Author's Note: This fanfic is written as if the Battle of Five Armies had never happened. Basically, Thorin, Fili, and Kili survive and Smaug is defeated. Fili has a son named Kazryk. Reviews are much appreciated, and I will try to update this as often as I can. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy! (:
The autumn day was crisp and bright, and all of Erebor rejoiced. It was the Celebration Day, marking fifty years since the fall of the great worm Smaug and the reclaiming of the dwarf kingdom. Thorin had taken up position as King under the Mountain, and although his coronation had consisted only of thirteen dwarves, one hobbit, and one wizard, it had been one of the most regal crownings ever held in Middle-earth. Since then, other dwarves of Erebor had returned, and life had almost returned to the way it was before the first arrival of Smaug.
Now Kili stood just inside the entrance to the inner courtyard of the Lonely Mountain and watched the festivities. Some dwarves danced and sang while others talked amongst themselves. He smiled quietly to himself and wondered how it would have been if a battle had taken place on the doorstep of the mountain, the five armies of Men, Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, and Orcs fighting each other. Kili's thoughts were interrupted as he felt someone tug on his tunic. He turned around, searching for the culprit.
Kili startled as a small figure ran in front of him and smiled when he heard the little dwarf cry, "Uncle! Uncle Kili!"
He bent down so that he was relatively eye to eye with his nephew and said, "Good morning, Kazryk. Enjoying the festivities, eh?"
Kazryk smiled shyly. He had a flower crown atop his head, interwoven with daisies and clovers, and his golden hair had been neatly braided by his father. Kili was always surprised when he saw how much Kazryk looked like Fili. He was taller than the average dwarf, and his blue eyes shone bright and clear like a moon reflected on a crystal lake. From the moment he was born, Kazryk had taken after his father, training with a sword in place of the typical dwarven axe and growing only a small beard. Fili was proud of his son and went to great lengths to protect him.
"Uncle?" said Kazryk suddenly. "Can you teach me how to shoot? I know Father says I should focus on my swordplay, but one day, I want to be just like you." His clear blue eyes looked up at Kili eagerly.
Kili was hesitant to agree. He remembered the day when Fili had come to him, asking him to refrain from teaching Kazryk archery until he came of age. Kazryk still had many years before him until he could be seen as a real dwarf instead of as a child. "Your father is right, Kazryk." Kili said. "Focus on your swordplay. When you're older, I'll teach you archery."
Kazryk's face fell, but he nodded in reluctant agreement. "Alright, Uncle." He said quietly. "I understand." He turned away from Kili, planning to go join the festivities, when a shout rang out from the courtyard.
"Look out! There's an elf here, a spy! Catch it!"
Kili was frozen with uncertainty. Should he follow the elf or remain with his nephew and protect him? A solution was provided when Fili ran up to the pair, pausing for only a moment to catch his breath. "Kazryk, stay with me; whatever happens, don't stray. I'll protect you." Fili looked to his brother, and they held a silent conversation.
I'm trusting you to protect Uncle, Kili. Fili said, his gaze solemn.
I know, brother. Kili replied.
The guards will catch the elf. Your job is to stay by the king.
Don't worry. Thorin will be safe with me.
With a nod, Fili departed with Kazryk, heading away from the commotion. Kili took the fastest route he knew of to the King's quarters. Thorin had taken to his chambers soon after the Celebration had begun. He'd claimed that his head hurt, a result of spending the night in the tavern, but Kili knew better. Thorin missed the adventures he'd had with his company during his quest to tale back Erebor. Now he had grown old, and running the kingdom had begun to take up most of his time. Kili knew that Thorin missed the action and uncertainty that came with being hunted by Orcs and Elves.
At last Kili reached Thorin's chambers. He stopped to catch his breath and saw the door to his uncle's room standing slightly ajar. He couldn't hear anything coming from within. Perhaps Thorin had heard the commotion and gone to investigate. Just to be sure, Kili entered the room. Thorin's bedsheets were strewn across the floor, and his desk was in shambles. The room was dark, save for a single window providing a thin ray of sunlight. Kili turned in a slow circle, examining the room for clues as to what had happened to Thorin. As he began to turn to face the door, it slammed shut. He whirled to face it, and saw a dark figure standing in front of it, trapping him. As the silhouette stepped into the light, its features became more visible. It was a lady, tall and graceful. She wore a hooded cloak to conceal her face. A body lay close behind her, slumped against the wall. Kili peered into the shadows, trying to identify the form. He could see a mane of dark hair streaked with gray and a black beard. The person's hand clutched a plain band of gold, etched with ancient dwarvish runes – the king's crown. Kili gasped in fear as he realized that the unconscious figure on the floor was his uncle, Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror, King under the Mountain. His attention returned to the cloaked lady as she spoke.
"Who are you? All the rest of your people are in the courtyard celebrating. Why have you come here?"
Kili eyed her warily. What was she planning to do with Thorin? Ignoring her questions, he said, "On behalf of the king, I order you to tell me your name and intention." His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword as he awaited the stranger's response.
She sighed. "My name is Elenwen. My intention should be obvious, if you know who I am."
Kili's heart quickened in fear. Elenwen was the name mothers spoke to their children to make them behave. Legend said that Elenwen star-maiden had come from the heavens as a goddess of the Elves. They had rejected her, saying the only gods they would honor were the Valar who lived in the West. She became an exile, shunned by her kin, forced to wander the wilds of Middle-earth alone. Eventually she made her way to Saruman, The White Wizard, who had been corrupted by Sauron. He took her into his keeping and trained her in the ways of his master. She learned what magic she could and became as close to a wizard as an elf could be. When rumor of her power reached Mirkwood, the Elvenking Thranduil declared her an enemy of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth, naming her Elenwen elf-witch, and cursing her name. Hearing her new title, Elenwen vowed to never allow the ruling bloodlines of any of the Free Peoples govern in peace. From that day forth, wherever the star-maiden went, war and discontent followed soon after.
Kili realized that Elenwen had come to capture, or far worse, kill, Thorin. Taking Thorin from the throne would throw the whole kingdom in turmoil. Some dwarves would want to find the culprit, while others would most likely flee Erebor, searching for a dwarf kingdom free of Elves and Dragons. Half the kingdom of Erebor would be gone, seeking either the cause of the dethroning of Thorin or a new home. All these thoughts flashed through Kili's mind, leaving him with a single, burning word. Protect. He had to keep his king safe, no matter the cost. He would give his own life if he had to. After all, Fili was the heir to the throne, not Kili. He was unsure of how much Elenwen knew of the line of Durin. His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. All he could think of doing was to stall for time. He spoke, saying, "Thorin is of no use to you; he is old, and can only rule. He will not lead an army against you. Take me instead; I am of more worth to you than he is."
Elenwen laughed, a cold and heartless sound. "What worth are you to me, alone, Kili son of Dis? You are not the heir to this worthless throne; nor are you responsible for carrying on the bloodline of Durin. For those are the duties of your brother. Indeed, your uncle is of little value to me, as are you. I think I know now who shall be my prisoner, and who shall lose his life today."
She threw back her hood and extended her hand toward Kili. His body began to feel warm, and with a jolt he realized his time had come. He felt ashamed that he hadn't done anything to stop her, but it was too late. The heat sapped his strength, and Kili fell to his knees, bent over with his hands on the floor, gasping for breath. It felt as if there was a fire building inside him and he knew that as it grew in strength and intensity, it would eat away at him until there was naught left save for a pile of ash. He didn't dare look up at Elenwen, fearing the sight of her face would stop his heart for good. Kili imagined her to be a cruel kind of beautiful, with a pale face and eyes that shone with fire. He bowed his head, accepting his fate. Kili could feel Death approaching, its cold presence growing as his body weakened. Sweat broke out all over him, and he collapsed onto the floor; any strength he had saved was gone now. With the little breath he had left, Kili whispered, "I'm sorry."