Fili’s heart lurched in his chest. Did he offend Sigrid by touching her even in such a platonic manner? His keen eyes studied her movements, and he could see that she was obviously very upset and was trying to keep herself from exploding. Just from the way she carried her body, he knew for a fact that she was reacting not to him, but something far worse.

I hate him…

Those words reverberated in his mind. Immediately, he felt nothing but pain and sorrow for her. She was such a sweet lass and she did not deserve the kind of life that she had been cursed to live. How unfair it was for the daughter of a king, the one who had rebuilt Dale, to be treated in a way that was unworthy of a peasant.

The moment her eyes met his, he stood from the bed and rushed over to her. Strong arms encircled her waist as Fili allowed her to pour her heart out to him. “Oh, I am so sorry to hear about what’s happened to you…” he whispered against her, rubbing her back comfortingly.

What she had to go through was not right. As Erebor’s future king, Fili felt an overwhelming sense of duty to protect those who were treated unjustly—even those not part of his kingdom. There was a part of him just wanted to take Sigrid and spirit her away to somewhere where she could be happy, where she could experience the life she was meant to have. But where would that be? The Prince was fresh out of ideas and backed into a corner.

His hand stroked her soft tendrils of hair. He, too, would be trapped in a loveless marriage in weeks to come. How could that be? He was meant to love, meant to be free. Looking straight into her eyes, he wished that he could take her pain away. “You may not have love in your land, but know that you are loved by me…”

She could not help herself. As soon as she felt his strong arms wrap around her she fell against him, hands fisting in his tunic as she buried her face against him. Finally, after so long, she could let her tears fall. She had been holding herself back for so long, refusing to give in, refusing to cry in front of them. 

But with him... with him she was safe. He knew she was strong and would allow her this moment of weakness. She had tried so hard. To love her husband, to find her place. Nothing worked. There was nothing she could do. She was a pretty girl on his arm and that was it. Nothing else mattered...

She missed her home. So much.

She looked up as he spoke, his words making her breath catch in her throat, her heart race. It had been much too long since she had been this close to someone she trusted so, someone she loved. She search his azure gaze. He was so dear to her. So warm and brilliant and wonderful. To think that he too might suffer the same fate as her, to live without love... it was unfathomable. She could not allow it...

Leaning forward, eyes fluttering, she pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss.

It was gentle, nothing like the heated kisses they had shared before, simple and tender. Still, it sent her heart racing, familiar as she was with the taste of him, the way he moved against her and she clutched tighter to him for a moment before she...

She pulled away slowly, eyes still closed, resting her forehead to his.

"Forgive me..." she whispered.

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"So you should be." He wrinkled his nose at her childishly, but quickly wiped that look off his face as they stepped onto the sands of the training yard, meeting the bows they (or rather, he) received with a grin and a nod. All that regal dignity malarkey, he left to his brother and uncle - bowing and scraping made his teeth itch. Still, here was a thousand times better than elsewhere in Erebor, where the pair of them were seen as often as winter snows. A sword in the hand was a great equaliser, as he had often seen, and it made for much more comfortable training.

Kili picked up his own bow, smaller and sturdier than hers, made of dark, sanded wood. A practical weapon and well-made, if not very fancy. He doubted the enemy gave a damn about carvings and gilding. “Well, I knew that.” He huffed, scooping up two quivers of blue-tipped arrows and offering one to her. “I just hadn’t reckoned on you telling them about me. I dunno—- should I be nervous, here?” He raised an eyebrow. “‘Cause desperate's quite a strong word.”

She set the quiver over her shoulder, taking an arrow from the set. Remembering her lessons, she notched the arrow carefully, letting out a soft breath as she pulled back the taught string. Taking aim, brow furrowed in concentration, she let the arrow fly... and missed her target.

She really was out of practice. Her father would have a few words to say about that.

Flinching, she gave him a sheepish gaze. "Sorry," she muttered under breath, and decided to wait to see how it should be done.

"Don't look so worried. I'm not going to set her upon you. She just wants to meet my new friends." Sigrid sighed softly. "She's lovely. Has always stood by my family and I. I... I don't spend enough time with her anymore..."

After that comment, Bain felt quite giddy and pleased with himself. My sister is proud of me….now thats a way to get someone’s ego quite big. Offering her a happy smile, he steered the barge, near where the school of fish were, close enough to throw the net into the water, and not to scare them in the process. 

"Sig, this is a two man-job so I need you here" He said while keeping a firm grip on the end of the net. 

She was pleased to see him take the words to heart, see his beaming smile and she chuckled once more. Sigrid was broken out of her thoughts but his sudden instructions, nodding once and moving forward to grab the other end of the net.

Carefully, looking at him for her cue, the hauled in the net, standing back as the fish fell to the deck of the barge, flapping uselessly. She was not unused to the sight but there was still something unnatural about it, even as she sorted the fish, throwing the smaller ones back over the side.

"They still stink, then..."

Kili’s sick.

He’s very sick.

After getting everything ready and placed on their right place on the barge, both siblings sailed off, with Bain steering it gently. It was also a way to prove himself and his sister that he was ready to be more independent, that he was growing up as a good man. All thanks to them.

"Is that some sort of hidden language that elder siblings use, to tell their younger ones that they have grown up?" The teen asked, giving her a playful smirk

Sigrid send him a side-eyed glance, lips pressed together as she wrapped her coat tighter around her. Her gaze drifted out across the lake as she breathed in the cold air, watching her breath. "Perhaps," she muttered, letting out a soft chuckle. "It would seem strange to tell you you have grown up, but it is the truth. I'm so proud of you..."

She gave him another warm smile before something caught her eye. "Look! Over there..." The school of fish were visible just below the surface of the murky lake..."

Sigrid held the shirt up once more with a smirk, as if inspecting it; it was much too small for him, but that was probably because it wasn't his.

"Take a wild guess. Who's is it?"

"Yes. Yes, it was. But there is little time for that now. We should go..."

[text] To be honest, I’dve probably done the same thing.

[text] Don't I know it. He wants you to know that he won. What he won, other than a hangover, is anyone's guess.

[text] So are you coming to pick up the big lug?

Random starters meme. Put one in my ask box if you're bored.

"What are you looking at?" “Hi, is this Suicide Hotline?” “They took my weapons.” “Put. The. Gun. Down. We can short this out without getting anyone killed.” “I’m going to kill myself.” “Why did you come here?” “Are you still up?” “You’re embarrassing us!” “What’s wrong?” “We both had a long day. Relax.” “You’re late.” “Will you stop that?” “What are you reading?” “Give me, like, five minutes.” “Are you even human?” “Stop. Right now!” “Say another word and I’ll shoot.” “Where’ve you been?” “It won’t happen again.” “My name is _______” “That was lucky.” “Are you all right?” “You don’t have to come.” “This is pointless.” “Calm down. It’s okay.” “It was just a dream.” “I don’t want to talk about it.” “Thanks for that.” “You’re out of your mind.” “You don’t have to apologize.” “It’s all going to be good.” “There’s nothing you could do.” “You’re my family.” “They aren’t coming back.” “Horrible, isn’t it?” “I’m bit.” “Stay away from me.” “Do you miss him/her?”

"Yes you do. And I'll remember it. Now help me tidy up these empty bottles..."