"And who, exactly, is Tauriel?" Thorin's calm voice did not mask his aggravation and barely leashed temper. He dismissed the dwarven messenger who had interrupted the meeting and closed the door once more.
Legolas, sitting next to his father at the large conference table, started to answer. A swift hand movement from his father across from him, had the blond elven prince staying silent.
Bain cleared his throat, looking eager as only a youngster could. He knew this answer. "She's the elf-lady who fought off the orcs at our house in Lake Town. The one who treated Kili's leg wound, saved his life."
Bard did not admonish his son and heir for speaking up, although he'd only brought the youth to listen and learn.
The once grand conference room of Erebor had seen better days. But the tenancy of a dragon had made a caricature of the once proud glory of this gathering place. It had been scoured clean, but the table's inlays and silver filigrees seemed dulled by tarnish and even chipped in places.
Bard wasn't sure if the missing parts of the giant table had been made by dragon fangs, or dragon claws.
Thorin's cold-eyed gaze turned to King Thranduil. "One of yours, I believe. And don't mark me as ungrateful for her assistance in binding my nephew's wounds. But she was hardly instrumental in saving the lad's life."
Legolas fairly twitched in his seat, unable to remain silent despite his father's unspoken admonition. "It was a morgal-shaft that struck him! If not for Tauriel's intervention, he would not have lived past midnight!"
Balin coughed and felt the need to add something. "She's the red-haired she-elf who fought to protect you and both young princes. During the battle." He did not have to explain which battle.
Thorin fell silent, drawing in a deep breath which was returned as a sigh. "Her." He looked over at Thranduil, who did not meet his eye. "The one Kili was going on and on about."
The group, who had been discussing mutually beneficial trade, repairs, and defence all fell silent.
"Why is she here?" Thorin asked quietly.
Thranduil didn't make any excuses, he simply pursed his lips very lightly. "The Lady of Lorien made a request."
The King Under the Mountain nodded, putting things together in his mind.
"I think he likes her." Bain spoke up, only quieting as Bard finally put a hand on his son's forearm.
Thorin's lips twisted a bit and then he scowled. "Someone to show Kili that elves aren't all like this one." He waved a hand vaguely in Thranduil's direction.
The Elven King, if he took offense, showed no change in his haughty expression.
Balin shook his head. Time. Fili had bargained for time. But the dwarves didn't have the time to spare. Sauron was loose upon the land. Orcs, goblins, trolls, and even the Men from the East were making movements and gathering strength. The Men of Dale, the Elves of Mirkwood, and the Dwarves of Erebor were having to band together in unheralded alliances.
Erebor's dwarves were not at full strength. The mountain kingdom had been the domain of a dragon for too long. Everything was in need of repair. Food was scarce, and their numbers low.
Dain was bringing back dwarves from Ered Luin, and leaving some of his warriors here for the time being. But as a race, the dwarves had been exiles for a very long time. Not an army. Which is what they needed.
"Too much work for even basic security." Thorin muttered, running a rough hand over his face. "Not enough time."
King Thranduil absently picked up his wine glass, sniffing at the excellent vintage with pleasure. It seemed that Smaug the Mighty and Terrible had left Erebor's wine cellars alone. It hadn't held the kind of treasure the dragon coveted. "Perhaps young Kili needs to be exposed to the softer side of Dwarven life."
Thorin sent the elven ruler a speculative glance. "Meaning?"
"Surely, despite the fantastical rumors that flow around Middle Earth, there really are ...females of your own race?" Legolas stepped in, eager to offer a possibility where Tauriel could be replaced in a certain dwarf's affections. He'd been shocked to learn of Kili's parentage, and also upset by the news.
Balin's eyebrows rose as he shared a quick look with his king. "Aye. Aye there are."
"But none will be sent here until it is safe." Thorin scowled deeply, his hands moving to rest clasped behind his back.
Bard had nothing against Tauriel, or her being here. He had liked young Kili well enough, but his priorities were on Dale and the need to repair and reclaim that city. "What do you need?"
Thorin's eyebrows furrowed as he turned to look at the human archer, the slayer of Smaug.
"To make Erebor safe for the return of your womenfolk. What do you need of us?" Bard asked, his countenance open as he spread his hands. "From you we need materials as well as cash to repair what we can."
Balin sucked in a breath, holding it as he watched for Thorin's reaction. His king had fallen to the fever of gold and madness prior to the Battle of Five Armies. He'd recovered after coming so close to losing everything. But would it stand?
Thorin closed his eyes for a long moment, and the group fell into silence. Finally, the King Under the Mountain grunted. Then he spoke. "We can not mine yet. The shafts have to be inspected, I will not waste lives needlessly."
Bard and Thanduil shared a look. It was a measured and reasonable statement, but ...
But Thorin wasn't done. "However, there were stocks of raw materials in storage." He admitted slowly. "Not precious ores, but iron and steel."
Bard's expression lightened as he listened. "Even with raw materials, we do not have the facility to make enough armor and weapons in a short time." They only had three blacksmiths trained well enough.
"We do." Thorin's head bowed slightly and his expression turned grim. "What we lack are the basics. Wood, which we can gather but it takes hands away from needier things. Fabrics. Healing supplies. Defensive numbers, again with persons we can not spare." He sighed. "Food."
Thranduil nodded at the frank assessment, surprised that Thorin sounded almost reasonable. "I have food stock to ...share. Fabrics, healing materials."
"Wood we can help with. Food, we can supply some." Bard grimaced. "But numbers, numbers we have. If I can but get them properly armed."
"Properly armed?" Thorin scoffed, his mood rising a bit as he glanced at the bowman. "Like the weapons you first offered me and mine?"
Taking his cue from the dwarven king, Bard gave a light chuckle. "More like the ones you attempted to liberate." He admitted.
Thorin turned to Thranduil, he sighed deeply, and with no small amount of regret. "And do I dare ask what you would have of Erebor?"
The Elven King shrugged lightly, his eyes never leaving the rim of his wine glass.
"I know what you are after." Thorin admitted, leaning forward a bit. "I will tell you, we have not yet located the box containing those particular stones."
Thranduil's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Thorin held up a hand. "However, I am seeking them. When I was younger, I was not a part of withholding them from your kind. Still, I would not simply give them away in trade."
The eyes of the Elven King rose at those words. Not so much because of the words themselves, but at the tone in which they were offered. Reassuring. Open. Grudgingly honest. And while perhaps not respectful, not unrespectful either.
"We will share our raw materials, even our labor in the armory. We search for your treasures. Will you ...join with us?"
Thranduil watched and weighed Thorin's face and eyes, as if measuring his worth and his honesty. Finally, the High Elf nodded regally. "If you would allow some of your fine vintage to travel to the Mirkwood as well, on the return trip we will fill your pantries to overflowing and stock your healing halls."
Balin made a motion with his hand and Thorin held his palm outstretched, quieting his counselor. "For a crate of this wine, will you allow your healer to share some lore with ours?"
Thranduil's eyebrows rose and he sipped his wine with great appreciation. "For a crate? I will allow them to train your healers for an entire season."
Thorin sat back in his chair, cautiously pleased. Erebor was on the way to restoration. He thought of his once proud home, and his mind automatically went to it's future. His heirs. The king sighed. "How much wine would it take to get you to send Tauriel, lovely and brilliant as she may be, back to Mirkwood?"
Legolas scowled, for that was his wish as well.
King Thranduil actually sighed and shook his head slightly. "She is no longer a captain among my guards. The Lady of Lorien has requested her service and I ...granted this request."
No one there was under any misgivings that this request had been other than an outright demand.
"Tauriel has no say in the matter?" Bard asked, just to be sure.
"She agreed. Willingly." Legolas' voice was devoid of bitterness, but also empty of every other emotion as well. "It is an honor to be asked to serve the Lady of Light."
Thorin grunted. He'd thought so.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
Elladan sent a furtive gander over at the duo. He couldn't seem to help himself.
"Leave them be." Elrohir lifted his own gaze over at his young nephew and the Silvan elf. "They get along well."
"Too well." The anxious father looked over at them again, then turned back to his amused twin brother. "You seem too happy."
Elrohir gave an elegant shrug of his shoulders and settled back, leaning against a large shade tree. "These dwarves, they aren't much for horses."
Fili groaned, lying back in the leaves and staring up at the sky. "These dwarves have ears you know."
"Didn't think you were talking to us." Elrohir commented wryly.
"Too busy hanging on for dear life." Admitted the blond dwarf laconically.
Elladan snorted a bit at that. "Ponies more your style, I presume?"
"All we had." Fili said, his clipped tone showing he was getting irate on the subject. "I hurt right now."
Elrohir shook his head slightly. "I saw stables at Erebor. Extensive."
Fili sighed, apparently he wasn't going to be allowed to suffer in peace. "Thorin and mam ..." He paused, having not meant to bring Dis into the conversation. Quickly he got to his point, "speak of Altai horses."
Elrohir nodded thoughtfully, ignoring the mention of the lad's mother. "Mountain breed, smaller builds than the ones we brought with us. Hardy. Definitely not ponies though." He winced thinking of the fire damage he'd seen down in the Erebor stables.
"Uncle has already sent out inquiries for breeding stock." Fili admitted, closing his eyes and letting the late afternoon breeze waft over him. A rock was under one shoulder and he shifted, the groan escaping him without thought. He ached. "Can we walk back?"
"She's petting his hair." Elladan's comment pulled a smile from the young dwarf. "Does that mean anything?"
Fili grinned at the discomfort in the elf's well being. The last he'd seen Tauriel was leaning against a tree, Kili laying down next to her. Not touching except for her hand in his dark tresses. "Is she braiding his hair?"
"No." Came the grumpy reply.
"Then they're not about to make you a grand-sire." Fili said with a big smile. Elrohir laughed at that. "Did you really blacken your brother's eye?"
The two elf twins looked at each other, and then down at Fili, who still had his eyes closed. "Which time?" One of them asked.
It must of been Elrohir who asked, because Elladan answered. "I told him about how you'd been angry when I didn't chase after him and Dis."
"Ah." A very male chuckle. "Aye, I did."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't want my brother to fade." The voice didn't sound so light-hearted this time. Instead, the tone was nearly flat. Detached.
Ignoring his aches, Fili sat up, turning to look at the twin leaning back agains the tree. "Fade?"
Elladan looked back over at his son and the Silvan elf, wondering just who she was and why she was really there. Leaving Elrohir to explain about elves, heartbreak, and fading.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
Kili smiled up at Tauriel, basking in the carefree moment. Away from all the turmoil. Away from ...well, crap. He wasn't away from the elves. "You're an elf."
"Observant dwarf you are." She said, clearly amused as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"It's just ...you don't feel like an elf."
Tauriel's green eyes widened slightly and her freckles moved as her nose wrinkled a bit. He watched her face, mesmerized.
"And what does an elf feel like, then?" The she-elf asked archly.
"Honestly?" Kili sighed. "Fear."
Surprised, Tauriel looked down on him, her face reflecting uncertainty.
"Not physical fear, like before a battle. You can build yourself up to face an army of goblins and wargs." Kili said slowly, his eyes a bit unfocused as he stared up into the canopy of leaves and bits of sky above them. "Fear of letting people down. Of owing what I can't pay."
She knew he wasn't speaking of financial payments, but emotional ones. "Do you know why I'm here?" She asked instead.
Kili grinned and turned his head so he could get a good long look at her beautiful face. "I can guess."
"The Lady didn't tell me. But I would assume so that you had a friendly face among the elves that you already trust."
"I trust you?" He made it a soft question.
Tauriel gave him a soft look in return. "I can only hope so."
"Are you going to try and talk me into going with my newly discovered relatives?" He pressed.
She shook her head, making her long red hair move around her shoulders alluringly. "No. I want you to do what you want to do."
He reached over his head and captured her hand in his own, bringing it from his hair to his lips. Slowly, lest she pull away, he pressed a sweet kiss to the back of her hand. "See, an elf on my side."
"Who else is on your side?" She asked, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach.
"Fili." Was the immediate response. And that was it.
"That's a short list." She didn't ask the obvious question, such as about his uncle or long list of cousins. And he didn't offer any further explanations.
Kili turned his attention back to the sky above him, although he kept her hand in his own. A short list? Once upon a time that list would have been far longer. Mam, uncle, dwalin, balin, and on and on.
But mam had kept secrets. Big assed secrets. Huge secrets. Leaving him on his own to think horrible things about his father that just weren't so. Not that she'd ever lied. But there was so much left out.
Uncle. Uncle loved him, he was sure. But Kili also knew that Thorin was only ever on Thorin's side. Complicated dwarf, the king. He was on Kili's side for now. But if what he wanted and what his uncle wanted ever differed ...the young dwarf's mouth tilted downward. It wouldn't be Kili's side winning.
The elves. Oh, he decided, he might as well just lump them all in one great big pile. Great-grandma with witch, grandfather the war hero, father and uncle the great warriors training the Rangers and legendary heroes that don't know enough to stay buried once dead. They were on their own side. His wishes be damned. Sure, they had a valid point. And he'd be pissed off too if his son had been basically stolen. But that son wasn't an infant anymore and he had wishes of his own.
His hand tightend on the soft skin of one of those wishes. "You should have callouses." He mentioned, rubbing his thumb over her palm. "Are my hands too rough?"
"No." She laughed lightly, and his mood lifted.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
Saruman sat in his tower. Thinking. That was not unusual.
But after years of work behind the scenes, things had finally come to a head. Sauron was loose and the others of the White Council knew of it now. His long fingernails tapped lightly on the arm of his seat of power and position.
"Gandalf, Gandalf." The White Wizard's voice was highly disdainful, even if no one was around to hear.
Sauron had ...advised ...Saruman of the outcome of the battle for Erebor. But he would have to wait to be informed by more conventional means before reacting openly.
Erebor lost to them wasn't so bad. But the Line of Durin continued. Saruman's lips twisted into a sneer, and then smoothed out completely. Not that they were a problem. No. But what he, and Sauron, had hoped to avoid was any alliance between the Elves, Men and Dwarves.
Such an alliance had once proved too costly to Sauron. He was not eager to face such again. No. That alliance needed to be broken.
Seventy-eight years ago there had been a plan in place to drive an unforgivable wedge between the elves and dwarves. Saruman had thought that plan fruitless. But Sauron now has told him otherwise.
A child. That silly plan had actually worked. A melding of several of the most powerful bloodlines in Middle Earth. "He has to go."
Saruman stood and fairly glided over to his desk, pulling out fine tipped quills as he penned his missive quickly.
Sauron was tied up, seeking his One Ring, chasing rumors. And he was demanding more from Saruman now that he was out in the open. So be it.
"So what if there is a child?" Saruman melted wax on the back of his letter, sealing it with his crest, and a bit of magic as well. "When children die, families are often torn apart at the seams. And the seams between Elves and Dwarves are very fragile in the first place."
He grunted in satisfaction. What had not been won with brute force, could be won by stealth.
And when the Child of Blood died? All their precious alliances would turn against one another.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
"You are unsettled."
Elrond nodded, then turned eyes far too cautious upon her. "Elladan is unsure of Tauriel."
Galadriel shook her head very, very slightly. "Elladan is unsure. His soul is warming, but he has long dwelled in the shadows of his own grief."
"You think he fears for Kuilaith what he himself has been through?" Lord Elrond posited, thinking of his son's great love, Bainnid, lost forever in death.
"Elladan's heart fears to love fully again. But with Kuilaith, he has no chance to hold back. His heart can find no purchase, no barrier against this child of his." Galadriel smiled gently, thinking of the child in question. Her dark-eyed great-grandchild who could bring forth joy in even the most stalwart hearts.
The Lord of Rivendell gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. "My son is returning to us. It is slow. And the sweeter emotions are harder to reconnect with than the darker ones. Anger and fear come first. Longing. Despair. But it is better than that nothingness, that void where he used to dwell."
"We are here for him as well as his child." The Lady bowed her head in acknowledgement. "You take your leave on the morrow?"
"I do." Elrond took a deep breath. "Can you see anything?" He did not mean this question for himself, but for his grandson. And the Lady knew that all too well.
"All is veiled." Galadriel's eyes closed, as if it pained her to admit this. "I too have no barriers to Kuilaith. His presence draws my heart as well. I would wish him happy, but that is not a magic that exists."
The elf-lord sighed. "Like my own child, his journey will also take time. I would like to take him back to Rivendell. But ...the more I am here, the less anger clouds my judgement."
"He loves his dwarven kin." The Lady gave a sad smile. "And they him. But ...he his not wholly dwarf. And I sense he has at times been apart from them in his thinking."
"Not apart from his brother." Elrond commented dryly. "Those two ..."
"Indeed." Galadriel agreed. "I too have sensed this bond. And I have no little admiration for young Fili and his use of his request to gain time."
"Kuilaith will outlive his brother. By how long is unknown, but the healer thinks he might live as long as four times the ordinary life-span of a dwarf."
The Lady considered this and then shook her head. "My thought is possibly as long as five times. I do not think he will be offered a choice of an Eldar life."
Elrond's heart broke at the thought of losing Kili, even if that might not happen for 1,000 to 1,250 years. "Would he have been offered that choice if he'd been Awakened as an infant?" His voice sounded suddenly hoarse, even to his own ears.
Galadriel turned her gaze on him, her eyes saddened. "No. I think his blood is too mixed. He was born mortal, and that will not change."
Elrond nodded, a bit relieved that the chance at immortality had not been wrenched from his grandson through the actions of his mother. He cleared his throat, wanting to change the subject. "Tauriel?"
Galadriel's smile lit up her features. "Delightful child. Young. Arwen will be good for her, lighten her up. And she for Arwen, grounding her better."
"You can't make them be friends." Elrond admonished his wife's mother. "Any more than you can wish a person happiness."
The Lady of Light gave a small breathy sound which might have been agreement.
"She is young." Elrond continued. "And Kuilaith even younger. Too young to think of romance."
Galadriel's eyes sparkled a bit at that. "Not according him, he thinks of himself as adult. And perhaps nothing romantic will come about. But she is a friend to him. Saved his life."
Elrond's eyebrows shot up.
"She was the one who addressed the morgal wound in his thigh. Without her, you never would have met your grandchild." Galadriel confided.
Nuluin had told him about the healed wound, a fearsome thing. Elrond tilted his head to the side and sighed. "Then I owe this Tauriel more than can be repaid."
"She didn't do it for payment." Galadriel's voice turned airy and light. "She did it against Thranduil's knowledge or wish. She did this deed for a young and handsome dwarven prince who had no ties to anyone Elven. No payment was sought or asked for."
"And no payment would be welcome?" He guessed with a short laugh. "I understand."
"She is Silvan."
Lord Elrond looked over at his wife's mother, surprised. "This bothers you?"
"It bothers Thranduil, when his son would look in that direction." Galadriel gave away nothing of what she was thinking.
"But does it bother you, Lady?" Elrond persisted.
The Lady of Light smiled brightly. "I would only wish him happy if it were mine to give."
"Be his wish High, Sindar, Silvan, Dwarf or even Human?"
Galadriel shook her head, her smile never dimming. "Only happy."
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
"What's the matter?" Kili yawned, stretching, which only pulled on his still healing ribs. He winced.
Fili shook his head. His mind still reeling from this afternoon, and what he'd learned.
"Uncle Thorin is wanting to see us before he retires." Kili reminded his brother, who looked rather distant. "Did something happen today?"
The blond prince shook his head again. "Am fine. Thorin is meeting with the captains from the Iron Hills, it runs long."
Kili nodded, then grinned. "Bilbo baked the most delicious apple tarts for dessert." He winked. "And I know where he hid a few to make them last a few days."
Fili grinned, and his brother went off to retrieve the promised treat. His grin dimming as he watched Kili move through the room. It was going to come out. The elves weren't hiding the truth. And Dis was on her way.
How was Kili to react?
Fili groaned, rubbing his hands against his face. The marriage between Elladan and Dis had been to get another dwarven heir yes. But also to keep the elf from fading. Dying. And when Dis had left, taking Fili with her, she had to know that Elladan's grip on this world was still fragile.
"Damn it." Fili gritted his teeth, more tired than he cared to admit.
He and Kili had talked almost the entire night the day of the goblin battle. His younger brother had been resolute that he harbored no real anger at their mother, who loved them both so much.
But the more Fili learned, the angrier HE was getting.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
Elladan, Elrohir and Glorfindel were seated together and sharing a glass of wine. Elrohir was telling about their day, and how relaxed young Kili was in the presence of a beautiful elf-maid.
"It doesn't have to be Tauriel." Elladan protested.
Glorfindel pursed his lips, then shook his head. "She's not the first elf-maid the lad has seen. Yet he appears particularly taken with this one."
"Ignore my brother. He's jealous that his son wants to spend more time chatting with a beauty, than getting to know a father he's unsure he even wants."
"He kissed her hand." Elladan grumbled.
Glorfindel put his glass down, looking suddenly serious. "Watch out. Take your eyes off the lad for too long and he'll end up marrying her without even knowing that's what he's doing."
Elladan made a disparaging noise and a rather rude gesture for an elf of his bloodlines.
It was Elrohir who looked stunned, his eyes wide, as he choked on his wine. Glorfindel slapped him on the back, all to be helpful. "I but jest."
Elrohir coughed and sputtered, then took a deep breath and looked steadily at the other two. "What do either of you know about dwarven sexual practices or wedding stuff?"
Glorfindel waved a hand in the air and shrugged, to show he knew nothing. Elladan shook his head.
"Oh come on." The golden-haired warrior teased. "You married a dwarven princess, you have to know."
Elladan blushed a bit. "There was a ceremony. Saruman spoke, and Dis' grandfather said a few words in Khuzdul. Frankly, it was the wedding night that made it a marriage for me. You know our customs."
Sexual relations equalled marriage to the elves. A sharing of the bodies was intimate, and meant that the hearts were forever linked as well. No ceremony was necessary.
Elrohir hated to bring it up. "What if Kili is married by elvish customs, and doesn't even know it? He was thought of as an adult among the dwarves after all."
Elladan's face blanked. Glorfindel near choked on his own wine, his eyes wide and shocked. All three cursed roundly at rose swiftly, moving as one through the halls of Erebor.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
Kili and Fili were leaving Thorin's private study with both Balin and Dwalin. All were laughing and talking, and if Fili was a bit quieter than usual, he didn't appear upset over anything obvious.
All four fell silent as three tall elves turned the corner and almost slid to a halt in front of them.
"Lads?" Balin asked, ignoring the irony of him calling them that only because they looked younger than he did. Not because they actually were younger by any stretch. "Something wrong?"
"We need to speak with Kuilaith." Glorfindel said, his eyes still a bit wide. He coughed. "I mean Kili, of course."
Dwalin looked back and forth between the three elven warriors, his expression cautious. "You look like you've seen ghosts this night."
"Just a question has arisen." Elrohir stammered a bit.
Surprised, Kili looked at Fili, who shrugged.
Thorin threw open his door, looking irate. "By Nain's bearded ass, what goes on out here? The hour grows late and you all have full days tomorrow."
Kili pointed at the three elves. His father, his uncle, and then there was the elf-warrior of old.
"Well?" Thorin barked, clearly impatient.
"Um." Elrohir looked at Glorfindel. The golden-haired slayer of the balrog turned red in the cheeks. So he turned to Elladan. "He's your son, you ask."
Elladan looked uncertain, glancing up and down the hallway. "Perhaps in private?"
"What do you lot need to know?" Thorin roared.
"If he's a virgin." Elladan rushed the words out quickly.
Everyone stilled, Balin's mouth even dropped open in shock.
Thorin stared at them for a long moment and perhaps realized they were utterly serious. He stepped aside and made a sweeping gesture. "Perhaps private would be better."
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
"So." Thorin steepled his fingers together, trying to gather the remnants of his dignity together. "Elven marriage is based on the act of sexual congress?"
Fili snickered and Kili kicked at him, which the blond dodged easily.
"If he has had sex with a person, according to Elvish law. He's married." Elladan looked apologetic. "I'm only sorry that we didn't think to ask earlier."
"What if he's had sex with more than one woman?" Dwalin asked, completely serious.
All three elves paled alarmingly. Fili's snicker turned into an outright laugh.
Thorin stared at his eldest nephew long enough for the blond to get it under control. He looked over at the stunned younger son of his sister. "Has your body woken up?"
Kili shook his head emphatically.
Thorin thumped his desk with the flat of his hand, relieved to end this conversation. "There you go. Unmarried." He started to stand and escort all of these fools out of his office.
"Have you kissed anyone?" Elrohir asked quietly.
Thorin sat back down with a huge sigh, his left eye starting to twitch. "My sister-son's body is not awake. He can not have married anyone by your traditions."
"But he could have made promises, all unknowing." Elrohir said just as quietly. "Kissing and preludes to sexual acts are shared only with those you love and are promising to wed."
Silence. Balin dared not look at Dwalin or he might start laughing at the bright red cheeks on the youngest heir of the king. Fili was back to snickering, drawing angry looks from his sibling.
Thorin sighed and rolled his aching shoulders. "Kili? You been kissing anyone?"
"Define kiss." He said weakly.
Shocked, Thorin stared at his nephew and shook his head. "Mouth to mouth."
"No." Kili's voice was low and his shoulders hunching a bit. Thorin glared at him in accusation. "I kissed Barla on the cheek once and she ...turned toward me by mistake. Does that mean anything?" He sounded absolutely terrified of the answer.
At the mention of their distant, and much older cousin, Fili slid out of his chair while laughing. Balin had to look away, lest he join the lad. Even Thorin's lips twitched. Of the dwarves, only Dwalin remained stoic.
"Romantically?" Elladan asked.
Kili's entire face lit up red as he shook his head.
"Familially." Thorin sighed. "She's distantly related."
Fili threw his arm over his eyes, still on the floor. "He kissed Tauriel's hand today." This time Kili's boot connected with his brother's thigh. "Ouch, damn it!"
"Allowable." Elladan sat back in his chair, relieved.
Kili began to breathe again.
Elrohir looked at the dwarves quietly. "You use the phrase 'woken up' ...what does that mean?"
Kili's face flamed again and he sunk down lower in his chair, wishing the ground would open up beneath him.
o.o.o.o.o
o.o.o.o.o
