Hi guys!! I'm so happy with this chapter!! I'm sure you can guess what will happen but I hope you like it!! Please comment, vote and follow! Thank you!!:)

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*Cassy's POV*

We walked for the whole day and my muscles were on the verge of screaming at me in protest but we continued to head in the direction of the mountain anyway. At this rate we would reach the Lonely Mountain in just over a day. I was constantly praying that the others were okay, I couldn't lose Caspian again nor my friends.

I glanced at Bofur who was walking beside me, Oin had treated his injuries to the best of his abilities but that didn't stop the hatted dwarf from being in a lot of pain. His burns were definitely going to scar but it didn't seem to bother Bofur who was just happy to be alive.

We walked for a long time before Fili decided that we were all too tired to move on any further. I had to admit that we had put a good distance behind ourselves and where we had left Bard already and after not having slept the night before, it would not have been wise to force our bodies to go on anymore. So we set up a small camp, sheltered nicely by the forest trees a little distance away from the lakeshore. Bard had packed us a few blankets, bedrolls, food and some healing supplies which we had laid out around the small fire that Oin had built.

"So." Bofur cleared his throat after we had eaten a small dinner. We were sitting around the fire now, chatting a bit before we went to sleep. Kili had agreed to take first watch and it was him that looked up at Bofur now, noticing that the hatted dwarf's gaze was set on him and myself as I was sitting close beside him. Bofur raised his eyebrows suggestively. "What's it with you two, then?"

Silence fell over the camp as everyone stared at Kili and I; the brunet dwarf clearing his throat quietly whilst I was just staring back at Bofur in silent surprise. Kili shortly glanced at me as I sat beside him calmly, my shoulder brushing against his as he gently took hold of my hand before he brought his gaze back to the others. Bofur grinned knowingly, looking at our joined hands before his gaze flicked back up to Kili's face.

"I'll be waiting to congratulate you once you make it official, then." A broad smile was playing on the hatted dwarf's face and Kili couldn't quite help his own smile, nodding at Bofur. Fili was grinning silently to himself while Oin looked generally pleased about the situation. I rolled my eyes feeling amused about the situation.

I knew that they were referring to the dwarf tradition of braids, I already had three braids of my own from Caspian, my mother and my father. Kili already knew that after our conversation back in Laketown.

I merely smirked at the others mischievously before I kissed Kili's cheek, mumbling a quick goodnight as I laid down next to him whilst he settled in for first watch beside me. He smiled down at me warmly, putting one hand on my head and letting his fingers stroke through my hair. I silently smiled as I closed my eyes.

"I love you, Kili." I whispered so only he could hear me. Kili let his fingers tangle slightly in my dark strands as he leaned his head back against the tree behind him, shortly closing his own eyes as he exhaled quietly.

"I love you, too." He whispered into the night, making me smile as I slowly fell asleep beside him.

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I awoke early the next day, feeling warm despite the cold air that swept over the lands. It took me a moment to realize that something heavy was draped over my middle and my front was pressed against a warm and firm body. When I finally opened my eyes, I found Kili's face merely a few inches from my own, Kili was sleeping peacefully as he held me safely in his arms. I felt a content smile grow on my face as I took a moment to look at Kili's sleeping face. I could definitely get used to this.

A quiet 'humph' from beside me ripped me out of my thoughts and awakened Kili at the same time, his grip on me shortly tightening before he realised the situation. Fili was standing above us, grinning broadly as he pulled on the blanket that covered both of us.

"Rise and shine, lovebirds." He chuckled before he turned to get some breakfast. Kili and I just exchanged short looks before he let go of me and we both rose to our feet, following Fili's example.

We didn't take much time to eat and pack up our things before we set back out on the road. We walked the whole day and ate lunch as we went as we wanted to reach Erebor as soon as possible. When evening came again, we had already passed the point where the Running River that came flowing down strongly from Erebor and opened out into the Long Lake and we were now walking along the river as the land around us slowly lost its green trees and became drier and bleaker.

We made our way a bit further away from the river to a group of rocks that sheltered us from the cold night air. I tiredly laid out my bedroll as we decided to camp here for the night before I went to help Oin to get a fire going.

As I sat down between Fili and Kili for dinner, I didn't even notice how quiet Kili had become until after I had finished eating. Kili seemed to be thinking rather hard about something, his eyes distant, as his gaze was lost in the flames. I looked to Fili for an answer but he just shrugged, calmly stuffing his mouth with a slice of bread when Kili suddenly stood up.

We all stared up at him questioningly, though I found the others' gazes shift to knowing rather quickly whereas I was still as confused as ever as Kili held out his hand for me to take. I looked up at him quizzically but he just smiled and so I took his hand as he pulled me to my feet.

I allowed him to pull me with him as he moved to the edge of the camp and down towards the river. Shooting a confused look over my shoulder, I shortly caught Fili's knowing smirk before he vanished out of sight as Kili led me through a few bushes and further away from our little camp. Kili pulled me onto a small riverbank with him.

Suddenly, Kili stepped closer, making my gaze land on him as he put his free hand against my cheek and stroked his thumb lightly over my cheekbone. I looked up at him questioningly, slightly leaning into his touch.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked after a moment of silence. Kili took a deep breath as his gaze wandered over my face. He looked more serious than I was used to, making me frown slightly as I wondered what he was doing.

"Do you remember when I awoke in Laketown after you had healed my leg?" He suddenly asked me, his voice was slightly deeper than usual and his eyes seemed slightly darker as he looked at me. I nodded and Kili smiled warmly, letting his thumb stroke down the line of my jaw. "Do you remember that I was about to ask you something but my idiot of an older brother interrupted us?" He asked, a small grin spreading onto his face as I nodded again. "Well I've been dying to finally ask you without getting interrupted." He said as he took a deep breath. "During this whole quest my life has been turned upside down and ever since I laid eyes on you I knew my life wasn't going to be the same. You're my One, Cassy. You're my soul mate and the only person I could ever imagine being with. During this quest we have faced so many near death experiences and I can't bare the thought of being without you any longer. I already know that you know about the dwarf custom of braids and I know you already have family braids like myself but there is one braid missing from your hair." Kili smiled as his fingers began playing with the three braids in my hair. "As you know, when a dwarf finds his love, he will put a courting braid in her hair and she will do the same as a sign that they belong to each other. And to show others that they are already spoken for."

I smiled as I already guessed where his speech was heading. I couldn't help the small shudder that ran through me as Kili's fingers slowly slid down my neck as he spoke, gently brushing over my skin like feathers as he followed their movements with his eyes.

"So... if you'll allow me, I would be honoured if you would let me put my braid in your hair?" He asked with a nervous smile.

I couldn't stop the grin that formed on my face as I nodded enthusiastically. "I would be honoured to let you braid my hair, only if in return you allow me to put my braid in your hair." I said. I let out a small squealing sound as I felt Kili's body press against mine, I felt my cheeks warm up with a small blush as Kili let out a throaty chuckle. He leaned down and shortly brushed his lips against mine. "I will wear your braid with pride, my love." He said quietly.

I shortly closed my eyes as Kili's warm breath ghosted over my face. His arms were wrapped tightly around me, holding me close to him.

"May I braid your hair?" He asked quietly into the silence between us and I smiled. Kili drew back then, he grabbed my hand gently and pulled me over to sit in front of a small boulder that stood next to the river. He sat down, leaning his back against it and opened his legs so that I could sit between them. I sat down so that I was facing him.

Kili smiled and pulled me a bit closer to him. He reached forwards and removed my hair from the loose braid down my back which I had put my hair in the night before. I closed my eyes, enjoying Kili's touch as he brushed his hands through my soft curls, loosening it up and letting it flow freely around my face once again. I slowly opened my purple eyes when I felt his fingers slip from my hair and saw him fumbling for something in his pocket. Kili glanced up at me, sending me a small grin before he sat back up straight and held up a pair of small clasps for me to see in his palm. I carefully brushed my fingertips over the intricate carvings on the small objects.

"It's the crest of Durin and it says my name underneath it." He explained the runes quietly, even though I could read dwarfish runes on my own, I saw him blush slightly when I looked up at him. "Normally, I would forge you your own but as it is, I only have these spare ones at the moment."

"They're perfect." I said in reply, as he put the clasps on the floor next to his thigh. I smiled as Kili's expression changed into a more concentrated one as he reached up and carefully separated a section of my hair on the side of my head, just above my right ear. I sat still, my hands in my lap as I observed him whilst he divided the section he'd chosen into separate strands. Kili shot me a short glance, smiling happily before he started braiding and I could only smile in return as I watched him work, his face close to mine and his eyebrows furrowed slightly in concentration.

It was only a few minutes until he reached for the clasps next to his leg, a proud smile playing on his lips as he secured his braid with it. He leaned back then and looked me over as if he was contemplating his work, nodding in satisfaction before he gave my braid a gentle tug.

"There we go. You look even more beautiful if that was possible." He smirked and I chuckled quietly in reply.

"You just say that because you braided this." I laughed and Kili's grin widened considerably in reply. He quickly reached out then, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me right onto his lap so my legs were on either side of his and I felt my cheeks heat up once more at his boldness as my hands instinctively came to lay on his shoulders. Kili innocently grinned up at me.

"Maybe." He murmured, mirth dancing in his eyes. "I do think my braid suits you though. And besides you're always beautiful whether you're sleeping, fighting in a battle or just smiling like you are now." I smiled wider as I reached up, slightly fiddling with my new braid and looking at it happily.

"You looked beautiful with my braid though." Kili said as he watched me, smiling contentedly. "You always do. Now you look like yourself, with a bit of me thrown in for good measure." He added softly, using my braid to softly tug my head towards him as he leaned forward and kissed me gently.

Kili pulled his knees up, supporting my back as I sat in his lap. He tightened his hold on my waist, the hand that had held my braid trailed down to grip my hip as I sighed against his lips. I gently nibbled his bottom lip and smiled when a small groan escaped his lips as he pulled me even closer, my body pressing against his as he allowed his tongue to dart out and ask for entrance to my mouth.

I felt my head starting to spin when I parted my lips for him and his tongue met mine in a slow dance that I could have danced for eternity. Reluctantly, I pulled back, looking at Kili with hooded eyes, both our breathing was fast as we tried to regain some air and calm our minds. I subconsciously bit my bottom lip, and Kili let his thumb trail over my lower lip, pulling it from the captivity of my teeth as he smiled.

*Kili's POV*

Seeing her like this, breathless from my kiss, my braid in her hair, it made my heart well up with pride and happiness, and above all love. It was how she was supposed to be, I thought as I leaned in and placed a few delicate kisses on her neck.

"Kili?"

"Mmh?" I slightly drew back and looked at her questioningly.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" She asked with a smile causing me to frown. "I still need to put my braid in your hair." She grinned causing my heart to soar happily.

I watched her as she reached into the side of her boot and pulled out a small purple pouch. "My father told me to keep them with me at all times. These were his and I'd love nothing more than for you to wear them as part of my braid." She said as she motioned for me to hold out my hand which I did. She smiled and carefully emptied the two silver clasps out of the pouch and into my hand. I hesitantly picked one up and admired how beautiful they were; they were pure silver and said 'Mandaria' in dwarfish runes, a picture of an arrow was carved into it as well and had a single purple jem embedded into the silver. "Wow." I said.

"Thank you. I helped my father make them when I was only 12 years old." She explained as she looked at the clasps with a small smile.

"They're amazing." I sighed as I handed them back to her as she smiled at me in reply.

"Shall I begin." She asked as she gestured to my dark hair.

I nodded and grinned as she ran her hands through my hair, trying to detangle it. After that she separated a section of my hair and expertly began to braid it into a very intricate, complex and beautiful braid. I was in awe of how talented she was at braiding and I loved the feeling of her hands in my hair.

After a few minutes she took her clasps and secured the braid tightly in place before she look at me with a satisfied smile. "What do you think?" She sighed.

"Its amazing. And you made it, which makes it perfect for me." I replied genuinely, shortly fingering the braid in my hair and smiling. "I love it." I added.

Cassy smiled happily then and I revelled in her proud expression for a moment before she leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on my lips. I returned it eagerly, hugging her to me a bit tighter. We sat there for a while, not saying much and just enjoying each other's company as the night fell over us. It was only when I felt my dear Cassy yawn against the crook of my neck that I gently lifted her from my thighs and pulled her to her feet with me.

"We should go back to camp." I said reluctantly, knowing that I was going to miss our alone time. I gently grabbed her hand and Cassy just nodded tiredly, slightly leaning against my arm as we slowly walked back to the camp.

The others looked up when we arrived back at camp, the fire still burning. Fili was sitting on his bedroll, talking quietly to Bofur who was lying on his back next to him. Oin was sitting near the fire, warming his hands on the small flames.

"You've been gone a while." Fili said as the two of us stepped into the light of the flames, though a broad smile broke across his face when he noticed the matching braids in our hair. He nudged Bofur in the arm. "Aha. You owe me two gold coins."

"Couldn't just wait until tomorrow, eh?" Bofur sighed, feigning an exasperated look in my direction before a broad grin broke across his face. "Well, congratulations then, you impatient dolt."

I just grinned in reply, tugging Cassy over to where our bedrolls were laid out next to each other. Cassy just followed quietly, shoving Bofur slightly with her foot as Bofur shot her a cheeky wink when she walked past him. It didn't take long until we all went to sleep, except Oin who was on first watch, and when I had settled on my bedroll I pulled Cassy closer, wrapping my arms around her as she carefully placed her head on my shoulder. We laid together for a while, my hand tracing small patterns on my One's arm while her fingers played with the thin bands on the collar of my tunic. I felt her turn her head slightly and I glanced down, seeing her bright eyes gleam up at me in the dark night. I questioningly raised my eyebrows at her but smiled nonetheless.

"I love you." She whispered causing my heart beat to speed up. I really did love hearing her say that, I was never going to tire of hearing that.

"I love you too, my One." I whispered back and Cassy smiled warmly, shortly lifting herself up to place a chaste kiss on my cheek before she settled herself back down on my chest. I grinned as she snuggled against me, and it wasn't long after Cassy's breathing had evened out beside me that I was lulled to sleep too.

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I hope you liked it!!!! Please comment, vote and follow! I've been planning this chapter for such a long time but I think it was worth it! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'll update again next Wednesday! :D