The two princes sat on the edge of the parapet above the great front gate of Erebor, legs dangling casually above the vast drop, each with a tankard of ale in their hand. From below them a breeze wafted straight up the wall, carrying to them the noise of the falls where the River Running left the mouth of the Mountain. Looking down into the vale, they could follow the great sweep of the river as it circled around the town of Dale, veered west, then disappeared behind Ravenhill where it turned south towards the Long Lake. In the town they could see villagers coming and going, hauling fodder, tending their gardens or leading horses to water. Every so often they could just make out the faint ringing of bells. Scattered groups of people were slowly trickling in to the Mountain through the gate below them, dwarves, elves and men coming to celebrate New Year, the first since the battle a year ago. Dwarves rarely needed an excuse for holding a feast, but this past year of peace, of rebuilding, and of strengthening alliances, along with the remembrance of those who had fallen in the battle, had seemed to call for something special, and people were already gathering in anticipation of the holiday in three days' time. The brothers were glad to find a few spare moments of quiet together before their duties as hosts started to occupy their time.
Fili took a sip of his ale. "Where's Tauriel this afternoon?"
"She's gone on an errand to Dale," Kili replied. "I dare say she'll stop in to see Tilda as well. She won't be back until supper."
They sat a bit longer in companionable silence, until Kili broke it. "So, brother, when are you going to find a lass for yourself? I would see you as happy as I."
Fili looked calmly out at the view, but his voice held a warning. "None of your business, Kili."
Kili grinned. "You know, I can ask Tauriel if she has a friend…" Fili sat impassive for a moment, then slowly drained his tankard, and unceremoniously threw it at Kili's head. Kili deftly batted it away with his elbow, laughing, and it went skittering over the flagstones behind him.
Tauriel was seated on the grass behind Bard's house, watching Tilda wield two wooden sticks against a host of orcs cunningly masquerading as ordinary garden implements, that she had ranged against the wall.
"Yah! Take that, orc!" Tilda spun around and stabbed a rake in the stomach with her left hand, then spun the other way and sliced the head off a spade with her right.
"How was that, Tauriel?" she asked breathlessly, hoping for the approval of the elf she idolised.
"Agoreg vae, Taurauthiel, very well done!" Tauriel smiled, and Tilda beamed at the compliment. "Now, here's a new move for you." She got up and took a stance towards a particularly ferocious-looking garden hoe. "Keep this one secret, though, I haven't even shown Kili this one yet!" She smiled again as Tilda's eyes widened at being in on such a secret, and had just started to demonstrate the sequence of movements when Bain approached them.
"Sorry sis, I need the spade," he interrupted, grabbing it from the line-up and marching off. Tilda pulled a face at his retreating back and swatted aimlessly at another orc.
"He thinks he's so special. You should just see how he swaggers around, especially if there are girls nearby," she grimaced. "It's ridiculous."
Tauriel laughed. "Well, he did help your Da kill the dragon. I'm sure the girls think he's a hero."
"Da's a hero too, but you don't see him getting big-headed about it. And Tauriel, you killed all those orcs, and got us out of the fire, and you're just as nice as can be."
"Thank you, Taurauthiel. But remember I am a warrior, I was trained for such things. Your brother was not, and besides, he is young."
"Well, I'm going to be a warrior just like you, Tauriel. Will you show me that move again?" Tauriel nodded and started sketching out the feint, Tilda shadowing her every move. After three or four attempts, Tilda was making creditable progress, when Sigrid came out of the house, headed towards the vegetable patch to pick some greens for dinner. As she passed them, Tauriel noticed how slowly Sigrid was moving.
Tauriel paused in her demonstration. "How fares your sister, Taurauthiel?"
Tilda shook her head. "Sigrid's no fun anymore. She used to be, before the dragon came. But now she just works and works, and she's tired all the time." She lowered her voice. "And Tauriel, sometimes she has nightmares, and wakes up crying. I've told her she should talk to Da about it, but she won't." She fell silent as Sigrid came back from the garden.
"Tilda, it's time to go in and clean yourself up for supper. Tauriel, will you stay and have supper with us? You're more than welcome." Sigrid issued the invitation with genuine kindness, but Tauriel was again conscious of how flat she seemed. She shook her head.
"I'm sorry, I would love to stay, but I'm expected back." She turned to Tilda. "Taurauthiel, you go get ready for your supper, and I'll see you when you come to the Mountain." Tilda gave Tauriel a hug and rushed off, throwing her sticks at her line of orcs as she ran.
"Thank you for spending time with Tilda, Tauriel. I know you must be very busy, and I hope she's not a nuisance," said Sigrid.
"Not at all," said Tauriel simply.
Sigrid hesitated, and Tauriel could see she was struggling to say something. "Tauriel, these games Tilda plays. They're so bloodthirsty," she began. "She's always talking about killing orcs, and practising chopping their heads off. She never stops. It worries me."
Tauriel laid a hand on Sigrid's arm. "Don't be worried about Tilda, Sigrid. I've seen it before, it is a way of dealing with the horrors that she went through. If she feels she has the power to slay orcs, they won't haunt her dreams." Tauriel paused for a moment as Sigrid considered her words, and looked closely at her face. "And you, mellon? How do you fare?"
Sigrid drew herself up and looked defiant. "Me? I'm fine."
"I am glad." Tauriel wasn't convinced, but decided not to press it, and changed the subject. "When will we see you at the Mountain? We expect you any day."
Sigrid nodded. "I'm bringing the first delivery of our share of the provisions tomorrow. There will be much to do, I hope three days will be enough time."
"But it will not be all work, surely? You will be a guest of the Mountain, and an honoured one. I hope you will find time to enjoy it?"
Sigrid smiled, but the smile didn't hide the weariness in her eyes. "Of course."
Tauriel paused again, looking at Sigrid's face. Then she stirred herself. "I must get going, I've got another stop to make on my way back. Give my kindest regards to your Da, Sigrid, and I'll see you tomorrow." She gave Sigrid an embrace and set off through the town, deep in thought.