Happy birthday Maigleggal!

So this was planned as a birthday one-shot for Maigleggal, but as always with the Durin boys, this story turned out differently and longer than expected (I'm on page 8 now and Kíli hasn't had his birthday cake yet!), that's why this is going to be a multi-chapter story instead.

It's a bit different from my other stories when it comes to the style of writing, I think, and it's also less dramatic ;) Instead I tried to add some humour and of course lots of brotherly moments, so please tell me what you think!

Set before The Hobbit starts, so no spoilers whatsoever. Hints of Fíli/OC (I hope you like the name of the OC, Maigleggal^^) but just K-rated.


A not so average birthday

1. A surprise in the morning

Kíli, son of Dís, woke up to the sound of his mother singing. For a few seconds he remained in the mysterious state between dream and reality, and only slowly he woke up completely. But then his eyes widened and he smiled broadly – for it was not a usual day today. It was his birthday!

Now in case you aren't familiar with the way dwarves celebrate their birthdays, let me tell you that it's actually not very different from how you do it. Dwarves love a good feast and a splendid meal, and they seize every opportunity to invite friends and relatives to throw the most epic birthday party in history – until the next birthday, of course. Kíli didn't expect any less from his special day, and that is why he was very excited when he jumped out of his cosy bed and ran into the kitchen.

"Good morning, love!"exclaimed his mother and pulled him into a close hug. "I wish you a very happy birthday, my son! Thirty years, by Mahal, you'll be of age in no time!"

"Well, I can't wait!" replied Kíli with a smile. It was then that he noticed a certain absence that made him feel uncomfortable. Where was his older brother, Fíli? It was usually his brother who woke him up on his birthday, and the fact that he wasn't there troubled Kíli more than he liked to admit.

"Mother, where is Fíli?"

"I think he went out before I woke up," said his mother, steering her youngest into a chair at the kitchen table. "I'm sure he will be back soon."

"It's my birthday, he ought to be here," Kíli grumbled with a pout that made him look much younger than thirty years.

"Have something to eat, now, will you? You're way too skinny, my boy, you grow tall too fast. You might even be taller than Fíli by now!"

"I've heard that!"

Kíli's head shot up when he heard the familiar voice. Fíli was there! The blonde dwarf entered the kitchen, wearing a grin as broad as his shoulders and obviously hiding something behind his back.

"Fíli!" the youngest yelled excitedly, "Where have you been?"

"Well, I got held up," said the older one, crossing the distance between himself and his little brother with two giant leaps. "Happy birthday, brother! Here –" he held out something wrapped in paper, "I hope you'll like that!"

"Oh, what is it?"

"Open it, stupid," mocked Fíli, which earned him a slap on the head from his mother.

Kíli didn't waste any time and tore the paper apart. What he discovered made him gasp, for it was a bow and five arrows. Not just any ordinary bow, mind you, but the most beautiful one the young dwarf had ever seen. The wood was strong and smooth, with rune carvings and metallic edges. Kíli had never had his own bow before, since dwarves were usually trained to fight with swords and axes rather that bow and arrow, which were considered Elvish weapons – and I don't need to tell you that dwarves were highly suspicious of everything that came from that mostly disliked folk! But Kíli had found out very early that the weapon he felt most comfortable with was a bow, even though he had practised with swords and axes ever since he'd turned 20. He had even been quite good at it, as his uncle Thorin never forgot to remind him of, but swinging a sword or wielding an axe had never come as naturally to him as bending a bow. It had taken some time and a lot of convincing from Fíli's side until eventually Thorin had allowed his youngest nephew to practise with a bow and arrows regularly. And Kíli was determined to prove to his uncle that he hadn't made a bad decision.

Now Kíli was staring in awe at his present, for the bow was nothing like any training weapon he'd ever had in his hands. He could tell that this bow was perfect in every detail, perfectly balanced as it lay in his hand, and Kíli could feel his fingertips tingling with anticipation.

"Oh Fíli, this is the best present ever!" he called out, eyes beaming as he hugged his older brother before he turned to his mother. "Mother, can we go out and test it?"

He didn't really need to ask, because Dís had already known that there would be no holding back for her youngest now, and she nodded with a smile on her face.

"I expect you home for lunch, though, boys. You won't want to miss your birthday meal, Kíli, and I don't want to explain to our guests that you got lost in the woods, either. Fíli, I'm trusting you to be responsible, don't do anything reckless and above all..."

"Look out for Kíli, yes mother, I now," Fíli finished for her, rolling his eyes and laid his hand onto Dís' shoulder. "No need to remind me every time."

"Let's go!" Kíli yelled impatiently, and before Dís could say anything else, her two sons were out of the door. She watched them as they ran rather than walked down the path that led to the forest. She hated to admit it to herself, but even though her sons were almost grown up, she still worried about them as if they were toddlers. It didn't exactly help that both seemed to attract all kinds of trouble, Kíli even more so than Fíli, which had her fetch Óin, the healer, more often than she could count.

With a sigh she turned around and went back to the kitchen. She only had a couple of hours before her home would be crowded with hungry birthday guests, so she could as well distract her worried mind and start preparing the meal.

Kíli and Fíli soon reached the city gates, and they passed several dwarves on their way towards the forest.

"Hello Kíli! And Fíli!" dwarves shouted from everywhere, waving and laughing as they watched the two hurrying down the road, for Thorin's young heirs were very popular among them, although some of the older dwarves liked to point out that they both had a streak of recklessness upon them that would be no good if they kept going like this. Most of the dwarves didn't find anything wrong with young dwarves being daring and adventurous, though, because it was only natural for a dwarfling and after all, if you wanted to hide behind safe walls and never leave home, you might as well live with the hobbits.

At the city's gates Kíli and Fíli almost bumped into a girl who was walking in the same direction. They had been so excited that they hadn't even noticed her until Kíli stopped at the last second, nearly knocking her down when he skidded to a halt.

"Hey, easy there!" the girl laughed, and Kíli smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you, it's my birthday you know, and I really need to try out my present, and..."

He was cut short by his brother.

"Quit the babbling, Kee, let's get going," he said rather roughly.

"Oh, but hello Fíli!" the girl called out. "My, I haven't seen you in a while, where have you been? Been busy braiding your hair?" she said with a wink.

Fíli didn't respond, but rushed past the brown-haired girl, pulling Kíli with him.

"Happy birthday, Kíli, and nice seeing you two!" the young girl called after them, but the brothers didn't hear it.

"Who was that?" asked Kíli, craning his neck looking back at the girl, "And how did she know me? And you, for that matter?"

His brother merely grunted, cheeks flushed as he walked on, feeling his brother's gaze in his back when the younger one burst out laughing.

"You fancy her!"

"I don't."

"You do! What's her name, eh? Come on, tell me!"

The dark-haired dwarf poked the older one in the side, which earned him an elbow in the ribs.

"That's none of your business, little brother."

"Oh Fíli, no need to blush!" laughed the young one. He seemed to be enjoying the situation a bit too much for Fíli's liking, but the blonde also knew that his brother could be very persistent when he wanted to.

"Her name's Gísa," he replied reluctantly. "And I do not fancy her. She's just nice, that's all."

"Sure," Kíli responded, suppressing a grin as he followed his brother into the woods.


Reviews are very much appreciated!