A bit about this story: it was intended to be a short, smutty one-shot, inspired by a certain sexy drawing of Fili and Thorin on the throne of Erebor. However, it seems I am incapable of writing smut without developing a complete back-story for it, and this is the result. I expect it to be 4-5 chapters long, all told.

Hope you enjoy it, comments are, of course, very welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: this story contains descriptions of M/M cross-generational incest. If you find such things disturbing or offensive, this is not the story for you.

Chapter 1

Fíli took a hearty swig of his mead and did his best to seem appropriately attentive to the dwarrowdam in the low-cut gown who was offering not-so-subtle hints about the nobility of her bloodline. Nearby, others circled, waiting for their chance to speak to the Crown Prince.

Trade, marriage alliances, influence with the king; they all wanted something. He glanced sidelong at his brother, happily ensconced in a corner of the room with the lovely red-haired elf maid at his side. Standing with Kíli and Tauriel were some members of their Company who were not too ill-disposed toward elves—Bilbo, Bofur, Ori—and together they were a merry group.

He suppressed a sigh, wishing he could join them. But such was not to be his lot tonight; tomorrow Thorin would be crowned King Under the Mountain and he would formally be named Crown Prince. It was his duty to entertain the guests who had come to Erebor for the ceremony, no matter how much he wished he was somewhere—anywhere—else.

A portly dwarf whose name Fíli couldn't recall soon replaced the fawning female, and promptly began asking probing questions about whether the new King planned to marry and produce sons of his own. Fíli's heart clenched; the fact that all the questions about his and Thorin's marriage plans were to be expected did not make them any less painful and unwelcome. He took another drink and his reply came with a decided edge, "The King has not expressed his intentions to me. You are, of course, welcome to ask him yourself." If you dare, was the unstated addendum, which the man plainly recognized since he blanched and demurred.

Not surprisingly, the discussion of his uncle drew Fíli's eyes to the man himself, robed magnificently in his usual royal blue, standing nearby with their cousin Dáin and various representatives of the dwarf clans as well as dignitaries from the other races. Perhaps Thorin sensed his gaze or perhaps it was happenstance, but before Fíli could look away the King glanced up to meet his eyes. The pain in his chest increased, but determined not to reveal what he was feeling he raised his glass in an ironic salute and gave his uncle a wry smile. Thorin's scrutiny intensified, throwing his heir a questioning look.

Fíli tore his eyes away and swore to himself; his uncle had known him far too long and too well for the younger dwarf to easily conceal his moods from him. Suddenly, the room felt stifling and he excused himself, a little abruptly, from a dwarf bemoaning the poor condition of the trade road to the Grey Mountains. He pushed his way through the crowd, looking for someplace to be alone with his thoughts. His first few steps were halting; his leg wound from the Battle of Front Gate had not yet completely healed and the limb still tended to stiffen if he was standing too long. Fíli swore to himself, it was another vexation heaped on the others that seemed to fill his life these days. Fortunately for the young prince the chamber being used for the reception was one of the few in the mountain with an actual balcony, though at the moment it was empty due to the early spring chill in the night air. Heedless of the cold, Fíli stepped out onto the balcony and closed the door behind him.

He leaned against the balcony rail and shivered, and not just from the cold, as his mind went back to the first time Thorin had touched him as something other than—more than—a beloved uncle. As a dwarfling Fíli had always been keenly aware of his uncle, longing for both his company and his approval. But it was not until Fíli was of age that he began to notice how Thorin watched him at times, eyes hooded, and that an affectionate hand on his shoulder was oftimes pressed too deeply and held too long. Even more surprising was how it made him feel; the warmth that curled in his belly, and how he hoped that Thorin's attention to him would both stop and that it would never stop.

-ooo-

Fíli awoke from a deep sleep that night, usually thirsty. The stone floor was cool, but not enough to dissuade him from padding barefoot into the kitchen. Apparently he had only been sleeping for a short time because his uncle looked up from his book in his seat by the fire when the young dwarf crossed the main room of their home in Ered Luin.

"Fíli, lad, what are doing awake?" Thorin asked softly.

"Just getting a drink, Uncle. Is Mother asleep?"

Thorin grunted, "Aye, some time ago. I'm planning to head to bed soon myself."

Fíli smiled at his uncle, a little shyly. For some reason it made him feel more adult that he was sharing this late night interlude alone with the older dwarf. When Fíli passed through to the kitchen Thorin laid down his book and followed him, leaning against the door frame companionably to continue their conversation.

Fíli could not know how Thorin saw him, golden hair tousled and cheeks still pink from the warmth of his blankets. The thin nightshirt he wore did little to conceal his strong body, and when the lad walked in front of the fire it was obvious he was wearing nothing beneath it. Thorin was certain he had never beheld anything more beautiful, and it stirred something in him that had long been present but until this moment kept firmly in check.

All his nephew knew was that his much admired uncle had unexpectedly sought out his company and was watching him with an intensity that made his heart beat faster. He got his drink but then leaned against the kitchen table, in no real hurry to return to bed.

"Dwalin tells me that you did especially well in the practice bouts today," Thorin told him with a smile. "Bested an older and much bigger lad."

Fíli nodded, his face flushing with pleasure at the praise. "Yes, I really enjoy fighting with two blades, and the lads I spar with aren't very good at countering it yet."

He uncle nodded in reply, "If it works for you, you should keep with it. It'll always give you somewhat of an advantage, though not as much with a more experienced opponent." Thorin's brow creased and he pointed to Fíli's upper arm, asking, "What happened here?"

With a start Fíli realized that his uncle had seen a large bruise that was visible through the linen of his nightshirt. "Oh, nothing," he smiled, "just one that got through my guard."

To his surprise, Thorin stepped forward to grasp his arm and pushed up his sleeve to get a better look at his injury. His hands were strong and calloused from the forge but felt soft as his thumb scribed gentle circles on his skin.

"It looks painful," Thorin chuckled. Rather than releasing Fíli as he expected, he leaned forward and caught the young dwarf's chin in his hand. "You've turned into quite the handsome young dwarf these past few years, my lad."

"I have?" the young prince squeaked in surprise, and then reddened in mortification—he had sounded like a dwarfling! "I…I mean, thank you for noticing, Uncle Thorin."

"Oh, I'm surely not the only one who has noticed, Fíli," the older dwarf replied, his eyes never leaving Fíli's face. The blond's heart raced and his breath came short as he recognized what could only be heated desire in his uncle's eyes. Even more startling was his own body's strong reaction to the closeness and the intoxicating warmth radiating off the older dwarf's muscular frame. He felt he should say something to hint at his own attraction, but what?

Thorin must have had a suspicion of what the boy was feeling because next his thumb grazed Fíli's lips as he dipped his face close, his other hand sliding to Fíli's shoulder. "May I?" he murmured, erasing any remaining doubt in the young dwarf's mind regarding Thorin's intentions.

Still scarcely able to believe what was happening, he whispered "Yes," in a shaking voice and closed his eyes. Soft lips brushed his, hesitantly at first, but when Fíli responded eagerly he felt a hungry tongue part his lips. The young dwarf gasped and returned the kiss, his arousal growing as Thorin dropped his hands to his nephew's waist and pulled him tight against his hard body. Fíli clutched the dark-haired dwarf dizzily; he had kissed others before, both male and female, but it had never felt like this.

With a moan Thorin turned him, pressing Fíli's back against the wall near the door. He paused, breathing heavily, and touched his forehead to the blond's, "Say the word and I will stop, Fíli."

"Mahal, no, don't stop, please, Thorin!" Fíli panted, winding his fingers into the dark locks. The older dwarf didn't reply, except by grinding his hips into Fíli's, making it clear was just as aroused as his nephew.

Fíli moaned and clung harder as Thorin roughly pushed up his nightshirt to run his hands along the boy's chest and flanks. The blond groaned in surprise and pleasure when his uncle took his hardening length in hand. "Fili," Thorin gasped, "unfasten my breeches."

He moved to comply, his own arousal increasing at the feel of the hard cock straining against the fabric. But also for the first time Fíli felt a jolt of fear; he knew how men could couple, though he had never done it himself. He was not at all certain he was ready for anything of that sort.

The older man's cock sprang free from its confinement and Fíli forced himself to ask, "What…what are you going to do?"

Thorin looked down at him, a sympathetic smile on his face, "Don't worry, lad, I would never try to take unprepared, especially with you so inexperienced." Instead he slid his hard length against Fili's, and the blond had never dreamed anything could feel so good. He leaned against the wall and gasped, unable to express a coherent thought.

When Thorin wrapped one large hand around both their cocks it was apparent what he had in mind; Fíli could only pant in anticipation. To his surprise, his uncle paused and met his eyes, "Fíli, your body is telling me that you want this, but you must tell me as well."

The younger dwarf hooked one hand around Thorin's neck to pull him close and kiss him deeply for a brief moment. When their lips parted, he moaned, "Do it!"

Thorin smiled and began to stroke hard; Fíli was shocked how much more intense it felt than the times when he had pleasured himself. He began gasping loudly as his climax neared, calling his uncle's name, his limbs shaking. The older dwarf leaned forward and whispered, "Come for me, lad," before covering the boy's mouth with his own to silence his cries of pleasure. And come they did—Fíli first, spilling his seed between them, with his uncle climaxing soon after. The young dwarf slumped against the wall, so overwhelmed by what he had experienced that he was unsure his legs would support him.

"Here, Fíli, sit," Thorin said, guiding the blond to a kitchen chair. He then found a clean rag which he used to cleanse them both while Fíli watched self-consciously. Once he was done he pulled a chair next to the boy and caught his eyes, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Fíli," he began, "I think you know that this is something that we need to keep between the two of us."

Fíli nodded vigorously, "Oh, yes! I…I don't even really know what I'd say about it!"

Thorin smiled, "I understand that well, lad. Perhaps what we've done is unwise, but I can't bring myself to regret it," he said with a thoughtful look on his face. "For now, you should go back to bed. We'll talk later, once you've had a chance to sort out your feelings and think about whether you'd like to…continue," he added hesitantly.

The blond stilled for a moment before meeting his uncle's eyes, "Do…do you want to continue?"

Thorin sighed and gave his shoulder a brief squeeze, "Mahal help me, Fíli, I do." He kissed the boy's brow and sent him back to bed, Fíli's mind awash with a mixture of confusion and exhilaration.

Although they hadn't made love that night, that first clandestine meeting was followed by others, and a day came when Fíli shuddered his release in Thorin's grip while the older dwarf chased his own climax, buried to the hilt inside his nephew.

Thorin was cautious and often they went days or weeks between trysts if no opportunity presented itself for them to meet discreetly. No one seemed to notice what was going on with them, not even Kíli, though the sharp regret that Fíli felt at keeping the affair secret from his brother never truly abated. So it was a considerable surprise one day when Dwalin pulled the young prince aside after weapons practice and told him that he knew that he and Thorin were lovers.

Dwalin laid a heavy hand on his shoulder and met his eyes, his face drawn in concern. "I know that Thorin has taken you to his bed, Fíli," the big dwarf said in a low voice.

Fíli's eyes widened and his breath came short, "What? No! I…I don't know what you're talking about."

"Laddie," Dwalin scoffed, rolling his eyes, "I've seen how he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching. Besides, I caught the two of you behind the stable the other day."

The young dwarf's heart sank; 'the other day' had been a quick fumble that left them both more aroused than sated. Fíli had worried they might be seen, but it had been so long since the last time and Thorin wanted it so much…

Fíli closed his eyes briefly and puffed out a breath in dismay. He clutched Dwalin's arm and pleaded, "Please, Dwalin, don't tell Mother! It would break her heart if she knew!"

"Aye, it would, and your uncle would need to run far and fast if he doesn't want to be gelded." Dwalin sighed, "No, I hadn't planned to tell her; you are of age and who you take as a lover is your own business. But as someone who's watched you grow from a wee dwarfling to the fine, strong dwarf you are now, I need to be certain that this is truly your choice."

"Why wouldn't it be?" Fíli asked indignantly.

"Because he is your uncle, your king, and a dwarf you admire who is twice your age." Dwalin shook his head ruefully, "And I know that both you and your brother would crawl to Erebor and back to win his favor."

Fíli pulled away, anger rising in him, "You think he's using me? That he doesn't care for me? How do you know that? He picked me. He wants me."

Dwalin sighed deeply, "Oh, Fíli, Mahal knows he wants you, I don't doubt that in the least. Why wouldn't he? You're a handsome, well-built lad who looks at him like he could forge the stars anew if he tried. But right now he's thinking with his cock and not considering what might be best for you. Don't you go thinking with your cock as well."

"I want this, Dwalin, truly," Fíli told him earnestly.

The older dwarf nodded, "There it is, then. I won't say another word against it if that's where your heart lies. But," Dwalin began, raising one bushy eyebrow, his gaze intent on Fíli, "I love your uncle like a brother and know his flaws as well as my own. Fact is, there's no more stubborn dwarf born than Thorin, especially when it comes to getting something he desires. If there comes a time when you decide warming his bed is no longer what you want and he has trouble accepting that, you let me know, understood?"

"I…I understand. Thank you, Dwalin," Fíli murmured, bolting away at the first opportunity.

That was the last conversation they had on the subject. Thorin came home that evening with a spectacular black eye and a very unconvincing explanation of how he had acquired it. The matter was never discussed between them, but the next time they were alone together his uncle was particularly affectionate and solicitous. However, Dwalin's knowledge of their relationship yielded expected benefits when the Company set out for Erebor. Although it was clear that he never fully approved, he could be depended upon to look the other way if they chose to steal away for a time during his watch.

They had snuck out of Beorn's house, blanket in hand, as Dwalin snorted and turned away, pretending not to see them. The air was warm and the grass soft beneath them as they came together under a night sky awash with stars. Afterward, Fili nestled himself against Thorin's bare chest, feeling warm and sated. The older dwarf kissed his hair, one hand stroking circles on his back and shoulders. Thorin chuckled, "Ah, Fíli, my lad, it's been far too long since we've done this."

Fíli sighed contentedly; it seemed like an age since he had felt like this. Too often he had hopefully met Thorin's eyes across the campfire to get a look of cool refusal in return. He knew the quest was important, he knew they had to be careful, but it was hard to be shut out so frequently.

"I've missed this too, so much." Fíli murmured. He ran his fingers through silver-streaked hair and pulled himself up to kiss Thorin lightly on the lips. "Please tell me about Erebor, Thorin."

His uncle chuckled and began speaking, repeating well-known stories of his lost homeland. In truth, Fíli only half listened; he knew the older dwarf loved speaking of Erebor and he loved the sound of Thorin's deep voice. Under the spell of his uncle's words, Fíli's thoughts soon found their own way to Erebor, and he dreamed of their triumphant return if somehow they were able to rid their mountain kingdom of Smaug. What could be better than exploring the magnificent halls of their forefathers with Kíli at his side?

Kíli…and there it was, the familiar jolt of pain that always accompanied thoughts of his brother when he and Thorin were together as lovers. He swallowed thickly and glanced up, realizing the dark-haired dwarf had fallen silent. There was a small, contented smile on Thorin's face—perhaps now would be a good time to broach the subject.

"Unc…Thorin," he began, barely able to cover his misstep in time. He knew Thorin hated being called 'Uncle' when they were alone together like this, but it was sometimes hard to readjust his thinking. "I was wondering whether perhaps I might tell Kíli about us, sometime soon." He went on in a rush, "After all, Dwalin knows and that hasn't been a problem…"

Fíli felt Thorin stiffen underneath him and frown, sighing deeply. He sat up, dislodging the younger dwarf from his place on his chest. "Fíli, I do not understand why you persist in asking such things. Telling your brother is not at all the same thing as Dwalin knowing—Kíli cannot be relied upon to keep such a secret, and besides, it's not as if I wanted Dwalin to learn of it!"

"Thorin, you do Kíli an injustice—he would be surprised, but I'm certain he would never tell anyone. I…I trust him, and it hurts me to keep this from him," Fíli said pleadingly.

"Fíli, I said no, and that is my final word on the subject," Thorin said brusquely. He stood and began gathering his clothing. "Come, it is time to go back to the others."

Fighting back tears, Fíli dressed quickly, careful not to catch Thorin's eyes. He silently folded the blanket and started back toward the house.

To his surprise, Thorin caught his arm, "I am sorry that I was so harsh, my lad, I did not mean to hurt you. It's just that…now is not a good time." He slipped an arm around Fíli's shoulder and pressed a kiss to his temple, "When we take back Erebor, all will be better, you'll see."

-ooo-

Thinking back on those times made Fíli's heart ache. Despite all the perils of the journey, and uncertainty about what awaited them at the end of it, he was happy. The young prince never truly doubted the rightness of their quest, Thorin's leadership of it, or the place he and Kíli held in their uncle's heart. That is, until the morning of Durin's Day on the dock at Laketown.

But those happier memories came with the brutal recognition of what was missing. Despite all they had shared during their moments of intimacy, secret and infrequent as they were, Thorin had never expressed a wish that they might have a future together, or uttered any words love of that might give Fíli hope that their relationship could be more than it was. He cursed softly to himself; what a trusting fool he had been!

He heard the balcony door open. "Fíli? What are you doing out here in the cold?"

Fíli tensed; even now hearing Thorin's velvet tones sent a thrill coursing through him. Unable to trust his voice, he turned to watch his King approach, keeping his expression as neutral as possible despite the burning in his chest. "I thought we'd lost you, Fíli my lad," Thorin said jovially, "and it wouldn't do to misplace the Crown Prince on the night before the coronation."

The younger dwarf snorted, remembering how much he had once loved being called 'my lad' by his uncle; now it just felt like mockery. "I think the Crown Prince has outgrown being called a lad, even by you," he said coolly.

Thorin, who had been reaching to clasp his arm, now recoiled, "You know I meant nothing by it! What is troubling you, Fíli?"

"Not here," Fíli replied tersely.

"Very well, then," Thorin replied, eyes never leaving Fili's face. "Most of the guests have retired already, so why don't you come to my room in two hours time; there are several things we must discuss."

"Fine," Fíli answered, striding into the reception chamber and pausing only to grab a bottle of mead from a side table before seeking the door. And although he knew that his uncle watched his exit, he did not realize that a pair of warm brown eyes also followed him with consternation.