You reach for an apple and pluck it from the branch. You lay it in your basket and stand on your tiptoes to reach for another. You hear a yelp and then a loud thump from the tree across from you. Your eyebrows draw and you set your basket down. You carefully make your way over to the tree and see Kili face-down. "Kili!" You yell, rushing to his side. You crash on to your knees and turn him over. "Kili!" You exclaim. You look over his face and panic fills you. You gently tap his face. "Please, please. Oh my goodness." You breathe. You lower your head to his chest and hear his steady heartbeat. You look at him and brush the hair away from his face. "Please be all right." You beg. He groans and slowly opens his eyes. "Y/N." He croaks. "I'm here, Kili." You say. "Ah," He grunts. "Please, get help. I can't move." He says. You nod. "I'll be right back, okay?" You say. He closes his eyes again and you stand. You run across a long field and quickly go through the entrance of the Blue Mountains. "Somebody help me! Please! Kili is hurt!" You yell to no one in particular. You run up a stone staircase and Fili and Thorin meet you at the top. "What's wrong?" Thorin asks worriedly. "Kili. He-he fell out of a tree and he's wounded." You pant. Thorin looks to Fili. "I've got it, uncle. Stay here with Y/N. She looks like she's about to fall over." Fili says, running down the stairs. Your knees weaken and you feel yourself falling. Thorin catches you and wraps an arm tightly around your waist. "Come, Y/N, you must rest." He says comfortingly. You nod, your breath coming in short gasps.
Thorin leads you to your room and you lay on your bed. He pulls a chair near you and gets you a cup of water. You take it and drink greedily from it. "Tell me what happened." He says. You lower the cup from your lips and look at him. "I was picking apples when I heard Kili give a little shriek and then I heard a loud thump." You answer, shuddering. You put the cup on your nightstand and Thorin grasps your hand. You turn your head to face him, a little surprised. He gives your hand a squeeze and runs his thumb over your knuckles. "He'll be all right, Y/N." He says softly. You search Thorin's eyes and find passion and longing in them. You nod and look to your lap, your breathing coming quick from being around Thorin. It makes you feel nervous seeing that kind of tenderness in his eyes, especially when he's looking at you. "Y/N..." Thorin starts, his voice ever-so soft. You slowly pull your eyes up to meet his blue ones. "Do you think you'd be able to join me for dinn-" He says. "Kili is here!" Fili interrupts. You jump out of bed, your heart in your throat and your nerves on end. Thorin stands and drops your hand. "Let's go." You say, running out of your room.~
You sit on Kili's bed and watch his pale face. "Hey." You whisper as his pain filled eyes flutter open. A healer walks into the room. "I'm sorry, you all have to leave." She says to Thorin, Fili, and you. You pat Kili's hand. "I'll be back." You say, smiling. You walk out of the room with Fili and Thorin. You sigh and look to Fili. "How was he?" You ask. He looks at you. "He was up when I came for him. He was grunting and groaning a lot. I believe he's going to be all right, just majorly sore for the next few weeks." He says. Thorin puts a hand to your shoulder and smiles at you. "See, Y/N? I told you he'd be fine." He says as Fili stiffens. You give Thorin a weak smile. "Well, I better grab my basket before it gets too dark outside." You state. "I'll come with you." Thorin and Fili say in tandem. Fili looks at Thorin. "Uncle, you really should stay with Kili in case he needs you or something. Y/N and I won't be long." He says, grabbing your arm. You watch the uncle and nephew exchange a look and you swallow, uneasiness in your stomach.~
"Did Kili tell you why he was in that tree?" You ask Fili, as you walk back to the Blue Mountains. "No, but I can guess pretty well what his motive was." He says. You nod, not really sure what he means. You watch the dark sky that's lit up by the pale moon. A snap comes from behind a clump of trees and you draw back. "Get behind me." Fili whispers, drawing you behind him. "It might be an Orc." He says, drawing out his sword. Your eyes search the trees as you barely breathe. Another snap and rustles sound. "Show yourself!" Fili exclaims. "I said show yourself! Or I will kill you where you stand!" He yells. A herd of rabbits hop out from behind the tree and stare at you, their ears perked up. Your breath leaves you in a rush and you start laughing. You step out from behind Fili and continue on with your walk back home. "Careful, Fili, they might nibble you to death." You laugh, brushing the tears away from your eyes. "Oh goodness, too funny." You wheeze, chuckling. Fili draws up beside you, a small smile on his face. "Well, you can never take too much precaution." He says. You sniff, giggling. "I know." You say. You walk past a small patch of flowers and Fili stops walking. You stop and turn. "What are you doing?" You ask, as he picks off a Colorado Columbine. He walks over to you and puts the flower behind your ear. He smiles and stares at you. "Beautiful." He murmurs. You stare at him and then turn back to your walk, your heart pounding.~
The next week you walk to Kili's room and find him sitting up in his bed. "Kili." You say surprised. "Hey." He says. You smile. "You're looking better." You state, sitting on his bed. He sighs. "I feel a little better." He replies. "I have a question. What were you doing in that tree?" You ask. His face turns red and he looks shyly away from you. "Kili..." You prompt, grinning. "What is it?" You ask. He looks to you and blushes deeper. "Oh my goodness." You laugh. "Never mind, you don't have to tell me." You say. "So, how's your back doing? Is it stiff anymore?" You ask, switching the subject. "Oh! I have to tell you about the funniest thing that happened with Fili and me last evening." You chuckle. Jealously flashes in Kili's eyes, taking you back with surprise. "I was watching you." He says randomly. Your eyebrows draw. "You were watching Fili and me?" You ask. "No." He shakes his head. "I was in the tree so I could watch you without you noticing me. I followed you all the way to the apple trees. I climbed the tree and watched you. Then I almost fell, but regained my footing on a dead branch. That's how I slipped and fell." Kili blurts out. Your eyes widen and your mouth drops open slightly. "Oh." You whisper. "Are you surprised?" He asks, watching you intently. "I-I guess I am." You whisper. "Oh." Kili whispers.
After a few minutes of silence, you hear the clang of swords and grunts coming from the outside of Kili's open window. "What's going on?" Kili asks. You scoot off the bed and go over to the window. "What in the world..." You say, your eyes widening. Thorin and Fili are sword fighting. Fili realizes you're watching him and he looks up at you and waves. You bite your lip as Thorin strikes his sword, bringing his attention back on to the sword fight. As you watch Thorin and Fili, you slowly come to realize that they are both trying to impress you. You slowly back away from the window. "...Kili, are you ever going to tell Y/N that you lied about your tree injury?" The healer asks, as she comes into the room. You look at her incredulously. She slams her mouth shut and blushes. You look to Kili, who's eyes are in his lap. "You lied to me?" You ask, staring at him unbelieving. "How could you?" You ask. He looks at you, a guilty look on his face. "I'm sorry, Y/N. Let me explain." He says. You cross your arms and glare at him. "It better be legitimate, Kili." You state. He sighs and the healer slowly backs out of the room.
"There is something you need to know, Y/N." Kili says. You raise your eyebrows. "Is there now?" You ask. "I love you. I-I always have. I know my chances are near impossible with Thorin and Fili both trying to steal your heart. But I thought maybe you seeing me hurt would make you come to realize you couldn't bear the thought of living without me. At least somewhat. I know I am not worthy of your love. Now or ever. Please forgive me for being a fool, Y/N. But please now hear this. That I love you and I always will, no matter if you love my uncle or my brother. I will be happy for you no matter what." He says.
You stare at Kili in shock, your jaw dropping open. "I-I-I-" You stutter. "I need to go." You breathe, turning on your heel and fleeing his room. You run to your room, tears clouding your vision. You rip open your bedroom door and slam it behind you, breathing heavily. "What is happening?" You ask, putting your hands to your head. "It was no secret that Fili and Thorin are vying for my heart. But Kili?!" You ask. "What do I do? What do I do?" You ask, pacing. A knock sounds at your door and you suppress a groan. You open your door and see Thorin holding flowers. "Would you like to have dinner with me?" He asks. "I-I thought you were sword fighting with Fili." You say, eyebrows drawing. "Oh, no, we stopped once-" He starts. "You realized I wasn't watching anymore." You finish for him. He nods, wordless. "Thorin, meet me in the dining room in an hour, all right?" You ask. His eyes light up and you feel bad for him. "Sure. I'll see you there." He says, handing you the flowers. You take them and give him a polite smile.
You close the door and put the flowers in a vase. You lay on your bed and stare up at the ceiling. "One hour till I tell them." You breathe.~
On you're way to the dining room you pass Fili. "Hey, um, could you meet me in the dining room in about ten minutes?" You ask. He grins. "Of course." He grins. You continue your walk and stop at Kili's door. You knock and then open it, peeking your head in. "Kili, please meet me in the dining room in ten minutes." You say. He nods. "Okay." He says. You nod and close his door. You walk to the dining room and clench and unclench your fingers.
Once you get to the dining room, you sit in a chair and wait for the line of Durin.
First Kili arrives, with Thorin behind him. Fili enters the room, a minute later. They all look confusedly at each other. "I bet you are all wondering why I asked you to come." You ask, standing. They nod. "I thought this was just going to you and me." Thorin says. "No, I am sorry, Thorin." You say. Fili looks wounded and Kili just stares at you, his face unreadable. "I know for the past couple of weeks, you both have been trying to grab my attention and win my heart." You say, looking between Thorin and Fili. "But it has come to my attention that Kili, also, has been harboring certain feelings towards me as well." You say, glancing at the young dark haired Dwarf. Fili and Thorin both gasp.
"I'm flattered with your attention. But it cannot go on any longer. I am attracted to one of you. And only one of you. I'm not playing games here." You say, looking the Thorin, Fili, and Kili. "One of you have my heart. More than I've come to realize." You say. Tears suddenly fill your eyes, taking you by surprise. You take a deep steadying breath. "I am so sorry, Fili. My love for you only goes as deep as a brotherly love. You're so sweet and funny, and you truly are a lion. You deserve someone who can love you back the way you loved on me." You say softly. Fili nods, his eyes filling with tears. He takes a step back, his head bowed. You look between Thorin and Kili.
"Thorin, you're so kind to me and I'd do anything to see you happy. But I cannot make you happy. I am sorry." You whisper, looking at him. No emotion passes over his face. He rolls his lips and takes a step back. You look to Kili. "What?" He whispers. "Kili, when you fell out of that tree, my heart was overtaken with worry. It was true, what you said. I came to realize that I couldn't live without you. I care for you deeply, Kili, I really do." You say.
Kili walks to you and wraps you into a hug. "Why me?" He asks. "What do you mean why you?" You ask. "I lied to you, Y/N." He answers. "But I know why you did it, Kili. It wasn't because you were selfish and wanted to hurt me. You did it because you were curious and maybe just a bit reckless." You laugh softly. Kili pulls back and grins. "I love you." He says. You smile. "I love you too." You return, as he kisses your forehead. Thorin coughs. "I-I am happy for you both." He says quietly. Fili nods, looking heart broken. "Thank you." You say, wrapping your arm around Kili's waist. "I am so sorry." You say, looking between Fili and Thorin. "It's not your fault. You can't help your feelings." Fili replies softly. You smile and feel the sting of tears. You look up at Kili. "No...you cannot." You whisper. Kili smiles and kisses you.
[THE END] I hope you liked it!
