In which there is reconciliation and discovery.

The next day they broke camp and were back on the road. They were still in the forest as they traveled through the day, but when they stopped for the night they could see the edge of the forest in the near distance. Fili was still not talking to Sara, so she had spent the day near Bilbo and Bofur which have been pleasant enough. When they arrived, the company set about preparing camp for the evening; the ponies were unloaded and left to graze on the soft green grass not too far away. Sara had set up her tent and was returning to camp when she spotted Fili sitting with Dwalin and several others. Not wanting to drive Fili away she turned and walked towards the ponies.

It has been a while since she had given Starbright a good brushing and being with the animals was calming. The ponies had moved away from the camp looking for greener softer plants and it was a few minutes before Sara found them. They had pushed their way to the edge of a small clearing and Starbright had his nose amongst a cluster of purple flowers munching happily. She pulled the brush from her pocket and began to run it over the old pony. She had finished one side and was moving around to start the other when she almost ran over Bilbo. Sara jumped and dropped the brush.

"Oh my gosh! Bilbo!" she expelled. "What are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack? Kili is right, you would make an excellent burglar." He looked a little offended as he stooped to retrieve the fallen brush and handed it back to her. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," she said taking it and stepping around Starbrights other side.

"It's all right," he said stroking her pony.

"How do you do it?" she asked. "Stay so quiet and then pop up out of nowhere?" He shrugged.

"It's just something we hobbits are particularly good at; staying out of sight and not being noticed when we don't want to be." He was scratching under Starbrights chin, a favorite spot of the old animals.

"Why would you not want me to see you?" she asked.

"I hadn't meant to sneak up on you. Sometimes I forget I'm doing it," he said. "I saw you leave camp alone and figured you were coming out here to visit the ponies. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were doing well. I know Fili is still not speaking to you."

"Yeah he's still avoiding me," she confided. She started brushing Starbrights mane.

"Whatever did you fight about?" ask Bilbo "You always seemed to get along so well."

"Nothing important," she said. "I just said some things I shouldn't have and so did he." Bilbo did not push the issue. They talked as Sara finished and they moved on to Bilbo's pony before the hobbit decided to return to camp and see if Bomber needed help with tonight's meager meal. The sun was getting lower in the sky and Bilbo had been gone a few minutes when Sara decided to follow him, but stopped when she saw a Fili emerge from the trees and come to stand in front of her. They stared at each other for a moment, the tension palpable between them.

"Hello Fili," she tried.

"Hello Ms. Sara." They were quiet again. "I came to find you."

"Oh, is the food ready? Bilbo was going to go help and I was just headed back," she asked, purposely being obtuse.

"I came to find you so I could talk to you," he clarified. "I came to apologize."

"Did Dwalin or Kili send you?" she asked, pocketing her brush.

"I did talk to them and they both urged me to speak to you," he confessed.

"Oh," she said, her face falling.

"I'm not here because they made me come. I'm here because I miss you and I want to talk to you. That, and Kili misses you; he said you sent him after me?"

"I didn't want to get between you two. Your brother's so you should always have each other's back, no matter what," she said looking to him and rubbing the gold chain around her neck between her thumb and forefinger.

"Is it true? Is it true that you have no family in your world? No kin?" he asked.

"You really did talk to Dwalin didn't you," she sighed. "Yes it's true. I have no family in my world." Fili bowed his head.

"Dwalin also said you value Kili and I as brothers." He looked up at her. She thought his eyes glistened a bit more than usual. "Is that true?" It was quiet for a moment while she regarded him.

"Yes," she said finally, letting her hands drop from the gold chain and into her pockets. "Being around you and Kili feels like what I always imagined it would be like to have brothers of my own." He bowed his head yet again looking marosly at his boots.

"I have been a poor substitute for a brother," he said.

"I wouldn't say that," she replied softly taking a step forward though still not reaching out to him.

"I have been a terrible brother. I have put your life in danger to protect my own and I have offended you time and time again. I have not kept as good an eye on you as I should have."

"Yes," she said sarcastically. " You have been a terrible brother, because siblings never fight, always stay out of danger and trouble, and never disagree with each other." Fili snorted softly. She was silent for a moment before she continued "Look, I'm sorry for what I said to you. I never meant it to upset you, I was just so frustrated with you for attacking Bilbo like that."

He looked up her again "Why do you defend Mr. Baggins so vehemently?"

She looked him in the eye now. "Because the same arguments you used against him also apply to me; and it makes me feel as though you're attacking me or arguing for me to be left behind as well."

"I never meant to …" he started, his face shocked as he took a step toward her.

"I know you didn't," she said not moving. " It's just that Bilbo and I both feel as though all you dwarves ever sees us as is baggage that must be carried. You never us as an asset simply because we're not battle-hardened dwarfs; as if that's the best and only thing that anyone could ever aspire to be. Well we never will be that, but that doesn't mean that we don't have our own strengths to contribute. However, it makes little difference if no one ever gives us a chance. I didn't bring up the river incident to point out your weakness; but the point out the only time that both I and Bilbo contributed. We would have been swept away in the swell had Bilbo not acted as he did; and although he may not have to be skilled with the sword, he used what he could to keep you all safe from the trolls long enough for the sun to rise." It was quiet for a moment before she continued.

"Bilbo was the one who found me when this whole mess started; and even though I was a strange girl who popped into his pantry with no explanation and no introduction, he still set me down at his table, fed me, and helped me come to grips with this reality. He was my first friend in Middle Earth and he has never stopped being by my side. Kili said something earlier that I feel as well. I don't like being caught in the middle." Fili shifted uncomfortably as he listened. "I don't like it when one of my friends speaks ill of another." Fili was still for a while before he took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak; but at that moment they both froze as the howl of an animal reached their ears.

"What was that?" asked Sara. Fili quickly grabbed her arm and dragged her over to a large bush and pushed her roughly inside. "Fili, what is it?" she asked, surprised by the panic she saw in his wide eyes.

"Stay down, and stay quiet," he said, crouching beside her. They kept watch from the bush. The ponies had spooked at the howl but were still in the clearing, stamping and snorting. Fili and Sara watched as from the far side of the clearing through the trees emerged the form of a wolf. This, however, was not an ordinary wolf; this wolf was the size of a large bear and its face looked as if it had strained to push itself through an opening too small for its size. Unfortunately the beast was not alone, for on its back, sat the ugliest creature Sara had ever seen. The form was humanoid but grotesque and twisted, hunched over the beasts great back. Sara gave a small gasp and Fili's hand clamped over her mouth tightly. The wolf's ears pricked up and its head turned toward them, it's green eyes luminescent in the days fading light. Fili looked to her, eyes wide, and slowly he moved his other hand to his belt. He held out one of his knives to her, and she took it, but he still didn't remove his hand and it was well that he didn't. The ponies had all bolted, running pell-mell away from the nightmarish creature, all that was, save for Bombur's fat little pony, who had a tendency to wander too far afield, and so was often tied to a stake in the ground as he was now. The poor animal stood just a few yards to the right of where they hid stamping and pulling at his tether as the wolf and it's rider slowly bore down on it. Sara watched in horror, as the wolf suddenly broke into a run and charged the pony, bowling it over and clamped it's enormous jaws around its neck. Sara heard a crunch and the pony was still. She felt terror wash over her in waves as she heard more than saw the creature devour Bombur's mount. She knew that had FIli's hand not been clamped over her mouth, she would have screamed, giving away their position. As it was, Fili held her tightly as they watched and she glanced at him to see his jaw now set tight. The humanoid form on the wolf's back leaned forward to stroke the shoulder of the wolf, talking to it in a guttural language Sara had never heard before. It was at this moment that Fili rose and charged the pair, knocking the rider off the wolf with a swing of his sword. The wolf bounded away and turned to face Fili again as the rider stood, his grotesque armor having taken the brunt of the blow. The rider drew his own rather wicked looking blade.

"Dwarf scum" called the thing.

"Orc filth," replied Fili. "What brings your kind out into the light of day and into the world?" The wolf was inching closer to the pony which had fallen a few yards from where Sara was now hiding, her hands clamped over her mouth and trying not to breath as she kept her gaze trained on the wolf. The orc, as Fili had called it, was beginning to circle around the prince trying to put him between the two enemies. Fili backed closer to the bush, trying to keep his opponents in front of him. The wolf raised its narrow snout to sniff the air and gave several low yips and growls.

"What are you protecting there little dwarf? My companion smells another. Surly not a female. Dwarves never bring their females out into the open." The wolf changed its angle of approach slightly, making for Sara's position now. Fili drew a knife from his back and turning slightly let it fly. The dagger buried itself into the neck of the giant beast, which reared back with a snarl but continued on its way towards Sara, determined to reach her. The orc had slipped closer when the prince had turned and brought its sword careening down on Fili, who only just had time to block its blow but lost his grip on his own weapon as it fell to the ground several feet away. There were now knives in his hands and he threw one at the orc, but the rider brought its sword up and blocked the knife. Fili's attention was divided as he tried to keep a watch on the progress of the wolf; and the orc leapt forward swinging at his chest. Fili jerked backwards to avoid the sword blow, but stumbled and fell. It was then that both the orc and the wolf pounced. Sara screamed and turned to run, but in another bound the creature was upon her, knocking her to the ground and the air whooshed out of her lungs. She still held Fili's knife clenched in her hand and she rolled over striking out at the beast embedding the knife into its foreleg. It snarled and bit of the knife pulling it out and dropping it onto the ground now stained with its own blood. Sara looked up into the glowing eyes of the wolf and was sure as it opened its mouth, tongue lolling, that this was the last sight she would ever see. The orc gave a loud sharp shout in the language she had heard before, and the wolf closed its mouth, drawing its head back from her face. The animal placed a large paw on her stomach to hold her down, it's claws digging into her belly and Sara drew in a sharp gasp of pain, but tried not to wiggle so not to cause the nails to dig deeper. She looks to the side and saw Fili on the ground at the Orcs feet who had its sword placed under his chin. She saw Fili's hand inching toward the knife she knew he kept in his boot. The orc pressed the blade harder into his skin.

"Try it dwarf and your companion dies." The orcs eyes were blazing into Fili's and slowly its gaze shifted slightly to the side and its eyes grew wide with glee. A smirk appeared on his deformed face as he moved the tip of his blade to touch the bead in the princes hair. "The line of Durin! Tell me dwarfling, where is your king?" The tip of the sword now pressed into Fili's neck again drawing blood. "Where is Thorin Oakenshield?" Fili just glared at the orc, jaw tight, as the orc pressed the blade closer but he didn't budge.

"I see you will take some persuasion," said the orc, and he spoke again in the guttural language to his mount. The wolf turned its attention back to Sara its paw pressing deep into her belly. She would have cried out in pain if there was any air left in her lungs. The beast brought its muzzle so close to her face that its teeth brushed her ears and neck as warm saliva dripped onto her skin mixing with her tears of fear. Fili's eyes flicked to Sara and his face went white, his jaw working as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

"Leave her out of this!" shouted Fili, now beginning to struggle to reach her, but the blade pressed deeper still into his neck and the blood began to flow slowly down his neck.

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"Well dwarfling? Remain silent and my warg will remove her of her face. Speak and she at least may live, if only long enough to meet her fate at the hands of my master. Tell me, what are you to Oakenshield?" Fili was silent. "Where is Thorin Oakenshield?!" screamed the orc.

"Here is Thorin Oakenshield!" thundered Thorin, his voice carrying across the clearing, and he let his arrow fly. Thorin heard Kili's bow twang beside him, and he prayed that his nephews aim was true. His own arrow shot into the chest of the orc and launched him off of Fili and to the ground. Kili's shot was not so lucky. The arrow hit its mark, but at a poor angle and it bounced off the wargs head clipping its raggedy ear. The wolf snarled and looked at Kili its hackles raising as it brought its mouth near to the girl again ready to snap her neck. Thorin notched another arrow but before he could release it, there was a cry from the bushes next to Sara and he was shocked as the hobbit burst forth, brandishing his little sword. Baggins's arms were swinging wildly and Thorin was surprised to see the little fellow land a strike on the wargs eye and nose. The beast reared on its hind legs shrieking, and Thorin let loose the arrow in his hand, which sped into the creature's chest, and suddenly Dwalin was by the girls side pulling her out of the way of the wargs collapsing body. The warrior buried his axe in its head for good measure. Seeing that Sara was out of harm's way and under the protection of Dwalin, Thorin returned his attention to Fili who had now reversed the roles and now stood over the orc. The dwarf king strode over and looked down upon the enemy at his feet. The shaft of the arrow was lodged deep in the creatures chest, and it was spluttering its last breath. Gandalf appeared at Thorin's side and peered down at the orc as Fili moved off to be with his brother and the girl.

"This is an advance scout," said the wizard as he turned to Thorin, his eyes severe. "Do you recall our conversation of almost a year ago at the prancing pony?" Thorin inclined his head recalling the revelation that someone had wanted his head and was willing to pay for it. He stepped forward and grasped the shaft in his hand.

"You think they are connected?" he asked.

"Yes," said Gandalf. "Who else did you tell of your quest beyond your kin?"

"No one I swear," assured Thorin standing straight again as he looked warily to the wizard. "What in Durin's name is going on Gandalf?"

"You are being hunted by an orc pack. It would seem that whoever wants your head has only increased in that desire. I think it would be wise to make haste and leave this place. We can make for Imladris." suggested Gandalf.

"I have told you already," said Thorin darkly as he reached again for the arrow shaft and pulled it free roughly. "I will not go near that place, not to the people who betrayed my father and grandfather."

"You are neither your father nor grandfather," said the wizard huffily. "And Lord Elrond and his kin were not the elves who you say betrayed them. Why should you be at odds with him."

"He is an elf," shouted Thorin.

"Yes he's an elf, an elf who can help us. We could get food, rest, advice."

"I do not need his advice," spat Thorin.

"We have a map we cannot read, we have little food, an orc pack on out trail, and I would be surprised if there is not at least one among us who will require rest and healing; all of which are things to be found in abundance in the Hidden Valley." Thorin turned away from Gandalf watching as Dwalin carried the girl over to Oin. She looked so frail in the burly dwarfs arms, and judging by the way she held herself, Thorin suspected that Gandalf was right and she would need more medical attention than Oin could give with low supplies on the road. A strange emotion swam in the pit of his stomach and his chest felt as if a fire began to burn within it. Thorin thrust the feeling down and turned to the wizard again.

"You think the elves will give our quest their blessing?" he snorted. "They will try to stop us Gandalf."

"You leave the elves to me," said Gandalf. "Remember that that young woman over there is far more than just that. She is proof the Valar would see your quest succeed. Should the elves oppose your quest we will reveal to them Ms. Miller's true nature and story." They both looked to where she sat with some of the others. "But only as a last resort." Thorin watched her wince in pain as Oin examined her.

"I still would not trust an elf to keep his word," said Thorin darkly.

"I am not asking you to trust them. I am asking you to see the only option available to us. There is no one else who we can seek aid from. I am asking you to trust me." There was a long moment of silence as the two regarded each other.

Thorin was loath to go to Rivendell; he was loath to seek the aid or advice of an elf. He did not trust them. There had been a blood feud betwixt the two races for such a long time that Thorin was not even sure where it all stemmed from. He did, however, know that Gandalf was right. They had not little, they had no food left. They had now lost their ponies and they had at least one injured and we're likely to sustain more when the orc pack caught up with them. There was also the map; the map to Erebor which held some secret contained within that was out of reach to him. Until that secret was found, it would make a little difference if they reached the mountain or not, for the door would not reveal itself to them, and he knew of no one who could find the secret of the map.

"Alright Gandalf," ground out Thorin. "We will go to Imladris, but you must promise to do all in your power to see that we again leave that place, that our quest continues or all is for naught."

The wizard nodded. "I will do all that I may, which is no small sum if I do say so myself, but I doubt it will come to that. Lord Elrond is renowned for his kindness and the hospitality of his house is well known to many. Remember, I would see your quest succeed as much, if not more than you, though I suspect are reasons differ slightly." Galndalf leaned on his staff and looked directly at Thorin "I promise you, you will leave Rivendell Thorin Oakenshield." The dwarf king nodded curtly and went to inquire after the girl.

Sara had been sure she would die in the teeth of the warg. She had also been sure that the small form swinging at the beast with it's tiny blade could not be Bilbo; but it would seem that she was wrong on both counts for here she was alive and it had indeed been the small hobbit who had attacked the warg, screaming like a banshee all the way. Sara now sat with her back against a tree as Oin examined her. Her stomach throbbed from the four gouges the wolf's paws had dug into her, but the pain in her back was worse by far. There was a dull sick ache that seem to radiate from her ribs accompanied by a sharp pain with every breath she took. Kili held one of her hands and Bilbo was beside him.

"How did you know to come find us?" Sara asked Kili.

"Bilbo," he stated.

"Bilbo?" she said looking at the hobbit.

"It would seem that Mr. Gandalf was right about my blade. I was almost back to the others when I looked down and saw it was glowing. I raced to inform the others and we all came looking for you. Shortly after we left we heard the animal howl." He shivered violently before continuing. "So we followed it and arrived just in time it would seem." Dwalin and Fili stood to the side watching as Oin lifted Sara's shirt to see the four small wounds on her stomach.

"Not too deep but we must watch for infection," he said. "There will be more bruising I'm afraid. Now show me where else you are injured Ms. Sara."

Sara shifted gingerly trying to sit up but the movement coupled with the residual fear and nausea from the pain and the recent shock was too much for her stomach and she wretched into the grass. She looked up when she heard a soft snort. Thorin stood before her his arms crossed as he surveyed her. She was suddenly very self conscious of her current personal state. Oin bent forward when she was finished and lifted the back of her shirt gingerly, and Sara's face started to feel heated again. Bilbo dug a handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it into her hands smiling reassuringly. Slowly Oin's fingers prodded her ribs. Sara hissed in pain and her green eyes swam as tears began to slip slowly down her freckled cheeks.

"What is her current state Oin?" called Thorin. "We must leave here quickly. It will be a matter of hours before the orc scout is missed and its companions begin to look for it in earnest." Oin ignored him as he continued his examination of Sara, pressing gently on each rib in turn.

"Oin?" pressed Thorin.

"She has lacerations on her stomach that need to be cleaned properly and that must be kept clean at all costs or infection will set in." Thorin nodded his head listening as the strange feeling in his stomach squirmed again. "She also has two cracked ribs." Oin pulled her shirt back down into place for which Sara was grateful. She was distinctly aware of all the dwarves staring at her while her shirt was lifted and was partially uncomfortable with Thorin watching.

"Can she be moved? Can she walk?" asked Thorin, watching as the girl tried valiantly to stagger to her feet. She had to be held up by Kili and Fili who stepped forward around Thorin to support her other side.

"Ideally? No. She should not be moved or engage in much activity, but as it is she doesn't have a choice. None of us do," replied Oin.

"Let me see her," said Gandalf stepping past Thorin to stand in front of the girl. For the third time Sara's shirt was lifted as Gandalf pressed gently on her ribs. "This may burn some," said the wizard, and he placed his hands over the two ribs which Oin indicated. She heard him muttering something under his breath. Gandalf's warning had been an understatement. Sara felt as if there were a live ember suddenly jammed between her ribs, and it was all she could do to not scream. As it was she still cried out and could not stop her tears as she clutched onto Kili's arm. Thorin's hands clenched reflexively by his side. Gandalf removed his hand and the pain subsided.

"What was that Gandalf?" asked Kili in an accusatory tone.

"That Master Kili, was about three weeks of mending," replied the wizard stepping back from them. "I'm afraid I'm not a particularly skilled healer. I can make do in a pinch, but there are others in this world who are much more suited to it then I. So, Ms. Sara, how does it feel now?" Sara took a few deep breaths cautiously. It still ached, but it was now localized much more and the pain had receded greatly. She looked to Gandalf, wiping away her tears with the cloth from Bilbo.

"Better, though not healed completely," she replied. As Fili and Kili let go of her arms she took a few experimental steps. "I think I can walk now." Oin stepped forward and examined her ribs again and nodded.

"She should be able to keep up now," he said turning to Thorin and Gandalf. "But she still ought not carry her pack. She will have to be careful not to re-injure her ribs. I fear a second injury would be much worse than the first and I doubt even Gandalf could help her then."

"Very well," said Thorin, his stomach still squirming slightly. "It is enough." He nodded his thanks to Gandalf before turning his attention to the others. "Dori, Dwalin, Bifur, take the carcasses away and hide them so they won't be found. The more time we can buy the better." They jumped into action and Sara was surprised to see Dori and not Dwalin approach the warg. He hefted it onto his shoulders as if it were a large sack of flour and dragged it away as the other two followed him.

"Fili, Kili," continued Thorin. "Make sure Ms. Sara and Mr. Baggins return to camp. Divide up her belongings among the company. Oin tend to her stomach as best you can before we leave. Nori, Bofur, erase our existence here. We were never here. The rest of you break down camp and prepare to leave as quickly as possible. We leave in fifteen minutes. Go!" he shouted. Everyone spring into action but as Sara turned to leave she heard Thorin address Bilbo. "Master Baggins, you surprise me. Who knew hobbits could be so brave and yet so very foolish. Your recklessness will get you killed. Don't let it happen again." With this he turned and followed the others. Oin called after them and Kili ran to catch up leaving Bilbo, Sara, and Fili standing awkwardly together.

"We should get going," said Sara breaking the silence. "Thorin seems determined to leave quickly." She and Bilbo took only a few steps towards camp when they heard his voice.

"Wait," called Fili. "I have something to say to you both." They looked at him standing there. The blood on his neck reminded Sara just how close he had been to death. If it hadn't been for Thorin and the others ... a shudder ran up her spine at the thought of the orcs loaded threat and the other dark outcome this day could have provided to her and Fili.

"Sara, I would take back all my words from the other day and I hope that I can make it right with you. Mr. Baggins," he said turning to the diminutive hobbit. "Despite my uncle's words, I believe you performed admirably. I thank you for stepping in to protect my heart sister when I could not. I apologize for the incident with the trolls. Kili and I should have kept a better watch on the ponies and never suggested you try and steal them back. It was cowardly on our part not to assume responsibility ourselves. I Fili I'm at your service." The prince gave a low bow and waited for Bilbo's reply, who studderd and fidgeted a bit before answering him.

"Master Fili, I accept your apology but I cannot let you take all the blame. Had I listened to my hobbit sense I would have never attempted the feat of burglary from trolls. I fear I acted out of a selfish desire to prove myself, so I believe we are both at fault. Let us put it behind us and forget the whole nasty business." Fili stood upright as the hobbit stepped forward and wrung his hands quickly. "Now come, for I feel Mr. Oakenshild is not above leaving us behind." and he took off after the others, Sara and fili following.

"How are you feeling?" Fili asked as he helped her back to camp.

"I've been better, that's for sure. How about you? How is your neck?" He waved her off.

"I'll be fine. Dwarves heal quickly and it's hardly a scratch to begin with." They walked in silence for a minute. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I'm sorry I could not protect you better."

"It's okay Fili. You can't be everywhere at once. You would have been fine if it weren't for me distracting you. I'm the one who should be sorry. As soon as I'm well, I'm going to start training with Dwalin and Nori." He looked at her startled.

"Does my uncle know of your intentions?" he asked, worry evident in his voice as he helped her down a short drop lifting her gently at the hips.

"Well, originally, the plan was to get his okay before we started, but now I don't care. Even if he tells me no, I'm going to do it. He can yell at me all he wants. The whole reason I studied martial arts was to protect myself, but it seems that defending yourself from a thug on the streets and what I've encountered here the past few days are not equivalent. I mean come on, trolls the size of pickup trucks and an intelligent wolf the size of a bear; I don't think they exactly covered that in Judo class. So, I will train with Dwalin and Nori if they will still have me. I may never be a dwarf soldier, but I can still learn how to fight the kinds of things here in this world. And no more of this keeping your opponent from harm crap from the Aikido. Those we have faced don't hold their punches, so why should I. If it's going to be a life-and-death situation, I want to train to live!" Fili listened to her as she talked.

"You know," he said. "I think I've underestimated you." She snorted.

"Join the club. I'm sure your uncle has t-shirts." Fili wasn't quite sure what that meant but continued on anyway.

"You're fiercer than I give you credit for," he commented. "I like that." She snorted and turned away to hide her embarrassment. They were almost to camp now.

"Fili?" she asked, stopping just shy of the others.

"Yes Sara?" He stopped and looked back at her.

"Did you really mean what you said to Bilbo about me being your heart sister?" He came back to her and grabbed her hand.

"I did. Is that okay with you?" he asked his eyes searching hers. "Will you consent to be my heart sister Sara Miller of earth?"

She squeezed his hand smiling at the formal way he fraised it. "Yes, I would like that very much Fili. I would like to be your heart sister."

"Well you better be ok with it!" broke in Kili, appearing to stand beside his brother. "There's no getting out of it now." He grabbed her other hand. "And as you're older and wiser brother I insist you get proper medical treatment from Oin before we leave," he said tugging her gently the last few steps into camp.

"Who said you get to be my big brother?" she asked, a scowl on her face.

"We are both almost fifty years older than you Sara, of course we get to be the older brothers," said Fili, a smile back on his face. Sara had missed it these past few days.

"Older you may be, but I contest the wiser bit," she said. "Is being your sister going to get me out of your teasing?" she asked hopefully.

"Not on your life," said Kili grinning wickedly.

"In fact it's bound to make it worse for you. Welcome to the family little sister," said Fili ruffling her hair.

"Better not let your uncle here that. Something tells me he would not approve."

"I told you," said Kili. "It's too late to back out now. You're stuck with us," and with this they led her to Oin for treatment.