Chapter 22

I'm sorry it's taken so long! I've had work and been unbelievably busy. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Nymeria hurtled around a corner, running for the dungeon; her heart soared like her feet. She could picture how the adventure would flow from here. They would escape smoothly, and then they would reach Erebor. When they did it would take some time to kill the Dragon, but she would transform and combat the dragon with Kili by her side. After the beast was dead there would be great celebration. Dwarves from all over would flow to the mountain and through the feasts and parties they would see her with Kili and they would whisper and gossip together about her until they learned she was among the brave ones who slew the dragon. Then they would welcome and support her, she and Kili would spend many years of happiness together.

She slowed to a trot as her thoughts died at the sight of the door to the armory room. Checking either end of the hallway to make sure no one else was there she eased the door open. Beautiful knives and swords glittered on the walls next to strung bows. Quivers, racks of spears, and feathers staffs covered the floor neatly. Nymeria dashed forward light on her feet, sliding knives and swords into her belt, when she ran out of room there she began sliding the smaller knives into her boots. She picked up a sword for Thorin and a battle-axe special for Dwalin. She swung a bow over her shoulder along with a quiver of arrows for Kili. Joy shocked her system hung on the wall right next to the bow were her bracers, cleaner and polished, grinning she strapped them onto her forearms. Turning to leave Nymeria froze, in the doorway stood Tauriel. The frightening part was she was neither angry nor disappointed, she looked sad and understanding.

"Why now? Why do you do this to them?" she asked in elvish.

"Because I have to," Nymeria grumbled, she pushed past the elf and began walking towards the dungeons.

"Legolas cares about you too much for you to do this again." Nymeria shook her head and kept walking. "You didn't see the harm you did last time you left, the wreckage. He didn't smile or laugh as much and when it was time to patrol every time a twig snapped or some leaves rustled he checked the area making sure it wasn't you."

"I'm doing this not because I want to Tauriel."

"Do not lie to me Nymeria, you want this so badly, and if it were myself I would run into the wilderness without any care, but duty cannot be forgotten."

"That's what separates myself from the elves Tauriel, I do not need to follow my duty to remember it," Nymeria turned and began running again, coursing down to the lowest level of the holdfast. Taking stairs three at a time, her heart beat like a drum keeping time with her feet. At long last she reached the door into the dungeon, it hung ajar; closing her eyes she tried to calm her heart. On the other side lay a family that she had to be accepted by, if they denied her she knew she would die. She pushed the door open, inside a small annex with two hallways that led to the cells, in the center of the annex was one guard lying on the floor, a bruised lump forming on his head. Around the edges of the annex the dwarves lifted their heads at her entrance. Many smiled, some nodded, but Nymeria ignored all of them, her eyes searched for him desperately. When she noticed he stuck out amongst the others in such a way it shocked her that she hadn't seen him immediately.

Some unnatural gasp escaped her mouth as his eyes met hers. His smile grew into a shout of delight as he flew to her and she to him. They met in the center, in a collision of bodies. Her arms wrapped around him, she squeezed out of the fear that if she let go he would be torn from her again. For some reason her legs gave way beneath her and together they fell to the ground but neither one let go. He showered the side of her neck with kisses, moving up to her face he unhooked her neck from his and held her face in both of his hands. His lips connected with hers she moved her hands from his back to around his neck where she could feel his hair, she felt his heartbeat against the side of her arm. The feeling only helped her to feel more alive, this was real, they were together.

"If you're quite done we should leave sometime soon," Bilbo's voice interrupted. Only then did they break apart, giggling. Rising, but keeping Kili's hand in hers Nymeria turned to Bilbo.

"So you've found a way out?"

"Yes."

"Excellent, before we go everyone take something," Nymeria immediately began unloading the weapons. First she gave Kili his bow and quiver then she began pulling the blades from her boots, then her belt.

"You came," Thorin whispered in awe as she handed him a sword.

"We had a plan, my friend," she smiled. When everyone had a weapon Bilbo set out leading the way. They wound silently through the passages, the walls grew unkempt and the passages didn't appear used. "The riverway?"

"Yes, there are only two elves there and both are drunk," Bilbo explained. The Riverway was the elves' way of trading supplies with Laketown down the river, they would send barrels of supplies down the river one end of the holdfast and Laketown would reply by sending their packages down a river that flowed the opposite way on the other end of the holdfast. Bilbo eased the door in the end of the narrow hallway holding Sting aloft. Two elves were asleep on top of a table an open keg of wine next to them. Many of the barrels scattered around the room were empty, the ceiling was low and only two braziers provided light. Nymeria could smell and hear the sound of the river rushing by on the opposite side of the room.

"What now?" Bifur asked.

"Now, we escape." They rolled barrels out into the main area-right next to the water, they tilted them up onto an end and opened them, then a dwarf would climb in and they would fill the extra space with straw that was lying in bales in the corner.

"Where are the elves?" Balin asked, looking around in concern. "Wouldn't they have noticed your absence?"

"They already have," she turned to Kili who was climbing into his own barrel. Quickly she grabbed his chin and planted a kiss on his lips, after she pulled away he smiled at her.

"Until we see each other again," he grinned. Nymeria began climbing into her own barrel, the rough wood was constricting, before crouching down she pulled Thanatos from her belt in case they ran into trouble. Kili was on her right and Balin was on her left. Bilbo came by and began stuffing the extra space with straw.

"Are they ready?" she asked.

"Yes, are you?" he wanted to know. Nymeria glanced down at the rushing river and for a moment her heart began pounding, she had never been afraid of water but now the possibility of drowning seemed all too real. Sensing her anxiety Bilbo gently patted her head, "Cheer up we're getting out and if there's an issue you can always transform." Nymeria knocked Bilbo's hand from her head and nodded. Bilbo climbed into a barrel of his own, following Nymeria's suit he unsheathed Sting.

"All ready?" Thorin called. There were assorted sounds of confirmation from the company before in one giant movement everyone threw their weight against the side of the barrel facing the water. For a moment her barrel teetered on the edge, the splashes of others falling in were deaf to her ears. At last weightlessness settled in and the barrel pitched forward to the water. Nymeria shut her eyes hoping that there were no sharp rocks hidden beneath the water's face.

It was shockingly cold, blindingly so. She gasped and water flooded her mouth, it filled the barrel easily freezing her entire body. The current pushed her along busily, knocking the barrel about like it was a bug. Bobbing up and down, under, above, and under again panic seized her lungs air was nowhere to be found. She gripped Thanatos with all of her strength even though the water swirled around her hand seeking an opening in her grip. At first she passed through the darkness of a tunnel, crouching in the barrel she fought to keep her head from smashing into the rock above. Suddenly sunlight filtered in above her head, breaking the surface, she filled her lungs with the cold air. Ahead rapids awaited her, some of the dwarves had already passed into them.

Nymeria's head whipped around as she desperately searched for Kili. She found him floating by her at top speed crying out in joy. The water around her foamed and picked up speed as she tipped over into the rapids. The water frothed and spit around her head, filling her eyes and mouth. Above her head a tree limb shook, knocking a few leaves from their places. Nymeria watched the trees curiously waiting for an animal to make its appearance. It was hard to focus her vision in the chaotic rapids, but for a moment her eyes caught the shining wink of metal hidden in the trees. Doubt clouded her senses until she saw another shine of metal, brown leather where there should have been green leaves, and a lock of bright blonde hair against dark brown wood.

"No," she whispered as the twang of a bow sounded. The arrow struck the outside of Kili's barrel. "Elves!" All around the dwarves somehow wiggled their weapons free and began to brandish them against the empty air. The trees began to shake more as the elves abandoned their stealth, for an attack. Arrows began to rain from the trees, none quite hitting their target, but none of them ever struck Nymeria's barrel. On top of everything the rapids were becoming more and more dangerous, throwing the barrels around as if they were rag dolls. Nymeria realized in horror that the elves would just keep shooting until they had picked them all off, even though the rapids were still flowing wildly she could see ahead where they slowed. When they reached that part the elves wouldn't miss, a plan began to form in her mind, she wiggled in the barrel trying to loosen herself. Suddenly the barrel pitched forward into the water, there she slipped loose.

"Nymeria!" Kili called in a panic as she floundered in the water. Somehow her fingers scrabbled a hold onto a boulder, the current pulled viciously at her body but she was stronger. Her muscles screamed as she pulled herself onto the top of the rock, sopping wet she regained her feet. Sword in hand she looked to the trees, where she saw the woodland guard in its entirety minus Legolas. With a roar she opened her wings and propelled herself into the trees. She heard the company calling her name but she ignored their cries, she targeted those with bows first. Thanatos cut the strong elven bows in half easily, she danced among the branches, leaping from one to another and engaging an elf in battle. They tried to surround her and attack at once but it made no difference. She knocked them from the trees with the flat of her blade, most of them somehow managed to land on the bank of the river. Turning to the river Nymeria's eyes searched for the company but there was no sign of them. Heart pounding she took off through the trees that grew on the edge, pieces of wet hair sticking to her face she searched. I can't lose them again, I can't. Dropping onto another boulder in a calmer part of the river she searched again.

Many feet ahead she saw them dragging themselves up onto the bank on the opposite side of the river than where the elves had attack them. Turning she checked for any sign of them, the holdfast was far out of sight and any sign of the woodland guard was obsolete. She sheathed Thanatos before diving into the deep water she swam with the current towards the rest of the company. Puling herself out onto the bank Nymeria flipped onto her back, letting out a sigh of relief, they were done she was out and the adventure could continue. Pushing herself up onto her knees her moment of happiness was shattered. Legolas appeared from the bushes bow drawn and loaded, the tip of the arrow pointed at the center of Kili's face.

"Do not think I won't kill you." he hissed when Kili reached for his own bow. Nymeria's heart stopped all sense in her mind fled instantly, the rest of the company was frozen and Kili was about to die. With a scream Nymeria tore Thanatos from its sheath and attacked her brother, swinging her sword in an upward arc she severed the arrow head from the shaft, completing her arc she swung at his head but stopped right next to his neck. Her brother stared at her in shock, mouth agape and eyes filled with fear he watched her.

"I begged you not to make me choose," she sobbed.

"And yet you did, through a note?" Legolas asked incredulously.

"I couldn't tell you that I was leaving."

"It would have been easier if you hadn't."

"I cannot be expected to choose between two peoples."

"You can't have both," Legolas argued. Nymeria withdrew her blade from his neck.

"You're the one who allows your mind to be clouded and controlled by that belief." She took Kili's hand in her own. "Let your mind be freed," she offered her hand to her brother. Legolas slid his bow and turned his back on her. At that moment Tauriel slipped gracefully in between the bushes, bow drawn and arrow knocked.

"Captain," she warned, pulling the string tighter her eyes darted across the waterlogged company.

"The dwarves have disappeared, along with the Lady Nymeria." he debriefed.

"Legolas?" she questioned, her eyes darting to Nymeria.

"Tell the others to return to the holdfast."

"What of Lady Nymeria?"

"I have faith that she will return home." he turned to Nymeria, she almost shrank beneath his gaze. "She always returns home," Tauriel went first and Legolas followed disappearing back into the bushes. Nymeria turned and began to walk through the trees and brush, the rest of the company following.

Kili had never seen Nymeria closer to tears than when she had attacked Legolas, he had been even further shocked by the realization that they were brother and sister. He kept a tight hold on her hand as they wound their way through the trees, sticking close to the river as their guide they walked. The elves had taken Fili's gloves so the scars on his hand from the torture in Goblin town stood out stark white against his skin, a pattern of cold flames.

"We'll rest here for a moment then continue on." Thorin ordered. Kili sat next to Nymeria in a small patch of sunlight. Taking off his boots he set them to the side to let them dry. As he lay next to her he noticed the clip of her cloak. Gently he reached for it, as his fingers brushed the clip she shot up.

"What is it? Was there something on it?" she asked whisking the cloak from her shoulders she brushed at the dark damp cloth, then laid it next to his boots.

"No, no I was just admiring the pin. An elk head?" Kili suspected. Taking her hand and guiding her down next to him again.

"Yes, it's the sigil of my father's house."

"Thank you,"

"For what?"

"You saved my life, for what feels like the millionth time."

"It's my duty and I am happy to do it, besides you've saved me a few times." Kili's heart picked up as the weight of her head fell just above it and her hand reached for his scared and burned one. "I've even failed you several times." She murmured running her fingers over the scar.

"You've never failed me," Kili argued. His free hand began gently stroking her smooth damp hair. "I don't blame you and I never will." With that he closed his eyes and with the warmth of the sunlight dancing on his face he drifted into sleep.

A hot and sweaty hand clamping over Kili's mouth awoke him. Fili kneeled next to him his sword drawn. Around them Kili heard rustling as the other dwarves rose. Fili lifted his finger to his lips and signaled for Kili to get up. Gently he slipped out from underneath Nymeria's head, she was still fast asleep.

"What is it?" Kili whispered into Fili's ear.

"More orcs," Fili answered. Kili immediately ran for his bow and quiver. Swinging the quiver around his shoulder Kili loaded his bow.

"Where?"

"We're not sure, Nori went to relieve himself and heard them." Kili went to wake Nymeria but when he turned her sleeping form was nowhere to be found.

"Nymeria?" he called, looking around to see if she had gotten up. He cloak was still there, the elf head shining in the sunlight. "Nymeria! Has anyone seen her?" Kili flew into a panic weaving through the bushes he searched.

"Kili, keep quiet!" Fili hissed grabbing Kili's arm.

"I just got her back, I cannot lose her again."

"Spread out and search," Thorin ordered. The company formed an arc and slowly they pushed outward. Moving away from the river and into the wood, while keeping each other in their view the entire time. Kili pushed through the intertwining branches of two blackberry bushes, the sharp points on their leaves scratched his face.

Once he reached the other side his heart nearly stopped. Five orcs, armed to the teeth with their vicious weapons stood in a circle around one. The one in the middle held Nymeria close to his chest, a knife to her throat. Kili made eye contact with her and even though he didn't feel happy, he smiled meekly. At his appearance the orcs raised their black blades reflecting the dullness of the dank light in the forest. Kili in turn raised his bow, around him the bushes rustled and the company emerged on either side of him. The orc in the center spat something at them in the black speech.

"Lower your weapons!" One of the orcs translated, his speech warped by an accent.

"Give us the girl." Thorin growled.

"We'll cut her throat if you don't lower your sword, Thorin Oakensheild!" Thorin looked at Kili out of the corner of his eye. In one fluid moment he drew, aimed, and fired. The arrow struck the orc holding Nymeria in the middle of his forehead. Nymeria instantly transformed into a giant bear and swept the orcs away from her like they were leaves. One of the orcs flew at Kili but it fell short at his feet, pain cut into the side of his leg as the pestilent creature's blade bit into the side of his leg. Fili flew over to his brother's aid, stabbing the creature in the back, Fili came to Kili's side to help support his brother but Kili shook him off, shame tinging his pride-he would not be weak in front of Nymeria. Once the scrimmage was over Nymeria transformed back into her human form.

"Revisiting childhood memories?" he asked.

"Shut up," she growled punching him in the arm playfully.

"We're even now," she smiled at him, her delicate thin arms encircled his neck. He felt her nose bury into the corner of his neck.

"Shall we move on?" Fili asked. Kili nodded and Nymeria detached her from him and strode back through the bushes to snatch her cloak.

"We should continue to follow the river." she suggested as she moved. None argued her so they made their way back to the river and they followed the broad span of lazy moving water.

The landscape along the river broke the code of dress from the rest of the forest. Here the trees didn't manage to grow across and over it like they had done at the last river they had encountered. Here the sunlight could be seen, dappling the ground with welcome golden rays in places, revealing the greens and browns that belonged to a forest rather than the greys and blacks they had seen. The going here should have been easier but Kili could feel the blood leaking through his pants, and each step was a distress.

"We're nearing the edge of the woods," Nymeria called breaking the still silence in the company. Suddenly the bawdy voice of a man singing a sailor's tune. Kili pushed Nymeria behind him keeping her back to a tree, loading his bow he crouched low, as best he could, with the rest of the company, prepared to fire. The boat was a sailboat coasting up the river the way they had come, crewed by one man who managed the rudder. His eyes scanned the woods nonchalantly, he caught sight of Kili and frowned.

"Who goes there?" he called. Kili knew to make no reply by the touch of Thorin's hand on his shoulder. "If you are a friend you would lower your weapons."

"And if you were foe you would like just that." Thorin growled rising. The man in the boat balanced his foot on the rudder to keep the course raised his arm in surrender.

"You do not look the like of orcs so I shall not strike against you, cruel folk walk these woods but I trust you shall not strike me in a time of truce."

"Truce indeed," Thorin motioned for Kili to drop his bow. Kili did not like the look of the man, though he bore no sign of evil within him. He dressed not like a crook, nor was there a sign of wicked gleam in his eyes. He was dressed in a tan long coat, with simple leathers and boots beneath, the dress of a hunter. Reluctantly he returned the arrow to its quiver and tried to join the rest of the company in standing, but a pain shot through his leg and he nearly fell again but Fili caught him.

"What is it?" Fili hissed into his ear, looking him up and down for any sign of injury.

"Nothing," Kili replied.

"I saw the orc strike you!"

"It's just a scratch."

"Where do you venture, friends?" Beorn queried. Breaking the two brothers from their quarrel.

"Friends? We do not yet know your name!" Dori laughed.

"I am Bard the bowman of Laketown." Beside Kili Nymeria gasped, he looked to her.

"Do you know him?" he mouthed.

"No, but I've heard many things about him." she replied.

"We seek to leave the woods, Bard the bowman, we were following the river out." Thorin spoke over them.

"Then my friends come into the boat, come with me to Laketown rest there and then you may go on with your journey." Bard suggested. The bowman dropped his sail and steered his boat onto the bank of the river. One by one the company climbed into the boat with Bard's assistance, Bombur nearly fell into the river again upon his boarding. Kili kept Nymeria in front of him at the back of the group, when it came her turn to board, Bard immediately straightened, a smile spread across his face, and his eyes dropped into a sultry smolder.

"Greetings My Lady," The bowman kissed her hand as he took it, Kili felt his heart tighten. Bard certainly was a handsome fellow, memories of cruel childhood danced around in his head. "What is such a creature like you doing in such a place as this?"

"Guiding and fighting," Nymeria smiled, her other hand rested on the pommel of her sword.

"Such a brave thing, welcome aboard." Bard made to guide her to a seat Kili's heart continued its solid drum beat when she shook the bowman off and took a seat of her own choice next to Bilbo.

"You have other guest to attend to." she pointed out when the bowman stood there staring at her. Resuming a warm aura he reached out his hand to Kili. Kili placed much of his weight upon the bowman's hand but he still fell into the boat, righting himself he tried to walk with pride to Nymeria but his leg forced him to a limp. He tried to ignore Fili's concerned gaze as he walked

Kili took a seat next to Nymeria, he caught Bard watching him out of the corner of his eye. He took Nymeria's hand and with his other he guided her chin to look at him and he kissed her lightly on the lips.

"What was that for?" Nymeria asked a light flush touching her cheeks.

"I missed you," Kili replied. She rested her hand on his knee, squeezing gently, her eyes drifted down the pants leg then grew wide in fear.

"You're hurt!" Her fingers gently danced around his cut, sending spikes of pain through his leg.

"It's nothing," he pushed her hands away.

"An orcish wound is not nothing." Kili hissed as her hand clamped onto the cut, her eyes drifted closed and a warmth along with a faint green spread along the cut; he sighed as the pain leeched away and the skin knitted back together. "I beg of you don't do this to me." Her lips pressed against his briefly before she drew away, eyes tinged with concern.

"Thank you," he acknowledged. They continued down the river in silence for a while the only sound was the creak of the rudder and the calming lull of the river.

"So, friends, where are you really going?" Bard asked.

"A man is allowed his secrets." Thorin grumbled.

"Twelve dwarves, a hobbit, and an elf? If you sought to be of no notice I fear you are failing."

"Who I and my friends keep company with is not the concern of others. Why are you on the river, Bard the bowman?"

"A man is allowed his secrets." The sun was fading quickly and the air was growing colder, Kili tucked Nymeria under his arm and together they huddled in their damp clothes trying to keep the cold at bay. The sound of the river was changing, it became less contained almost to the point of no sound at all. "Ahead," Bard said. "Is my home, Laketown." Kili lifted his head up above the edge of the boat to see without rising. Close to the center of a giant lake was a network of houses built upon the water, lights flickered in the windows and reflected warmly upon the water.