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FÍLI, KÍLI, BOFUR, AND OIN LEAD MARISTELA UP THE LONELY MOUNTAIN, as they approach the gates, they stop in shock and fear as they see the destruction caused by Smaug as he smashed through the front gate to fly out of the mountain. They rush into the halls of Erebor and a feeling of unease washes over Maristela, her heart pounding almost as though something was warning her to be cautious. "Hello! Bombur? Bifur? Anybody?" Bofur calls out, his voice echoing in the silence, Maristela felt for him as he called for his brother and cousin first before the rest of his kin.

They clamber through the halls looking for their kin with Maristela admiring the halls that were far more delicate than that of the Iron Hills and within the Mines of Moria. As they run down a staircase, Bilbo runs up toward them from another part of the city, calling out, "WAIT! WAIT!" Maristela took immediate notice of the panicked expression on the Hobbits face though their was a sigh of relief when he looked her in the eyes, he was beyond overjoyed to see that Maristela had survived. "It's Bilbo! He's alive!" Oin cheered with a wide grin. "Stop! Stop! Stop!" Bilbo chanted to them as they meet in the corridor.

"You need to leave. We all need to leave," Bilbo told them frantically, the caution within Maristela had doubled upon the Hobbits words. "We only just got here?!" Bofur exclaimed to their friend. "I have tried talking to him but he won't listen," Bilbo rambled. "What do you mean, laddie?" Oin asked the Hobbit. "THORIN. Thorin.   He's been out for days. He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself ─ not at all. It's this ─ It's this place. I think a sickness lies on it," Bilbo explained to them, Maristela immediately knew Bilbo was talking about Dragon Sickness that filled one with greed and desire for their riches above anything else.

"Sickness? What kind of sickness?" Kíli asked but Fíli simply walked past the group and started heading further down into Erebor, looking at something. Bilbo and the others run after him with Bilbo trying to stop him, Maristela became anxious about her presence as an Elf, she wasn't sure what Thorin's sick mind would claim in regards to her presence. As they continued down, a golden light begins to be visible on the walls. They round a corner and stop shirt at the sight of Smaug's treasure, heaped so high over the floor of the cavern that the ground is barely visible.

As they stare, they see Thorin, dressed in ornate robes and covered in jewellery, striding slowly out of a doorway. Thorin begins speaking softly, apparently to himself about the endless gold, almost possessed, and the Dwarves look at him in surprise. Thorin looks up and sees the others standing before him, "Behold ─ the great treasure hoard of Thror." He suddenly flings something high into the air to where the Dwarves are standing on a stairwell, and Fíli catches it; it is a giant bloodred jewel. "Welcome, my sister's sons, to the Kingdom of Erebor!" Thorin greeted his nephews.

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The newly arrived Dwarves and Maristela enter the room where the other Dwarves are, they all greet each other warmly with massive hugs. Maristela fondly accepts Ori's embrace, the youngest Dwarf was beyond happy to see that the Elleth had survived. "I know you wouldn't fall so easily," Dwalin commented but Maristela saw the fondness and admiration in the tough Dwarfs eyes as he said it, she bowed her head to him before watching as the others greeted each other and spoke of their own experiences. Thorin stepped into the room and looked directly at Maristela, he motioned for her to follow him and so, she did, despite Bilbo's worried eyes.

The two were silent as they walked through the halls until they reached the lookout, Maristela frowned seeing the destruction of Laketown in the distance. "You have your throne," Maristela spoke up, she wouldn't tiptoe around the sick Dwarf. "And you helped make it happen," Thorin replied, though what shocked Maristela was the clear fact that it was simply Thorin talking to her, not the sick greed-driven Dwarf she was prior to this moment. "I told you that I would, didn't I?" Maristela asked with a grin on her face, Thorin chuckled and nodded in agreement with her words, he would never deny it.

"Thorin, you must be cautious. The gold within these caverns had spent many mad in their time, your grandfather included," Maristela warned Thorin, the softened look in his eyes hardened at her words. "I am not my grandfather," Thorin replied in a darker tone, Maristela sighed seeing the sickness overcome him like it did to Thror. "Yet. Thorin, you are not your grandfather yet," Maristela told him sternly, she turned to walk away. "You must remember your place here, Daughter of Stars," Thorin spoke stopping her in her tracks, Maristela kept her head lowered at Thorin's words. "And you, yours," Maristela replied before walking away.

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All the Dwarves had spent the day searching the gold for the Arkenstone per Thorin's desire and demands but there was no luck in locating the King's Jewel. Maristela had noticed the distant gaze within Bilbo's eyes, the sorrowful looks he sent the King, and the way he tensed with every mention of the stone they were searching for. She followed after him when they were permitted an opportunity to rest thanks to Thorin's distraction and Maristela's words that seemed to push past the King's greedy thoughts. Maristela watched from a small distance as Bilbo pulls the Arkenstone from his tunic, looking at it with guilt and uncertainty.

"I shouldn't give it to him, should I?" Bilbo spoke, he had taken notice of Maristela's presence, the Elleth smiled. "You've become quite the warrior, Bilbo Baggins. Especially to take notice of an Elf's steps," Maristela complimented as she walked over to him, sitting by him with a small smile on her face, "But no. I do not believe the Arkenstone being in his hands is a smart idea." Bilbo looked down at the jewel before slipping it back into the hidden pocket of his tunic. "What can we do to help him?" Bilbo asked Maristela, he hoped she'd have something. "Truthfully, I do not know. He must break the trance on his own but our company should help with that," Maristela assured him.

"When you first saw me in the Shire, did you have faith?" Bilbo asked after some silence, Maristela grinned at his question. "Bilbo, I had all the faith in the world for you. And you have yet to disappoint. My father chose you for a reason, Bilbo Baggins, and you continue to prove yourself," Maristela answered him before reaching into her cloak, pulling free a leather chord that looked like a necklace, dangling from it was a small moonstone. "This, Bilbo Baggins, is a token of friendship," Maristela told him as she held it out, she had been working on it since they left Rivendell.

"Oh, thank you!" Bilbo took the leather necklace, he immediately adjusted it and slipped it around his neck, smiling at how light it was. "It doesn't matter if you are a tall as Beorn or as small as yourself, Bilbo, you were born for this. And you know what you must do next," Maristela reassured him, she patted his shoulder before getting up and leaving the young Hobbit to his thoughts. Bilbo looked down at the small moonstone hanging from the leather cord, he smiled as he took in Maristela's words and knew what he must do; Thorin couldn't have the Arkenstone, even Balin knew that.

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"Maristela," Fíli's voice caught the Elleth's attention, she turned her head from the carving in the wall to the Dwarf who had changed into some new clothes, armor adorned him. "I've been searching for you. Come," Fíli held out his hand for her, she approached him and placed her palm against his allowing him to lead her away from the main halls of Erebor into a more homely area until they reached a room. "There is clothes on the bed for you and a bucket for you to quickly wash the dirt and soot off," Fíli expressed as he moved around the room grabbing a few things. "I'll be back soon," Fíli added before winking and leaving, the door closing behind him.

Maristela shook her head slightly before reaching the bucket, picking up the cloth to wipe the dirt and soot from her face first. She removed the clothing she wore, her traditional ranger uniform had seen better days and she knew for what may come next, she'd be better in new clothing. Maristela spent time washing her body with the water, she'd worry about a proper bath when this was all over but for now, this was enough to rid her of the outcomes of battles since Rivendell. Her eyes landed on her thigh, the wound was no longer festered but would always be a reminded of Morgul poisoning.

Maristela shook those thoughts away and focused on the task at hand, finally done with what she was doing, she moved toward the bed and began pulling on the new clothes that Fíli had located for her. She was glad he knew better than to give her a dress, movement was difficult in such a thing compared to breches and trousers. Once she was dressed, Maristela took time to braid her hair, leaving a few strands loose for smaller braids to shape her face; a traditional look for Elves and Dwarves alike. Finally satisfied, Maristela took a moment to think about everything that had happened, her mind processing the journey.

Fíli knocked lightly on the door before opening it, he took notice of Maristela's fair off look before focusing on the way she looked. He smiled softly at the sight of her, closing the door behind him before he moved toward her, stopping to stand in front of her. "I didn't hear you come in, Fíli," Maristela spoke as she took notice of his presence, Fíli simply brushed his fingers lightly across Maristela's cheek. "Are you okay?" Fíli asked. "Just ─ Yeah, I'm okay," Maristela answered him deciding not to delve into the depths of her thoughts at this present time.

"You look beautiful," Fíli complimented before grabbing one of the smaller braids, twirling it in between his fingers. "I know traditions vary within our different cultures but Mari, if I don't ask before whatever may come, I will never forgive myself," Fíli continued causing Maristela to tilt her head slightly. "I think I have been clear on what I feel for you and Mari, you have my heart--" Fíli opened his other palm to reveal a bead of Durin used to symbolise courtship, "--If you should want it." Maristela took in a steady breath as she looked from the bead to Fíli who was bearing his heart to her. "I shall want it, should you allow it," Maristela replied softly.

Fíli grinned at those words, he worked to undo the small braid before slipping the bead into the newly done braid. Fíli felt love and pride in his chest seeing the bead within Maristela's hair, he turned his eyes to her and placed his fingertips underneath her chin to lift her head to look at him. "Valar has blessed me," Fíli whispered before he leaned down and kissed Maristela, her own lips pressed against his before moving in perfect sync with his. Maristela and Fíli were at their happiest in this very moment, nothing else mattered as Fíli savoured every moment with the Half-Breed that he had come to love. And no matter what came their way, he was thankful for the woman by his side.

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⊱ ──── {⋆ 🌌 ⋆} ──── ⊰

「 ✦ 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 ✦ 」

Ohhhhhhh.... savour that Fíli and Maristela moment those who adore them 'cause war is coming and no more cute moments.

And those Legolas lovers who are here because of him, don't worry, you'll get that cute shit eventually! Not everyone loves once.

Thoughts on this chapter?
Theories? Predictions? Suggestions?

See you in the next chapter!

P.S: Her outfit is below;