Authors Note: A three point of view chapter… I went a bit of a different route with the Thorin confrontation… there had to be a buffer or those two would have beaten each other bloody. I hope you like it. Thank you for reading and for all of the reviews! Have a great weekend!

-O-

Chapter 20 – Of bindings and brothers

Gandalf

The past couple days have been trying at best. Everything had been far too emotional for his liking, hopefully after the wedding tomorrow things will return to normal. Gandalf sat in Elrond's study at the large oak table. With him was Galadriel, Celeborn and Elrond… they were all sitting there staring at two small rings that sat on a cushion at the center of the table. The lost rings of Narvi that were found in a troll hoard by Kili, they were reason why they had gathered here this late afternoon.

"One of the final pieces…" Elrond said as he leaned back in his chair. "And potentially one of the most volatile." Gandalf tore his eyes from the rings to look at the elven lord.

"The Valar have been far too involved with this to make a mistake with these rings… we must trust their plan as we always have regarding this matter," Gandalf said resolutely. Celeborn glared at him.

"I do not think giving these rings to Eliana and Fili is a good idea… too much has been placed on their shoulders already. They do not need the added burden of being ring keepers," Celeborn said with a note of anger in his voice. Gandalf sighed… the elf lord was too emotionally vested in his niece's happiness. Celeborn has lost his perspective, his interference will only delay the inevitable… he cannot go against the Valar.

"These are not rings of power… not in the traditional sense anyway," Gandalf noted.

"Just because these were not forged entirely by Celebrimbor does not mean he did not influence their creation… we know of several items that he had helped create that have power. It would be naive of us to think that just because Narvi was the primary crafter that Celebrimbor did not infuse these rings as well," Elrond said as he looked around the table. "With which powers still remains to be seen… we all know the legend, other than that we have nothing." Gandalf took out his pipe and packed it with more pipe weed as he thought about the legend. He knew it of course, the tale of how the great dwarven smith Narvi had fashioned a set of magic rings to bind his ailing wife to him so she would not die. Narvi never got to use the rings for she had died while he was waiting for the rings to cool from the flames that had created them. The legend also said that once he learned of his wife's fate that he cast himself and the rings into Celebrimbor's great forge… yet here the rings sit. There is no mistake, they fit the description perfectly; no other gemstone bears the mithril veins of Wraithsbane. A stone perhaps even rarer than the Arkenstone for only the small amount contained in these rings has ever been found. There are legends surrounding the Wraithsbane as well… of it having powers to repel the shadows, but as with the Narvi legends he had never seen any truth to them.

"Let us assume that the legend is true and these rings will bind Eliana and Fili… will it bind her life to his or his life to hers?" asked Celeborn as he glanced at the rings. "Do we risk sending Eliana to an early death by binding her to Fili?"

"She will be bound to him anyway Celeborn… she will not survive his death, the love is too strong," Gandalf said as he lit his pipe.

"There is always a chance she could survive…" Celeborn said quietly. "She survived Naertho…"

"A chance yes but unlikely. What is more likely is that she will linger and fade after his death… it would seem that the less cruel fate would be to be bound so that does not happen," said Elrond. Gandalf noticed that Galadriel has remained quiet so far during the conversation, she just sat there intently staring at the rings. "I am more concerned with the heir of Celebrimbor wielding a ring of power… we all know how her light works. Will her gift be amplified or will there be other unexpected side effects? Will it bind just her and Fili or will others be bound as well?" Elrond said, his voice full of concern. "It is these unknowns that fill me with doubts…"

"Your doubts while justified are meaningless," Gandalf said as he gave the elf lords pointed stares. "While we may question and discuss our doubts our role to ensure the Valar's will is carried out has not changed. The arrival of these rings into our care was no accident… the Valar want these rings used and I will see it done," he said decisively.

"And what if you're wrong? Galadriel has not seen these rings in any vision… I will not cause my niece more suffering because of a wizard's whim!" Celeborn said angrily as he pushed his chair out, the elf lord walked over and stared out the window. His anger and frustration apparent in his stance.

"We must decide here and now on the fate of these rings. Once that decision is made we will follow that path regardless of how we may feel," Elrond said in a firm voice. Gandalf was about to protest when Galadriel silenced him.

"The rings will be used… there is no decision to be made here," she said as she looked up at Gandalf. He has taken aback a bit by the determination in her eyes. "There are no accidents husband… you know this. These rings were meant for Eliana and Fili or they would not have been found." Her voice was soft but there was no denying the steel in her voice or the power of her words. "The ceremony will be performed by Gandalf… you will use the binding ritual that calls down the moon from the First Age." Gandalf choked on his pipe smoke… he started coughing and sputtering.

"Are you sure?" he croaked. "There was a reason that ritual is no longer in use…" Galadriel's eyes narrowed at him.

"I am well aware of that… I had a vision last night while gazing in the mirror. At first it made no sense but as I have contemplated the meaning of it throughout the day it is clear to me now. The bond must be so strong that it defies death," she said with conviction. Gandalf was at a loss for words… all he could do was stare at her.

"No! Galadriel… you can't ask this to be done. Fili is a dwarf… to bind them in such a manner would deny Eliana access to the Halls of Mandos after death!" Celeborn exclaimed as he rushed to his wife's side. "Please do not do this. The vision was misleading… it must mean something else. We cannot condemn her to a permanent death." Galadriel didn't look at him, she stared at the rings on the table.

"I agree with Celeborn… there is no reason for such a ritual," Elrond said cautiously. "That ritual is not even practiced among our own kind any more…" Galadriel eyes met Gandalf's, he knew by the way that she looked at him of what he must do. With a heavy heart he got up and walked towards the door.

"I will begin preparations…" he said quietly as he pulled the door open, he quickly exited. As he walked down the hallway he could still hear Celeborn's desperate pleas from inside Elrond's study. He knew they would go unheard… Galadriel's decision was final, the path has been chosen.

ooOoo

Kili

"Oh come on brother! I don't think you could be any slower unless you were dead," Kili whined as he waited for his brother to get ready. "I know this isn't at the top of your list of things you wanted to do… but its tradition!" He had been waiting for this… his brother's wedding eve dinner. A time to get drunk and tease his brother relentlessly about naughty topics that were sure to embarrass him to no end.

"I said I would go didn't I?" Fili said curtly from behind the bedroom door.

"Oh the enthusiasm…" Kili laughed as he lounged on the divan waiting for his brother. "If you take much longer Bombur will have eaten all the food and Gloin will have drank all of the ale…" The door flung opened and an irritated Fili marched out, his hair still damp from his bath. "I don't know why you bothered bathing… there will be no women of questionable morals there," Fili glared at his brother. "Not that you would partake… but it's just going to be us boys and maybe a few elves…"

"I'm going to see Eli afterwards… she's having trouble sleeping," he said as he grabbed his boots and took a seat on the divan. Kili smirked, he should have known… his hopelessly enthralled brother had to rescue his bride from her sleepless night.

"Don't let Mother catch you… Or she'll lecture you again on respectable behavior," he teased, he had to chuckle at the scowl his brother gave him. "All teasing aside brother… do you think that is a good idea? You two were a bit intense at the training yard earlier…" Kili laughed as his brothers cheeks reddened. "I think you may be overestimating your self-control."

"I am not you brother…" Fili said haughtily as he laced his boots. Kili was about to retort when there was a knock at the door, Fili was still tying his boots so Kili decided to get up and get it. He pulled the door open to find his uncle standing there.

"Uncle…" he said in shock. "What are you doing here?" he asked, unsure of what else to say. His uncle had kept to his rooms for the past few days, Kili thought that he wouldn't see him until after the wedding knowing how his uncle thought about the elves. Fili and his mother had assured him that his brother had not been disinherited but they didn't say that Uncle Thorin had approved of the union.

"Is your brother here?" he asked, there was a note of anger already present in his voice. Kili nodded and moved to the side as his uncle stepped inside. He didn't know why but seeing his uncle here filled him with a sense of dread.

"Uncle," was all Fili said. Kili stood there for a moment just looking between the two with growing alarm. Kili had seen his uncle's threatening posture before… it never ended well, Uncle Thorin was well known for his temper and for fighting. He had witnessed his uncle in tavern brawls before so he was familiar with this particular stance. It shocked him to see him doing it here towards his brother… It was even more shocking was to see his brother reaction. The only other time he had seen his brother look this way was right before he pummeled that elf. Kili instinctually stepped in between them.

"We were just about to leave…" Kili said as he glanced between the two of them. "So…if this could wait until later… much later… we should probably be going." It was evident a confrontation of some type was going to take place… he wanted to get his brother out of there before something bad did happen.

"You can leave Kili… I need to speak to your brother alone," Thorin said, never taking his eyes of Fili. There was no way he was leaving… if he did there would be no telling the damage they would inflict on each other. Also the way his uncle was looking at Fili made him nervous… he didn't like it at all.

"No… I will be staying," Kili said causing their glares to shift to him. Better to get them to focus on me than each other, he thought.

"You don't have to brother…" Fili started to say and Kili held his hand up silencing him.

"Oh yes I do… you two look like you could kill each other. I have a vested interest in keeping you both alive so that crown stays far away from me… besides from the looks of it you need a mediator," Kili said briskly as he glanced at both men. "So why don't you sit in that chair over there Uncle and Fili you sit on the divan…" Neither of them moved to sit… Kili sighed. "Or don't…"

"Call off the wedding," Thorin said abruptly to Fili. Kili frowned, his uncle wasn't mincing words tonight. He glanced at his brother, Fili standing there like a statue, his hands clenched at his sides. He looked furious… how could uncle even ask that?

"No," his brother responded simply. Kili saw his uncle's face start to flush with anger. "There is nothing you can say or do to stop me." Kili watched his uncle's face contort through a myriad of emotions from anger to pain before settling on something close to rage. The pieces started to fall in place, Kili now understood what this was all about… he just needed to confirm it. There is just one thing that will turn men against each other like this…

"Why would you want the wedding called off uncle? I would think if you had such intense objections that you would have voiced them by now… you've had days," Kili said as gave his uncle a questioning look. His uncle's eyes narrowed when he looked at him… Kili couldn't help but swallow hard. He hated confrontations and Uncle Thorin was not one to confront… not unless you wanted to get hit.

"Do not involve yourself Kili… this does not concern you," he said bitterly. Time to throw caution to the wind, Kili thought. He stepped in front of his uncle and stared at him for a moment. He couldn't help but feel a bit of fear over provoking him… a man he has looked up to his whole life.

"It does concern me uncle… Fili's my big brother and I'm not going to let anything ruin this for him. I don't know what your intentions were coming here tonight uncle but you know as well as I do that there was no way that Fili would call off this wedding just because you told him to. Was your hope to delay it and if so… by what means uncle?" Kili inquired managing to keep his voice even. The coldness in his uncle's eyes gave him pause but he managed to keep up his calm ruse enough to continue. "So I ask again… what are you doing here?" Thorin just stared at him, Kili noticed his uncle's hands clenching and unclenching, that usually meant he was about to throw a punch. He couldn't help but think about how much his brother was going to owe him for taking a hit from their uncle for him. Kili just stood there waiting for his uncle to swing at him but he didn't. He watched Thorin's shoulders slump slightly before he turned away from them. Kili happened a glance over his shoulder at his brother. Fili was just standing there, he still was on guard but there was confusion in his eyes.

"I don't know why I'm here…" Thorin muttered, he bowed his head as ran his fingers through his hair. Kili frowned and took a step towards his uncle.

"You know everyone thinks that I don't pay attention, that I don't know what is going on… that I'm too young to understand things… I am not blind, there is only one thing… one person that could have caused this animosity between the two of you…" Kili said as he looked between his brother and his uncle. "You both love the same woman… you both love Eliana." The silence in the room was deafening, Kili happened a glance at his brother… Fili was warily watching their uncle. Kili wondered why his brother never mentioned it to him… it wasn't like Fili to not tell him about something, especially something like this. He guessed because it was not an easy topic to broach… without seeing what was transpiring between the two of them currently he probably would have thought it was a joke. "Does Eliana know?"

"No," said Fili and his uncle nearly at the same time. That made sense, he thought. Eliana avoided their uncle… she probably wouldn't believe it if she heard it either. Uncle Thorin has been nothing but rude to her since she joined them… even more so once she started to show his brother affection, at least his ire made somewhat more sense now.

"Do either of you think her feelings would change if she knew?" Kili asked the two men. Thorin squared his shoulders and turned to look at his nephews. There was uncertainty in his eyes, he seemed much less threatening than before Kili noted.

"I… no," Thorin said finally. "No, I do not think it would matter… not now." His admission seemed to shock his brother.

"If you don't think it would matter then why would you tell me to call off the wedding?" Fili demanded. "You treat her terribly… you put her life at risk… why? You claim to love her but I see nothing to back that claim." Oh no… damn it Fili! He had just calmed down, Kili thought as he glanced nervously at their uncle. He could see his uncle's eye start to twitch, never a good sign.

"I have loved her since Erebor!" Thorin yelled, his face turning red. "It was supposed to be me… not you! I waited for her to come to me… I waited!" Thorin roared as he slammed his hand into his chest. Kili positioned himself between the two… he felt like this could go bad at any moment.

"You waited for what? What was Eli supposed to do? She thinks you hate her… did you ever once tell her any different?" Fili asked harshly. Thorin just stared at him, Kili was ok with staring… lunging, swinging and clubbing were things he hoped to avoid. "You didn't… and even you know that nothing would change now if you said anything. So why come to my room on the eve of my wedding? Why can't you just let this go?" The look his uncle gave his brother will haunt Kili the rest of his life… it was so desperate and broken that he had to look away.

"I don't know how…" Thorin said, his voice was raspy and hollow. "I don't know how to stop loving her." Kili actually felt bad for his uncle, a glance at his brother and he could tell he felt the same thing. This was not there fearless uncle standing before them… no, far from it. This was a broken man obsessed with a woman that did not love him. What do you say to a person like that? Is there anything that would fix this or ease his pain?

"Maybe her marriage to Fili will help…. Maybe it will be the closure you need uncle," Kili said sympathetically. "You just need time… a few months and it will not bother you anymore." Thorin look at him and then at Fili. He did not like the look that his uncle gave his brother, there was a crazed look about his eyes… a deep seated malice that should not have been there, especially not for your own kin.

"Perhaps… I should go," he said as he turned. Before he pulled open the door he paused. "I will not contest the marriage… nor will I interfere with the ceremony tomorrow," Thorin said quietly. "That is all I can offer you… this marriage will never receive my blessing," he said quietly before he pulled the door open and left. Kili let out a breath he had been holding and gave his brother a relieved look. Fili sat back down on the divan and rubbed his face.

"Well… that was intense. I really thought he was going to hit me," Kili said with a nervous laugh.

"Thank you brother… if you were not here I'm sure it would have come to blows," Fili said giving him a grateful look. Kili waved him off.

"I couldn't let him mar your pretty face the night before your wedding," Kili teased but then he remembered that look his uncle gave his brother. "In this I do not jest… be careful brother," Kili frowned. "There is a darkness in him… l saw it in his eyes. Do not trust him… I know I cannot, not anymore." Fili nodded, his expression filled with worry.

"Do you think he would hurt Eli?" he asked his voice full of concern. Kili shook his head.

"No… but you best be wary brother," Kili warned then shook his head sadly. "How did this happen? Things were never perfect but I never thought something like this would happen to our family." Fili's brows furrowed as he looked up at his brother.

"Do you think it's the sickness… like great-grandfather? Except it's not for gold but for Eli?" Fili asked. Kili shrugged… he tried not to think about the sickness that ran in their line. He hoped that he and his brother would never be afflicted with it.

"Maybe… it would make sense. We should tell mother…" Kili said somberly. Fili nodded in agreement, he stood up and clasped Kili on the shoulder before pulling him into a quick hug. "I need a drink…" Kili said as he put his arm around his brother's shoulders as he guided him towards the door.

"That makes two of us…" Fili agreed. "So you really would have taken a hit for me?" Kili smirked at him as he pulled open the door.

"I would have… and you would have owed me a huge debt brother… huge!" Kili said with a laugh. "And I'm sure my damaged state would have garnered some sympathy from a certain giggling elf maiden too," he said as he wagged his eyebrows. "It almost makes me wish he did…" Fili elbowed him in the ribs as they exited the room.

"You're terrible… but probably the best brother a dwarf could ever have…" Fili said giving his brother a broad grin.

"Stop you're making me blush!" Kili joked. "Come on brother… there's ale to be drunk and I heard Bofur was drawing you pictures so you'll know what to do tomorrow night!" Kili laughed at his brother's expression and pulled him down the hallway.

ooOoo

Fili

Kili had finally passed out so he seized the opportunity and ducked out the back through the kitchens. Every time he tried to leave earlier his brother would find some reason for him to stay. If he couldn't think of a reason then he would enlist the other dwarves help and there was no way for him to escape. Fili had heard enough stories about sex to last a lifetime and then some. He never realized just how depraved some of his fellow dwarves were until tonight. Between Dwalin and Bofur's drawings and Gloin's tavern wench stories, he had just shook his head wonder… he questioned how much worse it could possibly get. He didn't have to wait long before Nori chimed in with a few stories that made Fili cringe. It always seemed like the quiet ones were the ones watch out for... Thankfully Ori had long succumbed to the drink and wasn't awake for the worst ones or the boy would have been scarred for life.

The only useful information from the evening didn't even come from his fellow dwarves but from the three elves that were brave enough to attend. Lindir had showed up with two of the tall blonde guards that had accompanied Eli's aunt and uncle. Their names were Rumil and Orophin, a pair of brothers from Lorien. They came bearing gifts… a few bottles of what appeared to be elven wine but it was stronger. Fili only took a sip before realizing it would be a bad idea to drink it… he poured his glass into Kili's when he wasn't looking. It did not take them long to join the dwarves in their drunken state, a mere bottle between the three had the elves laughing and telling tales. It was from them that he learned that the ears were an erogenous zone on elven women. As Rumil put it… 'A few nibbles and licks and she will melt in your hands…" he warned though not to abuse it or it will awaken the beast… whatever that was supposed to mean. It was useful information that he would have to test out… perhaps in a few minutes.

He crept down the dimly lit hallways until he came to Eli's door. He hoped that she was alone or it was going to be awkward trying to explain why he was sneaking into his bride's room in the night. He slowly lifted the handle on the door and stepped inside. There was no one in the small living area, he did notice two brown bottles on the small table next to the divan and had to stifle a chuckle. It appeared they had a little party of their own. He turned to enter the bedroom when his knee bumped the table. He quickly righted things but heard what sounded like a groan from the bedroom.

"Yes Dis… I'm still awake and no I'm not drinking anymore of your alcohol concoction. It didn't help and all more of it is going to do is make me sick…" he heard her grumble from the behind the door. Fili smiled as opened the door to the bedroom, a few low burning candles cast enough light for him to see Eli laying in the bed… she had her arm flung over her eyes and didn't see him. "Dis… please just go. I will find no sleep tonight…" she pulled her arm away and sat up… a startled gasp left her lips as soon as she saw him. "Fili!" she exclaimed. He quickly closed the distance between them and sat on the bed, Fili pulled her into an embrace that was quickly followed by several passionate kisses. Reluctantly he pulled away or he was not going to be able to stop, there would be plenty of time for that tomorrow night. He sat up and took off his boots before pulling back the covers and settling in next to her.

"Time to sleep my love…" he whispered as he gave her a soft kiss. She smiled at him gratefully then turned on her side, sighing contently as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back flush against his chest. Fili nuzzled her neck, he gently kissed her ear and smiled as her whole body shuddered. Useful information indeed, he thought as the first stages of sleep started to pull him in. In less than a day Eli was going to be his forever… he smile and drifted off to sleep.

ooOoo