The guard changed at dawn and Thorin was woken so they could give their report. The rain had stopped in the early hours of the morning and it appeared there would be sunlight. Dis and the head cook began preparing food. When the cave's residents woke, they were given a meal from Dis and orders from Thorin. All able bodied dwarrow were to gather what tools they could. They were going out to see how much damage had been done throughout the entire village.

Fili and Kili followed their uncle, each carrying a shovel. The helped to clear mud from the roads and out of people's homes where it had come through under the doors or from broken rooftops. The work was hard and slow. The mud was slippery to shovel and heavy to cart away. Kili's arms felt like they were on fire. He traded jobs after a few hours and began to push carts of mud that the diggers filled up. The carts were taken to a nearby ravine and dumped there. Fili, who was used to working in the forge had a longer endurance for the shoveling.

Little progress was made and none of their missing was found. As night fell and Thorin called an end to the day, they quit in low spirits. Many were allowed to return to their homes. Dis invited Thora to stay with them since her home was one of the ones that was covered or destroyed by the slide and she had nowhere else to go.

While Dis was cleaning up dinner and the three youth had left for the sitting room, did she finally allow herself to think about what had just happened. It had been fairly easy over the last day to stay very busy, serving others. She had been able to keep her mind and body busy with other people, other thoughts, and other actions, but now, with only the mundane task of washing dishes to keep her occupied, did thoughts of her own loss come crashing in on her.

She dropped the plate she had been washing into basin and fell to her knees. She cried. Her body rocked back and forth, her hands covering her face, and she cried for her husband. Thorin's strong arms circled her shaking body and for a moment, she allowed herself the thought that it wasn't Thorin at all, it was Joli, but because it wasn't Joli, it only made her cry harder.

Thorin sat on the ground and pulled his baby sister between his legs and let her rest on his chest, where her tears soaked his shirt. He stroked her hair and back and he let her cry. His own tears fell and he wet the top of her head with them.

After her tears subsided, he helped her stand and led her to her bedroom. She sat on her bed, unable to move. Thorin knelt down and removed her shoe and stockings. He pulled back the bed covers and helped her to lie down, then he pulled the covers up to her chin. He got a cool rag and wiped at her face and her forehead.

"Rest now, Dis," he whispered.

"You must think me such a ninny," she shared a slight smile.

"Never. You are so strong, but you can't be strong without sleep. Get some rest."

"But the dishes. I can't leave the kitchen in the state it's in," Dis started to sit up.

"That's what you have raised two sons for. They know how to wash dishes," Thorin said. "I'll have Thora supervise to make sure they don't toss your crockery around and break anything."

Dis smiled. "I would appreciate it." The smile lingered for a moment before disappearing completely. "Thank you, Thorin, for holding me."

"You are my sister and I love you. I will hold you while you cry anytime you need me. I miss Joli, too." Thorin squeezed Dis's hand and left.

"Fili, Kili, you need to wash the dishes," he ordered when he got back to the sitting room.

"Is Amad alright?" Kili asked.

"She's grieving. She lost her husband, her mate, and her best friend. We will all grieve in our own ways for a long time. She needs you boys to help her," Thorin said.

Kili stood. "Of course we'll help Amad."

"Fili, I'll be back for you later. Right now, I've got to go check on those staying in the caves and make sure they're comfortable and fed. When I return for you, I expect those dishes done."

"We'll have them done, Uncle," Fili promised.

When Thorin returned, he took Fili with him to his own home so Thora could have Fili's room. He wouldn't say it out loud, but he was glad to have Fili in the house that night. Someone he loved close by so he wouldn't be so alone.

Fili slept on a soft pallet of blankets near the fire. He wanted to be close to his brother, but Thorin was a strong, steady presence that Fili found comforting.

That night, as they all lay in their own beds, did they finally take the time to mourn those whom they had lost - a father, a mother, a sister and a husband. Pillows were soaked with tears and when they finally did fall asleep, their dreams were filled with rain, mud and great rumbling noises.

Kili couldn't move the next morning. His arms and back ached more than he had ever felt before. Weapons training had never been this bad. His muscles were screaming and all he could do was lay there. Fili and Thorin, while sore, weren't unable to work again and so they had left after breakfast.

Dis came to Kili, helped him stand and walk to the sitting room. His muscles seized and spasmed. Thora was there in the sitting room and Kili flushed in shame. He had forgotten she was there and now she was seeing him weak and pathetic. She gave him a kind look with her eyes, but said nothing and stayed out of the way. He sat on the couch, aching in places he didn't think it was possible to ache. He tried to eat his food, but his muscles protested the movement by bunching tighter. He winced in his pain.

Vaguely he heard his mother mention she was going out to help some of the other dams clean out their homes. He sat there with his eyes closed, trying to ignore the pain in his body as well as the pain in his heart when he felt soft fingers take his hand.

Kili's eyes snapped open and he saw Thora, kneeling in front of him, holding his right hand. Wordlessly, she took a small jug, uncorked it and poured the tiniest amount of oil into the middle of his palm. She kneaded at his hand. He could only stare. Patiently she worked on each hand, rubbing the muscles. For Kili, it felt wonderful, but he couldn't help but think this was Fili's lady-friend and he shouldn't be letting her touch him like this.

"Can you remove your shirt on your own, or do you need help?" Thora asked.

"You don't have to do anymore, really," he stuttered.

"I can relieve your aches. Here, let me help you." She gently eased his arms out of their sleeves, then she pulled the shirt over his head. "I'll do your shoulders, back and then your arms."

"Really," Kili squeaked. "You don't have to."

Thora chuckled. "Let's try this and if it doesn't help you, you'll be no worse off than you are now."

Kili turned slightly, exposing his back to her. More of the warm oil was poured onto his shoulders and Thora went to work.

"Ouch!" Kili cringed as she attacked the knots in his shoulders.

"It will hurt for a while, but I promise, when I'm done, you'll feel better." She worked on. Kili winced in pain and couldn't imagine anything that hurt this much could be helpful in anyway, but he hurt too much to move, so he could only endure it. "See," Thora went on, "years ago, when I was small, my Adad worked in the mines. He often came home with aches and Amad would rub them and work out the tightness. Then, he was injured in an accident. For years, Amad would work on his back every night. After he was injured a second time, he had to quit working the mines. That is when he became a merchant. It's been an easier life for him, but we don't often see him anymore."

"When's the last time, oof," Kili twitched as she pushed at a particularly tight muscle, "when's the last time he was home."

Thora pushed a thumb hard into his back. "Six months," she finally answered.

"I'm sorry," Kili said and he kept his mouth shut while Thora moved to his back. It hurt and everything she seemed to be doing to him hurt, too. He wasn't at all sure this was working. Finally, she moved to his arms and he was able to see her face. Tears streaked down her cheeks.

"Thora? Are you alright?" Kili asked. She didn't answer and only tugged harder at his arm, working out every knot. He pulled her hands into his. They were slippery with the oil and it was hard to hold onto her, but after a moment, she quit trying to pull away and let Kili hold them. "Thora," he whispered.

She let out a sob and threw her arms around Kili. He wrapped his arms awkwardly around her back.

"He's never going to see Amad or Leys ever again. He's been gone for so long and we never hear from him. Now," She took a great sobbing breath, "now he'll never see them again. I don't even know where he is."

Kili picked up his shirt and handed it to her. She buried her face in it and cried, wiping her eyes and nose on it. He patted her back for several moments and waited for her calm down. She still leaned into him, clutching his shirt like a lifeline.

"Hey," Kili's face lit up with a realization. She looked at him, her face red and tear streaked. Kili was smiling. "Look, I can lift my arms. They don't burn with pain anymore."

Thora laughed. "I'm glad." She held up his shirt and laughed again. "I'm so sorry."

"No worries. I'm glad it came in handy. Kili stood and helped Thora up. "You have magical hands. I think I can help with the clean up this afternoon."

"I don't think you should go out there and overdo it. Besides," she looked down at the crumpled shirt in her hands. "I don't want to be alone. Could you stay? Help me out here?"

"Of course." He hugged her and kissed her forehead. "Where do you need me?"

"The kitchen," Thora smiled. "I washed all the dishes, but I don't know where everything goes. Then I thought I'd start some food for when Prince Thorin, Lady Dis and Fili get home. Also, the window in Fili's room won't close all the way and some rain water got in."

"After what you did for my back, I'm here to serve you, my lady," Kili bowed. He followed her into the kitchen and they started in on their chores.

They made more progress that second day than the day before. Several homes were uncovered and the first bodies were pulled out. They placed the bodies in a small preparation room in the tombs until they could be cared for.

Fili was determined to get to his father, but for all his digging, he wasn't anywhere near his father's carpentry shop. He dug until after dark and Thorin had to drag him home. Fili was angry and sore. Dis greeted her brother and son with the hot food Thora had prepared and hot baths.

"Fili, if you'll let me, I can help with your sore muscles," she held up the oil.

"That's kind of you Thora, but no thanks. I'm alright," Fili said.

"You should let her," Kili said. "Remember how I couldn't move this morning? She worked on my back and arms and I was able to move again. She's quite good."

Dis looked slightly alarmed. Thora saw Dis looking at her and blushed.

"Let her start with your hands, at least," Kili said.

Fili nodded and Thora knelt before him. She put some of the oil onto his hands and she began to rub them. After a few moments, Fili fell back against the back of his chair in complete relaxation. Thora was encouraged by this and continued to work, getting his back, shoulders and arms. With each knot that Thora worked out, Fili felt his anger ease away and when he was done, his mind as well as his muscles were relaxed and sated.

Little more was said that evening. Thorin went to meet with his council and promised to be back to fetch Fili for the night as Thora would spend another night in their house. Tears fell silently that evening and everyone simply took comfort in each other's company. When Thorin returned, his eyes were red and he looked very weary. Dis gave him a tankard of ale. They waited silently.

"We've made a decision," Thorin's voice was quiet and hoarse. "We aren't going to dig out the main mud slide anymore."

"What?" Fili cried out. "We have to Thorin. Adad and Thora's family are there."

"I know, but that part of the city is lost, and their bodies are already entombed," Thorin sighed.

"We must get them out," Fili stood, his fist clenched in anger.

"Fili. I know what you want, but it won't matter. They are dead. They cannot be saved. They are covered in mud twice as tall as this home. To try and dig into that could cause further problems and trigger more slides. Tomorrow, we begin building a wall that will enclose that part of the village, forever sealing our honored dead."

Thora let out a quiet sob. Kili's head hung low, but he nodded in understanding. Fili, however, was angry. "I can't believe you're quitting!"

"Fili," Dis warned.

"What?" Fili turned to her. "You don't care that Thorin won't even try to get Adad out of the mud? You no longer care?"

"Fili," Dis's sad eyes looked at her son. Her voice was quiet and sad. "I care very much, and of course I want Joli's body properly laid to rest in a tomb, but Fili, we have to trust Thorin that this is the best and safest thing to do. Joli's shop is a fitting place to be his final one. Forever with his craft."

Fili shook his head angrily.

"We must concentrate now on those who are alive," Dis said. "Their lives are more important and I'm sure that Thorin will see to it, that our dead are given the proper rites and honor."

Thorin nodded. He would see to that.

Fili couldn't hold back his sob. He turned and ran to his room, the door slamming shut.

Thorin slumped down in his chair, putting his head into his hands. "I actually expected him to take the news worse."

Dis looked back towards Fili's room. "You have to be patient with him, Thorin. He's just lost his father."

"I know what it's like, Dis!" Thorin stood suddenly. "I just lost my brother."

Kili couldn't understand why Thorin was bringing up Uncle Frerin now.

"Thorin?" Dis asked, looking wide eyed at her brother.

"Joli was my brother. He and you were married longer than Frerin lived. He was as much a brother to me as Frerin was. I loved him as my brother and now he's gone. Not only have I failed my brother, I have failed you, Fili, Kili, Thora and all of our people. It kills me to end our rescue efforts, but there is nothing to rescue. I must take care of those who survived. We honor our dead and work for the future." He sighed, drank the last of his ale and went to the door. "I'm exhausted. I'll see you in the morning."

Kili looked to Thora. "You can have my room tonight," he said. "I'll go stay with Uncle."

Once Kili had left, Thora looked to Dis, who was crying.

"My Lady," She went to the princess-in-exile, "tomorrow, I'll move into the caves. I'm sure there's room there."

"What?" Dis looked at Thora in alarm. "No. Don't go. You are welcomed here."

"I know and you have been so gracious, but I feel guilty that your sons must give up their rooms for me," Thora said.

Dis stood and faced Thora, eye to eye. "Of course, if you wish to leave, you certainly may. You will not be held here against your will and I understand if you want to go, but I do wish you would stay. The boys don't mind bunking at Thorin's. Really they don't. It's just been," Dis paused and took a deep breath. "it's been an emotional time for all of us. Not really a good time to be making big decisions." Dis picked up Thorin's empty tankard and took it to the wash basin. Thora followed, intending to make herself useful. "I didn't know. How is it that I didn't know?" Dis asked the sink.

"My Lady?"

"Dis. You must call me Dis," she chuckled, but her eyes turned serious once again. "I didn't realize Thorin looked to Joli as a brother. I suppose when I think about it now, I can see that brotherly bond. It makes my heart swell with happiness to know that he loved my husband as a brother, but it makes it all the more terrible now. Thorin took Frerin's death so hard. Always blamed himself for that."

"Frerin? I don't know of him," Thora said.

"You wouldn't. He is mine and Thorin's brother. He died many, many years ago when he was just forty eight. More than fifty years before Fili and Kili were even born. He died in battle. Now, Thorin's lost another brother. He probably blames himself for this too, as if he had control over the mountains."

Thora didn't know what to say, so she stood and listened to Dis talk.

"Fili's taking this very hard," Dis went on.

"He loved his father, very much," Thora said.

"We will all miss him," Dis looked to the young lass who stood next to her. "And you, my dear, we have been so caught up in our grief, we have ignored your pain. You have lost loved ones too."

"There is no one in Ered Luin who is unaffected," Thora's voice was strong, but quiet. "I, um, I think I'll go to bed now. Unless there is something you need me to do."

"No, dear. Thank you for all you did do today. I appreciate all your help," Dis said sincerely.

Thora smiled and went to Kili's room. Kili's room was much like Fili's, except for the effects he kept around. There was a lot to do with archery: broken arrows, arrowheads, and various knives and tools to fletch arrows. She laid down on the bed. It was soft and comfortable, but she had liked sleeping on Fili's bed the night before. It had smell of him and that was comforting. There was a small, amateur drawing of Fili, Kili, Thora and Leys together, at the river. She wondered if Kili had drawn it. Thora stared at it. Leys. She missed her sister so much.

"Thora?" a voice whispered. "Thora."

Thora's eyes opened. The room was dark and Fili was shoving her shoulder gently.

"Fili," she whispered back. "What are you doing in here? If you're looking for Kili, he's at your uncle's."

"No. I wanted to talk to you," he whispered back.

"If your mother finds you in here, we're dead."

"That's why we whisper," Fili said.

Thora sat up and rubbed at her eyes. She had cried herself to sleep again. "Well, what's so important that you couldn't wait until morning?"

"I just wanted to apologize to you for my outburst this evening and then kicking you out of your room," Fili said, standing awkwardly and shifting his weight from one foot to another.

"It's your room, Fili, not mine."

He sat down wearily at the edge of the bed. Thora pulled her legs up and tucked her knees under her chin.

"I just can't believe Adad's gone. That he won't just come walking into the house after a day of work again. That I can't go see him in his shop anymore. That I won't hear his voice, see his smile or spar with him again. I'll never see him kiss my mother and make her smile the way she did only for him." Fili hear Thora sniffle. "But you know exactly what I speak of, don't you? You not only lost your mother, but your sister as well. Oh, Thora, if I had lost Kili, I wouldn't be able to live on. I'm so sorry, Thora. I'm so, so sorry." He reached out and hugged her. "Forgive me."

"Fili, of course I forgive you. We are all grieving. Don't be sorry that you grieve for your father."

Fili held her tightly and few moments more before he let her go. "I heard you talking to Amad. Please don't go. I can move in with Thorin or share Kili's room, but stay with us, for a while." He leaned forward and kissed her.

"I'll stay," Thora said. Fili kissed her again. "But if you heard your mother and I talk, then you must have heard what Thorin said about how thought of your father as his brother. He's devastated by the loss as well."

Fili nodded, his head hung in shame. "I heard. I will apologize to him in the morning and hope he forgives me."

"Why don't you go wake him up as you have me?" Thora teased.

"No, Thora. I desire to live. You don't poke a sleeping bear," Fili smiled. "Besides, I've seen Uncle right after he wakes up and he's not nearly as beautiful as you are. I couldn't wait a minute longer to apologize to you and for that, I hope you'll forgive me for waking you."

Thora gave him a long kiss that left her panting for air. "I do forgive you. Now, you must go back to bed, before your mother finds us."

Fili nodded his head, stood up, but leaned down to kiss her again. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Thora watched Fili leave. As soon as he shut the door, she whispered, "My love."

Thorin and Kili joined Dis, Fili and Thora for breakfast. Immediately, Fili went to Thorin.

"Thorin?" he bowed his head a moment before looking up into his uncle's piercing gaze. "I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I let my emotions get the best of me. I should not have yelled at you or Amad." Fili turned to look at his mother. "I'm sorry, Amad."

Thorin pulled his eldest nephew into a crushing hug. "You're forgiven. I'm sorry, too. For everything. I hate to give up the search, but there is nothing I can do."

"I know. It's alright. I would be honored if you would let me help to build the retaining wall," Fili said.

"I would be happy to have your help and I will allow you to lay the first stone."

"Not a day goes by that I don't think of Adad," Kili said. It had been three weeks now since the devastating mudslide.

It was late. Kili rolled over in his bed and looked at his brother across the room. The room was dark, except for the little bit of light from the embers in the hearth. It was nearing summer and too hot to have a fire in the bedrooms any more.

"I know, Kili. Me too. I miss him. A lot."

"The ceremony was good," Kili said. "I feel better about things now that Adad has had a proper burial."

Fili agreed.

"Fili?" Kili looked to his brother and saw his form roll over to face him. "Do you think Thora will live with us from now on?"

"I suppose. Amad's asked her to live here and she hasn't left yet." Fili said. He liked Thora living with them. He got to see her more.

"Do you love her Fili?"

"Kili, it's none of your business."

"But it is if she is going to be my sister." They were both quiet and Fili was starting to think Kili might have gone to sleep, but he hadn't, yet. "I loved Leys. I wanted to marry her."

"I'm sorry, Kee," Fili didn't know what else to say.

"Yeah. I hope you get married to Thora. I want to be an uncle," Kili said.

Fili choked on his own breath. "An uncle? Kili, I'm not anywhere near of age yet. It's going to be many years yet before I marry and maybe many more before I have dwarflings."

"I'll be the best uncle."

"I'm sure you will. Now, go to bed." Fili was tired and he didn't want this conversation with Kili to continue. In truth, deep down, Fili wanted to marry Thora, but he wouldn't admit that to Kili. And if his mother knew, she might not let Thora live with them and then he wouldn't get to see her anymore. He would keep his feelings a secret from his family for a few more years. In the meantime, he would continue to sneak kisses from his lass-friend as often as he could.

"I think Adad would have liked Thora," Kili said and then he sighed. "I really miss him."

They were back right where they started. "Yeah," Fili said. "Me too."