#so positively Bofur I love it so so much

[shirefantasies]

Hii, I absolutely love your work!! 💗 Could I please request headcannons about the characters from The Hobbit and sleeping positions or something about how they like to relax? <3

Uhhhh hell yeah this is so cute 🥺🖤

The Hobbit Characters' Favorite Sleeping Position

Balin

He likes to lay by your side, either facing each other or otherwise right up against you, your back to him as he draws circles with his hand upon your back or arm. Encouraging and relaxing you as you speak, whether it be opening up about your day or sharing some deep thought. As you drift off, Balin maintains a loose hold, knowing you are safe together.

Dwalin

Keeps to his side…at least at first. The moment you pout or reach to him he acquiesces. Acting like he is accepting for your benefit only to wrap his arms around you and clutch you to his chest like he’ll die before he loses you. Tends to fall asleep with his head lolling onto your shoulder due to this position, his legs sprawled out wherever they land, sometimes with one thrown over your sleeping form. Sometimes you will even awaken with his nose nuzzled into your neck and bear tickling any exposed skin.

Thorin

I have two words for you: big spoon. Specifically Thorin will be such. He wants nothing more than to grant you a feeling of care, of presiding over you in a loving way rather than his domineering presence can imply. In truth, being your comfort is everything, and of course he wants to feel you there, to be able to open his eyes and receive an immediate answer why if he is to sense you slipping away.

Oin

In terms of how he cuddles with you, it will be on the loose side, your arms draped over his side as you rest rather than tightly clinging or, in Oin’s words, “crushing the life out o’ me”. The habit you will come to discover, however? Oin very much likes being your little spoon. As much time as he spends caring for others, there is a part of him that wants to be cared for and held but feels too ashamed to ask about, at least at first. Please help him feel cared for!

Gloin

Rarely goes to sleep lightly, be it following a bit of hanky-panky or simply the bit of playful wrestling that ensues if you try to adopt the position of big spoon. Unless of course Gloin is quite tired, in which case you may find him just flopping right over on his back, half atop you but fully vulnerable to your hold!

Bifur

Cuddling too close can feel suffocating to him, especially after all he has been through and the nightmares he sometimes has. However, just because he does not want to entrap you does not mean that Bifur refuses your touch. He finds great comfort in holding your hand as he drifts off, squeezing it if he wakes up in the night. The feeling of your head upon his shoulder or leaned against his is absolute heaven to Bifur.

Bofur

Arms snaking about your waist, Bofur pulls you into his lap before tumbling your joined bodies onto the bed, eventually rotating to face you. His legs weave with your own into the most wonderful mess, radiating with the warmth of your love and every good night kiss. Hooks you in with that leg-lock to pull you even closer against his chest.

Bombur

Cuddling is his favorite thing in the world! Bombur is an expert at it, whether it is being your living blanket or sharing your space in his favorite way, facing you. Nuzzling his nose against yours and peering into your eyes to watch them close and open in fading wake. Sandwiches one of your legs in his, an accidental trap of love, but he just loves to hold you close!

Dori

Lays right by your side, your heads brushing together so he can rub his cheek against yours and talk and listen until you both fall asleep. Sometimes holding hands, others simply loosely draped, limbs thrown wherever they please. You usually end up falling asleep half on top of Dori, head lolling onto his shoulder or chest. He usually wakes up first and subsequently wakes you up with a kiss to the top of your head.

Nori

If you ask Nori, the best way to cuddle is the best way to do anything: with him on top of you! What better than to be able to look down upon you, to kiss you and straddle you on your way off to dreamland? To see directly the effects of any attempts at flustering you staring him in the face quite literally. One hand of his might snake about your waist and give your hip an affectionate squeeze as he nuzzles down into you, whispering you sweet nothings into sleep.

Ori

He absolutely adores cuddling and falling asleep facing each other, his arms gently thrown around you. Rubs his nose against yours as you both drift off, claiming one last sleepy kiss. If you tumble off into dreams first Ori will watch you with a smile, wishing for his last sight of the day to always be of your peaceful expression.

Fili

Caring, giving, protecting Fili wants to hold you. His natural position when he lays by your side is to be your big spoon, holding you flush against him. To have you in his arms is the greatest gift Fili could ask for, security in the highest capacity when he knows you are close to him, close enough to feel his heartbeat and the fanning of his breath upon you and the kisses he places upon your head, neck, shoulders as your eyes flutter shut.

Kili

Mischievously tugs you into bed, pulling you into his favorite position so you are draped atop his chest. With you there, Kili melts at the sight of your head lain over his heart, soothed by its beat. He presses kisses to the crown of it during pre-sleep cuddles, one hand rubbing your back. Up and down the warm softness slides as dreams begin to take you both, the rhythm of synchronizing heartbeats carrying you off.

Bilbo

Bilbo's favorite way to cuddle or go to sleep with you is absolutely as your little spoon! The feeling of snuggling up in your arms is utter bliss, his body melting like butter as he relaxes against you. If you throw a leg over him, you can feel him stiffen in surprise before relaxing once more and turning his head to give you a shy but wide smile. Before sleep takes him, he loves to reach up and hold the hands you've wrapped around him, affectionately running them along yours.

Thranduil

Warning: a bit of a bed hog. At least in the sense that his limbs sprawl out where they please, draping themselves wherever is most comfortable. Which more often than not will involve some part of your body. Thranduil's reaching arms tend to find purchase, for example, when his hand finds your hair to stroke or tangle his fingers in. One of his legs as they stretch and lounge will likely end up beneath yours.

Feren

Adores lying side by side, some space for each of your bodies, but with your hands joined between them. Fingers intertwined like an anchor, a way to show your love even as you fade away into the night. Feren also feels his heartbeat speed when you tuck your head into the crook of his neck, reaching up to stroke your hair before sleep overtakes him.

Bard

Tends to face the opposite direction as you, laying upon his side. However, peek at him when you butt against him, when you wrap an arm over him and feel his hand grip yours and you will see the smile spreading across Bard's face. A sight sure to speed the rhythm of the heartbeat he loves to feel pressed against him.

Beorn

Not used to cuddling at all and quite a stiff sleeper. Once he is comfortable with you, though, that safeguarding streak of Beorn's emerges. Though he does not tend to cuddle to sleep unless you ask for it, peace flows through his whole being when you curl at his side, his form still straight but one arm extended out that much further to rest along your back, a hand at the small of it.

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[bookworm-with-coffee]

Softly. . .

(Kili x Reader)

(A/N); Hillooo!! Let's switch up the angst today, lovelies with more Kili love!! As always, enjoy!!

Plot; When Kili is dying and can't rely on Tauriel, who then can he count on?

Pairings; Kili x Reader (Romantic)

Warnings; long fic, blood/injury, mature themes, coarse language, violence, unrequited love, angst, eventual fluff

________________________________________

Exhaustion burned like a sting through the muscles in your legs. Having travelled so far in the span of a day, the Company had made it from the stability provided by Beorn's home now to the depths of Mirkwood where the days seemed timeless and dark. Your own footsteps rang like a drum in your ears, the grip that an Elven soldier had on you was unyeilding.

Completely stripped of your outer layers and weaponry, you felt unbelievably helpless as you were marched along the winding bridges to perhaps a worser fate than death. You all didn't know.

"Tolo hí", a cocky Elf unwisely shoved Thorin towards a staircase, the King matching the taller male's glare. You angrily tried to shrug yourself from the grip of the soldier holding you, attempting to stick up for your Company's leader. The Dwarves shared your sentiment, Thorin waving all of you down before the fights could begin. You all weren't exactly in a position to stir trouble, after all. Things had to remain peaceful for good negotiations.

"Don't struggle. I will be back", he assured you all, his ocean gaze burning with surity before he ascended the steps to the throne room. The Elves forced you all onwards, your path leading you further down into the bowels of the city; the dungeons. The leader Legolas, he'd been named; scrutinized you with his harsh gaze, undoubtedly noting how you stood out like a sore thumb amongst the others of this Company. One human female and thirteen male Dwarves certainly made for an interesting travelling circus, in his eyes. Yet, you knew you were missing one more member of your group.

Bofur noticed Bilbo's disappearance first, always seeming to keep track of your whereabouts as much as the missing Hobbit's. You all declined to mention your lost fifteenth member of the Company, trying to avoid making it known that you were seeking him out hopefully. Some part of your heart screamed to you that he was already here, that he hadn't abandoned you all. He would rescue you all soon, you were sure of it.

The Elves finally made their stop, the soldier that held you releasing the hard hold he had on your arm. You were sure you would have bruising later. Your captors began to lead your group in pairs or singles up and down stairs, completely separating you all. Balin turned to you, attempting to offer you assurance with a steady smile and a glance that told you, everything will be fine. You hoped so as you were finally lead away from the older Dwarf with Bofur. Worry flashed in Fili and Kili's eyes as you ascended stairs to your right with your cellmate, the brothers both having some level of protectiveness over you.

The cells were small with no chairs or any form of comfort, only the cold floor to sit on. While trudging forwards, you were suddenly shoved into the small room behind Bofur, crashing into him and hitting the floor. "Oh, shit!", you hissed, rubbing at your head and helping him to his feet.

"Are ye alright, Love?", he asked, wholeheartedly unconcerned with himself. His hand moved your own to check for any blood or wounds that the fall may have given you, finally sighing in relief. "You'll be fine". Patting your shoulder, he moved past you to look through the bars of the now locked door. He gripped the bars, much like the others had started doing. All of the Dwarves, save for Balin, kicked and threw themselves desperately at the bars in their attempt to dent or break them. The metal was completely reinforced, the Dwarves risking harm to themselves more than their cell bars.

"It's no use!", Balin shouted. "This is no Orc prison. These are the dungeons of the Woodland Realm!". Dejected, everyone dropped to the floor, inclusive of yourself. Balin was right. There was no escaping unless Thorin could strike a deal with the Elven King, Thranduil. An agitated roar left Dwalin's throat, punching the bars before throwing himself down as well. You would all have to sit this out and wait.

Turning your head to your right, you gazed down at the other cells. Kili's cell with Fili's above his, Ori and Dori together to his left, Balin to his right. Nori was probably further up from Kili. Dwalin's cell was behind yours, meaning Gloin and Oin were probably in the cell beneath your own. Bifur had been locked with Bombur in the cell by the staircase you'd climbed. They were the first to be locked up.

Gnawing on your lower lip, you found your gaze landing on Kili. He was your closest friend and the one you worried for the most. This quest had been costing on you both, mentally and physically so. But, you'd found comfort in each other.

On the days when it rained, the young Prince was always there to tell a joke that reminded you of sunshine. When you were cold, he would offer you his strong and heated arms. Kili had already saved your life numerous times, always throwing himself in harm's way just to protect you.

In the late hours of the night, you'd offer solace to the homesick Prince who often dreamed of his mother and home in the Blue Mountains. It was in these quiet hours when he was unafraid to open himself to you. Sometimes you'd spar and train with him to give him relief from his restlessness, participate in pranks or tell him stories of your homeland if he was down. Your bedroll was always beside his leaving the Company to speculate on your relationship with Kili.

There was nothing to tell, to your disappointment. Kili had admitted no feelings for you and vice versa. Some part of you feared losing the fierce friendship and bond with him, should he know the truth and not feel the same. Your feelings for the Dwarf were obvious to everyone, even to Fili, who had become like a protective older brother to you. Yet, they were not obvious to the one who held your affections.

Your head turned to find Bofur's gaze already on you, an amused grin splayed on his expression. He sat with his back against the opposite wall, his brows risen suggestively. "What?", you sputtered, feigning innocence.

"Am I supposed t' act like I don't know who yer' starin' at or what?". He laughed softly, folding his arms with a shake of his head. A flush of heat hit your cheeks in embarrassment. "You've got it bad, Love".

"Got what?".

"The love bug", he shrugged. "You're in love–".

"Don't say it any louder!", you hissed, a few giggles escaping the Dwarf.

"I don't know how long it's been since I first noticed it, but I've known for a long time now", he confessed, your head dipping in further abashment. "And there's no shame in it". Bofur nudged your leg with his foot, offering you a kind smile when your eyes lifted again to meet his own.

"Does Thorin know?".

"He'd have t' be deaf, blind and stupid not t', Love", Bofur guffawed.

"Oh dear", you groaned, hiding your face in your hands.

"Fili knows". Your eyes widened in shock, peeking through the splits in your fingers at the dark haired Dwarf. Thinking it best to be honest, he continued, "In fact, I don't think there's a soul amongst us, save for Kili himself, that doesn't know about this. Sorry, Lass".

"And you thought of telling me when??", you gaped.

"When Dwalin would finally be at snapping point at yer lovesick bantering", he laughed. "Which surprisingly, he hasn't reached yet". You groaned again in your shame, too embarrassed to show your face. " 'Ey". He nudged your leg again. "Don't be ashamed. Dwalin is a patient Dwarf, as are we all. We understand". Your calf being the only thing he could grip from where he sat, Bofur began to caress it to try and soothe you. "Jus' be thankful yer' not sharing yer cell with Dwalin right now".

Your hands fell from your face whilst you giggled, the both of you finding humour in his additional statement. "I'm in the next cell, not deaf, Bofur", a grumble followed quietly.

"Aye. Noted. Sorry!", he called back softly, the both of you lapsing again into a short fit of shared laughter. You realized it was his aim all along. With gratitude shining in your gaze, you inclined your head to your cellmate.

"Thanks, Bofur". Tipping his hat, he grinned with immeasurable mirth,

"Yer' always much welcome, Lass".

The wait for Thorin's return began. Or to be rescued by Bilbo, whichever first. Hours, perhaps even days were passing. You didn't know. The dungeons of the Woodland Realm fell silent for some time, your eyes coming to close. Cheerful music and voices softly began to pour down from the upper levels, almost lulling you asleep with its beauty. Your stomach growled painfully, reminding you that you hadn't eaten since Beorn's. Footsteps descending from the throne room caught your immediate attention, however. Your brows rose, peering from the bars of your prison cell as the familiar figure of the redheaded Captain of the Guard, Tauriel made her way past your cell before travelling downward. Patrolling. Kili had occupied himself with something and it was clear that the pointy-eared bitch couldn't keep her nose out of his business.

"The stone in your hand", she whispered sternly. "What is it?". Was nothing sacred?? Could he not have something in his possession??

Your chest puffed out, ready to tell her to leave and mind her business when Kili finally replied, "It is a talisman". This caught your curiosity as well as Tauriel's. "A powerful spell lies upon it. If any but a Dwarf read the runes on this stone, they will be forever cursed! ", he spat, forcing her to gaze at the dark object. Good job, Kili. You relished in her shock, relaxing as she finally seemed to be leaving. "Or not". Your mouth fell open. What was he doing?? She was your enemy! Tauriel backtracked her steps, returning to Kili's cell. "Depending on whether or not you believe in that kind of thing, it's just a token", he shrugged, a soft laugh escaping him. It seemed as if Tauriel was smiling as well. "A rune stone. My mother gave it to me so that I'd remember my promise".

"What promise?".

"That I will come back to her", Kili smiled, your heart burning with envy at the kindness he shared with her. Never in all the nights you'd spent in his company, had the Princeling shared this special rune stone with you, nor its backstory. Not that it was anyone's business, of course. But, you now found yourself wishing that he had shared something this intimate and unique with you. "She worries. She thinks I'm wreckless", he continued with a sigh.

"And are you?", Tauriel failed to fight her smile, clearly enjoying her time with the Prince.

"Nah". When throwing the stone again, however, it slipped from his grip. It skidded out of his cell and under her boot. You'd tensed, worried that it would've fallen into the nearby chasm. Now it was in her possession and she'd confiscate it for sure. Her nimble fingers held it into the dim light, looking over the intricate runes that covered the small stone. Kili had stood, worrying over the stone the way you had. "It's quite the party you're having up there", he mused, trying to draw her attention from the stone.

"It is Mereth en-Gilith", she replied. "The Feast of Starlight. All light is sacred to the Eldar, but Wood Elves love best the light of the stars".

"I always thought it is a cold light, so remote and far away", he confessed. Incredulously, she whispered,

"It is memory! Precious and pure!". Her turquoise eyes fell to the dark stone occupying her palm. "Like that promise". Reaching it forwards, she allowed Kili to take it back. "I have walked there sometimes", she added, gathering his undivided attention. "Above the forest and up into the night. I have seen the world fall away and the white light of forever fill the air".

Looking down at the Prince, he seemed effortlessly taken by her. His hazel orbs were glittering in awe, his lips parted in a state of wonder. And could he be blamed?? Tauriel had pure, creamy skin, unblemished and ageless with the beauty of the Elves. Long, thick tresses and a graceful air about her. She's a far more skilled warrior than yourself, which Kili also seemed to admire.

"I saw a Fire Moon once". Another story he'd failed to share with you, intriguing the Elf in his presence further. His smile grew as he leant against the bars. "It rose over the pass near Dunland. Huge! Red and gold it was as it filled the sky". Tauriel sat by the stairs of Kili's cell, intently listening to his story the way you would have. "We were an escort for some merchants of Ered Luin. They were trading in silverware for furs. We took the green way south, keeping the mountains to our left. And there up ahead, this huge Fire Moon lighting our path. I wish I could show you".

Some part of you knew and berated you for not seeing this coming. Perhaps it was blissful ignorance? Or misplaced complacency in your heart?? Kili always had a predisposition of curiosity towards the Elves, having shamelessly flirted with one of them in Rivendell and admitting, accidentally to his humiliation, that he found one of their males attractive. So, what chance did you stand against them?? None.

Dejectedly, your head hit the rough wall behind you, their shared laughter and conversations bitterly reminding you that you never did stand a chance to begin with. It was clear that your feelings for the Prince weren't returned. Only now was it plain for you to see. Hating the way jealousy's unkind flames wreaked havoc within your mind, tears began to burn in your eyes without forgiveness. With a sigh, your face suddenly crumpled and your shoulders shook, sobs wracking your body. Bofur heard your silent sniffles, being the light sleeper that he was. "Hey!", his voice cooed to you softly, instantly waking from his daze. "What's goin' on??". Your throat felt tight, your heart aching painfully within your chest. Desperately, you wiped at your eyes, the kind Dwarf moving to sit on your left. He needed only to look through the cage bars to realise what ailed you. His gaze softened, surprised at this revelation. However, it didn't stop his warm arms from circling you. Your head fell into the crook of his neck, safe from the negativities of the world. Bofur's large hands worked comforting caresses on your back and shoulders. "There, there now", he hushed you. "There, there. I've got ye".

"It hurts, Bofur", you wept. Part of his heart broke hearing those words, knowing that no joke he could offer you now would make it better. He felt useless.

"I know", he whispered. "I know it hurts". Bofur's heated arms tightened their embrace, some part of him hoping that they would help remove the pain. "He didn't know how ye felt for him. And as far as I'm concerned,—", he wiped at your face. "— he's an idiot for not bein' in love with ye instead of that daft Elf maid". You chuckled bitterly,

"She's hardly daft. She's beautiful".

"Perhaps on the outside", he conceded. "But, if Kili can't see the beauty that's both outside and within yerself, don't waste time pursuing the heart that clearly isn't yours". You knew what he was implying and the thought of disregarding your feelings for the Prince horrified you.

"It's not some simple fixation, Bofur! I love him!", you sighed hopelessly. "It's not easy to let go of someone you–". He nodded in understanding. You felt connected so deeply with Kili, you were sure that the concept of soulmates existed. You'd never felt anything like this before. And now, every part of you felt like that connection was being torn away. It was agony.

"Whatever ye decide, I only hope as yer friend that ye choose your happiness above all else. Even if it's hard". You nodded. "I'm here for ye, Lass. We all are, remember that".

Sleep eventually took you within Bofur's embrace, the kind Dwarf refusing to let you go. Despite no romantic attraction to you, he still valued your happiness and everyone else's. You were exhausted, in desperate need of food and sleep. Even if it was a tad of rest, he'd still help you get it with a bit of comfort.

The wait to be rescued continued for some hours thereafter, Tauriel finally leaving to join the festivities above. Marching footsteps thundered through the halls, startling you awake. Thorin was back, at last. Alive and unscathed to your relief.

"Did he offer you a deal?", Balin's voice called out, all of you eager to listen.

"He did", Thorin replied, his voice growing to a yell that echoed through the very heart of the Woodland Realm. "I told him he can go ishkh khakfe andu null!! Him and all his kin!!". The white haired Dwarf sighed through his nostrils in exasperation, shaking his head.

"Well, that's that, then", he huffed. "That deal was our only hope".

"Not our only hope", the King shot back, his eyes glimmering with the same hopes in all your hearts. He too had faith Bilbo would return.

The Hobbit wasn't too far away, having already infiltrated the kingdom using the Ring that not one of you knew about. It had saved him from the Goblins and he'd use it to save you all too. Bilbo's steps were invisible and silent when he descended into the bowels of Mirkwood. He'd cautiously followed the Elf that bore the prison keys, marking his patrols. The wine cellar was where most of the guards seemed to be. They spoke of the festivities above, the keeper of the keys not willing to forsake his duties. "They're locked up!", the others insisted, snatching the keys to hang them on a hook. "Where can they go?". Bilbo smiled. If only they knew..

"I'll wager the sun is on the rise", Bofur ground out beside you. "Must be nearly dawn".

"We're never going to reach the mountain, are we?", Ori's faint sigh echoed. Your heart sank for the Company. You'd been enlisted to help them, but there was naught left that even you could do for them now. Fili stomped in frustration, throwing himself on the floor.

"Not locked in here, you're not", the familiar voice of Bilbo rang out. You felt as if you'd waited forever to hear those words, relieved to see your friend alive.

"Bilbo!", you gasped, clawing at the bars with a grin.

"Bilbo!!", the others began to shout happily, collectively overjoyed to see the Hobbit as well.

"Shh!! There are guards nearby!!", he hissed, starting with Thorin and Balin's cells, working his way upwards. He worked his way along with Fili, Ori and Dori, Oin and Gloin, Kili, followed by Bifur and Bombur.

Finally, he reached your cage. Once the door swung open, the Hobbit was in your arms, happily embracing you back. "I'm so glad you're alright!", you laughed ecstatically.

"Same with you!", he assured, breaking from you with a grin to continue on his way to let out Dwalin and Nori. Bofur lead you down the steps, Kili seemingly waiting for you by the bottom, relieved to see you again. The sentiment wasn't shared. A flush of resentment had filled your heart, your brows creasing at the Prince.

"Are you alright, (Y/n)?". His question fell on deaf ears. Noting your short-sleeved tunic, he continued, "You're looking cold. Here, I'll–".

"Just leave me alone", your words were a sharp grumble, your eyes unusually apathetic. You moved past the Prince as if he were nothing. Hurt and confusion flashed through Kili's eyes whilst he watched your retreating figure, his hand slowly dropping to his side.

Various members of the Company, noteably Thorin, Balin and Fili; onlooked in shared confusion at your uncharacteristic behaviour. Had something happened??

Dwalin clapped Kili's shoulder in passing, drawing the Princeling back to focus. He quickly followed his gathering kin at the top of a stairwell with varying routes. "Not that way!", Bilbo's call was still a whisper, leading you all onto one of the others that lead downwards instead. "Down here! Follow me!!".

Freedom, you thought. You all followed close behind the Hobbit, confident in his plan of escape. Strangely, he seemed to know where he was going. Or so you thought until you reached what looked to be a wine cellar. The sounds of snores reached your ears as you descended the last steps to your destination. A group of intoxicated Elves were resting their heads on a table, completely ignoring their guard duties. Having followed Bilbo down first, Kili growled, "I don't believe this– we're in the cellars!!". Bofur followed after,

"Yer' supposed t' be leadin' us out, not further in!!".

"I know what I'm doing—", Bilbo tried to respond, Bofur cutting in,

"Shh!!", holding a finger over his mouth. The Dwarves all filed in ahead of you, Dori and Dwalin flanking you protectively out of instinct. From where he stood with his brother, Kili eyed you with a pensive gaze, his strong brows knitted together in concern.

"Everyone! Quickly! Climb into the barrels now!", Bilbo's orders were hushed, his eyes desperate. He had a plan. That much you could tell.

"Are you mad?!", Dwalin hissed. "They'll find us!!".

"No, they won't! They won't! Please, please, you must trust me!". Following his words, you watched then as Bilbo turned to Thorin with a pleading gaze.

"Do as he says", the King whispered. Instantly, everyone began to climb into the barrels, even Thorin himself. Only, there were two problems. One, there weren't enough barrels for you to join the Dwarves. Two, you would surely be too big for a barrel. Thirteen concerned sets of eyes caught onto that situation rather quickly, various whispers of,

"What about (Y/n)?", "She needs somewhere to hide too!!", "Where can she go??", filling the room.

"Calm down!", the burglar begged quietly. "Let me think!!".

"No time!", you insisted. "I'll have to go without". Whispers of protest rang out from the Dwarves, not satisfied with your situation.

"For the love of Mahal, (Y/n)! Don't be a fool!", Fili chided.

"Climb in my barrel?", Kili offered hesitantly, your brief harshness towards him being forgotten in his concern for your safety. Bofur's head snapped towards him with an expression that read, 'Really?? After the damage you've done?'.

"I will not risk your safety", Thorin interluded, your gaze falling to the leader you respected so much. "There's no time. Climb in with Kili". Your previous resentment towards the younger Prince was already gone. And despite your hurting heart, all you truly wanted for Kili now was for him to be happy, even if it was without you.

Climbing up, you slipped quickly into the warm alcove of the Princeling's barrel. It was a tight squeeze, but you managed to fit everything under your shoulders into it. "Are you comfortable?", Kili's voice was a gentle calm, his hot breaths fanning over your face.

"I'm fine", you matched his hushed tone, your body slowly warming in the close proximity you shared. Little did you know, you'd be needing it..

Now satisfied with your situation, the Dwarves all stuck their heads out. "What do we do now?", Bofur asked.

"Hold your breath", was the only response you received from the Hobbit before he pulled a wooden lever.

"Hold our breath??", Bofur sputtered. You all then realised what was coming. The ground tilted up, gravity seeming to change for you and the Dwarves. A set of strong arms held you in the form of a brace as the barrel you were in spindled and became weightless. Everyone cried out, falling for what felt like an eternity.

Water suddenly submerged you all, cold and biting against your skin. Once hitting the surface, you gasped for air as every limb fell into a state of shock. "Breathe", Kili's instructions barely registered, your nose burning and head buzzing. He gazed up at you, attempting to warm your face and arms with his heated hands.

"Where's Bilbo?", Bofur's head bounced from the water. Despite the chattering of your teeth, you smiled amusedly,

"He forgot himself". Thorin followed in your amusement with a smile of his own,

"Give him a moment". A moment was all the Hobbit needed, falling stiffly with a scream into the waters by Nori's barrel. The tri-haired Dwarf hauled Bilbo against his barrel, getting him to hold on for the journey ahead. "Well done, Master Baggins", the King commended proudly. It was much deserved. Still being the humble burglar he was, Bilbo waved the act off as if it was nothing. Thorin began to motion everyone along. "Come on! Let's go!".

The barrel you shared with Kili had become uncomfortable as it tipped forwards, your bodies squishing together. In any other instance, you'd crave this contact. Yet now, it was painful for more than one reason. Both of you used an arm each, dipping them into the numbingly cold water to row your barrels along. Sunlight poured in from the end of the cave's tunnel, the water seeming to give you speed in its new flow. You soon realised why. "Hold on!", you shrieked, the barrel cascading forwards into ferocious rapids. The current carried you all forwards and down the river effortlessly, the coldness having been briefly forgotten in your adrenaline. The Company's escape was brilliantly carried out. All you needed to do was leave Mirkwood to the lands beyond. It seemed so simple until a horn's cry pierced the air. You'd all been caught!

Fear leapt into your throat whilst you all rounded a corner, thrown forwards again to see Elven soldiers closing the gates of the river. "NO!!", Thorin exclaimed, his barrel being the first to reach the now closed door before you all followed after. Freedom seemed more further away now than it had ever been. And it was only going to get worse. Orcs had now made their appearance, slaughtering the Elves that were preventing your escape.

"Watch out!!", Bofur shouted. "There's Orcs!!". Corpses of both Elvenkind and Orc fell into the waters, all of them battling furiously amongst themselves. Kili had forced you to crouch uncomfortably, your legs burning at the tightness of the squeeze. He was aiming to protect you from the flying arrows and falling bodies, bracing you. His hazel eyes travelled to your own, clouded with fear. You'd never seen him so afraid, your hand subconsciously reaching for his.

"Slay them all!!", a foul voice ordered in the words of Black Speech. This was not Azog's voice, but one just as hideous. You decided to release yourself from the brace, standing straight with Kili to fight the Orcs that leapt into the water. Your heart raced, pounding within the confines of your chest. You all needed to get out of here. There had to be a way out. And that's when it came to you. The lever! You climbed out of the barrel, Kili shouting your name in protest whilst you waded in the freezing waters to the stairs of the wall. The sunkissed concrete instantly warmed your numb limbs whilst you clambered up the steps. It was so relieving to feel the warmth beneath your palms, that you dreaded eventually having to go back into the freezing waters below.

You dodged a blade slicing down towards you, rolling to the side and onto your back. Darting your foot upwards at the Orc who had tried to end you, it fell from the wall and to the forests below. Scrambling to your feet, you raced forwards across the wall. "Kili!!", Dwalin shouted, your head snapping in the direction of the call. The Prince had followed you onto the wall, catching the blade that Dwalin had tossed him. He used it to slay the Orc that had tried to pursue you to the lever. You hadn't realised either the creature or Kili's presence, grateful that he'd flanked your back. Fili always kept one eye on his brother, even when they weren't side by side. He threw blades into the Orcs that tried to overpower Kili in his attempts to protect you. Bolg had seen your motives of escape, noting that you had no weapons or the like. He had to stop you now if he ever wished to end Thorin and his kin here. Kili saw the hideous Orc arming his bow, his eyes blowing wide in horror as you fought your way through the carnage, unaware of the threat. His feet hit the ground in a dead sprint, slicing through the Orcs in his path like butter.

"(Y/n)!!", his throat burned with his scream. His heartbeat thundered in his ears deafeningly, finally catching your steps. The arrow flew, hitting flesh. You'd fallen to the floor with a yell, Kili crashing on top of you with a shout of his own. Your back ached from the impact, Kili's palms stinging from grazing the concrete.

"Kili??", you breathed, your brows furrowing in concern and confusion at his actions. Why had he stopped you?? The Prince's expression of shock fell suddenly into a pained grimace, your eyes drifting downwards to see the obscenely large arrow that had impaled his knee. "Kili!", your panicked cry left your throat raw. Bolg grinned in a sense of victory, having hit at least one target. Fili's head snapped upwards at your scream, spotting his brother's ailments with terror,

"Kili!!". The young Prince ground out a yell between his teeth, feeling the stinging sensation of blood dripping from the malicious wound. The sensation was unlike any pain he'd felt before, burning within his blood like a disease. What had he been pierced with?? He suddenly fell back with a scream, your figure quickly entering his vision. Kili's brows creased, his eyes fixed on you whilst he panted erratic breaths. His hand grasped the one you'd offered him with an almost painful grip, his eyes suddenly darting to his right. Tauriel broke through the woods, slashing and firing arrows with a graceful precision. "Kill her!!", Bolg shrieked. "Kill the She-Elf!!".

Kili's lips had parted, entirely enamoured by her presence. Not allowing your resentment to cloud your judgement, your hand broke from the Princeling's grip, hurrying to instead pull the lever down for the Company to escape. "We need to get out of here!", you yelled, Kili nodding in agreement. Without thinking, he slid forwards, his legs dangling above the barrel you'd shared. Both you and Fili saw this as a bad idea.

"Kili!!", Fili exclaimed.

"Wait!! I'll remove it!!—", Kili's cry of agony cut you off as he slid into the barrel, the arrow snapping painfully from his leg.

"Shit!", you cursed, leaping into the freezing waters without a thought, clinging to the barrel that Kili was in. Alike to Bilbo, you'd have to hold on externally. And it would be no easy feat. The rapids bashed at your face constantly, submerging you in its chaotic stream as it went. You were gasping for air whenever you could manage it, the water painfully blurring your vision and disorienting you. The grip you had on Kili's barrel was starting to wane, his hands gripping onto your arms. The water settled eventually from rapids to a speedy and winding current, no longer depriving you of sight and air.

From your view in the river, you'd spied Fili, Dwalin and Thorin using the Orcs' weapons against them, lopping down the branches they stood on and bashing the ones that tried to attack them from the banks of the river's flow. Legolas had joined the fight, using every resource in his surroundings, inclusive of the Dwarves' heads as he leapt from one side of the water to the other. In any other situation, you would've laughed at the expressions of Dwalin and Dori as they both were stepped on first, followed by the others who didn't seem to enjoy it either. The blonde Elf used the sword that had belonged to Thorin. Orcrist. It seemed wrong in the hands of Legolas, but he used it to a valuable advantage against your shared enemies. Thorin had even graciously covered for the Elf whilst he fought, ensuring no untimely demise met him. It was more than he deserved for the way he treated you all, yet you couldn't help that Thranduil would see it as a token of friendship at some eventuality. For now, you all had gotten away. The Elves had given up their pursuit of you to instead drive out the Orcs, a bigger threat. The Orcs still were on the hunt for you all, but it would take some time for them to catch up.

The river slowed, all of you able to clamber from the barrels and onto the rocky shores of the land once more. Your legs shook when you finally stood on them again after your large dose of adrenaline and cold. Stumbling forwards, you couldn't feel your hands, now so cold that they were stinging in the fingertips. The cool air blowing from the mountains nearby had goosebumps rising in every pore of your skin, your teeth chattering with the damp cold that enveloped you. However, your gaze focused on only one person, a trail of red water following behind him as he limped onto dry land to sit on a boulder for support. Concern, fear and anger rippled through every ounce of your blood like a wildfire, helping you forget the cold. You marched towards Kili, his face screwed in pain as he tried to wipe his wound clean. Bofur had stood near him, his eyes lit with the same concern as yours. Kili had spied his gaze first. "I'm fine", he snapped. "It's nothing". You wordlessly knelt by him, attempting to inspect the wound when he noticed you and swatted you away. "Don't". His harsh tone caught you offguard, your brows raising in challenge. "I'll be fine". Despite his confidence in saying it, not even he had full belief that his words were the truth.

"Let me see it", your voice was a terrifying calm, your gaze showing the emotions simmering beneath the surface. Your eyes met the Prince's in a silent battle of wits, his brows creased in an anger to combat your own.

"I said it was nothing—". Your hand pried his away from the wound, feeling the nausea beginning to creep up. The wound was deep, perhaps to the bone, and was bleeding openly. Bruising had already strangely appeared around the cut and it seemed horribly inflamed for a simple arrow wound. Kili spied your eyes brimming with tears, his blood running cold with remorse.

"Kili", you sighed beneath your breath.

"I've had worse. Really—", he tried gently, your head shaking.

"You need a healer. You need proper medical help".

"(Y/n), it's just a little cut!", he downplayed it with a frustrated edge to his voice. "Stop being so overdramatic!".

"You want me to stop being concerned for you?? Then maybe stop endangering yourself for once!!", your words shattered the air, shocking everyone in the Company. Kili's eyes flickered sadly from your own. "Better that the arrow really had hit me instead of you!". Anger flashed in the Princeling's gaze.

"Oh really? And why is that??".

"It would've been better than listening to your bullshit", you huffed, storming away from the stubborn Prince. Kili's head slumped, his face screwed up in a glower. Dismissing the tone you'd taken with his nephew, Thorin had established that you were all to leave promptly after Kili's wound was to be bound, Fili taking it upon himself to tend to his brother's leg.

"She's angry with me", Kili mumbled beneath his breath, his hazel eyes lingering where you sat with Ori. Fili almost laughed, his amusement twitching his smile.

"She is", he agreed, squeezing out the blooded cloth he was using for the wound. Ocean orbs flickered up to his brother's melancholy expression. "It's what caring for a person entails, Kee".

"She's been different to me. Distanced", the younger Prince continued with a sigh. "She does not look at me the same. Mirkwood has changed her".

"Maybe", Dwalin mused, catching onto the conversation. "Or perhaps she saw y' gettin' friendly with that Elf maid?". Kili's brows furrowed in confusion, turning his gaze to the older Dwarf.

"Why would that bother her??". Shrugging, Dwalin responded,

"If y' don't know by now, ye never will, Laddie". Know what? , Kili's mind echoed, his eyes closing from exasperation. He had not the energy to ask. The Prince only hoped that you'd be willing to talk to him again as you once did. Whenever that may be.

"I'm absolutely drenched", Ori groaned in irritation, pouring the water from his boot.

"Think about me. I'm human. Not a short, walking furnace like yourself". The younger Dwarf spared a laugh despite his misery. Sensing a pair of eyes on your back, you turned to find a man standing on the hill above. His bow was drawn, aimed for you and Ori. Instantly, you covered the smaller Dwarf with yourself, Dwalin leaping down from where he stood to protect you. The older Dwarf held a large branch for a makeshift weapon and shield, baring his teeth like an animal defending its young. The Company became highly strung, Kili standing to his feet without a care. The stranger fired an arrow at Dwalin's branch, already anticipating the Princeling's next move and firing an arrow at him as well. The second arrow bounced from the stone Kili had attempted to throw, the Prince's eyes wide in surprise.

"Do it again and you're dead", the man spat, his resolve showing in the threatening tone of his voice. He had armed his bow with a third arrow, everyone's hands raising in a form of surrender. Balin stepped forth.

"You're from Laketown, if I'm not mistaken?". The bow was instantly aimed for the cheerful Dwarf, his feet coming to a halt out of caution. "That barge over there. It wouldn't be for hire by any chance?". The stranger's brows creased, his weapon slowly being withdrawn.

"And what makes you think that I would help you?". The stranger gladly took the barrels you all had used, loading them into the boat with the others he had. Balin was the negotiator, offering every reason for this stranger to give refuge to and accept payment from you all. The man's coat, his three children and wife. To your surprise, the man was a widower. Alike to Balin, you felt the same remorse and shame creeping into your heart at these findings. A single father trying to raise his three children alone in a barren town of ice, water and poverty. You could see why he was cautious of you all.

"Oh, come on. Come on, enough of the niceties", Dwalin finally grunted.

"What's your hurry?", the bargeman shot back.

"What's it to you?".

"I would like to know who you are". His brown hues crossed over you all, lingering on you for a brief moment. "And what you are doing in these lands".

"We are just simple merchants from the Blue Mountains, journeying to see our kin in the Iron Hills". A lie from Balin, but a well told lie. The bargeman had no reason to believe him and he most likely didn't, his eyes crossing over you again.

"And what about you?", he asked, directing his attention to the one who stood out the most. Female and human in a troupe of male Dwarves. It was a very uncommon sight indeed. "What's your story?".

"It's none of your business", Kili snapped.

"I don't believe I was asking you".

"This is my family", you replied, gathering the archer's attention wholeheartedly. The Dwarves felt some part of their hearts warming at the thought of you considering them family. You'd spent many months with them, lived through many hardships and they knew that you'd meant your words. It showed in your eyes. The stranger's brows rose, an amused smile playing on his lips,

"Thirteen Dwarves is quite an unusual family for a human, wouldn't you think?".

"Hardly", you replied, continuing Balin's lie with more truths of your own. "We've been through the worst together. I love them. And I would be prepared to give my all to see our kin again". The bargeman saw the truth of your words in your keen gaze, but his instincts were calling to him.

"Are you certain that you not a Ranger of the wilds, baring the gifts of your true kin??". Your expression remained neutral. How had he known??

"My true kin??".

"Your sharp senses. You heard my coming before that of your family. And you bare the mark of Ithilien on your leather boots. A tree crowned with six stars and a crescent moon". Your silence was answer enough for the bowman, a soft chuckle leaving his lips. He was a harder man to fool than you'd first presumed. His eyes flickered to Balin with a knowing smile. " 'Simple merchants', you say??".

"We need food, supplies, weapons. Can you help us?", Thorin chimed in. With reluctance still prominent in his demeanour, the stranger marked the barrels he'd pulled from the water,

"I know where these barrels came from".

"What of it?".

"I don't know what business you had with the Elves, but I don't think it ended well". The bargeman turned back to you all, readying his ship to depart. "No one enters Laketown, but by leave of the Master. All of his wealth comes from trade with the Woodland Realm. He would see you in irons before risking the wrath of King Thranduil", he huffed, throwing rope at Balin. The Dwarf turned his attention to Thorin who mouthed something in Khuzdul, encouraging him to continue pushing the debate with the stranger. And push he did.

"I'll wager that there are ways to enter that town unseen!".

"Aye", he agreed. "But, for that, you would need a smuggler".

"For which we would pay double", Balin insisted almost pleadingly.

Something suddenly snapped in this stranger, causing him to relent and follow your cause. It wasn't the money he was promised, but the desperation he'd seen all too many times before in those he loved. After accepting thanks from both yourself and Bilbo for his help, the man introduced himself as Bard. He set off with you all post-haste, setting his course for Laketown. The misty haze covering the water was thick, the waters almost black and dead, save for the movement of the vessel you stood in. Bard used a large oar for a rudder placed at the back of the boat, steering the ship through the dark. "Look out!!", Bofur had shouted, spotting jagged cliffs ahead, spotting randomly and towering by many feet in the waters. Bard steered by them with an expert precision.

"What are you trying to do?", Thorin piped up. "Drown us??".

"I was born and bred on these waters, master Dwarf. If I wanted to drown you, I would not do it here".

"Oh, I've had enough of this lippy lakeman", Dwalin grumbled beneath his breath. "Let's say we throw him over the side and be done with it". Bilbo huffed in frustration,

"Bard. His name's Bard".

"How do ye know?", Bofur asked.

"Uh, I asked him??", the Hobbit answered as if it were obvious.

"I don't care what he calls himself, I don't like him", Dwalin shot back.

"We do not have to like him", Balin shrugged. "We simply have to pay him. Turn out your pockets, lads". You'd already given Balin your coin purse, taking to leaning stiffly leaning against the right side of the boat. The conversations faded from your ears, the cold air still nipping at your skin. Your eyes came to a soft close, riddled with exhaustion. A burning warmth enveloped your numb hands, two larger ones coming to rest upon them. You knew those callouses, your gaze falling to your right. Kili's hazel hues were set upon the waters, as your own had been.

"I never got to thank you for saving my hide", you mumbled, offering his larger hands a caress. "Again". Guilt played within your gaze, his eyes meeting yours with a slightly amused smile. "I'm sorry, Kee".

"I am too. I shouldn't have spoken to you the way that I did either. You were just worried. I would have been".

"I'm still worried", you confessed, brushing his fringe from his face, noting his skin with concern. "You're so pale, Kee". The back of your hand pressed to his forehead. "You're burning up". He removed your hand with a great amount of gentleness, rejection needling your heart. You'd spied his leg, dark blood weeping through the fabrics wrapped around it. The Prince drew your gaze with his breathtaking smile,

"I'll be fine, (Y/n). You'll see".

Those same words echoed in your head with Kili splayed across Bard's bed only a day later. You'd seen his eyes become red with inflammation and exhaustion, seen his skin turn a shade of pale white. You'd seen him become weaker with every passing hour, now unable to stand properly. All you had seen, despite his assurances, was his slow suffering. And it was killing you from the inside out.

Every part of him was rippling in agony, his body trying to burn off the poison raging in his blood to no avail. Sweat was trailing down the Princeling's skin, matting his hair. His breaths were erratic in his struggle to breathe. "(Y/n)", his voice cracked, his hazel eyes almost terrifyingly dull, yet clouded with fear. He felt a fool now, having ignored your words of warning on his injury. Because some part of him understood now, alike to yourself, that he was dying. He had been all along. Hot tears stung his eyes, his fingers barely able to reach for your hand. Taking your lower lip into your teeth, you tried to keep from breaking down. You had to remain strong for Kili, but hope was disappearing with every passing second. He squeezed the fingers you'd offered him with what little strength he could muster. "I'm— I'm so sorry". A pained groan left him, trying to restrain the urge he had to move.

"Don't start that", you told him, returning the grip on your hand. "No goodbyes yet, Kili. We can still save you". Bard brought out a box of various herbs on a separate table. All were useless to Oin.

"None of these are any good to me. Do y' have any kingsfoil??".

"Kingsfoil? It's a weed?", Bard replied, brows creasing in confusion. "We feed it to the pigs". Kili's grip suddenly became painful on your hand, feeling as if a hot knife had been plunged through him. A wail escaped his throat that had you wincing, Fili rushing to your side again to offer not only his brother comfort, but you as well. The eldest Princeling had tried to convince you to leave with Thorin, promising you that this was only benign. Now, Fili was grateful that you'd stayed, not allowing your friends to go this alone. He was facing the possibility of losing his younger brother this very evening and here you were, holding the blonde's hand with your spare one to alleviate the stress. Amidst Kili's groans of pain, Bofur rushed to the table, exclaiming something about Kingsfoil.

"Don't move!", he'd told the younger Prince, recieving a pointed glare from him in return. Bard had left the house with his son Bain and a black arrow in tow. It was very possible, given the tremors you'd felt this evening, that Smaug had awakened. However, Bain had returned sooner than expected, claiming that his father had been pursued by guards and the black arrow hidden safely. Hope was fading faster by the second as the tense waiting began. The air was eerily quiet in Laketown, save for the odd cries from the Dwarf in your care. You all waited on Bofur, praying that the intuitive Dwarf would return with the herbs. Sigrid stepped outside, praying for her father's return as well as Bofur's.

"Da?", she called out, hearing movement along the wooden boardwalks of the town. When turning to retreat inside, her blood-curdling scream caught your attention. Sigrid tried to close the door, the Orc that had tried to strike her jamming his sword between it.

"Get away from the door!!", you yelled, Sigrid leaping back only to get thrown on one of the chairs, moving to hide under the table with her younger sister. Fili had charged from your side and into the Orc, battling by hand. More came crashing in through the roof, both Bain and yourself using the furniture at your disposal to fight them off. It became a struggle to fight their growing numbers in your attempt to protect Bard's children as well as Kili.

On any other occasion, you would've despised her presence, yet now you couldn't be more grateful for the extra set of hands Tauriel offered as she stepped into the room with her blades drawn. Her keen emerald eyes scanned the room, immediately beginning her onslaught against the growing number of Orcs in Bard's living room. Legolas leapt in not too soon after, joining your fight against the hellish creatures. You spoke not a word to either of them, taking their help as an advantage. Another wail from Kili broke the room, seeing that an Orc had gripped his injured leg, pulling him along the bed. Tauriel threw a knife into the skull of the Orc, the Princeling falling to the floor with a cry. You'd rushed to his side, Legolas flanking your defence. His skills with Elven daggers surpassed even the skill of Tauriel, weaving through the room like a graceful, yet sharp wind. "Get down!", Fili had yelled, pulling Bard's children behind the fallen table to hide. Kili had grabbed Tauriel's dagger from the dead Orc who had attacked him, using it to try flanking your defence and Tauriel's. Instantaneously, he'd collapsed with a scream, one of the Orcs vaulting from the room in its escape. The battle was forgotten, your makeshift weapons clattering to the floor. You heaved Kili's heavy body into your arms, the Prince now writhing in excruciating pain.

"Kili", you tried to calm him, your voice tremoring with the chilling anxiety rushing through you. Oin and Fili sprinted to your side with urgency, Tauriel's mouth falling open at the wound on Kili's leg. Black blood dripped onto the floor, the Morgul poisons all too familiar to the Elf.

"You killed them all", Bain gasped, almost feeling sick at the sight of his home.

"There are others", Legolas stated, readying his weapons to face of with your shared foes once more. "Tauriel, come". He beckoned his counterpart, hesitation showing in her features.

"We're losing him!", Oin begged, looking to Tauriel for help. She was capable, her people far more skilled than your own in the arts of medicine. Her eyes were wide, darting between you all and the retreating form of the Elven Prince. Her duty to the world, to her Prince Legolas surpassed the needs of your Prince, your best friend. Despite her curiosity of Kili, Tauriel didn't share the feelings for Kili that he had for her. For the Dwarven Prince, it was almost like love at first sight, continuing to be enamoured by her, her graceful and kind spirit, her smile. For Tauriel, it was a silly dream to pursue love with a Dwarf. He was handsome for one of his kind, but her heart lied with her duties, her people and with the man she'd slowly come to love. Legolas. Despite his father's wishes, she was not one to easily give up in the pursuit of love and it was clearly requited by the Prince. You envied her for that reason. Tauriel moved past your group without anymore hesitation.

Every part of you stung with hurt for Kili, knowing that he would feel that same agony you had alongside his current ailments. Unbridled rage filled your heart, watching as she left him helpless, screaming. "So that's it??", you called to Tauriel, allowing Fili to take his brother whilst you stood to confront her. "You'll just let him die??". The redhead turned, confusion etched into her expression.

"And what would you have me do? Orcs are running rampant, more innocents will die if I do not help them". Tears fell freely from your eyes.

"He's dying!!", you roared, gesturing to Kili. "He hasn't time! Save him!! Please!".

"I cannot linger—".

"Bullshit!! He opened his heart to you, Tauriel!! You can't leave him like this!!", you bellowed. You saw in her gaze that perhaps she knew of Kili's attraction to her. Yet, you'd come to understand why she'd taken to ignoring it.

"I can't—", she whispered with a shake of her head, turning again to leave.

"Please, Tauriel", your voice broke, lowering to a whisper only she could hear, "I love him". And that's when Tauriel understood. Guilt swam in her gaze when she looked upon you again. The stabbing pain of unrequited love sat heavy in your eyes.

"I'm sorry", she murmured, the entire apology heartfelt and genuine. You watched, helplessly as the Elf darted from the balcony and to the rooftops beyond, falling to your knees. A frustrated cry left your lips, Sigrid covering her mouth from seeing you this distraught. Bofur stumbled through the door, baring the Kingsfoil weed. He'd spied your tear stricken face with terror, seeing the desperate situation he'd returned to.

"There's no time!!", you shouted, staggering to your feet.

"(Y/n)? What will ye do??", he asked, all the eyes in the room falling to you.

With surity, you replied, "I have to save him".

You ordered Tilda and Sigrid to ready you some cloths and warm to hot water to best extract the essences from the herbs. Oin, Fili, Bofur and Bain took to lifting the now thrashing Prince onto the kitchen table. Being a Ranger from the South, kingsfoil was commonly used for healing practices by your kin, but you were not schooled in medicine. Your skills were honed on navigating the lands, tracking, stealth and basic combat. You felt useless, only faintly remembering hearing a few healing chants. Most were in Elvish, some in the common tongue of men. The words were lost on you, save for one or two chants. You would have to try.

"Are y' sure y' know what yer doin', Lass?", Oin piped up, watching as you peeled the leaves and flowers into the water.

"No", you huffed a bitter chuckle, your eyes falling down to his own. "But what choice do I have?". Fili eyed you from where he held down his brother, his ocean gaze glistening with hope.

"I have faith in you", he murmured.

"As do I", Bofur added, smiling to lessen the pressure. Oin nodded, giving you his seal of approval. He admired your gaul to act swiftly and take initiative. You would make an excellent healer in his opinion.

Taking a deep breath, you gripped Kili's leg, a pained scream leaving his lips. He writhed, kicking away your touch. His eyes had darkened, having no perception but the agony he felt. "Hold him down!! Please!", you begged the lads, all of them contributing. You tore the fabric away from Kili's wound, nausea creeping into your throat as it had the first time. The wound was still bruised and open, weeping black blood as a large swollen mound with dark veins. No time, you reminded yourself, reaching into the water. Scrunching all the leaves you could find into your palms, you silently prayed that the blood of Numenór flowed true within you as you began the healing chants you could remember. "May the blessing that was given to me, be sent from me to him. May he be released from death", you commanded, pushing the kingsfoil into the wound. His back arched, a piercing cry leaving his lips. Your eyes closed applying pressure. "May the blessing that was given to me, be sent from me to him. May he be released from death".

"Tilda!", Sigrid shouted, the two joining in holding down Kili's limbs as he continued to struggle from your touch. Oin and Fili watched in awe as you repeated your words over and over. Your chant was in common tongue, yet it seemed to breathe life into the room itself. You had begun to think and worry that nothing would work, that Kili was too far gone. Tears slipped again from your eyes, your voice remaining sterdy despite the tightness wanting to creep through your throat. Your mind was wholly set on saving him, imagining him as spriteful as the day you'd met him. Love and care poured through every fibre of your being and perhaps the Divines felt it?? You prayed that they'd help encompass all that energy for him if they did. Feeling the tension slipping from Kili's limbs slowly, you heard his cries dying into calmer, but ragged breaths. It was working..

"May the blessing that was given to me, be sent from me to him. May he be released from death", you repeated with more fervour, finally having the courage to open your eyes to meet his own. His hazel hues were no longer pale and dull. They were now full of life. His lips were parted, eyelashes fluttering in some semblance of shock, as if you'd pulled him from water to save him from drowning. And you had saved him. The darkness that clouded his vision, blinding him to all else was broken. It was as if he was watching the sun rising for the first time, seeing that divine light cracking the dark horizons open to see you. There was only you in his line of sight, pulling him like a lifeline. Kili found himself wondering how you'd ever come to be so beautiful. The infatuation he'd held for Tauriel paled in comparison to the affection for you that wormed its way past his broken heart and into his soul. And perhaps it had always been there?? The Prince felt a sense of relief fill him, coming to understand why he'd always felt differently for you. It had been you all along, he was only blinded to it.

Kili's pain faded from him, his body no longer fighting the poison. It had been neutralised, expelled from him. Death couldn't touch him any longer, or so he felt. His body instead burned with a warm, pure light. Every part of him relaxed under your touch, a soft sigh leaving the Prince as his breathing turned to some form of normality. His blood ran red through your fingers, cleansed now. The swelling would slowly decrease over time, as would the inflammation and bruising. You smiled, crying from your relief. The stiffness in your limbs created by the tense situation had dissipated. A breathy laugh, wet from your tears left your throat. You'd done it, you'd saved him. Bofur happily placed a hand on your own, both Tilda and Sigrid alight with joy over this victory. The girls circled the table, taking you into their shared embrace, giving you words of assurance, congratulations and gratitude for helping protect them. Fili grinned, sharing in some semblance of relieved laughter, resting his forehead on his brother's in a familial embrace.

Everyone had relaxed, leaving the room to allow you to continue in your endeavours to finish your work on Kili's wound. You pulled the kingsfoil from the scar, rinsing a cloth with the water the herbs had soaked in. The water was still warm and clean, fragrant with the essences of the weeds. You wiped the fabric over the wound, brushing away dirt, dead flesh and irritants. Once it was clean and dry, you started to bind his leg with cleaner fabrics that Bain had sought for you.

"I have never seen the healing practices of the Dunédain until this evening. That there was a privilege to witness", Oin marveled, turning to the blonde Prince who had also been in some state of awe at what he'd seen.

Softly, your hands worked at the bindings on Kili's leg, placing the material thickly over his wound to ensure it was well protected from weeping blood. "(Y/n)", The Princeling beneath you croaked, his voice hoarse and raw from his screaming. You smiled with a wistfulness, relieved to see him so at peace.

"It's okay, Kee", you breathed. "I'm here. Lie still for me, alright?". His hazel hues held an emotion you couldn't read, fluttering in their attempt to stay awake. A tired smile slowly etched onto his face, twinkling weakly with his usual cheekiness.

"You're so,—", his voice cracked. "—so beautiful".

Your brows knitted together in confusion when you glanced at him from his leg. He was clearly delusional. He had to have been.

"You're a bit dazed, Kee", you smiled, politely dismissing his words. "You need to rest".

"You are", he insisted beneath his breath. "You're so, so beautiful". You felt his warming fingertips brushing over the hand that rested on his thigh, the goosebumps from his touch spindling across your skin. "You were crafted by the sunglow of another world. Your light saved me. It wasn't a dream". Your lips parted, unsure of his kind words and the clarity behind them.

Kili breathed as if it were difficult to talk, his eyelids drooping in exhaustion. His smile still remained, eyeing your hands when you brushed your thumb over the fingers that rested upon your own.

Slowly, his breathing evened out, a light sleep taking the Prince as you continued to work. Once securing his bandages with a light knot, you leant down, brushing your lips over his forehead with a silent prayer that the Company was alive in Erebor. That the ruin that Bard had predicted wouldn't come to pass. Fili shared your sentiment, his eyes worriedly meeting your own before he embraced you in gratitude, thanking you once more for saving his brother. But, your complacency was only temporary.

When you stumbled onto the rocky shores in the cold light of the dawn, you beheld desperation, sadness, loss and terror amidst the ruin that had come to pass. Smaug's onslaught was without mercy or conscience. Bard had been right all along. Now, you were praying that he was alive with his son. You'd grown worried for the bargeman and his son after seeing Smaug plummet from the skies.

Frantically, you searched the shores for the two males. Tilda was in your arms, fresh tears pouring from her eyes. Sigrid clung to your free hand, shouting for her father. The Dwarves were readying the cannoe you'd all travelled in for the trip to Erebor. It felt wrong to leave everyone behind. You wouldn't leave yet, not until the girls had their father back.

Kili was hardly focusing on helping his kin with the small boat, his hazel eyes admiring you from afar. "Kee?", Fili called to him, beckoning him to help.

"Eyeing the lass?", Bofur asked with some suspicion and confusion, a smile twitching on his lips.

"What if I was?", the younger Prince shrugged, missing the hopeful glint in the older Dwarf's eye. "I have to make sure she's alright". Fili turned to Bofur, his brows raised. Both said no more in watching Kili ascend the shores. You had begun to make your return, Bard and Bain now reunited with the girls in the small encampment.

With exhaustion heavy in your steps, you smiled at the brunette Princeling on his unexpected approach. Your mind flashed back to those warm callouses brushing against your skin, goosebumps flushing across your arms at the thought. He'd hardly spoken a word to you since the previous night, making you question if he'd even been coherent when he mumbled those sweet words to you. Perhaps it was your wishful thinking in the end?

"Ready to go?", you'd asked him, beginning to stray past him whilst he'd stopped.

"(Y/n)", he called to you, the softness in his voice halting your steps. Your brows furrowed,

"Kili, we need to go".

"I need to talk to you". His hand reached for your own before you could turn away, gently tugging at your smaller fingers. Even after all this time, you found yourself unable to ignore the intensity of his hazel hues, something unreadable sitting hard within his gaze. "Please", he spoke, barely above a breath.

Instinctively, you turned fully to face him, your thumb brushing over his larger hand. "Of course", you replied, almost unsteady with nervousness. Some part of you felt that he may assure you that he had no feelings for you, that his words to you had been hollow. And you prayed that if he were to reject you, that he'd do so softly.

"I just want to say thank you", he confessed. "For saving my life".

"Kili, you needn't thank me", you insisted, his other hand pressing something smooth and cold into your palm. "What are you—".

"The days are growing darker, (Y/n)", he cut in, clasping your fingers around the object. His second hand warmed your cold, stinging skin. "Last night, I realised how little time we may have left and I have grown so afraid that I won't have the time to say what I must to those who matter". Your brows creased in concern, always content to allow him to express his innermost thoughts. "I'm giving you this token. As a promise".

"Kili—", you tried to desist him to no avail.

"Amrâlimê", he hushed you with a silken voice. It was like the word had caressed your very soul. A smile splayed slowly onto his features whilst his eyes seemed to read yours. "You felt it too, didn't you?".

"Felt what, Kili? I don't know what that word means", you replied with a quiver to your whisper, his grin growing.

"I think you do", he bounced back, a featherlight playfulness present in his glimmering gaze. "It's my promise to you. That I'll always come back to you". You saw the glassing of tears within his gaze. "Even at death's door, I will come back to you".

"Why would you promise such a thing to me, Kili?", you asked, confusion clouding over your expression. "When your heart clearly belongs to another??". To Tauriel...

A soft laugh slipped from the Princeling's lips, an affectionate glow radiating from his tender gaze. "It was infatuation, an idea that I'd tried to pursue with Tauriel", he murmured with a soft shake to his head. "It was foolish to pursue that which was but a shadow to how I feel for you, (Y/n). I know now how I feel— how I've felt all along for you and I'm not afraid. I was just too blind to see our connection for what it was". You felt his fingers squeeze yours, his eyes playing across your more delicate features. "For that, I hope you can forgive me and realise that my words to you last night were not of a daze, but from my heart. You make me feel alive".

Ignoring the tears that stung in your eyes, you finally felt as if your own heart had been freed, your smile like a pure light shining on the Prince. The warmth of Kili's spare hand reached to cradle your face, swiping his thumb over your glistening eyes.

The short gap between you was no more when your head had dipped, the softness of his lips engulfing your own in a deep caress. Kili's hand twined into your curls, pulling you flush into him whilst his other hand remained with your own, as if to solidify his promise to you. Your thumb worked soothing caresses over his rough skin, getting lost in his kiss before you heard whistles from the shore nearby.

Your lips parted from the Prince's, quickly missing the sensation of his hot touch in the biting cold of the morning breeze. Whistling and clapping, Bofur stood upon the cannoe, overjoyed at the scene playing before him. "If you both are done, we do plan on travelling today! ", Fili shouted, a playful grin on his expression.

Both yourself and Kili lapsed into a soft bout of laughter, sharing an affectionate glance before you allowed the Princeling to finally lead you to the boat to travel home.

The End. . .

__________________________________________

Hey readers!!

I hope you all enjoyed this fic!! I have a LOTR fic in the works as we speak, so keep your eyes peeled, folks! As always, any and all feedback is welcome! If you wish to be added to my tagslist, check out my masterlist and let me know what you'd like to be tagged in! ❤❤

As always, thank you all for your support in my works!! ❤❤

* * *

Translations;

Tolo hí = "come on" (Elvish/Sindarin)

Ishkh khakfe andu null = "go pour excrement on your head" (Khuzdul)

__________________________________________

TAGLIST; @fizzyxcustard @lathalea @emrfangirl @deadlymistletoe

[pistachiozombie]

I don't know if anyone else has felt this way to this extent, but Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Tolkien, and even Bofur in general, have definitely changed my life and only made things better. I love my other hyperfixations too, but this one is hugely different and stands out from the rest. I may moan about the 'half of the fandom' that may not like my OC, or the hundreds of Bofur/Leanna content I have posted since 2019... but the greatness that came from it outshines the haters.

Not only have my mom and I bonded stronger with my love for all things Tolkien, but because I shared with her my embarrassing love for Bofur, we have made a story, which inspired her to finally make an OC - which then inspired my dad to make an OC - and he doesn't even go on the internet! Not to mention she prefers strictly staying with the lore, so adding Leanna, Estilil, Sven and my beorn dad, was surprising!

I have drawn them so many times i have gotten comfortable with drawing unique face structures and natural wrinkles, hands, poses, expressions, because i want to match the love that emits from the films.

I have met some wonderful friends and followers that have definitely enabled and pushed the love even further and motivated me to keep posting. I didn't get as much hate as I first expected to ship an oc as hard as I do with a canon character. Granted I did get some anon hate through the years that hurt, but what can you do. The inspiration I give fellow OC creators gives me a nice boost!!

Anyways, like I said, I know I bitch about the hater side of the fandom, but nobody wants to be hated for doing something they love. In the end, it was all a positive experience. I hope some of you have felt something similar too.

[brainrotbabe24]

Can I request Thorins company meeting readers family? And bonus if most of the family doesnt speak Common tongue/English so reader has to be the translator (story of my life)😭😭

Hi! I love this idea...i would be so nervous to bring any of them home lol!

I would also like to thank my friend who helped me. She gave me her perspective with translating and the language barrier she has! 💖

Balin: Balin being a traditional dwarf, would want to meet your family as soon as you both decided to start seeing each other. He'd make an effort to show his intentions by inviting them to a nice dinner. I imagine he knows a little bit about your family, so every evening after work, he’d stay up to learn the language. 

Dwalin: Dwalin wouldn't meet your family until later in the relationship, specifically when you asked him to come over and help do a few chores. He’d put on his work shoes and be over in a matter of seconds. Realizing there was a language barrier, he’d ask you to translate what they needed help with. Initially, your family would be unsure, finding his tattoos and demeanor intimidating. They would say, “Why is he so quiet?” “Does he ever smile?” However, after seeing his devotion and how happy he made you, they’d slowly change their minds. He would regularly ask to come back and help, whether it was washing clothes, rebuilding a fence, or even helping put the baby to sleep. Comments about him would turn positive: “Look how strong he is,” “He is wonderful with kids,” “Does he have a brother? *wink wink*”

Óin: Oin would want to match outfits. He is such an old man! He would want to make sure you both looked presentable and would spend extra time on his braids and yours. It would honestly be so cute!!! 

Glóin: Gloin would be incredibly nervous to meet your parents. However, his nerves would get the best of him, and he might drink a little too much, rambling on about his adventures. You’d have to translate—perhaps even fib a little—to make sense of his stories. 

Gloin: “There was this dragon, and we had to kill it…” 

You: “He says he works in accounting…” 

Bifur: The first impression might not be great, with the ax in his head possibly scaring them. However, his skill in whittling, a.k.a. giving them gifts, and a potential family member knowing Khuzdul could turn things around.  The gif below is what your family will look like when they see the ax lol

Bofur: I know I always associate songs with Bofur, but it fits him so well, lol! Singing is how he won you over, so he wants to win the family over too. He would make sure to sing all the favorites and would ask for requests! I think by the end of the night the entire family would be singing! 

Bombur: Bombur would impress your family with his cooking. Once they learned he enjoyed cooking, they’d bond over shared recipes and favorite ingredient. He’d quickly become a favorite, often asked to help cook during holidays and special occasions.

Ori: Ori would be extremely nervous meeting your family, so much so that Dori and Nori might join to support him. They’d embarrass him, but it would lighten the mood. Your parents would find his family amusing and see Ori as a decent guy. By the end of the night, they’d give him a hug, and he’d be thrilled, talking about it for weeks.

Dori: The ideal boyfriend to introduce to your parents. Dependable, respectful, and family-oriented, he’d make a great impression. He’d also be impressed with your translating skills. Additionally, seeing that you were working overtime translating, he would go out of his way to help you. “Oh honey, do you need more food?" "Here I can show your grandmother to the bathroom." "Would you like extra wine, dear?”

Nori: You and Nori were new in your relationship and not ready for him to meet your family officially. However, they’d catch glimpses of him bringing you home after dates. They would think he was a "bad boy" and become suspicious. They would often ask, “What’s his job again?” because it changed so much. He’d win them over by bringing thoughtful “gifts” (definitely not stolen lol) after every date, and they'd start to appreciate his efforts.

Thorin: Thorin’s reputation would precede him, with your parents knowing about the adventure and his temporary gold/dragon sickness. They’d be skeptical, and the initial meeting would involve many questions. You’d have to translate everything, making Thorin increasingly nervous. A few of Thorin’s answers were: “No, I am not sick...yes, I go outside ... Madam, I can assure you, I shower." Despite the awkward start, they’d warm up to him, seeing his genuine intentions. He’d often host dinners and family events to show his commitment and might give you a promise ring to signify his dedication.

Kíli: Bless his heart for meaning well, but oh boy, is he a big himbo. Kili would think he was making a great first impression, but I feel like he would be making a fool of himself. First he would try to kiss your mother's hand, and it would be misinterpreted as flirting. Second, he would try impressing them with his skills, only to trip and fall. Finally, he would think your younger siblings were helping him learn the language, but they would end up teaching him dirty words. So when he gives a big speech and happens to use those words..well, let's just say you would need to do damage control. I think after a while it would become a family joke, and everyone would fondly remember his attempts to make a good first impression. I would like to imagine it’s an April and Andy situation lol 😂😂

Fíli: There must be something with the Durin boys..cause they are hot but dumb. Okay, so Fili would be super excited to meet your family; he would talk for days about how he was "preparing” and “had a surprise." Every time you ask him what that means, he will just give you a wink and say, “You’ll be so proud, babe." However, his attempts to impress might result in miscommunication. On the day of meeting your parents, he tries saying something in their native language and would slip up and pronounce something completely wrong. I imagine it’s kind of like papá and papas in Spanish—dad and potatoes. He would’ve revealed to you that he had asked Ballin and Nori for help on the language and just got horrible advice. Despite initial giggles and laughter at his mistakes, your family would appreciate his effort. 

Bilbo: Bilbo would meticulously plan a party to meet your family, aiming to overcome any awkwardness with a grand feast and festivities. He’d insist on handling everything himself, wanting to be the perfect host. Once they arrived, he’d go all out, showing them around, serving them the best food and pipe weed, and even arranging for fireworks. “What can I say? Us hobbits love a good party,” he would say, putting his arm around you and squeezing!

Gandalf: Your family would be so confused! It would be like the gif below when Bilbo first talked to Gandalf. Pure shock and suspicion. I also think Gandalf would speak in riddles and confuse everyone!

[the-really-lonely-mountain]

Along for The Ride - Part 2

Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Summary: Transported to Middle Earth, you must Join Thorin Oakenshield's Company as they travel to reclaim Erebor! OR: My take on the classic 'modern girl in Middle Earth' troupe. With this first installment, we are following the first movie of The Hobbit trilogy, and falling in love with Kili on the way! Slow burn with this one y'all, nothing spicy till the next work I'm afraid.

Tags: Kili / Reader, Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, Modern Character in Middle Earth, During The Hobbit, How Do I Tag, Canon-Typical Violence, Kíli Is a Little Shit (Tolkien), wrote this while I had covid, in like 4 days lol, implied soulmates, Dwarf Culture & Customs, Freeform, Holding Hands, Cuddling & Snuggling, Sleepy Cuddles, Protective Thorin Oakenshield Company Members, Dwalin & Thorin Oakenshield Friendship, Fluff and Humor, Domestic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Where In Middle-Earth Is Gandalf?, Hair Braiding, Dwarf Courting, My First Tumblr Fic, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Fíli & Kíli & Thorin Live, Thorin Oakenshield Lives, Fíli Lives (Tolkien), Kíli Lives (Tolkien)

Word Count: 1,318

A/N: I was utterly appalled by the lack of Kili writers on here and Ao3. Y'all who write for Kili, I've been eating your crumbs like it's the shit (cause it is) for weeks, but one can't be sustained on crumbs alone so I've prepared a feast!! This is the first fic I've ever wanted to post, please be gentle. Comments, Likes, and Reblogs are loved and treasured!!

Divider credit: @cafekitsune

You rolled over to reposition and searched for your cuddle coat in a sleep-addled stupor. When this yielded nothing, you reached further and felt soft material. You wrapped your arms around it and brought it to your chest. You rubbed your face against it to find a comfortable position and exhaled content as sleep found you again for a while longer.

Soft murmuring and chuckles slowly pulled you from sleep, but what woke you was Kili gently shaking you and telling you it was time to wake up. You sighed and opened an eye to see the sun had started painting the sky in its rise. You looked over to see Kili much closer than you expected. He smiled sheepishly as you let go of his arm that you’d been unwittingly cuddling. You blushed profusely embarrassed of your unconscious actions.

“I—I am so sorry.” You sat up attempting to create space between you. He followed your actions, sporting flushed cheeks of his own.

“I’m the one who should be sorry. I should have woken you up” He paused looking at the back of your head as you looked steadfastly away from him, “You just looked so peaceful I—I couldn’t bring myself to.”

“Thank you, Kili,” you could spare him only a glance, still blushing “I’ll just never hear the end of this.” You covered your face as you felt it growing warm. You peeked through your fingers to scan the camp, catching some of the older dwarves looking at you and conversing in a conspiring manner over their breakfast.

“Calm down it’s not that bad” You could practically hear Kili roll his eyes playfully at your antics. He stood and looked down at you, taking pity knowing you wouldn’t want to face the other company members in fear of being teased and outcast from the group. He knew their teasing was just their way of showing their acceptance of you. He approached the cauldron and Bombur handed him his portion.

“Go easy on her, will ya?” Kili sheepishly asked the dwarves colluding across the fire, knowing you wouldn’t be far behind him. They mumbled their agreement only half listening to him. You came to the cauldron and thanked Bombur for breakfast.

“Sleep well Y/N?” Bofur asked, making Nori and Bifur chuckle beside him. You blushingly whipped around and said, “Shut up!” though your large smile, despite yourself, made it significantly less threatening. They laughed with you at their teasing, and you fake pouted as you stomped back to your bedroll and plopped down with a huff. Knowing you’d endured the worst, and now they’d drop it, you ate with a fond smile, happy to be part of the company.

Thorin paced anxiously at the outskirts of the garden ready to leave Rivendell while everyone ate. You didn’t have time to rinse the dishes in the stream that ran through the garden in Thorin’s impatience to leave.

Balin led the company through the paths of the mountains. No one had anything to say while they focused on not falling to their death on the narrow cliffside path.

You then spent the first half of the day walking through shrubbed hilly planes that were drab in color but expansive across the horizon. The next half was spent in the freezing rain, tiptoeing along the razor-thin path on the side of the mountain. The thunder was deafening, startling you every time.

“LOOK OUT!” someone yelled before a boulder the size of a balled-up skyscraper impacted the cliff above you sending rubble onto the company. Dwalin caged you against the cliff face, so you didn’t get knocked off. When the last of the loose rocks had fallen, someone yelled: “This is no thunderstorm! This is a thunder battle!”

“We need to take shelter!” Balin implored Thorin.

“There’s a cave just ahead!” Thorin replied.

“GET DOWN!” Bilbo shouted as another gargantuan rock hurtled through the sky. Dwalin pressed you into the mountainside again to protect you.

“Sorry lass” He backed away when it was safe “Can’t go losin’ our greatest treasure now can we?” He smiled trying to make light of such grim circumstances. You’d have to ask about that when the time is right.

You gently placed your hand on his arm, “Thank you!” You smiled trying to ignore how cold you were. He helped steady you as the ground quaked from another far-off impact.

The company poured themselves into the cave. Oin excitedly began building a fire but much to your dismay, Thorin extinguished his attempt by saying mountain caves are seldom unoccupied, they needn’t attract unnecessary attention.

You were shaking and shivering so intensely you thought you’d bring the mountain down. You couldn’t even get your bedding ready, too concerned with trying to stay warm. You curled in a ball against the cold stone wall of the cave.

“Oh lass,” Dori said under his breath seeing you struggle in the corner. He entered the circle of conversation Kili was engaged with and nudged him on the shoulder to get his attention. The elder dwarf jutted his chin in your direction. Kili saw you miserably trying to stay warm. He excused himself and quickly made his way to you.

“Hey Y/N,” he said in a soft voice, crouching in front of you to assess the situation.

“H-h-hey k-Kee,” you laughed, trying to get ahold of yourself. “A-aren’t you c-cold?”

He smiled at your concern, “Nah.” He helped you take off your waterlogged coat, “We dwarves are built like furnaces.” He got your blanket and bedroll from your bag and wrapped them around your shoulders and legs. He sat beside you and positioned your legs to drape over his to soak up their warmth under the blanket. He put his arm around your shoulders and leaned you against his chest. You unfurled your arms from yourself to cling to him, selfishly stealing the heat he free gave.

You tried to focus on your breathing, taking comfort in the knowledge that the company wouldn’t let you die, as much as it felt like you were.

Kili caught Thorin’s eye from across the cave where he stood with his arms crossed, “She’s shiverin’ somethin’ fierce Uncle.” Kili said, worried. Thorin looked you up and down with no warmth in his gaze.

“Wrap her in your bedding as well and give her time,” he simply said, “She’ll be fine in a few hours.” Kili nodded, trusting his uncle’s judgment, and then caught his bag which was tossed by Fili. He did as Thorin said and pulled you closer to him, keeping you in place with an arm around your shoulders and over your legs.

“H-he sc-scares me.” You whispered to Kili making him chuckle.

“Yeah, he does that to most outsiders,” Kili said rubbing your back. “He’ll come around eventually.”

Your bone rattling shivering eventually slowed to manageable quakes. You rested your head against Kili’s shoulder which aligned the slope of your forehead and nose perfectly to the exposed warmth of his neck. Kili turned his head to rest against yours. You could tell he was tired from the way he leaned into you and his eyelids drooped heavily. You were exhausted too, now not only from the long day of walking but from the cold that still drifted over you.

“Feel better?” he asked with a hopeful lilt. You nodded against him, only able to spare a tired ‘mhm’.

“Sleep while you can” He whispered, “I don’t know how much longer we’ll be here.” Sleep took you within 3 deep breaths.

If only you could see the image of pure affinity you both made. Even in sleep, you clung like a barnacle to him, and his grip on you never faltered in his rest either, keeping you tight against him.

The older dwarves of the company saw this and smiled, fond and happy…but still made bets about when you’d officially start courting.

Part 1 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

[curious-trickster]

Pretty sure this is a lyric from a song but not positive, "I'm better as a memory than as your man."

I can really picture it for Bagginshield, especially in the healing tents after the battle of the five armies. I think it works well as a line coming from Thorin, perhaps when he wakes up after Ravenhill and Bilbo is like don't you dare! You are not going to decide for me if you are a better memory than a romantic partner. I expect all the courtship after you have recovered or so help me, Mahal will not save you from my wrath. So of course Thorin has to recover.

Also I can see it working really well for Johnlock, perhaps right before Reichenbach, coming from Sherlock. I'm not sure how John would respond. I can see multiple options like no way, no matter how frustrated I can get at you I love you and then alternate John gets to help/no reichenbach at all or much more angsty of John is shocked because they don't acknowledge feelings and then the whole things happens and John is left with that memory until he sees Sherlock again and he assures Sherlock that he is much better as his man than a memory.

Any opinions on either pairing? Who do you think would use the line? Any other pairings you think it would work for?

*Asks are sent for fun, no pressure to answer.

Oh my, YES!

I can totally picture a guilt ridden Thorin saying something like that and Bilbo just standing there, totally floored at first. And then the indignation starts to rise and Thorin is faced with a furious little Hobbit, who didn't fight in a thrice damned war Thorin, even though Hobbits really aren't made for facing orcs, bloodshed or fighting against an army, thank you very much!, just to be to told that he would be better of without the guy he fought so hard for! How Thorin could even consider him leaving, after everything they've been through! And especially after Bilbo got a glimpse of the future they could have together, in those short few hours after the reclaimed Erebor, before the gold sickness set in! They had wandered the great halls, which would be filled with life again soon, talked about the stuff that needed fixing first, and imagined the future that was to come. The future which had Thorin on the throne, with his nephews to teach for the future generation, Balin and Dwalin as advisor and guard right beside him, Nori as spymaster and Ori as the one in charge of the library, while Dori helped train and form the younger generation, Bombur taking over the role of kitchen headmaster, Bofur with his own toyshop, Bifur helping Dori train the warrior's, Oin keeping watch over the fires in the halls of the blacksmiths, Gloin filling the role as treasuremaster. And right there with all of them, a little Hobbit, who finally found people who he could call family. And really, Thorin had also pretty much declared his intent to court him in front of everyone, so he better get himself out of bed soon to be able to really start courting him, and Bilbo was expecting all the stops, really Thorin, there will simply be no skimping it!

After this really spectacular rant, Thorin is just staring dumbfounded at Bilbo and wondering aloud, just when exactly he declared his intent to court Bilbo?

And the Hobbit just stares back, hands on his hips, and tells him: 'I don't know if you really are as much of a fool as you are making yourself out to be or if you think me a fool, but gifting someone a piece of armour - impenetrable armour even - which is worth nearly more than the receivers homeland and staring deeply into the receivers eyes while you hand it over in front of everyone is not considered a show of simple affection between friends even by dwarven standards. And don't bother arguing with me on this, I asked!'

I think there's no need to mention, that Thorin started courting Bilbo properly as soon as he was well enough to do so. The courting was a thing of legends, a story told to the future generations as a sort of fairytale and to make them see, just how serious you should be about impressing the one you love.

Bilbo is just glad Thorin finally got his head out of his ass.

As for the Johnlock: I could see it, especially as an internal monologue that plays in Sherlocks head as he stands on top of the roof, preparing to jump. It would be the kind of bittersweet story that makes you ache with the longing. And then the reunion. Sherlock realising what a fool he was to ever give this up. Being back in John's presence is like finally finding colour again after spending a long time feeling as if the world is washed out and faded.

There could be this kind of confession scene, where after they had an ugly fight Sherlock just spills his guts and admits, that he thought John would be better of without him. That he didn't think it would impact John this much and that he hadn't ever imagined how much the separation from John would hurt-

Safe to say there is a big strong hug waiting at the end of the emotional conversation the two have about their feelings for each other. It isn't forgiveness but understanding. And they can build up from there.

This is really long and I can feel that I will probably spend time writing fanfiction today. Thanks for the inspiration @amloveabledeathmo!

[ironmandeficiency]

council meetings

pairing: kíli / fem!reader (established)

word count: 1349

summary: politics suck worse than kíli does at keeping a secret

req: "do you want me to kill that guy for you? because he seems like a real dick and i would totally kill that guy for you." + "an annoyed but affectionate slap to the back of the head" with kili?

a/n: he’s such a dork and i love him very much

read on ao3

being an advisor to the king of erebor was no breezy endeavor. the heavy workload that came with continuous restoration efforts, four headstrong durins, and that’s not even counting the most uncomfortable chairs your ass has ever sat in.

the worst part, though? it had to be when fellow councilmembers didn’t take you seriously because of your lack of graying hair. every disparaging comment made about your youth tested your patience and almost had you showing your age by bounding the table and choking them by their own beards.

your inexperience in a formal setting, silly notes passed to cheeky princes, your sneezes when the dust of a withering tome invaded your nose — the old snots took them all as signs you were unfit for office. they questioned every bill you proposed and called you a foolish child (among other things) every time you disagreed with them.

speaking of silly notes and cheeky princes- you felt a tap against your foot under the table. of course it was your kíli, trying to get your attention so you could accept the note he wrote you.

“do you want me to kill that guy for you, ghivashel? because he seems like a real dick and i would totally kill that guy for you”

you snickered and stomped his foot under the table for nearly making you laugh. he didn’t react save for a smile and a playful wink.

once thorin was well enough to give orders as king, he appointed members of the quest as guild masters and seats on his royal council. having his shield brothers among him meant far more than the tradition of keeping nobles in positions of power, but he couldn’t blatantly show such favoritism this early into his reign.

bofur was named head of the miner’s guild and was clearly repulsed by political agendas and personal vendettas. he didn’t want to be here just as much as you. every time lord ashuk started his bitching, he would plop his hat over his eyes, kick his feet up on the table, and block out the bullshit.

lucky bastard.

that’s why you wished you were anywhere else other than where you were right now. sitting in the council chambers at the asscrack of dawn with nobles and guild masters all around, a vacation would be the least amount of compensation you’d accept for your suffering.

maybe mordor was pleasant this time of year.

this ridiculous session was only happening courtesy of lord ashuk, a noble who got his moniker during the battle of azanulbizar for his excellent hiding and pissing skills. no one knew why he was on thorin’s council to begin with, much less why he hadn’t been ousted before now.

he was determined to question the integrity of every other dwarf on the council simply to make himself look superior.

as per ashuk’s personal itinerary, no session is truly complete without your name getting a good dragging through the mud.

“there are far too many members of this council with no knowledge of the inner workings of erebor! and one of them is a woman, no less!” ashuk sent a nasty glare your way and you returned it to him tenfold.

it took every bit of willpower you could muster to not flip your hair oh so discreetly and reveal your status as future queen of erebor.

nearly every dwarf who reclaimed the mountain erupted into furious yelling. gloin shot his chair out from under him and called ashuk every foul name under the sun. this startled bofur from his dozing and with a quick update from bombur on what was going on, the miner rushed to your defense as well. dwalin’s voice was made clearer with the way his hands gripped the hilt of his axes.

even fíli, typically the calmer of the princes, was outraged. you were the sister he never had, one of his dearest friends and the second bravest woman he’d ever known behind his amad. you were soon to be his sister in law, for mahal’s sake! he had every intention of rising from his seat and getting in ashuk’s face to defend your honor, but thorin’s firm grip on his shoulder steadied him.

and your dear kíli, for all his typical silliness and cheerful disposition, could turn rightly sour when the time called for it.

the youngest prince may not be well-versed in politics, but he knew how to read the intentions of those around him. with every thinly veiled insult thrown at those around him, ashuk was blatantly questioning uncle’s decisions as king and ostracizing himself from the rest of the council.

to quote bilbo, ashuk was a hen stuck in the fox’s den.

kíli rose from his chair calmly, a fire in his eyes that many had never seen from him before now. balin noticed his moving to stand and went to pull him back down, but the attempt was shaken off.

as the other council members noticed the dark prince rising from his seat, their voices puttered out. young or not, kíli was still a prince and his status alone demanded attention and respect.

with a subtle nod, thorin told kíli to say his piece.

“i must disagree with you, ashuk.” the name was spit with all the disgust one gave when speaking of goblins. “it is my personal opinion that there are far too many members of this council that called their king a fool when he called for aid in reclaiming this very mountain.”

he leaned on the table, hands spread out as he leveled every noble with a cold stare. “nearly every noble in this room laughed in thorin’s face when he presented his plan to reclaim our home. yet now that the hard work was done for you, you expect to be treated with respect you didn’t earn.”

members of the company nod along, many of them beaming with pride at kíli. “you speak as if you intimately know the trials we had to face while you called us fools for facing smaug.”

“she can’t even stand up for herself!” ashuk interrupted when kíli paused for a breath.

that was the wrong thing to say, thorin mused to himself. balin was barely holding in a smug laugh because he knew exactly what kíli’s reply would be.

if kíli wasn’t angry before, he sure as shit was now. “your future queen should not have to justify her presence and capabilities to filth like you! she could have your beard on our mantle for the way you’ve spoken to her these past months and i don’t believe a single dwarf in here would object!”

well. this was decidedly not the way you planned on announcing your courting status to the others.

ashuk shared the same blank stare as a dead fish and it nearly had you and bofur doubling over in laughter. before everyone could erupt into yet another fit of chaos, thorin called the meeting adjourned and sent away those who weren’t of the company.

once the outsiders left, shouts of joy and laughter echoed through the lapis hall.

“did you see his face?! priceless!”

“if it weren’t so ugly, i’d like to preserve it!”

“i didn’t know ye had it in ye, lad! great job!”

“you’ve got yerself a good one, lassie!”

kíli went to your side after you both escaped all the well-wishes and hugs from the others. he kissed your temple lightly and pulled you into his embrace.

“thank you for telling off ashuk for me, my love.”

your prince grins and leans down for a kiss, which you happily give him. he’s distracted enough by you that he doesn’t notice your hand moving ever so slightly until he feels a thwack! on the back of his head.

he winces and moves a hand to rub at the sore spot, giving you his signature kicked puppy eyes. “that was for spoiling our surprise, kee.”

“you have to admit, my dear, it was a pretty interesting way to break the news.”

“you are definitely right about that.”

“as always!”

“don’t push it.”

[lathalea]

20 Questions for Writers

It took me a while, but here we go! Thank you for tagging me @fishing4stars and @i-did-not-mean-to 💚

1. How many works do you have on AO3? Let me see... 49 🙈

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 682,524 words.

3. What fandoms do you write for? Tolkien - mostly The Hobbit, LOTR and The Silmarillion.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? Please check fic rating and tags before reading! 📖 The Writer's Month 2021 ficlet collection 📖 Springtime at the Lonely Mountain 📖 All Is Fair in Love and Trade 📖 Strong 📖 Third Time's the Charm

5. Do you respond to comments? Yes, I'm very happy to interact with my readers, and it doesn't matter if it's a long comment or a lovely bunch of chaotic keysmashes, I love to reply to them all!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? The first chapter of The Weeping Willow. I was crying while writing it. it was meant as a standalone story but my amazing readers convinced me to write the second chapter to make the angst more bearable 😇

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? I think it's How to Kiss a Fairy, a fluffy and cute fic I wrote together with @avaria-revallier.

8. Do you get hate on fics? No, it has never happened so far. The closest to "hate" comments I got is reading loving messages like "how dare you treat these characters this way" (meant in a positive way) - I absolutely adore them!

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Yes. Some tender vanilla, some is more kinky. I'm mostly into m/f and f/f.

10. Do you write crossovers? Rarely, mostly one-shots. My weirdest ones so far were The Hobbit crossovers with Three Musketeers, Snow White, and Star Wars.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I know.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes. It's The White Raven, not an easy thing to translate, I believe.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yes! It's so much fun! Here are two fics I can think of at the moment: How to Kiss a Fairy (see above) and Scattered Through Time co-written with @joyfullynervouscreator

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Canon ship? Wait, only one? How am I supposed to choose? Let me give you three ships for the price of one: Eowyn x Faramir, Galadriel x Celeborn, Bofur x Bilbo.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Listen, I want to finish all 398274238765723866782354768 of my WIPs, okay? Just please don't ask me when...

16. What are your writing strengths? I have no idea, I'm constantly doubting myself. Maybe... Storyline planning and worldbuilding?

17. What are your writing weaknesses? Do you have an hour? No? I thought so. My biggest one is laziness. And I'm not too good with dialogues. And descriptions of clothing worn by the characters. And... finishings the fics I started.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? As English is not my native language, I'm doing it every day :D Writing dialogue in elvish or dwarven languages is a great tool for a writer! Among other things, adds specific flavour to stories and I really like reading it. From time to time, I add some of it to my stories too.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Star Wars.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? Every single fic I wrote is my favourite - although each of them for different reasons. What are your favourites?

Tagging (no pressure): @middleearthpixie @crazytxgradstudent @asgardianhobbit98 @evenstaredits @fizzyxcustard

@sotwk @joyfullynervouscreator @ettelene @heilith and everyone else who would like to join!

[fantasyinallforms]

How about… “Hey…are you dead yet?”

Thank you for the prompt, @sunnyrosewritesstuff! I am loving these! This one was a hard one for some reason, but I liked the challenge, and I'm pleased with how it turned out!

This is for the March Madness fotfics event!

Also on AO3 under my "Tales on the Road to Erebor" collection

Bagginshield {T}

Title: Better on your lips

How long had they been walking? Carrock seemed like a pleasant but distant memory. The eagles had saved them, but they retained few packs after escaping the Goblins, fewer still after the eagles. Gandalf had disappeared shortly after they landed, babbling about scouting ahead to see if an old friend still resided in the area. He had yet to return. Their movements in the region were bracketed by the wargs that never left their trail, stopping them from being able to rest for more than a few hours at a time. They were aided only by the advantage of a head start. Now the company wandered between rocky moors, trying to scrap by on what they had and what they could catch. Unfortunately, what they had was almost nonexistent, and what they could catch would seem to be very little. 

Before this adventure, Bilbo was not accustomed to the feeling of true hunger. Since he had learned to get by on what he was offered while traveling. While he was never truly full, he wasn't starving. That was until now. Three days ago, Thorin had tightened everyone's rations again. They got a small piece of hard tack or jerky per day. A few wonderful times, they had found enough to forage that he could have two pieces. The dwarves seem to be pressing on in rather the same fashion as they always did despite the restrictions. How they did, Bilbo didn't know. He could feel his stomach practically eating his spine. His clothes fell loosely around his frame, and he had punched a few new holes in his belt. He had never felt hunger like this before, but he had heard it described to him in stories by those who had lived through the fell winter that plagued Hobbiton before he was born. 

“Hobbits aren't meant to go without food.” His mother once warned, “It messes with our minds and can drive us mad.” Mad. Yes, that’s what this felt like. Bilbo was lost in his train of thought. He didn't see the rest of the company stop. He was stopped mid-stride by a thick hand on his wrist. 

“Master Baggins, I said we are stopping for a few hours. Or do you intend on continuing on without us?”  The sound of Thorin’s voice was usually pleasant, but today it cut at the edges of his nerves.  

“What would it matter if I did? We'll be dead within a week with this rate of not finding food.” Bilbo wrenched his wrist out of Thorin’s grasp and stalked back toward the center of the party.

“Oh, don't be like that, Bilbo! Landscape’s getting a little less rocky, and I’m sure we’ll find something soon enough!” Bofur’s chipper attitude was growing annoying and incredibly tiresome. Bilbo found the nearest tree and curled in on himself, not bothering to interact with others. 

Predictably Thorin had ordered there to be no fire, so the company made themselves as comfortable as they could around a clump of trees. Soon Bombur started to hand out rations. Bilbo took his and held it in the palm of his hand, trying to will it to be bigger. As much as his quip from earlier had been made in annoyance, he really didn't know if he would be able to survive more of this. Lack of food, lack of sleep, and constant movement. He was likely to collapse at any moment. But what could he do or say? They were all hungry, they had an orc pack on their tail, and there was no time to stop and forage. He had just started to earn the respect of the company. Would complaining about how he needed more food than a typical dwarf despite being half the size put him right back in the position he was in before Carrock? He didn't want that. He liked the new softness that Thorin’s eyes held for him now. 

No, regardless of the risk, he knew what he had to do. It was not as if he would achieve rest with his stomach like this. He needed to find food, ANY food. He could sneak off and be back before anyone knew he was gone, and if he did find something, perhaps they wouldn't be so cross that he snuck out in the first place. 

______________

Across the camp, Thorin pulled Balin and Dwalin into a meeting. 

“We all know the situation. We have less than a week before we’re out of rations completely. These lands seem unusually barren of anything to hunt.” Balin stated. 

“Now that we’re out of the cliffside, we need to try and forage. It’s our only option!” Dwalin urged 

“The last time we stopped to forage, the Orcs made significant ground!” Thorin reminded him. When they first left the eagles, they had traveled for a few days, then when the company thought they were a fair distance from danger, they had scattered temporarily to look for anything edible and had managed to scrounge up a few things. That night, however, they heard their first sign that the wargs were drawing nearer. It would seem evil truly never slept. 

“We could use the downtime we have now?” Balin suggested. 

“No. The rest of the company hasn't gotten the chance to rest in days. They won't last another night of no sleep. I’ll go and be back in a few hours. When I return, we move again.” Thorin was particularly conceded about Bilbo. He had been in good spirits coming down from Carrock, but as the rations tightened, his mood went sour. In the last three days, Bilbo hasn't smiled a single time. The hobbit’s shrinking frame was not something that had gone unnoticed. He remembered Bilbo telling stories to the rest of the company that hobbits proudly ate seven times a day. At the time, it seemed an incredible feat. Dwarves could certainly pack down a meal when it was offered, but they could withstand sustaining themselves on small amounts of food for long times. It was this fact that got them through the first few harsh winters in Ered Luin. Now though, after months of watching how Bilbo’s body had changed, he realized that hobbits must have incredibly fast metabolisms. He was quite literally watching Bilbo wither away, and it was increasingly painful to watch. 

A few times, he had instructed Bombur to give his piece to Bilbo, with the instruction of letting him know they were able to forage more than usual and could spare the extra piece. The hunger of that day was made lighter by the quiet sounds of happiness Bilbo made when he ate. Every part of him wanted to keep Bilbo happy and smiling forever. 

Thorin didn't wait. After the meeting ended, he immediately started heading further into the trees. One of the hardest things about this area was that the clumps of trees present were dense but scarce. Thorin didn't like having the wind at his back. It felt too venerable, so he stuck to the forested areas as much as possible. An hour into his search and he found nothing. Another 30 min, and finally, he came across a downed tree littered with mushrooms. Thorin wasn't an expert at knowing what was and wasn't edible, so he grabbed as many as he could and stuffed them in the bag he had brought. Bombur or Bilbo could tell him if they were edible later. 

He started walking back towards camp, then stopped dead and quietly drew his sword as he heard the sound of the underbrush shaking. Either this was about to be a problem, or he was about to return to the company with something that would make Bilbo smile again. He listened for the sound of whatever it was to clear the underbrush, then lept out to attack. He dropped his sword mid-swing when he saw it was Bilbo. The hobbit had his shirt pulled up to make a pouch. The pouch was currently half-filled with mulberries. He looked like he had just been caught in a trap. His hazel eyes widened as he finished chewing the mouthful he had likely just eaten before Thorin appeared. His initial reaction was to be annoyed. Everyone in camp has strict orders to rest and not stray. Oh, but how could he be mad? Bilbo looked positively thrilled. His eyes had light in them, and he had a stain of mulberry juice just under his bottom lip. Bilbo’s presence did things to his mind even he didn't fully understand. He so badly wanted to remove the stain with his tongue. Thorin loved mulberries. They held a similar but sweeter taste to blackberries. Would they taste even better on Bilbo’s lips? Mahal above grant him willpower.  

“Thorin! I-I promise that I had every intention of sharing! Th-they just looked so good and-” Thorin put his hand on Bilbo’s wrist to stop the flood of words. 

“Peace, Master Baggins. I might have done the same. Mulberries don't last long once picked, anyway. We’ll have to eat all of these tonight, or they won't keep.” Thorin held out the bag he had brought so that Bilbo could deposit what he had collected. 

“I didn’t think dwarves would know about mulberries. They don't grow in the mountains.” 

“No, but they grew in the area between Ered Luin and The Shire. I traveled that road many times in search of work. They became some of my favorite things to look for on the journey.” Thorin closed the sack and gently placed it on the ground.

“Here, you should have some before we head back. I know you skip meals sometimes.” Bilbo took Thorin’s wrist and pulled it towards himself. He splayed his fingers over Thorin’s palm so that his hand oped more and dropped a hobbit-sized handful of berries. Bilbo’s hands were always so warm and so full of life. The casual contact felt nice; no, it felt right. He closed his hands over the berries gently so as not to crush them.

 “Thank you. If you want to look for more, you can. We have a little time before we need to head back. You really shouldn't have come out here alone, however. I would ask that you not do it again for your own safety.” 

 “Hey… are you dead yet? No? You're welcome. If I managed to save your life, I can protect my own long enough to pick berries. Besides, It was either I try to find food, go mad, or don't wake up from my next nap.”  He turned around and went back to tending the bush while he spoke. Thorin chewed on the words before they finally caught up to him. 

“Wait, what do you mean ‘Don't wake up from your next nap’? I knew you were having a harder time than the rest of the company, but I didn't realize it was that dire! Why didn't you say anything!” A zing of panic bolted through him. How much had he missed? Was Bilbo so starved that he verged on death?  

“Without food, hobbits wither. Eventually, if we can't find enough to eat after a long enough time, we just stop. It happened to a lot of hobbits once. The winter my mother was a small lass. Many hobbits died of starvation. Some lost their minds first; others just went to sleep and never woke up. I’ve never experienced hunger like this before, and it feels like my mother's stories, so I suppose it is possible. I didn't want to be an extra burden. We’re all suffering a lack of food, not just me. I had no right to complain,” Bilbo replied. Thorin took a step forward and spun Bilbo, so he was looking at him. He tried to keep the desperate and terrified tone out of his voice, resulting in him letting his anger loose instead. 

“You are dying! What better time is there? Fair does not mean equal. What would I have - we have done if you perished! This company needs its burglar if we are to see this quest through. After everything we went through in the goblin tunnels, you would let yourself die over something as simple as being a burden! I would rather you be a burden than dead!” Thorin was no longer gripping Bilbo’s shoulders. He had moved in his own panic to cradle Bilbo’s head between his hands. 

“I wasn't thinking straight; I’m sorry. But if we have to stop and forage every few days, then the wargs will catch up to us. I can't ask the company to put themselves in mortal danger for the sake of my stomach.” 

“Then I will! I will guarantee your safety!” Thorin took a step toward Bilbo but halted at the look of fear in his eyes. For a moment, he thought he had truly overstepped. He had been nothing but dismissive of Bilbo up until this point. What right did he have to ask Bilbo to trust him with his life? 

“Thorin, duck!” Bilbo yelled. He didn't have time to respond before Bilbo threw his weight into him, toppling them over. Thorin heard nothing in the undergrowth or area around them. He looked around to make sure Bilbo was ok and found him flat on his back next to him, clutching a large struggling snake in his hands. Thorin couldn't reach his sword from his position on his back, so he rolled on top of Bilbo, grabbed the snake, and crushed the bones around its neck with one hand rendering it dead. The snake fell limply at their side. 

“That’s an adder, very venomous,” Bilbo said between a few big gulps of air.” When Bilbo had the wind back in his lungs, he started laughing obnoxiously. Thorin cocked an eyebrow.

“It’s the absurdity of it all. We come to the woods to look for food. Both find a few things, run into each other, then run into a snake. It will make a funny story one day.” with that explanation, Thorin found he could not resist laughing either. “It gets better. They’re venomous, not poisonous, which means we just caught ourselves meat for a stew.” Bilbo giggled again and grabbed a berry off the ground, one of the ones Thorin had been holding in his hand, and popped it into his mouth, making a happy little sound. There was a distinct glint in Bilbo’s eye that didn't let Thorin move from where he was, even though he was incredibly aware that he was positioned over the hobbit. 

“Do I have something on my face?” Bilbo asked, bringing a hand up to his lips in a self-conscious move due to Thorin’s staring. Thorin’s eyes flickered to the stain of mulberry juice still on Bilbo’s lip. It was then that members of his company decided to burst through the underbrush. 

“Over here, I found them!” Dwalin shouted. His shout died on his lips as he saw the position they were in. Thorin quickly got to his feet, pulling Bilbo with him. 

“We caught dinner,” Thorin said, thrusting the snake into Dwalin's chest. Dwalin smirked. “Sorry to interrupt.” 

“Make sure Bilo gets back to camp safely.” Thorin grouched. He had almost done it. One more moment, and he would have laid claim to Bilbo’s soft lips and all the promises they held within them. When he returned to the rest of the company, he found a quiet place to sit and eat his share of mulberries. The more he ate, the more he was certain. They would indeed taste so much better on Bilbo’s lips. 

[lucigoo]

Bagginshield-tober: Day 2 - Garden

Im a little behind, but nevermind, enjoy my Bagginsheild story based on the prompt Garden.

It is also avaliable on A03 here

Bilbo was fed up with his husband. Yes he understood his concerns, yes, he knew Thorin didn't like it when he was too far from the Mountain, yes, he would take his bodyguards Nockic and Avrala with him. No, he was not staying more than two nights and “Yes, will you back off Thorin as i am going to Dale! I'm going to check the harvest and make sure it's growing right. And I sure as Yavanna do not need permission thank you very much” Bilbo finally snapped. Feeling guilty when he saw the sheepish expression on Thorin’s face. Bilbo took a few deep breaths, walked closer so he could cup Thorin's cheeks in his small and nimble hands. “Thorin, love, I'm going to Dale, with two bodyguards, Ori, Dori and Bofur. I have to check the harvest Thorin or we will all go hungry. Besides, we talked about this. I'm a hobbit, there is nowhere green in the mountains. I need air and grass and living things. I love it here, i love you, but i am still a hobbit ok?” he asked genty. Thorin just let out a sigh, “Yes aznan, I understand. I didn't mean to make you feel like you can't go, i just …” Thorin trailed off, not looking Bilbo in the eyes, how did he explain what he was feeling. 

He didn't have to, his clever, loving hobbit did it for him. “You just don't like me far away, and I appreciate it. I don't like to be too far away either, but it will be winter soon, and I need to get as much sunlight as possible whilst I can Thorin. Maybe in a few years when things have settled we can make a garden in the Mountain, there must be somewhere.” Bilbo finished on a wistful sigh. 

Thorin said nothing and just pulled Bilbo into his arms and held him tight, relishing in the feel of him before he disappeared down to Dale for two long, lonely nights. 

~~~~<>~~~~

Bilbo sat on his pony, listening to Ori and Bofur talk about the new trade agreements as he watched the Lonely Mountain get closer and closer.. He was ready to be home, to have his dwarven heater cuddled up behind him as the nights got colder, to just breathe in all of Thorin. Bilbo hated how he had to do these trips every other month or so at least, but as a hobbit he couldn't survive in just stone the way his dwarves did. As it was he was already dreading the upcoming winter where the doors got shut and only opened for extreme circumstances. 

Bilbo thankfully had convinced Thorin to move into a room at the top of the Mountain with him, one of the very few with a window and a connected balcony. Not that the baloney had been very good or safe when he had last checked a few months ago. Hopefully, one day soon he could convince Thorin to allow him to turn it into something he could use to grow, no matter how small. 

Bilbo found himself whipped away as soon as he got into the Mountain, Thorin was nowhere in sight, and Balin had basically grabbed him, and marched him to his rooms. Bilbo looked at his travelling companions who looked as bemused as him but followed along behind him dutifully. 

Bilbo just scuttled along, almost running to keep up with Balin, who hasn't released his arm. Balin didn't slow until he reached Bilbo’s own chambers. 

As soon as he was free he stood as tall as possible and glared at his friend “WHat in Arda Balin? I know where my rooms are, did my idiot husband think 3 days out of the mountain and I'd forget, honestly” he ended with a tut. He'd barely made it into the mountain and he was already fed up with dwarves. His dwarves specifically.

“And you three, next time you need me to get you out of a pickle don't expect me to aid you” He added with a huff, glaring at them all. He pulled his waistcoat into position again, smoothed his cloak and opened his door Calling back “Where is my stonehead husband anyway? If he thought I was going to get lost he could have come for me himself.” he said, still annoyed. 

Bilbo stopped still when he heardThorin’s unamused cough. He turned his head  back around and smiled sheepishly at his dwarf King, standing there in nothing but a short sleeved tunic that really showed off those strong forearms. 

Bilbo realised he had been staring a little too much when Bofur “accidentally” nudged him in the back. “Ahem, yes, hello” he said, face bright red as he ignored the reason why the rest of The Company were in his rooms during his homecoming. 

He walked straight to Thorin and allowed himself to be wrapped up in those strong, safe arms. INhaling the scent of fire, iron and stone. A scent that would be strange for a hobbit to enjoy, but for Bilbo it was just pure Thorin and he had missed him so. 

“And i you ghivashel” he felt more than heard rumble under his ear, reeling he had said it out loud. 

Nilbo soon realised he would get no peace to snuggle his dwarf as the rest of their friends were whispering, loudly. Bilbo’s ears suddenly perked up as he pulled back from Thorin’s solid chest. “Garden, what garden?” he asked curiously. 

Thorin turned his glare at his friends before turning to bilbo with a besotted smile. “Close you eyes my huzn, I have a surprise. We have been working on it slowly for months in secret, but now it is complete, come.” he said, grasping Bilbo’s hand tight on his own as Kili covered Bilbo’s eyes as he “did not trust their burglar not to peep”.

Bilbo spluttered and made noise just to indulge him, It didn't hurt to indulge one of the lads every now and again, He allowed himself to be ushered outside into the fresh mountain air. He took a few deep breaths before suddenly stilling. His nose twitched. “Wait, Thorin, what can I smell, it's never smelt like this before. “ he said in shock.

Thorin chuckled in his ear and said “open your eyes mine huzn, look at your present.” 

Bilbo did and gasped, hands covering his mouth as his eyes involuntarily watered. It wasn't very big, most of the beds were not filled, but the ones that were. Bilbo couldn't believe it. 

He turned, throwing himself at Thorin and laughing as he kissed his whole face, revelling in the way Thorin held his hips tight in those bug road hands that could cut down orcs, create amazing weapons and apparently make a hobbit out of the Shire there very one garden on the side of a mountain Bilbo couldn't stop the tears as he nuzzled into Thorin who happily embraced him back. 

Bilbo had a sudden thought and pulled back, “Thorin, do you, I mean are you aware ….” he trailed off, unsure how to ask his question.

Thorin gave a small laugh. “Yes my beloved, I know the flowers have meanings, these were the only ones we could find that would grow that we could identify. I had no wish to say the wrong thing.” he said a little bashfully. 

Bilbo looked around and noticed that their friend had left at some point when he had been enfolded in Thorin’s arms. “You are aware that this is a giant declaration of love, yes?” he all but purred as he pressed closer to his husband. 

“I hope so, tell me if i'm wrong but the aster’s, bleeding hearts and lilac are declarations of love, the mountain pansy is a reflection of a humble hobbit being brave enough to follow an old dwarf across the world and become his consort, the sedum, phlox, columbine and begonia are all variations of unity, partnership and togetherness ans this one…” he trailed off as he moved further along into the garden, towing Bilbo behind him. 

“This one”  he said as he picked a small flower that had bloomed and placed it behind Bilbo’s ears, wiping the tears that were falling as he did so. “This yarrow stands for everlasting love, the way my heart is everlasting yours, until the end of Arda and the world is remade for the final battle and beyond that, my love for you will never waver.”

A sob left Bilbo’s throat as he lunged at Thorin grabbing him by his braids. Having their first passionate kiss under the soft mountain sunlight in his garden, a garden made with love like his father had made his mother. Bilbo had never been so sure he was where he was supposed to be more than in this moment. Wrapped up in his dwarf surrounded by a loud and brash declaration of everlasting fealty in hobbit custom. 

“I love you” he whispered into Thorin's mouth quietly, enjoying the thorough ravishing he received in return as his return declaration. 

[ahufflepuffhobbit]

Got a pretty nice, complimentary trope combo for FOTFics January Trope Roulette — Everybody Knows/Mistaken for Couple × Roommate AU ~

Any ship/pairing really; Bagginshield, of course, but I have been into Bofur getting some love (lately I've been reading Bofur/Nori, Bofur/Dwalin, and Bofur/Fíli) ~ whatever strikes inspiration, I know I'll love it

Hope you're having a lovely day, keep on being fantabulous 💙

This was so fun! I've never written for Bofur/Nori before and I thought it was a lot of fun!

~*~*~*~

Erebor had slowly - so slowly - become a bustling metropolis again. Bofur was thrilled to see it. It had nearly two thousand dwarrow in it now, and Thorin and Bilbo as well as the rest of the Company had been kept busy making sure everyone was provided for and mending fences, as well as the rest of the mountain. 

Tonight, though, was time for relaxing. One of the lead miners that Bofur worked with when he wasn’t taking care of Company duties had invited him to her birthday party, and Bofur was beyond ready to go. He stepped out into the living room, and glanced towards Nori’s bedroom door. Most of the Company still shared rooms, though there was more space available to them. It was a comfort thing for them. How he had ended up with Nori, he wasn’t sure. Part of him wanted to blame Bilbo. He was the only one besides Bifur and Bombur to know about Bofur’s feelings for the thief turned spy, and Bilbo was certainly in a position to make arrangements…

Nori slipped out of his room with a grin, and Bofur felt the familiar swoop of his stomach when he saw him. He really was ridiculously beautiful. Especially with the deep green jacket he was wearing. Combined with the grey tunic, it highlighted all of Nori’s best features. 

“How do I look?” Nori asked. He did a slow spin so that Bofur could look his fill. He appreciated that kindness, but couldn’t let on. 

“Oh, don’t preen,” Bofur replied with a shake of his head. “You know you look great. Now, lets go, we’re going to be late.” 

Nori shot him a mocking pout. “You’re not even going to let me compliment you?”

Absolutely not. He would not be able to take that. Bofur scoffed and dragged Nori out of their rooms. It only took a moment of silence for Bofur to fill it with chatter about how he knew Zezily, and his guess about the other miners that would be there. He chattered so much that they reached Zezily’s place far quicker than he was anticipating. 

They just grabbed a drink and were talking about the Company meeting they would have tomorrow when Zezily found them. “Bofur, I’m so glad that you came!” 

They shook hands before Bofur introduced Nori. 

“I love that you two matched! You won’t have to worry about someone trying to steal him,” Zezily joked with a grin. Bofur’s heart pounded. What had he done to give the impression that he was with Nori? He was usually so careful to not let anything slip, to be carefree and fun around his roommate so that he would <i>never</i> know that Bofur was in love with him. Sure, they were were mirroring each other with their tunics and jackets, but-

Nori slipped his arm around Bofur’s waist and broke apart every spiraling thought that Bofur was having. He turned to look at the spy, who was wearing a pleased grin as he replied to Zezily. “You like it? Bofur got his tunic a week ago and I loved the color so much, I knew I needed something to go with it. Can’t have him be the only handsome one!” Nori and Zezily let out a laugh while Bofur was trying to understand what in Mahal’s name was happening. Someone who didn’t spend as much time as he did looking at Nori probably wouldn’t notice it, but there was something in Nori’s eyes. He was nervous about something. About them? 

Nori squeezed his side gently, and Bofur shot Zezily a smile. A moment later, she had gone off to greet more guests and Nori led him off to the side. Bofur was trying not to concentrate on how he could feel the warmth of Nori’s arm still on his waist and how he was close enough to smell him. All he wanted was to lean into Nori’s side and never leave; he needed to get away before he did something stupid that ruined their friendship. 

“Breathe,” Nori chided gently. “Whatever your fool head is thinking, it’s wrong.” 

Bofur did as he was instructed and forced himself to meet Nori’s eyes. He could still play this off probably. “I-”

“Nope,” Nori cut in. “I get to talk now, alright?” Nori stood in front of him, shielding him from the rest of the party, and Bofur did know what else to do besides let Nori talk. “I don’t want to dance around this anymore. I thought maybe when I got us to live together it would become clear, but-”

“You did that? I thought Bilbo…” Mahal, he was an idiot. Of course Nori had arranged it. Nori could do anything. 

Nori shot him a pleased grin, as though he knew exactly what Bofur was thinking. “I wanted some time with you. Just you. And I can tell you’re still not getting it, because you think you don’t deserve to get everything you want - which is wrong, by the by - so… I want to court you, Bofur son of Bafur.” 

The sounds of the party disappeared. All he could hear was Nori’s words repeating in his brain, trying to find the joke. Surely, it wasn’t that easy? But Nori was holding a bead out to him and that nervous look was back in his eyes. 

“You’re serious?”

“Rather a cruel prank, don’t you think? Of course I’m serious. Will you give me an answer?”

Well! Bofur didn’t know what else to do but press their foreheads together as he put his hand in Nori’s, the bead held between their hands. He heard Nori let out a shaky sigh of relief. He wanted nothing more than to kiss Nori, but he didn’t want to do it in front of all these people. “We should go home,” Bofur whispered. “So you can put that shiny bead in my hair."

"I know a shortcut," Nori breathed. Bofur's heart thudded in his chest as he saw the rest of his life full of intimate moments like this but also exploring and jokes and <i>happiness</i>.

~*~*~*~

Send me a trope combination and pairing!

[stevviefox]

✨2022 Writing Year In Review✨

I was tagged by @birdkeeperklink  Thank you!!

1. Number of stories posted to AO3: Technically 3.  The current one has 3 connected parts

2. Word count posted for the year: Rites, Writings, and Ris: 1,977,213 words plus a few for the Appendix and Glossary.

3. Fandoms I wrote for: The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings (with a late adoption of Aziraphale and Crowley from Good Omens )

4. Pairings: Ori/Dwalin, Thorin/Bilbo, Dori/Balin, Nori/Bofur, Gimli/Legolas, Kili/Tauriel, Fili./Sigrid, Bard/Thranduil, Crowley/Aziraphale and many many others.

5. Story with the most:Kudos:Bookmarks,Comments: Rites, Writings and Ris - Hits:                  79,051                  Kudos:                  1,334                  Comment Threads:                  1,364                  Bookmarks:                  202

6. Work I’m most proud of (and why):  Rites, Writings, and Ris:  I’m having so much fun with it!  Honestly, It’s coming up on the seventh year I and my co-author @dollypegs-blog have been writing this dwarf soap opera and we both love to hear in our comments that we made someone laugh their ass off or something touched them or they love a new original character.  Hell, we both shamelessly admit we’ve taken suggestions from readers (we do try and credit everyone whether in the main story or in the Appendix), we’ve put in ‘red herrings’ to tease certain readers and purposely ended a chapter with a cliff-hanger.  WE actually do that a lot as, well, it’s a soap opera, it’s the law.

7. Work I’m least proud of (and why): “Mermaid’s dream.” It’s just kinda dumb.  I consider deleting it every now and then..

8. Share or describe a favorite review you received:  Heeheehee, Of course the favorites are from Rites, Writings and Ris and from  some of our regular commenters Vacation Please, Reb, Blistering Typhoons, Sparklingburgundy to start.  We’ve had wonderful conversations with them about the plot or the characters or the really bad puns.

Honestly the one that made both of us laugh like absolute loons was way back at chapter 100 when we were informed “...You're grounded.“   We still giggle over that one.

9. A time when writing was really, really hard:  This fluctuates, but is mostly when both of us have shit going on in real life that we can’t actually sit and write.  Usually when we’re talking, (and neither of us can shut up!) we’re bouncing ideas off one another and the stuff just grows.  The very worst time was back in January of 2019, when my younger sister, who was Dolly’s wife of over 30 years, passed from cancer.

10. A scene or character you wrote that surprised you:  The Tiny Castle and Violet.  They came out of absolutely nothing and then the whole of Sauron’s wardrobe just exploded outwards.

11. A favorite excerpt of your writing:  <<.It was Sauron’s diary.  It was about five inches by seven inches, soft pink in color to match the decor, with a sort of lock on an attached strip of cover, to keep it closed.  The key to the lock was looped through the strip by a matching pink ribbon.“Should I?  Dare I?” Galadriel asked.  “Ha!  Of course I should!”Galadriel practically squeaked as she unlocked it, and started to read.  She hiccuped, fell back into the desk chair, and screamed with laughter.  Violet smiled her odd, gaping smile.“Did you read the passage where he was in crisis?” she asked.  “H-he l-l-lost control of h-h-his hair!” Galadriel cried.>>

From “Rites, Writings ,and Ris,” Chapter 312 The Royal Tour Part 76.

12. How did you grow as a writer this year:  No idea.  Maybe my penchant for goofiness exploded....more than usual...?

13. How do you hope to grow next year:  I really just hope that the readers stick around and that we can continue to make them laugh.  I mean even if we just had one reader, I’d still write but then idea of making a good number of people laugh and give then something to look forward to is fun.

14. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta or cheerleader or muse etc etc): Duh, my co-author!!!

15. Anything from your real life show up in your writing this year:  If it did, we’d tell you in the Appendix, if not, we’re not telling.  ;)

16. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers:  Write what you like and have fun with it.

17. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year:  Eventually we’d like to actually publish a ‘real’ book.  We have a complete one that needs editing and both of us have other ideas sitting in the wings.

18. Tag some writers whose answers you’d like to read.

Sheesh!  So many!!  But just because ‘I’m-like-that’  @dollypegs-blog    And... hey, let’s go with anyone who sees this and writes consider yourself tagged!!!

[pistachiozombie]

Hi! I know you probably hear this a lot, but I just love your Hobbit content. Bofur is one of my personal faves from the movies and it just scratches my brain in a good way when he gets the love he deserves ;w; also I would love to draw Leanna one day when I have the time askldjhflasdf

Aww thank you so much!! It doesn't really matter if I hear it a lot or not, I still appreciate it to the fullest every time ♥

Bofur has that charming and positive vibe that is irresistible! I always wish there was more content. If you ever draw Leanna I would LOVE to see it! It will be tucked snugly in my fan art folder of her that I cherish every day!

[sweet-demiboi]

Thorin with a pregnant FtM!Reader

When you found out that you were pregnant you had a severe panic attack.

It was as if your whole life before finding out that you were trans and accepting it was slapped right into your face.

You felt small and powerless and as if something was happening that shouldn't be happening.

Thorin found you full on crying in your bathroom, a sight that made his heart ache.

He pulled you into his arms and didn't ask for what was wrong, he just held you and tried to calm you down with back rubs and whispered words of softness and love.

When you were able to talk again you told him the news.

First, Thorin was really happy about it because you would be dads and then he realised.

He immediately assured you of yourself being a man, always have been and always will be, no matter your pregnancy.

This got you calm and you felt happy actually too, as you loved children and always had wished for one.

Your panic attacks were coming and going though, but Thorin was holding you through every single one of them, no matter what he had to do, no matter how long it took you to calm down again, he was there.

He understood a certain bit of your struggle with the situation but couldn't quite grab all of it, because he obviously had never been in your position.

For you it was all ups and downs, and not only because of your mood swings that came because of the hormones.

Your chest was aching, even though surgery had been performed on you years ago and you didn't feel comfortable thinking about what was between your legs either (you never had bottom surgery).

And you were certainly not very calm thinking of giving birth, but who would be anyway?

The weeks were coming and going, as well as the months and your belly wouldn't stop swelling.

Thorin always made sure to make you feel the most comfortable in your skin, kissing and caressing your body when you needed assurance.

And he always pronounced that you were still a man. Every single day he told you how masculine you still were and how much he loved loving a man, how much he loved his husband.

Then the time of staying in bed came, the time of not being able to do much. The time of towels being laid next to your bed, which made you a little scared.

Someone was around you always, whether it was Fili, Kili, Thorin, Bofur, Oin or Dwalin, someone always kept an eye on you, but these times you preferred Dis.

She had given birth twice already, and she understood how you were feeling, based on how she had been feeling during her pregnancy, especially so short before giving birth.

Then your screams were echoing through Erebor, and Thorin got locked out of his room in only his night gown.

Only Oin, Dis, and some nurses were with you.

Dis was holding your hand through all of the nine hours of birthing and you loved her for every second she spent on her stool, giving tips for breathing and pressing.

You swore to never have sex again that night (which you broke again).

Then you had done it.

You had born a healthy baby boy.

Oin put the child on your chest with a smile and some more tears ran over your cheeks, but this time they were caused by your happiness.

You cried and kissed your son's forehead, and then Thorin was there right next to you, crying as well, because he could finally hold you and hopefully ease a little pain, because you didn't scream of pain anymore, and of course because he was so happy to have a son.

You gave him his child after he had kissed you softly, so that you could take some care of yourself, taking deep breaths, then you felt a familiar pain.

"T-Thorin...?", you asked, sitting up

"Yes, my love?"

"I-It's starting again, I- fuuuck!", you yelled, Oin rushed to your side, checking your belly, Dis came and held your hand, talking to calm you down, but you were trapped in pain once again.

Thorin's heart almost teared apart from seeing you in so much pain and not being able to do anything, beside taking your other hand, still holding your son.

"Oin, what's happening?!", he asked, panicking.

"Looks like you're having twins."

A final scream of you and another child was born.

It was no boy and no girl either.

You had born an intersexual child. Oin smiled and put them in your arms.

You felt so understood by that baby, you cried again "Oh god", you laughed "You two are so perfect"

"They are", Dis smiled

"They really are", Thorin said, not being able to look at both his children at the same time, sadly.

Then you had to decide for the names: Your boy was Yanin (Flynn) from now on and your other child's name was Bryn.

Part 2 will be in the making 👀

[jjamjamm]

Golden Years

Masterlist

Wordcount: 765

Summary: The company finds out Y/N’s birth year and think she’s much older than she really is. Kili tries to fix the situation, not wanting her to hate him for his poor choice of words.

The whole company had settled for the night, eaten dinner and now were scattered around camp puffing on pipes, joking and sharing tales with one another.

Somehow, the Durin boys got onto the topic of birthdays, and roped you into their conversation.

“Y/N? When’s your birthday?” Kili asked, beaming as he tried to ask a lady her age without offending her.

You moved to sit by them, before sharing the full date, and noticing strange reactions straight away. Unbeknownst to you, behind the blank stares, they were trying to figure how someone born near the start of the third age could still look so young in 2941.

“She’s gotten her own birth year wrong.” Someone muttered.

“She can’t be that old.” You heard and turned to see blank stares, clear disbelief, some slack jaws and squinting eyes from the rest of the company.

“Excuse me, I think I know when I was born.” You shared, “Just because it’s a different time here doesn’t mean I’m not telling the truth.”

“Then you really were born that early into the third age?” Ori asked, curious as ever.

“Well, yes, I suppose I was.” You replied. Sure, you hadn’t been born in the third age per say, but back home, which was years in the past compared to Middle Earth.

Bofur was the next to try and understand, “… You’ve aged well.”

“Are you sure you’re not part elf?” Thorin asked, clearly having grown suspicious at this newfound information.

“Positive.” You nodded, “Cross my heart.”

Then was the kicker, “You are so old.”

“Hey!” You turned back to Kili, “In my world I’m younger than you, so who’s really old here?”

He grew wide eyed at your outburst. He had always been taught to respect your elders, the last thing he should’ve done was mock you for your age, but why were you so upset about it?

Clearly the rest of the company didn’t believe you either, and that was incredibly frustrating. Balin came over, and you hoped he would talk some sense into the rest of them, but he focused on you instead.

“Don’t mind them, you look lovely for your age.” Balin assured with a gentle pat on the hand.

That was it, you were going to be pouting for days. Balin just put the last nail in the coffin.

You got up, and stormed off, to the edge of camp far from the others. There, you set up your things, and laid down with your back to them.

That was when Bilbo returned with the wizard from their scouting of the area. Straightaway, the hobbit noticed something was wrong.

“Now what’s happened here?” He asked, “Why is Y/N already asleep?”

“Kili called her old.” Fili said, earning a swat from his brother, “What? You did.”

Kili felt overwhelmingly guilty over what he had done and sat through the lecture from Gandalf while wringing his shirt’s hem to bits.

“I’ll go apologize.” He swore, getting to his feet. He parted from the group, and made his way to where you were, standing behind you as he tried to find the proper words for his apology, “Y/N?”

“What, have you come to the wise old woman for advice?” You scoffed, refusing to turn and face him. Sure, it was stupid to be so angry over a misunderstanding, but you couldn’t help it. The last thing you wanted was for him of all people to think you were some sort of ancient character.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have called you that.” He said, “I never meant to offend you.”

Damn, of course he was being sweet now. That made it so much harder to stay angry at him.

“Well you did.” You replied, “For the record, I am not in fact hundreds of years old.”

“You would know better than I.” He admitted, “If the wizards could bring you here to me- us, anything is possible.”

He cursed himself for his stumble, and brushed his hair back out of habit, hoping you hadn’t noticed.

“Goodnight Kili.” You said, the underlying anger in your voice having vanished. You had undoubtedly heard a hint towards some sort of feeling, and you would like to end the night on a good note, “Although, I should tell you that I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the chance to meet you.”

He was at a loss for words now, and just smiled, nodding repeatedly even though your back was to him. You rolled to lay on your back, turning just enough to see him, “Even if you’re less than charming sometimes."

[tetchy-frog]

I love your modern take on The Company! I love your reasoning and designs for Fili and Kili, your points make perfect sense! And while I love BOTH these Boys SO MUCH, I 'feel' Kili easier. I really have to THINK about how Fili would be feeling and why, his thoughts, and reasons for his reactions. And yes, Fili needs more screen time! Our Golden Sunray! And your Phylharmonic AU, and BOFUR - ! I love this 'verse so much! Thorin not realizing how he comes across, an it putting Bilbo all wrong-footed, and perennially chipper and helpful Bofur!

Firstly, Anon, I love hearing how different people connect with each character! It’s super fun, especially since I always found it easier to picture myself in Fili’s head! It might be because I’m an oldest sibling (only on one side, but that’s a hobbit-levels-of-complicated family tree to explain!), but coming up with motivations for Kili has actually been more challenging for me!

Secondly, the English language may have the largest vocabulary in the world, but I still cannot find the words to express how absolutely thrilled and grateful I am that you’re enjoying my silly little AU! It positively fills my heart to the brim to hear that you enjoy my modern designs and my characterizations, especially since I never really expected anyone to even see my Tolkien doodles!

Thank you so very, very much for your lovely words, Anon, and I hope you have a splendid new year! It is wonderful to hear other people’s thoughts on my work!