0/3 Oscars for DoS. Although, I think Benedict's photo bombs more than made up for it. ;)
My MS Word expired, but I was able to download a free version, courteous of Laurasaurrusrex. Thank you for the recommendation!

Miss Impatient, I haven't stopped writing entirely! While this may not be as long as you and most others were hoping for, maybe it will ease the stress of some anticipation?

The days had grown shorter than Balin remembered. There was much to do in so little time before winter settled in full force. As the adviser continued to guide the young prince through overturned stone meetings, he felt more like a pebble kicked around one too many times. Anxiety and defeat loomed over them with a cloud of doubt. The long days and late nights were proving strenuous on the old dwarf. He was certainly a mirror image contrasted again Fili, who carried burgeoning capabilities unlike himself.

With another day gone, the routine continued with the dwarves branching off to separate wings of the mountain. Balin and the young prince waited patiently until the room was cleared, before letting out a deep breath and taking their leave. Despite the inseparable bond between brothers, Fili quickly became as unreadable as his uncle with a face taut like carven stone and an edge as sharp as the Arkenstone was bright.

All fun and play had left the young prince within a matter of these tiring days. Reality had been forced upon him with the weight and responsibility of a king. Balin knew he'd never break under the pressure of Dain's council, so there was no questioning the king's mentorship. Fili was able to handle himself, bringing a sense of peace to often stubborn, loud, riotous dwarves.

Routine was what they had adopted, and so Fili went off ahead on a limp to see his unconscious little brother. The old dwarf watched the young prince with a crutch in hand, until he was far from sight.

A faint emerald glow of the stone alerted him to the late hour. The sun had long since surrendered in the East some time ago. He brought a gloved hand up to his face, rubbing his tired eyes. When the day's activities came to an end everyone had someone to find.

Balin sought out a new mission for the one face he hadn't been able to lay eyes on in four days.

Knowing said dwarf, he suspected a few areas to check along the way as he slowly began his venture towards the bed chambers and common rooms that housed most of their friends. Echoes from his boots made for quick company as Balin gazed idly ahead, his pace decreasing as the familiar sounds resonated within their home as if it had never ceased afore. His stomach churned, swelled with emotion wanting to burst as he thought of his cousin resting peacefully.

The bellowed ring of his brother's voice brought him out of his reverie.

Balin came to a halt in front of a door slightly ajar. He'd somehow veered off-course and led himself down another hall just past his destination. These rooms use to be occupied by King Thror, and other important adversaries and factions. No one should have been down this area.

Balin gently pushed the door open, exposing a certain warrior in what could very well end up being his demise.

"What are you doing?" Balin pushed the door open to its full capacity. The warrior didn't even flinch or jump by the unanticipated company.

"Having a drink." He responded gruffly, pouring the leathery liquid into a glass.

Interested eyes rested on the empty used cups by a bottle of ale. Balin joined his brother by his side and moved the bottle away. This was unusual behaviour for the warrior. Balin knew his brother all too well, if he drank merrily, it wasn't like this.

"How many?"

Dwalin paused, staring into the newly poured mug, cringing slightly at its contents before downing the one he currently held. "Three."

"Three?"

"One for each of them." Dwalin said casually as if he were in another routine conversation. The thick liquid left the back of his throat in a minor fight against the burn.

"What was the fourth one for?"

The worry in Balin's unshaken voice finally made the brute flinch from the comfort within his words.

"I'm done here."

Dwalin stopped by the door, looking over his shoulder. "What news from the meeting? If Falo still making empty threats?"

"His threats are very real, brother." Balin said sternly. "When the rest of the council arrives, his words could be put into action."

"How long do we have?"

"Ten weeks. Depending on the weather and how fast they're able to travel."

"And Thorin?"

Balin joined the warrior at his side. His brother finally met his sorrowful stare. There was vulnerability in those dark eyes after many long days and nights. He didn't need to answer as they stared long and hard into each other.

The sun had finally shown itself for the first time since the Battle of Five Armies, as everyone began referring to it. But there was too much to focus on in preparation for winter and the arrival of the first caravan within coming weeks. The welcoming rays and blue skies brought out a cheerful atmosphere which in turn, increased productivity within the mountain.

As rare as good partings became, today proved to be an exception.

The company stood at the entrance to Erebor as they were already saying their farewells to two companions. Bilbo had been bombarded by strong arms left, right, and center in one hug or handshake after another. Éla watched on from a distance, already having said her goodbyes to the hobbit.

"Ah, my friend."

The female turned around to see a welcoming face. "Gandalf."

He offered her his hand to take, leading her aside and away from the others' earshot. "There's strength within you, Élarinya."

She laughed mockingly. "I don't feel it." Her gaze faltered to the ground. "I don't feel much of anything as of late."

Gandalf bent down, bringing himself as close to eye-level as his stature would allow. "The answers you seek have already been brought to light. Do not give up hope when there is much worth living for."

The wizard extended his arms, embracing her into a gentle hug. "Someone needs to keep everyone in check."

The humorous tone and glint in his eyes made her chuckle.

"Farewell, Gandalf."

"Our paths shall cross again."

Éla watched as he joined the hobbit hoping to give his final farewells. Bilbo kept turning back and waving or shouting goodbyes to the dwarves as they returned with kind words of their own. The scene was pleasant to watch as the tip of Gandalf's hat grew smaller in the distance where their statures resembled ants on the horizon.

As the group dispersed quickly thereafter, Éla caught the sight of a young dwarf branching away from the group down an adjacent corridor.

Emotion ran high so Fili secluded himself from the others. After being thrust into decision-making and taking over the reins within the past week, the young prince was reaching a breaking point.

Fili rested his head on his knees as he slid to the ground. So many thoughts ran through his mind and he just wanted to shut the world out for a moment's peace.

"Fili?"

The blonde dwarf looked up from the darkness behind shut eyes. Élarinya stood a few feet away, worry etched over her face. "Is everything alright?"

"I constantly feel sick to my stomach." He couldn't hold her gaze any longer. "I shouldn't be doing all this. I shouldn't be the one to sit in on those meetings, making decisions that will affect our futures. I-"

He rested his head against the wall, closing his eyes shut as hard as he could, hoping the mess would all disappear so when he opened them again, his world would return to normal.

"Fili, from what I've heard you are doing very well." She pressed a hand to his arm so he'd reopen his eyes. An act of comfort always proved successful. "Seclusion will only make the process that much more difficult to bare and overcome."

The sincerity and calming effect in her voice strung a cord within the prince. He was beginning to feel a small level of comfort. "It's alright to accept help as well."

"Exactly." Éla was relieved that it didn't take much to get him to see what was offered and available to them. He always remained clear-minded, but there was still doubt within him as his expression changed to a hard stare.

"As should you."

His comment startled her. The tables had turned as the prince stood on his feet. "You occupy yourself as if nothing had happened at all."

"What else is there to do?" Éla remained calm as he readied himself for a confrontation. "I can't change what happened Fili. I understand that. What I can do, is be useful."

That's what she had been doing; be useful.

"He has the right to know."

Éla's features softened. She knew he hadn't forgotten about that. It'd been easier for her to shut it out and bury it in the back of her mind. Now, the topic didn't faze her at all. Whether that would become unhealthy, she chose to deal with it as such. "Is that what this is about? Me not telling Thorin?"

Fili walked in a circle, hands clenching and unclenching. "No. I don't know. It's the council, my brother, Thorin…and you. Why haven't you seen him yet? He'll understand!"

"It's not that simple Fili."

"It is that simple." He argued. "If you won't tell him, then I will!"

Éla grabbed him by the shoulders, swinging him around so they were face to face. "You need to relax. The day is still young."

"Éla, I-" She held up a hand. Once he calmed, she spoke. "I will tell him. Just give me some time. Now, you should go to Kili, I'm sure he'll get a few laughs from your stories and dealing with the council. Right?"

Fili couldn't hold back a laugh at the thought. Kili always saw the innocent side of things.

"Deal." He brought her into a hug and whispered in her ear within the chance he got. "No one wants to see you fall to this. We all care about you."

Éla tightened her hold slightly before letting him go. "Now go find your brother."

For the first time, Fili smiled a true smile and took off as fast as his legs could carry him.

There was supposed to be more but considering the time, I'll leave it here so I can finish and get another update out this week. (Been working ahead a bit too, so things will begin to heat up some more very, very soon.)