The Spare

Still enjoying writing some dwarven tales.

This is an AU story. Centers around Thorin and his family. Still adore Thorin, but he is a bit of an ass both in the book and movie. Sorry, Thorin fans, but the dwarf has flaws like us all. This is a tale of mistakes and misunderstandings. A person is never too old to learn from mistakes and we see that not only in Thorin, but also Dis by the end of this tale.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think.

I own nothing.

Chapter One

Kili wasn't the heir. He knew that and never felt sorry for himself because of it. No. Kili could never hold anything against Fili. Fili was Thorin's rightful heir. He was his big brother. His rock. Fili represented the new generation. Hope. The golden hair and the blue eyes drew a picture of majesty just like Uncle Thorin. Kili's looks did not draw a second glance most days. The Blue Mountain dwarves were not wealthy. They did as well as to be expected, but money could be tight to come by. It was Fili who got the new tunics and boots. It was Fili who got the regal, hair ornaments. Kili was the younger brother. The spare. He got the leftovers.

"There we go," Dis instructed as she placed Fili's outgrown garments in his arms, "Everything is mended and should do for the year. Happy Begetting Day, Kili."

The boy looked at his "presents" in acceptance. It was always the same.

"Thank you, Mother," Kili offered as he held the worn clothing and hid his disappointment that once again a gift for him was someone's cast-offs, "I am glad to have a newer coat. Mine has finally ripped too much to be mended anymore."

His mother didn't notice his veiled sadness and smiled brightly at her youngest son. Kili and Dis looked up when Thorin and Fili walked into the room. Kili sighed at seeing his brother wearing a new coat. Prince Fili had to look the part. Rarely did any glance Kili's way so it didn't really matter what he looked like.

"Happy Begetting Day, Brother," Fili grinned out as Kili smiled back, "Sorry I wore my boots out from last year."

"That's okay," Kili agreed, "I can make mine last a little longer. I might even grow taller than you one day."

"You might," Fili chuckled, "You grow like a weed."

"I'll just put these away," Kili voiced seeing Thorin waiting impatiently to finish his conversation with Fili.

Kili's face fell as he left the room. He looked down at his own boots and sighed once again. The soles were thin and one had a hole since they had already been used pretty hard by Fili before the boots had been passed down to the youngest. Kili had really hoped that he could at least get a different set of boots even if the footwear had been used this year.

"I'll make do," Kili decided as he placed the garments on his bed and took a look at his new wardrobe and grimaced at how worn everything looked, "These have seen better days. No point whining. At least they aren't frayed like your other garments."

Kili appreciated everything he got, but the difference between he and his brother made him feel displaced. It was like he was there, but not there in his family.

"Like I'm a pet that you throw a bone to," Kili groaned to himself before startling as Fili entered the room.

"I'm sorry the clothes are kind of worn," Fili apologized as he regarded his old garments, "I used most of them pretty hard in training."

"No. They are fine," Kili denied plastering on a grin.

"You are disappointed," Fili commented as the younger dwarf shook his head, "I can talk to Uncle. I'm sure one outfit won't cost too much."

"No. Really. The clothes are great," Kili soothed, "I tore my old coat to the point of not being able to wear it anymore so your old coat is perfect. Plus, I've really wanted this blue tunic of yours. I was looking forward to today to get it."

"Liar," Fili chuckled before pulling out a package from his coat, "I, for one, think you should at least get one present that is yours and only yours. I got you something."

A thrill ran through Kili. Fili tried his hardest every year to make his Begetting Day special. Fili loved him as much as Kili loved his brother.

"You didn't have to," Kili gasped as Fili placed a small pouch in his hands, "Thank you."

Kili opened the pouch as Fili watched eagerly. The younger brother grinned wide at the new hair clip that sparkled in his hands. It was nearly as nice as Fili's.

"Here," Fili offered as he took the clip and pulled Kili's hair back, "I noticed that all of the ones you had finally broke since they were so old. There. What do you think?"

"I love it," Kili chirped happily while looking in a mirror on the wall, "Thank you, Fee. You shouldn't have."

"I certainly should have for the day that I was graced with a brother like you," Fili chortled, "You look good, Kee."

Spirits lifted, Kili followed his brother back to the living room and settled to hear one of Thorin's stories while the brothers' mother cooked dinner. Kili always got his favorite foods for his Begetting Day and he was looking forward to the meal.

"Kili, where did you get that clip?" Thorin demanded when they were walking to the kitchen later in the evening.

"Fili gave it to me as a present," Kili exclaimed as he turned to show the clip off, "How does it look?"

"Fili, did you use the money I gave you to get oil for your sword on that clip?" Thorin huffed ignoring his youngest nephew as Fili blushed.

"It is Kili's Begetting Day," Fili began as Kili's heart sank, "I wanted to surprise him and…"

"Enough. Kili give me the clip," Thorin ordered as Kili's eyes widened, "Do it."

Kili reached up and unclasped the clip and handed it to his uncle. He put his hands behind his back to hide the trembling as Fili was ordered to return the clip and buy the oil instead since that was more important than a frivolous gift.

"Stop spoiling your brother, Fili," Thorin ended finally as the family sat.

Kili made not a sound of complaint. There was no reason. If he complained then he was called ungrateful. He didn't know how he was being spoiled since he only got things that were old and used, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Look, Fili, chicken and potatoes. Your favorite," Dis urged as she sat the dinner before her family, "Dig in."

Kili blinked. Where was the mutton stew? He always at least got his favorite food on his Begetting Day. Was he going to be denied even that today?

"Was the butcher out of mutton, Mother?" Kili asked as a plate was set before him.

"Too expensive," Dis complained, "This is a good meal too."

"Yes, Mother," Kili agreed as he began to eat without another word as he stared down at the frayed cuff of his shirt since there was no point in arguing anyway.

Evening passed and Kili walked unhappily back to his room and looked around. Fili's old bed with his brother's old blanket. A trunk in the corner contained his practice weapons which were Fili's when new. There was little else in the room at all. He felt as much a cast off as the rest of the things he inherited.

"Just once I'd like to know what it feels like to be treated the same as Fili," Kili finally admitted to himself before startling at a knock on his door.

"We need to talk," Thorin stated as he entered the room, "I do not appreciate you allowing your brother to spoil you the way he does."

"What? I…I didn't ask for the clip, Uncle," Kili stuttered, "My old ones broke and I guess Fili decided to get me a new one as a present. I didn't even know he had bought it. I would never ask for anything. I know better."

"Yet, you accepted the gift," Thorin snorted, "You wore it in your hair."

"Uncle, I…" Kili began before shrinking back at Thorin's glare, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Good. Remember that promise," his uncle ordered as Kili watched him leave.

"You didn't acknowledge my Begetting Day or say goodnight," Kili whispered as his heart twinged, "Goodnight, Uncle."

The next day, Kili woke to a world of pouring rain. The teen dwarf sighed as he looked at his boots unhappily. Today would be a day of cold, wet feet.

"Let's see," Kili hummed as he looked his boots over and finally grabbed some scraps of leather and lined the bottom of the boots, "Maybe this will work."

Kili stood and dressed in one of his new outfits. Sighing once again, he regarded himself in the mirror. The clothes had been made to fit Fili and didn't really sit well on Kili's slenderer form.

"No helping it," Kili decided as he brushed his hair and held it back with a leather thong, "Not like anyone who matters notices me anyway."

Kili walked downstairs and frowned at the feel of the leather in his boots. There was little room in the things as it was and the newest addition to try to keep dampness out was making the boots uncomfortable to walk in.

"Why are you limping?" Dis asked as he walked into the kitchen.

"Stiff from sleep," Kili lied as he gave an exaggerated stretch, "Good morning, Mother."

"Morning, Kili," Dis answered cheerily, "Dearest, I do not have enough sausage for everyone today. Can you make do with eggs and toast alone like I am doing?"

"Yes, Mother," Kili agreed since this was something he had been asked many times in his short life.

Kili sighed silently and watched his Uncle and brother walk into the room in deep discussion about whatever a prince and his heir speaks about. The youngest watched as plates of food with two plump sausages each were placed in front of Thorin and Fili while he got the usual lesser fare. Kili eyed his plate without complaint and merely ate his share.

"Where's Kee's sausages?" Fili asked suddenly when he noticed his younger brother's plate.

"I didn't want any," Kili lied for the second time in the morning, "It's fine, Fili."

"You love sausage," Fili denied as he frowned and placed his second link on his brother's plate, "Have one of mine."

"Really, Fili, I'm still stuffed from last night," Kili lied some more as he noticed Thorin narrowing his eyes so he quickly placed the sausage back on his brother's plate, "Here. Eat up. Seriously, I ate like a pig last night."

Fili studied Kili's face carefully as the youngest tried to make himself look earnest. The younger was glad when his brother finally nodded and went back to eating his meal. A thrill passed through Kili when his uncle gave him a look of approval.

"I actually made Thorin happy for once," Kili crowed to himself in his mind while his family ate breakfast around him, "I'm so glad. It's nice to be looked at with approval instead of disappointment for a change."

Finally, it was time for Kili to leave for his lessons with Master Denan and the rest of the dwarflings in the community. Fili was taught special by Master Balin and didn't have to go out in the abysmal weather today.

"Stay dry," Fili joked as Kili pulled on his frayed cloak.

"Right," Kili dryly quipped as he opened the door and wilted for a moment, "I hate rain."

"I know," Fili murmured, "Hurry quickly. Have a good day, Kee."

Kili waved cheerfully before trudging out into the elements. Sure enough if his boots did not fill with water immediately and his cloak allowed rain drops through since it had been mended so much over time.

"Look. It's the Pauper Prince," a voice called as Kili cursed softly under his breath and looked up to see some of his classmates going by with ease in their thick cloaks and newer boots.

"I'm not a pauper, Lud," Kili denied as he continued walking, "I'm the youngest so I get my brother's hand-me-downs. That's all. That is your brother's tunic under your cloak. I'm no different."

"I don't get hand-me-downs that should be burned instead of worn anymore," Lud chirped back as his cronies laughed around him, "My mother only gives me the pieces that are almost new. I've never seen dwarves without proper, hair ornaments either. Must mean that my family cares more for me than yours feels for you."

Kili stiffened and stopped as the very sentiments that he had been harboring deep down was voiced from his greatest nemesis.

"Perhaps," Kili choked out finally as his heart broke at admitting his own thoughts while Lud frowned at the lack of fight in the other dwarf, "I…I can only hope that you are…that you are wrong."

The other dwarfs parted when Kili pushed by them. Kili usually grew angry and fought hard against Lud or anyone else who crossed him. This was the first time he had agreed with their spiteful words. Lud himself frowned in confusion. This wasn't the Kili he knew and enjoyed teasing.

"Good morning, Kili," Master Denan greeted as the youth entered the building used for the school and sat to empty his boots of water, "Did you not tighten your laces properly this morning?"

"I guess I didn't," Kili lied once again as Lud walked by and glanced over and then away quickly.

"Slow down a little and follow through with a task to be more efficient," Denan offered as Kili nodded and pulled his soaked boots back on, "Let's take out our history books."

Morning crept towards lunch and finally the young dwarves were given free time to go home and get some lunch.

"You lied," Lud blurted as Kili pulled on his soaked cloak, "Your laces were fine. It's the damn boots themselves that are letting in the water."

"Doesn't matter," Kili agreed without rising to the challenge again, "I'll get better ones later."

The thing was Lud was correct. The boots were a problem and by the time the school day was over the cold dampness that had stayed with Kili made him feel pretty lousy. The youngster was cold and stiff and ended up doing horribly at the weapons training in the afternoon.

"Take these," a rough voice ordered as Kili began gathering his practice weapons after the training was over.

Kili blinked at a pair of boots that were thrust in his face while he was stooped to the ground. He looked up to see Lud holding the pair out to him.

"I can't take these," Kili gasped looking up in surprise, "I…I thank you very much, Lud, but my boots are fine right now."

"Lies," Lud sniped pushing the boots on Kili, "I grew out of these last month and I'm the youngest so no one else to pass these to. You've been limping in your boots all day. Just take them. Bye."

Kili blinked once again as Lud stomped away. He looked at the boots in his hands and felt ashamed that Lud was giving him something like he was a charity case. He also felt very warm that someone…anyone cared enough to do this for him. Kili looked at his boots on his feet and finally pulled the things off and tried on the new ones.

"They fit," Kili sighed as his feet felt warm and his toes weren't cramped anymore, "I hope nobody notices at home."

However, Thorin did notice right away and demanded to know where Kili had gotten the boots from.

To be continued…