For SaartjeT2011

If Kili hadn't have had other things to think about when the battle had been raging around them, he would have thought that the dwarf that fought not far from Lord Dáin, against the seemingly endless onslaught of orcs. The dwarf, that unlike most others, carried with them a bow and quiver, as well as a rather impressive sword, was a little different. Yet as he had climbed onto the chariot with Balin, Dwalin and his brother, so that they could follow his uncle up to Ravenhill, his mind had left the strange dwarf. The goats pulling them away, before he could see the warrior who stood close to the side of the Lord of the Iron Hills, having the helmet knocked from their head, to reveal not some big, bearded, scared dwarf like Dwalin; but a beautiful dwarrowdam; that rallied the others to the Lord, as their King made his way to cut off the head off the snake.

Yet when they had returned to the battlefield; all of them bloodied and bruised from the fight, yet alive, by the blessing of Mahal. Kili and Fili helping their badly hurt uncle down from the ruined fortress, so that not only could Thorin see that they had won the day; but that the other could see that their king still lived, Kili had most definitely noticed. In fact, any of them that had not come from the Iron Hills noticed the beautiful female, that came to stand at Dáin's shoulder. The Lord chuckling, as he had seen the shocked looks of Thorin and the Company. Dáin introducing her as (Y/n) Stoneheart, the captain of his personal guard. Kili feeling his heart beat so quick, as she had stepped forward and bowed to his uncle, that he believed that at any moment, it would burst out of his chest. A broad smile pulling at his lips, as they had caught one another's eye. And when he had found out that she was to be staying at the Mountain, while Dáin and some of his men remained behind so that they could aid Thorin in rebuilding the entrance and other parts of the Mountain, he couldn't have been happier. But the time had come for Dáin and his people to return to the Iron Hills, which meant that Kili had only tonight to act, or lose the dwarrowdam that he knew he had loved since he had first seen her without her helm.

"So........?"

"What........?" Kili countered, as he turned to look at his brother. Fili pulling on his boots, as they both finished getting ready for the huge celebration that was to be held that night. A celebration to not only thank and say goodbye to all those that came from the Iron Hills, but also to cement the relationship between the dwarves and the men of Dale. Bard, his children and some others, coming up from the city that was slowly being rebuilt.

"What do you mean, what? You have done nothing but talk about saying something to (Y/n) to get her to stay, for the past week. So, have you thought of something to say...........?" Fili continued, as he got up from his chair.

"In fact, you haven't been able to stop talking about her at all, since we were first introduced." The older prince continued. Fili smiling, as his brother began to blush and fumble with his clothes. Fili, nor anyone with eyes in the Mountain, blind to how his brother was, when around the captain of the guard. How he would try and talk to her about anything and everything that he could think of; how he would always be there when Dwalin and (Y/n) would spar. His eyes firmly on Dwalin, making sure that the big warrior not only didn't hurt her; but also, didn't get too close. Balin letting it slip that he had seen the young prince down in the forges, crafting something that had looked suspiciously like courting beads. Though he had kept it from Kili, that Thorin and Dáin had already spoken about the Lord leaving (Y/n) behind. Thorin saying that the Mountain would need a strong warrior like her, at least until more dwarves could make their way back to their home.

"So...........?"

"No.........." Kili replied, his shoulders slumping slightly. Fili getting to his feet and making his way over to him. The look on his brother's face, reminding Fili of when they were little, and Kili had been sad.

"Glóin says that the best way to speak to a woman, is from the heart. And if there is anyone that I know can speak from his heart, it is you, Kili. Just tell her how you feel and give her those courting beads you have in your pocket......." Fili chuckling as Kili looked at him, wide-eyed.

"We all know, and even uncle seems to approve. So, finish getting dressed, and then we can get to the celebration." Fili continued, patting his brother on the shoulder.

                                                        >>---------------------------------<<

"(Y/n). Ya are allowed ta enjoy yaself. Have tha night off." Dáin chuckled, as the fierce dwarrowdam, dressed in her usual leather armour, came to stand protectively behind where he and Thorin sat.

"But, my lord..........."

"I have no enemies here, lass. So, go get a drink and enjoy yaself." Dáin interrupted. Gesturing for her to leave, as it looked as though she were about to argue. It obvious that the lord had more than made up his mind. (Y/n) grabbing for one of the jugs of ale that had been lined up, before she leant up against one of the towering pillars.

"Enjoying yaself?" A voice came. (Y/n) turning, and accidentally spilling all her drink over the dwarf that had snuck up behind her. Her eyes widening as she realised that it was the dark-haired prince. The prince that she had quickly come to have feelings for. Feelings that she was sure were absurd, given that he was the nephew of the King under the Mountain, and she just a simple captain. And as she would be travelling back to the Iron Hills with her Lord on the morrow, becoming any further attached to him, would only make things harder, when she had to leave.

"Oh, my apologies, prince Kili. I was not listening, and you scared me........" (Y/n) said, as she did her best to try and dry him.

"You scared? I do not believe that anything could scare you." Kili replied. The both of them now blushing as they looked at one another. (Y/n) wishing that she could admit that she was scared of having to leave the Mountain the next day, and possibly never see him again.

"I think not being scared of anything, would be foolish, my prince........"

"Kili........please. I would prefer that you just call me Kili..........." Kili interrupted. The younger son of Dis noticing his brother out the corner of his eye. Fili gesturing for him to say more.

"(Y/n)......."

"Yes, my...........Kili...........?"

"Could.......could I speak to you......alone........?" Kili asked hopefully. The dwarrowdam nodding, and feeling her blush grow even brighter, as the prince took her hand and pulled her from the celebration. Kili not stopping until he was sure that they would not be disturbed.

"Kili, what...........?"

"Don't go........" Kili blurted out, as he took both of her hands in his.

"Kili.......?"

"Don't go tomorrow.........Don't leave me.........."

"But........what........?" (Y/n) only able to stare in disbelief at his words. It one thing to ask her not the leave the Mountain; but to not leave him........

"I don't want to lose you, (Y/n). You are the most amazing, wonderful, beautiful, and fiercest woman that I have met. I have loved you since I saw you on the battlefield. And..........." Kili told her, fumbling in his pocket, as he tried to pull out the little box with the courting beads in it that he had fashioned.

"And I would very much like to court you........." The prince continued, as he held out the box. The golden beads within, glinting in the torch light. (Y/n) sure that she felt lightheaded. That all she wanted to do was say yes, and then pull him into her arms and kiss him; but.........

"But, what about your uncle? I can't imagine that he will approve. And Lord Dáin will expect me to return to my duties........."

"I will speak to them.......we will speak to them. I will tell them how much I love. And if my uncle doesn't approve, if Dáin insists that you return to the Iron Hills, then........then I will go too. My brother is the heir to the throne, not me. And I will not let anything, or anyone keep us apart." Kili said, his grip on her hands getting a little tighter.

"Don't go.........." (Y/n) looking between the handsome dwarf and the beads. The captain of the guard unable to stop herself any longer, from jumping into his arms.

"Is that a yes........?" Kili chuckled, as they moved apart, and he tentatively took some of her hair in his hand.

"Yes......it's a yes." The prince making light work of braiding the stands before securing one of the beads. Kili beaming with pride, as his took her arm and placed it on his. The prince leading her back to the celebrations; back to tell his uncle and Dáin, that his beautiful dwarrowdam, wasn't going anywhere.