I've been mulling over the events that are going to happen and I had to really think about it; this chapter is a bit long but I hope I covered all things that I wanted to; I didn't have the patience to read over the chapter again so i hope that i didn't make any spelling errors and such. So here it is! Feast my readers!

Also thank you to the people who reviewed on my small fry story; please check out killthepain62's story Welcome Home!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit, I do however own my own characters as well as the art work I do for the series.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Picking Up The Pieces

A frustrated sigh left Thorin's lips as he leaned heavily against the balcony railing that hung over the grand stair cases greeting the entrance to the kingdom; he was greatly irked with how things have fared since they sheltered themselves in the mountain form the storm. He could already tell that the next few days; even months maybe, were going to be miserable. He couldn't cope with everyone trying to butt in their own opinions at once at the moment nor could he handle the unyielding flood of uncertainty with a certain woman.

An air of electrifying tension had settled heavily between Lian and Thorin since they entered the Dining Hall, along with the nagging feeling of guilt in Thorin's stomach; he didn't know how he'd rekindle the mess he made of their relationship. However his issues with Lian weren't the worst thing the dwarf had been dealing with; this storm was already putting strain on them as well as delaying everything until it passed. They still needed to collect the corpses of their people and give them proper burials; not to mention go out and get supplies to last them the rest of winter as they tried to rebuild as much of their kingdom as they could. They had survived the battle but there were several other threats that weren't nearly as plausible to deter; they were at a stalemate.

Thorin had been caught up in a debacle of a meeting with all his kin and Gandalf until just minutes ago, he appreciated and honored his kin greatly but at times they were nerve wracking with their constant bickering and shouting. All he wanted to do was lie down and rest his aching muscles, his brows were knitted tersely together as well did his jaw hurt from the constant clenching of his jaw in an attempt to restrain his temper. He planned to take a moment to himself before sleeping but it seemed as though he wasn't the only one wandering about the echoing kingdom outside the Dining Hall and watch towers.

From his place on the balcony he could see the woman sitting at the base of the grand stairs, looking just as conflicted as he was but like always she didn't let it weigh on her too much before jumping up. Thorin watched as Lian began to spin and sing in the Entry Hall; twirling with the same infant in her arms she seemed to carry around everywhere. Fili had caught his pointed looks at the child earlier and explained the circumstances; Thorin didn't know how he felt about her mothering another's child. His lips were slightly parted as he watched her silky tresses ripple under the pale reflection of the snow; she held a look of motherly affection towards the child in her arms and he couldn't help but notice the expression brought out the small dimples in her cheeks when she smiled.

The child looked like it brought her joy and Thorin almost felt jealous that they brought a smile to her face in such a dark time and not his self; petty really but he still had enough of a noble mindset to be happy for her regardless of his own conflicted feelings. He felt his eyes almost glaze over dreamily as he listened to her voice; so warm and inviting was the melody that slipped from her lips. Her singing wasn't the best necessarily but the wistful tune and soothing warmth it placed over ones heart could easily draw one into the sweet sound. He followed her every move until finally she began to climb the grand stair cases to be off to bed with the child safely tucked into the blanket she had wrapped around her person.

"When are you going to talk to her?"

Thorin quickly snapped out of his daze and turned to see Bilbo standing beside the dwarf with a knowing look in his dark blue eyes; Thorin felt as though he'd been caught in the middle of a crime from the way the hobbit looked at him. It seemed as though his intent to hide his constant interest in Lian's actions had failed; so much for being inconspicuous.

"It isn't as easy as that." Thorin grumbled out, a bit put off that the hobbit was making it sound like it was easy as lifting a finger; he didn't know what Lian really felt about the matter and he was afraid of irking her wrath if he brought it up.

"Don't give me that! You're acting as if Lian is so petty; I'm sure she wants to talk through it as much as you do so waiting for things to pass isn't getting either of you anywhere." Bilbo chided, his lips pulled into a deep frown at the dwarf.

"I don't know where to start though." Thorin sighed, his own frown tugging at his thin lips as he looked down at the hobbit and friend. For the first time Bilbo saw raw uncertainty in the proud dwarfs pale blue eyes; never had he shown such open doubt in himself before to the hobbit, it gave him an air of innocence.

"You could start by saying sorry and as for the other stuff…well that's something you've got to do on your own." Bilbo said a bit awkwardly; he wasn't really one to ask about relationship advice, he only told Thorin what would be most appropriate with a friend. He wasn't what he thought to be a reliable source for advice in general but he could tell the dwarf was in need of it. "Just don't try making decisions like that again when it comes to her wellbeing; I'd like to keep the relations formed through our little journey well made."

"I'll try; that's all I can promise." The dwarf pursed his lips tightly; just the thought of having to face Lian on the matter was sending tremors though his stomach. Bilbo gave the dwarf a sympathetic glance, patting his shoulder hesitantly before he turned to be off to bed. Thorin turned to peer once more down at the woman but she'd already retreated back up the stairs and into the Dining Hall; thankfully she hadn't heard or seen him in the process.

He took the time to take in the kingdom now that he was truly alone, closing his eyes before inhaling the crisp winter air; it seemed so unreal being back here, he could still remember these halls as clear as he did all those years ago. So much time had passed, he was hardly even of age when his home was taken from him and now here he was once more; older, wiser and far more tired. Yet somehow he felt like he had more to live for now; not just his kin anymore but for the friends he's gained along the way and a woman who turned the rock headed dwarf to liquid in her hands. Some would think he feared her but he wasn't afraid of Lian; he was afraid what he'd do to her. Afraid that he'd hurt her; ruin her to the point where she'd become something she wasn't. He couldn't bring himself to discard his feelings for her; he would give anything to keep her by his side selfishly.

"Durin help me." He whispered.

Morning came too soon for Lian despite the fact that she slept in far past dawn; her muscles ached all over, just raising her head off her sleeping mat sent sharp pangs throughout her neck muscles; setting her bite mark on fire. She let out a loud groan, laying her head back down; she felt exhausted like she had slept too long.

"Get up, sleepy. It's already two hours til noon." Luke scoffed upon noticing she was awake, lightly nudged the bottom of her blanket cocoon with his boot.

He held out a hand to help her up but she swatted it away before propping herself up on her elbow. She noticed that Rowan was still safely tucked against her right side, the child stirring from her own slumber; she looked grumpy and Lian couldn't help but smile at the lovable expression. She slowly sat up with the child cradled in her sore arms, groaning when her muscles creaked and popped in protest.

"What's everyone doing?" She asked; her voice thick with sleep as she rubbed the sleep crusties from her eyes.

"Tending to the injured and sick, trying to find more supplies and a Stevvin and Gordon are about to go out and see if they can gather some stuff from camp; I'm going with them too so if ya want to go then ya better get up." He explained and she groaned once more before sighing; no need to whine, things need to be done.

"And my father?"

"He's fine; maybe a bit bruised up but other than he's as healthy as a horse." He answered, he was still in awe that the Kinghad survived; he'd seen him take that blow to the ribs and there was no way he could have lived through that. Luke had snapped out of his shock and was about to come forth but he lost sight of them as soon as the King dropped; the sudden horde of orcs blocked his way and attempted to dog pile him as well. He was pushed back with everyone else and didn't see the woman again until she saved him from being impaled but he knew the king was dead just for the look on her face when she looked at him.

Luke wanted to help but he had been frozen in place by the sheer amount of orcs that was overpowering his King and he just couldn't move. He couldn't do anything until it was too late and he didn't blame Lian for hating him but somehow she still treated him fairly.

Said woman attempted to push herself off her ass and into a crouch but she was so stiff that she just got a few inches off the ground before falling back on her ass. She tried a few more times and pursed her lips crossly while Rowan began to squirm and kick against her; she must be hungry.

"For heaven's sake, woman!" Luke finally yelled out, grabbing her wrist and jerking her to a stand; she stumbled a bit before standing still so she could squeeze her eyes shut. He head was spinning from the sudden rush of movement and she could feel herself swaying a bit before finally stilling after what seemed like forever. Jackass.

She sent a nasty glare at him but he wasn't paying attention since his eyes were firmly glued on Nellia while she bent over to help carry a pale of water. His grey eyes were clearly zeroed in on her ass and Lian rolled her eyes; she walked by the preoccupied man to get some food.

Past tension between the two seemed to all but disappear and now they acted more like a bickering brother and sister; both parties preferred it this way too. They weren't best buddies or anything but even if they'd hated each other's guts for nearly nine years they had grown to know each other better than the other knew.

Lian ate some bland porridge for breakfast; spoon feeding Rowan as much as she'd eat in the process before she went to find her father. Her bite was stinging and itched but she was resisted the urge to scratch the scabs off. She eventually found her father talking with Thorin and she felt her heart seize up; she purposely avoided eyes contact with the dwarf as she walked up to her father with Rowan tightly hitched on her hip.

"I'm going with Stevvin to camp; do ya need anything in particular that was left there?" She asked and she couldn't help but notice she sounded a bit strained; even a fool could see that she was uncomfortable from her stiff posture and pursed lips. Honestly she wanted to see if he was feeling okay and tell him not to strain himself but he was talking with Thorin and she just…felt pressured around him. She wanted to talk to him but she wanted it to be alone and on their own terms; she didn't get chance to even try yesterday before he had already gone off somewhere.

"Aye but I think you should stay here; Gandalf wanted to talk to you about something but he wouldn't tell me what." Lvaire said, placing a gentle hand on her back as she began to sway a bit; she hadn't even realized she was doing it until he steadied her. Shaking her head a bit she felt the small dizzy spell clear and she looked up at her Father's green eyes; reflecting her own except his were laced with worry.

"Where is he now then? I can talk to him real quick and then I'll join ya'll." She offered but the older man shook his head.

"I think he's wanting a long talk, it is best not to rush the wizard; you'll find him somewhere in the library?" He said it as a question, obviously not knowing where that may be and she certainly didn't know where that was.

"I'll take her; I remember the routes." Thorin offered up, surprising both father and daughter who had obviously momentarily forgotten the dwarf and didn't think he'd offer up his service since he was so busy. In fact Lvaire remembered Lord Dain asking for them to talk after he was done here but for whatever reason he was setting that aside. He furrowed his brow a bit when Lian averted her gaze from the dwarf so she could look anywhere but the dwarf.

"I'll take this little one." Lvaire said, taking Rowan from Lian's grasp before she could protest and the child let out a loud coo; feeling the man's grey streaked beard with her chubby little hands.

"I'll being going now, do bring her back after she's done though; I wouldn't want her getting lost." Lvaire chuckled at the infant and he didn't even give Lian say anything before he walked off; whatever was troubling the two was something they needed to work out on their own, a long walk would do them some good.

Lian and Thorin stood in silence, both parties silent and she felt her stomach do a thousand flips while her throat attempted to close up. The dwarf was hardly fairing any better and so he just turned and walked in the direction he knew the library to be; he knew she'd follow. She did and she took the fact that he wasn't looking to stare at him; the cuts on his face were crusted over with crude scabs and he looked tired.

They walked up several stairs and through many grand corridors; she could feel her sore muscles unclench and the ache ebb away. The walk seemed to last forever and the fact that Throin was going incredibly slow didn't help; it was almost like he was trying to drag it out. Her mind was racing the whole time of all the questions she wanted to ask or things she could say to him; they ranged from sad to angry and then she thought of the option of being uncaring.

"When are you leaving?"

The question caught her off guard and she felt a sting when her first assumption was that he was asking so he'd know how long he'd have to deal with her. "After the storm passes we'll leave on the second day after; we don't want to stay too long and trouble anyone." She spoke and you could clearly hear the hurt in her voice in the last bit; causing the dwarf to abruptly halt before facing her. He looked shocked when he realized what she meant, frustration quickly taking its place.

"That's not what I meant!" He snapped, harsher than he intended and her green eyes sharply narrowed on him; meeting his blue ones for the first time with a fire smoldering in their rippling pools. Her chin jutted out stubbornly and shoulders squared as she stared him down with anger boiling in the pits of her belly towards the dwarf.

"What did ya mean then?! Were ya asking out of concern or to make sure that I went back like ya wanted?!" Her voice was on the brink of cracking with emotion and she could feel angry tears trying to brim over; she was so fed up with avoiding the problem and of wishing it would work it's self out.

"You're being ridiculous; it was just a simple question! I wasn't trying to get you to leave quicker!" Thorin retorted, he wasn't used to be talked to like this though it wasn't like this was the first time she had; he still didn't know how to handle it aside from getting angry.

"Don't act like ya even wanted me to come with ya in the first place; I know that from the very beginning ya've tried to run me off! Then when that didn't work ya just left me!" Her breathing was labored now as tears burned the rims of her eyes; attempting to spill over but she wouldn't let them. Thorin stayed silent at this; a look of shame on his proud feature for once.

"Ya left me alone, Thorin. Do ya know how that made me feel?! How much it hurt to wake up and find the person that should have been there wasn't." She was couldn't stop the tears now and Thorin felt a lump form in his throat as she saw how broken she looked; tears fell in fat droplets as a flush adored her cheeks.

"A note was what I got; a note!" She suddenly pulled a piece of parchment out of the pouch on her belt; crumping it up and throwing it at him. He caught the ball before it fell to the ground, opening it to see his own thick scrawl on the crumbles paper. You could tell it had been ripped apart and sewn back together and the words were smudged from moisture hitting the ink. He felt his heart give a painful tug in his chest and he looked up to see Lian still breathing heavily from her outburst with thick tears in her eyes.

"Lian, I didn't want to leave you." He tried to defend.

"Then why did ya?" Her voice couldn't help but crack now as a new wave of tears washed over her along with an immense wave of heat that cause a light sweat to break out on her flesh. "Why must ya always try to decide what's best for me?"

"Because you're too innocent!" Thorin bellowed, his own feelings rising to the surface; seeing her cry like this brought out the raw pain he felt. "You're reckless and it's going to get you killed one day! I've lived enough of my life to be able to die in peace but you still have the rest of yours in front of you!"

Lian's bottom lip trembled as Thorin tried to calm the adrenaline pumping through his veins from his raging emotions coursing through him. She slowly walked forward and lifted a gloved hand to cradle his cheek; sending a thrill through his body despite the thick leather separating their flesh.

"I want the rest of mine to be with ya though." She whispered shakily as if she was afraid of speaking; her head felt light and she tried everything to keep her eyes focused as a deep throbbing pounded against her skull. "But ya keep denying me that happiness; ya said that I was the closest thing to love ya've had and yet ya deny yerself that happiness. Was it a lie?"

"I would never lie about something like that." Thorin whispered, his own voice seeming to lose the capability rise above the barest of breaths as he looked into her green eyes. He placed his own hand over hers; breathing in her naturally crisp and fresh scent as he felt his lips part in a daze.

"Then why?" She breathed out; their faces now only mere inches away from each other and he let out a shaky sigh; he had lived too long without this woman in his life to let his pride deprive him of her. He was tired of holding it all in all for the sake of his pride.

"I didn't want to hurt you, I didn't want you to get hurt or die cause of me and the gold, I could feel it even then; changing me and pulling me in. I didn't want to admit it but I was weak and I knew you would suffer the worst from it." He felt shame burn his throat as the words spilled from his lips in a flood of emotion; his deepest fears coming into light for the first time since they formed. Lian's eyes softened before she took both sides of his face into her hands and he looked up at her from under his dark brows as she spoke.

"I don't care about the gold or how weak it may make ya; just lean on me for once and let me help ya. Don't try and do everything alone when I'm right here for ya, along with so many others; ya can't do everything, Thorin. Our world is not meant to be faced alone for it would be a truly terrible fate to have."

They looked into each other's eyes and it seemed like they were about to lean in but Lian was suddenly hit by a dizzy spell as the pounding in her skull grew to be unbearable; her eyes attempted to roll into the back of her head as her vision went in and out. Her conscious seemed to momentarily disconnect with her body and she felt herself just slump heavily against Thorin as her body was wracked with sudden hot flashes. Her breathing came out a bit heavier now as she leaned against the dwarf now, completely without the use of her legs.

"Lian?!" Thorin panicked but it sounded a muffled as a high pitched ringing filled her ears; she couldn't focus on anything and she felt like everything was moving. It was so hot; she'd never felt like this before, she was on fire even in the deepest parts of her bones.

"Hot; so hot." She drawled out as Thorin placed her gently against one of the pillars that were carved into the stone walls; they were just around the corner from the library where Lian was supposed to meet Gandalf. He didn't want to risk carrying her down all those stairs so he would have to take her to the old wizard; if only to watch over her while he got Oin.

"Hot?" He repeated and instinctively he placed his palm against her cheek, the dwarf instantly recoiled when he felt her scolding flesh against his cold fingers. She was running a fever! Was there a bug going around or was this injury induced?

"Lian, look at me." He ordered her, holding her head from lolling to the side as her eyes open and closed as if she was on the brink of consciousness. He should have seen this before when she was so unsteady on her feet; the previously stressful situation must have caused her fever to flare up.

"Yer hands…feel so good." She slurred out, barely able to speak as she leaned into his chilled fingers; shivering in pleasure from the contact against her hot flesh.

"Stay awake, I'm going to take you to Gandalf." Thorin let out a grunt as he lifted her limp body, hooking her arms around his neck as she rode piggyback; the dwarf then strode as fast as he could towards the library. Lian didn't make any complaint; she suddenly felt so cold now and she leaned her cheek against Thorin's fur cape in an attempt to warm up despite her flushed cheeks. Her neck was throbbing painfully and she just wanted to pass out but the sharp jostling of Thorin's hurried movements wasn't letting her.

The dwarf finally arrived at the grand stone doors and ran his fingers over the carvings framing the entrance until he found what he was looking for. He pushed in on a tiny button made of stone and you could instantly feel the floor tremble as the mighty stone doors opened before him. Thorin didn't even wait for them to open all the way before he slipped between the widening gap and into the large cavern of stone and parchment; the smell of dust was thickest here than anywhere else. Smaug must have left this place be so it was virtually untouched since the dwarves had last inhabited these halls.

"Thorin?"

Turning he saw Ori pop his head out from behind a large shelf of books with Dori not far behind; they must have accompanied the old wizard here. Their eyes quickly took in the woman being carried upon their King's back and panicked; rushing over to help.

"Lain!" Ori cried, helping the other two dwarves lay her upon the creaking wooden table that didn't seem like it could hold up its own weight; much less hers but it did so none the less. She was still conscious but Thorin didn't know how much longer that would be and he didn't want her to black out on him; especially when he didn't know where the sudden fever had come from.

"Go get Oin! Tell him that Lian has collapsed from a high fever!" Thorin snapped at the two and they didn't waste any time in hightailing it out of there to find Oin; despite the troubled look Ori sent back at her.

"Thorin?" She breathed, her throat feeling dry as she tried to focus her blurry vision but to no avail; she couldn't focus on anything and her throbbing neck and head weren't helping.

"It's okay; Oin is going to come and see what's wrong with you." He explained; clasping her hands tightly within his own as he watched the light reflect off her glistening skin. He was completely caught off guard by the sudden change of events and he dearly hoped that the sudden illness was nothing serious.

"Where's Gandalf?" She asked; making the dwarf remember the wizard and he just shook his head; like talking to Gandalf right now was the most important thing!

"That doesn't matter; I'm sure he'll show up eventually but for now try to stay awake until Oin gets here." He squeezed her hand firmly and he felt her squeeze back as she stared into the distance; looking but not seeing anything but diluted forms and colors as she shivered.

Lian lifted her weak hand and placed it over the burning bitemark on her neck; it was throbbing in tune with her strong pulse and she gritted her teeth when she brushed the tender flesh. She pressed down firmly in an attempt to cease the throbbing pain but the only thing it did was send sharp twangs up and down her neck; clearing her blurred vision as she narrowed her pupils.

Thorin noticed the attention she was paying to her neck and quickly yanked her hand away to see a small lump under the long collar of her sweater; pulling the green material down he could see old bandages that reeked of something foul. He didn't have to see under the bandages to know that her wound was infected, the reek of it was very prominent and the dwarf now knew the reason for the woman's sudden fever.

"Lain, you fool! You forgot to clean your wounds!" He exclaimed angrily; how could she have possibly been so careless! Now she has a fever as her body tried to fight off the infection; she'll have to sleep it off until it breaks. Thorin was relieved that the problem was caused from the woman's own carelessness and not induced by something more serious.

"Oh yeah; can ya do that for me?" She mumbled; letting out a heavy sigh as her eyes drooped and before he could even say anything she was asleep; light snores leaving her.

Thorin leaned back rather baffled and if not embarrassed by his sudden panic; if he'd have checked before he wouldn't have caused a big fuss and sent Ori and Dori off in a hurry like that. He let out a sigh as he leaned heavily against one of the arched pillars by the grand double doors; the dwarf ran a calloused hand over his tired features and watched the woman sleep. A smile couldn't help but spread across his lips at the rather ridiculous expression she made as she slept; he always found her un-lady like qualities to be some of the most charming things about her. The normal prime and proper women of the court were far too…prefect; it made the dwarf uncomfortable and was easily irked when they tried to act coy. He knew for a fact they were anything but when they talked down to their chambermaids; always so easy to put on a mask when they deemed it mattered.

That's one of the reasons why he found Lian so fetching and just overall charming in general; she treated everyone the same, even the King Under the Mountain. She had little regard to status, especially when she was angry; Thorin found whenever her kin called her 'princess; it was so unbefitting for her character. Honestly Thorin had thought her to be rude and rowdy in the beginning but he soon realized that even the obnoxious woman had a sullen outlook on things; that first night in the Shire she had caught his attention when she asked him not to forget her.

Maybe it was the sheer randomness of it or the fact that he too didn't want to leave this world forgotten but from then on he came to understand the woman more and more. So simple yet her actions always seem to catch him off guard; she was the complete opposite of his constantly brooding self.

Thorin stood by her sleeping form and brushed his fingers over her heated flesh and he felt a bubbling affection warn his soul and cause his heart to swell; he'd never felt so strongly towards anyone before, even his kin. The dwarf was proud and pushed away the unnecessary things that could sway his judgement but he was unsuccessful in doing so with this woman. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her forehead before their flesh parted, he hovered over her then; hesitating as the words danced across his lips.

"I love you.

How Lvaire's feeling right now: (∩｀-´)━━ ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ -Kiss and make up!