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Chapter 56

~X~


Fili had seen Tauriel race ahead of them, the spry young lass much faster on her feet than he was at the moment. He desperately wanted to go visit his brother as well, but decided it might be best to let the two lovers have their reunion first and then come see him after he'd been checked over by Olane. When they reached the longhouse, he was taken to their private chambers at the far end, the two women laying him in the bed before assisting him in stripping off his shirt.

When Olane saw the mass of wounds crisscrossing Fili's torso, she gave a growl of anger. Yet, saying nothing, she set to work, inspecting each cut and burn until she was satisfied that he was not in danger of infection.

"You did a fine job, Kara," she complimented her niece. "You will make an excellent healer."

"That's good, since I'll apparently never be a shield maiden," she chuckled, recalling just how miserably things had gone when Fili had tried to teach her battle skills.

"Oh, you never know," her aunt laughed. "You just might be a late bloomer."

"I think I'll stick to using my little dagger and call it good," Kara grinned, gazing down at Fili with love. "Besides, I have a strong, brave warrior right here to protect me."

"Not sure how strong I am at the moment," he argued, eyeing his bandaged chest with a sigh. "But you know I would do anything to protect you, my wife."

"Yes, I know," she told him, leaning in to kiss him gently.

"Now…can I go see Kili?" he asked hopefully. "I need to make sure that he's all right for myself."

"Of course, but first I want you to drink some of my healing tea," Olane insisted, hurrying off to brew him a fresh pot and leaving the two alone.

However, in her haste, she left the door ajar, and in no time at all, the sound of running feet and a happy yipping sound was heard heading for them. Sköll burst in the room at a run, having heard his mistress' voice and unwilling to wait another moment to greet her.

"Sköll!" Kara cried, leaning down just in time to scoop him up in her arms, loving the way he wiggled and licked, more than happy to see her. "Oh, I think you've grown since I left!"

"I believe he has too," Fili commented, the sight of his happy wife and her pup causing him to recall that this had been the image he had clung to when things had been bad during captivity. He silently thanked Odin for allowing him to see it once again…in person. "Was he a good dog while I was away?"

"Oh yes!" Kara nodded, setting the wiggly thing down on the floor. "Just watch what I taught him." Here she got his attention, making him look up at her as she gave her command. "Sit!" However, Sköll just cocked his head to the side and stared at her, his eyes bright and inquisitive. "Sit, Sköll…sit!" she said once more, this time more firmly. When he still didn't respond, Kara gave a heavy sigh. "Well…he was doing it before I left! I'm willing to bet that no one kept up his training while we were gone, and now he's grown willful."

"You will have him back in shape in no time," Fili laughed, noticing her look of frustration. "And hopefully me as well."

"I suppose I could use treats to motivate him," she mused, still staring at the happy puppy on the floor.

"I know I would respond favorably to such incentives," Fili told her in a seductive tone, reaching out and taking her hand as he pulled her towards the bed. "When I was locked in that cell, with nothing to occupy my mind, thoughts of you were the only thing that brought me a moment of peace. I kept thinking of all the things I would like to do to you…and with you."

"Fili! You can't be thinking about such things now! You're far too injured for anything that physical," she argued. "It will be weeks before you will be allowed to do any strenuous activities."

"WEEKS?" Fili moaned, shutting his eyes in frustration. "I will die for sure before then! Come on woman, give a poor man something."

"I promise to kiss you anytime you like, sleep beside you, and maybe…if you're really good…a nice, soothing foot rub," Kara offered, loving how his face scrunched up at the letdown of her last offer.

"So, I see you plan on torturing me even more than your former people did," Fili huffed. "I did marry a cruel woman."

"A cruel woman who loves you and wants only what's best for you," she reminded him. "Now, let me help you sit up. I can hear Olane coming and once you drink her foul-tasting tea, you can go see your brother." And while the mention of the tea didn't make him very happy, the offer to see Kili did.

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Meanwhile, Kili had been sitting up in his own bed, starting at the bandage around his exposed leg. He stared at it quite often, his lips pursed and a look of hate in his eyes. He blamed himself. He had failed everyone…especially Fili. And now, confined to this bed, he felt worthless. What good was a warrior if he couldn't walk, couldn't fight…couldn't provide for his wife? Tauriel had been the one to go in his place to rescue his brother, and while he didn't begrudge her for doing so, it still made him feel weak. Olane had been telling him he needed to get up and attempt to walk on his leg, but so far, he hadn't had the heart to even try. His mother had been relentless, coming in every day as she begged and pleaded with him - even yelling at him - in hopes of getting him up…but Kili had refused.

Just then, the door burst open and to his infinite joy, there stood Tauriel, looking even more beautiful than he had remembered.

"YOU'RE BACK!" He cried, the first smile in a week touching his lips.

Soon she was on the bed and in his arms, the two of them kissing one another desperately, so happy to be reunited. When they pulled away at last, he cupped her face with his palms and just stared at her.

"I was so worried for you, my little firebrand," Kili said, tears now welling up in his eyes. "Did you find Fili? Is he…is he alive?" He held his breath, waiting for the answer.

"Yes, he lives," she was quick to assure him, knowing it had been weighing on him terribly. "Fili is alive and home where he belongs. He will come see you soon, I'm sure, but Olane wanted to check him over first."

"Was he wounded? Did those bastards hurt my brother?" Kili's teeth clenched together at the thought.

"Yes…but he is strong, he will heal…just like you, my love," she insisted, pulling back and turning to take a look at his leg. "I hear you are refusing to do as Olane says. You won't try and walk? Why?"

Here Kili glanced away, not wanting her to see his look of shame.

"I can't…it hurts too much," he said, his excuse sounding lame even to his own ears.

"And when has a bit of pain stopped you before?" Tauriel asked. "You are a warrior of Erebor, the nephew of the Jarl, and the man I love. I'm here to tell you that you can do it."

When Kili now refused to answer, as well as look at her, she reached out and turned his head to face her.

"Kili Flinnson…you listen to me and you listen good," she ordered. "I know you blame yourself, and though you have no reason to do so, I understand your hesitation. Fear of failure is a disease that eats away at you from the inside, robbing you of your happiness and confidence. Yet, you did not fail! You got those gates open and saved the lives of many of us…me included. And Fili is back, so you have no reason to wallow in self-blame any more. Understand?"

"She speaks the truth, little brother," a stern voice was heard from the doorway. There was Fili, standing there with one arm around Kara and the other across his wrapped midsection. "I do not blame you…Thorin does not blame you…so you should not blame yourself. You acted bravely, and paid dearly for your part in saving everyone, but it was my choice to remain behind. But did I now come home simply to watch you give up? If that's the case, I would have been better off rotting in that Saxon prison."

"Fili…" the dark-haired man said, his eyes drinking in the sight of his brother and temporarily robbing him of speech. Tauriel had told him that Fili was alive, but seeing him now, standing there before him had him all choked up. "I…I left you behind. I haven't been able to get any sleep, for every time I close my eyes I dream of them torturing you…of them killing you, and all the while you are screaming at me, cursing me for abandoning you."

"Those were just nightmares, Kili," he insisted, hobbling over to where he could reach out and grab his brother's hand. "They weren't real. I'm here now…no one is dead, and while I can't promise never to scream curses at you in the future, I can assure you that it will never be because I felt you abandoned me. We're brothers…I know I can count on you, just as you can count on me. I love you, you crazy winter nut!"

This had both of them laughing, recalling the silly insult Kara had spat out on her first day in Erebor.

"And I love you too, you potato skin," Kili responded, the two laughing even harder now.

"Am I missing something?" Tauriel asked, noticing that Kara was now blushing profusely, though smiling just the same.

"I will tell you later, my love," Kili promised, throwing back the covers. "But right now…I want to get out of this bed and join everyone for dinner!"

"But it's not even midday yet," Tauriel pointed out.

"Yes, but with this bum leg of mine, it might take me that long to get there," Kili grumbled, wincing as he eased his injured appendage over the side of the bed and attempted to put some weight on it.

"Don't overdo, little brother," Fili insisted, stepping closer in an effort to assist him, yet even small movements still caused him great pain.

"Look who's talking," Kili said, noticing the grimace on Fili's face as well. "Quite the pair we are, wouldn't you say?"

"Aye, but at least we have two strong women to help us in our hour of need," Fili grinned, looking down at Kara and then over at Tauriel.

"Take my hand, Kili," Tauriel smiled, helping him up as she used her other arm to steady him around his back. Once he was up and balancing on his uninjured leg, she encouraged him to put a little weight on the other. It was painful, more so than he had expected, but Kili clenched his teeth and breathed through it. One step led to another and then another, and while Tauriel was supporting him, he was walking on his own. Something that caused Olane to smile widely about when they at last made it through the kitchen and into the main room. Thorin and Dwalin were happy to see Kili up and about as well, but it was Dis who broke out in tears of relief at the sight.

"Come now, Mother," Kili said, trying to make light of the situation. "I don't think you were this emotional when I first learned to walk as a child."

"Oh, I can assure you she was," Thorin grinned. "Yet back then she was crying tears of sorrow…for she knew that you walking meant you would be getting into even more mischief than you already were."

"Now you hush!" Dis scolded, slapping Thorin on the arm. "Can't a mother be happy to see her boys home safe and sound?"

"Of course you can, my love," Dwalin assured her, rubbing her back in a comforting manner.

"Uncle? Dwalin?" Kili suddenly gasped. "What in the name of Thor happened to your beards?"

At this, the two men with bare chins gave a groan of misery, not wanting to go through that explanation…again!

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That night they celebrated as a family, all gathering around the table as they laughed and talked, just so happy to be together again. Kara noticed that Sköll was not only being fed under the table by Thorin, but Fili and Kili as well. Yet, when the greedy little puppy even went as far as to beg at Dis' feet…and actually received something from the militant shield maiden, she had to laugh out loud, realizing that no matter how they tried to hide it, none of the Durins were immune to a pair of puppy dog eyes.

"Oh, I would have given anything to see you wearing that frilly silk Saxon dress, Tauriel," Kili moaned, wishing he had been there to see it.

"Well…I believe it did make its way home with me, my husband," the red-headed lass said with a smile.

"Really?" Kili's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Maybe if you promise to do as Olane says, and exercise your leg, I will reward you by putting it on," she offered, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Why bother, Sister," Fili laughed. "For Kili will only be taking it off of you in mere seconds!"

"FILI!" Kara scolded, having to forcibly stop herself from giving him her normal jab in the ribs when he said inappropriate things like that.

"Don't worry, Kara," Tauriel laughed. "He's probably correct in that regard, but if it will motivate my husband to get better, I am more than willing to don the constricting outfit once again."

"Constricting?" Kili's eyes grew even wider. "You mean it's tight fitting? In that case, I swear to follow Olane's orders to the letter! Just don't you go getting rid of that before I have a chance to see you in it!"

"And out of it," Dwalin chuckled, waggling his eyes at Fili as they both laughed, much to Dis and Kara's consternation.

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That night, as each one readied themselves for bed, Tauriel assisted her husband back to their chambers, the dark-haired warrior completely exhausted after his first time out of bed in a week.

"While I want you to get up and try to move around, please do not push yourself too fast and cause more harm than good," Tauriel warned, easing him back on the bed.

"Trust me…I won't," Kili said with a heavy sigh, laying back and shutting his eyes. "I feel so tired you'd think I just spent two hours in the sparring ring with Dwalin. But it was good to be up. I realize I was only hurting myself and those around me with my sulking…but, I was just so worried about Fili, and punishing myself was the only thing I felt I had control over."

"I understand, truly I do," his wife assured him. "But please, do try and avoid thinking that way again. If something is bothering you, talk to me, and we will work it out together." She then sat down on the bed beside him, staring at her hands as she wrung them together nervously. "Especially now, when I'm going to need your support and strength the most."

"Especially now?" Kili questioned, opening his eyes as he gazed at her. "Because of what Thorin said? About him wanting to attack the Saxons and seek revenge? Are you afraid I won't allow you to fight at my side again? You battled fearlessly, my little firebrand. I wouldn't keep you from going to battle."

"Well, something might," she said with a knowing grin. "And while I would never let you leave these shores without me…I don't believe I will be participating in the battle this time, especially if it happens within the next nine months."

"From what I gather, Uncle wants to sail by mid-summer," Kili informed her, yet still perplexed about her sudden refusal to fight. "But why would you wish to remove yourself from battle? Are you afraid of getting injured like me? Or possibly dying?"

"Yes, those are things I fear, but not for myself," Tauriel explained. "Instead, I worry for the life and safety of the child that is now growing within me."

At her words, Kili sat up like an arrow loosed from a bow, his eyes wide and his jaw dropping open in shock.

"You…you're…carrying my child?" he was able to get out at last, his eyes now darting down to her midsection in disbelief. "Are you sure?"

"I slipped away with Olane right after dinner, and she confirmed it," Tauriel assured him. "She says that I'm about a month along, so the babe will be born sometime in late fall or early winter."

"I…I saw the two of you leave the room…but I just assumed you were pumping her for information about my wound," he stammered, not at all sure what to say. "I can't believe it…we're going to have a baby!" At this, Kili let out a whoop of joy, nearly bouncing himself off the bed in his ecstatic exuberance. He then threw his arms around Tauriel and kissed her passionately, his love for her actually increasing, though he had not believed such a thing possible. "This is wonderful news! The best ever!" He then turned and looked down at his bandaged leg. "I better heal quickly then," he surmised. "I can't afford to have a bum leg when there's plans to make, a baby to prepare for…and then raise! He will have the best of everything! Nothing will be too good for my son!"

"And what if it's a lass?" Tauriel asked, laughing at Kili's enthusiasm.

"Then…well, nothing changes, really," he said with a wave of his hand. "She will then get the best of everything! Either way, we're having a child!"

"Yes, it would seem so," Tauriel smiled, loving how pleased her husband was over this. And if it motivated him to get off his sick bed and truly start to heal, then all's the better! "And our little one will be looking to you for both protection and training."

"And love…lots and lots of love!" Kili added. "Because that's what it's going to be. The most loved child in all the world…at least until our second one is born."

"Second one?" Tauriel gasped. "Kili…let's worry about the first before you start planning a second."

"If you insist," he nodded, realizing he might be putting the cart before the horse, so to speak. But he was simply too excited. He took hold of her hands once again and pulled them up to cover his heart. "Can you feel that? Can you feel how happy you have made me, Tauriel? I love you so much, so very, very much. Thank you, my flame. Thank you."

"And thank you, my heart," she responded, leaning in to kiss his lips gently. "For we created this life together. And I couldn't be more pleased about it."

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From the other side of the longhouse, Fili had heard his brother's yell, causing him to sit up in bed, moaning a bit as the effort pulled at his wounds.

"What was that?" he questioned, reaching for the covers as he meant to rise.

"It was just Kili," Kara deduced, having figured that Tauriel wouldn't wait much longer to inform her husband he was to be a father. However, she was not about to steal the couple's thunder and tell Fili before they could themselves. "Yet, he didn't sound upset or hurt…so let it be. He's probably just excited about having Tauriel home. Try and rest, you need all you can get in order to heal properly."

"I suppose your right," he nodded, allowing her to ease him back into a prone position. "Yet, it's difficult for me to sleep without feeling you next to me."

"I don't wish to injure you," she explained, having laid down as close to him as she dared.

"And while I thank you for your consideration, be assured that I will sleep much better, and heal faster, if I can feel your skin on mine," he informed her. "So come here. We will just be careful."

Kara didn't argue, snuggling in as close as she could, but refusing to lay her arm over his chest like she usually did. Still, it appeared to be enough to please Fili, and soon the couple were fast asleep…with little Sköll happily curled up on the bed by their feet.

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Kili and Tauriel broke the happy news first thing in the morning, sending Dis into a fit of tears as she hugged and kissed her son and his wife over and over.

"A baby!" Fili shouted, slapping Kili on the back so hard he nearly lost his balance and fell over. "Congratulations, little brother. Not that I'm at all surprised, after all those noises we heard through the wall the first month you two were wed. I'm shocked it didn't happen sooner!"

"FILI!" Kara scolded, giving Tauriel an apologetic look.

"Tease me all you want, Brother," Kili grinned. "I couldn't care less, because I'm going to be a father, and nothing can dampen my spirits today!"

"As it should be," Thorin agreed, also stepping forward to congratulate the soon to be parents. "This is wonderful news indeed. Children are a blessing, and I look forward to this house being full of them."

"You know what that means," Kili said, giving his brother a playful nudge and wink. "I can't be doing this all on my own, you know. And I recall hearing quite a few noises from your room as well. So…when will you be announcing something?"

"When Odin and Freyja see fit to bless us, little brother," Fili smiled, looking over at Kara with love shining in his eyes. "But it can't come soon enough for me."

"Well, before you even think about attempting to put a babe in my niece, you first need to heal!" Olane stated firmly. "I won't have you tearing open your wounds simply to prove your virility. You keep that sea snake of yours in your sleeping pants for the time being, understand?"

"AUNT OLANE!" Kara once again squawked, yet this time it was Tauriel who gave her the sympathetic look.

"I'm just looking after my patient's well-being," she stated. "Now, what's say we have some breakfast? I have two warriors that need to build up their strength, one lass who needs to feed that babe growing inside her, and two others who need to put some hair on their faces."

"I thought you said you kind of liked kissing me this way last night," Thorin questioned, giving Olane a confused look.

"I would have said anything last night," Olane said, her face turning a bit red at the recollection. "You do have a way of turning my mind to mush you know."

"Hmmm," Thorin replied, not looking as pleased by her statement as he could have been. "I will keep that in mind, woman. And remember to not believe everything you say while I'm – "

"THORIN!" Olane barked out, cutting him off before he could finish his sentence. "I think some things are best left unsaid," she grumbled.

"Don't stop on our account," Dwalin laughed, throwing his arm around Dis' shoulders. "It's not as if any of us here has virgin ears…or virgin anything else."

"DWALIN!" This time it was Dis who elbowed her husband in the ribs, causing him to let out a grunt of pain. She then looked at all the other women in the room, shaking her head in exasperation. "Men! I swear, Odin created them simply to vex us! That can be the only explanation!"

And while her words earned a hearty laugh from the females…none of the men found it very humorous.


Men have no sense of humor! ha ha.

Well, now everyone knows about the upcoming baby.

And Kili is no longer moping around.

Fili is, however, after learning that he can't do anything 'physical' for several weeks. Poor bunkey.

Credit for Kili wanting to see Tauriel in the Saxon dress goes to readergirl4985. Thanks for the idea. I love incorporating readers' suggestions in the story whenever I can. ha ha.

And look, no cliffie! Have a nice weekend.


Guest Reviews

(wow...ask and you shall receive..good to see so many guest reviews this time!)

abc: Yep, Cedric is a smart cookie, and he's catching on to Edmond. I bet he's sure kicking himself now for not getting his chance to marry Kara. ha ha. He is a reasonable man, thank goodness. ha ha. Yep, Fili is home, and really, I think Kara's hands are just as capable at taking care of our boy, maybe even more so. But it's good to have Olane there for a second opinion. As you saw, yes, Fili and Tauriel were able to get poor Kili back on his feet. He's very happy about the baby too, as if anyone ever believed he wouldn't be. ha ha. I'm glad that everyone liked Gyta's reaction to Gloin's lack of a beard. He just looked so different. Thanks!

Katie B: You are so very kind, and Cedric will appreciate the pardon. Thanks for the review ;0)

Codename Alexis: I'm so glad you are enjoying it, and find the plot stimulating. Lot's happening right now, that's for sure. More to come, though I am working on the final chapter as we speak, so it apparently does have an end. ha ha. Thanks for the kind review.

Nina: Oh yes, Kara pulled the wool over Cedric's eyes for sure...and managed to get out of Dodge without seeing Edmond. Win/Win! We have good old Sir Hunwald to thank for that suggestion, and yes, it did keep Fili alive until Kara could buy herself a slave...at the bargain price of one silver coin! Trust me, if that's all it cost, I would have bought me a Fili long ago! Thanks for taking the time to review!