Thráin and Balin entered Thranduil's capacious tent to find the king, Glorfindel and Erestor already present.

"King Thráin," Erestor greeted him first and with a motion of his hand beckoned. "I have contracts for you or your advisor to look over."

Balin smiled at the king, "I believe you delegated that job to me this morning."

"Aye, ye'll let me know if it's not ta my likin." He patted Balin on the shoulder and found a seat.

"We're waiting for the others and still have schedules to discuss," Thranduil spoke from his place on his throne, which was set against the wall. "I wish Elrond's sons would return. As long as they are hunting, my son will be with them." It came out more as a complaint than Thranduil would have liked, but he was worried to the point of sending his army after the wayward youths.

"I'm reading ah book Erestor gave me about those two, an see yer mentioned in some of the chapters."

"I had some interaction with them, so naturally would be mentioned," Thranduil haughtily responded to cover his earlier gaff of displaying worry.

"This was ah meeting at Imladris where ah certain elleth named Ríllas was present and ye were spoiling for ah fight."

Thranduil's face took on a genuine smile as he remembered. "She was a spitfire."

"Is she still around? I would like ta make her acquaintance," Thrain asked hopefully.

The smile dropped off Thranduil's countenance and it darkened as if a spring thunder burst suddenly appeared. "No, she died a long time ago."

"Ahhh, I'm sorry. In the story, she was ah real elven warrior lass, an ah lady ta boot."

Thranduil nodded, "All that and more."

Legolas chose that moment to enter. "Who are you referring to, Adar?"

"Your mother." Thranduil looked his son over critically. "I expected you back yesterday at the latest. What trouble did Elrond's spawn drag you into?"

"I object." Glorfindel rose and looked at Legolas. "Where are they?"

"We spent the night in a spare soldier's tent. El and El said we shouldn't disturb any of you in the middle of the night when we returned. Elladan is in their main tent eating right now. I came looking for food myself." Legolas looked around hopefully while Glorfindel left in a rush.

Thranduil sighed to himself. "I had everything taken away already. So you rode during the storm." It was a fact that demanded an explanation.

"The twins ride through those storms all the time. It was exhilarating to feel the biting cold and snow plastering to us and the horses. We raced the last mile to the river and I won. I told you, Elneth is the fastest horse around."

Erestor overheard and laughed from his position at the table. "I'm sure Glorfindel would differ. And I have seen Rohirrim, owned by Lady Galadriel, run."

Legolas' eyes narrowed, "I still maintain my horse is swifter. If the old elves want to race, I will take their coin."

Erestor's eyes crinkled at the corners and a wide grin split his face. "Go challenge Glorfindel and Celeborn to a race. Be sure and insult them on their slow nags."

"I'll do just that and find something edible while I'm at it," Legolas replied cockily and with a slight bow to his father, he left.

Balin listened while he read and suddenly his eyes picked up a discrepancy from what he remembered the discussion had been. "Lord Erestor, if I may," he pointed with his finger to a line. "I don't recall a discussion on transporting wine to Imladris."

"Uhh, you didn't." Erestor took the paper and read what he wrote. "My apologies. I was working on Celeborn's contract and Glorfindel came into the tent last night late after too much wine and tripped over his armor, landing on top of me and scattering papers all over. I had two more lines to write before done and grabbed the wrong contract." He looked at Balin. "You do not know what I put up with dealing with elves. I will correct the mistake immediately."

Balin laughed, "I'm sure it's no different than dwarves who've been in their cups too deep."

Gandalf stepped into the tent and looked perplexed at Erestor, "I passed Legolas challenging Glorfindel to a horse race and heard Rohirrim's name mentioned also. Young Legolas was saying you were behind the wager. I'll tell you right now, Lord Erestor, I will not ride against those two;" he paused and let a smile creep onto his weathered face, "the temptation to cheat would be too great. Do you have an alternate rider for Galadriel's horse?"

"How about the twins and Legolas draw lots for which horse to ride? Legolas cannot ride his own as the twins would be at a disadvantage."

Thranduil and Gandalf looked at each other and nodded they accepted.

"Good, when they arrive, you tell them," Erestor told Gandalf.

"We heard," Celeborn stated as he entered, followed closely by Elrond and Glorfindel.

"You are betting my son's against Thranduil's son in a three horse race?" Elrond spoke directly to Erestor.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Gandalf added before any of the lords could tell them the race was off. "It will be a chance for elves, dwarves and men to have a gathering, bring food and fine spirits from the mountain and have a feast."

"And when is this race to take place?" Elrond asked him.

"Ohh, I think either tomorrow or the day after. Let the horses rest and be prepared. We will have to mark off a course all can see, say from the walls of Dale."

"I have yet to see both of my sons. Elladan is hale, but Elrohir will have to pass my inspection before I allow him to race. Usually if one of my offspring is avoiding me, it's because they are injured." Elrond set the rules.

"Agreed," Gandalf replied. He looked closely at Elrond. "I had a talk this morning with Lady Galadriel."

Celeborn perked up at the mention of her. "How is my wife faring?"

"She misses you." Gandalf shifted attention to the elder elf and then back to Elrond. "She wishes me to stay at Erebor for the winter, so I won't be accompanying you back to Imladris, I'm afraid."

Elrond gave a nod of his head and spoke in Gandalf's mind. 'Why did you contact Galadriel?'

'Thráin was making major changes in his meeting this morning that excluded Fili from inheriting the throne. I was concerned his time at Dol Guldur had effected his judgement.'

'Has it?'

'Not according to the Lady. She said her mirror showed him on the throne for a good long while and relations with Thranduil improving to pre-Thrór days. Giving Thranduil the gems went far in mending their strained relationship.'

'Why are you staying?'

'For my own entertainment. In the spring, Thorin and Bilbo will head back over the mountains and I plan on accompanying them. Thorin has much mending yet to do and I believe I can be of help, or at least keep tensions from boiling over. Fili might be a handful as he is at loose ends at the moment. Also, I'm not sure how Kili and Tauriel will work out. I'll be speaking privately to Thranduil about her returning to his kingdom if needed.'

'She can always come to Imladris.'

'The lady has foreseen Legolas spending time at Imladris, so I don't think that is wise.'

'She told me to put money on Rohirrim. Is that wise?'

Gandalf smiled at him, breaking the connection.

Fili and Kili walked around the elven camp looking at everything. They had never seen an army in the field and were impressed. Dáin's army was camped in the mountain and utilizing abandoned military quarters and homes.

"I tell you, Kili, we should have been with Thorin when he faced Smaug." Fili was still griping as they walked among the towering elves looking for the tent that housed the elven king. Not wanting to appear lost or ignorant, they didn't ask directions.

"I agree. At least you shouldn't have been left. Thorin should have insisted you go with the Company when you refused." Kili sidestepped a puddle where water had been tossed and hadn't yet frozen.

"Nobody will stand up to Thorin," Fili stated then had an idea. "You know, Kili, the new king, our grandfather, outranks Thorin. I bet he will side with us and we can have a moral victory at least."

"Why? He doesn't seem to like us very much." Kili didn't see his reasoning.

"He just doesn't know us. Everyone likes us once they get to see how charming we are." Fili smiled at his brother. "There," he pointed. "That's got to be it. Look at the standards and all the guards. It's as I remember when I came and fetched Grandfather."

There were four tents, two each facing each other, with a standard on a pole in front of each one and two guards at the entrance of each, holding long spears and dressed in armor complete with helmets. Fili and Kili approached cautiously. They stopped when one of the spears lowered across their path. "We have a message for our king," Fili explained. "I'm Prince Fili and this is my brother, Prince Kili."

"Second tent on the left," was all the guard said and went back to his stationary position at the entrance of one tent.

Staying close together, they approached and stopped just outside. Peering in they saw Thráin in the tent with the elven lords and king Thranduil. Backing away was out of the question when Thráin looked up and spotted them. With a smile, Thráin motioned them forward and they stopped before him, trying hard not to look around or gape at the luxury the king afforded himself.

"And what are you two doing here, an without yer uncle?"

Kili answered, "He sent us to tell you he went back to the mountain. He left us on our own as we want to look Dale over, but had to tell you first."

"Dale isn't what it once was, but still an interesting place ta visit." Thráin smiled up at them.

"We have a question, Grandfather," Fili added before the king could dismiss them. He looked around at the august group. Maybe it could wait, but then Thorin would most likely be with them and they would never get to know.

Thráin nodded for him to proceed.

Deciding he would look foolish before the elves and Gandalf if he backed out now, he continued, "Thorin left Kili in Lake-town because he was injured. I told Thorin if Kili couldn't go, I wouldn't leave my brother. Thorin got disgusted and mad and left me behind. Óin volunteered to stay, but he's not part of our question. Kili was at that moment injured, but on his feet. Was Uncle wrong to keep Kili behind?"

"That's your question? Was Thorin wrong?" He watched his progeny shuffle their boots and exchange guilty looks, day and night they were to look at.

They faced him again and Fili nodded.

The years rolled off Thráin and he was Fili's age questioning his father and king, much like this proud son of Durin was doing now. He could still hear in his head his father's answer and knew exactly how to respond. "Was he acting as your uncle or king?" The question was silky smooth and he knew the elves were listening as they stopped taking and were watching the exchange.

Fili's and Kili's eyes widened.

"I suppose…King," Fili finally answered, not liking the direction of the question.

"So yer king gives an order ta yer brother, an ye don't like it an disobey yer king. If ye can't take orders, how can ye be ah ruler one day?" His blue eye drilled into an identical shade and the younger flinched.

"I still feel Thorin was wrong," Fili defended his anger at his uncle. "He spoke with gold sickness. Our uncle would never have left us."

"Under the same circumstances, I would have left Kili or so would Dáin. Thorin has perfect memory of leaving Lake-town an gold sickness clouds the mind. It wasn't until he was at the mountain did the sickness take him completely. He was right, an as king deserved better from ye. Fili, ye will never again disobey like ah spoiled dwarfling if ah reasonable order be given by Thorin or anyone else outranking ye. Had the kingdom been established an ye pulled such ah disrespectful stunt, ye would have been punished. And," Thráin raised a pointed finger at his blond grandson, "next time ye will be."

Before Fili and Kili could make an embarrassed exit their heads were slammed together, eliciting cries of outrage. Dáin Ironfoot had a handful of hair in each hand and total control over his young cousins. "Squealin like dwarrowlasses after their first kiss. Thorin raised ah couple of pansies. Cryin over hurt feelings. He ought ta ha done more beatin yer backsides instead of tuckin ya in." Dáin hauled them by their hair to the entrance of Thranduil's large tent and chucked them into the snow. With a laugh he joined Thráin and sat in the chair that was empty beside his king. "I take it Thorin didn't tell the lads the time ye crossed King Thrór when their age?"

Thráin grinned, "That's how ah knew exactly how ta handle them." He saw the expectant elves still looking way too interested and asked, "I suppose ye want ta hear the grand tale?"

Elrond gave one nod for the group just as Bard stepped in from the cold.

"I saw Fili and Kili hi-tailing it in the direction of Dale, dusting snow off each other." He looked directly at Dáin and was rewarded with a wide smile and nod.

Bard found a chair and accepted a glass of wine from Erestor with a smile of thanks.

Everyone waited for Thráin to begin. "I was about Fili's age an my father gave me an order ta escort my mother ta the market. Now, that was ah job for dwarflings an not the crown prince. I ditched the task for ah day in Dale. That night, I arrived for supper an no place was set for me. My father was absent in the family quarters, but his advisor, Nár, was present an told me ta follow him. My mother wouldn't meet my eyes an I started worrying something bad happened ta him. He was sitting on his throne, waiting. It was ah long walk across the bridge, an he stared at me the entire way. I remember stopping before the raised throne an I looked around thinking Nár was with me, but I was alone. King Thrór never said ah word. Suddenly, about sixty of his personal guard entered an packed close to us. Nár was also back.

"'I gave you a direct order.' Thrór's first words had me looking inta his eyes. I saw ah stranger. Gone was my beloved father who let me skip lessons as ah dwarfling ta go fishing or ride the wild rams on the mountain. I'll never forget his words. 'You were tasked to have an easy day escorting the queen. I would have done so myself, but I had an emissary from the Blue Mountains who rode a long way. You, my son, would have accompanied us, as your future wife was brought from the Blue Mountains and we thought a pleasant day strolling through booths under the chaperone of your mothers would be a pleasant way to meet.'"

Thráin caught Dáin grinning in anticipation at the next part.

"I quickly jumped ta my defense with, 'Father, I didn't know ye were serious. Maybe we could do tomorrow?' I was still thinking my lenient father would acquiesce ta his only spoiled son. Dwarrowdams were rare an the thought of marrying suited me fine."

"'When you acted like a dwarfling, I arranged for the dwarowlass to go to the Iron Hills and marry your cousin, Náin.'"

"I was stunned. I protested ta my father, 'But it was agreed; the next available dwarrowdam from ah good linage would be my wife.' It was also sinking in that my father was speaking formally."

"'You don't have time for courting,' he came right back at me. 'You see these fine soldiers who do as ordered. They are going to have war games for one month and you are going to clean their armor every night until it shines, for them to get dirty again the next day. If you don't get every spot off by morning, I'll add a month to your punishment.'"

"'That's not fair,' I protested. 'Father, I'll do the punishment, but don't send the dwarrowlass away.'"

"'I've ordered her to go.' He was watching me closely. I just couldn't get it through my thick skull; I was dealing with the king an not my father. 'No' I protested loudly an heard the soldiers start laughing. That was humiliating. I was their prince. They were supposed ta look up ta me."

"'It will be ten years before you are allowed to wed and that's an order.' He looked like the conversation was over an stood, making him tower over me from his two steps above. I didn't know at the time, the next dwarrowlass of acceptable bloodlines was ten years from the age of marriage an he didn't explain. I realize now, as king, he didn't have ta. I told him he wasn't my king, just my father an went ta push through the guards, who didn't budge."

"'Turn around.' His voice was the coldest voice I ever heard on ah dwarf. I spun ta carry on with our argument an he roared, 'I AM FIRST YOUR KING.' At his thundering voice, I heard all activity cease in the hall below us as his voice carried ta all quarters. 'You are hereby stripped of your undeserved title of Prince.' He made it sound like ah dirty word an something I wanted ta wash off. 'You will move to the barn and bunk with the domestic animal staff until you work your way back to the mountain. After your punishment, which I strongly suggest you get right the first time or the added duties will make it much more difficult. In one month, you begin training with my elite guard; yes, these fine dwarves who don't think much of you. I may have sired you, but from this moment on, you will have to earn back your title." Thráin stopped his story, still lost in the past.

"My mother will be happy ta hear ye lived." Dáin was grinning from ear to ear.

Thráin laughed, "Mahal was looking out for me. My Lis was far more suited for me an Aneht for yer father. I'm sure she will want ta have words for Náin getting killed on my watch."

"Words? Nay, my mother never pussyfooted with words when ah Warhammer worked better."

"I never heard that story, Thráin." Gandalf drew the cousins back to the others in the room.

"Wasn't the proudest moment of my life, but I wouldn't be who I am without that experience. Thorin has had it much rougher than I ever did. He needs time ta adjust ta being ah royal prince, something he's never had the privilege of being since just ah dwarfling. Young Fili needs seasoning. He's got fire, but no experience."

Gandalf looked around the table. "First order of business; we have a horserace to plan. Then we need to get the young elves in here to give a full report."