It was Mid Autumn of the fifth year. Kili had been buzzing around like a bee high on honey and Thorin had finally given up all hope of getting a moments peace after the third time he'd tried to sit his nephew down to brush his hair. With a growl that was not nearly as angry as it sounded he had told Kili to get his bow and set about working some of that energy off.

Kili had still not gone back to his full training, but as his confidence grew the more he used the bow, he would sometimes be found contemplating the swords and axes. No one mentioned it, or offered to let him practice, they waited instead for him to pick one up on his own. Thorin hoped his courage would be bolstered upon Fili's return, because Kili would be a dab hand at any weapon he tried, and Thorin hated to see such talent wasted. But, Thorin had promised, one night when Kili had been worried that he was disappointing him, that he would never be disappointed with whatever Kili decided to do.

Kili was by no means a perfect shot, but was far better than Thorin had been when he started learning, at some fifteen years older than Kili was now, and he could hit a target at a much longer distance. A few more years and Thorin had no doubt he would be hitting dead centre of every target they put in front of him. But the time he was grown might even manage to hit an Orc dead in the eye, which would likely please him no end.

"Uncle." Kili said, when they were gathering his arrows for another round. "Do you suppose Fili remembers me?"

Thorin gave him an apraising look. "I'm not sure, are you particularly memorable?" he asked, quirking his eyebrows.

"Uncle!" Kili protested.

Thorin smiled. "I don't think that's something you have to worry about."

"But what if he doesn't like me?" Kili continued. "He always talks about Usrin in his letters. What if he doesn't want a little brother anymore."

Thorin did his best to keep his smile off his face as this was clearly a very serious concern. "Kili, I promise you that Fili remembers you, and that there is no one he'd rather have for a brother, older or younger. He chose you first, and no one can take your place." Family bonds had been explained to Kili of course, it was important for all dwarves to know where they came from.

Kili nodded, but did not look entirely convinced, so Thorin gave him a nudge. "Again." he said, and they returned to the line to fire again.

xxx

Fili didn't bother restraining himself when he saw his Uncle and brother waiting for him, just broke into a headlong run when he was close enough and was swept into Thorin's arms and hugged tightly. Five years was such a very long time to be without them, and Fili held on for all he was worth, trying to soak in everything that was his Uncle. He was grinning brightly when he was let go and turned his attention to his little brother, who was standing a little behind Thorin, looking subdued. Fili cast his uncle a confused look, wondering what had happened to the happy brother he had recieved dozens of letters and stories from these past two years.

His Uncle gave a small shrug, but there was a look there that said he would explain later. "Hey, don't I get a hug?" he asked, turning his full attention to Kili, who toed the ground for a moment, before darting forward to give him what had to be the quickest hug Fili had ever recieved before pulling away again.

The odd greeting sat like a stone in his stomach all through the dinner that had been planned and it took all of the things he had learned while in the Noth Mountains, to keep himself smiling and telling of all the things he'd done, and everything he'd learned. Everyone there, Uncle Thorin, Mister Dwalin, Mister Balin, Mister Oin and Gloin, were more than happy to listen and share their own stories, about what they had been doing, and about Kili, who sat on the oppisite side of the table to Fili, and played with his food instead of eating it.

"He's worried you don't want him as a brother anymore." Uncle Thorin explained in a low voice when dinner was over and Fili was starting to unpack his things. And then Thorin pulled him in for another hug. "I am so glad your back." he said.

Fili leaned into the embrace. It had worried him sometimes, in the dark of the night, when he was alone in the splendid room he had spent five years sleeping in, that maybe his Uncle wouldn't be glad to see him, despite the letters he got. Despite Mister Gloin telling him every time he brought those letters how much His uncle and brother were missing him. There had just been a tiny worry, that he could bury duing the day, when he was taking lessons with Usrin, and learning to use weapons.

"I missed you Uncle." he whispered.

Thorin just hugged him tighter. If there were tears, his uncle was kind enough not to draw attention to them, and Fili didn't speak up about the suspisious brightness in his uncles eyes when they finally parted either. Thorin left him to unpack, pressing a kiss onto his forehead.

Fili slowly emptied his bags, setting his things into neat piles. Everything in the room that was his was exactly where he had left it, so slotting those things he had taken with him back into place was easy. Finding places for the new things he had received, was not, and finally he just sat on his bed and looked at them, wondering if maybe Kili might like some. If his brother ever spoke to him again that was.

"Fili."

He looked up in surprise, to find Kili standing at the doorway, looking afraid to enter. "Hi." he answered, and was rewarded by Kili taking a few steps inside. "Know any dwarflings who might like this?" he asked, holding up a wooden soldier wearing real metal plated armour. He wasn't entirely sure of what to say, he had never seen his brother so shy, and couldn't help but wonder if it was because of something more than what Uncle Thorin had said. It was entirely possible that Kili didn't want him back.

Kili took another few steps. "It's really nice." he said. "He could fight the dragon Mister Bifur made for me."

Fili smiled slightly and held the toy out. "You can have it if you want." he offered, and felt pleased when Kili took the little soldier.

There was a long silence that Fili didn't know how to break.

"You're back to stay now right? Forever?" Kili asked.

Fili could only nod, because he really didn't want to go away again, even if it had been fun sometimes. "Unless you don't want me to be." was what he said, and Kili's head snapped up and Fili felt guiltily gratified to see his expression, a whole myrid of emotions from fear to anger to saddness, and then Kili launched himself at him.

"No! No! You're staying here. I'll make Uncle ground you forever!" Kili told him, wrapping his arms around him as best he could. "Your not allowed to go away again. Things aren't right when your not here."

There was a story there that Fili wasn't sure he wanted to know about. But he pushed that aside and shifted his brother until he could hold him properly. "Uncle said you were afraid I didn't want to be your brother anymore." he said, curious. "Why would you think that?"

Kili gave a small pout and refused to answer.

Fili sighed, but didn't push for an answer, his brother would tell him eventually he was sure, but just to make sure that there were no misunderstandings between them he said. "I have the best little brother in the whole of Middle Earth. I don't want another one. "

xxx

When Thorin stopped into the room much later, he found both his nephews curled up onto Fili's bed, surrounded by the things Fili had still not put away. Kili sprawled across his brother as to make sure to keep him there, and Fili's arm tucked round his brothers waist to keep him from falling off the bed.

How long he stood there watching them sleep he did not know, but it didn't really matter. He was just glad to have his little family all together again