I want to thank all of the readers and reviewers of this story. I am happy to announce that this story, so far in February, has reached 450 visitors. So thank you all for your support.
So for this chapter we will be spending the day with Kili and Tauriel's kids. We will start with Toril, followed by Kilian, Elleon, and Kelda will be last. You will see why once you reach her section.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
Remember: Years are approximate and rounded. 3 years till LOTR events, and 1 more chapter to go till then!
Khuzdul. Sindarin. 'Spoken Sindarin'
Kelda- 52 years old, looks 24.
Toril- 50 years old, looks 24.
Kilian- 48 years old, looks 24.
Elleon- 35 ½ years old, looks 21.
Toril
Soft footsteps echoes off the stone hallway that leads down to the royal tombs. The owner of the footsteps is none other than Kili and Tauriel's youngest daughter, Toril. Wearing an outfit that looks similar to her elven mother's old guard uniform, but in a chocolate brown color, she is making her weekly trip to visit her Sigin'amad's tomb.
In her small hand is a bouquet of moonlight lilies that she had just purchased down in Dale this morning. Toril had never before seen flowers as white as fresh winter snow. The florist had acquired many of the bulbs from a merchant who hailed from Gondor. Toril had asked the florist to use a dark silver ribbon to tie the stems of the lilies together.
Upon returning to the mountain, Toril had set off for the tombs.
Reaching her destination, Toril gently opens the large, heavy door. Slowly she enters the tombs and makes her way towards the tomb of the one who understood her the most.
"Sigin'amad." Toril whispers as she gently places the lilies on the laying statue of Dis that covers her burial vault. "I brought you flowers this time." Carefully, Toril brushes the knuckles of a hand against the side of the stone face of Dis. "I know you are gone, but I can't seem to stop missing you. You were the only one who understood what I was feeling."
Silent tears run down Toril's face as she lays her head down against the statues bosom. Her soft, red brown hair gives way to reveal her dwarf ears, which have become more pointed at the tip than Kelda's. This gives Toril's ear the look of an elf. Feeling the coolness of the stone, Toril feels her heated cheek start to cool down.
"Toril?" a strong, baritone male voice says from the doorway.
Removing herself from touching the statue, she turns to see who has joined her in the royal tombs.
"Irak'Adad." Toril says as she bows.
"I see that I am not the only one who brings flowers to her." Thorin says as he slowly approaches the burial vault with a bouquet of blue and white gladiolus flowers. His silver hair has a golden glow to it from the light given off by the torches and candles in the room. This gives the retired king an ethereal look that goes well with his navy blue mourning outfit.
"I try to bring something different every week for her." Toril says as she hastily wipes her hand at her wet cheeks.
Thorin looks more closely at the bouquet that Toril had already placed with great interest. "What type of flowers are these?"
"The florist in Dale said that they are Gondorian white lilies." Toril replies with a sad smile as she watches Thorin place his blue and white gladiolus bouquet next to the white lilies.
"I have never seen such pure, white flowers before. Dis would have loved them." Thorin says as he lets his hand linger against the statue's upper arm. "Thank you, Toril."
"It is hard to believe that she is gone." Toril whispers as tears fill her eyes. "I miss her."
Thorin, seeing his niece starting to falter, makes his way over to her. He pulls her into a hug, and holds the short lass as she cries against his chest. Out of all of the royal children, Toril is the smallest in height, which has always caused the lass to be picked on. Dis had always looked out for Toril and was like a second amad to her. Thorin too had kept a watchful eye on Toril as well, but left it up to Dis to be the lass's rock. But since Dis's death, Toril has become a bit of a recluse, which has troubled Thorin greatly.
"She will always be with you, Toril. As long as you remember her, she will never leave you." Thorin whispers against the hair at the top of Toril's head. He can't help but smile as he realizes that he has just used one of Inara's sayings on Toril.
"But it hurts."
"What does?" Thorin asks as he gently reaches down to lift Toril's face to look at him. "Where are you hurt?"
"My heart. It feels like it has been ripped out. I don't want to feel this way." Toril's face crumples in anguish and sadness.
Thorin lets out a soft sigh before speaking softly to her. He knows exactly what kind of pain Toril is talking about. He had felt the same after losing Erebor, Thror, his nadad Frerin, Thrain, and Vrili. "It is supposed to hurt when we lose those we love. It reminds us that we are still alive."
"But I don't want to feel it." Toril whimpers out as she looks away from Thorin to press her face back into his shirt.
Not knowing what else to say or do, Thorin keeps holding Toril against him in silence. He was never good with emotional displays, unless it was his temper. This was usually Inara or Dis's area of expertise.
"Thorin?" another male voice says from the doorway.
Thorin looks up over his shoulder to see Kili entering the tombs at a fast pace.
As Kili comes closer to Thorin's side, he can make out Toril's form against his uncles' chest. He gives Thorin a questioning look as he tries to get an idea about what is going on.
"What happened?" Kili asks softly.
Hearing her adad's voice, Toril turns to see Kili standing within arm's length of her and Thorin.
"Adad." Toril cries out as she launches herself out of Thorin's hug and into Kili's chest.
Kili, who is a bit shocked at Toril's emotional display, gently wraps his arms around his little girl. "Thorin?"
"She misses Dis." Thorin tells Kili as he gently pats Kili's shoulder. "I will leave you two alone." He says to Kili before leaving the tombs. Yet after he enters the hallway, Thorin lets his unshed tears come as he hears Kili whisper to Toril words of comfort.
Kilian
Making his way through the crowds of the markets of Erebor, Kilian is trying not to lose his temper. The reason behind his anger is due to a fight that he had with Rìka earlier in the day. What the fight was even about, Kilian isn't sure but he wants to find out how to find a solution to it.
Heading towards a familiar tea shop, Kilian is hoping that some tea and a quiet corner to think will help. He opens the door and is surprised to see the tea shop quiet with barely any customers. What customers are actually in the shop are Aliena, Bofur, and Dwalin.
"Hello, lad." Dori says with a small smile on his face. "Anything I can get for you?"
Kilian walks over to the counter and sits at one of the stools. "Got anything that will help me clear my thoughts?"
"Something bothering you, lad?" Dori asks as he pulls out a tea cup from underneath the bar-like counter.
"Of course somethin' is botherin' the lad." Bofur says as he moves to sit next to Kilian at the counter.
"Let me guess. Trouble with the lass?" Dwalin moves to sit on Kilian's other side at the counter.
"You could say that." Kilian answers while giving Dori a look that clearly asks for help.
"I know the perfect tea for you." Dori states before turning away from the counter to retrieve a glass urn, which is filled with tea leaves, from the shelves on the wall behind the counter.
"Ya gonna tell us what happened?" Bofur says as he nudges his elbow into Kilian's arm.
Kilian lets out a heavy sigh before reaching out to grab a napkin from a holder. He starts to fiddle with the edge of the napkin before he speaks. "Rìka and I had a fight. But I don't know why."
Both Bofur and Dwalin begin to chuckle at the young lad. Both have had plenty of experience with the opposite sex, and if there is one thing that they have learned it is that you will never know how a fight started or why.
"Lad," Bofur starts saying while his hands become animated to help get the point across. "None of us really know why fights happen between us and females. It just happens."
"Aye." Dwalin says with a sad smile on his face. "Half the time I fought with Dis I never knew how or what the cause was to it. However, there are days where they become more sensitive to things. On those days, it is best to leave them alone."
Aliena, who had been overhearing the conversations, decides to come over to where the three dwarves are seated. Getting a small smirk on her face, Aliena proceeds with cuffing both Dwalin and Bofur upside the head.
"Don't go filling his head with those lies." Aliena turns the swiveling seat to Kilian's stool so that he is facing her. "What is it that you and Rìka were talking about before shit hit the fan?"
Kilian gives Aliena a weird look before thinking back to the events from this morning. "We were in the training arena, working on our stances. I had my bow and she had her two Sais. We had a little competition on who could hit the middle mark of the targets the most times. Rìka was in the lead when a few of the older dams, of courting age, came down to watch Durin and Frerin practice. However, the dams were early so they watched us instead. That seemed to unnerve Rìka, and she missed her target. This caused the dams to giggle, and that is when Rìka started to become angry."
Aliena, Bofur, Dwalin, and Dori shared a look between them all. Kilian noticed the shared look, and started to wring the napkin fully in his hands.
"Did you try to calm Rìka or say anything to her?" Aliena asks, wondering if perhaps her young namad was just being temperamental.
"No. But one of the dams called Rìka a..." Kilian blushes as he remembers the words.
"What did they call her, lad?" Dwalin growls out.
"Well I don't know if my translation is right but I heard something about dragon spawn and whore." Kilian says as his face turns a deep red color. Hearing this, both Dwalin and Bofur growl out a string of Khuzdul that causes Kilian's cheeks to turn to an even darker shade of red.
"How did Rìka respond to it?" Aliena asks, knowing that the young lass can get a temper just like their mothers'.
"She stomped off. So I followed her to the weapons room, and then she just started throwing things." Kilian answers shyly. "Did I do anything wrong?"
"You didn't, Kilian." Aliena replies with a soft smile on her face. "If she is angry with anyone, it will be those dams."
"Aye. Sounds like they need to be kept away from the training arena." Dwalin says as Dori nods his head in agreement. "I'll talk to Fili about this."
Elleon
Elleon is making his way through the smything workshops to find his cousin, Balder. He passes many of the older workers, who bow as he walks by them. As he finally makes it to his cousin's workroom, Elleon can hear the twanging of metal hitting metal.
Just as he is about to enter the workshop, a female voice calls out softly. "Don't go in there. He is in one of his moods."
Turning to his right, Elleon sees the young dam, Runila, sitting on the floor. Her knees, covered by her brown pants, are tucked underneath her chin. The pale green shirt that she is wearing has spots of soot and sweat marks on it. Runila's hair is pulled back by a single thick braid, which looks like it is falling apart.
"Are you alright?" Elleon asks as he moves to kneel down next to Runila. "You look upset?"
Runila gives a soft chuckle before speaking to Elleon. "Balder is burying himself in his work again. Another order came in from Dale, asking for swords. The damn fool thinks that he can fill the order all by himself. He hasn't stopped working in the last three days. The food I brought him lays untouched, and I don't know if he has even slept. Ever since Dis's death, Balder has thrown himself into his work. He won't talk about it. Or at least he won't talk to me about it."
"You are concerned about him." Elleon says with a smile gracing his face. Ever since Balder escorted Runila into that particular feast of Durin's Day, Elleon has noticed that Balder and this dam have been circling each other. Sure having a work related friendship is great, but a normal friendship has grown to the point where everyone is waiting to see if the pair may become betrothed. However, Elleon knows that King Fili will not pressure either one into a betrothal.
"Of course. His workmanship suffers if he isn't fed or hasn't slept." Runila states.
"Perhaps I should speak with him." Elleon says as he gets up from the floor.
"Don't. He will just chase you out." Runila says as she too gets up.
"Your concern for my welfare is admirable, but I assure you that Balder will not harm me." Elleon says before entering Balders' workshop.
The workshop is in shambles. The supply storage shelves are in disarray, and a few of the sitting benches are turned over. Elleon's blue eyes scan the floors, and can see several discarded, half-done swords lying all over. The forge fire is still lit, and the anvil is still upright. A mean hiss reaches Elleon's pointed ears, and when he turns his head to find the source, he lets out a soft gasp.
Standing near the basin of water is a dirt covered, messy haired Balder. His bare back is turned so that he doesn't even notice that Elleon is in the room.
"Balder." Elleon says loud enough for Balder to hear of the still hissing piece of metal.
"Go away." Balder shouts as he removes the now cooling, thick metal that he is planning on turning into a sword.
"Cousin. You need to stop. Please eat something." Elleon says as he carefully wades his way through the debris covered floors to reach Balder.
"I said leave me. I need to keep working, and you are distracting me." Balder growls out as he lays the metal onto the anvil and begins to pound on it with a hammer.
"You need a break, Balder. You can't keep going like this." Elleon says as he comes to stand near Balder.
"Did she send you in here?" Balder growls out as he keeps hammering on the metal. "She needs to understand where her place is. Just because she is now Dwalin's ward doesn't mean she can order me around. I am a Prince."
"Yet you are not acting like one." Elleon says, trying hard not to let any anger enter his voice. "Tell me cousin, if another of the smiths were to treat Runila in the same fashion you have, would you let them get away with it?"
"You know nothing, Elleon." Balder shouts as he turns to look at his cousin and throws the hammer only a few inches shy from hitting Elleon. "You are still young and know nothing of the world. The only thing you know is what your parents tell you."
By this time Balder is now face to face with Elleon; yet the younger of the two doesn't flinch or show any sign of discomfort with how close Balder is to him. He can see in Balder's eyes that something is troubling him. So Elleon decides to keep his ground and force his cousin to be the one to back away.
"What is this?!" a familiar voice rings out into the room.
Standing just inside of the doorway is Fili. His blue and silver kingly robes flow behind him as he marches in to separate the two cousins. He pushes the two away from each other and stands between them.
"What is the meaning of this? Balder explain yourself." Fili's voice is filled with the power that he would normally use on the council when they get out of hand. Sensing that he isn't going to get anywhere with Balder, Fili turns to Elleon. "Elleon?"
Neither of the boys are saying a word, so Fili decides to continue speaking.
"How is it that I was pulled out of a council meeting just to be told about a possible fight in this room? Both of you will explain yourselves." Fili says as he looks between his son and his nephew.
Elleon, sensing that Balder isn't going to say a word, speaks up. "I had overheard one of the runners tell that Runila had been dismissed by Balder. So I came to see if it was true. Runila was sitting outside in the hallway when I arrived. She expressed concern over Balder's well-being. So I came in here to see if I could be of any assistance."
Fili nods his to Elleon, then turns to look at Balder. He can see that his oldest looked like he had gone without sleep for a while, and this worries Fili. "When was the last time you slept?"
"What's it you?" Balder growls out at Fili.
"Don't take that tone with me, Balder." Fili replies in a low tone. "I am ordering you to be relieved of work duty till you have recovered. I don't know what has brought this about, but I will not have you dead on your feet while making weapons."
"Fine." Balder shouts at Fili before stomping out of the workroom.
Fili and Elleon watch Balder leave the room, and within a few seconds Runila enters the room to begin cleaning up the mess.
"I want you to keep an eye on him, Elleon. Something is troubling Balder and I need to know what." Fili says to his nephew. "Runila. I suggest you keep your distance from Balder till he is in his right mind. You wouldn't happen to know what has caused him to behave like this, do you?"
Runila gives a quick curtsy to Fili before answering. "Perhaps it has something to do with the Lady Dis's death. Ever since her death, he hasn't been himself."
Fili thinks about Runila's words before questioning her further. "And the two of you haven't had any arguments or a falling out?"
"No." Runila says with confidence. "We may argue sometimes, but we do respect each other's choices and opinions."
"If you can think of anything else you will tell me or Elleon." Fili says as he gives Runila a soft smile. "You have helped Balder keep a level head since you have come into his life. All I ask is that you keep doing whatever it is that you are doing."
"Of course." Runila says as she goes back to cleaning up Balder's work space.
Elleon comes up beside Fili and whispers to him. "I will keep a close on them to make sure that nothing unseemly happens."
"Aye. Till Balder reaches sixty. Then he will be allowed to marry her if he chooses to." Fili replies as the two leave the workshop. "It is a shame that royals have to wait till they are at least sixty to marry. Everyone else is allowed to marry as young as fifty."
"The laws of old had their reasons, uncle." Elleon says thoughtfully. "Personally, I believe they knew what they were doing back then. Gives the royals more of a chance to grow up more before taking on the responsibility that comes with family."
Fili lets out a chuckle at Elleon's observation. "You do have a way about explaining things so that they make sense."
Kelda
'You are losing focus, rossloth' a tall, blond elf shouts as he keeps a close eye on the three fighters in the court yard.
Two of the fighters are Lord Elrond's twin sons. Both are dressed in outfits that are conducive for weapons practice. The third, is none other than a certain young, auburn haired offspring of an elf and dwarf.
"Stop calling me that!" Kelda shouts out as she blocks an intended blow from Elrohir. Her arm muscles absorb the vibration of the impact to her sword, and Kelda is thankful for her dwarven heritage. Her red, tank like tunic gives her arms free movement during practice. Her gray, ankle-length pants are made out of a stretch material, and her black boots are made with the softest of leathers.
'I do believe you are distracting the lady, Haldir.' Elladan says with a slight chuckle in his voice.
If there is one thing that frustrates Kelda the most, it is the continual use of Sindarin in her presence. Sure the lady Arwen has been teaching her speak Sindarin, but there are so many things that get lost in the translation. Especially since Kelda has spent the last 6 years in Rivendell, and is still finding the language difficult to learn.
'Distractions are ever present on the battlefield, Elladan.' Haldir replies while giving the elf a scowl. 'Rossloth needs to understand this if she ever finds herself in battle.'
"Will you stop talking as though I am not here!" Kelda shouts as she launches herself towards Elladan with her sword ready to strike at him.
Elladan lets out a chuckle and quickly evades from the attempted attack. "I apologize, lady Kelda. It is unfair for us to be speaking about you without you knowing what is being said."
"However," Elrohir says as he steps away from the fight. "You should be progressing in your studies with Arwen."
Kelda lets out a growl just as she knocks the Elladan's sword out of his hands. She hadn't meant to use that much strength into her attack, but her anger from the teasing took control. Seeing her opponent raise his hands in defeat, Kelda gives him a small nod before Elrohir charges at her from the rear. However, Kelda evades the attack thanks to Elladan's body language changing enough to give her an idea.
As Elrohir and Kelda battle each other, Haldir watches his auburn haired student with interest. A year ago, Lady Galadriel had sent Haldir to Rivendell to assist Lord Elrond. With what? He wasn't told, but he did as the lady asked. Once he arrived in Rivendell, Lord Elrond had introduced him to the lady Kelda. At first, Haldir thought that she was just another elleth. Yet upon further inspection, and questions, Haldir was told of Kelda's origins. At first Haldir was irritated with the idea of teaching the lady any of the elven fighting styles. Now, Haldir holds Kelda with high regard. Not only has she mastered most of the techniques, but she has also added some of the dwarven style to them. This makes her fighting style the most unique and unknown to any enemy that may cross her path. When you add in her dwarven strength to the elven swordplay, Haldir can't help but be intrigued.
Unknown to the four in the courtyard, another elf is watching the practice with great interest from the balcony above. His brown hair is held in place with his elven crown, and his grey eyes stay focused on Kelda as she fights against Elrohir.
'My lord.' A voice says from the entrance to the balcony.
Turning slightly, Elrond sees Aragorn and Legolas walking towards him. They give him a small bow, which Elrond returns.
'You were successful?' Elrond addresses Legolas before turning to look back at the fighting practice below.
At this point in the fight below, Kelda had her sword disarmed and was now using a pair of elven daggers that Tauriel and Kili had made for several years ago. Elrohir still had his blade, though Elrond wonders how long that will last.
'We were.' Aragorn replies before Legolas can. He moves to stand beside Elrond, curious to see what had the elven lords' attention.
'My father has the creature, Gollum, locked safely away in the Woodland Realms' dungeons.' Legolas picks up from where Aragorn left off. He moves to stand on Elrond's other side and is taken by surprise to see the fighting below.
'Do you believe that the creature will not escape?' Elrond asks as he looks over to Legolas. He lets a small smile appear on his face when he notices that Legolas is paying more attention to the fight below than the question. 'Amazing, is it not. The lady has already defeated Elladan, and in another two moves she will defeat Elrohir. Though I truly can't tell if it is her skills or that my sons are going easy on her.'
'Who is she? Does she hail from the Woodland Realm, Legolas?' Aragorn asks as he looks past Elrond towards Legolas. He is astounded at the vacant expression that is on Legolas's face. He has never seen his friend so befuddled before.
Below the balcony, Kelda disarms Elrohir in the said two moves that Elrond had mentioned to Aragorn and Legolas on the balcony. She has Elrohir with his back on the ground with her kneeling over it. One of her daggers is held underneath his chin, while the sister blade has its pointed end resting just above his heart.
"I win." Kelda huffs out as her lungs try to catch up with her racing heart.
Elrohir gives Kelda a smile before breaking out in laughter. "As you should, Vín Nórui Nogoth."
Kelda gives a loud growl, but soon finds herself being knocked off of Elrohir. She rolls head over heels for a short distance till she comes to a stop, a few feet away, in a crouched position. Looking back over her shoulder, Kelda sees Haldir lift Elrohir up off of the ground.
"What the hell was that?" Kelda shouts as she rises up and turns to face Haldir. She twirls her daggers in the same fashion as Tauriel had once taught her.
'They were going easy on you, rossloth. It is time you faced an opponent that will not go easy on you.' Haldir replies in a cold voice. He charges at Kelda while pulling his own daggers out from sheaths.
Kelda attempts to block each swipe of Haldir's blades, but his fast movements cause Kelda to keep on the defensive. Stepping back, Kelda twirls away from Haldir's attack from the dagger. Moving quickly on her feet, Kelda tries to gain the upper hand. However, Haldir is right behind her and lands a blow on her lower back with a kick. This causes Kelda to trip over her own feet and land on the ground.
Looking up, Kelda's eyes go big as she sees one of Haldir's blades coming down towards her. Closing her eyes and turning her head away, Kelda waits for the blow that she knows may come. But a clang of metal on metal surprises Kelda. Turning her head back to see what happened, she is startled to see Legolas and Haldir in a block.
'Why do you defend rossloth, Legolas Thranduilson?' Haldir asks with sparks of curiosity in his eyes.
'Why do you continue to attack when it is clear that you have defeated your opponent?' Legolas responds in an even tone that he has never used before.
"Haldir that is enough training for today. Lady Kelda must get ready for her lessons with Arwen." Lord Elrond says as he moves towards Legolas and Haldir. He gives both of them a serious look which causes the two elves to lower their weapons. "Aragorn. Would you be kind enough to escort Lady Kelda to the library?"
"My lord." Aragorn says to Elrond as he passes the elf lord. He makes his way towards Kelda and offers her one of his hands. "May I help you up?"
Kelda gives Aragorn a scowl before accepting his help. Once she is on her feet again, Kelda looks over at both Haldir and Legolas with an angry look upon her face. Haldir looks directly into Kelda's eyes, while Legolas looks towards the ground.
"I don't need protecting." Kelda says in a deadly voice before stomping out of the courtyard with Aragorn hot on her heels.
'It looks as if you both have irritated Vín Nórui Nogoth.' Elrohir and Elladan say out loud with matching smirks on their faces.
I do hope that you all enjoyed this chapter. I know that the Sindarin was a bit of a mix of English and Sindarin. However, I was having trouble with trying to get it all into the right context of how Sindarin is written in sentence format. So I apologize if this threw some of you off.
I would like to thank firefoxxe for keeping me on task with getting the editing done for this chapter. Especially since I have been receiving some nasty IM's from someone who doesn't like how I write my stories. These nasty IM's have been sucking the joy out of posting my stories/chapters. However, I have decided that I will not allow one person to ruin it for all of you. With firefoxxe pushing me into making sure I get updates out in a decent amount of time, I shall continue on.
Reviews are welcomed. Even negative ones.
The next chapter should be out by the end of the weekend. Thank you to the large snowstorm that forced my college to close for two straight days!
Selene
