Authors Note: Ok back to business… next few chapters will be high drama at times. A lot of questions will be answered and more will probably crop up. Not a lot of fluff in the coming chapters… hopefully shirtless Fili was enough to tie folks over for a bit. Thank you for all of the reviews! It really does motivate me and makes me happy to know that you are enjoying the story. Thanks for reading!

-O-

Chapter 14 – An unexpected visitor

Bilbo

He had arrived a bit late for breakfast, the dwarves had kept him up late drinking. Bilbo was no light weight, he was a hobbit and half Took for that matter, he could handle his ale… normally. After last night Bilbo had a new appreciation for the dwarf metabolism, he had tried to keep up… really he did, but by the tenth flagon of ale he forgot how to use his legs. He barely remembered being carried back to his room and tossed in his bed by a couple dwarves… he couldn't remember which dwarves had helped him but he was grateful. Almost everyone had too much to drink last night except Fili, he had left with Eli shortly after dinner. Even Thorin drank with the other dwarves last night which had surprised Bilbo. The dwarf king did not partake in the merriment, instead he sat quietly at a far table drinking flagon after flagon… Bilbo had counted ten before he could barely see beyond the rim of his own flagon much less keep count on Thorin's ale consumption. He couldn't help but feel a tiny amount of sympathy for dwarf king… Bilbo had seen the man's face when he saw this nephew kissing Eli. Everyone knew the two were falling in love… it had been apparent to Bilbo since the day they left on this quest. Maybe Thorin could have denied it then… maybe he could have even denied it after the trolls, but there was nothing left to deny now. After Fili had defended Eli so spectacularly the other night and then to see them kiss so lovingly… Thorin had to face fact that Eli was forever beyond his reach.

Bilbo wandered into the dining hall, his head hurt but he was surprisingly hungry. The smell of cinnamon porridge filled the air, Bilbo felt his stomach growl in approval. He found his way to the counter by the kitchen and a pretty blond elf maiden gave him a tray with a large bowl of porridge, three honey rolls and a large mug of spice tea. He offered his thanks and turned to find a table to sit at.

"Master Baggins! Come and join us!" called Bofur as he waved him over. He was sitting with the two princes, Bilbo smiled and headed over to the table. He sat down and started to eat his breakfast.

"I see the drink wasn't too harsh of a mistress for you… many that were in your condition are not looking too kindly at their breakfasts this morning," noted Bofur as he nodded at Kili who was resting his chin on his hand watching the porridge drizzle off his spoon and back into his bowl. The dwarf prince's complexion was a bit green and he looked like he had barely slept last night.

"My head hurts a little but that is it… I'm starving though," Bilbo said as he tore off a large piece of one of the honey rolls and stuffed it in his mouth. Kili looked at him with revulsion.

"I hate you," he muttered at Bilbo before pushing his tray away and resting his head on the table.

"It's your own fault brother," chided Fili. "Whatever possessed you to drink an entire bottle of elven wine?" Bilbo had seen them getting out the bottles last night, he was glad that he did not try any, he learned at a young age to just stick with his pipe weed and ale.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Kili murmured into the table. Bilbo just shook his head and ate his breakfast.

"Where's Eli this morning?" he asked Fili. He watched as the prince's eyes softened and a small smile formed on his lips. Bilbo had to chuckle at how just the mere mention of her name had such an effect.

"She's looking for a bow for Estel… Eli said one of her old ones is in storage under the city in the vaults. She'll be back before the boy is finished with his lessons," Fili said as he tapped his brother on the head with a spare spoon. "Eat brother or you'll be in no condition to teach the boy how to shoot." Kili groaned and sat up. He slid his tray back in front of him and grimaced as he tried a small bite of the porridge. The large entrance doors were flung open and a few elves rushed into the dining hall, a tall dark-haired elf began giving orders to the others. The helper elves started rushing about arranging the tables while others cleaned. Another elf appeared with an armful of fresh linens for the tables. Outside the window Bilbo saw several other elves rushing about. Normally elves didn't rush, they had seemed rather calm until now. He gave the dwarves a confused look.

"What is going on? Do any of you know?" he asked the dwarves.

"I think I do… Eli's aunt and uncle were supposed to arrive today. They must be preparing the dining hall for them," Fili said, his voice full concern. "This is not going to be an easy day for her…" Bilbo nodded slowly. Today was going to be hard on Eli, as far as Bilbo knew it had been well over four hundred years since she's seen them, they were part of that council that had denied her marriage to Naertho. No… today was definitely not going to be an easy day for his friend.

"Finish up Kili… I'd imagine these elves won't want us dwarves in here when their esteemed guests arrive," noted Bofur before he took a long drink of his tea.

"I'm trying," complained Kili. "If I eat it too fast they will have more than our plates to clean up." Bilbo was about to suggest that they take their trays outside when a loud voice echoed through the hall.

"Where are my boys?!" yelled an annoyed female voice. Kili dropped his spoon, it bounced off the table and on to the floor. Bilbo looked at the dwarf and noticed he had gone deathly pale. He looked to Fili and found him nearly the same condition, the dwarf prince was pale and his eyes wide with fear.

"It couldn't be…" whispered Kili, he stared at his brother and started shaking his head. "It's not possible…" he said in a hoarse whisper. Loud purposeful steps could be heard coming down the short hallway, the doors were closed so Bilbo could not see who was coming. The footsteps came to a stop and the door burst open, there stood a small robust woman no taller than Eli. She had long brown hair that was braided into a bunch of thick braids that wrapped around her head. She had a fierce look about her, Bilbo couldn't help but feel intimidated just looking at her. He happened a glance at the dwarf princes… they looked positively terrified.

"Well… are you just going to sit there or you going to give your mother a hug?" she demanded, her hands were on her hips and she glared at them expectantly. Bilbo's eyes widened… their mother? What was she doing here? The dwarf princes scrambled to their feet and rushed to their mother.

"Mother!" they exclaimed together. Each prince took a turn giving their mother a tight hug, she reached up and placed a hand on each of their cheeks and smiled fondly at them. Bilbo noticed the young dwarves seemed relieved for a moment … then their mothers smile turned into an angry scowl, simultaneously her hands reared back and slapped both the princes across the face. Bilbo went to stand up and Bofur grabbed his arm, the dwarf shook his head.

"Never get in between a dwarf mother and her children lad… you'll be torn in two," Bofur warned, his face for once was serious… there was no trace of his teasing smirk to be found. Bilbo slowly lowered himself back in his chair. While the princes were still reeling from being struck, their mother grabbed ahold of an ear on each prince and gave it a yank that caused even Bilbo to cringe. She dragged them over to table and chairs nearby. The elves in the dining hall paused and stared for a moment before returning to their tasks, ignoring the dwarves as if they were not even there.

"Sit!" she ordered. The two princes scrambled into the chairs, looking more like sullen boys than dwarven warriors. "You left me a note! A note!" she roared. "Do you have any idea how worried I have been about you? Do you know how many sleepless nights I've had? Do you?" she bellowed at the princes. Bilbo was amazed that such a small woman could have such a loud and commanding voice.

"We're sorry Mother! We didn't think…" Kili babbled, their mother's cold hard stare made the words die in his throat. Bilbo felt truly sorry for the dwarf as he cowered in his chair under his mother's harsh gaze.

"No you didn't think!" she seethed. "Because if you had thought… even a tiny bit there would be no way you'd be following your uncle to his doom! Going to Erebor… that was all your note said. How do you think that made me feel?" Bilbo could see both of the prince's cringe. Apparently they didn't take into consideration how upset their mother would be. Bilbo shook his head, they definitely didn't think this through very well.

"We shouldn't have left a note… we're sorry Mother," Fili said quickly. The dwarf woman reeled on him her eyes blazing. Fili to his credit didn't cower nearly as bad as his brother did Bilbo noted.

"No you shouldn't have left a note! You shouldn't have gone in the first place… you shouldn't have even considered it! I thought I raised you both with more sense than to go off on some ill-thought out, insane quest… for what? Gold? The Arkenstone?" she spat as she stomped back and forth in front of them. "Should I be happy that my two sons… all that is left of my Brandr would risk their lives for trinkets?" The small dwarf woman stood there glaring at her sons as if daring them to say anything. After a few moments it was Fili that spoke.

"We didn't go for the gold Mother… we wanted to bring Erebor back to our people…" Fili tried to explain. Bilbo couldn't help but notice that it was Fili and not Kili trying to talk to their mother, almost as if he was trying to protect his brother by drawing her ire to him.

"And you thought that you can do it on your own, all by yourselves? What an army of dwarven warriors could not accomplish a handful of dwarves could?" she hissed, then turned away from them. The dwarf brothers gave each other looks of concern as they watched their mother just stand there. The few moments of silence were deafening as they waited for her to speak again.

"I thought that I would never see you alive again… that the next time my eyes beheld my children that you'd be nothing more than a sack of charred bones…" her voice broke. Bilbo could see that her anger had lost its fire especially when he heard the first sob. Fili and Kili were on their feet in an instant their arms wrapping around their mother as she cried. "You didn't even give me a chance to say goodbye," she cried as she hit Fili in the chest with her balled fists. "You left me without saying goodbye!" Her hits were not gentle, Bilbo couldn't help but wince every time she landed a blow. The prince didn't seemed phased by this and just held on to his mother as did his brother. After a while the blows stopped as did the sobs, the princes just stood there hugging their mother tight. Bilbo could hear their murmured apologies and hoped things were ok now. Bilbo leaned over to Bofur.

"Is this normal?" he asked not sure what to think about all the hitting, yelling and crying. He glanced back at the princes and their mother and noticed that they were no longer hugging and seemed to be talking calmly as if the whole confrontation had never happened.

"Oh yes… actually they are lucky Dis is their mother, if they had mine she'd still be beating them until her arm was too tired to lift," Bofur said seriously. "They'll be fine now… you just have to let things like this run their course." Bilbo just shook his head and took the last swallow of his tea before standing up to go. He took his tray over to the elf maiden at the kitchen entrance, he was about to leave when Fili called him over.

"Bilbo… come here and meet our mother," he said as he waved the hobbit over. Bilbo took a deep breath and straightened his jacket before walking towards the dwarves, he didn't know what to expect. "Bilbo, this is our mother Dis, daughter of Thrain and wife of Brandr," he introduced her formally. Dis dabbed her cheeks with her handkerchief before turning to greet him, she seemed to have pulled herself together rather quickly. Dwarven mood swings confused him… one minute they want to punch you the next they want to sing and dance, he wondered how Eli coped being a calm elf living amongst the emotional dwarves. "Mother… this is Bilbo Baggins of the Shire… he's neighbors with Eli," Fili noted. Bilbo caught the odd look Dis gave her son before turning to Bilbo with an open smile. Bilbo couldn't help but notice that she was a striking woman even with the streaks of grey in her hair and thin beard that covered her cheeks. He could see now that Kili looked very much like his mother… Fili must look like his father.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Bilbo said as he took her hand and gave it a quick kiss. "You've raised two very fine men," he commented, earning him a snort from their mother.

"I will have to take your word for that Master Baggins," Dis said as she shot a quick glare at both of her sons. "So you are Eli's neighbor? She's been hiding in the Shire this whole time then? When I didn't hear from her after her visit to the Blue Mountains seventy or so years ago I thought the worse. Is she well?" Dis asked, Bilbo could see the concern in her eyes and hear it in her voice.

"Well, she came to the Shire about ten years ago… before that she said she spent time in Rohan and Gondor. As far as her wellbeing… she's good. I don't think I've ever seen her happier," he said as he gave Fili a teasing grin. Dis turned, her eyes narrowed as she looked at her blushing son, before she could say anything Kili interrupted.

"Mother… why are you here?" Kili asked. "How did you get here and how did you even know we were here in Rivendell?" Now that Bilbo thought about the arrival of the prince's mother to Rivendell he realized that it was very strange indeed.

"Where is my brother?" she asked, ignoring Kili's questions.

"I saw him in the dining hall yesterday but do not know where he is now," Fili answered, his tone had a bitter edge to it. Fili was not good at hiding his still lingering anger at his uncle. Bilbo noticed that the two never spoke anymore… not since the trolls. He knew this was about Eli too, Fili seemed aware of his uncle's feeling towards the elven maiden.

"You two had a falling out…" stated Dis as she looked intently at Fili. "Over what?" she pressed. Fili looked down, Bilbo could see the tension in the dwarf prince's face. Their mother turned to Kili who also looked away, not willing to discuss what happened at the trolls. Dis sighed then turned her gaze onto Bilbo. "Master Baggins… would you mind telling me what happened since my sons seem unwilling?" Her piercing eyes seemed to bore into him forcing him to talk… he looked desperately at the brothers but they refused to meet his eyes. Bilbo took a deep breath, as soon as he opened his mouth the words began to spill out.

"T-Thorin didn't listen to Gandalf or Eli and camped in a bad p-place. Gandalf was mad and left… Thorin forced Eli to g-go after him in the night alone… when she was g-gone trolls attacked the camp. They stuffed all the dwarves in s-sacks and were going to eat me but Eli and Gandalf arrived in time and saved us," he babbled, he spoke so quickly he stumbled over his words. Dis stood there, her expression bleak as she stared at Bilbo. He felt like cowering under her glare, it was the most unnerving few moments of his life.

"I see…" was all she said before she turned to face Fili. While she stared down one son, she addressed the other. "Run along Kili… I have things to discuss with your brother," she said firmly. Kili didn't hesitate, he grabbed Bilbo's arm and started to pull him towards the door. Bofur got up and followed them out. As soon as they were clear of the dining hall Kili let go of his arm and leaned against the wall and let out a heavy sigh.

"I do not envy my brother… I've never seen her this mad before," Kili said as he shook his head. "How did she get here?" Bilbo thought about it for a moment before remembering what Fili said about Eli's aunt and uncle.

"I think she came with Eli's aunt and uncle… how else would she have gotten here today of all days?" Bilbo asked the two dwarves.

"How is that even possible? The Blue Mountains are at least an eight day journey from here... how could they have known we'd be in Rivendell? We were never going to come this way…. Uncle never planned on coming here," Kili said shaking his head. "How could the elves know where we would be in the future?"

"Some type of elven magic I would think," speculated Bofur. A stunned Bilbo just shook his head… he knew elves were magical but he had never even considered that they could see into the future. Well, maybe not all… Eli did not appear to have that ability but maybe someone else did.

"Let's go to the training grounds… I have a feeling that once my mother is done with my brother he will want to hit something," Kili said as he started walking towards the stairs. The three of them headed down the steps as fast as they could leaving Fili behind to his fate.

ooOoo

Dis

She watched her son, he stood there not meeting her eyes, his posture rigid and his jaw set. Dis almost wanted to smirk at his seemingly defiant stance. Her sweet Fili, he was her anchor after Brandr died, he helped her more than he should have with Kili as a child. He was always looking out for his little brother, even when they were up to mischief, she always knew Fili would keep his little brother safe. Now that was no longer the case… somehow the two of them became mixed up in her brother's schemes. From what the hobbit said it sounded like her brother's incompetency or insanity nearly claimed both of their lives, it was almost as if history was repeating itself. It was grand plans and schemes that led her brother Frerin to his death at Azanulbizar… her grandfather, father and brother thought themselves mighty enough to reclaim Moria. Fate was not on their side… will it be for Thorin's insane plan for sneaking into Erebor? Lady Galadriel told her that they must see the quest through… she had told her many things, the knowledge that the Lady of Lorien had entrusted her with was the only reason why she didn't have both of her son's on ponies back to the Blue Mountains today.

"So… care to explain to me how you and your brother got wrapped up in this quest?" she asked with an even tone, hoping to get him to talk. She beckoned to two chairs away from where the elves were preparing the dining room. Fili followed her over and sat down, his eyes were guarded when he finally looked at her.

"At first I thought it was a good idea… go there see if Smaug had died or fled and if he had, retake Erebor before others could," he explained. "I thought we would have help… I thought Iron Hills would come." Dis understood now, Fili thought the other kingdoms would help, he didn't get into this thinking he was going to be a hero. Her son had some sense unlike her brother.

"And now? What do you think?" she asked. Fili shifted uncomfortably in the chair before sighing.

"I think its folly… I think uncle will lead us to our doom if I let him," he said as he met her gaze. His honesty shocked Dis, he no longer trusted his uncle, he even hinted that he would try to stop him… when did her sweet Fili become so independent? She didn't expect this… she thought she was going to have to convince him that Thorin's plans were madness.

"You would go against your uncle? Your king?" she asked, watching him close to gauge his reaction. Her son didn't waver, he looked directly at her… there was no hesitation in his eyes.

"Yes… I would. I'm not going to let him get us killed. I'm not going to let him harm her," he said with resolve. Dis' eyebrow shot up… she knew who 'her' was… "His judgment is questionable… after the incident with the trolls I cannot just blindly follow him, not anymore…" Dis sat back amazed at the transformation that her son had gone through in such a short amount of time. Before he had left the Blue Mountains with his brother he practically worshiped his uncle… Dis knew that after Brandr died that her brother had become a surrogate father to the boys at times. She was ok with that, the boys needed a strong male figure in their lives but things had changed… her brother started getting more obsessed with Erebor, not happy with their lives in the Blue Mountains. He wanted to be like their grandfather, King under the Mountain. That title had haunted him… it never seemed much more than a dream until he returned from Bree all those months ago. Then he had talked of plans to reclaim it, he traveled to some of other kingdoms and had set up that meeting with all seven kingdoms. When she heard that the Iron Hills did not support Thorin's efforts to reclaim Erebor she thought that would be the end of it… until her sons came up missing.

"You make me proud son… I had feared the worst on the way here no matter how much Lady Galadriel tried to ease my mind," Dis said as she smiled at her son. Fili's decisive words had lifted a weight off her heart, she was starting to have hope that both of her sons would finish this quest alive.

"So that is how you got here… I knew that Eli's aunt and uncle were coming today, but I did not know they would have my mother with them. It is odd that they would know that we are here… as far as I knew Uncle had not planned to come here. Why would Eli's aunt and uncle go all the way to the Blue Mountains to get you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The Lady Galadriel sees many things… she can see events in the future…" she said quietly. Fili looked shocked at first but then his expression turned to one of apprehension.

"They brought you here because of Eli and I… didn't they?" he asked, his tone more accusing than asking. "They do not approve…" Dis had to fight to keep her lip from curling into a smirk.

"And what is it that they do not approve of Fili? I noticed that you call her Eli… a name very few are given the privilege of using," she said trying hard to keep her tone neutral.

"You know how I've felt about her my whole life… ever since she visited when I was a boy," Fili said exasperatedly. Indeed, she did know and had found herself even encouraging it at times. Eli was a dear friend, a woman with too great of a heart… It was Eli that introduced her to Brandr… Dis always felt indebted to her for that. When it became apparent that her son was not going to grow out of his fascination for her friend she quit pushing him to find a dwarven wife and went as far to suggest places where Eli might have gone… if he should want to look for her. She decided to leave things up to fate… and it appeared that fate had plans of its own all along

"True… you were never the same after that visit, I never understood how you could have such strong feelings for someone you met only once…" Dis said thoughtfully. "And now that you have gotten to spend time with her… gotten to know her… how do you feel?"

"I love her," he said with conviction. "I don't see a future without her Mother. When this quest is done, regardless of what happens to Erebor or if I am to be king… I plan on marrying her. I don't care that she's an elf… if she will have me, I will do everything in my power to make her happy." He gave her a defiant look, "I intend on doing it with or without your permission… or Uncles. I honestly don't care what her aunt or uncle think or if they sent you here to talk me out of it… they of all people should have the least to say regarding who Eli chooses to be with." Dis couldn't believe it, never in his life has Fili been so bold.

"You would give it all up? You would go against your uncle and me to marry Eli?" she asked.

"Yes I would," he said as he met her gaze. Dis just stared at her son… her sweet Fili was no longer a boy, he had grown into a man that his father and her could be proud of and for the first time she started to see her son becoming the king that he was destined to be. She stared at Fili for a few moments until she could no longer contain her happiness. She smiled broadly at her son and began to laugh, Fili looked alarmed.

"I never answered your question… Eli's aunt and uncle brought me here not to dissuade you from being with their niece," Dis said as she smiled warmly at her son. Fili gave her a confused look. "They brought me here to make sure that you do married her… before you leave Rivendell."

ooOoo