Turning, Kili gave a greeting smile as the dark haired dwarf appeared in the doorway. It looked like he had rushed up and there was definitely a sparkle of relief in his eyes when they settled on his youngest.

"Oh, yeah, Uncle," Fili spoke out. "Kili's back."

"So I see, and so I have been told." Thorin shook his head good naturedly and crossed the room, clasping his nephew's shoulders tightly. "And I am pleased to see you in one piece, young nephew. I trust you have no new holes that need tending?"

The boy grinned sheepishly. "I don't know Uncle. I smelled some sweet honey cakes in the kitchen so if that is to be the prize…"

Pulling his nephew in for a gentle ruffle of the hair, the King to Be laughed "Ah, my Kili, you would think with your stomach all day if I would allow you."

Fili grinned widely "Especially lately, Uncle. Bombur says that Kili's Inner Carving is to be soon."

Looking upon his nephew's eyes, Thorin traced the boy's hairline "So soon, is it?"

Kili pouted lightly "I don't think it's going to be THAT soon, Uncle. Bombur says that increased hunger has to hang around a while first."

"Aye, he's right." Thorin looked the boy up and down "No rashes yet on the arms or legs?"

Rolling his eyes, Kili stated firmly "Uncle, I remember the signs from when Fili went through his. I promise I'll tell you—and no, no rashes yet." He added "And the journey to Mirkwood went good—"

"Went well" Thorin corrected out of habit.

Fili rolled his eyes that time even though he knew that it was something he and Kili would need to watch when in the public eye.

Kili gave his uncle an exasperated look but corrected "Well. Still tons of spiders in that wood." He shuddered but smiled brightly "Killed three of them myself and Mahnar is a good swordsman. Not as good as Fili but…."

While he appreciated the praise, the crown prince felt inclined to add "You're biased."

"'Course I am. Doesn't mean I'm wrong though…anyway, I think we killed fifteen of them before we even got to the palace." Scoffing, he stated "Cleared the forest, my left foot. Thranduil at least said thank you for the kills we made." He added to his uncle's unspoken inquiry. "No injuries. Though, I do believe I was close to giving Mahnar one if he insisted on calling me 'Your Highness' once more."

Chuckling, Thorin remarked, swinging an arm over his nephew's shoulders "I suffered the same, my boy. As did your Uncle Frerin. I think your mother rather liked it, given her age."

Fili took a puff of his pipe and relayed "Well, I think Kili and I liked it when we were kids." He shrugged "Takes on a whole new meaning now."

"As it should." Thorin agreed, "You have earned the titles, not just by blood right but by your actions. I mean to make sure all of Erebor knows of your feat against Smaug and your courageous actions in the battle."

Kili flushed a bit in the cheeks "Uncle, we only did what we needed to do."

Fili added, "Aye, and we could hardly do less. Not when our family is in danger. Not when our home is what's at stake."

Thorin nodded "Which is what true warriors do. The glory is not the goal and you two have learned that well."

Kili decided to change back to the topic at hand before things became too involved. While he and Fili had more or less come to terms with the battle, too much lingering on the topic was still disturbing and this was to be a night for celebration! They could stand their uncle telling the story of destroying Smaug and the battle, as it was necessary, but if they could avoid thinking of it beyond that:

"King Thranduil said he was happy to see our kingdom coming into its own." Folding his arms, Kili allowed a shrug "I'm not sure if I believe it though. He said he wouldn't be attending though—"

"No big loss" Fili snorted.

"Naw, that's what I thought but he said he wants us to know that he's still devoted for open trade. So, his son is going to come, Prince Legolas." Kili paused, pondered a moment "You ever plan on doing that, Uncle? Sending me or Fili if you really don't want to go somewhere?"

Exhaling with a half laugh through his nose, Thorin folded his arms "Not because I don't want to go but because it would be good for you to learn. If I happen to be…not thrilled about the concept…it's a different matter."

Fili remarked "So yes?"

Thorin gave his nephew a half-glare, half smile with his eyes "Open to debate, sister-son." Turning back to his youngest, he leaned back, a little, resting against the nearby desk "So, Prince Legolas will be blessing us with his presence, shall he?"

Pausing, a moment, a hairbreath of a moment, Kili nodded "And…Tauriel as well."

Thorin was silent a moment, lips pursed. "Is she?"

"I invited her, Uncle." Kili felt inclined to add. "We...I'd like us to still remain friends. The passion I imagined…it's not there, I doubt it ever was. However, respect is still there Uncle and she did help us in the battle. Isn't it right that we honor her for that, just like Prince Legolas?" He looked from Fili to his Uncle and back and back again. "We owe her that at least."

Fili scoffed, folded his arms "After what she did, I don't owe her the mud off my boots." He sighed at Kili's look. "But, I told you, Little Brother, I will be civil, if nothing else." His eyes narrowed "Provided that she doesn't try anything else."

Thorin raised a hand "Peace, sister-son. Your brother has asked us to be civil and we will be." He laid a hand on each of Kili's shoulders. "You did well, Kili. Is your heart settled? Satisfied?"

Nodding, Kili smiled lightly, "It is, Uncle. Thank you for letting me go. I know that neither of you are fans of Tauriel but she's a good ally, I promise."

"We will see how she fares through our long coronation." Thorin shrugged his head slightly to the side. "We will greet her with honor, grant her the three offerings and if the future deems more, we will tackle that as it comes." He leaned forward, asked softly, a second time "Is your heart satisfied, Kili? Truly?"

After a moment pause, if for no other reason than to show that yes, he was truly thinking about it, he nodded "It is, Uncle. Tauriel was an infatuation, a friend but I am past that now." He smiled, though with some slight delay, "As you and Fili and Amad always like to tell me, the dwarrowdam for me just hasn't found me yet. So, I'll wait."

Resting his forehead against his nephew's a brief moment, Thorin gave a nod "Good. Then, if your heart is satisfied, I have no qualms against the she-elf, provided she does no more to tease you—"

"Mahal, Uncle, you're as bad as Fili!"

"Hey!" Fili spoke out, slightly indignant but he could hardly keep the smile from his face.

"—And we shall prepare for the beginnings of the ceremony tonight. Balin will be joining us soon, as will the rest of the Company. And Bilbo." He added the latter after a moment and Fili perked up, his eyes sparkling.

"You mean to include Bilbo, Uncle?"

Nodding firmly, Thorin addressed his eldest "If he desires it. I will not force it but I hope he will. We owe him much.

The two brothers nodded firmly to that. "Fili and I were talking about that, Uncle," Kili spoke out "Not just about Bilbo but the rest of the Company. Everything they did." His face warmed at the memories. "We owe them a lot."

Fili added "I thought we knew them before, in the Blue Mountains. You were not lying, Uncle, when you told us that you come to know people best on the battlefield."

Chuckling a little, Thorin remarked "You remember well, don't you? Aye, I could not have selected better fighters, better companions, better protectors if I had the whole of Arda's history to pick from." His eyes glassed, slightly. He had seen the way his Company would jump to protect his nephews, the way Bilbo would try anything he could to protect them, even after Thorin had fallen into Gold Madness. Protecting them when he could not until he…until Fili's near death snapped him out of it.

Yes, he could not have asked for a more loyal Company from Mahal himself.

"We mean to give them recognition, Uncle." Kili spoke out suddenly. "After the coronation."

Raising a brow, Thorin inquired "You think I will not, Sister-Son? Surely, you think more highly of me than that."

Face red, Kili bowed his head, "Didn't mean it that way."

Fili stood, walked over and wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulder. "What Kili means Uncle is that we have our own ideas about what we would like to say…"

"Then say what you will," Thorin allowed with a smile. "Your hearts have more than proven that I need not oversee what you wish to say, unless you wish to hear my thoughts on it."

Shaking his head, Fili said "Not because we don't value your counsel Uncle but I think we would just be repeating what you already said. Kili and I just would like to give them recognition on our own, as Princes of Erebor." He tightened his grip on Kili. "They've heard our thanks as warriors, as members of the Company, as your heirs. We'd like to give them before Erebor so that they know and remember that Erebor is ours once more not because of the actions of one but of many."

Face brimming with pride, Thorin gave his smile of acceptance, "And so you shall. Erebor will hear the both of you and by then, they shall know all you have done. All the company has done. All Bilbo has done. I'm sure our tales will be exaggerated over the years, as all tales are." He gave his nephews a pointed look. "As I have told you several times, the number in the battle of Moria were vast but not to the grand amount you two like to pretend they were."

Fili gave a smirk, "Hey, it's not just us, Uncle."

"Right," Kili chimed in "And Bilbo even told me that every story has a sampling of lies in it. He says as long as they don't change the importance of it, that's just fine."

"Of course our burglar would tell you that." Thorin shook his head again, his long hair swaying but there was a smile to his eyes. "I cannot deny his words though." He took a nephew in each hand, resting his palm on their shoulders. "There will be many songs these coming eves. Songs, poems, declarations of great deeds. Enjoy them, rally in them. I want you two to remember though, that the same thing that I sought in the Company is what won us our home. Never forget that."

Nodding, firmly, Fili said softly, laying a fist across his chest a moment "Loyalty."

Kili pushed his braids behind his ears as he answered "Honor."

Laying his hands from his nephews' shoulders to their chests, over the center, Thorin finished "And a willing heart." He leaned over, first to Fili then to Kili and laid his forehead on theirs.

Shyness in his smile, Fili enjoyed the closeness as his uncle pulled away and after giving his younger brother the same treatment, Thorin said, "Wait for me in the main sitting room, by the fire. Start a small one. The Company and hopefully Bilbo will be joining us and Balin will finally get these things started." He advised, eyes heavy "When I return with Balin, Bilbo and the others, there will be no more delays. Balin will make sure all understand, Ori will begin the notations and it will begin, understood?"

Both boys nodded firmly, "Yes, Uncle."

Fili caught himself, "I suppose it will be Thorin or Your Majesty throughout the ceremony though, won't it?"

The elder dwarf smiled, "You remember your lessons well, Fili. I won't require Your Majesty from you two. But, for the ceremony, yes, my name will have to suffice until the final crownings are said and done."

Each of them nodded again. It had been done before, having to address their uncle by his name rather than his title and while they were not fond of it, they understood the need for formality.

Kili asked, "Thorin, do you think you might…convince Bombur to spare some snacks for the night?"

Chuckling, Thorin offered "A welcomed idea. I may even bring you up some honey cakes if Bombur has some to spare. The mere explanation of what is to come will take time and a welcomed meal would be preferred and if not that, then some meat and sweets to tide us over for the coronation feast tomorrow."

Eyes twinkling a little, Kili asked "The ones with the thick icing?"

"Perhaps." Thorin offered as he slipped through the door. Fili followed a moment later, stopping in the doorframe to call

"Some for me too, Thorin! And ale or mead!"

Kili allowed a smile and gently nudged his brother. "You know as well as I do that if the whole Company is here, there is going to be ale."

"Never hurts to make sure, Little Brother!" Fili slipped around his brother and down the hall slightly, heading for the large living area, stopping briefly, as did Kili to bring in their wolves from the outside courtyards where they had been romping about. As the group of four settled in the main room, the two wolves claiming the empty couches as Fili set about starting the fire as requested, Kili cursed. "Ah, Mahal!"

Turning, face still half in the hearth, the elder brother asked, "What is it?"

"We never talked to Uncle about the ceremony!" He declared, grasping his braids in frustration. "About our kneeling and what we could do about it and now Balin is going to start everything and…aklâf!"

Trying to keep a bit more composure, Fili stood, brushing his hands as the small spark he had begun started to flare and expand. "Kili, we haven't started the ceremony yet. We have time."

"Fili, are you daft?" Kili knew his sibling was trying to reassuring (and likely still denying how his injury affected him) but they had no time for such lies. "After Balin explains everything, it starts! And if Uncle is calling the Company, he means to have us pick our Representatives of Heart and Body tonight. The invitation for the coronation is tomorrow evening but it starts tonight. When exactly are we going to have time to ask?"

"…kakhf."

OOO

"No, more pepper. Only pepper! I've got enough salt to choke a horse."

Bombur laughed as he carried over the tray ladden with all manner of spices and shooed away the lingering and hovering helpers. "Check on the dining halls," he offered. "Won't do no good to make all this food and have nowhere to put it! And ready the tables for the Three Blessings for our Guests." The gathered dwarves scattered and Bilbo gave the large dwarf a glance of gratitude. He loved to cook and that had not changed but being surrounded by all sorts of pushy dwarves had rattled his nerves. Not every dwarf had Bombur's skill in the kitchen after all!

Though, that was the fifth time that evening he had heard 'Three Blessings' and while he tried not to be nosy with his friends, he was nearly gnawing his lip in curiosity. Judging by the way everyone took it so seriously…if he hadn't so many pies to make that required his concentration, he might have asked and he was tempted to do so anyway and risk a pie or two to fire as payment!

"Thank you, my friend. Honestly, how am I to finish these pies with so many folk breathing down my neck?" Though, the Hobbit maintained a smile. He knew all too well the dwarf love of food and he could hardly say that he had never pestered for just a small sampling of what was to come. He'd become accustomed to giving bits to the two princes as well as their mongrel wolves.

Bombur chuckled "Ah, they don't understand the nature of cookin', just eating!"

The hobbit nodded in agreement with that as he added some more flour. The preparation for the coronation was indeed many. Preparing food for so many guests was a tiresome job! Enjoyable as Bilbo was— all too happy to contribute in some way —but there was nothing but exhaustion waiting after making so many bread loaves, pieces and tarts!

"I'd imagine most people are fond of the eating part, Bombur." Shifting slightly, he wiped across his brow with his forearm, leaving a puff of flour in its wake. "I certainly was as a fauntling." He chuckled "And I'm positive that young Kili shall clear the pantries himself some eve soon!"

Bombur flicked his beard "Still begging for snacks from you, eh?"

Bilbo threw his head back with a laugh "When isn't he? It used to be a group effort between him and Fili but he's become more of a solo act as of late. Well, unless you count that wolf of his."

Bombur allowed another smile as he gathered meats from the fire and stirred one of the many pots in the remaining hearths. "His body is preparing. Early bloomer I guess he is."

Eyes wide, Bilbo tilted his head "Preparing?"

Nodding firmly, the cook declared "His Inner Carving, no doubt in my mind. My three oldest boys were the same, so was Fili. Eat-eat-eat and never get full."

He considered a moment but was it really his place? He couldn't imagine it was and yet, it was like he was in the Shire, inquiring on his youngest cousin's upcoming 33rd year. He felt just as he would have had he a blood link so he pressed onward. "How soon then?"

Bombur shrugged "That's harder to tell, Bilbo. Could be two weeks, could be a month. I'd say though...less than a moon's cycle time." He smirked "If my measuring hasn't gotten sloppy!"

"A month then." Well, that decided it for Bilbo. After all, he would be here at least another two months! Plus, he found himself delighting in learning more and more about his Dwarven kin so it made sense to educate himself. He would like to support young Kili however he could. "Bombur, Thorin mentioned it to me a bit ago, just briefly. If this is to happen so soon, I would very much like to be informed so I can help! Any way I am allowed to." He felt inclined to add the second piece. He would not disrupt any of their traditional methods but he desired to aid where he could! "If I would be allowed."

The red bearded dwarf pulled another tray from the hot stoves and as he began to arrange bowls and platters, he responded, "I think they might let ya, Bilbo. You've come to be pretty important to all of us." He paused and then stated "And not just because of what you did to help us win back our home but for just…being you."

The Hobbit smiled lightly. "I don't know how to be anyone else." He helped lay out a row of bowls as Bombur spooned stewed meat into each one before setting bread and chopped fruit on the plates next to them. "But anything I can do to help, I'd like to. But I do wish to know what this Inner Carving even is."

Bombur cleared his throat as he worked. "Final step into adulthood. When we're young, we're made more malleable. Dwarflings need to be, with all mischief they can get into. Malleable means that their bones will bend, not break. It means they stay smaller for longer. It means they rely on their families for protection until they're smart enough to make choices for themselves."

"Ah." Bilbo nodded "That much, my friend, I can understand. We hobbits come of age at 33 but we could be considered 'grown' at 22. Except a long time ago, our elders learned that most 20-some year olds could not make a well informed decision with a committee to help them."

Bombur laughed. "You mean to tell me that you Hobbits extended the age of adulthood to make sure your younglings were able to make rational decisions and not be so brash?"

"Exactly. It has served us well, if I do say so myself."

Nodding in agreement, the cook chuckled, "Not a bad idea at all. If most of us had our way, we'd make one hundred the coming of age. Unfortunately, wars and battles sometimes dictate that for us. I take it that you hobbits haven't had to deal with that?"

Shaking his head, Bilbo answered, "Not for a long time. We do have some Hobbits that are trained in it but most of the world just leaves us alone."

Bombur nodded, "Something I think most of us want." He gave a sad smile. "Before Smaug, that was all we dwarves wanted—be able to mine our gems, make our crafts, play with our children, cherish our families."

Bilbo laid a hand on Bombur's arm, "Life wasn't kind to you. I'm glad to have had a part in fixing that."

"A large part, Bilbo!"

The Hobbit smiled again with a nod as he set aside some pies to cool and some to go into the oven "Now, come, Bombur, you have me talking in circles again. What of this Inner Carving? How will I know?"

"Oh, you won't be able to miss it, Bilbo. Kili's just getting the cravings right now. The sweet cravings. The meat cravings come next. Then the always-thirsty." He smiled, "I've already started to stock up the lemonade and what milk we can manage to gather."

"Really? I thought you dwarves were more about mead and ale."

"Aye, aye, you won't find a dwarf that would turn down either! But when he starts gettin' that thirst, he's gonna need milk, juice, water. Ale and mead will probably make him sick for a bit." He allowed a laugh to bubble up from his gut. "Most of us learn the hard way that while we want ale, our bodies reject it."

Bilbo nodded. "I can help make some tea for him or my grandmother had a glorious recipe for honey milk that I do believe he would love."

Bombur smiled and set more bread and stewed meat aside "I'll welcome any suggestions when that comes about Bilbo. My brother and cousin and I came around a few years ago when Fili went through his and that was quite a buildup." He let a soft, almost sad light come to his eyes, "Thorin came home, fingers worn to the bone and soaked in sweat just to bring in some extra coin."

Bilbo could relate. He knew from the Fell Winter what it was like to be without though, his family had always had money. He knew that Thorin had been a King in Exile with limited supplies but thinking of him, the proud king, coming home so worn. "For food?"

"Food," Bombur agreed. "And later on, medicine."

Bilbo eyed the dwarf "I take it that comes later?"

Nodding again, Bombur clarified, "After the cravings, comes the swelling and the rashes. The skin grows, especially on the arms and neck and shoulders. Kili will look like a right troll for a week or so. Red as fire and splotched like bruises up and down the whole body. If he's anything like his brother, I doubt he'll be doing much but reading perhaps and whining about not being able to do much moving."

"Why?" Bilbo demanded. "Why the swelling, the rashes, the…all of that?" He shuddered "I mean, among Hobbits, there is some discomfort with aging but…not like that."

Bombur nodded and went to the oven, drawing out yet more bread which he took to chopping quickly. "'Member I said that young dwarves are malleable, Bilbo?" When the Hobbit nodded, he went on, "During the Inner Carving, Mahal hardens the bones to strong as rock. Bones grow, muscles build and the extra skin won't be extra for long once the filling out finishes. You've seen how much broader even Ori is than little Kili. That's why. Mahal will add to his bones, to his muscles and make him thick and sturdy." His eyes still shone with sympathy at the thought though. "The body rashes we think are because there's more blood. We know things swell and turn red when they're healin' so it's similar." He added "Fever is a sign of the day coming and the day that the Carving begins-the rapid bone growth and the muscles- the boy'll start leaking blood through his skin. Small but that's when family'll be needed." He advised "Hurts a lot Bilbo. Thorin's asked me and Oin to start gatherin' Poppy Milk for it." He looked forlorn a moment. "Fili…poor Fili…we had no such supplies when he went through his."

Bilbo stared a long moment, "What…did you all do then?"

"Only thing we could do," Bombur offered, "Gave him pain relieving roots to chew, heated up hot baths for him and Thorin sat with him, holding him into his chest." He smiled at the hobbit "Kili will have an easier time. We have lots here now to help him!"

Well, NOW Bilbo was more determined than ever to help and help in any way he could. "Well, I must keep an eye on this and I will prepare the best of sweets for him!"

"Oh, Mahal, you are going to spoil the boy, Master Hobbit!"

Thorin, as always, had a knack for entering at just right time (Bilbo was beginning to suspect that it was a traits shared by all the Durin line) and he crossed the threshold into the kitchen, greeting both occupants with a smile and a nod of the head. Bilbo still could not get over how lovely the King's smile was. It was a shame it had taken so many years and so many trials to get it to come out more often.

Setting hands on his hips, ignoring the flour dusting his face and torso, Bilbo countered. "Well, if what I am being told is even half as horrible as it will be, I mean to spoil the boy plenty. I am half inclined to spoil Fili in retrospect!"

Chuckling, Bombur remarked, "I think Thorin has beat you to that, my friend."

The King scoffed "I would wager instead, Bombur, that each of you who were in my Company have taken it upon yourselves to spoil my sister sons when you think I am unaware. It makes it quite difficult to continue to one-up you all." The teasing smile on the dwarf's face added warmth to the room that no other person could do and Bombur rewarded it with a laugh.

"I'm glad you're both here though," Thorin said after the chuckles and guffaws had faded. "The time has come to begin the Coronation."

Bombur nodded seriously but Bilbo was baffled.

"But none of the guests are here yet!"

"No," Thorin agreed. "But the process for myself and my sister sons will start this eve, which is why I am asking both of you and the rest of our Company to join us in the Royal Chambers. Balin will explain it in greater detail but I…would like it if you were a part of it, Bilbo. If you so desire."

The titny Hobbit's eyes grew huge. To be asked into a Dwarvish tradition was a true honor and you did not need to know them as intimately as he did to be aware of that! He considered them family true but to know they were going to let him into one of their sacred traditions…

Voice slightly choked, Bilbo swallowed "I..I would be honored, Thorin though I don't know what I will be able to do."

Bombur smiled "Balin will explain it all, Bilbo. He's good at that."

Relief seemed to flood Thorin's face at Bilbo's acceptance. "We will guide you each step of the way, Bilbo but you had such a large part in not just reclaiming our home but for myself and my sister sons…I know you deny such a part but I insist and I mean to make sure you receive recognition for it. We will not ask anything of you that would be beyond your comfort and you may refuse at any time."

"As I said, Thorin," Bilbo said, wiping off his hands, "I would be honored."

Nodding, Thorin looked up to Bombur, "Only a few remain, Bombur, will you be able to join us?"

"I only need to finish a few more of the Three Blessings, Thorin," the plump cook assured. "Half hour? Gives me time to prepare some simple foods for us all. We'll all need it tonight."

Agreeing, Thorin advised, "Prepare for two representatives from the Mirkwood Kingdom. Kili says he has extended his invite to the Lady Tauriel. And, much as I would deny her all three, I swore unto my sister son I would not so, grant her all three."

Bombur turned to finish his work and said, "Go on, Bilbo. I'll meet you up there in a few. With treats in tow!"

Much as he hated to leave Bombur to the work, Bilbo knew that he would likely get lost if he tried to go on his own so he nodded, set his apron aside and trotted after Thorin. Actually, this was a good time to inquire,

"Thorin, what are these 'Three Blessings?'"

KHUZDUL:

Aklâf: Curse, equivalent of 'damn'

Kakhf: Excrement, could be used as a curse to mean 'shit' or 'crap.'