"You need to eat something."

Thorin didn't register the words at first, blinking his over-dry eyes as he looked up. Momentarily still lost in his thoughts it took a second to focus on who was interrupting him. Tired lines, kindly eyes, and a white beard that was less than perfectly groomed. Balin. Thorin blinked, trying to clear his thoughts. "Do I look as bad as you?"

"No." Balin didn't smile, but his tension did seem to ease for a moment.

Thorin eyed his friend and advisor, not liking the concern he saw reflected in those eyes. Concern for him, and not just for Erebor as a whole. The king straightened slowly, frowning as aches long ignored started to become known. He was far too young to be hearing those creaking noises from his joints. Ill-tempered and weary beyond telling, he barely resisted the urge to snap. "What time is it?"

"Time?" Balin scoffed, then shrugged as if to indicate the question to be pointless. "A day and possibly a half since the initial assault."

Thirty-six hours? Thorin nodded to show he was listening. No wonder he was tired, they all were. "I won't rest until everyone is found, one way or another."

Balin pursed his lips even as he nodded, he'd expected nothing less. "And I would not suggest otherwise, but you should take a bite to eat." He made a gesture toward the king.

For the first time it registered that there was a bowl of soup and some fresh bread on the table that was passing for a new desk at the moment. Thorin frowned thoughtfully. He glanced back up at Balin and quirked an eyebrow in question. He was well aware that the kitchens were basically covered with debris and fall-in, not functional. He waited for the explanation for such a miracle as sat before him.

"Sealyn Heavyaxe was in Dale, when this happened …" Balin waved a hand around himself in general. "She commandeered Nori's kitchens and arrived with much needed food. It's not much, but it will help. Oh, and Calbrinia was with her, they're both well."

Thorin rubbed his forehead anxiously. There was no way the dwarrowdam could have come with enough food to feed everyone within Erebor. "There will not be enough to go around." He commented, even as he picked up the bowl, his stomach growling now that he could smell the food. "Dain should be pleased." He commented a bit dryly though visibly relieved to hear that the lasses were alright.

Balin nodded. "Dain has already ordered cooking fires outside. Rough camp affairs. I had all salvaged food stuffs compiled and what has to be cooked immediately is being seen to right now."

Thorin grunted around a mouthful of bread, it was cold but fresh. The lack of butter or jam was nothing to a hungry dwarf, the food itself was the luxury at the moment. "The Heavyaxe lass did well." He said in praise of her efforts. "Does Nori know she's well?"

"Broken collarbone." Balin said with a quick smile that showed his relief and shaking his head as the king offered him a piece of the bread. "Not a broken head. He knows. Took the first excuse offered to go find her too."

Swallowing the last of his soup, Thorin swiped the crust of his bread inside the bowl to sop up any stray drop. "Food is going to be an issue."

"Nori's kitchens in Dale are going to be a help, but they are inadequate to the vast need. And finding the supplies and food to cook will be another more pressing issue. King Bard had already sent us what they could spare for the winter, the Men were going to be eating lean as well as we, its not going to be easy."

Thorin sighed and nodded. "Hunting and fishing will need to be stepped up. Winter hunting may bring little, but the fishing should still be good." He frowned. "With troops to guard those doing the work."

Balin winced as the king slammed down his bowl hollowly on the table, feeling his frustration. It was a question of personnel. They needed all hands on food supplies. All hands on rescue. All hands on repair. All hands on defense. There simply weren't enough hands for everything that needed doing.

"Ahem."

Both dwarrow turned and the sight there near melted them both. The messenger stepped aside and not even bothering to make a more formal announcement. It certainly wasn't needed. Thorin's face broke into a wide grin as he threw open his arms for his younger sister. Nearly identical blue eyes nearly teared up at the sight of each other.

"Dis." Balin sagged in relief, leaning heavily against the table. "We heard you were in the women's quarters, trapped."

"Was. Rescued." Dis barely got the words out so tightly was her brother holding her. "Thorin!" She protested weakly.

The king kissed the side of her head and pushed her back to peer into her face though he held onto her shoulders. "You are well?" He asked anxiously. "Words around here turn out to be rumor more often than not, though I heard you weren't among the injured?"

"Nothing major." Dis assured her sibling, her eyes bright. "It helped to see Kili and Gimli among those come to our aid." She looked around as if seeking out someone. Someone she didn't find, judging by her slight frown.

Balin blew out a sigh of relief. "I knew of Gimli, but Kili is doing well enough to help out?"

Thorin looked startled, though pleased. After what he'd seen of Kili during the short battle against Saruman he wasn't sure the lad would ever wake, much less be up and about and helping. "He is well? Really well?"

Dis blinked at the intensity of her brother's sapphire stare, then nodded, giving him what comfort she could offer. "Well enough to drop down a hole on a rope and haul up people. He makes a mother proud even as he causes her worry." She smiled a bit palely.

This surprised a rough laugh out of the king, who shook his head in no small wonder. "That lad." He said, pride evident in his face and voice.

Dis frowned as she looked around. "But he should have been here before me. He was on his way here to you while I headed to the healing halls. Did you send him off in search of Fili?"

At those words, Thorin ran his eyes up and down his sister more carefully. "You had to go to the healing halls?"

"Nay, nay, I am fine, I promise." Dis said with an odd note in her voice. "Brunere's hand was broken."

"That is all?" The king asked, seeming unsure of her answer.

Dis blew out a breath of frustration and sighed. "That she-elf hit her head pretty hard, tore up the side of her face a little though the eye seems to be fine. And her hands are rope burned."

Balin and Thorin both frowned. Dis sounded dismissive, but what both knew of the tall red-head did not lend credence to her needing the healing halls. Unless she was injured worse than the telling?

Dis shook her head at them. "She's fine. Brunere and Erelinde tended her face, though the crafter had to put in the stitches. She looked to have done an excellent job though not being a healer."

"Erelinde is well?" Balin asked next, eager for any good news.

But Thorin's voice overrode that of his advisor. "Her hands? How did they get rope burned?" He could not imagine the remarkably agile and graceful she elf having difficulty being pulled up to safety.

"Erelinde is fine." Dis said, ignoring her brother's question and focusing on the other. "I worry over Kili, he was supposed to be here, with you."

Thorin let the moment go, realizing that his sister's feelings on Tauriel were still tender. That would have to be addressed, but today was not the day. He looked around and gestured at the queue of waiting dwarrow and messages. "Any news on either prince?"

One in the back shot his hand up in the air and at the king's gesture pushed his way forward. "Prince Kili and the others were interrupted on their way here by one of Dain's dwarrow, they heard noises. He sent word he's heading toward the lower barracks. Southeast."

Noises. Living persons, trapped. Thorin immediately nodded and thanked the messenger. "That solves where Kili went off to at least." He glanced toward his sister, but was a bit surprised to see anger on her face instead of relief. "Dis?"

"He should be serving at your side."

Balin shook his head at her, a bit befuddled. "The lad is serving, and doing well apparently."

"Here! Without Fili …." Her voice caught, cracked, and then resumed with bone-deep strength. "Kili is your heir."

"Sister." Thorin shook his head at her. "I don't know what you've heard, but Fili lives yet. We're still searching."

"Searching." The word dripped with bitterness. "On the word of an elf. That was over a day ago. What if that is too long? What if he no longer is with us?"

Gently, Thorin tried to capture his sibling's hand, but Dis jerked backwards.

"I want him to be alive. I NEED him to not be Waiting." Dis said in a rush. "But I have lived through this awful waiting before, and it did not turn out well. Kili should be here or looking for his brother!"

Thorin's eyes closed at the reminder of Nehili and how false hope had nearly destroyed his sister once before.

"Lady Dis, there are many who are trapped …"

"Kili should be here, he is now the Crown Prince …until Fili is found, either way." She stressed each and every word, her voice rising.

Balin shifted his weight uncomfortably, unsure if Dis was close to losing to hysteria. He'd only seen that once, and it was something to avoid if at all possible. "Fili lives, I know he does."

Thorin shot his advisor a quick look, knowing Balin wasn't being truthful. His white-haired counselor had his doubts, which he'd expressed openly. Just, that wasn't what Dis needed to hear. Quickly he agreed. "I have every faith that Fili lives and is still my heir."

Dis nodded, visibly struggling to push down her fear and worry, but holding it together like a proper dwarrowdam. "Where do you need me to serve?"

Thorin didn't like his sister's color, nor the fact that she seemed so fragile at the moment. "Fili lives. Kili is fine. Tauriel and Erelinde are still with us. We will survive this."

Dis hissed, breathing hard, though she nodded to show she'd heard. "Thorin, get my sons back. Get them back to me."

"You will dance at their weddings, both of them." Thorin said deliberately not liking how she'd stressed the word 'them' as if dismissive of all others.

Dis drew back, glaring at her brother while Balin politely turned his sight away. "Why? Why do you say such a thing to me? Now? Why are you so cruel?"

Thorin reached out and wrapped his hand behind his sister's neck, bringing her closer gently but firmly. "Because you are deliberately turning aside all mention of Tauriel and we can't have it. Tell me, how badly is she really hurt?"

Dis sputtered and denied, but Thorin wasn't deterred. He met her glare for glare until she gave in, describing the red-head's eye, and just how she'd hurt her hands. She went on to list how Erelinde had stood up during the crisis, and how she'd held it together in the healing halls.

Thorin nodded carefully as he listened, looking like he'd expected no less from the two lasses. "Your sons choose wisely."

Dis snapped out a bitter word that had the politely non-listening Balin nearly choking as he took three steps back to give them just a bit more privacy.

Thorin sighed patiently and waited.

"Alright. Erelinde is more than just a pretty face, I'll give her that. But she's too close to that she-elf." Dis nearly spat out the words.

"Close with Kili's betrothed? Tragic." Thorin's voice was starkly mocking.

Dis raised her fist and struck the king's chest, though not hard and not offensively. "You should have seen him! Kili was every inch the fine prince you raised him to be, taking charge and they were following him!"

"As it should be." Thorin replied, though he knew where his sister was heading with this and he didn't necessarily want to have this conversation. "But no, he is no longer heir to the throne. Not technically."

"They followed him!" Dis grabbed her brother's tunic, fisting the material tightly. "No one cared of his mixed blood! There is no reason for him to throw away his future on some she-elf when he should be looking toward his own!"

"Dis." Thorin wrapped his hand around hers even as she refused to let go of his tunic. "He has no one of his own, not really. He can look to either race equally though. It is good the dwarves follow Kili, but this is a crisis and they respond to a leader. I'm prouder of him than I can say. But when it comes time to sit a king on a throne, he cannot and will not be counted as a candidate. Not because he is lacking in any way. And not because he followed his heart and caught the eye of Tauriel. He sees it clear enough. He removed himself from the line."

"No." Dis looked near to weeping.

Thorin didn't stop there. "Fili will be found, I have no doubt for I will not rest until he is brought safely out. But if he has gone to the Halls of the Waiting, even so, Kili will not be my royal heir. He will always be a prince of Erebor, family, and dearer to my heart than can be said, but not king."

Now the tears were coming, tracking down the dwarrowdam's face unchecked and unheeded. "Don't."

"Kili will serve me. He will serve Fili. He will serve Erebor and …" Here Thorin frowned a bit. "Maybe even Rivendell or Lothlorien. I don't know the future. I just know he has a future, here and other places too."

Dis was breathing so hard and quickly it was worrying him. Thorin stared into her desperate eyes. "I know he will have a long life, longer than any dwarf ever could or would hope for. And I am glad he has found someone to love that will share that life with him fully. I would have wished him full dwarrow if I could, but what is cannot be wished away."

"You're killing me." Dis gasped, barely able to get the words out.

Thorin's lips thinned as he shook his sister slightly. "Kili lives, and has found the one he wants to marry. There will likely be children. Life. Fili will be found, and he too will have a family, and a throne. Just because they've grown and are moving on doesn't mean they won't need you, us. Don't focus on what you're losing, but what we've gained."

"I can't." Dis whispered.

"Then you've already lost." Thorin told her implacably. "If you're not going to be a help, don't stand in the way."

Dis watched the king turn from her in disbelief. "Brother?"

Thorin grabbed Balin as he walked away from Dis as the white-bearded dwarf struggled to keep up. He stopped as he saw an odd sight. "Nori's dragging Bifur away from the front gates? I thought he was with the Heavyaxe dam?"

Balin glanced and shrugged. "Nori looks determined."

"I just threw all my support behind Tauriel."

The white-bearded advisor spun and stared, eyes rounded with shock. "You? What? How did that feel?"

"Very, very strange. Me. Supporting an elf, against my own sister. I think Arda must have fallen." Thorin admitted with a hefty sigh. "Balin? Give Dis a minute, then help her gather herself. Get her assisting on something important. Food stores, cooking, something. Keep her mind off of Fili and Kili for now."

"Yes, sire." Balin answered, feeling off-kilter, though he couldn't disagree with his king. "You gave Tauriel your support? Thorin, you have mine. I think you're doing the right thing."

Thorin grunted even as he nodded his thanks. "I hope so, I certainly hope so."

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Tauriel was having a hard time sitting still, but nothing compared to Erelinde. The poor lass was up and down and out of her chair more than she was in it.

"It's been too long." The dwarrowdam tugged on the frayed end of one of her braids hanging forlornly down her back.

The red-head felt the same way, but was trying to hold onto the edges of her patience. "You might want to pin your hair back up or you might not have any left."

Brunere smiled wanly, listening to the duo.

Erelinde blinked absently, her sky-blue eyes confused for a second as she looked at the end of her braid as if unsure how it had gotten tangled around her fingers. With a derisive snort she dropped her hair and shook her head. "No more hair pins, I used them all."

Tauriel looked slightly confused.

Brunere didn't even move as she spoke. "Hairpins used to secure bandages, never thought I'd see the day. Still, we use what we must."

The she-elf felt chagrined, she hadn't even realized that none of the dwarrowdams still had any hair pins left. "I never even considered repurposing them like that."

"It was Erelinde's idea." Admitted the violet-eyed dwarrowdam. "Oin seemed shocked but pleased. And grateful."

The white-blonde dam waved a hand as if to shoo away the words. "Sealyn said it was a simple enough spell."

"She also said she'd never performed such before and had only seen it done once." Tauriel offered. She didn't add that no one knew if this was even going to work. They all knew that far too well. "Brunere? Have you had any further word on your father?"

The violet-eyed dam smiled wearily and nodded. "He hit his head. Concussion and had to have some stitching up. He was singing about turnips from what I gather."

"Oh dear." Erelinde's eyes widened with distress. "Not again."

Tauriel paused, a bit unwilling to ask but finding she couldn't resist. "Singing …about …turnips?"

"My father is a wonderfully hardy dwarrow, but he is a mining engineer and has been injured once or twice before." Brunere's lips twitched in fond amusement. "Pain medications don't have the same effect on him that they do for others. He doesn't peacefully rest or go to sleep."

"He sings. Loudly. Off-key." Erelinde sat back down in her seat, leaning forward to pat one of her friend's hands in comfort.

"But …turnips?" The she-elf couldn't stop the question.

Brunere shrugged. "It's always turnips. No one knows why, least of all my poor da. When he finally goes to sleep he wakes up all fine, but never remembers singing. Once he even accused me of making it all up."

The sound of feet had all three females looking up just as Nori came around the corner fairly dragging poor Bifur. "Any luck?"

Tauriel pointed to the closed door in mute denial. Well, door wasn't entirely accurate anymore. It had been a door, but now it hung askew though and was a poor barrier.

Nori grimaced and nodded, he knocked on the door remnants and then had to act quickly to catch the door with his one good arm before it crashed down to the floor. "Oops."

Sealyn and Arwen looked up, startled.

"I brought Bifur, thought he might be able to assist." Nori commented even as he broke the remaining hinge and leaned the door against a wall, leaving the doorway free and clear.

"Is he a gem-cutter too?" The Lady Arwen asked hopefully.

"Nay, lass." Nori frowned, shaking his head. "But he is a fair hand at toys."

Arwen stared, not speaking, obviously at a loss for what to say.

Sealyn frowned and shook her head. "The spell for sister-stones is mostly for locating gem deposits. I don't understand."

"Bifur is better versed in dwarven magics, lass, I'm sorry." Nori apologized in case he was stepping on her pride. "I thought if you explained to him what you'd seen when you saw that spell he might have some ideas of what to try."

Lady Arwen blinked, then nodded carefully. "That might help. Bifur did make that thimble that sings birdsong for me." At the blank looks from the other dams she explained. "For Durin's Day."

Sealyn caught her breath, then blew it out in consideration as she nodded. "I am having trouble remembering the exact sequences."

"It can't hurt to try. Please." Erelinde looked near tears, wringing her poor hands.

Bifur made soothing noises and patted her shoulder as he headed into the room. He stopped and shooed Nori back outside before looking over at Arwen.

Sealyn shook her head. "I know it's our magic, but she's more familiar with Elven magic and they are what made the stones after all."

Bifur thought it over, hesitating.

Nori pointed at the stones firmly. "These may be our only hope of finding Fili and maybe even Bofur if they remained together. And she is related through Kili. I can't tell you it's good to have an elf present during these things, but consider what we've already been through today."

Bifur growled and grabbed the door and leaned it against the opening to keep Nori out. But he allowed Arwen to stay.

"Excuse me?"

Everyone looked up to see a dwarrow, the right side of his face showing neat stitches down to his upper lip.

Brunere jumped up, having left word to fetch her if the other healers were occupied. "What's wrong?"

"Twelve just came in, the prince he dug them out of the lower barracks. Some bad crushing injuries." The dwarrow reported sadly.

Brunere's mind raced, frowning. "Nuluin and Oin are both tied up with critical cases. Let me look and see what we have."

"The worst one Kili took himself to Lord Elrond in the main halls. It was further away but he insisted."

"He's right." Brunere sniffed, knowing that the elvish leader was perhaps the finest healer left in all of Middle Earth. "Lead on." She followed after the fellow.

Tauriel stood, feeling inadequate with her heavily bandaged hands. It was good to hear that Kili was well, but it stung that she could not do more.

"I'll help." Erelinde hurried after her friend.

"Maybe I could …."

"You should sit." Nori interrupted. "You can't even pick up a shovel right now, much less a bandage." He said, not unkindly.

"He's right." The dwarrow at the doorway said, giving her a half-smile then wincing as it pulled at his stitches.

Tauriel blinked at him, then caught her breath. Underneath those stitches were healed scars. Something clicked into place in her memory. "I know you."

The young dwarrow ducked his head and gave her a shy look. "You spoke with my father while putting in your nashatal braids."

"I recall." Tauriel said with true warmth. "He was so proud of you …he is well?" She asked, suddenly concerned due to all of the recent events.

The young dwarrow shook his head. "No. He waits. He was on guard duty at the stables."

A moan escaped her as her gaze dropped in sorrow. "I …." She didn't know what to say, what to do. It's not as if she had been particularly close to the dwarf, but hearing of his passing stung her down to the marrow of her bones. "He was kind to me." She whispered, then considered those words to be inadequate. The she-elf looked up, catching the dwarrow's gaze. "We will sing for him."

The dwarf gave her a brave smile and a nod of thanks as he left.

Silence. Except it wasn't quiet. Moans of pain, even a few shouts. Words of comfort and grief carrying from the adjoining rooms. Too many people in too close of quarters. Too many injuries. Saruman. It was on him. Tauriel's hands tightened as if to form fists, until the pain stopped her cold.

"It was the right thing to say."

Tauriel looked up, finding Nori's eyes on her, his face unreadable. Dis' story of King Nain II came back to her as she realized just how related this dwarf was to Kili. How remarkable their mutual affection was, and how deep the loyalties must go. "You have no quarrel with the king, it's a ruse."

Nori's eyes went wide with shock and then he made a quick gesture for her not to speak.

Tauriel nodded, saying no more aloud, but she knew her guess was right. "I will keep your secret, unless Kili asks me directly. I will give him no lies."

Nori hastily nodded.

"You should tell Sealyn though."

He gave her a baleful look.

She grimaced, seeing how hard a spot he was in. He couldn't tell the inky-haired dwarrowdam, not unless they were wed. But she was hesitating because she questioned his loyalties. "She cares for you a great deal."

"I would love her." He replied simply.

"I …." What else could she say? What comfort could she offer? Tauriel sighed and changed the subject. "I will need help. I know nothing of the proper songs to sing for those waiting."

"There's no need." Nori said of her concern.

"There is every need. I promised I would sing for that dwarrow's father." Tauriel sighed. "And I will do so. But …I don't know how. Nor do I even know his name. He was simply someone who was kind to me."

Nori nodded in understanding, sensing her resolve. "I will get his name for you, and you will sing."

"Ker would know his name." Tauriel said thoughtfully, then frowned. "If Ker is not among the ones I will have to sing for." She said, her stomach rolling at the very idea. With all her focus on Kili she'd not considered who else might be hurt, or waiting.

"He is not that I am aware of." Nori said quietly. "At least I didn't see his name listed."

Tauriel nodded, relieved yet feeling terrible that she hadn't thought to ask before now. "Call me if they should come up with something." She said as she headed back toward the main healing halls.

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

The soup was hot. That was all that could be said of it. It was thick with fish, but little else, and the spices were non-existent. Dis hated serving this, but everyone in line seemed so grateful.

Rescuers and warriors. Everyone was lining up.

Dis watched as those that had been fighting mingled with those that had been digging. Seeing friends and family find each other with great relief. There were those that wept, hearing the news of about someone they cared for Waiting in the Halls of Mahal.

It made her sick to her stomach with self-loathing. Dis blinked back her tears as she struggled to regain her inner balance. She laughed at herself silently. Inner balance? Had she had that elusive quality? When had she lost it? When Kili had been found out? No, perhaps when she'd married? No, again no. It had been when Nehili had died. That was it.

"Thank you."

Dis looked up and smiled, trying to give what reassurance she could.

Conversations rose and fell around her. Wild talk about seeking revenge, hunting a wizard, and how the elves had saved Erebor.

At first this had angered her, but the more she heard, the more she began to realize …she was wrong. When had she allowed her personal feelings about elves to taint everything she saw and did?

"Glad you're well."

Dis smiled, thanking the dwarf for his good wishes as she continued passing out what food there was.

What right did she have to be angry about who her son had fallen in love with? When looking around, she should just be grateful that Kili was well and hale and whole. So many weren't.

She knew the numbers that Dain had brought. She knew how many resided here in Erebor, and while there were many out here, it wasn't enough. Too many were injured, or still missing.

Tauriel.

A she-elf. Yes. Yet she had left everything behind to live under a mountain. Why? It could only be love. Not to seek a crown, not when Kili had given up that crown. Willingly. And the lass was brave, smart and strong.

Thorin liked her.

Dis frowned. If Thorin accepted her, how could she fight this match? Should she even try? It hurt her head to think of Kili living an elven life span, even an abbreviated one. Perhaps it was for the best that he find love with such a one.

"Thank you."

Dis looked up quickly, that wasn't the voice of any dwarrow. Elrohir. She paled slightly, but nodded. "You are well?"

If the question surprised the tall elf, he gave no outward sign. Though it took him a moment to nod. "I am. And you?"

"I am as well." Dis allowed, letting the elf walk away. She looked toward the next in line, finding Hinnin. Another elf. She ladled out the next bowl of soup. "I apologize it is so little."

"I am grateful." The elf said smoothly. "As I am glad you are well."

"And you." She said quietly.

"Calbrinia is well also, having returned from Dale." Hinnin added as he moved so the next in line could be served.

Dis had known that, still it was a kindness. "Thank you for telling me."

Still, the elf hesitated, probably wondering how much he could say since the two had never been friendly before. "I grieve for Ahriline. She was lovely and kind."

Dis swallowed hard, but nodded her gratitude. "I too will grieve."

With that the two elves moved on so that the dwarrow lined up behind them could get their share of the soup.

So. Dis dished out three more bowls in an automatic fashion, her mind trying to catch up with her emotions.

A commotion to the west had her looking up. Someone was coming, but who?

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

King Thranduil looked about the study, or what was left of it. Half-burned books and papers were strewn hither and yon. Broken pottery and glass. Twisted metals and broken stones.

Bard whistled under his breath, rubbing his face in resignation. "The White Wizard attacked you all?"

Thorin sighed and kicked at what had been an inkwell of his great-grandfather's. "Attacked? He tried to murder us."

Thranduil sneered, blowing on a piece of parchment on a shelf. It crumbled at the touch of his breath. "If his purpose was to kill, you would be dead." As if he found it impossible that the dwarves could have survived if Saruman had been truly intent on murder.

"I assure you, he tried."

Everyone turned to look as Lord Elrond entered. "I apologize for running late. Kuilaith brought me a desperate case." He looked to King Thorin. "He will survive, I believe."

The dwarven monarch nodded back with some relief, having recognized an old friend of his father's from the Iron Hills.

"Saruman attacked us all. His intent was our utter destruction, and the bringing down of Erebor itself. When he could not, Sauron manifested through his willing servant."

Thranduil hissed in shock while Bard simply stared.

Elrond nodded to his fellow elf, to give further weight to his words. "I could fight Saruman, but with Sauron's advent I was disadvantaged. Galadriel joined the fight, turning the tide."

Thorin started, realizing that the elf had left off Kili's foray into the battle. Elrond would not look at him and the king realized the omission was deliberate. He thought about it and decided to say nothing, for now. "Sauron cast a spell, to bring down the mountain. This was what you felt and saw when the earth trembled."

Bard nodded nervously. Dragons were bad enough, wizards were far worse. "Mordor casts an evil shadow in this direction."

"We will have to stand together." Thorin said firmly, then gave a rough chuckle. "Yes, I know how strange that sounds …coming from MY mouth."

Bard gave a ghost of a smile. Thranduil did not. "You call this standing?"

Thorin straightened in affront, his eyes blazing despite his lack of sleep or rest. "We are not yet defeated. Saruman is on the run and we are still here. Standing."

"Humans defeat your dragon. Elves fight off your foes."

Elrond said something sharp in elvish, which Thranduil answered with his nose in the air.

"Enough."

The word might as well have been shouted. All turned, though the reactions were as varied as the personalities present.

Elrond bowed graciously, while Thranduil dipped his head in a brief movement that could have been missed if anyone blinked. Glorfindel straightened up from where he'd been leaning against the remnant of a wall, a smile growing on his face.

Bard looked at the two newcomers, his expression carefully blanked. While Thorin blinked and then blinked again. "You really do have a beard." He said almost brusquely.

Standing next to the Lady Galadriel, Cirdan the Shipwright inclined his head in a gracious movement. "Yes, I really do. I also come with fighters, though it seems we are too late to do much good."

Thorin stared at the silver haired elf, his eyes on the beard. It was well trimmed and groomed and most definitely a real beard. The lack of decoration was of no consequence, it was simply, odd. On an elf. "All help is welcome."

Cirdan nodded. "A day's ride away I left supplies and gifts, hurrying as I caught Galadriel's call." He smiled at the female next to him. "They will arrive on the morrow."

"Good." Thorin grunted. At least he wouldn't have to feed the elven newcomers. Not that he could at the moment. "We can spare but a few to assist in guiding them here."

"The way is marked." Cirdan said quietly. "I did so myself, and no, no one else but my own could read what markers I left."

"Not even Saruman?" Thranduil asked coldly. "Where are the other wizards? Are we sure they are with us?"

Galadriel answered in a voice colder than the snow on the mountain top. Thorin saw Thranduil's eyes swing to her, and he found it interesting that the elven king could not seem to look away. "Gandalf is setting up wards and protections. Radagast is grieving and tending what animals Saruman did not slaughter. They are with us."

"How can you be sure?" King Bard asked uneasily.

Galadriel looked deep into the Human and he gulped at the power he sensed within this strange elf. "They have both allowed me closer than I would have ever asked, and I find no shadow within them." She said in a voice gone so spooky that Thorin fought not to shudder.

"There's something at least." Elrond said quietly, disturbed that Galadriel had done such a thing. It had put her at great risk, exposing her to so much. If the wizards had been traitors, it would have been an ideal time to attack her. Still, it was a great relief to know that both Gandalf and Radagast were true.

"Of course we have room." Thorin said with only a small sneer. "It's walls we're short of at the moment."

"I do not make light of your troubles." Cirdan said with great dignity, no judgement in his voice. "But we brink nearly an entire army of supplies. We have been stocking up and preserving for near two years."

Elrond stilled, turning to look at the Shipwright in puzzlement. Even as Thorin cleared his throat. "Two years?"

Cirdan gestured gracefully at the area around him. "I knew I was supposed to be collecting and gathering supplies, but I did not know the purpose. It wasn't until late in the year that I was led to begin a journey in this direction."

Thorin looked at each of the elves, but found no help. They all wore their blank face masks. Except Glorfindel, who was smiling and shaking his head. "Just how many have you brought on this journey, that you need two years worth of supplies?" The dwarven king asked bluntly. "I have never been to your home, but I do know how to read a map and it would not take so long to get here."

"No." Cirdan allowed. "And the supplies are not for me, or not just for those that follow me. We've been gathering those supplies for you, or for Erebor more precisely. Though I did not know that at the time."

Thorin stared. It was all he could do to keep his jaw from unhinging and swaying open. Bard coughed and looked like he was in the same boat at least. "Two years ago? We hadn't even left Ered Luin at that time."

"Cirdan has a gift of knowledge, not quite foresight. He follows the signs as you would a well-travelled road." Galadriel gave the king a soothing look.

"Here is a list of what we bring to you, it is a gift." Cirdan held out several parchments, which Thorin took though his hands felt a bit numb. He shuffled through them, his eyebrows rising at the foods and materials listed. He glanced up, a glower forming on his formidable face. "We have no need for charity."

"Charity? Hardly. With Erebor gone, so too will go Dale, and then eventually the Greatwood."

Thranduil shifted his weight at hearing the old name for the Mirkwood, but he did not deny that his kingdom alone could stand against Mordor. Though he wanted to, of course.

"These are in way of shoring up Arda's defenses. I have seen. Erebor is important to what is coming, and she must not fall."

"You're a little late." Thorin muttered darkly under his breath, and if any of the elves heard, they had the politeness not to comment. The dwarven king sighed and nodded, he could hardly deny that they badly needed these supplies. "Still, I would pay for them."

"I will not accept. Perhaps, you would accept them as an early wedding present for your sister-son?"

Elrond stopped breathing so startled was he. The tall elf looked first to Galadriel, but she shook her head slightly. She had not spoken of any such wedding, not to Cirdan.

Thorin scowled, tapping his fingers against his thigh in agitation. He grunted. "Generous gift." The king paused, then shook his head. "Wait. Which sister-son?"

o.o.o.o.o

o.o.o.o.o

Tauriel looked up from where she was speaking with an injured dwarf, one she'd meet while working with Dwalin on patrols. She'd been on the look-out even as she visited and knew immediately when Nori entered and gestured for the others to follow.

Brunere bit her lip, then shook her head. She was mixing medicines as best she could with one broken hand. "Go on." She told Erelinde and Tauriel as they approached her. "Find him."

"But …Bofur?" The white-blonde dwarrow dam asked.

Brunere shook her head, her violet-eyes sad and hopeful at the same time. "I'm needed here, and with my hand I'd only slow you down. Find Prince Fili, and if Bofur is with him, more to the good. Bring them here. If he's not, I'm not sure I want to see."

Erelinde looked torn, but Tauriel nodded, drawing the other dam away as they headed toward Nori.

They followed him back to the room they'd commandeered. He looked at them seriously. "It's glowing, sort of like a beacon. It gets brighter in a certain direction, but it's hard to follow."

"And it leads to Fili's signal stone?" Erelinde asked breathlessly.

Nori grinned. "Let's go find him." He shooed Erelinde into the room with Sealyn and Arwen.

Tauriel paused, speaking in a whisper. "Are you sure?"

"If fate is kind." He murmured back. "And right now, I'm thinking fate owes us."

The two red-heads shared a look of trepidation, fear and hope just as the others came out to join them. Bifur held the stone in one direction and the stone glowed brighter. Only it was at a solid wall.

Erelinde made a strangled noise.

Nori reached out and pressed Bifur's arm downwards, and the stone began to glow even brighter. "East and underground."

"It's all underground." Tauriel said quietly.

"Deeper underground." Nori amended.