My dear and patient readers, how I adore you all for sticking with me so far and through my long absences! I hope this chapter advances the story sufficiently. Sad enough to say, I believe we are coming close to the end of my story. Bear with me through the next chapters! (Shout outs to: GregsMadHatter, 1monster2, Flutalia, Shukumei4u, paintingflowerrs, TheWriterOfFira, wrauney, Shikku123, .Drazola, Saphira brightscale, claris44, icys, 101olive4u, Unseen watcher, and a Guest!) Thank you all so much for your support, as always! Without further ado, here is the next chapter!


Chapter Twenty-nine: Uncertainty

Kíli slipped through his brother's bedroom door and held a finger to his lips when Fíli opened his mouth to ask what he was doing. He shut the door quietly and listed a moment before stepping over to his brother's bed and sitting down.

"Apologies for the stealth, if Mum and Uncle knew I was listening to their conversation I would probably be in trouble." Kíli said in a hushed tone, "Is it my imagination or are Uncle and Mum talking more and more recently?"

Fíli shook his head, "Aye, brother, they are talking secretively lately. You would do well not to listen, what they are saying they want no one else to hear."

Kíli frowned, "I can't help if I am in the right place at the right time…. or position myself to be so. Mum has been crying lately and looking very sorrowful when she thinks no one is watching. I can't help but think our lives are about to change, Fíli. For better or worse I cannot tell just yet."

"Uncle and Mum will tell us in their own time what is happening, Kíli. No more of this sneaking around you're much too old."

"Define 'much too old' I think age depends on how young you feel. I don't feel my age and I certainly hope that never happens. I am a youth, and invincible." Kíli said, teasingly.

Fíli rolled his eyes "Also naïve and too perky for this uncertain time in our lives. Now, hush! I hear someone coming."

Kíli and Fíli waited in silence and heard heavy footsteps coming to the door. Silence reigned for several seconds before the door opened noiselessly and Thorin walked in.

"Ah, Kíli, Fíli. I'm glad you both are here." He said in his usual manner, "May I speak to you both for a moment?"

Fíli nodded and smiled slightly, "Of course Uncle."

Thorin closed the door and stood looking at them for some minutes. "My nephews, you both are very capable and mean very much to your Mother and I. I have seen you both react nobly and courageously in tough situations and I am very proud to call you family." He paused for a moment, "You two, of course, remember the stories of Erebor I told you when you were young dwarflings?"

They both nodded wordlessly.

"I told you those stories to give you an understanding of the history of our people and the trials we went through. I also told you those stories to give you a desire to be back in our rightful place in the world. I wanted you two to fight for what was ours, even if I wasn't alive to see the day."

Kíli and Fíli exchanged glances but stayed absolutely silent, wondering where this conversation was going.

"I believe the time to reclaim Erebor is almost at hand, and I would like you two to join me. The road will be dangerous and the task ahead, hard. It would be an honor to have my worthy nephews join me to reclaim our home. Of course, there are preparations to be made and things to do, but I would like you two to think about what I've said."

Thorin looked at them both for another moment before nodding and walking out of the room.

Kíli turned to his brother and gave him a slightly astonished expression. "Erebor, exactly what I thought. I wonder why he wants to go back to Erebor? I enjoy it here, even if it isn't the dwarves rightful place in the world."

Fíli shrugged, "I don't know brother. I enjoy it here too, I always imagined I would stay here and raise a family. I never thought of anywhere else as my home."

"Apparently Uncle does. He's not contented here, he longs to be back in the place where he grew up and lived." Kíli said, "I always thought I'd be an adventurer but never to reclaim Erebor and slay a dragon."

"Well, what are you going to decide, Kíli?"

"I am not sure but I wouldn't want to be separated from you, whatever my decision."


After a whole day of swirling questions, fears and excitements Kíli couldn't stand to be alone with himself any longer, since Fíli had deserted him earlier to think over what their Uncle had said. He walked through the quiet house and into the living room where Dís was sitting by the fire.

He cleared his throat, "Hello, Mum."

Dís looked up at him, startled "Hello, dear one, I didn't hear you come in."

He shrugged and walked over to sit by her, "I can be quiet when I wish to be."

She smiled wryly, "I know. As a young thing you were always getting yourself into trouble. You and your brother were such mischief-makers. And, ah! When I tried to punish you, you would give me such a pitiful expression."

Kíli chuckled, "You went through many trials trying to teach us the right way to behave. Goodness! How we must have gotten on your nerves."

"It was worth it, my dear, when I see the two upright men you and your brother have become. No mother could ask for better sons." She cleared her throat and looked away, "I suppose your Uncle has asked you and your brother to join him with his quest for Erebor?"

"He has; I am still deciding on what is the right course. I never thought I would leave home or the life I love so soon. I thought I would see Fíli wed before I went on my adventures."

She nodded, "You have always been the one for adventures, my dear. Take your time on deciding, but I will support you and your brother whatever you decide."

Kíli swallowed and kissed her cheek lightly, "Thank you, Mum."

She smiled lovingly and patted his cheek. "It is no problem, my dear one. I love you and your brother very much; I am honored to be your mother. I hope that no matter how far you or your brother go, you will always come back to me."

"I promise, Mum, I'll always come back."

"Your father promised that to me once." She paused, "No more of this morbid talk. I'll get you some tea and we can enjoy the fire together."

Kíli watched his mother get up and give him a sad smile before walking out of the room. He sighed and rested his head on his hands, thinking.


Several days passed before Fíli made up his mind and was able to be at peace with it. He walked into Kíli's room and cleared his throat to get his brother's attention. Kíli looked up from his book and gave his brother a quizzical look.

"I've made my mind up, Kíli. I'm going with Uncle to reclaim Erebor."

Kíli grinned slightly and shut his book, "So am I. We'll have to tell Uncle what we've decided. Goodness, brother, this will be an adventure to remember!"

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen! It looks like there will two more chapters and then my little tale will be done. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that it is getting us closer to the end. If you have any suggestions on what I should write about next, after this tale is done, I would be very grateful! Thank you, as always, for reading! (And please review!) Cheers!