Fire Has No Mercy, B1

Chapter 13: Goblins

"We'll rest here," Thorin declared as they entered a small cave.

"Alright, I'll get the fire goin'," Bofur said.

Thraina shook her head, "No. Not here. You'll attract unwanted visitors."

Bofur looked at her, a tad confused, "Like who?"

"Goblins."

The others exchanged glances, obviously Bilbo having his signature look of fear on his face.

"Alright, then," Fili began as he started unpacking his things, "Just unroll your beds, boys."

Thraina leaned against the stone wall and watched.

Kili glanced over at her as he sat on his bed, "Where's yours, Thraina?"

"Mine was still on Rocky's saddle," she replied, then shrugged, "But, that's okay. You girls can have the beds. I'll just sleep on the ground."

"Oh, okay. That's how it is?"

Thraina nodded, "Yup."

"You can share mine... i-if you like."

Everyone looked over at Bofur, eyebrows raised. Red rose in his face. There was nowhere to hide from their glances.

Trying to stop himself from laughing, Kili let out a small snort. A few seconds later, everyone - except Bilbo, Thorin and Thraina - burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry," Kili said through laughs, "But the look on your face!"

Bofur groaned in embarrassment and tried to hide his reddening face.

Thraina let out a sharp whistle that broke through the silence like the crack of a whip. Everyone stopped and looked over.

"Leave 'im alone, will ya," she said defensively.

Thorin looked over at Bofur, "You're on first watch."

Bofur nodded, "Yes, sir."

•••••

"Are you okay," Bofur asked quietly to ensure no one woke up.

Thraina put her head on his shoulder and sighed, "I just... I just can't believe he'd say something like that."

"I'm sure he didn't mean it, princess."

"Oh, no. He did. That's what annoys me."

"Did you mean what you said," he asked, putting his hand around her waist.

"I did indeed," she replied, "I don't see the point in saying things you don't really mean, because what's the point in saying them?"

"Does that mean you meant what you said when you said you loved me?"

Thraina looked up at him to see Bofur smirking down at her.

Thraina slowly closed the gap between them, having their lips meet gently. Using his hand around her waist, Bofur pulled her closer to him. Thraina put her hand around his neck and ran her fingers through his long hair.

When they broke apart, they placed their foreheads together, gazing deeply into each other's eyes.

"Does that answer your question," she asked with her own smirk.

Bofur just smiled.

"You should probably get to sleep, princess," he said, "And instead of laying on the ground, go on my bed."

Thraina nodded, "Alright."

She gave him a peck on the lips before getting up and laying on Bofur's bed. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Good night, Bofur."

Bofur smiled back, "Good night, princess."

A little while later, Thraina was fast asleep. Every now and then, Bofur would turn his attention elsewhere to check the surroundings before his eyes returned to his sleeping princess.

"She's so beautiful when she sleeps," he thought happily.

When Bofur had looked away for a moment, he was about to look back at her when Bilbo came into view. His bags were packed.

"Where are ya goin'," Bofur asked quietly.

Startled, Bilbo turned to face him, "Didn't you hear what Thorin said? I don't belong here. I don't disagree with him. I should never have come."

Thorin, who was pretending to be asleep at the time, peaked an eye open.

"You do belong 'ere, lad. Like Thraina said, you're our Burglar! You belong with us."

"Oh, what would you two know about belonging somewhere? You're Dwarves! You're used to always moving around and not settling in one place! You don't belong anywhere!"

Bofur's face fell. An immediate jab of guilt hit Bilbo in the chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologised, "I didn't..."

"No, you're right. We wouldn't really know what it's like," Bofur admitted sadly.
He smiled, "So. If you really miss home that much, maybe you should go back."

Bilbo nodded.

"I wish you the best of luck," Bofur said, putting his gloved hands on Bilbo's shoulders, "Just know that Thraina meant what she said."

Bilbo smiled, "I hope you two are alive by the end of this so you can have a family."

Bofur took his hands off Bilbo's shoulders, a blush rising to his cheeks, "Thanks."

While Thorin had been listening in, he was watching the sand in front of him. When he heard Bilbo was about to walk away, the sand began falling downwards, forming long cracks in the floor.

"Everyone, get up," Thorin ordered, shaking some of them to wake them.

Thraina however is easily woken by loud voices. When she heard Thorin's voice, she shot up out of bed.

"What's going on," Fili asked groggily.

Thraina looked down at the floor. When she saw the cracks forming in the sand, she glanced around at the others.

"The goblins have found us," she reported grimly.

Before any of them could react, they fell through the floor.