She raised the heavy goblet to her lips.
Around her rang the noises of feasting Dwarves: rousing choruses, shouts of laughter, and loud conversations battling each other for attention. Around her eddied and rippled the joy of celebration; the Lonely Mountain had been reclaimed.
But she could have no joy, she could not celebrate, for the conquest had come with a heavy cost. The three Dwarves of Durin's line, the Heirs, had fallen in the great battle on the slopes of Erebor. And as the body of one was pierced with arrows, broken with brutal sword blows, her heart was pierced and broken. It lay in pieces on the moonlit crags.
The wine in her cup swirled against her hesitant mouth. Slowly she took in a small sip.
She almost gasped at the strange taste, having never drunk such strong stuff before. Balin would have her head for it if Bofur didn't get to her first . . . her head . . . Azog wanted Thorin's head . . . Thorin was his uncle . . . Stop! She clamped down hard on the memories that threatened to swarm her.
To keep herself occupied, she began methodically, almost dully, to categorize its flavors. It was sweet–like his flashing smile, a tiny voice suddenly woke to whisper in the back of her mind. She beat it down. She would not think of him tonight, she resolved, and took another sip.
It was sharp but rich–like his dark eyes. No! She would not remember, would not tear herself apart needlessly. As if sealing her decision, she swallowed again.
It was fleetingly bitter–like his anger. And the multitude of tastes filled her, overwhelmed her, made her tremble like his arms around her and his breath against her cheek.
She lowered the goblet despairingly. The liquid sloshing in its golden cradle gleamed a deep crimson, and despite all her efforts she saw one last searing similarity–crimson like his blood.
She could bear no more. First one tear, then another trickled down her cheek as she mourned for the dark-haired archer who would never dry them again.
His uncle may have been King Under the Mountain, but Kili would always be King of her heart.