Chapter 38

Kíli sat behind Tauriel brushing her hair. The warmth of the fire warred with the cool night breezes. The sun set behind the Misty Mountains, painting the sky in shades of pink and purple.

"Eärandil has risen." Tauriel pointed to the lone star visible in the deepening darkness. "He sails forever outside the circle of the world."

Kíli paused. "He?" His brow furrowed. "The star is a person?"

"No, the star is one of the Silmarils, Eärandil is tasked with carrying it through the skies for daring to set foot in Valinor."

"It is a punishment?"

"A compromise. He is Half-elven, which then meant mortal." She leaned back against him.

Kíli wrapped his arms around her. His hand spread against her lower belly. "Then? Would Mananna have been immortal had you remained Elven?"

She shook her head. "He was granted immortality for carrying the Silmaril. His children gained the same choice. One chose mortal and led the Dúnedain. The other is Lord Elrond."

"And he chose Elven." Kíli pressed a kiss to the top her head. "I've met him, though next I see him I must apologize for our rudeness and destruction."

"Aye, he did; his children have his choice as well."

"But no others have that choice?"

"No others. I am only the second elf to have given up immortality and been granted a second life as mortal, the first was Elrond's grandmother, Lúthien."

"What became of the others that have taken mortal loves?"

"They faded in their grief."

Kíli felt a tear fall on his hand. "Sûlindiel said you succumbed to your injuries; that you did not fight to live due to my death."

"Had I realized in time I carried Mananna, I would have fought past the grief. Though, in time she would have left me too."

"And then, faded." He pushed her hair aside and kissed the nape of her neck, then nuzzled her ear. "This beautiful gift you gave me would not be."

"You are happy, Amrâlumê?"

"Mostly. I still miss my nadad terribly. I am happy to have you beside me. I am happy our daughter is growing." He caressed her stomach. "I worry for our people; that I may fail in ruling them."

"They are happy. They see a promise of a future for their families." She snuggled further into his embrace. "And back when you told me all of Ered Luin was here, you are mistaken. Many have left their wives and daughters under the protection of their sons. A few also too old to travel remain."

"Dwarrowdam are still rare, that I am not mistaken on." Kíli sighed.

"I do not tell you this to demand you bend on protecting us. I am learning your customs. And for the duration of my pregnancy will acquiescent to your protection and edicts."

"That eases my mind," he whispered.

"I understand now, it is more than cultural. It is evidently a driving need for a dwarrow to protect his dam when bearing."

Kíli chuckled. "Mahal, I hope I don't get to the point I lock you away. I've seen it happen to an expecting dwarrowdam before."

"How protective of your mother was your father?"

"You will have to ask Amad, he died ere I was born."

"I don't remember either of my parents. They say the horror of their deaths veiled my mind."

"Does Sûlindiel know?"

"You would need to speak with Thranduil," she sighed, "He found me amidst the carnage."

"Mahal willing, Mananna will grow with both of us beside her." Kíli looked up in to the night sky. The stars filled the sky and the moon peaked over the eastern horizon. "We should head to our bed. Busy day tomorrow."

"I wish this were our bedchamber."

Kíli chuckled. "There was something else you meant to discuss about Ered Luin?"

"Ah, yes. Once our daughter is born, when spring comes, it would be good to go to lead them home." She stood and twisted to hold a hand out. "Then you can show us the home you were born and reared in."

#

Dís sat in front of her hearth. Balin handed her a goblet of wine. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He took the other chair. "Kíli is growing in to his crown."

"He is. My Little Raven is no more." She sipped the wine. "I miss my mischievous son. Though, I do admire the strong dwarrow that replaced him."

"The people both love and fear him." Balin shook his head. "It is a shame his rule started with executions."

"And Tauriel?"

"They either love her or remain indifferent." Balin chuckled. "Nori keeps an ear open, none wish her harm."

"They fear Kíli's wrath?"

"Nay, for they see his happiness."

"I advise Tauriel at Morning Court; I've yet to hear a grumble against what food we have and the rationing. What is your opinion of his deal?" Dís took another sip of wine.

"And you won't. Their adads squelched the youths' grumblings. The elder dwarrow remember to well the times after Erebor's fall or the Fell Winter. As to my opinion, he did well. We have food, for a more than fair price and a promise of work for our blacksmiths."

"Not many a dwarrow that would not know that dark time." She shivered. "I remember how proud Kíli was when he and Fíli brought home that bear."

"I remember hearing how livid you were he'd taken such a risk." Balin wagged a finger at her.

"The lad was laid up in the house for months with that broken leg." Dís chuckled.

#

"Amad!" The sound of Fíli's foot kicking the door accompanied his yelling.

Dís dried her hands on a towel before opening the kitchen door. She found her youngest being held up by her eldest. Kíli hissed as Fíli shifted, bumping his leg.

"I think my leg's broke, Amad." Kíli looked up through his unruly hair.

Dís moved aside. "Get him to his bed, then go fetch Óin and your Uncle."

"Can't you help him, Amad? I need to get his kill in before it attracts scavengers." Fíli passed Kíli to her and darted back out the door.

"Fíli!" She huffed as the door slammed shut behind him. She shook her head. "Let's get you settled, shall we?"

Kíli nodded as he hopped as she supported him. Slowly, they made their way to his room. She could hear Fíli drag something large through the door. Whatever Kíli's kill was, it must be large!

She eased him onto the chair at his desk and helped him shed his damp, dirty clothing. Not just dirty, bloody. "Alright, what happened?" She asked as she gingerly removed his trousers after seeing him blanch when she pulled of his left boot.

"Fell out of a tree." He grimaced.

The jagged break in his femur poked out of his thigh. The bleeding, thank Mahal, already stopped. "What were you doing in a tree?"

"Waiting for the bear to die. You'd think putting on arrow in its eye would be a quick death."

"Bear? You brought down a bear?"

His eyes lit up as his face split in a grin. "Aye, nearly twice my height on its hind legs."

Dís shoved his nightshirt over his head. "Let's get you into bed."

He nodded and let her help him. As she settled him onto the mattress, the door burst open. Fíli rushed through the door, Óin and Thorin in tow.

"Thorin help me with the lad," Óin waved Dís off. "Fíli take your amad while I tend your brother."

"Go." Thorin moved her towards Fíli. "Dress the lads kill."

She followed Fíli to the kitchen. Dís winced as she heard Kíli's scream as Óin and Thorin set his leg. Thank Mahal, the lads thought to gut it before bringing it home.

"His snares attracted it. Got a dozen coneys. I took all but one into the village." He pointed to the rabbit on the counter.

"What was he thinking?" She shouted. "You should've left them to the bear and retreated!"

"It scented us, Amad." Fíli held up his hands, his blue eyes wide. "Best option was kill it."

"You both could've died!"

"You'd rather we starve?" Fíli shot back. "Same difference, one death is just slower."

Dís shut her mouth with a snap. Fíli's words stung. Chance death or starve to death over the long winter, not much of a choice. The goats and chickens didn't provide a lot. Not much remained in the pantry, just the few roots they managed to dig up and rosehips. No preserves, no sausages, no nuts, no lentils, nor dried peas.

"I'll prepare a rabbit stew, and then we can deal with the bear."

She felt Fíli's arms wrap around her. "Amad?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't ha-"

"No. It is I, who shouldn't have. You are right, we're starving." She reached up and patted the side of Fíli's face. "My brave lads."

#

"Not just Kíli, Fíli as well." Dís sighed. "I remember tanning that bear's skin, as well as the rabbit's."

"What became of it?"

"It's on his bed, here. I brought it from Ered Luin." Dís blinked her tired eyes. "Or it was, I think it may be up in the Star Gazing Room."

"They spend a great deal of time there." Balin stood. "I should take my leave. Good night, Dís"

A/N: Soon, they'll be on their way to Thranduil's Court. Likely in two more chapters. Happy reading everyone.

Neni