. Fili shook his head.

"How you can joke about this?"

"I'm sorry," Fra admitted, "I guess….I wasn't trying to be flippant."

Fili nodded, "I know. I'm just worried about the others."

"Mithiel will be fine," Fira reassured him, "Sol won't have hurt her. He knows if he does then he has no deal."

Fili bit his lip and gave a small nod. As they came to a halt outside the mountain Fira shuddered. It had never looked overly welcoming to start with. But as she caught sight of two dragon circling above it her heart sank. Word would reach Sol before they had a chance to enter Erebor. Fili jumped down from his pony whilst Kili did the same. Looking up at the dragons once more Fira let Kili pull her down. Gazing up at him she smiled.

"Kili…remember you promised me?"

He nodded but she knew from his eyes he wasn't happy about it.

"But that's a last resort Fira. If Sol wants to take you he'll have to do it over my dead body."

Fira sighed. Sol would be perfectly happy to do that. Holding Kili's hand she smiled at Fili before the three of them entered Erebor.

It was silent. Not the silence she had felt last time she was here. This was a darker silence. A much more threatening silence. Fili led the way whilst Fira looked about. Fili had been right. Whilst there were still many parts that needed work, Erebor had changed in the three months she and Kili had been away.

"Uncle?" Fili's voice seemed almost lost in the halls, "Mithiel?"

"Fili!"

At Thorins voice Fira couldn't help but tense. Kili gave her an understanding smile and held her close against him. As Thorin came into view Fira felt nothing but sympathy for him. He looked a lot thinner than last time and a lot older. There were bags under his eyes and she wondered how much sleep he and the others had gotten. As Thorin's eyes landed on her and Kili he shook his head.

"You shouldn't have come," he hissed, "You should have stayed away."

"Yes," Fira nodded, "Because I'm going to leave you all at Sol's mercy aren't I?"

Thorin bit his lip and before she could tell herself not to Fira moved forward.

"Thorin…what happened last time I…"

He held up a hand, "I do not deserve your forgiveness."

"No," Fira shook her head, "You do. I'm the last person who should hold you accountable for falling prey to the gold. I did some terrible things under its influence. Had you not locked me up I might have done something much worse."

"Fira…"

She shook her head, "Thorin I forgive you. When I thought about you I thought about the dwarf who led us to Erebor. The dwarf who risked his life to save ours. The dwarf who never ever stopped believing that he could take back this mountain. You forgave me for falling victim to the gold. It's only fair I show you the same courtesy."

Thorin blinked back his tears and Fira stepped aside. Kili shuffled his feet.

"Uncle I…"

Closing his mouth he hurried forward and embraced Thorin in a tight hug. Kili gulped.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things to you! I was just angry and scared Fira would die. I lashed out and I'm so sorry."

"Kili," Thorin held him at arm's length, "You have nothing to apologise for. I couldn't be any prouder of you."

"I…what did I do?"

Thorin eyed Fira who blushed, "You never stopped defending her. Even when she fell victim to the gold you stuck by her. You were willing to have yourself banished just to keep her safe."

"Oh," Kili nodded, "Well there's nothing I wouldn't do for her."

Smiling Fira reached out and took his hand. As Fili and Thorin briefly hugged Fira was reminded of why they were here.

"Where's Sol?"

Thorin sighed, "This way. He refused to let us leave the gold halls."

"Thorin I…" Fira lowered her voice. Kili was in conversation with his brother but she didn't want to risk him overhearing this.

"I have no plan that doesn't risk the others. If I give myself up don't let anyone stop me. Especially Kili. He promised but I know him too well."

Thorin paused before nodding, "I wish it wasn't like this."

"So do I," Fira forced a smile onto her face, "But this is how it is."

As they entered the huge hall Fira gasped. Last time she had been here the floor and most of the walls were hidden under piles of gold and treasure. Now over half had gone. Thorin had meant it then about giving the gold away to the people of Laketown. But as she walked Fira pushed that from her head. Walking down the steps she saw a huge group of people sitting in a huddle. It was clear who the company was as they were all sitting together. The five standing up where their Dragonborn guards. Clenching her fists Fira glanced around but Sol wasn't anywhere to be seen. As they neared the group Thorin cleared his throat.

"I believe some hello's are in order."

As the company clapped eyes on her Fira smiled to herself. Kili held her steady as ten dwarves ran at them both. Hugging each of them tightly Fira could feel the tears starting again. She had missed them yes; but she hadn't realised just how much. The guards paid her no attention, only ordering the dwarves to sit down once the reunions were over. Kili held Fira close.

"Well I'm here," she snapped at the closest guard, "Where is he?"

"It's nice to see you as well Fira."

At Sol's voice Fira turned; a curse ready on her lips. Sol moved forward; pulling something behind him. Fira's eyes widened and she saw Mitchel. He hands had been bound with rope; the other end of which Sol had hold of. Mithiel whimpered and Fira heard Fili shoot a stream of curses as he too saw her blindfold. Glaring at Sol Fira nodded.

"Well here I am. Let her go."

Sol bowed, "A deal is a deal. Here you are."

Letting go of the rope he kissed Mithiel on the cheek before pushing her forward. Fira expected her to fall. However Fili shot by and grabbed her in his arms. Mithiel tensed but he whispered something in her ear. No one said anything as Fili untied her and got rid of the blindfold. Glancing at Mithiel's bruised face Fira's guilt increased. Fili growled.

"You swore you wouldn't hurt her!"

"No I said I wouldn't kill her," Sol corrected.

Fili stiffened before pulling Mithiel to her feet and moving back towards the others. As they past Fira sighed.

"I'm so sorry. Honestly I never meant for you to get hurt."

Mithiel smiled before sitting with the others. Turning her back on the company Fira moved towards Sol.

"I'm here Sol. You've got what you want. Now leave them be."

He shook his head, "When I'm travelling back North with you in chains will the others leave."

"Sorry," Kili dragged Fira back, "But that won't be happening."

Sol raised an eyebrow, "And you think you can stop me?"

Kili shrugged, "If I have to."

Sol smirked before his gaze landed back on Fira.

"Are you willing to let him throw his life away Fira? Funny, I thought you loved him."

"I do. With every fibre of my body."

Pushing Kili away she stared at Sol.

"I'm not going anywhere with you Sol. But I won't let you hurt them either. I request to have a trial by combat."

Sol wasn't the only one gasping. Ignoring the others Fira kept her gaze on Sol who laughed.

"You think you can beat me?"

"I beat Tharos and his son didn't I? Besides; if I go with you I'll be killed. If I'm to die then I'll die fighting thank you."

Sol paused and Fira grinned, "Unless you're too scared to do so."

He growled, "Very well. The trial will begin at dawn."

He moved away whilst Fira let out the breath she had been holding. Kili turned her to face him.

"When you said 'trial by combat'? Does that mean what I think it means?"

Nodding Fira watched the colour drain from his face.

"Kili I'll be fine."

"But…" he shook his head, "Can you get someone to fight on your behalf?"

Nodding Fira then shook her head, "Kili…"

"Let me fight for you," he held her hands to his chest, "Please! I can't sit on the side lines and watch you do this. Please let me do this for you."

"Kili stop," Fira narrowed her eyes, "You promised remember?"

Kili bowed his head with a nod, "I know. I just…Fira please just be careful."

"I'm always careful," she grinned. However one look at Kili's face and she kissed his forehead.

"I'll be careful. I promise."

Yes this is very short but that's because more will be happening in the next chapter. Poor dwarves and poor Fira! I'm aware her plan is very Game of Thrones like but I love watching and writing fights too much to miss out on another one! And it's nice to see Kili and Fira forgiving Thorin. Let me know what you think xxx