Chapter Seven

When they awoke early the next morning, Kili and Nÿr went about quickly gathering their gear, which had already been set out and ready to go, and prepared themselves to leave.

But as Nÿr exited the bath to dress in her traveling leathers, Kili stopped her with a conspiratorial grin and a shake of his head.

"This was our last night in Erebor, but we're not going any farther than Dale today," he said in a low voice. "It's the best way to make our departure completely unremarkable."

Nÿr raised her eyebrows.

"The presence of Levender here tells us that someone's watching," he said quietly. "We're going to make this look like we're just taking an ordinary jaunt out the gate…and there's a certain lass in the Guard who'll meet us in Dale and wear your clothes back this evening with Skirfir beside her."

"Ah," she said, understanding. "That's brilliant, actually."

"Thank you," he said, eyes sparkling.

"So, it's Friday," Nÿr's brain was whirling, trying to see all the aspects of his plan. "I take it I should dress like we're just heading for the Friday market?"

His grin was merry. "Exactly." He planted a quick kiss on her cheek and left her to dress in an everyday riding skirt and warm fur.

She was relieved, actually, to learn that she had at least one more night in a comfy bed and the promise of a bath again in the morning. She had no qualms about living rough when she traveled, but Mahal, she had become a spoiled lass and she did appreciate the comforts of a well-appointed bedchamber and bath.

She knew she would miss them before they made it all the way to Khelethur.

So dressed for a pleasant day in Dale, Nÿr added her travel leathers to her saddle bags and took one last look around their apartments, including the beautiful little study with the secret door that had been something of a gift from her intended.

She met Skirfir in the outer foyer. He had Kili's bag and accepted hers. With a nod, he excused himself to head for the stables ahead of them, but not before looking pointedly at the place where Kili stood near the cold hearth.

Nÿr understood, thanking Skirf with a touch on his arm as she turned to join her beloved. She heard the lad close the door behind him, leaving them alone.

She looked at Kili. He'd been full of energy all week, eager to go, smiling and laughing with everyone.

Now he stood in silence, turning a slow circle with a somber expression on his face.

Nÿr gazed back steadily when he looked at her, letting him pick the moment to speak.

"You know, I'll actually miss this place," he said quietly.

"Erebor? Of course you will."

"No, I mean these rooms…I think I was only truly happy here this past year." He looked around again, then back at her with a sad smile. "Do you remember when we woke up in that chair and Fili showed us this wall?" He gestured toward the sliding wall that could so cleverly turn the private study beyond into a secret room.

Nÿr smiled, a little embarrassed. "I do. Though I regret the circumstances," she admitted. She'd just come back after misguided intentions to run away back to the Blue Mountains.

Kili suppressed a smile and looked shy. "Do you know that was when I first knew how much I really loved you?" he murmured.

She looked at him, puzzled.

"I came back that day, petrified that you were going to tell me it was over. I remember watching the sunset," he reached for her hand, threading his fingers through hers. "And thinking of everything I'd always thought I would do in my life…I wanted nothing more than to grab a pack and go with you…make for the Blue Mountains, stop in the Shire…"

He looked down at their hands. "But I could not." He shrugged. "And I knew I loved you because I could understand your side of it…and I could not bring myself to stop you if leaving here was what you wanted."

She didn't know what to say. Something she could do on a whim had, for so many years, been impossible for Kili. Until just a few months ago, he could not leave the protection of Erebor and live.

Nÿr bit her lip. "Kili…"

He smiled and huffed, turning away to look at the rooms again and run one hand across his forehead. "You know, I've been as good as dead here since the day I arrived…I might as well have let the dragon take me or thrown myself at Azog and died with Thorin. All I've done is live a life where I accomplished nothing," he looked back at her, his eyes flashing at the unfairness of it. "I wanted to go with Balin to Moria and I might have changed things there. And that should have been me sitting in the Council of Elrond, joining the Fellowship, fighting Sauron on his territory…instead, it was Gimli…" He made a gesture of frustration.

He looked back at her, his expression resolved.

"But not anymore," he murmured. "This is my chance to do something and make a difference in Middle Earth. Fili," His gaze was steady now. "Has cared for me ever since the day I took that arrow outside Thranduil's halls…he needs to spend the next twenty five years with his own son and heir, to see Fjalar take the crown and lead Erebor. It is past time for me to carry my own weight, and if my brother wants to retire in peace in the Blue Mountains….then I mean to see it done."

Nÿr could only open her arms to him and hold him close. "And I will help you," she said.

"Can you forgive me?" he asked. "For dragging you across the countryside when you should be safe at home?"

She knew he felt guilty about making this move while she was pregnant. But she had a ready answer. "First of all, no one's dragging me anywhere," she laughed. "I'm going where you're going. And lasses travel at this stage of pregnancy all the time. It'll make me more fit and he'll be a stronger lad for it." She smiled at him, trying to make sure he understood. "Besides, my grandmother made the trip while pregnant, and under much harder conditions that we'll have."

He nodded. The ones who'd escaped the dragon all those years ago had left with nothing.

"Kili…" She framed his face with her hands and kissed him. "For luck...and a new adventure," she said with a smile. His arms came around her tight then, and they embraced for a long moment.

"Luck," he said, "And a hell of a lot of planning…!" He laughed, and Nÿr took it as the best of omens.

Kili was ready to embark on a new journey. And he was going to make an awesome King.


Kili, Prince of Erebor, rode at a sedate and unremarkable pace from the Lonely Mountain on a sharp early winter morning under a cloudless blue sky, feeling anything but lonely. He was full of optimism like he'd not been in years.

He glanced at Nÿr, his friend and lady wife, who was playing her part to perfection and chatting casually with Skirfir about the best market stalls for leather work. "I'm taking on Embur as an apprentice," she said to the lad. "And the lass needs proper belt pouches."

"I've always bought from the Tanner's Guild," Skirfir answered. "But if I could afford it, I'd look at Tate Stig's work."

"Is that booth with the pointy green roof?"

Kili listened with half an ear, scanning the sky for ravens. Sure as anything, he heard Corax quorking long before the shiny black corvid glided past.

Corax was about to be something of an experiment. Kili had been speaking to him all week, inviting him to come along on a ride, to bring friends, to bring hens. He and Fili were of a mind to see if Erebor Ravens could be persuaded to start a new flock in Khelethur. Kili had been telling the bird over and over about the beautiful valley in the mountains, about hazelnuts, and about swooping on the updrafts of granite cliffs. He'd made sure to add how much attention and admiration that he, Raven Prince, would share with a bird brave enough to follow.

Corax now flew ahead, followed by five…no, seven other ravens. All young, given their sizes. Kili shaded his eyes. At least three had the sleeker look of strong, young hens.

He was hailed by an off-duty archer captain then, walking along the road with several lads.

"Off to town for an ale?" Kili asked with a smile.

"Aye, my lord," the captain bowed with hand on heart.

Kili flipped him an extra coin. "Have a round and a shepherd's pie on me, lads," he said. They thanked him with gusto, and Kili grinned at Nÿr and shrugged when she looked round at him. These five, at least, would talk of seeing him on the road and help spread the rumor that Kili had made nothing more than a casual trip to town.

It took less than an hour to ride from the Gate of Erebor to the city walls of Dale. They passed mountain merchants, more off-duty guard, and a group of crusty smiths on the road. By the third bell past sunrise, they approached Dale's main gatehouse, well manned by armed, uniformed members of the City Militia.

"Stay close," Kili said to Skirfir, riding beside Nÿr as he guided his pony through the short tunnel of the Dale Gate. Once on the city streets, many men hailed Kili, quickly recognizing Erebor's prince, and more than one bowed to Nÿr, hand on heart.

They rode through town at an easy pace, unconcerned by the bustle, noise, and smells of men. Corax tracked them by flying between rooftops, and they ambled for Dale's Embassy Hill, though Kili remained on alert. He checked rooftops for hidden archers, looked for lurkers behind the smiling friendly crowds, and he kept his right hand free, ready for his sword.

"Just a little further," Kili murmured, riding straight for the doors of a tile-roofed villa's first floor stable. As they came closer, two hooded dwarves swung back the doors and let them pass. Once inside, more hooded dwarves greeted them with silent head nods, taking charge of their ponies.

"It's you!" he heard Nÿr murmur, relief in her voice at the sight of their cousin Dwalin, a dark green hood sliding off his smooth, tattooed head.

"Aye, lassie. Let me help you, here."

Kili suppressed the predictable twinge of mild jealousy as he watched Nÿr slide from her saddle into Dwalin's strong arms. He was their cousin and it was allowed, but Kili knew Dwalin flirted with her for both his own enjoyment and to tweak Kili's temper. Still, he pointedly raised an eyebrow at the old weaponsmaster.

"We're all in here, this way," Dwalin said, holding his arm out as he winked at Kili and stepped back so Nÿr could go to his side. Kili took the hand she offered and squeezed gently as they followed Dwalin. Skirfir came behind them with their bags.

Kili kept hold of Nÿr's hand and led her inside. He'd not brought her to this place before and was rather enjoying her wide-eyed surprise. Inside, the place was Erebor-opulent, with rich wood and gold fittings similar to those of the King's Reception Room.

"Fili calls this his Villa," he explained to her as they made their way through a wide wood-paneled foyer. "It's close to the royal quarters and he uses it when he wants to stay in Dale without attracting attention."

And then they were inside the main room and he watched her face as she realized who was here.

He heard her gasp at the smiling faces of Tuilind and Yanu, their elf friends. And then there was Bruilan, the man of Gondor who'd been her partner in crime during that risky venture into a goblin cave, and with him, another man introduced as Halden, one of the Dunedain…and here was Gimli, standing beside his father, and the three Bruns brothers along with Bofur, Bombur, Bendin, and Embur…and finally, Lady Lëofa of Rohan, though Bard himself was notably absent.

"I don't understand," Nÿr said, breathless. "Are all of you coming with us?"

Kili welcomed Bruilan's hand clasp of greeting as Lëofa laughed.

"My dearest Princess of Erebor," she grinned. "The disguise is that all of you are here to be my escort. It seems I am required to petition my Lord Éomer in person before I may accept the honored proposal of my Lord, King Bard of Dale."

Nÿr's happy exclamation led to much female hugging and joyous laughter in a huddle that included Tuilind, Embur, and even Frea.

Kili rolled his eyes, but it was in jest. Secretly, fellows all expected this sort of reaction when mates were Chosen. How else did a lad know he was loved and appreciated?

"But let's be honest," Lëofa said to them in a quieter voice. "This journey is quite an elaborate cover for your trip south as well as a chance for me to return home with an escort. There are some family matters I need to resolve before I can come back here to stay."

"And I," Gimli added pointedly. "Am poaching shamelessly from my cousin's noble kingdom and luring a select group of highly skilled gemstone miners to the Glittering Caves." His smile was smug and proud.

Kili snorted.

"Just don't forget my percentage," Fili inserted, giving Gimli a stern eye as he welcomed Nÿr with a brotherly arm around her shoulder and a kiss on the cheek.

The guests, human, elf and dwarf, were served drink and morning buns then, and one by one took seats in the villa's great room. It was then that Kili steered Nÿr to a seat near Fili. She sat close to him, her hand on his arm. Fili leaned into her, murmuring something for her ears only.

Kili took in the sight of them. It was almost the last time he would see his brother for a year.

The impact of it sobered him, but it wasn't as if he and Fili had not spent time apart before. It was just that in the past, Fili had been the one to journey out and Kili the one to stay behind in Erebor.

He would miss his brother, yes. But it was not goodbye forever. It was just a temporary thing, and the presence of Corax and his little flock meant they would only be a raven's flight apart.

Though as he crossed Middle Earth, a raven's flight would turn from hours to days.

The little gathering was quieting and everyone was taking seats, looking at him expectantly.

Kili raised his glass of warm brandy and toasted those in attendance. "Thank you, good friends, family, and co-conspirators, for joining me here this fine morning."

Around the room, men, elves, and dwarves raised glasses.

"Tomorrow morning Nÿr and I leave for the Blue Mountains and a new chapter in our lives—and I'm grateful to my good cousin Gimli for the chance to travel together, at least for the first part of the journey."

Glasses were raised again. "Here's to the Sons of Durin and our expansion projects!" Gloin laughed, leading a loud uproar of happy approval. He referred, of course, to Gimli's opening of the Glittering Caves as well as Kili's acceptance of the Blue Mountains. They were on entirely different scales—the management of a gemstone mining operation vs. the security, health and welfare of a vast territory full of dwarves…but Kili hadn't spent the last eighty-odd years learning to protect Erebor without appreciating the value of a good smoke screen. Fact was, Lëofa and Gimli would be in the spotlight when they left tomorrow…allowing him, Nÿr and Bofur to casually embed themselves in the crowd and leave without it being general knowledge.

"I have just one piece of unfinished business before I go," Kili said. "And that's the question of what to do with the dwarf, Levender." Kili took a swig of his warm brandy. He was about to upset this group of friends and steeled himself.

"Bard sentenced Levender to 40 days in gaol for tampering with a Dale Courier horse, a crime to which Levender confessed. During his time in gaol, the Erebor Guard and the Bruns brothers," Kili nodded to the three Blue Mountains warriors who'd arrived shortly after Lev, "have conducted investigations."

Brunsmund snorted. "Aye. Along with our friend Redbane," he said, referring to the strong liqueur known for loosening dwarf tongues, illegal in Erebor but not in Dale.

"Maybe you can recap what you learned," Kili prompted, standing back.

Brunsmund stood. He was of an age with Dwalin, his once golden hair now snow white. His face was craggy and his lumpy nose had the look of one broken many times in battle. Here, Kili knew, was a true dwarf from the line of the Firebeards and cousin of Gunnvald, his father.

"The lad's name is truly Levender, son of Tormund, and I'm sorry to say that he is indeed a distant cousin." Brunsmund looked at his feet as if slightly ashamed of this. "He is known to us, but I have to say he is NOT," he emphasized. "A dwarf of Ered Luin. Never has been. His branch of Firebeards settled in the Emyn Uial a few generations back. This was before Smaug, even."

"Aye," said Halden. "The Dunedain know these dwarves. They mine zinc…a little bit of silver. Trade for furs." He shook his head. "They're a small group, not exceptionally prosperous."

Brunsmund nodded. "And they don't like change. I have to say that young Levender here doesn't honestly know much. He's working for someone else, that's clear, but they've kept him purposefully ignorant of their true intentions." He shook his head to show he was done.

"Thank you," Kili said, nodding to Brunsmund and Halden. "Fact is, Dale can't legally hold Levender here any longer. He's served his sentence and Bard admits they'll have to release him."

"No!"

Kili turned to see Skirfir, who would normally keep his peace in a meeting of those he considered his betters, standing up with an affronted look. "Iri could have been killed because of that dwarf," he said stubbornly.

Beside him, Fili stood, his face stern. "Thank you," he said pointedly, as if Skirf was the only one in the room with any sense. "I agree!"

The room was suddenly full of grumbling.

"Yes," Kili said loudly, prompting everyone to quiet. He put a calming hand on Skirf's shoulder.

"Yes—Skirfir is correct. But as Brunsmund points out, whoever really sent Levender here remains a mystery." He looked around the room. No one spoke. "Here's the thing—we can lock the lad up in Erebor and let him rot," he said, getting a round of murmured agreement. "Or we can use him to our benefit."

Fili looked confused. "Mahal's hell, Kili. What are you proposing?"

"Turn him loose and have him tracked," Kili said, looking his brother in the eye.

A roomful of stunned faces looked at them.

Tuilind the elf, cousin to the legendary Tauriel, stood. "And that is why Yanu and I are here," she said. "If it is the will of this group, Yanu and I will follow this traitor to his source. As elves, your ravens will speak with us and they can relay our progress."

"And if he needs killing," Yanu said, standing beside his beloved. "I would gladly deal that fate."

The room was silent.

It was Gimli who broke through everyone's shock with a rumbling chuckle. "Now that's a fair bit of turnabout. I like it!"


**Thanks much for reading and please leave a note/PM! It's a huge help and keeps me working on this story. Huge round of applause for the fabulous beta readers for their help and moral support: BlueRiverSteel, Cassandrala, and Jessie152!

Apologies for the time between posts...I admit to being thoroughly sidetracked by Tuesday's digital release of the DoS ee on iTunes...with all the extras...squeeee! I was also being very careful with the setups in this chapter...but I think the next few will roll out more quickly now. Thanks for your patience!

If you haven't seen it, Cassandrala started a new spoofy fic called "How to Wreck a Mary Sue." Been ROFL'ing ever since! Give it look for a good giggle.

Finally, the music reference for Kili recalling the events from Ravenspeakers and Nÿr's almost-departure is Let Her Go/Passenger. And a final shout-out to Scribe of Erebor for poking me in the backside about cleaning up a chapter posting issue in Ravenspeakers. Fixed now! Thanks Scribe! **