I'm back, my friends! :)

Man, oh man, have I been crazy busy lately! I originally was gonna do a chapter for one of my other stories, but then lost the motivation for it, so I came to this one instead! xD

So I do owe everyone an explanation for my absence and being so busy...and I will tell you, it was for a VERY good reason...

I'M ENGAGED! :D

That's right, I'm getting married! :D we got engaged about a month ago (on September 22nd, which happened to be Bilbo and Frodo Baggins's birthday xD that was just coincidence though) and I cannot even begin to say how happy I am and how excited I am to get married! :D my fiance is the most wonderful man I've ever met and he's a nerd like me! He will make LotR/Hobbit jokes or references all the time just because he knows I like them :D He is just like me in so many ways and I am so lucky to have found him :)

so yeah, I've been busy wedding planning for the last little while! Very time-consuming xD

Luckily I've had a little bit of free time here and there to get this chapter done! It's a bit shorter than normal, but at least I'm able to get something up and tell all of you, my fabulous readers, the great news! :)

So enjoy! :D

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Inside Bard's house, groans of pain sounded within the walls. Kili's leg wound was growing steadily worse and the pain he felt creeping up his leg seared through his skin like fire. He was laid on a bed in the corner of the house, sweating and panting, while Oin tried to look him over and Fili and Maori were on either side of him comforting him. Bofur came in from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of steaming hot water. Bard's children had gone upstairs and Bard was in another room searching through his things to find whatever healing salves or items he had that could help Kili because, unfortunately, the Dwarves had nothing medicinal left.

Watching his younger brother squirm in agony was making Fili restless. "Can you not do something?" he asked Oin impatiently.

"I need herbs; something to bring down his fever," the older Dwarf answered.

Bard came back in and started setting a couple jars and a pouch on the table. "I have nightshade…and feverfew…," he told them.

Oin shook his head. "They're of no use to me. Do you have any kingsfoil?" he asked.

"No, it's a weed. We feed it to the pigs," Bard answered.

"Pigs? Weed…," Bofur said out loud contemplatively. But then he made up his mind that he was going to go out and find that weed. His friend was in need of his help. Determined, he nodded his head and said, "Right!" He turned back to Kili and told him before leaving, "Don't move!"

Kili growled at him, not amused by his remark, but then moaned again from the pain.

Fili looked to Maori across from him on the other side of the bed. "What are we going to do?" he asked her worriedly.

She dipped a cloth in a basin of cold water next to her, wrung it in her hands and answered, dabbing Kili's forehead, "Only what we can do."

"What kind of a man doesn't keep any healing herbs in his house?" Fili murmured in an irritated voice, casting a glance over his shoulder at Bard, who was still going through his things.

"Watch yourself, Fili!" Maori chided him quietly. "Do not get frustrated with Bard. There has been a low count of medicinal supplies available to purchase here. You have seen how poor this town is. He is fortunate enough to even have the little amount of provisions he has."

Fili sighed in defeat. He knew she was right; he shouldn't get irritated with Bard for something that was beyond his control. His worry for Kili was driving him mad, messing with his mind immensely.

His fiancée left them momentarily to go help Bard, who had called for her, and Fili then looked down upon Kili. His face was twisted in pain, his teeth gritted and eyes squinted tightly shut. Seeing him this way made Fili's chest tighten and his stomach churn. He wanted nothing more than to take his brother's suffering away; he would even take it upon himself if it meant saving Kili from it. It killed him to watch his young brother writhe in anguish and there was nothing he could do.

Kili's cries briefly subsided and he reached up and grasped Fili's sleeve. "Fili…!" he gasped.

"I'm here, brother," Fili immediately replied, taking Kili's hand in his and laying the other gently on his forehead.

Through unstable breaths, Kili spoke, "I am…so sorry…for being so stubborn…and getting you into this…."

Fili shook his head. "It is not your fault. This was my choice," he told him softly. "We are brothers and we stay together no matter what. I'll never leave you behind."

Another anguished cry escaped Kili's throat and Fili had to clench his jaw to keep from screaming himself.

"I—I don't think I am going to live through this…!" Kili said sadly. He turned his head to face his brother. "If I do not make it, please…tell Aira—"

"No…whatever you want to tell Aira, you will tell her yourself!" Fili stated, cutting off what he knew his brother was going to say. He wasn't going to let him think like that. "You are not going to die, Kili. Not while I'm here; not while I have anything to say about it. You are going to overcome this wound that's ailing you and you are going to see the Lonely Mountain and be happily reunited with your One again! Just hold on! Hold on for her!"

Kili let his head fall back onto his pillow, breathing heavily. He was in agony and all he wanted was to have Aira at his side. He needed her now more than ever and she was now miles away from him. His eyelids fluttered shut and the image of her beautiful face and her bright brown eyes came to his mind.

"Aira…."

Back at the Lonely Mountain, the Dwarves had all retreated back outside the hidden door and were all lingering about, waiting. Bilbo and Balin had gone back inside as Bilbo was readying himself to go into the treasure horde. Aira, seeing how nervous Bilbo was, offered to go in with him until he reached the treasure room and he gladly accepted her offer.

As they slowly walked down the dark corridor, Bilbo asked Balin to clarify, "You want me…to find a jewel?"

"A large white jewel, yes," Balin answered.

Bilbo quickly glanced back down the hall in front of him and then turned back to the elder Dwarf and said, "That's it? I imagine there's…quite a few down there."

But Balin confidently answered, "There is only one Arkenstone…and you'll know it when you see it." Then he proceeded to walk further ahead of them down the corridor.

"Right…!" Bilbo said kind of uncertainly, giving Aira a nervous look. She laid a hand gently on his shoulder to ease his uneasiness and gave him a small nudge to urge him along after Balin.

The older Dwarf then stopped and let out a sigh just as the other two caught up to him. "In truth, lad…," he began as Bilbo came up beside him, "I do not know what you will find down there. You needn't go if you don't want to. There is no dishonor in turning back."

"No, Balin…," Bilbo answered right away. "I promised I would do this…and I think I must try."

Aira smiled proudly at him and Balin began to chuckle heartily. "It never ceases to amaze me!" he declared.

Confused, Bilbo asked, "What's that?"

With a grin, Balin stated, "The courage of Hobbits."

Hearing Balin say that made Bilbo grin himself. It was reassuring to know that Balin recognized his efforts and his audacity.

"Go now, with as much luck as you can muster," Balin then told him. With a nod, the Hobbit began to make his way down the small staircase in front of them. "Oh and Bilbo…," Balin then said, making him stop, "if there is, in fact, a um…a live dragon down there…don't waken it."

That last warning didn't necessarily make Bilbo feel any better, but before he could say anything, Balin had turned around and left. Aira had remained in her place, knowing that Bilbo was still tense about going inside.

She stepped down the stairs towards him and told him encouragingly, "You're going to be all right, Bilbo. You are strong and brave; one of the bravest people I have ever known."

Bilbo grinned and lowered his head, flattered. "You really think so?" he asked, looking back at her.

Aira looked at him like she couldn't believe he even had to ask. "Of course!" she answered. "You left the peaceful lifestyle you were accustomed to and the comfort of your own home to embark on a great adventure, knowing what lay ahead of you! You have fought Trolls, Orcs, Wargs and giant spiders! I know that none of those things will compare to the dragon you may find in the treasure room…but like I said, you are brave and you will be all right."

A deep, comforting warmth resonated within Bilbo's chest. This young Dwarf woman always knew the right things to say to make him feel brave and of worth to the quest. Once again, he was thankful that she was a part of the company and that she had come with him before he went into the treasure room alone.

"You really are one of my truest friends, Airaním Goldenheart," he told her with a grateful smile. "You live up to your name every day and you prove time and time again why you were named thusly. You have been looking out for me since the first day I met you, when you helped me after I fainted." He finished his last sentence with a snicker.

Aira snickered herself at that memory. "I still think Bofur could have described Smaug to you very differently," she said, making them both laugh a little more. When their laughter died down, her smile faded a little as she turned a bit more serious and asked, "Bilbo, do you know why, out of everyone in the company, I am the one who looks out for you the most?"

Curiously, Bilbo tilted his head and replied "No, why is that?"

"Because I have been where you are now," she answered. She then went on to explain, "I know what it's like to leave home and jump headfirst into an adventure, despite knowing what dangers may lay ahead and feeling nervous or afraid for it, but still taking a chance, nonetheless."

Her eyes drifted reminiscently. "I remember the day we left the Shire and I had faith that you would catch up and come with us. I was happy when you did. I remember when I turned around and saw you sprinting as fast as you could to catch up, flailing the contract you had signed in your hand."

Then she looked back at him and smiled kindly. "I suppose, in that moment, I realized…that I saw a bit of myself in you. I recognized the excitement, bravery and the ambition you had. Once I realized that, from that moment on, I just felt the need to be there for you and to look out for you; to be a friend for you whenever you needed one. I knew that it would take a little while for the rest of the lads to come around—some more than others—and I thought that, in a company of doubting Dwarves, you would feel alone and I didn't want you to feel that way; I wanted to look after you."

She looked at him fondly and her smile grew even more. "In so doing, you have become one of my closest and greatest friends, Bilbo Baggins…and for that, I love you very much."

Bilbo began to wonder how he hadn't actually started crying at hearing Aira's heartfelt words to him. Never had anyone said such kind, affectionate things to him and he was greatly touched. He marveled at how this young woman was even real! He made a mental note to praise Thorin for raising his daughter right and teaching her to have true kindness and charity towards others, which he had seen constantly since meeting her.

"I love you, too, Aira," he replied tenderly. "I couldn't have asked for a better friend than you. You have always been there for me and I can only hope I have been able to be there for you just as much."

"You have," Aira told him right away. "More than you know."

They smiled at each other and were quiet for a moment. Within seconds, they both sadly knew that it was time for Bilbo to go and do what he had been tasked to do. Aira didn't want to leave him. Deep down, she was scared for him. If the dragon really was still in there, then Bilbo would be in terrible danger…and she was worried that neither she nor any of the Dwarves would be able to help him in time.

Bilbo then said, glancing back over his shoulder, "Well…I suppose I should head off to the treasure room now." When he turned back, he noticed the faint trace of fear in her eyes and he knew what she was thinking. "Now, now…," he said quietly, laying a hand on her cheek and turning her gaze towards him. "You said it yourself: I'm going to be all right. I will come back, Aira…I promise."

"You better," she told him. "But Bilbo, if you find that the dragon is still in there and is still alive…please, be careful."

He nodded in affirmation without a word and then twisted his head around again towards the way he had to go.

Aira then said softly, "For luck," and then began to lean forward to give him a kiss on the cheek.

However, Bilbo turned his head at hearing her speak and then, at the last second, their lips unexpectedly met. Realizing what had happened, Aira drew back, startled, and her mouth dropped in surprise. That was not what she had meant to do!

Aira opened her mouth to apologize, but could find no words. Bilbo look slightly flustered himself and simply stared at her. But then, as they continued to stare at each other, they both began to feel a surprising, gradual pull inside, keeping their gazes locked together as if to draw them to one another; something that they hadn't experienced before together.

Then, in that moment, Bilbo lifted his hand back to Aira's cheek, stroked it gently and then, ever so slowly, they both leaned back in and their lips joined together in another kiss.

"Where is Bofur?"

Fili was now pacing tirelessly by Kili's bed, growing weary and greatly impatient. His anxiety over his brother was nearly driving him insane and waiting for Bofur to come back with the possible solution wasn't helping him at all.

Maori, of course, noticed his restlessness and, in all honesty, was growing irritated by it. She knew he was worried but she also knew that his attitude would not help things progress.

"He is still out finding some kingsfoil," she answered as she knelt down and continued to dab at Kili's forehead with a cool cloth. "Just be patient."

"He needs to find it faster!" he muttered with a grunt.

She rolled her eyes in annoyance. "It's not exactly something we have in abundance in this town, especially at this time of year," she explained to him, "but I know there is some out there. Just give Bofur some time."

Something about her statement sent Fili to the edge. "We don't have time!" he bellowed angrily, shoving some things off of a nearby table and sending them to the floor with a loud crash.

"Fili!" Maori cried out in alarm. Everyone present flinched at the sound, startled at Fili's outburst.

At that moment, Maori had finally had enough. She stood up straight, clenched her fists and, when Fili made eye contact with her, she ordered with an absolute, firm voice, "Outside...now!"

Fortunately, Fili did not try to argue with her, but simply turned on his heel with a huff and marched towards the door. Maori gave Oin a bit of an apologetic look and then followed after her fiancée. When she stepped outside, he was standing with his back to her and his hands clutching onto the railing.

She did not wait to speak and said right away, "I know you are frustrated and worried sick about your brother...but lashing out like that and being impatient is not going to make things go any faster or suddenly cure Kili of his ailment!"

Fili whipped around and cried, his emotion starting to break through, "These could be my final moments with him, Maori! I could lose him tonight!"

"No, you won't," she replied. "We still have time. He is a fighter and he is still fighting; he is still holding on."

For the time being, Fili said nothing but resumed staring out at the water below them.

She took advantage of his silence and proceeded to tell him, "Believe me, I know exactly what you are going through. I felt the same way after Gandalf and I rescued Aira from Gundabad. She was in a very poor state when we found her, both mentally and physically. She was in constant pain and despair and it was agonizing for me to see her that way. I wanted nothing but to take her pain upon myself and to free her from the awful nightmares she suffered…but I also knew that there was only so much I could do for her and that being impatient or letting my worry overtake me would not help her in any way and would only make my state of mind even worse. That is what you must realize now with Kili."

Fili's breathing became slow and heavy as he ran a hand over his face and up through his hair, trying to calm himself down. His bottom lip started to tremble slightly as he felt on the verge of tears. "I can't lose him, Maori…," he said shakily. "He's my brother…and my best friend…and I promised I would protect him…and I can't lose him, I just—I just can't! Losing him would destroy me!"

Maori reached up and tenderly cupped his face with her hands, brushing away a stray tear with her thumb. "I know…I know…," she whispered. "I have grown close to him, as well, and I don't want to lose him either…but we mustn't think that way, not now. We cannot let our fears take root in our heart or our minds. There is still time; we still have a chance to save him. If we let this fear overcome us…then all hope will be lost and we cannot have that. We must be strong for Kili. He is strong, too. He is still fighting even though his wound is worsening and the poison is spreading. I know he won't give in that easily. He's too stubborn for that."

That earned a very quiet snicker from Fili, even though he was still trying hard to keep from crying or letting his emotions consume him.

Maori tilted Fili's head forward a little and pressed her lips to his forehead consolingly. "Your brother needs you right now," she told him, "but you can't truly be there for him if you're in this frantic state of mind."

Fili lifted his head and gazed into her loving amber eyes. "Oh, my love…what would we have done had you not been here? What would we have done without you?" he asked rhetorically.

She answered, "You probably would've destroyed half of Bard's kitchen by now."

Once again, he snickered at her comment and he felt glad that she was doing what she could to make him feel better in this terrible situation.

She took hold of his hands and then asked him, "Are you all right now?"

He let out a sigh, glanced at the ground for a moment and then answered as he looked back up, "Not quite yet, but I will be once Kili is healed. I will do my best to keep calm for all our sakes, despite my worry."

"Then come on," she said, gently tugging his hands and leading him back to the door, "let's go help your brother."

.

...I'm in trouble, aren't I...? xD

All I'm gonna say is just the usual: leave your comments or questions in a review or send me a PM! I'd love to hear from you all (even if it's to say you hate me right now...) but don't hate me too much yet! xD

I'm sure a lot of you will understand, but just in case, please be patient with me over the next couple months! I can't promise when any updates will be, seeing as how I'll be busy with wedding planning and all along with a few other things! Thank you so much! :)

Until next time! :)