A/N: Because Dis always deserves more fic.
She had known this day would come. She had known it since her brother first held Fili in his arms, since he had whispered "King" beneath his breath, as though she would not hear him.
She had known.
But it hurt, still, to see Fili stride out beside Thorin, chin high and freshly clasped braids swinging about his ears.
Not looking back.
It is only a council, Dis reminded herself, dashing almost angrily at her tears with the heel of one hand. It was a simple meeting, but Thorin had deemed it a proper time for Fili to join his elders, to begin to understand what it would mean, when he was one day—
The tears came in earnest, then, and Dis turned her face away, knowing that she would bring shame upon their name with such a display of softness, of foolishness—even though she was alone in the house.
He is not yet twenty, Thorin, she had said. Surely—
Surely.
"Ama?" Dis looked towards the open door to see a small figure peeking in.
"Yes, Kili?"
He gave her a baby-toothed grin. "I brought you flowers, Ama."
He had—there were a few rumpled dandelions in one chubby fist. Dis lifted him in her arms. "They're quite lovely."
Kili's smile faded, and he patted her cheeks. "You are crying. You are sad." He sounded desolate, as though her tears were the worst prospect imaginable.
"I am—I am only being silly, my love," Dis said.
He tugged at her braids. He was getting too old to be coddled, and she knew it, but she already felt as though she had lost one son today. She would not let the other grow up. Not yet.
Kili's forehead bumped against hers, and Dis could not help but smile as she realized that he was copying the affectionate gesture he had seen her share with his uncle and their closest friends.
"Fee will be alright, Ama." His little voice was very certain.
"I am not crying about Fee," she said, and it was only half a lie. "I am crying—for myself."
"Oh." Kili wrapped one of her braids around his wrist thoughtfully. "Why?"
Because I do not want to be alone, she thought, and then realized that she had said the words aloud.
Kili's dark eyes were serious. "You are not alone. I'm here."
Dis put aside her tears, her worries, and hugged him closer. "Yes, my darling," she whispered. "You are here."