I sadly do not own the Hobbit or any of its characters!

Fili walked down the dark stone hallway which was alight with the soft glow of burning torches. His steps were slow as he took a moment to release a heavy sigh as he relished looking upon the grandeur of Erebor in person, a desire he had sheltered since before his tweens.

The mountain had been won five years ago today, and Thorin sat mightily atop his thrown as king, as was his birthright, and he, Fili, and his dear brother, lived as dwarven princes should – as they deserved to live after all they had been through to win the mountain from the accursed dragon, Smaug.

The dwarf prince continued his leisurely stroll down the many winding passageways, which even after five years in the place, his fool brother, Kili, still managed to get lost in to this day. Fili chuckled fondly at one memory in particular that came more often to his mind than his little brother could stand.

Kili had accidentally wandered into a dwarrow lady's chambers, and the woman was not pleased in the slightest. Fili remembered fondly how red hot his brother's ears were as he fled the dam's quarters, and he made sure to harass his brother about it whenever possible.

Of course, Fili hadn't exactly had it easy, either. These last five years had been full of strife despite the newfound peace. Rebuilding and repopulating the mountain was a monstrous nemesis, which still, after five years of hard work, was slowly coming to a close, though progress slowly trickled even still.

Not only that, but Thorin had been very busy grooming Fili to be king one day, though Fili often wondered why Thorin would so willingly leave the throne to him, when he could still theoretically, produce an heir of his own blood, and not that of his sister, Fili's mother, Dis.

Fili smiled, an expression that was quickly replacing many dwarves' stern, grim, and reserved looks, as he thought on his mother. After the reclamation of Erebor, many of the dwarves from the Blue Mountains migrated to the Lonely Mountain to resettle there. Dis was among them and her embrace upon their reunion with her lingered still in his dreams like a warm salve. Some still remained at the growing settlement of Ered Luin, so the town could become a trading partner in the future – one that would certainly grow with a steady supply of wealth from Erebor.

In fact, trade was going rather well. The Iron Hills was their biggest partner thus far, though with Balin in Moria, they were becoming a close second with the most precious resource on the dwarven market- Mithril. Dale was not so large yet, and rebuilding was slow, so not much had come of them as of yet.

Since the dragon's scourge, Laketown had been rebuilt and the people lived in much needed prosperity compared to their old way before Smaug. The Master had died of some sickness, though people spread stories of "unfortunate food poisoning." Fili's face grew grim as he recalled the master, a fat, cruel man, and how he had turned his back on Kili when he was desperately ill. He only cared for the gold Thorin promised, and once Thorin had left with the rest of the Company, the men of Laketown showed nothing but animosity and disregard towards those who had remained behind.

If the Master had been poisoned, so be it. The man had deserved it.

Fili recalled how angry he had been at Thorin for choosing to leave Kili behind, and alone, nonetheless! But, if Kili had come along, he would surely have succumbed to his wounds and died.

Fili shook those ghosts of the past with a shake of his head as he came to Thorin's throne room. His fine dwarven boots sounded on the beautiful floor of his ancestor's hall and his finely crafted dual swords identified him to all those who saw him as he entered, if the many blond braids and confident swaggering step did not already do so.

He looked upon Thorin with Dwalin at his right hand, and was welcomed by a nod from Dwalin and a near-smile by his stoic uncle. Fili returned it with a wide grin and bowed before his throne, "Good morning, my king," His voice was thick with mirth and even a bit of a tease could be traced in his words.

Thorin cleared his throat and greeted him, "Fili, I was hoping you would come. Today is a day for celebration after all. We have much to do."

Fili rose casually with a smirk. Today was the fifth anniversary of the reclamation of Erebor. He noted Thorin look towards the doors as if he expected someone else to be trailing Fili's wake. The prince and heir smiled warmly. Of course, given how closely Kili had once kept to him, why wouldn't Thorin expect his presence?

"Where is your brother?"

"Who, Kili?" Fili laughed, "Who knows?"

"Well, I would hope someone was keen on finding out then." Thorin huffed. "If he thinks he isn't helping with preparations, he is as mad as Bifur."

Fili simply laughed once more. All this mirth and easy peace in their lives was foreign just five short years ago. It was incredible to see how far they had come. "I'll bring him here, Uncle," Fili bowed. "That is, once I find him."

Well, there was the first Chapter! I hope you liked it! It's really short, but it is just getting the scene set! More to come, please review!