My Brother

It was market day in Erebor and the streets were bustling as normal. The best part about today was that Dru had managed to convince Kili to get up extra early and could smell the freshly baked bread rolls and pastries from her favourite baker, Henrik.

She was eager to try everything, though of course, she would have to check each one beforehand to make sure there was nothing in their unsuitable for the baby.

So far, she'd not had one spicy or salty delicacy since she discovered she was with child, but she was allowed lots of fibre and sweet treats to keep her going.

But they weren't there that day JUST to look around for themselves. Thorin had specifically asked Dru to check the appointed cake maker to see the progress on the cake and pastries that they would have on their wedding day. Apparently, Rana had a weakness for sponge cake and whilst she had some input into the foods, Thorin had kept it a closely guarded secret that he was having made a freshly baked sponge cake, just for their table.

Dru was feeling slightly giddy about the secrecy and Kili was there to not only keep her calm but under STRICT instructions from Fili to, 'keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't knock anything with her rounded stomach!'

With a little over two months to go until the babe's arrival, Dru was as big as a house and had the unfortunate talent of knocking things over without even realising she was doing it.

So far, Kili had rescued a small statue, a few oranges and even a coat stand.

But he didn't mind.

It gave him time with Dru and truthfully, he knew they hadn't spent any alone time together in a while, just being a brother and sister duo.

Which reminded him...

"I know I'm your favourite now."

Dru turned to him and arched her brow as they made their way along the streets.

"Fili doesn't count as your favourite anymore," he added ominously with a huge smirk and Dru just shook her head in exasperation.

"By my naked chin! Make some sense, Ki'."

"I'm your favourite brother," he chuckled at her confusion and pointed out, "it's simple. You married Fili and can't really call him 'brother' anymore, right?"

"Well, you are right there," she conceded, wondering when it was she actually did call him 'brother' last, "yes, it would be odd if I referred to him like that now."

"Right. THEREFORE," he stepped in front of her, his arms out triumphantly as he smugly declared, "I'm the favourite brother."

"No, that makes you the ONLY brother now," she smirked smugly when she had an amusing thought and casually shrugged her shoulders, "and technically, I have more brothers."

"What? Who?!" Kili demanded and Dru held up her hands and easily began to name her nearest and dearest friends.

"Ori, because whilst he's older he stills feels like my younger brother," she counted each person off her finger as she went, "Bofur because he always makes me laugh. Bifur, because he did technically make me auntie to his little one. Nori-"

"YES. ALRIGHT," he barked and glared at her, "I get the picture!"

She giggled and dropped her hands as she walked away.

"You see, there are the others you have to contend with."

She waited for his retort, but when none came, she turned around and saw him still standing in the same spot, no longer looking at her.

His face was tight and serious and she realised...just how hurt he looked.

"Ki'," she walked back over to him and lowered her voice so no one could hear their conversation, "come on, don't be-"

"I'm sorry."

His sudden apology shut her up and she looked into his eyes when he finally turned back to her.

"I'm sorry I've been a terrible brother. I know- I couldn't always be there for you when you needed me most," he looked shamefaced and it made her heart ache dreadfully, "I let you down a lot and for that, I am truly sorry."

"Kili...come here," she pulled him along quickly, trying to find a space for them to talk without the prying ears and eyes of the market.

She pulled him between two stalls and against a wall, pleased that the shopkeepers only glanced at them for a moment before going back to their businesses.

"Kili, what are you talking about? When have you not been there for me?" She asked, trying to recall any time she required her brother and he did not show.

"During the battle. When you got taken...both times," he looked away again and his shoulders slumped, "when you got your scars-OW!"

"Don't you DARE blame yourself for that!" She watched him rub at his shoulder where she had hit him and pointed her finger in his face, "OR any of it! You can't control what happens and you never could. But-but you did try. You really did."

She felt herself growing emotional and quickly shut her mouth tight, trying to keep her harsher words to herself. She really just wanted to tell him what a 'stupid dunderhead' he was being, but at this time knew insulting wouldn't exactly reassure him what a good brother he was.

"How? The ones who saved you all those times was Thorin or Fili and-" he stopped talking when she held up her hand flat against his face, her palm only JUST touching his nose.

"Who pulled me and Tilda out of the ice when we fell through? And then carried me all the way back to Bard's house?"

Kili remembered that day well, but that had only been one time.

"Dru-"

"And WHO found me in that house, tied up to a bed? And then gave me the shirt off his back?" She gave him a look and whilst he knew he didn't want to answer, he knew he had to give her something.

"I did, but-"

"And who stopped my horse when I lost my baby? Who took me up to the mountain to make sure I was ok?" She softened slightly when she thought of the traumatic time she had when her child had died, "and-and who sat with me to talk with me when I was laid up in bed? And actually cooked me food?!"

Kili smiled at her, remembering the odd assortment of foods he had presented to her the day she was fit to see visitors.

And he did admit it was true. He had been there for during those tough times. But he still felt guilty and she saw that in his face.

"Hey," she cupped his cheeks in both her hands and made him look at her, "I know what this is about. And I don't care what you say or what you think: YOU are a great brother. The best. And you are going to be an even more amazing Uncle."

"I don't know if I can make that promise to you-"

"I can. I know you're going to love them JUST as much as myself or Fili or Thorin and even Mam," she gave a laugh which he gladly shared, "so don't doubt yourself or your abilities to care for other people."

Kili gave her a small (real) smile and nodded.

"I'll try my damned hardest."

"That's all I ask," stepping back, she offered her arm out and waited for him to take it, "come on, let's go and get some sausage rolls."

"You always think with your stomach," he took her arm and they walked back out into the busy market and he was glad he'd cleared the air.

He'd been worried for a while after discussing 'Uncle duties' with Tauriel and the thought of being responsible for a smaller, fragile Dwarf was...well, very alarming for him.

But he did feel reassured that he could do it AND that he had Dru's faith and trust.

"Do you know when else you were there for me and you didn't even know it?" She waited for him to look at her as they walked side by side, "that day so long ago when I was chained to a stall like an animal. YOU saved me that day, not Fili. He hadn't even noticed me. You saw me and came straight over and talked to me and cleaned me up."

She stopped when she felt herself get a bit teary and sniffed back happy tears.

"Oh, bloody heck," she giggled when he pulled a funny face, "I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for you. My hero."

When Dru said those words and leant her head against his shoulder, Kili's heart swelled wonderfully.

"Nadad," she said quietly and Kili's smile made all the nearby ladies of Erebor swoon.

"Namad. I'm glad I found you that day."