A Gift for Kíli

Disclaimer: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and all characters therein are the property of the Tolkien Estate and Wingnut Films. This story is for entertainment only and the author is in no way profiting from it, nor exercising any claims to The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings.

AN: Read and enjoy! Comments and PM's always appreciated.

Part XIV – Next Generation

TA 3029 (FA 11)

The sun was setting behind the foothills of the Ered Luin like a huge red ball, bathing the landscape in a red-gold light. The soft summer wind had died down, leaving the air filled with just the crickets' song.

Kíli sat comfortably reclined in a wooden chair behind his house. He watched the scenery with joy while his newborn little granddaughter peacefully slumbered in his lap. Across the rustic table sat Fíli, legs stretched out, eyes closed and his hands folded across his chest. He looked relaxed with a small smile across his face. The third chair was occupied by Kíli's firstborn, now young father, completely exhausted, slouched to one side and sound asleep.

On the fence nearby sat Corvin, trying to watch over his dwarf friends, but looking pretty much as exhausted than Kíli Jr. did. No wonder, fledgling-sitting for four young ravens was taking his toll. Keeping them together was like herding cats, although, Corvin didn't like that comparison. Cats, ugh! He was so happy that cats were banned from his dwarf friend's house.

Kíli smiled at the little lass, taking in the tiny round face and the fluff of black hair. A daughter of Durin, quite a rare blessing, Kíli thought. Gently he touched the child's chubby cheek with his forefinger. ''Hello, little Edda,'' he murmured to the child. ''Welcome to Middle Earth and welcome to our family.'' The infant stirred and yawned, and Kíli felt a warm trickle building up in his chest. His granddaughter, his own flesh and blood! He couldn't quite believe it.

Fíli opened his eyes but didn't move. They were all tired, even if Kehleyr did the job last night. A bright smile spread across Fíli's face, seeing his little brother sitting with his grandchild. They silently looked in each other in the eyes in quiet accord and Fíli nodded. We're here, we're together and alive.

Sóley slowly approached from Kíli Jr. and Kehleyr's cottage, walking along the garden path. She stepped behind Kíli, placing her hands on his shoulders. ''How are all of you?'' she asked softly, smiling at the little lass in her husband's arms.

''Never better,'' Kíli grinned, looking up to her. ''She's a little wonder.''

''You said the same about our firstborn, when... when we finally met again.'' Sóley looked solemn for a moment, obviously slightly shaken by old memories.

''I still can't remember our story,'' Kíli whispered, glancing at his brother. Fíli said nothing, but he still smiled.

''Well,'' Sóley mused. ''I do… most of it. But these are not the kind of tales we should share in such happy times.'' She squeezed Kíli's shoulders reassuringly.

''No…'' Kíli answered. ''…not today. But maybe one day. I'm sure it's story telling material for long winter nights in front of the fireplace, with all our grandchildren around.'' He looked up at Sóley and grinned teasingly.

Sóley's jaw dropped at the thought, not sure how many grandchildren were floating around in Kíli's head, but then she laughed silently, giving her husband a goodhearted slap behind the ear.

''And for sure our story will be perfect to add some spice to my most boring everyday notes.'' Kíli added.

Fíli snorted. ''I would stick to the boring notes, '' he suggested. ''Lulling the fans in return for all their painful stories...''

Kíli rolled his eyes. ''You were the one who reminded me that we wouldn't be here without our fans.''

''Forget about it,'' Fíli said. ''But sometimes it's a nice idea to take at least a little revenge on some of them… a little.'' He made a show of looking most mischievous.

Sóley laughed again and looked at her son, still completely out of things. ''Seems that the two of you are fine. But I'm afraid our son will sleep for weeks.'' She tilted his head toward Kíli Jr.

''Hmm,'' Kíli mused. ''I'm afraid his new little warrior lass will hamper that.''

Fíli chuckled. ''How is the young mother?'' he asked.

''She's awake now and feels rested. I think it's time to get the little princess back to her mother for her next meal, '' Sóley said.

''I think this is her father's job,'' Kili said, looking hesitantly at is son. ''Though, I hesitate to wake him.''

''No,'' Fíli intervened avidly. ''Let the lad sleep as long as it's possible. I know what I'm talking about.'' Fíli stood and reached out. ''May I?'' he asked, a warm expression on his face.

''Sure, Granduncle Fíli,'' Kíli teased, handing little Edda carefully into Fíli's strong arms.

Fíli took her. ''Hello, little princess, time to get you back to your mom, eh? What about some supper?'' He rocked her gently in his arms and walked towards Kíli Jr. and Kehleyr's little cottage.

Sóley took his vacant chair next to her sleeping son and looked happily at her husband.

Kíli pushed himself from his chair with a small groan and rose. ''I'll go with him,'' he said, bending down to pat Sóley's hand and kissing her cheek. ''Didn't properly compliment Kehleyr yet. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember I did briefly last night.'' He grinned, remembering the complete chaos during the last hours of little Edda's birth. The he slowly turned and left.

Sóley smiled and watched Kíli go, catching up with his brother.

Kíli passed him in time to hold open the cottage's front door for Fíli and his grandniece. He loosely threw one arm around his brother's shoulder and chuckled, shaking his head.

''What's so funny?'' Fili asked with a questioning frown.

''Look at the two of us,'' Kíli laughed. ''We of all dwarves… old Granduncle and Grandfather with greying hair and beards!''

''Better than stop aging by lying cold and dead in a tomb of stone,'' Fíli grumbled.

''For sure,' Kíli mumbled and pulled Fíli close, resting his temple against Fíli's braids while they walked. ''But I never ever imagined that. Really… I… I never dared.'' He took a deep, deep breath. ''Edda,'' he then said to the baby in Fíli's arms. ''Kili Jr. is so happy that you're a lass,'' he mused.

''Indeed?'' Fiki asked, looking a little taken aback. ''I would have wagered that he'd wished for a son?''

''Yeah,'' Kíli said slowly, scratching the back of his head. ''Normally he would. But he and Kehleyr had made an agreement, about the naming of the child. Kíli Jr. was in charge to name a lass. In case it was a lad, it would have been Kehleyr's turn to name him. And because of that he desperately hoped for a daughter.'' Kíli grinned and shrugged.

''Ah,'' Fíli said, carefully climbing the stairs to the young parent's bedroom. ''And Kíli Jr. was not pleased with her choice?'' he guessed.

''Sort of,'' Kíli nodded, making a face.

''Well, '' Fili mused. ''It couldn't be that bad… right?''

His brother looked just meek. ''I hoped for a lass, too…''

''That bad?'' Fíli wondered, stopping at the top of the stairs. ''What was it?'' he demanded. ''What was her choice. Tell me!''

''Um, well…'' Kíli struggled for words. ''She was going to name a lad Worf…''

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AN: Happy New Year to all my readers. I hope you enjoyed this new little piece of the most boring everyday notes (as Kíli mentioned in chapter 12) for our Durin family. It seems they're doing fine and are happy J I'm very busy preparing for HobbitCon4 in Bonn in two months. So I'm afraid I can't keep up the monthly posting as I did in 2015. Not even with Kíli's help. Check my tumblr, my name is 'durincrafts'. But don't worry; this little story will not be abandoned. I'll be back, when inspiration strikes, but probably after HobbitCon. Many thanks to my writing buddy Summer, who is still my premium beta and a huge inspiration. Please check out her Erebor 3022 AU on her account 'summerald' and our translation project at 'summerundjessie', in case you like to read German.

Will be back after HobbitCon, I promise.

Mahal's Blessings, Jessie

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