Fili and Kili belong to the great master Tolkien. Only original characters and storylines belong to me.

Fanning the Flames

A year had passed since Fili and Kili began work at the forge. In that time Joben married and left the village but Joren remained to work with the horses in the stable. He became a great farrier known far and wide for his ability to calm horses and the durable shoes he forged for them. By far the biggest change came upon Arien. The sweet girl with the fair face and strong arms grew into the womanhood her body promised. She was still shorter than the average woman but her hips became full and her chest grew bountiful and she lost some of the softness that imbued her features. In a year a lifetime had occurred, or at least that's how it appeared to Fili and Kili.

These were the thoughts that were moving through their heads as they sat down for breakfast with Master Ferron and what remained of his family. He was a good man and an excellent boss who allowed Fili and Kili complete freedom in the forge and provided all that they needed to live. They wanted for nothing as long as they swore loyalty to him and his forge which both brothers did without qualms. He was also a good father who allowed his children to grow into the people they were meant to be. Kili smiled to himself as he thought of the time the noble woman had come to the forge and asked about a ring forged for her. She commended Fili and Kili for excellent work but they proudly informed her that the ring was Arien's doing and she looked shocked and even a bit disgusted. When Ferron had come to check the ruckus she'd admonished him for having a woman in the forge and he'd told her to mind her own business. If his daughter was happy, who was she to question it and who was he to take that happiness away. It was that day that Kili grew to love and respect the man who had taken them into his home. He was shaken from his thoughts by a bowl of porridge being placed in front of him and he smiled up at Arien who smiled back before she sat down opposite him as she did every day.

"I'm sorry to say that this is it for the morning. I have not had time to go to the market or bake bread in the last few days." She apologized and Ferron reached into his pocket and retrieved coins which he placed on the table by her.

"You have the day off today. I want you to take those coins and go to the market. We need meat in this house if we are to work the forge. Bring one of the lads with you." He told her and she nodded before she took the coins and placed them into the pouch which seemed to always hang from her belt, even if empty.

"Who would like to join me?" She asked as she tied the pouch and Kili shot his brother a look that promised pain if he spoke so the older brother wisely stayed silent.

"I will go with you darling Arien." He told her and was warmed by the sparkle that came into her eyes, a sparkle that was reserved for him and him alone.

…

"Mutton? Why do you always insist on purchasing mutton?" Kili asked in frustration as he looked at a beautiful hunk of oxen.

"It ages better and is cheaper. I can get more of it in one go. Don't you like my mutton stew?" She asked and Kili sighed.

"Of course I like your stew. You're a very good cook but I want real meat, meat from something that can gore a man." He said hotly and Arien chuckled before she turned to the butcher.

"I would also like the oxen shoulder." She told the man who nodded and placed it with the mutton she'd just purchased. "Have it delivered to the forge please."

As she requested it the butcher nodded and smiled as she placed the coins in his hand. Once the transaction was made she began walking away and the butcher's eyes followed her retreating backside with a leer, causing Kili to glare openly at him and place a hand to the dagger he kept strapped to his waist. The butcher saw and hurridly moved toward the back of his stall.

"Kili, is everything alright?" Arien called to him and he quickened his pace until he was beside her.

"Aye, everything is fine. Where else are we off to?" He asked and Arien pursed her lips in thought.

"The grocer, we need more potatoes and carrots then off to the miller for more flour and oats. Does that sound acceptable?" She asked Kili who nodded.

"Lead the way, dear Arien. I am at your service." He bowed to her and she couldn't help but giggle. He always knew how to brighten her day.

…

Kili sat on his bed in the room he shared with Fili examining the clasp he'd made a month prior. It was a simply thing, just a long golden cuff with teeth that held a dwarven not on one side and a single flame on the other. He'd made it on a whim one day, just bored and want for work but as it took shape he realized the clasp had meaning and that it already had an owner. He had been debating and fighting with himself about the appropriateness of giving it to her. She was young and they'd only known each other a year but in that year he'd given his heart to her and he knew she felt the same. Sighing he put the clasp into the pocket on his vest, nearest his heart and stood. He had to get back to the forge, they had a large order.

When he walked out of the room he was surprised to see Arien kneeling by the small altar that stood at the end of the hallway, between her room and the room her father and brother shared. She was crying quietly as she took a lock of her hair and cut it with a small knife. She set it on the altar then leaned to blow out the candle. When she rose she turned and started to walk with tears still streaming. She made it a few steps before she looked up and saw Kili, her eyes widening in surprise and a tinge of embarrassment.

"Kili, what are you doing here?" She asked as she tried to wipe away the tears that were still leaking out of the corner of her eyes.

"I was briefly resting before returning to the forge. Are you well Arien?" He asked and her face crumpled as she began to sob openly and Kili went to her, easing her down until she knelt beside him and leaned on him.

"Today is my birthday." She said through her tears and Kili rested his head on hers as she continued to cry. "Eighteen years ago, on this day, my mother died bringing me into the world. I took away the one person my father and brothers loved most in the world and I'll never be able to make it up to them."

She continued to cry and he held her as he tried to think of what to say. She spoke nonsense of course. Her father and brothers adored her and would be lost without her, she owed them nothing more than her love and loyalty and they had that. He decided on telling her the truth but she began speaking again before he could unstick his tongue.

"Every year I give up a piece of myself to the gods in an effort to atone for living while she lay dead. It's never enough." She began sobbing with all her heart and he pulled her closer and dropped kisses to her head, knowing how improper it was but now caring a whit.

"Listen to me Arien. You have nothing to atone for, nothing to make right. Your mother didn't die because of you, it was just a tragedy and I know without a shadow of a doubt that your father and brothers love you and would be completely lost without you. I also know that if given the choice your mother would have given her life for yours so please do not allow this to tear at your heart, do not think ill of yourself because the world would be a far darker place without you in it. At least mine would be." He told her and she gently pulled away from him. When she looked at him her eyes were still red from the tears and pained but there was hope in their depths.

"Do you mean what you say dear Kili?" She asked as she lifted a hand up to gently carress his cheek, heartened when he moved into the touch.

"Aye, I meant every word. You bring light into my life sweet Arien. You stoke the fire of my heart." He told her honestly and she moved further onto her knees so that she faced him.

"And you breath life into mine." She whispered before she surprised both of them by moving forward and capturing his lips with hers. He was stunned for a brief second but once his brain got used to the idea that this was happening he allowed himself to dominate the kiss and placed his hand to the back of her head so he could hold her in place. She whimpered as he parted her lips with his tongue and began to taste her mouth. She was sweeter than honey and yielded to his every movement. She moaned into his mouth as he massaged her tongue with his and he almost lost control but he steadied himself and pulled her body flush against his. Too soon they needed air and he pulled away, feeling a hint of pride when her eyes widened with need.

"Easy, sweet Ari, I will not leave you in need." He told her before he took her braid in his hand and twisted it causing her to squeak at the pressure. "Dear, sweet Ari."

He whispered the last before he used her braid as a handle to pull her lips to his once more. This second kiss was slower, less passion fueled but no less sensuous as Arien continued to moan and whimper against his lips. He felt his trousers tightening and knew that he should leave her soon before his desire became too great but the thought of his lips leaving hers caused a nearly physical pain in his chest His hand, the one that wasn't caught in her hair, began to touch the column of her throat, his fingers slowly trailing where he knew his lips would soon follow. The trail moved lower until he caressed the hollow of her throat then continued lower still. As he felt the swelling of her breast under his fingertips he moaned with her and cupped her in his hand. It was so soft, yet firm and he could not stop the flame of his desire from reaching a breaking point, Just as he began to lay her on the floor the gods decided to show their displeasure.

"Kili, brother!" At the sound of Fili's call Kili pulled awa from Arien reluctantly and unwound his hand from her braid. He looked into her eyes and saw the desire there, naked and unflinching and wanted to feed that desire with his own. He went to kiss her again but she moved away with a shake of her head and began to stand shakily using the wall to support her since her legs refused to cooperate. Kili did the same and when he looked at her he was at a loss as to what to say but Fili saved him a reply.

"Brother, here you are. You are needed in the forge." Fili told his brother happily as he rounded the corner then stopped himself as he took in the scene in front of him. Kili and Arien both leaning against the wall, breathing heavily with red faces and kiss-swollen lips. His eyes widened when he saw the bulge in his brother's trousers that Kili was obviously trying to hide. "Did I interrupt something?"

"No, nothing at all. Thank you for assisting me Kili, I'll see you later." Arien said quickly before she moved past them with her head down and her face red. Kili understood and nodded but lifted his hand to brush her skirts. She hesitated briefly and that pause told Fili all he needed to know. Once she had rounded the corner Fili looked at his brother, his eyes full of questions.

"Give me a moment brother." Kili requested and Fili nodded. He needed a moment himself to deal with the new feelings that coursed through him, feelings he wasn't sure he understood.

…

Later that night Arien sat at a table in the town pub, silently nursing a glass of wine. Since it was her birthday her father decided to give her a break from her usual duties so he'd brought them to the pub to eat and they did. For the first half of the night they ate, drank and sang as they celebrated the day Arien came into the world. No one celebrated the fact with more vigor than Kili who kept refilling her glass and ensuring that she was enjoying herself. Though, even with his attention, as the night began to wind down she started to close in on herself, the tragedy that colored her birth causing her to fill with pain. Eventually she couldn't handle being in the center of a party any longer and she rose. As she moved to the door her eyes sought Kili's and he understood what that look meant. Once she had left the pub he finished his ale and followed her out the door and around the corner and so on until they reached the forge. She unlatched the door but stood, waiting for him to catch up. Once he was behind her she entered and stood just inside the door.

"Come with me, please." She requested quietly and Kili could do nothing but follow as she walked to her bedroom and sat on her bed. Kili stood uncertainly in the doorway and she looked up at him, her eyes filled with need.

"What are you asking of me Arien?" Kili asked, his mouth suddenly dry and Arien held out her hand, beckoning him to her.

"I need you Kili. I love you." She whispered and he wasted no time as he crossed the room and joined her on her bed. He just sat there for several long moments as she looked at him, her eyes sure but at the same time not. As his fingertips brushed her jaw she shivered and he allowed his fingertips to trace the path that they'd traced that afternoon and she let out a shuddering breath, her eyes darkening as she licked her lips, lips he moved in to kiss but she stopped him. "Wait a moment."

She quickly stood and shut the door before she turned to him with a nervous smile. This time he held out his hand to her and she took as she walked back to the bed and joined him. She breathed deeply before she moved her free hand up and caressed his face.

"Do you love me?" She asked quietly as hope filled her eyes and he moved closer and took her face in his hands.

"My heart beats for you." He whispered before he brought his lips to hers. The kiss was sweet yet filled with the passion as they took their time exploring each other's mouths. Soon the need for air became too great and they parted but kept their heads pressed together, unwilling to lose contact with one another. Once they had enough air Kili resumed kissing her love stung lips and massaging her tongue with his. As the pleasure became nearly too intense Kili moved away and began to kiss her throat, losing a bit of his sanity as helpless noises began to come from her mouth.

"I need you." She moaned and he nipped the flesh of her neck one last time before he moved to look into her eyes.

"Are you certain?" Kili asked as he felt desire course through him and she nodded.

"Love me." She whispered and Kili knew he could not refuse her.

"I already do." He gave her a smile as he kissed her again and allowed his fingers to travel to her bodice. As he untied the laces he felt her breath catch and he knew he could wait no longer. By the time the sun rose she would be his in every way and he would truly be hers.