Caught in Thorns >EDITING<

Caught in Thorns: Chapter 20

~Chapter 20~

The dwarves stare at me in shock. Dwalin walks up to me and takes my hand in his own.

"You'll get over it with time." He murmurs.

"Don't touch her." Legolas growls taking at threatening step forward.

Dwalin glares up at my brother and steps away from me. I glance up at my brother and then look down at the floor.

"Either way he's gone." I grumble. "Where's Bard?"

The dwarves look at me, I can feel their eyes on me as I move to the bed Kili was laid in. I sit down and run my fingers over the soft blanket.

"He went somewhere and hasn't returned yet." Nori says.

"Where did he go?" Legolas asks.

"We don't know, he took our brother with him." One of Bard's girls says.

When I look at her I begin to wonder if Kili and I would've had children if he lived. I would like to think yes, even though my father and his uncle wouldn't have approved. Thorin, he was such a brave warrior. That's when I realise that I haven't seen Madeira yet.

"Madeira!" I look up an around the small house.

"What about her?" Balin asks.

"Where is she?" I ask standing to my feet a bit too fast. I must've gotten a concussion when that Orc slammed me into the tree for my head starts to spin.

"On the roof. I wouldn't bother her, she isn't taking Thorin's death very well." Bofur says, gesturing to the ladder by the window.

With my brother's help I make it out the window onto the small ledge.

"Your sure you'll be fine?" Legolas asks once more.

"Positive."

I slowly make my way to the roof and find Madeira sitting by the chimney.

"Madeira?" I call.

"I thought you were dead." She says, not looking back.

"No, I would be if it wasn't for Kili." I say settling down next to her.

"He's fond of you." Madeira whispers, looking at me.

"He was." I murmur looking down.

"What do you mean 'was'?" Madeira asks.

"He's dead. Saved me from the dragon fire and died in my arms." I explain swiftly.

More pain sweeps through me. Just telling how Kili died makes me feel as if I'm reliving it all over again. I can feel tears prick my eyes as I try to force my lost love out of my mind.

"Do you think Thorin would've stayed with me forever? Wanted kids even?" Madeira asks.

"Had he lived I think he would have. He loved you more than anything in the world." I say gently, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"You think so?" Madeira looks up at me, and I notice dried tear drops on her cheeks.

"Yeah, let's go back to the dwarves." I say standing up.

I offer Madeira my hand and she takes it, standing up on stiff legs.

---

After a bit, Bard returns and my brother suggests that we go.

"It was wonderful meeting you all." I say graciously.

"You as well my dear." Balin says.

I bid all the dwarves a farewell and hug Bard briefly.

"Thank you." I say before following Legolas out the door.

The journey back to Mirkwood is faster than I expected. Of course we run most of the way. When I am unable to run because of my concussion, Legolas picks me up and carries me on his back. The ride on his back is a but more bumble though.

As soon as we come in sight of the gates I hear the guards calling out orders to let my father know that we are back. Before my brother and I can get to the bridge, I stumble and fall.

"Come on, Fizzy. We're almost home." He says letting me jump on his back.

Once again my head pounds and my temples ache. Legolas sets me down at the bottom of the stairs that lead to our father's throne. Instead of having us climb up, our father meets us at the bottom.

"I'm so glad your both alive." He says giving each of us an embrace.

"We are too." Legolas says. "I thought we wouldn't be coming back a few times."

"And you. Disobeying my orders. Nearly getting yourself killed. And for what?" My father turns to me.

"I wanted to help the dwarves and I had to save Kili." I say. "I loved him."

"Loved?" My father asks, raising an eyebrow.

"He's dead." Legolas says for me. "He died saving her from the dragon fire."

My father looks back at me with a sad expression. He says nothing, just sits down next to me and wraps his arms around me. Legolas sits down next to us and joins the embrace.

I don't know how long we sit there, for quite some time I'm guessing. When a guard comes in we slowly break away.

"My lord, should we celebrate the prince and princess's return?" He asks cautiously.

"We shall." Our father says.

And so we did, having a three day party. We even sent some food to Bard and to the dwarves. Throughout the celebration I was able to forget about the pain of losing Kili. At least for a little while.