Loyalty, Honor and a Willing Heart

The Hobbit characters are copyrighted to JRR Tolkien and used without permission only for the entertainment of fans. This follows my "Durin Line Endures" plot, an AU of the BOTFA and beyond. Any dwarf ceremonies are of my own invention.

One

Fili closed the book and frowned deeply.

It was finally upon them. Within the next night, the starts of the coronation would begin. He had studied it before, as a child, but he had to admit that imagining himself going under these tasks had never felt real to him. Oh, not that he and Kili had not played games surrounding their uncle being crowned, nor the prospect of being Princes, but to be suddenly faced with it as a reality was an entirely new concept.

Being called Prince of Erebor during the King Select had been weird enough but now it would be an entire ceremony, a statement of his vow to the kingdom, taking of his own crown…

Standing up, Fili sighed and crossed the room, coming to a stop before the mantelpiece by his uncle's bed. Much as he normally would be brooding in his own room, the timing made spending time in the royal chambers seem much more appropriate. As soon as everyone was gathered and the evening meal was done, the official preparation would begin.

Being alone was not on his list of things to do right now. His uncle had seemed convinced that he was going to take off after Kili any moment now and he had told him that he should spend his time studying the protocol instead of stewing.

He had not…considered it, maybe!.. but not actually done it.

Besides, Kili was supposed to be back with Mahnar any time now.

Good, he needed something to occupy his mind.

"How fares your thoughts, Fili?"

Turning, he smiled, grateful to see someone besides his uncle. Balin trotted into the room, formal as ever but with a warm smile. He had said he would be checking in and his uncle was likely still with Dwalin, sparring.

"Balin. Did Uncle send you to check on me?" He gestured to the closed book. "I think my brother would fare more from a review of the Coronation procedure, not me."

Chuckling, leaning against the mantle as he approached, Balin countered, "Laddie, both of you could use with a good refresher course and we'll find time for that once Kili returns. The real start of this coronation does not begin until sundown."

Fili nodded, nervously, then shifted from Balin and back to the mantelpiece in front of him.

There were three crowns, the larger one in the center and the smaller ones to the side. He had seen the larger one on Thorin's head when they first took Erebor but he had not worn it since. Proper procedure and all that. Within two days' time, his uncle would finally bear it as it was meant to be: an insignia for the King.

The two smaller crowns were not known to him. He had known that as princes, they would be crowned but seeing the crown before him was something else entirely. He had never heard of it in any of their old stories or songs.

Reluctantly, he lifted it from the cushion on which it sat and let the light hit it. It was clearly designed with the king's crown in mind, though smaller and instead of being made of grey and silver metals like Thorin's, Fili found his crown to be primarily gold and amber. The latter was surprising. Gold was always abundant for dwarves but amber, requiring trees, was harder to come across. He had seen little of it in the treasury.

The motif of the raven, a symbol of Erebor, was still present but there were also sapphires amid the sides. Blue had always been the color of Durin's Line. Thorin had declared that any clothing for the ceremony would be decked in blue. No surprise that the crowns held blue. It was a sight to behold and a little heavier in hand than Fili had suspected. The raw craftsmanship in it was awe-inspiring.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Balin smiled as Fili set the crown down. "Thorin took seven times to get them to where he liked them and I still dare say he was not entirely satisfied."

Turning sharply and abruptly, Fili gaped, "Un..Uncle made these?"

Chuckling, Balin picked up the second crown, which held similar patterns save for the metal choice being silver and white gold and the same blue sapphires sparkling about the edge. "Aye, he did. Such is tradition, laddie. The crown of the king is passed down through the generations but for the heirs, the Princes and the Princesses, those are always made as a gift from the king to his successors." He set Kili's crown down and smiled again at the golden circlet Fili held in trembling hands. "Your mother's rests in the treasury until she returns. Your Uncle Frerin's will be placed in the crypts as a reminder of his great bravery and status. I'd say Thorin means to declare how very highly he thinks of you and your brother for all to see."

Fili had known that, he had always known that but still to look upon the crowns and know his uncle had poured his own sweat and blood into it…he felt very humbled. Moreso when Balin spoke out again,

"Thorin tried to find a mithril vein or enough of a supply to utilize that but such a thing is rare to locate, even for a king." Balin advised as Fili set the crown back on its resting place. "He spoils you boys, a bit, I'd wager."

Fili gave a small smile, though slightly forced. "Is Uncle still with your brother?" Changing the subject back to the topic on his mind was a bit abrupt but it would be foolish for them both to pretend it was not bothering them.

Nodding, the older dwarf affirmed "Aye. It is something to occupy them both until Kili returns, which should be any time now."

Scoffing, Fili folded his arms. "Why did he send Kili? It was an invitation to the coronation sent by tradition and duty, nothing more. But…why send Kili, especially after what that uslukhul rekhzel-"

"Fili, son of Kalin and Dis, your tongue knows better manners than that." Balin's tone, while not shouted or screamed, carried immense weight to it. "I do not blame your anger at Tauriel—"

"She should have told him no from the start." Fili spat. "What right did she have to lead him on? To tease his heart like that? It's cruel!" He folded his arms. "I will apologize to have soiled your ears, Balin though I can guarantee you that Uncle has said far worse."

The elder shook his head though he did not argue the fact. "Fili, I know the desire to protect your brother is strong and admirable. The Line of Durin has always been strong to family but within you and your uncle's lines, even more so."

"Of course." Fili argued. "Family is something that Mahal blessed us with to keep us strong, in both body and mind."

"Aye, you know your lessons well, laddie." Balin allowed the praise but added "All the same, know when that love is blinding your vision. What did your brother have to say about Tauriel?"

Sighing heavily and folding his arms tighter as he leaned against the wall, Fili confessed, "He does not blame her. He has come to terms with it, so he says."

Nodding, stroking his beard in thought, Balin countered "But you have not. Nor has your uncle if his strikes against Dwalin in the sparring yard are any indication."

Fili knew that his uncle had been getting out his own frustration. He also recalled, in detail, the sharp curses that had left Thorin's lips when he had reported the event to Fili after that meeting. "I don't think I ever will, Balin." He admitted. "She hurt my brother and it was a deep hurt. I never forgave any of the other lasses, save Sunna because her rejection was done with care. Kili's heart has been thrashed enough. I don't understand why Uncle would send Kili as an ambassador to Mirkwood. Kili, of all dwarves! Was he drunk?"

"Many things I was, sister-son, but drunk was not one of them." The answer from behind Fili would have probably startled most but despite the sharpness of both the tone and the entry, there was no anger in it. The blond haired prince turned and greeted his uncle with a nod as he and Dwalin entered the chambers, each one of them still dripping sweat and smelling of dust.

Pouting a little, Fili offered a cloth to first his uncle then Dwalin before saying "If you weren't then why send Kili, especially when that—"

"Mind your tongue, sister-son." Thorin warned lightly. "You are hardly too old for me to retame that mouth."

Dwalin coughed, something along the line of 'ore calling its stone hard' but he said nothing else and Fili reworded his statement without much more fuss.

"After the pain Tauriel" he still put as much poison into that name as he could manage, "put Kili through, why did you send Kili as the ambassador to Mirkwood, Uncle? I know we have to invite any potential allies but why use Kili?"

"It was hardly my choice." Thorin retorted, and the truth was clear in the way his words strained. "Kili insisted."

Blinking a bit and taken aback, Fili countered. "Insisted? Why…"

Sighing heavily, Thorin remarked, "He insisted to me that he needed to know for himself that he had pushed beyond her. That his longing for her had died. He is far too hard on himself and he was adamant that he face her alone."

"You sent him to Mirkwood alone?!"

"Give yer uncle credit, boy." Dwalin insisted. "Thorin isn't daft."

Nodding, Thorin agreed, "Aye, that was one factor that I did not relent on. I told him that while I did not think this necessary, I would not bar him from going but I would not allow him to go without aid. Bofur, Dori and Mahnar went with him and Nori and Gloin wait by the edge of forest for any sign of foul play,"

Dwalin lay a hand on Fili's shoulder. "And if it's any consolation laddie, your uncle was damn near ready to ride off himself except your stubborn ol' brother insisted against it."

Shaking his head, Fili remarked, "Kili takes after Amad too much sometimes."

Chuckling, Thorin admitted "You both are at times, my boy." He shook his head, "Much as I wish he had not insisted, I will not deny him the chance if it is what he desires."

Fili narrowed his eyes, "And if she reduces him to tears again? Forgive me if I do not think very highly of her choices regarding my brother's heart."

Balin nodded, "I suspect your brother knows how to manage himself, Fili. He may be a bit impulsive but he would not have asked to go if he was not sure he could handle what might be given to him. You know him best, my boy. Your brother is no fool."

Allowing a bit of wisdom to coat his anger, Fili gave a huff of resignation, "No. No, despite what he puts on sometimes, Kili isn't a fool. But he can be gullible. Not as much as he used to be," he offered to Thorin and Dwalin's looks, "But especially with his heart, I worry for him."

Thorin offered a strong hand on his nephew's shoulder "Aye, as do I but we can only wait. They are due back within the next few hours and we can see for ourselves how he fared."

"And if he fares poorly?"

"Well, then I suspect we should tell King Thranduil to not utilize the maid for any delegations, for her own health's sake."

OOO

"See? You got a knack for diplomacy after all, laddie!"

Kili smiled, despite himself and give Bofur a half nudge, "If that was successful then I'd hate to see a failure." He meant that. The coldness of King Thranduil had been nearly tangible and Kili was fairly certain he had stumbled all over his words like a blabbering idiot before he got out the invitation correctly. Uncle Thorin had trained both him and Fili in the manner of conduct to other kingdoms and while his mind had known it, apparently, his tongue had forgotten.

Or Mahal found some amusement in his embarrassment.

Dori chuckled and adjusted his grip on his own ram. "Why? You obtained their attendance at the coronation, didn't you?" He offered this as comfort, knowing all too well that for all his antics, Kili had never been very upfront with his confidence. It was the disadvantage of being hounded so often for his appearance. The mask Kili wore of confidence was a good one but Dori had known the lad since he was clinging to Thorin's knee. He saw the mask slip several times in those eyes.

Turning to face him, the younger Prince of Erebor wrinkled his nose. "Did I? It felt more like he was just appeasing me."

"You got words out of him and rather nicely spoken at that," Dori responded quickly. "That's more than most get from the Elven King." Thranduil may not have accepted the invitation for himself but at least he had been polite, or at least as polite as that old goat could be.

Well, there was certainly no denying that. "I suppose but he isn't even going to come. He's going to send his son but didn't Uncle want the King?" That was what you were supposed to aim for with an invitation, the King!

Laughing, Bofur remarked "I'd wager this is best for everyone involved, laddie."

Mahnar spoke out, having been eyeing the cheerful dwarves for some time. "Please, Bofur. Kili is presenting as a Prince on this mission. Using that title or Your Highness should be utilized."

Bofur just laughed louder. "Mahnar, I may call him 'laddie' until the day he dies. It's hard to think of him otherwise when I saw him grow up from such a little thing."

Kili suspected he should have been a bit insulted but he couldn't argue facts. Besides, titles had never meant much to him or his brother. Though, Bofur and the others did insist on using Thorin's title but their uncle was much more traditional. "Mahnar, it's fine. I grew up with these two. Besides, we aren't exactly in a ceremony right now."

"No," the Dwarf Prince-Guard admitted with a nod "But we soon will be, within the next few days and it will hardly do to have you called 'laddie' then, now will it?"

"Dori and Bofur know how ceremonies work. All of the Company does." Kili retorted "And if I'm Prince like you're saying and I say it's fine, then it's fine, isn't it?"

Silenced and rebuked, Mahnar nodded and refocused his eyes ahead. If Kili said that it was fine, then he would have to accept that. He could certainly disagree with it but he had little other say in the matter.

Bofur gave Kili a smile of thanks and the younger dwarf just nodded. Far as he was concerned, asking any of the Company to call him by his title was like asking his Uncle to call him by his title. It made no sense. You didn't spend months on a journey with a group and not grow close to them. The fact that they had known all of them except Bilbo quite well from the Blue Mountains just added a layer of strength to that convection.

"I suspect that your Uncle and ol' Balin will have a lot to talk to you and your brother about when we get back" Bofur offered amid the quiet of the forest. "This was the last invite we had to give, after all." He chuckled, "Who'd have thought Bilbo had such a silver tongue? Thorin sent him to talk to Bard and I swear I never thought I'd see such an enthusiastic acceptance!"

Dori smiled warmly, "Bilbo has a way with words, Bofur. It comes from being well read." He added with a slight puff of his chest. "Ori is quite similar! Why, if you could have seen his face when Balin asked him to serve as official scribe during the ceremony…"

Kili let them prattle on and kept a smile to his lips despite his racing thoughts. He knew that this eve would start the coronation practices and it would take a day and night before they truly got to the ceremony itself. He had learned about it as a child but he had to admit that thinking about it made his stomach twitch.

Dori, as was his way, caught on. "Nervous, lad?"

Snorting a little, Kili eyed him slightly, "I don't think any sane dwarf wouldn't be."

Bofur reached over, gently ruffled his hair affectionately, "You'll do fine, Laddie."

"Yeah, keep telling me that, Bofur." The reply was sharp, sharper than they expected and Dori's eyes focused slightly at the bite of it. Kili was young but despite how he and his brother could tease and play around, that kind of sharpness was rather alien for him. Dis and Thorin had been very stern with making sure the boys were raised with manners.

"Kili. What else weighs on your mind?" The tease was gone and instead there was genuine concern.

Shifting his eyes slightly to meet Dori's, Kili considered not talking for a long moment then said, "Well, I don't know if I can do the ceremony, not like we're supposed to anyway."

Bofur answered, adjusting his hat a little "Aw, laddie, ol' Balin will make sure everyone knows what they're doing. Just listen and you'll do fine."

"Not what I mean, Bofur."

Dori advised "Then, what do you mean, Kili?"

Again, silence a long moment and if Kili had not grown up with these two dwarves, he might have left it at that. But after growing up around them and the way they had charged forward into battle after him and his family, without a thought towards their own safety, how could he deny them their answers?

"My leg's healed and so has Fili's side but kneeling, staying in some place for too long always aggravates it. Uncle needs me to be strong when they do the ceremony. To appear strong when he gives me my titles and crown. And our ceremonies are always so Mahal-damned long! Kneeling as long as I'll need to…I dunno if I'll be able to stand again."

Now it all made sense.

Dori offered the younger dwarf a knowing smile "If I know your family and I think I know them well, your uncle can find a solution for this."

Bofur leaned over, ever so slightly "But that does require you to TELL him, you know? Thorin can read you boys like a scroll but he needs a hand up sometimes."

Dori added with a knowing sparkle in his eyes, "And I can guarantee that if Thorin is to find out the hard way, he will not be as forgiving." He added "I have no intent on getting in his way if he decides to let you know just how much he disapproves of being left in the dark either."

Kili could hardly argue that. He could almost hear his uncle now. "Fili and I will tell him when we get back." His statement was short and he did mean to talk to Fili about it. He meant to talk to Fili about a great many things. "We'll figure it out." He set his eyes upward, scanning the trees again. He saw ice covered branches, a lack of birds, an overall feeling of foreboding.

Nothing. Nothing that he wanted to see.

"Don't see the attraction of these things," Bofur remarked, looking up at the trees after Kili's gaze. "Much as these elves toy around in them, you'd think they'd be a bit more welcoming." He shook his head, "Don't see the appeal, myself."

Occasionally, there was a whisper of the tree and branch and the three dwarves would look upward or about, weapons drawn. The darkness of Mirkwood was still all too present and the attacks by a few spiders, both to and from the fortress of the King did little to calm nerves. "Had them under control, he said" Kili couldn't help but quirk when the Palace had not been out of sight for two minutes before the two large creatures had dropped down. They had been easily dispatched but it certainly did not embark feelings of confidence.

Being closer to the border and thus, towards home, was helpful but nerves forged by war and battle remained pulled taut.

"I don't see any signs of spiders, as of yet." Mahnar reported. He was trying to do his job, as best he could but truth be told, spiders had always creeped him out. He hoped the slight tremble had not entered his voice. "Perhaps we have passed into the more patrolled areas of the forest."

That was possible. After all, did not the Woodland King go on and on about how maintaining a strong defense was important especially in the dead of winter and naturally, he would not be able to attend the coronation of his neighbor but 'will send my son with my blessings and good fortune?'

However, with the prospect of heavily patrolled areas came another question and Kili asked his guards-man such.

"You still don't see her?"

Mahnar tried not to be irritable but given he had been asked this question many a time to and from the Palace, it was hard not to. Reminding himself that this was his Prince and thus under his protection did not help too much. Mahnar had told himself long ago that while he could like and appreciate the Royal Family, he could not be a guard for them and have a deep bond with them. Kili made that difficult and the desperation in his voice more so.

All the same, Kili's tone made it very hard not to slap him.

Taking a deep inhale, Mahnar pushed his dark hair back over his shoulder and rubbed his beard a moment for comfort. The two other members of their party, Bofur and Dori, were not helping, keeping silent. "No, Prince Kili. As King Thranduil said, Lady Tauriel is patrolling. Perhaps we will encounter her a ways on." He felt inclined to add "Perhaps, my Prince, she does not wish to—"

Urging his battle ram onward, Kili nodded and looked around, into the trees. He had no idea why he was so set on seeing Tauriel. He had not lied to his Uncle when he said he thought he was over her. That had been truthful. He had been keeping his mind occupied and his family's support and reassurance was always comforting. Thinking over their interactions had certainly revealed little understanding of one another though there had definitely been respect.

That's why it was important for him to see her, to make sure. He needed to be sure.

He heard Bofur and Dori calling after him as well as poor Mahnar nearly having a heart attack when he pushed his way out of their sight. He knew they meant well but hearing Mahnar just dismiss his concerns was really getting under his skin. He knew he was just trying to help but it was doing the opposite. He didn't want to hear that Tauriel was purposely avoiding him, nor about why it wasn't important.

He wanted to know for certain and he knew the only way that he would know is if he saw her, if he spoke with her, if—

"Prince Kili."

Shifting his eyes upward, he spied the elf maiden and a series of scouts in the trees above them. He pulled his ram to a halt, falling still and waited.

He didn't have to wait long as the red haired elf dropped before him, with three other elves following soon after. They kept their weapons drawn but they did not level them which was an improvement from their entrance into the wood.

And there she was. Long hair blowing, eyes focused. Still lovely, still beautiful and strong.

Kili let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding.

She was still the brave elven lass that had caught his eye (and yes, she was still beautiful) but that deep longing was no longer there. He had a sense of loss, of what might have been, but he looked upon her and his heart did not burn. His uncle and brother's words and reassurances had soothed the wound and now, he was thrilled to discover, it had healed.

He was glad to see her, but as a friend is glad to see another and nothing more.

Bowing low, he greeted her "Lady Tauriel."

The elf lady returned the gesture, "Prince Kili. I hear congratulations are in order for your kingdom. A coronation at last."

Nodding, he addressed her "It's been a long time coming but yes. We'll begin tomorrow night and guests will come for the ceremony the next day. Prince Legolas has said he will come. I…will you as well, Tauriel?"

The red haired elf seemed surprised. "I…would love to, Prince Kili—"

"Just Kili." He interrupted her. "Too formal."

Dori, Bofur and Mahnar finally caught up, with Mahnar nearly red with frustration. "Prince Kili!"

"Just Kili!" the Prince demanded again, groaning out loud before turning back to the collection of elves. "I don't know how many times I have to tell him…"

Bofur and Dori locked sights with Tauriel and for a moment, there was a raw anger in their eyes, one that burned and boiled but just as it came, it disappeared. Dori shook his head and Bofur blinked once or twice with a deep inhale and then Dori gave her a nod. "Lady Tauriel. Kili has wanted to meet up with you."

"Insistently." Bofur added with a slight nudge to Kili's shoulder. "Least now he'll finally shut up."

Mahnar again looked to Bofur with discontent but said nothing.

Turning his attention back to Tauriel, Kili offered "I want to make it clear that there is nothing but friendship between us, despite the misunderstanding. Will you attend the coronation?"

The elven lass considered a long moment. There was uneasiness with the two other elves but to their credit, they stayed back and stayed silent. They had no say in this, despite their personal feelings.

Tauriel took a moment more, eyes closed in thought then said "I do not doubt your intent, Kili but I doubt I would be welcomed among your Uncle or brother."

Dori coughed lightly in agreement and Bofur muffled his 'one way of puttin' it' but Kili insisted "I can invite who I will. Both you and Prince Legolas were vital to us in the battle. I think it's proper you both come!"

Smiling brightly, she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, she stated, "Then, I will gladly come, mellon."

Grinning, Kili offered "As we will be glad to have you, Baha."

Mahnar looked at Kili with shock and bit his lower lip to stop his tongue. Using Khuzdul among elves. It was unheard of. Even in the coronation, it would be done in Westron because of the non-dwarven guests. How could his prince do so…so…freely?

Tauriel gave a bow in farewell to the other dwarves "I hope to see you all then. I shall prepare tonight and see you soon."

With nary a sigh more, the elves vanished into the branches and were gone.

Letting out a deep breath, Kili smiled and said, "NOW we can go home."

OOO

"Did you have to invite her?"

Giving his elder brother a look, Kili shifted his eyes from the very large collection of scrolls in front of him. "I didn't have to. I chose to." He pushed aside one scroll and picked up another.

Scowling, flopping down next to his sibling, Fili offered "I don't know why. She is hardly worthy of it after what she did."

"Fili. I swear you and Uncle are cut from the same ore." He nudged the dwarf in the arm, slightly. "I say I'm fine with it. Can't you accept that?"

Huffing, Fili retorted "I'll be civil, make no guarantees for Uncle but I can promise you that I'll show her manners but only for your sake and for no other reason."

"I can accept that." He reached over and plucked the mug from his brother's hand "With this generous offering of course."

Fili scowled and considered taking it back but given the fragile scrolls around them…no, last thing they needed was a wrestling match to turn into crumbled history. He and Kili could be more mature than THAT, surely.

"You were right," Kili spoke out. "About what the scrolls said."

"Come again?" Fili cupped a hand around his ear "Surely, you cannot be saying 'you were right?""

"Moron," Kili elbowed him, though gently, being mindful of the tender side he knew still existed despite how Fili tried to hide it. "I'm not going to say it again." He meant what he said though. Fili had always had an eye for where to find answers.

"We should talk to Uncle about the ceremony," Kili advised, remembering Dori's advice and opting to address it before he lost his nerve…or forgot, truthfully with so much being prepared and going on. "And about…well, my leg and your side…"

"There's nothin' wrong with my side, not anymore!"

"Ushrag." Kili all but spat. "You know as well as I do that if you stand or sit or crouch too long that moving makes that wound act up. Just like my leg." He moved the scroll in front of him and grabbed another one. "I told Dori about it today and he thinks we should tell Uncle. BEFORE the ceremony."

"Why?" Fili hissed, lowering his voice. Thorin had been called away before Kili returned but he should have been back at any moment. He would NOT be caught talking about such a thing! "We're meant to be representations of his kingdom, of the strength of Durin's Line!"

"And how is it going to look if we kneel and can't get back up?" The younger brother argued back, just as fierce. "Pretending it won't happen doesn't do magic, Fili! I know I'm not a good student like you are—"

"You COULD be—"

"BUT" Kili stressed. "Even I know that the rules for coronation are long as elvish vanity. Especially since we're gonna be crowned as Uncle's heirs…both of us…you know that means they have to recite our relation to Durin the Deathless right? ALL the way back?"

Fili cursed. He'd all but forgotten about that part. Even Balin, who did not mince words, would not be able to do it in faster than an hour. An hour of sitting on his knees, head bowed. Kili was right. His side would protest when he stood. Lying about it to himself would just make him a fool. Pretending otherwise would make him look a fool.

All in all, looked like he was a fool. He rubbed his side, cursing that orc's spear blow and the scarred tissue.

"See?" Kili prodded when Fili didn't give a verbal response but kept his head down. "You know it and I know it."

"So? I was trying not to think about it."

"So?" Kili groaned. "Aren't you supposed to be comforting and wise big brother?"

A light chuckle. "I'm wisdomed out right now."

"Dori said we should talk to Uncle. He said that Uncle would be seething if he found out the hard way." Kili shrugged "Can't say he's wrong."

"No." Fili agreed, a mental shudder at the image that created. "No, he's not."

Smiling a little, Kili laid a hand on his sibling's shoulder and squeezed lightly. "Dori can be a little smothering…"

"A little?"

"Okay, a lot but he gives good advice." Leaning back a bit, Kili eyed his brother. "And he gives a nice arm up if you need heavy lifting done."

"Just like Bombur never fails to fill your belly?"

"Hey! He said it was normal for me to wanna eat so much. Said my body is getting ready for its Inner Carving soon."

Fili gave a light sympathetic smile "Aye, he's right. Remember how he used to bring over treats all the time at Ered Luin?"

"We ALL appreciated those, Nadad!"

Oh, it was the truth. No one could cook like Bombur. Just like no one could make them laugh like Bofur or provide a silent ear to listen like Bifur or give probably-not-smart-but-relatable ideas like Nori and help with studies like Ori and yes, give good advice like Dori. The two brothers had discussed this before, usually amid teasing and grins and lots of ale and jabs at others expense but always with good heart.

Now, looking over the scrolls again, Kili asked, seriousness bleeding into his tone. "I think it's a good idea and I'll stand by you when we say it…I'll help you say it." He gave no indication that they were not speaking of their conditions nor of their ability to stand strong and straight any more but Fili, as always, understood. He lay a finger on the scroll, rereading what he had read numerous times since they came to Erebor and then lifted eyes to his nervous brother.

Laying a grip to his sibling's forearm, Fili nodded, "We'll each have our own say once all is said and done. We will proclaim it proudly. And…" He eyed his sibling a little then rubbed his side, subconsciously "And perhaps it would be wise to listen to Dori. We should speak with Uncle before the beginning of the proceedings tonight."

"Speak with me about what?"

OOOOOO

Khuzdul Translations:

uslukhul rekhzel: dragon like demon of all demons

Baha: Friend

Ushrag: Liar

Nadad: Brother

Elvish Translations:

Mellon: Friend