Chapter 26

Kíli found that more than his limp kept him from arriving at the Council Chambers in a reasonable time. He knew dinner waited on his arrival, but his heart wasn't in to facing the confined dwarrow. Could he keep his feelings from giving away that Tauriel was safe? Could he keep from Lord Hagen it was his daughter, Cami that was dying?

Was Hagen the one? Cami was the one who stood to gain him as husband if Tauriel was dead. No, that is not true. If she and Mananna die it would kill me. He was not as healed as others believed. He did not like how his heart felt when he first thought it had been Tauriel injured.

Mahal, I'm confining myself to my bed until my coronation after this. I am not as well as I would like. I suppose I could get Grund to push me in that infernal chair to dine with Thranduil.

He could hear Grund's footsteps behind him. The pace he set must be annoying his loyal servant. Other footsteps joined theirs in haste.

Kíli stopped and turned to stare down the passage. Kavil, good ol' Kavil a Captain from Ered Luin's and now Erebor's Guard escorted a dwarrowdam about the age of his amad. He studied her as Kavil brought her forward. Idrís. The name pulled from his memories, the dwarrowdam that chose to remain unwed when Thorin would not give her even the first bead. Lord Grindle's namad.

Kavil brought Idrís to a stop. "Majesty, the Lady Idrís requests to speak with you without delay."

"The Council of Lords is waiting on me for their dinner, can this wait?"

Idrís shook her head. "It is urgent, my King."

"There is a small private room just down the hall, Majesty." Grund offered.

"Take us there." Kíli motioned Grund to lead them.

The group fell in step behind Grund. As they neared the door to the small chamber, a messenger came running down the hall towards them. The dwarfling near fell head first at Kíli's feet as he slid to a stop and bowed low in one motion. "Majesty, a message from Master Óin," he managed to say as he panted.

Kíli held his hand up. "It can wait until after the Lady Idrís has her say. Wait outsi...no, join us." He realized the dwarfling was already privy to what was happening and was trusted. If the Lady was not here about the attempt on Tauriel then it was she that could be excused before the messenger spoke.

The small group entered the room. It was very close with five dwarves. It was a room meant for one on one, and one servant. Kíli dropped into one of the chairs at the small polished stone table, sending up a puff of dust. It caused a wheeze in his breath.

He motioned towards the second chair. "La...dy Id...rís."

She slid into the chair with a grace born of her former court life. What was her chosen profession? Kíli studied the handsome dwarrowdam before him, for beautiful was not a fitting word for her. Her copper hair was in a wound plait about her head. Eyes such a dark brown they looked black regarded him back. Her face was strong. Mahal! His own face was feminine compared to hers. Her beard was shot with stark white. "What did you wish to see me about?" He quirked an eyebrow up. His breathing had, thank Mahal, eased again.

"I just came back from the markets in Dale. I work in your kitchens. The other night I heard my brother talking with one of his servants. Something about having the plumbing fixed. I thought nothing of it until the Captain detained me at the gate."

Kíli dropped his gaze to the table. "Anything to add? That is still only circumstantial. Suspicious given the events today, but not proof of wrong doing."

Kavil removed a folded piece of paper from his vest. "We found this on one of Lord Grindle's servants that we've detained for further questioning. The Lady says she knows her nadadith's code."

Kíli pulled out the drawer he could see and found parchment and ink. The seat may still need a beating for the years of dust, but the room, thankfully, was stocked. "What is Lord Grindle's cipher?"

"I could read it for you, Majesty," she offered.

"Have you read it already?" Kíli leaned forward on his elbows the quill dangling from his fingers.

"No."

Kíli looked to Kavil.

"She has not."

"The cipher." Kíli lowered his hand to write.

Idrís recounted her brother's private code. Kíli wrote it down with a meticulous hand. Once he had it, he began writing out the translation. By the time he had the message translated his eyes were hard and cold. His jaw was set hard. His teeth gritted. "Grund, escort the Lady back to the kitchens."

"Majesty." Grund bowed.

"What does it say?" Idrís' brows furrowed in worry.

"You will know soon enough. Better yet, take her to where the Ladies are sequestered."

Grund inclined his head. "Milady." He led her out the door.

Kíli turned to the messenger and with a deep sigh he asked, "What is your message?"

"Cami, Daughter of Hagen, has gone to be with Mahal."

Kíli surged to his feet. He could feel his chest tighten in protest and his leg shot stabbing pain up it has he put his full weight on it. "Report back that I've been informed," he growled.

The messenger bowed,nodded and ran from the room.

Kíli turned to Kavil. "Captain, do you have shackles on you?"

He nodded and held them up.

"Come." The adrenaline coursing through Kíli gave him the will to ignore the pain. The guards at the door made way for their glowering King. Kíli threw open the doors to the Council Chambers.

The Lords all turned to see their King in full wrath. None dared to speak, unsure what had put their young King in such a fit of anger. Lord Grindle started to sidle towards the servants' entrance.

As the doors closed behind Kíli and one of his Captains he looked about the room. "Lord Grindle. You are here by placed under arrest for the attempted murder of my wife, Tauriel and our unborn child." He then looked at Lord Hagen. "I am sorry Lord Hagen, as much trouble as I was as a dwarfling you were a fair foster father, Cami died in that traitor's attempt on my wife." He pointed a trembling hand at Grindle who Kavil was placing in shackles.

He could see Hagen collapse to his knees. His father by marriage, Erlic going to him. Who better to understand then one who'd lost a daughter.

As Kavil brought Grindle past him Kíli looked him in the eye. "You are also charged with Cami's murder. Was this worth your damned injured pride," he spat. "Have our people not suffered and lost enough for you?"

"I got ya' lad."

Dáin's arms wrapped around his waist as he felt his legs wobble. He realized he'd left his cane in the small room. "Thank you, cousin."

Tears welled in Kíli's eyes.

"Pity. I suppose our people are stuck with that former elf as queen. She's an abomination not fit for these halls. It is you in choosing her that is a traitor. Not I. What will you do about it boy?" Grindle laughed. "The primary line of Durin is a disgrace. Cami's death is an accident, not murder. Try me for it. Try me for both, see if our people agree my attempt to remove that abomination is treason."

"All hear heard him confess?" He looked about as he leaned against his cousin.

The others all assented.

"Believe me when I say what I am going to do about it makes me sick to my core." He looked Grindle straight in the eye. "After my coronation you will be put to death for treason. I will not give this task to another's hand. I will carry out the sentence myself."

A/N: I'm surprised this chapter came out so quick. The next will be most likely next week. Kili is going to need some time with his wife.