Collection of One-Shots

》a token

As if nothing could make their day worse, the howl of Wargs surrounded them before descending down the mountain and the company was left with little choice but to flee. They climbed large pine trees at Gandalf's command but when the first of the beasts charges for the trunk of the tree the fairy began to slip from her perch. The arm that wrapped around her midsection was strong and unrelenting, it took but a second for her to realize it was Thorin. "Perhaps I would not be worried for your safety if you could fly." She scoffed at first, only after he had spoken did she realize he was concerned for her.

Kelda was opening her mouth to speak when the tree lurched forward, half uprooted by the Wargs below. "Go, into the next tree." The dwarf pushed her up to a branch in the next tree before the other was completely uprooted. The affect was cascading as each tree following fell, just giving the company enough to time to climb higher in the last tree standing, this one by a cliff. When the wizard set the first pinecone on fire, she follows, gathering the ones in her reach and whispering enchantments until it burst into flames in her hands.

There was a moment of reprieve but the tree begun to shake once more and this time it fell, Kelda gripped onto a breaking branch and looked to each side, to her right Gandalf supported Ori and Dori on the end of his staff and to her left Thorin had pulled himself up and strode towards the pale orc, armed with his sword and shield. The fairy looked away, unable to witness what she knew would undoubtedly occur, his cry of pain was almost too much and the calls from his kin were just as dreadful. Her branch cracked further and though Bofur and somehow managed to reach out his hand, his arm was not long enough to grasp her hand nor the branch.

Her eyes darted around in panic, wide with fear that only increased when she saw Thorin lying unconscious but it was her scream that stole the company's attention when the branch finally snapped. Kelda braced for an impact but her fall was stopped when a great bird caught hold of her and dropped her onto the back of another. Eagles. Careful not to pluck any feathers she looked at the burning tress and the dwarves that had managed to pull themselves up and fight. Wargs and their riders were tossed over the cliff's edge and the bird she rode swooped down, picking up Thorin's body.

The fairy found herself worrying far too much over the dwarf as morning broke and the shadowed shape of the Carrock came into view. Thorin was laid down and before her eagle could circle the formation again she slipped down and knelt beside him. He was unmoving and his pulse was weak. Kelda placed her hands over the largest of his wounds and pushes a reasonable amount of her energy into him. Immediately his eyes flickered open and it was only then did she realize Gandalf was at her side. "The Halfling and Fairy?" He wheezed.

"It's all right, they are both quite safe." Dwalin and Kili helped Thorin to stand but he shrugged them off and advanced towards Bilbo, Kelda's eyes narrow as he begun half shouting at the hobbit though before she could come between them the two were embracing. Green eyes softened and when Thorin pulled back from the hobbit he walked slowly to Kelda. He reached out and touched her bruised and cut cheek, uncaring of what the others may think of this display. The fairy stepped closer and in an instant the dwarf had his arms wrapped around her, his chin resting atop her head of dark curls. "I thank you." He breathed, so lowly she thought he had not even spoken.

Slowly the company descended the Carrock, careful to keep balanced lest they fall off the narrow and steep steps. Camp was set up in an alcove near a running stream, everyone went about their tasks and Thorin watched unsurely as Kelda ventured into the woods with only her dagger. He followed and saw her picking sweet lavender and other plants, his eyes softened. "You look like a bee moving about."

The fairy jumped but soon smiled, "I prefer Hummingbird and you should know, Thorin Oakenshield, I am harvesting these flowers to heal you." And she did, from her pack she withdrew several vials and other plants in addition to the ones she had just finished reaping and preparing. With her fairy remedies and energy transfers it took little more than two days before Thorin was healed completely. They neared the Greenwood now, but had yet again stopped for camp. Kelda had already fallen fast asleep and did not see how the dwarves admired her for what she had done for Thorin, nor did she hear Kili say he thought his uncle fancied the fairy.

Sometime later in the night Thorin and Gandalf returned, the company was fast asleep near the dwindling fire and yet again the dwarf leader draped his coat over Kelda, only this time he sat next to her and mindlessly ran his rough fingers through her hair, even her pointed ears could not make him dislike her.

The fairy awoke well rested and smiled at the weight and warmth of Thorin's coat covering her. The rest of the company had long been awake and breakfast had already been made. Bofur smiled when he saw the girl sit up, slipping her arms through the sleeves of Thorin's coat. "About time you woke up, lass. Oín and I have been fighting Bombur off all morning to keep him from eating your share." Her smile was thanks enough as she took the broken plate and ate what little food they had managed to scrounge up. Kili and Fili eyed her curiously and moved to sit beside her when the other left from the fire.

"Would you look at that, brother? Uncle Thorin has given her one of his beads." Fili looked at the braid that had been made in her hair as he spoke and picked up the silver bead that had been placed on the end. Kelda too felt the weight now that she was fully awake and a fierce blush overtook her pale cheeks.

"I knew it all along! Did I not say that he fancied our fairy?" Her brows furrowed, perhaps she did not understand the significance of wearing another's bead but at her question the brother explained everything, that from birth dwarves received a bead for their hair or beard and with each life stage the bead was replaced with one of more meaning. In their culture beads could be used for courtship or as a symbol of marriage along with the simpler badges of rank. As they spoke Kelda spun the bead in her fingers, half amused that Thorin could braid so well.

When it was time to set out once more Kelda approached Thorin, who adamantly fought to avoid her gaze. Despite his stubbornness, she cornered him against the rock face. "May I ask what this means?"

"It is a token." He lifted the bead and traced over the engravings on the piece but when she raised her eyebrow in further question his hand fell to her cheek. "A token of us. I have grown very fond of you Kelda, more so than I ever thought possible." She had never heard his voice be so soft, not even in the recollections of Erebor before the dragon came.

The fairy smiled and placed one hand over his heart, her energy flowing into him and enveloping him with the same warmth she felt. "I could say the same, you stubborn dwarf." Before Kelda could smile Thorin's lips pressed to hers, lightly at first as if seeking permission but when she met his kiss the dwarf could not help but kiss her harder and thoroughly.

Kili nudged his brother in the ribs and motioned for him to look at the fairy and Thorin. When they suddenly kissed Fili was reluctant to hand over his small pouch with a few coins in it. The youngest smiled and pocketed the earned wager, looking back at his brother with a smug grin, Kili shrugged. "I told you so."