Later that afternoon, Fili called together those who had been in his uncle's company. He had wanted to tell them Tauriel's news first, but decided to wait until his mother knew. Now that Dis knew that she would soon be a grandmother to a half dwarf, half elf child, it was time to talk to the rest. Fili had had two weeks to think things through. He and Tauriel had had a long discussion about their excitement and fears regarding the child. He had made a promise to protect Tauriel and her child and he would do it.
The company gathered in Fili's study. He poured them all a drink and they sat together in silence for a few moments. It was the first time they had all been together since Thorin and Kili's burial.
Fili took a deep breath. "It's good to see you all, my friends. During the course of our journey, we worked together, fought together, laughed together and watched each other's backs. I hope that as long as we each draw breath, this will always be the case among us. I'll be made king soon, but I hope that to each of you, I will always be Fili and I swear to you all that if you need me, I will come."
The dwarves in the room nodded their heads and murmured their approval.
"But right now I need your help." They all looked at him expectantly. "Kili was always rash and reckless, as well as being loyal and a good warrior. He proved himself over and over again during our journey together, despite his youth."
They all nodded in approval. Some of them smiled and Fili guessed they smiled because Fili himself was only five years older than his brother and very much a youth compared to some of the others in the room.
"He took an arrow for all of us and saved our lives." Fili sighed. He really didn't know where he was going with this. He rubbed his head with his hands. "While we were being held prisoner in Thranduil's dungeons, Kili started flirting with one of the elves there. A female this time," Fili looked up to Dwalin, who had teased Kili about the incident in Rivendell when Kili had mistaken one of the male elves for a female.
The group chuckled at the memory.
"Then, in Laketown, the same she-elf helped save Kili's life from the orc arrow wound."
"You're talking about Tauriel?" Bofur asked.
"Yes, Tauriel. Since then, she was the one to find me on the battle field and save my life. She stayed by my side while I recovered. She has expressed to me her regrets over keeping us locked up in the elf king's dungeons. She was only doing what she was told to do by her king as the captain of his guard."
"Laddie, I think it would be best if you just got to the point," Balin said.
"Yes, the point, of course." Fili was trying so hard to build the guys up to this. There was no easy way. He would just have to come right out and say it. "What I'm trying to get at is Kili fell in love with this elf and, well,"
"No way, Fili!" Bofur cried out. "You aren't about to say what I think you are, are you?"
Fili nodded his head. "Tauriel is carrying Kili's child."
There was a loud burst of noise as the group began to shout out various things at each other and at Fili. Fili wished he had Thorin's powerful, commanding voice and could call everyone to his attention with a single word. Fili was able to catch Dwalin's eye, who yelled at the group in Fili's behalf. Everyone settled down. Fili looked at the ten faces who sat with him.
"I know this is shocking. I'm still trying to get use to it myself. I have a favor to ask of you. I need you to support me and Tauriel during this. This is Kili's child. My family. I have given Tauriel my word that as long as I live, she will be protected and she has asked to live here in Erebor, which I have agreed to. She wants Kili's child to be raised here, among dwarves. You don't have to like her. All I ask is that you protect and support her as I do."
A few of them nodded their heads. A few of them grumbled and the rest made no indication as to their feelings on the matter.
"I ask that you are civil and polite to Tauriel. She has given up her life in the woodlands to love a dwarf and live among his people. She deserves our support. Word of her condition will spread quickly. Most every dwarf in Erebor will not be happy about it and they are welcome feel about this situation however they want, but there is to be no action taken against her nor unkind words spoken about her. I want Erebor to be a place of peace."
Balin stood. "We're with you Laddie. You don't have to explain anything to us. We will protect anyone you have given sanctuary too, especially women, no matter their race."
All the dwarves nodded, even though a few of them still scowled. Tauriel was summoned and she came in to meet all of the company, although she had already met most of them on an individual basis. They pledged to her their support.
Several hours later and, on the dwarves part, several drinks later, they were all chatting as old friends. Tauriel had been treated to story after story of Kili and Fili as children, since most all of them had known Thorin's nephews from birth. Fili was red with embarrassment, but laughed just as hard as anyone else. It was good to talk about Kili and remember his life with laughter rather than tears.
Those in that room knew Kili better than anyone else in Erebor, with the exception of Dis, and it was up to them to keep his memory alive. By the time they had all said goodnight, they had all re-pledged personally to Tauriel, promising to protect her.
