AN: I know this seems kinda like it's a filler chapter, but it'll lead up to stuff that happens later. :)

Chapter 3

"Have a good time?"

Footsteps pounded across the floor, causing Kili to frown and bury himself further under the covers.

"It was fun; we looked around town and then went down to see the beach again," Fili spoke softer, indicating that Kili was already asleep, or trying to sleep as the case was.

There was silence for a moment, and then Fili spoke again in a whisper so soft Kili had to strain to hear it.

"Uncle, were you listening to those traders last night? Did you hear what stories they were telling?"

There was silence for a moment, and then Kili heard his brother give a soft, "Hmm."

"Why?" Thorin asked, "Was it something important we should know?"

"No, no they were just telling some interesting stories about the coast; probably made up anyway. It's nothing, really. Probably time I go to bed as well, huh? Busy day tomorrow?"

"We will be trading and selling the metal work we've been working on recently. Bofur also has some toys that Bifur made to sell. Kili will be helping as well. It's time he learned to work a stand."

Thorin lingered in the room, and peeking out from under the covers showed Kili that there was a suspicious frown lining his uncle's face.

"Well, goodnight," Fili mumbled, turning away, but Thorin asked him one more question.

"You're sure it's nothing, really?" Thorin asked his nephew, "If there's anything important or dangerous happening, even if it sounded made up, the group needs to know."

Fili hesitated, but shook his head, "They were just stories about creatures of the sea the traders saw. I was just curious if you heard. Goodnight Uncle."

Thorin lingered a moment longer, and then left the room with a huff.

The light next to Fili's bed disappeared, leaving Kili in darkness. Why was Fili so worried about the selkie story, for surely he wouldn't have asked their uncle unless he was worried? Fili didn't ask Uncle Thorin about just anything.

Too tired to think of the answers that night, Kili shook the questions away and let his eyes drift shut.

That night, Kili dreamt of the sea. There was a lovely maiden frolicking on the beach, and Kili seemed drawn to go talk to her and dance her cheerful, twirling dance. Looking up on the rocks, however, made Kili pause.

Fili stood silently, frowning slightly at Kili. Kili called his brother over, yet instead of approaching, Fili turned and began walking away. Glancing at the sea, he saw the maiden returning to ocean, leaving Kili alone on the beach.

His gaze traveling between the two, Kili finally ran off after his brother, leaving the shore far behind.

"Morning, sleepy-head. You ready for the first day of town work?"

Kili groaned and pulled his blanket over his head, only to have Fili bother him once again.

"Ok, I'll get up. Just five more minutes?"

"And then five more after that, and another five after that?" Fili grinned, causing his little brother to roll his eyes and force himself out of bed.

"See, I'm up," Kili told Fili, who nodded, telling him all about the trading and selling they'd be doing in town.

"Of course, we'll have a little time off. Also, Bofur has convinced Uncle Thorin to let you have even more free time this first day so you can see some more of the shore, but tomorrow you'll start working full time. You should thank Bofur for that! All Thorin did was mutter about 'the dwarves of Khazad-dum.'"

Kili smiled, his uncle often pointed out the slight differences between Durin's folk and Bofur's own relatives, but always with humor. Yes, Kili would thank Bofur sometime soon.

The brothers stepped down the steep stairs of the inn, following the path to where Fili said they'd be meeting their uncle in a neighboring bakery. The smell of fresh bread and pastries somehow made Kili think of home. The thought was fleeting since he was having such a wonderful time so far at the ocean, but it reminded him that he wouldn't be seeing his mum for a very long time; it made him sort of sad, but the sight of the small dwarves seated around a man sized table brought the smile back to his face.

"Here're the slow pokes!" Bofur smiled at the youngest dwarves when they finally arrived in the bakery. One of the dwarves went to order food, while Fili and Kili took seats near their uncle.

Thorin warned Fili about being late the next day, for apparently they were 'all behind in their schedule now', and then the whole company succumbed to jokes and stories, which Kili took full part in, laughing and smiling with the various dwarves around the table.

Thorin couldn't help but grin at his younger nephew's antics when he told a story of his own. Soon the food appeared, and then disappeared, and it was time to begin selling metal work.

The dwarves set up a little stand, laying the metal work and toys about the table before sending Bofur and another dwarf to try and get some customers with their friendly, smiling ways.

Thorin hung back, explaining things to Kili while Fili helped one man chose a toy for his daughter waiting at home. More than once Thorin lectured Nori about not pick-pocketing the costumers because they didn't want their stand to get a bad reputation. Finally, it was lunch time.

Leaving Vufur in charge of the stand, the rest of the dwarves went to get some lunch from the bakery. The others soon returned, delivering Vufur his share of food, and then Thorin turned to Kili.

"Bofur has told me you'd like some more time to look around before working all day tomorrow. Will you be careful if I let you go?"

Kili nodded happily; his uncle finally trusted him to run off and have fun alone in a town Kili had never been in before yesterday. It was a big step, considering Thorin rarely found himself trusting the younger, more reckless nephew with anything, and so when Kili hurried off into the busy street, Thorin called after him, "Be back before sundown! Don't go off with any strangers! Be safe!"And then Kili had disappeared into the crowd.

AN: Well, let's hope Kili doesn't find himself in trouble, and please review.