A/N: This is my first foray into the rich world of Tolkien. Forgive me if I misrepresent anything, but I have done my research. Khuzdul translations will be listed at the end of each chapter.
The night air was calm, unbroken in its stillness save for the occasional calling owl. The mountain streams lay frozen in sub-zero temperatures, deep drifts of snow shrouding the meadows in a cloak of mystery, silken strands of moonlight floating gracefully down to accentuate the natural beauty. Nestled just below the peaks lay the small village of Men. Ered Luin, they called it. It was not much for trade, nor much in the way of farming or fighting. It was simply a settlement, a home, a place for the sons of Men to shelter their offspring beneath the harsh curvature of the mountain. The natural rise of the hill provided a view from which the fathers of the village could watch out for intruders, the iron backbone of the Blue Mountains creating a natural fortress. The night watch roamed the city, watchful and vigilant if smaller than normal tonight, Men and Dwarves protecting their loved ones as they slumbered; making sure the battle did not come to close to the village.
In their small cottage, nestled cozily together against the cold, the line of Durin slept peacefully. Little Fili slept soundly, cuddled up against his mother's side, golden hair mussed. Dis herself was awake, the babe within her had been restless all the day, barely giving her a moment's peace. Her second babe proved to be far more active than her first, Fili hadn't become this active until after his birth. Oin had warned her that babes sometimes signaled their arrival with a flurry of activity in the weeks leading up to birth, and that it was nothing to worry about. Naturally, this did nothing to soothe Dis's motherly unease. She had a feeling this one would turn out to be completely different from her firstborn.
Her little dwarfling shifted beside her, curling protectively into her swollen belly, drawing her out of her reverie and back to the present. Smiling, Dis rubbed softly at her rounded midsection. "See how loved you are, abanith!" she crooned softly to the babe, chuckling softly as it responded to her voice, little foot pressing against her hand. Fili's face scrunched up as he registered movement beneath him, and he blinked himself awake. "Come, say hello to your nadadith or namadith Fili." Dis whispered, continuing to rub at the babe's tiny foot through her belly, pleased when she noted the babe had almost completely wiggled itself upside down—it truly would not be long now until she held her precious baby. Curious, Fili sleepily wormed himself upright, yawning. "Here, turgith." She took one tiny hand in her own, guiding it to rest atop the squirming bump. The dwarfling's eyes went comically wide, staring up at his mother. "The baby is moving." She explained. "It won't be long now before he or she makes an appearance." Her little beardling's face grew serious as he gazed at her belly, slight dent forming between his eyebrows. Slowly, carefully, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the squirming bump.
"I love you, nadadith." He murmured sweetly, laying his golden head atop what he was convinced was his baby brother. Dis herself had her doubts, this pregnancy being so much different from her first, but at times she was sure she carried another little inûdoy. The activity of the babe never ceased to amaze her. From the moment she could feel movement, the baby had never ceased to be active: hiccups, kicks, flips and somersaults were a part of his or her daily routine, and Thorin never ceased to jest about them. "Do you carry a pup or a babe, namadith?" he would joke. "The level of activity in your belly rivals that of a litter, rather than one small dwarfling!"
A smile played the edges of her lips as she watched her little Fili sleepily mumbling something about adventures and Bofur's toys and fearless uncles into the soft fabric of her night dress. A moment later, a light creaking signified the arrival of said incorrigible brother, and hopefully her wayward husband as well. She wanted her men beside her as the newest member of their family made his or her appearance. Beside her, her flaxen haired son perked up, exhausted as he was, squirming his way down from the bed and shuffling over to the door. Dis shook her head fondly. Thorin may have presented an impenetrable front to the rest of the world, but he had such a soft spot for her son, and she had no doubt her brother would hold the new baby in just as high esteem. He doted on Fili, and showered his nephew with affections and love. Dis was grateful for her brother's help, as well as Vili's- her swollen belly proved difficult for her to give her little one the attention he was used to.
Laughing tiredly as the babe within her jumped in excitement, Dis sat up slowly. "Do not worry, abanith. Your adad will be here soon." Her forehead creased in worry. Thorin was home, but there were more with him than just her husband.
"Thorin?" she called through the door, rising slightly. The voices ceased, and a moment later footsteps sounded in the corridor, her brother's strong form appearing backlit by the fire's glow.
"Dis." He murmured, pushing open the door slowly, revealing a scared looking Fili pressed close to his side. His tone was tense, despite keeping it soft, no doubt for Fili's sake. Her brother's face and arms were spattered with blood, hair matted and wild about his face, rips in his tunic showing the chainmail beneath. A gash somewhere on his arm trailed blood down his hand from beneath his armor. He moved stiffly, but she was pleased to note did not seem seriously injured.
"Thorin!" she chided, reaching out to her son. Fili quickly came, burying his face into her neck, tiny fist clutching at her braids. "I thought I told you to wash off at the creek before you returned! You've scared Fili!" she hissed, hand covering his little ear.
"Dis." His tone was heavy, weighted with undertones of fear, regret, and… sorrow? Her brother's blue eyes flicked upwards, meeting hers. "There's—" he swallowed hard, throat working. "Something's… happened." He spoke evasively, eyes cutting to Fili and back again. "
"What is it? What's wrong?" her voice rose in alarm, as her arms moved to cradle Fili tighter against her. "Where is my husband?"
Thorin moved closer, face drawn, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry sister." He murmured. "Forgive me. Vili has fallen."
A/N: *crawls into cave and hides* Sorry for the cliff hanger, but I had to. It was better to chop it here, than to chop it somewhere else. Okay, quick note on the name of Fili and Kili's father: I've done some research, and mostly he is unnamed, but I have heard serious Tolkien fans and Rp'ers say two variations. Vali and Vili are the two most commonly accepted, now, knowing what I know about Dwarvish genealogies, this is my theory. Brothers have similar names: Fili and Kili, Bofur and Bifur, Thorin and Frerin. But the names of the sons all reflect the names of the fathers somehow: Thrain and Thorin, Gloin and Groin, Dain and Nain, etc. So, my explanation for choosing Vili is based on these similarities. I believe that in Dwarvish culture, the family line is not only carried on by blood, but also by the name similarities between fathers and sons throughout generations. There you have it folks, my attempt at sticking to canon, and a bit of free soap boxing on Dwarvish naming. PLEASE review! Reviews are cuddles to little Fili!
Abanith- "little stone"
Nadidith- "little brother", literally "brother who is young"
Namadith- "little sister", literally "sister who is young"
Turgith- "little beard"
Adad- "father"
Inûdoy- "son"
I think that covers all the Khuzdul for this chapter, if there's one I've missed, please let me know.
Next chapter: Dis mourns her husband's death, resulting in something altogether unexpected.