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The next morning that followed was quiet, almost...peaceful. Even though what was coming today was quite the opposite. My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Kili putting on his heavy boots. I stretched my arms out and rolled over to face Kili, who had his back turned to me. I slowly raised myself upright and moved over to him. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his chest. I let my eyes fall to a close as I rested my head on his back. I took a deep breath, taking in his scent of pine and campfire.
"Good morning," I sighed.
"Ah there's my sleeping beauty," he joked.
"Oh hush, no one is pretty when they wake up," I said sleepily.
"Eh...you definitely make it work."
I blushed and smiled. I propped my chin on his shoulder. "Are you feeling better this morning?"
"If I said yes would you believe me?"
"No," I scoffed.
"Then no," he sighed. "Bet there's no running from it. Thorin isn't going to change his mind."
Doubt had begun to take over my mind, but I knew deep, deep, deep down...he would change. Or so I thought. "I suppose we will have to wait and see." I hugged him tightly. "Alright, alright... enough of this depressing mood. This has come down to Thorin, it's up to him. All we have to do is do the right thing until that stubborn dwarf comes to his senses."
I released myself from Kili and shifted over to the end of the bed. I reached down and picked up my tunic and pants. I pulled my tunic over my head, slid on my pants and boots. Kili had now walked over to me and pulled me to my feet. His arms wrapped around my shoulders in a very tight embrace.
He kissed the top of my head. "Don't go too far from my sight."
"Never." I lifted my head, gazing into the eyes I held so dear to my heart. "Don't be reckless."
A big smile stretched across his face. He looked down at me, bit his lip and scoffed. "Never." He leaned down a pressed a quick kiss to my lips. His smile faded as he released. He inhaled a big breath and grabbed my hands. "Now...we march to war."
________
The company gathered at the wall, gazing over the army that stood before them. I was surrounded by faces that used to express so much joy, but now, they showed no sign of it. The elven soldiers seemed to stretch for miles, glimmering in their golden armor. I noticed that Bilbo had returned safely at some point during the night. I pursued my lips and forced a smile. My heart sunk at the sight of the army. "We've pulled many stunts," I sighed to Bilbo. "But I don't know how we're going to manage to get ourselves out of this one."
"Hopefully the stone will work its charm," he whispered, nodding to Thorin.
