Boggins, not Baggins. {A Kili love story}

Chapter 3: Show Off

"I will bet you 25 silver pieces that Bilbo will show up!" Sara bet.

"You're on!" Kili replied without question.

After the horse incident the boys decided to never tell Sara when they were bored. Ever. Again. Sara knew that her hobbit friend was brave at heart and that he would come. She knew he wanted something more than his empty home and nice dinners. She turned to Fili in question wiht a raised brow and he just shook his head. "I would like to keep all my money for now." he commented. And just as he finished his sentence, the loud cries of "Stop! Stop! I signed it!" echoed throughout the forest. The group stopped and turned to him. "I signed it! H-h-ere."he breathlessly breathed out. He took a minute to rest while Balin checked everything over.
"All seems to be in order. Welcome Bilbo Baggins to the company of Thorin Oakenshield."

Bilbo looked around the men blankly until his gaze rested on Saraen. "Doesn't Saraen need to sign one?" The dwarves then turned to her expectantly.

"I am here to defend and ensure the safety of your burglar and my dear friend Bilbo. I will not be expecting any payment or winnings from this trip. Except for this, Kili!" she held her palm out, facing up and smiled victoriously when she felt the heavy drop of his silver pouch. "Alright men! I know you all made bets, so lets get to it!" some grumbles came from the rest of the men along with some cheers.

Thorin told his nephews to get Bilbo a pony, she watched while he struggled and insisted that he could be fine walking but shut up when he was lifted up and plopped on the pony in front of her in between Fili and Kili. So as they rode she took time to finish her thoughts about the journey from earlier that morning. 

The woman looked down into the long black mane of her her thorough-bred and let her thoughts consume her. 

The sounds from the world around her was just a muted buzz, yet still she remained just below the surface of the world. She blinked slowly and was drawn into her mind once again. 

The task was not going to be easy, that was apparent from the moment Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror and King under the Mountain walked through the circular door of Bilbo's Hobbit hole. However, that meant nothing to her, it never would, so long as Bilbo was safe and would return to his home once more. In her mind, she could not help but picture her dear friend back in his garden, this time sporting some grey hairs as he puttered about his petunias. 

Saraen shook herself free as she looked up to find that she had fallen behind. So she clucked her tongue and her horse trotted forwards.

Growing up in Rivendell, joining the rangers, her first mission much like this one, and the deaths of every one on that journey but her. The Orc bodies piled up and burnt, the wounds she would carry for eternity. And the black blood that stained her hands. But she did not scream, and she did not cry. She never would.

 Her own family invaded her thoughts, she had not heard from her brother in over 2 years since that mission, but she assured herself he was fine. 

Sara pulled the necklace she wore around her neck into view and reveled in the familiarity of the weight in her palm. She blinked and wiped her face, not because she was crying of course but because she was sure it had begun to rain.

Kili looked back at her and called "Pull up your hood! I think it's going to pour!" and sure enough, as if on cue it did. "Thanks for the warning in advance Kee." she yelled back sarcastically through the loud rain.

But she embraced the rain, it didn't truly bother her very much. It's just that her clothes would stick to her later and... Well that would be uncomfortable, for herself and the men. Bilbo however still looked stiff as a board riding his pony. He sneezed a few times into the rag that Bofur handed him to use a hanker-chief. Saraen threw her dark cloak over the hobbit's shoulders and his shivering began to subside.