I own nothing you recognize. Only original characters and storylines are my own.
Chapter One
Kili awoke with a start, gasping for air and with his eyes furiously darting around his surroundings. At the shift of the body next to him on the bed he calmed down and turned his face to look into his sleeping love's. With a tender look he turned and placed a kiss to her forehead. He couldn't believe he'd spent two years without her in his arms, two years of hardship, loss and recovery without the one person who made his life worth it all. Worse still he'd missed the birth of his child and his first year of life, he could never make it up but he'd never stop trying to. As soon as they made it to Erebor he'd give them the life they deserved and he'd allow himself to be happy. He was so deep in his thoughts that he'd missed the subtle change in Arien's breathing and the shifting of her body closer to his.
"A copper for your thoughts?" She asked softly and he smiled tenderly for a moment before he leaned to kiss her.
"I was just thinking about how grand it will be to bring you and Kiren to Erebor. You'll be a princess and he a prince and I'll make certain that you want for nothing." He spoke with certainty and Arien kissed his lips tenderly.
"We have you, we already want for nothing." She whispered and kissed him again before she laid her head on his chest again and rested her hand on his heart. "Tell me of Fili again, I need to know that he is safe."
"Aye, he is very safe. As Uncle's heir apparent he's being groomed in the art of ruling a kingdom. When I left he was in negotiations with Bard concerning the placement of Dale's guard tower. Dreadfully boring business." Kili said with a chuckle and Arien ran her fingers through the short beard that had begun to grow on his chin, it was thick and surprisingly soft.
"Who is Bard again?" Arien asked and Kili had to stop himself from purring at the feeling of her fingers.
"The new Master of Dale, he's known as Bard the Bowman and it was his arrow that took down Smaug." Kili said matter-of-factly and Arien sighed as she twirled a bit of his beard between her fingers. "You and Kiren will meet him when we arrive home."
"Will we be welcome?" Arien asked the question that had been balanced on the tip of her tongue ever since Kili told tales of the great kingdom of Erebor and their new places within it.
"Of course, you're my wife and consort and Kiren is my heir. You are both members of the royal family." Kili said certainly and Arien sighed and pressed herself ever tighter against him.
"I know what I am to you and to Fili but to the others I'm...I'm something other, not dwarfkind. I still remember every word your uncle said all those years ago and I know he spoke the truth. None of your brethren under the mountain will accept a human bride for an heir of Durin, no matter how much we wish them to." She whispered solemnly and Kili kissed her temple.
"Do not condemn my folk so readily sweet Ari, we have a great capacity to loathe but an even greater capacity to love." He told her softly and Arien sighed in relief. If Kili held so much trust in his people then she had no reason not to.
As Arien fell back to sleep Kili remained awake, her words repeating in his head. Would his people accept his human wife and half human son? With a deep breath he put the thoughts away and attempted to sleep again, the next few days would be busy as they prepared for the trip to Erebor and he needed to give the preparation his full attention.
…
"Do you need help Kili?" Kili grunted as he set down the hammer and looked at his father through marriage and frowned, a look that Ferron caught. "I beg your pardon son but it looks like your arm is giving you trouble."
"It does from time to time but not as much as a year ago. I was shot through the shoulder with a goblin arrow and a mace did the job of almost shattering my arm. I'm nearly healed though." Kili said as he puffed his chest up in affected bravado and Ferron nodded, understanding Kili's need to act tough.
"You are a brave and strong warrior Kili but that doesn't mean that you cannot accept assistance from time to time. Receiving aid does not make you weak." Ferron said wisely and Kili snorted before he smiled.
"You needn't tell me that Ferron, I've spent the last year assisting my kin in the reclaiming of our home and receiving assistance from dwarves and men from the lands surrounding us. It is a bit different when the assistance comes because you are too weak to do for yourself." Kili said the last with a grimace and Ferron walked closer and placed a hand to his good shoulder.
"You are not weak, never weak... Now, what is it you're doing?" Ferron asked and Kili took it for what it was, a show of love from the man he'd accepted as his father.
"I'm fortifying this wagon, we'll be traveling in areas still orc infested with warg riders and the occasional goblin patrol. I want Arien and Kiren to be safe." Kili explained and Ferron nodded as he picked up the discarded hammer and a board which he placed over the one Kili had already put up in an overlapping way.
"Then let's get this done. Two sets of hands are always better than one." Ferron said with a grin and Kili smiled back, pleased with the man's reasoning. Ferron was right of course, two sets of hands were always better than one.
…
Two days before they departed for what was to be their home Arien ran breathlessly into the forge, her excitement evident in every inch of her as she practically thrummed. Her entrance caused Kili to look up from where he was busy showing Kiren the clasp that would go into his hair when he was older, the clasp that had been passed down to him from Dis who had gotten it from Thrain and so on. Now that he had a son Kili was going to give him the heirloom to complete its passage through time. As he closed his fist over the clasp Arien grinned at him before she spoke.
"There's a caravan of dwarves in the village, they've come from the Blue Mountains." Arien said with excitement and Kili rose, a grin splitting his own face before he handed Kiren off to her and ran out of the living quarters and through the small alley that separated the forge from the tanner's.
He was prepared to run across the village to find his kin but he didn't have far to go. They were in the center of town with wagons and ponies and tired dwarves of varying age. As he looked them over he felt a sense of nostalgia that quickly turned into a wild joy as he recognized the most stately dwarf among them.
"Mother!" He called out and grinned widely as she turned and began looking wildly for her son.
"Kili!" She called out and when she saw him a similar grin broke out on her face and she moved through the bustling dwarves until she reached her son. "My Kili..."
"Why didn't you send a raven to tell me about this stop? I thought we were going to meet you in Erebor." Kili asked and held his mother's hand as they pulled apart and Dis smiled at him, the joy in her eyes raw and almost painful in its nakedness.
"Did you think I'd go all the way to Erebor without resting along the way, or without meeting your intended?" Dis asked and Kili suddenly felt his stomach turn in knots. He didn't think he was ready to introduce his mother to Arien or their babe, he had no idea how they would react to one another.
"Of course, come to the forge tonight. I'll introduce you then." Kili tried to buy time but Dis would have none of it.
"Don't be silly, I've waited too long to meet the girl that has your heart. Lead the way dear heart." Dis commanded and Kili could do nothing but obey.
The walk to the forge felt like a funeral march to Kili and he tried to remain positive. Yes his mother would be hurt that she had no knowledge of Kiren but neither had Kili until three days prior. This thought along with the fear that she would set eyes on Arien and find her wanting caused a pain in his gut that he tried to still. He was a warrior who had faced off against a horde of goblins and orcs without a trace of fear, why should he be terrified of the prospect of his mother meeting his wife? The question rolled in his head without a satisfactory answer and before he realized what had happened they'd reached the forge. Taking a deep breath Kili motioned his mother to follow him.
"This way mother." He told her as he motioned her to the alley that led to the living quarters. He stopped outside the door and squared his shoulders, this would be the time of judgement and all he could do was watch and wait to see what happened. Opening the door he swept a hand out to usher Dis in, then stood behind her silently as they took in the sight in the kitchen. Arien was seated at the table with Kiren in her lap, the gold of the clasp that closed her braid glinting in the sun. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen but he managed to shake himself out of his thoughts and moved in front of his mother, pleased when Arien stood.
"Mother, I introduce you to Arien, daughter of Ferron, my wife..." He said slowly before he walked to Arien and picked up Kiren, carrying him to Dis. "And this is Kiren, son of Kili, your grandson."
Dis was unable to speak with so many emotions going through her mind but one got through and she took Kiren out of her son's arms, smiling lovingly as the little boy caressed her beard and smiled back at her. Her eyes were only for him and Arien knew better than to speak, there would be time for that later, now it was time for her to bond with her grandson.
…
"He's sleeping peacefully in his cot. Can I get you some tea Lady Dis?" Arien asked and the dwarf matron nodded, her keen eyes watching every move Arien made. She'd given a look of neither approval or displeasure so Arien was treading lightly.
"How was your trip mother?" Kili asked in an attempt to stall his mother's scrutiny and Dis smiled at her youngest child.
"So far we have faced little hardship. The only issue we faced was some bandits on the road below the mountain, but Durn and Marr protected the caravan valiantly." She said with a nod before she turned her eyes to Arien who had set down her tea and been staring at her for a few minutes. "May I help you with something?"
"I don't mean to be too familiar Lady Dis but your beard is quite beautiful. I've never put much thought into women with beards before but your's is quite striking." Arien said softly, her eyes honest and voice sincere and Dis found herself smiling at the young woman who had stolen her son's heart, and given her her first grandbabe.
…
The days passed quickly until it was time for the group to move on with Kili's family joining them. With the wagon fortified and their provisions secured it was time for Arien to say goodbye to her family and move onto a new life in Erebor. The goodbyes were turning out to be harder than she'd ever imagined. She held Sigrid in her arms as the woman wept and kissed the older woman's head.
"I love you dearly Sigrid, you were the mother I had always dreamed of and held me together when I thought I would fall apart. I will miss you dearly." She said softly and Sigrid sobbed.
"I love you my daughter. I may not have birthed you but you were my daughter nonetheless and I will love you until the end. Please stay in touch." Sigrid begged and Arien smiled as she turned away.
"Aye, expect ravens to darken your window sill." She said before she hugged Sigrid one last time then knelt to hold her little brother in her arms.
"The forge is yours and father's now Sigrun. I expect you to craft many fine things." She told the little boy who sniffled. "Take care of mother and father, they'll need you."
"I don't want you to go." The little boy cried and Arien held him tighter.
"I must go brother. Kiren needs to be raised among his people and I cannot leave Kili now that he's back in my life. Someday I will see you again, remember that and know that I love you." She told him before she squeezed him tightly then rose and stared at her father for a long moment before she ran into his arms and they squeezed one another painfully tight.
"You are the best child a father could ask for and I thank the gods every day that you're mine. Go to the Lonely Mountain and be happy, that's all that I've ever wanted for you. Just be happy." He told her as tears came to his eyes and she kissed his cheek as tears came to her eyes as she moved away.
"I love you Father, I always have and I always will. Don't ever forget that." She told him as she moved to Kili and Kiren and Ferron kissed his fingertips and held them out to her as she returned the gesture.
Once the goodbyes were finished Arien got into the wagon with Kiren strapped to the special seat she and Kili had made for him and readied the reins. She'd be driving the wagon while Kili rode alongside and she was pleased with this arrangement. It would show the dwarves in their company that she wasn't some weak doll afraid to do work and Kili would be free to protect the caravan. As they pulled out of the valley Arien took a look back and felt a piece of her heart break. She was leaving her home and she didn't know if she would be able to call Erebor such at journey's end.
…
The traveling went smoothly until they were one week into the trip. Everything had went well, except for the grumbles and whispers that seemed to follow Arien around like a storm cloud. The only reason they hadn't been voiced was because of the mark of the house of Durin that she now wore prominently in her hair and her proximity to Kili or Dis at most times. The others in the party didn't trust her and it hurt Arien but it also strengthened her resolve. She was going to find a way to get them to trust her, it would just take some time to work out how. An opportunity came to her one day when a mishap occurred to one of the other wagons.
Like everyday they had set out at sunrise to get the most miles traveled and were taking a particularly rough road when the axle of the wagon in front of Arien and Kiren broke and brought the caravan to a halt. Since the wagon was near the front they couldn't exactly leave them to catch up so they all looked for solutions to the problem.
"Does anyone have a spare axle? I can't rightly do a patch job right here." Lir, the cook in the group, asked and they looked among themselves. Of course many of them had spare axle's but they were hard to come by and they didn't want to give up something they were sure to need later in their journey.
"We do, you can have ours." Arien said as she got out of the wagon, then retrieved her son and handed him to Dis. "I'll get it."
"Someone go help her." Dis commanded and a few of the dwarves grumbled as they moved to the back of the wagon but were surprised to see it already halfway out of the open back.
"Can someone grab the end so I can move the rest out?" Arien asked with a smile and the others did as she asked and carried the axle to Lir's wagon and tried to figure out just how to go about fixing it. Arien watched them look at the wagon from every end and tried to remember all of the wagons her father had fixed throughout her life.
"Would it be possible to use a lever?" She asked and that set everyone in motion.
Everyone found something to do as they set about fixing the wagon, knowing they were sitting ducks if a group of goblins or orcs caught their scent and there were little ones in the group which made it even more important for them to move on. Soon they had a lever set up and everything started to go smoothly until a piece stuck and they were faced with the possibility of breaking it in order to move it. Arien had a better idea. While they were fighting she loosened the piece and using the strength she'd gained from her years of working the forge she pushed it into place with a satisfied grunt then tightened it again.
"If you'll all stop bickering the piece is in place." She told them with a smile and Kili smiled with her, proud of his wife's concern for their company. The rest of the company looked at her with some eyes wide and others narrowed, Durn, arguable the largest and scariest of the dwarves in the company tested the piece then got up and looked at Arien, impressed.
"How'd a wee slip of a girl like you do that?" He asked and Arien smiled warmly at the scary dwarf.
"I'm a smith, I've been working bellows since I could walk." She told him and he nodded before he walked back to the group and resumed helping.
After that they finished fixing the wagon and resumed their trip while Arien continued to smile from her place in her wagon. Maybe she could get their respect if she showed she really was no different from them. It really was just a matter of height and hair growth.
…
Arien sat close to Kili at the fire that they shared with other wagons. At first only Dis and her companions would join them, distrustful of a human and put out by her mere presence. This night Lir himself gave their little group the first of the traveler's stew and joined them at the fire once everyone was seated. He didn't say anything but his comfort at their fire spoke volumes. Later when the time came for stories Kili shared a tale of his journey and Durn moved a bit closer to the royal family and offered Arien his smile, a rare gift from the stern dwarf. It was nowhere near the level of acceptance Arien had hoped for but she would take what she could get.
…
The rest of the trip went about as well as any trip could with the occasional skirmishes with orcs and goblins and interference from bandits and harsh weather but Arien took everything in stride and remained strong in her place at Kili's side. She offered comfort when she could and assisted during hardships. Dis was amazed by how easily she slipped into the role of caretaker for the party and began to grow fond of the girl who loved her son so fiercely.
They'd moved closer and closer to Erebor and Arien felt a mixture of excitement and worry twist her stomach into knots. She knew Fili would welcome them and Thorin would accept them simply because they were Kili's family but the rest of the dwarves worried her. What if they treated her with open animosity? What if they wouldn't accept her son and made him an outcast among his own people. These thoughts remained securely in Arien's head but they burdened her and Kili could see his wife struggling and felt helpless. He had no idea how to help her Even so he felt a sense of peace as they rode closer to the great kingdom, a place he felt at home, a place he could build with his family.
During the final leg of the trip Arien fell ill with a stomach sickness and Kili had to take over the reins as she laid in the back with Kiren, sleeping and occasionally hanging her head out of the back to be sick. It was this day that they approached the city of Dale. With a grin he turned back to tell Arien and his smile softened as he saw her sleeping with their son in her arms and his little fist tangled in her hair. He let them sleep as they made passage to the road that would lead them to the gates but once the grand halls came into sight he woke up Arien and had her bring Kiren to the front with him. As she saw the great walls of stone her eyes widened and mouth fell open and Kili held her hand in his and grinned.
"Welcome to Erebor." His smile turned warm and he brought her hand to his lips and said softly. "Welcome home."
…
Author's Note: Here it is, the sequel to "A Fire Within" I couldn't leave Arien and Kili's story where it was and this wouldn't leave me alone. I promise Fili, Thorin and several other of your favorite dwarves will be in the next chapter but I felt the transition from one home to another needed to be done. I hope you all enjoy it and I'll try to regularly update. Thank you all :)
