Karma

Part 2 of Your Highness

Summary: When the mysteries of Dwalin's past start to come to the surface, Fili learns a lot about his lover that he didn't know, but before it's all over will Fili be the one to pay for Dwalin's past mistakes?

Chapter 1: Dag

It all started like any other night. Innocent, yet brooding. Fili and Kili were walking through the halls, chattering away, like the brothers always did. Fili was in a relatively pleasant mood, even though Dwalin had missed supper, which always seemed to dampen his spirits. Kili was with him, however, and he was going on and on about his plans to surprise Thorin with ... something. His brother had no real plans yet, but he was desperately trying to come up with them, falling instantly in love with the idea of surprising the king.

"Thorin is hard to hide things from." Fili reminded him. "He also doesn't particularly care for surprises." This was true. Thorin wasn't easily startled, and being the calculated royal that he was, having something go on behind his back was more of an insult than a gift.

"I just think it would be ... romantic, I guess. I just want to do something for him. Don't you ever do anything like that for Dwalin?"

Fili stopped walking and thought carefully. "No." He answered, honestly, "I've never thought of it. I've gotten him gifts for his birthday, and Yule, but I've never surprised him with anything."

"Maybe you should."

"I would think Dwalin is like Thorin in this instance."

"Come on, Fili. It's good to push them out of their comfort zones, right? Spice things up!"

"Are you saying that you're bored?"

"With Thorin? No, not at all. Just ... bored, in general, I guess."

Fili knew the feeling all too well. He decided a little encouragement couldn't hurt. "You'll think of something." He smiled, "And I'm sure he'll love it."

Kili smiled back at him, and they continued on until they made it to the Great Hall where both of their lovers were standing, speaking of something. THey grew quiet when the princes came in, though it was more in love that secracy that they stopped. They both moved to their respective brother. Dwalin placed a small kiss on Fili's lips, which earned him a smile. Thorin had just turned his head to one side, checking that the hall was empty, but Kili leaned in and kissed his cheek, and they both seemed satisfied with it.

"What are you two doing?" Kili asked, walking over to sit in the massive throne. He slumped in it, and looked anything but royal, which cause Fili to chuckle at him, and Thorin to roll his eyes but smile.

"Nothing important." Thorin answered, though the brother's had heard the phrase enough to know it simply meant 'don't ask'. Fili was the only one who was ever annoyed by it. He didn't like to be left out of things. It made him feel like a child. Kili, however, took the ignorance is bliss approach. The king didn't look up at his eldest nephew, so he could not read the question on his face.

Fili looked up to Dwalin, but he was avoiding his gaze, and watching Thorin and Kili. After being together for the time they had, he had learned to read a lot about Dwalin. There were still moments of confusion, and yes, they had bickered, but Dwalin was quick to apologize and even faster to forgive. So, they never lasted beyond lying in bed, and the make-up sex wasn't bad either. Now, though, Dwalin wasn't looking at him, and that was unusual. He held his tongue, released his consort, and stepped toward Kili who was wining about being bored.

"It's late. The only thing you should be worried about is sleep." Thorin said.

"It's getting late." Kili corrected, "I'm not tired."

"Let's take a walk outside." Fili suggested to his brother, still feeling a bit annoyed, and thinking it would clear his mind.

"No." Thorin said suddenly, and Fili looked over at him quickly.

"No?"

Thorin simply nodded and turned from him, and Fili couldn't hold it any longer: "Is something going on?"

"Nothing that you need to worry about." Thorin said, heading slowly for the door, his way of winding down a conversation he really didn't want to have.

"We're not children." Fili said, but Thorin simply paused for a moment before sliding through the doorway. Fili shook his head, and now he was officially angry. Kili touched his arm gently before rushing out behind Thorin. Their relationship was so secret, and it just annoyed Fili further. Was there anything he could be trusted with? He looked to Dwalin who gave him a small shrug, but Fili was not in the mood for the warrior to be quiet.

"What's going on?" The prince asked, walking toward his consort, and the shift in the warrior's stance told him immediately, he meant not to say.

"Yer uncle doesn't want us talkin' about it just yet." He admitted.

"Why?"

"'Cause we're not sure yet."

Fili eyed his lover closely, trying to read his thoughts through his face, but he was doing well at hiding it. His eyes were blank, not even the normal sine was in them. "This has something to do with Kili and I?"

"Fili..." Dwalin stepped forward, and tried to wrap his arms around the prince, but Fili was in no mood, and stopped his hands. Dwalin looked up at him, and bit hurt, but also a little shocked. "Why're ya so worried about it?"

"I just want to know what's going on. Thorin is acting odd, and so are you. I'm not a child, Dwalin."

"I know that, Fili." His tone was normal when he said it. Like the Dwalin he knew and loved, but Fili was determined.

"Just tell me."

"Fili..."

"Thorin won't know."

"I can't..." Obviously Thorin had given him a very specific order. Which would have been easy if Fili had not walked in the Great Hall when he did. "I'm sorry." He added.

Fili know that it wasn't his fault, but whatever it was involved him, and he felt very betrayed that Dwalin would allow him to go uninformed, even if Thorin wanted him to. He dropped his lover's hands , and nodded. "Fine." He said sharply, and Dwalin's eyes widened a bit, realizing how angry he'd actually made him. "Sorry I asked." He whipped around, and started for the door, not exactly sure where he was going.

"Fili, wait."

Fili whipped around. "Are you going to tell me what's going on or not?"

"I'm sorry, but Thorin-"

"I get it, Dwalin. It's fine." He turned back around and placed his hands firmly on his hips.

"I'm not tryin' to upset ya..."

His tone almost made the prince melt. Almost... but he was still confused about what was happening, and that frustrated him. Dwalin was being secretive, and that hurt him, but mixed with everything else, it just turned into more fuel for his anger. He didn't look at Dwalin as he spoke: "Just leave me alone for a while." As soon as he said the words, he realized he never had before... not to Dwalin, not with such an edge on it.

"Azyungel (love of loves)... Don't be that way."

Fili didn't turn around, and started walking. His mood cause him to take his lover's word offensively. He wasn't trying to be any way... why was it so hard to understand that he had the right to know if something involved him? He could speak for himself.

"Fili, stop." Dwalin stepped forward quickly and took his wrist, but Fili snatched it away.

"I said leave me alone!" He said, his tone shocking even himself. "Just stay away from me." He didn't look at Dwalin and started walking away again, this time, his lover did not try to stop him.

Fili rushed through the halls, not convinced that his warrior wouldn't follow him. Dwalin was overprotective, and could be a bit smothering if you didn't watch him. Fili normally didn't mind. He enjoyed the attention, and it was good to know that he cared, but now all he wanted was distance.

He knew, deep down, that Dwalin wasn't trying to hurt him, or upset him. He was only following orders like any good captain. Fili was just so bothered by it all, and he had lashed. Still, he felt anyone would want their consort to be open with them. Surely he was not over reacting by being hurt...

Either way, he had said it and they were apart now. Fili wasn't sure where he was going, but hit feet carried him almost as if he were to stop, he would have to face the situation. He found himself wondering up to the nursery. It was abandoned and the small hideout in the back corner was undisturbed. He moved the large wooden board that covered it, and climbed in, thankful Kili had a candle already there. They had always ran to this refuge when they needed it. As far as the brother's knew, it was their secret from anyone but Thorin, who had fished them out more than once.

He lit the candle, and curled up by the back wall, not bothering to move the board back. He took a deep breath and pulled his knees to his chest. He sighed. Now that he had distanced himself from the situation, it seemed less important. He was still wondering about what his uncle and lover had been talking about. He supposed he would have to convince Thorin to tell him. It seemed easier than Dwalin, who had more obligation than to himself.

He thought about how he was going to apologize, because he knew he owed him one. He and Dwalin had been together for almost two years and, in that time, he had been nothing, but loving, supportive, and genuine. Fili couldn't ask for a better relationship, and he loved Dwalin, more than the first time they were together. He would marry him... wanted to, in fact.

The prince sighed again, and figured he had better go back. He was ready to admit that he had over reacted, and a sudden longing to be near Dwalin came over him. He climbed out of the hideout, blowing out the candle and replacing the cover. He walked out and down toward the Great Hall. He wasn't sure if Dwalin would be there, but the walk gave him more time to think of what he was going to say. He turned and started walking down a large staircase that led down to the bottom level.

When he made it to the bottom, a dwarf was leaning on one of the large statues that stone and the bottom of the rails. He was smoking a pipe. He was older, with dark hair, and a long beard, but it was braided into one large thick braid that rested on his chest. Fili didn't really acknowledge him, though he had never seen anyone stand there before. The older dwarf looked up when he walked up, and nodded at him, pulling his pipe out of his mouth to hold it up a bit in a wave. Fili simply gave him a polite smile, and started to continued on, but he stopped when the deep voice came from behind him.

"Beautiful night, isn't it, Your Highness?"

Fili slowly turned and looked at the dwarf. It was normal to hear such pleasantries, but he had never seen him before, and his voice seemed ... off. "It is." He agreed, turning half-way back around, trying to show he was going somewhere.

"In a hurry?" The older dwarf asked, taking a long, smokey drag of his pipe.

"A bit..." The prince eyes him closely, wondering why he was being so casual. "Do we know each other?"

"We've never met." He said simply.

Fili tilted his head a bit, but finally shrugged. "Well... I should be going." He said, turning again.

"Of course." The dwarf said from behind him, but Fili didn't turn or respond. "Your Captain is waiting, I'm sure." Fili felt a bit of chill go through his spine at his tone. It was common knowledge that the prince and captain were together, though he had never heard it mentioned so boldly. Fili assumed his new acquaintance was just odd. He slowly turned and looked at him again.

"Is there something you need?" Fili asked, feeling like the dwarf was holding something back, and feeling a bit of that dark curiosity that lingered in him.

"I'm not sure yet." He answered, still smoking his pipe.

"Excuse me?" Fili was sincerely confused, but he could see there was something under the surface, and he had had enough of that for one night, especially from someone he'd never even seen.

"How much do you really know about him, young prince?"

"What?" Fili took a step back, realizing this may go deeper than he was prepared to deal with alone, but he knew where his knifes were stashed in his coat, and he slowly moved to a stance, but his acquaintance was still leaning lazily against the statue, slowly puffing the pipe. He watched the prince, and his eyes were not exactly threatening, but it was becoming obvious he was waiting for him.

"Your Captain..." He said, "How much do you really know? Do you truly believe him to be as perfect as he seems? I'd say you're fooled."

Fooled?

The stuck in Fili's chest like a knife, and now he was angry. "Who are you?" He demanded. "How do you know Dwalin?"

"Let's just say we're old friends. He knew me as Dag."

"Dag?" Dwalin had never mentioned him before. The dwarf nodded and lifted up to stand on his own. He was as tall as Dwalin and almost as muscular. He dumped the contents of his pipe of the ground, and it was immediately scattered by the wind. He shoved the wooden pipe in the bag at his side, and dusted his hands off.

"Yes. You're on your way to him, aren't you?"

"I'm sorry..." Fili shook his head, and tried think of something to say. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, Your Highness. You should be going." He turned and started up the stairs, but paused three steps up, and glanced back at the prince. "I'm sure I'll see you again." He continued up the stairs, shoving his hands in his pockets and walked casually as if Fili wasn't there.

Fili whipped around on his heels and headed straight for home. It was late and was certain Dwalin would be there. Hopefully. He had so many questions, and honestly he still felt those chills in his spine. He had to pass the Great Hall to get to the home he shared with Dwalin, which was nestled in the halls of Erebor. He didn't look as he went by, just determined to find his consort and ask him about Dag.

He was about to turn the corner, off the breezway of balconies and down another small staircase, toward home, when a large hand grasped his shoulder. He jumped violently, and whirled around, slapping the hand off him. Dwalin took a quick step back, and gave his lover a shocked expression. Fili's hand flew to his chest and he took a huge breath of relief.

"Did I scare you?" Dwalin asked, letting a smile come across his lips.

Fili shook his head. "No, I mean... It wasn't you."

"Fili..." Dwalin took Fili's shoulders and gripped them rough, but there was love in it. "I'm sorry." He said, and leaned right in, pressing their lips together in a deep kiss. Fili almost backed away, feeling shocked that he would kiss him with such intensity right in the middle of the hall, at the top off a staircase, but as soon as the warrior's tongue slid over his, he melted. They stood, wrapped in each other for a moment, and Dwalin was the first to step back, still holding his hands.

"No." The prince said, forgetting everything else for the moment. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted that way. You didn't deserve it."

Dwalin simply reached up to caress his face, and tuck a braid behind his ear, and Fili knew he was forgiven. They smiled at each other, and then suddenly, the memory of his strange meeting rushed back into his mind.

"Dwalin..." He said as the started walking back to Great Hall, to gather Dwalin's things so they could go home. "Who is Dag?"

Dwalin stopped so suddenly, Fili had to turn around to look at him. "Where did ya hear that name?" Dwalin asked slowly.

"So, you do know him?"

"Fili... where did ya hear it?"

"I didn't hear it. I met him."

"What?" Dwalin grasped his shoulders and pushed him into the Great Hall quickly. Fili looked up at his lover with questioning eyes. "Where? When?"

"Just a bit ago. At the bottom of the Westwing stairs."

"What did he say to you?"

"He asked me if I was going to see you. I didn't answer. He said he was an old friend."

"Hardly." Dwalin released his shoulders and started pacing anxiously. Fili could tell he was nervous, and something about the name had struck in obvious nerve, and the princewas starting to realize how deep this might go.

"Who is he then?"