Sorry about a short, rather disjointed conclusion.
Disclaimer: I do not own Middle Earth or it's wonderful cast of characters
Ch.5 My brother's keeper
The fire crackled and popped, filling in the silence after Balin finished his story. Kíli sat there shell-shocked. He had never heard this story about his brother. He glanced back across the fire to where his brother remained asleep, unaware of the distress he had caused the young Dwarf. Kíli's mind was still spinning when he and Bilbo woke Nori and Bofur to take the next watch. Kíli tossed and turned for the remainder of the night, unable to sleep after what he had been told. Finally in the wee hours of the morning, he could take it no more. He shook Fíli's shoulder.
"Fíli? Fee? Wake up!" Kíli hissed in his brother's ear.
"Mmmph? Kee? Wha's matter?" The blond slurred still mostly asleep as he tried to roll over from where he lay tangled in the blankets. His hand gripped a knife, ready to defend them if necessary. He relaxed his grip on the weapon when he saw that that they were not under immediate attack.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Kíli demanded, not bothering to add any preamble.
"Tell... wha'?" Fíli blinked sleepily at his brother. He was not privy to Kíli's thoughts, so he was thoroughly confused as to what his younger brother was referring to.
"About Dakren. Why didn't you ever tell me about Dakren?"
"What about Dakren?" Fíli's brow was furrowed in confusion. It had been a while since he had spared a though for the bully. The name brought up horrible memories for the blond, so he tried to avoid any discussion about the Dwarf.
"About the night he…. he….. raped you," Kíli felt dirty saying the word. A sad of understanding look came over Fíli's face.
"Who told you?" he asked softly, shifting uncomfortably under the blankets.
"Balin told me. But why did you keep that story from me?"
"I thought you would be ashamed of me," Fíli admitted, closing his eyes briefly, "I though you might hate me for being weak, for being dirty."
"Never, nadad, never! I could never hate you! I love you no matter what," Kíli declared with a smile, reaching out to squeeze Fíli's shoulder. His words did not have the desired effect. Fíli's face fell a bit and he with drew from Kíli's comforting hand. Kíli's bright smile faltered.
"You shouldn't," Fíli mumbled after a minute before turning away from his distressed brother.
"Fíli! What are you talking about?" Kíli was aghast, pulling his brother to face him again.
"Balin surely told you about the fact that Víli was not my father. I'm a mongrel," Fíli sighed.
"And?"
"I'm usurping your throne." The pained look on Fíli's face told Kíli that he still struggled to come to terms with the circumstances of his parentage.
"It's not usurping if I don't want it," Kíli protested, and it was true. Much to Thorin's frustration, he hated all things formal and political. He was much happier when he was out hunting and exploring.
"It doesn't matter whether or not you want the throne, it's still usurping. You know that full well," Fíli lectured.
"But Thorin named you as his heir, and Mum agreed with his choice."
"I don't think 'agreed' is the correct word to use, Kee. I think 'stormed about' or 'threw a fit' might be more fitting phrases."
"That's because Thorin basically declared that he would never get married. Mum was upset because she said she was tired of cooking for him. Surely you remember what she said?"
"Aye..." Fíli snorted, "I've never seen uncle more terrified; promised to cook for the next year to appease Mum. When he made dinner the next night it was hardly edible and Mum said that was why he would never marry; well that and the fact that he made ridiculous innuendos. Uncle was so embarrassed and threw a spoon at her."
"My point still stands, she's terribly proud of the fact that you are next in line to the throne," Kíli poked Fíli in the side and earned himself a swat on the head.
"I wonder what she would do if I abdicated," Fíli mused.
"If you abdicated, you would break Mum's heart because I would follow you! Then Thorin will have to deal with cousin Dain being next in line," Kíli proclaimed.
"Hmm, yes, I fear dealing with Dain as his heir would put Thorin in an early grave, if your antics don't," Fíli laughed softly.
"So you'll keep the title of heir?"
"You leave me no other choice Kee, I guess you're stuck with me," Fíli teased. Kíli could still see a traces of regret and conflict in Fíli's face. He mentally sighed. Fíli's self-confidence had always needed working on. In years past that had been Thorin and Dis' job. Now that would be Kíli's task: make Fíli see that he was indispensable and loved. Kíli snuggled close to his brother's side as Fíli wrapped a protective arm around him. They both drifted off for the remainder of the night, drawing comfort from each other's presence.
End.