It took a while for Fili to calm down, and by the time he did he was exhausted and close to falling asleep again. While Oin fetched the food that had been abandoned both Thorin and Dís had gotten their own hugs, and there had been more tears shed when they were finally able to hold Fíli close, mumbling about how much they had missed him and how grateful they were to have him home.

The old healer entered the room and it took a lot of coaxing, and Kíli's constant goading for his brother to eat "just one more mouthful Fee" before the soup and bread was finished and Fili was close to passing out.

Fíli tried to reassure them as much as he could, but he was struggling to hold himself upright from how tired he was, and soon the older dwarves pressed kisses to both boys' heads before leaving them alone to get some sleep.

"K-kee?" Fíli had asked tentatively as his brother shifted away. "Stay?"

Kíli smiled softly at his brother, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Always."

The brunet helped his brother slide over enough on the bed for him to crawl in, and when he was comfortable he pulled Fíli to him and with limbs tangled and fingers entwined they fell into the most relaxed sleep either had had in a long time.

Satisfied both boys were sleeping comfortably Thorin pushed away from the doorframe and headed back towards the kitchen where he could hear Dís moving around, and upon entering found Oin seated at the table as Dís poured him some mead.

"Thorin?" Dís asked, proffering the bottle in question.

With a nod he collected a cup for himself and his sister poured them both a drink, all three dwarves drinking in silence as they processed what had just occurred.

"You will need to make an announcement," Oin mused. "There are rumours around town that Fíli has been found and it would be best to address them before you start getting visitors asking at your door."

Thorin shook his head in exasperation. "They're too nosy for their own good," he grumbled. "I'll go find Balin now I suppose, get him to organise a meeting so they can be informed."

He drained the rest of his glass and stood up to fetch his coat. Pressing a kiss to his sister's head and clapping the healer on the shoulder he made his way out the door.

The trip to the meeting house wasn't normally a long one, but considering he was stopped by what felt like the entire town asking questions which he politely brushed off, he was beginning to wonder if he should have just shouted and hoped Balin heard him. It certainly would have been faster.

Eventually he got to the door and let himself in, sighing in relief when he found his friend scratching away with a quill. The old dwarf looked up and smiled at the sight of him.

"Thorin," he greeted, "it's good to see you. What news do you have?"

A small smile appeared almost unwillingly. "Fíli finally woke," he replied in relief. "He has eaten and knows he's home. He's currently sleeping on Kíli's chest, the poor lad refused to let his brother leave."

A wide grin appeared on Balin's face at the news. "Oh but that's wonderful!" he exclaimed happily. "I feared he wouldn't wake at all despite the elf's help."

"As we all did," he agreed. "But Oin made a valid point now that Fíli has finally woken; we need to address our kin, inform them of what has taken place. Fíli will need time to recover and I fear having dwarves constantly knocking on the door will only set him back."

Balin tapped his chin thoughtfully. "A valid point. What would be best? A meeting?"

"Sooner rather than later would be preferable."

With a nod Balin stood and moved from the desk, poking his head out the door into the main hallway.

"Ori!" He yelled, waiting patiently when there was a scuffle and a curse before the young scribe stuck his head out from the nearby library door.

"Yes master Balin?"

"I need you to go around town, spread word that a meeting shall be held at -" he paused, frowning slightly before looking over his shoulder at Thorin. "When are we holding it?"

"Midday?" he replied with a shrug. "It will give everyone a couple of hours to find out and gather."

With a nod Balin stuck his head back out the door. "At midday in the town square. Get Bofur to organise something for myself and Thorin to stand on so we can see everyone."

"Right you are," Ori agreed.

Balin turned away from the door and saw Thorin watching him in amusement. "What?"

"I will never understand you scholars," he said with a shake of his head. "What is so wrong with actually walking to the person you seek?"

"It's faster," Balin replied with a chuckle as he sat back down at his desk. "Besides, it's a good way to draw dwarves like Ori away from their work involuntarily. If I didn't we'd lose him in the library for good and then I'd have to deal with both Dori and Nori and their incessant nagging."

Thorin paused for a moment, thinking his cousin's words over before nodding when realised the older dwarf was right. "Good point," he agreed. "I shall take my leave old friend, I need to find Dwalin and discuss the capture of the Orc who took Fíli, see if we can come up with a plan to find the filth and bring it here to pay for what it's done."

"You're going to kill it yourself, then?"

"Aye," Thorin agreed gruffly. "If you had seen Fíli when he woke Balin… you'd be out for that scum's blood too. I'm sure once our people learn of what they had done to him they will be just as keen to get their hands on that Orc."

Balin let out a sigh and nodded. "I can only imagine what that poor boy was put through," he said sadly. "Our people are loyal to you and the crown so you will have no shortage of volunteers. Not for avenging that boy."

Humming in agreement Thorin left the room, taking a calming breath against the anger that was pulsing through him at the thought of the vile creature that had been the source of all their suffering.

When he was certain he was calm enough he strode out the doors into the sun and began his hunt for his friend.

Midday came around faster than expected, and Thorin found himself standing on a wagon Bofur had sourced looking out at a sea of faces with Balin and Dwalin on either side of him.

There was confusion on some, trepidation and hope on others.

He held out his hand for silence and the murmuring of his kin stopped as though someone had flicked a lever. "My friends," he began, "it has come to my attention there are rumours being spread about the events of a week ago, that there are many stories and many uncertainties as to what took place. I am here to set the record straight." He paused, taking a deep breath to centre himself. "The rumours that Fíli has been returned to us are true-"

As expected a roar exploded from the crowd, dwarves clapping each other on the back and children hugging their parents in delight. It was humbling to see how much Fíli meant to them all, and Thorin had no doubt that when his time came his nephew would be a much loved ruler.

"Peace my friends," he said with a smile, catching out of the corner of his eye Balin not so discreetly wiping away a stray tear. "Yes, Fíli has been returned to us, but his time in the hands of his captors has not been easy. He has suffered greatly, and his recovery will be long. It is only today that he finally woke, and I know it will be many days more before he will be able to move around on his own."

There were murmurs then, the jovial looks on many faces turning concerned or worried. Even the youngest of children picked up on the change in their parents, settling down or looking up at the adults with wide, worry filled eyes.

"The Orcs that had captured your prince were not the instigators behind the attack. While they were being disposed of at Kíli's hand it was then we learned of another orc, one who had devised the entire plan and is at this point still at large. I ask you this, I will send a team of Dwarves with Dwalin to capture the filth and bring him here to pay for what he has done. Who will join him?"

The majority of the dwarves present, including many dwarrowdams and younglings answered, their voices booming through the square and rattling the windows of nearby buildings.

"Dwalin will set out in two days' time," Thorin informed them, "so speak to him within that time if you wish to go. We will not take an entire contingent for fear of discovery before we can find the Orc, so please do not be offended if you are not picked, the fact you wish to avenge your prince means just as much. Thank you my friends."

It took the better part of a day for Fíli to wake completely.

Oin had warned them he would be weak for the first few days until he recovered his strength, and to not expect him to do more than eat and sleep during that time.

So it came as a pleasant surprise when Kíli came hurtling down the hall into the kitchen with a wide grin.

"Uncle! Amad!"

"Mahal's sake inùdoy!" Dís scolded as she picked up the spoon she'd dropped in fright. "Since when are you permitted to run in this house?"

A faint blushed tinged the younger dwarfs cheeks as he ducked his head, rubbing the back of it in embarrassment. "Sorry mama."

Thorin chuckled, looking up from the final list of dwarves who would be accompanying Dwalin the next day to his nephew. "What is it Kíli?"

The bright grin returned and Kíli swiped an apple off the table. "Fee's awake," the twinkle in his eye belying the casual tone he used. "And he's asking for you."

Thorin and Dís looked at one another in shock before they stopped what they were doing; Dís grabbing a honey cake from the pantry before they both quickly followed the young brunet to the bedroom.

Upon entering they found Fíli propped up on a mound of pillows, his face pale and eyes half closed but he was very much awake.

"Amad, Uncle," he greeted softly, smiling tiredly at the sight of them.

"Oh Fíli," Dís gasped tearfully, handing the treat to Thorin who placed it on the nearby chest as she hurried forwards to sit on the bed and throw her arms around him. "Oh sweetheart, it does my heart good to see you awake."

Fíli raised his arms and hugged her back as much as his weak muscles would allow. "I've missed you," he whispered, burrowing his nose into her neck as much as possible. "Mahal I've missed you so much."

Dís hugged her son tighter when he began trembling, his breathing shaky in her ear. "I'm here sweetheart, I'm here," she soothed, pressing her lips to the side of his head as he began to cry. "I won't let you go my love, not for all the gold in Erebor."

It took a while but eventually the blond began to calm down, and when he was certain he had his emotions more or less under control he drew away with a sniff. "You'll have to let me go eventually," he chuckled wetly, "can't keep me locked in here forever."

"See if she won't," Thorin disagreed with a small smile. He didn't have tears in his eyes, no matter what anyone else said.

Fíli smiled up at his uncle and opened his arms in invitation, and the two elder Durin's swapped places in order for Thorin to draw his nephew into a hug. "Welcome home little lion," Thorin whispered in his ear. "We've missed you."

The young dwarf didn't reply, instead burying his nose into his uncle's neck and inhaling the wood and steel scent that screamed safety and home. The comfort his elders provided him, in any aspect of his life was something he had sorely missed this last year, and the chance to immerse himself in it now was one he couldn't pass up.

When he had gotten his fill he drew back slightly, eyes fighting against the exhaustion that had become all too common as of late. "'m sorry," he murmured, looking up at Thorin who was frowning back at him. "'m so sorry for getting capt -"

"No, don't do that," Thorin chided with a shake of his head, stroking a hand over golden locks in an attempt to soothe. "Don't blame yourself for something you had no control over."

Despite his words Thorin knew the guilt and regret Fíli had lived with for the last year was going to be something the blond would struggle to deal with for a long time to come, but all any of them could do in the meantime was assure him each time it came up the attack and his subsequent capture was not his fault, and as he suspected when Fíli drew back with a nod the look in his eyes showed that he was unconvinced that he wasn't the one to blame.

Fíli slumped into the pillows, smiling tiredly up at his family that were gathered around. They could see him mulling something over, some thought that was clearly important enough to keep him awake despite his obvious need for sleep. "I need to know," he said eventually, voice quiet as he bit his lip, "how you found us. The… the Orcs moved at night and stuck to the trees, and I'm so glad to be home, but I just don't understand how you found us."

"Ever since you and your brother were attacked, the patrols have been increased. Back then we thought we were safe and yet you were taken by a large pack, right from under our noses. I couldn't risk losing anyone else because of negligence on my part. The day we found you, two of the guards had been patrolling deeper in the forest and heard a disturbance. When they went to investigate they spotted the pack from the cliff and reported back. We were informed that they had prisoners, but we had no idea it was you." He sighed, closing his eyes before looking at his nephew sadly. "You have to understand, I couldn't fail our people again, not after I'd failed you so -"

Fíli's eyes widened at the confession. "It wasn't your fault!" he protested shakily, placing a weak hand on top of his Uncle's. "You had no idea the Orcs were nearby, none of us did. Thorin, despite thinking you should, you can't know everything that goes on around us, and trying to prepare for every likely scenario is impossible. If I am not allowed to blame myself for being captured then you are not to blame yourself for doing the best you could do with the information you had."

"How is it that even after a year away you still make more sense than any other dwarf here?" Kíli asked in bewilderment. Secretly he was thrilled that despite the horrors his brother had been subjected to, his love and compassion was still deeply rooted inside of him.

Those emotions would have been some of the first to go in a lesser dwarf.

Rather than replying Fíli winked weakly at his brother which made Thorin and Dís chuckle. As weak as he was, it was good to see a spark back in those cerulean eyes.

Fíli made himself comfortable against the pillows and looked around the room tiredly, blue eyes searching for his companion only to furrow with worry when he couldn't spot her.

"Where's Amber?" he asked, looking between his family members in concern for his friend. "What happened to her?" Thorin frowned, about to ask who he was talking about when Dís spoke first.

"Do you mean the elf, sweetheart?"

Ah. He'd almost forgotten about her. When Fili nodded he gave his nephew a small smile. "She's okay, she's next door but she has yet to wake as whatever she did to help you has taken its toll."

The relief was clear on the young dwarf's face. Dís leaned forward and brushed a hand over his hair lovingly. "She means a lot to you, doesn't she?" She asked with an understanding smile. She was grateful her son had had someone he could rely on during the last year, considering what he had been put through he was lucky that there was one person that wasn't out to kill him.

The blond leaned into the touch with a small nod, eyes drooping shut at the soothing motion. His voice was quiet, gentle, and it was as though he was a young dwarfling with how small he sounded when he spoke. "I can't explain it Amad, the bond I have with her is so strong, and her not being here makes me want to panic, even though you told me she's okay."

"It's okay, Fíli, you don't have to explain it to us. You went through something no one should have to experience, but the fact you had her by your side, regardless of the fact she's an elf makes easier for me to handle. Your bond was born out of fear and pain, but the love you have for one another outweighs all else."

She saw Thorin's eye twitch at the mention of Fíli loving Amber, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes as Fili looked at her in confusion.

"But I don't love her, Amad-"

"There's more than one type of love in the world, Fíli," she tutted, "and she will always hold a place in her heart for you, as you will for her. Now," she leaned over and pressed a kiss against his head before tapping him on the nose lightly with her finger, "you need rest. We have kept you up for far too long and Oin will have my head if he finds out you aren't resting."

"And food," Thorin chimed in, collecting the honey cake and handing it to Fíli who accepted it gratefully before demolishing it in the blink of an eye. Dís stood from her spot and shuffled backwards so Thorin could place his own kiss on her son's forehead. As she moved she noticed her youngest looking at her with a frown on his face.

"What is it, Gimlith?"

"Amad, we need to know what happened so Thorin can-"

"There will be plenty of time for that later Kíli," she reminded him gently. "Your brother must rest if he is to heal."

"But-"

"Not now, Kee," Fíli begged as he took his brother's hand in his. "Maybe one day, but not right now. I can't… I don't want to remember what happened, not when the memories are still raw."

The brunet shuffled onto the bed and wrapped himself around his brother in a hug, muttering apologies for upsetting Fíli when he was so clearly exhausted. "I'm sorry Fee, I only wanted to help."

"I know." A smile then, "can you stay with me? I haven't slept on my own for the last year and Amber's presence was the only thing that kept the nightmares at bay. Now that she isn't here…" He shook his head, unable to continue.

Not that he needed too. Kíli immediately understood what his brother was trying to say and quickly shuffled until he was more or less beside him, lying on top of the covers rather than underneath, and opened his arms.

Fíli shook his head with a put upon sigh, however the fondness in his eyes showed he was beyond grateful for the offer. "I meant sleeping beside me," he told his brother wryly in the hopes it would hide how much he actually needed him.

Thankfully Kíli knew how to read his brother, even after so long apart. "Well maybe that's what you want, but I lost you too, and I'd much rather have you close then wonder where you are in the middle of the night."

He nodded in understanding before curling up, his head resting on Kíli's shoulder as his brother wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.

"Just sleep Fee," he murmured in his brother's ear as he watched his mother and uncle leave the room quietly, "I'm right here.

"I'm right here."