It's just a short teaser chapter today, since I get the impression that you all need a little extra time to work on the code ;) the answer will be next chapter, but I'm feeling generous so for those people who haven't already got it (which seems to be everyone except GwyneddSilverfighter, congratulations to you) here is a rather big helping hand: anyway=nawyya. Good luck :)

Enjoy the mini-chapter!

The cold morning sun filtered through the long shaft into Kili's royal bedroom and the dwarf moaned in his sleep before rolling over, planting his face firmly into the pillow in an attempt to block out the light. At that moment, a sharp rap came on the heavy wooden door.

"What is it?" called Kili, then when there was no reply he removed his face from the pillow and repeated the question.

"The King says you are travelling to Dale today. A pony has been prepared," came the answering voice.

Kili moaned again and swung his legs reluctantly out of bed. "Tell them I'm coming."

He did not listen to the reply but flopped back onto the bed sideways, wishing that he could have a few hours more sleep. He had arrived back from Mirkwood barely an hour before, and returned his pony to the stables himself upon finding (unsurprisingly) that young Svîur was no longer waiting outside. He just hoped that the pony he was borrowing this time was not the poor beast that he had ridden to the wood and back last night.

Less than half an hour later he was standing outside with a small group of dwarves, smartly dressed in the royal gear for short journeys and trying to ignore his stomach rumbling. Thorin stood in front of him, briefing him on Fili's duties which he was taking over and the plans for the building of Dale. Behind him stood twenty dwarven stone masons and six carts, filled with Erebor stone - the first delivery of many.

To Kili's disappointment, Fili was nowhere to be seen. The youngest Durin refused to believe that his brother was avoiding him on purpose due to their argument last night, but a part of him still wondered. All through Thorin's lecture he kept glancing up the mountain, wishing that a golden haired figure would emerge from it, but only Dwalin was there, saddling up ponies with a small group of warriors, on his way to collect the cadets from the outpost in Mirkwood. For a moment Kili's mind wandered to Tauriel, and he wondered how she was doing. He was brought back to the present abruptly by Thorin's stern voice.

"Kili? Have you remembered all that?"

"Yes!" replied Kili automatically, then taking in his uncle's dubious expression he added, "Yes, sir!"

A small smile twitched at the corner of the Dwarf King's mouth and he reached forward to place his hand on his nephew's shoulder.

"Be safe," he said simply.

Kili grinned. "You know me. Would I ever put myself in danger if I didn't absolutely have to?"

"Not on purpose," replied Thorin with a raised eyebrow, but then he relaxed. "You are only going to Dale. I shouldn't have to worry about you any more than I do your brother."

"I'll try to make you proud," promised Kili with a smile. Then he turned and swung himself into the saddle of his pony, giving a signal to the other dwarves that they were setting off.

Thorin watched the convoy trail away like a long snake, keeping a particular eye on his nephew at the head. He would always be proud of both his nephews, no matter how many mistakes they made. This particular mistake annoyed him more than usual because it was, in his view, endangering the already tentative relation the Mountain had with the Elves, but at least he could trust Dwalin to sort it out with minimal trouble. He glanced over to his old friend and managed to catch the warrior's eye. They shared a nod, before Dwalin turned away back to his dwarves. Deciding there was nothing left to do out here, the King under the Mountain strode back inside.

Fili was awakened by a sharp rap on the door. He moaned, but rolled over and sat up in bed rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Then he noticed how light it was.

In an instant he was out of his bed, pulling on clothes and calling to the person outside the door, "What time is it? Why was I not awakened earlier?"

"It is two full hours past the dawn," came the reply, "and you were not wakened because you do not have duties until past noon. But now his majesty the King thinks that it is high time you got up anyway."

"Time! Time!" exclaimed Fili, "How long ago did my brother leave? Have I missed him altogether?"

"He left less than an hour after the dawn," replied the servant.

"Then it is too late!" said the prince, ready to bash his head on his stone walls, "He will go to Dale certain that I am still angry with him! Oh, I wish I'd been up earlier. How long before he returns?"

"Five days, if all goes well."

"Too long!" groaned Fili, "I shall have to send him a raven. But even that seems inadequate. Thank you, whoever you are. Tell my uncle that I am awake."

"As you wish, your highness," came the reply, then there was the sound of footsteps retreating down the corridor.

Fili groaned and banged his head on the wall.